Letters: Fond memories of 'iconic' Scouts building

Rotorua Central Scout Group hall at Rotorua Lakefront. Photo/File

News travels far and wide. I live and work in Perth, Western Australia where I was sent an article by Samantha Olley about the closing or relocation of the [Rotorua Central Scout Group] Scout Den (Rotorua Daily Post, March 7).

Both my children attended this den in the 1980s and I was a leader, starting from Cubs to Scout Leader during the 1980/1990s.

I am upset that a iconic building like this which has put many Cubs, Scouts, Venturers, Young Mariners and disabled Scouts through water sports, sailing, boat safety, as well as scouting activities, should be removed.

If it needs to be relocated have it near water so that the Scouts of today can have easy access for the boats and water sports.

One of my fondest things I remember of the den was that we had the heat coming out of the ground near the den.

We use to wrap meat and spuds up in tin foil before we went sailing and place them under the sand in the heat in the ground, by the time we got back the food was cooked.

Shame this sort of thing will be lost.

SHIRLEY MYERS
Perth, Western Australia

International please

So we now have extra flights to Wellington (Rotorua Daily Post, March 17).

Good news for many businesspeople but we spent lots of money on an international airport - so how about getting some international flights?

We have a huge number of visitors - most arriving by bus.

How great would it be to have locals flying in and out through Rotorua Airport from other countries. Rotorua is booming.

We had Rotorua/Sydney, so how about Rotorua/Melbourne? And beyond.

VIV RADLEY
Rotorua

Details available

Your correspondent (Letters, March 22) expresses impatience and misunderstanding.

As a resident nearby, I have been repeatedly appraised of what is happening, why, and of the expected duration. The weather, of course, has the last word. All of these details are readily available to everyone.

Perhaps it would be advisable to wait patiently before using terms like cockup. The Springfield/Otonga Rds intersection will prove to be safer for both young and old.

[ABRIDGED]
MIKE BYRNE
Rotorua

Distrubing council plans

A lot of Rotorua home owners might not realise the following disturbing fact because they have been busy visiting the new discount store. If we don't speak up our council will be increasing rates by a whopping 7.86per cent soon.

You should have received their glossy magazine outlining the Long-term Plan in your mailbox. I strongly suggest you read it and make yourself heard by voicing your opinion.

Do you agree with this spending-happy council racking up further borrowings on top their already huge debt?

If their plans are to go ahead, during the course of the next 10 years this increased borrowing will result in a whopping peak $269 million debt.

Should your rates be used to service this debt, or would you rather your money goes to servicing core council tasks?

Let's make a fist, join the Rotorua Ratepayers Association!

MAURICE VAN LIEMPD
Rotorua