VANDALS AT WORK

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 90, 13 October 1937, Page 6

VANDALS AT WORK

TREES AND SHRUBS SUFFER

WANTON DESTRUCTION

\"jt seems to me\that vandals appear m N numbers iri spring, but unlike the poets" of the season^.their messages are bitter," remarked "the Minister, of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry) yesterday. • The Minister said the many cases coming to his notice in relation to the preservation of native bush and the beautification scheme of the Government, and' of the wanton destruction of beautiful trees, shrubs, and flowers were sufficient to "take the heart out" of public officials and private citizens who had justifiable pride in the beauty their work gave.

"It is sheer destruction by instinct, or through thoughtlessness," Mr. Parry said. "Here are a few examples reported tome of the vandalism in public and private garaens in Wellington land in. other parts of New Zealand—; beautiful flowers flicked off hardy plants in a way that shows that a stick was used in the ugly work; branches of the kowhai broken down and bunches of the blooms torn off; sturdy young tnses with their tops nipped and the tops scattered on the sidewalks and i about the roots of the trees; several fine trees—splendid specimens of the bush—with the bark hacked about, obviously with pocket knives; the fronds of punga ferns either deliberately torn off or broken. HOSES AND TREES BROKEN. j "In another case the picturesque grounds at a church—St. Mary's, at Timaru—suffered. The church people had been at great pains to beautify the grounds. On a recent night efforts were made by miscreants to destroy rose trees which were supported by iron standards and to break down lime and other trees just coming into bud. A substantial reward has been offered for information leading to the detection of the person or persons who committed the acts, but, unfortunately, to no immediate purpose, I suppose. They win go on their way of ruthless destruction until one day they will have to meet a full penalty which will teach the lesson deserved." j The Minister said the committal of the acts complained off not only destroyed a fine work for the people, but helped to 'destroy the public-spirited-ness and initiative of officials and citizens in beautification of the cities. "The man or woman, boy or girl," added Mr. Parry, "who helps in bush preservation or in beautifying our bare spaces merits high praise for work which means so much to the people and the country."