CUT TREE DOWN

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3254, 19 April 1943, Page 5

CUT TREE DOWN

CLAIMED TOO BIG NOW

BLOCKING HOTEL DRAINS

BOROUGH COUNCIL DECISION

A suggestion that the large tree growing in Wharf street next to the Royal Mail Hotel be removed was raised by Mr C. C. Webb at Thursday night’s meet-

ing’ of the Paeroa Borough Coun-

Mr Webb stated that he had been approached by Air W. G. Crosby to have the tree cut down as it was causing a great deal of trouole blocking drains, etc., as well as keeping a lot of sun off the hotel.

The Mayor, Mr Edwin Edwards: I’d be loath to see the tree go. It is a beautiful tree.

Mr J. Walmsley: I’d cut the lot down if it were me, Mr H. M. Shand: It is causing a lot of trouble.

Mr Webb then spoke of the way local bodies as well as private people planted trees, contending they never bothered to consider the dangei to power lines, etc. He agreed they were very pretty when small but often they did not receive the attention they needed and then the trouble started. He stated that in a storm a tree could cut off the power supply and affect a wide area at a critical time. He told the council that Mr W. -S. Goosman, M.P., was taking the matter up with the Government in an- attempt to have some control placed over the planting of trees. Mr Webb concluded by giving the case of trees on the Te Aroha road just over the Criterion bridge, where the trees had grown so high that

they were nearly touching the power lines. The trees in Normanby road would also soon be affected. Mr B. Gwilliam, senr.,, said he would like to see the tree at the back of Constable Hollinshead’s house cut down. In his opinion it had got too high and was a definite danger. One day it would fall suddenly and damage a nearby house. or kill some children.

The acting-town clerk, Mr A. A. Jenkinson, spoke in ■ support of the tree, which, he said, looked very attractive, especially with the autumn tints.

The Mayor said he would be very reluctant to see any trees in the borough removed without they were causing definite damage to property. Most of the trees in the town had been planted some 39 to 49 years ago and were now looking their best. The matter was left over until the next meeting of the council to enable councillors to inspect the tree.

Reference was then made/ to the hedge jutting out on to the footpath in Belmont road between. Mr Todd’s shop and the Methodist Church and it was decided to serve notice on the property owner to have same cut back to the footpath level.