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A wee salute

Another trout fishing season is well underway, and without doubt, those of us of the piscatorial persuasion living in Southland are some of the luckiest trout fishers on the globe.

We have access to some of the best trout fisheries in the world right on our doorstep. An array of streams, rivers and lakes that are located among the most glorious sceneries and landscapes that this planet possesses.

And why? Simply put - because we have access.

With the purchase of a trout fishing licence we can literally go fish anywhere we want so long as we have access.

Fish and Game do a really good job in obtaining us that access. No doubt about it.

The truth is however, we only have that access due to the generosity of our farmers and landowners who willingly agree to grant that access across their land so we can enjoy our passion and pastime.

So, a long overdue and overlooked acknowledgement. To all farmers and landowners who grant us that access, be it via Fish and Game angler access arrangements or through simply opening their door to a stranger knocking on their door, and saying ‘‘yes’’ to a request for access to the river. Thank you. David Butler Invercargill

Dying flax

What was the thinking of the powers that be who killed the green flax along our roadways? Were they a real hazard?

What proof was there that they were harmful for our roads - flax need moisture to grow so would have swallowed up the excess.Our beautiful Southland highways are now ugly, not just the RivertonTuatapere Highway but Invercargill to Fortrose (all of our Southern Scenic Route).

What are the overseas tourist seeing? Instead of lush green country the dying flax must be so depressing. And now travelling on Eastern Southland roads on a car run recently, the dying flax is everywhere.

What a sad depressing state our beautiful Southland has become.

We see the dying flax as we travel around and do not look further out to our lush green farmlands or scenic views beyond. F Kennedy Invercargill

Wastewater

In a brief article (November 11) titled ‘‘Wastewater recommendation’’ you report that the Southland District Council’s Te Anau Wastewater discharge project committee has reviewed the recommendations of environmental science consultancy e3Scientific and decided the Kepler block is the most viable disposal site for treated wastewater.

On the face of it, this article reads well and should be very reassuring for the public. But the alarming reality is that at no time has the council ever consulted and conferred with any highly experienced agronomists, to determine and confirm if the disposal of ‘‘treated’’ wastewater to land will be efficacious at Manapouri or elsewhere in the Te Anau Basin.

I find it entirely incomprehensible why the council has failed / steadfastly refused to do so. Probably, because these practical people would over turn their proposal.

Meanwhile the council sits, match poised ready to light the nitrate time bomb currently resting between its knees.

And who in the future is going to wear the fallout and bear the consequences?

Enough is enough. The only viable solution is go right back to the drawing board, to redesign a waste disposal plant on site at Te Anau, where the water can be treated to drinkable quality and piped back into the Upukerora River. G MBell Te Anau

Fight for Kidz

With the promoters getting close to closing off entries for the 2018 Fight for Kidz Event the challenge is out to the Star Rugby Football Club and Marist Rugby Club to front up with 2 of there most courageous players to fight for the worthy charity at this event.

By accepting this inter club challenge for this event each one of you will draw a large amount of supporters from each club to support your player on the night.So come on Marist and Star, dig deep and with 12 weeks’ preparation you will head into fight both well oiled machines. So don’t put it off, take up this challenge and make your club and the people very proud of you both. Denny Enright Mt Maunganui