THE DOMAINS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17862, 7 August 1918, Page 5

THE DOMAINS.

WORK IN PROGRESS

A QUAIL SANCTUARY

At the Botanic ; Gardens the staff is busy cleaning up the flower-beds for the display that comes with the spring-time, d.iereismuch ‘doing in other directions also, especially in respect to the children's< playground, arid the paddling pond, and the it i$ expected, will be completed this month. V The recent severe snowstorm did not do a great deal of damage the double-headed trees being the chief sufferers. During the present week pruning work in the rose gaiden will be parried out. and Mr Young, the curator, states that any rose cultunsts ! who visit this portion at this time wall I be gladlv given any hints which may I assist them in the cultivation of their favourite flower- One outcome of Saturday’s demonstration of rose pruning in the Domain is stated to be the likelihood of the formation of a Domain Rose Society. Quo branch of Domain enterprise that is nearing completion is the planting of the Fendaltou and Carlton corners with ornamental trees and shrubs. Groat difficulty has been experienced in tho levelling of the area ill the North Hr.gley Park, where tho potatoes were .grown last season, owing to the solid blocks of concrete, relics of the Interrational Exhibition. • which have been discovered in many places- These were not revealed during the ploughing work for the putting in of the potato crop, bub when it came to levelling the mounds with the scoop, the drivers of iho four-horse teams occasionally mot obstacles, too thinly buried, which gave them nasty knocks. In all such cases, a great deal of labour has been required in sinking these concrete foundations, many of them at least four feet square, a safe distance underground, a foot at the very least- In consequence it is doubtful whether the ground will be levelled ready for sowing this spring. . An interesting fact mentioned in connection with the now native section concerns ihe large number of quail to be seen there, the dense undergrowth i thereabouts providing ample cover for this class of game for the reaving of its ■ young, and forming an ideal breeding place. I A gentleman interested in the fur- : ther beautification of the Christchurch Domains has,made a suggestion that in view of the Acclimatisation Society’s probable discontinuance of the bird I section, an arrangement, suitable to ! that society and the Domnins Board ! might be made whereby the former i could hand over to tho board those i portions of its grounds, excluding the ; hatcheries and the residential cottage, ; so that the other portions which are so | much wasto land, could be put in order, | end the grass reserve and paths laid out. 1 As this section immediately abuts on to .the hospital grounds, tho gentleman in question is of opinion that when such improvements were carried out. access could be had from the hospital side, and the extended walk would prove of benefit to and be much appreciated by returned soldiers who were convalescing.