POWER POLES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5445, 8 July 1929, Page 2

POWER POLES.

PLANTING BY ELECTRIC BOARD.

“ WASTE OF MONEY.” When the chairman, Mr F. M. Strange, brought forward a suggestion at the last meeting of the Thames Valley Power Board that ten more acres of trees be planted this year at the board’s plantations, Waitakaruru, strong opposition was raised. Mr Strange said he was personally ken to continue planting, and thought it not wise to leave land already ploughed, etc., to go to waste. Mr H. M. Corbett thought that perhaps it would not be wise to oppose the chairman’s resolution, as the ground was already prepared, but at the same time he had prepared a resolution to the effect that the finance committee be empowered to dispose of the tree plantation, and this he had meant to submit. Mr Strange maintained that there was no need to take action for nine months. By that time they could see what prospects would be like, and would be in a better position to see how matters stood. There would be ample time then before next planting to go into the whole question. Mr F. E. Flatt: At no further expense ? Mr Strange : No, except planting. Mr J. Price stated emphatically that he was opposed to planting any more trees now. He suggested leaving the matter in abeyance for a month. “If there is anything poorer in the country, he remarked, “lead me to it.” There was nothing poorer. Several varieties of trees had been planted, and the majority had been failures. It was a waste of money to go on replanting. It was no use planting on high country ; the trees were only doing well in valleys and gullies. He had seen no end of trees which had not taken root. He was opposed to any more planting now, and would sooner let matters go and see how the present trees got on in the next two years. It had cost £l7 10s an acre for ploughing and planting, as against £7 in the original report. To plant any more now would be wasting the ratepayers’ money. Mr Strange : It is already ploughed. The engineer- says it would cost £5 an acre now.

Mr Price said that if statistics were read it would be found that 45 per cent, of the trees had been failures. Mr Flatt: The position is that you are asking to spend money on the planting of another 10 acres ? The Chairman : Yes, at £8 5s 2d an acre.

Mr Corbett: I think it would be better to spend it somewhere else. Mr J. B. Thomas : Why not plant from September ?

The Chairman : If we don’t’ get the order in now we won’t get the trees. Mr Corbett: My intention is to table my resolution, sooner or later, during the next six months if not today. If board members feel that way I will give notice now. That the matter should be made final —to be gone on with or the property got rid of—was the opinion of Mr Pohlen. He said there was a doubt in his mind whether it was the bright place to grow trees. They were experimenting now. He suggested that Mr Corbett should table his motion and the matter be dealt with next month. If to be disposed of, the front portion near the road which was planted was the best for cultivation. Mr Thomas agreed with Mr Pohlen, and thought that if trees were so scarce they could call the order off. Mr Arthur was of the opinion that the sooner Mr Corbett’s motion was before the meeting the better. The forest committee and farmers had originally reported the land to be good ; it had not panned out good. They should get a thorough expert to report on the question to see whether to go on or not. The previous expert’s findings were at fault. Mr Strange suggested that the tree people should be communicated with to see whether they could hold the trees for the board. He agreed with Mr Pohlen that the matter must be settled. It had been held over before, so as to enable certain members to visit and inspect the plantation. If it was moved that the department be asked to hold the trees until next month he would withdraw his motion. Mr Thomas did not think the Government would do that; a private individual might. He would move that the order be given, to be confirmed in a month.

Mr Corbett : I’ll give notice of my motion to-day.”

The proposal of Mr Anderson, that the trees be ordered subject to cancellation after the next board meeting, was finally agreed to.