Hawke’s Bay: Copper stolen from rail crossings
Hawke’s Bay Police are appealing to the public to report any suspicious activity around railway crossings and bridges in their community, after hundreds of metres of copper was stolen in just a week.
In the week beginning 23 June, more than 750 metres of copper cable was stolen from the railway bridge north of Clive, along with four level crossing bells being stolen from railway crossings between 12 April and 12 May.
"It is extremely concerning and a huge public safety risk. Railway core cables are responsible for transmitting power and signals to trains, which is crucial to keeping the rail systems operating safely and efficiently.
Crossing bells are an essential part of public safety and play a huge role in warning people that a train is approaching. The removal of these bells has the potential to cause fatal accidents,” says Senior Constable Potaka.
Police take public safety very seriously and would like to remind offenders that not only are you putting your community at risk when stealing these essential railway safety tools, but cutting any electrical wires comes with risk – including to yourself.
Police are also reminding scrap metal yards that we will be taking a hard line with anyone found to be receiving the bells or other stolen copper or metal.
If anyone sees someone acting suspiciously around railways, they are asked to ring 111 immediately if it is happening now, or 105 if it is after the fact.
We also encourage anyone who sees anything at railway crossings and bridges that they are concerned about, such as wires that have been noticeably cut or bells missing, to contact Police immediately.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Poll: Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲
The Environmental Protection Authority announced this week that a proposed mine in Central Otago (near Cromwell) is about to enter its fast-track assessment process. A final decision could come within six months, and if it’s approved, construction might start as early as mid-2026.
We want to know: Should mining projects like this move ahead?
Keen to dig deeper? Mike White has the scoop.
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53.5% Yes
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46.5% No
POTTING MIX QUALITY
If, like me, you are an experienced and avid gardener you know how frustrating it is when those beautiful seedlings recently purchased fail to thrive. Have you ever considered it may not be your fault, you've done all the right things but it may be the new bag of potting mix you bought to plant them in . Have you ever complained to the garden centre? My recent experience showed the blatantly obvious difference between brands. The recently purchased product was nothing more than raw compost, whereas the previous product was a good mix and made the plants thrive. I was the only one to complain, there could not possibly be a problem with the product as they sell pallet loads of it........ Your comments would be appreciated.
Stay sun safe
The temperature is rising, rapidly. My house is making those “I’m about to go nuclear” noises and the forecast is for 35°C on Monday.
Stay in the shade, but put sunscreen on 20 minutes (ears, noses, hands, feet, back, front, top, bottom, and everything in between) before you go into the sun or the water. It doesn’t work otherwise. And reapply no more than 2 hourly, staying out of the water and sun for 20 minutes afterwards.
Wear teeshirts and hats. Keep hydrated. Milk keeps you hydrated longer than water. You won’t pee as much. Alcohol dehydrates you. Save that till after the sun goes down.
Reflective sunburn is a thing, too. The sun reflecting off of other surfaces, including water, will burn you as quickly, if not quicker, than direct sunlight. Some reflective surfaces can magnify the suns effect.
If you are taking little ones out in strollers cover them with a light cloth, if you don’t have a stroller cover. A thin sheet will do, but leave the side open for fresh air. And you can get kids sunnies from most emporiums, like 1,2,3 plus or “Everything is $2” or the like.
And if you are going out, secure your windows and doors. Shut the curtains on the sun side to keep it cooler. Opportunists will opportune. And insurance doesn’t like it if you leave the house unsecured.
If you are staying in, open the windows and close the curtains. Make sure you use door jams, or you’ll find doors slamming with the lightest breeze.
Cover pets paws if you are walking them on concrete or bitumen. They will burn badly as the dark ground heats up. You can also get sunscreen for large animals.
Make sure there is plenty of water out for your pets. Cats need at least a cup a day, dogs up to 4 litres.
If you are on a walking route, put out buckets of water for dogs and cats, just to be neighbourly.
This photo was a school afternoon at the village pools.
He ended up with second degree sunburn. The white spots were the blisters forming. The scabs on his back were popped blisters, not just peeling, and he was sick for three days.
It’s no joke. And NZ has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. And skin cancer is a killer.
Check on your friends and family, especially the vulnerable ones.
You all matter. Take care of yourselves and each other.
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