DESTRUCTION OF THE POHUTUKAWA TREE.

Northland Age, Volume 23, Issue 32, 26 November 1923, Page 6

DESTRUCTION OF THE POHUTUKAWA TREE.

(Contributed) At the last meeting of the Hospital board the Matron, reporting on the firewood recently supplied to the Hospital, stated ‘‘that the bulk of the same was green pohutukawa.” Surely to goodness there is plenty of firewood to be obtained in the district without having to resort to the destruction of one of the noblest of New Zealand trees, which graces our seashores and harbours, especially on the cast coast of tiie North Auckland district, Mangonui Harbour in particular. Mangonui residents are justly proud of their beautiful harbour, which is a blaze of glory at Christmas and New Year with the bloom of the pohutukawa trees, and it is up to them to see that one of their greatest attractions does not soon become extinct through the selfishness or ignorance of some person without a soul being allowed to mutilate and destroy these magnificent adornments. Here is an opportunity for the Forestry League to move in the direction of havi ig these trees for all time protected both on our foreshores and on private property. [We'agree with all our contributor says, and thank him for drawing attention to the matter.. But we noticed that no Member of the Board had anything to say c f this vandalism.—Editor, AGE.] A man asked a friend, who was hard of bearing, if he would lend him five dollars, to tide him over Christmas. “What?” asked the friend. “Will you lend me ten dollars?” “Oh, yes,” replied the friend, “but I wish now I had heard you the first time."