Hall Owners, Beware!

A young teen-ager was going to-have a party - a birthday party - but she had nowhere to have it because many other hall owners in Nelson have refused to let their halls to teen-agers because of the damage done them. But she was fortunate, she was allowed to use the Nelson Swimming Club hall alongside the municipal pool for her party. The club was not so fortunate. During the night the party developed into an orgy of vandalism. The interior fittings of the hall were smashed, holes were made in wall linings, a wall water heater was damaged and a big silver trophy, the walsh Cup which had been in the club since 1938, was taken from the trophy cupboard, mashed, broken and discarded outside. On the roadway outside, broken glass sufficient to fill a 10 gallon drum, was swept up. This shocking case of vandalism should serve to warn others of the risks they run in letting halls to teen-agers in future.

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Hearing the noise, pool superintendent Mr Ray McConchie investigated and found one youth using this training apparatus as a battering ram to smash the wall.

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Mr McConchie displays the damage done to the wooden wall of the room.

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The Walsh Cup, a battered, broken trophy

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Holes were poked in walls and ceilings with these weight bars.

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A wall water heater had to be dismantled for repairs.