FIVE MORE TREES FELLED IN CUBA STREET

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7241, 12 June 1930, Page 6

FIVE MORE TREES FELLED IN CUBA STREET

No Incidents SOCIETY’S OFFER .FAILS TO MOVE COUNCIL Ai'ler sonic weeks of suspense, the death sentence recently passed upon si-\ ot’ Palmerston North’s trees by the Palmerston North Borough Council has been carried out and far front being commuted at the request of the Beautifying Society anti other oppositionists, an additional tree has been brought under the axe.

Last week, at an early hour, the first two trees were felled and early yesterday morning tho council’s workmen commenced the felling of another tree on tho corner of Campbell and Cuba streets. With the help of a road roller the tree was torn up by tho roots and later in tho day four more were siiiiilurly destroyed, making a total of seven in all.

Tho workmen engaged in the task of tearing up tho trees and cutting them into lengths were not subjected to any interruptions and their activities appeared to attract very little attention from the passers-by. They stated that they had received no instructions to fell any further trees. Of the four trees removed yesterday two were situated between the intersections of Andrew Young and George streets with Cuba street and the other two were in front of the A. and P. Association buildings on the opposite sid< of Cuba street.

In an endeavour to save the remaining trees, the Beautifying Society had a strong netting and pipe fence constructed and conveyed to the Borough Council Chambers for inspection by councillors at the works committee meeting on Monday night. Unfortunately, the frame-work proved too large to be brought inside the side entrance to the chambers and it was accordingly placed in the window of tho gas department showroom where councillors had an opportunity of inspecting it. Apparently, however, tho action of the society and its offer to provide protecting fences for the doomed trees, failed to movo tho heart of the Mayor and City Bathers.

To tho Editor. Sir, —What a fuss has boon made about cutting down a few trees. Certainly they have taken over 110 years to acquire their present bcauty.( Now, I fear, their “past” beauty), and they were well out of the way of motor traffic (“incompetents” always excepted). But after all wc can grow some more—only another 30 years required. I must confess I am one of those who helped to doom these trees and therefore 1 have determined to be a bit generous. I am sending half-a-dozen very line acorns to hand to the authorities, but with the stipulation that they must only be planted on the side of the footpaths furthest from tho edge of the road; say 2 feet from the fence alongside tho path. Holes can easily be drilled through the asphalt and the acorns planted. I am hoping this gift will put mo “on side with the members of tho Beautifying Society and tho voters generally.—l am, etc., ‘ ‘ QUEECUS PLAUSIBILIUS. ’ ’ P.N., 11/6/30.