ag-17apr2013

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Ashburton FIRST PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 27, 1879

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Wednesday, April 17, 2013

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More car vandalism comes to light By Guardian reporters More Ashburton residents who have had their cars vandalised in and around the West Street car park have come forward, calling for police to nab the serial offenders. Yesterday, the Guardian reported an incident where two 100 Pipers workers had their car windows smashed in the West Street car park on Monday. The women said they were unhappy with a police response after they failed to show, one of the victims Emma Halliday saying she was told it was “not a major issue so they (police) would not attend”. However, more locals have spoken to the Guardian about their ordeal with vandalism in the area, also disappointed in the way their complaint was handled by Ashburton police. Shane Woods’ wife parked her car on Burnett Street on Wednesday April 3, coming back to find the roof had been jumped on by vandals. Mr Woods said the damage was that bad that his wife’s $3000 car was being considered as a writeoff by local panel beaters, and if it was to be repaired they would have to pay an excess of $300 for their insurance claim. Another Ashburton resident, who did not want to be named, also had her car roof trampled on by vandals about two months ago

in the West Street car park. With minimal damage, the woman did not lay a formal complaint but hoped the culprits were caught following the “total lack of respect”. Angry at the damage to his wife’s car, Mr Woods said he struggled to get in contact with Ashburton police the following day and had no response, so he took the car to the station on the Friday. “They showed a real lack of interest, and weren’t even interested in the footprints on the roof, and to me that’s a pretty good lead,” Mr Woods said. “The lack of interest towards these incidents is not helping as a deterrent for these little buggers, it’s just sending them a clear message that police are not going to act on it.” Hearing nothing from the police for about two weeks, Mr Woods said he received a phone call 20 minutes before the Guardian contacted him yesterday. Mr Woods said they told him a street camera on Burnett Street did not film any footage of the incident because his wife’s car was parked in an area the camera did not reach. “It was funny how I got a response from them yesterday, the same day you have a story on the front page about a similar issue,” he said. Despite several attempts, Ashburton police could not be contacted by the Guardian yesterday.

Ashburton girl Taylor McKenzie, 12, with her giant pumpkin, weighing in at 124kg.

Photo Tetsuro Mitomo 160413-TM-052

Taylor weighs in with a national winner By Sam Morton As Taylor McKenzie hugged her giant pumpkin, the smile said it all. The Ashburton 12-year-old stunned judges this month, taking out the national title for the Easy As For Kids Biggest Pumpkin competition – run by Mitre 10 MEGA. The competition, which was launched in October last year, was held to encourage young garden-

ers to show off their skills, and was open to all residents 12 and under. Weighing in at a whopping 124kg, it’s no surprise Taylor’s pumpkin turned heads at the local store, as shoppers stood in awe of the impressive vegetable on display. “I was pretty happy with it, but was very surprised to win the whole competition,” Taylor beamed. “I had to water it every two days and cut off all the other pumpkins

that were growing on it, so all the nutrients and goodness went to just this pumpkin.” As soon as Taylor caught word of the competition, she quickly set out to claim the best spot in the family vegetable garden – the compost plot. With the right sunlight and careful care, the pumpkin did the rest – taking out both the local title and going on to be the heaviest in the competition nationwide. With the hard work done, Taylor

is now looking forward to her sister Laura carving up the pumpkin to see what it looks like inside – after almost seven months of growth. “That part will be really cool,” Taylor said. For her effort, Taylor was rewarded with a range of camping equipment worth $2000. She is a keen camper and hopes to get away with the family at some point to make the most of her rewards. Mitre 10 MEGA Ashburton store

manager Kelvyn Savage said he was thrilled to have the national winner displaying her pumpkin at the front of the store. “We were absolutely shocked when we saw Taylor’s pumpkin, because of its sheer size,” Mr Savage said. “The Big Pumpkin Grow Off has been a fantastic concept to help young people get out in the garden.” Taylor’s pumpkin is now on display in store until the weekend.

Kiwis describe ‘chaotic’ blast scenes

New Zealanders have described the scenes after explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon as “chaotic”. The blasts have claimed the lives of three people and injured many more. Victoria University academic Roger Robinson and his wife, renowned marathon runner Kathrine Switzer, were forced into lockdown in their Boston hotel close to where the explosions happened. Ms Switzer, who was famously photo AP the first woman to enter and run Medical workers aid an injured man at the 2013 Boston Marathon following the Boston Marathon in 1967, was on the photo bridge involved in an explosion.

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television coverage of the event shortly before the explosions. “I had left the area just before the explosion and am now in my hotel with my husband. Our hotel and the area is in lockdown,’’ she posted on Facebook. “This is a sad, sad day. “Thank you for your concern. Please hold everyone here in your thoughts and prayers.’’ Wairarapa accountant Graeme Tindall was only 1.6km from the finish line of his 86th marathon when the explosions ended the race. Mr Tindall, an accountant at

Forest Enterprises, has been in touch with family and friends in New Zealand to say he is safe, his boss Steve Wilton said. “He was very close [to the finish line] at the time it occurred but he was at a safe distance. He was running slower than he expected, so that was a blessing with hindsight,’’ Mr Wilton said. Olympian Sir John Walker said the terror attack was a black day for sport. “People were going out for a bit of fun, enjoying it and supporting their fellow men. What sort of mindset do you have to do some-

thing like that?’’ He said the terror attack would “put the scare up’’ other marathons and sporting events, if not in reality then in perception. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade says there were at least 45 New Zealanders registered to run the marathon and there have been no reports of New Zealand runners or spectators being injured. Prime Minister John Key said New Zealand’s consul-general in Boston Simon Leeming has been working with two New Zealanders who were close to the explosion. He said they were not injured but

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had contacted the embassy. Mr Key said there had been no news of other New Zealanders injured in the explosions. He said there had only been five calls to the embassy from New Zealanders. “It’s a very frightening and serious situation; our hearts go out to those who have lost loved ones, or who have been injured.” Mr Key said information that had come in about the explosions had been “relatively sketchy” and it was unclear what the cause had been. Streets spattered with blood, glass, P6

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