Aquarium is still open for group visits

WITH the PorttoPort harbour ferry starting up, I thought this would be a great opportunity to take my grandson for a visit to ‘‘the other side’’.

Firstly, we just love boats and, secondly, I thought we could visit the Portobello aquarium so I could show him some fish.

I contacted the aquarium for opening times to be told ‘‘we are not open to the public’’.

So they spend millions of dollars on earthquake strengthening, they sit on some of the finest property on the Otago Harbour but want to keep it all to themselves?

I wonder where those millions came from in the first place?

Alwyn Frost

St Leonards [New Zealand Marine Studies Centre manager Tessa Mills replies: ‘‘Your correspondent is correct in that the Marine Studies Centre ceased taking walkin visits in 2012 due to earthquake risk to the old aquarium building, which has since been demolished. It has been replaced with a teaching lab and research facility.

‘‘However, the centre remains committed to communicating marine science to the community and runs a busy schedule of regular prearranged visits and public events for the likes of school groups, holiday programmes and specific open days, such as during the science festival. We welcome anyone interested in booking a group visit to contact the centre.’’

Truly it was a miracle

CORRESPONDENT Charles Higham (ODT, 3.10.18) says ‘‘Pope Eugene IV’s son became Pope Paul II, and Paul IV was the son of Pope Leo X.’’

It is worth noting that Paul II was the son of Niccolo Barbo and

Polixena Condulmer, Eugene’s sister, making Paul Eugene’s nephew.

Further, as Leo X was born on December 11, 1475 and Paul IV was born on June 28, 1476, Leo must have fathered Paul while still in the womb. Miraculous at least.

Robert Wansink

St Clair