FAST CLIP: Waipawa shearer Cam Ferguson beat hot favourite and New Zealand teammate David Fagan to win the world individual machines title in Wales. Ferguson, 26, had less than a year ago won just three open-class titles, which compared with the legendary record of Fagan who, aged almost 49, had claimed a 602nd title. Ferguson got the chance to get to the world championships only when he won the 50th Golden Shears open final in Masterton in March. But last week in front of 3000 spectators and amid an electric atmosphere at the Royal Welsh Show, he and New Zealand-based Scottish hope Gavin Mutch each shore 20 lambs in 11 minutes 45 seconds to win the race seven seconds ahead of Fagan. Ferguson sewed up the title with the better points from the judges in the outside pens. – Hawke’s Bay Today
BOYS EXPELLED: Four Australian boys who were part of a $6000 shoplifting spree in Queenstown two weeks ago have been expelled by their Melbourne Catholic school. Xavier College principal Dr Chris Hayes said the boys had been expelled for their “level of involvement” in the thefts on July 17. A Queenstown police investigation had found 15 stores had been targeted by a group of 16 pupils, who were part of a 30-strong touring party, aged between 14 and 17. The boys were made to return the stolen goods and apologise to the shop owners. The 16 boys were initially suspended for a week, but four of the ringleaders had been asked to leave the $A22,000-a-year school. “Their behaviour was unacceptable and goes against everything Xavier College stands for,” Dr Hayes told The Age newspaper. – Otago Daily Times
COMPO ORDERED: The family of a man who died in a boiler room explosion and a man who was left with severe head injuries and burns have been awarded almost $137,000 in compensation and costs. Caretaker Richard Nel died after being burned over 90 percent of his body and contractor Robin Tubman was seriously injured in the blast at Orewa College, north of Auckland, on June 24 last year. In the District Court at North Shore this week Judge Laurie Hinton ordered the school’s board of trustees to pay the family of Mr Nel $75,000 in reparations and costs of $6100. Mr Tubman was awarded $55,000 in reparations and $729 in costs. Judge Hinton said the victim impact statements had made sad reading, and described suffering that he said no family should have to endure. – NZPA
BACK TO BASICS: The Auckland War Memorial Museum’s interim director, Sir Donald McKinnon, is switching its focus from entertainment to reviving collections and research. Sir Don, appointed on May 30 to help the museum put a troubled period behind it, told The New Zealand Herald that the need for ‘rebalancing’ had become clear after consultation with staff and supporters. More resources would be dedicated over the next six-eight months to nurturing the academic side. “It is a matter of bringing back into balance that side of the museum,” the former deputy prime minister and Commonwealth secretary-general said. Dr Vanda Vitali, who quit in mid-March after a tempestuous two years at the helm, had tried to liven up the museum but drew flak for pouring technical and financial resources into what some believed were showy productions.
TOKE SMOKE NO JOKE: The smell of cannabis being burnt by the police in their station incinerator at Gore is getting up the noses of some nearby businesses, although others say they do not mind it. The station is in the central business district and near popular tourist attractions such as the trout statue, and hands of fame statue. Businesses near the police station told The Southland Times that the smell of cannabis was ‘quite noticeable’ when seized drugs were being destroyed. Shop assistant Diane Williams said it was “absolutely disgusting some days”. “It’s awful, I hate the smell … You can see big puffs of smoke.” Sergeant Ian Temple said he could appreciate there would be ‘quite a stink’ when cannabis was being disposed of. The incinerator was used regularly to get rid of seized drugs and exhibits. No-one had complained before.
AIR COLLISION: Two women died in the Manawatu on Monday when their aircraft crashed into a paddock after an aerial collision with another. The 21 year-old student pilot of the other aircraft – who has not been named – landed without his engine and missing a wheel at Taonui Airfield, about 5km southeast of Feilding. The dead women were Manawatu Flight Training Centre chief flying instructor Jessica Neeson, 27, and her student Patricia Smallman, who was 64. Both aircraft, Cessna 152s, were owned by Manawatu Flight Training, based at Taonui. Transport Accident Investigation Commission investigator Ian McClelland said investigators would do a site survey, including looking at ground marks at the site, and interview at least five witnesses. After the plane was removed from the site, investigators would look at the control positions, the engine, and propellers, and the overall condition of the aircraft, he said. – Manawatu Standard, The New Zealand Herald
COMPLAINT LODGED: A complaint was lodged with the Office of the Ombudsmen on Monday by four supporters of the Timaru businessman Allan Hubbard and his wife, Jean, whom the Government has put into statutory management. The Timaru Herald said that Paul Carruthers and three other supporters had laid the complaint because Securities Commission member Simon Botherway had not declared a potential conflict of interest after his brother’s companies were placed into liquidation by South Canterbury Finance last year. Mr Hubbard was chairman of SCF. Mr Botherway was part of the division of the commission that recommended statutory management to the Government. He told the commission about his brother’s link to SCF after the recommendation to the Government. The Herald said it had sought a copy of the complaint from the Office of the Ombudsmen.
BOYS EXPELLED: Four Australian boys who were part of a $6000 shoplifting spree in Queenstown two weeks ago have been expelled by their Melbourne Catholic school. Xavier College principal Dr Chris Hayes said the boys had been expelled for their “level of involvement” in the thefts on July 17. A Queenstown police investigation had found 15 stores had been targeted by a group of 16 pupils, who were part of a 30-strong touring party, aged between 14 and 17. The boys were made to return the stolen goods and apologise to the shop owners. The 16 boys were initially suspended for a week, but four of the ringleaders had been asked to leave the $A22,000-a-year school. “Their behaviour was unacceptable and goes against everything Xavier College stands for,” Dr Hayes told 
TOKE SMOKE NO JOKE: The smell of cannabis being burnt by the police in their station incinerator at Gore is getting up the noses of some nearby businesses, although others say they do not mind it. The station is in the central business district and near popular tourist attractions such as the trout statue, and hands of fame statue. Businesses near the police station told 
AIR COLLISION: Two women died in the Manawatu on Monday when their aircraft crashed into a paddock after an aerial collision with another. The 21 year-old student pilot of the other aircraft – who has not been named – landed without his engine and missing a wheel at Taonui Airfield, about 5km southeast of Feilding. The dead women were Manawatu Flight Training Centre chief flying instructor Jessica Neeson, 27, and her student Patricia Smallman, who was 64. Both aircraft, Cessna 152s, were owned by Manawatu Flight Training, based at Taonui. Transport Accident Investigation Commission investigator Ian McClelland said investigators would do a site survey, including looking at ground marks at the site, and interview at least five witnesses. After the plane was removed from the site, investigators would look at the control positions, the engine, and propellers, and the overall condition of the aircraft, he said. – 
COMPLAINT LODGED: A complaint was lodged with the Office of the Ombudsmen on Monday by four supporters of the Timaru businessman Allan Hubbard and his wife, Jean, whom the Government has put into statutory management. 