11 May 2010

Morning Report: local papers

7:37 am on 11 May 2010

Tuesday's headlines: Stabbed teacher yelled to his class to get out as blood dripped from his wounds; Lovelock Avenue in Dunedin Botanic Garden to be realigned; $5 tickets offered to unemployed for the Crusaders v Brumbies match.

NZ Herald

Under a banner headline reading 'Two High Schools Share Grief', The New Zealand Herald describes how a Te Puke high school teacher was forced to yell at the rest of his class to get out on Monday, even as blood dripped from his wounds.

The teacher had been about to start maths class when a boy, aged 13, attacked him with a 10cm kitchen knife.

Also on the front page: the mother of a King's College student - spurred by the death of James Webster, 16 - has written to Prime Minister John Key demanding action from the Government over New Zealand's youth drinking culture.

James died in his sleep at the weekend after drinking outside a birthday party. Both Mr Key's son and the son of Dr Margaret Abercrombie also attend King's College.

The Dominion Post

The Dominion Post reports two Martinborough businessmen who took part in a vigilante clash in which teenagers were attacked with batons and a gun was fired, have walked free.

Describing Stephen Hose as a popular and laidback teacher, the paper says the Te Puke stabbing is the latest in a frightening rise in classroom violence.

The Press

The Press reports police in Canterbury used a Taser for the first time, firing at a knife-wielding man who wanted the officers to shoot him.

All Whites bolter Aaron Clapham is ecstatic after the Canterbury United star was selected for the World Cup squad on Monday.

Also in sport: unemployed Cantabrians have been offered $5 tickets for the Crusaders' must-win rugby match against the Brumbies on Friday night.

ODT

The Otago Daily Times reports a debate over the realignment of Lovelock Ave ended on Monday with a close vote. Mayor Peter Chin used his casting ballot to make sure the $1 million project was passed.

Lovelock Avenue runs through the Dunedin Botanic Garden and managers want it realigned to allow more room for the Rhododendron Dell, propagation houses and administration buildings.