Director Opposes Gardens Bus Plan

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32016, 17 June 1969, Page 16

Director Opposes Gardens Bus Plan

The Gty Council last evening voted $5OOO towards the cost of a “toast-rack” vehicle for conducted tours of the Botanic Gardens; but also received a report from its Director of Reserves (Mr H. G. Gilpin) questioning the benefits when related to the cost and inconvenience to pedestrians.

Mr Gilpin favoured the appointment of an educational officer. This would fill a much greater need in the meantime than a tourist vehicle, he said. The council went ahead with its plans after there had been a debate on Mr Gilpin’s report During the debate it was said that he was arguing against a decision already made. He was accused of making it a negative report Mr Gilpin’s report was defended by Cr P. J. Skellerup, chairman of the parks and recreation committee, who said it was a serious appraisal of the economics of the council’s decision. “And the more I look into the economics the less I am enchanted with the decision," he said. “The peace, tranquility and beauty of the gardens, together with their many other features and the joy of changing seasons, are appreciated by many thousands of visitors throughout the year,” Mr Gilpin’s report said. “This is the purpose for which the gardens and Hagley Park were originally set aside by the pioneers—as an area to be used by the citizens of Christchurch.” Removal Of Trees

The gardens' layout was such that only limited vehicular traffic was practicable. The pathways, many of which had right-angle turns, did not permit the operation of long-wheel-based vehicles. To provide satisfactory conditions for operating a vehicle such as the “toast-rack” would probably necessitate the alteration of the main pathways, and this could in some areas require removal

| of trees and redevelopment of some areas. Particular Charm 1 Gravel pathways would ' need to be upgraded and > probably tar-sealed. While , some of the main pathways ’ had been tar-sealed it was not considered desirable that all I should be treated in the same way. Gravel paths had parti- . cular charm and it was a reI lief for visitors to walk on , them after the hard, sealed J surfaces of the city streets. “It has been a notable fact ’ over the years that people interested and able to walk ' prefer to visit the gardens on i foot,” Mr Gilpin said. "Many notable visitors have stressed their preference for viewing the gardens on foot Three ’ who come to mind are the ' Queen Mother and more re- ' cently the Duke of Devon- ! shire and Lady Porritt who were most emphatic that they did not wish to be driven ' around.” Mr Gilpin said it. should not be overlooked that many elderly, invalid and handicapped persons who saw something of the gardens by private cars and taxis would be unable to use the “toastrack” vehicle. Therefore, the private car service would still have to be permitted. Another difficulty with conducted tours was that the route could not be altered from season to season to suit changing features. There was only one system of pathways which could be made suitable for a vehicle. High Outlay On likely costs, Mr Gilpin said that there would be a relatively high annual outlay. During May, June and July so few persons visited the gardens that the cost of operating the vehicle would not be warranted. This meant an

estimated 600 trips as a yearly average. At an average of 20 persons a trip paying 20c each costs.should be covered.

Mr Gilpin said there were many requests for conducted tours of the gardens. Some requests had to be turned down because of the inability of the present staff to handle them all. If there was an educational officer he could handle all tours and the service would be extended. It might be possible to extend the service to school classes, as was done in many gardens overseas. Mr Gilpin mentioned the Arnold Arboretum, in Boston, It advertised a series of five garden visits dealing with elementary botany and horticulture for amateur gardeners, with practical demonstrations. The cost of five visits was $5. Not In Dictionary Cr R. H. Stillwell began the debate by saying he had been unable to find "toastrack” in a dictionary, but it was aptly named if it was an instrument of torture. That was what it would be if used in the gardens. “Let us heed the advice and warning of our director,” he said. Cr R. M. Carter proposed as an alternative that tourist buses be given a better place in which to set down passengers wanting to see the gardens. “People, and tourists particularly are fundamentally lazy, and the scheme will give an opportunity of bringing more people to our beautiful gardens,” Cr P. N. G. Blaxall said. “It could become a money-making proposition.” The council must take notice of Mr Gilpin’s advice, but it reflected the council’s policy of the past, said the Mayor (Mr A. R. Guthrey), who proposed conducted bus tours of the gardens in his first speech as Mayor last year. The peace, tranquility and beauty of the gardens had been emphasised in the past, he said. Councillors had tended to forget that the gardens and parks now had strong competitors—the countryside and the beaches—when almost everyone had a car. Private Vehicles

He had never envisaged that there would be removal of trees or disturbance to paths, the Mayor said. Private vehicles already used the gardens and he could not see that an organised bus service would cause any disturbance.

He agreed with the suggestion that an educational officer should be appointed, but added that it was no use having educational facilities unless it was made as easy as possible for people to visit the gardens. The Deputy Mayor (Cr H. P. Smith), who said he found no charm in walking on gravel paths, suggested that as the council had decided on the scheme it should be implemented. if only for a trial period. When Cr B. J. Britten suggested that private enterprise should be given the chance of operating the service, the Mayor said a bus company “would not look at it”

That was the first he had heard of any private enterprise attitude, Cr Skellerup said. If they could not make a go of it, how did the council expect to do so?