Daily News; White Plains

Banc of America Adds Third Technology Partnership

NEW YORK (HedgeWorld.com) - In a continuing effort to expand the adoption of its trading services technology, Banc of America Securities has forged an agreement with Charles River Development, Burlington, Mass. The initiative gives Charles River Investment Management System clients access to Banc of America Securities' Electronic Trading Services trading platform. The deal is part of the bank's Trading Alliance network, which collaborates with technology vendors to provide trading software fo...

Open-End or Closed-End Fund: That Is the Question

NEW YORK (HedgeWorld.com) - A contentious shareholders' meeting looms for The Zweig Total Return Fund, Inc., a closed-end mutual fund. Some dissident shareholders, including hedge fund managers Karpus Investment Management Inc., Pittsford, N.Y., and Opportunity Partners LP, Pleasantville, N.Y., want to see ZTR converted into an open-end fund, and they are waging a proxy fight to that end. The issue will come to a vote at the annual meeting May 12. Other issues at stake on that date: competing...

Investors Question Managers About Interest Rates and Energy Risks

NEW YORK (HedgeWorld.com) - Independently organized get- togethers of investors and managers are thriving, boosted by the potential clampdown on prime brokerage capital introduction by the Securities and Exchange Commission on grounds of conflicts of interest. At a semi-annual forum arranged by Jane Halsey, a crowd of institutional investors posed a wide array of questions as they rotated from manager to manager. One notable theme was the effect of increasing U.S. interest rates on portfolios.

Change of Guard at Gam Headquarters

NEW YORK (HedgeWorld.com) - David Solo, a long time UBS AG manager, was named chief executive of hedge fund and fund of funds group GAM, which has been part of Zurich-headquartered UBS since 1999. He replaces Burkhard Poschadel, who is becoming vice chairman of GAM Holding AG. The changes become effective May 10.

[ Ron Cook Is One... ][No Published Headline]

Taranaki Team Still has Key Position to Fill

THE new rugby season is fast approaching but the Taranaki team is short in one vital position -- team mascot. The Taranaki Rugby Football Union (TRFU) is looking for a candidate to fill the hooves of their mascot, Ferdinand.

Huge Swells Wash Away Mokau Beachfront Land

A NEW beach access at Mokau has fallen victim to big waves and high tides. The past three days of 3.7m tides, wind and a strong swell have taken a heavy toll on beachside properties, a new retaining wall and a wooden stairway leading to the beach.

Petrol Price Hike Greeted with Shrugs

By BELINDA FEEK and NZPA --------------------

Robber's Denials Change to Guilty Plea

A NEW PLYMOUTH man told police he was confused about robbing hundreds of dollars from two city dairies. Darryl Wayne Dodd (32), unemployed, yesterday admitted two charges of aggravated robbery in the New Plymouth District Court.

Lorraine, Steak Make the Rotary Cut

TWO Taranaki people have been awarded a rare honour usually reserved for Rotarians. John "Steak" Goodin and Lorraine Goodwin, who do not belong to Rotary, were this week awarded Paul Harris Fellowships at a ceremony at the Rotary Club of Fitzroy.

Drug Dealer's Farm Sold

ONE of Christopher Ross Jury's Tikorangi farms that was confiscated by the Crown has been sold for $675,000. The 75ha farm was one of two properties owned by the convicted drug dealer that could have been sold to meet a $410,000 pecuniary penalty under the Proceeds of Crime Act 1991 along with a $250,000 fine.

Practice Nurses Gather

New Gear for Sth Taranaki Rescue Vessel

SATELLITE location and tracking equipment fitted to South Taranaki's rescue vessel yesterday is the first stage of a whole new system, the Coastguard says. The new equipment, which uses a radio and satellite-based global positioning system, will monitor where the Coastguard's bright orange vessel is and what it is doing.

New Plymouth Teen Takes Top Honours

TALENTED New Plymouth musician Luke Herlihy has scooped more than $10,000 prizes, including a scholarship to Australia's School of Country Music. The 18-year-old Otago University student won six senior sections - - male solo, male gospel, male old time, country rock, New Zealand country song and instrumental -- as well as the senior overall title and the best competitor aged 18-year-old or under at the Best of West competition in Westport last weekend.

Chinese Delegation to Visit South Taranaki

A DELEGATION from the northern Chinese city of Harbin will pay a whistle-stop visit to South Taranaki later this month. Part of a relationship-building programme that could eventually lead to a "sister city" liaison, the delegation will be led by Yang Guojun, chairman of the Harbin committee of the China People's Political Consultative Committee (CPPCC). South Taranaki District Council (STDC) chief executive Toby Hall said yesterday that Mr Yang had not previously visited South Taranaki but w...