BROOKLYN SCENIC RESERVE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 20 April 1923, Page 6

BROOKLYN SCENIC RESERVE

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Some four months ago, a property belonging to the Jordan Estate, sivtated in the picturesque Brooklyn Vslley, was in the hands of the Public Trustee. This property contains, in addition to flat land, a patch of native bush, finely situated on a hill slope fac'rig the main road. Hearing that this line property was likely to be put up for sale, several public-spirited gentlemen of the district conceived tne idea of acquiring the bushed portion, together with two or three acres of flat, as a public scenic and recreation ground. Several meetings were held, and though these were but poorly attended, a small committee was set up and negotiations were begun with the Public Trustee, the undersigned doing the secretarial work. Eventually, a price being put upon the property by the Public Trust, the (jOi\ mittee accepted the terms, paid the required deposit money, and thus acquired an option over the property. Mr Ledger was engaged to survey the E;rtion desired, and ho surveyed and id off an area of ll£ acres. This area has now been vested in five trustees, whose names are: James G. Deck, David E. Frv, Percy Fry, James Cook, and William A. A. Ryder. These gentlemen now hold the land in trust for the general public. TJi•■• undersigned has been elected secretary to the Trust Board. It is the intention of the Trustees to appeal to tii<* general public for donations, as a sum of about £175 is required to pay oft the debt upon the property. In addition to this, arrangements are being made for working parties to operate cki!ring up, levelling, and generally ptitting "the property in stich order that it will be fully available for picnic and recreation purposes early next summer. It is thought that not only /Fill this fine reserve be a very great asset to the people in the immediate districts of Brooklyn, Riwaka, and Mctveka, but will also bo a boon to motor parties from Nelson, a good mo-tor-road running past the property. Such parties will be able to picnic and share in the delights of the place to their heart's content. Ample space is available for parking cars, and, very shortly, all the conveniences needed by visiting parties will be established. Several well-known persons of Nelson have intimated their intention of helping with sums of money. Mr Ledger already as given a donation of eight guineas, a gift much appreciated by the trustees. Any person desiring to assist in wiping off the debt upon toe property, and in the establishment o* a fund for improvements, is requested to forward his donation to the secretary. The trustees heartily incite all persons delighting in sylvan surroundings to visit the Brooklyn Scenic Reserve. S. W. STREET, Secretary to Trust Board, Riwaka