Missing Tramper Found - Santana High School Shooting – Fletcher Energy – Marian Hobbs – Foot and Mouth – Red Ant Invasion – Nelson Very Sunny

TRAMPER FOUND: Missing tramper Harry Smith who has spent two weeks lying in the bush waiting for a rescue party with a broken femur has been rescued today by passing trampers. One of his rescuers happened to be a doctor. Another rescuer had a search and rescue beacon - that worked – she was delighted. Searchers who were out looking for him were amazed. He had lucky weather and says he had no pain from his leg.

SANTANA SHOOTING: A 15-year-old Southern Californian student smiled as he shot his classmates at Santana High School. Police say the gunman started in the bathroom. He was using a long barrelled 22 calibre handgun. Two students are dead and 13 (11 students and two adults) are injured. The youth warned people before the incident. The youth will be charged as an adult with murder.

FLETCHER ENERGY: Fletcher Shareholders have voted against allowing Peak Petroleum to begin due diligence for its bid for Fletcher Energy. Shell responded to criticisms today from Peak Petroleum saying that it’s offer was final and is the only offer on the table at this stage. Peak Petroleum’s Mark Dunphy said his offer was put together because shareholders had concerns about a GROSS under-valuation for Fletcher Energy contained in the Shell offer. GPG’s Tony Gibbs proposed a motion from the floor calling for the due diligence process to commence and for the meeting to adjourn. This was defeated shortly before 6pm. The meeting continues.

MARIAN HOBBS: An inquiry by the Registra of Electors has established that Marian Hobbs did nothing wrong in her registration to vote in the Wellington Central electorate. National’s Roger Sowry says Hobbs cannot have it both ways. Because she was registered in Wellington she could not also be eligible for out of town allowances. Reports from the auditor general into the Bunkle and Hobbs matters are still weeks away.

FOOT AND MOUTH: A foot and mouth publicity campaign will be run to alert NZers to the importance of remaining vigilant. In addition a $5 million package is to be put to cabinet to increase border surveillance. More baggage will be x-rayed. Meanwhile in the UK some meat has been cleared for sale.

RED ANT INVASION: A colony of red fire-ants has been eradicated . The red fire-ants, native of South America, were found at Mangere airport. No other ants were found nearby. MAF say they will monitor the vicinity for some time. The ants were found by someone mowing the lawn. The red fire-ant is a serious risk which would have disastrous consequences if the incursion became widespread.

NELSON VERY SUNNY: Nelson has just recorded the highest ever sun hours over summer for any NZ city ever - 878 hours of sunshine – the sun has been shining all day every day say Nelsonians. Tourism industry says the sun is helping encourage visitors to stay. The drought is not good for the horticulture industry but, apples are small. The forecast is for the weather to continue for another month.

© Scoop Media

Alastair Thompson

Scoop Publisher

Alastair Thompson is the co-founder of Scoop. He is of Scottish and Irish extraction and from Wellington, New Zealand. Alastair has 24 years experience in the media, at the Dominion, National Business Review, North & South magazine, Straight Furrow newspaper and online since 1997. He is the winner of several journalism awards for business and investigative work.

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