The Earth moves

Earthquake: We had what was a bit of a jolt a couple of weeks ago when we were around at Sarahs. We didn't think anything of it at the time, but Christine then noticed quite a sizable crack under one of the windows and we then found another one in the bedroom. We contacted the Earthquake Commission who today sent a chap (named Wayne) around and he immediately found several cracks that we hadn't even noticed - then again he had a spotlight to have really close look.

He seemed very efficient but the other day the Commission sent out a form for us to send to our Insurance Company. I had to phone them as I couldn't understand the letter but it seems they attached the wrong letter. Since they had all the details and our Insurance Company just has to sign it why they didn't just send it direct defeated me.

Anyway we will see what happens as they now send somebody around to estimate the costs of repair - we have to meet the first $200-00.

Other disasters: For many years now Rotary has put together Emergency Boxes for disasters, mainly in the Pacific - they are stopgaps until real help arrives. They have inside them clothes, hammers, saws, nails, blankets, paper, plastic stuff, matches, candles,water bottles, pots, pans, billy's etc. Worth about $600 each. We have always put in some secondhand stuff - old T shirts, hammer, spades, etc but we are now told they have to be all new goods and set standards have to be met. So from now on they will be professionally completed at a cost to the taxpayer of $90,000 pa. Madness again. was costing nothing - now $90K.

So no more involvement of Rotary.

On that front, following the Tsnami in Samoa I have just read a report about Rotary up there. They went up to help but bureaucratic delays meant the help couldn't get to the people needing it. As an example the Samoan Government sat on the Emergency Boxes while they dithered about in letting them into the country, so a whole day was wasted in getting help to those in need. It is times like that when you need a competent Dictator.

ACC: The Government say the ACC is broke and the levies must go up. This is despite the fact that they took in $300 million more than they paid out last year. I heard the new Chairman going on about how it has to be fully funded (and Labour also believe this). Most independent commentators don't. I still think it is a softening up to privatise it and of course in 20 years when a private insurer goes belly up the taxpayer has to fund it.

Still not in the late 20th Century: A question was to be asked in the House of Commons and the Government tried to have it kept secret but it was all over the Net and Twitter. Why they try to act as if it is still 1950 is beyond me.

Current events: The AB team was named and still odd. 3 First Fives, one Centre, only two hookers. Rocket Man Joe out at last but Ellis at half ahead of Mathewson. No Hosea Gear. Still odd. At the quiz we have done well, took part of the Bonus last week and were second and this week came first. No music which helps us.