Ashburton Guardian, Saturday, October 15, 2022

‘We have our own projects’

last term, and was one that had voted to push ahead with Te Kaha despite a $150m cost blowout.

Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown needs evidence of any economic benefit to the district from Christchurch’s Te Kaha multi-use arena before asking his ratepayers to contribute.

New Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger said in his first week on the job that he will be asking other Canterbury councils to help pay for a new multi-use area in the city.

Brown said Mauger was welcome to come and ask the question.

He may not like the answer.

“We would need to see a good business case down here in Ashburton, and regionally, as to why we would contribute,” Brown said.

“I can’t see an economic benefit, but if the Mayor of Christchurch can demonstrate an economic benefit then perhaps we could contribute.”

Brown has reservations as to what benefit, if any, the Ashburton District will get out of Te Kaha, other than having more

events to attend in the city.

“There will be Ashburton residents who will attend events at the arena and they will pay through the ticket costs.”

If the funding question is finally posed, Brown said any answer from the Ashburton and other

councils would have to go out for public consultation in next year’s long-term plan process.

The idea of a regional contribution has been looming large for a while, and Brown is aware of how the community feel about it.

“We have our own projects to

Re-opening after a 12-year wait

Smyth, said only minor tasks such as painting, plumbing and plastering remain to be completed.

The first service since 2010 will be held in the church early next month, although no date has been set. The church is planning its official opening for February 18, 2023.

A 12-year wait for Methodists returning to their home church is nearly over.

Church members started moving equipment, furnishings and belongings, that have been in storage since the Christchurch earthquakes, back into Baring Square church this week.

The major work of re-roofing and restoring the interior of the church to meet current earthquake standards has been finished and an office, bathroom and kitchen facilities added.

The restoration to redesign Baring Square as a multi-functional church has cost just over $3 million, and stewards are hoping it will be used for community purposes during the week and services on Sunday.

“We want it to be available for meetings, community activities, recitals and productions,” Crozier said.

They see it as a valuable adjunct to the civic complex and library being built alongside.

fund. We need to look after our infrastructure first.

“We have the must-haves –roads, the second bridge, library and civic centre, and those sorts of things before we start spending on the nice-to-haves.”

Mauger was a city councillor

Now in the mayoral chair, Mauger is looking to other councils to fill the $150m void in the total project cost of $683 million and due to a suggested regional benefit, the region should pay via an Environment Canterbury-administered levy.

An ECan levy for a regionally beneficial project could open Pandora’s box, as Brown said his council has its $113m second bridge project that has a funding gap that would fit the same criteria.

In that case, Brown said the regional funding could be reciprocal.

“Our second bridge is a resilience project that we know is regionally important to the South Island, which is why we are going to the Government for funding.”

The Christchurch City Council voted to increase the budget for its multi-purpose arena, Te Kaha, by $150m to $683 million, and now new Mayor Phil Mauger (above left) is calling for the region to chip in. Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown (above right) says they need to be shown why they should before considering it.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

Jonathan Leask

“Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air”

Stewards, Judith Crozier and Alister

Right – Exterior work on the Baring Square Methodist Church has now been completed.

Malcolm Hopwood

Bentley suspect claims denied

But police confirm new information since reward offer

Catch Kirsty’s killerDaniel Alvey

Police have rubbished claims they’re closing in on suspects in the unsolved Kirsty Bentley murder.

Some national media outlets have reported that police have 10 suspects on a shortlist for the cold case murder of the Ashburton teenager, who was last seen walking her dog on the afternoon of December 31, 1998.

Bentley’s body was found in the Rakaia Gorge more than two weeks later, a day before her 16th birthday. It remains New Zealand’s most famous cold case murder, with Christchurch detective inspector Greg Murton overseeing an unsolved killing that has had police stumped for nearly a quarter of a century.

Yesterday, police were quick to dismiss national media suggestions that a suspect list had emerged since they offered a $100,000 reward in July for any information that would lead to a prosecution.

“Police have not confirmed or commented on the number of persons of interest relevant to this case and will not be doing so at this point,” Murton said.

But Murton did confirm they had received 80 pieces of information from the public since the reward was made. Of those, 10 have been prioritised for follow-up and 40 more pieces have been marked as requiring additional information.

“Police have been extremely heartened by the response from Canterbury and the wider community in relation to this investigation,” said Murton, who in 2014 became the third inspector to lead the case.

“We know how much Kirsty’s family and the wider Ashburton community want answers as to what happened to her.”

The reward was still valid until at least December, and Murton wanted anyone with information to come forward.

“We again urge anyone in Ashburton with information that may assist to come forward.

“Information can be provided anonymously if needed via Crime Stoppers, either online or by calling 0800 555 111.’’

What: Police are desperate for help to solve the longstanding murder of Ashburton teenager Kirsty Bentley.

The story: Kirsty’s body was found 18 days after she disappeared while walking the family dog in Ashburton on New Year’s Eve 1998. It is New Zealand’s most famous cold case murder.

If you have information: Contact the police via its 105 non-emergency number and reference Operation Kirsty. Or call Crime Stoppers anonymously on: 0800 555 111.

Reward: A $100,000 was issued in July and would remain in place for at least six months. Immunity from prosecution may be considered for any accomplices should they come forward.

Police are banking on the reward incentive to help crack the case open, with a sizeable cash offering not being a new murder-solving ploy by New Zealand police.

In 2019, $100,000 was also offered for information about the notorious unsolved murder of Christchurch mother Angela Blackmoore. She was 10 weeks’ pregnant when she was stabbed 39 times in her home in 1995, while her 2-year-old son Dillon slept in the next room.

A year later, after reward information came forward, an amateur contract killer was jailed for the horrific murder.

Police are yet to decide on whether the reward for Bentley would be extended beyond the original sixmonth period.

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murder of Ashburton teen Kirsty Bentley.

Ashburton real estate sizzling

A national real estate boss says Ashburton continues to be a property hot spot, with the median house price increasing by nearly 25 per cent annually.

In September, median Ashburton District prices had shot up by a whopping 23.5 per cent annually, according to Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) data. So average house prices jumped from $413,000 to $510,000 in a year.

That’s even more impressive than it seems because median prices across the country in comparison increased by only 2.0 per cent annually from $795,000 in September, 2021, to $811,000 in September, 2022.

REINZ chief executive, Jen Baird, said the Ashburton District had definitely “bucked the national trend’’ for median house price movements.

She felt the appeal of Ashburton as a place to live, compared to more expensive metropolitan or traditionally popular areas elsewhere, had contributed to the massive median price increase.

“Retirees moving from larger and more expensive hubs, such as Queenstown looking to downsize, have also been showing an interest in Ashburton’s housing market due to its relative affordability,” Baird said.

Ashburton also stood out across the wider Canterbury

“

Retirees moving from larger and more expensive hubs, such as Queenstown looking to downsize, have also been showing an interest in Ashburton’s housing market due to its relative affordability

area, which saw a median price increase by 2.8 per cent annually to $676,000.

But Timaru was also a hot property area, recording a record median price of $530,000.

But Baird admitted Ashburton properties were spending longer on the market – up eight days annually from 31 days in September, 2021, to 39 days this September.

She put that down to economic uncertainty and rising interest rates causing buyers to act with hesitancy.

“They are taking longer to make a decision and therefore properties are taking a longer

What: Ashburton’s average house price has increased 23.5 per cent in the past year to $510,000.

Christchurch comparison: The average asking price in Christchurch is $676,000. That’s an increase of 2.8 per cent from September 2021.

Nationally: Median prices increased 2.0 per cent annually, moving from $795,000 in September 2021 to $811,000.

time to sell than they were this time last year,” said Baird on behalf of REINZ, which represented more than 16,000 real estate professionals nationwide.

“Despite hesitation in the market, Ashburton salespeople recorded an increase in buyer enquiry and attendance at open homes heading into the warmer months as people look to get ahead on their buying plans this side of Christmas.’’

Stockwater division heads to hearing

in the Anama area, near Mayfield, will now go to a hearing after the mayor used his casting vote twice at the final meeting of the council term.

Mayor Neil Brown used his casting vote twice in a stockwater closure decision to see a rare move to determine the outcome.

The proposed closure of 12,052 metres of stockwater race

In considering the request, council staff canvassed the landowners, which resulted in a 9-9 split on the closure, and two who said they would follow the majority.

That was then mirrored by the councillors, who had a 5-5 split over the motion to decline the

closure. The mayor then used his casting vote to decline the motion.

A new motion was then put forward by retiring councillor Stuart Wilson for the application to go to a hearing before a final decision was made.

Wilson said some of the “minor reasons” to oppose the closure were weak arguments, and he wanted a better understanding of the situation before making a decision.

The motion had another 5-5 split vote, with the mayor’s casting vote used again to determine whether the application would go to a hearing where all 20 affected property owners would be invited to have their say.

Brown said that as the landowner split didn’t provide a clear direction and a one-off hearing would provide more information to make an informed decision.

The councillors had no is-

sues approving the closure of a 6739m section of stockwater race starting from Main Street in Methven.

“Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air”

We have had a Maple Villa become available in our popular resort.

Consisting of two bedrooms, this 109 sqm villa has a sunny open plan living areas, two toilets, heat pump, office and single garage with internal access.

Situated close to the Resort Lodge.

Location, location, location: Ashburton continues to buck the national property trend, with the district’s median house price increasing nearly 25 per cent annually.

PHOTO DARYL HOLDEN

Daryl

Jonathan Leask

Lakes monitoring plan backed

A plan to implement real time water monitoring at the Ōtūwharekai (Ashburton Lakes) has received Ashburton District Council backing.

The previous council voted to support Aoraki Environmental Consultancy’s application to the Ministry for the Environment for the Ōtūwharekai Mātauranga Māori Cultural Monitoring Programme. It’s an information gathering project, with results to be made available to all members of the Ōtūwharekai working and steering groups.

The ongoing environmental issues and degradation of the area is well documented, with the council recently introducing a 30-year-plan for Lakes Camp and Clearwater aimed at reversing the environmental decline.

The monitoring programme will see five sensors installed in the area that will feed real time water quality data, which can be used to develop solutions.

Strategy and policy manager, Toni Durham, said it’s an exciting project.

“That real time monitoring is exceptional to have in the area and we’ll all benefit from it,” Durham said.

Departing councillor Stuart Wilson was right behind the project as it will “provide a true picture of what’s happening to all the lakes up there”.

Though councillors unanimously offered funding support for the application, there were some concerns raised over some phrasing in the report. A reference to Māori to participate in and “make decisions” for freshwater management in the

area was queried by several councillors, including Lynette Lovett.

“Is it joint decisions or is it Maori making the decision up there?,’’ Lovett said.

“It should have been better worded. To me, it’s a joint decision between all the

groups but looking at that it’s them making the decision.’’

Durham explained the statement had been “picked up directly from what had been provided’’ by the Aoraki Environmental Consultancy.

A family-owned business, building homes in Mid Canterbury for over 40 years

The Ōtūwharekai Mātauranga Māori Cultural Monitoring Programme will install sensors that will provide real-time data.

PHOTO MONICA WILSON

Jonathan Leask

“Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air”

time for an ice cream and young Annabelle Clucas stopped to enjoy one on her trip around the fete.

PHOTOS DANIEL ALVEY

Power Duo: St John Garden Fete organisers Sherry Wootton and Elanie Vallender, were hard to catch as they managed

stalls and thousands of patrons who came

to enjoy the day.

John cadets, Faith Davies and Madeline Tew, were on duty gaining more community service hours, with

medical field in some form or another. They were joined by first responder Jude Reid and intensive

paramedic Sharon Duthie.

Taking delegation to Parliament

Claire and Gerard Rushton have received the breakthrough they’ve been looking for. They will lead a delegation from the Men ingitis Foundation Aotearoa New Zealand to address the Parliamentary Health Select Committee on October 26.

Their petition containing 6357 signatures was presented to Parliament on March 31 and now has gone to their preferred select committee.

“It’s a very positive step given the peti tion was only referred to the committee in April,” Gerard Rushton said.

“It’s been quicker than we thought.

“We’re speaking to the petition and will further our case for meningococcal B and ACWY vaccines to be provided free of charge to all New Zealanders by the age of 16.”

Rushton said the foundation’s goal is “to ensure our rangatahi (young people) are protected against all preventable forms of meningococcal disease before they leave school”.

He said young people are a high risk group and the vaccine is currently only available to a small group despite continu ing cases and deaths each year.

Rushton also points to indigenous Aus tralians receiving full vaccination free of charge yet Maori and Pasifika miss out de spite being five times more likely to con tract the disease.

“All we want is the same as many other countries already receive,” he said.

Gerard and Claire Rushton have made a number of Official Information Act (OIA)

requests about the treatment and care of some individual cases to highlight the cost of the disease financially and how it puts more stress on an already over stretched health system.

One recent French study puts the life time care of meningitis patients at between

$1.2 and $3.9 million,” they said. Claire Rushton intends to share the fami ly’s personal story about losing their daugh ter Courtenay to meningitis with the com mittee and emphasise how her life would have been saved if she’d been vaccinated. They will also request some of Pharmac’s

increased funding of $191 million be direct ed towards “protecting our children and young people from this serious and inva sive disease”.

“ We will be calling on the government to act quickly as it’s imperative to save the lives of our young,” they said.

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Malcolm Hopwood

Ashburton’s Claire and Gerard Rushton will be heading back to Parliament later this month where they will put their case to the Parliamentary Health Select Committee for a potentially life-saving meningococcal vaccine to be free for all Year 11 students or 16-year-olds. Their daughter Courtenay died from meningitis in 2014 when she was just 16.

Ashburton’s JPs more in demand than ever

team has never been more in de mand.

JPs are on duty at Communi ty House for two hours twice a week, and he said there’s a steady stream of people wanting official documents verified.

sist immigrants from the Philip pines, China and South America, he’s aware of lengthy immigra tion delays which “make people very anxious”.

ried to Ross and is an adminis trator on their arable and dairy farms.

Three new Justices of the Peace (JPs) have been sworn in at the Ashburton District Court.

Suzanne Duncan, Nicola Lam ont and Kevin Opele will bring the number of active JPs in Mid Canterbury to more than 60.

President of the Ashburton JPs Association, Max Cawte, said the

“There are very few quiet patches when we’re not witness ing signatures, verifying copies, or working with recent immi grants to renew visas,” he said.

“Our credibility is in our train ing as JPs, and our satisfaction is helping people get to the next stage of their lives.”

Cawte confirmed while JPs as

In addition to sessions at Community House, JPs also work individually, with Cawte confirming three meetings at his business this week to verify doc uments.

Cawte has described the three new JPs as “very credible and community-minded” people.

Suzanne Duncan has lived in Mid Canterbury for 32 years, the last 27 at Pendarves. She’s mar

Malcolm Hopwood Intersection on track to be finished before Christmas

Malcolm Hopwood

The Walnut Avenue intersection is expected to be fully operation al before Christmas, according to KiwiRail.

A spokesman said, with just over two months until Christ mas, KiwiRail is confident the work will be completed.

He points to progress such as

installing concrete slabs together with some of the new signals for the crossing, and the rail line put back.

But there is still complex work to do, including completing the pedestrian path, installing the level crossing barrier infrastruc ture and installing, connecting and commissioning the signals, the KiwiRail spokesperson said this week.

Waka Kotahi also confirmed a lot of work is still required “to co-ordinate the new intersection traffic signals with the improved rail level crossing”.

Media manager, Frances Adank, said that with the instal lation of pre-cast concrete slabs to carr y the track across Walnut Avenue, work can begin on foot paths, landscaping, fencing and road markings.

“Above ground infrastructure such as gates and pedestrian ref uge areas will also be installed,” she said.

In either late next month or early December, experts will test and inspect the co-ordination of rail and road crossing signals, before removing the temporary roundabouts she said.

She’s been active in Plunket, school and sport, is on the Pen darves Hall Committee and is a member of the Ashburton Litter Collection group.

Nicola Lamont has spent most of her life in Mid Canterbury apart from two years OE working in London. She’s a senior asso ciate and registered legal execu tive with RMF Silva and, together with her husband, Ethan, is a di rector of Alps 2 Ocean Plumbing.

She’s also been involved on the

Longbeach Coastal Challenge committee, Clearwater Aquat ic Club and Ashburton College Netball Club.

Kevin Opele, who attend ed school in Ashburton, is well known in many sporting codes, including being a first class ref eree in rugby, an international touch referee and tag referee, ranked number two in the world.

Kevin is an advisor to Talbot Security and runs NZ Esports, a cycling simulator, in his spare time to keep fit.

He’s currently a Mid Canter bury Netball board member.

Ashburton’s newest JPs are officially sworn in. (From left) Ashburton JP Association president, Max Cawte, Judge Dravitzki, JPs, Kevin Opele, Suzanne Duncan and Nicola Lamont.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

The Walnut Avenue intersection upgrade should be done by Christmas, as Ki wiRail completes upgrades to the level crossing.

PHOTO DANIEL ALVEY

Testing centre finally closes

Malcolm Hopwood

Ashburton Hospital’s Covid 19 testing centre finally closed this week after two-and-a-half years of testing, handing out RAT kits and supplying masks.

Initially the centre was only open thrice weekly at the hos pital but, with the spread of Covid across the community, Pe gasus Health, contracted to provide the response, opened for seven days a week and established the drive-through service in South Street.

Pegasus Health team leader, Kristy Williamson, said while no count was made of tests, RAT kits, masks, cars or people walking through, the number would have been in the tens of thousands.

“The priority has been to enable access to testing options as part of the Covid 19 response,” she said.

Being open for the past two-and-ahalf years has enabled the Ashburton population to have timely access to results and the management of their Covid status

“Being open for the past two-and-a-half years has enabled the Ashburton population to have timely access to results and the management of their Covid status.”

She said the team that staffed the centre “has really been a point of difference in the success of this activity”.

She explained the reason for closure is that the demand for RAT or PCR (swabs taken from a person’s nose or throat) tests has dropped away and alterative options are available from participating pharmacies.

General practices are also able to assist people requiring PCR testing for Covid, she said.

Draft Use of Footpaths for Alfresco Dining Policy

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Guardian news director, Malcolm Hopwood, was one of the testing station’s final customers, receiving RAT kits and masks from registered nurse, Diana Kerr.

DellaTammy

RantorRave

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Are police closing in on Kirsty’s killer?

I’ve always been of the opinion that someone out there in Mid Canterbury knows a lot more about what happened to Kirsty Bentley than has ever been let on in the public sphere.

Too much of the case relies on familiarity, too much of the case relies on a solid knowledge of our home region and too much of the case, for me anyway, points towards someone who was local at the point in time being involved.

And perhaps after such an extensive amount of time of wondering and second-guessing, we might finally be getting closer to solving one of New Zealand’s most frustrating cold-case mur ders.

While it’s not quite the 10 suspects that initially made headlines this week across the country, news from the man in charge of the case – detective in

spector Greg Murton – that there are 10 pieces of information that have been brought to their atten tion that have been prioritised as needing a follow-up is encour aging.

It kind of suggests that the net is falling, and the pressure is starting to build.

Sure, we’ve been down this road before with this case on numerous occasions. But some thing about this most recent appeal seems a little different to all the rest.

Almost like behind closed doors there’s movement, but noone is quite sure who’s the one

making it, and it’s just a case of trying to lure the right person out of the shadows to perhaps, after all these years, put some finality forward for Kirsty, her family and her friends.

And I think that’s what we all want here in Mid Canterbury.

chance for closure. It’s a moment in our time that will define us, even if it is just a small definition of the place we call home.

What’s nice this time around –and I use the term nice loosely, because nothing about this entire story is nice, is that it feels

That kind of acknowledgement and understanding from those in charge of the case has been rare over the years, so it’s a refreshing aspect to things.

For now, though, all that can be done is hope.

Those 10 vital pieces of infor mation that have come about from the police’s appeal for infor mation and the reward, and the other 80-odd bits of information that also came forth, might just be the final pieces to one of New Zealand’s most baffling puzzles.

Kirsty’s story is one that has shaped our district’s history. It’s a moment in time where Ashburton and the surrounding area was the beating heart of the national media’s attention.

And when those answers do fi nally come then perhaps there’s a

like detective inspector Murton is happy to recognise the impact Kirsty’s murder has had on Mid Canterbury as a whole.

He speaks to the region and about the region like it’s a griev ing family member, and in so many ways, perhaps we all are.

And wouldn’t it be nice for Mid Canterbury to gain some final closure, without speculation and questioning and then move for ward and remember Kirsty as a loved and valued member of our community who was tragically taken.

Not the Kirsty we know and re member currently, the one where there are no answers.

Matt Markham

We’ve been down this road before on numerous occasions. But something about this most recent appeal seems a little different to all the rest.

Absolutely mumbelievable

Queens on tour relive their youth. Sort of.

Lisa Fenwick MY FORKING LIFE

Nomatter what age, gurls have to go on gurls’ trips.

Boozing, flirting, shopping, rowdiness (because no-one knows you and you haven’t got your handbrake/s with you).

Gurls can let loose on these occasions.

The kids are left at home with daddy to eat fush and chups. Daddy ignores the kids and watches sport. But the girls . . . well, the girls get to experience life as 18-year-olds again, if only for a weekend to restore their souls and remember their youth.

And I had the pleasure in indulging in one such trip with my bestie recently. A quick overnight trip to Dunedin.

What a hoot! I enjoyed every minute of it, until I realised how ancient I had become and that I wasn’t 18 anymore, and here are the differences:

When I packed lightly, I still had a massive bag for my own pillow (to avoid a stiff neck, instead of looking for a stiff, um, you know . . .) and my heartburn pills. #OLD

My special prep was not tanning, waxing or elaborate make-up. It was shaving under my arms (most of which I missed – winning at life). #OLD

No pub crawl for us, Mia Flora in Winchester was a must-stop for a respectable lunch, a tour around the plants and some awesome banter with one of the owners. And then the compulsory

stop at Riverstone to see what else we could buy. #OLD

Again, instead of stopping at every pub, we were stopping at every toilet, but only after stopping at every alternate town for coffee. #OLD

We got to our hotel and instead of being rapt with the restaurant and bar, we were rapt with having an elevator and how soft the beds were. #OLD

Instead of going out for dinner, we decided on eating takeaways at the Octagon and feeding the

seagulls. I felt guilty that I looked in the window of Peaches and Cream adult retailer while waiting for our meal and jumped out of the way when a young couple walked out. #OLD

My mate and I then had a long conversation about said gulls, including whether the gulls with red bills were picking on the gulls with black bills. I even forced my long-suffering mate to reopen her takeaways because one looked hungry. Guilted her into it.

She got me back by telling me I

Spring a time to start afresh and reconnect

Weall know when seasons change, and we adjust our lives accordingly.

Seasons are marked by the movement of the sun, moon, and stars, and as a person of faith, this reminds me that God placed these in the solar system for the purpose of declaring God’s majesty and faithfulness, marking seasons as Genesis 1:14 and Psalm 104: 19 tell us.

So for me and I hope for the reader too, seasons are not arbitrary events. They point to something greater and like a most-reliable clock, God designed seasons to occur for as long as the Earth remains – Genesis 8: 22. God is the one who created the seasons –Psalm 74: 17 and so they point to God.

In September, we welcomed the season of spring; a season when things come to life again.

Spring, I think can bring about a miraculous experience if you are observant of the environment around you.

Winter has just been and everything that was dormant and dead, comes back to life and the whole world becomes alive.

Spring comes and fills the world around us with colour and the scent of flowers.

During winter, beneath the cold hard frosty ground, plants and trees prepare for rebirth. Sounds like a faith event happens when spring comes. That is a miracle and for me, springtime is the season that gives us hope for rejuvenation in our own lives.

started throwing money at them or gave them the shirt off her back. Me … not so kind.

My knee didn’t like driving so long and decided to seize every time we stopped, even though I tried to not hobble out of pride.

#OLD

Took selfies with half our faces missing. #OLD

Thought about going out and partying with the uni students, decided we were too tired. #OLD

Dragged out the champagne I had been keeping for a special occasion and decided two glasses of bubbly each might give us a headache. So we dived in our beds, watched TV and talked instead – and loved it. #OLD

Forgot our glasses and I had to read menus out for my slightly blinder friend. #OLD

Freaked out that my snoring would keep my mate awake.

#OLD

Went for breakfast with my nephew and his family, and the place was packed.

was forcing them to be cannibals by feeding them chicken. #OLD

Ate so much, I was scared on the walk back to the hotel. #OLD

Got pissed off when I couldn’t find a park and started ranting as my anxiety peaked. #OLD

Talked to everyone we came across, particularly the dog owners and including the peeps lying on the streets high on whatever it was they were imbibing (using the word imbibing: #OLD).

Had to drag my kind-hearted mate away from them before she

Got attacked by a seagull, screamed loudly, waved my arms around wildly, much to the merriment of nearby patrons and the disgust and embarrassment of my nephew. Heard him muttering about not taking me out in public again. #OLD

I could go on, but apparently, I waffle in my columns.

I’m not sure why y’all think I only waffle in this . . . I waffle in everything. (Can’t argue with that. Editor).

I loved every minute of that trip and would do it again in a heartbeat, old or not.

You youths may think you know how to party, but us old queens, we invented the word.

Growing a strong economy for families

Henry Mbambo CHRISTIAN COMMENT

“Spring is a time to renew the excitement and zest for life that lives inside.”

As spring time approaches, may we remember to praise God for the rain that falls and the grass that grows. We should not take these things for granted and certainly don’t complain when they occur, even if the rain gets you wet, and the grass makes you get out the mower.

As springtime continues, let us allow gladness to spring up in our hearts which we know sometimes grow cold during winter as we see grey days.

Spring is a time for us to renew our commitment to God and rely on God as our love for God is rekindled. Springtime is a time to start afresh and reconnect with people who are closest to us.

This spring, as daylight increases, rains fall, and flowers grow again, I pray for you that your heart for God – your Creator and Sustainer – will flourish like never before.

Henry Mbambo is the minster at St. David’s Church, Ashburton

It’s

been another couple of busy weeks in and around the electorate. I was delighted to share in Garba and Diwali celebrations with the Ashburton Indian Multicultural Trust, and really enjoyed getting out to the Temuka-Geraldine A&P show, so good to see everyone out enjoying the day.

I wanted to talk today about our economy. The Prime Minister recently returned from a trip to the United States where she met with a number of world leaders. From their discussions it was clear that while things have been tough everywhere, New Zealand continues to do better than most.

I wanted to share a bit of an update on the steps that we’re taking to support Rangitata families through this period, and to report back on some of the economic indicators that you may have missed.

These give real reason to feel optimistic about the future, and the opportunities before us.

New Zealand’s GDP is up and our economy is now five per cent larger than before the pandemic. Unemployment is at a near record low and wages are up, which makes both families and our economy strong. Across the key economic measures of growth, unemployment and debt we’re in a better of similar position to the likes of Australia, the US, UK and Canada.

Through our strong economic management, we’ve achieved all of these positive

Jo Luxton

results with a similar debt level to what the previous National Government took on as a percentage of GDP during the Global Financial Crisis – despite the Covid economic crisis being even more severe.

Despite all of this, I know things still feel tough for many in the Ashburton District in the face of global pressures. That’s why we’ve rolled out a number of measures to help ease this pressure, including with our Cost of Living Payment, action on supermarkets, fuel tax cut and more.

While the world still faces big challenges, like high inflation, there’s a lot for Ashburton to be optimistic about. The latest figures show that New Zealand is in a strong position to navigate through the uncertainty, and seize the opportunities in front of us.

Jo Luxton is a Labour MP.

The views, opinions, positions or strategies expressed by the author and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, positions or strategies of the Ashburton Guardian Co Ltd or any employee thereof

RANGITATA MP

Trail of treats in WA’s south

Pointing the car south from Perth, I jaunted my way on a journey of discovery in Australia’s south-west. Amid nature’s vast skyscrapers of karri, marri, jarrah and tingle forests, the abundance of fresh produce and artisanal verve is a sensory treat.

Winding country roads criss-cross through green hills, iridescent lime pastures, ancient forests and the majestic watery ribbon that ties the region together – the mighty Black wood River (Western Australia’s longest continually flowing river, at 300km).

My first stop was in Manjimup, formerly a timber town, but now fostering a red-hot reputation for its fresh produce, intermingling with wondrous karri forests. Home to some of the most productive soils in Australia, the surrounding farmlands spawn a thriving fruit and vegetable industry, where seemingly everything grows. The variety of pursuits are phenome nal, from avocado farming to green tea and finger limes. But Manjimup has become a byword for truffles –it is Australia’s truffle heartland.

Ninety per cent of the Southern Hemisphere Perigord black truffles are produced in these parts, highly sought after by Michelin-starred restaurants around the world. Pric es fetch up to $3000 a kilo!

Winter is truffle hunting season – they even have a Truffle Kerfuffle festival in Manjimup. Unearthing the pungent, earthy black gold in winter, this lucrative delight was ever-present on restaurant menus during my visit, generally as shavings or slivers, to complement a dish.

Another great sampling op tion is to head to Tall Timbers in Manjimup, which serves up a ravishing array of tasting experi ences in truffle products, gourmet nuts (magnificent macadamias), alongside sampling local beer and wines. It’s like the tasting centre of your dreams!

Western Australia’s

By Mike Yardley

Next stop, Ampersand Estates, which has breathed new life into what was the area’s oldest winery, Donnelly River Wines. It’s a knock out picnic setting with undulating vineyards, backed by old-growth karri giants and gin-clear ponds, where ethereal fingers of mist coil their way across the landscape like morning magic. You can taste a va riety of beautiful wines, including

pinot noir and sauvignon blanc

writes Mike

But it’s the on-site distillery, Rainfall, that absolutely seduced me. Rainfall creates distinctly unique artisanal vodkas and gins that pay homage to the centu ries-old art of distillation, while partnering with local producers to showcase contemporary, fresh seasonal ingredients.

Every vodka and gin is vintaged

following the seasons from yearto-year, with the infusion of south ern forests’ rainfall as the constant in every bottle. The vivacious Vikki Brown led me through a fabulous distillery tasting, which lustily reinforced how so much local produce is heroed into their spirits.

There’s a vodka infused with honey and roasted macadamias, but my absolute favourite drop was the

Rainfall Gin infused with southern forest cherries. Seasonal releases include a gin infused with Amper sand Pinot Noir.

Then it was on to the storied timber town of Pemberton, which is refashioning itself as a riveting base for eco-adventure.

For a blissed-out stay in the heart of town, lock in a book ing at Jaspers, where a clutch of luxur y cabins tick all the boxes as indulgent holiday havens. The architect-designed studio spaces feature kind-sized beds, ensuite bathrooms with rainfall shower, gorgeous bathroom amenities and free wifi. They are a stylish state ment in boutique luxury accommodation. The cabins are conveniently located behind the wildly popular contemporary whisky bar and restaurant.

After a great night’s sleep, I had a hot date with the evocatively named Valley of the Giants, home

Western Australia is home to some of the most productive soils in Australia, the surrounding farmlands spawn a thriving fruit and vegetable industry, where seemingly everything grows.

A visit to Ampersand Estates distillery

PHOTO MIKE YARDLEY

ern forests

to the highly acclaimed Tree Top Walk. Strolling above the canopy of the magnificent tingle forest, on the 600 metre long elevated board walk, I felt like I was floating on air, wrapped in the whisper quiet finery of the tingle forest.

Tingle trees are a type of eucalypt, dating back to Gond wanaland, unique to the southern forests. Forty metres above the forest floor, the boardwalk has been sensitively designed, with some ingenious touches. The pylon platforms and trusses were designed to mimic the shape of the tassel flower and sword grass, which feature prominently in the forest understorey.

The spans are deliberately designed to gently sway as you walk across them, accentuating the sensation of being high up in the canopy. Down on ground floor, strike out on the Ancient Empire Walk, where jarrah decking and

bitumen paths wind you through the giant tingles forest, aflutter with birdlife. We spotted western rosellas, cockatoos, scarlet robins and firetail finches. Yellow tingles grow to 35 metres in height, while red tingles are the real stars of the show, reaching a height of 75 metres, over their 400 to 500 year life span.

With a base circumference of up to 20 metres and expansive buttressing, their gnarly trunks groan with character. The most photographed specimen has been nicknamed Grandma Tingle. This 450-year-old matriarch is straight out of a fairytale with a wrinkly and wizened old face. She’s the grand dame of the forest.

Mountain bike trails are current ly being constructed to broaden the palette of outdoorsy delights in this revered slice of the Southern Forests. www.westernaustralia.

In the Valley of the Giants giant tingle trees grow. Strolling above the canopy of the tingles, on the 600 metre long elevated tree top boardwalk, I felt like I was floating on air, while wrapped in the whisper quiet finery of the tingle forest.

PHOTO TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA

PHOTO TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA

was not complete without a couple of tastings of their products.

PHOTO

ESTATES

The picturesque Ampersand Estates at Pemberton.

PHOTO AMPERSAND ESTATES

southern forests

PHOTO TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Life doesn’t end at 89 for

Icaught Viv Barrett on a busy day. He’s a month short of 90 and he had things to do.

Viv lives about four kilometres out of Methven on his 20-hectare farm and he had cattle and horses to check, donkeys and ponies to feed, elderly residents to take for a ride and a job to do at the Mount Hutt Memorial Hall.

But the one thing occupying his mind was replacing the front windows at Our Lady of the Snows. He’s upgrading them with stained glass that he’s paid for and was meeting the designer in Ashburton.

“It won’t happen unless I do it,” he said. “The Catholic Church has been a very important part of my life.” Viv’s commissioned an artisan and wants them installed early next year.

While he’s healthy, except for a valve in his heart that needs looking at, he’s agile, active and looking forward to a family birthday on November 21.

“You only get one shot at life. I mightn’t have a tomorrow so that’s why I want it done,” he said.

Viv was born in 1932 and has vivid memories of growing up in the depression. His dad, Jim Barrett, worked on the Rangitata Diversion Race (RDR), and Viv was brought up in public works camps.

“We lived in primitive huts with no lining and a coal range to heat the place. We had a long drop out the back which was a drum with a toilet seat on top,” he said. “The night soil collector came about once a week to empty them.”

As the RDR, which brought irrigation to Mid Canterbury, was developed, the camps moved. Viv attending Ealing, Hinds, Winchmore and St Joseph’s schools. He recalls about 20 families living at the camps so there were always children to play with.

War broke out and Jim felt the need to enlist but, instead of being sent overseas, he was deployed to north Auckland to build a landing strip for the American fighters and bombers.

However, the enemy was closer to home. When an Ashburton grocer was robbed and tied up by sailors near Hakatere Beach in the first few weeks of war, alarm spread through Mid Canterbury.

“It was scary, we thought the enemy was invading us,” Viv said. The sailors, who spoke a foreign language, were never found but their footprints were traced to the water’s edge.

It was rumoured a German merchant ship or submarine was anchored off the coast.

“We turned off the lights at night and lived in fear,” Viv said.

But there were happier moments. The home guard had set up defences at the Rangitata Bridge consisting of a shelter cut into the bank and round concrete bunkers that could be rolled on to the high way to stop a Japanese invasion, a sort of miniature Maginot Line.

They weren’t permanently manned, so young Viv and his friends would play soldiers and sometimes cowboys and Indians around the military installation.

It might have been a deprived childhood, but he took it in his stride. He left primary school at 13 and went directly into the workforce, working for Alex Robertson at Springfield and then George Kelly.

Every day is great for Viv Barrett. While he can look back on a lifetime of achievement, he still has things to do, a farm to run, animals to feed, a horse to race and a birthday to celebrate.

By Malcolm Hopwood

“I loved farming. With crops and sheep, you could produce stuff. It was a good feeling,” he said.

In his 20s and married to Marion, he managed Jim Bland’s farm and then purchased five acres from the Ashburton County Council.

The Barretts had come home to Methven and Viv didn’t intend to move. The house on Dip Road

was almost as derelict as a public works hut. “It had bugger all insulation or scrim lining,” he said. The house was “a square pokey box with narrow, broken windows and no view”.

But it was home and progressively they started to renovate it, painting and papering and filling holes in the plaster board.

To enhance his farming, Viv

bought a Land Rover, tractor and conventional baler and started contracting. It soon extended to include hay and silage making. It’s estimated that, before the 1960s ended, Viv knew every bridge, road, fence, gateway and stop sign in the district. He probably knew the sheep by name.

“I guess I became one of the biggest contractors in the business,”

he said.

He may have been born in the depths of the depression but, unlike many people, Viv didn’t move away to find a better future once he left school.

“Mid Canterbury is such a beautiful place in which to live. It’s a great farming area with great people,” he said. “I have no intention of leaving.”

Above – Viv Barrett would like to see an old Rangitata Diver sion Race pipe, hidden in Methven behind Harmony Gardens, displayed prominently in the community and its story told. Below – An artist’s impression of the stained glass windows Viv is having crafted and installed at Our Lady of the Snows.

His animals know Viv when he calls to them on his dai ly visits. This friesian, Dave, closely inspected Viv.

Viv has retained some vintage British vehicles. He takes elderly ment villages for regular (left) or his 1958 Armstrong

Methven’s Viv Barrett

Community Board. That was a given as Viv and county chairman, Bill Hart, established it.

“It gave us an identity and we used it to ensure we were on the council’s agenda,” he said. Viv was up close and personal when it came to Methven.

But he didn’t stop with the council or its committees. He joined a select group of who’s who to ensure what’s what.

His community work includes serving on Our Lady of the Snows School PTA and Board, Methven Lions, Mount Hutt College, Shiosawa Trust, which developed relationships between Methven and Shiosawa in Japan, Methven Meals on Wheels, its theatre company of which he’s been patron, and the Mount Hutt Memorial Hall Committee.

One of his proudest achievements was to upgrade the hall to include i-Site at the front and the museum at the side.

also one of his success stories. He knew to retain its population and attract fresh faces, Methven needed to have strong medical facilities. He travelled around Canterbury looking at other rural health centres and brought the best concept home.

“The centre has attracted quality doctors and medical staff who’ve stayed long term,” he said.

But his commitment to Mid

Canterbury doesn’t end there. He’s served on the Community Service Probation Trust, Wastebusters Trust, Heritage Week Trust, Cancer Society, Ashburton and, as chairman of the Mid Canterbury Arts Council and, subsequently Creative New Zealand, he brought NZ Ballet, the symphony orchestra and Canterbury Opera to Ashburton.

Viv recalls making one of the

first grants to opera star, Simon O’Neill.

He admits, without the encouragement of Marion, who taught music to hundreds of children, sang leads for Methven Choral and played the organ at church, Viv might have been culturally constipated. But he became as enthusiastic as her.

Sadly Marion died earlier this year after 66 years of marriage.

But there’s another side to Viv’s life that spilled outside in all conditions. Initially it was rugby where Viv represented Mid Canterbury in age group competition and, then as halfback for Methven and Celtic.

Marriage ended his career but not before he recalls a winning strategy for Celtic. “I grabbed the ball and ran but had no-one to pass to. I was buggered and didn’t think I’d make it to the line so I drop kicked instead. It went between the posts and we won,” he said.

While he was working for George Kelly, he developed an interest in trotting and pacing. He bought into the industry and currently has four horses in training in Methven. Viv jogs them first, then hands them on to trainer, Michael Heenan.

His favourite is six-year-old mare, Sister’s Delight, who’s won eight races. “She has a good heart.”

“It’s a great thrill when you win, both for yourself and the people who’ve put money on it,” he said. “But you don’t get rich owning horses.”

When you love a district and its people, you’re more likely to contribute to it. Viv did and in 1979, he became an Ashburton County Councillor representing the eastern ward and, when local body amalgamation was introduced 10 years later, he was voted in as district councillor.

His 21 years on council also included 16 years on the Methven

“It’s become the centre of our community for information and for our local people to gather,” Viv said.

The town’s medical centre is

You don’t get wealthy serving the community either, but riches for Viv have come in other ways, especially the Queen’s Service Medal he received from the Governor-General in 2005.

And there’s accolades, recognition and praise he’s earned from all sections of Methven society. All he now needs is to reach 90 and install his stained glass.

Now on his own, Viv enjoys the company of cats, one a stray that’s now taken over his house and his bed.

Above – Viv feeds his two Jerusalem donkeys, Pedro and Giuseppe, daily. They have the sign of the cross on their back which is important to Viv and his faith.

Left – Viv’s most successful horse at present, Sister’s Delight, is driven to success at Rangiora by horsewoman, Sarah O’Reilly.

Right – In the past two years Viv has ghosted a book about his life, his fam ily and achievements. It’s entitled Viv Barrett RDR Kid and “Mayor of Meth ven”.

vintage farm machinery and two classic elderly residents from Methven’s retire jaunts in either his 1978 Rolls-Royce Armstrong Siddeley.

DriveThru

One cool Kodiaq

So, what do we have here?

Certainly not a mufti Police car as some suggested to me, but Skoda’s top of the range Kodiaq RS all-wheel-drive, seven seat SUV.

Which, incidentally, gets its name from an Alaskan brown bear. And as you will see, comes with a growl to match.

Others in the five-model Kodiaq range include the two-wheel-drive Ambition and Style with 1.4-litre 110kW/250Nm turbo-petrols. Then there’s two more with all-wheel-drive – the Style, with a 2-litre 132/320Nm turbo-petrol, and Sportline with a 2-litre 147kW/400Nm turbodiesel.

All are seven-seat, and pricing ranges from $51,990 to $83,990 for the RS as driven (all plus ORCs).

Clean Car Fees

Except for the all-wheel-drive Style,

which incurs a fee of approximately $1090, all are currently zero rated.

The look

First, and lasting impressions are of a subtly, slightly aggressive, but suitably handsome SUV.

That’s especially so when it’s coloured in racy blue, which together with the eye-catching aero-look wheel covers endows it with a definite presence.

Powertrain

In RS form the 2-litre turbo-petrol produces 180kW and 370Nm of torque (from 1600 to 4300rpm), enough for a 0-100kmh time of 6.6 seconds.

And, for those who may be interested in such, a stated top speed of 233km/h!

This power is distributed to the allwheel-drive system through a smooth seven-speed twin-clutch auto, which even in the Comfort setting of the selectable drive modes (and the one you’ll most likely use most of the time) keeps the engine in its RPM sweet spot, but still quickly responds as required, both around town and on the open road.

Even more so in the Sport setting, in which the created exhaust growl, which was initially somewhat of a surprise, adds to the occasion!

The stated overall fuel use figure (premium is required) is 8.3l/100km.

A figure close enough to that was recorded for a 250km trip including some hill work, while that for the Ashburton to Christchurch commute was shown as being 7.0L/100km.

Cabin

As anticipated, the spacious cabin has an upmarket feel and look about it.

For starters, the quality and comfort of the quilted black-and-red Alcantra-clad,

heated sports seats complete with RS logos was excellent.

Indeed, as far as catering for driver comfort goes, the RS’ driver’s seat ranks high amongst my favourites!

There’s a clean very tidy look to the dash.

Firstly, through the “virtual” cockpit, with lots of clear displays and the centre screen with its crisp graphics.

The latter provides the main access to the infotainment system, but there’s a pleasing array of physical buttons as well.

Complementing all that there’s triple zone climate air-con, a reverse camera with surround view, very good sound system and active cruise control.

The stalk for this is placed below that for the indicators, but is both easy to locate and use.

Clever details include the umbrella in the driver’s door.

The second row of seats, which slide back and forth, are also heated (outer seats only).

There are separate climate controls for it, together with retractable sunshades in the side windows.

While adults can fit in the third row, where you need to be nimble to get in and out of, it is best suited for the smaller folk.

With said third row folded, there’s 765 litres of luggage space.

With them in use and the removable cargo stored under the floor, (and above the temporary spare wheel) there’s still a decent 270 litres of space available.

Very well behaved on-road

Firstly, the steering is nice and light about town and with the parking aids, surround view camera it proved easy to both manoeuvre and park.

But it is perhaps happiest when in full cruise mode on SH1, where it becomes easy to forget you are driving a seven-seat SUV.

The Kodiaq just as easily delivers an engaging drive for the driver through the twisty stuff, where the quick progressive steering comes into its own, as does the all-wheel-drive system which diverts power to the rear wheels as needed.

The quality ride, even in Sport mode is very good and the adaptive shock absorbers (the term ‘dampers’ to me still seems like something you eat) and big 20-inch wheels never put a foot wrong, with the powerful brakes always ready to keep everything in check.

Off Road

As well as the Off Road button, which accordingly reconfigures the suspension and drive dynamics, the RS has some additional underbody protection.

Of course, all of this is to cater for the likes of skifield access etc rather than anything hard core!

Safety

There are multiple airbags to protect all occupants, as well as many other safety and driver assistance functions.

Living for a week with this practical, thoughtfully furnished, suitably luxurious, easy-to-drive Kodiaq

was a very pleasant premium experience. And definitely

bearlike!

Want to see

Of course

do!

After all who doesn’t?

If you come along to the Hotel Ashburton car park on Saturday October 22, between 9am and noon, you’ll be able to feast your eyes on an amazing array of Armstrong Siddeley cars.

The Jaguar F-TYPE is the definitive Jaguar sports car, from a rich bloodline spanning 75 years and including some of the most iconic models ever built.

In Coupé or Convertible form, F-TYPE offers a perfect balance of visceral performance and driver reward with a muscular, assertive design and a cabin defined by exacting craftsmanship and exquisite details.

To mark the final Model Year of F-TYPE and 75 years of Jaguar sports cars, customers can choose the new F-TYPE 75 or F-TYPE R 75 special editions. These are distinguished by unique interior and exterior design elements, carefully curated

specifications, and – of course – the supercharged 5.0-litre Jaguar V8 engine synonymous with F-TYPE.

The 331kW, 5.0-litre supercharged V8 has been developed to offer exploitable, useable and rewarding performance – maximum torque of 580Nm is generated from 2500rpm. Available in the F-TYPE 75, this engine is for the purists and is offered with rear-wheel drive.

For truly exceptional performance there is the F-TYPE R 75. Its supercharged V8 delivers 423kW and a remarkable 700Nm of torque: the benchmark sprint to 0-100 km/h 3.7 seconds, while maximum speed is an electronically limited 285 km/h.

Next-level performance

he second iteration of BMW’s M

or

the field of superbikes homologated for racing.

RR for short, takes

to the next level with a new aerodynamic package and raft of track-focused upgrades.

“We have achieved an engineering masterpiece in the aerodynamic development of the M RR due to our unwavering ambition, total passion and technical finesse,” said Christian Gonschor, Project Management, M 1000 RR.

“Thanks to countless hours in the wind tunnel as well as in road tests, we were able to considerably increase the top speed with unchanged engine output and at the same time significantly increase the downforce, also when banking in corners.

“Our development work will be rewarded with racing success.”

Built for racing

With further development of the M RR, BMW Motorrad has set a new milestone in

The new M RR is powered by the familiar water-cooled inline 4-cylinder engine designed for racing purposes.

As before, its peak output is 156kW (212hp) at 14,500rpm.

The chassis of the new M RR also relies on the aluminium bridge frame as its centrepiece, supplemented by an upside-down fork and central suspension strut with Full Floater Pro kinematics.

Increased top speed

The increased potential of the new M RR results above all from the colossal advancement in the critical area of aerodynamics.

In particular, a newly designed fairing made of exposed visible carbon fibre with a higher windscreen increases the top speed significantly in conjunction with optimised airflow around the rider.

The top speed of the new M RR has increased from 306 to 314km/h compared with the previous model.

When library fever hit us

BY CONNOR LYSAGHT

For many people in the district, the services provided by our local libraries are invaluable.

In addition to the Ashburton Public Library, smaller libraries such as those in Rakaia and Methven play an important role for communities by offering plenty of reading material, events and activities, as well as space for meetings.

In a previous Heritage Page article, we looked at the early days of the Ashburton Public Library and how despite early administrative troubles, and an inexplicable building fire, the library committee managed to secure a bright future for what is now one of Ashburton’s greatest assets.

The history of the Methven Public Library highlights the mutual support which existed between the Methven Library Committee and the local community, which ensured its longevity as a useful service for Methven. Also integral to the library’s history is the tragic tale of an English hunter who vanished without a trace, and his family’s gratitude to the people who tried to find him.

Library fever

The Ashburton Guardian reported on July 16, 1880, that during a meeting of “those interested in the establishment of a school at Methven”, the idea of forming a library was discussed and agreed upon. “After some discussion on the matter, the following gentlemen, with power to add to their number, were appointed a committee to solicit subscriptions for this purpose [to form a library] – Messrs Patton, Morgan, O’Hara, Johnston, Hibbs, McMillan, and Alington.”

The first committee meeting was held on July 19 and the first books for the Methven library were purchased in August. Twenty-five pounds worth of books were bought and kept in Methven’s school and also in the road board office, until the committee

The formation of the Methven Library Committee occurred at a time when it seemed like almost every township across the Ashburton County was expecting to develop a library. Chispa’s Letter, a tongue-in-cheek recurring column from the Ashburton Herald, had this to say about the library buzz on August 7, 1880: “Every little district in the County has suddenly taken a literary fit, and the word is ‘Library’.”

According to Chispa’s Letter, the Ashburton County Council were alarmed at the sudden explosion of library committees, which included those in Ashburton, Rakaia, Waterton, and Methven, which the Herald columnist jokingly claimed were looking

Library Committee’s formation, it took a little under four years for a proper library to be built in Methven. Although fundraising was matched pound-for-pound by the Ashburton County Council, progress was slow and it was not until a terrible tragedy occurred that the Methven Library became a reality.

In June, 1883, an Englishman, Mr Hugh Andrew Anderson, was lost while on a hunting trip in the Pudding Hill area. He had set out one day with a party of Methven and Mount Hutt residents, with the object of hunting wild pigs, but late in the afternoon he went missing. A search was immediately conducted, which led to Hugh’s dog being found on a

terrace by the south bank of the Hakatere/Ashburton River, but Hugh was nowhere to be seen.

According to The Ashburton County, a booklet by E. J. Paul, a much more organised and vigorous search effort was quickly conducted, during which “Mr. A. McFarlane rode into Ashburton at the head of a hundred well-mounted horsemen from Alford Forest, Mount Hutt and Methven districts, the party having been thoroughly organised and having searched every yard of the river and its banks, but no trace whatever of Mr Anderson could be found.”

To express their appreciation of the efforts made by all who searched for Hugh Anderson, his family in England forwarded a large sum of money for distribution among the searchers. However, the party declined to accept it, but suggested that it be used for the erection of the Methven Public Library.

A quarter-acre section of land in Methven was donated by Mr Duncan Cameron of Springfield and using the funds from Hugh Anderson’s family, as well as a £200 county council grant, the first Methven Public Library was built in 1883.

The library was designed by Waimate builder and architect J. S. Walker, in the Italianate architectural style with an exposed red brick façade. Another Waimate resident, W. King, was contracted to construct the library.

An asset to the community

According to the book Unto the Hills by Ray McCausland and the Methven and Districts Centennial Committee, the library rooms were used by lodges and many other bodies as a meeting venue over the years.

At one time, a dentist who visited Methven every fortnight used rooms in the public library for his practice. The education

board used a large back room in the building for home science classes. The rent raised from these activities greatly helped the library financially, as did a number of entertainments which were organised by the library committee.

The building originally had five spacious rooms with an entrance hall and corridor, which were all adorned with oak panelling and attractive, ornate plasterwork.

In 1941, the interior was modified extensively; fireplaces were removed, heating and carpet was added and more suitable shelving was installed.

By 1979, the Methven Public Library housed between 5000 to 6000 books. The building itself was eventually listed by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga as a Category 2 Historic Place.

Sadly, the original Methven Public Library building sustained significant damage on two occasions.

First, the Darfield earthquake on September 4, 2010, caused worrying structural damage to the building. Subsequent earthquakes continued to add uncertainty to the future of the building, until an unfortunate incident sealed the library’s fate.

In December 2011, more damage was caused to the library when a car drove into the building and took out most of one side.

After many years of service to the community, the original Methven Public Library building was demolished in 2013.

It is worth mentioning that the Methven Historical Society’s building, which was originally built by the Methven A&P Association, was also demolished at this time due to similar concerns.

Methven now has a modern and attractive library building, but many people will still fondly remember the charm of the old library, which faithfully served Methven for nearly 130 years.

Front view of the Methven Public Library.

PHOTO UNTO THE HILLS, P. 63

Left – Mr Duncan Cameron, the man who donated the land on which the Methven Public Library was built.

PHOTO UNTO THE HILLS, P. 61

Blindside

Canterbury’s leading sports writer Matt Markham

Ready, set, Salmom Run

It’s regarded as one of the most picturesque multisport events on the calendar, and today the Rakaia Salmon Run will be held for its seventh year.

The unique event, based around the banks of the Rakaia River, draws competitors from near and far each year – and has done since it’s inception.

Catering for all variations of athletes,

from the uber competitive down to those who are there for the fun of it, there’s a little bit of everything on offer for those who will take to the starting line in today’s edition.

This year’s competition consists of four separate events, the multisport course, the long and short duathlon and a 21km off-road half marathon.

Kicking off at the Rakaia Domain, com-

petitors will march their way alongside and around the Rakaia River, taking in breathtaking views of the braided river and its surrounds. Hosted by the Lions Club of Rakaia the event is one of the major fundraising efforts for the year for the group with proceeds raised all being pumped back into the local community. Racing gets under way this morning from 9.30am at the Rakaia Domain.

STARS OF THE WEEK

Jason Morrison

Even by his own admission, Jason might be getting on a little bit. But he can still wield a cricket bat with a bit of class as evidenced by his 125run innings last weekend. A longstanding servant of the local game.

Cricket

What better way to spend a Saturday, than perched up at the Ashburton Domain watching the summer game back in action. From the juniors in the morning, right through to adults in the afternoon, there’s a little bit of everything on offer.

Rugby

We’ve beaten them once, so why not again? Mid Canterbury will shoot for a spot in the Lochore Cup final today in Oamaru. Jump in the car and get down to lend your support to the boys in green and gold. Kick off 2.30pm.

Bowls

The best of the best in action tomorrow in the post-section stage of the Lowry Cup. Play begins at 9am tomorrow at the Methven Bowling Club, featuring a clash of the young stars, Liam O’Connor and Bronson Kellett.

Stars of the future

Futurechampions are born on the sporting fields each week around New Zealand, and we want to help highlight some of Mid Canterbury future stars early.

Throughout the summer it’s our intention to dedicate space each week to highlighting the young performers on the sporting fields

around the region.

They might not score the most goals, or hit the most runs – but they show up each week and give it their all.

Nominate your future star by emailing a picture and a small description including their name, age and which club they play for to editorial@theguardian.co.nz

Ollie Bubb

A rising name in Mid Canterbury sport, in the not-very-often mentioned powerlifting. Determined, passionate and focused, Ollie’s got lofty goals – but who’d bet against him going out there and achieving them.

Methven Trotting Club

Proof that a good country race meeting will always turn successful. Last Sunday’s Methven Cup day turned it on for the hundreds who flocked in the gates from far and wide. Long may it continue.

Final spot on the line

“It was pretty sombre for a while there on Tuesday, but we put a line through that and moved on,” he said.

Belief is a word bandied about in rugby sheds all over the world.

Be it on the biggest stages or at the smallest club level, it’s a go-to motivator for coaches and team leaders when the crucial moments arrive in a season.

Today is one of those crucial moments for Mid Canterbury, and the subject of belief has been really zeroed in on as they prepare for a Lochore Cup semi-final against North Otago in Oamaru this afternoon.

Off the back of a second-half thumping from Whanganui last week, getting the confidence levels back up on Tuesday was paramount, but head coach John Sherratt couldn’t have been happier when he walked away from the team’s second training on Thursday night.

He’s certain the belief is there within his side.

“We simply had to because you can’t afford to go into a match like this week with anything hanging over your head.

“I was proud because the boys took control of that themselves and dealt with it.

“And it’s been about getting the belief there that we can go on and win this Lochore Cup, because I know we can.”

It might seem a little over-confident to suggest that, given Mid Canterbury is the eighth ranked side in the competition, but when you look around them perhaps it’s a little more understandable.

Today they play North Otago, who they happened to beat in pool play, while the other Lochore semi-final will see Horowhenua Kapiti who they also beat and East Coast who they should have beaten battling it out.

“Around us we’ve got teams we have beaten this season and a team that we should have, so you have to go into it with the be-

lief that you can do the job – and I think they boys feel that now, they’re ready to go and want to finish things off on a high.”

the back foot. It’s right there, but it’s just not quite happening for us when it needs to.

Mid CanterburyMatt Markham

What happened six weeks ago in Kurow when Mid Canterbury beat North Otago in golden point has no real bearing on today’s semi-final match at Whitestone Contracting Stadium in Oamaru, but it has provided a bit of insight for preparations this week.

Mid Canterbury’s first 40 minutes that day was as good of a period of rugby as they’ve played all season, and channelling that energy and intent today is paramount if they’re to make it twofrom-two against the Old Golds.

“You look at some of our big matches this season and our first half has been excellent.

“We were right in it against South Canterbury at halftime and same against Whanganui last week – even back to the North Otago game earlier, we put ourselves in positions to win.

“But when we come out of the sheds, something seems to happen, be it a dropped pass or an error, and we’re automatically on

“So, we’ve put a bit into that this week and ball security has been a big thing, we’ve had some pretty robust discussions about the need to go more than just three phases off a set piece and perhaps not look to push that last pass like we have been.”

The Old Golds are a very physical side, and like to play a direct style of rugby that can be damaging.

Mid Canterbury managed to stand up to that challenge last time they met and the same message is going out on the paddock with them this afternoon.

“We’ve got to want it and we’ve got to stand up and face it front on and not let them get on top of us.

“We want to play in the Lochore Cup final, and in my eyes we deserve to, it’s just a case of now going out there and doing the job.”

Today’s match kicks off at 2.30pm.

Licence to strike

Matt Markham

He’s one of the most powerful players in Heartland rugby, and today Raitube Vasurakuta has been given permission to unleash the beast on North Otago in Oamaru.

By his usually high standards, the powerhouse Celtic winger has been quiet for the majority of the Mid Canterbury Heartland campaign, and it’s been easy to see at times the frustrations on the face of the 29-year-old.

Today, he’s been thrown a challenge by John Sherratt to make his mark on the Lochore Cup semi-final by starting in the centre position, as opposed to his traditional spot out on the wing.

“It’s perhaps a little unconventional and from left field, but it’s a semi-final, and you don’t want to die wondering,” Sherratt said.

“I had a chat with Dubes on Tuesday and asked him if he’d like to play

centre this week, and he straight away said yes, he wants the ball in his hands, so that was enough proof for me that he wants it.”

It makes for an imposing mid-field for the Hammers with Vasurakuta’s

Celtic team-mate, Isireli Masiwini holding sway as the side’s most devastating ball carrier this season.

“I think it’s a combination that will really work.

“They’ll complement each other and perhaps provide one another with the opportunity to get a little more space too as they’ll draw attention to them.

“You’ve normally got Isireli charging with the ball in hand, but if Dubes is there doing the same thing, then they’re going to have to stop and take notice of it.”

The midfield shuffle has made the way for Elyh McKibbin to come into the starting on the wing, and Sherratt believes he offers something com-

pletely different.

“He’s quick, like really quick, and just provides perhaps that little bit of difference to what we usually have.

“And it does help that he can boot a rugby ball too, in semi-finals being able to knock them over from 50 metres is a bit of a luxury to have.”

Loan player, Waitangi Tuisuga pushes back to the bench for the match, but there’s belief he’ll have a big role to play late in the game.

“If things go to plan, then Waitangi will come on and make a real impact I think, he’s a powerful player.”

It’s the only change to the team from last week with the dual playmaker plan still in place around Tom Reekie at first-five and Nathan McCloy at fullback.

1. Hunter Stewart, 2. Ben Bartlett, 3. Adam Williamson, 4. Logan Bonnington, 5. Lote Limadeni, 6. Manasa Samo, 7. Kaydis Hona, 8. Michael Hennings, 9. Tyler Blackburn, 10. Tom Reekie, 11. Elyh McKibbin, 12. Isireli Masiwini, 13. Raitube Vasurakuta, 14. John Vasurakuta, 15. Nathan McCloy.

Reserves: Mason Briant, Harry Burgess, Ben Crawford, Henry McManus, Shepherd Mhembere, Angus MacKenzie, George Hufanga, Waitangi Tuisuga.

There’s few more powerful players in Heartland rugby than Raitube Vasurakuta, and today he gets a chance to really get his groove on with a move to centre from his traditional spot on the wing.

Riders start Nationals with intent

while there were no victories the local riders put in strong performances.

Young Mid Canterbury riders have made a strong start to the National School Mountain Bike Championships in Bluff this week, with plenty of promise ahead heading into a weekend packed with competition.

The four-day event, which began on Thursday and is this year being host ed by the Southland Mountain Bike Club, sees three separate events and has drawn the best secondary school mountain bikers from around the coun try to the deep south.

Riders from 114 schools across the country are there competing, including a local contingent from both Ashburton College and Mount Hutt College.

They kicked off their championships on Thursday in the Enduro event and

Oli Nicholls from Ashburton College produced the best result of the opening day claiming fourth place in the Under 17 Boys’ Enduro, just missing out on the podium – but showing some strong ear ly form for the remaining competitions over the weekend.

Kayne Johnston was a strong fifth in the Under 16 Boys’ category which also featured Archie McKerrow (18th) and Seb Van Rooyen (20th).

Eilish McKerrow picked up sixth place in the Under 15 Girls’ event, while Gra cie Trotter was fifth in the Under 17 Girls and Riley Trotter was 32nd in the Under 15 Boys.

Competition turned yesterday to the very competitive downhill event, which local competitors have always per formed well in over the years.

That particular leg of the champion ship stretches over both yesterday and today, before the cross country closes out the championships tomorrow.

Bowlers out in force

Allenton set to bounce back

There’s only one way back from defeat, and that’s with victory, so the task for Allenton to day is simple.

Close to 170 lawn bowlers from around the South Island will converge on Ash burton this week for the Clubs NZ South Island Women’s Fours which begin on Monday.

The popular tournament, which was also last held in Ashburton, has returned to the region, bringing with it plenty of visitors to the local economy and some exciting action on the greens across the week of play.

Spokesperson John Argyle said a lot of work had been done to get everything in preparation for the event again, with great buy-in from local bowling clubs who will have their greens packed over the first three days of the week while the qualifying stages take place.

“We’ve been lucky to get that support, we’re able to use all of the greens within the Ashburton township which means everything is close by and handy.”

Allenton, Ashburton, Ashburton MSA

and Hampstead greens will be used.

Two matches are played each day across Monday, Tuesday and Wednes day, before the competition turns even more serious for the knockout stages on Thursday and Friday.

Argyle said it wasn’t just about the bowls though, with real benefit for the Ashburton community.

“They’ll be staying here in our local accommodation venues, eating out and getting around and seeing what we have to offer, which is fantastic.”

The defending champions from last year’s event are back to defend their title, with noted bowler Bev Morel set to lead her team towards glory once again, but it’s a strong line-up players including a number of local teams.

Rosemary Bennett, Diane Vanderweg, Wendy Blackwell, Wendy Suttie and Melva Middleton all have local teams entered while a number of local players feature in composite teams across the 42 team draw.

Play begins each morning at 9.30am.

Hill (Templeton),

After copping a rampant Tech Stags in the opening round of the Tweedy Cup last week, the Allenton lads need to dust themselves off and pick it back up today as they head back to the Ashburton Domain to host Temuka this af ternoon.

Their guests come into the match in a similar fashion, having lost to the powerful Pleasant Point side last week, but their effort with the battle to restrict their rivals to 127 will be cause for concern for the Allenton side.

They struggled against the Tech attack last week, and will need to build partnerships and get some big scores at the top of their innings to set the platform for a total.

With the ball they can be dangerous, but it’s their batting that will need to work if they’re to win today.

The defending champion Stags are on the road and heading to Timaru to take on compe tition newcomers Celtic A, in a match they’ll be looking to consolidate their early position as the team to beat this season.

Both matches get under way at 12pm with the Allenton side playing on the Ashburton Domain Oval.

Altrusa Club, October 2022

We have recently made a donation to the St John Health Shuttle service.

During October we will deliver Meals on Wheels.

not struck, Chertsey Spraying 2nd shot #15 Teresa Booker, S. Quinn 2nd shot #17 Teresa Booker.

Rakaia Ladies 2BBB Tourney

48 Ladies from 14 different clubs played Monday 10 October a 2BBB Tournament in warm and windy conditions on the Rakaia course.

Rakaia

Fiona Rushton & Bev Sutherland (Rakaia) 59, Lynette Tapp & Marg Glass (Mt Nessing) 61, Lynn Small & Jen ny Williams (Ash) – 65, Joy Harding & Liz Reed (Tai Tapu) 66, Elizabeth Collins & Emily Wilson (Tinwald) – 67, Janette Sprott & Anne Siave (Tai Tapu) 67, Bev Isherwood & Lee McLintock (Methven) 68, Gay Smith & Anne McSweeney (Temuka) 68, Heather Middleton & Jane Helmore (Meth) – 68, Barb Harris & Barb Cochrane (Tin) 68. Grade 1 (0-18-4) Nearest pin#8 Raylene Adler (Templeton), Grade 2 (18.5-25.5) 2nd shot #6 Elizabeth

The International Committee will be meeting socially with the Refugee women in early November for morn ing tea, and presenting them with a donation and the swimming bags which the Service Committee has made.

That committee spent two days making the bags, and have now started the patchwork blankets.

Samples of these were shown at the Mega IFF Day in Oamaru, attended by some members.

We continue to support the Save the Children Fund.

Our Garden Raffle has been drawn, following good sales to the public. Alphabet Cards made by the Liter acy Committee have been delivered to the Ashburton Maternity Ward. They are now preparing Word flash cards for the Refugee’s English speaking lessons.

We practised our waiata, “E Hara I te Mea”, in prepa ration for our forthcoming visit to the Hakatere Marae later this month.

The Clubs NZ South Island Women’s Fours returns to Mid Canterbury next week.

Eilish McKerrow of Mount Hutt College makes her way through the Enduro course on the first day of the National School Mountain Bike Championships in Bluff on Thursday.

Matt Markham

Matt Markham

One Kiss on song

Last start stakes winner One Kiss will be looking to stamp her mark ahead of next month’s Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zea land 1000 Guineas (1600m) when she lines up at Ashburton today.

The Tivaci filly impressed when winning the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) by three-quarters of a length at Riccarton last month, and trainer Mark Walker is hop ing for a repeat performance this weekend.

One Kiss has drawn barrier six in the nine-horse Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m), and Walker believes she is on song for this weekend after an exhibition gallop last week.

“We galloped her last Friday at Timaru in between races and we were happy with her,” Walker said.

“She is going to eat up 1400m and 1600m going forward, that is for sure.”

While One Kiss is destined for the 1000 Guineas next month, stablemate and race rival I Choose You is not.

The I Am Invincible filly had a pleasing juvenile season, placing in the Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) and Gr.2 Matamata Breed ers’ Stakes (1200m),

She resumed with a fifth placing in the Canterbury Belle Stakes, and Walker is look ing forward to seeing how she will perform over 1400m for the first time this weekend.

“She is by I Am Invincible so it is a bit of a question mark whether she can get 1400m, but we will give it a go anyway,” he said.

“It is a smallish field and she has got a good draw (2), so if she is going to get it, she will get it in this field.”

Te Akau’s southern stable is set to be bol stered in the coming weeks as they prepare for New Zealand Cup week next month.

Ashburton gallops

at Ashburton Raceway

Oamaru harness

at Oamaru Raceway

11 3210x Emanon S Toolooa (8) 54

12 50x40 Eptimum D I Montes De Oca (9) 54

13 7518x Radiant Rosie B May (10) 54

R8 MCCREA PAINTERS & DECORATORS

CUP $40,000 1600m 16:06

31210 Summer Festival M J Taylor (4)

0x101 Firoden C A Campbell (10)

3 11520 Frankie The Fox S Muniandy (3) 58.5

13131 Bur nvue L Callaway (7) 57.5

182x0 Louie Louie K Chowdhoory (12) 57.5

25xl1 Phelan The Power J D Laking (1) 57

2x224 Zouluminous K Asano (9) 55.5

8 307x2 Letsbringiton Rohan Mudhoo (11) 55

9 5x711 The Buffer K L Hannan (13) 55

10 2340x Yamuna Ms K Williams (2) 54

11 01x65 Fettercairn S L Wynne (5) 54

12 1x228 Sacred Giant A C Goindasamy (8) 54

13 5901x Light Up T Comignaghi (6) 54

R9 STEWART FAMILY CUP WEEK COMING $30,000

1400m 16:41

1 366x0

Back in the winner’s circle

Mid Canterbury harness racing trainer Laurence Hanrahan made the long trip back from Wyndham worth it on Thursday, after his star pacer Last Of The Mohicans made a winning return to the track.

In the guiding hands of Sarah O’Reilly, the son of Auckland Re actor looked every bit up to his full potential when cruising to victory down the Young Quinn Raceway straight. It was the sixth win of his 19-start career and with victory, he took his stake earnings to more than $50,000.

The win also gave Hanrahan his first winner for the new season.

He’ll be out to add to that early in proceedings tomorrow at Oamaru when he lines up two promising pacers, both of whom have their debut in the opening race.

Kalasa and Woodbine Rocks have both been given a steady diet of workouts and trials to prepare for their entrance into the racing world and find a very winnable race to morrow, albeit the same one. Kal asa is a striking son of Bettor’s Delight who has won two trials for owners Margaret and Craig Ingold, while Woodbine Rocks has shown real speed in his recent runs.

Ricky May will do the driving of Kalasa while Gerard O’Reilly is on board Woodbine Rocks.

One Kiss will have Kozzi Asano in the saddle when she attempts to take out the Barnes wood Farm Stakes at Ashburton today.

SPORTS QUIZ

1. Dick Tayler suffered from what condition that led to his retirement from running?

a) Asthma b) Arthritis c) High blood pressure

2. In which year did Ruth Aitken win a World Championship with the Silver Ferns?

a) 1979 b) 1978 c) 1977

3. Who scored the golden point try for Mid Canterbury when they beat North Otago earlier this season?

a) Raitube Vasurakuta b) Adam Williamson c) Logan Bonnington

4. How old was Jeff Wilson when he made his debut for the All Blacks? a) 18 b) 19 c) 20

5. The Nunneley Casket is competed for in which sport?

a) Croquet b) Basketball c) Tennis

6. In 2008, New Zealand selected its first female kayaker to compete at the Olympics. Who was she?

a) Teneale Hatton b) Lisa Carrington c) Erin Taylor

7. Which golf club was Michael Campbell’s home club?

a) Titahi Bay b) Cape Kidnappers c) Muriwai

TitahiBay,8.b)Canada.

Tennis,6.c)ErinTaylor,7.a)

8. Who did the Black Sox beat to win the 1984 World Softball Championships? a) USA b) Canada c) Australia Answers:1.b)Arthritis,2.a) 1979,3.c)LoganBonnington, 4.b)19(and364days),5.c)

Your Stars

ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 19): Your social skills are on point. Your casual interactions will bring just the information and connection you want. Your success secret is to keep your heart light and your conversations brief.

TAURUS (Apr 20-May 20): You might be surprised at the difference you make doing regular things. Just showing up consistently to your various routines makes the world go around with better vibes than it would have without you.

GEMINI (May 21-Jun 21): People are more fragile than they look. It’s a paradox: Most need tenderness, and so few are strong enough to consistently give it to others. Deal delicately today.

CANCER (Jun 22-Jul 22): You assume a high level of responsibility. At first, it may be more than you can handle, but like a hermit crab with a brand new shell, you’ll quickly grow into the position.

LEO (Jul 23-Aug 22): Though you’d gladly sacrifice for your loved ones, help can sometimes be a hindrance. Step back and make room for a person to find strength. Good boundaries bring the best possible outcome for all.

VIRGO (Aug 23-Sep 22): Just because you like a person doesn’t mean you want to do everything together. You’ll make subtle assertions of your autonomy so as not to hurt anyone’s feelings.

LIBRA (Sep 23-Oct 23): You’ll meet new people. Context will matter enormously, especially how you are introduced and by whom. Put thought into this and visualise the way you want it to go.

SCORPIO (Oct 24-Nov 21): Deciding isn’t the hard part. Doing isn’t that hard either once you’re in motion. Most of the challenge is in that first step. Initiative takes energy, courage and, in today’s case, the help of a friend.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21): There’s distance between you and some of the people you love, but take heart. When you do connect, things like miles and years will be mere trivialities of the universe.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19): Your parent’s philosophy is not like yours, and the next generation sees it differently, too. It’s useful what you learn by extending your intellect to realms you don’t agree with.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb 18): The things people say will impact you, but not quite as much as what flies from your own lips, which will somehow be a complete surprise. The subconscious can be unpredictable at times.

PISCES (Feb 19-Mar 20): The one who has your heart has your schedule. There’s a nervy intensity in play here. You may privately grapple with a sense of boundaries. No one likes to feel controlled, even by their favourite people.

SITUATIONS VACANT

Store Person Wanted

SITUATIONS VACANT PART-TIME RECEPTIONIST

A vacancy has arisen at Lochlea Lifestyle Resort for a mature, well-organised, motivated person to fill the role of part-time receptionist.

or interest, in inventory management, seed store experience is a further bonus.

Based

This position requires excellent communication and computer skills and you should have the ability to work unsupervised.

Knowledge of Xero would be an advantage although not essential.

Hours of work are 9.00am until 2.30pm, Monday to Friday, however, these hours are flexible and could be subject to change.

part of our continued investment in the building industry

are looking to employ

work

or Christchurch

teams.

our

For more information or to apply, contact our Human Resources Manager Gemma Muldrew on 027 567 1012 or at gemmam@ wholesaleseeds.co.nz.

Applicants should have New Zealand residency, good work referees and a full current driver’s licence.

Please send your CV and covering letter to: Tony Sands, Resort Manager, 25A/25 Charlesworth Drive, Ashburton 7700 or by email to tony@lochlearesort.co.nz by Friday, October 28, 2022.

SITUATIONS VACANT

have a diverse range of projects across the

from

construction to large

We offer varied work throughout Canterbury and an opportunity to grow within our team.

you are interested and have the required

level contact us by e-mail

or call in to our

70 Bremners Road, Ashburton for an

2IC machine operator

We are searching for a motivated and enthusiastic person to be second-in-charge of operations at our Methven seed cleaning business.

While prior seed cleaning experience would be a distinct advantage, the right attitude and ability to learn quickly is essential.

As a family-owned business, we enjoy a close relationship with our farmer-clients and a positive working environment where your thoughts and ideas count.

The position of 2IC is varied and challenging and would suit a practical and motivated person looking to further their career by taking on a position with responsibility and autonomy.

For more information please phone

John

john@mccawseeds.co.nz

ACCOMMODATION, RENTAL

STANDALONE two-bedroom house, or flat with garage between, in good condition, wanted by a Christian lady in her 50s, excellent ref, honest, respectable, non-smoker, non-drinker – long-term in a quiet area. Hampstead or surrounding preferred – phone 027 557 6093 (Thursdays or Saturdays).

GARAGE SALES

WILLS Street, Large Selection (5 Households).

Vintage Collectables, Antique Office Chair, 6 Edwardian Chairs, 2 Lawn Mowers, Toys, Clothes, China, Plants. 8am – 12 noon. Come and have a look.

GRAZING

SHORT term Grazing Available. Tinwald Area. Suit Lamb Finishing or Ewes and Lambs. Phone 0272671959.

HIRE

GENERAL hire.

Lawnmowers, chainsaws, concrete breakers, trailers, and more. All your DIY / party hire, call and see Ashburton U-Hire. 588 East Street. Open Monday-Friday 7.00am – 5.30pm; Saturday 7.30am - 5pm; Sunday 8.30am12.30pm - Phone 308 8061. www.ashburtonuhire.co.nz

MOTORING

WHEEL alignments at great prices. Maximise the life of your tyres with an alignment from Neumanns Tyre Services Ltd, 197 Wills Street. Phone 308 6737.

Are you semi-retired and

Do you have a full driver’s

Are you free between the hours of 5.30pm – 10.30pm?

If yes to the above, give us a call on 027 307 2656 to find out more!

TRADES, SERVICES

SITUATIONS VACANT

Wanted Hammerhand/ Labourer

We are looking for a hammerhand/ labourer to join our team

WANTED

FISHING – long time collector of old / vintage fishing tackle is looking to fill gaps in his collection. Anything considered. Top prices paid. phone Steve 03 3242064.

GENUINE private cash buyer, wanting Falcons, Holdens, Valiants or any pre 1990 vehicles suitable for preservation. Phone 021 02914847 or 03 615 7930

LOCKSMITH/Door repairs. Keys/Locks, sliding and bifold door roller repairs. Mobile service. Call Nigel at Doors and More. Ph 027 516 7104

MR Green (

Variety of work including alterations,new housing and sheds Full driver’s licence is required

for all

Apply via email to office@jkfhomes. co.nz including CV and references

SPECIALISED SERVICES

FIRE Extinguisher sales and servicing. On farm contractors – trucks/ tractors/balers/combines/ cars/boats/caravans etc. Phone Mack at Doors and More on 0273960361.

WEEKEND SERVICES

IN EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY

PHONE 111.

DUTY DOCTORS

For all other medical assistance outside of normal hours please phone your general practice team, 24/7, to speak with a health professional who will give you free health advice on what to do or where to go if you need urgent care.

If you don’t have a regular general practice, call any GP team 24/7 for free telephone health advice.

Please bring your Community Services Card. All non-New Zealanders should bring their passport with them, New Zealanders should bring some form of ID.

Methven & Rakaia areas

For weekend and emergency

services please phone Methven Medical Centre on 302 8105 or Rakaia Medical Centre on 303 5002 for details on how to access the after-hours service each weekend.

Pharmacies

Wises Pharmacy, Countdown Complex, East Street, will be open from 9am - 1pm Saturday, from 10am1pm Sunday.

Ashburton Rest Homes

Please contact directly for hours.

Emergency dentist

If you do not have or cannot contact your regular dentist, please phone 027 683 0679 for the name of the rostered weekend dentist in Christchurch. Hours 9am - 5pm, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

Healthline is a free health advice service. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The toll-free number to call is 0800 611 116. Healthline is staffed by registered nurses who are trained to assess health problems and offer advice over the phone. The service is free and confidential.

Alcoholics Anonymous Call 0800 AA WORKS (0800 229 6757) or visit www.aa.org.nz for more information. Mental Health - Call free on 0800 222 955. Ask for the Crisis Team.

Safe Care - 24hr Rape and Sexual Assault Crisis Support. Phone 03 364 8791

Victims Support Group

24hr - Freephone 0800 VICTIM (0800 842 846). Direct dials to a volunteer.

Ashburton Office - 307 8409 week-days, 9am - 2pm, outside of these hours leave a message.

Alcohol Drug Help Line Call us free on (0800 787 797). Lines open 10am - 10pm seven days.

Art Gallery 327 West Street, Ashburton, phone 308 1133. Open daily: 10am – 4pm.

Ashburton Museum 327 West Street, Ashburton, phone 307 7890. Open daily: 10am – 4pm.

Ashburton Public Library Havelock Street. Ph 308 7192. Saturday: 10am - 1pm. Sunday: 1pm - 4pm.

EA Networks Centre - Pools

MEMORIAM

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

CONNOLLY, Timothy Laurence (Tim) –Sue, Steph, Margaret, Paul, Brendon and families wish to thank everyone for their phone calls, cards, flowers, visits, and those who attended the service for Tim.

Many thanks to the staff of Christchurch Hospital, Ashburton Hospital, St John Ambulance, and Dr Jessie Kenton-Smith for their wonderful care of Tim.

Please accept this as a personal acknowledgement.

QUIGLEY, Edna Agnes –Edna’s family wish to express their sincere thanks and gratitude for all the assistance, love and care we received at the passing of Edna, a much loved mum, nana and friend to many.

We appreciate all who attended Edna’s service and wish to thank all those who supported us on her journey.

Please accept this as a personal acknowledgement from us all.

“As she was, she will always be, a special part of our family”.

DEATHS

(Debbie), (nee Ogilvie)

16/06/1964 – 13/10/2022.

loved wife of Tony.

to Dana and partner Pids, Logan and partner Daneka, and Troy and partner Sara. Adored Granny of Jimmy. Loved sister of Chrissie and husband John. Youngest daughter of the late Alan & Wyn Ogilvie, formally Hokitika/Cobden. Loved auntie to all her nieces and nephews. Loved daughter-in-law of George & Rona Drummond. Messages to the Drummond family, PO Box 472, Ashburton 7740. Donations to the Ashburton SPCA would be appreciated and may be made online at bit.ly/dadrummond1310, and Make A Wish Foundation at bit.ly/dadrummond131022. At Debbie’s request, please wear something blue. A celebration of Debbie’s life will be held in Our Chapel cnr East and Cox Streets, Ashburton, on TUESDAY October 18, commencing at 2pm, followed by cremation at the Ashburton crematorium.

DEATHS

Canterbury owned, locally operated

Services

Mick Hydes 027 437 9696

Mick Hydes 027 437 9696 mick.hydes@bayleys.co.nz

Hydes 027 437 9696

Ashburton

Ltd

Office and Chapel Corner East & Cox Streets, Ashburton

307

DRUMMOND, Deborah Anne (Debbie) –Sadly passed away October 13 at her home with her loving family by her side. Dearly loved and respected younger and only sister and sister-in-law of Christine and John Wilson, aunty of Justin and Melinda Bone, Shannon and Chris Pansters, great aunty of Jasper and Franklin Bone and Emily and Lachlan Pansters. Taken from us all before her time, will be sadly missed, always remembered, never forgotten.

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