CONSERVING TREES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23037, 14 May 1938, Page 16

CONSERVING TREES

TIMES NOW CHANGED OFFICIAL CONSIDERATION TWO NOTABLE EXAMPLES [BY TELEGRAPH- —OWN CORRESPONDENT] WELLINGTON, Friday "Times have changed—changed well," remarked the Minister of Internal Affairs, tho Hon. W. F.. Parry, when replying to a beautifying society deputation in Wellington. "I can remember it was a common sight not long ago to see State and municipal officials busy cutting down native trees —trees which in tho many years of their life in popular thoroughfares had grown over telephone or electric wires, or had spread their roots and lifted up the pavements a little. To-day officials think deeply before they do any hacking of beautiful trees on our side-walks. "Hero is a case which gives point to what I have said: Tho limbs of a giant pohutukawa wore spreading over tho telephone lines of Riverside Esplanade, Wbangarei. The district telegraph engineer wrote, in reply to an inquiry by the Whangarei Harbour Board as to tho fate of the tree, saying: 'lt is appreciated that it is uudesirable that the growth of tho pohutukawa bo impeded, and it is hoped that within 15 months the wires will be replaced with an underground cable. In the meantime, no trimming, if rendered necessary, will be undertaken without first consulting the board.' The board promptly wrote thanking the engineer for his consideration. That is a fine spirit. See how strong now is the love of the New Zealander for native trees. ' Reference was nlso made by the Minister to the preservation as a public asset of a pohutukawa tree about 70 years old at the corner of Leach and Cameron Streets, New Plymouth. "This historical pohutukawa," Mr. Parry said, "which was on land dedicated to the borough council, was brought to New Plymouth by Mr. Tom Mitchell, of the Armed Constabulary, and was planted by his brother-in-law, Mr. Thomas Inch. The action of the borough council in preserving the tree, around which it is proposed to place a seat for tho public, is praiseworthy; it gives further evidence of the measures taken by local authorities and their officers to protect native trees."