Sect’s rifle range is objectors’ target

Press, 21 July 1978, Page 3

Sect’s rifle range is objectors’ target

A rifle range planned by Waipara’s Full Gospel Mission came under fire at a town planning hearing yesterday. Most of the four objectors to the sect’s application to the Hurunui County Council for a specified departure from the Town and Country Planning Act (1977) did not like the idea of the rifle

range. The leader of the sect, Douglas Alexander Metcalf, said in his submissions to the committee that the rifle range was among several proposals to increase the mission’s educational and religious activities. A mock medieval village,

swimming pool, castle, handcraft and recreational building, bunk-houses and a caravan park were included in the sect’s proposals. Glasnevin Holdings, Ltd, Mr and Mrs S. J. and F. C. Hales and Mr R. G. Deans, the Canterbury Battalion of the Boys’ Brigade, and Mrs H. Blakely and Messrs G. A. Shay and R. E. Hyatt lodged :the four objections. Mr Metcalf said that the sect had a registered gun club and needed an area for the sport on its property. “The proposed range was well-planned and carefully sited,” he said. Glasnevin Holdings, Ltd I (Mr B. F. McLaughlin), said

the proposed range would create a danger to the flightpath of a nearby private air strip.

The Boys’ Brigade (Mr W. S. Collins) said that land close to the proposed rifle range was sometimes used for camping activities. Recommendations from the council’s consultant town planners (Davie LovellSmith and partners) did not consider the rifle range inappropriate.

“The personal qualities for this activity — discipline, self-control, and concentration — are highly regarded by most religious, organisaItions,” the report said. A report from the senior county health inspector (Mr R. G. Norris), however, concentrated on the state of present buildings. He said they were “substandard and overcrowded" and suggested that the council make sure they were improved.

The committee reserved its decision until the next meeting of the Hurunui County Council, on August 7.

It also decided to invite! the four objectors to accompany it on a visit to the ! mission’s property on Aug- ! ,ust 4.