WELLINGTON HARBOUR.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 152, 29 June 1926, Page 10

WELLINGTON HARBOUR.

BEAUTIFYING THE FRONTAGE.

PROS AMD CONS. SEASCAPE OR "TREESCAPE?" (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") WELLINGTON, this day. A scheme for planting trees along the Hutt Road from the Thorndon railway bridge to Petone Esplanade was presented to the Wellington Automobile Club by Mr. H. D. Bennett, who pointed out that it would be necessary to obtain the authority of the City Council before beginning the actual work. Mr. Bennett said he believed the roa-l could be made a magnificent drive. He suggested that each member of the club should provide one tree and a guard. The trees could be planted every 06ft, or 80 trees to the mile. The proposal was to plant one side to start with, and they would have a completed marine drive by next summer from Island Bay, round Oriental Bay. to Eastbourne. He thought a little plate should be tacked on to each enclosure, with the name of the donor of the tree. The chairman (Mr. H. Gilmer) said that the proposition seemed to call for an expenditure of from £1000 to £1300. Each tree and enclosure, it appeared, would cost about £3. If necessary, a general meeting of motorists might be called to consider the matter. A member thought delay might be unwise. It was a fine scheme, and the trees would be a decided acquisition to the city. Mr. Warburton thought that the trees would be a danger at night unless there was better lighting. The chairman contended that the trees would shade the lights. Mr. Warburton replied that, whether trees were there or not, more lights were required. Mr. Treadwell was deputed to obtain the fullest information as to spacing, kinds of trees, cost of planting, and possible damage to pipes and the bitumen surface of the road from roots. The scheme is opposed by Mr. W. H. Bennett, of the City Council, because.a similar scheme was turned down by "the, Highways Board a few weeks ago, a report being entirely against such planting, as it.would spoil visibility and decrease the width of the road. "The chief charm of the Hutt Road, he contended,was the beautiful open seascape with its frame of hills.