FIFTY YEARS AGO

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21881, 17 August 1934, Page 8

FIFTY YEARS AGO

TREES IN CITY STREETS CONTROVERSY OVER REMOVAL The danger of beautifying trees being removed from main thoroughfares with the growth of the city was felt even as long ago as 50 years, when a controversy was raging regarding the removal bv the City Council of trees in certain city sireets, including Pitt and Hobson Streets. As a result of petitions, action was suspended temporarily by the council. City streets from which trees have since been removed include Wellesley, Pitt ami Hobson Streets. In the Herald of August 18. 1884, a correspondent, "Verdant Green," wrote as follows: —"Mr. Doonin objects to trees in Hobson Street, because he believes' that shortly it will be all shops from end to end, and apparently thinks that showy tickets with 'Try our Is 9d blend' are more soothing to the eyes of the public in the glare of the midday sun than the beautiful green leaves of the oak tree, or that a passing glanoe at 'our Waikato stilton' is more 'the cheese' than the graceful boughs of the weeping birch. "People often say, 'What has become of the fine gum trees (well known to be the best antidote to fevers) which were for so many years growing around and shading St. Matthew's Church?' and now, of course, we know that they were felled in Use of being dangerous to life and limb, which is in one way a satisfactory announcement, because illnatured persons are in the habit of saying that they were cut down and used for firewood by people who were well able to purchase it otherwise."