I’m writing about the “Gentleman of the Rails” – the mighty Kingston Flyer – now about to be sold and at risk of being lost to Queenstown.

What happened to all the imaginative and progressive people who love the Wakatipu, and its surrounding partners?

Somebody, anybody, Real Journeys, whoever, whatever – help.

Just remember our lovely “Lady of the Lake”, the vintage steamship Earnslaw, would have been lost to the bottom of Lake Wakatipu if Real Journeys – then Fiordland Travel – hadn’t been her saviour.

I know this might sound impossible and would take a lot of money, but imagine the Flyer going on a rail track up the lake to Glenorchy.

Visitors could experience a lake voyage up there on the Earnslaw, other visitors could journey on the Flyer – and they could change over to travel back to Queenstown, experiencing both a steam boat and a steam train on one trip.

Plus ask John Key, our Prime Minister and Tourism Minister, to site his cycle and walking track alongside the rail track and the mind boggles.

I wouldn’t want to hear that this project is impossible because of lack of money – it just needs someone with vision to show us how it could be done and there are plenty of New Zealanders who could do so.

Or, remembering how the Earnslaw used to sail to Kingston, as a cheaper version of the above perhaps the steamship could do so again to boost Flyer passenger numbers and help the train stay in NZ ownership.

MAUREEN THOMSON 
Christchurch 

En-tyre-ly appreciated 

I wish to publicly thank two young people who came to our rescue near Arrowtown last month, after we’d driven from North Canterbury and were feeling slightly weary.

These two, a young lady and a gentleman, not only warned us of a tyre problem but offered to change it for us – which we gratefully accepted – and also told us where to get a replacement.

We don’t know their names but would like to say once again how grateful we were. Another big thank-you to you both.

HELEN PATERSON
Rangiora

Golden goals achieved

On behalf of the 2009 Golden Oldies World Netball Festival organising committee, I’d like to say a huge thank-you to all involved in the recent event.

We had outstanding support from local players, the heaps of adults and kids who volunteered their time, our family of fantastic sponsors, great media support, and a community who got into the festival spirit and made our 500 guests very welcome.

So thank you all for making it so special.

It’s the first time the netball festival has been held in Queenstown and I’m told it’s the best one yet.

Many players are already planning to return for holidays.

We’re still in the process of post-event analysis but any profits will be used to benefit our local netball community.

Finally, to my team, thank you for the support, hard work and time you gave over the past two years. It’s been all about fun, friendship and fraternity.

CORINA NGATUERE
Golden Oldies festival director
Queenstown