Deadly-Lively.

Patea Mail, 16 August 1882, Page 2

Deadly-Lively.

Strange, how men differ about planting trees in towns ! Stranger si ill to find the Patca Cemetery Board differing tremendously about planting an avenue of trees leading to their burial-ground—-not theirs exactly, though they may have claims in it already pegged off. This deadly-lively subject was debated with unhealthy heat at the Board’smeeting on Monday. It was proposed to plant trees up each side of the road leading to the Cemetery, leaving a pathway on each side and a broad open space up the middle for vehicles. Mr Conlts protested, with more than his usual solemnity, against this waste of funds on trees. Mr Milroy was even more severe in his denunciation of such wasteful expenditure, condemning the outlay as wilful waste, and protesting against it in the name of the Borough Council. Four other members present approved of the planting, for reasons equally strong on their side ; and the motion was carried. Now how is it that members of the same Board differ so seriously as to use strong and ■ bitter words on the question of planting 1 to beautify a road leading to the Cemetery ? The proceedings of this Board are marked at times with too much personal animosity. Probably the blame is not all on one side. But as to the merits of this tree-planting project, and looking at it from a public point of view, we cannot understand what reasonable objection could be urged against planting at least one ayenue of trees in the town suburbs. The Cemetery trustees have got the money, and if they don’t want to bury it, the best thing is to beautify the Cemetery road. Perhaps, since its name was changed to “ Scotland street,” some canny trustees may think the road needs no further beautifying. Tastes differ.