www.guardianONLINE.co.nz
THE VOICE OF MID CANTERBURY 24/7
MEL B DESERTS CRUSADERS FLICK THE X FACTOR THE FORM SWITCH P9 P18 www.guardianONLINE.co.nz
Guardian
Ashburton
Monday, March 18, 2013
FIRST PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 27, 1879
Home delivered from
90c Casual $1.20
Trust support for taxi firm By Myles Hume Ashburton Taxis has been given a leg up after controversially losing one of its biggest contracts. Already one of the company’s biggest sponsors, the Ashburton Trust has got in behind the taxi firm by injecting thousands of dollars of advertising to compensate for the financial loss Ashburton
Taxis faced after losing a contract to transport disabled pupils to schools this year. Ashburton Taxis general manager Graeme Bentley said it was hard on any business when they lost a contract, but it had been particularly difficult for the taxi company since the Ministry of Education was one of its most prized signatures. But the support from the
Ashburton Trust was “definitely appreciated”. “It’s a good thing, and in return they do get advertising, so it’s a win-win situation,” Mr Bentley said. “I think we will be able to stay afloat at this stage, but who knows what will happen in the next 12 months, but we have made operational changes and we’re looking okay.” Unable to talk about the details
of the ministry contract, Mr Bentley said losing it had been made harder after hearing the new transport provider, Ritchies Bus and Coach, had compromised the safety and welfare of disabled pupils. Concerns arose two weeks ago following claims the Ritchies bus did not have certified wheelchair restraints, pupils were arriving late to school and were dropped 300400 metres from the learning unit.
Parents have told the Guardian they had no problems with Ashburton Taxis taking their children to school, and have only been concerned about the transport system since Ritchies were awarded the contract this year. Ashburton Trust chief executive Giles Beal said the financial loss Ashburton Taxis faced prompted the trust to “assist with sponsorship”.
He said the taxi company was vital to Ashburton, pointing out the role it played at the weekends with pub patrons and other services such as transporting locals to the hospital. Mr Bentley said the trust would have sign-writing on “one or two” more vehicles, and previous agreements had been successful between the two. Some parents of disabled pupils
had also told the Guardian they had requested for Ashburton Taxis to make a return, but as much as he wanted to, Mr Bentley said it was not that simple. He said parents would have to pay the taxi fee to get their children to school because Ashburton Taxis no longer held the contract, and transporting them free of charge was not financially viable for a small business.
Rain lifts local farmers’ spirits It is a case of clear gold falling experiencing an extremely dry sumfrom the skies for Mid Canterbury mer, there was good rain around farmers today. Nelson, Westland and Buller, while MetService duty forecaster Leigh Southland and Otago had moderMatheson said yesterday 10 to 15 ate falls. millimetres of rain would fall in the Most parts of Canterbury and district from last night to today. Marlborough missed out. A secondary weather feature in “It’s been reasonably modest the early hours of tomorrow would but it’s quite widespread, which is not be likely to bring much rain to heartening,” MetService forecaster the district, clipping the coast. Leigh Matheson said. River levels would be expected “As of tomorrow, (Monday) most to rise after today’s rain, sure parts of the country should have to the music to the ears of Mid seen rain; some more than others.” Canterbury farmers, most of whom Another anticyclone was forecast are on heavy irrigation restrictions to reach New Zealand tomorrow, in an autumn drought. meaning a return to the dry weathAnd while yesterday’s rain was a er, however, this was followed by welcome relief in Mid Canterbury, another low which could bring rain it will do little to nourish the next weekend. North Island’s parched paddocks. Weatherwatch analyst Richard However, it has at least given Green said the North Island needed despondent farmers some respite, 70-100mm of rain to break the and cleaned the dusty grass for drought. hungry cattle. “But we don’t want that all at It was the most rain the coun- once because the ground is so hard try has seen since the first week it would run off and create floodof February, but not ing. Ideally, we would nearly the 100mm like close to 100mm of needed to break the rain over two to three Finance worst drought in decweeks.” ades. Federated Farmers’ Minister Bill Keith Kelly said he president Bruce Wills English now said the best thing would need much more sustained rain to get about yesterday’s rain believes his Clevedon sheep was it showed the and beef farm, near the drought relentless string of antiAuckland, back to its cyclones passing over could cost pre-drought condition, the country appeared to but yesterday’s showthe nation’s be broken. ers were certainly welWhile farmers who economy up received 5-10mm of come. “The only posiwould still be very to $2 billion rain tive aspect is it will much in drought, their put water back in the spirits would be lifted. tanks. It will also help “All it’ll do is bring freshen the grass but it won’t sus- some hope and wash some dust off tain long-term grass growth.” some leaves. It won’t be enough for Nonetheless, he said his stock good grass growth, but at least it’s appeared relieved to have their a start and it’ll start softening up grass rinsed of the dust it had been the soil.” covered in. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Bill He said some farmers were get- English now believes the drought ting desperate, and yesterday’s rain could cost the nation’s economy would be a great relief. up to $2 billion – double the figure “When you’re depressed, when estimated last week. you’re really down, every little bit “The latest advice is that somehelps.” where between $1 billion and $2 Mr Kelly had managed to keep his billion will be knocked off our sense of humour. national income, and as every week “We’re looking forward to the goes by, the prospect of it being $2 cricketers coming up here for the billion instead of $1 billion grows,” test. That’ll guarantee the rain.” he told TVNZ’s Q + A programme. According to MetService, Taranaki Mr English further warned that through Northland got 5-15mm of the drought could potentially knock rain; lesser amounts fell south of 30 per cent off New Zealand’s the Central Plateau; while Gisborne growth rate in a year. and Hawke’s Bay, aside from the “This underlines for us the imporranges, mostly missed out. tance of our primary production In the South Island, which is also sector,” he said. - APNZ
Photo Joseph Johnson 160313-JJ-020
Two-year-old Patterson gets a bird’s eye view of vintage machinery in the Methven A&P Show’s grand parade, sitting on dad Jeremy Johnson’s shoulders.
Methven turns on a top show ONLINE.co.nz
By Susan Sandys Show day in Methven on Saturday was a great success despite coolish conditions with overcast skies. Thousands turned out for the 99th annual A&P show, which saw gate takings on a par with last year. High cloud blocked out the sun for most of the day and temperatures failed to reach the forecast 20°C. But no-one seemed to mind, especially competitors undertaking some of the more exerting events such as woodchopping, shearing and the Aorangi Regional Young Farmers’ agrifarm event. President Rob Withers said highlights included the young farmer contest and the show’s first-ever gift calf auction.
were slightly down on last year, the quality of entries was high. Mr Withers thanked his committee, members of which had put in much work to have the grounds in top condition for the annual show, including taking out many sheep pens and installing new calf pens. He said now the association would be gearing up for its centennial show next year. The committee would be led by Andrew Oram as president, and it would be searching for memorabilia relating to the show over the past 100 years. “Anything, especially photos,” Mr Withers said, hoping members of the public would have such items and be able to get in touch with the association. • Victory for Hinds young farmer P3
Check out our video Many calves were auctioned off at $460 each, and donations of $1000 were each made to IHC, Ashburton Cancer Society and St John. He said trade space on the day was “chocker” and the food and wine area “hummed along all day”, with visitors entertained by the band Boru. Arts and craft stalls, rides and side shows were popular, and the top team event saw many teams from local schools compete. Vintage machinery enthusiasts turned out in their dozens for the event, and while horse entries
MORE REASONS TO SHOP AT COUPLAND’S Grain & Honey or Wholemeal Bread
Kids LOVE Our Ring Donuts
Mince or Potato Top Savouries Frozen only.
12 pack. Limit 5
LIMIT 10
$ .99
1
each
Dairy Dale 2L Milk Range LIMIT 10
6
for
0 0 . $
6
$
. 99
4
each
New Low Price
2 for
$ . 98
5
OR $3
.29 EACH
Photo Joseph Johnson 160313-JJ-041
Ten-year-old Grace McCavitt of Methven leads Alice Sharpe, 3, of Rolleston on Oaklea Casper in the grand parade.
Open 7.30am to 6pm everyday
Today’s weather
110 East St, Ashburton. Ph: 03 308-8487 Prices apply Monday 18th March - Sunday 24th March 2013 while stocks last. Some images are serving suggestions only.
HIGH LOW
15
6