Great city — a shame about all this mess
ON walking through your beautiful cultural and historic city today, I chose to walk back from the peaceful botanic garden through the iconic Castle St North.
So, I discovered, did many visitors, only to find the party aftermath from the previous night/s was right there, all over the street and the fronts of the houses.
Broken bottles galore, cardboard cartons, people’s broken property and more.
I could hear the wonderful stirring sounds from the pipe bands competing just a block away which helped to allay the anger inside of me.
I have partied in my day but always knew how to clean up, and not cleaning up was totally unacceptable.
I saw one man with a broom and a trailer, working indirectly for the council, who said only one side of the street would be cleared that night.
The next cleaners started at 6am the next day.
I also spoke with some students who said they had borrowed brooms from the OUSA (I think) to clean up their direct messes. Some told me they needed a skip or two or at least a few recycle bins along the street.
I don’t know what the answer is, but as the cleaner contractor suggested, it could be a partnership venture between the council and the university to tackle this ongoing problem.
Even better, get a Scarfie Army together every morning to assist with clearing the mess. The students love a challenge and to be involved.
It’s an absolute disgrace for what is otherwise a city to be proud of.
I am a boomer, and am accused by the same students of ruining their planet. Excuse me?
And what about the landlords whose properties are being wrecked after being forced to make these homes warm and cosy for their tenants, the students?
Myrtle O’Callaghan
Auckland
Botanic garden
NO wonder our Dunedin Botanic Garden is an awardwinning one. My husband and I spent a lovely Valentine’s Day afternoon enjoying the treasures these gardens have to offer.
Sitting in the Mediterranean garden looking over Dunedin, strolling through the beautifully kept rockery, plus hothouse begonias which had to be seen to be believed.
Many thanks to all the hardworking folk who keep the aviaries and gardens in such pristine condition. The man behind the information centre desk couldn’t have done enough for us.
My only gripe was the number of adults with their heads stuck on their cellphones most of the afternoon. I was tempted to grab many of them — the cellphones — and toss them into the duck pond.
They will never know all the beautiful vistas they missed out on. Margaret Young
Mosgiel
NZ Government
THE Prime Minister announces the Government will now be foundational, not transformational.
It’s beginning to sound like the lyrics to Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
I’m thinking their new catchcry should be ‘‘ditheringtional’’.
Bernard Jennings
Wellington ...................................
BIBLE READING: I am the light of the world. — John 8.12.