CITY RESERVES

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21335, 30 November 1934, Page 19

CITY RESERVES

ANNUAL INSPECTION GREATLY IMPROVED PARKS Yesterday the reserves committee of the Christchurch City Council made its annual inspection of the council reserves and parks. The inspection, which commenced at 9.30 a.m., did not conclude until after 5 p.m., when some 18 parks had been visited. The councillors were attended by Mr M. J. Barnett (superintendent -of parks anc. reserves), who explained to the party the various improvements made during the year. Great satisfaction was expressed with the splendid condition of the parks, which looked at their best yesterday. The following formed the inspection party:—Crs. T. H. Butterfield (chairman of the reserves committee), J. S. Barnett, M. Howard, and T. Andrews. At the luncheon at Victoria Park the Mayor (Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P.), the Town Clerk (Mr J. S. Neville), and Cr. J. K. Archer joined the party. The first place visited was the nursery at Linwood. The superintendent explained that the nursery supplied the needs of all the various council parks. Thousands of pine seedlings now at the nursery would later be planted at the Bottle Lake afforestation reserve. In another part could be seen plants raised from seed sent from Canada and Great Britain. A section was devoted to alpine flora collected in the mountains of Otago. The councillors greatly admired the secluded rose garden in Linwood Park. The superintendent said that the first three beds had been planted by the Linwood avenue scholars on Arbor Day last year. Memorial Garden At Woolston Park the new stone wall erected some two months ago attracted attention. The garden laid out in memory of the late Mr J. McCombs, M.P, was a point of interest. The garden, facing Richardson terrace, was constructed on a sloping bank. Kowhai trees lined the central patn. and a novel design in semi-circular stone steps was introduced at the rockery. A sundial has yet to be erected, and stone seats will be placed in recesses in the rock garden. All the plants are natives of New Zealand. Opawa Park has been converted from a rubbish tip to beautiful lawns and flower beds by Mr Barnett and .his staff. The councillors when inspecting the circular sunken flower beds showed great interest in a flourishing cistus plant which had come from Gallipoli. At Beckenham Park great interest was shown in the natural spring ponds. The overflow from the ponds is led to the river, where a small waterwheel pumps the water back to the top of the rockery. The rockery made a beautiful display, and won the admiration of the councillors. Bradford Park, formerly Smart's Pond, presented a pleasing aspect though the reserve is still in its infancy. At Sydenham Park one of the two new council tractors was demonstrated. With the present triple mowers cutting 10 feet, up to 20 acres a day can be mown. The native trees of the Jerrold street reserve were inspected before the party came to the Spreydon Domain. Next to the Domain Hall a new broom bed has been laid out. Mr Barnett said that one of the best jobs done by the unemployed was the conversion of the gravel pit into an extension of the park. Water had been laid on all over the domain during the yea) - , and the grass has improved greatly. The bowling green and tenins courls looked in particularly fine condition. At Barrington Park the trees givci) by Mr Robert Nairn, which were planted six months ago on the south ■iide of the park, were inspected and "ound to be in satisfactory condition. Superintendent Congratulated The party of councillors had lunch?;i at the Victoria Park Kiosk, fler luncheon the chairman of the :>;rves committee said that council's had seldom seen the parks in ii line condition. Areas were con- ■ illy oeina added to the council ■■•ve-, but he felt that Christchuri'h .'1 necdul more parks, and the conn-

:il should buy whenever possible. He felt that the finance committee should ae taken to see the parks, and especially the nursery at Linwood. The Mayor said that during his stay in Melbourne he had met many people who had visited Christchurch, and they always talked of the city's beautiful parks. Credit should be given to the reserves committee and the superintendent, Mr Barnett, deserved congratulations. Cr. Archer supported the congratulations of the Mayor. He said that petty criticisms of the salary and allowances of the superintendent had been heard,' but the truth was that no other man of Mr Barnett's experience and worth, holding such a responsible position, was so poorly paid in New Zealand. He felt that Mr Barnett should be congratulated rather than criticised for the work he had done outside the council requirements. Crs. Andrews, Barnett, and Howard also spoke. Mr Barnett thanked the committee and spoke of the splendid work done by the unemployed. The reserves permanent staff had been steadily increased since the introduction of the No. 5 scheme. On the way to Bottle Lake the party saw the new pavilion built at Burwood Park. The councillors were greatly interested in the work at Bottle Lake. Nine miles of roadway had been constructed from rubble removed in levelling Burwood Park. Extensive sand fixation work was in hand to check the encroachment of sand dunes. Pallisades had been erected, and acres of sand planted in marram grass. Mr Barnett said that the condition of the plantations was sufficient proof of the good work put in by the .unemployed. St. James, Elmwood, Malvern, and St. Albans Parks were hurriedly inspected, and the councillors returned to the Council Chambers expressing great satisfaction at Ihe work of Mr Barnett and his staff.