“A SCANDAL”

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 297, 18 July 1929, Page 1

“A SCANDAL”

TREE PLANTING. Grass Lands Being Used. The information given to the Ma- ' tamata County Council at its July meeting on Friday, that tree planting had been carried out on the flat portion of the Club Run at Lichfield, I led to a discussion on this important subject. | Cr. K. S. Cox suggested that they should at once wire to the Minister of Lands protesti g against this being done. In reply to a question bv rv Moir. Cr. Cox said that the Government can stop such proceedings, under the Aggregation of Lands Act. Cr. Moir said his question was could they stop it once planting had been effected.

It was pointed out that the land was held by another other than the company at present planting ! And the clauses in regards the agI gregation were being got over. Cr. Middleton agreed with Cr. Cox that a telegram of protest should be sent to the Minister. Cr. Moir asked if the Matamata county was the only one affected. Cr. Cox stated that his riding was badly affected to the extent of 50 per cent. A brief discussion on the rating on unimproved value system intervened, Cr. Allen saying it might help, but he was frightened it would be to the detriment of the backblockers, a statement agreed to by the chairman, who quoted, instances where it would have this effect.

Reverting to the subject of tree plantin'’'. Cr. Cox moved that the Minister of Lands be telegraphed to protesting against tree planting on grass lands. Cr. JMoir seconded the motion. Cr. Allen agreed that it was a scandal that this should be allowed.

Cr. Cox made it perfectly clear that he was not against the afforestation but he was opposed to them using land suitable for settlement and farm development. The council had been trying to get the Government to bring in a system of classification of land in this respect. Cr. Allen was of the opinion that they would have to keep pegging away.

The motion was then carried un animously.