TV3 News

Thursday, 20 July 2000, 6:17 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

Ronald Jorgenson – Fiji Coup – Cancer Inquiry – Peace Summit At Camp David Goes On – Waitangi Settlements – Flat Headed Babies – Wellington Crash – Queen Mum’s Birthday

RONALD JORGENSON: The enduring mystery over the disappearance of one of NZ’s most notorious criminals enters another chapter. The sighting of Ronald Jorgenson was by a senior prison officer and is being taken seriously. Ronald Jorgenson – the Basset Rd Murderer – was seen in Kumeu in March. Jorgenson is only wanted for breach of parole. Jorgenson is presumed dead following the discovery of his empty car in Kaikoura in the 1980s. His body was never found.

FIJI COUP: Fiji’s High Commissioner is called into the Beehive and told off. Another day passed in Fiji today with no Cabinet. The High Commissioner emerged from the meeting saying the relationship will be recoverable. Phil Goff says the meeting was very emotional. Goff says the message he has directed the High Commissioner to take back is clear. Goff also says that even he could not say who was in charge in Fiji. NZ’s High Commissioner today arrived back from Fiji to report to his boss on the situation in Fiji. Goff says it is now a waiting game to see when the new cabinet is announced.

CANCER INQUIRY: The Gisborne Cancer inquiry has today heard that Dr Bottrill’s reporting of cervical cancer was unacceptably low. Rated from 1 out of 10 on acceptability the level of acceptability of the readings was 8. Three separate indicators were used to damn Dr Bottrill.

PEACE SUMMIT GOES ON: At first the White House said the talks had ended in failure. An hour later Clinton announced that the talks would go on. Clinton says nobody wanted to give up the talks.

WAITANGI SETTLEMENTS: Treaty Negotiations Minister Margaret Wilson announces an overhaul of Treaty Settlements. The $1 billion cap on claims has been abandoned. It was removed under the last government – now it has been removed from the budget for planning purposes too. Under relativity clauses Ngai Tahu and Tainui will receive a top up if the total settlements exceed $1 billion. Conservation Land remains a no-go area for settlements.

FLAT HEADED BABIES: Back is Best campaign on babies is being blamed for flattening children’s baby. Skull deformities in babies have increased by 300% over the last five years. Plunket says that babies should still be laid on their backs but should be laid on alternatively sided areas. Plunket says it does not know whether sleep wraps which old babies on their side are safe or unsafe.

WELLINGTON CRASH: A car collided with a truck outside of Auckland killing three and causing massive traffic jams.

QUEEN MUM’S BIRTHDAY: Despite security scares throughout London the Pageant for the Queen Mum’s 100th birthday goes on. 100 doves are released for each year of the Queen Mum’s life. Camels caused some problems. A million rose petals were released. The Queen stood for 20 minutes to watch the cavalry ride past.

© 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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