The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, JULY 28, 1902.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 486, 28 July 1902, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, JULY 28, 1902.

A SPIRIT OF VANDALISM. A stranger arriving in Gisborne three or four years ago rejoiced to see the number of trees that surrounded the town, and on coming ashore and strolling through the streets this feeling was increased. Hut the scene has changed and thy aesthetic spirit that aforetime pervaded has been crushed. Every householder who has a line pine tree or a macrocarpa of any size thinks it is the proper thing to cut it down and the good work of the Beautifying Association is being daily counteracted by the vandalistie tendencies of many of our citizens. Even the church authorities who should have set an example in preserving all the beauties of nature have themselves shown a disposition to .sweep from ofT tncir property trees that were deemed by many to be an ornament to the place. The Borough Councillors have also shown a disposition 1o grant every request made to them for the destruction of the trees that once decorated the main thoroughfares. Owners of property in the Borough in their anxiety to crowd as many buildings as possible on their sections have removed groups of trees which previously were the glory, of the place. All this .shows a decadence of acsthctical spirit, which it should have been the prnre of the people to cultivate and for many reasons this must he a matter of regret. It certainly does seem a farce that the legislation of our country should provide for one day in the year being set apart for tree planting when daily we see such acts of vandalism on the part of many citizens.