WILTON'S BUSH.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1971, 30 January 1914, Page 8

WILTON'S BUSH.

ITS HISTORY AND BEJAUTY. CAN THE CITY GET IT? ; Tho Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) is anxious that tho Crown scenic reserve known as Wilton's Bush at Wndcstown should bo vested in the corporation of Wellington. Ho believes that this spot —one of tho most beautiful and secluded bits of native bush within reach of Wellington City, but now almo&t neglected by the public—could bo made a popular resort, if tho 'corporation were vested with full controlling powers. His Worship is therefore doing what ho can; to induce the Government to agree, that tho property (133 aores, situated mile from tho tram terminus at Wadestown) should bo so vested. Mr. Luke states'quito frankly tlisvt ho has already secured, on behalf of the city, tho first refusal of. the adjoining piece of bush land, owned by Mr. Martin Chapman, should tho latter decido to sell at any tiriie. This block would materially enhance tho value of the- whole area, should it ever como into tho possession of--tho city. ■ .

Tho history of-Wilton's Bush is rather interesting. It is named after' Mr. Job Wilton, ono of- tile first sottlers in tho Wadestown district; and who still, v in a green old age, resides close,to it.. He remembers the time' when the whole of Wadestown and: tho Rhode? Estate— now'largely cut up—was a dense, mass of. native bush, and' lias also lively recollections of cutting', a track from tlid ridge to his property near the present bnsh. XJp till a few years ago Wilton's Bush was Native property, though it was not suspected that tho Natives ever got much out of it.

.About seven years ago, it- became known to a, Wadestown, Resident that' someone wils, negotiating . fpr its purchase from. , tho Natives and. what was still more alarming to those who had, a, sentimental regard for the cool sylvan retreat provided by tho 'bush, .was, the news that the wliolo of . it was to be felled and sold as firewood, ,so_tbat sheep,.'could bo run on the block., The resident referred to at onco waited on Mr.. Job Wilton and others, suggesting that the Government should lie induced to acquire tho block as a scenic reserve. An influential deputation was arranged to interview the Minister of Lands (the Hon. T. Y. Duncan), and as the result the bush was preserved to tho city, the City Council contributing the sum of £5.00 to tlio purchase money.

Now that- tho cars are running to Wadestown,. Wilton's' Bush is brought, as. it were,' ■to everyone's back yard. Yet few open the door to see it. That is probably because they do not know it. Mr. Luke paid a visit to tho spot recently, arid is loud in his praises of the- varied beauties that meet the eye at every turn. Ho thinks that with vehicular communication of. some kind established between the tramway t.erminus and the bush, the -place \vould become a popular report for picnic parties and visitors to "Wellington. There should be, he considers, a bridge across the- stream so .that it could be crossed at,any season of the year; and. facilities should also be .provided for. the supply of hot water for picnic parties. Whilst Mr. Luke does not' that such work should only bo done subject to acquiring control of tha bush, he points out that tho council at present has no say at all in the matter, and could only effect any improvement under the consent of tho Minister''of Lauds.