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RSA a social hub

When our mayor spoke at the cenotaph on Anzac Day I was conscious that lined up in front of him was a parade of veterans of the many conflicts that New Zealand Defence Forces have been engaged in since World War I. Behind him were the plaques commemorating those who lost their lives serving their country in many parts of the world.

Come 1925 all around New Zealand the first RSA clubs were established. These clubs have been the social hubs for returned service personnel ever since, and the focal point of the post Anzac parade get-togethers. Where many a tale has been told, mixed with humour, tempered with sadness as the talk turned to mates who never returned.

Such were the goings on in our own RSA. Sadly our own club closed its doors a few years ago. Meanwhile, the nucleus of a new RSA club is up and running.

The city’s Cosmopolitan Club has hosted the Anzac Day parade ever since.

The PNRSA social hub is as important to our city as the Defence Force hub. In fact, their histories are forever intertwined. DON ROBERTSON Palmerston North (Abridged)

Love your sport

Aggression. You’ll find it everywhere, all over the world.

I was not feeling the aggression until I went and watched my 14-year-old granddaughter play netball. The opposing team won because of their continued aggression and the referee was useless against it.

I left the courts feeling aggressive. I was obviously susceptible. I was not happy, so I walked through the trees and ferns, which calmed my disposition.

I was disappointed in myself and that I had been told by the coach that ‘‘this is how they are taught to play, to further their chances in making it big’’.

Aggression mirrors aggression. Love mirrors love. Sport? War is more like it.

Mind you, not all teams play this way. I stopped to watch a game with players who looked over the age of 40, and they were enjoying themselves.

But they are from the old school, where netball was netball. Not war. NOLA URBAHN Palmerston North

Illumination needed

I am writing to support the excellent article written by your reporter in the Manawatu Standard on May 17. Around here in Milson we have had problems with a particular street light.

Having been in this house for almost 20 years, I have already complained to Palmerston North City Council, and got a temporary solution in March 2001 with a pruning.

I have spoken to PNCC in 2016 and was told that new LED lights were not far away and if necessary the council would have another look.

Now our LED lights have appeared but, as your reporter mentioned in their article, with a tree close to this street light, it makes the dark pool bigger.

I presume in this instance the city council has a choice of two options: a) Remove the offending tree; b) Fit another street light on our side of the street.

In this case, it is obviously to chop down the tree. I will be writing a letter to PNCC and requesting some action on our problems here. D DEARNLEY Palmerston North

Working as designed

There is no need for major changes to the Bunnythorpe purpose-built roundabout. With good warning signs put on the roads approaching it (it’s a good warning distance), all the motorists have to do is use the road rules. Give way to the right.

Large vehicles for delivery requirements etc need the full use of the purpose-built design. A dustbin lid is a big enough roundabout if we all keep to the rules. S TOWNSHEND Palmerston North

In Bill we trust

In Bill English we may finally have a PM who can make some positive and sensible decisions.

All we need now is the same ❚ 2 the snob commenting about weather presenter’s dress, why don’t u worry about what’s going on in the real world? ❚ Student that can afford Mcdonald’s every day must have too much money, like they all do with drinking. ❚ Here a crazy idea. Why don’t dairies stop selling smokes? ❚ Jack Townend, go to cooking classes instead. ❚ Inflation - The dollar will not do as much for people now as it once did because people won’t do as much for the dollar as they once did! ❚ I couldn’t change my phone a/c at Spark shop as I have no photo ID. Brick wall - gave up. ❚ Wonderful support and excellent communication from MCH Emergency Dept and our great Police! Missing elderly person located and returned home following minor accident. Congratulations on your respectful and friendly services. ❚ The best place for bikes gangs is out in the country somewhere, not in town. Or perhaps get rid of them altogether. ❚ Came past in the bus Thursday and fantastic to see machinery working, making foundations I take it, in the property of fo ❚ Palmerston North is sure to get a Krispy Kreme in time I reckon. It’s a fast food capital. Can’t wait.

attitude from the ministers of police, health and immigration.

If these politicians can stick to these ideals then we won’t have to drain the swamp this coming election.

Wouldn’t it be great if NZ was governed for the betterment of NZ, instead of harvesting votes from social engineers, do-gooders and smart immigrants who are ripping off a slack immigration system. D BODDY Feilding

Close in life and death

What a lovely but sad story of the elderly couple Robert and Yvonne Stickland, who were married for 50 years plus and died within hours of each other.

Being an ex funeral director, they should have been buried or cremated in a twin casket made for two. This is often the case when a couple are so close to each other. When one dies the other can pass away within hours or days.

Love to the family and I am sure they will be left with wonderful memories. GARY STEWART Foxton Beach