THE EDITOR, Sir:
ON SUNDAY, November 14, in a few shrieking moments of dark, violent and incomprehensible ignorance, a towering and absolutely beautiful old tree was destroyed on the grounds at the back side of Devon House. That glorious tree belonged to the people of Jamaica; it was mine, it was yours, it was ours.
The tree was also a home, a feeding place and a refuge, a place of comfort, rest, life, and enjoyment, for hundreds of creatures owls, hawks, countless other birds, bats, lizards and insects of diverse significance and mysterious beauty, who had as much right to their creature comforts and needs as you or I.
But in a few screaming chain saw moments, this landmark tree and this way of life was cut down by a group of men, no doubt under orders. All the trees in the back section of Devon House grounds (if this ugliness can be called "grounds" any more) a place supposedly for the enjoyment and recreation of ourselves and our visitors are at risk now from the chain saw, which seems to be seen as a form of great entertainment as the huge limbs come crashing down one after another.
These trees took many, many years to grow, they stood up to Hurricane Ivan, some stood up to 'Gilbert' and even 'Charlie' only to be destroyed in moments by the people in whose hands their lives, and the lives of the creatures depending on them for survival, now rest.
I am, etc.,
L. DUPERROUZEL
33 Waterloo Mews
Kingston 10.
