CONTROL OF ROUND BUSH

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 88, 11 March 1930, Page 2

CONTROL OF ROUND BUSH

MATTER OF DISTRICT CONCERN. (From Our Own Correspondent.) FOXTON, Mar. 11. Tho fact that the Round Bush scenic reserve on the Foxton-Palmerston North highway a few miles north of F oxton is rapidly" deteriorating was placed before tn. monthly meeting of the Foxton Borough Council last night by the honorary ranger (Mr J. IC. Hornblow). The reserve which is a well-known landmark to travellcis bv both land and sea along this coast, was originally under the control of „ e , u f Zealand Scenery Preservation Board, but in 1920 a deputation comprising Messrs J. A. Nash (Palmerston N, Borough Council), J. Linklafcr (Kairanga County Council), l. Masters (Feilding Borough Council) » • Barber (Manawatu County Council) and a local representative took up the matter ot having the reserve transferred to the voxton Harbour Board. This vvas agreed to and the reserve was vested in the board after tho payment of £525. Mr Hornblow said the bush was now hast deteriorating, due chiefly to the fact that tho reserve had not been fenced and stock were allowed to destroy tho undergrowth. Tho Harbour Board discussed tho matter at a recent meeting when it was decided to endeavour to have the reserve preserved. The Round Bush was one of the finest in the district and could be better known. He suggested that in order to preserve the bush the councils should, either endeavour to take it over or have it invested in district trustees. Fencing was immediately necessary, together with sheltod belts on tho south and west sides to protect the undergrowth from the prevailing winds. Acts of vandalism had been committed in the bush, but a heavy penalty was provided for if offenders were caught. Tho Mayor deplored the present state of tho bush and said if the beard could take the reserve over it should do so in order to preserve it for future generations. Cr. Barron said there was a chance of the bush being lost through tho spread of blackberry if some action was not taken to peresrve it immediately. It was decided that letters he sent to the following local bodies:—Manawatu County Council, Feilding Borough Ctvncil, JKairanga County Council and Palmerston North Borough Council pointing out tho rapid deterioration of the Round Bush re serve and asking if they would be prepared to support a request asking ‘he GovernorGeneral to vest the reserve in a board of control composed of representatives appointed by each of the local bodies mentioned.