Opinion
Opinion
Updated: Thursday, 1 October
Polls
Letters to the editor
Buyer beware
Those who bought cheaper apartments which are proving inadequately strong are now having to spend large sums to strengthen their apartment complexes – even if to a much lesser standard than new. I cannot find a good reason for the general public to subsidise these owners. Only if a building is heritage listed is there a public good in paying towards strengthening it.
Rex Nicholls, Oriental Parade.
Please don’t go
I’m deeply saddened to see that the Capital Times, last bastion of the independent, free-thinking press, is to close its doors. That is an incredibly sad blow for you guys at the CapTimes - almost as sad as it is for us Wellingtonians left behind, without an independent media voice.
The pathetic rag that the DomPost has become is now, sadly, no more than an outlet for Harvey Norman to spread their weekly adverts under the guise of a “news” paper. Yes, there are a number of other “free” papers that float around, but none of them are really either independent, nor in any way good. Sad, sad, sad. The only speckle of good news in this announcement is that the vile vitriolic abuse that Hector Westfold pours out each week, will now go unpublished, and hence, unseen. Hooray!
But I’d rather put up with his weekly anti-popeish rant (give it up already mate! It’s the 21st century!) and continued misogynistic / anti-gay diatribe, than lose Wellington’s last independent voice! Please don’t go!
Guy Marriage, Wellington.
Boo hoo
I’ve just read in the DomPost that you will cease publishing after April 10. I can’t believe that my most useful paper, which keeps me in touch with everything happening in our great city, will be no more. How will I know what’s on and where it’s on? I depend on you, boo hoo.
All the best for whatever you and the staff move on to do. It has been a great paper.
Tessa Brown, Upper Hutt.
Au Revoir
Sad that Capital Times is to cease publishing. Your editorial staff have been fearless in printing readers controversial letters, creating a real sense of anticipation on a weekly basis, as readers await H.Westfold and his literally challenged opponents to enter the written foray. On the whole it is a balanced form of information and will be sorely missed.
Ron Blair, Paraparaumu
Last word
Oh lamingtations and woe. Capital Times is to go.
Where to get a fix of gripe and groan, ad hominem attack, homo sapiens asides? I may need to trip to Miramar for a marvellous view of a man of letters, a mummer mumbling of decimation and punctuation, ruminating on Romans. Go West – fold your tent.
No more will Jitterati leave me feeling like an illuminati or even a caffeine tremoratti.
My old newsprint friend is on the way to the place where Cuba Carnival, One Love, free love and freedom call home. No more free Capital Carnival freedom love Times.
Paint your wagon, hitch it on a star, I’ll never be seen in the social pages; I’ll never not see a movie Dan Slevin disparages, no need for a Paddy, Niels – this is my last Welly word.
Curtis Nixon, Berhampore.
Reader’s plea
I was really shocked to read in the Dompost that Capital Times is going to close - NO!!!
Capital Times is a great institution - it is my #1 source of information for what’s on in Wellington, and always a pleasure to read - loads of interest - well laid-out - people-friendly - informative – positive.
I cut out articles and photos and mail them to family and grandchildren in Canada and I always advise friends who are going to visit New Zealand to ignore the usual non-informative and boring “news” sources, and look immediately upon arrival for the Capital Times.
I am sure there are thousands of people who feel the same as I do. I sincerely hope there will be the will and the means to keep Capital Times going. PLEASE !!
Pauline Aldrich, Wellington.
No pool problems for most
I reply to recent letters from two of your correspondents who have criticised the depth of the new $2.4 million hydrotherapy pool at the Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre.
The new pool, with a gradual sloping depth of 1.3 to 1.5 metres, is already extremely popular and is successfully used by hundreds of people each week. The change in depth allows for a full range of exercises, which the previous pool (the co-opted children’s learn-to-swim pool with its 1.2m depth) was unable to offer.
However the extra depth does mean that for people under a certain height exercises previously done across the whole learn-to-swim pool can now only be done in the shallow end of the new pool.
Despite the fact the vast majority of pool users are finding no problems at all with the new hydrotherapy facility, we’re looking at the possibility of introducing a platform to provide a greater area of pool space at a depth of 1.1m. We’re also seeking feedback from pool users. Survey forms can be collected from our main reception area.
AJ Jackson, Manager,
Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre.
ADDRESS LETTERS TO Write On, Capital Times, PO Box 9202, Wellington.
Email: editorial@captimes.co.nz Fax: 385 1436, Name and address must be supplied, letters over 200 words may be abridged.
Your article ‘Apartment agonies’ portrays a dismal picture for owners of earthquake risk apartments. I’m sure we all have some sympathy for these people, but let’s be realistic. Readers must recognise that when buying a major asset there is a large degree of “buyer beware” involved.
I was involved in building a new apartment complex, The Wellingon, on Cuba St, to a full code of course, and to new leak-proof standards. But the apartments cost a lot to build and people frequently balked at paying more than they could pay for other apartments on sale in the city and bought in cheaper, weaker buildings. Those who bought cheaper apartments which are proving inadequately strong are now having to spend large sums to strengthen their apartment complexes – even if to a much lesser standard than new. I cannot find a good reason for the general public to subsidise these owners. Only if a building is heritage listed is there a public good in paying towards strengthening it.
Rex Nicholls, Oriental Parade.
Please don’t go
I’m deeply saddened to see that the Capital Times, last bastion of the independent, free-thinking press, is to close its doors. That is an incredibly sad blow for you guys at the CapTimes - almost as sad as it is for us Wellingtonians left behind, without an independent media voice.
The pathetic rag that the DomPost has become is now, sadly, no more than an outlet for Harvey Norman to spread their weekly adverts under the guise of a “news” paper. Yes, there are a number of other “free” papers that float around, but none of them are really either independent, nor in any way good. Sad, sad, sad. The only speckle of good news in this announcement is that the vile vitriolic abuse that Hector Westfold pours out each week, will now go unpublished, and hence, unseen. Hooray!
But I’d rather put up with his weekly anti-popeish rant (give it up already mate! It’s the 21st century!) and continued misogynistic / anti-gay diatribe, than lose Wellington’s last independent voice! Please don’t go!
Guy Marriage, Wellington.
Boo hoo
I’ve just read in the DomPost that you will cease publishing after April 10. I can’t believe that my most useful paper, which keeps me in touch with everything happening in our great city, will be no more. How will I know what’s on and where it’s on? I depend on you, boo hoo.
All the best for whatever you and the staff move on to do. It has been a great paper.
Tessa Brown, Upper Hutt.
Au Revoir
Sad that Capital Times is to cease publishing. Your editorial staff have been fearless in printing readers controversial letters, creating a real sense of anticipation on a weekly basis, as readers await H.Westfold and his literally challenged opponents to enter the written foray. On the whole it is a balanced form of information and will be sorely missed.
Ron Blair, Paraparaumu
Last word
Oh lamingtations and woe. Capital Times is to go.
Where to get a fix of gripe and groan, ad hominem attack, homo sapiens asides? I may need to trip to Miramar for a marvellous view of a man of letters, a mummer mumbling of decimation and punctuation, ruminating on Romans. Go West – fold your tent.
No more will Jitterati leave me feeling like an illuminati or even a caffeine tremoratti.
My old newsprint friend is on the way to the place where Cuba Carnival, One Love, free love and freedom call home. No more free Capital Carnival freedom love Times.
Paint your wagon, hitch it on a star, I’ll never be seen in the social pages; I’ll never not see a movie Dan Slevin disparages, no need for a Paddy, Niels – this is my last Welly word.
Curtis Nixon, Berhampore.
Reader’s plea
I was really shocked to read in the Dompost that Capital Times is going to close - NO!!!
Capital Times is a great institution - it is my #1 source of information for what’s on in Wellington, and always a pleasure to read - loads of interest - well laid-out - people-friendly - informative – positive.
I cut out articles and photos and mail them to family and grandchildren in Canada and I always advise friends who are going to visit New Zealand to ignore the usual non-informative and boring “news” sources, and look immediately upon arrival for the Capital Times.
I am sure there are thousands of people who feel the same as I do. I sincerely hope there will be the will and the means to keep Capital Times going. PLEASE !!
Pauline Aldrich, Wellington.
No pool problems for most
I reply to recent letters from two of your correspondents who have criticised the depth of the new $2.4 million hydrotherapy pool at the Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre.
The new pool, with a gradual sloping depth of 1.3 to 1.5 metres, is already extremely popular and is successfully used by hundreds of people each week. The change in depth allows for a full range of exercises, which the previous pool (the co-opted children’s learn-to-swim pool with its 1.2m depth) was unable to offer.
However the extra depth does mean that for people under a certain height exercises previously done across the whole learn-to-swim pool can now only be done in the shallow end of the new pool.
Despite the fact the vast majority of pool users are finding no problems at all with the new hydrotherapy facility, we’re looking at the possibility of introducing a platform to provide a greater area of pool space at a depth of 1.1m. We’re also seeking feedback from pool users. Survey forms can be collected from our main reception area.
AJ Jackson, Manager,
Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre.
ADDRESS LETTERS TO Write On, Capital Times, PO Box 9202, Wellington.
Email: editorial@captimes.co.nz Fax: 385 1436, Name and address must be supplied, letters over 200 words may be abridged.
