CITY RESERVES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXI, Issue 7225, 26 April 1884, Page 6

CITY RESERVES.

<• lii the good old times the custom was to beat the City boundaries, and on such j occasions the rising generation, or rather certain favoured individuals of the rising generation, were submitted to a process which was supposed to impress indelibly on their minds the most prominent land-, marks of " the district. Yesterday, his j * Worship the Mayor took occasion to give the City Council and a few other prominent citizens an opportunity not exactly of noting the City boundaries, but of examining the City reserves; and if he did not adopt the time-honoured process alluded to above, he took a course which was not less likely to impress upon the mind the salient features of the localities visited. Shortly after half past ten the party, including his Worship the Mayor, Councillors Vincent, Bennetts, Eeese, Bowman, Kiver, Brice, Crooks, Hosking, and Prudhoe, exMajors Hobbs, Gapes, and Thomson, W. E. Mitchell, P. Jones (Chairman of the Cashmere Hills Seserve), J. B. Fisher (city solicitor), Walkden (City Surveyor), Haskins (Town Clerk), and others started from the City Council Chambers in four carriages, and taking a course along Ferry road to Buckley's road, beyond the Presbyterian Church, turned to the left, reaching the new cemetery reserve shortly after 11 o'clock. Here the party alighted and inspected the ground, which they unanimously agreed was admirably adapted for the purpose to which it is to be applied. The land is high and dry., naturally well drained, and at a convenient distance from town. It has been fenced securely, and a portion lying near the northern boundary is being planted with trees. The paths are laid out, and a sufficient number of grave lots for immediate use have been set out. The soil of that portion which is first to be brought into use is of a very suitable character, and other parts which are of a too sandy nature are to be improved by the deposit upon them of the road scrapings of the city, the disposal of which has already been a matter of some" trouble to the authorities. The cemetery is approached by a good broad road from the ' continuation of Cashel street, and it is intended ere long to construct a tram to the neighbourhood, which will be available not only for the conveyance of funerals and for the general traffic to the east end of the suburbs, but also at night time for the transport of night soil. From the traffic certain to patronise the line, it is anticipated that a large income will eventually accrue and one that almost immediately will yield an ample interest on the outlay. The party having fully acquainted themselves with the salient features, and having partaken of a light refection brought to the spot by Mrs Hulbert, next visited the night-soil reserve, where they expressed satisfaction at the process _ of thorough deodoriciug -which has been going on, and at the fertilising effects of the deposit. Again seating themselves in their vehicles, the party were driven over the Stanmore road bridge through Eichmond, aaid so on to the Council's reserve of 900 acres near Bottle Lake. Here a marquee had been erected, and an appetising champagne lunch had been spread by Host Messenger. The drive through the keen air had sharpened the appetites of the party, and little time was lost before all seated themselves at the hospitable board. Before they separated, his Worship the Mayor remarked that the party had taken the trip partly for business and partly for pleasure. He believed that some present wished t» look round the reserve and to have a little shooting, and he would not therefore detain them by any speech-making. He would, without further remark, propose " The health of Her Majesty the Queen." The toast was loyally drunk. The Mayor said the next toast was " Our Visitors." Besides the members of the Council who had not previously visited the City Reserves, there were present a few visitors, to whom an opportunity was now given of seeing what was being done with th<3 reserves. He hoped they would be convinced that what was being done would enhance the value of the reserves for the citizen;) of Christchurch. The cemetery wax a most suitable site, a 3 they had seen, and the nightsoil reserve was being greatly improved. The 900 acres on which they then were had been leased on favouW able terms, and the money accruing from the lease would be applied to the improvement of the property by planting, &c, so that at the end of the seven years for which the lease had been given it would be of considerably mote value, and would let at an increased rental. He coupled the toast with the names of Mr George King and Mr Henry Thomson. Messrs King and Thomson replied in suitable terms. Mr Thomson proposed " The Health of the Mayor," which was drunk with three times three, and one for the Lady Mayoress. His Worship acknowledged the toast, in the course of his remarks complimenting Councillor Bowman on the success of his efforts to establish the new cemetery. This ended the speech-making, and the party speedily betook themselves, some to dog and gun, and others to a stroll to the Bottle Lake and its neighbourhood, each endeavouring to make the most of the fine vraatber and bracing breeze. At !. o'clock a start for home was made, but a halt was called at the house of Mr George King, who insisted upon the party inspecting the improvements he is making on his beautiful grounds on the Horseshoe Lake. His guests having duly complimented him on his good taste, and having cordially drunk his health, at the invitation of the Mayor once more took to the road,

and quickly reached town, where they dispersed, after having passed a day of unalloyed pleasure.,