Two a penny

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An America tourist is grieving after the girlfriend
who accepted his proposal of marriage died 24 hours later while swimming
with dolphins.

Emily May Harper, 27, from Denver, Colorado, is thought to have died from natural causes as she swam in Tory Channel in the Marlborough Sounds on Tuesday.

Her boyfriend Matthew Hawkins proposed to her on Monday and she said ‘yes’.

Their last night together was memorable for all the right reasons, he told The New Zealand Herald.

Mr Hawkins said yesterday he believed his girlfriend was fit and healthy.

“I came up to her from behind and gave her a hug, and I said to her, ‘We should get married’.

He said they had been walking together at Picton Harbour, watching the lights reflecting off the water. And she said, ‘What, are you serious?’ And I said, ‘Yeah, I think I am’.”

He said he had planned to ask her two days later and she never saw the ring he had bought because it was with his mother. And then she said, ‘Yes, absolutely’.”

Next morning, the pair sailed out into the Marlborough Sounds with Mr Hawkins’ mother Sandra and brother Andrew on a Dolphin Watch Ecotours vessel.

“I meant to ask her in Auckland, but the setting was just perfect.

“Emily kept giving me a thumbs-up signal while she was in the water.

He said she loved animals and wildlife and was very excited about the dolphin encounter.

“I took my eyes off Emily for barely a second, and I saw someone face down in the water.

“I took my eyes off Emily for barely a second, and I saw someone face down in the water.

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A 60 bed container unit is to be established at Rimutaka Prison as the Corrections Department seeks ways to house a burgeoning prison population.

The block, to be constructed on a field in the prison grounds in the Hutt Valley, would house high to medium security prisoners and be staffed by 20-25 new guards.

The Government previously announced it would use converted containers as cells to boost capacity.

“This project is the first of its kind at a New Zealand prison and we hope it will point the way to how we can build extra prison capacity faster and much cheaper than in the past,” she said.

Corrections Minister Judith Collins said today the unit would help the department evaluate whether the containers can be used in other prisons. We have to take immediate action to ensure that prisoners are securely locked away and the public is kept safe.

“Corrections is forecast to run out of baseline beds early next year.”

Ms Collins said prison numbers had swelled from about 5000 in 1996-97 to 8400 now.

It was estimated a further 5000 beds would be needed by 2018.

As on Monday the muster was 12 short of breaking the record for the number of people locked up.

A tender process had started and cells would be in use from March.

Using containers was a quick and cost effective solution, and the recession meant there were plenty to be recycled, she said.

Staff, dining, showers and other facilities would also feature in the containers.

Each bed would cost between $53,000 and $63,000, which Ms Collins said was far cheaper than for a new prison.

While some of the components of the initial cells will come from overseas, they will be extensively fitted out in New Zealand.

While some of the components of the initial cells will come from overseas, they will be extensively fitted out in New Zealand.

Corrections Department chief executive Barry Matthews said container cells were used in Australia, Britain and the United States.”

Prisoners would not be involved in construction as a result of the tight schedule, but they may be in future.

Asked about rolling out the new style of cells at Rimutaka given problems it has recently faced – such as guards alleged involved in a drug ring and a female guard having a relationship with a prisoner – Mr Matthews said overall there had been improvement in management of prisons.

They were similar quality to normal prison cells and better than in older prisons.

The department was also rolling out double bunking at prisons, aiming to add 1000 beds to the system.

Containers would be a mix of single and double cells. .

Prison guards’ union, the Corrections Association of New Zealand, is taking the department to the Employment Court over the double bunking issue, saying it breaches collective agreements

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Miley Cyrus rode a wave of success at the Teen Choice Awards.

The teen queen sailed away with six surfboard-shaped trophies at Sunday’s ceremony. Cyrus won for comedy TV actress and comedy TV show for “Hannah Montana,” music/dance movie actress and hissy fit for the “Hannah Montana” movie, music single for “The Climb” and summer song for “Before the Storm.

“I’m a huge fans of hers,” Cyrus said before a subdued Spears accepted her own surfboard.”

She also presented Britney Spears with the ultimate choice award.

Show hosts the Jonas Brothers kicked off the ceremony by performing “Much Better” on a tiny stage that moved through the audience. .

They won five awards, including choice male red carpet icons and breakout TV show for “Jonas.”

“We’ll see you guys in theaters Nov.”

The biggest winner of the night was vampire drama “Twilight,” which sucked up nine movie awards: choice drama, romance, liplock, rumble, drama actress for Kristen Stewart, drama actor for Robert Pattinson, villain for Cam Gigandet, fresh face female for Ashley Greene and fresh face male for Taylor Lautner, who will also appear in the upcoming sequel, “New Moon.

Other big winners included “Gossip Girl” and Zac Efron. 20,” Lautner teased the squealing crowd.”

Spears – who performed at the annual event on Sunday night – was presented with the Ultimate Choice Award for her “extraordinary contributions to the entertainment industry”. Chace Crawford, Leighton Meester and Ed Westwick picked up drama actor, actress, villain and TV series awards for the sudsy CW series while Efron won for music/dance movie actor in “High School Musical 3″ and comedy movie actor and rockstar moment in “17 Again.

Britney’s performance will mark 10 years since the first Teen Choice Awards in 1999, where Britney – who is currently on a break from her world tour – was one of the performers.

Britney’s performance will mark 10 years since the first Teen Choice Awards in 1999, where Britney – who is currently on a break from her world tour – was one of the performers.

Retired boxer Mike Tyson – currently starring in the movie The Hangover – also attended.

The ceremony at Universal City’s Gibson Amphitheatre in California – will also feature appearances from Black Eyed Peas, Miley Cyrus and Cobra Starship with Leighton Meester.

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A speed camera snapped more than 700 motorists in a seven-hour shift on State Highway 1 in Huntly last week.

But the massive ticket bonanza may have the unintended consequence of leading to higher speeds being legalised through Huntly and hundreds of speedsters being let off.

The ticket numbers were revealed at a meeting of the Waikato District Council roading committee this week.

Waikato roading policing manager Inspector Leo Tooman agreed it was perhaps time to take another look at what was the best speed limit for this stretch of road between Bell’s Crossing and the north of the town and the southern end of the Huntly bypass. It has prompted the council to ask the New Zealand Transport Agency to increase the speed limit on the 50kmh stretch of road through the town.

The Huntly speed camera haul was one of the highest on record for Waikato mobile speed cameras, which come into play when speeds are 11kmh over the limit.

If the limit was raised, Mr Tooman would recommend tickets not be issued.

Councillor Graeme Tait suggested the Huntly bypass speed limit was set at 50kmh in recognition of the fact people would always exceed it. “If it was lifted to 70kmh, they would be doing 80kmh”.

“We get speeds of 60-65 at present,” he said. .

But fellow Huntly councillor Shirley Boyde said the speed limit should be lifted to at least 60kmh on that stretch, given it was a part of SH1 with few exits. The Times lobbied for motorists to be let off the fines if the Huntly speed limit was raised.

Meanwhile Inspector Tooman said it was probably time to look at the speed limit there.

“It’s not really my call,” Mr Tooman said.

“It’s not really my call,” Mr Tooman said. Maybe the speed is inappropriate, and we have to be fair. It’s good that it came to our attention.”

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A child is the latest victim of swine flu as New Zealand’s death toll has climbed to 11 and the flu season peak is yet to come.

There are now a total of 2443 confirmed cases of swine flu, or influenza A (H1N1), up from 2368 yesterday. .

No further details about the victim have been released, at the request of the family.

The child died within the past week in the Mid Central District Health Board region, and had underlying medical conditions.

New Zealand’s health services were still feeling the pressure from both seasonal and non-seasonal influenza this winter, but were coping well, said Health Minister Tony Ryall.

An eight-year-old girl also died from the virus in Wellington Hospital earlier this month.

Some hospitals were postponing elective surgery and were at full capacity in their intensive care units but were still on top of things, he said.

“What this surveillance data shows us is that we have not yet reached a peak in the number of people who will experience influenza this year.

“Latest data from ESR’s GP sentinel surveillance system shows a sharp spike in the number of consultations for influenza-like illnesses,” Mr Ryall said.”

Healthline continued to receive a large number of calls from people with influenza-like symptoms, although the volume of calls had dropped in the past week. We anticipate that our health services will continue to be under pressure for some time yet.

So far, the highest consultation rates have been reported among children and teenagers aged from birth to 19 years.

There was a continuing sharp increase in consultations for influenza like illnesses through ESR’s GP sentinel surveillance system since last week, said deputy director of public health Fran McGrath.

The highest weekly influenza consultation rates have been reported from South Auckland, Wellington and South Canterbury health districts.

The highest weekly influenza consultation rates have been reported from South Auckland, Wellington and South Canterbury health districts

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Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee has launched an immediate Ministerial review of the electricity sector.

Brownlee today released Terms of Reference for a review and announced that six independent experts would be appointed to a Technical Advisory Group.
“There are a number of other reports completed or underway in the electricity sector.
“The government has concerns about security of supply, the affordability of electricity, and duplication of electricity sector governance,” said Brownlee.
The six experts on the Technical Advisory Group are Brent Layton, David Russell, Lewis Evans, Stephen Franks, Toby Stevenson, and Miriam Dean. The best way to draw the threads together and make timely decisions to build public, industry and investor confidence is to proceed with a Ministerial review,” he said. The first phase would look at regulatory and governance issues, with the second addressing issues of electricity market performance.
Brownlee said there would be two phases of work in the Ministerial review.
Brownlee’s announcement comes a day after state owned Genesis Power announced price rises, effective from May 17, for 75,000 residential customers.
“It may be that the review process throws up some obvious short-term improvements that can be made and if so these will be acted on immediately,” he said. And Meridian said the previous month it would increase power bills for 180,000 customers by an average of 6. .5 percent, on top of a 6 percent increase last September.

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Climber sets record at age of 79

– Monday, 02 March 2009

It is not your average pensioner who dances on top of a mountain.
Christchurch retiree Ron Webster, 79, is believed to be the oldest person to climb Mt Aspiring, after reaching the top of the 3033m peak last week.
Webster's effort surpassed Taranaki mountaineer Doug Ball's record for the oldest Mt Aspiring climber set last March by three months.
The pair each had a guide.
The Cashmere-based retired pharmacist took 14 1/2 hours to climb the mountain with his friend, 73-year-old Darfield man Murray Robb.
"We booked the climb three months ago.
Webster, who turns 80 on May 20, said achieving the climb put to rest months of sleepless nights. ."
Webster and Robb trained by going for tramps in the Christchurch foothills and Arthur's Pass every week for about eight weeks. I kept wondering whether I was crazy and should I be doing this at my age.
Webster said any loss of concentration could prove fatal.
Mt Aspiring has claimed many lives.
"We got close to the top and suddenly there was blue sky and no-one else around.
"It's very steep and the day we climbed it was clouded over for three-quarters of the way," he said. We danced and jumped for joy. We danced and jumped for joy.

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Flares over Wellington harbour an exercise

– Saturday, 21 February 2009

The Coastguard has urged Wellingtonians not to worry if they see flares going off in Wellington Harbour tonight.
The volunteer Coastguard and its Boating Education Service are holding a training session for new recruits and said the exercise is also to remind boat owners of the importance of carrying flares and other means of communication.
The boat will be located offshore from Westpac Stadium.
Around 40 red rockets, 55 hand-held flares and five orange smoke floats will be set off from on board the Steve-Maree. .
Coastguard president Terry Sampson said it was likely people would mistake the exercise for a boat in distress but urged observers not to worry and refrain from contacting emergency services.40pm.
The exercise will run from 9pm until 9.

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Flares over Wellington harbour an exercise

– Saturday, 21 February 2009

The Coastguard has urged Wellingtonians not to worry if they see flares going off in Wellington Harbour tonight.
The volunteer Coastguard and its Boating Education Service are holding a training session for new recruits and said the exercise is also to remind boat owners of the importance of carrying flares and other means of communication.
The boat will be located offshore from Westpac Stadium.
Around 40 red rockets, 55 hand-held flares and five orange smoke floats will be set off from on board the Steve-Maree. .
Coastguard president Terry Sampson said it was likely people would mistake the exercise for a boat in distress but urged observers not to worry and refrain from contacting emergency services.40pm.
The exercise will run from 9pm until 9.

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Killer Antonie Dixon dies in prison

By MARK STEVENS and – Thursday, 05 February 2009

PRISON DEATH: Antonie Dixon has died in Paremoremo Prison.

INSANITY PLEA: Antonie Dixon during his 2005 trial.

The lure of Antonie Dixon

Samurai sword attacker and convicted killer Antonie Dixon, who died in prison earlier today, was seen by a psychiatrist just hours before his death. He was due in court earlier today.
Dixon died in Paremoremo Prison in the early morning.
His lawyer Barry Hart told of his growing concern for Dixon’s state of mental health, particularly following an attack by Dixon on Mr Hart.
A prison source told Dixon had suffered head and neck injuries when he struck his head on his cell bars. Dixon had pulled a "makeshift weapon" on Mr Hart last month. The psychiatrist confirmed to Mr Hart at 5pm last night that Dixon was mentally unwell but believed that Paremoremo had the facilities to care for Dixon.
Mr Hart arrange for a psychiatrist from the Mason Clinic to assess him yesterday.
Mr Hart says the Corrections Department "stuffed up".
The next call Mr Hart took was at 6am today, advising him Dixon was dead. .
Mr Hart said his client had refused to take his medication and had been beaten up several times by inmates.
Dixon was due to appear for sentencing earlier today, however arrangements had already been made to have sentencing adjourned until February 20 so his sister, who lives overseas, could attend.
Dixon was due to appear for sentencing earlier today, however arrangements had already been made to have sentencing adjourned until February 20 so his sister, who lives overseas, could attend.
"The Department is now undertaking an initial investigation to determine what happened," she said."He was pronounced dead by ambulance staff when they arrived at the prison.
A coroner's investigation, assisted by the police, would be conducted ahead of an inquest to determine the cause of death, she said.
Ms Field said the death would be investigated by the prison authorities. He was high on the drug P.
Dixon, 40,attacked Simonne Butler and Renee Gunbie with a samurai sword in Pipiroa close to Thames on January 22, 2003, and murdered James Te Aute in Auckland the same night.
His defence had beenthat he was insane when he attackedButler and Gunbiebefore driving to Auckland where he shot dead Te Aute with 10 bullets in his back.
In 2005, Dixon was convicted of charges, including murder, kidnapping and using a firearm against a police officer.
However, the insanity defence waswas always challenged by police who called Dixon a "gold-plated psychopath". He took a hostage before giving himself up to police after a standoff.
In Pipiroa, Dixon's increasing paranoia had exploded into rage when he hacked atGunbie andex-girlfriendButler with a samurai sword – slashing at them until their hands were severed.
In Pipiroa, Dixon's increasing paranoia had exploded into rage when he hacked atGunbie andex-girlfriendButler with a samurai sword – slashing at them until their hands were severed. The chopping stopped only because the sword broke.
It took a team of surgeons 27 hours to delicately reattach Butler's hands but Gunbie's hand couldn't be saved and she's lucky to be alive.
The Court of Appeal quashed the convictions in 2007, ruling the judge had erred in the summing-up of the case. In Augustlast year, after a second jury trial, Dixon was again found guilty on the eight charges he faced.
His death comes just weeks after another prison incident involving Dixon. The reported that Dixon had pulled a "makeshift weapon" on his own lawyer – Barry Hart – during a meeting at Auckland Central Remand Prison on January 17.
"Staff supervising the meeting between the prisoner and his lawyer saw the prisoner get agitated, and attempt to remove what they believed to be a makeshift weapon from his shoe," a Corrections spokeswoman said at the time.
MrHart told the that "[Dixon] has some major mental issues at the moment"."The issues have deteriorated," he said.
The drama was the second time Dixon was reported to beinvolved in an incident with a weapon inside prison. In December, 2007, Dixon used a fork to try to gouge out the eye of another prisoner, who required hospitalisation.
Justice Hugh Williams said he had received a letter from Dixon saying he had dispensed with Mr Hart's services and queried whether a new lawyer needed to be appointed.
Mr Hart said Dixon had dispensed with his services on a number of occasions.
"Everytime he got unwell, he had trust issues."
He said the system had let Dixon down badly. When asked ifhis deathwas a stuff by corrections department, Mr Hart said "Well it has to be".
Dixonhad been jailed at least 14 times and had almost 160 prior convictions – predominately for theft and burglary.
During the 2007 Appeal Court hearing, Hart said Dixon had suffered a horrendous upbringing. As a child he was tied to a clothesline, could only bark like a dog, and showed paranoid behaviour over several years.
– With additional reporting fromMichael Fox, Clio Francis, Kim Ruscoe and