Tit bits Tit bits

From Around The World

Yellen Reassures Banks

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen expressed confidence in the US financial system in a speech last week, saying regulators are ready to further support troubled banks if the need arises. The speech came amid the worst banking crisis since 2008, with failures at several midsized banks and stock volatility across the industry.

Elevated interest rates have placed pressure on some banks with investments in devalued long-term bonds, forcing them to sell those bonds at a loss to shore up cash for customer withdrawals. After Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank failed earlier this month, regulators set up an emergency program where banks facing similar cash crunches could borrow to keep money available for customers without needing to sell holdings at a loss.

AP News

Google Rolls Out Bard

Google opened limited public access in the US and the UK last week to its artificial intelligence chatbot Bard, a competitor to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, whose underlying technology also powers a new version of Microsoft’s search engine Bing. The rollout is Google’s first public foray into a recent rush by tech companies to leverage generative AI— software that creates new content from input prompts. Unlike Microsoft, Google has started Bard as a standalone application rather than integrating it into its search engine. The company says it wants users to think of Bard as complementary to Google Search. Google, in a blog post, said it will expand access to Bard to more countries and languages over time as its underlying technology improves. Like ChatGPT and its newer model GPT-4, Bard uses reinforcement learning from human feedback.

Tech Crunch

Sailing crew rescued after giant whale sank 44ft boat in Pacific Ocean

A giant whale sank a sailing crew’s boat in the Pacific Ocean before the group was rescued at the end of an ordeal that could have come out of a novel.

Rick Rodriguez of Tavernier, Florida, and three friends spent 10 hours on a lifeboat and dinghy after a whale sank the crew’s 44ft sailboat Raindancer. The group had planned a three-week sailing trip from the Galápagos Islands to French Polynesia, about 3,500 miles away in the south Pacific. But on 13 March, only 13 days into the crossing, disaster struck. At about 1.30pm, Rodriguez was enjoying a vegetarian pizza for lunch with the others when he heard a loud noise.

Five seconds after the whale’s collision, an alarm sounded, warning that the boat was filling with water. Rodriguez said the crew members, who each have experience boating, quickly sprang into action.

Rodriguez placed a mayday call on a VHF radio and dispatched the emergency position indicating radio beacon, a distress signal that is connected to a worldwide rescue network.

The Guardian

Virgin Orbit eyes options as it works to generate cash flow:

Launch company Virgin Orbit is going through some tough financial times, according to media reports. The company is “drawing up detailed contingency plans” after pausing operations last week, according to a media report.

Virgin Orbit was aiming to give an update to employees by Wednesday last week (March 22) or Thursday (March 23) after furloughing all but a small number of its workforce.

Spaceorbit.com

The Council Word

Let’s talk about the Annual plan

We want your views on the draft QLDC Annual Plan 2023-2024. How do you feel about our priorities and proposed changes to rates and fees for Council services? Consultation closes 26 April. Find out more and chat to Councillors at an informal drop-in session at Frankton Library from 2.00-3.30pm on Tuesday 4 April, or head to letstalk.qldc.govt.nz

Shape the future of Warren Park

Share your thoughts on a draft development plan for Warren Park on Gorge Road. How do you see its potential as a well-used recreational and community space? Review the plan and leave you feedback by Sunday 23 April at letstalk.qldc.govt.nz

Kids’ boredom busters

QLDC Sport & Recreation’s school holiday programmes for Queenstown and Wānaka can now be booked online. Find full details and book your spot at www.qldc.govt.nz/shp

Pool back open on weekends!

Thanks to a successful recruitment campaign for lifeguards, Alpine Aqualand will be back open on weekends from this Saturday. Come along to swim, slide and play! More info at qldc.govt.nz/recreation/swim

Arrowtown-Kawarau by-election

Voting papers for the Arrowtown-Kawarau Ward by-election will be mailed out to electors from 13 April and voting will close at midday on 5 May. Are you enrolled to vote? Find out more at qldc.govt.nz/2023-by-election

Foreign language books wanted

Tiny ‘Lilliput Libraries’ have popped up outside Frankton Library! They’re a great way to share books not written in English. The team would love donations of books written in languages from Africa, the Middle East, Asia and South America. Gracias, asante, salamat, xièxie, shukran!

Only rain down the drain!

What goes into the drain outside your house or business –whether poured in intentionally or washed down with rain – ends up in our waterways untreated. We all have a part to play to protect our lakes and rivers. If you spot anything suspect call the 24/7 pollution hotline 0800 800 033.

Arts funding

Apply for a Creative Communities Scheme grant. Find out more at qldc.govt.nz/community/community-funding www.qldc.govt.nz

UNCLAIMED ITEMS SITTING AT THE POLICE STATION, at 11 Camp Street, this week include:

• GOLD HOOP EARRING WITH BLUE STONE, FOUND in the garden at St Peter’s church

• GOLD COLOURED BRACELET WITH 5 DIFFERENT COLOURED stones

• GOLD AND DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING, FOUND NEAR K-Mart

• GOLD COLOURED CIRCULAR PENDANT

• MACBOOK AIR FOUND NEAR THE CROWNE PLAZA

• PHILLIP NGUYEN – IPHONE

• SMALL SILVER HUBCAP, FOUND NEAR BUNNINGS, POSSIBLY belongs to a classic car, no markings

• SAMSUNG PHONE WITH BLACK AND WHITE CASE

• GRAHAM YOUNG – WALLET

• LEVAN SIGNAL-HOCKING – WALLET

• I.S.L. MCLAUGHLIN – WALLET

• RAYMOND GRAVES – WALLET

FRENCH VICTORIAN SIDEBOARD - GREAT CARVED DETAIL - 2m high 1.5m wide $700. Rimu Dressing Table with drawers & mirror - early NZ $300. Set of wooden skis & poles $650. Ph 021-441-400

Trades & Services

BOOKKEEPING & PAYROLL FOR SMALL BUSINESSES - XERO Partner. We provide bookkeeping - GST Returns, Payroll Processing, IRD Compliance, IR Filing. Payroll Reviews. We are accountants & payroll professionals who understand business. Call: 021 529 100

NEED AN IDYLLIC SPOT IN KINGSTON TO rent for your tiny home or caravan? Please text 022 404 3545.

THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE ARROWTOWN RSA will be held in the Arrowtown Bowling Club Rooms at 7pm on Wednesday 29th March.

SPCA OP SHOP – 51 GORGE RD. Open Monday – Saturday 9.00 – 5.00. Pre-loved goods and clothing at great prices. Help support the ongoing work done by the SPCA. Your old goods, or your time, could help save a life. Accepting donations (no electrical at the moment) and volunteers now. Volunteers wanted!

WHAKATIPU DRIVE MY LIFE ARE SEEKING VOLUNTEERS to become mentor buddies to help our vulnerable people achieve their drivers licence. If you are interested or have any questions contact Louise Ward louise@reap.co.nz

FREE ENGLISH CONVERSATION CLASSES AVAILABLE AT KIWI English Cafe on Mondays between 6pm - 8pm at St Andrews, 26 Stanley Street, Queenstown. Call 020 4189 9160 for free registration now.

ALWAYS WANTED TO LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE? Keen to speak Brazilian Portuguese? Native tutor available online or in person. E-mail me on learnbrazilianportuguese@hotmail.com or check out my website: www.learnbrazilianport9.wixsite.com/ learn-brazilian-port

FREE IMMIGRATION CLINIC. IF YOU NEED IMMIGRATION information or advice the Citizens Advice Bureau run an immigration clinic every Wednesday from 7pm. To make an appointment call them on 03 442 6679

SPECTACULAR AUTUMN COLOURS OF WANAKA ON OUR guided private gardens tours. Depart daily starting @$95. Group discounts (max 7). Info booking 021 0279 2481 beautifulgardenswanaka.com

QUEENSTOWN DHARMA CENTRE, 12 LAKE ST. LAMA MARK WEBBER’s Comprehensive Month of Teaching and Retreat continues with 9:30am and 7pm teachings on TUES & WED (28 & 29 Mar) and FRI & SAT (31 Mar & 1 Apr). Apart from Amnyi Trulchung Rinpoche’s guidance on “A Guide to the Way of Life of a Bodhisattva” on SUN (2 Apr), from 2:30pm - 5:30pm, our regular programme is on hold while Lama Mark is teaching. For full details, please see dharmacentre.org.nz or FB.

HAVE THAT NIGGLING ACHE OR PAIN THAT just won’t go away? A recurring condition, or maybe you’re looking for something to assist alongside your more traditional treatments to speed up recovery? Two Feathers can help, an Alternative & Holistic Health Service including Tuning Forks, Energy Healing & Reiki Master. For more info contact Amy on: healing@twofeathers.co.nz or 022 454 8288

LOCAL NZ FASHION DESIGNER JANE SUTHERLAND IS bringing limited edition and one off designs to the Ivy Box Art Gallery. 31 March, 134 Park Street, 4pm–7pm. All welcome!

LET’S GO SLOW AND CHILL AND CREATE together in this craft workshop. Hot drink included. Embroidery Kit: Hoop, cloth, needle, threads and pattern included. Saturday 15 April 2023. 2pm-4pm, Hosted at MorArt on Shotover Street. Cost is $85. To purchase a ticket: https://natalieperks.com/products/embroideryworkshop-saturday-15-april-2023

WSCA – ROOMS FOR HIRE - SPACIOUS, sunny rooms are available for hire to Queenstown Community Groups. The rooms hold up to 90 people, with seated dining for 40. Located on the 1st floor of Malaghan House, 10 Memorial Street, Queenstown with lift access. There are kitchen facilities, toilets, Wi-Fi, media equipment for projection onto large screen plus large screen TV. Contact us on 03 442 9214 or info@wsca.org.nz for more details DID

Contact the Lakes Weekly Bulletin today 03 409 2800 or email enquiries@qmg.co.nz and take the first step to successful advertising.