Waiouru

Ruapehu Bulletin, 6 August 1991, Page 15

Waiouru

by

Chris;

scales

• Last week was a busy time for Waiouru with the tragedy on the slopes of the Tukino ski fields and the atrocious weather towards the end of the week. Many thanks to those military personnel from the Waiouru Camp Hospital, Military Police, and the Army Adventurer Training School, who assisted myself and Senior Sergeant Kelvin Powell at Taihape, in the recovery of the bodies of the two ski patrol members who were killed in the avalanche on the Mountain. A grim task, but their assistance was invaluable. • Also with the assistance of the Army, several members of a hunting party were brought out of the bush area by the Waipakihi River, after being stranded by the snow and weather we had the week before. The relieved hunters and their families would like to pass on their thanks to those who gave assistance. • With the amount of armed robberies being committed lately throughout New Zealand, and with the recent homicide in Turangi, we ask that people be particularly cautious and alert in and around the business areas df Waiouru. Any suspicious looking vehicles or people you may see, should be reported to us immediately. It doesn't hurt to check these people out, takes a few minutes, and it may save a serious offence taking place in the community. It can happen anywhere, and very recently it could have happened here, when two undesirables seen lurking in the township, confronted us with shotguns. • A stock theft was reported last week with quite a large quantity of ewes and lambs stolen from a local farm. Farmers in the area should be aware that there is a problem with stock thefts in the central North Island lately and any strange vehicles, should be reported. A registration number is all we need. • A burglary occurred ) over the weekend of 27 28 July in which a large quantity of cash was stolen from a local premises. It is not advisable to ieave or even hide large amounts of cash in your house as a determined burglar would be sure to find it. • There was also a theft of shoes from the back porch of a house in Stewart Street. People were heard outside the premises at the time. Again, anything that may raise your suspicions should be reported immediately. We then have a good chance of apprehending anyone who is somewhere were they shouldn't be.

• The curfew is still in force and has so far been a resounding success. Crime has dropped dramatically and the curfew will remain in effect until reviewed by the Commander ATG and ourselves at a later date. • No accidents were reported in the last two weeks which was good considering the volume of traffic passing through the area, especially at the weekend with all the skiers. There are several. dangerous areas on State Highway 49 just out of Waiouru and some areas on the Descrt Road, in which there are large potholes in the road. Have a safe week.