VANDALISM BY YOUTHS

Evening Star, Issue 24288, 1 September 1942, Page 2

VANDALISM BY YOUTHS

PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT DAMAGED That the cost of repairing the damage done to children’s playground equipment in the Woodhaugh Gardens and elsewhere in the north end of the city by sheer vandalism during a year exceeded that of repairs in connection with one of New York’s sports areas which served one million people, was stated by Cr 1). C. Jolly at the Dunedin City Council last night. Cr Jolly said that there appeared to be an’ epidemic of vandalism in the north end of the city, and gangs of youths from 14 to 17 years of age were the greatest offenders. Fences were destroyed, seats were overturnd, and playground equipment damaged. Thefts of shrubs and flowers were also very prevalent, and the,reserves department was constantly replacing these losses. Cr Jolly suggested that the council might offer a reward-for the apprehension of the offenders.'"*-” " •' The Mayor said that he hoped the council and the public would take full notice of Cr Jolly’s remarks. It was indeed a sad reflection that there -should be people who would indulge: iii- Sufcli destructive practices and destroy the work which had done so much to beautify the city. The question arose, added the Mayor, whether the police should not be asked to supply a few plainclothes constables for duty in the reserves during the week-ends. _ “ By this means,” he added, “we might catch some of those hooligans, for that is all they are.”

-The meeting of the council was attended by the mayor (Mr A. H. Allen), Crs D. C. Cameron, It. Walls, J. McCrae J. Wilson, J. W. Munro, M.P., M. C. Henderson, L. M. Wright, E. J. Smith, and D. C. Jolly.