The Bay of Plenty Times welcomes letters and comments from readers. Below you can read the letters we have published in our newspaper today.
TODAY'S LETTERS:
Reader fondly remembers friend Matty
Re: Holden loving Mathew's final journey (News, October 6).
Mathew was a friend of mine from both Te Puna School and Otumoetai College. I haven't seen him since year 12. I didn't realise that he died of muscular dystrophy until this week. In year 10 science I achieved an assignment on muscular dystrophy, everything else I failed.
I remember a long time ago when I was living with Dad Mathew came out one day and a photo was taken of him with Dad on the tractor. I couldn't remember anything else.
Matty was in Mr Drury's class back at Te Puna school and his teacher aide was Tracy who I used to know. I must have been year 7 when Matty was at Te Puna. I left that school in 2004 and didn't see him until year 12 at Otumoetai College. He probably stayed only for that year then he left.
Rest in Peace Matty.
BRODIE JOHNSTON Gate Pa
Tragedy unnecessary
Re: Two die in police pursuit (News, October 8).
I am quite critical of the police's action in this chase. The 4WD and a single police vehicle in pursuit sped (in excess of 120km/h) to the east end of Papamoa Beach Rd past my home and back again.
It was obvious the driver was not going to stop, yet the pursuit continued. Do the police not have better options? Tragedy aside, this incident will cost the country a lot of money. It is a needless loss of life and the entire scene was completely reminiscent of old western movies.
I can imagine the vehicle speed was excessive and dangerous even after each time the police withdrew. Police action was sufficient to push the driver - who may well have been on drugs - across the line where they simply made the wrong choice.
TAIT WICHMAN Papamoa
Pursuit of truth
Re: Two die in police pursuit (News, October 8).
It is time for the media to stop referring to these sort of stories as police pursuits. If the offenders stopped when signalled to by the police there would be no pursuit and those fleeing offenders would still be alive
It is just fortunate that most of the deaths that occur have only involved the offenders. It is a tragedy when fleeing offenders result in innocent motorists or bystanders being killed or injured.
GLENN WILLIAMS Te Puke
Dangerous rules
I and probably many, many readers agree with what Doug Milne (Your View, October 6) has said about this current dangerous traffic rule and in addition the reason for the lengthy implementation for the change.
Is there something that we don't know? I would like to hear from some knowledgeable source as to the reason why this can't be changed sooner.
Everything Doug has said makes sense and all those who have travelled extensively must surely agree.
Come on New Zealand. Let's move from the olde world and take that giant step forward for once with something more positive than what we presently have on the table.
GEORGE ADCOCK Pyes Pa
Public will pay
The understanding was that all appropriate sports (especially those already there) would be located at in the new Blake Park Sports redevelopment zone, otherwise it's all really a waste of time. Currently the "I want, I need, I want" mentality of fringe groups has to stop. There is no need for badminton to relocate to one of few Green Space Reserves at Newton Rd, at the Mount. Councillor Guy's criticism is right on the money.
Tauranga Indoor Sports, Mount Sports Centre, QEII Centre, Bethlehem, Tauranga, Aquinas Colleges - memorial halls all adequately serve the local community and in most cases cater for sports like badminton, otherwise what are they going to be used for?
Badminton, like bowls, is not a booming sport in New Zealand. This project will need maximum TECT, BayTrust funding and yet again, it's not a "needy" community charity. There is no evidence of any badminton club savings, building funds or cash contributions. The community will pick up any shortfall. As usual the public will pay, not the participants. Will anyone even have the nous to ensure any such facility doubles as indoor tennis courts?
TCC bureaucrats always seem to come up with left-field done deals set in concrete which are preserved for blessing by elected members and ratepayers without any prior warning.
(Abridged)
R PATERSON Matapihi
Hyena on P
It is unbelievable to read that there are people in our community who actually admire the foul-mouthed Paul Henry. I have read of his racist gaffes and was sent a video clip of him when he talked about Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit (pronounced Dixit). Not only does he dissolve into hysterical laughter like a hyena on P but he goes on and on making even more racist remarks such as it is a suitable name as she is Indian and their streets are full of it.
So far he has made offensive remarks about a woman who has facial hair, called millionairess Susan Boyle "retarded", queried whether our Governor-General "looks like New Zealander" despite him having been born here, and all TVNZ does is take him off the air for two weeks. He ought to be banished from New Zealand screens forever as he has done irreparable damage to New Zealanders at the Commonwealth Games and to New Zealand as a whole.
Paul Henry ought to be called "Appalling Henry" - it is obvious he is sick and needs help.
MARY BROOKS Tauranga
Crass, ignorant
Dear Eva, Liberal with well washed hands writing. Reading Girl Talk (BOP Times, October 8), that mysterious opinion piece I usually avoid as being too far outside my ken, you write extremely well and have a great future in journalism no doubt.
Just a couple of points; Paul Henry's comments are a big deal - diplomatic questions have been asked - his crass, ignorant and childish comments on broadcast TV have no place in modern New Zealand.
Secondly, your inference that only left wingers are upset by his comments is wrong and denigrates those of a conservative political leaning who are also seriously offended.
That's better, knickers untwisted.
TOM SEDDON Tauranga
TODAY'S TEXTS:
* The police shud lay off dnt they no its an adrenelin rush 4 the young ones 2 get chased. Who wins in the end. No 1 cause sme1 ends up dead.Y do the police put others at risk on the road. M heke .t m j
* Police must chase or we allow thieves and law breakers to have the upper hand. It's simple; don't flee or you'll pay the price
* Criminals not police are responsible for road carnage roads are today safer by two more cowards
* murray guy what a poor looser nothing less professional than a public slanging triade when u dont win glad i didnt vote 4 u grow up either do the job with pride and honor or get out dont throw your toys out of the sandpit
* Steamers captain not the 1 bringin game in to disrepute.Its the incompetent referees that are doin that! Censure McPhail for bein biased!
* Hi its not the same please bring paul henry back he brighten up our day. Bring him back. Sad sad sad.
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