Damage by Trees to Electrical Lines

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 46, 25 February 1936, Page 3

Damage by Trees to Electrical Lines

Power Boards Seek Wider Powers

Representations fo be Made fo

Government

Proposals to minimise the damage and .loss caused during storms t>y the falling of trees on-electrical supply lines, were discussed at a conference in Palmerston North yesterday of representatives of power hoards, county councils and municipalities, when it was decided to make representations to the Government with a view to wider powers being given supply authorities to deal with trees likely to become a menace.

Convened by the Manawatu-Oroua, and Dannevirke Power Boards, the conference was attended by over 50 delegates, representing the bodies: —Manawatu-Oroua, Tararua, Horowhenua, VV anganui-Rangitikei, Wairarapa, Central Hawke’s Bay, Hawke’s Bay and Dannevirke Power Boards, Kairanga, Oroua, Pahiatua, Kiwitea, Pohangina, Manawatu, Patangata, Waipawa, Woodviile, Masterton and Dannevirke County Councils, Palmerston North City Council, Feilding Borough Council and New Zealand Power Boards’ Association. Also in attendance were Mr P. T. M. Kisselt (chief electrical engineer, Public Works Department), Mr I. It. Robinson (district electrical engineer, Public Works Department), Mr H. C. Brent (Post and Telegraph Department) and the following members of Parliament: Messrs J. Hodgens (Palmerston), C. L. Hunter (Manawatu), B. Roberts (Masterton), L. G. Lowry (Otaki), J. B. F. Cotterill (Wanganui) and H. M. Christie (Waipawa). The 'Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansford) presided. In opening the conference, Mr Mansford said this was one of the occasions when municipalities and power boards could come together and reach a conclusion on satisfactory grounds. The conference had been called as a sequel to the damage done by the recent storm, and the Manawatu-Oroua and Dannevirke Power Boards were to be congratulated on having taken th* initiative in convening the gathering. Further powers were desired by those controlling power lines to deal with overhanging trees, and he hoped they would come as result of the conference. Preventing Potential Dangers.

Speaking on behalf of the Dannevirke Power Board, Mr M. O. Grainger expressed gratification at the attendance. It was fortunate that in the last storm, ho said, that, there had not been greater danger, and power was badly wanted to prevent potential dangersthat existed. The conference did not desire to embarrass the' Government, but was concerned at the danger and the loss, both to supply authorities and the consumers. While there might not be agreement on the framing of resolutions, there was agreement that something should be -done. T.he county councils were concerned as well as the supply authorities because when trees came down they blocked roads and caused damage to bridges. The statutory powers that supply authorities and' other local bodies at present possess in regard to the removal of trees were detailed to the conference. Mr C. G. C. Dcrmer (ManawatuOroua Power Board) congratulated Mi Grainger on having originated tho conference. During the recent hurricane it had been brought homo forcibly to power boards that something should be done in regard to trees, and it was fortunate that there had not been greater loss of life. The recent storm had caused damage amounting to £7OOO in the Manawatu-Oroua Power Board’s area, and 90 per cent, of this had been caused by trees falling across tho lines. Mr Dormer then moved the following resolution: "That this conference views -with alarm the damage caused to electric lines, telegraph lines and-roads by trees growing in close proximity to roads.”

On the suggestion of a delegate, the ■words “and power lines" were added to the resolution.

“Is there anything new in what is proposed?” asked Mr J. »I. Perrett (Manawatu County Council). The chairman: I think you will find that will come later in the conference. “We have got certain powers in regard to the removal of trees,” said Mr J. Boyce (Manawatu County Council), “but the trouble is the compensation provision.” On being put to the conference, the resolution was carried unanimously. Power for Authorities. A further resolution was then moved by Mr Dermer, as follows: “That this conference urges on the Government the necessity for power to be given to local authorities, including power boards, to give notice to an owner or occupier of land on which trees are growing that are a menace, or likely to be a menace to electric lines and Toads, to remove such trees within a specified time, and failing removal, the local authority may • enter on the land and remove the said trees, and the cost thereof shall be a charge on the land.” “The effect of that will be to put the power boards in exactly the same position as county councils,” explained Mr Dermer.

Mr P. Purnell ( Wanganui-Kangitikei Power Board) asked why Mr Dermer had not touched on compensation in his resolution.

Mr A. C. Holms (Central Hawke’s Bay Power Board) suggested that compensation should bo made the matter of a third resolution.

Mr J. Hodgen3, M.P. (Palmerston North City Council) pointed out that section 324 of the Public Works Act practically covered all that was in the motion submitted by Mr Dermer. He suggested that the conference should confirm or otherwise section 324 and the following section, which provides for compensation. Who Should Pay for Removal?

Mr H. N. Wylie (Hawke’s Bay Power Board) suggested that Mr Dermer delete the last, few words of his resolution,, those suggesting that, the

cost of removal should bo a charge on tho land.

“I can’t see that there is a great deal in the suggestion,” replied Mr Dermer. As far as Mr Hodgens’ suggestion was concerned, ho pointed out there was no right of appeal. Mr W. Howell (Pohangina County Council) could not see much difference between what Mr Dermer had moved and the statutory powers. Mr E. O. Bond (Manawatu-Oroua Power Board) said the onus should be definitely attachable to the person whose trees were likely to cause danger to lines. “Selfish and Unfair” Mr S. J. Strachau (Pohangina County Council) said, if ho voted in favour of the resolution, he would not be voicing tho opinion of his council. He thought the proposal was selfish and unfair, especially to those who had large plantations. Mr Kissell pointed out that tho removal of trees was one question and compensation another. Ho thought an owner should have tho right to compensation for any loss resulting from removal of trees.

•Mr Dermer’s motion as amended by the deletion of the last few words was then put to the conference and carried.

Mr Dermer thereupon moved that the cost of removal should be a charge on the land. Ho said it was surprising to hear Mr Strachan talking as he had.

Mr Purnell said he had every sympathy for power boards who had suffered as a result of tho storm, but the position of the owners of trees should not be overlooked. The Government had urged people to plant trees, which was very necessary as far as the Dominion was concerned. His board had been met very reasonably by owners of trees, and he did not think it asking power boards too much to pay for the cost of removal. He opposed the resolution.

Another delegate pointed out that it was quite right that trees which were likely to be a danger should be removed, but ho did not think it fight that the owner should have to bear the whole cost of .removal. The value of trees for sheltering stock had been over-rated, said. Mr Bond. Frequently it would be found that stock gathered under a tree but not on the side where there were shelter branches. It was not fair that people who had conscientiously removed trees should be in the position of having their electrical service interrupted through trees falling belonging to persons who had been too selfish to cut them down. Shift the Power Lin&

Mr A. C. Eussell (Central Hawke’s Bay Power Board) said boards could not expect to have plantations re* moved without paying compensation. A better method in some cases would be to shift the power Tines away from tho plantations. Mr C. C. Pearce (Wairarapa Power Board) said the storm in his district IS months ago had been a blessing in disguise. It was not a fair thing that the whole cost of removal of trees should be put on the owner. In some cases tho trees had been growing long before the power boards came into existence. It would be unjust, said Mr A. Seifert (Horowhenua Power Board) to expect farmers to pay the whole cost of removal. Mr Perrett said he could not support a proposal that put the whole cost on to the owners. Direct opposition was expressed by Mr Boyce. He said there were a lot of trees that could be topped and would make excellent shelter. It seemed to him that it was now a question of no electricity or no trees. Compensation Should Be Paid While appreciating the position of power boards, Mr A. Campbell (Oroua County Council) said consideration should be given to tho man who had planted trees many years ago, He could not support a resolution that would debar a man from compensation. Mr Howell also opposed compensation not being paid. He thought power boards should now survey their districts with a view to obviating further trouble.

Mr Wylie said shelter belts for orchards were a big problem in his district. Those trees had to stay, because the prosperity of his district was dependent on, the success of the fruitgrowing industry. His board had followed the practice of paying for the cost of removal, where such was necessary, but where trimming was done the cost was borne by the owner. Option for Owner

As an amendment, Mr Wylie moved that, where trees were a menace or danger to lines, the owner or occupier be given the option of having them trimmed or topped, or cut down, the latter to be done free of charge, but the cost of the former to be borne by the occupier and become a charge on the land.

This was seconded by Mr Seifert, whereupon Mr Dormer withdrew Ms resolution.

Mr G. Brown (Wairarapa Power Board) said his board had trimmed trees initially at its own expense on the undertaking that the owner would continue. trimming at hie qwa £s•

Owner’s Bight of Appeal

pense, but some owners had failed to do their part. The view was expressed by Mr Bond that Mr Wylie’s proposals did not come up to what power boards were looking for. Ho thought the cost of removal of a tree that was a menace should be borne by the person who owned it.

“It is only the minority that we want to deal with; the majority of owners are reasonable,” commented Mr T. E. Gross (Wairarapa Power Board). Mr J, D. Wilson (Tararua Power Board) pointed out that county councils, municipalities and the P. and T. Department were liable to compensation. He did not think that power boards should endeavour to have compensation done away with. Mr J. A. Nash (chairman of the Power Boards’ Association) said his his association had circularised supply authorities after the recent storm with a view to ascertaining tho damage done. The association -would be meeting in three weeks’ time and it was probable that some representations would be made to the Government.

On being put to the conference, Mr Wylie’s resolution was carried with some dissentients.

Mr Dermer then moved: "That within ten days after tho service of notice, such owner or occupier may, by complaint under the Justices of the Peace Act, require the local authority to appear before a Magistrate to show cause why the notice should not be set aside, the Magistrate’s decision to be final.”

This was carried without comment. Mr Purnell moved: “That where the owner or occupier of a property plants any trees subsequent to tho erection of power lines which might become a menace to the lines, he be compelled to cut them down at his own cost and without compensation.” Mr J. Hodgens suggested that this was the legal position at present, but Mr Kissell said the resolution was a little broader than the relevant section of the Act. The resolution was carried unanimously. Mr W, A. Waters (Manawatu-Oroua Power Board) pointed out that his board, before putting in a new line, obtained the undertaking of the settlers that trees would be trimmed to a height that would not be dangerous to the lines.

It was decided that the resolutions should be forwarded to the Minister for Public Works and that copies should be sent to the Power Boards’ Association, the Supply Authorities’ Association, the Municipal Conference and the Counties’ Association.

Thanks to Mr Mansford for presiding were voiced by Mr Grainger, who said that, as a result of the confer-