David Bruce

The deaths of two climbers in accidents on consecutive days last year in the Aoraki-Mt Cook region have shown the dangers of either underestimating conditions or overestimating capabilities, Canterbury coroner Richard McElrea said.

Waitaki District Council-owned Whitestone Contracting has had a marked improvement in its financial performance compared with the previous year when it was affected by the loss of some major roading maintenance contracts.

Some good leads are being followed to identify the owner of two dogs that attacked and killed a juvenile New Zealand fur seal at Kakanui on Tuesday morning.

The Oamaru Licensing Trust has continued to improve its financial performance. Although still recording a loss for the past financial year, it is in a far better position than in previous years.

Historic Harbour St is to be upgraded under a timetable aimed at causing the least disruption possible to businesses in the street.

A crash just north of Palmerston which killed a motorcyclist and resulted in the driver of the other vehicle being sent to jail has been dealt with by Otago Coroner David Crerar, who is satisfied matters he had to consider had been established in the Oamaru District Court.

Consumers on two Waitaki water schemes fear upgrading the schemes to higher drinking water standard will be too expensive for them, and want the Waitaki District Council to consider applying for an exemption.

First past the post may be kept for Waitaki District Council elections, unless electors try to change it.