The Dominion

Tuesday, 11 April 2000, 9:09 am
Article: Alastair Thompson

Cancer Inquiry – Honours Reform – Peter Snell On Honours – Porirua Tower Felled – Scott Watson Appeal – Inside Politcal Headlines – Editorial: Rapist Refugee

CANCER INQUIRY: The Dominion leads with a report from the Gisborne Cancer Inquiry. “I feel so violated” – the headline reads. The report says former Gisborne pathologist Michael Bottrill misread the cervical smears of two women up to four times, the inquiry into cervical screening in Gisborne was told yesterday. The story is accompanied by pictures of the inquiry head, a witness (obscured) and Dr Bottrill’s lawyer.

Also on the front page:

- HONOURS REFORM: a report that no more NZers will become knights or dames, PM Helen Clark announced yesterday;

- PETER SNELL ON HONOURS: a report that sportsman of the Century Peter Snell says scrapping the titles of knight and dame is a good idea – he would be in the running to receive a knighthood this year;

- PORIRUA TOWER FELLED: a report that three radio stations, the Vodaphone mobile network for the Porirua area and some portable communications were cut when vandals toppled a telecommunications tower on Porirua’s Colonial Knob;

- SCOTT WATSON APPEAL: a report that a report recommending the Environmental Science and Research laboratories in Auckland tighten their dna testing procedures was enough to ensure convicted murderer Scott Watson got a re-trial, lawyer Bruce Davidson said yesterday.

Inside Political Headlines:

- Auckland troubleshooter sent to Rodney’s rescue;
- Five executed WW1 soldiers to get pardons;
- Gun owners say police lose records;
- WestpacTrust for chop if MP has way;
- I can pace myself, Clark tells Harvey;
- MP criticises change of tune;
- Tariffs on industry frozen till 2005;
- Alliance changes genetic stance.

EDITORIAL: RAPIST REFUGEE: The Iraqi who raped a Hutt Valley schoolgirl committed a crime no less abhorrent than those of the brutes and ethnic cleansers whom countless people have fled as refugees. Yet he claims he is a refugee himself.

© 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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