By HELEN HARVEY helen.harvey@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki Daily News | Friday, 25 April 2008
Allan George and his wife of more than 60 years, Frances, have nine children.
The picture couldn't possibly tell the story. It's a black-and-white photo at Allan George's Manaia home. It shows two young men, both in uniform, standing in front of a plane. By the look of the aircraft and the uniform, it is reasonable to assume it is World War II.
And even though Mr George is 90 now, it is easy to pick him out. But the picture only hints of the danger, the friendships and the reckless disregard. It doesn't tell of events so painful they bring tears more than 60 years later.
And it doesn't tell of two medals the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) and the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) awarded for bravery.
Mr George, a pilot, received the DFC after "an episode" when his Wellington bomber got "awfully shot up" dropping bombs over the Ruhr.
"My poor old rear gunner got his bum shot away. Screaming his head off, we had to pull him out of the rear turret, blood from hell to breakfast."
First a fuel pipe was severed then a fighter plane came in and shot the motor out.
"It was a miracle we never blew up, because the plane flooded with fuel."
Petrol was gushing everywhere, so an Englishman, Viv Broad, the wireless operator, bandaged up the pipe and contained the petrol. The Wellington was struggling on one motor and losing height.
"The crew said `can we bail out?' I said `hell no'."
It wasn't a good idea to bail out over the target. The searchlights would shine on the parachutes and the German gunners would shoot the parachutes down.
Mr George told his crew to hang on until they reached the coast. Once there, they still had a bit of height, so limped across the sea and crash-landed at an airfield just inside England.
By the time the rear gunner got out of hospital, he had been replaced, so the gunner joined another crew. He was shot down over Hamburg.
Altogether, Mr George flew 73 operations, 21 as a Pathfinder.
The Pathfinders were the elite.
They were the top pilots and navigators from the RAF's Bomber Command. Each one had to have completed at least one tour of operations a tour equalled 30 bombing missions. And they had to volunteer.
By 1943, Bomber Command was huge, so there were plenty to fly the missions. However, the difficulty, because of the European weather, was to find the target, he says.
"At this time, scientists had developed decent radio aids, which allowed us to become more precise. And it was realised that those of us who had done a tour of operations ... were very experienced men."
The Pathfinders flew Mosquitoes and flew ahead of the bombers. Each Mosquito carried a pilot, a navigator, flares to indicate the targets to the following bombers, and one 4000lb bomb. They had to prove, with a photo, that they had hit the target.
There was some delinquency, Mr George says blokes who were LMF (lack of moral fibre) and didn't go over the target, dropping flares and bombs anywhere.
"It was equivalent to a soldier going over the top. You knew you had to go through that barrier of flak.
There would be hundreds of bombers flying behind the Pathfinders, so they had to hit the target on time, otherwise it increased the risk of collisions.
"It was equivalent to rush hour in Auckland."
There was an 80% fatality rate for the bombing missions. For the Pathfinders, it was 90%.
That was the butcher's bill that had to be paid every night, he says.
For the extra danger, Pathfinders got extra rank.
Mr George was in 139 Squadron, which was unique, because there were 16 nationalities among the aircrew.
"They were a remarkable gang of burglars."
The squadron's purpose was to bomb Berlin. It was the most difficult target of the war, being the most defended target in Germany. Hitler boasted that no bomb would fall on Berlin, Mr George says. In March and April 1945, the RAF hit the city night after night after night.
"The idea was we had to do nothing but bomb Berlin for 50 nights in a row."
They stopped at 36 because the butcher's bill was too high and the RAF needed to build up reserves.
Aircrew worked two nights on, one night off.
Hitler surrounded Berlin with searchlights and moved in the fighter jets.
"The jets were at 40,000ft. We were at 30,000ft. They came down on us and picked us off."
Hitler was so upset at the Pathfinders' success at highlighting the targets that he ordered that any Pathfinder shot down was to be killed.
The last time Bomber Command attacked Berlin was April 20, 1945.
"There were thousands of Russian guns all the way from the Baltic Coast, down as far as you could see to the south, and that barrage kept going until the second of May and Berlin surrendered.
"April 20 was the only night there were no fighters or no flak at us. Everything on the ground was aimed at the Russians."
The butcher's bill for Bomber Command aircrew in World War II was 55,000. There were also 20,000 wounded and 12,000 taken prisoner.
"We never thought of more than today." It was said that airmen were only concerned with wine, women and song, he says.
"We didn't give a monkey's stuff for anything."
They did some stupid things, got up to all sorts of mischief, were a wild bunch.
"Every night we used to say `well, I hope it's quick'."
There wasn't much lingering.
"We'd stop a hit from flak and, with our load, would blow up. It was instant. You'd just vaporise."
One thing they used to say was they didn't want to know when their last raid would be.
But on May 2, they were called to a meeting.
"They said, `well, boys, there's one target left Kiel. You've got to go. Get home tonight and you are through the war.' That was ..."
Mr George stops, his voice breaking. He gets his hanky out and wipes his eyes.
"... the most terrible parade of the lot. You can understand I never go there. It's too upsetting."
He stops for a bit.
"I can't talk about it. We always used to say we didn't want to know which was the last raid. You get home tonight, you're through the war. You could've heard a pin drop. I don't go there."
He has recorded his last flight in his logbook, as he recorded all his flights. In neat, precise handwriting.
"May 2, 1945. Last of European war. Very good raid.
"The fighters were up and they had a bit of a mix up with us."
Berlin surrendered the same day.
After the trip to Kiel, every aeroplane in the Royal Air Force was grounded.
"They opened the bar and we got drunk."
The bar stayed open all night and the next morning, there was a huge parade. The airmen were still drunk.
"When the old parson said, We'll bow our head and give thanks to the Almighty, most of us fell over."
The logbook is one of Mr George's most prized possessions. Inside it is a piece of cloth covered in writing in English and in Russian and a Union Jack. It is called a blood chit.
Mr George carried it in his raids over Berlin.
"It guarantees a reward for not taking a life ... so if we were damaged, we could land behind Russian lines instead of the long flight home. The Russians, of course, would shoot anything. They were the most ill-disciplined bastards in the world."
It was a long way from the farm in Manaia where Mr George had grown up.
He volunteered when the call went out for air crew in 1940 and went to the RNZAF aircrew training school in Levin, then to New Plymouth at Bell Block. It's not where the airport is now, he says, it was across the road.
At the time it was the biggest corrugated iron building in the world. It burnt down later.
Mr George learned to fly for two months, then went to Ohakea and learned to fly twin-engine aircraft before going to England for more training.
First he went to Lossiemouth in the Moray Firth for a conversion course on Wellington bombers, then to 115 Squadron in Norfolk and straight into operations over Germany. By this time, it was 1941.
He got his first medal, the DFM, for flying a Wellington bomber especially fitted with a Rolls Royce motor.
"They brought out this big bomb, 4000 pounder, and they made a special plane to carry it and I was the pilot who flew it."
He dropped it on Hamburg.
Both his medals were presented to him by King George VI at receptions at Buckingham Palace.
On one of the visits to the palace, he remembers getting an urgent call of nature.
"We had all had a pretty heavy night on the booze. In a long line waiting to be introduced to the King, I said to one of the stately ushers, Mate, where's the toilet?"
The footman looked at him with disdain.
"We were just uncouth pig-islanders."
In the end, Mr George said to him, "Mate, I want to piss."
He followed the footman up and down the corridors until they got to the toilet.
"Well, you wouldn't believe it. It was on a dais. It had armrests. Having used it, being polite and a well-trained boy, where's the chain? There was no flush. There was a bloody great lever. You got hold of it and pulled it.
"I went back and told the other pilots in the line, Hey, go to the toilet it's a bloody beaut. They all went."
As well as flying bombers, Mr George had a stint as a flying instructor and at one point he was posted back to New Zealand for a couple of months "to sort out a discipline school at Delta [just out of Woodbourne] which had mutinied, but they never used the word mutinied. They had gone on strike. I came back from England and sorted it out. I went straight back to England and went on Pathfinders."
He wasn't brave, he says, he was doing what he had to do. And he wasn't scared there wasn't time. He was too busy thinking about what he was doing, flying the plane, looking for searchlights, looking for the target, dodging the flak, dodging the fighter jets.
"I've had lumps of shrapnel just miss me, been shot at, had a fighter take me on over Berlin and miss ...
"A piece of flak was buried in behind my head I must have been leaning forward, or it would have cut my head off.
"I always say to this day I never worry about not getting Lotto. I've had all the luck in the world."
Friday, April 25
Tuesday, April 1
Rain
Heavy rain means water restrictions around Taranaki have been eased and fire bans relaxed.
South Taranaki District Council spokesman Neil McCann says the weekend rain was enough to replenish the district's streams and rivers.
"Thankfully much of the weekend's rain fell where it was needed most, with more than 50mm around Hawera and Patea," Mr McCann said.
"The rain has allowed us to ease the restrictions and if we get some more over the next week or so we may be able to remove it completely."
South Taranaki District Council spokesman Neil McCann says the weekend rain was enough to replenish the district's streams and rivers.
"Thankfully much of the weekend's rain fell where it was needed most, with more than 50mm around Hawera and Patea," Mr McCann said.
"The rain has allowed us to ease the restrictions and if we get some more over the next week or so we may be able to remove it completely."
Thursday, March 27
Expat couple's pies hit high spots
Y LEIGHTON KEITH leighton.keith@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki Daily News | Thursday, 27 March 2008
A former Taranaki couple making "Kiwi-style" pies are cleaning up the Aussie competition.
For three years Tom and Anne Butler have owned the Beechwood Bakehouse in Maleny, on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.
The couple, who previously owned Butlers Reception Lounge in New Plymouth, recently won a gold certificate for their cream silverside pie and a silver in the chunky meat pie category at the Fine Food fair Show in Brisbane.
It is not their first success - they took home the bronze medal for their chunky steak pie in last year's Great Australian Pie Competition in Sydney.
The idea for the silverside pie came to them while having dinner one night.
Mrs Butler said they had not expected success in their first foray into pie-making competitions.
"We were pretty lucky to be up there, because a lot of them are big pie manufactures and we are only small-fry," she said.
The recipe for success was simple. "Good Kiwi ingenuity. We are making Kiwi-style pies."
They sell 22 different varieties of pie at the bakery, including minted lamb pies, which were sold as the Kiwi pie because of the ribbing Australians gave New Zealanders about sheep.
Their pies had met with the judges' approval - but what does the Ocker on the street think?
"They think that they are wonderful too, pies are the biggest seller in our bakery," Mrs Butler said.
The wide selection of pies has also impressed the locals.
"They are like kids in a lolly shop, they don't know what to pick."
The couple, who left New Zealand in June 1991, still have family in the region, including Tom's parents, Ken and Shirley Butler in Stratford, and son Matthew and his wife Anna in Hawera.
A former Taranaki couple making "Kiwi-style" pies are cleaning up the Aussie competition.
For three years Tom and Anne Butler have owned the Beechwood Bakehouse in Maleny, on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.
The couple, who previously owned Butlers Reception Lounge in New Plymouth, recently won a gold certificate for their cream silverside pie and a silver in the chunky meat pie category at the Fine Food fair Show in Brisbane.
It is not their first success - they took home the bronze medal for their chunky steak pie in last year's Great Australian Pie Competition in Sydney.
The idea for the silverside pie came to them while having dinner one night.
Mrs Butler said they had not expected success in their first foray into pie-making competitions.
"We were pretty lucky to be up there, because a lot of them are big pie manufactures and we are only small-fry," she said.
The recipe for success was simple. "Good Kiwi ingenuity. We are making Kiwi-style pies."
They sell 22 different varieties of pie at the bakery, including minted lamb pies, which were sold as the Kiwi pie because of the ribbing Australians gave New Zealanders about sheep.
Their pies had met with the judges' approval - but what does the Ocker on the street think?
"They think that they are wonderful too, pies are the biggest seller in our bakery," Mrs Butler said.
The wide selection of pies has also impressed the locals.
"They are like kids in a lolly shop, they don't know what to pick."
The couple, who left New Zealand in June 1991, still have family in the region, including Tom's parents, Ken and Shirley Butler in Stratford, and son Matthew and his wife Anna in Hawera.
Tuesday, March 18
Taranaki latest region to declare drought
1:57PM Tuesday March 18, 2008
Taranaki is the latest region to declare a drought after a prolonged dry spell in the area.
Taranaki Regional Council declared a drought today as farmers struggled to deal with the conditions.
There has been no sufficient rain since November and no rain was predicted until May.
South Taranaki District Mayor Ross Dunlop said the drought declaration would open up new avenues of government assistance for farmers.
"The council is formally asking the Government, and in particular Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton, to provide all reasonable assistance to farmers suffering undue stress as a result of this extreme situation."
He said the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry was offering financial and welfare assistance to affected farmers through the region's Rural Support Trust.
Trustee Neville Hagenson said two coordinators were available to visit farmers in trouble.
Mr Hagenson said coordinators could provide advice and refer farmers to government departments like WINZ and the IRD.
"Our coordinators can go and sit down around the table and talk. Just say, hey, what are your problems and perhaps make suggestions," he said.
Farmers needing help can call 0800 787 254.
Financial assistance included the unemployment benefit, emergency benefit, special needs grants and recoverable assistance payments.
The drought had been declared in the area of coastal Taranaki extending south from Okato, 35km from New Plymouth, through all of South Taranaki District to the region's southern boundary, and including southern and eastern parts of the Stratford District.
Taranaki is the latest region to declare a drought after a prolonged dry spell in the area.
Taranaki Regional Council declared a drought today as farmers struggled to deal with the conditions.
There has been no sufficient rain since November and no rain was predicted until May.
South Taranaki District Mayor Ross Dunlop said the drought declaration would open up new avenues of government assistance for farmers.
"The council is formally asking the Government, and in particular Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton, to provide all reasonable assistance to farmers suffering undue stress as a result of this extreme situation."
He said the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry was offering financial and welfare assistance to affected farmers through the region's Rural Support Trust.
Trustee Neville Hagenson said two coordinators were available to visit farmers in trouble.
Mr Hagenson said coordinators could provide advice and refer farmers to government departments like WINZ and the IRD.
"Our coordinators can go and sit down around the table and talk. Just say, hey, what are your problems and perhaps make suggestions," he said.
Farmers needing help can call 0800 787 254.
Financial assistance included the unemployment benefit, emergency benefit, special needs grants and recoverable assistance payments.
The drought had been declared in the area of coastal Taranaki extending south from Okato, 35km from New Plymouth, through all of South Taranaki District to the region's southern boundary, and including southern and eastern parts of the Stratford District.
Sunday, February 3
High Street 1957 - Telephone Book
High Street Hawera 1957
84 White Hart Hotel
86 Maypole Stores
88 Laurenson & Assoc Arch
90 Ormond H R Hrdrsrs
96 Barraclough M Butcher
98 Gamages Mlnrs
100 Norris & Frampton Hrdrsrs
102 Morgan A D Chemst
Sincere Fruit Shop Princes St Intersection
103 Bennett & Suttons Ltd Irn mgrs
112 Grubi Stvn Restrnt
112 Black Erick Wl Shop
135 Hing T Frtr
102 A MacLeans Specialty Shoes
84 White Hart Hotel
86 Maypole Stores
88 Laurenson & Assoc Arch
90 Ormond H R Hrdrsrs
96 Barraclough M Butcher
98 Gamages Mlnrs
100 Norris & Frampton Hrdrsrs
102 Morgan A D Chemst
Sincere Fruit Shop Princes St Intersection
103 Bennett & Suttons Ltd Irn mgrs
112 Grubi Stvn Restrnt
112 Black Erick Wl Shop
135 Hing T Frtr
102 A MacLeans Specialty Shoes
Union Street Hawera 1957 Telephone Book
39 Hodder & Tolley
41 McMahon Mrs Melvina
43 Grant Jno
45 McCarthy Jno G Brmn
47 Nielsen Jos m Town Clk
49 Eade Wm F Mgr
51 Hammon Mrs
51A Lovell Mrs A
53 Gardners Funeral Prlrs
55 Wilson J & H A Wd Mchts
57 Stanford Thos R Rly
57 Burgess & Fraser
63 Duffy Edwd J Rly
65 Transport Dept
67 Rick Wm C Mech
69 Johnston Mrs Msse
71 Bailey Mltn Stkbyt
73 Guilford Edwd B
76 Somerset House P Htl
41 McMahon Mrs Melvina
43 Grant Jno
45 McCarthy Jno G Brmn
47 Nielsen Jos m Town Clk
49 Eade Wm F Mgr
51 Hammon Mrs
51A Lovell Mrs A
53 Gardners Funeral Prlrs
55 Wilson J & H A Wd Mchts
57 Stanford Thos R Rly
57 Burgess & Fraser
63 Duffy Edwd J Rly
65 Transport Dept
67 Rick Wm C Mech
69 Johnston Mrs Msse
71 Bailey Mltn Stkbyt
73 Guilford Edwd B
76 Somerset House P Htl
Union Street Hawera 1957 Telephone Book
Union Street Hawera 1957
6 Hall Cycles
6A Louella Gowns
8 Wilton Richd A Grocer
12 Nolans Blds
12 Hawera Textiles
12 Para Rubber
16 Peacocks
18 Ravgee & Co Frut
20 Roberts Noe Cyc Dlr
22 Newman H R Btch
Mrs Archer
Arnold Carl B Clthr
Smith Lillian E Bty Sln
Haymans Dry Cleners
26 Dixon & Co
26 Ranford, George
38 Mac Ewan & Co
48 Masonic Hall
Moller
72 Bell Allan S Gar
Garey Peat K E
74 Ravje Govind S Frtr
Lowe Wm E
80 Guiford Dgls R Trav
82 Leishman Jas Mec
84 Farms Co Op
86 Chong Ken Frut
88 King Gordon Eng
6 Hall Cycles
6A Louella Gowns
8 Wilton Richd A Grocer
12 Nolans Blds
12 Hawera Textiles
12 Para Rubber
16 Peacocks
18 Ravgee & Co Frut
20 Roberts Noe Cyc Dlr
22 Newman H R Btch
Mrs Archer
Arnold Carl B Clthr
Smith Lillian E Bty Sln
Haymans Dry Cleners
26 Dixon & Co
26 Ranford, George
38 Mac Ewan & Co
48 Masonic Hall
Moller
72 Bell Allan S Gar
Garey Peat K E
74 Ravje Govind S Frtr
Lowe Wm E
80 Guiford Dgls R Trav
82 Leishman Jas Mec
84 Farms Co Op
86 Chong Ken Frut
88 King Gordon Eng
Thursday, January 17
Maize maze all ready to amaze again
By GRETA CLEARY - Taranaki | Thursday, 17 January 2008
Taranaki's latest maize maze is all set to amaze visitors - and to help them get lost.
The Inglewood Lions Club held a working bee yesterday to put the finishing touches to this year's maze, which will open for its seventh year on Saturday.
The summer fundraising project, which sits at No 74 on Venture Taranaki's 101 must-do list, will be open until April.
The cost of the 450,000 maize plants is covered by sponsors, and volunteers are responsible for maintaining the 2km of track within the maze. But it's worth it, say Lions Club members.
"Kids love it and family groups really enjoy it," said Kevin Knowles yesterday.
"We don't have too many problems with people getting lost. Sometimes we have to go and look for the odd child when parents get a bit anxious."
The club would like to see more social groups and businesses going through.When the fun is all over, the three-metre maize plants will be harvested into silage for a local farmer.
Taranaki's latest maize maze is all set to amaze visitors - and to help them get lost.
The Inglewood Lions Club held a working bee yesterday to put the finishing touches to this year's maze, which will open for its seventh year on Saturday.
The summer fundraising project, which sits at No 74 on Venture Taranaki's 101 must-do list, will be open until April.
The cost of the 450,000 maize plants is covered by sponsors, and volunteers are responsible for maintaining the 2km of track within the maze. But it's worth it, say Lions Club members.
"Kids love it and family groups really enjoy it," said Kevin Knowles yesterday.
"We don't have too many problems with people getting lost. Sometimes we have to go and look for the odd child when parents get a bit anxious."
The club would like to see more social groups and businesses going through.When the fun is all over, the three-metre maize plants will be harvested into silage for a local farmer.
Saturday, January 12
'Pumped' kayakers sight Taranaki
Saturday, 12 January 2008
TARANAKI DAILY NEWS
POSITIVE PADDLERS: James Castrission and Justin Jones are weary but their spirits are high as they near the end of their trip.
Two Australian kayakers attempting to cross the Tasman Sea, Justin Jones, 24, and James Castrission, 25, are paddling hard for New Plymouth after sighting Mt Taranaki about an hour before sunset last night.
At 9am today the pair were just 76km from the port city, and carving a straight line on their website's satellite tracking chart, paddling at 3kmh.
"James and Justin reported at around 8pm that they had just caught sight of Mt Taranaki," said Patrick Brothers of their logistics company Race Recon.
"They are absolutely pumped".
The two kayakers said it was a starry night, with calm seas "and the lights of New Plymouth are starting to twinkle".
The sighting followed a vexing two days in which winds and currents turned them round in a loop to the north, when they were actually trying to paddle southwest to reach New Plymouth.
Yesterday they stayed in the tiny cabin of their 9m kayak until the wind became more favourable, and put themselves back on full food rations, after halving their daily meals 30 days from mid-December.
They began paddling again about 3pm.
"The guys are so frustrated at today's progress they have decided to paddle into the night," Mr Brothers said after the sighting of Mt Taranaki-Egmont. "They are steaming for NZ".
The pair have already covered more than 3000km, weaving across the Tasman on a trip which was planned to take 42 days to cover about 2200km on an approximate straight-line route.
At dawn, the pair were less than 90km from New Plymouth, still paddling hard and chasing a Sunday finish – which would be exactly two months after they departed Forster, New South Wales.
- NZPA
TARANAKI DAILY NEWS
POSITIVE PADDLERS: James Castrission and Justin Jones are weary but their spirits are high as they near the end of their trip.
Two Australian kayakers attempting to cross the Tasman Sea, Justin Jones, 24, and James Castrission, 25, are paddling hard for New Plymouth after sighting Mt Taranaki about an hour before sunset last night.
At 9am today the pair were just 76km from the port city, and carving a straight line on their website's satellite tracking chart, paddling at 3kmh.
"James and Justin reported at around 8pm that they had just caught sight of Mt Taranaki," said Patrick Brothers of their logistics company Race Recon.
"They are absolutely pumped".
The two kayakers said it was a starry night, with calm seas "and the lights of New Plymouth are starting to twinkle".
The sighting followed a vexing two days in which winds and currents turned them round in a loop to the north, when they were actually trying to paddle southwest to reach New Plymouth.
Yesterday they stayed in the tiny cabin of their 9m kayak until the wind became more favourable, and put themselves back on full food rations, after halving their daily meals 30 days from mid-December.
They began paddling again about 3pm.
"The guys are so frustrated at today's progress they have decided to paddle into the night," Mr Brothers said after the sighting of Mt Taranaki-Egmont. "They are steaming for NZ".
The pair have already covered more than 3000km, weaving across the Tasman on a trip which was planned to take 42 days to cover about 2200km on an approximate straight-line route.
At dawn, the pair were less than 90km from New Plymouth, still paddling hard and chasing a Sunday finish – which would be exactly two months after they departed Forster, New South Wales.
- NZPA
Tuesday, January 8
Truck full of squash rolls in Taranaki
7:36AM Tuesday January 08, 2008
A Taranaki road is partly closed after a truck full of squash rolled over early this morning.
Inspector Ken Climo said the crash happened on State Highway 3 on Mokau Rd near Mount Messenger Tunnel.
The driver was not injured and no other vehicle was involved.
The road was limited to one lane.
Police were at the scene and the recovery would take a number of hours, Mr Climo said.
- NZPA
A Taranaki road is partly closed after a truck full of squash rolled over early this morning.
Inspector Ken Climo said the crash happened on State Highway 3 on Mokau Rd near Mount Messenger Tunnel.
The driver was not injured and no other vehicle was involved.
The road was limited to one lane.
Police were at the scene and the recovery would take a number of hours, Mr Climo said.
- NZPA
Wednesday, January 2
Hooligans absent from revels
GLENN McLEAN glenn.mclean@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki | Tuesday, 01 January 2008
Police are praising the behaviour of New Year's Eve revellers in Taranaki after a night free of the usual hooliganism.
Senior Sergeant Robbie O'Keefe said police made just eight arrests in New Plymouth for minor assaults and breaches of the liquor ban.
"The last couple of years have been generally quiet," he said, pointing out the city's liquor ban as the major reason for the improvement.
"It's made it a far more enjoyable place to be for everyone on New Year's Eve."
Urenui Beach, the scene of trouble last year when four young men were hospitalised after being assaulted, was also quiet, with just three arrests.
"Overall there were very few problems with a good crowd out there," Mr O'Keefe said.
Urenui Beach Camp manager Teresa Hayston said there were plenty of revellers enjoying themselves, with the only problem a few minor fights between teenagers.
"Everyone was really well behaved," she said. "There was a smaller crowd out here this year and no one hung around late being a pain or anything."
The 1500 at Butler's Reef, Oakura, to see iconic Kiwi band Supergroove were also well behaved.
Police reported few problems in Stratford and South Taranaki, with only a handful of arrests for minor offences.
A small number of drunk drivers were caught by police.
Police are praising the behaviour of New Year's Eve revellers in Taranaki after a night free of the usual hooliganism.
Senior Sergeant Robbie O'Keefe said police made just eight arrests in New Plymouth for minor assaults and breaches of the liquor ban.
"The last couple of years have been generally quiet," he said, pointing out the city's liquor ban as the major reason for the improvement.
"It's made it a far more enjoyable place to be for everyone on New Year's Eve."
Urenui Beach, the scene of trouble last year when four young men were hospitalised after being assaulted, was also quiet, with just three arrests.
"Overall there were very few problems with a good crowd out there," Mr O'Keefe said.
Urenui Beach Camp manager Teresa Hayston said there were plenty of revellers enjoying themselves, with the only problem a few minor fights between teenagers.
"Everyone was really well behaved," she said. "There was a smaller crowd out here this year and no one hung around late being a pain or anything."
The 1500 at Butler's Reef, Oakura, to see iconic Kiwi band Supergroove were also well behaved.
Police reported few problems in Stratford and South Taranaki, with only a handful of arrests for minor offences.
A small number of drunk drivers were caught by police.
Tuesday, January 1
Boy or two out of luck
RYAN EVANS ryan.evans@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki | Tuesday, 01 January 2008
The year 2023 could be grim one for Taranaki lads.
At least 14 could struggle to find dates, with the Taranaki Daily News birth notices recording 435 boys born last year, compared with 421 girls.
Liam and Sophie were easily the most popular names, with 13 each.
Joshua and Ryan tied for second, with eight each, while Charlotte, Ella and Olivia were recorded eight times each for girls.
Overall, there were 272 different girl's names recorded, including Journey-Grace, Liberty, Orlagh and Mazzlin.
Boys' names were slightly less diverse, 251 names in all, but also featured some crackers such as Ten, Kadison, Rhomyn and Tanius.
Jack was the most popular boys' name in Taranaki in 2006, while Ella and Hannah topped the girls' list
The year 2023 could be grim one for Taranaki lads.
At least 14 could struggle to find dates, with the Taranaki Daily News birth notices recording 435 boys born last year, compared with 421 girls.
Liam and Sophie were easily the most popular names, with 13 each.
Joshua and Ryan tied for second, with eight each, while Charlotte, Ella and Olivia were recorded eight times each for girls.
Overall, there were 272 different girl's names recorded, including Journey-Grace, Liberty, Orlagh and Mazzlin.
Boys' names were slightly less diverse, 251 names in all, but also featured some crackers such as Ten, Kadison, Rhomyn and Tanius.
Jack was the most popular boys' name in Taranaki in 2006, while Ella and Hannah topped the girls' list
Monday, December 31
Results worth the effort
HARRIET PALMER harriet.palmer@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki | Monday, 31 December 2007
Taranaki has so many wonderful things that John Eagles can't help but get involved.
He's been volunteering for numerous organisations, boards and committees for more than 20 years and says it's been well worth putting in all the effort.
"Without the hard work of Taranaki people, a lot of what the region has wouldn't survive," he said.
Mr Eagles has been awarded a Queen's Service Medal for services to the community, many of which include working with school boards of trustees.
He said this work came about with the introduction of Tomorrow's Schools in 1989, which enabled him to have an input in to his children's education.
"I thought it was a good idea for parents to get involved," he said.
"It was a chance to make a difference."
Mr Eagles was also instrumental in the development of the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery as chairman of the Govett-Brewster foundation, he was a member of the New Plymouth Opera House trust board for 10 years, and is currently independent director of the Taranaki Rugby Football Union.
The list of causes and events Mr Eagles has invested in is almost endless and it's a wonder he has the time.
"I like being busy and I enjoy doing all the things so I don't even notice."
Taranaki has so many wonderful things that John Eagles can't help but get involved.
He's been volunteering for numerous organisations, boards and committees for more than 20 years and says it's been well worth putting in all the effort.
"Without the hard work of Taranaki people, a lot of what the region has wouldn't survive," he said.
Mr Eagles has been awarded a Queen's Service Medal for services to the community, many of which include working with school boards of trustees.
He said this work came about with the introduction of Tomorrow's Schools in 1989, which enabled him to have an input in to his children's education.
"I thought it was a good idea for parents to get involved," he said.
"It was a chance to make a difference."
Mr Eagles was also instrumental in the development of the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery as chairman of the Govett-Brewster foundation, he was a member of the New Plymouth Opera House trust board for 10 years, and is currently independent director of the Taranaki Rugby Football Union.
The list of causes and events Mr Eagles has invested in is almost endless and it's a wonder he has the time.
"I like being busy and I enjoy doing all the things so I don't even notice."
Tuti's retirement just means keeping going
HARRIET PALMER harriet.palmer@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki | Monday, 31 December 2007
Wetere says she has retired, although for her, retirement has quite a different meaning than it does to many.
Ms Wetere has been working in the community, mainly with Maori, for more than 55 years. Even though she says it's time for others to take over, she shows little sign of slowing down.
She has been a member and branch president of the Maori Women's Welfare League, was the first woman trustee of the Owae Marae Committee in Waitara, and was part of Taranaki's Clean Sea Action group.
Today, Ms Wetere wants younger people to take over the instrumental roles in Maori society, and her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are all following proudly in her footsteps.
Ms Wetere has been awarded the Queen's Service Medal for services to the community.
Today that means helping to knit 800 pairs of slippers to be given to delegates at a Maori Women's Welfare League conference.
It also means travelling to Wellington to be present at the signing of the Agreement in Principle which assures the return of the Port Nicholson Block to the Taranaki Whanui.
"I don't even think about it," Ms Wetere said.
"I used to finish a day's work and wonder what else I could do."
Ms Wetere grew up in New Plymouth and is of Te Atiawa and Ngati Maniapoto decent.
She is a JP and has been a marriage celebrant, but it is her work with marae that has meant the most.
"I've always been interested in marae. They don't have any funds. They rely on koha and the goodwill of people," Ms Wetere said.
Volunteering is where Ms Wetere has met people and been able to make a difference in the lives of her people.
"It's quite wonderful," she said
Wetere says she has retired, although for her, retirement has quite a different meaning than it does to many.
Ms Wetere has been working in the community, mainly with Maori, for more than 55 years. Even though she says it's time for others to take over, she shows little sign of slowing down.
She has been a member and branch president of the Maori Women's Welfare League, was the first woman trustee of the Owae Marae Committee in Waitara, and was part of Taranaki's Clean Sea Action group.
Today, Ms Wetere wants younger people to take over the instrumental roles in Maori society, and her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are all following proudly in her footsteps.
Ms Wetere has been awarded the Queen's Service Medal for services to the community.
Today that means helping to knit 800 pairs of slippers to be given to delegates at a Maori Women's Welfare League conference.
It also means travelling to Wellington to be present at the signing of the Agreement in Principle which assures the return of the Port Nicholson Block to the Taranaki Whanui.
"I don't even think about it," Ms Wetere said.
"I used to finish a day's work and wonder what else I could do."
Ms Wetere grew up in New Plymouth and is of Te Atiawa and Ngati Maniapoto decent.
She is a JP and has been a marriage celebrant, but it is her work with marae that has meant the most.
"I've always been interested in marae. They don't have any funds. They rely on koha and the goodwill of people," Ms Wetere said.
Volunteering is where Ms Wetere has met people and been able to make a difference in the lives of her people.
"It's quite wonderful," she said
Volunteer rewarded for his life philosophy
ROB MAETZIG rob.maetzig@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki | Monday, 31 December 2007
Thirty-five years' service to the Taranaki region in a wide variety of ways has been rewarded for New Plymouth's Lynn Bublitz, who has been made a companion of the Queen's Service Order in the New Year Honours.
Mr Bublitz said he was thrilled to have received the award, but the real honour was "being part of making a positive difference".
His many contributions have included local government, arts, education and community organisations.
Volunteering is part of Mr Bublitz' life philosophy. He believes it is voluntary effort that makes a good society.
"I hope I've been able to live that philosophy," he said.
The list of causes Mr Bublitz has given his time to shows he has well and truly lived up to his own expectations.
A New Plymouth District councillor for 18 years and deputy mayor, Mr Bublitz established the council's iwi liaison sub-committee and forged strong partnerships with the district's iwi.
He was instrumental in establishing New Plymouth's Puke Ariki museum and library complex, and was a trustee of the Taranaki Arts Festival trust for 17 years.
Mr Bublitz has also been heavily involved in the instigation and organisation of Womad, the Taranaki Youth Festival, and the Taranaki Festival of the Arts.
A member of the board of the Pukeiti Rhododendron Trust for 35 years and at times its chairman, he headed a fundraising campaign in 2002 to save the garden, was the fundraiser for Pukeiti's 50th jubilee, and was made a life member in 1989.
Mr Bublitz was principal of Inglewood High School for more than 10 years, a teacher at New Plymouth Boys' High School for more than 25 years, was a mentor with the First Time Principals Programme, and was awarded a Wolf Fisher Scholarship in 1985.
He has also been involved in many other community organisations, including the LA Alexander Agriculture College Trust Board, the Unesco Science Committee, and the Te Papa National Services Committee.
Thirty-five years' service to the Taranaki region in a wide variety of ways has been rewarded for New Plymouth's Lynn Bublitz, who has been made a companion of the Queen's Service Order in the New Year Honours.
Mr Bublitz said he was thrilled to have received the award, but the real honour was "being part of making a positive difference".
His many contributions have included local government, arts, education and community organisations.
Volunteering is part of Mr Bublitz' life philosophy. He believes it is voluntary effort that makes a good society.
"I hope I've been able to live that philosophy," he said.
The list of causes Mr Bublitz has given his time to shows he has well and truly lived up to his own expectations.
A New Plymouth District councillor for 18 years and deputy mayor, Mr Bublitz established the council's iwi liaison sub-committee and forged strong partnerships with the district's iwi.
He was instrumental in establishing New Plymouth's Puke Ariki museum and library complex, and was a trustee of the Taranaki Arts Festival trust for 17 years.
Mr Bublitz has also been heavily involved in the instigation and organisation of Womad, the Taranaki Youth Festival, and the Taranaki Festival of the Arts.
A member of the board of the Pukeiti Rhododendron Trust for 35 years and at times its chairman, he headed a fundraising campaign in 2002 to save the garden, was the fundraiser for Pukeiti's 50th jubilee, and was made a life member in 1989.
Mr Bublitz was principal of Inglewood High School for more than 10 years, a teacher at New Plymouth Boys' High School for more than 25 years, was a mentor with the First Time Principals Programme, and was awarded a Wolf Fisher Scholarship in 1985.
He has also been involved in many other community organisations, including the LA Alexander Agriculture College Trust Board, the Unesco Science Committee, and the Te Papa National Services Committee.
Museum owner honoured
GLENN McLEAN glenn.mclean@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki | Monday, 31 December 2007
Tawhiti Museum creator Nigel Ogle says he agonised over accepting the Queen's Service Medal for service to historical research and museums.
"I wondered what was going on when I got notified," he said.
"All I could think of was that there are plenty of other people doing similar sorts of heritage things in Taranaki. It is a wonderful honour, though."
As he sits hunched over his workbench at the back of his expanding Hawera museum, the smell of his creative work thick in the air, Mr Ogle says he never envisaged being where he is today.
A former teacher, Mr Ogle and his wife, Teresa, are in the middle of creating their biggest project, a $1 million South Seas Traders display, which is being made in partnership with Wellington's Weta Workshop - the Academy Award-winning film modelling and sculpture business.
Equally funded by the South Taranaki District Council and Mr and Mrs Ogle, the project is due to open in October 2009.
"The next 12 months will be the busiest I've ever worked," he said.
"But I've always toyed about doing it and to finally be able to, well, it's an incredible honour."
Founded after Mr Ogle purchased the old Tawhiti cheese factory in 1975, the museum has won seven tourism awards. It has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Taranaki.
At a time when the New Zealand Air Force's Ohakea Museum has closed, as well as Dairyland on the outskirts of Hawera, Mr Ogle said visitor numbers at his museum continued to grow as awareness from outside Taranaki increased.
"An area needs a basket of attractions, and it's sad to see these things fall over."
Tawhiti Museum creator Nigel Ogle says he agonised over accepting the Queen's Service Medal for service to historical research and museums.
"I wondered what was going on when I got notified," he said.
"All I could think of was that there are plenty of other people doing similar sorts of heritage things in Taranaki. It is a wonderful honour, though."
As he sits hunched over his workbench at the back of his expanding Hawera museum, the smell of his creative work thick in the air, Mr Ogle says he never envisaged being where he is today.
A former teacher, Mr Ogle and his wife, Teresa, are in the middle of creating their biggest project, a $1 million South Seas Traders display, which is being made in partnership with Wellington's Weta Workshop - the Academy Award-winning film modelling and sculpture business.
Equally funded by the South Taranaki District Council and Mr and Mrs Ogle, the project is due to open in October 2009.
"The next 12 months will be the busiest I've ever worked," he said.
"But I've always toyed about doing it and to finally be able to, well, it's an incredible honour."
Founded after Mr Ogle purchased the old Tawhiti cheese factory in 1975, the museum has won seven tourism awards. It has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Taranaki.
At a time when the New Zealand Air Force's Ohakea Museum has closed, as well as Dairyland on the outskirts of Hawera, Mr Ogle said visitor numbers at his museum continued to grow as awareness from outside Taranaki increased.
"An area needs a basket of attractions, and it's sad to see these things fall over."
Bourke humbled by New Year award
RACHAEL MURPHY rachael.murphy@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki | Monday, 31 December 2007
Former South Taranaki Mayor Mary Bourke, at her Hawera home, says she accepted her Queen's Service Honour out of respect for the people who nominated her.
Former South Taranaki mayor Mary Bourke is "hugely humbled" at being awarded the Queen's Service Order - but feels it's wrong to suggest it recognises only her individual efforts.
"I've accepted the award out of respect for those who have nominated me ... being chosen to accept this award is an affirmation of all those people I've worked with over the years - because nobody is an island," she said. "Sometimes it's tempting to try to be, but it certainly doesn't get the best results.
"I've been pretty fortunate to work with some excellent teams and individuals in my time."
Miss Bourke's 15 years as mayor was a record for a woman before she stood down before the last local body elections in October.
She has since kept herself busy with a few local government contracts, involving the parts of local government that she truly enjoys.
"Making sure meetings are productive, that people stay focused and that local government is recognised as a fulfilling and useful practice rather than the entity that people love to hate - which traditionally it has been."
She has also been keeping up with her work as a marriage celebrant, with which she has commitments until March.
She has been a celebrant since 2000 and officiates at about 10 weddings each year.
But mostly she is focusing on "taking the time to do some breathing and smell the roses and consider my options".
Miss Bourke is still heavily involved in the Bishop's Action Foundation in Taranaki, is South Taranaki Medical Trust chairperson, and is on the Territorial Forces Employer Support Council.
She has done a lot of work facilitating and chairing working parties for issues related to local government, such as rates reviews and ICT (information computer technology).
Former South Taranaki Mayor Mary Bourke, at her Hawera home, says she accepted her Queen's Service Honour out of respect for the people who nominated her.
Former South Taranaki mayor Mary Bourke is "hugely humbled" at being awarded the Queen's Service Order - but feels it's wrong to suggest it recognises only her individual efforts.
"I've accepted the award out of respect for those who have nominated me ... being chosen to accept this award is an affirmation of all those people I've worked with over the years - because nobody is an island," she said. "Sometimes it's tempting to try to be, but it certainly doesn't get the best results.
"I've been pretty fortunate to work with some excellent teams and individuals in my time."
Miss Bourke's 15 years as mayor was a record for a woman before she stood down before the last local body elections in October.
She has since kept herself busy with a few local government contracts, involving the parts of local government that she truly enjoys.
"Making sure meetings are productive, that people stay focused and that local government is recognised as a fulfilling and useful practice rather than the entity that people love to hate - which traditionally it has been."
She has also been keeping up with her work as a marriage celebrant, with which she has commitments until March.
She has been a celebrant since 2000 and officiates at about 10 weddings each year.
But mostly she is focusing on "taking the time to do some breathing and smell the roses and consider my options".
Miss Bourke is still heavily involved in the Bishop's Action Foundation in Taranaki, is South Taranaki Medical Trust chairperson, and is on the Territorial Forces Employer Support Council.
She has done a lot of work facilitating and chairing working parties for issues related to local government, such as rates reviews and ICT (information computer technology).
Award the result of love for Stratford
GLENN McLEANglenn.mclean@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki | Monday, 31 December 2007
Life has not slowed down at all for former Stratford mayor Brian Jeffares.
The man who wore the mayoral chains in the Central Taranaki district for three successful terms is still accepting offers to sit on various committees in the town, despite almost three decades of working in the community.
The 59-year-old, who stood down as mayor at the last election, has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to local body affairs and the community.
The former builder turned real estate manager stands by his decision to step down from the mayoralty this year. "I think it was the right and best decision to make at the time and I don't regret it because it was time to move on," he said.
Mr Jeffares says he never envisaged getting involved in committees or local politics.
It all started from the "humble background of being a builder" when he took up an offer to work on a school committee.
"I think school committees and PTAs are a great breeding ground for community life and many people move on from there to serve elsewhere," he said.
Mr Jeffares says there is a simple reason behind what drives him to still be a Taranaki regional councillor, chair the Taranaki Electricity Trust, the Stratford Health Trust, to be a trustee on the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Trust, a member of the Hospital Advisory Committee, the Stratford Youth Trust and a committee member of the Stratford Rugby Club.
"I guess I'm just impatient, I want to get things done.
"That comes back to my background as a builder as well, you learn to get the foundations right," he said. Many of his positions have given him a lot of satisfaction and he admits to getting plenty of pleasure out of seeing projects through to the end.
One example is the Taranaki Electricity Trust, which he says is a tribute to the people of the area.
"We have now given away about $50 million and have a portfolio worth about $90 million.
"That's a huge increase on what we started with in 1993, so yeah, that's been significant in a lot of growth in the area," he said.
"But there is a downside to it, a lot of committees now think their fundraising consists entirely of writing a letter to the TET."
Mr Jeffares says he will continue to remain fiercely loyal to Stratford.
"That's why I do everything I do, because I really love this community. If I didn't love this community I wouldn't do it."
Life has not slowed down at all for former Stratford mayor Brian Jeffares.
The man who wore the mayoral chains in the Central Taranaki district for three successful terms is still accepting offers to sit on various committees in the town, despite almost three decades of working in the community.
The 59-year-old, who stood down as mayor at the last election, has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to local body affairs and the community.
The former builder turned real estate manager stands by his decision to step down from the mayoralty this year. "I think it was the right and best decision to make at the time and I don't regret it because it was time to move on," he said.
Mr Jeffares says he never envisaged getting involved in committees or local politics.
It all started from the "humble background of being a builder" when he took up an offer to work on a school committee.
"I think school committees and PTAs are a great breeding ground for community life and many people move on from there to serve elsewhere," he said.
Mr Jeffares says there is a simple reason behind what drives him to still be a Taranaki regional councillor, chair the Taranaki Electricity Trust, the Stratford Health Trust, to be a trustee on the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Trust, a member of the Hospital Advisory Committee, the Stratford Youth Trust and a committee member of the Stratford Rugby Club.
"I guess I'm just impatient, I want to get things done.
"That comes back to my background as a builder as well, you learn to get the foundations right," he said. Many of his positions have given him a lot of satisfaction and he admits to getting plenty of pleasure out of seeing projects through to the end.
One example is the Taranaki Electricity Trust, which he says is a tribute to the people of the area.
"We have now given away about $50 million and have a portfolio worth about $90 million.
"That's a huge increase on what we started with in 1993, so yeah, that's been significant in a lot of growth in the area," he said.
"But there is a downside to it, a lot of committees now think their fundraising consists entirely of writing a letter to the TET."
Mr Jeffares says he will continue to remain fiercely loyal to Stratford.
"That's why I do everything I do, because I really love this community. If I didn't love this community I wouldn't do it."
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