MAGANDREW BAY TREES

Evening Star, Issue 23324, 21 July 1939, Page 16

MAGANDREW BAY TREES

REMOVAL DECIDED UPON CEPRESE NTATIONS TO PENINSULA COUNCIL Part of the time of the Peninsula County Council was occupied yesterday with the question of the removal of the gum trees growing on the Marine Parade,at Macandrew Bay. A letter was received from Air H, C. Brown, who wrote objecting to the removal oi the bluegiims near the road. He maintained that instructions should also havo been given to safeguard the native trees when the gums were falling, stating that no consideration had been given to this aspect of the matter. Nine householders of Macandrew Bay petitioned! that the large eucalyptus tree standing a short way below the Marine Parade be left, owing to the shelter it afforded and its ornamental value.

The North-cast Harbour Ratepayers’ Association wrote commending the council for chopping down the trees, but it asked that some attention should be paid to the question of the conservation of native flora.

Cr W. Brookman pointed out that the removal of the trees was necessary. The council had received a letter two years ago threatening legal action if they were not removed.

ATr J. Seaton, county clerk, said that ns far back as 1909 the council had received a threat concerning the same trees, and they had received attention from petitioners at intervals ever since.

Cr Brookman pointed out that they looked beautiful from certain aspects, but that nearby residents did not appreciate them to the same extent. Leaves filled the spoutings, and in one case the water supply of a house was undrinkable. Besides this, they were dangerous, in some instances overhanging the road. Cr R. G. Habcrshon agreed that the trees were dangerous, and that some action was necessary; but submitted l that they could have been dealt with much less harshly. If they had been topped in such a way as to encourage growth from the bottom, and the old trunks later (removed, the resultant young trees would have helped to conserve the bank.

Cr Brookman: The trees are shaking the bank clown. Cr Habcrshon agreed that that was so with the largo trees, hut young growth would not have that effect.

Cr W. V. Stunner said that young shrubs wore to be planted l on the hank. The trees had to bo removed first. They were a source, of beauty to some, but of annoyance to others. The council should look ahead, and in a few yeais they would realise that the beauty of the bank bad been enhanced. It was agreed that the large tree in question should l not be removed, but topped in some way; also that all trees with the roots showing should be removed. The matter was 'left in the hands of two councillors, the chairman, and the county clerk, with power to act. This committee visited the site immediately after the council meeting, and, after a careful inspection, decided on the complete removal of the trees under discussion, and also several additional ones on the road on the Dunedin side.