Not such an innocent prank

Dear Editor,

Every few weeks the young men who ‘lime’ on the bridge at the exit to the Sophia Exhibition Site near the eastern end of Duncan Street find themselves feeling bored. Their way of introducing thrills into the tedium of their lives is to wait until night falls, and then they place a wooden lantern post across Eastern Highway and hide behind the bushes to see whatever accident will occur.

The street light there does not usually work at night – though it is currently shining brightly (at 11 am) – one of life’s little ironies, I suppose.

Over the months we have seen several small accidents – small in that no one has been seriously injured, but not small, I am sure, in terms of the cost of repairs.Last night two men on a scooter were the unfortunate victims of this ‘innocent game.’ Both were injured, and both were very badly shaken by the accident. The scooter is going to need substantial repairs.

Of course the police should take action – and I hope that you will forward this letter to them. But it seems to me that the families of pranksters like these should be taking their responsibility more seriously. We are not at war: these are your own people you are harming, young men! Games like these have to be stopped.

Yours faithfully,
Joyce Jonas

Editor’s note

We are sending a copy of this letter to Commissioner of Police Mr Henry Greene for any comments he might wish to make.