An educational voyage on cutter

Eco Village Mistletoe Bay and a French Pass cutter owner have joined together to provide Marlborough children with a greater understanding of the Marlborough Sounds marine environment.

The environmentally focused village now has the use of a cutter named Steadfast and will work with its skipper and marine biologist Richard de Hamel to educate school groups who stay at the bay.

The village pays about half of what commercial and private customers pay to charter the vessel.

Mistletoe Bay marketing and programme director Jonathan Collier said students would spend part of their stay on the cutter learning about marine life, navigation and sailing.

The cutter will also be available for corporate and private groups which choose to stay at the village, he said.

Most similar vessels used for education, such as the Spirit of Adventure, are often not ideal for school groups, because they sometimes involve several days at sea, he said.

Steadfast, a replica based on French pilot cutter from 1913, gave the students a taste of what it was like to be at sea, he said.

Skipper Laurence Etheredge built the cutter over 16 years and sailed it from Albany in West Australia to Picton in 2006.

Mr Etheredge, who operates out of French Pass, will still be hiring out the vessel to private customers when not in use at Mistletoe Bay.

Joining sailing and education was a natural fit, because he enjoyed his work as a counsellor at a residential school in the United States and had a strong love of being on the water.

He and Mistletoe Bay chairman Simon Heath also shared the same vision of offering something to the community which was beneficial and educational, he said.

Schools in Nelson also use the cutter for educational trips, and Garin College students use it to develop their sailing skills.

The cutter, which can hold about 35 people, acts as a floating classroom with small groups of children doing science experiments such as looking at plankton under microscopes, along with learning how to navigate.

Children also learn the basics of sailing and how the environment and the cutter interact, he said.

"There's some challenge involved in sailing. You need experience managing the wind and the vessel to accommodate what you want to do."

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 17:00 26/05/2011

Vintner victim ready to move on

A Blenheim winemaker who had $40,000 of wine stolen from a warehouse wants to thank those who helped him through a difficult time by passing on his knowledge to those entering the wine industry.

Gordon Forshaw, owner of Gort Vintners, said he was "absolutely humbled" by the help he had received from people in the wine industry after a series of break-ins in March 2010 at the Bomford St warehouse where he stored his wine.

He wanted to return the goodwill by helping people make a start in the industry. He is not sure what he will do yet but hopes to draw on the experience he gained as a technician in the student winery at the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology in 2008.

Joshua Richard Lucas, 18, unemployed, of Blenheim, was sentenced for the theft when he appeared at the Blenheim District Court yesterday. He was ordered to pay $20,000 reparation, and serve four months community detention, 200 hours community work and undergo 12 months supervision.

Mr Forshaw said the sentence was light, but was glad Lucas received a conviction because it would allow him to move on from the theft.

"That ruined me and I never recovered from it," he said.

"He was just so unremorseful – that's what got me – [but] he's been weighed and measured by the courts."

Mr Forshaw, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, said his condition got worse during the police investigation and the court case.

Symptoms became more pronounced when the sufferer was stressed or had anxiety, he said.

He found playing his harmonica and guitar helped keep his spirits up during the tough times.

Months after the theft and with the help of the Marlborough wine industry, Mr Forshaw released the Wine Thief label to try to recoup some of the losses.

The range included Ripped Off Riesling, Stolen Sauvignon Blanc and Guilty Gewurztraminer and came packaged in a "court case" of wine called The Jury's Decision.

Mr Forshaw said he had made about $20,000 back since the theft last year and still had some of the Wine Thief range to sell.

A fundraising event was also held for Mr Forshaw and raised $2000 to help him get back on his feet.

Wine continues to be a passion: "I'm keeping myself busy by helping people who want to know how to make wine. I'm not being paid for it. Helping out a couple of people with winemaking knowledge just to keep my head in the wine industry."

He also wanted to thank Blenheim police and Victim Support who had been "tremendous".

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 17:00 25/05/2011

BEN CURRAN/The Marlborough Express

Music therapy: Gort Vintners owner Gordon Forshaw taught himself to play the harmonica. Last year, music helped take his mind off the $40,000 of wine stolen from a warehouse in Blenheim.

Egan Gifford, 5, and Vicki Gifford

Alastair Gifford, 12

An outdoor classroom

In a single morning, a wasteland at the back of Rapaura School was transformed into an area designed to attract native birds and insects.

Pupils, parents, teachers and neighbours of the school on the outskirts of Blenheim all pitched in on Saturday morning to plant an outdoor classroom.

The school won the classroom as part of the Treemendous Makeover run by the Mazda Foundation and the Project Crimson Trust.

The school was one of four in New Zealand selected for the makeover. Principal Helen Williams said a small team of parents organised most of the items needed to plant the trees, including getting free bark from Nelson Forests.

The outdoor classroom would be an ongoing project for the pupils to learn about native plants and ecosystems, she said.

It is hoped tui, bellbirds, silver eye and other native birds will eventually be attracted to the trees to feed.

Pupils have also been researching how to create ideal habitats to attract weta and lizards.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 15:19 23/05/2011

Mimi Bond, 8

Gianna Thomson, 8.

Ollie Taylor, 6

Francis Elworthy, 6, and Luke Elworthy

Francis Elworthy, 6, and Luke Elworthy

Officer draws on experience

Marlborough's new district truancy officer is well aware of how difficult it can be to raise teenagers.

Alan Cummins, a father of four, uses his experience to connect with families who are dealing with children who skip school.

The former primary school teacher, social worker and pastor at Spring Creek Anglican Church said one of his three sons "played up a bit" several years ago and used to miss school, keep bad company and make bad choices.

Now 17, he was back on track and doing a polytechnic course.

"I'm not coming from an ivory tower, I've been there before," Mr Cummins said.

On May 2, Mr Cummins began his new job as the sole truancy officer under the Marlborough District Council's Safer Communities Marlborough, the umbrella group which provides the district's truancy service.

His role covers all 31 schools around Marlborough, but focuses mostly on the three colleges, Marlborough Boys' College, Marlborough Girls' College and Queen Charlotte College.

Mr Cummins responds to referrals from schools and tries to remind the student of the importance of education and staying in school.

Most of the students who were wagging school were 14 or 15, and the problem was evenly split between boys and girls, he said.

The students were sometimes not interested in school or did not see the point of it, he said.

However, many situations were easily explained, he said. For example, a student might be sick and had no landline or cellphone credit to contact the school.

Parents and schools both wanted the best for their students, and it was best if they could work together, he said.

"While I've got all sorts of power [as a truancy officer], I'm trying to keep it low-key.

"It's more about building relationships with families and children."

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 17:00 23/05/2011

DEREK FLYNN/Marlborough Express

LIFE EXPERIENCE: New Marlborough district truancy officer Alan Cummins ses his first-hand experience of raising teenagers to work with families and students.

Wedding couples add personal touch

Exhibitors at the 2011 Marlborough Bridal Expo say Marlborough couples planning their big day are looking for ways to personalise their ceremonies.

About 500 people attended the expo, which featured 33 exhibitors offering services such as transport, food and photos.

Debbie Giles, owner of Blenheim's The Cake Company, said her clients were increasingly choosing chocolate, banana or carrot cake in favour of the traditional fruit cake.

A tower of cupcakes doubling as a wedding cake and dessert was becoming a popular way to save money, she said.

Couples were also wanting to personalise their wedding cake toppers, she said. One couple, a dairy farmer and a sheep farmer, wanted their topper to involve a cow and a sheep.

Posh Nosh co-owner Steve Cattermole said people liked to think of themselves as foodies these days, so were more discerning about food than they were in the past.

He was also getting more requests to meet special dietary needs, he said. The most challenging wedding for the company required a gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan menu.

Blenheim wedding dress maker Bernadette Thomas said Marlborough brides wanted to have more input into the design of the dress.

The design of the dress would also reflect the wedding location, she said.

"I like to know if the bride will be getting in and out of a helicopter – sometimes the dress might not fit [the situation]."

The royal wedding in April had not made an immediate impact on the style of dress her clients asked for, she said.

The expo was held at the Convention Centre in Blenheim

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 17:00 23/05/2011

Council refuses to rake leaves SIMON WONG

Wayne Love is fed up with leaves from trees on a public park blowing into his yard, while the Marlborough District Council says it is not its place to rake up leaves on private properties.

Mr Love lives on Houldsworth St, in Blenheim, where leaves from nearby Horton Park blow over the road into his and his neighbours' properties.

He has been on crutches waiting for a hip operation for about a year, so finds it difficult to pick up the leaves, which are a hazard to him and his elderly mother who lives with him, he says.

He had been told to rake them to the street where a contractor would collect them, but he reckons they would just blow back into his property.

The family has lived in the house for about 35 years, and his father used to complain about the leaves, too, but nothing was ever done, he said.

Council reserves and amenities officer Robert Hutchinson said he sympathised that Mr Love may not be able to rake the leaves up, but said he could not send contractors on to a private property.

He confirmed that a contractor could pick up the leaves if Mr Love raked them out to the kerb.

The council usually gets a two or three complaints about leaf litter each autumn, but Mr Hutchinson said he had received about seven this year.

The spate of bad weather two weeks ago had not helped.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 17:00 23/05/2011

No love for leaves: Blenhein resident Wayne Love sits among the many autumn leaves from Horton Park which litter parts of his Houldsworth St property.

Blenheim brew picks up top global award

A Marlborough brew that smells like chocolate has won a trophy at the biggest annual international beer competition.

Renaissance Brewing Company, of Blenheim, won the trophy for champion stout with their Craftsman Chocolate Oatmeal Stout at the 2011 Australian International Beer Awards in Melbourne on Friday.

Renaissance head brewer and part owner Andy Deuchars was "quite chuffed" to get the recognition.

The stout was to have been a seasonal release, but depending on its popularity on the back of the win they may make it available year round, he said.

It is set for release on June 1.

Renaissance director Brian Thiel said they added cocoa nibs (the 100 per cent chocolate centre of a cocoa bean) to the brew, with a touch of vanilla to round out the natural bitterness of the chocolate.

The oatmeal did two things for the winning beer, it helped retain the creamy head, and added a creaminess to the brew.

The company had enjoyed an oatmeal stout the Emerson's Brewery of Dunedin used to produce. When that brewery discontinued the line they decided to make their version of it, adding chocolate to the mix, he said.

Renaissance was the only New Zealand brewery to win a trophy in the competition which attracted entries from 241 breweries in 34 different countries.

The company also won a gold medal and three silver medals, and fellow Marlborough brewery Moa Beer won gold for its Moa 5 Hop Ale, along with two silvers and four bronze medals.

Moa Beer marketing manager Sunil Unka said the awards were an acknowledgment of a fantastic range of beers as well as the work of the brewers.

Marlborough was a good place to produce beer because the brewing community shared information and knowledge, but also provided a competitive environment, he said.

Marlborough beer writer Geoff Griggs said the award was the world's largest annual international beer competition and the medal haul reinforced Marlborough's position as one of the top craft beer producing areas of the country.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 17:00 23/05/2011

SIMON WONG

PAYING HOMAGE: Renaissance Brewing Company head brewer Andy Deuchars and director Brian Thiel toast the boutique brewer's success at the International Beer Awards in Melbourne.

Iwi happy marina plan rejected

The denial of an application to extend and develop the marina zone at Waikawa is a landmark decision for top of the south iwi and the wider community, a Te Atiawa iwi member says.

Independent commissioners on Thursday released their decision that denies Port Marlborough's application to extend the marina zone to the northwest, but approved three mooring management areas.

Iwi member Sue Buchanan said the decision recognised the special connections and the strong sense of belonging the iwi and other residents have to Waikawa Bay.

"It's a precedent in that our history, cultural and spiritual values [were seen to] have equal standing among other things held valuable to Port Marlborough," she said.

The port's application to extend the marina zone would have let it apply to the Marlborough District Council to extend the marina, starting with 250 berths on the northwest side of the marina.

Te Atiawa opposed the application because of the environmental impact the development would have on the seabed, making the environment unsustainable.

Mrs Buchanan said the iwi were "jubilant" about the decision but were waiting for Port Marlborough's response.

Iwi member Bentham Ohia said the opposition to the proposal was about future-proofing the area.

"We want it to continue to be accessible for all, not just to those who can afford it," he said.

Rita Powick said the next step was to work with the community, the council and Port Marlborough to protect and enhance Waikawa Bay.

"It is a significant kaimoana (seafood) site for us. We want to be a major factor in turning the area around so it can produce kaimoana stocks for everyone," she said.

The iwi had done their best to present their case to the commissioners in November, with support and submissions from throughout the country and a hikoi just days before the hearing. This all gave the iwi confidence, she said.

"You have faith in the [hearing] process and you put up the best delivery you can and we firmly believe we did."

Linda Ohia said the hearing was a chance for Te Atiawa and Port Marlborough to "actually hear what people were saying".

The hearing was a breakthrough for both parties understanding each other and an opportunity for the "people not often heard" to have their say.

Port company ponders options

Port Marlborough will spend the week deciding the next move after its application to extend the marina zone at Waikawa was rejected by hearings commissioners.

The port company applied to the Marlborough District Council to have the Marlborough Sounds Resource Management Plan changed so it could extend the marina zone northwest of the existing marina and create three mooring management zones.

If the application had been accepted, the port company could have gone through the resource consent process to extend the marina.

The application was heard by three independent commissioners in November. Their decision, released last week, rejected the application to extend the marina zone but approved changes to mooring management, which will create three mooring management areas. A moorings manager would be appointed to issue licences to mooring owners in place of the existing resource consent process.

Port Marlborough chief executive Ian McNabb said this morning the company would review the full decision this week before commenting further. Taking an appeal to the Environment Court was just one of the options it would consider, he said.

Port Marlborough wanted to build 250 new berths on the northwest side of Waikawa marina, with potential for another 250 berths on the northeast side, which is already a marina zone.

Mr McNabb said there were 22 vacant eight or nine-metre berths but these could take only smaller boats. More than 180 people were on the waiting list for larger berths.

Waikawa Boating Club commodore Nicky Jenkins said the decision to reject the marina extension did not have any major impact on the club at this stage, although it would be "the icing on the cake" for the club if it eventually did go ahead. "If the marina was extended it would bring in more people and potentially increase our membership, which is already in good heart," she said.

Boating club member Gill Moore said the extension would be necessary even if this was not the right time for it. Recent factors such as the recession and the Christchurch earthquake appeared to have dampened demand.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 17:00 23/05/2011

Top-up for law a help

The extra $4 million allocated to top up Community Law Centre funding in the Government's 2011 Budget will help keep the Blenheim branch running until next year.

Blenheim Community Law Centre manager Gordon Strang said the cash injection for the 2011-12 financial year would give the centre some security until the next Budget.

The centres are mainly funded from interest earned on solicitors' trust accounts held on behalf of their clients, but a slow housing market and low interest rates over the last several years has diminished the funds available.

Community Law Centres dispense free legal advice to whoever needs it.

Mr Strang said the Justice Ministry had hinted in the past few months that the Government would move to top up the fund, and he was glad that had eventuated. The cash in the national fund had already been spent so no new money was available, he said.

There was "slight anxiety" that the proportion of funding for the centres around the country would change, but the chances were small, he said.

The Blenheim centre and four others received the same amount of funding last year as the year before, he said.

Mr Strang was grateful Justice Minister Simon Power had delivered consistent funding.

However, with Mr Power retiring from politics at this year's election, it was uncertain his replacement would share the same interest, he said.

In 2009-10, the national network helped more than 220,000 people.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 13:19 20/05/2011

Ward School gets ERO tick

Ward School, in Marlborough, has received a positive report from the Education Review Office – the first report since principal Willem Lampe took the helm in 2009.

Mr Lampe was both nervous and excited about his first review as a principal and wanted to have an outside view into how the school was run.

"I hoped everything I was doing, everything we [as staff] were doing, was correct. I've been in the job for a couple of years and was keen to find out if I was cutting it," he said.

He is, according to ERO.

The report says Mr Lampe, who took up his role in term one of 2009 after teaching at Renwick School and Bohally Intermediate, "leads school operations effectively and is committed to continuous improvement of outcomes for students".

The report, released to the school last week, also praises the strong family and community involvement in the school.

Mr Lampe said he was glad the ERO assessors recognised the community's integral role within the school.

Parts of the curriculum at the decile six school, which has 52 pupils, including arts, technology and health need to be developed, but the school already has a timeline for the work, the report says.

Mr Lampe said the school was also developing a stronger Maori aspect to pupils' learning after meeting with the settlement's Maori community late last year.

Instead of focusing on the language and culture for a few weeks during the term, it would be incorporated into everyday lessons and school life, he said.

The next review of the school is in three years and in the meantime Mr Lampe hopes to continue to improve the school, grow himself as a principal and leader and develop more community involvement in the school.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 12:00 18/05/2011

DEREK FLYNN/Marlborough Express

Top marks: Ward School and principal Willem Lampe have both been given a gold star by the Education Review Office.

Girls put to work for school

Blenheim businesses and homes which could use extra pairs of hands can next week tap into a resource only available one afternoon a year.

For four hours on May 25, Blenheim's workforce will grow by about 1000 as Marlborough Girls' College students put down their textbooks and do work for businesses and homes to fundraise for the school.

The school's work day is their biggest fundraiser of the year and in the past has paid for improvements to the college campus, including installing outdoor seating, tables and shade umbrellas.

Businesses and families are asked to pay $30 to students under 16, and $40 to those over 16 for help with their odd jobs.

Acting assistant principal Helen Simpson said more business and home owners were needed to employ the students.

Ms Simpson said the fundraiser was run by a student council whose members decided how to spend the money at the school.

The money was usually spent on things seen as an investment into the college and gave students the chance to leave their mark on the school, she said.

Business and home owners who need work done should contact Helen Simpson, ph 520 8448 ext 826 or email helen.simpson@mgc.school.nz.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 12:00 18/05/2011

BEN CURRAN/The Marlborough Express

On a mission: Claudia Crawford, 17, head of the Marlborough Girls' College school council, is helping to organise placements for her classmates for the school's annual workday on Wednesday next week.

Brass band brings gift of music SIMON WONG

From a classroom at Redwoodtown School in Blenheim yesterday came the sound of a few off musical notes, and a lot of laughter.

A small group of pupils from different year groups took part in a brass instrument lesson taught by Marlborough District Brass Band conductor Kevin Moseley as part of the school's new performing arts programme.

Principal Gary Hildyard said the school is running the programme for the first time and it opens up the world of music and drama to the pupils using the skills available in the community.

Members of the Blenheim Musical Theatre approached the school to start the programme, he said.

Pupils will do a rotation for the next two weeks, playing the ukulele, violin, recorder, and also singing, dancing, and acting as part of the programme in the hopes they will pick up a hobby for life or find a career path.

If they want to continue learning one of the instruments or performing arts, extra lessons will be provided throughout the year, Mr Hildyard said.

If it is successful, the programme will continue next year, he said.

Travis Kendall, 9, can't play an instrument yet, but hopes to get piano lessons and one day make a career from music.

"Music is ... I can't explain it, but I really like it," he said.

Mr Hildyard urged the class to pick up an instrument and keep learning one because he regretted turning down an opportunity to learn to play the piano as a child. "It was the silliest thing I've ever done," he told them.

- The Marlborough Express

Last updated 12:00 18/05/2011

BEN CURRAN

Clockwise form top left: Travis Kendall, 9, on the Trombone, Shanae Deacon, 12, on the Flugelhorn, Matthew Briggs, 10, on the Tenor Horn and Ashley Morgan-MacDonald, 12, on the Trombone.

Road closure pleases residents SIMON WONG

Residents of Ross Ln in Grovetown agree with the Marlborough District Council's decision to close direct access to the quiet lane from State Highway 1, saying the intersection is too dangerous.

Resident Ian Ruffell, whose step-son, Steven Evans was left a tetraplegic after the car he was in was hit by a freight train on the Ross Ln railway level crossing in September 2008, said the intersection had to go.

"It's too dangerous even coming from Picton [where it is not necessary to cross the centre line to enter Ross Ln], because of the volume of traffic", he said.

"There's going to be another smash one of these days."

Mr Evans' mother, Sheryl Ruffell, said the small changes to the intersection after the accident were good, but closing the State Highway 6 entrance was better.

Mrs Ruffell and her son moved to Blenheim after the accident, but were planning to build a wheelchair friendly house in Ross Ln.

During a long-term planning meeting on Friday, Marlborough district councillors agreed on a proposal to close the entry to Ross Ln from State Highway 1 and extend Knights Ln to connect with Aberharts Rd.

The proposal will still need to gain the necessary consents and is subject to available funding, and no details have been finalised.

Mr Ruffell said the only option was to close the intersection, and even a smooth gravel road which connected with Aberharts Rd would make access safer for residents of Ross and Knights lanes.

Bill and Glenda van Zoomeren, who have lived in Ross Ln for about four years, said drivers had poor visibility at the intersection and trains were an extra hazard.

In their time living in the lane, the couple have seen two major car accidents, including the one involving Mr Evans, and another in which a car was pushed onto the railway tracks after a collision with another car.

A neighbourhood group was set up after the September 2008 crash and met district councillor Francis Maher and Marlborough Roads manager Frank Porter to discuss the future of the intersection.

At the time, Mr Porter said the district council and the New Zealand Transport Agency would look at opening the lanes into Aberharts Rd, about 700 metres south towards Blenheim. He could not give a timeframe and said the project could cost up to $1 million.

However, resident Catherine Kydd, who has lived in the lane for about nine years, said drivers deserved more blame for accidents than the intersection itself.

Drivers needed to be more aware and not try to beat traffic, she said. Many drivers waited on the rail crossing to turn onto State Highway 1 instead of behind the crossing as they were meant to, she said. Extending Knights Ln would be just as dangerous, because cars needed to pull out past the Give Way markings on Aberharts Rd to see onto the highway. Barrier arms and repainting the road would make it safer.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 17:00 17/05/2011

BEN CURRAN/The Marlborough Express

INTERSECTION WOES: Bill and Glenda van Zoomeren, residents of Ross Ln, Grovetown, say the intersection with State Highway 1 is dangerous and agree with the Marlborough District Council's plan to close direct access to the lane.

Region unveiled on ambitious website

A new section of a New Zealand online encyclopedia which delves into everything Marlborough is now open allowing Marlburians, the rest of the country and the world to explore its stories and history.

The Marlborough section of the Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand was launched last night at the Marlborough Convention Centre and traces the history and development of the region from when it was first settled by Maori until today.

The region is the last in the South Island to be launched on the site while the East Coast and the King Country are still to be completed in the North Island.

Wellington historian and writer Malcolm McKinnon spent about six months writing and researching, but most of the work was capturing the images of the region.

His research included talking to the Marlborough Chamber of Commerce, the Marlborough Museum and even his relatives to get an overall picture of the region.

The resource would be invaluable for students as well as other New Zealanders as he had discovered things about the country he had never known, he said.

A seasoned historian, Dr McKinnon was struck by the region's colonial history including whaling and the exchanges between Maori and Pakeha.

The launch last night was about thanking Marlborough for their help and "letting us come and tell them about themselves", he said.

The encyclopedia was launched by the Ministry for Culture and Heritage in 2005 and is an ongoing project on its people and culture.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 17:00 13/05/2011

Gazza #1 10:41 am May 14 2011

Check out the Blenkinsopp Cannon. It's now Puhuriwhenua. My how history changes. Us white fellas must have annoyed someone with it eh bros!!

Approval to close Ross Lane entry

The entry to Ross Ln from State Highway 1 will be closed, and Knights Ln will be extended to connect with Aberharts Rd under a proposal which Marlborough District Councillors approved at a planning meeting on Friday.

Councillors met for the third of four meetings to discuss proposals in the southern Marlborough urban growth and development strategy, which attracted 300 submissions last year.

The meeting's plan for the long-term future growth of Marlborough for about the next 20 years and approved proposals still need to gain the necessary consents and are subject to available funding.

The specific details of any proposals are still to be finalised.

Mayor Alistair Sowman said the option could mean a two-lane road could be built south from Ross Ln to Aberharts Rd.

Ross Ln needed to be closed to traffic because if another accident were to happen at the intersection with State Highway 1 the council "would look very stupid", he said.

Grovetown youth Steven Evans was seriously injured when the car he was a passenger in was hit by a train on the line crossing Ross Ln in September 2008. The line is just three metres from the intersection with State Highway 1.

Councillor David Dew argued it would be cheaper to extend Knights Ln to connect with Fell St or Vickerman St.

However, chairman Peter Jerram said the council would need to acquire land to build the road for either of those options.

Cr Dew said the Public Works Act, which allows local authorities to obtain any land for public work including roads, could be used to acquire some of the privately owned land.

The cost of the road would be shared between the New Zealand Transport Agency and the Marlborough District Council.

Councillors also agreed at the meeting not to close Fell St at the SH1 intersection.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 17:00 16/05/2011

Change planned: The State Highway 1 entry to Ross Ln will be closed and Knights Ln will be extended to connect with Aberharts Rd

Jury to decide on spotlighting

The jury considering the case of a man on trial for interfering with a helicopter doing frost fighting at a vineyard near Seddon was to continue deliberating in the Blenheim District Court this morning.

The jury retired last night after deliberating for two hours following the closing addresses by crown prosecutor Hugh Boyd-Wilson and defence lawyers Tony Bamford and Andrew McCormick. Cyril Michael Schonberger, 48, of Seddon, faces three charges of interfering with an aircraft with reckless disregard for safety after allegedly shining his car headlights and a spotlight and throwing a stone at a helicopter working at the Hard Case Vineyard early on October 11, 2009.

In closing, Mr Boyd-Wilson said the case centred on whether Schonberger knew his actions would endanger the pilot. The risks involved with shining a light towards people in the dark was common sense. An example was driving at night and the blinding effects of an oncoming car with its lights on high beam.

Mr Boyd-Wilson said Schonberger's explanation of getting the registration number of the Robinson R22 to make a complaint to the Civil Aviation Authority was just an excuse to make him sound reasonable, because there were other ways to get the number.

Mr Bamford said pilot Christopher Boyce was extremely safety conscious and had an "understandable paranoia" that the lights would affect him. He said Mr Boyce did not say in evidence that the lights dazzled him, only that they were a hazard.

Schonberger was merely trying to get the attention of the pilot to say he was watching and to collect evidence to make a complaint to the Civil Aviation Authority.

Schonberger lived near the vineyard and was upset by helicopters flying over his property.

- The Marlborough Express

Last updated 14:50 12/05/2011