Cam Preston wrote to me with this message which ties in with our recent coverage of successive Governments spreading mis-information on how much was spent in Christchurch after the earthquakes. Here is what he wrote: This week I have been listening to debate and comments from the mayoral hopefuls … [Read more...]
Is this an interesting solution to the farms in North Canterbury which pollute our aquifers:
I have been thinking about the talks we have had recently on water where there has been much talk about leaching of nitrates into our aquifers. The The Press had an article last Tuesday labelled “The farmer who ditched sprays” about David Crutchley, who farms using regenerative farming … [Read more...]
Cycleways Through Christchurch
It has been interesting to listen to the bullshit which has been spoken about cycleways during the election campaign. I’m sure most of us agree that the St Asaph Street cycleway is over the top, but the rest are wonderful. I congratulate everybody who has been involved in making them happen. I … [Read more...]
Chamber of Commerce “Directive”
The Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce has produced a document and required Mayoral candidates to respond to it. It’s called a “directive”. Here it is: https://cecc.org.nz/CECC_Public/About/Local_Government Directive.aspx Before I analyse the document on the Mayoral election, I want to … [Read more...]
I loved this article, especially in Maori Language Week:
Every now and then I read a column which really hits home. It was a wonderful, warm, deeply personal observation which goes to the essence of NZ male behaviour. Here it is: https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2019/09/13/805172/emma-espiner-maori-boy … [Read more...]
In Conclusion
Garry writes 10 September 2019
Recently Bruce White sent a quote from Rabindranath Tagore. I had never heard of the man. They don’t teach you much about philosophers when you study accounting. However, Bruce found him, and he’s an accountant as well… “I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. … [Read more...]
Last weeks Speaker Ben Harris
Last week we had a really interesting address by Ben Harris. I am attracted to speakers who challenge conventional thinking by being scientific, and thoughtful, about an important topic. Like water. Ben started out by pointing out that much of the world required chlorine in its water for public … [Read more...]
This week’s speaker on Transport
This week we are moving off the topic of water and onto another issue which we should be considering as we contemplate our votes in the Local Body election. This week we are focusing on transportation. There has been a lot of attention to the state of the roads in the East and cycleways. In my … [Read more...]
Here is an article on some of the history behind the theft of Maori land:
I found this article, in Newsroom, a lesson on history which we certainly weren’t taught at school. We learned about the history of Great Britain and other important issues, but little about our own land. This article by a historian reminded me again of just how unjust so much of the treatment of … [Read more...]