Town’s developing river parkway scheme

Press, 30 November 1978, Page 4

Town’s developing river parkway scheme

Kaiapoi is a pleasant town for visitors and holiday-maker looking for a change from sand and surf.

A focal point not to be missed is the Scott Memorial rose garden in Charles Street beside Trousselot Park. The several hundred roses in spe-cially-designed beds have been widely admired. The municipal swimming pool complex in Cass Street includes a learners’ pool for young children. Barbecues and sun umbrellas are available on request. There is a family concession of $l.OO for any number of children accomapnied by one or both parents. There is no charge for non-swimming adults with young children. The borough council has landscaped the grounds with extensive plantings of native shrubs and trees, highlighted with flower beds; part of the 12,000 bedding plants being set out on reserves for this summer. At the same time, another 7000 are being propagated for next winter’s displays. These are ail raised voluntarily

without cost to the town, except for some seed, at the homes of the parks supervisor (Mr J. Hodzelmans) and reserves committee chairman (Cr H. G. McAllister). Mr Hodzelmans says that vandalism is the worst problem and several times he had felt like giving up, but he bad dis-

The Kairaki camping ground (shown above), administered by the Kaiapoi Borough Council, has been restored to the position of a good viable concern.

The town clerk (Mr R. N. McCage) says it has

covered the same problem widespread in any village when he travelled in Europe last year. In some places wardens were employed to protect the gardens," “the uniforms sometimes being enough to frighten culprits off,” he says. The council has a river parkway scheme under

now developed into a motor camp in teh true sense. There has been a change of emphasis away from semi-permanent occupants to more ues by the travelling public.

This will be the first main season since the completed installation of a sewerage system for the camp, as well as the district. Additional sites are being dveloped near the main entrance, but the total number of about 180 will be unchanged. The aim is to discontinue use of some sites at the river and where they are on North Canterbury Catchment Board reserve land. However, the sites will

way which can be seen to best advantage during a walk along the top of the grassed stopbanks. Eventually it is planned to extend the beautification downstream towards Saltwater Creek, at least as far as the borough boundary. The Morgan Williams reserve beside the port is becoming well established. It contains trees . commemorating the former Prime Minister (Mr Kirk) and the Queen’s silver anniversary. Nearby is a plaque mounted on a rock to mark the site of the original weigh-bridge and the centenary of the Waimakariri Harbour Board. A relic and reminder of the port’s heyday is the M. V. Tuhoe, permanently moored at the wharf. Its basic design has been altered for its new use as a home for the Creative t Arts Association. Exhibitions and sales of work by members will be held aboard on December 3, 10 and 17. Visitors wanting a quiet read can take advantage of a service available at the public library in the main shopping area. For a deposit of $4, up to three books may be borrowed and exchanged. The librarian (Mrs B. Meredith) believes the library “is here to give a service” so the arrangement for visitors is simply another aspect. The deposit is returned when all books are back. Above the library is the museum, with entrance near the council’s electricity showroom. It is onen rn thn nnhlie on

not be eradicated. Mr McCabe says that with the dividing hedges, they will make a useful sheltered picnic area. The camp has a reputa* tion as a gathering place for fishermen. Mr E. Guy, pictured sweeping up debris near his site, moves in from Riccarton with his ■wife in September and chases first the whitebait, and then the salmon, until A ril.

The couple have developed a home away from home, even including a crop of healthy potatoes growing behind their awning. Mr Guy believes the camp and its advantages are not widely enough known.

These children find it hard to do tug 0’ war battle

with a traction engine. Thursday afternoons. During the last year or two, the museum has been extended to fill several rooms and passages — ■formerly used by the fire brigade. Most of the material relates to Kaiapoi, Clarkville and KairakiPines Beaches, and a major addition this year was a large quantity of articles, photographs and written records associated with the woollen mill.