Bringing the Selwyn River back to life

The announcement by the government to introduce water via the irrigation pipeline to the Selwyn River system is the most sensible suggestion I have heard so far.

It has been my belief since the big irrigation scheme was first mooted that the first cumecs of water should go to this destination. Boosting the Selwyn to flow continuously year round even in times of drought would have a dramatic effect on not only the Selwyn but also the Irwell River and several of the other streams which are directly connected.

These streams, which once provided great fishing, spawning and nesting habitat, go dry with fish stranded on a regular basis, as happens in the Selwyn River.

The net result will be more fresh water entering Lake Ellesmere in summer, good swimming at Coe’s Ford, and once again excellent trout fishing opportunities. Colin Patterson Leeston

Where to place the fig leaf

The Green Party Dear-leadership going all Kim Jong Un on Kennedy Graham and David Clendon for not putting party and procedure ahead of principle in reference to Metiria Turei’s ongoing fraud revelations is not a good look.

The ‘‘greater good’’ fig leaf can only cover so much unpleasant political anatomy at any one time. James Shaw would rather his (ex) colleagues wear blinkers than permit them to take cognisance of the party’s ethical nakedness. Darren A. Saunders Waltham