GARDEN VANDALISM

Hutt News, Volume 15, Issue 22, 29 October 1941, Page 5

GARDEN VANDALISM

"Who steals my purse Bteals ! trash." So wrote the great playwright and philosopher. Shakespeare, in stressing the 'greater value of a man's good name, would, we know, have placed a beautiful garden above what its prodtifce toay be worth in pounds, shillings and pence. ~ ' It is to be regretted that are some who, for a paltry gain of a few shillings or will commit damage "Which no money* cari replace. ■

... • ...1.. After a long, wet wiptpr and a late spring, garden lovers anxiously and carefully tend their plants. ,'ith unremitting labour the 801 l Is turned, treated and sown. A instant war is waged against the tares and thistles, and thousands of plants are lovingly nurtured aB the joyous spring growth, the wonderful re birth of nature, Alls the landscape with beauty and the air with song. At last the flower-beds; 4fe ablaze with colour, and the gardener feels that deep satisfaction which comes from the fulfilment 'of - his creative labour. But in the of darkness a sneak-thief is busy, his mind too grubby to think beyoiid a paltry personal material gain, lit no great risk, for his night's work. On the morrow the gardener sadly surveys the depredations, and wonders in despair "What's the use."

In private gardens* and-, public alike, tHfe sneak-thief has weh busy. That such a type should oe aH6wed to go unchecked is unthinkable,,and all good citizens will condqpa% and endeavour to stamp ost this jcontemptible menace to our {Mfrden City. One of our residents whose garden .has been mutilated Is advertising in this issue offering a reward for the apprehension of the offenders, and this will have the support of all garden lovers. We would warn those responsible for r th®se despicable offences that a close watch is being kept, and would suggest that they think over these words and induce a change of heart, so that they too may then truly say "Thank God for a Garden."