RICCARTON BUSH.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18479, 5 September 1925, Page 6

RICCARTON BUSH.

BY-LAW BREACHES. RECENT TROUBLE. We have received the following from the Trustees of the Riccarton Bush: — "The Riccarton Bush has now been open to the public for about eleven rears. At first grave fears were entertained that the Bush might be injured by opening up the paihs through it or that it might suffer damage from the hands of visitors. The results have shown that the narrow paths that were made through certain parts of the Bush have in no way injuriously affected it. the shrubs ami smaller trees having grown up very rapidly along the sides of the paths, sheltering and protecting the native trees. A few cases of damage by visitors have occurred from time to time, but on the whole these have been veiy few in comparison with the number of those who have visited the Bush, and have been flue to ignorance and thoughtlessness Tather than to deliberate wrongdoing. in these cases an apology has usually been readily given, and the cases have been dropped with warning. "Reeentlv two cases of breach of bylaws have been dealt with by the Board of Trustees. The first was not of a series nature, and as an ample apology was ottered at once no further action was taken. In the second case the offence was much more deliberate, a valuable young seedling pir.e having been pulled u», which could hardlv have through ignorance, /and. when challenged by the ranger, the offender adopted a somewhat o'istinate manner, attempting to claim that he had a right to act as he did. The trustees took a serious view of the case and proceeded to take further action. After some consideration, the offender saw the error of his ways, and made ample apologies, both to the trustees and to the ranger, and the matter has therefore been allowed to drop.

"The trustees, however, wish it to be known that tho Bush is a unique remnant of tlie ancient- swanin forest nreviously existing in the neighbourhood of Christchurcb, and that it is extremely important, both from a scientific and scenic point of view that it should be preserved as nearly as possible in its original condition. Consequently careful precautions have had to be taken to prevent the loss of any plant or shrub. The R.iccarton Bush Act and the by-laws made thereunder lay down very.strict rules for the preservation of the Bush and give the Trustees ample power to inflict punishment in serious cases. The Trustees hope, however, that after' this public warning now given, there will be no further breaches of the by-laws."