Letters: Charge for Hamurana Springs unwelcomed

Aerial view of Hamurana Springs. Photo/File

After well over 40 years, and on principle, I, my extended family and our dogs will no longer visit Hamurana Springs, however beautiful they are, nor will I recommend them to friends. I'll suggest taking a picnic over to the Blue Springs near Putaruru.

Hamurana Springs are indeed beautiful, enhanced by the young trees planted over the years and nurtured by volunteers. It's unfortunate revenue gathering was a reason for wanting these springs given over to Maori ownership rather than the pride of knowing something so lovely was being freely shared with everyone. That option would have seen experienced volunteers continue to nurture the area.

[Abridged]
PADDI HODGKISS
Rotorua

Miss not Mrs Rotorua

Your commentary about the promotion, judging and decision of the Miss Rotorua contest, beggars belief. To award the title to a married woman in a "miss" competition would be almost tantamount to Roger Federer winning the singles crown in a women's event.

The pageant organiser was stated to have been very proud of the winner and that she had "earned her crown". Another organiser, ducking for cover, said there was nothing in the rules about being unmarried. But yet it was promoted that the winner of this event would be sponsored into the Regency International world title competition and who, according to those rules, had to be unmarried. What a fiasco.

The "winner" I am sure would be a wonderful overseas ambassador for New Zealand but not as a "miss NZ". The organisers have done a tremendous disservice to the runner-up who, by all accounts, was particularly good and who I presume is still single.

I am surprised that the winner even entered into this event to which she, as a lawyer must have known, was not eligible. Interestingly, I read that she became interested in law as a past incident got her "really passionate about the injustice that happens to all people".

If she truly believes this, then the honorable thing would be for her to hand over the crown, the winner's sash and any further benefits to the runner-up.

Further, the promoter should ensure that the runner-up be declared the winner and receive all the entitlements this award bestows.

TONY COOPER
Paremata