Western Springs
Great article from Phil Dark about the history of Western Springs (Times, November 15). The fact the Motions family owned the land is true and there’s a deed that states that as long as it is a speedway track it’s gifted to Auckland Council for the use. Last time this deed was seen that I can remember was when promoter Willy Kay was fighting council about closing down speedway. Phil’s article says Auckland Council purchased Western Springs property from the Motions family. I’m a ratepayer in Auckland and so are the racing community and would like to see when did the council purchase Western Springs and how much money did us ratepayers’ pay for it. None of this has ever been put out into public information. I’m 60 years old and have always gone to speedway and watched all the great from my era. Could someone please let us all know the truth as there seems to be a lot of closed-doors meeting from Auckland Council.
Graham Almond
Cats kill birds
This was very clearly pointed out in Sunday’s TV1’s Country Calendar programme. While feral (wild) cats are well known to have birds on their menu, so to do the domesticated, much loved and adored cats that we have at home! I’m sure all of our cat-lovers (and I am one) wouldn’t like to think of our cats creating as much damage to birdlife as they do, yet we all will have seen our cats bring a dead bird into the house (proudly) or creeping through the garden ready to pounce on a bird. There are ways of minimising your family cat creating such damage such as keeping them inside overnight, even assisted by using cat doors that can be programmed to not to allow your cat out at night. Many councils insist all domestic cats must be microchipped. This is most important.
Ian Rodger, Howick
On Howick RSA
Arthur Moore wrote about the welfare activities of the Howick RSA (Times, October 25). I’d like to thank Arthur for his comments and assure him and the public we’re tackling our task at the RSA with lots of energy. One of our tasks will be the appointment of a Welfare Officer to support our work in the community. The RSA has two welfare charities. The Poppy Trust, funded mostly from Poppy Day collections, is solely for the support of Veterans and their immediate dependents. The Community Trust, funded mostly by donations, is for the benefit of the general Howick community and funds a wide range of community needs. This includes tertiary scholarships awarded annually for the first two years of tertiary study to two local aspiring first year students. These scholarships are won on a competitive basis and have been awarded annually for many years. We see ourselves as an important part of the Howick community, where we have operated for the last 91 years, and we’ll continue to serve our community in the welfare and commemorative areas for many years yet.
Barry Dreyer, President Howick RSA
RSA’s return
I totally agree with Arthur Moore of Pakuranga on the return of the RSA to the heart of Howick in the War Memorial Hall. I feel very sure that Arthur’s vision of it happening in just the way that he has described will have a huge amount of support and I look forward to this happening.
Terry Donovan, Howick
