CHILD VANDALS.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 17 May 1920, Page 4

CHILD VANDALS.

COMPLAINTS FROM PUBLIC BODIES. TREES, SHRUBS AND BLOWERS , DESTROYED. The for Education (the Hon. C. J. Parr), in conversation with a “Times’ ’ representative, said, that he had received complaints from several responsible public bodies in control ot parks and domains that school children are vandals, and arc in the habit of destroying trees, shrubs, and flowersin the public parks. “It has been sug-. gestud,” he added, “that' the teaching in our schools in regard to such matters is of a negligible character. Ihave looked into the question, and And that the general practice of teachers during lessons on nature study and on physics is to impress upon the children tire duty of preserving trees and plants and other things of beauty in the neighbourhood. 1 am of opiuiou, however, from my experience as a municipal administrator keenly interested in parks and domains that this teaching should be further emphasised; and I have therefore directed that the ■School. Journal,’ which circulates through all the schools iu the Dominion, should in its issue for Arbor Day iiiis year make a special note in rofeieuce to the instruction of the children in all our schools iu the duty of the young people of the Dominion to pic serve their own properly. It is no small part of true education, stated the Minister, to inculcate love for beauty and nature; and in this connection 1 would like lo see more attention paid to tffc school gardens, iconic school.have very nice gardens round them lull hi other cases the ground Ilia -night be devoted to gardens is jus A aste. it would be well for the risin; leucration if all the teachers am cliool committees were to endeavour i>

make the school surroundings as uttrac live and beputiful as possil.de. 1 know that there are great difficulties n -time cases, but even in such cases something more than is being done at present might, well be done. As ialready the practice in some districts prizes might be offered for the best kept gardens.”