"AN IDEAL SITE."

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 15223, 22 May 1920, Page 3

"AN IDEAL SITE."

PROPOSED KAITI HILL PARK.

In response to an invitation from Mr. Geo.. Barton, president of the Gisborne Returned Soldiers' Association., Mr. A. W. Buxton, of Christchurch, who is recognised «s the leading landscape architect of the Dominion, paid a* visit to Kaiti hill yesterday afternoon. The object of the inspection, which was made m company with the Mayor, Mr. Geo. Wildish, Or. H. H. DeCosta and Mr. Darton., was to obtain the expert's opinion as to the suitability of Kaiti> hill for .its conversion into a memorial lhe visitors spent practically the whole afternoon on the inspection, traversing a considerable area .of th© hillside, wiph the .result that Mr. iiuxton came away most enthusiastic m his opinion that Kaiti hill afforded ideal conditions for conversion into one of the finest parks m the Dominion.. •, Mr. Buxton made a careful inspection of the extensive basin which exists high upon the hill side. Despite the high wind prevailing it was found that the basin was admirably sheltered, the conditions there being remarkably mild. It was only when , tho party clambered over the high ridge that they experienced the full force -of the prevailing wind. Mr. Buxton was emphatically of opinion that the i basin was' admirably suitable for the purpose, the soil being excellent, whilst the locality lent itself to being utilised for recreation, grounds. With the den,th of soil available no difficulty whatever would be found m getting trees and plants to grow,, -whilst any objection that might he raised from tho existence of the ■■ freezing works could be readily overcome by the "planting out" of the works. Mr! Buxton. was eulogistic m: his appreciation of the splendid view of Gisborne and its surloundings and the sea coast as viewed from the south-western aspect of the hill. The people" of Gisborne, he said, obviously did hot realise the magnificent asset they possessed' m Kaiti. hill, and he was perfectly satisfied that it could bo turned into a most popular public resort. He only regretted that he had not the means and leisure to make a life hobby of beautifying such ideal Spots as that obtaining m. Kaiti hill. Personally he was prepared to assist m any possible way m the laying off of the scheme, and on the occasion of his next visit he was willing to make a further visit to the locality and point out to any citizens who were sceptical on the subject the many advantages Kaiti hill possessed as a prospective park. There was no question as to the accessibility of such a park, as ah easy motor drive could be laid out up to the terraces on the hillside, whilst, winding paths would afford access from the Coojc memorial. From a landscape point of view Kaiti hill possessed great possibilities — m fact the conditions were absolutely ideal. Mr. Buxton, who is engaged on numerous landscape undertakings throughout the Dominion, returned south by the I Mapourika last evening. I