Waiouru Community News

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 39, 20 March 1984, Page 11

Waiouru Community News

This month's meeting of the Waiouru Community Advisory Committee was chaired by Russel Martin in place of the usual chairman, Bruce Meldrum, who was on an Army exercise on Great Barrier Island. ★ ★ ★ The newly appointed dog ranger (from Marton) has not yet arrived to take up his duties but it is believed that he has recently suffered a minor injury and should be in residence in Waiouru shortly. The dog pounds, to be used by the Ranger, have already been installed. Pound fees have been set asfollows: lstoffence — $20 fine plus feeding and advertising costs if any; 2nd offence — $40 plus any costs. Dogs caught worrying sheep will be shot. ★ ★ ★ The question was raised concerning the number of dogs that residents were allowed to keep whilst residing in Waiouru. The meeting was told that the number was regulated by the property officer when Defence Department residents first moved to Waiouru. ★ ★ ★ There has been a history of attempts to raise the low speed limit (30 km/h) around the camp and residential area, and at this month's meeting the issue was raised again. However, the chairman was adamant about his feelings on this question and the committe was told that it would get "no joy"from him on the matter. The Chairman pointed out that a number of streets in Waiouru were very

narrow and there was a high percentage of children living in Waiouru. For these reasons it would be dangerous and irresponsible to raise the limit. If necessary the chairman would investigate the use of judder bars to ensure that road users complied with the restriction. ★ ★ ★ Concern was expressed about the number of young pre-school children who are riding bikes and trikes on the footpaths around the residential and shopping areas. It was agreed that legally nothing could be done to prevent this practice but the committee requested that parents be warned about the dangers both to their own children and other footpath users. ★ ★ ★ Carpets and curtain rails are the responsibility of individual tenants in Waiouru 's Defence Department homes ... that is the message to occupiers of houses in the residential area. Tenants on transfer who have layed fitted carpet and installed their own curtain tracks can either take these items with them or negotiate with the incoming tenant. The Army can make no financial provision for compensating residents vacating their houses in Waiouru who wish to leave these items behind. As far as curtain track was concerned an attempt had been made to standardise all types of fittings throughout Defence Department houses in New Zealand. In this way tenants on transfer would know they could leave theirs behind in the certain knowledge that an identical type of fitting would be available in their new home. However even this proposal has not yet been adopted and fitted carpets would present an even bigger problem. That is why most tenants rely on loose

rug floor coverings while living in Waiouru. ★ ★ ★ The chairman suggested that since a number of the committee members queries appeared to concern the property office, the Property Officer himself be asked to attend Community Committee meetings in order to deal with these queries "on the spot." ★ ★ ★ It was decided to send a letter to both Mr Jim Bolger, MP for King Country, and Mr Bruce Beetham, MPfor Rangitikei, seeking their support in having the road realignment at Mulvay's Corners on SH 1 treated as a matter of urgency. ★ ★ ★ Approval was received from the Commander A.T.G. for the operation of a video parlour. This would be situated at the rear of the hairdressing salon. T]^^ parlour would operate at t^B following times: Weekdays from 3-6pm. Holidays and Saturdays from 10am to 8pm. The parlour will be supervised by an adult at all times. ★ ★ ★ In reply to a query regarding the expected long term location of the pony club grounds, the chairman told the committee he understood that the new paddocks would probably be located next to the Army Museum. Pony Club members expressed concern at the inconvenience caused by the present pony club location, as members are having to carry buckets full of wjte: for the horses from the cl^pi below the paddock. ★ ★ ★ It was proposed that a letter of thanks be sent to constable Dave Glendinning for his service to the community of Waiouru. Constable Glendinning has taken up an appointment at the Taihape Police Station.