Take nothing for granted

The demolition of the Egmont Agricultural & Pastoral Assoc facade in Ha¯ wera still has me chewing on the end of a rag with frustration.

The article on the front page of the Taranaki Star, July 11, simply rubbed salt into open wounds, especially with reference to the developers keen to see the bricks reused in a brick wall, which has no significance to the original and past preservation of Egmont Agricultural & Pastoral.

The article served to remind us that nothing should be taken for granted or assumed to be permanent.

Following a public outcry in 1994, after an announcement the building was to be demolished, a satisfactory agreement was reached whereby the historic facade was retained.

Who could have imagined that 25 years later the historic feature would be torn down, early Sunday morning when few people were on the streets?

Developers chose quickly to demolish a piece of South Taranaki history with little consideration of its significance within the community.

Instead of making pathetic offers for Peter Muller to reuse bricks, saving them the expense of landfill fees, they could make a realistic contribution to the district by erecting a significant structure near the original site to signify the previous existence of the Egmont Agriculture & Pastoral Association and the major role it played in developing agriculture throughout our region.

Unfortunately, it appears our district leaders walk hand in hand with developers, stomping along the same path tearing down history and replacing with plastic and tin.

Consequently we will never have a proud physical history to reflect on.

Dave Crompton, Ha¯ wera