There is such variety amongst the pieces and they really add another dimension to the arena.
We can be proud of this new showpiece in our community.
J M Buchanan, Brookfield
Where's support?
Tauranga must be the only town in New Zealand that isn't celebrating the World Cup.
No support for the Fijians visible, no sign of anything RWC related on The Strand or anywhere else in town.
The only thing that is evident is a mean spirit.
If any Fijians are reading this, give me a call and we'll put on a welcome for you!
Ian Turner, Director New Zealand Educational Tours Limited
Belts on buses
Yes seat belts do save lives in a lot of circumstances but with 50 or so school children on one vehicle I'm not so sure.
If there was a scenario where a bus went in a river or erupted in fire I think being unbelted could be a better option.
This scenario might never occur - just like the one in Ruatoki where a log truck ran up the back of a bus may never happen again.
It's a good idea in the Ruatoki case but would be devastation in the river or fire case.
What definitely has to be made law is all passengers are to be seated, no exceptions, which means more buses to go on the road.
Expense should not be an excuse to road more buses. The powers that be should think carefully before making a decision, at the end of the day whatever is decided I think unfortunately they will be damned if they do or damned if they don't, whenever an accident like either of the above may occur.
I wish I had an answer to keep our children on buses safe but I don't.
Daryl Harlan,Tauranga
Underpass doubt
I am glad to see Cr Grainger's worry about building a Welcome Bay underpass when the current bottleneck forms with the merging of traffic from Te Maunga at Turret Rd bridge into the city. Cr Grainger's 22-minute run into the city was delayed because of the two-laning at the Turret Rd bridge, exactly my observations when travelling in the opposite direction at peak hour in the morning.
If the timing is right, and I believe it is, the four-laning options from Turret Rd to Cameron Rd should be progressed leaving the arguments for a Welcome Bay underpass on the back-burner.
It is extremely important, whether it be ratepayers' or taxpayers' money in these tight economic times, not to waste money to serve political ends.
Doug Morris,Te Puna
Kids inspired
I recently had the pleasure of accompanying my son's year four class to Tauranga Art Gallery.
The class was welcomed at the gallery by Grant Thompson, the education and visitor programmes manager.
Grant led us to a room containing a sculptural installation by Glen Hayward.
At first the children were mildly interested in the various everyday objects arranged around the room but then Grant explained that everything in the exhibit was carved out of wood. This led to gasps of astonishment from the children and parent helpers. Filing cabinets, goat skulls, a leather briefcase and even the CO2 fire extinguisher.
We were then led to another exhibit called All Black - New Zealand paintings and photographs in which the colour black was the predominant feature.
Grant took the children and parents through a step by step process as they created their own black and white landscapes.
The children really took to it and Grant's simple and clear instructions to the kids resulted in some beautiful pictures which now hang in Room Five at Maungatapu School. I was surprised by the quality of the kids' pictures but I shouldn't have been.
They're all capable of brilliant creative work if given the right opportunities and stimulus.
The Tauranga Art Gallery and clever, passionate people like Grant who work there are taonga for our region.
(Abridged)
Mike Bartley, Welcome Bay
Seaman's praise
I attended the service for the merchant navy at Sulphur Point on Saturday September 3 in my capacity as a Master Mariner, although at 88 I'm usually referred to as the "Ancient Mariner".
I wish to thank the Port of Tauranga, the Maritime Union of New Zealand and Mount Maunganui RS for the wonderful feast they provided after the ceremony.
Also all the people who organised it. Not forgetting the band.
R B Wyld, Tauranga
Censorship
Which member of the National Party told TV1 not to show Prime Minister Key's speech when on cloud nine - sorry - in the cloud?
Was he in Christchurch or was he in Auckland?
Should not our Prime Minister be allowed free speech and not be censored?
P Thompson, Katikati
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