Vehicles Taken From Waiouru Camp

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31982, 8 May 1969, Page 26

Vehicles Taken From Waiouru Camp

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, May 7.

Police inquiries have linked Auckland university students with the taking of two Army utility vehicles from Waiouru Military Camp on Monday night.

One of the vehicles has been recovered by Army authorities from the grounds of Auckland University, the other was found seriously damaged on the Desert Road six miles north of Waiouru. After the vehicles were taken a telephone caller, who claimed he was a student, asked a Broadcasting Corporation officer in Auckland when the Army proposed to collect its vehicles. The caller said three vehicles had been taken from under the Army’s nose. Auckland University students are celebrating capping week. Today an Army spokesman said a very serious view was being taken of the affair. Damage to the vehicle involved public money. Yesterday a check at Waiouru showed two vehicles missing. The, suggestion that a third had also been taken was apparently part of the “joke,” the spokesman said. Both vehicles were on a repair line and were awaiting collection by private firms which were to do the work. The vehicle recovered damaged had undergone major repair and was to have final panelwork done. It was not commissioned for use and the

engine had been drained. When found its engine had seized. “As far as we are concerned it is in the hands of the police," the spokesman said.