WANTON DAMAGE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 151, 7 April 1933, Page 6

WANTON DAMAGE.

PLATE GLASS IN EAST STREET. FEW WINDOWS ESCAPE. Only a few of the plate glass windows in shop fronts in East Street escaped damage last night when some evilly-disposed person, armed with a cutting instrument of some kind, walked the length of the business area, scratching lines that vary in depth and extent, and will probably greatly weaken the sheets of glass. Shopkeepers wero not a little chagrined this morning when they discovered the marking that had been placed on their windows, and the Police were notified. Inquiries are being made with a view to locating the person responsible for the damage. Most of the windows scratched bear the marks low down, and! the lines run in waves, some deep and others merely a surface scratch, hut sufficient to "permanently mar the glass. Windows that were shuttered, or covered with blinds were not touched, and one or two others were also left. In one case' the markings are extensive, running in circles in the centre of the window. In another case, several short, deep vertical cuts hat e been made as if the instrument used was placed low against the window and pulled upward. Owners of the damaged windows consider that the glass has been considerably weakened for resistance against strong north-west winds.