NATIVE TREES FELLED

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 184, 2 May 1933, Page 10

NATIVE TREES FELLED

Action of Water Board

PROTEST BY CR. DUNCAN

A sharp protest was registered by Cr. W. Duncan at a special meeting of the City Council yesterday against the City and Suburban Water Board allowing native trees to be cut down and then replaced at some considerable expense by exotics from America. When the motion to adopt, the monthly report of the board came up. Cr. Dunean asked how many local bodies were left on the board. The Mayor, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, said that the board was composed of the Wellington City Council. Hutt County Council, Upper Hutt Borough Council, and Eastbourne Borough. Council. “The position is,” said his Worship, “that we contribute about, twelve times ns much as the other bodies put together.” “How is it that the water board is allowing people to cut down the native trees in its area, and planting American trees in their place?” asked Cr. Duncan. “What’s the idea in cutting down all these fine native trees?” “We get the royalties.” said Cr. 11. A. Huggins. “That’s nothing to do with it.” said Cr. Duncan.

“I’m afraid it is not in the report.” said the Mayor. “It is a special question of which I should receive formal notice.”

“May I explain?—l know tlie situation.” said Cr. Huggins. “When the Government handed over this area of land to the City Council there were certain milling rights over some of the blocks.” “And when do they end?” asked Cr. Duncan.

“When the milling trees arc cut out.” replied Ur. Huggins. “As a matter of fact, whenever a tree is felled another is planted in its place, and sometimes two or three trees.” “All I know is that it is costing the council a whole lot of money.”

Cr. Huggins said Cr. Duncan should be glad all this afforestation is going on over the board’s area. If it had not been for the timber-millers the original settlers would never have had their log huts. The report was received.