Help sought in assault inquiry

POLICE investigating a serious assault on a woman on the Hobart waterfront have appealed for public help.

Hobart CIB detectives today released images of two men who may be able to assist with inquiries into the attack, which happened between the Observatory Bar and Princes Wharf about 2am on February 11, 2013.

They were seen leaving the bar on the morning of the incident on the regatta day long weekend.

Both men are described as being in their early to mid 20s, of medium build and about 175cm tall.

The first man was wearing a white shirt with a loosely fitted black tie and dark trousers.

The second man had very short hair was wearing a blue shirt and cream trousers.

Anyone with information which may help identify the men is urged to contact Hobart CIB on 62302603 or Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Hobart driver blows 0.253

A HOBART driver is still sobering up after being caught more than four times over the legal blood-alcohol limit by police.

Police say they are dismayed by the number of drink drivers already hitting the roads this Easter long weekend.

The 29-year-old was pulled over for a breath test in Sandy Bay at 3.30am today and blew 0.253 -- close to what medical experts consider the deadly range.

"When breathalysed, he was so drunk and violent he ripped the print-out from the breathalyser instrument and had to be restrained by police," Inspector Darren Hopkins said.

"He is still in the cells until he sobers up and will be served a 12-month immediate disqualification notice, along with other penalties."

Another incident in Hobart last night involved police being called to a four-vehicle smash on Huon Road in South Hobart.

The driver, travelling south towards Hobart, hit three parked cars. All were damaged beyond repair.

Drugs and alcohol are alleged to have been behind the crash, which left the female driver trapped.

"She was extracted by Tasmania Fire Service and transported by ambulance to the Royal Hobart Hospital Emergency with suspected spinal injuries," Insp Hopkins said.

The woman is expected to be charged with driving under the influence.

With police management undoubtedly keen to ensure recent budget cuts and a drop in police numbers are not blamed for a bad Easter long weekend on the state's roads, traffic police have already completed 10,555  breath tests compared with 5393 last year.

"Unfortunately this has resulted in twice the number drink drivers detected," Insp Hopkins said.

With Good Friday statistically the most dangerous day on the roads, police are bracing themselves for further crashes while hoping for another zero Easter road toll -- as was achieved in 2012.

"Wear a seatbelt, drive to the conditions and don't speed, don't drink or drug drive and take regular breaks to avoid fatigue, because that too can contribute to inattention, which does cause crashes," Insp Hopkins said.

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Easter egg-travaganza

THE egg-citement was palpable today as the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens threw open its gates for the inaugural Easter Egg Hunt and Family Picnic Day.

Tens of thousands of chocolate eggs were scattered about for children to collect, eliciting squeals of delight.

The Easter bunny also arrived to deliver even more delicious supplies.

"It is just a fantastic event. The kids are having a wonderful time and we would love to come back next year," said Hobart mother-of-four Amity Peart.

"I can really see this becoming a family tradition for us."

The hunt was held to raise funds to support local health and medical research and is intended to become a major fundraising activity for the Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation.

Children paid an entry fee of $7.50, with adults charged $15.

A similar event held in Victoria has raised more than $800,000 over the years for the Royal Children's Hospital.

Cadbury donated more than 100,000 Easter Eggs and 2500 bunny ears for the RTBG event.

Organisers hope with the company's ongoing support they can reach a similar level of success to the Victorian event.

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From Glenorchy to Paris

Cloths made from the bark of mulberry trees in the South Pacific surround a sarcophagus in the Theatre of the World exhibition. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

THEATRE of the World, the hit exhibition by MONA and the TMAG, is travelling in Paris.

Hundreds of works from the show are going on display at a private gallery called La Maison Rouge in October.

It is the first time an exhibition from Australia is being mounted at the experimental gallery, which MONA senior curator Nicole Durling describes as the MONA of Europe.

"Eighty per cent of the exhibition will travel to Paris," she said. "It is a vast undertaking."

Premier Lara Giddings said the Paris show was "a huge coup" for the two Tasmanian museums.

TMAG director Bill Bleathman said exhibits such as the 70 precious examples of tapa cloth from the South Pacific would capture attention anywhere in the world.

Theatre of the World, curated by Jean-Hubert Martin, is the largest collaboration between a private and public museum in Australia.

It closes at MONA on April 8.

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New-found fame for Godfrey

THE death-defying tale of a Tasmanian horse rescued from a watery hole has captured the heart of the nation.

Erica and David Norgrove, the owners of 20-year-old retired harness racing horse Flying Godfrey, today said he has bounced back from his recent ordeal but still needed a good bath.

The Mercury revealed his amazing tale of survival today and has since fielded calls from across Australia.

He was stuck in the 4m-deep pit -- most likely a long-forgotten well -- for about five hours on the couple's property in Tasmania's Southern Midlands.

Incredibly, Godfrey has no injuries to show for his underground adventure but he did emerge caked in mud.

The rescue, Mrs Norgrove said, would not have been possible without the help of neighbours John, Maria and Anthony Weeding and friend Isabel Marshal.

"We are so grateful to the Weeding family. Without them, Godfrey would not be alive," she said.

"Since the time we lifted Godfrey out of the hole, he hasn't looked back.

"Once out of the hole we rolled him into a sit position. He sat for about five minutes before he decided to stand up.

"He was a little wobbly, but Godfrey stood up of his own accord. He is a fighter."

If he had fallen head rather than rear first, Mrs Norgrove said, he certainly would not have survived.

He was quickly wrapped in rugs to warm up because he was shivering.

"We still have the rugs on and he is muddy still because we didn't want to stress any further by washing him," she said.

"I have a beautiful new rug for him when he is ready."

The Norgroves moved to their property Eldergrove about three years ago, with the view of restoring the stately home built in the mid-1840s.

"We knew of two wells on the property, which are fenced and/or covered for safety," Mrs Norgrove said.

The one Godfrey fell, however, was an unknown quantity.

"I have spoken to two of the previous owners since and neither of them knew of its existence," she said.

"This well must have been covered over and has not been seen for more than 100 years."

In his heyday, Flying Godfrey didn't exactly set the track on fire.

He had five starts between 1995 and 1997 and most harness-racing participants probably wouldn't even remember him.

He finished his racing career with four lasts and one second last.

But his latest venture may well ensure that his name is never forgotten.

For the time being, he seems almost as popular as Black Caviar.

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Treasury head steps down

THE head of Tasmania's Treasury department will step down from the role after handing down the May Budget.

Martin Wallace has told Premier Lara Giddings he believes personal circumstances mean he can no longer devote the time and energy necessary to fulfil the role of Treasury secretary.

He will continue in his part-time position as chair of the Government's Electricity Reform Oversight Committee until the major elements of the reform have been implemented.

"I have reluctantly accepted Mr Wallace's resignation, which will take effect from July 5," Ms Giddings said today.

"Mr Wallace has held the Treasury secretary's position since November 2010 through what has been a particularly challenging time.

"I wish to thank him for his untiring efforts and the way he has dealt with difficult issues, progressed important reforms and contributed in no small part to bringing the Tasmanian Budget back under control following the … Global Financial Crisis.

Mr Wallace has enjoyed a notable career in the public sector, including senior roles in Treasury, Health and Aurora Energy.

Tony Ferrall, the deputy secretary of Budget and Finance, will be acting secretary of Treasury until the position is filled permanently.

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Faulkner toast of Tigers

James Faulkner, left, and George Bailey kicking back at the Telegraph Hotel today. Pictures: RICHARD JUPE

TASMANIAN Tigers allrounder James Faulkner would be over the moon if he was selected for the Ashes Tour in July.

Named Man of the Match yesterday in Tasmania's Sheffield Shield victory over Queensland -- the side that trounced Tasmania at the Gabba in last year's final -- 22-year-old Faulkner was happy to be celebrating with his teammates today and not thinking about Test selection.

"That's ages away but if I got a spot I'd be rapt," Faulkner said.

"Any opportunity to represent your country is an honour.

"I was lucky enough to do that this summer in one-day cricket and T20, and it was a big thrill.

"I've got a lot of cricket to play before that and we'll see what happens."

Faulkner and Tigers teammate Ricky Ponting, together with Tasmania's Australian Test wicketkeeper Matthew Wade, will be on their way to India this weekend to play in the IPL.

That could not have been further from Faulkner's mind today as the Tigers adopted gangster's theme -- apart from skipper George Bailey, who looked like David Attenborough.

The team partied at their Blundstone Arena headquarters until the early hours of this morning.

After a few hours' sleep, they met for breakfast at Hobart's Customs House Hotel and had lunch at the Telegraph.

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Drug crop goes to pot

A MAN'S botched attempt to grow cannabis to help pay off his debts has led to a conviction for drug offences

Rudolph Stichter, 23, pleaded guilty to cultivating a controlled plant for sale, two charges of possessing a controlled plant product, one charge of possessing a thing used for the administration of a controlled drug and using a controlled plant product.

Supreme Court Justice David Porter said police found five cannabis plants -- one growing hydroponically inside a wardrobe and four in an outside garden -- during a search of Stichter's home in May last year.

Elsewhere in the house were small quantities of cannabis, cannabis seeds and two smoking devices.

Stichter told police he was growing the drug to help pay off $30,000 in debts but the attempt had been a complete failure.

The Burnie court heard three of the plants were dead and one in the garden had only thrived without Stichter's help.

The judge ordered he carry out 55 hours of community service.

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Cop on rape, assault charges

A HOBART policeman charged with multiple sex offences has appeared in court.

The 49-year-old constable, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested today and charged with rape, attempted rape, aggravated sexual assault, indecent assault and five counts of assault.

The offences are alleged to have happened in the same Hobart suburb between October 20 and November 11 last year.

After a short hearing in the Hobart Magistrates Court this afternoon, Magistrate Catherine Reinberger bailed the officer to reappear in the same court on May 2.

Tasmania Police said the officer was off duty at the time of the alleged offences.

He has been suspended from duty on full pay.

Deputy Commissioner Scott Tilyard said Tasmania Police would make no comment on the charges because the case was before the court.

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Tigers take Shield title

TASMANIA could not secure victory on the final day but it mattered little as the Tigers picked up their third Sheffield Shield title.

After setting Queensland 446 to win off 87 overs, the Tigers reduced the Bulls to 3-36.

But from here the visitors decided a win was not realistic and completely shut up shop. The game finished in a draw an hour early, with Queensland 6-183.

The Tigers were in with a slight chance of victory after dismissing Joe Burns (32) in the final over before tea.

With 17.4 overs remaining, Ben Hilfenhaus trapped Nathan Reardon leg before and with 59 balls to go Butterworth did likewise to James Hopes.

But on a docile pitch Tasmania could not extract enough life to run through the Queensland batting.

Despite the draw, Tasmania dominated the match and ended coach Tim Coyle's career fittingly with his and the state's third Shield title.

The Tigers greatest ever batsman Ricky Ponting picked up his first domestic title – the only honour missing from his long list of achievements.

Ponting, 38, is yet to decide whether to play on next season but has hinted he may be back.

Hilfenhaus and Luke Butterworth each took a brace of wickets, while James Faulkner and Evan Gulbis chipped in with one each for Tasmania.

Nathan Reardon was the mainstay for Queensland, surviving 149 balls to make 51, with Chris Hartley (23 off 96 ) and Michael Neser (18 off 27) the not-out batsmen.

Read the full coverage from Brett Stubbs and Adam Smith in tomorrow's Mercury.

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