The Timaru Herald.

Timaru Herald, Volume LX, Issue 2337, 6 March 1897, Page 2

The Timaru Herald.

'' SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 1897.

We were given to understand some months ago that Mr Flatman, M.H.R., had obtained a promise » from the of Lands that the Rangitira or Rakitairi Bush should be reserved as a recreation ground when the upper block of the Aror« whenua estate was cut up for settlelo ment. So far as we can learn from the settlement plan of the estate, N which has been issued, that promise | has not been kept, The " Rakitairi

Bush " is marked as included m lot 20, and the description of this lot states that it includes 25 acres of native bush. On the opposite side of a road to which this lot has an end frontage, there is a section marked "Rec. Res. 1561," which may be a section reserved out of the estate; but it does not include the bush. It mayinclude a small portion of it. There is also within the upper block a second piece of ground, which we believe it is far more desirable to have reserved for recreation purposes, the piece of ground locally known as Gully Bush, which is made a part of lot 19, but is separated from the rest by a road. Lot 19 contains 274| acres, and the description says that " 79£ acres are m tussock, and unploughable ; 25 acres are m native<bush." This part of the description must refer to the Gully Bush as these are about its area, character, and contents. The Gully Bush, from its shape, and from its position overlooking all the country to the south, is a much more picturesque picnic ground than Rakitairi Bush, and is to a considerable extent used for this purpose. It is nearer Temuka, by a better road, much nearer Pleasant Point, and is not beyond driving reach from Timaru. There is a larger variety of bush m it, including some big old trees, while Rakitairi, we are informed, is little more than scrub. It is practically useless for industrial purposes, owing to its steepness, and the chief effect of including it m Lot 19 is to reduce the rental per acre of the whole, the rest of the lot being fairly workable. Perhaps it is not too late foi the member for the district to use his influence to secure the reservation of this Gully Bush for the public use as a recreation ground.