Cherry tree answer sought

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 498, 10 August 1993, Page 1

Cherry tree answer sought

Are the Goldfinch cherry trees iq, poor state or are they not? That was the issue left unresolved at last Thursday's Waimarino Community Board meeting, so the board called for a meeting between the council reserves supervisor, Gladys Goldfinch, petition writer Bea Barnes and board members. Earlier the board agreed to a proposal to remove the trees, and accept a donation of $2000 to purchase replacement trees. But at their Thursday meeting a petition was presented calling for the trees to be saved. Petition organiser Bea Barnes challenged the reserves supervisor's view that the trees were diseased and should be cut down. She said they were a mass of blossoms last spring - a sign they were healthy. Board member John Compton gave notice of motion (under normal standing orders) to rescind the previous decision to allow the trees to be removed. Meanwhile a meeting was planned to decide on the state of the trees. There was discussion on who was at fault with the original decision when the significance of the trees was overlooked (They were planted in memory of past Ohakune mayor, James Goldfinch), with board members concerned that member Ellen Gould had been targeted as the one who had said the trees should be removed. She said she had not wanted the trees removed but agreed to it, following the advice of the reserves supervisor. Mayor Garrick Workman said it was unfair to blame the reserves supervisor as he was following instructions. Board member Bob Peck said someone had to be responsible, and that either the trees were in poor condition or they were not.