HELMORE'S LANE.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17941, 8 December 1923, Page 14

HELMORE'S LANE.

TREES UNAFFECTED BY WIDENING. There was an attendance of about 30 persons at the informal meeting held at Ilelmore's lane early ]ast evening to inspect the site of the proposed road widening aud to consider ways and means'of avoiding the destruction of the trees which, as a result of the widening, would be left standing on the public right-of-way. The meeting was convened by the Waimairi County Council as the outcome of an appeal made by a deputation at the last meeting of the Council for the preservation of the trees. Mr K. W. Hawke (chairman) and members of the County Council attended the meeting held last evening, aud there were also present Mr A. D Dobson, Dr. Chilton and Messrs 11. Holland, E, B. Owen (of the Beautifying Stfciety), representatives of the Canterbury Branch of the New Zealand Institute of Architects. Mr Geo. Gould and several other residents of the district, who were among the first to draw attention to the possibility of the fine avenue being mutilated by the destruction of a number of the trees.

Mr Hawke said that lCJft of the land inside the fence on the east side of the road was vested in the Council and as some of the property had been sold, it had been necessary to remove the fence line to its proper position. Mr Hawke went on to state that though it would be necessary to widen the footpath by taking IC>} feet from the private sections, the Council did not propose to widen the road track, which was 33 feet. So far as the Council was concerned there was no suggestion of removing the trees. The new channelling would be put in where the edge of the existing footpath met the road. When the fence-line was carried back there" would be 16i feet added to the width of the footpath, and the trees would be left standing in about the centre of the road. That would leave a broad, shaded walk oii the left of the trees and the existing gravel path on their right. The majority of those present expressed approval of the Council's posals. Regarding that portion of the lane between Rhodes street and Hagley Park, Mr Hawke said that the widening would encroach 16£ feet upon Mrs Helmore's frontage. It was not posed to destroy the shrubs which would be left iti the public right-of-way. Mr Hawke suggested that the Beautifying Society might take over the caxe of the shrubs and construct a winding path through them. Mr Gould disagreed with the suggestion. He Baid there was riot sufficient room to carry out the proposal properly and, moreover, it would riot be desirable from a public, safety point of view, to afford so much Bhelter to undesirable persons. Mr Hawke said, at one stage Of the informal discussion, that it would ba necessary to remove the holly hedge and bank in front of Mrs Heltjuore's property. Mr Owen said that the Beautifying Society was strongly opposed to the removal of the hedge. If it were removed, Mrs HelinOre would have to erect another fence further back arid if a substantial iron or paling fence were placed there, it would mar the beauty of the larie. The Owner Of the property would not build another fenee if the holly hedge were allowed to remain, though cut down to a height of three or four feet, to allow the publica view of the shriibs.

Othet speakers supported the content tion that the hedge should be reduced in height and allowed to remain Mr Owen explained What had been done by the Biver Improvement Committee in regard to acquiring the bank of. the river running through the Helmore property, as a reserve for beautifying purposes. In the arrangement ■with Mrs Helmofe it had been agreed that her property should have access to the road at the corner near the fiver and it was hoped that this arrangement would not bo upset by any decision, of the Council. '

Mr Hawke said he thought the Councillors would fall in with the suggestion made regarding the hdlly hedge and the preservation of the shrubs. As had been stated, the trees Would not be affected by the widening of the path so far as the Council was concerned. When asked if those present could take the agreement arrived at as settled, Mr HaWke said he Was not prepared to ac cept a resolution at that moment, but the matter would come before the Oouaty Council at its fiext meeting, and he thought there was every likolih6od of the wishes of the interested parties being carried out.