Town Hall memories stirred
Thanks Johnny Moore for stirring up wonderful Town Hall memories yesterday, ranging from the NZSO to the Suzuki violins at the School of Music annual concert. I too will be finding a concert to go to in the restored Town Hall as soon as possible. I expect to cry when I get there, just as I did on my first visit to the restored Theatre Royal, rather surprising the woman on the door. On visits to Christchurch from my new home in Nelson, I always have very mixed emotions. Going to old haunts and places that meant a lot to me over the years, that are relatively unchanged or restored, puts me on an even keel again. Not just buildings, I am also looking forward to seeing the last phase of the Avon River restoration in my turangawaewae, the Avon Loop.
And that Old Crow Medicine Show – what I remember are the security guards trying desperately to stop people dancing. Until the lead singer said – ‘‘If y’all get up and dance what can they do?’’ So we did. Alison Locke, Nelson
Lime permit
The Christchurch City Council has granted the Lime company a 12-month permit to operate a fleet of 1000 scooters. Discussion of a licensing fee per scooter, and potential profit, was prevalent in the ensuing news report.
What I did not read was anything that addressed pedestrian and disability rights, helmet use, a speed limit, or safety and law education campaigns. Nor did I see any concrete information from Lime about the real impact of their scooters on sustainability and congestion. What I did read was e-scooters bring ‘‘spontaneity back into the city’’, and make the city feel ‘‘young again’’’ (whatever that means).
The introduction of e-scooters has been too casual and I just hope no further complication arise with either the scooters or Lime. I await with interest to see whether or not the victims of Lime’s brake fault will consider seeking legal redress, and from whom.
Jo Barrett, Papanui
Akaroa survey
As a new Akaroa bach owner, I was in the middle of composing a submission in support of the proposed targeted rate on Akaroa ratepayers to contribute towards the Akaroa Community Health Trust when I read Nicholas Sibley’s letter yesterday.
I am amazed anybody should object to having their opinions canvassed on a matter as important as this. The figures speak for themselves.
Akaroa has a population of around 640 (2013 census) and yet a ratepayer base of 2801, reflecting the high number of unoccupied baches.
Currently the burden of raising the $3 million required as community funding has fallen on a limited number of local residents and yet the benefit of the health centre will accrue to ‘‘bachies’’ as well.
Raffles, pub quizzes and rattling a bucket on cruise ship days are an extremely hard way to raise such an amount.
Surely it behoves all ratepayers to contribute and the $58.63 (for 10 years) or $130 (for four years) is a small amount to pay for the proposed facility.
Vicki Steven, St Albans
Bigger picture
In response to Glenn McConnell (Feb 28) - ‘‘Principals, get a life and stop bullying children’’, there is a bigger picture here.
To give a large cohort of individuals in a group the best possible chance at functioning as a cohesive entity, they are asked to concede – voluntarily or compulsorily – some of their individual ‘‘rights’’.
This happens at schools, in the workplace and in society in general. Mature, robust discussion around the rules being reviewed has its place as rules can and do become irrelevant or obsolete over time.
Glenn’s column could invite this sort of discussion. However it misses that chance by descending into a tone of derisiveness and name-calling so prevalent these days and which in my view does both him and his profession a great disservice.
Tracey Glass, West Melton