Northland news in brief

Man assaulted, car-jacked

A 23-year-old man was dumped at the Mobil service station in Kamo about 9.15am yesterday after he was assaulted near the entrance to the Denby Golf Club in Tikipunga. Police say the man was assaulted there and then driven to Kamo and then his car was taken. The car is a white 1995 Honda Civic, registration TH8868. Whangārei Police Detective Senior Sergeant John Clayton said anyone who saw the assault at the golf club entrance or a man being dropped at Kamo Mobil should contact police. The man was taken to Whangārei Hospital to be treated for suspected head injuries and once he was released he would be interviewed by officers. Clayton also appealed for sightings of the Honda Civic which could be reported to Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 or Detective Steve Chamberlain at Whangārei police station 09 470 4500.

Fire deliberately lit
Screams from a woman in a sleepout that was set on fire raised the alarm with neighbours who came and helped her from the Tikipunga property and rang the fire brigade. Police say an excelerant was used to start a fire about 4.30am yesterday. The neighbours got the woman out and she was taken to Whangārei Hospital where she was treated for smoke inhalation and then released. Detective Senior Sergeant John Clayton said it was an arson that could have resulted in a homicide investigation. Police were calling for any sightings of a vehicle leaving the Balmoral area about the same time. Any information could be reported to Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 or Detective Steve Chamberlain at Whangārei police station 09 470 4500.

World Cup chart
The Football World Cup has kicked off in Russia and Northland football fans can get their World Cup wall chart in tomorrow's Northern Advocate. We decided to put it in tomorrow so it would be a broadsheet size rather than the compact size the newspaper is on Monday to Friday.

Maungakaramea right school
A photo spread published in the Northern Advocate on June 4 titled 'Pupils breathe life into books' incorrectly stated it was Maungatapere School which had held the book character day. It was in fact Maungakaramea School. The Northern Advocate apologises for the error.

Missing duo found
Two men were found safe but cold and wet by a search and rescue team after failing to return from a tramp in the Herekino Forest. Police were notified about 2am on Tuesday the two trampers had not returned from the rugged, dense forest between Kaitāia and the Herekino Harbour. Two family members had earlier gone into the forest in an attempt to locate the men but returned without success. The Northland Police Search and Rescue operation got under way at 4am and the missing men were found around 8am.

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Many people have seen Quarry Arts Centre studio artist M Francis McCarthy working on site during open days.
His latest collection of paintings, rich with colour and depth, will be exhibited at the Yvonne Rust Gallery from June 21 until July 10.
McCarthy's work has been described as emotive, capturing the poetic spirit of the landscape, and the essences of previous eras as well as a modern aesthetic.

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