THE ACCLIMATISATION GARDENS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXI, Issue 15333, 16 June 1910, Page 6

THE ACCLIMATISATION GARDENS.

It will bo a very groat pity if tho Acclimatisation Society is driven to remove its headquarters from the site in Hagloy Park which it lias occupied

for many years past. The gardens are ono of the most attractive features of tlio Park and by the judicious expenditure of a little money they might be made of great educative value to the community. But it is evident from the statement made by Mr O. J. Sloman last sight on behalf of the Garden Committee that it will bo quite impossible for the Society to continue tho present arrangement unless the Domains Board is prepared to grant it a more satisfactory form of tenure and to tako up a moro sympathetic attitude towards its operations. Tho mombors cannot bo expected to spend tlioir time and their money, largely in tho public interest, in contending against conditions which practically foredoom their efforts to failure. Mr Slomap had no difficulty in showing that they might do much better on a property, of their own, where they could introduce modern methods of lish culture and where they would be rolioved of many of the obligations by which they are at present burdened, ‘and there seems little doubt that the special committee that has been appointed to inquire into the matter will report in favour of a change. Wo hope, however, that before anything more definite is done in this direction a conference will tako place between the Society and the Domains Board, for tho purpose of discussing the whole position.