TIDYING OF CITY RESERVES

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25091, 24 January 1947, Page 9

TIDYING OF CITY RESERVES

ADVANTAGE TAKEN OF FINE WEATHER

The fine weather of the last few days has been welcomed by the reserves department of the Christchurch City Council. The superintendent of parks and reserves. (Mr M. J. Barnett) said yesterday thatXhis staff was now able to get ©n with the tidying of plots and reserves, and was catching up on maintenance work; later would come quite a big programme of development. This year Hagley Park is under the control of the City Council. Four tractor motors are engaged cutting hay in North Hagley Park and, although there have been sheep on South Hagley Park, the wet season has caused such a growth of the coarser grasses that this section will have to be mown, too. * . . , The usual cleaning of Victoria Lake was not done during the winter this year, and a new method-of removing the weeds is being tried. When 4he lake is cleaned in winter, it is drained and the frost is a powerful ally in checking the growth of weeds. The lake is not being drained this year, but the level has been lowered and Christchurch Drainage Board equipment and workmen have been chartered for the clearing of weeds. The operation may' be finished this week, but there is a possibility that the lake will not be available for model yachts this week-end.

A large amount of grass cutting has been done along the banks of the rivers, but the Heathcote’s banks have still to be tidied. Another big grass cutting job is being done at another new City Council park, the reserve at Scarborough. The result of the wet season can be seen in a remarkable growth of cocksfoot. The wet season has suited the council’s hillside reserve of Victoria Park. Excellent growth has been made A start has been made with the construction of the second bowling green at Elmwood.