The SPCA has welcomed the government plans for a big increase in penalties for cruelty
to animals.
Speakers: Peg Loague, (RNZSPCA National President); John Falloon, (Agriculture Minister)
Six Thai women detained by immigration officials this week have complained about the treatment they have received here. Being locked up was both hurtful and insulting. The women deny they came here to work as prostitutes.
Speaker: Lyn Hume, (Supporter).
An RNZAF Orion carried out a search this afternoon between Fiji and Auckland, after two Air NZ aircraft picked up signals from an emergency beacon near Conway Reef.
Prison guards at Paremoremo Prison foiled an attempted escape over night. Bars on three cell windows were partially sawn through by inmates using broken hacksaw blades. Three prisoners have been moved to the maximum section of the prison.
A smell like burnt toffee drifted over Auckland’s North Shore this morning when fire broke out at the Chelsea Sugar Works. The fire was contained and the plant was back in operation in the afternoon.
The MOT has praised Canterbury drivers for the way most of them have handled treacherous road conditions during the cold snap. However, three teenagers were seriously injured when their car collided with a lamppost on the out skirts of Christchurch.
Sharp rent rises, in central Auckland, have been blamed for the relocation of retailers to the suburbs. The local Chamber of Commerce is wondering what it has to do to stop the rot.
Speaker: Michael Barnett, (Akld Chamber of Commerce).
The telephone counseling service lifeline is having problems of its own as demand for its service increases. Lifeline needs more money and volunteer counsellors. Some time new volunteer counsellors themselves need counseling after taking distressing calls.
Speakers: Bruce Mackie, (Lifeline Director); Allan Bloore, (Christchurch Lifeline).
A Japanese yachtsman left Auckland today with a long journey ahead of him. He is sailing solo back to Japan on a voyage expected to take 60 days.
A 24 hour book sale in Dunedin help raise 60 thousand dollars for repairs to the city’s Regent Theatre.
Speaker: Graham Bulman, Brent Coates, John Walker, (Shoppers).
More than 50 people braved the 10 degree water at Oriental Bay for a mid winter swim.