David Bruce

A healthy surplus is being predicted by the Waitaki District Council for last financial year because of more income and reduced costs, after it was budgeting for a loss of $290,000.

''Stop doing it. Sheep are pretty innocent, you don't have to do that to them,'' is the message Tapui farmers Wendy and John Dodd want to get to the shooter or shooters of 23 of their stud sheep.

The Ngapara and Tokarahi areas of North Otago are reeling from the news police yesterday were investigating another incident of sheep being shot.

Road repairs and maintenance are being delayed in the Waitaki district as extreme wet weather over the past six months makes the job difficult.

Farmers have spent ''tens of thousands of dollars'' and considerable time on a plan to cut the irrigation take from the Maerewhenua River, an Environment Canterbury hearing was told in Oamaru yesterday.

Combining the Forrester Gallery and the North Otago Museum on the art gallery site in Oamaru is being investigated by the Waitaki District Council as a long-term project.

An investigation into issues facing Waitaki Boys' High School has started, but will pick up tomorrow and Thursday when the consultant appointed to the task is in Oamaru.

As government funding for roads comes under review, the burden of cost is increasingly shifting on to local ratepayers. In the South, many districts face a crossroads. To keep the regions moving, do councils raise rates, or let roads fall by the wayside?

A feasibility study to prove whether a new irrigation scheme in Waimate covering up to 40,000ha is viable can now start, after the Ministry of Primary Industries agreed to give $7 million over the next two years.

Another eight expressions of concern about issues at Waitaki Boys' High School have been reported to the Ministry of Education, which has referred them to the school's board of trustees to handle.

A suggestion ratepayers will be subsidising a select group of farmers if the Waitaki District Council enlarges its loan in the North Otago Irrigation Company has been disputed by Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher.

A loan of up to $17 million as an investment in economic development will be made by the Waitaki District Council to the North Otago Irrigation Company, providing enough farmers buy shares in the second stage expansion of the scheme.

Owners of four carvings from the annual Oamaru chainsaw carving and auction on Saturday also have a piece of Oamaru history.

Chris Raine has become the face of Civil Defence in Waitaki, building a strong structure that will be his legacy when he finally cuts his ties with the district at the end of November.

A contorversial sale of a piece of central Twizel to Meridian Energy for its new office block has been approved by the Mackenzie District Council, despite strong opposition from a community poll.

A report on issues facing Waitaki Boys' High School cost $9500, but was funded by the Ministry of Education.