* To the people so concerned about the cruelty of animals at the local rodeo last weekend, may I ask when was the last time they ate meat or is that also deemed as cruelty to animals? Get a life.
Cinema
* Sad to hear that Reading Cinemas have closed their Hastings theatre. Hopefully our council has a replacement in mind!
* Very sad losing movie theatre. Feel like I live in a real Hick Town now! Even little Waipuk has one! Won't go to Havelock North, you can't get popcorn though you can get wine.
Other thoughts
* Do you even live in Flaxmere texter moaning about the busker in the village. He's awesome mate. Planes at 7am are worse mate.
* Re Facebook. It's not only the degrading or belittling comments that are a problem but the bragging of going to events where other friends have been excluded.
* Re Family trusts: Why should those who set them up be able to be protected from paying suppliers for their old age care? It doesn't seem fair to me.
* Waitangi Day should be renamed NZ Day as Waitangi causes division and we all live in NZ not Waitangi. What do other readers think? JT
* Re Wattie's: Let me guess, you just moved next to Wattie's Plant? Watties Plant been there for decades. Why move next to it? Bet it was a cheap house. Live with it or move, simple.
* Re Council rates: I am so glad people are starting to get annoyed with local councils and the ridiculous spending. A study has just come out that councils are a big part of unaffordable housing. I would prefer a march on council building - people power is what's required. Love the interesting and informative Michael Fowler historic articles - great stuff.
* What is wrong with the police? Once again I witnessed a convoy of boy racers at 11.30pm. To my dismay, I saw a police car behind them. You can't possibly tell me that their exhaust noise was at a warrantable level. Grow some gumption and pink sticker them off the road. Do your job! JC
* I went to a restaurant on Sunday and had a great lunch. Upon going to the toilet there was a dad waiting outside and his young son came out and they walked back to the restaurant, I went in and had to clean up, there was urine on the seat and lots more on the floor, no flushing or hand washing YUK! Where was the parent supervision/training/clean up? Don't leave your child's mess for someone else to sort out. Bet you would be the type to leave your dog's mess on the pavement too.
* The high food prices are because of the rip off supermarkets. They don't mind ripping people off. They over charge families and don't mind one bit.
* So the Blackpower are into beating up an old man for his clothes. Jail clothing be best suited for them and their leaders. SF
* I loved HB Today's story with chomp the baby morepork and the picture with the girl. I have it on display. Chomp you are gorgeous, it made my day. Joy
* To the person who handed in my wallet to the service counter at Pak'nSave on Saturday, most appreciated. Thank you very much.
* Re Mill Rd speedsters: You want to see them fly down Southland Rd. Council where are you? Cops would be good just past bridge. J Oak
* The reason Chinese are buying up Crafer Farms and other arable land across the world is because they know there won't be enough food to sustain the world's expanding population. Control the food and you control the world.
* What's up with people hating on smokers? There's absolutely no need for that at all! To the person who said what's on the horizon for a smoker is sickness and death. Well, take your hand off it mate! Reality check darling - it doesn't take a puff of a cigarette to have a sickness or even death. A person has 74 per cent more chance of choking to death on a piece of white bread then dying from puffing on a single smoke and this has come from registered nurses and doctors. Hohua Rore
