The Star: November 14, 2019

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The Star Thursday November 14 2019 26 OPINION The coming week in our history November 14, 1973 – The passage of the Social Security Amendment Act introduced the domestic purposes benefit to New Zealand’s social welfare system. November 15, 1861 – Dunedin became the first New Zealand centre to have a daily newspaper after the publication of the first Otago Daily Times issue. November 16, 1840 – New Zealand became a separate colony of the United Kingdom. North, South and Stewart islands were to be known respectively as the provinces of New Ulster, New Munster and New Leinster. November 17, 1925 – Governor-General Sir Charles Fergusson opened the New Zealand and South Seas International Exhibition in Dunedin. November 18, 1947 – Forty-one people died in the fire at Christchurch’s prestigious department store Ballantynes, one of the worst blazes in New Zealand history. November 19, 2010 – The Pike River mine explosion occurred at 3.45pm. Twentynine of the 31 men underground died immediately or shortly afterwards from the blast or because of the toxic atmosphere this generated. November 20, 1937 – George Sellars narrowly escaped serious injury when he was able to swing his parachute away from the glass roof of the Winter Gardens during the Farmers Christmas Parade in Auckland. Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz Fraz: One of life’s good guys ONE OF life’s good guys has gone to the great newsroom in the sky (well, I hope so anyway). Ken Fraser, aka The Rock, The Mighty K or simply Fraz, passed away suddenly recently. He was 73. Fraz had been a sub editor at The Press for most of his journalistic life. He was deputy features editor for 12 years and later editor of the travel section. Fraz was one of those totally dependable, likeable individuals, who hardly ever said a bad or stern word about anyone. He rarely took a sick day, was loyal and was a great wordsmith, meticulously going through Jenny Hughey – As the new chair of Environment Canterbury, I am very excited to talk about what the council does and what plans we have for the future as a new council. What I can’t do is talk on behalf of the council before we have had the opportunity to get to understand all our aspirations and where we want to put our focus. At the moment, we are all in the middle of an intensive induction programme to come up to speed with all the legislation and the complexities of the work of a regional council and what is specific to Canterbury. I am visiting ministers, getting to know the other councillors and getting straight into business-asusual activity, which I am sure you will appreciate doesn’t stop for the election. I am very much looking forward to talking to the community once through these critical foundation weeks for us as a council. Clarke responds – The majority of the questions we wanted to ask Hughey for Our People would have been more From the editor’s desk Barry Clarke reporters’ copy, improving it and questioning the facts, during the course of a day’s work. He also laid out pages. When his shift finished, he would head downstairs to nearby Bailies Bar, The Press journos haunt. He would take up residence at his spot, discussing issues of the day with staff and owner Stan O’Keefe while waiting for other The Press journos to finish their shift. A band was even named after Fraz – Crazy Fraser and The Press Gang – made up of The Press journos who played a gig from memory at Bailies. Last week, editor in chief Barry Clarke poked the borax at new Environment Canterbury chairwoman Jenny Hughey who would only do an interview for The Star’s Our People segment if questions were emailed through ECan’s communications team. Today she and others respond to the column on a personal note; who she is, her interests, family, her views on water quality and other environmental matters. In my view, she should have been able to answer those herself. To read Clarke’s column from last week go to www.odt.co.nz/star-news/ star-opinion/opinion-jenny-whywont-you-talk-us. Former ECan chairman, Government minister and Speaker of the House Sir Kerry Burke – After more than nine years of un-elected stooges ruling ECan most of us were looking forward to a return to an open, accountable, fullyelected council. It is, therefore, seriously disappointing that the new chair, Jenny Hughey, has declined to do an interview with The Star for its Our People segment unless the questions were first submitted to ECan’s communications team. Captured by un-elected staff already? I hope not, but it does look, as you say, as if the chair has “tripped at the first hurdle.” ECan’s website says that Ms Hughey has 11 years of governance experience. TOP BLOKE: Ken Fraser (left in green shirt), and former The Press sports reporters John Coffey (middle) and Tim Dunbar. Fraz was said to be more Irish than the Irish. Tracing his ancestors became a passion, which led to a handful of trips to the Emerald Isles. On his return he regaled those who would listen to his journeys and trips taken by rental car, which would mean regular overnight stays in many country pubs. Fraz was in his element. He almost met his maker while lunching one day, but not in Ireland. When the earthquake struck at 12.51pm on February 22, 2011, Fraz was having his usual lunch break (non-liquid, I hasten to add) at Bailies. A chandelier-type light fitting came crashing down, narrowly missing him. He emerged from the building covered in dust. Fraz left Christchurch soon after the quake and worked for The Press from Timaru. He would head north on occasions to catch up with his mates over an ale or two, usually retired sports reporters John Coffey and Tim Dunbar. I’ll leave the final say on Fraz to retired features editor at The Press Stan Darling: “Ken was the most thorough journalist I have ever met. He insisted on accuracy.” barry@starmedia.kiwi If so, where has that gone? The definition of political responsibility is that those we elect are answerable to the public, their electors, in this case a public media organisation, acting on our behalf as the medium between us and them. Our elected members’ role is to respond, which is to say that they answer to us or those asking questions on our behalf, such as The Star wanted to do. Norman Kirk best described the role of a politician vis-à-vis bureaucrats in 1972 when he said that MPs needed to stand with the people facing the bureaucrats, not the other way around. This was at the close of a long period of National Party rule when its leadership came to be seen as siding with the bureaucracy, not the people. When Labour won the Wanganui seat, a senior public servant was heard to say to then Prime Minister Jack Marshall that “we’ve lost Wanganui” which seemed to sum up the too cosy relationship of staff and governors. A different dynamic operates at local government level compared with central government. Staff in local government do have a more direct influence and closer interaction with councillors, which is why it’s very important that elected members, such as chairwoman Hughey, make the public statements and respond to media enquiries. Let’s hope that, having tripped at the first hurdle, she can get back on the horse and, as the electors representative, start to make the running. It’s what she was elected to do. Bill Cornelius – Jenny Hughey I am a ratepayer helping fund your $180,000 plus perks salary per year. Do yourself a favour, stop hiding behind your spin doctors. We elected you, not a group of spin doctors. I have no interest in anything your spin doctors say. We do not need sanitised gobbledygook. I want to hear what you have to say; the no communication position you have taken is insulting to all ratepayers. Front up or step aside and let someone who has the confidence do the job. Your position makes the councillors who elected you to this position look like a bunch of wimps. TOWARDS YOUR WIN $1000 HomePlus awning Request a free measure and quote from HomePlus and go into the draw to win $1000 towards your awning. We custom make each of our products to fit your home and style requirements. *Promotion closes end of December. Special conditions apply. Measured, made and installed by our team of experts. 5 year warranty. 88 Gasson St, Sydenham | 03 379 3740 | www.homeplus.co.nz
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz Thursday November 14 2019 The Star OPINION 27 Readers react to last week’s article on Canterbury Cricket Trust’s bid to get six 48.9m permanent lights installed at Hagley Oval Mark Belton – I strongly oppose installation of more lighting at the oval. Cricket has become a massive commercial business, and should develop its purpose-built facilities elsewhere in the city. Hagley Park is our village green, it’s natural character must be protected. Jan Cooney – Yes, I support this happening. It is advancing opportunities for a sport on national and international arenas, that will be fabulous for Christchurch. Cynthia Johnson – I am all in favour of getting permanent lights installed into Hagley Park, hurry up and get this done. We are missing out on too many big events due to a lack of proper venues, so at least if the lights get the go-ahead that will be a huge help in getting our businesses to start making money finally. And Hagley Park belongs to everyone, not just a handful of people whose theme song could be the one that Groucho Marx sang in one of the Marx Brothers movies Whatever it’s for I’m Against it. Len Stone – I think that permanent light fixtures should not be allowed at Hagley Park. Sue Parkinson – Of course they should be installed as a permanent fixture. What harm are they going to do? What good is all that park area if not put to good use with as many events as possible to bring the people of Christchurch and visitors together to enjoy themselves. Let’s move forward to create a vibrant city and not listen to those who remain in the past as the “stop the fun police.” Tom McGlinchy – I have no problems with the light towers if they are designed aesthetically pleasing similar to the Perth cricket ground lights. Not modelled on the ugly monstrosities that where installed at Lancaster Park. Hope they take looks into consideration as they will be very visible to large numbers of residents and visitors to the city. Don Cawthorn – Yes, put the lights in. Cricket has been played on the oval for over 160 years and why should a group of killjoys ruin it for all sports fans. Ursula M Styler – I come from a cricket family and have volunteered at games held at Hagley, including the ICC World Cup. I am in full agreement that lighting be installed to enable the city of Christchurch be added to the venues in New Zealand to able to hold day/night games. This would also help cricket fans from out of town (even as far as Dunedin) to come and enjoy the environs of Hagley. I consider Hagley Oval in a similar vein as some of the county venues in England, where fans enjoy the first innings, followed by a leisurely meal and then sit back on a perfect evening to watch the second innings. Kelvin Head – Totally opposed to the installation of permanent light towers, wrong place to even have a test cricket ground. Tony Sewell – Get the permanent lights up ASAP. The more people that can enjoy Hagley Park the better. Hagley Oval is not restricted to the public 24/7 no more than the Hagley Golf Club is, the Hagley netball pavilion is, the Hagley tennis courts are, the Hagley Bowling Club is, the Hagley Croquet Club is, the night markets are, Christmas in the Park is, the Curators House is and I can go on and on. Hagley is a magnificent asset. Let’s get as much use out of it for everyone. Terry Faulkner – I am against permanent lighting at the oval as it will spoil the nature of the park, which is after all for the enjoyment of the citizens, and not there to be used to attract more tourists who may or may not come to watch a cricket match. The cricket association knew when it obtained permission for the oval that permanent lighting was not allowed, so the city council needs to stand strong and not be browbeaten into doing something it doesn’t want to do. If the cricket association originally wanted a permanent world-class facility they should have said so and gone elsewhere. Perhaps the city council could suggest they use the old Lancaster Park site, or perhaps something could be put in the east of the city. Surely the sports fans coming to see cricket can spend that little extra to use taxis, Uber or bus to a facility that is not next door to a hotel. Let’s hope the council stays strong. Marie Parsons – We recently attended the New Zealand v England twenty20 match and noted the huge articulated viewing loft for camera people. Why couldn’t some clever engineers Send us your views. If you have an opinion on a Christchurch issue, email barry@starmedia. kiwi and put ‘Opinion’ in the subject line. Emails should be kept to about 150 words get their heads together and sort out a similar set up for lighting at the oval? We could then either move them away or retract them to ground and a cover that would be less visible Geoff Bell – No, lights should not be installed. They are playing dirty underhand tricks. Professional cricket should find money and land of their own instead of encroaching on a cheap way out at the expense of others. It’s not a suitable venue for professional cricket. Try working out a deal with the city council for the old Lancaster Park site. Ian Satterthwaite – I am a retired cricket coach, 79-yearsold, so I have seen the game of cricket, and how it has changed. I strongly support the installation of permanent light towers at Hagley Oval to meet immediate requirements of administration of the game at this venue, a big step forward. Cricket is a developing game, the short drama variety attracting huge support with changes to the play, time of day and format. Night games are with us for the future, worldwide. Canterbury has the perfect venue at Hagley to host all-comers. It is important for the Christchurch rebuild, that we can be part of New Zealand cricket success. Russell Fortune – I am in full favour of lights being installed at Hagley park. This would be a great asset to our city. Eloise Scott – We are totally opposed to permanent lights being installed at Hagley Oval as well as the extra games proposed. The arrogance of the cricket people going nationwide with this is just appalling. People outside Christchurch do not know of the implications of this going ahead. They have no rights to have a say. There are so very many other areas the oval could be built. It should never have been put where it is. The park is for the public, not a select few attached to cricket. Wait until the new hospital is open which will involve so many more people attending, driving and looking for parks. The cricket has the arrogance of closing parks off on Riccarton Rd which we thought was a public road. David Quested – Firstly cricket has been played Hagley Oval over 150 years. The cricket Umpires Pavilion was built in 1863 and situated at Nancy’s corner now stands in Hagley Oval. I am a life member of the Canterbury Cricket Umpires and Scorers Assn and have umpired at Hagley Park since joining in 1983. We need lights in Hagley Park because it will attract more matches which means more people and brings more prosperity to our city. People love our ground, sitting on the grass banks is just great, it is not a concrete jungle, it blends well with the rest of the park. Lights will make a visual impact, they will be seen. People who want to picnic in Hagley Park or walk about in the park still have over 121ha to do that. Why should a handful of people have the total say. Bill and Karen McElhinney – We are both strongly opposed to consent being given to the Canterbury Cricket Trust to install lights at Hagley Oval. There is space within our city which does not encroach on Hagley Park where big events could be held – perhaps resurrecting Lancaster Park or extending the use of Lincoln Green. The covered arena that is on the city plan may be another possibility for international cricket matches. open now CoppeR RIDGe, HALSweLL wednesday to Sunday, 12pm-4pm 1 Albert wills Ave (off Halswell Junction Road) Brand new, modern and stylish. New home and land packages available, FREE upgrades * www.generation.co.nz/christchurch MAKInG BUILDInG easy Like us on Facebook: Generation Homes Christchurch * Terms and conditions apply
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The Star: November 14, 2019

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