FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE
In reply to J Gartner re: Cat Attack on Merwood and dog [Taupo Times, January 6].
J Gartner obviously doesn’t believe my husky Sam and myself were attacked by 3 wild cats in Hinekura Avenue, as she says the article should have read ‘‘Woman claims she was attacked by wild cats’’.
I can assure her that we were attacked by 3 wild cats. I can name the number of the property. And she also suggests Sam and I were close to the home (homes are pretty close to pavements in Taupo!) and maybe we went inside their gate or fence - what a pathetic comment.
The property in question is not fenced and we do not go into other people’s properties looking for trouble. They were not domesticated cats protecting their property as she suggests, I can assure her, as I walk with Sam every day and we often see cats on pavements ahead or in gardens, and they take off very quickly when they see us walking towards them, as all domesticated cats do.
I suggest since she did not witness this attack, she could spend her time doing other worthwhile activities, than writing this very long letter to the Times.
I am a 68 years old woman and this attack on my dog and myself was a very frightening experience I can tell you.
Please may I add that Steph Rangi compiled an exceptional article on what is the truth of this attack. Well done Steph and well done the Taupo Times.
ROAD TOLL DISAPPOINTING
The provisional road toll for 2016 is 326, Associate Transport Minister David Bennett says.
The road toll is not just a number — every figure represents a life needlessly lost and family, friends and communities grieving. Our thoughts are with those that have lost loved ones on our roads over the past year.
Provisional data for 2016 indicates 24 per cent of fatal crashes involved drivers travelling too fast for the conditions. Drugs and alcohol contributed to 40 per cent of fatal crashes, and 39 per cent of drivers and 42 per cent of passengers killed in car crashes were not wearing seatbelts.
The reasons why more people are killed or injured on our roads one year to the next are complex. But whatever the reason, the road toll remains too high, and the increase over the last three years is disappointing.
The Government is committed to making New Zealand roads safer and reducing the number of people injured and killed in crashes.
We’re continually investing in physical improvements such as median barriers, rumble strips and wide shoulders, as well as in road safety enforcement, advertising, and education campaigns.
Also, the Ministry of Transport has commissioned research to better understand the factors influencing the road toll.
Road users also have a responsibility to keep themselves and others safe. It is disappointing that the summer holiday road toll is already higher than the previous year so I encourage people to drive safely, be considerate of other drivers and follow the road rules.
We have the whole year ahead of us, so let’s all do what we can to make sure the road toll is far lower than last year.
Media release from Associate Transport Minister David Bennett
INTERNET CHATTER
The other councillors should visit the reserve now and see that it is being used by families having a great kiwi beach day in our district. The other 11 months of the year cars have minimal impact. - Julie Jennings comments on Kinloch Reserve Story on Taupo Times Facebook page.