10 Aug 2009

Morning Report: local papers

7:00 am on 10 August 2009

Monday's papers: NZ pilot was flying helicopter in fatal collision with plane over Hudson River in New York; cyber criminals feared in Dunedin; Rimutaka Prison officer accused of affair with violent criminal.

NZ Herald

The New Zealand Herald describes a 'tsunami of university students,' with budgets said to be at breaking point as young people unable to find work, flock to tertiary study.

Candles were lit and tears flowed in South Auckland on Sunday night for the children and mothers missing since the Princess Ashika ferry sank in Tonga.

And a woman, 32, will appear in court on Monday following the death of a Northland girl, aged two years.

Dominion Post

The Dominion Post reports a female Rimutaka Prison officer has been suspended on full pay, accused of having an affair with a violent criminal.

Also on the front page: Jeremy Clark, 33, of New Zealand was flying the helicopter that was in a fatal collision with a plane over New York's Hudson River on Saturday.

Education Minister Anne Tolley says eight rural schools in the Tararua district pegged for closure will remain open as long as the community wants them.

The Press

The Press has more on the New York air crash: it says Mr Clarke's sightseeing helicopter - carrying five Italian tourists - was apparently hit from behind by a small private plane.

David Bain is starting a new life overseas. As he left New Zealand for the United Kingdom at the weekend, a legal team was preparing a case for compensation for the 13 years spent in prison after being convicted of murdering his Dunedin family on 20 June 1994.

ODT

The Otago Daily Times reports cyber criminals could exploit plans for a free wireless internet service in Dunedin and leave Dunedin City Council legally responsible for their nefarious behaviour.

Greg King, one of the lawyers acting for convicted murderer Clayton Weatherston, says there is a "huge level of public ignorance" about the relationship between lawyers and their clients. He blames, in part, fictional television programmes such as Boston Legal.