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28 May 2000
Sunday Territorian headlines
'Man survives croc river hell'
A Darwin fisherman was swept into crocodile-infested waters at Shady Camp and dragged underwater for metres. He was saved by his quick thinking mate, who remembering the King Gee ad, ran up to his car, threw the headlights on, grabbed some rope and threw it at him. But the usual question - why was he standing knee-deep in water with lots of crocodiles around and plenty of signs warning people about them. Duh!
'NT's anti-smoking record rates worst'
'Peak health bodies have slammed the Territory Government's approach to smoking prevention as the worst in Australia for the third time'. One in five Territorians dies from smoking-related illnesses yet there is no legislation banning smoking in public places. But as our Health Minister, no less, said just weeks ago, smoking is legal so we wont be doing anything. Maybe it is only a matter of time before a Government is sued for breach of duty of care to its constituents.
'Prices up after poor prawn season'
Only two or three short months ago, prawn fisherman were outlining the expectations of a bumper crop after a few boats returned early full of prawns. But now prices are soaring because of a disastrous season. The problem is compounded by restaurants stocking up for the Olympic Games in September. I wonder how many of them are going to be advertising fresh prawns. The North Queensland Trawler Owner's Association member Les Lowe blamed a lack of rain in northern Queensland.
'Airport X-ray glitch causes flight delay'
Failure of the X-ray machines at Darwin Airport yesterday resulted in flight delays of up to one hour. Passengers were forced to queue to undergo manual checks. Meanwhile Qantas and Ansett have engaged in another price war, slashing fares to just over half their normal advance purchase rates. They do, however, continue to imply that fares are slashed by up to 75 per cent, referring to their 'full' economy prices. Can either airline tell me what proportion of its fliers pay 'full' economy fare.
'Once-bitten'
A Darwin couple were attending a wedding at the Museum when a python ran up and bit the woman on the leg. The woman seemed more annoyed by the holes in her new stockings (like you need them in Darwin) but I'm sure was relieved when the ambulance nurses confirmed the snake was non-venomous. The out-of town guests were left to wonder about the possibility of a croc visiting looking for a feed. Another one of the joys of inner Darwin life.
'Eat fish or lose your mind: experts'
The secret about NT politicians is finally out - they don’t eat enough fish. From London we hear that 'Evolution is "in danger of going into reverse" unless people start eating more oily fish". Mental illness and depression have been linked to deficiency in fish. According to a survey commissioned by the British Trout Association the average Briton ate 282.15g a week in 1948. However by 1998, the level had fallen to 145.89g a week. So go buy your local member salmon, trout, herrings, sardines and kippers.
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