POINT HALSWELL

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 117, 21 May 1925, Page 6

POINT HALSWELL

TO BE PLANTED WITH TREES

POSSIBLE PRELIMINARY TOWN BELT SCHEME.

The bare and exposed.promontory at Point Halswell where the late Prime Minister was recently laid at rest is to be planted .this winter, with suitable trees. This will probably be the first step in a scheme for the reafforestation of the Town Belt.

The Commissioner of State Forests (Sir K. Heaton Rhodes) informed a "Post" reporter this afternoon that he proposed to make arrangements for planting with trees the defence reserve of two hundred acres immediately surrounding -the site of Mr. Massey's grave, and extending up to Hie top of Mount Crawford.

"There is some talk in the Forestry League and among other people in Wellington," said the Minister, "to the effect that a, move should be made to plant the Town Belt, but I don't know whether that will be done. It has been a wonder to me for many years past that Wellington people take so. little interest in their reserves, and that they have neglected to plant them more largely with trees. As PostmasterGeneral I made a start in planting part of the reserve at the wireless station, and I have had in my mind for some time the planting on similar lines of the defence reserve at Point Halswell. I think the present is a very appropriate time to proceed with that work. As Minister of Defence I propose to lease the, reserve at a nominal or peppercorn rental to the Commissioner of State Forests (myself), and I think we shall be able to come to some arrangement for the planting to be carried out. I have already conferred with the Minister in charge of the Prisons Department, and he has agreed to Hud the labour from the inmates of the Borstal Institution and undertake all the planting that is necessary. I think it can b& taken as assured that between the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Defence, and the Commissioner of State Forests Point Halswell will be planted this winter."

Sir . Heaton stated that he took occasion last night to-speak to the Mayor QJi the subject of the planting of the Town Belt with trees, and he made a suggestion which Mr. Norwood said ha would take into consideration immediately.

It is understood that the proposal is that the City, Council should lease portions of the Tbwn Belt to the Forestry Department for tree-planting purposes. The legal position in regard to such a scheme probably would require to be investigated. ' i