VANDALISM AT PARK

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23363, 24 June 1941, Page 4

VANDALISM AT PARK

—♦— — REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL Vandalism at Woodham Park has caused the Christchurch City Council to close the park until gll constructional work there' is completed. The reserves committee reported to the council last evening that the house on the property had several-times been broken into arid that the police had been-asked to investigate. . , “When the council took possession of this property, it was decided to allow, the ipain portion of the grounds to be kept open for the public,” 'the report stated. *Such, however, has been the vandalism that it is now recommended' that thd-park-be closed until all constructional work has been completed, and the park permanently laid out as such. Much wilful damage has been done to the building as well as considerable pilfering of interior fittings. Although the windows on the ground floor have beep boarded up, the building has been repeatedly broken into,. windows smashed, and even doors damaged; and panels wrenched out to gain access to rooms which had been locked up," ' The construction of an aviary, 41 feet long by 16 leet wide and seven feet high, at this park had been completed.* Nearly all of' the materials used were obtained, from the outbuildings which were dismantled. The question of stocking the aviary with birds need not be discussed until the park was officially opened. A start had been made with the demolition of the building, every care being taken to preserve those materials which could be used again for constructional purposes. Much of the heavier timber was practically useless, however, it being badly infested with borer