Thursday, December 27, 2007

Stingrays not so harmless down under in New Zealand....


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.


Read

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Friday the 13th - the legends, superstitions a plenty...


Friday the 13th - the legends. Just why is it so? Superstitions a plenty.

It allegedly goes back to Friday to the 13th of October, 1307. On this particular day it is claimed the Pope in Rome conspired in conjunction with the King of France and carried out a secret deal against and a warrant for the arrest of the Knights Templar. This was an attempt to obtain the source and whereabouts of the claimed great fortune of the Knights Templar. They never found it, if it actually existed. The Knights were terminated as heretics and the few survivors never held their former power again. Their Grand Master, Jacques De Molay, was arrested, tortured, crucified and killed. He never revealed the whereabouts of the alleged fortune. One particular story suggested that wagon loads of gold was smuggled out of the city while the Knights Templar were being arrested.


As some superstitions would have Friday the 13th as a lucky day, we would have to go back to the ancient Romans who dedicated the sixth day of the week to their beautiful but vain goddess, Venus. So when the ancient Norsemen adopted the Roman method of naming days, they too adopted Venus as their sixth day of the week. Their closest translation for Venus was Frigg or Freya, later evolved into Friday, their luckiest day of the week.


Muslims claim Friday as the day Allah created Adam; legend also claims Adam and Eve ate their forbidden fruit, the apple, on a Friday and also claim they died on a Friday as well. Christians claim Friday as the day Jesus was crucified to death.


Scandinavians believed Friday the 13th as being unlucky because of their mythological 12 demigods who were later joined by a 13th, Loki, an evil cruel demigod who brought them great misfortune. The No 13 in the Christian faith is because of the 13th guest at the Last Supper was Judas, who betrayed Jesus to the Romans.


These are all former beliefs that became superstition. Todays beliefs may be tomorrow supervisions too so don't step on a crack or walk under a ladder today. These are just a few instances of what involves Friday the 13th.

Kiwi Riverman

Sunday, December 9, 2007

Robbie Deans should be Wallabies rugby coach by the end of the week...


A New Zealander, Robbie Deans should be Australian Wallabies rugby coach by the end of the week...

A New Zealander, Robbie Deans, from my home town of Christchurch in Canterbury, is now the favoured candidate to takeover as coach of the Australian Wallabies Rugby team, after being turned down by the NZRU.

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.

So let me be the first to predict that Robbie Deans will be Wallabies coach by the end of the week; and with the 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?

Kiwi Riverman

Friday, December 7, 2007

This Skippy lived 25 million years ago - and galloped not hopped...


My Australian friends around the blogesphere will find this one difficult to accept:

If there had have been a Melbourne Cup 25 million years ago,a kangaroo may have lined up to gallop with them.A Skippy that galloped with the herd!

He would have been called a nambaroo (which meant "big muscly forearms")and showed he galloped or bounded like a possum.

It has been described as a discovery that skips conventional wisdom about one of Australia's greatest icons.

Scientists believe the 25 million year old remains dug up in Queensland in the 1990's, are from a newly discovered species called nambaroo gillespieae.

The nambaroo was part of an extinct kangaroo group known as the Balbariae, which scientists claim was replaced by the modern day kangaroo species.

The nambaroo was about the size of a small dog, had canine fangs, and was a quadruped, or four legged.

This was the great,great,great,great, grandfather of the modern kangaroo.

The remains were found in the renowned fossil fields of the Riversleigh world heritage area in North Queensland.

It was claimed the find would unlock the genesis of todays kangaroo.




Writers Lounge

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Something debated over the ages - just who is the more intelligent gender - man or woman...


Something debated over the ages - who is the more intelligent gender - man or woman...

As a mere male, let me tell you this little story; and you know Hutt likes to tell the odd story or two.

After the disaster, eleven people were being carried on a rope suspended from the helicopter that had rescued them.

The storm continued and the helicopter was being badly buffeted, side to side, endangering the lives of the many people inside the helicopter.

The pilot called out on his speaker that the load had to be reduced, or everybody's life would be endangered - somebody on that rope had to sacrifice their life in the interests of all!

It so happened that of the eleven people hanging by their hands on the rope suspended from the helicopter - only one was a women. She announced, with tears streaming down her face, that being a woman, she had sacrificed her independence to her husband, her children and to society in general all her life,so therefore she was prepared to make the final sacrifice here.

Emotionally moved, the men began to clap...


Comment:*
The Writers Lounge

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

I was bloody rich -- and the bills can wait awhile this time...



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!

Read here

Monday, November 26, 2007

PM Rudd, the new Australian prime minister will apologise to the Aborigine community...


SYDNEY, Australia - Newly elected Australian leader Kevin Rudd renewed a commitment Monday to apologize to indigenous Aborigines for past indignities.

The issue of apologizing for policies that helped make the continent's original inhabitants its most impoverished minority is a highly divisive one in Australia.

The policies included the forcible removal of indigenous children from their families on the premise that Aborigines were a doomed race and saving the children was a humane alternative. The practice did not end until the 1970s.

The Labor Party leader said he would offer the apology on behalf of the nation early in his first term — suggesting a timeframe of next year.

Outgoing Prime Minister John Howard angered many of Australia's 450,000 Aborigines and their supporters by steadfastly refusing to offer an apology, arguing this generation should not be made to feel guilty for mistakes of the past.

Polls show most people support an apology, and Rudd had promised to do so if he was elected.

Rudd's sweeping victory over Howard in Saturday's elections ended almost 12 years of conservative rule in Australia. He immediately put signing the Kyoto Protocol on curbing greenhouse gas emissions at the top of his international agenda.

That paves the way for Australia to play a greater role at a major international meeting on tackling climate change next week in Bali, Indonesia.

Rudd's policy on Kyoto leaves the United States isolated as the only industrialized country not to ratify the pact. His plan for the phased withdrawal of Australia's 550 combat troops from Iraq also poses challenges for Canberra's relations with Washington.

Australia has about 1,600 troops in and around Iraq, and Rudd says he wants the combat contingent to come home while leaving the rest — mostly in supporting roles such as guarding diplomats — to remain. Australia also has about 1,000 troops in Afghanistan, and Rudd has no plans to reduce that number.

Rudd held a second day of meetings Monday with senior bureaucrats and top advisers about taking over the levers of power. He began work on domestic priorities including his goal of providing a computer for every secondary school student and redrafting the country's labor laws.

Rudd told a news conference that implementing education and health policies were his top domestic priorities, and that he had ordered every incoming Labor legislator to visit two schools before Thursday's party meeting.

"It is important that we get to work on this straight away," Rudd said.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Myanmar military disempower their people - asset stripping nation's wealth...


Poverty stricken people have been disempowered by the military regime...

Lets look at some of the facts emerging from the former Burma, now known as Myanmar. Let Google do your walking. The military regime has disempowered their people and has virtually enslaved thousands of them. They are literally stripping the wealth from their country.

The real facts are emerging behind their behaviour towards their citizens - a millionaire military class is sucking the wealth from the ground.

Despite Western sanctions and calls for a boycott from top international jewellers, the military government hopes to sell 5,500 lots of jade, gems and pearls worth nearly US$300 million this year - the quality of their stones is claimed to be the best, according to one official. 2 000 merchants, mainly from China and Thailand, are expected at the sale.
The poverty stricken country is the source of 90% of the world's blood red rubies.

This auction is the first since the military junta cracked down severely on pro-democracy protesters - they did not want any delays to the auctions. There was international protest at their actions against the monk-led protests recently. There was initially tighter Western sanctions, including a crackdown on the gems trade.

The trade in stones supports the human rights abuses. The Myanmar Gems official said the most expensive jade lots was worth 80 million Euros - and highly prized by China.

The military have estimated they have earned US$750 million dollars since sales began in 1964 - as expected the state holds the majority shareholding, including the Valley of Rubies in the mountainous Magok area 200 miles north of Mandalay - the home of the famed Pigeon's Blood rubies and blue sapphires worth tens of thousands of dollars each.

Conditions in the mines are reportedly horrendous - reports from non-government groups strongly suggest that land confiscation, extortion, forced labour, child labour, environmental pollution and dangerous working conditions for miners are rampant.

The Writers Lounge

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Secret historical documents have absolved the Knights Templar...

Secret historical documents have absolved the Knights Templar...

The Vatican in Rome has allegedly published secret documents concerning the trial of the Knights Templar, including a parchment - long ignored because of a vague catalogue entry in 1628 - showing that the pope of that era, Pope Clement V, initially absolved the medieval order of heresy.

A 300 page volume has come out with a limited edition of799 copies, each priced at $8,377, said the Scrinium publishing house, which prints documents from the Vatican's secret archives.

The order of Knights, which ultimately disappeared because of the heresy scandal, recently captivated the public's imagination because of the best-seller "The Da Vinci Code", also made into a movie, which linked the templars to the story of the Holy Grail.

The Writers Lounge

Monday, November 5, 2007

The Mummy of King Tut is on display for first time...

The Mummy of King Tut is on display for first time...

Restoration took more than two years; CAT scans revealed he was not murdered.

Biggest threat is humidity caused by tourists; display should protect it

The ancient world is a big tourism draw for Egypt, which had 9 million visitors last year.

LUXOR, Egypt: The linen wrapped mummy of King Tut was put on public display for the first time on Sunday -- 85 years after the 3,000-year-old boy pharaoh's golden enshrined tomb and mummy were discovered in Luxor's famed Valley of the Kings.

"The only good thing (left) in this mummy is the face," says antiquities chief Zahi Hawass.

Archeologists removed the mummy from his stone sarcophagus in his underground tomb, revealing his shriveled leather-like face and body.

"The golden boy has magic and mystery and therefore every person all over the world will see what Egypt is doing to preserve the golden boy, and all of them I am sure will come to see the golden boy," Egypt's antiquities chief Zahi Hawass told reporters under the intense Luxor sun.

Hawass said scientists began restoring King Tut's badly damaged mummy more than two years ago after it was removed briefly from its sarcophagus and placed into a CT scanner for the first time for further examination. Much of the mummy's body is broken into 18 pieces that Hawass described looked like stones that were damaged when British archaeologist Howard Carter discovered the mummy, took it from his tomb and tried to pull off his famous golden mask.

Hawass fears a more recent phenomenon -- mass tourism -- is further deteriorating Tut's mummy. Thousands of tourists visit the underground chamber every month. Watch the mummy be lifted from tomb and revealed »

"The humidity and heat caused by ... people entering the tomb and their breathing will change the mummy to a powder. The only good thing (left) in this mummy is the face. We need to preserve the face," said Hawass, who wore his signature Indiana Jones-style tan hat.

The mystery surrounding King Tutankhamun and his glittering gold tomb has entranced ancient Egypt fans since Carter first discovered the hidden tomb on November 4, 1922, revealing a trove of fabulous gold and precious stone treasures.

Archeologists in recent years have tried to resolve lingering questions over how he died and his precise royal lineage. Several books and documentaries dedicated to the young pharaoh, who is believed to have been the 12th ruler of ancient Egypt's 18th dynasty and ascended to the throne around the age of 8, are popular around the world.

In an effort to try to solve the mysteries, scientists removed Tut's mummy from his tomb and placed it into a portable CT scanner for 15 minutes in 2005 to obtain a three-dimensional image. The scans were the first done on an Egyptian mummy.

The results did rule out that Tut was murdered...

King Tut Mummy on display

Thursday, November 1, 2007

There was a political call for a fart tax in New Zealand some years back...

There was a political call here in New Zealand a couple of years ago by government politicians for a "fart tax"! The pollies claimed it contributed to global warming. Be that as it may, the farmers objected and protested so loudly the idea was discarded.

Cows allegedly produce methane when they fart which goes into the atmosphere and contributes to global warming and climate change.

I would strongly suggest that there is so much hot air produced in Parliament which probably contributes more to climate change and global warming.

After all what's a few farts among friends?


Submitted by Darius.
Very funny stuff this whole farting business. Scientists say that ome cow produces the same amount of pollution as 10 cars running all day.Well it all reminds me of a joke. A very proper lady is in a Harley shop, as she leans over to touch and admire the shiny hog she farts. Quickly she glances around hoping nobody heard her gaffa.She spots a young salesman coming her way so she immediately asks "young man how much is this magnificent vehicle".The salesman thinks for a moment and then says "I'm not sure I should tell you because you farted just touching it,your going to crap yourself when I give you the price". Keep the faith.

Good one, Darius

The Writers Lounge

Friday, October 12, 2007

Sire's story about the tri nation rugby supporters clash with the law in Arabia...

I had to record the following story for posterity's sake. It was written by my online Aussie mate "Sire", in his My BlogLog recently. I don't think he would mind me sharing it with you here. He's a good bloke,Sire, vry helpful with a great sense of humour and a good supply of humorous stories.

"Rugby Fans Get Death Penalty In Arabia"

Three tri nation rugby fans were in Arabia celebrating the coming New Year, an Aussie, South African and a New Zealand national. Unfortunately they were hitting the booze when the Saudi police rush in to arrest them.

They should have known better because while possession of booze is a severe offence in Saudi Arabia, actual consumption of it meant a death sentence!

After being incarcerated for many their lawyers were able to successfully appeal their sentences down to life imprisonment.

Luckily it turned out to be a Saudi national holiday the day, their trial finished, and the extremely benevolent Sheik decided they could be released after receiving just 20 lashes each of the whip.

As they were preparing for their punishment, the Sheik announced: “It’s my first wife’s birthday today, and she has asked me to allow each of you one wish before your whipping.”

The South African was first in line, he thought for a while and Then said: “Please tie a pillow to my back.”

This was done, but the pillow only lasted 10 lashes before the whip went through. When the punishment was done he had to be carried away bleeding and crying with pain.

The Australian was next up. After watching the South African’s Horror he said smugly:

“Please fix two pillows to my back.” But even two pillows could only take 15 lashes before the whip went through again and the Australian was soon led away whimpering loudly (as they do).

The New Zealander bloke was the last one up, but before he could say anything, the Sheik turned to him and said:

“You are from a most beautiful part of the world and your culture is one of the finest in the world. For this, you may have two wishes!”

“Thank you, your Most Royal and Merciful highness”, the Kiwi replied. In recognition of your kindness, my first wish is that you give me Not 20 lashes but 100 lashes.”

“Not only are you an honourable, handsome and powerful man, you Are also very brave”. The Sheik said with an admiring look on his face.

“If 100 lashes is what you desire, then so be it. And your second wish”?

“Tie the Australian to my back.”

My Communati

Friday, October 5, 2007

Little "Pumpkin" to live in China with grandma...

Farewell little "Pumpkin" we wish you well in your new life with Grandma in China.

She beamed into our lives through world TV news programs a few weeks ago; that poor little abandoned three year old at a Melbourne, Australia, train station. She was nick-named "Pumpkin" by Australian authorities, because of the Pumpkin Patch clothing she wore on that fateful night.

Soon the horrible truth that preceded her abandonment was revealed by New Zealand police. Her father had apparently murdered her mother in Auckland and fled to Australia with his little daughter, callously and cold heartedly abandoning her at the train station, and catching a flight to Los Angeles.

Soon the little girl was identified as Qian Xun Xuecan. Her mother, Anan Liu, was found murdered in the boot of a car outside the family home in Auckland.

Later news revealed she had an elder half sister in Auckland,Grace,the estranged daughter of Nai Yin Xue,who is still being pursued by US marshals in California to this day, and due to appear on "America's Most Wanted" program in a few days or so.

In the meantime little Pumpkin was brought to New Zealand by Australian social services authorities to await a decision on her future.

After her maternal grandmother arrived in New Zealand and expressed her desire to look after her little grand-daughter,a family group conference was held in Auckland.

The Principal Family Court Judge, Peter Boshier, has made his decision in the case.The child's grandmother, Liu Xiao Ping, has been given custody of Qian Xun Xuecan, the youngster the New Zealand public knew as little "Pumpkin".

Apparently Judge Boshier had a difficult decision to make because of many conflicting Acts of Parliament which had to be balanced, creating tensions, and because of this significant parts of his decision were suppressed to the public.

Mrs Liu, the grandmother, accompanied by an interpreter and her lawyer,was spoken to directly by Judge Boshier.

I quote the Judge:" It is important to acknowledge at the outset to those members of the family present today the utterly tragic circumstances." And further." Above all else, I acknowledge the sadness of the circumstances that bring us here today."

He appointed Mrs Liu as an "additional guardian" under New Zealand's Care of Children Act.

Under the same Act the grandmother was given leave to apply for a parenting order so that the child "is placed into the day to day care of her grandmother".

He also ordered that Qian Xun Xuecan's elder half sister be given contact with the child through email, telephone, exchange of photos and visits when Grace is in China, or when the child is in New Zealand.

The parenting order allows Qian to live in China with her grandmother. Even though she is a New Zealand citizen, she is Chinese and has cultural links to China, and attachment to her grandmother is demonstratable.

Surprisingly, the child's father still has guardianship rights over the girl, something that will be reviewed at a later date.It was a very good and just decision by Judge Boshier, reflecting the famiy's wishes to support and protect the little girl.

Goodbye, little "Pumpkin" and best wishes from us all for the future!

Peters Life and World Events

Monday, October 1, 2007

April 25 is ANZAC DAY in New Zealand and Australia...

April 25 is ANZAC DAY in Australia and New Zealand...


April 25 is Anzac Day in Australia and New Zealand. This is the day we honour and remember our fallen heroes from all wars, and especially recall how the legend of Anzac began on April 25 1915 when members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps were dropped off on the beachs of Gallipoli on the Turkish coast as part of the British campaign to invade Turkey. The place is known as Anzac Cove today.

From the ships thousands of Australian and New Zealanders disembarked into the shallow waters under heavy gunfire, machine gun and rifle fire. Many were killed instantly,others made it to the beaches and were killed, others fought in the campaign during many months before being repatriated. Thousands were killed and wounded on both sides, Anzacs and Turks. Thousands were left behind to be buried in military cemetries. The campaign was a disaster; the Anzacs were landed on the wrong beach. The British High Command had failed dismally. The campaign involved British and other Empire troop, including Indians.

The Gallipoli campaign was to create not only the legend, but begin the journey of nationhood for Australians and New Zealanders, from British dominions to the self governing nations within the Commonwealth of today.

Today from Darwin to Perth to Brisbane to Melbourne and Sydney and the bush; from Auckland to Napier to New Plymouth to Wellington to Christchurch to Greymouth and to Invercargill,and scores of other towns and even at Gallipoli itself, will hold dawn parades to remember the fallen, and to retire later to RSL's and RSA's for a meal, a quiet drink and a chat with former comrades, friends and families and continue the spirit of Anzac which actually grows stronger with every passing year.

Lest we forget; we will remember them. The spirit and legend wll never die!

Sunday, September 30, 2007

Wait until I call your number, love - an exercise in patience...

Wait until I call your number,love - an exercise in patience...

One Friday night in a crowded downtown Wellington hotel bar many years ago a very large man sat down beside me and started banging the bar with his fist.

A very busy and flustered barmaid with three pints of beer in each hand said she would be right back to serve him.

But the extremely impatient customer started banging the bar again with his fist for service.

Going to the cash register, the barmaid wrote the number 567 on a piece of paper and laid it in front of him. "Wait until I call your number, love!" she said to him.

Then turning to the bar she said," Now who has number one?"

I think that impatient customer learned a very valuable lesson that night.

Sunday, August 5, 2007

There's a Bunyip down by the billabong mate...

There's a Bunyip down by the billabong mate - to believe or not to believe


I decided to do some more research for another blogsite and see what outcome may result in my quest to try and discover the 'real' Bunyip of Australia.

So where have I gone in my quest? Back to ancient Australia and return. It has been most interesting learning a little about something I'd hardly heard of before. Bunyip was just a name that sprang up out of the ground when I was tossing names around of other legendary strange creatures of foreign folklore - the Yeti or Abominable Snowman from the Himalayas, a 'man bear', a large hairy apelike biped; and the Bigfoot or Sasquatch of North America, known by the Lakota Indians as "Chiye" (Big Elder brother) - a large hairy bipedal hominoid.

And what of the Australian Bunyips? I believe there have been two Bunyips, the ancient and the more modern version. So lets elaborate a little: The Bunyip is an Australian legendary monster that exists in aboriginal stories and art as well as in more modern reports. Descriptions vary wildly - aboriginals described it as having tusks,flippers and a tail like a horse. The aboriginal Bunyip lived in or around water such as creeks and pools in dried up riverbeds - known in Australia as billabongs.

It is supposed to come out at night to prey on animals, women and children. It is also supposed to give out a bellowing cry if approached - this kept the aboriginals away.

More recent accounts vary widely in descriptions, ranging from hairy, feathered, furry, having a longtail,long neck, a horse head, a bird's head etc.

Bunyips are common in Australian childrens stories, much like the Maori legends over here in New Zealand. There were for some reasons many sightings during the depression years of the 1930's.

There are three main theories:

One is the Diprotodon, an ice-age hippo sized marsupial that co-existed with early aboriginals, before coming extinct 40,000-50,000 years ago.

Another theory is that they were seals that made their way inland and become isolated, or were crocodiles.

The third is that there were many tramps who took to the roads of rural Australia, or the "bush" during the depession days of the 1930's, and many lived near bodies of water and perpetuated the myth of the legendary Bunyip.

A little historical description to finish up with:

According to Australian legend this hairy monster would hide in water holes, come out at night and terrify aboriginals. Descriptions vary, but it is generally described as having a hairy body, a horselike head and a ferocious roar. Some scientists believe the Bunyip might be a cultural memory of a marsupial called a diprotodon that inhabited Australia about 50,000 years ago, but because bones of butchered animals were unearthd at human settlements Bunyips, also known as yaa-loo and wowee-wowee, it suggests they and humans co-existed for many thousands of years.

No, there is nothing definative about this little piece of research, but what does the man from the Huttriver think? While Aussies just regard the Bunyips as fairy stories,fables and legends, there is always a touch of reality in most legends somewhere. Robin Hood was most likely based on a number of local characters, probably named Robert. King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table - that's a beauty of a legend. Once again probably based on a number of characters who defended the realm against invading Saxons; who would, ironically, become established as "Englishmen" who later defended England against invading Normans, descendants of earlier Vikings. History, is fantastic!

As for the Bunyip? I'm not an Australian, but we in New Zealand have a lot of old Maori legends which have become part of our children's stories. I would put a 'couple of bob' on the Diprotodon as being the basis of ancient Aboriginal legends about a hairy monster that jumped out of billabongs, frightening animals,women and children - the ancients of many lands and civilizations have a variety of monsters, demons, devils and plain ornery old characters that Mum wouldn't invite to dinner!

The modern Bunyip? Just a fairy story, built on the old legend. Still there are places all round this planet where it is just not safe to venture after dark! Catch you later, and don't go out after dusk my blogospheric friends!


My Write Niche

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

My research on Australian Bunyip...

My research on Australian Bunyip...

A recent discussion on Yetis,or Abominable Snowmen from the Himalayas; Bigfoots or Sasquatch from Nth America; and possibly Bunyips from Australia has sent me on a research path, which I may bring some understanding of at some future point in time.

Yetis and Sasquatch have been described as hairy and manlike, or like bears. But Bunyips may be from a different ball- game all together.

The Bunyip may well be the historical diprotodon that possibly co-existed with early humans for many thousands of years or so. Bones of butchered animals have been unearthed from early human settlements and identified as being the diprotodon - a hippo sized wombat. These hairy monsters, as legend claimed,hid in water holes and jumped out and terrified the early aborigines.

Australia and New Zealand were together part of that ancient super southern continent of Gonwanaland, that also included India, South America and Africa etc. There was also a northern supercontinent called Laurasia which included many of the existing northern hemisphere countries and continents. Both super continents had broken away from the original Pangaea super-duper continent.

New Zealand and Australia have similar geological backgrounds. NZ does not have a native animal life, but an Australian based geological team which included a NZ palantaelogist, discovered bones of ancient crocodiles in NZ lake beds, millions of years old.

So I guess I have a few hours work trying to bring some semblance of order to my research. It proves strong connections and contact to and between the two ANZAC countries that goes back millions of years before Gallipoli itself.

Saturday, July 28, 2007

All New Zealanders will sympathise with the Thorne family...

'New blow for All Blacks great's injured son'

By KRISTIAN SOUTH - Sunday News | Sunday, 29 July 2007

Former All Black Grahame Thorne has suffered further heartache with news his son David will never talk again.


Speaking to Sunday News, the 10-test rugby great told how tests on 21-year-old son David had revealed he had dysphasia.

The condition, caused by head injuries, makes the victim unable to speak or understand words.

"It wasn't good news," Thorne said.

"It's like dyslexia but way worse, because the words simply don't come to you.

"It's like living in a washing machine, you can't isolate sounds.

"It also affects your spatial recognition ... like he can't put the square peg in the round hole.

"Unfortunately, this is just what happens when the carotid artery bursts as the result of a head-high tackle."

David suffered severe brain injuries after a head-high tackle in a club rugby game triggered an on-field stroke in May last year.

After the accident, David quickly regained the use of his legs and was able to play the occasional game of golf with his father.

Thorne said the family had been waiting to hear a long-term prognosis of David's condition and news that he would never talk again was shattering.

"It's sad," he said.

"You always live in hope that he will return to living a normal life."

But the former All Black last night vowed not to give up on his son.

"We'll never say never on him," Thorne said.

"If you've got a son in your life you must do everything in your power to get him right again. We will continue to do everything we can to ensure David keeps on the road to recovery."

The tests at Christchurch Hospital also revealed David was suffering from asphyxia - causing him to have sudden and severe fits.

Thorne said David had three fits in the past three months - the most recent and worrying on Tuesday.

"He was in the bathroom and he fell over and whacked his head, so we've just had to have a whole lot more tests done to make sure his pills are getting into the bloodstream."

Thorne and his wife Briony have moved from Nelson - where Thorne is a city councillor - to Christchurch to help David in his battle against the debilitating illnesses brought on by the stroke.

The couple's move from Nelson has sparked heated debate in the media - with many calling for Thorne to resign from the council, claiming he has neglected his duties.

But big-hearted Thorne last night defended the move, saying that his family came first.

"I feel very embarrassed about it but at the end of the day I've got to look after my family.

"It looks likely that I will resign, though."

Thorne was philosophical about the impact rugby had made on his life.

"Rugby giveth and rugby taketh away," he said.

"Rugby took me right around the world and it has also taken one of my sons who lived for rugby."

'All New Zealanders will sympathise and empathise with the Thorne family'.

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

UFO's over Kaikoura, New Zealand - December 20 1978.







Rense.com
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1978 UFOs Over New Zealand
From Gary Balderson
11-15-3

1978 December 20th - Blenheim Airbase, South Island, New Zealand

Blenheim Airbase sits facing Cloudy Bay and the Cook Strait on the northern tip of the South Island, New Zealand. At eleven o'clock Ian Uffindel of the New Zealand RAF reported unusual lights in the sky: one large and two smaller lights making controlled movements and flying closely together. He added that they were not aircraft. John Cordy at Wellington Air Traffic Control Center (WATCC) confirmed targets on his scopes in the area reported by Uffindel.

This was the first Radar-Visual event (RVE) in these encounters.
1978 December 21st - Cape Campbell, South Island, New Zealand

Witnesses in the Cape Campbell area (45 miles north of Kaikoura) saw lights in the sky behaving in the manner of aircraft involved in a search & rescue operation - as if helicopters were using high-powered spotlights to view the terrain beneath them. WATCC detected three unidentified targets on their radar screens, one of which moved at high speed for 60 nautical miles (nm) and was estimated at the size of a commercial airliner. It stopped abruptly and remained stationary for some time.

(01:20) Captain Vern Powell flying in the area reported to WATCC that he could see bright white lights from an unidentified craft. He likened them to landing lights of aircraft and added that an object appeared on his radar at the same location (RVE).

(03:30) Powell indicated to WATCC that he could now see a bright red light. They confirmed that a target was on their radar to the right of his aircraft at a distance of 23 nm. It paced him for a further 12 nm (RVE).

He called ATC to say that it had changed to an extremely bright light encircled with a red halo and its luminescence was still visible when it passed behind clouds.

WATCC had five strong unidentified targets on their scopes in Powell's vicinity as he approached Christchurch. As he was coming in to land he reported a high-speed target moving at approximately 15,000km/h. It disappeared from his radar but he could still see a flashing white light (RVE).
Later that night a large white orb dramatically buzzed another plane. They could not identify it but reported the encounter to WATCC.





1978 December 30th - Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand

(23:00) A weather balloon was released from Christchurch to detect and record atmospheric conditions.

Wellington, North Island, New Zealand

Investigating the preceding encounters over the Cook Strait area, reporter Quentin Fogarty, cameraman David Crockett and his wife sound recordist Ngaire Crockett boarded an Argosy freight plane with Captain Bill Startup and Co-Pilot Robert Guard. Startup had 23 years experience and 14,000 hours flying time. Guard had 7000 hours flying time.

(23:50) The Argosy crossed the Cook Strait. Startup reported excellent weather conditions: clear with visibility over 30 nm. In fact they could see the lights of Christchurch, which was 150 miles away.

'There is another target that just appeared on your left side at about 1 mile...'
Wellington Air Traffic Control Center

1978 December 31st - Kaikoua Coastline, South Island, New Zealand

(00:05) The pilots first noticed lights near to the Kaikoura coast. These lights projected a beam downwards and then disappeared. The number varied from none, to one, to many. The pilots noted that the strange lights were above the town of Kaikoura but between the aircraft and the ground in the one o'clock position at a distance of 13 nm. (NB - the December 21st sightings above)

(00:12) WATCC radioed confirmation of these lights as targets on their scopes. Indeed those targets had been appearing and disappearing for the past half hour. On duty that night were Air Traffic Controller Geoffrey Causer and Bryan Chalmers, a radar maintenance technician. At this point another aircraft landed at Wellington and from then onwards the Argosy was the only plane in the sky south of Wellington Airbase. Not long afterwards WATCC reported that they had another target in the aircraft's three o'clock position but the crew could see nothing in that direction. The radar target disappeared.

(00:15) The camera crew came up to the cockpit to view the objects.

(00:16) WATCC notified them of a target in their twelve o'clock position at a distance of 10 nm. The crew confirmed - they saw a light in that direction. Startup: 'It was white and not very brilliant and it did not change colour or flicker. To me it looked like the tail light of an aircraft. I'm not sure how long we saw this for. Probably not very long. I did not get a chance to judge its height relative to the aircraft.' (RVE) The light disappeared and WATCC confirmed its disappearance on the next sweep of the radar but they reported a new strong target at their eleven o'clock position at a distance of 3 nm. The Argosy crew saw nothing. WATCC reported a target at nine o'clock at 2 nm. Again the crew could see nothing. Just after this they picked up a target at their ten o'clock position at a distance of 12 nm. The Captain requested permission to turn around to investigate the anomalous targets.

WATCC authorised him with the caution that: 'there is another target that just appeared on your left side at about 1 mile... briefly and then disappearing again.' Although the crew were still witnessing the lights near to Kaikoura, they could see nothing of the new targets reported by Wellington.

Startup put the Argosy in a turn. WATCC reported: 'The target I mentioned a moment ago is still just about 5:00 to you, stationary.' Once more nothing was visible to the crew in that direction. Causer had been picking up appearances and disappearances of targets on the scopes which correlated to the lights viewed by the crew close to Kaikoura.

'There is a strong target right in formation with you. Could be right or left. Your target has doubled in size.'

Wellington Air Traffic Control Center
The Kaikoura Coastline





(00:27) With the Argosy now moving back along its flight path towards Wellington Airbase Causer reported another target in their twelve o'clock position three miles distant. Startup responded: 'We pick it up. It's got a flashing light.' He reported seeing: 'a couple of very bright blue-white lights, flashing regularly at a rapid rate. They looked like the strobe lights of a Boeing 737...' (NB - the Argosy was the only aircraft in the area at the time) (RVE)

(00:28) The Argosy turned back towards Christchurch and WATCC reported that all the targets were now 12 - 15 nm behind them.

(00:29) WATCC notified the pilots of a target one mile behind the aircraft in their six o'clock position, which soon vanished.

(00:30) Another target appeared on the radar at 4 miles behind the plane. It vanished. Next came a target at three o'clock, again at 4 nm.

(00:31) WATCC: 'There is a strong target right in formation with you. Could be right or left. Your target has doubled in size.' This is known as a Double Size Target (DST). Growing increasingly worried the Copilot (Guard) looked out of the right windows and saw a light: 'It was like the fixed navigation lights on a small airplane when one passes you at night. It was much smaller than the really big ones we had seen over Kaikoura. At regular intervals it appeared to flash, but it didn't flash on and off; it brightened or perhaps twinkled around the edges. When it did this I could see a colour, a slight tinge of green or perhaps red. It's very difficult describing a small light you see at night.' (RVE) Startup checked their environment, seeing: coastal lights, and the lights of Japanese squid boats on his far left (east) horizon. He saw no running lights of boats, which implies that there were no boats in the area. When Guard reported the light out of the right hand window, Startup turned off the green navigation light on the right wing to make viewing easier. The town lights of Kaikoura were now behind the mountains and not visible. (Claims were made after this incident that the light witnessed by the crew was a beacon light on the end of the peninsula, but the witnesses testified to the light being level with the plane - ie. well above ground level). Fogarty commented: 'I'm looking over towards the right of the aircraft and we have an object confirmed by Wellington radar. It's been following us for quite a while. It's about four miles away and looks like a very faint star, but then it emits a bright white and green light.' (RVE) Startup then told WATCC: 'Got a target at 3:00 just behind us.' WATCC responded: 'Roger, and going around to 4:00 at 4 miles.'

The Kaikoura Peninsula

(00:33) WATCC informed Christchurch Air Traffic Control (CATCC) that they had a target at five o'clock to the Argosy at a distance of 10 miles. CATCC could not confirm. WATCC said: '...not moving, not too much speed... It is moving in an easterly direction now.'

(00:35) WATCC: 'The target you mentioned, the last one we mentioned, make it 5:00 at 4 miles previously, did you see anything?' Startup: 'We saw that one. It came up at 4:00, I think, around 4 miles away.' WATCC: 'Roger, that target is still stationary. It's now 6:00 to you at about 15 miles and it's been joined by two other targets.' (RVE) (NB - Uffindel's report from Blenheim - above)
(00:36) WATCC informed the Argosy that the three targets had now merged on their scopes. Startup requested permission to do another turn to investigate and permission was granted. Despite this brief investigation, the crew saw nothing.
(00:39) The Argosy continued on its way to Christchurch. CATCC reported to the plane that a target was pacing the aircraft to their west overland. Guard checked the window and saw a rapidly-moving light in that direction. (RVE) The Argosy went on to land at the airbase.

'It turned with us as I changed course... It was making definite movements in relation to us'
--Captain Bill Startup








Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand

(02:00 - 03:00) Dennis Grant replaced Ngaire Crockett, who did not want to return to the area where these Ufos were flying. The Argosy took off again at 2:15am on its return journey.

Not long after take off the crew saw two more objects. David Crockett saw a sphere with lateral lines around it which was spinning. CATCC confirmed that this object was swaying continuously on their scopes for four minutes. The object moved in relation to the aircraft, suggesting intelligent control, and was estimated to be the size of a house.

The crew saw two pulsating lights, one of which suddenly descended in a blurred streak for 1000ft/300m before ascending in a series of jerky movements.

Points To Note

The Royal New Zealand Air Force put a Skyhawk jet fighter on full alert to intercept any other Ufos which might appear.

Examination of the film and computer enhancement concurs that the footage is genuine.

The radar technician, Bryan Chalmers, responsible for maintaining the radar, checked it for evidence of anomalous propogation/refractive beam bending during the sightings. These tests prove that atmospheric refraction could not account for the radar sightings.

Although a dark object against a light sky could be seen from 30 miles or more away, a light object against a dark sky could be seen from more than 100 miles.

Turbulence and atmospheric refraction could to some degree be attributed to the radar angels (unknown targets) towards the coastline. Strong reflectors of radar on the ground might appear to move around on the scope due to the strong refraction. But for this explanation to work off the coast would mean that there were numerous strong reflectors on the ocean spread out over a wide area due to the multitude of targets picked up during the Argosy's flights, which is unlikely given that no running lights could be seen by the cabin crew. Furthermore any boats on the ocean should not have shown up on the radar scope because it has a filter which screens any such targets. The sensitivity of the radar scopes at Wellington means that Clear Air Turbulence (CAT) or birds/insects/weather would not have been detected beyond 50 nm. The Argosy was 82 nm from WATCC at the time of the DST.










Weather 'bomb' over northern New Zealand causes havoc to domestic power supplies... Last week's weather 'bomb' over the northern part of New Zealand had some drastic affects on domestic power supplies; a week later and some people are still getting power supplies restored - almost third worldlike.

Food aid for power victims:

Hundreds of people are being offered generators, food, water or accommodation as Vector struggles to restore power in the Auckland region after last week's storm. Vector was last night unable to say when power would be restored, saying several of the affected homes were remote and needed specialist work to repair the lines. Most of those without power appeared to be on the North Shore and northwest Auckland, with around 140 homes affected. Does it concern anyone that the only people providing numbers is the electricity companies who have a vested interest in minimizing the extent of those without power? The storm took everyone by surprise and it shows how vulnerable we are to climate change and the fierce storms it creates. The power companies told us on the weekend that there were only 140 homes without power, yet Auckland Civil Defense quoted 300 – I don’t think either have any real idea when the power will be on and they certainly aren’t being honest how many people are still in the dark, wait till the anger really starts at the end of the week and people start demanding answers.

Friday, June 29, 2007

New Zealand calling - I have a woolly tale for you...

It was during the 1980's that one of the largest carpet manufacturer's in New Zealand received two major orders for pure woollen carpets.

The first was from the White House in Washington DC, for Shagpile carpet for President and Mrs Reagan.

The second was from Buckingham Palace in London, England, for Virgin wool carpet for Prince Charles and his new bride, Princess Dianna.

The two orders were speedily expedited, and delivered post haste.However during delivery the carpet factory's despatch department noted an error: The Shagpile was sent to London, and the Virgin wool to Washington.

The First Lady and a Princess share a secret!

A woolly joke, perhaps? All the way from New Zealand!




My Write Niche

Monday, June 4, 2007

My new " Write Niche " site - my Kiwi blogsite...

My new "Write Niche" site - my Kiwi blogsite...

I have just joined a new niche blogsite - my "Write Niche" site. This site is designed for niche blogging; there are thousands of other blogsites out there for general blogging interests.

This gives me the opportunity to blog about my favourite subject - my beloved little country down in the South Pacific.

So if you are interested, or even just a bit curious why not pop over for a visit. Have a read and make some comments. I would appreciate it very much.

With the change to wintery conditions, there is an opportunity for a few topics to write about; our weather has that effect on us.

So come back here occasionally too, and make a date to visit my Write Niche blogsite.


My Write Niche

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Electricity changes - seeing a new light!

Electricity changes in New Zealand - seeing a new light ahead!

The old standard incandescent light bulb could be banned here and replaced by the dearer but longer lasting energy efficient compact florescent bulb.While the immediate price comparison is $6.83 to a budget $1.00 100w, the florescentbulbs have a 9 year life and only use 20% of the energy of the incadescent bulbs.

The New Zealand Government suggested that its incadescent bulbs could be phased out in 2-3 years. NZ could follow Australia's lead which will see new new lighting standards by 2010, which would reduce energy costs and cut Australian greenhouse gas emissions by 4 million tonnes by 2012.

A director of Enegy Mad, the company that made the new Eco bulbs, said he wouldn't be surprised if New Zealand followed Australia's very bold move.

He claimed households could cut their power bill by 10% or $150.00 a year if they used the energy saving bulbs.

Nationwide savings could be $225 million a year and cut carbon emissions much more than the suggested ministerial car fleet replacement.

He claimed the new bulbs in homes now were already saving 60,000- 70,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year, and a zero could be added to that if the whole country changed over.

The state of California has also moved to phase out incadescent bulbs by 2012 under a proposed " How many legislators does it take to change a light bulb Act".

Tuesday, February 6, 2007

Agloco is the first Internet based economic network...would you like to visit?

Agloco is the first Internet based economic network...
Agloco is the first Internet based economic network, which enables you as a Member to Get your share of the internet. Sound good?
Agloco is a global community of Internet users whose members can be paid for All of their online activity.Sounding even better?
While present in beta, their will be a downloadable Viewbar which will record all your time on the Internet, regardless of what activity you are involved with - you use, you benefit! Sounding fantastic?
It does to me and I'm inviting to use my referal link to visit, appraise and join up to Agloco if you like the sound of it!
You use the Internet - companies make money - companies pay Agloco - Agloco pays you! That sounds absolutely fantastic to me!
My url: www.agloco.com/r/bbbvo370

Sunday, January 28, 2007

A clean and green New Zealand moves on into the 21st Century

Not a sleepy hollow anymore that was closed at the weekends - a clean and green New Zealand moves on into the 21st Century.
There was a time I still remember rather nostalgically as a ten year old boy, when visitors to these green and beautiful shores would rather facetiously claim that NZ was closed down on the weekends. These were carefree days - like it or lump it; we lived on a sheep's back and had the second or third highest per capita living standard in the whole world. We welcomed American servicemen occasionally - two American dollars didn't match a Kiwi Pound (the exchange rate was seventeen and sixpence, or a dollar seventy five) and we saw new drinks called Coca Cola and Pepsi Cola, and American Ice Cream; Kiwi ice cream was and still is better than the American variety.
We had Saturday shopping at suburban New Brighton in Christchurch, and later there was the same at Paraparaumu out west on the Kapiti Coast up from Wellington.Those two places shut down on Mondays instead.You could go swimming or sunbathing at the beach and go shopping on the way home. No supermarkets or shopping malls those days, thank God!
The major cities weren't overpopulated either. Immigrants came mainly from Britain and some from Holland those days. Over the ditch in Aussie Italian immigrants thought they were a weird mob, and Greek fishermen and fish shops were probably ten to one more than the Kiwi variety. We had tens of millions of sheep with a human population of just over two million; crime stats included 1-2 murders for the whole country, and New Zealanders left their doors unlocked when they went shopping.
Rugby Union, as now,netball and cricket were the most popular sports, basketball was an oddity, but there was some softball introduced by visiting American servicemen at the Antarctic "Deep Freeze" Base in Christchurch, which spread north eventually.Rugby league has always been a minor sport here; we actually introduced the sport to the Aussies early in the 20th Century.
Kiwis were always good athletes who developed a number of world class runners in the 1960's and 70's, people like triple gold medalist Peter Snell and 5,000 metre gold medalist, Murray Halberg and of course, another Olympic Gold Medalist, John Walker a little later on in the 70's. Of course we competed well in Commonwealth Games too, but left all the swimming to the Aussies who learned to swim extra fast at their shark infested beaches. LOL.
We loved the outdoors as well - swimming at the beaches and our pristine rivers, great trout and salmon fishing; hunting in the bush and mountains; boating; picnicking and camping out too in the holidays. There was no competition from television those days. We kids went to the morning or afternoon movies, the "pictures" we called them then, and watched all the serials and cowboys and Indians films. Native Americans just doesn't have the same ring to it? These were great pastimes and great times for Kiwi kids and Kiwi adults too!
Not any more I'm afraid. Some time after Britain joined the Common Market and the fabulous 1960's arrived along with The Beatles, and then the Vietnam War, things changed, New Zealand changed, western society changed, and the world changed forever.Kiwis still do all the great things I described, we are still a great sporting nation - the All Blacks rugby side is still the best all round national team, and we still love to kick our Aussie cousins in the backside occasionally, outside of rugby. We have won the Americas Cup twice, to Aussies once - and we had to rescue our Aussie cousins in one race when their boat sank! I don't think they have ever reclaimed that boat; its still in Davy Jones' Locker. LOL
We have come out of our shells as a nation, matured as a society and joined the rest of the western world in a whole manner of things that are described in the annual statistics.Our population has doubled to four and a quarter million since the wonderful fifties. We don' rank among the leaders in the per capita stakes anymore, but regardless of greenhouse gases and global warming of today, we are still one of the greenest places around. The clean and green image is pretty well earned, but we have our moments.
As a Kiwi recently it has been the images of dead and maimed children that are nightmarish, the body in a suitcase floating in Auckland Harbour; or poor little Liam, the ADHD affected 17 year old youth murdered in a security van on the way to a remand prison; or the local quad bike rider who ran into New Zealand's most wanted murderer the other week and never went home to his young children. These are stories I have written and posted in recent months. I have another to write about in coming days. There were other shocking stories I could have, but didn't write about.
There is a common thread running through these stories of mine about murders occuring in the land we once called Godzone. We as a developed and growing western society have to accept the fact that drugs are rampant in our society, as elsewhere in the west. "P" a form of methamphetamine is a factor in nearly every one of these homicides. Another fact is that cannabis/ marijuana has been the gateway drug for all of these meth. involved murders! That is a fact!
I hope you enjoyed my little nostalgic look into my beloved country's past.Have a happy day and happy blogging!

Friday, January 26, 2007

huttriver8 has been born!

Huttriver8 has been born and will seek a place in the blogesphere!
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