Otago Crash - Timor Death - Cancer Inquiry - West Coast Compensation - Zimbabwe - ANZAC Dollar
OTAGO CRASH: The youngest victim of the Otago air crash died after fulfilling a dream - seeing the Warbirds over Wanaka
airshow. Sister tells story of how much her brother 13-year-old Timothy wanted to see the Warbirds show. Timothy had
been aiming for his own career in aviation and had been helping his father build an airplane for several years. Timothy
died on his way to hospital after the crash Monday which killed six.
TIMOR DEATH: Staff Sergeant Bill White was killed and three others injured when his truck went off a Suai road. Troops
in East Timor have been devastated by the death coming as it did on Anzac Day. The death is the second in East Timor and
the second in a truck accident. Mark Burton says the country's thoughts are with Mr White's wife and family.
CANCER INQUIRY: Most of today was taken up with issue of who if anyone was responsible for quality in the cancer smear
screening programme. Several letters talk about concerns about problems with pathology laboratories. Asked why the alarm
bells had not gone off Bob Boyd replied, "It didn't appear to have raised the alarm that we now see. Q: It should have
though? A: Ideally it should have."
WEST COAST COMPENSATION: West Coast Mayors are poised to reject a $100 million offer of compensation. Concerns over
Maori representation on the trust and an obligation to give Maori jobs first from trust funded business activities. TV3
Poll shows 48% believe the government should compensate 40% think they shouldn't. 45% think the sum in the offer $100
million is "about right". 19% think it is too little. Greenies are not impressed with West Coast leaders comments.
ZIMBABWE: Memorial service held for white farmer David Stevens. Family remember the farmer with his favourite songs. The
farm is still unapproachable. Mr Stevens an opposition supporter was tortured and shot. The Chaplain poored scorn on the
authorities description of the killing as an "incident". A very public ceremony cameras were invited. Wheat planting has
not started and bread shortages are now expected.
ANZAC DOLLAR: Shared currency in 10 years predicted in book published today. Authors of the book say 80% of surveyed
businesses support one currency. Names suggested inclide Zav or Tasman. Small businesses are particularly keen on the
idea. The Economic Development Minister Jim Anderton says that the step would almost mean "full integration" with
Australia and there needs to be a big debate.