WALKED OUT

Southland Times, Issue 23026, 21 October 1936, Page 4

WALKED OUT

Two Councillors Protest BREEZE ABOUT TREES Two councillors retired in protest from the council table at the meeting of the Invercargill City Council last evening. The “incident” arose out of a discussion on the removal of the trees on the western side of Elies road (at Queen’s Park). Six months ago the council passed a resolution to top the trees which were a nuisance and a danger. At last evening’s meeting the Town Clerk (Mr W. F. Sturman) reported that fresh tenders for the contract of cutting and topping of the trees had been called. The matter was in the hands of the Mayor and the chairman of the Reserves Committee with power to act. Nine tenders were received, said the Town Clerk. The tender of Kilkelly Bros, for the clear felling and removal of 70 trees had been accepted and the question of topping the others had been held over in the meantime. Stalling Alleged. It was this latest decision which caused Crs J. H. Tattersfield and H. Ritchie to protest. They accused the Reserves Committee of “stalling” and criticized the hold-up in the carrying out of the work. When the Town Clerk’s report was adopted both left the table, Cr Ritchie commenting that it was a waste of time passing resolutions to see them “washed out” at the next meeting. When the report came before the council Cr Tattersfield protested at the attitude of the Reserves Committee. A resolution had been adopted some months ago that the trees were to be topped. “Why has the topping not been carried out?” he asked. “It seems to me that there has been some stalling going on.” Cr Tatterslield added that the danger to the city’s electric power supply by the swaying of the trees had been emphasized by the city electrical engineer. The work of topping had been hung up and he wanted to know why. Cr Ritchie said that the resolution had been put through in April or May last. Nothing had yet been done, and it looked as if the outcome of the hold-up was that the work of topping would not be done at all. The ratepayers in the vicinity had complained about the nuisance caused by pine needles, and it was time something was done. It seemed to be a practice of the council to pass resolutions, then rescind them or not carry them out. Cr A. W. Jones, chairman of the Reserves Committee, said that it was a pity there was so much trouble about nothing. Cr Tattersfield was wrong on this occasion. Cr Tattersfield: The work has not been carried out.

Cr Jones: What we are concerned about is to keep the expense down. We have not been stalling, and there is no danger. The policy of the department is to take any trees down which are considered dangerous. We don’t wait until the risk of danger presents itself. With the removal of the 70 large pinus muricata trees there is no further immediate risk to the power lines, since all trees to be topped are securely anchored and have a definite lean towards the west. This work could therefore be deferred, and I would suggest engaging the services of two competent bushmen in the autumn when the topping might be carried out by the department. Cr Tattersfield: It looks as if you have made up your mind not to take the trees down. Question of Expense. The Mayor (Mr John Miller) explained that the expense had to be considered. Tenders up to £l4O for the work had been received. There had been no stalling. Cr Tattersfield: I have got my opinion that the Reserves Committee made up its mind not to take the trees down. We have had the electrical engineer’s report about the danger to the power lines. The electricity supply had been endangered more than once. Cr G. J. Reed moved that the report be received and the committee s action approved. The motion was carried on the voices. At this stage Cr Ritchie rose and said that the council had decided to top the trees because they were dangerous. The city electrical engineer said they were dangerous, yet the superintendent of the Reserves Department was allowed to overrule him. He added that the electric power supply was cut off on one occasion because of-'the trees. There had been stalling, he added. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Cr Tattersfield moved as a further motion that the topping of the trees be carried out immediately. The council had passed a resolution and the work should be done. The Mayor: The work is going to be done later in the year. The topping is only being held over in the meantime. Cr Tattersfield: Why? The Mayor: There is no money available now. Cr Jones: We can do it much cheaper than by tender. The work can be done for about £3O. Cr Tattersfield’s motion was then put and declared lost on the voices. Cr Ritchie (leaving the table): I ask to leave the meeting. It is only a waste of time sitting here passing resolutions and seeing them not carried out. The Mayor said that the council was not doing that sort of thing. Cr Ritchie (half through the doorway) : There is hardly a meeting where a resolution carried is not washed out at our next meeting. Cr Ritchie then retired. ■ He was followed by Cr Tattersfield a minute later after a division, called for by Cr Tattersfield, had been taken on his motion.

Crs J. S. Grieve, W. G. Tait and Tattersfield supported the motion, and Crs A. Scott, E. J. McLauchlan, J. R. Hanan, A. W. Jones and G. J. Reed opposed it. Cr Tattersfield then rose from the table and saying, “Good evening, sir,” retired from the chamber. There was no comment on the action of the councillors.