Road Through The Gardens?

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31831, 8 November 1968, Page 10

Road Through The Gardens?

Sir, —In the 1930 s and 1940 s my mother used to ask for a permit from the City Council for permission to drive her small car through the Botanic Gardens. This permit had to be collected personally from the Manchester Street council offices, not by telephone. To elderly or dis-

abled friends, she was able to give them the delights of the gardens, and pleasure to herself, as she drove gently along the nrrrow walkways. Is this charming practice still allowed?—Yours, etc., MARGARET A. COONEY. Darfield, November 7, 1968. Sir, —By arrangement, cars are permitted to travel through the Botanic Gardens on week days to enable the aged and infirm to enjoy the area. Those who favour a permanent motorway seem to forget this.—Yours, etc., R. COLE. November 7, 1968.

Sir, —I was surprised to read your suggestion regarding opening the Botanic Gardens to cars conveying invalid and aged folk. It is possible to obtain permission to drive such people through the gardens now. I therefore feel that your editorial comment and suggestion were unnecessary. The present set-up seems to me to provide a happy compromise; the able can walk and the aged and invalids can ride.—Yours, etc., JOHN G. FREEMAN. November 6 1968.

Sir, —Since Mr Guthrey has made this rash statement, I hope the citizens of Christchurch are saying, “Over cur dead bodies.” Mr Guthrey did not say before the election that he intended to desecrate the lovely Botanic Gardens by allowing cars, motor-cycles, etc, to hog their way through the gardens, the one beautiful spot where one can go to get away from noise and fumes. The bird life as well as the flowers will be affected. I am sure the citizens of Christchurch will never allow such a lamentable thing to happen. —Yours, etc., R. DAVIS. November 6,1968.

Sir, —More important than the great beauty of the Botanic Gardens is the fact that they are almost the only place in Christchurch where one can escape the sight and sound of motor-cars and motorists. Rather than allow cars in the gardens, why not construct somewhere a drivein movie theatre at which films of the gardens could be shown to the increasing number of people who can enjoy natural beauty only through a car windscreen. Alternatively, if cars are to be permitted in the gardens, I suggest this principle should be extended to the construction of a road round the inside and up the middle of the Cathedral. There must be many people who stay away from the Cathedral because of the inconvenience of visiting it on foot.—Yours, etc., A. K. GRANT. November 7, 1968.

Sir, —As one of the many citizens to whom walking any distance is a painful effort, I welcome Mr Guthrey’s proposal of a road through the gardens with pleasure and anticipation. This lovely area should be able to be enjoyed by all, and at present this is not the case.—Yours, etc.. I. M.

November 6, 1968. Sir, —May I make a constructive suggestion on the proposal to allow cars through our Botanic Gardens’ One cannot deny that the selfish few will always abuse a privilege, and this one would be no exception. However, my sympathy is still with the aged and the lame. They, too, are entitled to enjoy the city's most beautiful spot. Would there be enough demand for the City Council to provide its own vehicle for these people? It could have a set course with an attendant to point out interesting focal points. Its speed would be regulated and there would not be any need for a car park. A small fee could help to cover costs. These people have helped to build our city and now that they have come to the eventide of life should be able to enjoy the rewards of their labours.—Yours, etc., ONE GROWING OLD.

November 7, 1968. Sir,—No-one is going to put a road through our Botanic Gardens. —Yours, etc., SOPHOCLES. November 7, 1968.