PLANT HUTT ROAD

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12485, 29 June 1926, Page 8

PLANT HUTT ROAD

MOTOR CLUB SUPPORTS SHOULD CITIZENS BE ASKED TO JOIN? ARTISTIC MARINE DRIVE The Wellington Automobile Club has given its blessing to the proposal to plant an avenue of trees along the Hatt road, and ways and means are to he gone into in due course. The executive of the club met yesterday afternoon, Mr H. Kilmer presiding, When the proposal was outlined by Councillor H. D. Bennett. The Mayor of Lower Hutt, Mr VV. T. Strand, was also to have addressed the meeting, but was detained at Eastbourne by trouble with his car. Amongst those present were Dr Roberts, Messrs H. W. Sbo-rtt, A. L. Warburton, C. A. L. Treadwell, R. W. MdVilly. and H. J. Stott (secretary). Councilor H. D. Bennett said he was not speaking as a member of the Highways Board or the City Council, but as a motorist and member of the club. He thought their organisation might take up the planting of tb» Hutt road, making it a long avenne ucT trees. It would be necessary to approach the City Council for consent. He would like the secretary to approach the City Council, and if that body was willing they could make - a magnificent drive from Tborndon to Petone esplanade. They should call on members to subscribe one tree or more each. The cost would be very small, the trees costing about £5 a hundred, but each would have to be fenced in. It was thought they should be about every chain on one side only for a start, which would be about eighty to the mile. With fencing, etc., the cost would be about £2 10s each. Ho would like to see pohutukawas, although they might have Norfolk pines as well. It would then be similar to the trees planted at Oriental Bay, and they would have a Marine Drive from Island Bay right round to Eastbourne. He thought members of the club should take up this work, in which all motorists could take part. A little plate could be attached to the enclosure, showing who the donor was, and the donor would watch the tree and see that, it was replaced- if anything happened to it. £I3OO SCHEME The chairman said the whole cost would run from £looo* to £I3OO. Lf the council would sanction it, the club could consider what it would do in the matter. He thought they might call a meeting of motorists. .Councillor A. L. Warburton thought the scheme an excellent one. The question was h<.w it would affect the lighting. He thought lights were necessary at nteivols. .Mr H. W. Phortt thought the icbeme should commend and bo thought citizens generally would like to come into the scheme. In a few years’ time trees would make the road a real beauty spot. .Mr Warburton said if they could get different shades of pohutukawas it would look ve.-y fine. Dr Roberts thought pohutukawas and Noifolk pine alternately would be vqry effective. _Mr R. W. Mc-Villy pointed out that there were high-power lines on one side of the road, and the electric railway signalling on tho other, and trees had to be a certain distanco away. Otherwise he approved the scheme. Air A. L. Treadwell said he was informed that pohutukawas would not liye on Hie sea side of the road. Councillor Bennett said the city engineer would not raise any objection so long as the trees did not interfere with the visibility of traffio. Incidentally the planting of the trees and the making of the fences would jirovide work for the unemployed. . WORK FOR UNEMPLOYED The chairman said he thought the Forestry League should do something in the matter. He knew how splendid the trees looked in France in 1914. He was in charge of lorries and ha ,was much impressed by the splen-did,-trees along the roads, although they, were later sacrificed to the exigencies of tho war. He wonld rather see native trees there than Norfolk.. pines. He moved that the club take the initiative in obtaining the planting of tr-3-.s on the Hutt road. Mr H. W. Shortt thought they )houU obtain some definite informa-hou-to place before the executive. De Roberts seconded the motion, which was carried.

It was decided to write to the ForSrtry .Department for information as K» suitable types of trees. Possible damage from or to pipes in the {round, etc., and other {joints are ttfloxto be investigated. Mr Treadwell said he would und-er-k***’-to get a special report from ex* pert*r as to th* most suitable trees for planting. Mr McViUy said they should also get m touch with the P. and T. Departurient, which had various wires underground. Councillor Bennett thought they should take steps at once to obtain the consent of the City Council. It was decided to write to the City Council in the matter.