THE PHILISTINES OF THE STATE. [To TIM EDITOR OF Milt
..IMECTATOE.".1 SIR,—The enclosed letter which I have addressed to the Chairman of the General Purposes Committee of the Surrey County Council may interest your readers.—I am, Sir, &a,
FAERER.
".dbinger Hall, Dorking, Tuns 12a, 1914.
Sui,—Last year, in answer to the petition of Idr. St.Loe Strachey (our present High Sheriff) respecting the amenities of our county, it was stated that the General Pm-poses Committee of the Surrey County Council would always be prepared to use their good offices if the natural beauty of the county wEIS seriously threatened. A case has now arisen which I think deserves such attention. Notice has been given by the G.P.O. of their intention to erect a line of telegraph poles along the most delightful part of the' valley road between .Albury and Shore (see notice in the Surrey' Times of June 8th, 1914). There are two strong reasons against this. First, the road is already too narrow in parts, and a line of poles necessarily adds to the danger. Secondly, such a line of poles and wires destroys the pleasure of the scenery to a groat degree. We deplore and punish the injuries to pictures and property effected lately by persons who desire to call attention to their grievances. Ought we to allow a Department of the Government wantonly to effect a permanent and ineffaceable injury on a natural picture of equal beauty and open to the poorest as well as the richest of our nation? If this were a question of necessity, of food supply, of employment, there might be some excuse. But the railway line, along which the wires could be put, runs almost perallel. I hope that a representation may be made by our Council to the Department concerned with a view to preventing this permanent disfigurement of an exceptionally beautiful
along which, according to the most recent census, hundreds of motor-cars and omnibuses pass every line Saturday and Sunday simply for the sake of the healthy pleasure taken by our citizens in passing through a piece of English scenery hitherto unspoilt If anyone wishes to see the ultimate effect on a village street of such a line, let him walk along the Portsmouth Road through Esher village, now black with wires, or look at Cranleigh or Nerstham village street. Such a fate is apparently in store for Albury and Shere.—Yours faithfully, Fanlisa. The Chairman of the General Purposes Committee, Surrey County Council."
[Lord Farrer has before now done notable work in guarding the beauties of his native county. We wish laim all success in his new venture. Telephones should be heard and not seen. If those of the G.P.O. are often inaudible, let them at least hide their poles as much as possible.—En. Spectator.]
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