THE TOWN BELT

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8348, 7 February 1913, Page 11

THE TOWN BELT

REPORT BY THE FORESTER. ESTABLISHMENT OP A NURSERY SUGGESTED. Tho city forester, Air John AlcPheraon, submitted to the council last night a lengthy report with respect to treo-plauting on the town belt. Ho stated inter alia: If it be contemplated to plant a given area each year, it will bo necessary to form a nursery in a convenient centre, and which would require to be two acres in extent, to raise plants sufficient to plant from ten to fifteen acres annually, allowing of a sufficient number of three years’ transplanted trees for planting among gorse and other rough places. By haying a nursery, trees of a suitable size and variety could be raised under the prevailing climatical conditions in which they have to exist, thereby insuring their greater likelihood of success when planted out in the planta tions. With a nursery iu proximity to the Town Belt plants could be lifted out of the ground, as required for planting, instead of coming from a distance tied up in bundles with their roots exposed to the drying effect of the wind. There is a suitable piece of ground to form a nursery on the Town Belt near the Homo of Compassion, the lease of which has expired. A portion of this would have to be enclosed with a board fence, to protect the seedlings from the cold winds, also to keep out trespassers and dogs j and as the square of two acres is ninety-eight yards it would require at least 400 yards of fencing to enclose a two-acre nursery, provision to be made for this in next year’s estimates, the preparation of the ground to be gone on with at once. I should suggest that the planting .be started on a conspicuous part of tho belt, where the soil is fairly suitable, in order that the planting may he successful, thereby insuring a greater interest on the part of the public in the work. The reserves committee recommended the council last night to give effect to tho report and that the forester bo authorised to make arrangements to secure the trees required fpr planting this winter. Councillor Cameron said he was not satisfied that the site suggested for the nursery was the best that could be selected. The Island Bay tennis people wanted it, and the golfers also sought to have part of it. He moved that tho report be referred back to tho committee. Councillor Fuller seconded the amendment. Councillor Shirtoliffe urged that they should do something, and have some results accruing from the forester’s work Their Town Belt policy had been one of shilly-shallying and vacillation. Tho Mayor thought' the council should get on with this work. Councillor Frost, chairman of the committee, said it was time the council took in hand the beautifying of the city. The amendment was rejected and the report adopted.