Ban fireworks

Once again we have inconsiderate people letting off fireworks, and bangers in particular, as soon as they are on sale and at all times of the day or night, up to 2 or 3 in the morning. They obviously do not realise that the people whose sleep they are disrupting could well be those who might be required to help them in the case of an accident.

It is a well known fact that sleep deprivation upsets the body’s ability to cope with untoward events. Unfortunately the perpetrators are unlikely to take any notice of letters to the editor or articles in your newspaper. Only social media and then only the particular sites they use are likely to get the message through to them – if at all.

It seems that local government is unwilling to proceed with any sort of control unless central government does it first. And the previous government appeared loath to deal with the matter despite our own MP bringing it to their attention.

It is to be hoped that the new government will have the guts to follow other countries’ leads in this matter and ban them from private use for the sake of people and pets.

Eric Driver

Blenheim the 2015 Seddon earthquake.

A memorable moment came when Nelson needed to light the candles on his birthday cake. Nelson called out ‘‘Does anyone have a match or lighter?’’ Fortyfour people shook their heads.

‘‘Is there anyone here that smokes?’’ Again, forty-four people shook their heads.

Eventually someone found a lighter and we all sang happy birthday to Nelson. But what a remarkable and healthy problem to have. Forty-four non-smokers will also hopefully have many happy returns.

Evan Robinson

Redwoodtown crept up on us.

Where were the watchdogs like Forest and Bird and the vociferous ‘‘greens’’?

We had warnings years ago that there might be a ‘‘Silent Spring’’ but there was never a check on whatever harm might be arising from our agricultural chemicals. There was no outcry about the dangers of drawing excessive water from the aquifer and rivers for irrigation. Even now too little is being done to halt the muck that enters the rivers from towns and farms, both directly and via the aquifer. ‘‘Saving the birds’’ by dumping an insecticide/poison like 1080 by the ton has been so dishonest.

Never forget that mankind is living here too.

Every drop of water and every morsel of human food in the way of vegetable, fruit, meat or fish from our country and from our sea is affected by that same cocktail of chemicals that has killed the birds, insects and aquatic life. Who knows whether the growing number of ills affecting both children and adults now could be due to some of that unseen poison? There is an increased incidence of cancer, alzheimers’ and previously little heard of problems like sensitivity to gluten and even the almost plague of obesity.

You may say some of these problems are due to the food we eat, but remember all that food contains some of that deadly cocktail.

Rob McMillan

Otaihanga dog by throwing her under the wheels of a car I’m sure it would be considered a punishable offence. How is killing by fireworks any different? All fireworks need to be banned.

Jenny Moxham

Monbulk, Victoria