Copyright © 1998 Brian Harmer
Winter in Wellington has its moments. Last week was a case in point. It alternated between the perfect, and the perfectly awful. Some days sparkled and the gold green blue colour scheme said that this is the place to be. Other days were wet, grey and bleak, and I thought with brief rose-tinted nostalgia of the summer I left behind in Washington and Baltimore a few short weeks ago. On Friday night after a friendly (low alcohol) ale in the staff club, I went out into a distinctly unfriendly gale and dropped a friend at his house, high on the hills above Normandale. In the headlights between the beating of the wiper blades, raindrops were flying as close to horizontally as I ever wish to see. Even as my passenger got out, the car was shuddering in the blast of a fierce Northerly. To the South, nothing was visible beyond the immediate wash of the car's lights, and even the normally bright glare of Wellington's waterfront was blotted out. To the East, a faint yellow glow indicated the presence of Lower Hutt city in the valley far below, though no detail was visible. Once below the rural "lifestyle block" zone, and safely back into outer suburbia, things were a little less active. Even here the trees and bushes which characterise my neighbourhood were writhing in the wind. Any remaining leaves were dragged screaming from the bare winter branches of deciduous trees, to disappear off downwind at a tremendous pace. The next day the wind had largely gone, leaving just the steady grey misery of unremitting rain. Almost like smoke, it swirled about, and the climate was not so much cold as damp. And then it changed again. Everything that had travelled South at such high speed got homesick and it all rushed back again in the other direction. Three days of teeth-chattering cold Southerlies, gas fires, drawn curtains and general misery in the outdoors. Much as I love my city, the bleak aspect of sustained rain is hard to live with for long.
And then without so much as a "by your leave", it all changes. By Tuesday, the sharply delineated angles of Mt. Hector and Mt. Holdsworth are soaring above the snow-covered Tararuas, into a blue sky with just a light mantle of cloud clinging to their Eastern flanks. I knew it felt cold, but even so, that is a fairly convincing dump on the Tararuas and might be indicative of a good snow season up the line at Turoa and Whakapapa. Way down South, a metre of snow has made life difficult in the Queenstown area, and delighted the ski-field operators.
Monday,5 July
The NZRFU is confident no one in the New Zealand A team provoked an incident at a Canberra nightclub, which saw a patron throw a punch at one of the players. It is understood the fist was directed at Craig Innes, who was at the All Seasons Sports Bar with other team members following their victory over ACT on the weekend. Bar manager Alex Naoumidis says bouncers moved in as soon as the punch was thrown, separating both parties. The NZRFU says it is satisfied the player neither provoked the incident, nor retaliated afterwards.
Five appeal court judges have heard how the allegations of sexual abuse against convicted paedophile, Peter Ellis, were a social phenomenon that bordered on hysteria. Judith Ablett Kerr is arguing Ellis' case to the Court of Appeal in Wellington for the second time. She says before Ellis was even charged, there were exaggerated allegations of 200 children at the creche having been abused. Ms Ablett Kerr also says items appeared on TV prompting Ellis' lawyer at the time to complain that the matter was getting out of control. Ellis appeal for a pardon was turned down by the Governor General in May.
(I am very uncomfortable that the crown case seems to centre on the mechanics of whether the matter presented is indeed new evidence. I recognise that there must be some rules, but the rules as they apply to the court of appeal should exist to further the cause of justice rather than of law. The matter to which the court should pay attention is whether or not there was a miscarriage of justice. My own opinion is that there was. - BH)
The dog control officer in the south Waikato town of Mangakino has quit today - citing on-going intimidation by a small section of the township's community. Local resident Harry Fry had been in the job just five months. He handed his resignation to the Taupo District Council today - after he was verbally abused by a resident this morning. Council senior dog control officer Cherry Hewitt says Mr Fry has had to deal with ongoing abuse and intimidation from several people in the community. She says the last straw appears to have come this morning after he attended a call out and was threatened by the dog's owner. Mangakino was in the spotlight earlier this year after a resident was charged with the murder of local constable Murray Stretch.
Foreign Affairs Minister Don McKinnon has ruled out the possibility of withdrawing 10 New Zealand police officers from East Timor - for now at least. New Zealanders and other UN personnel have been pulled back to Dili today - after escalating violence in the city of Liquisa The possibility of bringing our police officers home was floated this morning by Prime Minister Jenny Shipley. However Mr McKinnon says the issue has been looked at today - and our police staff will remain under the control of the UN at this stage. He says security issues like this will arise from time to time - and they need to be dealt with one by one.
The former leader of the Centrepoint commune is still in prison as he awaits the outcome of a parole board hearing. Bert Potter was put back in jail last week, after he was charged with three breaches of his parole conditions. Two of them related to having contact with children under 16. The other charge was laid when Potter refused to leave the commune, north of Auckland, by a deadline set by the Probation Service. Potter took his case to the parole board last week, saying the conditions were ridiculous. He will appear in the North Shore District Court on Thursday.
International Trade Minister Lockwood Smith says he will be seeking a ban on subsidies for diary products during the next WTO trade round. Dr Smith says today's decision by the United States to subsidise large quantities of its dairy products is disappointing - but perfectly legal under the current WTO rules. He says the subsidy on more than 100,000 tonnes of dairy products is bound to affect us in some negative way. However Dr Smith says the degree of that impact depends on where the subsidised products end up being sold.
The lawyer for convicted paedophile Peter Ellis says none of the disclosures which led to his conviction were made voluntarily by the children concerned. Judith Ablett-Kerr is today arguing Ellis' case to the Court of Appeal in Wellington. She says all six of the children whose evidence was used to convict Ellis were questioned extensively by their parents before making any disclosures. Ms Ablett-Kerr says that raises an unacceptable risk that their testimony was contaminated. She has given a 500 page submission to the five judges hearing the appeal - culled from the 190 thousand pages of material she has accumulated on the case.
Lines company Delta says the problems experienced by some Central Otago residents - currently without power - are not the fault of the recent restructuring in the industry. Residents complain about poor communications - they say having to deal with two companies has been just hopeless. About 150 residents are in their third consecutive day without power, after strong winds on Friday then heavy snow. Delta chief executive John Walsh says the weather is to blame for problems - not people or systems. He says poor weather meant communication with linesmen was almost impossible and finding the downed power poles in the snow was even more difficult.
There will be a Footrot Flats flavour to the Alliance election campaign. Leader Jim Anderton will reveal today the first in a series of cartoons done by Murray Ball, the man who has given us the likes of Wal and Dog. Mr Anderton says the cartoons will be used in posters, postcards and advertisements. He says Mr Ball's talents are part of the Alliance's aim to run an innovative campaign. He says the public is sick of politicians and politics and want a more down-to-earth presentation of issues.
South Island ski fields are expecting an influx of North Islanders in search of snow. Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Mt Hutt had bumper days yesterday with eight thousand people making the most of the excellent conditions while North Island fields remain closed. Duncan Smith who manages the three fields says ski fans from north of Cook Strait should further boost the good crowds. He says the heavy snowfalls are much needed after fields experienced such a mediocre season in 1998.
Treasury admits there is a big gap in pay between its male and female staff....but it is suggesting it may not be their fault. The Alliance has released figures which point to big gender pay gaps in government departments and cites Treasury as one of the examples. There is a $19 thousand difference in the average salary between men and women Deputy secretary at Treasury, Angela Hauk- Willis says that may be true but all professional staff start out on the same salary. But she acknowledges men tend to be promoted faster than women to the more senior positions so it is inevitable the average male salary will be higher.
(And if you buy that story, I have a sea-front section in Tokoroa to sell you - BH)
The lawyer for the parents of babies who died after receiving chest therapy at National Women's, says the hospital should be held accountable. Five babies died and eight suffered brain damage after the percussion technique was used at the Auckland hospital in 1993 and 1994. The report of the official inquiry into the matter finds fault with the health professional who originally trained other staff in the procedure. Peter Edwards QC says the report justifies the concerns expressed by parents over many years. He says National Women's must accept responsibility for the tragedy, and the parents will be seeking compensation.
(Given that the staff concerned were doing what they were trained to do in the sincerely held belief that this was in accordance with the best practice of the day, I can't see how "compensation" will make things any better for anyone - BH)
It seems the reasons behind an SIS raid on the Christchurch home of an anti-APEC protester will remain forever unknown. Aziz Choudry is claiming damages and compensation for the break-in - and sought access to SIS documents through the Court of Appeal. However by a margin of four to one the court has accepted an assurance from Prime Minister Jenny Shipley that the documents involve issues of national security. The one dissenting voice among the judges favoured the documents being shown to a High Court judge - to assess whether national security was involved.
The heavy sentence handed down to an Asian national for importing 50 million dollars of heroin is seen by police and Customs as a boost to their cause. 28 year old Sam Lam was handed a 13 year jail term at the High Court in Auckland today. He had earlier been found guilty on three charges relating to importing, possessing and attempting to export a Class A drug. The head of Auckland's drug squad Detective Inspector Maurice Whitham says 13 years jail is a significant term. He says there has been an increase in the amount of drugs coming here, and he hopes the sentence will act as a disincentive to international drug traffickers.
The Senior Dog Control Officer for the Mangakino area, in south Waikato, says intimidation is just part of the job. Mangakino's dog handler, Harry Fry, has quit - citing ongoing intimidation from a small group of locals. He has handed in his resignation, citing personal threats to him and his property. Cherry Hewitt, who is the Senior Dog Control Officer from the Taupo District Council, says intimidation is probably an issue for Dog Control Officers anywhere in New Zealand. She says the problem people are in the minority. A decision has yet to be made whether to replace Mr Fry on a permanent basis.
(I sometimes despair of officials when the best justification they can find is that it's no worse than elsewhere. Is that a valid excuse for anything? - BH)
Labour and ACT are finally seeing eye to eye on something - they are not impressed by the government's repeated delays and hint- dropping over tax cuts. Treasurer Bill English today confirmed he will announce a timetable for a small tax reduction this weekend. ACT's Rodney Hide says the government's taxcut striptease has been going on all year - and so far the government has only thrown off one sock. Meanwhile Labour's Michael Cullen says today's announcement today is just another little mincing step in Bill English's absurd dance of the seven thousand veils. Dr Cullen says when the striptease is over - what will stand exposed will be a very small tax-cut.
Maori protestors arrested for trespass at Paraparaumu airport, have appeared in court. 27 people were arrested last night, after police ordered them off the airport land they had been occupying for the last week. The group has appeared in the Porirua District Court, and has been remanded to appear again on the second of September. Protest leaders have vowed to continue the fight. Spokesman George Jenkins says it is important people realise the protest is about land being taken under the Public Works Act. He says the protest is not based on Maori land rights.
He says officials there have no excuses for not protecting an unarmed United Nations civilian convoy in East Timor, Mr McKinnon says New Zealand embassy staff in Jakarta have been instructed to travel to East Timor to protest to Indonesian authorities there over the lack of protection for UN forces, The protest comes after civilian UN police were attacked on Sunday by pro-Jakarta militia as they went to the rescue of members of an aid convoy in the town of Liquica. Fifteen people are missing and several injured as the result of the attack.
The new traffic laws are keeping a number of Wellington crims at home, according to the city's top traffic policeman. Twenty one vehicles have been impounded since the new laws came into effect two months ago. Head of Wellington's Traffic Safety Group Inspector Hugh Flower says police have the power to impound vehicles for 28 days if the driver is disqualified, their licence has been suspended or revoked or they are unlicensed. He says many of Wellington's criminals are disqualified drivers - so they have been able to stop them in their tracks by seizing their vehicles.
A Ministry of Commerce report has found the response to power cuts in Central Otago over the past four days has been at least as good and probably better because of the power reforms. Enterprise and Commerce Minister Max Bradford says the report finds lines company Delta Utility Services and retailer TrustPower have done all they can to restore electricity as quickly as possible. Mr Bradford says the reforms may have even helped the companies handle the situation better than they might have.
(On this one very rare occasion, and with the knowledge that I might regret it, I am in agreement with Mr Bradford. There were some stupid errors as a result of a help desk in Tauranga who did not know the difference between Hawera and Hawea, but aside from that, there were far more people working on the restoration than was ever possible under the old scheme. The fact is there was some very severe weather which not only brought lines down, it hampered access for repairs. Nature does things like that now and then - BH)
An investigation is underway into a lesbian marriage ceremony held at Wellington's Arohata Women's Prison. The mock marriage between two inmates occurred last week - complete with a wedding cake, and guests, including corrections department staff. Corrections Department acting regional manager Doreen Mackenzie says she has ordered an urgent inquiry. Open displays of any relationships are viewed as a breach of good order and conduct.
Police across the lower North Island are investigating a fireball seen in the sky at around four this afternoon. There are unconfirmed reports of debris falling on properties in Waverley near Wanganui, and Bayview close to Napier. The fireball was seen from Auckland to Christchurch. Astronomers say it could be a piece of space junk or a meteor. Andrew Buckingham from Auckland Observatory says most objects entering the atmosphere burn up before reaching earth, and even those that do usually are not discovered. He says that is because most land in the sea. Andrew Buckingham says there are only about a dozen recorded instances in New Zealand of meteors hitting the ground
The woman whose brutal bashing prompted a drive for a referendum on violent crime is pleased the vote will now take place. Nan Withers was attacked while minding her son Norm's menswear store in 1996. The incident prompted him to start a petition seeking tougher penalties for violent criminals. Today Mr Withers learned he had gathered enough signatures for the non-binding vote to go ahead, probably at the same time as the general election. Nan Withers says she was overwhelmed when she first got the news, and she is confident New Zealanders will support the referendum call for tougher sentences, and more victim compensation
An Auckland court has heard how prison escaper Michael Bullock lived a "normal" life and was well respected in the Wellington community where he lived, while on the run from Paremoremo Prison. The convicted murderer was sentenced to a further two years and a half years in jail for escaping in 1993. The court heard how Bullock had held down two jobs - and was well regarded in the community where he lived under a phoney name. The Judge told him although he had worked hard since his escape and led what she called a "blameless" life she had to take into account the heavy costs in trying to locate him.
The lawyer for paedophile Bert Potter says there are inconsistencies in the Parole Board's conditions. Potter pleaded not guilty to two charges of breaching parole conditions in Auckland's North Shore District Court today. His lawyer Frank Hogan says the first condition specifies that he lives at Centrepoint - but the second condition says he can not have contact with children. The Judge agrees they seem unworkable saying she believes the board is considering the conditions. In the meantime she says she had no option but to remand Potter in custody until his next appearance later this month.
Labour has announced its policy on overseas aid and development. The policy focuses on the goal of eradicating poverty - and calls for increased government spending - conditional on economic growth. At present the government spends just 0.27% of Gross National Product on overseas aid - a figure Labour would like to see more than doubled. In dollar terms - the government this year spent $213 million on overseas aid - Labour would aim to increase that to around $550 million. Labour spokesman Graham Kelly says overseas aid spending would not increase if our economy was shrinking.
The Crown is arguing that the proper court procedures were adhered to when paedophile Peter Ellis was convicted for child abuse at the Christchurch Civic Creche. Five Appeal Court judges in Wellington are considering Ellis' appeal of his conviction. Ellis' lawyers have told the court that certain kinds of evidence were excluded from the trial, including some of the more bizarre allegations made by the children. But the Crown is arguing that if material was not presented, that was the choice of the court at the time.
Anger for the father of a baby who died after receiving the controversial chest-tapping therapy at Auckland's National Women's Hospital. An inquiry into deaths of five babies and brain damage suffered by eight others found it was administered too vigorously. It also found fault with one, unnamed health professional. Father of one of the five children who died, Charles Munro, says the findings support his belief the therapy should never have been used. He says he is disappointed everyone associated with it, is not taking responsibility for the tragedy. Charles Munro is considering fighting for compensation.
Labour's Health spokeswoman Annette King is claiming victory after the release of an audit into the $7.5 million re-fit of the HFA's Wellington office. The fit-out came complete with $1,000 imported chairs. The HFA has welcomed the report saying it proves there was a contestable tendering process, but Price Waterhouse Coopers also says the authority did not have a formal tendering policy. The report also finds that the appointment of a consultant did not comply with all aspects of good practice. Mrs King says she hopes the HFA will learn something from the exercise.
Hastings police have arrested two men following a hold up at a local service station. Police claim the pair went into the BP service station on Karamu Road last night and used a skateboard as a weapon to threaten staff into handing over a sum of money. Two men were arrested at a house in the city 20 minutes later. A 19 and 20 year old have been charged with aggravated robbery and theft of a car.
An Auckland publishing firm claims to be the victim of an attempt by Britain's MI6 to stop the publication of a book by renegade spy, Richard Tomlinson. Howling At The Moon Publications says it has been in negotiations with the New Zealand-born former agent since September last year, and spokesman Ian Wishart believes their e-mail correspondence is being monitored. He says a move to encrypt their messages drew an almost instant response. Ian Wishart says a series of three new books will expose the CIA, Britain's MI6, as well as Australia and New Zealand's secret services.
Labour says the US imposition of tariffs on New Zealand lamb imports is a more vicious blow against this country than the Rainbow Warrior bombing. Agriculture spokesman Jim Sutton says President Clinton will not be welcome here for September's APEC meeting in Auckland. Mr Sutton says it would be "unwise" for the President to attend, as he is sure farmers will be out on the streets protesting. Trade Minister Lockwood Smith says the regime of a nine per cent tariff in the first year, six per cent in the second and three per cent in the third is the softest option taken by the US. Dr Smith says the other two proposals put up by the Washington-based International Trade Commission were much worse.
Auckland Police are incredulous there has been another case of a person brandishing a replica gun in public. Inspector Bill Harrison says police have just apprehended a teenager for allegedly taking a shot at a courier driver, as the man drove past him in QE 2 Square. He says the driver called police after he saw the youth aim what looked like a pistol at him, and heard a noise like a bullet hitting a nearby lamp post. Inspector Harrison says police cannot believe the young man would be so foolish, given an incident earlier this month where police shot a man dead for pointing a fake pistol at an officer.
Police investigating the death of a person whose body was found in a burning car on an island near Tauranga, have identified the victim as a man. The body and car were found on Matakana Island yesterday morning. Police are treating the man's death as suspicious. Detective Senior Sergeant Godfrey Watson says police are awaiting the results of forensic tests before they can identify the man. He says police are still interested in any sightings of a creamy-yellow coloured Mazda 323 saloon, registration KH 4415, on the island between 7.30 and 8.10 yesterday morning.
The judges considering Peter Ellis' second appeal of his conviction for abusing children at the Christchurch Civic Creche, say they will give the matter their careful attention. After four days of legal argument, the five judges have reserved their decision. Ellis' lawyers have presented six reasons why they claim there was a miscarriage of justice at his trial in 1993. One argument is that there was a risk of the children complainant's evidence being contaminated. President of the Court of Appeal, Sir Ivor Richardson, says it will take a considerable amount of time to reach a decision on Ellis' appeal.
An Urenui farmer has had charges resulting from a four million dollar drug bust dropped in the New Plymouth District Court. Geoffrey Wayne Newton was charged with cultivating and possession of cannabis earlier this year. Crown Solicitor Tim Brewer says the charges at the depositions hearing of Geoffrey Wayne Newton were dropped because police did not have a prima facie case. He says the police asked for an adjournment of the hearing to allow their investigations to be completed, but that was denied by the court. Mr Brewer says police investigations are continuing and a discharge at depositions hearings does not mean he can not be charged again.
Hopes that schools will become more proactive in dealing with students who have HIV. The Ministry of Education has today released guidelines for schools on the management and risks of students with blood borne diseases. The guidelines recommend schools do not need to tell parents of pupils if a student is HIV positive. School Trustees Association spokesman Owen Edgerton says the guidelines will help schools prepare for a situation that might arise. He says the guidelines are only recommendations - and it is up to individual schools to put their own processes in place.
The US Ambassador Josiah Beeman has ruled out any negotiation over his country's decision to impose a tariff regime on New Zealand lamb imports. Mr Beeman says it is a "done deal" and is also confident that any challenge New Zealand lodges with the World Trade Organisation will fail. He stresses it is a temporary measure which should not impact too greatly on what is a small market for New Zealand. Mr Beeman hits back at criticism that the US is being hypocritical and says America is the most open market in the world. He notes the US trade deficit was a whopping two hundred billion dollars. Meteor made it into the record books For the first time in the history of seismograph recording in this country, equipment has picked up the sonic boom from a meteor. The Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences says the explosion from yesterday's meteor was so loud it was picked up on the volcano monitoring network. Dr Terry Webb says that has happened in the United States before, but never here. He says they can use that data to locate where the boom came from.
The number of cars taken off the road under the government's tougher new drivers licence regime has topped the 2000 mark. Transport Minister Maurice Williamson says around one thousand cars have been impounded in each of the past two months. That happens when people are caught driving while disqualified or unlicensed. Mr Williamson says drivers in those categories accounted for 10 percent of all road deaths in 1997 - and he is pleased to get those offenders off the country's roads. Impounded cars are held for 28 days.
The United Nations is said to be confident that allegations against a Kiwi de-mining expert are unfounded. Ian Broughton was given 72 hours to leave the country after he was accused by the Iraqi Foreign Ministry of planting locusts eggs near crops on the northern border. A spokesman for the New Zealand mission to the UN in New York says he has been told by the UN that it is not thought there is any truth to the allegations. Mr Broughton is leaving Iraq today.
Trade Minister Lockwood Smith says it is almost certain New Zealand will appeal the US decision to impose tariffs on our lamb imports to the World Trade Organisation. Dr Smith says he is also calling in the US Ambassador Josiah Beeman to discuss the matter. The Minister says while he is "very disappointed" at the decision, it is not as bad as the Americans had been threatening. Tariffs will be imposed for three years....nine per cent in the first, six per cent in the second and three per cent in the third. US Farmers will also receive almost two hundred million dollars in aid over the three year period. Lamb exports earn New Zealand 1.3 billion dollars a year - with 10 per cent of that coming from sales to the United States. The Meat Board says today's decision by President Clinton is likely to cost our farmers 24 million dollars over the next three years.
As National party faithful gather in Wellington for their annual conference, a new poll shows leader Jenny Shipley's ratings are down. The National Business Review-Compaq poll has Mrs Shipley's unfavourability rating jumping ten points to 59 per cent. Thirty nine per cent have a favourable view of the prime minister. Labour leader Helen Clark attracts a 61 per cent favourability rating, versus 36 per cent unfavourable. The NBR poll has a margin of error of three and a half per cent.
Ratepayer funding of stadiums and events does not make economic sense, according to a new Business Roundtable report. Roundtable head Roger Kerr says the report points out that no correlation has been found between stadium and event subsidies, and economic growth. He says they often turn out to be millstone around ratepayers' necks. Wellington's City and Regional Councils have given loans totalling $40 million to the new $120 million Wellington stadium. Auckland's North Shore City Council has been criticised over its backing of the North Harbour stadium.
(Who said it had to make economic sense. What about some consideration of social sense? - BH)
The influenza outbreak appears to be spreading from Auckland to the central North Island and Northland. In the week ending July 2nd, GPs reported a total of 502 consultations for flu-like illnesses, according to statistics out today. This figure is much higher than for the same period last year. Public Health Physician Osman Mansoor says the increase is related to the Sydney flu strain and hospitals are now admitting people with complications. Dr Mansoor is urging people to take advantage of flu vaccinations free to people over 65 and the chronically ill.
Two dangerous dogs are still on the loose in Hamilton after killing seven sheep in the area. Dog control officers are appealing to the public to keep an eye out for the two dogs, a thin pit bull cross and a Staffordshire cross. Hamilton city council spokesman, Curt Christiansen says one of the dogs was shot at and possibly wounded in an incident yesterday, but they are both still considered extremely dangerous. He says the public must on no account approach the dogs, but phone the council for help.
Federated Farmers says despite the US imposing crippling tariffs on our lamb, it still wants President Bill Clinton here for APEC. Labour says President Clinton should stay away from the conference in light of the decision. Federated Farmers president Malcolm Bailey says he appreciates Labour's support, but still wants President Clinton here. Mr Bailey says farmers want the President to see for himself why we are the best lamb producers in the world and why he is so wrong to penalise our lamb exports.
Relief this morning for the New Zealand based parents of the Kiwi de-mining expert accused of ecological terrorism. 30 year old Ian Broughton has now travelled to Jordan, after being accused of planting locust eggs near crops on the Iraqi border. The Iraqi Foreign Ministry gave the UN contractor 72 hours to leave the country. Mr Broughton's Greymouth-based dad, Ron has welcomed news of their son's escape but Ian's mother Elizabeth, says the focus must now go on clearing their son's name. Meanwhile The United Nations has denied the charge saying it could have been a case of "mistaken identity" as Broughton was not in the area at the time.
The Professional Firefighters Union is appalled that a 2 million dollar contract has been pulled from public tender, and been given to Morris Communications. Even though several companies had already spent thousands of dollars getting their tenders ready, it was discovered that the last Fire Service Commission signed a long term contract with Morris. Union spokesman, Derek Best says extensive work undertaken by Fire Service specialists is being handed over to Morris Communications, then they can charge the Fire Service for that same information. Derek Best says this is not a very transparent way to spend public money.
The head of Hastings search and rescue team, Sergeant Ross Briggs admits he got lost while hunting in the Kaweka Ranges. The alarm was raised last night when he and his 14 year old son Josh failed to return from a day's hunting. His own search and rescue team found them both safe and well at about ten-thirty this morning. Ross Briggs says he will probably get some stick from his colleagues
Date: 8 July 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 0.5322 AUD 0.7945 GBP 0.3411 JPY 65.19 CAD 0.7823 EURO 0.5223 FRF 3.4240 DEM 1.0214 HKD 4.1392 SGD 0.9054 ZAR 3.2313 CHF 0.8379 INTEREST RATES (%) Call : 4.50 90 Day: 4.72SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
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