Are road measures working?
It is claimed that for the last few years Auckland Transport have been focusing on reducing the road toll in Auckland. To this end some speed limits have been reduced, speed bumps have been put on both residential and main roads. What effect have these restrictions had?
Has the road toll been reduced? We are paying for these restrictions to be put in and we ought to be told if they've been effective. Many new bus lanes have been put in and serious fines have been imposed for breaches. Are buses now running faster? Are they more reliable? Once again AT owes Aucklanders notice of the benefits. AT's silence implies that neither of these initiatives have had the desired results. I would love to be proved wrong.
Nick Hamilton, Remuera.
Speed limits
I wonder how many Auckland residents are aware that thousands of Auckland roads are about to have their 50 km/h speed limits reduced to 30 km/h at the end of June? This is the latest initiative of Auckland Transport to further force people out of their cars, on the pretext of road safety. However, how will this impinge on people going about their daily work schedule? Buses crawling down streets, combined with trucks, courier vans delivering parcels, and let us not forget how emergency vehicles will get from point A to point B with streets clogged with vehicles crawling along their routes.
Patricia Guptill, Wattle Downs.
About Matariki
It is timely to clear up some facts about Matariki that many people get wrong. Matariki is a star cluster not a constellation. It rises at the same time and date every year. It is the celebration that varies from year to year (according to the moon which rises at different times every year). The best time to observe it is not just before sunrise in June because it is hard to see in the twilight. The best time is in summer when it is visible all night long. Many websites and photographs display it upside down. If in doubt you can always go outside and have a look for yourself.
Tony Cooper, Mt Albert.
Drug problems
We are certain that the vast majority of Kiwis are completely dismayed at the damage that drugs such as methamphetamine and others are inflicting upon the social fabric of our society. It seems as though the police are facing a losing battle in their efforts to stamp out this insidious trade. It seems to us that the only way to put a stop to it, is to put all the resources needed, to prevent the entry of drugs into our country. Simply put — no drugs equals no addicts and no finances for our criminal gangs. It's a no-brainer. Perhaps there could be an organised blitz for a year where all the resources necessary are put into examining, dog sniffing, or whatever it takes to ensure that no drugs slip through via any of the goods or people entering our country. Some will say that such a stringent process would be extremely expensive, and disruptive to the movement of people and goods — but how disruptive are the endemic drug and crime problems that we currently have to suffer, and at what cost? Wouldn't such stringent action be worth it?
John and Barbara Maltby, Pt. Wells.
Jubilee concert
On Sunday morning I happened by accident to tune into TV One to find the jubilee concert playing. I had already missed half of the programme but fast realised that this was the concert of the century, I think any one who saw it would agree. As this programme was at 7am with virtually no promotion for it I am sure most people would have not seen it. No worries I thought a once in a lifetime programme of this quality will be replayed in prime time in the early evening. Evidently who ever makes these decisions is either an anti-monarchist or has been so long showing rubbish that they have no idea of what quality TV looks like. Monday morning just as good but started at 6am. And not repeated.
Vince West, Milford.
