The Press back issues from April 2003:
Warning made on Sevens virus risk
Apr 01, 2003; ... The Hong Kong rugby Sevens tournament could end up being a giantincubator for the deadly Sars virus to spread to the rest of theworld, a Kiwi doctor working there warns. Christchurch-trained Tom Buckley, who works in intensive care atthe heavily affected Prince of Wales Hospital ...
Warning made on Sevens virus risk; NZ 'at risk' of Sars
Apr 01, 2003; ... The Hong Kong rugby Sevens tournament could end up being a giantincubator for the deadly Sars virus to spread to the rest of theworld, a Kiwi doctor working there warns. Christchurch-trained Tom Buckley, who works in intensive care atthe heavily affected Prince of Wales Hospital ...
WAR ON IRAQ: WAR WATCH
Apr 01, 2003 ... Key developments * US troops battle Iraqi forces about 110km (70 miles) south ofBaghdad; US says many Iraqis, at least one American dead. * US Marines launch dawn raid on Shatra, north of Nassiriya,targeting "Chemical Ali" and other senior Iraqi officials theybelieve are ...
Nine hurt after car hits bus
Apr 01, 2003 ... Nine people were taken to Christchurch Hospital after a carsmashed into the back of a bus in Shirley yesterday. The driver of the car suffered serious injuries, another personwas moderately injured, and seven people from the bus had minorinjuries, St John Ambulance said ....
Nine hurt after car hits bus
Apr 01, 2003 ... Nine people were taken to Christchurch Hospital after a car raninto the back of a bus in Shirley yesterday. The driver of the car suffered serious injuries, another personwas moderately injured, and seven people from the bus had minorinjuries, St John Ambulance said ....
Travel award
Apr 01, 2003 ... Rosa Shiels, travel editor and features writer at The Press, haswon a travel writing award for an article about a journey to theHokianga Harbour. Top honours at the Cathay Pacific Travel MediaAwards, held at the Heritage Auckland's Grand Tearoom last Thursdaynight, went to Wellington's ...
Rumours 'wrong'
Apr 01, 2003 ... Police have discounted rumours of a relationship between murderedOamaru woman Karen Bellamy and her killer, Trevor Smith. Rumours ofan inappropriate relationship were mentioned in an article in ThePress on Saturday. Senior Sergeant Wayne Stringer, of ...
Second student likely to die
Apr 01, 2003; ... A second Thai student is not expected to survive a high-speedsmash that capped a night of chaos on Christchurch streets at theweekend. Front-seat passenger Kosin Phanichkul, 20, was last night in acritical condition in Christchurch Hospital. "He is dying," said Sinjira ...
More tea, Judge?
Apr 01, 2003; ... The Department for Courts is looking for someone special for itsChristchurch courts. The successful applicant will be "able to effectively managerelationships" and have "planning and organisation ability" and"effective time-management skills", its advertisement says. He or ...
Govt investigates health deficit
Apr 01, 2003; ... The Canterbury District Health Board faces a grilling on how its$21.6 million budget deficit and Christchurch Hospital's $7m budgetblowout is affecting delivery of patient services. The financial and general performance of the board, already underMinistry of Health monitoring, ...
Downpour brings relief, delight
Apr 01, 2003 ... Welcome rain came over the last few days for regions throughoutthe South Island struggling with the drought. But how much will thishelp farmers, and how evenly spread was the rainfall? Our regionalreporters investigate. Farmers, rural fire officers, council andirrigation staff are ...
Not out of woods just yet
Apr 01, 2003 ... Light weekend rain was not enough for parched South Canterbury,with one back-country farmer saying 18cm was needed. But, almost to order, steady rain fell across the regionyesterday, bringing welcome relief. Some parts of South Canterbury got about 20mm of rain on Fridayand ...
Welcome rain fails to break drought
Apr 01, 2003 ... Rain has brought temporary relief for farmers in the Nelson andTasman regions, but it has not ended the drought, with weatherforecasters predicting little rain for the next few weeks. There was enough rain for both the Nelson City and Tasman Districtto lift water restrictions, ...
Glee for some, unease for others
Apr 01, 2003 ... While Marlborough farmers have been rubbing their hands togethergrape growers have been on tenterhooks as rain has fallen around thedrought- stricken region. Despite threatening black clouds, just 14.4mm was measured inBlenheim for the weekend period up until 9am yesterday ....
Residents call for bridge upgrade
Apr 01, 2003; ... Concerned residents are calling for a rethink of Transit NewZealand plans to defer the Styx Bridge upgrade. Transit has wiped the $9 million project to four-lane the busybridge from its draft 10-year plan. Residents argue the urgent four-laning of the bridge is crucial to ...
Poll on merger possible
Apr 01, 2003; ... Christchurch City ratepayers may be polled again on whether theyfavour amalgamation with the Banks Peninsula district. In recent weeks Christchurch Mayor Garry Moore and Banks PeninsulaMayor Bob Parker have both spoken out in favour of amalgamation butthey say they cannot advance ...
Murder trial opens; Refugee killed in Chch
Apr 01, 2003; ... What started as a row with a prostitute over money ended in anAfrican refugee's alleged bashing and subsequent death fromasphyxiation. In the High Court in Christchurch, Abraham Neho, 35, denies themurder of Mozambican refugee Hussein Ndongo on January 26 last year.He also ...
Water trustees appointed
Apr 01, 2003 ... The Selwyn District Council and the Christchurch City Council haveappointed trustees to the Central Plains Water Trust. The trust is investigating the feasibility of water enhancementschemes in the area. The trustees include farmer Doug Catherwood,engineer Derek Crombie, valuer/ ...
Council rents to increase
Apr 01, 2003; ... The country's second biggest landlord has signalled its 2700tenants their rents are likely to increase from July. The Christchurch City Council says the rent increase -- the amountnot yet finalised -- is needed to cover the growing costs ofmaintaining and upgrading its 110 housing ...
Driver wanted to break man's legs
Apr 01, 2003; ... An Ashburton man out walking his dog was run down three times by amotorist who wanted to break his legs. The driver, a 33-year-old Christchurch man, gave that explanationto the police after the attack in Ashburton on March 2. He pleaded guilty in the Christchurch District ...
DIARY
Apr 01, 2003; ... A RECENT advertisement for a tea attendant at the ChristchurchDistrict Court had reporters reminiscing about the famous PG Tipschimps. A visit to the official PG Tips website reveals that thechimps have recently been replaced by four computer generated "T-birds". PG Tips reassures fans ...
Weather defeats replica
Apr 01, 2003; ... The little bamboo plane scurried across the sodden SouthCanterbury field, its frail wings flexing, and cold rain slashing atthe face of veteran pilot Jack Melhopt. But it did not leave the ground. The rain and a cruel crosswindcombined yesterday to thwart an attempt to recreate ...
Elderly fall prey to pull of pokies
Apr 01, 2003; ... More older people are falling prey to the pokies. The Problem Gambling Purchasing Agency yesterday reported a 4 percent increase in people aged over 60 seeking help for gamblingproblems last year. Agency head John Hannifin said this was a significant increase andthe reality ...
Roads chasing votes
Apr 01, 2003 ... One of the worst public policy practices occurs when one problemis remedied, only to create a further set of inequities. That becomesa case of robbing Peter to pay Paul, or in the case of road funding,starving the provinces to feed Auckland's love affair with the car.Yet that is ...
What happens if they call off the war?
Apr 01, 2003 ... Sir--Let's say that the Americans and their allies give in to thecombined weight of world opinion, Iraqi resistance, peacedemonstrators, and CNN and pull out of Iraq. The world bullies are sent home, their tails between their legs. Aregime change takes place that wipes out ...
What happens if they call off the war?
Apr 01, 2003 ... Sir--The media have given ample attention to what the Americansare going to do in Iraq after the war. The plan seems to be to maintain a substantial military presenceand appoint a (temporary) American person in charge, probably ageneral. Some estimates have suggested that a period ...
What happens if they call off the war?
Apr 01, 2003 ... Sir--The "global village" concept emerged during the 1970s. Sincethen telecommunications and jet travel have shrunk the world further. Fighting a dictatorship can now be compared to crossing the streetto defend the weak against a bully. I respect Bush, Blair, and Howardas the few ...
What happens if they call off the war?
Apr 01, 2003 ... Sir--Peter Blaxall suggests (March 29) that America pouredbillions of dollars into Europe after World War 2 for philanthropicreasons. Actually it was a case of self- interest. A broke anddysfunctional Europe did nothing for America's financial future. He also says the ...
What happens if they call off the war?
Apr 01, 2003 ... Sir--In the United States, Britain, and Australia, post-September11 anxieties fuel hatred and fear. These then drive militaryenterprises and surveillance of civilians. Dialogue of civilisations, rather than fanning clash ofcivilisation fires, is urgently needed. As a former ...
What happens if they call off the war?
Apr 01, 2003 ... Sir--I have been living in New Zealand for nearly two years nowand my work visa runs out in August. I have been trying to decide whether to apply for residency as itis such a beautiful country, but the way this country's ...
Smoking
Apr 01, 2003 ... Sir--I support prohibition on smoking within educationalinstitutions, and within any child or youth-focused organisation orclub. Consider the desperation of a young woman who stated thefollowing in reference to her training programme: "I get really p ... ed about the smoking ....
IN A FEW WORDS
Apr 01, 2003 ... Two years ago our two children, then aged five and six, walkedalong the Nile Valley all the way to Metro Cave and back. The valleywasn't exactly inaccessible before the new tramway was built. Or havewe become such a nation of couch potatoes that walking along a leveltrack for a couple of ...
Rubbish disposal
Apr 01, 2003 ... Sir--Conscientious citizens will find your headline "Wasters mustpay" (March 13) offensive. We pay already. Or has Cr O'Rourkeforgotten that? The headline implies that putting anything in our black bags isirresponsible environmental vandalism. At present those bags stillcontain ...
Park trees
Apr 01, 2003 ... Sir--On March 31 a logging operation will begin in one of myfavourite walking places. In the South New Brighton Park and withinthe camping ground, 281 trees are to be felled. A similar operation was carried out last year along the easternplantation boundary, immediately north of ...
Park trees
Apr 01, 2003 ... Sir--Cr C. Williams' tree-hugging antics (March 28) were just intime before her council's tree vandals remove pine and macrocarpatrees from our beautiful South Brighton domain to replace with NewZealand scrub. I'm sure there will be no photographic session hugging raspy toe-toe ...
Park trees
Apr 01, 2003 ... Sir--I am dismayed by the article (March 28) regarding the fellingof more trees in South Brighton Park, with this latest attack to belaunched in the vicinity of the camping grounds. Many South Brighton residents were not in favour of the previouslogging of numerous strong and ...
Conifer clearing
Apr 01, 2003 ... Sir--As Upper Waimakariri Basin pastoral lessees we pay tribute tothe 140 Canterbury volunteers, coordinated by Environment Canterburystaff, who cleared weed conifers across this region on March 3. Their efforts on a hot high-country day were awesome. They clearedthousands of ...
Injudicious comments
Apr 01, 2003 ... Regardless of whether individuals agree with Prime Minister HelenClark, it must be acknowledged that, over Iraq, her Government hastaken a logically defendable position. For many weeks Ms Clark alsoshowed adroitness in her defence of the diplomatic process and thepre- eminence of the ...
Fast-track attack on boy racers
Apr 01, 2003; ... Boy racers who drag race in city streets face losing theirvehicles as early as this month. COLIN ESPINER explains why. Politicians are about to attempt a quarter-mile time trial ofwhich any young speedster would be proud. Parliament will today enter urgency to fast-track the ...
Van Gogh gazes down on 150th birthday celebrations
Apr 01, 2003 ... A man walks past the world's biggest three-dimensional portrait --a hot-air balloon van Gogh -- before it is floated above Zundert, thehome town of the renowned Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh, to mark the150th anniversary of his birth. The balloon, which was made in theEnglish town of ...
Beliefs spur for Carissa
Apr 01, 2003; ... Winning words and personal beliefs combined to win Carissa Field,15, the regional finals of the Hedi Moani Memorial Speech Awards heldin Christchurch. Carissa, a Year 12 student at Papanui High School, competed lastFriday against six other students in the finals of the competition ...
Calling all photographers
Apr 01, 2003 ... Cantabrians are being called to action by their Aussie neighboursin a nationwide photo challenge. The Australian Tourist Commission (ATC) is calling for Canterburyphotographers to put their sense of discovery to the test bycapturing on camera a part of Australia they have never ...
Tibet/Himalaya audio-visual night
Apr 01, 2003 ... Garry Weare, Lonely Planet author and Himalayan expert, has justreturned from his latest of dozens of journeys to Tibet and India,and will be in Christchurch on Thursday, April 3, to host a visualjourney through the pristine landscape of this incredible region.Those attending will hear ...
Former CEO declared bankrupt
Apr 01, 2003; ... Christchurch businessman Donald Sollitt has been declaredbankrupt, after failing to meet target payments to Westpac Bank. Some payment were made, but Mr Sollitt was clearly well short ofthe mark in repaying the $264,000 principal amount plus interest,Master Tony Christiansen said ...
Christchurch electronics entrepreneur honoured
Apr 01, 2003; ... Christchurch electronics entrepreneur Russell Smith was awarded aprestigious engineering fellowship last night. It recognises his leadership of Pulse Data International, maker ofcomputers for blind people and electronic reading aids for peoplewith little vision. Dr Smith ...
Commission backs down on regime; Tick of approval from lines companies
Apr 01, 2003; ... The Commerce Commission has softened its regulatory regime forelectricity lines companies but the regime will still force companiesto drop their prices. The final regime, announced yesterday, has backed off acontroversial profit threshold that could have clawed back ...
Brighton supermarket to close
Apr 01, 2003 ... The New Brighton SuperValue supermarket will close on April 24.The franchisor blames poor retailing conditions in the suburb. The franchisor, Wholesale Distributors, is a wholly ownedsubsidiary of Progressive Enterprises, which recently expanded bytaking over Woolworths New ...
Promina launches float
Apr 01, 2003; ... Newly renamed insurer Promina Group yesterday launched a publicfloat in a bid to raise up to $A2.1 billion ($NZ2.3b). Promina, the Australian and New Zealand arm of cash-strappedBritish parent Royal and SunAlliance, is forecasting a massiveturnaround from a near $A290m loss last ...
High Court to decide Apple Fields' projects
Apr 01, 2003; ... Two major Christchurch property projects planned by Apple FieldsLtd now depend on a High Court ruling. ECan (Canterbury Regional Council) has appealed to the court,questioning whether the Environment Court has jurisdiction, under theResource Management Act, to allow the projects ...
Stewart family back in the plastics business
Apr 01, 2003; ... The Stewarts are back in the plastics business, signing up ascornerstone shareholders in Alto Plastics yesterday. The sense of deja vu was heightened because the Christchurch-based Stewart family, plastics pioneers and founders of the PDL Groupsold last year to French electronics ...
New ASX rules cause little concern
Apr 01, 2003; ... Stringent new corporate governance recommendations released by theAustralian Stock Exchange take Australia's regime a step beyondproposed changes to New Zealand rules. But experts have played down concerns that the differences coulddeter international investors from the Kiwi ...
US health sector ripe for Kiwi IT picking
Apr 01, 2003; ... Kiwi IT companies should target the poor if they want a slice ofthe $US44 billion American health-care IT market, writes WILL HARVIE. . Poor Americans represent the best market for New Zealandinformation technology companies that specialise in health and seekexport sales to ...
Jade Health making its mark
Apr 01, 2003 ... Many of the recommendations contained in the UCLA health carereport have already been implemented by Jade Health in New Zealand,Australia, and Britain. The Christchurch company has established "reference sites" in twoareas in Britain and another in Australia that prove Jade ...
NZ Post picks Oracle
Apr 01, 2003 ... New Zealand Post has selected Oracle to build a data warehousethat will enable a consolidated view of New Zealand Post's customeractivity across its entire enterprise. Marketing databases from theNZ Post's Letters business unit will be the first to be consolidatedinto the data warehouse, ...
Quanta buyout
Apr 01, 2003 ... Quanta management and staff have bought themselves from theInfinity Group. The buyout will allow both Quanta and Infinity toachieve a greater focus of time and resources on the development oftheir respective businesses, according to a release. The two firmswill retain ...
Exports 17% higher
Apr 01, 2003 ... Kiwis exports of ICT goods and services rose 17 per cent to $968million in 2002, according a recently released export report. "TheNew Zealand industry has come through the (recent) period in bettershape than many ICT sectors abroad -- for example, the US industrywas down ...
What virus?
Apr 01, 2003 ... Fewer than half of small to medium-sized enterprises update theiranti-virus software once a week or more, according to a global surveyby anti-virus firm Sophos. Larger companies update their anti-virussoftware much more frequently, with just 29 per cent doing so once ...
Flight Centre online
Apr 01, 2003 ... Flight Centre Ltd has deployed its new Matrix Airfare database andsearch engine to 750 staff. Matrix is a one- stop source for airfareinformation, delivering to all Flight Centre staff informationnormally only available ...
Mix business and pleasure
Apr 01, 2003; ... A complex to be built in Ferrymead will include both businesspremises and apartments. LIZ MCDONALD reports. Apartment living in non- residential zonesin New Zealand started in the inner cities. Now apartments are going up in industrial areas. Many are onlandscaped sites on ...
New CEO at Arrow
Apr 01, 2003 ... New Zealand's largest project and construction management company,Arrow International, has appointed a new chief executive. FormerAustralian CEO Hugh Morrison is taking over the top ...
Firms merge
Apr 01, 2003 ... Christchurch firms Canterbury Commercial Real Estate and PacificReal Estate have merged. The combined organisation will operate underthe Canterbury Commercial name. The two real estate firms had bothbeen based in the ...
Retail seminar
Apr 01, 2003 ... A retail seminar organised by the New Zealand Property Council'sNew Zealand Council of Shopping Centres is being held at Auckland'sCarlton Hotel on April 15. The Wants R Needs seminar will ...
Mangos still selling at 80
Apr 01, 2003; ... Commercial real estate salesman Peter Mangos has just celebratedhis 80th birthday, but he hasn't stopped putting in a 40 hour week. "I've got to do something," says the Christchurch great-grandfather. "It keeps you motivated, you can't just stagnate." Mr Mangos acknowledges ...
Retail for sale
Apr 01, 2003 ... A new retail block in Bishopdale and a property in the Papanuishopping area are in a portfolio of nearly 80 commercial andindustrial properties nationwide being marketed by Bayleys RetailGroup. Both Christchurch properties will be auctioned on April 11. The 920sq m retail ...
Devoted Daredevil
Apr 01, 2003 ... Ben Affleck was a natural to play Daredevil, the title characterof the new movie based on the Marvel Comics superhero. Affleck has been a fan of Daredevil -- a blind, vigilante lawyerwhose other senses are unusually powerful -- since he was a child. "I was fascinated by this ...