SCIENCE OF TREE-PLANTING.

Shannon News, 21 October 1927, Page 4

SCIENCE OF TREE-PLANTING.

POWER BOARD CONSIDERS POSSIBILITIES. 'COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE. The whole question of tree-planting, with a view to its benefits to electrical transmission undertakings, is to be investigated by a committee from the Horowhenua Power Board. At Tuesday's meeting of the Board, the Chairman (Mr. G. A. Monk) moved as follows: — That a special committee, to report to the Board, consisting of Messrs Barber, Gunning, Blenkhorn and the mover, together with the secretary and the engineer, be set up to make inquiries re the advisability or otherwise of this Board undertaking the planting of an area of trees, suitable for use as the future requirements of the Board may demand. The inquiry to be as follows: 1. Whether it is considered hardwood timber will still be used for pole purposes in 25 years' time. If answered in the affirmative, to further inquire and recommend — 2. The number of trees the Board should plant. 3. The species of trees the Board , should plant. 4. The most suitable land to plant on, and the area required.

5. The estimated cost of the land required, also the cost of the trees and planting.

6. The expected cost of upkeep such as cleaning, etc.

The Chairman stated that some time ago the question of tree-planting was raised and he then suggested that the Board might at a later date set up a special committee to bring down a report on the subject. His object in submitting sub-clause 1 was that there might be a question as to whether timber would still be used in 25 years from now for pole purposes. He had not mentioned any date for the presentation of the report. The committee would have a fairly comprehensive ininquiry to make, and their time should not be limited.

Mr. Vincent seconded the motion, and suggested that the item "general" be added to the order of reference. This was agreed to by the Chairman. Mr. Seifert remarked that the motion was very well drafted, but the inclusion of the general aspect would improve it. He was glad to notice that the chairman had provided for the* possibility of timber not being used for p6les*« at some time in the future. Trees, however, were always very useful, and no country would go on without the use of timber for some purpose or other; but whether it would-continue to be used for power poles they could not say. It was worth while inquiring into this question, and whether the Board i should undertake- a planting scheme. Possibly- private enterprise would take the-matter;iip also, and that Would be of benefit to the'Board." The motion was carried rjxauimoualy.