- Dougherty - David Dougherty, the man paid nearly $870,000 in compensation for a wrongful rape conviction, was back in
court today. He pleaded guilty to a burglary charge in the north shore district court. The offence at a hotel in
Warkworth happened just over a week before Dougherty got his compensation and a public apology from the government.
Today Dougherty was ordered by the judge to come up within a year for sentence, if he offended again. It took a criminal
act to bring David Dougherty out in front of the cameras today. But he had little to say. " I'd just like to thank all
of those people who have supported me through this really difficult time, for which I really am truly appreciative,
thank you," says David Dougherty. Today Dougherty was convicted of burglary. More
- Nowra - The destruction of Squadron Leader Murray Neilson's plane was so complete when it crashed in February there
wasn't much left for the Airforce inquiry to examine. But it was able to establish he was suffering from chronic fatigue
and extreme stress - stemming from 12 hour working days, too much paper work and too little flying time. It found that
the impending retirement of the fleet also contributed... More
- Para Plunge - To another air accident.. that of the 12 year old girl who slipped out of a harness while paragliding
over Queenstown yesterday. She's recovering in Christchurch hospital after falling 20 metres during a tandem ride, as
her parents and sister looked on. Nicola Collins was transferred to Christchurch hospital today with a shattered pelvis
but lucky to be alive.
- Power - The government and business have unveiled a new range of power saving initiatives. The measures come as the
Energy Minister warns that the country's hydro lakes could remain at low levels for longer than they did during the 1992
crisis. Transpower's national coordination centre is where the operators of the national grid juggle the demands of
power users around the country.
- Usage - New Zealand's power usage yesterday was down 5.4 % compared with the average for the same day of the previous
4 weeks.
- Exam Time - From next year, primary school pupils are going to be encouraged to sit tests to check their competency.
Initially the tests will cover reading and writing, but will eventually include arithmetic. They've been developed for
pupils in the years 5 to 7.. and will give parents a clearer idea of how their children are progressing at school. Exam
nerves at Wadestown School.
- New Zealand Post - Alliance leader Jim Anderton is accusing ACT MP Rodney Hide and Treasury officials of sabotage. The
charge comes after more leaks about New Zealand Post and the People's Bank. Treasury has confirmed that an outside
investigator has been appointed to find the source of the leaks. The hunt is on - Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton
furious about more damaging leaks about New Zealand Post.