The Riverman Reports - Inc. Huttz World

Saturday, April 19, 2008

CHRISTIAN CULLEN, SOUTHERN CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS STANDARDBRED SIRE TO TAKE ON THE WORLD...

FIRST PUBLISHED AT QASSIA:

He's the sire of all sires in the southern hemisphere, now Christian Cullen is taking on the world.

Owner Ian Dobson will shuttle the champion standard bred champion to the United States in an attempt to prove he is the best sire in the world - a big task, perhaps, but not beyond him.

The all conquering sire will be flown to Kentucky in February after the upcoming breeding season here in NZ, becoming the first New Zealand or Australian bred stallion to go to North America for stud duties. He has made his decision after years of pressure from leading US studs.

Christian Cullen will be restricted to a book of about 125 mares and Dobson's marketing manager, Noel Kennard, said his stud fee would be near the top of the market, at $10,000.

Dobson wants to put the horse on an international pedestal.

Christian Cullen has set record after record in New Zealand and Australia and the media has called him a super-sire. Perhaps the best in the world - and now gets the chance to prove it.

There is a clause in the contract that if Christian Cullen's southern breeding season is in any way at risk he will stop serving mares up there in North America, and be brought straight home and not return the following season.

As well as a champion sire, Christian Cullen was one of New Zealand's greatest harness horses, a pacing champion.

In four seasons he wowed Australasian racing fans with his racetrack presence, winning 22 of 31 starts, and $1.25 million in stakes. In 1998-99, as a four year old, he was unbeaten in 12 starts,including a 20 metre, 1:54.4 demolition of his rivals in the Miracle Mile.

He was named 1998 Horse of the Year, and retired with 14 group one and group two scalps, including the prestigious New Zealand Cup and Auckland Cup, both over 3200 metres.

He has stood at stud for eight seasons and earned $46,000 in the first and a record $25,000 during the latest.

His progeny have collectively won all of New Zealand's most prestigious races.

His yearlings $89,000 averaged last February at the national sales.

Your Qassia link

Friday, April 11, 2008

KIWI RIVERMAN

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

THE WAHINE DISASTER - WELLINGTON'S WORST EVER RECORDED STORM AND MARITIME TRAGEDY - LOSS OF 53 LIVES when CYCLONE GISELLE collided with massive southerly STORM FROM HELL on April 10 1968...

First published at Qassia:

On April 10 1968, the inter-island ferry from Lyttleton capsized on the rocks off Barrets Reef in Wellington Harbour during Wellington's worst recorded storm, with an eventual loss of 53 lives. It was one of New Zealand's worst ever tragedies.

The Wahine was less than two years old, having been built and delivered from Scotland. She was on her Lyttleton(Christchurch, South Island) to Wellington overnight run. Her cargo was mostly cars, 600 passengers and a crew of 125.

On this voyage to Wellington there was no idea of what lay ahead. The skies were a little overcast, the sea choppy but not rough, and there was even some mention of a Cyclone Giselle in the region.

But during the night things began to change for the worst: The seas began to build as the southerly winds increased. As she approached Wellington Harbour she met gale force winds and huge waves; she was pounded with her props coming out of the water.

When she approached Pencarrow at the Wellington Heads at 6-10 am, the winds were raging at 160km or 100 mph, visibility was extremely poor with the spray and sleat, and the high seas continued to buffet the ship. A sudden wave hit the Wahine and tore her apart and sent her careeing towards the rocks on Barrets Reef. The captain and crew fought valiantly to control the vessel. The captain then made the decision to try and leave Wellington Harbour and see out the storm in Cook Strait - but by then it was too late!

At 6-40am the Wahine hit the jagged rocks on Barrets Reef. She would eventually capsize. For the next few hours she drifted, with those shrieking winds and mountainous seas destroying her.

At 11am the tug Tapuhi managed to get lines to her, but they snapped like pieces of string. The Wahine was doomed and the captain and crew concentrated on abandoning ship and getting passengers off the Wahine. Four lifeboats full of passengers were launched, and many lifebuoys were thrown into the sea for struggling passengers, and they were followed by the crew.

The rest is history: People came ashore at nearby Seatoun Beach and over the other side of the harbour at Eastbourne over a period of many hours. Police and rescuers pulled them out of the water, many badly injured and some dead. Many a sad story has been written about them, and many more will follow.

The Wahine would lay in shallow waters by Barrets Reef for many months until it was cut up and sunk. The WORST STORM FROM HELL in Wellington's recorded history had taken a HEAVY AND DEADLY toll.

Read here

Sunday, April 06, 2008

NEW ZEALAND SIGNS FREE TRADE AGREEMENT WITH CHINA TODAY - AUSTRALIA NEXT?

The free trade deal with China has been signed in Beijing today; It's estimated to be worth $300 million to NZ.

New Zealand has scored a significant coup in China, becoming the first western nation to sign a free trade deal with the world's fastest growing economy.

Prime Minister Helen Clark says the deal is much more comprehensive than anticipated when negotiations began three years ago.

The FTA comes into force in October and will conservatively be worth around $300 million to New Zealand and just $90 million to the Chinese.

It covers everything from agriculture to services, like tourism, education, construction and transport where New Zealand will compete on a level playing field. Free trade will be phased in over the next 12 years.

The Chinese Premier has without explanation pulled out of a scheduled news conference with Miss Clark. However it is expected he does not want to face questions on Tibet.

Miss Clark believes the deal with China will be used by other countries as an example of how far the Chinese are prepared to go.

"The Chinese have negotiated hard, as we have, but I think they will be seeing this as a template - they want a deal with other western economies. So this agreement has to be high quality, it has to be comprehensive and it has to be balanced."

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is due to arrive in Beijing in a few days when trade deals are expected to be on the table. Next to sign?

My Qassia Link

Saturday, April 05, 2008

DITA VON TEESE'S PORN PAST MIGHT BE CATCHING UP WITH HER - ITS HER OWN BAGGAGE...

Dita Von Teese starred in a pornographic lesbian film before achieving worldwide fame as a burlesque dance.

Dita Von Teese starred in a pornographic lesbian film, it has been claimed.

The burlesque performer is spanked and pleasured with a bizarre sex toy by her female co-star in the kinky adult movie - shot before she rose to fame - which has now been released on the internet.

In another clip, the 35-year-old beauty is shown romping with two attractive women wearing corsets, according to reports on website www.thesun.co.uk.( other stories here too!)

Dita has previously admitted to being a fan of pornography, saying: "Amateur pornography is a great thing. You can find anything for everyone on the internet. People love watching other people having sex. I'm no different."

Meanwhile, Dita has revealed the best thing about her divorce from goth rocker Marilyn Manson is living in a drug-free environment.

Dita, who legally separated from Manson last year, said: "There's a long list of things. But most of all I am happy to have the drugs out of my life."

Dita also revealed she had her engagement ring "transformed" following the split.

She added to The New York Times magazine: "I took my engagement diamond and had it transformed at Christian Dior in Paris into a beautiful ring. It's nice - it's big. I feel like I suffered greatly for that diamond, and it needed to be reborn into something better."

My Party Here

Saturday, March 29, 2008

THOSE HEROES THAT SHED THEIR BLOOD AND LOST THEIR LIVES...YOU ARE NOW LYING IN THE SOUL OF A FRIENDLY COUNTRY, THEREFORE REST IN PEACE.

First published at Qassia:

And, most important are the words for all soldiers who gave their lives for this land. These words were spoken to our enemies by Ataturk, group commander of Anafartalar and the founder of Modern Turkey.

" Those heroes that shed their blood and
lost their lives... You are now lying in
the soul of a friendly country, therefore
rest in peace. There is no differences between
the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they
lie side by side here in this country of ours...
You, the mothers who sent their sons from far away
countries wipe away your tears. Your sons are now
lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having
lost their lives on this land they have become
our sons as well."
ATATURK, (1934).

In recent times Turkey and Anzacs(Australian and New Zealand Army Corps)and nationals have become friends, respecting the sacrifices of their young men, dating from the original ANZAC Day,April 25 1917.

We will remember them!

Anzac Day is commemorated on April 25 every year. It is a day of remembrance for both Australian and New Zealanders. It is a public holiday in both countres. In New Zealand, it is also regarded as a religious commemoration with dawn parades and memorial services during the morning.

Returned services veterans gather at Returned Services Association clubs during the afternoon and evening. Many sporting fixtures and horse racing meetings are also held during the afternoon. It is similar in Australia with their returned services members meeting at their RSL's - Returned Services Leagues.

Monday, March 24, 2008

THE RETURN OF THE GRIM REAPER OF NEW ZEALAND POLITICS - ROGER DOUGLAS - ACT TWO..

Sir Roger Douglas returns to haunt the nation in general, and the National Party in particular.

Dompost columnist Richard Long, part of the National Party's propaganda team during the illfated Don Brash-led National Party election campaign in 2005, was so nostalgic about the Rogernomics policies that weren't - 23% flat tax and over 300,000 Kiwis unemployed if David Lange didn't stop for that cuppa!

Without exaggeration we would have had a private health scheme - with a standard of health care dependant on how much private health insurance you could afford and charity hospitals for those with nothing, and ditto for education.

The one great and marvellous thing about the return of the 'grim reaper is that National would need the Act party as a coalition partner under MMP, despite the ridiculouslsy high polls for National in recent months, despite the utterances of John Key to the contary.

There will be demands by the white-haired New Right Marketeer for a seat at the Cabinet table, and policies such as privatisation of all remaining state assets, 15% tax, education vouchers and private health insurance for all! I presume the police and defence force will be privatised too - constables and privates purchasing their own equipment, perhaps?

Thursday, March 06, 2008

TUATARA DNA - SO QUICK TO EVOLVE - FOUND ONLY IN NEW ZEALAND...

Tuatara DNA - so quick to evolve - found only in New Zealand...

Published first On Qassia:

Tuatara are only found in New Zealand. They are apparently very slow growing and reproducing, and have a sluggish metabolism. They are an ancient form of lizard and the oldest living form of wildlife in New Zealand. Tuatara have often been called 'living dinosaurs' and have largely not changed physically over extremely long aeons of evolution going back millions of years.

But they have reportedly broken records for DNA evolution, something that has astonished New Zealand scientists. An analysis of their bones has shown their DNA has evolved faster than any other animal species yet studied.

An evolutionary biologist, Professor David Lambert, at the Massey University based team from the Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology and Evolution, established through study of tuatara DNA that the reptiles have evolved very quickly.

Professor Lambert said recently it had been expected that the tuatara, which did everything else slowly, would therefore evolve slowly too, but the new DNA research questioned such ideas.

Scientists had recovered DNA sequences from the bones of tuatara up to 8750 years old and compared them to modern tuatara blood samples, to establish the speed of the DNA changes in the species.

There will undoubtably be more up to date information released in the near future, which is of great interest to the writer.

Tuatara are not only the oldest living species in NZ, but would rank with some of the oldest in the world.

Tuatara Site

Monday, March 03, 2008

HOW WAS I GOING TO PAY THE BILLS...HEY I'M RICH BROTHER!

How was I going to pay the bills... hey I'm rich!

I woke up this morning and thought about how wealthy I am; hey I'm actually as poor as a church mouse! Well, lets see how much there is in my wallet. I opened it and was nearly hit in the eye by a cloud of moths; I obviously hadn't been in there for a while because those moths had been settled in by the look of it!

I grabbed my bank statement, found my phone bank and account numbers and rang up. An almost metallic voice uttered, " You have sixty cents only." I slammed the phone down. I looked around at my unopened mail lying on the kitchen table. The power bill: $345 .00; the phone account including my internet, $398.00; my Farmers card account, $378.00. A repair bill for my car, $765.00. There were more envelopes there, but I didn't open them. What was the point?

I was in deep shit; I was broke; how the bloody hell was I going to pay these outstanding accounts? Get another personal loan from the bank? I owe them about five grand already! I could imagine myself going down to the bank and seeing that tightarse Harris, and the likely comments. " Are you serious Mr Hutt? You owe us over $5,000 and you are behind with two months repayments already! "

I looked out at the driveway, where my car should be. It wasn't there! God almighty, they must have repossessed it already. Yeah, I was behind on the payments alright. I went over to the fridge and took out a can of beer. I drank it down in a couple of gulps! It tasted good, and made me feel a little better. I felt even better after the next three cans.

I felt in my pocket and took out a handful of bits of paper. A betting slip for the horses. It wasn't any good, as I expected, A few receipts, load of rubbish really. What was this one, all screwed up? It looked like a Lotto ticket. I'd better check it out, though. Just for the record. I looked around for the Sunday paper and checked the ticket out... I skimmed through quickly... and through again more slowly. And again...I looked at six winning numbers worth a half a million dollars. I had shared first prize with somebody at the other end of the country.

I was rich... I was bloody rich and the bills, the bloody bills were going to be paid, and the prick at the bank, whats his bloody name...Harris, will get his money this week. And I can get my car car back too! Yahoo! I'm rich!

Saturday, March 01, 2008

THE ASHES OF SIR EDMUND HILLARY SCATTERED AT SEA IN NEW ZEALAND AND IN NEPAL...

The ashes of the late Sir Edmund Hillary, the conqueror of Mount Everest, were reportedly scattered at sea in his homeland of New Zealand, and at a special ceremony in Nepal where he is a legend bordering on a god.

Sir Ed as he was affectionally known in NZ, received a rare honour of a state funeral, normally reserved for prime ministers who died in office, or former Governor Generals.

Some of Sir Ed's ashes were scattered from the sailing ship SPIRIT OF NEW ZEALAND in the inner Hauraki Gulf in Auckland on Feb 29 2008, while at the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu, another ceremony honoured the life and spirit of the legendary mountaineer and adventurer. It was described as a wonderful merging of two different cultures.

Sir Ed's body was cremated after a private family service, after his state funeral was attended by local and foreign dignatories. It was a moving service.

His widow, Lady Hillary, and his only son Peter, also a mountaineer and climber of Mount Everest,along with his surviving daughter,Sarah and other family members, helped to scatter his ashes in the waters of the Hauraki Gulf.

Sir Ed expressed his wish for his ashes to be scattered in his 1999 memoir VIEW FROM THE SUMMIT.

The gangplank especially constructed for the ceremony aboard the siling ship, will be named the 'Hillary Step' and kept for the use by disabled trainees.

There is still one chapter to be written in the life and times of Sir Edmund Hillary - just how will a sad and emotionally moved nation honour him in the most appropriate way. The greatest icon and legendary figure outside of our war heroes.

Hillary History

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

STOLEN NEW ZEALAND WAR MEDALS RETURNED - BUT THE INTRIGUE CONTINUES...

Stolen NZ war medals returned - but the intrigue continues...

First published at Qassia:

While the stolen New Zealand war medals have been returned, and we as a society are extremely pleased about that, the intrigue continues.
There are a couple of questions doing the rounds here:

1/ Were the medals stolen knowing that New Zealanders were so irate and upset they would support a reward?

2/ Were criminal ethnic gangs involved in the burglary, or did they become involved once a reward was mentioned?

I'd like to comment on what the New Zealand media claims happened.

A former gang member was granted bail twice as part of a deal for the return of stolen war medals. He was first granted bail on January 18 from Mount Eden prison in Auckland City. He had been on remand on drugs charges.

It was allegedly part of an arrangement made for the return of the 96 war medals, stolen in a raid on the Waiouru Army Museum on December 2 2007.

The man reappeared in court on January 21 on another set of charges, and was bailed again on the same terms.

These revelations come after claims made by a named lawyer who stated he brokered the deal, using his contacts to find who had the medals and spending time getting their trust.

Police neither confirmed or denied what had been said yesterday, or revealed how long the man had been in jail before being bailed.

The man told a Sunday newspaper who will obviously be publishing a story soon,that he did it to be be with his "missus and kids" rather than receiving financial gain.

He said further that he was in prison waiting trial on charges of possession of methamphetamine for supply when he heard about the burglary of the army museum.

Through his contacts, the former gang member who has facial tattoos of the gang's name on his cheeks and its insignia on his forehead, has found out who is responsible. He has recently been linked with a another notorious gang,but claims he's finished with gang culture.

But other gang members had found out that this was an opportunity for monetary gain - after all they are opportunists like any other criminals.

The gang member did his part of the deal gaining the information for the lawyer who had brokered the deal with police and the Crown to get his bail.

Those responsible for the burglary and theft from the army museum have not been named, and the amount of the reward/ ransom also has not been disclosed.

The gang member involved will still face drug charges and could face a prison sentence for those crimes.

Contributor's Note
This is an intriguing story which still has one or two more twists to it before the truth is known.

Monday, February 18, 2008

THE CLANDESTINE NEGOTIATIONS SURROUNDING THE RETURN OF THE STOLEN NEW ZEALAND WAR MEDALS...

First published at Qassia:

The clandestine negotiations surrounding the return of the stolen NZ war medals...
While the missing war New Zealand war medals have been returned, what was paid to an unknown person or persons, was not a reward, but in reality a ransom.

The alleged NZ$300.000 put up as a reward has been paid into a bank account by the lawyer who conducted cloak and dagger type negotiations with criminals to get the medals back in one piece.The obvious risk was the thieves would destroy them if they felt the situation was getting too hot for them.

The lawyer has said he knew who was responsible for the burglary and theft of the medals within one week of the break-in at the Waiouru Army Camp Museum.

Using contacts within Auckland's maximum security prison at Paremoremo and Mount Eden Prison, the former policemen-cum - defence lawyer tracked down those who were involved within weeks of the theft. They were edgy and prone to mood swings, according to the lawyer, and at times disappeared into the criminal woodwork. It apparently took some time to build up their trust.

It was a prolonged process in which he alternated between meetings with the thieves and the police, all outside his business office hours. He doesn't know how many hours he was involved in the negotiating process - it just consumed him.

Days before the NZ$300,000 reward was offered, he arranged for the return of a set of medals, which included a George Cross, to be returned as a sign of good faith.

The lawyer said the reward was extremely helpful, but he always believed the medals would be returned without the reward. An amount of money has been paid, but not stated.

While he had kept things quiet, and would keep the thieves identity secret, he refused to supply any legal advice on how they should avoid detection.

After much negotiation and talking, the medals were returned by a third party last week. The lawyer claimed to have not had any personal benefit from the negotiations. It was now up to the police to make any future decisions, and for the NZ Army to ensure better security regarding those and other medals and valuables in the Army Museum.

Saturday, February 16, 2008

NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY IS ECSTATIC AT THE RETURN OF STOLEN WAR MEDALS

FIRST PUBLISHED AT QASSIA

New Zealand society is ecstatic at the return of stolen war medals.

The news of a burglary at the Army Museum in the Waiouru Military Camp last December left most New Zealanders in shock - 96 valuable medals including 9 Victoria Crosses( the NZ and Commonwealth equivalent to the US Medals of Honor)had been stolen in a brazen and despicable burglary. They included the VC and Bar Of Captain Charles Upham, New Zealand's most decorated soldier, and the only serving soldier to earn the VC twice.

The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark, and many community and business leaders publicly condemned the robbery and theft of the irreplaceable medals, which are regarded as national treasures,icons and taonga of the country and people. Many heroes have given their lives in service to their country.

While Captain Upham"s medals had been sold by the late war hero's family to the British War Museum in London, they had been loaned back to New Zealand for 999 years.

The medals were returned as a result of the $NZ 300,000 reward, put up by British medal collector Lord Michael Ashcroft, and a Nelson,NZ, businessman and former US marine in Vietnam,Tom Sturgess. The reward had encouraged somebody to come forward and return the medals. No immunity from prosecution was given.

Police were celebrating like the military community, but their job will not be completed until the culprits are arrested and prosecuted.The police are to be highly commended for their work involved in recovering the medals. The families of medal recipients are over the moon at the recovery. Fears had been expressed that the medals could have been discarded somewhere.

The medals are unlikely to be on public display again. Other countries display replicas, and store the real medals in bank vaults; New Zealand will undoubtably follow suit.But, however, it is a day to celebrate.

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Monday, February 04, 2008

THE KORAN REQUIRES RESPECT FOR NON-MUSLIMS TOO...

The Koran requires respect for non-Muslims - and this means Jews and Christians too! Muslims need to read their Koran from cover to cover, not just a few selected passages taken out of context. They also need to learn what is meant by Jihad - it is not some holy war that Muslim pretenders claim. I know and I'm not a Muslim. There are a number of people within Islam who claim to be Muslim - but devout and true Muslims would never dream of becoming suicide bombers endangering the lives of men, women, the aged and infirm, children and little helpless babies. Murder has no place within Islam any more than it has a place within Christendom.

Just read the following post and you may be surprised at the truth!

Just who was that foolish Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, trying to impress with his inane and inflammatory statements in recent months questioning the Holocaust, attacking Zionism and established historical facts and seeking the destruction of Israel? Was it for domestic or international consumption? I think it will all backfire on him eventually!

If it was for international influence he failed if an article in the Dominion Post daily newspaper, Wellington, New Zealand, is any example.

A highly respected Muslim historian from Christchurch, New Zealand, Abdullah Drury, strongly criticised President Ahmadinejad for his blatant anti-Semetism which is actually forbidden in mainstream Islam.

From his article, " A history of respect", 22 December,2006, he included the following:

The Prophet Muhammed, the ultimate role model for all Muslims, had a Jewish wife - Safiyah bint Huyai bin Akhtab. Her father was a former chief of the Banu Nadir, a distinguished Jewish tribe that settled in central Arabia and adopted the Arabic language.The Holy Koran refers to Safiyah - a now popular name for girls - as the mother of the Believer, and after the death of the Prophet, she became a powerful figure in early history and politics.

Further, Islamic law specifically forbids persecution or harassment of either Jews or Christians, and all Muslim societies with Islamic law in place invariably have some sort of fixed representative agencies or parliamentary seats for their Jewish minorities".

Interesting comments in my opinion. I wonder also what Mr Jury thinks about the illegal usage of the term "jihad ". He has explained that Muslims do not have Koranic permission to verbally or physically attack non- Muslims in the manner that some sections of Islam have in recent times. The Roman Catholic Church has a great term to deal with their worst sinners - Excommunication! It would be an appropriate term for Islam to adopt, in my humble opinion.

There would be an incredible number of Muslims being excommunicated if that was the case in Islam too !

Thursday, January 24, 2008

SHOULD THE NEW ZEALAND NAVY BE SENT TO ESCORT JAPANESE WHALERS FROM NEW ZEALAND WATERS IN THE ANTARCTIC ROSS SEA - SEND A FRIGATE WITH GUNS READY TO BLAZE PERHAPS...

A New Zealand Orion patrol aircraft spotted the Japanese whaling fleet heading for the Antarctic Ross sea, heightening concerns the Japanese will begin hunting in New Zealand's Antarctic territory.

The aircraft was on a routine surveillance of fishing activity in the Southern Ocean. Until previously the Japanese whaling fleet had confined its activities to Australian territorial waters. An Australian Federal court ruling last week declared the Japanese fleets activities as being illegal.

The New Zealand conservation Minister has said the New Zealand Government was concerned about the whaling fleets movements, particularly because NZ is responsible for search and rescue operations in the Ross Sea.

The Minister, Ms Steve Chadwick, said we are concerned for the risk to human life and the Antarctic's pristine environment if the Japanese fleet encounter's problems there. Just last year there was a fire aboard the factory ship, NISHIN MARU, stranding it in the Ross Sea. One crew member was killed and the stricken ship containing hundreds of tonnes of heavy fuel oil, posted a genuine environmental risk.

This poses a real question: Considering the Japanese fleet is illegally entering New Zealand Antarctic waters, should a New Zealand naval frigate be sent to escort the fleet from NZ waters?

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY RESEARCH INTO E-CIGARETTES MAY BENEFIT ANTI-SMOKING PROGRAMS...

An electronic cigarette which could give smokers their nicotine hit without all those harmful ingredients which presently exist in cigarette smoke might actually help them to beat their addiction, New Zealand scientists claim.

Auckland University researchers are recruiting 48 smokers who want to quit, to take part in the world’s first trial of the “e-cigarette“. Hayden McRobbie, from the university’s clinical trials research unit, said the e-cigarette which is presently sold by a Chinese company over the internet for $200 each, is marketed as an alternative to smoking rather than a tool to stop smoking.

Doctor McRobbie said they think it might actually prove more effective than current nicotine replacement treatments, such as patches and gum, because smoking is not just a chemical addiction, it is also behavioural.

The device is “smoked” like a conventional cigarette, and even glows at the tip when the smoker draws on it. A vaporiser device delivers a measured dose of nicotine in a mist.

Ex-smokers have often said they miss the ritual of smoking: the e-cigarette gives them something to do with their hands - as an ex-smoker myself, it was something I missed as I successfully withdrew from my smoking habit through the aid of patches, back in 1991.

Alternatives need to be looked at to help smoking addicts. While nicotine is the active ingredient in cigarettes - it is the tars, carbon monoxide and the other chemicals that make up the over 200 poisons that exist in cigarettes. These cause the heart and lung diseases that kill 4500 New Zealanders a year - out of a population of 4.25 million.

Researchers hope the New Zealand study will be completed by March of 2008. This will benefit those involved in anti - smoking programs worldwide.

The “quit or die” message was not working for many smokers, especially younger ones, who knew the dangers but were powerless against their craving. The craving was as psychological as it was physical.

NEW ZEALAND RESEARCH INTO E-CIGARETTES MAY PROVIDE SOME BENEFITS FOR THOSE WANTING TO QUIT SMOKING:

An electronic cigarette which could give smokers their nicotine hit without all those harmful ingredients which presently exist in cigarette smoke might actually help them to beat their addiction, New Zealand scientists claim.

Auckland University researchers are recruiting 48 smokers who want to quit, to take part in the world’s first trial of the “e-cigarette“. Hayden McRobbie, from the university’s clinical trials research unit, said the e-cigarette which is presently sold by a Chinese company over the internet for $200 each, is marketed as an alternative to smoking rather than a tool to stop smoking.

Doctor McRobbie said they think it might actually prove more effective than current nicotine replacement treatments, such as patches and gum, because smoking is not just a chemical addiction, it is also behavioural.

The device is “smoked” like a conventional cigarette, and even glows at the tip when the smoker draws on it. A vaporiser device delivers a measured dose of nicotine in a mist.

Ex-smokers have often said they miss the ritual of smoking: the e-cigarette gives them something to do with their hands - as an ex-smoker myself, it was something I missed as I successfully withdrew from my smoking habit through the aid of patches, back in 1991.

Alternatives need to be looked at to help smoking addicts. While nicotine is the active ingredient in cigarettes - it is the tars, carbon monoxide and the other chemicals that make up the over 200 poisons that exist in cigarettes. These cause the heart and lung diseases that kill 4500 New Zealanders a year - out of a population of 4.25 million.

Researchers hope the New Zealand study will be completed by March of 2008. This will benefit those involved in anti - smoking programs worldwide.

The “quit or die” message was not working for many smokers, especially younger ones, who knew the dangers but were powerless against their craving. The craving was as psychological as it was physical.

Friday, December 28, 2007

STINGRAYS ARE NOT SOME HARMLESS SEA CREATURES - THEY CAN KILL HUMANS...

We keep reading about these sea creatures who have attacked a number of humans, some fatally over the years.

The latest occurred in recent days in New Zealand. A Dannevirke, North Island, man in his 40's was dragging a net at Herbertville Beach in the southern Hawkes Bay, when he was attacked.

One of the stings went into one side of his leg and out the other, breaking off the barb.

He was treated at the scene by ambulance officers and then taken by rescue helicopter to Palmerston North hospital. An ambulance spokesman said he had been in considerable pain.

It is well over a year since since Australian television celebrity and iconic crocodile hunter, Steve Irwin, was fatally stabbed in the heart by a stingray barb.

His death was similar to that of an 18 year old New Zealand woman in 1939, who was at first believed to have been a victim of a sexual attack, but a post mortem later discovered that her heart wounds were caused by a stingray barb.

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Friday, December 14, 2007

NEW ZEALANDER ROBBIE DEANS, AND FIRST FOREIGNER, APPOINTED AS HEAD COACH FOR AUSTRALIAN WALLABIES RUGBY TEAM...

A New Zealander, Robbie Deans, from my home town of Christchurch in Canterbury, is now the head coach of the Australian Wallabies Rugby team, after being turned down by the NZRU for the All Blacks position as head coach. Robbie is the first foreigner to coach the Australian rugby team; although a number of Kiwis have previously played for Australia.

A special deal has been struck to allow Robbie Deans to continue coaching the Christchurch based "Crusaders" professional franchise until the end of the coming Super 14 season.

Most American readers probably don't realise that a New Zealander coached the American Eagles Rugby team at the recent Rugby World Cup.

Rugby Union may not be that well known by North American readers, but it is more of a a world sport than American football which is primarily a North American sport like baseball. Only basketball can be considered a world sport.

I was the first here to predict that Robbie Deans will be Wallabies coach by the end of the week; and with the World Cup losing New Zealand All Blacks coach, Graham Henry, inexplicably reappointed for another two years, will I have to change my allegiance to Australia to ensure I support a winning team? I hope not, with tongue in cheek?

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Tuesday, December 11, 2007

SUPPORT THE INTERNATIONAL CALL TO PROTEST AGAINST ENDANGERED WHALES AND DOLPHINS...

A blogging friend from another site posted a story about the problems being experienced by endangered species around the globe. Certain species of whales and dolphins are, indeed, endangered. Where possible I think we should be rallying to the call to support the various organisations involved in taking action to prevent these mammals from becoming extinct.

Greenpeace, for example is taking direct action to protest against the killing of whales by Japanese interests, allegedly in the name of science

Please read the following article about one of the most endangered whale species, the Southern Right Whale:

SOUTHERN RIGHT WHALE
Eubalaena australis
(Desmoilins 1822)

DERIVATION: from the Latin australis for southern.

At a recent marine mammal conference, it was demonstrated how the use of technology is enhancing whale research. During a 6-week-period, a right whale mother and her calf were documented 2 times in the Bay of Fundy. In years past, it would have been assumed that they had remained in the bay for that time period. Since the mother was tagged and the pair tracked by satellite, researchers discovered that the twosome had not remained in the Bay of Fundy, but instead had traveled 2,500 miles.

It is speculated that the reason for this enormous journey is that the mother is making a parental investment and showing her calf feeding grounds. The breeding mothers, for unknown reasons, have different feeding ground imprints. If these mothers were killed, there would be a cultural extinction of that right whale feeding ground. While the Southern population of whales is growing, the Northern population remains at 350. However, not all of these 350 animals are breeding.

At the same conference, Dr. Charles "Stormy" Mayo said that the scientific community cannot wait until every item of a study has been analyzed. Scientists must take an active role with regard to the species they are studying. He was referring to Boston's plan to send sewage to Stellwagen Banks, a critical whale feeding ground.

Inconclusive studies have been done to determine how much food a right whale needs and how sewage will affect copepods (mainstay of their diet). Dr. Mayo warned that the need for answers is immediate and desperate. Scientists speculate sewage will have a significant impact on whale feeding grounds. Feeding right whales depend on grouping of copepods. Sewage could block sunlight diminishing copepods' food source (plankton) and cause copepods to scatter. If they scatter, the whales will starve.

In the case of right whales, any errors or accidents could mean extinction.

By: Maris Sidenstecker

Link here