BATHING AT DEVONPORT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15513, 21 January 1914, Page 6

BATHING AT DEVONPORT.

Sir, — Handley's statement in too; issue of the 14th inst. is not convincing.He states in connection with the matter planting trees on the beaches (mentioned? by Mr. Parr, the Mayor of Auckland); " It is difficult to get trees to grow on| Cheltenham Beach, and those theftl are now dying.*' But he forgot to mili tion the piece of vandalism that he perpetrated in cutting down six of the best 1 trees on the beach for. shade and shelter |i| make room for his pet "scheme—the "eree-P tion of a kiosk to retail tea, soft drink?; cigarettes, etc, in competition with two of?; the ratepayers. If a supervisor had been'■■'; appointed (as I continually' proposed) to i take charge of the beaches and shrubs, i possibly the trees he complains of would '■ rot have disappeared. He further states I that "this scheme received the endorsement of the ratepayers." But, again, bo ■ .fails to tell the whole tale. ~ I', i There are over 1500 ratepayers in Devon- ; port, yet, by -employing - canvassers and 1 waggonettes, he only secured a ■ majority? of 12, and this being only a few over 100 out of the 1500 ratepayers. " Probably." > continued Mr. Handley, "it would'bs better to go in for a 'more simple form of accommodation than that adopted at Cheltenham Beach, in order to secure provision for a greater number of'people." Why' this change of front if the now existing.: conditions are so greatly appreciated by;' the people, of Devonport, and received the v endorsement of the people? And why, did V Mr. Handley use every means to frustrate J my propositions in the direction that', ha : now favours? My proposition "to survey the beach to decide ■if the carting of % thousands of loads of sand "diminished it"was treated with derision, but I notice. ; that it has been adopted by the presentcouncil, and pegs put in. Mr. Handler iiaslj been Mayor for many years, and I would ■ be pleased to hear of one proposition emanating from him for the beautifying or : advancement of the "beautiful "marine! suburb. ' Certainly the kiosk has de-1 stroyed the contour of Cheltenham, one ; of Auckland's beautiful beaches, sad is condemned in no measured terms by all :i visitors I have come in contact with*, be- ; sides blocking out the view of several'rate-f P avers - J.vo. Alles. 1