THOSE VANDALS

NZ Truth, Issue 1208, 24 January 1929, Page 19

THOSE VANDALS

Preserve The Places You Visit Perhaps it is the same inexplicable urge that makes water and gas companies cut trenches across brand new roads, but more likely it is a certain sense of inferiority which make some people disfigure towering cliffs and splendid trees with their altogether insignificant names. THE shooting of harmless and com- *■' paratively rare native game, and the careless use of fire, are more serious sins with which many motorists can be charged, and it is to be hoped that this year will see some improvement. Vandalism is totally unnecessary, and would be rare if people would learn to regard the sqenic beauties . of the country as their own per* sonal property, the same as their own gardens. When a man burns a 'heap of rubbish m his own yard, . he takes good care that the fire . gets no chance to spread to neighboring fences or houses. But m the country this same man may, through pure carelessness, destroy thousands of pounds of property. If everyone were to exercise reasonable care, the melancholy spectacle of blackened trees and hill -sides would be unknown..,. ..-■■'•■ Incidentally,^ motor tourists would be welcomed m many , places where now they are regarded as a menace to pi'Operty, and even to life itself.