The Guardian And Evening Star with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JULY 23, 1925. THE FATE OF THE TREES.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 July 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JULY 23, 1925. THE FATE OF THE TREES.

There is a good deal of concern manifested locally as to the probable fate of a section of the trees on Cass Square when the Borough Council considers the matter further to-night. A visit to the grounds and a contemplation of what the place will look like when the trees are cut down on the eastern and portion of the southern sides, requires hut little imagination. The Square will he woefully ravished aud leave the grounds a veritable eyesore. As a picturesque hacking to the Cenotaph and the Burns Memorial. the trees are a necessity. Remove the trees, and both the memorials will lose the ,pleasant setting they now adorn. The trees grouped as they are around the grounds gives the Square an ex-

elusiveness which it cannot enjoy v ith the trees removed. Ale take it that the memorials were placed in the positon they adorn because of the setting and the aloofness they enjoy. It was in keeping with a very praiseworthy civic spirt that two such pleasing memorials were placed where they would add credt and distinction to the grounds ami be n reminder to all of the purpose for which the ornamental pedestals were roared. If tlie trees, which form so distinctive a background are removed, a permanent injury will be done to the two memorials, Folk away from bore are familiar with the memorials, and their setting from the photographs which have gone far and wide. They have been admired by all and sundry, but if the setting for the memorials is to be ravished by the ruthless removal of the trees forming the background. the whole picture will be altered and the town will be left with something which it will regret always. It would seem therefore that any atTack as is proposed will bo an attack on the civic spirit of the town of which the community has been proud always. The public always manifested a warm interest in anything of a public nature, and lias been ready always to build up. This is the first occasion on which there lias been an attempt to pull down. Tt is the easier task no doubt but the effect will not be good fo the place, present or future. The destruction of the trees around a, public park is an attack on the public interests, and if these are not to be secure from such open vandalism, then the authorities will strike at what is host in- useful citizenship for the future. The cutting of the trees will bo like the striking down of old friends who have grown up with the place, and become as it were part of the town. The soil of the Square will not If very helpful for tli growth of otlic trees or shrubs, and it will be a long, long time indeed, before fresh verdure elad growth can take the place of the unoffending trees. The trees if removed will be missed by the many old and young who seek their shelter, and i will lie something more than the passing of a veritable land mark. As it is not too late yet, we trust that in the final consideration of the question to-night, the Borough Council will <’ eide to leave things as they are. It is the safest line of action when opinions are divided, and in this matter it has come to our knowledge that there is a- strong body of public opinion ir favor of leaving the plantations untouched.