WANTON DAMAGE DONE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20053, 27 September 1939, Page 14

WANTON DAMAGE DONE

A.A. SIGNS TORN DOWN PATROL’S WORK NULLIFIED EAST COAST PREVALENCE Wanton damage causing recurring expenditure of a large sum of money is occurring to the sign-posts erected by the resident Automobile Association patrol, Mr. G. V. Merton, for the guidance of motor traffic. Mr. Merton recently undertook an extensive tour of the area included in his patrol and spent a considerable time in replacing and erecting signposts. In the past 14 days 15 of these posts have been torn down and smashed. This thoughtless damage is prevalent on the East Coast, where an irresponsible section of the community ecms to regard the posts as fair game

fr.r hoodlums. Mr. Merton has a large area to cover in the course of his duties as patrol and a great deal of his time is taken up in replacing and renewing damaged signs. The reason for this wanton damage is somewhat obscure, as in practically every instance the signs are torn down and, in some cases, the posts are torn up, but the damaged property is not taken away but allowed to stay on the roadside. In practically every instance the damage done is of such a nature that it could not be done by wandering stock.

Damage of a similar type is being caused in parts of Whitaker street, reports having been received to the effect that letter-boxes / have been torn off fences and stolen. In some instances, however, the boxes have been found in drains at the side of •he road.