Fear Of Shooting Risk

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31365, 10 May 1967, Page 1

Fear Of Shooting Risk

Because it fears the risks the public may run from shooters on or near the Brooklands lagoon, the Waimairi County Council yesterday closed the Spencer Park children ’ s playground, warned the public to keep clear, and sent urgent telegrams to the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Seath) and the Miniate- of Lands (Mr MacIntyre) asking for immediate action to protect the public.

The council for some time has been trying to get the southern end of the lagoon.

adjoining Spencer Park, declared a wild-life sanctuary. Since the opening of the shooting season, sportsmen have been attracted to the lagoon by the pukekos, which ate abundant there.

“Over the last 12 months, the council has been trying to bring this area under control to stop indiscriminate shooting on the adjoining beach, Heyders road, two youth camps and the large public recreation area at Spencer Park,” the county chairman (Mr D. B. Rich) said yesterday. “The council’s proposal to make the lagoon a wild-life refuge would affect shooters very little, as the majority do not operate in the area. “Since the opening of the shooting season, the council has received reports of youths shooting across Heyders road and into park land in close

proximity to the children’s playground equipment, and of shooting within a few feet of the road.

“The council, being aware of the danger to the public, is under an obligation to take steps to warn and protect people, particularly in view of the school holidays and the greater number of children using the area.” Mr Rich said that there were indications that there would be an increase in the number of campers, and a youth camp was planned within the next few days. It was the council’s intention to close the northern part of Spencer Park to the public for the duration of the shooting season, or until such time as the council considered the area was safe for public use. The council regretted that it was forced to close the

popular children’s playground, but it would be. failing in its duty, knowing the danger, if it allowed the public to use the area and its equipment. “People should also know that there is a risk to motorists using the unsealed part of Heyders road and its fringes, and the southern part of the shooting area,” said Mr Rich.

Yesterday, council workmen put a post and wire fence across the playground area, and erected a warning notice. During the afternoon, an organised group of about 50 children, aged up to about 13, walked down Heyders road in what one man termed “the firing line.” One shooter, it was reported, had staked his claim to a pool 20 yards from the road, and was shooting at the game there from the edge of the road.