Punt photo brings back ‘pleasant memories’ for operator’s family

REGARDING the letter from Bruce Hebbard (ODT, 17.2.21), we also noted the inset photo printed on February 9 was not of the Tuapeka Punt. Consequently, it was interesting to read of it being identified as Albert Town.

River punts and ferries of Southern New Zealand by A. R. Tyrrell — a book launched at the Tuapeka punt centenary — includes a detailed history of river crossings of Otago and Southland.

It contains an earlier photo of Albert Town and the lower punt with the nearby trees in their infancy. There is no fencing along the approach to the jetty. Featuring in a further photo are children being ferried across the Clutha River to attend school in the former hotel, in about 1906.

At Tuapeka Mouth, the puntman’s cottage was occupied until 1975 when a hut was placed for use during opening hours and the punt men travelled to it. The photo shows Mrs Nehoff, wife of the longest serving puntman (190024), with Mrs McGowan, an early member of a continuing Tuapeka family.

Our father operated the Tuapeka punt from 198494. The celebrations and publicity have evoked pleasant memories.

A.G. & A.J. Thompson

Geraldine

Bus fares

WHILE I am sure holders of the SuperGold card have appreciated free travel on buses over the past few months, a $2 flat fare is very reasonable.

However, I sincerely hope the Otago Regional Council will keep this $2 flat fare and don’t go increasing it later this year as superannuitants don’t get the same yearly pay increases as our councillors.

Aurora

Lyn Miller

Purakaunui

THAT the Electricity Authority has found Aurora’s proposed pricing increases across Dunedin, Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes to be fair is an opinion based on Aurora’s present and future plans for its overdue network rebuild (ODT, 24.2.21).

It does not consider the 20 years since Aurora took ownership of the inland network, raised lines charges by as much as 1000%, and supplied that revenue to the Dunedin City Council to be used for stadium debt servicing and rates relief for Dunedin ratepayers.

The real issue here is that Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes consumers have seen well over

$100 million of their cash misappropriated away from essential network maintenance that was never done, and are now being asked to pay for it all again.

Nick Loughnan

Galloway ..................................

BIBLE READING: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. — Lamentations 3.22.