Kaiapoi High School

Press, 19 December 1981, Page 16

Kaiapoi High School

Sir,—lt will not do for Mr Bryant to implore viewers to refrain fron expressing their objection when he comments ("Mainland Touch,” December 10) that one had to be tough to live in Kaiapoi: and, ipso facto, attend Kaiapoi High School. The continuity man must not deal in irrelevancies. This lapse in professional performance (and taste) should be challenged since on this occasion a population of some 600 secondary school pupils have a right, as subjects of the programme, to expect fairer treatment. The least that the Kaiapoi High School community can expect now is a public apology either through these columns or "on air.” — Yours, etc.,

JOHN L. BAIRD, ’ head of department. Kaiapoi High School December 10, 1981.

[Mr Paul France, regional editor. Television New Zealand, replies: “I have consulted the staff of the ‘Mainland Touch’ and a variety of reasons have been advanced for Mr Bryant’s alleged lapse in professional performance and taste. These include the possibility that he had misread his script and believed he was referring to the North Island town of Kaipara. There was the suggestion that the geographical position of his chair in the T.M.T. studio has him facing directly towards Kaiapoi and he felt an overwhelming desire to communicate directly with the populace in a manner which unfortunately threw caution to the winds. Myself, I hold the view that as Mr Bryant lives in an isolated corner of the region he lost reason when confronted with evidence of a centre making positive moves forward in a way which must be very satisfying to that community. Whatever the reason, the people of Kaiapoi should be assured the matter has been irrevocably dealt with. Extremely observant viewers will discover that Mr Bryant will not appear on screen from December 24 until February 22 next year. You may read into that what you will.”]