Texts To The Editor: 05/03/12

Black Caps

*    Brendon Arkwright, what a tosser! You don't expect to poke a snake and not get bitten, mate. Let the professionals be. They have just as much right as you do to be in that bar. After all, Brendon, how many runs did you score in the ODI? Exactly.

*    Shame on the two "businessmen" for taunting Ryder and Bracewell, obviously to get a reaction. I'm pleased to see they're from Rotorua and not local.

*    Two trouble-makers, Arkwright and Mills. Leave cricketers alone. I wouldn't patronise your cafe in Rotorua - you let your city down and yourselves. SY

Dotcom

*    Probably less back pain if Dotcom lost some weight. Who does this man think he is? Fraudulent money can't buy him everything. Other thoughts?

*    Poor Dotcom. No toothpaste and no soap - what a shame. We don't want you here. United States knows what you are.

Other thoughts

*   Instead of an i-pod, i-phone or i-pad, I bought my wife an i-ron!

*   Monday night piece re 50m pool, by Mr Herbert. Fantastic idea - a pool like this would really bring people to the Bay and the benefits to Bay swimmers would be huge. Way more than some buses for tourists who are already here. Well done, Mr Herbert

*   Marineland is unfortunately closed to the public. The only hint to tourists is an ugly, boarded-up entrance. Surely a cheap, colourful poster with a green-slanted explanation from those responsible for its closure would aid in more tourism, rather than discourage it.

*   Can anyone out there recommend a good house painter? Need one ASAP as mine has let me down.

*   I have a simple answer to reduce welfare costs: Drug test all beneficiaries and cut their benefits if found wth illegal drugs in their system.

*   I drove down Wilson Rd to see HDC has planted trees 1 metre from the white line on the side of the road. It looks the part but it's an accident waiting to happen. Look at Oak Ave - the trees don't give when cars hit them. Dumb, I say.

*   Re cafe workers over busy weekends. We at one cafe don't get any extra dollars but do it for the vibe. It's great fun and most people are happy even if there is a bit of a wait. Lou

*   Regarding slaves on foreign ships in NZ waters: Why should foreign fishing ships be in our waters anyway? Maybe because they have overfished their own waters, time to do it to ours. JHW

*   Re Winz: When I was on unemployment, all the bad people in gangs got special treatment while I got no help at all. I was just told I was doing everything wrong.

*   It's easy for the HBDHB to look good meeting targets if it limits patient access. I accept Dr Jolly's word before Kevin Snee's!

*   In reply to the text about cyclists and the horse: I stand by your comments but it's like saying speed kills - and yes, people still speed and die.

*   The car window cleaner at the Nelson St lights is allowed there as long as he wears a hi-vis vest, I believe. Those who get their windows washed pay him. He is not a dole bludger, he is out there making money. So, CC, watch out for him so you don't bowl him over. Leave him be. We all know by now he is there. You don't have to get your windscreen done. He is always polite and has a smile.Good on him!

*   To CC, re car window cleaner: Nobody pays him. It's actually illegal to do that because of safety issues.

*   Are our cars making some of us fat?

*   At HB Hospital it's too hard to get a car park so it makes people late for their appointments. Please, if you don't really need to be at the hospital during the week, please stay away. It makes it hard for us. Tamatea High: What an enjoyable experience catchng up with ex-Porritt pupils at Pandora Pond. They were delightful - friendly, polite and loving school - and obviously enjoyed catching up with their "old" teachers. Congratulations to the staff for providing an environment for these young people to thrive. JH

*   Just spent three days in Auckland. Had to buy water in the bottle because their water tastes awful.

*   My wife had the misfortune to have a fall and broke a bone in her foot. She was supplied with a moon boot from Hawke's Bay Hospital and was told they didn't want it back. I know of other people told the same thing. This must be a major cost to the hospital budget.

*   What a fantastic initiative in Wednesday's paper - sports coaching for children of low-decile schools. It deserves the support of anyone who can help. Hopefully all parents of the children will offer, too.