Your views: Readers' letters

Painful pews: The Royal Wanganui Opera House.

Opera house seats

Forget the covered drome for cyclists -- by the way, how much money have these pedal-pushers raised towards the cost?

Why not donate some of our rates towards some decent seating at the opera house?

All ages frequent this outdated building, where we are all packed in like sardines, with your neighbours nearly sitting on your lap. Thank goodness for armrests!

The days of tiny folk are long gone, so wider seats would be very welcome.

MARGARET HADDON
Castlecliff

Great neighbours

I would like to acknowledge and give thanks to my neighbours in Stafford St for the wonderful work they did in clearing my section.

I always knew we had the best street in town.

MARGARET BOYLE
Springvale

Tobacco brings no benefits

Apparently June 1 is WHO Tobacco Free Day. Spokesman Vinayak Mohan Prasad estimated 7 million people die from related illnesses associated with tobacco products.

The tobacco industry is focusing heavily on the poorer third world countries.

Recent studies reveal 7000 enzymes and chemical waste found in waterways, and cigarette butts make up 40 per cent of solid trash.

Deforestation for further tobacco farms and excessive water needed for them further impoverish rural areas and exacerbate climate change.

WHO said, if costed thoroughly, the tobacco industry adds no value to society. There are no offsets.

Remarkably, in the light of this information from WHO our government is seeking expensive measures to protect the purveyors of these toxic products! Alcohol is behind a high percentage of crime and violence in NZ.

It's very sad and ironic that many of the shop owners have escaped the poverty of their countries but, on coming here, in turn target our most poor and vulnerable communities, especially South Auckland. Most of those places did not want further liquor and cigarette outlets and lobbied against them and the extended opening hours.

Simple answer to dairy attacks: Stop stocking these products and show some ethical and community responsibility. Some dairies have chosen this option.

It's so obvious as to be farcical.

ROSEMARY BARAGWANATH
Whanganui

Thanks to ambulance and A&E

On June 4, I was taken to hospital by ambulance in the early hours of the morning.

I would like to say thank you to the St John crew and to Dr Mark and his team at Accident and Emergency, also to the staff in medical ward.

Thank you all so much.

JACKY LAPOUPLE
Springvale

Charge verges on theft

In light of the council failing to "sell" the idea of the $50 fee for rural properties on the proposal to blatantly steal money from ratepayers, there is another issue with the wastewater problem.

I have spent $2000-plus installing soak pits on my property. Not a cup of water goes into the wastewater system from my property. The council insists on charging me half the rate for stormwater.

How on earth did the council sell this to the ratepayer?

I intend to take this to the Disputes Tribunal, as the legality of the council taking $108.64 per year from me for stormwater disposal is verging on theft. I will be asking for a rebate, as should ratepayers who installed soak pits.

The council claims from me a debt retirement, earthquake strengthening and storm damage. I shouldn't have to pay this as I look after my property.

I am at a loss as to what on earth debt retirement is. This is not my concern.

K. STEVENS
Whanganui

More reading for Russ

Russ Hay's new fav author is good with sleight of hand and dumbing down difficult biological concepts. Sadly, his work is also full of logical fallacies (http://creation.com).

I suggest Mr Hay reads some of these articles before being so adamant that geneticists can give factual answers.

MANDY DONNE-LEE
Aramoho

Research help needed

Can you help me?

I am currently conducting research into Dr Henry Rainsford Hulme (1908-91), who was the first full-time rector at Canterbury University College, now University of Canterbury, between 1948 and 1954.

I am wondering if there are people out there who may have known Dr Hulme, had contact with him or knew of him, whether that was at CUC or outside the university, or whether you may have documents, letters, photographs, newspaper clippings, stories, memories etc that relate to Dr Hulme.

I would like to thank anyone who may contact me, whatever information that you may have or the help that you can offer me. Any help offered will be gratefully received.

I can be contacted at: stephen.shaw@gmx.us.

STEPHEN SHAW
Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom

Maori in prison

Potonga Neilson (letters, June 5) does not read my letter correctly.

I did not say that Maori culture and character were based on gang culture. I wrote of guarding territory. Prison is for people whose misbehaviour cannot be tolerated.

I ask: "What rules of behaviour are taught in tikanga Maori? Is there anything like the Ten Commandments followed by Israelis, Jews and Christians?"

The question I ask Potonga is: "Why do so many Maori misbehave and end up in prison?"

TOM PITTAMS
Whanganui