Letters to the editor: Enough money spent on Pike River recovery

Gates to the road for the Pike River Mine portal. Photo / File

Jim Adams (Letters, April 5) considers the Government should be pouring unlimited funds into the Pike River recovery.

I believe people who support this view think it is a crime scene and evidence of management culpability will be found in the mine.

The Royal Commission of Inquiry Report into Pike River shows ongoing safety failures there included potential ignition sources such as cigarettes, lighters, and soft drink cans being taken into the mine.

Other violations included compressed air being directed on methane sensors so gas readings would not be high, and evidence of miners disabling safety features on mining machines resulting in sparks coming out of the machine. Their actions could well have been the cause of the ignition rather than failures by management.

More than $50 million has been spent. Enough is enough. Waste no more money. Close the mine, erect a suitable monument and if there is any money left over establish a scholarship in mining safety at say Canterbury University's School of Engineering.

Richard Prince
Welcome Bay

Lawnmower on the bus

Tauranga City Council is going to fix Cameron Rd, a road already four laned and doesn't need fixing.

The council appears not to understand what a business needs to survive.

First, a business needs a good location and good staff, nice premises and good parking for customers with easy access.

In my view, the council doesn't care about losing a few car parks. It doesn't seem to like cars. If it doesn't want cars downtown, then put a surcharge on all cars going to the CBD.

The Greerton shambles will not be fixed as the council appears to want to make it unpleasant to drive into town.

Tauranga is built on two peninsulas making it difficult to drive around.

It will always have cars to get to work, go to the beach, take the children out or going to the doctor.

Cameron Rd does not need fixing.

When my lawnmower needs repair, I'll bring it in on a bus.

V Brazier
Tauriko

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