GIFT TO GOVERNMENT

Grey River Argus, 1 March 1945, Page 4

GIFT TO GOVERNMENT

STEWART ISLAND PROPERTY INVERCARGILL, February 27. To assist the advancement of scientific knowledge of the flora and fauna of Stewart Island, a property which is one of the features of the island has been presented to the Government by Miss Noeline Baker. Except, that Miss Baker is to have the use of the house as long as she wishes, the gift is unconditional. Miss Baker pointed out that the propertv would be ideal as a place where ‘botanists and ornithologists could continue their studies and she has expressed the hope that it would be used as a scientific research station, similar to the Cawthron Institute at Nelson. The furniture and many rare books and antiques in the house are included in the gift.

The property covers 34 acres, two of which are devoted to a scenic garden, the rest being virgin bush. The house, which was erected about ten years ago, is of Dutch colonial design. A feature of the grounds is an extensive rock garden, in which Miss Baker, who is ?. skilled botanist, has collected numerous rock plants, inculding several which are found only on Stewart Island. Each of the large number of plants has been labelled with its correct botanical name on a strip of lead and most, of the native trees and exotic plants and flowers in the garden bear a similar label. Mr. J. Thorn, M.P. deputy-chair-man of the Tourist. Development Committee, who visited the island this week with Mr. L. J. Schmitt, general manager of the Tourist Department, paid a tribute to Miss Baker for her public-spirited action and expressed the hope that the Government would put the property to the use suggested. . Although she was born in New Zealand, Miss Baker has spent most of her life in England. She has lived at Stewart Island for the past . ten years, with the exception of periodic trips to Britain.