THE TREES OF MT. VICTORIA

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 144, 8 September 1927, Page 10

THE TREES OF MT. VICTORIA

Sir,— The striking view of Rangitoto, framed in the branches of the beautiful places of Mount Victoria, which appeared in THE SUN, should be kept by the inhabitants of Devonport as a memento of the crass folly of their borough council. Nothing in our generation or the next can replace the vanishing glories of theses trees which were planted by ancestors whose good work is now being marred by foolish hands. Possibly the massacre on Mount Victoria may provide plenty of firewood and sgmeone may make a little money out of the vandal act, but alas for the charm of nature and the things which make the world lovable and livable! These reflections bring one to the point that Rangitoto itself is under the control of this tree-felling council. What, then, would happen if the picturesque and interesting island was visited by the Mayor of Devonport, accompanied by “one of Auckland’s best-known experts”? Probably most of the trees would be judged to have “outlived their usefulness” and forthwith the stupid axe would get to work. The moral of it all is that the control of Rangitoto should at once be placed in more discreet and capable hands. DRYAD.