BULLETS FROM RANGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22009, 16 January 1935, Page 12

BULLETS FROM RANGE

COMPLAINT OF DANGER PENROSE DEFENCE AREA COUNTY COUNCIL DECISION A danger to the public from flying bullets in the vicinity of Penrose rifle range, which was recently the subject of representations bv the Manukau County Council to the Northern Command, New Zealand Defence Forces, was the subject of a reply received by the council at yesterday's meeting. It was emphasised by the Northern Command that every care was taken in the use of the range to safeguard the general public, and no danger was possible unless the warnings provided were disregarded. "The actual position is that th-?re is no danger to persons using the foreshore and beaches of the harbour," stated Lieutenant-Colonel K. Miles, in the letter. "We have, however, felt some concern in the past, on account of people who have ventured out on to the tidal area, when firing has been in progress, in spite of the fact that the red danger flag is flying, and the noise of firing audible." Instructions had been given that warning notices were to be erected. The natural places appeared to be points on the foreshore from which people were in the habit of making their way on to the area. It was not anticipated that the notices would be read to apply to the foreshore area on which thev were erected.

It was regretted that the erection of notices should have conveyed a wrong impression to members of the council and probably to the public. Instructions had been given that the matter was to be remedied, so that no impression of danger would be given where none, in fact, existed. Safeguard over the actual danger area would be retained. The chairman, Mr. F. M. Waters: It is all right for those who know about "the red flag warning, but take the case of strangers who come up by boat without taking note of the warning.

A member said there was no reason for people to risk being shot just because they did not regard the warning of a red flag.

It was stated that a man had reported bullets "whizzing" around his boat some time ago. Claims had been made against the Defence Department, in one case by a fisherman who had run for cover when firing commenced and who had lost his nets. His action was not successful, because it was held that he had disregarded the red flag warning. People had been forced to take shelter among small islands from the bullets. The county clerk, Mr. E. Ashcroft, said there were houses in the direct line of fire at Penrose and children's lives might be endangered. The council decided to forward the letter from the Northern Command to the Minister of Defence and to place tin* facts of the case before him.