SUMMIT ROAD RESERVES

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29008, 24 September 1959, Page 14

SUMMIT ROAD RESERVES

Public Invited To Meeting

The Summit Road Scenic Society intends to open this i year’s annual meeting to the public (1) to disseminate authoritative information on the scope and state of the Port Hills reserves; (2) to answer criticism in newspaper correspondence about work done; <3) to consider a much broader approach to the preservation and planting of the reserves.

“The society has asked both Mr H. G. Gilpin and Mr M- J. Barnett to address the meeting about the reserves from their long experience in the parks and reserves department of the City Council and in horticulture generally,” said the chairman (Mr Dawson Douglas) last evening. “In this way we hope to provide complete information on the extent and whereabouts of the reserves, their present condition in terms of existing native bush, supplementary planting, and areas vvhich should be planted, and the trees and shrubs, labour and costs involved in any major programme which may be undertaken.” Mr Douglas said Summit Road Scenic Society members knew the satisfying rewards and projects already undertaken. Plantings made over the years were now coming away excellently. Fencing of Kennedy’s Bush had resulted in amazing natural regeneration. They were interested in the *‘Y and I” bush running down from the Sign of the Kiwi towards Governors Bay in which walking tracks seemed to have disappeared. Some people, apparently sincerely concerned, had criticised the handling of the scenic reserves, Mr Douglas said, and he hoped they would all attend the meeting to give their views and. perhaps, learn about some of the problems. One section had complained that more native subjects should be planted. The society had proved that natives just would not grow well on certain parts of the hills because of dry conditions and the winds whereas exotics succeeded. These and many other interesting sidelights would be explained. The meeting will be held in the M.E.D. lecture hall at 8 p.m. on Tuesday.