The Bay of Plenty Times welcomes letters and comments from readers. Below you can read the letters we have published in our newspaper today.
TODAY'S LETTERS:
Shocked at lack of help in rescue
Re: Hero shocked at bystanders watching on (News, October 7).
I'm amazed that no one would help. Big ups for Darhl Johnson who had the guts to save a young boy's life.
Imagine if you were in that boy's shoes. You would want someone to help. Let's just hope there are more people like Darhl out there.
KERRYN EDWARDS Woodvale, Australia
Support for Henry
I personally think Paul Henry has a high IQ and is capable of defending himself and I enjoy he and Pippa most mornings on TV1.
Most people who are critics are simply using the freedom of speech we all enjoy in NZ.
Henry may push his luck too far and he will know this when it happens and I sense many times he kisses a few frogs to keep the peace. I think he was overcome by and in the presence of our $50million Prime Minister, who in turn we are ever so lucky to enjoy.
BARRY ANDERSON Tauranga
Double standards
Paul Henry has been chastised for querying a man who obviously is culturally not a New Zealander, as Governor-General, when John Hatfield, alias Hone Harawira [yes, he has a European grandfather] is accepted as epitomising the Maori race and a voice for that people. Bring on the clowns.
B GUERNIER Tauranga
Too precious
I am in despair at how pathetic and precious people in this country are becoming.
I'm afraid if your name is Dikshit, then in a European country you need to be prepared to have the mickey taken out of your name. Unfortunate but true. Just ask Mrs Bucket (or Mrs Bouquet as she prefers to be called) or Mr Death (aka Mr De-ath).
And while we are on the subject of Henry, he is absolutely correct in the observation that Sir Anand Satyanand does not look like anybody overseas would expect a New Zealander to look like.
Despite the fact that he has lived here all his life (I know the feeling).
Get over it. Political correctness is a scourge on our life and we should discourage it. Henry is being persecuted for stating facts and saying it like it is. I do not have a TV so I am unaware of Mr Henry's track record but I am sick of it becoming unfashionable to state things as they are.
Andy Haden has also been victimised for calling a spade a spade - we are being forced to accept namby-pamby (oops is that offensive to somebody?) PC nonsense. The emperor does "not" have new clothes - he is stark naked - there. Somebody had to say it.
GRAHAM CLARK Lower Kaimai
Where to for Druids?
Recent TV news informed us that the Druidic concept has been officially accepted as a religion in the United Kingdom.
In ancient times the Druids were Celtic priests who were also revered as teachers and judges. They worshipped nature gods, believed in the immortality of the soul and in reincarnation, and also taught astronomy. Their central religious rite involved the sacred oak tree.
In Gaul and Britain they were wiped out by the Romans (by 61AD) but in Ireland they survived until the arrival of Christianity.
They had no proven association with Stonehenge, despite the use of the site by the revived 20th Druidic order, and today's followers. Although their ancient interest in human sacrifice was not on their application form, I can't help wondering - where to from here?
JOY Z MARKS Greerton
Hot pools revamp
In response to FJ Williams (Your View, October 5) re the Mount Hot Pools.
The redevelopment of the hot pools at Mount Maunganui was approved by Tauranga City Council in January 2009.
The facility design that council adopted does not include a restaurant nor conference facilities. It does have a cafe to provide mothers supervising their children with a cup of coffee and a sandwich.
In the business case put forward to council for consideration, TCAL emphasised the importance of this facility for locals and, in particular, the elderly, disabled and families. New disabled access is a strong feature in the new facility. The provision of new activities and sun-shade for families is another key improvement.
In terms of pricing, TCAL has promised that for access to the pools differential resident pricing will remain and user fees will only go up by CPI annually. There will not be large price increases for residents to use the hot pools to fund the costs of redevelopment. The funding of the redevelopment will come from increased revenue in the spa development, from non-residents and a general increase in user visits across the board.
There is no rates funding for this redevelopment, nor has there ever been rates funding for this facility.
WARREN BANKS, CHAIRMAN Tauranga City Aquatics Limited
Praise for hospital staff
Recently I spent six days in Ward 3B in Tauranga Hospital. I cannot speak highly enough of the doctors and nurses and staff who were run off their feet but still found time to show loving care and attention to me.
I also found the meals very nice. My husband and I are very grateful.
ELSIE BUCKLAND Tauranga
TODAY'S TEXTS:
* Alcohol and age going up, waste of time when 14 year olds can buy a litre of home made spirits for $10.00.
* More scary than rain forest destruction is transfats found in dairy. Wait til overseas consumers find that out..
* With the tagging problem it dosent help when the warehouse puts the spray paint on special for under $6.00 a can. when alot of the taggers are over 18 and buy it for the younger ones. LAW JOKE.
* At the moment only the retired and benificarys can afford to do jury service $35 a day? wot a joke
* We will not be watching breakfast show until paul is back we find his honesty and fun gd tv boring without him.
* There's a bigger deal made about Paul Henrys question than about stupid Hone Harawiras white trash slur - double standards eh?
* Hone was much more offensive than Henry and hes still employed.
* Paul should stay. He has apologised and Sir Anand accepted that. Over! Lets move on and leave it to tvnz to discipline if indeed they really need too!
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