MORE VANDALISM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20779, 23 January 1931, Page 10

MORE VANDALISM.

Some fine old oak trees on private property bordering the main road through Pakuranga have been cut, down by employees of the Auckland Power Board to give clearance for a transmission line. It was not a case where a deed of vandalism was done without the knowledge of responsible officials. One owner offered the use of his land so that a detour could, be made to avoid the trees. It was not accepted and beautiful .trees have been ruthlessly sacrificed to the ideal of mechanical utility. The result will please all those who have no regard for trees, but admiration for the maintenance of the perfectly straight line. They may rejoice in the spectacle of a transmission line without an unnecessary bend in it. When those oaks were planted, possibly by pioneers, people of English ideals thought they were providing something to charm posterity. Posterity, armed with a little brief authority, hews them down. Officials of a local authority say they should not be there. A straight line of Australian hardwood poles bearing copper" cables is so much more important. No wonder people begin to despair for the beauty of the highways when a public body is responsible for such an action. This is not the first case of the kind, and it is high time that the board gave its staff to understand that they are not bushmen, but are under an obligation "to preserve the beautiful if there is any possibility of doing so\ What is the use of any beautifying scheme which is embodied in townplanning ideals if such a body as the Power Board exercises tho right to destroy at its own will in the interests of convenience 1