NATIVE TREES ON HIGHWAY

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22661, 16 March 1939, Page 10

NATIVE TREES ON HIGHWAY

PLANTING AT LITTLE ] RIVER COST OF PROTECTION DISCUSSED The planting of native trees at the side of the main highway through Little River has been selected by the Wairewa County Council as its scheme for a Centennial memorial. Because of the estimated cost of protecting the trees, the scheme is likely to be reconsidered, after a discussion yesterday between Mr W. H. Montgomery (chairman of the County Council) and Mr J. W. Heenan (Undersecretary of the Department of Internal Affairs). The Minister (the Hon. W. E, Parry) had commended tree planting as one of the best forms of commemorating the Centennial, and deplored the lack of trees on the beautiful, Peninsula hills. Mr Montgomery’s report of the decision of the council to plant 40 species of native trees, 40 feet apart, was applauded by the Minister, who was informed by the county chairman of individual efforts by settlers to preserve native bush. A request was made by Mr Montgomery that the Government should give assistance towards the provision of protection for the trees. Estimates of £3 had been obtained for guards. Mr Heenan said he could not for the life of him see why £ 3 would have to be spent for protecting each tree. If that was to be the cost he would say. keen as he was on tree planting, that the project should be dropped, or that another location for the trees should be found. The suggestion was made by Archdeacon A. J. Petrie that the Government should make a standard guard for trees.