13 December 2000

Thieves have returned to the Curator’s House Restaurant in the Botanic Gardens and stolen more copper guttering.

This is the second time within three weeks that copper guttering has been taken from the building.

The latest theft was Monday between 2am-5am. Two lengths of copper down piping were taken from the house, fronting Rolleston Avenue.

It is worth more than $1000 and the Christchurch City Council’s Parks Unit’s gardens team leader, Warwick Scadden, says the police have been informed and security arrangements are being reviewed.

"I’m totally disgusted by this act. The thieves took some on November 22 and seem to have come back for the rest. We were in the processing of replacing guttering taken earlier," he says.

Early on 22 November thieves got away with copper down pipes and spouting off the Gardens Café as well as the Curator’s House.

Only two nights ago six palms and canna lilies were stolen from the Botanic Gardens from a display near the Peacock Fountain.

Vandalism and theft are a constant worry for gardens’ staff. Mr Scadden says theft is always a real concern but it is particularly disappointing to lose the copper from the restaurant, as it is a recently restored historic building.

Further information: Warwick Scadden: 941 8637. 

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