TREE-CUTTING VANDALISM

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 108, 24 May 1937, Page 8

TREE-CUTTING VANDALISM

"THOROUGHLY DISGUSTED."

Sir, — I have noted with indignatioa a brief jotting in your paper about a matter discussed at the_ last Borough Council meeting in Hastings. It reads thus — "Consideration is to be given later of the request of the Hastings Bugby Football Sub-Union that the council agree to the cutting back of the tteeg behind the stands at Nelson Park along Caroline road on account of the damage done to the stands. The cost of the work is estimated at £20." As a resident of Caroline road for the past twenty years I make a strong protest. It is ahsolute rubbish to say that the seven lovely plane trees dam* age the flimsy stands- of wood and corrugated iron. I have just been t® look, and not one branch touches the stands, But the trees are being damaged by huge piles of broken concrete covering the ground beneath. Some years ago there was a longer line of trees there and some of these were cut right down to make room for an open football stand. As these trees are the one little bit of leafy beauty that one passes under in summer when walking. down the shaceless stretch ot Caroline road I think the council should consider the feeiings of old residents, and-, .the beauty of the town, rather than the whims of the Hastings Rugby Football Sub-Union. Is it not a fact that in 1940 tlus park is to be open to the public I I think ' so. I ask what is being jjbne to make. it a pleasant park for the -future and it seems that the answer isr— "cutting the shrubs and trees." ' Ths cost of cutting these planea "is' estimated -at £20." It makes one 's blood boill * The point is that sports fields should not be made in parks. A park is a place for trees and lovers of horticulture. Cornwall Park is being soAewhat sacrificed to its large sports field; the oak trees at the northern «nd were shockingly cut and mutilated. Every time one goes .to any Hastings park— including Windsor and Cbrnwall parks — it is with a nervous fear of what cutting down will be seen. The Hastings motto seiins to be "Cut a tree," rather than "Plant for the future behuty of the town." I Jtnow it is little us'e to protest/ because this vandalism happans so often.— Yours, etc..

Hastings, May 22/37.