PALMERSTON RESERVES.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 283, 7 December 1907, Page 5

PALMERSTON RESERVES.

THE NEW CURATOR ARRIVES.

Mr W. M. Smith, whose appointment as curator of the Palmerston Borough reserves we noted with pleasure a little time since, arrived in Palmerston yesterday to take up* his duties and went round the reserves. Apart from his great succbbs as a landscape gardener and horticulturist, the new curator is known as a writer on scientific subjects. He is a fellow of the Royal Entomological Society, is quoted in works like Sir Walter Bailer's "Birds," and in various botanical works, as an authority. At tho time he laid down the curatorship of the Ashburton Domain with a view to joining the Scenery Preservation Commission, of which lie later was unanimously elected secretary, there was a chorus of praise in Ashburton, in which the only discordant note was that of an individual who apparently attempted to injure him here by letter? to a contemporary. Mr Smith is a difficult man to interview with regard to himself. He will speak freely upon botany, entomology, landscape gardening, and his other hobbies, but he won't < speak of his'own attainments. However, Mr Smith's record is easily obtainable, and amongst the many testimonials which he possesses are some very stiking ones in connection with the Ashburton Domain.

Thus Mr John Cochrane, a well known nurseryman, •writing as Mayor? of Ashburton, tells how he has known Mr Smith for 17 years, and watched his work as curator of the Ashburton Domain for 8% years, and addß—"When he commenced work therein, the place was in a primitive state,' almost a barren waste, but his industry, care and attention, has transformed it into a beautiful domain, which is greatly patronised by picnic parties from. Ohristchurch, Timaru, and other places, and its ornamental ponds, with hundreds of waterfowl, and grounds judiciously laid out, prove that'he is a man of ability in his profession." Mr Ledaley, president of the Farmers' Union, testifies that "the Ashburton Domain will stand for generations as a monument to his taste as a landscape gardener, and to his ability to evolve from what natually was a barren waste, order and beauty. This he did with the smallest amount of assistance in the matter of funds, performing the actual manual labour with his own hands. '* "I have often," adds Mr Leadley, "wondered why such a brilliant light should be hid under such a small bushel."

Mr Collins, chairman of the Ashburton Domain Board, says that under Mr Smith's creative care the Ashburton Domain has become "one of the most attractive parks in the colony. It is a favourite resort for picnic parties from all parts of the colony." He goes on to say that Mr Smith is a botanist of standing, a born field naturalist, and well known to most biological scientists in New Zealand.

Mr F. W. Adams, th'e well known authority on forestry, of Greendale, Canterbury, who has spent some thousands of pounds in original ex* perimental work, for the benefit of the Dominion, was most anxious that Mr Smith should become superintendent of the Dune3in botanical gardens, and he wrote to Mr Barron, Commissioner of Crown Lands* saying ' a more suitable man could not be found I veriiy believe on this side of the globe." Mr Smith, .'before coming to the colony, had experience in some of the finest private gardens in England.

So anxious were the Ashburton people to retain ;his services on his resigning his post as curator, that the A. and- P. A«sooiation and other. bodies~offered to vote donations as additionato his salary. It was of the Ashburton Bqmaitt that Or. Luxford and Mr Rutherford' spoke so strongly.