subject: 10 August, 2003
----- WYSIWYG NEWS -------------------------------
Copyright, Brian Harmer
Wellington harbour is a magical thing, a creature of many
moods. On a clear windless night last week, its syrupy
surface was a luminous dark blue, scarcely moving, and
making no sound. It formed a gorgeous backcloth to the
glittering white and yellow jewels of the distant city
lights. Just a day or two earlier, the same harbour had
been surging in massive grey-green waves, battering
against the sea wall beside the railway line, shattering
and bursting skyward in great sheets of wind-whipped salt
spray. In the calm days just after such a storm, the
muddy yellow water of the rain-swollen Hutt River pours
out into the dark green of the sea, creating a gigantic
swirl of colour between river and the sea like some
artfully poured sauce into a soup. Occasionally it is as
surly hammered steel, restlessly awaiting a change in the
weather. Sometimes it is milky opalescent grey, vast and
so perfectly flat that it looks as if you could walk
across it. Last weekend, under a clear sky, it was deep
blue, contrasting with the white sails skimming briskly
across the light chop in mid winter yacht races.
There is always life on and around, in and under the
harbour. Ubiquitous gulls, red beaked gulls, black backed
gulls, shags, terns, herons, oystercatchers, stilts,
swallows, plovers, various ducks, sooty shearwaters,
little blue penguins and occasionally a gannet can all be
found within it. In the surrounding bush which comes down
to the sea in places, there are silvereyes, fantails,
sparrows, robins, tomtits, blackbirds, starlings,
finches, tuis, bellbirds, wood pigeons, kingfishers,
magpies parakeets, owls and many other birds. Very
occasionally marine mammals are seen. Sometimes fur
seals, and dolphins, and on rare occasions, a pod of
Orcas, and once I seem to recall, there were reports of a
Southern right whale.
Around the harbour's edges are the steep hills to east
and west, and the great river valley wedged between them
to the North. At the South the Miramar Peninsula provides
some protection from the worst excesses of the Cook
Strait. In the encircling shelter of the inner hills to
the Southwest, the city perches on the tiny flat area
between the hills and the sea. Houses in all their myriad
shapes and textures surge up and sometimes over the hills
like waves of humanity bursting onto a hilly shore. Road
and rail run in a comparatively straight line along the
Western edge of the harbour, trapped on the narrow ledge
between sea and hills, more or less directly on the
Wellington fault, reminding us that we have chosen to
build our city on a moving landscape.
Out in the harbour sits Somes/Matiu, home to nesting
black-backed gulls and countless other birds. It is a
reminder of the time when we thought the few kilometres
between it and the city would be a sufficient protection
from any plague or pestilence on quarantined animals
arriving from overseas. And just to its North, the tiny
island Mokopuna, or Leper's Island, on which in 1904, the
terrified citizens of Wellington marooned poor Kim Lee, a
Chinese fruiterer from Newtown, wrongly suspected of
having leprosy. He died three months later. Out in the
mouth of the harbour is another island, Ward/Makaro of
which not much seems to be written. It features in the
pilotage instructions for the harbour, but seems not to
be often visited. Out further still is the harbour's
leading lights, and the gateway to the Pacific and a
clear run South all the way to the Southern Ocean.
----
A request for help from anyone in the Miami area, on behalf
of a talented young musician (Timpanist, no less). I
have known this fine young man as a neighbour since his
birth. He has just completed a BMus (Hons) degree and has now
won the Patricia Pratt Scholarship. He is using it to
study with Ney Rosauro at the University of Miami.
However, he has been let down at the last minute
by people who undertook to provide accommodation. What
I am seeking on his behalf is someone who might negotiate
with an accommodation provider near the university, so that
they have a local point of contact. A bank draft is avaialable
to cover costs. If you are in Miami and can help, please email
me, and I will forward it to the young fellow,
-----
Any text above this point, and all subsequent material in
parentheses, and concluded with the initials "BH" is the
personal opinion of Brian Harmer as editor of this
newsletter, or occasionally "HH" will indicate an opinion
from Helen. In all cases they are honest expressions of
personal opinion, and are not presented as fact.
Collection and formatting of the news this week is
sponsored by Mike in New Jersey.
All news items (except where noted otherwise) are
reproduced by kind permission of copyright owner,
Newstalk ZB News All copyright in the news items
reproduced remains the property of The Radio Network
Limited.
----
On with the news
Monday, 04 August
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LOST BOAT MAY HAVE HIT LOG
--------------------------
A submerged log could have been the cause of a fatal
boating accident off Foxton Beach. Three men who failed
to return from a fishing trip on Saturday, were found
drowned the following day. Coastguard search coordinator
Rodney Caldrow says an obvious explanation for the
missing Haines Hunter craft is that it hit a large object
at speed and sank. Mr Caldrow says the boat had major
damage to its hull and probably sank quickly. The
coastguard and police are asking anyone who spots any
wreckage from the boat to contact them. The men who
drowned have been identified as Maurice Bruce Tantrum and
Graham Joseph Beckett of Palmerston North, and Owen Silas
Hanley of Foxton Beach.
WELLINGTONIANS ON SHOW IN CHINA
-------------------------------
Wellingtonians will get a brief glimpse of how they will
look to their Chinese counterparts this week before the
Xiamen Photographic Exhibition heads to the sister city.
The exhibition is a showcase of Wellington and its people
and will be on show at the Michael Fowler Centre from
Monday until Wednesday. It will them become a permanent
display at a venue in Xiamen, which is Wellington's
sister city. Wellington mayor, Kerry Prendergast will
host a farewell to the exhibition, as well as attending
the opening in Xiamen in early September when it
coincides with her official visit to China.
(Host a farewell to the exhibition? Whence comes this
anthropomorphic nonsense? Let me guess ... someone will
be appointed to express thanks on behalf of the
exhibition, and they'll all have a good time at the
expense of Wellington ratepayers. - BH)
INSURANCE BONUS FOR HEALTHY LIFE?
---------------------------------
Private health insurer Southern Cross may introduce
discounts for people who live healthy lifestyles. The
discounts will reflect such things as eating habits,
exercise, smoking and alcohol consumption. Southern Cross
says the exact nature of the final product is still being
developed and will be unveiled later this year. There is
speculation it could mean loaded premiums for the
overweight and discounts for people with gym memberships.
But there are fears such moves will encourage people to
lie to their doctors about their eating, smoking,
drinking and other lifestyle habits.
TEEN MISSING OVER A WEEK
------------------------
There are growing concerns for a Hamilton teenager who
has not been seen for more than a week. Eighteen-year-old
Benjamin Daryl Wood has been missing from his Hamilton
flat since last Sunday. He was last seen at his home
early that morning after spending a night out with
friends. Neither his family nor large circle of friends
have heard from him and his bank accounts have not been
touched. Police say his disappearance is out of
character.
SHOP AROUND FOR POWER - RUSSELL
-------------------------------
Consumers in Christchurch are being advised to shop
around, as they face massive electricity price hikes from
Meridian Energy. Last week the company's 130,000
Christchurch consumers learned that by September they
will be paying up to 25 percent more for their power.
David Russell of the Consumers Institute says Meridian
customers should start shopping around and checking out
rival suppliers. He says people can keep an eye on what
other companies are offering through the Consumers'
Institute web site or any Citizens Advice bureau.
(Occasionally I get cold calls from individuals seeking
to persuade me to change suppliers. My inevitable
question is "how much cheaper is your company?". The
answer so far has always been that there is no
difference. I assume the benefit is in the prettier
stationery or the style in which the call centre answers
my calls. These guys march in lockstep. The benefits
promised by the marketisation of the industry we once
owned are an illusion from my perspective. - BH)
COMMISSION EXPECTS QUAKE CLAIMS
-------------------------------
The Earthquake Commission expects to receive up to 250
claims after four quakes in the lower half of the North
Island over the weekend. The largest shake measured 5.4
on the Richter scale. It struck 20 kilometres east of
Pahiatua just before midnight on Sunday night. Holders of
home or contents insurance automatically qualify for
Earthquake Commission cover and have up to 30 days to
make a claim. Commission spokesman Lance Dixon says
people should check their homes for possible damage and
keep any broken crockery or glass for assessment.
Seismologists say there could be aftershocks from the
earthquake, which Dr Ken Gledhill, from the Institute of
Geological and Nuclear Sciences, says the was widely
felt. He says a quake that size can spark aftershocks of
up to 4.4 on the Richter Scale but because it was 50
kilometres deep people might not feel it.
Tuesday, 05 August
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NEW CARE CODE FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS
----------------------------------
A tougher code for the care of foreign students has been
released by Education Minister Trevor Mallard. The move
comes partly in response to the death in January of a
student at West Auckland's Columbus Academy, a centre for
at-risk Japanese teens. The now-defunct Academy was later
prosecuted by the Waitakere City Council for breaches of
both the Resource Management Act and the Building Act
1991 over insufficient sanitary facilities, overcrowding
and lack of any fire prevention or safety measures. It
was fined $45,000. The revised code tightens the
definition of home-stay to exclude boarding
establishments and also tightens the definition of a
caregiver. Mr Mallard says it provides greater protection
for international students who are unable to protect
themselves.
NO-ONE INJURED IN BUILDING COLLAPSE
------------------------------------
A multi-storied building being demolished collapsed in
the middle of rush-hour traffic in the Auckland suburb of
Greenlane on Tuesday evening. It is believed to be the
old Greenlane Mazda building which is being redeveloped
into an office block. One car has been destroyed by
falling rubble and another has been seriously damaged,
though police do not believe there was anyone in them.
There are believed to be no injuries but some people are
being treated for shock. Inspector Andy Brill says the
incident could not have happened at a worse time, in the
middle of the busy Auckland rush hour, creating traffic
havoc. A lamp post has also been knocked down which is
blocking the road opposite the McDonald's Restaurant at
the corner of Greenlane and Great South Road.
(That no one was injured is an astonishing piece of good
luck, and not a matter of credit to anyone. There was a
pregnant woman in the destroyed car, and a massive block
of concrete just centimetres above where she was when she
was pulled out. - BH)
BREAST CANCER TREATMENT PETITION
--------------------------------
A petition calling for better access to follow-up
treatment for breast cancer patients is being presented
to Parliament. New Zealand First leader Winston Peters
will present the petition on behalf of a woman who had to
wait 14 weeks for radiation treatment following the
removal of a tumour. Kathryn McIlraith has gathered
almost 10,000 signatures for the petition, which calls
for a maximum waiting time of four weeks.
OFFICIALS STAND BY TREATMENT OF COOKS
-------------------------------------
The Immigration Service is standing by its treatment of
three Malaysian cooks who were refused entry into the
country. The Kuala Lumpur residents claim they were
strip-searched, locked up for a night then deported when
they arrived here for a 10-day visit last month. They
have complained to their government and want an apology
from New Zealand. But the Immigration Service says after
interviewing the men their officers formed the view they
may breach the conditions of a visitors' permit. The
Service says it is not unusual to refuse entry to
foreigners who say they are only here to holiday.
RESTRICT BUTANE GAS SALES SAY PARENTS
-------------------------------------
The parents of a teenager who died after inhaling butane
lighter gas say they want to see greater restrictions on
sales of such substances. Fifteen-year-old Joe Stanley
bought a $6.95 can of the lighter fuel from a dairy, but
collapsed after inhaling the gas. His father, Harry, says
he suspects the boy took too much of the gas in at once,
which can lead to respiratory problems and heart failure.
Mr Stanley believes he was persuaded to 'huff' the deadly
fumes by friends. He says Joe came from a happy home, and
a normal family background, and improving at school,
where he was described as polite and well-mannered by his
teachers. Harry Stanley says he is angry that the dairy
sold a can of lighter gas to a teenager, saying it was
obvious what the boy intended to do with it. He believes
there is too much emphasis on drugs such as
methamphetamines, when up to 90 percent of teenagers are
indulging in 'huffing' at some stage. He told Newstalk
ZB's Tim Dower that it may be hard, but someone has to do
something about a growing problem that appears to have
been ignored by the authorities.
(That's a slippery slope. Are we to ban everything with
which people might harm themselves if they misuse them?
Sorry, petrol sales are banned. Razor blades are
prohibited. Butter is out. Or should we say to people, be
responsible for the results of your own choices? - BH)
GROUP TO HOLD LAKEBED MARCH
---------------------------
The Rotorua Lakes' Protection Group is holding a street
march later this month. The group says it wants to send a
clear message to the Government and the Rotorua District
Council that the lakes and seas must be retained under
Crown control. Te Arawa is in talks with the Government
to take over the ownership of Rotorua's lakebeds.
Chairman of the group Mike McVicar wants to make it clear
they are targeting the Government and the Council and not
local Maori. Mr McVicar says many members of various
political parties have been invited to participate in the
march.
CRACKDOWN ON WORST SHOPLIFTERS
------------------------------
Christchurch police and retailers are cracking down on
the city's 20 most prolific shoplifters. It is estimated
more than $1.5 million worth of goods are stolen from
shops throughout the country every day. Christchurch
community constable Greg Thomas says shoplifting is a
huge problem in the city, with thieves targeting high
value items and stealing to order. He says the police are
liasing with store security staff to collate a database
on the activities of some of the busiest thieves.
JOBS 'JOLT' FOR UNEMPLOYED
--------------------------
The ACT Party claims the Government has released its
"jobs jolt" package to get the unemployed into work to
head off bad unemployment statistics due out later this
week. The Government has launched a $104.5 million
scheme, aimed at moving longer term unemployed people
into work. Under the package, unemployed people who are
deemed to be doing not enough to find a job or who fail
work tests face a greater threat of having their benefit
suspended. The scheme promises that solo parents will
receive extra help to enter and remain in the workforce,
with regional employment programmes set up which
recognise family commitments. Employment specialists will
be contracted to work with long-term unemployed people
who have been out of the workforce for eight years or
longer. A discretionary fund to assist young people
through the transition from school to work will be
established as part of the Government's commitment to the
Mayors' Taskforce for Jobs. Employment Minister Steve
Maharey says the aging population means it is vital that
as many people as possible are engaged in the workforce,
but he says older job seekers will, in return, get more
active help from Work and Income case managers.
Unemployed people aged 55-59 will no longer be exempt
from work testing. Mr Maharey is keen to see benefit
suspension used more often, but he says it will be used
carefully. He says suspension is better than totally
removing people from the benefit as it allows people to
restore their benefit immediately after meeting the
necessary requirements. Mr Maharey says $91 million of
the expenditure on the package is expected to be
recovered from what would otherwise have been paid out in
benefits. The Government predicts the initiative will get
22,000 people into paid employment over the next three
years. Labour says employment growth has averaged 44,000
jobs a year since it has been in office. National's
Social Services spokeswoman Katherine Rich says the
scheme is waffle which will do nothing to get dole
numbers down. She claims the fit and able will still be
able to sit at home and "stare at a wall." A further
package targeting south Auckland Pacific Island job
seekers will be announced on Friday by Associate Social
Development and Employment Minister Taito Phillip Field.
(Many people in the 55-59 age group would love to be back
at work, if only someone would take on such ancient
people! I know a few in this category. - BH)
Wednesday, 06 August
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ALIEN INSECT INTERCEPTED
------------------------
MAF's Quarantine service has intercepted another alien
insect, this time at Auckland Airport. The single adult
Culex gelidus, or frosty mosquito, was discovered by
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry quarantine staff in
flowers that came from India. The mosquito was declared
an unwanted organism in September 2000, as it had been
newly reported in Australia, and had the potential to
survive and become established in New Zealand. The insect
is believed to be a vector for human disease such as
Japanese encephalitis. The potentially fatal disease is
the leading cause of viral encephalitis in Asia with 30-
50,000 cases reported annually. Ministry of Health
spokeswoman Sally Gilbert says Auckland Regional Public
Health Service health protection staff have put in place
a programme of enhanced surveillance, checking the
surrounding area and placing a number of adult and larval
mosquito traps in the vicinity.
PILOT TEST MAN'S MOTIVE UNCLEAR
-------------------------------
The motive driving a south Auckland man who is accused of
passing himself off as a Saudi man in order to gain
private and commercial pilot licences remains unclear. A
27-year-old Otara man has appeared in the Tauranga
District Court, charged with five counts of personation
under the Crimes Act. Police allege he was sitting the
exams on behalf of a Saudi Arabian man. His identity was
suppressed and he was remanded on bail pending his next
court appearance next month. The New Zealand man was
picked up after completing an exam at the Tauranga Aero
Club last night. Conducting examiner Mostyn Bowler says
the man was sitting the third of five theory exams. He
believes the man came to Tauranga because there was more
chance of being picked up for whatever he was involved in
if he stayed in Auckland. The Civil Aviation Authority
rules out any suggestion of terrorist activity. Spokesman
Bill Sommer says security people are aware of the Saudi
Arabian involvement but this is a case of someone sitting
someone else's exams.
10,000 SIGN BREAST CANCER PETITION
-----------------------------------
A 10,000-signature petition calling for an urgent
improvement to follow up breast cancer treatment will be
presented to Parliament today. New Zealand First leader
Winston Peters will present it on behalf of Kathryn
McIIraith, who was treated for breast cancer this year
but had to wait 14 weeks for follow-up radiation
treatment. Four weeks is the international standard.
Ms McIIraith says urgent action is needed to reduce
waiting times. She says going public is not something
people choose to do but she believes it is important, as
the problem is fixable. Mr Peters believes the Government
could bring back specialists from overseas to ease
current waiting times.
PEOPLE PAY UP ARC BILL
----------------------
Seventy-five percent of Auckland Regional ratepayers in
the North Shore and Rodney Districts have paid their
controversial rates bill. The time has now passed for
ratepayers in those areas to pay their bill without
incurring a 10 per cent penalty. The ARC says the 75
percent figure is more than they expected. And the
Regional Council is off the hook as far as the Auditor
General is concerned. Kevin Brady was asked by irate
residents to investigate the Auckland Regional Council's
rate increases. He has now issued his report, declaring
the ARC conducted a thorough process and significant
consultation in setting the rates. Meanwhile, ACT has
revealed the North Shore City Council has advised a
pensioner to mortgage her house to them to pay her rates
bill. MP Deborah Coddington told Parliament that the
rates bill of 88-year-old widow Janie Farquharson and her
blind 63-year-old son has risen by $1400 over the past
year. She says the woman has been told to move if she
cannot pay the bill. But Minister for Auckland Issues
Judith Tizard says Mrs Farquharson does not need to take
such drastic action. She is advising that people in a
similar position should ask family and financial and
legal advisers how they can arrange their affairs so they
can pay their rates bill.
CRACKERS WITHDRAWN
---------------------
Eight different rice cracker products are being withdrawn
by supermarket giant Progressive Enterprises. The
products are Trident Rice Crackers in Plain, Tomato
Salsa, Seaweed, Salt and Vinegar and Sweet Chilli
flavours and Signature Range Rice Crackers in Plain,
Tomato Salsa and Seaweed flavours. The products are being
recalled because they have been found to contain milk
protein that is not declared in the ingredient listing.
Consumers who suffer from milk allergies could be
adversely affected. One of the products also contains
soy, which could affect some people. Progressive
Spokesman Mark Brosnan says an ingredient supplier
changed a key flavouring ingredient without the knowledge
of the cracker supplier. He says they are taking the
matter very seriously, and are addressing the issue with
the manufacturer. The crackers are sold in Foodtown,
Woolworths, Countdown, Price Chopper, Supervalue, and
Fresh Choice stores.
TAXING TIME FOR IRD STAFF
-------------------------
It could be another fortnight before a number of
Christchurch Inland Revenue staff find out whether they
keep their jobs. Twenty employees have been accused of
improperly accessing files. A PSA spokesperson says the
interviewing process is ongoing and it is too early for
any outcomes. Broadcaster Paul Holmes has complained to
IRD that his account had been accessed up to 400 times
after publicity about his salary last year.
Friday, 08 August
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NZ SAS SECRECY MARS AUST TRIAL
-----------------------------
The case against an Australian SAS officer accused of
abusing the body of an East Timor militiaman has
collapsed, partly due to New Zealand's efforts to keep
the identity of SAS soldiers secret. It is believed there
were 50 Australian special forces members present as well
as British and New Zealanders during the alleged incident
in October 1999. The Sydney Morning Herald says
Australian troops came under fire from anti-independence
militiamen while escorting a convoy of suspect Timorese
villagers back to the West Timor border near Suai. The
soldier at the centre of the case is accused of abusing
the corpse of one of the militiamen by kicking it. The
prosecution case was built mainly on the evidence of
three New Zealand SAS members. At least two of them are
said to have withdrawn or heavily qualified their initial
statements and one cannot remember making the statement.
It is also believed one of the New Zealand SAS witnesses
has been prevented from giving evidence because defence
bosses are not satisfied he can be guaranteed anonymity.
The accused soldier is due to have his case heard
tomorrow, six months after he was first charged. The
Melbourne Age quotes military sources as saying the
prosecution will offer no evidence.
UNEMPLOYMENT DROPS BELOW 5%
---------------------------
Unemployment dropped below five percent in the three
months to June, but the downward trend is slowing. At the
end of June, 4.7 percent of the workforce was unemployed.
Statistics New Zealand says growth in employment has
averaged 0.6 percent each quarter for the last four
years. It says an estimated 95,000 people are now out of
work. Maori unemployment stands at 10.4 percent, while
7.1 percent of Pacific Islanders are out of work.
FAMILIES REACT TO AMROZI SENTENCE
---------------------------------
The family of one of the New Zealand victims of the Bali
bombings is happy to see justice done. Indonesian Muslim
militant Amrozi has been sentenced to death after being
found guilty of helping to plan and carry out last
October's attack. The Bali bombings killed 202 people,
including 88 Australians and three New Zealanders. Timaru
man Mark Parker was one of three New Zealanders to die
when bombs exploded in the Kuta nightclub district. His
uncle and family spokesman John Parker says the family
has generally left the Indonesian system to deal with the
justice and has not followed the case closely. He says
that if Amrozi is the right person, he has probably
received the right punishment in accordance with the laws
of that country.
MEAT INDUSTRY IN DAMAGE CONTROL MODE
------------------------------------
Meat New Zealand is moving to protect the industry
against any negative impact, as a man lies in Waikato
Hospital with suspected variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
(vCJD), which is linked to mad cow disease. Specialists
are investigating whether the man, who has an undiagnosed
neurological illness, has the brain-wasting disease,
which is picked up from eating meat from mad cow-infected
animals. One of his tonsils has been sent to Australia
for testing and results should be ready in a fortnight.
However, they may not be conclusive. Meat New Zealand is
emphasising that this country is certified as being free
of mad cow disease, and is reminding purchasers of the
country's beef of the safeguards already in place.
Chairman Jeff Grant says the industry is mindful of the
knee-jerk reactions the case may have, but has
encountered the situation once before, when a false
rumour spread about New Zealand sheep having scrapie. Mr
Grant says Mad Cow Disease or BSE has never been found in
New Zealand cattle and there are stringent measures to
keep it that way.
RSA DISAPPOINTMENT AT BELL DECISION
------------------------------------
Members of the Mt Wellington-Panmure RSA are disappointed
the Court of Appeal has reduced the minimum time murderer
William Bell will spend in jail. Bell was found guilty of
killing three people, and leaving another for dead,
during a robbery of the RSA in December 2001. The judge
ordered him to serve a minimum non-parole period of 33
years, but it has been reduced on appeal to 30 years. The
court ruled the reduction brings Bell's sentence more in
line with those handed out to Mark Lundy and Bruce Howse.
RSA President Alan Eastwood says everyone is disappointed
about the judgement, and the families of the victims are
particularly upset. But Bell's lawyer believes his
client's eventual reintegration into society will be
helped by the decision. Ian Tucker says the reduction
gives Bell some relief, providing a little light at the
end of a long tunnel. The Appeal Court has also reduced
Bruce Howse's non-parole term from 28 to 25 years. Howse
was found guilty of stabbing to death his stepdaughters
11-year-old Olympia Jetson and 12-year-old Saliel Aplin
in Masterton in December 2001.
(I don't understand what was achieved by the tinkering
with the sentences. The difference between 30 and 33
years is trivial by the time that date is reached. Even
then, all he can do is apply for parole, without any
guarantee of it being granted. I think the sentences
should have been left undisturbed. All that was achieved
was to renew the grief of the victims' relatives. - BH)
SHELLFISH COLLECTION BAN IN PLACE
---------------------------------
A warning has been issued for people not to collect
shellfish from a large section of the North Island. It
comes from the Ministry of Health and affects the
Taranaki, Waikato and Auckland regions. The areas
involved are Ohawe Beach in Taranaki to Kawhia in the
Waikato, and west coast beaches between the entrances to
the Manukau and Kaipara Harbours. The harbours themselves
are not affected. The warnings are because of unsafe
levels of paralytic poison in all shellfish.
RATE REBELS WAIT TO HEAR ABOUT MEETING
--------------------------------------
The Regional Ratepayers Rebellion group does not know if
it will get the chance next week to address the Auckland
Regional Council. The council has been forced to hold a
special meeting over its rate-fixing process after five
councillors signed a requisition. The meeting was set for
Monday morning, and Councillor Mike Lee arranged for
ratepayers' spokesman David Thornton to address it.
However, Mr Thornton says council chairwoman Gwen Bull
has changed the date and agenda, and declined his request
to speak. He says she now accepts he did ask for a
deputation and is waiting to hear back. The council is
now meeting on Wednesday to discuss the rates, including
what relief can be offered to those struggling to pay.
David Thornton believes at least six ARC councillors
support him and he hopes to convince all of them of the
need to resolve the controversy.
STELLA FREE AT LAST
-------------------
Salvors have re-floated the fishing boat which has been
stuck on an East Coast beach for the last fortnight.
Police say the Tauranga-based Stella has been pulled off
Tuparoa Beach near Ruatoria on Friday afternoon. It is a
case of third time lucky with two previous attempts
thwarted by broken tow cables. The Wellington-based tug
Sea Ranger was used to free the vessel.
IHC AND WORKERS AGREE PAY RISE
------------------------------
The IHC has settled its dispute with the Service and Food
Workers Union. The union had been disrupting the day to
day operations of the organisation to press for a three
per cent pay rise. It was refusing to complete non-
essential paperwork and drive IHC transport vehicles once
a week. The two parties have now settled for a two
percent pay increase.
SYNDICATES' SITE TO BE HANDED TO CITY
-------------------------------------
The site of the America's Cup yachting bases is being
handed over to the city of Auckland. The land will become
public open space. Infrastructure Auckland's Electoral
College has debated at length handing over the land. The
decision was not unanimous. The land has a book value of
about $11 million but Auckland Mayor John Banks hopes the
council will not have to pay anything. He says the
council is getting legal advice, and a charitable trust
may be needed, but he believes no money should change
hands. He says Infrastructure was urged to sell the land
for apartments but he was determined not to let that
happen. Mr Banks says the council wants it to create an
open public space. He says buildings could be erected
from time to time for marine activities for the public
good.
(At the risk of triggering a major seismic event, for
once I agree with Mr Banks. - BH)
SEX ATTACKS CONCERN POLICE
--------------------------
Hamilton Police are extremely concerned after a spate of
sexual attacks in the city this week. The most recent was
at Gower Park on Wednesday when a woman walked in to the
public toilets and found a man performing an indecent
act. This follows an incident on Monday when a 22-year-
old woman was attacked as she was jogging around Waikato
River. Another woman was attacked as she was walking
along Bridge Street on Tuesday morning. All three men
have been arrested. Senior Sergeant Pete Simpson says in
light of the sexual attacks this week, women should take
extra care when they are in isolated areas. He says
police are concerned with the sudden increase of attacks.
WHITEBAIT SEASON ROLLS AROUND
------------------------------
The Department of Conservation is urging locals not to
take more than their fair share when the Whitebait season
opens next week. The Department is responsible for
overseeing New Zealand's whitebait fisheries, with the
season opening on August 15 and running through to the
end of November. Fishing is allowed between 5am and 8pm,
or between 6am and 9pm when Daylight Saving is being
observed. The taking of whitebait at all other times is
prohibited. OC Wanganui biodiversity assets manager Jim
Campbell says the rules are designed to ensure that
enough whitebait are left to migrate up rivers and
streams and replenish fish stocks. During the season DOC
will be patrolling popular whitebait fishing spots to
make sure everyone is following the rules. Penalties for
illegal whitebaiting can include fines of up to $5000.
(Note that the South Island West Coast baiting season is
later - BH)
THE FINANCIAL PAGE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Date: 2 August 2003 Brian Dooley
Wellington New Zealand
CURRENCIES
~~~~~~~~~~
The currency codes given below conform to ISO 4217, which
can be found at http://www.xe.net/currency/iso_4217.htm.
The rates given are for telegraphic transfer.
To Buy NZD 1.00
USD 0.5872
AUD 0.9037
GBP 0.3647
JPY 70.96
CAD 0.8253
EUR 0.5234
HKD 4.5909
SGD 1.0363
ZAR 4.3675
CHF 0.8070
INTEREST RATES (%)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Call : 4.00
90 Day:5.05
Petrol Price (91 Octane)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
$1.089/litre
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