7 Apr 2011

Thursday's morning newspaper headlines

8:42 am on 7 April 2011

RWC revellers left out in the cold; AMI has 'no capital left' after quakes; Weatherston appeals murder conviction.

NZ Herald

The $9.8 million structure known as The Cloud at the so-called party central venue for the Rugby World Cup will host trade displays for New Zealand industries, while revellers are left to follow games on big screens outside.

A police sergeant accused of injuring a prisoner so badly the prisoner had to have a testicle removed had had the charge dropped shortly before giving evidence at his trial.

Dominon Post

The paper says says AMI Insurance is at risk of going bust because of Christchurch earthquake payouts and the Government is likely to bail it out to protect policy-holders.

Roger Kirk, the husband of the former National Party president Judy Kirk, has died in a hunting accident.

The front page features Otago bowler Neil Wagner who made cricket history by taking five wickets in an over against Wellington yesterday.

The paper also leads with the AMI insurance story, saying Finance Minister Bill English has confirmed the Government is closely watching the Christchurch-based company.

The judge in the Clayton Weatherston trial has told her fellow judges that the public grew to despise Weatherston and have sympathy only for his victim. Lawyers for Weatherston are appealing his conviction for murder, largely on the grounds of prejudicial media coverage.

Rugby player Sonny Bill Williams will donate $100,000 from his next boxing bout to the Christchurch earthquake appeal fund.

Otago Daily Times

The paper leads on the Weatherston appeal, reporting the appellant's lawyer Robert Lithgow QC as telling the court that comment made by Law Commission deputy president Warren Young attacking the provocation defence undermined Weatherston's case.

Funding of $1.3 million has been confirmed for the next stage of the Otago Harbour cycleway to Port Chalmers.

Record-breaking cricketer Neil Wagner is also on the front page. He says he began the day feeling a bit negative but then he says "things started happening, it was freakish".