Letters
The Hobbit - have we been had?
I wonder if I’m the only person who thinks there’s been a cleverly orchestrated plan to diddle us, and that the filmmakers are laughing all the way to the bank with a $10 “sweetener” from each New Zealander.
The huge expense involved in making a “blockbuster” movie is simply inappropriate in the face of poverty and starvation. Do we really have such a basic need to be entertained that we must spend all this money on one film?
Recently I saw a New Zealand film called The Insatiable Moon, which was made on a relatively tiny budget. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and at times I didn’t know whether to cry or laugh - it made me think. It did all the things to me that a truly great film should do. I can’t help making comparisons - why is there no hype for this little film? While the Lord of the Rings films were undoubtedly good, in my view, no number of them can be as good as The Insatiable Moon. Perhaps we need the hype to make a film great?
Anyway, isn’t it a bit premature calling The Hobbit a “blockbuster”? I thought a movie only becomes one of these after being filmed and shown successfully and after making a potload of money. Or perhaps we’ve already given the makers enough bribe money to make it a blockbuster, even if nobody goes to see it.
Albie Burgers
Pokie machines
No matter what spin Trevor Norriss (GBW 29/10) puts on it, a “cap” which allows for 16 more pokie machines than were being used at the time of decision-making is a “Clayton’s Cap”.
Readers will note the sophistry used by Mr Norriss that “licenses (were) limited to the number presently available” without stating this enabled 16 additional machines.
Readers don’t need to take Mr Norriss’s or my word on “the facts”. The relevant reports, agendas and minutes are available on the TDC website or at Golden Bay Service Centre. I urge interested readers to check out the environment and planning Gambling Venues Policy information for 20 May, 17 August and 2 September 2010 meetings.
The Problem Gambling Foundation Report for the 20 May meeting advises:
33% of pokie proceeds to charities. The rest to “costs” and taxes.
$6.5m lost in Tasman pokies 2009.
$17,669 lost each day in Tasman pokies.
Each Tasman machine averages $35,632 gross profit annually.
The only councillor who had the gumption to try to do the right thing and cap machine numbers at 190 was Cr Glenys Glover. It is of note that Cr Glover was the highest-polling TDC councillor in the recent elections.
Joe Bell
Takaka sewerage scheme
Response from Tasman District Council to last week’s letters (GBW 29/10): Council did conduct the proposed site investigations at the new 1.8ha parcel of land for the Takaka Wastewater Treatment Plant on 19-20 October. The work consisted of:
1) Two monitoring wells installed by drill rig. A resource consent was obtained for this work and all work was in accordance with the consent. A permanent standpipe was installed at both wells.
2) Eight test pits, which were backfilled. Depth to about 2.5metres. A standpipe was installed in most of the test pits and infiltration tests were conducted. The standpipes were left in the ground, but were not of permanent construction.
3) Four Scala penetrometer tests. A black pipe of about 450mm diameter was brought to the site by the contractor in case it was needed for infiltration testing. It wasn’t and the pipe was removed from the site. The only pipes that were installed at the site were the vertical pipes used for infiltration testing.
CW Drilling installed the monitoring wells and Downer performed the test pits and infiltration tests (excavator and water cart on site). Soil samples were collected and have been sent to the laboratory for analysis.
Please be assured that until council receives the appropriate resource consents to allow the upgrade work to progress NO work will commence on the site.
As indicated to council a working group will be set up in due course. This will include interested parties including the Golden Bay Ward councillors, the Golden Bay Community Board and staff to discuss the final appearance of the site.
It is very difficult to call this group together or to open consultation with the ratepayers without a proposal for the layout that can be considered.
from Chris Choat, communications manager, TDC
Collingwood painting
It was great to see the copy of an 1864 watercolour painting of the view from Lewis Street, Collingwood, compared with a photo of the view from a similar place in 2010. (GBW 29/10).
A most remarkable thing is that the artist Jane Stowe (nee Greenwood) was accompanied by her sister Ann that day in January 1864. Ann also painted an almost identical scene from a vantage point a little further down the hill then.
The two sisters were in the area visiting their brother Graham Greenwood, who was gold mining at Richmond Hill in the upper Parapara. Ann’s painting is in her sketch book, which contains various scenes she recorded during the visit, including Graham’s cottage at Richmond Hill and the wooden water race there.
The book was passed to the Nelson Provincial Museum collection by the Greenwood family.
Jane Greenwood was born in 1838 and married Leonard Stowe, clerk to the House of Parliament in 1861. She lived to the age of 93. Ann Greenwood was born in 1845 and became matron at The Terrace School in Wellington. Graham Greenwood later sold his Richmond Hill property and went farming in the Motueka Valley.
Joe Bell
Communication from councillor
My intention on being elected was to help facilitate a better flow of information between council and community. So far it has been a whirl of important and pressing local issues to deal with on top of trying to get a handle on how things work at TDC. If you would like to be on my emailing list please email me at martine.goldenbay@xtra.co.nz with a “yes”. I won’t be inundating you with things, just letting you know if something important is coming up which you may want to know. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Martine Bouillir
Time to transform
We all know life is politically religious. It’s just the formalities of it that cause social unrest and our wars. The old ways we know and most live by, are simply crumbling under our feet.
It’s time to transform into the new ways of light and love just as a butterfly letting go of all forms of fear to be free. From what I see from my eagle’s nest is that our governing TDC is likely to have all its records washed away soon so I guess best to have all the rates paid up and consents in order. It’s always wise to have ourselves self-reliant amongst our friends and community for weeks ahead, not just three days.
A while back I suggested it would be good to set our controls to the Heart of the Sun, like the indigenous elders have for thousands of years. Well there are some interesting sunspots developing particularly 1120 and amalgamating coronal holes are gringing over our societies’ behaviours. They affect our weather and climate, not to mention earthquakes. All’s well, just keep on planting new seeds, ideas and grow and grow in harmony.
Those amongst us understanding astrology will see a very transformative time as 2010 concludes into a mystical 2011. Love and peace.
NgAngA
Reply from Cr Trevor Norriss
Victoria Davis’ comments (GBW 22/10) regarding me are again incorrect and mislead your readers.
After four terms as engineering services chairman I am well aware of the avenues available to council that attract a New Zealand Transport Agency subsidy. In 2009 council adopted its Ten Year Plan and committed to capital walking and cycling projects worth over $700,000 annually in the engineering budgets. This allowed for New Zealand Transport Agency funding. This funding is dependent on the Government’s transport policy.
More recently, council has secured $2.1 million from the John Key-initiated National Cycleway Fund and will commit $3 million of total expenditure to the Tasman Cycle Trail Loop. This funding is also dependent on any change to the Government Policy Statement on funding availability.
I have never proclaimed to be Tasman District Council’s roading expert. I chair the engineering services committee and, along with the Mayor and other councillors, I vote on council’s budgets and projects that are signed off by the full council on an annual basis. That is democracy. If it makes Ms Davis feel better to blame me, then so be it.
Her accusations regarding the Pohara walkway are also misleading. Council and the Golden Bay Community Board rejected the original design and costs of this project, and all parties have worked together within the conditions of consent for a successful outcome to this project.
She is correct regarding the Collingwood proposal. It was rejected because of costs and community discontent with the proposal. That is also democracy.
Cr Trevor Norriss
White Ribbon Day
White Ribbon Day this year is on Thursday 25 November. This is a chance for men, all over the world, whatever their age, racial, ethnic, cultural or religious background to say no to violence in all its forms. The ribbons represent a public pledge never to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against men, women and children. It also pledges a commitment to support community action to stop all forms of violence.
Your support is needed. In its simplest form this is by wearing a white ribbon, available free from the Community Workers, to show your support. Encourage your friends and relatives to also wear a White Ribbon. If you feel this is a cause that you would like to support further, we will be having a stall on the Village Green from 9.30am to 3.30pm on White Ribbon Day, where men can give out ribbons. If you feel you could help by offering some time, however small, on this day, or could offer your help in other ways, please contact Emma at the Community Workers, and help to spread the message that violence is unacceptable in today’s society.
Emma Brazendale, Golden Bay Community Workers
Can you help find our bikes?
Last Friday night (late) we had two bikes stolen from our garage. Six months ago three were stolen and two recovered. We are pretty sure in all cases it’s been teenagers, who probably know us, who are wandering around late at night, too lazy to walk, know where they can find bikes and dump them when they’re not needed.
I’m sure they don’t read letters to the editor, but I want to express my frustration and also appeal to people/parents who may have had a bike appear in their backyard that they’ve been told is “borrowed”. Please get in touch with the police who have a long list of stolen bikes needing to be found and they’re not “just bikes”. They are expensive, are my boys’ only mode of transport and are needed every day.
The missing bikes are: blue Raleigh women’s mountain bike (gone six months), black and brown Dunlop men’s mountain bike, tan and cream GT BMX. We’d welcome any info on these. Thanks for reading.
Cathy Sage
Bouquets and brickbats
Thank you, Black Pete (GBW 29/10), a rose among two fistfuls of complainants. The euphoria lasted a whole 15 hours before, once again, being mucked up. There are many tracks around the Bay, but I believe ours is the only one that causes problems. Hamish doesn’t need a chainsaw; there are plenty around, including in them thar hills. His Nan, however, has always loved big black majestic roosters, but I can’t get any at the moment, until I replace the chooks a neighbourhood dog made a meal or two of when left untied one night.
So, “GO HAMISH,” and I’ll keep the roosters in mind.
Marj Harwood
Project Rameka
Project Rameka Inc would like to thank Pub Charity for their grant to purchase more track-building tools. We really appreciate their support. This is a great boost to the ongoing voluntary work on the Project Rameka property. The tracks are open to the public to walk and cycle, and have been getting a huge amount of use – no doubt this will increase even more over the summer.
If you’re making the most of these tracks, please consider also putting some time into track-building and maintenance. Or you may like to help Project Rameka by weeding around the many native tree seedlings already planted. There are working bees every Wednesday from 5.30pm and on some Thursday mornings. If you would prefer to help at another time or would like more info, contact us via The Quiet Revolution Cycle Shop.
Big thanks to all those volunteers already supporting this very worthwhile project.
Marie Langley, secretary, Project Rameka Inc
Historic plaques
Firstly thank you to The GB Weekly for covering the historic plaque project in Takaka that Heritage Golden Bay embarked on nearly two years ago.
To date we have 13 plaques on buildings. Over recent months a team has been working on three large plaques recording the Takaka Tramway from Waitapu Wharf to East Takaka (one plaque to be installed at Waitapu Wharf, another at East Takaka and one in Takaka). The Heritage Golden Bay committee invites the public to the unveiling of the Commercial Street plaque, sited next to Jennian Homes premises at 11.30 on Tuesday 9 November. These three plaques will record a unique time in the history of the Takaka Valley.
Barry Cashman, chairman Heritage Golden Bay
Swimming lessons
The group that brings you the annual Tata Swim would like to thank all the children and adults who contributed to making the Golden Bay Swimming Club such a success last season. We invite all those interested in becoming members this year to attend this season’s swimming club registration afternoons. These will be at the high school pool on the 9, 10, and 11 November between 3.30 and 5.30pm (see Public Notices for details). Numbers for some of the groups are limited and successful registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Don’t miss out (and bring your togs!)
Susie Bassett, GB Swimming
