Riccarton Bush Booklet (1924)

I was completely delighted to have been able to purchase this 90 year old booklet about Riccarton Bush last week.  What a treasure!

I have only had the time for a quick flick through – as I already have two books on the go – but I did come across something I thought was worth sharing.

On the 24th February 1917, Riccarton Bush was officially gifted to the people of New Zealand by the Deans Family.  By the end of May the same year, the ‘Riccarton Bush – By Laws’ had been constructed by the Department of Lands and Survey in Wellington.

So, if you wanted to visit Riccarton Bush in 1917, here were the rules you needed to comply with during your visit:

  1. The Bush shall be open daily from 1pm to sunset.  On the following holidays the Bush shall be open from 10am to sunset – Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Monday and Labour Day.
  2. Children under 12 will not be admitted, unless accompanied by some responsible person.
  3. No person shall take any firearms or any instrument of a dangerous character within the limits of the Bush, except with the permission in writing of the Board [The Board of Trustees of the Riccarton Bush].
  4. No person shall light any fire within the limits of the Bush, except with the permission of the Board.
  5. No person shall bring any dog into the Bush.
  6. No person shall take any bicycle into the Bush.
  7. No person shall carry parcels of any kind into the Bush, unless permitted to do so by the Ranger.
  8. No person shall injure any tree, shrub, fern, or plant, or willfully take or injure any bird or animal in the Bush, or in any way do damage to the Bush.
  9. No disorderly person, vagrant, or person of bad repute shall be allowed within the limits of the Bush.
  10. No person shall leave bottles, glass, paper, or other litter within the limits of the Bush, except in receptacles provided for the purpose.
  11. All persons visiting the Bush shall keep to the paths provided.
  12. No person shall sell, or offer for sale, any article of merchandise, or carry on any trade, within the limits of the Bush, without the permission in writing of the Board.
  13. No sports, games, or meetings of any sort shall be held within the limits of the Bush without the permission in writing of the Board.

*photo taken by Annette Bulovic*

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