Letters to Editor 9 Jan 2009
Keeping in touch
Thanks to my good friend and former classmate (at East Takaka School in the late 1920s and early 30s) Beryl Rogers (nee Hitchcock), because I just recently learned of the new GB Weekly.
In trying to keep in touch with happenings in the Golden Bay area I relied on the Nelson Evening Mail but that did not always give much up-to-date news. I left New Zealand in 1947 and returned to Canada, where I was for a while during WW2, and missed all the local gossip.
My father Fred Lewis farmed in East Takaka for many years, along with neighbours Baigents, Sparrows, Barnetts, Hitchcocks, Goodalls and others. Two of my brothers, Frank and Jim, taught school in the Takaka area at various times; brother Stuart, a land surveyor, passed away a couple of years ago in Tasmania; and younger brother Bernie, a semi-retired RAF test pilot, now resides in Whangarei.
I would be interested in hearing from any old friends in the area and will be keeping a close watch on news in the Weekly. My very best wishes for your continued success.
Alan (Pete) Lewis,
Ontario, Canada, 19nz23@gmail.com
Labyrinth Rocks
Thank you to Gary Clough (GBW letters 19/12) for highlighting the frustrations felt by the Friends of the Labyrinth and our supporters regarding the access to, and maintenance of, this wonderful attraction.
Despite sterling advocacy from Joe Bell and the Golden Bay Community Board, letters to TDC, presentations at the last three Public Forums, on-site consultation with a TDC engineer, reserves staff and Mayor Richard Kempthorne, we have still not been successful in obtaining a right of access to the site, permission to start on upkeep, and provision of the car parking and toilets necessary for opening to the public.
At the November meeting we presented a submission outlining practical solutions for all the above, accompanied by a very accommodating quote from Sollys, most of which could have been realised by Christmas. The response we received was to the effect that TDC felt they could come up with better solutions but are yet to provide a timeline for this.
We understand how disappointing it is for Gary to see the Labyrinth reverting, and welcome any practical or persuasive support he can offer in the hope that this very special place may be preserved.
Fay Brownlie
In reply to Gary Clough. We would like to, through your column, inform readers of his unfair criticism of us so-called ‘Crusaders' that he notes with interest that nothing appears to have been done. We would like to assure readers that this is far from the truth.
Over the last few months we have been to the community board meetings at which we had our two local councillors in attendance requesting urgency from the TDC to provide us with a suitable car park.
Further, we have had a council engineer on site who gave us an understanding that an area we consider to be the only one suitable would be quite acceptable with a few modifications. This site has now been deemed unsuitable by one of his fellow engineers.
The Saturday after the Christmas Parade we had the opportunity to show the Mayor Richard Kempthorne our site and informed him of the urgency of this matter.
In conclusion we would recommend that Mr Clough direct his frustration at our two local councillors and the TDC, not at his so-called ‘Crusaders'.
Ross McDonald
Next James Bond film set in the Bay
The makers of the next Bond film (Bond 24) have been in the Bay and were seen discussing plot and shooting sequences at Tata Beach last week.
Inside sources say that the evil bad man, Dr Yes, could be played by Russell Crowe. Early indications suggest that the plot involves Dr Yes trying to upset the eco balance of the world by wiping out endangered species using innocent children as his accomplices.
The scene the makers were discussing at Tata Beach involved children taking part in the Titanic Boat Race who unwittingly take to the sea in a radio-controlled vessel. Dr Yes is planning to send them and their explosive-laden craft out to sea to blow up Tata Island. However, our man Bond is on hand with the latest Bond girl "Pussy Deplore" to do all the hard work.
Rumour has it that the return of "Q" has been an inspiration behind this scene. If you don't already plan to go down to the Cardboard Boat Race you may get a glimpse of some production people flirting around the beach.
Rob Dawson
Outhouse Productions
Sister communities
Golden Bay has at least two "sister communities" in New Zealand - Coromandel and Waiheke Island, squeezed in between Coromandel and Auckland. Waiheke at least, experiences some of the difficulties with Auckland City (their "parent council") as Golden Bay does with Tasman District.
Just to let you know "we are not alone" (and to give you a chuckle) I enclose the following:
"Waiheke Ratepayers and Residents prayer - Our council, who art Auckland City hollow be thy name. Thy downfall come, thy whims be seen, in Auckland and on Waiheke Island. Give us this day our bread back, trespass no more on the District Plan, or attempt to sell off our reserves. Lead us not into lack of services, but deliver us from amalgamation, for thine is the wheelie bin, the paper war and the guile. Never forever - ugh. Ross Gillespie, Rocky Bay."
From Waiheke's Gulf News. Happy holidays!
Yonan "John" Calermbo
The pronunciation of Nyhane Drive
There seem to be some difficulties with the correct pronunciation of the Nyhane Drive. The "h" and the "e" are silent so it becomes Ny-an. It is originally a Swedish name which came to New Zealand via the southern coast of Ireland. In some cases it has been Anglicised and the "e" has been dropped which makes it a more clipped sound. However, our branch of the family have always used the old spelling.
My father would be well pleased that he is still remembered in Ligar Bay. He was a good man, and served his country and this community very well.
Adrienne Nyhane
Anatoki Eels
It is with great disappointment and concern that we have discovered fish hooks embedded in some of the mouths of the Anatoki eels, and fishing line littering the feeding area. To the people who think it's funny to interfere with these tame and trusting creatures, please don't! The Anatoki eels have significant historic and iconic value to the area, and should continue to be nurtured and cared for as they have for over 90 years.
If anyone has any information regarding this, please contact us at Bencarri Nature Park & Cafe on 525 8261.
Leithal Dixon
