Trust is burglary victim

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 4, 23 June 1987, Page 8

Trust is burglary victim

The Whakangahau Trust Centre located in Seddon St, Raetihi was recently the victim of vandals who broke into the trust's building through a back entrance. The offenders sprayed graffiti on walls and ransacked offices, making off with cash and office equipment valued at $1000. The Whakangahau Trust has been in operation for four months and has a number of young people on its role who are being taught work skills by tutors employed by the Trust. As well as being used by trainees, the facilities are used by people off the street. Tutor Bill Pehi said the centre had not intended to cater for the general public. "But we didn't think it was fair to close it and penalize those not involved," he said. Table tennis and basketball facilities are available to the public between 23pm each day. The recent break-in came as a disappointment to the tutors at the Centre, who feel that their efforts to

help the young people of the Waimarino have been frustrated by the fact that a lot of recently purchased recreation equipment was stolen. Raetihi had been plagued by a rash of break-ins and vandalism up until two weeks ago brought about by the lack of a resident policeman since Constable Trevor Pullen's departure in April. Raetihi now has a relieving constable, Wayne Mills, who will be resident in Raetihi until the new permanent police officer arrives. Mr Pehi said the Trust had tried unsuccessfully six months previously to get Maori wardens to establish a security system in the area. They have recently decided to do something about the situation themselves and are involved in setting up a security system run by tutors and trainees involved in the Trust. To bc called 'Whakangahau Securatas', the group will liaise with local businesses and residents in

Ohakune and Raetihi to monitor premises. Ten members of the Trust have volunteered for the scheme which will involve close monitoring of premises, homes and businesses on a regular basis.