Has the YMCA done their homework on this so-called joint venture with Mr Mitchell? I was interested to read Mr Clement’s comments when he said that the idea was born out by the need of the YMCA to get funds for its activities. The YMCA chief executive Amy Thaler admitted the organisation did not have the $20,000 to $30,000  needed for their share of the cost and would need to apply to the Tauranga Energy Consumer Trust for the More...

It has just been revealed in court, that when the police carried out an armed raid on a Te Puna rented home used for the manufacturing the drug P. they found various equipment, materials and substances in his home meth lab. Among some of the substances he was using in the  manufacturing of P, were,  Acetone, used in paint and resins, Tergo, great for cleaning concrete, but should not to be used on metals such as galvanised or stainless More...

Saturday 17 July I travelled with friends to a rugby match at Katikati. After the game the speeches were started off with a lengthy address in Maori by one of the visiting officials, an address which took me back years as my father loved the Maori language. When he was alive he spoke and taught it whenever possible and boasted that he could converse in that language anywhere in New Zealand. To my own regret I never did learn it properly but More...

I applaud the proposed 14km walkway-cycleway from Bayfair to Papamoa East and I commend Papamoa College in their quest for a green star environmental rating. This is an outstanding example of well-planned and cost-effective infrastructure that recognises and supports the aspirations of the local community.  The walkway-cycleway is not just a “nice to have”, it is a fundamental community asset that will contribute to better More...

Two of your more astute readers have brought up the topic re the southern pipe line costs. I agree totally, why build it at the latest quote and why hang the bloody thing on a 97 year old bridge. The Hawkes Bay found themselves out of natural gas recently because some bright boy took the short cut and hung the main high pressure feeder line on a 50 year old concrete bridge at Ashurst and washed away the pipeline. Councilor Faulkner thinks $12 More...

Peter Otway’s amazing letter (16/7/10) reminded me of a quote from , “The Bard”, partially edited here: “It is a tale full of sound and fury signifying nothing”. His sweeping statements that “The science is irrefutable and the evidence is mounting”, sends the tired old, “Run for the hills”, yawn-inducing clarion call, completely void of  proof, something that he now claims the More...

Description and effect of an Aliens optic parts. Eyes round in shape, approximately 75mm in diameter with no movement about them whatsoever. Of two colours only enclosed in one bright glowing light that is part of an alien’s form. The inner most parts of the eyes are identical in appearance to the sun, when not at its brightest. For example as seen through one hazy overcast looking sky. The outer most points of the eye’s are of More...

I write to sincerely thank you and all your readers who provided support for and gave donations to the Flash a light for St John Appeal. St John is a charity and relies on public support to provide its wide range of ambulance services and community services across New Zealand. Eddie Jackson, Regional More...

Your correspondent Rob Smith states that “starting in 2001 Hamas landed between 3000-4000 rockets on Israel”.   These hand-made weapons are the only defence Gazans had against the brutal treatment from the hands of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and his henchmen.   Let me refresh your memory Mr Smith.   In 2008 Israel and Hamas reached a cease-fire agreement.   The Israeli Government formally More...

What a great debate. I refer to the ongoing argument on global warming – manmade (anthropogenic) or not? If man has done (which he has) and continues to do the following: Taken the world population from one billion in 1800 to seven billion today. Put nearly 400,000 bits of space junk into near earth orbit during the past 50 odd years. Created a huge hole in the upper atmosphere (ozone hole) above the South Pole. And is well advanced More...