Youth activities

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33965, 4 October 1975, Page 14

Youth activities

Sir, — After reading an article in “The Press” last week on juvenile crime, I question the action of the Christchurch City Council. Several boys in Sumner have spent many busy and happy days building a hut on the rocks near the lifeboat shed. The odd night is spent there and days at the week-end. It is no ramshackle affair, yet the Christchurch City Council has put a demolition order on it. These boys could always be found by their parents and were encouraged by their parents who provided materials. Take this away from them and the incentive to find further interests could well be destroyed.. No vandalism or destruction has occurred. What harm have they caused to anyone? I think our city fathers have a lo( to answer for. Children were once allowed to build huts, ramble on the hills and lin the country without

being told that this is not allowed. Children once had much more freedom than today’s youth. Can a percentage of juvenile crime be attributed to frustrations like this? — Yours, etc., MARGARET GRENFELL September 14, 1975. [The Town Clerk (Mr J. H. Gray) replies: “No demolition order has been placed on the cave hut built by some boys in Sumner. A complaint was received and council officers investigated. Apparently the way down the rocks to the cave is somewhat precarious, and this is a matter of some concern should there be an injurious accident. Furthermore, the hut is technically a building by definition in the relevant by-law, it has been erected on a public road which comes under the control of the council, and council officers, reluctant as they may be, have an obligation in the matter. It is hoped that compliance will be achieved by negotiation, rather than by formal procedures.”]