REMOVAL OF PINES

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 453, 22 June 1937, Page 4

REMOVAL OF PINES

SPORTSGROUND WORK Domain Board Discussion' To report upon the best methods of removing pinus insignis trees in King Edward Park and the disposal of the timber a sub-committee was set up by the Domain Board at the monthly meeting held last night. iTie Mayor, Mr J. W. McMillan, in bringing the matter before the board, stated that part of the scheme of improving the park recommended in the report of Mr J. S. MacKenzie, Director of Parks and Reserves, Wellington was the cutting out of the interior pines. At present, said Mr McMillan, the borough could purchase quite a lot of pine firewood which would pay for the cost of removal and perhaps provide a surplus. He thought that a start should be made with the pines between the camping ground and the park and, he moved accordingly. Cr. H. E. Lawrence: Is this discussion in order? The matter is not on the agenda paper and if it had been I would certainly have been prepared with some remarks. The Mayor: We could have gone on with the work because we have adopted Mr MacKenzie’s report. On the motion of the Mayor, Councillors Trotter, Speck, and Finnerty were appointed a sub-committee to go into the matter and report at next meeting. Levels Of Ground. The southern part of the King Edward Park sportsground was absolutely impossible as a playing area, said Mr Hunter in asking who had authorised the work. The Mayor said the actual football area was about as level as Victoria Park. The portion referred to by Mr Hunter was not as level but it was probably suitable for a hockey ground. However a suggestion had been made that trees be planted and he had favoured the proposal.

Mr Hunter said the ground was an absolute mess. The Mayor: If you people attended tn the business of the Domain Board this would not happen. It is not a bit of use coming along months after. The plan of the work had never been placed before the board and the Mayor’s remarks were not fair to Mr Hunter, said Cr. Nelson. The Mayor: What T mpant was thr»t if bo°rd vTPn-'Kpt's visited the park nnriodically th* - " would have found wF»at w r as do”e. The j time I noticed the fall was when ths earth was put on. Cr. Lawrence said that four or five months aero he noticed the fall but thought the level would be corrected. The area was absolutely impossible nq a anortserround. The job could not be left as it stood as it would be a diserrace to the town. j Mr Hunter moved that the Town Clerk bring down a return showing the total amount of spoil moved; the grand total of hours worked bv the men; and the total amount of surplus clay carted away. The Mayor said it was incorrect to infer that the ratepayers had not been informed of the cost. They had been told although there had been other costs since then. Board members knew that the work was pushed on too rapidly because work had to be found for men coming off the aerodrome. Mr Hunter’s motion was supported. Regan Street Trees The trees in Regan Street West were a failure, said Mr McMillan in urging that they should be removed. Most of them were dying and it was only making a laughing stock of the Council. Cr. Lawson said it appeared ridiculous to be taking out trees and at tho same embarking on a tree-planting scheme. The Mayor pointed out that tho trees in Regan Street had been planted on clay. It was decided to remove the trees from the street and replant any j healthy specimens in the Board’s nursery. j The Mayor and Cr. Williams were 'appointed a sub-committee to purchase ; a new motor mower. Mr F. Bowler is jto'be asked to assist in an advisory ; capacity. ! On the motion of Mr Johnson it was decided to procure pongas for plant- ! ing in the parks. I The Cartaker, Mr E. P. Blanchard, j reported that the memorial gates at i Victoria Bark had been cleaned of i rust and painted. A good deal of time I had been taken up sweeping up leaves I in the parks as it was necessary to ;do the work regularly during wet | weather to prevent the blocking of ! water tables and sumps. The main ■ gates at King Edward Bark had been i painted. The men were at present ( working near the ford cleaning around tree ferns, removing drift wood and ■ willow stumps, and digging out and ' burning pampas. Drains had also been opened and the paths attended to. ' Present at the meeting were the Mayor, Mr J. W. McMillan, Crs. A. 11. Nelson. C. R. Finnerty, C. Speck, A. 11. Trotter, W. E. Williams, T. Law-

POROUGH SPEED LIMIT. i Although the Transport Department ' maintained that the restriction was unnecessary in areas not built up and tended to bring about lack of respect for the speed limit generally, the Borough Council has supported the opin- , ion of the Inspector, Mr A. E. Sayers, that the restriction of 30 miles an hour should apply from boundary to i boundary. I NO ANSWER TO FIRE ALARM. "A fire occurred at my house on the moving of June 9,” stated Mrs E. L. McQuay, Orlando Street, in a letter to i the Stratford Borough Council. “When j I endeavoured to inform the fire briI gade by telephone I was unable to ; get any reply. Mr George McQuay ■ ran to the fire station barefooted to ■ give the alarm but several minutes would have been saved had my telephone call been answered.” The Council adopted the recommendation of the works committee that no action be taken. CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION. Ground plans for the lay-out of tho New Zealand Centennial Exhibition of 1939-40 in Wellington have already been prepared, for the most part in ! connection with the discussion as to | the restriction in the height of the exI hibiton buildings between the direcI tors of the company and the aerodrome authorities, who, of course, desire to safeguard pilots using the Rongotai Aerodrome and those entrusted to their care. Account has been taken of the fact that aviation in New Zealand may have developed considerably by the end of 1939. Over a certain area it has been agreed that the height of structures shall not be more than Ift in every 20ft. That re- | striction is not really so drastic as it i may seem, as it will permit of a j height of 27ft above the main j entrance, and at a distance of 256 ft. i back from the entrance the building ! may be 54ft in height, which appears | to be quite sufficient for all practical | purposes. Building height may con- ! tinue to rise if it be found necessary, as the building is extended toward j the western boundary of the block. I