Volunteers ensure gardens remain fit for a queen

MAILBOX

What a pity Jim Cable ( Mailbox, January 5) doesn’t visit Queen’s Gardens more often. He is not alone in caring for their integrity.

Rest assured, Jim, the gardens remain a haven of peace and tranquillity – and they are certainly cared for, not only by the Nelson City Council, through Nelmac’s labours, but by the Queen’s Gardens ‘‘Friends’’, who meet every Thursday morning to trim, sweep and polish.

What a pity, Jim, you missed our cheery faces and laughing camaraderie on December 28 and January 3 as we deadheaded the gorgeous roses, and worked in the Chinese Garden sweeping up fallen leaves and the few twigs around (they just keep coming).

What a pity, Jim, you didn’t meet the visitors from Britain, Europe, the Americas and other countries who stop to comment on the pleasing sight of volunteers working away so cheerfully, keeping the gardens beautiful.

Our Friends group is always looking for additional help. After all, the wind blows and the rain rains – and as anyone with a garden knows, the work never ends.

So, Jim, call us, or come along any Thursday with secateurs, rake, or sponge and bucket to wipe benches or information panels. We need folks like you who care. HAZEL BLOWERS Queen’s Gardens Friends Nelson, January 6.

Noting councillors

Ah, a new year . . . and a new council? I’ve bought a notebook and listed all the present councillors. My New Year resolution is to read, listen and record observations and details before the November election. I promise to cast an intelligent vote based on facts and not last-minute advertising hype.

I will not be influenced by hollow phrases about a ‘‘bright future’’, and when I meet candidates, I will ask them: when was the last time they fed the animals at Natureland, climbed the Centre of New Zealand, wandered through Queen’s Gardens, had lunch at Founders or took a bus ride? And after they walk the 22 kilometres around the Brook Waimarama Sanctuary, what do they really think about a fence?

I’m not interested in adding works of art, initiating new projects, or erecting unnecessary buildings. I want councillors who love Nelson, appreciate its ambience and want to main- tain our amenities and assets to the highest standard. I want leaders who take time to go to the Teddy Bears’ Picnic, not sit in think-tank meetings dreaming up a wish list that will cost us money. Join me and get a notebook of your own. PAM FRAHM Nelson, January 4.

Fine lost trampers

Contrary to the view of Andy Woodhall ( Mailbox, December 29), I do not believe that those who are denied access to the great outdoors necessarily become guests of our correctional facilities.

The vast majority of trampers who head out into the hinterland make it home safely and are never a problem. The issue we have is with a very small number of people who go out totally unprepared, with inadequate clothing, footwear, food etc. In fact, the only thing they have in abundance is stupidity, and I don’t think the taxpayer should be saddled with the cost of retrieving these idiots.

To overcome this problem, perhaps we could adopt a system whereby anybody who wants to go tramping on public land must first register their intentions with either DOC or the police, also signing a declaration that they will pay any expenses incurred in their rescue, should it be necessary. This would be cancelled on their return by alerting the authorities.

There would, of course, be those who would ignore this requirement, but if the authorities have no documentation then, officially, nobody is missing. JOHN FAIRHALL Motueka, January 4.