In a closely settled area, with a landscape largely occupied by national park and farming land, devoid of game and an absence of big prey it is enigmatic to learn that people might want to engage in "hunting" ("Hunting attracts record numbers to rifle range", November 8, p11). It is even more confusing to learn people are "wanting to hunt to provide food for their family". Both kangaroo and deer would be suspect as meat sources, were they feral.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
People so compromised as to feel impelled to hunt for food, might consider it more convenient - while perhaps less image enhancing - to approach Foodbank, Vinnies or Salvos, rather than risk expenditure on guns, ammunition and licences, on the off-chance of getting sufficiently lucky to bag dinner.
While reparable "knee injuries" might not occur, except maybe from carrying equipment, the "non-contact" aspect of guns is their potential for - final - lethal outcomes, making more genteel netball or basketball ultimately less permanently injurious!
While Victoria, Western Australia and Queensland placed restrictions on gun and ammunition sales in March, lest they contribute to domestic violence during lockdowns necessitated by onset of COVID-19, Canberra showed increased interest in shooting and purchasing ammunition and accessories.
It is also interesting to note the Sporting Shooters' Association of Australia has a strong affiliation with the US National Rifle Association.
Albert M. White, Queanbeyan
Concrete jungle spreads...
Dr Jenny Stewart is absolutely right in highlighting the planning disaster of the high rise developments in Woden (Letters, November 8). But the real question is, what planning?.
This is just more of the legacy of the Barr-Rattenbury combo and Andrew Barr's "modernisation" of Canberra.
I'm just waiting to see Adelaide Avenue become a high rise paradise to feed tram stage 2, if it unfortunately proceeds.
It reminds me, when delivering at a regional development seminar in Tumut in the early 90s, there were two ex-Canberra residents who said they had moved there because Canberra was becoming a concrete jungle.
Eric Hodge, Pearce
... but some stiff space remains
Correct Dr Jenny Stewart, Woden has no lungs, no space, and it cannot breathe but it's still not quite as bad as that bigger dump of concrete called Civic.
Woden still has the advantage though that if you need social support you can always wander over to the cemetery and have a good conversation and a laugh with the "stiffs". They are a very lively lot.
Wayne Grant, Swinger Hill
Partying all gassed up
The article by Rod Taylor about helium covered a good example of human stupidity ("What's in that party balloon?", Relax, November 8, p31). We waste a scarce gas like helium on frivolous things like party balloons and allow greenhouse hydrocarbon gasses like methane to pollute the atmosphere.
Norm Johnston, Monash
Angles of approach
Seeing TV news film of President Donald Trump playing golf, you can understand why he may have a propensity not to be put off by a bad swing.
M. F. Horton, Adelaide, SA
Forbear to judge
Ian Warden quotes from the Matthews Gospel to levy judgment on Scott Morrison ("It's an electoral swing and a prayer", November 8, p17). Warden accuses Mr Morrison of hypocrisy. Avowing to know his Bible better than Scott, Ian must also be aware that in Matthew 7:1 Jesus said: "Do not judge, or you too will be judged".
Fred Bennett, Bonner
No room to the view
It appears that our nature park planners are not keen on having mums with strollers access the new nature park area off Annabell View in Coombs.
The pedestrian access points have an opening of 490 millimetres , barring mums with strollers access to the tidy little lookout and seating area.
Adrian Plunkett, Coombs
Email: letters.editor@canberratimes.com.au. Send from the message field, not as an attachment. Fax: 6280 2282. Mail: Letters to the Editor, The Canberra Times, PO Box 7155, Canberra Mail Centre, ACT 2610.
Keep your letter to 250 or fewer words. References to The Canberra Times reports should include date and page number. Letters may be edited. Provide phone number and full home address (suburb only published).