Hekkiott. — llif<fi>rii of llaglnj Pari-. 433 



land, st^ashore, and mcnintain — can not only tolerate but enjoy conditions 

 absolutely dift'ereut ; and, in conclusion, he asks that the time-honoured 

 native section should be as religiously preserved and well tended as the 

 new one, and also added to, so that together they may form the most 

 extensive and complete collection of New Zealand plants that has yet been 

 brought together. 



During the terms of office of the following two curators — Mr. A. Taylor 

 (1889-1907) and Mr. J. Dawes (1907-8)— very little seems to have been 

 done beyond keeping the grounds in order, owing principally to the want 

 of funds and consequent lack of skilled workmen. Indeed, on several 

 occasions the only assistants the Head Gardener appears to have had were 

 men supplied by the Charitable Aid Board, and these were too infirm for 

 any but the lightest work. 



During the years (1908-19) in which the present curator, Mr. James 

 Young, has been in charge many extensive changes have taken place in the 

 Domain and Parks. In the Domain the beds are gay in the different seasons 

 with the various annuals. The new native section, witJi its luxuriant growth 

 of native plants, is an important addition for the student ; the rose-garden, 

 with its wealth of blossoms of every hue, its trim walks and well-kept beds, 

 delights the rose-lover; while the recent addition in the shape of a children's 

 playground, with its paddling-pool and swings, deliglits the hearts of count- 

 less children and is a boon to many a parent. Many other changes are in 

 prospect, and all are possible only by reason of the increased funds at the 

 disposal of the Board. These are obtained by votes from local Boards 

 and Councils, and also from the proceeds of the annual fetes, instituted ow 

 the suggestion of Mr. Young. 



The history of all the plants in the Botanic Gardens is beyond the scope 

 of this paper. It will be sufficient for the purpose in view to add a few 

 facts only concerning the planting of the historic trees or plantations. 



The Historic Trees of the Domain. 



The first tree to be planted in the Domain was the oak still to be found 

 close to the river, to the south-west of the archery-lawn. This was planted 

 on the 9th July, 1863, to commemorate the marriage of the late King Edward, 

 then Prince of Wales. It is known as the Prince Albert Edward oak. On 

 the same day other oaks were planted in different parts of the town : two 

 of these are still to be found in the grounds of the West Christchurch Scliool. 

 The one in the Domain is now a huge tree, with a trunk over 10 ft. in 

 circumference, its branches spreading across the path. It can be easily 

 found and identified by the brass jilate fitted into a strong post which 

 stands in front of it. The brass plate dates from the planting of the tree, 

 but for many years it was allowed to become so discoloured as to be almost 

 undecipherable. It has recently been fixed in its j^resent place, and the 

 rubbish cleared away from the tree so that its beauty may be clearly seen. 



The next trees of historic interest are those planted by the Duke of 

 Edinburgh on the occasion of his visit to Christchurch, in 1869. It had 

 been arranged that His Royal Highness was to plant the oak near the centre 

 of the first lawn, and four other trees were to be planted in different places 

 later on in the day. When this was made known to the Royal visitor he 

 insisted on planting them all. The oak is known as Prince Alfred's oak, 

 and is still to be seen in the centre of the front lawn. His Royal Highness 

 specially requested that this tree should never be touched with knife or axe, 

 and, though it badly needed it, Mr. Armstrong would not allow it to be 



