A22 Saturday, August25, 2012 THE PRESS, Christchurch 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 Wigram, 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 New Zealand 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 Bob Parker 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.