“WAVE OF VANDALISM”

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 9 October 1942, Page 4

“WAVE OF VANDALISM”

DAMAGE IN RESERVES CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION "There is a wave of vandalism just now." said Councillor S. W. Street at last night's meeting of the City Council when referring to the damage being done to trees and shrubs in the public gardens and reserves in the city. In one reserve the tulips were being taken from the beds and at the Old Cemetery rhododendrons were ruined by people who broke the centres out of the shrubs. One night recently in Anzac Park a flower bed had been walked on and a pattern made on the bed with empty beer bottles. Such actions could not be attributed to children. He moved that the Council offer £5 reward to any person giving information leading to the conviction of persons causing damage in the reserves. The Mayor, Mr E. R. Neale: "I’ll second it if you increase it to £2O, and I’ll subsidise that amount with an extra £5 if we can catch the people responsible for such acts of vandalism." He agreed with Councillor Street that children were not the offenders. Councillor Street agreed to increase the amount named in the motion to £2O. He commented that some time ago the iron scrolls over the gate at the Hardy street entrance to the Queen's Gardens had been wrenched off. Councillor S. Kenning: "I'd make it £50." The motion was carried.