Bush vandals caught

Press, 11 October 1988, Page 3

Bush vandals caught

By DERRICK ROONEY Riccarton Bush, Christchurch’s living outdoor museum, is wilting under the prolonged winterspring drought but this is not the only problem confronting the trustees.

Vandalism has also been taking toll of the bush — not vandalism of the calculatedly damaging kind but rather abuse of the bush by children making “tree huts” or by members of the public pushing through the undergrowth to make unauthorised tracks. The latest incident — an elaborate hut built by three pupils “wagging” from school — was discovered a few days ago by the ranger, Mr Jack Wildermoth. Using a sheath knife and hatchet, the boys cleared an area, several metres square, deep in the bush to build a retreat which a bush trustee, Dr B. P. J. Molloy, described as a construction worthy of a scout survival manual.

Among the trees felled by the boys were ribbonwood, mahoe, and kahikatea poles, planted almost 25 years ago. “This has undone many years work in a few days,” said Mr Wilder-

moth yesterday. Although this was not the first such example of vandalism in the bush it had been one of the hardest to stop, he said. “Usually I catch the offenders within a few days. This time it took two weeks. I kept watch morning and night, and sat here one morning from quarter to eight to nine o’clock without success. Finally I caught them when I came in by chance during school hours'.” While cutting down a few saplings or trampling a few seedlings in the bush might not be the crime of the century, it could eliminate many years of work, said Mr Wildermoth. Mr Wildermoth persuaded the three boys to return during their lunchtime to help repair the damage by dismantling their “hut” and scattering the branches in the bush, where they can rot down into the forest litter.

When this has been done no further action will be taken against them.

“The board of trustees is not keen to prosecute offenders,” said Dr Molloy. “We prefer to educate the public.”