NATIVE BUSH AT WEST WANGANUI

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 24 October 1940, Page 4

NATIVE BUSH AT WEST WANGANUI

SUGGESTED AS RESERVE CONSIDERED BY AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION A suggestion to buy an area of beautiful native bush at West Wanganui, on the West Coast, for a reserve came before the Automobile Association (Nelson) last night. Maginnity, Son and Samuel wrote stating that the Collingwood County Council had asked them to place before the association the advisability of acquiring an area of approximately 2£ acres adjoining the dry road at West Wanganui which is covered with beautiful native bush. It was stated that the owner was understood to be prepared to sell for a reasonable figure. The chairman. Dr S. A. Gibbs, said that the District Engineer, Mr T. A. Johnson, considered this one of the finest stands of bush he knew of in the Dominion. It was a question whether they would have to pay not only for the land but also timber values on the land, added the chairman, and this might be considerable. However, the District Engineer had offered to get a valuation report and sketch plan showing the area. When that report was received the association could go further into the matter. There was a need for something in the nature of a camping site on the West Coast there. In reply to a question as to whether there were any other attractions besides the bush the chairman said that it was a tidal estuary but people did bathe there.

The Patrol Officer was asked for a report and further consideration was deferred till a report was also received from Mr Johnston.