Trees At Governor’s Bay

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31868, 21 December 1968, Page 12

Trees At Governor’s Bay

Sir, —As residents of Governor’s Bay we are deeply dismayed by an act of savage destruction to trees which have formed part of the beauty of this scenic spot for many years. This vandalism is hard to justify. The Power Board assumed they were a

danger to power lines on the opposite side of the road, but it is obvious to the most casual observer that, with judicious topping and pruning, any danger, imaginary or otherwise, could have been avoided. We hope before any further trees are removed in this area every possible means of conserving them will be considered.—Yours, etc., J.G., R.K. December 16, 1968. [The engineer-manager of the Central Canterbury Electric Power Board (Mr S. E. Slatter) says: “We recognise that Governor’s Bay has many fine trees, and the scenic attractions were discussed by the board at a recent meeting at the time when tree-cut-ting was in progress in the area. Some of the trees mentioned by the correspondents were decayed, and the Electrical Supply Regulations and the Public Works Act require that any tree or part of a tree which is likely to damage an electric line must be removed. The road in question is very narrow, and the trees encroached to within 17 feet of the power line. The board has decided that competent instruction in tree trimming and felling is to be given to its staff at future refresher courses to reduce any unnecessary mutilation of trees and shrubs which are likely to cause damage in a storm.”]