Yesterday morning, when the controversial news broke, a friend and I had a heated argument. Like the rogue Edwin Chan, he had assumed the boy drove the car when he was not registered to do so.
The family were unhappy with a criticism Mr Chan made about Akshay having the keys in his pocket when he was not permitted to drive the vehicle.
Mr Fernandes said Akshay had the keys only because he had returned to the locked car to retrieve his cap, and then kept them in his pocket.
He had not been driving the car.
I argued that that doesn't mean that he was driving the car. To prove my point, I often go to excursions without carrying my Gucci bag (LOL) and wearing clothing without any pockets. To further prove my point. yesterday, the very outfit I was wearing had no pockets at all. I was wearing a dark blue demin jacket, a pink T-shirt and a pair of white pants. Not one pocket any where. So when I go, what do I do? I may give my 12 year old Sam my car keys. Does that mean that Sam was driving my car?
You may have notice, Edwin is a Chan, that is my madam name. Thousands of years ago back in China, we may have been related. He sounded like a foreignor, he may be a recent immigrant. The water engineer defended him that his background is different, therefore his business accument is different. No matter what, the old adage holds true: When in Rome, do what the Romans do. Otherwise, there will be ghettos and it will be disasters.
Even though, Edwin had backed down, he had done enough harm to the New Zealand reputation. I quote another Chinese proverb which my Dad used to say," FAN KA HIN" or add salt afterwards. This means when the dish is cooked, and served to the diners, there is not enough salt, adding salt would never make the dish the same. (Of course, this can not apply to Europeon dishes where one adds salt on the table.) The application of this is, no matter what you do to make up, the harm is done, and you can't rectify the mistake. The moral of this proverb is to always do things right the place, do not be too hasty in your decision or the popular proverb," Look before you leap."
Ice tragedy: Car firm backs down
By Jarrod Booker
New Zealand Herald
The company, NZRCS Rental Cars, faced heavy criticism after the Herald revealed yesterday that it was going to charge the Australian family for towing the electronically locked car 418km to Christchurch, and for a new transponder key to operate it.
Police, Victim Support, and even Prime Minister John Key criticised the company for taking the actions when the family was still struggling to cope with the deaths of Ashish Miranda, 24, and Akshay Miranda, 22 - both crushed by tonnes of falling ice while their parents Ronnie and Winnie were nearby.
Akshay's body remains trapped under the ice, and the car keys are believed to be in his pocket.
Offers of cash to cover the up to $1600 in charges flowed yesterday, and NZRCS director Edwin Chan said contributions made would mean no costs would fall on the family.
Alfred Fernandes, a cousin travelling with the Mirandas on their South Island holiday, had a $1000 charge on his credit card from the company, but Mr Chan said this was being refunded.
Mr Fernandes told the Herald: "We are very grateful to all the help which we have got from every quarter".
Mr Chan, who refused to be photographed because of fears for his safety, claimed he had always intended to reduce the cost to the Mirandas if he could, and charging them the fees was a "worst case scenario".
"I do feel sorry for what happened, and I hope that they will be able to find this is a good outcome for them."
Mr Key described the company's actions as "crass at best, and probably extremely bad business practice".
The family were unhappy with a criticism Mr Chan made about Akshay having the keys in his pocket when he was not permitted to drive the vehicle.
Mr Fernandes said Akshay had the keys only because he had returned to the locked car to retrieve his cap, and then kept them in his pocket.
He had not been driving the car.
***The pix of us in front of the Fox glacier looks as though the Fox Glacier is near by. In fact it is quite far away. Sam was too young at 3 to walk there, and I was too tired. If I remember correctly, only the water engieer went.***
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