SAXTON'S BUSH.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 April 1920, Page 3

SAXTON'S BUSH.

AN ALTERNATIVE PROPOSAL. SETTLERS' VIEWS SOUGHT. The proposal to reserve part of the Saxton Estate as a public park was again before the New Plymouth Borough Council last night. Messrs. S. Percy Smith and W. 11. Skinner wrote that having inspected those parts proposed to be reserved and the surroundings, they were of opinion that a better choice might be made for the purpose of reserving the native forest ijtoan the Biiggcstions outlined by the Government. At present it was proposed to reserve sixteen acres along the course of the Huatoki River on both sides, and an additional and separate area of five acres in the forest. The sixteen acres was mostly open grass, fern, -and gorse, with a small clump of second growth bush, very pretty in itself, but of very limited extent. What they suggested as an alternative was that the 10 acres be given up for settlement, the five acres retained, and an equivalent of the 18 acres, to be all forest, bo added to it, thus making 21 acres of solid forest. By doing this a perfect_piece of virgin forest would be preserved. They felt sure that the Minister of Lands would ofter no objection to the transfer- This was positively the last opportunity of securing such a fine area, of virgin forest practically within the borough boundaries. The necessity for prompt action was emphasised. Messrs. H. Benton and C 4. W. Browne, representing the Vogeltown Progressive Association, and Messrs, J. H. Frethcy and N. Allen, representing the Frankley Road Settlers' Association, interviewed the Council in reference to this matter, agreed that the two Associations should convene a combined meeting to discuss the matter, and forward a resolution containing the opinion of the residents generally on the matter, when the Council will act on their Ibelialf.