THE PARAPARA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21289, 16 September 1932, Page 15

THE PARAPARA

Sir, —I am more than surprised to see that "the Parks Committee of the Auckland City Council proposes to pay attention to the mawkish sentimentality created over this tree. Because an odd sparrow or white-eye has been reported as caught by the seed capsules it is proposed to ban it. I have frequently seen birds temporarily held by the tree, but the tree almost invariably yields and the bird flies away. To create a sense of kindness to animals and birds is excellent, but to condemn unheard and without considering all the circumstances, is weak. The reports of the eminent authorities who want to eradicate thfl tree make amusing reading when one considers that their chief interests are the introduction of bh-ds for them to shoot at and often leave to a lingering death. Other trees and plants have similar propensities of adhering to birds and animals for the purpose of distributing their seed, while still others trap insects of various kinds and either suck them dry or else hold them prisoners for a lingering death. Why not a campaign to eradicate these more cruel plants and to persuade the civic authorities that nothing whatever be allowed to grow in the city that might incommode any living creature ? N. R. W. Thomas.