947 days ago

North Canterbury tree vandals yet to be charged

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

Police are yet to charge the vandals who felled a North Canterbury community’s prized pine tree onto a road seconds before a school principal drove by.

Stuart Priddy, principal of Loburn School, had to slam on his brakes to avoid crashing into the giant tree near the Makerikeri Bridge on Dixons Rd about 8.30pm on August 23.

Watching on from the near-by Rangiora Leigh Holiday Park, owner Rob McAlister said Priddy, who was driving to the school to check an alarm, could have been killed if he had arrived just a few seconds earlier when the giant pine tree smashed onto the road.

The tree, which was on land McAlister leased, was believed to be about 40 years old.

McAlister said he spotted the pair by the tree with a chainsaw about 7pm on August 23, and could see they were going to chop it down.

After driving his car over to try and stop them they allegedly refused and yelled at him before shunting their four-wheel-drive into the back of his car several times, he said.

Police have confirmed a month on from the incident that they have not laid charges against the pair.

Famous in the area because of a fluorescent road cone that appeared on the top branch years ago, the axing of the tree angered local residents.

The cone remained in place on the tree despite severe gales in 2014 and became a talisman in the community.

Since it was cut down, several residents have suggested replanting trees as a memorial while others thought a road cone should be put on a near-by tree.

Within two weeks a road cone eventually did appear on a neighbouring tree, within sight of the felled remains of the revered pine.

An unknown ‘ghost’ tree climber scaled another huge tree to put the cone on top, earning the admiration of locals on social media.

”The Loburn beacon is back,” one resident said, while another said the village should be renamed “Coneburn”.

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1 hour ago

Psychic/Mediumship Readings at Room to Heal Rangiora

Rae from Rangiora

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Clairvoyant/Mediumship/Psychic Intuitive Reading

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From NZ$160.00

Spiritual Counselling/therapy

I can provide Spiritual Counselling to assist in your healing journey to address your struggles and wounds. Price is for a 60 minute session.

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Clairvoyant/Medium/Psychic/Intuitive Reading

This price is for a 60 minute reading providing either mediumship or clairvoyant/psychic work and will be completed at 190 John's Road, Rangiora. **Online readings are available through arrangement, please inquire about availability and prices from $100** From NZ$120.00

Don't forget to mention this offer when you book with Hayley.
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5 days ago

Poll: Does the building consent process need to change?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

We definitely need homes that are fit to live in but there are often frustrations when it comes to getting consent to modify your own home.
Do you think changes need made to the current process for building consent? 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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Does the building consent process need to change?
  • 91.5% Yes
    91.5% Complete
  • 8.1% No
    8.1% Complete
  • 0.5% Other - I'll share below!
    0.5% Complete
1328 votes
1 day ago

Lest we forget...

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

On this ANZAC Day, let's take a moment to remember and honor the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve our country.

Tell us who are you honouring today. Whether it's a story from the battlefield or a memory of a family member who fought in the war, we'd love you to share your stories below.

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