Scheme For Cars On Gardens Perimeter

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31835, 13 November 1968, Page 11

Scheme For Cars On Gardens Perimeter

Private cars will be allowed to drive round the northern and western boundaries of the Botanic Gardens if a compromise agreement is approved by the City Council.

The Mayor (Mr A. R. Guthrey), Mrs Guthrey, the chairman of the reserves committee (Cr P. J. Skellerup) and the Director of Reserves (Mr H. G. Gilpin) drove through the gardens yesterday. The Mayor, at his installation, suggested that cars should be allowed into the gardens. This was opposed by Cr Skellerup. After yesterday’s drive, the Mayor announced that he had modified his scheme and had gained Cr Skellerup’s agreement to allow cars to drive round the gardens, with easy access at two points from car parks at the R.S.A. bowling club and the United tennis courts. The council will be asked to allow private cars to enter

Hagley Park at the Armagh Street bridge, to follow a route along the river bank to the United Tennis Club’s access from Riccarton Avenue. It is proposed that speed will be strictly controlled, and to up-grade the existing roads and the tea kiosk. Another proposal for council confirmation is that a special electric vehicle should be available to take visitors on tours within the gardens at set times. The driver would be someone qualified to give a running commentary. The Mayor said after the inspection that Mrs Guthrey had never been happy about his scheme to allow cars to drive through the gardens, and that her attitude had, to some extent, helped him change his mind.