Potting mix risks still underrated
PHOTO: SUPPLIEDCommunity awareness about legionnaire’s disease is growing, but some gardeners still underestimate the risks posed by potting mix, a researcher warns. The university’s Christchurch campus was one of the world’s leading centres for legionnaire’s disease research, he said. Two of his doctoral supervisors, Dr Amy Scott-Thomas and Prof Steve Chambers, were still working on the development of such a breath test, he said. Legionnaires’ disease was under-diagnosed in patients admitted to hospital as many could not to produce a sputum sample for microbiological testing. However, everyone could easily produce a breath test sample.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 18, 2021 21:33 UTC
Servo inferno: Three in car when fuel ignited
Emergency services were called to the Bay View BP on Friday night after a large fire broke out. Photo: Kelly BrayThree people were inside a car when a bucket of fuel inside the car ignited at a Hawke's Bay petrol station, starting a massive forecourt inferno, police have confirmed. "A review of the CCTV indicates a bucket containing fuel ignited while inside a vehicle which was stationary and parked adjacent to a set of the petrol pumps at the service station." He said police had spoken to a number of people, including three people in the stationary vehicle and a person in a vehicle which was parked immediately behind it. "The entire service station forecourt was alight within minutes and it is nothing short of a miracle that nobody was injured or killed."
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 18, 2021 21:33 UTC
Have you spotted one in your backyard? Aussie spider establishing in Christchurch
A male Philoponella congregabilis. Photo: Canterbury MuseumA bug-crushing Australian spider has established itself in parts of Christchurch. The spider, Philoponella congregabilis, does not produce venom to kill its prey, but instead it is wrapped so tightly in the spider's silk that its exoskeleton is crushed. A female Philoponella congregabilis. Philoponella congregabilis build untidy-looking horizontal or sloping orbwebs.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 18, 2021 20:11 UTC
'Just what the doctor ordered': Clarke Gayford shares pic of Jacinda Ardern and Neve on holiday
"Just what the doctor ordered," wrote Clarke Gayford about this holiday snap of partner and fiancee PM Jacinda Ardern and their daughter Neve on a Coromandel beach. Photo: SuppliedNew Zealand's first man Clarke Gayford has shared a holiday snap on Instagram showing Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and daughter Neve playing on the beach. The photo shows Ardern and Neve, both wearing hats, sitting on the beach. "Just what the doctor ordered," Gayford wrote. Earlier this month, Ardern shared a photo of the New Year's fireworks, which she admitted she doesn't often stay up for these days.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 18, 2021 20:03 UTC
Summer snow in South as cool change moves through
Photo: Geoff WayattSnow is falling in parts of the South this morning as a southerly air flow puts the brakes on summer for a few days. Cardrona Alpine Resort near Wanaka reports that 8cm of snow has fallen and as of 11am it was still falling. The unseasonal snowfall comes amid predictions of heavy rain and strong winds for the centre and south of New Zealand. MetService forecaster Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said the western South Island, including the Fiordland region, could have 150-250mm of rain throughout today and into tomorrow. "From today, already we see those temperatures starting to drop over the southern parts of the South Island, and all the way into the southern lakes as well."
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 18, 2021 20:03 UTC
'Might as well get my horse and cart': Lower speed limits on state highways frustrate locals
Then there's the 30km chunk of State Highway 2 between Katikati and Tauranga, where speed limits are now set at either 60 or 80 km/h. There, speed limits now never reach 100, and alternate mostly between 90 or 80km/h. In a statement, an agency spokesperson said safe speed limits minimised the severity of crashes when they occurred. But Perry said it was difficult for councils - who set the speed limits for all roads which aren't state highways - to change speed limits. Waka Kotahi said it was intending to make it easier for local authorities to change speed limits.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 18, 2021 19:52 UTC
Skull discovery surprise for beachcomber
PHOTOS: JENET GELLATLYA Greenhills man was taken aback when he discovered a human skull while out walking with his family at Omaui Beach in Southland. Protruding from the eroded bank was the top of a human skull. While Mr Clark was shocked, his daughters, Sally and Sara, were "quite excited about it". Along from Omaui Beach where the human skull was found protruding from the exposed earth bank. He then travelled to the Omaui car park, and walked down a farmer’s driveway to the spot to investigate, Mr Clark said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 18, 2021 19:30 UTC
Nuggets sign first import
Geremy McKay prepares to go up with the ball while playing for Vanguard University against Boise State in the United States in 2018. Photo: Getty ImagesThe Otago Nuggets have signed their first overseas player. The NBL side has signed Australian forward Geremy McKay, a 2.01m forward, who has played for the Melbourne Phoenix in the Australian NBL. The National Basketball League is finalising an application to Immigration New Zealand for import players to be granted critical-worker exemption for the 2021 season. The Nuggets season opens on April 24 with a game at home against the Saints.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 18, 2021 18:56 UTC
Tennis causing tensions with stranded Aussies
Australians criticised the government on social media, questioning how it could make room for 1200 tennis players and their entourages for next month's Australian Open, but not its own citizens. Officials in Victoria state, home to the Open, said hosting the tournament did not come at the cost of about 40,000 stranded Australians. "No-one has been set aside coming from other jurisdictions into Victoria by virtue of the Australian Open going ahead," said Brett Sutton, Victoria chief medical officer. But adding to the frustration for stranded Australians, the head of health department on Monday warned Australia may not fully reopen its international borders this year. The Australian Open runs from February 8-21.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 18, 2021 04:18 UTC
Green light for Alexandra Countdown
An artist's impression of the proposed supermarket in Alexandra. Image: suppliedA new supermarket in Alexandra has been granted resource consent and is set to break New World's monopoly on large-scale grocery retail in the town. In a decision dated January 12 and released by the Central Otago District Council today, independent commissioner Gary Rae gave the development the green light. The application was publicly notified on May 28 and 22 submissions were lodged: three neutral, seven opposed and 12 in support. "Consent can therefore appropriately be granted, subject to appropriate conditions.''
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 18, 2021 03:56 UTC
Old sea shanty going viral could have Timaru origin
Roselyn Fauth, left, and Keely Kroening, of the South Canterbury Museum, getting into a sea shanty mood at the Patiti Point whalepot. A sea shanty going viral around the world could have its origins in Timaru. Fauth is now thinking about getting a group together to learn the sea shanty and film it being sung at the Patiti Point whaling pot. “Older people know about Timaru having whaling stations but TikTok is now a way for young people to learn about our heritage.’’SUPPLIED A whaling trypot at Timaru’s Patiti Point. Fauth said one of the whaling station workers in Timaru was Samuel Williams who may have worked alongside the shanty’s composer.
Source:Stuff
January 18, 2021 03:33 UTC
Work starts on large Queenstown residential development
House hunters are a step closer to being able to buy into a large residential development in central Queenstown. Civil works are now under way at the old Whakatipu High School site on Gorge Rd as part of the new 300-home Te Pā Tāhuna development. Ngāi Tahu Property has appointed civil construction company Downer to carry out the new infrastructure work for the development, which includes 105 KiwiBuild homes. Ngāi Tahu Property general manager Blair Forgie said starting the civil works was an “exciting next step” towards building new homes for people in Queenstown. The Ngāi Tahu Property team, which was still in the design stages of Te Pā Tāhuna, was focused on delivering warm and comfortable homes, Forgie said.
Source:Stuff
January 18, 2021 03:22 UTC
Mushroom foraging area sprouts up in east Christchurch red zone
The mushroom foraging area near the Avon River should be finished in April. Photo: NewslineA mushroom-themed education, play and foraging area is set to open on part of Christchurch's red zone in April. The project has received a $19,600 grant from red zone consultative group, Te Tira Kāhikuhiku, to help bring the project to life by the end of April. “Over the Covid-19 lockdown there were lots of people out using the former residential red zone area. Said Williams: “I really encourage people to apply to use the former residential red zone land for community initiatives.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 18, 2021 03:11 UTC
Full steam ahead for Lyttelton tug with first public sailings since March
Tug Lyttelton heads into the harbour. Photo: Geoff SloanTrips on the historic tug boat Lyttelton are expected to be very popular when they start again this month. With most Kiwis having to stay in New Zealand this summer, it is hoped people will take an interest in tug Lyttelton. People are interested in the tug’s unique heritage,” said Roger Ellery, of the Tug Lyttelton Preservation Society. Maintained and managed by the Tug Lyttelton Preservation Society, the steam-powered vessel is more than 100-years-old after being established in 1907.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 18, 2021 02:26 UTC
New 48 section Takapō/Tekapo subdivision under way
The first stage of the Station Bay development on Lakeside drive at Lake Takapō/Tekapo will have 48 sections. Work on a new 48 section subdivision is under way on the Lake Takapō/Tekapo water front. Covington Land developer Jonathan Speedy did not want to comment, preferring to wait until the Station Bay launch in three to four weeks time. Bejon Haswell/Stuff Auckland based Covington Group's Station Bay subdivision at Lake Takapō/Tekapo. Supplied L J Hooker real estate agent Steve Howes in Takapō/Tekapo thinks the Station Bay subdivision will offer fantastic views to residents.
Source:Stuff
January 18, 2021 01:52 UTC