NATIVE BUSH

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 124, 22 November 1923, Page 7

NATIVE BUSH

AN OFFER TO THE CITY

SUGGESTED MEMORIAL PARK

VISIT TO MR. GEORGE'S PRO. PERTY.

The Mayor (Mr. R, A. Wright, M.P.), members of the Reserves Committee of the City Council, officers of the Corporation, Sir John Luke, member for Wellington North, Mr. W. H. Field, member for Otaki, and Messrs. F. W. Vosseler and D. R. Hoggard, representing the Forestry League and Tararua Tramping Club, and others spent an enjoyable afternoon—business made light by a liberal mixing ■of pleasure—as guests of Mr. W. H. George, who invited the party out to his property at Hayward's to inspect an area of native bush which he wishes to hand over to the city to be preserved for all time as a scenic reserve.

On arrival at the homestead, the party was given an outline of several schemes for the' development of the district planned by Mr. George. These came under three headings: The building of a traffic bridge across th e Hutt River at a point a little above Ford road, in order that direct communication may thus be afforded from east to west of the river, thus obviating the detour of several miles which must at present be made; the providing of public access to a very beautiful block of virgin bush set aside by the Government as a scenic reserve on the west bank of th e river somewhat over a mile above the Hayward's railway station; and the dedication of a block of 40 or more acres of bush to the city as a reserve to be held for all time.

_ It was with regard to the latter question that the visiting party was most directly interested, but during the afternoon a deputation of residents of Stokes Valley waited upon the members of Parliament and the City Council to urge their support in representing to the Government the need of a bridge across the river at that point. A report of the remarks of speakers at that deputation appears elsewhere in this issue. From the homestead the party were motored along the old Pahautanui road overlooking the block of bush which Mr George wishes the City Council to accept on behalf of the citizens of Wellington. A« yet the block has been only roughly surveyed, and a definite acreage cannot be stated. It may be well over 40 acres, and may,-as Mr. George later suggested, be considerably added to. The area would abut upon the Government scenic reserve, and thus allow of a splendid round trip tramp of half a day—perhaps a whole day—depending upon tho appetite of the walker tor bush-clad hills as yet untracked.

NO ROUND-TRIPPERS YESTERDAY

Arrived at the highest point in the road above the block (with, however quite a few still higher points in tho genera] direction indicated), a call was made for volunteers to make the first trip across country and down through the Government reserve; Messrs. Field and Vosseler; hill climbers by inclination, offering to show the way, but councillors and others either -had their top coats on,: or their best suits, or new boots, or other considerations barred' the way, and the general decision was to make a slightly longer trip by car, and that decision was carried out. but a small party, including Messrs. Field Vosseler, and J. W. M'Kenzie (Director of Parks and Reserves) took a shorter tramp through the smaller block. lhere the bush may not be described as virgin growth, since former owners have felled some of the larger trees but nevertheless the growth is very dense and the creek flat .scenes very beautiful indeed, much more sa than one gathers from the road above.' Certainly the growth is more beautiful than that at Day s Bay, and from the road may Bm reached by three minutes' -careful navigation of a track at present very steep, but readily improvable.

NO ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT

RESERVE.

Ihe Government reserve was next visited, the point of interest being, as already stated in " The Post," that at present no puhlic road is provided from Ford road Onwards, a distance of about a mile and a quarter. Mr. George has offered to dedicate the land necessary for tho formation of a public road in place of the private thoroughfare which now runs through his property, arid also to bear half the cost of forming that road, but difficulty has arisen, as the Railway Department is unwilling to allow a public road to be built underneath the railway bridge across the Hutt River, lest that land should at some time be required by the Department. The Government reserve is clad in wonderfully fine native bush, dense, and, in some parta, heavy, and is made more beautiful by the river, which sweeps in to a grassy tree-grown terrace to form surely the ideal swimming pool, but at present it can only be approached by the private road. The members of the party were asked by Mr. George to lend their assistance in supporting his plan for the giving of free access to the reserve, though if that were provided, he added, care would have to be taken that regulations as to the lighting of fires and the proper care of the bush were strictly observed.

IN MEMORY OF THE LATE KEITH

GEORGE.

Following the inspection of the Government reserve and tho very limited means of access, afternoon tea was served at the homestead, and the thanks of the party for the offer madfe by Mr. George and for the splendid hospitality lie had shown were voiced by the Mayor, and were very heartily endorsed by the whole party.

In reply, Mr. George stated that he would be very glad to hand the land over if it would be appreciated. He was very much in sympathy with those who deplored the rapid disappearance of New Zealand bush, and, as a matter of fact, had only purchased the particular area When he heard that the owner intended to burn it off to sow and reap " a splendid crop of cocksfoot." He had no wish tv see bush land dealt with in that manner if it could be avoided, and sincerely hoped that his offer Would- be acceptable to the city, which he was now leaving to take up his residence in Melbourne. He would also like, if the scheme was considered practicable, to hand over an additional area adjoining the Government block to make a continuous reserve hold' ingj afid thus offer a very attractive round trip, the additional area amounting to perhaps another 40 acres, but he had not then gone fully into the question of boundaries, etc.

" I have that in mind," concluded Mr. George, " and I wish to dd it in memory of my son, who gave his life for the country. I should like the reserve to bi» culled " Keith Fat*.' to t>« looked en as » permanent memorial to him."