DEATH OF MR J. YOUNG.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20256, 16 March 1934, Page 4

DEATH OF MR J. YOUNG.

Was Former Curator of Gardens. The death occurred yesterday of Mr James Young, aged seventy-three, until recently curator of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. lie was well known both in Christchurch and other parts of the Dominion for his work in the Gardens, especially the rose garden, which is claimed to be the best in the Southern Hemisphere. lie was the youngest son of Mr James Young, overseer and forester on Sir Andrew Buchanan’s estate at Craig* end, in Strathblane. Nurtured in a garden, he turner, naturally to the pursuit in which his father had been so successful. In 1887, he began as an apprentice at Craigend, and after that, held several positions as gardener, until in 1884 he was appointed head gardener at Laxey Glen, Isle of Man. In 1887, he was appointed instructor at the State Nurseries at Mount Masedon, Victoria. In 1903, Mr Young came to New Zealand to take charge of the Ashburton Domain. Four years later he moved to Christchurch to take up the work that made his name outstanding among gardeners of New Zealand. The gardens in those days w'ere in a poor state, and much of the area was still in wilderness. For six years he was superintendent of city reserves as well as curator of the gardens, and was responsible for the formation of six new parks. James Bunt. Mr James Bunt, who passed away at his residence yesterday, arrived in New Zealand with his wife in 1876, by the ship V aitangi. He was for about ten years assistant sexton at the Church of England Cemetery, Barbadoes Street, and for more than thirty-five years he served on the road staff of the Christchurch City Council, from which he retired in 1917. The late Mr Bunt is survived by his widow, one daughter, Mrs C. F. Dobbs (Spreydon), and five sons, Messrs W. T. and R. B. Bunt (Christchurch), J. A. Bunt (Timaru) and J. M. and E. L. Bunt (West Coast). His youngest son, Sergeant G. A. Bunt, was killed in France in 1918. The funeral will take place at the Linwood Cemetery to-morrow afternoon.