October 2005 Archives
It started on Thursday, 27 October 2005, and continues ...
This is a good summary of "The Judgment" from a London silk.
****************************************************************
The Times October 25, 2005
It's best to have your own opinions
By David Pannick, QC
ALAN BENNETT suggests in Untold Stories, a collection of his recent prose, that “every family has a secret and the secret is that it’s not like other families”. Here in Hong Kong, the secrets of two families have produced litigation which astonished a legal profession that thought it had seen everything.
The first case involved the murder conviction early last month of American housewife, Nancy Kissel, for sedating her investment banker husband, Robert, then battering him to death with a heavy ornament in November 2003. The jury found that she had spiked a strawberry milkshake with a cocktail of sedatives after she learnt that he was preparing to divorce her, and seek custody of their children, because of her affair with a television repairman. The jury rejected her creative defence that she had been defending herself against an attack with a baseball bat by a monster who had previously forced her to have anal sex while he was high on cocaine. Kissel’s case was not helped by the facts that she had called her husband’s mobile phone after his death, told the maid to buy a nylon rope, and had wrapped the body in a carpet and asked four workmen to take it to a storeroom.
The other case concerned the will of Teddy Wang, a property developer who was kidnapped in 1990. His family paid a ransom of nearly £5 million, but he was never seen again. Wang was legally declared dead in 1999. His estate (including a controlling interest in the property development company Chinachem) was worth about £3.5 billion. The authenticity of a will signed by Teddy Wang in favour of his wife, Nina (“Asia’s richest woman”), was challenged by her father-in-law, Wang Din-shin (now 94), as a forgery.
After a 172-day trial in 2001-02 in the High Court in Hong Kong, Mr Justice Yam ruled in favour of the father-in-law. Last year, the Hong Kong Court of Appeal (by a majority of 2-1) dismissed an appeal by Nina Wang. Last month, the Court of Final Appeal reversed those decisions, upholding the validity of the will in favour of Nina Wang.
The Court of Final Appeal severely criticised the trial judge. His approach was “blatantly wrong” (Mr Justice Chan). It was “fundamentally flawed” (Mr Justice Ribeiro). The trial failed to achieve any of the three aims of civil litigation, that is the “just, expeditious and economical” disposal of the matter (Mr Justice Litton). Parts of the judge’s analysis were “unbalanced and unjudicial” and his judgment “quite remarkable ” (Lord Scott of Foscote, who was sitting as a non-permanent judge). In argument, counsel for the father-in-law described one aspect of the trial as “a cock-up”. Lord Scott commented that this was “a description from which I do not dissent”.
There is, here, the raw material for a textbook about handwriting evidence to rival the fictional work much relied on by Horace Rumpole: Ackerman on Bloodstains. But one aspect of the case may have a wider interest. As Mr Justice Ribeiro noted, “an extraordinarily large portion” of Mr Justice Yam’s judgment consisted of passages copied, without acknowledgement, from the written submissions of the parties. In the key section on handwriting, 95 per cent or more of the judgment came from the submissions for the father-in-law.
Mr Justice Ribeiro concluded that so extensive was the copying that there were legitimate grounds for concern as to whether Mr Justice Yam had brought an independent mind to bear on the issues. Sir Noel Power found that “argumentative sentence after argumentative sentence, which would be quite proper in the mouth of counsel, were, page after page, adopted by the trial judge”. Given the unacknowledged and unexplained copying of the submissions of counsel, Sir Noel Power was therefore “left in doubt” whether the judge did give independent consideration to the evidence.
A similar issue arose last year in the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. In Bright v Westmoreland County, the Court of Appeals allowed an appeal against a decision of Judge Arthur J. Schwab, who had adopted almost verbatim the written submissions of one party, presented to him in the form of a draft opinion. Judge Richard L. Nygaard concluded that a judgment must not be “ghostwritten” by counsel. The decision must show the parties that the judge “ actively wrestled with their claims and arguments and made a scholarly decision based on his or her own reason and logic”.
Judges are not required in every case to imitate Mr Justice Cardozo, of the United States Supreme Court, who, according to a tribute by Judge Learned Hand, “again and again, like Jacob, had to wrestle with the angel all through the night, and he wrote his opinion with his very blood”. But, as Mr Justice Yam has been reminded, “I agree and there is nothing I can usefully add” is not an acceptable judicial response to the submissions of counsel for one party.
The author is a practising barrister at Blackstone Chambers and a Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford
**************************************************
PS sf told me this when I came back from my weekend break on 2 Nov 2005: You will not believe Snake's reaction to David Pannick's article. He said that of course Pannick would have said that because [his firm] (The Instigator) had admitted him recently to do a local theme park litigation. Huh???
I agreed - huh??
I like the title of this article "Where there is no will, only lawyers win." It's so true! The content of the article is a bit trivial and nothing new, but realistic.
This is also interesting - it tells you where Lord Woolf is going, after having reformed the English judicial system, and what can one do at age of 72, other than "putting up your feet" !
PS I'm so lazy - I should surf more and read more - or I'll miss a lot of fun!
I came across this job - as a judicial assistance in the UK Court of Appeal. And it's the *English* Court of Appeal ! The judges qualities is almost guaranteed, both in terms of ethnics and intellectual abilities! I'm pretty attracted to the idea and I think the experience would be invaluable. It seems I fit the description and it says the appointment is initially for one term until mid-April, and may be extended for two 6 months. Pay is GBP 102 a day. Should I apply? May be I can try to get a sabbastical from here ... ??
The other one that's of interest is as a Director of Legal Services with the Metropolitan Police. Renumeration is so so (I guess). The position would lead some 100 people - and I think that's the exciting part of it i.e. you get to boss around some 100 people. ha ha ha - just kidding! I suppose that means they are looking for a senior person who would be looking at partnership level. If that is true, the renumeration is not attractive. One thing that strikes me strange is that they want the joiner to have a focus on civil rather than criminal litigation, but then that person would be dealing with "a wide range of matters including the provision of advice and representation on subjects as varied as malfeasance litigation, counter-terrorism, public order, firearms and on-going criminal investigations, employment and police conduct to name but a few."
I suppose these links would not be available forever, so a "cut and paste" version is here (and bb, can you tell me how to store them somewhere in this website so I could just provide a link to it? cheers!)
Judicial Assistant to Court of Appeal
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Judicial Assistants, Court of Appeal Term: Permanent
First Posted: 25-10-2005
Job Description
Location: London
Applications are invited for posts starting on Tuesday 10 January 2006 assisting Lord and Lady Justices on appeals and applications in the Civil Division of the Court of Appeal at the Royal Courts of Justice, London.
Appointments are initially for one term to the 12 April 2006, but assistants may apply for extensions of further terms, although they will not exceed a period of twelve months (three terms). Appointments are for full-time work, however applications for part-time may be considered.
Successful candidates will have demonstrated a very high intellectual ability, incisiveness and a capacity to work under pressure as part of a team. Basic word processing skills are essential. Remuneration is currently at £ 102.00 per day.
Applicants will normally have achieved at least a 2:1 degree (not necessarily in Law) and be practitioners who have completed 12 months pupillage or traineeship, although applications from other suitably qualified candidates may exceptionally be considered.
All candidates should apply with a full CV, including nationality to fulfil Civil Service eligibility criteria, setting out how they have demonstrated the above criteria, together with the names of two referees, (preferably one academic and one professional) by Monday 14 November 2005 to us. If possible an email address should be provided for referees. Please indicate where you saw this advertisement.
Interviews will take place on Thursday 24 or Friday 25 November 2005 and candidates are asked to be available throughout those days. Candidates selected for interview will be contacted by telephone on 18 or 21 November 2005 and must provide a telephone number on which they can be contacted on those days.
Further information on the Court Service can be found at our website.
We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to equality of opportunity in all of our employment practices, policies and procedures.
This means that all applicants and employees are treated fairly irrespective of ethnic origin, race, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion or disability.
Director of Legal Service
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: DIRECTOR OF LEGAL SERVICES Term: Permanent
First Posted: 25-10-2005
Job Description
Location: Central London
Salary: basic of c.£95k rising to c.£120k
Working together for a safer London
With a workforce of over 45,000 staff providing policing services to the communities of London, the Metropolitan Police Service has never faced such a vast range of diverse and complex issues. Clear, objective legal advice is particularly important in such challenging times.
As Director of Legal Services for the Metropolitan Police, you will report to the Deputy Commissioner. Leading a department of around 100 staff, including 42 lawyers, you will provide cost effective legal services covering a wide range of matters including the provision of advice and representation on subjects as varied as malfeasance litigation, counter-terrorism, public order, firearms and on-going criminal investigations, employment and police conduct to name but a few.
You must be a qualified lawyer with extensive management experience in a substantial legal department, with particular focus on civil litigation, and as a minimum a good understanding of criminal matters and public/administrative law. Experience and/or knowledge of the Police Service and/or the public sector will be a distinct advantage. A highly effective communicator, you will be capable of leading and inspiring your staff to deliver their best performance and of building relationships with colleagues, key partners outside the MPS and clients at all levels.
Starting salary within the range will be based on qualifications and experience, and benefits include contributory pension scheme, private medical health insurance and 30 days annual leave.
I dreamt of sis last night and cried myself to wake this morning. I cannot remember the details but remember I was very very sad.
bb called this morning, saying that she was very bored. me too, bored out of my mind and have been feeling so lately. I wasn't able to make her less bored as she had to run shortly afterwards.
The only thing exciting happened today was I got a call from the head hunter today. It's an in-house position with a US investment institute. They are big in US but has a relatively low profile here. It's a new position and has many reporting line - which I think it's not unusual given it's a US company. The role reports directly to the General Council in US. The interest bit is that that person would be part of management, although advising on legal matters, rather than a member of the in-house legal team. It sounded very interesting. The head hunter should have sent the job specification to me - yes, quite surprisingly, they have job spec. At least that shows they know what they are doing and have thought through the role that they want the new person to play. I'll read read it when I get at home tonight - no access to private emails here lah!
Hot yoga tonight - a short class, as I think my deadline is drawing close; have been craving since the last few days ...
We said we'll go to see dentist some time during this week. It has to be during the week because I'm going away with my mum. She has asked me to choose the date. That's difficult. Everyday seems good - cos it's always good to have the addictive smooches (sp) ! :D
Rather than continue to surf on the net, I'll leave now and start (or continue from last Sat) my shopping spree, followed by hot yoga!
What is the big deal about today's lunch? well, I made them this morning, yes, this morning before I came to work. When I got up, I put everything in the pot, put it on the slowest heat, checking it from time to time, and by the time I finished washing my hair, brushed my teeth etc, it's done! Actually, other than the carbonhydrate part, the rest was prepared and brought over by my mum. I didn't bother re-heating my lunch. I couldn't be bother to queue for the only microwave on this floor. I didn't put it in the fridge this morning, so it was cool, but I'm content. Actually, I brought two lunch boxes - one with the carbonhydrate part plue fish cake, the other with veg and beef. And yes, I feel very full now and am having a cup of green tea. :)
I even brought my breakfast this morning - two slices of bread. I bought a packet yesterday and in fact, all I did re breakfast was to put two slices of bread in a zip-lock bag, and it's done! I enjoy everything is "home-made" today and I think will try to do that from now on, although I'm not sure for how long I'll keep it up! ha ha haaa!
I can't remember when exactly it started, my mum has been bringing me dishes and soup and dessert (if any), and putting them in the fridge so that when I get home after work, all I need to do is to re-heat them. Yes, I am very touched and do feel guilty about it - although it's her maid who usually make the trips. I could go home and have dinner with her, but if I do, we shall either eat out and/or she will wait for me. With this job I have it's better than in the last few years, but the reality is that I don't know when I could leave office. My stupid partner always ask me to do things for him in the evening, whilst I have nothing to do during the day. Sometimes I wonder if I'm doing night/weekend shift!
When I go to stay with her (no, not my mum) during weekends, sometimes I would bring those dishes and soup with me and we share them.
Recently, my mum has a new maid because the last one has come to the end of her contract and she wanted to go back home. So mum has been going to my flat and instructing the new maid what needs to be done. When I get home, it's sooooo clean and tidy! wow! When bb came over last weekend, she was amazed too! The new maid seems good, but as my brother said, we need to wait and see a bit more. The new maid is probably feeling her way round and once she's familiar with the schedule and place and knows a few friends, things would be different. That was true with the last one. In fact, towards the end of her contract, she skived when she was supposed to be somewhere my mum had asked, but was elsewhere. when confronted, she always had an excuse. Mum was glad she left now.
Went to my elder brother's place and had a family bbq. dad is travelling as otherwise, no bbq. he must have proper and served meals. He doesn't like bbq. It turned out that mum doesn't like it either. She told us that she only finished tea with sisters from her old school at aruond 3:30 pm and was still full. She only had a few things. I as usual, had quite a bit. We cleaned up (including the floor where we bbq'd) before we left. My younger brother and I started and we were almost done, when my elder brother joined too. We had some fun with washing the floor and the day ended well. It reminded me of the time when we were together - now that we live separately and they are married and have their own family. My newphew did the usual things - smiled, played, ran, fell, etc just made sure he had our attention. We (my newphew and I) get on well, and I'm pleased with that.
Going to yoga tonight - yes, I took up yoga recently. Deliberately going to the later one so hopefully, I could visit the boutique shop that I went last Saturday, but was only "half done" due to pressure of time! hee hee.
btw, my wireless broadband is back - I tried it last night and it was working fine! yeah!!
NZ 125
Note: One of Best Western Hotel
NZ 144
NZ 120
Note: Both BreakFree accomodation are resorts.
Reply: We have a studio available with a queen and single bed, bathroom, cooking facilities, heating, electric blankets, TV, balcony and great views of the lake and mountains for NZ$110 per night. We are situated on the main road into Queenstown, approximately 1-2 minutes drive or 10-15 minutes walk to the town.
Lakeside Motel
Reply: We would have available an upstairs studio unit for the dates requested.
The rate is NZ$129 per night. The unit has a full cooker and a microwave.
Turner Heights Townhouses
We have a 1 bedroom apartment available for your required
dates. It has a full kitchen, lounge area, ensuite shower and toilet and a
great view. We have off street parking if you have a vehicle.
The rate for our 1 bedroom apartments is $145 per night based on 2 persons.
Autoline Motel
Currently we have availability for the date(s) you require as follows:
Studio unit with kitchen NZD105 per night including tax
1 Bedrrom unit with kitchen NZD135 per night
Autoline Motel is an older style motel consisting of 11 spacious studio, one bedroom and 2 bedroom units and rated 2 STARS. It is only 8 minutes walk to the town centre. All units have fully equipped kitchens [including oven and frig but no microwave] and ensuite with shower and toilet. Complex facilities include a coin operated guest laundry, off street parking and activities booking desk. Please note that Autoline Motel reception is now located at Hurleys of Queenstown which is next door to Autoline.
Vacation Villas Queenstown
NZ 115
Comments: looks pretty good and within budget; lake and mountain view; and a second TV in the bedroom ...
Shades of Arrowtown
NZ 130 with kitchen
Lomond Lodge
Enquiry made.
Melbourne Motor Lodge
Enquiry made.
One of the accommodation mm is investigating says the rooms are equipped with electric frying pans, benchtop ovenss toasters etc. mm was asking bb what electric frying pans are and bb did a google image search.
bbmm went out for dinner tonight - fish head hotpot lah - and so expensive!! wonderful bb paid, and mm feels a little guilty ...
after din din, we returned to our respective homes (yeah, respective homes, sadly). mm went to a book store and looked up travel books for NZ. This hotel in Auckland sounded quite nice and appears to be within our budget:
Kingsgate Hotel Parnell
For the day we want - NZ 112.50
Apparently this is part of a group of hotels. mm will check out other destinations later :P
Ascot Parnell Hotel
This is nice too but too expensive lah :)
mm has been wanting to move to another work place, but either there's no news re ones interested or nothing appealling. There are times when mm is so desperate that she just want to be out of here ! The rational side of her says that unless the new job would be better than what she gets, otherwise, there's no point and matters could be worse.
Working in here has been such a nightmare that mm could not sleep properly yesterday - somehow mm kept waking up throughout the night, and so much so that she even said she wanted to get out of here asap in her dream !
Patient, patient and more patient is what mm needs right now. bb has been extremely supportive - always there for mm. bb is so good that she took mm to "visit the birds" last weekend, notwithstanding she's very much against that kind of thing and being superstitious. bb is *so good* !
Best Western Midway Motel Rotorua
NZ 115 (1-bedroom)
Palm Court Motor Inn
Reply: We have a studio available at $125 per night or a 1 bedroom at $145 per night. Prices include GST Tax and both units have cooking facilities.
Coachman Motor Inn
Studio NZ 105 (or upstairs for NZ 125)
Ascot on Fenton
NZ 90 or $95 for 21 to 23 Dec 2005 (Labour weekend)
Ann's Volcanic Rotorua
Enquiry made.
Best Inn Rotorua
(Found this in a travel book. It says it's run by a Japanese. But can't find its website. Will look it up in agents :) )
Kingsgate Hotel Rotorua
NZ 118
755 Regal Court Motel
Enquiry made. Ref: JJIMXFNITR
Alhambra Oaks Motor Lodge
Reply: We have a studio @ $130.00 per night, this has 2 single beds, microwave, jug, toaster etc, Sky TV, bathroom has a shower seperate shower.
Harington Village Point Motel
Reply: we could offer you either a twin or a double self contained cottage. Everything is supplied including linen. The rate would be $96.00 per cottage per night. The weather will be nice in December and the Peninsula has a lot to offer. We are directly across the road from the beach and very close to all wildlife attractions. If you decide to stay with us, please confirm with creditcard details, this is not charged in advance but held to secure your booking.
Comment: a bit out of the way from central Dunedin, but it's on the Otago Penninsula, and the beach is within walking distance, you would be closer to nature and wildlife.
Portobello Motel
- can book you a studio unit with two single beds for those dates, cost $110 per night.
Need credit card details to confirm booking.
97 Motel Moray
- We have available standard studio units (Double - King or Queen bed or Twin beds) at $NZ97.50 per night. We also have executive / honeymoon studio units (Double - King bed) at $NZ120 and one bed-roomed suites ranging from $NZ130 to $NZ150 per night.
- Although we do not have full cooking facilities, all our units have the same style kitchenette facilities consisting of, fridge, toaster, jug, microwave, cutlery and utensils. Each unit has it's own ensuite bathroom, with standard units having either a walk in shower or a shower over the bath. The executive units are larger, having a larger bathroom with a separate shower and a two person bath and a 29" TV.
- We do have a Continental Breakfast available. The cost is $4.50 per person in our downstairs breakfast room or $6.50 per person delivered to your room the night before.
- Our Motel is situated right in the centre of Dunedin. Only 2 minutes walk from the Dunedin Information Centre, and a great selection of cafes, restaurants, bars and our shopping centre.
Alcala Motor Lodge
NZ 93 (+NZ 5 for 1-bedroom)
Garden Motel
We are pleased to say that we have availability for the nights that you require. We can accommodate you in either a large studio unit with 1 king and 1 single bed in the living area. The
unit has shower and toilet. The cooking facilities include bench top oven, hotplates, microwave, electric frying pan, toaster & electric kettle. The tariff for this unit is NZ$99 per night for up to 2 people staying plus $17 for each additional person *or* a spacious 1 Bedroom Suite with queen bed in the bedroom and 2 single beds in the lounge area. Toilet with wet area (easy access) shower en suite to main bedroom. Dining area and kitchen that includes oven, microwave, electric frying pan, toaster and electric kettle. The tariff for this unit is NZ$127 per night for up to 2 people staying plus $17 for each additional person.
- All of our units have telephone plus TV with 6 SKY Digital Satellite
channels and 5 terrestrial channels.
- We have ample off-street parking for all units.
Some useful links:
Supermarket Shopping Guide
This website have information about shopping, including which supermarket offers best value for money! It also offers other useful information about New Zealand, for example, living in NZ, NZ estate agent guide, finding a job, and even salaries ! It says according to The New Zealand Consumer's Association (which carries out regular surveys of supermarkets), for a typical family they currently report that the cheapest stores are Pak'N Save branches in Wellington.
For a typical basket of groceries, Woolworths is generally around 15 percent more expensive than Pak'N Save. The two main supermarket groups in New Zealand are:
The Countdown / Woolworths / Foodtown / 3 Guys chains / Big Fresh / Price Chopper chains.
Pak'N Save / New World / Four Square chains.
It also says:
- Woolworths is the winner for pleasurable shopping. The Woolworths shops are laid out more spaciously and tend to be quieter than the others, probably because their prices are higher.
- Countdown stores are slightly less spacious, a bit busier (and a bit cheaper).
- Pak'N Save is generally busy - it's known jokingly as "Push'N Shove" - and has a lower standard of décor, with bare concrete floors.
- In Woolworths and Countdown, shop assistants pack your bags for you. In Pak'N save, you pack your own.
Note: New Zealanders don't like it when foreigners tell them their accents are the same as Australians'! mm need to be careful lah - ha haa haaa!
New Zealand Reservations
Covers: Accomodation, Activities, Food & Wine, and so on.
Fox Glacier
Riverstone B&B Glacier
NZ 130 - 150
Rainforest Motel
Fully booked for our period.
Te Weheka Inn
NZ 310 for double/twin incl. breakfast.
Comment: Really nice, but way out of budget - saving this reference for later. :)
- Tariff : NZ$185.00 per night Inc GST
- Accommodation : Executive studio with queen bed, private bathroom with shower and bath, microwave kitchenette, underfloor heating and sky television (cable television).
- Units have internet access for your own computer outlet from your room, the price for this approx 10-15 cents per minute. Also, kitchenette's which entail a microwave for your cooking.
- Traveling time from Queenstown to Fox Glacier is 4.5hours drive
- Complex opened in October 2002 right in the heart of the Fox Glacier Village, so close to the cafe's, shops and tour operators. Our units are stylish, modern, clean and comfortable. Both the Fox Glacier and the world famous reflective Lake Matheson are just minutes away.
- Cancellation Policy : Your booking is not secure until credit card details
are provided . We require 48 hours notice of cancellation to incur no
charge.
- Attractions : We offer a free booking service for guided glacier walks and
scenic flights.
****************************************************************
Franz Josef
Punga Grove
Studio NZ 170
Glenfern Apartment
NZ 180
Alpine Glacier Motel
Queen studio NZ 110
Lake Matheson Motel
NZ 80 - 130
Glacier Gateway
Double Studio NZ 120
- Tariff per night is NZ$ 135.00. We have a three day cancellation policy. We
will forward you the full details of this on confirmation of booking.
- a Standard Studio available which has a queen. The ensuite bathroom has a heated towel rail, basin and a shower. The Studio has a microwave kitchenette with sink, fridge, kettle, toaster, coffee plunger, tea pot, cutlery and crockery. The rooms are heated by electric heating. Also in room ironing facilities, radio alarm clock, direct dial phone, dial up internet access and TV (sky). We have a coin operated guest laundry available for you your use on site.
- located in the heart of Franz Josef Village within two minutes walk of all restaurants and services.
Franz Josef Glacier Bed and Breakfast
NZ 100 - 150
Follow up with enquiry
Glacier View Motel
Studio NZ 135
Other links - NZ Tourism Online - Fox and Franz Glacier Accomodation
We shall pick up our car from Dunedin, leave it in Christchurch, fly to Rotorua where we shall pick up our next car, returning it in Auckland.
Suggestion: Looks like Ezi-Rent is the cheapest for our trip (Total cost from Dunedin to Auckland: NZ 758 - inclusive of Dunedin pickup; no extra cost for additional driver.) Downside is they cannot guarantee a CD player even if we book early, although that's true to most of the other rental companies.
Details of research as follows.
Dunedin
Nationwide
Group C - Nissan Pulsar 1.6 litre auto - Total: NZ 645.96 (NZ 64/day+NZ 30 pick up fee)
Ezi-Rent Car Hire
Group EC - Nissan Pulsar 1.6 litre auto - Total NZ 534 (NZ 56/day, NZ 30 additional)
Hertz
Toyota Corolla w/Automatic Transmission or Similar
Total: NZ 814.46 (NZ 549.08+(NZ 78.44x2)+NZ 18 (Airport concession fee) +tax)
Getaway Car Hire
This is a no go - they sau they have nothing available for us.
Avis
Compact Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.8 or Similar auto - NZ 775.16 (NZ 672.03 (Base rate) + NZ 17(Airport surcharge) + tax)
NB - the only one that seems to guarantee a CD player!
$59.00NZD per day.
This rate is based on Group C Mitsubishi Lancer or similar (1.8 litre, 4 door, automatic,
with air-conditioning) for 13 days.
Please note, extra hours under 3 hours, will be charged at 1/3 of the daily rate per hour. If extra hours are 3 hours or more, this will be classed as an extra day.
If you collect or drop the car off to the airport/ferry there is an airport/ferry fee of
$19.13NZD.
When travelling between the North and South Islands, no vehicle is taken on
the ferry, with the first car being left at the Wellington/Picton Ferry
Terminal and the second car being collected from the Picton/Wellington
Ferry Terminal. Each hire in each island is a minimum 3 day rental. It is
imperative if you wish to proceed with a reservation you advise your cross
over details also. Flying also applies.
Please note, the above rate that has been quoted, can only be guaranteed
with a confirmed booking.
PS Can't they give us the total cost too?? So lazy !
Avon Percy
NZ 58 per day, inclusive of unlimited mileage,insurance and GST.
Group D
THANKYOU FOR YOUR E-MAIL RE CAR RENTAL WE CAN SUPPLY A CAR @$59.00 PER DAY
INC GST UNLIMITED KM AND COMPREHENSIVE INSURANCE WHICH IS BY WAY OF CREDIT
CARD IMPRINT IF NO DAMAGE TO CAR ON RETURN THEN THERE IS NO CHARGE ON
THAT.....THERE ARE AIRPORT TRANSFERS OF $35.00 AND A ONE WAY HIRE FEE OF
$100.00 WILL APPLY DROPPING CAR OFF IN CH--CH......YES THE CARS DO HAVE AIR
CON AND IF YOU BOOK EARLY ENOUGH WE CAN PUT YOU IN ONE THAT DOES HAVE CD
PLAYER....WE ONLY HAVE A SELECTED FEW THAT DO SO WE DONT EVEN ADVERTISE
IT.....NO ADDITIONAL COST FOR EXTRA DRIVER.....REGARDS MARTY......
PS I don't like the capital letters - bad manners, and it's difficult to distill the information we want. May be they are not interested in us ... ??!
Thrifty
CCAR - Toyota Corolla 4 or 5 door, 1.8 litre, manual, air conditioning, radio with CD player, air bag(s), central locking. Also in this category: Toyota Corolla, Toyota Avensis
Total: NZ 784.58 ((NZ 75.60 x 9)+NZ 17 (Airport surcharge) + tax)
Rhodes Rental
Economy (1.6 litre, 4-door manual or automatic, sedan, seats 4/5) - NZ 59/day for 7+ days
Medium (1.8 - 2.2 litre, 4 door, automatic, sedan, seats 5) - NZ 69/day for 7+ days
Rotorua - Ezi-Rental seems to be the cheapest in this section too !
Nationwide
Group C - Nissan Pulsar 1.6 litre auto - Total: NZ 304 (NZ 76/day no additional)
Ezi-Rent Car Hire
Group EC - Nissan Pulsar 1.6 litre auto - Total 240 (NZ 60/day) (no additional)
Hertz
Toyota Corolla w/Automatic Transmission or Similar
Total: NZ 299.25 (NZ 62/day+NZ 18 (Airport concession fee) +tax)
Avis
Compact Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.8 or Similar auto - NZ 379.13 (NZ 320 (Base rate) + NZ 17(Airport surcharge) + tax)
Thrifty
CCAR - Toyota Corolla 4 or 5 door, 1.8 litre, manual, air conditioning, radio with CD player, air bag(s), central locking. Also in this category: Toyota Corolla, Toyota Avensis
Total: NZ 731.61 ((NZ 78.33 x 4)+NZ 17 (Airport surcharge) + tax)
PS And I think I've done all my homework for Car Rental now - yeah! (7 Oct 2005 around 11 am - and I'm obviously now busy at work - hee hee)
We have talked about various things we want to do when we are in NZ. We are also conscious about having a budget so that we won't go overboard. I've checked out the cost of some of the things we want to do, and here they are:
Dunedin
(i) Elm Wildlife Tour - seeing penguin, albatross, and so on at Peninsular - NZ 67
This can be combined with kayaking - for NZ 137
(ii) Dunedin Sunrise Penguin Walk NZ 65
(iii) Cadbury Chocoloate Factory Tour - Available 7 days a week - 9am to 3:15pm, with extended hours during school holidays and the summer season. Admission charges: NZ $15.00 adult (Approx 1 ¼ hours); Reduced Tours (Sundays, Public Holiday weekends) - NZ $8.00 adult (Approx 40 minutes).
(iv) Speights Brewery Tour - Tours run daily, with duration of 1.5 hours. Prices: Adults $15. For information, click here.
Useful links:
*******************************
Milford Sound
Red boat cruise
(i)scenic cruise - NZ 48
(ii) scenic flight - NZ 330
*******************************
Queenstown
(i) Jetboating NZ 99
(ii) Lord of the Rings 4WD Tour NZ 120
(iii) Full day Funyaks NZ 275
*******************************
Fox Glacier/Franz Josef
(i) Scenic flight NZ 325
(ii) Half Day Glacier Walk NZ 65
*******************************
Christchurch
(i) Hot Air Ballooning NZ 240
Christchurch i-Site Visitors Centre
(ii) Whale Watching in Kaikoura NZ 125. It says sometimes they could see dolphins too. If so, that would be real good value for money! (How much was it for dolphin watching in Coffs Harbour again? Pretty cheap, right?)
Kaikoura i-Site Visitors Centre
*******************************
Rotorua
(i) Zorbing wet zorb NZ 35; zorb + river raft NZ 110 - 115
(ii) Fishing and Thermal Bath
(iii) Scenic cruise, Trout fishing cruise and Lake Tarawera Cruise to Hot Water Beach
(iv) River Rafting (of course, the lower grades - just for fun !) NZ 90
(v) Termal pools - but the websites say it's standard in hotels and motels.
******************************
Others
Everthing you want to know about Lord of the Rings
PS More will be added to this post - watch this space!
It's mm's deadline again today - so soon ??! And no wonder I've been feeling pain on my back and in my neck (although partly contributed to the "ma fan" boss !)
A studio unit with queen size bed and kitchenette @$120.00 per night or a one bedroom unit with a queen and single bed, a double spabath, kitchenette and two tv's/dvds @ $139.00 per night.
The above tariffs do not include breakfast, however a continental breakfast is available for $9.50. The office shuts at 9.30pm, but if you are arriving late we may be able to make other arrangements and there is plenty of off road parking at the motel complex.
We have a studio unit available for the above days. The tariff (inc. GST) is $130.00 NZ.
A one bedroom unit has a bedroom and with a separate lounge all of our units have their own ensuite's. The tariff for a one bedroom unit is $140.00 NZ
If you would like to secure this unit could you please send a credit card number and expiry date of the card, as this will guarantee your booking.
We have a secure booking page on our web site at www.glenlodge.com. On receiving your card details, we will send conformation of your booking and a reservation number.
Yes we have plenty of car parks.
A studio with queen bed costs $105/night.
A studio spa costs $120/night.
Breakfast is extra.
Off street car parking is available at no additional charge
Our prices include all taxes.
The price is $NZ112 per night for studio unit.
$140 for a larege 1 bedroom with queen bed in the bedroom and single bed in the living area
The motel is ideally located in the inner city, just a few minutes walk from Cathedral Square, the Town Hall, Convention Centre Arts Centre and Casino. We provide quiet clean,comfortable accommodation in spacious tastefully decorated rooms.
We have a bus stop at the door and provide free parking and free luggage storage.
The tariff for a one bedroom unit with queen bed and single bed is $115.00 GST Incl. per night.
The tariff for a studio is $110.00 per night with a queen bed.
Breakfast is not included in the tariff but is available.
Our units have internet connection, charged on a dial up system.
This year, we shall be going to New Zealand for our big holiday - for two weeks - yeah! We have this plan some months ago. What's even better is that we'll be away for 2 weeks, and when we come back, we'll still have a few days of public holiday to relax. We were going to go a week earlier, but because of my stupid boss, we had to postpone it for a week, but ha haa - it fits even better!
There are so many places we want to go, and so many things we want to do, but there's so little time. Yes, we could have also gone for those public holidays, but our families are here, and for that few days extra, the flight ticket would be doubled. We, being Aries, so practical, went for the cheaper one. :P
Flight tickets have been booked. We are working on accomodations and car rental. The plan is Auckland - Dunedin - Queenstown - Fox Glacier - Christchurch - Rotorua/Waitomo cave - Auckland.
I made a few enquiries with accomodations in Queenstown and Christchurch. They will be posted separately.
I was saying to bb - I am very very excited about our trip and wish it comes sooner. On the other hand, we'll be going away for two weeks only and once it starts, it will end fairly quickly, so may be I'll wait a bit more, and dream longer ...
