VANDALISM

Evening Star, Issue 24301, 16 September 1942, Page 4

VANDALISM

DAMAGE ON CITY RESERVES The attention of members of the committee of the Dunedin Amenities Society was drawn at their meeting yesterday to the apparent epidemic of vandalism which had taken place in and around the city during the. past few months. It was decided to offer a reward of £lO for information leading to the conviction of persons responsible for damage to trees* shrubs, and seats in the city reserves, and also to ask for stricter police supervision. The meeting was attended by Messrs Joint Ash (vice-president), W. J. Birrell, J* McGeorge, J. S. Thomson, D. Tannock* George Simpson, James Begg, S. 6. Secular, M. Wilkinson, M. R. Skipworth, A.C. Stevens, A. O. Cameron, and Dr Charles Begg. It was stated that it was unfair to blame school children for much of the damage that had been done, as, in tha case of the damage to the seats, this could; only have been the work of older persons. Mr Scoular said that unfortunately tha damage was not confined to the reserves* The works department of the City Corporation had lost many hurricane lamps,and bull’s-eye reflectors had been removed from the walls of public air raid shelters*Mr Birrell said that he had noticed children recently removing the sods from am air-raid shelter and making a special shelter of their own. (Laughter.) He thoujjife the police paid too little attention to the outlying reserves. STREET LITTER. A letter was received from the City Corporation agreeing that the provisions of the council’s by-laws governing the question of people throwing tram tickets and other litter on the streets should be enforced, and advising the society that instructions had been forwarded accordingly, to the police and to the council’s inspectors. It was agreed that this was a move mi the right direction, and the opinion was expressed that one or two conviction# would lead to a much tidier city. WOODHAUGH GARDENS. The Secretary reported that the society! had received complaints regarding the inadequacy of the children’s conveniences at the Woodhaugh Gardens. Mr Scoular stated that the matter had been considered on more than one occasion by the works department,-which realised tiio necessity of providing additional conveniences, but on each occasion it had to be deferred owing to the necessity to place other more urgent matters, on the estimates. It was agreed that the City Council bo written to urging that the matter be given immediate attention. IMPROVEMENTS PROPOSED. Au offer was received from Messrs Bennett and Sons to supply and maintain shrubs at an intersection on the Main North road in the vicinity of their nursery, provided the permission of the City Council could be obtained and the society op council would arrange for the removal of the noxious weeds in the vicinity. The offer was accepted, and it was agreed that the City Council be written to At the suggestion of the secretary, it was agreed that Mr Iveith be approached to see if he could obtain a truck of tree ferns for the improvement of the gully at the coruer of Littlebourne road and the Queen’s Drive.