Sunday, October 1
Pukearuhe
Whiteley plaque removed 30 September 2006
By LEIGHTON KEITHA plaque that became a sore point between iwi and other Pukearuhe locals was suddenly removed yesterday, disappointing people wanting to preserve history.
The plaque on Pukearuhe's 83-year-old Whiteley Memorial was taken down by a firm of monumentalists at the request of New Plymouth's Methodist Church.
No one from the church would comment to the Taranaki Daily News about the plaque's removal.
The memorial was erected to honour Methodist missionary the Reverend John Whiteley, who along with seven other people was killed by Maori in 1869.
The land was returned to the Ngati Tama iwi in a Treaty settlement in 2003. The iwi says the memorial was insensitive to Maori.
A year later, news that the church had agreed to remove the cairn raised an uproar.
David Musker, a spokesman for Save Our Sites (SOS), a local group which aims to protect historical monuments in the region, said it was a shame the memorial was being torn down.
"We weren't in favour of it, but it is history now – history that has gone," Mr Musker said.
Contributions from all over New Zealand were received for the memorial.
"We thought that it could have been preserved as part of history," Mr Musker said.
"I think it is part of history and it is a shame to see it go."
Ngati Tama iwi manager Greg White said the church had an agreement with the iwi to remove the memorial.
"It is just a piece of land that was returned to us and we don't need any monuments on it at the moment," Mr White said.
The iwi says it depends on whose version of history you believe as to what sort of person Mr Whiteley was.
"If he was a man of such high mana, how do you explain him being killed?
"He was running messages on behalf of the army or militia at the time and he paid the price of being an informer," he said.
Mr White said the church was meant to remove the entire memorial.
Ngati Tama iwi member Colin Mattock, of Urenui, said he was annoyed about the plaque's removal.
"I firmly believe they don't have any right to make the church remove it," Mr Mattock said.
He said he had heard the plaque was going to be removed quickly and quietly.
A majority of the iwi would not know about the removal and Mr White was not representing all of them, he said.
"I don't see why he has the right to do that.
"They are taking history away. Our younger generation will never know."
Historic Places Trust central region area co-ordinator David Watt said it was an issue between the church and the iwi.
The memorial was part of the registration of the historic reserve area, Mr Watt said.
"I think the important thing is to try to achieve an outcome that is going to be acceptable all round," he said.
The trust had been kept in the loop about what was going to be done.
By LEIGHTON KEITHA plaque that became a sore point between iwi and other Pukearuhe locals was suddenly removed yesterday, disappointing people wanting to preserve history.
The plaque on Pukearuhe's 83-year-old Whiteley Memorial was taken down by a firm of monumentalists at the request of New Plymouth's Methodist Church.
No one from the church would comment to the Taranaki Daily News about the plaque's removal.
The memorial was erected to honour Methodist missionary the Reverend John Whiteley, who along with seven other people was killed by Maori in 1869.
The land was returned to the Ngati Tama iwi in a Treaty settlement in 2003. The iwi says the memorial was insensitive to Maori.
A year later, news that the church had agreed to remove the cairn raised an uproar.
David Musker, a spokesman for Save Our Sites (SOS), a local group which aims to protect historical monuments in the region, said it was a shame the memorial was being torn down.
"We weren't in favour of it, but it is history now – history that has gone," Mr Musker said.
Contributions from all over New Zealand were received for the memorial.
"We thought that it could have been preserved as part of history," Mr Musker said.
"I think it is part of history and it is a shame to see it go."
Ngati Tama iwi manager Greg White said the church had an agreement with the iwi to remove the memorial.
"It is just a piece of land that was returned to us and we don't need any monuments on it at the moment," Mr White said.
The iwi says it depends on whose version of history you believe as to what sort of person Mr Whiteley was.
"If he was a man of such high mana, how do you explain him being killed?
"He was running messages on behalf of the army or militia at the time and he paid the price of being an informer," he said.
Mr White said the church was meant to remove the entire memorial.
Ngati Tama iwi member Colin Mattock, of Urenui, said he was annoyed about the plaque's removal.
"I firmly believe they don't have any right to make the church remove it," Mr Mattock said.
He said he had heard the plaque was going to be removed quickly and quietly.
A majority of the iwi would not know about the removal and Mr White was not representing all of them, he said.
"I don't see why he has the right to do that.
"They are taking history away. Our younger generation will never know."
Historic Places Trust central region area co-ordinator David Watt said it was an issue between the church and the iwi.
The memorial was part of the registration of the historic reserve area, Mr Watt said.
"I think the important thing is to try to achieve an outcome that is going to be acceptable all round," he said.
The trust had been kept in the loop about what was going to be done.
Eltham Primary School
Facade saved from demolition 30 September 2006
By CRAIG JEFFREYLearning by doing enabled Eltham Primary School's 81-year-old facade to be saved from demolition on Friday.
The school's motto came in handy for contractors and may have given them inspiration as they moved the nine-tonne concrete facade to its new site at the front of the school, where it will be set into a bank.
Caretaker Jason Baikie said he would do whatever it took to save the facade, as the school had a long history and some members of the community had expressed regret that nothing would be saved from their former school.
Contractors were about to level all of the old school buildings, when Mr Baikie decided the facade could be saved.
"I thought using a crane might work, so I contacted the board of trustees and they were happy to hire one," he said.
However, the job could still come unstuck as the big slab has yet to be laid down and could fold or crack, but with the school's motto, Learn by doing – knowledge is power, there as a constant reminder that success should not be far away.
By CRAIG JEFFREYLearning by doing enabled Eltham Primary School's 81-year-old facade to be saved from demolition on Friday.
The school's motto came in handy for contractors and may have given them inspiration as they moved the nine-tonne concrete facade to its new site at the front of the school, where it will be set into a bank.
Caretaker Jason Baikie said he would do whatever it took to save the facade, as the school had a long history and some members of the community had expressed regret that nothing would be saved from their former school.
Contractors were about to level all of the old school buildings, when Mr Baikie decided the facade could be saved.
"I thought using a crane might work, so I contacted the board of trustees and they were happy to hire one," he said.
However, the job could still come unstuck as the big slab has yet to be laid down and could fold or crack, but with the school's motto, Learn by doing – knowledge is power, there as a constant reminder that success should not be far away.
New Plymouth Documented
Film-maker here for a look at home-made movies 30 September 2006
By ROCHELLE WESTTaranaki's film history is, itself, being documented on film.
Former New Plymouth woman Elizabeth Hoyle has returned to Taranaki from her Melbourne base to make a film about the region's film makers for her Masters Degree at the Victorian College of Arts film school.
"I'm coming back and re-discovering the fact that New Plymouth has an incredible background of film, post war," Ms Hoyle said.
"It began as amateur films of family and scenery, but a lot went on to make documentaries."
Ms Hoyle, with the help of fellow film student Caro Macdonald, has been interviewing Taranaki people who have worked in film, either for their jobs or as a hobby. Her subjects include a variety of film enthusiasts, such as Rowan and Aileen Guthrie, who documented big events in Taranaki on film as well as commissioned pieces, the New Plymouth Film Club's Ron Mundell and Max Clarke who runs his own cinema called Max's Old Time Movies.
Many of the local films are documentary style, covering everything from the Queen's visit in 1954 to the old New Plymouth Post Office being demolished and the central city floods in the early 1970s.
"Taranaki seems to have this insane creativity going on in all sorts of mediums and methods. Some people say it's the air, the mountain and the sea. The landscape has a really big effect on people. Other people have said it's very much a kiwi thing. A lot of these guys started (film making) before television, as a form of entertainment," Ms Hoyle said.
The thing that has impressed Ms Hoyle and Ms Macdonald the most is their subjects' technical abilities, with the film makers being mostly self-taught.
"It's very inspirational to see. They are very creative and innovative. We are capturing something of the creative spirit that is around," Ms Macdonald said.
Entitled 16mm Maxwell, Ms Hoyle's documentary film will be screened at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in Melbourne and then at various film festivals.
Ms Hoyle also wants to screen her film in Taranaki in the future
By ROCHELLE WESTTaranaki's film history is, itself, being documented on film.
Former New Plymouth woman Elizabeth Hoyle has returned to Taranaki from her Melbourne base to make a film about the region's film makers for her Masters Degree at the Victorian College of Arts film school.
"I'm coming back and re-discovering the fact that New Plymouth has an incredible background of film, post war," Ms Hoyle said.
"It began as amateur films of family and scenery, but a lot went on to make documentaries."
Ms Hoyle, with the help of fellow film student Caro Macdonald, has been interviewing Taranaki people who have worked in film, either for their jobs or as a hobby. Her subjects include a variety of film enthusiasts, such as Rowan and Aileen Guthrie, who documented big events in Taranaki on film as well as commissioned pieces, the New Plymouth Film Club's Ron Mundell and Max Clarke who runs his own cinema called Max's Old Time Movies.
Many of the local films are documentary style, covering everything from the Queen's visit in 1954 to the old New Plymouth Post Office being demolished and the central city floods in the early 1970s.
"Taranaki seems to have this insane creativity going on in all sorts of mediums and methods. Some people say it's the air, the mountain and the sea. The landscape has a really big effect on people. Other people have said it's very much a kiwi thing. A lot of these guys started (film making) before television, as a form of entertainment," Ms Hoyle said.
The thing that has impressed Ms Hoyle and Ms Macdonald the most is their subjects' technical abilities, with the film makers being mostly self-taught.
"It's very inspirational to see. They are very creative and innovative. We are capturing something of the creative spirit that is around," Ms Macdonald said.
Entitled 16mm Maxwell, Ms Hoyle's documentary film will be screened at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in Melbourne and then at various film festivals.
Ms Hoyle also wants to screen her film in Taranaki in the future
Friday, September 29
Monday, September 25
Many childhood days spent feeding the Ducks
Every Taranaki Anniversary Day Mum and Dad would take us to Virginia Park - Wanganui - The big smoke for us Hawera kids.
4 Furlong Street Hawera
Childhood memories of Mrs Grubi - made many a cream sponge for us. She taught me how to knit and crochet. There was a piano in the front room that her son used to play. Parsley in the garden.
Websters Fruit and Vege Markets - Used to be here
Auctioneer Alex Taylor. Spent many a childhood school holidays here - listening to the auctions, running up and down the ramps
Marx Family Reunion
http://www.cs.waikato.ac.nz/~treweek/marx/index.html
(Mangatoki, Taranaki - Labour Weekend 23-25th October, 1998)
(Mangatoki, Taranaki - Labour Weekend 23-25th October, 1998)
White Hart Hawera
100 year old hotel providing budget accommodation, bars, gaming machines and bar and bistro with garden bar.
Hawera Part 3
lol my brother sis & I all worked for Greasy George at the pie cart..we were going to rename it the Barley piecart..lol..the whitebait fritters were THE best!..spent many hours in Wards too ..mum used to work there as well as in the furniture shop by the PO..and the Milk bar..anyone remember that?..
God.. Reading the previous messages brought up some memories! The London Pie Shop made the best donuts haha. I see so much happening business wise in Hawera lately, it's really good. Each time I go into town I see something being built or developed
born & bred in Hawera. Left in 1966 to see the world. Dad worked for a couple of years at the milk treatment station in town before it closed down & was moved. Then he went to the gardening shop at the Farmers Co-op. Mum worked at Thompsons music centre for a while. Who remembers the Easy built & furniture centre near Pattersons. I worked there & also the NDA before leaving town. Loved the London pie shop too.
I have been up since early hours and its not even cold. Its good remembering all these stories. Do you remember the coal store over on scott street, the dairy that the bourkes had opp the old opera house, then there was the dairy on the corner of Wilson Street, the tyre place opp the old Toms Supermarket gosh i could go on and on, you can remember so much of this place, plus all the industrial area in glover road and Pak n Save in Princes that will be opening in Nov.
lived there for almost a year back in 69. Street i lived in was called fantham street i think, it had houses up one side and hen houses all along the other. It was a miles walk to school with no footpaths, shops were miles away and i really didnt like it. Would be neat to return now and see how much its changed.(if any)
u will be surprised elvis there are new houses right along there now, u wont know the place, it looks great, Hawera has changed in so many ways, u need to come back and see, no cornishes now, we have a town square, there is so much changed,
remeber Mr Sole was the coal man - had a son named Warren. He used to lug bags of coal and dump it in the yard. Poor Mum used to lug it into the house. We never even thought to offer... kids.. no concept of all about the hard lives our parents were going through
Mrs did some teaching also. She has passed now - but Willie lives by the beach in Onaro
Is your dads name Andrew. My parents lived on Wilson Street & I remember the Judds half way up the High street end on the right (heading to High st)
I am looking at an old photo of Hawera,taken about 50 to 60 years ago. The White Hart Hotel is in the front and further up the street is the War Memorial Arch.The Mt looks awesome in the background.
hey greenie that is so good when u can see our mountain, it would of been Mt Egmont back then lol. Yea we had the White Hart, The Commercial and The Egmont on each corner plus the National Bank. These old memories are great, especially when time ticks on and u forget what was in some of these places, where the commercial was is Harris Taylor, a coffee lounge and creative craft. Keep these msgs coming
Yep that would be right, Andrews little sister, LOL. Hey Andrew was my "best man" first time round, under the watertower. Do you know if Andrew is still with Elaine... Arrhh yes the 3 pub cross roads, had heaps of fun stumbling around those, tho was a hard walk down to union street when "doing" the rounds. Anyone remember "Tashkoff's" (spelling) fish & chip shop. Mum worked there & for the Bon-Ton for a while. Mmm Thompsons music store got a heap of my money in my youth, & the agony when milk went up to 4c bottle. Aarrhh to many years ago & some of it glad to be gone.
Was glad to see some peeps remember "uncle" georges piecart, ma worked there for years and us kids spent plenty of time out the back with uncle george
Trying to forget parts of Wilson street ;-(. . . LOL ooohhh goddddd, Tom edgecome,Rowle Lealand, the "boys" from the Wilson st ex milk treatment station, Gee's even one of my sisters brought a house top end of Wilson street in later years. LMAO, bugger the bike sheds at school, I had mrs Mails permission to hang out in some of the rooms up stairs at lunch times so I could play chest
The Dom Who remembers the days of the Dominion Hotel back in the 70s man it rocked, i worked there in the lounge bar when the Pipers were the owners, but sadly thats gone now and has made way for Pak n Save. Newton Kings has been replaced with Countdown, The Warehouse has gone where there were 3-4 houses, Hawera Auto Court moved over to Wilson Street so The Warehouse could have that land as well. Tuns Bakery has gone into the old TSB Bank.
Back in my day the Egmont hotel was the place we all went too. Owned by the Scanlons.
The Dominion Egmont and Commercial and the Royal and Central all gone.Only the White Hart and Railway left now.Still two at Normanby.
the furlong motor inni worked here the day it opened and boy did it rock, the freezing works went out on a one strike that day and they all came here, how convenient to have a strike that day hehehehe. i worked till 3.30am in the house bar and restaurant, then had work again at 10am. I was there for 3yrs, I worked the lounge bar as well and it used to rock as well, these were the days. Yes the central we used to go to the back bar of that and stay all hours as well. Remember when u drove straight thru the town, you would go from the presbyterian church down to the water tower and back up, luckily petrol wasnt a issue those days.
Yes the young guys used to cruise up and down the street frid nights, skiting to the girls.Just as well petrol was cheaper back then..Of cause they were all in their dads cars way back.No friday nights any more so dont know what they do..Hear a few boy racers so guess thats what they do
page 4
God.. Reading the previous messages brought up some memories! The London Pie Shop made the best donuts haha. I see so much happening business wise in Hawera lately, it's really good. Each time I go into town I see something being built or developed
born & bred in Hawera. Left in 1966 to see the world. Dad worked for a couple of years at the milk treatment station in town before it closed down & was moved. Then he went to the gardening shop at the Farmers Co-op. Mum worked at Thompsons music centre for a while. Who remembers the Easy built & furniture centre near Pattersons. I worked there & also the NDA before leaving town. Loved the London pie shop too.
I have been up since early hours and its not even cold. Its good remembering all these stories. Do you remember the coal store over on scott street, the dairy that the bourkes had opp the old opera house, then there was the dairy on the corner of Wilson Street, the tyre place opp the old Toms Supermarket gosh i could go on and on, you can remember so much of this place, plus all the industrial area in glover road and Pak n Save in Princes that will be opening in Nov.
lived there for almost a year back in 69. Street i lived in was called fantham street i think, it had houses up one side and hen houses all along the other. It was a miles walk to school with no footpaths, shops were miles away and i really didnt like it. Would be neat to return now and see how much its changed.(if any)
u will be surprised elvis there are new houses right along there now, u wont know the place, it looks great, Hawera has changed in so many ways, u need to come back and see, no cornishes now, we have a town square, there is so much changed,
remeber Mr Sole was the coal man - had a son named Warren. He used to lug bags of coal and dump it in the yard. Poor Mum used to lug it into the house. We never even thought to offer... kids.. no concept of all about the hard lives our parents were going through
Mrs did some teaching also. She has passed now - but Willie lives by the beach in Onaro
Is your dads name Andrew. My parents lived on Wilson Street & I remember the Judds half way up the High street end on the right (heading to High st)
I am looking at an old photo of Hawera,taken about 50 to 60 years ago. The White Hart Hotel is in the front and further up the street is the War Memorial Arch.The Mt looks awesome in the background.
hey greenie that is so good when u can see our mountain, it would of been Mt Egmont back then lol. Yea we had the White Hart, The Commercial and The Egmont on each corner plus the National Bank. These old memories are great, especially when time ticks on and u forget what was in some of these places, where the commercial was is Harris Taylor, a coffee lounge and creative craft. Keep these msgs coming
Yep that would be right, Andrews little sister, LOL. Hey Andrew was my "best man" first time round, under the watertower. Do you know if Andrew is still with Elaine... Arrhh yes the 3 pub cross roads, had heaps of fun stumbling around those, tho was a hard walk down to union street when "doing" the rounds. Anyone remember "Tashkoff's" (spelling) fish & chip shop. Mum worked there & for the Bon-Ton for a while. Mmm Thompsons music store got a heap of my money in my youth, & the agony when milk went up to 4c bottle. Aarrhh to many years ago & some of it glad to be gone.
Was glad to see some peeps remember "uncle" georges piecart, ma worked there for years and us kids spent plenty of time out the back with uncle george
Trying to forget parts of Wilson street ;-(. . . LOL ooohhh goddddd, Tom edgecome,Rowle Lealand, the "boys" from the Wilson st ex milk treatment station, Gee's even one of my sisters brought a house top end of Wilson street in later years. LMAO, bugger the bike sheds at school, I had mrs Mails permission to hang out in some of the rooms up stairs at lunch times so I could play chest
The Dom Who remembers the days of the Dominion Hotel back in the 70s man it rocked, i worked there in the lounge bar when the Pipers were the owners, but sadly thats gone now and has made way for Pak n Save. Newton Kings has been replaced with Countdown, The Warehouse has gone where there were 3-4 houses, Hawera Auto Court moved over to Wilson Street so The Warehouse could have that land as well. Tuns Bakery has gone into the old TSB Bank.
Back in my day the Egmont hotel was the place we all went too. Owned by the Scanlons.
The Dominion Egmont and Commercial and the Royal and Central all gone.Only the White Hart and Railway left now.Still two at Normanby.
the furlong motor inni worked here the day it opened and boy did it rock, the freezing works went out on a one strike that day and they all came here, how convenient to have a strike that day hehehehe. i worked till 3.30am in the house bar and restaurant, then had work again at 10am. I was there for 3yrs, I worked the lounge bar as well and it used to rock as well, these were the days. Yes the central we used to go to the back bar of that and stay all hours as well. Remember when u drove straight thru the town, you would go from the presbyterian church down to the water tower and back up, luckily petrol wasnt a issue those days.
Yes the young guys used to cruise up and down the street frid nights, skiting to the girls.Just as well petrol was cheaper back then..Of cause they were all in their dads cars way back.No friday nights any more so dont know what they do..Hear a few boy racers so guess thats what they do
page 4
Hawera Part 2
my greatgrandparents and parents had the white hart years ago they were snow and laura kerr and the macdonalds... does anyone know eric glentworth he worked at kiwi (hubby's uncle) and pauline and gavin (pauline used to work at paper plus) My hubby grandad used to look after king edward park (len glentworth) and his grandmother Nina mumby just passed away this year.. (boo hoo) she was an awesome lady
Ronald Hugh Morrieson Yep spent far to many years there myself. My wife's mother has a full collection of Ronalds personally delivered & signed books.
I was born there and lived there for 7 yrs, but have family there and do go and visit. My father worked at HHS - Mr Lockhart.
twigsman - I had Willie Lockhart as a teacher between 1966-1970 - a great guy. Mrs Lockart was a teacher as well wasn't she. Their photos are on HHS oldfriends website - I think
i worked at Vic Grubi's restaurant and the Hawera Star in the mid 60s. Who remembers Bennett and Sutton, Bon Ton and their round cream doughnuts - with a dollop of jam in the middle!!
The bon Ton lol i worked there about 4 years ago, i was there for 3 years,
its been there for ever.i try to call in when I'm there. There was also butcharts the bakery, Anderson's Pie shop,
Butcharts has closed down now. I like the london pie shop...YUMMY!!! But thats gone now too.
what happened Butcharts - out done by Yarrows? do you know the coffee bar in Union St, Chatternook? We used to have a greengrocer shop there in 1963-1964
bon ton had yummy donuts thats when the guy Hopkins owned it, he worked at New World of late, not sure if he is still there or whether he will be the baker at Pak n Save when it opens on November
My Niece now owns Bon Ton and Andersons Pie shop is still here.. Few doors from the Police Station
The PIE CART no one has mentioned it ...used to be open on the way to Sunday school!! Rev Alan Pyatt was an absolute terror of a minister - kicked you out of church for talking so I guess the pie cart got the collection money!! My uncle was Bishop Rich and came up from Wellington to do confirmation.
george newport had the pie cart. which church did you go to? we had James battersby at the St Johns Presbutton... remember the old church
I liked Alan Pyatt Wanted him to marry us He had officiated at my 4 old sisters weddings. However he was leaving and we were the first the Rev Rushworth Married. 1958
Mr and Mrs Watson had the pie cart back in my day Lovely couple..Greasy George had it after them I think .
what church did you get married in? was it St Mary's or St Josephs? Mr Boyer was the anglican one in the 60s - used to have guides there before we fundraised for a new hall - Church parades were there as well
St Mary's Anglican. Mum & Dad are buried in the south east corner of the cemetry.
The owner of Butcharts had his leg amputated and had to sell up. He now works in New world.
seedy My mum and dad are buried down there too Cemetary is getting pretty full..Dont think there will be room for us,, Oh well I just wont die then..
do you come down the end of High Street to the cemetery? As you come in the gate, its the Presbuttons in the first block. right next to the old rubbish dump - are your parents anywhere near the shed around there -
I was married from St Mary,s Church too many, many, many, years ago.
End of High Street into cemetery turn ?first into Path/"road" to green shed and it is about 3 rows down from shed on left and 3/4 way along."John and Frances
Its odd... the oder I get the more I feel that I have to make the cemetary a must do on my visits home. I visit all those who have already past and pa my respects to those who I havent acknowledged the passing of yet. It is a neat cemetary though... as far as places like that are rated that is. Does anyone know how the new Resthome planned for Barrett Road in NP is coming along?
One set of grandparents are on the right just past that shed. Hopkins.
I lived on Union street from 1979-2001
what number Union street (Onion St!) we lived by the railway end - number 86. Seedy - i've been married 31 years. And your parents must be near where mine are - we're in the first block, about 3 rows past the 2nd tap. Hugh Morrison is about 2 rows further down - near the hedge.
well my mums family had a lot of kids in them, my grandparents lived on Wilson St and later Waihi Road....My parents still live in town, as do most of my family. I have rellies that I dont even know in NP!... My dads name is Judd.
doesn't seem that long though, does it? I'm away for a couple of days so will look forward to reading and catching up when I get back. Lots of lovely memories. How many others have climbed Mt Egmont? I did in 1964 - that and my first triathlon at 59 are two highlights in my life !!!
no 82 was 2 doors down from us - there is was a granery next door. we didn't have a house either side - had the railway hotel behind us. six o'clock closing - still remember all the men and their noise
page 3
Ronald Hugh Morrieson Yep spent far to many years there myself. My wife's mother has a full collection of Ronalds personally delivered & signed books.
I was born there and lived there for 7 yrs, but have family there and do go and visit. My father worked at HHS - Mr Lockhart.
twigsman - I had Willie Lockhart as a teacher between 1966-1970 - a great guy. Mrs Lockart was a teacher as well wasn't she. Their photos are on HHS oldfriends website - I think
i worked at Vic Grubi's restaurant and the Hawera Star in the mid 60s. Who remembers Bennett and Sutton, Bon Ton and their round cream doughnuts - with a dollop of jam in the middle!!
The bon Ton lol i worked there about 4 years ago, i was there for 3 years,
its been there for ever.i try to call in when I'm there. There was also butcharts the bakery, Anderson's Pie shop,
Butcharts has closed down now. I like the london pie shop...YUMMY!!! But thats gone now too.
what happened Butcharts - out done by Yarrows? do you know the coffee bar in Union St, Chatternook? We used to have a greengrocer shop there in 1963-1964
bon ton had yummy donuts thats when the guy Hopkins owned it, he worked at New World of late, not sure if he is still there or whether he will be the baker at Pak n Save when it opens on November
My Niece now owns Bon Ton and Andersons Pie shop is still here.. Few doors from the Police Station
The PIE CART no one has mentioned it ...used to be open on the way to Sunday school!! Rev Alan Pyatt was an absolute terror of a minister - kicked you out of church for talking so I guess the pie cart got the collection money!! My uncle was Bishop Rich and came up from Wellington to do confirmation.
george newport had the pie cart. which church did you go to? we had James battersby at the St Johns Presbutton... remember the old church
I liked Alan Pyatt Wanted him to marry us He had officiated at my 4 old sisters weddings. However he was leaving and we were the first the Rev Rushworth Married. 1958
Mr and Mrs Watson had the pie cart back in my day Lovely couple..Greasy George had it after them I think .
what church did you get married in? was it St Mary's or St Josephs? Mr Boyer was the anglican one in the 60s - used to have guides there before we fundraised for a new hall - Church parades were there as well
St Mary's Anglican. Mum & Dad are buried in the south east corner of the cemetry.
The owner of Butcharts had his leg amputated and had to sell up. He now works in New world.
seedy My mum and dad are buried down there too Cemetary is getting pretty full..Dont think there will be room for us,, Oh well I just wont die then..
do you come down the end of High Street to the cemetery? As you come in the gate, its the Presbuttons in the first block. right next to the old rubbish dump - are your parents anywhere near the shed around there -
I was married from St Mary,s Church too many, many, many, years ago.
End of High Street into cemetery turn ?first into Path/"road" to green shed and it is about 3 rows down from shed on left and 3/4 way along."John and Frances
Its odd... the oder I get the more I feel that I have to make the cemetary a must do on my visits home. I visit all those who have already past and pa my respects to those who I havent acknowledged the passing of yet. It is a neat cemetary though... as far as places like that are rated that is. Does anyone know how the new Resthome planned for Barrett Road in NP is coming along?
One set of grandparents are on the right just past that shed. Hopkins.
I lived on Union street from 1979-2001
what number Union street (Onion St!) we lived by the railway end - number 86. Seedy - i've been married 31 years. And your parents must be near where mine are - we're in the first block, about 3 rows past the 2nd tap. Hugh Morrison is about 2 rows further down - near the hedge.
well my mums family had a lot of kids in them, my grandparents lived on Wilson St and later Waihi Road....My parents still live in town, as do most of my family. I have rellies that I dont even know in NP!... My dads name is Judd.
doesn't seem that long though, does it? I'm away for a couple of days so will look forward to reading and catching up when I get back. Lots of lovely memories. How many others have climbed Mt Egmont? I did in 1964 - that and my first triathlon at 59 are two highlights in my life !!!
no 82 was 2 doors down from us - there is was a granery next door. we didn't have a house either side - had the railway hotel behind us. six o'clock closing - still remember all the men and their noise
page 3
Sunday, September 24
Whos Is from hawera
HELLO who is from HAWERA?? just wana see.
bet you don't miss the wind - thats all I remember about Hawera - was that annoying wind!
born & bred ..21 yrs there..up in the winterless north now ..and I may not miss the weather but I do miss the view of Mt Egmont from my bedroom window..ok ok Mt Taranaki..(will never get used to calling it that..lol)
awwh succulentlady...The piccy of the water tower 'takes me back' big time..we used to break inot it ..I mean push the door firmlyish ..and climb it when it was closed down years ago..put my hand on a bloody pigeon once..(it was on the hand rail) nearly cr%$^d myself...ran home and didn't venture up there for ages afterwards!..lol
I left Hawera in 83..HHS in 79? its all sooooooooo long ago lol) went to the HHS reunion about 11 yrs ago. that was a hoot..wanted to stick my degree up Mr G bs for telling my mother she was wasting her money paying for me to sit UE..as I wasn't going to ever achieve anything!..the pratt ...mmmm then again back then he was probably 'on the button' so to speak!..
Well I was there 1951 and 1952 So I,m ancient Nice to see lots of locals here..Not much else to do on a night like this eh.Intermediate wasnt even there when I went to school Straight from primary to high school . Big move in those daysI didnt know anyone there. 600 pupils back then.
both of hubby's family from hawera does anyone know dianne stratton or nina mumby or brendon and tania stratton or the glentworths ie gwen etc?
Yes it was called Hawera Technical High School back in my days. Black gym frock white blouse long black stockings in the winter and white socks in the summer..We also wore the school tie and beret with the School badge on it.Also a blazer
succulentslady your profile photo pulls at the heartstrings !! I was Hawera Main until Ramanui opened - foundation pupil. I also had the dubious honour of being Hawera Women's Swimming Champion in 1964 - in the old swimming pool at the back of the old picture theatre. Both parents and grandmother buried in cemetry and we always call in when up north. Great in this day and age to be able to call in late at night and know exactly where to find them! Mr Finer (ex Mayor)used to own the Auction Mart and the "Hawera Star" put an advert in saying Finer's Fart - all papers were recalled from delivery!!! Great place to grow up in.
Ronald Hugh Morrieson lived just up the road in South Road - taught my brother the guitar. Sold one of his paperbacks for $22 recently
wow nostalgia full on here! I remember those memorial pools! they were on High st opp the water tower weren't they?..I must have been under 5 when we went there..you had to walk thru a foot bath before getting in the pool..and what about those huge swings at King Edward park?..bet OSH have done away with those now tho. We used to ride our home made carts on the road down High st over the railway line into Naumai park..amongst 'other things' at Naumi park -bit older then tho lmao
the ducks were there at naumai park - we used to walk from Union Street to the cemetery every sunday, from 1964 to 1971 - used to have goldfish as well. We used to have first aid at the redcross building just by the railway line. Its still there
Loved Finer's Mart - mum sold her ducks there. Rember the Queen's visit well - we made paper flowers and covered the War Memorial
that's funny - we got our ducks from Finers they used to run around the back yard!!
Dr Rich also had ducks - They used to get my Dad to kill them. sometimes we got duck eggs - strong taste
The big swings are still in King Edward Park Strangly enough they seem to have shrunk a bit since we were kids .Remember getting hit on the head with one of them at a school picnic..Remember this lady puttung butter on the lump. Lots of new things to play on now. The round about has gone..Often take grandkids there. Dr Young was our Dr way back then None of you youngsters would remember him..After him was Dr macInroe..Dentist was MR Bright. followed by Mr Bryce then Mr Bliss..Used to sit in the dentist chair looking out on the water tower When they gave you gas, the water tower used to sway..And yes the old pool..Remember the toilets way behind the Library..Had a hole in the tin wall and you could look out into the swimming pool. And the old opera house Loved sitting upstairs watching a movie..And the girls with their trays of ice creams and lollies coming round at half time . At the start of a movie you had to stand for God Save The King or later queen There was always a cartoon (Tom and Jerry) or the likes.Then the shorts of the movies coming. Anyone know when they stopped playing God Save The Queen..
hawera Man that brings back memories lol, Used to work for Arthur Brown construction, and worked on the kiwi dairy powder tower , live in the old milk treatment station on surry st , lots of partys up there and the hot rod club was below us . I believe that there is a couple of town house,s built on that site now.Knew the nagerts ( micheal) and the sowerbys, mark and michelle Oconnel. Had a bad reputation the old treatment station wonder why lol( 5 guys in one flat and numorious party
my boss is from Hawera and I'm from Patea(we both live in Marlborough), my mum and dad went to school at Hawera tech, dad (apparantly still holds the record for triple jump),my dads family owned farms around the hawera,manaia,opunake areas,I'm related to the Rowlands family in those parts, my bosses last name is Spragg
Remember the Spraggs - a few years ahead of me. Had a business if I remember. Speedy - are you Cristabel? I knew your Mum and Dad very well. We have a photo of Dad, Ken , and your Mum (Francis?)and I think my brother - taken at your home, naybe 1960.
Yes that's me!! -Mum shifted to Auckland after Dad died in 1972 and shifted here to Blenheim in 1989 and died 1991. Peter is still in New Plymouth (just become a grandfather) he married Jocelyn B - Princes St and Mike is in Sydney.
My family bought fruit from your parents, right? If I remember one special thing about my childhood it is that we ALWAYS had heaps of fresh fruit in the house and Mum always bottled fruit by the case load. I still bottle today so her lessons stayed with me. We are all healthy (touch wood) so it was a great start to our healthy lives.
We bought the Opunake/Hawera bus run off Egmont Tourist Motors, ran it for several years, our depots were Niven Diesel in Hawera (opposite the Railway Station) Butlers' Bookshop in Manaia, and Newton Kings in Opunake. Newmans bought us out....put on a 40 seater bus and went down the tubes inside 12 months. I noted in todays Daily News it's 35 years since that run started. All gone now, but we made a good living, and made many friends, most of whom we are still in contact with. Used to go to the White Hart Hotel every day for their counter lunch, braised sausages, liver & bacon....yum.
seedy - yes your parents would have gone to the shop i High Street - Mum and Dad ran it feom 1948 to 1957. My Grandfather must have had it before Dad married. Do you remeber the shop - a few doors down from the ANZ - near haberfield Howdens. Upstairs was the carlton tea Rooms
Yes I remember their shop well and your surname has always astayed as a Hawera memory. Also remember butchers shop with big wooden chopping block and saw dust on the floor. Wards with it's cannister money system whizzing above our heads and I knew all the chemists delivering prescriptions for Dad. When Mum was buried we all stayed at "Stonehaven" again in the same room we slept in as kids - was a B&B then.
was the butcher Mr Newman - in Union Street There was also Mr Stevenson who had a butcher - Can't recall his daughter's name . may have been Kathy... do you remember Mr Bach in the bag shop. used to walk down the street holding his notes behind his back. we used to sneak up behind him and pretend to pinch the money. CC Wards closed a wee while back. Mum used to sew so we spent some time there - watching those cannisters flying about. Did you ever go into McGruer Bone - 2 story place. Where are your Mum and Dad buried - Dad and Mum are in the old Presbyterian part
We had Jack Couch the butcher Think he was from Manutahi..He delivered round the district to the farmers.
page 2
bet you don't miss the wind - thats all I remember about Hawera - was that annoying wind!
born & bred ..21 yrs there..up in the winterless north now ..and I may not miss the weather but I do miss the view of Mt Egmont from my bedroom window..ok ok Mt Taranaki..(will never get used to calling it that..lol)
awwh succulentlady...The piccy of the water tower 'takes me back' big time..we used to break inot it ..I mean push the door firmlyish ..and climb it when it was closed down years ago..put my hand on a bloody pigeon once..(it was on the hand rail) nearly cr%$^d myself...ran home and didn't venture up there for ages afterwards!..lol
I left Hawera in 83..HHS in 79? its all sooooooooo long ago lol) went to the HHS reunion about 11 yrs ago. that was a hoot..wanted to stick my degree up Mr G bs for telling my mother she was wasting her money paying for me to sit UE..as I wasn't going to ever achieve anything!..the pratt ...mmmm then again back then he was probably 'on the button' so to speak!..
Well I was there 1951 and 1952 So I,m ancient Nice to see lots of locals here..Not much else to do on a night like this eh.Intermediate wasnt even there when I went to school Straight from primary to high school . Big move in those daysI didnt know anyone there. 600 pupils back then.
both of hubby's family from hawera does anyone know dianne stratton or nina mumby or brendon and tania stratton or the glentworths ie gwen etc?
Yes it was called Hawera Technical High School back in my days. Black gym frock white blouse long black stockings in the winter and white socks in the summer..We also wore the school tie and beret with the School badge on it.Also a blazer
succulentslady your profile photo pulls at the heartstrings !! I was Hawera Main until Ramanui opened - foundation pupil. I also had the dubious honour of being Hawera Women's Swimming Champion in 1964 - in the old swimming pool at the back of the old picture theatre. Both parents and grandmother buried in cemetry and we always call in when up north. Great in this day and age to be able to call in late at night and know exactly where to find them! Mr Finer (ex Mayor)used to own the Auction Mart and the "Hawera Star" put an advert in saying Finer's Fart - all papers were recalled from delivery!!! Great place to grow up in.
Ronald Hugh Morrieson lived just up the road in South Road - taught my brother the guitar. Sold one of his paperbacks for $22 recently
wow nostalgia full on here! I remember those memorial pools! they were on High st opp the water tower weren't they?..I must have been under 5 when we went there..you had to walk thru a foot bath before getting in the pool..and what about those huge swings at King Edward park?..bet OSH have done away with those now tho. We used to ride our home made carts on the road down High st over the railway line into Naumai park..amongst 'other things' at Naumi park -bit older then tho lmao
the ducks were there at naumai park - we used to walk from Union Street to the cemetery every sunday, from 1964 to 1971 - used to have goldfish as well. We used to have first aid at the redcross building just by the railway line. Its still there
Loved Finer's Mart - mum sold her ducks there. Rember the Queen's visit well - we made paper flowers and covered the War Memorial
that's funny - we got our ducks from Finers they used to run around the back yard!!
Dr Rich also had ducks - They used to get my Dad to kill them. sometimes we got duck eggs - strong taste
The big swings are still in King Edward Park Strangly enough they seem to have shrunk a bit since we were kids .Remember getting hit on the head with one of them at a school picnic..Remember this lady puttung butter on the lump. Lots of new things to play on now. The round about has gone..Often take grandkids there. Dr Young was our Dr way back then None of you youngsters would remember him..After him was Dr macInroe..Dentist was MR Bright. followed by Mr Bryce then Mr Bliss..Used to sit in the dentist chair looking out on the water tower When they gave you gas, the water tower used to sway..And yes the old pool..Remember the toilets way behind the Library..Had a hole in the tin wall and you could look out into the swimming pool. And the old opera house Loved sitting upstairs watching a movie..And the girls with their trays of ice creams and lollies coming round at half time . At the start of a movie you had to stand for God Save The King or later queen There was always a cartoon (Tom and Jerry) or the likes.Then the shorts of the movies coming. Anyone know when they stopped playing God Save The Queen..
hawera Man that brings back memories lol, Used to work for Arthur Brown construction, and worked on the kiwi dairy powder tower , live in the old milk treatment station on surry st , lots of partys up there and the hot rod club was below us . I believe that there is a couple of town house,s built on that site now.Knew the nagerts ( micheal) and the sowerbys, mark and michelle Oconnel. Had a bad reputation the old treatment station wonder why lol( 5 guys in one flat and numorious party
my boss is from Hawera and I'm from Patea(we both live in Marlborough), my mum and dad went to school at Hawera tech, dad (apparantly still holds the record for triple jump),my dads family owned farms around the hawera,manaia,opunake areas,I'm related to the Rowlands family in those parts, my bosses last name is Spragg
Remember the Spraggs - a few years ahead of me. Had a business if I remember. Speedy - are you Cristabel? I knew your Mum and Dad very well. We have a photo of Dad, Ken , and your Mum (Francis?)and I think my brother - taken at your home, naybe 1960.
Yes that's me!! -Mum shifted to Auckland after Dad died in 1972 and shifted here to Blenheim in 1989 and died 1991. Peter is still in New Plymouth (just become a grandfather) he married Jocelyn B - Princes St and Mike is in Sydney.
My family bought fruit from your parents, right? If I remember one special thing about my childhood it is that we ALWAYS had heaps of fresh fruit in the house and Mum always bottled fruit by the case load. I still bottle today so her lessons stayed with me. We are all healthy (touch wood) so it was a great start to our healthy lives.
We bought the Opunake/Hawera bus run off Egmont Tourist Motors, ran it for several years, our depots were Niven Diesel in Hawera (opposite the Railway Station) Butlers' Bookshop in Manaia, and Newton Kings in Opunake. Newmans bought us out....put on a 40 seater bus and went down the tubes inside 12 months. I noted in todays Daily News it's 35 years since that run started. All gone now, but we made a good living, and made many friends, most of whom we are still in contact with. Used to go to the White Hart Hotel every day for their counter lunch, braised sausages, liver & bacon....yum.
seedy - yes your parents would have gone to the shop i High Street - Mum and Dad ran it feom 1948 to 1957. My Grandfather must have had it before Dad married. Do you remeber the shop - a few doors down from the ANZ - near haberfield Howdens. Upstairs was the carlton tea Rooms
Yes I remember their shop well and your surname has always astayed as a Hawera memory. Also remember butchers shop with big wooden chopping block and saw dust on the floor. Wards with it's cannister money system whizzing above our heads and I knew all the chemists delivering prescriptions for Dad. When Mum was buried we all stayed at "Stonehaven" again in the same room we slept in as kids - was a B&B then.
was the butcher Mr Newman - in Union Street There was also Mr Stevenson who had a butcher - Can't recall his daughter's name . may have been Kathy... do you remember Mr Bach in the bag shop. used to walk down the street holding his notes behind his back. we used to sneak up behind him and pretend to pinch the money. CC Wards closed a wee while back. Mum used to sew so we spent some time there - watching those cannisters flying about. Did you ever go into McGruer Bone - 2 story place. Where are your Mum and Dad buried - Dad and Mum are in the old Presbyterian part
We had Jack Couch the butcher Think he was from Manutahi..He delivered round the district to the farmers.
page 2
Saturday, September 23
Focus on Modern Maori Life
Focus on modern Maori life 20 September 2006
By LYN HUMPHREYS New Plymouth photographer James Heremaia is on a mission to capture images of modern day Maori to showcase to the world.
Heremaia has been contracted by Tourism New Zealand to put together a portfolio of regional photos.
Once his project is completed, the tired, dated marae-concert-hangi experience, currently shown to the world to attract tourists, will be no more.
"The maiden-by-the-mud-pools, for instance, gets used over and over," he said.
TNZ had decided there was a need for the culturally authentic image for promotional tourism which could be used overseas after the Maori Regional Tourism Organisations pointed out the lack of good quality images to TNZ.
"As a photographer, it is an honour and a privilege for them to ask me to do it," Heremaia said. "I need to bring them kicking and screaming into the present day."
The photos will be aimed at attracting today's savvy interactive traveller who no longer wants to sit down and watch a Maori concert.
Instead, the tourist is keen to experience for themselves the lives that New Zealanders live.
"They want to go eeling and put the hangi down – not just eat it."
Therefore, the photos will be about Maori people doing the things they typically do in their everyday living and working environment.
And times have changed.
"Maori people run huge business corporations now," he said.
Heremaia has already completed the Taranaki images and started Wanganui's – but is not at liberty to reveal their content.
He leaves Taranaki this week and will be hosted by Maori Regional Tourist Organisations across New Zealand.
The portfolio is due to be completed by December.
By LYN HUMPHREYS New Plymouth photographer James Heremaia is on a mission to capture images of modern day Maori to showcase to the world.
Heremaia has been contracted by Tourism New Zealand to put together a portfolio of regional photos.
Once his project is completed, the tired, dated marae-concert-hangi experience, currently shown to the world to attract tourists, will be no more.
"The maiden-by-the-mud-pools, for instance, gets used over and over," he said.
TNZ had decided there was a need for the culturally authentic image for promotional tourism which could be used overseas after the Maori Regional Tourism Organisations pointed out the lack of good quality images to TNZ.
"As a photographer, it is an honour and a privilege for them to ask me to do it," Heremaia said. "I need to bring them kicking and screaming into the present day."
The photos will be aimed at attracting today's savvy interactive traveller who no longer wants to sit down and watch a Maori concert.
Instead, the tourist is keen to experience for themselves the lives that New Zealanders live.
"They want to go eeling and put the hangi down – not just eat it."
Therefore, the photos will be about Maori people doing the things they typically do in their everyday living and working environment.
And times have changed.
"Maori people run huge business corporations now," he said.
Heremaia has already completed the Taranaki images and started Wanganui's – but is not at liberty to reveal their content.
He leaves Taranaki this week and will be hosted by Maori Regional Tourist Organisations across New Zealand.
The portfolio is due to be completed by December.
taranaki Photos to Be conserved
Grant puts photos in conservation frame 22 September 2006
By KRYSTI WETTON Internal Affairs Minister Rick Barker has handed over $331,499 to Puke Ariki so it can preserve precious photos.
The minister presented the giant cheque on behalf of the Lottery Grants Board yesterday.
The money will be used to conserve and archive more than 100,000 photos and negatives dating back to the 1920s.
The Joseph Swainson collection will be accessible to the public once archived.
Mr Barker says the grant is a significant amount.
"We don't normally hand out such big chunks."
He said the Lottery Grants Board would have been influenced by Puke Ariki's excellent reputation.
The collection of Taranaki photos is amazing and worth preserving for future generations, he says.
Puke Ariki collection services manager Kelvin Day says the project will take 21 months.
The images will be catalogued and some will be digitalised.
The grant will go towards hiring four fulltime technicians and for materials.
"The money will soon be chewed up."
Mr Swainson sold his studio to Bernard Woods in the mid-1960s.
Mr Woods continued taking photos until the 1990s and his images will be conserved and archived in the second stage of the project, which will require more funding.
The photo collections were rescued from a New Plymouth garden shed last year.
Mr Barker was expected to speak about welfare issues at the New Plymouth RSA, after his visit to Puke Ariki yesterday.
By KRYSTI WETTON Internal Affairs Minister Rick Barker has handed over $331,499 to Puke Ariki so it can preserve precious photos.
The minister presented the giant cheque on behalf of the Lottery Grants Board yesterday.
The money will be used to conserve and archive more than 100,000 photos and negatives dating back to the 1920s.
The Joseph Swainson collection will be accessible to the public once archived.
Mr Barker says the grant is a significant amount.
"We don't normally hand out such big chunks."
He said the Lottery Grants Board would have been influenced by Puke Ariki's excellent reputation.
The collection of Taranaki photos is amazing and worth preserving for future generations, he says.
Puke Ariki collection services manager Kelvin Day says the project will take 21 months.
The images will be catalogued and some will be digitalised.
The grant will go towards hiring four fulltime technicians and for materials.
"The money will soon be chewed up."
Mr Swainson sold his studio to Bernard Woods in the mid-1960s.
Mr Woods continued taking photos until the 1990s and his images will be conserved and archived in the second stage of the project, which will require more funding.
The photo collections were rescued from a New Plymouth garden shed last year.
Mr Barker was expected to speak about welfare issues at the New Plymouth RSA, after his visit to Puke Ariki yesterday.
Saturday, August 19
Jack Stark - 2001
An Eltham ‘hero’ was honoured at Wednesday’s official opening of Stark Park. The pocket park in the heart of Eltham is named after long-time Eltham shopkeeper Jack Stark.Councillor Alex Ballantyne told the 70-strong crowd the park was a fitting tribute to a wonderful man and family who had given so much to the district. Mr Stark’s acts of generosity to people in need were legendary and he made the world a nicer place to everyone who walked through the door. “We don’t get many heroes these days and it’s even rarer to celebrate them when they are still alive,” Alex said.Mr Stark’s health prevented him being at the ceremony, but he was represented by his sister Gilca Pickford and her daughters, who cut the ribbon, Miriam Key, Helen Pickford and Jackie Cassels. Former long-time employees George English and Nigel Alexander also attended
18 August 2006 Passed away 2006
Grocery owner remembered for generosity, innovation
One of Eltham's most well-known personalities, Jack Stark, died on Wednesday, aged 89.
Mr Stark owned Eltham's dairy and grocery store on High St for 55 years, where he pioneered the concept of discount shopping in Taranaki.
Shoppers travelled to Eltham from all over Taranaki for the prices.
Mr Stark was also legendary in Eltham for his generosity, delivering boxes of fruit or vegetables to families facing tough times or helping customers get their groceries to their cars.
His generosity earned him a Queen's Service Medal for community service in 1998.
But this generosity was taken advantage of. The shop was burgled dozens of times and shoplifting was a problem.
The cost of this dishonesty eventually caused Mr Stark to close his business in 2001.
On the day of the store's closure, Eltham business people organised a morning tea – and more than 200 people turned up to pay tribute to Mr Stark.
A memorial service for Mr Stark will be held tomorrow at Stark's Park, in High St, from 2pm. The park was developed from a carpark and named after Mr Stark.
18 August 2006 Passed away 2006
Grocery owner remembered for generosity, innovation
One of Eltham's most well-known personalities, Jack Stark, died on Wednesday, aged 89.
Mr Stark owned Eltham's dairy and grocery store on High St for 55 years, where he pioneered the concept of discount shopping in Taranaki.
Shoppers travelled to Eltham from all over Taranaki for the prices.
Mr Stark was also legendary in Eltham for his generosity, delivering boxes of fruit or vegetables to families facing tough times or helping customers get their groceries to their cars.
His generosity earned him a Queen's Service Medal for community service in 1998.
But this generosity was taken advantage of. The shop was burgled dozens of times and shoplifting was a problem.
The cost of this dishonesty eventually caused Mr Stark to close his business in 2001.
On the day of the store's closure, Eltham business people organised a morning tea – and more than 200 people turned up to pay tribute to Mr Stark.
A memorial service for Mr Stark will be held tomorrow at Stark's Park, in High St, from 2pm. The park was developed from a carpark and named after Mr Stark.
Sunday, August 13
Saturday, August 12
Taranaki rugby 1956-57
Members of the Taranaki rugby team from 1956 and 1957 (front, from left) Tom Murfitt, Joe McCullough, Roger Boon, Bill Cameron, Brendan O'Neill, Eric Keith, Kevin Briscoe, (middle row, from left) Ray Potier (selector), Ross Brown, Les Marshall, Ian Macdonald, John Mackie John Bayly, (back row, from left) Peter Burke, Walter Dudley and Bill Orr. NIC GIBSON/Taranaki Daily NewsLongtime rugby heroes pack down again 12 August 2006
By GLENN MCLEANThe passing of half a century has failed to dampen the passion of players from two of Taranaki's greatest rugby sides.
The men from 1956, who held the Springboks to an impressive 3-3 draw, and the 1957 side which ended Otago's short reign with the Ranfurly Shield, are being honoured this weekend at a reunion in New Plymouth.
Most of the men, who performed in front of crowds that today cannot be matched at Yarrow Stadium, still vividly remember the 80 minutes the might of South African rugby stood in front of them.
Yesterday, as many of those men came together, captain Peter Burke recalled moments of the match with the precision of a quizmaster.
"While we lost a few tightheads, we matched them in every other department," he said. "It was a terrific performance, one I would compare with Taranaki beating Canterbury up here a couple of years ago."
Even so, it's a match that still holds a degree of frustration, anger and regret from those who wore amber and black, and for the crowd of 21,000.
A matter of inches was all that separated winger Tom Murfitt from scoring the match-winning try, as he slid over a saturated dead-ball line.
Springbok Jan Pickard's try also furrows the brow of Burke and his team, who maintain the lock was offside when he reached over to score.
But it was the action of Springbok manager Dannie Craven in awarding Poverty Bay referee, a man who went by the name of Wolstenholme, that brought the most anger.
"He (Craven) gave him a gold watch for being the best referee they had," fullback John Bayly said.
"It wasn't until later that we found out Wolstenholme was a South African."
The physical battle also took its toll on August 11, 1956.
"I lost two and a half teeth when I got king hit by (opposite) Chris Koch," prop Ian Macdonald said.
There were also memories of the terrible conditions, when players were forced to change in ankle-deep water in the back of the old wooden stand.
Just a year later, most of the side that lined up against the Springboks were heading south to end Otago's Ranfurly reign with a 11-9 win. "It was a lot easier than the score says," Macdonald said. "We had it all over them."
That triumph started a shield era lasting until late 1959.
Saturday, July 1
Mary Wallis - Opunake
Mary Emma (nee Vickery) married Thomas Wallis, a boot maker of Christchurch, in 1882. They lived at Ferry Road, Christchurch, until 1897 when they brought their five young children to Taranaki. The journey was made by ship and then by bullock wagon, to Otakeho where the sixth child was born.Their next move was to Opunake where Thomas's brother Abraham, and Mary Emma's cousin Ben Vickery lived.Thomas established his boot maker's shop in Tasman Street, then called Main Street, and an old resident of Opunake still remembers how Thomas put a supply of tacks in his mouth and pushed them out with his tongue on to the hammer, one by one, where they were held by magnetic force, so freeing his hands for the operation in hand.As the Wallis family grew up they took their place in the community at various, trades Bill was a baker, Fred a publican, and Ted was a saddler whose business eventually became a sports supply and book shop in the premises now occupied by Karam's in Tasman Street.The youngest of the Wallis children, Grace, became a tailoress who worked for Mr R. E. Peat, one of the rapidly disappearing breed of tailors who worked from the first measurements to the finished suit of clothes. Mr Peat worked in true tailor style sitting cross-legged in the middle of the table, with thread, needles, scissors and pins within reach.Mary Emma Wallis had always wanted to be a nurse and when her family grew up she trained as a midwife, and served the Opunake district for almost 30 years.She travelled by whatever means became available to "live in" with her patients until she had ensured the safe arrival of a new life, often on almost inaccessible country roads and always in homes with little or no convenience. She was present at the birth of each of the Yep family, and was most proud of her "Chinese Cherubs" as she called them.In 1929 ill-health caused her to give up what had been a very dedicated career, and Mary Emma Wallis died on 18 April 1930, just six months after the death of her husband Thomas.
Monday, June 26
Dapper Doug makes film star splash
Opunake Beach could have been mistaken for Hollywood yesterday, as 24 hardy souls took part in the annual Polar Bear swim dressed as movie stars.
Willy Wonka, Paris Hilton and a large number of the cast of The Sound of Music – from the Lakeside Lions – all braved the chilly Tasman Sea at noon.
The "von Trapp family" sang songs and held hands as they bravely waded out into the water.
Doug Coxhead (78), dressed as Elle Macpherson, said he had taken part in every swim since it began in 1993.
"It seems like forever," he said.
He had hoped to be the oldest swimmer this year, but was beaten out of that spot by Val Wallace (80).
"It has always been good to get involved, get out there and get wet.
"Taking part is the big thing. It has been a good thing for Opunake," Mr Coxhead said.
Lions member Mrs Wallace, aka Friedrich von Trapp, said the swim was fun.
"I have to encourage this lot," she said.
The quick dip appeared to invigorate Mrs Wallace, who joked that she was off to find a toy boy while walking back up the beach.
Nobody stayed in the water for long.
Barbecued sausages and hot soup were ready when the swimmers got out.
Each swimmer received free entry to the film Ice Age 2 – The Melt Down at Everyone's Theatre for their efforts. 26/6/06
Willy Wonka, Paris Hilton and a large number of the cast of The Sound of Music – from the Lakeside Lions – all braved the chilly Tasman Sea at noon.
The "von Trapp family" sang songs and held hands as they bravely waded out into the water.
Doug Coxhead (78), dressed as Elle Macpherson, said he had taken part in every swim since it began in 1993.
"It seems like forever," he said.
He had hoped to be the oldest swimmer this year, but was beaten out of that spot by Val Wallace (80).
"It has always been good to get involved, get out there and get wet.
"Taking part is the big thing. It has been a good thing for Opunake," Mr Coxhead said.
Lions member Mrs Wallace, aka Friedrich von Trapp, said the swim was fun.
"I have to encourage this lot," she said.
The quick dip appeared to invigorate Mrs Wallace, who joked that she was off to find a toy boy while walking back up the beach.
Nobody stayed in the water for long.
Barbecued sausages and hot soup were ready when the swimmers got out.
Each swimmer received free entry to the film Ice Age 2 – The Melt Down at Everyone's Theatre for their efforts. 26/6/06
Saturday, June 24
Winter Wonderland
A truck makes its way down Pembroke Rd from the Mountain House yesterday. Heavy snow coated the national park, providing some stunning winter scenery. Several roads into the park were closed because of the conditions. MIKE SCOTT/Taranaki Daily News
Snow closes Mt Taranaki roads
23 June 2006
By SHARON MARRISAll roads to Mt Taranaki were closed yesterday as winter's grip tightened over the North Island.
Pembroke Rd, leading to the plateau and Stratford Mountain House, and Manaia Rd, leading to Dawson Falls, were closed about 1.30pm yesterday.
The third road, Egmont Rd, which leads to North Egmont, has been closed since yesterday morning.
Kevin Whelan, engineering officer at Stratford District Council, said they had been fighting a losing battle with the snow all day. "The graders can't clear the snow as fast as it's falling," he said, "so we've closed the roads in the interest of public safety".
The snowfall eased later in the afternoon, he said, but roads were not expected to reopen until this morning, weather permitting.
Robert Bennett, Stratford area manager for the Department of Conservation, said there had been 300 to 400mm of snow. He had been working at 500m and said snow had been falling for at least a couple of hours.
Mr Bennett, an Australian who arrived at DOC just over a year ago, said the snow didn't bother him. "It's good-looking snow," he said. "A very nice environment to work in, with lots of lovely big flakes falling down."
He said there had been a snowfall outside the office last year, but it was still rare there – 1km below the park boundary.
"We don't often get much down here and, if we do, it doesn't last too long because it warms up."
The MetService was predicting strong winds for South Taranaki this morning, with wind and rain to ease over most of the North Island tomorrow
By SHARON MARRISAll roads to Mt Taranaki were closed yesterday as winter's grip tightened over the North Island.
Pembroke Rd, leading to the plateau and Stratford Mountain House, and Manaia Rd, leading to Dawson Falls, were closed about 1.30pm yesterday.
The third road, Egmont Rd, which leads to North Egmont, has been closed since yesterday morning.
Kevin Whelan, engineering officer at Stratford District Council, said they had been fighting a losing battle with the snow all day. "The graders can't clear the snow as fast as it's falling," he said, "so we've closed the roads in the interest of public safety".
The snowfall eased later in the afternoon, he said, but roads were not expected to reopen until this morning, weather permitting.
Robert Bennett, Stratford area manager for the Department of Conservation, said there had been 300 to 400mm of snow. He had been working at 500m and said snow had been falling for at least a couple of hours.
Mr Bennett, an Australian who arrived at DOC just over a year ago, said the snow didn't bother him. "It's good-looking snow," he said. "A very nice environment to work in, with lots of lovely big flakes falling down."
He said there had been a snowfall outside the office last year, but it was still rare there – 1km below the park boundary.
"We don't often get much down here and, if we do, it doesn't last too long because it warms up."
The MetService was predicting strong winds for South Taranaki this morning, with wind and rain to ease over most of the North Island tomorrow
Sunday, June 11
Land sale may end Hawera races
10 June 2006
By GLENN MCLEANThe future of racing in Hawera is in serious doubt with the town's racecourse about to be sold.
Egmont Racing Club president Murray Armstrong yesterday confirmed the Hawera Racecourse partnership was about to put the 43ha property up for tender.
While he would not give specifics of the tender, the Taranaki Daily News understands three separate blocks will be sold.
The partnership comprises the Egmont Racing Club (50 percent share), the Hawera Harness Racing Club (37.5 percent) and the Opunake Racing Club (12.5 percent).
"We are going to put our toe in the water and tender various blocks of land," Mr Armstrong said.
"It might be one or it might be all. Nothing is set in concrete, we are exploring our options."
He would not rule out racing disappearing from the town altogether.
"It could happen, we're not saying it isn't a possibility. We have to consider that option."
Real estate agents spoken to yesterday estimated the land, which has been used as a racecourse since 1882, could sell for between $4 million and $6 million.
Mr Armstrong confirmed a committee had been set up nine months ago, involving Egmont, Taranaki and the Opunake clubs to look into the future of racing in Hawera.
"All financial members of the partnership have been written to and told that is an option – to sell land.
"We have reasonable cash reserves and we could go on racing for many years here.
"But racing is going through such a change, to get the full benefit of returns here to owners and trainers we have to look at options."
The biggest problem facing the Hawera partnership is its governing body, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, is no longer prepared to allocate funding towards facilities there.
Seven meetings each season are held at Hawera. The Egmont Racing Club conducts four, the Hawera Trotting Club has two and the Opunake Racing Club has one date there and another at New Plymouth.
Taranaki Racing Club chief executive Carey Hobbs was reluctant to comment on the issue.
Mr Hobbs admitted that a provincial racing strategy had been discussed for several months, but he would not go into specific details.
Question marks would, however, hang over just how many more meetings could be held at Pukekura Raceway, given the impact each meeting had on the course.
South Taranaki District Mayor Mary Bourke said no official proposal had been put forward to her council about the racecourse, but she was aware of several councillors who were keen for the council to buy some of the land.
"They see it as a strategic land purchase, but there has been no formal discussion of that at this stage."
When the council was investigating possible venues for its proposed multi-purpose stadium, the racecourse was talked about as a site that could be used to centralise equestrian events, or even a development area for a golf course or motor camp.
"We have had a lot of submissions in the long-term plan about setting up an industrial park," she said.
"And if you were looking around, on the face of it, that land looks really good. However, it might not turn out to be that good at all."
By GLENN MCLEANThe future of racing in Hawera is in serious doubt with the town's racecourse about to be sold.
Egmont Racing Club president Murray Armstrong yesterday confirmed the Hawera Racecourse partnership was about to put the 43ha property up for tender.
While he would not give specifics of the tender, the Taranaki Daily News understands three separate blocks will be sold.
The partnership comprises the Egmont Racing Club (50 percent share), the Hawera Harness Racing Club (37.5 percent) and the Opunake Racing Club (12.5 percent).
"We are going to put our toe in the water and tender various blocks of land," Mr Armstrong said.
"It might be one or it might be all. Nothing is set in concrete, we are exploring our options."
He would not rule out racing disappearing from the town altogether.
"It could happen, we're not saying it isn't a possibility. We have to consider that option."
Real estate agents spoken to yesterday estimated the land, which has been used as a racecourse since 1882, could sell for between $4 million and $6 million.
Mr Armstrong confirmed a committee had been set up nine months ago, involving Egmont, Taranaki and the Opunake clubs to look into the future of racing in Hawera.
"All financial members of the partnership have been written to and told that is an option – to sell land.
"We have reasonable cash reserves and we could go on racing for many years here.
"But racing is going through such a change, to get the full benefit of returns here to owners and trainers we have to look at options."
The biggest problem facing the Hawera partnership is its governing body, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, is no longer prepared to allocate funding towards facilities there.
Seven meetings each season are held at Hawera. The Egmont Racing Club conducts four, the Hawera Trotting Club has two and the Opunake Racing Club has one date there and another at New Plymouth.
Taranaki Racing Club chief executive Carey Hobbs was reluctant to comment on the issue.
Mr Hobbs admitted that a provincial racing strategy had been discussed for several months, but he would not go into specific details.
Question marks would, however, hang over just how many more meetings could be held at Pukekura Raceway, given the impact each meeting had on the course.
South Taranaki District Mayor Mary Bourke said no official proposal had been put forward to her council about the racecourse, but she was aware of several councillors who were keen for the council to buy some of the land.
"They see it as a strategic land purchase, but there has been no formal discussion of that at this stage."
When the council was investigating possible venues for its proposed multi-purpose stadium, the racecourse was talked about as a site that could be used to centralise equestrian events, or even a development area for a golf course or motor camp.
"We have had a lot of submissions in the long-term plan about setting up an industrial park," she said.
"And if you were looking around, on the face of it, that land looks really good. However, it might not turn out to be that good at all."
Giant in NZ roading in Taranaki
07 June 2006
By ROB MAETZIGTaranaki's roading industry has just got a whole lot more competitive, with the arrival of one of New Zealand's largest contracting companies.
The organisation is Fulton Hogan, a Christchurch-headquartered civil construction and roading company with a strong business presence throughout New Zealand.
Historically, that presence has been limited in Taranaki, primarily because the local roading business founded by Sir Russell Matthews – now owned by Works Civil Construction – was strong in the region.
But now Fulton Hogan has purchased Taranaki roading company D and L Crow Ltd, and it intends becoming a totally competitive part of the local roading market.
D and L Crow was formed 30 years ago by Don and Leonie Crow, and has a staff of 55. About one-third of the Bell Block-based business' activity is roading work. It also has a depot at Stratford and a quarry at Okato.
The sale to Fulton Hogan was for an undisclosed sum. Mr Crow said yesterday that he and his wife intended to take things easy – "and probably be a nuisance to everyone".
Fulton Hogan North Island manager Grant Borrie said that not only would all staff be retained, but it was likely that additional employees would be required.
"We will be looking to offer the wider Fulton Hogan services to the Taranaki market in the future, and to grow the business over the next few years," he said.
"We've taken on a great company with a very good staff, and it gives us a real leapfrog into the Taranaki market."
Until now, Fulton Hogan operations in Taranaki had been limited to water utilities and upgrade projects, and a design-and-build contract for the New Plymouth District Council. These were administered from the company's Wanganui office.
But with the purchase of the New Plymouth company, Fulton Hogan is now establishing an office at Bell Block.
The branch will be headed by Peter Matheson, an experienced engineer with Fulton Hogan for 19 years, who moves here from Central Otago.
Fulton Hogan was established in Dunedin in 1933 by Jules Fulton and Bob Hogan, and now has more than 3400 employees throughout New Zealand.
By ROB MAETZIGTaranaki's roading industry has just got a whole lot more competitive, with the arrival of one of New Zealand's largest contracting companies.
The organisation is Fulton Hogan, a Christchurch-headquartered civil construction and roading company with a strong business presence throughout New Zealand.
Historically, that presence has been limited in Taranaki, primarily because the local roading business founded by Sir Russell Matthews – now owned by Works Civil Construction – was strong in the region.
But now Fulton Hogan has purchased Taranaki roading company D and L Crow Ltd, and it intends becoming a totally competitive part of the local roading market.
D and L Crow was formed 30 years ago by Don and Leonie Crow, and has a staff of 55. About one-third of the Bell Block-based business' activity is roading work. It also has a depot at Stratford and a quarry at Okato.
The sale to Fulton Hogan was for an undisclosed sum. Mr Crow said yesterday that he and his wife intended to take things easy – "and probably be a nuisance to everyone".
Fulton Hogan North Island manager Grant Borrie said that not only would all staff be retained, but it was likely that additional employees would be required.
"We will be looking to offer the wider Fulton Hogan services to the Taranaki market in the future, and to grow the business over the next few years," he said.
"We've taken on a great company with a very good staff, and it gives us a real leapfrog into the Taranaki market."
Until now, Fulton Hogan operations in Taranaki had been limited to water utilities and upgrade projects, and a design-and-build contract for the New Plymouth District Council. These were administered from the company's Wanganui office.
But with the purchase of the New Plymouth company, Fulton Hogan is now establishing an office at Bell Block.
The branch will be headed by Peter Matheson, an experienced engineer with Fulton Hogan for 19 years, who moves here from Central Otago.
Fulton Hogan was established in Dunedin in 1933 by Jules Fulton and Bob Hogan, and now has more than 3400 employees throughout New Zealand.
Cycle of change includes travel
06 June 2006
By KRYSTI WETTONThe most satisfying part of Glenn Demchy's 32-year career in the cycling industry has been seeing the joy people get from riding a bike he sold them.
Now he is rediscovering the pleasure of the sport himself.
The 48-year-old has sold Mitchell Cycles, in Strandon, after owning the business for 22 years.
He made the decision while cycling in France last July. He sat down to take a rest, the sun beaming down on him.
"I thought this is the life and I've got to make things a little easier."
Mr Demchy had little spare time when he ran the firm. Summer was the busiest time, when most people were out making the most of the fine weather.
The former New Zealand cycling champion's competing days were also put hold to focus on the company.
"The business came first."
His career began at 16, when he started work at Moturoa Cycles. Ironically, he was turned down for a job at Mitchell Cycles.
Mitchell Cycles was established by Dave Mitchell in 1956. It opened in Liardet St and later relocated to Devon St, then to Strandon.
Mr Demchy bought the firm in 1984 and moved it from where Zanziba is currently situated to its present location, at 467 Devon St East, five years later.
`That was when the mountain bike boom was on. I've been through a lot of booms – Raleigh Twenty, BMX and triathlon."
He said the current trend was for more women and middle-aged people to start cycling.
New Plymouth's coastal walkway had encouraged many to take up the pastime, he said.
In 2002, Mr Demchy helped ease the growing tension between cyclists and walkers sharing the walkway by giving free bells to the cyclists. About 3000 bells had been given away, he said.
He estimates he has sold more than 50,000 bikes.
"The biggest pleasure has been selling someone a bike and seeing them ride it."
The children and grandchildren of people whose bikes he had fixed when they were kids were now coming into the shop, he said.
Like any business, the cycle shop had its highs and lows.
It was during a quiet period nine years ago that Mr Demchy and his wife Katherine decided to open a Toyworld franchise in the space next to Mitchell Cycles.
"I couldn't buy enough bikes to fill the whole place," Mr Demchy said. "The two businesses complement each other."
Mr and Mrs Demchy plan to job share at Toyworld for the next two years, then travel overseas for six months, when they will reassess their future.
Mr Demchy will help Mitchell Cycles' new owners, Blair Cox and Robyn Olsen, when they are busy and will also help Toyworld set up a megastore in Auckland.
He has always insisted his employees have an interest in cycling, because giving customers advice is a big part of the job.
"We've had a lot of kids work for us over the years."
One of his star performers was Mr Cox, who started working for him 17 years ago.
"I've always wanted him to take over the bike shop."
Mitchell Cycles sponsored Mr Cox before he started working there.
He said the business would carry on as normal and continue to be Avanti Plus stockists.
Mr Cox competes and works as a bike mechanic in Ironman competitions in New Zealand and overseas.
The former Commonwealth cyclist uses his knowledge to help customers. "I've raced around the world and had top mechanics working on my bike."
Offering women courses on bike maintenance, nutrition and cycle training is one way he does this.
He said Mitchell Cycles had a great reputation and catered for everyone, from children to competitive cyclists.
By KRYSTI WETTONThe most satisfying part of Glenn Demchy's 32-year career in the cycling industry has been seeing the joy people get from riding a bike he sold them.
Now he is rediscovering the pleasure of the sport himself.
The 48-year-old has sold Mitchell Cycles, in Strandon, after owning the business for 22 years.
He made the decision while cycling in France last July. He sat down to take a rest, the sun beaming down on him.
"I thought this is the life and I've got to make things a little easier."
Mr Demchy had little spare time when he ran the firm. Summer was the busiest time, when most people were out making the most of the fine weather.
The former New Zealand cycling champion's competing days were also put hold to focus on the company.
"The business came first."
His career began at 16, when he started work at Moturoa Cycles. Ironically, he was turned down for a job at Mitchell Cycles.
Mitchell Cycles was established by Dave Mitchell in 1956. It opened in Liardet St and later relocated to Devon St, then to Strandon.
Mr Demchy bought the firm in 1984 and moved it from where Zanziba is currently situated to its present location, at 467 Devon St East, five years later.
`That was when the mountain bike boom was on. I've been through a lot of booms – Raleigh Twenty, BMX and triathlon."
He said the current trend was for more women and middle-aged people to start cycling.
New Plymouth's coastal walkway had encouraged many to take up the pastime, he said.
In 2002, Mr Demchy helped ease the growing tension between cyclists and walkers sharing the walkway by giving free bells to the cyclists. About 3000 bells had been given away, he said.
He estimates he has sold more than 50,000 bikes.
"The biggest pleasure has been selling someone a bike and seeing them ride it."
The children and grandchildren of people whose bikes he had fixed when they were kids were now coming into the shop, he said.
Like any business, the cycle shop had its highs and lows.
It was during a quiet period nine years ago that Mr Demchy and his wife Katherine decided to open a Toyworld franchise in the space next to Mitchell Cycles.
"I couldn't buy enough bikes to fill the whole place," Mr Demchy said. "The two businesses complement each other."
Mr and Mrs Demchy plan to job share at Toyworld for the next two years, then travel overseas for six months, when they will reassess their future.
Mr Demchy will help Mitchell Cycles' new owners, Blair Cox and Robyn Olsen, when they are busy and will also help Toyworld set up a megastore in Auckland.
He has always insisted his employees have an interest in cycling, because giving customers advice is a big part of the job.
"We've had a lot of kids work for us over the years."
One of his star performers was Mr Cox, who started working for him 17 years ago.
"I've always wanted him to take over the bike shop."
Mitchell Cycles sponsored Mr Cox before he started working there.
He said the business would carry on as normal and continue to be Avanti Plus stockists.
Mr Cox competes and works as a bike mechanic in Ironman competitions in New Zealand and overseas.
The former Commonwealth cyclist uses his knowledge to help customers. "I've raced around the world and had top mechanics working on my bike."
Offering women courses on bike maintenance, nutrition and cycle training is one way he does this.
He said Mitchell Cycles had a great reputation and catered for everyone, from children to competitive cyclists.
Saturday, June 3
Opunake Beach
Photo from http://www.reef.opunake.co.nz/
Opunake's beach has always been regarded as particularly safe for swimming, but there has always been the odd time and tide when special, care was needed.
As early as 1899 the Town Board instructed the' Town Clerk to "have a board written" warning people of the danger of bathing on the south end of the bay.
In 1901 the Opunake Beach Society was formed. Mr Knell the Manager of the Bank of New Zealand, and Mr Blythe a watchmaker, were leaders in the move, and by 1907 they invited estimates for a bathing shed-not to exceed 215. Mr Sims built the shed for 13 pounds. Then a fresh-water barrel was placed on the beach for the convenience of picnic parties-but the report didn't say just where the fresh water came from. (Probably from one of the small springs emanating from the face of the cliff.)
When a deputation waited on the Town Board asking for a donation towards beach improvements, they were granted 15 pounds towards upgrading the bathing shed, subject to the building being handed over, free of debt, either to the Town Board or the Domain Board.
The next step forward was the opening of a kiosk in 1911. At the Annual General Meeting of the Beach Society a year later, it was reported that over two hundred people had visited the beach on New Year's Day.
Surfing In Taranaki
Surfing in Taranaki is characterised by relatively uncrowded locations and a great variety of surf breaks (over 30 are surfed regularly). From the small number of survey respondents (89) who live outside the region, Taranaki was reported as the most preferred surf location in New Zealand (33%), followed by Raglan (21%), Gisborne (13%) Mount Maunganui (11%), Wairarapa (9%), South Island (8%), Piha (4%) and Wellington (1%). The place of Taranaki as the most preferred surf location in New Zealand maybe worth investigating further.Wind direction dictates which breaks are surfed, with north Taranaki breaks (Oakura, Fitzroy, East End, Waitara Bar) being popular during south and south-east winds and South Taranaki breaks (Stent Road, Kina Road, Arawhata Road, Mangahume, Dump, Green Meadows) popular during north, north-west and north-east winds.Most surfers from the Taranaki sample of the survey indicated that they surfed at least once a week (68%). The most preferred breaks were Stent Road (29%), Rocky Point (10%), followed by Other (unnamed breaks, 18%), Fitzroy (7%), Graveyards (7%), Mangahume (7%), Kumara Patch (6%). Other breaks such as Ahu Ahu Road, Oakura made up the remaining 16%, although none of these had a preferred rating higher than 4%.
Taranaki Festival of the Arts dates for 2007
The Taranaki Festival of the Arts dates for 2007 are 26 July – 12th August.
The Taranaki Festival of the Arts 2005 was a huge success with almost 21,000 people coming through our festival gateway!
More than 250 international and New Zealand artists and performers featured in the line-up for the 2005 event. Theatre, contemporary music, fine music, choirs, literature, dance, visual arts, film, cabaret and even an ice skating rink combined in a programme of events that promised something for everyone.
2005 performances included:Hit circus act Cirque Eloize with Nomade – At night the sky is endless; Scottish performer Eddi Reader; Australia’s Mikelangelo and the Black Sea Gentlemen; The Maori Volcanics; and the acclaimed Vienna Boys Choir featuring The Combined School Choirs of New Plymouth. Plus many more!
http://www.artsfest.co.nz/index.html
The Taranaki Festival of the Arts 2005 was a huge success with almost 21,000 people coming through our festival gateway!
More than 250 international and New Zealand artists and performers featured in the line-up for the 2005 event. Theatre, contemporary music, fine music, choirs, literature, dance, visual arts, film, cabaret and even an ice skating rink combined in a programme of events that promised something for everyone.
2005 performances included:Hit circus act Cirque Eloize with Nomade – At night the sky is endless; Scottish performer Eddi Reader; Australia’s Mikelangelo and the Black Sea Gentlemen; The Maori Volcanics; and the acclaimed Vienna Boys Choir featuring The Combined School Choirs of New Plymouth. Plus many more!
http://www.artsfest.co.nz/index.html
South Taranaki 1881-1886
South Taranaki 1881–86: farming for what?
Writing on 19 February 1886 the Hawera correspondent of the Auckland Weekly News told of discussions going on in the town as to the future use of the Tawhiti flourmill. Built in 1881, this fine building, with excellent water power (‘motive enough to turn the universe’), well situated half a mile from the town and a quarter of a mile from the railway station, was up for lease on very reasonable terms. There was some agitation for it to be used for a meat tinning works, to fill the gap left by the collapse of Patea's West Coast Meat Preserving Company, following the destruction by fire of its works the previous May. The other proposal being mooted was a woollen mill. Al-though the district as yet had no dairy factory, no mention was made of this as a possible use. In fact the building shortly reopened to continue as a flourmill under a new owner, George Ogle. He finally closed the business and dismantled the mill in 1910. Today the dominant farm processing concern in the district is the giant Kiwi dairy factory at Whareroa. Local resi-dents must find it difficult to imagine a time when the farming options seemed wide open, and discussion on them could ignore dairying. As late as 1883 the storekeepers of Patea, Hawera and Normanby were complaining that dairying was being neglected in the district and they were having to import a large proportion of their butter
Writing on 19 February 1886 the Hawera correspondent of the Auckland Weekly News told of discussions going on in the town as to the future use of the Tawhiti flourmill. Built in 1881, this fine building, with excellent water power (‘motive enough to turn the universe’), well situated half a mile from the town and a quarter of a mile from the railway station, was up for lease on very reasonable terms. There was some agitation for it to be used for a meat tinning works, to fill the gap left by the collapse of Patea's West Coast Meat Preserving Company, following the destruction by fire of its works the previous May. The other proposal being mooted was a woollen mill. Al-though the district as yet had no dairy factory, no mention was made of this as a possible use. In fact the building shortly reopened to continue as a flourmill under a new owner, George Ogle. He finally closed the business and dismantled the mill in 1910. Today the dominant farm processing concern in the district is the giant Kiwi dairy factory at Whareroa. Local resi-dents must find it difficult to imagine a time when the farming options seemed wide open, and discussion on them could ignore dairying. As late as 1883 the storekeepers of Patea, Hawera and Normanby were complaining that dairying was being neglected in the district and they were having to import a large proportion of their butter
The South Taranaki War 1868-69
'Titokowaru's War' The war fought in South Taranaki between 1868 and 1869 is sometimes given a name like 'Titokowaru's War.' For example, in the 1920s, historian James Cowan called it 'Titokowaru's campaign'.
Labels like 'Titokowaru's campaign' name the conflict after Titokowaru, who led the Maori in their fight against the Armed Constabulary and settler Volunteer Units. However, these days, the tendancy is not to name such wars after one or other of the sometimes many protagonists involved.
How did the war start? On 19 June, 1867, during a short skirmish, two surveyors and a military settler were killed by Maori at Ketemarae, a large bush clearing near Normanby. These days, the Ketemarae Marae of Ngati Ruanui stands near the site of the killings.
The Maori involved in the skirmish fled to Te Ngutu O Te Manu, the bush stronghold of Titokowaru. At the time, Titokowaru was well known to settlers, though he had given them little cause to think that, one day, he might lead a war of Maori against them. But tensions were high in the area. Titokowaru refused to hand over the Maori involved in the killings to the authorities. War was the result
Why were tensions so high in South Taranaki in 1868?
To answer this, we need to go back by about 8 years. Following the earlier war in North Taranaki of 1860/61, the lands of Maori 'deemed to have been in armed rebellion against the Crown' were confiscated. Titokowaru's war was substantially a war fought against the enforcement of these land confiscations.
Titokowaru's fighting force mainly came from Ngati Ruanui and Nga Ruahine, two southern Taranaki tribes.
On the 12 July 1868, the Redoubt at Turuturumokai was attacked by a taua (war Party) from Titokowaru's base camp. About 26 men were stationed there, at the time of the attack.
The attack was launched at dawn, in very wet and cold conditions. Some of the younger Maori who took part would later speak of crouching for most of the night in the freezing cold, under soaking ferns nearby, waiting for the order to attack. They were only lightly clad, which was ideal for fighting but not for sitting still throughout a very cold July evening in Taranaki.
The attack was a complete surprise to the garrison.
On 21 August 1868, the first Armed Constabulary retaliatory attack was launched on the base camp of Titokowaru.
On 7 September the second attack on Te Ngutu O Te Manu was launched. This attack ended in chaos for the Armed Constabulary; and a major defeat resulted. Among those killed was Major Gustavus Von Tempsky.
Labels like 'Titokowaru's campaign' name the conflict after Titokowaru, who led the Maori in their fight against the Armed Constabulary and settler Volunteer Units. However, these days, the tendancy is not to name such wars after one or other of the sometimes many protagonists involved.
How did the war start? On 19 June, 1867, during a short skirmish, two surveyors and a military settler were killed by Maori at Ketemarae, a large bush clearing near Normanby. These days, the Ketemarae Marae of Ngati Ruanui stands near the site of the killings.
The Maori involved in the skirmish fled to Te Ngutu O Te Manu, the bush stronghold of Titokowaru. At the time, Titokowaru was well known to settlers, though he had given them little cause to think that, one day, he might lead a war of Maori against them. But tensions were high in the area. Titokowaru refused to hand over the Maori involved in the killings to the authorities. War was the result
Why were tensions so high in South Taranaki in 1868?
To answer this, we need to go back by about 8 years. Following the earlier war in North Taranaki of 1860/61, the lands of Maori 'deemed to have been in armed rebellion against the Crown' were confiscated. Titokowaru's war was substantially a war fought against the enforcement of these land confiscations.
Titokowaru's fighting force mainly came from Ngati Ruanui and Nga Ruahine, two southern Taranaki tribes.
On the 12 July 1868, the Redoubt at Turuturumokai was attacked by a taua (war Party) from Titokowaru's base camp. About 26 men were stationed there, at the time of the attack.
The attack was launched at dawn, in very wet and cold conditions. Some of the younger Maori who took part would later speak of crouching for most of the night in the freezing cold, under soaking ferns nearby, waiting for the order to attack. They were only lightly clad, which was ideal for fighting but not for sitting still throughout a very cold July evening in Taranaki.
The attack was a complete surprise to the garrison.
On 21 August 1868, the first Armed Constabulary retaliatory attack was launched on the base camp of Titokowaru.
On 7 September the second attack on Te Ngutu O Te Manu was launched. This attack ended in chaos for the Armed Constabulary; and a major defeat resulted. Among those killed was Major Gustavus Von Tempsky.
Tuesday, May 30
King's to show private collections
30 May 2006
By RICHARD WOODDOld newsreels, cartoons, and New Zealand events from two large private 16mm film collections are to be shown to the public in Stratford.
Most of the films are from the collection of Bruce Cook, who died 18 months ago and bequeathed it to the King's Theatre, where he spent much of his retirement years as a volunteer projectionist.
The other collection is in the custody of Stratford's Rosemary Macpherson, whose father Eric Gordon Macpherson, filmed every major event around Kaitaia, Northland, where he farmed until his death in 1974.
The TET King's Theatre will screen special Sunday 2pm matinee sessions from June 25.
The theatre manager, Barry Milner, and the head projectionist, Merv Sayer, are gradually working through the hundreds of reels, splicing short films together, labelling the tins and making up programmes for public showing.
Mr Milner said Mr Cook collected 16mm film as a hobby. "For some reason he didn't send any of his collection to the NZ Film Archive, he wanted it kept intact here, so we've set up the Bruce Cook Film Library at the theatre. He had about 10 projectors and we have four of them working. It's slow work, but we're finding all sorts of gems."
These included 1950s newsreels, cartoons, feature films; documentaries on Rotorua, the inaugural trip of the first red railcar from Wellington to Napier; the Crown Lynn pottery factory; the first Beazley Home being built in Auckland; performing chimpanzees in a film called Manhattan Monkey Business; an interview with Peter Snell after he broke the world mile record at Wanganui; the Milford Track; Endeavour on the Ice, about a US icebreaker in the Antarctic; circuses and zoos; NZ National Film Unit Pictorial Parade; Movietone News; Universal International News 1954; Termites from Mars a six-minute cartoon; the Golden Shears championships.
"There are a couple of Danny Kaye short films, some Pete Smith Specials and possibly a Joe McDoak – people will remember them being shown preceding the feature film in the 50s and 60s," Mr Milner said. "There's one silent film that someone has shot of a trip in a Vanguard car from Rotorua to about Hawera. They stop to boil the billy and show us the sights along the way."
Eric Macpherson was a British-born schoolteacher who bought his first movie camera in 1927 (it's on display at King's) and died in 1974. He came out to visit his brother and ended up buying a farm at Peria, Northland. He filmed every major event around Kaitaia, including Opo the dolphin.
Rosemary, who is custodian of the material, is having the film transferred to DVD by a local contractor, Tony Kelly.
In January 1925, King's Theatre was the first theatre in the world outside Hollywood to show sound film.
Mr Milner said Bill Kirkwood, a former Stratford mayor, was one of the syndicate which built the theatre and he bought the importing rights to the De Forrest Phono System and installed it in the theatre. This was two years before The Jazz Singer, the first talkie feature film made.
"We'll start showing film from the collections on June 25, and thereafter on the last Sunday of the month, for as long as it remains popular," Mr Milner said. "There'll be a small cover charge for the theatre."
By RICHARD WOODDOld newsreels, cartoons, and New Zealand events from two large private 16mm film collections are to be shown to the public in Stratford.
Most of the films are from the collection of Bruce Cook, who died 18 months ago and bequeathed it to the King's Theatre, where he spent much of his retirement years as a volunteer projectionist.
The other collection is in the custody of Stratford's Rosemary Macpherson, whose father Eric Gordon Macpherson, filmed every major event around Kaitaia, Northland, where he farmed until his death in 1974.
The TET King's Theatre will screen special Sunday 2pm matinee sessions from June 25.
The theatre manager, Barry Milner, and the head projectionist, Merv Sayer, are gradually working through the hundreds of reels, splicing short films together, labelling the tins and making up programmes for public showing.
Mr Milner said Mr Cook collected 16mm film as a hobby. "For some reason he didn't send any of his collection to the NZ Film Archive, he wanted it kept intact here, so we've set up the Bruce Cook Film Library at the theatre. He had about 10 projectors and we have four of them working. It's slow work, but we're finding all sorts of gems."
These included 1950s newsreels, cartoons, feature films; documentaries on Rotorua, the inaugural trip of the first red railcar from Wellington to Napier; the Crown Lynn pottery factory; the first Beazley Home being built in Auckland; performing chimpanzees in a film called Manhattan Monkey Business; an interview with Peter Snell after he broke the world mile record at Wanganui; the Milford Track; Endeavour on the Ice, about a US icebreaker in the Antarctic; circuses and zoos; NZ National Film Unit Pictorial Parade; Movietone News; Universal International News 1954; Termites from Mars a six-minute cartoon; the Golden Shears championships.
"There are a couple of Danny Kaye short films, some Pete Smith Specials and possibly a Joe McDoak – people will remember them being shown preceding the feature film in the 50s and 60s," Mr Milner said. "There's one silent film that someone has shot of a trip in a Vanguard car from Rotorua to about Hawera. They stop to boil the billy and show us the sights along the way."
Eric Macpherson was a British-born schoolteacher who bought his first movie camera in 1927 (it's on display at King's) and died in 1974. He came out to visit his brother and ended up buying a farm at Peria, Northland. He filmed every major event around Kaitaia, including Opo the dolphin.
Rosemary, who is custodian of the material, is having the film transferred to DVD by a local contractor, Tony Kelly.
In January 1925, King's Theatre was the first theatre in the world outside Hollywood to show sound film.
Mr Milner said Bill Kirkwood, a former Stratford mayor, was one of the syndicate which built the theatre and he bought the importing rights to the De Forrest Phono System and installed it in the theatre. This was two years before The Jazz Singer, the first talkie feature film made.
"We'll start showing film from the collections on June 25, and thereafter on the last Sunday of the month, for as long as it remains popular," Mr Milner said. "There'll be a small cover charge for the theatre."
Sunday, May 28
Mokoia
By David Bruce
In the 1940s they agitated for a pedestrian crossing on the main road at Mokoia.
With the dairy factory on the seaward side, along with the general store/post office, and the railway station and a scatter of railway and factory houses down Beach Rd and along the Old South Rd, there were a lot of kids wanting to cross the road to school in the morning and again in the afternoon. Crossing the road to the new school.
http://www.pukeariki.com/en/stories/businessandindustry/mokia.asp
In the 1940s they agitated for a pedestrian crossing on the main road at Mokoia.
With the dairy factory on the seaward side, along with the general store/post office, and the railway station and a scatter of railway and factory houses down Beach Rd and along the Old South Rd, there were a lot of kids wanting to cross the road to school in the morning and again in the afternoon. Crossing the road to the new school.
http://www.pukeariki.com/en/stories/businessandindustry/mokia.asp
Elvis Museum in Hawera
Kevin D. Wasley has been an avid collector of Elvismemorabilia since 1957. He was born and raised inHawera and attended Hawera High School.
A painter and paperhanger by trade, he is well known
and respected around Hawera and is often seen dressed
as "The King" but his pride and joy is the Elvis
Presley Memorial Record Room which he has developed
over the years in an adapted garage next to his home
The Elvis Room contains thousands of rare recordings,
souvenirs and memorabilia, many of which were collected
during the few trips Kevin has made to the home of Elvis
Presley. (He has been through the house itself 17 times!),
Graceland.
A painter and paperhanger by trade, he is well known
and respected around Hawera and is often seen dressed
as "The King" but his pride and joy is the Elvis
Presley Memorial Record Room which he has developed
over the years in an adapted garage next to his home
The Elvis Room contains thousands of rare recordings,
souvenirs and memorabilia, many of which were collected
during the few trips Kevin has made to the home of Elvis
Presley. (He has been through the house itself 17 times!),
Graceland.
Howard Morrison Quartet
The Howard Morrison Quartet
Howard Morrison was born in Rotorua in 1936, in a rugby-playing family. In 1955, while working as a surveyor's chainman, he started putting together vocal groups to entertain at rugby club socials in Rotorua. In 1956 he toured Australia as a member of the Aotearoa Concert Party.
Wi, Gerry, Noel and Howard On his return, he heard guitarist Gerry Merito and put together a group with Gerry and two others, Wi Wharekura and Noel Kingi, and named the group Howard Morrison Quartet. In 1958 they became part of Benny Levin's touring 'Pop Jamboree.' A recording they made of "Hoki Mai/ Po Karekare Ana" sold well, and in 1959 their parody of "The Battle Of New Orleans," recorded as The Battle Of The Waikato, became one of their biggest hits.
In 1960 they were so popular their managers released 13 singles, 3 EP's and 2 LP's. Another parody of Lonnie Donegan, "My Old Man's A Dustman" was rewritten by Gerry Merito as "My Old Man's An All Black." This was highly topical because of the huge controversy over Maoris not being allowed to tour South Africa with that year's All Blacks.
Moving into 1962, two of their singles were more parodies, with Ray Steven's "Ahab The Arab" becoming "Mori The Hori" and Pat Boone's "Speedy Gonzales" becoming "George The Wilder Colonial Boy", celebrating the exploits of escaped convict George Wilder.
Due to the constant touring and absence from families, the quartet disbanded in 1965.
The Haka
What is a haka?
Haka is the generic name for all Maori dance. Today, haka is defined as that part of the Maori dance repertoire where the men are to the fore with the women lending vocal support in the rear. Most haka seen today are haka taparahi, men's ceremonial dance-poetry performed without weapons.
"More than any aspect of Maori culture, this complex dance is an expression of the passion, vigour and identity of the race. Haka is not merely a pastime of the Maori but was also a custom of high social importance in the welcoming and entertainment of visitors. Tribal reputation rose and fell on their ability to perform the haka."
(Mahuika, 1972)
http://folksong.org.nz/ka_mate/index.html
Haka is the generic name for all Maori dance. Today, haka is defined as that part of the Maori dance repertoire where the men are to the fore with the women lending vocal support in the rear. Most haka seen today are haka taparahi, men's ceremonial dance-poetry performed without weapons.
"More than any aspect of Maori culture, this complex dance is an expression of the passion, vigour and identity of the race. Haka is not merely a pastime of the Maori but was also a custom of high social importance in the welcoming and entertainment of visitors. Tribal reputation rose and fell on their ability to perform the haka."
(Mahuika, 1972)
http://folksong.org.nz/ka_mate/index.html
Saturday, May 27
Hawera impresses sister city mayor
27 May 2006
By CRAIG JEFFREYFirst impressions count – and for the visiting Mayor of Hawera's Chinese sister city, Harbin, Taranaki's landscape gave him a sense of people living happy, comfortable and relaxed lives.
The delegation, with five representatives from Harbin's development zone, foreign affairs and financial sectors were welcomed by South Taranaki deputy mayor Jack Rangiwahia yesterday.
The sister city relationship was forged two years ago and while it is still in its infancy, cultural and educational exchanges have been mapped out with a planned visit from a group Harbin of 16 and 17-year-olds.
Sharing information is high on the agenda, with the Chinese keen to learn more about New Zealand's excellence in dairy technology and farming.
It was Mayor Zhongxin's first visit to New Zealand, and through an interpreter, he was glowing in his view of Taranaki.
"We live in a city of 3 million people, which covers an area of 23,000km? so the landscape you have here is beautiful and relaxing," he said.
After a formal welcome and exchange of gifts, the delegation visited Hawera Intermediate School, where students had learned some Mandarin through their language studies.
The delegation then got a taste of Kiwi culture and history with a visit to Tawhiti museum and dinner at the Aotea Marae.
An official tree-planting ceremony will be held next to the Chinese garden at King Edward Park today at noon, followed by a scenic bus trip back to New Plymouth, where the visitors fly out at 4.15pm.
By CRAIG JEFFREYFirst impressions count – and for the visiting Mayor of Hawera's Chinese sister city, Harbin, Taranaki's landscape gave him a sense of people living happy, comfortable and relaxed lives.
The delegation, with five representatives from Harbin's development zone, foreign affairs and financial sectors were welcomed by South Taranaki deputy mayor Jack Rangiwahia yesterday.
The sister city relationship was forged two years ago and while it is still in its infancy, cultural and educational exchanges have been mapped out with a planned visit from a group Harbin of 16 and 17-year-olds.
Sharing information is high on the agenda, with the Chinese keen to learn more about New Zealand's excellence in dairy technology and farming.
It was Mayor Zhongxin's first visit to New Zealand, and through an interpreter, he was glowing in his view of Taranaki.
"We live in a city of 3 million people, which covers an area of 23,000km? so the landscape you have here is beautiful and relaxing," he said.
After a formal welcome and exchange of gifts, the delegation visited Hawera Intermediate School, where students had learned some Mandarin through their language studies.
The delegation then got a taste of Kiwi culture and history with a visit to Tawhiti museum and dinner at the Aotea Marae.
An official tree-planting ceremony will be held next to the Chinese garden at King Edward Park today at noon, followed by a scenic bus trip back to New Plymouth, where the visitors fly out at 4.15pm.
New Plymouth's Womens Rest Room
Rita comes home for party 27 May 2006
By ROCHELLE WEST Not many could boast calling a toilet block home. New Plymouth's Rita Thomas can.
The 91-year-old, who was the custodian of the New Plymouth Women's Rest Rooms from 1969 to 1978, not only cleaned the toilets, she lived in the building – and loved it.
Living in a flat at the rear of the rest rooms, Mrs Thomas enjoyed the convenience of inner-city living long before it became popular.
She was employed by the council to look after the popular refuge for women – day and night.
Returning to the quaint public toilets on James Lane yesterday to celebrate the rest rooms' 70th birthday party, the memories flowed for Mrs Thomas.
There were the Friday nights when giggling school girls would change into their glad-rags in the pristine women's toilets, slap on their make-up and emerge from the cubicles young ladies for a night out.
Then there was a time in the 1970s, when the Huatoki Stream burst its banks.
Muddy waters and more than the odd rat surrounded the well-built stucco building.
"The water was right at the back door, it came up the steps. I had to be carried out."
Merchandise, including fridges and babies' clothes, from nearby flooded shops floated by as Mrs Thomas' family saved her from her watery home.
There was also the work. "My job was keeping everything clean – all the toilets, replacing toilet paper and soap, washing the floors and polishing the floors."
Today, rest room attendants look after the building during day-time hours, with the old flat being converted into an office and staff room.
Mrs Thomas was one of dozens of women and the odd man to join in the rest rooms' 70th birthday afternoon tea party yesterday.
As well as the usual party food treats, a giant cake – complete with colour photograph of the rest rooms mounted in the icing – was cut for all to sample.
The women's rest rooms, often described as a haven for women, have had a colourful history to rival its bright colour scheme.
It has survived the threat of demolition on several occasions – the latest was recently, when women rallied to successfully fight the New Plymouth District Council, which planned to demolish or move the building to make way for the Huatoki development.
More than 3000 people signed a petition to stop the demolition.
Built for the New Plymouth Borough Council in 1936, the James Lane rest rooms replaced the old women's toilets opposite the fire station on Courtenay St.
According to Puke Ariki reseachers, the central location and ease of access was heralded as a breakthrough for women of the time, especially "country visitors".
Last year, the rest rooms received recognition of its status – winning an award for the best public rest rooms in New Zealand.
By ROCHELLE WEST Not many could boast calling a toilet block home. New Plymouth's Rita Thomas can.
The 91-year-old, who was the custodian of the New Plymouth Women's Rest Rooms from 1969 to 1978, not only cleaned the toilets, she lived in the building – and loved it.
Living in a flat at the rear of the rest rooms, Mrs Thomas enjoyed the convenience of inner-city living long before it became popular.
She was employed by the council to look after the popular refuge for women – day and night.
Returning to the quaint public toilets on James Lane yesterday to celebrate the rest rooms' 70th birthday party, the memories flowed for Mrs Thomas.
There were the Friday nights when giggling school girls would change into their glad-rags in the pristine women's toilets, slap on their make-up and emerge from the cubicles young ladies for a night out.
Then there was a time in the 1970s, when the Huatoki Stream burst its banks.
Muddy waters and more than the odd rat surrounded the well-built stucco building.
"The water was right at the back door, it came up the steps. I had to be carried out."
Merchandise, including fridges and babies' clothes, from nearby flooded shops floated by as Mrs Thomas' family saved her from her watery home.
There was also the work. "My job was keeping everything clean – all the toilets, replacing toilet paper and soap, washing the floors and polishing the floors."
Today, rest room attendants look after the building during day-time hours, with the old flat being converted into an office and staff room.
Mrs Thomas was one of dozens of women and the odd man to join in the rest rooms' 70th birthday afternoon tea party yesterday.
As well as the usual party food treats, a giant cake – complete with colour photograph of the rest rooms mounted in the icing – was cut for all to sample.
The women's rest rooms, often described as a haven for women, have had a colourful history to rival its bright colour scheme.
It has survived the threat of demolition on several occasions – the latest was recently, when women rallied to successfully fight the New Plymouth District Council, which planned to demolish or move the building to make way for the Huatoki development.
More than 3000 people signed a petition to stop the demolition.
Built for the New Plymouth Borough Council in 1936, the James Lane rest rooms replaced the old women's toilets opposite the fire station on Courtenay St.
According to Puke Ariki reseachers, the central location and ease of access was heralded as a breakthrough for women of the time, especially "country visitors".
Last year, the rest rooms received recognition of its status – winning an award for the best public rest rooms in New Zealand.
Sunday, May 21
Role models of the past in Taranaki
05.06.05By Helen Frances
South Taranaki Museum in Patea is a wonderful place to rummage through, somewhere like your grandmother's house perhaps, where you stumble across some odd piece of technology or uncover a forgotten childhood treasure. It was a welcome dry spot on one of those days that help to produce the lush green grass for the region's dairy industry. It also led me to the fascinating Tawhiti Museum near Hawera. Between the two, a dismal day suddenly became a lot of fun. It was the sight of the Aotea Canoe floating in the rain above the main street of Patea which first attracted my attention. As kids back in the 50s and 60s we made our own fun on those weekend visits to the museum and this turned out to be just as intriguing. After a quick intro by museum volunteer and local councillor, Warwick Fry, I wandered through the rooms, marvelling at the stuff our Maori and European forebears used in their daily lives. Gramophones with trumpets, early typewriters, and antique telephones crowded the shelves, all within touching distance. The no-glass case displays continued through the Agricultural and Machinery room, where early separators and churns mixed it with horse-drawn gigs and fire trucks. Women didn't feature much in the displays so their minor presence was all the more conspicuous in the Trade and Industry room, where an antique mannequin stuck her head out of an iron lung used to help polio victims breathe at Patea Hospital in the 1950s. A harassed looking woman glared over the monthly washing in 1890. She was surrounded by instruments such as mangles, evidence of the intensely manual work of the times. Women's lives were a bit on the margins in this museum but their role was certainly clear in the court devoted to domesticity. Maori history is also a little thinner than you might expect. Maori arrived in Patea in the 14th century after navigators Turi and Rongo-Rongo found their way following directions from Kupe to look for "the river flowing towards the setting sun". In the Maori court, an unadorned fishing canoe that had been dug out of a swamp looked battered, yet solid, beneath paintings of Oriwa Haddon, the first Maori painter to show work at a Fine Arts exhibition in the capital city. Valuable cloaks, tools, and piu piu are housed behind glass in this room. But the dairy industry is certainly not forgotten. In the 1940s Patea Port was the world's largest cheese exporter and the life of the port unfolded as I strolled through a wood-panelled corridor in a simulated ship's hold accompanied by the cries of seagulls and wash of waves. Twelve portholes offered evocative glimpses into scenes from the past of a tribal settlement and once-thriving sea town. "Ooh, that one's creepy," cried a child to her mother, backing away from one porthole, where a life-size model of Skipper Barnes was busy transmitting from a ship's radio. I discovered local artist Nigel Ogle created these gems and his wonderful museum at the old Tawhiti cheese factory was the next, unexpected visit that afternoon. "You mustn't miss it," urged Warwick, so, spurred on by this fellow museum vote of confidence, I set off to Hawera and Taranaki's answer to Madame Tussauds. Tawhiti Museum was slick after Patea's olde curiosity shoppe style. A vast number of figures, made by Nigel, played out the dramas of local history in scenes of war, work and family life. The scenes are illustrated in a range of different-sized scenes, from life-size proportions to miniatures. The figures are modelled on real people and look amazingly alive. A frazzled mother in curlers holding a baby in one arm and stirring a pot with another while a toddler screamed at her apron strings brought back memories, while a chap leaping up from a long drop when the door was opened caught everyone by surprise. In other scenes, men were busy fixing cars, shearing and slaughtering sheep while women served behind counters, cooked and sewed. The Brock family rooms take visitors close up to early middle-class life at home. A kid smears her face with lipstick as the parents prepare to go out, a drawing room scene sings when you push a button and toffee spills from a child's pot in the kitchen. Maori life in the region and Kimble Bent's escape from the British Army in 1865 to live with the Hauhau tribe are also illustrated with imagination and Nigel's meticulous attention to detail in a series of dioramas. This former art teacher has turned a hobby and talent into a full-time business and has produced a hugely informative work of art that continues to grow. In Badger's Cafe next door a series of models from The Wind in the Willows illustrate scenes from the book. Musing over a cuppa and a delicious home-baked cake, I realised I should have allowed more time for Tawhiti, but that is what happens when you just follow your nose.
South Taranaki Museum in Patea is a wonderful place to rummage through, somewhere like your grandmother's house perhaps, where you stumble across some odd piece of technology or uncover a forgotten childhood treasure. It was a welcome dry spot on one of those days that help to produce the lush green grass for the region's dairy industry. It also led me to the fascinating Tawhiti Museum near Hawera. Between the two, a dismal day suddenly became a lot of fun. It was the sight of the Aotea Canoe floating in the rain above the main street of Patea which first attracted my attention. As kids back in the 50s and 60s we made our own fun on those weekend visits to the museum and this turned out to be just as intriguing. After a quick intro by museum volunteer and local councillor, Warwick Fry, I wandered through the rooms, marvelling at the stuff our Maori and European forebears used in their daily lives. Gramophones with trumpets, early typewriters, and antique telephones crowded the shelves, all within touching distance. The no-glass case displays continued through the Agricultural and Machinery room, where early separators and churns mixed it with horse-drawn gigs and fire trucks. Women didn't feature much in the displays so their minor presence was all the more conspicuous in the Trade and Industry room, where an antique mannequin stuck her head out of an iron lung used to help polio victims breathe at Patea Hospital in the 1950s. A harassed looking woman glared over the monthly washing in 1890. She was surrounded by instruments such as mangles, evidence of the intensely manual work of the times. Women's lives were a bit on the margins in this museum but their role was certainly clear in the court devoted to domesticity. Maori history is also a little thinner than you might expect. Maori arrived in Patea in the 14th century after navigators Turi and Rongo-Rongo found their way following directions from Kupe to look for "the river flowing towards the setting sun". In the Maori court, an unadorned fishing canoe that had been dug out of a swamp looked battered, yet solid, beneath paintings of Oriwa Haddon, the first Maori painter to show work at a Fine Arts exhibition in the capital city. Valuable cloaks, tools, and piu piu are housed behind glass in this room. But the dairy industry is certainly not forgotten. In the 1940s Patea Port was the world's largest cheese exporter and the life of the port unfolded as I strolled through a wood-panelled corridor in a simulated ship's hold accompanied by the cries of seagulls and wash of waves. Twelve portholes offered evocative glimpses into scenes from the past of a tribal settlement and once-thriving sea town. "Ooh, that one's creepy," cried a child to her mother, backing away from one porthole, where a life-size model of Skipper Barnes was busy transmitting from a ship's radio. I discovered local artist Nigel Ogle created these gems and his wonderful museum at the old Tawhiti cheese factory was the next, unexpected visit that afternoon. "You mustn't miss it," urged Warwick, so, spurred on by this fellow museum vote of confidence, I set off to Hawera and Taranaki's answer to Madame Tussauds. Tawhiti Museum was slick after Patea's olde curiosity shoppe style. A vast number of figures, made by Nigel, played out the dramas of local history in scenes of war, work and family life. The scenes are illustrated in a range of different-sized scenes, from life-size proportions to miniatures. The figures are modelled on real people and look amazingly alive. A frazzled mother in curlers holding a baby in one arm and stirring a pot with another while a toddler screamed at her apron strings brought back memories, while a chap leaping up from a long drop when the door was opened caught everyone by surprise. In other scenes, men were busy fixing cars, shearing and slaughtering sheep while women served behind counters, cooked and sewed. The Brock family rooms take visitors close up to early middle-class life at home. A kid smears her face with lipstick as the parents prepare to go out, a drawing room scene sings when you push a button and toffee spills from a child's pot in the kitchen. Maori life in the region and Kimble Bent's escape from the British Army in 1865 to live with the Hauhau tribe are also illustrated with imagination and Nigel's meticulous attention to detail in a series of dioramas. This former art teacher has turned a hobby and talent into a full-time business and has produced a hugely informative work of art that continues to grow. In Badger's Cafe next door a series of models from The Wind in the Willows illustrate scenes from the book. Musing over a cuppa and a delicious home-baked cake, I realised I should have allowed more time for Tawhiti, but that is what happens when you just follow your nose.
Ferdinand the bull
By Virginia Winder
Taranaki rugby mascot Ferdinand the Bull survived one fire, a goring from boar tusks, a broken back and an attack by police.
But in the end he became a victim of fashion.
It all began in the early 1950s, when Taranaki supporters decided to challenge Waikato's dairy industry icon.
An article published in a Taranaki Rugby Annual 1978-79 tells the story.
It says that in 1952, when the northern foes held the Ranfurly Shield, Mooloo the cow was the emblem of Waikato.
Murray Mitchell and Geoff Bendall built the bull in Geoff's parents garage. "We built it out of straw, number eight wire and papier mache," said Mr Mitchell.
Bovine birth
And so Ferdinand was born.
His first trip out onto Rugby Park, with Mr Mitchell as the back legs and Mr Bendall as the front, was a rainy day - not ideal for a papier mache bull.
"It was pissing down with rain - and the ground was all sloppy. Before we even got out onto the field we'd fallen over," said Mr Mitchell. "We went out and took a bow. The crowd went burko they thought it was wonderful. The guy on the microphone said 'you've heard of Mooloo - well now you've got Ferdinand
http://www.pukeariki.com/en/stories/sport/ferdinandthebull.asp
Taranaki rugby mascot Ferdinand the Bull survived one fire, a goring from boar tusks, a broken back and an attack by police.
But in the end he became a victim of fashion.
It all began in the early 1950s, when Taranaki supporters decided to challenge Waikato's dairy industry icon.
An article published in a Taranaki Rugby Annual 1978-79 tells the story.
It says that in 1952, when the northern foes held the Ranfurly Shield, Mooloo the cow was the emblem of Waikato.
Murray Mitchell and Geoff Bendall built the bull in Geoff's parents garage. "We built it out of straw, number eight wire and papier mache," said Mr Mitchell.
Bovine birth
And so Ferdinand was born.
His first trip out onto Rugby Park, with Mr Mitchell as the back legs and Mr Bendall as the front, was a rainy day - not ideal for a papier mache bull.
"It was pissing down with rain - and the ground was all sloppy. Before we even got out onto the field we'd fallen over," said Mr Mitchell. "We went out and took a bow. The crowd went burko they thought it was wonderful. The guy on the microphone said 'you've heard of Mooloo - well now you've got Ferdinand
http://www.pukeariki.com/en/stories/sport/ferdinandthebull.asp
Wednesday, May 17
Let us take a few risks
For our sakes, let us take a few risks 16 May 2006
This week is Youth Week, and in the second of a five-part series featuing the opinions of young people in the district, Stuart Julian writes on issues that concern him. Youth Week aims to highlight the positive input young people make in their communities.
We are the super generation of youth. Social scientists have studied the trends of children for hundreds of years to come to this conclusion, and yet they see a flaw, a single imperfection that could quash all of the great expectations of our super-stature. We as a nation, our youth, our parents and our leaders, are turning soft.
My parents tell me stories of their childhood hardships – "back in my day . . ." I would grow tired of these pretty early and would soon learn the art of selective hearing.
Today's youth take for granted what they have got. Now I realise that with a bit of hard parenting and lack of technology, our older generations have gained not just physical toughness from climbing mountains each day, barefoot over gravel and snow, but mental toughness also.
My mother would tell me she biked from Waiwhakaiho and back – all the way from Seaview Road for every single netball game she played. In today's society, this would be regarded as an outstanding feat and would probably receive a gold medallion and a letter from the Queen herself. But she did it because it was all she knew, she didn't have her own personal car to drive wherever she pleased.
Nowadays, you would be lucky to see youth with the willpower to pry themselves away from the TV and just bike across Seaview Road.
We could argue that pure laziness is letting our New Zealand youth waste away, but there is an equally large factor. When I was a young child of eight, I was walking the 2km journey to Spotswood Primary alone. Until, of course, it was my turn to receive a large, shiny black bike for my 10th birthday, my parents thought it was good for me.
Slowly, our society has become too wrapped up in the belief that there is no way our children can make it to the dairy without being kidnapped, raped or slaughtered.
Has our world become so corrupt that we cannot let our children walk to the park – two blocks away – without parental supervision? Is it so unruly and dangerous that we should install metal detectors in pre-schools? Sure, there are a lot of bad guys out there and they have a new age of weapons in their arsenals – this in turn brings double the paranoia in parents.
But we must let our children experience risk and hardship, to condition them for the future and give them the confidence to push back when being pushed. Youth of today need to stop wasting the sunshine and get active, to play a part in this vibrant community.
Parents, to instil good habits and attitude for the future – for theirs and everybody else's sake – let your kids walk to the park every now and then – during the day of course.
STUART JULIAN is 17 years old and the chairperson of the New Plymouth District Council youth subcommittee.
The year 13 student is head boy at Spotswood College. He plans to further his education at university next year.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/dailynews/0,2106,3669100a6554,00.html
This week is Youth Week, and in the second of a five-part series featuing the opinions of young people in the district, Stuart Julian writes on issues that concern him. Youth Week aims to highlight the positive input young people make in their communities.
We are the super generation of youth. Social scientists have studied the trends of children for hundreds of years to come to this conclusion, and yet they see a flaw, a single imperfection that could quash all of the great expectations of our super-stature. We as a nation, our youth, our parents and our leaders, are turning soft.
My parents tell me stories of their childhood hardships – "back in my day . . ." I would grow tired of these pretty early and would soon learn the art of selective hearing.
Today's youth take for granted what they have got. Now I realise that with a bit of hard parenting and lack of technology, our older generations have gained not just physical toughness from climbing mountains each day, barefoot over gravel and snow, but mental toughness also.
My mother would tell me she biked from Waiwhakaiho and back – all the way from Seaview Road for every single netball game she played. In today's society, this would be regarded as an outstanding feat and would probably receive a gold medallion and a letter from the Queen herself. But she did it because it was all she knew, she didn't have her own personal car to drive wherever she pleased.
Nowadays, you would be lucky to see youth with the willpower to pry themselves away from the TV and just bike across Seaview Road.
We could argue that pure laziness is letting our New Zealand youth waste away, but there is an equally large factor. When I was a young child of eight, I was walking the 2km journey to Spotswood Primary alone. Until, of course, it was my turn to receive a large, shiny black bike for my 10th birthday, my parents thought it was good for me.
Slowly, our society has become too wrapped up in the belief that there is no way our children can make it to the dairy without being kidnapped, raped or slaughtered.
Has our world become so corrupt that we cannot let our children walk to the park – two blocks away – without parental supervision? Is it so unruly and dangerous that we should install metal detectors in pre-schools? Sure, there are a lot of bad guys out there and they have a new age of weapons in their arsenals – this in turn brings double the paranoia in parents.
But we must let our children experience risk and hardship, to condition them for the future and give them the confidence to push back when being pushed. Youth of today need to stop wasting the sunshine and get active, to play a part in this vibrant community.
Parents, to instil good habits and attitude for the future – for theirs and everybody else's sake – let your kids walk to the park every now and then – during the day of course.
STUART JULIAN is 17 years old and the chairperson of the New Plymouth District Council youth subcommittee.
The year 13 student is head boy at Spotswood College. He plans to further his education at university next year.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/dailynews/0,2106,3669100a6554,00.html
Ronald Hugh Morrieson
'We were an average group of 12 to 14 year-olds having tons of fun on our bicycles,' he says of their teenage years. 'Morrieson's most valued possession was a Rudd Whitworth, the crème de la crème of bikes. We used to ride all over the place but we never did anything nasty. We never broke letterboxes or anything like that. It was only later in life we got in trouble with the cops.'
'I drank a lot at his place,' Robinson grins. 'But not what he made. Ron used to organise the beer from the local brewery in sugar sacks that held 4 dozen big bottles of beer. OC (Octopus Clamp) was one and VC (Victoria Cross) was the other made at the Hawera Brewery. Octopus Clamp came from a hold used by wrestler Lofty Bloomfield, a hero of Ron's.'
Along with a talent for music, Morrieson honed his amateur wrestling skills. Robinson remembers a night many years down the track when Morrieson treated his old mates to a social demonstration. 'My God! What a bloody performance. He got this school teacher and gave him 'an aerial helicopter.' Lifted him up, swung him round and round and threw him down on the floor, then lifted him up on his knees and dumped him. Poor fellow, he drank a bottle of brandy that night, and the next day drove the school bus, and he had to keep stopping to have a throw-up.'
He says Morrieson was seriously into billiards and snooker and even though playing for money was illegal, he suspects his friend made 'quite a lot' off his cue. 'We used to play a lot, Ron and I. He was far better than I because he didn't work. He didn't ever have a job. He spent yonks up in that pool room.'
http://www.pukeariki.com/en/stories/arts/morriesonprank.asp
http://www.pukeariki.com/en/stories/arts/morriesongoth.asp
http://www.pukeariki.com/en/stories/arts/morriesonscare.asp
Ronald Hugh Morrieson: A BiographyJulia Millen
Writer, musician, music teacher, Morrieson was also known as a drunken bum, a wastrel, a womaniser and a spiv. He played bass in dance bands and drank in pubs around Taranaki in the 1950s and this became the material for his novels. In life, as in his remarkable literature, he was an original.
'I drank a lot at his place,' Robinson grins. 'But not what he made. Ron used to organise the beer from the local brewery in sugar sacks that held 4 dozen big bottles of beer. OC (Octopus Clamp) was one and VC (Victoria Cross) was the other made at the Hawera Brewery. Octopus Clamp came from a hold used by wrestler Lofty Bloomfield, a hero of Ron's.'
Along with a talent for music, Morrieson honed his amateur wrestling skills. Robinson remembers a night many years down the track when Morrieson treated his old mates to a social demonstration. 'My God! What a bloody performance. He got this school teacher and gave him 'an aerial helicopter.' Lifted him up, swung him round and round and threw him down on the floor, then lifted him up on his knees and dumped him. Poor fellow, he drank a bottle of brandy that night, and the next day drove the school bus, and he had to keep stopping to have a throw-up.'
He says Morrieson was seriously into billiards and snooker and even though playing for money was illegal, he suspects his friend made 'quite a lot' off his cue. 'We used to play a lot, Ron and I. He was far better than I because he didn't work. He didn't ever have a job. He spent yonks up in that pool room.'
http://www.pukeariki.com/en/stories/arts/morriesonprank.asp
http://www.pukeariki.com/en/stories/arts/morriesongoth.asp
http://www.pukeariki.com/en/stories/arts/morriesonscare.asp
Ronald Hugh Morrieson: A BiographyJulia Millen
Writer, musician, music teacher, Morrieson was also known as a drunken bum, a wastrel, a womaniser and a spiv. He played bass in dance bands and drank in pubs around Taranaki in the 1950s and this became the material for his novels. In life, as in his remarkable literature, he was an original.
Monday, May 15
Sunday, May 14
Hotel owners looking to new options after blaze
13 May 2006
The New Commercial Hotel in Manaia could be reincarnated as a cafe-sports bar, its owners say.
The top floor of the 125-year-old hotel was destroyed by fire on Anzac Day. At the height of the fire, 32 firefighters from six brigades battled to bring it under control. An application for the renewal of the hotel's on-licence appeared in the Taranaki Daily News this week.
Owner Ian Taylor, whose family had owned the hotel for 12 years, said every effort would be made to keep the business running. "Otherwise I wouldn't have spent the money on getting a licence again. We want to reopen but unfortunately that place is now beyond being able to be used," Mr Taylor said.
"That pub won't be staying open. As from Monday or Tuesday next week, we will be starting to pull it down.
"We hope to be putting in more of a sports-type bar or a cafe-type sports bar and as things change in the town, we will move with it."
He had already made an appointment with a designer to draw up plans for a new building but was playing the waiting game with the insurance company.
"Once it is down on the ground then the insurance company and us will be discussing things more.
"But then at that stage it all depends on whether it comes under the insurance company's criteria, whether the insurance company covers the costs," Mr Taylor said.
The new building would be single storey with manager's accommodation out the back, he said.
There were a number of reasons why they wanted to keep the hotel running.
"We have lived in Manaia for quite a few years and we like Manaia. We don't like the idea of there being only one pub in the town and we like the idea of still running a hotel.
"We are also doing it for our cliental and the people in the town," he said.
The New Commercial Hotel in Manaia could be reincarnated as a cafe-sports bar, its owners say.
The top floor of the 125-year-old hotel was destroyed by fire on Anzac Day. At the height of the fire, 32 firefighters from six brigades battled to bring it under control. An application for the renewal of the hotel's on-licence appeared in the Taranaki Daily News this week.
Owner Ian Taylor, whose family had owned the hotel for 12 years, said every effort would be made to keep the business running. "Otherwise I wouldn't have spent the money on getting a licence again. We want to reopen but unfortunately that place is now beyond being able to be used," Mr Taylor said.
"That pub won't be staying open. As from Monday or Tuesday next week, we will be starting to pull it down.
"We hope to be putting in more of a sports-type bar or a cafe-type sports bar and as things change in the town, we will move with it."
He had already made an appointment with a designer to draw up plans for a new building but was playing the waiting game with the insurance company.
"Once it is down on the ground then the insurance company and us will be discussing things more.
"But then at that stage it all depends on whether it comes under the insurance company's criteria, whether the insurance company covers the costs," Mr Taylor said.
The new building would be single storey with manager's accommodation out the back, he said.
There were a number of reasons why they wanted to keep the hotel running.
"We have lived in Manaia for quite a few years and we like Manaia. We don't like the idea of there being only one pub in the town and we like the idea of still running a hotel.
"We are also doing it for our cliental and the people in the town," he said.
Friday, May 12
Spring Clean
SPRING CLEAN: Hawera's Handyman Barn, which has used house fittings piled in front of the shop front.RICHARD WOODD/Taranaki Daily News
C C Ward
Landmark NP store takes scissors to fabric section.11 May 2006
By MICHELLE SUTTONNew Plymouth department store CC Ward is cutting its fabric business.
The landmark store, which opened in 1891 and is renowned for stocking high-quality material, is phasing out its fabric department.
The children's clothing department will also close at the end of the season.
CC Ward owner Roslyn Holyoake said the two departments were closing because the store was too small to fit everything in.
Fourteen years ago, CC Ward stocked furnishings, but that was relocated because of a lack of space and later sold.
"Today we are faced with the same problem. The physical size of the store is too small to cater for the number of product lines we do."
The decision is in line with department stores Smith and Caugheys, in Auckland, and Kirkcaldie & Stains, in Wellington, which both dropped their fabric departments several years ago.
The extra space from the fabric section would be used to expand the bridal department, in particular ready-made bridal dresses.
"All of our departments need to be more specialised. Our bridal department, 10 years ago, never had a ready-made dress and today there are over 1300 dresses in that department."
New Plymouth sewing tutor Jenny Major said shoppers from around the country travelled to CC Ward because of the quality fabric.
"It's possibly a sign of the times because less people have time to sew these days, but having said that I have 80-90 students a week in our sewing classes."
The closure of the store's fabric department would make it difficult to find top-end fabrics in Taranaki, she said.
The weekly sewing classes, previously at CC Ward, would continue at Spotlight Stores in New Plymouth from term 3 in mid-July.
By MICHELLE SUTTONNew Plymouth department store CC Ward is cutting its fabric business.
The landmark store, which opened in 1891 and is renowned for stocking high-quality material, is phasing out its fabric department.
The children's clothing department will also close at the end of the season.
CC Ward owner Roslyn Holyoake said the two departments were closing because the store was too small to fit everything in.
Fourteen years ago, CC Ward stocked furnishings, but that was relocated because of a lack of space and later sold.
"Today we are faced with the same problem. The physical size of the store is too small to cater for the number of product lines we do."
The decision is in line with department stores Smith and Caugheys, in Auckland, and Kirkcaldie & Stains, in Wellington, which both dropped their fabric departments several years ago.
The extra space from the fabric section would be used to expand the bridal department, in particular ready-made bridal dresses.
"All of our departments need to be more specialised. Our bridal department, 10 years ago, never had a ready-made dress and today there are over 1300 dresses in that department."
New Plymouth sewing tutor Jenny Major said shoppers from around the country travelled to CC Ward because of the quality fabric.
"It's possibly a sign of the times because less people have time to sew these days, but having said that I have 80-90 students a week in our sewing classes."
The closure of the store's fabric department would make it difficult to find top-end fabrics in Taranaki, she said.
The weekly sewing classes, previously at CC Ward, would continue at Spotlight Stores in New Plymouth from term 3 in mid-July.
Wednesday, May 10
Goreme Restaurant -
http://www.geocities.com/goremerestaurant/ Where Wendy is currently - working on this website
Tuesday, May 2
NZ History
http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/handsonhistory This section of NZHistory.net.nz is to assist anyone who is researching, writing or teaching New Zealand history
The Classroom
NZ History Calendar
Events in New Zealand history throughout the year. Each day's event is displayed on the NZHistory.net.nz homepage. The week's events are also displayed in The Classroom.
Discuss NZ history
Ask questions or discuss New Zealand history topics. You have to register to post to the forum, but anyone can read what others have said.
Oral history guide
Learn how to prepare, record and process oral history interviews.
Genealogy Links
The Classroom
NZ History Calendar
Events in New Zealand history throughout the year. Each day's event is displayed on the NZHistory.net.nz homepage. The week's events are also displayed in The Classroom.
Discuss NZ history
Ask questions or discuss New Zealand history topics. You have to register to post to the forum, but anyone can read what others have said.
Oral history guide
Learn how to prepare, record and process oral history interviews.
Genealogy Links
Taranaki Movies
The Film Archive and Friends of the Eltham Town Hall proudly present Taranaki on Film, a selection of films made between 1912 and 1962.
Piano accompaniment by Paul Adams.
Scenes in Taranaki, New Zealand 1912Early newsreel showing oil exploration and scenic spots including Pukekura Park.Mt. Egmont, 1935 Scenic film of Taranaki and Mt Egmont, produced by the Government Publicity Office.King's Cinema Review, Park Day April 1, 1929A local newsreel showing activities at Park Day, Victoria Park, Stratford. These include a drill display by High School students, a brass band and "Bert" Vinsens Circus. Other scenes of Mt Taranaki, and trampers and skiers. Produced by Burgess - Threipland.A&P Show Hawera or Eltham, 1940 Filmed by Courtney Edgecombe, photographer from Hawera.Wedding, Elthanm Women's Institute, 1950Home movie madeby Courtney Edgecombe on his 8mm camera.Delivering Trams to Eltham, 1954New Plymouth film maker Caleb Wyatt, documented the trams move to new homes on farms in Eltham. Refloating of the Calm, 1956 (extract) The steamer Calm ran aground on Saturday 14 July 1956 at Waiweranui Point, near the Cape Egmont lighthouse. Salvage attempts eventually succeeded and Calm returned to New Plymouth. Five hundred spectators gathered on the wharf to cheer her arrival. Filmed by Caleb Wyatt.Eltham - Egmont August 1962Home movie made by RG Finn. The Finn family from Te Awamutu experience the snow on Taranaki. The children ride sleds down the mountain. Last scene is the family grouped outside the Eltham District Library.
This short programme will be followed by the video Official Opening of the Refurbished Eltham Town Hall, produced by The Friends of the Eltham Town Hall in conjunction with the South Taranaki District Council.
Piano accompaniment by Paul Adams.
Scenes in Taranaki, New Zealand 1912Early newsreel showing oil exploration and scenic spots including Pukekura Park.Mt. Egmont, 1935 Scenic film of Taranaki and Mt Egmont, produced by the Government Publicity Office.King's Cinema Review, Park Day April 1, 1929A local newsreel showing activities at Park Day, Victoria Park, Stratford. These include a drill display by High School students, a brass band and "Bert" Vinsens Circus. Other scenes of Mt Taranaki, and trampers and skiers. Produced by Burgess - Threipland.A&P Show Hawera or Eltham, 1940 Filmed by Courtney Edgecombe, photographer from Hawera.Wedding, Elthanm Women's Institute, 1950Home movie madeby Courtney Edgecombe on his 8mm camera.Delivering Trams to Eltham, 1954New Plymouth film maker Caleb Wyatt, documented the trams move to new homes on farms in Eltham. Refloating of the Calm, 1956 (extract) The steamer Calm ran aground on Saturday 14 July 1956 at Waiweranui Point, near the Cape Egmont lighthouse. Salvage attempts eventually succeeded and Calm returned to New Plymouth. Five hundred spectators gathered on the wharf to cheer her arrival. Filmed by Caleb Wyatt.Eltham - Egmont August 1962Home movie made by RG Finn. The Finn family from Te Awamutu experience the snow on Taranaki. The children ride sleds down the mountain. Last scene is the family grouped outside the Eltham District Library.
This short programme will be followed by the video Official Opening of the Refurbished Eltham Town Hall, produced by The Friends of the Eltham Town Hall in conjunction with the South Taranaki District Council.
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