Te Awamutu CouPublished Tuesday & Thursdayurie WEDNESDAY,r DECEMBER 21, 2016 Your community newspaper for over 100 years EXTRA COPIES 40c In the spirit of Christmas Merry Christmas This is our last edition for 2016 GETTY IMAGE — your Te Awamutu Courier will return to your home on Wednesday, January 11. Thank you to all our contributors, advertisers, supporters and readers. We have done our best to get all the stories into our final issues but there is just too much happening in this great community, so next year expect more great stories. Early in the year we’ll catch up with what Kianga Aroha is up to and what CommSafe is doing to keep us safe and secure, including an award they presented for a stalwart of Neighbourhood Watch. We wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. TC211216CT02 CHRISTMAS JOY: Win free raffle The Barnyard kids Prakash and Rachel Tantarpale and teachers are bringing back their free raffle Michelle Gillard (top) outside The Warehouse on and Mandy Donnelly December 23 and 24. with their newly- Collect a free ticket at 11am acquired toys after each day and 10 minutes later the being presented raffles will be drawn. them by Pakeke Two $50 Warehouse vouchers Lions’ Christmas will be won on Friday and four raffle convener Ian $50 Warehouse vouchers will be Grey. won on Saturday. The raffle is supported by local churches. Mass and carols Raffle winners donate toys to childcare centre St John’s Anglican Church on Arawata St is hosting a Christmas Eve midnight mass on Saturday BY COLIN THORSEN own so we hope the kids at The the generosity of the Toomaths. night. The church will be Barnyard get many, many hours “A massive thank you to decorated with over 250 candles Christmas spirit is alive and of fun and laughter from playing We have no children Michael and Gladys. and there will be carol singing. well in Te Awamutu. with the toys,” said Mr Toomath, ‘of our own so we hope “The children here will The service begins at 11.15pm The winners of this year’s the raffle winner. the kids at The indeed have many fun times with and is expected to end at monster Pakeke Lions’ Christ- Mrs Toomath joked that she these toys.” 12.30am. mas sleigh raffle have donated all might be able to ride down town Barnyard get many, The Toomaths did not go Organisers say all are welcome the toys from their prize win to on the scooter but the kids at The many hours of fun and home empty handed. The sleigh to come and enjoy the beautiful The Barnyard Childcare who Barnyard get that too. laughter from playing was chock-full of goodies thanks atmosphere and music. had several of their toys stolen Pakeke Lions raffle convener to the generosity of businesses. this time last year. Ian Grey presented the toys, with the toys. There was an assortment of Very personal Retired Paterangi couple including a kids’ miniature ride- MICHAEL TOOMATH’ items for the whole family, Check today’s Personals Michael and Gladys Toomath on Kubota tractor and trailer, to including an electric drill, com- — we think this is a first for told the Courier they were The Barnyard last week. puter keyboard, slow cooker, the Te Awamutu Courier. delighted to help out The Barn- Seeing all the kids’ eyes light The Barnyard Childcare vouchers, boxing bag, watch, yard. up when they spotted the tractor owner/manager Michelle toiletries, yoghurt maker and “We have no children of our and trailer was a joy to behold. Cummings was blown away by floor mat. WE ARE PUMPING g.a.s 24/7 Rosetown Holden’s after hours selfpay is the easy way to fill up COST We accept the following cards: PLUS Eftpos • BP Fuel • Visa Mastercard • Amex Diners • RD1 • Farmlands GST Talk to Fairview Te Awamutu Cardlink • Evia on 870 2455 or FF Card FRIDAY 23rd ONLY Murray on 021 763 406 or Parts & Accessories in Store stop by 50 Jack Russell Rd,Te Awamutu YOUR ONE STOP MOTORING SHOP ROSETOWN HOLDEN 2 Kihikihi Road, Te Awamutu P 07 871 3069 E [email protected] g.a.s ROSETOWN HOLDEN W www.wilkspenny.co.nz 93 Churchill Street • Te Awamutu • Ph (07) 871 5143 FINANCE 2 Te Awamutu Courier Wednesday, December 21, 2016 SALT WATER LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SPORTS FISHING KAWHIA HIGH TIDES Why restrictions when we have enough water? Add fi ve minutes for Raglan Harbour Interesting to read that not all commercial properties usage as well, yet Kihikihi has now using 81 million litres of Tuesday 3.41am 4.12pm there has been a spike in water are on meters (it could save a separate water supply. treated drinking water each Wednesday 4.37am 5.03pm usage and we are on Alert commercial operators actual And the question needs to week. Thursday 5.37am 5.56pm Level 1. rates if they were). be asked as well, if Waipa is Until water meters are in- Friday 6.35am 6.55pm The weather has not been I believe that conserving not short on water, why are stalled, the cost to fill swim- Saturday 7.28am 7.54pm hot and there has been no need water is great, so is growth in they following Hamilton and ming pools is shared by all Sunday 8.20am 8.47pm to water gardens as there has the district, but with the in- Waikato councils as they also ratepayers (except for those Monday 9.11am 9.32pm been plenty of rain. crease of many new properties have Alert Level 1 in place. already on meters). So, where is the water being and people in the district the Who is following who? Once meters are installed used to “force” the council to resources are getting stretched BERNARD WESTERBAAN and all Waipa households (not put the signs on again to tell to the limit. Council responds: We agree just some) are being charged NEW INSTORE! people to conserve water? I would like to see actual that up until December, there for what they use (from mid- They’re here Are people filling up their and verifiable data from Coun- were no concerns about water 2018) pool owners will carry swimming pools again? Coun- cil to keep people informed — use. Hence, restrictions were the cost of filling their pools cil should look at their system information from last year not put in place until mid- themselves. to see if properties with pools clearly showed that Kihikihi December (compared to early It should also be noted that are metered. water take was below the year December last year). the decision to unify water Looking on Map On Line (a before, yet as Kihikihi is But recent hot weather has restrictions across neighbour- Waipa DC database on their ‘tagged’ to Te Awamutu and seen water use shoot up with ing districts to avoid confusion website) it is clear to see that they have to restrict water Te Awamutu and Kihikihi was made some years ago. Donations appreciated Thanks for thoughtfulness On behalf of the Te Awa- ties. To the many people who Many thanks for the won- Also, many thanks to the mutu Pakeke Lions I wish to purchase tickets or just leave a derful for mums and nana who residents of Te Awamutu who sincerely thank the business donation we are most grateful. produce delicious healthy donate good second-hand people in our town for their The staff at the Courier muffins each month for the shoes to be distributed to those Stay Safe generous contribution to our need a special mention for NICU Unit at Waikato hos- in need. on the Water - annual Christmas Sleigh their continued support. May pital. JILL TAYLOR Raffle. you all have a happy and Wear your Without your help we healthy Christmas. Lifejacket would not be able to make our IAN GREY yearly donations to local chari- (Raffle organiser) Gourmet in the Park Merry Christmas from us all Thanks for helping mum coming to Te Awamutu Thank you for your custom in 2016 - The popular Gourmet in Park, starting with the first Looking forward to seeing you in 2017 I would like to thank, on assist, the lady who rang for the Park is coming to Te on the evening of Saturday, behalf of my mum, the many the ambulance and the lady Awamutu next year — once a January 21 from 4-8pm. people who came to our rescue who stood with me until we month in January, February She thanks Waipa District when my mum fell in the were able to go home. and March. Council for helping making middle of the road, after the Mum is nursing a broken Te Awamutu i-Site Centre the event possible. dancing concert at Te Awa- wrist and lots of bruising. manager Lynne Fenwick has Keep an eye on the first mutu College. We both wish you all a successfully negotiated for editions of the Courier in 166 Cambridge Rd, Te Awamutu The man from Fonterra happy and safe Christmas. the event to come to Selwyn 2017 for more details. PH: 871 3474 (FISH) who stopped his milk tanker to ROBYN CALLANDER The team at Strawbridges wish you all a very Merry Christmas BOXING DAY and best wishes for the New Year … Get all your last minute gifts instore MARK US ON open Christmas Eve until… YOUR CALENDAR Small appliances - fabulous home décor items … kids furniture, toys and MORE! SOMETHING MASSIVE IS HAPPENING INSTORE … NOT TO BE MISSED! TE AWAMUTU 319 Alexandra Street STRAWBRIDGES Phone 07 871 7090 100% TE AWAMUTU OWNED & OPERATED SWIPE HERE AND SAVE LIKE US ON FACEBOOK Wednesday, December 21, 2016 Te Awamutu Courier 3 Tree-mendous show The Vilagrad team would like to wish you for a Tree Awamutu all a safe and Happy Holiday Season WE ARE OPEN FOR SUNDAY LUNCHES FROM JANUARY 8TH Exquisite Mediterranean Cuisine & Award Winning Wines OPEN From 12pm 702 Rukuhia Rd RD2 Ohaupo 07 825 2893 or visit www.vilagradwines.co.nz TC211216BT07 WAIPA Christian School choir performs at the Tree Awamutu matinee last week.