Support for Arrowtown’s ‘Olive Leaf’ needs aired

YOUR article on the ‘Olive Leaf’ (ODT,

25.9.20) was both misleading and unbalanced, which is surprising considering the accolade given by your art correspondent, the late Peter Entwistle, to the project when it was first launched four years ago.

The first sentence saying that the building’s ‘‘style and size would overshadow the historic church’’, is nonsense. The accompanying artist’s impression shows this to be untrue, since about twothirds of the new building will be underground and its roof is designed to match the schist stonework of the church.

Michael Tierney’s comments are remarkable for what he, a prominent parishioner, omitted to say. For instance, the ‘leaf’ will include a shrine to Mary MacKillop, the Australian saint, who lived and taught in Arrowtown. He would know that having such a shrine will surely attract pilgrims from across New Zealand and Australia.

He would know that having a hall next to the church provides in every parish a welcome facility for enhancing parish activities. He would also know how useful such a facility would be at Christmas, Easter, and other times when the church is far too small for the number of worshippers. Over the past 25 years it has been my privilege to frequently lead these services, and Michael has often been the person trying to cope with the overflow.

He fails to mention that the architect Fred van Brandenburg is giving his services for nothing, and the people of Arrowtown should be grateful for such unusual generosity. His remarks regarding funding are irrelevant, since it is to be built from donations, and if the money does not come the Leaf will not happen.

I hope the Otago Daily Times will follow up with another article quoting some of the convincing and persuasive support for the project being submitted at the court hearing. Michael Hill IC

Dunedin [Abridged]

Town Hall mess

MY husband and I attended the performance of the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra at the Dunedin Town Hall on Saturday, September 19. We were sitting in row N, seats 44 and 45.

During the interval, I noticed something on the floor.

When I looked closely, it was the booklet for the Otago Polytechnic graduation which took place in March. I also noticed food on the floor. This is totally unacceptable. Who is responsible for cleaning the Town Hall?

Leonie Loeber

Roslyn [Dunedin Venues declined to respond to this letter.]

Tyre dust

THE group of students in Britain who have produced a device to capture dust from tyres deserve praise (ODT, 28.9.20). Their research raises interesting issues. According to the quote attributed to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, half a million tonnes of tyre dust is produced in Europe each year. Presumably New Zealand produces its share of this pollutant, which, according to the student group, ‘‘. . . enters our water and eventually makes (its) way through our food chain and comes back to us’’.

A segment of our community is vociferous in its demands that numbers of dairy cattle in New Zealand be reduced because of their perceived impact on our waterways. Will this group extend its demands to include a reduction in the number of motor vehicles on our roads for the same reason?

Bill Wrigley

Dunsandel ..................................

BIBLE READING: The greatest among you will be your servant. Matthew 23.11.