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Nor West News : December 2nd 2010
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4 NOR-WEST NEWS, DECEMBER 2, 2010 LETTERS PLUS....Affordable battery replacement service! 3 Spedding Rd Whenuapai Phone 416 6249 3316471AB Bark & Soil Growing Mediums Mulch Bark $60m3 including GST We have Auckland's largest Bark Range OPEN 7 DAYS $50,000 Minimum Investment for your Share of the Title COUNTDOWN AUCKLAND 15 + 6 + 6 + 6 year Lease from 2008 (Final Expiry 2041) Superb High Growth Location Next Rent Review Dec 2011 0800 BAYLEYS (229539) www.investinwestgate.co.nz For an Offeror's Statement and Full Valuation contact sole selling agents: *Projected pre-tax return for full one year period. The Offeror's Statement contains details of how the return for the investment will be calculated and the risks associated with this investment and return. The projected return is based on the principal assumptions and method of calculation described in the Offeror 's Statement. Mike Houlker M +64 21 945 927 Bayleys Real Estate Limited. Licensed under the REA Act 2008. 8.5% Cash Return *Projected Pre-tax SUPERMARKET INVEST IN A David Gubb M +64 21 758 298 Bayleys Real Estate Limited. Licensed under the REA Act 2008. Your septic tank should be cleaned every 3 years (average family of four) We service all areas Phone: 412 9210 or 0274 924 494 SEPTIC & WATER TANK CLEANING urnetts B 2584983AA Unbalanced Re: Two Nor-west News articles in November 4. The first is the cover story Sewer system all go.After working actively on the Kumeu Waste- water Working Party on behalf of Nga Rima o Kaipara and Reweti Marae Trust for over five years, I maintain this article was not at all balanced as it only supports the final result, that is -- the former Rod- ney District Council s view to opt for Watercare to manage NorWest waste. Manawhenua and other community groups were represented on this working party. Representatives from ratepayers associations, ARC, marae and local business interests ad- vocated strongly that our communities should and could manage our own waste in our own areas. We opposed the inten- tion by the Rodney District Council to opt for wastewater manage- ment outside the area as early as 2003 and made numerous submissions and presentations to maintain this stance. This is an important point of note because it demonstrates how communities can and do work together and of course, such an effort was clearly evidenced in the attempt by Corner- stone Group to develop itself in Reweti and Waimauku. The develop- ment did not occur. In 2007 the Kumeu Wastewater Working Party was disbanded by the RDC most probably because the group was mobilising support for its stance within the council and with local council- lors. The abrupt end to our input after more than five years of participation/ consultation was regretful. I maintain the dissolution of the work- ing party was as a direct result of the former council s view that it was more financially viable to move to Watercare. Jenny Warren s statement that a review of other options and community consultation occurred is accurate but totally nullifies the voluntary contributions and commitment made by all the community members and the com- munities we represented. I believe Watercare was the primary goal and has been, most likely since 2006. I am writing now as a community person, a local and a ratepayer opposed to the move to Watercare and although I have declined connection to the public system due for construction in 2012 I realise that this will most likely eventuate. Until such time I will happily manage my waste and water on site as will many other like- minded residents. It is by far, a better, healthier and more responsible way to manage our environment and take responsibility for ourselves. When the Auckland Council and/or Watercaredirect that my property be connected to the public wastewater system I will most likely choose to relocate to another sunny spot in our Kaipara. The second article called The woman who gave her name to Helensville from the Tales of the Crypt series. As so often revered by local historians and settler descendants, Helen McLeod was a woman of strong character. She lived for many years without her husband, John, both in Nova Scotia and in New Zealand. This was probably commonplace for a number of entrepre- neur s wives who quietly and obediently raised families without the input of their partners. My letter seeks to acknowledge such a cali- bre of women but also to remind us that Helen and John McLeod came to Te Awaroa as settlers, newcomers staying and living for only a brief time some five to six years before shifting to Auckland. The grand house that John McLeod built for his family became a focal point because of its position and size as much as for his contribution to Te Awaroa and the subse- quent renaming of Te Awaroa to Helensville (Helen s villa) was pro- bably a natural settler progression. It was most likely not a decision debated with Maori. Te Awaroa, aptly describing the long and winding river, was not a backwater but a small yet growing community known by missionaries and Maori as a portage from the Kaipara to Pitoitoi (Riverhead) and outlying areas. Maori were so welcoming of the newcomers that a consid- erable parcel of lands was gifted to the com- munity to utilise. Ngati Whatua continue to work with numerous councils and new business interests alike to incorporate manawhenua culture and history with the hope that Te Awaroa can be returned to promi- nence in name and locality. Like many, I am confident this will be so. Sadly, Mr McLeod left his wife and family in Auckland. The article does not detail a date or the circumstances but it appears Mrs McLeod may have been a sole parent until she was widowed in 1889. Truly a woman of substance and character nonetheless. Francie Tutara Kumeu Music benefit: A group of nor-west residents provided musical training and instruments for a Samoan college. Sweet music Eight happy musicians have recently returned from Samoa having completed our Samoa Benefit music work- shops at St Joseph s Boys College in Apia. Two elders accom- panied them, Tupa i Sefo Auva a (Rett s dad) and Johnny s father-in- law Graeme. Nick Roberts, Mike Trent, Johnny Jackson, Nicola Reid along with Retts, Alex, Roxanne and Dave van Dam -- undertook a four-day music programme which had more than 260 year 9 to 11 boys enjoying drumming, guitar and singing workshops. Fifty students were selected to form eight bands. The bands where then given time and tuition in a concert at the end of the programme. The other 200 were split into two choirs and traditional dance groups to also perform. Two teachers and seven students were also trained to run the audio/sound desk, set up and pack away the music gear on-stage, and run the two-hour concert. One student MCed the event. The instru- ments along with PA and recording gear was left with the college to further advance their new music programme. Principal Brother Steve Filipo SM has arranged for the stu- dents to receive further tuition and the boys are already planning and practising for perfor- mances at this year s prizegiving. Overall the project was an enormous success. On behalf of Fatu Feu u and the Samoa Benefit 2010 Project I would like to thank the wonderful people of Rodney, all our concert performers, Kumeu Medical Centre, AUT Dance Company, St Vinnies Youth, and The Logos Project and especially principal John Grant and Kaipara College who supported the project with donations to buy the gear to donate to the college. We managed to take more than $15,000 worth of music gear in the end. This was gratefully received and will have a long-term positive benefit for St Joseph s students. As our maestro Nick Roberts is known to say music equals positive addiction . We have committed to undertaking the pro- ject again next July, in another college in Apia as well as helping out two Savaii primary schools, so look out for our fundraising efforts. If you would like to know more or want to be part of our next benefit project visit, contact Dave van Dam via email daveretts@ xtra.co.nz or call 027-279-9966. Dave van Dam Samoa Benefit 2010 Project Waimauku
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