Stolen splitter hampers funds

A Maketu couple's good deed of donating a large shelterbelt of trees to help the local fire brigade raise funds has been scuppered after the fire chief's wood splitter was stolen.

For the last month, Maketu Volunteer Fire Brigade chief fire officer Shane Beech has been without his near brand new wood splitter, which was vital in transforming the 30 large trees on Colin and Maureen Waterhouse's property into firewood to cover running costs.


Photo: File.

The couple decided to donate the trees to the fire brigade and with the voluntary help of Ray Daysh and Maketu Community Board member Gus Cantlon, the trees are being felled and piled.

Shane says one third of the trees have been felled, about 40 cubic metres, with fire brigade members and other local volunteers cutting the logs to proper lengths.

That was until the community-minded operation stalled when the wood splitter stolen from the Waterhouse's property last month.

'It was a bit of a shock to go down and get it and finding out it was gone,” says Shane.

The wood splitter, with just six hours on the clock, is described as orange and on the back of a trailer.

Shane says the theft sets the fire brigade back in raising the running costs for the Maketu Volunteer Fire Brigade, rescue tender and ambulance.

'That's the money we desperately need to keep them going,” he says. 'It's a big of a kick in the guts to have it stolen.

'It costs about $3000 a year to run one of the vehicles, so what we are aiming for is between $3000 and $5000.”

In the interim other residents have come forward offering their splitter to use if need be, but Shane is hoping his will be returned.

For information on purchasing firewood, or to offer use of a wood splitter, call the fire station on: 07 533 2160, or Shane on: 0275 392 930.

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2 comments

sometimes........

Posted on 22-12-2014 15:39 | By Jimmy Ehu

you just have to dislike portions of the human race.


Hard working community

Posted on 22-12-2014 20:17 | By Hapi

seems like these types are only negative opportunist, where is your dignity ?


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