Letters to the editor

Surely Gorge has done its dash

I read in the paper that the Manawatu Gorge is likely to be closed to traffic maybe until Christmas.

Is it not about time that another alternative route is considered?

There is the Pahiatua Track, or the Saddle Road as options. Maybe the Pahiatua Track would be the obvious route.

The Gorge has for too long been an expense that is costing the taxpayer mega-bucks.

We should have taken up the offer that the Marines made to us in, I think, 1942, when they wanted to bridge the Gorge as an exercise.

The alternative route that is chosen must be an all weather option, not closed by the slips that now plague the road. How much money has been spent over the years keeping the Gorge open?

At best, the Gorge is narrow, with some scary bends.

Also, the unstable nature of the terrain is hard to control.

My thoughts are, abandon the Gorge as a main arterial route and concentrate on one of the alternative routes, thus making HB/Manawatu travel available regardless of the weather.

Trevor Douglas Wakely, Napier

Tell it like it is

The front page of HB Today, 5th October "School Pays For Drugs Testing" by Morgan Tait.

First, we should give the Lindisfarne Rector, Ken McLeod, a medal for standing firm re drugs and Morgan Tait for a darned good story. Thanks.

After 10 years of research and study which had so much negativity attached to it, it gladdens my heart to see a front page like this one actually showing a huge problem being stamped on.

I suggest all schools (at least secondary) should do it. Thanks to the Editor for handling such an important subject.

John and Gaile Porter, Havelock North