Evansdale secured for "permanent reserve"

It is a matter of congratulation that, through the public spirit of several of the citizens of Dunedin, by whom the co-operation of the Government was enlisted, the picturesque glen at Evansdale, which is a favourite resort for picnic parties, has been secured as a permanent reserve for the benefit of the community.

The credit for the achievement of this desirable result belongs chiefly to Mr Downie Stewart, who, when the property including the Glen came into the market several months ago, protected the interests of the city by personally purchasing it with the object that it might be handed over to the Corporation.

As the Scenery Preservation Commissioners had had the Evansdale Glen under inspection on various occasions with a possible view to its acquisition by the Government as a scenic resort, Mr Stewart communicated with the responsible Minister, Mr Thomas Mackenzie, from whom he ascertained that the Government would be prepared to subsidise, pound for pound, private subscriptions up to the amount necessary to cover the amount of the purchase money paid by Mr Stewart, less the price received for a portion of the property at the mouth of the Glen, retention of which was not necessary for public purposes.

The Dunedin and Suburban Reserves Conservation Society, which was also approached by Mr Stewart, readily agreed to vote a sum of money towards the accomplishment of so desirable an object as the acquisition of the Glen, and several public-spirited citizens, Mr Robert Gilkison and Dr Riley, both of whom had interested themselves from the outset in the movement to secure this popular resort for the community, Messrs A. S. Paterson, J. A. Park, J. J. Clark, G. R. Ritchie, and W. A. Moore, undertook the responsibility of providing, in varying amounts, the sum that, with Mr Stewart's own contribution, represented half the net purchase money.

Mr Stewart has been endeavouring to secure that the control of the reserve shall be vested in the Corporation, instead of in the Crown, and there are divers reasons why this course, for the adoption of which there is authority under the Scenery Preservation Act, is desirable, but in the meantime it is highly satisfactory that the land itself, which, besides being a beautiful and secluded spot, possesses the additional value that is contains a nice patch of native timber, has been saved from the possibility that it might be put to commercial uses that would entail the exclusion of the public from it.

- ODT, 24.4.1911