“CHRISTCHURCH HAS VERY FINE GARDENS INDEED.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18939, 9 December 1929, Page 6

“ CHRISTCHURCH HAS VERY FINE GARDENS INDEED. ”

Are A Beauty Spot Of Which We Should Be Proud, Say Ministers .

Unstinted praise for the Christchurch Gardens was expressed yesterday by the Hon G. W. Forbes, Minister of Lands and Agriculture, and the Hon P. A. de la Perrelle, Minister of Internal Affairs, who during the morning walked through the Gardens, being accompanied by the curator, Mr J. Young. “Christchurch has very fine Gardens indeed. They are kept in wonderfully good order and are remarkably interesting to visitors,” said Mr Forbes. “To go through them with Mr Young, the curator, who is an enthusiast, adds greatly to the pleasure of the visit. They are certainly a beauty-spot of which Canterbury should be proud.” Mr de la Perrelle said that it was the first time that he had seen the Gardens, and he endorsed all that Mr Forbes had said. He thought that Mr Young had much to his credit and that the present state of the Gardens said a great deal for the enthusiasm which the curator had displayed. A feature that impressed both Ministers was the recently constructed map of New Zealand. This stands in

a small lake and the map has been made by forming three islands, representing the North, South and Stewart Islands. The map is geographically correct, and the principal features of the country, such as Mount Cook and Mount Egmont, are represented. Realism is given to Mount Cook by the top being coloured white. Mr Forbes was enthusiastic over the Cuningham House, in which is a collection of tropical plants. He said that it was most interesting and he was surprised to find such a good collection of tropical and sub-tropical plants anywhere in the Dominion. The rose garden, in front of this house, also impressed both Ministers. The suggestion was made by Mr de la Perrelle that a guide to the Gardens would be useful. He considered that if one was prepared it would find a ready sale and would be appreciated by the visitors. Dr J. C. Reakes, Director-General of Agriculture, was with the party, and he said afterwards that he was delighted with the display seen at the Gardens. j J