DUDLEY CREEK WILLOWS DRAINAGE BOARD NOT TO TOP TREES

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27638, 20 April 1955, Page 15

DUDLEY CREEK WILLOWS

DRAINAGE BOARD NOT TO TOP TREES

RESIDENTS URGED TO ACT AS WARDENS

Invited by the Shirley Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association in June of last year to inspect the Dudley creek along Quinns road, the Christchurch Drainage Board did so, and agreed to remove willows from the banks of the creek. When it began the work protests were made by residents with properties backing on the creek. Now the association has asked the board to top the willows and cut them back, but the board last evening decided that tree-topping was not its function. A letter from the association said it would suit residents north of Orcades street if the board left the remaining willows there, but topped them to a height of 12 feet and cut branches back on the creek side of the trunks. Residents also sought the removal of obstructions such as logs and rubbish from the creek bed.

The acting-engineer (Mr H. F. Page) reported that there were about 50 large willows and he estimated the cost of topping them at £lOOO. The board had no labour available for the work, and the trees did not obstruct the drain. Arrangements had been made to remove logs and other rubbish in the drain. Apart from those obstructions the drain was in fair order when inspected. The board decided to draw the association's attention to. previous suggestions that its members should act as wardens to prevent the depositing of rubbish and refuse in the creek.