Bathed in news that is all about problems and conflict, I sometimes consciously oblige myself to look at the  upside of down stories. I was reminded to do so at last evening’s Marsden School prizegiving – probably my last as I have retired from that Board.

It was worth being there just to see and hear Maria English deliver a superb Head Girl speech. In my experience few girls’ school prize-givings (and speeches) are not cloying to male tastes. Maria did not eschew sentiment, she ended in tears, but that just added power to the speech, showing that her sentiment was not saccharine. But for me the most memorable feature was her effortless use of self-deprecating humour, the confidence to "take the piss".

I’d hate to have been obliged to deliver a speech last night, to be compared with her. Google her name to see what Bill English’s polymath daughter has done.

But Principal Jenny Williams outlined her intention to introduce courses using the Positive Psychology principles of Martin Seligman. Lucky school. People who want to understand the appeal of John Key should read Seligman’s "Learned Optimism".

So reminded by Jenny I reviewed the rest of the day. Here are a couple of yesterday’s good news happenings:

– The manslaughter trial of policeman Clinton Hall in Auckland was reassuring despite the surprising acquittal and the hung jury on other charges. It is good to live in a country where the cops prosecute one of their own for the kind of private beating that in many countries people would wearily expect as normal cop behaviour. And even more comforting was the dignified reaction of the victim’s family reported in today’s Herald. To be as disappointed as  them but not bitter takes character.

-The failure of Wanganui Mayor Michael Laws’ disgusting local Bill. Introduced last month, the Wanganui District Council (Port and Harbour) Bill sought  to confiscate the perpetually renewable lease of the local Port company, with compensation if any to be at the whim of the Council. It retrospectively removed River City Port Ltd’s access to Courts to clarify their rights.  Though it is a shame that National has still not distanced tthe Party publicly from the Bill (Laws claimed that he had their support) the practical outcome is pleasing.

I’ve put considerable professional time into securing that defeat.

Officially the reading of the Bill has been deferred to 17 February, presumably  face-saving for Laws. The real nature of what has happened can be seen despite Laws magnificent dry ice emission on the WDC website. it is back to the drawing board.

Next time around he will not have the assistance of surprise. His council’s mismanagement of the endowment fund supposed to pay for port works will have been exposed, and the media will be more sceptical of his lies about RCP’s willingness to invest, RCP’s safety performance and who is responsible for the state of the Port.