SCENIC DESTRUCTION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 9 April 1945, Page 2

SCENIC DESTRUCTION

fTo the Editor]

Sir, —As a rambling artist and greatly attracted to the scenic beauties of the Nelson district, my distress can be imagined when approaching Takaka by service car to find that the most intriguing beauty spot of the whole journey and unique in New Zealand service routes is being rapidly blasted into oblivion by (I understand) the Public Works Department. I am aware of the peculiar instinct which obsesses some people, and how they regard beauty spots and post office towers, having seen them at work in other parts, but I have never seen a better example in this direction than at Paine’s Ford bridge, Takaka. I know that rock is needed for river protection work; but it seems it was j not only rock they were looking for, for there are millions of tons of it. for the asking a hundred yards or so from the spot where it is required and which the owner of the property would, I think, be mighty glad to be rid of. But for reasons not apparent they go to the beautiful peculiarlyformed rata covered cave rock at Paine’s Ford—the delight of artists all over New Zealand—a couple of miles or more further away, and blast it into an unsightly quarry. Now, if no one in the Nelson district has any idea of, or consideration for, scenery or beauty, they ought to be concerned about cost for that comes out of their own pockets. Yet as far as I can detect they are quite oblivious of the fact not only that a beauty spot incomparable is being destroyed before their eyes but that they are being saddled with unnecessary expense at the same time. It is a tragedy. I am etc.,

“VISITING ARTIST” Nelson, 6th April.