THEFT FROM HUTS

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31341, 11 April 1967, Page 11

THEFT FROM HUTS

Use May Be Restricted Thefts of billies, camp ovens and food from Forest Service huts in the North Canterbury area were becoming so serious that these items might be withdrawn and the huts made available only to departmental hunters, the principal ranger in Christchurch (Mr T. E. C. Bridge) said yesterday. Mr Bridge said that the huts were used by hunters, trampers and the public. More recently, with improved access, an undesirable type of person seemed to be visiting these regions. The huts’ facilities had for years been used in accordance with the unwritten rule that the property they contained was respected and that they were left in the same condition in which they were found, he said. “The incidence of theft Is increasing so rapidly and becoming so serious that the Forest Service will have to take some kind of action if the present trend continues,” Mr Bridge said. “It is a physical impossibility to police the area.” The removal of ovens and billies from huts would mean that hunters and trampers would in future have to carry these items in themselves, Mr Bridge said. It would be a great shame to penalise everyone because of the actions of a few.

GUberthorpe School.—Officers elected at the annual meeting of the GUberthorpe School Parent Teacher Association were: patron, Mrs M. Mowat; president Mr G. H. Morrell; vice - presidents, Messrs A. J. Briden, W. Merritt: treasurer, Mrs J. Rowe; secretary, Mrs E. I. Sandford; committee, Mesdames J. Dale, C. Falconer, C. McKenzie, M. Morrell, S. Symon, J. Stanley, Messrs M. J. Conway, G. H. Woods.