Tuesday, Nov 29, 2016
Since Sept 27, 1879
Retail $1.50 Home delivered from 95c
THE INDEPENDENT VOICE OF MID CANTERBURY
www.guardianonline.co.nz
Musical milestone
Sixty years as a church organist. Graham Gunn remembers his long career FULL STORY
P5
PHOTO SUSAN SANDYS 280006-SS-050
Award keeps Kay busy P2
Brawl outside McDonald’s BY COLIN ENGELBRECHT COLIN.E@THEGUARDIAN.CO.NZ
Century maker P24
An early morning brawl outside McDonald’s resulted in a “zoo-like environment” and kept police busy on Sunday. St John Ambulance attended the scene at 3.50am and one patient in her 20s was transported to Ashburton Hospital. Senior Sergeant Scott Banfield said a large group was involved but exact numbers were not known. However, no individual assaults have been reported to police so far. He said alcohol was a factor in the fight. “Every Saturday night at this time in the morning the problems come directly from Ashburton’s only two clubs that remain open until 3am. “This has been and continues to be the main reason we are still seeing some
With roots stretching back to 1875 and supporting small to medium sized businesses, farms and families in Canterbury, Heartland offers Ashburton a local banking option that is 100% for New Zealand. Open any Heartland Term Deposit before 9 December 2016 to go in the draw to win a $5,000 Bookabach Gift Voucher.
disorder and fighting,” he said. Banfield said after the clubs close patrons head to the only open fast food outlet and the two intoxicated groups inevitably end up fighting. He said he has spoken to the local security company and anyone causing trouble at the restaurant will be given a two year trespass notice. “There is a very obvious reason that most Ashburton bars and fast food outlets close at either midnight or 1am and that is because they do not want to have to deal with the damage and carnage that late night drinking encompasses,” he said. Banfield said having less drunk people in the streets will result in a lower risk of drunk driving, damage to properties and businesses and possibly less domestic violence. “Since taking up the role here in Ash-
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR GREAT RATE*
3 .70
% P.A.
FOR 9 MONTHS
burton I have witnessed the high intoxication levels of patrons, I have witnessed the fighting, the crying young people who are simply out of their depth and the zoo-like environment at the fast food outlet where all of these persons end up,” he said. Banfield said the community has worked well over the past year and overall drunken offending had decreased. However, it still occurs late at night during the weekends. He will be speaking to local businesses and Ashburton District Council on how to solve the issue. “Locking every one up is not the answer, prevention strategies work – maybe reduced hours of operation for the fast food outlet on a Saturday night might assist as would the implementation of the local alcohol plan,” Banfield said.
Terms and conditions: Interest paid quarterly on 9 month deposit. *Term deposit rate is at 15 November 2016 but is subject to change without notice. The current Heartland Bank Limited Disclosure Statement, Term Deposits Product Fact Sheet and Account and Service General Terms and Conditions are available at www. heartland.co.nz. Entry for Heartland Holiday Prize Draw is valid for new and existing Heartland Bank customers, but only where a new Heartland Term Deposit is opened and a minimum of $5,000 is deposited. Full terms and conditions are available at www.heartland.co.nz/holidayprizedraw.
Ph 03 307 7900 to subscribe!
Applying is easy Visit www.heartland.co.nz or your local branch, or call us on 0800 22 72 27 Weather: High 24˚ - Overnight 8˚ Page 22
Puzzles: Page 21
Television: Page 23
Family Notices: Page 22
www.guardianonline.co.nz