CUTTING DOWN OF TREES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22211, 11 September 1935, Page 16

CUTTING DOWN OF TREES

POWER BOARD'S ORDER AUTHORITY QUESTIONED [bt telegraph—OWN correspondent] MATAMATA, Tuesday An interesting position has arisen with regard to the authority of electricpower boards in ordering the removal of trees that interfere with power lines over domain lands. The position is that in 1914 certain lands wore added to the Matamata Domain, with the intention that trees were to be planted for shelter and beautifying the town. The trees were not planted until 1930, and in the meantime, in 1921, the Thames Valley Electric-Power Board carried its power lines across the land yi question. The trees haire now grown to such a height as to be a menace to the lines and the power board has notified the Matamata Domain Board that the trees are to be removed. The Domain Board appealed to the, Lands Department for a ruling arid at last night's meeting a reply was received from the department stating that although there was no record of permission having been given to the power board to erect the lines, the trees would undoubtedly be dangerous. The department suggested that the Domain Board review the position. The board is reluctant to destroy the trees, members being of the opinion that the power board should not have such wide powers. It was pointed out that the department's reply had refrained l ! rom stating what it considered the legal position to be. Members of the Domain Board are to inspect the property and the matter will be discussed further at its next meeting.