Lower Hutt

Lower Hutt: Businessman sentenced following Tax evasion

The owner of a spray painting business in Petone has been sentenced to 10 months’ home detention and 250 hours’ community work for tax evasion of almost $250,000.

Robin Claude Smith, 66 of Wainuiomata was earlier found guilty in Wellington District Court of 95 charges of tax evasion.

Between 1999 and 2007, Smith conducted his spray painting business using two sets of books — one under the name Robin Smith Spraypainting, the other using the name R Smith Painting.

He used two invoice books and two bank accounts, but only supplied one set of records to his accountant, Inland Revenue investigations manager assurance Richard Philp told the court.

Smith deliberately set up the second entity and bookkeeping system with the intent that payments from certain clients would not be declared for tax purposes, Mr Philp said.

He declared only modest income, or small losses in his tax returns over the eight years reviewed, and used the undeclared income to fund a lifestyle that included overseas travel, purchasing expensive motor vehicles and importing pedigree dogs.

Mr Philp said this was a crime of greed. Smith not only cheated the Government out of the taxes due, he also obtained an unfair competitive advantage over legitimate businesses that pay their taxes.

Smith was found guilty of evading $245,578.96.

The court ordered reparation for the full amount of the outstanding tax evaded.

Lower Hutt: Orange Blue Cafe (Review) at California Garden Centre

During this last weekend I visited the California Garden Centre in Fairfield Lower Hutt. Time to bring some life into those gardens now that the rain has stopped.

The selection of items in this place will please all from the avid gardener – to those looking for a gift for the hard to buy for person. I was taken by surprise at the range of goods they have in store to make your home a festive NZ Christmas delight. They range from a fully decorated Pohutokawa tree to glistening Korus to replace the traditional Northern Hemisphere decorations. A delight to the Kiwi eye.

After all that gazing and selecting of goodies – I needed a refreshment before venturing out into the wonderful weekend sunshine. At the rear of the store is The Blue Orange Cafe – new name and new ownership. Alongside a tree decorated to reflect the name.

A good selection of cabinet food and blackboard menu. Food was tasty and plentiful. Service was willing but a bit slow on the delivery. Need to smarten up that part, but otherwise a cheery open place to stop off at – also has a play area for the kids and outside seating.

A review courtesy of one of our readers Thanks Nola

Naenae: A lick of fresh paint

The Naenae shopping centre is looking great following the Big Splash Naenae Paintathon held today when locals picked up their brushes to add more shine to the Cambridge Terrace side of the Naenae shopping centre.

Local personality Billy Graham was to the for again, the atmosphere was fantastic, and in the video below you can see Billy in his whites contributing on the scaffold.

Thanks must go Hutt City Council’s retail coordinator Joanna van Walraven, Resene local paint manufacturer who generously supplied paint and Brian Ross who supply painting equipment.

Don’t forget to visit Billys event at the Naenae Community Hall tomorrow night starting at 5pm “How to punch above your weight”.

A great community effort everyone, and it looks great as the video shows.

Pomare: Farmer Cres tenants last opportunity

The never ending story continues with another twist

The three Pomare women fighting eviction from their state homes have been given a final opportunity to overturn earlier court rulings that the evictions are lawful.

They sought leave on Wednesday to appeal against a High Court decision which ruled against them.

Their lawyer Liz Hall said the case raised important questions which deserve further consideration.

Housing New Zealand said the women have already been turned down by three courts and there is no need for a fourth hearing.

Justice Wild declined the women’s application for leave to go to the Court of Appeal but he acknowledged they can still make a special application to that court.

He says if that is not made by 25 November, the women will be required to vacate their homes on 4 December.

Avalon: Two criminals caught in the act (Humour)

Taking a bit of a liberty here, but this just in from one of the readers, and I see it as a brilliant piece of camera phone work by a concerned citizen, excluding the fact of the issues that Kieran mentions the expression on Mr Dogs face is priceless, along with his accomplice Mr Cat. This must go down as been caught red pawed. Such a heinous crime.

Saw this funniest thing on my way to work this morning. I was driving along High Street in Avalon, just before the Wingate turn off. On the side of the road by a bus shelter. A cat was sitting on top of a rubbish bin reaching in & the dog was standing on his back legs also reaching into the bin, both pulling bits out. Well I just have to ask. Is it the stray animals that are the problem, or is the council not emptying the rubbish bins enough ?

Pomare: Farmer Cres the never ending story

Well I had my walk around Farmer Crescent as I said I would, and my opinion is the same as I had before I went, a pocket of forgotten people. But now todays headline shows the continuance of the story around the HNZ eviction which by now in my opinion has reached the point of a legal never ending story, how long can this saga go on (via Stuff)

Gang-linked families in Lower Hutt’s Farmer Cres will get to stay in their homes for a few more days, as another round of legal wrangles begins.

For three months Housing New Zealand has battled to evict three women residents and their 13 children through the Tenancy Tribunal, district court and the High Court – costing the government department tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees.

The residents’ lawyers were now trying to go to the Court of Appeal, and there was the possibility they could go all the way to the Supreme Court.

Though the women – who have partners in the Mongrel Mob – were ordered to leave their homes by midnight yesterday, the evictions were put on hold for a hearing in the High Court at Wellington on Wednesday.

Farmer Cres resident Patria Tamaka, whose sister Huia Tamaka was one of the women facing eviction, said they were expecting police or the army to turn up any time to remove them. But they had not started packing.

“We’ll keep going and going until we get to the Supreme Court. The girls all know that. [Housing NZ] are not backing down and we don’t want to leave.”

I think most people are well over this story and I was aghast at the cost for this saga put at $250,000 before they went to the High Court, now it will reach epic proportions. It shows again, the tolerance of our legal system or the incompetence. Other NZers are more deserving of this legal aid, after all, when all said and done its about moving house. Go figure!

Hutt Valley: Fish and Chip Fridays where is the Best?

New Zealands best top chip shop has been annonced it was won by Oceanz in Silverdale, located 35km north of Auckland, in this year’s best chip shop competition. Chip shops were judged on the freshness and colour of their chips, shop cleanliness and customer service. Regional finalists were decided through public text voting, mystery judging and chip fat analysis across New Zealand before the six regional winners and the overall winner were then chosen by a panel of judges. Not every F & C shop entered but it gives a pretty clear indication of quality.

But how did the Hutt Valley fair, and where is your local?

The regional finalist for Wellington was from the Hutt Valley and was So Fine Seafood at 2 Tennyson Avenue, Avalon, Lower Hutt.

I have freqented here and must say while not highly visible to the public being off High Street it certainly draws the crowds come Friday. Disappointingly they dont have EFTPOS which I always find annoying, and has caused me to travel further afield on occasion.

As for the rest of the Valley, finalists were:

Moby Dick’s Fish & Chip 51 Witako Street, Lower Hutt

Samo’s Seafood 52 Holdsworth Ave, Upper Hutt

Waterloo Fisheries 1 Hardy Street, Lower Hutt

Blue Island Seafood 131 Randwick Road, Lower Hutt

All competitions aren’t created equal and remember it was for the best chip not the fish, but great result for the Valley.

Whats your favourite?

My winner would be Ocean Blue Seafoods, the most cleanest, polite, prompt service I have had in the Valley. They are at 812 High Street corner of High Street and Park Road.

Lower Hutt: Flare causes house fire – Can you help Police.

Police are investigating after a Lower Hutt house was set on fire when an emergency flare landed on its roof last night.

The flare, thought to have come from Naenae, landed on the house’s conservatory roof and burned its way through, igniting the interior. The house sustained moderate damage.

Witnesses were asked to contact Lower Hutt Police on (04) 560 2600.

Hutt Valley: Stormy Spring weather hits the Valley

Thursday night brought heavy downpours across the entire Hutt Valley with surface flooding in several areas including the old Hutt Road reported from early morning. The Open Polythechnic was hit by two slips during the night which sent dirt and trees into the building on its eastern side. Lower Hutt experienced the highest recorded rainfall in the region with 69mm from 8pm last night to 8am this morning. Further heavy rainfall was experienced in late morning as well.

Conditions are not expected to improve tonight with further heavy rainfall forecast in the Tararuas and again across the Valley, late Saturday also has more of the same predicted.

River levels at Silverstream Bridge Upper Hutt at midday

Several events have been moved in anticipation of the weather including the Upper Hutt Highland Gathering a national Scottish festival has moved already to the wet weather alternative at Heretaunga College.

At this stage there is no news on alternative arrangements for the Belmont Spring Festival (returning after a 10 year hiatus) but the wet weather alternative day is 31st October.

Waiwhetu stream hit 2 year flood levels early Friday morning, but had abated by noon.

Eastbourne flooding earlier in the morning.

Seaview: Fire at Shell plant

About 30 firefighters were called to a fire under a sulphur vat at the Shell plant in Lower Hutt this afternoon.

A Fire Service spokeswoman said staff at the plant activated a deluge system to try and extinguish the fire in the suburb of Seaview. Firefighters arrived and put the blaze out.

Crews from 10 fire engines – including a specialist engine for staff with breathing apparatus, a command unit and an engine allowing an aerial attack – were used. Firefighters were still at the scene after 3pm but the fire was under control.