2 Mar 2009

Morning Report: local papers

6:59 am on 2 March 2009

Monday's papers: Police called to schools about 40 times every week; Dunedin beaches remain open despite sewage being visible in the water; Arthur Allan Thomas in Christchurch to support David Bain at his retrial.

NZ Herald

The New Zealand Herald says police are being called to schools about 40 times every week of the school year to deal with behaviour teachers say they cannot handle.

Figures obtained under the Official Information Act show officers were called 1658 times last year to deal with violence, drugs or sex offences.

Also on the front page: a proposed "three strikes" automatic prison law could breach fundamental human rights, according to legal advice given to the Government.

Health officials are to check more than 60 cough and flu medications linked to dozens of deaths in the United Kingdom.

Dominion Post

The Dominion Post says dozens of newborn babies are being taken from their mothers every year because of fears for their safety.

Child, Youth & Family took 66 babies less than a month old into its care last year.

A one-day cricket match this week against India in Wellington will have increased security after the Indian players protested about a bottle being thrown on to the field during a Twenty:20 match on Friday night.

The Press

The Press reports Prime Minister John Key says the Government wants to fast-track $65 million per year funding so youngsters "won't have to stay at school studying Shakespeare to further their education".

New Zealand's most famous innocent man has added his name to those supporting David Bain at his retrial which is due to begin on Friday. Arthur Allan Thomas, who's now 71, arrived in Christchurch on Sunday.

ODT

The Otago Daily Times says one of Air New Zealand's largest clients, the University of Otago, may choose to fly with another carrier following the airline's decision to suspend trans-Tasman flights from Dunedin.

St Clair and St Kilda beaches remained open at the weekend despite sewage being visible in the water.

A Bay of Plenty family could inherit a section valued at up to $220,000 if they prove they are the only descendants of a 19th-century matriarch who is still the registered proprietor of land at Cardrona.