DEANS ESTATE

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24954, 15 August 1946, Page 6

DEANS ESTATE

ACQUISITION BY CITY

PLAN SUPPORTED AT PUBLIC MEETING

Unanimous support of a proposal to preserve Deans Bush and adjacent property at Riccarton as a public reserve for the people of Canterbury was given in Christchurch last evening at a meeting attended by more than 100 citizens, including representatives of many local bodies, societies, and other organisations. Speakers emphasised the desirability of the property becoming a public heritage and the need for immediate and concerted action to improve the condition of the bush. After a long discussson. the following motion was carried unanimously:—

“That this meeting of citizens affirms the principle that the Deans homestead site be purchased as a public reserve and as a memorial to John and William Deans, the original settlers, and for the protection of Riccarton Bush, and that provision be made for the maintenance of the bush.”

It was further decided that the matter be referred to the Canterbury Progress League to form a committee with power to co opt from various societies in Canterbury. It was pointed out that the object of this committee would be to make plans and raise the necessary money for the purchase of the homestead property, the cost of which was stated to be £16,500. By statute, the bush was preserved for all time for the citizens of Christchurch, said the Mayor (Mr E. H. Andrews) in his opening address. The City Council provided £ 150 a year for the maintenance of the bush, but other subscriptions were voluntary. Until sufficient finance could be found, the bush was bound to deteriorate. The bush had been damaged by the snowstorm last year, and it was impossible for the one ranger to do all the work necessary to keep it in the desired order.

“We would like to see the estate of 12£ acres adjoining the bush become the property of the citizens, too,” the Mayor continued. From an historical point of view the property was of great value, and as a woodland for the people it would be a delightful place in the city.

It would be unwise for the public to obtain more land unless it was able to maintain it, said the president of the Canterbury branch of the Royal Society of New Zealand (Mr C. W. Collins), emphasising the importance of finance. The acquisition of the adjacent land would allow the bush to be opened up and access from the north-west would be possible. He outlined some of the benefits which would result if the estate became the property of the city. There could be no question that the price of £ 16.500 was other than a very fair one. The dangers to the bush of any subdivision of the estate was pointed out by the secretary of the Riccarton Bush Board of Trustees (Mr W. B. Brockie). "To lower the level of the water table in the bush would affect the conditions to which the trees and other plans are adapted,” he said. Exotic trees on the estate provided a shelter for the bush and if these were removed the first line of defence would be destroyed. If the property was subdivided, there was no doubt thal the trees would be cut down. Mr Brockie added that the financial state of the trust was “deplorable,” and that it had not even been possible to pay adequate wages to the ranger. “If the people of Canterbury are not interested enough to maintain the bush in good order, we can’t wonder whv it is said that the South Island is dragging behind the North,” said Mr A. R. Greatbatch. He offered to provide enough men, free of cost, to put the bush in shape. “It should not be necessary for me to do it, but I make that offer to this meeting,” he added.

Raising of Necessary Money If it was the wish of the people that the estate become their property, ways and means to raise the' money could be found, said Mr M. E. Lyons. “The purchase of the adjacent land is contingent on the preservation of Deans Bush.” said Mr M. J. Barnett. “The property itself has many values. It contains some of the most beautiful exotic trees in New Zealand, there is a weeping lime tree which is prob-, ably the only one in the country and one of the few in the world, and a redwood tree on the estate is one of the largest in New Zealand.” Mr Barnett held that it was fitting the city should acquire the estate as a memorial to the man who made his first home in Canterbury. Mr R. S. D. Harman suggested that the property might be used as the official residence in Christchurch of the Governor-General and be made available for prominent visitors from overseas. Mr H. W. Gourlay stated that if the trees on the estate were cut down, much of the plant life of the bush would be destroyed by the north-wes-terly winds. Organisations pledging their support to any efforts to preserve the bush and acquire the estate included the Royal Society of New Zealand, the Canterbury Horticultural Society, the Canterbury Early Settlers and Pilgrims’ Association, the Christchurch Beautifying Association, the Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Geographical Society, the Canterbury Society of Arts, the Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Institute of Architects, the North Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Women Teachers Association, the Humic Compost Society, and many local bodies. Support was also received from the staff of the Christchurch Boys’ High School in a letter *signed by the headmaster (Mr A. E. Caddick) and all masters.