Selwyn Times: December 19, 2018

SELWYN TIMES Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
Wednesday December 19 2018 3
News
Victim of vandalism
‘swamped’ with Xmas good will
• By Emily O’Connell
A ROLLESTON woman has
been “swamped” with donations
and offers of help after the
Christmas lights she put up in
memory of her late husband
were vandalised.
Kay Dawe, 67, has been
installing Christmas lights at her
house on Overbury Cres since
she moved there 12 years ago.
She says her late husband Peter
loved Christmas and always
went out of his way to make the
season special.
When he died from a sudden
heart attack in 2014, Mrs Dawe
decided to continue the tradition
alone.
After finishing her display for
this year, Mrs Dawe woke last
Saturday to find smashed lights
on her doorstep, on her property
and on the road. There were also
road cones placed on her lawn.
“It took about two weeks to
put them all up and then for
somebody to do that, that’s what
makes you disappointed,” she
said.
It is the third time in the 12
years Mrs Dawe’s lights have
been vandalised or stolen.
She estimates this year’s
damage to be about $100, but
says it’s not about the money.
Mrs Dawe reported the
previous two incidents to the
police but said this time she
decided to make a post on the
Rolleston Community Page on
Facebook instead.
“I just put it on Facebook and
then was absolutely swamped by
all this reaction and it was just
amazing. I just felt so humbled
by what the community is like
out here,” Mrs Dawe said.
She received offers of money,
vouchers, Christmas lights, help
with installation and repairs, but
didn’t take them up as she had
already fixed the display herself.
“A lady came to my door with
a box of homemade Christmas
2019
ON THE DOMAIN LINCOLN 2 MARCH 2019
INCIDENT:
Rolleston
resident Kay
Dawe holding
some of the
Christmas
lights
which were
vandalised
last Saturday.
baking and then a man came
with a box of chocolates and a
box of lights,” Mrs Dawe said.
Although she suggested in the
Facebook post this could be her
last year putting up Christmas
lights, Mrs Dawe says she is “not
giving in yet.”
“I say that every year – I’ve
said that for 12 years but I keep
going,” she said.
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www.selwynsounds.co.nz
Former district
council adviser
facing court
• By Sophie Cornish
A FORMER district council
staff member is facing the courts
on fraud and theft charges.
Lisa Elanie Larkin, 51, has
been charged with theft by a
person in a special relationship,
using forged documents,
causing loss by deception and
accessing a computer system for
dishonesty.
Two charges relate to the district
council, and two to Selwyn
SeniorNet, which Larkin was
involved with during her time at
the district council.
It is alleged just over $18,000
was taken from the Selwyn
SeniorNet account. The alleged
offending was detected when
police began investigating
matters specific to the district
council.
Larkin, who was a community
development adviser, resigned
from the district council in
April.
Larkin is currently on bail. A
case review will be held in the
Christchurch District Court in
March.
Save a trip to town
and see your orthodontist
in Rangiora
Orthodontist Phil Murfitt holds
fortnightly clinics at Good Street
Dental, 19 Good Street
in Rangiora.
For appointments or
enquiries please visit:
www.philmurfitt.co.nz
Quail Island
Adventures
Get the kids into nature and head to
Quail Island! A great day trip to a real
island with a fascinating history, in the
heart of Lyttelton Harbour. Just a 15
minute ferry ride from Lyttelton.
Book the DOC hut to stay overnight
(via DOC website).
SCHEDULE FREQUENCY DEPART LYTTELTON DEPART QUAIL ISLAND
Oct & Nov Daily 10.20am 3.30pm
Dec – Mar Daily 10.20am, 12.20pm 12.30pm, 3.30pm
Apr – Sep Weekends only 10.20am 3.30pm
blackcat.co.nz
book 0800 436 574
online
CRUISES
LYTTELTON & AKAROA
‘Under 5’s
free
on all trips,
all year!
FARE
Adult $30 Child $15