DEANS'S BUSH.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 263, 10 December 1914, Page 5

DEANS'S BUSH.

FIRST MEETING OF TRUSTEES. The first meeting of the Deans's Bush trustees was held yesterday, when there were present the Mayor (Mr H. Holland), Messrs. John and James Deans, J. Hayward, and Dr C. Chilton. The Town Clerk formally assumed the chairmanship until the chairman of the board was elected. The Mayor, after expressing his thanks for the magnificent gift of the bush, said it was only fitting that Mr John Deans should be elected chairman. Mr Hayward seconded the motion, and Dr Chilton also spoke in appreciation of the gift of the Deans family. There was no other nomination, and Mr Deans was declared elected.

Mr Holland reported on what had been done since the Bush had been handed over to the city. The City Council, finding that vandalism had occurred, appointed a caretaker, who was also required to clear away noxious weeds and improve the bush, and in this direction much had been done. The appointment of the caretaker would have, to be endorsed by the board, and the putting down of Artesian wells in the bush was required. On the motion of Dr Chilton, who said that it was a mistake on the part of the public to think they could overrun the bush without restriction, the council's action was approved, and the caretaker was appointed for the "term of one year. Dr Chilton was appointed honorary secretary.

Dr Chilton went on to report on the bush. It was a unique botanical reserve, there being nothing like it ne%r Christchurch, he said. It was essentially a botanical gardens, but it was also necessary that it should be open to the public, but these uses conflicted, and it would be necessary to place restrictions on the public to prevent people from trampling all over the place. He considered that a plan should be made of the bush, showing native bush and the-exotic trees, and also that the more important native trees and shrubs should bear name tablets. It was the business of the board to preserve the trees, and he thought ho other plants should: be planted other than those natural to the bush. The Ac% provided that certain hours should be set apart for visitors, and prohibited people from carrying away any of the plants. He suggested that a caretaker's cottage should be built and that an illustrated booklet dealing with the history of the bush and its botanical features should be published. The chairman said that a good many of the suggestions would cost money, and it was necessary to discover what income the board was going to receive from the City Couhcil before anything could be done. Mr Hay ward suggested that other local bodies concerned, such as the Waimairi County Council and the Kiccarton Borough Council, should be asked to contribute.

Various methods of raising additional revenue were discussed, and the Town Clerk suggested that the board should work in with the Domains Board and take a percentage of the rates collected by the board.

It was decided that the Mayor and Br Chilton should be appointed a committee to go into the matter of necessary works.

It was also decided that until the necessary paths were laid down and fences erected the public should not be admitted to the bush, except individuals receiving permission from a member of the board, and then only when accompanied by the ranger. It was pointed out that this measure was only temporary and was taken for the public benefit.

Dr Chilton was 'authorised to collect material for the booklet to be published as he suggested.