In brief

Press, 26 October 1989, Page 18

In brief

Violence in taxis

Taxi drivers are being told to hand over their money and car if necessary when threatened by violent passengers. After the recent killing of a New Plymouth cabbie, the Taxi Federation’s secretary, Mr George Tyler, said: “You only have one chance at life — you can’t replace it. If you’re ever faced with trouble then give up the money, the car or anything, but don’t take a chance. In my 20 years in taxis six drivers have been killed — which is a fairly high rate for one occupation.” Mr Tyler said increasingly-fearful drivers would quit night shifts.

Quake off east coast

A small earthquake measuring about 4.2 on the Richter scale shook parts of the North Island yesterday, the D.S.I.R. says. The earthquake occurred off the east coast of the North Island, about 70km east of Waipukurau, at 6.12 a.m., the D.S.I.R. said in a statement. It was felt at Dannevirke, Raumati and Wellington, but there were no reports of damage.—PA.

Deregulation concerns

The Post Office Union is concerned about the Government’s plan to deregulate the airwaves. The general secretary, Mr Graham Needham, said the Government’s plan was ill-conceived, costly and did not have sufficient safeguards to protect the long-term interests of telecommunications users. The right of owners of the radio spectrum to on-sell would mean the Government would lose control of this “valuable natural resource.” The union was also worried about the cost of maintaining and running rural telecommunication services—PA.

Hospital sale delayed

The sale of Wellcare Hospital in Wellington has been delayed while problems with the lease are sorted out with Maori landowners, the chairman of Wellcare, Mr Michael Shanahan, said yesterday. A consortium of Tauranga and Wellington surgeons has made a conditional offer to buy the financially-troubled hospital for just over $3 million. The deal was to be finalised yesterday. Yesterday morning the consortium was given a week’s extension, Mr "Shanahan said—PA.