TREE-PLANTING IN THAMES STREET.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12292, 20 July 1914, Page 7

TREE-PLANTING IN THAMES STREET.

To the Editor. Sir. —I have read much inteTe.se the correspondence which has jatev' boon carried on in your columns in regard xo the planting of trees in Thames street. When first I heard of the I'cautii'ying Society's intention oi' taking this most commendable work in hand, it appeared as though Oamaru's civic forefathers must have been inspired when the planning of the main street was carried out, so that future generations might inaugurate the work of beautifying, by planting trees. Now, I am only .1 farmer, living in . the. country, and do not very often go'into the town; but when told by an irate opponent of the planting scheme .that the Beautifying Society had commenced their work of destruction, that the whole street was being wantonly ruined, and that there was absolutely no room for traffic to pass, my simple reply was "Calm your troubled mind." However, I have since witnessed tho fruits of the Society's labors myself, and have no hesitation whatever ;n .saying that- it is indeed a pity this laudable work was not carried out years ago ; and to-day visitors to Oam.wi would surely remark, ''What a■beautiful street." Some of your ratepayers may argue that as I am only a farmer and have no interests in the town, I have no right to criticise a matter that does not concern me. 'Well, sir, if the trees servo 110 other purpose, tliey will very materially assist to regulate the traffic, a thing which is sorely needed in Oamarti. and that concerns me as much as anyone; but apart from that, although T am only a farmer, I am not, heaven .be praised, so narrow-minded that I do not- want to .see the town progress. Why is it that, whenever any progressive idea is promulgated by an individual or a society in Oamaru for the general good of the whole community, there arises a storm of indignation and protestation from a certain section of irate critics. , whose one and only aim seems to he to obstruct in every possible manner, and to endeavor to prevent sueh progressive ideas being carried into effect. Surely the Beautifying Society are worthy the •thanks of the whole district for the interest they display in matters regarding the beautifying of.the town. When Severn street' was planted the' samecriticism was encountered, and the aims antl objects of the Society were imperilled by strong oppasition. But what is the result to-day? Probably those who were then most strongly opposed to the scheme are ardent supporters of it now, and so it will be in regard to Thames street in a few year* 1 time. I notice that one of your correspondents is in terror lest- the trees should reach a height of SO feet! Even so, should they display an ambition to i aspire to such*a glorious height, their aspirations, metaphorically speaking, will'soar at. least 70 feet fi inches above those which their anxious, smallminded would-be-destroyers are ever likely to soar to—unless they become converts to the scheme, which 1 (irmly believe they will. In any case, surely the trees can at all times be pruned when necessary. The opposition meeting held recently was simply ludicrous, their criticism destructive as usual, their arguments puerile. Those who argue there is no room for traffic since the trees have been planted require to travel just a little. Your correspondent who. in effect, said if motorists cannot drive and turn in Thames" street they had better retire to a 40-acre paddock and be labelled "Dangerous," wrote truthfully. In Christchurch. at the present time, people with progressive ideas are looking for room to plant - trees in streets, not one of which is as wide as Thames street. It is a great pity that some people in Oamaru will not educate themselves to a higher plane of thought instead oi remaining in one rut all their lives. In conclusion. Sir, may 1." even though only a farmer, congratulate the Beautifying Society for supplying Thames street with what it has long been in need of. May I also congratulate those Councillors who have assisted the Society to carry out this laudable work. May 1 say to those who are. opposed to this work: '"Go and travel. ' and lastly to all supporters and admirers of the tree-planting: "Joys that cost nothing give us little pleasure." — I am. etc., ONLY A FAR MER.