Copyright © 1995 Brian Harmer
Every so often, I have occasion to visit Te Omanga Hospice, where my dearly beloved works. I have known the building and its grounds for over twenty years. When we first moved to Lower Hutt, it was a religious retreat house run by the Cenacle Sisters. In those days it was a haven from the busy-ness of ordinary life, a place to contemplate and reflect, and if you were of that inclination, to pray. The sisters moved on to a base in Johnsonville, which is entirely another story of no immediate relevance here. Meanwhile, Te Omanga Hospice was outgrowing its premises in the rather lovely old villa in Laing's Rd. The hospice trustees recognised the suddenly available Woburn Rd building and its lovely grounds as a wonderful basis on which to develop a hospice in keeping with the original vision of Max and Marion Cooper, the founders of Te Omanga. Today, in a pleasing echo of its function in earlier times, it is still a haven of peace and tranquillity from the busyness of ordinary life. The hospice is to the rear of the Bellvue Tavern on Woburn Road. The rather stately old building has been beautifully renovated, (as you can see at http://www.teomanga.org.nz) and has had a significant, and architecturally sympathetic addition in the form of a ten- bed wing for in-patients. It should be observed, in case you think ten beds is a small number, that most of the hospice's work is related to the provision of palliative care to patients in their own preferred and familiar surroundings. There are usually well over a hundred people on the hospice programme at any one time. Every year, the Lower Hutt Police, often accompanied by fire service people (who started the custom), and volunteers, do a charity run and cycle ride from Palmerston North to Lower Hutt in support of this splendid organization which is dependent for most of its funding on public support. No patient is ever charged for its services which bring relief from intractable pain to many, and provide practical and emotional support to the patient, family and friends. The run was just last week, and I found myself confronted with the collection pails at my local supermarket. So, anyway, here I was waiting in the driveway, having dropped Mary off for "just a minute" to pick up a piece of paper, but as is often the case, someone else's needs detained her, so the minutes stretched, and stretched, and in the end, I had an hour in which to contemplate the serenity and loveliness of the grounds. The sweeping drive meanders through the stately old trees, and loops around the big lawn in front of the main building, past the car park and out again. But as I was saying, I sat there, and I became aware of the summertime din of the thousands of common chorus cicadas all clinging to trees and fences trying to attract a mate. Somehow, despite the rhythmic clicking of these somewhat ugly insects, the peace was not at all disturbed. It was just part of the music of our belated and all too brief summer. Family members came and went as they visited their friends and relatives. I know some are squeamish about hospices, or about death and dying generally. Some will think this a depressing topic. I have to say, I can't share that view. I have never encountered any health related institution with a more positive, upbeat, supportive, and peaceful atmosphere than at Te Omanga. If by chance you live in the Hutt Valley region, I urge you to see if your skills might be useful in one of the various opportunities to be a volunteer, or even to offer some financial support (there is a donations opportunity on the web page).
All news items (except where noted otherwise) are reproduced by kind permission of copyright owner, IRN Ltd. Any text above this point, and all subsequent material in parentheses, and concluded with the initials "BH" is the personal opinion of Brian Harmer as editor of this newsletter, or occasionally "HH" will indicate an opinion from Helen.
In all cases they are honest expressions of personal opinion, and are not presented as fact.
This week's formatting is sponsored by Mike Giannone from New Jersey. Many thanks, Mike.
On with the news:
Copies of New Zealand's laws will soon be made available on the Internet. The Government has agreed to go ahead with the second stage of its Public Access to Legislation project. It will involve making updated versions of New Zealand legislation available through the Internet without any charge. Attorney-General Margaret Wilson says providing public access to legislation is an essential part of the government's efforts to improve interaction with its citizens. The project, which will be done with the help of Unisys New Zealand Limited, is expected to be completed by early next year.
(I am a little puzzled since the statutes have been on-line for several years. Perhaps it is being expanded to include bills, and with any luck, a decent search facility. See http://rangi.knowledge-basket.co.nz/gpacts/actlists.html for the present facility - BH)
If you are aged over 30 and ride a Harley Davidson motorcycle, you have an 18 per cent chance of crashing. Authors of a report commissioned for the Accident Compensation Corporation say the born-again bikers probably are not used to riding powerful machines. The report says some were riding at speeds of 160 kilometres an hour. It also says 22 per cent of Harley riders had previous convictions for violence.
The Mental Health Commission says holding mentally-ill patients in a police cell makes the best of a bad situation. A mentally-disturbed woman was held for 24 hours in a cell at an Auckland police station last week because Waitemata Health was unable to accommodate her. The Mental Health Commission's acting chair, Bob Henare, says the problem stems from having too many patients and too few beds to put them in. He says police have no choice but to keep people safe and off the streets. But Bob Henare says that is not a solution if the problem is systemic.
(In my opinion, these situations arise from the attempt to treat these issues from a rational numerical basis. Statistically, there are enough beds, if only beds and their associated caregivers could be beamed around the country to meet whatever local peaks and troughs exist in the demand for these services. The reality is, that every region needs more beds than are currently occupied. - BH)
National claims the strike action hitting three Universities around the country today is the result of the Government promising too much. Staff at Waikato, Canterbury and Massey Universities have walked off the job over pay issues. National's spokesman on Tertiary Education, Maurice Williamson, says Labour claimed before the last election it would fix problems with University pay rates. He says that built up large expectation among University staff. So he says it is hardly surprising now to see them rejecting unacceptable offers of only two and three per cent.
(While I agree with much of what Mr Williamson has to say, I would not overlook the role played by successive ministers including Lockwood Smith, Wyatt Creech, and Max Bradford. This does not let Steve Maharey of the hook for an inadequate perfomance in my opinion. - BH)
There have been few problems with the introduction of the Property Relationships Act, which came into force on February 1st. Wellington lawyer, Simon Maude, says most couples are worried about how their assets will be divided under the new act. Simon Maude believes reaction to the new law is similar to the introduction of other property laws. He says there was a major shift, when the new Matrimonial Property Act in 1976 provided for equal sharing. Simon Maude says the full effect of the law will not be felt for another few years, until more cases have been through the Courts.
Bomb disposal experts have given the all-clear, after a fire bomb scare in South Auckland this morning. Firefighters called to a restaurant fire in Manurewa restaurant early this morning discovered what looked like incendiary devices. Police cordoned off the Northcrest shopping mall on Great South Road. They now say it is safe for traffic and pedestrians to enter the area, although a small cordon around the restaurant remains.
A New Zealand company hopes to get permission this week to trial a diabetes treatment on Cook Islanders that is not allowed in this country. Diatranz wants to transplant live pig cells into diabetics. The procedure is not allowed here because of concerns about the possibility of a pig virus jumping to humans. The company says it was approached by the Cook Islands. Diatranz spokesman Professor Bob Elliot says the South Pacific country has a mounting problem with the disease.
(One of the worries in this development is that the principal supporter of the project in the Cook Islands is the same person who persuaded the Cook Islands government to support the fraudulent "Dr" Milan Brych when he was forced to leave new Zealand. If you are unaware of Mr Brych, do a web search on the name. - BH)
The Commonwealth has come in for a hammering from our Prime Minister. Helen Clark has fired a parting shot at Commonwealth leaders as she heads back to New Zealand from the CHOGM summit in Australia. She says the Commonwealth has failed to wrestle effectively with Zimbabwe and needs to get its act together for the future. Miss Clark says the Commonwealth is left looking slightly silly for failing to take action. New Zealand is now formulating a range of sanctions to impose on Zimbabwe if the country's presidential election this weekend proves to be rigged. Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon and CHOGM Chair John Howard have delivered the Coolum declaration and the CHOGM communiqué. Leaders have agreed to commitments and resolutions on a range of topics, including terrorism, trade and climate change. John Howard says it has been an extremely successful summit, and one which has had its moments. He says a framework has been created to deal with the Zimbabwe issue, which represents the consensus view in the Commonwealth. The next CHOGM will be held in Nigeria in 2003. Helen Clark says this year's CHOGM has highlighted the fact the Commonwealth needs to examine the way it deals with issues such as Zimbabwe in the future. Mr Howard says he believes the Commonwealth's credibility is still intact, despite CHOGM leaders finding themselves divided on Zimbabwe. He says all views of Commonwealth leaders must be considered, to deliver a fair outcome.
The defence at the High Court in Palmerston North has introduced evidence pointing to the possibility that the person responsible for killing Christine and Amber Lundy is left handed. Mark Lundy is accused of the murders of his wife and daughter in August 2000. Under cross examination, forensic scientist Bjorn Sutherland told Mike Behrens QC there is no way of telling from the evidence, whether the blows were made with a left or right hand. From the blood evidence in the bedroom where Christine Lundy was found, the scientist says the killer was standing on the right- hand side of the bed. He agreed with Mr Behrens it would have been easier to swing an implement, if the person was left handed.
The Air Force has grounded its entire fleet of Iroquois. This follows the gearbox of a helicopter failing during a landing in East Timor yesterday. The aircraft landed normally without damage. As a precautionary measure, the Air Force's fleet of 14 Iroquois will not be flown until the gearboxes in all the helicopters are thoroughly checked. It will take several days to test the gearboxes.
(The only piece of equipment we own which has served as long as these Iroquois helicopters is the magnificently over-engineered Kenwood Chef food mixer. We bought it soon after we were married over thirty years ago. Any helicopter built to such standards would be way too heavy to fly. - BH)
Those who have private health insurance are unlikely to get a tax break from this government. Finance Minister Michael Cullen has released a Treasury report showing a 30 percent subsidy would cost the Government 108 million dollars after the benefits to the public health system are taken into account. The Institute for Economic Research has put forward a case for giving tax credits to those with private health insurance. Treasury argues the money would be better spent on the public health system, which Dr Cullen says the Government is already doing.
Electricity bosses have been summoned to the Beehive, with the minister keen to make sure competition in the industry thrives. The heads of the five key electricity providers will go to the Beehive tomorrow for a meeting tomorrow with the Energy Minister Pete Hodgson, about market competition levels. Mr Hodgson is understood to be concerned that the retail market is not as competitive as it should be. There are some regions that currently only have one major electricity retailer. It is understood he will discuss ways of improving competition and warn the companies, he will take action if retail competition keeps falling away. Some of the companies have increased retail and commercial power prices by as much as eight per cent recently. The five firms involved are Meridian Energy, Mighty River Power, Genesis Power, Contact Energy and TrustPower.
Man cannot live by bread alone - it seems he needs a bottle of Lindauer as well. The sparking wine was the top selling supermarket item prior to Christmas. Second most popular brand was Quality Bakers toast bread. The revelations come in an AC Nielson survey of our Christmas shopping habits out today. Total supermarket sales rose 6.5 per cent at Christmas, taking them to an all time high. Beer and wine is being credited for much of that rise. Summer showers and a lack of sun obviously had an effect also. Sales of ice- cream and soft drinks saw minimal growth. And the survey confirms the kiwi habit of leaving everything to the last minute. Some 28 per cent of our holiday supermarket shopping was done in the two days before Christmas
Hamilton police are appealing for witnesses to an unprovoked attack early on Sunday morning. A 21-year-old Maori man was set upon by at least three others while walking along Claudelands Bridge. Detective Senior Sergeant Glenn Dunbier says the man was severely beaten and seems to have ended up on the railway bridge, some seven metres away from Claudelands Bridge. He says the attackers are Caucasians with short or shaved hair. Detective Senior Sergeant Dunbier says the attack seems to have racial overtones.
Staff at Green Lane Hospital have been updated on progress as they address the controversial practice of keeping babies hearts for research purposes. The meeting was told that the hospital has handled 2,500 phone calls from people asking whether the hospital has their child's heart. District Health Board spokeswoman Brenda Saunders says staff have so far spoken to around 20 families. She says approximately two dozen families will be told their baby's heart is not at the hospital. Ms Saunders estimates it could be a fortnight before all the calls are answered.
Rotorua Police hope the people of Mamaku will help them find two men involved in a shooting this morning. The male occupant of a house was shot in the chest after he disturbed the men during a home invasion. The victim is in a stable condition in Rotorua Hospital. The offenders fled the scene and were last seen heading into the Mamaku forest. Senior Sergeant Wally Haumaha says the bush is too dense to search thoroughly. He says police are going door- to-door in the rural town. They hope residents might provide leads.
Peter Jackson has been honoured at Government House in Wellington today. The Lord of the Rings director was invested as a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. His partner, Fran Walsh, who co-produced the first film was also invested as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Following on from last week's BAFTA award for best director, Peter Jackson says it is a real privilege to receive yet more recognition. He is also up for best director at this month's Academy Awards in the United States.
Christchurch police have carried out a successful raid on a methamphetamine laboratory in the suburb of Hornby. Three people have been arrested and have appeared in the District Court on drugs charges today. It is the first methamphetamine laboratory police have found in the city, since one was busted in Linwood in 1990. That discovery was the first methamphetamine lab ever found in New Zealand. He says the scene has been declared a hazardous site, because there are still volatile chemicals in the house. Police are not ruling out the possibility of further arrests.
The Education Minister is calling for a legal opinion on moves by Auckland Grammar School to restrict new enrolments at the school to one day a month. The school's principal says people have turned up to enrol every day since the start of the year, causing disruption to classes. He says from now on, they are refusing to take any more enrolments until the end of the month. Education Minister Trevor Mallard says he has asked for a full report on the rights of people who move into the area.
The leader of the National party is steering well clear of speculation former All Black Joe Karam is in the running to stand for the party in Rakaia. The pre-selection process to choose a replacement for the retiring Jenny Shipley will be completed this weekend. However, National leader Bill English says he is not involved in the selection process and believes it would be the kiss of death for Joe Karam if he endorsed him. It is understood Joe Karam is among 12 potential candidates vying for the nomination for the safe National seat.
The man accused of murdering Teresa Cormack has appeared briefly in court. Forty three-year-old Jules Pierre Nicholas Mikus stood in the dock at the Napier District Court for just 20 seconds. He was not asked to enter a plea and was remanded to appear again on March 27. Mikus was arrested last week and charged with the sexual violation, abduction and murder of the six-year-old Teresa in June 1987. Teresa's parents were among around 30 people crowded into the court-room today. Another dozen people waited outside the court for a glimpse of Mikus as he arrived.
The Consumers' Institute says BNZ's move to switch customers' bank accounts without consulting them, is bad business practice. The BNZ has transferred savings accounts earning one per cent interest to an account which offers no interest but puts the account holder into a draw for a $5. 8 million lottery. Consumer Institute Chief Executive David Russell says customers have every right to be upset with the move. He says people open savings accounts to earn interest, not to enter a lottery.
(If any bank pulled that stunt on me, my account would be closed that same day, and I would be looking for a bank which has an understanding of ethics more in tune with my own - BH)
The National Party is joining the chorus of dismay over the resignation of the head of the National Screening Unit. Dr Julia Peters is leaving the post with the breast and cervical screening programme at the end of April, citing personal and professional reasons. The Ministry of Health will replace her with two people. It was criticised in a recent report for placing too much responsibility on one person. National's Women's Affairs spokeswoman Anne Tolley says either Dr Peters and her unit were not adequately resourced or the Ministry has not been doing its job. Either way, she says someone must take the blame. Ms Tolley says Dr Peters' resignation puts the whole cervical screening programme in disarray.
(Though I understand that Dr Peters' departure is hugely regrettable, the reality is that any organization whose core business depends entirely on one person is in deep trouble. Any passing bus can put you out of business. A better question than "why is she resigning?", is "why is staffing such that her resignation is a tragedy?" - BH)
There are major traffic delays on State Highway 2 in Wellington, after a truck rammed into the back of a police car. The truck collided with the patrol car, which was parked, and flipped onto its side, blocking both lanes. Police say the truck has been removed from the road, but north and sound bound travellers can expect hour-long delays. A police spokesman says the policeman in the car has minor injuries but they are unsure of the truck driver's condition.
(This was truly bizarre. If I understood the TV news item correctly, a fully marked highway patrol car, with all lights flashing, was parked on the safety zone at the side of the road while the officer was out of the car, pinging people with the laser speed detector. The truck was apparently driving along the safety shoulder, and just ran straight up the back of the car. Just goes to prove that the Minister In Charge Of Police Car Colour Schemes got it wrong. - BH)
There is an accusation the Innovate Conference being held in Christchurch, is little more than a vote catcher for business. The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union has hung a protest banner at the event proclaiming, "Taxation will increase until innovation improves". Union spokesman Roger Beattie says it is abhorrent that Economic Development Minister, Jim Anderton, is prepared to spend half a million dollars on a conference for 600 New Zealanders.
(The headline might have some credibility if only I could figure out whose vote would be caught. Does anyone remember an old cartoon, in which the captain of a Viking longship is yelling to an arms salesman standing on the shore with a machinegun. "Don't bother me with your silly inventions, I have a war to fight!" - BH)
The victim of a shooting incident at Mamaku, near Rotorua, has undergone surgery to remove a bullet lodged under his armpit. Lakeland Health says 27-year-old Christopher Collins is now in a stable condition, after his operation this morning. Meanwhile, police are speaking to witnesses, who may be able to shed some light on yesterday's home invasion and shooting at Mamaku. Police are continuing to look for two men in connection with the shooting. They say one is armed with a rifle.
(One man has since been arrested. Another is still sought - BH)
The Greens are calling on the Government to give up trying to get a free trade deal with the US. It follows the decision by George Bush to slap a 30 per cent tariff on US steel imports yesterday. New Zealand has been pushing for some time to establish a trade block with the US. But Greens co-leader Rod Donald says it is clear the US is only interested in looking after its own economic interests. He says the era of free trade is over and he believes the Government is beginning to recognise that fact. Rod Donald says New Zealand should concentrate on import substitution rather than exports.
(There is a deal of bitter comment to the effect that all the people most hurt by this tariff are the countries that were first to respond to the call when George W. Bush declared war on terrorism. The New Zealand Steel Workers are especially aggrieved, given that NZ is purer than the driven snow when it comes to subsidies. They get none, zero, zip, zilch. They sell at a price which returns a profit, so they are not dumping by any definition of that word. That leaves the conclusion that US steel manufacturers are inefficient and are being protected from the cold wind of reality by artificially high prices. A secondary conclusion is that the re-election campaign is starting early. I should add that it raises a question about the sincerity of the US President's pious urging of others including Japan to conform with the principles of free trade. - BH)
The Government is being congratulated for wanting to keep children at school, or in some kind of training, until they are 18. Tertiary Education Minister Steve Maharey says something has to be done to help the thousands of 16 and 17-year-olds who leave school with little hope of getting a job. The Association of Polytechnics says it first mooted the idea five years ago. But Executive Director Jim Doyle says the students should be subsidised, just as they are now in secondary schools, so they do not end up with crippling student loans.
Members of the Wanganui Armed Offenders Squad have assisted 30 Palmerston North police execute search warrants on a number of houses in the gang-troubled suburb of Highbury. The raids are the result of investigations into the fire- bombing of a community patrol vehicle a week ago, and the standoff during last month's funeral for murder victim Wallace Whatuira. Six people have been arrested. Charges include obstruction, breach of bail, possession of offensive weapons and unlawful assembly. Police say there could be further arrests.
The union which represents steel workers wants our Government to respond to the US steel tariff by imposing our own. US President George W. Bush has slapped tariffs of up to 30 per cent on steel imports. He says they are necessary to help protect the US domestic industry. Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union spokesman Andrew Little says New Zealand risks becoming a dumping ground for overseas competitors. He says the Government should impose its own tariffs while US measures are in place. Mr Little also wants the Government to take a case to the World Trade Organisation.
The Bush administration's decision to slap a 30 per cent tariff on steel imports will be taken up by the Prime Minister when she visits the White House later this month. Helen Clark says in the meantime New Zealand will be exploring legal remedies through the World Trade Organisation. Miss Clark says it is ironic that the decision to impose tariffs came from a Republican administration, which is usually more sympathetic to free trade than the Democrats. She says the Bush move is not that promising to any country looking to the United States for more open trade.
Bay of Plenty police say they could have been dealing with a fatality last night thanks to some thoughtless actions. Three cars came off State Highway Two between Tauranga and Katikati last night after hitting road works at speed. One woman was hospitalised with neck injuries. Police say someone removed temporary speed limit signs and road cones at a corner near Aongatete. Sergeant Mike Caldwell says the perpetrator could face jail time, and is appealing for information from the public. He says it is lucky a fatality or serious injury was not caused.
Argument over the admissibility of evidence has dominated proceedings this morning at the trial of Canterbury farmer Kevin Harmer. The 47-year-old is accused of killing his wife at their farm in October 1999. The woman's body was found in the couple's burnt out vehicle. The jury at the High Court in Christchurch has been excused while counsel debate what they are allowed to hear. It is understood proceedings may not resume until next Monday
Air New Zealand has posted a net loss for the half year of $376. 5 million. No dividend will be paid.
The Air Force is defending its maintenance programme after one of its helicopters made an emergency landing in Timor on Monday. The Iroquois developed problems with its tail rotor drive gearbox. The Civil Aviation Authority had issued a directive to all civil Iroquois operators with instructions to service the gearbox every 400 flights. Squadron Leader Ric Cullinane says the Air Force's maintenance operation is world class, and developed in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications. He says the Iroquois is an older model helicopter and because of this, sometimes different parts are used. However he says that fact does not affect the safe operation of the machines.
A motorcyclist will appear in court after being clocked driving at nearly 200 kilometres an hour in Canterbury. Police say the man rode from Parnassus to Rangiora in 37 minutes, averaging 163 kilometres an hour. Sergeant John Robinson says the top speed caught on radar was 198 kilometres an hour, which should only ever be reached on a racetrack, and can never be safe on the open road. He says any possible pursuit was abandoned because of the speeds involved.
A New Zealand-born Nobel Prize winner will receive the country's highest honour today. Professor Alan MacDiarmid becomes a member of the Order of New Zealand during a ceremony at Government House in Wellington. Professor MacDiarmid was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry two years ago for his work with polymers. He joins an elite group in the Order of New Zealand, including Sir Edmund Hillary and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. It is restricted to 20 people - Professor MacDiarmid will be the 18th person inducted into the order.
A company calling itself a university could be stripped of its title. Education officials are investigating the 'Richmastery Property University' because it may not legally be a university. NZQA spokesman Bill Lennox says term 'university' is protected under the Education Act. He says the company could be asked to stop using the name. Richmastery Property University says it has legal permission but admits it is not from the NZQA.
A 19-year-old man will appear in court today in connection with a shooting in the Bay of Plenty earlier this week. A 27-year-old man was shot in the chest after confronting two men who had broken into his Mamaku home on Wednesday morning. Police executed three search warrants yesterday and subsequently charged an unemployed local man with aggravated robbery. Detective Sergeant Dennis Murphy says more charges are likely and police are still looking for another suspect. He says public information has assisted the police enquiry.
Black news for the Greens. The party's popularity has plummeted in the latest public opinion poll published in the National Business Review. In the last six months, the Greens have fallen from 7. 5 per cent to 5. 4 per cent. That is its lowest for the past two years. The NBR says the party's support base has deserted in droves. The same poll gives the Alliance just 2. 6 per cent support, ACT 5. 6 and New Zealand First 5. 3 per cent. National is up two points on 31, but Labour is still way ahead on 48 per cent.
A Wanganui paediatrician says dozens of children are being treated for cannabis poisoning each year after eating their parents' stash. John Goldsmith says in the past six months 33 children in North Island have been treated in hospital. He says children are turning up in emergency wards with symptoms like drowsiness, muscle spasms and even coma. Dr Goldsmith believes the confirmed cases are just the tip of the iceberg and estimates up to a hundred kids are being poisoned each year. He says doctors are mistaking symptoms for more serious illnesses like meningitis or epilepsy. Children then undergo painful tests or are given powerful medicines, needlessly. Dr Goldsmith says parents need to be alerted of the dangers of leaving cannabis within the reach of children.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has released a study outlining potential damage foreign pests may do if they get into the country. There is concern over several insects at the moment, including the black widow spider, South American fire ants and the painted apple moth. MAF spokesman, Steven Olsen says it is the first study undertaken which looks at the impact on native flora and fauna. He says one risk is that an imported pest such as a spider could eat other insects which would disrupt the food chain. Mr Olsen says MAF is taking strong measures to protect New Zealand's borders, especially at ports, where hundreds of containers are unloaded every day.
A plastic surgeon who has been temporarily suspended from practice here, is also barred from working in Australia. Auckland and Sydney-based cosmetic surgeon Dr Warren Chan is facing three charges of disgraceful conduct and one of conduct unbecoming. He was also suspended for nine months last year, and he has been sued for negligence in Australia. New South Wales Medical Board spokeswoman Anne Scahill says Dr Chan is suspended from practicing in the state. She says action taken against a doctor abroad can be recognised domestically. Ms Scahill says other Australian states would probably adopt the same measures.
The price of petrol is falling in Auckland - a move sure to upset people in other parts of the country. A petrol price war has broken out in Auckland hard on the heels of last week's 4. 7 cent a litre petrol tax slapped on the cost of fuel around the country, largely to build roads in Auckland. The oil industry says Aucklanders are benefiting from a price war initiated by Gull. Some service stations are selling 91 grade for 98 to 99 cents a litre. But in some rural areas you could be paying up to a $1.10 or even $1.12 a litre. Wellingtonians are paying around $1.03. Just over the Rimutakas, in Masterton, it is a cent or two cheaper again -because there is a Gull station there.
(Grrr - BH)
Date: 7 March 2002 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 0.4338
AUD 0.8274
GBP 0.3051
JPY 56.95
CAD 0.6869
EUR 0.9950
HKD 3.3921
SGD 0.7935
ZAR 4.8024
CHF 0.7317
INTEREST RATES (%)
Call : 4.75
90 Day: 5.11
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