The creator of a Facebook ‘‘confessions’’ page, detailing the sometimes crude exploits of people in Palmerston North bar Malbas, says it is ‘‘just a bit of fun’’.

But the bar is not seeing the funny side, posting a reward   for people with information that leads to the page being shut down.

A Facebook user has set up a page called Malbas Palmerston North Confessions, where people can anonymously post about what they have been up to in the Rangitikei St bar.

In just 13 days, the page has racked up more than 1100 ‘‘likes’’ and dozens of confessions.

The confessions range from sexual encounters with former Shortland Street actors to people soiling themselves on the dancefloor.

Malbas manager Ricky Quirk did not return Manawatu Standard calls, but a DJ who performs regularly at the bar said there was a reward for anyone who dobbed in the page’s administrator.

The administrator, a female student who wanted to remain anonymous, said it came about partly out of boredom.

‘‘I started the page after talking with friends about how much scandalous behaviour goes on at Malbas.

‘‘The page is just a bit of fun and I think a lot of people enjoy guessing who may be the confessor and also laughing at how stupid some people can be.’’

She said she was not a regular at the bar, but had done a bit of research.

‘‘I went along to Malbas a week ago just to see if what people were saying could be true, and by looking around I have no doubt in my mind that a lot of these things confessed have happened.’’

She said the page could turn into a good thing for the bar.

‘‘After all, any publicity is good publicity, right?’’

She had not thought of the legal implications, but would not be publishing any confessions that named people.

Social media expert Michael Carney, from SocialMedia.org.nz, said it would be difficult to get a confessions page removed.

‘‘It’s not illegal, except where it crosses over into libel and slander.’’
While people would think they were posting anonymously, Mr Carney said a digital trail would still be there, which could be unearthed one day.

‘‘The worst thing to do is say ‘here I am and here’s what I’ve been doing’.

‘‘It’s a self-defeating career move [if you get found out].’’

Any kind of social media page or account which was contrary to a company’s official image would harm business, he said.

‘‘It’s absolutely counter-productive.’’

SOME OF THE CONFESSIONS

Met the love of my life in Malbas, turns out he was also everyone else’s.. :(

One night to get rid of the creepy Indian dancing with me... I picked my nose and wiped my bogies on him.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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