FELLING OF PINE TREES

Taranaki Daily News, 15 October 1931, Page 12

FELLING OF PINE TREES

POSITION AT WAITARA DOMAIN. OPINIONS OF SPORTS BODIES. Twenty-nine of the 42 pinus insignis trees on the western side of Camp Reserve, Waitara, are to be felled, and the proceeds utilised in effecting improvements to the Domain. This action was decided on last night by the Waitara Borough Council, sitting as the Domain Board. At the previous meeting a deputation from the Waitara Cycling and Athletic Club asked permission to fell all the front row of trees on that side of the ground, but the council deferred consideration to allow the other sports bodies concerned to express their opinions. At last night’s meeting replies were received! from the hockey and football clubs favouring the project, from the bowling club favouring the removal of 20 of the trees from the o-randstand to Cameron Street, aud from the tennis club objecting to the removal of any trees from the grandstand southwards towards the courts, which, they considered would be unplayable during south-westerly and westerly winds. After hearing the expressions of opinion from the various clubs, the Mayor moved that permission be given to the sports club to remove 20 trees from Camcron Street to the stand, the proceeds to be utilised as . stated. The removal of those trees might possibly remove the objectioris to the removal of the other trees later on, he said. He thought, however, a Lausoniana hedge should be planted to replace them. The motion lapsed for want of a seconder. Cr. Glasgow said he visited th.e ground that afternoon, which was a suitable day to demonstrate the viewpoint of the tennis club, which was the only body to lodge a serious objection. It was a case in which the greatest good for the greatest number h<4.to be considered, aud he did not think the sports body should be restrained from carrying out its improvements unless there were serious objections. The tennis club was in favour of the sports club cutting down all the trees but 13, which the tennis club considered essential to protect the courts. . He considered that would meet the views of all parties. He moved that the sports club be permitted to cut down 20 trees on the north side of the grandstand and nine on the south side. This was seconded by Cr. Wilson. " In the interests of the beautification of the domain, Or. T. B. Ewens wanted to see the whole row of trees cut down. The sports club would then plant a Lawsoniana hedge. He moved as an amendment that the whole of the outside row of trees be felled. Cr. Spurdle, in seconding, said that if the trees had been looked after in the early days there would not have been the agitation for their removal. The trees had' now outlived their usefulness. -The amendment was lost and motion was carried.