Using rail
To reduce commuter traffic congestion from Omokoroa to Tauranga, would it be viable to use the existing rail line and purchased rail cars with drop offs/pickups at dedicated carparks close to the rail situated at Omokoroa, Bethlehem, Matua and The Strand?
Rather than designing further subdivisions around roads, if they were designed close to current rail with ownership of part of the rail rolling stock it could be good for both the environment and those living in Tauranga.
Ian Davies
Tauranga
Confusing principles
Partnership and other Treaty principles which councillor Margaret Murray-Benge (Letters, March 29) admits she is confused over are derived from a Court of Appeal decision made in the 1987 by some of the finest legal minds this country has ever produced.
It is thanks to the late Justice Sir Robin Brunskill Cooke, seventh president of the Court of Appeal, and his fellow justices that there has evolved a body of treaty jurisprudence which is embedded in many aspects of this country's national life.
Since 1987 there has been an array of legislation that takes cognisance of the Treaty of Waitangi and its principles including the Local Government Act 2002, which councillor Margaret Murray-Benge will be familiar with.
Those same principles help shape the relationship between Crown and Maori, as well as ensure the Maori minority will never be subject to the democratic dictatorship of the majority.
Whether Her Imperial Majesty Queen Victoria or her loyal servant Lieutenant Governor Captain William Hobson RN believed in partnership with Maori back in May 1840 is irrelevant. It's how the courts continue to interpret the Treaty being the foundation document of this country for contemporary times that is important.
Colin Reeder
Papamoa
Thanks do-gooders
Thank you Paul Chapman for your championing of the residents of Wairoa Rd, Crawford Rd, Poripori Rd and all the subsidiary roads who have no option but to use the bridge underpass to access SH2.
We rely on the courtesy of the through traffic to be able to merge on to the highway.
Oversized vehicles cannot use the underpass and are even more grateful to courteous drivers who notice the plight of fellow travellers hoping to (eventually) reach their destination. Thank you to all you "do-gooders."
Shona Purves
Te Puna
Library needed
There is the Tauranga City Library, Papamoa Library, Greerton Library and Mount Library. I would like to see a Welcome Bay Library. Welcome Bay needs to be included. I support building a Welcome Bay Library.
Robert Curtis
Hamilton
