Progress In Restoration Of Kennedy’s Bush

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31630, 16 March 1968, Page 5

Progress In Restoration Of Kennedy’s Bush

(■Specially written for “The Press” by J. W. JAMESON) I can well remember those walks on the Port Hills in the midthirties. First came a ride in the tram, and the thrill of dropping the trailer off at Barrington Street before the slow grind up the hill to the Sign of the Takahe. We would stop a while at the Takahe for refreshments and also to look at the progress of the new building. Maybe the kitchen would be in a different place this time, or there would be a new series of armorial shields to inspect. On an outing to Kennedy’s Bush we faced a five-mile walk along the summit The track along the hillside was in good order, for this was the time of plentiful labour, and there were many groups of men working on both road and pathway. There were trees in Victoria Park and a small group further up beyond the park, planted by a society under the leadership of Archbishop Julius. Another area of trees and shrub was being planted just before the Sign of the Kiwi, but below the road and pathway there was no relief from the barren tussock slope, except of course for that magnificent view of the plains and the snow-covered mountain range beyond. Sign Of The Kiwi At the Sign of the Kiwi we would sit out on the wide

stone porch sipping ginger beer, while my parents were having a cup of tea in the calm atmosphere of the. old tearoom with its coaching pictures and its crockery bearing hunting scenes. The walls were of black or stained wooden slats against a white background, mellowed in places by reddish natural stone walls. Truly this place reflected the wish of the founder, Mr H. G. Ell, to transplant a segment of Victorian England to the concept of his Port Hills Summit Road scheme, and in particular to the rest houses. We would wander across the road to perhaps look down on Sugar Loaf Bushand across the harbour. We would visualise a boat load of new arrivals for the leper colony on Quail Island. From the Kiwi it is two miles to our destination. For part of the way we walk on the road, because there are few cars about We pass by the old toll gate and then proceed along above Hoon Hay—a glorious view this, looking out over the plains, and certainly we see no sign of the rows of bouses now existing at the foot of the hill. We three boys would go round Ella’s track to see that interesting deposit of sea shells while my parents would prefer to take the road down that last slope towards Kennedy's, and meet us at the gateway into the tearoom itself. A Peaceful Place Kennedy’s Bush was always a peaceful place—again with an atmosphere all of its own. Fantails greeted us in their dozens and it was not long

before we heard the bellbird after which the tearoom was named. There was bush almost up to the building and the valley was completely covered with dense forest If we were lucky we would see a flight of native pigeons, and sometimes this.

Inside the tearoom on a cold day a glorious log fire was always blazing in the stone fire place. Hot scones and raspberry jam were served, and again earlier times were reflected in the crockery, furniture and colour scheme in this quiet and mellowing building. If the day was suitable we went down through the bush to swing on the supplejack or explore the bush. We might come across a grove of fruit trees and gooseberry bushes, telling of an earlier habitation in this place. The grave of one of this family is here. But these are memories of former days, and between those days and the present the record is still not good. War-time neglect post-war apathy and shocking vandalism took their toll. The tearoom was wrecked, the fences fell and the stock came in and completed the job. Where once was dense bush with a well-stocked forest floor now remained denuded and ghost ly segments of the past This was a process that went on for years until the Summit Road Scenic Society was formed and awakened the civic conscience. Society's Aims Formed by the Junior Chamber in 1948, the society was to co-ordinate the effects of interested bodies of citizens and immediately gained the full support of the Christchurch City Council, which had assumed responsibility for the maintenance and development of the reserves. The first major project for the society was the raising of funds for the fencing of Kennedy’s Bush. By 1953 it was obvious that the regeneration of the bush was proceeding satisfactorily, and, together with supplementary planting, the scene is reminiscent now of the days when I first set eyes on Kennedy’s Bush. Planting Reserves

Mr H. G. Gilpin, director of the Christchurch City Council reserves department, tells me that 96 acres of reserve were fenced off from stock in 19511952, and of this 37 acres was reasonably stocked with exist- ’ ing bush. The total area of the Kennedy’s Bush Reserves is approximately 208 acres, so that a large area remains to be dealt with as time and money allow. The 59 acres of replantings have been done over the years. More than 200,000 trees and shrubs of species indigenous to the area have ■ been planted, in the main by the staff of the reserves department of the Christchurch City Council. The main species of shrubs and trees to be found before regeneration took place were of the more shrub-like variety such as the olearia and pepper trees which, with the strangling lianes or native vines, were becoming too dominant The totara, kowbai, and ribbonwood were gradually dying out through the depredations of rabbits and sheep and by the inroads of noxious weeds. Fences and supplementary plantings and active eradication of pests and weeds have done wonders, and today the whole area reflects great credit on the skill of the late Mr M. J. Barnett and his successor, Mr Gilpin, and the staff under them. Some idea of the scheme of regeneration can be seen in the fact that whilst the replantings were mainly veronicas, olearias and a few ribbonwoods, all of which are easily propagated, they provided the ground cover for the more permanent subjects such as kowbai and totara. This regeneration process is proceeding apace, and many of the eighty different species found in the bush can be identified as now flourishing in areas where there seemed little hope 15 years ago.

Where one could go virtually straight down through the denuded bush a few years ago, now the forest floor is fully stocked and is providing that natural cover so essential for the restoration of healthy growth. This regeneration process is clearly apparent even to a layman such as I am. It will soon be necessary to provide pathways and stiles to protect the young plants from our marauding footsteps. The society is anxious to show its many contributors and members where their money has been spent and will conduct a tour of Kennedy’s Bush on Sunday, March 24, at 2 p.m„ meeting at the Sign of the Bellbird. Mr Gilpin will be present to identify the types of shrubs and trees found there and generally give a summary of what has been accomplished. On the way home the inspecting party will go through Sugarloaf Reserve, where fences have recently been erected and natural regeneration is already apparent, and , then proceed along the North- , era Summit Road to see the tree planting and to identify areas of bush in future private scenic reserves. This fencing of private areas of bush is a recent innovation and augurs well for the future enhancement of the magnificent scenery through protection of important natural features, and of native bush on private property.

Room For Helpers So we have come the full swing of the pendulum from a period of intense activity through the efforts of Mr H. G. Ell, through a period of neglect and vandalism, and on again to an appreciation of the need for constant vigilance, fund raising, tree planting and bush preservation if we are to maintain the heritage handed down by past generations. Why does my boyhood interest persist on in these days of the family car and television? It is because that same spirit of relaxation, beauty and challenge is there on the Summit Road today. I invite the readers of this article to join members of the society next weekend. I feel sure they too will gain the same feeling of challenge and perspective, so that both local bodies and this society will be encouraged to launch further developmental projects. The ultimate dream of the enthusiasts of today remains the same as that of the founers—a scenic road linking the remnants of native bush, and with stopping places along the route designed in the style of the English coaching inns. This road is, of course, virtually complete except for the gap between Gebbies Pass and the Hilltop. I have been closely linked with the Summit Road Scheme through family ties over many years. I am conscious of the need for constant vigilance in protecting what we have from the inroads of the private speculator and the sleeping local body. I am pleased to see moves to protect the roadsides from subdivision, but we must also be wary of the type of planning which protects the view but ruins the environment. It is important that the Regional Planning Authority, which administers the Summit Road Protection Act, and the Summit Road Scenic Society, which co-ordinates the work and raises funds and organises tree-planting, are encouraged and supported in their work. Time and time again all of us are called on to give some time and talents to service to the community. I would suggest that there is a place for many of us to serve in spheres just like this if only to maintain vigilance and express opinions and to assist with donations to keep the work going. I feel that the Cashmere Hills have a tremendous appeal to many of us. May the planners of next Sunday’s outing be rewarded by a large attendance of interested citizens.

The photograph above shows the view of Lyttelton Harbour which may be obtained from the Summit Road. The Sign of the Bellbird is in the foreground.