MENACE TO LIFE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3252, 14 April 1943, Page 5

MENACE TO LIFE

OVERHANGING TREES

DANGER TO POWER LINES

VALLEY BOARD CONCERNED

The planting of trees in the vicinity of existing power lines

which are likely to create a'hazard in future years was discussed

at length at the Thames Valley

Power Board’s meeting. The subject was. introduced by Mr J. F. Mayn, who suggested that the board circularise its consumers urging them not to plant trees in areas that in future years are likely to endanger supply and service lines and thereby create a menace to stock afiid the efficiency of the service during storm periods.

In the past, stated Mr Mayn, trees had caused a great deal of Double, particularly in his district, and considerable cost had been incurred in trimming to safeguard lines from overhanging branches. This work had also created the inevitable wrangle of which were first established —the trees or the lines. To eliminate a recurrence in future some method of keeping track of the position should be undertaken by the board.

Of National Importance

Mr P. R. Hawke contended that the question was of national rather than local importance. He quoted recent discussions that had taken place on the subject among South Island power boards, who were apparently faced with the same difficulty.

In his opinion the board should take measures relating to future plantings. In spite of any horticultural societies’ objection he maintained that there was ample space to grow trees of the gum variety other than in the vicinity of power lines.

Mr Hawke cited the case of a boy who lost his life last week through coming into contact with a live wire which had been brought down by a branch of a tree. It was fortunate, he considered, that the drover had not shared the same fate as his dog when it was electrocuted in Te Aroha during the last storm. Individuals Not Only Culprits The chairman, Mr J. Price, pointed out that individuals were not the only culprits. Some well-meaning local bodies and societies were equally guilty by planting certain varieties of trees that would undoubtedly prove a danger in years to come. The board had power under the Act to notify a property holder if a hazard exists, but once, this notice was served it was obligatory for the 'board to remove or trim the trees as the case may be and charge the cost if the property owner himself does not undertake the necessary work. What Happened to Remit? The manager, Mr R. Sprague, ex-plained-that a remit dealing with the subject under discussion had been dealt with by the Power Boards’ conference two years ago, and a remit had been referred to the Government through the Minister in charge, but nothing further had since been heard of it,

Mr W. S. Goosman, M.P., considered that Mr Mayn’s suggestion, was a very sensible one. He considered it would be a terribly short-sighted policy if some restraint were not imposed on future planting of trees within area's likely to become a menace later on. He would like to have all the information that had been compiled, and assured members that he would bring the question before the proper authorities at an early date.

■On the motion of Mi’ Mayn it was agreed to enquire through the Power Boards’ Association of the fate of the remit that had been placed before the Government for its consideration.