NOT SAFE?

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 32346, 13 October 1943, Page 5

NOT SAFE?

RIFLE RANGE AT SCHOOL NO PERMISSION OBTAINED PAEROA COMMITTEE OBJECTS Strong objection to the action ' of the Paeroa Army Department in constructing a shooting range on the Secondary School grounds at Paeroa without first obtaining permission from the committee was voiced at Monday night’s meeting of the Paeroa District High School Committee, members contending that the site was far from suitable and possibly dangerous.

Mr W. Morrison raised the subject when he asked the chairman whether a rifle range had been constructed at the secondary school that day.

The chairman. Mr C. C. Webb, replied that he had no knowledge of the matter.

Mr Morrison explained that, the range had been constructed that day (Monday), and it was proposed to fire into the railway embankment. He considered this dangerous to traffic on the line. , A shot a little high of a ricochet off the ground might hit anything passing or go over the bank and harm anybody or any animal on the other side.

The headmaster, Mr A. E. Day, stated that the range had been constructed under the supervision of the Paeroa Army Department.

'Several members expressed alarm at the site selected, contending it was definitely dangerous and should not be in the borough area, it being a breach of the by-laws to discharge firearms in the borough.

Mr Webb said the Army Office had no right to build a range on school] property without at least first getting permission from the committee.

The headmaster stated that one of the Army Office staff had advised him three months ago that they were going to locate a rifle range at the Secondary School. A range was- necessary for cadet training but he considered the' site not suitable.

Mr Webb asked who would take the responsibility if any stock were shot.

Mr Morrison said that the Railway Department were sure to disapprove of the site of the range.

Mr Webb objected to the action of the Army Office in taking such steps without first consulting the committee.

Criticism of the Army Office followed after which it was decided to write to the Army Department pointing out that the consent of the committee should have been obtained before any such range was constructed. Mdssrs Webb and Follas were appointed a committee to wait on the Army Department on Tuesday morning.