Councillor Kevin Watkins on patrol

SENTINEL: Hastings district councillor Kevin Watkins is appalled at the theft of $4000 worth of speakers at Osmanthus Garden's Lantern Festival. PHOTO/DUNCAN BROWN

The theft of $4000 worth of sound equipment hasn't curbed the enthusiasm of Kevin Watkins.

Mr Watkins, a Hastings district councillor, says he'll now spend a few hours as security guard at Cornwall Park's Osmanthus Gardens after speakers were stolen from the Chinese Lantern Festival at the weekend.

"It's really disappointing that someone would do this sort of thing, considering what a great public initiative this is," Mr Watkins said.

"There's nothing more frustrating than fighting that little percentage who try to ruin it for everyone else."

The Lantern Festival was accompanied by music - until the speakers were stolen. "The good thing is we've since managed to obtain new speakers."

Inspired by a trip to Hastings' sister-city Guilin, China, the councillor decided to import lanterns from the Chinese city for this very purpose. "Osmanthus Gardens look fabulous during the day - but they look even better at night with these lanterns."

The night-lit festival is an annual autumn feature and has run for the past five years. "The event's free and it's open to everyone - except scumbags - and will run until this Sunday."

The first New Zealand-China sister-city relationship was established between Hastings and Guilin in 1981.