THE Hauraki Plains Gazette. With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. MONDAY, APRIL 22, 1929. HOOLIGANS AND SHOOTING.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5414, 22 April 1929, Page 2

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette. With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. MONDAY, APRIL 22, 1929. HOOLIGANS AND SHOOTING.

At the annual meeting of the Ohinemuri Acclimatisation Club justifiable prominence was given to the question of depredations on farm lands committed by irresponsible youths who, armed with guns and caring nothing for a farmer’s land or stock, and respecting no one’s rights, shoot over paddocks and bush, leaving behind them a trail of open gates and damaged property. It is hardly to be wondered at that the harassed farmers, annoyed beyond words by these strongly condemnable acts on the part of hooligans, should go further and declare all their ground closed to shooting. That the true sportsman should havcTiis pleasure curtailed and the chances of augmenting the larder lessened just because a certain type of youth has no moral ethics in the matter will be' readily admitted by everyone. The self-imposed embargo on these lands should certainly be left posted as a deterrent to undesirables, but consideration should be granted to bona fide members of the club, who, as responsible people, are in the habit of asking permission beforehand, and can naturally be trusted to do no harm or damage. It is pleasing to learn that farmers fully realise this, and practically no obstacles are placed in the way of members desirous of shooting over private property, a splendid goodfellowship existing between them. What is needed is cooperation on the part of not only those directly interested, but others as well, to help in the conviction of the irresponsibles.