Dismayed to find garden in chaotic state

ONCE again we see shocking behaviour and disregard for Dunedin’s beautiful amenities (ODT, 19.3.19) by University of Otago students.

My Sunday morning often entails a wander through our worldclass gardens. Imagine the horror at discovering glass bottles, cans, boxes and other trash strewn all over the beautiful Mediterranean garden.

I discovered a staff member sweeping up a carpet of trash and broken bottles in the paved fountain area. The amount of trash and glass was so bad that the task was beyond one person, especially as weekend work is usually done by volunteers and Friends of the Botanic Garden.

There had obviously been many people at the Saturday night party, and on Sunday morning I met more groups of students with alcohol in bottles and cartons, some obviously inebriated and intent on continuing their partying.

A walk around the northern end of town any weekend will disgust most citizens as many flats have rubbish over the footpaths and road with broken glass spread on so many roads that it is impossible to ride a bike without fear of puncture.

It is quite clear which flats are the worst offenders so expulsion seems the obvious answer. Perhaps the university management need to personally assist in the cleanup. Bruce Partridge

Dunedin

[Abridged]

FOR a city celebrated as one where literary pursuits are valued, Dunedin has its fair share of idiots.

I am saddened to read that significant damage has recently occurred within the beautiful Botanic Garden, and I noticed yesterday that some fool has daubed graffiti along shopfronts on the eastern side of George St.

More CCTV is needed in many areas of Dunedin, vandals need to be caught and punished, and if students are involved (however improbable that is) that punishment could include exclusion from tertiary facilities anywhere in New Zealand.

Julian Faigan

Roslyn