Ian Smith (21.8.09) is correct, the Edinburgh Tattoo is held at Edinburgh Castle and is military based and does have fireworks at the conclusion but only on certain nights and bears little similarity to a tattoo held in Dunedin.
It is said a lie repeated often enough eventually becomes the truth.
Louise van der Voort, Central Otago District Council planning manager, was quoted as saying (ODT, 6.8.09) "The problem with Oamaru stone is the colour it is."
A couple of times recently there have been negative comments made concerning the reluctance of today's young people to volunteer, to join community organisations and contribute to the community sector in our city and elsewhere.
I see that there has been a private member's Bill drawn out that proposes a public holiday to celebrate the middle of winter, referred to by its Maori name of Matariki, a beautiful word.
We write concerning the Government's proposed cuts to funding for the adult community education programmes taught at a number of colleges around Dunedin.
We have a problem in this country with farm effluent leaking into waterways.
Getting out of my car on a main street in Dunedin recently, I stepped out on to a yellow, slimy, hunk of spit.
Some say that proposed shipping containers are inhumane for housing convicts. Not at all.
With Dunedin coming to a standstill in the snow, it is worth thinking that 50-odd years ago the trains, the trams and the cable cars would all have been entirely unaffected by this weather and the whole public transport system up and running.
It is reassuring that the Southern Sinfonia is so well supported on a Sunday afternoon but disappointing for those who came to buy door sales to the concert Baroque and Beyond in the Glenroy Auditorium, particularly as I had convinced two young budding violinists to come.
It is disappointing to hear school dental clinics are to be phased out in much the same way dental nurses were several years ago (ODT, 2.6.09).
Upon hearing my high school-aged daughter would not be playing netball due to a shortage of parents available to coach, I enthusiastically rose to the challenge and added this to my busy schedule.
One despairs that such a daft idea as partitioning off part of the Regent to create a medium-sized theatre could gain traction.
Your Friday Ask a Scientist column is, I think, one of the best features of your newspaper.
Reducing community and long-term care services to older adults in Otago, as proposed by the Otago District Health Board (ODT, 21.4.09) may save money short term but will be a bad investment.
RE bagpipes, elephants and the former Octagon stage: we are at present training our elephant to play the bagpipes.
One of the great things about living in Dunedin is the free entertainment put on by our various councils.
I note with with surprise and disappointment your article (ODT, 20.1.09) advising that the John Wilson Ocean Dr will not reopen to motorists after completion of the sewage outfall pipe.
