TREES IN MARKET STREET.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIV, Issue 45, 1 February 1924, Page 4

TREES IN MARKET STREET.

HALF TO BE REMOVED. At last night’ B meeting o f the Hast, ings Borough Council. Cr. Fowler moved, “That th© Caretaker of Reserves be instructed to cut down half th© trees in Market street, taking them alternately.” He said that the trees were now too big and the gather ing up of the leaves in the autumn was a very expensive matter to the Council. He believed the cost was from £l5 to £2O. The trees were too close together. and if they were cut down the Council would save a lot of money. In seconding the motion. Cr. Beatson said he had previously brought this matter before th© Reserves Com mittee but had only received scant support. Cr. Fowler was in error in reference to the cost of picking up the leaves, which was nearer £lOO than the amount he had stated The trees were in the way of the chanelling and kerb, ing, find they would never get proper footpaths in Market street until they were removed. The roots of the trees would yet interfere with the sewer age, and the trees affected the light ing at night time. He contended that/ owing to them the western aide of the stree was often in darkness and there might as well be no lights at all. The trees were neither useful nor ornamental. and to beautify a town required a skilled man with a pen. Cr. F. A. Garry said it was astonishing that after so long they should now discover tfyat the trees should be removed. There was, however, no demand from th© residents in the district that they should be eliminated and councillors should consider this befor© deciding to do so. In most oi the progressive towns of the North Island tlie trees were not being cut down. In reference to the cost, the Council would have to cut out a good many things, including baths, if the cost of them was to be considered. They would have to be very careful in ar riving at a decision. Cr. Simmonds said he opposed th planting of trees in all streets. Cr. Cohr said he was also opposed to th© planting of trees in streets. Ho thought the trees in Alarket street should be all rooted out.

Cr. Hay said he wiuld support th? motion.

Tne Mayor said the trees in Market street were a great beauty to th • town, and he would be very sorry t<> see them removed. He referrd to what had been done in Christchurch and in the United States in regard to the beautification and improvement of th <. towns by the planting of trees. Ho moved as an amendment that |he mat ter be referred to the Reserves Committee for a full report. Cr. Garry seconnded the amend ment.'

Cr. McKee said lie did not agre with cutting out all the trees. He did not know of any town cutting oui trees indiscrimiately. In reply, Cr. Fowler said that tree)were not essential but baths were. There was nothing to gpin by referring the matter to the reserves Committee which was incapable of arriving at a decision and the same old deadlock would occur. The trees had been in Market street for 30 years, and they were now only a nuisance, The Mayor then put the amendment. which was declared lost, the voting being as follows: — Ayes*. The Mayor, Crs. Cook Me Kee, Garry -Noes: Crs. Fowler. Belt son, Cohr, Hay, and Simmonds. The motion was carried. Cr. Garry; There will be a great out cry over this.