NORTH SHORE BUSH

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24103, 23 October 1941, Page 10

NORTH SHORE BUSH

PLAN FOR PRESERVATION MINISTER PROMISES HELP Support for a movement to protect Smith's Rush. Takapuna, from destruction was given by a meeting of representatives of local bodies and other organisations held in the Town Hall last night. Tt was decided to negotiate with the owners in order to keep the property as a permanent reserve. The Mayor, Mr. J. A. C. Allum, presided over an attendance of 25.

A telegram from the acting-Minister in charge of Scenery Preservation, the Hon. J. G. Barclay, read by Mr. Allum, stated that the Government valuation of the property was £2OOO. Provided that the area could he obtained on this basis, he would recommend the Cabinet to make a grant of £BOO.

Miss L. M. Cranwell, representing the scenery preservation committee of the Auckland Institute and Museum, said the area was a beauty spot. It was a self-contained piece of woodland of great recreational value and scientific interest. The area of 33 acres included 19 acres of bush containing a remarkable admixture of native trees and plants. The Mayor of Takapuna. Mr. J. Guiniven, said the bush should be preserved in the interests ot the children of to-day and those of the future. A representative of the provisional committee, Mr. C. H. M. ills. s;iid that, after including the Government subsidy, the remainder of the cost of acquiring the property should be divided equally between local bodies and the public. It was suggested that the contributory local bodies should be assessed on population, on the same basis as for the Auckland War Memorial Museum. It was decided to try to acquire the bush for tlio permanent use of the public and, if it is purchased, to administer it by a domain board. It was recommended that in the selection of a name "Hobson Park" snould be considered.