The Best of the
Northern Territory
05 February 2000
Headlines from the Northern Territory News
'Huge hunt for two lost boys'
Two boys escaped from a private day care centre sparking a Darrell Eastlake search. Quoting from the paper 'The boys, barely aged two, escaped through a gate fitted with a child-proof lock and pushed their tricycles on a 2km hike. The youngsters negotiated a busy road, a bridge, pedalled over a lake and up a steep hill..' Just a couple of questions come to mind. Were they aged two or not? How can a lock be child-proof if a two year old can get through it? And rumour has it that the Department of Lands, Planning and Environment has offered the two child prodigies jobs in planning the Cox Peninsula following their successful negotiation of a road and a bridge. And you guys were cynical about Guide Dog Island.
'Actor Gulpilil jailed for drink-drive'
It is not often that magistrates get it right, but David Loadman got close today with his sentencing of David Gulpilil to four months jail for drink driving. Gulpilil apparently tried to use his public profile to beat the charge, with a pre-sentence report saying 'Gulpilil had difficulty reconciling why he could go to prison when on balance he has done so much for Australia and the community'. David Loadman was quoted in reply 'That is bordering on arrogance'. This was his sixth drink-driving offence. I can just see a victim of a drunk showbiz driver saying 'Can I have your autograph'.
Another threat to paradise 'Fears of flu spark urgent calls for shots'
There is another alternative - ban tourists.
'Ute plunges into river at crossing'
Yesterday there was the story about the vandalism of historic World War II signs. We spent a moment querying the intelligence of the vandals. Well here is another one for the scrapbook. 'A four-wheel drive plunged off notorious Cahill's Crossing on Thursday night - the crossing's ninth victim for the wet season.'. Never mind that the crossing was closed, never mind the crocodiles, never mind the fact that the crossing was 800mm deep and at high tide - but the road is flooded and impassable on the other side. Why?
'Giant worms live record 250 years'
The giant Gippsland earthworm, Bruce has a rival. Scientists from Penn State University have found a worm that can grow to 3m or more and lives for 250 years, living 500m below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico. This is a record for a creature without a backbone.
And for another surprise football result
Darwin 17.17 (119) bt Wanderers 1.8 (14). No encouragement this week as Wanderers failed to score a goal in each quarter. And only regulation points too. So there.
Match the headline to the story
'No longer a Virgin?
A. Madonna reveals the true identity of baby Lourdes and has sex for the first time
B. Virgin Airways launches a competition for a new name for its new carrier in Australia
C. Politician tells truth.