Copyright © 1998 Brian Harmer
This week, to my great consternation, I found myself accused of plagiarism. Plagiarism is among the most damaging allegations of professional misconduct for an academic. The person concerned had the good grace to apologise, and so as far as I am concerned, my problem with him is closed.
However, in case anybody else harbours similar illusions, I refer you to the notice which follows my introduction and precedes the news each week. Those of you who have been with me a long time will recall that, at a time when I was considering quitting, I went to some trouble to obtain the (verbal) permission of the Auckland manager of IRN Ltd. to reproduce their news items. I have occasionally quibbled at some of the grammatical shortcomings of the items or their headlines. I have NEVER attempted to pass them off as my own writing, and have consistently made it plain that the authorship and copyright in the news items belonged to IRN Ltd.
Oh, and I must apologise for the wrong dates in last week's news items. When I got my computer back with its new hard disk, the system date was set wrong by a week, but since the time of day was right, it took me several days to notice it.
When I last wrote, we were in the midst of a really strong storm. By Sunday afternoon, things had calmed down, and on Monday, it was as nearly a perfect winter day as I can remember. This was the first day of the mid- trimester break, and I had chosen to work at home to make some progress on my thesis. Towards the end of the day, Mary thought it time I got away from the keyboard, so we went down to the Hutt River and walked along the stop banks. From the Western base of the new Ewen Bridge, we walked North, between the willows which line the river just there, and the backs of various houses and light industrial properties. Have you ever seen a tagger in broad daylight? Some of them have a real gift. What a shame that those with so much talent have so little to apply themselves to in a productive way. And what a pity they have to skulk around in hidden corners in the dark to make their mark on the world. The river was flowing high, fast, and smooth after the recent rain. However, a flock of ducks was paddling upstream, and was being hassled by an even bigger flock of gulls ... mostly juvenile black-backed gulls. There was much diving and swooping, and I suspect there were whitebait in the river.
We crossed the Melling Bridge, and carried on our brisk walk now heading South down the Eastern bank with the late afternoon sum throwing the hills above us into silhouette. We reached, and passed under the Ewen Bridge, and carried along the stop bank between Strand Park and the Hutt Valley High School sports fields. Rugby teams were heaving at scrum machines, or rehearsing diabolically cunning passing manoeuvres on what seemed to be well drained and firm grass. On the other side, the public fields which are on the wrong side of the flood protection system, were sodden, with huge pools of water visible around the roots of the long grass, and deep ruts where a tractor had made an ill advised attempt to mow on the jellified surface. A solitary man with his golden labrador tethered to the goal posts was practising his goal kicking over the rugby posts at the wet end of the ground. The distinctive "thump" of a well connected rugby ball mingled with the excited yelp of the young and obviously frisky dog.
We came to the Alicetown rail bridge and crossed on the narrow wooden walkway, at first peering down at the murky silt-laden river and then defending our ears from the clamour of electric train sets crossing in either direction. We can hear the trains quite clearly from our house a couple of kilometres away, so the hammering resonance of the steel structure should not have come as a surprise. We had not been on the bridge with one train before, let alone two, so the experience was painful on the ears.
On firm, or only slightly soggy ground on the Western bank once again, we resumed the Northward journey passing pleasant backyards, and noting with relief, signs of spring everywhere. Cherry blossoms, daffodils, crocuses, a few kowhai, magnolia and other markers were present in gardens, and everywhere the buds on trees were starting the whole darn thing again.
On with the news:
All news items (except where noted otherwise) are reproduced by kind permission of copyright owner, IRN Ltd whose current news listing can be found at http://www.xtramsn.co.nz/news/
All material in parentheses, and concluded with the initials "BH" is the personal opinion of Brian Harmer as editor of this newsletter.
The government has taken another hit with the latest opinion poll figures... while Winston Peters' popularity has risen. The TV3-CM Research poll asked a thousand voters which party they were most likely to pick. Winston Peters' New Zealand First showed the biggest gain in popularity - up 2.3 percent to 7. Nationals popularity has dropped 5 to 32 per cent, while Labour gained 2 to 40... the Alliance dropped one to tie with New Zealand First at 7 percent. That would give the Labour/Alliance coalition a majority of one. Winston Peters himself - fresh from last week's Winebox decision - has gained one point in the personal popularity rating - up to 6 percent. Meanwhile two thirds of all New Zealanders questioned - 67 percent - said they thought the Prime Minister spoke down to people.
(Every dog has his day!-AH)
The Health Funding Authority says it is attempting to address alarming statistics on the health status of South Auckland children. The report reveals the health of south Auckland children has fallen to an unacceptable and critical level. HFA locality manager, Sue Keppel says the authority will find new solutions to utilise South Auckland health funding in the best possible way. She says the HFA needs to support GPs and the hospital, to ensure the most appropriate care is delivered. But she says the HFA has not yet analysed the report, which shows substantial increases in communicable diseases, poor nutrition and low rates of immunisation.
(Do you remember the old fable about the guy who killed both his parents and then threw himself on the mercy of the court because he was an orphan? Of course the stats can be fixed. Who caused them in the first place? - BH)
Extreme frustration from Prime Minister Jenny Shipley at a report on the health status of south Auckland children. The study concludes the health of south Auckland children has fallen to an unacceptable and critical level. Communicable diseases such as meningitis, measles and whooping cough have all increased, immunisation rates are much lower than the national average, and at least a third of children are iron deficient. Jenny Shipley says it is hard to understand, given the huge effort the government has made to improve health services and ensure they are free to children. She says there comes a point when parents have to take responsiblity.
(Free doctors appointments to the under sixes, which it is said the government would have walked away from if they didn't need the vote of the former NZ First deserters, does not do anything at all about prevention. The PM needs to look at housing policies, and dare I say it, ask whether it is possible for people on the lowest incomes to eat wholesome foods. - BH)
Cabinet has approved changes to fisheries cost-recovery rules which should see levies reduced by around 4.9 million dollars a year. The changes were recommended by a joint officials and fishing industry working group established by the Government earlier this year. A range of costs relating to the fishing industry will now be met directly by the Crown, rather than being taken in the form of levies from local fishermen.
Rotorua Hospital has been forced to close half of a medical ward because of what it says is a nationwide shortage of experienced nurses. Lakeland Health spokesman Jonathan Roe says it has reduced the number of beds in one ward from 40 to 26. He says he doubts it is because they are not paid enough, saying a number of nurses are heading overseas to work.
Defence Minister Max Bradford is rubbishing Green Party claims that the Defence Force has gone to an Australian firm for its contract for uniforms. Greens' defence spokesman, Keith Locke says that is a major blow to our clothing industry - which will cost New Zealand jobs. But Max Bradford says that is a distortion of the truth - and it was actually announced last month that the existing contract with Auckland based Yakka New Zealand Limited would continue. Mr Bradford says that company uses 120 suppliers - the vast majority of which are New Zealand firms. He says no jobs have been lost whatsoever and Yakka expects to employ more New Zealand staff.
It was standing-room only at Wellington's Old St Paul's church this morning, as former Silver Fern netballer, Leilani Read was farewelled. The 25 year old died suddenly last week, after suffering a stroke. Several hundred people packed Old St Paul's, including members of the Pacific Island, political, and sporting communities. Reporters say there were several moving tributes from Leilani's family, and from her netball friends. Pall-bearers included Leilani's brother, Simon, and rugby stars Michael Jones and Filo Tiatia.
A woman who dated Scott Watson in the months before Ben Smart and Olivia Hope went missing says the accused was agitated when she asked if he had killed the Blenheim friends. The witness was given name and identity suppression when she gave evidence at the High Court trial in Wellington. She has told the court she quizzed Watson twice over the phone on what he had done during New Year's Eve 1997. She says the first set of questions she asked were her own, and on the second occasion she asked him questions the police had faxed to her. The woman says when she asked Watson if he had killed Ben Smart and Olivia Hope he replied "you should not have to ask me that question".
The Forest and Bird Protection Society says the Government's decision to approve logging of beech trees on the West Coast is nothing more than a move to ensure the "greenies" do not win. Timberlands can now go ahead with its logging plans to mill one tree per hectare each year - in forests which have 300 adult trees per hectare. Forest and Bird conservation director Kevin Smith says that is despite the advice of this country's top natural history scientists. He says it boils down to the incredible stubbornness of Jenny Shipley and her determination that the environmentalists should not get their way.
The Greens have condemned what they are calling the government's arrogance in giving Timberlands the go-ahead to begin logging in the beech forests. Treasury, DoC and the Ministry for the Environment have approved Timberland's logging plans as economically - and environmentally - sustainable. Meanwhile Green MP Rod Donald says the government is showing extreme arrogance - by allowing Timberlands to rip the heart out of the country's last remaining lowland beech forests. Mr Donald says it is the 90s equivalent of the Think Big project - in that it will not generate jobs or wealth - all it will do is destroy natural resources.
A highly contagious virus currently spreading through the Waikato region has health officials worried. The epidemic has hit Taumaranui and Thames hospitals as well as a number of resthomes. Thirty four residents and staff at the Trevellyn home for the aged in Hamilton have been struck down by the airborne virus, known as SRSV or the Norwalk virus. Symptoms include diarrhoea and vomiting. Health Waikato Medical Officer of Health Dr Dell Hood says the virus is not normally serious but for the very young or very old, it could become much more severe.
(Ha! It's really just Ranfurly fever - BH)
'Complain en-masse' - says the Banking Ombudsman, as WestpacTrust announces an almost trebling of some ATM charges. WestpactTrust has announced that from October they will charge customers who use other banks' ATMs - 85 cents, instead of the usual 35 cents. Banking Ombudsman Liz Brown says, the phone is already hotting up with customers complaining about the rises. She says complain, and complain again, directly to your bank if you are not happy. The more people who complain, the more likely the banks will be to change their minds. Meanwhile - The ANZ bank is to raise its fixed home loan rates. The rates from one year to five years will rise by between point two and point four of a per cent. The ANZ says the changes have been prompted by further increases in longer term wholesale interest rates, spurred by rising interest rates offshore. The ANZ rate rises will take effect from tomorrow.
A cold front, expected to hit the deep south tonight, is forecast to bring winds of up to 110 kilometres an hour. The MetService has issued a strong wind warning for Stewart Island, coastal Southland, and some eastern parts of Otago, including Dunedin. The deep depression which is approaching the country is expected to pack 75 kilometre an hour west or south-westerlies, with gusts to 110.
Angry fishermen are to converge on parliament steps in protest at what they say are draconian laws which are making it impossible for them to survive. Fifty fishing boats from around the country are on their way to Wellington where they will protest tomorrow morning. Bob Beggs, who is part of the flotilla, says one of their main concerns is that for small fishermen who are supplying the local market, the costs are astronomical - and yet fish prices are not rising. He says that means if we are not careful the only fish available on the local market could end up being Orange Roughy and Hoki.
An embarrassing mistake for Television New Zealand today after a story appeared on their Internet website about a fake plane crash. The website reported a 747 jet had crashed into Auckland's Manukau Harbour, causing deaths. A spokesman from the TVNZ internet department says the story was not true and was simply a mock-up used when they were first setting up the website. He says the blunder was discovered internally and immediately deleted. TVNZ is currently trying to work out what went wrong.
The changes to the Sale of Liquor bill will not be introduced until December the first, two months after originally scheduled. Justice Minister Tony Ryall says it will take until then to get ID cards and the new infringement regime in place. Parliament continues to debate the bill in Parliament tonight, with opponents to lowering the drinking age to eighteen hoping that MPs will have a change of heart on what is a conscience vote.
Health Minister Wyatt Creech says there has not been another surgical bungle at the private Ascot hospital in Auckland. Labour leader Helen Clark alleged in Parliament that the same surgeon who had operated on the wrong hip of one patient, had caused nerve damage with another. But Mr Creech says he has been advised by the Health Funding Authority that the patient's problems were in no way a result of the surgical procedure at Ascot. He says the person's subsequent admission to Middlemore Hospital was not related in any way to the care or procedures they received at Ascot.
The Prime Minister says today marks the beginning of a brilliant six months for Auckland and New Zealand. She has officially opened the American Express New Zealand Cup Village Yacht Club this afternoon. Jenny Shipley says the club is another jewel in the crown of the redevelopment of the Viaduct Basin, home of the America's Cup Village. She says Aucklanders and tourists now have a new and revitalised playground, which will be the centre of world attention over the next few months.
The last of nearly 500 witnesses have taken the stand for the Crown in the Scott Watson murder trial in Wellington. Late this afternoon, Justice Heron dismissed the 12 member jury until Monday as the prosecution completed its case against 28 year old Watson. He has denied killing Ben Smart and Olivia Hope on New Year's Day last year. Next week, Watson's lawyers will begin their defence of the accused. It is not known how long that will take.
An expert on Maori culture and history is aghast at the suggestion that judicial cross-examination of Maori elders could insult their mana. The concept is contained in a Law Commission report, which recommends several changes to laws of evidence. The Commission says the question-and-answer format is not the way Maori traditionally resolve disputes, and it could be considered culturally offensive to kaumatua. However, Dr Ranginui Walker says the concept does not stand up. He says no one is above the law - Maori elders included. Dr Walker says mana and standing should never be used as a defence against crime. He says the suggestion brings Maori culture into disrepute.
The late Justice Peter Mahon, who headed the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Mount Erebus crash, has been described by Transport Minister Maurice Williamson as a "true New Zealand hero." Mr Williamson has tabled the Mahon report, 18 years after it was finalised. It investigated the crash of an Air New Zealand DC10 into Mount Erebus in 1979 which cost 257 lives. Justice Mahon took on the Government of the day, and Air New Zealand, saying he had been forced to listen to an "orchestrated litany of lies." Alliance leader Jim Anderton has joined the tributes, and says Justice Mahon has been an "unsung hero" and that he needs to be remembered and honoured.
The Inland Revenue Department is considering bringing one of the winebox companies back from the grave - so that it can be prosecuted. European Pacific has been closed, and struck off the companies register. However IRD commissioner Graham Holland has told a parliamentary select committee that a High Court ruling last week has opened up the possibility of prosecuting that company. Mr Holland is seeking urgent legal advice from the Solicitor General on whether the company can be reinstated. He says around two million dollars could be recovered from European Pacific - and the cost of prosecution would be considerably lower than that.
(I wonder if they can perform that resurrection trick on the individual taxpayers who committed suicide, allegedly as a result of IRD harassment? - BH)
Labour has today taken a hammering over its plans to scrap the Employment Contracts Act. National says it will return the country to the archaic industrial relations policies of the past - a view echoed by ACT leader Richard Prebble when he spoke to employers in Wellington today. Mr Prebble says the changes will represent compulsory unionism by the back door. He says the current industrial action by Ansett pilots would be much worse under a Labour government. Air New Zealand pilots, he claims, would be forced to go out in support, and the country would grind to a halt as it used to every school holiday. Mr Prebble says the last time the inter-island ferries went on strike was ten years ago, which he says is evidence enough that the current system is working.
The Prime Minister believes the new Sale of Liquor Amendment bill will give the industry a bigger role in policing underage drinking. The bill was passed by 29 votes in its third reading tonight. Prime Minister Jenny Shipley does not believe there will be fewer people drinking under the new system because the new proof of age document will discourage underage drinkers. The Act will not come into effect until December the first.
The man who took on the Security Intelligence Service says he has won a rare victory. Aziz Choudry has won substantial damages from the government, three years after two SIS agents illegally broke into his Christchurch home. Attorney General Sir Douglas Graham says the settlement also involves payments towards Mr Choudry's legal costs. Mr Choudry says he can not disclose the amount of the settlement. But he says he is pleased to have won a battle with the SIS, which he claims has been unaccountable to the public and the courts for years.
Police have arrested a man in connection with a kidnapping in Hamilton in June. He will face charges in relation to a home invasion in which five members of an Asian family were attacked by three people armed with weapons. The family's 21 year old daughter was taken in the family car and later left bound and gagged near Meremere. Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Whitehead says a 36 year old Auckland teacher has been arrested and faces multiple charges. He says police enquires are continuing and further arrests will be made.
The Alliance has criticised plans by Northland Health to lease land near Whangarei Hospital for a private facility. Northland Health is negotiating the lease of land to private investors for a 15 bed private hospital and a decision on whether the deal will go ahead is expected later today. Alliance candidate for Whangarei, Tricia Cutforth says building a private hospital on the grounds of the city's public hospital is a bizarre idea. She says it would see public funds accessed to make a private profit while the public hospital would continue to be run down.
Outrage from the Christian Heritage party over a Ministry of Justice discussion paper on gay rights. The government is asking for public submissions on the way the law treats gay couples and the need for any changes. The paper, called Same Sex Couples and the Law, includes the issue of same sex marriage and questions whether same sex couples should be allowed to adopt children. Christian Heritage leader Graham Capill says the issue of adopting children is something the majority of the population is against. He says the paper is something like the homosexual manifesto and he condemns the government for its lack of moral leadership.
Waikato's regional council has passed a new bylaw restricting jetski use on the Waikato River. The decision comes co-incidentally on the same day Waikato dairy farmer Howard Hare was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for causing a man's death in a jetski accident at Whitianga last year. Environment Waikato's new bylaw divides the Waikato river up into separate zones for jetskiing, swimming, rowing and waterskiing. Spokeswoman Rose Fowlds says numerous complaints about dangerous jetski use had prompted the move. She says jetskiers now have a significant portion of the river reserved for their own use.
A police officer who shot a man dead during an incident involving an imitation firearm, will not be charged over the incident. Thirty one year old Edwin Leo was gunned down by the officer, after a pursuit near Helensville, north of Auckland, in July. Takapuna Superintendent Alistair Beckett says a homicide investigation has concluded the officer was justified in shooting Mr Leo, and will not be charged. He says it appeared the man was carrying a real gun, and was about to shoot the officer, despite the officer repeatedly asking the man to drop it. The Police Complaints Authority is continuing with a separate inquiry into the incident.
( I think that not only should the officer in question not be charged he should also receive a medal, by the sounds of things he gave Leo every chance to live.-AH) (Ants should have declared an interest ... he has been accepted for the next intake to the Police College ... however, I agree with him. The man who was shot did not die because he stole a car, but because he pointed a very realistic replica gun at a police officer, and even after being shot in the arm with a real bullet, still tried to point the weapon at the officer. Believing he was about to be shot himself, the officer fired again. In my book, though I am sorry for his family, Mr Leo was the cause of his own death. - BH)
Fifty one replica MPs were symbolically blown up in Dunedin this afternoon to emphasise the Otago Student Union's objections to student loans. Spokesperson Mark Baxter says the average time it takes for a woman to pay back her student loan is fifty one years. Mark Baxter says even if people do believe in 'user-pays' education, fifty one years is unacceptable. He says a replica MP was blown up for each one of those years. Mark Baxter says the trial of the MP's and their subsequent destruction went without a hitch.
(I wonder if these students will remember all this when they become the next wave of new MP's? -AH) GOVERNMENT REVIEW OF IT PROJECTS -------------------------------- The Government has launched a review of all information technology projects in the public sector. Associate Minister of State Services, Maurice Williamson says once the review is completed the findings will be compared with the private sector. The results will also be stacked up against outcomes achieved in comparable countries overseas such as the UK and Australia. The Government has been dogged by a series of IT flops this year including the police computer INCIS project and the Courts INSLAW system. (Yo! Minister! The horses bolted that way! - BH)
SFO director David Bradshaw says his office will review all the material it holds on the Magnum transaction. The decision to carry out the review follows last Friday's High Court judgement that set aside part of the findings of Winebox Inquiry Commissioner Sir Ronald Davison. David Bradshaw says he will determine whether there are grounds to depart from the decision of his predecessor, Charles Sturt, and conduct a full investigation into the Magnum transaction. Mr Bradshaw says he will then decide if a criminal prosecution is warranted. He says a decision to prosecute will not be taken lightly, but he will not shy away from it if the evidence of criminal offending can be proven beyond reasonable doubt.
Janet Pike died after being stabbed in a meeting room in her West Auckland office in June. 35 year old Johnny Manu, of no fixed abode, admitted murdering Mrs Pike two months ago. He stabbed Mrs Pike in the chest after an argument over several hundred dollars he believed ACC owed him. Manu was remanded at the Mason clinic for sentencing next month.
In a few months it will be illegal for licensed premises to promote or encourage people to drink excessively. Hospitality CEO Bruce Robertson says that may include the banning of happy hours and other specials. But he says it would be a shame if those types of promotions were banned. He says they are not the problem, and if they are well run, they are a good way of attracting market share. MPs are expected to pass the Sale of Liquor Amendment Act next week.
The Commerce Commission has put the planned restructuring of the country's dairy industry in doubt. Its preliminary view is that the proposed merger of the Dairy Board and eight dairy companies should not go ahead. The Commission is concerned that the new mega company would have potential control of all milk produced by farmers. It says the new company could increase prices and reduce quality of service for domestic consumers. The Commerce Commission will now take public submissions on its preliminary decision, with a conference on the issue to take place in Wellington in October.
CYPFA says the decision to take a foster child out of the care of Mark Middleton is in the teenager's best interests. Mark Middleton's made public threats against the killer of his step daughter Karla Cardno, who is due to be released from prison next month. Now CYPFA has removed a 15 year old boy in Middleton's care, saying Mr Middleton's comments indicate he is not an appropriate person to care for him. Spokesman Stephen Ward says it is not a knee jerk action - but one that was carefully considered. He says a person threatening another with violence is not a good role model for any child.
(I watched an interview on the Holmes Show in which Susan Wood engaged in some of the worst TV taste since Genevieve Westcott revealed that other child's paternity on TV. The mismatch between the Commissioner for Children and this man was appalling. The commissioner appeared to me to be pompous and full of platitudes, but essentially right. Mr Middleton expressed how any of us might feel as a parent, but was emphatically wrong. There is no place in any civilized society for the kind of vigilantism of the kind he is promising. I don't think Dally ... Karla's killer ... should ever be allowed out again, but if he is, killing him, nailed upside down on a tree and with his private parts removed will not bring Karla back, and it will result in the loss to society of a man (Mr Middleton) who is apparently doing a good job of fostering difficult kids. I don't know what the right answer is, but I am damn sure it is not murder and mutilation in revenge. - BH)
Shell has become the last of the big oil industry players to push up prices. It is nudging up the price of petrol and diesel by one cent a litre, a company spokeswoman says the prices are now in the process of being changed. BP and Mobil have both pushed up their prices in recent days, while Caltex has now halved its two cent rise in light of moves by its market competitors. The price hikes have been blamed on the spiralling cost of crude oil.
The Government is hoping to play one of its election year trump cards in parliament next week - by fast-tracking through legislation for tax cuts. Government sources say the legislation's nearly ready - and numbers permitting - will be introduced to parliament under urgency next week. The problem is that National backbencher Christine Fletcher is threatening to cross the floor on the issue - and Mauri Pacific have not guaranteed their votes on the tax cut yet - until a trade-off deal of extra spending on Maori issues is finalised.
(If the trade off is as reported, some one ought to be before a court for blatant immoral corruption. - BH)
The Tourism Minister says dumped Tourism Board member Sir Howard Morrison will be offered another job. The entertainer was told yesterday by Lockwood Smith that his services were no longer required. Sir Howard says he is gutted and claims he is the victim of a conspiracy. But speaking to IRN moments before leaving for Argentina, Lockwood Smith says Sir Howard's three year term had simply expired and he has not been singled out. He says he wants to appoint Sir Howard to another area in tourism where he will continue to make a very good contribution.
(Sir Howard did his chips with those tacky and embarrassing jokes at one of the pre-APEC meetings, I think. - BH)
A prison inmate employment scheme may be in breach of the International Labour Organisations' convention on forced labour. CTU head Ken Douglas says they have identified several aspects that need attention before such a scheme is put in place. He says any scheme needs to provide real work experience with legal recognition, that will not impinge on or cost other workers their jobs. Mr Douglas says the CTU aims to get an employment programme that benefits both community and inmates.
Sir Dryden Spring's been selected for the International Policy Council on Agriculture Food and Trade. The organisation places a particular emphasis on the liberalisation of agricultural trade. Sir Dryden says he has honoured by the opportunity to participate in the organisation, which was formed in 1987 with members from 20 developed countries.
(I am delighted to see Sir Dryden involved in such roles. He is one of nature's gentlemen. He could always astonish people at the Dairy Board, where he was the Chairman until last year, by remembering the names of anyone he had ever met before. A really nice man. - BH)
The outburst by Labour deputy leader Michael Cullen in Parliament yesterday is being seen by some as a rare victory for National. Dr Cullen has been suspended from the House for 24 hours after an outburst in which he said he was sick of "Tory lies" in relation to Labour's industrial relations policy. IRN Political editor Barry Soper says it is the first time this year that National has had Labour on the ropes. He says National also looked more like the Opposition yesterday, with Labour looking defensive.
(Neither side came out smelling of roses in my view. The minister who provoked him patently misrepresented the contents of the Evening Post's front page. - BH)
Transit New Zealand agrees it is time for Auckland to have a second arterial route and says the massive traffic jam yesterday afternoon proves it. The region's mayors have called on Prime Minister Jenny Shipley to help fight the traffic congestion they say is costing the country over 750 million dollars a year. Transit's Regional motorways manager, Terry Brown, agrees Auckland is now too big to rely on a single main corridor. He says a ring route would allow motorists to by-pass the central city.
(Ho! Ho! Wellington suffers from narrow arteries too, and they choke whenever there is a rock slide between Paekakariki and Pukerua Bay, or a crash in the Ngauranga Gorge, or on the Hutt Road. Yet the best Transit can do is suggest a privately owned toll road. Yet we have a bit of congestion in election year, and Transit sits up like a trained poodle and wants to spend all the money up there. - BH)
Date: 26 August 1999 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 and are as given in the Wellington Evening Post today. To Buy NZD 1.00 USD 0.5201 AUD 0.8201 GBP 0.3281 JPY 57.98 CAD 0.7786 EURO 0.5003 FRF 3.2809 DEM 0.9786 HKD 4.0479 SGD 0.8814 ZAR 3.1852 CHF 0.8021 INTEREST RATES (%) Call : 4.50 90 Day: 4.78SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
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