Ashburton Guardian, Saturday, February 20, 2021

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2 NEWS

Ashburton Guardian Saturday, February 20, 2021

It takes a community to produce a newspaper T

hey say you never know what’s around the corner, good or bad there’s always something lurking.

Opportunities arise at every step, then it’s up to you to decide whether you want to grab them, or let them slide on by in the hope of something bigger and brighter approaching at the next turn.

In 2016 when I noticed the Ashburton Guardian was on the look-out for a parttime sports reporter, I took one of those chances. Coming back to the very newsroom I’d cut my teeth in a decade earlier was an exciting prospect, and the chance to dive back into community sport was a welcome distraction from what I had been doing.

If you’d said I’d end up sitting in the editor’s chair for nearly the next four years though, I would have laughed. But fate can be a funny thing and today I can look back on that moment in time and have a real great appreciation for the journey that it has taken me on.

Succinctly put, it’s been one hell of a ride. Plenty of ups – too many to try and remember them all in fact – and the odd down along the way. But it has been a great privilege and honour to sit in the position I have at one of the greatest newspapers in this country.

I say that with only a small amount of bias too and my only wish going forward is that people appreciate a little bit more just how fortunate this community is to have a newspaper like the Guardian available to them.

The landscape has changed significantly in the past decade. The subtle art of newspapers has become an ever-moving feast and all around the goal posts are shifting.

Yet here, in Mid Canterbury, the Guardian has remained largely unwavering in the way it supports its community.

Yes, the significant change of last year to three-day-a-week publication was a big moment in time and not everyone was happy with it, but you’re still getting a newspaper devoted solely to this district and you’re still getting to read and learn about people who you walk past in everyday life out on the street.

In so many ways, we don’t know how lucky we are.

I’ve been lucky to have been a part of some huge moments in time during my tenure.

The Ashburton Guardian turning 140 was a monumental occasion and one we celebrated with great respect for a longstanding bastion of the community. There’s been key moments too though; the closure

After almost four years at the helm, Matt Markham signed off on his last edition of the Ashburton Guardian as editor last night. He looks back on a journey that is set to go full circle over the next few weeks.

of the i-SITE and being at the forefront of that drive to see it reinstated was special and playing a part in seeing the decision to remove the water fountain on East Street was big too.

Those last two examples showed the power of the community newspaper. That it can be the voice for the community and can inflict change and hold those in power to account. Again, a lucky ally for people to have on their sides.

But while the big news stories and huge moments in time have been real highlights, what has made this job has been the people I’ve met and the people I’ve worked with along the way.

Be it the casual Guardian reader out on the streets or at an event anywhere around the district, the business owner, dignitaries, chief executives or some of the amazing

Complete Local Care Since 1982

people who’ve been through this newsroom, and the ones still here.

My ever-lasting memory will always be the faces.

I’m going to give special mention to a few people here – Sue Newman, Linda Clarke, Susan Sandys, Erin Tasker, Lisa Fenwick, Steve Devereux, Donald Hurst and Joyce Bingham. Some of the most passionate, experienced and skilled people I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with – people who have made this job easy.

To everyone I’ve interviewed, chatted with and discussed life in general in Mid Canterbury over the past few years, thank you. It’s been a great deal of fun and a great privilege to sit in the role that I have.

After a massive 12 months, it’s time for more change here at the Guardian and new managing editor, Daryl Holden will inherit

a wonderful team of staff and a desire to see the Guardian continue to be successful.

I wish him all the best.

I’m going back to where it all began – on both occasions – the sports department.

I can’t wait to dive head-first into community sport and everything that it entails.

That the Ashburton Guardian still sees the value in covering sport, from the smallest of children playing football on a cold Saturday morning to the elite-level women playing netball on a Thursday night, it’s one of this newspaper’s greatest strengths and long may that continue.

I want to thank our loyal reader base and our passionate advertisers for the support they’ve shown me during my time here. It might take a village to raise a child, but it takes a community to produce a newspaper.

Matt Markham

Saturday, February 20, 2021 Ashburton Guardian

NEWS 3

Tom guarded the Queen on coronation day

By Malcolm Hopwood

Tom Hurst has a vivid memory of the Queen’s coronation in June, 1953.

He was a member of the Royal Navy Guard, positioned near Buckingham Palace as she left in her glittering coach for Westminster Abbey.

She was crowned Queen of the Commonwealth alongside her husband, Prince Philip.

Tom, who joined the Royal Navy in 1947, had to stand ramrod for six hours. His job was ceremonial, but also involved crowd control and security in case someone threatened Elizabeth in her coach.

“I had to stand there for hours but nurses, who were positioned in the crowd, came and poured water and lollies into our mouths,” he recalled.

“We watched the Queen and the household guards go past and saw the horses pooping.”

One of his warmest memories of the Queen and Prince Philip was in Malta.

Tom was on the Royal Navy cruiser HMS Bermuda, on its way to South Africa, when the Royal yacht Britannia berthed.

“Philip may have been consort to the Queen but, as a member of the Royal Navy, he was also on watch. As we came ashore, we had to salute him,” Tom says.

He has followed the lives of the Royals since then both in England and New Zealand when he relocated here in the late 1950s.

He’s lived in Canterbury most of his life and moved to Ashburton after the Christchurch earthquakes.

Now Prince Philip is in hospital, Tom has concerns for his health.

“I wish him well for his recovery,” he says.

The Duke turns 100 in June this year and Tom fervently hopes he’ll make it.

As a member of the Royal Navy for seven years, Tom guarded royalty, politicians and celebrities. A favourite was Princess Margaret.

“We guarded her as she unveiled a monument at Plymouth Hoe to commemorate seamen who lost their lives in trans-Atlantic convoys,” he comments.

“She’d speak to us on duty and asked one of our number what pub we were going to at night in case she could join us.”

Margaret would have several engagements during the day so, when they’d guarded her outside one venue, they’d pile on to a bus and be ready at her next appointment.

Tom Hurst holds up a book on the life of Prince Philip.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

Right – On duty guarding Winston Churchill when he received the freedom of the City of Bath. Tom is just out of sight on the right.

“She said to us ‘haven’t I seen you before’?” “Yes ma’am.”

Tom (89) has an extensive photographic collection of his time in the Royal Navy.

One historic memory is being on guard when Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, received the freedom of the City of Bath.

4 NEWS

Ashburton Guardian Saturday, February 20, 2021

Flying poppies around NZ

By Maddison Gourlay maddison.g@theguardian.co.nz

If you have any knitting needles or crochet hooks, then now is the time to get them out and dust them off. In the colder nights coming it will be the perfect time to get some knitting done. So why not do it for a good cause?

Volunteering Mid Canterbury’s co-ordinator Dellwyn Moylan is working with Aviation Tours NZ on a project called Poppy Flight.

Poppy Flight is a new fundraising initiative for the RSA which has now extended to Starship Hospital and The Warbirds Trust. The idea is to fly a poppy around New Zealand. The poppy will be made up of volunteer knitted poppies from the New Zealand community.

Due to Ashburton Airport’s strong aviation history, it seemed fitting for the flight to lay-over there for a couple of hours.

Ashburton Airport was a training base in World War Two. It is now an historical Ashburton treasure, and the grounds house the Ashburton Aviation Museum, making it the perfect venue for the Poppy Flight Plane to land.

Local Ashburton man Keith Pickford will be the pilot for the Rangiora to Rangitata Island stretch of the trip. He will be flying an Auster MK5 ZK-ARR for his stint, landing at Ashburton Airport for two hours.

He will be one of the 34 pilots that take part in flying the poppy around New Zealand.

Volunteering Mid Canterbury’s key role in the poppy flight is to gather volunteers who will make knitted red poppies with black centres, or pink stars. The patterns will be available from Dellwyn via the

email coordinatormc@vmsc.org.nz The knitted poppies and stars that will not fit on the artwork, will be sold and the proceeds from these will go to the RSA, Starship Hospital and The Warbirds Trust.

Moylan got involved in the project because they were looking for volunteers to knit and crochet. The organisation is all about helping connect people in the community and offering one-off volunteer activities as well as regular volunteer services.

Another reason Dellwyn got involved is because her father and several uncles were Returned Servicemen. She also has a close friend who is currently an officer in the New Zealand Army and a Returned Serviceman.

She wanted to support an organisation that looks after those who have served and sacrificed so much for this country. A lot of people in New Zealand have strong ties to people who served in World War Two. Ashburton may be small, but it has rich history in aviation throughout the war.

The Poppy Flight will start at the Warbirds Ardmore Airport on March 26 and it will circle its way around the country back to the Ardmore Airport on April 24. Just in time to present the poppy to the RSA. Keith Pickford will be wheels down at Ashburton Airport on Tuesday, April 6 between 1pm to 3pm. The public are invited for a wonderful afternoon out.

Anyone who has some red or pink yarn and wants to put their knitting needles or crochet hooks to use for a good cause, you can get a free pattern available via the email of coordinatormc@vmsc.org. nz. If you cannot knit, but would still like to help out, you can head to www.poppyflight.co.nz or you can come down on the day and purchase a knitted poppy or star.

Volunteering Mid Canterbury co-ordinator Dellwyn Moylan with some of the poppies and stars which are sitting on the wing of a Gloster Meteor F8. The poppies and stars are for a fundraiser Poppy Flight that will be landing at Ashburton Airport on April 6 at 1pm.

Congratulations Tammy!

• •

•

Saturday, February 20, 2021 Ashburton Guardian

NEWS 5

In brief Trees removed The Ashburton District Council began removing several trees in Argyle Park this week due to safety concerns. Several pin oaks and English oak trees at Argyle Park near Farm Road have grown too close to power lines.

The council is also set to remove another tree outside Ashburton College on Walnut Avenue due to safety concerns. An assessment of the oak tree on Walnut Avenue has found it to be a safety risk due to ailing health. It is scheduled to be removed today and there are plans to replace it with a juvenile tree in the coming winter months.

Meanwhile, the remaining trees at Argyle Park will have more room to fill out properly.

CBD rubbish

Terrace Downs set to reopen

By Jonathan Leask jonathan.l@theguardian.co.nz

The new owners of Terrace Downs plan to reopen the golf resort as soon as possible.

The golf resort in the Rakaia Gorge was auctioned off in September and purchased for $6.6 million by CPG Hotels – one of New Zealand’s largest privately owned hotel groups.

However, CPG Hotels director of sales and marketing, Lisa Breckon, said they were still awaiting a final settlement date

before they could reopen.

“We are getting very close to settlement, but we do not know exactly when that will be,” Breckon said.

“Sometimes these things can be a bit tricky.

“We are obviously hoping it will be as soon as possible.

“We are gearing up to open as soon as possible and working behind the scenes to ensure that.

CPG has brought in Andrew Bell as the resort manager who is looking forward “to bringing the Terrace Downs experience back onto the Canterbury high coun-

try”, and the company were in the process of hiring additional staff for when the resort eventually reopens its doors to the public.

The new owners hope to be able to open again in March, almost a year since it was closed during the Covid-19 Alert Level 4 lockdown.

After closing in March, its sole owner, Hiroshi Hasegawa, died in Japan at the age of 59 from Covid-19 in April.

Hasegawa was the sole shareholder and co-director of the company, and his estate put the resort up for auction.

Now that it has new owners, the eventual reopening of Terrace Downs will see economic benefits for the district.

While the borders remain closed to international visitors there has been a steep increase in domestic travel.

With new tourism developments in the pipeline nearby, namely the Opuke Thermal Pools in Methven and Mt Hutt’s new express Norwest chairlift, likely to increase visitor numbers later this year, Terrace Downs could once again become a premier destination.

Freight tour for mayors and MPs

By Jonathan Leask jonathan.l@theguardian.co.nz

Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown and Rangitata MP Jo Luxton were part of a two-day freight tour of Canterbury organised by the Canterbury Mayoral Forum and Regional Transport Committee on Thursday and Friday.

The forum and committee visited Christchurch International Airport, Lyttelton Port, Move Logistics, and PrimePort Timaru.

The intention of the tour was to gain a better understanding of the freight task within Canterbury to progress the transport objectives sought by the Mayoral

Forum’s Plan for Canterbury, to inform the work programme of the Regional Transport Committee and build relationships with key players in the freight industry.

The Mayoral Forum’s plan for Canterbury and the draft Regional Land Transport Plan identify better freight options as a priority for the region, with both plans expressing a strong desire to shift freight movements off the road and onto rail and coastal shipping.

Chair of the Mayoral Forum, Selwyn Mayor Sam Broughton, said that “with many of Canterbury’s mayors also on the Regional Transport Committee, we

recognised the value of undertaking this tour together”.

“Both groups have a significant interest in freight transport, and improving transport outcomes for Canterbury and its communities,” mayor Broughton said.

Environment Canterbury Councillor, Peter Scott, who is Chair of the Regional Transport Committee, said that “with the committee proposing targets for freight movement in the draft Regional Land Transport Plan, visiting these facilities first-hand gives us some good insights into the freight network needs of the future”.

It also gave mayor Neil Brown the opportunity to bring up the

proposed four-laning of State Highway 1 between Rolleston and Ashburton, which is something the Ashburton District Council hopes to push for in its submission to the draft regional transport plan.

While in Timaru, the Mayoral Forum held its first quarterly meeting of 2021 at the Timaru District Council on Friday.

Items on the agenda included many of the big issues facing local government at present, such as upcoming resource management reform, climate change, the Three Waters review, the Water Services Bill, and the Essential Freshwater reform programme.

The twice weekly rubbish and recycling collections are being affected while the town centre upgrade work is happening.

Smaller trucks are being used at the moment with the first collection run either just for rubbish or recycling. As the truck cannot carry as much material as the larger trucks, it has to be emptied multiple times before it can start the collection of the other material. Therefore, the collection runs are taking longer to complete. All CBD businesses are reminded to please ensure that bins are placed on the kerbside by 7.30am on collection day.

Phone services The CBD upgrade works project has unearthed an issue with the condition of some old underground services that are in the current footpaths and roads. This includes the phone copper lines which are fragile and sensitive to any disturbance. This has resulted in some businesses losing their phone lines and internet services. Unfortunately it is unavoidable for the contractors, and is disruptive for those businesses who are affected.

It also results in the newly laid footpaths having to be dug up for the repair to be undertaken, and then patched. This is something that council would like to prevent going forward and is asking businesses who are not currently connected to fibre to contact their phone service provider and see if this switch could be done. Council has discussed this with some providers who advise it is easy to switch to fibre, it is free to do and often the monthly charges can be less than using the old copper wire network.

6 NEWS

Ashburton Guardian Saturday, February 20, 2021

Burn-off season now well under way

By Jonathan Leask jonathan.l@theguardian.co.nz

Tutus on Tour is just one of two Royal New Zealand Ballet shows coming to Ashburton in March.

Royal Ballet takes centre stage

By Jonathan Leask jonathan.l@theguardian.co.nz

The Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) will be taking to the stage at the Ashburton Trust Event Centre twice in March.

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO) will join forces with the RNZB to present The Soldier’s Tale on March 7 and then Tutu’s on Tour takes place on March 11.

A talented ensemble of NZSO musicians, RNZB dancers, and actors, will bring the great Russian-born composer Igor Stravinsky’s riveting and timeless work to the stage in Ashburton on March 7 as part of its nationwide tour.

Written during the deadly 1918 influen-

za pandemic, the Soldier’s Tale is based on an old Russian folk tale and tells the story of the titular Soldier who makes a deal with the Devil – in exchange for the Soldier’s magic violin, the Devil will grant his every wish.

The NZSO and RNZB will be joined by accomplished actors Peter Hayden (as narrator), Sepelini Mua’au (the soldier) and Sophie Hambleton (the Devil).

Days later on March 11, ballet lovers can indulge their passion at Tutus on Tour.

Picking up where the company left off when the country went into lockdown in March last year, members of the RNZB will bring their summer tour through Ashburton, delivering three ballet favourites and two brand new ballets.

Burn-off season is well under way during a restricted fire season in Canterbury.

The Ashburton District, alongside the rest of Canterbury, was moved to a restricted season in mid-December.

Deputy principal rural fire officer, Don Geddes, said any fire season change for Ashburton will reflect the fire danger around the district.

“At this stage, we are comfortable with the restricted season status for the wider Ashburton area.

“It is looking increasingly unlikely that we will need to consider changing to a prohibited season.”

Since the area went into a restricted season, Geddes said 275 permits have been issued for a range of different fire types.

Most recently there will have been an influx of permit requests to burn stubble.

The farmers have a strict set of requirements that they must adhere to under the permit, which include a bare earth fire

break between paddocks to reduce the chance of it escaping, notifying the 111 call centre before lighting, and they can’t burn if the wind gets too high.

“When planning a stubble burn, we encourage land managers to check in with our nearest office if they need any advice.

“We also want land managers to check the conditions before undertaking a stubble burn.

“If it is hot and windy, please delay your planned burn.”

As long as the farmer has applied for, been granted a permit and they abide by the regulations set out in their permit, there will be safe burn-offs, Geddes said.

The notifying of the call centre ensures that if a member of the public reports the fire they can confirm it is a controlled burn and will avoid an unnecessary call out for the local volunteer fire brigade.

Members of the public have likely already seen the large plumes of smoke rising into the air and are being asked to consider if it is the result of a controlled burn-off, however, if in doubt the best course of action is to call 111.

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Saturday, February 20, 2021 Ashburton Guardian

NEWS 7

BACK SEAT

Letting you in on a little secret

By Bernard Egan FROM THE BACK SEAT

Bernard Egan is a well known man around these parts. Through Tales From the Back Seat he endeavours to put a light-hearted spin on tales from yesteryear.

S

haring Tales From the Back Seat (and other places) is fun.

Sometimes, as happened this week, readers ask about the source of these stories.

So I thought I’d let you in on a little secret.

The sources vary, sometimes coming from memories which, by the way, some friends put down to a misspent youth.

I’ve been too polite to ask whose, but I suspect I know who they’re referring to!

But most often it’s things others mention and/or share and then one thing leads to another, so to speak.

Isn’t it great we have so many witty and clever people with great senses of humour in our community?

The following gems arrived via email from a friend: “I have a split personality,” said Tom, being Frank.

What about the chap who renamed his iPod The Titanic, so when he plugs it in, it says “The Titanic is syncing”.

This chap saw an advert for burial plots, and thought: “That’s the last thing I need.”

Then he started wondering if

glass coffins would be a success?

Remains to be seen.

It’s hard to explain puns to kleptomaniacs because they always take things literally.

What’s the difference between a hippo and a Zippo? One is really heavy and the other is a little lighter.

Hear about the new restau-

rant called Karma? There’s no menu – you get what you deserve.

What do you call a bee that can’t make up its mind? A

maybe.

A passenger tried to sue the airline for losing his luggage.

Unfortunately he lost his case.

Is it ignorance or apathy that’s destroying the world today?

Don’t know and don’t really care.

She wasn’t originally going to get a brain transplant, but then she changed her mind.

Which country’s capital has the fastest-growing population?

Ireland. Every day it’s Dublin.

This chap told his mates his ex-wife still misses him. But her aim is starting to improve.

The guy who invented the door knocker got a no-bell prize.

What did the grape say when it got stepped on? Nothing, but it let out a little whine.

Imagine a world where You Tube, Twitter and Facebook merge to become known as YouTwitFace.

I haven’t sought permission to name my friend, who by the way has a great connection with our paper, so I’ll just say he has my and I’m sure all readers Hart-felt gratitude for brightening our day.

Guardian sub editor Steve Devereux is renowned not just for his journalistic skills and amazing general knowledge, but also for his wisdom and his wit.

You can’t help but be amused by this cartoon shared by Steve.

So there you have it, others kindly share fascinating tidbits and we end up with Tales From the Back Seat (and other places).

No changes planned to current water restrictions NOTICE OF HELICOPTER USE FOR INSPECTION OF TRANSMISSION LINES IN YOUR AREA.

By Jonathan Leask jonathan.l@theguardian.co.nz

The Ashburton District’s water reservoirs are at reasonable levels and there is no sign of changes to the current water restrictions at this stage.

Ashburton District Council infrastructure services group manager, Neil McCann, said most of the bores and infiltration galleries are at good levels at the moment.

“The exception is the Mayfield bore level, which is still declining, but very slowly.

“With current trends this will not be a problem this summer, but if water use were to increase this would lead directly to drops in bore levels.

“We expect the bore to recover over winter.

“We are keeping a close eye on the Mayfield bore level and water use on the scheme.”

As of yesterday, properties on the Dromore, Montalto, and Methven-Springfield supplies have a permanent housing ban.

Mayfield was on level 3 restrictions – hand-held hosing only between the hours of 6pm and midnight on the assigned day.

Chertsey is on level 2 restrictions – which

is watering on alternate (assigned) days between the hours of 6pm and midnight.

Most of the district outside of Ashburton – Fairton, Hakatere, Hinds, Methven, Mt Somers, and Rakaia – are on level 1 restrictions, which allows watering on alternative Christchurch Helicopter Transpower, the owner and (assigned) days. operating zone operator of the National Grid is Ashburton and Lake Hood have no reSubstations carrying out joint testing on the strictions.

Other transmission conductor (wire) on sections lines Springston That could all change following a lengthy 1 Highways of its 220 Kv transmission line run of dry weather. between Springston and Twizel.

Canterbury Weather Updates analyst, Russell Voice, said there was little in the way This work will involve a low Ashburton of rain for the next two weeks. flying helicopter and testing “Overall a dry and settled second half of of conductor by a lineworker Geraldine Tekapo Helicopter will be February for the Canterbury Plains, with litsuspended below the aircraft operating at low tle, or no measurable rain. at specific locations along levels in around 8 Tekapo A “Warm temperatures look set to continue the transmission the line8 as highlighted on the line within the through early stages of next week. accompanying map.

1 highlighted zones.

“A system approaches the West Coast of Twizel Albury the South Island during early stages of next Timaru week, bringing heavy rain to the Main Di- 8 vide/headwaters and strong nor-westerly winds to the high country on Tuesday.

In the event of bad weather the work will be deferred until the following week.

“There is some indication of cooler southerlies developingWanaka between Wednesday and It’s important to us that you are kept informed and updated on our activities.

Friday next week, this may bring some welIf you require further information, 82please call Ron MacKenzie on 027 435 6240. come showers to eastern areas – currently totals look between 3-7mm in grand total,” TPAG2027221 Voice said.

The work is planned to occur between Friday 5 March and Monday 8 March 2021.

Bells Pond

Frankton

85

Black Point

8

Ashburton Guardian Saturday, February 20, 2021

COUNCIL BRIEF 5 Baring Square West, Ashburton | PO Box 94, Ashburton, New Zealand 7740 | Telephone (03) 307 7700 | Website ashburtondc.govt.nz

Week of 15 February 2021 | ISSUE 16

From CDHB: Health warning- Algal bloom in Hakatere/Ashburton River Canterbury DHB’s Community and Public Health unit has issued a health warning for Hakatere/ Ashburton River at SH1, Hills Road and Boundary Road at the hapua (river mouth).

Facts about cyanobacteria: Appears as dark brown/black mats attached to rocks along the riverbed.

A low cover of the algae can occur naturally but can increase rapidly during warmer months.

Algal blooms are influenced by a combination of available nutrients in the water and sediments (such as nitrogen and phosphorus), a sustained period of low and stable flows, and favourable weather conditions (e.g. increased temperature, calm days).

The warning follows the finding of exposed and detaching mats of potentially toxic algae (benthic cyanobacteria) in the Hakatere/Ashburton River.

People should avoid these area and animals, particularly dogs, should not be allowed near the water until the health warning has been lifted.

There are also other access points along the Hakatere/Ashburton River that may have benthic cyanobacteria present.

People are advised to treat every lowflowing river cautiously, check for the presence of benthic cyanobacteria and avoid contact.

Dr Cheryl Brunton, Canterbury Medical Officer of Health, says the algae look like dark brown to black mats and can produce toxins harmful to people and animals.

“Exposure may cause skin rashes, nausea, stomach cramps, tingling and numbness

around the mouth and fingertips.

“If you experience any of these symptoms, visit your doctor immediately, also let your doctor know if you’ve had contact with dark brown/black algal mats or water in this area,” Dr Brunton says.

Pets that show signs of illness after coming into contact with algal mats should be taken to a vet immediately.

People and animals should remain out of the waterways until the warnings have been lifted.

Environment Canterbury is monitoring the sites and the public will be advised of any changes in water quality.

The health warning at SH1 and Hills Road was issued on 10 February, with a second warning for Boundary Road issued on 15 February.

It often has a strong musty smell and algal toxin concentrations can vary over short periods.

Although high river levels will remove the algal bloom, detached mats can accumulate along the shore and increase the risk of exposure to toxins.

If a health warning is in place avoid contact with the water.

Although district or city councils may place warning signs, these may not be seen at the numerous river access points, hence the need for people/dog-walkers to treat every low-flowing river cautiously.

Or contact Community and Public Health on (03) 364 1777 - www.cph.co.nz/yourhealth/recreational-water/

For further information visit:

For more information about Mahinga Kai:

www.lawa.org.nz/explore-data/ canterbury-region/

www.cph.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/ saf0112.pdf

Making contact in an emergency

Tree removal

For most Kiwis, staying connected is as easy as opening an app on your phone, but what would happen if an emergency struck which cut or disrupted phone/ internet services? Major events such as earthquakes can severely damage telecommunication networks and the power may also go out.

Ashburton District Council has this week begun removing several trees in Argyle Park and is set to remove another outside Ashburton College on Walnut Avenue due to safety concerns.

was no power to recharge it? Make sure to write down your whanau's phone numbers in your Household Emergency Plan and practice memorising those numbers in case you cannot access your mobile phone contact list or Emergency Plan.

Send a text message, avoid calling. One of the first things we want to do in an emergency is to check on our loved ones. This can lead to a heavily congested phone network.

2

Decide where you will meet/ leave a message at in your Household Emergency Plan. In the event you cannot make contact with whanau, your household needs to know where you are all going to meet up. Decide on that location when you make your Emergency Plan.

3

Download the free Household Emergency Plan template at getthru.govt.nz.

Follow these steps to help you prepare for an emergency:

Several pin oaks and English oak trees at Argyle Park near Farm Road have grown too close to power lines, while an external arborist assessment of the oak tree on Walnut Avenue has found it to be a safety risk due to ailing health.

Know your loved-ones' phone numbers. Mobile phones are good at storing this information, but could you remember your loved one's phone number if you'd lost your phone or the battery died and there

1

In major events, internet services may be down so apps commonly used to contact friends and family may not work.

Sending a text message instead of trying to call them may have more chance of getting through to them.

1

Week of 15 February 2021 | ISSUE 16

getthru.govt.nz

The Council is scheduled to remove the oak tree outside Ashburton College on Saturday 20 February and is planning to replace it with a juvenile tree in the coming winter months.

Meanwhile, the remaining trees at Argyle Park will have more room to fill out properly. ashburtondc.govt.nz

Saturday, February 20, 2021 Ashburton Guardian

Cheque payments ending at Council in June From 15 June this year, Ashburton District Council customers who rely on cheques to make payments will need to use an alternate payment option, as the Council's bank moves to end their use.

In person using cash, eftpos, credit or debit card.

Online on the Council website ashburtondc.govt. nz/do-it-online using a credit or debit card, or through Account2Account, a secure online service that doesn't require credit or debit card details (this service is only supported

by ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Kiwibank, TSB and Westpac banks).

We recommend this simple precaution for all households, including those on public and private water supplies.

Neil McCann Group Manager Infrastructure Services

COMMUNITY GRANT Creative Communities Scheme funding and Sport NZ Rural Travel funding Applications are now being sought from groups and organisations for Creative Communities Scheme funding and Sport NZ Rural Travel funding.

Internet bank transfer through your bank.

Payments are to be made to: Ashburton District Council, bank account number 03-15920521970-000.

Rates Easypay direct debit payments made weekly, fortnightly, bimonthly or monthly to suit individual budgets.

The last day Council will accept cheques is Tuesday 15 June, allowing for payments to be processed ahead of Thursday 25 June when Westpac officially stops accepting them.

ashburtondc.govt.nz

Open 1 March until 31 March

Applications close at 5pm on Wednesday 31 March, 2021 for the funding to be allocated in July 2021. Application forms and full criteria for each scheme are available online from ashburtondc.govt.nz For more information, contact Council on 307 9646 or email grants@adc.govt.nz

EVENT CANCELLATION - RIDE THE RAKAIA Cancellation of proposal to close roads to vehicular traffic Pursuant to the Transport (Vehicular Traffic Road Closure) Regulations 1965, notice is hereby given that CJM’s Events Limited, for the purpose of holding Ride the Rakaia event has been cancelled.

Council is hopeful to see this popular event return next year.

See Tancred Street's transformation in new time-lapse video Ashburton's new-look CBD is fast taking shape and now you can see that progress in a new timelapse video.

DRINKING WATER PUBLIC NOTICE REMEMBER TO FLUSH YOUR TAPS Although the health risk is small, the Ministry of Health recommends you run a mugful of water through your drinking water tap each morning before use to remove any metals that may have dissolved from plumbing fittings.

"Cheques have gradually been falling out of favour with many of our customers over recent years, but the bank's decision to phase them out completely has really hastened the need for those remaining residents and businesses to shift to a different solution.

The Council has several payment options available:

PUBLIC NOTICE

Some plumbing fittings have the potential for small traces of metals to accumulate in water that has been in the fitting for several hours.

Westpac bank will no longer be accepting cheques and Council Chief Executive Hamish Riach says any affected residents should investigate Council's other options in preparation of the end date.

"We provide a variety of payment options to suit residents' preferences. If you are unsure which solution would work for you, please speak to your bank or come in and chat to our friendly customer service team," he said.

PUBLIC NOTICE

9

Neil McCann Group Manager Infrastructure Services

Footage has been captured of the streetscape upgrades carried out on Tancred Street over recent months. Head to ashburtondc.govt.nz and scroll to the bottom of the page to find the video today.

Week of 15 February 2021 | ISSUE 16

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10 NEWS

Ashburton Guardian Saturday, February 20, 2021

Covid-19 vaccinations under way The country’s Covid-19 vaccine roll-out is officially under way, with many of the 100 vaccinators getting their first of two Pfizer jabs yesterday.

The crew – mostly nurses – received their inoculations at Auckland’s Jet Park hotel, so they can vaccinate frontline border staff from today.

Some vaccinators may be sporting a slightly tingly arm today when they turn the tables and start vaccinating border workers.

Experts say the shot in the arm to protect against Covid-19 will feel similar to the flu jab.

“Some people will get fevers, some will get muscle aches and headaches, those kinds of things which are unpleasant but very short-lived and able to be dealt with by simple medications,” said professor Peter McIntyre from the Immunisation Advisory Centre’s medical advisor.

But he said the benefits are tangible.

“On the one hand that’s not so pleasant on the other hand it’s telling you that your immune system is responding appropriately to the vaccine and your immune system is going to be ready should you encounter the actual virus in the future,” McIntyre said.

“That’s a whole lot better than wondering if you’re going to catch the virus tomorrow.”

Nurses’ Organisation professional nursing advisor Kate Weston said the vaccinators were ready to be first in line to receive their jabs yesterday.

“It’s a very significant day for Aotearoa, marking the start of a programme. We are not dealing with a community outbreak so for us it’s a very proactive, strong place to be starting a vaccination

Nurses and frontline border staff are the first to be vaccinated. programme from.”

The Ministry of Health had a trial run in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch this week to trouble-shoot and stress-test the immunisation programme.

It’s expected to take several weeks before all 12,000 workers and their families are covered and they will need a second shot of the vaccine within 21 days.

The Vaccine Alliance is working alongside government on its Covid immunisation strategy.

Clinical director Dr Fran Priddy said it was an important step in Aotearoa’s defence against the pandemic.

“People can feel very confident that this vaccine is going to protect them against symptomatic Covid.”

Priddy said it will be important for the government and experts to encourage people to get the jab.

She said there is confidence the vaccine will work despite some unknowns.

“We don’t really have data yet on whether this vaccine or any of the Covid-19 vaccines can prevent spread of the virus but this

will definitely have a high efficacy against preventing disease.”

Ministry planning scenarios show if there was a Covid-19 outbreak, the population at risk would be next in line to receive the vaccine after healthcare and border workers.

The vaccine is expected to be available to the general public in the second half of this year.

Man jailed for similar crime Guns crackdown One of the men on trial over the Red Fox Tavern shooting more than 30 years ago was jailed for a similar robbery several years earlier, a jury has heard.

Father of two Chris Bush, 43, was gunned down during a robbery at the pub in Maramarua, northern Waikato, in October 1987.

Mark Hoggart, 60, and another man who cannot be named, are on trial in the High Court at Auckland, charged with murder and aggravated robbery.

They deny any involvement in the crime and say the police arrested the wrong people.

In agreed facts read to the court, the jury heard the man with name suppression was convicted for his role in the aggravated robbery of another tavern, in the Auckland region, in the early 1980s.

In that robbery, the accused and his two co-offenders went into the bar in the early hours, after all the patrons had left.

A number of the bar staff were still there socialising.

The two offenders who went into the tavern – one of them the Red Fox Tavern accused – wore disguises and carried shotguns, the jury heard.

The bar staff were threatened and ordered to lie face down on the floor.

The duty manager was told to open the safe. The contents of the safe was put into a sugar sack.

The amount stolen came to more than $45,000 in cash, coins, cheques and credit card vouchers.

The Red Fox Tavern accused and the other two offenders were quickly apprehended.

The man with name suppression pleaded guilty to his part in the crime and was jailed.

One of the Red Fox Tavern accused’s co-offenders in the earlier tavern robbery has also given evidence in court.

Charles Ross said he had known the man with name suppression for many years.

As well as being involved in the earlier aggravated robbery, Ross said he and the man had spent time in prison together.

Responding to questions from Crown prosecutor Natalie Walker, Ross said the topic of committing another aggravated robbery came up on a number of occasions while they were in prison.

Ross said the accused told him: “I’ll probably do another one when I get out”.

Ross was asked whether the Red Fox Tavern ever came up.

“There were several occasions where it was spoken about in prison, not only by [the accused], but by most of the other inmates,” he said.

The accused always seemed to be there when the Red Fox was discussed, Ross said.

Ross said he made it clear he didn’t want to be involved in any

more robberies once he got out of prison.

When he first heard about what happened at the Red Fox Tavern, Ross said his first thought was that it was the “spitting image” of the earlier aggravated robbery.

Ross said he saw the accused in the days after.

Ross said the man told him he had already got rid of a gun “in the bay”.

The man also told him they would be “getting some heat” and the “cops will be busting our houses” – because of the earlier aggravated robbery, Ross said.

Ross didn’t ask the man if he had been involved in the Red Fox Tavern shooting and robbery.

Ross said the accused had asked him to give him an alibi for Labour weekend.

“My reaction was a total no, I wasn’t getting involved in anything,” Ross said.

Walker asked Ross why he hadn’t mentioned the alibi or the discussions about the Red Fox Tavern in prison, when he first provided statements to the police in 1988 – and only mentioned them when he provided another statement in 2018.

“At that time, I was trying to distance myself from the whole thing, both me and my family,” he said.

“It’s always been in the back of my mind.”

The trial continues.

Police have announced a nationwide crackdown on guns held by organised crime groups and gangs.

Operation Tauwhiro, a longterm and nationally co-ordinated operation, will focus on harm prevention and enforcement.

It is the first operation aligned to the new Organised Crime Strategy, which aims to address organised crime, its social drivers and the harm it causes.

In a statement yesterday, Police Commissioner Andrew Coster said groups that commit violence involving firearms could expect to be at the centre of significant attention from law enforcement.

“Violent offending, particularly involving firearms, poses significant risk and causes fear and long term harm in our communities,” Coster said.

“A key focus of the operation will be investigating and disrupting the illegal supply of firearms to gangs and organised crime groups, which is enabling firearms violence.”

This would include illegal manufacturing, modification, and supply of firearms to gangs and organised crime groups, Coster said.

“The operation will hold these people to account while also identifying where we can

prevent further harm and victimisation.”

Each district would have their own tailored initiative and work with iwi and partner agencies to identify risk factors and “implement appropriate interventions”.

“This may include working with iwi, community NGOs, probation and parole officers, and other community groups to offer services and support that can help address the underlying causes of violence and build greater community resilience,” Coster said.

Coster said police were moving to strip gang members of gun licences, but they needed to test their new powers to do so in court.

“We are concerned and it doesn’t sit comfortably with us that gang members are able to obtain a firearms licence however we’ve had difficulty in the past through the courts.

“There is a new provision that ought to make it possible for us to remove licences from gang members, we need to test through the courts the effect of that provision, and we will certainly be doing that,” he said.

Police said they welcomed information from anyone who had concerns about organised crime, illicit drugs or illegal firearms in their community.

Saturday, February 20, 2021 Ashburton Guardian

NEWS 11

When life is linked to the town clock

By Malcolm Hopwood

W

hen you look at the Ashburton town clock, you quickly realise its original function is now redundant.

There are so many ways to tell the time with watches, phones, computer screens and digital radios, so why do you need it?

Today, it’s little value to the community. It stands erect with a disproportionate small face on a long angular body.

It casts a shadow over Baring Square and the development of the civic complex, but doesn’t do much else. It’s not portable so you can slap it on to your wrist, nor does it have a second hand.

Its face is in Roman numerals which are about as helpful as pounds, shillings and pence.

Some people would kick it for touch, but I’m going to make a strong emotional plea for its ongoing retention long after I’ve popped my clogs.

Here’s my argument.

As a young newspaper editor, I used to lie in bed and listen to its chimes. It was probably 3am and my editorial for the day was still whirling in my mind.

Suddenly the boom would reverberate all the way up Cameron Street, turn left into Walker and then shatter the windows at 71 Wills.

It was comforting. I had a watch, an old alarm clock, but not much else. The town clock told me I was home and, whether I was asleep or awake, it was going to chime.

Then and now town clocks are an icon, visible for miles around and an identity for the town.

That was its historic purpose in 1980s Ashburton. Generations before, town clocks were the only time pieces in a community except for the fob watch which you didn’t wear to bed. You could, but you’d be uncomfortable and they’d get caught in your long johns.

Then and now town clocks are an icon, visible for miles around and an identity for the town. There will be people who recognise Ashburton as the town with

the train running through the middle and the town clock.

In some cities, the clock has an identity all of its own. They have their own twitter accounts and are active in social media.

“Dear town clock, how are you today?”

They also play a role as a dependable landmark. Whatever happens in Covid-19 New Zealand this year, the Ashburton town clock will still be there.

It’s not going to catch the pandemic and get respiratory problems when it booms every hour.

It’s also part of the town’s social fabric.

It’s the place where you meet out-oftowners. If you’re coming from the south, then drive beyond the road works and you’ll find it on the right. We’ll be on the park bench nearby.

Speaking of park benches, there are people who had their first kiss and cuddle in the shadow of the town clock.

It’s remained a topic of conversation with them. You start by saying “I remember the time” and you get your hand slapped.

It’s also a milestone for people. It’s where you met, it’s where lasting friendships began, it’s where you became romantically involved.

I was inspired to write this after reading an article by Hayley Westcott for BBC News. She’s a connoisseur of clocks.

She argues that people are so devoted to them, they get clock tattoos on their arms and other parts of their bodies

where you can go from top to bottom or bottom to top.

That’s my case, but the Guardian would like to hear from readers whose lives have been inextricably linked to Ashburton’s clock and have a story to tell. Please let us know.

But no clock can rest on its laurels, even if it’s unusual for a clock to have laurels or even rest on them. If its original purpose doesn’t exist and it booms out to people who don’t want it, then it needs to do something more.

My suggestion is for the Ashburton District Council to allow thrill-seekers to bungee jump from the top or chime the weather conditions, temperature and Lotto results every hour.

It could become Ashburton’s town crier. “Four o’clock and all’s well.”

More modestly you could climb internally and look out on the civic developments or search for the panther that’s loose in Canterbury.

I thought about adding a cuckoo to the chimes but then quickly changed my mind.

What I’d strongly advocate for is a dose of botox or plastic surgery. What we don’t need is for the Big Ben repair man to fly to New Zealand, enter quarantine and then Uber to Ashburton, but for the best cosmetic surgeon to perform life saving surgery on its face.

The town clock plays an important role in the life of the community, just give it a face it can be proud of.

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12

Ashburton Guardian Saturday, February 20, 2021

Saturday, February 20, 2021 Ashburton Guardian

TEST YOURSELF

Even more unusual things in the sky . . .

Test yourself with the Guardian’s quiz 1: In what year did the Mayfield Lions start the Mt Somers Bike Race? a) 1995 b) 2000 c) 2006 2: In what year did Methven’s Braden Currie first win the Coast to Coast? a) 2010 b) 2011 c) 2013 3: How many times has Currie won the Coast to Coast a) 2 b) 3 c) 5 4: The Ashburton District no longer has the longest roading network in Canterbury – who does? a) Christchurch City b) Selwyn District c) Timaru District 5: Most of the territory of the former Holy Roman Empire is now part of what country? a) Germany b) France c) Italy 6: In what year did Jenny Shipley become New Zealand’s first female Prime Minister? a) 1990 b) 1995 c) 1997 7: “There Can Be Only One” was the tagline of what 1986 film? a) Highlander b) Karate Kid 2 c) Aliens 8: Who is currently the number one ranked men’s golfer in the world? a) Rory McIlroy b) Dustin Johnson c) Brooks Koepka

Following on from photos in this space earlier in the week, we’re again taking to the skies and back at Lake Hood for the recent kite day.

Robin Pridie again was the man behind the lens capturing these airborne creatures who would seem to be more suited to the dark depths of the lake, as opposed to flying above it.

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3 FRIDAY’S ANSWERS

EASY SUDOKU

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YOUR PLACE 13

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Solutions for today in Wednesday’s Your Place page.

Answers: 1: c) 2006, 2: c) 2013, 3: b) 3, 4: b) Selwyn District, 5: a) Germany, 6: c) 1997, 7: a) Highlander, 8: b)Dustin Johnson.

DAILY RECIPE

2 1 4 9 6 7 9 3 2 8 Tomato pasta sauce8with 5 6tuna 4 7 1 T canola oil ½ red or brown onion, peeled and sliced 6 7 9 3 4 4 medium tomatoes, chopped or 1 x 3 8 1 5 2 400g can chopped tomatoes 1 red capsicum, deseeded and chopped ¼ C tomato sauce 4 2 5 1 9 ¼-½ C water Pinch salt 9 3 2 7 5 Freshly ground black pepper, to taste 1 x 400g can tuna chunks in spring water, 5 6 7 8 1 drained and flaked 4-8 C cooked hot pasta 1 4 8 6 3 2-3 T chopped parsley ■■ Heat oil in a heavy-based saucepan. Add onion and cook until transparent.

■■ Add tomatoes and capsicum and simmer for 2-3 minutes.

■■ Add tomato sauce, water, salt and pepper. Simmer for 4-5 minutes until piping hot.

■■ Add the tuna and stir through.

■■ The sauce needs to be of a spoonable consistency.

■■ Place hot pasta in serving bowls and

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5 1 9 2 4 8 6 3 7

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spoon over the sauce.

■■ Garnish with parsley and serve.

Recipe courtesy of Vegetables New Zealand www.vegetables.co.nz

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Write to us!

Call us!

Email us!

Editor, PO Box 77

03 307-7969

editor@ theguardian. co.nz

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14 OPINION

Ashburton Guardian Saturday, February 20, 2021

OUR VIEW

Australian social media battle unfolding

By Matt Markham matt.m@theguardian.co.nz

I

f you’re not a user of Facebook, or at least know what it is capable of, then news of what has unfolded in Australia this week will be of little significance to you.

Put basically, if it’s social media related – you won’t care.

But news of a major worldwide organisation and social media platform effectively wiping all Australian produced news from its servers is pretty significant in this day and age and could set the precedent for the future that has major ramifications on so many businesses and organisations who rely on the social media giant to promote their work and engage with people worldwide.

Yes, big media outlets like the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and the Daily Telegraph will be smarting over the decision which came about from the Australian government trying to force Facebook into commercial agreements with news organisations, but it’s the little fish in the media pond who will be impacted the most.

And to put it into perspective if it was to happen here in New Zealand, the Ashburton Guardian would feel the impact.

Small news organisations rely on social media platforms like Facebook to grab people’s attention and potentially draw them into heading to the shop and buying a copy of their latest edition.

So, without that ability, you almost need to go back to the point of finding a youngster to stand on the corner of East Street shouting: “Extra, extra, read all about it!”

Already there are businesses and publishers of a smaller ilk in Australia finding their pages all but redundant with the laws being enforced by their government more tailor-made for the big players.

What unfolds in the coming weeks will be very interesting to watch unfold.

How businesses or publishers choose to try and get around the issue will be of particular interest. One would think there will have to be a resolution at some point – but given the stubbornness of both Facebook, and the Australian government, it might be a while before there’s any positive steps forward.

YOUR VIEW Parking meters Ashburton District Council responds to the ‘Get rid of the meters’ editorial (February 19, 2021).

Although much has been happening these past few years in regards to the Ashburton town centre, we are happy to take this opportunity to remind residents of the ongoing CBD work, and specifically, how we are in fact getting “rid of the meters”.

The “ugly parking meters” are indeed being removed as part of the $15 million streetscape revitalisation project.

Readers of this publication might recall CBD project updates we have previously shared, as well as our regular communication with CBD businesses, advising of this change – the last of which was sent as recently as Tuesday, February 2.

We are replacing the old parking meters with smart parking sensor technology as the upgrades progress around the CBD. The intent of the streetscape project is to rejuvenate the CBD and encourage people back into the heart of Ashburton’s retail centre. That is why the

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.

upgrades involve removing the old coin-fed meters in place of smart parking sensors in the road surface that do not require any payments.

The parking sensors will have the same time restrictions as previously (either one hour or two hours depending on the street). This will help ensure that parks are regularly available throughout the day for visitors and customers, and discourage people working in the CBD from taking these parks away from visitors for extended periods of time.

All day pay-and-display parking is available for $2.00 a day in

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

the Cass Street (Eastfield) carpark for those requiring a longer parking option. The West Street carpark also currently provides two areas of free non-time restricted parking and one area of two hour restricted parking.

In regards to tow-away signage, council is unable to comment on this matter as we do operate these signs.

Stay informed on the latest council news and information, including CBD project updates, by subscribing to our email newsletter or text alerts at ashburtondc.govt.nz.

ADC chief executive, Hamish Riach

MEDIA COUNCIL This newspaper is subject to the New Zealand Media Council.

■■ Complaints must first be directed in writing to editor@theguardian.co.nz ■■ If unsatisfied, the complaint may be referred to the Media 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.mediacouncil.org.nz

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Saturday, February 20, 2021 Ashburton Guardian

OPINION 15

As the law does not provide clear guidance on the definition of news content, we have taken a broad definition in order to respect the law as drafted “

Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg

Facebook has possibly shot itself in the foot

By Diana Bossio Facebook made good on its threat to block Australians from accessing or posting news content.

The ban includes blocking links to Australian and overseas news publishers.

Facebook said the ban was a direct response to the federal government’s news media code legislation, which is expected to become law soon and would require digital platforms such as Facebook and Google to pay news media companies whose content they host.

Why has Facebook done this?

The move is either a last-ditch attempt to gain concessions in the legislation, or a simple cutand-run by Facebook.

The social media giant claims news publishers derive more value from news sharing than Facebook does.

This is plausible, as news content makes up only 4 per cent of sharing on the platform, whereas many news sites gain a large fraction of their traffic from Facebook referrals.

But this is probably more about flexing some muscle. Facebook may be demonstrating to the Australian Federal government that if it doesn’t like the rules, it can

damage national interests.

Collateral damage Australians will feel some short-term negative impacts of Facebook’s flex.

Certain government Facebook pages, such as those belonging to the Bureau of Meteorology and some health department sites, have been caught up in the ban.

Facebook says this is due to the wording of the legislation, stating: “As the law does not provide clear guidance on the definition of news content, we have taken a broad definition in order to respect the law as drafted”.

While Facebook says it will restore non-news pages, the action will put pressure on the government to define more clearly what it means by news content.

In the meantime, the move will affect Australians’ access to vital information related to emergencies and the Covid-19 pandemic. Without a concerted effort to ensure online behaviour change from users, this could be dangerous.

Misinformation risk We can also expect to see a short-term proliferation of misinformation as Facebook’s news feed will have a vacuum of professionally sourced and fact-

checked news.

A significant number of Australians discuss news on Facebook, both via their newsfeed and in groups. Being able to source factual information from news sites is part of the everyday political and social participation that social media platforms facilitate.

The democratic impact of Facebook’s ban will be felt – and is counter to Facebook’s stated principle of connecting people and its recent pledge to tackle misinformation.

Will it hurt Facebook?

The impact of this action against the legislation on Facebook itself is yet to be seen.

The reputational damage from blocking important sites that serve Australia’s public interest overnight – and yet taking years to get on top of user privacy breaches and misinformation – undermines the legitimacy of the platform and its claimed civic intentions.

Facebook’s actions may send a message to the government, but they will also send one to their Australian users.

Readers are likely to find other ways to get their news. If we learn from the experience of Google’s news ban in Spain, we can see that after an initial dip in traffic,

most major news organisations in Spain regained much of their web traffic after about a year.

Surfing social waves Tools such as Facebook are only useful if people want to use them.

And for some existing users, the lack of news might be a deal breaker.

Facebook already faces a longterm problem of an ageing user demographic, as under-25s turn to Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok for news and information.

Young people may have Facebook profiles, but they are less likely to be active users.

News organisations are already following their lead. For example, The Conversation Australia has 325,735 Facebook followers and will probably feel the impact of the loss of engagement there.

But it also has more than 21,000 Instagram followers and counting. It is increasingly making visual news “tiles” to cater for the younger demographic of users who source news from other platforms.

It has also been working to reach readers directly via regular email newsletters, which one in five US readers now say is their primary way of accessing news.

News organisations have already learned how to pivot fast.

When Facebook changed its algorithms in 2018 to deprioritise news publishers, many took action to reduce their reliance on Facebook’s traffic, analytics or digital advertising dollars.

What now?

Larger news organisations will be OK in the long run. But Australia’s smaller outlets, including local publishers and non-profits that produce public interest journalism, will need protection.

The long-term task for news organisations and journalists is to convince the public – especially young people – that it’s worthwhile to actively seek out professional news and journalism as part of their daily online lives, rather than simply reading whatever comes across their feed.

As for Facebook, going back to its original purpose of facilitating personal connection and social networking, rather than posing as a forum for public information, may not be a bad thing. But the reputational damage and publisher exodus will eventually damage its core business: digital advertising revenue.

Diana Bossio is a lecturer in media and communications at Swinburne University of Technology

16 HERITAGE

Ashburton Guardian Saturday, February 20, 2021

John Grigg’s traction engine with wagons of wool from Alford Station in tow. The engine is being driven by H W Rainey.

By Connor Lysaght

Full steam ahead

O

nce upon a time, it seemed that steam powered machines were the technological apex for transport and manufacture.

From its humble beginnings as a means to vertically pump water, steam became a driving force in industry and the economy, with the dark consequence of aiding European and American imperialism.

Aotearoa embraced steam, particularly the agriculture sector with steam engines being imported in the 1860s to power threshing mills and winnowing machines.

The first public railway opened in 1863, and was built between Christchurch and Ferrymead using 5 foot 3 inch broad gauge track (which was later reduced during Julius Vogel’s railway project).

By 1870, 74 kilometres of railway had been laid across the South Island, and a decade later a project devised by Treasurer Julius Vogel led to the completion of the Christchurch-Invercargill line.

Steam spread fast across New Zealand, and aside from having many benefits, the arrival of new machines and vehicles was always a spectacle for the broadsheets.

Gaining traction The famed Longbeach agri-

culturalist, John Grigg, was at the forefront when it came to embracing steam technology in the Ashburton County.

The Ashburton Guardian made a great deal of Grigg purchasing a ‘road steamer’, which he procured on January 31, 1879.

Grigg’s engine was a Fowler type, which he brought in to haul grain from his estate and to power his machinery.

A private trial was held, “and the engine made a very satisfactory essay at a journey along the road. It is a novel sight indeed for the people of this Colony to see a locomotive engine drawing a train of wagons along a common country road, but such a sight will now be a frequent spectacle in the Longbeach district”.

His engine was eight horsepower, two-speed, and consumed one hundredweight of coal per hour (approximately 50.8kg) with the ability to carry eight hours’ supply in its bunker.

One drawback for traction engines is the fact that you needed to stop where you could for water – Grigg’s Fowler had to stop every four miles to refill.

During its trial run, Grigg’s traction engine hauled a load of ten tons excluding itself at roughly six and a half to seven kilometres per hour.

Steam engine safety Traction engines are big, bulky, and, as many would discover, dangerous.

A Clayton & Shuttleworth six horsepower steam engine, which was last used to power a small sawmill by Dick Burgess and James Carney, pictured.

D A Symes’ cowshed. The funnel rising above the structure was that of a steam engine which powered the milking machines.

Even today, accidents involving traction engines still happen.

In March 2019, the UK Daily Mail reported that a family car had collided with a vintage traction engine in Suffolk, somehow leaving the car at an angle perpendicular to the engine.

Thankfully, little damage was done to the older of the two vehicles, while the front of the VW was crumpled right up to above the front wheels – I wonder which one was built to last!

In New York City, there are steam pipes under the streets that are still in use dating back to the 1880s – sometimes they rupture or even on occasion explode, causing injuries every now and then.

Back in the 19th and early 20th centuries, road boards and local authorities published bylaws regulating traction engine traffic which sought to make the roads safer for both engines and equestrians alike.

The 1913 By-Laws Regulating Traction Engine Traffic Within Wakanui Road District were set out and approved by chairman George William Leadley and clerk John Kilgour, for the purpose mentioned above.

Common regulations included the need to display your name and address on your engine, spreading out discarded ashes as opposed to leaving them in a heap, and load limitations.

Traction engine accidents could be catastrophic – one Fowler accident that occurred on

the isle of Portland in the English Channel in 1921 is of particular note. It was found following the accident that a pin that should have held the gear change lever in place had not been inserted, which led to the traction engine Sphinx running out of control through Fortuneswell.

The engine sped down the road with the trailer swinging from side to side, flinging large blocks of stone all about the place, as crowds of pedestrians panicked and watched in horror.

The steersman was tragically killed when the front trailer overran the engine after smashing into a wall.

Stationary engines and associated equipment were just as dangerous – the Ashburton Guardian reported on a sawmill accident that occurred in Clova Bay in 1878 which left the workers at the mill shocked and horrified.

A youth working at the mill was ordered to stop the circular saw, which was propelled by a shaft from the main engine.

Instead of carefully slipping the belt off the drum to halt the machine, he gave it a kick and his foot was caught by the belt.

The worker was carried around the mechanism at high speed, “striking one of the flooring boards – a stout plank, an inch and a half in thickness – with such violence as to break it in two places”.

The other workers rushed to stop the machine, but by the

time they managed to switch it off it was too late for the young sawmill worker.

By 1919, there were over 1200 traction engines or portable steam engines in New Zealand, and over 700 stationary engines on farms.

Ashburton Motorcycle Club New video footage is now on display as part of the exhibition Reel Life of Ashburton at the Ashburton Museum.

Right now we are showing film clips and photographs of the Ashburton Motorcycle Club from the 1940s onwards, showcasing the club’s passion and skill behind the handlebars.

CONTACT Material for this page is co-ordinated by the Ashburton Museum. Articles from other organisations are welcomed, as is any feedback on what appears.

Email: museum@adc.govt.nz Mail: PO Box 94, Ashburton 7700 Phone: 307-7890 Copies of the photos on this page are available for purchase from the Ashburton Museum

Saturday, February 20, 2021 Ashburton Guardian

Mid Canterbury WI members Mavis Wilkins, national president Fay Leonard, Jude Vaughan and Dianne Carter pose with the statue of Miss Jerome Spencer.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

WEEKEND FOCUS 17

Sculptor, Gerard McCabe, admires his Jerome statue in Hawkes Bay. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Mavis feels emotional as centenary approaches T

here’s something special when Founders Day is also the centenary of an organisation.

Miss Jerome Spencer held the first meeting of the New Zealand Federation of Women’s Institutes on February 21, 1921, in Napier and the date has been celebrated ever since.

In Ashburton, the milestone will be recognised on Monday at the Plains Village with a church service, the planting of a kowhai tree and a picnic lunch.

The driving force behind the local centenary is President of the Mid Canterbury Federation of Women’s Institutes, or WI for short, Mavis Wilkins.

For Mavis, a WI member for 52 years, the event is “an opportunity for members to recognise our heritage and celebrate the founder, Jerome Spencer”.

“Because of the history, we’re going to Plains Museum. Following the service, we’ll plant a kowhai tree in the garden by the Plains Village cottage.”

In attendance will be National President, Fay Leonard, from Kaiapoi.

Jerome Spencer was a teacher who travelled to England prior to World War One, attended WI meetings there and, on her return, decided to establish the organisation here in New Zealand.

WI is part of Mavis’s DNA. Her mother, Betty Mahon, was a member when the family lived in Rangitata and Mavis joined as a teenager.

“It was fun belonging to something and being able to participate in the various events such as baking, drama, sewing, handcraft and rural activities,” she says.

“We met the elders from the district and learned from them.

It became a big part of my life. I have no regrets being a member for 52 years.”

Among her many highlights has been hosting the 70th anniversary at the Hotel Ashburton and the 85th last year when they held their annual cup day.

When the Lions rugby team played Mid Canterbury in the early 1950s, WI members catered for the after-match function and received a cup from the Mid Canterbury Rugby Football Union. The sausage rolls were said to be legendary.

“We compete for the cup annually with activities such as flower arrangement, cooking, sewing, crafts and, in the past, the Eisteddfod, a festival of music and poetry, originating in Wales.”

WIs in New Zealand adapted it as an opportunity to sing, speak and present drama productions.

A further highlight occurred when Mavis was awarded a Gold Honours Badge two years ago at the WI national conference in Taupo.

“It’s the highest award WIs can give for outstanding service. I was overwhelmed. But it was thoroughly deserved, they tell me,” Mavis says modestly.

The spotlight again illuminat-

Mavis Wilkins. ed Marvis and two colleagues last weekend. They were among 250 members who travelled to Napier to visit Omatua Homestead, Rissington, the venue for the first women’s institute meeting.

It was there that Jerome Spencer presided over the inaugural meeting in New Zealand. Mem-

bers took part in an informal meet and greet at Napier Girls’ High, enjoyed a formal dinner and attended the unveiling of a specially commissioned statue of Jerome Spencer.

The event was held a week early so WI members could return to their own centres and organise their own celebrations

on February 21.

Mavis attended with WI members, Dianne Carter and Jude Vaughan.

“It was wonderful to be there, such a happy occasion,” Mavis recalled. “You definitely felt proud that our organisation has existed for so long.”

“For the three of us, it was emotional. There was a feeling of comradeship that we’ve reached our centenary.”

Despite being a member of the Lowcliffe WI which has six active members, Mavis sees a strong need for WIs to continue in the future.

“We won’t give in,” she says defiantly.

There are eight institutes in Mid Canterbury and Mavis wants to see them flourish.

“There remain women in both our rural and urban community who need this fellowship.

In addition, we have members in Rakaia, Hinds and Methven living remotely who appreciate the opportunity to connect,” she said.

Three times a year all local institutes come together. Their next meeting is on Friday, February 26, at their AGM in the Seniors Centre.

Members are asked to dress in pre-1940s fashion to recognise the centenary and the women who attended.

It’s time to take their hats, furs, pearls, gloves, dresses and nylons out of mothballs because, if Mavis, has her way, Women’s Institutes aren’t going into them.

18 WEEKEND FOCUS

Ashburton Guardian Saturday, February 20, 2021

The Faze when

T

he band was called Faze 111 because it represented three phases of Donald McQuarters’ musical life.

Bands were a passion for nearly 30 years and Donald not only played with the best, he was the best in Mid Canterbury.

It’s been a great life he says and, although his time as a residency or on the road is over, Don still plays one of his five guitars just about every day.

In the 1950s and 60s musicians were discovered young, but Don and his band would’ve beaten them all.

He was at Hampstead School, 11 turning 12, when he formed his first group, The Aces.

“We were all friends, went to the same school, hung out together and passed the guitar around.

“It wasn’t a big deal at the time, but we decided to see where it would take us,” he recalls.

“Keith Holland, Stuart Scammell and Peter Davison played the guitar and I was the drummer.”

It was 1959, the year The Shadows produced their hit number Apache.

Everyone was listening to it and The Aces decided they wanted to play it.

“We wanted to be like them so we practised their covers and entered the Ashburton Silver Band talent quest,” Don says.

“It was the era of talent quests and concerts and fans used to line-up at the Regent Theatre to buy tickets.”

They borrowed gear from the Deconairs, a South Island band, based in

Guardian reporter Malcolm Hopwood checks out an old acquaintance

Ashburton, and played like Hank Marvin and Bruce Welsh.

“We won our heat and came second in the final,” Don says.

“We won a bike lamp from Ormond and Steele in the Triangle.

“The four of us had to share one bike lamp!”

Then there were occasions when they played the same bill as Chloe Gordon and the All Stars.

“We were the bee’s knees,” Don remembers.

The group stayed together through secondary school and their reputation extended to Canterbury where promoters

We played jukebox tracks over and over until we remembered the chords and the words Even before they reached their teens, their careers had begun.

They built a repertoire of about 20 or 30 Shadows and Ventures tunes and did the Mid Canterbury circuit.

There were concerts, talent quests and dances.

They even hired the Hampstead Hall, sold crates of Bray’s Cordials and organised their own dance.

would engage them to play gigs in Ashburton with top Christchurch bands.

But they knew they couldn’t play Apache, Walk Don’t Run, Wipe Out, Kon-Tiki and Wonderful Land forever and, with the British invasion, they engaged vocalist, Peter Campbell, and covered the hit songs of the Swinging Sixties.

When Keith Holland and then Peter Campbell left, new members such as John

Bell and Lindsay Liddington joined.

It was time for a change of name.

With the pressure on him and the poster waiting, Don chose The Group.

The name worked and, very quickly, they were charging around in promoter, Clarrie Light’s Chevy Bel Air, performing in Timaru, Christchurch, Greymouth as well as Ashburton.

“We had a great time, every weekend was different. We talked about going professional, but we were enjoying what we did so much.”

The Group stuck to covers.

They played at dances which became night clubs, private engagements, corporate functions, weddings, pubs and 21st birthdays.

Their fans wanted music they knew and could dance to.

They didn’t want originals.

By 1967, they had a residency at the 1480 Village on Lichfield Street which still allowed them to play gigs around Canterbury.

“We listened to records, taped songs off the radio, went to milk bars and played jukebox tracks over and over until we remembered the chords and the words,” Don says.

“To everything there’s a season”, the Byrds sang in 1965 and The Group came to an end when Stuart left for Australia and John for the North Island.

“We were ready for a break.

“We’d played constantly for 13 years and needed time off.”

In addition, they had jobs around town and wanted a social life.

Home for Don and Sharon is picturesque Lake Hood.

Saturday, February 20, 2021 Ashburton Guardian

WEEKEND FOCUS 19

Don was an ace Don still has time to strum the guitar.

But 12 months later they were back.

Don, Peter and Lindsay were still about and they recruited younger brother, Russell McQuarters, on keyboard.

Faze 111 was created, inspired by the third band that two of them had belonged to.

They tried for a residency at the Flash Ash but were turned down.

Chloe Gordon was still flavour of the month.

Instead they played at The Devon.

The upstairs lounge was so packed, the pub ran out of booze.

Suddenly the Hotel Ashburton was interested.

Faze 111 became the resident group at a time when the pub scene was huge.

There were also engagements in Christchurch, Timaru and Oamaru.

Eventually it was time to move on.

Don and Sharon opened up Denim Den in Tancred Street near The Arcade.

Just as the band was formed in the right era, so too was the demand for denim.

They moved into The Arcade and, in the 1990s, Chicago Joe’s followed.

In 2001 Denim Den was sold and Chicago Joe’s followed four years ago.

Don and Sharon were ready to retire and settle at Lake Hood.

They enjoy travel, especially to Australia, golf, helping out at the Hospice Shop and enjoying the Lake Hood community.

Don still strums his guitar and reflects fondly on his career.

Besides the music, one other thing stands out.

It’s the camaraderie between all the members.

“We were friends, we went to school together and, even on the occasions we had a weekend off, we still hung out together,” Don comments.

There’s one other memory Don and I both share.

He was captaining Tech in cricket and sent every member of the team to the boundary, even the bowler.

They all had to do what he instructed.

The following week in the Guardian I wrote “not a mcquarter was given.”

Don remembered the story 35 years later, just as I did.

He hadn’t forgotten.

There’s one more quotation he fondly recalls.

It comes from Seasick Steve.

“I started out with nothing and I’ve still got most of it left.”

But there’s a difference.

Donald McQuarters started out with something.

Faze 111 – (from left) Peter Davison, Russell McQuarters, Don McQuarters with Lindsay Liddington in front.

20

Ashburton Guardian Saturday, February 20, 2021

Advertising feature

ROBERT GRICE

W

orking and investing in the Ashburton District is just part of their way of life for Robert and Jane Grice and their

family.

Robert’s a fourth generation Mid Cantabrian, farms land at Seafield his family has owned since 1906 and is a commercial property investor, with the latest in his string of developments on Ashburton’s East Street now close to full tenancy.

The East Street complex, with tenants Black Fasteners, Shosha Vape and Hookah and Liquid Laundry, is now open for business, with a fourth tenant signing on this week.

And that will leave just one space, an area Robert considers the prime corner spot.

The new complex joins two commercial developments along the high-profile East Street strip that was once home to the

Ashburton Railway Station. These are also owned by the Grice family and are tenanted by businesses Outdoor Adventure Sports and Office Spot “It’s a good spot. Anything on East Street is good and this one is just 13 metres deep, so whatever is in there gets a huge amount of road frontage.”

It’s extremely satisfying, Robert said, to see a project he’s worked on for several years, now close to completion.

Six years ago his family completed a major rebuild on the corner of East and Grey streets that saw the demolition of a string of elderly buildings including the iconic Ashburton fish and chip shop, the Rangitira.

Investing back into the community his family has called home for four generations is something that his family gains huge satisfaction from, Robert said.

“We live here and it’s nice to be able to

create something good for your community. We were quite open about the tenants, accepting they wouldn’t be mainstream retail, more service because of the good parking.”

His son Nick’s building company was on site during construction, daughter Izzy was involved through insurance and son Sam, an accountant, is also joining the team. Robert’s hoping 16-year-old Harry might also find a role within the investment team in the future.

The local links to the East Street project go one step further, with architect Philip Redmond involved in the concept design.

For Robert, it’s been a long journey from joining his dad on the farm after leaving school to becoming an investor with properties in Christchurch and Ashburton.

Working with his dad Keith on the farm didn’t last long – “we had too many different ideas,” Robert said.

Now he reckons he could be the oldest ‘new farmer’ in New Zealand, taking over running the Seafield property about two years ago.

“I started back farming at the same time most men my age are handing their farms over to their sons,” he said.

For years, the name Robert Grice was synonymous with hand-crafted furniture, particularly furniture using recycled timber and later for furniture importing, but that’s in the past, he said.

With two retail complexes now completed, Robert is not ruling out further investment projects in Ashburton but that relies on finding the right site for the style of investment he likes – commercial and industrial.

Until that happens, Robert said he has plenty to keep him occupied with his 350 hectare cropping farm to run and a truffier to develop.

Saturday, February 20, 2021 Ashburton Guardian

21

Advertising feature

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22

Ashburton Guardian Saturday, February 20, 2021 District Monitor December 23, 2020 11

Liquid Self Service Laundromat A Ashburton new self-service laundromat has opened will beitsopen 24 at hours, 7 days a week from today doors 21 Tui Street, Taihape.

Liquid was Laundromats Self Liquid established in Service 2006 wasoffers established in 2006 and sophisticated, cleanand and offers sophisticated, clean comfortable Self-Service laundroand comfortable self-service mats. Liquid is the fastest growing laundromats. Liquid Laundromats chain Self-Service Laundromats is theoffastest growing chain of in New Zealand – now operating self-service laundromats in Newin over 90 sites around NZ. in over Zealand – now operating 90 sites around NZ. The unique customer experience The unique customer experience includes superior, energy efficient includes superior, energy efficient laundry facilities which provide laundrygarment facilities which provide quality care, while mainquality garment care, while taining reasonable and competitive maintaining reasonable and pricing. competitive pricing.

This T h i snew n eAshburton w Ta i h aLiquid p e LSelf iquid Service Laundromat offers the Laundromat Self Servcie offers latest smartsmart card payment technolthe latest card payment technology. owner Bruce ogy.

NZ ownerNZ Stuart Cross says Davidson says using the onsite using the onsite Liquid Card is Liquid and Cardfuss is free. simple and fuss simple free.

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Open 24 hours 7 days a week From today!

Puzzles and horoscopes Cryptic crossword 1

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Saturday, February 20, 2021 Ashburton Guardian

Simon Shuker’s Code Cracker

5

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Your Stars

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ACROSS 1. How to get a cold − but there’s a snag (5) 4. Hard to make out in writing how grumpy one was (7) 8. Reduction in insurance premium with club mason is on (2-6,5) 10. Get prepared for the series of coaches (5) 11. Direction to remove starter in banquet (4) 12. Ponder over it being where the sweat breaks out (4) 16. As wide-ranging as life, in person (5) 17. I’d suit invalid like this if he acts with independence (13) 19. They are not suited to their lifestyle (7) 20. Leads out of the valleys in England’s North (5) DOWN 1. With careful thought, a payment may be made (13) 2. Twitch of a muscle observed in sciatica (3) 3. A toast it’s good to enjoy if one is well (6) 4. Fighting mob turned when Tom was around (6) 5. Is breaking bail on turning up with a colourless character (6) 6. Marsupial can bid, too, if it’s put out (9) 7. It is danger set it out, and it falls to pieces (13) 9. Taken to court when about to use money, was held over (9) 13. Works very hard and manages to put by about fifty (6) 14. Slopes one arranges according to category (6) 15. Recompense one for service when draughtsman turns up (6) 18. It is not well from forty-nine to fifty (3)

WordBuilder WordBuilder

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

A O E T R WordBuilder A O E T R

WordWheel 845

U S Quick crossword 1

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B U R ?

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

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Previous solution: pew, pews, pie, pies, psi, sei, sew, sip, sipe, spew, swipe, wipe, wipes, wis, wise, wisp

www.thepuzzlecompany.co.nz 20/2

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ACROSS 1. Tumult (6) 5. Showed to be true (6) 9. Belittle (6) 10. Agitate (4,2) 11. Layer (4) 12. Fitting (8) 14. Instantly (2,4) 16. Be against something (6) 19. Cheat (8) 21. Necessity (4) 22. Brings together (6) 23. Dismal (6) 24. Fashionable (6) 25. Long for (6)

060

ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 19): You’ll be assembling a team.

Your best bet is a flexible leader. The one who is unconcerned with the outcome should not be put in charge, and neither should the one who is overly concerned.

TAURUS (Apr 20-May 20): Yes doesn’t always mean that you agree to a thing. Sometimes it just means that you like and affirm someone. You can say yes to a person and say no to what they want from you in a moment.

GEMINI (May 21-Jun 21): From a young age, the way you perceived things was moulded by the world and people closest to you. Now you’re older, you can have more control over your perceptions by deciding to see things differently.

CANCER (Jun 22-Jul 22): You’ve been burned in the past by the sort of “help” that costs more time, money and attention than doing it yourself.

Today is different. Life will be easier and more joyous when you let qualified people help you.

LEO (Jul 23-Aug 22): The conversations that spring from stress can be less-than-helpful. You’ll notice what’s going on in your body so you can recognise when you’re stressed and take measures to calm and soothe yourself.

VIRGO (Aug 23-Sep 22): Some interrupt mindlessly because they feel like expressing themselves regardless of what else is happening. You may have cause to interrupt today, but it will only be to serve the greater good of all.

LIBRA (Sep 23-Oct 23): Thinking in terms of gains and losses is short-sighted. Instead, figure out which moves are effective and which are ineffective and adjust your strategy accordingly.

SCORPIO (Oct 24-Nov 21): Your line of questioning proves you are paying attention to someone’s life. Do avoid getting boxed in by conversation that’s so specific it doesn’t leave room for the bigger news you don’t know to ask about yet.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21): There’s a moment in your sights, and you cannot help but approach with eager anticipation. Don’t let that rob you of the gifts of today – a day that you will, in time, come to be nostalgic about.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19): There are times to strive for self-sufficiency, but this isn’t one of them. It’s teamwork that will get you to the next place. There are true equals around who would love to be a part of what you’re doing.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb 18): In the early stages of a project, it was appropriate to cast a wide net to see what you could drag back to your realm. Now, you’re ready for strategic action.

Planning will take hours and be so worth it.

PISCES (Feb 19-Mar 20): What’s important isn’t whether you get what you want from the end of a project. The important part is just finishing.

Doing what you tell yourself you’re going to do accomplishes something essential.

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060

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 Verywords Good of 19 three Excellent 25 How 14 many 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. pew, pews, pie, Previous There’s atsolution: least one five-letter word. pies, psi,14sei, sip,19sipe, spew,25 Good Verysew, Good Excellent swipe, wipe, wipes, wis, wise, wisp

N A

DOWN 2. Foretell (7) 3. Inundate, invade (7) 4. Be vaguely familiar (4,1,4) 6. Proportion (5) 7. Height-induced dizziness (7) 8. Use up (7) 13. Stuck out (9) 14. Attack (7) 15. Opening (7) 17. Contemplates (7) 18. Woolshed worker (7) 20. Fear (5)

Sudoku

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Previous cryptic solution

Across: 1. Parch 4. Regards 8. Incubator 9. Boo 10. Twisted 12. List 14. Marital 17. Once 18. Terrier 20. Ore 21. Damnation 23. Retreat524.2Eagle 3 Down: 1. Point of honour 2. Recoil 3. Habitual 4. Rot 4 9 5. Girl 6. Rabbit 7. Shooting range 11. Drift 13. Carriage 15. Accept 16. Firing 19. Adze122. Mot4 2

Previous quick solution 1

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HARD

EASY

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Across: 1. Tied 3. Radiates 9. Garnish 10. Dowdy 11. For the 9 Unreasonable 21. Exits5 record 14. Ass 16. Nicer 17. Son 18.

8 1 22. Hothead 23. Meekness 24.5Dyed Down: 1. Tug-of-war 2. Error 4. Ash 5. Indoctrinate 6 8 6. Towards 7. Says 8. Within reason 12. Rocks 13. Intended 3 9 2 15. Sunrise 19. Beefy 20. Helm 22. His

Fill the grid so that every column, every row and 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.

8 1 6 5 2

PUZZLES 23

6 5 7 1 9 3 8 2 4

6 1 43 2 5 7 SOLUTIONS9 PREVIOUS 96 522 7 5 3 8 1 6 4 74 8 6 5 1 4 9 52 3 2 6 5 38 7 11 394 9 6 2 1 7 6 5 3 4 9 8 7 2 6 9 8 4 7 1 3 5 2 5 4 3 8 9 2 7 81 6 4 2 5 81 6 7 8 3 59 3 7 9 2 8 5 6 4 1 5 8 8 6 1 3 4 9 2 7 5 8 3 6 4 1 7 5 9 2

4 5 2 8 9 6 7 3 1

1 7 9 2 5 3 6 8 4

9 8 5 7 6 2 1 4 3

3 6 7 1 4 8 9 2 5

2 1 4 5 3 9 8 6 7

6 9 1 3 7 4 2 5 8

5 2 3 9 8 1 4 7 6

7 4 8 6 2 5 3 1 9

3 8 9

7 6 8 2 5 4 3 7

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Ashburton Guardian Saturday, February 20, 2021

Social netball heats up

P??

WEEKEND SPORT

Kyle’s in the big money

P27 P29

Shania Harrison-Lee continues to set national records in shooting.

By Adam Burns adam.b@theguardian.co.nz

Shania Harrison-Lee is charging towards the Commonwealth Games.

It appears that Mid Canterbury’s own national champion is just getting ever-better, as she reaches the business end of the

shooting season in record-breaking form.

Last weekend she shot a personal best 624.1 in the Mana Championship 50m Prone in Wellington.

It followed a win in the A Grade of the Pauatahanui Championship 50m Prone event on the Saturday.

Her latest points haul means

she now holds all four national records in both junior women’s and women’s categories, eclipsing her own record of 597 set at the 2020 TSNZ Outdoor National Championships in Tokoroa last year.

The Mana championships are one of seven 50m TSNZ designated matches which count for selection for this year’s tentative-

ly scheduled Oceania Grand Prix in Brisbane, which has ramifications for next year’s Commonwealth Games, to be held in Birmingham.

Harrison-Lee’s display also edged New Zealand rifle shooting veteran and olympian Ryan Taylor by less than a point at the Trentham event.

The two shooters are setting

the pace nationally, with Taylor edging the Ashburton teen in the Manawatu 50m Open event last month – another designated event which holds plenty of weight on the road to higher honours.

Next on the agenda is the TSNZ Outdoor National Championships which begins on Monday in Christchurch.

Saturday, February 20, 2021 Ashburton Guardian

SPORT 25

CRICKET

Semi-final hopes add spice

By Adam Burns adam.b@theguardian.co.nz

The Stags can be forgiven for thinking too far ahead, but the side need to take care of business first at home today.

Technical host Star at the Ashburton Oval this afternoon, as the South Canterbury senior competition shifts up a gear in what is the penultimate round before the playoffs.

The Mid Canterbury club currently sit in fourth spot, six points behind Celtic, who notably have the bye this weekend.

A win over Star would set it all up for a final round blockbuster against the Celts, with Tech claiming home advantage next weekend.

And home advantage is what could be at stake for the Stags, as they gun for a possible third place finish in the competition, with Pleasant Point and Temuka already sewing the top two spots up.

Third place gains a home playoff in a fortnight, with Pleasant Point and Temuka all booked for a playoff meeting the same day.

Net run rate may also come into calculations and if Tech can take the attack to the Star bowlers today, pending game situation of course, then they could find themselves in third spot by the end of this weekend.

It could add some gusto to the Stags’ approach STANDINGS today.

However after a topsy-turvy campaign up until ■■ Pleasant Point - 72 this point, just simply winning the game will be ■■ Temuka - 60 objective number one.

■■ Celtic - 48* Again the Stags will bank on their form expo■■ Technical - 42 nents such as Des Kruger and all-rounder Ryan ■■ Star - 24 Bell.

■■ *Celtic have the bye Tech’s pace spearhead Richard Print also hit his this weekend straps during the side’s last outing against Temuka, ominous signs for the Star boys facing up to an attack which just might prove too hot to handle.

Tech will be hunting for a big performance against Star in Ashburton today.

Play at the Ashburton Oval begins at noon.

PHOTO ADAM BURNS 280121-AB

Racquet-ing up the leaderboard

TWILIGHT RESULTS ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■

More weekday tennis, more dazzling sunshine.

The local Twilight Tennis competition continued to rollick on this week with the team What a Racquet moving past the Tridents total of 235 total game wins, coming courtesy of a 19-14 win over The Racqueteers. The Tridents claimed a 13th win in the other section to remain on top of its division.

Katherine McDonnell (right) gets into position to deliver a shot during Twilight Tennis on Wednesday.

■■ ■■

What’s the Score 15-18 Tridents Donald’s Dux 19-14 Late Comers Out of Service 15-18 Hackers Council Crew 18-15 Famous Grouse We Are Stihl Suzuki 16-17 Highly Strung What a Racquet 19-14 The Racqueteers 14 Courtiers 0-18 Grand Slammers Mighty Meerkats 15-18 Family Affair

PHOTO ADAM BURNS 170221-AB-7920

26 SPORT

Ashburton Guardian Saturday, February 20, 2021

SOFTBALL

Panthers hold on to second

By Adam Burns adam.b@theguardian.co.nz

STANDINGS The Panthers have held on to second spot in senior mixed softball, as they strive to make further ground on the defending champions.

The team should be favoured against the Hampstead Phoenix today at Argyle Park, with the Nix coming off a 10-run shutout against the Fairfield Ratbags.

The Demons Rebels, who were beaten 11-3 by the Heat last weekend, will be eager to make some semblance of gains on the competition when they face up to the fourth placed Fairfield Ragamuffins this afternoon.

The Fairfield outfit dropped a place in the standings following a hard-fought loss to the Panthers in their last meeting, going down 12-16.

Arguably the match of the round is the Heat against the Ratbags, and if the Fairfield team can pull off an upset over the explosive league leaders, it would cause further disorder to an already riveting mid-table.

■■ Hampstead Heat - ■■ Panthers - ■■ Fairfield Ratbags - ■■ Fairfield Ragamuffins - ■■ Hampstead Phoenix - ■■ Demons Rebels -

42 34 29 26 20 10

TODAY’S GAMES

- Demons Rebels v Fairfield Ragamuffins - 1pm - Panthers v Hampstead Phoenix - 1pm - Hampstead Heat v Fairfield Ratbags - 3pm

Tawhai Kururangi follows through during senior mixed softball last weekend.

PHOTO JAIME PITT-MACKAY 130221-JPM-048

Allenton left to lick wounds

By Adam Burns adam.b@theguardian.co.nz

Satveer Singh hit a century the last time Allenton faced Greendale.

The Allenton cricketers will be intent on a change of fortunes today, following a disappointing couple of weeks.

And they will welcome home advantage today against Greendale, in what is another niggly match-up.

The Selwyn club sit in second spot in the Canterbury Country Combined competition, following three wins from four starts post-Christmas.

Allenton, meanwhile, have stuttered over the past couple of weeks, dropping games to Darfield and Swannanoa.

Their loss in the open grade final during the week would have added further salt.

Predicting the team’s prospects has proven onerous given their inconsistency before and after Christmas.

Batting continues to be the biggest headache for the club.

A team which can bludgeon an attack on their day has proven susceptible at times to good disciplined bowling.

Playing with a degree of patience and restraint when the pressure goes on may be key in ensuring the team avoid buckling for low totals.

Harking back to the previous clash between the two teams should instill a world of confidence for Allenton today when it cruised to a seven wicket win away.

Satveer Singh hit an unbeaten 100 on that day to steer his team home.

He has not hit those heights post-Christmas with a top score of 14 from four innings.

On the plus side, Mana Singh has performed admirably with the ball with six wickets at 10.67.

Play at the Ashburton Domain starts at 1pm.

PHOTO ADAM BURNS 170221-AB-8219

Saturday, February 20, 2021 Ashburton Guardian

SPORT 27

TENNIS

TENNIS

Targeting shield no. 8

Interclub makes way for tourneys

By Adam Burns adam.b@theguardian.co.nz

It is becoming quite the dynasty.

As Mid Canterbury targets an eighth straight Browning Shield crown this weekend, the significance of the two-day event is not lost in translation, especially for some of the local game’s biggest stalwarts.

A squad of 20 of the region’s best and brightest on court travel to Christchurch for the annual Canterbury Country tournament today, aiming to defend a trophy which they have held since 2014.

It marks a remarkable reversal of success for Mid Canterbury after previously enduring a Browning drought against its fellow sub-associations Ellesmere, Malvern and North Canterbury for more than 30 years.

The tight-knit qualities of the Mid Canterbury playing community has been highlighted as one of the keys to its recent success.

“We’re a pretty close-knit tennis family I guess,” local tennis legend and squad member Peter Leonard said.

“The ones that are in it and us older ones are just really passionate about the Browning Shield and what it stands for and the younger ones, the sec-

Mid Canterbury’s victorious Browning Shield squad from last year. ond generation start to understand the importance of what being the top playing association in Canterbury is like.”

The team’s prospects would rely on a strong playing ensemble of talent rather than individual exponents.

“We’re relying on a good strong team all the way through,” Leonard said. “Diego (Quispe-Kim) was there last year, he was the number one and everyone else had to play their part.”

“We’ve got a good mix.”

The top seed berth will be occupied by Mid Canterbury Tennis coach and premier team captain Jack Tiller while Tessa

McCann leads the way on the women’s side.

Blessed with a proud history among the four minor associations, the Shield represents a significant date on the calendar for Mid Canterbury Tennis.

“We’ve always had a strong competition.

“We didn’t win it for 33 years and some of us weren’t around at that time and it’s been really really hard all those years to not be able to do it.

“We did tie one year with Malven, but it would be another 23 years since that to win it.

“It’s just a bunch of us that put a lot into picking a team

and they understand the importance of it and creating the environment that’s enjoyable and makes everyone want to do their best.”

Now the current squad are forging their own piece of history.

The Browning Shield starts this morning at 9am from Christchurch’s Wilding Park.

The return of interclub tennis has been short-lived as local and regional tournaments takes centre stage.

With the cream of the open grade club tennis crop on Browning Shield duty in Christchurch, the Junior Graded Tournament got serving yesterday in Ashburton.

Future Browning Shield stars Riley Breen and Jake Parsons will be in action throughout the twoday event which features about 40 competitors.

Country Ashburton also had its second hit-out for 2021 last night against Te Kura Hagley in Christchurch with the result not known before going to print.

The team pipped Shirley last weekend after a 3-3 stalemate was settled on the number of games (61-48 to Ashburton).

2021 Browning Shield Squad: Men: Jack Tiller, Sam Bubb, Cameron McCracken, Rhys Cromie, Tyler Leonard, Peter Leonard, Neil McCann, Jason Feutz, Lee Gilbert, Aidan Watt.

Women: Tessa McCann, Nishitha Maarka, Ashleigh Leonard, Maia Liu, Jess Aldridge, Holly-Jayne Feutz, Jade Brosnahan, Diana Leonard, Jane Brosnahan.

Four-team pile-up STANDINGS

Social Competitive - Hakatere NC - 20 - Blood, Sweat and Beers - 20 - The Un-decided - 16 12 - Hot Shots - - Phat Cows - 9 - Blackcurrant Power - 8 8 - Cool Kids - - Bad Intentions - 5 - Win or Booze - 4 - More Flying Squirrels - 0 Social - Sh*ts and Giggles - 20 20 - Detentionators - - Dodgy Knees - 16 - Chaffing the Dream - 16 - NBS Dollar Bills - 16 - Flying Squirrels - 12 - Athletes - 10 - Sweaty Bettys - 9 - Ashburton Holiday Park Avengers - 8 - Dragon’s 2.0 - 8 - Black Magic - 4 - Goldeez - 4 - Social Southerners - 0 - St John - 0

There is a quartet of social netball sides staking serious claims in their respective Summer League divisions. Hakatere NC and Blood, Sweat and Beers are both undefeated after five weeks of the post-Christmas league in the Social Competitive category. Meanwhile in the other social grade, Sh*ts and Giggles and the Detenionators are also neck and neck following matches at the EA Networks Centre this week.

PHOTO ADAM BURNS 170221-AB-8042

28 SPORT

Ashburton Guardian Saturday, February 20, 2021

OPINION

Fans the only losers

By Adam Burns adam.b@theguardian.co.nz

M

oney talks.

The number one constituent that dictates motion in the modern professional sporting orbit are the dollars.

And because of that hierarchy, time-honoured notions of sport-forpride stands on fickle ground.

Cricket is no exception.

The problem is, it is the fan and consumer who seems to be bottom of the pecking order in terms of what is desired from the game.

And from a New Zealand cricketing standpoint, when it comes down to a decision between representing your country at the Home of Cricket or honouring the commitments of a cashedup IPL contract.

Sorry cricketing public, Lord’s does not cut it here.

It follows New Zealand Cricket’s carefully cultivated statement from chief executive David White of adopting a “pragmatic approach” when quizzed about the prospect of Kane Williamson, Trent Boult and co

missing the first test against England at Lord’s in early June.

So basically there is a good chance that there will be an absence of prominent players on both sides.

The hastily-arranged two-test series between England and New Zealand in what

was organised as a cash cow for the ECB post-Covid is already looking diluted, with England stars Jofra Archer, Ben Stokes, Sam Curran, Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow also set to miss the series.

The flash of dollar signs did all the

talking yesterday when it was revealed how much Kiwi pace bowler Kyle Jamieson was sold for during IPL auctioning formalities.

A cool $2.86 million for a couple of months’ work.

Or as the Beige Brigade hilariously put it, $14,000 per centimetre.

For NZC it keeps its practitioners (i.e. the players) on side and as Matt Markham points out in his column, there is a gaping discrepancy in economic sway between the lucrative IPL and New Zealand’s governing body.

One loser through all of this is yet again the cricketing public, who continue to be sold a weakened product.

The equilibrium between the IPL and the test calendar has been largely harmonious up until this point.

And Covid-19 is clearly the biggest factor which has forced the cricketing calendar into a fluid programme of nightmarish logistical headaches.

You hope that this clash between cash and country is set aside as an unavoidable one-off due to the pandemic.

But it is quite clear where the scope of power lies.

As I mentioned at the top, money talks.

OPINION

The end in sight for the Terrific Trio

By Steve Devereux steve.d@theguardian.co.nz

T

he Australian Open is nearly over for yet another edition – albeit one affected, like every other sporting occasion in the world – by the scourge of Covid.

And this one has delivered yet again; some quite incredible tennis, from players who have all had to overcome their various hurdles to make it to Melbourne Park, all chasing a chunk of the $80 million on offer.

But this one could be a watershed for the sport in another way – the recognised moment in time when the Big Three’s vice-like grip on top tennis finally cracked for good.

It’s been brewing for a few years, for sure – in fact about five years ago there was a concerted brigade determined that Roger had done his dash, and should retire gracefully from the sport, seeing as how he could now only manage regular top five finishes in the majors.

That herculean feat is something actually beyond the reach of most mere mortals anyway, but apparently embarrassingly below the level of where Roger should be.

History reveals that those expert critics were somewhat wide of the mark, as Roger re-adjusted his game, and was quickly back into the habit of adding major titles to his bulging collection.

The Tennis Triumvirute continued to dominate for those next five years, generally just losing one of of four majors a year to some upstart having

the best week of their lives, and it seemed they would continue on their merry way, well, pretty much forever.

But, it couldn’t, and cannot.

Roger didn’t even make it to Melbourne, picking and choosing his tournaments very carefully (read Wimbledon).

And on Wednesday night, we probably saw the best illustration of the new way of things.

Rafael Nadal met Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarter-final, well aware of the challenge facing the old guard.

But, for the first two sets, Rafa was the Spanish Bull personified; Tsitsipas fired down a barrage of stunning tennis shots – and they mostly met a brick wall, and were returned with 150 per cent interest attached.

Despite his remarkable efforts, the Greek pretender was facing a three-zip exit from the tournament, until he suddenly found he could dig a little deeper, and find some hitherto unrealised expertise that might just avert the looming embarrassment.

He did a little better than that; Rafa blinked, and apbruptly all those balls that were touching the outside of the lines were now drifting an inch further, and one or two even went flying off the edge of the racket – and Tsitsipas was flying.

Right to the finish line, in fact.

Rafa is 34 years old.

Roger is 39, and the other one, Novak Djokovic, is 33.

They must all be looking over their shoulders, as the chas-

ing pack isn’t so much looming in their rear-view mirrors, as drawing up beside their front wheels.

And it’s quite a big pack.

This guard-changing actually became apparent early in the tournament.

Two players of the well-established brigade, Gilles Simon and Kevin Anderson, both of whom are familiar with the sharp end of majors, met their demise very early, beaten by Tsitsipas and Matteo Berretini respectively.

Both those players are under 25, and will be featuring at the top table regularly for the next decade.

Italian Berrettini might not have made it deep into this tourney, but there’s still a huge watch on him.

There’s Russian Daniil Medvedev, who seems to have been around forever, but he’s only 25.

Alexander Zverev is only 23, and has been on every tennis punter’s radar for several years as a likely successor to the retiring luminaries.

In fact it

was Zverev, at a tournament a couple of years ago when filling second spot behind Roger, complained, with tongue firmly in cheek, in his speech that “it just wasn’t fair, why can’t you let someone else have a go on the podium?”

Perhaps he hasn’t long to wait.

There are more.

Canadian duo Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger Aliassime and Australian Alex de Minaur, to name a few.

And what of Kyrgios?

He’s only 25, too.

What if, just for a couple of seasons, he decided to cast all his weird demons to the cellar, and concentrate on actually playing the game?

You see some of his outlandish, utterly outrageous shots; if he could somehow harness all that stuff properly, he could be in a class of one, at the top of the tennis tree.

There is one sort-of consolation for the Terrific Trio as they contemplate retirement just over the horizon.

The new breed are of such a mixed and varied nature, that it’s unlikely any two or three are going to dominate for a seriously long time yet, and their combined 57 major titles (so far, maybe Rafa will stay King of Clay for another year) is going to keep them in the forefront of tennis discussions for a lot, or all, of the foreseeable future.

Is there one Wimbledon left in Roger Federer?

OPINION

Choose thy nation, or fill thy wallet

By Matt Markham matt.m@theguardian.co.nz

W

hen the money is on the table, what becomes more important – the wallet, or the opportunity to represent your country?

It’s actually quite easy, really.

The disparity between situations being so large would seemingly make it a no-brainer for most people.

Yesterday morning our time, Kyle Jamieson learnt that power in cricket comes in many forms – but none is almightier than a rich Indian wanting to bolster his cricketing side with one of the hottest commodities on the world stage currently.

Bangalore went close to $3 million to secure Jamieson for their side for the Indian Premier League where he will join former New Zealand cricket coach, Mike Hesson, who looks after the side.

To put that into perspective.

The few months that Jamieson will spend plying his trade at the Indian tournament will net him 20 times more than what his contract with New Zealand cricket is likely to see him receive for a 12-month period.

Not bad business, is it?

And for that reason, it’s easy to see why so many players of the game are choosing to line the pockets first, and then return with aspirations of making it in the national side.

It’s well known that in professional sport once your playing days are over it can be tough to get by for many.

Not so much if, for say the next few years, you pick up a few million here and there just for playing a few games of cricket on foreign soil.

It’s the same with rugby.

More and more we are seeing professional rugby players include sabbatical clauses in their contracts which allows them a period of time to travel overseas, ply their trade in a different country, collect a big fat pay cheque and then come home and pick up where they left off.

It’s almost ridiculous how easy it is for some of these people to earn money in that manner.

But more ridiculous is the amount of money some of these franchise owners are prepared to pay to have certain people on their team.

Not all that long ago, representing your country was the greatest honour one could have bestowed upon them.

Now it’s almost as though representing your country to the point where you grab the attention of some rich overseas magnate is the ultimate end goal.

There’s nothing wrong with feathering one’s nest though, as long as one remembers where one came from in the first place.

Saturday, February 20, 2021 Ashburton Guardian

SPORT 29

CRICKET

Our own $3m man The Black Caps all-rounder Kyle Jamieson has been bought for nearly $3 million in the Indian Premier League cricket auction.

There was a bidding war for the 26-year-old’s services, with Royal Challengers Bangalore eventually paying $2.86 million for the Aucklander.

It was the second highest amount paid for a player at this year’s auction.

South African all-rounder Chris Morris became the most expensive player in IPL history, bought by Rajasthan Royals for $3.1m.

Jamieson, who has never played in India, is now the fourth most expensive buy in IPL history behind Morris, India’s Yuvraj Singh and Australian Pat Cummins.

Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell was sold for $2.7m, the third highest price in this year’s auction.

Fast bowler Adam Milne, who went for $610,000 and Jimmy Neesham, who was picked up for $95,500, were the only other New Zealanders sold of the 20 who entered.

They were both bought by Mumbai Indians, where Black Caps seamer Trent Boult was retained.

There are eight New Zealanders in the IPL this season.

Black Caps skipper Kane Williamson, fast bowler Lockie Ferguson, spinner come all-rounder Mitchell Santner and wicketkeeper/batsman Tim Seifert were also retained.

Right – Kyle Jamieson will be swapping the test whites for the uniform of the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

NETBALL

Silver Ferns remain in good hands Dame Noeline Taurua has resigned as coach of the Silver Ferns through to the end of the 2023 Netball World Cup. Taurua will guide the Silver Ferns at next year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, and has the chance to win backto-back world titles in South Africa the following year.

Netball New Zealand Chief Executive Jennie Wyllie said they were delighted to retain the services of the world class coach.

“Noeline has a proven record at all levels and is an outstanding coach and leader.

“Just as importantly she has played a major role in driving our high performance netball community in the same direction,” she said.

“Under Noeline’s watch we have seen growth within our Silver Fern environment in many areas, and we’re excited about the future of our national team.”

Wyllie said Taurua’s signing was also a nod to the hard work that had come from the athletes, the management team and support staff.

“These are exciting times in our game and I believe for Noeline to commit through to the 2023

World Cup really shows that we are all working towards a common goal.”

Taurua, who is preparing the Silver Ferns for next month’s series against the Australian Diamonds, said re-signing with NNZ for such a length of time was something new for her, but felt right.

“This is the first time that I have actually signed a long-term netball contract,” she said.

“For me, I feel extremely positive about the direction that netball is going in New Zealand and I want to continue to be a part of that.

“I’m incredibly proud of where we have come from but also really excited about where we are going to next.

“I have loved the energy that has come from Netball New Zealand, the athletes, management and the netball community in ensuring our game moves forward.”

Taurua, who gained 34 Silver Ferns Test caps after making her playing debut in 1994, was appointed coach of the Silver Ferns in 2018 and in just under 12 months took the national team to the top of the world championship podium in Liverpool, England.

I’m incredibly proud of where we have come from, but also really excited about where we are going to next

30 SPORT

Ashburton Guardian Saturday, February 20, 2021

HARNESS RACING

New harness boss vows to tidy up sport

By Matt Markham matt.m@theguardian.co.nz

New harness racing boss, Gary Woodham has vowed to do his bit to help clean up the sport, after a raft of incidents in recent years have done near irreparable damage to the industry’s image at a national level.

Woodham, who stepped into the role at the beginning of the year wasted no time in outlining his intentions in his first serious public interview this week on popular show, The Box Seat.

Harness racing has faced turbulent times in recent years, thanks in large to the public in-

terest in Operation Inca two years ago, which thrust a number of leading industry names into the spotlight and resulted in court appearances over allegations of race fixing and also a raft of drug related charges.

While few cases are yet to be settled, and some industry whispers suggest many have fallen over in the legal process, it’s been a stain on the industry, alongside a number of other issues.

Recently non-racing related matters involving promising young horsemen Matt Anderson and also Mitchell Kerr have been brought to attention through mainstream media, and recent indiscretions involving positive

they need to act and alcohol readings prithe way that they or to a race meeting need to act responsiby two drivers also bly. did nothing to im“We are a sport, and prove the look of the there are three pillars game to those on the to sport, fair play, inoutside. tegrity and doing your But Woodham has best and I struggle to labelled integrity as see that we are doing his number one isthose, especially insue for his first 12 tegrity, I really worry months in the game, about integrity.” and is out to try and Gary Woodham While not releastidy things up. ing all the details, “We need a code of conduct, and we need one ur- Woodham did outline his intengently,” Woodham told host, Greg tions for the coming months as he looks to sort things out while O’Connor.

“We’ve got a lot of people out almost starting from scratch.

“I want to make it very clear there who don’t really know how

to everybody that I am going to clean this sport up.

“We will have a code of conduct and licensees will have to sign up to it and behave to it or they will lose their licence.

“We have to get our game right – we have professional sportspeople in the game and they have to act like professional sportspeople.”

Woodham also added in the interview that he had encouraged Hayden Cullen, who took over the All Stars Racing Stables, to try and quicken up the process of the stable shifting to his own colours, after some negativity around the stable continuing to race in the traditional silks.

YEARLING SALES

Community rallies behind vendors Overwhelming offers of support for the Southern Bred Southern Reared group have demonstrated how close-knit the New Zealand standardbred breeding industry is following this week’s postponement of NZB Standardbred’s National Yearling Sale at Christchurch.

Many southern vendors were at Canterbury Agricultural Park putting the finishing touches on their yearlings when a change in the country’s Covid-19 alert levels forced NZB Standardbred to delay its Christchurch yearling session by a week until next week.

Southern Bred Southern Reared committee member John Stiven of Arden Lodge was among those affected.

As his 12 yearlings were settling in for their first night in Christchurch, news of the change in alert levels was confirmed.

Just moments later an outpouring of support began from Canterbury standardbred breeders and the wider harness racing industry.

“It is a great industry to be in and people have just been ex-

M7

The Christchurch leg of the New Zealand Standardbred Yearling Sales was shifted to Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week due to Covid alert levels this week. tremely helpful,” Stiven said.

“It started when we were covering up the yearlings for the night, it was getting dark and there wasn’t a lot you could do.

“But the phone started going and people started offering to help us out.

“There were more stables and boxes than we had horses to put

in them by the end of it, it was rather encouraging,” he said.

The Southern Bred Southern Reared vendors waiting the week out in Christchurch include Shard Farm, Michelle Caig, Beaudiene Breeding, Denario Breeding and Tuapeka Lodge.

Canterbury breeders and stables to offer their support included Long Acres Stud, Studholme Bloodstock, Kentuckiana Lodge, Regan Todd Racing Stables, Ripple Creek, Dangingonmoonlight and Nevele R Stud, along with many others.

Stiven likened the outpouring of support for southern vendors to the same kind of encouragement harness racing industry members extend to each other when their horses compete on the track.

“It is a bit like at the races you always congratulate the winner and if you are down the track you try again,” Stiven said.

“It is pretty much the same.”

Stiven and wife Judy’s Arden Lodge draft is currently stationed at Kentuckiana Lodge for the remainder of the week, with the yearlings settling into their new

surroundings in fine style. They are pretty happy.

“We are lucky enough to be at Cran Dalgety’s and they are in his yearling barn.

“We are really grateful and so far they are as happy as can be,” he said.

Waiting a week to offer their yearlings in the Christchurch session of NZB Standardbred’s National Yearling Sale has been made a little easier for southern breeders by the strong results seen in Auckland on Sunday February 14.

The Auckland session saw a rise in all key sale indicators, with the aggregate, average and median prices as well as the clearance rate all rising.

Southern vendors a buoyed by the strength of the yearling market at the Auckland Sale and the endorsement of the New Zealand-bred on the world stage.

“It is always encouraging, I think the past will show that when it has gone well in Auckland it has gone even better in Christchurch,” Stiven said.

“It is a really good indicator.”

13 22246 Reflectionsofmylife A L Lethaby R8 CONGRATULATIONS CHRIS & SHIRLEY MORRISON HCP PACE $8,500 2600m 16:12 1 27690 The Diva J C E Thomas Craig D Thornley 2 7680 Mr Asia 3 65000 Flamboyant J Herbert 4 48010 Caballe Beach R D Close J F Curtin 5 30608 Chal Be D A C Roberts 6 17006 Safe Zone 7 74403 Precious Sara M J Williamson 8 61670 Loyalist Ben Hope 9 12136 Magicol Ideal J R Dunn 10 62119 Peraki Seelster T M Williams NZB STANDARDBRED YEARLING SALES NOW FEB 22-23 MOBILE PACE $8000 2000m 16:47 1 0x219 Alta Redeemer J R Dunn 2 81808 Senorita Margarita J J A Young Sarah O’Reilly 3 1 Mosaic Art 4 172x4 Dont Lie To Me 5 53100 Ashes To Ashes T M Williams 6 22390 Rockntommy Rulz Ben Hope 7 590x5 Bettor Beontoit 8 75357 Cab Calloway M J Williamson 9 36410 Magic Sign Scott Iremonger 10 91470 Le Tissier J F Curtin 11 58031 Kerala Star R10 NORTH CANTERBURY TROTTING TRIALS AT RANGIORA HCP TROT $8,500 2600m 17:17 1 74006 Michelle W E Higgs 2 00x00 Unique Marshall T S Chmiel 3 30860 Gin Rummy 4 6248 Ali Lindenny Korbyn Newman 5 x8410 Sierra Gold R D Holmes 6 7610 Tequila Sunset K G Cameron

7 43766 Prince Teka John Morrison 8 10067 Boyz Invasion M G Heenan 9 9x816 Royal Pride Sam Thornley 10 68180 Bright Glow I R Cameron 11 37x7x Chloe Rose 12 109 Puzzled J R Dunn R11 RANGIORA CLASSIC 18 APRIL MOBILE PACE $8,000 2000m 17:50 1 90172 Rocknroll Mama J R Dunn 2 31334 Hes Fast And Furious 3 12090 Peraki Reactor T M Williams 4 44200 Rocknroll King M J Williamson 5 40681 Martin John R D Close 6 15004 Mongolian Conqueror Sh Tomlinson 7 70001 Star Reactor Gemma Thornley 8 x0568 Luella Ben Hope

Rangiora harness Today at Rangiora Raceway

R1 CUST MOBILE TROT $7500 2000m 12:03 1 7359 Monaro Mako Korbyn Newman 2 80x0x KD Hawk 3 86006 Tuscan Sun H S Clarke 4 0 Westland Peak R D Holmes 5 54470 Ready I Am P J Wakelin 6 96884 Kenny Keko G D Smith J F Curtin 7 83076 Eilish Hall 8 50058 Our Pegasus Pearl D C Morrison 9 Insist On Chevron J R Dunn 10 590 Sheza Mighty Monarch B Weaver R2 OXFORD FILLIES & MARES MBLE PACE $7500 2000m 12:38 1 67620 Ashes Of Desire T M Williams 2 Art Cracker R L Houghton 3 6702 Manzini 4 7x656 Vache A Lait G D O’Reilly 5 42007 Dalness First Ben Hope 6 8330 Shes Watching M J Williamson 7 8x0x0 Southern Starr R D Holmes 8 50 Haiti Franco Craig D Thornley 9 Smart Shadow Jordan Simpson G D Smith 10 0 Kallianassa C Mcdowell 11 94807 Flo Motion 12 2 Done Deal J R Dunn 13 674x2 Angel Of Montana R D Close R3 WAIKUKU PACE $7500 2600m 13:13 1 x4602 Kennedy J Herbert 2 567 Unchanged Memory I R Cameron J W Cox 3 0 Yankee Jay 4 87060 Nadira Franco H S Clarke 5 98008 Ars Gratia Artis C J Markham 6 79 Hey Tonight John Morrison 7 7898 Full Of Desire B J Borcoskie

8 890 Sheeza Purla J R Dunn 9 90x5 Glitz And Glam G D Smith 10 Sweet Heaven C J Defilippi 11 76090 Shadow Aveross Anj Mugford 12 8 Keegan Banner Craig D Thornley 13 99x09 Kiwi Dream R D Holmes K G Cameron 14 70 El Sirrar A L Lethaby 15 88370 Charnui R4 PORT AND EAGLE BREWPUB MOBILE PACE $7500 2000m 13:48 1 8242 Maldito M J Williamson 2 85 Heaven On High Ben Hope Craig D Thornley 3 95083 Bombolla 4 73335 It’s A Laugh 5 24727 Classie Washington J R Dunn 6 7 Journo 7 x90x0 Woolfie Mac Sam Thornley 8 800x8 The Artful Dodger Josh Kennett 9 Terrortorial J W Cox 10 40090 Conquistador Korbyn Newman R D Holmes 11 79008 Taliesin R5 HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY MEL JR HIGGINS TROT $8,000 2600m 14:23 1 80300 Martha Stuart J R Dunn P J Wakelin 2 x0050 Rusty I Am Sam Thornley 3 429 Royal Del 4 27234 Regal Appointment G D Smith 5 703 Dd’s Super Stuart J D Markham 6 54408 Silver Surfer B Weaver 7 0x790 Majestic Rollon A L Lethaby 8 74900 Rachmaninov T J Grant 9 950 Faith No More Laura Mckay P T Borcoskie 10 46308 Smudgee 11 739 Gotta Ticket T M Williams

12 32538 Blink N Bones B J Ford 13 80800 Unique Rose T S Chmiel 14 55007 Red Harbour Craig D Thornley 15 540 Orlando Magic S J Ottley R6 McCRACKEN SPORTSWEAR & GOODS MOBILE PACE $8,000 2000m 15:02 1 30x00 Jonty James Sam Thornley 2 97524 Wee Ring The Changes J R Dunn 3 955 Hells Shadow R D Close 4 9000 Frosty Reception 5 89706 Rafa Novak L F O’Reilly 6 0900x Absolut Russian Anj Mugford 7 9781 Hello Adele Craig D Thornley 8 68372 Donegal Carnbouy Alana Cameron 9 72462 Arizonawildcat Ellie Barron 10 16307 Shards In Manhattan Sarah O’Reilly J F Curtin 11 30608 Chal Be 12 96450 Pine Cone K G Cameron 13 0 Auchtercairn G D Smith R D Holmes 14 9906 C R Gold R7 RANGIORA HARNESS SUPPORTS TEAM TEAL PACE $8,000 2000m 15:37 1 45244 Sport Mental Alana Cameron 2 5290 Woodlea Explorer Sheree Tomlinson A J Tomlinson 3 45909 Uno Mia 4 587q2 Miss Impression S J Ottley 5 15 Not Really Blonde K M Cox 6 93704 Madame Frost Laura Mckay 7 2940 Sneak A Peek J J A Young 8 87769 Duastar Devon Van Til 9 23082 Krystal Delight Ellie Barron 10 18890 Eastwood Isabella Sarah O’Reilly Gemma Thornley 11 25041 Tombelina 12 75003 Little Rain J Herbert

Matt Markham’s Rangiora Selections Race 1: KD Hawk, Insist On Chevron, Eilish Hall, Monaro Mako Race 2: Done Deal, Haiti Franco, Shes Watching, Kallianassa Race 3: Sweet Heaven, Yankee Jay, Glitz And Glam, Ars Gratia Artis Race 4: Terrortorial, Heaven On High, Maldito, Bombolla Race 5: Regal Appointment, Royal Del, Silver Surfer, DD’s Super Stuart Race 6: Chal Be, Wee Ring The Changes, Hells Shadow, Shards In Manhattan Race 7: Miss Impression, Not Really Blonde, Sport Mental, Woodlea Explorer Race 8: Safe Zone, Magicol Ideal, Peraki Seelster, Loyalist Race 9: Don’t Lie To Me, Alta Redeemer, Mosaic Art, Kerala Star Race 10: Puzzled, Chloe Rose, Royal Pride, Prince Teka Race 11: Mongolian Conqueror, Luella, Rocknroll Mama BEST: Miss Impression (Race 7) VALUE: Chal Be (Race 6)

Saturday, February 20, 2021 Ashburton Guardian

31

your contact:

32 CLASSIFIEDS

Ashburton Guardian Saturday, February 20, 2021

Guardian 12 x 2

SITUATIONS VACANT

TRANSPORT & FARMING H & S CO-ORDINATOR Are you our next H&S Co-Ordinator extraordinaire? We are seeking a passionate Health and Safety Coordinator to work alongside both our Farming and Freight teams.

Reporting to the Senior Managers you will be responsible for taking the lead in Health and Safety for both the Farming and Freight teams. This role will see your time divided between the two teams where your primary focus will be influencing and engaging the teams to demonstrate safe work practices and ensuring all administrative compliance requirements are being meet.

The successful candidate will have: • Previous experience in a Health and Safety or similar role

Guardian 19SITUATIONS x2 VACANT

• Excellent leadership skills

• A good understanding of Microsoft Office - Outlook, Word, Excel

• Strong organisational, record keeping, listening and communication skills

• Strong organisational, record keeping, listening and communication skills

• The ability to pro-actively encourage participation in Health and Safety and be able to think on their feet In return we can offer: • A challenging but rewarding work environment • Opportunity for individual growth • Competitive starting remuneration rates depending on experience

To enquire about this role in confidence and to request a position description, please phone AgRecruit, either Sue Jennings - 021 226 2923 or Deb Francis - 021 224 5000. Otherwise, send your CV with covering letter by Thursday 25 February

via

https://adr.to/anbie

• The ability to work Monday to Friday + Saturday's and on-call as required • Class 5 Licence or the ability to obtain

Got something to sell?

Having a garage sale?

Call the Guardian today for your advertising requirements.

307 7900

In return we can offer: • A challenging but rewarding work environment • A stable and supportive team

Please apply online now at https://www.talleys.co.nz/ job-openings/health-safety-coordinator. We are only accepting online applications, please do not visit our site to complete an application form.

Please apply online now at www.talleys.co.nz/job-openings/ container-transport-dispatcher. We are only accepting online applications, please do not visit our site to complete an application form.

• Competitive starting remuneration depending on experience

Weekend Services

DUTY DOCTORS

Competencies required to succeed in this role include: • Relevant marketing and communications experience • Exposure to agribusiness or farming • Confidence with using Microsoft Office products and applications • Willingness to be hands on & fully engaged with supporting us through growth

• The ability to multi-task and adapt to ever-changing priorities

• Opportunity for individual growth

IN EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY PHONE 111.

For all other medical assistance outside of normal hours, please phone your General Practice team, 24/7, to speak with a health professional who will give you free health advice on what to do or where to go if you need urgent care.

If you don’t have a regular General Practice, call any GP team 24/7 for free telephone health advice.

There is scope for you to grow and expand your skill set in working with multiple brands as we begin to work more closely with our business partners and co-owned companies. We are flexible around your work hours and happy to discuss both full and part time options.

• Initiative and the ability to operate independently

Talleys operate a drug free environment. All candidates will be required to under-go pre-employment and random drug screening. Applicants will need to be legally entitled to work permanently in New Zealand

MEDICAL SERVICES

As Marcomms Co-ordinator, you will be based in our Ashburton office, assisting the Cates’ lead team. You will become our in-house marketing and communications champion, interacting with relevant supply partners, in particular our PR and Digital agencies. Maintenance of our brand and digital presence will be a key component of your role, as will be delivering multiple marketing-based projects.

The successful candidate will have:

• Knowledge of transport management systems - iCOS LIVE, EROAD, VBS - (an advantage but full training will be provided)

• The ability to multi-task and adapt to ever-changing priorities

Now, as we plan the next 50 years of Cates, we are focusing on growth, both international and domestic. Key to the implementation of our growth strategy is the appointment of the newly created role of Marcomms Co-ordinator.

Reporting to the Southern Freight Manager you will be responsible for the day-to-day movements of our export shipping containers to various ports and destinations throughout the South Island ensuring deadlines are met.

• ICAM Training (preferred but training can be provided)

• Initiative and the ability to operate independently

At Cates, we specialize in the multiplication and production of clover, pasture seeds, cereals, pulses and brassicas. We are country people working with country people, many of whom we have worked with for generations. Through our strategic collaborations, we focus on brokering international contracts on behalf of our farmers, enabling us to take their quality grown products to markets around the world.

Talley’s is a successful and well-known brand, operating several plants throughout the South Island, as well as having many diversified interests in seafood, frozen vegetables, meat, and dairy products. We are seeking a Container Transport Dispatcher to join our Southern Freight team based at Fairton, 10 minutes north of Ashburton.

• Preferably a background in either road transport or shipping

• Experience using Microsoft Office Excel and Word

Marketing and Communications Co-ordinator

CONTAINER TRANSPORT DISPATCHER

• Knowledge of the Transport and Farming Industry (would be an advantage) • Experience completing JSA's and Risk Assessments

SITUATIONS VACANT

DIAL 111 in the event of a Medical or Accident Emergency

advice over the phone. The service is free and confidential. Alcohol Drug Help Line Call us free on (0800 787 797).

Pharmacies Lines open 10am - 10pm seven days.

Wises Pharmacy, Countdown Complex, East Street, Lifeline will be open from 9am - 1pm Saturday, from 10am - 1pm Toll-free: 0800 353 353.

Sunday.

Countdown Pharmacy, Ashburton South, 2 East Street, OMMUNITY ERVICES open from 9am - 8pm daily.

Residential Area:

Ashburton Rest Homes

Ashburton District Council 03 307 7700 - 24hr service.

C

Please contact directly for hours.

Emergency Dentist

If you do not have or cannot contact your regular dentist, Three Rivers Health, Allens Road, Ashburton, will be please phone 027 683 0679 for the name of the rostered the duty practice for Saturday, until 8am Sunday. To make weekend dentist in Christchurch. Hours 9am - 5pm, an appointment call your regular GP. Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

Three Rivers Health, Allens Road, Ashburton,will be the ELPLINE ERVICES duty practice for Sunday, until 8am Monday. To make an appointment call your regular GP. Alcoholics Anonymous Please bring your Community Services Card. All non Call 0800 AA WORKS (0800 229 6757) New Zealanders should bring their passport with them, or visit www.aa.org.nz for more information.

New Zealanders should bring some form of ID. Mental Health - Call free on 0800 222 955.

Methven & Rakaia Area Ask for the Crisis Team.

For weekend and emergency services please phone Methven Medical Centre on 302 8105 or Rakaia Medical Safe Care - 24hr Rape and Sexual Assault Crisis Support. Phone 03 364 8791 Centre on 303 5002 for details on how to access the after-hours service each weekend.

Victims Support Group Healthline is a free health advice service. It operates 24hr - Freephone 0800 VICTIM (0800 842 846).

24 hours a day, seven days a week. The toll-free number Direct dials to a volunteer. to call is 0800 611 116. Healthline is staffed by registered Ashburton Office - 307 8409 week-days, 9am - 2pm, nurses who are trained to assess health problems and offer outside of these hours leave a message.

H

S

S

Art Gallery

327 West Street, Ashburton, phone 308 1133.

Open daily: 10am – 4pm.

Ashburton Museum

327 West Street, Ashburton, phone 307 7890.

Open daily: 10am – 4pm.

Ashburton Public Library

Havelock Street. Ph 308 7192. Saturday: 10am - 1pm.

Sunday: 1pm - 4pm.

EA Networks Centre - Pools

20 River Terrace - phone 03 308 4020. WEEKEND HOURS: Sat and Sun 7am - 7pm. Public holidays 10am - 5pm.

Ashburton Operations Centre ASHBURTON MAIL CENTRE STANDARD POST: Mon - Fri 5pm POST DELIVERY CENTRES Allenton & Tinwald: Mon - Fri 5pm Methven & Rakaia: Mon - Fri 2pm ASHBURTON’S STREET RECEIVERS Business Area: Mon - Fri 5pm

Mon - Fri 5pm

Information Centre

Methven - Saturday and public holidays 10am until 2.30pm. Phone 302 8955 or isite@midcanterburynz.com

ANIMAL SERVICES Dog, Stock & Noise Control Animal Welfare Centre

All enquiries - phone 308 4432 or 027 3329286.

Veterinarians

ASHBURTON VETS - Ph 0276 838 000, 149 Cameron Street, Ashburton: Duty vet: Ben Hallenstein.

Full emergency service all weekend.

VET ENT RIVERSIDE - Ph 03 308 2321, 1 Smallbone Drive, Ashburton. Saturday clinic: 9am - 12 noon. Weekend 24-hour emergencies.

VETLIFE ASHBURTON - Ph 03 307 5195, Cnr East Street and Seafield Road, Ashburton. Saturday clinic: 9am - 12 noon. Weekend 24-hour emergencies.

CANTERBURY VETS - Ph 03 307 0686, West Street Clinic, West Street, Ashburton. Saturday clinic: 9am - 12 noon. Weekend emergencies: Jonathan Christian Vet Ent and Vet Life operate a joint after-hours SMALL animal emergency service. To use this service please phone your vet as usual.

Lea

Saturday, February 20, 2021 Ashburton Guardian

SITUATIONS VACANT

CLASSIFIEDS 33

SITUATIONS VACANT

SITUATIONS VACANT Moore Street Medical Registered Nurse

Our general practice is looking for motivated and dedicated nurses who are committed to providing excellent standard of patient care and enjoy working as part of a team.

Please call (03) 308-3066

We Help Save Lives 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

GARAGE SALES

SITUATIONS VACANT

PAKEKE Lions Charity Market 9am Saturday 6 March.

Ashburton Racecourse.

Donated household and garden items accepted. No TV’s, heaters, computers please. John 3076229, Malcom 3085770, Trevor 3072629, Dave 3074349.

MOTORING

WHEEL alignments at great prices. Maximise the life of your tyres with an alignment from Neumanns Tyre Services Ltd, 197 Wills Street. Phone 308 6737.

ADULT ENTERTAINMENT PUBLIC NOTICES

Drinking Water Public Notice Remember to Flush Your Taps Some plumbing fittings have the potential for small traces of metals to accumulate in water that has been in the fitting for several hours.

Although the health risk is small, the Ministry of Health recommends you run a mugful of water through your drinking water tap each morning before use to remove any metals that may have dissolved from plumbing fittings.

We recommend this simple precaution for all households, including those on public and private water supplies.

Neil McCann Group Manager Infrastructure Services ashburtondc.govt.nz

FIRST time here, Asian, sexy body, busty 38DD, friendly, great massage.

Phone 021 1792 075.

A University of Otago Centre of Research Excellence

HEAVY FABRICATOR/ ENGINEER We are looking for an Experienced Engineer to help with Manufacturing truck bodies and fertiliser spreaders.

Please apply with cover letter and CV to: Engineering Repairs (2012) Ltd 14 Watson Street, Ashburton engrep@xtra.co.nz or phone 03 308 1506

MEETINGS, EVENTS ASHBURTON Society of Arts, Short Street Studio. Summer Show Sunday, February 21, 11am - 4pm continuing until Sunday, March 21. Guest – Timaru Artist Anna Hawkins and a good selection from local members. Weekends 11am - 4 pm. Open other days when the signs are out or by appointment. Phone 308 4533.ASHBURTON Society of Arts, Short Street Studio. Summer Show Sunday, February 21, 11am - 4pm continuing until Sunday, March 21. Guest – Timaru Artist Anna Hawkins and a good selection from local members. Weekends 11am - 4 pm. Open other days when the signs are out or by appointment.

Phone 308 4533.

FOR SALE

HIRE

GENERAL hire.

Lawnmowers, chainsaws, concrete breakers, trailers, and more. All your DIY / party hire, call and see Ashburton U-Hire. 588 East Street.

Open Monday-Friday 7am - 6pm; Saturday 7.30am - 5pm; Sunday 8.30am GREEN Pine for sale, $180 12.30pm - Phone 308 8061. per 3.6m³. Split and delivered: www.ashburtonuhire.co.nz Phone Shane James Firewood 027 6113 334.

FIREWOOD, Dry shed stored old man pine $290 per 3m³, Larch Oregon hot mix $300 per 3m³, Macrocarpa $330 per 3m³, Delivered.

Cheaper prices for larger loads.

Please phone Jimmy on 0274414073.

WASHING MACHINE RENTAL. Phone 308 GARDENING 8949 for more information. PEASTRAW, $5 pick up, $6 delivery.

Pensioner bales $4 delivered.

Phone 3102212. Pick up at 111 Smithfield Road.

Looking for a new person to join your business?

Call the Guardian today for your situations vacant advertising requirements.

307 7900

Trades & Services To place a Trades & Services ad, call 307-7900 or email classifieds@theguardian.co.nz

TALBOT SECURITY GROUP Home and Business Solutions • • • • •

100% locally owned and operated

HEAT PUMPS KEEP YOUR HOME THE PERFECT TEMPERATURE ALL YEAR ROUND

HEAT PUMPS

Alarm Installation and servicing Alarm Monitoring Alarm response and patrols Data cable and networking CCTV installs

electriCOOL Ltd

A - 62c Dobson Street, Ashburton E - operations@talbotsecurity.co.nz P - 03 307 2409 anytime 24/7

Phone Paul Crequer, your local authorised Daikin dealer for a free quote on all domestic and commercial systems phone 0274 362 362 or 308 4573.

Let’s start the conversation call 0800 764 846 455 West Street, Ashburton Email: ashburton@smith-sons.co.nz or visit: smithandsons.co.nz

CALL GROUTPRO FOR AN HONEST DISCUSSION ABOUT YOUR GROUT AND TILE AFTERCARE

To deal with Dirty Tiles and Grout

enovating?

Thinking of r

CALL GROUTPRO WE HELP YOU KEEP ON TOP OF YOUR SHOWER AND TILE MAINTENANCE TM

TM

• Tile shower makeovers • Professional tile and grout cleaning • Re-colouring existing grout

• Sealing and repairing/replacing tiles/grout • Replacing mouldy and tired silicon

TM

WE MAKE IT EASY WITH OUR THREE SIMPLE STEPS ...

TALBOT SECURITY GROUP Locksmith Services • • • •

Car Keys House Keys Electronic Car Remote keys Locks

WE TRANSFORM TILES/GROUT IN BATHROOMS, KITCHENS, SHOWERS, BALCONIES, CONSERVATORIES AND ANY TILED AREA Contact GroutPro Brett Muir for a quote and an upfront honest discussion.

www.groutpro.co.nz

027 746 7632

Keeping your property protected with a security camera system from Masterguard Protect your biggest asset with a home security camera package from Masterguard Call me today for a free, no obligation quote

E - operations@talbotsecurity.co.nz P - 03 307 2409 anytime 24/7

Hartley Curd phone 0800 788 393 or 021 328 301 57 Dobson Street, Ashburton.

Lifestyle v

CONNECTIONS

Guardian Situations Vacant

307 7900

We service and repair all makes and models of sewing machines and overlockers • Bernina Parts & Accessories • Fabrics • Classes • Metrosene • Guterman • Wonderfil • Threads • DMC stranded cottons • Pins • Needles • Buttons • Scissors • Rotary Cutters • Blades • Rulers • Fabrics • Violenes • Batting • Patterns • Kits • Books

Open 7 Days | P 03 307 6277 | Main South Road, Tinwald | www.anniesquilts.co.nz

Saturday, February 20, 2021 Ashburton Guardian

FAMILY NOTICES 35

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS IN MEMORIAM HOLLAND, Keith Phillip – The families of Keith would like to take this opportunity to extend our thanks and appreciation for all the phone calls, cards, baking and flowers kindly given at the time of Keith's passing. A special thanks to the St John Ambulance staff who showed kindness and sympathy the day of his passing. For all the people and organisations who went the extra mile to make the celebration of Keith's life special, it was very much appreciated. Please accept this as a personal acknowledgement and thanks.

EMERY, Gwendoline (Gwen) – 21-02-2017 In memory of a loving wife and mother who passed away four years ago today.

There's a face we shall always remember, a voice we shall always recall.

A memory to cherish forever of one so dear to us all.

Frank, Colleen, Trevor, Joyce, Helen, Trish, Kevin and families.

WADDELL, Philippa Margaret – Stuart and family wish to sincerely thank everyone for their kindness and support during the recent passing of Philippa.

We greatly appreciated the cards, flowers, baking, visits and phone calls that we received.

A special thank you to Dr Penny Holdaway and nurses who cared for Philippa.

Please accept this as a personal acknowledgement from us all.

DEATHS

PREARRANGE YOUR WISHES FOR PEACE OF MIND

18-22 Moore Street, Ashburton 0800 263 6679 | 027 637 1229 www.memoryfunerals.nz

Jo Metcalf

Pretend this ad is a bucket.

Today our big-hearted volunteers were supposed to be collecting donations

Canterbury owned, locally operated

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

Ph 307 7433 FUNERAL FURNISHERS MASTER MONUMENTAL MASON

for the Big Heart Appeal. Unfortunately due to this week’s Covid-19 restrictions, we have had to cancel our nationwide street collection - our biggest fundraising campaign of the year.

Your help is urgently needed to raise money for vital, life-saving heart research.

Please donate now. Your support will mean the world to more than 170,000

Show your big heart Scan here to donate

Kiwis living with heart disease.

Scan the code, visit heartfoundation.org.nz or call 0800 830 100.

Heart Foundation

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

Donate

Ashburton Weather Midnight Saturday

Saturday: Fine, apart from some low cloud morning and evening. Light winds and sea breezes.

MAX 24 MIN

Canterbury Plains

12

Saturday: Fine, apart form areas of morning and evening low cloud. Light winds and sea breezes.

Sunday: Morning and evening low cloud, otherwise fine. Light winds and sea breezes.

Monday: Morning low cloud, then fine with some high cloud. Light winds.

A large high pressure system covers New Zealand and persists over the North Island through the long range period. A front approaches the South Island later on Monday, then slowly moves over the lower South Island on Tuesday and stalls over the upper half later on Wednesday.

Around The Region Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Sunday: Morning and evening low cloud, otherwise fine. Light winds and sea breezes.

MAX 24 MIN

Canterbury High Country

Saturday: Fine, apart from morning cloud or fog in some valleys.

Wind at 1000m: Light.

Wind at 2000m: Light at first, then westerly 40 km/h developing in the afternoon.

Freezing level: Above 3000m.

Sunday: Fine.

Wind at 1000m: Light.

Wind at 2000m: Northwesterly 40 km/h.

Freezing level: Above 3000m.

Monday: Morning cloud, then fine with some high cloud. Light winds.

MAX

Readings to 4pm Friday

Ashburton Airport Temp °C Maximum 26.3 Minimum 6.0 Grass min 1.4 24hr Rain mm 0.0 27.8 Month to date SE 26 Wind km/h Strongest gust 3:07pm Sun hrs on Thu 12.5 143.6 Month to date

Methven 26.1 7.2 – – – – – – –

Saturday

Monday: Fine. Increasing high cloud.

26 MIN 15

Christchurch Timaru Airport Airport 25.3 24.1 5.4 6.5 2.8 – 0.0 0.0 23.0 19.6 E 26 SE 22 1:51pm 2:31pm 13.0 – 166.4 –

Tides, Sun and Moon

27 13 26 12 26 14 Northwesterlies developing, rising to gale in 25 13 26 12 27 18 exposed places at night.

28 11 26 12 28 13 SUN PROTECTION ALERT 25 12 25 12 26 16 21 14 22 14 22 20 PROTECTION REQUIRED 9 : 55am – 5: 30pm 22 12 23 13 23 12 Seek shade, reapply sunscreen For the very latest weather information, including Weather Warnings, visit metservice.com © Copyright Meteorological Service of New Zealand Limited 2021 Compiled by Christchurch Darfield Lake Coleridge Methven Rakaia Timaru

12

HRFP/ASH/0071

Hold your phone camera here

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

Sunday

Monday

Ashburton H 11:32am 11:55pm 12:24pm 12:46am 1:12pm Mouth L 5:12am 5:40pm 6:11am 6:32pm 7:06am 7:20pm Rakaia Mouth Rangitata Mouth

H 11:16am 11:39pm L 5:05am 5:28pm H 11:16am 11:39pm L 4:56am 5:24pm

12:04pm 12:28am 12:53pm 5:57am 6:15pm 6:48am 7:02pm 12:08pm 12:30am 12:56pm 5:55am 6:16pm 6:50am 7:04pm

Data provided by NIWA

6:57am 8:36pm 6:58am 8:34pm 7:00am 8:32pm 3:06pm 12:06am 4:08pm 12:36am 5:08pm 1:13am

first qtr Feb 20

full Feb 27

last qtr Mar 6

new Mar 13

36

Ashburton Guardian Saturday, February 20, 2021

From our family, to yours ...

Every story is special and deserves to be remembered beautifully

… reflecting the unique significance of every life – burial or cremation, indoor or outdoor.

For every faith, heritage and background.

Whatever your own story, whatever your legacy, it deserves to be honoured at Memory Funerals.

You don’t have to spend a fortune to show your love.

The most beautiful expressions have always come from the heart, not the wallet.

At Memory Funerals, we put the priorities in the right place, providing sensitive and sensible funeral care that lets a family reflect their love in the way they choose.

Call us or visit us online today and ask about our services, or better yet, come in and meet us.

You’ll see our prices are less, but not our care.

When your family experiences a time of need, count on our family to guide and support you in making thoughtful, informed decisions.

“I’m helping my family plan my funeral service now, so it’s what we all want” It may seem strange to plan your own funeral ceremony, but it is the best way to ensure it’s what you want. It also helps your family get everything taken care of in advance, so they know they are doing the right thing for you.

From no-service cremation to full celebration of life. No-fees pre-payment option available.

PREARRANGE YOUR WISHES 18-22 Moore Street, Ashburton 0800 263 6679 | 027 637 1229 www.memoryfunerals.nz

FOR PEACE OF MIND