For many years there have been a number of goats with their babies up Mt Richmond in Otahuhu. Now there don't seem to be any of them left.
Jack Scarrott, Auckland.
I'm afraid the goats have come to a rather sticky end. Richard Hollier, acting manager for regional and specialist parks, says that the goats originated from the abattoir on the other side of Great South Rd and were a problem on Mt Richmond for many years. They caused erosion damage on slopes and on exposed middens on archaeological features. As well, iwi expressed concern at the ongoing damage to the heritage site. For these reasons the goats were progressively culled through 2011 and 2012 with the last two removed in December 2012.
At the interchange of the Southwestern Motorway and Hillsborough Rd I think there is a major problem. As I drive along Hillsborough Rd from the west I have a green arrow to allow me to turn left and enter the on-ramp to the motorway to head towards Dominion Rd. At the same time motorway traffic from Onehunga can exit on to Hillsborough Rd via a set of green lights. The problem here is that twice I have seen cars come off the motorway, cross straight over Hillsborough Rd and then enter the motorway on-ramp. There's nothing to say you can't do this. The outcome is you have two cars entering the on-ramp from different directions, both with a green light. I presume the left-turning vehicle has to give way even though he has a green arrow.
Warren Darling, Hillsborough.
The Transport Agency says that drivers who do carry on, straight across the intersection, are breaking the law - arrows on the road and traffic signals clearly indicate that drivers leaving the motorway must turn either right or left on to Hillsborough Rd. It is not possible to physically restrict the straight-ahead movement nor is it practical to stop the left turn to the on-ramp. The NZTA will keep an eye on the Hillsborough interchange to get a clearer picture of how widespread dangerous and unsafe behaviour like this is. One option is to install signs warning that the practice is illegal, another is to ask the police for increased surveillance and prosecution.
We have noticed that the flying fox pulley apparatus is missing from the kids' playground at the bottom of Mt Eden reserve on the corner of Normanby and Clive Rds. Only the wire remains. Alsothe rubber matting has falleninto disrepair with sections missing. Is the flying fox goingto be repaired?
Brent Griffiths, Mt Eden.
