FROM THE NEWS DESK

This week we bring to you the curious story of Wayne Brassington. A pensioner, Mr Brassington has been living at the campground at the Waharoa Aerodrome for eight years. When it closed six months ago, he stayed on, contesting he had been offered free rent in exchange for doing odd jobs around the aerodrome. The Matamata-Piako District Council reckons that’s not the case. The council is offering to help move Mr Brassington but he does not want to move. The caravan he’s been living in, is in poor condition, and so can’t be moved. He was told by the council he was to be moved on Monday but at the time of print, no action had been taken. Mr Brassington says he has nowhere to go. His nearest family relatives are in England. We’ll keep you up to date with the situation. In other news, police are asking people to keep their property secure after a spate of thefts from homes. It appears the cold winter conditions are no deterrent for crime and thieves are heading out applying their trade whether they can find vulnerable homes.

Lawrence Gullery MATAMATA CHRONICLE: (07) 888 7011 News Director: Lawrence Gullery, 027 839 6388, lawrence.gullery@fairfaxmedia.co.nz AREA SALES MANAGER: Antonio Ganz, 027 204 2920, antonio.ganz@fairfaxmedia.co.nz ADVERTISING CONSULTANT: Janine Barrett, 027 404 9073 janine.barrett@fairfaxmedia.co.nz REPORTERS: Rexine Hawes, (07) 888 7011, rexine.hawes@fairfaxmedia.co.nz and Mike Bain, (07) 827 3840, mike.bain@fairfaxmedia.co.nz CLASSIFIEDS: lynda.mcrae@fairfaxmedia.co.nz (deadline 3pm Monday) DISPLAY BOOKING DEADLINE: 3pm Thursday DIGITAL EDITION: matamatachronicle.co.nz ADDRESS: 2 Tainui St, PO Box 148, Matamata 10,425 AUDITED CIRCULATION (ABC for 12 mths to 31 Dec 15).