Ngatapa Creek Willows

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19333, 25 May 1937, Page 10

Ngatapa Creek Willows

Sir,— I wish to draw attention to what, in my opinion, is the wanton destruction of tlio.se beautiful willow trees along the Ngatapa Creek. Those trees were of inestimable value in many ways, the most important of which was the pleasing and restful effect of which could lie, made one of the host and most scenic drives in the district. Outside of their value to farmers for shelter, they increased the carrying capacity of the land by sheltering the grass from cold, dry winds, thereby increasing growth. This does not seem to be recognised. Settlers from the high country when driving into Gisborne could rest their eyes by looking at those lovely green fiats with their beautigul background of willows on one side and the possiliilities of what, could lie on the ot,her.

I. know of no oilier place I have liven in that lends itself so well to the economic beautifying of the drive from the Paliilahi Domain to the foot of Ngatapa Jlill for the contour of the country is almost perfect. Perhaps our leading lights wanted to clear the view of the Ngatapa railway so the people could see whore some of their hard-earned taxes went, lest they should forget. 1 think the Tourist Department should Wake up and remember that there is a place called Gisborne in New. Zealand, which could he—and I think will liemade one of the most picturesque districts in the Dominion when we get city fathers whose idea of progress is other than ugly gashes. We should think of the generations" t o come.— Yours, etc.., E. L JONES, Ngatapa road. Patutahi.

Tim work referred to above is part of a (looil prevention programme in the Waipaoa, River and Ngatapa Crock. The matter was referred to the district public works engineer, wlm is omit rolling-the work, and lie slated that only willow trees ware being cut out. and only those in the river channel. Ollier seltiers, he staled, wore very pleased with what had been domj.—Ed. Herald.