Rhododendron park to be set out on Mount Hutt

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32459, 20 November 1970, Page 7

Rhododendron park to be set out on Mount Hutt

A society to plant and administer the rhododendron park to be established as a colourful feature of McLennan’s Bush, on*the slopes of Mount Hutt, was formed at a public meeting held in Methven on Tuesday evening.

The society will operate as a domain , board in the administration of the park, working in conjunction with the Ashburton County Council. The park will be called “Awa-Awa Rata Reserve.”

The public meeting was called by the Methven Lions’ Club, which conceived the idea of the rhododendron park and made approaches to the County Council and Government departments. Mr D. Watson, president of the Lions’ Club, chaired the meeting. Speakers were Messrs K. M. Baxter, the County chairman; W. A. Hart, the council’s riding member; G. Rountree, representing the South Canterbury Catchment Board; I. R. Bonisch, superintendent of parks and reserves in Ashburton, and R. Barlass. Mr Baxter said the council was pleased at the enthusiasm shown by Methven residents for the project, which was a lead in the right direction as the Ashburton County was short of venues for drives and picnics.

He said a Forest Park had been mooted by the Forest Service, and the council would be happy to have three small areas, which he specified, administered in this way. Mr Hart endorsed Mr Baxter’s remarks, and expressed his personal interest in the project.

Mr Rountree, who also represented soil conservation interests as well as the Catchment Board, said the rhododendron park was an excellent scheme to enhance and further plant this catchment area, which had won-

derfui stands of rata. The concept of a forest park would commend itself to future Governments.

Mr Bonisch reported that the horticultural society of Ashburton had enthusiastically received the plan of the park and there was great support from the garden clubs of the borough. The

Rev. L. Kyle said that the rata valley is mentioned in the Natural History of Canterbury as being quite unique,' and that he hoped this would not be endangered. Mr Barlass replied that the society will pay special attention to the preservation of natural bush.

The meeting was also asked if permission for any activity would have to be granted by the council and the reply was given that they would work as a domain board in conjunction with the council. In addition to electing officers of the society, the meeting also elected two subcommittees, to co-opt soil conservators and to plan the planting. Officers of the society are: Patron, Mrs J. H. Grigg; president, Mr R. Barlass; secretary, Mrs B. Anderson; treasurer, Mr G. Goldsborough; committee, Mesdames P. Grigg, A. Cross, Rev. L. Kyle, Messrs R. G. Gerard, A. G. Holmes, I. Bonisch, W. Hart, G, Rountree, H. Jordan, G. Catherwood, R. Robinson, J. Murdoch, J. Mangin, H. Tasker; honorary advisory officers, Mr K. Bums (Timaru), Mrs I. Wood (Christchurch).