Private archery range targeted by vandals

Marangai Archery Club founders Robert and Maureen McMillan are appealing for information after the private range on their farm property was targeted by vandals last weekend.

Away in Hamilton, the McMillans were informed a neighbour from down the road had seen remains of the papers and padding on the wooden targets strewn across the area.

"All our targets out here, they're all destroyed and slashed open, left all over the ground," said Robert McMillan.

The club no longer uses the range as its official base, after complaints by the nearby neighbours saw Wanganui District Council order them to cease activities until they received resource consent.

After a series of negotiations, the McMillans withdrew from the resource consent process late last year.

"It was a private archery range - we're allowed family and friends [to shoot] out here, so long as we're not depicting an archery club," said Robert McMillan.

Over this time, he claimed the archery targets have been slashed before, their aviary has been opened to release the birds, and damage had been done with a hammer on the property.

"We've been going through this for 12 months now."

Police have been investigating and will visit all the nearby properties as they continue their inquiries.

"Got suspects who we think they are, but we can't prove it," said Robert McMillan.

"Someone might have seen something in the past.

"If anyone has any information, can they please contact the police."

The archery club recently received good news because the Kaierau Rugby Club has offered it the use of its grounds at the Country Club on Devon Rd, which does not require a WDC resource consent.