Access to Port Hills - and a chance to keep the dream alive

A sharp corner on the Summit Road over Christchurch's Port Hills. Photograph by Kelvin McMillan.

Access to the upper reaches of the Port Hills is guaranteed, thanks to one of the early residents of Christchurch, Harry Ell.

This visionary dedicated himself to securing land and the Summit Road for public reserves and for the scenic drive. He made his first moves to guarantee access in 1900 (Christchurch's 50th anniversary year).

By 1911 he had formed the Summit Road Reserves Board, to which were gifted six reserves, each selected for their botanical, historical and geological worth.

From 1916 to 1920 his rest houses were built. The last of these was the Sign of the Takahe, which was not finished until 1949 because of World War II, during which time serious vandalism occurred.

Harry Ell died aged 72 in 1934, by which time the public had begun to realise the potential value of the reserves, walking tracks and the scenic drive for recreation and conservation purposes.

In 1947 Christchurch City Council took control and started to restore the buildings and fence the reserves. The Council also encouraged the formation of the Summit Road Society.

This organisation now has more than 250 members and supports volunteer hill work parties of about 60 people - and it is on a membership drive for more.

"The work parties go up regularly, sometimes once a week, and carry out track work, weed control, seasonal planting, fencing and sign work," says John Jameson QSM, a grandson of Harry Ell and one of the founders of the society.

"They work in partnership with the park rangers." People who might like to join the society and contribute to its work are those who use Port Hills tracks and reserves regularly anyway; recently-retired people and those who enjoy exercise, he says.

There will be a barbecue for members and new members in December and a series of activities is planned into next year celebrating the centennary of the Summit Road. The activities will probably be based on Gordon Olgivie's recently-published book "Enjoying the Port Hills".

The book contains detailed maps and over 200 colour photographs and revenue from its sale will be kept in trust, administered by the Summit Road Society, for Port Hills projects.

Phone 366 8243 for general information about the Summit Road Society or write to PO Box 583, Christchurch.

For information on hill work parties contact J Willocks on 384 3252 or G D Kirk on 332 7134.