Ashburton Guardian June 14 2013

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IN TODAY’S GUARDIAN

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Friday, June 14, 2013

FIRST PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 27, 1879

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Ashburton

Open Closehomes in Rakaia to all and Methven 47 Cambridge street Call OJ open Home: sat June 15, 10am - 11am 0800 12 14 14

Martin Dodson text 021 74 33 94

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Drug fumes lead to search for cannabis By Michelle Nelson and APNZ A person overcome by cannabis fumes triggered a major police operation in Rakaia on Wednesday evening. A 25 and 26-year-old were charged with cannabis cultivation after they were arrested about 5.30pm on Wednesday at a Mackie Street address. Sergeant Janine Bowden, of Ashburton, said Southern Police Communications were alerted after receiving a call from a person who had recently visited the house and felt unwell. “Due to concerns regarding what had caused the person to feel unwell, precautions were taken prior to entering the address to speak to the occupants,” she said. Police officers from Christchurch, Timaru, Selwyn and the Ashburton district attended the scene. The strong smell was identified as cannabis, and a search of the property uncovered a cultivating operation. Evidence and exhibits were collected and removed from the scene. Ambulance officers treated the person affected by the fumes, but did so around the corner on

Elizabeth Avenue, away from the contaminated area. It is not known whether further treatment was required. Police enquiries are continuing. Meanwhile, an electrician has said a home-grown cannabis operation in Carterton was the most dangerous wiring he’d seen in 40 years. Unemployed Craig Stewart Mclachlan pleaded guilty to cultivating cannabis and the theft of power when he appeared in the Masterton District Court this week. Mclachlan, 39, had set up a cannabis grow room, complete with heat lamps and fans, in the Carterton house and rewired the power meter, to gain free electricity for the room. By doing so, he put the homeowner and neighbours at risk of fire, said Judge Bill Hastings. An electrician used by police examined the meter and said it was the most dangerous wiring he had come across in his 40 years’ experience and a major fire risk. Police said Mclachlan had been stealing power for about two years, which coincided with a change in the electricity provider to Tiny Mighty Power in 2011.

Photo Tetsuro Mitomo 130613-tm-019

Old farm implements given new lease on life Whether you were in the market for a mobile pig sty, a yacht named Grunter, or a box of rusty bolts - the Tinwald saleyards was the place to be yesterday. Punters were out in force at the PGG

Wrightson 48th annual implement sale, some looking to snap up a bargain while others were there to watch the action and catch up with old friends. And there was plenty of choice.

The lineup included all the usual farm equipment; tractors and implements, fencing gear, generators and so forth – lined up with all manner of sundry items vendors were keen to realise for cash.

PGG Wrighton auctioneer Greg Cooke said more lots went under the hammer this year, and the 330 registered buyers was also an increase on recent years. He also reported a good clearance.

Skate park plans need public input By Susan Sandys Kidzmethven members are excited this week to release an ambitious skate park plan for the ski town, and are seeking feedback. The Methven Skate Park is to be constructed on Ashburton District Council-leased land adjoining the Methven Railway Reserve on Main Street. But just when it will be constructed and how much it will cost are all questions for the future, says the group which has been driving the project for the past five years. Kidzmethven representatives Liz McMillan, Sally-Ann Kircher and Tania Sheridan are pleased to have got to the stage of releasing plans, drawn by Australian design

company Playce. They have been able to do this thanks to community donations which have been steadily coming in over the years, totalling $25,000, money which should also cover getting the project to the resource consent stage. The skate park - for skateboarders, scooter riders and BMXers - is to comprise three spaces - a skate plaza or park, a modular moveable skate area and a bowl. Kidzmethven have displayed plans at the Methven i-SITE, and want feedback from the public as to whether stage one should have plaza or park style features. People can submit their preference at the i-SITE, or go to the Kidzmethven Facebook page. Mrs Kircher said the skate park would be of an urban design, com-

plementing the town, and would be an attractive social space. “It’s a good social space for the kids, somewhere kids can take ownership and have their place, their bit of town that’s theirs.” The location, on land owned by Chorus and leased by the council, was central, well lit, had a good street frontage and was close to public toilets. Ms McMillan was pleased to see the project reach plan stage. “And it should be easier to fundraise now because people can see the plans instead of just talking about it.” Since its inception, Kidzmethven has been involved in other projects such as creating a bike park in the town and improving and extending the railway reserve playground.

LEFT: Concept drawings of Methven’s planned urban skate park.

Today’s weather

HIGH LOW

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