Waimea Weekly
Professional and Reliable www.wrfs.co.nz Corner Salisbury & Champion Roads, Richmond
544 4400
Your Community Newspaper
Wednesday 25 April 2012
Nelson Hospitality Awards
2012
Working bee Page 5
Pensioner arrested for arson Grim details are emerging about the arson attacks on forestry blocks between Murchison and Tapawera, including devices used to start them. Last week a man, aged 71, was arrested for the attacks which occurred between February 4 and April 6 this year. It is understood, but not confirmed by Nelson Police or the Rural Fire Network, that the fires were lit with timing devices in different parts of the forest. Firefighters working on one fire had to deal with others starting up around them. Police arrested the man after completing a search warrant with members of the Armed Offenders Squad at a property in the Murchison area last Thursday. Police found automatic weapons, including an AK47 and a large amount of ammunition. The man has been charged with three counts of arson, three offences relating to the unlawful possession of firearms, two charges relating to the possession of a large amount of am-
munition and a charge relating to the possession of cannabis for supply. The arrest comes after a 12 week investigation by police, Nelson Forests Ltd and the Rural Fire Network. Police would not comment on the case as it is now before the courts. Principal rural fire officer Ian Reade says the fire-fighters responded quickly before fires could escalate, limiting the potential damage. A firefighter spoken to by Waimea Weekly refused to talk, saying they had been told to keep details of the case secret, but did say the experience was “very scary”. Because of the multiple fires appearing at different times, Ian says it was a more difficult task for fire-fighters. “It was quite uncertain times for the guys responding, because you weren’t sure what was going to pop up around you,” he says. “We had to protect ourselves.” The man remains in custody until his next court appearance on May 8.
Page 13-15
Off road thrills
Page 23
Richmond Scouts member Ethan Hughes places a poppy on the headstone of a deceased serviceman at the Richmond Cemetery. Photo: Phillip Rollo.
Scouts place poppies Hundreds of people from all over the Waimea region were expected to gather and pay tribute at Anzac services this morning.
A dawn service was held in Nelson at 6am this morning with the Richmond service due to begin at 10.30am. Brightwater, Wakefield, Ko-
hatu and Murchison were also due to host Anzac Day services this morning. SEE PAGE 2
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