Sunday, a perfect winter's day of sunshine, mild temperatures and no wind, had people there in their multitudes.

It is proving to be a mecca for children and I think must rate pretty highly in the canine world too.

I can't wait for spring when those hundred of deciduous trees come into leaf. Congratulations to the council and all involved in the park's development.

GREAT news to hear the Beaconsfield Gold Mine will again become productive.

Mines are inherently dangerous places to work and we hope the new owners will have safety to the forefront.

To this end it would be thoughtful to maybe name the main shaft Knights Drive and/or some internal tunnel Larry's Lane to act as a nod to history and a daily reminder that it can all go wrong in the blink of an eye.

MY question is this. We hear and read of those completely uncaring, sick-minded people, who seem to enjoy breaking the law.

Either by driving their vehicle, or taking part in illegal gathering and marches.

Not wearing a mask seems now to be a favourite one. I imagine when we get a vaccine we will have these uncaring types again refusing to be vaccinated.

My question - we hear that they are fined, but of course how many pay the fine, and what?

Penalty is there for those that refuse to pay.

For motoring offenders, impounding the vehicle, for others they should be named and shamed.

A full page in a daily newspaper would be a good idea.

THE recent letter from Poatina in (The Sunday Examiner, July 26) supporting a second maximum security prison, at Westbury, is thoughtless, heartless and disappointing.

Thoughtless, because the idea of voting once every four years is the sum of our democratic rights, is obviously nonsense.

Heartless, because it suggests that funding for education, rehabilitation, health and social programs aimed at crime prevention and reducing recidivism are just "pie-in-the-sky stuff".

Are not correctional services something different from retribution services?

Disappointing, because as usual no coherent argument is put forward for this project.

The recent leaked draft report from custodial inspector, Richard Connock, could not be more damning of our prison system.

It reportedly details systemic dysfunction within management, poor staff morale, bullying, major staff recruitment problems and poor or non existent rehabilitation programs.

Many previous recommendations have been ignored.

The government has responded to these with nothing but platitudes.

This is the basis on which half a billion dollars of taxpayers money for the Westbury prison will be spent.