SELWYN TIMES
Now these elected local Government folk think that it is more than reasonable to ‘ease’ a fully democratically voted Ecan council back into power. In my view, if it was okay for the Government of the day to whisk away our democratic rights, then it is okay to reinstate them just as quickly without the need for Government minders. Give us back our full democratic vote. District councillor Peter Hill writes on the same issue . . . The question of the lack of democracy in Canterbury is not a vexed one. It is just plain wrong. We Cantabrians have, frankly, had a gutsful of paying rates to an organisation which has paid no heed to the majority of our wishes and which has, via central government, continued to show disrespect and a lack of trust in our ability to decide what is best for our province. No other large group of people here has ever been treated like this. Early Americans paid taxes to Britain yet had no say in the running of their colony. They won the resulting bloody war. While I am not advocating going to war, I am shocked that some of our community leaders support this treatment of their fellow Cantabrians. It is worth noting that while just two of us around the Selwyn District Council table voiced disapproval of the council’s submission on this matter, no vote was taken and I’d be surprised, given an honest vote, if several more of our colleagues wouldn’t disagree with the mayor. Before the inception of this lengthening period of regional dictatorship, the largely rural mayoral forum listened to complaints from their agricultural constituents regarding the precautionary approach being taken by our regional representitives with respect to their usage of our water. The Christchurch City Council, representing the vast majority of regional ratepayers, pulled its support for this early mayoral stand and now calls for an immediate return of our democracy. It becomes a bit rich for our council, coat-tailing on the rural mayors, to claim a majority view.
Tuesday December 8 2015
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Tell us what’s happening at your club. Email tom.doudney@starmedia.kiwi WEST MELTON GYM CLUB The West Melton Gym Club was resurrected in 2006 after being closed for about five years. Using leftover equipment stored at the West Melton Hall, Pam Higgins, with help from two other local women, ran the club on Friday afternoons. It has grown and the club now holds classes on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons. Onehour-long after school class starts at 3.30pm. There are two after-school classes on Wednesday, four on Thursday and three on Friday. Pre-school classes are on Wednesday and Friday, 2-3pm. The programme teaches fundamental skills. Gymnasts also are given the opportunity to sit badges and compete at recreational level.
Looking Back ATTENTION: Officers and non-comissioned officers of the Ellesmere Guard in 1901.
•Heritage photos supplied by Selwyn Libraries. If you have any information about this photo, please contact the library via www. selwynlibrary.co.nz
Gymnasts learn specific routines with grades going from gym fun through to elite. Over the last five years, the club has hosted a competition at the Rolleston Community Centre. This is its one big fundraiser for the year and clubs come from all over the South Island. Since re-opening, membership has grown to more than 100 gymnasts. The club has purchased new bars, mats, boxes and for the new year it is going to purchase a vaulting platform. In the future, the aim is to find a new venue in or around the area that have the equipment set up all the time. The club could then expand into all the gym sports and be able to offer trampolining and rhythmic gymnastics. Classes are based at West Melton
Hall on West Coast Rd. For any inquiries you can phone Pam Higgins on 03 318 1519 or 027 345 1713 or email westmeltongymclub@outlook. com WAIHORA PONY CLUB Formed in 1951, the Waihora Pony Club is based on the Motukarara Domain grounds. The clubrooms were moved to the present site by some of the founding families. The club prides itself on its down-toearth grassroots atmosphere and its history. It still has strong connections with its founding members. Those who rode there as children now have the enjoyment of watching their grandchildren ride on the same grounds. Groups of riders are presently
working towards their B, C+, C, D+ and D certificates. The club has a group of keen senior riders who are out and about eventing most weekends and there are a large number of junior riders out competing as well. The committee has worked hard to upgrade the facilities available to members over the years. The 2014 season saw the opening of a new 60m by 60m all-weather arena, horse pens and upgraded entranceway. More recently there has been a new washdown area added and the club has been working on revamping the clubrooms and putting in a new kitchen. For ground bookings and hire or membership inquiries, phone Anna James on 021 650 473.