CourierTe Awamutu Published Tuesday & Thursday THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011 CELEBRATING 100 YEARS AS YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER CIRCULATED FREE TO ALL HOUSEHOLDS THROUGHOUT TE AWAMUTU AND SURROUNDING DISTRICTS. EXTRA COPIES 40c. BRIEFLY ‘Clan lab’ at Fieldays Ratepayers’ group active BY DEAN TAYLOR The recently formed Waipa Waikato Police used the District Citizens and Ratepayers high volume of visitors at Association has had a busy start National Fieldays to edu- to its role. cate rural people about the It has rapidly accumulated a risk of drug growing and membership of over 100 and manufacture on or near their farms. been active in following the The Police display proposed National Cycling included items associated Centre of Excellence and with the manufacture of Cambridge pool projects methamphetamine (P), as (including organising a public well as pictures of what meeting on this issue and can go wrong in the pro- assisting with a survey). cess and the damage to the The association is holding it‘s properties and environ- monthly committee meeting next ment. Tuesday (July 5) from 7.30pm to Visitors were shown the 8.30pm at the Burchell Pavillion various pieces of equip- in Gorst Avenue. ment that are associated ‘‘Everyone is welcome. Bring with P laboratories (clan along your ideas or concerns on labs) which are what you would like to see increasingly being estab- happening within the Waipa lished in isolated rural District,’’ says chairman, Pat locations, or as mobile labs. Bishop. Police ask farmers and people living in rural areas Church drama to keep an eye out for tell- tale signs of clan labs. Teams from seven Te They say P manufacture Awamutu churches will be is operated by organised TC300611DT03 performing 10 short dramas at criminal groups, and often WAIKATO Police District Communications Manager Andrew McAlley (right) explains the workings and dangers of the North End Church in firearms are involved as rural methamphetamine laboratories to (from left) Carolyn Edwards of Ohaupo, Ashburton visitors Neil and Deidre Racecourse Road at 10am on the people involved are Stevens and Steve Edwards of Ohaupo. Sunday, July 17. willing to take drastic The performances portray measures to protect their This is often buried or • unusual collections of operations are: tainers etc. the story of the writing, investments. poured into drains and chemicals or metals; • strangers coming and Police say if members of transmission and translation of Risks associated with waterways. • glass cookware, bottles or going on rural land, often the public suspect any the Bible over the centuries. clan labs include fire and Police say signs that a jars with rubber tubing carrying gardening type illegal activity they should Organiser Rod Bent is explosions, chemical clan lab may be operating and hotplates; equipment; not investigate, and put hopeful the drama will be burns, contamination and could include: • propane tanks with • increased night-time themselves at risk, but entertaining and informative. poisoning. • chemical odours; fittings that have turned activity; report any details of what An offering will be received As well as the danger of • lots of visitors; blue; • theft of quad bikes, elec- they have observed to for the Bible Society. the process, and the harm • secretive behaviour; • increased electricity con- tric fence units; Police in confidence. • • Afternoon tea will be caused by the use of the expensive security sys- sumption. unexplained clearings Alternatively the public provided after the event. drug, manufacture also tems; Also of concern is made on land; can use the 0800 555111 produces a toxic waste, • lots of discarded medical cannabis growing in • items found of your prop- Crimestoppers crimeline to For more information contact about seven to 10 kilograms containers, plastic con- isolated rural areas. erty that aren’t yours, such leave a message anony- Rod Bent on 871 5852. for every kilogram of P. tainers or fuel containers; Tell-tale signs of such as clothing, tools, con- mously. Biotech focus Guest speaker for Continuing Education Group’s meeting next Wednesday (July 6) will be Dr Velodrome still has ‘air in tyres’ Elspeth MacRae. A leading biotechnologist from Rotorua, Dr MacRae is the BY GRANT JOHNSTON to the region, given the need to Based on repayment inside 15 Million would take total internal executive in charge of Scion’s have 80% funding organised by years and interest of 6%, in one borrowing to around the recom- Bioproduct Development The Home of Cycling Trust September. scenario Waipa residents would mended cap of 20% of funds held. science area, which includes project is still ‘alive’ after Waikato Three staff reports relating to contribute $6.54 extra per year in Waikato Regional Council will wood and fibre processing Regional Council voted yesterday the issue were tabled at regional rates towards the project debate rating options for the activities. to consult ratepayers over yesterday’s meeting, providing grant, while in the other it would potential project grant at a work- She has been involved in the whether to provide $6 Million some clarity around funding be $7.07. shop on July 7. development of kiwifruit and is towards it. implications for regional rate- The figures would vary It will also instigate consulta- also an inventor with her name The vote went in favour of payers. depending on interest rate applied tion (which is required because on several patents. See ad in consulting over the decision — a Rating options were presented, (5.5%, 6% or 7%) and repayment the grant is greater than $1 negative vote would have been the based on WRC funding principles period (10, 15 or 20 years). Million). This will involve news- today’s paper for more details. death knell for the National Cyc- and policy and taking into account The current rate for internal paper ads, WRC’s website and a ling Centre of Excellence coming area and degree of benefit. borrowing is 5.5% and a grant of $6 telephone survey — cost $61,500. 2 TE AWAMUTU COURIER, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011 YOUR LETTERS Home of Cycling proposal worthy of widespread financial support As a Waikato regional and (and money-spending dele- the vision for the long term includes a world class BMX Waipa District ratepayer from gates/visitors) and also the benefits to our community/ track, for recreational as well Te Awamutu, I would like to major entertainment/sporting region, and now we just need as elite athlete use. express my support for the events that the purpose-built to get behind it to make it Good on St Peter’s for pro- Come to our fi rst OPEN HOME Home of Cycling complex. 6000 seat arena will attract, for happen. viding the land, as I’m sure I have no personal interest the benefit of us all! So I’m happy to have a they see the benefits of ease of THIS SUNDAY July 3, 2-3pm in cycling, no vested interest, That is another example of small percentage of my rates use for their students. but just want our Waikato a major community project used by Waikato Regional Karapiro is NZ’s ‘centre of region to have recreational that had a lot of naysayers, but Council, and Waipa District rowing’, inspiring recrea- 88 Kacey Avenue, Fairview Estate assets that will benefit the as a member of Hamilton City Council for this project. tional/school athletes, plus community as a whole, (as Council told me at Saturday’s Yes, times are tough, and high performance/Olympic Te Awamutu well as create future Claudelands open day, "You rates need priority, but like athletes, and similarly the Olympians). just need the vision to see the with Claudelands, this is a Home of Cycling will become I was inspired to write this long term benefits for every- project that will have long NZ’s centre of cycling, a real by my visit to Claudelands one, and inspire folks to find a term benefits for us all. inspiration and opportunity PRIVATE SALE events centre last Saturday. way to make it happen". And it is as much for for cyclists of all types and What a fantastic asset for So that is just exactly the recreational cyclists as for levels, and future Olympians. , our region, both economically situation with the Home of elite athletes, and although the Let’s share the vision, and $465 000 by attracting major Cycling project. velodrome has attracted the actively support this project. tradeshows and conventions, We already have folks with attention, the complex also LORNE DePAPE 2 years old, all completed 3 Double Bedrooms, 2 bathrooms Communication attempt to be constructive Open plan spacious family/dining Normally I wouldn’t It was indicated they were As for the grandstand That was all I said on the with recessed sliding doors respond to criticism as I believe short of $80,000 for the project, upgrade, the Council resolved subject. We don’t want to be in a everyone is entitled to an but were still actively trying to that it be funded in the 2012/13 situation where everyone’s Master with ensuite and walk in wardrobe opinion and entitled to express raise money, although it wasn’t year long term plan subject to scared to say anything. it, but I can’t really understand easy in the present financial conditions. I have stood on a few toes in Quality carpets, drapes and fi ttings what Hazel Barnes was trying climate. The money would I said ‘‘the upgrade of the Council and some don’t to say in her letter. allow the playground to get up grandstand at Albert Park is appreciate my letters, but I am throughout I would have thought a and running even if not com- also great news and well over- there to represent the Waipa Council grant of $50,000 (rate- pletely finished and it could due.