The unthinkable has become a reality with the desecration of paradise.
No capricious quirk of nature, this.
No unstoppable hurricane, earthquake or cyclone, over which, mere man has no control.
No, this is the direct result of 'Mere Man”, or men, blatantly ignoring, or in a state of uncomprehending, the abundant navigational aids, the well charted and well used course, plus the position of the reef.
Where is and who was the 'Officer of the Watch”. who set the course 5km off the designated one, heading straight for disaster? Where is/are he/they now?
Our first priority is to combat the filth that has started to appear on our hitherto green land, proudly named, 'Paradise”, often to the envy of those in less happy places.
We must, however, not lose sight of the terrible wrong that has befallen us and the perpetrators who, 'Threw away a pearl” and mete out the justice that they so very fully deserve.

Frank Smead, Mount Maunganui