Fire appliances and emergency services attended a serious fire at Kiwi Race Cars an automotive Repair Workshop in Goodshed Road Maidstone Upper Hutt around lunchtime. Damage to the race car workshop was extensive. The workshop was divided into two areas, the section in which the fire started was seriously damaged along with two vintage cars. The other area containing several cars suffered light damage.
For more details checkout details and photos, click here courtesy of Hutt Valley Fire Police Unit who attended.
Friday brought an Orca pod of roughly six whales into Wellington Harbour. They entertained lots of people for around 9 hours, but put on a very grand show at Petone beach from 3pm as they moved gradually around to Days Bay. There were literally hundreds of people following them.
Fortunately I have secured some video footage, so sit back and enjoy if you missed it.
Formerly the Empire Hotel, now ‘The Empire’, the new gastro-pub on Jackson Street (opposite Murphy’s Bar) is ‘O for awesome’.
Paul Rowan, of Mange Tout fame, has opened this new establishment in time for Christmas. The place looks amazing and the garden bar is a real feature. In fact for summer days this will be the place. The short video gives a quick insight, but you must visit it yourself. Interested in the backstory over the demise of the old Empire Hotel check here and here. Its a credit to Paul in the quick turnaround and changing a blot on Jackson Street to what will be an entertainment asset.
We had lunch there today (opening day) – the burger was good and the chicken and cider pie was very tasty. If you like the food at Lonestar and Speights Ale House, then you’ll like The Empire. The food is somewhere in between the two places, with meal prices under $20 for the burger or pie – and a bit more for the stonegrill. They’ve got Macs range of beers and Stella on tap, with others in the fridge. I had the Oyster Bay sav which is always good. We also spotted a couple getting the platter, so we’ll be back again over Summer – maybe next time we’ll sit in the garden bar if the weather behaves!!
The private function room out the back is an ideal venue for a Xmas party, or office function. And if gaming is your cup of tea, the pokies return to The Empire in late January.
The Empire, 175 Jackson Street, Petone. Call 589 5502.
Malcolm Ngeru, 44, unemployed of Taita, had pleaded not guilty to murdering Mihi Tuhoro on July 20 2008. He admitted killing her but said he did not have the intent to do so because he was so drunk, and was instead guilty of manslaughter.
A jury in the High Court in late October 2009 took more than 10 hours to find him guilty of murder. He remanded in custody to and today his sentence was past.
Hutt Valley man Malcolm Ngeru, 43, was jailed for life with a minimum non-parole period of 12 years when he appeared for sentence at the High Court in Wellington after being found guilty in October of murdering his partner Mihi Tuhoro, 48.
Please read the article in Stuff to gain a perspective on this mans actions which are abhorrent. I mentioned in a previous post about the attitude and outcomes of the disenfranchised that seen to be placed in Taita / Pomare by social agencies.
I for one am over the disrespect certain types in our society have toward others. This is a perfect example. Again I hope life, was the true term of his sentence, but feel again that I it won’t be (12 years non parole) I like many others move stronger toward what the Sensible Sentencing Trust advocates, sentences that stand up to their terms, life means life.
For the victims of the recent disasters in Samoa, Tonga, the Philippines and Vietnam.
Starring local bands and musicians and organised by the Petone Community Board.
A collect will be taken.
For more information please call Gerald Davidson at 938 3723 or Gerald.davidson@paradise.net.nz
Where: Central School Hall, Britannia Street, Petone Time: 3:30pm – 5:00 PM
A fun Christmas market featuring arts and crafts, cafe, wooden toys, jewelry, pre-loved clothing, toys, sausage sizzle, BBQ, music and much more is happening tomorrow. Pop in, if you are around. Venue: Taita Community Hall, Taine Street, Taita, Lower Hutt Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
The Wellington Based Westpac Rescue Helicopter was called out late yesterday evening at 9pm to two Motocross riders both 35yr old males from Wainuiomata who had crashed into each other in the hills above Naenae.
The two riders both from the same riding group had crashed when one member was going up the track and the other was coming down.
The Helicopter with two Wellington Free Paramedics on board responded to the area.
A third member from the riding party was able to guide the helicopter into a landing site with a torch. The Pilot and crew were both wearing Night Vision Goggles which made seeing the torch very easy from approx 10km away. The Helicopter was able to land about 1km from the patients.
The Paramedics then walked up the track and assessed the two patients.
The patients was then flown to Wellington Hospital Emergency Department where they are being treated. One patient had Upper Leg Injuries and the other patient had suffered a Shoulder injury
This situation in the Hutt Valley has been dire for a number of years.
The problem which hit the headlines last year is that we have one of the worst ratios of GPs per head of population of any urban area in New Zealand. Overwhelmed practices were unable to enrol new patients. It was estimated last year that around 3,000 people couldn’t enrol with a GP in the Hutt Valley and people were using Hospital Emergency Departments as their primary access to health services.
Currently there are around 120 odd GPs practicing in the Valley. Local MP Chris Hipkins also shows concern on this matter last year before election.
It is great to see a solution being addressed along with the timing which is before winter, when demands on GPs are at the highest.
Well next Saturday 5 December the Christmas Spectacular will be held at Fraser Park. It has moved from Avalon Park this year, as Fraser Park provides better viewing and security.
Remember no Christmas Parade this year, so this is the only chance to get to a family orientated event to celebrate Christmas as a community.
The non-alcoholic event is being organised by Hutt Impact and has a variety of acts culminating in a fireworks display between 9.30pm and 10pm.
Visit the site to gain an appreciation of the entertainment and view last years video
Not to be a Grinch but I’m away next weekend, the dogs in the kennel, so looking forward to readers contributions if you attend.
huttnz.co.nz 