Big Demand For Trees In Waimairi County

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30395, 20 March 1964, Page 16

Big Demand For Trees In Waimairi County

The taking of more land for a nursery by the Waimairi County Council is an attempt to meet, in an economical way, the needs of the county for trees, the county chairman (Mr J. I. Colligan), said in reply to a correspondent to “The Press” who complained about the cost of tending nurseries. The correspondent, who signed himself “HaughtyCulture,” wrote: “The Waimairi County Council appears to be going deeply into the nursery business. Another half-acre of Burnside Park has just been taken for this purpose, and an expensive glasshouse erected and wired for electric heating. It is difficult to see the need for this last item of expenditure. Where is its production going to be utilised? Many ratepayers would like to know if this acre aqd a half “hobby” confers any rating relief, the opinion being that the labour cost of tending this expanding nursery must greatly exceed what would be the cost to the council if it purchased its requirements from a nurseryman who is in this business for his livelihood.” 38 Parks and Reserves

In his reply, Mr Colligan said: “It is obvious that your correspondent is unfamiliar

with the extent of the parks and reserves in the Waimairi county and also of the way the work on these is financed.

“There are at present 118 parks and reserves either being maintained or under development With the rap id growth of the urban ansa within the county this number will necessarily increase. “Finance for development of parks and reserves comes from sub-divisional contributions, so does not affect rates. “The total area set aside for nursery purposes, including the so-called half-acre, mentioned by your correspondent, is one acre and a quarter. 70,000 Trees

Last year 60,000 pines, 450 other park trees, and 550 street trees were planted. Of this number, 10,000 pines came from the coundl nursery and of the remaining 51,000 trees as many as vrere available were purchased locally. However, a large proportion had to be purchased elsewhere, many from as< far south as Ashburton, and others from the North Island.

“By increasing its nu rsery facilities through the addition of a glasshouse, the council is attempting, in the most economical way possible, to meet this ever-incr< easing need, by being able to propagate trees suitable for park and street planting, and having them available when needed. It will still be necessary to purchase a proportion of plants, but the costly method of shopping tltrougbout the country should be either eliminated or considerably reduced,” Mr C olligan said.