"SAVE THE TREES."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19098, 17 August 1925, Page 9

"SAVE THE TREES."

MOVEMENT IN SYDNEY. [FROM OtJB OWN CORTiFSFONnEVT.] SYDNEY. July 30. Sydney is not, as is sometimes imagined, Riven over wholly to sport and to base materialism, as was demonstrated very clearly a day or two. ago, when there was a threat from'the civic authorities to cnt down some very beautiful old trees flanking one of the main roads of the city, and having, as a charming setting, a lake graced by rushes and rustic bridges. These old shady treef are as an oasis in a desert, but there was no sooner talk of tearing them up than indignant citiXtms from all quarters rose up as in a body and protested passionately against the business. So emphatic was the prote t, with the backing of the press, thai the hand of the axeman was stayed. An American once said that every Australian appeared to be bora with an axe in his hand. It % not without truth. Everywhere in Sydney, in public places and round private houses, people are tearing down old spreading trees which cannot be replaced in a lifetime. Sydney is losing most of its city trees, which gave it, ii: isolated parl» somewhat the character of parts of London or Paris. The appointment is being strongly urged of a permanent commission of civic art, composed of men and women with training sound enough, and minds broad enough, and power strong enough, to save the city and its environs from the spoilers and to preserve for the futura the few remaining examplea of gocd ftrcafrtectare.