Councillor Opposes Cars In Gardens

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31830, 7 November 1968, Page 12

Councillor Opposes Cars In Gardens

Cr P. J. Skellerup, chairman of the Christchurch City Council parks and recreation committee, said last night that he was strongly opposed to allowing traffic into the Botanic Gardens as suggested by the Mayor (Mr Guthrey).

“This is a matter for consideration by the reserves committee and the council, but personally, while I would not oppose limited car access at five miles an hour on say two or three set days weekly in the summer months—the paths would not stand wet-weather traffic—l would be strongly in opposition to allowing traffic into the gardens at 15 miles an hour or even 10 miles an hour as suggested by Mr Guthrey, I hope provocatively rather than seriously,” Mr Skellerup said.

However attractive the proposal appeared at first glance, it should be remembered that the gardens were not just an atractively planted park, but one of the finest botanical gardens in the Southern Hemisphere, he said. “It contains a wide variety of rare and unusual specimens of great horticultural interest Many of these specimens are unique and require considerable care and skill to grow. The present charm of the gardens would largely be lost if walking there without complete safety from motor' traffic was removed,” he said The Botanic Gardens and Riccarton Bush were about the only two areas left within greater Christchurch where it was possible to get away completely from the hustle and bustle of the city, he said.

“However, and as stated in my report as chairman of the Robert McDougall Art Gallery Committee for the year ending March

31, I would not object to improved road access into the gardens beside the Canterbury Museum as far as the front of the art gallery,” Mr Skellerup said. “Mr Guthrey’s suggestion that a new Robert McDougall Art Gallery should be built on top of a new public library would, however, render that proposal unnecessary. Provision is already made in the Canterbury Museum building for the construction of an access corridor leading directly into the art gallery as a long-term project,” he said. Apart from the destruction of much of the present charm of the Botanic Gardens, there were three points to be c - sidered. Mr Skellerup said. “First, rare specimens would be more liable to suffer damage by vandalism and petrol fumes. “Second, the pathways are only gravel walks and expensive major reconstruction would be a must before ex-

tensive motor traffic, including sight seeing buses, could be entertained.

“Third, it is already possible for the elderly or invalid folk to obtain a permit to be driven round the gardens. Permits are issued by the Reserves Department on applications and only recently more than 20 ladies from Woodchester Eventide Home thoroughly enjoyed being driven round the gardens in private cars,” Mr Skellerup said.