REMOVAL OF TREES

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23411, 19 August 1941, Page 8

REMOVAL OF TREES

MANSFIELD AVENUE LIGHTING

EXPLANATION SOUGHT OP « COINCIDENCE ”

An explanation of a "coincidence’ in the carrying out of an* 18-months or two years old resolution of the council at a time when the matter was under review by the council’s committees was demanded by Cr. C. D. W. L. Sheppard at the meeting of the Christchurch City Council last evening. This was the removal of two trees in Mansfield avenue, improved lighting for which had recently been asked by residents. The electricity committee’s report to the council stated that the lighting of the avenue had long been a perplexity to the council, and with the conflict between trees and lighting there was great difficulty in providing any remedy. The committee resolved that it would re-examine the whole problem at an Inspection to be arranged when the trees were again in leaf, and it would then be the subject of a further report to the council. Cr. Sheppard said he was surprised, after the decision of the committee, to be told that two trees had been cut down. The : residents wanted more light, but as they told the committee, they also wanted to retain the. •'trees. Cr. Sheppard said he communicated with the-general manager of the Municipal Electridty ljFepariment, who said he knew nothing about it. He was told by the superintendent of reserves, however.’that the latter had acted on a 'resolution' of the , council of 18 months or two years ago that the trees should be, cut down. The superintendent of reserves, said he was telephoned by the general manager of the Municipal Electricity Department, who wanted to know why he Was neglecting his duty by not carrying out the resolution of the council. Cf. Sheppard said his grievance, was that, in view of the committee’s decision, the geperal manager of the Municipal Electricity? Department should-* have accepted a “stay of proceedings.” Trees that took a. lifetime to grow had been cut down and ill-feeling had been caused in the district. He would like a report as to why the .trees had been cut, down when the matter was under review.

, ;cr. H. E., Denton deplored .the requests for more lighting, at a time when. the Redticed Lighting Controller was having difficulty in enforcing the lighting restrictions in the interests of the safety of the public. Two of the lights in the avenue were, buried in the trees, said Cr. H. P; Donald, who was glad the direction of the council had been carried out. “The trees will never be missed;” be said. The Mayor (Mr E. H. Andrews) admitted he was ‘'rather surprised” to hear yesterday that two trees had been 'cpt out. The street‘ was - dangerously dark, and there was a difficulty In having the trees and the light, too. “I take it you want an explanation of the coincidence that, just when the discussion .has arisen again, a resolution of two years ago is put into effect?’? the Mayor asked Cr. Sheppard, who said that was the position. Cr. F. IS. Wilding chairman of the electricity committee, promised that the information would be supplied. -