A22 Saturday, August25, 2012 , Letters

❯❯In a few words Suburbs increasingly ignored as CBD gets attention It is disturbing that people criticise the prime minister, Gerry Brownlee, the council, Cera and There’s a lot of talk about the information for all 10,000 TC3 interesting, but oddly-named, Cu- tive poison is ethically indefen- EQC for the problems that have blueprint. I can see why. I’m more properties with foundation mulus Gate Pavilion for Richard sible. That British American To- arisen because of the earthquakes. concerned at the way the suburbs damage. If this is done in Pearse (Aug 21) is inaccurate and bacco so blatantly defends its BRIAN S KEELEY seem to be getting lower and lower collaboration with insurers, the does a disservice to true New claimed right to do so I think The Earthquake Recovery down the list. result will be the last boreholes Zealand aviation pioneers such as shows an utter disregard for Minister, Gerry Brownlee, and his I would have thought it being drilled much faster than if Joe Hammond, the Walsh broth- human values and the rights of coterie of acronyms (EQC, Cera common sense to rebuild our local individual insurers carried out ers, Sir Henry , Horatio others. This is why government and CCDU) have all failed to meet community centre (and any other their own drilling, in pockets MacKay, Lowell Yerex, etc. action is essential. any initial deadline they set, community hall that’s been out of scattered across the city. However, Recognition of the overlooked BRUCE TULLOCH although the CCDU report came action since the earthquake) no insurer is bound to join EQC’s pioneering airline contributions of Bishopdale close with its 100-day plan taking before embarking on a major new programme, and some have opted MacKay or Yerex, in particular, 103 days. Insurance companies stadium. After all, they have to undertake their own work. seem far more appropriate for an Cyclists asking for it appear to be dragging the chain in somewhere to play rugby for the In that sense, EQC’s airport to celebrate. I wonder what the purpose of resolving claims. Have they taken time being, but we have nowhere negotiations over a collaborative A courageous South Island having cycle lanes is when so the examples of official for our community gatherings – programme are not ‘‘meddling” in entrepreneur, MacKay operated many cyclists, especially those procrastination and decided they toy library, fitness classes, claims in which we have no his Airways from the with expensive bicycles and can be as dilatory? fundraising events, community business. Rather, they are a late 1920s to the mid-1930s, when, clothing, ignore them. STEVE COX choir – let alone our local school recognition that all TC3 residents, sadly, it was finally destroyed by a Every day we see cyclists riding If only we didn’t have such a having a hall to hold assemblies. be they EQC customers or not, government bowing to pressure outside such lanes, even when dysfunctional council we would The city council isn’t exactly deserve the quickest and highest- from overseas interests. there is plenty of room from the have been able to control the clear on this though, and Cera quality response to these Yerex also had to fight long curb to the lane marking. wrecking ball and the owners of certainly can’t be bothered. unprecedented circumstances. battles, this time with powerful Groups often ride two or three the city would have been able to The ignoring of the suburbs’ IAN SIMPSON corporations backed by obstruc- abreast, with some well outside the rebuild on their own land (surely needs really doesn’t seem right CEO, Earthquake Commission tive British and American govern- lane, and seem oblivious of traffic their right ) within guidelines set and makes me want to go and live Wellington ments, but was far more fortunate. at busy times. A toot gets ignored by our council. After all, we do live somewhere where they do care Starting in Honduras with a or the fingers. in a democratic society, or is that about the things that matter to the Nice one, council! single aeroplane in 1932, he by the BILL FERGUSSON to be just part of a new Tui advert? people paying the rates. My heartfelt thanks to the late 1930s had become a living Halswell LES CLIFF I know a hall for the community Christchurch City Council. legend throughout Latin America. I liked the photo of is not as sexy as a stadium for Cera has washed its hands of At its peak, his airline, TACA, was Sacrificing Isaac trying his hand at punting on the international (on television and us, I’m in one of EQC’s the world’s largest air cargo My heart goes out to the fami- Avon (Aug 18). Is he considering everything!) events, but it makes a indeterminable queues and my carrier, operating a fleet of over 50 lies whose sons and daughter died punting as a new career after he darn-sight more of a difference to insurance company can barely aircraft serving more than 230 in Afghanistan but why is New loses the next mayoral election? our daily lives. stifle their laughter when I call. places throughout the challenging Zealand there? I don’t accept that P BANENS CLARE MARSHALL But the good old CCC still care environment of Central America. The Press in its editorial on During a recent visit to Newcastle, South Brighton about us in our eastern- It was an amazing achievement Wednesday provided a NSW, we met many friendly Christchurch, TC3 home, attached against great odds, yet few New justification. people who have great empathy Let’s help ourselves to dodgy wastewater systems and Zealanders have heard of him. I suggest that a law be passed so with the people of Christchurch. As a Christchurch resident even dodgier roads. To claim that Pearse was a that when a prime minister Newcastle also suffered loss of life living in the east, it is easy to get Yes, I opened my CCC just- pioneer is of course complete declares war or continues a war during a quake some years ago, caught up in the haves and have- delivered rates notice to discover Suburb in trouble: Eastern Christchurch is being forgotten, says Clare Marshall, nonsense. Although Pearse’s their eldest child, girl or boy, must and some of their heritage nots mindset. the council believes the value of but it can help itself, says Louisa Walters. Photo: DON SCOTT/FAIRFAX NZ attempt to construct his own be conscripted to the front for the buildings remain in a state of It is an understatement to say my house has risen 3 per cent. engines was most creditworthy, he duration of hostilities. disrepair. Our Novacastrian that the east has been badly Thanks to the CCC for keeping containers that we watch each day to issues such as lack of power, was on completely the wrong track In fact, let’s conscript the eldest friends send best wishes and say affected by the quakes, and, as the faith. Would it please let the along the wharves. loss of phones or phone chargers, with his large, powered kite-like child of each member of the Cabin- ‘‘chins up’’ to the people of residents living there, we feel at local real-estate industry know? Replica heritage it is not, but it and infrastructure failure. craft, and influenced no-one. et for the duration of the war. Christchurch. times as if we have been forgotten G WILLIAMSON is exciting, and Lyttelton, though While nearly 90 per cent of It’s time we heard more about It might make a Government KATHY WOODWARD or our issues are not as important Southshore protective and proud of its past, is respondents had (and used) the likes of MacKay and Yerex and think before it joined other I support Martin Setchell, curator as the rest of the city’s. We can feel a community that also looks to the transistor radios, many found the a lot less about the much- countries’ wars. of the Town Hall organ, who wants that we are the have nots and Butt out! future. nationally branded commercial publicised Pearse. Perhaps PATRICIA SMITH the auditorium saved (Aug 18). people in the west are the haves. Recently I visited the NG build- BETTY and DAVID PURDUE radio stations of little use, as Christchurch International Fendalton Many years ago Yehudi Menuhin There are articles and plans ing. As I walked up the worn wood- Lyttelton listeners were often directed to the Airport could lead the way. performed in that superb venue abounding as to how to restore en stairs I felt comfortable – reas- station’s website for detailed ERROL W MARTYN Key’s priority right and said he had never played in a Christchurch and improve our sured by all those who had trod Needed: a magician information – not easy when you Avonhead I’m sincerely sorry for the fam- concert hall with better acoustics. city and make it a vibrant place that staircase before me, linked to The offer letters for the June 29 don’t have power. ilies that have lost loved ones in LOIS MATHIE where people want to live. We even the past. Such a simple thing red-zoners are now due in ‘‘early A digital divide exists at any Jumping into danger the war with Afghanistan. But I’m Not only do we need new buildings read of plans to regenerate the east allowed my spirits to be uplifted. September’’, rather than ‘‘late Au- given time between those who The parachuting aircraft crash also sorry that John Key is getting in Christchurch but, of even (‘‘Just add water’’, Aug 18) but as We must retain these linkages gust’’ as promised in mid-August. have access to (or even interest in) at Fox Glacier was, like all such a hard time from the media. greater importance, we need to we read between the lines it to the past. That the Government A cause of the delay is Cera has computers and social media and accidents, tragic. Although the His role is to lead our country, rebuild relations between Pakeha appears that any progress could be should think it so important to to find out if it can relocate some of those who don’t, but in times of relatives are understandably support us and keep us a free na- and Maori. muddied by subgroups with superimpose its grandiose plans the properties. Until then, it can’t disaster this gap becomes both looking for a perpetrator, it isn’t tion. Whether he does this well is a MARY FORREST conflicting agendas and somewhat for a stadium and a convention release offers on any property. wider and more random. the Civil Aviation Authority. moot point. The point is that he Congratulations to Mike Crean. I exclusive memberships. centre, both of which will be You’d probably need a dozen Broadcast and print have ar- Years ago, the decision was makes a large sacrifice to do this. don’t know how he digs up his So what can we eastside resi- probably underused, is immoral. cranes and some magic to move guably played a larger role in made to put its limited resources Yes he is paid well for it, but his stories but they are so interesting dents do? We have several options. Owners who care have poured houses like our red-zoned providing information to residents into regulating public transport family also makes a large sacrifice. and full of information. We can rally, rant, rail to get money into these buildings on the Cashmere Hills property. You’d during this extended period of aviation. Those fringe activities I am sure there are many JOHN YOUNG the Government and the city assumption that they could be also have to build a matching hill crisis than any virtual equivalent. such as warbirds, microlights, special occasions that he has not Fat-neck politicians say mum and council to do something, waving retained. It is part of the human to mount it on. Don’t believe the hype: just as gliding and parachuting were been there for them. This time he dad investors will buy whatever our have-not cards (a stressful and condition that we need to be linked I’d love that to happen, but the video did not kill the radio star, made essentially self-regulating. felt his son really needed him. the Government puts up for sale. often unproductive pastime). to our past. Would the Government or the council have social media has not yet replaced This has been accepted for a We fight for our families, The average Kiwi, after meeting Or we can look at what we have Government please butt out. not budgeted for a magician. traditional media or even word-of- long time and was welcomed, even preach family first and then all commitments, would be got – a community that cares about JULIET NEILL Other areas of concern include mouth as the most useful method encouraged, by the participants. demand the prime minister struggling to finance himself into a what happens, a community that Lyttelton lack of information about what of communication, especially Parachuting is by its nature a shouldn’t lead by example. new toilet-roll holder, let alone a may not be the most affluent but a will be left for our green during disaster. very high-risk undertaking that AMANDA CHRISTMAS share in a power station. community that knows each other. Excitement banned neighbours when our houses are KRIS VAVASOUR cannot be made safe in the Halswell GRAHAM MCDONALD The future of the east is not a We spent years restoring an pulled down – sorry, relocated. UC post-graduate student (Cultural accepted meaning of that word. Methinks Valerie Adams com- park or an aquatic centre or native Arts and Crafts house. Although it It would have been appropriate Studies) Likewise, in the design of Family first again? plains too much. She is lucky to be wetlands (although all these would was no longer ours, we grieved for for all households affected to have Somerfield aircraft that carry parachutists it Nice that John Key will be at paid to toss a lump of iron about. be wonderful). The future of the its demise and for the loss of other been sent a copy of the reports that would be very difficult to achieve the military funerals this HARRY TAYLOR east is its people. heritage buildings in the city. led to their red-zoning. Sight for sore eyes safety for the occupants. weekend. Does his son not have I was immersed in the Olympics. Let’s put our energies into our The comment ‘‘old dungers’’ NOD GHOSH Once again that wonderful Heavily regulating such another game to play overseas? Such skills, endurance and agility. communities. Do something for still rankles; but we are hopeful Cashmere man, David Hallett, has captured adventure flying to achieve even a NORM OSBORNE Some abilities beyond belief. neighbourhood week. Do some- that the empty spaces will be filled an exquisite scene of our city (Aug small degree of safety would make Rolleston JILL WILCOX thingthisweek–asmallactof with buildings that excite us and Talk and read about it 23). His photo of the sun shining those pursuits impossible. This week a TV3 reporter touted human kindness. Let’s transform lift our spirits. The trouble with marketing is it through the tree branches at TIM WOOD Trade imbalance Lisa Carrington as New Zealand’s the bleak landscape around us. We watched with horror as only ever tells part of the story. Hagley Park, even capturing a bird Perth, Australia Muldoon said the migration of golden girl for her win at the LOUISA WALTERS plans for the Stanaway building, in Ekant Veer’s research, into the and many other delightful details, New Zealanders to Australia London Olympics. To my New Brighton Lyttelton, were shown on use of social media during and will cheer many people. Ethically indefensible raised the IQs of both nations. This knowledge, the 470 yacht girls also Campbell Live – horror that the after the earthquakes, only K WOODWARD It’s interesting that British week we have heard that, over the won gold. Why has the media EQC not meddling CCC could be so intransigent with accounts for those with the know- Cashmere American Tobacco’s advertise- past year, on average 1000 New decided to elect Lisa as our golden Carmel Jaggar has misunder- its rules that it could refuse how and ability to access these ments concede tobacco is harmful Zealanders a week have per- girl? What about a golden boy? The stood the work EQC is doing in consent for a building that is so virtual meeting rooms (Aug 22). Pearse no pioneer but still defend the company’s manently moved to Australia. We boys won more golds than the TC3 areas to get repairs and completely of its time and place. My research into At the risk of repeating myself ‘‘right” to promote consumption. have also learnt that Orana Park is girls. The TV media used to report rebuilding under way (Aug 23). Lyttelton is a vibrant communication and media use (old myths die hard, it seems, but Evidently the company believes soon to receive gorillas ex the news, not make it. Both our EQC is leading a drilling community in a busy port, and the during and after the quakes die they must), your description of its profit is more important than Australia (Aug 23). Sounds like a channels have become tabloid. I programme in an attempt to get Stanaway building, straddling a reveals a deep frustration among Richard Pearse as ‘‘a Kiwi aviation the health, or life, of those it en- slightly uneven swap to me. now watch the news on Sky from the most efficient, cost-effective busy corner, echoes the giant many residents who were denied pioneer’’ in the text accompanying courages to use its toxic products. MAX REID Australia. means of gathering geotechnical straddles clutching their access to most forms of media due the photograph of Gregor Kregar’s Knowingly pushing an addic- St Albans W WILSON