How marvellous that in last Saturday’s edition (ODT, 1.4.23) we were treated to not one but two of your, as usual, brilliant April Fool’s Day gags.
The first was on page three and featured a daft city council proposal to develop a loop bus in the city for a mere $1.6 million dollars.
A well-written tongue in cheek joke I thought, and about as stupid as the equally expensive plan to revive a few poles in the sand at St Clair Beach.
Then, when reaching page five in my morning read I found an even funnier item on a proposed nudie swim at the St Clair Hot Salt Water Pool.
Congrats to both editorial staff members for cheering up an otherwise gloomy overcast morning.
B. Chalmers
Ocean View
Language cuts condemned
The Committee of the Alliance Francaise de Dunedin has serious issues with the proposed cuts to the Department of Languages and Cultures at the University of Otago.
These include the elimination of European and Asian Studies which denies access to in-depth study of these major world areas and the curtailing of honours and masters coursework degrees which implies that language and culture disciplines are not worthy of advanced study.
We endorse Prof Peter Matheson's concern at the potential dropping of German from the range of languages taught (ODT, 25.3.23) given its status alongside French and English as a: "bedrock of European Culture in the broadest sense" — let alone Germany's powerful economic and political influence; and support the sentiments expressed by Alyth Grant today (ODT, 31.3.23).
The university's proposals reference costs and numbers, but we believe that the intrinsic value of foreign language and cultural learning transcends these issues and that the University of Otago owes it to its status as an international
university to fully support these domains.
David Moir
Secretary, Alliance Francaise de Dunedin
Cut back special
If this new hospital is built as a "cut back" special our ratepayers and Government could be required to build a replacement in about 50 years.
Two "fit for purpose" hospitals have been built, in my living memory, and now both Wakari and Dunedin Hospital are being replaced.
I have often heard "do it once and do it right". Maybe we should be saying "third time lucky". If only.
Thank you to our councillors who are urging the Government to stick to the original plan. We must all support our councillors by signing and posting the prepared petition cards to Parliament.
We should also petition our local MPs and even join a march — if one is organised.
It appears that there were no local MPs at the public update meeting (ODT, 29.3.23)?
Historically Dunedin has been a safe Labour seat.
Local candidates, Ingrid Leary and Rachel Brooking, may feel that it is not necessary for them to participate in these contentious, but so important, discussions and decisions?
Are they really concerned about the future health of our local people?
The people of the South deserve better. This time "do it once and do it right".
Bernice Armstrong
North East Valley
The public meeting was held on a Parliamentary sitting day. Ed.
Early settlers and enlistment of Maori soldiers
In the Otago 150th Commemoration/Anniversary Day, as stated by Alan Duthie (Letters, 27.3.23), there were also other European settlers living around the Otago Harbour and close by, before the arrival of the first organised settlement led by William Cargill. Prior to March 1848 these people included Mr and Mrs John Anderson, Charles Pelichet, Mr and Mrs Robert Park, and others. Especially those associated with the whaling industry who were also living in the area.
These early settlers were acknowledged in the 150th Commemoration held at Port Chalmers with a placard bearing the name "Pre-Settlers". This event was held in perfect weather with the then Governor-General Michael Hardie Boys in attendance. These settlers arriving earlier than March 1848, were not forgotten.
On March 23, 2023, the 175th Otago Anniversary Day, I am aware that a single red rose was placed on the Cargill, Burns and Elizabeth Titchener (nee Finch) graves. Elizabeth Finch being the youngest settler at under a year old when arriving at Port Chalmers on the John Wickliffe.
In ‘Today in history’ (ODT, 28.3.23) dated 1900, it was stated that Maori men were to be excluded from active service in the Boer War. A number of males with noticeable Maori ancestry did serve in South Africa, by Anglicising their names.
A very close Maori in-law of mine served in World War 1, enlisting at age 16 by falsifying his age. When I asked him why he wanted to actively serve at such a young age his reply was, "All my mates were going and I also wanted a free trip to England."
I am also sure he did not realise at the time what was not said was he would also get a free trip to northern France and Belgium serving in the front lines.
John Neilson
Ravensbourne
The pros and cons of using pro and anti
In the current media climate people with alternative views are often labelled as anti-something rather than pro-something.
For instance, why are certain people repeatedly described as anti-vax rather than pro-choice, or anti-trans rather than pro-women?
Such negative stereotyping does the profession of journalism no favours, and encourages the kind of hateful letters the Otago Daily Times regularly publishes by the likes of Ewan McDougall (Letters, 28.3.23).
Nigel Yates
Dunedin
Women and feelings
I totally agree with Susan Broad (Letters, 29.3.23) regarding the Posie Parker cartoon. Maybe it’s the Susan in me, but not letting women speak is a travesty not to be celebrated with such misogynist glee.
Being a woman is not a feeling.
Susan Easterbrook
Dunedin
Boots the Chemist
Do any of your readers remember the Boots the Chemist store in Dunedin, I wonder?
I am a historian from Nottingham, UK, researching the international history of Boots, the British pharmacy chain. Boots opened stores all around New Zealand/Aotearoa, but its shop on Princes St was one of the first, opening from 1936 until 1990.
I’m staying in Dunedin between April 23-28, visiting your local archives. But while I’m in town, I would love to chat with any local readers who either worked in the Boots store or who remember shopping there.
I’m eager to talk to people from across the community to find out more about what the shop was like. If any of your readers would be willing to share their memories, could they please contact me at Richard.Hornsey@nottingham.ac.uk? Thanks so much for your help.
Dr Richard Hornsey
Nottingham University
BIBLE READING: God loved us so much that he made us alive in Christ. — Ephesians 2:5.
