VANDALISM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 206, 1 September 1933, Page 8

VANDALISM.

COUNTY CONCERNED. DRASTIC MEASURES TAKEN. J PRESERVING BEAUTY SPOTS. Drastic measures arc being taken by the Waitemata County Council as part of its offensive against the destruction on public reserves within the county of native trees and the unauthorised removal from private properties of timber, either for sale as firewood or for personal use. Police action has been arranged to deal with the destruction by persons unknown of pohutukawas, which has taken place on the foreshore of the Manukau Harbour between Karaka Bay and Otitori; a prosecution is to be laid against a party of motorists, who, it is alleged, removed pohutukawa branches and fernsi from the top of Mount Atkinson; and instant dismissal awaits any employee of the county who becomes implicated in vandalism or in the removal of timber from private properties. "We arc determined, once and for all, to put a stop to the vandalism in the county concerning which we have had almost daily complaints for the past two months," stated Mr. W. A. Bishop, chairman of the county, this morning. "Investigation of the complaints we have received have revealed a shocking state of affairs, and I am convinced that it is only by the most drastic measures that the practice can be stopped." Considerable Damage. Mr. Bishop explained that following upon representations from the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture, the borough foreman had inquired into the reported destruction of pohutukawas between Karaka Pay and Otitori. The foreman's report was to the effect that a considerable amount of damage had been done to the trees in the bays between Green Bay and Paturoa Bay. A tally showed that from seven trees 27 limbs and roots had been removed, from rive trees 31 limbs and roots, and from three trees six limbs and roots. Further information received engendered the suspicion that in some cases the timber was being used for the construction of knees for dinghies. So far those responsible for the vandalism had not been identified, but the county took such a serious view of the position that it had decided to place the whole matter in the hands of the police. If it were found that any employees of the council were implicated, summary dismissal would be their punishment.

From Titirangi Park beach to Green Bay, Auckland had a real beauty spot, which in summer was a vivid blaze of colour. The pohutukawas, which took a long time to reach maturity, were, in addition to their beauty, invaluable in holding up the earth of the cliffs. Every authority the county possessed would be utilised to prevent further vandalism. Mr. Bishop said the county inspector. Mr. A. H. Taylor, had been authorised to prosecute the motorists who were alleged to have damaged pohutukawas at Mount Atkinson. The number of the car was known. "I regard interference with the trees and shrubs, which add so greatly to the scenic attractions of Auckland, as the worst form of vandalism," he added. Dismissal Penalty. The strictest instructions had been issued to all workers employed in the county, the chairman continued, that under no circumstances was private property to be entered, native bush destroyed, or any timber removed, either for sale as firewood or for personal use. Summary dismissal had been prescribed as the penalty for non-compliance with this instruction. Allegations had been forwarded to the county from settlers that timber had been removed from their properties and sent by truck to Auckland.. The warning which had been issued previously was final. The view taken by the council was so serious that there would be no hesitation in punishing breaches in accordance with the policy outlined. According to Mr. T. S. Aldridge, superintendent of city reserves, there has been no evidence of vandalism in the city parks. Occasionally minor damage was- done by larrikins, and sometimes plants disappeared, but generally speaking no trouble was encountered.