WYSIWYG NEWS - 4 October, 1997
Brian Harmer
----- WYSIWYG NEWS ---------------------------------------
Copyright - Brian Harmer
*****
Wind gusts in excess of 100 km/h are sending rain streaks
almost horizontally across my window. Outside, the big plastic
"wheely bin" for rubbish disposal, fortunately empty, has
bowled end over end across the lawn to fetch up against the
garden shed. Trees are thrashing about under the lash of this
Nor'westerly blast. Low grey clouds are racing in over the
hills. Mary's extensive collection of miniature
roses in terra cotta pots seems to be surviving despite the
exposure ... I am terrified that they will all die while she
is in England.
On with the news
****************
All news items are reproduced by kind permission of copyright
owner, IRN Ltd.
Sunday, 28 September
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NEW CHOPPER FOR ST JOHN
-----------------------
The new rescue helicopter bought by St Johns Ambulance in
Auckland has arrived in the country. The 1.7 million dollar
Sikorsky air ambulance can fly faster and further than current
rescue helicopters. St John Deputy Chairman John Bain says the
chopper's greater capacity and extended range will help save
lives.
(This is a peculiar situation with a long established existing
service being challenged for no apparent reason, by St John's
Ambulance who have no experience with helicopters. There has
to be more here than meets the eye. - BH)
WINSTON HITS BACK AT POLL
-------------------------
Winston Peters says a newspaper poll suggesting he has been
abandoned by his Tauranga electorate is unfair. The Sunday
Star Times poll shows the New Zealand First leader has only 12
percent support Tauranga compared with National on 18 and
Labour on 24. But Mr Peters says the poll is irrelevant as it
is too soon to assess political performance. He says people
shouldn't rely on the results.
(Mr Peters has accused the survey of being lightweight without
producing any evidence to support that. - BH)
PLANE CRASH VICTIMS NAMED
-------------------------
Police have released the names of the two men killed in the
light plane crash near Dunedin. They were 40 year old James
Heteraka Harris and 24 year old Stephen Gregory Morrell.
Their Tiger Moth crashed near a scenic train in the Taieri
Gorge around five yesterday afternoon. The bodies have been
taken along the railway line to a waiting hearse this
afternoon.
(Passengers on the Taieri Gorge scenic railway were horrified
when the Tiger Moth which was flying alongside the train,
suddenly spun to earth. The two men were involved with the
preservation of the Taieri Line. - BH)
KIRTON CARRIES ON CRITICISM
---------------------------
Neil Kirton has seized on another issue to attack the
coalition government over. This time it is the conviction of
Christchurch man Jason Mackrell for the rape and murder of a
pensioner. Mackrell's family say they tried to get him
admitted to a psychiatric institution just before the slaying.
The former associate health minister says there is a
suggestion that there is something rotten at the core of
government mental health policy. Neil Kirton says people are
being killed because of flaws in the system.
Monday, 29 September
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NEW NAVY SEX SCANDAL
--------------------
The Navy is again the subject of allegations of indiscretion,
this time aboard the frigate Canterbury. An incident in the
Solomon Islands last month is the subject of a Navy enquiry,
and Labour MP Ross Robertson claims he knows of a second
incident. The Navy says the three crew members allegedly
involved in the Solomon Islands incident have been returned to
New Zealand. One male and two female crew members will be
investigated.
MECHANIC FACES MANSLAUGHTER CHARGES
-----------------------------------
The first witnesses have been called in the trial of an
Auckland mechanic facing manslaughter charges. Richard John
Parsons faces three charges relating to a fatal crash in 1995.
Panel beater Gerald Roland, who helped clean up the accident
scene, has told the court he discovered part of the steering
mechanism was loose in the car Parsons had worked on.
The crown alleges Parsons didn't use the necessary care in
repairing the car, which then led to the accident.
(Mr Parsons is apparently accused of having not checked that
the tie-rods were reconnected after the engine was removed and
replaced. His position if I read it correctly, was that the
tie-rods were not normally disconnected to remove the engine,
and that they had been disconnected by another mechanic, and
then sat back in place. He was unaware that they had ever been
disconnected. - BH)
FIRE SERVICE BOSS QUITS
-----------------------
Another high ranking Fire Service official is calling it a
day, citing fears about the service's future. The Fire
Service's national commander Bob Baillie has announced he is
retiring. Mr Baillie says he is retiring because he wasn't
consulted in the changes proposed by the new Fire Service
Commission chairman Roger Estall. His announcement follows
the shock resignation last week of Fire Service Commission
Chief Executive Maurie Cummings, who cited similar concerns
about restructuring in the service.
(Lemming alert - BH)
BROADCASTING HOUSE STILL ABLAZE
-------------------------------
Firefighters battling the blaze at Wellington's Broadcasting
House are adopting a new tactic. They have been fighting the
fire in the partly demolished building for more than a day...
However incident controller Rod Nightingale says there is
still a considerable amount of fire in the rear of the
building. Mr Nightingale has given the order for a digger to
be used... to rip off the back end of the building... to
expose the fire. He says it is a risky manoeuver... and if it
doesn't work the fire could grow more intense.
Tuesday, 30 September
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TWO MORE FIRE CHIEFS LEAVE
--------------------------
Two more senior fire service executives are to quit. Both the
Northern and Southern Regional General Managers have informed
staff of their departure at meetings this afternoon. Their
retirement follows hard on the heels of the early retirement
of National Commander Bob Baillie, and the shock resignation
of Chief Executive Maurie Cummings
(See? - BH)
NO CHARGES TO FOLLOW NIGHTCLUB DEATH
------------------------------------
Christchurch police consider a taped confession isn't enough
to charge anyone with the Christmas Eve killing of Barry
Coleman at the Wicked Willies nightclub. Police have today
announced that they don't have the evidence to lay further
prosecutions. Wicked Willies manager Greg Mather was
originally charged with murder... however the case didn't go
to trial because of a lack of evidence. Detective
Superintendent Jim Millar says an initial lack of cooperation
from witnesses has prevented police from finding out what
really happened.
(D. Sup. Millar has been interviewed a number of times, and in
my view of the interview, he comes across as a dogged
intransigent policeman who is determined that Mr Mather was
not a friend of the police. Mr Millar's business has been
wrecked and he is nearly insolvent as a result of the charges
laid and subsequently dropped, and yet he can't get so much as
an apology from the police. On the evidence available through
the media, this does not seem right - BH)
AMNESTY BACKS IRISHMAN
----------------------
The government could find itself on the receiving end of an
international letter writing campaign if Danny Butler is
deported. Amnesty International says it will do whatever it
can to protest such an action, which is likely if the Irishman
loses his Court of Appeal battle now underway in Wellington.
Its British branch has carried out an investigation into Mr
Butler's claim that he will be killed if he returns to
Northern Ireland. Amnesty believes there is a real risk of
that happening.
Thursday, 2 October
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SUPER REFERENDUM FINAL RESULT
-----------------------------
Few surprises in which electorates held the most yes votes in
the superannuation referendum. 12.4 percent of Treasurer
Winston Peters' Tauranga electorate ticked the yes box, while
14.1 percent of his deputy Treasurer John Delamere's Te Tai
Rawhiti seat also voted yes. However, National MP Christine
Fletcher's Epsom electorate also showed a 12.4 percent yes
vote. South Island electorates showed the least acceptance of
the scheme with only 5.2 percent in Christchurch East voting
yes.
KIRTON TO FACE WRATH OF PETERS
------------------------------
Dumped Cabinet Minister Neil Kirton is expected to be put on
the mat at his party's caucus meeting today. The MPs have been
meeting behind closed doors at Parliament for several hours
now...a number of them are fed up with the antics of Mr Kirton
who they blame for giving them a bad image. Going into the
meeting leader Winston Peters said he can live with MPs
speaking out, but he is unhappy with them crossing the floor,
without consultation, to vote with the opposition as Mr Kirton
did last week.
STUDENT PROTEST IN AUCKLAND
---------------------------
Around 400 students have rallied outside the Auckland
University registry building this afternoon. The students had
met to discuss further action against the Tertiary Review
Green paper. Police surrounded the building to stop the
students entering but there were no arrests. Students
Association spokesman Mark O'Brien says they will continue
their action until the government abandons the review paper
and starts listening to what people want.
RUAPEHU RUMBLING
----------------
Ruapehu is rumbling again. The Institute of Geological and
Nuclear Sciences says tremors are again being recorded on the
mountain. Seismologist Steve Sherburn says the tremors began
at
about seven this morning and they have continued all day.
He says it is the first time tremors have been recorded since
early August.
(Keep watching - BH)
SUPPORT FOR PAKI CASE ACTION
----------------------------
The Mental Health Commission says workers involved in the
decision making process which left Jacko Paki without help
should face the music, as planned by the Health Minister.
Jacko Paki raped a Levin woman after being turned away from
psychiatric care, and now Minister Bill English is laying
complaints against the medical staff involved. Mental Health
Commissioner Bob Henare admits there is a shortage of
resources for mental health, but says this time the workers
can't blame the shortage.
PM OUTLINES FUTURE PLANS
------------------------
The prime minister has outlined a nine point action plan which
he says will help take the country through to the next century
and beyond. At a speech in Auckland today Jim Bolger has
suggested increased competition in the electricity sector, as
well as a review of the resource management act along with
New Zealand's tariffs. He has hinted at competition for ACC
and signalled future discussion on the possible sale of TVNZ,
airports, along with property and coal companies.
Friday, 3 October
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MINOR ERUPTIONS AT RUAPEHU
--------------------------
The volcanic risk warning at Ruapehu is to remain the same
despite 2 minor eruptions yesterday. The Institute of
Geological and Nuclear Science says there were two small
eruptions through the crater lake. However DOC. Spokesman
Doctor Harry Keys says as long as people are sensible around
the crater, there is no need to increase warnings. He says
while it is always possible activity could increase, the
department doesn't believe there is any immediate concern.
(Didn't I say just a few weeks ago that it was unwise to take
Ruapehu for granted? - BH)
MARCH FOR RAU
-------------
Around 150 people have attended today's rally in support of
Whangarei kidney patient Rau Williams. Northland MPs John
Banks and Dover Samuels have addressed the crowd, which
gathered outside Whangarei Hospital following a march through
the city. Rau Williams was brought out in a wheelchair to be
with the crowd. Some of his family have laid a complaint with
police in an attempt to get the CHE to give him the dialysis
that would prolong his life. However the Transitional Health
Authority has released a legal opinion it says proves that the
complaint can't succeed. Meanwhile, the health minister has
asked for Rau Williams and his family to be given some privacy
while they come to terms with his illness. Bill English says
there has been extensive and frequently ill-informed
discussion about the case. He says it is now time for
politicians and the public to allow the family some privacy.
And he believes there is nothing to be gained from further
litigation in the case. Bill English says the insensitivity
that continues to
surround Mr Williams' case is making a sad and distressing
time even more difficult for his family.
BAD NEWS FOR CANCER PATIENTS
----------------------------
Auckland Hospital says it has no choice but to shut down its
radiation therapy unit because of threatened industrial
action. The decision to issue lockout notices to 43 staff
means there will be no treatment of more than 100 patients in
Auckland and Northland. The hospital says it can't provide
proper treatment because workers are threatening rolling
stoppages. Contract talks have broken down on the issue of
evening shifts, which the hospital wants to help clear a
backlog of cancer cases.
LATEST CRIME STATISTICS
-----------------------
An increase of nearly 40 percent in the number of homicides
and attempted murders in the last year. Figures for the year
ended June show 165 homicide related offences were reported...
46 more than the previous year. That included 64 attempted
murders... up on 47 the year before. Deputy Police
Commissioner Barry Matthews says part of that increase is
because more fatal road crashes were investigated as
homicides. He says the Raurimu massacre... in which six
people were shot dead.... also had an impact.
POLL SAYS LABOUR WOULD BE GOVERNMENT
------------------------------------
The latest opinion poll is out and it is not good news for the
government. The NBR-Consultus poll gives Labour a staggering
50 per cent of the vote. National has 28 per cent, with the
Alliance on eight per cent and Act on seven. New Zealand First
has just one per cent support. Translated into seats in
Parliament, Labour would have 65 out of 120, enough for it to
govern without a coalition partner. New Zealand First and
United would disappear, while National would have 36 seats,
the Alliance 10 and Act nine. Meanwhile, the New Zealand First
caucus meeting was barely over at Parliament last night before
the cracks started appearing... Leader Winston Peters emerged
saying the party is more unified, it has learnt from its
mistakes, and will now set about selling its policies to the
country.. The party's arch critic Neil Kirton says he to feels
good about the party, particularly since he wasn't disciplined
for his outspoken views... Mr Peters says Mr Kirton may see it
that way but there are others who wouldn't.... And Prime
Minister Jim Bolger's "springtime" speech is being viewed as a
good effort by political commentators. Political scientist
Margaret Clark says Mr Bolger is clearly trying to tide the
government over until summer, when traditionally New Zealand
politics goes to sleep.....and everyone else goes to the
beach. She says while they box on, Jenny Shipley is most
unlikely to challenge for the top job.
FRAUD CHARGES LAID
------------------
A major investigation into suspected house valuation
irregularities in Wellington has led to multi-million dollar
fraud charges against four people. The Serious Fraud Office
says the 38 charges involve the sale of 43 houses ... worth
nearly six million dollars. One of those charged is a valuer
.... another works for a housing company, and the other two
are former staff members of the same company.. The charges
involve the valuation of new houses for insurance purposes..
Those facing charges will appear in court later today.
THE FINANCIAL PAGE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Date: 2 October 1997
Brian Dooley
Wellington, NZ
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 0.6482
AUD 0.8885
GBP 0.4012
JPY 78.56
CAD 0.8932
FRF 3.8742
DEM 1.1531
HKD 5.0283
SGD 0.9971
ZAR 3.0329
CHF 0.9490
INTEREST RATES (%)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Call : 7.30
90 Day: 7.60
The prices below are given in cents.
To buy NZ Investment Trust:
21 June 1993 409
Today 555
To buy TeNZ:
1 June 1996 103.7
Today 130.5
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*****
I think Mary is visiting Hadrian's Wall and Holy Island
(Lindisfarne) today, while for my part, I am writing test
papers ...
See you next week.
--
Brian Harmer
"Our luck is even better than I expected Don Qixote exclaimed ... I'm going to attack those mighty giants and slay them in their tracks" - Cervantes
http://www.vuw.ac.nz/~bharmer/
Lyndon Watson
brian....@vuw.ac.nz (Brian Harmer) writes:
> ----- WYSIWYG NEWS ---------------------------------------
> Neil Kirton has seized on another issue to attack the
> coalition government over. This time it is the conviction of
> Christchurch man Jason Mackrell for the rape and murder of a
> pensioner. Mackrell's family say they tried to get him
> admitted to a psychiatric institution just before the slaying.
> The former associate health minister says there is a
> suggestion that there is something rotten at the core of
> government mental health policy. Neil Kirton says people are
> being killed because of flaws in the system.
This seems to be part of a campaign to make the mental health system
assume a role in crime prevention that goes well beyond its duty to
treat people who are mentally ill.
Mackrell was refused admission to the institution because, in the
opinion of the psychiatrists, he was not mentally ill. The jury
rejected his defence of insanity. Putting it simply, he was bad, not
mad.
Kirton and his sympathisers apparently want the mental health system
to imprison people who suspected of being criminally bad, not
necessarily mad, before they commit any crime and without the benefit
of a trial. Nasty, dangerous people.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lyndon Watson L.Wa...@csc.canterbury.ac.nz
------------------------------------------------------------------------