So there's talk of amalgamation in Tauranga. Hmm. Well Taurangarians and Mountie's gird your loins for a fight against it. Amalgamation is not a success in Auckland it's a nightmare.

Now too few people can force their wild untenable ideas on the whole of Auckland, whereas before the differing cities, towns and boroughs were protected from such lunatics. Think on folks, Auckland is paying $1 million a day in interest. Our squanderbug TCC may be able to manage that on their own the way things are going - so let's not make it worse. Fight amalgamation.

Alastair Bourne, Bethlehem.