Destruction of Trees

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20016, 15 August 1939, Page 16

Destruction of Trees

Sir, —It is surprising that a report presented 1 by the reserves committee of the Borough Council should be so badly couched; and the report so incorrect that the City Fathers should have carried such a proposition. The fact of the council doing so is only a further instance of a resolution being passed without full knowledge of the tacts. The report states: “The

trees had outlived their usefulness." This statement is far from the truth. The tree that was destroyed was a

magnificent specimen of its kind, having a long straight barrel, the branches being a uniformity of clust-

ering foliage and beauty. It was a feast for mortal eyes, there being no irregularity in the slightest degree—a tree .that any person would be proud

to have in any park, domain or section. Moreover, this tree, on account of the density of its leaves did have value as shade. On the two points 'raised in support of its contention the committee was absolutely wrong. In proof of this the tree is cut down and any person can see that this destruction is a shocking state of things as its beauty is still selfevident.

I have a circular sent to me, purporting for its main objective the beautification of Gisborne. It reads thus: “Your council is charged with the duty of ensuring .... that the effort is worthy of the splendid pio neers who so ably blazed the trail for us and our successors. Our Australian cousins have fittingly acknowledged by permanently recording their thanks and honoured their pro-

genitors, thus reminding future gens' erations of the basis of their heritage.” When one considers that the early pioneers of this distric. faithfully performed the sentiment expressed above, it is an insult to their memory when the council destroys .the heritage they established. Men with outstanding courage, energy and ability, though handicapped with great disability, surmounted and overcame the difficulties, making a wilderness of briars and scrub into a place of pleasure for thousands. Their memory planted in the life of the town by a memorial of trees should be honoured, not spurned as has been done. I have already had the thanks of not only sportsmen but many of the leading citizens for condemning such a sacrilege. The honour to our progenitors should be respected. If not, then those who dishonour it lose our respect. Please note, first, the destruction of the beautiful, and, secondly, the destruction of the memorial to the dead. W. S. BLACK.