Posts by John

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  • Island Life: The Grouse is done to a…,

    David,
    I am so pleased that you have been wise enough to omit Tuna from your list.

    Kina might be the one that really finishes Dr Smith off though , as I understand that his family dynasty , like the Bill English family, has a history of beef protein rather than kai moana.

    Auckland • Since Dec 2007 • 21 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Don Paul,

    The Brash story is quite revealing particularly his statement.:-
    '"I could have made some announcements unilaterally if you like, which I chose not to."

    In contrast, he says his successor John Key understands the strength stratospheric polls give him. Key has "made a few statements as leader which I strongly suspect haven't been through the whole party process".
    Is Key still relying on the great Nat strategist M. McCully together with English & Brownlee. One backbencher, who appears to be quite a smart lady, was certainly not in the loop last week.

    Auckland • Since Dec 2007 • 21 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Too Good to Be True,

    Comparing P with Tobacco doesn't really help the discussion IMHO.

    Tobacco (still) and Alchohol , are both legal drugs . The electric Puha and P among many others are not.

    Auckland • Since Dec 2007 • 21 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Track to the Future,

    Re the Air NZ buy back (rescue) thanks for the reference to the Herald editorial which has refreshed my memory of the stupidity of the Directors decision to buy Ansett and take on the might of the entrenched Aussie staff with all their perks that they had gained over the years.
    In relation to the NZ Rail buyback there seems to be a lot of emphasis on passenger traffic and hi-speed rail.
    Yes, TGV is a magic way to travel but needs a huge population to be viable.
    OTH we could certainly do a lot better than we do currently with modern tracks well maintained.
    The Timaru-Christchurch section used to be renowned for high speeds in the
    40's & 50's using steam for instance.

    Freight is the answer to profitablity and efficiency for rail and if the Auckland/ Hamilton and Palm Nth./ were electrified then Tony Friedlander and his trucking buddies would face a serious challenge to their long distance journeys.

    In the late 1950's early 1960' I used to send about 600kgs of baked goods to Auckland every Tuesday on the perishable goods express. They never ever missed a beat.

    Finally. did no one ever travel on the Silver Star? just brilliant overnight travel between Ak& Wgtn. At one period over 3 weeks I travelled each week Auckland to Carterton each week by S/Star and connecting Railcar
    leaving Sunday evening returning Saturday morning.Cheaper , more comfortable.
    On other occasions I chose to return to Auckland from Wellington by S/Star rather than Air either because of bad weather or wait list problems.

    I wonder if Keith Turner might like to take on the challenge of running the New Rail, he did a pretty spectacular job at Meridian ?

    Auckland • Since Dec 2007 • 21 posts Report Reply

  • Southerly: Nine Months of Baby Hell,

    Could I suggest you try :-
    'Maple On the Hill ' originally from the Carter Family , which Bob seems to have latched on to, but made famous in NZ by The Tumbleweeds in the 50's ,
    Real Kiwi stuff and from just north of you in Dunedin .
    Our 1st born is now in his middle 50's and I can assure you and your lady wife that the first 21 years of parenthood are the worst. Don't give up.

    Auckland • Since Dec 2007 • 21 posts Report Reply

  • Southerly: Even More Southerly,

    When I went to Timaru Boys High we were taught Pythagoras theorem by a teacher called C.A.S. Hind. Of course his nickname was cash, but more to the point I have a problem in getting to grips with the fact that a highly trained engineer associates Greeks and Triangles ( that bit is not too bad ) with Citroens which after all, are and always have been, French. To the best of my knowledge the triangles they get involved in are not geometric.
    Have a great stay in Riverton, it will be a bit chilly over the winter of course but I am envious that you are so close to the Bluff and their To Die for Oysters. Have a dozen or two for me.

    Auckland • Since Dec 2007 • 21 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Leaving the bunker,

    Rail to Onehunga opening again and eventually the Airport reminds of a true story, cross my heart.

    Late 1960's and New Zealand doing everything it can to develop new export markets as the EEC was about to strike.
    .
    The Straits Times Express, Singpores leading English Language daily was a great help in promoting NZ in Singapore and Malaysia
    Their Advertising Manager came to Auckland to sell space in a supplement that they had planned.
    He was to come to my office in Mangere Bridge after first visiting NZ Forest Products in Penrose.
    I said I would pick him up and that he should ask NZFP to give me a ring re a suitable time.

    He was being hosted by Industries & Commerce and when he asked how he should get to Forest Products he was told that there was a train that would get him there???

    His contacts at NZFP reckoned that he was the first visitor to use the train since WW11.

    Auckland • Since Dec 2007 • 21 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: What the people want to hear,

    Words do matter that is how we communicate surely.
    The media have been using donation and loan as being the same thing. Try getting a donation from your bank even if you do agree to pay market rate interest.
    Worse than Keys tlk about wages is the fact that Bill English seemed unfazed about a loan to the meat industry as long it was not more than $200 million.
    What a couple of wallys. We don't do subsidies Bill would this be a donation or a loan?

    Auckland • Since Dec 2007 • 21 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: A thing that rarely ends well,

    Auckland • Since Dec 2007 • 21 posts Report Reply

  • Cracker: It's (self-employed) Business Time,

    Yes, but you haven't said if you are going to still let us peek into your private life and thoughts and find out if 'sex in the city' feline style is alive.
    All the best for your free-lance venture.

    Auckland • Since Dec 2007 • 21 posts Report Reply

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