LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33425, 5 January 1974, Page 10

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

(1) Letters to be considered for this column must not exceed 150 words. They should be on only one side of the paper; preferably typewritten. otherwise clearly written in ink; and ample margins and space between lines should be left for convenience in sub-editing. (2) A legible signature and full address — not a P.O. Box number — are required whether these are to be printed or not (3) The correspondent must say whether the letter has been or is to be submitted elsewhere. (4) The editor cannot return or keep any letter not accepted for printing; nor does he undertake to acknowledge or enter into correspondence concerning letters, although an acknowledgement will be made where this seems to be necessary or helpful. (5) As a general rule, correspondence on news items in other publications or carried on radio and television, is not acceptable. L. Jamison.—Thank you. G. A. Brewer. —Unhelpful. A. M. H. Stanford.—You took appropriate action. H. Sinclair-Thomson.—A difficult field in which to please everyone; but, surely a modest tribute to the lasting fame of Low’s character. Hand of Friendship.—Others have complained of apparent failures.to issue notices. You cannot have it both ways. Mirek Cvigr.—See rules above. Suva Street traffic Sir, —“A Daddy” is certainly not alone in his concern about large vehicles which thunder through Suva Street from early morn to late at night, seven days a week. Our town planners have placed industry, and access to it, along Blenheim Road which is built to take such traffic. Why do these vehicles travel along Blenheim Road, down Hansons Lane, along Suva Street to Curletts Road and then to Blenheim Road where they have to turn back on their tracks to reach their destination? They are travelling about six times the distance they would cover if they continued along Blenheim Road to their destination. Apart from the very great nuisance these vehicles cause in Suva Street, are we not supposed to be conserving fuel?— Yours etc., F. G. and H. RHODES. January 4, 1974.

Transfer of mental patients Sir, —In reply to your correspondent, “Inasmuch”, no-one is suggesting that mental patients be harmed —merely that they be prevented from harming and frightening others, which is presumably why they entered a mental hospital in the first place. Frail, old people enter private geriatric hospitals because they need professional care 24-hour nursing, and can afford the extra comfort such hospitals can provide. Peace of mind is essential for them. If modern medical science cannot help mental aged patients, a private hospital cannot help them; but their presence does distress the physically frail. Any private hospital which accepts mental patients should be compelled to list itself as a “private geriatric and mental hospital” so that families can know what they are letting their elderly relatives in for.—Yours etc., NOVEMBER 75. January 4, 1974. [This correspondence is now closed—Editor.] Park Terrace Sir, —I was delighted to see the photograph in “The Press” today of four residents of Wesley Lodge Eventide Home, in Park Terrace, relaxing in the sunshine on their wayside bench. At present, as the pavement is 15ft wide, they can enjoy watching the world go by without traffic passing unpleasantly close. However, should the City Council ultimately proceed with its plan to widen the road, the pavement will be reduced to 10ft in width, making this favourite spot less pleasant for them. Perhaps the interests of the elderly residents of Wesley Lodge could be taken into account when this aspect of the Carlton Mill corner traffic plan comes up for consideration at a later date. —Yours etc., HELEN HERVEY. January 3, 1974. Rotherham

Sir, —Some considerable time ago the question of a speed restriction sign for Rotherham township was raised in your column. I notice that no action has been taken. After checking with the Ministry of Transport. I find that the responsibility for a speed restric-

tion sign lies with the Amuri County Council, which seems to have ignored the situation completely. Rotherham is not a big town, but it does have a school, hotel, and public swimming baths, which each attract numerous people. A limited speed zone would be a step in the right direction. Although realising it would be hard to enforce, it would act as a deterrent to a majority of the drivers.— Yours etc., P. K. MATHESON. January 4, 1974. Saving the cones Sir,—Spare a thought for the ice-cream in a cone this summer. Consider its merits: no sticks, no paper, no plastic. Let us join together to protect the right to life of this threatened species.— Yours, etc., FREEDOM FIGHTER January 4, 1974. Games tickets Sir, —Reading on December 31 about a number of Commonwealth Games tickets still unsold made me wonder how many, like myself, are still at a loss about where and when most events are? I have never seen any detailed advertising in the newspapers. I am (obviously) not very sport-minded; but a quick check in my surroundings revealed no-one who knew the exact date, or even how long the Games lasted — incredible though it may sound. There must be a whole group of mildly interested people who could be roused if, as for the Moscow circus, they were daily confronted with a list of events, when and where to be held, saying where the tickets were sold and at what price, and giving details of athletes taking part, etc. Why is this not included on the entertainment page?—Yours, etc., M.E. January 4, 1974.

Roaming dogs Sir, —I suggest that D. Adams should not be so smug with his position on the right side of the law. If it were not for persons willing to risk insults and punishment by challenging the law, which serves a changing society, individual freedom would still be at the level of a serf. Besides, I agree that pounds are a necessary evil and my issue was the condition of the Christchurch pound and not

the reason for its existence. —Yours, etc., TERESA MACINTYRE January 4, 1974. [This correspondence is now closed—Editor.] Tractors on beach Sir, — I have been going every week-end to Purau for 12 years, and at no time have I seen 10 tractors on the beach. Those that are there use each end of the beach, where no-one swims. The small children play near to the bridge where the water is shallow.—Yours, etc., OLD CLARRIE January 4, 1974.