MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19882, 8 March 1939, Page 12

MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS

DAMAGED AND STOLEN

RUTENE ROAD TREES

STOCK IN GLADSTONE ROAD

BOR 0 UGII PLAN TATI OX K

A number of trees planted by the Gisborne Borough Council in reserves and on the roadside have been damaged and stolen, according to the report of the borough engineer, Mr. E. R. Thomas, to last night’s meeting of the council.

Trees on the Eutene road croquet courts were thriving well, ire reported, except those damaged by stock or stolen. Flowering cherries m Gladstone roacl which were watered and sprayed during the season also had made good progress, except where wandering stock had damaged the tops.

“If it is found that stock cannot be better controlled,” the report added, “it may be necessary to consider completely covering the trees with larger tree guards.”

Mr. Thomas added that in the Botanical Gardens a good general colour effect had been maintained, despite the dry weather, and the construction of the glass house for the raising of seedlings was now practically completed. The newly-grassed areas on Read’s quay and the Kaiti Esplanade had weathered the dry conditions very well, the finer grasses now forming a good sward.

In Ayton Park the grading work was completed, and the sowing oi grass seed was ready to proceed when the weather was suitable. Satisfactory progress was being made with the preparation of the recreational areas in Anzac Park, 24 men being engaged on the work, and certain poitions completed would be sown in grass when suitable weather arrived. The grading of the south-west extension of Read’s quay would be in readiness for sowing shortly.

DAMAGE TO CABLE

CLAIM ON COUNCIL

PROTECTION FOR TREES

A claim for the cost of repairs to an underground telephone cable was made on the Borough Council, which met last night, when it was decided to review toe possibility of Having to remove a row of trees which threatened to be in the way of the cable.

The Post and Telegraph Department wrote advising that two faults developed in the department’s underground telephone cable in Fox street, between Whitaker and Russell streets, caused by the breaking of the lead sheathing where it had been struck by an iron standard used as a protection around ornamental trees, and it appeared the department had no option but to render an account for the cost of the necessary repairs, which would be approximately £8 or £9. The trees planted would also interfere with the cable when they grew larger.

The deputy-Mayor, Cr. J. If. Hall, said that the council had given the Beautifying Association permission to plant trees subject to the engineer’s permission, but the engineer, Mr. E. R. Thomas, had no knowledge of the trees in question being planted. Although the council might be legally liable it was not morally liable, because the tree was planted without the council’s permission. He did not wish the street to be deprived of trees, but it seemed that they should have to be moved.

On the motion of Cr. A. L. Singer, the matter was referred to the reserves committee for a report.