Vandals Chop Down Blue Gums Near Memorial

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30783, 22 June 1965, Page 15

Vandals Chop Down Blue Gums Near Memorial

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyright)

CANBERRA, June 21

Vandals last night chopped down 35 bluegum trees lining Anzac parade in front of the Australian National War Memorial.

The trees were specially planted along both sides of the parade for the fiftieth anniversary of Gallipoli ceremonies earlier this year. In al', 350 bluegum trees

were planted along the parade.

The vandals felled 23 of the trees which were about 10ft high and 12 smaller ones.

It was the second act of vandalism in the vicinity of the war memorial in recent months. Several months ago vandals ring-barked a snowgum tree planted by the Queen during her first trip to Australia in 1954. Experts were able to save the snowgum by special treatment.

The bluegums destroyed last night were specially prepared in Government nurseries and had been planted 10 months ago. Government officials said today it was doubtful if sufficient replacement trees could be obtained for some time.

Anzac parade was recently completed to set off the war memorial. It is a broad concourse which sweeps down from the front of the war memorial almost to the shores of Lake Burley Griffin.