Sideswipe: June 22: First walk over bridge

Sideswipe - ana.samways@nzherald.co.nz·NZ Herald·

21 Jun, 2017 05:00 PM3 mins to read

"While the bridge was being built this photo was taken of my dad and my brother and I (in school uniform) a top." Photo / Supplied

Opinion by Ana SamwaysLearn more

"I noted that an ex-prison officer was one of the first to walk the Waterview tunnel and had made mention of a man who had drowned while working on the construction of the harbour bridge," writes Dan Kearney.

"While the bridge was being built this photo was taken of my dad, and my brother and I (in school uniform) atop the very much yet to be completed Auckland Harbour Bridge.

"We were told to walk from the top to where the toll gates were at the Northcote end, then back over the bridge to Westhaven. We did, and became among the first to walk it. Can you imagine getting away with that these days with the likes of OSH and others involved?"

Ken sports new look

Mattel announced its brand new line of Ken dolls. The new dolls come in a variety of body sizes (which now includes Ken's "slim" and "broad" figure), as well as a bunch of different skintones, hair colours and hairstyles. Most notable is Manbun Ken. Read more here.

What a boss

Radomir Novakovic Cakan is owner of the largest sporting goods chain in Montenegro and he has earned himself a reputation for being "the best boss in the Balkans" by being generous to his employees.

Four long term staff members were given brand new VW cars after the company moved to the outskirts of town. Cakan felt it should not be more difficult for these loyal employees to get to work. And many more have enjoyed luxury holidays.

Cakan explains: "Money comes and goes, but memories are forever. I have a friend who runs a travel agency and I asked him what's on offer and the prices, because I wanted to offer my employees a vacation. When they returned they were happier, and worked even harder. They showed me photographs, and we laughed together at their adventures."

"Is Housing New Zealand taking the age-old money-saving concept of deferred maintenance to a new level in leafy Grey Lynn?". Photo / Supplied

Not so green thinking

Graeme writes: "Good on the Auckland Council for its new bright green spray on the bus lanes in Newmarket. But so much over- spray all over the place to be washed down the drains into the harbour. Maybe they need to fine themselves?"

Rubbish photography

Photographer Antoine Repesse stopped throwing away his recyclable rubbish. Four years later he used what he'd accumulated to make a powerful photo series he called '#365 Unpacked', which challenges us to rethink our role as consumers. During the four years he amassed more than 70 cubic metres of rubbish: 1600 milk bottles, 4800 toilet rolls, and 800kg of newspapers, all of which he then separated for an even stronger visual impact.