Local News

May 21st, 2012: 

 

 

Nelson has rejected establishing a Maori ward in the city.
The votes against and three thousand, one hundred and thirty one in results of the poll were convincingly against the idea – with over twelve thousand favour.
Mayor Aldo Miccio says the result is not surprising and it was clear the community isn’t yet ready to take the step.
The council voted in favour of setting up a Maori ward at a meeting in November, but opposition from some residents prompted a petition, which then meant the poll had to be held.
Mr Miccio says a ward was about giving fair representation to Maori around the Council table in a simple, cost-effective way.
He says the council will continue to engage with Maori using existing mechanisms, such as its Maori forum Kotahitangi Hui.

 

***********************************************

 

Police are carrying out an investigation after a house and garage were destroyed by fire at the weekend.

Two fires broke out at the property on Champion Road in Richmond overnight on Saturday.

The occupants were not home at the time and there have been no injuries. Police say, however that the house has been irreparably damaged.

Fire safety investigators, forensics staff and the CIB are investigating the separate blazes.

Police would now like to hear from anyone who has information that may relate to the fires and anyone who was in the Champion Road area about 9.30 pm on Saturday.

 
************************************************

And a quirky three-piece band with a folk jazz sound won the Nelson Smokefreerockquest regional final at the Theatre Royal on Saturday night.
New Vinyl from Nelson College has been busking and doing gigs for over a year.

The trio say their unusual combination of guitar, double bass and piano accordion makes them stand out.
Second place went to Midnight’s Sun, a seven piece band from Nelson College, Garin College and Nelson College for Girls

Smokefreerockquest director Glenn Common says the standard of the bands in the Nelson final was particularly strong and one of the strongest he’s seen in 24 years.
The national final is in Hamilton in September.