Apart from a polite skirmish at a tourist authority meeting between an alderman and an ex-alderman nothing more is likely to be done - nor can anything much be done now they are there - about the light poles on scenic Pacific Drive.

Nor is anything likely to happen - apart from a bit more polite skirmishing - when the testing time comes between flourishing Norfolk Island pine trees and electric light wires.

In a short while in the case of two trees, the wires or the trees will have to go; the trees were planted by members of a service club, out to improve the beauty of our town.

This incident has unfortunately directed attention to another action on the part of local government and, as undesirable as they are, the poles are not as bad as the municipal-made mess that Oxley Beach has been in for several years now.

A great many must wonder how much we people of Port Macquarie appreciate John Oxley as they stand beside the council's sign that proclaims it Oxley Beach and look at what confronts them immediately below it.

Mrs York's Garden has admirably set the pattern for our beach headlands. No more picturesque scene in the world could be imagined if the Mrs York's Garden treatment is extended to Oxley Beach. Even a little levelling and a mass of the palms that flourish here would be wonderful. In the meantime there seems to be a need for a better understanding all round where our heritage is concerned.

National Park

Nine thousand acres of Crown Land in the North Shore and Maria River area will be established as a National Park. The director of Parks and Wildlife Service, Dr D. Michael, informed the shire president, Cr J. Andrews, of this during an inspection of the area last Friday.

Dr McMichael said most of the land is situated west of Limeburners Creek, between the Creek and Maria River Road. As he stood on the southern headland Dr McMichael said: "This is really something to protect. We must ensure that it is not spoilt". He said his service would investigate the extension of the proposed park to encompass the headlands, leaving a section that could possibly be used for residential development.

Dr McMichael said a full-time ranger would be placed in charge of the park and a home would be built for him when the park is established. President of the shire councillor Andrews said his council would give sympathetic attention to the proposal. Such a park would be of great benefit to the tourist potential of the shire and Port Macquarie.