Waimarino News review 1988

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 270, 17 January 1989, Page 4

Waimarino News review 1988

Rail wires live The Ohakune section of the main trunk line went electric early in January 1988, without ceremony. Bulletin changes hands Taihape born and Waiouru raised John WoOds took over as publisher of the Waimarino Bulletin from John Sandford, who started the newspaper five and a half years ago. Group to rescue rlver The Wanganui River Flows Coalition announced their intention to mount a nation-wide campaign to "save the Wanganui River". John's bus and business burn Raetihi businessman John Dempsey arrived back at work on a Tuesday last January to find his charter bus - and his livelihood - go up in smoke. $75m projects for Ohakune Three extensive tourism projects with a total value of $75 million we-e approved by the Ohakune Borough Council in January 1988. They were: The Hamlet - a 200 bed tourist hotel complex which included villas; The Railway Hotel resort at the Ohakune Junction Railway Station, incorporating refurbished railway wagons; The $14 million Ohakune Mountain Housing scheme, incorporating clustered refurbished old railway houses in upper Ruapehu Road. Devastation for plumber A blaze completely gutted plumber John Dobson's workshop in Raetihi in January. Chief Fire Officer Alex Weir said the fire was the biggest he had seen since the Cosmopolitan Club fire ten years ago. Airport plans for airfield Civil aviation Department chiefs were working on specifications for upgrading the Raetihi airstrip to take four engine commuter jets. Waiouru wants 'out' of region Waiouru made overtures to the Waimarino about leaving the Rangitikei to join with the new Waimarino District. The reasons given were strong community of interest between the Waimarino and Waiouru and the Army looking for better value for its $135,000 grants in lieu of rates each year. Big audit bill earns wrath The Waimarino District Council wrote to the Audit Office complaining about its $21,410 charge for a "shoddy" audit of the

amalgamating authorities. Best in 20 years The 1988 Waimarino A&P show was described as the best in 20 years. Manganui a Te Ao protected The National Water and Soil Conservation Authority decided in March to place a national conservation order on the Manganui a Te Ao river, ruling out possible power development on the river. Snow train a comin' A National Park ski lodge operator announced plans to lease a train to run weekend trips from Auckland to Ohakune for skiers. Fair earns $25,000! The Waiouru Desert Fair raised $25,000 after 9000 people visited the fair in perfect weather. Survival first issue for council The first task of the newly elected Waimarino District Council in March was to discuss its survival as a local authority in the light of the proposed local and regional government reform. Delay for water funds In March the district council heard that funds from the health department for the proposed ultra-violet water treatment plant for Ohakune would not be available until 1989 or 1990 County changes for rural Iifestyle Changes to the Waimarino county ward district scheme making it easier for building dwellings on unproductive rural land. Welcome Back! Waiouru's Empty Page newspaper re- . turned in March, as part of the Waimarino Bulletin for Waiouru readers. Council staff celebrate raove Ex-Raetihi Borough Council staff moved to the Waimarino District Council Offices - the old Ohakune Borough Council offices - in April. Advice from service steady In April the Waimarino Community Advice Centre opened its doors in Raetihi. Coaches coached at Ohakune An international line up of gymnastics coaches met at Ohakune for a weeklong International Olympic Committee coaching of coaches course. Railways agent change 'oversight' Without warning Ohakune's road and rail service ticketing agency was changed and selling hours slashed.

Met station may close Waiouru's meteorological station was under threat because of government cost-cut-ting. Ohakune role dropping The student role at Ohakune Primary School had dropped by 14 per cent in the year to April 1988, District Office still debated The new Waimarino District Council was still debating the solution to staff working accommodation problems in May. Tongariro National Park Management Plan due out soon The management plan was completed in April-May and was ready for National Parks and Reserves Authority and Conservation Minister approval. No progress on Big Three projects: We're waiting Ohakune's $75 million dollar tourist projects seemed no closer in May, with all three reporting problems. Ohakune Mountain Road now completely sealed The sealing of the road up to Turoa Skifields was completed in Autumn 1988 after the ski field company contributed 25 per cent of the cost of the work. BNZ rumour still not substantiated Rumours that the Raetihi BNZ branch was to close could not be confirmed or denied by local bank staff in May last year. School angry at teacher decision Ohakune Primary School staff, pupils and parents were angry at the Education Department's treatment of a popular relieving teacher. The department refused to recognise the Belgian teacher's qualifications. Train carnival a success The Queen's Birthday Weekend carnival was deemed a success, with close to 600 passengers from the Kiwi Lager Ski Express joining in. Ohakune asks for help from growers Ohakune market gardeners were asked by the council to help find ways to avoid spending half a million dollars on the second stage of the proposed water treatment system. DoC memo stirs staff Tongariro DoC staff were angry at a central office memo which stymied their dealings with the media. Ski lodge to reopen Rebuilt Ngauruhoe Ski Club Lodge at Whakapapa was reopened.

Raetihi staff cuts Elders Raetihi lost all three women clerical workers in June 1988 as a result of company restructuring. Local company looses Ford franchise Reynolds Ford Limited lost their Ford franchise in May. Council to sell extra property The Waimarino District Council decided to sell off the property it owned in surplus as a result of the Waimarino amalgamation. Motor Company closes its doors Reynolds Motors Limited closed on Friday June 24, with its assets in the hands of receivers. Auckland woman jumps off Mt Ngauruhoe Bev Smith parapented off Mt Ngauruhoe in April. Mill to be sold Karioi pulp mill was close to being sold in July. Permit prices skyrocket Charges for building permits rose up to 270 per cent in some wards of the Waimarino District. The toast of the Valley! Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bought Happy Valley ski area at Whakapapa in July. Karioi mill sludge 'just nuisance' Complaints about *foul smelling sediment • left on the main road near the Karioi Pulp Mill were received by the council, after a clean-up of the mill's settling ponds. Capital tops list The Ruapehu South Business Association heard from tourism consultants that twice as many Wellingtonians as Aucklanders visited Ohakune. Chalets unfair, say motels Moteliers and commercial lodge owners complained that unlicensed boarding house operators were ripping off licensed operators, because they did not comply with the expensive conditions associated with the business. Award for Bulletin feature The Bulletin won an award for display advertising in July. DoC shuts out ski school The Department of Conservation was criticised for not allowing alternative ski school operators onto Whakapapa ski area. Raetihi BNZ fate decided The conversion of the Raetihi branch of the BNZ to an agency was announced in August. Tongariro Park budget down $Im Tongariro National

Park's budget was cut by $1 million, from $3.1 million last year, putting the park into a "standstill" situation. Americans dominate FIS giant slalom Americans dominated the FIS ski series at Turoa in August. Violence victims home Waimarino traffic officer Ian Harrison and resident Peter Sutton were at home recuperating at the end of August after being involved in an incident where Mr Sutton was shot in the leg by attackers of Mr Harrison as he went to the traffic officer's aid. Ski shops at odds The national ski retail chain Ski Yer Heart Out were at the centre of a controversy over the setting up of a temporary ski retail outlet in Ohakune. Local ski shops accused the company of dumping. Farmers to close Farmers Trading Company staff in Raetihi heard in September that their branch was to close in one month. Rebel ski team at Mt Hutt Two skiers left out of an official team sent to Mt Hutt were at the centre of a controversy over ski racer selection for top races. Bungi jumpers return Commercial bungi jumping came into being in Ohakune in September with punters paying $75 to jump off the Hapuawhenua viaduct with a giant rubber band strapped to their ankles. Junction station 'abandoned' Waimarino councillors discussed the state of the Ohakune railway station, saying it appeared the station had been abandoned by New Zealand Railways. Ohakune's Patrick Cooper wins national award Patrick Cooper was named 1988 disabled skier of the year. Innuit visit Ohakune Marae A group of Alaskan Innuit people were guests of the Maungarongo Marae in October. Train derails at Tangiwai A goods train derailed at Tangiwai, blocking the main trunk line for a weekend in October. 1988 ski season worst ever Managing Director of New Zealand Ski Fields Mr Tony Wright described the 1988 ski season as the most difficult ever experienced in New Zealand.

Ruapehu district 'best option' for Waimarino Waimarino District councillors accepted the Local Government Commission's proposal of a Ruapehu region as the best they could have hoped for under the circumstances. Army Museum ten years old Waiouru's Queen Elizabeth II Army Memorial Museum celebrated its tenth anniversary in October. Pact to help blue duck Rafting operators signed a pact with DoC promising to stay off the Manganui a Te Ao while the blue ducks (whio) were breeding. South Ruapehu ward mooted Waimarino mayor Garrick Workman suggested Waiouru and the Waimarino join to form one ward in the proposed Ruapehu District. The idea was met with mixed reaction, Waiouru soon deciding it wanted to be a ward on its own. DoC fire budget already spent The Department of Conservation's Tongariro and Taupo fire fighting budget looked to be already spent five times over after a Guy Fawkes fire on the Desert Road. Town planning fees could take hike The Waimarino District Council was considering increases in the town planning hearing fees, from $200 to $600. Prison work stopped An interim court order was placed on the work which had begun at Waikune Prison where all prison buildings were to be removed. Speech judge objects to Maori language A volunteer judge at a children's speech competition upset locals with her comment that she objected to

being spoken to in Maori. Group to study station options The Ruapehu South Business Association planned to look at ways to develop the boarded up Ohakune Junction Railway Station, with tourism in mind. No more milk in bottles from next week In early December the Waimarino was told that the last delivery of milk in glass bottles would be that month. From then on all milk would arrive in cardboard or plastic. Student survey shows street lighting dissatisfaction A survey conducted by Ruapehu College students highlighted resident's dissatisfaction with Ohakune's street lighting. WCAC calls for one Waiouru voice ATG's Colonel Brett Bestic called for the Waiouru Area Committee to disband and join with the longer standing Community Advisory Committee, in the light of the impending local government reform. Whanganui coalition reformed Electricorp's decision to appeal the catchment authority's decision to reinstate much of the river flows at the head waters of the Whanganui River prompted the coalition to re-form to continue their battle to "save the Whanganui". DoC reforms on the way A consultant's report on the Department of Conservation was released just before Christmas and reforms were promised which would see less of DoC's budget spent on administration and more "on the ground" for conservation work.