MONDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2008 6529741AA Circulated FREE to all households throughout Te Awamutu and surrounding districts. Extra copies 40c. BRIEFLY Think before you buy Christmas Eve at St John’s BY DEAN TAYLOR St John’s Anglican Church Police are so concerned Squad was called to a Deanwell is planning a special Christmas about the potential for an acci- address after Noise Control Eve service. dental shooting, they called the reported a man brandishing a They will celebrate the Birth media together to emphasise firearm on the front porch of a of Christ, starting with carols the difficult position toy and house. from 11.15pm. Ryan Plowright, replica firearms present. Two shots were reported to a talented musician who at 15 Sitting in a dim room at have been fired. years of age is the church’s Hamilton Central Police A cordon was established organist and the St John Station, journalists and pho- around the home and the occu- Church Parish Choir will tographers admitted they could pants were removed. A sub- ensure music of high standard only guess which of the 25 sequent search recovered two — all welcome. firearms in front of them were air rifles and a gas powered air real and which were fake. pistol. New ‘home’ Hamilton Central officer in One man was interviewed by charge Senior Sergeant Wayne Police and cautioned. for Harold Petherick told the media Police The plea is for people to Waipa-King Country Life have little time to ascertain think twice about purchasing Education Trust has received whether weapons are real or toy or replica firearms. the heartening news that not — so they are all treated as Communications manager insurance cover will allow full real. Andrew McAlley said his replacement of its arson- Police emphasised that if the research showed there were damaged mobile classroom. weapon is used in an aggressive very realistic toy weapons Chairman Bruce Carey says manner then the person is in available for as little as $1.50, that still leaves a shortfall of danger of being shot. and very good replicas could $25,000 but a grant from the D. Waikato District arms easily be purchased from such officer Mike Cahill said his internet sites as TradeMe. B. Bryant Trust of $10,000, worst nightmare was someone And it is not just the poten- along with $1500 from Te with a toy or replica firearm tial for an accidental Police Awamutu Medical Centre and who had a hearing impairment. shooting that has authorities donations from community He says not following Police concerned. groups and organisations has instructions would put that per- Some of the BB guns or air them well on the way to that. son in grave danger. rifles are also quite capable of A recent Courier The seriousness of the con- inflicting serious damage. advertisement for Waikato cerns has been highlighted in a Amongst the Police line-up Toyota may have caused number of incidents. was a battery powered BB gun confusion over motor vehicle Recently a report two armed which Mr Cahill said would be dealership sponsorship of the youths and shots being fired in capable of putting a hole in a local Life Education Trust. Enderley in Hamilton was wall when fired rapidly at close Toyota New Zealand received. range. provides sponsorship to the The youths were armed with And in Te Kuiti District national office of Life Education BB rifles, and shots had been Court last month a father was and there is a sponsorship fired, plus the youths presented convicted of possessing a loaded arrangement in Hamilton, but themselves to armed officers air rifle which his five-year-old the local motor vehicle with their weapons in positions daughter had found and used to TC181208DT34 Police deem as ready to be used. shoot her one-year-old sister. WAIKATO Police community engagement manager Inspector Marcus dealership sponsorship of At midnight last Thursday The victim was hit in the Lynam with two Colt M4 M203 assault rifles. The weapon in the left hand is a Waipa-King Country Life night the Armed Offenders chest and hospitalised. non-working replica. Education Trust is from Wilksbrooke Motors. Have a happy holiday Management and staff of Te PAKnSAVE to build in 2009 Awamutu Courier wish all our The way has been cleared for a PAKnSAVE The Plan Change for the project was ‘‘The people of Te Awamutu have been readers a happy and safe supermarket to be built in Te Awamutu after approved by Waipa District Council in 2006, but waiting for years for PAKnSAVE’s low prices to festive season. the High Court dismissed an appeal against the the subsequent appeal lodged by General come to their town. We have certainly enjoyed plan change for a large format retail develop- Distributors Limited (a subsidiary company of ‘‘We will lodge consent applications with the bringing you the news, views ment in Cambridge Road. Progressive Enterprises Ltd, which owns the Waipa District Council as soon as possible and and advertisements of Te ‘‘We are delighted we can finally bring Woolworths supermarket brand) with the once these have been granted, we plan to Awamutu and district residents PAKnSAVE’s low prices to Te Awamutu,’’ says Environment Court in 2007 delayed further commence construction,’’ she told the Courier. throughout 2008. Foodstuffs (Auckland) Limited. progress. The planned PAKnSAVE supermarket and The Courier office will The High Court decision released on Friday ‘‘This outcome is great news for the resi- fuel outlet will be complemented by a range of reopen on January 5 and the upheld the Environment Court decision to dents of Te Awamutu, many of whom travel as other retail outlets on site. first issue for 2009 will be allow a plan change to the Waipa District Plan. far afield as Hamilton in search of PAKnSAVE’s ‘‘All Foodstuffs stores are 100% New published on January 7. This plan change results in a zoning change to policy of New Zealand’s lowest food prices,’’ Zealand-owned and operated. Foodstuffs brands allow for the Cambridge Road retail develop- says Foodstuffs (Auckland) general manager include PAKnSAVE, New World, Four Square, ment. property strategy, Angela Bull. Gilmours, Duffy and Finns and Liquorland.’’ TRX 420 F.P.A Cruiser OPEN 7 DAYS DEMO AVAILABLE Phone 871 4009 Vodka Ice Cnr Sloane & Vaile Sts 10 pack TE AWAMUTU Offer valid until 24/12/08 while stocks last Carlsberg Canadian Club 15 pack Cola, Dry & Ginger Power steering, independent rear suspension, full automatic 4 pack (no belts) 2/4 wheel drive selectable, fuel injected. $21.99 $19.99 $12.99 6634251AA 6633987AA 2 Te Awamutu Courier, Monday, December 22, 2008 Your Letters Salt Water Sports Fishing KAWHIA HIGH TIDES Motor Vehicle Enthusiasts not included in parade ADD EIGHT MINUTES FOR RAGLAN HABOUR Te Awamutu Motor secondly we did not wish to exclude the cars, stating they This is also incorrect as we TUESDAY: 7.53am & 8.11pm Vehicle Enthusiasts Group enter a large number of cars were neither floats nor of a have never received an invita- WEDNESDAY: 8.48am & 9.02pm wish to inform the public of and were happy with the Car- Christmas theme. tion to attend any meetings. THURSDAY: 9.35am & 9.48pm the inaccuracies in the letter nival Committee restricting Mr Wallis claims we were We would not have spent FRIDAY: 10.17am & 10.31pm to the editor by Murray Wallis us to seven cars. invited to enter three cars. $102 on a Public Notice if we SATURDAY: 10.54am & 11.11pm on behalf of Te Awamutu Following a meeting of the This is incorrect as no such did not have our facts right. SUNDAY: 11.30am & 11.48pm Christmas Carnival Commit- Carnival Committee, a mem- invitation was ever received. ALAN WALLACE MONDAY: ---------- & 12.05pm tee. ber of that committee con- He stated the group had President, Te Awamutu Firstly, we have no con- tacted our group informing us turned down an invitation to Motor Vehicle nection to vintage tractors, a decision had been made to attend a meeting next year. Enthusiasts Group LOVE FISHING? Liquor Bylaw does not answer footpath drinker issues LOOK AFTER YOURSELF I believe the new Liquor Note their words well. stop smoking inside public There are enough pubs, OUT THERE! Bylaw in Te Awamutu CBD There is a move to stop the premises, drinkers and clubs and licensed premises in does not go far enough. sale of cigarettes and display- smokers were just moved onto Te Awamutu without having Our councillors are saying: ing them in dairies. the footpath. the footpath as a bar. 1: Protect the public from Yet around town we see Schools and playcentres Te Awamutu should be a nuisance in public places. footpaths turned into bars. use the footpath and at times it safe town for young and old 2: Protect, promote and You can’t park a car four is completely blocked by alike to enjoy, a safe place to maintain public health and metres from a corner but you drinkers. walk the footpath free of safety in public places. can stand on the traffic island My gunsmith shop is right drinkers, smokers, bikes, 3: Minimise the potential and drink, smoke, swear and next door to one of these skateboards and foul lan- for offensive behaviour in shout at cars. outdoor drinking areas and I guage. public places. When the law came in to find it unacceptable. VERN WILSON Parade was great Christmas not evident in Te Awamutu CBD but cars missed Where is Christmas Te Awamutu? Apart them with the Christmas spirit and encourage KEEP YOU AND from displays in some shop windows, and a few them to spend.