BEAUTIFYING SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26777, 21 May 1948, Page 3

BEAUTIFYING SOCIETY

Trees in Reed Street It was reported at a meeting of the North Otago Beautifying Society on Wednesday night that the Borough Council would be taking some action about the trees in Reed street. Complaints had been received by the council about the condition of the footpaths, channelling and roads, and the trees had proved a constant source of worry to the Waitaki Electric Power Board Dr A. Smith Morton was in the chair. Mr J. H. Main said that in the larger centres it was not the trees that were shifted when they Interfered with the power lines, but the lines themselves. Dr E. S. Stubbs said that trees would be able to grow a little taller with the use of the new concrete poles, but the trees would eventually have to be cut out. Dr R. S. Orbell said that the trees were undoubtedly one of the finest avenues in the district, and that he had not heard anything worthy of causing their destruction. He said that the association had been in operation in the town for 40 years, and that' once trees were planted they became the property of the town, and subsequently the care of the council. Dr Stubbs suggested that every alternate tree be removed and that the remaining be root-pruned. The root-prun-ing would be costly, but would need doing only every 12 or 14 years and would save the trees from destruction. It was decided to leave the decision over until final word had been received from the council. It was reported that the late Miss Ferguson, ex-principal of the Waitaki Girls’ High School, had made a grant of £SO to the society. A discussion took place on the area behind the Post Office, and It was proposed that the site be levelled off with a bulldozer and the trees along the river be removed. It was recommended that the area be sown with grass and used as a rest centre rather than a playground. It was recommended that the reserve be celled after the Banks family, who were enthusiastic members of the society. It was decided to ask permission from the Borough Council to carry out the plan as recommended to the meeting. It was also reported that the trees in Takaro Park had been unduly mutilated and it was decided to make a grant of £25 to help to pay for the cost should the power lines be put underground in the near future.