Kelsey’s Bush.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 115, 15 October 1901, Page 3

Kelsey’s Bush.

In the House on October 2nd the Hon. ‘ W. J. Steward, asked the-Minister for JDanclg whether he will give effect to the recommendation of the Waimate, Borough Council by setting apart Kelsey’s Bash, or at least a portion thereof, as a forest reserve ? The very fine bush which at one'lime immediately surrounded Waimate bad in the coarse of a few* years disappeared

through axe and fire. But there was still a very nice area of bush, known as Kelsey’s Bush, about five miles from the township, which, if it could be .preserved, would be a great boon to the district. The Borough Council had sent up a resolution to him asking that this should be done; He had received a reply from the Minister to the effect that he was not sure whether this bush, or any part of it, was in the hands of the Crown, but that he would make enquiries. He would be glad to know from the Minister the result of those enquiries; and, if this bush, or any part of it, was in the hands of the Crown, would the honourable gentleman give effect to the request ? Mr Duncan (Minister of Lands) said, As far as they could gather, there was' no part of this bush Crown land. It belonged to a man named Studholme. There was about four hundred acres in this section, and the owner wanted £4 an acre for it. It was a very nice place, as stated by the honourable gentleman ; that was, there was a fair amount of bush on it —not first-class, but still there wag part of it that should be preserved. He had brought, the matter before the Government, and was making further inquiries to see if they could come to some arrangement with regard to the purchase of this bush.

If much longer time is wasted before the hnsn is acquired it will not be worth having, as it is being cut out very fast at the presen’ time.