THAMES STREET TREE-PLANTING.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12284, 10 July 1914, Page 1

THAMES STREET TREE-PLANTING.

To the Editor. ' j Si,. _-Ul the Beautifying Society's tree,'in Thames street south are nowplanted, and the public generally can see that a serious mistake has been perpetrated, both In regard to design, utility, public, safety, and wasteful expenditure of public money, and that n, the trees are allowed to remain m the street the annual expense and tinis-iim-e—both public and private —will >koutrageous. . . XGtivith.stnnd.iiLg the above acts. =ome Councillors' believe ■ and know that the oxneirse and danger of tne trees "already planted will bo serious, vet thev art-'-so soft-hearted to do their dntv. because the 'subsxnptions - and subsidies have been expended by the Beautfving Societv with the Councils consent. Although the vote-, of the Council to stop the tree-plantmg on the frontage of block 95 was lost by one vote (4 to 5). yet. I understand, there are eight members of the Uouncil who believe that the trees are detrimental to the welfare of the borough in everv ivnv: but they have- not verewed m> their courage to act in accordance "with their convictions and . their signed declarations. the trees i are alf planted now; .therefore the , agreement with the B'eautifymg boei'etv is fulfilled—nothing to rescind; find' the Council is in honor bound to I act promptly in the best interests oi tho ratepayers, even to the extent of the removal of tlie tree* irrespective of cost, sentiment, or private friendships. Just to encourage the Mayor and Councillors to do their duty, please allow me to give a grand example o, heroism that occurred in Oamaru about three years ago: "The Oamaru Harbor Board'had a" pontoon suction plant at work, supposed to be assisting in the dredning of the harbor; but it had proved to be a delusion and a snare to the member.* of the Board after a very large expenditure of revenue had been incurred; and Mr W. Gardiner (a hero bold), without any -previous notice of motion moved. 'That the pontoon suction plant scheme be abandoned, which was promptly: seconded and carried without any 'further loss to the Board or the community." 1 beg to suggest to the Mayor and Councillors that they go and do likewise with the trees jsnt planted ,n Thames street south, by transplanting them into Takaro and King Gonrge'.v Park-, thereby rising in their own ana the public's 'esteem. Have courage and be bold; dare to act like Gardiner. If you stand alone, ' If you'have a purpose firm, bare to make it. known. - I am, etc.. HOPEFUL YET.