STUDENTS FINED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25364, 23 October 1943, Page 4

STUDENTS FINED

FLOWERS PICKED IN RESERVE WARNING BY MAGISTRATE “ I cannot treat this offence as trivial; it would be wrong to do so,” said Mr H. W. Bundle, S.lvi., in the City Police Court yesterday, when fining two home science students, Patricia hea Watson and Barbara Helen Saunders, £3 each for plucking flowers in the Gardens. The chief city traffic inspector, Mr E. H. Barrett, who prosecuted, said that the defendants had been caught in possession of daffodils and cherry blossom, which they had picked in the upper Gardens. He had been asked, Mr Barrett said, to emphasise the prevalence of vandalism and theft in the city reserves. There had been an exceptional outbreak of these offences during the past two months, and it was estimated that replacements were costing the City Corporation over £4OO a year. Mr A. C. Stephens, who appeared for the defendants, said they were residents of Studholme House. They had gone for a walk and, when passing through the upper Gardens, the sight of the flowers had apparently proved too much for them. The theft was not premeditated, and only a small bunch of flowei’s was taken. “These gii'ls.” counsel said, “ are not the type of offender we are all so anxious to see apprehended, and their offence is not of the same serious nature as the vandalism which has been going on.” It was distressing, the magistrate said, that girls in the defendants’ position should pluck flowers in what was virtually a flower sanctuary, and it was deploi-able that citizens, whether temporary or not, should not take a pride in the reserves and should damage in any way the plants or flowers grown on them. He was satisfied that the defendants had acted more foolishly and carelessly than criminally, but the offence could not he treated as trivial. The fine was small but a heavy penalty would probably fall on the parents. “If in future.” his Worship added. “ any offenders come bcfoi'e me and it is shown that they have wilfully or wantonly interfered with flowers or shrubs in the reserves they will receive no consideration.”