SOUTH ISLAND EDITION press.co.nz MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2010 Retail $1.40 ■ CPIT FESTIVAL Mozart quells mall violence Charlie Gates People sit in that area now because they feel safer.’’ A secret weapon has rid The statistics include all Christchurch city centre incidents attended by the streets of crime and thuggery: ambassadors between Oxford Mozart. Tce, Manchester, Hereford The introduction of and Lichfield streets, but most speakers playing classical incidents were in City Mall. music in City Mall in June The ambassadors were intro- 2009 has led to a steep fall in duced in September 2007. petty crime and anti-social Senior Sergeant Gordon behaviour, say mall Spite, officer in charge of the managers. city centre police beat section, The figures are staggering: said the music has helped ❏ The number of anti-social transform the mall. incidents attended by city ‘‘The music has certainly centre security guards, had an effect during the day. It known as ambassadors, fell has created an environment from 77 a week in October that is conducive to good 2008 to two for the same week behaviour,’’ he said. this year. ‘‘If you go into an area that ❏ The number of drug and is uncared for and knocked alcohol-related incidents fell around there is a clear from 16 in 2008 to zero this Originally, Central City soothing on the ear. We try message that no-one cares and year. Business Association man- not to play anything with a you can do what you like. ❏ The number of times the ager Paul Lonsdale intended beat because that is more There are no rules. The music ambassadors helped to play easy listening music noticeable. Classical music is has had quite a calming affect shopkeepers with trouble- like Barry Manilow, but found known for reducing anti- on things. A more diverse some customers has fallen classical music more calming. social behaviour,’’ he said. ‘‘It group of people use it now from 35 to nothing. ‘‘The classical music is is much more pleasant now. than before.’’ ■ SUPERNATURAL EVENTS ‘More ghosts’ after earthquake Sam Sachdeva in the house, but since the The team, which did not earthquake it had become People’s minds fill charge for its services, had The ‘‘sheer strength and more intense,’’ he said. conducted two full power’’ of the September 4 Most cases related to in the blanks, and investigations, and was earthquake has more than strange noises, although one they tend to fill in planning to do several more. doubled the number of man said he had been ‘ New Zealand Skeptics reported supernatural events attacked by a ghost. the blanks with chairman Gold said the in Canterbury, a paranormal Heyrick said the ‘‘sheer fairytales. reports may have been due to investigator says. strength and power’’ of the ‘‘people’s minds playing tricks Christchurch Paranormal earthquake may have been Gold on them in the post-quake NZ Skeptics Photo: DAVID HALLETT Investigators founder Anton responsible for the increase in chairman environment’’. Heyrick said his team had paranormal activity. ‘‘You may not feel an received an ‘‘interesting The number of old aftershock, but it will still Impressive act has hairs standing on end influx’’ of phone calls and buildings damaged in the activity tends to come out of make things rattle. People’s emails after the 7.1-magnitude earthquake may also have nowhere’’, he said. minds fill in the blanks, and 1 Pascal Haering’s hairstyle Technology (CPIT) show The 1 ⁄2-hour performance, ance. The show was part of earthquake, with more than been a factor, he said. ‘‘With the earthquake, it they tend to fill in the blanks was nearly as impressive as last night. The CPIT which included acrobatics, CPIT’s Creative Festival, double the usual number of It was well known among literally smashed walls apart, with fairytales, unfortu- his hand speed, as the student was one of dozens contortionists, comedy which runs for two weeks inquiries. investigators that when and knocked down floors and nately.’’ juggler entertained the of CircoArts performers skits and clowning, won the and celebrates the work of ‘‘People are calling us, renovations on old buildings ceilings, so you can imagine crowd at a Christchurch who performed as part of approval and applause of its creative industries fac- saying that they had always took place, ‘‘it tends to wake the effect that would have ❯❯ Polytechnic Institute of Circus Under The Stars. the 100 people in attend- ulty over the previous year. felt like there was something up dormant spirits, and had.’’ More quake A6-A8 ■ CUP AND SHOW WEEK It’s showtime in Canterbury, so let’s party, preen and have a punt Marc Greenhill INSIDE stock, trade exhibits, enter- need of a ‘‘bit of pampering’’. However, the ‘‘royal’’ title on [a] par with last year, Events last year were mostly clear skies and moder- ❯❯ tainment and food. ‘‘It’s about time to show the has been cut from the which is great,’’ she said. marred by rain, cool ate easterly winds. Superb weather and the Cup fashion A4 Christchurch Mayor Bob rest of the country – and the Canterbury show this year ‘‘It’s an opportunity to temperatures and chilly However, there was a chance to lift earthquake- ❯❯ Fight for Youth A4 Parker said the festivities world – that we’re not after a dispute over branding compete at the largest A&P breezes. A southerly squall question mark over Friday’s dented spirits are expected to would be a ‘‘welcome time of flattened, but a recovering rights and rising costs. show in the country.’’ and dust storm on Show Day Show Day weather. attract more than 125,000 celebration and fun’’ after the city that’s ready to have Entries had dropped, but Entrants wanted to be affected visitor numbers. ‘‘It looks like there could be visitors to Canterbury’s with the New Zealand Trot- earthquake on September 4. a good time,’’ Stokes said. were still more than 2000 judged against the ‘‘elite’’, About 50,000 people a front coming through later biggest week. ting Cup at Addington Race- ‘‘Now, more than ever, A council-commissioned higher than the last non-royal Finlay said. attended the show over the on Friday at this stage, so we Sunny and mild to warm way tomorrow, and the New Cantabrians need some fun evaluation found 125,000 event five years ago. ‘‘The Canterbury A&P three days, but organisers had could have a northwest- conditions are forecast for Zealand Cup at Riccarton with friends and family to lift visitors attended Cup and Show director Rae Finlay Show is 148 years old, and for expected 60,000. southwest combo,’’ McDavitt much of the Cup and Show Park on Saturday. their spirits,’’ he said. Show Week events in Christ- said the name change had most of those years we’ve MetService spokesman said. Week festivities. The Canterbury A&P Show Christchurch City Council church last year, contributing little impact. been the Canterbury A&P Bob McDavitt said it was ‘‘But the front might not Glamour horse-racing runs for three days from marketing manager Richard more than $27 million to the ‘‘The numbers coming Show. That’s the brand that’s expected to be fine in Christ- arrive until 4.30pm, in which events bookend the week, Wednesday, and features live- Stokes said people were in region’s economy. from outside Canterbury are recognised,’’ she said. church until Thursday, with case it won’t be a problem.’’ TO SUBSCRIBE ® PH 0800 THE PRESS TiVo at the unbelievable low price of $449 AIR FREIGHT EXTRA 50¢ TBB 0262_CP_1 NOW ONLY The Christmas gift that keeps on giving The lucky ones who get a TiVo® for Christmas will appreciate it every single day. 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