79 — 
PLANTING THE PUBLIC ROADS WITH TREES. 
By the Ordinance No. 13 of 1875 § XI a very important 
power was conferred upon the Government, of planting trees 
upon the lands belonging to private individuals along the sides 
of the public roads, should the proprietors after due notice fail 
to plant of their own accord. The Ordinance has been followed 
up by the issue of public notices calling attention to the new 
powers thus conferred. The planting is to apply to roads 
“within” 1,200 feet of the sea level. 
I am not aware of the reasons which induced the Council 
to make any limit, as the sun at mid-day is quite as strong at 
Vacoa or Curepipe which are above the limit, as elsewhere, 
and there are roads in both neighbourhoods, witness the road 
from Curepipe to Mahebourg for three or four miles down- 
wards, which would be greatly improved by trees. So far as 
advantage is anticipated to the general healthiness of the Is- 
land from the increase of plantations that result would be 
equally obtained by planting in the higher districts. But at 
all events let us make the most of the law which we have got. 
I believe that a sum has been voted for this year to begin 
to put the Ordinance into operation and that Mr Horne, who 
is doing more in a quiet way to alter the face of the Island 
than the public are generally aware of, has already commenced 
work. As a moderate amount will no doubt be allowed for 
some years to come, the best mode of applying the money, and 
reaping the greatest benefit from the enactment comes to be a 
question of public interest. 
For my own part, I think the provision of the Ordinance 
an excellent one, and that it puts into the hands of the Woods 
