Letters: City crying out for an economic boost

Is port development is Whanganui's best shot at a bigger future?

Boost needed

It saddens me that Wanganui's future economic wellbeing is being controlled by Taranaki farmers. This is an electorate rort and a gross manipulation of Wanganui's political future.

We have Horizons Regional Council controlled by councillors from other districts looking after their own interests — and rightly so. Consequently, that's the reason why Wanganui has stagnated.

Wanganui is crying out for an economic boost. It is imperative for our future that the Mid-West ferry proposal be fully investigated and costed as a business proposition.

The economic growth and jobs that will be generated from this proposal should be large and, hopefully, will increase our population and end Taranaki and Manawatu's domination of our destiny. An active, working port is Wanganui's best way forward.

LEN GOLDSACK
Gonville

Spies in NZ

I remember some years ago a Russian diplomat was expelled from New Zealand. He was accused of spying.

He was reported as saying as he went: "I don't think my country is concerned to know whether the New Zealand army has four tanks or five."

TOM PITTAMS
Whanganui

Concert delight

What a delight the Youth String Orchestra was last Saturday evening in the Royal Opera House.

I think the audience was amazed and appreciative of their talent and the range of items they performed so well. I also thought the audience was very well behaved, considering the large number of young children and babies present listening to music, which I am sure was different to most of what young people listen to normally.

A great evening's entertainment. Thank you to all the participants.

FIONA DONNE
Aramoho

Water density

Nonsense, Stan Hood.

Fresh water floats on top of salt water, because it is less dense. Boats float on water because they are less dense than the water beneath them. Ice floats on water because, surprisingly, it is less dense than liquid water (that's why, when you freeze water, it occupies more space).

A piece of lead doesn't float, because it's denser than water. Or, if you prefer to stick with liquids, mercury doesn't float either, and for the same reason. (According to Stan's physics model, mercury should float, because it is denser than water.)

Boaties will tell you that the fresh water from a river may be detectable a long way out to sea, because it doesn't sink. How quickly it mixes with the salt water will depend on currents, tides, wave action etc.

T INNES
Castlecliff

Glass centre

I'm so pleased that our council has upped the funding for the glass centre. Is this $34,000 on top of what they are getting now? I'd like to know how much they sell per year — and a nice thank-you letter to ratepayers for all the funding they have had over the years wouldn't go astray.

Council chief executive Kym Fell said it was not a lot of money. Tell that to our elderly living alone in their own homes where $34,000 is badly needed. You go to bed after the news on TV as you can't afford heating, repairs and painting for your own home, while you waste $34,000 on glass.

How many people requested longer hours and anniversary days for this must-see? I've been in this place a few times and not a soul in sight.

Facts and figures are what I want — how many folk visit and buy? I need a feasible study before I see my hard-earned money go out the door on another hare-brained scheme.

I hope all you ratepayers read your Grey Power magazine and compare what our councillors are being paid to other centres with a far larger population and far fewer councillors — 12 plus a mayor for such a small, ageing population is such a waste.

MARGARET HADDON
Castlecliff

Send your letters to: The Editor, Wanganui Chronicle, 100 Guyton St, PO Box 433, Wanganui 4500; or email editor@wanganuichronicle.co.nz