DAMAGE OF PUBLIC PROPERTY.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume LIII, Issue 5530, 20 September 1929, Page 2

DAMAGE OF PUBLIC PROPERTY.

(Recently the Mayor (,Mr G. Armstrong-) spoke of the way public property was: destroyed in Akaroa. Unfortunately It is true that any public place unless special precautions are taken: is damaged by those who own it, nairoly the public themselves. This is 1 a curious state of a/fairs that the public will not respect any property held in a general sense. Let a man own a building-, house, tree or even plant and he will guard it; but if the article is owned by the community he does not guard it as a member of that community. Until, the civi'c spirit is instilled into the public the damage will continue. It is somawhat disconcerting to hear an> Englishman declare that in other countries in Europe public property was better guarded and that whereas in England roadside trees were cut down and damaged in France, Germany and Switzerland they were sacred and no one would think of taking their blossom or fruit. The Roads Beautifying Association of England at a. recent meeting discussed the matter of destruction of trees, etc., in public places and at this meeting Dr Fox, the Secretary made this statement in regard to the better civic spirit in other | Euiopean countries. 'Lord Ullswater i complained that roadmakers cut j down so many trees ruthlessly which ' could have been left with advantage I and he added that it was unfortunate! that something could not be done to • prevent trees being dug up and car- , ned away while others had their ' branches torn off. Dr Fox mentioned still further wanton destruction In one place ::000 bluebells and 3000 daffodils had been planted, but not :>ne had been allowed to flower. A ! further effort was being nvule to plant primroses and cowslips on one the banks of the Hook crossroads where they would be under the eve the police and the Association's ' scouts. Such destruction is very discouraging to those attempting to .! beautify public placcsj. It would be >f assistance if anyone witnessing an let «.f vandalism, reported the offen- ' !!"' . Unfortunately it is difri cu ,t to ' . !t so e *stroycr.s to boot and . -1 ( w.u o and destruction of pusblic 11 opei ty goes on unchecked. Willi ' 1,0 ;ulvont < >f ' town planning in the ' a ' 7°" Cltl(,s ;l pi'i'do in the appear- J "ice o! their towns might be I'oster- | ,(1 ' -H'ft as in. 'Christchurch the own- | TS sections i„, (IIIC lak{V - •at t'c-mm- ca re with their gardens as l(. s ip( t i-, known far and wide for . he bright Hfjwe.i- beds fronting the' oad. h