THE ROUND BUSH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2017, 19 August 1919, Page 3

THE ROUND BUSH.

A conference of delegates representing local bodies was held in the Borough Council Chamber on Saturday afternoon to discuss the “Round Bush” scenic reserve. The Mayor (Mr John Chrystall) presided, and there were present: MessrsP. Hennessy and W. Bock (Harbour Board), Crs. Geo. Coley and M. H. Walker (Borough Council), Mr Linklater (Kairanga County Council), Mr W. E. Barber (Manawatu County Council), and Messrs Perreau, Hornblow and Moorhouse (Foxton Chamber of Commerce). The Mayor said that the object of the conference was to see whether some arrangement could be arrived at between the HarboUr Board and other interested local authorities re the transfer of the “Round ■Bush” to the Foxton borough as a scenic and pleasure resort. The Government had valued the property at £lO per acre, and were prepared to pay the Board £430 towards its acquisition if the Foxton Borough would find any amount required above this to effect a transfer. The Government had put such restrictions on the endowment that rendered it almost useless for reve-nue-producing purposes to the Board. If the bush was protected by suitable shelter it would retain its beauty for hundreds of years. The Harbour Board, so far, had not put a price on the land, Mr Hennessy said that so far as the Board was concerned it would be compelled to act in accordance with the almighty dollar rather than sentiment. The Board had practically no endowments, and at the present time were working on capital. The local authorities had been told that no rates would be struck for loan purposes-for the port, and the Board were not in a position to make sacrifices. Personally, ho would like to see the bush handed over to the borough as a pleasure and scenic resort, but the Board could only part with it on a value for value basis. Mr Linklater said the bush was a valuable asset if it could be used for farming purposes. After lengthy discussion, in which it was pointed out that the Foxton Harbour Board had been neglected so far as endowments were concerned, it was moved by the Mayor, and seconded by Cr. Walker, “That a deputation consisting of representatives from all the local bodies in the Harbour Board district, wail upon the Minister for Lands, requesting that the Board be granted an endowment, in lieu of the restrictions placed upon the ‘Bound Bush’ by the Government.” The motion was carried unanimously, and the Mayor was authorised to make the necessary arrangements in connection with same, and to communicate with Messrs Newman, Nash and Field, M’s.P. •The delegates were subsequently entertained at afternoon tea by the Mayor.