SURVEY MARKS DESTROYED

Press, Volume C, Issue 29530, 3 June 1961, Page 15

SURVEY MARKS DESTROYED

Catchment Board Concerned

Survey bench marks and other survey notices in the North Canterbury Catchment Board's district, particularly along the Waimakariri river, have been damaged or destroyed by vandals. At its meeting yesterday the board decided to make investigations to see bow it could bring offenders before the Court if they were caught. “This vandalism results In such a waste of public money ano of our time and work.” said Mr R. M. D. Johnson, chairman of the board. Mr H. M. Reid, the board's chief engineer, said the bench marks were permanent marks for further reference. All survey works and levels w’ere related to these marks. The staff had gone to a great deal of pains to establish these permanent marks, and It was most disheartening and expensive when they were removed. These bench marks were set in reinforced concrete. One block had been dug out and removed and another had been smashed. Three pipes with the brass plate had been pulled out of the concrete. “How, we don’t know," said Mr Reid. Another brass plate had been hammered down flat on the concrete. Markers on fences had also been badly damaged or destroyed. Mr Johnson said that the secretary (Mr W. W. Brougti) bad made inquiries and could not find any legislation under which the board could deal with these vandals.