REMOVAL OF TREES

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 113, 9 April 1930, Page 13

REMOVAL OF TREES

DISCUSSED BY COUNCIL. QUESTION OF PROTECTION. The Palmerston North Borough Council discussed at some length on Monday evening a"- resolution relating to street trees which was forwarded by tho Manawatu Beautifying Society. The text of the resolution was as follows:—“This meeting of members of the Manawatu Beautifying Society and residents of Palmerston North pledges itself to support the action of the Borough Council in retaining the trees planted in the streets throughout the borough, and desires to assure tho council that the Beautifying Society is ready and willing to confer with tho council' and consider ways and means of obviating any danger that certain of the trees present m their present unguarded state.” Cr Hodgens stated that the Beautifying Society was mainly comprised of certain people who had originally taken exception to the cutting of the trees by the council. They had been keenly to the forefront and had made promises through tho Press that if the council was mulcted in damages they would be responsible for the expenses incurred. He had previously suggested a postponement of the matter in order that they could be afforded an opportunity of offering to meet the obligations of tho council! Cr Hodgens took it, however, that no offer had been made, and he was very concerned as to where the matter would finish. He understood that the attendance at a recent meeting of the Beautifying Society was under fifteen. That was a mere flea bite compared with the whole of the interests of Palmerston North. The council represented the whole of the ratepayers and was giving the matter very careful consideration. They were convinced that certain trees must come out, but a certain small section of tho people said they must not. They had made a promise to protect the interests of other ratepayers financially, but had not come to light. “The traffic committee are unanimous that certain of these trees must come out,” added Cr Hodgens. “Either you must get a new traffic committee or relieve us of the obligation which devolves on us, particularly regarding the menace of the trees. It is all very well for certain people to say that they will support the council. We have the advice of tho municipal and borough solicitors, who are very definite about the matter. I cannot see just how we can close our eyes to the facts. I am aware that I am running counter to the Beautifying Society,, but I insist that the council must take certain action regarding some of the trees. T-lie Mayor formally moved that the Beautifying Society be thanked for its letter and that the communication be filed for future reference. He stated that, reading between the lines, they were prepared to foot the bill for the protection of the trees. Cr Eliott: Will that protect people’s lives P Cr. Tremaine stated that when the carrying out of the previous resolution had been suspended for three months, the council were unanimous that certain of the trees were dangerous. There were four still constituting a menace to traffic, and they had to come out. Those in isolated positions in the shopping area of Cuba Street were a distinct menace. He pointed out that a large number of drivers were bailees of cars, and even if the driver was negligent in the event of an accident the owner could still sue the council for damages. “As a member of the transit committee I endorse what has been said,” stated Cr. Eliott. “There are some enthusiastic but misguided members of the Beautifying Society. They are just boating the air. Wnat does their offer to confer with the council amount top Simply nothing. To my mind we are not protecting the ratepayers unless we carry out the resolution to remove certain trees admitted to be in dangerous positions. The letter from the Beautifying Society does not mean anything and carries no weight.” Cr. Mansford said he had voted for retaining the trees on the previous occasion, but he recognised that there wero some which would have to come out. Cr. Fitzberbert stated that lie intended to bring down a resolution at the next meeting for the taking of protective measures for tho trees. 11l the meantime, he would support the resolution to thank the Beautifying Society. The motion was carried.