ALPHA STREET TREES

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3423, 22 February 1936, Page 5

ALPHA STREET TREES

POSITION WITH POWER BOAR® DISCUSSION BY COUNCILLORS The question of the interference of trees in the borough with power lines,,;; and the Cambridge Power Board’s offer to move its line in* Alpha' ‘Street, to avoid cutting the trees, was again before the Borough Council at its meeting on Thursday evening.

The subject arose when the deputy Mayor, Cr Edgar James, explained to the Mayor, Mr C. H. Priestley, that at the last meeting of the council (at which the Mayor was not present) the Power Board had renewed its offer to shift the high tension line in Alpha Street across the road provided the council contributed £l2 towards the cost. At that meeting, the councillors had favoured accepting the Power Board’s offer, blit had agreed to defer thehnatter until the Mayor returned. After some discussion, it was decided that the council should inspect all the trees in the borough on Tuesday, March 3, paying particular attention to Alpha Street. Mr Priestley stated that at a previous meeting it had been left to him to arrange the cutting of the Alpha Street trees. He said the position to be considered now included all the trees in the borough. “The trees are getting* the better of us,” said the Mayor, and added that he thought the advice of an ex- j pert should be obtained. He con-/ sidered that if the pruning commenced a few years ago had

been carried out there would not now be any interference with power lines.

In connection with Alpha Street, Mr Priestley said that when he was a member of the Power Board, the engineer had recommended moving the line to the other side of the street. The state of the line and poles made it necessary for something to be done, and he had hoped that the Power Board would have borne the cost.

Mr Priestley further contended* that the line had been erected in the wrong place, as the trees had been planted previously. He said that the Power Board should face the position in its own interests. The wires were in a bad state and practically bare. Cr W. Moore considered that the Power Board, of which he is also a member, had made a very fair offer, which would not be repeated. The trees would have to be cut year after year, unless the offer was accepted. The Mayor: I am of the opinion that the council should keep the trees clear until the Power Board shifts the line, as it must do in the future.

Cr Moore then moved that the Power Board’s offer be accepted and this was seconded by Cr James. Cr Mervyn Wells (also chairman of the Power Board): It may be better to give the Mayor an opportunity to look into the matter afresh. The Power Board ‘and the Borough Council are getting on very well at present and if the matter is pressed feelings may be upset. The sum of only £l2 is concerned. Cr James: I am not considering the Power Board, but entirely the interests of the council. The board has the power behind it to make the line safe, and in doing so may disfigure the trees. For the sake of £l2, we should allow the trees to grow their natural course. The Mayor stated that at a previous meeting it had been minuted that the matter be left in his hands, and he had instructed the engineer to have the trees cut. The end tree that was badly disfigured had been cut by the Power Board’s men. Cr Geo. Calvert thought that alt the trees in the borough should be pruned. He moved that all the trees be inspected by the whole council, and a report presented to the next meeting, with special reference to Alpha Street.

Cr Wells: I’m in favour of anything that will keep the peace. The Mayor: Seconded by Cr Wells. Cr Wells stated that one tree had been cut with urgency by the board as the work had not been carried out by the council. He admitted that the line was bad aad several poles in disrepair, but they would serve for two or three years yet.

At this stage it was realised that Cr Moore’s resolution was out of order, and he then gave notice of motion to rescind the previous resolution authorising the Mayor to deal with the matter of cutting the trees. Cr Moore also withdrew his previous resolution, and ft was decided to hold an inspection of all trees in the borough on Tuesday, March 3.