TREES IN STREETS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23278, 14 August 1945, Page 6

TREES IN STREETS

Not To Be Removed In Meantime “Like the Mayor, I love trees; they are God's greatest gift to man and beast; in their proper setting they are a joy forever, but their proper setting is not in a narrow asphalted street,” declared Cr. J. McDougall at a meeting of the Timaru Borough Council last night, when he made a strong but unsuccessful plea for the removal of the pussy-willow trees in White and William Streets. “Already the writing is on the wall,” he continued. “The roots of these trees are extending, forcing up the pavements. breaking the channels, damaging private property, interfering with the sewerage system. Their branches are a constant menace to electric wires and are a danger to pedestrians on the streets at night. Their leaves continue to block the channels. It is too much to ask the ratepayers to foot the bill for the damage they cause in compensation for the beauty they provide.” . In his report on the subject, the borough engineer (Mr R. J. Comne) suggested that these trees should be removed, but the Reserves Committee recommended that the matter be reviewed when the half-yearly financial statement was available. The engineer estimated that the cost of removal would be £1 a tree. Cr. F. Chittock (chairman of tne Reserves Committee* informed the Council that there were 40. trees m William Street and 20 in White Street. Cr McDougall's motion for tne removal of the trees lapsed for the want of a seconder, and the committee s recommendation was adopted.