News review

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 492, 29 June 1993, Page 12

News review

A quick look at news stories from in and around Ruapehu last week: Bat count Night time canoeist and bat counters were being called for by the Department of Conservation last week. DoC is looking for volunteers to help count bats, among other jobs, in the Whanganui National Park. Other tasks include weed control, track work and a kiwi survey. A DoC officer and a volunteer will canoe from Whakahoro to Pipiriki at night during December to count bats. "All the projects have real conservation value and enable us to achieve far more than would otherwise be possible (without volunteers)," said conservation officer John Lythgoe. False alarm The Ohakune Volunteer Fire Brigade was called out on a false alarm at 3pm last Thursday, when members of the public mistook bus exhaust smoke for a house fire. Soldier shot A court of inquiry was called by the New Zealand Army last week after Sergeant David Hill was shot in .the arm dur-

ing small arms weapons training. He was taken to Palmerston North hospital by helicopter. Coffee for historic cottage Permission was granted to the owners of the Grand Chateau to renovate one of Ruapehu' s oldest buildings, Lady Alice Fergusson Cottage at Whakapapa Village. Kah (NZ) Ltd has been given permission by the Department of Conservation as landowners, and by the Ruapehu District Council, to upgrade the building and turn it into a craft and coffee shop. Tighter Army procedures called for The Army should tighten its procedures

following the death of a young soldier near Waiouru after a forced march last November, stated the Taihape coroner, Don Flack. The soldier, Lee James Martin of Auckland, died during the march, following suffering a mild illness and medication which "may have taken a part". The inquest heard that the young soldier had not told his superior officers that he had been sick, and took medication to help him get through the march, and that he had not wanted to miss the test. Volcano study A study of the potential to predict volcanic eruptions is being funded by the Government. The study involves volcanologists and geologists using data from Ruapehu's Crater Lake, by looking at the physical dynamics of an active volcanic vent.