HILL RESERVES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12084, 13 August 1917, Page 6

HILL RESERVES.

AREAS NEAR LYTTELTON. Mr H. G. Ell, M.P., at hU meeting nt Lyttelton on Saturday, suggested that residents of the borough should take in hand the makiug of a road leading from the Lyttelton-Sumner Road, running high up on the face of the hills at the back of the town, coming out on the saddle between Mount Pleasant and Mount Cavendish, and joining the Summit Road. The new road, Mr Ell said, could lie used as a vehicular thoroughfare from Christchurch to Lyttelton. It could he beautified, and would bo an admirable approach to the port. An examination of the route had convinced him ihat the grade would be about one in twelve.

After the meeting Mr Ell informed Mr F. Anderson, the chairman, that he intended to ask Mr F. \V. Freeman to make a trial survey of the route, and that legislative authority might be required to take the road through private property. Another suggestion mado by Mr Ell is that the botanical reserve at Lyttolton. should be joined to other reserves In that locality. He has- agreed to purchase from the Morten Estate Trustees, through Lieutenant-Colonel H. S. Hobday, on very generous terms, an additional public reserve at Mount Pleasant. This will give, areas of 13, 23, 29 and 50 acres. There are several matches of. native bush in the areas. The plants are being destroyed by cattle,' and Mr Ell proposes to ring-fence the land, lease them only for sheep grazing, and uae the revenue for beautifying and otherwise improving the areas. \

He has promised to give an address tot Sumner soon on municipal affairs.