Letters to Editor: Big Wigs' scene

 Israel Dagg's hand gesture.

Grasped the paper in hot hand this Saturday morning, September 24. Rushed to Page 20 of the Sport supplement.

Oh no! Social disaster! I am not a B lister, [name and photo] , nor a B- lister, [name only]. Of course, those who wish to be upwardly mobile in the social metropolis of Hawke's Bay, have NO chance of making the A list "Big Wigs" published some weeks ago. Sigh!

But don't panic, I am sure those of you who also want to join the group of illustrious personages "who know better than the rest of us what is good for the rest of us in the Hawke's Bay region", will have a reprieve. There is bound to be a C list [photo and name], and a subsequent C- list [name only].

Can you imagine the social kudos in publication of yourself on one of these lists? Instead of the greeting: "How was your day dear?" when darling comes home from the office, it could be a frantic apron-tearing: "Did we make A, B, or ... please, no, not C?"

Now, I had thought, in my understanding of the democratic process, that concerned "Big Wigs", or ever decreasing circles of "Smaller Wigs", they could stand as candidates in local elections, in order to effect change. Or, such things as petitions could be organised and circulated.

Of course these actions don't have the same social clout as full page photo and name publication, but, you know what? They might have more credibility with the great unwashed, who obviously don't know what will be good for them.

Jenny Greig, Havelock North

Costly ColensoI write in some dismay.

The pilgrimage event celebrating William Colenso in November is something I have been looking forward to with great interest. I, along with many others, recognise that he is after all a significant figure in the story of Hawke's Bay, and indeed of our country, and an amazing individual.

For the lecture series the line-up of speakers is a treat in store for anyone interested in our history. However, who can be expected to attend, given the enormous fees to be charged? Surely all but those with deep pockets and high scholarly motivation will be deterred by the charge of $285 - for the lectures and $170 for one day even given the discounts! I am sure a much smaller charge would have drawn many more punters and believe that the Cultural Trust is making a serious miscalculation.

This fee structure is not good service to our community. In spite of my own, I think intelligent, interest in Colenso over a number of years, I shall not be attending.

Jon Williams, Napier

St Aubyn St changes

Wake up Hastings. Big changes are taking place in St Aubyn St that you have not been told about, and are taking place right now.

Firstly, the slip road past The Warehouse has gone.

There are NINE new sets of traffic lights being installed between Holt Place and King St.

The first ones are being installed now. There are three new pedestrian crossings around both sides of the railway lines. as well as the railway barrier arms.

Going west in St Aubyn St, there is no right turn into (Caroline Rd) Sir James Wattie Place, and likewise travelling east in St Aubyn St, there is no right turn.

Best of British Luck!

Gordon Vogtherr, Havelock North

Dagg the magpie

I thought Israel Dagg's hand gesture was a magpie as he plays for the Magpies ... I wonder what other readers think?

Caroline Young, Napier