In brief

Press, 19 December 1989, Page 6

In brief

Santa tragedy A Christmas gala near Whakatane ended in tragedy on Sunday evening when a boy, aged four, was killed by a fire engine carrying Santa Claus. He was Daniel James Hurren. The boy was in a crowd of children watching Santa’s arrival at the Marae Totara Reserve at Ohope when he fell under the fire engine and was crushed, a Whakatane police spokesman said.— PA. Surf patrols Paid surf lifeguards began work yesterday on a quiet day for Christchurch beaches. Twenty lifeguards will patrol 10 Christchurch beaches this summer, working from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. The squad’s co-ordina-tor, Mr Geoff Barry, said it was wet and cold on the beaches yesterday. Although a few people were walking their dogs, no-one braved the water. The patrolled beaches are Taylors Mistake, Sumner, South Brighton, New Brighton, North Beach, Waimairi, Spencer Park, Pines Beach, Woodend, and Waikuku Beach. The professional lifeguards are employed for the duration of the school holidays. A.I.D.S. study An A.I.D.S-. Foundation regional co-ordinator, Mr David Verrail, of Dunedin, has been awarded a Nuffield British Council travelling bursary. Mr Verrall said he will use the bursary to study the effect of A.I.D.S. on the homosexual community and among intravenous drug users in Britain. He is planning a threemonth trip and will investigate community support services provided to A.I.D.S. sufferers and for those with the A.I.D.S. virus.—PA. Tapsell again The Minister of Sports, Mr Tapsell, has confirmed he will stand for re-election next year. Dr Tapsell, the member of Parliament for Eastern Maori, entered Parliament in 1981. He had a majority of 8696 at the last election. Five Cabinet ministers have so far announced their intentions to retire at the next election. They are the Minister of Police, Mr Douglas, the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises, Mr Rodger, the Minister of Defence, Mr Tizard, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Marshall and the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Moyle.—PA. Extradition bid A former Hamilton man has been remanded in custody for 15 days pending his extradition, or appeal against extradition, from Melbourne to face sex charges in New Zealand. Bernard Cedric Mitchem, aged 47, was arrested in Victoria on an extradition warrant. Mitchem faces one charge of sexual violation between January, 1983, and January, 1986, and one of indecent assault between February, 1986, and December, 1987. Both offences are alleged to have taken place in Hamilton.—PA.