Bad apples: Letters, 7 October

The Bay of Plenty Times welcomes letters and comments from readers. Here you can read the letters we have published in your newspaper today.

Poor apple industry must learn

It is bad news that export prices for produce have dropped.

Apples are down 23 per cent with growers again operating at a loss.

In spite of equally tough market competition kiwifruit have only dropped 4 per cent while dairy prices are only down 1.6 per cent.

There must be a lesson there for the poor apple growers.

Congratulations to all those who worked so hard for the introduction of single desk marketing. Long may it last.

David Underwood, Wellington

Poor Cup effort

What a pathetic effort shown by our council. Every other council in the country has supported the World Cup and benefited by millions of tourist dollars invested in their local community.

We have heard that our bid to host games was amateur at best and a couple of schoolkids could have written a better business plan.

No wonder we aren't hosting any games.

Since then the council put its head in the ground and the biggest party this country has ever seen has just bypassed us.

We have been to New Plymouth and Hamilton for games and tourists have raved about these cities. They won't about Tauranga because the visitors don't know we exist.

Now we can't even get a fan zone even though the council have had years to plan one - why start planning halfway through the competition?

We really are just one big tired old retirement home. And those councillors opposing any World Cup initiatives have cost this city dearly, they deserve to be thrown out at next election.

Simon Hancock, Bethlehem

Fan base fiasco

There is a silver lining to the fan base fiasco and that is the people of Tauranga will not forget come election time, no matter how far away it is.

This has got to be their biggest stuff up and there have been a few.

Murray Guy thinks he's being fiscally responsible but a fan base would bring huge economic gains for the CBD not to mention a much needed boost to the community spirit.

You have to remember we have had six years to prepare for this "once in a lifetime" opportunity to show what Tauranga can do.

Terry Molloy should stand for Mayor next election and the rest should go and sit in the Mount Hot Pools until they freeze to death.

John Harvey, Amphora On The Strand

Calling all McKays

We are seeking descendants of Hugh, Henry, Mary and Grace McKay who came from County Antrim, Northern Ireland in 1880. Hugh McKay m Katie Haylock; Henry McKay m Elizabeth Cannon at St Joseph's Catholic Church Wanganui;

Mary McKay m Daniel McHardy, also at St Joseph's Catholic Church; Grace McKay m Matthew Riordon. Hugh and Katie McKay had a family of eight - Hugh, Ned, Alec, Henry, Jack, Joe, Alice and Jim.

We wish to make contact with any descendants that may still reside in the area, as they are known to have resided in the Katikati area and of later years family of Henry McKay (son of Hugh) resided in Tauranga and the wider area. We are helping to organise a family reunion to be held on the December 29, 2012 in Hastings.

For further information please contact Kathy and Hugh McKay (06) 878 3625 or mckayfam@xtra.co.nz

Kathy McKay, Hastings