OLD GARDENS I HAVE LAID OUT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18015, 27 November 1926, Page 20

OLD GARDENS I HAVE LAID OUT.

HOW MARCH OF TIME HAS LED TO SUBDIVISION. (By J. JOYCE.) Fifty-six years ago I landed at Lyttelton on September 6, 1870, after a dreary, uneventful voyage of 14,000 miles of water, without sighting a speck of land until we arrived at our destination—the long wished for fair land of New Zealand. You can guess how eager we were to get our feet on terra firma once more, after being a prisoner on the good ship Monarch for four long months, sailing over the waters of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. Sailing ships in those days were not. very particular ■ as to the time they took to complete- their journey. Wind and wave had a lot to do with the progress they made, and very few ships arrived at 'their respective date. So that on that memorable morning of September 6. 1870,' we all took leave of one another as we landed for out respective destinations through-

out Canterbury, many never to meet again. I wonder how many out of 300 souls who landed on that morning are to be found throughout Canterbury today. Most of the older ones, have taken their departure from the scene of their labours. In Christchurch there arc five

of the younger members still to the good, as far as my knowledge goes Well they are no babies now, so. that the time will soon come when the good ship Monarch will be forgotten. Well, I was one of the lucky ones, having a brother here in Christchurch, lie’came and took me to his home in Christchurch, so that I had nothing to grumble about. Well, I was fairly contented to take a holiday for- a week or two before I started on my long journey throughout the hills and plains of Canterbury, which I have been travelling now for so many years. How different to-day. Everything changed. Then most of the plains were nothing but a waste of tussock, and land was to be had almost for the taking, £2 per acre, and many men would not have the bother of fencing it in: No doubt it was an up hill job getting on the laird; If you had not a few hundred pounds at your back, you stood a poor chance of getting on. The great city of Christchurch was also very primitive at the time. There were no elaborate buildings bearing the name of shops. The Bank of New Zealand was the only substantial building to be seen. The streets, too, were very primitive. No asphalt, footpaths, only some fine gravel sprinkled, and a wooden kerbing to the edges: but every street, shop and dwelling has been completely transformed. I have seen all the changes going on for#now quite fifty years, both in city and suburbs for miles outside the town belts (now avenues). But T must net attempt to describe any of my impressions here, as I do not intend to tread on Mr Green's corns.

Mr Green is such an adept at describing his experience in the past, that I would be completely in the background if I was to try to describe my early impressions of the work of our pioneers fathers, who have now all disappeared from the scene. But I know Mr Green will not be offended, when I confine my narrative to trials and troubles which I have experienced those fifty-six years of labour in the levelling of the hills, and smoothing of the plains of Canterbury, and laying out and planting to beautify the homes and surroundings, of the good old pioneers, who chose to make their homes and end their days in their adopted country, this fair and beautiful land of New Zealand.

Well, I .might say that I have been occupied in that labour of love from the day I landed until the present. I say labour of love, for I have always taken the greatest interest in my work, as a landscape gardener. My greatest pleasure and happiness was in the making of a good job, and serving my employer most faithfully, by never leaving a job until he was thoroughly satisfied. To me the good opinion of my employers was appreciated just as much as his money. In fact, if his opinion was not favourable, there would be no money pass, but I can truthfully say that no disagreeableness ever occurred, for I never executed an unsatisfactory job during the whole time that I carried on the business of landscape gardener. I can look back with pleasure on my past life, and can truthfully say that I never had a disagreeable transaction with any gentleman or lady, that J had occasion to do business with during the fiftysix years that I have been in business, since I arrived in New Zealand. Their goodwill was always my privilege. which I appreciated very much. I will explain why T always had the gqod will of those who I had the pleasure of serving, that I always charged an honest price for the work done, and in charging extras I never charged two pounds where one was sufficient, wfeich can be borne out by the few that are left of the old pioneers, for whom I had the pleasure of laying out gardens. But I am sorry to say that very few of the good old people arc left, and so. too, with their houses and grounds, they too had to give place to progress, which has been going forward now for so many years. The changes and transformation which have taken place for miles in the suburbs of Christchurch are most marvellous. Where arc all the beautiful gardens which we witnessed as we walked along the streets surrounding Christchurch? They arc gone. Many the fine garden I have laid out in my early days, has been wiped out to make room for expansion, and where we saw those beautiful gardens in the long ago, is now to be seen well .formed streets and asphalt footpaths, and rows of beautiful bungalows, and stately dwellings. The property owned and enjoyed, by one gentleman and lady with their stately mansions and well kept gardens, has now given place to. hundreds of inhabitants. J will just now give a few instances! Near the end of Merivale Lane as you proceed down on vour right, was a beautiful estate comprising about 20 acres, with a stately mansion’ of abbut 20’ rooms. This was the town residence -of Mil John Studholme, who possessed a’ large station at Waimate (Studholme Jqnc-j tion and other places). Here J had the pleasure of spending eight of the! happiest years of my life in New land in Mr Studholme’s employ, and during those years J carried out a lot of landscape work. Laying down lawn and shrubberies, also a belt of English trees planted around the boundaries, and a long carriage drive leading from Merivale Lane to the house. This was an ideal gentleman’s residence many years ago. Mr Studholme spent a lot of money to make it an ideal home for himself and family, little thinking at the- time that, in a few years it would be wiped clean out of existence. It seemed such a shame to destroy such a beautiful estate. The house has been rut in two, and is now facing one of the streets. I have seen it grow, and seen it wiped out. of existence Another beautiful home which has been wiped, out of existence is the residence and grounds of the late Hon T. D. Peacock on the Papanui Road, which was the admiration of all who passed by the way. Very few are left who can now point out where that beautiful home once stood. The scene is completely changed. Well formed

j streets, beautiful villas now ocJ cupv the spot where the 1 beautiful gardens stood. and the J green fields and meadows where j the horses.and cows roamed and grazI ed at leisure, are now busy scenes stud- . ded over with many dwellings, of the 1 busines? people of’ (-hristchurch. Child- ! sport and play by the dozens, where, «. few years ago. a child was not to be seen, but a few cattle were the sole occupiers where now runs Hawksburv Avenue. Well, such is life. Mr Peacock is gone, and so is his beautiful home. (I have seen it wiped out 1 Now if you will come with me a little farther on. I will show to you where once stood another of the early pioneer residences, and tell you a little of its history. This was the next estate, called Springfield. The boundary ran from Hawksburv to lnnes Roar], and right back to Brown’s Roarl. This was indeed a most beautiful estate. The house stood a long way back, with a fine carriage drive leading up to it, entered from the Papanui Road. Mr M’Dougall's drive enters from the same position, and his house and gardens occupy where the carriage drive ran along. There was a fine belt of trees, mostly gums, planted right round the property, and also other shelter belts through the grounds. This property had often changed hands during the early days, but; in later years it was in the hands of the late j. T. Matson and family. Mr Matson was a wellknown auctioneer, and one of the most prominent in those days. No doubt many wall remember the ostriches which used to parade the lawn front ) ing on the Papanui Road. Mr Matson was fond of having strange animals and birds around him. He also had emus, alpacas, magpies by the dozen, parrots, canaries and laughing jackasses. At the break of day you could hear those magpies singing “ Yankee Doodle,” “We Won’t go Home till Morning,” and other ditties. So the summer mornings were very lively at Springfield. I had charge of the Springfield gardens then for several years. In those days I kept a staff of men to look after a great many of the , business people’s gardens throughout Christ church and suburbs. Well, just like the world, changes will happen. Mr Matson was not born to live to be an old man. He' died rather young, and being such a prominent business man, he was a great loss to the business in Christchurch, he being the head of Matson and Co., which is still run in the persons of Lester and David Matson. After Mr Matson’s death the estate was cut up and streets formed, where once stood the beautiful lawns and gardens, and the outcome of the transaction. Look at Murray Place, on the Papanui Road, and you can see for yourself the transformation. On-j of the prettiest suburbs around Christchurch, beautiful residences, well-kept gardens, well-made streets, with all necessary conveniences. This is another of the beautiful pioneer homes of Canterbury wiped out of existence. Its door was always open. To the stranger and the friend. Another fine old estate with its beautiful surroundings is fast disappearing bit by bit. This is “ Elmwood,” the home of the Rhodes family, which was once the pride of Papanui Road. Where is it to-day? Well the fine mansion and well-kept gardens have to take back seats, and now pretty bungalows and two-storey buildings front on the Papanui Road. A noble street runs from the Papanui Road to Strowan and Glandovey Roads at the back. This street fronts on the finest collection of buildings that you would find in any of ' the suburbs of Christchurch. ' There is only one side of the street built on. T suppose the other is left for a future date. Elmwood Park also fronts on this street, which is a great asset to the inhabitants. At the rate land is going off, very soon there won’t be a vacant section on Papanui Road. Laid Out Ot&huna. Many years ago I had the pleasure of serving Mrs R. 11. Rhodes as gardener for about twelve years. During that- time I carried out a lot of improvements in the gardens and also laid out Otahuna at the same time, having spent the most part of two years carrying out the work with a large staff of men. It was very interesting work levelling the hills, forming roads, and making terraces, besides planting many thousands of all sorts of trees and shrubs. Ever since Otahuna has been advancing under the late Mr-Lowe- (who died .about-a year ago). Mr Lowe was a great floiisit, especially a daffodil enthusiast. lie took charge of the garden when I finished my part of the work, and carried out all the work that I left unfinished. .1 could not give all my time to Otahuna. as I was gardener at Elmwood at the same time. Mrs Rhodes was home in England, so T was at liberty to Sir Heaton Rhodes to make use of my services to beautify his new home, which he was building at the time. I believe Otahuna is now one of the most interesting gardens in the country, as Sir Ileaton Rhodes spares no expense to keep it up-to-date. After finishing at Otahuna, Mr George Rhodes invited me to lay out the gardens at Meadowbank, Ellesmere. Here I spent a few very pleasant months with a staff of men, laying out the grounds, which pleased Mr and Mrs Rhodes very much. Mrs Rhodes, being { a great lover of flowers, was pleased ; to have an opportunity to display some | of her taste and skill to beautify our . work. This Mrs Rhodes carried out to I perfection, for she got the name of 1 having the best collection of flowering plants in the Ellesmere district. Mr and Mrs Rhodes disposed of Meadowbank a few years ago, and now reside in Clyde Road, having bought Mr Coverdale’s beautiful house and grounds, which T also had the pleasure of laying out many years ago. Mrs Rhodes called her new home ‘'Beverley,” after her old home in Timaru, where she spent her happy days of childhood. When I finished Meadowbank I got back to Elmwood, Mrs Rhodes having come back from England. After some time Mrs Rhodes., shut up the establishment and. went to live in England, where she died. Elmwood was' then a dull place to live in, so I made up .mv mind to leave, and start once more ,in my old business as "landscape gardener, ‘and since then I have been a very busy man laying out gardens all over the country.