Richard
Moore's Straight Talk Columns
Getting the facts together next time
26/7/2011
IT
IS fair to say that former Tauranga City councillor Hayden Evans
was under the gun for much of his term in office.
Evans, an engineer, often queried decisions on council spending,
getting offside with some fellow councillors and staff in the process.
Although, it has to be added, the councillor did not help himself
on occasions - such as drink-driving, refusing to pay rates after
a dispute over use of his land or secretly recording fellow councillors
after a series of leaks about his personal information.
The
most serious of the incidents that drew publicity for Evans was
two years ago when police seized his gun collection - a semi-automatic
AK-47 rifle, a .22 rifle and a shotgun - saying he was unfit to
hold a weapons licence.
Evans,
a former soldier, said it was political payback for annoying several
fellow councillors and he had evidence to back up that claim.
The
names of the complainants are included in documents police used
when taking his guns, some of them were people on Tauranga City
Council and within Tauranga police.
Those
complaints were laid within 24 hours of Evans admitting he had recorded
conversations in the councillors' lounge.
One
other person named was involved in personal disputes with Evans.
Last
week, Evans travelled back from Perth, where he is now living and
working, to a civil court appeal to get his guns back. The court
case was adjourned because police did not have the paperwork ready
to proceed.
Western
Bay police commander Inspector Mike Clement said the hearing of
the appeal was originally set down for last Tuesday's court sitting,
but both parties had a view on how it should proceed.
``I
went along prepared to give the evidence based on the information
given to me by the witnesses, but he wants the witnesses there in
person,'' Mr Clement said.
This
is the fourth time that Evans has appeared in court and the fourth
time police have not had the paperwork ready for him to appeal against.
Judge
Robert Wolff has said the appeal is de novo, or from the beginning,
which means all claims against Evans have to be presented freshly
and so statements to police must be presented as sworn affidavits,
or evidence in chief, and not just hearsay.
Several
questions come to mind about this case.
If
it was such an open and shut matter why have the police not got
their evidence together, despite court orders, in four court appearances?
Would
a member of the public be given such leniency?
And
why would a man living and working in another country undergo huge
expense to return here to get his guns returned?
Judge
Wolff posed that question to Evans who said he was also fighting
to clear his name.
The
case is set down for a return bout on September 12 and, hopefully,
we'll find out exactly what is what.
*******
IT
ALWAYS was going to happen but, as a fan, I really hoped Amy Winehouse
wouldn't join the ranks of musical stars killed by over-indulgence
in drugs and alcohol.
The
Grammy-award winning artist was a fabulous talent - just listen
to her Back to Black CD - but she clearly was deeply troubled.
Nicknamed
the Train Wreck, the beehive-haired singer had so much ability and
yet was unable to beat her demons.
One
of her hit songs was called Rehab in which she talks about
going into a rehabilitation clinic. The lyrics are now horribly
macabre.
``They
tried to make me go to rehab, but I said `no, no, no.'
``Yes
I've been black, but when I come back you'll know, know, know. I
ain't got the time and if my daddy think I'm fine.
``He's
tried to make me go to rehab, but I won't go, go, go.''
At
27, it is a shame. Amy, you should have gone to rehab, yes, yes,
yes.
********
THERE'S
a bit of a family joke in the Moore household that my kids love
to annoy me with.
Basically,
they reckon I look like TV presenter Mark Sainsbury.
Well,
we both have very little hair, and very fine moustaches, however,
I reckon I'm sportier and better looking.
I
went along to last week's Rugby World Cup roadshow in Dive Cres
to take photos of a young local kapa haka group.
During
the event, TV One's morning weather personality Tamati Coffey met
the group and I got a great shot.
Coffey
is a really nice guy, but after I took the pic he said: ``Has anyone
told you you look like Mark Sainsbury?''
I
didn't know he knew my kids ...
richard@richardmoore.com
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