CIVIC MATTERS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 3 June 1930, Page 7

CIVIC MATTERS

COMMENT BY EX-COUNCILLOR 'To tho Editor) Sir,—Although now out of the City Council, I may perhaps bo pardoned for commenting on two matters discussed at Hio last meeting as it so Happens that X was .keenly interested in both of them during my term on the CouncilRludflat Reclamation: I notice that on Councillor Page's motion the question of the reclamation of the portion of the mudflat north of Anzac Park to tho Council's stables was referred to Committee. Several times while on tho Council I tried to get this matter taken up, and by various stages, at my instigation, we secured the consent of tho Public Works or Railway Departments, or both, to carry spoil from tho Haven road hill across the road and railway line, either on the flat or overhead, and also a report by the City Engineer as to the approximate cost of reclaiming from Halifax street down to Auckland Point and across to the Tip. Later, knowing that I was not standing for reelection, and to get something definitely decided, I gave notice of motion to apply to the Loans Board for permission to take a poll on the proposal to raise not more than £14,000 for the purpose. The estimate was a liberal one and with tho extra filling since done by rubbish, no doubt it could be considerably reduced, i

I agreed to a proviso that the poll should be postponed till some other poll was being taken, in order to save expense, . and it seems to me that the pres«nt is precisely the opportunity that was intended, namely, when other loans cire heing submitted. If there were- only one loan of great importance and urgency, another one might prejudice it, but I understand that loans for gasworks, drainage of the western area, fire engine and Trafalgar Park pavilion are probably being taken, but the above proposal which six of tho present Council committed themselves to place before the ratepayers has either been lost sight of or shelved. I do not say that it would be carried but it is time the public had the opportunity of voting on the question. It appeals to me as the outstanding public work remaining to be done in the city, and I sincerely hope the Council will keep faith with the resolution which stands on the books.

Botanical Hill: The periodical suggestion to clear the Hill and plant shrubs has been raised again, and will, I hope, be again defeated. t I was one of a' sub-committee some time ago, in company with, I think, Councillors Gibbs and Russell, to inspect the trees and make any recommendations desired. We proposed cutting out some 15 or 20 trees in various places, where they were doing no good or crowding others. This was done and I think the greater number of the existing trees are perfectly healthy. No doubt if shrubs had been planted 40 years ago when tho, pines were put in, they would look very well now, but in spite of the Mayor's remaitks, the Hill is at present a landmark from all parts pf the city, and although a single pine tree may not be particularly beautiful, the massed effect is very fine, while if they were all cleared it would be many years before shrubs could possibly make any headway o» the very poor soil of the steep hillsides. As to the shading of properties on the southern side, this also is very greatly exaggerated. I have lived for nine years of the past ten in the locality 'from which the complaint emanated and consider that it is the top of the hill itself which is mainly responsible. The actual trees on the skyline do not keep more than a few minutes' morning sun 1 off any of the houses. In any case the hill and trees were there before the houses, arid residents kjiow what they are doing before they build. "When the question arose once before I referred the matter to the then Director of'Forestry (Capt. Macintosh Ellis) who knows Nelson well, for an opinion, and in a letter which you published at the time, he condemned" the proposal absolutely both from practical and aesthetic points of view.—I-am, etc., - E.R.NEALE. Nelson, Ist June. •