THE ROUND BUSH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1926, 14 January 1919, Page 2

THE ROUND BUSH.

OUR representative, in company with Mr W. E. Harbor, paid a visit to the Round Bush recently. The hush, which'is within easy walking' distance of Koxton, is one of nature's beauty spots —and probably the most beautiful piece of native bush on this coast. Looking down and through (lie hush from the sand dune at the south side, one is a bio to obtain a magnificent view of the interior, a sight to gladden the eyes of every lover of nature. Within the bush, which is situated in a huge basin, the ground is boggy. With little outlay, however, drains could be cut and track's made through the undergrowth. The plant life, ferns, creepers, shrubs, and some of unr best-known native trees show a luxuriant growth, and one is bewildered with the variety of plant life. Mr Barber informed us that a few years ago pigeons and tuis made the hush (heir sanctuary, and the rich notes pt the latter, as they fluttered from tree to tree in the sunshine, made glorious music. Now the bell note of the tui is silent, being driven from its one-time favourite haunt by the imported blackbirds, which have taken possession of the bush. Fan tails still flutter here and there, and wild ducks are to he scon hovering about the swamps. Occasionally a few Sandier deer find their tvay to (lie busli to feed on the plant life. The bush is an ideal picnic resort, once access is given to it by a roadway. A small portion of the bush is included in the borough reserve, and the balance forms part of the Harbour endowment. Of the latter the Government has set aside four acres as a scenic reserve, the balance, about -12 acres, the Harbour Hoard is willing to sell to-the Borough Council, and towards its acquisition the Government lias offered a grant of .C 425, but the method of valuation has not been decided upon. Tiie Manawafu County Council was approached by the Borough Council to share the cost of purchase, but would not .do anything in this conncclion unlit certain improvements had been effected. This would mean that the cost of purchase would, in the meantime, fall upon (he Borough Council. The hitler body, at last night’s meeting, decided to let the mallei' remain in abeyance. It is a pity that some finality has not been reached in order to throw this beauty spot open to the public. We believe the local public would subscribe to a fund for the acquisition and improvement of the reserve, and that the Harbour Board would not take a mercenary view of the transfer. We would suggest (hat a committee consisting of representatives of the Council, Harbour Board, the public, and Mr W. 11. Field, M.R., he set up to reopen the question. If this were done we believe all obstacles would be removed to the acquisition of this magnificent scenic reserve.