SAXTON'S BUSH.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 June 1920, Page 5

SAXTON'S BUSH.

QUESTION OF PRESERVATION. SUBSCRIPTIONS TO BE ASKED FOR. A public meeting was held in the Soldiers' Club, New Plymouth, last night for the purpose of discussing the question of acquiring portions of Saxton's Bush, Vogeltown, as a public domain. There was an attendance of only about twenty, over which the Mayor (Mr. Jas. Clarke) presided. The Mayor remarked that the Government had already granted an area of 21 acres, of which 5 acres were in bush, as a public reserve, but there was n feeling on the part of some people that they should endeavour to get a larger area of bush. Tho Government was not , prepared to give any more, but was quite willing to sell whatever area was desired, at a reasonable price, if the public subscribed the money ror the purpose. Mr. S. (J. Smith, M.P., detailed the history of the negotiations with the Government in regard to securing a portion of the Sa&ton Estate as a pleasure ground. He understood the Minister was favorable to a proposal that more bush should be taken as a reserve, provided the public bought it. Mr. Smith added that the Government had treated New Plymouth very well in the wav of reserves, having in addition to giving 2H acres of Saxton's Bush, recently set aside 15 acres for a domain. It was unreasonable to expect too much from the Government, and his idea was that they should raise by subscription sufficient money to buy the rest of the bush. Mr. W. H. Skinner explained that the idea in some quarters that the land was liot suitable for returned soldiers, was quite erroneous. Replying to a question as to whether the Borough Council would make a contribution, the Mayor said he could not give a promise. The Council was faced With such heavy expenses in regard to its reserves that it could not promise to set aside money for this purpose. Mr. Skinner suggested that the people of Vogeltown should be willing to exchange the 18 acres of clear ground for an equal area of bush. Five acres of bush was no good by itself, as it would be destroyed if the adjoining bush was cut down. After further discussion the meeting decided to make an appeal to the public for the purpose of purchasing 20 acres of bush which the Government was willing to sell at £3O an acre, and Messrs. G. Browne. J. H. Frethey, W. H. Skinner, and W. E. Bendall, as' well as any others willing to undertake the work, were authorised to make a canvas 'for subscriptions for the purpose.