Run that one past me again?

[nitpicker1]

Court orders golf course to close
NZ Newswire
October 14, 2011, 7:00 pm

A Manawatu golf course has been ordered to close to protect the organic rating of a neighbouring farm.

The District Court ruling has given the nine-hole Brookfields Park Golf Club in Palmerston North until November 30 to close.

The Organic Farm Company and BioFarm Products is owned by James and Catherine Tait-Jamieson.

Mr Tait-Jamieson said 20,000 golf balls had been picked up from his property since he filed court proceedings in 2002.

"All inputs to an organic farm must be approved, and golf balls are not an approved input," he told Radio New Zealand.

This meant the farm could not make hay or silage in the paddocks surrounding the golf course, putting the farm at risk if there was a drought or flood because it had no silage in reserve, he said.

Rubbish had also been left in paddocks and golfers had urinated on his property, he said.

Mr Tait-Jamieson was relieved the rating would be safe.

Golf club owner Don Finlayson, said he was devastated by the decision.

It may be appealed.

Golfer Max Turner who used the club with friends thought the decision was "frivolous".

"I'm going to carry on with golf. I don't think it will close," he told the Manawatu Standard.

"There's going to be a lot of implications to the owners and the golfers

http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/newshome/10470644/court-orders-golf-course-to-close/

ummmmm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/sports/golf/balls/used/auction-415141715.htm?

[Kiwithrottlejockey]

Well....perhaps the golfers could CEASE hitting balls over the boundary fence if they wish to keep their golf-course? 

[Newtown-Fella]

imo this is a Court going too far ....

ffs the golf course has been there since 1976 and is regarded as one of the best 9 hole golf courses in New Zealand. ...

http://www.brookfieldsparkgolf.co.nz/


you can bet the asrehole farmers next door havent been organic farming since 1976 !!

i hope that the golf club appeals and wins ....

bloody greenies going one step too far ....

[Kiwithrottlejockey]

The solution is simple.

The golfers simply need to improve their aim so they don't hit golf balls over the fence.

Bridge Pa aerodrome in Hawke's Bay is right next to a golf course.

When I was a member of the aero club which owns the aerodrome, I often used to get the tractor and mower out and mow the grass on the aerodrome (as did many aero club members).

I don't recall ever seeing golf balls on the aerodrome at Bridge Pa.

So if Hastings golfers can be good enough to NOT hit golf balls over the boundary fence, then surely Palmy golfers can do likewise?

[Calliope]

surely a high screen fence would do the trick.

[Magoo]

surely a high screen fence would do the trick.

First thing that came to my mind too.

[nitpicker1]

surely a high screen fence would do the trick.

First thing that came to my mind too.

LOL. First thing that came to my mind, having dabble in organics, was that he would probably make more by selling the 20,000 golfballs than by making organic silage.

See Trademe auction link in orig mess ?

                                                               

[Magoo]

surely a high screen fence would do the trick.

First thing that came to my mind too.

LOL. First thing that came to my mind, having dabble in organics, was that he would probably make more by selling the 20,000 golfballs than by making organic silage.

See Trademe auction link in orig mess ?

                                                               

Nice little side line.

[Ferney]

My inlaws had a 10 acre property next to a golf course near Christchurch.   The golf balls were a source of pocket money because the kids collected them and sold them back to the golf club. 

[nitpicker1]

My inlaws had a 10 acre property next to a golf course near Christchurch.   The golf balls were a source of pocket money because the kids collected them and sold them back to the golf club. 

There'd be a few to dive for in this aussie water hazard
http://travel.usatoday.com/destinations/dispatches/post/2011/10/killer-sharks-a-real-hazard-on-aussie-golf-course/552104/1

[ssweetpea]

surely a high screen fence would do the trick.

I wondered about that as well. We have such fences on the driving ranges in Northcote and Takapuna to prevent golf balls getting on the roads and motorway. They are 4 or 5 widths of shade cloth high. About 20m at a guess.

[dragontamer]

What's the bet he's blocked the high fence.  That would have been the golf courses first option and the best solution.

I don't know who it sounds like the bigger nutter is.  The farmer or the judge.

[nitpicker1]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/5807884/Legal-action-could-force-porn-users-to-pay

[nitpicker1]

Killer's low self-esteem cuts term
PAUL EASTON
Last updated 05:00 20/10/2011

A teenage girl convicted for killing a retired schoolteacher has had her sentence reduced after new evidence showed she was immature and had low self-esteem.

Courtney Pauline Churchward was sentenced in 2009, with her cousin Lori-Lea Waiora Te Wini, for the murder of 79-year-old John Rowe in his Opotiki home.

The pair, then aged 17 and 14, were convicted of beating Mr Rowe to death with his walking stick as he lay in bed. Both were sentenced to life imprisonment with minimum non-parole periods of 17 years.

Churchward appealed her conviction to the Court of Appeal. A ruling issued yesterday dismissed that appeal, but reduced her sentence to 13 years.

The court allowed new evidence from clinical psychologist Renate Bellve-Wack and psychiatrist David Chaplow.

Dr Chaplow found Churchward had potential, but was denied a stable upbringing. She had low self-esteem and a need to fit in with her peers.

"Her adolescent view of the importance of the relationship with her young cousin led to a need to keep faith ... by keeping her promise to support her in robbing the occupant of the house."

Adolescents were less able than adults to control impulsive behaviour, his report said.

Ms Bellve-Wack's report said Churchward was immature. She did well in a stable environment, "but descends into drugs and anti-social behaviour when stability is not present".

The Crown argued that, at 17 years and seven months old at the time of the murder, Churchward was "towards the end of the spectrum" for a youth. She pleaded not guilty, and had shown no remorse.

Appeal Court judges Susan Glazebrook, Ellen France and Rhys Harrison said an appropriate minimum sentence would be 13 years.

Churchward was a good candidate for rehabilitation, but a long sentence would be "crushing", they said. It would be "manifestly unjust" for her to serve a minimum period of 17 years.

In June, Te Wini was granted a retrial by the Court of Appeal.

 
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/5817856/Killers-low-self-esteem-cuts-term

[nitpicker1]

http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/mp/11300490/canadian-doctors-see-face-in-testicle/

[nitpicker1]

re http://xtranewscommunity2.smfforfree.com/index.php/topic,11240.0/msg,126590.html

ummmmmm

A decade-long gas supply agreement between Todd Energy and methanol manufacturer Methanex New Zealand is set to inject $860 million into the national economy.

Todd Energy’s Mangahewa field in North Taranaki will supply the bulk Methanex’s mothballed plant north of New Plymouth for the next 10 years from July. The deal will need major expansion of Todd Energy’s McKee plant, and may see up to 25 new gas wells.


O goody gumdrops - set to inject $860 million into the national economy.

Yeahbut

does the 10 years injection into the national economy depend on the may see up to 25 new gas wells

and ummmmmm

$860 million over 10 years = ? per annum ?

Huge jackpots lured New Zealanders into spending a record $926 million on Lotto, Instant Kiwi and other lotteries in the last year - and the Lotteries Commission wants to boost sales further.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10775867

                                           

[ssweetpea]

Good point Nitz!

[nitpicker1]

Two glasses of wine a day 'triples mouth cancer risk'

Government campaign to warn that drinking just over recommended limit increases risk of serious health problems

 Press Association

guardian.co.uk, Sunday 5


Regularly drinking two large glasses of wine or two strong pints of beer a day triples the risk of developing mouth cancer, a government campaign will warn.

Television adverts will aim to show that drinking just over the recommended daily limit for alcohol increases the risk of serious health problems.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/feb/05/wine-triples-mouth-cancer-risk?newsfeed=true





A beer a day could keep the doctor away
Newstalk ZB
February 6, 2012, 8:18 am  

A beer a day could actually keep the doctor away.

An increasing amount of studies have found beer can have greater health benefits than a glass of red wine...provided it's drunk in moderation.

http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/newshome/12817031/a-beer-a-day-could-keep-the-doctor-away/

[nitpicker1]

Claims Corrections spent $50,000 on fonts

Newstalk ZB
February 15, 2012, 5:56 pm


28 Comments


It's alleged $50,000 was spent by the Corrections Department on altering the font and colour of 42 signs, but there was no change to the wording.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters made the allegation in Parliament today.

Corrections minister Anne Tolley said she had no information on that and asked him to put it in writing.

But Mr Peters asked if that was true, why did she write a letter of complaint.
"If the minister has not got details of that, why was she writing a letter complaining of this very matter on the 26th of January 2012? A two page letter signed by her as Minister of Corrections and excusing her predecessors' waywardness when it came to expenditure," he says.


http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/12915944/claims-corrections-spent-50-000-on-fonts/

[nitpicker1]

The Weekly Coitus

About


In times like this, with bird flu, SARS, killer dogs and ‘Internet Hackers’, New Zealanders need a pleasurable laugh or two. We deliver that pleasure.
 
The brainchild of a couple of ad men and a journo, The Weekly Coitus is a satirical* news website that doesn’t shy from the big issues, such as “is the first symptom of Swine Flu really denial?” ... * As in, ‘fake news’ satirical...

more at http://weeklycoitus.co.nz/?page_id=2

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Dredging up the past, presenting it as NEW   


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Lifestyle - Jan 27, 2011 21:28

Local Man Develops New Tech To Combat Dog Droppings

A scourge of New Zealand’s streets will soon be a thing of the past thanks to the tenacious efforts of Dr Jim Nayland.
 
The Waimate scientist today released findings from a 12-year study that provide startling new evidence of the average dog’s inability to leave waste in the vicinity of 2 litre bottles half-filled with water.
 
Combining the number-eight wire mentality of the country’s forefathers with an advanced research and development, Mr Nayland has seemingly perfected the art of repelling dogs from fouling properties with both faeces and urine.
 
After years of laboratory work the recently patented technology will be introduced to the domestic market in April 2011. Export arrangements have already uncovered a number of willing partners in Asia and North America. The euphoria from the successful trials has been tempered with the admission of some potential weaknesses however.
 
New “pump” style water bottles have proven to be inadequate in stemming the flow, an “unforseen phenomena that took everyone by surprise” according to Dr Nayland. Likewise dogs walked on leads, or those actively watched by their owners, still appeared at risk of befouling footpaths and grass verges.
 
The invention also threatens to become a victim of it’s own success. “In answer to the obvious – yes, dogs still will need to release their waste,” said Dr Nayland. “And it has to end up in front of some house.”
 
Dr Nayland suggests neighbours should communicate clearly with each other before introducing the invention street-wide. “Clearly a group of property-owners need to band together and decide who is least-liked on their block. Then ensure their property does not contain any anti-foul technology.”
 
Advance orders have already ensured the scientist will become a multi-millionaire by the end of the year. A support industry of water-changing service-providers is expected to also flourish with the debut of Dr Nayland’s invention.

http://weeklycoitus.co.nz/?p=1766

This idea went around way back in the dimdarks, I personally eventually proved that there were never any dog doings deposited




v


v











UNDER the bottles.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[nitpicker1]

Figures show councils borrowing billions
Published: 7:42AM Sunday March 11, 2012 Source: Fairfax

Local councils have clocked up $1606 in debt for every man, woman and child in New Zealand at a time when the amount they expect people to pay in property taxes is rising steeply.

Government figures released show local councils are charging, per capita, an average of $951 in rates and that nationally, rates have risen an average of 7% a year for the past decade.

Over the same period council debt has ballooned from $1.8b to $7b.

Local Government Minister Nick Smith is worried councils are stretching themselves too far and has signalled changes to the sector. He is set to deliver policies in the next two months so local government can control costs and keep rate rises in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI),

which has risen by around 2.2% per annum over the past decade.

Smith cites the Kaipara District Council as an example of a council with an out of control debt problem.

A third of that council's rates income is now being used to service debt, which has blown out to $85m because of over-runs in the cost of building a new wastewater scheme.

The Kaipara District Council's per capita debt, according to Statistics New Zealand's 2010 figures, stands at $4142 - the highest in the country - but other councils are following close on its heels. The Taupo District Council owes $4048 per capita, the Waitomo District $3939, and Queenstown Lakes District $3563.
New Zealand's small councils are the most highly indebted and charging the most in rates.

Residents of Thames-Coromandel District pay the highest per capita rates at $2086 for every man, woman and child. Those living in the Queenstown Lakes District pay the second highest per capita rates at $1659. Waitomo comes in third ($1429) and Mackenzie district fourth ($1328).

In the metropolitan cities, rates per capita range from a low of $698 in Christchurch to a high of $1081 in Wellington. In the Auckland super city, Statistics New Zealand calculates per capita rates at $753.

Taupo District mayor Rick Cooper said his council had had to borrow millions of dollars for new water and waste-water treatment plants in order to comply with government legislation.

It had also had to contribute millions towards the construction of a new bypass because ''the government likes to, wherever it can, shirk its responsibilities''.

''Local government is on a hiding to nothing because of what central government legislates upon us,'' Cooper said.

Queenstown Lakes District deputy chief executive Stewart Burns said it was not surprising the district had the highest debt per capita and rates per capita of the South Island councils. The district had a small resident population of around 28,000 but had to cater for 2.8 million visitors annually.

He said the increase in debt over the past 10 years reflected the cost of providing infrastructure for a 65% growth in its resident population.

He said most of the councils with high debt per capita were ''growth hot-spots''.

Economist Rod Oram believes Smith's argument for reforming local government is flawed. He said the size of the rate rises over the past few years showed councils had been scrambling to catch up on inadequate infrastructure spending in the past and to cope with population growth.

Local Government New Zealand also denies there is cause for concern.

It says the fact that property taxes are growing faster than the CPI does not mean councils are exercising poor fiscal control and debt is not the demon it is made out to be.

''Debt is an internationally accepted way of spreading costs over future generations and ensuring the present generation doesn't pay more than its share,'' said LGNZ principal advisor Dr Michael Reid.

Local government expenditure as a proportion of Gross Domestic Product, and local government expenditure as a proportion of public expenditure, were relatively consistent and clearly indicated that local government spending was firmly under control.

Council debt per capita

Kaipara District $4142

Taupo District $4048

Waitomo District $3939

Queenstown-Lakes District $3563

Tauranga City $2769

South Taranaki District $2755

Western Bay of Plenty District $2699

Tasman District $2451

Buller District $2,227

Hamilton City $2184

Auckland (Sum of former AK area councils) $2134

Ruapehu District $1994

Far North District $1925

Dunedin City $1920

Thames-Coromandel District $1823

Wanganui District $1812

Whangarei District $1800

Palmerston North City $1765

Rotorua District $1686

New Plymouth District $1638

Kaikoura District $1629

Kapiti Coast District $1448

Otorohanga District $1448

Wellington City $1433

Ashburton District $1311

Timaru District $1155

Nelson City $1132

South Wairarapa District $969

Horowhenua District $915

Central Hawke's Bay District $905

Westland District $888

Porirua City $882

Matamata-Piako District $870

Gore District $869

Lower Hutt City $818

Christchurch City $816

Invercargill City $805

Masterton District $779

Whakatane District $777

Hauraki District $745

Waipa District $678

Hastings District $678

Grey District $660

Selwyn District $631

Waimate District $623

Tararua District $565

Manawatu District $495

Waimakariri District $485

Stratford District $474

Upper Hutt City $453

Gisborne District $417

Opotiki District $361

Waikato District $295

South Waikato District $240

Carterton District $216

Napier City $105

Marlborough District $42

Southland District $21

Kawerau District $3

Clutha District $1

Waitaki District $1

Wairoa District $0

Rangitikei District $0

Mackenzie District $0

Hurunui District $0

Central Otago District $0

Source: Statistics New Zealand

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/figures-show-councils-borrowing-billions-4770607

[Calliope]

Residents of Thames-Coromandel District pay the highest per capita rates at $2086 for every man, woman and child.

I read that and then saw that TCDC are planning to cut services and increase charges in order to deliver a lower rate increase. As far as I am concerned that is ridiculous.

Part of the ten year plan is to develop a community centre at Pauanui (population 750). Most of the people at Pauanui are absentee owners who only come there in the summer.

similary they are planing an  indoor sports facility at Whitianga which has 1600 households.

Thames is to get a Skatepark, Indoor sporting facility and a new swimming pool. (population 6700)

to fund this they are going to increase the price of rubbish bags; cut maintenance to stormwater; increase the landing fee at the airport (to $10 per plane) - If people can afford to fly their own plane into Thames or where ever on the Coromandel then surely they can afford to pay more than $10 in landing fees.

Oh I forgot - increasing the charge for refuse - 1 car tyre will be $6.00; a 4x4 Tyre $8.00; non regulation rubbishbag $2.50

[nitpicker1]

My local govt. is the Clutha district,  Clutha District - $1 Council debt per capita

Had some sort of Local Government consultant staying here some time ago, he was saying that Clutha is the only NZ local body that insures it's OWN property ITSELF

I would be interested in the savings that makes in the CDC book - mind you they don't go for the big fancy highrise  ostentatious public buildings down this way!  

[ssweetpea]

My local govt. is the Clutha district,  Clutha District - $1 Council debt per capita

Had some sort of Local Government consultant staying here some time ago, he was saying that Clutha is the only NZ local body that insures it's OWN property ITSELF

I would be interested in the savings that makes in the CDC book - mind you they don't go for the big fancy highrise  ostentatious public buildings down this way!  

You do realise that means that they don't have any insurance.....better hope that Caterburies Quakes don't move south or an arsonist for that matter.

[nitpicker1]

You do realise that means that they don't have any insurance.....better hope that Caterburies Quakes don't move south or an arsonist for that matter.

I guess that will be when they go borrow from russia or china