SCENIC BEAUTIES

Southland Times, Issue 21002, 7 February 1930, Page 7

SCENIC BEAUTIES

NEED FOR PRESERVATION. VISCOUNT CRAIGAVON’S COMMENTS. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, February 6. “I implore New Zealand to preserve its beauty spots from the blemishes of advertising hoardings,” said the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland (Viscount Craigavon) at the State luncheon accorded him to-day. “If you do that,” he said, “your descendants* will say, ‘Thank God our pioneers had the vision to preserve our beauty spots from the hand of man.’ —(Applause.) Visitors to New Zealand must be attracted by the way in which the scenery has been preserved up to the present time.” Some practical suggestions in regard to bridge construction in New Zealand were made by him. Viscount Craigavon said that some years ago it was discovered in the Old Country that bridges were beginning to go, “and this, scientific investigation showed, was due to the advent of heavy motor lorries and the constant irritation of the surfaces. In New Zealand he had noticed that many of the bridges were boarded across instead of the timber being placed laterally. That meant that many of the bridges would be shaken down. Viscount Craigavon suggested that the authorities concerned should be advised to place the boards in a lateral position and thus add many years of life to the bridges. Miles of roads had been constructed in New Zealand, and this development was a credit to the country. Motor service car drivers showed the greatest intelligence and no matter what question was put to them they had a ready answer. Viscount Craigavon said he wished to express Ills thanks for the courtesy and attention shown him and Viscountess Craigavon by service car drivers during their tour of the country.