![](https://cdn.neighbourly.co.nz/images/cache/user_profile_page_picture/profile/60868868507703.80116173.jpeg?170410)
LIONS ROAR LOUDEST
What more glorious tribute can I bestow on the Wellington Lions provincial rugby team other than mention it here.
As a past executive member of the Wellington Lions Supporters Club, I am in raptures right now except for one biggly niggle.
So we not only won the Ranfurly Shield off Hawkes Bay, but will hold onto it for at least the next 10 months, but we also won the national provincial championship for the first time in 22 years and in appearing within that time in 8 finals.
Taking the Shield from HB was very pleasing as I did travel to Napier one year for a Shield clash only for the Lions to be denied victory in the very last moment by a drop goal from way out.
And beating Canterbury on their home turf in the NPC final by outfoxing them and outperforming their tough forward pack, was a joy to behold.
Here is the niggly bit. WE got a measley three players out of our top 15 Lions side in the AB Fifteen to play two matches in the Northern hemisphere when we should have had up to 12 in this 28-player strong squad.
Our players were hard done by which is another gripe I have against the ABs head coach who had a big say in the team's composition. Don't forget Wellington had a record or near record unbroken run of wins including pulverising Waikato and Auckland in the competition's knock out phases.
Just a thought to finish off, the head coaching job for the Lions has become vacant for the 2023 season. Will Tana Umaga be a contender?
![](https://cdn.neighbourly.co.nz/images/cache/user_profile_profile_picture/organisation/5431e2f56f6da0.99048672.png?170410)
Poll: Do you mind when neighbours leave freebies on the street?
Some spare wood, used furniture or children's toys - do you mind when your neighbours leave goods on the street for others to make use of?
Share your thoughts in the comments and poll below.
![Image](https://cdn.neighbourly.co.nz/images/cache/message_max_size/message_images/66cd14f1938e40.03193045.jpeg?170410)
-
83.1% It's fine!
-
15.1% It annoys me!
-
1.8% Other - I'll share below
Bees and insects
The fruit trees are in blossom but where are the bees? A few bumblebees but nothing else?
We seem to have a crisis for some reason. I see in the UK where they actually keep records, 80% of butterflies are in decline, 42% of bees and hoverflies are also in decline since the 1980's, and in another survey all flying insects in the UK are down 60% between 2004 and 2021.Even earthworms in the UK are down 30% in 25 years. Perhaps we are the same? Anyway - no fruit on our trees this summer I guess.
![](https://cdn.neighbourly.co.nz/images/cache/user_profile_page_picture/profile/60868868507703.80116173.jpeg?170410)
ALEXANDER ROAD SPEED LIMIT
Alexander Road in Trentham-Wallaceville of which 50% separates a golf course from a military encampment enclosure and the rest has mostly high fenced off industrial and residential areas on both sides, should have a 70km speed restriction.
Only a short time ago the road had a 80lm restriction and was reduced to a pedestrian 50km much to the frustration of many. It has never been an accident prone stretch of road.
The several round-abouts ensure speed is reduced to 30-40km when these things occur.
I recently stayed a few days in Feilding - often given the title of the best town in NZ - and one of the lengthy main streets has a 70km speed restriction despite a predominance of unfenced residential properties on both sides.