From harriers to Grieving mother runnersP16 speaks outP3 MATAMATA POST & RAILS Matamata 7165499AA Mangawhero Rd, Matamata Ph 07 888 8189 Chronicle [email protected] Wednesday, May 18, 2016 AT THE HEART OF YOUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1966 matamatachronicle.co.nz Education Pohlen wing opens of drivers urged STEVE EDWARDS ‘‘Concerns have also The driving habits of tourists out- been raised about weigh speeding issues when it unfamiliar drivers comes to solving potential mishaps on increasingly busy and the consistency roads outside Hobbiton Movie Set of signs and near Matamata. Buckland, Mathieson and markings along the Puketutu roads were part of a route.’’ speed management project involv- ing the Waikato Regional Trans- port Committee, councils and NZ signs and markings along the Transport Agency. route.’’ A draft national guide Visitor numbers to Hobbiton proposed that the speed limit of are expected to reach 400,000 this the three Matamata roads be year, compared to 50,000 in 2010. decreased (100kmh to 100kmh In a survey which formed part west of Hobbiton; 80kmh in the of the speed management project, remainder). a number of residents in the area However, after considering around Hobbiton noted tourists technical information, survey driving on the wrong side of the results and other feedback, the road as ‘‘more of an issue’’ than project governance group speed for them, along with poor recommended not to pursue any signs and road markings. changes in the respective speed ‘‘After discussions with the limits. residents, staff recognise that This is to enable a more lowering the speed limit may not ‘‘holistic consideration’’ of the be the most appropriate action at issues along the route to take this time, and that it is more place. important to address the A draft report tabled at residents’ direct concerns relating Wednesday’s Matamata-Piako to driver behaviour,’’ said the District Council meeting said MPDC report. Buckland Rd has a poor ‘‘horizon- While the speed limit change tal and vertical geometry’’ and a should still be seen as ‘‘the long- relatively narrow carriageway, term objective’’, the report said especially to the west of Hobbiton. ‘‘more immediate actions’’ are ‘‘There have been several reviewing destination signs crashes on Buckland Rd over the associated with Hobbiton and past five years where vehicles ensuring it is most appropriate have lost control,’’ said the report. for tourism traffic. ‘‘Inappropriate speed has Cr Leonie Tisch said electronic contributed to some of these signs, used at accident black spots Pohlen Foundation Trust chairperson Margaret, Lady Spring and Pohlen Hospital Board Trust chair David Gasquoine in crashes, but concerns have also around the country, would have one of the six rooms of Pohlen Hospital’s palliative care wing, which was officially opened on May 13. PHOTO: ABBY BROWN been raised about unfamiliar ‘‘far more affect’’ than a reduction drivers and the consistency of in speed limits around Hobbiton. 24 HOUR ELECTRICAL NO JOB TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL • We service all major where quality is guaranteed brands of whiteware. and service is renowned • Buying and selling appliances. • KITCHENS • FURNITURE • LAUNDRIES • Your local Fisher & Paykel • VANITIES • WARDROBES• PRESSED TIN PANELS Authorised Service Centre. MATAMATA TIRAU P 07 888 9900 9 Tui Street • MATAMATA www.dirosa.co.nz • Ph 888 4910 07 888 7578 07 883 1130 AU-7217273AA 72 Okauia Springs Road, Matamata 7217282AA 7218483AA AU-7171467AA 2 MATAMATA CHRONICLE, MAY 18, 2016 stuff.co.nz YOUR PAPER, YOUR PLACE did you know... The Australian Alps get more snow than Switzerland 1. HISTORIC FROM Matamata Historical Society Open THE Meeting at the Heritage Centre, Firth EDITOR Tower museum, 266 Tower Road, Matamata on Tuesday May 24 at 1.30pm. Guest Speaker is Mary I hope people take as much note of Vosper. the message from page 3’s story as I did. 2. CARDS If you drive faster than 20kmh 1 Senior Citizens 500 Cards: Second past a stationary school bus then third and fourth Tuesday of the you need to take particular notice. month at 1pm. That’s not acceptable anymore. You’re effectively playing 3. SENTENCING chicken with the lives of young Sensible Sentencing Trust will be children who might just make the hosted by Matamata RSA on June 15. mistake of walking out. I remember driving down a 4. BREAST CANCER road right next to a high school to do list Breakfasts for Breast Cancer will be This newspaper is once. Both sides of the road were 2 3 held throughout the month of May subject to NZ Press lined with cars because it was in Matamata to raise funds for Breast Council procedures. school athletics day. I was only Cancer Foundation. A complaint must first going 50kmh but something be directed in writing, 5. PEN TIME within one month of inside my told me to slow right publication, to the editor’s email address. down, because I just knew I didn’t Writers’ Group, every second If not satisfied with the response, the have the visibility, nor would I Tuesday of the month, 1.3-pm at the complaint may be referred to the have the time to stop if a kid ran Heritage Rom, Firth Tower. Press Council. PO Box 10-879, out from behind one of the cars. The Terrace, Wellington 6143. Sure enough, about 3 seconds Or use the online complaint form at www.presscouncil.org.nz Please after slowing down a little kid, no 4 5 include copies of the article and all older than 3, tore out of his correspondence with the publication. mother’s hands and ran right in front of me. I managed to brake but only Contact us MATAMATA CHRONICLE: (07) 888 7011 EDITOR: Petrice Tarrant, 027 204 2925, [email protected] AREA because I was going snail pace. I SALES MANAGER: Antonio Ganz, 027 204 2920, [email protected] ADVERTISING CONSULTANT: Suzanne shudder to think what would have Marino, 027 204 2934 [email protected] REPORTER: Abby Brown, 027 204 2941, happened otherwise. Wise up [email protected] CLASSIFIEDS: [email protected] (deadline 3pm Monday) DISPLAY BOOKING people, and slow down. DEADLINE: 3pm Thursday DIGITAL EDITION: matamatachronicle.co.nz ADDRESS: 2 Tainui St, PO Box 148, Matamata 10,425 -Petrice AUDITED CIRCULATION (ABC for 12 mths to 31 Dec 15). Warm homes start here HURRY! PROMO ENDS 31ST MAY *Conditions apply – The ‘free heating accessory’ voucher is redeemable from all participating Metro outlets listed on the voucher. This promotion is subject to stock availability, rain checks and back orders do not apply to this promotion. This promotion is not available with any other promotional offer, trade quote or package deals. The free Metro heating accessory is one of the following: 1 room heat transfer system, ECO Trend Insert thermo fan, water booster or wetback, wall or corner child guard or wall or corner fl oor protector. **You can choose to upgrade the free 1 room heat transfer system to a 3 room heat transfer system for $530. This offer is valid until 5.00pm, Thursday 31 May 2016. AU-7208715AC 7 Waharoa Rd East, Matamata PHONE: 07 888 6362 HOURS: Mon-Fri 7.30am-5pm, Saturday 9am-3pm, Sunday 9am - 2pm stuff.co.nz MAY 18, 2016, MATAMATA CHRONICLE 3 Bus rules not tough enough AUDREY MALONE [email protected] Mandie Roband hasn’t cut her hair since her 12-year-old son was hit by a car and thrown like a rag doll up in the air and killed in front of her seven years ago. The golden blonde tresses extend past her waist. "It sounds a bit weird, but my hair swept through his blood on the ground. I don’t want to let go of the connection," she said, tears clouding her eyes. www.cab.org.nz On May 15, 2009, Jordan had just got off the school bus in a rural area. Roband 41A Hetana Street, Matamata 3400 was meeting him and her two other chil- Railside by the Green dren, Forde and Caitlin, as either she or her partner always did. Jordan went wandering after he got The Citizens Advice Service is off the bus. The driver who hit him, 75-year-old confi dential, impartial and free. Gloria Davey, didn’t see him as he ran across to the other side of the road. Mandie Roband and her son Forde Eastgate, 15, are still haunted by the day they saw son and "I saw it all happen," Roband said. "I brother Jordan killed as he was crossing the road after getting off the school bus. saw him run out and I saw the car CAB Link coming. My other kids were on the bus. him, laugh or cry at the memories." A free citizens advice column They saw it happening, too. The whole Special days like Christmas and Rules need changing bus load of kids saw it." birthdays are an opportunity to pay hom- The New Zealand road rules stipulate that if Roband had been talking to Grant age to the lost son and brother. a marked school bus has stopped or is Eastgate, her partner and Jordan’s Roband does not want Jordan’s death slowing down then you must travel at father, just before the incident. to be in vain and has decided to make it 20kmh or less past it. He had called to see if she needed him her mission to help spread the message She wants flashing lights on school buses, to pick up anything after finishing a shift around driver safety near school buses. children to be in high-visibility vests when as a truck driver.