Service not what it was — and that’s the tooth

I RECENTLY lost my dentures, so naturally went to the supplier, the Dunedin Dental School, for a replacement. What a difference to the old dental school building, and what a difference to the service.

Instead of a friendly, dropin type arrangement, I had to make an appointment, and nothing was available for 12 months. I sort of staggered from the place and went to look up ‘‘dentists’’ in the Yellow Pages. Then I found the darn things.

I sincerely hope the new hospital isn’t a replica — not just the wide corridors and featureless, 1984style, unfriendly waiting rooms and corridors, but the service. Imagine: ‘‘Sorry, the waiting list for heart attacks is . . . ’’ I. Williams

Ravensbourne

Water testing

CURRENTLY, many Canterbury rural residents are having their drinking water tested for levels of nitrates. These tests are free, with the funding for them provided by Fish and Game and Greenpeace.

Surely the funding instead should be provided by Fonterra and the dairy section of Federated Farmers. After all, the dairy industry is mostly to blame for what is increasingly a very serious problem. Paul Hayward

Oamaru

Cr Vandervis

IN Dunedin, we are so lucky to have excellent chief executives of Forsyth Barr Stadium, the museum, and the resurfaced tennis centre. Behind the scenes, many knowledgeable train enthusiasts are working towards reopening the Central Otago railway line. It is a pity Dunedin city councillor Lee Vandervis has been so negative towards any forwardthinking ideas for our city, such as these, and is so derogatory of other Dunedin City Council staff.

I hate the thought of us ratepayers having to fund his dispute court costs. Margaret Young

Mosgiel