“Raiwai Tunnel”

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32020, 21 June 1969, Page 12

“Raiwai Tunnel”

Sir,—lf you travel by road from Kaikoura towards Christchurch you come to a rocky point pierced by twin road tunnels and one tunnel for the trains. The portal of that one bears the words, “Raiwai Tunnel,” cut into the cement, dearly but without great neatness. The recent note from Madrid by "Random at Large” quotes Shaw's famous line about the rain in Spain. This lesson in pronunciation has not yet been mastered by all New Zealanders. My .guess is that it was some Maori who cut that lettering, having his little joke at the expehse of some I pakeha who would read it as Raiwai. Tunnel, and say “Why did they put that up? Anyone can see that it’s a rilewy tunnel!” A Maori would naturally omit the letter *T” since it has no part in the Maori alphabet—Yours, etc., ARTHUR LUSH. June 20, 1969. I ' ■ • '■ A . i Viewing Hie Gardens Sir,—The Botanic Gardens belong not only to the citizens of inner Christchurch but to all Canterbury. They are probably now the most beautiful in Australasia. They are a trust to the City Council and should not be sacrificed to the tourist business. Anyhow, a rush of tourists to a country is not always to its advantage. I am nearer 80 than 70 years old. When I can no longer walk through the gardens, enjoying their peace and beauty, I hope to hire a wheel chair and still go slowly and quietly along , its walks. In Mr Gilpin, the city employs a of out-

standing ability and experience. It is incredible that the council should ignore his advice. One afternoon a busload of tourists drew up at the Christchurch Cathedral. Six passengers went inside with their guide, who muttered, “The rest are waiting for me to drive the bus inside.” —Yours, etc., ROLLESTON AVENUE. June 20, 1969.