News review - 1991

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 421, 28 January 1992, Page 9

News review - 1991

January ▲ Following equipment faults and mishaps the Raetihi water supply should now be AOK. The system had been disrupted by a series of faults and mishaps when staff worked at cleaning out the settling ponds. A Schools in the area started the 1991 year with most principals reporting a full compliment of staff. A A group of people keen to help local children learn to swim have passed the hat around and raised enough money to heat the Ohakune baths through the month of February. A Waimarino's new police sergeant, Bob Evans comes to the area from Mangakino. A The Ohakune Hotel has set up a bakery in Cleches Bar offering people the opportunity to buy fresh bread and to sit down with a coffee or beer. February A Mark Vincent receives a scholarship from Winstone Pulp Intcrnational. A Waimarino's 80th Agricultural and Pastoral Show saw more partici- . pation but lcss spectators. A Colonel Phil Maguire leaves Waiouru after two years as Commander of the Army Training Group. A Hclcn McCready's dog, Floyd, was placed Top Dog All Brccds for 1990 in New Zealand and eighth ovcrall in Australasia A Waiouru's new school uniform was quickly accepted by parents and children alike. A Local businesses will be cagarged for local calls they make as from March. March A The Waimarino rodco was judgcd a success and the stock is the bcst that judges had secn in New Zealand for some years. A Kakatahi polocrosse player, Kay Nitschke was sclccted to play in thc New Zealand women's polo-crosse team for, the third time. A Vi Brown, June Foster, Ethel Allerby.and Christina McLeod became the Champion of champions bowling team for the Wanganui Centre. The first time in 12 years an Ohakune team has won. A The census was undertaken in the Waimarino. A Waimarino Rural Health Centre received an exercycle donated to the physiotherapy department by Waimarino Rotary. A Karioi Whangaehu power scheme proposals being hailed as having a positive impact on the environment. A Waimarino Ratepayers Association voted to start a petition for the former Waimarino District

Council to be reconstituted as a separate local body, following the council's decision to keep its plan to scrap the Waimarino rural differential rate. A Waiouru Primary School was presented with $3000 raised by the 'Klansman' running team in the RoundtheMountains Relay in 1990. A A positive mood is being generated by Raetihi retailers whose idea is to reconstruct the retail trading centre. April A Waimarino Anzacs were remembered at services held in Raetihi Ohakune and Waiouru. A Preservation of Ohakune Railway Station members are to investigate the possibility of resurrecting the turntable, thus allowing the possible increase in steam train visits as they will be able to turn locomotives without adding extra miles to their journey. A A 25 year fire service medal was presented to Raetihi fireman, Deputy Chief Officer Dave Griffin. A Raetihi's district scheme change was given the green light to allow the possible establishment of a meat processing plant on what was Industrial A zone but is now Industrial B. A At a meeting at the Waimarino Rural Health Centre, strong support for the Waimarino Rescue Helicopter was expressed by the community groups who attended.The meeting was held as part of a review of the ambulance service within the hospital board area. A A new mountain rescue group was established, to bring together the various independent groups who become involved in search and rescue operations, R.A.R.O. (Ruapehu Alpine Rescue Organisation), hope that the formation of the committee will provide an opportunity for more formalized joint search and rescue training. A Carol Harford, Waimarino Plunket Nurse received a new car, made possible by the fundraising efforts of the Raetihi and Ohakune sub-branches which together make up the Waimarino branch. A Council officers give Ohakune's water scheme top priority. A Karioi Pulp Mill Workers joined the na-tion-wide strike action to protest the Employments Contract Bill. A stop-work meeting was held to protest the Bill by local trades people, and local teachers went on strike as well. A Faith, fellowship and friendly competition were the theme of the Hui Aranga which involved ten clubs from North Hokianga to

Wellington, and was being hosted by Maungarongo marae. A The start of the Central Region Rally Series got underway in the Waimarino. Forty seven cars took part with six of New Zealand's top drivers leading the field. A State Highway 49 between Raetihi and Ohakune was downgraded to a district road. May A New policeman, Stuart Ngatai comes to Raetihi from the Auckland region. A 1991 Ruapehu Junior Council begins

with Che Wilson as chairperson for a second term. A Mail from both Raetihi and Ohakune is to be cleared only once a day. A The Waimarino community is to fight to keep its present social services. A Waimarino's John Dempsey was in the New Zealand Clay Target team which beat Australia for the Glenn Cup. The first win N Z has had since 1984. A The Raetihi Promotions committee have sent questionnaires to businesses in Raetihi

with regard to their views on the future of Raetihi's business centre. June A Raetihi farmer and dog trialist, Merv Williams and his dog Gay, retumed from the New Zealand sheepdog trial championships with the longhead title scoring an aggregate of 98.75 points, the highest pointed title for some years. A Energy Minister, John Luxton attended the turning on of power to the Turoa Ski Resort, Turnpage 12

News review - 1991

From. page 9 and congratulated King Country Energy and the Resort on the completion of the project. ▲ Constable Chris Scales joins Constable Pat Tasker to bring Waiouru's police strength up to two. ▲ Matiu Mareikura received a Queen's 1990 medal in recognition of his work as chairman of the Waimarino 1990 Committee. ▲ Local shooters, Allan Foster and Larry Meredith returned from the World Speed Shooting Championships in California both having won prizes. Allan, representing New Zealand, won the amateur speed shotgun shoot and was placed third in the amateur rifle shoot. Larry took second place in the law enforcement class of the shotgun competition. ▲ Ohakune Trustbank was presented with a customer service award, taking the honour from 34 other Trustbank Central branches.

A Two new businesses opened in Raetihi: Movie World and Potpourri. July A A sports aid fund was set up to assist local clay target shooter, Phil Garland, in his quest to attend the Olympic games. The group aims to create a fund to promote sport in the Waimarino and to benefit sporting groups in the district. A The overall rate take for the Ruapehu District Council was 0.5% less than 1990. A An Ohakune boarding house is closed down because it breaches several local bylaws and national safety standards. The closure sparks a series of confrontations between the operator and the council, with the matter being aired on the TVNZ Holmes Show. A Waimarino pensioners accept their rent rises proposed by the council.

A A flcdgeling Raetihi promotions group looks at ways to improve Raetihi. A Women join the ranks of the Regular Force Cadet School for the first time. However the course tumed out to be the last RF class, as the courses were shelvcd due to budget cuts A Due to the increase in the petty crime rate in Waiouru the mililtary imposes a curfew on children 15 years and under in the camp and the housing areas. A Fred Collctt bccame the new Ruapehu Lions Presidcnt. A Ohakune artist, Vince Pakinga won a logo compctition to design a logo for the Manawatu Wanganui Arca Health Board. August Waimarino's Public Health Nurse, Helen Pocknall, won a prcstigious nursing study fellowship in child health care which involved three months of study in Swedcn. A Ruapehu Scouts now havc thcir own ski lodge in Ohakune. A Ohakune's Turoa Tumblcr Warwick Hays becomes the third young gymnast from the club to represent New Zealand. He took part in the Australian Junior Gymnastics Championships as a member of the New Zealand under 16 tfcam. September A Variety and indk viduality were the trademarks at the 1991 Ohakune Art Awards, with 97 artists registering works. Local prizewinners were Luci Harrison, Dot Barnes and Dennis Friar. A Waimarino's last Postbank branch at Ohakune closed down. A Over 300 rugby league players dcscend on Waiouru for the National under- 17 tournamcnt. A Raetihi Rugby club celcbrates its 90th Jubilee. A Michael Wills, an Ohakune-Karioi rugby player was selected to tour with the Rugby News New Zealand Youth team. A Sergeant Major Wayne Paul was awarded the 1990 medal for his services to athletics. October A Budget cuts by the Army were starting to have an effect, especially with the non-re-placement of civilian staff. A The annual Round-the-Mountain relay race and the Lifespan Moun-

tains to Sea Triathlon were held, bringing many visitors to the Ruapehu district. A The first New Zealand Winter Games were a "learning process", said games Director Andreas Hcfti, "and with some changes would be repeated in 1992". A The Royal New Zealand Navy celcbratcd its 50th Anniversary. As part of the celebrations HMNZS Irirangi assisted with the Rotary Youth Camp, hosted the Royal .Australian Rugby team and were presented with a new chartcr by the Ruapehu District Council. November A The meat processing plant development at Raetihi is still on track. A Raetihi Iriformation Centre branches out, providing a place for individuals to promote organisations and businesses as well as providing information for visitors to the area. A Whakapapa and Turoa skificlds snowed under literally with snow and its November!

A The inaugural Avanti 'Round Ruapehu Ride' cycle race was held in conditions which included sleet, mist, heavy rain and patches of sunshine. It was a successful event to be repeated in 1992. A Raising a $1.4m loan was okayed by the Ruapehu District Council to fund major works including upgrading Ohakune's water supply. A The proposed Karioi hydro power scheme is still under study. A Local community groups are asked by the government to make submissions with rcgard to local health necds in the Waimarino. December A The Ruapehu District Council considers a petition to overturn a previous decision to hire a Marketing manager. The petitioners lose and the decision stands. A Raetihi and Ohakune communities hold meetings to attempt to overcome the problems created by the increase in crime in the district.