Entangled humpback in Tory Channel

The race is on to disentangle a juvenile humpback whale from a craypot line after it was seen in Tory Channel this afternoon.

Department of Conservation spokeswoman Trish Grant said the whale was seen by ferry captains in Cook Strait mid-morning today and again in Tory Channel about midday.

Special equipment and members of a team trained in whale disentanglement have arrived from Kaikoura to try and free the whale before darkness fell, she said. Members of the team from Blenheim were also travelling to the site.

Two vessels, a 5.3 metre inflatable NAIAD and an 8.5 metre catamaran, have just left Picton to find the whale.

Disentangling whales is a slow process which can take several hours and requires good sea conditions and plenty of light.

It was not safe to continue the rescue operation after dark and the team will abandon the rescue if night falls and they have not freed it, she said.

The mammal was large and unpredictable and the cray pot line and buoy were restricting its movement which was likely to make it distressed, she said.

A team conducting a Cook Strait Whale Survey were tracking the whale until the team from Kaikoura and Blenheim arrive by boat from Picton.

The whale was first seen off Kaitorete Spit, Banks Peninsula on June 27 and DOC had appealed

to the public for sightings.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 14:59 08/07/2011

Department of Conservation

Spotted: The whale making its way north with the craypot line and buoy wrapped around its tail.

Turner to be family judge

Blenheim barrister and crown prosecutor Mike Turner has been appointed a Family Court judge by Attorney-General Chris Finlayson.

Mr Turner said he was looking forward to the new challenge.

"I'll be sad to leave [Blenheim], but balanced with that is the challenge of the career ahead. I've made a number of good friends in the area and I'll be keeping in touch with them."

Mr Turner has been a staff solicitor at the Auckland firms, Cairns Slane and Holmden Horrocks and Co, and a partner at Wisheart Macnab and Partners in Blenheim from 1985.

He left the practice in 1996 to set up sole practice as a barrister in Blenheim in criminal, family and civil law. He was appointed to several roles including senior youth advocate in the Youth Court.

He was admitted to the Bar in 1979 after graduating from Auckland University.

Lawyers wanting to become judges file an expression of interest and are interviewed by judges when a position become available.

The judges then make recommendations to the Attorney-General who decides who takes up the role.

Mr Turner will be sworn in at a ceremony on July 26 at the Blenheim District Court, which will be attended by judges from Wellington and Nelson. He made his last appearance as a barrister about two weeks ago.

He will later move to Invercargill after spending the rest of this year as a judge in Wellington. Mr Turner was to appeal Blenheim man Kevin King's manslaughter conviction at the Court of Appeal in Wellington in September, but the case will now be reassigned. He did not know who would take over.

Mr Turner will work in the family, criminal and civil courts.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 13:00 08/07/2011

Mike Turner

Red strips move 'successful'

It may seem like a simple idea, but the thick red strips such as the ones that cross State Highway 1 at Spring Creek are making the region's roads safer, according to Marlborough Roads.

Manager Frank Porter said the strips known as speed thresholds leave drivers in no doubt the speed limit is about to change as they enter populated areas.

The thresholds were installed at both ends of the SH1 entrance and the Rapaura Rd entrance to Spring Creek about six weeks ago, and signal the change to a speed limit of 70kmh.

The speed limit through Spring Creek was changed from 80kmh to improve safety at the intersection with Rapaura Rd which has been the scene of many traffic crashes.

Marlborough Roads is still investigating more options to make the intersection safer.

The strips have also been installed at the Riverlands entrance of Blenheim on SH1.

"It's a good way of achieving awareness and it does seem to be very successful," Mr Porter said.

Marlborough Roads has not done a speed survey at Spring Creek since the strips were installed, but held a focus group of randomly selected people.

Feedback was positive with participants saying the strips were very noticeable and there was no way drivers could miss the change in speed, he said.

Wairau Valley, Rai Valley and Renwick were possible candidates, but Marlborough Roads had no firm plans or budget for the work.

Those areas were considered stretches of road where excessive speed was a risk, he said. The speed thresholds are a new option for the New Zealand Transport Agency and were being rolled out throughout the country, he said.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 13:00 08/07/2011

DEREK FLYNN/Marlborough Express

SLOW DOWN: Red strips painted on road entrances to Spring Creek aim to reduce the accident rate at the State Highway 1-Rapaura Rd intersection.

arnie #1 02:02 pm Jul 08 2011

As usual the transport agencies are away behind the rest of the world on this and also it is time they put more speed readers in that flash you to slow down as you enter a slower speed zone and you don't react quick enough. They are very effective overseas. (edited)

Three options for pool

The Marlborough Boys' College board wants to know what parents think they should do with the old school pool.

Principal Wayne Hegarty said the outdoor pool needed upgrading and the board of trustees could not decide what to do with it.

The options are to close the pool, upgrade it to the minimum required standard or raise funds to modernise it.

Estimates varied widely for upgrading the pool, which would include new changing sheds and a bigger filter system, he said. Only a limited number of students could use the pool at once without overloading the filtration system.

If the school closed the pool, the students would use the pools at Marlborough Lines Stadium.

The board discussed the future of the pool on Thursday and were split between the three options, Mr Hegarty said. They decided it would be best to get comments from parents and students and set up a consultation subcommittee.

No date had been set for the feedback.

The college would continue to use the new stadium pools regardless of which option was chosen so it could do pool-based sports and programmes throughout the year.

The college pool is usually used only during term one and was convenient to have because classes could go for a quick swim after physical education classes and before their next class, he said.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 13:00 07/07/2011

What should the college do with the pool?

Close it

Upgrade it to the minimum required standard

Raise funds to modernise it

I have another idea and I've emailed it to mailbox@marlexpress.co.nz

Call to fast-track upgrade

Marlborough Boys' College principal Wayne Hegarty wants the college to be fast-tracked for a ministry computer network upgrade as it works to earthquake-strengthen parts of the campus.

It would be "common sense" for the ministry to upgrade the school's electrical infrastructure as part of its School Network Upgrade Project (SNUP) while the college starts the process of redeveloping parts of the school, he said.

"The walls are going to be stripped off and it's just common sense they'll [the ministry] do it at the same time."

The college would eventually get the upgrade, which is for all state-integrated schools, but it would save the ministry having to come back and strip the walls again, he said.

The SNUP programme gives schools a subsidised upgrade of their internet speed and cabling infrastructure so they can use ultra-fast broadband.

According to the ministry website, the upgrade includes the cabling with a 20 to 25-year warranty, extra power outlets in classrooms and backup devices for the school server.

The ministry pays for 68 per cent of the upgrade and project management costs, according to the website. The upgrade does not include computers or laptops.

Mr Hegarty said the school already had cabling infrastructure that was installed under previous principal John Rodgers, which was "one of the things which contributed to our financial woes".

The infrastructure gives the school faster internet download speeds, runs computer applications faster and also provides the school with wireless internet.

However, the school could not take full advantage of the existing infrastructure until more power outlets and switches were installed, he said.

"It's like we've got a Rolls-Royce engine running a Mini."

Where the college can put computers is restricted by the number of power outlets, and more plugs would mean more options to place computers around the campus, including breakout rooms between classes and in computer pods, he said.

Mr Hegarty has made submissions to the ministry about fast-tracking the upgrade, but said he had not received a response yet.

Parts of the college are being redesigned to incorporate new technology and resources, while areas are realigned and strengthened to meet ministry earthquake standards.

Staff members have met with the school's architect, Tim Barton, to discuss ways to improve the school, which could include a central area for faculty and taking down some stairwells and

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 13:00 07/07/2011

Rare treat for visiting heron

A kotuku, or white heron, has been turning heads on Taylor River in Blenheim.

The heron was seen feeding on small eels near the Monro St entrance to the Taylor River reserve yesterday.

The rare wetland native bird has come from Okarito on the West Coast, from a colony of about 100 birds.

Phil Bradfield, Department of Conservation south Marlborough biodiversity manager, said it was quite possible it was the same heron that visited Blenheim last year.

"They usually hang around until September, and then they head back down to the coast to start laying their eggs."

It was not unusual for the herons to feed in residents' ponds and clean up goldfish.

"Put nets over your ponds if you are worried, but also feel privileged a native and very rare species has come to visit you for a day or two," Mr Bradfield said.

The herons disperse throughout New Zealand from early June They feast on small eels, small fish, frogs, shrimps and, occasionally, small birds, Mr Bradfield said.

- The Marlborough Express

Last updated 13:00 07/07/2011

DEREK FLYNN/Marlborough Express

EELICIOUS: This eel put up a struggle before it became a mid-afternoon snack for the white heron visiting Blenheim.

New boss at the Express

MICHAEL BERRY

Last updated 11:55 04/07/2011

Vanessa Watson

Farewell to Roger Rose

1 of 21

Reporters Ian Allen, Simon Wong, Rob Macintosh

Marlborough Express Advertising manager Vanessa Watson has replaced Roger Rose as general manager of the Express almost 30 years after joining the company as a receptionist.

Mrs Watson was the advertising manager from 1994 until today, when she was announced as the general manager, starting the role immediately. Mr Rose retired on Friday, ending a 30-year leadership of the paper.

"I feel like I've had a long apprenticeship under Roger," Mrs Watson said. "He's always been very supportive and encouraging of his managers."

The 45-year-old mother-of-two adult children was excited about her promotion and hoped to further the Express' reputation for punching above its weight.

"We're the smallest daily newspaper in the Fairfax group, but we're always regarded as innovative and bold, and we want to continue that.

"It's a privilege to be given this opportunity to lead the team, especially during these times of rapid change for the media industry.

"In both online and print, the Express is committed to this province as its main news provider, and we will continue to build on our proud history of resilience and innovation."

Fairfax southern region general manager Andrew Boyle said Mrs Watson was an impressive leader and was experienced in sales, marketing, sponsorship, and pre-press.

"She has a clear vision for the Marlborough team, and I am very confident that she will move the business forward. I also look forward to her contributions to the South Island management team."

In 2007, Mrs Watson was awarded the Fairfax Maggie Maxwell Leadership Award, which recognises outstanding leaders across the Fairfax New Zealand organisation.

- The Marlborough Express