WORK OF VANDALS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22860, 15 October 1937, Page 12

WORK OF VANDALS

r PLANT DESTRUCTION MINISTER QUOTES EXAMPLES BUSH PRESERVATION IDEALS [by TELEGRAPH —OWN correspondent] WELLINGTON, Thursday Several instances of acts of vandalism in the wanton destruction of beautiful trees, shrubs, and flowers in native bush preservation and public beautification schemes were quoted by the Minister of Internal Affairs, tho Hon. W. E. Parry, -tin an interview. It seemed, the Minister said, that vandals appeared in numbers in spring. These acts not only destroyed a fine work for the people but helped to destroy the public-spiritedness and initiative of officials and citizens" in the beautification of the cities. Mutilation of Trees "Hero are a few examples reported to me of vandalism in public and pri-, vate gardens at Wellington and in others parts of New Zealand," Mr. Parry said. "Beautiful flowers flicked off hardy plants in a way that shows, my correspondent says, ' that a stick was used in the ugly work'; branches of the kowhai broken down and bunches of the blooms torn off; sturdy young trees with their tops nipped and the tops scattered on tho side-walks and about tho roots of tho trees; several fine trees with tho bark hacked about, obviously with pdeket-knives; tho fronds of punga ferns either deliberately torn off or broken. Church Grounds Damaged " There was a case at the picturesque grounds of a church —St. Mary's, at Timaru," tho Minister added. The church people had been at great pains to beautify tho grounds. On a, recent night efforts were made by miscreants to destroy rose trees which were supported by iron standards and to break down lime and other trees just coming into bud. A substantial reward has been offered for information leading, to the detection of the person or persons who committeed the acts, but unfortunately to no immediate purpose, I suppose. . fi "The man or woman, boy or girl, added Mr. Parry, "who helps in bush preservation or in beautifying our bare spaces merits high praise for work which means so much to the people and the country."