Rants & Raves: Fireworks frenzy

Late-night fireworks can be a real annoyance.

Tell us what you love about life in New Zealand - or what needs to change. Write to rantandrave@nzherald.co.nz

Rant
The volume of the PA systems on Auckland's trains is being turned up very loud. Lower it to a comfortable level please, Auckland Transport.
Bob Pearson

Rave
Auckland City carpark buildings with red and green ceiling lights indicating vacant/non vacant parking places within.
David L.

Rant
My rant for the day is about inconsiderate people who let off loud fireworks at 10.15pm. I live in a retirement village in Wattle Downs. This will be the norm from now, prior to Guy Fawkes Day until after Christmas and the New Year. It's times like this I wish I were deaf.
Connie Grice

Rave
Last Thursday I had occasion to travel on Bus No 625 from Meadowbank to Symonds St at approximately 8.15 in the morning. This bus had a cross-section of passengers - many business folk, and a number of students on their way to various secondary schools. How delightful to hear such courteous young people greeting their equally happy female bus driver with a cheery "good morning" and a "thank you driver" as they arrived and departed. I was not the only person on the bus to express aloud how wonderful it was to hear such manners and appreciation from the younger generation, and to have had such a delightful bus driver who, I suspect, was the motivator in bringing out the best in all her passengers. Well done, driver of No 625 - you are an example to us all.
Carol Smith

Rant
I read that someone's cat "passed". Ten days ago my father-in-law died in England. He didn't pass (another car), pass over (a flyover), pass the ball, pass wind, pass on (the heirlooms) or even get drunk and pass out. What is it about so many Kiwis that they are too precious to use the (appropriate) terms "died" and "death"?
Hugh Anderson

Rave
I recently spent nearly 12 hours at the emergency department of North Shore Hospital after my mum had a bad fall. The staff there were amazing, from the people who wheeled her to radiology to all the doctors and nurses we encountered. They were kind, compassionate and very patient. We were kept informed about what was going on and how long things might take. In what can be a very stressful environment, they treated mum with respect and no query or question from us was too much trouble.
Rachel Eames