Tomorrow is Anzac Day in NZ and Aussie...

I posted about ANZAC Day down under a few weeks ago, when we honour our fallen heroes from all wars on April 25 every year.

In Returned Services Association clubs in New Zealand, and Returned Services League clubs in Australia - up and down and way across each country, returned services personnel and their families will attend 'dawn parades' and return to their clubs to socialise and have a drink in memory of those who have passed on.

Most countries have similar memorials, but Anzac Day just keeps getting stronger as the youth of both countries continue to take an interest in the past, and consider why their ancestors were prepared to give up their lives for King and Country ninety years ago in a land on the other side of the globe.

Each year hundreds of New Zealanders and Australians make the pilgrimage to Gallipoli in Turkey where the ANZACS stormed ashore under fire in what is now called Anzac Cove, and visit the memorials and cemetries of fallen New Zealanders, Australians, British, Indians, and Turks as well.

He should get a life...

Wayne Robinson, Stokes Valley, Hutt News, 16-4-2008.

He should get a life and face the realities of modern politics. Honesty, integrity and decency went out the door with Robert Muldoon - 1975-84; and Jim Bolger/ Jenny Shipley - 1990-99. The worst aspects of corruption occurred during these terms of government, remembering the New Right held sway during the latter. Don't bother to mention the Lange government because that was very much an ACT Party experiment.

The Electoral Finance Act doesn't affect me as an individual or other individuals. The criticism of this Act is a crock! What it will prevent is corrupt National supporters like the hypocritical Exclusive Brethren from trying to steal another election through corruption, lack of decency, integrity and honesty. Amen!

There have been great achievements during the three terms of this Labour - led Government. Yes, there has been controversy and some inept ministers have been given the boot or been replaced for a variety of reasons. At least they have been dealt with, and not tolerated like some permanently inebriated National cabinet ministers of the past.

I suggest that Wayne Robinson does his homework in future before bursting into print as a spokesman for the Stokes Valley branch of the National Party, who until recently held their meetings in a phone box in Stokes Valley Road.

KIWI RIVERMAN

KIWI RIVERMAN

KIWI RIVERMAN

KIWI RIVERMAN

Concerns for missing Lower Hutt man...

Lower Hutt man's disappearance a mystery...

Police are looking for Lower Hutt man Harold Skudder, who has not been seen by his family since late January; concern is mounting for his safety. He was last seen at the Taita shopping centre.



Harold Skudder has not been seen since late January. Police and his family are puzzled by his disappearance.

Detective Sergeant Dean Simpson says the 38-year-old has no permanent home and was last seen by relatives in the Taita shopping centre. He says Mr Skudder has family in the Lower Hutt and Te Puke areas, but has not been in contact with anyone and his family would just like to know that he is safe.

He is described as Maori, thinly built, of medium height, with heavily tattooed hands and arms. When last seen he had long grey hair and a grey beard.

Two Anzac soldiers on guard at the bridge - Part 1...

First published at Quassia:

A bronze sculpture of a New Zealand World War 1 soldier on Sydney's Anzac bridge will be dedicated at a special ceremony by New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, on April 27 this year, 2008.

The New Zealand statue will join a statue of an Australian digger which has been on guard at the western end of the bridge since 2000.

The New Zealand Government has paid $386,000 towards the cost of the statue of the New Zealand soldier. The bond is complete!

The ANZAC Bridge