THE ROUND BUSH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1728, 21 June 1917, Page 3

THE ROUND BUSH.

VISIT OF INSPECTION BY COUNCILLORS. The Mayor and Crs Geo. Coley, T. Henderson, -1. Stevenson, and R. J. Thompson, together with a “Herald'’ representative, made an inspection of the Round Bush at Motuiti yesterday. The Mayor regretted that circumstances had prevented all the Councillors from making the visit of inspection. The party motored to MoUiili, where they were joined by Mr V. E. Barber, a member of the Harbour Board and Manawatu County Council. Mr Barber, who is intimately acquainted with (he locality, officiated as “guide, counsellor and friend’’ to the parly. The object of the visit was to make a dose inspection of this lovely piece of natural bush, part of the Foxton Harbour Board’s endowment, and which the Board has offered to exchange 'to the Council for its equivalent in value of portion of the Council’s reserve adjoining. The land fronting the bush.,is unimproved, and if cleared of scrub and drained could be used for almosi any purpose in the mailer of growing crops or grazing. Portions of Ihe higher ground is honey-combed with rabbit holes, and here bunny nourishes and multiplies. At one lime, .Mr Barber says, any vehicle could pass through this frontage, but the growth of scrub in recent years prevents that now, although it would not be an expensive matter to form an entrance through this frontage to the hush. Mr Barber led (he party through the northern portion of the hush, Which was comparatively dry underfoot. The only serious obstacle in the way was the hush lawyer and one of these vinos inflicted a nasty wound on the face of one of the intruders. The party inspected the white pine trees. Home of these trees arc from 80ft. to 120 ft. high, and the values and uses to which (he limher could he put to were discussed. To the south of the .live pine trees where numbers of dead pine trees, whose sapless trunks showed out in marked control to ilie green trees and beautiful young undergrowth. There was a division of opinion as to whether the stalely live pine trees should he destroyed, hut (here was no diversity of opinion as to getting rid of the dead trees. As the parly proceeded round tlie edge of the bush on to (he rising ground, views were obtained of the bush in all its grandeur. Members of the party were astonished at the panoramic scenes. One member said to look at the bush from the road gave no indication that within half a mile Avas to he seen one of the finest pieces of New Zealand bush in (he province. Very few of Fox!on’s residents, living only a stone’s throw away, Avere aware of the fact. At the rear of the bush men avcj'c at work mi the Board's reserve planting marram grass to cope with (lie saint drift menace. It was pointed out by Mr Barber that a portion of (he bnsli was included in the borough ivsciwe. The borough reserve avus inspected, and there was no indication that anything had been done to improve (his endowment. Mr Barber pointed out where the suggested division would be. After the inspection, (be parly adjourned to Mr \V. F. Barber's residence, and partook' of afternoon lea. The Mayor, in proposing' a vole of thank's to Mr and Mrs Barber, said the Inspection of (he hush had been oU eduea I hum I value, and lie imped that a suitable exchange would lie arrived at between the Borough Council and Harbour Board. Before coalmining tin* Council to anything, he Avould like to take the public into the Council’s confidence, and he Avould convene n public meeting for that purpose. Cr Thompson said the inspection bad been an eye-opener to him. The hii'li would he an asset of inestimable value md only to Foxton, but to (he people of adjoining towns, Mr Barber, in reply, said that the Harbour Board was anxious to meet the Council in the matter in every possible wav.