North Shore Times (New Zealand)
CARING FOR SPACES
I was horrified to see the Bayswater Boating Club a heritage listed building for sale and the condition of the building in the photograph in the North Shore Times. Thank you
Auckland Council for halting this process. It would be nice to see this building restored and painted. Thank you to Jan O’Connor for your Facebook notices and all those that signed the petitions that helped delay the loss and redevelopment of the Takapuna Anzac St car park. If we don’t care about our space, our space won’t care about us.
Marie Telfer
Forrest Hill
COMMUNITY SAFETY
I am a 12 year old who lives in Beach Haven. Five days a week I walk up Fordham Street to catch my bus to Carmel College. Yesterday morning, I was horrified to discover a vandalised bus stop. The windows were all broken and there were chunks of glass on the pavement. At 6 pm, the glass was still there. I struggle to understand why some people destroy things we all benefit from and why they pollute our environment. When I spoke to my dad, who is an engineer, about it, he said that there is a very simple and quick solution that is already working: if a bus stop is equipped with an IOT device, the device will send immediately a signal to the local authorities if vandalised. I think that it would make our community safer and that everyone would benefit from it. Olivia Lohner-McBride Beach Haven
TALKING TREES
Betty Robb (North Shore Times, November 7) queries the hysteria about the front-page story about pohutukawa pruning, yet generates hysteria about the danger from trees and a perceived lack of insurance cover. The claim that all large trees need to be pruned to take weight out and protect the root structure is incorrect. Each tree needs to be treated differently depending on its growing circumstances. Of the examples shown on the front-page story, none of the work was necessitated by a risk of damage to people or property from tree failure. Please, don’t spread misinformation that does nothing but proliferate the fear of trees and promote the inane desire to control the natural environment around us. Seek the advice of a professional arborist before making any substantial decisions that affect trees.
Craig Webb (Arborist) Birkdale
CROSSING CONCERNS
An upsurge in pedestrian deaths was reported recently. Yesterday I approached the pedestrian crossing at Bentley Ave,
Glenfield, intending to cross and walk down to the library. Another pedestrian was waiting to cross Glenfield Road on the crossing perpendicular to mine.
As I came up to the push button, the buzzer sounded so I stepped onto the crossing and was almost struck by a car approaching from my right which was proceeding on a green light. I was shocked but after watching several phases of lights was able to determine that a ‘‘red man don’t cross signal’’ doesn’t show until the button is pressed.
The sound of the buzzer (due to the other pedestrian waiting) led me to believe that it was safe to cross. This is a dangerous situation. I can’t help wondering whether Auckland Transport, to save power consumption, has turned off red man signals which in my opinion, should show at all times when it’s not safe to cross. Neil M. Barnett
Northcote
HAVE YOUR SAY
Letters should not exceed 250 words and must have full name, residential address and phone number. The editor reserves the right to edit, abridge or withhold any correspondence without explanation. Letters may be referred to others for right of reply before publication. Email: nsnews@snl.co.nz Mail: North Shore Times, PO Box 79, Orewa.