Slice of heaven Feilding-Rangitikei Page 3 'We can't afford it' Page 4 HERALDSPECIAL TAIHAPE EDITION INSIDE Thursday, March 16, 2017 What the flock? Almost 1000 sheep raced down Manchester St in Feilding to Manchester Square. PHOTO: DAVID UNWIN/FAIRFAX NZ The Hilux Rural Games descended on Manawatu for the first time in the event’s history, kicking off with close to 1000 sheep making a 500-metre dash down Feilding’s main street and attracting thousands. See Page 6 COME SEE US AT SITES F11 - F13 at Central Districts Field Days site E-F 11-13 WE-7283325AI 2 MARCH 16, 2017 stuff.co.nz YOUR PAPER, YOUR PLACE 1. FIELD DAYS The Central Districts Field Days This newspaper is subject to NZ Press boasts an exciting lineup of Council procedures. entertainment over three days. See A complaint must first FROM P7 be directed in writing, within one month of THE 2. RUN, RIDE ‘N’ SLIDE publication, to the editor’s email address. Perfect event for the kids. Get them If not satisfied with the response, the EDITOR complaint may be referred to the down to Timona Park for some fun Press Council. PO Box 10-879, in the water. See What’s On. The Terrace, Wellington 6143. Our community and, no doubt, Or use the online complaint form at the rest of New Zealand is in 3. BULL RIDING www.presscouncil.org.nz Please mourning this week after the The Parklee Bullride Series comes include copies of the article and all death of former Feilding man and to a close at the NZ Ironman 1 correspondence with the publication. cartoonist Murray Ball. Bullride Championship. Top Most of us will recognise Ball’s Bullriders battle over five rounds at name as the signature on the Manfeild Stadium. See P25 CONTENTS beloved Footrot Flats cartoon. 8-12 Taihape I, like many others, grew up 4. PEDAL 4 PLEASURE 18 Conversations with Footrot Flats comic books Pedal 4 pleasure returns to Marton 22-23 What’s On and recall the movie well. where participants can choose to 27 Rural The characters and stories are ride either 15km, 30km or 90km 45 Out & About a perfect depiction of rural New to do list around some of Rangitikei’s best 46 Backyard Banter Zealand life whether here in terrain. See What’s On. 2 3 47 Community Cookbook Manawatu and Rangitikei where 48 Your Money they are based, or down in my 5. STEAM FAIR 49 Dr Libby/Puzzles home region Southland. A gathering of tractions engines, 50 Gardening Ball did a wonderful job of vintage machinery and other 51-53 Classified sharing farming tales with such paraphernalia from a previous era. 54 Sports Results loveable characters, and he too The operating steam traction was a loveable character. engines are interactive and you can Last week’s Rural Games and hop on board and steer the engines this week’s Central District Field around a paddock. Days showcases more of that 4 5 rural life and feels like an appropriate tribute. May he rest in his own slice of heaven. Contact us NEWS DIRECTOR: Lisa Houston 06 355 7306, [email protected] REPORTER: Sam Kilmister 06 355 8773, 027 837 4802, - Lisa Houston [email protected] SALES MANAGER: Jamie Cameron, 027 223 4056, [email protected], Lisa Hicks, 027 433 6380, [email protected] SALES: Grant Nickolls, 027 809 3669, [email protected], Gavin Allanson (06) 355 8836, [email protected] FEILDING-RANGITIKEI HERALD ONLINE: neighbourly.co.nz/publication/feilding-rangitikei- herald CLASSIFIEDS: (06) 323 5839 or 0800 835 323 AD DEADLINES: 4.30pm Friday WHAT’S ON: [email protected] (deadline: 10am Tuesday) MISSED DELIVERY: (06) 350 9555 or [email protected] Darraghs Feilding Trailers 7x4trailerandcagedeal$1699save$200PLUS FREE assembly and WOF All accessories available 44 Kimbolton Road Opening hours WE-7593936AA Feilding•Ph063234054 Monday–Friday8am–6pm•Saturday8am–4pm While stocks last Conditions apply Sunday9am–4pm•PublicHolidays9am–4pm stuff.co.nz MARCH 16, 2017 3 Cartoonist’s legacy lives through sign SAM KILMISTER As Feilding people continue to mourn the death of Footrot Flats cartoonist Murray Ball, his legacy will live on through a sign wel- coming people into his home town. The Manawatu town’s entrance at Kimbolton Rd on State Highway 54 is marked with a rural-themed billboard featuring a drawing of a flock of sheep and the Footrot Flats character, Dog. The drawing was designed by A sign with a Murray Ball Ball, whose death was confirmed cartoon welcomes visitors into on Sunday. He had suffered from Feilding on State Highway 54. poor health and dementia for the past six years. He was 78. Feilding and District Pro- motion project manager Raewyn Loader said the sign showcased Feilding’s rural heritage and was now an iconic piece of the town’s history. ‘‘It makes our sign a bit more special now,’’ she said. ‘‘It wouldn’t be too far to assume a lot Cartoonist Murray Ball with his of Murray’s creative thinking wife Pam at his Gisborne home. came from growing up in his home town of Feilding.’’ ‘‘His lovely wife Pam gave us ‘‘That stretch of road was an All Black, played rugby for the country humour to the city, free and loose. His work told a permission to put the sign up in named Ram Alley by the locals. Feilding Old Boys Club and had 37 which was hard to do. story - he kind of brought country 2015, and he wasn’t well then.’’ We put it there because Murray games for Manawatu from 1958 to ‘‘I thought he was a really humour to the city.’’ Ball was born in Feilding in was from out that way and would 1962. He was a junior All Black iconic New Zealand illustrator. Feilding resident Reena Wallis 1939. His comic strip Footrot Flats travel that road,’’ she said. and All Black trialist, but later He really summed up the rural said she was saddened by news of ran from 1976 until 1994 in ‘‘That’s where all the drovers protested against the 1981 Spring- section of society,’’ he said. ‘‘I Ball’s death. newspapers around the world. used to come with their sheep to bok tour. remember my grandparents had ‘‘It was quite a surprise. I felt Loader said they would lay a get them to the town saleyards.’’ Feilding artist Joe all the books. pleased that we have one of his wreath under the billboard. Ball, whose father Nelson was McMenamin said Ball brought ‘‘In terms of style it was quite cartoons in Feilding.’’ LAND & HOME PACKAGES “AWhere DAYthe sun is IN always THE shining BAY”with FROM JUST $380,000 SELLING FAST Sunday 14th May • Diesel Hauled Rail Excursion Depart Feilding 8.00am Depart Palmerston north 8.25am Breathe easy and enjoy the space and tranquility that WESCOMBE GROVE has Return Palmerston North 7.00pm to offer. Located in the heart of family friendly Feilding (off 19-25 Makino Road), Return Feilding 7.30pm WESCOMBE GROVE is close to many amenities and only a mere stone’s throw from Palmerston North, Linton, Ohakea and Bulls making it an easy commute for work, school, sports or leisure. WESCOMBE GROVE is truly an AFFORDABLE option for you and your family to call home, so don’t delay, call HUMPHRIES CONSTRUCTION NOW Entertain yourself in Napier or select and let us ‘Turn Your Dreams into Reality’ from two local tours around Napier. Kiwisaver HomeStart Grants - First home buyers? Then you & your partner may be eligible for a KiwiSaver HomeStart Grant up to a total of $20,000. Details at www.steamrail.nz plus other A 12 Land & Home Packages A suggestions for your time in Napier. Sites ranging from 496m2 to 714m2 4 Floor Plan Designs to choose from WE-7618519 Adults: $100 00 New Adult Social Ballroom and Latin American Beginner Classes $ 00 Child: 55 (Age 6-15 years) Now starting! 5 and under free on knee Bring your two left feet along on Tuesday 21st March at 7:30pm To the Concert Chamber, Feilding Civic Centre and join in the fun at Call us NOW on 021 550622 for more information on all classes, fees and locations Or check us out on facebook : Tempo Dance Studio Manawatu Mike & Trish Whitson $ 00 Booking Feilding Promotions or online www.steamrail.nz Kids Classes Small group classes, 55 PER 2 HOUR TOUR I-Site Palmerston I-Site Wanganui Or enquires 323 5444 Competitive coaching Wedding lessons WE-7589039AA WE-7618861AA 4 MARCH 16, 2017 stuff.co.nz Concerns on quake legislation raised SAM KILMISTER Building owners say they may not be able to afford to fix their quake- prone buildings, and are unlikely to meet the deadline. The Manawatu District Coun- cil met with building owners on Tuesday to discuss implications of the new earthquake-prone buildings legislation, including timeframes affected owners would need to adhere to. New legislation rolls out on July 1 and councils have been forced to carry out seismic assessments on buildings. Chief executive Richard Templer said Government timeframes for owners to either Minister for Arts, strengthen or demolish their Culture and buildings depended on the extent Heritage Maggie of the seismic risk. Barry in Feilding to announce a ‘‘An earthquake-prone build- $12 million fund ing is a building that, after an to support the assessment, is less than 34 per retention of cent of the new building stan- heritage dard,’’ he said. buildings last Priority buildings need to be year.