TOOK THE BLAME
“Did Mr Gilpin let my father’s tree die?” intoned the Governor-General (Sir Bernard Fergusson) yesterday, standing on the lawn in the Botanic Gardens where a tree planted by his father once grew. Mr H. G. Gilpin, the Christchurch City Council’s director of parks and reserves, looked as if he would like to jump on his namesake’s horse and canter off. But he took it on the chin. “You can blame me If you like,” he offered. Mr Gilpin had to admit
that Sir Charles Fergusson planted a tree in the Botanic Gardens, but it contracted a disease which threatened the health of other trees, and was removed in 1961. “It was you, was it?” said the Governor-Gen-eral, shaking an admonishing finger at Mr Gilpin. At his request the very spot, now covered with lawn, was pointed out to him. “I hope this tree will last longer,” the Gover-nor-General said as he heeled in a young rimu.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30452, 28 May 1964, Page 16
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159TOOK THE BLAME Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30452, 28 May 1964, Page 16
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