Please curb the danger of this kerb
The intersection of Kerrs and Buckleys roads in Linwood has a length of damaged kerbing extending about 15 metres south along Buckleys Rd. Its purpose is, presumably, to prevent a collision, but, from its damaged condition, it seems to cause them.
A driver on Kerrs Rd proceeding to Buckleys Rd has to check their left wing mirror for Buckleys vehicles going south and in doing so obviously does not see the extended (and damaged) kerb and so may move left too early and sustain costly wheel damage (my experience!)
I think this piece of damaged kerb offers very little help for drivers and should be removed. If council really deems a “barrier” necessary, then replace it with the orange posts which are more visible and less destructive.
Peter Payne, Mt Pleasant
Council funding
I have read with interest the organisations or events etc which are requesting the Christchurch City Council allocates them funding – or even additional funding.
This is not meant at to be aimed at any specific organisation/event – but I do feel it is unfair if Christchurch ratepayers – who are contributing to these entities’ costs and existence, are charged the same entry fee as anyone else, effectively paying more than anyone else.
Many years ago, when we went to Hawaii – there was a system in existence for local residents – who were entitled to a discounted entry fee to events/ attractions etc. Surely this would be a fair point for consideration by all involved?
J Crooks, Burwood
Alumni alarm
If Otago University is churning out alumni who believe Grant Robertson “virtually singlehandedly bankrupted our country, saddling every man, woman and child with crippling debt” (Not everyone happy Robertson got top job - 22.4.2024), then it needs new teaching staff along with its new vice-chancellor.
It’s worth repeating that Robertson’s finance department maintained New Zealand’s AAA/AA+ credit rating and drew some, frankly, gushing compliments from the world’s rating agencies for his management of the economy, particularly through the Covid episodes.
As far as debt is concerned, while it’s entirely fair to say government debt grew under Robertson’s tenure, it never quite matched John Key’s 2012 record, at 52% of GDP. It’s probably worth pointing out that the UK, with the benefit of 14 years of the sort of government I suspect certain Otago alumni would likely vote for, currently sits at 186%.
Andrew Bennett, Lyttelton
Stories long told
The stories of the sons of Waltham who died during WWI have been told at the Waltham Memorial Gates every Anzac Day since 2015 because of the advocacy of former community board member Karolin Potter. I was disappointed that was not mentioned in your article (A new public service to be held this Anzac Day, April 22).
Thank you Karolin for noticing and caring about those stories, and placing value on a simple act of communal remembrance - one of the more profound Anzac Day experiences I have had.
Paul McMahon, Woolston
Remember the past
Carter Group waves its authority (Heritage ruling may halt project, April 20). Development v heritage.
Progress must remember the past as the future develops. Otherwise, there is nothing.The blue cottage, dating from 1870, is vintage early settler.
Carter Group, all powerful, can afford to honour the past and remove the blue cottage to a suitable location, repair it, and bask in the subsequent honour. Daphne Crampton, Sockburn
Bus service
Orana Park has made a plea to the city council for funding as visitors to the park cover only 65% of its costs. The chief executive says it is impossible to raise ticket prices.
Yet its prices are lower than those for the gondola, which, from my observations as an annual pass holder, doesn’t seem to suffer from a lack of tourists or families visiting.
The gondola is easily accessible from the city compared to Orana Park and is well serviced by buses. There is no bus service to Orana Park.
I suggest that the chief executive of Orana Park lobby Environment Canterbury for a bus service, if only at weekends initially, raise prices to match those of the gondola, and have special price days to attract more visitors.
Sue Piercey, Heathcote Valley
Artists’ village
I’m with the Catholic parishioners who have voted to rebuild their cathedral on its original site. To me, it speaks of a modesty and humanity that is truly Christian.
I agree with young parishioner Matthew Pelenato, who said the Armagh St site “seemed more like a business plan”.
It would be equally wonderful if the now vacated site was to become a village for artists, musicians and performers. In an echo of the post-earthquake period, our creative architects and designers should be invited to put forward a blueprint for inner city living that is at once beautiful and affordable. It‘s something we have yet to see - at least since the “Breathe” project was cancelled.
Studios, laneways, attic rooms, balconies - affordable places to live and work and display their craft.
The precinct that would emerge would bring a richness and diversity to a potentially beautiful city.
Susan Wauchop, Reefton
Electorate’s mandate
I am rapidly becoming sick and tired of the negative comments from the left-wing parties, criticising new legislation from the coalition.
They need to take a breath and consider what they achieved after six years in power. Across the country their combined performance was abysmal.
And they should remember that the coalition has the electorate’s mandate for the changes it is introducing.
So unless they have something positive to say to get this country’s house in order, particularly the massive public debt we face, they should keep their traps shut. Jim Trathen, Pegasus Town
Business slackers
When it comes to jobs not getting done, nothing trumps Winston Peters or the ACT Party. Neoliberalism was supposed to trim both central and local government budgets because business community initiatives would ideally take up the slack.
The reality is business leaders, local and foreign, are as much slackers as the next citizen when it comes to doing unpaid work.
Simon Rolleston, Bromley
The pledge
Hundreds in city protest over Palestine (April 22). The accompanying photo shows a large gathering last Saturday, at the Bridge of Remembrance in Christchurch.
Actually large rallies have been taking place in Christchurch every Saturday for months now. Similar weekly rallies have been taking place not just in Christchurch and New Zealand, but in many other parts of the world.
My feeling is that the rally participants are motivated by the horrific, sadistic nightmarish ongoing genocidal war inflicted by the Israeli regime on the people of Gaza... people with names and faces. The war is backed by the West, especially the US.
But what can the public do besides hold rallies week after week? Maybe everyone with any humanity should gather in Wellington, surround the Israeli embassy, demand the ambassador leave New Zealand and not come back until the war is halted and massive relief campaigns begun.
Remember the pledge “never again”? The pledge is Never Again to Anyone.