A quick word

I was appalled and outraged by the killing of the cow and her calf from Totara Park. The cow was not “attacking” — she was defending her baby; the most powerful protective instinct on the planet. If a person puts themselves into a position where a maternal instinct is triggered, they deserve everything they get. The calf and her mother didn’t.

Fritha Parkes, Mangere Bridge

In contrast to letters complaining about responses from Auckland Council and Watercare, positive feedback is also due. One recent evening I noticed a leak spilling water on to the street from a vacant property in Western Springs. I phoned Watercare after hours and got through immediately to a very courteous and helpful person. Two days later I received a message saying the leak had been fixed and thanking me. Terry Kayes, Mt Eden

I don’t believe fines are much of a deterrent for driving faults. To some people $80, or even $500 is not much more than pocket money. Perhaps if the offending phone were to be confiscated, drivers might be persuaded to not use them . Margaret Bongard, Grey Lynn

Let’s set up a special “language working group” to “have a conversation” about free speech and “build broad cross-party consensus” on the issue “going forward”.

Mike Wagg, Freemans Bay

Obviously Marama Davidson in her childhood never learned the credo we were taught — “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me”. Margaret Payne, Milford

I don’t think the free speech protesters get it. Everywhere in the world where free speech is banned, so also is the right to protest — they should be very careful what they wish for. Chester Rendell, Paihia

Who were the screaming kids who were at the debate at Auckland University on Thursday night? Their parents must have been awfully embarrassed at their appalling, undisciplined, childish behaviour. Jasmine Archer, Windsor Park.

Parents are crying out because their kids are forced to fight for a place on often overcrowded buses taking workers to and from their places of employment. All so Auckland Transport can be seen trying to save money. At the same time, dozens if not hundreds of empty or if not near empty buses , sometimes double deckers, run around Botany and Pakuranga day and night, at off peak times. Probably the same all over Auckland. Bob Wichman, Botany