Letters to the editor

Tidy up McLean Park
The 2011 Rugby World Cup is coming to Napier and no doubt there will be thousand of visitors going to McLean Park. They will be broadcasting from around the world. International teams France, Canada and Japan are playing at the stadium.
It's not only my concern but the concern of a lot of other rugby fans - the main gates of McLean Park Stadium are disgraceful. The gates look like the entry of an old cemetery, rather than a stadium .
On a cheap option, the brickwork and entry floor need to be waterblasted and the steel gates are rusty and need a paint job.
The Napier City Council are spending millions on a new museum, perhaps some funds could be distributed to one of Napier's best assets, McLean Park, at this Rugby World Cup time. The eyes of the world are on us.
Gerard Averous, Napier
What about us?
So the HB Regional Council has made it possible for lease- holders to buy their land saying: "Focusing on our social responsibilities, I do not think a council should be in a business that profits from others' hardship."
How awesome ... a council that cares about its community and does the right thing by it.
Okay, Napier City Council, your turn. You already know your ever-increasing leases are causing grave hardship and stagnation for the leaseholders.
You are employed by the people of Napier to look after us all as a community. Well, we are part of this community, a very important part of this community, nonetheless, as we bring in a large percentage of the industry and employment. When are you going to release our land for sale so that we may secure our businesses in Napier and, in turn, secure jobs for the people we employ?
Claudette O'Brien, Napier
50th jubilee
The Manawatu Youth Orchestra is celebrating its 50th jubilee on September 3 and 4 in Palmerston North. Past and present members of the Youth Orchestra and Sinfonia are invited for the weekend, which includes a concert featuring Robert Ibell. Registration details can be found at: www.manawatuorchestra.org.nz. Registrations close August 6.
Milja Albers-Pearce, Palmerston North