The fact that Tanner's girlfriend is "standing by him" does not diminish his abhorrent behaviour. Maybe she could do with some counselling to help her see him for what he is - a pathetic evil person.
DOUG PRICE, Castlecliff
Reviving te reo
New Zealand has just gone through its annual week of te reo being both promoted and spoken, sometimes awkwardly, at every opportunity on our news bulletins, Shortland Street and other forms of media.
I read in the Chronicle that Whanganui Regional Museum kaiwhakaako (teacher) Awhina Twomey chose to converse only in te reo for the week, for which I applaud her, although I wonder how many visitors to the museum were able to understand what she was attempting to teach them.
I support the revival of te reo - it would be a shame to see it die out - but I wonder about its true worth in the hidden gem we live in, Whanganui or Wanganui, a place where Maori are a large percentage of the population.
One only has to drive through the poorer areas of town or visit the courthouse to see how terribly over-represented Maori are. Is te reo week akin to hiding the homeless when a dignitary comes to town?
I wonder how many Maori were sent to prison, became homeless or committed suicide last week, and how important a working knowledge of te reo was to them.
The prison population is made up of around 50 per cent Maori in men's prisons, and something like 63 per cent in women's prisons.
Would an opportunity to learn te reo, as well as tribal heritage, while in prison be a positive step in keeping some from returning, and perhaps leading to a more productive future?
By all means let's keep te reo alive, but it must be backed up by far more proactive action, perhaps funded by the millions of dollars paid to Maori over recent years in compensation for past wrongs.
ROD ANDERSON, Castlecliff
Noisy children
June Hooper (Chronicle, September 17) complains about the use of Virginia Lake as a school sports venue, and the effect of the children's noisy exuberance.
Really, has she possibly forgotten her own childhood and enthusiasm, maybe somewhat noisy?
Stop being so precious June and let the children run for such a short period in the real time of things.
Meanwhile, I suggest you have a good listen to a Cat Stevens' song - Where do the Children Play?
RAY WATSON, Aramoho
Work for Patea
It's pleasing to see the TTR sand miners are going to appeal the decision to block the mining.
It's an economic activity needed in Patea and surrounding areas.
Debbie Ngarewa-Packer has many Maori in her pedigree who I played rugby with in Patea. Debbie seems not to see the benefits to the area and resorts to protest mode.
I know Maori who are keen for the mining to go ahead, so she does not speak for all.
If you had a referendum, the silent majority - both Maori and Pakeha - would be putting their hands up for mining.
You won't stop it, Debbie - just delay.
Patea closed the works with their anti-business work practices, and now they have a chance of some economic activity they are trying to do that again.
G R SCOWN, Whanganui
Teach Mandarin
Maori language week - as John Key said years ago, all schools should teach Mandarin as the day will come when we will need to speak that language.
GARY STEWART, Foxton Beach
