E-scooter misuse just latest expression of Kiwi selfishness
We have just returned from a trip overseas where we saw many of these types of e-scooters and bikes around.
We initially thought what a great idea. Then we thought, no, not in NZ, as we have a very self-centred, selfish and destructive “me, myself and I” mentality that was introduced under Rogernomics and successive governments have fostered and pandered to.
We were away for seven weeks and never witnessed excessive speed nor stupidity. We arrived home to be greeted with the news these scooters had been introduced and were resulting in the mayhem we had anticipated.
NZ is now an aggressive and selfish society. Everyone thinks they can do as they please, regardless of the effects on those around them or society in general.
I am not just referring to the scooter issue. The problem is bigger than that and getting worse. Graham Hansen, Howick
Young riders disturbing sight
I was disturbed to read about the elderly lady knocked over by a young Lime scooter rider on Tamaki Drive. Something must be done about these things. They look such fun, but are not toys.
On Friday I saw a local girl in school uniform hurtling along Jervois Rd on one and thought I’d read that riders must be 18+ and hold a driver’s licence.
I was equally surprised (and distressed) to nearly collect a young boy 8-9 years old on the front of my car as I came up my drive on to Sarsfield St, Herne Bay. He swerved on to the grass verge and just stared at me with a filthy look. I waited, expecting a parent or older kid to appear, but no one did, and off he went.
Who’s monitoring the renters? If you need a credit card to get the scooter moving, the parents of this boy would be responsible for damage to my car if he had hit it. In a way, I wish he had so I could have located such irresponsible and reckless adults. Ross Black, Herne Bay
Mine gas-filled time bomb
At last someone with heavy industrial maintenance knowledge has his say on the Pike River Mine tragedy (HoS, letters, Nov 4), good on you Paul Leonard!
There is that much wrong with this mine’s governance my mind boggles. All connected with the coalface should have had one safety thought constantly — it was like working in a gas-filled time bomb, strong ventilation was essential.
Dig coking-coal at the coalface and the latent methane gas pours out. If it had been an open-cast mine, how different it would have been. Open spaces allow harmless gas dispersion and, if required, rapid evacuation of the site.
There is talk of “do-gooder parties” preventing an open-cast mine being consented to. But without them, big business would soon have the entire countryside in a mess. Harold Thomas, Orewa
Brave New World
I am very impressed with New World’s advertisement in today’s paper, as every price (except one of $4.50) is in even dollars, not the usual 99c prices; surprisingly even Church Road wines are two for $25 when wine prices everywhere seemingly must end in 99c. The Dollar Days advert looks so professional.
I hate the 99c price advertisements, including Countdown who end many prices in 99c, just like most hardware stores, home appliance shops, Bike Barn with all bikes its ending in $99 etc. It is a bad marketing way of life in retail.
New World’s is the first supermarket newspaper advertisement I have seen without even one single product price ending in 99c. At long last. Professional advertising as it should be. Murray Hunter, Titirangi
Smooth talk in banks
Do bank customers have any recourse when receiving bad advice from overzealous, smooth-talking personal bankers who put their handsome bonuses ahead of customers’ interests or is it a case of buyer beware?
In the case of John Key, is it a case of poacher turned gamekeeper? Bruce Tubb, Belmont