Ashburton Guardian, Thursday, March 5, 2020

Thursday, Mar 5, 2020

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Methven braces for virus impact

By Susan Sandys

susan.s@theguardian.co.nz

P24

Pickleball on the rise

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Methven is bracing itself for a potential impact from the global rise in coronavirus cases.

The tourist town relies on the skiers in winter, with visitors coming from all around the world. Ski season is set to begin in just three months, when Mt Hutt opens on June 5.

Some operators say the impact may not all be bad, as New Zealand could become a preferred destination by travellers wanting to avoid the virus.

However, lost revenue in cancellations is already affecting the town.

Methven Resort owner Ole Wallis said South Korea was the hotel’s main client base.

Cancellations of tour groups from the coronavirus hotspot had so far amounted to $37,000 in lost revenue for the resort.

Just this week, he had a group of 13 South Koreans booked, but only six had arrived.

The remaining seven had to stay behind at the airport in Christchurch and

follow government orders to self-isolate for 14 days.

The six who had been allowed to continue with their holiday were ex-pat South Koreans and had not flown directly from the country, instead coming from New Zealand and Australia.

Meanwhile, Mt Hutt has numerous school group bookings from Australia.

CONTINUED

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Thursday, March 5, 2020

Bowlers vow to fight loss of greens

By Sue Newman

sue.n@theguardian.co.nz

Ashburton Bowling Club members say they’ll be fighting tooth and nail to save their greens from being destroyed as part of a future development plan for the Ashburton Domain.

The draft development plan is now out for public consultation and includes the removal of the bowling precinct that has been part of the domain for more than 125 years.

The club’s members are angry that the Ashburton District Council has opted to turn the bowling green area into a hospitality hub, club president Joe Ryk said, and they’re hoping the community will support them in their bid to have that aspect of the plan scrapped.

To ensure people were aware of what an important feature the bowling greens were in the domain, the club is holding an open day on Saturday to show the community what will be lost if the draft development plan goes ahead unchanged, Ryk said.

“We’re opening the front gate and inviting the community in.

It’s clear to the club’s leaders that there is a definite lack of full understanding about the position of the club in the community, its history and its ongoing importance to the community as a whole.”

The greens were well used by people who popped in for a casual roll with their bowls, for matches and for inter-club events. While bowls might only be played from September to April, during the winter months the clubrooms were hired to groups for cards, mahjong, for meetings and private functions, he said.

“The facility is already a community hub in a very real sense.

The Ashburton Bowling Club is vowing to fight to see its greens remain in the Ashburton Domain.

It’s there for the whole community, not just the bowling club members.”

Ryk hopes that once people realise what an important role the bowling greens play in the domain, they will be keen to object to their removal by making a submission on the draft plan. Club members have also prepared petition forms which they will have at the open day and in a number of businesses around town and around Canterbury.

The petition is also available

on Facebook and was attracting plenty of attention, he said.

If the bowling greens are scrapped the club will also lose its clubhouse and greenkeeper’s shed, both of which were paid for by club members.

“Our lease states if the lease runs out in 2028 the land and all improvements go back to the council and we’ll get no compensation, we’ll be left high and dry.”

Insurance value of the buildings are $350,000 and it’s clear in the draft plan that the clubhouse

would become a cafe, Ryk said.

The council might say the bowling greens would not disappear until towards the end of the 30 year plan, but that was clearly not correct because the club’s lease ran out in eight years. If that happened, there was nothing in the council’s budget for any action before the 30 years was up and that meant, potentially, there would be a period of 22 years where the facility could sit unused, he said.

“We might be a group of retir-

PHOTO ASHBURTON GUARDIAN

ees, but we’ll fight this. We’ve got a good committee and we’re all on board.”

Saturday’s open day will provide an opportunity for the community to see what the club had to offer now and into the future, Ryk said.

In the development plan, alternative locations for the bowling greens are suggested as the existing picnic area accessed from Elizabeth Street or a yet to be developed greenfields area around the EA Networks Centre.

Firm, staff committed to a healthy workplace

By Sue Newman

sue.n@theguardian.co.nz

Staff at Ashburton Contracting Limited are leading the way in turning their workplace into a healthy workplace and this week they celebrated achieving their WorkWell silver accreditation, building on the efforts put in last year to achieve bronze level certification.

The company’s board and management were committed to creating a workplace where the physical and mental health of staff was of high importance, HR and compliance manager Jane Jolly said.

Staff were surveyed to find out the areas they wanted to focus on and last year this was mental health. This year’s focus was on healthy eating.

Part of the project involved 15 staff members signing on for a weight loss challenge, with winner Russell Warlow shedding a total of 18.4kg. In total, participants lost 93.6kg.

The challenge was open to all staff and family members. And while many staff did not take part in the challenge, most committed

Celebrating achieving their WorkWell silver award, are Ashburton Contracting Ltd HR and compliance manager Jane Jolly, (left) and Health and Safety administrator and WorkWell leader Emma Prichard (right) with Community Public Health advisor Carly McDowell.

PHOTO SUE NEWMAN 040320-SN-0006 to the healthy eating project, Jolly said.

“For us taking part in WorkWell is about the company being able

to give something back to our employees and supporting them in some of the things they want to do.”

The commitment to healthy eating was company wide, with staff shouts now including healthy options along with traditional savouries and pies, she said.

With bronze and silver accreditation certificates now hanging on the office wall, the company is committed to achieving gold accreditation. This will involve continuing the commitments made for the previous two awards and adding physical activity, stopping smoking and alcohol and drug awareness projects.

In total the company will then be committed to eight wellness in the workplace elements.

While ACL already provided staff with subsidised gym membership, and provided regular health checks such as blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, and eye checks, the WorkWell project gave employees an opportunity, through surveys, to target the areas they believed they needed additional support, Jolly said.

“We’ve always been proactive, but at the end of the day, you put the information out there and it’s up to them whether they come on board or not. But we’ve found it’s

not only about those taking up the challenge, others are learning from those who are doing it.”

The bronze level focus on mental health had been a winner for the company, with staff now talking a lot more openly about issues, she said.

“There are a lot more open conversations. It’s taken the taboo out of the subject. This programme is great for staff and it’s a way for the company to give back and show they care.”

The programme is run by Community Public Health, with local health promoter Carly McDowell on board as programme advisor.

It’s a free initiative that supported workplaces to work better through wellbeing, she said.

It can be adapted to any workplace with step-by-step support and mentoring and easy to use resources, workshops and networking opportunities.

“The ACL guys are our stars,” McDowell said.

The programme is available to all workplaces, large or small, with options available for those not wanting to go down the accreditation path.

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Thursday, March 5, 2020

Ashburton Guardian

3

Busy night for police in Rakaia

By Jaime Pitt-MacKay Jaime.p@theguardian.co.nz

Hundreds discover Mt Hutt More than 1000 visitors enjoyed stunning weather on Sunday at Discover Mt Hutt. Walkers and mountain bikers from throughout Canterbury experienced New Zealand’s best ski resort in a summer setting, courtesy of the ski area and Methven Lions. Local community groups are set to benefit from funds raised. Numbers were down on last year’s event which attracted twice as many visitors as usual due to a summer snowfall enticing skiers and snowboarders. Manager James McKenzie said the final amount was still being tallied, however, it was expected to be more than $20,000.

PHOTO BILL IRWIN

Police in Rakaia were kept busy in the early hours of Tuesday morning, responding to a man accessing a property he should not have and a person hiding from police.

Senior Sergeant Leigh Jenkins said there were some visitors from out of town at a Rakaia address.

“One of them caused damage to his own vehicle and subsequently hid from police,” he said.

“He was found, and he and one other person were relocated to Christchurch by police.

“There was no complaint as the vehicle was his and he was not charged.”

Police also received a report from a complainant who observed someone at their property at around 12.45pm.

The complainant followed the person down Tancred Street where the person then confronted the complainant.

The complainant immediately left the scene and contacted police.

Police are currently conducting enquiries to locate the person.

Jenkins said if anybody finds someone on their property that should not be, they should call the police for assistance.

“If the person is known and not wanted at the address we can offer advice in respect of issuing a trespass notice,” he said.

“Should that individual return after service of that document, they are liable to arrest and prosecution.”

Methven braces for coronavirus impact From P1 In Western Australia, the education department has banned students and staff from schoolplanned overseas trips to all countries except the USA, New Zealand and Canada.

And in New South Wales, the government has ordered schools to cancel any overseas trips planned for the first term.

Mt Hutt Ski Area manager James McKenzie said there were school groups booked for this winter from Victoria, Western Australia, New South Wales and Queensland, and at this point

none had cancelled.

Only 10 per cent of the schoolgroup market for the ski area each season was from overseas, with the rest from New Zealand.

Similarly, the bulk of skiers at Mt Hutt were from Canterbury and the rest of New Zealand, with only about 15 per cent from overseas.

McKenzie was philosophical about the potential impact of Covid-19, believing that the weather and snow conditions would continue to be the major player in whether tourists came to Mt Hutt.

“Ultimately the thing that determines the success or not of the season would be more likely to be a good snow year versus a bad snow year,” McKenzie said.

“It doesn’t take away the fact we are concerned, it’s still something we are keeping an eye on,” he said.

A regional event would be likely to have more of an impact, he said.

Considering previous global episodes going back over the last decade, of the swine flu pandemic and Icelandic volcano eruption which grounded flights, these

had had little effect on skier numbers. However, the regional event of the Canterbury earthquakes had had a greater effect.

And on the flip-side, there was the potential for skier numbers to benefit as more overseas travellers chose New Zealand as a destination due to it being perceived as being safer.

Methven Travel managing director Dave Dynes agreed on the latter point, and believed that as long as New Zealand was able to keep the epidemic out of the country there could be more travellers coming to Methven.

“I think we are going to be a bit isolated from it in Methven.

New Zealand as a whole could be fine,” Dynes said.

Already an Australian inbound coach operator, with which Methven Travel had a transportation contract, had seen a lift in bookings for next summer.

At Brinkley Resort, a spokesperson said Asian tours coming through had dropped right out.

When it came to this winter, there had been no cancellations to date, and the venue was almost full, with many of the bookings from Australia and New Zealand.

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Thursday, March 5, 2020

Busy start to week for firefighters

By Jaime Pitt-MacKay Jaime.p@theguardian.co.nz

Firefighters have had a busy start to the week across the district, attending a number of different incidents.

Two fires in separate areas that are believed to have started from the embers of an old paddock burn-off kept firefighters on their toes on Tuesday morning.

Rakaia Volunteer Fire Brigade Chief Fire Officer Tyrone Burrowes said they were called to the first fire which had been spotted by a member of the public at around 3.30am where embers had been spread into harvest residue in a nearby paddock by high winds.

With more units on the way from Pendarves and Lauriston, they were then called to a fire in a standing crop.

“When we heard it was a standing crop we dropped everything and headed there as the other one was under control and we sent Pendarves there (the location of the first callout),” he said.

Burrowes said around one hectare of crop had been destroyed by the fire.

Crews remained at the two scenes for around two hours.

“If the paddocks had been

Firefighters respond to a hayshed fire in the Winchmore area on Monday morning.

PHOTO JAIME PITT-MACKAY 020320-JPM-0004

worked up after the burn this wouldn’t have happened,” he said.

“The weather conditions were just perfect for it to spread unfortunately, if it wasn’t windy, it probably wouldn’t have happened.”

Later that day the brigade was called out to a rubbish fire on the north side of the Rakaia River, which is an area that at the time of the fire is in a prohibited fire season.

The Selwyn District moved

to a prohibited fire season on Wednesday at midnight, which means a permit will be required to light an open air fire.

A hay shed was destroyed in the Winchmore area on Monday morning after it caught fire.

The shed was approximately 16 metres by six metres, said Ashburton Volunteer Fire Brigade Chief Fire Officer Alan Burgess.

Burgess said there was a fairly good chance it was the hay itself that had started the fire giv-

en there was no other obvious source of ignition.

“There were a number of older-style sheds nearby so we had to pull all the hay out and extinguish it that way, sometimes you can just leave it to burn itself out but we couldn’t in this case,” he said.

The brigade was also called to two false alarm activations on Tuesday, one at Talley’s and another at a Range Street business, and were also called to two medical assists.

Experimental gorse burns get under way Experimental burns of mature gorse are occurring in the Rakaia Gorge to advance research into rural fire science have gotten underway.

Scion are working alongside Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the Department of Conservation to conduct the burns, which started on Monday.

A further three burn days planned between March 3 to 15 , depending on weather conditions.

Fire crews will be on site alongside a Fire and Emergency New Zealand-led incident management team.

Scion senior fire scientist Grant Pearce says the experimental burns will provide data that can be used to develop improved fire

behaviour models and prediction tools for rural fire managers.

“It’s a bit odd to be lighting fires when the country is so dry, but the best way to learn more about fire behaviour and flame spread mechanisms is to study actual fires in conditions as close to real life as possible,” he said.

“Data on how fast and intense fire can be in heavy gorse, and a chance to look at smoke behaviour, will help us understand how fire behaves in scrub fuel types.

In turn, this information will help rural fire and emergency response agencies to prevent fires from occurring and to respond to wildfires that do occur more quickly and safely.”

The work is also part of test-

ing a new theory on the way fire spreads.

It will add to international understanding of fire ignition, spread and how extreme fires, such as those seen recently in Australia, develop.

Tim Mitchell, manager Rural Fire, Fire and Emergency says the current extremely dry conditions in many parts of the country show how very real the wildfire risk is New Zealand.

The research project being conducted by Scion is valuable as it will improve our current wildfire prediction tools and our understanding of wildfire behaviour.

Department of Conservation threats technical advisor and fire scientist Brendon Christensen

said wildfires are a significant danger to our native ecosystems and wildlife, and also for our firefighting personnel.

“What has taken thousands of years to evolve can be wiped out in minutes. Even where species initially survive fires they face habitat disruption, loss of food sources and increased vulnerability to predators, and competition from invasive weed species.”

Being able to model future fire behaviour will allow for improved management responses, fewer losses and increased safety of our firefighting personnel when these fires occur.

Pearce says Scion’s fire research team is trained and experienced in undertaking burn experiments.

In brief Stand-down dropped The Government will waive the stand-down period for people moving to benefits as a result of the economic fallout from the global spread of Covid-19. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made the announcement yesterday, following a meeting of the special coronavirus Cabinet committee at the Beehive. “We have agreed in principle to removing the standdown period for those who are seeking income support,” Ardern said. “We are now going to go away and work on the definition issues and bring that back to Cabinet on Monday. “Our goal is to ensure that those people who need immediate support because of the impact of Covid-19 are able to receive that support through - NZME Work and Income.”

Bottle ‘offensive’ The Kiwi makers of a gin which drew outrage over its “offensive” gin label says it will withdraw it from production effective immediately. However, Indiginous Gin co-director Gavin Bradley says they’ll be keeping their name as it has been approved by Māori Advisory Committee of the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand. Bradley told the Herald they had temporarily disabled their social media channels due to being inundated with complaints. The company name and specifically the design of their inaugural gin has been labelled as offensive and their actions labelled “cultural appropriation” in having a Māori/ Pacific design, or tattoo. - NZME

Murder charge A man before the courts over the death of a man in Randwick Park, South Auckland, now faces a murder charge. Detective Senior Sergeant Richard O’Connor said police have charged a 46-year-old man with murder. Police found a 51-year-old deceased at a property on Trindon St on February 29. The accused was originally charged with injuring with intent to injure in relation to the incident but this has now been upgraded to murder.

The man will next appear in Manukau District Court on March 6.

Police say they cannot rule out the possibility of further arrests being made in relation to this matter.

- NZME

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Council to take back spraying job

By Susan Sandys

susan.s@theguardian.co.nz

Recognition for college students Three Ashburton College students (from left) Easterlin Faamausili, Joseph Collins and Estee Aiolupotea, were this week recognised as high achievers in this year’s Spac Pac Pasifica academic awards. This ceremony is held every year to acknowledge the best of Pasifica leadership and academic performance within Canterbury schools. To be nominated they needed a minimum of a Merit Endorsement in NCEA Level Two. Estee was the top female scholar with 69 Excellence Credits. She plans to study law in the future. The students are all from Samoa and this is the second time in four years that Ashburton College has captured the top female scholar title.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

Methven Community Board member Ron Smith will have less work to do at the Methven Cemetery following the board’s meeting on Monday.

While the Ashburton District Council’s open spaces department and the board had previously agreed that Smith would continue to spray weeds at the cemetery, that decision was overthrown at the meeting.

While officially a council task, Smith has been doing the weed-killing work instead to ensure it is carried out regularly and in the right places.

“I don’t think Ron Smith should be doing the spraying,” said member Kelvin Holmes.

It opened animated discussion on the topic, and Smith insisted if he did not do the spraying, it just wouldn’t get done.

Group member service delivery Neil McCann said for board members to tell himself to do it, and he would make sure it got done.

So they did.

A motion was put and moved unanimously, that the council spray the cemetery twice per year, in the right places including its frontage and under trees at its entrance.

Meanwhile, the open spaces department and members had also previously agreed that there will be plantings including a mix of natives and rhododendrons at the cemetery, to be organised and funded by the board.

In addition there will be a row of old pinus radiata trees on the eastern farmland boundary removed by the council.

■■MINISTRY OF HEALTH

Second coronavirus case confirmed NZME Health officials are piecing together the day-to-day movements of an Auckland woman infected with coronavirus and her partner since February 25, when they flew back from northern Italy.

Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield confirmed yesterday that the woman is the second confirmed case of Covid-19 in New Zealand.

Her partner, who also travelled to northern Italy, has been feeling sick and his test results were due late yesterday.

Bloomfield stressed that the chances of a widespread community outbreak remained low and there was a “very low” chance that the woman had infected anyone outside of the people she has been in close contact with.

The family, including two high school children who have not shown any symptoms, are now self-isolated in their home.

Their high schools – Westlake Boys’ and Westlake Girls’ high schools – have been alerted but are not closed, and Bloomfield noted World Health Organisation advice that those without symptoms are not infectious.

Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield.

Officials were talking to the woman and her partner about where they have been and what they’ve been doing since returning to New Zealand, Bloomfield said.

“The Auckland Regional Public Health Service gets a day-byday, movement-by-movement description and then does an assessment about whether there is potential for close contact.”

Her movements include flights from Auckland in and out of

Palmerston North, and visits to two medical centres where she sought treatment after starting to feel unwell.

Close contact is defined as people in the same row as them on their flights, or two rows in front or behind them, or anyone who was within one metre of them for at least 15 minutes.

She flew into Auckland on Air NZ flight NZ0283 from Singapore on February 25, and on March 2 flew from Auckland to Palmerston

North on Air NZ flight NZ5103, returning on the same day on Air NZ flight NZ 8114.

The Herald understands the woman travelled to Palmerston North for work but returned to Auckland after becoming too ill.

Bloomfield said everyone on these flights was being contacted.

Anyone on those flights can also contact Healthline on 0800 358 5453 and would be told if they were sitting close to her.

He would not say how many people have been identified as potentially being in close contact with the woman or her partner, but the number of their close family and friends was “small”.

He said between 30 and 40 people might have been in close contact with her on her flights in and out of Palmerston North, if the plane was full.

Outside of close contacts, the chances of her having infected someone was “very low”.

“However there are what we call casual contacts, so it’s not zero. Therefore it’s important those people are aware of the situation and are able to respond very quickly if they do develop symptoms and call Healthline.”

The woman and her partner

had been feeling sick and have not spent much time outside their home, Bloomfield added.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the Government was trying to stay ahead of the coronavirus challenge.

“We are equipped to deal with these situations. We have a plan that is being operationalised.”

She said people had a role to play as well by having good hygiene, staying home when unwell, making sure to wash hands properly and catching their coughs.

“Those are all things that do make a difference.”

The woman had no symptoms when she returned from northern Italy, but felt unwell in the following days.

She went to two medical centres, and a swab test taken on Monday was confirmed as Covid-19 at 6pm on Tuesday night.

Health officials immediately notified her and her family and started tracing people who were potentially in close contact.

Bloomfield said that mild to moderate cases did not require a hospital stay.

Westlake Boys’ and Westlake Girls’ high schools had been notified.

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Thursday, March 5, 2020

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$100 bonuses for drug-free staff NZME Drug-and-alcohol-free staff at a Bay of Plenty forestry business are getting monthly bonuses of up to $100.

Inta-Wood Forestry Ltd staff plant and prune trees across the Bay of Plenty and Waikato.

Nathan Fogden, who owns the contracting company, said silviculture companies struggled to find enough planters last year, posing a threat to the Government’s goal of planting one billion trees across the country by 2028.

The planting season normally runs from June to September and Fogden is trying to find staff for his Rotorua and Hamilton crews.

The Forest Industry Contractors Association estimates nationally 30 to 40 per cent of intended plantings did not happen last year due to workforce limitations.

Fogden believed it would be closer to 40 to 50 per cent in some regions.

Finding drug-free staff was difficult but the industry also faced other issues, he said.

“You might have someone apply and they’re really needed but they’re not passing those tests ... We are also challenging our industry around rates of pay, to encourage people to contemplate those lifestyle choices.”

He did not want to see drug testing standards and practices relaxed in New Zealand.

“We have gone to great lengths to try and erode and eradicate impairment from our workforce ... Because it’s not just about health and safety. It’s about the quality of the work too and attendance reliability.”

He drug tests his staff monthly to ensure they’re “in good condition to be on site” and staff are rewarded with up to $100 each time they pass.

“If someone fails a drug test, we don’t just move them on, we try to work with them to achieve a result where they can continue in our business after a period of standing down ... but equally there is a big financial penalty if they fail and don’t get the bonus.

It’s significant money.”

Fogden said this approach makes forestry “a more lucrative and inviting place to work”.

“We are sometimes asking parents for

Nathan Fogden owns and manages a silvicultural contracting business called Inta-Wood. the opportunity to employ their 17 or 18-year-old kids ... We want to bring them into a work environment that encourages healthy minds and healthy bodies.”

He said getting better contract rates for silviculture crews like his was “just as important” as finding impairment-free staff.

“Without people doing our type of work, there would be fewer trees, fewer logs for our industry to either process internally or export, forestry is one of our biggest exporters in this country ... We have to compete with pay rates in other industries.

“Our work is undervalued – people don’t actually understand the effort that goes into doing the job properly.”

Crews could be “sent back” to dig out and replant trees if they were not planted correctly.

“So if my staff don’t do the job to the right standard ... That’s on me financially and the margins aren’t big enough for me to be able to cover that so I need people at work that can focus on achieving top results.”

Al Noor mosque threat: Police speak to 19-year-old NZME Police are speaking to a 19-year-old man after a threat was made against Al Noor mosque.

Officers raided a Christchurch property yesterday.

Superintendent John Price, Canterbury District Commander, said a search warrant was executed yesterday morning.

Police found a number of items at the address, including a vehicle, and were speaking to a 19-year-old man from the address, Price said.

“The man has been charged on an unrelated matter and police are continuing to gather evidence in relation to the Al Noor incident.

“Police are aware that a number of people have been sharing an image featuring Al Noor mosque, originally published on social media.”

Price said the further sharing of the image was causing significant distress and anxiety for members of the community.

The Al Noor mosque was one of two targeted in the March 15 terror attacks that claimed the lives of 51 people.

“This type of imagery has no place in Aotearoa New Zealand,” he said.

“It is abhorrent and will not be tolerated.”

Police have increased patrols around Al Noor and Linwood mosques and will be maintaining a visible presence as the anniversary of the terror attacks nears.

“On behalf of NZ Police, I want to thank those members of the community who alerted us to the recent threat against Al Noor mosque,” Price said.

“We ask that you continue to remain vigilant, and encourage you to report anything suspicious or concerning to police immediately.”

Teaching that changes lives The Prime Minister’s Education Excellence Awards recognise inspiring work from across New Zealand.

Teaching that benefits children and young people, whānau and entire communities.

Teaching that changes us all.

ENTRIES CLOSE 10 APRIL 2020

Share your team’s best practice.

Enter the 2020 Awards now at pmawards.education.govt.nz

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Thursday, March 5, 2020

Ashburton Guardian

■■CHINA

Covid-19: ‘Victory is near’ NZME China’s ambassador to the United Nations has declared that “victory” against coronavirus within the country is in sight as the number of new cases hit a six-week low.

Just 125 infections were confirmed yesterday in China, down from a peak of more than 15,000 cases a day at the start of February.

Ambassador Zhang Jun said that the decline demonstrated that “we are not far from the coming of the victory”.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said the “decline is real” – at the early stages of the outbreak there were concerns that figures provided by Chinese authorities were inconsistent.

“We have seen a decline in cases since the end of January ... we scrutinised this data and we believe this decline is real,” Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, a WHO outbreak expert and a member of the investigative team who travelled to China last month, said yesterday.

The drop was as a result of the “comprehensive measures” China took to stem the spread of coronavirus, including unprecedented quarantines and rigorous contact tracing, she added.

“We have no reason to believe this is not possible in other countries with an aggressive approach ... including in Italy, in Iran, in South Korea,” Van Kerkhove added.

While China’s outbreak – which has already infected 80,150 people and killed 2800 – appears to be waning, coro-

Genesis reunites Thirteen years after their last performance prog rockers Genesis are said to be reuniting for a tour. The band leaked the news on Instagram ahead of a scheduled reveal on the BBC 2 radio station’s Breakfast show. The trio of Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks are thought to be regrouping to play a series of shows in the UK. There is no word on any New Zealand gigs. Prog rock purists may be upset however as original vocalist Peter Gabriel is not expected to be joining his former bandmates for the reunion as the Instagram post read “And then there were three” with an archive photo of the band sans Gabriel.

Staff members check students’ body temperatures upon their arrival at Jakarta Nanyang School in Serpong on the outskirts of Jakarta, Indonesia.

PHOTO AP navirus infections are rapidly escalating elsewhere.

Some 1900 cases were confirmed outside the country yesterday, with Argentina, Ukraine and Gibraltar among the nations to detect the virus for the first time.

More than 70 countries worldwide – in every continent bar Antarctica – have now diagnosed infections.

But the worst hit country has been South Korea, where the president declared war on the disease as infection numbers spiked by nearly 1000 in just 48 hours.

Almost 5200 people have been diagnosed with Covid-19, resulting in 31 fatalities.

Moon Jae-in, the South Korean president, ordered additional hospital beds and more face masks to be made available as reports emerged of medical staff collapsing from exhaustion.

“The entire country has entered war against the infectious disease as the crisis in Daegu and Gyeongbuk province has reached the highest point,” he told a Cabinet meeting, referring to the two hardest-hit parts of the country.

“I am very sorry to the people

that we are not able to supply masks swiftly and sufficiently, and have caused inconvenience,” the president said.

The majority of confirmed cases have been linked to the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a secretive movement that reveres its messiah-like founder, Lee Man-hee, 88, and boasts hundreds of thousands of followers.

The government of Seoul has asked for a murder investigation into the church, alleging that it was liable for its refusal to co-operate with efforts to stop the disease.

■■GREECE

Migrants look for way around shut border AP Thousands of migrants and refugees searched for ways to cross Greece’s border with Turkey yesterday, as Athens ramped up its diplomatic efforts for help from the European Union to seal off its eastern land and sea frontiers.

Turkey has made good on a threat to open its borders for those seeking to cross into Europe. Many hoping to enter Greece, which has made clear its border is shut, were trying their luck by wading or rowing across the Evros River that runs along most of the land frontier.

The action by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan triggered days of violent clashes and scenes of chaos at the land border, while hundreds of others have headed to Greek islands from the nearby Turkish coast in dinghies. Greece has struggled to push back the wave of migrants, with its armed forces now leading the

Migrants scuffle with Greek police at the port of Mytilene after locals block access to the Moria refugee camp, on the northeastern Aegean island of Lesbos, Greece.

PHOTO AP effort.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis toured the troubled border along with top EU officials, including European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel.

Mitsotakis said Turkey was breaching a 2016 agreement

with the EU on migration and “has systematically encouraged and assisted tens of thousands of refugees and migrants to illegally enter Greece. It has failed, and will continue to fail, should it continue to pursue this strategy”.

“This is no longer a refugee problem. This is a blatant attempt by Turkey to use desper-

ate people to promote its geopolitical agenda,” he said.

The government has called the situation a direct threat to Greece’s national security and imposed emergency measures to carry out swift deportations and freeze asylum applications for one month. Migrants have been reporting being summarily pushed back across the border into Turkey.

The Greek army and navy held live fire exercises across the eastern border areas for a second day to reinforce the message of deterrence.

Greek authorities said they had prevented 26,532 people from entering Greece between Saturday morning and Tuesday afternoon, and arrested 218.

“This is not only a Greek border but it is also a European border, and I stand here today as a European at your side,” von der Leyen said. She said those at the borders had ”been lured by false promises into this desperate situation”.

Fans call for delay James Bond fans have penned an open letter to the film’s studios to delay the release of No Time To Die in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. The 25th Bond film is due for release on April 3 in the UK, and founders from two fan sites, MI6 Confidential and The James Bond Dossier, have asked for the release to be pushed back, the BBC reports. James Page, the co-founder of MI6 Confidential and David Leagh, founder of The James Bond Dossier, wrote in the letter: “It is time to put public health above marketing release schedules.” The letter was addressed to EON, MGM, and Universal.

Exposed to the world Survival specialist Bear Grylls accidentally exposed himself to the world on Instagram. The Sun reports the TV star showed his manhood in a live-stream when he hit record early before filming himself diving into a lake.

The 45-year-old didn’t appear to notice his mistake with the footage remaining on his Instagram page for some time before it was eventually removed. It’s not the first time Grylls has got his gear off while enjoying the great outdoors.

He previously detailed how he was nude when he proposed to his wife Shara and is a big fan of skinny dipping.

7

Opinion 8

Ashburton Guardian

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Thursday, March 5, 2020

OUR VIEW

Stepping out and trying something new I

can’t say I’d even heard of Pickleball until it popped up on a news list one day last year but to hear that it’s becoming more and more popular here in the Ashburton District is great news for those behind the sport.

If you haven’t caught up with it yet, it’s a bit of a combination of a few old favourites; tennis, table tennis and badminton and it’s serving a real purpose for a lot of people of all different ages locally three nights a week.

Us Kiwis are pretty proud sports folk. We like to be good at things and it’s no surprise to hear that there’s a fair few players showing plenty of promise on the courts even having only

been involved in the game for less than 12 months.

And a regional tournament, unlike anything seen in the South Island before – that’s even better because it will provide a double win, not only showing our district as a progressive area that’s prepared to put plenty into something that’s never been seen before and make it work.

And for folk coming from out of town for the Winter Classic, then there’s a chance to showcase our little piece of land to a much wider audience – especially for the fact it’s winter and there’s a lot of tourist action going on already to help with the cause.

Minority sports in this country often struggle, largely through a lack of exposure in the media and in the wider public realm.

It’s hard to compete for many with the likes of rugby, cricket, netball and football which seem to be the go-to options for participants and fans alike.

Many of those listed above are extremely time consuming, often taking upward of two or

three days or nights a week for practices and matches and by the time that’s done, there’s little free space for anything else and so the minority sports, which people might have once played as an aside to their main sporting choice, suffers.

But just perhaps, the trend is being bucked.

News of a new sport gaining good traction shows that perhaps people are starting to step out from the norm and are willing to try something a little bit different and perhaps dedicate their time to something a little less taxing.

And it’s not just sport either.

The same can be said for any of the usual groups around the

district that meet and partake in activities and the more people we have doing more different things, the better as we ensure that these long standing organisations within our community continue to exist.

I’m setting the challenge for 2020 to step out a little more and try some new things by tackling 10 different sports or groups that I wouldn’t normally think about enjoying to gain a better understanding of how they work and operate.

The plan is to detail each in these pages as we work through the list so you, the readers, gain a greater insight and perhaps become tempted to pop along too and try something new.

the foreign ministers of France, Germany and Russia said they would block any attempt to get UN approval for war against Iraq.

In 2013, Census held after two-year delay. New Zealand’s five-yearly census had been scheduled for 8 March 2011. But after Canterbury’s devastating February earthquake, Government Statistician Geoff Bascand and Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson announced that it would not go ahead.

Ten years ago: Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, visiting Guatemala, told reporters that demand for narcotics in the United States was fuelling drug violence in Central America as she acknowledged a measure of US

responsibility for what she called “a terrible criminal scourge”.

Five years ago: The US Ambassador to South Korea, Mark Lippert, was slashed in the face and arm by an assailant in Seoul. Actor Harrison Ford crash-landed his vintage plane on a golf course in Los Angeles after reporting engine failure shortly after takeoff.

Convicted murderer Jodi Arias was spared the death penalty as a jury in Phoenix voted 11-1 in favour of execution — not enough to send Arias to death row for the slaying of her lover, Travis Alexander.

One year ago: The Santa Anita race course in southern California cancelled racing indefinitely to

re-examine its dirt surface after the deaths of 21 horses in the preceding two months; the track would remain closed for racing for nearly a month. Forbes magazine proclaimed 21-year-old Kylie Jenner to be the youngest-ever self-made billionaire. l Today’s birthdays: Actor Paul Sand is 88. Actor James B. Sikking is 86. Actor Dean Stockwell is 84. Actor Fred Williamson is 82.

Actress Samantha Eggar is 81.

Actor Michael Warren is 74. Actor Eddie Hodges is 73. Singer Eddy Grant is 72. Rock musician Alan Clark is 68. Actress-comedian Marsha Warfield is 66. Magician Penn Jillette is 65. Actress Adriana Barraza is 64. Actress Talia Balsam

is 61. Rock singers Charlie and Craig Reid are 58. Actor Paul Blackthorne is 51. Rock musician John Frusciante is 50. Singer Rome is 50. Actor Kevin Connolly is 46. Actress Eva Mendes is 46.

Actress Jill Ritchie is 46. Actress Jolene Blalock is 45. Model Niki Taylor is 45. Actress Kimberly McCullough is 42. Actress Karolina Wydra is 39. Singer-songwriter Amanda Shires is 38. Actress Dominique McElligott is 34. Actor Sterling Knight is 31. Actor Jake Lloyd is 31. Actor Micah Fowler is 22.

Thought for today: “Tomorrow is a thief of pleasure.” — Sir Rex Harrison, British actor (19081990).

- AP

Matt Markham

EDITOR

TODAY IN HISTORY Today is Thursday, March 5, the 65th day of 2020. There are 301 days left in the year.

Today’s highlight in history: On March 5, 1770, the Boston Massacre took place as British soldiers who’d been taunted by a crowd of colonists opened fire, killing five people.

On this date: In 1766, Antonio de Ulloa arrived in New Orleans to assume his duties as the first Spanish governor of the Louisiana Territory.

In 1868, the impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson began in the US Senate, with Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase presiding.

The trial ended on May 26 with Johnson’s acquittal.

In 1933, in German parliamentary elections, the Nazi Party won 44 per cent of the vote; the Nazis joined with a conservative nationalist party to gain a slender majority in the Reichstag.

In 1946, Winston Churchill delivered his “Iron Curtain” speech at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, in which he said: “From Stettin in the Baltic, to Trieste in the Adriatic, an ‘iron curtain’ has descended across the continent, allowing police governments to rule Eastern Europe.”

In 1953, Soviet dictator Josef Stalin died after three decades in power.

In 1963, country music performers Patsy Cline, Cowboy Copas and Hawkshaw Hawkins died in the crash of their plane, a Piper Comanche, near Camden, Tennessee, along with pilot Randy Hughes (Cline’s manager).

In 1982, comedian John Belushi was found dead of a drug overdose in a rented bungalow in Hollywood; he was 33.

In 1998, NASA scientists said enough water was frozen in the loose soil of the moon to support a lunar base and perhaps, one day, a human colony.

In 2002, President George W. Bush slapped punishing tariffs of eight to 30 per cent on several types of imported steel in an effort to aid the ailing US industry.

In 2003, In a blunt warning to the United States and Britain,

Opinion www.guardianonline.co.nz

Thursday, March 5, 2020

A look above the parapet

Ashburton Guardian

9

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EYE ON POLITICS

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O

ur feisty PM, Jacinda Ardern, has been scoring political points by the armful as she goes toe-to-toe with her Aussie counterpart, Scott Morrison – and on Australian soil, at that.

Included in her justifiable excoriating of Australia’s policy of “re-patriating” released prisoners of New Zealand origin, though having lived in Australia for all but a small fraction of their lives, is the Minister of Immigration Peter Dutton.

His attitude to all immigrants is akin to a 17th century slave owner, so it is hardly surprising he did not escape the whiplash of Jacinda’s well-modulated tongue.

And as we Kiwis would undoubtedly, and rightly, put it, “Good on her”.

Australians may be our nearest and dearest “cousins”, but sometimes their attitude to the world makes Luddites look like Libertarians.

Further to putting the Aussies in their place, Jacinda has now been spreading sweetness and light in Fiji, offering practical assistance to the island nation, threatened, as it is, by climate change erosion.

Her opposite number there, the 2007, mostly bloodless, coup leader, Frank Bainimarama, is now well established as something of a “father figure” of the nation, despite his initially aggressive appearance on the scene.

His talk these days is all of bringing people together and “Making Fiji Great Again”! Certainly, his gushing assessment of Jacinda, suggests he’s appreciative of her efforts to ensure Fiji and its problems, present and future, are not forgotten.

So, Jacinda scores again, and we are offered good illustrations of the hard and soft sides of our PM. She seems, usually, to have the knack of expressing her thoughts exactly as we might when faced with similar situations. Not a bad gift for any PM, especially one facing re-election in the not-too-distant future. Obvious spontaneity and sincerity are well-proven vote gatherers for a prime minister.

Meanwhile, Father Frank of Fiji is left with a post-Jacinda glow – as are other world leaders who have the good fortune to meet

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Above – Jacinda Ardern and Fijian PM Frank Bainimarama gave a joint press conference outlining co-operation between the two nations across many areas.

Left – Shane Jones.

her – marred only by Fiji’s narrow loss to South Africa in the final of the latest round of the world rugby 7s. But then he can hardly expect to have everything!

So in the world at large, Jacinda remains the political heroine she has been since Andrew Little nobly stood aside from the leadership of the Labour Party and arranged for her to take over, a gesture for which he will be long-remembered and much admired.

However, despite her rock star stature on the world stage, she faces, every day, the delicate task of running a coalition government – that most demanding of political combinations – obliged always to absorb the differing views of the Green and NZ First parties, the latter of which is a constant thorn in Jacinda’s side.

This week she has, at last, expressed strong criticism of the latest bellicose utterings of buffoon, Shane Jones, a caricature of an MP and a heavy drag on

the prospects of the three-party alliance being returned to office.

His latest pronouncement, to the effect that Indian students “have ruined NZ academic institutions” is entirely typical of a man so wrapped up in the sound of his own loud voice he is unable to hear how constantly he advertises his gross crassness.

Despite the outrage this latest outburst has caused, thickskinned Jones is refusing to resile from it. And he is, still, a Minister of the Crown.

Hardly surprising, therefore, Jacinda has had a gutsful of him.

So have we all.

Perhaps the coming election will see Jones fall off the edge of the world, down into the political abyss, many metres below, from which there is no return, where he will quickly become extinct.

A bull in a china shop; an elephant in the room, gone for eternity.

With a bit of luck he might take all his NZ First colleagues with

him, Winston the last to fall.

Surely, Winston’s overused “king-making” abilities are due – and destined – to become merely a curiosity of NZ political history.

Meanwhile, coronavirus dominates as media operatives turn it into the biggest threat to the future of the world since the Black Death.

Exaggeration and doom-laden reports swamp our screens and our newspapers.

The number of fatalities, as well as the many survivors, constitute an infinitesimal fragment of the world’s population, but to judge from the media-driven hysteria it would, apparently, be a death-defying gamble to walk to the end of the street to post a letter, without protective clothing from head-to-toe and a nuclear-resistant face mask.

Let us keep our sanity, take the sensible precautions, as recommended, and then get on with the rest of our lives, likely to be a lot longer than the 21st century soothsayers are currently predicting.

See you this time in two weeks.

The views, opinions, positions or strategies expressed by the author and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, positions or strategies of the Ashburton Guardian Co Ltd or any employee thereof

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Thursday, March 5, 2020

BCI celebrates outstanding achievements

By Heather Chalmers

Left – In 2018, BCI completed its 1.5 million cubic metre Akarana storage pond near Methven, enabling it to meet peak demand in the upper plains.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

heather.c@theguardian.co.nz

Expanding to cover 24,000 hectares of the Mid Canterbury plains in the last decade, Barrhill Chertsey Irrigation (BCI) is releasing a series of videos to publicise and celebrate its achievements to the wider community.

As expansion of its network slowed, BCI had commissioned the videos as a way of showing what it had achieved, said its general manager John Wright.

The scheme had grown significantly from its initial 6500ha in 2010 in the upper plains and now included a pipe network in the lower plains.

“At the same time, we have taken on the challenge around the environmental impact of intensive farming,” Wright said.

The first video released was about recognising those challenges and the ways the irrigation company was mitigating the impacts on water quality.

BCI was committed to balancing the irrigation needs of farmers while sustaining and safeguarding the natural environment.

“Intensive farming clearly has some impact, but we are putting a lot of work into minimising that and have had significant success with our shareholders implementing good management practices over the last five to six years.”

BCI sources water from the Rakaia River at two intakes, at the Highbank power station and a lower intake at Barrhill, which also includes a small hydro-elec-

tricity generation plant. Piped infrastructure from the Barrhill intake almost reaches Ashburton.

Water swap arrangements with RDR management have also facilitated the delivery of water to BCI buffer ponds in the upper plains.

Piped distribution networks installed by BCI from these buffer ponds delivers pressurised water to farmers.

In 2018, BCI completed its 1.5 million cubic metre Akarana storage pond near Methven, enabling

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it to meet peak demand in the upper plains.

“We are effectively filling in the gaps around the other existing schemes in the Ashburton District,” Wright said.

While BCI still had surplus water available, environmental constraints meant this was unlikely to be used for further development of dryland.

“Instead, I believe it will be used over time to replace groundwater pumped from deep wells with our

surface supply.

“Everybody accepts that there is not going to be a lot of major irrigation expansion in Canterbury for quite some time until we can mitigate the water quality issues we have already got,” Wright said.

The videos feature the farming families of BCI chairman Malcolm Cairns, a Barrhill arable and potato farmer and director Jan Early, a Ruapuna dairy farmer.

Along with steps being taken to mitigate environment and water

quality concerns, the videos also focus on the inter-generational approach taken by farmers and BCI to investment, as well as the people that have made BCI successful.

Cairns said farming was an inter-generational business and BCI also took a long-term approach to its investment decisions.

“Water gives us options and some resilience. Who knows what we might be farming here in another 20 years.”

Early said she wanted to do something about environmental impacts and BCI offered support to mitigate these.

At the end of last year, it became a requirement for all BCI shareholders to adopt a soil moisture monitoring tool on their farms.

“We know these on-farm improvements will reduce our impact on the environment and support improved water quality,” Wright said.

Initially a joint venture with Electricity Ashburton, farmers secured 100 per cent ownership of BCI’s irrigation scheme infrastructure in 2017.

The videos are available on BCI’s website, www.bciwater. co.nz.

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Barrhill Chertsey Irrigation general manager John Wright says further major irrigation expansion is unlikely until water quality issues from intensive farming are mitigated.

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Rural www.guardianonline.co.nz

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Ashburton Guardian

11

Farmers to fight conservation laws RNZ A group of farmers say proposed laws around preserving native flora and fauna on their land will penalise those that have already done the most to look after it.

A national framework on indigenous biodiversity being consulted on now, aims to clarify requirements on protecting biodiversity on private land – which has never been clear under the RMA. But even though farming representatives helped draft the policy, some farmers have come out swinging, with Beef & Lamb urging its members to submit against certain details in the plan.

Wairarapa sheep and beef farmers Barb and Roger Barton are planning a candid submission.

For them, farming at the foot of the Tararua Ranges is a way of life they’ve known for almost 40 years.

But under the draft National Policy Statement – Indigenous Biodiversity, this way of life may become a memory, as the cost of maintaining the natural areas in and around his farm would be prohibitive.

And Roger Barton is so close to retirement, he was ready to wash his hands of the effort and hand the land over to developers.

“I think the easiest thing to do is just do a major lifestyle develop-

Areas such as the Mackenzie Basin are facing irreversible loss of habitat due to conversions into irrigation farmland, say Forest and Bird. ment and carve the place up.

“It’s going to be quite difficult to farm in and around that stuff and actually kind of makes it untenable, farming some of that area.”

The couple’s farm is currently 213 hectares, which he thinks would make about 20 lifestyle blocks.

The farm used to be over 500 hectares, but they gifted most of the land to the QEII National Trust 30 years ago because it was native wetland and hill country.

The National Policy Statement on indigenous biodiversity, as it stands, requires councils to point to areas where there is significant vegetation and native fauna, and manage the protection of these areas themselves.

But Beef & Lamb said wording in the current proposal could mean farmers were legally required to actively manage pests and weeds on their land and perhaps even retire land altogether.

It has left people like Roger Barton fearing the new guidelines will “lock up” what he has already done and limit what he can do with the land around the spots that councils identify as significant.

Beef & Lamb’s environmental policy manager Corina Jordan

said this would effectively penalise them for having natural areas and wants restoration efforts to remain voluntary.

“Sometimes regulation can create different signals. It can create having something like that as a liability, it’s something that isn’t ideal – and that would be the worst outcome we could have for New Zealand.”

Forest and Bird lawyer Sally Gepp said the policy, which she helped draft, will be one of the most important planks of environmental law that New Zealand has seen in decades.

Gepp said in places like the Mackenzie Basin there had been massive, irreversible loss of habitat due to conversion to irrigated farmland.

“I don’t accept, and I think it’s been proven and proven and proven again, that having a voluntary approach that just relies on the goodwill of farmers, is not going to maintain biodiversity.

“We’ve got to lift the bar and stop losing habitat. Let’s get this thing in place. Let’s get a clear, fair and transparent process for identifying ecologically significant areas on public and private land.”

She said some of the fears farm-

ers had were unfounded.

“There’s no way under the Resource Management Act that councils can require farmers to manage pests and weeds. They may have obligations under the Biosecurity Act in regional pest management plans, but that’s completely separate to this.”

She said New Zealand already had national policy statements on things like freshwater, electricity and coastal environments, but we’ve never had one on native species.

The idea to clarify this was first mooted 20 years ago, but intense debate and lack of political will has suffocated the process every time. She said the policy was designed to put an end to lengthy legal battles between councils, landowners and communities.

Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage was unavailable for an interview but, in a statement, said despite all efforts, we were still seeing substantial and ongoing loss of wetlands and native bush.

Sage said New Zealand had lost almost a quarter of our wetlands since 1990 – the bulk of that on private land.

“We need to go further and faster to protect our remaining

wetlands and native bush, so that future generations can enjoy our unique landscapes too.”

National board member Chris Allen served as a trustee, alongside Sally Gepp, on the group that helped draft the initial policy.

He said the resistance was disappointing but understood farmers didn’t always see eye-to-eye.

“There is a bit of a tension. It is disappointing, as being a trustee of the group we were trying to coalesce and get all the ideas.

But we were also very cogniscent that there are going to be slightly differing views as to what actually this means on private land and what the problems are.

Roger Barton said last time he tried to come up with a number of what the couple spent on biodiversity each year, he came up with $16,000 – most of which was voluntary.

While some farmers need guidance, he said, that was what regional councils were for.

“Leave me alone to manage my patch as I’m doing. When I’m getting it wrong, by law, come and tell me. At this stage I’m doing more than I’m meant to, not less. Just leave me alone, Wellington. I’m sick of you.”

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Thursday, March 5, 2020

Markets fall on Fed rate cut Rebecca Howard Local shares are expected to fall after the US Federal Reserve cut rates by 50 basis points to shield its economy from the coronavirus and G-7 finance ministers and central bank governors said they will use “all appropriate policy tools” to maintain sustainable growth.

The Fed’s target range is now between 1 per cent and 1.25 per cent and Fed chairman Jerome Powell said the move was in line with a global wave of central bank policy action. The G-7 statement “does reflect co-ordination at a high level”, he said.

On Tuesday, the Reserve Bank of Australia cut rates by 25 basis points to 0.50 per cent and others – including the RBNZ – are expected to follow suit.

On Wall Street, the main indices initially rose but swiftly pared those gains. By 8am in Wellington the S&P 500 was down 2.6 per cent, the Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 2.8 per cent and the Nasdaq fell 2.9 per cent.

“Markets initially responded strongly to the Fed Reserve making a 0.50 per cent emergency

rate cut but have settled down,” ANZ agriculture economic Susan Kilsby said. “Traders viewed the cut as a sign the economic implications of Covid-19 were greater than they initially thought.”

Kilsby said the domestic focus will now be on the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.

“This is the first since 2008 that the Fed has made an emergency rate cut and the question is now

whether the RBNZ will follow suit and bring forward its rate review.

We continue to expect the RBNZ to cut the OCR 50bp in March, but the question now becomes timing,” she said.

The RBNZ’s regular review is scheduled for March 25. Its official cash rate is currently 1 per cent.

New Zealand shares, meanwhile, may track Wall Street lower as investors continue to worry about the negative economic impact of the virus.

Volatile trading may continue in stocks with significant exposure to the hard-hit tourism sector such as Air New Zealand, Auckland International Airport, Tourism Holdings, and SkyCity Entertainment.

ASX futures were down 85 points to 6283 which also points to a weak open in New Zealand.

Capital Economics said the Fed’s emergency cut was unlikely to “save the day” and noted that investors are expecting more to come in the months ahead as close to 100 basis points of easing was priced in before the decision.

“It is still hard to tell precisely how severe or long-lasting the

economic damage will be, but it seems reasonable to assume a noticeable hit to the global economy in Q1 and Q2 at least, despite the Fed’s move...,” it said.

The World Health Organisation on Tuesday said Covid-19 doesn’t transmit “as efficiently as influenza” but “globally, about 3.4 per cent of reported covid-19 cases have died.

“By comparison, seasonal flu generally kills far fewer than 1 per cent of those infected.”

The New Zealand dollar also rose to a high of 63.25 US cents on the Fed decision but pared those gains and was last trading at 62.88 cents.

The kiwi may have also found some support when the fall in global dairy prices in the Tuesday auction was less sharp than expected.

The GDT price index fell 1.2 per cent against expectations of a 3.5 per cent fall, said Kilsby. Whole milk power prices fell 0.5 per cent.

With little domestic data or corporate news on the immediate horizon, the focus will remain on Covid-19 headlines and any possible move from the Kiwi central bank.

Guardian Shares & Investments Compiled by

1695 213.5 2515 139.5 165 775 737 678 2395 2660 511 390 738 313 209 233 163 530 180 296 144.5 3695 482 482 688 115 135 109 673 190.5 245 415 1175 1500 710 424 207 55 330 480 224 772 578 259 670 332 310 291 2360 423

Last sale

Daily Volume move ’000s

1695 +35 2.0m 211.5 –4.5 2.9m 2450 –90 35.61 138 +2 851.0 165 –1 381.4 774 –11 1.7m 735.5 +28.5 998.6 675 +16 978.7 2385 –15 257.8 2660 +66 1.2m 511 –5 984.3 390 –2 168.5 738 +13 285.2 312.5 +5.5 576.5 195 –4 88.86 233 +1.2 1.3m 162 –3 1.2m 528 +13 592.5 176 –2 36.73 296 –14 610.0 144.5 +2 2.1m 3690 – 270.5 480 +15 681.1 481 – 2.7m 688 – 1.6m 114 –2 191.6 135 – 522.9 109 –3 3.4m 670 +16 261.9 190.5 +0.5 1.8m 245 +2 190.7 414 –4 536.3 1170 –5 109.5 1491 –29 684.2 697 –15 105.6 413 –2 155.1 205 +4 211.7 51 –4 344.0 321 –2 936.1 477 –3 6.5m 222 +1.5 143.1 771 –1 549.4 555 +5 124.4 255 +5 310.2 660 +22 55.12 330 +6 268.5 305 –4 168.8 290 –3 258.3 2350 –80 34.41 422 –1 1.7m

S&P/NZX 50 Index Gross 12130 11904 11678 11452 11226 11000

4/3

1690 211.5 2450 135.5 164 774 735 667 2380 2642 506 387 732 312.5 195 227.5 161 525.5 176 292 143 3690 466 477.5 686 114 133 108 660 188.5 241.5 410 1145 1491 695 412 203 51 315 477 220 770 544 255 657 329 280 289 2341 418

Sell price

28/2

a2 Milk Company ATM Air NZ AIR ANZ Banking Gr ANZ Argosy Prop ARG Arvida Gr ARV Auckland Intl Airpt AIA Chorus CNU Contact Energy CEN Ebos Gr EBO F&P Healthcare FPH Fletcher Building FBU Fonterra Share Fund FSF Freightways FRE Genesis Energy GNE Gentrak Gr GTK Goodman Prop Tr GMT Heartland Gr Hldgs HGH Infratil IFT Investore Property IPL Kathmandu Hldgs KMD Kiwi Property Gr KPG Mainfreight MFT Mercury NZ MCY Meridian Energy MEL Metlifecare MET NZ Refining NZR NZX NZX Oceania Healthcare OCA Port of Tauranga POT Precinct Properties PCT Prop for Industry PFI Pushpay Holdings PPH Restaurant Brands RBD Ryman Healthcare RYM Sanford SAN Scales Corp SCL Skellerup SKL Sky Network TV SKT Skycity Ent Gr SKC Spark SPK Stride Prop & Inv SPG Summerset Gr Hldgs SUM Synlait Milk SML Tourism Holdings THL TrustPower TPW Vector VCT Vista Gr Intl VGL Vital Hlth Prop Tr VHP Westpac Banking WBC Z Energy ZEL

Buy price

21/2

Company CODE

At close of trading on Wednesday, March 4, 2020

14/2

S&P/NZX 50 Index Gross constituents

7/2

NEW ZEALAND SHARE MARKET

Source: NZX and Standard & Poors

p S&P/NZX 50 Gross

11,417.78 +71.48 +0.63%

p S&P/NZX 20 index

7,635.07 +61.09 +0.81%

p S&P/NZX All Gross

12,318.43 +77.52 +0.63%

p Rises 52 q Falls 72 Top 5 NZX gainers Company

daily % rise

JPMorgan Global G&I +13.82% Cavalier Corp +10.00% King Salmon +4.79% Moa Gr +4.17% Chorus +4.03%

Top 5 NZX decliners

Dunedin has seen the strongest annual growth with 18.1 per cent.

Sky Network TV Smartpay Holdings Kathmandu Hldgs US Large Value ANZ Banking Gr

House values continue to rise

Company

daily % fall

–7.27% –7.02% –4.52% –4.48% –3.54%

METAL PRICES

RNZ

Source: interest.co.nz

p Gold

London – $US/ounce

1,615.50 +15.85 +0.99%

q Silver London – $US/ounce

16.81

–0.1

–0.59%

5,668.0

+28.0

+0.50%

p Copper London – $US/tonne NZ DOLLAR

Source: BNZ As at 4pm March 4, 2020

Country

Australia Canada China Euro Fiji Great Britain Japan Samoa South Africa Thailand United States

TT buy

0.9702 0.8542 4.4619 0.5739 1.4608 0.4998 68.76 1.7912 9.8912 20.12 0.638

TT sell

0.9301 0.8211 4.291 0.5514 1.323 0.4803 66.05 1.5502 9.4883 19.05 0.6195

Disclaimer: NZX and MetService have endeavoured to ensure the correctness of the information; neither NZX, MetService related companies, nor this newspaper, nor any of their respective employees or agents make any representation as to its accuracy or reliability nor will they, to the extent permitted by law, be liable for any loss arising in any way from, or in connection with, errors or omissions in any information provided (including responsibility to any person by reason of negligence). Please note: All products and services are subject to change without notice.

The housing market’s renewed strength has continued but may face a mixed outlook in the months ahead.

The latest figures from Quotable Value show house values in all 16 major cities rose for the third month in a row.

Nationally, the average value increased 5.3 per cent in the year to February with the average house price rising to $722,475.

QV general manager David Nagel said the market remained driven by the usual issue of too few houses to satisfy demand.

“As a consequence, we’re seeing more buyers from across the property spectrum competing for limit-

ed stock which is forcing prices to rise.”

He said Auckland in particular had picked up significantly, rising 1.8 per cent over the last quarter, and by 1.2 per cent on the year before, with the average price $1.06 million.

However, the strongest annual growth was in Dunedin with 18.1 per cent, while Wellington was the strongest in the past three months, gaining up 5.4 per cent for an annual rise of 10.8 per cent.

Nagel said the market was being driven equally by first home buyers and property investors, and the upward pressure on prices was likely to continue even as the summer peak eases.

However, he cautioned the

PHOTO SUPPLIED

emergence of the Covid-19 virus may have varying impacts on the market.

“Apprehension around Covid-19 and the impacts this might have on the economy are unlikely to be felt in the property market in the short term, but could have impacts in the months ahead,” Nagel said.

“Locations dependent on tourism are likely to be first to feel the pinch,” he said. “[But] if we see a reduction in the OCR [official cash rate] by the Reserve Bank in response to the Covid-19 outbreak, then this could actually stimulate the property market further in the short term, depending on the extent of interest rate reductions that are passed on to borrowers.”

Your Place www.guardianonline.co.nz

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Ashburton Guardian 13

TEST YOURSELF

Write to us!

Editor, PO Box 77

Test yourself with the Guardian’s weekday quiz 1 - In chess, what symbol denotes a bad move? a. Comma b. Asterisk c. Question mark 2 - Which British singer released albums called Plus, Multiply and Divide? a. David Gray b. Ed Sheeran c. Sam Smith 3 - The word recap is an abbreviation of which other word? a. Recaption b. Recapitulate c. Recapitalise 4 - What three letters are associated with portable storage devices? a. CPU b. OSD c. USB 5 - A nonet is a group of how many musicians? a. Nine b. Ten c. Eleven 6 - What fruit is known in Italian as ciliegia and in French as cerise? a. Cherry b. Strawberry c. Blackberry 7 - Which chemical element is mentioned in the Bible under the name Brimstone? a. Sulphur b. Potassium c. Nitrogen 8 - An otoscope is used to examine which part of the body? a. Ear b. Heart c. Eye

Email us! editor@ theguardian. co.nz Call us!

03 307-7929

GOT GREAT PHOTOS? Your Place is the place to display the photos of your sports team, your pets, your school events, or just something ordinary from the present or days gone by.

Please 3 send your 6 photos 1 to subs@theguardian. co.nz5with the words YOUR PLACE in 1 the 8 subject line and we will 5 4 run it in the Guardian or 3 website 2 our Guardianonline.co.nz3 9

9 5 3

6 5

5 4 2 9 6 1 YESTERDAY’S 9ANSWERS 1 5 3

4 1 2 8 3 6 5 7 9

Badger’s all fluff, speed and noise This young pomeranian is so confident and full of beans that it’s hard to get a photo of him that’s not blurry. A few weird noises and flapping arm movements and we caught the wee cutie on camera. His name’s Badger when he’s sleeping, but his name’s a lot different when he’s awake.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

3 5 7 9 2 1 4 6 8

9 8 6 5 4 7 2 3 1

8 7 9 4 1 5 3 2 6

6 3 1 7 8 2 9 4 5

5 2 4 6 9 3 1 8 7

1 4 8 3 7 9 6 5 2

7 9 5 2 6 4 8 1 3

2 6 3 1 5 8 7 9 4

EASY SUDOKU

Answers: 1. Question mark 2. Ed Sheeran 3. Recapitulate 4. USB 5. Nine 6. Cherry 7. Sulphur 8. Ear.

QUICK RECIPE

Apricot cream cheese stuffed chicken 4 Waitoa chicken breasts 125g cream cheese 150g dried apricots Handful baby spinach leaves, chopped 8 strips streaky bacon Salt and pepper Drizzle of olive oil Baby potatoes, to serve ■■ Beat together cream cheese, chopped apricots and spinach – season with ground black pepper and rock salt.

■■ Make pockets in the chicken breasts (split along one side) stuff the breast with the cream cheese and spinach mix.

■■ Roll each breast in two rashers of bacon.

■■ Rinse baby potatoes in the roasting pan. Drizzle with olive oil.

■■ Cook at 180°C for about 45 minutes or until no pink juices run

2

when pierced with a skewer.

■■ Serve with the roasted baby potatoes, fresh herbs and a gravy if you desire.

Recipe courtesy of Waitoa Free Range Chicken www.waitoafreerange.co.nz

2 9

5

1

9 8 3 6 7 1 4 6 3 6 5 7 1 2 9 5 8 4 3 5 4 8 6 Solutions for today in tomorrow’s Your Place page.

Club news 14 Ashburton Guardian

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Ashburton Bowling Club At Ashburton Bowling Club, the results of a very busy and successful week are documented below!

The Friday Triples results, held at Allenton on February 28, meant a win for Peter Collins as part of a composite team, 4th place for Murray Anderson, John Kewish, George Crack and 5th place for Min Hill, Brian Williams.

Our Rollover Triples on Saturday February 29 resulted in a very comprehensive win for Anne Gibson and Colin Cross after 3 games. We only had 5 bowlers, but there was a lot going on elsewhere involving Ashburton BC. The Champion of Champions at Allenton, also on Saturday involved Ashburton. The Senior Womens Triples was won by Ashburton’s Diane Gutberlet, Wendy Suttie, Barbara Ewan. In the Men’s Senior Triples, our team of Murray Anderson, John Kewish, Doug Kinvig progressed to the semi-finals against Rakaia. The teams were tied after 18 ends, but after 2 extra ends, Rakaia prevailed. Well done to both our triples teams!

The Champion of Champions Fours Final will continue (at Hinds) on Tuesday March 10 at 5.30pm. Both our teams are playing Allenton teams – currently our men are leading 10-2 after 7 ends, our ladies are leading 5-1 after 5 ends.

At Hampstead on Sunday March 1, our ladies team of Heather Goodall, Barbara Skilling, Judie Ryk, Laraine Mills won the Prestige Trophy! Well done ladies!

The Champion of Champions Pairs Finals will be played on Saturday March 7 at Rakaia. Our ladies team of Diane Gutberlet and Laraine Mills and our men’s team of Alastair MacKenzie and Min Hill will both contest for the honours! Good luck to them all!

The club will hold an Open Day on Saturday, March 7 between 10am and 5pm. We wish to show the public what our club is all about, how it runs and how it is such an important part of the domain and Ashburton.

Everyone is welcome! The council will also hold its Open Day from 11am to 4pm concerning the Proposed Domain Development Plan, which in turn means the future of Ashburton Bowling Club.

Good Bowling Everyone!

floral work and baking.

The trophy for most points was won by P. Dolan.

RSA Women’s Section

The Women’s Division 1 best nett winner was Judy Moore.

Ashburton Golf Club The club hosted a successful 9 Hole Tournament on Thursday, February 27, thanks to sponsors - Amphibius NZ, Ruralco, Flowers @ the Gate by Tone’e, Sim’s Bakery, Phillips Landscaping, Real Estate NZ, Latitude Magazine and Hastings McLeod Real Estate.

Over 60 players from 10 clubs participated.

The winners were:

Men: Best Nett, first: Eric Weir (Ashburton); runner-up: John Evans (Amberley). Putting, first: Paul Baird (Ashburton); runner-up: Peter Woods (Ashburton). Longest Drive: Robert Schikker (Mayfield) Nearest to Pin: Paul Clark (Ashburton) Women’s Division One: Best Nett, first: Judy Moore (Rakaia); runner-up: Gill Taylor (Ellesmere). Putting, first: Hiromi Ikehata (Methven); runner-up: Helen

Argyle (Ashburton). Longest Drive, Robynne Nicoll (Ashburton). Nearest to Pin: Jill Ludemann (Mayfield).

Women’s Division Two: Best Nett, first: Lillian O’Hanlon (Rakaia); runner-up: Marg McPherson (Ellesmere), Putting, first: Alycen Cournane (Pleasant Point); runner-up: Muriel Morgan (Ashburton).

Longest Drive: Cate Hogan-Wright (Mayfield) Nearest to Pin: Kath Winter (Ellesmere)

Ashburton Woodworkers Our February meeting was a visit to three members’ workshops. We often wonder what the other workshops look like, what sort of equipment have they got, how different is it from yours and more, perhaps, what state is it in, spotless or a used look.

Gary Maxey’s workshop was the first visit.

An extensive, very clean impressive selection of tools, ingenious jigs.

An item that took our interest an aeroplane powered by a rubber band that took off from ground level then climbed and circled round and round a pole then once out of power gently landed.

Roger Scammell noteworthy for his use of old and recycled furniture, timber and managing to fit it neatly into his man shed.

He showed how he made his three dimension chopping boards. Quite a complex process.

Merv Peck fits his machinery in two sheds, space is fairly limited, one next to a vehicle so dust has to be kept to a minimum with the use of a dust extractor.

Merv had several interesting tools and jigs.

In spite of a small area Merv manages to build several rocking horses, segmented bowls, vases, a time consuming effort.

Back to the clubrooms where president Bruce Ferriman mentioned the Age Concern Positive Ageing Expo at the Hotel Ashburton and that the club had a stand to demonstrate wood turning. Several members expressed an interest in operating a lathe.

Clarry Brake enquired if there were mem-

bers enthusiastic in forming a carving group as he was keen to pass on his skills.

Thanks to the three members who shared their dens.

Show and Tell: Rod Donaldson: An interesting clock Les Mattingley: Pyrography Merv Peck: Segmented vase

Hinds Women’s Institute The first meeting for 2020 was held in the Davison room of the Hinds Community Centre on Wednesday February 26 starting at 1.30pm.

The president, Annette Simister welcomed 10 members and led in the singing of the Ode and reciting of the Aspirations. Apologies, minutes and the annual statement of accounts read by Ruth Sheppard comprised some of the time devoted to business.

Other items discussed was the Annual Meeting of Mid Canterbury Federation held on Monday where Jo Wilson got a first for her icing Easter Egg and Betty Wilson was presented with the Low trophy for the best presented W.I. Programme for 2019; Annette won one of the raffles.

Hinds’ turn for Meals on Wheels will be on August 5, a Wednesday. As well, people are wanted to help sell raffles at New World and Countdown to raise funds for conference being held in Nelson on May 25-27.

Following business, members showed a variety of articles and talked about their

history - “A show and tell.” An old box camera, a picture of an ancestral home in the UK, an eye glass, a silver coin and a WI jubilee spoon were some of the items viewed.

Our next meeting is a visit to Vetlife Animal Welfare Centre, the roll call for this being any food items, towelling, linen or newspaper etc. suitable for rearing kittens and cats.

Afternoon tea will follow at Valmai McKenzie’s home.

Our 90th birthday celebrations we felt warranted a meal out so further work is being done on this.

Thank you, Betty and Jenny - hostesses for serving a lovely afternoon tea.

Rakaia Women’s Institute The Rakaia Women’s Institute held their first meeting of the year with a good attendance.

Reports from November/December showed that members had been busy with flowers for the hospital and meals on wheels.

Donations had been made to support people involved in the Australian bush fires and Christmas gifts for Birthright families given.

The Motto for February was A Sunny Smile, a Thought of Cheer, that’s the way to start the year.

The guest speaker was Kathryn Henderson, the newly appointed liaison officer for the Rakaia Medical Centre; Kathryn explained

her role and said there is help available to all through the medical centre including drives for transportation to Ashburton and Christchurch appointments, mental health problems and mothers and children.

Kathryn is also hoping to organise a walking group and establish a community vegetable stall in Rakaia. Contact can be made through the medical centre or by phoning 0211379931.

The competitions table was very well supported, with entries in cut flowers, craft,

President Colleen Hands welcomed members for the first time in 2020 on Thursday, February 27. Colleen thanked members for kind thoughts and good wishes when she was in hospital recently. Apologies were received.

The RSA song was sung. Also happy birthday to one member. No piano today. Thoughts and prayers were given to anyone who has recently lost a loved one.

Sick members were wished a speedy recovery.

Bus trip on Wednesday, February 5: bus left Ashburton at 10am and drove directly to Rangiora.

Lunch was at the Rangiora RSA. A very nice meal. Before returning some wanted to stop to buy Lotto tickets. The bus returned via Oxford, arrived back in Ashburton about 5pm.

Travelling two different routes gave a lovely variety of scenery. The day was most enjoyable.

Next month – Thursday March 26 will be the AGM with an election of officers and committee. Several people are going to the RSA for the Wednesday and Sunday meal at lunch time.

It was then “eyes down” for housie and the games were enjoyed by everyone. Lots of lucky winners. Colleen, as usual, was the caller and she does it so well.

Raffles were won by Wendy Marr and Marlene Shaw.

Competition: Salt and Pepper Shakers 1st Claire Wesley, 2nd Janet Smith, 3rd Olive Munrp.

Melva and Wendy served afternoon tea.

Colleen would have welcomed a cuppa.

We could all chat, having been quiet for housie.

Wakanui WI Members of the Wakanui WI gathered at the MSA Petanque Club for their February meeting where they enjoyed learning how to play Petanque.

A game with many skills which made a fun-filled evening.

Following our games the Petanque Club members catered for a delicious twocourse meal.

Motto for February’s meeting was very appropriate – “Learn to strive something new today!”

Members were thanked for delivering Meals on Wheels and reports were received on the Founders Day Service and the Federation AGM. Four Wakanui WI members will be attending the NZ Federation AGM to be held in Nelson in May with Jeanette Cuthbertson as our delegate.

Next meeting March 25 at the Wakanui Hall, 7.30pm.

CLUB NEWS TERMS We love receiving your club news!

However, to make it fair on everyone, we need a maximum of 300-500 words in your report.

There are times where your stories may need to be abridged due to space restrictions also, but you can still see the full reports on guardianonline.co.nz

SPORTS DRAWS AND RESULTS RESULTS ■■ Golf Mayfield Golf Club March 3 Ladies Golf 18 Holes

Skibo 1st Round Best Nett Lynley Mac Kenzie 102-38-64 , Jillian Lake 105-32-73, Judy Fielder 112-38-74,Jacunta Schmack 115-41-74 , Ruth Keeley 112-3874 .Mr Manns Bakery & Cafe 2 nd Shot 2 or 11 Sue Graham. Sims Bakery Nearest the Pin 5 or 14, Juliet Mc Leod.

Tinwald Golf Club March 3

Ladies Division LGU Silver: Christine Kinita 71, Bronze 1: June Bruhns 73, Bronze 2: Barb Cochrane 75, 9 Hole: Denise Wells 30.

Stroke: June Bruhns 73, Phylis Smith 74 9 Hole Stroke: Denise Wells 30, Jeanette Early 31, Diana Wellman c/b 32.

Nearest the Pin: Murray Young Property

Broker (2nd Shot) #2 Madeleine Smith, Sims Bakery (2nd Shot) #6 Marilyn Bennett, Mac & Maggie #12 Mara Kenndey, Outdoor Adventure (2nd Shot) #16 Pam McAndrew.

DRAWS

■■ Golf Tinwald Golf Club March 10 Ladies Division Captains Salver Drawn pairs 9 Holes Stroke - meeting at 8.45 Starters B. Harris, S. Young Cards P. Smith, M. Smith; Kitchen K. McAuliffe

Sport www.guardianonline.co.nz

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Ashburton Guardian 15

■■CRICKET

Seamers bolster Black Caps RNZ The Black Caps will have their front-line ODI pace attack to call on for the upcoming Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series in Australia with Trent Boult, Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson all fit for the three-game series.

The trio were ruled out of the recent one-day series victory over India with injuries, but will return as the specialist seamers alongside Tim Southee and rising rookie Kyle Jamieson, with Hamish Bennett and Scott Kuggeleijn missing out.

There’s a familiar feel to the 15-player squad who will attempt to become the first New Zealand side to win an ODI series in Australia. Coach Gary Stead said they would need to be at their absolute best to retain the prestigious trans-Tasman trophy.

“Playing Australia in Australia is one of the great challenges in world cricket and you know you will be severely tested in all aspects of the game.

“Our one-day unit is a pretty settled one with plenty of experience and I think that showed in the recent series against India.

“It’s great to welcome back the class of Trent, Matt and Lockie who spearheaded our run to the Cricket World Cup final last year.

“Kyle’s made every post a winner since his international debut this season and he’ll be a handy asset to have in Australia.

“It’s an honour to compete for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy and I know it means a lot to the players to have the trophy stay in New Zealand.”

Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry, from left to right alongside Kane Williamson, have all been included in the Black Caps squad for the upcoming Chapell-Hadlee series against Australia.

Black Caps ODI squad: Kane Williamson (c), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham (wk), Jimmy

Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor.

The Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series starts in Sydney with two games at the SCG on Friday

ning retro playing shirts chosen by public vote. The Black Caps will wear the teal of the late 1990s, while Australia will be sporting the shooting stars last seen at the 1999 Cricket World Cup.

March 13 and Sunday 15, before moving to Hobart for the final match on Friday 20.

The ODI series and the T20I series in New Zealand later this month will see both teams don-

■■OLYMPICS

Commitment to hold Tokyo Olympics - IOC NZME

The International Olympic Committee doubled down on its stance the coronavirus will not affect the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, even in the wake of a Japanese official raising the possibility of a postponement during a government hearing.

The IOC’s Executive Board, which is holding a scheduled meeting at its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, released a statement yesterday expressing “full commitment to the success” of the Tokyo Olympics taking place from July 24 to August 9 as originally planned.

“The IOC remains fully committed to the success of the Olympic Games #Tokyo2020,” IOC President Thomas Bach said, through the IOC’s Twitter feed.

“I encourage all athletes to prepare for the Games with ‘full steam’.”

The IOC said it intends to follow advice from the World Health Organisation and encouraged athletes to continue training for the Olympics to move forward as planned.

A suspension or cancellation would be massively disruptive for athletes, many of whom design training schedules years in advance to peak for the Olympics.

Yesterday in Japan, Japan’s Olympics minister said the country’s contract with the IOC would allow it to suspend the games.

“The contract calls for the Games to be held within 2020.

“That could be interpreted as allowing a postponement,” Seiko Hashimoto said in response to a lawmaker’s question in parliament, Reuters reported.

Speculation about the fate of the Olympic Games, even five months away from their start, has grown as the coronavirus has spread. Canadian IOC member Dick Pound said in an interview with the Associated Press last week that the IOC would have until late May, about two months before the start of the Games, to decide whether to cancel the Olympics.

He said moving the Games would present too many logistical challenges.

Postponing the Games would also raise issues, the thorniest of them coming from financial considerations.

The IOC receives the majority of its revenue from its television rights contract with NBC, which would not want to pit Olympic broadcasts against NFL programming in the fall.

In interviews last week, multiple health experts said it is too early to know how the coronavirus could affect the Olympics, in part because so little is known about the disease and when possible vaccines or medication will become available. But they cautioned against the IOC’s insistence everything will be fine.

“They should let people know that we are currently in the midst of a pandemic and social distancing is a significant public response element of pandemics,” said University of Nebraska professor Ali Khan, formerly the director of the Office of Public Health

Preparedness and Response at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “We should expect that we will have to factor that into the Olympics. “I do not like the message that the risk is low and there’s nothing to worry about and things will be fine.”

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Sport 16 Ashburton Guardian

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Thursday, March 5, 2020

■■SAILING

Olympic sailors selected NZME

Waireka win interclub title The Waireka Croquet Club have added another gong to their trophy cabinet. The club’s intermediate red team secured the Croquet South Canterbury 2019-20 interclub title. The intermediate grade played seven rounds over seven weeks and featured multiple clubs from the South Island. Waireka Red went through the seven rounds unbeaten while Oamaru club Awamoa/Gardens finished as runners-up. The team comprising of (from left) Phyllis Reith, Audrey Leath, Brian Goodwin and Janice Murta celebrate their shield win.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

The first of New Zealand’s athletes for this year’s Olympics have been announced with seven sailors selected for Tokyo.

The sailing team has significant Olympic Games experience and includes Peter Burling and Blair Tuke, who led the New Zealand Team into the Opening Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and went on to win gold in the 49er.

Rio 2016 49erFX silver medallists Alex Maloney and Molly Meech have also been named, as well as Rio 2016 Laser bronze medallist Sam Meech.

Nacra 17 sailors Micah Wilkinson and Erica Dawson are the only Olympic newcomers in the initial sailing selection announcement, with further crews to be considered for selection to the New Zealand Team following a series of upcoming World Championships.

New Zealand has a proud Olympic sailing legacy, having collected 22 medals since the first gold won by Peter Mander and Jack Cropp in the Sharpie class in Melbourne in 1956.

Burling and Tuke will be among the favourites to win gold in the 49er in Tokyo having added two 49er world titles in recent months to the four they won in the last Olympic cycle.

■■BOXING

Parker could line up for WBO title NZME Joseph Parker’s trainer Kevin Barry believes the Kiwi heavyweight could have a shot at reclaiming his world title at the end of the year.

Parker arrived back in Auckland yesterday after defeating Shawndell Winters via TKO in Dallas, Texas over the weekend, in what was his third knockout victory in a row.

While the 28-year-old former champ takes a bit of time off to recover from the fight, his team have been straight back to work in planning what’s next for Parker – who sits at number two on the WBO heavyweight rankings.

Barry said he has an “exciting plan” in place for Parker in his quest to return to re-join the top players in the crowded heavyweight division.

“Joe just arrived back in Auckland this morning to his four girls and he’ll have a little bit of time off,” Barry said in an interview with Radio Sport’s D’arcy Waldegrave.

“I’ve already been on the phone three times today with David Hig-

gins – him and I are already putting a plan in place. Quite an exciting plan too.

“We hope to see Joe back in the ring sometime in June or July this year.

“And it’s very important after only having the one fight in 2019, that we get Joe straight back into the ring. And that was our plan fighting him early in 2020 that we would definitely get in our three fights in this year.

“So we’re looking at options, we’re looking at venues.”

Parker’s next fight will likely be against a significantly tougher opponent over the unheralded American Winters, who despite being the smaller man in the ring, caused Parker a few problems during their bout including a cut above his right eye.

Barry said finding the next opponent could prove tricky, with most of the top heavyweights already contracted in fights, but he is confident Parker will be ready for anything thrown at him.

“There’s a lot of guys that we would like to be in the ring with who are already booked for fights like [Dereck} Chisora is fighting

There’s belief that Joseph Parker could fight to reclaim his world title this year.

PHOTO SUPPLIED [Oleksandr] Usyk, Dillian Whyte is fighting [Alexander] Povetkin.

“As well as us looking for an opponent and the right fight date and the right time, we also have to be well aware that if an opportunity presents itself at the moment

if someone was to get injured or pull out of the fight, that we’re ready to go. Nobody expected Andy Ruiz to be in the ring with Anthony Joshua last year and of course we all know what happened there.

“At this particular time when the heavyweight division is red hot and has got so much action in it and so many good fighters in it, it’s very important that we take the most out of every opportunity that comes our way.”

Parker will be looking to get back into the heavyweight conversation with the likes Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, both of whom look likely to meet in a super fight later this year – providing Fury repeats his decisive victory over Deontay Wilder in their contracted rematch.

For Team Parker, a Joshua-Fury fight could also open up a road back to the WBO heavyweight title – the belt Parker lost to Joshua in 2018.

Joshua – who holds the WBO title as well as the WBA, IBF and IBO straps – will face mandatory IBF challenger Kubrat Pulev in June.

He is then due to fight WBO challenger Usyk, but a Fury super fight could force Joshua to vacate the WBO belt instead, which could open a door for second-ranked Parker with a chance to challenge for the vacant title.

Sport www.guardianonline.co.nz

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Ashburton Guardian 17

■■BOWLS

Mid Canty Interclub titles claimed The Allenton Bowling Club claimed bragging rights on Sunday when four of Mid Canterbury Bowls most prestigious interclub tournaments were held across two greens.

Play was held for the Men’s Gala Cup, Women’s Premier, Men’s Challenge and Women’s Prestige and it was Allenton who emerged with two victories from the four events although Ashburton and Hampstead also took silverware back to their respective clubs.

Men’s Gala Cup Seven teams took to the Allenton greens for the competition with Methven gaining an advantage by drawing a first round bye.

Winners from the first round progressed to the Gala Cup while losers graduated to the Gala Plate.

Ashburton MSA defeated Rakaia in the first round while Hampstead took out Allenton and Hinds beat Ashburton.

In the second round Hampstead kept their winning run going by beating Ashburton MSA and the Hinds and Methven match went to an extra end before Hinds grabbed the victory.

In the final, it was the Hampstead side of Dan Hopkins, Murray Smallridge, Reg McGarry and Regan Broker who won the match 16-7 to claim the title.

The Gala Plate was taken out by Allenton who beat Ashburton.

Alec Crawford skipped that side, with Mike Quinn, Pete Whinham and Bruce White.

Women’s Premier Four teams took to the green for the Women’s Premier, with Allenton defeating Methven and Ashburton accounting for Rakaia.

Rosemary Bennett, who skipped the Allenton side alongside Sandra Holdom, Noeline Woods and Anne Reid, proved the difference in the final, playing some big draw bowls to see her side home.

The Premier Plate was taken out by the Methven quartet of Pat McElwain, Raylene Heads, Raiona Isherwood and Mary Stone, who beat Rakaia.

Men’s Challenge After four rounds of play at Hampstead, two teams survived the day unbeaten, however only one emerged with four wins, Al-

Rosemary Bennett played a vital role in leading her Allenton side to success in the Women’s Premier at Allenton PHOTOS HEATHER MACKENZIE 010320-HM-0144

Right – Cecil Tubb lines things up for his Hinds side in the Men’s Challenge at Hampstead.

010320-HM-0105 lenton. Their side of Graeme Bishop, Rowan Tonks, Graeme Clark and Mick Buchanan were the winners, finishing just ahead of the Ashburton team who claimed three wins and a draw from their four matches.

Women’s Prestige In a small field, there was a clear winner at Hampstead with the Ashburton quartet of Heather Goodall, Barbara Skilling, Judy Ryk and Laraine Mills winning three from three to claim the title.

David Jones in action for Rakaia during the Men’s Gala Cup.

010320-HM-0159

Judy Ryk was part of the winning Ashburton side in the Women’s Prestige at Allenton.

010320-HM-0089

Racing 18 Ashburton Guardian

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Thursday, March 5, 2020

■■MIRACLE MILE

The miracle, ahead of the Mile

By Michael Guerin Two years ago doctors removed a tumour from Canterbury horse trainer Peter Bagrie’s brain.

The operation went as well as it could. So did the chemotherapy and radiotherapy that followed.

Weeks later his specialist told then 66-year-old Bagrie some medical truths.

“He sat me down and said it all went great but usually, at some stage, these things come back,” Bagrie explains.

“He said I don’t know when, he had no idea how that would be.

“But he said I was fine for now to go home and enjoy my life as I usually would.”

Last Saturday night at Menangle, outside Sydney, Bagrie was really enjoying his life.

And he will enjoy this Saturday even more, because he has a horse in the $1 million Miracle Mile and nothing to lose.

After that meeting with his doctor Bagrie went back to training horses, the best of them being Bettor’s Heart, a good mare without being great.

After some group one placings this summer Bagrie rolled the dice and decided to take her to Sydney, hoping Menangle would allow her to record a fast mile for her future broodmare career while she earned some money to pay for the trip.

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Bettor’s Heart wins the Ladyship Mile on Saturday night. mares, a group one winner and in a Miracle Mile.

“It is pretty amazing,” says Bagrie.

“We wanted to give her her chance over here because she was racing so well and we thought we might get a fast time for later when she goes to stud.

“But for her to come from last to win the Ladyship against those

Bagrie got so much more when Bettor’s Heart produced the run of her career to come from last to win the $200,000 Ladyship Mile on Saturday, pacing 1:49.7 in the hands of Bagrie’s nephew John Dunn, beating glamour mares Belle Of Montana and Princess Tiffany.

She is now one of the fastest ever New Zealand-trained race-

PHOTO SUPPLIED

mares is something we are really proud of.”

So stunning was the result Bagrie has only minutes to consider the offer of a Miracle Mile start with a mare who would have been 1000-1 for the race a few months ago.

He said yes, as a man who has been given a second chance at life would, and Bettor’s Heart sits

in the market as the $41 outsider.

“It is wonderful just to have a horse in the Miracle Mile, not many horses get that chance,” he offers.

“And even if she runs last we will still go home with a smile on our faces.

“She has accomplished everything we came here for and more.”

Bagrie knows how hard it is to get a good horse.

He has trained for nearly 40 years and is best known for the deeds of Auckland Cup winner Burlington Bertie, but has had few like him.

But he is a hobby trainer, having only once trained 10 winners in a season.

There have been plenty of seasons he hasn’t trained a winner at all, rarely taking many to the races.

His total stakes for training in NZ after all those years is $1,355,391.

This Saturday the winning stake will be almost half that for 110 seconds work.

“When I left the doctors that day and he told me to go back to living my life, I have.

“I have had a scan every six months since and so far, so good.

“So we are going to enjoy being in the Miracle Mile.

“We are going to enjoy just being here.”

Canterbury gallops Today at Riccarton Park

Canterbury Racing-Amberley Venue: Riccarton Park Meeting Date: 05 March 2020 NZ Meeting number: 6 Doubles: 1 and 2; 3 and 4; 5 and 6; 7 and 8 Trebles: 2, 3 and 4; 6, 7 and 8 1 1.02pm (NZT) RICCARTON PARK FUNCTION CENTRE MAIDEN $10,000, MDN, 1200m 1 05233 Grand Express h (7) 58.5.......... D Prastiyou 2 3x254 Just Tickety Boo (1) 58.5............K Kwo (a3) 3 56965 Van Halen (2) 58.5........................ S Wynne 4 4x507 Khitan Warrior h (5) 58.................L Allpress 5 Jack Knows Best h (3) 58............ T Moseley 6 6x Golden Harvest bh (6) 58 Chowdhoory (a2) 7 56x62 Llovizna 56.5............................... Scratched 8 0x8 Road To Diamonds (4) 56.5... T Comignaghi 2 1.37pm NZB SOUTH ISLAND SALE 17 APRIL $11,000, Rating 72 Benchmark, 1200m 1 58281 Khimar War tdh (3) 59..................L Allpress 2 55133 Solomon td (7) 59.................. J Fawcett (a1) 3 62823 Vendima tdbh (2) 58....................... J Laking 4 83464 Middagurd tdmh (1) 57.5.........K Asano (a1) 5 6611x Whale Song h (6) 57.5..K Chowdhoory (a2) 6 89438 Pipiana tdh (5) 56.5.................... C Johnson 7 1x70x Jessie Janet h (4) 55............. T Comignaghi 3 2.12pm PUNTERS CHALLENGE 4 APRIL - ENTER

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Auckland Greyhound Racing Club Venue: Manukau Stadium Meeting Date: 05 March 2020 NZ Meeting number: 9 Doubles: 2 and 3; 4 and 5; 6 and 7; 8 and 9; 10 and 11 Trebles: 1, 2 and 3; 5, 6 and 7; 9, 10 and 11 1 4.23pm (NZT) MANUKAU GOLD SERIES FINAL C0F C0f, 318m 1 74526 Forego nwtd................................ G Pomeroy 2 53217 Our Hotrod 18.72 U &........................Cottam 3 253 Botany Sandy nwtd..........................P Green 4 5313 Portland Art 18.78..............................B Craik 5 76442 Thea Who nwtd........................... M Prangley 6 48764 Riccitelli nwtd....................................M Black 7 26834 Get Me Home nwtd U &.....................Cottam 8 66785 Indi Shae nwtd................................ S O’Neill 9 635 Clever Harper nwtd W &..................T Steele 10 68665 Kapai Chris nwtd W &......................T Steele 2 4.41pm JO’S WHOLESALE/SPORTS BAR TAIPA TAVERN SPRINT C1 C1, 318m 1 88877 Unconscionable 18.61 R &..................L Udy 2 4F358 Tribal Conquest 18.80 R &...................L Udy 3 8F765 Sly Cath nwtd.....................................J Black 4 38F68 Rion King nwtd R &..............................L Udy 5 46115 Go Kiki nwtd.................................... G Farrell 6 88575 Platinum Spirit nwtd.......................... S Clark 7 84384 Miss Dupre nwtd.............................S E Hunt 8 64253 Ma Chere nwtd................................ S O’Neill

NOW $10,000, Rating 65 Benchmark*, 1000m 1 42625 Mediterranean Star bh (6) 60........ B Murray 2 38603 Swiss Eire th (2) 57............... T Comignaghi 3 1720x Confessional h (5) 56.5..........W Papier (a4) 4 03271 Our Rosette th (1) 56................... T Moseley 5 59459 Kate The Great (4) 55.5.......R Mudhoo (a2) 6 23908 Fascino Lass h (3) 55...................L Allpress 7 17050 Montreux Miss (7) 55..................... S Wynne 4 2.47pm THE TEA HOUSE AT RICCARTON PARK MAIDEN $10,000, MDN, 1600m 1 23x73 Ocean Of Champagne h (8) 58.5.. B Murray 2 68083 Jiminy Cricket (6) 58.5........R Beeharry (a3) 3 93676 Bogatyr (3) 58.5...........................K Williams 4 0x800 Chorister h (1) 58.5..................... T Moseley 5 x6504 Yannick h (2) 58.......................... L Callaway 6 3795 Zakunda h (10) 58.........K Chowdhoory (a2) 7 6x0 Keep Quiet h (12) 58..................... S Wynne 8 00x8 Maxwell h (9) 58.................... T Comignaghi 9 93055 Qwerty (7) 56.5........................... K Mudhoo 10 64542 Nymphadora Tonks bh (4) 56..K Asano (a1) 11 84555 Matuki h (11) 56...........................L Allpress 12 8x905 Just A Promiss h (13) 56....... J Fawcett (a1) 13 0909 Alagant Angel (5) 56................... C Johnson 5 3.22pm CHRISTCHURCH CASINO $11,000, Rating

72 Benchmark, 2000m 1 66520 Anythingcouldhappn t (3) 60...K Asano (a1) 2 63332 Pinup Coup tbh (5) 58...K Chowdhoory (a2) 3 34730 Cinto Bay h (4) 56.5.....................L Allpress 4 23164 Splendior (6) 56................. C Campbell (a1) 5 62502 Baban (2) 55.5....................... T Comignaghi 6 16724 Metasequoia (1) 54.................... C Johnson 6 3.57pm VICTORIA WOODLEY $10,000, Rating 65&JMPS Benchmark*, 2000m 1 50672 Jin Lu h (12) 60........................ B Hong (a3) 2 58212 Effervescent tdh (8) 59.5............... B Murray 3 65070 Francis Drake (2) 59.5................. T Moseley 4 432x0 Nathan Detroit h (4) 58.5 5 8417 Panzer th (5) 58..................... T Comignaghi 6 43x51 Baby Menaka tdm (3) 57.5......... C Johnson 7 68602 Bridget Town tm (7) 56.5... C Campbell (a1) 8 02841 Succoso Segreto tdh (10) 56.5.....L Allpress 9 x0773 Ferocious tdh (11) 56...........R Mudhoo (a2) 10 77265 Run Forrest Run td (9) 56..R Beeharry (a3) 11 88x75 Mamba h (6) 55........................... K Mudhoo 12 60987 Producer (1) 55.............K Chowdhoory (a2) 13 30026 Sure Is b (14) 54.5.......................... A Balloo 14 86693 Shaz The Bank h (13) 54.......... D Prastiyou 7 4.37pm JACK THOMPSON OPEN HANDICAP

$12,000, OPN HCP, 1400m 1 81722 Ticket To Ride tdmbh (2) 60........K Williams 2 54757 He’s Gold tdh (7) 59.5........... T Comignaghi 3 53908 Son Of Maher tdh (6) 59............. C Johnson 4 14422 Monza Circuito tdmh (3) 58..R Mudhoo (a2) 5 22433 Belle Fascino tdmh (8) 56.5.......... S Wynne 6 15655 Xcuses Xcuses d (1) 56.5.......K Asano (a1) 7 16451 The Growler tdh (5) 54.5............... B Murray 8 x3310 Forged tmh (4) 54........................ K Mudhoo 8 5.12pm RACECOURSE HOTEL & MOTOR LODGE $10,000, Rating 65 Benchmark*, 1400m 1 1 Strike Force tdh (3) 59.................... J Laking 2 71052 Admiral Rous td (2) 58.5.......... B Hong (a3) 3 02081 Why Me tdh (7) 58.5................... C Johnson 4 50100 Moreira td (8) 57.5......................... S Wynne 5 7x842 Raff tbh (4) 57.5........................... C Barnes 6 52073 Ataahuadreamsrfree tdh (12) 56.5.T Moseley 7 x5631 Athene tdh (14) 56.5................... L Callaway 8 2371x Rumour Has It h (11) 56.5.......K Asano (a1) 9 044x4 Coup Dreamwood h (13) 56.5................... K Chowdhoory (a2) 10 70x98 Malawi 56.5................................. Scratched 11 20697 Lady Byron td (5) 56.....................L Allpress 12 61043 Shock Prospect dh (6) 56............K Williams

13 04854 Lincoln Zephyr (1) 56........ C Campbell (a1) 14 219x9 Wanderin Over td (9) 55.5..........K Kwo (a3) 15 600x6 Sainted Pearl h (10) 54.5.............. B Murray 16 07008 Iffida 54....................................... Scratched Blinkers on: Khitan Warrior (R1), Fascino Lass (R3), Just A Promiss (R4), Lady Byron (R8) Blinkers off: Van Halen (R1) Winkers on: Grand Express (R1), Middagurd (R2), Bogatyr (R4) Winkers off: Khitan Warrior (R1), Anythingcouldhappn (R5), Lady Byron (R8) LEGEND: Runner Form - b - Beaten favourite at last start c - Won at this distance on this course d - Won at this distance on another course h - Home track m - Won in heavy going t - Won at track X - Spell of three months SELECTIONS

8 45232 Asserting Power 18.77.................... S O’Neill 9 52231 Botany Esmay 18.69........................P Green 10 84384 Miss Dupre nwtd.............................S E Hunt 8 7.04pm CAROL’S TAB TAIPA TAVERN SPRINT C4 C4, 318m 1 24666 Zipping Buddy nwtd...........................B Craik 2 67643 Call Me Leo 18.69............................ T Green 3 38457 Cameo Syd nwtd................................B Craik 4 21635 Express Emporium 18.72 W &.........T Steele 5 81621 Monsoon Malabar 19.22 U &.............Cottam 6 63776 Idol Nifty 18.23...................................B Craik 7 12441 Kuridrani 18.49..................................M Black 8 15642 Thank You Next 18.63........................B Craik 9 35668 Suspicious Minds 18.44.....................B Craik 9 7.29pm MT WELLINGTON TAB STAKES C2/3 C2/3, 527m 1 65522 Go Angel 30.70............................... G Farrell 2 1F245 Jinja Jay 30.85 W &.........................T Steele 3 51255 Talkabout Sophie 30.95....................M Black 4 21656 Frosty Blaze 30.57........................... T Green 5 21844 Looking Snatched 30.82....................B Craik 6 67146 Flying Huey nwtd..............................M Black 7 25644 Dig Dig Dig 30.60............................ S O’Neill 8 47733 Busy Flash nwtd W &.......................T Steele 9 85267 Pam Arising 30.74........................... S O’Neill 10 33477 Crackling Gal 30.49 U &....................Cottam

10 7.54pm QUALIFIED PET SERVICES SPRINT C4/5 C4/5, 318m 1 34436 Electric Dancer 18.48 W &...............T Steele 2 53315 Podium Phobia 18.53.........................B Craik 3 37747 Spring Mechanic nwtd R &...................L Udy 4 32327 Captain Kev 18.65 W &....................T Steele 5 38818 Relevance 18.35 R &...........................L Udy 6 47415 Jinja Mongo 18.34 W &....................T Steele 7 15418 Carbon Tiger 18.41 W &..................T Steele 8 33211 Franky The Jett 18.44........................E Potts 9 35668 Suspicious Minds 18.44.....................B Craik 11 8.19pm HEWLETT ELECTRICAL SPRINT C1 C1, 318m 1 57627 Sweet Clover 18.81.....................K T Herbert 2 22216 Smash Out 18.94 R &..........................L Udy 3 7F884 Tilly’s Silly 18.95 R &............................L Udy 4 82568 Ford Man 18.90 R &.............................L Udy 5 73472 Agbeze 18.98....................................M Black 6 45747 Always Dreaming 18.58.................. G Farrell 7 25566 Platinum Tears 18.87.......................R Roper 8 65673 Thrilling Arnold 18.70.......................S Codlin 9 66578 Smash Burton 19.12 R &.....................L Udy 10 55578 Shambi’s Girl 18.96.....................K T Herbert LEGEND: fsdt - First Start Here nwd - No Win this Distance fstd - First Start This Distance 31 13 - Best Winning Time This Track

Race 1: Race 2: Race 3: Race 4: Race 5: Race 6: Race 7: Race 8:

Golden Harvest, Just Tickety Boo, Grand Express Khimar War, Vendima, Pipiana, Whale Song Swiss Eire, Our Rosette, Fascino Lass, Montreux Miss Nymphadora Tonks, Yannick, Zakunda, Matuki Pinup Coup, Splendior, Anythingcouldhappn, Baban Panzer, Ferocious, Effervescent, Francis Drake Monza Circuito, Ticket To Ride, Xcuses Xcuses Raff, Wanderin Over, Lady Byron, Shock Prospect

Auckland dogs Today at Manukau Raceway 9 55578 Shambi’s Girl 18.96.....................K T Herbert 10 66578 Smash Burton 19.12 R &.....................L Udy 3 4.58pm TROPHIES PLUS SERIES FINAL C2F C2f, 318m 1 61344 Firefly Laffey nwtd............................S Codlin 2 25725 Pliskova 18.78................................... S Clark 3 21322 Our Greg 18.74..................................E Potts 4 18736 Botany Thommo 18.60.....................P Green 5 12615 Night Ace 18.53.......................... G Pomeroy 6 47814 Jinja Bailey 18.75 U &........................Cottam 7 54432 Gain Capital 18.53.............................B Craik 8 53143 Noise Maker 18.70...........................P Green 9 82568 Ford Man 18.90 R &.............................L Udy 10 53615 Not Shackley 18.79............................J Black 4 5.25pm PUMP & ENGINEERING SERVICES LTD STAKES C1 C1, 527m 1 14762 Fear The Fur 31.02......................... S O’Neill 2 76475 Our Scarlett nwtd............................ G Farrell 3 512 Portland Berty nwtd...........................B Craik 4 62368 Little Apple 31.03 W &......................T Steele 5 87835 Little Mermaid nwtd W &..................T Steele 6 63577 Opawa Lola nwtd............................ G Farrell 7 44336 React Respond 30.77......................R Roper 8 32743 Opawa Big 30.91............................ G Farrell 5 5.50pm HEWLETT ELECTRICAL SPRINT C2 C2, 318m

1 67776 Choo Choo 18.65............................ G Farrell 2 53274 Grey Way 18.64.......................... G Pomeroy 3 53615 Not Shackley 18.79............................J Black 4 61785 Snoopy’s Hero 18.63........................... D Ray 5 41366 Rainy River 18.81............................S E Hunt 6 7536x Cawbourne Cool 18.68...............K T Herbert 7 11656 Madam Bucks 18.60................... G Pomeroy 8 66666 Zugzwang 18.54............................. S O’Neill 6 6.13pm MPS FENCING SPRINT C2/3 C2/3, 318m 1 35483 Go All Lin 18.56.............................. S O’Neill 2 17722 Stay Rich 18.55 M &......................... J Smith 3 28886 Luke Skywalker 19.07..................... L A Hunt 4 11382 Iron Eyes nwtd...................................E Potts 5 14458 Nexus 18.60.................................... G Farrell 6 26658 It’s Pawsible 18.61...........................P Green 7 78648 Thrilling Katie 18.40....................K R Toomer 8 111x1 Morton Keeping 18.74....................... S Clark 7 6.39pm SPORTS BOWL FUNCTION CENTRE SERIES FINAL C1F C1f, 318m 1 48711 Talkabout Izzy 18.61........................... D Ray 2 26616 My Snuggles 18.93......................... G Farrell 3 6F321 Just Nia 18.80...................................M Black 4 37718 Botany Rifles 18.75..........................P Green 5 43124 Kapai Stewie 18.78 W &..................T Steele 6 47217 Paddy Fast 18.76 M &....................... J Smith 7 58236 Bailey And Cream 18.96 R &...............L Udy

Racing www.guardianonline.co.nz

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Ashburton Guardian 19

■■MIRACLE MILE

Purdon claims drive on Alta Orlando HRNZ Two of harness racing’s greatest rivals will join forces for the first time to try and win Saturday’s $1 million Miracle Mile.

In a surprise move that turns back the clock Kiwi driver Mark Purdon will drive Alta Orlando in the great race at Menangle, even though he is trained by one of his fiercest rivals in Craig Cross.

Cross and quasi training partner Luke McCarthy are riding the crest of a wave, having won the Hunter Cup last month and both Miracle Mile preludes last Saturday.

They are undoubtedly the strongest open class stable in Australia whereas Purdon and training partner Natalie Rasmussen have the strongest stable in Australasia, filled with open class stars.

But after a horror run with injuries, including having two Miracle Mile contenders ruled out of the carnival last Thursday, Purdon who won the race last year driving

M7

Spankem, thought he would be watching it from the stables this season.

That was until he got the call up to drive the heavily-backed Alta Orlando, through an unusual set of circumstances.

Todd McCarthy drove Alta Orlando to beat My Field Marshal in their $100,000 Prelude last Saturday, but is committed to Newcastle Mile winner Majordan, trained

by Kevin Pizzuto who he does so much driving for.

Luke McCarthy chose to drive Alta Orlando’s stablemate King Of Swing because he has the better draw and John Dunn, who used to drive Alta Orlando in NZ, was offered the drive.

But he has opted to stick with Bettor’s Heart, trained by his uncle Peter Bagrie, so the Alta Orlando drive was up for grabs again.

Remarkably Purdon was the first trainer of Alta Orlando and as a three-year-old he finished third in the prestigious NZ Sires Stakes Fi-

nal to stablemate Have Faith In Me way back in 2014, who went on to win a Miracle Mile.

Alta Orlando broke down soon after and it was thought he was finished as a racing proposition until he resumed his career two years later trained by Dunn’s father Robert.

He then ended up with Cross and has risen to new heights at Menangle where the relentless racing style suits him.

Ironically the last time Purdon drove Alta Orlando was nearly six years ago, when he finished last in a minor race, won by a horse driven by John Dunn.

“We are thrilled to have Mark on, everybody knows what a good driver he is,” said McCarthy.

“He has driven the winner of every big race you can think of and while I think King Of Swing is Craig’s best chance of winning on Saturday night if Alta Orlando is sitting in the one-one or handy he can beat us.”

Mark Purdon will have a drive in the Miracle Mile after all.

Forbury Park harness Today at Forbury Park

Forbury Park Trotting Club Inc Venue: Forbury Park Meeting Date: 05 March 2020 NZ Meeting number: 7 Doubles: 2 and 3; 4 and 5; 6 and 7; 8 and 9; 10 and 11 Trebles: 1, 2 and 3; 5, 6 and 7; 9, 10 and 11 1 5.07pm (NZT) M G SHEARING & CRUTCHING TROT $7250, non-winners 2yo+, stand, 2200m 1 57854 Whangamata (1) fr.......................B McLellan 2 98708 Ken’s Dream (2) fr............................L Dobbs 3 42402 Listen Easy (3) fr...................... M Williamson 4 3 Queen Elida (4) fr..................S Tomlinson (J) 5 x9x98 Mr Olympus (5) fr........................R McIlwrick 6 74400 Tease My Tartan (6) fr......................J W Cox 7 77800 Petronelli Gee (7) fr........................... A Milne 8 05667 The Power Broker (8) fr........ K McNaught (J) 9 9x280 Be Bee Lass (9) fr..........................B Orange 10 Trot Black (10) fr.........................E Barron (J) 11 Px9 Superfast Kiwi (U1) fr............... N Williamson 12 62802 Make My Sundon (U2) fr...................S Ottley 13 93498 Robo Trouble (U3) fr...........................A Beck 14 00 Shandon Bells (U4) fr.................M Hurrell (J) 15 06050 Muscle Power (U5) fr........................ A Clark Emergency: Superfast Kiwi 2 5.34pm STU CAMPBELL COOKRIGHT MOBILE PACE $7500, r40-r50., mobile, 2200m 1 0x25x Fancy Schmancy (1) fr...................B Orange 2 08208 Little Rain (2) fr.....................S Tomlinson (J) 3 38870 Ideal Asset fr................................. Scratched 4 x1909 Gomeo Denario (3) fr.................M Hurrell (J) 5 38109 Wee Ring The Changes (4) fr.....C Ferguson 6 23907 Rockin Rod (5) fr................................A Beck 7 97765 Royal Jester (6) fr.............................J W Cox 8 94602 Playboy Prince (7) fr................. M Williamson 9 059x9 Paul’s Verdict (21) fr..........................S Ottley 10 95x44 Pilch (22) fr......................................T Chmiel 11 90300 Magnetic Watch (23) fr................R McIlwrick 12 59098 Carlo Gambino (24) fr..................B McLellan

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Otago Greyhound Racing Club Venue: Forbury Park Raceway Meeting Date: 05 March 2020 NZ Meeting number: 3 Doubles: 1 and 2; 3 and 4; 5 and 6; 7 and 8; 9 and 10; 11 and 12 Trebles: 1, 2 and 3; 4, 5 and 6; 7, 8 and 9; 10, 11 and 12 1 12.02pm (NZT) OTAGO MAIDEN SPRINT FINAL C0f, 310m 1 43421 Knocka Know How nwtd.................G Cleeve 2 63634 Go Blue nwtd...................................R Wales 3 23213 Mitcham Magic 18.65.................J McInerney 4 33311 Mitcham Goldie 18.75................A Bradshaw 5 2134 Homebush Ariana nwtd..............J McInerney 6 64523 Opawa Nash nwtd.............................. J Rush 7 88451 Opawa Jaws 18.76...........................R Wales 8 68752 Homebush Showoff nwtd...........J McInerney 9 65347 Nykara nwtd J M.............................. McCook 2 12.19pm OGRC EARLY QUADDIE SPRINT C0, 310m 1 723 Miss June nwtd..........................J McInerney 2 672 Mitcham Rob nwtd.....................J McInerney 3 77564 Impressive Gift nwtd..................J McInerney 4 78x5 Homebush Captain nwtd............J McInerney 5 F585 Homebush Murdock nwtd..........J McInerney 6 77 Homebush Ivy nwtd...................J McInerney 7 887 Homebush Durant nwtd.............J McInerney 8 37887 Homebush Jozie nwtd................J McInerney 9 Moany Maloney nwtd.................A Bradshaw 10 Mitcham Liam nwtd....................J McInerney 3 12.36pm DAVE ROBBIE PHOTOGRAPHER STAKES C1, 545m 1 14321 Pebble Beach nwtd............................D Lane 2 32436 Goldstar Truman nwtd S &...............B Evans

13 300P5 Dismara (25) fr......................... N Williamson 14 08407 Dalness Arizona (26) fr.............B Williamson 15 40090 Ideologist (27) fr 16 06648 Vigoroso (U1) fr..........................D O’Connell Emergencies: Carlo Gambino, Ideologist 3 5.59pm GLAMOUR HOOVES/HOFFMAN RACING STABLES MBL PACE $7250, non-winners 3yo+ mr44 to mr50., mobile, 2200m 1 6876 Hayden Bromac (1) fr......................K Larsen 2 5x340 Sport Mental (2) fr..........................B Orange 3 96x Walk All Over You (3) fr...................T Chmiel 4 9x Midnight Party (4) fr...................M Hurrell (J) 5 00x46 Miss Ivy (5) fr............................B Williamson 6 22948 Oliver North (6) fr..................... M Williamson 7 05795 Matai Dani (7) fr................................ A Milne 8 x080x Mickey Fitz (8) fr..........................C Ferguson 9 Sweet Annie (21) fr......................... C Hanna 10 x0x00 Manon The Run (22) fr............... R Needham 4 6.24pm OTAGO HUNT INC/E T BEATTIE & SONS MOBILE PACE $7250, non-winners 3yo+ mr40 to mr42., mobile, 2200m 1 0069x Ultimate Swift (1) fr....................M Hurrell (J) 2 79095 Tactical Change (2) fr............... M Williamson 3 79709 Franco Hatton (3) fr........................B Orange 4 99000 K Mach (4) fr....................................L Dobbs 5 89608 Mr Jingles (5) fr...............................K Larsen 6 030x8 Smokin Annie (6) fr......................B McLellan 7 67000 Attache (7) fr........................... J Morrison (J) 8 06478 Fraud (8) fr.......................................J W Cox 9 0x068 Kennington Girl (21) fr...............B Williamson 10 28x00 Lei Miss (22) fr................................T Chmiel 11 x0x39 Real Change (23) fr....................C Ferguson 12 05306 Mach O’Melley (24) fr............K Tomlinson (J) 13 63875 The Naenae Express (U1) fr.......R McIlwrick 5 6.49pm FREDS FENCING/WINGATUI COMBS TROT $7500, r40-r50, stand, 2200m

1 59764 Miss Jessica (1) fr..................... T Robertson 2 6P0Px Svelt fr........................................... Scratched 3 65522 Matai Jetstar (2) fr............................. A Milne 4 74308 Pat The Monkey (3) fr..................R McIlwrick 5 P6444 Sunnivue Phileah (4) fr.....................S Ottley 6 x1097 Midsummer Queen (5) fr................B Orange 7 00089 Windsor (6) fr 8 x9x00 Spurs Of War (7) fr.................. J Morrison (J) 9 00790 The Night Sweats (8) fr................. B Norman 10 80606 Cuddly Trouble (9) fr................. N Williamson 11 82600 Count Eyre (10) fr..............................R Allen 12 00000 Dream Of Pat (11) fr..................B Williamson 13 03605 Don’t Look Back (12) fr............ M Williamson 14 02400 Miss Bamboocha (U1) fr............M Hurrell (J) 15 26606 Sage Trouble (U2) fr...........................A Beck 16 0P609 Deborahs Gem (U3) fr..........K Tomlinson (J) 17 45P00 Majestic Rose (U4) fr.......................L Dobbs 18 0P600 Mickey Jay (U5) fr.......................C Ferguson Emergencies: Svelt, Windsor, Sage Trouble, Majestic Rose 6 7.14 ARROWTOWN BAKERY PACE $7250, non-winners 3yo+, stand, 2200m 1 70P40 All Money (1) fr...............................B Orange 2 4 Atarah (2) fr................................M Hurrell (J) 3 The Conqueror (3) fr................ M Williamson 4 7x068 Living Fantasy (4) fr..................B Williamson 5 00900 Onedin Smiler (5) fr......................... G Shand 6 6875x Kingsdown Atom (6) fr................R McIlwrick 7 Press Play (7) fr..............................T Chmiel 8 43966 Handsome Harry (8) fr............ J Morrison (J) 9 35950 Huckabee (9) fr........................ N Williamson 10 080P3 Offthebench (10) fr...........................J W Cox 11 x0007 Santeria (11) fr......................K Tomlinson (J) 12 00x Hokonui Sam (12) fr...........................A Beck 7 7.39pm GOLDEN FLEECE HOTEL MOBILE PACE $8250, 3yo+ r51-r65., mobile, 2200m

1 80009 Aveross Rustler (1) fr..................R McIlwrick 2 65106 Ohoka Chopper (2) fr.............. J Morrison (J) 3 20110 Sheeza Sport (3) fr....................M Hurrell (J) 4 x4343 Delightful Deal (4) fr................. N Williamson 5 64287 Gemma Mac (5) fr..........................B Orange 6 65550 Ideal Draw (6) fr....................... M Williamson 7 2x867 Brantley (7) fr..................................T Chmiel 8 07130 Gabby’s Star (8) fr.....................B Williamson 8 8.04pm STRATH TAIERI A&P/STRATH TAIERI YFC PACE $7750, r40-r55, stand, 2700m 1 47019 Dark Rage (1) fr.........................E Barron (J) 2 45480 Standout (2) fr......................... J Morrison (J) 3 78000 Pocket Call (3) fr..............................L Dobbs 4 56641 Wolf West (4) fr..............................B Orange 5 20380 Gotta Future (5) fr.................... M Williamson 6 81057 Allandale (6) fr...........................B Williamson 7 38108 I’m Jimmy James (7) fr......................S Ottley 8 P3P75 Coolhand Easton (8) fr.....................J W Cox 9 52050 Bella Sara (9) fr.............................. K Barclay 10 04322 Triroyale Brigade (10) fr........... N Williamson 11 x0028 Pete’s Dash (U1) fr.....................M Hurrell (J) 12 20666 Four Starzzz Shiraz (U2) fr........D O’Connell 9 8.29pm AITKEN FAMILY HANDICAP TROT $8250, r51-r70 discrhcp, stand, 2700m 1 23010 Steel Dust (1) fr............................T McMillan 2 76505 Hawaiian Hula (2) fr................. N Williamson 3 11826 Da Moons Mission (1) 10M...... M Williamson 4 55884 Spotlight The Valley (2) 10M.......R McIlwrick 5 33350 Zoned Scarlett (3) 10M.............B Williamson 6 54760 Laura Bush (4) 10M.......................B Orange 7 14660 Lisa Marie P (1) 20M.............K Tomlinson (J) 8 06262 Valley Star (2) 20M...........................S Ottley 9 305D0 Whatwillbeewillbee (U1) 20M...........J W Cox 10 52117 Kiwi Crusher (U2) 20M...............M Hurrell (J) 11 8x937 Red Hot Poker (1) 30M..................... G Telfer 10 8.55 TRAINOR ELECTRICAL FILLIES & MARES

MOBILE PACE $7750, 3yo+ f&m r40-r50, r51-r55 w/c., mobile, 1700m 1 3188x Champers (1) fr.................................S Ottley 2 x2178 Rakabeach (2) fr.......................B Williamson 3 69039 Szybka Lane (3) fr............................. G Telfer 4 174x Chevron Flies (4) fr........................B Orange 5 256x1 Changed My Mind fr...................... Scratched 6 83381 Miss Impression (5) fr............. J Morrison (J) 7 76086 Myrcella (6) fr.......................................C Lee 8 38870 Ideal Asset fr................................. Scratched 9 48603 Rosinupthebow (21) fr................M Hurrell (J) 10 76260 Better Galleon (22) fr.................E Barron (J) 11 39757 Bettors Atom (23) fr.....................C Ferguson 12 x0530 Miss Paddy Wagon (24) fr........ M Williamson 13 96641 Crosso’s Cullect (25) fr............. N Williamson 14 001 Duastar fr...................................... Scratched Emergency: Ideal Asset 11 9.20 PRO-FIT COVERS/MARTY DENTON C,G&E MOBILE PACE $7750, 3yo+ c,g&e r40-r50,r51-r55 w/c., mobile, 1700m 1 68810 Hokuri Platter (1) fr................... M Williamson 2 40090 Ideologist (2) fr..................................S Ottley 3 00000 Goodthingstaketime (3) fr............... G Shand 4 08009 Russian Express (4) fr.....................J W Cox 5 82347 The White Rabbit (5) fr....................K Larsen 6 26410 Freddiesam (6) fr............................ K Barclay 7 59098 Carlo Gambino (7) fr....................B McLellan 8 90708 Alexy (8) fr..................................D O’Connell 9 51204 Scared Stiff (21) fr...........................T Chmiel 10 455x2 Pocket Watch (22) fr.......................B Orange Pacifiers off: Kennington Girl (R4), Miss Bamboocha (R5) LEGEND: X - Spell from racing of at least 3 months P - Retired (or pulled up) from race L - Driver unseated U1 - Unruly beginner {C} - Concession driver {C.cl} - Claiming concession driver which allows horse to start one class down

6 1.28pm BROCKLEBANKS DRY CLEANERS STAKES C1, 545m 1 x2221 Go Diego nwtd J &...........................D Fahey 2 61221 Homebush Fonzie nwtd.............J McInerney 3 11122 Pepper Chimes nwtd...........................J Allen 4 25454 Mitcham Manering 34.30...........J McInerney 5 26312 Born Tasha 32.54.............................R Wales 6 36742 Goldstar Ashton 32.81 S &..............B Evans 7 52534 Know Talent 33.52...........................G Cleeve 8 78373 Opawa Dan nwtd J M....................... McCook 9 68645 Kia Tere nwtd S &.............................B Evans 10 44277 Baldrick 33.04............................J McInerney 7 1.46pm ST KILDA SPRINT C1, 310m 1 83555 Goldstar Montana nwtd S &.............B Evans 2 68773 Cosmic Marty 18.91...................J McInerney 3 84686 C’Mon Benny Boy 18.63.................J Guthrie 4 15865 Homebush Boden 18.60............J McInerney 5 27554 Goldstar Wynter nwtd S &................B Evans 6 57857 Mick The Mouse nwtd................J McInerney 7 74882 Gracie Lee nwtd.........................J McInerney 8 7788x Taramakau 18.79.......................J McInerney 9 46724 Homebush Fairy nwtd................J McInerney 10 33564 Andrea Said nwtd J M...................... McCook 8 2.03pm BRIAN BAGLEY DRIVER LICENSING SPRINT C2, 310m 1 32683 Raquel Allen nwtd.........................C Roberts 2 47421 Opal Hunter 18.58......................J McInerney 3 51111 Mitcham Usain 18.69.................J McInerney 4 45714 Know Logic 18.85...........................G Cleeve 5 421F2 Goldstar Flora nwtd S &...................B Evans 6 54654 M’Lady Sadie nwtd.....................A Bradshaw 7 75888 Homebush Comet 18.69............J McInerney

8 72433 Cool Beans 18.95......................J McInerney 9 77816 Goldstar Jay Jay 18.59 S &..............B Evans 10 21727 Mitcham Trudy 18.81..................J McInerney 9 2.21pm OGRC LATE QUADDIE STAKES C1/2, 545m 1 27585 Joe Bonanza 32.36....................J McInerney 2 47684 Sozin’s Assassin nwtd................J McInerney 3 42282 Punch On Buzz nwtd.................J McInerney 4 67181 Homebush Surgeon 32.82.........J McInerney 5 74483 Famous Lee 32.84 S &....................B Evans 6 67724 Bashful Buffy 32.64....................J McInerney 7 77182 Mick The Mower 33.31...............J McInerney 8 45534 Orina Allen 33.21..........................C Roberts 9 14478 Goldstar Dawson nwtd S &..............B Evans 10 66286 Bruiser’s Day nwtd......................... B Conner 10 2.38pm FORBURY TROTS TONIGHT SPRINT C3, 310m 1 44253 Machine Gunn 18.53......................R Adcock 2 73711 Zefside 18.51.............................J McInerney 3 42334 Mitcham Pru 18.51.....................A Bradshaw 4 77864 Homebush Tesan 18.69.............J McInerney 5 56877 Homebush Finn 18.56................J McInerney 6 62652 Homebush Sayer 18.33.............J McInerney 7 x2623 Cosmic Jase 18.43....................J McInerney 8 36512 Homebush Velma 18.52.............J McInerney 9 11434 Opawa Di 18.82...............................R Wales 10 33116 Homebush Aimee 18.72............J McInerney 11 2.56pm PETER SINTON PLUMBING DASH C4/5, 310m 1 16831 Homebush Alexei nwtd..............J McInerney 2 14727 Hankenstein 18.32..................... A Bradshaw 3 53521 Little Krakatoa 18.64.................. A Bradshaw 4 43245 Opawa Oscar 18.38.........................R Wales

5 61635 Tee An’ Cee 18.39.......................... B Conner 6 44374 Shaw Lee 18.25 J M........................ McCook 7 82355 Homebush Caesar 18.30...........J McInerney 8 67431 Amuri George 19.08...................J McInerney 9 36674 Souffle Sue nwtd........................J McInerney 10 54125 Sozin’s Azure 18.81...................J McInerney 12 3.13pm RACING AGAIN TUESDAY 17TH MARCH C4, 310m 1 38621 Amuri Liv nwtd...........................J McInerney 2 52673 Special As 19.23 J M....................... McCook 3 267F3 Flora Dora 18.42............................R Adcock 4 23842 King Toliman nwtd.........................D Roberts 5 87278 Nippa Martino 18.53..................J McInerney 6 16612 Black Tori 18.86..........................A Bradshaw 7 72514 Nikko Baxter 18.48.....................J McInerney 8 12477 Amuri Magic 18.35.....................J McInerney 9 52714 Know Charisma 18.70.....................G Cleeve 10 22544 Chasing Fame 18.27..........................S Keen

Otago dogs Today at Forbury Park

3 27462 Lethal Lettie nwtd.......................A Bradshaw 4 65635 Koputai nwtd...................................J Guthrie 5 54244 Take A Hint nwtd........................J McInerney 6 63745 Blazing Banjo nwtd....................J McInerney 7 4228x Go Punter Go 33.53.........................R Wales 8 1x334 Opawa Jane nwtd............................R Wales 9 44548 Nippa Enough nwtd....................J McInerney 10 16265 Silouette Jet 33.21..............................J Allen 4 12.53pm WWW.GREYHOUNDSASPETS.ORG.NZ C1, 310m 1 15755 Homebush Barclay nwtd............J McInerney 2 84868 Goldstar Vale nwtd S &....................B Evans 3 76172 Homebush Stasser 19.03..........J McInerney 4 53132 Hendrix Bale 18.94.......................C Roberts 5 46323 Shanly Star 19.04......................J McInerney 6 46423 Goldstar Halsey nwtd S &................B Evans 7 71888 Goldstar Power 18.83 S &................B Evans 8 37656 Impressive Flash nwtd...............J McInerney 9 32644 Sozin’s Symphony 18.56............J McInerney 10 12835 Mitcham Sam 19.16...................J McInerney 5 1.11pm ST KILDA VETERINARY CENTRE SPRINT C1, 310m 1 78664 Homebush Fudge nwtd..............J McInerney 2 77653 Shaw Winner nwtd J M.................... McCook 3 37365 Goldstar Rebel nwtd S &..................B Evans 4 12882 Mitcham Boult nwtd....................J McInerney 5 77787 Sozin’s Blue 18.64.....................J McInerney 6 13547 Goldstar Beau nwtd S &...................B Evans 7 75453 Father Leo 19.54........................J McInerney 8 27884 Bound Up nwtd..........................J McInerney 9 37434 Crushington nwtd.......................J McInerney 10 48574 Brut Magic 19.27.............................C Healey

SELECTIONS: Race 1: Knocka Know How, Mitcham Goldie, Opawa Nash Race 2: Impressive Gift, Homebush Captain, Moany Maloney Race 3: Lethal Lettie, Goldstar Truman, Go Punter Go Race 4: Hendrix Bale, Shanly Star, Goldstar Halsey Race 5: Sozin’s Blue, Father Leo, Goldstar Beau Race 6: Go Diego, Homebush Fonzie, Goldstar Ashton Race 7: Cosmic Marty, Gracie Lee, C’Mon Benny Boy Race 8: Mitcham Usain, Cool Beans, Know Logic Race 9: Homebush Surgeon, Famous Lee, Orina Allen Race 10: Mitcham Pru, Homebush Velma, Opawa Di Race 11: Hankenstein, Homebush Caesar, Homebush Alexei Race 12: Amuri Magic, King Toliman, Know Charisma

Classifieds 20 Ashburton Guardian

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Thursday, March 5, 2020

PUBLIC NOTICES

Ashburton Pakeke Lions Charitable Trust Garage Sale Clearance

W H AT ’ S O N

To advertise in What’s On contact Cushla 03 307 7955

4pm Friday, March 6 | Ashburton Racecourse • Fill a supplied bag for $10.00

• HUGE REDUCTIONS • Everything must go • Cash or Eftpos

(excludes selected or marked items)

www.ateventcentre.co.nz

• Accepting more donated items drop off only.

1pm – 4pm Thursday, March 5

Brendan Dooley – Comedy Magician Brendan Dooley is fast becoming the world’s top young magician being described by the New Zealand press as “a new generation of talent already snapping the heels of established acts”. Recently received the New Zealand’s Top Comedy Magician Award, which makes him the youngest ever to receive it, these shows will be entertaining.

Serving our Community.

Helping local Charities.

AMOS CHRISTOPHER TAYLOR (deceased) Notice to Creditors and Other Claimants Notice is given, pursuant to section 35 of the Trustee Act 1956, that all persons having claims against the Estate* listed below are required to send details of their claims to the offices of Argyle Welsh Finnigan, Barristers, Solicitors & Notary Public, PO Box 454, Ashburton, 7740 (attention: Mrs E A Taylor) on or before April 5, 2020.

After that date, the trustee(s) of the Estate may administer or distribute the Estate having regard only to claims received.

Claims due and owing at the date of death should be so certified. *Estate: Amos Christopher Beneficiary, late of Ashburton.

TRADES, SERVICES COMPUTER PROBLEMS??

For professional computer servicing and laser engraving, see Kelvin at KJB Systems, 4 Ascot Place. Phone 308 8989. Locally owned and serving Ashburton for 30 years. Same day service if possible.

Supergold discount card welcomed.

GARAGE SALES ASHBURTON Pakeke Lions garage sale clearance, Ashburton Racecourse, 4pm this Friday. Furniture. Fill a supplied bag for $10 (excludes selected items). Accepting more donated items. Drop off 1pm – 4pm Thursday.

Taylor,

ADULT ENTERTAINMENT LISA, Asian lady, size 8, 34D busty, 26 years old.

Good massage, excellent service.

In/out calls.

Phone 021 046 4314.

NEW Asian, pretty, size 10, 36DD, 34 year old. Naughty toys.

Great massage.

Phone 021 232 1856.

All tickets Open Hat Mayhem! – Kids show 4.30pm and Cheeky, Quirky and Classy Adult Family Show at 6.30pm.

L A U ANNERAL GEN Tinwald Scout Group

It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll Baby – Variety Theatre Ashburton Father and daughter team are this year’s director, Gavin Templeton and musical director Sarah, joining these two is Jessie Thompson as Choreographer. This exciting show has some new and exciting faces alongside some of your favourite familiar faces. With songs like Love Shack and This is me you will be dancing in the aisles.

admin@ateventcentre.co.nz

03 307 2010

Monday, March 16 at 7.30pm Tinwald Scout Den, Lagmhor Road

03 307 7900

FREE OF CHARGE

For all your classified requirements.

Please email your photo and 30 words or less to classifieds@theguardian.co.nz

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Guardian Motoring

Daily Dairy

FRIDAY 6am ST DAVID’S UNION CHURCH. Sweaty Betty’s circuit training in hall. 48 Allens Road. Allenton.

9.30am - 4pm ST JOHN OPPORTUNITY SHOP.

* Fees apply

Show off your new arrival in our Welcome to the World adverts

All welcome

To advertise in AGM phone Classifieds

211A WILLS ST, ASHBURTON, 7700

Affordable Theatre made easy. Pay what you believe the show was worth following the show

Annual General Meeting

Text 021 271 3399 Phone 0800 274 287 Email circulation@ theguardian.co.nz

8.30am - 1pm ASHBURTON MENZSHED. For men of all ages, and all abilities. Join us for a cuppa. 8 William Street.

9.30am - 11am BALMORAL HALL LINE DANCERS. Join our friendly group for fun exercise during school term time. Balmoral hall, Cameron Street.

9.30am - 12.30pm ASHBURTON TOY LIBRARY. Open every Thursday and Saturday with almost 1000 different toys to choose from for hire. 106 Victoria Street, The Triangle.

13

Fri 15/Sat 16, 7.30pm - Sun 17, 2pm - Tue 19/Sat 23, 7.30pm Tickets: Adults $59* 15 to 23 MAY Senior and student $49*

For all subscriber enquiries, missed deliveries, new subscriptions, temporary stops.

Please

THURSDAY

MARCH

307 7900

March 5 & 6, 2020 9.30am - 4pm ST JOHN OPPORTUNITY SHOP. Open daily from 9.30am - 4pm and Saturday 9.30am - 1pm. 129 Tancred Street.

10am ST DAVID’S UNION CHURCH. Fit Kidz for pre-schoolers and caregivers. 48 Allens Road, Allenton.

10am MT HUTT MEMORIAL HALL. NZ Alpine and Agriculture Encounter, Art Gallery and hall of memories. 160 Main Street, Methven.

10am - 3pm AGE CONCERN ASHBURTON

POSITIVE AGEING EXPO. Exhibits and displays, come and experience all that is available for you.

Hotel Ashburton, Racecourse Road.

10.45am MSA TAI CHI. Stretching exercises for all abilities to help with balance. $3 per session. MSA Social hall (excludes school holidays).

11am AGE CONCERN ASHBURTON STEADY AS YOU GO. Gentle exercise, all abilities welcome, phone Age Concern 308 6817 for more information. Church of the Holy Spirit hall, Thomson Street, Tinwald.

1pm ASHBURTON MSA PETANQUE SECTION. Club days Tuesday and Thursday.

Boules will be supplied, all welcome. 115 Racecourse Road.

1pm AGE CONCERN ASHBURTON STEADY AS YOU GO. Gentle exercise, all abilities welcome, phone Age Concern 308 6817 for more information. St Peter’s Church, 93 Harrison Street, Allenton.

1pm AGE CONCERN ASHBURTON STEADY AS YOU GO. Gentle exercise, all abilities welcome,

phone Age Concern 308 6817 for more information. Buffalo Lodge Hall. Cox Street.

1pm - 3pm ASHBURTON AVIATION MUSEUM. A great selection of over 30 aircraft from the past to the future on display.

Open daily with extended hours on a Saturday and Wednesday. Ashburton airport, Seafield Road.

5pm - 7pm WAIREKA CROQUET CLUB. Social Golf Croquet during our beautiful summer evenings, new players welcome to come and have a go!

Waireka, Philip Street.

Open daily from 9.30am - 4pm and Saturday 9.30am - 1pm. 129 Tancred Street.

10am MT HUTT MEMORIAL HALL. NZ Alpine and Agriculture Encounter, Art Gallery and hall of memories. 160 Main Street, Methven.

10.30am COMMUNITY WALKING GROUP. Hockey Pavilion, Walnut Avenue.

12pm - 2pm ASHBURTON JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. Signing Centre, JP’s are authorised

to sign documentation. Community House, Cass Street.

1pm - 3pm ASHBURTON AVIATION MUSEUM. A great selection of over 30 aircraft from the past to the future on display.

Open daily with extended hours on a Saturday and Wednesday. Ashburton

airport, Seafield Road.

1pm - 4pm ASHBURTON DISTRICT FAMILY HISTORY GROUP. Open for research, visitors welcome.

Ashburton Heritage Centre, West Street. Closed most public holidays.

Puzzles www.guardianonline.co.nz Puzzles and horoscopes

Cryptic crossword

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Simon Shuker’s Code Cracker

Your Stars ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 19): The difference between assessing where you’re at (which is very helpful) and judging yourself (which is a teardown of your spirit) will be most detectable in the way the you-to-you interaction feels.

TAURUS (Apr 20-May 20): Appearances matter and will make a bigger than usual difference in the outcome of the day’s events. You will arrange everything in a way to bring yourself respect, not attention.

GEMINI (May 21-Jun 21): That moment when you realise you’re not telling your story to the right audience is a decision point. Do you double down on the moment and keep talking? Do you bail? Fate is in the balance.

CANCER (Jun 22-Jul 22): Not only is no one perfect, no one needs to be or should be. Perfection completes itself and is, therefore, a closed system that cannot thrive. Flaws are life.

LEO (Jul 23-Aug 22): You can’t remember everything.

Update your systems. Write yourself some notes. Otherwise, valuable brain space is used on matters that don’t deserve the position.

VIRGO (Aug 23-Sep 22): When people are overly hard on each other it is usually because they see something in the other person that reminds them of a part of themselves they don’t prefer.

LIBRA (Sep 23-Oct 23): It has happened that wishes came true and yet happiness didn’t come.

Don’t forget that the internal weather system counts more than the external one. And that is a system you have some control over.

SCORPIO (Oct 24-Nov 21): In some versions of forgiveness, forgiveness doesn’t wipe the slate clean. Forgiveness is merely an agreement to move forward knowing that the final judgment has not yet been rendered.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21): If life is poetry, then attention is the commodity we exchange in hopes of understanding it. Today will be like a complicated poem that needs a very close read.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19): If you suspect that you’re underperforming or somehow not captivating your audience, don’t assume the problem is you. It takes an interesting person to know one. Seek a better match.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb 18): You will explore the history of a situation to better understand the current complexities. This will give context, but it will not give you solutions. The best answer hasn’t been invented yet. You could change that.

PISCES (Feb 19-Mar 20): Figure out the steps and tricks that will help you easily slip into the right attitude, mindset and energy level to perform steady, consistent work. This is how remarkable things will get accomplished.

ACROSS 7. That which outweighs proper need can be adjusted (13) 8. Pool equipment needed to get the directors out of jail (11) 12. Misrepresents the way the Elbe is used (6) 14. A messenger is the one to do the smuggling (6) 16. The pivotal soldier, who will do the scoring at billiards (6) 18. How the law lends itself to opulence (6) 19. See the straw that’s scattered by lovers (11) 23. The jumbo-sized blades of the reed-mace (8,5) DOWN 1. Has a bit of an eye for the rainbow goddess (4) 2. Some encouragement needed for lark to come into flower (4) 3. Pineapple, as it will appear, after article is repeated (6) 4. A mere Bachelor of Medicine may be one in society (6) 5. Virginia followed Los Angeles out of a volcano (4) 6. Dace may have been served – and one couldn’t send it back (4) 9. A paragraph-mark may clip end off word like this (7) 10. A curl of hair is allowed – but telephone first (7) 11. This is the supreme walk-through feature (4) 12. Slight collision, coming out of pub and going round motorway (4) 13. It was twenty-four hours before she appeared in Eden (3) 15. Avail oneself of custom (3) 17. A cane for a deserter to beat one with (6) 18. It has the raw materials for a chaplet (6) 19. When turning up in the dark, lustre may appear sullen (4) 20. Catch sight of some prince’s pyramid (4) 21. It isn’t often one will find it so lightly cooked (4) 22. Band worn by Squadron-Leader has to be altered (4)

Insert the missing letter to complete an eight-letter word reading clockwise or anti-clockwise.

626

3

4

6

5

8

Insert the missing letter to complete an

11 12

13

14 15 16 17

18

19 20

21

ACROSS 6. Sobbing (7) 7. Sum owing (5) 9. Racket (3) 10. Stupid person (9) 12. Unable to move (11) 15. Disobeys (11) 17. Of no value (9) 19. Swine (3) 21. Furnishings (5) 22. Obvious (7)

?

eight-letter word reading clockwise or Previous solution: IGNORANT anticlockwise. Previous solution: IGNORANT

10

22

DOWN 1. Danger (5) 2. Health resort (3) 3. Problem (4) 4. Family (9) 5. Numbers (7) 8. Reason (6) 11. Fake (9) 13. By mouth (6) 14. Army rank (7) 16. Pile (5) 18. Rescue (4) 20. Curious (3)

730

730

How many words of three or more letters, including plurals, can you make from the five letters, using each letter only once? No foreign words or words beginning with a capital are allowed.

There’s at least one five-letter word.

Good Very Good How 9many words 13 of Excellent three or 17 more letters, including plurals, can you make from the five letters, using each letter only once? No foreign words or words beginning with a capital are allowed.

There’s at least one five-letter word.

Previous solution: font, for, fort, Good 9 Very Good 13 Excellent 17fro, front, nor, not, oft, orf, rot, ton, tor, torn

S T I

7

9

I

A N

Quick crossword 2

L E F A S WordBuilder L E F A S

WordWheel

L 1

WordBuilder WordBuilder

WordWheel

Ashburton Guardian 21

Previous cryptic solution

Across: 1. Palpitating 7. Chamber 9. Ages 11. Idaho 12. Amused 14. Fashionable 18. Report 20. Tithe 22. Upon 23. Andorra 24. Fortnightly 9 6. Aside Down: 2. Alabama 3. Tare 4. Negus 5.1Scrip 8. Brothers 10. Imparted 13. 9 For 15. Literal 16. Group 4 7 17. Relay 19. Photo 21. Sari

5

4 9 7 6 Across: 1. Builder 5. Mocks 8. Self-assurance 9. Too 9 Underfoot 5 816.2Tub 10. Sponsored 12. Bested 13. Seabed 15.

18. Surreptitious 20. Sidle 21. Resists 1 Down: 1. Beset 2. Ill-considered 3. Draws near 4. Rest on www.thepuzzlecompany.co.nz 4 5 Previous solution: font, for, fort, fro, 5. Mar 6. Contributions 7. Speeded 11. Spectates 12. Bruises6 front, nor, not, oft, orf, rot, ton, tor, torn 14. Looter 17. Bests 19. Eve 9 7 4 5/3 5 7 4 8 2 2 4 9 PREVIOUS SOLUTIONS Sudoku Fill the grid so that every column, every row and 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.

5 7 1 99 8 2 6 43 4 2 9 618 83 1 4 7 5 2 6 9 2 5 8 3 8 35 4 2 67 5 6 9 1 2 7 2 6 1 4 9 5 8 3 2 6 5 7 9 5 6 9 7 1 1 3 9 5 7 8 2 4 6 8 564 6 7 2 3 1 7 1 9 2 1 6 9 6 7 8 9 4 8 5 2 9 1 3 36 7 6 9 7 4 3 5 8 2 1 8 3 1 4 7 8 2 4

2

6

3 4 7 2 8 1 9 1 4 2 2 9

7 9 5

7

Previous quick solution

8

5 6 7 1 4 6

8

5

7

9

3

8

HARD

EASY

“Keeping it real” estate!

6 8 4 3 2 1 7 9 5

2 1 7 4 9 5 3 6 8

9 3 5 7 6 8 4 1 2

1 6 8 2 7 3 5 4 9

4 2 9 5 1 6 8 3 7

5 7 3 9 8 4 1 2 6

8 9 2 1 3 7 6 5 4

7 4 1 6 5 2 9 8 3

3 5 6 8 4 9 2 7 1

8 5 2 6 7 1 3 4 9

7 3 1 8 9 4 5 2 6

4 9 6 3 5 2 8 7 1

Deborah Roberts 021 075 2180

6 7 5 2 4 8 9 1 3

1 2 4 5 3 9 6 8 7

9 8 3 1 6 7 2 5 4

3 6 8 4 1 5 7 9 2

5 4 9 7 2 6 1 3 8

2 1 7 9 8 3 4 6 5

2 1 3 8 6 7 4 9 5 6 4 8 7 5 2 3 1 9

2 5 3 1 4 9 6 7 8

7 1 9 8 6 3 4 2 5

3 9 6 2 8 4 7 5 1

5 8 7 3 1 6 9 4 2

1 2 4 9 7 5 8 3 6

9 6 5 4 2 7 1 8 3

8 7 2 6 3 1 5 9 4

4 3 1 5 9 8 2 6 7

4 8 9 1

9 6

Guardian

Family Notices

17

18

RANGIORA

LAKE COLERIDGE

Weather

16

16

22 Ashburton Guardian

DEATHS

Canterbury owned, locally operated

Patersons Funeral Services and Ashburton Crematorium Ltd Office and Chapel Corner East & Cox Streets, Ashburton

Ph 307 7433

Please note all late death notices or notices sent outside ordinary office hours must be emailed to: deathnotices@theguardian.co.nz

to ensure publication.

To place a notice during office hours please contact us on 03 307 7900 for more information.

Any queries please contact 0800 ASHBURTON (0800-274-287)

FUNERAL FURNISHERS

18

MASTER MONUMENTAL MASON

E.B. CARTER LTD

Ash

Geraldine

For all your memorial requirements New headstones and designs Renovations, Additional inscriptions, Cleaning and Concrete work Carried out by qualified tradesmen.

Ra n

14

ka

MAX

ia

10:25 – 5:00 AM

PM

Data provided by NIWA

Waimate

NZ Situation

Wind km/h

isolated snow thunder flurries

sleet thunder

hail

60 plus

NZ Today

Canterbury High Country

overnight max low

TODAY

TODAY

Auckland

showers

Areas of morning cloud, otherwise fine.

Wind at 1000m: Light.

Wind at 2000m: Light.

Hamilton

fine

Napier

showers

TOMORROW

Palmerston North fine

TOMORROW

Fine. Northeasterlies.

Fine with high cloud at times.

Wind at 1000m: Light, NW 40 km/h developing late evening.

Wind at 2000m: Light, N 35 km/h developing late evening.

SUNDAY

Fine. Northeasterlies.

SATURDAY

Fine spells, but scattered rain developing south of Christchurch late in the day.

Northeasterlies.

Scattered early rain, then becoming fine.

Northerlies.

World Weather

Adelaide Amsterdam Bangkok Berlin Brisbane Cairns Cairo Calcutta Canberra Colombo Darwin Delhi Dubai Dublin Edinburgh

fine rain showers cloudy showers showers fine thunder rain fine thunder drizzle fine fine cloudy

FZL: Above 3000m

FZL: Above 3000m

Wellington

fine

Nelson

fine

Blenheim

fine

SATURDAY

Greymouth

fine

Fine. Northerlies.

Christchurch

fine

SUNDAY

Timaru

fine

Queenstown

fine

Dunedin

fine

Invercargill

fine

Cloud increasing. Scattered rain developing mainly south of Arthur’s Pass later in the day.

Northerlies, becoming strong in exposed places.

MONDAY

Frankfurt Geneva Hobart Hong Kong Honolulu Islamabad Jakarta Johannesburg Kuala Lumpur London Los Angeles Madrid Melbourne Moscow Nadi

15 2 25 1 23 25 15 22 16 26 26 15 20 3 0

drizzle rain rain drizzle showers rain drizzle fine thunder rain fog drizzle showers rain thunder

7 9 20 19 29 23 31 23 34 7 25 16 21 9 32

2 3 14 16 20 10 25 12 24 2 12 9 17 3 24

New York Paris Perth Rarotonga Rome San Francisco Seoul Singapore Stockholm Sydney Taipei Tel Aviv Tokyo Washington Zurich

fine showers fine showers rain fine fine showers rain rain drizzle fine fine rain rain

Tides, Sun, Moon and Fishing m am 3 3

Thursday 6

9 noon 3

9 pm am 3

6

9 noon 3

Saturday 6

9 pm am 3

6

9 noon 3

6

9 pm

2 1 0

12:37 6:59

1:04 7:14 1:30 7:49 1:53 8:03 2:22 8:37 2:42 8:52 The times shown are for the Ashburton River mouth. For the Rangitata river mouth subtract 16 minutes and for the Rakaia river mouth subtract 4 minutes.

Rise 7:16 am Set 8:12 pm

Bad fishing

Full moon 10 Mar 6:48 am ©Copyright OceanFun Publishing Ltd.

Rise 7:17 am Set 8:10 pm Fair

Fair fishing Set 2:18 am Rise 6:10 pm

Rise 7:19 am Set 8:08 pm Good

Good fishing Set 3:25 am Rise 6:57 pm

Last quarter

New moon

16 Mar 10:35 pm

24 Mar 10:29 pm

www.ofu.co.nz

Maori Fishing Guide by Bill Hohepa

For the very latest weather information, including Weather Warnings, visit metservice.com

3 6 17 26 11 10 -3 24 1 21 15 12 5 2 0

14 11 13 10 11 9 8 9 7 5 8 11 6

cumecs

0.93 nc

Selwyn Whitecliffs (NIWA) at 2:05 pm, yesterday

Rakaia Fighting Hill (NIWA) at 2:00 pm, yesterday 312.7 Nth Ashburton at 2:00 pm, yesterday

3.37

Sth Ashburton at 2:00 pm, yesterday

7.81

Rangitata Klondyke at 3:00 pm, yesterday

158.8

Waitaki Kurow at 2:05 pm, yesterday

654.5

Source: Environment Canterbury

Canterbury Readings

Friday 6

11 10 31 27 14 18 7 34 5 25 17 26 13 13 7

22 25 18 20 16 20 18 19 17 18 20 17 17

River Levels

Forecasts for today

25 8 33 10 30 33 28 29 21 32 33 27 23 7 6

Set 1:21 am Rise 5:17 pm

WHALAN AND PARTNERS LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

snow

Mainly fine, early morning cloud in the south and the chance of a shower before dawn. Northeasterlies developing towards afternoon.

Bad

Mick Hydes 027 437 9696 mick.hydes@bayleys.co.nz

rain

Thursday, 5 March 2020

A ridge covers most of the country today while a weak trough lingers over Northland. The ridge covers New Zealand through Saturday. A front approaches the far south late Saturday, moving slowly across the lower South Island on Sunday and towards the North Island

by Monday.

mainly isolated cloudy drizzle drizzle few showers fine showers clearing showers

Canterbury Plains

Call me for all your real estate needs

12

PROTECTION REQUIRED Seek shade, reapply sunscreen

fog

Honest. Trustworthy. Local.

OVERNIGHT MIN

SUN PROTECTION ALERT

30 to 59

A University of Otago Centre of Research Excellence

25

13

gitata

18

fine

Find out how you can help by visiting: www.otago.ac.nz/chchheart

OVERNIGHT MIN

Midnight Tonight

n

less than 30

We help save lives every day through the research and development of improved diagnosis, better prediction and treatment of heart disease in our hospital and community.

26

SUNDAY: Fine spells, but a few spots of rain late in the day. NE.

TIMARU

620 East Street Ashburton Ph/Fax 308 5369 or 0274 357 974 ebcarter@xtra.co.nz NZMMMA Member

We Help Save Lives

7

OVERNIGHT MIN

SATURDAY: Fine. Northeasterlies.

MAX

bur to

18

www.guardianonline.co.nz MAX 20 OVERNIGHT MIN 9

15

AKAROA

Ra

ASHBURTON

TOMORROW: Fine.

Northeasterlies.

LYTTELTON

LINCOLN Rakaia

DEATHS

MAX

CHRISTCHURCH

18

METHVEN

TODAY: Fine. Northeasterlies from afternoon.

17

DARFIELD

Map for today

Ashburton Forecast

Wa i m a ka r i r i

Ashburton Airport Temperature °C At 4pm 13.9 14.2 Max to 4pm 9.0 Minimum 9.0 Grass minimum Rainfall mm 3.4 16hr to 4pm March to date 4.8 Avg Mar to date 8 2020 to date 63.0 116 Avg year to date Wind km/h SE 11 At 4pm Strongest gust SE 35 Time of gust 6:40am

© Copyright Meteorological Service of New Zealand Limited 2020

to 4pm yesterday

Methven

Christchurch Airport

Timaru Airport

11.0 11.7 6.9 –

15.4 17.3 10.7 9.8

11.0 13.8 9.1 –

– – – – –

0.0 1.2 7 27.4 91

6.6 7.0 6 54.0 96

E 11 – –

S 28 S 56 2:54pm

SE 6 SE 33 4:51am

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©TVNZ 2020

6am Breakfast 9am The Ellen DeGeneres Show 0 10am Tipping Point 3 11am Cash Trapped Quiz show based on an original idea

by Bradley Walsh.

Noon 1 News At Midday The latest news, sports, and weather. 0 12:30 Emmerdale PGR Charity and Bear sense something is up with Faith; Cain seeks to change Amy’s mind. 0 1pm Coronation Street 3 0 1:30 Coronation Street 3 0 2pm The Ellen DeGeneres Show 3 0 3pm Tipping Point 4pm Te Karere 2 4:30 Dog Squad 3 0 5pm The Chase 3 0 6pm 1 News At 6pm 0 7pm Seven Sharp 0 7:30 Jamie’s Ultimate Veg Jamie Oliver sets out to inspire people to change the way they think about vegetables with some easy recipes. 0 8:30 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? UK 0 9:30 Coronation Street PGR 0 10:30 1 News Tonight 0 11pm Brainboxes 3 0 Midnight Outback Truckers PGR 3 0 1am Te Karere 3 2 1:25 Infomercials 5:35 Te Karere 3 2

Jamie’s Ultimate Veg 7:30pm on TVNZ 1

BRAVO 10am Four Weddings USA 3 11am Snapped PGR 3 Noon Keeping Up With The Kardashians PGR 3 1pm The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills PGR 3 2pm Below Deck AO 3 3pm Undercover Boss 3 0 4pm The Kelly Clarkson Show Award-winning artist Kelly Clarkson hosts her own talk show with celebrity guests, musical performances, stories, surprises and more.

5pm Hoarders 3 6pm Judge Jerry 6:30 Love It Or List It 7:30 Tattoo Fixers On Halloween in the pop-up tattoo parlour, Sketch removes Fiona’s zombie, and helps Spike with a monster tattoo; Glen gives magician George a frightening new friend; Tom must break his curse.

8:35 Below Deck 9:35 Below Deck 10:35 The Real Housewives Of Cheshire AO 11:30 Snapped – Killer Couples PGR 3 12:20 Infomercials 3

Thursday, March 5, 2020 ©TVNZ 2020

6:30 Darwin And Newts 0 6:40 Moon And Me 0 7am My Little Pony 0 7:25 Star v The Forces Of Evil 3 0 7:50 Bunnicula 3 0 8:15 The Lion Guard 3 0 8:35 Goldie And Bear 3 0 9am Regular Show 3 0 9:10 Infomercials 10:10 Neighbours 3 0 10:40 Mike And Molly PGR 3 0 11:05 Army Wives PGR 3 0 Noon 2 Broke Girls AO 3 0 1pm Judge Rinder PGR 2pm American Housewife PGR 3 0 2:30 Home And Away 3 0 3pm Shortland Street PGR 3 0 3:30 Powerpuff Girls 3 0 3:40 Pokemon – Sun And Moon: Ultra Legends 0 4:05 The Deep 0 4:30 Friends 3 0 5pm The Simpsons 3 0 5:30 Home And Away 0 6pm The Big Bang Theory 3 0 6:30 Neighbours 0

7pm Shortland Street PGR 0 7:30 Ten 7 Summer PGR 0 8pm Booze Patrol PGR 0 8:30 Ambulance Australia PGR A suspected terror incident; a bushfire in northwestern Sydney. 0 9:35 Naked Attraction AO 0 10:30 Two And A Half Men PGR 3 0 11pm Mom PGR 3 0 11:25 Claws AO 0 12:20 Private Practice PGR 3 0 1:05 Shortland Street 3 0 1:30 Infomercials 2:35 Quantico AO 3 0 3:20 Love Island UK AO 3 5:05 Neighbours 3 0 5:30 Infomercials

Zumbo’s Just Desserts 7:30pm on Three

SKY 5 6am Jeopardy! PG 6:25 Wheel Of Fortune PG 6:50 The Simpsons PG 7:15 Robot Wars 8am Border Security – Australia’s Frontline M 8:25 Highway Thru Hell PG 9:15 Hardcore Pawn PG 9:40 CSI MV 10:25 SVU MV 11:10 Robot Wars Noon Jeopardy PG 12:25 Wheel Of Fortune PG 12:50 Shades Of Blue MVLSC 1:40 FBI MV 2:25 CSI MV 3:10 Robot Wars PGV 4pm The Simpsons PG 4:30 Jeopardy! PG 5pm Wheel Of Fortune PG 5:30 Hardcore Pawn PG 6pm Highway Thru Hell PG 7pm Border Security – Australia’s Frontline M 7:30 CSI MV 8:30 NCIS MV 9:30 Seal Team MV 10:30 SVU MVS 11:15 Highway Thru Hell PG

Friday 12:05 Robot Wars 12:50 Wheel Of Fortune PG 1:15 Jeopardy! PG 1:40 Border Security – Australia’s Frontline M 2:05 Seal Team MV 2:55 NCIS MV 3:40 SVU MV 4:25 Hardcore Pawn PG 4:50 CSI MV 5:35 The Simpsons PG

THREE

PRIME

6am The AM Show 9am The Café 10am Infomercials 11:25 Millionaire Hot Seat 3 0 12:25 Face The Truth PGR 12:50 Dr Phil AO Vigilante ‘pedophile hunters’ come face-to-face with a man who says he was falsely accused of grooming a 15-year-old child online.

1:50 Married At First Sight Australia PGR 3 0 3:20 My Sri Lanka With Peter Kuruvita Peter Kuruvita explores Sri Lankan tea country, cooking a pork curry and some tiger prawns on the way.

3:55 Darren Robertson’s Charcoal Kitchen 4:30 NewsHub Live At 4:30pm 5pm Millionaire Hot Seat 0 6pm NewsHub Live At 6pm 7pm The Project 7:30 F Zumbo’s Just Desserts PGR The two finalists compete for the title and $100,000, as they must create a show-stopping dessert that oozes luxury and bling. 0 8:35 The Graham Norton Show PGR 0 9:35 Live At The Apollo AO 0 10:35 NewsHub Late 11:05 NCIS – LA AO 3 Sam’s wife is abducted from her home, and her kidnappers demand the release from jail of Tahir, Sam’s arch nemesis, in exchange for information about her location. 0 Midnight Infomercials

MAORI

6am Ben 10 – Alien Force 3 0 6:25 The Powerpuff Girls 3 0 7am The Legend Of Korra 8am The Fairly Odd Parents 3 0 8:30 The Moe Show 3 0 9am Celebrity Antiques Road Trip 3 10am The Doctors PGR 11am The Chase Australia 3 0 Noon Everybody Loves Raymond 3 0 12:30 Chicago Justice AO 3 0 1:30 Frasier 3 2pm The Late Show With Stephen Colbert PGR 3 3pm Wheel Of Fortune 3:30 Jeopardy 4pm A Place In The Sun 5pm 3rd Rock From The Sun 0 5:30 Prime News 6pm Rugby – French Top 14 Highlights Show 6:30 Sky Sport News

CHOICE

6:30 Paia 6:40 My Mokai 7:10 He Rourou 3 7:20 E Kori 3 7:25 E Ki E Ki 7:30 Haati Paati 3 7:40 Huhu – Te Tunga Rakau 7:50 Huritua 8am Polyfest Kapa Haka 3 8:30 Sidewalk Karaoke PGR 3 9am Best Of Kai Time On The Road 3 9:30 Opaki 3 10am Celebrity Playlist 3 10:30 Morena 3 11am Nga Tangata Taumata Rau 3 Noon Funny Whare – Gamesnight PGR 3 12:30 What’s Up With The Tumoanas? PGR 3 1pm Nga Pari Karangaranga O Te Motu 3 1:30 Opaki 3 2pm Toku Reo 3 2 3pm Polyfest Kapa Haka 3 3:30 Playlist 4pm Polyfest Kapa Haka 2019 3 4:30 Patapatai 5pm Paia 5:10 My Mokai 5:40 He Rourou 3 5:50 E Kori 3 5:55 E Ki E Ki 6pm Haati Paati 3 6:10 Huhu – Te Tunga Rakau 6:20 Huritua 6:30 Te Ao – Maori News

7pm Tangaroa With Pio 7pm The Crowd Goes Wild 7:30 Easy Eats 3 7:30 SpeedWorks Motorsport 8pm Funny Whare – 9:30 Madam Secretary PGR Gamesnight PGR 3 Elizabeth faces mounting 8:30 Haka Global protests over rising fuel 9pm Sidewalk Karaoke PGR 3 costs; Mike B is questioned 9:30 The Laughing Samoans about whether the McCord campaign conspired with Iran 10pm Only In Aotearoa AO 3 10:30 Nanakia PGR 3 to steal the election. 0 10:30 Thursday Night Kick-off 11pm The Late Show With Stephen Colbert PGR The best of Stephen Colbert’s satire and comedy, discussing politics, entertainment, business, and more.

Midnight Closedown

MOVIES PREMIERE

MOVIES GREATS

6:15 Level 16 16VC 2018 Sci-fi. Katie Douglas, Celina Martin. 7:55 The Merger ML 2018 Comedy.

Damian Callinan, John Howard.

9:35 Apartment 212 16VLC 2017 Horror.

Penelope Mitchell, Sally Kirkland. 11:15 Johnny English Strikes Again PGVL 2018 Comedy.

Rowan Atkinson, Ben Miller.

12:45 Maine 16LS 2018 Drama. Laia Costa, Thomas Mann. 2:10 Level 16 16VC 2018 Sci-fi. Katie Douglas, Celina Martin. 3:50 The Merger ML 2018 Comedy.

Damian Callinan, John Howard.

5:35 Terminal 16VLS 2018 Drama. 7:10 Sharon 1.2.3 MSC 2018 Comedy. A gawky man is living the dream – being in a relationship with two beautiful woman named Sharon. Things get considerably harder when he falls for a new Sharon.

Matt Bush, Gina Rodriguez.

8:30 John Wick – Chapter 3: Parabellum 16VL 2019 Action.

After killing a member of the international assassin’s guild, John Wick finds himself with an army of bounty hunters on his tail. Keanu Reeves, Halle Berry.

10:45 The Body 18VLSC 2018 Horror. Tom Bateman, Rebecca Rittenhouse.

Friday 12:10 Adrift ML 2018 Drama. 1:45 The Amaranth MVLC 2018 Thriller.

3:15 Terminal 16VLS 2018 Drama. 4:50 Sharon 1.2.3 MSC 2018 Comedy.

7:20 This Is The End 16VLS 2013 Comedy. James Franco, Jonah Hill. 9:05 Lords Of Dogtown MS 2005 Action.

Heath Ledger, Emile Hirsch, Rebecca De Mornay.

10:55 Training Day 18VL 2001 Action Thriller.

Denzel Washington, Ethan Hawke.

12:55 We’re The Millers 16VLS 2013 Comedy. Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston.

2:45 White House Down MVL 2013 Action. Channing Tatum, Jamie Foxx. 4:55 Riding Giants ML 2004 Documentary.

Jeff Clark, Darrick Doerner.

6:35 The Heat MVLS 2012 Crime Comedy.

Sandra Bullock, Melissa McCarthy.

8:30 Wild Hogs MV 2007 Action. A group of middleaged would-be bikers get more than they bargained for when they go on a motorcycling trip. Tim Allen, John Travolta, Martin Lawrence.

10:15 City By The Sea 16VL 2002 Drama. Robert De Niro, Frances MacDormand, Eliza Dushku.

Friday 12:05 White House Down MVL 2013 Action.

Channing Tatum, Jamie Foxx.

2:15 Riding Giants ML 2004 Documentary. Jeff Clark, Darrick Doerner. 3:55 The Heat MVLS 2012 Crime Comedy. Sandra Bullock, Melissa McCarthy. 5:50 Wild Hogs MV 2007 Action.

Tim Allen, John Travolta, Martin Lawrence.

11pm Te Ao – Maori News 3 The latest news, with an inclusive approach to Maori news by connecting directly with communities.

11:30 Closedown

SKY SPORT 1 6am Gallagher Premiership Highlights Show Round 12. 7am French Top 14 – Bordeaux v Castres 9am French Top 14 – Toulon v Paris 11am The Breakdown Noon Super Rugby – Highlanders v Rebels 12:30 Super Rugby – Waratahs v Lions 1pm Super Rugby – Hurricanes v Sunwolves 1:30 Super Rugby – Reds v Sharks 2pm Super Rugby – Stormers v Blues 2:30 Super Rugby – Bulls v Jaguares 3pm Sevens – World Series Los Angeles – Day One. 4:30 Sevens – World Series Los Angeles – Day Two. 6pm The Breakdown 7pm Super Rugby – Highlanders v Rebels 7:30 Super Rugby – Hurricanes v Sunwolves 8pm Super Rugby – Stormers v Blues 8:30 Thursday Night Kick Off 9pm Super Rugby – Highlanders v Rebels 9:30 Super Rugby – Hurricanes v Sunwolves 10pm Super Rugby – Stormers v Blues 10:30 Thursday Kick Off 11pm Sevens – World Series Los Angeles – Day One. Friday 12:30 Sevens – World Series 2am Pro14 Weekly Highlights Show 3am Gallagher Premiership Highlights Show 4am French Top 14 Highlights 4:30 Sevens – World Series

0 Closed captions; 3 Repeat; 2 Maori Language; HLS Highlights; RPL Replay; DLY Delayed. CLASSIFICATIONS: 16/18 Approved for persons 16/18 years or over; AO Adults only; C Content may offend; L Language may offend; M Suitable for mature audiences; PG/PGR Parental guidance recommended for young viewers; S Sexual content may offend; V Contains violence. Local Radio: NewsTalk ZB 873AM/98.1FM FM Classic Hits ZEFM 92.5; Port FM Local 94.9, 98.9 and 106.1

Ashburton Guardian 23

6am Big Ben – Saving The World’s Most Famous Clock 3 7:30 Nigellissima 3 8am The Kitten Rescuers 3 9am Bondi Harvest With Guy Turland 3 9:30 Buying And Selling With The Property Brothers 3 10:30 Mysteries At The Museum 3 11:30 Gem Hunt 3 12:30 Where The Wild Men Are With Ben Fogle 3 1:30 Running Wild With Bear Grylls 3 2:30 Alone – The Arctic PGR 3 3:30 Animal Empires 3 The survival of the most successful species may depend on infesting a place where they are not welcome.

4:30 The Hairy Bikers’ Comfort Food 3 5:30 Mysteries At The Museum 3 6:30 Hunters And Collectors 3 7:30 Yukon Gold PGR Nika and Chris face machine breakdowns and water problems, but a new crew member may turn their fortunes around.

8:30 The Day The Rock Star Died PGR 3 9:30 Ozzy And Jack’s World Detour PGR 3 10:30 Hunters And Collectors 3 11:30 Mysteries At The Museum 3 12:30 The Hairy Bikers’ Comfort Food 3 1:30 Freedom Riders 3 2am Cash Cowboys 3 3am The Day The Rock Star Died PGR 4am Ozzy And Jack’s World Detour PGR 3 5am Mysteries At The Museum

SKY SPORT 2

DISCOVERY

6:35 Fast N’ Loud PG Aaron’s Falcon Racecar. 7:30 World’s Deadliest Weather Caught On Camera PG 8:20 Alaska – The Last Frontier PG Kilcher Kraftsmanship.

9:10 Homestead Rescue PG Quake on the Forty.

10am How It’s Made PG 10:25 How Do They Do It? PG 10:50 Aussie Gold Hunters PG 11:40 Swamp Murders M Stranger in the Night. 12:30 Killer Instinct With Chris Hansen M Shots in the Heartland. 1:20 The Coroner – I Speak For The Dead M Hand in Glove.

2:10 Top Gear 3pm Bering Sea Gold PG Wild Wild West.

3:50 Deadliest Catch PG Clash of Kings. 4:45 Fast N’ Loud PG Mustang Mania.

5:40 Aussie Gold Hunters PG 6:35 Gold Rush PG Frozen Treasure. 7:30 Gold Rush PG 8:30 Outback Opal Hunters PG 9:25 Undercover Billionaire PG No Pain No Gain.

10:15 Homestead Rescue PG Quake on the Forty.

11:05 Naked And Afraid PG Friday Trouble in Paradise.

Midnight Women’s T20 World Cup (HLS) West Indies v 11:55 How It’s Made PG Friday 12:20 How Do South Africa.

They Do It? PG 12:45 World’s 12:30 Pakistan Super League (HLS) Quetta v Lahore. Deadliest Weather Caught 1am South Africa v Australia On Camera PG 1:35 Deadliest Catch PG (HLS) Second ODI. 2:25 Bering Sea Gold PG 2am Women’s T20 World 3:15 Bering Sea Gold PG Cup (HLS) West Indies v South 4:05 What On Earth? PG Africa.

4:55 Naked And Afraid PG 2:30 L Pakistan Super League Peshawar v Quetta.

5:45 Deadliest Catch PG

8:30 South Africa v Australia (HLS) First ODI. 9:30 Pakistan Super League (HLS) Quetta v Lahore.

1pm Blackcaps v England 2013 (HLS) Third Test, Day Five.

1:30 Pakistan Super League (HLS) Quetta v Lahor.

2pm South Africa v Australia (HLS) First ODI. From Boland Park, Paarl.

3pm South Africa v Australia (HLS) Second ODI. From Muangaung Oval in Bloemfontein.

4pm Women’s T20 World Cup (HLS) Pakistan v Thailand.

From the Sydney Showgrounds.

4:30 L Women’s T20 World Cup First Semi-final.

From the Sydney Showgrounds.

8pm Women’s T20 World Cup (HLS) White Ferns v Australia.

From Junction Oval, Melbourne.

8:30 L Women’s T20 World Cup Second Semi-final.

From the Sydney Showgrounds.

5Mar20

metservice.com | Compiled by

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Sport

24 Ashburton Guardian

Parker back in contention

Purdon gets a Mile drive

P16

P19

MOVING ON UP

By Matt Markham

matt.m@theguardian.co.nz

Arguably the fastest growing sport in Mid Canterbury, pickleball is set to get even bigger this year when an internationally flavoured tournament rolls into town.

The paddleball sport, which combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis into one, was introduced to Mid Canterbury last year and after strong initial interest through some public open days at the EA Networks Centre, there has been continual growth, with around 50 people playing on one of three nights each week.

And that growth has seen those behind Pickleball Ashburton put their thinking caps on and create a regional tournament, which will see players from all over New Zealand and even representation from America arrive here in July for a weekend of play.

It is the first tournament of its kind in the South Island and tournament organiser and Pickleball Ashburton organiser, Ruben Garcia, said things are moving fast.

“We already have upward of 50 entries on the books and we’re still a long way away from the actual tournament, so it’s fantastic,” he said.

Garcia said it was a case of

heading into the unknown almost 12 months ago when they decided to introduce the sport, but now looking back he’s amazed at the involvement from people of all variances in the district.

“One of the best things about the sport is that it’s really open to anyone, of all shapes and sizes and all ages.

“We’re seeing a lot of people who play other racquet sports coming along and taking part and after initially only holding one night a week, we’re now playing on Sunday, Tuesday and Friday each week.”

Strong in the North Island, but a relative unknown on the Main-

A Pickleball tournament with an international flavour will come to Ashburton later this year.

PHOTO ASHBURTON GUARDIAN land, the group behind the sport decided that a tournament which could draw people to the Ashburton District and showcase the sport as a serious option to the public was part of the reasoning behind the decision to hold the Mid Canterbury Winter Classic.

“With an unusual name, a lot of people probably don’t take the sport seriously and by showcasing the ability through this tournament we hope that we can see more people understand that it’s a worldwide sport with a lot of credibility.”

Massive boost for Black Caps pace attack

The Winter Classic is set down for the weekend of July 10 through to July 12 and entries are still open.

Garcia said it wasn’t too late for someone to pick up the sport and take their place in the tournament either, with any of the three club nights a good opportunity to get a grasp of the sport.

Anyone looking for more information on the game or the tournament is encouraged to check out the Pickleball Ashburton Facebook Page or visit www.midcanwinterclassic.nz

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