Chopping spree costs two $758

Press, 1 August 1989, Page 6

Chopping spree costs two $758

Two Lincoln College students who chopped down a 35-year-old tree in the residential area of the campus each face a $379 bill for their actions. The peach tree was chopped down nine days ago, on Saturday night — a day after examination results were released. The head of the Student Union and Hall Complex, Mr Paul Claridge, said two male students aged in their early 20s had admitted responsibility. Both flatted in the residential area known as the Crescent, which is next to the college. There was no motive behind the vandalism. Both;students had admitted actions were stu-

pid, he said. Mr Claridge said both were dealt with through the college’s internal disciplinary system. Each will have to pay $379 and do five hours of community work round the college. Mr Claridge said the monetary penalty was the total of the cost of removing the tree and its stump, replacing it with another tree, and a fine. A replacement tree has yet to be planted. Mr Claridge saj_d it was disappointing when students showed this kind of behaviour. It was rare, he said, for students to cause damage to the campus: environment