Thursday, March 27, 2008

New Zealand: Physical Descriptions.








New Zealand: Physical Descriptions.


First published on Qassia:

New Zealand comprises the North and South Islands( the two main islands)and a host of smaller islands including Stewart/Rakiura,Waiheke, and the offshore Chatham Islands.Tokelau and Ross are dependencies. Extensive areas of New Zealand have been set aside as national parks, including Fiordland,Mount Cook/ Aoraki and Tongariro.
Protected offshore islands and oceanic reserves ensure New Zealand's unique plants and wildlife are preserved. New Zealand's wildlife includes the kiwi, a flightless bird, after which both the people and fruit are named. There are also unique varietes of parrots,frogs and reptiles. New Zealand has no native land mammals other than bats. There are no snakes.

The North Island has New Zealand's largest lake, Taupo(606sq km), longest river Waikato(425km), and most of the country's active volcanoes - Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro - all of them quiet. Hot springs, geysers and mudpools also form part of the volcanic system around Rotorua.

In the South Island, one of the most striking features is the Southern Alps. These, along with fiords, glaciers and lakes, and the coastal plains of Canterbury and Southland, add to the variety of the South Island's scenery.New Zealand's deepest lake(Hauroko 462m)and deepest cave(Nettlebed, 889m)are also located in the South island.

More than 70% of the population live in 16 urban areas.

English is the everyday language of New Zealand. English, Maori(TeRero) and New Zealand sign Language are recognised as official languages.. One third of New Zealanders are not statistically recognised as having an affiliation with any religion. the largest denominations are Anglican, Catholic and Presbyterian.

Sport and cultural activities are important aspects of New Zealand life. Most children participate in some form of organised sport from primary school onwards - rugby union in winter, and cricket in summer, are the two main sports of many in New Zealand. 93% of 15 year olds were involved in at lest one cultural activity.

The Green Blog - World of Conservation and Ecology

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Hippo swallows dwarf - a most tragic accident in Thailand...


Hippo swallows dwarf - a most tragic accident in Thailand...

A hippopotomus reportedly swallowed a dwarf in a circus in northern Thailand.

The dwarf nicknamed "Od", died when he bounced sideways from a trampoline and was swallowed by a yawning hippo, which was waiting for the next act.
Vets on the scene said Hilda the Hippo had a gag reflex that caused her to automatically swallow.

The vets also claimed it was the first time Hilda had ever eaten a circus performer. We hope it is the first and last time!

Unfortunately the 1000 odd spectators continued to applaud wildly, but fortunately commonsense prevailed. There had been a tragic mistake.

THAI police said the trampoline would be sent for a forensic analysis.

Update to story:

While there was some doubt about the veracity of this story, a Google search has discovered a link which claims this story is in fact true.It allegedly occurred on 15 July 1999. However the story is missing from the link. I have emailed the Darwin site and complained that the story was withdrawn.


The Green Blog - World of Conservation and Ecology

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

What is family?


What Is Family?

Family are the shouts in the dark that keep you awake

trying to be invisible under your blankets.

Family is the warm heart you run to

when everyone else at the rink skates too fast

and you've cut your knees on the ice.

Family are given to you at birth

with your eyes and lips and nose.

They will stick to you wherever you go

and shape how you see

and what you say

and how you are seen

forever.

Family are found new each day

wherever you put your heart last.

Family are the people you share bread with,

and whoever you share the lack of bread with.

Sometimes your family aren't people.

Family is whoever lives under the tent of your soul.

Your family can be as big as you are,

and from birth to death, your real, real family

are the ones who make you grow bigger.


poem by Anitra L. Freeman from "Families of Poems":


Compliments of Elaine Winchester
Wellington,NZ.

The Green Blog - World of Conservation and Ecology

Monday, March 24, 2008

So you want to give up smoking...


So you want to give up smoking?

Are you sure? Because it is all in the mind. Patches, gum or whatever just help you to wean yourself off nicotine.

You have to prepare yourself psychologically to give up. You have to convince yourself, not your partners or friends, but you, I and me that you want to give up for good!

Back in 1991 after smoking for over 30 years, starting as a stupid little moronic 14 year old, I made the decision to give up smoking, and did so; never having even a puff of a cigarette since. Let me tell you one of my great pleasures in life was my Christmas Day cigar!

Early in 1991 I went down to our local pharmacist and asked about the new anti-smoking tool - nicotine patches. He told me that they had been so,so popular and had run out. There would be a delay of three months before the supplier from Switzerland would have more. It was Nicotinelle or something similar.

Well I had three months to think about it.

Three months later I returned to my pharmacist and purchased my first month's supply of patches.

There was a twelve week course, done monthly with a weaker dose each month.

After ten weeks I did not need any more patches, and didn't use the last two weeks dose.

I have never, I repeat, I have never had a puff of a cigarette, and didn't weaken on Christmas Day and have a cigar.

My biggest test was when I went down to the local rugby club for a few drinks - I just ate a few more peanuts with my beer.

As John Wayne used to say: well there pilgrim, what do you have to say about that?

The Green Blog - World of Conservation an Ecology

Monday, March 17, 2008

Japanese deny paying off delegates...


Japanese deny paying off delegates...

First published at Qassia:

Japan has denied paying off delegates of small states to attend international whaling talks. Japan has long been accused of vote-buying as developing states with little background or tradition join the international body.

Hideki Moreonuki, the whale chief at Japan's Fisheries Agency, flatly denied the accusation. Corruption claims?

However, Solomon Islands prime minister, Derek Sikua, said Japan offered to fund its delegates to attend the recent IWC meeting in London, but he rejected it and didn't attend.

I wonder who is right, and who is wrong. It would be good to be a fly on the wall!




The Green Blog - World of Conservation and Ecology

Sunday, March 9, 2008

Captured New Zealand wife-killer suspect has arrived back in the country...


New Zealand wife-killer suspect back in the country...

First published on Qassia:

Captured New Zealand wife-killer suspect has arrived back in the country accompanied by four American escorts from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency. The Chinese man who was formerly on 'America's Most Wanted' television program was arrested in Georgia after being detained by six members of the local Chinese community.
Nai Yin Xue from Auckland in New Zealand had fled to Melbourne,Australia, after allegedly killing his wife An An Liu, whose body was later found in the boot of a car outside the family home in the suburb of Mount Roskill.

Xue took his young daughter,Quian Xun Xue, to a Melbourne train station, where he abandoned her and fled by air to California. CCTV footage showed him leaving his daughter at the station. His daughter became known worldwide as little "Pumpkin". She was later taken to Auckland and was released in the custody of her maternal grandmother by a NZ Family Court. She was taken to China by her grandmother.

Two New Zealand policemen flew to the US last week to gather evidence against Xue,but were not involved in his return to New Zealand. Xue's deportation was handled by the American Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency.

He has appeared in a NZ district court and been charged with murder. NZ police had worked hard during the five months Xue was on the loose preparing for his inevitable arrest and murder charge.

NZ police are keen for the group of Chinese in Georgia who captured Xue, to receive the $10,000 reward offered for his capture.

There is also a rumour that his late wife was pregnant when he allegedly murdered her. Any official discussion of this could prejudice the case against Xue.



Contributor's Note
He has been charged with the murder of his wife. This story is not yet finished.

My Qassia Link

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Now we can truly say goodbye, little Pumpkin...


Little Pumpkin's father, Nai Yin Xue, is to be deported back to New Zealand because he has basically overstayed a 90 day visitors visa. This will take up to 14 days.

He is now in the hands of the US Immigration and Customs Departments and will not be able to challenge their rulings. This will prevent Xue from legally challenging an extradition order which could have taken months,or possibly years with the right legal team.

Mr Xue should be back in New Zealand soon facing prosecution for the murder of his wife, Anan Liu, the mother of "Little Pumpkin", Quian Xun Xue.

Xue allegedly killed his wife, stuffed her body in the boot of a car outside the family home in Auckland, NZ, and kidnapped his daughter, taking her to Melbourne, Australia, and abandoned her at a train station. He then took a flight to California, USA.

Quian Xun Xue is now safely living in China with her maternal grandmother, after a NZ Family Court granted the grandmother custody of her granddaughter some months ago.

The deportation of Xue back to NZ, and his prosecution will result in closure for little Quian who became known as "Little Pumpkin" through television and Melbourne CCCTV rail station footage - she was wearing a distinguishable style of 'Pumpkin Patch' children's clothing.

Now we can now truly say goodbye little Pumpkin. Closure at last,little one!

My Qassia