Visitor dismayed at trashing of Botanic Garden

DURING our occasional visits from the UK to family here in New Zealand, we have enjoyed reacquainting ourselves with Dunedin’s delightful Botanic Garden, one of the city’s many ‘‘gems’’.

Most recently, we walked its tranquil paths the day after the appalling massacres in Christchurch, as much as anything to reassure ourselves of the beauty and peace that is still available to us all. Others from all backgrounds were doing the same, smiling and nodding to each other. Such places refresh the spirit and provide solace in difficult times.

As the UK suffers from an endemic littering and fly tipping problem, we have also always appreciated the cleanliness and lack of rubbish not only in the city but throughout the stunning Otago region.

We were therefore dismayed to see the disrespect shown by some university students who apparently used the garden as their personal dustbin, who appear to have had no insight into beauty or care for the fragile nature of their surrounds and whose ignorance and stupidity belie their supposed intellectual status and career aspirations.

Why should such arrogance spoil this beauty for others? Why should dedicated staff and volunteers have to clean up others’ thoughtless muck?

Why should visiting tourists such as those from the increasing number of cruise ships take away an erroneous and potentially harmful impression of this area?

Dunedin is an attractive and interesting city, set in some of the most lovely scenery in New Zealand. Let’s keep it that way. Val Sprott

Dunedin

[Abridged]

Dog’s business

WHILE walking along the track to the beach at Westwood, I came upon a bag of doggy doos, then another then another and finally a fourth one.

What, I ask, is the point of putting your offensive litter in a plastic bag and then leaving it there? Might as well just leave it there and let the elements deal with it.

There is, I may add, a litter bin not too far away. Pat Mackenzie

Cromwell