MOUNTAIN GARDENS

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 123, 26 May 1928, Page 10

MOUNTAIN GARDENS

«. A BOTANISING. TKtt DELIGHTFUL SCENERY Some interesting notes on a botanising trip in the hill lands of North Canterbury, undertaken by a party of four j for the- collection of plants and seeds i for the Now Zealand (Nelson) Alpine and Rock Garden Society, have been forwarded by Mr. A. Wilkinson, honorary secretary to that society, and a great enthusiast over alpine plants and rock gardening generally. A good selection was made, and in duo time plants will be distributed among members, and seeds collected will go far and wide, for inquiries have been received from all parts'of tho world, including requests for supplies of seed of New Zealand natives from Departments of Agriculture in Canada and the United States. The party, writes Mr. Wilkinson, left Nelson on a trip to Castle Hill, via Kaikoura and Christchurcli, on 11th April, being joined at the latter city by three enthusiasts in Mr. H. L. Darton, of Lawrence, Mr. Jones, of Christchurch Botanical Gardens, and Mr. G. Mazey. The two days in Christchurch were spent among the many members of the society resident in that city, and Mr. A. Wilkinson, honorary secretary, is grateful, on behalf of the soeie"ty, to tho assistance extended by many during the stay. A visit was paid to Professor Macmillan Brown's wonderful garden, and, needless to say, all w^re astounded at the range of, shrubs and trees from all parts of the world. No wonder it is considered the finest collection ' in Australasia. • A short stay was made at Kaikoura to ascend Mount Fyfe, and a collection of plants from t:hat range was procured. The party moved on to Castle Hill on 17th April. It is about eight miles past Porter's Pass, towards the West Coast, a tecntrc little known and visited by few, and perhaps this was part of its great interest, as Nature is there in all its original' beauty. On arriving one w'oplci think one had come to the ruins of some wonderful castle, as the enormous formation of rocks stand out in majesty in huge pillars, without a tree, but with grass slopes all about. On getting near one finds Raoulia everywhere, and in crevices of rocks senecios, ranunculus, plantagos, etc., etc. In the same vicinity is found ranunculus poucifolia, one of the rarest plants known to botanists. , Castle Hill is on a small plain of fertile soil surrounded by two ranges of mountains, including Mounts Enys, Chceseman, Plenty, and many more. The district is difficult to .work during rainy, season, as1 so many rivers are feeding into one another, and are not bridged. The whole district is teeming with interest to both botanists and geologists, and a large collection of alpine and sub-alpine plants and supplies of seed for distribution were procured. One' of the party, Mr. W. 11. Bryant, being an interested collector of fossils, procured a fine haul 2600 ft above sea level at the junction: of the Thomas and Broken Rivers. Castle Hill is situated on tho old West Coast road, but apart from a comfortable residence lent by a member of the Rock Gardens Society, there is no accommodation. The whole district is of interest, and has some of the finest scenery in the Dominion. Springfield, twenty miles away, is the nearest accommodation, with hotels and stores, and it is possible to make this a centre. The vicinity has some beautiful lakes, with good fishing, Lake Lyndon at the foot of Potter's Pass, Lakes Pearson and Grasmere, about eight miles from Castle Hill, and the great Lake Coleridge to be seen by a walk from Lake Lyndon! A PLACE OP MANY INTEEESTS. The whole of the district has been the hunting ground for botanists for a considerable time, and each section gives its different species; the graceful gentiana was" in full bloom on' alpine meadows and slopes.' The gaultherias and coprosmas in great variety abounded everywhere. There are forty varieties of tho latter known, aiid many are abundant at Castle Hill, varying from tree to mat and cushion plants. The flowers are insignificant, but the drupes arc abundant and beautiful, some, translucent blue, others white or amethyst. In places one would think thousands of beautiful coloured . beads had been thrown on to the alpine slopes and plains, but on examination one finds all growing on nearly invisible plants. Bird life is of further interest. Wild swans, grey, paradise, and mallard chucks are plentiful. From Castle Hill it is possible to continue the journey and explore the beauties of Arthur's Pass and Otira, where the finest natural rock gardens in the world arc to be seen. It is very gratifying to know that stringent laws are being passed by the authorities to protect' tho native flora from destruction by the big influx of tourists now visiting the locality, and who have been destroying the flora to such _an extent that one has to get off the beaten track a little to see its beauties. It is hoped that the.whole of the banks alongside the road will bo again planted and strictly preserved. To get from Castle Hill to Arthur's Pass tourists have alternatives —by rail direct from Springfield or Cass, where cars can be put on the train (arrangements must be made with railway to have a truck in readiness), or, if rivers will allow, cars can bo taken by road, and in this way the tourist passes by edge of Lake Pearson, and, further on, Lakes Grasmere and Sarah.- But before taking this route it is best to ascertain by telephoning to Bealy if it is possible to get through the river. Many tourists send ears by rail to Otira, but in doing this they miss one of tho finest pieces of scenery in New Zealand. Going from Otira, the tourist may continue his journey to West- Coast and on to Nelson, and will be well repaid.