ST. JOHN'S HILL RESERVE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14219, 17 February 1914, Page 8

ST. JOHN'S HILL RESERVE.

CUTTING DOWN THE TREES. ACTION OF THE COUNCIL STRONGLY DISAPPROVED. INDICATION MEETING LAST NIGHT. At the last meeting of the Wanganui Borough Council a letter was received from the Waitotara Cmfnty Council asking the Borough Council to cut down some trees on the St. John’s hillside which were obstructing the view of the railway line. The matter was considered by the Council and referred to the Engineer with power to act. During the week the Engineer gave instructions, and the result was that by Friday night about three chains of trees from the Avenue end were cut down. Some of the members of the St. John's branch of the Beautifying Society, dismayed at seeing their beautiful plantation ciit down, communicated with the patron of the parent society, Mr A. Hat-rick, who returned to Wanganui latcau Saturday night. The result of the comnumication was the calling of the meeting which was held in the Council Chambers last night. It was very well attended, and was presided over by Mr A. patron of the Wanganui Beautifying Society. Mr Hatrick, in his opening remarks, said' that the meeting was not called to abuse the Mayor or Council over the action they had taken, hut to ask them not to go any further in this instance, and on all future occasions to consult with the Beautifying Society before curting down any plantations on which the society had been working. He explained that the meeting had been called at very short notice, and also the matters which led up to the cutting down of the trees, as mentioned in the introduction. He went on to say that he had no hesitation in saying that in cutting down the trees some consideration, at least, should liavc been shown to the Beautifying Society. Some people would have thought that the Mayor and Council would have held an inquiry and given the society an opportunity of defending the plantation. He did not desire to make recriminations on what has been done, but a number of persons take a great deal of interest, in the proposals of the fociety in Wanganui, and if the society lot the matter go without some protest against the manner of cutting down native shrubs they would not be worthy of the name of the Wanganui Beautifying Society. In regard to what had been done at this crossing to prevent the view of the line being blocked, there had been only one accident at this crossing, so far as his recollection goes, during the past thirty years, and during a considerable period of that time a belt of high willows were growing on the same side of the line as this plantation, but more nearer the, lino. The Council, in its wisdom, decided to cut these down, and afterwards Mr Gregor McGregor and Mr Allison conceived the idea of planting the slope with shrubs and flowers. Then the Beautifying Society took the matter up. The Borough Council had been very good to the Society and had helped them along a great deal, but he considered that no accident could happen to a person going down the hill who Uses ordinary care; then why all this necessity of cutting down the native shrubs in the reserve. Ho thought that the Council, after the death of one of its employees, had acted somewhat hastily in this matter. If a person coming down the hill notices a train coming when it is too lute to cross Ike line safely, there is another avenue of escape, and lie can turn and go down London Sheet Extension. There was n« danger of a ti accident to anybody coming down the hill unless he was careless, and he ventured to say that a great proportion of accident.'' were due to carelessness. It was a pity that so many trees, including many lacebai-k trees in full bloom, had been cut down. The intention was to cut down six' chains, and three chains wore cut down on Friday’ but the damage done is not irreparable, and if some brily liantly-eoloured plant's were planted much ox the damage could be covered. This plantation was the admiration of citizens and visitors a.v well. In conclusion, he effought that the Council should go a little slow in cutting down trees in reserves where the Beautifying Society had spent so ranch time and money in making diem beautiful. He moved the following resolution;—“ That this meeting of citizens regrets the destruction of the native shrubs and other plants on the St. John’s Hill slope between the railway line and tre roadway, and respectfully requests that vo further destruction take place without evidence being taken as to the necessity or advantage in doing so, and that in this instance, and any future instance, (he executive of the Beautifying Society be given an opportunity to oppose any proposal to destroy any beanti (Ration work they have been associated with, and that this resolution be conveyed to the Mayor.’’

Mr Allison, in seconding the motion, turned the history of the Wanganui Beautifying Society. All that he asked for was a little consideration where cutting down the trees is concerned, and not to cut down more trees than were necessary.

Mr Babbage strongly supported the motion. He said that the members of the St. John’s branch were considering the question of approaching the Borough Council on this matter at its next meeting, bat when one of them saw that a start had been made in cutting the trees down stops were taken to ask Mr Ilatriek to call a public meeting. He thought that it was a mistake to refer a question of reserves to the Engineer. , It was not part of his duties, and belonged to the Reserves Committee. He said it was disheartening to those who had planted the trees and watched their growth 1 to see them cut down in this manner.

Mr Harkneys, as a member of the Beautifying Society, also supported the motion, lie was surprised and (annoyed when he saw the trees cut down. As chairman of the -Reserves Committee he had instructed that some willows trees be cut down. Hhe instructed the Engineer to cut down some trees, but no more than was absolutely necessary. The trees were a danger to the crossing and certainly should be cut down.

Cr. Sigley was somewhat surprised at the attitude of Cr. Harkucss in the matter. He considered the trees a danger to human life, and-instructions were given to have them trimmed. He claimed that one human life was worth more than all the trees cut down. He had inspected the plantation, and could not see the damage done. He thought it was a storm in a tea-cup, and not worth all this trouble. Mr Murdoch said the trees had been trimmed at the roots, but where the trees wore cut down it would be too late to prevent an' accident. He thought’ the Council might have very well considered before cutting down plantations, particularly that at St. .John's Hill, which intime will be one of the most beautiful in Wanganui. Mr Atkinson put in a plea for the pinus ..insignus at the top of the hill. It would **be a pity if this belt of trees were cut down, for it would be a long time before the bare cliff would be re-covered. HU Worship I he Mayor said that ibree weeks a«ro the Waitotara. County Council decided to send a letter to the

borough •re the trees. Why didn't the Beautifying Society make a move then, instead of calling an indignation meeting when all was over-' He thought it was only common courtesy to him to have rung him up or informed him. of the matter and asked him to do what ho could, instead of calling the meeting. The Council had always done all that was possible at all times for the society. He assured the meeting that the Council would fully discuss the matter, and, if possible, give effect to the resolution of the meeting. The motion, on being put, was carried unanimously.