MENACE OF TREES

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXXI, Issue 46, 25 February 1936, Page 5

MENACE OF TREES

To Electric Supply Lines

CONFERENCE IN PALMERSTON N. WIDER POWERS SOUGHT (Per Press Association'-

PALMERSTON N., Last Night. Proposals to minimise the damage and loss caused during storms by falling trees on electrical supply lines, were discussed at a conference to-day of representatives of power boards, county councils and municipalities, when it was decided to make representations to the Government with a view to wider powers being given supply authorities to deal with trees likely to become a menace.

' The delegates numbered more 'than 50, while the Post and Telegraph and Public Works Departments were also represented. Six members of Parliament were also in attendance. MS A. ID. Mansford, Mayor of Palmerston North, presided. The conference was a sequel to the hurricane which swept the Manawatu, Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa, at the beginning of the month, causing thousands of pounds loss in electrical lines alone. A resolution was passed as follows: — “That this conference urge on the Government the necessity for power to be given local authorities, including power boards, to give notice to the owner or occupier of land on which trees are growing when they are a menace or likely to be a menace to lines and roads, to remove them within a specified time, and failing removal, the local body may enter on the land and remove them.”

The following resolution was also passed, but not unanimously: “That where trees are a menace or danger to lines, the owner or occupier be given the option of having them trimmed, or topped, or cut down, the latter to be done free of charge, but the cost of the former be borne by the occupier and become a charge on the land.” It was also decided that where the occupier plants trees subsequent to the erection of lines, he be compelled to cut them down at his own cost if they are a menace.