Vandals May Force Scout Den To Close

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32213, 4 February 1970, Page 20

Vandals May Force Scout Den To Close

Repeated acts of vandalism might force the closing of the Richmond scout den in the park between Stanmore Road and Pavitt Street, the chairman of the Richmond scout troop committee (Mr A. Connack) said last evening.

Vandals again struck at the den between Sunday evening and last evening and tore flags and bunting from the walls and scattered food round the building. A mounted stag’s head was used as a target for missiles and was badly damaged. “This happens nearly every school holiday. It doesn't matter how close a check you keep on the place; they always seem to get in,” said Mr Cormack, who lives in the same block. The vandals got in by a broken panel in a side door and from the size of the footprints there was a youth and: several small children, hei said. Cocoa, tea and break- i fast cereal had been scattered throughout the den and over the flags and bunting. “I checked the place on I Sunday night and it was all; right. A lot, of children play’

in the park and the den is pretty isolated and any sound would be deadened,” he said. Mr Cormack said he did not think that local children were involved.

“We have had a number of cases like this. There have also been thefts from the den. We once had an antique musket which had been used in the Maori wars and an old Japanese Samurai sword which had been presented to the troop. Both were stolen by vandals,” he said. “If this sort of thing doesn’t stop we will have to close the den,” he said. The police are investigate tag.