Letters: Downpour shows value of culvert project

Contractors preparing to install the new box-culvert in Wikitoria Road in 2019. Photo / Bevan Conley

The deluge this week in Putiki, Marybank, Turakina etc. produced 74mm of rain in our catchment in 18 hours. In the past this would have caused major flooding of houses in our area.

This was the first significant rainfall since the new culvert / underpass was installed under Wikitoria Rd two years ago.

I have to report that it performed admirably with still room for more water should that have arisen. As a result the Awarua stream was not hindered and all the water was able to get away.

Petitioners were met with unbelievable opposition from some council staff to replace the old culvert, and after 10 years and three engineering reports (both unnecessary because it was so obvious) they reluctantly agreed to call tenders.

The successful contractor - Emmetts - did an amazing job and deserve to be recognised for such. Not only was their tender far less than council estimated but they installed a larger culvert than called for under the terms of reference.

That's good business. And the finished construction is a joy to behold. Well done Emmetts and all those who worked on it.

Thanks should also go to the councillors, particularly Rob Vinsen, who saw reason and pushed for this all to happen.

PAUL DUNCAN
Onetere Drive

Keen to learn

I was heartened by the conciliatory approach expressed by Merepeka Raukawa-Tait in her opinion piece in the Chronicle (September 15).

I am eager to learn the phrases and words of te reo Māori and wish they had been as accessible in my growing years as now. I believe that her husband Theo was wise when he advised first understand the tikanga and the rest will follow.

I was offended when Debbie Ngarewa-Packer co-leader of Māori Party, addressed me, a reader, as 'Hey Colonist'. I do not need to explain my ancestry, but they were most certainly not exploiters or colonists. We all need to become more bicultural.

LOUISE SLIGO
Whanganui East

Alert levels right

Much pressure is coming on the government to cast aside its elimination strategy and adopt a suppression one to allow businesses to operate productively, resulting in financial benefits to both businesses and workers.

But I still believe the Government and health team's decision for a one week extension of levels is warranted , in an effort to gain control of the virus to an acceptable level, to avoid a longer and more widespread outbreak.

Let's not forget the success we have had up to this point. NZ has one of the lowest death rates per capita and also one of the lowest times in lockdown of all developed countries. Hopefully during coming days we will see a considerable increase in vaccinations and daily new cases will decrease.

My feeling is that too many commentators have too much to say from the sideline, often contradicting themselves, without knowing all the facts.

Up till now our Government has heeded expert health advice. Maybe there will be a time whereby the economic impact will require a change of strategy. But let's first back the decision to give it one more week.

KEN CARVELL
Whanganui

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