Two a penny

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LATEST:
An 18-year-old woman has been arrested after the body of a premature baby was found naked on a concrete path outside a west Auckland house.

The baby was found on Monday afternoon at a house in Barron Drive, Green Bay.

She will appear in the Waitakere District Court today where she will be charged with concealing the dead body of a child, Ms Hegarty said. .

Waitemata police spokesperson Kevin Loughlin said the post mortem examination was completed yesterday, but police would not reveal the cause of death while the investigation continued.

The New Zealand Herald reported today that the boy, born four to 10 weeks early, was discovered at the home of two Indian women – a mother and daughter – who had moved into the house a few weeks ago.

The house, opposite a playground and close to a primary school, has been cordoned off by police.

Mr Loughlin said police were not seeking anybody else other than those already assisting police with their inquiries.

“They asked us if we’d seen anything suspicious, did we see any behaviour that made us think something weird was going on,” she told the Herald.

Neighbour Donna Muru was told by police they were investigating the suspicious death of a baby.

Detective Sergeant Sean Hyland-Mills of Waitakere CIB said police had examined the scene and spoken to medical professionals and the child’s relatives.

Ms Muru said she had seen nothing suspicious.

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A massive wildfire tore through outlying suburbs north of Athens early Sunday, destroying homes and forcing thousands to flee in dramatic overnight evacuations, Fire Service and local officials said.

The fires near the capital raged for a third day, blackening thousands of hectares of rugged land covered by pine forest or thick bushes. Anti-aircraft missiles at a nearby base were removed as flames approached, the army said. Fires are out of control on many fronts,” greater Athens local governor Yiannis Sgouros said.”The situation is tragic.After daybreak, planes and helicopters resumed water drops following an eight-hour pause that allowed the wildfire to spread across parts of Mount Penteli and reach suburban homes.A state of emergency was declared in greater Athens, in the worst destruction seen here since massive fires struck southern Greece in 2007 and killed more than 70 people. Clouds of black smoke filled the capital’s skyline and obscured the sun.Deputy Fire Chief Stelios Stefanidis said no casualties had been reported by early Sunday, despite the overnight evacuations of hundreds of hillside homes on the outskirts of the city.Authorities evacuated two large children’s hospitals, camp sites, and homes in villages and outlying suburban areas threatened by blazes that scattered ash on streets across the city. .The fires, which started late Friday, were reported in an area more than 25 miles (40km) wide.Residents battled the fires outside their homes with hose-pipes and even branches, and many ignored evacuation orders that were called out over loud speakers in fire-stricken towns.Winds of up to 50 kilometers per hour were forecast Sunday, while Stefanidis said the thick smoke was hampering water drops. Volunteers and army conscripts joined hundreds of firefighters to help fend off the flames. Volunteers and army conscripts joined hundreds of firefighters to help fend off the flames.”Some of the threatened areas were in the vicinity of the town of Marathon, from which the modern long-distance foot race takes its name. “A massive effort by authorities is taking place to deal with this very difficult challenge.Elsewhere in Greece, serious fires were reported on the islands of Evia and Skyros.Municipal officials in that area said the fire was threatening the archaeological site of Rhamnus, home to two 2,500-year-old temples.

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Finance Minister Bill English says he appreciates the support he gets from taxpayers, which saw him claim close toly $1000 a week to live in his family house in Wellington.

Mr English today defended the payments, saying it was within the rules and was the same as other ministers were getting.The English’s family trust owns the $1. He had made the best option for his family and the cheapest for taxpayers.Mr English, the MP for Clutha-Southland, is entitled as an out-of-Wellington minister to either a crown-owned house or an accommodation allowance.2 million house in Karori.Other costs are also covered – including power and cleaning – which saw Mr English claim more than $23,000 for living in the house for the six months to June 30.He has six children and his wife works as a GP in WellingtonHe said Prime Minister John Key had capped the accommodation rate at $700 a week for rent, which was previously unlimited.He said most people thought politicians were paid too much, their cars were too big and their travel costs too extravagant. As deputy prime minister he earns $276,700 a year.”I get the same deal as everyone else. .”Mr English has come under attack for the claim at the same time as he has called for “permanent restraint” in the public sector. This isn’t about the money this is about the support I get which I appreciate that enables our family to be together.Meanwhile, at the National Party caucus in Christchurch today high profile delegate Wira Gardiner’s bid for the presidency fell at the first hurdle, when he failed to secure a seat on the party’s governing board.But he said the Government had shown leadership including a cap on the amount that could be claimed, and a cap on the number of staff in the Beehive. The front-runner is Auckland businessman Peter Goodfellow.The board will select a president tomorrow to replace Judy Kirk who is stepping down after seven years.He told reporters he did not rule out a capital gains tax, though he said it would be hard to persuade a National Government a capital gains tax was a good idea.In his speech to the conference Bill English warned the party it must be prepared for possible tax changes that they would be uncomfortable with.Prime Minister John Key’s speech to the conference tomorrow will include a package of youth employment initiatives, likely to include details of its youth guarantee policy.The Government needed to get as much revenue in over the next five years without raising the tax burden.

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About a dozen protesters faced the rain today to stick a summons on Social Development Minister Paula Bennett’s door.

The protest, organised by Socialist Aotearoa was over National’s cutting of the Training Incentive Allowance (TIA) and Ms Bennett’s revealing of beneficiaries’ private information.

The mothers said without it they would not be able to continue courses which would help them get jobs.

Ms Bennett has been under fire this week for revealing the welfare payment details of two solo mothers, on benefits, who complained about the Government’s decision to scrap the TIA.

“We think it’s disgraceful that people are trying to scapegoat on the poor and the unemployed and single mothers for the problems in society,” said Socialist Aotearoa member Joe Carolan.

The protesting group, a coalition of community, disabled and trade union groups, was at Ms Bennett’s West Auckland office today. .

“We are in a huge economic crisis at the moment where 50,000 people are going to lose their jobs so we need more support and more training for the unemployed in this period. We need all the help we can get, not to be yet again discriminated against by the Government.

“As a single parent and a student myself I know how hard it is to try and complete some training.

“It’s going to significantly affect my ability to keep studying.”

She said the cut would mean she would not have money for travel, text books and it would affect her ability to afford childcare.”

The summons, stuck on to Ms Bennett’s door, called for her to attend a hearing of “the people’s court” to defend her actions in cutting the TIA and revealing the personal information of the two beneficiaries.”

Ms Ferguson said she would keep studying regardless, but it would be “incredibly difficult.

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The hearing is set for next Saturday, at her office

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A woman has told of hearing Lesley Elliott’s “blood-curdling” scream when she saw her daughter being stabbed.

Shelley Ann Jones, who took Lesley Elliott’s 111 emergency phone call on January 9 last year, told the High Court in Christchurch that she was sent home to recover after taking the call.

Elliott dialled emergency services when she heard her daughter screaming as Clayton Weatherston attacked her in the bedroom at Elliott’s Dunedin home.

Clayton Robert Weatherston is on trial, accused of Sophie Elliott’s murder in Dunedin.

Jones said she heard a “very unpleasant” scream from Elliott when she saw her daughter on the ground.

Weatherston denies murdering Elliott, but accepts he is guilty of her manslaughter. It was a real scream when you know that it’s really happened.

“[It was] blood-curdling.. It was just . unsettling,” Jones said..”

It then said: “Inft can’t get in,” and noted the caller, Lesley Elliott, said she heard a “thumping” noise.

Jones’ computer entry about the telephone call stated: “Daughter attacked by partner. Female screaming .

Jones recorded: “Door opened. ..’

‘Killed her. ‘He’s killed her.’”

After the call was terminated, Jones said she took a break.’ ‘Blood everywhere.”

Sophie Elliott’s university supervisor Robert Alexander, is now giving evidence.

“I was quite pale and shaking so they told me to take the rest of the day.

“There was a lot of abuse.

“There was a lot of abuse. There were a lot of put-downs in the relationship,” Alexander said.

He described seeing Elliott the day before she was killed.

She had come to thank him and farewell him before she moved to Wellington to start a job at the Treasury later in the week. Elliott had ended up talking to him about Weatherston for almost two hours.

“She said to me, well, you don’t want to know about the other stuff, do you?” Alexander said.

Elliott talked about rumours being spread about her by Weatherston at the Treasury, in Wellington.

“She was aware that he was telling people that she was crazy,” Alexander said.

Cross-examination of Alexander by defence counsel Greg King is now under way.

MOTHER GIVES EVIDENCE

Earlier the court heard how Sophie Elliott “lost it” and “went at” her former boyfriend two days before he allegedly murdered her.

Sophie Elliott’s mother Lesley was giving evidence at the Christchurch High Court earlier today.

Lesley Elliott said her daughter was very upset about how she had become aggressive towards Weatherston in his Otago University office on January 7 last year.

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‘Traumatic’ death sparks hunt for missing partner

and JO MCKENZIE MCLEAN – Tuesday, 17 February 2009

Homicide inquiry: Police investigate the scene in Waiau where Jo-Anne Thompson was found dead yesterday.

A North Canterbury man is being hunted by police after the "traumatic" death of his partner, discovered after her young sons were seen wandering outside the family's run-down Waiau house.
A neighbour found the couple's sons, aged four and six, outside the house about 8am yesterday.
Police earlier today will remove the body of Jo-Anne Thompson from her Parnassus Street home.
Police were unable to say how the woman died but an officer described Thompson's death as "traumatic".
Other neighbours were unable to find the boys' mother and called police, who found Thompson's body in the bathroom of the weatherboard house, which remained cordoned yesterday.
Fraser had been kicked out of the home a week ago, a neighbour said.
A homicide inquiry was launched as police searched for the woman's partner, Ross Simon Fraser, 43.
"She looked after her kids they were her number one priority.
Thompson's neighbour, Nigal Stratford, described the 46-year-old mother as a "real nice lady" whose life revolved around her children. She was such a nice person she had no enemies. Everyone is just gutted. I don't know anyone who actually liked him. But he was the opposite."
The pair had been in an "on-again, off-again" relationship, he said. He was a scum-bag, basically."
Last week, Stratford had asked Thompson about the relationship and questioned what she was doing with Fraser.
"The last I had seen she had kicked him out about a week ago and he had gone."
The news of the death had shocked the small community of 254, he said.
"She didn't really say anything.
Fraser, a shearer, has two older children with a former partner.
The children spent the day with a neighbour and were taken in by extended family last night.
She was also looking forward to the younger boy starting school this year.
Waiau School principal Mary Kimber said the six-year-old boy was "delightful and lovely".
"The teachers are very upset.
"The teachers are very upset. They know how much Jo was looking forward to being a parent-teacher helper when (the younger child) started school."
Waiau residents said Fraser's behaviour had become increasingly erratic over the years.
Ram's Head Cafe and Bar owner Lindsay Clemens said Fraser bought one bottle of beer from his bar on Sunday.
"He's an unusual fella to say the least," he said. "I thought he was a bit of a clown. I allowed him four bottles on a visit.
"I'd say, `one and you're tolerable, two and you're annoying people, three and you're really p…… people off, four and someone's going to punch you and it might be me'.
"He just had a different disposition than everybody else. He got a high off upsetting people."
Fellow shearer Alistair Parkes said Fraser had some "pretty way-out ideas" and would often go for a week without washing.
Fraser, described by police as an itinerant shearer, had been working on and off for one Waiau family for about seven years.
His employers, who did not want to be named, said they were "blown away" by the news.
"We knew Jo as well and as far as we were concerned they were both good people.
"We just can't understand what's happened here.
"He'd help anybody and take the shirt off his back if he had one to give and she'd stay home and look after the kids. They meant the world to her."
The employers agreed Fraser had lost his "zip" recently.
They said Fraser had not worked over the weekend and they were unable to contact him on Sunday night to inform him he was expected yesterday morning. . They left his house without checking inside, saying it was not unusual for some farm workers to skip Monday after a "big weekend".
Police described Fraser as 170cm tall, of thin build, with shoulder-length scruffy hair.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts should contact Detective Sergeant Rex Barnett or Detective Tanya Drake, of the Rangiora police on (03) 313 6167.

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Proof needed to secure certificates

Thursday, 15 January 2009

Law changes designed to curb identity theft will come into effect this month.
From January 25, anyone ordering a birth, death, marriage, civil union or name-change certificate must offer proof of identity to obtain the document, unless the paper is a historical one.
The bill had a troubled passage through Parliament, and the previous Labour-led government took more than a year to secure enough support to pass the legislation. .
What had initially seemed a non-contentious proposal aimed at preventing criminals from obtaining the personal documents of someone else and using them for nefarious purposes was challenged by genealogists, historians and media concerned about the denial of access to previously public documents.
Older documents freely available without proof of identity include birth certificates from a 100 years or more ago, death certificates of stillbirths 50 years ago or more, marriage certificates dating from before 1929, and death certificates from before 1959.
When applying for a recent document, people need to sign a statement that proves their identity, and have the statement signed by a person such as a justice of the peace, doctor or teacher.
"While maintaining public access to the registers, these new requirements also provide better safeguards for people's personal information," Registrar-General Brian Clarke said.

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Mascot knocker says sorry

– Wednesday, 03 December 2008

MARK TAYLOR/
ATTACKED: Harold the Giraffe who was knocked over by 22-year-old Damien Gifkins in Hamilton’s Garden Palace. Gifkins was fined over his disorderly behaviour.

The man who knocked over Harold the Giraffe in Hamilton says it was an accident and wants to make it up to him and take the mascotout for a beer.
The charge relates to an incident last Friday in which 22-year-old Gifkins knocked over Harold while he was fundraising for Life Education Trust in Hamilton'sGarden Place.
Damien Gifkins – known as Shady1 to his friends – pleaded guilty in Hamilton District Court on Monday to a charge of disorderly behaviour and was ordered to pay $130 reparation.
The suit was being worn by Hamilton lawyer Murray Grant, who required medical treatment afterwards.
Harold went flying into a cafe table, scattering cutlery and plates.
Gifkins contacted the after reading an article about the incident in Saturday's paper. "I was excited to be back in Hamilton (from Christchurch) and was running down the road and did not see Harold.
"From my point of view it was an accident," he said. I got a bit of a fright actually. I bumped into him and bowled him over. There was no excuse 4 what i dun n i would like 2 make it up to u."
In a text sent to Mr Grant, Gifkins wrote: "Im sendn u ths txt 2 apoligise 4 my idiotic actions on fridae afternoon…
Gifkins said he tried to ring Mr Grant yesterday because he wanted "to take him out for a beer".by offering my services n help to raise fundz 4 a new class rm if i am allowd 2?". He was still in a lot of pain and had physiotherapy treatment yesterday.
However, Mr Grant told the he had no interest in meeting up with Gifkins.
"He texted me and offered to do some fundraising for the trust, but I'd rather he pay to fix the suit – approximately $500.
Mr Grant did not believe the incident was an accident – "that's crap"."
The trust needs about $100,000 a year to stay operational in Hamilton. .lifeeducation. People wanting to make a donation can do so via their website, www.nz/about-us/donate .nz/about-us/donate .

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Power surge ‘fries’ appliances

Tuesday, 04 November 2008

ROSS GIBLIN/The
BIG BLOWOUT: Anindita Banerjee contemplates the $6000 cost to replace her ruined appliances after a power surge in Karori. Power company Genesis Energy says it is taking no responsibility for the surge.

A Wellington woman fears being left $6000 out of pocket after a power surge blew 10 electrical appliances in her home.
Anindita Banerjee woke early on Wednesday to the smell of smoke and electrical burning.
The surge last week affected about 70 homes in Karori."
She estimated the damage at $6000, but said she was glad the situation was not worse.
"I managed to get up and switched a couple of appliances off, but I've lost at least 10, including the TV, hot water, DVS system, computer modem and dishwasher. "What if the house had burned down?"
Ms Banerjee complained to her power company, Genesis Energy.
Ms Banerjee had asked for compensation for her blown appliances, and was told to contact her insurance company.
Company spokesman Richard Gordon said it took her plight seriously, but was not responsible for power surges. About 70 homes were affected, though not all as badly as Ms Banerjee's.
A spokesman for lines company Wellington Electricity, Hugo Armstrong, said there was a power surge early on October 29 after a fault at the Tringham St substation.
"If there's something we can do to help this customer, we will. ."