KAWHIA IMPROVEMENTS

Waipa Post, Volume 37, Issue 2227, 27 October 1928, Page 4

KAWHIA IMPROVEMENTS

RETAINING WALL AUTHORISED. TO PROTECT ANCIENT POH.UTUKAWAS. q tf-;. Lovers of beautiful and historic trees will be interested to learn that the Government has provided a grant on the Public Wiorks Estimates, for scenery preservation, to erect a retaining wall lalong a portion of the harbour front to protect some very old pohutukawa trees—just how old they are is uncertain, but it is claimed for them that they are older than any other pohutukawas in New Zealand — that are- in danger or destruction through erosion of the bank upon which they are growing. Some time ago it was realised by Kawhia residents that if protective wtork was not undertaken soon the combined action of the- tides and the Easterly gales would cause the trees to topple over, but the Town Board had no funds with which to do the work. Recourse was had to ijhjj Government, and the appeal fell on sympathetic ears, for a deputationist, who returned from Wellington this week, was assured by the Surveyor-General that he was thoroughly conversant with the problem, following reports by officers of his Department and strong representations from the Scenery Preservation Board, which considered the work one calling for early attention. The SurveyorGeneral said he) was happy to state that the nece’saary money had been voted, and instructions had been sent along to the Public Works Department to complete the plana for the retaining wall as early as so that the work might be completed eafily. The wall will, we understand, be built outside the two pohutukawa clumps, and the enclosed area filled in by grading the bank, thus making access to sections further along available at aill stages of the tide, and ensuring the preservation of the historic old trees for an indefinite period.