Letters: Keep horses out of Far North lakes

A reader hopes people can keep their horses out of Far North lakes like Lake Rotopokaka.

We are all concerned about the generally poor quality of water in our Far North lakes. Keep those horses well away please.

Yes, the actions of those thieves and louts in dumping the remains of their rustling (Disgust at dumping by sheep rustlers in popular lake, January 25) is despicable, and illegal as well.

Our admiration and thanks to Boyce Lawrence for cleaning up what must have been a disgusting mess. However, the photo of horses in the lake as part of your article poses another problem.

"The lake has been valued for centuries by Maori for its reputed healing properties. It is also a precious ecological site." Add to that Mr Wiessing's statement, "Discharging animal waste into water was an offence."

Why on Earth are horses in the lake? Horses create waste regardless of where they are, so presumably they "discharge" at random into the lake waters.

We are all concerned about the generally poor quality of water in our Far North lakes. Keep those horses well away please.

MARGARET MATTHEWS
Cooper's Beach