15
%
SUNSCREEN &
ROLLER BLINDS
OFF MARCH ONLY
+ FREE FITTING
Cut’n Edge
BLINDZ N FLOORZ
By the wharf,
16 Palmerston St
Ph 03 789 7747
THE NEWS
WESTPORT, THURSDAY 11 MARCH, 2010
NEED SERVICE?
NEED AN ELECTRICIAN?
Domestic or Commercial
0800 768 4949
or 027 668 7447
Serving the community since 1871
171 Palmerston St , Westport, NZ | Phone 789 7319 | Fax 789 7203 | email: [email protected] | www.westportnews.co.nz
70c (65c home delivery)
Couple remain
homeless
by Lee Scanlon
A West Coast man says it’s a “numbing” prospect
that he and his wife may never find somewhere safe
from chemical exposure to live.
Kevin Boyes, 48, believes exposure to herbicides
has ruined his health.
He told The News last month that he and his wife
Kathryn, 45, had been living in their Honda Odyssey
van for eight months, searching for somewhere safe
from chemicals.
Mr Boyes says little has changed since then.
Chemical exposure regularly compromised his
health, and being constantly on the move was
exhausting, he said.
He and his wife often had to park up late at night and
leave early in the morning to avoid people complaining about them. Then they had to find somewhere to
try and catch up on sleep.
“Often we are somewhere and both very tired, then
someone sprays or uses chemicals and we have to
move, and it can take hours to find somewhere else.
“There have been a couple of times when I have
just had to have a short sleep in an exposure area, as
I’m too exhausted to go on.
“When I wake, I am very badly chemically affected
with chemical exposure illness.”
Mr Boyes said he had hoped, until recently, that he
and Kathryn would find a safe home.
“However, the deeper our research has gone into
where chemicals are used, the more and more it
looks like it may not be possible to find a place which
is not exposed to some type of chemicals.”
The Department of Conservation used chemicals
from near the top of mountains to the coast, he said.
“The looming potential that we may not find somewhere (to live) is numbing.”
The couple previously camped for two years in a
tent in bush at Charleston’s Four Mile, but fled after
Mr Boyes was allegedly poisoned by road sprays.
They have been on the road for nine months since.
He said they recently had to relocate their two pet
milking goats from Charleston to a farmlet in Grey,
because chemicals had been used near the Charleston location.
He said the contamination also meant they had lost
their organic gardens and fruit trees at Charleston.
Last month’s newspaper publicity had produced
two offers of help, and some expressions of goodwill,
but nowhere permanent to live.
His only option, and that of other chemically injured
people, appeared to be to live in almost complete
isolation.
“I have been seriously thinking about a yacht and a
deserted island…Funding for such a yacht journey is
a challenge, but probably doable.”
Meanwhile, he continued trying to contact others
like himself in New Zealand and recently obtained the
email address of one person.
He would like to establish a website for all chemically injured New Zealanders.
Department of Labour medical advisor, Bill Glass,
has advised Mr Boyes to continue living in semi-isolation. Dr Glass believes his condition will improve.
Mr Boyes’ Westport GP Paul Cooper has supported
his application for land and/or housing which would
meet his medical needs.
Dr Cooper said Mr Boyes had demonstrated a
range of symptoms, consistent with multiple chemical
sensitivity, over a number or years.
Alex promised treatment
by Lee Scanlon
Intervention from Buller Hospital staff has given a
special needs Westport man the chance he deserves,
says his mother.
They had promised Alex Forbes, 26, he would
receive the urological procedure he required in Buller
or Christchurch within a fortnight, Penny Forbes
said.
“They said there’s no way he will have to wait.”
In the meantime, Alex would have to continue
wearing a catheter, and take antibiotics.
Alex, who has autism, was admitted to Buller Hospital Tuesday night. His mother blames the West Coast
District Health Board (DHB). She said he would not
have been hospitalised if he had got to an appointment with a urologist at Grey Hospital last Thursday.
The DHB had organised a car to take him to the
clinic, but cancelled it too late for Alex to get other
transport. The DHB then said he would have to wait
until May to see a urologist.
However, his mother had to call an ambulance for
him Tuesday night because he couldn’t urinate.
Mrs Forbes said Alex was discharged from Buller
Hospital yesterday afternoon. He had seen a urology nurse, and hospital nurses and doctors had been
“fantastic”. The fact he was now in the system, and
had been promised treatment, was down to them.
She said Alex needed access to a wheelchair for the
next fortnight, because his catheter made walking
difficult. He currently had a loan of a hospital wheelchair, but was only allowed to keep it for 48 hours.
She would welcome any offers of a wheelchair.
Postie loss halves
Nationwide apparel and baby products group
Postie Plus Group, which was founded in Westport,
has confirmed a significantly lower loss for the six
months to January 31.
The group has posted a $1.11 million loss, less
than half its loss of $2.68m for the same period the
previous year.
The result includes provision for $77,000 from the
sale of the Waimate knitting factory.
The company said a first half loss was traditionally
overshadowed by a second half profit.
Postie reported sales of $54.07m, an 8.3 percent
($4.16m) improvement on $49.91m in the same
period last year.
However, the directors recommended no interim
dividend due to the tentative economic environment.
Chief executive Ron Boskell said the turnaround
for the summer season was pleasing considering the
retail climate and statistics.
“The loss is 58 percent less than last year and that
level of improvement confirms that the group is well
on track to post an improved full year result.”
Postie’s distribution costs fell a further $338,000
and its inventory fell by $400,000. Administration
expenses of $11.2m represented 20.7 percent of
sales compared with 22 percent last year. This had
resulted from the ongoing focus on costs, Mr Boskell
said.
“We have achieved the improvement in very
demanding economic conditions where consumer
confidence remains fragile but is improving.
“We have benefited from strong consumer loyalty
to our brands and we grew market share for all of our
brands during the period.”
He said the group had a footprint across both metropolitan and regional heartland New Zealand. It had
succeeded with a product mix that appealed to its
loyal customer base.
“Our emphasis on the core values of our brands
continues with new look branding being introduced
for our Postie Apparel store. We are looking forward
to showcasing the new elements of this during the
autumn season.
“As part of our roll out of Postie, we opened our
latest look with an expanded store at the Richmond
shopping mall, Nelson, last week.”
Buller Hospital to stay as is?
by Lee Scanlon
Buller Hospital will probably stay as it is for at least
the next two to three years, says Buller Mayor Pat
McManus.
He was among West Coast mayors and chairs who
met West Coast District Health Board (DHB) and West
Coast Primary Health Organisation representatives
this week, for an update on health plans.
Mr McManus said it seemed Buller Hospital’s future
relied on what happened to Grey Hospital.
“The message I’m getting, it’s about whatever the
Greymouth model ends up is the model we have to
fit in with…
NOON TEMPS:
KARAMEA
21
“Until someone puts a stick in the sand and says
‘this is what we intend to do’ we are at a loss.”
The DHB is planning more collaboration with Canterbury DHB, including sharing senior doctors.
The good news was that nothing seemed likely to
change at Buller Hospital for two or three years, Mr
McManus said.
“Unless the minister comes in and says ‘right boys,
start again’, I can’t see anything changing.”
Buller would continue to look at its options, including quitting the Coast DHB to link with Nelson Marlborough DHB, or setting up a health trust, he said.
WESTPORT
20
Let’s Dance: From left Lathel Hill, Linda Voice and Pauline Ensor from the OnStage Production group. (Photo – Sheree Cargill)
First show kicks off
by Chloe Vaughan
The NBS Theatre’s first ever show was a sold-out
success last night, despite some concerns about
sound quality.
Performer Gavin Haussmann said he enjoyed
performing in the new auditorium, but thought the
acoustics could be improved.
“The only thing that I found difficult as a performer
was the sound being produced in the theatre.
“It is difficult to hear other performers and instruments while performing on stage.”
However Mr Haussmann said the community was
lucky to have the theatre as it was an excellent facility.
Dance teacher Beryl Collins was also pleased.
“It is always pleasing to perform to a full theatre.
There was a minor hiccup with the volume of the
music but overall the show went well,” she said.
Musician Ray Moroney had some reservations.
“The hall performed adequately but it was very hot
in there and the air conditioning was not working.”
However local brass band conductor Graham
Mason said the acoustics were very good.
“The acoustics may need some tweaking sometime but it seemed ok. The theatre felt like the St
James,” he said.
OnStage Productions stage manager Pete Doncliff said the concert was marvellous.
“All the people who took part were really helpful and made everything so easy to do. Everybody
who performed certainly enjoyed it. All the facilities
worked really well.” He worked backstage most of
the night and everything went without a hitch.
Audience member Karen Heaphy enjoyed the
show.
There were a few teething problems with the sound
and the microphones were a bit scratchy. But it was
to be expected because it was the first live show at
Lack of GPs worries
Work and Income
by Lee Scanlon
Work and Income has complained to the West
Coast District Health Board (DHB) about the lack of
GPs in Westport and Greymouth.
It says clients who have to wait too long to see a
doctor for a medical certificate can lose their sickness or invalid benefits.
“In a number of situations we have given an extension of the benefit without the supporting evidence of
a medical certificate,” said Ministry of Social Development regional commissioner Janine Dowding, in a
letter to the DHB.
“Although policy allows us to do this in special
circumstances, the policy also states that ‘lack of a
doctor’s appointment is not a good enough reason’.”
Buller Medical Service had put aside half days to
see Work and Income clients and case managers
had told clients to make early appointments, she
said.
However, for three weeks from November 11 last
year Buller Medical was so short of doctors no clients
received medical extensions or reviews of disability
allowance.
Greymouth had lacked doctors since July 2009.
Ms Dowding said the department realised the DHB
was working on the issue, and wanted to help. However, it needed to understand what action the board
was taking so it could give its clients and the community a clear message.
DHB chief executive Joel George told today’s
board meeting in Greymouth that practice managers
and clinical directors would meet Ministry of Social
Development staff to discuss how to fill Work and
Income needs.
Rescuers turned back
A man was left red-faced yesterday afternoon after
he told police his companion was seriously injured in
remote bush.
Head of search and rescue, Constable Sean Judd,
said the man made a satellite phone call reporting
his injured companion was about five hours tramp
up the Ohikanui River in the Lower Buller Gorge.
Mr Judd called the Solid Energy rescue helicopter
and dispatched a search and rescue team about
3pm.
by Lee Scanlon
The helicopter had already reached Punakaiki
when he received another call to say the man was
ok and could walk out.
“The information that was passed onto police was
not entirely accurate and I’m not sure what the exact
reason for that is,” he said.
It seemed the two men lost each other in the bush
and panicked. However he praised the men for taking a satellite phone with them, as it was a good
safety measure.
DHB members silent
The West Coast District Health Board’s application
for a government bail-out, and the ministerial criticism of the board’s financial performance, received
no comment from DHB members at today’s board
meeting in Greymouth.
The board papers included a letter from chairman
Rex Williams seeking a $6 million equity injection
TOMORROW: WESTPORT
16
from government. The board also received two
critical letters from Health Minister Tony Ryall; one
asked the board how it planned to recover from its
budget deficit, the other said the recovery plan the
board had provided was inadequate.
Mr Williams said the letters would be discussed
in committee. The DHB is facing a $9.25m deficit,
$1.66m worse than budget.
GREYMOUTH
16
NELSON
17
the theatre.
She also felt the atmosphere was similar to the St
James.
Performer Rona Halsall said it was a very positive
experience for the students and they gave their very
best during the performance.
“It was well supported by the public and as performers we really appreciated their enthusiasm,” she
said.
Buller District Council community services officer
Lana Hands said the quality of the sound depended
on the equipment. Last night the council had used a
contractor’s equipment. “When our own equipment
is used we have better control over the quality of the
sound.”
There was no air conditioning in the auditorium but
there was an air ventilation system, she said.
The council had received no complaints about last
night’s show.
Arrest over shed
A 36 year old Westport man was arrested early
this morning for damaging his neighbour’s shed,
says Sergeant Matthew Frost.
Mr Frost said the incident happened at a Queen
Street address at 1.20am. The man’s partner,
38, was also arrested for obstructing police. The
pair appeared before a registrar in the Westport
District Court today to set a court date.
12
GREAT REASONS
TO BUY A MOWER
FROM ADCO…
Mower unpacked
Assembled by a technician
Filled with oil
Filled with petrol
Run and tested ($30 value)
First service free (value $40)
Informed customer service
Right mower to suit your needs
Safety equipment advice
Choice of electric, petrol and battery
Petrol mowers from $449
ADCO are Buller’s garden
equipment specialists
r
You
1
No
OUTDOOR POWER CENTRE
ADCO
PHONE: 03 788 8140
92 PALMERSTON ST - WESTPORT
MOWERS - CHAINSAWS - SCRUBCUTTERS ETC
CHRISTCHURCH
16