RAINCLIFF BUSH

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVII, Issue 23205, 19 May 1945, Page 4

RAINCLIFF BUSH

Rapid Regeneration

“Those who remember the lack of vegetation in the forest floor of the Raincliff bush would be astonished at the luxuriant growth which has taken place in Pioneer Park during the last five years,” said Major P. H. Johnson at the annual meeting of the Pioneer Park Domain Board yesterday. Major Johnson reminded members that the whole southern side of the Domain was fenced during the first year of the Board's activities, and this had prevented stock from getting access to the bush. “If stock are kept out of the bush for a few years, then the bush wall become so thick that it will be difficult to get through parts of it,” remarked the speaker. A number of officials from the State Forestry Department had visited Raincliff, and were surprised at this rapid regeneration of the native bush.

Rains had caused a slip in the bush, but the damage was not as serious as was at first thought. It was agreed by the Board to plant this slip in native beech trees. During the February floods the creek had left its old channel and was inclined to scour out the road but arrangements had now been made to hire a Public Works Department bulldozer to bring the creek back to its original course.

The Board decided to write to the Mackenzie County Council asking that a cattle-stop be erected on the Homebush road at the Park entrance.