ON THE BEAUTIFYING OF MIRAMAR.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1090, 31 March 1911, Page 9

ON THE BEAUTIFYING OF MIRAMAR.

«• TREES AND A "BREEZE." COUNCILLOR SIXJIB HOLDS THE FLOOR. Tree planting was a feature in the deliberations of tho "borough fathers" at Miramar last evening. A comprehensive report on that question was considered, and, though the subject itself was a peaceful one, it worked a slightly stormy passage before it wts disposed of. The nature of the report was as follows: — Referring to an allocation of .S6O for Toru Street, Miramar.North,, the en- • gineer stated that this sum would bo sufficient' to form' a plantation, three chains in length and 39ft. wide, in the centre of the street, and on tho east side of the' tramline. About 125 trees or shrubs would be required, the larger trees being planted near the centre of the plantation... Referring to the- Pass of Brnnda, Seatoun, the report stated that an allocation of M 0 would enable a space two chains by three chains to be cleared of rushes, ploughed, harrowed, and tracked, and' a belt of trees planted round the reserve, leaving the . centre in grass. The north side of Seatoun Wharf, for which an allocation of ,£3O had been . made, could be laid out with, say, 20 trees, enclosed in guards. A post-and rail fence should be run along the edge of the street to keep traffic off the grass.. A picket fence along the front (say 8 feet . from the sea-wall) would be a great improvement, but - the allocation would not be sufficient for this. Referring to the allocation of .£2O for the foreshore, from Scorching Bay to Seatoun, the report stated that the exact position of trees along the foreshore had not yet been defined, but they might, be placed in groups ot two or three to save fencing single trees. The positions were exposed, and only the hardiest trees, such as karaka, coprosma, ngaio, or polmtakawa, would do well. The engineer recommended six suitable positions being selected for a trial. An area on the school frontage to Seatoun Heights Road, for which .£2O had been allocated, was about four chains by 30 feet, and this would permit of 90 trees or shrubs being planted. . The soil was good, but, as the position was exposed, it would be advisable to put scrub in the wire fence' along tho north-western side. Considerable discussion ensued as to whether the report should be adopted outright or should be referred to the TreePlanting Committee with instructions that they should bring it forward, along with their own suggestions, at the next meeting. Councillor Muir -expressed the opinion that it was only playing with the foreshore to put in six clumps of trees. He would agree to. the clerk writing.to the. .Town Clerk of Wellington, . and asking that the Superintendent of.City Reserves (Mr. Glen) should be allowed.to report on the foreshore planting immediately. Too much time had been wasted already, and he was not going to wait.any longer. They should have tho trees in before the end of April. ■Tho.Mayor did not think that there was any reason for Councillor Muir. to be hasty. In past years they, had always carried out the tree-planting successfully. He thought that }', was only fair that the incoming council should'be allowed to. have something to' say. in the matter, and there was ample time. Councillor Muir was proceeding to remark that the council, had voted .£2OO when tho Mayor broke in—. "You would be the very first man .who . would kick up ,the deuce : qf a row- if you were, on the'new-council, and-found yourself committed to a tree-planting scheme : by the retiring council. You ask theso questions simply to waste time and carry ' on the discussion; Make your suggestions ' in'.a businesslike manner." '■ Councillor Muir: "I have asked six • -.times -that. the. minute voting the money f shduld be read." '< A voice: "I wish Councillor Muir would ■let-someone else have the floor for a short time." : ■■■'-';' Councillor Muir: "I will if I can get up )■ again." This guarantee not being given, 5 Councillor Muir. said, firmly, "I am going . to hold the floor until I see tho minute. 1 The Mayor replied: that .he thought ) tho council knew tho effect of the minute, > but, at length, tho minuto was read, f Aftor further discussion the report was r referred to the Tree-Planting Committee.