Thirty years ago

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 46, 7 May 1985, Page 12

Thirty years ago

"These offences were undoubtedly serious but they were of the adventurous type. There appears to be nowhere in the Waiouru Camp or housing area where the boys can play," Mr S. S. Preston, S.M., said in the childrens court in Taihape this week thirty years ago. Mr Preston was speaking about three boys; aged 12, 1 4 and 1 6, who were charged with converting an army truck. Evidence showed they had driven the vehicle from Waiouru to Ohakune in the early hours of the morning. The vehicle was finally

capsized over a bank. The culprits then attempted to convert two cars, but their efforts proved unsuccessful. "It appears," said the magistrate, "that in the camp and the housing area, there is nowhere where the boys can even kick a football legally, and nowhere where they can play at all. "They can hardly expect to be content cooped up in the back yard of their homes." Parents of the boys said they were not allowed to use the swimming pool or sports grounds or other facilities at the camp. The only available recreation offering was to join the Scouts.

They were not permitted to attend the camp cinema unless accompanied by an adult. Children had formerly played in the plantation but this too had been placed out of bounds to them. "The time is long overdue when recreational facilities for the children of service personnel in this isolated area should be provided," said Mr Preston. "I feel that these boys are suffering from a feeling of frustration. In other plaees reasonable recreation facilities are available and there is no reason why children at Waiouru should be penalised by a lack of them." He warned the boys that should they appear before him again they would be placed under the control of the State. The magistrate said things should be placed on a better footing and the children granted the use of the grounds during specific hours. "There are," he said, "over 200 children in the camp area. 1 referred to this matter two years ago, but it seems that nothing has been done since then to cater for the children. "Growing boys must be provided with an outlet for their energies, otherwise they will certainly get into mischief." The three boys before the court were placed under the care of the child welfare officer and another boy who

had stolen 60 empty soft drink bottles, after secreting himself in the theatre and damaging a door, was similarly dealt with. ★ ★ ★ Gossip from around the town this week in 1955 included the news that Mr W. D. Young, a well-known race horse owner, and his wifei were visiting Raetihi. They were guests of Dr. and Mrs W. R. Young. ★ ★ ★ Congratulations went out to Mr and Mrs Graham Frederickson of Raetihi this week thirty years ago, on the arrival of a bonny son. ★ ★ ★ Also this week the death occurred of Mrs I. E. Scarrow, late of Raetihi. Mrs Scarrow was a wellknown old identity of the district and was a member of the stalwart Scarrow family, known so well in the region.