Protest At Revocation Of Scenic Reserve

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31113, 16 July 1966, Page 19

Protest At Revocation Of Scenic Reserve

A protest will be made to the Commissioner of Crown Lands by the Christchurch ■branch of the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society I about the proposed revocation [ of scenic reserve which fronts i Jetty road at Governor’s Bay. Last week-end members of I the society visited the reserve to see whether there was any reason for a change. They have decided to forward an objection, and the chairman (Mr T. M. C. Hay) said that ihe hoped other objections i would be sent by interested J persons. i “My conservation committee and I have a special interest in the welfare of scenic reserves and national parks," IMr Hay said. “We made an inIspection of this area to see 'how after 43 years it suddenly should be revoked. “This scenic reserve, known as number 4105, block 3, Halswell survey district, was acquired in 1923 from a private ■subdivision, and is the only one in Governor’s Bay. It provides an avenue of native bush and bluegums for much of the access road to the wharf.”

Mr Hay said that some of the trees in the area had already been felled by residents. When the committee remonstrated with one woman who was cutting up a large bluegum, she said she had received permission from the Mount Herbert County Council, and that she was entitled to the firewood as she had

gone to the trouble to have the trees removed. The woman also said that the trees were diseased, but an examination by botanists in the party revealed nothing to warrant the trees’ removal, Mr Hay said. “A botanical survey of the (reserve gave a count of 16 native species which provided a close cover for what would otherwise be an unsightly gully,” Mr Hay said. "Fantails abounded, and the only thing detracting from the charm of the bush was the recent illegal dumping of rubbish.

“The Governor’s Bay district was once famed for its many large-girthed kanukas the giants of the species. These have now unfortunately all gone. I am at a loss to understand this haphazard control of a scenic reserve, or why the department should contemplate abolishing it. Perhaps it provides an easy way out.”