Newspaper Article 1933 – Preservation of Trees

Preservation of Trees

THE WAIKOKO GARDENS.

A proposal made by Mr F.L. Gordon during this week’s special general meeting of the Hawke’s Bay A. and P. Society, and taken up with much enthusiasm by others present, resulted in about five minutes in the raising of a sum of £125 for the preservation of the trees at Waikoko. Other subsequent subscriptions raised the total to £145.

Mr. Gordon rose to express a hope that something would be done to ensure that the beautiful trees in the Waikoko gardens would not be destroyed, but would be preserved for their own beauty’s sake and as a memorial to the late Mr Wm. Nelson. “I would like to offer £10 to purchase a tree as a memorial to the old gentleman,” said Mr Gordon, and other offers followed instantly. Mr. J.H. Macniven, who presided, had a busy time for a few minutes as a sort of impromptu auctioneer selling the rights over the trees, and twenty were quickly disposed of. The most interesting purchase was made on the Hastings Borough Council’s behalf by the Mayor, Mr G.A. Maddison, who offered £25 for the deodar (cypress deodara) which stands at the eastern end of the homestead, and which was planted by his father-in-law, the late Mr R. Wellwood, who was Hastings’ first mayor.

There are many more trees for sale, and the society’s hope is that they will all find protectors on similar terms.

The so-called purchases give rise to interesting speculations upon the rights of property that the “owners” will have in relation to the trees, comments the Hawke’s Bay Herald. Such speculations are more academic than related to realities, however, for it is not likely that the relative rights of the purchasers and the society will ever become a matter for legal argument. It is amusing to consider, however, what lawyers might make of the argument whether the buyers of the trees have any proprietary rights in their purchases.

Printed and published by WILFRED GORDON PLUMMER and FREDERICK DUNCAN GRAHAM at their registered Printing Office, Vogel St., Woodville,

FRIDAY DECEMBER 1, 1933.