MR JAMES YOUNG.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11029, 18 March 1914, Page 7

MR JAMES YOUNG.

CURATOR OF GARDENS TO TODR. SEND-OFF FROM WELL-WISHERS. Mr James Young, whose transformation of the Christcliurch Gardens is his greatest monument, and whose rose garden is one - of the wonders of the dominion, is about to take a six months' holiday, with. Scotland as his immediate, objective. His friends and admirers were not prepared to let him go without some,good wishes to carry with him. They met, therefore, last evening in the Cadena rooms in large numbers, including a large percentage of horticulturists. The chairman was Mr C. A, 0. Cuningham, whose interest in the gardens is live eiioug;h to remain with him in his frequent. globe trottings, and many a horticultural specimen lias come to Christcliurch from him. > 'The chairman .read a letter from Mr H. J. Beswick, chairman of the Domains Board, apologising for absence in view of a standing engagement. He stated that his duties, owing to the untiring energy, unfailing courtesy and innate modesty of Mr Young had been extremely pleasant. The public of Christchurcn had reason to be grateful to Sir Young for what lie had done, and it would take too' long .to enumerate the improvements carried out by him, on a limited expenditure. Mr Young's visit to Europe would be not only a pleasure to him, but of benefit to Christchurch. . The Mayor, who arrived latier in the evening, also wrote expressing his appreciation of Mr Young* and wishing him a pleasant voyage. After the loyal toast,, Mr W. Jones gave the ' toast " Horticulture," . remarking that in, twenty-three years' experience he. had never seen so many horticulturists together '-at one time. He praised Young for. his practical enthusiasm, ,wluch .he said ,ha 3 • prevented him from placing himself on a pedestal,, like many another good man, and had secured to Christcliurch the value of his undoubted abilities/ Mr J. W. Irwin, in responding, said that as a vocation or a hobby horticulture was unsurpassed. _ It was at its height in Christchurch just now partly because of the encouragement given to novices and because of the unique object lesson provided in.the public gardens, for which the city owed a debt of gratitude to Mr Young - . He hoped that Mr Young would come back with a determination to continue the planting Of avenues of trees round the parks, to keep Christchurch in the premier , position of the garden city. Mr S. A. Staples proposed the toast of "The Garden City," and Mr It. Nairn responded. ! Mr C. D. Morris proposed the toast of the guest. He said that he was glad to say even a little in honour of his friend,' Mr Young. . (Applause.) He had" a lively recollection of the Christchurch Domains of. forty-one years ago,' but the greatest transition had taken place in Mr Young's time, and the wilderness of forty years ago was now the greatest beauty spot in New Zealand. Into it Mr Young had put an infinite amount _of industry, perseverance and foresight. In every way lie was courteous and obliging, and it was an honour to propose his toast. It was to be hoped that his services would long be available to Christchurch, not only in the gardens, but in the larger question of afforestation. He wished Mr Young good health and a pleasant voyage. The toast was enthusiastically drunk, with cheers for Mr and Mrs Young and "Jimmy." Sir Yonng, in responding, said that it was his intention to visit the principal gardens of England, Scotland and Ireland, and also France, and if he found, as Mr Jones predicted, a great many good garden shrubs, he hoped to bring some back to Christchurch. He thanked those present very much for the compliment bestowed upon him. (Applause.) The chairman, in proposing the toast of the Domains Board, said that he was a Christchurch man to his heart's soul, and he took a great delight in the Christchurch gardens. He had no-, thing but praise for the improvements and alterations made by Sir Young iu the gardens. The rose garden was one of the finest in the southern hemisphere, the native section was a very fine exhibit, the rhododendrons were magnificent, and now Mr Young was making a fine walk all round the river, not to mention the improvements of Lincoln Road. The members of the

Board deserved credit for carrying out this programme. The Mayor, in responding, referred fco tho new era that the Board was entering on with rating powers, and said that the Board could be depended on to carry out judiciously the good programme it had in hand. He hoped it would bo a progressive body to the end of its days. During the evening an orchestra, under Mr Sinclair, played several enjoyable selections, and Messrs Mncdonald,' Smith and Tidyman sang, and Mr Tidyman added a good deal to the gaiety of the proceedings with some Irish recitations. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the chairman.