TE TEKO PLANTATION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 35, 22 December 1944, Page 3

TE TEKO PLANTATION

QUESTION OF FIRE HAZARD

RATEPAYERS COMPLAI NT

Writing the County Council relative to the (ire clanger to his homestead "where it bordered the Te Teko plantation Mr V. T. Trumper stated that he desired to place his views before the Council in order to show the increasing lire danger to his home and farm buildings. Prior to the planting 1113- main buildings were very ciose to the and since the planting he had taken precautions to remove his buildings as far away as possible on the only available high ground at a considerable expense and inconvenience. The council would see by the foregoing that lie had done everything within his control. One of the, worst features was that these buildings were on the lee side of the plantation over which the prevailing winds pass. A year or so after those trees were planted a lire started on Gricve's lioacl and swept through the plantation and burnt part of boundary fence and several acres of pasture on his property. The plantation had never been kept very safe from lire, usually not more than a cattle track was around it. The culminating point was that the council created the danger, therefore lie was compelled to appeal to remove '-same and felt he must hold the council responsible in the meantime. There may be a question as to whether the council was under a legal oligation in this matter but good and reasonable councillors would, always take into account a moral obligation as well. Cr McCreadv said that it was obvious that the man had a genuine case find that the council should therefore have no hesitation in meeting him. Mr Leslie agreed, t and thought the council should not mark time on the position as it obtained at present. in accordance with the recommendation of the linancc committee it was decided that WhakaUuie Paper Mills Lid. be asked if lliey would purchase a l()-chain pine, block Ironting Gricve's lloati and through to Mr Trumper's boundary opposite, his house and buildings—that the council ■advise M*r Trumper it is making this enquiry, .without prejudice.