Priest's house gutted by early morning fire
He escaped the Westport floods but Father David Gruschow’s luck ran out when faulty wiring gutted his home and destroyed all his possessions.
Luckily the St Canice’s parish priest was not at home when the fire broke out on Saturday morning.
“The inside is completely munted.”
All his possessions were damaged, but Gruschow felt fortunate to have his dogs with him when the fire happened, and was relieved they were safe.
He now hoped to move into a housekeeper’s flat adjoining the presbytery until his house was repaired.
Fire investigator Craig Piner said the cause was still under investigation, but he believed it was caused by an electrical fault in the switchboard or in the ceiling above.
Poll: Would you want an unconventional funeral?
Funerals can cost as much as $22,000 and the planning can be stressful especially at a time when loved ones are grieving. Some New Zealanders are re-imagining funerals by making their own coffin or having a relaxed ceremony at home. Would you want a less traditional funeral? Share your thoughts below.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.
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84.2% Yes
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13.8% No
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2% Other - I'll share below!
Do you know the answer?
What has 88 keys but can’t open a door?
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Poll: What could the Christchurch City Council fund if it didn't have to pay GST on rates?
Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger says GST on rates, currently taken by central government, would be better spent locally.
The comments follow an Infometrics analysis that found over $1.1 billion of rates revenue nationwide was collected by the Government in 2022 as GST.
According to Infometrics, $88.5m of that came from Christchurch city ratepayers. It would be enough to save the Christ Church Cathedral from ruin; restore the Dux de Lux seven times over; cover both the Art Centre and Orana Wildlife Park’s request for regular public funding for over 26 years; contribute to light rail in Greater Christchurch; or get the South Library rebuild completed.
Read the full story by reporter Sinead Gill here and share your thoughts in the comments below. (Note: Subscription required. You can still read two free stories a month if you're not a ThePress.co.nz subscriber).
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24% Light rail
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2% South Library
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46% Orana Wildlife Park
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14% The Arts Centre
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4% Dux de Lux
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8% Christ Church Cathedral
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2% Something else (share your thoughts in the comments)
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