Ag 31may2013

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IN TODAY’S GUARDIAN

THE VOICE OF MID CANTERBURY 24/7

QUEEN STRIPPED OF HER CROWN P7

Open homes in Rakaia Winter and Methven Warmer

Guardian

Ashburton

www.guardianONLINE.co.nz

Friday, May 31, 2013

FIRST PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 27, 1879

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Shotgun intruders still at large By Sam Morton Police have confirmed a double barrelled shotgun was used in the Hinds home invasion on Tuesday night – but their investigation is proving to be a challenge. Despite identifying the weapon held by one of the three men in the armed confrontation, information has been scarce and police are urging the public to come forward with

any further information to help them nab the culprits. Since the Ashburton Police appealed for information yesterday, a number of people have contacted police with possible identification of the offenders, but police say the details have not led to any positive leads as yet. Detective Sergeant Jennifer Hooke, of Ashburton CIB, said the young woman, who was confronted by the three men at her McDougalls

Road house late at night – was still being comforted by friends. “This was an extremely distressing confrontation and especially frightening for a young woman who was alone in a house that she had just moved into,” DS Hooke said. “Fortunately, she has a good support network around her to help her through this difficult time.” Ms Hooke, who is leading the investigation, told the Guardian she is still piecing together exactly

what happened, but focus is being put on locating the previous occupant of the house – believed to be the person the three men were looking for. She said a number of items of interest had been located at a forensic scene examination on Wednesday, but was reluctant to reveal any of the items. “Establishing the facts in this incident may take some time – the fact that it occurred at night, in a

remote location and well away from neighbouring properties makes it a challenge,” Ms Hooke said. No sightings of the vehicle, believed to be idling outside the property during the invasion, had been reported, but Ms Hooke remained hopeful information would come forward. She said police had not yet confirmed if they were looking for a fourth man, but pointed out it was an assumption – given a car was

idling outside the house during the incident. Ms Hooke is keen to hear from anyone with information about possible offenders and said she was anxious to hear from anyone who may have seen any vehicles or suspicious activity in the vicinity of McDougalls Road on Tuesday night. *Can you help? - contact the Ashburton Police on 307-8405 or anonymously phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Methven turns out to welcome superstar Rocky By Susan Sandys More than 100 people turned out to Methven’s Blue Pub last night to welcome superstar boulder Rocky to his new home. The 15 tonne hunk of volcanic basalt was earlier in the day craned out of the ruins of a Port Hills house, and will be transported to Mt Hutt some time within the next few days. The Rocky story began at 12.51pm on February 22, 2011, when a deadly 6.3 magnitude earthquake dislodged the boulder and saw it smash its way into the home of Phil Johnson and his family. Mr Johnson, who now lives in Queenstown, was there yesterday to see his former home partially demolished, and Rocky extracted. It was the end of an emotional journey after he was the one who gave the rock which destroyed his house an identity and put it up for auction on TradeMe. From underneath Rocky he was able to retrieve a relatively undamaged large painting which was a family favourite, and which he had searched for after the earthquakes but had been able to find. Rocky’s owners, Mt Hutt Ski Area, which paid $50,000 for the boulder, organised the transportation of Rocky to Methven after

Sicon, coincidentally headed by Dave Wilson who is the former Mt Hutt manager who bought Rocky in the first place, demolished the home and craned him out. Mt Hutt Ski Area manager James McKenzie’s day began at 5am; he arrived on site at the house by 8am. He said last night the threehour extraction operation had gone according to plan, except a narrow driveway had necessitated the use of a digger to manoeuvre the Grant Hood Contracting truck prior to Rocky being placed on it. Mr McKenzie won a bet with Mr Wilson on Rocky’s weight, which was confirmed at 15 tonnes. Rocky was taken to sites around Christchurch for people to see by Rock FM roadies, before arriving at the Blue about 5.30pm, where $1 from every jug sold went to the Red Cross earthquake appeal. Among people who turned out in Methven last night to see Rocky was the McGinity family. Amanda who was there with husband Brett and their four children said it was exciting to see the boulder in Methven. “We were watching it on the news tonight, so we decided we would bring the kids down and have a look,” Mrs McGinity said. Rocky will be officially unveiled on Mt Hutt at the ski area’s 40th anniversary celebrations on August 3 and 4.

Photo Kirsty CLAY 300513-kc-053

Methven’s Blue Pub was rocking last night with the arrival of 15-tonne superstar boulder Rocky to the town. At the top of the rock on the left is Mt Hutt Ski Area manager James McKenzie.

Rocky was finally freed from his tomb for the past two years yesterday and headed to Methven.

By Sam Morton

photo tetsuro mitomo 300513-tm-124

College kids drill leader By Myles Hume

photos Christchurch star

Money, farms change hands, stock move - it’s Gypsy Day

Dairy herds hit the road ahead of Gypsy Day.

Photo tetsuro mitomo 300513-tm-040

Lawyers, real estate agents and cockies in the district will today be rounding out a frantic week, finalising farm sales in line with Gypsy Day. The day, traditionally marked on June 1, is more than moving stock and family relocations – it’s a day that has pockets jangling and rural related businesses smiling. Marking the end of the financial year, it is expected more than $200 million will change hands reflecting the dozens of farm sales throughout Mid Canterbury. PGG Wrightson rural sales man-

ager Robin Ford, of Ashburton, said farm sales for the year had been on par with previous years. “We’re not talking large numbers, very few sales indeed – but we’re talking substantial money. “A dairy farm can sell from anything between $10m and $20m on average, so it is certainly a fair sum of money changing hands at some point in the next week – if it hasn’t already,” Mr Ford said. Mr Ford told the Guardian some sellers or buyers had chosen to complete the transaction earlier this month, but most would wait until after Queen’s Birthday weekend – likely to be June 4. He has already signed off several sales and believes people are

better at organising themselves this year – ensuring the paperwork is completed before the long weekend. “I think what we’ll see is a Gypsy long weekend, rather than a Gypsy Day, as people will make the most of the long break to get things sorted. “It will be quite a frantic rush in the next few days, I am sure. “It’s going to be a busy week and with Fonterra’s announcement this week, it’s certainly not a bad start to the new financial year,” Mr Ford said. Transport companies in the district are also under the pump, with one company fully booked until June 12.

Ryal Bush Transport manager Colin Rotch said the business had 18 trucks working to move stock – ranging throughout Canterbury and across New Zealand. “It’s a very busy time mate, always got something on and the drivers are full-on,” Mr Rotch said. “We have had quite a few jobs relating to Gypsy Day, but the majority of them are farmers sending their stock away for grazing. “Of course, there will be some who will need us to bring the stock back, so it’s going to be pretty steady for a number of weeks yet,” he said. For more coverage, see P3

The last time Prime Minister John Key visited Ashburton College, its pupils left such a marked impression he could not turn down the opportunity to return. In fact, Rangitata MP Jo Goodhew told an auditorium full of the college’s year 12 and 13 pupils yesterday that Mr Key felt 2011’s senior pupils asked some of the most interesting questions out of the hundreds of schools he has visited. It may have been a whirlwind visit to Ashburton yesterday, but out of the hour-long visit to Ashburton College, Mr Key took 30 minutes of that time to field questions from pupils, even going overtime despite running late for his next appointment in Timaru. Among the questions about his career and experiences, the pupils fired well-informed questions at the Prime Minister, some asking about social welfare, driver’s licensing laws, the contentious future of the Christ Church Cathedral and Wednesday’s school closures and mergers in Christchurch. “I’m a CYF’s (Child Youth and Family) child and am SLD (specific learning disabilities), when I get cut off what benefits can I get?” one pupil asked. Mr Key said he could not give a direct answer, but told the pupil they would be eligible for a student loan and probably the student allowance. But if she wanted to write a letter he said he could give a more precise answer. Last year, another pupil said she was in a serious road accident and if she was aware of the advantages of defensive driving, she may not have been involved. “Would you be open to the idea to make defensive driving a mandatory course to make New Zealand roads safer?” she put to Mr Key. He said it was a ”possibility” to make defensive driving mandatory, but it came with financial barriers and access issues for drivers in rural areas. Another pupil asked Mr Key why he closed schools in Christchurch, and if there would be any benefits to education in the city. Mr Key said he “felt for the families involved” but the Government could not ignore statistics that showed there were 5000 fewer pupils in the city following the earthquake. “If you go back and ask those parents in five years time is that new $200 million school with state of art technology best for your child, I bet those parents would say yes,” he said. “Not everything’s perfect but you know there’s lots that’s good I think,” he said, reflecting on his five years as leader. Memorandum signing, P5

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