THE NORTHERN ADVOCATE Registered for transmission through the Post as a newspaper. TUESDAY JANUARY 13, 1948. Abuse Of Rugby Park

Northern Advocate, 13 January 1948, Page 4

THE NORTHERN ADVOCATE Registered for transmission through the Post as a newspaper. TUESDAY JANUARY 13, 1948. Abuse Of Rugby Park

While allowance must be made for the exuberance of youthful spirits, which lead to many foolish things being done, especially if other spirits have joined forces, there is strong reason why wanton destruction of public property should bring severe punishment upon offenders.

The failure of a section of a community to recognise that they should protect what after all is their own property has caused much concern to many controlling authorities, who in some cases have been obliged to declare public parks and open spaces out of bounds after dark. This has been due not only to vandalism but to behaviour of an immoral or offensive character which has given ill-repute to the localities concerned. When restrictive action has been made necessary in the public interest it has had the approval of the great mass of people, who hold no brief for hooliganism or filthiness, though jealous of safeguarding the legitimate liberty of the subject. It is always inadvisable to argue from the particular to the general, and isolated incidents of an objectionable character should not be made excuse for curtailing the liberty of a community, but the authorities would do a wrohg thing if they knowingly countenanced offensive conduct or destruction of property' to continue unchecked, a matter admittedly difficult. From time to time vandalistic conduct has been reported in Wliangarei, damage having been done in public gardens and in the bush reserves of the town, while, among other things, lifebuoys and other, lifesaving apparatus have been removed or rendered useless at various points where such gear has been installed. It is only a few days since a Justice of the Peace informed some visiting yachtsmen who had been brought before him on a charge of offensive behaviour, that the sooner they, returned to their homes the better it would be for them and Whangarei.

It is a pity that miscreants who have been abusing the grandstand at Rugby Park have not also been called upon to explain to the Bench why acts of vandalism and immorality have been committed. During the holiday season youths used the grandstand for the purposes of a party, and hurled emptied beer bottles on to the concrete foreground, which is carpeted with broken glass. This is but the latest spectacular evidence of the misuse of the Rugby Union's property, which exists for the benefit of the public and upon which officials of the union give time and thought gratuitously. Windows of dressing rooms beneath the stand have been smashed, as have locks, and there is plain evidence that one room at least has been used by men and girls at night time for purposes which are not to be approved. Whatever may be said of the moral aspect of this question, nothing but sheer mischief could have moved somebody to smash a lavatory pedestal by throwing a large stone at it.

This is as foolish as it is reprehensible, for the football authorities, in order to convenience men who may use the grounds for training purposes, have left the door of the men’s lavatory unlocked. The window of the women’s lavatory has been smashed, and the same fate has befallen the telephone line installed between the grandstand and the St John Ambulance station. Incidents such as we have mentioned have been of frequent occurrence in the past, and it would seem to be high time that steps were taken either to declare the area of Rugby Park out of bounds after dark, which would make the apprehension of trespassers more easily accomplished, or other disciplinary steps should be taken. There is no reason why hooligans should be allowed to misuse the property for purposes which, on the evidence available today, are most discreditable.