Ashburton Guardian, Thursday, March 12, 2020

Thursday, Mar 12, 2020

Since Sept 27, 1879

Judging starts early P2

Grant’s run comes to end P24

Retail $2.20 Home delivered from $1.40

THE INDEPENDENT VOICE OF MID CANTERBURY

M. bovis compo climbs to $32m

By Heather Chalmers

heather.c@theguardian.co.nz

New figures confirm the Ashburton District has borne the brunt of the mycoplasma bovis outbreak, with 15 per cent of the cattle culled to limit the spread of the disease coming from the district and almost $32 million paid in compensation.

The Minister of Agriculture and Biosecurity Damien O’Connor said that 34 farms in the Ashburton District had been infected with M. bovis, of which four were still active and yet to complete the destocking and disinfecting

process. This compared with 238 confirmed farms nationally, as at March 6, of which 31 remained active.

Almost 22,000 head of cattle had been culled in the Ashburton District at the end of February as a result of the M. bovis eradication programme, with the Ministry of Primary Industries paying $31.9m in compensation claims in the district.

The figures were released in response to questions made by the MP for Rangitata Andrew Falloon, who said it had been hugely stressful for the district’s rural community.

“In some cases, I’ve dealt with farmers that have been pushed to the brink of insolvency. The Rural Support Trust have done a phenomenal job in supporting farmers who’ve gone through a tough time.

“It’s positive that infected farm numbers are tracking down and that compensation timeframes have reduced with it.

CONTINUED

P2

Local news for local people Mid Canterbury’s only locally-owned daily newspaper

Gluyas Nissan 79 Kermode Street | (03) 307 5800

‘Finance offer available to approved applicants of Nissan Financial Services only and excludes all lease and some fleet purchasers. Available on new Nissan vehicles only. Maximum term 36 months. No deposit required. $375 establishment fee, $8.05 PPSR fee, and $10 monthly account keeping fee apply. Terms and conditions apply.

Valid from 1 January 2020 to 31 March 2020.

Units must be registered by 31st March 2020. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Nissan reserves the right to vary, withdraw or extend this offer.

Ph 03 307 7900 to subscribe!

Kendall Sandrey Sales Consultant Mob 027 486 0016 Scott Donaldson Sales Manager Mob 027 225 5530

www.gluyasnissan.nz

Thank you See

News 2

Ashburton Guardian

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Thursday, March 12, 2020

■■ FLYING FOX

■■RURAL

Flying fox removal raises ire

M. bovis compo climbs to $32m

By Sue Newman

sue.n@theguardian.co.nz

The flying fox in the Ashburton Domain may have been removed because of safety concerns, but its sudden disappearance has angered users who were eagerly waiting for it to reopen.

The adventure activity was closed in September for repairs that involved fixing a childproof gate at the bottom of a new stairway. Work was also carried out on the trolley mechanism. However shortly after it reopened, vandals caused significant damage to the facility and it was again closed.

Its removal however, has come without warning and that’s dashed the hopes of users who were counting on a repair job seeing it eventually back in action.

The decision to remove the equipment was made out of concern for public safety, council service delivery manager Neil McCann said.

“After additional inspections, it was observed that the structure had become quite wobbly and posed significant risk to the general public. For this reason, we acted quickly to remove the flying fox and eliminate any potential danger,” he said.

The council had been exploring options for replacement equipment that used a different type of construction, the very old timber structure posed too much of a risk to allow it to re-

Closed for repairs and then closed for good, the flying fox in the Ashburton Domain.

020919-JPM-0003

main while other options were explored, McCann said.

Response from the community to the flying fox’s removal has been huge with almost 200 comments made on the Guardian’s Facebook page. Many comments indicate the flying fox had been

a well used facility for decades and others saying it was a part of their childhood they enjoyed sharing with their own children.

In the Ashburton Domain Development plan currently out for consultation, the flying fox is shown as being removed and

a replacement installed in a new location, yet to be determined.

That plan is now out for public consultation and feedback can be sent to the council until April 5. Details are available on the council’s website www.ashburtondc.govt.nz

Peace symposium dropped due to coronavirus NZME A peace symposium event scheduled for tomorrow night in Christchurch on the eve of the mosque shootings anniversary has been dropped due to coronavirus.

The embassy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Wellington had teamed up with the World Muslim Communities Council to host a symposium on

“Human Fraternity for Peace and Coexistence in Christchurch and Beyond” in the city tomorrow.

However, speakers, panellists, moderators and invitees have now been told that the event has been postponed until further notice due to the UAE Government’s stance on Covid-19 to “preserve safety for all”.

The UAE has restricted travel for UAE citizens abroad for work reasons “except in cases of ex-

treme necessity, with the necessary approval being taken”.

Organisers apologised for any inconvenience caused.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern requested confirmation from health officials that it was okay to continue with the March 15 national remembrance service in Christchurch on Sunday – and has been given the green light.

Thousands are expected to turn out for the memorial event

which will now be held at Horncastle Arena in the city “due to wet weather forecast”.

Organisers say they are following Ministry of Health guidance around coronavirus and public events, telling people if they are feeling unwell to stay at home.

The programme for Sunday’s service, which starts at 3pm, has been put together with input from those most affected by the attacks.

From P1 “Early on, I asked the Government to make interim payments to affected farmers which to Damien O’Connor’s credit he agreed to do. More recently as part of a cross-party group to deal with M. bovis, I got an assurance from the ministry that they’d put some additional resource into clearing the substantial backlog of historic compensation claims.

The oldest outstanding claim in Ashburton is weeks old rather than months old, so that represents some progress.

“I remain hopeful eradication will be successful,” Falloon said.

O’Connor said that 17 compensation claims remained unresolved in the Ashburton District, with the oldest claim in progress from the district 43 working days old. “This is near completion and going through final approval.”

Nationally, 148 claims were in progress.

The oldest claim was from the Waimate district and was a residual payment for milk production losses. Most of the claim was paid in stages over 2018/19 and a small amount remained as a wash-up payment. This claim was received on June 8, 2018, and the first payment was June 28, 2018.

Nationally, 143,641 cattle have been killed under the eradication programme, with $135.4m paid in compensation, as at March 6.

New Zealand was the first country in the world to attempt to eradicate M. bovis, a bacterial disease that can cause animal welfare and productivity issues, particularly in dairy cattle, including mastitis that doesn’t respond to treatment, severe lameness and late-term abortions.

The disease is harmless to humans who cannot contract it by consuming meat or milk.

OUT TOMORROW Check out Guardian Motoring in tomorrow’s Ashburton Guardian for all the latest motoring news and reviews. www.facebook.com/ashguardian

www.guardianonline.co.nz

News www.guardianonline.co.nz

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Ashburton Guardian

3

In brief Zonta breakfast Zonta Ashburton are holding their 24th Women’s Day breakfast on Saturday. Convener of the breakfast Ann Wise said the committee were delighted when past Gloriavale member Lilia Tarawa agreed to be the guest speaker. Tarawa will speak about her past experiences of life in the religious sect as well as how she has been dealing with the outside world since she left. The choice of speaker was confirmed as the right one when the tickets sold out in record time, with very little advertising around the breakfast required. Wise said the group always try and get guest speakers that fit in with Zonta’s philosophy of empowering women through service and advocacy. The morning will begin with breakfast, then Tarawa will speak and the morning will finish up with a cuppa and a chat.

Vacant i-SITE building

Wool and fleece judges Doug McKay (right) and Rob Cochrane judged all the fleeces entered in Saturday’s show yesterday.

PHOTO HEATHER MACKENZIE 110320-HN-0005

Wool judges make early start

By Heather Mackenzie

Photographers@theguardian.co.nz

Preparations for Saturday’s 95th Mayfield A&P show are well under way and yesterday’s light drizzle didn’t deter volunteers from heading down to the Mayfield Domain to start the long task of setting up the show grounds.

The sideshow vans had arrived and Methven Lions Ronnie Smith, with help from Peter Guard, delivered a load of portaloos. Across the show ring the horse jumps were being set up.

The grounds were looking a picture thanks to the tireless efforts of John Flemming mowing the entire domain area every week all year round and Barry Austin and the domain committee removing a row of huge old pine trees along

the rugby field boundary.

The committee have made few minor changes to this year’s layout. The tractor pull has now been moved closer to the Village Green area, which houses the food stalls and the bar and means the local trade displays will benefit from more foot traffic in that area as well.

The Mayfield show does not have a yearly theme, but if president Rebecca Taylor had to choose one, it would be community and communication. To her the social side of the day is just as important as who wins the best floral arrangement or who tops the pool in the gift lamb stakes.

To her the day is about getting the rural community off their farms, or out from behind the

shop counter, to socialise, have a good yarn and enjoy a family day out.

“We have worked hard to have as many free, or reasonably-priced, family activities on offer as possible, as we want this to be an affordable day out for everybody.”

For a cash donation Quigley Contracting will be offering tractor rides for kids with all money raised going to support Ronald McDonald House.

The scouts will also be doing their bit to keep young show-goers entertained, with rides on a Noddy train.

The train is on loan from Roncalli College, in Timaru, and will make for more than a few parental photo opportunities as their

children are towed around the show in its bright blue carriages.

As Taylor speaks about the show and all the people who make it happen it is clear that she cares about the event a great deal and is extremely grateful to all the time donated to make the show a success – the local community just get stuck in and make it happen, she said.

Taylor said they had lost three big parts of the show community this year, and to honour their memories events are being held in their name, the Phillip Ludemann man cake competition, the Paul Ross dog trials and, in the wool classing section of the programme, there is a dedication to committee member Don McCullough.

Repair work on art and heritage centre starts

By Sue Newman

sue.n@theguardian.co.nz

With $2 million built into the budget for next year, for repair work on the Ashburton Art Gallery and Heritage Centre, the Ashburton District Council will be turning its attention to the issues that need to be addressed to solve the building’s leaks and its failing air conditioning units.

Over the coming weeks and months, the council’s focus will be on internal and external works as it begins a programme to address issues identified through an independent assessment, chief executive Hamish Riach said.

The council discovered intermittent water leak issues in the building during extreme weather conditions after it became

fully occupied. It also found the air conditioning system was not working to expectations.

The first work to be undertaken will be painting and sealing the southern exterior wall of the building as this was identified as in most need of treatment, with other walls being painted and sealed where necessary, Riach said.

The three upstairs bay windows, facing State Highway 1, will also be weatherproofed and ventilated if required. Other works include inspecting and repairing the roof membrane, installing new heating and ventilation equipment, including the installation of buffer tanks.

Riach said the council was pleased to be starting the work,

which has been budgeted in the 2019-2020 annual plan.

“Our first priority is completing the painting and roof membrane work before winter, then moving onto the work needed inside the building. It’s important that we get this required work under way sooner rather than later, as we know the Art Gallery & Heritage Centre is an important facility to our community.”

The work is not expected to affect the centre’s opening hours, but the council has taken additional steps to ensure the protection of the Art Gallery and Museum assets while work has been waiting to begin, he said.

Those steps will include regular monitoring of temperatures and moisture levels and the installa-

tion of a temporary dehumidifier system where needed to maintain appropriate levels of climate control.

Issues with the West Street building began before it even opened, with leaks found in ceiling panels and issues with its air conditioning units.

The air conditioning units were replaced shortly before it opened its doors in February 2015 and when the official opening ceremony was held, art works had not been hung in the gallery because of ongoing temperature and humidity control issues.

The building was then open for business at the ground floor heritage centre only, the art gallery did not open until May that year.

The future of Ashburton’s vacant i-SITE building is now in the hands of Ashburton’s district councillors.

Tenders for the sale and removal of the building have closed, with five expressions of interest submitted.

Some of those require further clarification and now this has been provided, council staff will evaluate each and prepare a report for district councillors to discuss at the April 9 Ashburton District Council meeting.

Struck in driveway Auckland residents of a quiet coastal North Shore street were in mourning yesterday after a 79-year-old man was struck by a reversing car in a driveway and died. Emergency services were called to the tragedy in Brown’s Bay late Tuesday afternoon. Police yesterday identified the man as 79-year-old David Piahana-Wong.

He died at the scene.

– NZME

Timaru robbery Police are looking for a man who wore a bright orange high-vis jacket, yellow diving goggles and a purple cap during a robbery at a Timaru petrol station. Detective Senior Sergeant Richard Quested said police are appealing for information following a robbery at NPD petrol station on Evans Street at 5.20am yesterday. The man demanded money before leaving on foot with a sum of cash, he said.

Anyone with information that may assist this investigation is urged to call 105 or ask for Detective Scott Genet at the Timaru Police Station.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

– NZME

Wellington bomb threat Police will be hunting for the person who made a bomb threat about Wellington District Court after nothing was found at the scene. The court on Ballance Street was evacuated yesterday afternoon after the threat was made. Senior Sergeant Dean Gorrie said a specialist search turned up no evidence of a bomb, and police would be following up to find the person who made the threat. Police allowed people back into the court about 40 minutes after the evacuation.

– NZME

News 4

Ashburton Guardian

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Thursday, March 12, 2020

■■ THREE WATERS REVIEW

Councils combine on three waters Five Central South Island district councils, including the Ashburton District Council, have applied for funding to investigate changes to water services as part of a major Government review.

The Central South Water Collaboration (CSW), which comprises of staff from Ashburton, Mackenzie, Timaru, Waimate and Waitaki district councils, is investigating whether a collaborative approach to three waters services delivery could benefit their councils and communities; leading to improved public health and environmental outcomes.

Three waters encompasses drinking water collection treatment and delivery; sewage transport, treatment and disposal; and stormwater management.

The Government set up a Three Waters Review team in parallel with the inquiry into the drinking water contamination incident in Havelock North.

It has been considering solu-

tions to the wider affordability and capability challenges facing local councils, and has mooted that there is likely to be significant change to how these services are provided.

CSW has applied for $120,000 from a Government fund set aside to help investigate regional, multi-regional or sub-regional service delivery models.

The five councils will split the other $120,000 cost of the work on a population basis.

Ashburton District Council group manager service delivery Neil McCann said the first workshop with the five councils was held in November 2019 where the water collaboration initiatives started.

“The Government has made it clear that the delivery of three waters across the country will change, and we think it’s important to collectively take the opportunity to investigate and propose options using our local

knowledge and experience, rather than have a less tailored solution imposed on us,” he said.

“This project will build on work already begun by CSW to understand key principles and objectives for collaborative water services, identify options for collaborative service delivery, and understand costs and wider impacts to ensure services across the sub-region are delivered to a high quality and in an affordable manner.”

Ashley Harper, senior programme delivery manager who is co-ordinating the project for Timaru District Council, said that the collaboration of the five councils allows for solutions at a significantly better scale, but that are still responsive to local requirements.

“There has been a clear indication from Government that the provision of three waters services will change, so the collaboration has been formed to investigate

what kind of model would best serve our area’s specific needs, and do so in an affordable manner for ratepayers.

“Collectively we think it’s important that we take the opportunity to investigate and propose a system using our local knowledge and experience, rather than have a less tailored solution imposed on us.

“Combined, the five councils serve around 115,000 people, this sub-group of five districts in the Canterbury region are geographically co-located covering an area comparable to or larger than many regional councils in the country. The districts are like-minded and share similar sector and population profiles, as well as common issues and opportunities regarding three waters.

“This project will build on work already begun by CSW to understand key principles and objectives for collaborative water

services, identify options for collaborative service delivery, and understand costs and wider impacts.”

Councils in the South Canterbury area have a long history of collaboration on major cross boundary infrastructure, most recently the Aoraki Roading Collaboration has helped standardise and bring benefits of scale to roading service procurement and a new Total Waste Management contract collaboration will be going out to market shortly.

“At this stage we’re not speculating on the final shape of any future service, but we’ll be aiming for a model that provides the scale needed to ensure services across the area are delivered in a high quality and affordable manner as per Government expectations,” Harper said.

Details of which projects will be granted Department of Internal Affairs funding are predicted to be announced in April.

Traffic lights smashed in CBD crash A set of traffic lights were the most serious victims from a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of East Street and Havelock Street on Tuesday evening.

Emergency services were called to the scene just before 6pm.

St John spokesman Gerard Campbell said one patient was treated at the scene for minor injuries. Ashburton Volunteer Fire Brigade Chief Fire Officer Alan Burgess said it was just a clean-up job for firefighters.

They were also called to a medical assist in Tinwald at around 7.10pm that night and after midnight were called to a false alarm at the Ashburton Hospital.

PHOTO SUSAN SANDYS 100320-SS-0209

OUT TOMORROW Check out Guardian Property in tomorrow’s Ashburton Guardian. www.facebook.com/ashguardian

www.guardianonline.co.nz

News www.guardianonline.co.nz

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Ashburton Guardian

5

■■ FIRE AND EMERGENCY

Research burns hailed a success

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

Researchers are thrilled with the outcome of research burns that took place in heavy gorse in the Rakaia Gorge over the past two weeks.

The burns were run by Scion in conjunction with Fire and Emergency New Zealand, the Department of Conservation and international researchers to provide data that can be used to develop fire behaviour models and prediction tools for rural fire managers.

Scion senior fire scientist Grant Pearce said they were absolutely thrilled with the outcome.

“We got all six burn plots done in reasonable time in pretty favourable conditions,” he said.

Researchers started with an area of around 80 hectares of gorse from which they formed fire breaks and back burned to prepare the six research plots that were four hectares in size.

“They took four minutes to burn through which was quite rapid and there were flames eight to 10 metres high and at times bigger than that,” he said.

The flames burnt to around 1200 degrees, which meant that some of the researcher’s equipment was destroyed.

“We expected to maybe lose some equipment as we knew that we would be testing them to the limit,” he said.

The data collected includes video foot-

age from drones and camera set-ups, thermal imaging cameras and other sensors on the ground.

“We will be going through the data over the next weeks and months, there is a huge amount of data,” he said.

“This has been a multi-year project starting with crop stubble fires in 2018 and 2019 and in 12 months I’m hoping we can do one in wildling pines to see how it scales up.”

Around 30 researchers were on the ground each day alongside 45 to 50 Fire and Emergency New Zealand staff and volunteers who not only helped to ensure the fires were fully extinguished following the burns, but also helped to light some of the fires.

“There was a lot of learnings for the volunteer fire guys as it’s not often they get to sit there and watch a wildifre burn, they are normally too busy jumping out of the truck and focused on putting it out,” he said.

Fenz Mid South Canterbury deputy principal rural fire officer Don Geddes said the experience had been very beneficial for local volunteer crews.

“It was a great refresher for a lot of the units that don’t get a lot of call-outs,” he said.

“It was also an opportunity instead of rushing in for them to sit back and actually watch the fire behaviour which can be quite interesting.”

Members of the Mayfield Rural Fire Unit help out at the research burns in the Rakaia Gorge.

PHOTO MAYFIELD RURAL FIRE UNIT

Want to downsize without compromise?

Modern one and two bedroom apartments available at Parkstone Retirement Village in Ilam.

Brand new 2 bedroom apartments available

Visit our open homes Thursday 12 March, 1-3pm & Sunday 15 March, 1-2pm • New apartments: 1 bedroom from $357,000 & 2 bedroom from $422,000 • Designer kitchens with stone benchtops • Open plan living • Garaged parking available • Heated pool, gym, theatre, library • Co-located care home Call Lorenzo on (03) 974 8349 or 021 820 280

|

2 Athol Terrace, Ilam, Christchurch

|

www.bupa.co.nz/parkstone

News 6

Ashburton Guardian

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Thursday, March 12, 2020

‘Please stay home if you are unwell’ NZME There were no new confirmed or suspected cases of coronavirus in New Zealand yesterday, Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield said.

It’s the fourth day in a row that no new cases have been announced.

All five confirmed cases are now being cared for at home. That includes the first patient diagnosed, who was discharged from Auckland City Hospital on Tuesday.

All close contacts of the confirmed cases had been contacted by public health staff, Bloomfield said.

“It’s very unusual for us to get every single casual contact – you can imagine if it was a mass gathering like a concert,” he said.

“However, what the evidence suggests is that to be successful in containment you need to get at least 80 per cent of those casual contacts, and we have been able to do that in all of the cases, both confirmed and probable.”

A “close contact” is defined as being within one metre of a person for more than 15 minutes.

One of two probable cases – a woman in her 70s who had been on the Grand Princess cruise ship – who had been treated at North Shore Hospital was also now home.

“Of the other confirmed cases, none is requiring hospital care at this point.”

Bloomfield stressed that it was up to every New Zealander to prevent an outbreak.

Everyone – including himself – was guilty at times of going to work with a runny nose and a sore throat, or sending their slightly sick kid to school. Now was the time to be much stricter, he said.

“Please stay home if you are unwell.”

This was particularly important with large public events such as Auckland’s Pasifika festival and the memorial service for the Christchurch terror attacks this weekend.

Healthline had fielded 2930 calls on Tuesday – double the number it had taken on the same day last year.

There were now 9039 people or households that had registered for self-isolation since the process began – 2145 of them remain in self-isolation.

Bloomfield thanked everyone who had taken the step to self-isolate, saying it was one of the most important tools for addressing Covid-19.

He said there had now been 331 negative tests for coronavirus – 28 tests were being done yesterday around the country.

A possible case of coronavirus in Northland has been tested and come back negative. A Northland person who was at the Tool concert and was unwell and in isolation has also been tested – those results were expected yesterday.

All tests were being carried out in New Zealand now using the same testing process as is used around the world, Bloomfield said. He was confident that the tests coming back as negative here were correct.

Bloomfield said the ban on travel from China and Iran was being looked at daily and reviewed by Cabinet ministers each week.

Travellers from northern Italy and South Korea are required to self-isolate for 14 days.

This week the ministry has been looking at specific places that could encourage the spread of Covid-19.

One of those is aged residential care.

Bloomfield has asked for a message to go out to all aged-care facilities asking sick people not to visit until they have been well for at least 48 hours.

New Zealand will be dealing with Covid-19 for at least a few months, he said.

Slowing its spread in order to

“flatten the curve” was crucial to limit its impact on New Zealand’s health system.

Normally New Zealand’s pandemic plan would suggest actions like closing schools and cancelling mass gatherings only if the pandemic had progressed further – to the manage it phase, Bloomfield said.

But because of the nature of Covid-19, it was important to have those tools ready to be deployed now, if necessary, in order to slow the virus’ spread.

Bloomfield said protecting the health of New Zealanders is their number one priority.

“It’s good the key public health measures of strict border controls, self-isolation for people who have come from overseas hot-spots or been in contact with local cases have had the desired impact so far.

“Now is the time to be even more vigilant,” Bloomfield said.

“Everyone can help by ensuring good health etiquette – washing hands for 20 seconds, sneezing into your arm and not touching your face,” Bloomfield said.

“Fundamental to this is not putting yourself or others at risk if you are unwell – not going to work or being out in public if you are sick.

“All of us have a role to play in stopping further spread.”

Proudly Sponsored by

03 307 2010 ADMIN@ATEVENTCENTRE.CO.NZ 211A WILLS ST, ASHBURTON, 7700 www.ateventcentre.co.nz

News Thursday, March 12, 2020

Ashburton Guardian

MID CANTERBURY SPORTS AWARDS Nominations ARE now open!

• To be held Friday, May 8, 2020 at the Hotel Ashburton, 5.30pm.

• Nominations close Thursday, April 9, 2020.

2020

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Nomination forms are available from • Sport Canterbury office at the EA networks centre (front desk) Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm or phone 027 221 8023.

Sports Awards categories: • Outstanding Senior Sportsperson

• Outstanding All Round Sports Person

• Outstanding Junior Sportsperson

• Outstanding Coach

• Outstanding Senior Sports Team

• Outstanding Official, Referee, Umpire (Junior I

• Outstanding Junior Sports Team

Senior)

• Outstanding Masters Sportsperson

• Outstanding Volunteer of Sport

• Outstanding Sportsperson with a Disability

• Robilliard Trophy – Services to Sport (Selected by a panel)

Proudly brought to you by

Ashburton App

THE

7

World 8

Ashburton Guardian

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Thursday, March 12, 2020

■■CHINA

Man rescued after 69 hours AP A man was pulled out alive after being trapped for 69 hours under the rubble of a collapsed virus quarantine hotel in south-eastern China in which at least 20 other people died.

The official Xinhua News Agency said the man was sent to hospital immediately after being rescued late on Tuesday afternoon.

Another nine people are missing from the collapse on Saturday.

A 10-year-old boy and his mother had been rescued around midnight Monday after being trapped for 52 hours.

The condition of all three survivors remains unknown.

The hotel in the city of Quanzhou had been a quarantine site for people exposed to the new coronavirus, which has infected more than 80,000 people in China though about three-fourths of them have recovered.

The virus causes mild symptoms such as fever and cough for most people but can cause serious illness such as pneumonia for others, especially

Coachella postponed It’s official – one of the most popular music festivals in the world, Coachella, has been postponed until October. The promoter for the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival announced that the annual concert, held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, will now be held over the weekends of October 9 and 16. Coachella was originally scheduled to begin on April 10. “At the direction of the County of Riverside and local health authorities, we must sadly confirm the rescheduling of Coachella and Stagecoach due to Covid-19 concerns,” the statement reads. The company said all passes for original dates will be honoured for the rescheduled shows.

Rescuers search for victims at the site of a hotel collapse in Quanzhou, southeast China’s Fujian Province, Sunday, March 8, 2020.

PHOTO AP older adults and people with existing health problems.

Most parts of China are quarantining people for 14 days if they are from high-risk

areas or even travelled abroad or simply outside their home regions.

Rescuers at the scene of the collapse had protective gear

and disinfectant to minimise exposure to the virus.

The building had reportedly been modified illegally before the collapse.

■■UNITED KINGDOM

Confidential war records found in hoarder’s home

By Mark Bridge NZME

Confidential military reports from World War Two have been found in the clutter of a self-confessed hoarder 75 years after they were given to a secretary working for Allied high command.

The typescript reports, amounting to over 200 pages illustrated with coloured maps, were prepared by officers at the joint US-British Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF) in 1944 and 1945 and describe events such as Operation Neptune, the codename for the D-Day invasion of Normandy.

It appears that they were given by US Air Force personnel at SHAEF to a secretary called Ella. Her fate is unknown and they were later acquired by their owner Mike Firth, a 73-year-old RAF veteran and collector.

He said: “l like military history and many years ago a wom-

an showed me the documents.

I couldn’t resist and acquired them off her. I’ve had them for quite some time, just lying around the house.”

He didn’t realise the significance of the documents until he showed them, and other papers, to local antiques dealer Mark Hebblewhite. “As soon as Mike showed me the collection I realised I was holding history in my hands. It felt a bit like my ‘Del Boy’ moment. To actually see original documents relating to Operation Neptune and other central events in World War Two is incredible. They easily could have been lost forever.”

The first report, a despatch from Air Chief Marshal Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory, Air Commander-in-Chief, Allied Expeditionary Force, to the Supreme Allied Commander, Dwight D Eisenhower, describes operations from November 1943 to September 1944 and was sent as Leigh-Mallory prepared to

leave Europe to take a command in Burma.

He warned: “The stiffening of German resistance in the air during September [1944] was accomplished at high cost.

There is reliable evidence that the G.A.F. [German air force] had to scrape up from its training organisation its older and more experienced pilots, a policy not calculated to produce a long term improvement in its condition. However, the G.A.F. is by no means a spent force yet, and recent technical developments, in jet-propelled aircraft, for example, are likely to make it more formidable.

It would be folly to regard the G.A.F. as ‘down and out’.”

This report includes the following handwritten dedication. “To Ella, In grateful appreciation of all her hard work on this production & with thanks for her loyal services to Ops. Records, R. Douglas Paul. April 1945”.

The second report, by “Air Staff, SHAEF” describes Allied Air Operations from October 1944 to May 7, 1945, the day before VE Day, including details of German targets.

This belonged to a Corporal Clayton, who worked at SHAEF under the command of Douglas Paul.

Matthew Haley, a specialist at Bonhams, said: “It is likely that both items were presented to ‘Ella’ who was involved in record-keeping for the Allied Expeditionary Forces and that they were retained by her. From her, or her estate, they found their way to the current owner.

“These secret internal reports are a vivid reminder of the nitty-gritty of war: which bridges to bomb, where the main oil-processing targets were, what the Germans had in terms of air weaponry, and how many Allied casualties there were at each stage of operations.”

Aussie’s toilet paper shortage cost NZME A heartbreaking photo showing an elderly man forced to buy tissues at an Australian supermarket because there was no toilet paper left has gone viral.

Perth woman Justin Bowers An elderly man appears overcome at the lack of toi- shared the photo on Facebook, let paper.

PHOTO NZME blasting shoppers across the

country who had panic bought toilet paper out of fears a coronavirus pandemic could cause a shortage of supplies.

“This absolutely broke my heart seeing this old man grabbing tissues because there was no toilet paper left!” Bowers wrote.

“I offered him the very few toilet rolls that I had as

I couldn’t bear to see him go without!”

She said people who had been buying up essential products in bulk should be ashamed of themselves.

Major supermarkets Coles, Woolworths and Aldi have all introduced limits on the number of toilet paper packets that can be bought.

Bad Guy top global song US singer-songwriter Billie Eilish racked up another record after her hit Bad Guy was named the best-selling global single of 2019. The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry said the teenager’s track notched up the equivalent of 19.5 million sales from permanent downloads and video and audio streaming. It also topped the charts in 15 countries. Bad Guy was the fifth single released from her breakthrough album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? She beat Lil Nas X, Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber for the top spot in the annual IFPI Global Top Digital Singles Chart.

Twitter-famous cat dies Ricky Gervais’ cat has died. The 58-yearold comedian and his partner Jane Fallon are both heartbroken over the passing of their 16-year-old Siamese cat Ollie yesterday. The After Life star took to Twitter to share a photo of his beloved feline friend sitting on his lap and tell his 14.2 million followers the sad news. He wrote: “Just had to say goodbye to the sweetest little soul I’ve ever known. RIP Ollie July 9th 2003 - March 10th 2020.”

Fallon, 59, also tweeted the news and a photo tribute to her catty pal. Ollie got her name from Ricky’s comedy hero Oliver Hardy and had thousands of her own followers on Twitter under the handle @myleftfang.

Rural www.guardianonline.co.nz

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Ashburton Guardian

9

Synlait buys Dunsandel farm

By Rebecca Howard NZME

Synlait Milk has snapped up farmland next to its Dunsandel facility for $25.7 million, giving it greater control over water rights, cutting its reliance on truck deliveries and letting it carry out on-farm research.

The farmland forms a 582-hectare unit and “provides a unique opportunity to pursue on-farm sustainability initiatives and reduce our environmental footprint whilst creating further supply chain efficiencies in our business,” Synlait chief executive Leon Clement said.

According to Synlait, the land would provide certainty over access to water and disposal of its factory processing water.

Synlait began building the Dunsandel facility in 2007 and processed its first milk on August 8, 2009. That capacity has grown to more than 700 million litres of milk each year.

The purchase of the farmland would also let Synlait develop a rail siding adjoining dry store 4, a new $32 million 30,000 square-metre warehouse.

On completion, containerised goods

would be transported by rail to Lyttelton, significantly reducing Synlait’s environmental footprint by removing approximately 16,000 truck movements annually, it said.

Finally, the land purchase also opened up opportunities to evaluate and trial sustainable farming practices.

Synlait said it had been given a green light by the Overseas Investment Office.

It needed OIO approval as China-based Bright Dairy Holding holds a 39 per cent stake in the company.

A Synlait spokesperson was unable to immediately provide any further detail about the deal.

Synlait shares last traded at $5.27 and have slumped 41 per cent so far this year.

Investors have been nervous about the impact of Covid-19 on the company as a significant proportion of its infant nutritional and ingredient sales are consumed in China.

Last month, Synlait lowered guidance for net profit to be between $70 million and $85 million for the 12 months ending July 31, at best a flat result from the year earlier. It said Covid-19 represented a downside risk.

Cool summer good for Central Otago wineries NZME The 2020 Central Otago wine vintage is shaping up to be one to toast despite a cooler summer.

The weather is to blame for later-than-usual harvesting of sparkling wine grape varieties, beginning only yesterday and harvest of pinot noir varieties is up to two weeks away.

Perserverance Estate Vineyard owner Jennie Hughes said the summer had been a challenging one for her grape growing operation at Muttontown between

Alexandra and Clyde.

The lacklustre start to summer had not extended through the whole season, something she was thankful for.

The art of producing wine was all down the skill of the winemaker but she believed the grapes produced by Perseverance were good this year.

Central Otago Winegrowers Association past-president James Dicey said the cooler-than-usual summer meant harvests were 10 days to two weeks behind.

Dicey said he believed vintages produced in cooler conditions were among the best.

LAMB PRICES

STEER PRICES

c/kg, YX Lamb 17.5kg 900

c/kg net, P2 Steer 295kg 600

800

400 2019

20

2018

DEER PRICES

BULL PRICES

c/kg gross, AP Stag 55kg 1100

c/kg net, M2 Bull 320kg 600

2019

20

2019

20

2019

20

2019

20

1000 500 900 800

400

700 2018

2019

2018

20

WHOLEMILK POWDER PRICES

WOOL PRICES

NZ$ / tonne 6,000

c/kg clean, coarse>35mu 500

5,000

400

4,000

300

3,000

2018

2019

20

EXCHANGE RATE

200

2018

90 DAY BANK BILLS % pa 2.5

US$ 0.90 0.80

2.0

0.70 1.5

0.60 0.50

2018

2019

20

1.0

2018

Beltex rams sell well at sale heather.c@theguardian.co.nz

500

2018

PHOTO SUPPLIED

By Heather Chalmers

700 600

Beltex NZ’s third annual auction at Mount Somers attracted buyers from throughout New Zealand for the muscled and meaty new sheep breed.

A top price of $18,000 was paid for a purebred beltex ram at Beltex NZ’s third annual auction at the Gallagher family’s property Rangiatea, Mount Somers, on March 6.

Its buyer, the Roadley family of Northland, also paid the top price at last year’s sale of $22,000.

Purebred beltex rams sold for an average of $5270 at the sale.

Three-quarter bred beltex-suffolk rams averaged $1775.

Half beltex-half suffolk rams averaged $1874, with a top price of $8500 to a Canterbury syndicate.

“We had 50 more rams to sell than last year and it was a similar sale,” Blair

Gallagher said.

“We sold rams from Northland to Wyndham in Southland. There was a very big crowd. It was standing room only.

“It was a solid sale considering the drought and the drop in product prices.

“There was a lot of interest and people seemed very pleased with the results they are getting with their beltex sheep.”

Gallagher, along with farm advisor John Tavendale and former Invermay head Jock Allison, are behind Beltex NZ, which brought the breed to the country in 2017.

The first new breed to land on New Zealand shores in almost a decade, beltex is a double-muscled texel offshoot from Belgium.

The sheep breed was known for its seriously big backside and eye muscle.

Opinion 10

Ashburton Guardian

Thursday, March 12, 2020

www.guardianonline.co.nz

OUR VIEW

Flying fox demolition raises user ire I

t’s an odd quirk of human nature that we don’t think about the things we have – until they’re gone.

We all do it, take stuff for granted, even though we might rarely use it, rarely think about it, we just assume things will stay the way they are and will be there against the day we decide we need them or want to use them.

And so it is with the Ashburton Domain. We absolutely take this gem for granted. It’s a place we’re all proud of, one we use on occasion and one we expect to be there, unchanged, well into the future. But even for our domain’s green spaces, time does not stand still.

Just how much we take the domain and its facilities for granted has become very clear in recent days when the flying fox disappeared.

For decades it’s been slung between two elderly trees alongside Walnut Avenue. It’s been used, abused, vandalised, repaired, renovated and upgraded, but finally the Ashburton District has called time on the old piece of

leisure equipment.

Without ceremony they moved the wrecking equipment in and carted the flying fox off in the demolition truck.

An ignominious end for something that has served generations of Mid Canterbury kids as a place to test their fears.

Yes, there have been falls, bumps, bruises and broken bones for kids – and probably adults – who pushed the limits along its length, but pushing physical boundaries, feeling the fear, they’re all part of the growing up process.

But there’s a difference between taking a calculated risk and an unknown risk, the kind that comes with using unsafe

equipment.

Yes, the domain’s flying fox may have been well loved, but let’s be honest, it’s been in a pretty shoddy state for some time.

The council’s carried out fixes and upgrades but at the end of the day, if vandals keep wrecking the thing, how much money can they keep pouring into repair jobs.

And it was old, probably very old in flying fox terms. We were well overdue for a replacement and it appears this is on the radar, but probably not in the same spot and, just as likely, not for some time.

It’s on the list of facilities that will be part of our redeveloped domain, but that work has a 30

year life span so there could be a generation or two of kids who miss out on whizzing from tree to tree on a small seat attached to a fragile wire.

At the end of the day, if the flying fox was a safety hazard, then the council had just two options – pour more money into a temporary fix of an old and outdated piece of equipment, or scrap the lot and start again.

It took the latter course of action, but forgot to tell the community what it was doing.

And that’s what’s got people up in arms. If we know what’s happening and why, we may not be happy but at least we’re a bit closer to understanding, it’s the not knowing that does the harm.

Salt Lake City suburb with two drifters, Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Barzee. (Mitchell is serving a life sentence; Barzee was released from prison in September 2018.)

In 2009, disgraced financier Bernard Madoff pleaded guilty in New York to pulling off perhaps the biggest swindle in Wall Street history.

Ten years ago: Two suicide bombers killed 55 people in near simultaneous blasts in Lahore, Pakistan, the fourth attack in a week.

Five years ago: Two Ferguson, Missouri, police officers were shot and wounded in front of the police department during a protest; US Attorney General Eric Holder denounced the shooter as a “damn punk”.

One year ago: More countries, including the entire European Union, grounded the Boeing jetliner involved in two deadly crashes or banned the plane from their airspace; leaving the United States one of the few remaining operators of the Boeing 737 Max 8.

Today’s birthdays: Politician, diplomat and civil rights activist Andrew Young is 88. Actress Barbara Feldon is 87. Actresssinger Liza Minnelli is 74.

Singer-songwriter James Taylor is 72. Rock singer-musician Bill Payne is 71. Actor Jon Provost is 70. Author Carl Hiaasen is 67. Rock musician Steve Harris is 64. Actress Lesley Manville is 64. Actor Jerry Levine is 63.

Singer Marlon Jackson is 63.

Actor Jason Beghe is 60. Actor Courtney B. Vance is 60. Actor Titus Welliver is 58. Actress Julia

Campbell is 57. Actor Jake Weber is 57. Actor Aaron Eckhart is 52.

Rock musician Graham Coxon is 51. Country musician Tommy Bales is 47. Actor Rhys Coiro is 41. Country singer Holly Williams is 39. Actor Samm Levine is 38.

Actress Jaimie Alexander is 36.

Actor Tyler Patrick Jones is 26.

Actress Kendall Applegate is 21.

Thought for today: “A proverb is a short sentence based on long experience.” — Miguel de Cervantes, Spanish novelist, dramatist and poet (1547-1616).

- AP

Sue Newman

SENIOR REPORTER

TODAY IN HISTORY Today is Thursday, March 12, the 72nd day of 2020. There are 294 days left in the year.

Today’s highlights in history: On March 12, 1980, a Chicago jury found John Wayne Gacy Jr. guilty of the murders of 33 men and boys. (The next day, Gacy was sentenced to death; he was executed in May 1994.)

On this date: In 1864, Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant assumed command as Generalin-Chief of the Union armies in the Civil War. Arthur’s Pass ‘discovered’. Arthur, George and Edward Dobson were searching for a route between Canterbury and the West Coast that the chief Tarapuhi had told them about.

In 1913, Canberra was officially designated the future capital of Australia.

In 1925, Chinese revolutionary leader Sun Yat-sen died in Beijing.

In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered the first of his 30 radio addresses that came to be known as “fireside chats,” telling Americans what was being done to deal with the nation’s economic crisis.

In 1975, New Zealand Red Cross worker Malcolm ‘Mac’ Riding was killed in Vietnam. Returning from leave in Laos, the 30-year-old was aboard an Air Vietnam DC4 when it crashed 25 km from his Red Cross team’s compound near Pleiku, South Vietnam.

In 1987, the musical play Les Miserables opened on Broadway.

In 1993, a three-day blizzard that came to be known as “The Storm of the Century” began inundating the eastern third of the US. A series of bombings in Mumbai, India, killed 257 people (the explosions were allegedly masterminded by India’s most wanted man, Dawood Ibrahim).

In 1994, the Church of England ordained its first women priests.

In 2003, Elizabeth Smart, the 15-year-old girl who vanished from her bedroom nine months earlier, was found alive in a

Opinion www.guardianonline.co.nz

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Ashburton Guardian

11

CONTACTS News tips Call 03 307-7969 After hours news tips matt.m@theguardian.co.nz Advertising Call 03 307-7976 sonia.g@theguardian.co.nz Classifieds Call 03 3077-900 classifieds@theguardian.co.nz Missed paper Call 0800 ASHBURTON 0800 274 287 Write to us!

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

PRESS COUNCIL

Our progress tells a story Y

ou may have seen that Parliament has resumed for the year.

But for all the words spoken in the House, much more important are the actions the Government is taking to help improve people’s lives.

I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together so far.

Just recently, we’ve taken action to build and rebuild the facilities our communities rely on to grow and thrive.

We’ve invested in roads and railways around New Zealand, in almost every school in the country, and in hospitals and other healthcare facilities across New Zealand, too.

Right here in Mid Canterbury that means we can look forward to major upgrades to our local schools, totalling over $3 million, as well as much needed traffic lights in Tinwald and on Walnut Avenue and upgrades to the boilers at Ashburton Hospital.

It’s just another step on the journey we began together in 2017.

Jo Luxton

LABOUR LIST MP

When we were elected, too many people were missing out – either without work at all, or with incomes that weren’t keeping pace.

Since then, we’ve increased the minimum wage, given new parents more Paid Parental Leave, and invested in apprenticeships to give people better skills, and get firms better workers.

We raised people’s incomes with Best Start payments for when baby comes, and the Winter Energy Payment for people on modest incomes.

When fully rolled out, our Families Package will provide around $75 a week to around 384,000 Kiwi families.

Now unemployment is down

to one of its lowest levels in a decade, and wages are rising strongly at 2.6 per cent a year.

We’ve invested in health, as you’ve always trusted Labour to do.

This Government has started to fix our neglected.

We made going to the doctor cheaper for almost 600,000 New Zealanders, after years of price rises.

And we made the biggest investment ever into New Zealand’s mental health.

I’m especially proud of that investment.

Everyone knows somebody affected by a mental health challenge, and our new mental health workforce will help people to meet those challenges before they get out of control.

Everybody wins, but especially families.

Before we came into office, house prices were rocketing up at around 10 per cent a year – far too fast for young Kiwis trying to buy a home.

We quickly banned offshore

speculators, and now first home buyers make up almost a quarter of the market – much higher than in earlier years.

On top of that, we also stopped the state house sell-off, and instead we’ve added thousands more.

Overall, I think our progress tells a story.

There are great things happening up and down New Zealand, thanks to Jacinda Ardern and her government.

There’s much more work to do, of course, but I’m proud of the progress we’ve made together – and I hope you are, too.

Let’s see what the next chapter of this story brings.

Jo Luxton is a Labour list MP. 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.

What’s my property worth?

“It’s free to find out”

This newspaper is subject to the New Zealand Press Council. Complaints must first be directed in writing to editor@ theguardian.co.nz If unsatisfied, the complaint may be referred to the Press Council PO Box 10-879, The Terrace, Wellington 6143 or email info@ presscouncil.org.nz Further detail and an online complaints form are available at www.presscouncil.org.nz

LETTERS EMAIL US/WRITE US editor@theguardian.co.nz

PO Box 77 We welcome your letters and emails, but: ■■ They should be of no more than 300 words.

■■ We reserve the right to edit or not publish.

■■ They must include your name. We will only publish under a nom de plume if a suitable case for anonymity is made clear.

■■ They must also include your address and phone number, which will not be published.

12 Ashburton Guardian

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Thursday, March 12, 2020

A will to help, a will to live ...

If a male speaks out about some form of trauma in their life or a battle they may be facing they are praised for being brave enough to speak out, while if a woman speaks out about the same subject, they’re seen and treated as a victim

S

am Robinson doesn’t claim to be a qualified professional on matters of the mind and in particular mental health, but the former Methven man is doing his bit to make a difference across New Zealand.

Robinson is part of a growing number of people who are bucking the trend and beginning to begin the conversations around mental health and suicide in the hope that hearing their words can in some way help someone who might be struggling and point them in the right direction.

The former Mount Hutt College student, who is now selling real estate in Christchurch, has been open and forthcoming about his own battles with depression and how he dealt with the feelings and thoughts that consumed him and has used those experiences in public speaking engagements across the country.

Focusing largely on the rural sector through his involvement in Will to Live which has grown in prominence in recent years, Robinson has delivered his best message to thousands of people and is never surprised to see people coming up to him afterwards to talk about their own issues.

“Generally there is always someone, after an event, who

Mick Bayleys Canterbury

Jo Memory Funerals Ltd

wants to come and talk – and that’s justification in why we do what we do, we’re not qualified and nor do we claim to be, but we want to open up those lines of communication and get people speaking up.

“There’s been a notable shift in people speaking out about things which in the past might have been kept silent, but if I’m honest, perhaps it’s not as many as we might have hoped would have come forward.

“There’s a lot of work going on in that particular area, but our suicide rate is still growing which is really concerning so there needs to be more done to try and stem that flow in a way.”

Robinson said one of the biggest hurdles faced at the moment was a lack of cohesion between various organisations and official networks and it was his desire to see them all singing off the same hymn sheet so that a good strong, collaborative, message was being portrayed.

“It’d be nice to have everyone working in together and that’s what we’re striving for, we’ve got plans in place to get in front as many of these groups and organisations as we can and try and put together something that sees us all working as one.

“Because at the moment, there’s not a lot of togetherness about the whole thing and we need to change that immediately.”

While Robinson hopes that he’s reached out to a lot of people he said there

Craig Methven Seed Cleaning

Don and Sue A1 Lawns and Garden Ltd

is still a lot of stigma around mental health and suicide that needs its walls broken down in order for things to get better.

“It’s a tricky one, and there’s a real lack of understanding in some sense, particularly when it comes to males and females.

“If a male speaks out about some form of trauma in their life or a battle they may be facing they are praised for being brave enough to speak out, while if a woman speaks out about the same subject, they’re seen and treated as a victim.

“For us it’s about trying to change that mindset and get everything on to the one page.

“We can’t keep hiding from it and while there’s been notable improvements and we are seeing more and more people taking that brave step to speak up when they’re facing tough times, there are sadly still far too many who are slipping through the cracks.”

Will to Live is working on its next big project for 2020 – a Will to Live Workshop Tour which will see them working around the country focusing on education for farm managers and owners to help them improve the wellbeing of their employees.

Check them out at www.willtolive.com

Corey Ashworth Automotive Ltd

Kay Ashburton Engravers and Etching - 130 Moore Sreet

Brydie Lifestyle Motor Homes

David NBS Ashburton

Max Ashburton Powdercoating

Carla Speights Ale House

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Ashburton Guardian 13

SAM ROBINSON

We can’t keep hiding from it and while there’s been notable improvements and we are seeing more and more people taking that brave step to speak up when they’re facing tough times, there are sadly still far too many who are slipping through the cracks

Talbot Security Group Ltd

Ben braided rivers

restaurant

+

bar

Richard

Geoff

Name

Begbies Plumbing & Gasfitting

JKF Homes Ltd

03 307 2236 39 Robinson St, Ashburton

Columbus Coffe

Formosa Restaurant

David Ashburton Regent 3

Argyle Wesh Finnigan

14 Ashburton Guardian

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Riders of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to take part in the ride on Saturday.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

One nation, one tribe, one goal W

hen more than 100 motorcycles roll into town on Saturday, they will all be riding in to Ashburton with one purpose.

The Tribal Nations Te Turu R.A.T.S (Riders Against Teen Suicide) Ride will wheel its way from Eastgate Mall in Christchurch on Saturday morning, ending up in the West Street carpark in Ashburton for a fun event with Harley-Davidson rides, face painting and live music, all focused on raising funds for the Safer Mid Canterbury Lives Worth Living project.

It is the first time the ride has visited Ashburton and the second time it’s been held in the South Island, with the first in

Tara DAM Doors and More Ltd

Christchurch last year.

Organiser Nathan Kuru said the ride is for everyone interested in motorcycles, not just those who are part of the Tribal Nations club, and the event was for anyone that was interested.

“They wanted to come down and help in Ashburton so it works out well (being able to support the Lives Worth Living project),” he said.

They are hoping more than 100 people will take part in the event. Last year’s event atttracted 75 motorcyclists.

Club members are coming from around the country.

“We want to try and get local riders, any-

one that is interested in biking and want to support a good cause, this is the one to go to,” he said.

Kuru said local businesses like Subway, KFC and Rite of Passage had been big supporters of the event, donating things to make the event all it can possibly be, while CMG had supplied two high-value motorcycles for club executives from Waikato to use for the ride Live music will come from King Cass, who is a Christchurch-based musician who tries to bring the message of hope, love and unity while promoting suicide awareness prevention through the power of music.

“I believe the message will be heard

Lucas Rainer Irrigation Ltd

Phone 03 307 2696 www.autosparks.co.nz

through the music and I want to spread the hope among our people.

“I believe and have seen that the music is healing and the message is something we all need to talk about as it saves lives,” Cass says on his website.

The ride begins at the Eastgate Mall carpark in Christchurch with registrations from 9.30am, leaving at 10.30am, with a cost of $15 per bike.

The event starts in the West Street carpark at 1.30pm to 2.30pm with free entry, with live music, Harley-Davidson rides, face painting and food available for purchase, with King Cass taking to the stage at 1.30pm.

www.guardianonline.co.nz

SPONSORED BY

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Ashburton Guardian 15

CORNER EAST & DOBSON STS ASHBURTON PHONE 03 308 9094

Business 16 Ashburton Guardian

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Thursday, March 12, 2020

■■FEBRUARY SALES

Panic buying boosts sales NZME The coronavirus effect appears to be changing consumer behaviour with latest statistics showing a sharp rise in grocery buying in February, while spending at restaurants and cafes fell.

Retail card sales rose in February with more spent on groceries and long-lasting goods like furniture, hardware and appliances, Statistics NZ said yesterday.

Total retail card spending was up 0.6 per cent in February, when adjusted for seasonal effects, after a 0.2 per cent fall in January.

“Although we have seen a lift in sales in February, we can’t identify at what point during the month this occurred. It’s possible that increases in supermarket sales resulted from concerns around Covid-19,” retail statistics manager Sue Chapman said.

Some items such as hand sanitiser, masks, gloves and paracetamol have been hit by short-term shortages due to high demand and some supply issues in the

past few weeks.

The closure of factories in China has also started to cause supply problems for some New Zealand manufacturers which are running short of components.

But major supermarket chains have offered reassurances about supply lines of basic items.

For example there are no structural supply issues for products like toilet paper.

Cottonsoft, one of the country’s largest makers and distributors of tissue products, this week confirmed it faced no supply issues with any raw materials.

It has however upped its production of toilet paper to meet higher than usual demand.

In Australia panic buying of toilet paper has seen shelves emptied and even resulted in fights between shoppers.

StatsNZ figures showed the largest increase in sales was for grocery food and drink (consumables), up $51 million (2.4 per cent), followed by an increase in sales of long-lasting products like

Guardian Shares & Investments NEW ZEALAND SHARE MARKET

1610 192 2090 131 160 773 710 624 2330 2540 466 376 736 286 192 230 150 491 175 248 138.5 3554 471 443 679 106 123 101 635 189 233 350 1060 1420 684 428 203 46 296 468 213 658 510 252 630 330 281 278.5 2040 392

Daily Volume move ’000s

– +1.5 –90 –2 +3 –2 –15 +2 –25 –17 +2 +3 +26 –8 – –1 +5 +12 +2 –2 –1.5 –96 +9 +12 +2 +1 +1 +3 +6 –2 +7 –12 +25 –25 +15 +7 +3 –5 –1 –7 +8 –36 –17 –3 +12 +5 +1 +6.7 –70 –4

1.3m 3.0m 68.05 522.7 287.3 6.4m 790.8 1.5m 66.90 2.3m 2.6m 151.2 201.1 673.8 17.39 2.6m 515.2 735.2 74.21 271.7 1.1m 73.94 767.3 1.5m 928.8 222.2 221.0 1.1m 228.4 2.9m 153.8 274.5 25.50 352.2 46.62 200.9 82.87 764.0 806.7 3.2m 156.0 246.3 119.4 259.1 80.18 175.4 57.30 124.0 54.32 774.9

12140 11862 11584 11306

Vodafone NZ to empty offices to test outbreak response

11028 10750

6/3

1615 198 2090 135 162 778 711 629 2359 2540 466 381 753 300 190 230.5 151 492 178 248 140 3600 477 450 682 110 124 103 638 192 233 355 1070 1450 684 428 203 49 310 474 217 667 550 255 632 330 281 278.5 2040 393

Last sale

11/3

1610 191.5 2085 131 159 771 709 624 2330 2532 455 376 720 285 185 228 150 485 175 246 138 3550 468 442 679 106 122 100 632 188 230 345 1050 1405 679 425 200 45 292 466 210 654 510 246 630 325 271 273.5 2031 391

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

S&P/NZX 50 Index Gross

21/2

Company CODE

At close of trading on Wednesday, March 11, 2020

14/2

S&P/NZX 50 Index Gross constituents

But eating and drinking at places like restaurants, cafes, and bars (hospitality), fell $8.5 million (0.8 per cent).

This was the second month in a row where spending in hospitality dipped.

“There has been a drop in weekly visitor arrivals from China as a result of the travel ban being implemented at the start of Febru-

■■VODAFONE NZ

Compiled by

Source: NZX and Standard & Poors

furniture, hardware, and appliances (durables), up $12 million (0.8 per cent).

“This is the largest dollar value increase in grocery sales since March 2018, when Good Friday fell at the end of the month,” Chapman said.

Vehicles, fuel, and apparel were all relatively unchanged compared with January.

ary,” Chapman said.

The Government has warned the public not to stockpile goods.

Last week the Prime Minister weighed in on the issue, telling people to continue with everyday life.

“If you need a bottle of milk, go and get it. If you don’t, do not react in any other way than you would any other day,” she said.

“The public should be going about their daily lives.”

Panic buying is a mass psychological phenomenon that has been well documented and studied by psychologists and economists.

A professor of organisational behaviour, Andy J Yap, makes the case that panic buying is a response to loss of control.

Yap – who also co-authored a 2016 academic paper called Control Deprivation Motivates Acquisition of Utilitarian Products – says we buy basic household items because we psychologically associate them with problem solving.

q S&P/NZX 50 Gross

10,873.6 –23.87 –0.22%

q S&P/NZX 20 index

7,293.62 –20.99 –0.29%

q S&P/NZX All Gross

11,738.21 –17.8 –0.15%

p Rises 80 q Falls 62 Top 5 NZX gainers Company

daily % rise

Burger Fuel Gr +11.43% QEX Logistics +7.41% NZME +6.67% Green Cross Health +6.19% Emerging Mkts +5.65%

Top 5 NZX decliners Company

daily % fall

F&C Investment Tr –10.00% Sky Network TV –9.80% Mill & Copth Pr –9.43% Serko –6.25% Summerset Gr Hldgs –5.19%

METAL PRICES

Source: interest.co.nz

q Gold

1,655.70

London – $US/ounce

–16.8

–1.00%

p Silver London – $US/ounce

17.07

+0.19

+1.13%

5,598.0

+115.0

+2.10%

p Copper London – $US/tonne NZ DOLLAR

Source: BNZ As at 4pm March 11, 2020

Country

TT buy

Australia 0.9823 Canada 0.8786 China 4.6538 Euro 0.5689 Fiji 1.4446 Great Britain 0.4964 Japan 67.46 Samoa 1.7702 South Africa 10.1477 Thailand 20.08 United States 0.642

TT sell

0.9482 0.8455 4.0813 0.5438 1.3083 0.4786 64.56 1.5394 9.7741 19.09 0.6185

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.

BusinessDesk Vodafone’s six-level Auckland headquarters will almost empty as the telco tests a possible response to coronavirus.

More than 1200 Auckland-based Vodafone permanent staff will work from home for one day this week as the company tests working from home at scale in order to simulate worst-case Covid-19 scenarios.

The company said its contractors will also work remotely but did not disclose how many it currently has.

Amid the outbreak, Kiwi employers have been reminded of their obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act, which theoretically means employers should make sure they do everything practicable to prevent staff from getting coronavirus.

During Vodafone’s tests, only a small number of “business-critical” staff, such as call-centre and network operations, will be allowed to access the company’s North Shore building. Other staff can work from wherever they want as long as it’s offsite.

“This will allow Vodafone to thoroughly test its business continuity plan and work through any gaps that may be identified,” a spokeswoman said. The corporate has, in recent weeks, set up an action group to check all its necessary infrastructure.

More trial closures are expected at Vodafone’s other offices once the initial test has taken place.

The company said it has 2000

permanent staff across the country not including contractors.

On Monday, New Zealand Health IT chief executive Scott Arrol warned of the increased risk of security breaches due to more people working from home.

Vodafone said all its people have a managed Windows 10 device and the same level of connectivity to office IT and other resources no matter what location they are working from.

“All device and network activity is continually monitored for potential misuse or suspicious activity by local and Vodafone Group cyber defence teams and systems,” the spokeswoman added.

Vodafone has also set travel restrictions and limited the size of meetings and events.

While Vodafone was sold by its

UK parent last year to a New Zealand-Canadian consortium, it retains close ties with the global group.

Vodafone’s Australian headquarters in Sydney had closed last Wednesday after a staff member tested positive for coronavirus.

They reopened on Monday.

UK media also reported some workers at Vodafone’s global headquarters in the United Kingdom were told to work from home after a worker tested positive for Covid-19.

Last week, the chair of the Prime Minister’s Business Advisory Council, Fraser Whineray, told BusinessDesk that many big businesses had continuity plans in place because of the recent measles scare.

Spark said its employees have ceased business travel to high-risk countries, as identified in Ministry of Health guidelines.

“Where possible, we’re leveraging technology to facilitate meetings with external suppliers or partners, and of course for our Spark people who are working from home,” the company said in a statement.

“As a technology company, most of our staff are already equipped with devices to enable remote working. If any of our people are feeling unwell with cold or flu-like symptoms, we are asking them to stay home and advising them to seek appropriate medical advice.

“Our leaders play a key role in our approach, talking with our people regularly and assessing when and where individual working arrangements need to be changed.”

Your Place www.guardianonline.co.nz

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Ashburton Guardian 17 Write to us!

TEST YOURSELF

Editor, c/- Ashburton Guardian, PO Box 77, Ashburton 7740

Test yourself with the Guardian’s weekday quiz

Email us!

1 – When is Neighbours Day in Mid Canterbury? a. March 28 b. April 4 c. April 11 2 – In Star Trek what was Spock’s first name? a. Vulcan b. Petrov c. No first name 3 – What collective noun is given to a group of hedgehogs? a. A spike b. A prickle c. A stab 4 – In which country is ‘narm’ [nam] the word for water? a. Thailand b. Germany c. Sweden 5 – Who created the fictional character Jack Reacher? a. Robert Ludlum b. Lee Child c. Tom Clancy 6 – Where does the phrase ‘a drop in the bucket’ originate? a. The Bible b. Shakespeare c. Seamen’s language 7 – How many points are needed to win a game of volleyball? a. 11 b. 15 c. 25 8 – Sarah Gregorious has played almost 100 games for which team? a. Silver Ferns b. Football Ferns c. Black Ferns

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.

9Please send 4 your photos to subs@theguardian.

5 the words 9 8 co.nz with YOUR PLACE in 5 the subject line and we 1 3 will 8 run it in the Guardian or 6 our website 5 Guardianonline.co.nz 5 3 1

3

4 8 3 6 2 YESTERDAY’S 4ANSWERS 3

Judging dahlias a difficult job

Answers: 1. March 28 2. No first name 3. A prickle 4. Thailand 5. Lee Child 6. The Bible 7. 25 8. Football Ferns.

Robin Casey was one of the judges at the Ashburton and Christchurch Combined Dahlia Show at the weekend. Hosted by the Ashburton Dahlia Circle at the Tinwald Memorial Hall, there was a good showing of flowers with 156 vases on display. PHOTO ROBYN HOOD 080320-RH-026

QUICK RECIPE

EASY SUDOKU

Sticky Thai pork

7

100g dried rice vermicelli noodles 1 T peanut oil 500g minced pork 4 spring onions, sliced 2 garlic cloves, crushed 1 long red chilli, chopped 2/3 C brown sugar 1/3 C fresh lime juice 1/3 C fish sauce 1 bunch coriander leaves ½ C peanuts, toasted, chopped 1 bunch broccoli, chopped Fried shallots, to serve Lime wedges, to serve ■■ In a large heatproof bowl, cover noodles with boiling water.

Leave for 5 minutes, then drain.

■■ In a wok, heat oil on high. Add pork and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes, or until browned, breaking up lumps.

■■ Add spring onion, garlic and chilli, then stir-fry for 1 minute.

Transfer mixture to a plate.

1

■■ In the wok, combine sugar, lime juice and fish sauce and heat until boiling. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until reduced and sticky.

■■ Return mince mixture to pan with half of the coriander, half of the peanuts, and broccoli. Stir-

fry for 2 minutes. Toss noodles through.

■■ Serve with remaining coriander, nuts, fried shallots sprinkled over top and lime wedges on the side.

Recipe courtesy of www.countdown.co.nz

5

7 3

9 1 7 6 2 8 3 5 4

6 3 2 1 4 5 9 8 7

4 5 8 7 9 3 2 1 6

1 2 6 4 5 9 7 3 8

9

7 9 5 3 8 1 4 6 2

3 8 4 2 6 7 5 9 1

6

5 6 9 8 7 4 1 2 3

8 4 1 9 3 2 6 7 5

2 7 3 5 1 6 8 4 9

5 2

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

4 9

2

3

2

9

Club news 18 Ashburton Guardian Ashburton Bowling Club At Ashburton Bowling Club we had an even busier week this week, both on and off the greens!

The results are below!

On Thursday the 5th, we held the Harry Lee Drawn Teams, sponsored by Pearson Coaches, at the club. It was a gorgeous day with a fair attendance.

The winners with three wins were John Kewish, Winston Lee and Ollie Collins; 2nd with two wins and one draw were Murray Anderson, Annette Blain and Anne Gibson and 3rd with one and a half wins were Tony Blain, Judie Ryk and Bob Wilson.

At the Hornby Ladies Fours on Friday 6th, Ashburton’s Margaret Eder, Heather Goodall, Judie Ryk and Leonie Spargo came 2nd.

At the Friday Triples held at MSA, Benny Hill, as part of a composite team, came 1st; Peter Collins as part of a composite team came 3rd.

At the Sub-Centre Champion of Champions Pairs at Rakaia on Saturday the 7, Ashburton’s Diane Gutberlet and Laraine Mills became the Ladies Pairs Champion of Champions! And likewise, Ashburton’s Alistair MacKenzie and Min Hill became the Men’s Pairs Champion of Champions!

Congratulations to all our four champions!

Also on Saturday amid our Open Day business, our Rollover Triples went ahead. The winners, with two wins, one draw, 10 ends, were Trevor Watson and Margaret Watson; 2nd with two wins, 10 ends were Winston Lee and Merv Campbell.

On Sunday the 8th at the Getaway Open Fours at MSA, Ashburton’s Gavin Eder, Brentton Donaldson, Winston Lee and Margaret Eder came 4th.

Continuance of the Champion of Champions Fours, 5.30pm at Hinds, Ladies Monday 9, Men Tuesday 10.

On Monday evening the Ashburton Ladies Champion Fours team – Diane Gutberlet, Diana King, Shirley Maw, Alison Gibbs beat Allenton to become this sea-

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Thursday, March 12, 2020 son’s Champion of Champions Ladies Fours team.

A huge congratulations to you all, ladies!

Last weekend Brentton Donaldson won two of his four matches playing for the Canterbury Regional Development squad. Matches were between Canterbury, Buller, Marlborough, Nelson and West Coast.

And on March 21 he has been selected as reserve for the men’s Mid Canterbury team to play at Ellesmere for the Mugford Trophy. Congratulations to him on two counts!

It could not have been a better day weather-wise for the Open Day last Saturday. Our club, its greens and surrounds, our clubrooms, everything showed the club in a very good light.

Our president Jo greeted all visitors, including club sponsors, and was ably assisted by knowledgeable members.

Members had rollover games and there was much discussion between us on the paper produced by Ashburton District Council on their plans for the future of the domain. Everything about the day, our open day, could not have shown more clearly that our present site is its home and should remain its home.

Good bowling everyone!

Ashburton Combined Friendship Club The March 17 bus trip to Kaiapoi to cruise on the River Queen already has 42 people paid up.

The AGM was held where President Alister reported on the activities of the 2019-2020 year.

The financial report showed the club was in a healthy financial position.

The new officers are: President: Andrew Brown, Vice President: Joe Butchard, Secretary: Alister Brown, Treasurer: Linda Osborne, Life Member Ron Wootton nominated the current Secretary Joe Butchard for Life Membership of the club.

Our guest speaker was Mayor Neil Brown who was asked to tell us how he

got to where he is today before touching on council business.

Neil was one of the younger children in a large family who grew up on a small farm near Rakaia. Primary schooling was in Rakaia then Ashburton College to the sixth form.

He worked on a sheep farm then on one of the earliest Mid Canterbury dairy conversions before attending Lincoln.

He was keen to go farming but knew he had to do it by his own efforts.

Lincoln farm budgets showed dairy offered the best prospects. He sharemilked for several years before buying a Dorie crop farm to convert. This was successful and as time progressed, he was able to buy more neighbouring land.

Sharemilking helped Neil get started so these days he employs sharemilkers to give a new generation opportunity.

He was asked to stand for the council in 2004 when one of the ward representatives retired.

The more experienced councillors were a big help in his first term. He served for five terms and considered retiring at the 2019 election.

When other challengers to the mayor emerged, he agreed to accept nomination for the mayoralty.

He prefers to delegate where possible and the smaller council makes decisions more quickly and with more cohesion.

Most of the cost of the CBD development is underground replacing old pipes and services while the new sewage pipe under the river is another major project which will serve the town for the next 100 years.

The new library and administration building are necessary because seismic strengthening the library is too expensive and the administration building, while sound, is too small for today’s needs.

Meetings second Tuesday of month, Seniors Centre 206 Cameron St, 9.30am. Visitors welcome. Phone Andrew 3085972. ashcomboclub@gmail. com

McKenzie back for Hurricanes clash Throughout the Super Rugby season so far, slow starts have threatened to hurt the Chiefs.

The side have fallen behind in the first half of all of its matches to date this season, and while the side has managed to build a 4-1 record, coach Warren Gatland is hopeful the slow starts are behind them.

The Chiefs showed positive signs early in their demolition of the Waratahs in Wollongong last weekend to go ahead 13-0, but found themselves behind 1413 at the break.

Now, back in Hamilton for a clash against the Hurricanes, Gatland said the team wanted to build on their last outing.

“Last week we started well and that provided us with a solid platform for the second half,” Gatland said. “Again, this week we will be challenged to do the same.

“Any New Zealand derby is going to be a tough battle, the Hurricanes will be hurting from their loss last weekend and will be hungry to rectify that.

“We need to remain focused on being disciplined, utilise our opportunities and deliver a performance that our members and supporters can be proud of.”

The Chiefs welcome Damian Mc-

There was a good attendance of members at the Tea Meeting of the Ashburton County Lions held on Wednesday.

VDG Christine Stewart inducted two new members Janet Hadley and Wendy Groves and they were given a warm welcome to our club.

Four members also received Chevron Awards for between 10 to 15 years of service to the club – congratulations to Ngaire, Janet, Marie and Carolyn.

Pup Chamberlain and Connie Quigley then spoke about the work they are now doing in the community with the new programme Life Worth Living.

This programme was set up in October 2019 and works as part of the Suicide Prevention Trust.

Working in conjunction with other community groups they are building a strong network and holding workshops to inform the community of the issues and offer support to those in need.

Following the meeting and general business there was a ‘bring and buy’

sales table offering lots of interesting gardening, kitchen and other goodies to be purchased and enjoyed.

U3A U3A’s February speaker was Emeritus Professor Dave Craw from Otago University.

Dave is well known for his research into gold and environmental issues surrounding gold mining and he is the author of many papers on this subject.

A recipient of the University’s Distinguished Research Medal, Dave’s fascinating and lively presentation – particularly addressing Biogeochemical Pathways, ie the role that bacteria play in gold crystallisation and nugget growth – left many members wanting to hear more on the subject.

He aptly explained why Otago and Southland provinces have prolific gold measures in comparison to Mid Canterbury, however he did lay to rest any doubt about the conjecture that gold can be found in the Rakaia River.

Indeed it can!

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

■■RUGBY

NZME

Ashburton County Lions

Kenzie back in the No.15 jersey, with Solomon Alaimalo moving to the wing in place of the injured Sean Wainui.

The shifts were among three changes to the starting side from a week ago, with Mitchell Brown replacing Tyler Ardron at lock, with the Canadian international ruled out due to an infection.

Wainui (ankle) and Ardron were among a number of players unavailable for selection due to injury, with Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi and Nepo Laulala sidelined by knee injuries, Angus Ta’avao out with a quad issue, Luke Jacobson hampered by a hamstring injury and Nathan Harris out for the season after undergoing shoulder surgery in the off-season.

On the bench, All Blacks prop Atunaisa Moli makes his return to the 23 alongside hooker Bradley Slater, in place of Ryan Coxon and Donald Maka respectively, in the only changes in the reserves.

Chiefs: Damian McKenzie, Shaun Stevenson, Tumua Manu, Anton Lienert-Brown, Solomon Alaimalo, Aaron Cruden, Brad Weber, Pita Gus Sowakula, Sam Cane, Lachlan Boshier, Mitchell Brown, Michael Allardice, Ross Geldenhuys, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross. Reserves: Bradley Slater, Atunaisa Moli, Reuben O’Neill, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Mitchell Karpik, Lisati Milo Harris, Kaleb Trask, Alex Nankivell.

RESULTS ■■ Bridge Ashburton Bridge Club March 2 B & C Ladder N/S 1st Marjorie Hoar & Kathy Dunn, 2nd Mary Francis & Fiona Williamson, 3rd Shirley Harris & Faye Priest E/W 1st Amanda Watson & Sue Smith, 2nd Pat Wise & Joyce Johnson, 3rd Jeff Williamson & Eric Parr March 3 A Ladder N/S 1st Mary Buckland & Sonia Gill, 2nd Pat Jordan & Ian Doel, 3rd Kay Robb & Rosemary McLaughlin E/W 1st Sue Rosevear & John Fechney, 2nd Audrey Rooney & Maureen Kolkman, 3rd Gordon McCormick & David Sewell March 4 Valetta Trophy N/S 1st David Sewell & John Fechney, 2nd Bev Turton & Rona Brownlie, 3rd Judith Moore & Johnny Wright E/W 1st Sue Rosevear & Kay Robb, 2nd Trish Small & Leigh Wackrow, 3rd Rewa Kyle & Trish Downward March 5 Mary Mulligan Trophy N/S 1st John Knight & Mary Buckland, 2nd Evelyne Taylor & Ian Doel, 3rd Carolyn King & Peter Downward E/W 1st Sue Rosevear & Paul Fergus, 2nd Mike Holdaway & John Fechney, 3rd Debbie Seddon- Sewell & David Sewell March 7 Ashburton Anniversary Pairs First: Sue Rosevear & John Fechney (Ashburton) Grade 1: 1st Paula Gregory & Michael Johnstone (Timaru); 2nd John Hamilton & Kathy Hamilton (Christchurch; 3rd Mary Buckland & David Sewell (Ashburton) Grade 2: 1st Bev Turton & Rona Brownlie (Ashburton); 2nd Jill Lockett & Giles Hancock (Akaroa); 3rd Ian Beattie & Rex Green (Christchurch) Grade 3: 1st Colin Clemens & Maryke Blignault (Ashburton); 2nd Barbara Ryan & Andy Shand (Christchurch); 3rd Ken Elliot & Joe Harris (Timaru)

■■ Golf Mayfield Golf Club March 10

Ladies Division 18 Holes L G U and 2nd Stableford. L G U Grade 0-20, Christine Ross 81-11-70, Jan Clucas 97-17-80. Grade 21-29, Anne- Maree Blair 104-27-77, Sue Graham 107-26-81.

Grade 30+, Alison Vessey103-33-70, Lynley Mac Kenzie110-37-73. Stablefords Christine Ross 38, Alison Vessey 38, Lynley Mac Kenzie 35, Katrina Mensen 35.

Mr Mann,s Bakery & Café 2nd Shot 2 or 11 Christine Ross, Sims Bakery Nearest the Pin 5 or Lynley Mac Kenzie.

Twos: No 2 Christine Ross

Tinwald Golf Club March 10 Ladies Division Captains Salver – Foursome Diane Lowe & Di Bell 68.5, Val Prendergast & Barb Cochrane 71.5

DRAWS ■■ Golf Ashburton Golf Club March 14 Weekend Ladies Don Houghton Memorial Trophy - mixed teams Irish Stableford Convenors S Bradford 0211590983/B Fechney 0211305366 March 17 Mid-Week Ladies Ashburton Course Closed Game at Methven report 9.00am for 9.30am start Starters M Watson/D Hinton March 19 Nine Hole Men and Women Ashburton Course Closed Own arrangements Convenor M Morgan 0279645380; Club Captain V Moore 0272437724

Tinwald Golf Club March 17 Ladies Division Medal 1st Ailsa Jary, 2nd Norma Bradford Putting 9 Holes 1st Judy Johns stableford Starters M. Kennedy, P. Ellis Cards B. Harris, K. McAuliffe; Kitchen J. Undy

Sport www.guardianonline.co.nz

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Ashburton Guardian 19

■■RUGBY LEAGUE

In brief

Owner: ‘Kearney’s on notice’

Festival called off Disappointed organisers were forced to call off this year’s Festival of Cricket yesterday. The annual event for Year 5 and 6 pupils was scheduled for yesterday at the Ashburton Domain after it was postponed last week due to poor weather. However rain in the town again yesterday led to the cancellation of the festival.

“It wasn’t an easy decision to make but it won’t be a pleasant experience even if the weather cleared,” Mid Canterbury director of cricket Garfield Charles said.

By Michael Burgess NZME

Warriors owner Mark Robinson says coach Stephen Kearney has “responded really well” to the NRL challenges laid at his feet.

Kearney is under more pressure than at any other time during his tenure at the Auckland-based club.

The run to end the 2017 campaign was tough, with nine consecutive defeats (equalling an unwanted club record), but there was an understanding it was his first season and he was shaping the roster.

Last season was well below par – albeit there were some close losses –but Kearney had some grace after the historic 2018 finals appearance.

But there won’t be much leeway this year, as Robinson made clear soon after gaining sole control of the club last September.

“Next year has to be his year,” Robinson told the Herald then. “If it’s not, it’s not, and it’s probably time to move on.

“He has been under the pump, he [inherited] a team when he first turned up, and has had three years to change those players around. Like anyone else in a business, he’s on notice.

“He needs to make the top eight next year, otherwise we will have to have a sit-down.”

Catching up with Robinson for the first time since then, the owner has been impressed with Kearney’s work across the pre-season.

“I think he has responded really well,” said Robinson. “We had a talk about the roster and everything [recently] and he was pretty up-front about it. He said ‘I’m here to coach the team’. Of course he would like a few more players but he is just focusing on his job, which is to get the best out of the players he has.

“He has been working really hard on that and I am really happy with his progress. And when people are offering help, he is looking at it and saying that will help.”

Part of that assistance has come in the form of former Newcastle Knights coach Nathan Brown, who has been hired as a technical

Virus axes match Members of Arsenal’s playing squad have gone into selfisolation in a coronavirus precautionary move, forcing the immediate postponement of the club’s Premier League game at Manchester City. It is the first game to be called off since the outbreak of the virus in the English top division, which has not played games without fans – unlike in other parts of Europe. It was also the first time players in a major sports league had gone into isolation because of possible exposure. The decision was taken due to the low risk of infection after Arsenal players came into contact with a rival team owner who announced Tuesday that he had contracted Covid-19. They met Olympiakos owner Evangelos Marinakis after the Greek team won at Arsenal in the Europa League on February 27.

- NZME

Warriors owner Mark Robinson.

adviser. Brown has a lot of NRL coaching experience (245 games), with mixed success, but Robinson, like chief executive Cameron George last month, affirms he is not waiting in the wings should Kearney stumble.

“We thought he might be sniffing around, but it wasn’t that at all,” said Robinson.

“He was looking for a bit of work and he thought he could help us around the halves and at hooker. He has done a good job and it has made [assistant coach] Stacey Jones better ... made him look at things completely differently.”

The Warriors have been quiet on the recruitment front but Robinson says their time will come, probably around the middle of this year.

“We have got money sitting there for a big prop if [they] turn up,” said Robinson. “We are trying to pick which ones are going to go and stay in the next few months, and who is coming off contract.

“We probably don’t need anyone for a while in the backs, but the forward pack, we need to strengthen up a bit, we all know that. And we have 12 players coming off contract, so they will need to fight, [as] they won’t all be signed.”

Wandering through the Warri-

ors headquarters at Mt Smart, it’s not hard to see the impact of the new owners.

In September, Robinson made it clear the environment needed to be changed, literally and metaphorically. Although the second is more intangible, he has ticked off the first.

The club’s reception and offices have been refurbished, with new furniture and a cleaner, sleeker look, while the appearance of the players’ areas have been transformed.

Gone is the large black mural that covered an entire wall of the gymnasium, while the dressing rooms, which used to be adorned with the names of every former Warrior, is now bright and clutter-free.

“We’ll have a board up for the players that were part of the club, but the way I look at it, they were great players, but the teams didn’t win the title,” said Robinson.

“We can congratulate those people in other ways, not have them plastered all over the walls.”

There’s also a lot more natural light everywhere, a tip picked up on a recent fact-finding trip to some American sporting franchises.

“If you go into a dull locker room and train, you don’t train at

Bulldogs lose major sponsor over Corey Harawira-Naera scandal NZME The Canterbury Bulldogs have not only lost two key players ahead of the start of the 2020 NRL season, they’ve also reportedly lost a sponsorship deal worth millions of dollars.

Kiwis international Corey Harawira-Naera and Bulldogs teammate Jayden Okunbor have been stood down over alleged misconduct involving high school girls during a pre-season trip to Port Macquarie.

It’s alleged they brought the females back to their hotel after reportedly meeting them during an official club visit to the school, 9News reports.

Both players will now miss at least the opening match of the season, while the

club itself has reportedly been handed another major blow as a result of the incident.

The club is without a major sponsor for 2020 and it was reported yesterday the scandal has hit the Bulldogs financially because a potential backer pulled out after being told of the incident.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports family restaurant chain Rashays and the club had agreed on a sponsorship deal worth $A2 million which was set to be announced on Tuesday night.

But after the club informed Rashays of the scandal, the deal was withdrawn, leaving the Bulldogs as the only club in the NRL without a major sponsor on the front of its jersey to begin the season.

Both Rashays and the Bulldogs are yet to comment on the report.

your best, with all your senses,” said Robinson.

“Everywhere you go in the USA is like being outside, a brighter environment rather than darker.”

“I wanted to show people that I do give a s**t about the conditions they train in and their facilities,” explained Robinson.

“It’s part of changing the culture.

Whereas before the owners were just yelling and screaming at people and taking all the money and not putting it back.

“If you get the culture right and they want to play for the club, and they know that the owner and the people in the club do care about what they are doing [and] they have the best environment, that is starting on the track of the changing the culture.”

Robinson has noticed a difference among the squad.

“No one has seen them so happy, as they have been,” said Robinson.

And Robinson has high hopes for the long term.

“Once we start being consistent [on the field], and we have a really good culture and the word gets out, everything will change,” said Robinson. “You will get a few [Australian players] saying ‘we are going over to help those guys’.”

Shock admission The Olympics is facing a two-year postponement because of the coronavirus threat, says a member of the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee. Officials from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Tokyo 2020 have so far insisted that the Games will go ahead as planned in July and August, with some suggestions that the event could continue without fans. However, Haruyuki Takahashi says alternate plans must be taken “seriously” and that postponing the Games is more likely than cancellation because of the financial ramifications for the IOC. “We’ll have to start talking about this seriously from April.

I don’t think the Games could be cancelled, it’d be a delay,” Takahashi said.

- NZME

Get Saturday’s

Ashburton Guardian FREE! when you purchase Lotto products to the value of $18 or more!* d from

delivere 0 Home

, Feb 23, Saturday

*While stocks last on Saturdays

NETHERBY

2019

$1.25

EPE TH E IND

ND EN T

ing Restor pride

Retail $2.5

t 1879 Since Sep

VO ICE

CA NT ERB OF MID

URY

rugby

nz line.co.

non uardia www.g

ND

WEEKE

ORY FULL ST

P16

DIAN N GUAR ASHBURTO PHOTO

g Trainin s truckieP4 T O

ME

E U S H O

AUTUMN

/WINTER

2019

Age no barrier

Sport 20 Ashburton Guardian

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Linwood and Methven players gather with All Blacks legend Tane Norton following Saturday’s Tane Norton Cup encounter.

PHOTOS METHVEN RUGBY NZ

■■RUGBY

Methven claim Tane Norton Cup Methven Rugby Club have wasted no time in adding to the trophy cabinet this year. The Mid Canterbury side edged Linwood 35-33 in the Tane Norton Cup match for the first time on Saturday. Played in sweltering conditions, it was the third time the cup has been contested after Linwood won the previous two encounters. The former All Black captain, who is an honorary life member of the Methven Rugby Club, was there for the presentations at the weekend. Norton (left) shares in the moment with Methven skipper Matt Groom.

War on the water? Team NZ’s cup snub revealed

By Christopher Reive NZME

America’s Cup holders Team New Zealand have confirmed they were not invited to a crunch meeting to discuss the future of the America’s Cup World Series event in Sardinia.

The event, which is scheduled to be contested next month, is in jeopardy due to the coronavirus outbreak and the current state of lockdown in Italy.

Sardinia is an island situated in the Mediterranean Sea off the country’s west coast.

As earlier reported, challenger of record Luna Rossa called a meeting between syndicates yesterday to discuss how to approach the regatta going forward, but neglected to invite Team NZ to the proceedings.

Fellow teams American Magic and Ineos Team UK were invited and attended the meeting.

A spokesperson for Team NZ confirmed the exclusion in a written statement.

“Emirates Team New Zealand were not invited to take part in today’s meeting. All we have to go off is the statement that the

Challenger of Record issued earlier this morning.”

The statement sent out by Luna Rossa said the Italian-based syndicate was closely monitoring the developments and any potential impact on the event in

Sardinia, which is set to run from April 23-26.

“At this stage there are no elements which prohibit the ACWS Cagliari – Sardinia to take place on schedule (April 23-26), the Italian government’s decree of

suspension of the sport activities/events expiring on the 3rd of April,” the statement read.

“Any further updates from COR 36 regarding the ACWS Sardinia – Cagliari event will be posted on the America’s Cup website.”

It is understood that the challengers reached agreement on “a way forward” during the meeting – but will need agreement from TNZ. Sources have indicated that the latest snub has made it evident that “all is not well” between the Kiwi syndicate and Luna Rossa.

In January the teams reportedly clashed over the wind range to be enforced for next year’s America’s Cup, a dispute that could significantly impact the design for the boats to be sailed in Auckland.

Team New Zealand wanted the top end limit to be 24 knots whereas Luna Rossa were set on 20 knots.

The arbitration panel ruled in favour of Team NZ. All sporting events in Italy have been cancelled until April 4 due to the Coronavirus outbreak that has the country in lockdown.

The first stop on the World Series will be a historic event as the four syndicates get out on the water to race their AC75s for the first time.

Last week American Magic skipper Dean Barker, who won the America’s Cup with Team New Zealand in 2000, labelled the Cagliari event a “risky proposition”.

Speaking to the Radio Sport Breakfast, Barker last Friday said they could only work with the information they had at the moment, which was that at this stage the event would go ahead as planned.

“I think you’d say with everything you read about in Italy, it sounds like it’s certainly a risky proposition right now, but I’m sure the guys running the event there are talking with the Italian government and what have you to try and understand what’s required,” Barker said.

“You hear about football matches and things with no one in the stadiums and all the travel bans around Northern Italy. So, definitely, you do wonder how likely it is that it will happen.”

Sport www.guardianonline.co.nz

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Ashburton Guardian 21

■■ HOCKEY

Hundreds attend hockey academy

By Adam Burns

adam.b@theguardian.co.nz

Mid Canterbury Hockey (MCH) have introduced an academy programme for the very first time.

The first of five weekly sessions was held on Sunday at the Ashburton Domain’s NBS turf.

About 110 participants have registered for the programme which caters for Year 4 to 13 students.

Based on the community’s response over the coming weeks, MCH will assess whether another initiative will be rolled out later this year or early next year.

MCH coach and development officer Laura Kingsmill said the response has been positive early on.

“Based off the response I’d expect us to have it again next year.

“I’d expect numbers to be higher with the option of having it on a Saturday or a Sunday to allow for the extra numbers.”

An intention to introduce hockey to players earlier in the season, albeit in a less competitive atmosphere, was a key factor in the programme being kick-started.

“It’s not about competition, it’s about coming and learning and growing their experience and skills and knowledge before the season starts,” Kingsmill said.

“We’ve got some kids doing the programme where it’s their first year of hockey, so it is a way to

The first Mid Canterbury Hockey academy workshop was held on Sunday. bring kids into the sport before the season starts.”

Each session will focus on different core skills.

The first session at the weekend focused on passing and receiving and this weekend will center around elimination skills.

MCH will also muster day at the day which serves tunity for locals

PHOTO ROBYN HOOD 080320-RH-020

be hosting a turf on Saturas an opporinterested in

playing this year to talk to hockey representatives.

The workshop runs between 10-11am.

■■OLYMPICS

Coronavirus already causing chaos at qualifying events NZME For many athletes and teams who have yet to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics, the global virus outbreak is spoiling plans and ruining hopes.

Qualifying events are being cancelled or postponed almost daily, and time is running out for athletes to prove they meet the standard.

Rowing was the latest sport to find itself in flux when it cancelled two World Cups, the European Olympic and Paralympic qualifying regatta, and the final Paralympic qualifier.

All were to be held in Italy from April 10 to May 10. World Rowing said it wants to relocate the qualifiers and was talking with other countries. It hoped to offer good news next week.

For now, the Asia and Oceania qualifying regatta, and the final qualifying regatta are still going ahead from May 17-19 in Lucerne, Switzerland.

On Monday, the International Judo Federation cancelled all Olympic qualifiers through April 30, including a Grand Slam and two Grand Prix. Another Grand Prix last weekend, in Morocco, was cancelled earlier. Judo qualifying ends on May 25.

“It is of paramount importance

to keep the judo family safe in these difficult times, and also to ensure fair chances for all athletes engaged in the Olympic qualification,” the IJF said.

Other sports as diverse as weightlifting, swimming and badminton have also been postponed indefinitely or cancelled outright.

The African weightlifting championships in Mauritius next month were postponed on Tuesday. The Asian champs set a week later in Uzbekistan were cancelled last week.

Because of the virus, the international governing body is allowing lifters yet to qualify, to register for major qualifying competitions

out of their region, such as the European, Pan American or even the Oceania champs.

The Badminton World Federation, however, has refused to extend the qualifying period, and noted players from its leading nation, China, have been healthy and passed tests for Covid-19.

Badminton has lost three tournaments alone this month in Europe – in Germany, Portugal, and Poland – with the end of qualifying rapidly approaching on April 26.

One of its biggest events outside of the world championships, the All England Open, is going ahead in Birmingham.

Chinese teams have pulled out

of numerous events worldwide, and others like Russia gymnasts teams have cut back their schedules.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover. In mainland China, where the virus first exploded, more than 80,000 people have been diagnosed and more than 58,000 have so far recovered.

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach wrote an open letter to athletes last week saying the IOC was working with other sports bodies “to ensure a fair Olympic qualification,” but didn’t say how it might work.

“I want to personally thank you for all this flexibility and solidarity, which is the true Olympic spirit,” he added.

When the virus was still largely confined to China earlier in the

year, events were moved – boxing and taekwondo qualifiers to Jordan, basketball to Serbia, triathlon to Spain. Now the little space left in the calendar is vanishing.

The Olympics open July 24.

When qualifying events do take place, athletes may compete in unequal conditions. Many countries require quarantine for visitors from areas affected by the virus.

Endurance athletes in particular are feeling the pinch.

Evan Dunfee of Canada is the world championship bronze medallist in the 50-kilometre walk, the longest event on the Olympic athletics programme.

Athletes need weeks of recovery between races. Rescheduling qualifiers will be of little use, he argues.

If athletes have to race in June, “you’ll be putting all your eggs into the qualifying basket and wouldn’t be able to recover in time for the games,” Dunfee wrote on Twitter on Monday.

The virus is already affected the Tokyo Games. Test events in rugby and shooting have been cancelled. Spectators have been barred from the lighting of the Olympic flame at Ancient Olympia on Thursday, and its arrival ceremony in Japan on March 20 has been downsized.

Racing 22 Ashburton Guardian

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Perfect draw for Melody Belle NZME Jockey Opie Bosson has given All-Star Mile (1600m) contender Melody Belle the tick of approval following her gallop at Caulfield over 1200m yesterday morning.

Bosson made a special trip to Melbourne ahead of the $A5 million race on Saturday to give the 10-time Group One winner her final work out.

“Her work was outstanding this morning,” Bosson said. “She has improved so much from that first up run. I couldn’t fault her work one bit.”

Melody Belle finished third in the Group One Futurity Stakes (1400m) when resuming last month behind Streets of Avalon and Super Seth on a day which favoured on-speed runners. The bonny mare drew perfectly in barrier five, the most successful gate at Caulfield over 1600m.

“I definitely didn’t want to be out too wide,” Bosson said.

“If there is no speed on it would be nice to just sit and get a nice track into the race.”

Bosson is looking forward to taking on boom 3-year-old Alligator Blood but said there are

M6

Melody Belle is $4.80 second favourite for the All-Star Mile.

Ashburton gallops Today at Ashburton Raceway

Ashburton County Racing Club Venue: Ashburton Meeting Date: 12 March 2020 NZ Meeting number: 6 Doubles: 2 and 3; 4 and 5; 6 and 7; 8 and 9 Trebles: 1, 2 and 3; 4, 5 and 6; 7, 8 and 9 1 11.55am (NZT) DAVE & JILL QUIGLEY 1600M $11,000, Rating 72 Benchmark, 1600m 1 22211 Capodanno d (6) 59.........................L Allpress 2 50845 Tuilana tdm (3) 58........................... C Johnson 3 18230 Vouch d (5) 58..........................R Mudhoo (a2) 4 18081 Monash d (4) 57........................ T Comignaghi 5 3x414 Skaaboom d (1) 56.5......................... S Wynne 6 21518 Too Ferlaxed db (2) 56.5.............K Asano (a1) 2 12.32pm NZB INSURANCE PEARL SERIES MAIDEN RACE $10,000, MDN F&M, 1400m 1 43442 Exclaim (5) 57.5...............................L Allpress 2 6x626 Llovizna (14) 57.5........................... C Johnson 3 06745 Chitter Chat (12) 57.5.........................G Jogoo 4 8437 Dancing Choux (10) 57.5.......... T Comignaghi 5 03230 Easy On The Eye (6) 57................ D Prastiyou 6 902 Highly Polished (16) 57................... T Moseley 7 8024x Last Hoorah (15) 57 8 45552 Matuki (8) 57..................................K Kwo (a3) 9 4542D Nymphadora Tonks (13) 57.............K Williams 10 43945 Clubcard (2) 57..................K Chowdhoory (a2) 11 04 Madam Sequoia h (11) 57................. S Wynne 12 08940 My Excuse (9) 57.....................R Mudhoo (a2) 13 660x6 Alto Potenza (4) 57.................... J Fawcett (a1) 14 6 Vardon Road (1) 57.....................K Asano (a1) 15 Memo (7) 57.5 16 0 Nom De Reve (3) 57.5 Emergencies: Memo, Nom De Reve 3 1.07pm GARY MCCORMICK TRANSPORT LTD 1200M $11,000, Rating 72 Benchmark, 1200m 1 05813 Barabas td (5) 62.5.....................W Papier (a4) 2 51334 Solomon d (4) 59....................... J Fawcett (a1)

M7

numerous chances in the quality field.

“You can’t fault his [Alligator Blood’s] form,” Bosson said. “He is a real racehorse but there are a few nice horses in there.”

Bosson praised Melody Belle’s trainer, Jamie Richards, who has sent out the winners of 11 Group 1 races already this season.

“We’ve gone to another level this season. The horses are all firing and Jamie’s doing an amazing job with them. I’m very lucky to be stable rider,” Bosson said.

“He’s a really hands-on type of bloke and he’s so dedicated to his job. I think the world’s his oyster.”

Melody Belle is $4.80 second favourite for the All-Star Mile behind Alligator Blood ($2.80), who drew barrier 10, with likely pacemaker Streets Of Avalon ($41) drawn in barrier 11.

“Barrier 10 gives us time to make up our mind and assess going into the first corner,” Alligator Blood’s jockey Ryan Maloney said.

“He worked really well this morning and has ticked all the boxes.”

3 x0704 Flytime d (9) 58................................. S Wynne 4 15039 Clooney tdh (6) 57.5........................... J Laking 5 04415 Devious m (1) 57.5.................... T Comignaghi 6 83464 Middagurd dm (8) 57.5................K Asano (a1) 7 94385 Pipiana d (3) 56.5..............K Chowdhoory (a2) 8 x9127 Vasiliki d (7) 56.5..........................Y Chew (a4) 9 4191x I Got A Rock (2) 55.5........................L Allpress 4 1.42pm SIM*S BAKERY MAIDEN 1200M $10,000, MDN, 1200m 1 52335 Grand Express (7) 58.5.....K Chowdhoory (a2) 2 86267 Resuscitate (14) 58.5.............R Beeharry (a3) 3 69654 Van Halen h (12) 58.5....................... S Wynne 4 56x60 Battle Man (2) 58.5............................. J Laking 5 0x00x Dr Pepper (6) 58.5......................W Papier (a4) 6 x5073 Khitan Warrior (3) 58............. C Campbell (a1) 7 70 Andale Andale (15) 58..................... T Moseley 8 0 Bad Biddy (1) 56.5............................ C Barnes 9 80x Itsonlymoney (4) 56.5.....................K Kwo (a3) 10 4 Ripa Ruby (10) 56..................... T Comignaghi 11 04x0 Youneverknow (11) 56.....................K Williams 12 6x075 Button (5) 56.............................. J Fawcett (a1) 13 Caitlyn Jay (8) 56........................K Asano (a1) 14 The Emporess (13) 56......................L Allpress 15 0 Dancing In The Sky (9) 56.5 16 0 Nom De Reve (16) 56.5 Emergencies: Dancing In The Sky, Nom De Reve 5 2.17pm BETTY WADLEY MEMORIAL 2200M $11,000, Rating82&JMPS Benchmark, 2200m 1 49259 Showpin m (6) 59......................... B Hong (a3) 2 11413 Sister Monica b (1) 55............... T Comignaghi 3 41304 Red River Rock (8) 54.................K Asano (a1) 4 25025 Baban (2) 54....................................... A Balloo 5 67243 Metasequoia d (5) 54..................... C Johnson 6 432x0 Nathan Detroit td (4) 54.................... C Barnes 7 66933 Shaz The Bank (7) 54................... D Prastiyou

8 09877 Producer t (3) 54............................... S Wynne

6 2.52pm MORRISON’S SADDLERY & FEED MAIDEN

2200 $10,000, MDN, 2200m 1 52234 Five Princes (11) 58.5.................... C Johnson 2 37993 Grab The Bar h (3) 58.5...................L Allpress 3 66369 Red Light District (8) 58.5............... T Moseley 4 39x59 Whereabouts (1) 58.5...................... K Mudhoo 5 00787 Artic Warrior (10) 58.5.......K Chowdhoory (a2) 6 36767 Bogatyr (6) 58.5.................................. J Laking 7 x4392 Jingo (2) 56.5........................... S Toolooa (a3) 8 3x702 Rockwithme (9) 56.5...................K Asano (a1) 9 06893 Last Letter (7) 56.5............................. A Balloo 10 00866 June Rose (5) 56.5..........................K Williams 11 82207 Vivace Lady (4) 56.................... T Comignaghi 7 3.32pm PENDENE FARM LTD 1200M $10,000, Rating 65 Benchmark*, 1200m 1 6120x Dutch Courage td (8) 59..................... J Laking 2 85616 Oceans Away b (1) 58.5.............Z Bholah (a3) 3 35573 Touch The Sky (14) 58...................... B Murray 4 84316 Sligo (10) 58.................................... T Moseley 5 24x19 Tap ‘n’ Go d (7) 58....................R Mudhoo (a2) 6 46125 Celine t (3) 57.5......................... T Comignaghi 7 01007 Park Ranger dm (13) 57.....................G Jogoo 8 x000x Midsummer Magic d (12) 56.5.....K Asano (a1) 9 00307 Campo d (6) 55.5............................... A Balloo 10 39084 Fascino Lass (2) 55..........................L Allpress 11 37769 Miss Tilly Winks dh (5) 55.......R Beeharry (a3) 12 x5759 Running Man d (4) 55........K Chowdhoory (a2) 13 70506 Montreux Miss td (9) 54.5.................. S Wynne 14 96805 Viva La Blues (11) 54................ J Fawcett (a1) 8 4.12pm ECOLAB 1400M $11,000, Rating 82 Benchmark, 1400m 1 81722 Ticket To Ride tdmb (8) 63.....R Beeharry (a3) 2 47575 He’s Gold td (4) 62.5....................Y Chew (a4) 3 41290 El Bee Darci tdmh (9) 61..........R Mudhoo (a2)

4 23856 Just Push Play dm (2) 58................... J Laking 5 11111 Quintuple Twins d (3) 57.5.............. C Johnson 6 46651 Nowhere Man tdm (5) 57...K Chowdhoory (a2) 7 44510 Bluey’s Chance dm (6) 56.................. A Balloo 8 61134 Sharp ‘N’ Silver d (7) 55...............K Asano (a1) 9 00440 Monrecour d (1) 54.5.......................K Williams 10 43606 Dreaming Easy tdm (10) 54.............L Allpress 9 4.52pm ECOLAB 1600M $10,000, Rating 65 Benchmark*, 1600m 1 18081 Monash d (13) 59.5 2 7661x Hillersden (2) 59................................. J Laking 3 44x45 Coup Dreamwood t (6) 56.5.....K Chowdhoory (a2) 4 63290 Golden Valkyrie d (3) 56.5............... K Mudhoo 5 20738 Ataahuadreamsrfree d (9) 56...........L Allpress 6 06970 Lady Byron (8) 55.5 7 x3040 Queen Sweep (11) 55.5............ T Comignaghi 8 x4080 Mowenna d (7) 55.............................. A Balloo 9 48540 Lincoln Zephyr h (1) 55......... C Campbell (a1) 10 39004 Fine And Dandee d (12) 54......R Mudhoo (a2) 11 94937 Major Ish Choux d (10) 54...........K Asano (a1) 12 30859 Miss Tanira (5) 54...............................G Jogoo 13 90006 Karima dm (4) 54.............................. S Wynne Blinkers on : Clooney (R3), Dr Pepper (R4) Blinkers off : Battle Man, Khitan Warrior (R4), June Rose (R6), Park Ranger (R7), Ataahuadreamsrfree (R9) Winkers on : Middagurd (R3), Park Ranger (R7), Ataahuadreamsrfree (R9) Pacifiers off : Park Ranger (R7) 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 Race Information hcp - handicap mdn - maiden nmw - no metropolitan wins opn - open r80 - rating 3yo - nominated age 3yo & up - nominated age and up 3yo f - nominated age and type 3 & 4yos - combined age groups c&g - colts and geldings cg&e - colts, geldings and entires e&g - entires and geldings f&m - fillies and mares hwt - high weight sw - set weight swp - set weights and penalties spa - set weights, penalties and allowances wfa - weight for age wlt - welter weight wfp - weight for age with penalties and allowances SELECTIONS: Race 1: Capodanno, Too Ferlaxed, Tuilana, Skaaboom, Vouch Race 2: Matuki, Clubcard, Alto Potenza, Exclaim, Last Hoorah Race 3: Clooney, Barabas, Solomon, I Got A Rock, Pipiana Race 4: Van Halen, Caitlyn Jay, Khitan Warrior, Grand Express, Resuscitate Race 5: Metasequoia, Sister Monica, Baban, Showpin, Shaz The Bank Race 6: Jingo, Red Light District, Five Princes, Vivace Lady, Last Letter Race 7: Tap ‘n’ Go, Fascino Lass, Miss Tilly Winks, Running Man, Montreux Miss Race 8: Quintuple Twins, He’s Gold, Ticket To Ride, Monrecour, El Bee Darci Race 9: Ataahuadreamsrfree, Coup Dreamwood, Mowenna, Monash, Lady Byron

8 35282 Play Ball (21) fr...........................B Orange 9 41500 Starry Star (22) fr....................... B Butcher 7 7.40pm MANAWATU TOYOTA MOBILE PACE $9000, 3yo+ r44-r51., mobile, 2500m 1 86846 Lincoln Moment (1) fr..............J Abernethy 2 90083 Molly Dooker (2) fr...............A Harrison (J) 3 10994 She’s A Dagg (3) fr.....................B Orange 4 13427 Jive (4) fr.................................... D Butcher 5 35321 Jetson Hunter (5) fr........................J Curtin 6 07665 Vanhalem (6) fr............................S Phelan 7 36675 Zip Code (7) fr..............................J I Dickie 8 38718 Opawa Mach (21) fr........... D Ferguson (J) 9 69793 Ripsnorter (22) fr 8 8.05pm VERONICA JAYNE HAIR MOBILE PACE $9000, non-winners 2yo+., mobile, 2000m 1 85533 Betancourt (1) fr..........................B Orange 2 822 Quarterback (2) fr...................... B Butcher 3 Sipowicz (3) fr.................... D Ferguson (J) 4 0857P Nicky Jay (4) fr.........................P Ferguson 5 9887 Katching Stars (5) fr.......................A Pyers 6 7P Greatest Showman (6) fr...............J Curtin 7 87544 Trooper Cooper (7) fr...................J I Dickie 8 08536 Downtown Babe (21) fr........A Harrison (J) Pacifiers off : Helga’s Monarch (R4)

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 SELECTIONS: Race 1: Final Delight, Sarandon, Classey Robin, Mustang GT Race 2: Hopeing For Glory, Hey Good Lookin, Scottish Poacher, Lady Ameera Race 3: Hilarious Prince, Natural Fire, Matai Minky, Lavazza Race 4: Leesa Castleton, Mekong Princess, Our Gracie, Rave Nation Race 5: Ivana Flybye, Bugalugs, The Bandit Queen, Santanna Mach Race 6: Onedin Punter, Uncle Drew, Frankie Jones, Play Ball Race 7: She’s A Dagg, Ripsnorter, Jive, Jetson Hunter Race 8: Greatest Showman, Quarterback, Betancourt, Downtown Babe

Manawatu harness Today at Manawatu Raceway

Manawatu Harness Racing Club Inc Venue: Manawatu Raceway Meeting Date: 12 March 2020 NZ Meeting number: 7 Doubles: 1 and 2; 3 and 4; 5 and 6; 7 and 8 Trebles: 2, 3 and 4; 6, 7 and 8 1 5.11pm (NZT) CARTOWN MOBILE PACE $9000, 3yo+ r49., mobile, 2000m 1 24222 Final Delight (1) fr.......................B Orange 2 59899 Sarandon (2) fr........................... B Butcher 3 00467 Lincoln Lovely (3) fr....................P Fleming 4 86772 Emmi Rose (4) fr............................J Curtin 5 x9004 Mustang GT (5) fr........................S Phelan 6 69698 Classey Robin (6) fr................J Abernethy 7 43655 Sonny Reactor (7) fr................P Ferguson 8 67830 Waingaro Mara (21) fr..................J I Dickie 9 009P6 Dametoro (22) fr........................ D Butcher 10 83626 Magic Blaze (23) fr 2 5.36pm DARYLL & NICK BRADLEY MOBILE PACE $9000, non-winners 3yo+., mobile, 2500m 1 72266 Hey Good Lookin (1) fr.............. D Butcher 2 966 Scottish Poacher (2) fr.................J I Dickie 3 36944 Lady Ameera (3) fr..................J Abernethy 4 77458 Tommy Tahi (4) fr.........................S Phelan 5 2 Hopeing For Glory (5) fr..............B Orange 6 34683 Carse O Fern Cully (6) fr... D Ferguson (J)

7 53467 Drum Beat (7) fr...................A Harrison (J) 8 95625 Sunhi Magic (U1) fr........................J Curtin 3 6.02pm KEVIN & SHIRLEY FARRIER & ANN MCBETH MOBILE PACE $9000, 3yo+ r54-r57., mobile, 2500m 1 75066 Our Wicklow (1) fr........................S Phelan 2 78618 Port Delight (2) fr.................A Harrison (J) 3 05269 Sweet Maggie Ryan (3) fr.......J Abernethy 4 55177 Absolut Russian (4) fr 5 36144 Lavazza (5) fr............................. B Butcher 6 60181 Hilarious Prince (6) fr 7 55381 Matai Minky (7) fr.....................P Ferguson 8 39221 Lynton Creek (21) fr................... D Butcher 9 20018 Fletch (22) fr..................................J Curtin 10 01615 Natural Fire (23) fr....................... S Doody 4 6.27pm REHAB PHYSIO HANDICAP TROT $9000, non-winners & up-r63 discrhcp, stand, 2500m 1 8086 Haka Pride (1) fr............................A Pyers 2 24584 Rave Nation (1) 40M......F Schumacher (J) 3 67867 Danke (2) 40M............................. G Martin 4 9x75P Helga’s Monarch (U1) 40M............J Curtin 5 77864 Mackali (U2) 40M....................J Abernethy 6 45463 Caitlin’s Surprise (1) 55M..........P Fleming

7 53241 Leesa Castleton (2) 55M.............S Phelan 8 502D2 Mekong Princess (U1) 55M........B Orange 9 x8118 Our Gracie (1) 65M..................P Ferguson 5 6.54pm THE COBB MANAWATU CUP (MOBILE PACE) $12,000, r56-r75., mobile, 2500m 1 64832 Bugalugs (1) fr.........................P Ferguson 2 30312 Milner (2) fr....................................J Curtin 3 48931 Captain Max (3) fr........................J I Dickie 4 96256 Mister Harris (4) fr........................S Phelan 5 14124 The Bandit Queen (5) fr............. D Butcher 6 11713 Santanna Mach (6) fr..................B Orange 7 F4941 Ivana Flybye (7) fr...................... B Butcher 8 16815 Stinger Lindenny (21) fr..... D Ferguson (J) 9 49107 The Kapiti Express (22) fr.......J Abernethy 10 53341 Thunderfromthethrone (23) fr.A Harrison (J) 6 7.16pm GARY BERGERSON MEMORIAL MOBILE PACE $9000, 3yo+ r51-r55., mobile, 2500m 1 44163 Uncle Drew (1) fr..................A Harrison (J) 2 18099 Den’s Legacy (2) fr............. D Ferguson (J) 3 44614 Hold Thumbs (3) fr..................... D Butcher 4 50647 Fleeting Grin (4) fr....................P Ferguson 5 42832 Onedin Punter (5) fr................J Abernethy 6 33593 Frankie Jones (6) fr......................S Phelan 7 56261 With Revenge (7) fr........................J Curtin

Racing www.guardianonline.co.nz

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Ashburton Guardian 23

May determined to get back racing

By Michael Guerin NZME

Ricky May is determined his career in the sulky is “not going to end like that”.

The “that” May doesn’t want to be the final act of his storied harness racing driving career was almost also the final act of his life.

Racing viewers Australasia-wide were stunned when May collapsed lifeless in the sulky when leading the Central Otago Cup driving A G’s White Socks on January 2.

When he fell to the track, the racing world held its breath.

May’s heart stopped without warning, his official diagnosis later being hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.

He lay motionless on the Omakau track, receiving CPR from junior driver Ellie Barron and was soon after treated by medics.

But when the 61-year-old woke up in Dunedin Hospital two days later doctors told him he had probably been dead for 10 minutes that day.

A few days later he had surgery to have a cardioverter defibrillator implanted, a device that delivers a shock through a wire which runs into a chamber

of the heart and May will have it in his chest for the rest of his life in case his heart stops again.

But two months on from that operation May hasn’t needed the defibrillator yet and is hoping he never will.

“The doctors told me if it was going to happen again it would most likely be in the first two months,” May said. “So I am now going to get on with my life.

“I feel good, almost back to normal. I have a few aches and pains from the fall and the operation but my energy levels are good.”

May is back working on his Methven farm but last week he started back at his other job. He jumped in the sulky and drove fast work.

“It was good to do it again, but I was a little tentative just at the start,” says the man who has won seven New Zealand Cups.

“The doctors say I can go back to driving but they are a bit worried about the shaking and vibrations that can go through the body on a rougher surface.

“So ideally they have said to start out slow and if possible maybe wait six months before I

M9 Christchurch Greyhound Racing Club Venue: Addington Raceway Meeting Date: 12 March 2020 NZ Meeting number: 9 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 3.57pm (NZT) THE FITZ SPORTS BAR SPRINT C3, 295m 1 1864x Ineffable 17.34.....................................B Dann 2 22113 Vegan Express 17.22........................... C Weir 3 27877 Nippa Martino 17.22.................... J McInerney 4 77536 Goldstar Spotty 17.25 S &..................B Evans 5 52844 Homebush Sayer 17.54............... J McInerney 6 22615 Smash Achiever 17.15....................... M Grant 7 53343 Neelix 17.29................................ R Blackburn 8 46735 Jaded Affair 17.33........................... L Waretini 9 88815 Homebush Comet 17.44............. J McInerney 10 57565 Citizen Aguero 17.25................... J McInerney 2 4.14pm HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVE ROBBIE DASH C3, 295m 1 21224 Calm Inferno 17.41..............................B Dann 2 23564 Cosmic Jase 17.42...................... J McInerney 3 76176 Homebush Zack 17.99................ J McInerney 4 547x7 Goldstar Diesel 17.37 S &..................B Evans 5 13138 Jealous Affair 17.47......................... L Waretini 6 33561 Jinja Liv 17.52 J M..............................McCook 7 23548 Smash Grenade 17.38....................... M Grant 8 42451 Cisco Reign 17.21...........................D Roberts 9 88815 Homebush Comet 17.44............. J McInerney 10 58653 Opawa Lawsey 17.29.........................R Wales 3 4.30pm HART FAMILY GREYHOUND RACING SPRINT C3, 295m 1 37437 Smash Rebel 17.44............................ M Grant 2 77757 Fickle Mistress 17.36 H &.......................Taylor 3 16625 Homebush Aimee 17.31.............. J McInerney

M3 Waikato Greyhound Racing Club Venue: Cambridge Raceway Meeting Date: 12 March 2020 NZ Meeting number: 3 Doubles: 1 and 2; 3 and 4; 5 and 6; 7 and 8 Trebles: 2, 3 and 4; 6, 7 and 8 1 12.05pm (NZT) COOKIES KITCHEN SPRINT C0, 375m 1 55572 Amaro nwtd...................................A Lawrence 2 55527 Alfie Daman nwtd.................................P Clark 3 635 Clever Harper nwtd W &..................... T Steele 4 Portland Berry nwtd..............................B Craik 5 5263F Forego nwtd...................................G Pomeroy 6 223 Thrilling Rupert nwtd.......................... K Walsh 7 34432 Derry Blues nwtd..................................P Clark 8 77 Fernando Charm nwtd....................... T Green 9 26468 Xena Poppy nwtd R &............................ L Udy 10 7488x Chong Lai nwtd...............................R McPhee 2 12.23pm MAY HOUNDS RETIREMENT PROJECT SERIES HEAT 1 C1q, 375m 1 83421 Get Me Home nwtd U &.......................Cottam 2 57842 Smash Burton nwtd R &......................... L Udy 3 16581 Big Time Harper nwtd...........................P Clark 4 77143 Bugsy Brown nwtd W &...................... T Steele 5 74467 Winbourn Freddy nwtd.......................S Codlin

go back to race driving.”

So that is what May is planning to do. He admits he might be lured back earlier but at this stage he plans to be back driving in races next season, which starts August 1.

“I want to be careful for a while and to be honest I wouldn’t have too many good drives coming up in the next few months.

“And I don’t mind missing the winter racing,” he laughs.

But May will 100 per cent, as much as any of us can predict our futures, be back.

“I have to go back to it because I can’t let what happened be the way it ends. That wouldn’t sit comfortably with me.”

The next great goal is obvious for a man who has driven 2949 winners in his domestic career.

Joining Tony Herlihy and Maurice McKendry as the only 3000-win horsepeople (drivers or jockeys) in New Zealand is an honour May deserves.

“I can go back to driving any time I want now, once I get a medical certificate which shouldn’t be a problem. But I will wait and do it right. But I will be back. I am looking forward to getting back out there.”

Driver Ricky May following winning Christchurch Casino New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington Raceway in Christchurch.

Christchurch dogs Today at Addington Raceway 4 62526 Two Be Frank 17.24.............................B Dann 5 x5234 Ring Clown 17.19............................... M Grant 6 11737 Zefside 17.74............................... J McInerney 7 71212 Mitcham Becky 17.28........................ C Steele 8 63656 Chitina Tin 17.15....................................A Lee 9 88815 Homebush Comet 17.44............. J McInerney 10 18682 Maffra Daisy 17.22...................... J McInerney 4 4.46pm MURRAY & HANNAH @ RAY WHITE CASHMERE DASH C4, 295m 1 17818 Tearaway Tara 17.39 J M....................McCook 2 86526 Chanyaka 17.20..................................B Dann 3 25377 Sozin’s Azure 17.44..................... J McInerney 4 75131 It’s A Joke 17.26.......................... J McInerney 5 43411 Opawa Di 17.10..................................R Wales 6 17778 Pita Ramos 17.14.................................J Dunn 7 25222 Jinja Ellie 17.24.................................. A Joyce 8 21246 Amuri Liv 17.16........................... J McInerney 9 66476 Frizzled nwtd.................................. M Roberts 10 37864 Lisa’s Boy 17.24................................ R Casey 5 5.03pm THURSDAY PLACE PICK SPRINT C5, 295m 1 14424 Jinja Dylan 17.18................................ A Joyce 2 32562 Sozin’s Empire 17.26................... J McInerney 3 36841 Martha Magic 17.33........................ L Waretini 4 34223 Platinum Paisley 17.08.........................J Dunn 5 25137 Smash Wild 17.07.............................. M Grant 6 33125 Opawa Sweet nwtd.............................R Wales 7 33212 Mustang Tully 17.08.............................. C Weir 8 55137 Homebush Caesar nwtd.............. J McInerney 9 47275 Hankenstein 17.19.......................A Bradshaw 10 88287 Golden Bay 17.13 J M........................McCook 6 5.21pm SUCK IT UP LTD SPRINT C4, 295m 1 13647 Culvie Ness 17.22 H &...........................Taylor 2 25355 Fidgety Feet 17.21 J M.......................McCook 3 14564 Nikko Baxter 17.32...................... J McInerney

4 56121 Homebush Boots 17.20............... J McInerney 5 62532 Treville 17.27........................................J Dunn 6 774F3 Amuri Magic 17.28...................... J McInerney 7 38423 King Toliman 17.32..........................D Roberts 8 76834 Opawa Lacy 17.04..............................R Wales 9 66476 Frizzled nwtd.................................. M Roberts 10 37864 Lisa’s Boy 17.24................................ R Casey 7 5.47pm KAIKANUI TAVERN SPRINT C5, 295m 1 31525 Amuri George 17.23.................... J McInerney 2 35634 Versailles 17.07....................................J Dunn 3 35216 Little Krakatoa 17.24....................A Bradshaw 4 35526 Egomaniacal nwtd...........................D Roberts 5 21431 Beck Eleven 17.04........................... L Waretini 6 24518 Disobedience 17.19 S &.....................B Evans 7 32172 Fired Up Jed 17.21..............................B Dann 8 11145 Archie John Hill 17.08 J &..................D Fahey 9 88176 Forehand Raid 17.19............................J Dunn 10 17528 Super Over Drama 17.12 S &.............B Evans 8 6.13pm CHRISTCHURCH CASINO STAKES C3, 520m 1 12212 Ozzie 30.01......................................... D Lane 2 24551 Punters A Hero 30.40 J &...................D Fahey 3 75833 Dyna Xarvel 30.35...........................C Roberts 4 58173 Homebush Bomber nwtd............. J McInerney 5 44831 Famous Lee 30.51 S &.......................B Evans 6 34627 Goldstar Spook 30.48 S &..................B Evans 7 41522 Opawa Slick 30.23 J &.......................D Fahey 8 51678 Rivalries 30.16 J &.............................D Fahey 9 78367 Ophelia Allen 30.09.........................D Roberts 10 67847 Creme Brulee 30.26........................ L Waretini 9 6.36pm KAISA EARTHWORKS PH 0272073323 STAKES C4/5, 520m 1 54411 Sailor Allen 30.07............................C Roberts 2 43176 Know State 30.01............................. G Cleeve 3 13315 Goldstar Tawny nwtd S &....................B Evans

4 347x1 Translation 30.33 J &..........................D Fahey 5 51152 Ringside 29.84.................................R Adcock 6 15187 Goldstar Mauney 30.20 S &...............B Evans 7 25715 Go Vegas 30.03 J &............................D Fahey 8 12434 Spring Falcon 29.98 J &.....................D Fahey 9 61675 Start The Show 30.02.......................R Adcock 10 73752 Bahama Queen 30.17..........................J Dunn 10 7.07pm MY REDEEMER DISTANCE C2d, 645m 1 27856 Avenger Bale 37.61.........................C Roberts 2 32528 Opawa Nat nwtd J &...........................D Fahey 3 45215 Student Loan 38.15 J &......................D Fahey 4 23134 Alotta Talk 38.00 S &..........................B Evans 5 Vacant Box Five n & a 6 11141 Von Strass 37.77 J &..........................D Fahey 7 5F242 Goldstar Sydney 38.13 S &................B Evans 8 34426 Mighty Muscle 38.12 J &....................D Fahey 11 7.31pm ACTIVE ELECTRICAL CHRISTCHURCH DASH C5, 295m 1 74411 Memoir 17.30.....................................D Voyce 2 61323 Fleur Dior 17.13....................................J Dunn 3 51231 High Dreamer 17.11........................... M Grant 4 43741 Shaw Lee 17.10 J M...........................McCook 5 12714 Hilton Forabet 17.06............................B Dann 6 31288 Homebush Alexei 17.14.............. J McInerney 7 44175 Goldstar Major 17.24 S &...................B Evans 8 67F31 Flora Dora 17.06..............................R Adcock 9 88176 Forehand Raid 17.19............................J Dunn 10 77285 Thrilling Watch 17.55.......................D Roberts 12 7.47pm RE-ENERGISE DASH C4, 295m 1 26732 Special As 17.30 J M..........................McCook 2 66125 Black Tori 17.35............................A Bradshaw 3 11356 Alexia 17.40......................................... D Lane 4 12112 Homebush Velma 17.24.............. J McInerney 5 84571 Elodea 17.37............................... R Blackburn

6 17187 Smash Damage 17.17........................ M Grant 7 32457 Opawa Oscar 17.10............................R Wales 8 67436 Souffle Sue 17.19........................ J McInerney 9 66476 Frizzled nwtd.................................. M Roberts 10 78576 Taieri Terra 17.31............................... R Casey LEGEND: fsdt - First Start Here nwd - No Win this Distance fstd - First Start This Distance 31 13 - Best Winning Time This Track SELECTIONS: Race 1: Vegan Express, Ineffable, Neelix, Nippa Martino, Smash Achiever Race 2: Calm Inferno, Cisco Reign, Cosmic Jase, Jealous Affair, Smash Grenade Race 3: Smash Rebel, Chitina Tin, Homebush Aimee, Mitcham Becky, Ring Clown Race 4: Opawa Di, Chanyaka, Jinja Ellie, Pita Ramos, Amuri Liv Race 5: Mustang Tully, Jinja Dylan, Platinum Paisley, Opawa Sweet, Martha Magic Race 6: Opawa Lacy, Culvie Ness, Fidgety Feet, Treville, King Toliman Race 7: Archie John Hill, Beck Eleven, Versailles, Amuri George, Egomaniacal Race 8: Ozzie, Opawa Slick, Rivalries, Punters A Hero, Dyna Xarvel Race 9: Ringside, Spring Falcon, Translation, Sailor Allen, Go Vegas Race 10: Von Strass, Alotta Talk, Student Loan, Opawa Nat, Avenger Bale Race 11: Fleur Dior, High Dreamer, Shaw Lee, Flora Dora, Memoir Race 12: Opawa Oscar, Homebush Velma, Special As, Alexia, Souffle Sue

8 31241 Bigtime Leo nwtd..................................P Clark 7 1.50pm AFFORDABLE PET ACCESSORIES SPRINT C3/4, 375m 1 7x886 Quara’s Yoshi nwtd...........................P Cleaver 2 77335 Busy Flash nwtd W &......................... T Steele 3 34411 Firefly Laffey 21.50.............................S Codlin 4 61528 Thrilling Dexter 21.39..........................S Lozell 5 32766 Captain Kev 21.09 W &...................... T Steele 6 11327 Go Falcon 21.39 W &......................... T Steele 7 65621 Madam Bucks 21.37.......................G Pomeroy 8 12468 Charlow 21.38 R &.........................N O’Regan 9 71655 Sefton Stan nwtd................................ P Green 10 16457 Eddie Hemi nwtd W &........................ T Steele 8 2.06pm SUPERIOR CHUNKY DOG ROLLS SPRINT C5, 375m 1 27517 Raging Demon 20.99 R &...................... L Udy 2 13241 Too The Nail 20.89............................. P Green 3 15172 Thrilling Bruce 21.02.......................... K Walsh 4 16423 Athenais 21.19.....................................S Ross 5 88187 Relevance 21.20 R &.............................. L Udy 6 18752 Tuff’s My Mum 21.09............................S Ross 7 24147 Grunt 21.20 W &................................. T Steele

8 16388 Odnoc Ankie nwtd.........................P Ferguson LEGEND: fsdt - First Start Here nwd - No Win this Distance fstd - First Start This Distance 31 13 - Best Winning Time This Track SELECTIONS: Race 1: Amaro, Thrilling Rupert, Portland Berry, Derry Blues, Forego Race 2: Get Me Home, Bugsy Brown, Cointreau Time, Jinja Lad, Big Time Harper Race 3: Our Hotrod, Baileys Nice, Agbeze, Little Mermaid, Bailey And Cream Race 4: Looby’s Story, Flying Huey, Talkabout Izzy, Blocker, Luke Skywalker Race 5: Portland Berty, Kai Nan, Birds Fly High, Ford Man, Bigtime Gal Race 6: Sophia Noir, Typical, Zoro, Tres Vite, Spring Mechanic Race 7: Captain Kev, Madam Bucks, Quara’s Yoshi, Go Falcon, Charlow Race 8: Too The Nail, Thrilling Bruce, Athenais, Grunt, Tuff’s My Mum

Waikato dogs Today at Cambridge Raceway

6 72334 Jinja Lad 21.72................................R McPhee 7 44575 Just Maddie 21.72...............................M Black 8 42255 Cointreau Time nwtd.....................A Lawrence 9 86678 Opawa Queen nwtd W &.................... T Steele 3 12.41pm MAY HOUNDS RETIREMENT PROJECT SERIES HEAT 2 C1q, 375m 1 47233 Agbeze nwtd........................................M Black 2 33327 Baileys Nice nwtd..........................A Lawrence 3 88586 Hua Hua nwtd..................................R McPhee 4 78358 Little Mermaid nwtd W &.................... T Steele 5 21741 Our Hotrod nwtd U &............................Cottam 6 85834 Stellar Babe 22.10............................P Cleaver 7 47247 Magic Eight Ball nwtd R &..............N O’Regan 8 23647 Bailey And Cream nwtd R &................... L Udy 9 86678 Opawa Queen nwtd W &.................... T Steele 4 12.58pm VETORA CAMBRIDGE SPRINT C2, 375m 1 87113 Talkabout Izzy 21.33...............................D Ray 2 42625 Poppy Rocket nwtd...........................M S Clark 3 51133 Looby’s Story 21.52.......................A Lawrence 4 36658 Blocker 21.67 R &..........................N O’Regan 5 67314 Thrilling Arnold 21.48.........................S Codlin 6 17855 Snoopy’s Hero 21.31..............................D Ray

7 88866 Luke Skywalker nwtd......................... L A Hunt 8 71467 Flying Huey 21.37...............................M Black 5 1.16pm GARRARDS HORSE & HOUND SPRINT C1, 375m 1 56863 Ford Man nwtd R &................................ L Udy 2 75764 Kai Nan 21.63.....................................G Farrell 3 46528 Birds Fly High nwtd...........................P Henley 4 25587 Talkabout Sophie 21.54.......................M Black 5 42584 Bigtime Gal nwtd R &.....................N O’Regan 6 5123 Portland Berty nwtd..............................B Craik 7 63868 Seven Sharp 21.56........................ W Toomath 8 18753 Big Time Abbi nwtd...............................P Clark 9 F6865 Rion King nwtd R &................................ L Udy 10 56656 In Focus 21.66..................................P Cleaver 6 1.33pm FARMLANDS VIRKON SPRINT C4, 375m 1 38727 Zoro 21.55.....................................A Lawrence 2 27458 Typical 21.25........................................S Ross 3 61225 Sophia Noir 21.18..........................A Lawrence 4 74724 Spring Mechanic nwtd R &..................... L Udy 5 72231 Stay Rich 21.46 M &............................ J Smith 6 x3313 Tres Vite 21.28.................................... T Patton 7 65612 Frosty Blaze 21.31.............................. T Green

Classifieds 24 Ashburton Guardian

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Church Services GUARDIAN

W H AT ’ S O N

Advertise in this classification every Saturday!

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

www.ateventcentre.co.nz Tina – Simply The Best

Book two adverts and get one free!

Get the electrifying concert experience of Tina Turner with this full stage production brimming with Tina Turner Hits from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. Featuring the powerful yet raspy vocals and thrilling stage presence of Caroline Borole complete with band including a brass section, backing vocalists and dancers.

Adult $71.50* Child 12 and under $31.50* Group 6+ $66* each

Advertisement Rates

MARCH

Sun, 7pm

22

Menopause The Musical

5x1

50mm x 30.75mm

$25

6x1

60mm x 30.75mm

$30

Four women at a lingerie sale have nothing in common but a black lace bra, memory loss, hot flushes, night sweats and not enough sex, too much sex and more. This side-splitting musical will have you cheering and dancing in the aisles!

All tickets $69.90

All prices GST exclusive

APRIL

admin@ateventcentre.co.nz

03 307 2010

Fri & Sat, 7.30pm

8

211A WILLS ST, ASHBURTON, 7700

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

* Fees apply

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.

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

PLANTS, PRODUCE

PEA STRAW $5 per bale.

2.3km past the airport.

124 Single Tree Road.

Saturday mornings, 9am to 12pm. Phone/text 027 734 6005 for week night deliveries Ashburton.

ADULT ENTERTAINMENT

To advertise in Church Services contact Emma 03 307 7936

Guardian ASHBURTON

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.

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

9.30am - 4pm.

ST JOHN OPPORTUNITY SHOP. Open daily from 9.30am - 4pm and

CHARGE

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

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

Good massage, excellent service.

In/out calls.

Phone 021 046 4314.

Daily Dairy THURSDAY

FREE OF

March 12 & 13, 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.

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.

1pm - 4pm ASHBURTON EMBROIDERERS GUILD. You are welcome to bring your embroidery and join an afternoon of stitching and friendship. Seniors Centre, Cameron Street.

1.30am LITTER FREE ASHBURTON. Volunteers needed to help pick up litter.

Meet East Street Chessboard, opposite Burnett Street.

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.

12noon - 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.

5pm ST STEPHEN’S ANGLICAN CHURCH. Evensong, Park Street.

Puzzles www.guardianonline.co.nz Puzzles and horoscopes

Cryptic crossword

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Simon Shuker’s Code Cracker

Your Stars ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 19): No one can give another person confidence, but you can be a springboard for another person and provide the kind of lift that invites the spirit of success.

TAURUS (Apr 20-May 20): As long as you have your phone with you, you’re never alone. Creativity and vitality spring alive as you disconnect from the digital world for a spell and reconnect to your inner world.

GEMINI (May 21-Jun 21): You may feel like an actor today in the role of “the expert.” It’s a feeling that you wouldn’t be having if you were deluded. You know you don’t know everything. Hold your head high and proceed.

CANCER (Jun 22-Jul 22): Peril in the fight; glory in the triumph. The opposite is also true. If getting there weren’t a little hard, then it wouldn’t be fun. So don’t worry if things get a little hard.

It’s all part of the plot.

LEO (Jul 23-Aug 22): You may not be sure what to believe about a situation yet, but you’re quite willing to look at it straight on, in the best light available, unblinkingly. Do this long enough and an impression will be made.

VIRGO (Aug 23-Sep 22): While it’s kind to lend a hand, be judicious. You don’t want to rob anyone of the chance to learn skills, solve problems and have the pride of solo-completion.

LIBRA (Sep 23-Oct 23): You’re sensitive to the buzz and whirr of the world around you. It may seem counterintuitive, but the absence of colour and light will be the most stimulating. Blank spaces invigorate your creative instincts.

SCORPIO (Oct 24-Nov 21): You have ideas but you don’t know how to make them fly in the current circumstances. You imagine one way and then another, but each has its drawbacks. Until you see the light, the best move is no move.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21): Your gift for noticing the minutiae of your surroundings is sometimes hurtful or happy and always life-enriching.

Today, you encounter a stranger who reminds you of something noble in people.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19): Do you get the impression that there is secret information being passed between people and over networks to which you’re not privy? The tinge of paranoia is a sign to pay attention.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb 18): It’s really something to watch the race from the stands. You can see what those who are in the throes of it can’t. But of course, no one ever won a race watching from the stands.

PISCES (Feb 19-Mar 20): Henrik Ibsen said, “The strongest man ... is he who stands most alone.” Who has that approach worked for?

Use the strength and skill of communication and teamwork, and together you’ll be mighty.

ACROSS 1. One to give voice or resign in the confusion (6) 8. A drink one could die for, being in credit (5) 9. Thrust oneself on somebody or be bred out of it (7) 11. Elusive spy it would be peril to confound (8) 12. Franco-British articles from the river of forgetfulness (5) 15. Father has nothing on but a skirting of wood (4) 16. How not to be forward, and start in fright (3) 17. It is very bad for the Spanish around six (4) 19. Is crooked, like Botanical Gardens (5) 21. Great misfortune suffered by my cat, ail as it may (8) 24. A stay for my boy, about a day in France (7) 25. Alternatively one gets the French back to college (5) 26. Family being led astray, it may cause a flare-up (6) DOWN 2. I’m to be about turn forbidden to fill one’s mind (5) 3. State of being childishly feminine (8) 4. Sticks to certain measures (4) 5. There is room to manoeuvre among disc operators (5) 6. Get gradually to one side to gain the advantage (4) 7. One carrier that will sound like three (4) 10. Help as net is put out for Jumbos (9) 12. In waiting, she may be working (4) 13. Paté soon made with help of this kitchen measure (8) 14. An outpouring from a pack animal that turns up (4) 18. Got a whiff of a salmon-like fish (5) 20. Sign on Nero might have been Latin (5) 21. One on the range who finds the company all right (4) 22. It comes from rail where beasts are lying (4) 23. It is yellow in a lay product (4)

WordBuilder WordBuilder

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

O M B R O WordBuilder O M B R O

WordWheel 632

A N I ?

Quick crossword 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

E D 8

9

Insert the missing letter to complete an eight-letter word reading clockwise or Previous solution: INSOMNIA anticlockwise. Previous solution: INSOMNIA

10

11 12 13

14

16

15 17

18 20

19

21

22 23

24

25

ACROSS 1. Inconceivable (11) 8. Doubly (7) 9. Respond (5) 10. Trick (4) 11. Non-believer (7) 12. Energy (3) 13. Stun (4) 15. Skin complaint (4) 17. Overheat (colloq) (3) 19. Contend (7) 20. Goat cheese (4) 23. Upright (5) 24. Inconsequential (7) 25. Pride, dignity (4-7)

DOWN 1. Disorderly (6) 2. Group of apes (5) 3. False god (4) 4. Abduct (6) 5. Natal occasion (8) 6. Delight (7) 7. Shrewd (6) 12. Plinth (8) 14. Without purpose (7) 16. Plot (6) 17. Chain (6) 18. Wooden hammer (6) 21. Chosen few (5) 22. Smooch (4)

736

736

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 6many words 8ofExcellent three or10more 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 atsolution: least one five-letter word. add, addle, ale, Previous dad, dal,6 dale, dead,8deal, eld, lad, Good Very Good Excellent 10 lade, laded, lea, lead, led

C Y

Ashburton Guardian 25

Previous cryptic solution

Across: 1. Consolation 8. Original 9. Kiln 10. Feint 13. Dove 16. Inch 17. Cost 18. Undo 20. Torch 24. Noun 25. Document 26. Rudimentary 1 5.

4 Irked 6. Constituent 5 Down: 2. Omit 3. Spine 4. Learn 7. Investigate 11. Idiot 12. Tiger 14. Obol 15. Acid 2 19. Owned 21. Ozone 22. Court 23. Weir

6 8 5 1 2 Across: 6. Enmity 7. Indent 10. Teacher 11. Ideal 12. Rosy 9 2 13. Imbue 16. Blots 17. Mini 20. Eases3 21. 4 So-and-so 22. Teased 23. Svelte 5 Previous solution: add, addle, ale, Down: 1. Beat a retreat 2. Impasse 3. Itchy 4. Anxious www.thepuzzlecompany.co.nz 6 14. Blesses 9 5 dad, dal, dale, dead, deal, eld, lad, lade, 5. Fewer 8. Talked it over 9. Dramatise laded, lea, lead, led 15. Giddily 18. Essay 19. Naive 3 12/3 8 5 5 2 4 PREVIOUS SOLUTIONS Sudoku Fill the grid so that every column, every row and 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.

1 4 2 9 7 5 6 3 8 8 9 3 7 8 2 6 1 4 5 9 1 3 4 3 7 8 1 9 1 4 9 27 2 6 875 3 8 8 2 6 1 5 7 4 9 3 8 9 7 3 2 8 1 3 7 1 3 4 8 9 2 5 6 5 944 72 6 3 7 8 1 9 6 3 6 9 4 31 6 8 57 9 2 5 1 2 4 5 9 6 3 1 8 2 7 6 7 8 9 5 2 3 1

1 6 2 9 8

5

2 3 8 7

5

9

1

7

5

7

Previous quick solution

8

5

4 4 8 1

1

8

“Keeping it real” estate!

6 7 2 4 9 5 3 8 1

1 9 4 3 2 8 7 5 6

2 3 6 9 8 7 1 4 5

7 1 8 5 4 2 9 6 3

9 4 5 1 6 3 8 7 2

3 6 1 8 7 4 5 2 9

5 2 7 6 3 9 4 1 8

4 8 9 2 5 1 6 3 7

4 8 7 6 9 5 2 1 3

3 1 2 4 7 8 6 9 5

9 6 5 1 3 2 4 7 8

Deborah Roberts 021 075 2180

5 3 1 9 6 4 8 2 7

2 7 9 5 8 3 1 6 4

8 4 6 7 2 1 5 3 9

7

5 6 2 HARD

EASY

8 5 3 7 1 6 2 9 4

2 7 1 5 4 8 3 6 9

7 5 3 2 4 6 9 8 1

1 2 8 3 5 9 7 4 6

6 9 4 8 1 7 3 5 2

6 7 5 9 4 2 8 1 3

8 3 1 5 7 6 4 9 2

9 2 4 1 3 8 7 5 6

4 9 2 3 8 7 5 6 1

3 1 7 6 5 9 2 8 4

5 8 6 4 2 1 3 7 9

1 4 8 7 6 3 9 2 5

2 6 3 8 9 5 1 4 7

7 5 9 2 1 4 6 3 8

7

3

8 1 4 7 6 9 5 3 9

7

4

Guardian

Family Notices

19

19

RANGIORA

LAKE COLERIDGE

Weather

18

18

26 Ashburton Guardian

IN MEMORIAM

FUNERAL FURNISHERS

18

MASTER MONUMENTAL MASON

Canterbury owned, locally operated

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

Ph 307 7433

RICHARDSON, Judith Anne – March 12, 2019 It is hard to believe that 12 months have gone by, but your love and companionship will always remain in our hearts.

Treasured memories, Forever missed.

Dearly loved.

Mervyn, Andrew, Karlyn, Heather, Michelle and families.

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)

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

ia

17

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.

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

Honest. Trustworthy. Local.

Call me for all your real estate needs

9

10:35 – 4:40 AM

PM

PROTECTION REQUIRED Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap Data provided by NIWA

Waimate

NZ Situation

less than 30 fine

30 to 59 fog

isolated snow thunder flurries

sleet thunder

Canterbury Plains

rain

snow

hail

60 plus

NZ Today

Canterbury High Country

TODAY

TODAY

Morning cloud then fine. Light winds.

Fine apart from areas of morning and evening cloud.

Wind at 1000m: Light.

Wind at 2000m: SW 30 km/h.

TOMORROW Fine, apart from morning and evening cloud.

Northeast breezes.

FZL: Rising above 3000m early morning

TOMORROW

Thursday, 12 March 2020

A ridge covers most of the country today apart from a weak trough across the far north. The ridge remains over the country tomorrow. A low pressure system approaches the far north during Saturday, and moves off to the east of the North Island late in the day. A front then moves onto the lower South Island late Sunday.

mainly isolated cloudy drizzle drizzle few showers fine showers clearing showers

overnight max low

Auckland

fine

Hamilton

fine

Napier

fine

fine

Nelson

fine

Blenheim

fine

Fine, areas of early cloud. Light northwest.

Greymouth

fine

SUNDAY

SUNDAY

Christchurch

fine

Cloudy with a few showers. Southeasterlies.

Becoming cloudy with a few showers.

Southerlies.

Timaru

fine

Queenstown

fine

Dunedin

fine

Invercargill

cloudy

Morning cloud then fine.

Wind at 1000m: Light.

Wind at 2000m: W 30 km/h.

SATURDAY

MONDAY

Mostly cloudy, with isolated showers later.

Southeasterlies.

World Weather

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

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

Cloudy periods with isolated showers later.

Southerlies.

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

23 8 25 8 19 25 15 22 11 24 26 14 19 3 1

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

14 18 28 23 26 18 32 28 33 11 22 25 30 9 32

11 6 12 19 17 4 24 16 24 5 12 11 18 5 22

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

fine drizzle fine showers fog fine cloudy fine showers fine drizzle rain fine cloudy showers

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

12:22 6:34 12:48 7:01 1:18 7:30 1:45 8:00 2:15 8:31 2:44 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 7:25 am Set 7:59 pm Bad

Bad fishing Set 9:57 am Rise 9:41 pm

Rise 7:26 am Set 7:57 pm Bad

Bad fishing Set 11:15 am Rise 10:11 pm

9:03

Rise 7:28 am Set 7:55 pm Bad

Bad fishing Set 12:32 pm Rise 10:45 pm

Last quarter

New moon

First quarter

16 Mar 10:35 pm

24 Mar 10:29 pm

1 Apr 11:22 pm

www.ofu.co.nz

Maori Fishing Guide by Bill Hohepa

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

11 12 31 27 17 20 13 35 8 25 20 26 15 17 17

6 9 19 25 10 9 1 24 4 18 17 14 7 3 8

14 9 12 8 10 12 6 12 7 7 8 10 7

cumecs

1.10 nc

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

Rakaia Fighting Hill (NIWA) at 2:00 pm, yesterday 157.2 Nth Ashburton at 2:05 pm, yesterday

3.60 nc

Sth Ashburton at 2:00 pm, yesterday

7.07

Rangitata Klondyke at 3:00 pm, yesterday

79.4 521.9

Waitaki Kurow at 3:03 pm, yesterday Source: Environment Canterbury

Canterbury Readings

Friday 6

River Levels

Forecasts for today

32 10 35 14 27 30 21 33 25 33 34 27 29 8 7

24 25 20 20 16 19 21 20 19 17 21 17 16

Palmerston North fine

FZL: Above 3000m

Wellington

©Copyright OceanFun Publishing Ltd.

A University of Otago Centre of Research Excellence

OVERNIGHT MIN

SUN PROTECTION ALERT

MONDAY

We Help Save Lives

18

10

Midnight Tonight

n

Wind km/h

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

OVERNIGHT MIN

TIMARU

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

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

Please

22

gitata

Fine, apart from morning cloud. Becoming cloudy with a few showers in the south at night. Northeasterlies turning southerly late.

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

MAX

SUNDAY: Becoming cloudy with a few showers. Southeasterlies.

MAX

bur to

SATURDAY

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

SATURDAY: Fine, apart from morning cloud. NE turning S late.

15

ka

7

OVERNIGHT MIN

www.guardianonline.co.nz MAX 21 OVERNIGHT MIN 8

17

AKAROA

Ra

ASHBURTON

18

TOMORROW: Fine, apart from morning and evening cloud. NE.

LYTTELTON

LINCOLN Rakaia

DEATHS

MAX

CHRISTCHURCH

18

METHVEN

TODAY: Morning cloud then fine.

Light winds.

19

DARFIELD

Map for today

Ashburton Forecast

Wa i m a ka r i r i

Ashburton Airport Temperature °C At 4pm 12.3 12.6 Max to 4pm 9.5 Minimum 9.0 Grass minimum Rainfall mm 2.2 16hr to 4pm March to date 10.2 Avg Mar to date 21 2020 to date 68.4 129 Avg year to date Wind km/h S 13 At 4pm Strongest gust S 31 Time of gust 3:32am

© Copyright Meteorological Service of New Zealand Limited 2020

to 4pm yesterday

Methven

Christchurch Airport

Timaru Airport

10.3 10.7 7.6 –

13.7 14.3 10.3 9.5

13.6 14.6 10.3 –

– – – – –

0.2 2.8 20 29.0 104

0.0 12.0 16 59.0 106

SE 6 – –

S 24 S 44 12:14pm

SE 15 S 31 10:19am

Compiled by

Happy Birthday

For just $10!* Book your birthday greeting, including a photo, for just $10! Ten words only.* (Under 12 children’s birthday greetings remain FREE) *Terms and conditions apply.

Phone 03 307 7900 Email: classifieds@theguardian.co.nz Level 3, Somerset House, 161 Burnett Street

F

Television www.guardianonline.co.nz

TVNZ 1

©TVNZ 2020

6am Breakfast 9am The Ellen DeGeneres Show 0 10am Tipping Point 3 11am Cash Trapped Quiz show where six contestants compete in fast-paced question rounds with the twist that nobody leaves until somebody wins. Hosted and based on an original idea by Bradley Walsh. 0 Noon 1 News At Midday The latest news, sports, and weather. 0 12:30 Emmerdale PGR 0 1pm 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 0 6pm 1 News At 6pm 0 7pm Seven Sharp 0 7:30 Jamie’s Ultimate Veg 0 8:30 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? UK 0 9:30 Coronation Street PGR 0 10:30 1 News Tonight 0

11pm How Not To Get Cancer 3 Dr Richard Babor from The Big Ward sorts superstition from science in the fight against ‘the big C’. 0 Midnight Outback Truckers PGR 3 Steve Grahame goes off the dirt, onto the bitumen, and into road closures. 0 1am Te Karere 3 2 1:25 Infomercials 5:35 Te Karere 3 2

TVNZ 2

Thursday, March 12, 2020 ©TVNZ 2020

6:30 Rescue Bots Academy 0 6:40 Moon And Me 0 7:05 The Tom And Jerry Show 3 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 Infomercials 10:05 Neighbours 3 0 10:35 Mike And Molly PGR 3 0 11am Army Wives PGR 3 0 Noon 2 Broke Girls PGR 3 0 1pm Judge Rinder PGR 2pm American Housewife 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 F 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 A high-speed car rollover; a road-rage assault; patients who are dangerously intoxicated. 0 9:45 Naked Attraction AO 0 10:40 Two And A Half Men PGR 3 0 11:10 F Mom PGR 3 0 11:40 Claws AO 0 12:30 Private Practice AO 3 0 1:15 Shortland Street PGR 3 0 1:40 Infomercials 2:45 Quantico AO 3 0 3:30 Love Island UK AO 3 5:05 Neighbours 3 0 5:30 Infomercials

THREE

PRIME

MAORI

6am The AM Show 9am The Café 10am Infomercials 11:25 Millionaire Hot Seat 3 0 12:25 Face The Truth PGR The Truth Team looks at parenting.

12:50 Dr Phil AO Emma says her grandson beat his then-one-month-old daughter, who suffered life-threatening injuries, and she is still concerned for the child’s well-being.

1:50 Married At First Sight Australia PGR 3 0 3:20 My Sri Lanka With Peter Kuruvita 3:55 United Plates Of America 3 4:30 NewsHub Live At 4:30pm 5pm Millionaire Hot Seat 0 6pm NewsHub Live At 6pm

6am Ben 10 – Alien Force 3 0 6:25 The Powerpuff Girls 3 0 6:50 Endangered Species 3 0 7:15 Trulli Tales 3 0 7:30 Atomic Puppet 3 0 7:40 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3 0 8:05 The Thundermans 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 Bull PGR 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 Prime Sport 6:30 Sky Sport News 7pm The Project 7pm The Crowd Goes Wild 7:30 N Lego Masters US PGR 7:30 Mayday PGR 3 0 The teams must create a 8:30 Forensics NZ AO 3 0 themed amusement park 9:30 Madam Secretary PGR from Lego, including at least Elizabeth must decide one automated moving whether to use unmanned attraction. 0 weapons or US soldiers to 8:30 The Best Of The Graham bring the person behind the Norton Show PGR 0 UN gas attack to justice. 0 9:35 N Live At The Apollo AO 10:30 Thursday Night Kick-Off 0 10:35 NewsHub Late 11:05 F NCIS – LA AO 3 Sam goes rogue after his wife is kidnapped, determined to stop Tahir on his own from targeting his family again. 0 Midnight Infomercials

MOVIES PREMIERE 6:55 People Interview – Glenn Close 7:25 Speed Kills MVL 2018 Action. John Travolta, Katheryn Winnick.

9:10 Hearts Beat Loud MC 2018 Drama. Nick Offerman, Kiersey Clemons.

Jamie’s Ultimate Veg Ambulance Australia 10:45 Beirut MVL 2018 Action.

7:30pm on TVNZ 1 8:30pm on TVNZ 2 Jon Hamm, Rosamund Pike.

12:35 Lost In London MLS BRAVO SKY 5 2017 Drama. Woody Harrelson, 6am Jeopardy! PG 6:25 Wheel Owen Wilson. 2:20 Speed 10am Four Weddings USA 3 11am Snapped PGR 3 Of Fortune PG 6:50 The Kills MVL 2018 Action.

Noon Keeping Up With The Simpsons PG 7:15 Storage 4:05 Apartment 212 16VLC Kardashians PGR 3 1pm The Wars – Barry’s Best Buys 2017 Horror. 5:45 Sisters PG 8am Border Security Real Housewives Of Beverly Of The Groom PGC 2017 – Australia’s Frontline M Hills PGR 3 2pm Below Deck 8:25 Highway Thru Hell Romance. 7:10 Behold My PGR 3 3pm Undercover Heart MV 2018 Drama. After PG 9:15 Hardcore Pawn PG Boss 3 0 4pm The Kelly a tragedy, a woman and her 9:40 CSI MV 10:25 SVU MV Clarkson Show 11:10 Storage Wars – Barry’s teenaged son must venture 5pm Judge Jerry Best Buys PG Noon Jeopardy into uncharted territory to PG 12:25 Wheel Of Fortune 5:30 Hoarders 3 move on with their lives.

PG 12:50 Shades Of Blue 6:30 Love It Or List It Marisa Tomei, Charlie Plummer.

MVLSC 1:40 FBI MV 2:25 CSI 7:30 Tattoo Fixers PGR 8:30 Godzilla II – King Of MV 3:10 Storage Wars – Jay erases Ant’s backside The Monsters MVL 2019 Barry’s Best Buys PG 4pm The buddy; Glen deals with Erika’s Simpsons PG 4:30 Jeopardy! PG Action. Humanity faces a checklist; Alice gets rid of battery of god-sized monsters, 5pm Wheel Of Fortune PG Cheryl’s devil, and helps including the mighty Godzilla, 5:30 Hardcore Pawn PG Chelsea get over the surprise of 6pm Highway Thru Hell PG Rodan, and the three-headed King Ghidorah. Kyle Chandler, her life; Sketch tackles Jason’s 7pm Border Security – Millie Bobby Brown. sambuca stunt scar.

Australia’s Frontline M 7:30 CSI MV 8:30 NCIS MV 10:45 Ideal Home MLSC 8:35 Below Deck Sailing 9:30 Seal Team MV 10:30 SVU 2018 Comedy. Paul Rudd, Yacht MVS 11:15 Highway Thru Steve Coogan.

The crew board Parsifal III, a Hell PG 60-metre luxury sailing yacht.

Friday Friday 12:05 Storage The existing crew are joined 12:15 Slut In A Good for the charter season by new Wars – Barry’s Best Buys PG Way 16LSC 2018 Drama.

12:50 Wheel Of Fortune PG crew.

1:45 Reverse Angle M 2009 1:15 Jeopardy! PG 1:40 Border 9:35 The Real Housewives Drama. 3:15 Apartment 212 Security – Australia’s Of Cheshire AO 16VLC 2017 Horror. 4:55 The Frontline M 2:05 Seal Team 10:40 Snapped PGR 3 Making Of Bad Boys For MV 2:55 NCIS MV 3:40 SVU 11:30 Snapped – Killer Life MVLSC 2019 5:05 Sisters MV 4:25 Hardcore Pawn Couples AO 3 Of The Groom PGC 2017 PG 4:50 CSI MV 5:35 The Romance.

12:20 Infomercials 3 Simpsons PG

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 GREATS 6:10 Parental Guidance PG 2012 Comedy. Billy Crystal, Bette Midler, Marisa Tomei.

7:55 City By The Sea 16VL 2002 Drama. Robert De Niro, Frances MacDormand, Eliza Dushku.

9:45 Our Idiot Brother MLS 2011 Comedy. Paul Rudd.

11:15 Training Day 18VL 2001 Action Thriller.

Denzel Washington, Ethan Hawke.

1:15 The Wolf Of Wall Street 18LS 2013 Drama.

Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill.

4:10 Big Eyes ML 2014 Drama.

Amy Adams, Christoph Waltz.

5:55 Transformers – Dark Of The Moon MVL 2011 Action.

Shia LaBeouf.

8:30 Dogtown And Z -Boys ML 2001 Documentary.

Starting in the California community of Dogtown, the film traces the evolution of skateboarding from the 1970s to the early 2000s. Narrated by Sean Penn.

10:05 Legend 18VL 2015 Biography Crime. Tom Hardy, Emily Browning, Taron Egerton.

Friday

12:15 The Wolf Of Wall Street 18LS 2013 Drama.

Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill.

3:10 Dogtown And Z -Boys ML 2001 Documentary.

4:40 Big Eyes ML 2014 Drama.

Amy Adams, Christoph Waltz.

Ashburton Guardian 27

CHOICE

6:30 Paia 6:40 F My Mokai 7:10 He Rourou 3 7:20 E Kori 3 7:25 E Ki E Ki 7:30 Mahi Pai 7:40 Tamariki Haka 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 Waiata 3 10:30 Morena 3 11am Matangi Rau 3 Noon Funny Whare – Gamesnight PGR 3 12:30 It’s In The Bag 1pm Nga Pari Karangaranga O Te Motu 3 1:30 Ako 3 2 2pm Toku Reo 3 2 3pm Polyfest Kapa Haka 3 3:30 Playlist 4pm Polyfest Kapa Haka 3 4:30 Patapatai 5pm Paia 5:10 F My Mokai 5:40 He Rourou 3 5:50 E Kori 3 5:55 E Ki E Ki 6pm Mahi Pai 3 6:10 Tamariki Haka 6:20 Huritua 6:30 Te Ao – Maori News 7pm Tangaroa With Pio 7:30 Easy Eats 3 8pm Funny Whare – Gamesnight PGR 3 8:30 Haka Global 9pm Sidewalk Karaoke PGR 3 9:30 The Laughing Samoans 10pm Only In Aotearoa AO 3 10:30 Nanakia PGR 3

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 Women’s Six Nations (RPL) Scotland v France.

10am Women’s Six Nations (RPL) Ireland v Italy.

Noon Six Nations Review Show 1pm The Breakdown 2pm Super Rugby – Sunwolves v Brumbies (HLS) 2:30 Super Rugby – Crusaders v Reds (HLS) 3pm Super Rugby – Waratahs v Chiefs (HLS) 3:30 Super Rugby – Hurricanes v Blues (HLS) 4pm Super Rugby – Bulls v Highlanders (HLS) 4:30 Sevens – World Series (HLS) Vancouver – Day One. 6pm Sevens – World Series (HLS) Vancouver – Day Two. 7:30 The Breakdown 8:30 Thursday Kick Off Join Kirstie Stanway and Izzy Dagg and Cory Jane for a preview of the weekend’s rugby.

9pm Super Rugby – Crusaders v Reds (HLS) From Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch.

9:30 Super Rugby – Hurricanes v Blues (HLS) From Sky Stadium, Wellington.

10pm Thursday Kick Off 10:30 The Breakdown 11:30 Super Rugby – Waratahs v Chiefs (HLS)

SKY SPORT 2

7:30 Yukon Gold PGR Ken and Guillaume must get sluicing before Ken leaves for the birth of his son.

8:30 Discovering… Tina Turner PGR 9:30 Ozzy And Jack’s World Detour PGR 10:30 American Pickers

11:30 Mysteries At The Museum 12:30 The Hairy Bikers’ Comfort Food 1:30 Carver Kings 2am Cash Cowboys 3am Discovering… Tina Turner PGR 4am Ozzy And Jack’s World Detour PGR 5am Mysteries At The Museum

DISCOVERY

6:35 Fast N’ Loud PG Holy Grail Firebirds 1/2.

7:30 World’s Deadliest 7:30 Pakistan Super League Weather Caught On Camera PG 8:20 Alaska – The Last (HLS) Lahore v Peshawar.

Frontier PG Dangerous 8am South Africa v Australia Waters. 9:10 Homestead (HLS) Third ODI. Rescue PG Savage Wilderness.

From Senwes Park, 10am How It’s Made PG Potchefstroom.

10:25 How Do They Do It? PG 10:50 Aussie Gold 9:30 Women’s T20 World Hunters PG 11:40 Swamp Cup (RPL) Final – Australia v Murders M Point of No Return.

India.

12:30 Killer Instinct With 1:30 Pakistan Super League Chris Hansen MVLC Kill or Be (RPL) Quetta v Multan.

Killed. 1:20 The Coroner – I Speak For The Dead M 5pm Blackcaps v Australia 2007 (HLS) First ODI. Where he Stood. 2:10 Top Gear 3pm Bering Sea 5:30 Chappell-Hadlee Series Gold PG Closing the Gap. 2007 (HLS) Second ODI. 3:50 Deadliest Catch PG Bad 7pm Chappell-Hadlee Series Blood. 4:45 Fast N’ Loud PG 2007 (HLS) Third ODI. Fast N’ Live – Uncensored.

5:40 Aussie Gold Hunters PG 8:30 Women’s T20 World 6:35 Gold Rush PG Cup (HLS) Australia v White 8:30 Outback Opal Hunters Ferns.

PG 9pm L India v South 9:25 Undercover Billionaire Africa First ODI. PG Exposed.

From Himachal Pradesh Cricket 10:15 Homestead Rescue PG Association Stadium, Dharasala. Savage Wilderness.

11:05 Naked And Afraid MLC 5:30 L Pakistan Super 11:55 How It’s Made PG League Quetta v Multan.

6:30 Blackcaps v England 2018 (HLS) Fourth ODI – Last Two Hours.

Friday

12:20 How Do They Do It? PG 12:45 World’s Deadliest Weather Caught On Camera PG 1:35 Deadliest Catch PG 2:25 Bering Sea Gold PG 3:15 Bering Sea Gold PG 4:05 What On Earth? PG 4:55 Naked And Afraid MLC 5:45 Deadliest Catch PG

Friday

Midnight Gallagher Premiership (RPL) Exeter Chiefs v Bath. 2am Gallagher Premiership (RPL) Saracens v Leicester Tigers.

4am Gallagher Premiership (RPL) Wasps v Gloucester.

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

6am Animal Park 7am Gino’s Italian Escape 7:30 Nigellissima 8am The Kitten Rescuers 9am Cheese Slices 9:30 Brother v Brother 10:30 Mysteries At The Museum 11:30 Gem Hunt 12:30 Where The Wild Men Are With Ben Fogle 1:30 Running Wild With Bear Grylls 2:30 Alone – The Arctic PGR 3:30 Wildlife Icons 4:30 The Hairy Bikers’ Comfort Food The Hairy Bikers cook some of their favourite comfort food. From feasts for friends and family to meals inspired by pub grub, they create the ultimate feel-good dishes.

5:30 Mysteries At The Museum 6:30 American Pickers

12Mar20

metservice.com | Compiled by

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Sport

28 Ashburton Guardian

Methven nab Norton

Keen to make return

P20

P23

Julia Grant produced a powerhouse performance in her final ironman performance in Taupo at the weekend.

PHOTO IRONMAN NEW ZEALAND

End of an era for Grant

By Adam Burns

adam.b@theguardian.co.nz

After putting her body through the ringer for more than a decade, Julia Grant is calling it a day.

The Canterbury triathlete confirmed her showing at the Ironman New Zealand race in Taupo at the weekend was her last.

Now 34, Grant, who originally hails from Methven, has decided to focus on other things in life, however she would continue to compete in smaller events.

“I’ve been doing it for quite a few years now and just want to do some other things in life and decided it was time.

“It takes up so many hours of training which limits what you can do outside of that.”

If it was to be her final hurrah, she went out in style.

Grant was in vintage form at the weekend, placing fifth out of the women and 48th overall, producing a personal best time of 9hrs 35mins.

She set herself the goal of a top five finish and scraped through, finishing 38 seconds in front of sixth placegetter Lisa Roberts, of the USA. “I knew I had been training quite consistently, with no injuries, which is kind of key for ironman training leading into it.

“I knew she (Roberts) was a very good runner and she was coming up behind me quite smartly so I had to try a little bit harder at the end there to hold her off which I just managed to do.”

Warriors owner puts coach Kearney on notice

Following a career best performance, Grant said there was “always second thoughts” on walking away.

“It’s sort of an addiction, racing.

“I’m not going to completely stop sport as such, but for now it’s just a break from ironman.”

“I’ll do more local races, just less of the long, long stuff.”

Apart from a couple of smaller events this month, Grant was looking forward to putting her feet up.

P19