ARTHUR’S PASS

Hokitika Guardian, 7 May 1930, Page 2

ARTHUR’S PASS

EVER L A STING FLO AVER GARDEN.

DR. L. COCKAYNE’S RESEARCH

(Christchurch “Press.”)

The fact that in place of the vegetnion burned for the survey of the Midland railway in 1890 there arose a natural flower-garden, has given Dr. L. Cockayne, G.M.G., F.R.S., the clue to •'keeping Arthur’s'Pass always ia garden Af flowers. IJow Nature replaced the destruction'with-a) luxuriant growth of flower's, and how l these, in turn, were overpowered -by tussocks tnd- shrubs, has been discovered by Dr. Cockayne after observations extending over a period of 32 years. 'The results of ‘his research he briefly explained to a reporter of the “Press’? recefitly! ./■ Dr. Cockayne, it may be remarked, was the first to suggest a National Park at Arthur’s Pass. ■ His suggestion was brought before the Christchurch Beautifying Association at the end of the nineties, this Association subsequently askuig the Lands Department to create a national park in the Waininkiriri' area. At ’the Lands Office; Dr Cockavne himself marked the 150.000 ’ acres which constituted the park. “There are; of course, two aspects in which National Park functions,” said Dr Cockayne, introducing the subject of his research. “In the eyes of the public it functions largely as a playground, but its real and most important function is that of a natural reserve, where wild Nature can. remain without interference. ■ There is, a general idea that the only agent which can spoil some of the most beautiful effects of wild Nature is man 1 through burning, cutting down forest, turning browsing animals into it, and digging plants. But in all these matters Nature takes a hand that man little dreams of. Thus, in 1890. during the survey for the Midland railway, which it was then intended should not go under the Southern Alps. ' hut over them, the greater part of Arthur’s Pass was. deliberately burned. To many it appeared /(for many visited Arthur’s Pass in those da vs) that the damage would ut irreparable.

UNIQUE AND DETAILED RESEARCH.

“But .in the summer of 1897-98, that is,' 32 years- ago, with my family, I camped for six weeks on Arthur’s Pass, and during that time I set about a piece of research; the first of -it's kind in the British Empire, the aim of which'was to find out exactly what Nature was doing in the replacement of the burnt vegetation, such vegetation being in part dense shrub land, forest, tussock grass land, and cMlecttions of flowering plants. The Pass I divided into certain section—A. B. C. D. etc.—and of each section I wrote a more or less complete description going so far as to count in many places the number of seedling plants per square yard, and to measure their heights. I also took, and that is the really important thing I have to say. a number of photographs. -An account of the incoming of the new vegetation a open red in the transactions of the New Zealand Institute in 185J9.”

BABBFN GBOTTNB NOW LUXUBIANT.

Now, 32 years, later, with his friend Mr J. W. Colder, M.Se., of Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln T)r Cookevno fins boon able to compare carefully the vegetation of. to-day with that of 32 years ago—a period the the length of which was far greater than any for such studios in nnv other part of the world. Tt might he quite briefly stated what had happened, what was happening, and the lesson to be derived therefrom, said Hr. Cockayne. Where always hare up to the fire of 1890. the ground was now completely different from, what it originally was.

The first- happening within a few years after a fife-, whether in ■ scrub or tussock grass-land, was the incoming of i a intost beautiful flower-garden; and other well-known and charming alpine plants., This important change appeared plain enough in 1898, and now in 1930 it might almost be looked upon as a certain fact.

THE CLUE TO ETERNAL FLOWERS

“ The word ‘important’ is no misnomer,’ continued Dr Cockayne, “for fhe observation gives a clue how Arthur/s Pass may; always be kppt as < a garden ci?. beaptiful flowers, In short although people may dig from time to time plants, for-their gardens, most of which they, wilf be certainly unable to grow, what they can do matters little will lie seen, from mv next statement. Although, the incoming of a natural flower-garden, is the first .result of .-burning-: vegetation , being no ( t static hut’ dynamic other changes take place, and in wet ground mountain lilies and celmisias are. wiped out by tussocks which overpower and in drier ground they are 'overwhelmed by a dense growth of shrubs, beneath which only a few. can linger where the light is' brightest. A' photograph of a certain area full' of ’ flowers taken in ’ 1898 is now merely waving tussocks, and no flowering plants'can be’seen from the road.” "" ,l ‘

RESEARCH TO BE CONTINUED.

Even where there was no burning changes had- taken place, said Dr. Cockayne. Thus unany (forest trees Ind fi-'-ri' and the shrubby, growth beneath ■ them had become very dense and extended out‘on to the Pass where there were no .shrubs at all in 1898. Should I he unable to finish' this; rather sensational and certainly import ant piece of work.” ended the doctor

‘it will‘he carried on by Mr Calder, who is well fitted for its prosecution. r f he. like myself, should live another 32 years, he will have the pleasure of recording how Nature works more fully than has any other botanist of his time.” '■

Sharland’s Vinegar is not only palatable—it is piquant, strong and pure. Have it always on your table In bottle or hulk.—Advt.