Lack of humanity in human resources

They used to be called personnel officers but in more recent times they have become human resource advisers.

''HR'' as it is better known - I guess it is more palatable in a kind of Orwellian way than ''human resources'', which sounds a bit sinister - has burgeoned as a sector in the past decade or two. It seems slightly strange that some people are making a career out of determining how other people's careers go, but I'm sure most HR people genuinely want to improve workplaces and the lot of employees.

On Twitter the other day, a distant journalistic colleague in Christchurch was irked at the lack of acknowledgement from HR people of applications for part-time jobs made by his son. That high-handedness and dearth of communication related both to notes saying an application had been received and also to ''sorry, you have been unsuccessful'' letters.

I tweeted back, saying my son had experienced the same thing, with no indication of where applications were at.

I reckon this is disgraceful. Where are the common courtesies? Where is the basic communication? There's a whole industry meant to be dealing with job vacancies, so what are the excuses for leaving young people (and not just young people) in the lurch, and not knowing if they are getting anywhere?

A good many of our young people are already anxious, dealing with uncertainty or mental-health issues, unsure about themselves and their futures, worried about money and relationships. Not acknowledging their interest in jobs sends a message that basically ''you're not even worth acknowledging''.

One of the good people in the HR industry needs to take a lead and get the others to pull up their socks. It's simply not good enough.

Roslyn cable car

Bill Everest, of Kaikorai, has taken me to task for getting the old Roslyn route wrong in the column last week.

Being ignorant of such matters, I erroneously said the route went along Belgrave Cres and then down Falcon St.

Bill quite rightly says I have to put it right so school pupils don't use my false information in their projects and get failed. Hadn't quite thought of it like that, but good point.

Anyway, turns out that from 1906 to 1951, when the line was closed, the cable cars actually travelled from the top of Ross St down the cutting off Belgrave Cres and then diagonally down the hill from about the point where the accessway steps from Delta St are now, coming out to the left of the old shop on the corner of Falcon St and Kaikorai Valley Rd.

Thanks for getting in touch, Bill.

Sneaky questions

Joe Enright, of Mosgiel, is obviously in the mood for some jolly japes. He emailed these teasers for you:

''With the arrival of Matariki later this week, I am willing to wager an entire chocolate fish that few ODT readers can say which is the shortest day of 2018. Can you say what day it is?

''I'm also willing to wager a second chocolate fish that fewer of those readers can say what is the furthest distance they can see from the summit of Mt Cargill on a clear, cloudless afternoon, if such could occur on the shortest day.''

Let's see what you're made of!

Norman Kirk memories

Doreen Waugh remembers Mr Kirk's eagerness to just be a normal person, as well as Labour Party leader and prime minister.

''In the early 70s, Norman Kirk had threats to himself and his family.

''My husband, Alastair Waugh, was a police sergeant at the time and had a policeman on duty hiding in the Kirks' garage. Alastair went to check on the policeman early in the morning and, not long after being there, Norm came into the garage with a cup of tea for them both.

''Then not long after that, Norm was seen hanging out the washing just prior to being whisked away in an official Parliament vehicle to no doubt a very important function.

''It really highlights the man's personality I think.''

By the way, has anyone managed to guess who it was I drew in yesterday's column?

Smiley Bros

Bill Bennett, of Mosgiel, enjoyed having his memory jogged by the mention of Smiley Bros in the column last week.

''As a 17-year-old I joined the St Kilda Harrier Club and, as I had to wear running shoes for cross-country races, I was taken to see Mr Smiley to get fitted for my shoes.

''He was such a pleasant person and measured me, telling me my left foot was slightly bigger than the right one, but said that wasn't anything to worry about. Within a week they were ready and they fitted me perfectly.

''Those shoes carried me over many hundreds of miles with training and competitive racing, including a stint to Auckland as an Otago team junior cross-country rep.

''This is a memory you have brought back after 64 years. Thanks for that.''

Thank you too, Bill.