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Thursday June 8, 2017
readers have their say... Find out the WORD on the Street. Question: It’s officially winter. What is your favourite thing about the chilly season?
Mikaela Taia, Newtown “It’s not very exciting, but ski season in general.”
Norah Brown, Newtown “Sitting at home with the heat pump on watching the telly.”
Poppy Chapman, Newtown “Snuggling up under blankets listening to the rain.”
Kevin Hickey, Newtown “Being next to the heater at home.”
Brenna Crump, Newtown “It’s an excuse to drink hot chocolate.”
Jay Crump, Newtown “Snuggling up next to the woodburner.”
LETTERS to the editor Letters on issues of community interest are welcomed. Guidelines are that they should be no longer than 150 words. They must be signed and a street address provided to show good faith, even if a nom de plume is provided for publication. The editor reserves the right to abridge letters or withhold unsuitable letters from publication. Send or fax them to the address on page two, or email them to news@wsn.co.nz. Please note that your name and street address must also be provided in e mails.
Fine ones to say that! Dear Editor, About the letter from the Dalmans (CSN Jun. 1) commenting on mine of May 25, I’d first respond that they are fine ones to accuse me of illogic and attacks on people rather than on what those people are advocating; and they don’t seem to have read my letter properly. I myself have written to express an-
More languages than just English Dear Editor, Our family is not inclined to write to papers but we feel it is necessary to comment on Mr Westfold’s letter of the 25 May. He seems to slam dunk all cultures as being uncivilised, unless they speak English. That is simply erroneous as many cultures of the world are much older (and wiser) than those he seems to only approve of. Spanish
is one of the oldest languages, and also one of the most treasured cultures ever, and who in NZ doesn’t enjoy an Indian Butter Chicken, nor Japanese sushi? What great national English dish is there in comparison. We do hope Mr Westfold is a bit less aggressive in his sword waving. Lindsay Daysh, Lyall Bay
noyance at people who simply use ridicule and abuse instead of reasoned arguments; so would the Dalman’s care to specify any letters where I have myself done this? So far as what I cite from past ages is concerned, why, for instance, is what Isaiah said in Old Testament times, or what George the Third said in the late 18th Century, no longer
relevant or valid in the present day? And I’m at a loss as to know what “mystical” things I’ve mentioned, unless this is a malapropism for “mythical”, an adjective which godless heathens apply to anything that’s in the inspired Word of God, the Bible. I certainly did not say that civilised countries are all English and French, but that those are the two
languages most likely to be understood by locals who have learnt them as foreign languages, apart from all the people who speak them as their own first languages around the world. There’s a good deal more I could say; but I cannot be bothered just now. H Westfold, Miramar
Owhiro Bay planting Sustainable Coastlines will be running a planting day at Owhiro Bay on Wednesday, June 28 as part of their nationwide tour. The group has collaborated with Wellington City Council for this event. Sustainable Coastlines is a small but multi-award winning charity, based in Auckland and Wellington. They have delivered educational programmes to
over 165,000 people. For those interested in lending a hand at Owhiro Bay turn up on the day between 10am and 2pm at the car park near the boat ramp and look for the big blue flag. Free teas and snacks provided for all volunteers. Gloves and spades are also provided. For more information head to www.sustainablecoastlines.org/events.
Would you have enough water in an emergency? Locals are being urged to think about what they would do for water after a major earthquake. Mark Kinvig, Wellington Water’s group manager for network strategy and planning said it was common knowledge Wellington had the potential for a major earthquake. “If the big one happens, our water and wastewater networks are likely to be severely damaged. “While we’d be working hard to get the water services back to normal, it will take some time for this to happen,” he said. Regional manager for Wellington Region Emergency Management Office, Bruce Pepperell, said people needed
to do their bit in getting prepared. “We’re calling for people to step up and be a water hero and get their water storage sorted now for their families or flatmates. “You’ll need to think about how much water your family would need for seven days. “Activities like drinking, cooking, first aid and washing hands all need water and just as important, making sure that you’ve got a plan for your wastewater.” Bruce suggested storing water in old juice or soft drink bottles or buying a 200 litre storage tank from the Wellington City Council for $105. “And you can get rid of your wastewater by putting it in a
hole in your garden,” he said. Wellington Water would also be working on other initiatives to improve the resilience of Wellington’s water and wastewater networks. This would include establishing a network of large water bladders that could be used to distribute water to communities after an earthquake, drilling bores to look for emergency water sources in Wellington and Porirua, and they are about to start drilling an exploratory bore to see if there is drinking water under the Wellington Harbour. For information on how to get your water and wastewater sorted visit www.getprepared. org.nz/water