TREE MENACE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 54, Issue 32597, 16 July 1945, Page 5

TREE MENACE

POWER SUPPLY PROBLEM LOCAL BILL SUGGESTED FARMERS’ PRIVILEGES The suggestion that the best means of dealing with interference with power supply lines by trees would be for the board to promote a local bill covering the position, was made at the July meeting of the Thames Valley Electric Power Board, by Mr W. S. Goosman, M.P. It appeared he said, that the problem was a long-standing one on which it was difficult to obtain definite action by all power boards. A local bill applying to the Thames Valley would be all that was necessary. “If the rest of New Zealand is prepared to leave things as they are in regard to this matter, that is their affair,” said the chairman, Mr J. Price. “Personally I think it would be a good idea to promote a local bill.”

To his mind such a bill would give the board power to deal with any trees which were or might foe a menace to power lines, said Mr Price in

answer to a question by Mr W. C. Kennedy, and Mr Goosman added that it would stop people planting trees in positions which would menace power lines. Power Lines

Many peole had planted tree along theor road frontages long before power supply had been provided for in this district, said Mr Kennedy, and in his view, a serious injustice might be done to those people. Enough of the farmers’ rights and privileges were being taken away today without any further encroachment being made on them. It was a question affecting every power board, in New Zealand at the present time, said Mr P. R- Hawke, the originator of the proposal for definite action. Consumers 1 were vitally interested, even though many power board members were not, and it was a matter which should be given full publicity in View of the fact that the Thames Valley -Board proposed to take action.

It was decided that the board’s solicitor should be asked to investigate the position and make a recommendation regarding promotion of a local bill to deal with the matter, and at a later stage it was' decided that neighbouring boards in the Waikato district should be invited to join the Thames Valley Board in sponsoring the bill.