subject: 17 October, 2004 ----- WYSIWYG NEWS ------------------------------ Copyright, Brian Harmer
At Greta Point, in Evans Bay, there is a restaurant that, in its present incarnation, is called Eden. Early this week, I had occasion to take a guest lecturer there for an early dinner before putting him on a plane back to Auckland. After a grey and somewhat scruffy start to the day, the city turned on a perfect evening, and the restaurant provided the perfect vantage point from which to view it. This is not intended as an advert for Eden, though I usually enjoy the food there, even if I do resent vegetables or salad being "extra". The restaurant is partially on piles over the water, and looks from Greta Point across the remains of the old patent slip and South across the harbour towards Kilbirnie. To the East, the view is directly across the bay to the hills and the cutting that guard Miramar peninsula from the West. Beyond the peninsula, the perfect golden clarity of the late afternoon light picked out the high peaks across the harbour. We were seated against the Eastern windows, and had an uninterrupted view of the sea at our feet and the bay beyond. The water below us was glassy calm and provided a perfect place for the kayakers who were performing seemingly effortless laps around a circuit denoted by a set of coloured buoys. Strands of the seaweed known as "Neptune's necklace floated by. A sudden ripple in the otherwise still water marked the emergence of a shag from a fishing expedition, apparently unsuccessfully. A large flock of terns swooped by in perfect formation, following some mysterious invisible pathway as if they were on rails. Since it was the evening rush hour, a steady succession of Boeing 737s and the occasional Airbus made their growling ascent under noise abatement procedures to the North, and between times, the lesser fry, ATRs, Saabs, Jetstreams and Metroliners buzzed by at lower altitude. A fleet of small yachts emerged from the Evans Bay Marina and made small progress until a light wind arose to ruffle the previously perfect surface with a very light chop. Then it picked up. Suddenly the yachts were flying, as yachts in Wellington are wont to do. Evans Bay runs more or less North and South between the bulk of Mt Victoria to the West and the Miramar Peninsula to the East. Thus, daylight saving notwithstanding, the shadows of evening fall early across the water, leaving only the hills beyond in light. So it was as our meal came to an end and I delivered my guest back to the terminal before returning home. The rest of the week seemed characterised by wind and driving rain. Great sheets of it drifting diagonally across the landscape from the South. And wind! Buffeting howling hissing wind. The Hutt River, when it was visible through the rain, turned from its normal lethargic silver blue to a sullen somewhat swollen brown surge. The new works I referred to last week disappeared under the rising water. The big yellow diggers sitting unattended on their mounds of rock appeared to be floating on the water. Until today that is. A bright blue day, with no wind, and only the still swollen river to remind us the midweek deluge. ---- 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. 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. ---- Formatting this week is generously sponsored by Lydia in Nova Scotia. Thank you so much Lydia On with the news: Monday, 11 October ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DIVE SQUAD SEARCH FOR CHCH WOMAN -------------------------------- The police dive squad will resume their search for a missing Christchurch woman tomorrow. They have been scouring rivers and creeks around the Punchbowl car park in Arthur's Pass today for any sign of Carla Scott. Senior Sergeant Stu Munro says Ms Scott's silver Subaru Legacy was found abandoned in the area last Tuesday and there has been no sign of her since. He says there is a possibility she could have slipped into a creek in the area. (Ms Scott is the daughter of a colleague whose anguish I can only guess at. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Dr and Professor Scott in this horrendous period of uncertainty. - BH) NO QUICK FIX FOR LOW VOTER TURNOUT ---------------------------------- Experts are warning that there is no quick fix to low voter turnout. Fewer than half the country's registered voters decided to exercise their democratic right in the local body elections, which has prompted calls for an inquiry into postal voting. Christine Cheyne of Massey University says Hutt City saw turnout drop to 26 percent when it dropped postal voting in 1992. That shot back up to 46 percent when voting by mail was reinstated three years later. Dr Cheyne says voter knowledge about candidates and what local government does are key factors influencing turnout. (I think 35% was the figure for Lower Hutt this time - BH) NATIONAL WOMEN'S LAST BABY -------------------------- After more than a quarter of a million babies, National Women's has shut the doors at its Epsom site. The country's largest specialist women's hospital has moved across town to new facilities at Auckland Hospital. Delivery Suite Educator, Margaret Berry, says it was a particularly busy last day, with eleven babies born. The last one was a healthy boy at two minutes past twelve this afternoon. Margaret Berry says all the patients have now gone, and there is not even a chair left to sit on. POLICE WELCOME GUILTY PLEA -------------------------- Wanaka police have welcomed a guilty plea in the Possum Bourne trial. Michael Barltrop today pleaded guilty to aggravated, careless use of a vehicle causing death. Wanaka police were among the first on the scene when Barltrop collided with the rally legend during a practice for the Race to the Sky event at Easter last year. Acting Sergeant Cameron Sigley says he is pleased Possum Bourne's family will not have to suffer the ordeal of a trial. However he is disappointed it took 18 months for Barltrop to accept responsibility. Race to the Sky promoter Grant Aitken is also relieved to have closure on the tragedy. He says the event will always be connected to Possum Bourne's memory. (I would love to know what went on behind the scenes that brought about the change of plea - BH) NO COMMENT FROM TE ARAWA ON BRASH SPEECH ---------------------------------------- Te Arawa is refusing to comment on a speech by National's leader. National fears the proposed return of the Rotorua lakes to Maori will deny other New Zealanders their use. Leader Don Brash has publicly confirmed his party's opposition to the proposal. He says Labour is simply reversing a 1922 deal between Te Arawa and the Crown which should not be re-visited. Dr Brash says the lakes should belong to everyone. He says the Government is clearly unwilling to bring the Treaty of Waitangi settlement process to an end. Dr Brash says the country has spent far too long looking in the rear view mirror. He says he supports a lump sum payment of $10 million going to the iwi in recognition of the eroding value inflation has had on an annuity offered in 1922. However he rejects any title being handed over. Te Arawa is not commenting on Dr Brash's proposals. (Arawa did comment, in fact. They pointed out to Dr Brash that the claim was based not on Treaty principles, but on common law. - BH) CLARK PAYS TRIBUTE TO SHADBOLT ------------------------------ Helen Clark has paid tribute to Maurice Shadbolt for his valuable and important contribution to literature in New Zealand. She says the news of his death is very sad. Miss Clark says Maurice Shadbolt was one of New Zealand's leading literary figures, ranking as one of our finest ever novelists and short-story writers. She says he won many awards in his career and was awarded a CBE for services to literature in 1989. Miss Clark says there was a unique spirit and energy to his work and he will be widely mourned. Maurice Shadbolt was born in Auckland in 1932. As well as working as a newspaper journalist, he also wrote the scripts for, and directed documentary films for the New Zealand National Film Unit in 1957. His epic trilogy "Season of the Jew", "Monday's Warriors" and "The House of Strife" are said to be among the most important works of historical fiction produced by a New Zealand writer. Maurice Shadbolt died at a hospital in Taumarunui, aged 72, suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. AGEING SAAB AIRCRAFT REPLACED BY DASH-8S ---------------------------------------- Air New Zealand will pay $350 million to replace some of its aging regional aircraft. Seventeen De Havilland Dash- 8 Q300 turbo-prop aircraft will take over from the Saab 340A planes which currently form the backbone of the airline's provincial network. The Dash-8 is the most successful regional airliner in the world, with more than 400 in service around the globe. Air New Zealand will purchase the aircraft at a cost of approximately $350 million which will be funded via debt. The new planes start arriving in July next year, with one joining the fleet every six weeks, completing the delivery process within two years. They will be serviced and operated by Air New Zealand's Air Nelson subsidiary. Each Dash-8 has 50 seats, while the Saabs have 33. Air Nelson says the Saabs have been excellent workhorses, but the fleet's average age is 17 years. The new aircraft is faster, quieter and has more room than the Saab. Air New Zealand managing director and chief executive, Ralph Norris, says the new aircraft type will provide a welcome boost for the regions and the additional seating will allow them to provide an overall increase in passenger capacity to meet customer demand and less restricted payload on regional routes. The aircraft has 50 passenger seats each with a comfortable 31-32 inch seat pitch featuring New Zealand blue leather upholstery and large overhead lockers on both sides of the cabin for stowage of carry on luggage. The Q300 travels at a cruise speed of 285 knots (compared to 265 knots for the Saab 340A), has an active noise reduction system and an auxiliary power unit to enable air conditioning to be run while the aircraft is on the ground. Tuesday 12 October ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ABORTION LAW CHANGE REVAMPED ---------------------------- Critics of a proposed law change which would have seen parents told if their under-16-year-old daughters sought an abortion are claiming a victory. National's Judith Collins has conceded defeat and has radically revamped her proposal. Her new amendment is based on the presumption that a doctor will inform the parents of an underage girl if she wants to terminate her pregnancy. If the girl wants her pregnancy kept secret, the reason would have to be given to a Family Court judge. The judge would then order the appropriate care if that was needed. Ms Collins claims her new plan will still be a significant victory for girls and parents. She denies her change of tack is a back-down but concedes a compromise was needed. (I think there needs to be some balance between the young person's need for privacy, and the rights and obligations of the parents. One thing I am sure of, is that schools are NOT the right people to make such a decision, and I have serious doubts about some GPs - BH) RECORD YEAR FOR TVNZ -------------------- Television New Zealand is rolling in cash, at least until the bulk of it goes to the Government. The broadcaster has had a record year, the first full year under the Government's charter. TVNZ returned a net surplus of just over $28 million and has declared a dividend of almost $38 million for the Government. Advertising revenue rose by ten percent during the year to $335 million. The company's drive to shed the highly paid celebrity culture still sees Paul Holmes on more than $700,000 with the next highest paid, probably CEO Ian Fraser, on more than $600,000. One hundred and twenty four employees earn more than $100,000 a year. TVNZ chief executive Ian Fraser acknowledges the network has a heavy commercial load. He says a similar state television company in Ireland plays just six minutes of ads an hour, which can be expanded to eight. He claims TVNZ plays no more than 13 minutes an hour and says that would have to be reduced if you want the company to be more of a public broadcaster. However Mr Fraser says he would prefer to make more New Zealand programmes than cut advertising. (Not bad considering the expenditure on wine was capped at a mere $65 per bottle! :-/ - BH) CROWN HEADS TO SUPREME COURT ---------------------------- The Crown is heading to the Supreme Court in a bid to overturn a court decision in favour of Ahmed Zaoui. The Court of Appeal instructed the Government it must prove without a doubt the Algerian is a high threat to national security if it wishes to deport him. It also awarded Mr Zaoui $12,000 compensation. But Attorney-General Margaret Wilson says it was never the intention of the Crown to deport Mr Zaoui. She says regardless of the outcome of the security risk review, New Zealand would still abide by its international obligations. Ms Wilson says in light of that, it is important the real test must be clarified by the Supreme Court. (This isn't clarification, in my opinion, this is stalling. - BH) BURTON KNEW ABOUT WAIOURU - MARK -------------------------------- The Defence Minister is being accused of knowing about some abuse at Waiouru Regular Force cadet school two years ago. New Zealand First MP Ron Mark says he and National MP Shane Ardern brought the case of the shooting of cadet Grant Bain to the attention of Mark Burton in May 2002. But he says the minister dismissed it. Ron Mark quoted a letter from Mark Burton in Parliament which showed Mr Burton saying he was satisfied the matter had been dealt with as best it can, given that 21 years have passed since the "tragic accident" occurred. (Columnist Rosemary McLeod mused on whether it was reasonable to expect that people who are being trained to kill on our behalf should be adhere to normal societal standards ... I am paraphrasing very loosely ... I can see a grain of logic in the question, but I think that if we do not expect our military, and especially the officers to adhere to the rules of civilization, then we and other countries would live in fear of our own defence force. Yes I know that some countries already do. - BH) WARNING FOR PHONE CARD COMPANIES -------------------------------- The Commerce Commission is warning pre-paid phone card companies to stop deceptive practices. It has written to 22 businesses, telling them to withdraw advertising and cards that breach the Fair Trading Act. Fair Trading director Deborah Battell says consumers face a number of problems, including non-existent help lines, 'toll-free' numbers that cost, and special conditions that are not mentioned. She says the Commission will take tougher action against companies that do not change. GOVERNMENT IN DIPLOMATIC OVERDRIVE ---------------------------------- There is fury in the Prime Minister's office over a story that appeared in one of India's biggest circulating English language newspapers today. It quoted her as telling India to sign the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. A journalist from the Hindustan Times was brought to New Zealand by Foreign Affairs in advance of her trip to India next week. Miss Clark says the journalist is unlikely ever again to get to interview a New Zealand leader. She says this country would never tell another country to do anything. She claims the journalist made up quotes and attributed them to her, describing the article in the Hindustan Times as a "low level beatup". Miss Clark was also quoted as saying Kashmir was a nuclear flashpoint but she denies using the word nuclear. She says it is obvious to any commentator, though, that Kashmir is a flashpoint. The Indian Foreign Affairs ministry in New Delhi has been contacted by Wellington in an effort to put the record straight. GOVERNMENT RULES OUT WTO APPLE APPEAL ------------------------------------- The Government has ruled out an appeal to the WTO over Australia's ban on New Zealand apples. The ban was set to be lifted, but that was put off in the run-up to the federal election. Pipfruit growers here say an appeal is fast-becoming a real option and the situation cannot go on forever. However, Trade Negotiations Minister Jim Sutton says New Zealand has not yet reached the point of a WTO appeal. He says it should not have to come to that. Mr Sutton says New Zealand has a good relationship with Australia and enjoys one of closest trading and investment relationships in the world. (Peace in our time? - BH) Wednesday, 13 October ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DRIVERS FEEL OIL PRICE PINCH ---------------------------- New Zealand drivers are starting to feel the effects of surging oil prices. World prices have set new highs for the sixth day in a row. A deliberate fire at a Nigerian refinery pipeline, which has cut production, and a strike in the world's seventh biggest exporter, have caused the latest international rise. US light crude is trading at $US54 a barrel. Prices have now risen 66 percent this year. In New Zealand, prices at the pump have remained static for the past few weeks with 91 grade selling at between $1.20 and $1.22 a litre, however, the four major oil companies have increased prices by around 2c a litre overnight. (Currently, $1.259 per litre of 91 octane <sigh!> - BH) LINE DRAWN IN CHILD NEGLECT CASE -------------------------------- Christchurch police are drawing a line in the sand over an alleged case of child neglect. A 25-year-old mother and a 41-year-old grandmother are appearing in the Christchurch District Court this afternoon charged with wilful neglect. It relates to a six-year-girl being found in a distressed state in the underground car-park of the Christchurch Casino in the early hours of this morning. Christchurch Police Area Commander David Lawrie says this may be an isolated case, but the police want to send out a clear message that children should not be the ones to suffer while adults responsible for them gamble at the casino. Police say the pair were intoxicated when apprehended inside the Christchurch Casino. Mr Lawrie says the young girl is now with other family members. He says this situation is very sad, and raises the question whether enough is being done to mitigate the effects of problem gambling. ZAOUI APPEAL A "HARDLINE APPROACH" --------------------------------- Ahmed Zaoui's legal team says the Government's appeal to the Supreme Court over the Algerian refugee is a "hardline approach". The Government says it needs clarification of what the Inspector-General of Security must take into account when reviewing the security risk certificate issued against Mr Zaoui. The Appeal Court has ruled he must consider human rights. Lawyer Deborah Manning says the High and Appeal Courts have clarified the law and she questions how much clearer the Government needs it. She says the Supreme Court move leaves Mr Zaoui in prison without being charged while the security risk certificate review is delayed yet again. Mr Zaoui has been in prison since December 2002. The Court of Appeal instructed the Government it must prove without a doubt the Algerian is a high threat to national security if it wishes to deport him. It also awarded Mr Zaoui $12,000 compensation. But Attorney-General Margaret Wilson says it was never the intention of the Crown to deport Mr Zaoui. She says regardless of the outcome of the security risk review, New Zealand would still abide by its international obligations. Ms Wilson says in light of that, it is important the real test must be clarified by the Supreme Court. (A TVNZ documentary this week appeared to me to undermine almost all of the possible reasons for treating him as other than a simple refugee. I think our government departments have tried seriously to mislead the public on this. - BH) BREAST SCREENING PROG EXCEEDS TARGET ------------------------------------ The National Breast Screening Programme is bucking the trend in health care provision by exceeding its target for women screened in the last three months. Eight thousand screenings have been carried out since July, three times the number targeted for. The effort is being put down to the hard work of radiographers and administration staff. However they still have a long way to go with a target of 22,000 women set for the year ending July. The increases follow an extension to the National Breast Screening Programme which now covers women aged 45 to 49 and 65 to 69. DEPUTY MAYOR CASTS CLOUD OVER V8 RACE ------------------------------------- The head of the controlling faction within the new Auckland City Council has virtually signalled the death of the proposed V8 Supercar race. Deputy mayor Bruce Hucker says the resource consent process has still to be completed and no final decisions have been made. However he says he and the other City Vision councillors have been elected on a platform which includes stopping the street race. Dr Hucker says if they now change their minds, it will show the promises they made are not worth the paper they were written on. Mayor-elect Dick Hubbard has indicated he now favours allowing the race to go ahead. (By sheer numbers, Dr Hucker looks set to be the eminence-gris of Auckland city. Dick Hubbard wears the chain, but Dr Hucker gets to pull it! Or am I mistaken? - BH) LICENCE CHANGES FOR OLDER DRIVERS --------------------------------- The elderly may find it easier to get around after a review of driving legislation. Transport Safety Minister Harry Duynhoven is reviewing the rules for senior citizens which would include the option of a conditional licence permitting people to drive within a 10 kilometre radius of their home. Mr Duynhoven says mobility for all people, particularly the elderly, is a huge issue. "We realise that for many older people the ability to drive is the key to continued independence. Losing their licence can have a profound impact on their lives. At the same time, we have to balance maintaining mobility for older drivers with the need to provide for the safety of all road users." The current system requires people aged 80 and over to renew their licence every two years. The proposed amendment to the Driver Licensing Rule will give people six months to renew their licence when it expires, instead of the current 60 days. The "automatic only" condition will be removed, so that older people who sit their licence in an automatic transmission vehicle will also be able to drive either an automatic or manual vehicle. The policy changes are likely to be approved early next year and introduced later in 2005. Grey Power National President Graham Stairmand is welcoming the announcement, calling it a positive step towards removing barriers to mobility for older New Zealanders. There has been a 66 percent increase in the number of drivers aged 80 and over since 1999, when the current licensing system was introduced. AIDS FOUNDATION CALLS FOR CONDOM ACTION ---------------------------------------- The AIDS Foundation says unsafe sex can only be avoided by taking action. The Durex Global Sex Survey shows an alarming number of New Zealanders put themselves at risk of HIV and sexually transmitted infections by not using condoms. New Zealanders are well ahead of the world average when it comes to having unsafe sex without knowing their partner's sexual history. AIDS Foundation director Rachael Le Mesurier says being aware of the risk is not enough and it must be followed by the positive action of using condoms. SEARCH RESUMES FOR PIHA MODEL ----------------------------- Search and rescue teams are back in the Piha area on Auckland's west coast, this morning, looking for any trace of a missing 25-year-old woman, Iraena Asher. Iraena Asher has not been seen for almost two days, after going missing at Piha on Auckland's west coast. Thirty search and rescue personnel, along with family and friends, are combing the area which includes bushland. The family of a missing 25-year-old Auckland woman has made an emotional appeal for the return of their daughter. The family has issued a statement through the police, saying they love Iraena dearly and their first and foremost concern is her safety and well-being. They say her actions and behaviour prior to her disappearance are out of character. AIR NZ LOOKS TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES --------------------------------- Australia's Competition Tribunal has just given the green light to the proposed Air New Zealand - Qantas alliance. The decision overturns an earlier ruling by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission against the plan. Air New Zealand managing director Ralph Norris says they will be reviewing today's ruling in detail and will then seek advice on what options it opens up. He says they will need to find paths that do not conflict with last month's New Zealand High Court decision which backed the NZ Commerce Commission in turning down the alliance. Mr Norris has attacked the New Zealand High Court for rejecting the proposed Qantas merger, in the face of Australian approval. Last month the New Zealand High Court rejected a similar appeal of the Commerce Commission's negative ruling. Mr Norris says the Australian review process was more robust. He says the tribunal members started their review a month before the High Court, and delivered their decision a month after. He says Australian approval of its proposed alliance with Qantas changes the landscape, opening up new opportunities. He says the ACT has given the planned tie- up a five-year approval. Mr Norris says the airlines are looking at options which could bring them close to the original merger plan, but which would circumvent New Zealand refusal to allow the alliance. Meantime, an aviation commentator says he would have been surprised if Australian regulators had not upheld the appeal over the proposed tie-up. Aviation Transport World senior editor Geoff Thomas says the airlines were able to introduce new evidence in the ACT appeal, which they were not allowed to do in the New Zealand High Court. However the deal still cannot proceed because it requires permission in both countries. Thursday, 14th October ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TRANZ RAIL ACTION A TEST CASE ----------------------------- There is a lot riding on the Securities Commission's first case of alleged insider trading. The Commission is taking action against four former Tranz Rail directors and two investors. The former Tranz Rail employees named in the proceedings are managing director Michael Beard, chief financial officer Mark Bloomer and directors Carl Ferenbach and David Richwhite. New Zealand Herald business columnist Fran O'Sullivan says it is an important case for a number of reasons. She says not only is the Commission is taking on some high-profile businessmen, but it is also the first test of new legislation. Ms O'Sullivan says everyone, particularly the Government and other securities lawyers, will want to see how the case plays out. It is the first time the Securities Commission has used its powers to take court action for insider trading. Its inquiry focuses on the sale of shares in the first half of 2002, before the Tranz Rail price began to fall. At the start of that year the share price was four dollars - but by April 2003 it had fallen to just 30 cents. The Securities Commission says it has been investigating the matter for more than a year. The case carries up to $133 million in penalties. COURT FEES TOO HIGH ------------------- Parliament's Regulations Review Committee is hearing submissions on court fees, which have been increasing since 2001. The Law Society says costs have increased significantly, in some cases up 1,500 percent. President Chris Darlow believes that is stopping people from taking cases to court. He says it is unacceptable to have a public court system with fees so high that people are being forced into private arbitration. Mr Darlow says there is a place for arbitration, but not at the expense of a proper public justice system. (The Law Society might also contemplate whether $300 per hour is a reasonable fee for legal representation. - BH) HOUSE PRICES FALLING -------------------- A drop in house prices is seen as a sign the economy is slowing. One report says average house prices in Auckland are falling by as much as $500 a day. One real estate agency says the average price in the region peaked at $456,000 in May and is now down to $414,000. Rising interest rates are partly blamed. The New Zealand Institute of Economic Research's latest survey confirms the economy is slowing. Senior economist Doug Steel says the housing market and service sector are pointers to what is happening. He adds a drop in borrowing is probably related to housing. ARTHUR'S PASS SEARCH ABANDONED ------------------------------ Police have abandoned the search at Arthur's Pass for missing Christchurch woman Carla Scott. Senior Sergeant Stu Munro says they have thoroughly searched every likely place she might have been and are confident she is not in any of them. Miss Scott's bank accounts and cell phone have not been used since Tuesday, the same day she left her car and belongings at Arthur's Pass. Senior Sergeant Stu Munro says they really do not know what has happened to her. He says she could be a victim of foul play or does not want to be found, but there is no evidence to point to either scenario. LUCKY ESCAPE FOR KIWI IN SUDAN ------------------------------ A New Zealander has had a lucky escape in an incident in Sudan which has left two fellow Save the Children Fund aid workers dead. Alister Shields was working with a British programme manager and a Sudanese engineer in a previously inaccessible area. The Briton and Sudanese were in a vehicle which struck a land mine. Mr Shields was in another vehicle and was unhurt. Save the Children Fund director John Bowis says staff have been temporarily evacuated from the Zagawa region. But he does not imagine it will be for very long. Mr Bowis says that will enable a debriefing and security review, and to make sure the group was not being targeted. He says it highlights the danger aid workers face. POLICE COMPLAINTS TO REVIEW ARMY DEATH -------------------------------------- The Police Complaints Authority will investigate all the issues raised over the death of 17-year-old Army cadet Grant Bain in 1981. Acting police commissioner Steve Long also wants any files that may still exist over the original investigation. He says any police officer or former officer identified as having a role in the matter will be questioned. Fellow-cadet Andrew Read was charged with careless use of a firearm following the shooting of Grant Bain. He was fined and ordered to do community work. He died some years later in a logging accident. Grant Bain's family allege an Army and police cover-up and want to know why Mr Read did not face more serious charges. They also believe the focus of a second inquiry into the cadet's death, carried out by the Defence Force is too narrow. Defence Minister Mark Burton says the investigation can only consider the actions of Defence personnel up to half an hour after the fatal shooting. At that point the case was handed over to police. Grant's brother Murray says it is clear the Army's involvement went well past 30 minutes after the shooting. COMMERCE COMMISSION WARNS BUS CO -------------------------------- The Commerce Commission is warning the Stagecoach bus company in Auckland it must adhere to perceived promises over its Big Ticket Sale. Earlier this year Stagecoach advertised Big Tickets with discounted monthly passes for August, September and October, stating the offer was valid until October 31. However the Commerce Commission received complaints when notices went up saying the Big Ticket Sale would finish on October 10. Stagecoach has told the Commission it intended to offer three months cheaper travel, not three months in which to buy the discounted travel. The Commission says the wording was open to interpretation, but is pleased with Stagecoach's reaction, which includes an apology, extending the purchase offer to the end of the month and reimbursing customers who think they have lost out. CIVIL CLAIMS LAWS TO BE REVIEWED -------------------------------- Civil claims procedures in district courts could be in for a major shakeup. Submissions close today with the Law Society's Rules Committee on changes to district court practice. Auckland District Law Society courts committee convener Max Rawnsley says that because of the magnitude of the changes, wide input has been sought from the profession. He says the object is to try to eliminate most proceedings that end up filed in the district court. The new procedures would mean many claims would be resolved with proceedings being filed. At present 94 percent of district court claims are settled before a defence is filed. Friday, 15 October ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ POLICE SEARCH FOR MAN IN IRAENA CASE ------------------------------------ Police looking for missing model Iraena Asher are now searching a Piha house for forensic evidence and trying to locate its occupant, a man in his forties. The man left the house at the weekend without paying rent. Meanwhile, police have also revealed 25-year-old Ms Asher made a 111 call from Piha at 9pm on Sunday night. They sent a taxi, not a patrol car, but Ms Asher had disappeared. Police then got a call just after one on Monday morning to say she had gone missing from the home of a local who had taken her in, after finding her wandering semi-naked along the road. Six minutes after getting that call, police sent a patrol car to Piha. An investigation is underway into their handling of the affair. Police have today called off their land search but have sent up a plane to search the Piha coast. CHALLENGE FACING UNIONS - CTU ----------------------------- The Council of Trade Unions says the biggest challenge facing unions is to build the union movement's power in order to give workers a stronger voice. CTU president Ross Wilson told the Police Association's conference in Wellington that unions played a key role in empowering workers to take part in debates about the country's economic and social future. He says the unions have a legitimate role in using their collective strength to influence Government and business. BIG APPLE CALLS KIWI FILM-MAKERS -------------------------------- A couple of young Wellington movie-makers have made a film which has been invited to screen at the New York Film Festival. They now need help from the public to make their dream come true. Gary Davies and Mike Hohaia's movie, "Flatmates Wanted", was filmed on a shoe-string budget, costing just $1500. It is being shown at a benefit screening at midnight tomorrow night to raise funds to get them to New York. Davies says the trip to New York could boost their future careers by putting them in touch with some of the movie industry's movers and shakers. TWO DIVERS DIE OFF NAPIER ------------------------- Searchers have found the bodies of two divers missing off the Napier coast. The group of four divers left the Hawke's Bay Sports and Fishing Club at around 3pm yesterday to dive at Pania Reef. Two have been found alive. He was one of a party of four who failed to return from a trip to Pania Reef yesterday afternoon. The divers left the Hawke's Bay Sports and Fishing Club around three yesterday afternoon. Senior Sergeant John Lovatt says their boat was swamped at about 7pm last night and the divers were in the water from then on. Mr Lovatt says the group had drifted from Pania Reef to Awatoto. The search got underway at seven this morning after their families reported them overdue. Two coastguard vessels, a plane, helicopter and several fishing boats were involved in the search for the fourth diver, and the boat the group went out in. SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN WELCOMED BACK ------------------------------------ Cambridge High School is welcoming back special needs children as the new regime makes changes. Under previous principal Alison Annan, such children were told they would get no special treatment from the school. Twenty- four families sent their children to Hamilton schools, 20 kilometres away. However parent Gavin Marriott says the new commissioner for the school, Dennis Finn, has had no hesitation in making the change. There will be a public meeting in the first week of next month to map a way forward for what is new territory for Cambridge High School. (Further evidence of the absolute necessity for a change at Cambridge! - BH) AIR NZ GROUND CREW STRIKE -------------------------- Around 400 Air New Zealand ground staff at Auckland and Christchurch airports walked off the job at 2am, amid conflicting opinions on the impact it will have on passengers. The workers include some of those who staff the check-in counters. They will stay on strike until midnight. Food and Service Workers Union advocate Alistair Duncan, believes the strike will have a significant impact on Air New Zealand and some of its client airlines. Mr Duncan apologises to passengers for the situation, but says they are left with little choice. Air New Zealand's group general manager Rob Fyfe, says other staff have been redeployed to fill the gaps. He says Air New Zealand entered mediation with the SFWU this week in good faith and with a view to resolving the issue. He says the union is asking for a six percent wage rise, twice the amount the airline has settled with other unions. Mr Fyfe says the union's claim would set a benchmark that would undermine the company's performance and see airfares rise. Mr Fyfe says the SFWU walked away from the negotiating table on September 3, a move Air New Zealand believes was premature. "At no time did the union seek to re-enter negotiations with the company or seek mediation before issuing a strike notice. Since this time, the SFWU has not substantively changed their claim." Around 10,000 Air New Zealand customers are expected to travel through Auckland's international and domestic terminals today. The airline is asking passengers to check in 30 minutes prior to domestic departures and three hours before international departures to ensure flights depart on time. Air New Zealand is investigating allegations that some union members threatened colleagues with reprisals, if they did not join the strike. CHANGI PRISON COMES TO NEW ZEALAND ---------------------------------- A part of the Second World War's more notorious history will soon be on display at the Airforce Museum in Christchurch. With the help of the New Zealand High Commission and authorities in Singapore it has obtained portions of Changi prison which was demolished earlier this year. Although Changi was built by the British in the 1930s for 450 prisoners, it was turned into a prison for thousands more men, women and children, both civilians and armed services, following the occupation of Singapore by the Japanese. Airforce Museum Collection Manager David Watmuss says some New Zealand air force and navy personnel were incarcerated there. He says it is part of New Zealand's national history and helps people understand where kiwis come from. David Watmuss says the artifacts include a cell door, part of the perimeter wall, as well as windows from the prison's clocktower. FORENSICS EXAMINE MISSING WOMAN'S CAR ------------------------------------- Police are studying forensic tests from the car of a missing Christchurch woman in the hope of finding any clue to her disappearance. Twenty-six-year-old Carla Scott's vehicle was found in the Punchbowl car park near Arthur's Pass a week and a half ago. Senior Sergeant Stu Munro says that while police have finished their search at Arthur's Pass, they are still investigating her disappearance. Ms Scott's cellphone and bank card have not been used since when she was last seen at a Christchurch petrol station and at a shop in Arthur's Pass on October 5. SHADBOLT'S WRITING-SHED INSPIRATIONAL ------------------------------------- There are moves to make the Waitakere home of Maurice Shadbolt a writers' residence. The author died on Sunday, seven years after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. Shadbolt's private funeral will be held at St Matthews in the City in central Auckland on Friday morning. The author of numerous novels, short stories and plays won many of New Zealand's top literary awards over a period of more then 40 years. His works include Strangers and Journeys, which is considered by critics to be one of New Zealand's best novels. Waitakere mayor Bob Harvey says Shadbolt's writing shed overlooks the Manukau Harbour and would provide inspiration to other writers. But he is quick to add that any decision lies with the Shadbolt family. LIQUIDATORS SEEK ACCESS CLIENTS ------------------------------- Liquidators are trying to get in touch with the remaining 5,000 people left out of pocket by the collapse of Access Brokerage. Value-wise, 84 percent of claims have been paid out, but this only represents 48 percent of the failed sharebroker's clients. Liquidators will be writing to those still owed money and placing advertisements asking them to get in touch. They say most claims are small, but some are worth as much as $70,000. THE FINANCIAL PAGE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Date: 15 October 2004 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 0.6870 AUD 0.9410 GBP 0.3825 JPY 75.51 CAD 0.8628 EUR 0.5558 HKD 5.3656 SGD 1.1586 ZAR 4.5587 CHF 0.8670 INTEREST RATES (%) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Call : 6.25 90 Day: 6.73 SUBSCRIBE OR UNSUBSCRIBE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian Harmer does NOT administer the mailing list. Please do not send subscription related messages to him. Instead, visit the website listed below, where you can make changes as required. _______________________________________________ WYSIWYG News mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] If you wish to unsubscribe, please visit http://wysiwygnews.com/mailman/listinfo/news Mailing List services provided by OneSquared <http://www.onesquared.net/>