* To the person who filmed that poor girl getting her back broken: You are so very, very sick. Get help. Chris Green, Napier.
* Re the beating of the Flaxmere schoolgirl: I think this is disgusting and the school should be shut permanently for the lackof supervision, intelligence and humanity. All the staff involved or who knew of the incident should be sacked and blacklisted from teaching ever again. Bob
* Wake up, NZ . We obviously have a major problem with schoolkids fighting and I think it is sickening they even think of filming it for YouTube or such. Where are the parents? Is it left to the schools to control these angry, disrespectful kids? Then the police should get more involved in schools and at the kids' homes. This is the future of this country we are talking about. MP
Other thoughts
* Good idea, texter, re a rail shuttle service between Napier and Hastings. Quicker than a bus, and the line is already there. Come on, NZ Rail. A great opportunity going to waste. PJ To the dog walker at Park Island, what's wrong with you taking water and a container in a backpack with you? I do. Why does water have to be supplied for you? We can't have water on tap everywhere. JR
* What's happening with Norton Rd and Copeland Rd? What a mess. Way to go, HDC! It's just around the corner from the other mess, Lumsden Rd.
* Ngati kahungunu: Shame on you after your day out at Splash Planet/Windsor Park for all the litter you left behind. I bet you don't do that at home or on the marae. It's not about being Maori, it's about being tidy Kiwis. Show some respect for your environment.
* We grow amazing strawberries here. I was shocked to find the berries I bought in Countdown came from Auckland. Why? Also, they were tasteless. RJ
* Wow, the Nelson floods will give National another excuse to hit us all in the pocket with more tax - probably on fuel. They won't miss a chance like this. Baza
* The community is really looking forward to a pleasant stroll by the Taipo Stream. Great idea to put a paved walkway in. No more muddy shoes.
* NZ Post delivery is erratic. Over the past 3 months it has got later and later. One day last week there was no mail by 3.30pm but mail in the box the next morning - my new credit card included. Not very safe overnight. I also have Xmas cards returned with "insufficient postage". No econo air for overseas cards. Not much Xmas spirit, NZ Post.
* Why are we subsidising dairy farmers (irrigation)? We need inspectors and spot fines to stop dirty dairying.
* Police swoop on criminals to stop Xmas crimewave. What do they do the rest of the time? Oh, that's right, they write tickets for speeding at 106km/h. More money for John Key.
* A tip for Hawke's Bay drivers: When approaching a junction or roundabout, if your exit is blocked do not enter.