Ashburton Guardian, Saturday, October 22, 2022

UARDIAN WEEKEND

Methven ready to welcome back rodeo

Methven will swap ski googles and beanies for cowboy boots and hats this weekend as the Methven Rodeo returns to town.

The hugely popular social event is back on the calendar after it was cancelled last year due to Covid restrictions and organisers are looking forward to putting on an event that’s bigger and better than ever before.

More than 5000 people are expected to roll into town for the weekend and Methven Rodeo Club secretary Rosa Dekker said the excitement among the group was palpable.

“Strangely, everything is pretty calm at the moment – but the excitement levels are definitely there,” she said.

“After having to cancel last year just to be able to get back into it and host another edition of the Methven Rodeo has everyone looking forward to the weekend.”

Strong entries across the board have complemented the return of the event with cowboys, riders, handlers and everything in between itching to get back out into the ring and compete once again.

“We’ve seen great entries this year, really good in fact.

“There was a moment there where we wondered if they wouldn’t be quite as good with the cost of travelling around the country at the moment, but everyone, including the North Islanders are keen to get back into it and so are going to be here.”

The day’s events begin at 9am and run right through the day with the final event on the programme the elite open bull ride in which the best cowboys in the country will line up to compete.

The Methven event follows the Winchester Rodeo, which is being held today where many of the same competitors will also be in action.

Dekker said they were pleased to be able to reintroduce a couple of special events to the day targeted at the aspiring cowboys.

“We haven’t been able to hold both the junior and the novice steer riding for a few years because of mycoplasma bovis, but we’re happy to be able to put them back on the programme once again this year.”

While a successful operation in its own right, Dekker said that the event couldn’t go ahead without the support of a number of local organisations who all contribute prior to, during and after the day.

“We’re lucky in that regard, there’s so much willingness to help and be a part of it all out there.

The Methven Lions do the gates for us and take a percentage of the takings, the Methven Fire Brigade is manning the BBQ for us in the sponsors’ area and Our Lady of the Snows School come along the next day and do the cleanup for us.

“We get to contribute to them directly and then everything else goes back into keeping the event running and our local community.”

Complete Local Care Since 1982

Matt Markham

Wiggy’s busy, but lovin’ it

BY MATT MARKHAM MATT.M@THEGUARDIAN.CO.NZ

Just over a week ago, he was tearing down the Methven Racecourse straight at full speed to capture a driverless horse during the middle of a race, but come tomorrow Craig Wiggins will be enjoying a slightly more comfortable seat at the Methven Rodeo.

A noted mental health advocate through his charitable organisation, Whatever with Wiggy and a fierce rural spokesperson, Wiggins will put all his other hats away for the weekend and swap them out for his cowboy attire are he steps into the ring at both the Winchester and Methven rodeos as the event announcer.

“It’s basically my job to educate, but also to entertain,” he said.

“Right now, it’s so vitally important that people know what they’re watching and

understand what the cowboys and riders are doing in the ring, so I’m talking through how they might approach a certain situation and about the techniques that they are using.”

Few are better qualified to talk on the matters of rodeo than Wiggins, given his involvement stretches back more than 30 years after he joined his first rodeo committee at the age of 13.

Growing up in the North Island he spent his life on horseback working on the family farm which translated to first polo cross, which he describes as rugby on horseback, and then into the rodeo scene where he began riding competitively when he was aged 18 or 19.

“It’s been a huge part of my life, I’ve been commentating rodeos for 33 years now and I absolutely love it, this time of the year is fairly full-on – but you get a great enjoyment out of it.”

It was the Methven Rodeo which actually drew Wiggins to relocating from the North Island down to Mid Canterbury along with his wife Annabelle and it’s a decision he’s proud to have made.

“I always liked it when I would come down here and there came a time where Annabelle and I made the decision that the Ashburton District was where we wanted to raise a family and so here we are.

“The Methven Rodeo is quite special, it’s probably the biggest rodeo in the country. Just the people it draws, you know the students from Lincoln, the farm workers and the farming communities all coming together to catch up.

“But it’s also the money it pumps back into the community, most of it unseen too – there’s a whole lot that gets given back, especially in the grants that are handed out.”

Strong police presence expected

Revellers at tomorrow’s Methven Rodeo can expect a strong police presence around the township before, during and after the long weekend event.

With expectations high of a huge turnout to attend the event, local police, along with reinforcements from outside the district will be in attendance to keep a close eye on proceedings throughout the day.

“Police will have a visible pres-

ence at the Methven Rodeo this weekend, and in and around the Methven township following the event,” senior sergeant Leigh Jenkins said.

“This will be the first time the rodeo has been held since 2020 – we know our community is looking forward to it and we want to ensure that everyone is able to have a safe, enjoyable day out.”

Glass and liquor bans are in place around the township with more than 5000 people expected to roll into town to attend the day

with Jenkins confirming that those caught breaking the rules around liquor can expect consequences.

The liquor ban this year also extends to the carpark at the Methven A&P Showgrounds where many will gather before heading into the event.

“A liquor ban is in place in certain areas and any breach of the ban will be enforced.

“We are urging people to drink responsibly and make sure they have a plan to get home safely.”

Craig Wiggins is in for a busy weekend as commentator at both the Winchester and Methven rodeos before being clerk of the course at the Ashburton races on Monday.

PHOTO ASHBURTON GUARDIAN

Groundswell hits the road

Deavoll

Hundreds of tractors and farm utes took to the roads on Thursday in protest of the Government’s proposed tax on farm emissions.

The highways were chokka from Southland to the Far North.

The South and Mid Canterbury convoy passed through Ashburton mid-morning, blocking traffic in the middle of town, but making its message clear. We want none of it!

The nationwide protest was organised by farming lobby group Groundswell.

Groundswell co-founder, Bryce McKenzie said in reference to the Government’s proposal to tax farmers on emissions, “We want no emissions tax on food production”.

“The government must stop proposed emissions tax, and undo legislation putting agriculture into the ETS.

“We are already the most sustainable food producers in the world, as independent research has shown.

“This emissions tax on food production will lead to food scarcity, higher food prices, and more land going into pine trees.

“This will lead to poor outcomes for rural communities and rural businesses – the Government acknowledged that in their document,” McKenzie said.

Groundswell NZ supports a

focus on reducing farm emissions through integrated environmental actions on farms. This emissions tax won’t improve environmental outcomes, in fact it will increase global emissions, because food production will be picked up by other countries with less sustainable farming practices, Groundswell said.

“This tax also breaches the Paris Agreement, where New Zealand committed to emissions reductions, which says that this should be pursued “in a manner that does not threaten food production,” McKenzie said.

Ashburton arable farmer David Clark said he was too busy on the farm to take part in the Groundswell NZ protest but he “100 per cent agreed with the sentiment”.

“I’m very disappointed at the approach government has taken on He Waka Eke Noa (HWEN) and also with the way agricultural emissions have been calculated in New Zealand.

“It’s fundamentally flawed and we have to go back to first principles on this because the warming effect of methane emissions in New Zealand has been grossly overstated.”

It’s been calculated on GWP100 which takes into account the warming of methane over 100 years. Methane, being a cyclical gas, doesn’t last 100 years in the atmosphere, he said.

“So in situations where methane is static or falling as it is in New Zealand, the appropriate metric to measure that is called

GWP8, which takes into account the cyclical nature.”

Now, as shown in a parliamentary question last week by Scott Simpson to James Shaw, methane emissions from agriculture in New Zealand are possibly being overstated by 300 to 400 per cent, he said.

“And James Shaw’s logic was that whilst GWP100 does overestimate methane emissions where these are static or falling, because they are rising elsewhere in the world, they have used this in the New Zealand situation.”

So to break that all down, New Zealand farmers are expected to make much bigger cuts to methane than the equivalent of zero carbon because there are rising

methane emissions elsewhere in the world.

“So my view as a farmer is that I’m more than happy to take responsibility for our warming of the planet, and do something about that,” Clark said.

“But there is absolutely no way that I am going to be responsible for reducing our emissions below the equivalent of net carbon zero to make allowance for the rest of society’s inability to stop using fossil fuels, or the use of emissions elsewhere in the world.”

Police out in force over long weekend

look to benefit from the shift to warmer weather and head for holiday destinations.

Director of Road Policing, Superintendent Steve Greally, said drivers can expect to see police anywhere, anytime.

If the message wasn’t clear enough after two recent fatal crashes on our roads, there will be a significant Police presence on major highways this long weekend.

Labour weekend traffic is traditionally heavy on main highways, as people

“At times during the weekend you might see a police vehicle every 15 or 20 minutes on some highways.

“We hope this is a real incentive for drivers to focus on getting to their destination safely by driving to the conditions and maintaining a safe speed at all times.”

Within October alone three lives have been lost due to crashes in the wider Mid Canterbury region, with a crash south of Rangitata, taking the life of local man Darryl Phillips and a soldier.

Last week a young man from Tauranga was killed near Rakaia.

There were eight deaths from road crashes at Labour weekend last year across the country, a number that Greally doesn’t want to see repeated.

“Any death on the roads is one too many and we certainly don’t want to have a repeat of that number this year,”

he said. “We need everyone to play their part in reducing the amount of death and injury on the roads.

“Police and our road safety partners can only do so much.”

Police patrols will be focusing on all the major types of driver behaviour that lead to crashes including speed, driving under the influence, people not wearing seatbelts, and distracted drivers.

“Just check yourself before you’re tempted to do any of these things or think about the consequences,” Greally said.

“They’re just not worth it.”

The Ashburton Groundswell convoy joined up with the group from Timaru including Geraldine dairy farmer Christine Hilton as they made their way to Christchurch.

PHOTO DANIEL ALVEY

Daniel Alvey

Lakes’ water quality concerns deepen

“Work is already under way to reduce nutrients entering the waterways from farming activity, and the nearby long-drop toilets in the huts settlement have been decommissioned.

There is trouble in the waters of Ōtūwharekai (Ashburton Lakes).

Water sampling at Ōtūwharekai over the past year shows the water quality continues to decline.

The water monitoring results were recently presented to the Ashburton Water Zone Committee by Environment Canterbury (ECan) and the Department of Conservation (DOC), who are part of the Ōtūwharekai Working Group to restore lake health and cultural values.

ECan director of science, Dr Tim Davie, said the results generally show increasing nutrients and algae, which are causing worsening water quality over the past 10 years across the different lakes and streams of the unique sub-alpine catchment.

“However, these actions could take some time to make a difference to water quality results.”

Ōtūwharekai features a series of small to medium-sized lakes and streams in the high country, which Davie said means results often fluctuate from year to year due to climate conditions and other variables.

“It was pleasing to see TePuna-a-Taka/Lake Clearwater decrease in algae biomass this summer, but it’s too early to say if this is a pause in decline or reversal of the degrading trend,” he said.

“On the other hand, Ōtūroto/ Lake Heron is showing a continued increase in algae, and high numbers of the nuisance algae ceratium, which is very good at out-competing other algae for nutrients.”

All of the lakes remain above their Trophic Level Index (TLI)

limit, measuring overall lake health by assessing nitrogen and phosphorus (nutrients) and algal biomass (algae), which means they are not meeting the outcomes for freshwater health expected by the community.

Nitrogen concentrations in the streams have increased significantly in the Ōtūwharekai catchment in the past 10 years.

DOC technical advisor –freshwater, Dr Tom Drinan, said at most sample sites there has been a “two to three-fold increase in nitrogen concentrations”.

“These worsening nitrogen concentrations continue to pose a risk to the ecological health of these streams and the lakes and rivers they flow into.”

Help on the horizon

The monitoring of Ōtūwharekai could be greatly improved if Aoraki Environmental Consultancy Limited is successful with its funding application to the Ministry for the Environment for its Ōtūwharekai Mātauranga Māori Cultural Monitoring Programme.

The monitoring programme will see sensors installed in the area that will feed real-time water quality data to the Ōtūwharekai Working Group partners.

ECan director of science, Dr Tim Davie said the digital experience of the live-data capture from the installation of the sensors “will enable mana whenua and wider whānau to have real-time, 24-hr visibility of the health of the truly unique environment that is their taonga”.

The project also ties directly into the effort being made by the Ōtūwharekai Working Group he said.

“This joint programme, initiated by Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua, Te Taumutu Rūnanga and Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri Rūnanga, has led to work to specifically address high nutrient levels in Ōtūwharekai Lakes.

“As this work programme pro-

gresses, it will be important to track the improvements in lake health through both a science monitoring and mātauranga lens.”

Real-time monitoring will provide a much finer timeline of environmental measurements which aid in water management, he said.

“We already have some realtime water quality monitoring in place in the Ōtūwharekai area, including the nitrate logger in Gentleman Smith Stream and chlorophyll-a monitor in Te Puna a Taka/Lake Clearwater.

“What is being proposed by te rūnanga would significantly add to this monitoring network.”

Even if the real-time monitoring project does get the green light, Davie said ECan will continue to do its sporadic testing as long-term records are critical in water management and not all parameters can be monitored in real-time.

“For instance, total nitrogen concentrations and phosphorus concentrations at levels which occur in New Zealand waterways cannot be monitored real-time with current technology.”

ECan water testing shows Lake Clearwater has a continued loss of clarity and a high algae biomass, causing concern for its aquatic life.

PHOTO MONICA WILSON

Jonathan

Leask

“Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air”

Walk down Rakaia’s memory lane

About 270 past and present stu dents gathered at Rakaia last night to celebrate the primary school’s 150th anniversary.

Rakaia School is likely to be the first public school to open in Mid Canterbury, with Borough School celebrations to follow in November.

Last night was a meet-andgreet, with a street parade this morning and official welcome, speeches, cutting the cake and decade photos in a marquee on the school grounds this after noon.

A feature will be the oldest for mer student, 97-year-old Dave Cornelius, wielding the cake knife.

A grazing meal at the Rakaia Community Centre is being held tonight and a reflective service, led by Rev Michael Holdaway, will take place in the grounds to morrow morning.

A member of the organising team, Carolyn Nordqvist, is de lighted with the response to the reunion. Former students have come from Florida in the US, Brisbane, Australia and both the North and South islands.

“A 150th anniversary is quite a milestone, and it’s a great op portunity for people to catch up with each other,” she said.

“We’ve kept formalities to a

minimum so people can share their stories and recollections with each other.

“The weekend will be a trip down memory lane.”

21 years of welcome

Entertaining, surprising, funny, sobering and confronting de scribes speakers at the Mayfield Dinner Club.

For 21 years, the women of the district have enjoyed each other’s company and a meal, most im portantly, one they did not cook for themselves.

Dinner club was instigated as a way for rural women of all ages to gather, meet new people, be in formed, and enjoy a dinner.

This week the Mayfield Din ner Club gathered to mark their milestone at Terrace Croft, with around 80 people attending the event.

Committee member Cate Ho gan-Wright said that the dinner was very successful and every one enjoyed their time.

The present-day committee invited six special guests, found ing committee members and stalwarts Betty George, Natalie Quantock, Ngaire Mackenzie, Ann Marsden, May Greenslade and Pauline Hewson.

Dinners are usually catered by organisations wanting to fund raise.

George said she got the idea of a dinner club after reading about one in Tapanui. “I sounded out my friends and they thought it was a good idea.”

“As a newbie to Mayfield 11 years ago, Dinner Club meant I got a chance to dress-up a bit and meet people, and listen to some fascinating speakers,” present-day committee member Cate Hogan-Wright said.

The originals: Cutting the cake for the Mayfield and Districts Women’s Dinner Club 21st anniversary at Terrace Croft in Tinwald. From left: Ann Marsden, May Greenslade, Ngaire Mackenzie, Betty George, Pauline Hewson and Na talie Quantock.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

Malcolm Hopwood

Carolyn Nordqvist, Dawn Whiting and Carol Muckle are a trio of organisers up to their elbows in photos as they planned for this weekend’s 150th anni versary of Rakaia School.

Neglected, abused children ‘our national shame’

children be abused and die,” he said. “We can take the kids away and find another home, but do nothing about the parents and children they still have.

Fourteen children in Mid Canterbury annually will be born into poverty, neglect and abuse according to the chairman of the Family Help Trust.

Dr Don Elder, addressing a public meeting of the Advance Ashburton Community Foundation, calculated the Mid Canterbury figure from 2000 children born each year into family abuse.

“It’s our national shame,” he said and pointed to New Zealand having the seventh highest murder rate for children in OECD countries.

“Every five weeks children die from family violence with half of those under two years of age,” he said.

“In all, there are 3000 cases of serious assault on children each year,” he said.

The Family Help Trust, based in Christchurch and now Ashburton, has a “30-year track record” of working with families at risk and Dr Elder said his figures are based on statistics gathered over three decades.

It’s an intergenerational cycle of violence as parents and even

grandparents are born into neglect and abuse themselves, he said.

His research showed about two-thirds of parents are regular

drug users, have mental health issues and are born into severe poverty.

“We can’t do nothing. If we don’t intervene at the time of

“We can do nothing and let

“Or we can intervene and help them become good parents so children have a chance of a normal life.”

He said the Family Help Trust, which recently expanded into Ashburton, has helped to break the cycle.

“In 30 years we’ve had no deaths and, over that time, we’ve worked with children from 1000 families, putting them on the right track and sending them to school so they have an education and a normal life,” he said.

“We do it because we’re an early intervention, home-based service where we go into homes and earn the trust of parents.

“Our goal is the family and we give the parents the skills to change lives.”

Dr Elder said, of the 15 referrals so far in Ashburton, Family Help Trust has encountered a serious methamphetamine problem in more than half of the families “but we’re determined to make the difference”.

He thanked the consortium of Advance Ashburton, Mackenzie Charitable Foundation and the Wilson Charitable Trust for their funding contribution to establish Family Help Trust in Ashburton.

Another Wakanui farm positive for M. bovis

said. Back in May the government announced that the ANZCO feedlot in Ashburton was the only infected property remaining.

Yet another Mid Canterbury farm (the fifth in four months) has been confirmed with mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) according to Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

The latest property to have the infection was inside the controlled area notice (CAN), MPI

However another four properties have since been confirmed, and culling at ANZCO began last week.

M. bovis programme director Simon Andrew said the latest property to have the infection confirmed was inside the CAN announced in Wakanui (part of the Ashburton district) last week.

It was signalled last month

that this new farm would likely test positive.

The fifth property was in the controlled area so the farm had been under movement restrictions since August, Andrew said.

“We continue to make progress in ensuring that we’re providing support to the farmers that are affected in the wider community itself.

“That area will be free of cattle from essentially mid-January through to mid-March and that will give us the best possible chance to make sure that we remove the infection from the area

and enable the community to get back to farming without M. bovis.

The team is investigating the new property. At this stage, there is no evidence to suggest that there has been any forward spread on any farms that got cattle from this farm.

“The bulk tank milk and beef herd screening is all about being careful, so we will step up the frequency of our national bulk milk surveillance testing from once a month to every fortnight, as we do over spring,” Andrew said.

“We have a national testing regime to find infection, which we didn’t when M. bovis was first found in 2017. M. bovis is on just five farms compared to 40 at the height of the programme.

“It is important farmers know we are four years into a 10-year programme, and we remain on track for eradication.”

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.

birth, it’s too late,” Dr Elder said. He presented three options to the meeting at the Ashburton Event Centre.

Dr Don Elder is greeted by Advance Ashburton board member, Elizabeth Ashford.

Malcolm Hopwood

Deavoll

Crowds pour in for opening

Kmart opened its doors to a crowd of eager shoppers, some of whom had been lining up since 3am. Daniel Alvey was on the ground to capture the action.

The Kmart team were eagerly waiting for the customers to roll through the door on Thursday morning. Kmart has hired 80 staff to run the store, and aims to have 100 on deck shortly.

Local shopper, and Kmart faithful Alicia Smith, made sure she got in early. “I wanted to get here early while everything was still in stock,” she said.

Kmart Ashburton store manager Kimberly Spooner gets the final handshake from mayor Neil Brown. Brown said the store will keep Ashburton shoppers local, and not have them travel to the likes of Christchurch.

Hundreds rushed through the doors when they opened for the first time. The first 100 shoppers received a goody bag filled with a selection of Kmart products.

All eyes were on the ribbon cutting ceremony, Ashburton store manager Kimberly Spooner (middle) had the honours. She was joined by mayor Neil Brown, Kmart country manager Matt Hallal, Kmart general manager of property Ben Smith, and Kmart South Island zone manager Emma Hedin.

Many people were taking the opportunity to do some early preparation for Christmas. Grace and Jack Trott were able to get their hands on some decorations before school started. They enjoyed the fact they no longer had to travel to Christchurch to shop at Kmart.

Choose well this long weekend

Demand remains high for urgent and after hours care, including at Ashburton Hospital’s Acute Assessment unit (AAU). If you do not require emergency care, there will be long waiting times.

If you have a non-urgent medical issue, please remember:

• Most coughs, colds, viruses and fevers can be safely treated at home with over the counter medications, fluids and rest.

• For free health advice over the weekend, you can call:

◊ Healthline on 0800 611 116 at any time of the day or night to get advice on what to do and where to go if you need to be seen by a health professional

◊ PlunketLine on 0800 933 922 for parents and caregivers who have unwell infants or children, at any time of the day or night

◊ Your general practice team to make an appointment or seek after hours advice

• Visit your local pharmacy for over the counter medications and advice. Countdown Pharmacy Ashburton South will be open on Labour Day (Monday 24 October) between 9.00am and 6.00pm.

If you are very unwell, we want to see you so you can get the care you need. In a life-threatening emergency, call 111.

RantorRave

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With tragedy, comes an opportunity

The loss of any life on our roads in this country is tragic, but it sure does strike a chord a lot closer to the heart when it’s on your own doorstep.

Sadly, it’s an all-too familiar feeling, and this month our com munity has felt it hard.

Two lives lost within the space of a few weeks of each other.

Two lives gone, but hundreds of others changed irreparably forever.

It’s something no-one wants to see, or bear witness to.

Right now, it’s not our place to get into the specifics of these ac cidents and what might or might not have happened – there’s fam ilies out there who are grieving and hurting badly, and sections of our community still reeling from what’s happened.

But what we can do is not spec ulate and probably more impor-

tantly we shouldn’t criticise.

One thing that is public knowl edge following last weekend’s accident on Gardiner’s Road is that a passenger in the vehicle was riding in the boot at the time of the crash. Throughout the course of this week, I’ve seen some pretty detrimental and damaging comments made by members of our community about that. And it’s not on. We’re better people than that.

We can get up in arms and be frustrated and disappointed about it – because it shouldn’t happen. But unfortunately, it

does. And I’d be willing to place a wager that more than just a few readers of this very page right now can put their hand up and admit to having slipped into the trunk on at least one occasion during their lifetime.

roads are non-existent and things like this never have to be brought into the news – but the harsh reality is that no matter what efforts are made to try and elim inate road deaths in this country that as long as there are vehicles

As long as there are vehicles and people sitting at the steering wheel, accidents are going to happen. And heartbreakingly, people are going to die.

That doesn’t make it right, but it also doesn’t make it right to publicly vilify someone’s deci sions, especially when there’s already so much hurt around given the circumstances.

It’d be nice to think we live in a reality where accidents on our

and people sitting at the steering wheel, accidents are going to happen.

And heartbreakingly, people are going to die.

But with every sad story like those this community has en dured in the past month, there’s

an opportunity. A chance to per haps prevent something happening again.

It’s a chance to start a con versation. A sit down with those you love dearest and talk about responsibilities when it comes to getting behind the wheel, or even getting into the passenger’s seat of a vehicle.

Be it your own children, your grandchildren, nieces and neph ews or the young teenager that lives next door – it’s a prime time to start talking about it more.

It won’t solve the problem completely, but it could poten tially save a life somewhere down the track.

And given the events of the past fortnight where families have been torn apart and lives changed forever, it’s not too much to take a few moments of time to make it happen, is it?

Matt Markham

Had the election, now the erection

There’s plenty to be concerned about in the world today.

Ukraine, unrest, disorder, ram raids, inflation, school truancy, mortgage rates and so the list goes on.

Who knew there’s another one which can drive people to near the brink?

Erecting your Christmas tree in October or even November.

I subscribe to the theory that anything that brings joy and is not directly harming another soul, should be good to go.

But following Mrs Mac’s installation of our Christmas tree this year, a week and half ago, I threw it up on the book of faces and awaited the predictable reactions.

They ranged, as they usually do, from admiration and even, dare I say it, “tree envy”, to abject horror.

I wasn’t disappointed. Please someone tell me, honestly, where’s the problem?

Even by our own standards, we were early this year. Times past we’ve managed the odd installation over Labour weekend, but this sets a new bar.

The stores have their kit out now, well many do, and it’s game on.

Here’s another question.

Why go to all the trouble to

Peter McQuarters

PETE’S PERSPECTIVE

unpack and get everything looking great, just to pull it all down again in a few weeks?

With ours staying in situ to early New Year, we should get a good 10 weeks of tinsel artificial joy. Here’s a hack I’d like to share this year.

Noting that Christmas is all about the build-up, and that on the day, everyone rips the packaging off their gift left under the tree and within 60 seconds of that, completely loses interest, I have a new tack.

Get to your local dumpster and retrieve a range of varied size cartons from small to a bit big and everything in between.

Important note: DO NOT put anything in them.

Then wrap all said cartons in beautiful gift wrap and place attractively under the tree.

The effect is complete and the cost is some gift wrap and a roll of sticky tape.

Safety advice. If your tree is taller than you, say 2 metres tall

and you are about 500 short of that, measure the distance from the tip of your tree, and place a dozen full size orange road cones in a circular pattern, 2.5 metres around that. If you are operating on a footstool that’s higher than say 300mm, deck yourself out in full safety harness and advertise in the public notice section of the Guardian advising the site is closed while this work is in progress.

Secure all animals and pets in a cage.

You don’t want that tree toppling over whilst you are decorating.

Imagine being smacked in the face by a small decorative ball weighing .02 grams as the tree comes over.

So there we go. That’ll do for now.

When people ask “why is your tree up so early, just reply, “mind your own business”. And enjoy!

Merry Extended Build-Up to Christmas.

Broadcaster Peter Mac is Ashburton born and bred and the afternoon host on the Hokonui Radio Network.

The views expressed in this column are his and do not reflect the opinion of his employer or the Ashburton Guardian.

Government biting the hand that feeds it

If

ever a government were to demonstrate a willingness to bite the hand that feeds it, Jacinda Ardern’s government is snapping its jaws.

Rural New Zealand – and, I might add, much of urban New Zealand – erupted last week at the news the Government has disregarded key aspects of an industry proposal to reduce and price greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural.

For three years, representatives of the primary sector have worked through the He Waka Eke Noa partnership to devise a system that would avoid agriculture being dragged into the ETS, as Labour has legislated for.

It even had the gall to admit that under its system, up to 20 per cent of the capacity of sheep and beef farming could be lost by 2030. This is completely unacceptable.

In May, the partnership sent its recommendations to the Government but, when the Government responded last week, it had shied well away from the industry’s proposal.

It even had the gall to admit that under its system, up to 20 per cent of the capacity of sheep and beef farming could be lost by 2030 – while seeing emissions increase offshore as production and jobs move overseas. This is completely unacceptable.

Neither individual farmers, farming communities nor the New Zealand economy want – or can afford – to sustain a blow like that. National believes that cost is unacceptable especially when, with more care, there will be a better way to reduces emissions without so much damage.

We won’t support an unaffordable system which leads

Nicola Grigg SELWYN MP

to wholesale losses of jobs and production to overseas farms that are less carbon efficient.

A National government will be committed to reducing carbon emissions and we agree the primary sector has an important role to play in doing that.

Pricing emissions is the most agreed upon incentive to lower them – and National supports agriculture having its own process for recording and pricing those emissions.

However, this can only happen if farmers are able to count multiple forms of carbon sequestration on their farm –and that should include soils, grassland, riparian planting and shelterbelts.

Farmers should be allowed to earn revenue from more of their on-farm planting and carbon capture.

As many of us know, New Zealand’s primary sector is among the most sophisticated in the world, and adopts technological advances to improve production with alacrity.

A National Government would encourage this by driving investment into new technology that would continue to lower agricultural emissions. We would be more open to new options being trialled on farm as opposed to the highly restrictive approach from the current government.

There are more gains to be had. We want to find them, and support farmers to succeed.

The Government is consulting on its plan for the next six weeks. Using the proposal by He Waka Eke Noa as a starting point, New Zealanders should have their say and the Government should listen – any future government that I am a part of will ensure that.

National’s Nicola Grigg grew up in Mt Somers and is currently the Selwyn MP.

Warning! Do not read this column

Last Sunday I saw a warning on TV which roughly stated that the company did not agree with or endorse the following programme.

I wondered what sort of programme it was to warrant such a warning. Was it violent or sexist or racist?

I waited with trepidation before a church service appeared. It was great.

Perhaps as a Deacon I should carry a warning sign. I have been

Steve Murray CHRISTIAN COMMENT

called a bible basher, a Jesus freak, a hypocrite, religious and self-righteous. It is the cost of being a follower of Jesus.

My faith can be summed up in four words: LOVE GOD LOVE

OTHERS. That is what I strive to do. Do I get it 100 per cent right? No. Am I religious because the love of GOD comes before others?

Am I a hypocrite because I sometimes get angry?

Am I a Bible basher because I read the Bible daily?

Am I self-righteous because I believe in a personal saviour?

Perhaps I should always wear my clerical collar to warn everybody.

I have a wacky dream that all churches in Ashburton unite, sell all their assets, and use the proceeds to build one single church to serve our wonderful town.

We would end up with a magnificent community facility where all Christians could gather and worship God.

Today I listen to Jesus Christ and do my best to LOVE the Lord my GOD with all my heart and with all my soul and with

all my mind and with all my strength.

And I will do my best to LOVE my neighbours (OTHERS) as myself.

So if you are willing to ignore this warning drop into a church near you. You might find there the love of God and the love of humanity. Amen.

Steve Murray is the Reverend at the Anglican Parish of Ashburton.

Our streets through time

By Connor Lysaght

While Ashburton gets a fair share of its character from the people that choose to live, work, and play here, it’s our streets and outdoor spaces that arguably make the most strik ing impression for residents and visitors alike

Compared to the early days of the Ashburton township, when the main streets of the early Borough were lined with hotels, grain stores and imported “fancy goods” shops,

a lot of things are different in the heart of our town.

As the team here at the Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum prepare for the opening of our new exhibition, Spotlight on Burnett Street, let’s take a look at some of Ashburton’s most well-travelled streets through time.

Spotlight on Burnett Street

Feel free to join us for the opening of Ashburton Museum’s new exhibi tion Spotlight on Burnett Street on

Wednesday, October 26 at 6pm. This free opening event also includes a talk about how to preserve different types of photographic material.

Burnett Street lies in the bustling heart of our town, having catered to the needs of our growing popula tion since the early 1870s. Although few physical remnants from that earliest era remain, our display of stories, photos and archives will capture the changing landscape, lives and businesses of one of Ash burton’s busiest streets.

Material for this page is co-ordinated by the Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum. Articles from other organisations are welcomed, as is any feedback on what appears.

Email: museum@ adc.govt.nz Mail: PO Box 94, Ashburton 7700 Phone: 307-7890

Copies of the photos on this page are available from the Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum.

Early view of Ashburton’s second train station, designed by Sir G. A. Troup and built in 1917. AM&HS Collection (photo reference 04.1994.0146C.)

The Triangle, at the time of the Ashburton Borough Centenary, 1978. AM&HS Collection (photo ref erence 03.1985.0908b.)

Turn-of-the-century view of Baring Square East, hand-coloured postcard. AM&HS Collection (photo reference 03.1988.0263.)

Early businesses on East Street, between Tancred and Burnett Street intersections, 1870s. AM&HS Collection (photo reference 02.1982.0568.)

View down Tancred Street from East Street, c. 1900. AM&HS Collection (photo reference 03.1985.0873o.)

DellaTammy

paradise A little

Lounging

on sugar-white beaches, fanned by coconut palms, while gazing at the gin-clear lagoon that lassoes the island, sets the stage on Rarotonga’s allure.

It’s as dreamy as reality gets. As the world opens up and we spread our wings again, the long shadow of Covid has left many people still feeling apprehensive about farflung travel. My 70-something parents very much fall into this camp. They’re seasoned, independent travellers but still reluctant about venturing too far from home.

Fresh back from some blissedout island time, they have fallen head over heels in love with Rarotonga.

From touchdown to take-off, Rarotonga’s famed warmth and hassle-free holiday charm sweeps you up in a state of sweet seduction.

It was their first foray to the Cook Islands and they’re itching to go back. There are no unwieldly transfers between the airport and your place of stay, no language barriers, no pesky Covid tests to fulfill, no foreign currency transactions required ... it’s paradise made easy. Even the dogs are friendly. Their island roost was Edgewater Resort & Spa on the Sunset Coast, just 10 minutes’ drive from the airport.

Located on six acres of lush tropical beachside ground, the resort is a good-value choice for travellers, featuring an outdoor swimming pool, two restaurants, a bar and free on-site parking. From

casual dining at The Brasserie, Italian fare at The Spaghetti House, to cultural events and theme nights, you’ll enjoy plenty of variety.

Plus Mal’s Bar offers a range of beverages and daily cocktail specials.

Guest rooms are available in a variety of configurations, including three bedroom units, which all feature tropical-style décor and rattan furnishings, including balconies with lagoon or garden views.

Snorkelling gear is available from the Hut, while daily breakfasts showcase a rainbow of tropical fruit colours. Don’t miss their splendid array of daily baked breakfast treats – the doughnuts are particularly delish! Staff were unfailingly helpful, convivial and charming.

My parents loved jaunting around the island on serendipitous, fuss-free drives, admiring the rustic charm of the villages, the abundance of fresh produce carpeting the fields and the spectacular coastal vistas.

Polynesian Car Rentals has an office at The Edgewater, so arranging a hire car was effortless. Amid the spoil of accommodation offerings studding Rarotonga, they were also very impressed with the Little Polynesian Resort, located on the south coast in Titikaveka.

They headed there for an indul-

gent al fresco lunch, overlooking the ivory-coloured sands of Raina Beach. Just the spot for ika mata!

Avarua’s raffish charm boasts a clutch of waterside eye-catchers. A stand-out heritage property is the limestone Beachcomber building, built by the missionaries in 1845, smashed apart by a cyclone in 1968, and later magnificently restored.

It’s now home to the Bergman Gallery. Fancy delighting in the impeccably attired, exuberant choirs of a Rarotongan church service? You’re very welcome to attend the grand old coral Cook Islands Christian Church, built in 1853. A Sunday must.

Definitely make time to admire the storied beauty of Para O Tane Palace and its surrounding Taputa-

puatea Marae. The palace is where Makea Takau, the paramount ariki (chief) of the area, signed the treaty accepting the Cook Islands’ status as a British protectorate in 1888.

The building has been renovated, but only the outside is accessible to the public.

Make a beeline to the Punanga Nui Market early on Saturday morning, to revel in the carnival of fresh produce, home-made meals and delicacies, delightful craftwork, pearls and multi-coloured pareu.

To score some freshly caught fish, rise with the roosters, because the fish always sells out.

As twilight beckons, join some fellow travellers on a sunset cocktail tour aboard Tik-e Tours Tuk

Tuk train.

This enterprising tour company, run by Kiwis Karl and Tania, offers a variety of guided sightseeing experiences on their fleet of electric Vespa tuk-tuks. Merrily gaze over the setting sun, bar hopping heartily along Arorangi’s necklace of beachfront hot-spots on the Sunset Coast, at Shipwreck Hut, On the Beach Bar and Wilson’s Beach Bar.

My parents’ favourite dinner was enjoyed at the iconic Trader Jacks, on the Avarua waterfront.

Rarotonga’s best-known bar and restaurant has been a labour of love for its colourful and often controversial owner, Kiwi-born Jack Cooper, who sadly passed away earlier this year in Rarotonga.

Mike Yardley

Above – Rarotonga from above.

PHOTO AIR RAROTONGA

Right – Snorkelling from the Edgewater Resort.

PHOTO EDGEWATER RESORT

What: Rarotonga, the biggest and most populated island in the Cooks group.

What stood out: The lack of travel rigmarole – it’s THE most stress-free international destination.

What could be better: Wifi coverage is patchy and expensive, particularly for Spark customers.

Good destination for: Embracing of all travellers, whether you’re treating the family to an island escape, seeking a romantic getaway, or are older travellers rediscovering your travel legs.

Best food: Ika mata. A traditional mix of raw fish (usually tuna fillet) mixed with coconut cream and lime juice, and garnished with fresh vegetables.

Best excursion: Koka Lagoon Cruises on Muri Lagoon. It’s a familyfavourite, with on-board entertainment, cultural demonstrations, family games and a fabulously prepared lunch.

Rating out of 10: 9

Ripped apart by three cyclones since it was first established in 1986, there are numerous stories associated with the pub, including Zac Guildford’s notoriously naked appearance at the bar, some years ago.

Needless to stay, catch of the day

seafood is a hot seller. Tuck into the cajun parrot fish fillets with roast vegetables, pesto rice, paw paw salsa and turmeric aioli.

A Rarotongan escape would not be complete without basking in the techni-colour brilliance of Muri Lagoon.

My parents plumped for Koka Lagoon Cruises, who serve up a heady mix of non-stop entertainment during the four-hour excursion, including cultural demonstrations, a scrumptious fish BBQ lunch, coconut tree climbing show and crab racing.

RAROTONGA

Above – Poolside dining at Little Polynesian. Left – Trader Jacks Rarotonga. Below – Shipwreck Hut. PHOTOS COOK ISLANDS TRAVEL

Below – Punanga nui markets.

PHOTO COOK ISLANDS TRAVEL

Above left – The beaches Rarotonga is famous for.

PHOTO COOK ISLANDS TRAVEL

Above – The old royal palace.

PHOTO MIKE YARDLEY

Left – Koka boat sightseeing on a lagoon. PHOTO KOKA LAGOON CRUISES

Right – Wilsons Beach Bar. PHOTO COOK ISLANDS TRAVEL

&A CLASSIC CAR A CLASSIC LIFE

By Malcolm Hopwood

It’s called an Armstrong because you need a strong arm.

Milner Jacob’s 1954 Armstrong Siddeley rolled off the production line before power steering and he’s had to strong arm it around Mid Canterbury and the South Island for the past 20 years.

Today Milner and Jan Jacob will drive their immaculately presented classic car on a rally from Hotel Ashburton to a mystery destination as part of the national Armstrong Siddeley rally, conference and competition.

“It’s a frightfully British car. I like its style, driveability and lines, there’s a lot of me in it,” he said. Milner means the 2226 nuts and bolts he’s personally inserted to keep it together.

Being a Siddeley (Sapphire, Mark 1) owner is just part of an extraordinary life Milner Jacob has lived and, at 87, he promises more to come.

He’s been a farmer, soldier, company rep, business owner and Ashburton’s bailiff for 15 years and has stories to tell.

Milner was born and bred in Mid Canterbury. His parents farmed the Hackthorne Homestead at Mayfield and he attended Ashburton High School. As the oldest son he was expected to return to the land, but compulsory military training intervened.

He enjoyed it so much, he stayed on and wanted to serve in Korea with the Kiwi occupational force, but the government thought otherwise. He’d be more valuable working on his father’s sheep and cropping farm.

“I liked the discipline and life on the army base. It was an opportunity to do something different,” he said.

The year was 1956 and the Springboks were touring New Zealand, when Milner and his mate, Jimmy Gowans, caught a bus to the Marlborough Sounds.

Like typical males they sat at the back and, when it stopped, they burst off first. In the front were two women they didn’t know, Jan and her girlfriend, Janice. Jan was wearing a swing back coat, frock and high heels. As she stepped down, her heel caught in the hem of her coat and she sprawled forward into Milner’s waiting arms.

“It was virtually love at first sight,” Jan said. “I guess it was meant to happen.”

Milner reacted differently. “I got a hell of a surprise but I guess it could’ve been fate.”

History doesn’t recall whether they then changed seats but, shortly afterwards, they changed locations. Jan moved to Mid Canterbury and, for the next 20 years, they farmed at Mayfield until a mix

of drought, Rogernomics and a family dispute saw them move to Ashburton in 1978.

Milner became a company rep for Caltex, servicing his farming

colleagues and, when the depot closed, he set up his own business.

Venetian blinds were very popular, probably because of Selwyn Toogood who hosted It’s In The Bag on radio and TV. Whiteware, Goblin Ace vacuums, pop-up toasters, Rinso and Luxaflex were in the line-up, even as booby prizes. With venetians in almost every Ashburton home, Milner chose to install and clean them and also sold a new innovation called spa pools.

But life was tough in the 1980s, there was a recession and jobs were few and far between. When the Ministry of Justice, based at the courthouse, advertised for a bailiff, Milner applied. He had a military background, was a self-starter and had confidence to knock on a

door.

“I was successful. I had the same power as a policeman but without a uniform,” he said. His job was debt collecting, issuing summons for non-payment of fines, confiscation and, from time to time, handing out separation papers.

He once recalls being commissioned by the High Court to seize a helicopter. “I did it carefully. I attached the summons to the aircraft and then called a local transport company to remove it to the police compound,” he said.

There was another occasion when he had to arrest a forester at the back of Colgate for getting behind with his payments. The cheque’s in the mail was no longer an

When there’s an unexpected knock at the door, it’s either a Jehovah’s Witness or the bailiff. Milner Jacob’s been one of those but no longer. Now his knock opens doors.

Above – She fell into his arms in 1956 and now Milner and Jan Jacob have been married for 63 years.

Right – Milner’s pride and joy, his award-winning 1954 Armstrong Siddeley (Sapphire, Mark 1).

excuse.

When Milner arrived he found the man’s four burly sons confronting him, all carrying Canadian double-edged axes.

“They surrounded me and were very intimidating. I had to be very diplomatic about it,” he said. “After a couple of hours of persuasion, the father finally agreed to come with me, provided he could leave a load of firewood at his sister’s place in New Brighton, on the way to Addington jail.”

Milner averaged about 3000 summonses annually and, during his 15 years, he only had to call the police on three occasions.

“I was there to collect debts but very occasionally they threatened bodily harm. They treated me as the bad guy but I was

other partner, gratitude it had happened, to admitting they knew their marriage was over.

“Many of those incidents took some courage to do,” Milner said, looking back.

His foremost memory was visiting a banana shaped house in Ashburton for the third time. The bathroom was close to the front door and he could tell someone was showering. He waited until the water stopped running and then knocked at the door.

“A lady opened the door starkers, then tried to cover herself up,” he said. “Finally she said ‘now you’ve seen me, what do you want?’” Milner was brief and didn’t flesh things out.

But while there were many negatives to the job, there were also benefits. He was able to sit down with some people, offer budgeting advice and sort out payment options for them so they could keep

“It was good to be able to talk them through their responsibili-

Being a businessman and bailiff was only part of his life, being involved in community life was another huge part.

Milner has been a member and past president of the Mid Canterbury Friendship Club, past vice-president of Probus for the South Island, a member of Pakeke Lions and a trustee at St Stephen’s Anglican Church.

“In Mayfield, dad was the preacher, mum was the organist and I took up the offering, I knew church would be part of my life,” he said.

His dad was also a mason, the only men’s organisation in the farming district. “He got dressed up in his penguin suit, gabardine coat, white scarf and carried a little bag.” Milner was intrigued about this secretive organisation.

“The only way I could find out was to join,” he said. He did and was bitten by the tradition, the ceremony and the service.

“It built confidence, made me a better person and more aware of others and it looked after the

welfare of members. We also work with and provide scholarships for young people all over New Zealand,” he added.

Milner started as a steward in the Erewhon Lodge and rose to become worshipful master. Next month he takes on a new responsibility.

He’ll be installed as district grand master for the Midland region which includes 11 lodges and extends from the Waitaki to the Rakaia rivers.

“It’ll be the pinnacle of my lodge life for the next three years,” he said. A penguin suit for every occasion.

When he took early retirement after bailiff duty, 25 years ago, he “indulged another labour of love”. He’d been looking for an Austin Sheerline to buy but, when he couldn’t find one, he saw an advert for an “as is, where is” Armstrong Siddeley.

They were a classic British car, about 20 pounds cheaper than a Mark VII Jaguar and were often used for royal duty. Milner

inspected it, bartered for a while, purchased at a reasonable price and trailered it home to Ashburton. It took him 10 years to restore but now it’s considered one of the finest examples in New Zealand.

It’s won national awards for appearance, construction and trialling and once again it will compete with the best this weekend. “I’m very proud of it and what I’ve done,” he said.

Community and family also means a lot to Milner. “It’s where you belong,” he said. He’s been married to Jan for 63 years and they have two children, Peter and Sarah.

Falling into his arms was the start of their relationship but it didn’t stop there.

He vividly recalls another occasion during the Christchurch earthquake which also rattled Ashburton. It shook their house so much that Jan lost her balance and plummeted into his arms again.

“It’s the best bloody hug I’ve ever had,” Milner said. He’s waiting for another opportunity.

bailiff welfare of members. We also work inspected it, bartered for a while,

The Siddeley arrived in Ashburton in a primitive state at the start of the century, but 2226 nuts and bolts later, it’s been restored to its original, splendid self.

Milner’s early life was spent driving a tractor on the family farm in Mayfield (above), his later life has been spent driving a non-power steering Armstrong Siddeley around Ashburton and the South Island (right).

DriveThru

with Bernard Egan From 0-60 . . .

At

first thought, we could be excused for thinking the two cars we’re considering have little in common.

After all their body styles are different, one has twice as many doors as the other, one is generally thought of as a saloon and the other is most definitely a sports car.

They came from different makers, one being named after a European ski resort the other simply getting the moniker of its motor.

So what could these cars have in common?

To start with they’re both very definitely British.

And it’s fair to say they have each gained iconic status.

The saloon has morphed through five generations, with various body styles and motors.

Some variants have been used competitively and notched up successes in various forms of motorsport.

The sports car we’re thinking of has, with a few minor styling changes, pretty much retained its original looks and body shape, mainly thought of as a four cylinder car, though some examples were produced with a V8 motor.

Originally produced as a roadster,

a hard top GT became an option.

It’s also notched up sporting success, and examples sometimes appear at classic speed events, but it’s probably fair to say these days it’s more likely driven for recreation.

So have you guessed which cars we’re thinking about and maybe why we’re considering them?

In case not here’s a clue.

Both these iconic cars first made their appearance 60 years ago almost to the day.

One remained in production for 18 years and the other by two more years.

The sports car is the MGB, first given the long title of MG MGB 1800, a bit of a mouthful soon shortened before production to the more logical name of MGB.

“B” refers to the B series motor.

The Italian ski resort Cortina d’Ampezzo, site of the 1956 Winter Olympics, was the inspiration for Ford choosing the model name Cortina.

Several Cortinas were driven down the Cortina Olympic bobsled run, a publicity stunt which Ford called Cortina Auto-Bobbing.

Two great cars with differences and similarities.

The MGB and the Cortina have both created memories and each has a following of dedicated enthusiasts who are enjoying celebrating the Diamond Anniversary of the arrival of these classic cars.

Whichever way you look at them, MGs look great, but this one is just a beast.

Wonderful day, wonderful outcome

Manylocal enthusiasts supported the Vintage Car Club’s National Day for Cancer.

Throughout the country local branches of the Cancer Society received all the proceeds generated from Vintage Car Club events staged in their districts.

Locally over $3000 was presented to the Mid Canterbury Cancer Society, and the nationwide total is around $70,000.

A fantastic result from a National Day which has provided so much good in so many ways.

All things motoring and otherwise

A Mark I Cortina auto-bobbing its way around the Olympic run.

A prophecy fulfilled

In 1900, Rolls-Royce co-founder, Charles Rolls, prophesised an electric future for the motor car.

Having acquired an electric vehicle named The Columbia Electric Carriage, he foresaw its suitability as a clean, noiseless alternative to the internal combustion engine – providing there was sufficient infrastructure to support it.

Today, more than 120 years later, the time has come for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars to fulfil the prophecy of its founding father.

This prophecy could not have been fulfilled without a more recent promise, when Rolls-Royce CEO, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, made a public commitment to electrification by announcing that he would bring a fully-electric Rolls-Royce to market within the current decade.

Charles Rolls’ prophecy and Torsten Müller-Ötvös’ promise led to an historic moment.

In September 2021, the marque confirmed that it had commenced testing of Spectre, the first RollsRoyce to be conceived and engineered from the very beginning as an electric car.

To ensure that this transformative motor car was sufficiently prepared for the most demanding consumer in the world – the Rolls-Royce client – the marque devised the most exhaustive testing programme it had ever conceived.

Spectre is being subjected to a journey of more than 2.5 million kilometres, simulating more than 400 years of use for a Rolls-Royce.

On its completion in 2023, Spectre will represent a prophecy fulfilled, a promise kept and an undertaking completed.

Rolls-Royce has confirmed that by the end of 2030 its entire product portfolio will be fully-electric.

The future begins

Spectre is more than a motor car. It is a statement of intent and a symbol of a bright, bold future as Rolls-Royce progresses into an all-electric era.

This commitment to an all-electric powertrain will only enhance the RollsRoyce experience – instant torque, silent running and the sense of one imperceptible gear have defined the characteristics of an extraordinary canon of products dating back to the very first Rolls-Royce, the 1904 10 HP.

With Spectre, Rolls-Royce has harnessed a revolutionary Decentralised Intelligence system that allows for the free and direct exchange of information between more than 1000 vehicle func-

tions, further elevating the marque’s celebrated quality of ride.

Its designers have captured a contemporary yet timeless aesthetic that significantly progresses the brand’s iconography as it embarks on its electric age.

Its craftspeople have created a suite of contemporary prêt-à-porter personalisation possibilities, including Starlight Doors and Illuminated Fascia, inspiring clients to realise their own Bespoke visions.

Design

In unveiling Spectre, RollsRoyce sets a new precedent in the creation of an entirely original

To affirm Spectre’s expression after dark, the grille is softly illuminated, with 22 LEDs lighting up the sandblasted rear side of each of the vanes, their gentle glow reflected in the polished front surfaces for a subtle and three-dimensional night signature.

In profile, the sharp, vertical bow line at the front of Spectre draws the eye rearward to its monolithic flanks.

Instead of exaggerating movement with busy detailing or appliqués, Spectre’s coachwork gently tucks into the sill, light-

tends from the A-pillar to the luggage compartment.

The proportional demands of Spectre’s scale required Rolls-Royce to embolden its wheel strategy. Spectre is the first production two-door coupé to be equipped with 23-inch wheels in almost one hundred years.

Inside, Spectre is provisioned with the most technologically advanced bespoke features yet, drawing inspiration from the timeless mystique of the night’s sky.

The ethereal night-time theme continues with Spectre’s Illuminated Fascia. Developed over the course of two years and more than 10,000 collective hours, it incorporates the Spectre nameplate surrounded by a cluster of over 5500 stars. Located on the passenger side of the dashboard, the illuminations are completely invisible when the motor car is not in operation.

Power, range and dimensions

class of motor car: the Ultra-Luxury Electric Super Coupé.

This designation refers to Spectre’s indulgent proportions, specified in response to a commitment that there is no greater luxury than that of space.

The marque’s designers are deeply rooted in the context occupied by their motor cars.

Therefore, their inspiration is drawn from worlds far beyond automotive, including haute couture, modernist sculpture, nautical design, tailoring and contemporary art.

From the front, Spectre’s split headlight treatment is intersected by the widest grille ever bestowed on a Rolls-Royce.

The vanes of the Pantheon grille are now smoother in section and a flusher fit, designed to help guide the air around the motor car’s front.

The polished stainless steel finish of the grille does much to enhance Spectre’s presence using environmental reflection.

Along with an aero-tuned Spirit of Ecstasy figurine – itself the product of 830 combined hours of design modelling and wind tunnel testing – the grille enhances the motor car’s unprecedented drag coefficient, which at just 0.25cd makes Spectre RollsRoyce’s most aerodynamic motor car, ever.

ening the surfacing and creating an uncomplicated sense of motion by reflecting the road passing beneath it, much as the hull of a racing yacht reflects the ocean as it cuts through water.

This ‘waft line’ is the visual representation of the ‘magic carpet ride’ and its upwards sweep toward the front is inspired

The final power, acceleration and range figures are still being refined, as the extraordinary undertaking of finessing Spectre enters its final phase before concluding in the second quarter of 2023. Preliminary data shows that Spectre is expected to have an all-electric range of 320 miles/520 kilometres WLTP and offer 900Nm of torque from its 430kW powertrain.

It is anticipated to achieve 0-60mph in 4.4 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds).

With many months of testing and optimisation of Spectre still ahead, these figures are subject to change ahead of official confirmation

Super-hot TVR

Hilton & Moss, specialists in the sales and servicing of classic and prestige vehicles, offers for sale one of the wildest modern

classics money can buy: a stunning 2005 TVR Sagaris in iconic Chameleon Orange.

This particular Sagaris comes with a very special distinction: as an official press car for TVR Cars it has enjoyed a life in the spotlight quite unlike any other example.

It has featured significantly in enthusiast magazines such as Evo – which hailed the Sagaris as “TVR’s maddest modern creation”, and Autocar, which said “the Sagaris represents TVR’s finest hour”.

Conceived as a new hero car for

TVR’s range, which included tamer Tamora and T350 models, the Sagaris was designed with the track in mind, skirting as close to the ethos of a ‘racing car for the road’ as permitted.

But, it still landed on sale as arguably the wildest and most analogue performance car of its era.

Power is provided by TVR’s famed Speed Six naturally aspirated straightsix engine, developing over 400bhp in this application and sent to the rear axle via a five-speed manual gearbox.

Using TVR’s traditional spaceframe chassis modified to accommodate slightly wider front and rear tracks, the bodywork of fibreglass and the stripped out, bare-knuckle approach to driver aids and safety equipment results in a kerb weight of only 1078kg.

The autumn temperatures may be starting to cool, but renowned Mazda tuning specialist BBR is heating things up again for MX-5 owners.

That’s because BBR is delighted to launch two all-new supercharg er tuning packages for the 2.0-litre Mazda MX-5 ND models with up to 250 bhp available.

Using the proven and reliable Rotrex supercharger unit, both BBR’s Stage 1 and Stage 2 packages have been designed to install without intrusive mechanical alterations onto the 1998cc SkyActiv-G engine and the under bonnet appearance remains OEM-like and discrete.

Despite the subtle visuals the BBR supercharger packages’ gains are significant – aside from the 225bhp peak power figure, the Stage One upgrade offers a highly useable 200 lb.ft plus of torque between 3750 rpm and 5750 rpm, making it highly responsive and ideal for fast road use for the per formance orientated driver.

Initial performance testing with the Stage One supercharger upgrade indicates a 0-60 mph time shaved from a factory 7.3 seconds

to a supercar rivalling 5.3 seconds, enabling the BBR Stage One equipped Mazda MX-5 to scalp for more expensive machinery via its impressive power to weight ratio of 217 bhp per ton.

Stage Two concentrates on im proving flow, not boost pressure.

Utilising BBR’s fully TIG welded stainless steel 2.5 inch bore high flow exhaust en ables further power to be released without additional stress on the SkyAc tiv-G engine.

An optional Forge Motorsport inter cooler upgrade is available to ensure that the inlet charge tempera tures remain optimal even in the most demanding conditions. This releases up to 250 bhp at peak, resulting in a 0-60 mph sprint in just 5.1 seconds.

Proven engineering

BBR has extensive experience of enhancing the Mazda MX-5 since the late 1980s and called upon its considerable in-house engineer ing expertise to develop a forced induction package for the SkyAc tiv-G engine, a process that began back in 2015 with early develop ment conducted on a Mazda 3 test vehicle.

Bikes, bikes and more bikes

It will be big and bright – the Ashburton Originals Motorcycle Show is now less than

away.

And with the way the year is going, at

Harley to keep up with, the show will be on before we know it.

Along with American and European bikes, the Ashburton Motorcycle Show being staged at the Racecourse on Saturday November 19 will also feature club displays and hot rods. And a lot more as well.

A must see event on the horizon!

EV Minis off to China

Mini owner BMW has confirmed that the production of electric Minis will be moved from Mini’s his toric plant in Cowley, outside Oxford.

The automaker will instead produce its EVs in China, with the help of BMW’s partner, Great Wall.

In addition to the electric Mini, it appears that the upcoming Aceman, which was recently pre

Lack of action ‘baffling’

Eleven additional people were killed in US crashes involving vehicles that were us ing automated driving systems during four months earlier this year, according to newly released government data, part of an alarming pat tern of incidents linked to the technology

Ten of the deaths involved vehicles made by Tesla, though it is unclear from the National Highway Traffic Safety Admin istration’s data whether the technology itself was at fault or whether driver error might have been responsible.

The deaths included four crashes involving motorcycles that occurred during the spring and summer.

Safety advocates note that the deaths of motorcyclists in crashes involving Tesla vehicles

using automated driver-assist systems such as Autopilot have been increasing.

The new fatal crashes are documented in a database that NHTSA is building to assess the safety of automated driving sys tems, which, led by Tesla, have been growing in use.

Tesla alone has more than 830,000 vehicles on US roads with the systems.

Michael Brooks, executive director of the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety, said he is baffled by NHTSA’s general lack of action since problems with Au topilot began surfacing in 2016.

“I think there’s a pretty clear pattern of bad behaviour on the part of Tesla when it comes to obeying the edicts of the (federal) safety act, and NHTSA is just sitting there. How many more deaths do we need to see of motorcyclists?”

viewed as a concept car, will also be built in China.

But the electric version of the Mini Countryman will be built at BMW’s plant in Leipzig, Germany.

Because the Oxford factory won’t be producing any EVs, there are fears that the plant may become obsolete, and will eventually be shut down.

Stefanie Wurst, the new head of Mini, has denied the rumours. She stated that “Oxford will always be the home of Mini.”

FinalWhistle

Rumble in

Magic Monday P24

Junior stars on show P22

selected P22

Young tennis stars set to shine in Junior Open

from all over the South Island to compete this weekend.

Strong start for Mid Canterbury sides

Some of the best young talent on a tennis court that the South Island has to offer will roll into Ashburton this weekend, chas ing early season success on one of the bigger stages on the mainland.

The Braided Rivers Commu nity Trust Ashburton Junior Open has grown in stature over the years, and is now viewed as one of the must-attend events for young tennis players each season.

Close to 130 players will converge on the Mid Canter bury Tennis centre for the long weekend, spreading their play across both singles and doubles in the hope of finding success.

“It’s become a big tourna ment on the calendar, and we’re lucky to get support from a lot of regions,” Peter Leonard said.

“We’re really happy with the number of entries that we have; it’s slightly down on last year –but we’re in completely differ ent circumstances too.

“Last year we were the first cab off the rank following all the regulations around Covid so a lot of people were keen to get out and play, and this year we are also up against the Na

tional Teams event as well, so that’s taken a few players away.”

Leonard said one of the most pleasing aspects of the entries was the fact that a competition could be held in all age groups and grades, with some years of ten not seeing enough players to actually hold a competition.

He paid particular attention to the rise in numbers in the girls’ categories, particularly the older ones which have tra

ditionally struggled to get en tries, but this year have done very well.

“That’s really exciting to see, as we get to the older grades in the girls’ competitions, we of ten see the numbers drop off so to see them grow a bit more this year is encouraging for the sport.”

As well as a large host of play ers from the Mid Canterbury region, players are travelling

Four of Mid Canterbury’s brightest young stars won’t be in attendance this weekend, as they represent their regions at the National Teams event. Jake Parsons is playing for the Can terbury Under 17 team, while Riley Breen and Josh Gilbert are stepping out for the Under 14 team. Ryan Watt, who plays all of his tennis in Mid Canterbury but is registered through South Canterbury, is also part of the Under 17 mix.

Local hopes over the course of the weekend include Tyler Leonard, who is the No.1 seed for the 16/18 Boys’ Singles ti tle, and also Holly Jayne Feutz, fresh off qualifying for this sea son’s nationals will carry the No.1 seed in the 16/18 girls’ di vision, with Isabella van Door en the No.2.

Mid Canterbury players are expected to be a force in the doubles action throughout the weekend as well.

Play begins with the early stages of the tournament today and through tomorrow morn ing before finals begin on Sun day afternoon, and then run through until the completion of the tournament on Monday.

Spectators are more than welcome to come and view the rising stars of the sport, with play beginning from 8.30am each day.

Mid Canterbury tennis sides made the best possible start to their bid to become Tennis Canterbury division champions last weekend, as the new season’s competition officially began.

Although there’s no Premier side this season playing in the Christchurch based competition, there are two di vision teams, and both kicked off the year with big wins last Sunday.

The Division One side registered a clean-sweep victory over their rivals Burnside Park in a dominant fashion.

Cameron McCracken, Jake Parsons, Ryan Watt and Connor Brosnahan all grabbed wins in the singles, while Mc Cracken and Brosnahan and Parsons and Watt also won their doubles fix tures.

The division two side went close to a clean-sweep as well, losing just the one game across the day, with Peter Leonard, Josh Gilbert and Gareth Ev ans all getting singles wins and Leon ard and Riley Breen along with Gilbert and Evans picking up good doubles victories in their match with Sumner.

Play takes a long break this weekend but returns the following Sunday with both sides playing at home in Ashbur ton.

Golfers selected for major tourney

vincial will head to Canterbury’s Hororata Golf Club for two days of play where sides from Aorangi, Canterbury, Otago, Southland and Tasman will do battle for victory.

A busy end to the month awaits a group of local golfers who have been selected to represent the Aorangi region at major tourna ments across the South Island.

Teams involving Mid Canter bury-based players will head off to both the South Island Inter Pro vincial tournaments next week end, and also the Freyberg Masters tournament as well, with great representation across the board.

This year, the Men’s Inter Pro

Local players

The side is littered with local names, many of whom have made their mark at this particular tour nament, and even the national equivalent in recent years.

Five of the eight men named are aligned with Mid Canterbury golf clubs.

Ryan Cockburn and Cameron Grant, who are regular fixtures in the side, both represent the Rakaia Golf Club while Kris O’Neill, Josh Smith and David Morrison all hail from the Ashburton club.

The women’s inter provincial will head south this season to the Taieri Lakes Golf Course, with Ash burton members Jennifer Shep herd and Sharon Bradford flying the local flag.

Both tournaments will be held on October 29 and October 30 at their respective venues.

As they turn to head for home, another big group of local play ers will be hitting the road for the Freyberg Masters which com mences on Monday, October 31 in Motueka.

Nigel Heney, Jeff Hewitt, Andrew Peck and John Smitheram have all been named in the team for the event, and will be out to contin ue their good recent form at the South Island Masters event which was held on the same course earli er this month.

Ryan Cockburn is just one of a host of local players who will step out for Aorangi sides in the coming fortnight.

PHOTO ASHBURTON GUARDIAN

Matt Markham

Aorangi Men’s Side: Kris O’Neill (Ashburton), Ryan Cockburn (Rakaia), Josh Smith (Ashburton), David Morrison (Ashburton), Cameron Grant (Rakaia).

Aorangi Women’s Side: Jennifer Shepherd (Ashburton), Sharon Bradford (Ashburton).

Aorangi Masters Men’s Side: Nigel Heney (Tinwald), Jeff Hewitt (Ashburton), Andrew Peck (Mayfield), John Smitheram (Tinwald).

Matt Markham

Matt Markham

Holly-Jayne Feutz will carry the No.1 seed ranking into the 16/18 girls’ singles dur ing this weekend’s Braided Rivers Community Trust Ashburton Junior Open.

Embracing the challenge

Mid Canterbury

1. Hunter Stewart

2. Ben Bartlett

3. Adam Williamson (CC)

4. Logan Bonnington

5. Lote Limadeni

6. Manasa Samo

7. Kaydis Hona

8. Michael Hennings

9. Tyler Blackburn (CC)

10. Tom Reekie

11. Elyh McKibbin

12. Isireli Masiwini

13. Raitube Vasurakuta

14. John Vasurakuta

Rugby finals can be fickle beasts, and John Sherratt knows it all too well.

The unthinkable often happens, there’s a general pull away from the traditional game plans and those little moments can be ultimately, what decides the result.

And so, as he’s spent this week living and breathing preparing Mid Canterbury for battle in the Lochore Cup final against East Coast tomorrow in Ruatoria, the man who took the reins of the side this season is excited, even if there’s a hint of nerves mixed in there as well.

His messages have been simple this week; enjoy the moment, play it our way and bring home that trophy.

“I think as an entire squad we’ve embraced what’s ahead of us,” he said.

“This is a great group of people who deserve to be in this position and there’s been a real enjoyment about playing in the final this weekend.”

Not for a minute does anyone think it’s going to be easy either.

But in Sherratt’s eyes, it’s better to enjoy the build-up to such an occasion than to let it overcome you.

Playing in Ruatoria is tough.

The East Coast supporters are some of the most ferocious and loyal in the country, and from the moment their side steps forward to perform their haka the atmosphere will be electric.

“We’ve got to embrace that moment, we know they’re going to be loud and passionate, but it’s an opportunity for us too.

“We can own that moment by getting points on the board first and asserting our authority on the match.

“It might seem daunting, but to us there’s no better place in the country to play a Heartland rugby match, especially one like this with so much riding on it.”

Logistically, it’s been a big job just to get there with travel into the region at a minimum.

Enter team manager Jason Tennant, who

has worked tirelessly alongside NZ Rugby this week to find the best possible solutions.

“Jason’s work has been immense; almost straight away after the semi he was into his work and trying to get things sorted.”

The Hammers fly out tomorrow on a chartered flight and will return to Christchurch on Sunday night after the game.

“It’s a big weekend, but one thing about this side is that I believe we travel really well, it’s a good tight unit and the sooner we get up there and can get into it the better.”

Sherratt, along with his assistant coaches Grant Polson and Pete Manson, haven’t tried to reinvent the wheel during trainings this week; it’s been more about keeping everyone fit and happy heading into the weekend.

They’ve named the exact same game day 23 that stripped in Oamaru last weekend for the North Otago semi-final, and believe that’s the playing group who can get the job done for them.

“There’s been nothing too flashy.

“We’ve looked at aspects of our game

where we can perhaps be a little bit different and maybe bring some more to our attack especially, but nothing out of the ordinary really.

“There’s a little bit of a case of unfinished business there with what happened when they beat us in Ashburton earlier in the season, but we know they’ll be a tough opponent and we’re going to need to stand up.”

A lot of that will fall on to the team leaders on the paddock, Adam Williamson and Tyler Blackburn, who Sherratt says have both been invaluable not just this week, but all season.

“Tyler is a great talker, but when he speaks people listen and he does bring a bit of humour.

“Fridge (Williamson) is just an honest person who leads by example, but he’s really developed as the season has gone on.

“I’ve got full faith in both of them to guide the boys around the paddock in the right way this weekend and it’d be nice to see them lift a trophy together.”

It’s hard to disagree with that.

15. Nathan McCloy

Reserves

16. Mason Briant

17. Harry Burgess

18. Ben Crawford

19. Henry McManus

20. Shepherd Mhembere

21. Angus MacKenzie

22. George Hufanga

23. Waitangi Tuisuga

Head-to-head

Mid Canterbury $1.90 v East Coast $1.90

Margin: 12 and under Mid Canterbury $2.90 v East Coast $2.90

Margin: 13+ Mid Canterbury $4 v East Coast $4

How the East can be won ...

We’ve seen glimpses of brilliance, mixed in with some downright frustrating stuff – but the belief has always been there that Mid Canterbury were a title contender in some form this season.

Tomorrow, they get their chance. Matt Markham highlights the five key things tomorrow that will help lead toward a Hammers victory.

Silencing the masses …

In this instance, Whakarua Park, Ruatoria is potentially one of the most daunting places to play a game of rugby right now. With their tails up off a good season, the East Coast supporters will be in full voice tomorrow, and there will be plenty of them.

Shutting out the external noise and getting straight into work will be critical for Mid Canterbury. Early points on the board, some set piece domination and a strong opening stanza and they’ll

silence those around them. It really is won up front …

It’s so cliché that it’s actually hard to ignore. But getting the little things right up front will set

faultless. Win those little battles early on and you’re right on the march to victory.

Point of order, on points … No holds barred here. We should have beaten East Coast earlier in the year in Ashburton, but a reluctance to take points on offer was our downfall. Not today though. There’s three really strong kickers in this starting line-up, who can kick from anywhere. If three points are offered up, in finals rugby you take them everyday of the week that ends in Y. Good thing tomorrow is Sunday.

Alright stop, it’s Hammer time … We’ve seen glimpses over the past few months, that uniquely Mid Canterbury way of playing rugby. The skill to create something from nothing – be it through a beaten tackle, a slip of the arm to create an offload, or a

piece of individual magic. Now’s the time to really unleash it. Our big ball carriers need to be confident heading into confrontation, but also be willing to alter their plan in an instant. Get over the advantage line and create opportunities, then make East Coast pay by taking them, every time.

Get Raitube involved …

It’s a team sport and everyone plays a part, but there’s always that one person who can alter the course of a match. Raitube Vasurakuta is that man. Against East Coast earlier in the year, he turned them inside out on more than one occasion. Get the ball in his hands early and as often as possible. Create doubt in defenders’ minds and in turn create space for those around him. He’ll break the game for you and influence momentum. Just get him involved.

the platform. Players like Fridge Williamson, Hunter Stewart and Ben Bartlett need to settle right into their work. The scrum needs to be dominant, the lineout –

Raitube Vasurakuta celebrates scoring against East Coast.

PHOTO MATT MARKHAM

Catch the action live from Whakarua Park, Ruatoria live on Sky Sport 2, with coverage beginning at 1pm.

Matt Markham

Mid Canterbury will take on East Coast tomorrow in Ruatoria in the final of the Lochore Cup in rugby’s Heartland Championship.

Rep cricket set to get under way

tive cricket under the belt ahead of a busy representative season ahead.

This year’s side will be captained by the experienced Des Kruger, who will look to lead a relatively young side forward to the Hawke Cup.

an elevation for a number of the players.

One in particular joining the mix this week is the vastly experienced Richard Print.

New Mid Canterbury cricket coach, Bevan Ravenscroft has named his first representative side for the new season, as they build up toward this year’s Hawke Cup competition.

The baggy green and golds will head down to Timaru this Sunday to take on neighbours South Can terbury in the Ron Biggar Memo rial one-day match – a traditional lead-up fixture for the two sides each season.

Mid Canterbury head in with bragging rights having won the corresponding match last year –but victory itself isn’t quite as im portant as the need to get some good competitive representa

Ravenscroft has selected a good mix of players, with some strong recent form at club level seeing

Mid Canterbury

Des Kruger ©, Will Southby, Devon Flannery, Sam Clark, Angus Jemmett, Lachie Jemmett, Harry Jones, Mana Singh, Satveer Singh, William McKee, Richard Print.

The seamer was in sublime form for his Tech Stags side last week end in the second round of the Tweedy Cup, claiming a five-wick et bag for just 17 runs from his 10 overs.

He’ll carry a bit of the grunt work with the ball during this weekend’s match, but has some more than able seamers to help him along including team-mate, Harry Jones as well as Mana Singh and Satveer Singh.

The Jemmett brothers, Angus and Lachie are both in the side for this weekend’s game, continuing what is a long and proud family history with the Mid Canterbury team.

Tomorrow’s match begins at 10.30am at Aorangi Oval in Tima ru.

Aiming to go one better

Clay Wilson RNZ

The Black Caps are aiming to go one better than last time as they get set to begin their campaign at the T20 World Cup.

A sold-out crowd is set to pack into the Sydney Cricket Ground for tonight’s match against Australia.

The occasion not only offers New Zealand a chance to make an early statement, but also avenge their loss to the same team in the final of the last T20 World Cup less than 12 months ago.

It was a defeat which further prolonged the Black Caps’ wait for a white-ball world title.

But, having also made the 2015 and 2019 50-over World Cup finals, it also once again proved their knack of going deep at global tournaments.

While they continued to be overlooked among the favourites, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said they weren’t bothered whether they flew under the radar or not.

“We don’t really have a choice what people call us but we come here and try and focus on the cricket we want to play.

“Everybody has different tags and rank ings that go up and down throughout the year and you end up with different names but you come here and in tournament sport on any day anything can happen.”

They couldn’t change the past but the Black Caps could certainly lay down a marker with a first-up win. Especially with

almost 48,000, most dressed in gold, in at tendance.

In-form wicketkeeper-batter Devon Con way knows it will be hostile but said they were embracing the challenge.

“I have never played at the SCG before so I’ll just be excited to get there, first and fore most.

“Then to play in front of a full crowd, as well. It’ll be very exciting for me and I’m sure everyone is looking forward to getting out there.”

You could bet the Australian players were, too.

As both defending champions and hosts,

Riccarton gallops

there was no denying Australia were one of the pre-tournament favourites.

But spinner Adam Zampa insisted that didn’t mean they would be complacent against the Black Caps.

“The thing about New Zealand is that they’re always in the contest.

“They’re the kind of team that will scratch their way to 165 and they’ve got a great bowl ing attack that can defend it.

“We understand that when you’re up against New Zealand it’s never easy.

“They’re always in the game ... you can never take New Zealand lightly.”

Both teams head into the opening match of the tournament’s Super 12 stage in mixed form.

Australia were coming off back-to-back losses to England, while New Zealand suf fered a thumping loss in their only official warm-up match against South Africa.

Prior to that they had three wins and two losses in their tri-series with Bangladesh and Pakistan, matches coach Gary Stead felt pro vided great preparation.

“I certainly felt like we got better and it felt like a lift in performance as we went on.

“Yes, we didn’t win the final against Pa kistan but it was still a really good game of cricket and it was nice to be placed under that pressure, as well.

“Coming into this World Cup playing some tough and hardened matches like that can only be good for us.”

RESULTS

■ Croquet Waireka Croquet Club

Flag Match results for Waireka Croquet Club vs Waimate A Grade (Association Croquet).

Singles: Tony King 4 Reece McCorkind ale 26; Trish Dolan 15 Carolyn Fordyce 16.

Reverse Singles: Tony King 18 Carolyn Fordyce 20; Trish Collan 12 Reece Mc Corkindale 26.

Winner: Waireka 82 Waimate 49.

■ Golf Rakaia Golf Club

Ladies Golf – Wednesday, October 19, 2BBB

Judy Moore & Faye McLennan 34, Man dy Hurst & Freda Bierema 34. Rakaia Hotel 2nd shot #3 Judy Moore, Rakaia Seed Cleaning 2nd shot #6 Val Sisson. Nearest the Pin #8 - In memory of Val Bell Freda Bierema, Chertsey Spraying 2nd shot #15 Bev Sutherland, S. Quinn 2nd shot #17 Bev Sutherland.

■ Tennis

Mid Canterbury Tennis

Twilight Tennis – Wednesday, October 19 We Are Sthil Suzuki 18 beat What’s The Score 15, Young Blood 17 beat Donalds Dux 16, Famous Grouse 17 beat Know Eye Deer 16, Hackers 18 beat 40 Love 15, Grand Slammers bye, Family Affair 17 beat Between The Lines 16, Called to Serve 18 beat Double Shots 15, Grip N Rip 20 beat What the Deuce 13.

Dreams, Rubicon Crossing, In The Navy

5: Leitrim Lad, On The Rivet, Athene, Deels Done

6: Goodanya, Benaud, Vino Bella, Our Rosette

7: Adannaya, Dancarina, Keen To Run, Over To You

8: Cognito, Charbano, Malborough Bay, Diss Is Dramatic

9: Seriously, Phelan The Power, Perfect Scenario, Avaquinella

Race 10: Campionessa, Rainman, Letsbrightiton, Belle Of

Ball

11: Invincibeel, Beau Rouge, Ataahua, Waihora Mist

Cognito (Race

Matt Markham

Jimmy Neesham may well play a key part as the Black Caps take on Australia.

Mid Canterbury skipper Des Kruger.

All set for Magic Monday

Eleven great races, more than $270,000 in stakes and some of the best harness racing talents, both equine and human going around currently – it certainly does sound magic.

The Ashburton Trotting Club’s annual Labour Day, Monday meeting takes on new meaning this weekend as it’s rebranded, remarketed and reintroduced to the harness racing calendar both bigger and better than it has been before.

Dubbed Magic Monday, the day will see the stars of the cur rent and the future come out to play on the best speed track in the country with a big crowd an ticipated to be on hand.

“Everything is falling into place very nicely at this stage,” club president, Peter Larkin said.

“We couldn’t be happier with the amount of support we’ve re ceived from the community and the industry participants, and we’re looking forward to hosting what should be a great day of racing.”

With the loss of the Harness

Jewels and its once hugely suc cessful Boxing Day meeting, the Ashburton club has been on the search for something that might replace them as their marquee day going forward, and in this particular meeting, they’ve per haps found it.

And Larkin believes it’s only going to get better.

“We’re going into this with our eyes pretty wide open, we know that it’s not going to be exact

ly how we want it to be straight away, and that next year and the year after that and then on it’s only going to get better.”

A high-end corporate area has been established upstairs for the day, with bookings for the fully catered area set to be well at tended, but there’s also plenty for those who just want to wander in the gate and enjoy a day out in the sun.

“We’ve got free entry and plen

ty of kids’ entertainment as well as food and beverage options available, we’re also giving away two children’s bikes on the day, and the entry forms for those can be found in the race book, so we’re hoping as many people get along and enjoy the day as pos sible.”

The first race of the day gets under way at 12.12pm with the final race on the programme scheduled for 5.57pm.

Time running out for Cranbourne

It’s not quite desperation times just yet, but the clock is tick ing on Cranbourne’s chances of making it into this year’s New Zealand Trotting Cup at Adding ton.

And the hope is now that a little bit of home-ground ad vantage in Monday’s Ashburton Flying Stakes might be able to help tip the scales back in the big pacer’s favour.

Two gallops in his first two starts had trainers Brent and Tim White scratching their heads a little bit and then last week after stepping away beautifully they watched on as the son of Sir Lin coln was checked out of the race with 600 metres left to go.

M8

“Not much has gone right –and he was well short of run last week, but he’s come on in leaps and bounds since then too, so we’re hopefully back on track,” he said.

Monday is a tough race to try and find some form. With the exception of maybe two North Island pacers and one Australian still to come, it’s as close as we’ll see to the big dance before it ar rives on the second Tuesday in November.

So, White is being rather prag matic in his approach to it all giv en anything other than a top four finish will likely see him remain ranked outside the cut-off point to make the Cup field.

“Right now, given everything that’s happened, I’ll be just abso lutely stoked to see him get away safely and hit the line really well, if he does that, I’m happy.

“We’re 99 per cent certain we won’t go to Kaikoura, which lim its his chances, but he’ll head to the Cup trials after this and then we’ll take it from there and go in whatever race we can on Cup Day.”

Also chasing an improvement up the Cup rankings is stable mate, Got You Covered.

He’s currently 22nd on the or der of entry so would need to do something remarkable either on Monday or at Kaikoura to force his way into the lineup.

Ashburton harness Monday at Ashburton Raceway

“I’m really happy with where he’s at, he looks fantastic and the big thing in his favour is that he’s got the manners.

“Kim just needs to get him in and take as many shortcuts as she can, and he won’t be too far away from them. It’s hard for a horse like him though, because this is really a case of the best of the best – but he won’t disgrace himself.”

Self Assured is a $2.70 favourite to win Monday’s feature for Mark Purdon and Hayden Cullen with Australian raider, Rock N Roll Doo on the second line of betting at $3.50.

Cranbourne is priced at $26 while Got You Covered is at $41.

Magic Monday money makers

Matt Markham works his way through the big fields at Ashbur ton on Monday. There’s going to be plenty of favourites winning, and while small fish are sweet, bigger returns are better. So, he’s circled five horses worth having a dollar or two each way on to try and make some money.

Race 1: #11 Kalasa

Start the day locally and start it right. A Laurence Hanra han-trained pacer with Ricky May in the bike who looked good, albeit a little green on debut. Has seen plenty of the Ashburton track though and would expect a big run from him here.

Race 2: #5 Clyde

Perfect horse for a race like this. Good mannered and loves to get onto the speed. Should trot straight away towards the lead, and if able to get a good run in front, or just behind the leaders should have the wood on most of the rivals today.

Race 6: #1 Chambray

Talented enough filly taking on a pretty good field here. She’ll end up being rated perhaps the fourth favourite in this, despite her excel lent draw over the short distance race. Capable of getting a sweet trip in transit and really winding up late and going close.

Race 8: #8 Alta Meteor

Classy, classy two-year-old pacer with a huge future in front of him. Desperately unlucky last time but everything prior to that was signs of a very good horse. Back in the race from the wide draw today and if he gets close enough to them, look out. He’ll go close.

Race 11: #11 Mighty Reactor

One for the get out stakes. Good recent form and most of that’s been from good barrier draws where positivity has been the driving direction. Today’s differ ent. Can stalk the speed throughout and then look to have one crack at them late. Has real speed, so no surprise to see a fast finish at a really nice price.

Five Wise Men, Majestic Man Race 8: Alta Meteor, Beckham, Sherlock, Charlie Brown Race 9: Self Assured, BD Joe, Alta Wiseguy, Rock N Roll Doo Race 10: Darling Me, La Rosa, Stylish Memphis, Evangalist Race 11: No Matter Wat, Teds Legacy, Bri Express, Mighty Reactor

BEST BET: Darling Me (Race 10)

VALUE: Westar Milly (Race 2)

Magic Monday at the Ashburton Racecourse on Monday is set to become one of the biggest days of racing in Mid Canterbury on the annual racing calendar.

PHOTO MATT MARKHAM 090620-MM-007

Matt Markham

Peter Larkin

WeeklyWorkout

SPORTS

1. The Hammers won the Lochore Cup in 2017 – who scored two tries in the final?

a) Seta Koroitamana b) Willie McGoon c) Dan Fransen

2. Who scored the first try for the Hammers, in the seventh minute?

a) Thomas Hanham-Carter b) Jackson Donlan c) Christian Vainerere

3. Who did the Hammers beat in that semi-final?

a) North Otago

b) East Coast c) Poverty Bay

4. Who won the Mitre 10 Cup that year?

a) Canterbury b) Tasman c) Taranaki

5. Cole Baldwin held the Meads Cup aloft that year. He had played 105 games for his province; which was?

a) South Canterbury b) Wanganui c) Thames Valley

6. Mid Canterbury had a Shield challenge the same year against Canterbury, but could only score one try, while Canterbury scored quite a few. Who dotted down for the Hammers?

a) Kurt Polson

b) Jarred Percival

c) Maleli Sau

7. How many games did the All Blacks lose in the Rugby Championship in 2017?

a) None b) One c) Four

8. It was also 2017 that the All Blacks drew with the Lions, after an awful change-of-heart call in the last match by the referee. Who was that ref?

a) Romain Poite b) Wayne Barnes c) Alain Rolland

RomainPoite.

c)MaleliSau,7.a)None,8.a)

Answers:1.a)SetaKoroitamana,2.a)ThomasHanham-Carter,3.c)PovertyBay,4.a) Canterbury,5.b)Wanganui,6.

since

Fri

Puzzles and horoscopes

Cryptic crossword

Simon Shuker’s Code-Cracker

Your Stars

ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 19): You’ll be given plenty of leeway to do what you want with a project. However, it will benefit you to ask for input from many and work in conjunction with a team, getting overall approval before you begin the work.

TAURUS (Apr 20-May 20): You will be as lucky as you are daring. Find out what happens when you take an uninteresting aspect of your day and push it a little further, and a little further, until the action moves into a territory of absurdity.

GEMINI (May 21-Jun 21): It’s good that this fond wish of yours doesn’t come true right away. The anticipation is part of what makes an outcome wonderful. And besides, the journey is where all the learning happens.

CANCER (Jun 22-Jul 22): Sometimes, your nurturing ways allow others to relax enough to grow into the next move. But nurturing isn’t always warm and soft. Today, your care may have a tougher side.

LEO (Jul 23-Aug 22): First comes a realisation; then a plan. To make a plan before you recognise the true nature of things would be in vain. You cannot force your knowledge, but you can observe well so all comes together.

10. King George, a fool to be an informer (5)

13. It may sound yellow to harness one to work (4)

16. Don’t know who wrote it, in short? Coming! (4)

17. Leave one another for a bit (4)

(4)

18. Those who oppose motion are in small numbers around the East (4)

20. Aircraft waiting to land start stalling and move zigzag (5)

24. It is eternally there in the vernacular (4)

25. A water-boa turning on Canada (8)

26. They are learning the craft of precepts in a different form (11)

DOWN 2. Thatcher needs it to buck up (4)

3. Dairy product doesn’t begin to give voice to it (5)

4. Naked people stir up lots of sand at the seaside (5)

5. Norse god, for instance, will put it to the proof (5)

6. Whisky made non-u wit turn to it (8-3)

7. It was meant to be at home with wigwam: a lion changed that (11)

11. Vigilant watcher argues that the East has disappeared (5)

12. Steam here in South Africa: peacekeepers have a following (5)

14. It’s not written test that’s alternative to a novice driver (4)

15. What Oliver demanded of Sir Thomas (4)

19. Just a bit one may do away with (5)

21. Nine players gave up part of the joint (5)

22. Plants chorus-leader on Act One (5)

23. As soon as it doesn’t happen again? (4)

VIRGO (Aug 23-Sep 22): The cosmic gift of the day will come wrapped in humour. Whether you laugh silently to yourself or raucously with friends, you’ll be healed by the body shake a joke can make.

LIBRA (Sep 23-Oct 23): Oddly enough, knowing too much about a problem could inhibit you from seeing the solution. Children and newbies may have a more helpful take on it than those mired in the issues.

SCORPIO (Oct 24-Nov 21): You can’t change the past, but you can change the backstory. Challenge yourself to see things differently than you did yesterday. Find the spin that makes you more excited about who you are right now.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21): Although there may be no prize for the endeavour you now spend much of your life on, there are rewards to be had, tangible or abstract, overt or implied.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19): You’re adaptable, with a wide social vocabulary to draw from. If you have to change your communication style to get the message across, you will. Understanding your listener is key.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb 18): In tribes where bravery is more prestigious than anything that can be bought, scars are status symbols. You have emotional scars no one knows about. Would you consider wearing one with pride?

PISCES (Feb 19-Mar 20): If there is pressure to do things right, either get the most qualified person for the job or find a way to eliminate that pressure. The spirit of innovation cannot thrive where people are afraid to fail.

Please

Methven & Rakaia

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 20 River Terrace - phone 03 308 4020. WEEKEND HOURS: Sat and Sun 7am - 7pm. Public holidays 10am - 5pm.

Information Centre Methven - Saturday and public holidays 10am until 2.30pm. Phone 302 8955 or isite@ midcanterburynz.com

ANIMAL SERVICES

Dog, Stock & Noise Control Ashburton District Council 03 307 7700 - 24hr service.

Animal Welfare Centre All enquiries - phone 308 4432 or 027 3329286.

Veterinarians

EMERGENCIES

NBS has increased

For

22nd

0.50%

NBS

will come

Honest.

Honest.

Honest.

A ridge covers New Zealand on Saturday. The ridge remains over the North Island on Sunday, while northwesterlies over the South Island strengthen ahead of an approaching front. The front moves over southern and central New Zealand on Monday, then weakens as it moves onto northern New Zealand on Tuesday followed by another ridge.

Monday: Cloud increasing, with occasional rain developing in the afternoon. Westerlies, turning strong southerly late morning and afternoon, easing in the evening.

Around The

ADEATHS CKNOWLEDGEMENTS

LEWTHWAITE, Ruth Elizabeth –John and families would like to sincerely thank everyone for their love and support following the loss of Ruth. We have appreciated the visits, cards, flowers and to all those who attended Ruth's funeral. Please accept this acknowledgement as an expression of our gratitude.

KEARNEY, Patricia Mary (Mary) –

Mick Hydes 027

Mick Hydes 027

mick.hydes@bayleys.co.nz

WHALAN

WHALAN

How to send family notices

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DEATHS

On October 17, 2022 peacefully at Nurse Maude Hospice, Christchurch, aged 69 years. Much loved mother and mother-in-law of Mark, Tom and Jaimee, loved Nana of Greta and Ferg; Molly, Fred, and Otis, and a loved sister and sister-in-law. “May she Rest In Peace” Special thanks to the staff at Nurse Maude Hospice for all their care. In lieu of flowers donations to Pancreatic Cancer NZ Organisation would be appreciated. Requiem Mass will be celebrated at Christ the King Catholic Church, 90 Greers Road, Burnside, Christchurch on SATURDAY, October 22 at 1pm.

2000m:

Above 3500m.

km/h in

H 2:01am 2:27pm

8:08am 8:36pm

H 1:53am 2:13pm

8:00am 8:28pm

H 1:45am 2:11pm

7:52am 8:20pm

McCLIMONT, Rowan Ream (Maitland) –(formerly of Geraldine) 18-07-1944 – 20-10-2022

In Ashburton (due to a heart condition). Much loved and loving wife of Leonard (Mount Somers) for 57 years. Loved mother and mother-in-law of Robin and Lynette, John and Anne, Karen and Mike and loved Nana of Renee; Max, and Jesse. Dearly loved daughter of the late Jim and Win (Geraldine). Loved sister and sister-in-law of the late Alan, and Pam Maitland (Christchurch); the late Ian and Dorothy Maitland; and Sivo (Sydney). Loved daughter-in-law of the late Jim and Irvine McClimont (Ashburton Gorge). Step daughter of the late Bert Lord. Loved Aunt of Lynda, Grant, Nicola, and Steven and Deanne, Andrew, Gina, the late Alexander, and Geraldine. In Memory of Rowan, donations to Ashburton St John may be made online at bit.ly/rrmcclimont2010 Messages to the McClimont family, PO Box 472, Ashburton 7740. A service to celebrate Rowan’s life will be held in Our Chapel cnr East and Cox Streets, Ashburton on THURSDAY, October 27, commencing at 11am followed by interment at the Mt Somers Cemetery at 2pm. All welcome.

2:41am 3:06pm 8:49am 9:13pm

2:56pm 8:46am 9:10pm

2:50pm 8:33am 8:57pm

3:22am 3:46pm 9:31am 9:51pm

3:20am 3:39pm 9:33am 9:53pm

3:06am 3:30pm 9:15am 9:35pm

6:28am 8:08pm 6:26am 8:09pm 6:25am 8:10pm

5:18am 4:21pm 5:38am 5:30pm 5:57am 6:39pm

Monday:

Canterbury owned, locally operated

and Chapel Corner East & Cox Streets, Ashburton

307 7433

Services and Ashburton Crematorium Ltd