Suddenly — nothing

I was pleased to read in Thursday’s edition of the Northland Age (June 6) that the council will be employing someone that specialises in performance and efficiency improvement.

I inquired at Te Ahu about when the grass at the back of my property might be getting done, having been told by a neighbour that the council normally does it. It hasn’t been done in over two years now, and is growing over the top of my 1.5m fence.

I was handed a request for information number, and was told someone would phone me in four weeks. That was six weeks ago, and so far… nothing. I probably shouldn’t be surprised, as I sent an email asking a question regarding the issuing of parking tickets in Commerce St back in February 2017 and I’m still waiting for an answer to that as well.

I wonder if this is common practice, and if anyone else has experienced the same when asking simple questions from council, or if it’s a case of asking questions that council don’t like being asked? C GETTY

Kaitaia seagulling on the wharf.

They told great stories and had many skills, but some couldn’t read and barely sign their names.

They taught us kids how to bait a hook that would score a fish, and how to manage a work horse. They could sharpen saws, swing an axe, recite a poem, and describe the government as mugs.

One I remember was a Boer War vet.

A successful gold panning season with the golden dust carried in a small screw-top Aspirin bottle in some cases brought on a whisky hangover. Overdue reform and concern arrived with the first Savage-led Labour government.

The world has changed greatly in so many ways, but radical changes in politics are again essential as they were back when people had shortages of essential basic needs, as too many now are experiencing. Add to this that the most powerful and rich nations have the greatest debt problems.

The need for a little sit down and cup of tea is felt when one thinks about it. SAM McHARG

Kerikeri