"BE TIDY"

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 41, 18 February 1941, Page 6

"BE TIDY"

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—On Sunday afternoon the writer was enjoying a walk round Oriental Bay. It was a glorious afternoon and there were many people also enjoying the delights of the bay. But,there was one aspect that was not a delight, and thai was the astounding amount of litter over the pavements and the road. I took particular notice that outside each of the shops purveying ice-cream, the City Council had thoughtfully provided "Be Tidy" bins, and yet I saw children, and adults too —more shame to them —walk out of these shops, detach the cardboard strips from the confections known as ice-cream sandwiches, and strew them over the footpath

I simply cannot understand this lack of what I may call, for want of a better expression, a "sense of beauty." Here is a delightful spot, on most weekdays clean, tidy, and altogether pleasant to behold, and at weekends people will come to enjoy it, and yet defile it. We have had appeals in connection with picnic parties leaving their litter about; I believe that sometimes children at school are lectured about it; and many lett.ers N have been ■, written appealing to citizens to keep their city tidy. Is the cause that selfish outlook which makes people say: "I don't have to clean it up,, so why worry?" May I make a suggestion that this habit of strewing litter be made an offence against the city bylaws, and that a 'small fine be imposed on any offenders caught in the act. These fines could be added to the Patriotic Funds. It seems to me the only way in which offenders may be brought to a realisation of their acts. If appealing to their "sense of beauty" or tidiness cannot do it, perhaps touching their pockets will—that seems to 'be the only way to reach the feelings of many people!—l am, etc.,

ORIENTAL BAY STROLLER,