Roof for Sign of Bellbird

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32689, 19 August 1971, Page 26

Roof for Sign of Bellbird

The estimates of $l2OO provided by the Christchurch I City Council for rebuilding the former Sign of the Bellbird rest room on the Port Hills would be sufficient to allow the erection of a galvanised iron roof, said the director of the parks and reserves for the Council (Mr H. G. Gilpin). “We can do it for that price,” Mr Gilpin told the annual meeting of the Summit Road Scenic Society. Workmen had planted about 12,600 trees on the Port Hills scenic reserves this season, he said. All the seedlings had been grown at the municipal nursery. Mr Gilpin said that when time and finance allowed he would like to see the provision of paths and seating in Elizabeth Park. “That’s where people are going. They are going further out to places like this, although they are staying in their motor-cars,” he asid. In his annual report, the president of the society (Mr W. D. Douglas) said that the brochure of the Summit Road was nearing completion. It contained items of historical and illustrative merit, he said. Officers elected were: Patron, Sir George Manning; president, Mr W. D. Douglas; vice-president, Mr M. H. Aitken; secretary, Mr L. Daniel; honorary treasurer, Mr F. J. Murray; honorary auditor, Mr E. S. Williams; committee, Messrs J. W. Jameson, G. E. Lee, G, Turner, R. Linton, C. Holdsworth, W. P. Scowen.

Mr Jameson addressed the meeting on the life of his grandfather, Mr H. G. Ell, who was largely responsible for the opening up and protection of the Summit Road and rest rooms in the 1900 s.