ACTS OF VANDALISM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25021, 15 September 1942, Page 4

ACTS OF VANDALISM

CHILDREN UNFAIRLY BLAMED A REFLECTION WITHDRAWN Words which, it was considered, threw unwarranted suspicion on school children for acts of vandalism were removed from the report of the Works Committee at the meeting of the City Council last night after an objection had been raised by Cr D. C. Cameron. The report of the committee slated that red reflectors had been removed by vandals from the blast walls of public air-raid shelters. It was thought, the report added, that this was the work of school children, and the co-opera-tion of headmasters was being sought with a view to preventing further vandalism. “Is there any evidence that this vandalism was caused by school children or is it just a guess? ” asked Cr Cameron. “School children,” he added, "get the blame for a lot of things that they don’t, do.” Cr W. B. Taverner: Children couldn’t have done it. • The chairman of the Works Committee (Cr J. Wilson), who had moved the adoption of the report, indicated that there was no direct evidence that children had removed the reflectors. “The only reason why this was included,'’ he added, amidst laughter, “is that anyone older than a child ought to have more sense.” “There is a point in what Cr Cameron has said,” the Mayor (Mr A. H. Allen) stated. “We have no right to malign children unless they are guilty.” Cr Cameron; The words should be deleted. Cr Wilson agreed to the Mayor's suggestion that he should adopt this course, but when the agreement of the council as a whole was sought Cr Munro dissented. “ I do not think it is fair,” he said. “We are not maligning the children, but this clause gives us an avenue through which we can approach the headmasters.” When the Mayer pointed out that the words could not be deleted unless Cr Munro, as seconder of the motion, gave his consent, Cr Munro withdrew his objection.