RANDOM REMINDER

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30511, 5 August 1964, Page 28

RANDOM REMINDER

MORNING WALK

One of the more recent developments in the disposition of Christchurch’s bus traffic, which may not have yet been fully appreciated, is the strange and growing exodus of passengers at the Mac Gibbon gates in Hagley Park. For years, bus drivers have been accustomed to trundling past the cricket ground and spewing out the first substantial number of people at the hospital. But a few months ago, a couple of men started getting off at the Mac Gibbon gates. A little later a thiid joined them, then a fourth. Now there are about a dozen, and the score grows week by week. These men and women are the advance party of a

great Back to Nature movement which will surely win more positive recognition before long, if only through a decision to allow them special concession tickets, and an application to the City Council for a carrot juice bar to be placed in Rolleston avenue. These disembarkers walk through the Botanic Gardens each day on the way to work. Like Homburghatted Ferdinands, they simply love to smell the flowers. It is not as if they were in competition to write letters to the newspapers about the first crocus; they simply love the walk, the scenery, the flowers. They know, now, to watch for the first shy

primrose, where to look for the burgeoning tulip, taking in the while great lungfuls of gorgeous scented air. Some of them even walk in the wet.

But as spring's warm fingers loosen woollen scarves and unbutton overcoats, the movement will surely gather further strength. Before long, there may be a great army of men and women advancing down the broad paths, snuffing the blooms, doing beathing exercises, discussing the development of the hibiscus. Before long it may be necessary to have a bus depot and traffic officers and parking restrictions. And people will get off at the hospital for a wee quiet walk to town.