A few years back Pastor Mark Trewavas, of the Hawera Assembly of God Church, mentioned to me that they were going to re-carpet their church, formerly the Regent Theatre.
"Why not cut up the old carpet and sell it off in carpet squares," I suggested. "This would give the locals a bit of memorabilia and be a good fundraising venture for the church to help fund the new carpet."
It was an idea Pastor Mark went for.
The carpet, a thick pile Axminster bearing the New Zealand fernleaf pattern, was laid 56 years ago when the Regent Theatre was first opened on Friday, April 22, 1955 by the mayor of Hawera, Mr FW Finer.
The first movie shown on the giant screen, which measured 37 feet by 20 feet and could show films in either cinemascope or vistavision, was White Christmas starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen.
During the next few weeks movie goers watched Bob Hope in Casanova's Big Night; Paul Douglas in The Maggie; Humphrey Bogart, William Holden and Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina; Marlon Brando in On The Waterfront; Ray Milland, Grace Kelly and Robert Cummings in Dial M For Murder.
These were the days before television and the number one entertainment was going to the pictures, and I bet everyone who has gone to the Regent can tell a story, most of which are unprintable. The most common tale was the rolling of Jaffas down the sloped wooden floor under the seats.
In those good old days you had to stand for the national anthem before the movies started and the strict ushers used to shine their torches in your face for putting your feet up or talking.
Remember Mrs Goodey, who used to look after the kiosk in the 60s and 70s? She could roll a hollow ice-cream that was as hard as ice and stuck to your tongue. But she would always say "thank you" in her sharp voice as she took your pennies.
And then there were the boys who brought around the ice cream trays at half time. I was always in the cheap seats downstairs and by the time the boys had done upstairs there were never any left.
Getting a ticket in the 697-seat theatre was also a mission, especially if it was a Clint Eastwood cowboy movie, with people lined up to Union St corner. Reserved seats for the big blockbusters were a must.
It was also a place for the first date: a night at the pictures and a rum-and-coke at the Bamboo or a cup of tea at Victoria Cafe.
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The Royal Hotel was just one door down from the theatre so film-goers could pop in to the Royal for a quick 7oz beer at half-time. The Royal was later pulled down to make way for the TSB Bank.
Then there was the night that Paul McCann, who had been collecting moths for a least a week, let them go. The moths flew towards the light, causing an uproar and putting the theatre staff in a panic.
And a word of warning: don't fall asleep in the theatre or your mates will leave you there. That's what happened to Wayne Collins in the early 70s, but luckily for Wayne the projectionist was working late and let him out.
There was one big bloke, who used to go on a regular basis, who was so big that they had to take out a seat partition to get him seated. It was his special seat that no one dared to take.
They were strict on age classifications. I remember getting my older sister Margaret to buy my ticket to Birdman of Alcatraz, starring Burt Lancaster (R13), only to be thrown-out part-way through for being underage. No refund in those days.
The original doors, which were armour-plated glass with the name Regent Theatre sandblasted on, now have a new home, hanging on Councillor Mike Powell's bunker in his back garden. It would be a handy place to be if World War III broke out.
The theatre finally closed on February 31, 1987.
To have a piece of the 1950s, call in to the church office, the old Regent Theatre, and choose a carpet square, any shape or size, with the starting price of $30.
- © Fairfax NZ News BY CLIFF HUNT- SOUTH TARANAKI STAR
Last updated 10:54 08/12/2011
CLIFF HUNT
Mark Trewavas, of the Hawera Aseembly of God, with a part of the torn-up carpet.
Wednesday, January 25
Mailbox gets civic treatment
One of Hawera's longest serving residents has had a facelift after retiring.
The 112-year-old Penfold hexagonal letterbox located on the corners of High and Victoria streets was decommissioned on June 30 this year and ownership passed to the South Taranaki District Council.
Its long-awaited repaint pleases local historian Arthur Fryer who has always had an interest in the postbox.
`That's an object close to my heart," he says.
Mr Fryer says he realised more than a year ago that it was in deep need of a paint job in appropriate colours. While he knew its time as an in-service mailbox was limited, he didn't want to see it moved and replaced with something of less character.
"My worry was the postbox would be taken away and replaced by a wooden one that doesn't have any character.
"I believe it gives character to High Street. It's an object that's worth preserving."
South Taranaki District Council property and facilities manager John Sargeant says the council was happy to take over responsibility for the Penfold and will be putting up a plaque noting its history early next year.
"We have got to work out some wording and then we will have a plaque to recognise the history and tell people that it's actually not working anymore."
He says it's been special for the council to see the postbox painted and taken care of.
"It's huge. What council stands for is the community," he says.
"That letterbox has seen the community grow for well over 100 years.
"It's seen Taranaki grow from a small pioneering few scattered villages, to what it is now and it's never been changed."
He says as a stamp collector he knows some stamps from the early 1900s are valuable, which is partly why the iconic letterbox needed to be revamped in a respectful manner.
"It symbolises New Zealand growing up."
- © Fairfax NZ News PETRA FINER- SOUTH TARANAKI STAR
Last updated 14:42 21/12/2011
PETRA FINER
Hawera's 112-year-old Penfold letterbox has had an upgrade after being de-commissioned earlier this year.
The 112-year-old Penfold hexagonal letterbox located on the corners of High and Victoria streets was decommissioned on June 30 this year and ownership passed to the South Taranaki District Council.
Its long-awaited repaint pleases local historian Arthur Fryer who has always had an interest in the postbox.
`That's an object close to my heart," he says.
Mr Fryer says he realised more than a year ago that it was in deep need of a paint job in appropriate colours. While he knew its time as an in-service mailbox was limited, he didn't want to see it moved and replaced with something of less character.
"My worry was the postbox would be taken away and replaced by a wooden one that doesn't have any character.
"I believe it gives character to High Street. It's an object that's worth preserving."
South Taranaki District Council property and facilities manager John Sargeant says the council was happy to take over responsibility for the Penfold and will be putting up a plaque noting its history early next year.
"We have got to work out some wording and then we will have a plaque to recognise the history and tell people that it's actually not working anymore."
He says it's been special for the council to see the postbox painted and taken care of.
"It's huge. What council stands for is the community," he says.
"That letterbox has seen the community grow for well over 100 years.
"It's seen Taranaki grow from a small pioneering few scattered villages, to what it is now and it's never been changed."
He says as a stamp collector he knows some stamps from the early 1900s are valuable, which is partly why the iconic letterbox needed to be revamped in a respectful manner.
"It symbolises New Zealand growing up."
- © Fairfax NZ News PETRA FINER- SOUTH TARANAKI STAR
Last updated 14:42 21/12/2011
PETRA FINER
Hawera's 112-year-old Penfold letterbox has had an upgrade after being de-commissioned earlier this year.
Foodbank
The spirit of giving is alive and well in South Taranaki.
Hawera Foodbank was in dire straits before its recent annual food drive, even having to split boxes of Weetbix to make them last for the many families in need.
Now Foodbank chairwoman Hazel Robinson says she can't believe her eyes, the outpouring of generosity from Hawera residents to feed those in need brings her to tears.
More than 100 banana boxes are stacked in the store room, filled with enough cereal, canned food, toilet paper and supplies to last the next six months.
While having enough food to meet the demands on Foodbank is a continuing issue and more donations are gratefully accepted, Mrs Robinson says this will relieve a bit of the pressure during the coming months.
"There were total strangers, newcomers to the district, and even a doctor came in and gave us $100," she says.
Cars have pulled up outside and unloaded bootloads of food, there have even been chocolates and treats which Mrs Robinson says will go a long way towards a little bit more special Christmas for those in need.
Loose change, mostly 10 or 20 cent pieces, fished out of pockets and dropped into a collection bucket totalled $193.70.
She says it will be just a little bit easier to buy the sausages, meat and items that are hard to donate to Foodbank, not quite so many grants will have to be sought.
It's not just food – soap, clothes powder and nappies have been donated. Even a Christmas tree.
"I just can't believe that people are so generous and have so much thought for others who are less fortunate," Mrs Robinson says. "We forever write for grants to make ends meet but, praise God, it's all coming together."
It's a personal battle for her, she can remember when her husband, Bill, was laid off, age 57, and there was money going out but no money coming in.
"Being without, it's like emptying a tank, you see the water going out and it doesn't come in.
"We need people to realise the door is always open. We can't knock on everyone's door. It was the most horrible feeling I've ever had but we got over it."
Her thanks to the community that has supported Hawera Foodbank are personal as well.
"I want it to come from my heart, it's totally overwhelming. The cupboard that once was bare is now well and truly stocked up again with a great variety of food items to help many who otherwise would have gone hungry this Christmas.
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"To Tevai Barr who organised our collection, the Scouts of South Taranaki, the drivers who provided vehicles and all those volunteers who helped in so many ways, may I, on behalf of the Hawera Foodbank extend our sincere thanks," Mrs Robinson says.
- © Fairfax NZ News Love pours in at bank
PETRA FINER- SOUTH TARANAKI STAR
Last updated 15:13 21/12/2011
PETRA FINER
Hawera Foodbank chairwoman Hazel Robinson is delighted that the recent food drive was so successful. She can now give out boxes of Weetbix to hungry families instead of having to ration them.
Hawera Foodbank was in dire straits before its recent annual food drive, even having to split boxes of Weetbix to make them last for the many families in need.
Now Foodbank chairwoman Hazel Robinson says she can't believe her eyes, the outpouring of generosity from Hawera residents to feed those in need brings her to tears.
More than 100 banana boxes are stacked in the store room, filled with enough cereal, canned food, toilet paper and supplies to last the next six months.
While having enough food to meet the demands on Foodbank is a continuing issue and more donations are gratefully accepted, Mrs Robinson says this will relieve a bit of the pressure during the coming months.
"There were total strangers, newcomers to the district, and even a doctor came in and gave us $100," she says.
Cars have pulled up outside and unloaded bootloads of food, there have even been chocolates and treats which Mrs Robinson says will go a long way towards a little bit more special Christmas for those in need.
Loose change, mostly 10 or 20 cent pieces, fished out of pockets and dropped into a collection bucket totalled $193.70.
She says it will be just a little bit easier to buy the sausages, meat and items that are hard to donate to Foodbank, not quite so many grants will have to be sought.
It's not just food – soap, clothes powder and nappies have been donated. Even a Christmas tree.
"I just can't believe that people are so generous and have so much thought for others who are less fortunate," Mrs Robinson says. "We forever write for grants to make ends meet but, praise God, it's all coming together."
It's a personal battle for her, she can remember when her husband, Bill, was laid off, age 57, and there was money going out but no money coming in.
"Being without, it's like emptying a tank, you see the water going out and it doesn't come in.
"We need people to realise the door is always open. We can't knock on everyone's door. It was the most horrible feeling I've ever had but we got over it."
Her thanks to the community that has supported Hawera Foodbank are personal as well.
"I want it to come from my heart, it's totally overwhelming. The cupboard that once was bare is now well and truly stocked up again with a great variety of food items to help many who otherwise would have gone hungry this Christmas.
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"To Tevai Barr who organised our collection, the Scouts of South Taranaki, the drivers who provided vehicles and all those volunteers who helped in so many ways, may I, on behalf of the Hawera Foodbank extend our sincere thanks," Mrs Robinson says.
- © Fairfax NZ News Love pours in at bank
PETRA FINER- SOUTH TARANAKI STAR
Last updated 15:13 21/12/2011
PETRA FINER
Hawera Foodbank chairwoman Hazel Robinson is delighted that the recent food drive was so successful. She can now give out boxes of Weetbix to hungry families instead of having to ration them.
Tribute to mountain man
Taranaki's mountaineering community gathered with family and friends to mourn the loss of Walter Fowlie this week.
Mr Fowlie, farmer, climber, amateur photographer, father, husband and Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, died in Hawera on January 4, aged 86.
In a fitting tribute to their mate, the Mt Egmont Alpine Club, as well as other clubs, raised their pickaxes in a guard of honour as he was carried away.
More than 450 people attended and there was standing room only for many at the TSB Hub during the emotional service.
Obituaries were read by long-time farming friend Opunake's Ron Brewer, fellow hunter, amateur photographer, and long-time friend Neville Wallace, of Hawera, and old climbing mates Ross Beech, of Blenheim, and Paul O'Dowd, of New Plymouth.
Mr Fowlie, who influenced many Taranaki youngsters to take up mountaineering in the 1970s, became an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2001 New Year's Honours for his services to mountaineering.
A keen hunter as a young man, he joined Hawera's Mt Egmont Alpine Club in 1962.
The first 10,000ft (3000 metres) peak he climbed was Mt Haidinger in the Southern Alps in 1967, and he went on to climb 13 of New Zealand's 18 mountains above that height.
In 1968, he joined the New Zealand Alpine Club (NZAC), chaired its Taranaki section for nine years, was national president from 1995 to 1997, and received life membership when he retired.
In 1973, Mr Fowlie was a member of the NZAC expedition to the Peruvian Andes.
He introduced many young members of the Mt Egmont Alpine Club to the Southern Alps, leading club trips to the Dart, Rees and Wilkin valleys and the Nelson Lakes and Mt Cook National Parks.
He climbed Mt Cook five times and in 1976 led a club climb that put a record 13 people together on the summit.
Two years later, he led the Mt Egmont Alpine Club's successful 50th jubilee expedition to Peru.
Mr Fowlie was a field leader on the New Zealand Antarctic Research Programme in Antarctica three times between 1977 and 1986 and also climbed and trekked in Nepal and Kashmir.
He was involved in search and rescue on Mt Taranaki for a number of years.
A skilled amateur photographer, he was much sought after as a guest speaker to present slide shows of his adventures, and was renowned for the unique dashes of humour he added to his presentations. He was an associate of the Photographic Society of New Zealand.
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He was the patron and a life member of the Taranaki branch of the Deerstalkers' Association and was foundation leader of the Taranaki Alpine Cliff Rescue Team in 1980.
Mr Fowlie owned a dairy farm at Alton in South Taranaki and was a director of the Alton Co-op Dairy Company when it merged with Kiwi Dairies in the 1980s.
He celebrated his 65th wedding anniversary last June with wife Norma.
He is survived by his wife, Norma, daughter Heather Nelley, two sons, Graeme and Neil, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
- © Fairfax NZ News SUE O'DOWD AND LAIRD HARPER SUE.ODOWD@DAILYNEWS.CO.NZ
Last updated 11:06 12/01/2012
e
Walter Fowlie
SUE O'DOWD
For their mate: A guard of honour at Walter Fowlie's funeral at the TSB Hub in Hawera this week. It was the first funeral held at the Hub.
Mr Fowlie, farmer, climber, amateur photographer, father, husband and Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, died in Hawera on January 4, aged 86.
In a fitting tribute to their mate, the Mt Egmont Alpine Club, as well as other clubs, raised their pickaxes in a guard of honour as he was carried away.
More than 450 people attended and there was standing room only for many at the TSB Hub during the emotional service.
Obituaries were read by long-time farming friend Opunake's Ron Brewer, fellow hunter, amateur photographer, and long-time friend Neville Wallace, of Hawera, and old climbing mates Ross Beech, of Blenheim, and Paul O'Dowd, of New Plymouth.
Mr Fowlie, who influenced many Taranaki youngsters to take up mountaineering in the 1970s, became an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2001 New Year's Honours for his services to mountaineering.
A keen hunter as a young man, he joined Hawera's Mt Egmont Alpine Club in 1962.
The first 10,000ft (3000 metres) peak he climbed was Mt Haidinger in the Southern Alps in 1967, and he went on to climb 13 of New Zealand's 18 mountains above that height.
In 1968, he joined the New Zealand Alpine Club (NZAC), chaired its Taranaki section for nine years, was national president from 1995 to 1997, and received life membership when he retired.
In 1973, Mr Fowlie was a member of the NZAC expedition to the Peruvian Andes.
He introduced many young members of the Mt Egmont Alpine Club to the Southern Alps, leading club trips to the Dart, Rees and Wilkin valleys and the Nelson Lakes and Mt Cook National Parks.
He climbed Mt Cook five times and in 1976 led a club climb that put a record 13 people together on the summit.
Two years later, he led the Mt Egmont Alpine Club's successful 50th jubilee expedition to Peru.
Mr Fowlie was a field leader on the New Zealand Antarctic Research Programme in Antarctica three times between 1977 and 1986 and also climbed and trekked in Nepal and Kashmir.
He was involved in search and rescue on Mt Taranaki for a number of years.
A skilled amateur photographer, he was much sought after as a guest speaker to present slide shows of his adventures, and was renowned for the unique dashes of humour he added to his presentations. He was an associate of the Photographic Society of New Zealand.
Ad Feedback
He was the patron and a life member of the Taranaki branch of the Deerstalkers' Association and was foundation leader of the Taranaki Alpine Cliff Rescue Team in 1980.
Mr Fowlie owned a dairy farm at Alton in South Taranaki and was a director of the Alton Co-op Dairy Company when it merged with Kiwi Dairies in the 1980s.
He celebrated his 65th wedding anniversary last June with wife Norma.
He is survived by his wife, Norma, daughter Heather Nelley, two sons, Graeme and Neil, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
- © Fairfax NZ News SUE O'DOWD AND LAIRD HARPER SUE.ODOWD@DAILYNEWS.CO.NZ
Last updated 11:06 12/01/2012
e
Walter Fowlie
SUE O'DOWD
For their mate: A guard of honour at Walter Fowlie's funeral at the TSB Hub in Hawera this week. It was the first funeral held at the Hub.
Wednesday, August 31
Hawera High School Taranaki, New Zealand
http://namesdatabase.com/schools/NZ/TA/-/Hawera%20High%20School/ Hawera High School
Taranaki, New Zealand
Click below to see which schoolmates are listed in the NamesDatabase:
Taranaki, New Zealand
Click below to see which schoolmates are listed in the NamesDatabase:
"Pictures From The Past-Taranaki"
http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/NEW-ZEALAND/2003-09/1064983329
From: "Carol Spragg"
Subject: [NZ] "Pictures From The Past-Taranaki"
Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2003 16:43:07 +1200
ISBN 1-877327-042
Chris Lonsdale,available at Whitcoulls $24.95
ANDERSON Dorothy, Kiore School via Stratford page 61
ARTHUR Family Beach House Opunake page 48
Avona Tearooms, Stratford page 58
BAKER Clarice Inglewood page 53
BARRY Sylvia Inglewood page 53
BEARD's Furniture New Plymouth page 17
BELL Francis Dillon Bell Block page 32
BRONS L Tailor High St, Eltham page 66
BYRN, STEVENS & Co Motor Mechanic & Engineer New Plymouth page 20
CAMPBELL Family Ihaia Rd, Opunake
CARRINGTON Frederic & Octavius page 8
CHEQUERS Tea Rooms New Plymouth page 13
Clarendon Hotel, Waverley page 84
Club Hotel Waitara page 34
CLOUGH Bert Inglewood Page 53
CLOUGH's Menswear & Drapery Inglewood page 53
Commercial Hotel, Stratford page 58
County Hotel, Stratford page 59
DENBIGH Road School via Midhirst page 51
DIXON Mr Hawera page 80
Dominion Hotel, Kaponga page 72
DUDLEY Mr Butcher Opunake page 44
"Egmont Post" newspaper, Stratford page 60
EATON Hilda Hawera page 80
EUSTACE Miss Rahotu page 41
EWEN New Plymouth pages 15 & 16
FAWCETT & HENDERSON Grocers Inglewood page 52
FORD Misses Hawera page 69
FRANK Ernie, Eva, Huiakama, page 9
FREWIN J Boot Importer Inglewood page 52
GRANT & Co Hawera page 76
GRANT George & Jane Kakaramea page 85
GRANVILLE V Bell Block page 32
HARROP's Clothiers Hawera page 81
HENDERSON & Fawcett grocers Inglewood page 52
HOPKINS Land Agent New Plymouth page 13
HUGHSON Thomas Pole Rahotu page 41
HUGHSON Geofrey Rahotu page 41
Huiakama School swimming pool via Stratford page 62
Huiroa school swimming pool via Stratford page 61
JACKSON's tank cleaning company page 47
JUDSON J Blacksmith Opunake page 44
KAKARAMEA Hotel Sth Taranaki page 85
KING A E Kaponga page 70/71
KING H C Albion Douglas Saddle via Stratford page 64
Kiore School, via Stratford pages 61 & 62
LARMAR Mary Inglewood page 53
LEPPER Maxwell Lepperton page 33
LIDDINGTON T G Art China & Crystal, Hawera page 80
Manaia Hotel, Manaia page 75
Masonic Hotel Waitara page 35
MASTERS E L & Co Toko, via Stratford page 63
McCORMICK & Co Funeral Directors, Hawera page 76
MERRION T Lepperton page 33
MOSS Pearl,Henry,Owen,Elizabeth, Keith Tataraimaka page 40
NGAIRE/NGAERE Gardens Stratford/Eltham page 65
NOLAN L A & Co, Auctioneers New Plymouth page15
Okau school North Taranaki page 37
Presbyterian Manse (1st) Stratford page 58
REESBY Bros, Butcher Westown, New Plymouth page 21
ROBERTSON Mrs Rahotu page 41
ROCHE Newton Inglewood page 53
ROGAN John page 8
SALTER T B car for hire, New Plymouth page 20
SARGOOD & EWEN New Plymouth pages 15 & 16
SHEPHERD's Tea Rooms New Plymouth page 15
SPENCE W Kaponga page 72
STEVENS, BYRN & Co Motor Mechanic New Plymouth page 20
Trocadero Hotel, Stratford page 58
SUTHERLAND Nip,saddler Inglewood page 54
Tarata Dairy Co via Inglewood page 54
TARRY James Inglewood page 54
Toko via Stratford page 63
TRIMBLE Robert Inglewood page 51
VINNICOMBE Mr piano tuner, Hawera page 80
WESTFIELD House, Eltham page 69
WESTWOOD G H Chemist Hawera page 81
WILKINSON C A General merchant Eltham page 67
ZINSLI Thos, Saddler Inglewood page 64
From: "Carol Spragg"
Subject: [NZ] "Pictures From The Past-Taranaki"
Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2003 16:43:07 +1200
ISBN 1-877327-042
Chris Lonsdale,available at Whitcoulls $24.95
ANDERSON Dorothy, Kiore School via Stratford page 61
ARTHUR Family Beach House Opunake page 48
Avona Tearooms, Stratford page 58
BAKER Clarice Inglewood page 53
BARRY Sylvia Inglewood page 53
BEARD's Furniture New Plymouth page 17
BELL Francis Dillon Bell Block page 32
BRONS L Tailor High St, Eltham page 66
BYRN, STEVENS & Co Motor Mechanic & Engineer New Plymouth page 20
CAMPBELL Family Ihaia Rd, Opunake
CARRINGTON Frederic & Octavius page 8
CHEQUERS Tea Rooms New Plymouth page 13
Clarendon Hotel, Waverley page 84
Club Hotel Waitara page 34
CLOUGH Bert Inglewood Page 53
CLOUGH's Menswear & Drapery Inglewood page 53
Commercial Hotel, Stratford page 58
County Hotel, Stratford page 59
DENBIGH Road School via Midhirst page 51
DIXON Mr Hawera page 80
Dominion Hotel, Kaponga page 72
DUDLEY Mr Butcher Opunake page 44
"Egmont Post" newspaper, Stratford page 60
EATON Hilda Hawera page 80
EUSTACE Miss Rahotu page 41
EWEN New Plymouth pages 15 & 16
FAWCETT & HENDERSON Grocers Inglewood page 52
FORD Misses Hawera page 69
FRANK Ernie, Eva, Huiakama, page 9
FREWIN J Boot Importer Inglewood page 52
GRANT & Co Hawera page 76
GRANT George & Jane Kakaramea page 85
GRANVILLE V Bell Block page 32
HARROP's Clothiers Hawera page 81
HENDERSON & Fawcett grocers Inglewood page 52
HOPKINS Land Agent New Plymouth page 13
HUGHSON Thomas Pole Rahotu page 41
HUGHSON Geofrey Rahotu page 41
Huiakama School swimming pool via Stratford page 62
Huiroa school swimming pool via Stratford page 61
JACKSON's tank cleaning company page 47
JUDSON J Blacksmith Opunake page 44
KAKARAMEA Hotel Sth Taranaki page 85
KING A E Kaponga page 70/71
KING H C Albion Douglas Saddle via Stratford page 64
Kiore School, via Stratford pages 61 & 62
LARMAR Mary Inglewood page 53
LEPPER Maxwell Lepperton page 33
LIDDINGTON T G Art China & Crystal, Hawera page 80
Manaia Hotel, Manaia page 75
Masonic Hotel Waitara page 35
MASTERS E L & Co Toko, via Stratford page 63
McCORMICK & Co Funeral Directors, Hawera page 76
MERRION T Lepperton page 33
MOSS Pearl,Henry,Owen,Elizabeth, Keith Tataraimaka page 40
NGAIRE/NGAERE Gardens Stratford/Eltham page 65
NOLAN L A & Co, Auctioneers New Plymouth page15
Okau school North Taranaki page 37
Presbyterian Manse (1st) Stratford page 58
REESBY Bros, Butcher Westown, New Plymouth page 21
ROBERTSON Mrs Rahotu page 41
ROCHE Newton Inglewood page 53
ROGAN John page 8
SALTER T B car for hire, New Plymouth page 20
SARGOOD & EWEN New Plymouth pages 15 & 16
SHEPHERD's Tea Rooms New Plymouth page 15
SPENCE W Kaponga page 72
STEVENS, BYRN & Co Motor Mechanic New Plymouth page 20
Trocadero Hotel, Stratford page 58
SUTHERLAND Nip,saddler Inglewood page 54
Tarata Dairy Co via Inglewood page 54
TARRY James Inglewood page 54
Toko via Stratford page 63
TRIMBLE Robert Inglewood page 51
VINNICOMBE Mr piano tuner, Hawera page 80
WESTFIELD House, Eltham page 69
WESTWOOD G H Chemist Hawera page 81
WILKINSON C A General merchant Eltham page 67
ZINSLI Thos, Saddler Inglewood page 64
Tuesday, August 30
Taranaki memorials Media Gallery
http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media_gallery/tid/637
http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/map/taranaki-memorials#map
Locations:
57th Regiment NZ Wars memorial
Alton war memorial
Ararata First World War memorial
Auroa war memorial
Awatuna war memorial
Bell Block First World War memorial
Bird Road School war memorial
Cardiff war memorial
Clifton war memorial
Douglas war memorial
Dudley school war memorial
Eltham First World War memorial gates
Fitzroy School war memorial
Frankley Road memorial
Hawera memorial arch
Huirangi NZ Wars memorial cross
Inglewood memorial
Kaponga war memorial
Katikara memorial
Lepperton war memorial
Mahoetahi memorial cross
Mahoetahi memorial grave
Malone Memorial
Manaia First World War memorial obelisk
Manaia NZ Wars memorial
Manaia war memorial
Mangatoki school memorial
Mangorei war memorial
Manutahi memorial pool
Marsland Hill NZ Wars memorial
Matapu memorial
Meremere school war memorial
Midhurst war memorial
New Plymouth Boys High war memorial
New Plymouth cenotaph
New Plymouth memorial church
New Plymouth RSA
New Plymouth Sth African War memorial
Normanby NZ Wars memorial
Normanby war memorial
Ohawe NZ Wars memorial
Okaiawa First World War memorial
Okato Sth African War memorial
Okato war memorial
Omata memorial
Opunake war memorial
Otakeho war memorial
Patea war memorial
Pihama war memorial
Pukearuhe NZ Wars memorial
Puketakauere NZ Wars memorial, Waitara
Puketapu feud memorial cross
Pungarehu war memorial
Rahotu war memorial
St Andrews Church roll
Stratford memorial cross
Stratford memorial hall
Stratford war memorial gates
Strathmore war memorial
Taranaki Volunteers memorial
Tariki war memorial
Te Kiri war memorial
Te Ngutu o te manu NZ Wars memorial
Tikorangi school war memorial
Tikorangi war memorial
Turuturu Mokai NZ Wars memorial
Urenui war memorial
Uruti war memorial
Waihi Cemetery NZ Wars memorial cairn
Waitara First World War memorial
Waitara Sth African War memorial
Waitotara war memorial
Warea war memorial
Whangamomona war memorial
http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/map/taranaki-memorials#map
Locations:
57th Regiment NZ Wars memorial
Alton war memorial
Ararata First World War memorial
Auroa war memorial
Awatuna war memorial
Bell Block First World War memorial
Bird Road School war memorial
Cardiff war memorial
Clifton war memorial
Douglas war memorial
Dudley school war memorial
Eltham First World War memorial gates
Fitzroy School war memorial
Frankley Road memorial
Hawera memorial arch
Huirangi NZ Wars memorial cross
Inglewood memorial
Kaponga war memorial
Katikara memorial
Lepperton war memorial
Mahoetahi memorial cross
Mahoetahi memorial grave
Malone Memorial
Manaia First World War memorial obelisk
Manaia NZ Wars memorial
Manaia war memorial
Mangatoki school memorial
Mangorei war memorial
Manutahi memorial pool
Marsland Hill NZ Wars memorial
Matapu memorial
Meremere school war memorial
Midhurst war memorial
New Plymouth Boys High war memorial
New Plymouth cenotaph
New Plymouth memorial church
New Plymouth RSA
New Plymouth Sth African War memorial
Normanby NZ Wars memorial
Normanby war memorial
Ohawe NZ Wars memorial
Okaiawa First World War memorial
Okato Sth African War memorial
Okato war memorial
Omata memorial
Opunake war memorial
Otakeho war memorial
Patea war memorial
Pihama war memorial
Pukearuhe NZ Wars memorial
Puketakauere NZ Wars memorial, Waitara
Puketapu feud memorial cross
Pungarehu war memorial
Rahotu war memorial
St Andrews Church roll
Stratford memorial cross
Stratford memorial hall
Stratford war memorial gates
Strathmore war memorial
Taranaki Volunteers memorial
Tariki war memorial
Te Kiri war memorial
Te Ngutu o te manu NZ Wars memorial
Tikorangi school war memorial
Tikorangi war memorial
Turuturu Mokai NZ Wars memorial
Urenui war memorial
Uruti war memorial
Waihi Cemetery NZ Wars memorial cairn
Waitara First World War memorial
Waitara Sth African War memorial
Waitotara war memorial
Warea war memorial
Whangamomona war memorial
Friday, August 26
Play the game, guard our name
Ruck and bowl again
Let victories gleam, shine on our team
Tribute to Ferdinand
by Trevor Rowe
He's our mascot, He's our boy
Taranaki's Pride and Joy
Chorus
Ferdinand, Ferdinand, with your fifteen men,
In this land - you are grand - Ferdinand
Verse
He held the mighty Springboks
He fought the British Isles
An Mooloo met her match on Rugby Park
He's after that Ranfurly Shield,
and out to show the world
That this old Bull is not out for a lark
Ruck and bowl again
Let victories gleam, shine on our team
Tribute to Ferdinand
by Trevor Rowe
He's our mascot, He's our boy
Taranaki's Pride and Joy
Chorus
Ferdinand, Ferdinand, with your fifteen men,
In this land - you are grand - Ferdinand
Verse
He held the mighty Springboks
He fought the British Isles
An Mooloo met her match on Rugby Park
He's after that Ranfurly Shield,
and out to show the world
That this old Bull is not out for a lark
Sunday, June 5
Sadness at death of old lady
New Plymouth's Barrett St Hospital was once a thriving health hub. People could drive through the grounds and enjoy the beautiful gardens. Now the gate is locked and the gardens are gone forever. Helen Harvey reports.
The million-dollar views are still there, but the once beautiful gardens have gone. The buildings haven't seen a paintbrush for decades and are in a state of disrepair. Only plaques and signwriting on faded walls give clues to the past - "Mortuary" on an old building hidden in bush, "Taranaki Hospital Board" in bold letters above old wooden garage doors that sit below broken windows.
The old Barrett St Hospital has seen better days. Since it was replaced by Taranaki Base Hospital in Westown, the buildings have been left to their fate, which one New Plymouth doctor thinks is a tragedy.
"It's like a grand old lady that is slowly dying. It's not just that it's an eyesore . . . it's a sad reflection on indecision and vandalism combined," Matthew Allen says.
The nurses' home, in particular, has been the victim of vandals and looters, who, before the arrival of the Taranaki Music Education Centre in 2003, stripped the old home of wooden doors, windows, the wooden hand rails on the stairs and marble benchtops.
Dr Allen wants to see a decision made on what to do with the site. But that is not likely to happen any time soon. The 7.6272 hectare site is owned by the Crown and held in the Office of Treaty Settlement's landbank to be used in the settlement of historic Treaty of Waitangi claims.
Te Atiawa is looking to sign an agreement in principle (a broad agreement as to what will make up the settlement) with the Crown in March next year, but the iwi hasn't decided whether it wants the Barrett St properties as part of its settlement or, if it did, what it would do with it.
A major problem with the old hospital is the asbestos in the buildings, which would be expensive to clear. That expense would have to be taken into consideration when making a decision, Te Atiawa Iwi Authority chairwoman Wikitoria Keenan says.
In 1996 Taranaki Healthcare put the estimated cost of removing asbestos at $500,000 and demolishing buildings at $700,000.
At the time Valuation New Zealand put the government valuation for the land at $1.1 million, based on a hypothetical residential subdivision.
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The site, along with the former Patea Hospital, was sold to the Government for $1m in September 1996. The Barrett St portion of the sale was worked out at $111,000 a hectare. As at September 1, 2010, Quotable Value put the capital value of the property at $3.9m and valued the land at $3.775m.
If the land is not needed for the settlement of Treaty claims it will be sold on the open market.
In the meantime the Office of Treaty Settlements maintains and tenants the buildings. "In total there are 13 leases in place on the property, managed by Darroch Ltd. The leases are with private individuals and a range of organisations, with varied usage as one might expect from a set of commercial leasing arrangements," says Office of Treaty Settlements director Peter Galvin.
He would not elaborate on how many people live on the site or what type of accommodation is available.
Ms Keenan says having people live there isn't the best.
"But I suppose with people living there at least it's being occupied, because otherwise there would be a vast area that's empty. And the Crown's not too keen to put much money in for maintenance. At least with people living there, they are up there and they keep an eye on the site."
Te Atiawa can purchase the property or some of it as part of its settlement, she says. "But we haven't made a decision on that yet. We'll be considering it. That's as far as we've got, yet. We need to work through a couple of things."
And the iwi hasn't decided what it would do with the land, if it did receive it as part of the settlement.
"Some people have said they'd like to see a marae there . . . just because some people want to see a marae there doesn't mean it's going to happen."
The whole hospital block is culturally significant because it's on an old pa site, she says.
"It used to go right across to what they now call Western Park. It was quite a big pa site. If you look at the landscape you'd understand why."
Back then it was called Otumaikuku and may have been part of 1400ha of land sold to the Plymouth Company.
"Carrington identified it quite early on as a good hospital site, because that is what they did way back in those days, put hospitals on a hill."
F rederick Alonzo Carrington picked out the hill in 1842, according to a book by A B Scanlan on the history of the hospital. But it wasn't until 1867 that a hospital occupied the site. The original plan was to move the colonial hospital from beside the Henui River, but instead buildings were removed from St Germain's Square (later the site of the Army Hall and the Agricultural Society's hall in Gill St).
Building of the second hospital started in 1887. It had soaring angles of the Gothic style popular in government buildings and schools at the time, Mr Scanlan wrote. Builders used 61,000 metres of timber, the floors were matai or kauri and there were 70 windows. The plumbing alone cost [PndStlg]200. The hospital officially moved in on January 23, 1888. One hundred years later Dr Matthew Allen helped pull down the remaining 1887 buildings after a fire and used the timber to build his house.
His family has had a long association with the hospital. Father Dennis was a pathologist and uncles Chalmers and Peter were radiologists. An aunt, Barbara Allen, was in accident and emergency.
"So, when I was a boy I used to go up and see my father at the laboratory there, which was right next to the ambulance entrance."
He used to pinch barley sugars from drawers and wander around the wards.
"Everything was immaculate and beautifully kept and clean."
In those days, the 1960s, TB testing still relied on using guinea pigs to test whether patients had TB or not, Dr Allen says. The patient's serum would be injected into the guinea pig and the patient's name attached. There was a little house in a gully full of guinea pigs with names on them.
"Unfortunately they were killed at the end. But there were hundreds of guinea pigs down there to play with."
Another thing to have changed since then is the reusing of needles. Needles used to be made of stainless steel and Dr Allen remembers an orderly having the job of sharpening and sterilising the needles.
"And, of course, in those days there was no emergency department. It was called out-patients and was in a little shed opposite the main hospital. Actually patients who presented with acute illnesses would go to their family doctor first."
Dr Allen was a house surgeon at the hospital in the early 1980s, when the mental health unit and long stage geriatrics were the only units still operating at the hospital.
"Even then we had a proper morning tea service, with white linen and silver cutlery. And a served lunch. It was all very proper."
The nurses' home was bright pink and the nurses wore pink and white outfits, he says.
"Single nurses had to live in. That was the rule. The nurses' home was just a beautiful facility with its sprung dance floor and beautifully carved balustrades."
The dance floor is still there, but the balustrades are long gone. Upstairs the different eras, representing the different additions to the home, are clearly seen in the joinery in what were the nurses' bedrooms.
In the 19th century the matron and nurses lived in the hospital. The first nurses' home was built in 1900, Mr Scanlan says in his book.
Later a cottage known as Tariki was built behind the hospital, later known as the isolation block. It was eventually moved lower down the hospital grounds. In 1905 a second story was added.
In July 1916 nurses petitioned the hospital board for better conditions and pay. The new nurses' home designed by architect Frank Messenger, opened on March 14, 1922, and was known as "The Palace".
Additions, also designed by Frank Messenger, were built in 1928, 1936 and 1945. Five years after Mr Messenger's death another was added and others followed regularly from 1867, when the first buildings were moved onto the hill.
In 1872 an addition was completed for a women's ward and for what was then called a "lunatic asylum".
In March 1916 the hospital was opened and within a month or two there were 83 occupied beds, a record. The medical supervisor's house opened in 1926, followed by the Taranaki Health Board office in 1927. A new children's ward opened in June 1923 and was named after George Tabor who died in 1914 aged 38. His mother, Rebecca Tabor, an owner of White Hart Hotel, donated [PndStlg]6000 to hospital board in 1928.
But things started to wind down at Barrett St Hospital from the 1960s when services began moving to Taranaki Base Hospital.
In 1972 Governor-General Sir Denis Blundell opened Taranaki Base Hospital, which then assumed the role of charge hospital for the province. In later years Barrett St was used for mental health patients, long-term geriatric patients, district nursing services headquarters and board offices. The Tabor Unit provided care to intellectually and physically disabled young people from 1976 to 1995.
References:
Hospital on the Hill: A B Scanlan.
Frank Messenger Architect: Ian Pritchard.
New Plymouth School of Nursing Old Girls' Association inc. Silver Jubilee 1957-82.
- Taranaki Daily News
HELEN HARVEY
Last updated 11:30 30/05/2011
The million-dollar views are still there, but the once beautiful gardens have gone. The buildings haven't seen a paintbrush for decades and are in a state of disrepair. Only plaques and signwriting on faded walls give clues to the past - "Mortuary" on an old building hidden in bush, "Taranaki Hospital Board" in bold letters above old wooden garage doors that sit below broken windows.
The old Barrett St Hospital has seen better days. Since it was replaced by Taranaki Base Hospital in Westown, the buildings have been left to their fate, which one New Plymouth doctor thinks is a tragedy.
"It's like a grand old lady that is slowly dying. It's not just that it's an eyesore . . . it's a sad reflection on indecision and vandalism combined," Matthew Allen says.
The nurses' home, in particular, has been the victim of vandals and looters, who, before the arrival of the Taranaki Music Education Centre in 2003, stripped the old home of wooden doors, windows, the wooden hand rails on the stairs and marble benchtops.
Dr Allen wants to see a decision made on what to do with the site. But that is not likely to happen any time soon. The 7.6272 hectare site is owned by the Crown and held in the Office of Treaty Settlement's landbank to be used in the settlement of historic Treaty of Waitangi claims.
Te Atiawa is looking to sign an agreement in principle (a broad agreement as to what will make up the settlement) with the Crown in March next year, but the iwi hasn't decided whether it wants the Barrett St properties as part of its settlement or, if it did, what it would do with it.
A major problem with the old hospital is the asbestos in the buildings, which would be expensive to clear. That expense would have to be taken into consideration when making a decision, Te Atiawa Iwi Authority chairwoman Wikitoria Keenan says.
In 1996 Taranaki Healthcare put the estimated cost of removing asbestos at $500,000 and demolishing buildings at $700,000.
At the time Valuation New Zealand put the government valuation for the land at $1.1 million, based on a hypothetical residential subdivision.
Ad Feedback
The site, along with the former Patea Hospital, was sold to the Government for $1m in September 1996. The Barrett St portion of the sale was worked out at $111,000 a hectare. As at September 1, 2010, Quotable Value put the capital value of the property at $3.9m and valued the land at $3.775m.
If the land is not needed for the settlement of Treaty claims it will be sold on the open market.
In the meantime the Office of Treaty Settlements maintains and tenants the buildings. "In total there are 13 leases in place on the property, managed by Darroch Ltd. The leases are with private individuals and a range of organisations, with varied usage as one might expect from a set of commercial leasing arrangements," says Office of Treaty Settlements director Peter Galvin.
He would not elaborate on how many people live on the site or what type of accommodation is available.
Ms Keenan says having people live there isn't the best.
"But I suppose with people living there at least it's being occupied, because otherwise there would be a vast area that's empty. And the Crown's not too keen to put much money in for maintenance. At least with people living there, they are up there and they keep an eye on the site."
Te Atiawa can purchase the property or some of it as part of its settlement, she says. "But we haven't made a decision on that yet. We'll be considering it. That's as far as we've got, yet. We need to work through a couple of things."
And the iwi hasn't decided what it would do with the land, if it did receive it as part of the settlement.
"Some people have said they'd like to see a marae there . . . just because some people want to see a marae there doesn't mean it's going to happen."
The whole hospital block is culturally significant because it's on an old pa site, she says.
"It used to go right across to what they now call Western Park. It was quite a big pa site. If you look at the landscape you'd understand why."
Back then it was called Otumaikuku and may have been part of 1400ha of land sold to the Plymouth Company.
"Carrington identified it quite early on as a good hospital site, because that is what they did way back in those days, put hospitals on a hill."
F rederick Alonzo Carrington picked out the hill in 1842, according to a book by A B Scanlan on the history of the hospital. But it wasn't until 1867 that a hospital occupied the site. The original plan was to move the colonial hospital from beside the Henui River, but instead buildings were removed from St Germain's Square (later the site of the Army Hall and the Agricultural Society's hall in Gill St).
Building of the second hospital started in 1887. It had soaring angles of the Gothic style popular in government buildings and schools at the time, Mr Scanlan wrote. Builders used 61,000 metres of timber, the floors were matai or kauri and there were 70 windows. The plumbing alone cost [PndStlg]200. The hospital officially moved in on January 23, 1888. One hundred years later Dr Matthew Allen helped pull down the remaining 1887 buildings after a fire and used the timber to build his house.
His family has had a long association with the hospital. Father Dennis was a pathologist and uncles Chalmers and Peter were radiologists. An aunt, Barbara Allen, was in accident and emergency.
"So, when I was a boy I used to go up and see my father at the laboratory there, which was right next to the ambulance entrance."
He used to pinch barley sugars from drawers and wander around the wards.
"Everything was immaculate and beautifully kept and clean."
In those days, the 1960s, TB testing still relied on using guinea pigs to test whether patients had TB or not, Dr Allen says. The patient's serum would be injected into the guinea pig and the patient's name attached. There was a little house in a gully full of guinea pigs with names on them.
"Unfortunately they were killed at the end. But there were hundreds of guinea pigs down there to play with."
Another thing to have changed since then is the reusing of needles. Needles used to be made of stainless steel and Dr Allen remembers an orderly having the job of sharpening and sterilising the needles.
"And, of course, in those days there was no emergency department. It was called out-patients and was in a little shed opposite the main hospital. Actually patients who presented with acute illnesses would go to their family doctor first."
Dr Allen was a house surgeon at the hospital in the early 1980s, when the mental health unit and long stage geriatrics were the only units still operating at the hospital.
"Even then we had a proper morning tea service, with white linen and silver cutlery. And a served lunch. It was all very proper."
The nurses' home was bright pink and the nurses wore pink and white outfits, he says.
"Single nurses had to live in. That was the rule. The nurses' home was just a beautiful facility with its sprung dance floor and beautifully carved balustrades."
The dance floor is still there, but the balustrades are long gone. Upstairs the different eras, representing the different additions to the home, are clearly seen in the joinery in what were the nurses' bedrooms.
In the 19th century the matron and nurses lived in the hospital. The first nurses' home was built in 1900, Mr Scanlan says in his book.
Later a cottage known as Tariki was built behind the hospital, later known as the isolation block. It was eventually moved lower down the hospital grounds. In 1905 a second story was added.
In July 1916 nurses petitioned the hospital board for better conditions and pay. The new nurses' home designed by architect Frank Messenger, opened on March 14, 1922, and was known as "The Palace".
Additions, also designed by Frank Messenger, were built in 1928, 1936 and 1945. Five years after Mr Messenger's death another was added and others followed regularly from 1867, when the first buildings were moved onto the hill.
In 1872 an addition was completed for a women's ward and for what was then called a "lunatic asylum".
In March 1916 the hospital was opened and within a month or two there were 83 occupied beds, a record. The medical supervisor's house opened in 1926, followed by the Taranaki Health Board office in 1927. A new children's ward opened in June 1923 and was named after George Tabor who died in 1914 aged 38. His mother, Rebecca Tabor, an owner of White Hart Hotel, donated [PndStlg]6000 to hospital board in 1928.
But things started to wind down at Barrett St Hospital from the 1960s when services began moving to Taranaki Base Hospital.
In 1972 Governor-General Sir Denis Blundell opened Taranaki Base Hospital, which then assumed the role of charge hospital for the province. In later years Barrett St was used for mental health patients, long-term geriatric patients, district nursing services headquarters and board offices. The Tabor Unit provided care to intellectually and physically disabled young people from 1976 to 1995.
References:
Hospital on the Hill: A B Scanlan.
Frank Messenger Architect: Ian Pritchard.
New Plymouth School of Nursing Old Girls' Association inc. Silver Jubilee 1957-82.
- Taranaki Daily News
HELEN HARVEY
Last updated 11:30 30/05/2011
Bakery woes threaten philanthropist's legacy
The financial turmoil at Yarrows looks set to claim another victim: Noel Yarrow's legacy.
The philanthropist and his wife Melva donated millions of dollars to Taranaki students and organisations through the Noel and Melva Yarrow Charitable Trust. But the trust is under serious threat after its major source of income, Yarrows the Bakers, was placed in receivership earlier this week.
The Taranaki Daily News understands the trust is well down the pecking order for receivers, behind the IRD, employees and the Westpac bank, which is believed to be owed a significant amount.
Trustee Peter Tennent said the trust was inextricably linked to the bakery.
"The most significant asset of the trust is the investment in the bakery operation. It always has been – and my hope is it always will be – and that would be in the tune of eight figures.
"Having said that, the trust has other assets but most of its income comes from the bakery."
The charitable trust was formed in 2004 to celebrate Mr Yarrow's 80th birthday.
Since then it has given large contributions to the ITU World Cup triathlon, the Rhododendron Festival and the Taranaki Cycle Challenge. Dozens of students and the schools they represented also benefited.
Mr Tennent said the trustees were hopeful receivers could trade out of the difficult situation.
"The trustees, like anyone in Taranaki, are pretty upset about the situation. It's been no secret there's been potential problems for some time. The trustees have been working with a number of parties to avoid exactly what is happening now."
He said the trust would continue to support the region but at a significantly reduced level of funding. "It will continue to do exactly what it was set up by Noel and Melva to do, which is to make a positive difference in the Taranaki community."
Husband of Rosemary (nee Yarrow), Mr Tennent said he could not speak for the whole family but there were concerns for staff, suppliers and the community at large.
"The family have worked incredibly hard, they are community-minded people, to make a positive difference."
Also as part of the trust a scholarship scheme was set up for Taranaki secondary school leavers as well as for funding towards information and food technology facilities at all Taranaki schools.
Taranaki Secondary Schools Principals Association spokesman Mark Bowden said they were unsure how it would affect them in the future.
"The vision that Noel had for young people and Taranaki I guess is at risk. It's dreadfully sad.
"We are such a fortunate province to have had the Yarrows Trust."
- Taranaki Daily News
LAIRD HARPER
Last updated 05:00 03/06/2011
On Thursday the Taranaki Daily News went to Manaia to find out what the locals thought would happen to the bakery, community and town after Yarrows went into receivership on Tuesday.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/5094505/Bakery-woes-threaten-philanthropists-legacy
The philanthropist and his wife Melva donated millions of dollars to Taranaki students and organisations through the Noel and Melva Yarrow Charitable Trust. But the trust is under serious threat after its major source of income, Yarrows the Bakers, was placed in receivership earlier this week.
The Taranaki Daily News understands the trust is well down the pecking order for receivers, behind the IRD, employees and the Westpac bank, which is believed to be owed a significant amount.
Trustee Peter Tennent said the trust was inextricably linked to the bakery.
"The most significant asset of the trust is the investment in the bakery operation. It always has been – and my hope is it always will be – and that would be in the tune of eight figures.
"Having said that, the trust has other assets but most of its income comes from the bakery."
The charitable trust was formed in 2004 to celebrate Mr Yarrow's 80th birthday.
Since then it has given large contributions to the ITU World Cup triathlon, the Rhododendron Festival and the Taranaki Cycle Challenge. Dozens of students and the schools they represented also benefited.
Mr Tennent said the trustees were hopeful receivers could trade out of the difficult situation.
"The trustees, like anyone in Taranaki, are pretty upset about the situation. It's been no secret there's been potential problems for some time. The trustees have been working with a number of parties to avoid exactly what is happening now."
He said the trust would continue to support the region but at a significantly reduced level of funding. "It will continue to do exactly what it was set up by Noel and Melva to do, which is to make a positive difference in the Taranaki community."
Husband of Rosemary (nee Yarrow), Mr Tennent said he could not speak for the whole family but there were concerns for staff, suppliers and the community at large.
"The family have worked incredibly hard, they are community-minded people, to make a positive difference."
Also as part of the trust a scholarship scheme was set up for Taranaki secondary school leavers as well as for funding towards information and food technology facilities at all Taranaki schools.
Taranaki Secondary Schools Principals Association spokesman Mark Bowden said they were unsure how it would affect them in the future.
"The vision that Noel had for young people and Taranaki I guess is at risk. It's dreadfully sad.
"We are such a fortunate province to have had the Yarrows Trust."
- Taranaki Daily News
LAIRD HARPER
Last updated 05:00 03/06/2011
On Thursday the Taranaki Daily News went to Manaia to find out what the locals thought would happen to the bakery, community and town after Yarrows went into receivership on Tuesday.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/5094505/Bakery-woes-threaten-philanthropists-legacy
Wednesday, April 6
POLICE COURT.
Tuesday, September 3. — Before H. E. Kenny, Esq., R.M. Destitute Persons Belief Ordinance, 1846. — Mr. D. Bishop appeared in compliance with a summons issued upon an information laid by Mr. Snell, the chairman of the Taranaki Relief Board, whioh reoited that John and William Henry, two children of Mary, the wife of the late John Bishop were destitute and nnable to support themselves by their own labour, and that they have a grandfather named Daniel Bishop, of sufficient ability to support them. — Mr. Bishop said he was willing to take the children to his own house, and provide for them. — Mrs. Mary Bishop (being allowed some time for consideration) refused to accept the offer. — The Resident Magistrate reminded Mrs. Bishop that on a previous application for support, she had stated that she could maintain herself if it were not for the ohildreu, and that now how could she expect the Board to relieve her if she did not accept Mr. Bishop's offer ? There was no doubt the children would be well taken care of, and she could see them whenever she liked. It migbfc be unpleasant, bat people must submit to some inconvenience if by so doing they can prevent themselves from being a burden upon the public The resources of the Board were very small, and had to be applied to oases of great neoessity. — Mr. Snell said that Mr. Bishop having offered to provide for the children, nothing more could be expeoted from him, and that therefore he (Mr. Snoll) would ask the Court to allow him to with* draw the information.Taranaki Herald, Volume XX, Issue 2026, 7 September 1872, Page 2
Tuesday, September 3. — Before H. E. Kenny, Esq., R.M. Destitute Persons Belief Ordinance, 1846. — Mr. D. Bishop appeared in compliance with a summons issued upon an information laid by Mr. Snell, the chairman of the Taranaki Relief Board, whioh reoited that John and William Henry, two children of Mary, the wife of the late John Bishop were destitute and nnable to support themselves by their own labour, and that they have a grandfather named Daniel Bishop, of sufficient ability to support them. — Mr. Bishop said he was willing to take the children to his own house, and provide for them. — Mrs. Mary Bishop (being allowed some time for consideration) refused to accept the offer. — The Resident Magistrate reminded Mrs. Bishop that on a previous application for support, she had stated that she could maintain herself if it were not for the ohildreu, and that now how could she expect the Board to relieve her if she did not accept Mr. Bishop's offer ? There was no doubt the children would be well taken care of, and she could see them whenever she liked. It migbfc be unpleasant, bat people must submit to some inconvenience if by so doing they can prevent themselves from being a burden upon the public The resources of the Board were very small, and had to be applied to oases of great neoessity. — Mr. Snell said that Mr. Bishop having offered to provide for the children, nothing more could be expeoted from him, and that therefore he (Mr. Snoll) would ask the Court to allow him to with* draw the information.Taranaki Herald, Volume XX, Issue 2026, 7 September 1872, Page 2
Charge under the Destitute Persons Belief Ordinance. —Daniel Bishop appeared in obedience to a summons issued upon an information laid by Mr. Snell, the Chairman of the Taranaki Relief Board. The defendant was asked what he had to say why an order (under the provisions of the above Ordinance) should not be made upon him to pay something towards the support of John and William Henry, who are grandsons of defendant and children of Mrs. Mary Bishop, the said children being destitute, and unable to support themselves. The defendant pleaded that he was ' not in a position to pay anything towards the support of the said children. After hearing the evidence given by Mr. Snell and the defendant, the Resident Magistrate ordered the latter to pay into Court, every Saturday, 2s. 6d. towards the support of the children in question —the first payment to be made on the 19th instant. Taranaki Herald, Volume XX, Issue 2035, 9 October 1872, Page 3
D.H'.ieI Bi«liop applied m tlm Couri Loilnterinwio »» oi'dt-r which had been made upon him on theS'iiof October, last year. This was an order, made ccder the above Ordinance, that Mr. Bishop should pny 2s. 6d. weekly towards tbe support ol two of the children of Mary Bishop, the widow of his late son. Mr. Bishop said tlmt he was miable further to continue tliio because a widowed na-ighte*' and her family had lately become dependent neon him for snpporr.. In deference to bis son's <«; I s. r request, be would, however, bo glad to take charge of Mrs. Mary Bishop's eldepfc boy, nnd b r iug liim up as one of It is own family. Notice that the application would be made having been given to the oilier side, and no person appeari'iu to rnise any objection, the Court informed Mr. Bishop that the ordor would be determined, and thut he could therefore discontinue the weekly payment. Taranaki Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 2160, 20 December 1873, Page 3
POLICE COURT.
Thursday, August 29. — Before H. E. Kenny, Esq., H.M.
Information under " The Destitute Peksons Relief Ordinance, 1846." — An information was laid under the above Ordinance by Mr. R. Snell, the Chairman of the Taranaki Relief Board, to the effect that Mary Bishop, widow of the late John Bishop, is destitute and unable to support herself by her own labour, and that she has a father, named William Billing, living at New Plymouth, of sufficient ability to support her. Mr. Billing was called upon to say why an order should not be made upon him for payment towards such support. Mr. Snell stated that Mrs. Bishop applied to the Board sometime since for relief, and, in consequence of that application, she received 2s. Gd. per week for about twelve months, or more. She was then struck off pay, but had made a second application in writing about ton days' since. The application was produced and read.
Mrs. Bishop said that she had two children, one under six and the other under four yours of age. She could maintain herself ii' it were not for the children, but she was not strong, and could not get sufficient needlework to do.
Mr. Billing admitted that his daughter was destitute, but that he could not maintain himself, and therefore could not promise to contribute any regular sum towards her support. He was seventyeight years of age. His sons managed the farm, and had to provide out of the proceeds for the maintenance of their father, mother, and sisters. His sons sometimes brought in firewood and other things to Mrs. Bishop.
Mr. Snell said that he thought if Mr. Billing could afford to spend so much a year as he did in the education of one of his daughters, he ought to be able to contribute towards the support of this one, instead of allowing her to be a burden upon the public.
The Resident Magistrate said he certainly could not interfere with the manner in which Mr. Billing chose to educate his daughter. It was the duty of every parent to provide for his children the best education that by in his power. Ib was clear an order could not be muJe upon Mr. Billing, as it was proved that he was not of sufficient ability to contribute towards Mrs. Bishop's support. Taranaki Herald, Volume XX, Issue 2024, 31 August 1872, Page 3
Thursday, August 29. — Before H. E. Kenny, Esq., H.M.
Information under " The Destitute Peksons Relief Ordinance, 1846." — An information was laid under the above Ordinance by Mr. R. Snell, the Chairman of the Taranaki Relief Board, to the effect that Mary Bishop, widow of the late John Bishop, is destitute and unable to support herself by her own labour, and that she has a father, named William Billing, living at New Plymouth, of sufficient ability to support her. Mr. Billing was called upon to say why an order should not be made upon him for payment towards such support. Mr. Snell stated that Mrs. Bishop applied to the Board sometime since for relief, and, in consequence of that application, she received 2s. Gd. per week for about twelve months, or more. She was then struck off pay, but had made a second application in writing about ton days' since. The application was produced and read.
Mrs. Bishop said that she had two children, one under six and the other under four yours of age. She could maintain herself ii' it were not for the children, but she was not strong, and could not get sufficient needlework to do.
Mr. Billing admitted that his daughter was destitute, but that he could not maintain himself, and therefore could not promise to contribute any regular sum towards her support. He was seventyeight years of age. His sons managed the farm, and had to provide out of the proceeds for the maintenance of their father, mother, and sisters. His sons sometimes brought in firewood and other things to Mrs. Bishop.
Mr. Snell said that he thought if Mr. Billing could afford to spend so much a year as he did in the education of one of his daughters, he ought to be able to contribute towards the support of this one, instead of allowing her to be a burden upon the public.
The Resident Magistrate said he certainly could not interfere with the manner in which Mr. Billing chose to educate his daughter. It was the duty of every parent to provide for his children the best education that by in his power. Ib was clear an order could not be muJe upon Mr. Billing, as it was proved that he was not of sufficient ability to contribute towards Mrs. Bishop's support. Taranaki Herald, Volume XX, Issue 2024, 31 August 1872, Page 3
Thursday, March 31
Big celebration planned for hall
Big celebration planned for hall
Last updated 05:00 30/03/2011
LAIRD HARPER/Taranaki Daily News
COUNTING DOWN: Friends of the Eltham Town Hall secretary Pauline Turpie prepares for a monster year of celebrations as the hall brings up the big 100.
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Click here to find out more!
The Eltham Town Hall will celebrate 100 years of theatrical excellence and silver screen quotation on May 8.
Built in 1911 and designed by Taranaki's most prolific architect, John Alfred Duffill, the hall was the first in Taranaki to show silent movies, hosted an array of national performers and was the pride of the town. More recently the hall was used as a sound stage during the filming of Predicament.
Friends of the Eltham Town Hall secretary Pauline Turpie said they wanted to do more than the usual cutting of the cake to celebrate the centenary and set about launching months of entertainment.
"It will start with a birthday celebration on May 8 but will continue on with concerts, comedy nights, a short film festival and a mid-winter celebration in the coming months."
Mrs Turpie said until the group began its $500,000 renovation project in early 2000 the hall was in a sad state.
"It was allowed to go to rack and ruin and it was just grotty. It was so awful."
She said once the rejuvenation project was completed, thanks to fundraising and grants from the TSB Trust and TET, they still had trouble enticing people back to the grand old building.
"People remembered it the way it was. The building is just beautiful now."
The hall, which has been used sporadically throughout its later years, will now come alive with eight events in three months already booked and a host of others in the pipeline.
"It's about marketing the building and bringing productions and events back to Eltham."
- Taranaki Daily News
Last updated 05:00 30/03/2011
LAIRD HARPER/Taranaki Daily News
COUNTING DOWN: Friends of the Eltham Town Hall secretary Pauline Turpie prepares for a monster year of celebrations as the hall brings up the big 100.
Relevant offers
Click here to find out more!
The Eltham Town Hall will celebrate 100 years of theatrical excellence and silver screen quotation on May 8.
Built in 1911 and designed by Taranaki's most prolific architect, John Alfred Duffill, the hall was the first in Taranaki to show silent movies, hosted an array of national performers and was the pride of the town. More recently the hall was used as a sound stage during the filming of Predicament.
Friends of the Eltham Town Hall secretary Pauline Turpie said they wanted to do more than the usual cutting of the cake to celebrate the centenary and set about launching months of entertainment.
"It will start with a birthday celebration on May 8 but will continue on with concerts, comedy nights, a short film festival and a mid-winter celebration in the coming months."
Mrs Turpie said until the group began its $500,000 renovation project in early 2000 the hall was in a sad state.
"It was allowed to go to rack and ruin and it was just grotty. It was so awful."
She said once the rejuvenation project was completed, thanks to fundraising and grants from the TSB Trust and TET, they still had trouble enticing people back to the grand old building.
"People remembered it the way it was. The building is just beautiful now."
The hall, which has been used sporadically throughout its later years, will now come alive with eight events in three months already booked and a host of others in the pipeline.
"It's about marketing the building and bringing productions and events back to Eltham."
- Taranaki Daily News
Post office moved to clear corner
Post office moved to clear corner
MICHELLE TAN-JACKSON
Last updated 05:00 31/03/2011
The historic Uruti post office has a new address – 50 metres from its old site.
The building, which opened in 1894 and shut in 1988, has been moved from its spot next to State Highway 3 to allow the New Zealand Transport Agency to realign the corner at the southern entrance to Uruti.
It now resides at its owners Bob and Carolyne Murray's property at 6 Uruti Rd.
"The post office was included in the package when we bought our house. Although the land that the post office was sitting on belonged to NZTA, we still owned the post office and had to move it eventually," Mrs Murray said.
Independent House Removals last month took about six hours to shift the 40-square metre native timber construction, at a cost of $4000.
Mrs Murray said feedback about plans to use the old post office as an arts and crafts studio had been positive. "We've had several offers of people wanting to buy it. I didn't consider any of them as I wanted the Uruti post office to stay in Uruti.
"It's a historic icon, where there are none around now other than the church. The community are very happy that it's staying in the area."
Mrs Murray said the relocation of the post office would mean it could be better preserved while changes to the road would "save a lot of lives".
"There have been accidents at that corner since we've first moved here," she said.
Property Group senior consultant Andrew Hopkirk, who helped buy the site for NZTA, said it was hard to see other cars at the Uruti corner.
"We have to realign SH3 so there's a better sight distance for people going around the corner into Uruti."
The $90,000 work on the road will begin at the end of April. Michelle Tan-Jackson is a Witt journalism student
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- Taranaki Daily News
MICHELLE TAN-JACKSON
Last updated 05:00 31/03/2011
The historic Uruti post office has a new address – 50 metres from its old site.
The building, which opened in 1894 and shut in 1988, has been moved from its spot next to State Highway 3 to allow the New Zealand Transport Agency to realign the corner at the southern entrance to Uruti.
It now resides at its owners Bob and Carolyne Murray's property at 6 Uruti Rd.
"The post office was included in the package when we bought our house. Although the land that the post office was sitting on belonged to NZTA, we still owned the post office and had to move it eventually," Mrs Murray said.
Independent House Removals last month took about six hours to shift the 40-square metre native timber construction, at a cost of $4000.
Mrs Murray said feedback about plans to use the old post office as an arts and crafts studio had been positive. "We've had several offers of people wanting to buy it. I didn't consider any of them as I wanted the Uruti post office to stay in Uruti.
"It's a historic icon, where there are none around now other than the church. The community are very happy that it's staying in the area."
Mrs Murray said the relocation of the post office would mean it could be better preserved while changes to the road would "save a lot of lives".
"There have been accidents at that corner since we've first moved here," she said.
Property Group senior consultant Andrew Hopkirk, who helped buy the site for NZTA, said it was hard to see other cars at the Uruti corner.
"We have to realign SH3 so there's a better sight distance for people going around the corner into Uruti."
The $90,000 work on the road will begin at the end of April. Michelle Tan-Jackson is a Witt journalism student
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- Taranaki Daily News
Century of service to village
Century of service to village
MATT RILKOFF
Last updated 05:00 31/03/2011
Egmont Village shop
ROBERT CHARLES/Taranaki Daily News
SHOP SHOCK: The Egmont Village shop is closing tomorrow after more than 100 years. Loyal customers Doris Dixon, Andrew Bellringer, Marlene Busby and Blue the kelpy have been left wondering just where they will get their newspapers, milk and pies.
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After more than 100 years of continuous service the Egmont Village shop closes its doors tomorrow.
And although this means the community centre will get its pie warmer back after shop owner Lois Dixon borrowed it when hers went on the fritz, it also means the village loses what many see as the centre of their community.
"So many times when I come in here there are three or four people here and this is where we have our conversations," Egmont Village resident and regular customer Marlene Busby said.
"I come in here and get my paper, I come and get my pie.
" I won't be able to do that anymore. I will have to go without. We're going to miss the place so much."
Owner Lois Dixon will not miss the work she has spent the last 37 years doing but she will miss the people.
Not only is there Marlene, but also the pie-buying blokes from across the road, Andrew and Bill, and her mother-in-law Doris Dixon, 94, who stops by for a coffee just after 9am each day.
"A lot of them I have known all my life," Mrs Dixon said.
But throughout that life few things have stayed the same and with business takings down and two grandchildren to love, the time was right to shut up shop.
"When I first took it over things were very different.
"I used to stock everything and people would buy a lot more here before they went into town. There were different rules then too.
"On Sundays you weren't allowed to sell washing powder," Mrs Dixon said.
The Government has since dropped such laws and Mrs Dixon has been able to sell almost anything she wanted in recent years including the one product she still cannot believe she stocks.
"I just never thought I would sell bottled water. I mean, everyone can get it out of the tap for free."
Any stock that is not sold today and tomorrow will go into her own pantry while the lollies and icecreams will be doled out to Mrs Dixon's grandchildren at sensible intervals.
- Taranaki Daily News
MATT RILKOFF
Last updated 05:00 31/03/2011
Egmont Village shop
ROBERT CHARLES/Taranaki Daily News
SHOP SHOCK: The Egmont Village shop is closing tomorrow after more than 100 years. Loyal customers Doris Dixon, Andrew Bellringer, Marlene Busby and Blue the kelpy have been left wondering just where they will get their newspapers, milk and pies.
Relevant offers
After more than 100 years of continuous service the Egmont Village shop closes its doors tomorrow.
And although this means the community centre will get its pie warmer back after shop owner Lois Dixon borrowed it when hers went on the fritz, it also means the village loses what many see as the centre of their community.
"So many times when I come in here there are three or four people here and this is where we have our conversations," Egmont Village resident and regular customer Marlene Busby said.
"I come in here and get my paper, I come and get my pie.
" I won't be able to do that anymore. I will have to go without. We're going to miss the place so much."
Owner Lois Dixon will not miss the work she has spent the last 37 years doing but she will miss the people.
Not only is there Marlene, but also the pie-buying blokes from across the road, Andrew and Bill, and her mother-in-law Doris Dixon, 94, who stops by for a coffee just after 9am each day.
"A lot of them I have known all my life," Mrs Dixon said.
But throughout that life few things have stayed the same and with business takings down and two grandchildren to love, the time was right to shut up shop.
"When I first took it over things were very different.
"I used to stock everything and people would buy a lot more here before they went into town. There were different rules then too.
"On Sundays you weren't allowed to sell washing powder," Mrs Dixon said.
The Government has since dropped such laws and Mrs Dixon has been able to sell almost anything she wanted in recent years including the one product she still cannot believe she stocks.
"I just never thought I would sell bottled water. I mean, everyone can get it out of the tap for free."
Any stock that is not sold today and tomorrow will go into her own pantry while the lollies and icecreams will be doled out to Mrs Dixon's grandchildren at sensible intervals.
- Taranaki Daily News
Sunday, March 6
SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS. MANAIA CONVENT SCHOOL.
SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS. MANAIA CONVENT SCHOOL.
The following pupils were successful at the examinations held recently
Standard Vll.— Nellie Hodgson, Maud Milner.
Standard VI. — John Franklin, James Ryan, Elsie Hodgson*, Emily Hurley, Bridget Landers. Standard V. — Charles Hughes, William McCarty, Jofon Mourie, Thomas O'DoiMiell, Mary Connell, Mary Landers, Mary Leydon, Flossie Milnei), Eileen Shaimahaiii.
Standard IV.— John Connell, John Landers, John Wells, Agneta Hillis,
Mary Wallace.
Standard lll.— Edward Hurley, Kate Franklin, Beatrice Hodgson, Mary Mc- Carty, Kathleen Shannahun. Standard ll.— William Bourke, Thos. Hurley, Lawrence Landers, James Mc- Carty, Leo. Wallace, Kathleen ,o'Donnell/Agnes O'Reilly, Ivy Wallace, Olive Wallace.
Standard I. — Maurice Leydon, Francis Landers, John McCarty, Bertie Ryan^ Iddward Wells, Evelyn Bryant.
MANAIA STATE SCHOOL.
Standard VlL—Sytdney Washer, Edith Barleyman, Winnie Law, May Hair. Standard ,VI. — Arthur Xmxton, Leslie Luxton, Maggie Exley, Jessie Ferguson, Elsie Law, Vida Milroy, Gracie Reid, Lena Sufton, Mabel Sutton. Standard V. — Cecil Anderson, Oolin Campbell, Elva Gamlin, Amy Hall, Winnie Knight, Ada Phillips.
Standard IV.— John Campbell, A. Creig, Simon. Dick, Arthur Gilmcmr, .Nelson Gane, Godfrey Hunsen, Wilfred Meuli, Malcolm Stewart, Willie Winters, Margaret Campbell Maud Creig, Catherine Scott.
Standard 111. — David Creig, Tom Pairnian, TCwart Gamlin, Frank Knight, Harry llaine, Andrew McLeod, George IWcLeod, Filsie Atkins, Maud Bell, Vio- Jet Bell, Katie Bridge, Maggie Briggs, Edith Butler. Dora CampWl, Winnie Creig, Mabel Gilmour, Margery Hunt, Ada Muggeridge, Millie Muggeritige, [G! ladys Lee, Dorothy Patterson, Eroniel jßame, Gladys Reid, Jean Scott, Ray (Winters.
I Standard ll.—George 'Bryant, Charlie U&y^nt; Willie Butler, Fred Collins, 1 Ronald Ferguson, Willie Hasitie, Lionel Kerkby, Norman Luxton, Robin M!c- Leod, Hugh McCarthy, Emslie Reid, Dayid Stewart, Mary Campbell, Margory Cullens, Lizzie Creig, Lucy Dick;, Stelka Hansen,- Laura EHrd, Bessie Mitchell, Stency Patterson, Ethel Phillips. Standard I.— Willie Bridge, Sydney Highani, David Creig, Charles M'ugg-e-ridge, Percy llaine, Ronald Stewart, Neville Shute, Alice Butler, Daisy Fer-guson, Betty Hunger, Frank Muggeridge.
Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 7838, 13 November 1903, Page 2
The following pupils were successful at the examinations held recently
Standard Vll.— Nellie Hodgson, Maud Milner.
Standard VI. — John Franklin, James Ryan, Elsie Hodgson*, Emily Hurley, Bridget Landers. Standard V. — Charles Hughes, William McCarty, Jofon Mourie, Thomas O'DoiMiell, Mary Connell, Mary Landers, Mary Leydon, Flossie Milnei), Eileen Shaimahaiii.
Standard IV.— John Connell, John Landers, John Wells, Agneta Hillis,
Mary Wallace.
Standard lll.— Edward Hurley, Kate Franklin, Beatrice Hodgson, Mary Mc- Carty, Kathleen Shannahun. Standard ll.— William Bourke, Thos. Hurley, Lawrence Landers, James Mc- Carty, Leo. Wallace, Kathleen ,o'Donnell/Agnes O'Reilly, Ivy Wallace, Olive Wallace.
Standard I. — Maurice Leydon, Francis Landers, John McCarty, Bertie Ryan^ Iddward Wells, Evelyn Bryant.
MANAIA STATE SCHOOL.
Standard VlL—Sytdney Washer, Edith Barleyman, Winnie Law, May Hair. Standard ,VI. — Arthur Xmxton, Leslie Luxton, Maggie Exley, Jessie Ferguson, Elsie Law, Vida Milroy, Gracie Reid, Lena Sufton, Mabel Sutton. Standard V. — Cecil Anderson, Oolin Campbell, Elva Gamlin, Amy Hall, Winnie Knight, Ada Phillips.
Standard IV.— John Campbell, A. Creig, Simon. Dick, Arthur Gilmcmr, .Nelson Gane, Godfrey Hunsen, Wilfred Meuli, Malcolm Stewart, Willie Winters, Margaret Campbell Maud Creig, Catherine Scott.
Standard 111. — David Creig, Tom Pairnian, TCwart Gamlin, Frank Knight, Harry llaine, Andrew McLeod, George IWcLeod, Filsie Atkins, Maud Bell, Vio- Jet Bell, Katie Bridge, Maggie Briggs, Edith Butler. Dora CampWl, Winnie Creig, Mabel Gilmour, Margery Hunt, Ada Muggeridge, Millie Muggeritige, [G! ladys Lee, Dorothy Patterson, Eroniel jßame, Gladys Reid, Jean Scott, Ray (Winters.
I Standard ll.—George 'Bryant, Charlie U&y^nt; Willie Butler, Fred Collins, 1 Ronald Ferguson, Willie Hasitie, Lionel Kerkby, Norman Luxton, Robin M!c- Leod, Hugh McCarthy, Emslie Reid, Dayid Stewart, Mary Campbell, Margory Cullens, Lizzie Creig, Lucy Dick;, Stelka Hansen,- Laura EHrd, Bessie Mitchell, Stency Patterson, Ethel Phillips. Standard I.— Willie Bridge, Sydney Highani, David Creig, Charles M'ugg-e-ridge, Percy llaine, Ronald Stewart, Neville Shute, Alice Butler, Daisy Fer-guson, Betty Hunger, Frank Muggeridge.
Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 7838, 13 November 1903, Page 2
Thursday, February 3
Race relations commissioner says Taranaki protest 'deplorable'
Thu, 03 Feb 2011 2:52p.m.
A councillor's protest against a Cambodian-owned takeaway joint in Taranaki is "deplorable", the Race Relations Commissioner says.
New Plymouth District councillor Sherril George yesterday handed out brochures outside Waitara's Town and Country Food, which urged people to boycott the one-month old business.
Ms George, who owns a pizzeria in Waitara, says she wants people to support their "local community" and argues Town and Country Food is a franchise driving other businesses out.
But Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres told NZPA: "You can't put a little fence around Waitara and say 'no migrants here'.
"I was quite shocked but I'm very heartened by the way people have both challenged her and disassociated themselves from her comments."
However, Ms George was not breaking the law.
"You have to get to a pretty extreme level to fall foul of the law but that doesn't mean (this situation) is not deplorable."
People who had New Zealand residence or a visa had the right to work anywhere in the country.
"I think Ms George's comments come dangerously close to xenophobia ... in terms of seeking to excite hostility against a person who is operating a legal business in the town."
He said Ms George's stance was anti-competitive: "You compete on product, not on ethnicity".
Ms George told NZPA she was not a racist.
"This is nothing to do with racism. The businesses that I have been representing are multi-cultural. There's Maori, there's Chinese and there's Indian as well as European so there's no way anyone can label me a racist."
Ms George said she was working with local businesses to help them "lift their game".
She said Town and Country was targeting lower socioeconomic businesses with the sole aim of closing them down.
"It's all about cheap and nasty before it is about actually looking at adding value to a community."
She said her protest had nothing to do with the council but was her own initiative.
Town and Country Food owner Hoyt Khuon, who runs the shop with his family and has lived in New Zealand since 1998, told NZPA he was shocked by Ms George's actions but he had received at least 100 calls of support today.
"I am not a foreigner, I am a Kiwi. I hold a New Zealand passport," he said.
Locals told him to ignore Ms George and many apologised: "It made me feel so relieved and so welcome. I keep holding the phone and I can't work," he said.
Ms George's protest did not intimidate him and he was able to keep his sense of humour.
"I'm not scared about what she's trying to do ... I've got a lot of people supporting me -- even the mayor."
He was upset by her claims his food was of poor quality and his shop was "bleeding the town dry" however.
"I believe in my customer, if it's low-quality people don't come back," he said.
And Mr Khuon said he did support the community as he used local suppliers, plumbers and builders.
Ms George might be motivated by professional jealousy, he said.
"If you want a customer to go to your place do your stuff better than I do."
http://www.3news.co.nz/Race-relations-commissioner-says-Taranaki-protest-deplorable/tabid/423/articleID/197002/Default.aspx
A councillor's protest against a Cambodian-owned takeaway joint in Taranaki is "deplorable", the Race Relations Commissioner says.
New Plymouth District councillor Sherril George yesterday handed out brochures outside Waitara's Town and Country Food, which urged people to boycott the one-month old business.
Ms George, who owns a pizzeria in Waitara, says she wants people to support their "local community" and argues Town and Country Food is a franchise driving other businesses out.
But Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres told NZPA: "You can't put a little fence around Waitara and say 'no migrants here'.
"I was quite shocked but I'm very heartened by the way people have both challenged her and disassociated themselves from her comments."
However, Ms George was not breaking the law.
"You have to get to a pretty extreme level to fall foul of the law but that doesn't mean (this situation) is not deplorable."
People who had New Zealand residence or a visa had the right to work anywhere in the country.
"I think Ms George's comments come dangerously close to xenophobia ... in terms of seeking to excite hostility against a person who is operating a legal business in the town."
He said Ms George's stance was anti-competitive: "You compete on product, not on ethnicity".
Ms George told NZPA she was not a racist.
"This is nothing to do with racism. The businesses that I have been representing are multi-cultural. There's Maori, there's Chinese and there's Indian as well as European so there's no way anyone can label me a racist."
Ms George said she was working with local businesses to help them "lift their game".
She said Town and Country was targeting lower socioeconomic businesses with the sole aim of closing them down.
"It's all about cheap and nasty before it is about actually looking at adding value to a community."
She said her protest had nothing to do with the council but was her own initiative.
Town and Country Food owner Hoyt Khuon, who runs the shop with his family and has lived in New Zealand since 1998, told NZPA he was shocked by Ms George's actions but he had received at least 100 calls of support today.
"I am not a foreigner, I am a Kiwi. I hold a New Zealand passport," he said.
Locals told him to ignore Ms George and many apologised: "It made me feel so relieved and so welcome. I keep holding the phone and I can't work," he said.
Ms George's protest did not intimidate him and he was able to keep his sense of humour.
"I'm not scared about what she's trying to do ... I've got a lot of people supporting me -- even the mayor."
He was upset by her claims his food was of poor quality and his shop was "bleeding the town dry" however.
"I believe in my customer, if it's low-quality people don't come back," he said.
And Mr Khuon said he did support the community as he used local suppliers, plumbers and builders.
Ms George might be motivated by professional jealousy, he said.
"If you want a customer to go to your place do your stuff better than I do."
http://www.3news.co.nz/Race-relations-commissioner-says-Taranaki-protest-deplorable/tabid/423/articleID/197002/Default.aspx
Saturday, January 1
Interest in history flourished early on
The Taranaki Daily News Person of the Year, Nigel Ogle, has been a fan of history since his school days when he often carried old things around with him.
South Taranaki Mayor Ross Dunlop says said he has known Ogle for a long time and remembers those days at Hawera High School well.
"He's always loved history and as a high school student he used to carry a suitcase full of interesting historical items around, like musket balls and that sort of thing."
When the news of Mr Ogle's achievement was broken to Mr Dunlop yesterday he was all praise for the man who created Tawhiti Museum.
"He's turned his passion for history into the nation's best private museum," he said.
"This is true recognition for a talented and creative person."
Mr Ogle's contribution to South Taranaki was also noted by Mr Dunlop. "Nigel's family have lived and worked for many generations in South Taranaki and it makes all of us very proud to see him receive this award."
BLANTON SMITH - Taranaki Daily News
Last updated 05:00 01/01/2011
South Taranaki Mayor Ross Dunlop says said he has known Ogle for a long time and remembers those days at Hawera High School well.
"He's always loved history and as a high school student he used to carry a suitcase full of interesting historical items around, like musket balls and that sort of thing."
When the news of Mr Ogle's achievement was broken to Mr Dunlop yesterday he was all praise for the man who created Tawhiti Museum.
"He's turned his passion for history into the nation's best private museum," he said.
"This is true recognition for a talented and creative person."
Mr Ogle's contribution to South Taranaki was also noted by Mr Dunlop. "Nigel's family have lived and worked for many generations in South Taranaki and it makes all of us very proud to see him receive this award."
BLANTON SMITH - Taranaki Daily News
Last updated 05:00 01/01/2011
Keeper of the treasure
An art teacher who quit the classroom to become a potter is the 2010 Taranaki Daily News Person of the Year.
Nigel Ogle was "preparing for another day at the office" at his Tawhiti Museum near Normanby yesterday morning when told he'd won the award.
"That's crazy," was his first reaction. "Wow, what a surprise. We opened Traders and Whalers in March and now this. It has been an amazing year really."
He acknowledged the deeds of the four other finalists, former New Plymouth mayor Peter Tennent, St John stalwart Jack Chivers, Taranaki rugby coach Colin Cooper and White Ferns captain Aimee Mason.
"I'm an admirer, particularly of Peter Tennent who has been an inspiration. So has [former South Taranaki mayor] Mary Bourke, and I have learnt a lot from both of them."
The support of his family was key to the success of the museum.
"If I make something I always get [wife] Teresa to have a look. Jeremy is the deputy of Highlands Intermediate so there is education input there, while the girls, Jenni and Paula, have had vital parts to play."
He reflects on the day he left teaching at Hawera High School in 1988 and headed to his farmlet a few kilometres away.
"I couldn't have picked a worse time to become a full-time potter," he said. "It was right when the Chinese imports started to hit the country. There were big garden planters everywhere all of a sudden.
"New Zealand had a very vibrant potting industry at the time. They were all over the place, up valleys, living in tree huts in the bush. There were some very skilful people but so few survived because of those imports. It was tragic."
But it only served to harden the Ogle resolve.
"I suppose we can thank the Chinese for Tawhiti," he said with a smile. "I turned to niche pottery, stuff they wouldn't do, and set about getting the museum started."
The pinnacle came this year with the opening of the Traders and Whalers exhibition in March.
It was his most elaborate project and was four years in the making after gaining backing from the South Taranaki District Council.
"The council was courageous in taking it on. It raised a few eyebrows as there was quite a bit of money involved and a private-public partnership hadn't been tested before. It just would not have happened without them."
You can sense the pride when he talks about any of his work. The intricacy is obvious in the 800 unique figurines that make up the 1820s Musket Wars display, which opened four years ago.
"I actually made 1000 but took 200 out because it was too cluttered with all the dogs and pigs and horses."
The exacting detail of the landscape and flora is a hallmark. The late New Zealand historian, Michael King, marvelled at it.
"A friend of mine, Buster (Maurice) Walden, brought Michael here a few years ago. It was a few weeks before he was killed in a car accident. He just stood in front of it and didn't say anything for about two or three minutes. I was a bit worried but he finally turned to me and said: `This is what I'd hoped we would see when Te Papa opened'."
Nigel Ogle was humbled by that.
"I couldn't have asked for a better compliment. I had great respect for Michael."
Mary Bourke champions the Tawhiti Museum.
"It's a sort of a hidden treasure but that's part of the reason that makes it so good," she says.
"If this was somewhere else in the world, like Britain or the US, you would have to line up for hours then fight for your space. It is great to see the museum utilised to the point where they have gone underground with this latest work."
PETER BINGHAM - Taranaki Daily News
Last updated 05:00 01/01/2011
AWARD WINNER: Nigel Ogle with his trophy after being named the 2010 Taranaki Daily News Person of the Year.
CAMERON BURNELL/Taranaki Daily News
AWARD WINNER: Nigel Ogle with his trophy after being named the 2010 Taranaki Daily News Person of the Year.
Nigel Ogle was "preparing for another day at the office" at his Tawhiti Museum near Normanby yesterday morning when told he'd won the award.
"That's crazy," was his first reaction. "Wow, what a surprise. We opened Traders and Whalers in March and now this. It has been an amazing year really."
He acknowledged the deeds of the four other finalists, former New Plymouth mayor Peter Tennent, St John stalwart Jack Chivers, Taranaki rugby coach Colin Cooper and White Ferns captain Aimee Mason.
"I'm an admirer, particularly of Peter Tennent who has been an inspiration. So has [former South Taranaki mayor] Mary Bourke, and I have learnt a lot from both of them."
The support of his family was key to the success of the museum.
"If I make something I always get [wife] Teresa to have a look. Jeremy is the deputy of Highlands Intermediate so there is education input there, while the girls, Jenni and Paula, have had vital parts to play."
He reflects on the day he left teaching at Hawera High School in 1988 and headed to his farmlet a few kilometres away.
"I couldn't have picked a worse time to become a full-time potter," he said. "It was right when the Chinese imports started to hit the country. There were big garden planters everywhere all of a sudden.
"New Zealand had a very vibrant potting industry at the time. They were all over the place, up valleys, living in tree huts in the bush. There were some very skilful people but so few survived because of those imports. It was tragic."
But it only served to harden the Ogle resolve.
"I suppose we can thank the Chinese for Tawhiti," he said with a smile. "I turned to niche pottery, stuff they wouldn't do, and set about getting the museum started."
The pinnacle came this year with the opening of the Traders and Whalers exhibition in March.
It was his most elaborate project and was four years in the making after gaining backing from the South Taranaki District Council.
"The council was courageous in taking it on. It raised a few eyebrows as there was quite a bit of money involved and a private-public partnership hadn't been tested before. It just would not have happened without them."
You can sense the pride when he talks about any of his work. The intricacy is obvious in the 800 unique figurines that make up the 1820s Musket Wars display, which opened four years ago.
"I actually made 1000 but took 200 out because it was too cluttered with all the dogs and pigs and horses."
The exacting detail of the landscape and flora is a hallmark. The late New Zealand historian, Michael King, marvelled at it.
"A friend of mine, Buster (Maurice) Walden, brought Michael here a few years ago. It was a few weeks before he was killed in a car accident. He just stood in front of it and didn't say anything for about two or three minutes. I was a bit worried but he finally turned to me and said: `This is what I'd hoped we would see when Te Papa opened'."
Nigel Ogle was humbled by that.
"I couldn't have asked for a better compliment. I had great respect for Michael."
Mary Bourke champions the Tawhiti Museum.
"It's a sort of a hidden treasure but that's part of the reason that makes it so good," she says.
"If this was somewhere else in the world, like Britain or the US, you would have to line up for hours then fight for your space. It is great to see the museum utilised to the point where they have gone underground with this latest work."
PETER BINGHAM - Taranaki Daily News
Last updated 05:00 01/01/2011
AWARD WINNER: Nigel Ogle with his trophy after being named the 2010 Taranaki Daily News Person of the Year.
CAMERON BURNELL/Taranaki Daily News
AWARD WINNER: Nigel Ogle with his trophy after being named the 2010 Taranaki Daily News Person of the Year.
Sunday, December 26
Well-read couple marks 60 years
The Barr family will be celebrating more than Christmas Day tomorrow.
Roy, 87, and Judy Barr, 78, will be ticking off 60 years of marriage. Some might say Christmas Day was an unusual date to marry, but it made sense for the couple. "All the family was here for dinner anyway so we thought we would get married too," Mrs Barr said.
This year the family will be having Christmas dinner at Cobb and Co, before marking the anniversary with a party on Boxing Day at the Waimea Bowling Club.
Mr and Mrs Barr are keen bowlers, but they also share a wicked sense of humour.
When asked to put his arm around his wife for a photo, Mr Barr was quick to quip: "You'll start to expect this every day. You ain't getting it".
Roy is clear about his role in the marriage though: "Making sure she doesn't spend too much money."
He was a tail gunner in the Royal Air Force during World War II, and met his future wife when he moved to New Zealand.
Her sister was dating his brother. Both couples ended up marrying.
The couple dairy farmed in Normanby for years before retiring to New Plymouth after Mr Barr had a heart attack.
Mr Barr said they had always lived in Taranaki, and the region "got a bit of rain now and then, which is very handy".
They have two children, three grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
When asked for their secret to a successful marriage, the Barrs said they were unsure whether they had one, but son Brian said they were both too stubborn to find anyone else. One reason for their happy union could be not changing their routine much – the couple still read the paper in bed every morning.
KATE SAUNDERS - Taranaki Daily News
Last updated 05:00 24/12/2010
Barrs
ROBERT CHARLES/Taranaki Daily News
HAPPY UNION: Judy, 78, and Roy, 87, Barr, celebrate 60 years of marriage on Christmas Day.
Roy, 87, and Judy Barr, 78, will be ticking off 60 years of marriage. Some might say Christmas Day was an unusual date to marry, but it made sense for the couple. "All the family was here for dinner anyway so we thought we would get married too," Mrs Barr said.
This year the family will be having Christmas dinner at Cobb and Co, before marking the anniversary with a party on Boxing Day at the Waimea Bowling Club.
Mr and Mrs Barr are keen bowlers, but they also share a wicked sense of humour.
When asked to put his arm around his wife for a photo, Mr Barr was quick to quip: "You'll start to expect this every day. You ain't getting it".
Roy is clear about his role in the marriage though: "Making sure she doesn't spend too much money."
He was a tail gunner in the Royal Air Force during World War II, and met his future wife when he moved to New Zealand.
Her sister was dating his brother. Both couples ended up marrying.
The couple dairy farmed in Normanby for years before retiring to New Plymouth after Mr Barr had a heart attack.
Mr Barr said they had always lived in Taranaki, and the region "got a bit of rain now and then, which is very handy".
They have two children, three grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
When asked for their secret to a successful marriage, the Barrs said they were unsure whether they had one, but son Brian said they were both too stubborn to find anyone else. One reason for their happy union could be not changing their routine much – the couple still read the paper in bed every morning.
KATE SAUNDERS - Taranaki Daily News
Last updated 05:00 24/12/2010
Barrs
ROBERT CHARLES/Taranaki Daily News
HAPPY UNION: Judy, 78, and Roy, 87, Barr, celebrate 60 years of marriage on Christmas Day.
Saturday, August 28
Hawera 'shuts down after 5pm'
Hawera's central business district is an uninviting "disgrace" when the sun sets, say business owners and residents.
Sporadic veranda lighting throughout the town's CBD is contributing to dark spots, forcing many residents to avoid the area at night.
A Hawera resident, who would only be identified as Miss Paisley, said without adequate veranda lighting outside shops she felt vulnerable.
"I will not use an ATM in Hawera at night," she said.
"I come home (from work in Eltham) and they haven't left the lights on for me."
She said it shouldn't be that way as the town had a lot to offer but a lack of lighting was damaging to its image.
"It feels like the town shuts down after 5pm.
"They welcome Americarna home but don't leave a light on for me when I come home."
She said someone needed to take ownership of the issue as it would be an easy way to attract more people into the CBD after dark.
The Taranaki Daily News understands the issue first arose when the now defunct Progress Hawera handed control of the lights to the council.
Not all businesses were linked to the scheme run by the business association which connected them to the council's street light circuit.
That created an issue over who was responsible for the lighting and led to many lights being neglected.
Real Sports owner Ross Laurence said Progress Hawera should never had been given the responsibility for the lights and since it was handed over to the council, nothing had been done.
"It's a disgrace that there has been no maintenance to some of the lights. The town needs to have all of these lights going."
South Taranaki District Council roading manager Vincent Lim said the council was responsible for repairing broken lights and paid the power bills for those linked into the system.
"In the last three weeks we have received a number of customer requests about the lighting issue in the area and we are looking into it."
Mr Lim said the council would approach businesses to find out which veranda lights were connected to the council's street light circuit and which were being run privately.
Mr Lim accepted some shop owners may not want the lights out of their control but it was about time the council asked the question.
"Many shopkeepers may not know they are entitled to have council look after the lights as many businesses have changed hands over the years."
He said if they did want council's support there would be a cost for rewiring the lights into the town's main circuit.
Groom owner Quintien Calder said he had been forced to install a light because without one his shop security camera would be useless.
"It would be nice to think people could go for walks on a Friday or Saturday night in a well-lit area," he said.
By LAIRD HARPER - Taranaki Daily News
Last updated 05:00 28/08/2010
Sporadic veranda lighting throughout the town's CBD is contributing to dark spots, forcing many residents to avoid the area at night.
A Hawera resident, who would only be identified as Miss Paisley, said without adequate veranda lighting outside shops she felt vulnerable.
"I will not use an ATM in Hawera at night," she said.
"I come home (from work in Eltham) and they haven't left the lights on for me."
She said it shouldn't be that way as the town had a lot to offer but a lack of lighting was damaging to its image.
"It feels like the town shuts down after 5pm.
"They welcome Americarna home but don't leave a light on for me when I come home."
She said someone needed to take ownership of the issue as it would be an easy way to attract more people into the CBD after dark.
The Taranaki Daily News understands the issue first arose when the now defunct Progress Hawera handed control of the lights to the council.
Not all businesses were linked to the scheme run by the business association which connected them to the council's street light circuit.
That created an issue over who was responsible for the lighting and led to many lights being neglected.
Real Sports owner Ross Laurence said Progress Hawera should never had been given the responsibility for the lights and since it was handed over to the council, nothing had been done.
"It's a disgrace that there has been no maintenance to some of the lights. The town needs to have all of these lights going."
South Taranaki District Council roading manager Vincent Lim said the council was responsible for repairing broken lights and paid the power bills for those linked into the system.
"In the last three weeks we have received a number of customer requests about the lighting issue in the area and we are looking into it."
Mr Lim said the council would approach businesses to find out which veranda lights were connected to the council's street light circuit and which were being run privately.
Mr Lim accepted some shop owners may not want the lights out of their control but it was about time the council asked the question.
"Many shopkeepers may not know they are entitled to have council look after the lights as many businesses have changed hands over the years."
He said if they did want council's support there would be a cost for rewiring the lights into the town's main circuit.
Groom owner Quintien Calder said he had been forced to install a light because without one his shop security camera would be useless.
"It would be nice to think people could go for walks on a Friday or Saturday night in a well-lit area," he said.
By LAIRD HARPER - Taranaki Daily News
Last updated 05:00 28/08/2010
Sunday, August 22
Hawera becomes tinseltown for film
The searchlight lit up Hawera skies, as the Predicament film cast and crew hit the red carpet in South Taranaki last night.
Months of waiting finally came to an end as the film's stars joined the locals to enjoy the film at the charity gala premiere.
Arriving in vintage cars fitting for the film's 1930s setting, the stars were then mixed and mingled at the pre-party in a marquee outside Cinema 2.
Inside both theatres were linked for those attending to hear speeches before the screenings.
Director Jason Stutter apologised for Jemaine Clement (of Flight of the Conchords) and Tim Finn who could not make it.
But Stutter decided to phone him anyway, despite it being the wee small hours in New York.
Although bleary from an interrupted sleep, Clement still made the audience laugh, just as he did almost every time he spoke throughout the film.
Stutter said he was rapt to have been able create the Predicament film to match the book and in the home town of its author, Ronald Hugh Morrieson.
"He sat in his home in Hawera, dreamed up this story that he struggled to get published and now it's going to Hollywood. It's a shame he can't be here to see everyone loving his work."
Co-producer Vincent Burke congratulated Taranaki for putting up money and hosting the film and he acknowledged Morrieson for being the only New Zealand author who has had every novel written made into a film.
"It was so important to have it filmed where he lived and wrote it," he said.
Producer Sue Rogers said loved being back in Taranaki.
"This is its launch and hopefully lots of people in New Zealand want to see it. The event, the team here is world class."
Predicament is due to be released into cinemas nationwide on Thursday.
By KELLY LONEY - Taranaki Daily News
Last updated 05:00 21/08/2010
Months of waiting finally came to an end as the film's stars joined the locals to enjoy the film at the charity gala premiere.
Arriving in vintage cars fitting for the film's 1930s setting, the stars were then mixed and mingled at the pre-party in a marquee outside Cinema 2.
Inside both theatres were linked for those attending to hear speeches before the screenings.
Director Jason Stutter apologised for Jemaine Clement (of Flight of the Conchords) and Tim Finn who could not make it.
But Stutter decided to phone him anyway, despite it being the wee small hours in New York.
Although bleary from an interrupted sleep, Clement still made the audience laugh, just as he did almost every time he spoke throughout the film.
Stutter said he was rapt to have been able create the Predicament film to match the book and in the home town of its author, Ronald Hugh Morrieson.
"He sat in his home in Hawera, dreamed up this story that he struggled to get published and now it's going to Hollywood. It's a shame he can't be here to see everyone loving his work."
Co-producer Vincent Burke congratulated Taranaki for putting up money and hosting the film and he acknowledged Morrieson for being the only New Zealand author who has had every novel written made into a film.
"It was so important to have it filmed where he lived and wrote it," he said.
Producer Sue Rogers said loved being back in Taranaki.
"This is its launch and hopefully lots of people in New Zealand want to see it. The event, the team here is world class."
Predicament is due to be released into cinemas nationwide on Thursday.
By KELLY LONEY - Taranaki Daily News
Last updated 05:00 21/08/2010
Monday, May 24
Memories aplenty as couple mark 60th
A wall of mementos representing six decades of wedded bliss lined up behind a farming couple from Manaia on Saturday.
Now retired, New Plymouth resident, Gordon and Melba Gibson celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with 70 guests at the New Plymouth Sportfishing and Underwater Club.
The couple were married at St John's Presbyterian Church in Hawera on May 24, 1950.
As well as Mrs Gibson's wedding dress, the couple still have the docket from where they stayed that evening – 2 1s which included breakfast.
All but one of the wedding party are still alive and were able to share the occasion in New Plymouth.
Now 85 and 79 respectively, Mr and Mrs Gibson look back to the early days of their romance in the rural 1940s South Taranaki.
Mr Gibson is from Kaponga and his bride from Manaia – they met when he played for the pipe band in Auroa while she attended school there.
"We use to go to the same dances, we'd probably known one another for years before we met," he said.
They dairy farmed in Manaia, raising two sons and a daughter, and now have six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
The couple were keen whitebaiters on the Awakino River.
Awarded the OBE, Mr Gibson was deputy chairman for Westgate Transport and served on its board for 26 years.
He also chaired the Taranaki Harbours Board, the Taranaki Port Company establishment unit, was vice-president of Harbour Association of New Zealand, and management committee member of the New Zealand Harbour Industrial Union Of Employers.
Mr Gibson knew what it took to make a good marriage last: "Being good at arguing.
"Actually, I'm waiting to see what you say," he said to his wife.
"We just always try to get along together – give and take both sides," Mrs Gibson said.
The couple received congratulatory cards from Prime Minister John Key, Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand, and the Queen.
By JARED SMITH - Taranaki Daily News
Last updated 05:00 24/05/2010
Now retired, New Plymouth resident, Gordon and Melba Gibson celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with 70 guests at the New Plymouth Sportfishing and Underwater Club.
The couple were married at St John's Presbyterian Church in Hawera on May 24, 1950.
As well as Mrs Gibson's wedding dress, the couple still have the docket from where they stayed that evening – 2 1s which included breakfast.
All but one of the wedding party are still alive and were able to share the occasion in New Plymouth.
Now 85 and 79 respectively, Mr and Mrs Gibson look back to the early days of their romance in the rural 1940s South Taranaki.
Mr Gibson is from Kaponga and his bride from Manaia – they met when he played for the pipe band in Auroa while she attended school there.
"We use to go to the same dances, we'd probably known one another for years before we met," he said.
They dairy farmed in Manaia, raising two sons and a daughter, and now have six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
The couple were keen whitebaiters on the Awakino River.
Awarded the OBE, Mr Gibson was deputy chairman for Westgate Transport and served on its board for 26 years.
He also chaired the Taranaki Harbours Board, the Taranaki Port Company establishment unit, was vice-president of Harbour Association of New Zealand, and management committee member of the New Zealand Harbour Industrial Union Of Employers.
Mr Gibson knew what it took to make a good marriage last: "Being good at arguing.
"Actually, I'm waiting to see what you say," he said to his wife.
"We just always try to get along together – give and take both sides," Mrs Gibson said.
The couple received congratulatory cards from Prime Minister John Key, Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand, and the Queen.
By JARED SMITH - Taranaki Daily News
Last updated 05:00 24/05/2010
Sunday, April 25
you know jin, this notion of Poi E as an anthem has always been in the back of my mind ever since Dalvanius passed away. i mentioned this in the music column a few weeks back and it was pretty well received (apart from a few who reckon 'bliss' would be better haha)
could you lot imagine, 30,000 singing Poi E, chanting Poi E in unison as another AB goes for the touchdown? Priceless eh! ;-)
Poi E should be the unofficial anthem of the RWC.
and given the right treatment - Poi E could well be our unofficial National Anthem. Kia Ora!
Glad I am not the only NZer with it playing around my mind!
It brings tears to my eyes and makes the hair stand up on my neck whenever I hear it .. and I am not maori.
I remember in the late 90's, there was Heartland doco, Gary McCormack visited the folk in Patea who were putting on a theatre show about the township, and the impact the freezing works' closure had its people there. What was the Show called? Anyone out there knows of the performance, or had been to it, or had participated in it?
Number 8 in iTunes! TV channel should do a small doco on it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQLUygS0IAQ
Here's the lyrics - and a translation!
E rere ra e taku poi porotiti
Tītahataha ra, whakararuraru e
Porotakataka rā, poro hurihuri mai
Rite tonu ki te tiwaiwaka e
Ka parepare ra, pīoioi a
Whakahekeheke, e kia korikori e
Piki whakarunga ra, ma muinga mai a
Taku poi porotiti, taku poi e!
Poi E, whakatata mai
Poi E, kaua he rerekē
Poi E, kia piri mai ki au
Poi E, e awhi mai ra
Poi E, tāpekatia mai.
Poi E, ō tāua aroha -
- Poi E - paiheretia ra.
POI... TAKU POI, E!
Swing out rhythmically, my feelings
lean out beside me, so deceptively.
Swing round and down, spin towards me
just like a fantail.
Swing to the side: swing to and fro
zoom down, wriggle,
climb up above, swarm around me
my whirling emotions, my poi, Yeah!
Oh my feelings, draw near,
Oh my poi, don't go astray
Oh my affections, stick to me
Oh my instincts, take care of me
Oh my emotions, be entwined around me.
Oh poi, our love...
Oh poi ...binds.
Poi.... my poi, yeah!
Not sure whether these words are right - off a blog - some seem a bit odd but, anyway...
Oh and the karanga (from memory)
rere atu taku poi - fly my poi
titahataha ra - slanting to the side
whakarunga, whakararo - going up going down
taku poi e! - my poi!
*
Yip great clip! for me it was somewhat great to be a boy living in Hawera, Taranaki, seeing the Kiwi Factory in sight. Poi E No.1 on Ready to Roll.
on the flipside, I do recall in the background there was a bit of controversy between Dalvanius and some Iwi Maori about the contemporary treatment of this Waiata, with its electronic beat and synthesizers- Too modern, too flashy, who does he think he is? (D) mixing pop music with traditional. This is not how Maori cultural performance should be presented to the world.
No offence to our kaumatua, for they were of their time and had their reasoning... i wonder if the most of the old people were still around, what would they make of the the latest wave of Poly/Maori sounds. (If it was my Koro, his opinion will still be the same - "ah blardy $%$@!!" hahaha
Personally i am glad Dalvanius and the people associated with him had the foresight to realise this could be done successfully, all packaged neat in a 3 and a half minute pop song. and for that moment, aotearoa and the world is a sweeter place to live in.
How did The Formuyla's "Nature" get best NZ song ever? That was an industry jack-up. Poi-E was what most Kiwis thought should of got that award, and rightfully so.
Actually, most kiwis were divided..between Poi-E and Slice Of Heaven. Not Nature.
Well, maybe with BOY getting great reviews and the hunt for the right song, just maybe, the powers to be might go for Poi E. Then we will ALL be very proud.
3 cheers for Poi E.
As a previous poster said, the Aussies adore their Waltzing Matilda .. and rightly so.
I'm sure NZers would be equally proud of Poi E.
I remember when I lived in Aus, and Air NZ had Poi-E on their inbound flight audio music tracks, it used to make you want to make the jet go faster to get home, made you emotinal for NZ. This was on the Perth - Auck Run.
I love this song and I like Patea. My parents live there ;p
o
It's a strange feeling. Since listening to the link I have been for a walk to the library and back, singing it in my head. Now I can't get rid of it.
Maybe it's called Brain Washing! Lol!
I love this song and I like Patea. My parents live there ;p
Lucky them! They can be very proud. Now a very famous place.
I remember in the 80's (82) not wanting to go out for Sat Night on the town until "Ready To Roll" had been on at 6pm, with Poi-E at No.1
FYI. Poi E was written by linguist Ngoi Pewhairangi; the music was scored by Dalvanius Prime.
I remember, taking my shy 4 year old grand daughter, to see the Patea Maori Group in concert here in Hawera. When they came on stage her eyes were nearly popping out of her head.They started singing Poi-E and she was in another world!!She was up on her feet singing as loud as she could. She didn't stop talking about them for weeks!
Considering that Poi -E was competing with big acts like Duran Duran for the NZ Dollar back in 1982, it did well. Just about every home must have had a copy, or close to it.
yip Poi E went on to be the biggest NZ single in 1984.
Does anyone know the soundtrack songs to Boy? I've looked, but can't find. Great music
1984 saw Eurythmics, Frankie Goes To Hollywood & INXS storm the charts.
I love this song brings me back to my child hood and yep we had this song on record, would love to hear more of it on the radio
haha 1984 dude! Before KFC in Hawera there was the BIG MC! LOL
My apologies ..you are right....don't know why I thought of 1982, it was of course 1984. First hit the NZ charts in March 1984 (wikipedia.org). Niceone...sorry for that
This was in the 70s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQLUygS0IAQ&feature=playe
r_embedded
Im not sure wot the question was but my sis is in love with on of the babies in this vid.... long story ... but if you are from Ngara you prob know what im babling about
It is a great song and it should be a part of NZ culture.....that guy break dancing (video back in the 80's) and easy to listen to.....i recently sold an original tape of the club playing this live......the buyer was very happy.
just watched the clip of the good morning. great interview. how would we get tVnz to do a programe about the group (again)
are there any clips on dalvanius ??
refer to my previous earlier posts.
this song should be DEFINATLEY included in our All Black world cup....as one other post said, imagine the crowd, we when score, that this is played, all hairs would be standing up.....
We sing our national anthem in both maori and english now.
Could we not have some english words wound into it and a 2010 version ready for the World Rugby Cup? Is that too much to ask?
Saw the movie.."Boy" on Friday and absolutely loved it. The sound track is fabulous and I would love to buy it if it is released. Make sure you see it!!!! Acting is amazing and so funny in a very natural way.
This thread has convinced me that there should be a public campaign to make "Poi E" the official RWC song. If the passion shown for it here is anything to go by it couldn't possibly fail as I think many other Kiwis would feel the same.
My ex's lilly white sister is in that video in the maori club..bahahahaha....
I'm lily white and I would have been very proud to have been in that video. Well done to all who were lucky enough to take part!
You are now an important part of NZ history.
I used to live in Patea and would go and watch the Patea maori club practcing, good times they were .
could you lot imagine, 30,000 singing Poi E, chanting Poi E in unison as another AB goes for the touchdown? Priceless eh! ;-)
Poi E should be the unofficial anthem of the RWC.
and given the right treatment - Poi E could well be our unofficial National Anthem. Kia Ora!
Glad I am not the only NZer with it playing around my mind!
It brings tears to my eyes and makes the hair stand up on my neck whenever I hear it .. and I am not maori.
I remember in the late 90's, there was Heartland doco, Gary McCormack visited the folk in Patea who were putting on a theatre show about the township, and the impact the freezing works' closure had its people there. What was the Show called? Anyone out there knows of the performance, or had been to it, or had participated in it?
Number 8 in iTunes! TV channel should do a small doco on it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQLUygS0IAQ
Here's the lyrics - and a translation!
E rere ra e taku poi porotiti
Tītahataha ra, whakararuraru e
Porotakataka rā, poro hurihuri mai
Rite tonu ki te tiwaiwaka e
Ka parepare ra, pīoioi a
Whakahekeheke, e kia korikori e
Piki whakarunga ra, ma muinga mai a
Taku poi porotiti, taku poi e!
Poi E, whakatata mai
Poi E, kaua he rerekē
Poi E, kia piri mai ki au
Poi E, e awhi mai ra
Poi E, tāpekatia mai.
Poi E, ō tāua aroha -
- Poi E - paiheretia ra.
POI... TAKU POI, E!
Swing out rhythmically, my feelings
lean out beside me, so deceptively.
Swing round and down, spin towards me
just like a fantail.
Swing to the side: swing to and fro
zoom down, wriggle,
climb up above, swarm around me
my whirling emotions, my poi, Yeah!
Oh my feelings, draw near,
Oh my poi, don't go astray
Oh my affections, stick to me
Oh my instincts, take care of me
Oh my emotions, be entwined around me.
Oh poi, our love...
Oh poi ...binds.
Poi.... my poi, yeah!
Not sure whether these words are right - off a blog - some seem a bit odd but, anyway...
Oh and the karanga (from memory)
rere atu taku poi - fly my poi
titahataha ra - slanting to the side
whakarunga, whakararo - going up going down
taku poi e! - my poi!
*
Yip great clip! for me it was somewhat great to be a boy living in Hawera, Taranaki, seeing the Kiwi Factory in sight. Poi E No.1 on Ready to Roll.
on the flipside, I do recall in the background there was a bit of controversy between Dalvanius and some Iwi Maori about the contemporary treatment of this Waiata, with its electronic beat and synthesizers- Too modern, too flashy, who does he think he is? (D) mixing pop music with traditional. This is not how Maori cultural performance should be presented to the world.
No offence to our kaumatua, for they were of their time and had their reasoning... i wonder if the most of the old people were still around, what would they make of the the latest wave of Poly/Maori sounds. (If it was my Koro, his opinion will still be the same - "ah blardy $%$@!!" hahaha
Personally i am glad Dalvanius and the people associated with him had the foresight to realise this could be done successfully, all packaged neat in a 3 and a half minute pop song. and for that moment, aotearoa and the world is a sweeter place to live in.
How did The Formuyla's "Nature" get best NZ song ever? That was an industry jack-up. Poi-E was what most Kiwis thought should of got that award, and rightfully so.
Actually, most kiwis were divided..between Poi-E and Slice Of Heaven. Not Nature.
Well, maybe with BOY getting great reviews and the hunt for the right song, just maybe, the powers to be might go for Poi E. Then we will ALL be very proud.
3 cheers for Poi E.
As a previous poster said, the Aussies adore their Waltzing Matilda .. and rightly so.
I'm sure NZers would be equally proud of Poi E.
I remember when I lived in Aus, and Air NZ had Poi-E on their inbound flight audio music tracks, it used to make you want to make the jet go faster to get home, made you emotinal for NZ. This was on the Perth - Auck Run.
I love this song and I like Patea. My parents live there ;p
o
It's a strange feeling. Since listening to the link I have been for a walk to the library and back, singing it in my head. Now I can't get rid of it.
Maybe it's called Brain Washing! Lol!
I love this song and I like Patea. My parents live there ;p
Lucky them! They can be very proud. Now a very famous place.
I remember in the 80's (82) not wanting to go out for Sat Night on the town until "Ready To Roll" had been on at 6pm, with Poi-E at No.1
FYI. Poi E was written by linguist Ngoi Pewhairangi; the music was scored by Dalvanius Prime.
I remember, taking my shy 4 year old grand daughter, to see the Patea Maori Group in concert here in Hawera. When they came on stage her eyes were nearly popping out of her head.They started singing Poi-E and she was in another world!!She was up on her feet singing as loud as she could. She didn't stop talking about them for weeks!
Considering that Poi -E was competing with big acts like Duran Duran for the NZ Dollar back in 1982, it did well. Just about every home must have had a copy, or close to it.
yip Poi E went on to be the biggest NZ single in 1984.
Does anyone know the soundtrack songs to Boy? I've looked, but can't find. Great music
1984 saw Eurythmics, Frankie Goes To Hollywood & INXS storm the charts.
I love this song brings me back to my child hood and yep we had this song on record, would love to hear more of it on the radio
haha 1984 dude! Before KFC in Hawera there was the BIG MC! LOL
My apologies ..you are right....don't know why I thought of 1982, it was of course 1984. First hit the NZ charts in March 1984 (wikipedia.org). Niceone...sorry for that
This was in the 70s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQLUygS0IAQ&feature=playe
r_embedded
Im not sure wot the question was but my sis is in love with on of the babies in this vid.... long story ... but if you are from Ngara you prob know what im babling about
It is a great song and it should be a part of NZ culture.....that guy break dancing (video back in the 80's) and easy to listen to.....i recently sold an original tape of the club playing this live......the buyer was very happy.
just watched the clip of the good morning. great interview. how would we get tVnz to do a programe about the group (again)
are there any clips on dalvanius ??
refer to my previous earlier posts.
this song should be DEFINATLEY included in our All Black world cup....as one other post said, imagine the crowd, we when score, that this is played, all hairs would be standing up.....
We sing our national anthem in both maori and english now.
Could we not have some english words wound into it and a 2010 version ready for the World Rugby Cup? Is that too much to ask?
Saw the movie.."Boy" on Friday and absolutely loved it. The sound track is fabulous and I would love to buy it if it is released. Make sure you see it!!!! Acting is amazing and so funny in a very natural way.
This thread has convinced me that there should be a public campaign to make "Poi E" the official RWC song. If the passion shown for it here is anything to go by it couldn't possibly fail as I think many other Kiwis would feel the same.
My ex's lilly white sister is in that video in the maori club..bahahahaha....
I'm lily white and I would have been very proud to have been in that video. Well done to all who were lucky enough to take part!
You are now an important part of NZ history.
I used to live in Patea and would go and watch the Patea maori club practcing, good times they were .
Patea and "Poi E" back in the Charts
Jumped in at #39 this week from the popularity of the Film "Boy", Making it into the charts 3 times in 3 decades, I wonder if the Patea maori club gets any royalties from this song as their clubrooms are looking rather shabby.
Patea once a thriving town in South Taranaki, now not so, Who here has rellies living there and who had family living there in its heyday
This was in the 70s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQLUygS0IAQ&feature=playe
r_embedded
Patea is a ghost town, or at least it was when we passed through about 5 days before xmas
my grandfather used to work there in the 70's. i remember he used to have a morris 1100 car, and i used to travel with him from hawera to patea to the garage and morris dealership there for a service and a warrant. in the mornings with the freezing works going, in the eyes of a 7 year old it was like mayhem! people everywhere, so busy!
the main road was narrower too :-)
used to stop of at the factory butchers, pick up a forequarter or a bag of pork bones real cheap.
Has anybody on here seen the film 'Pallet on the Floor'. story by local author th late Ronald Hugh Morrison. Check it out, its good! Shot on location in and around Patea with shots of the Factory in its heyday!
if anyone wants the video in mp4 format http://sites.google.com/site/clipone/home/poi-e-video
Here's a link for a clip and interview from the current group...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQdvZ0lTVU4
Awesome song, possibly the words to which are as well known to Kiwis as Pokarekare ana!
great childhood memory... esp. the bleached hair guy up on the waka busting his moves.
I used to work with some of those older ldies in the group. About 4 of them where sisters or sister in laws. Lovely people who couldn't do enough for you. Just watched the interview and recognised 3 of them. Wonderfula nd thank you for the link.
my nana lived there .Died 1980.up till then,i spent all my holidays there with her.Had cousins at whenakura?? from a farming community.I even worked in the local tearooms during Christmas break.Havent been back since nana died,but need to go back and check it out
This was the first time ever a Maori song had been released for the charts without any english verses. Well done Dalvanius and Patea.
Yes, patea maori club still performing all over the place. did a live performance at the local cinema in hawera on thursday for the opening of the movie. past members promote the new ones but are still very much the backbone of the club.
could be rambling here but i'll share it with yous anyway. grew up in Hawera and my fondest memories is of my grandfather up early at 4.00am getting prepared to go to work down in Patea. i'd be up too having breakfast of porridge and cream, big cuppa tea reading Commando comics. Nana would make him up a lunch of barracuda bread sammies with hogget and tomato, and a bottle of tea, and it all went into a battered old leather doctors bag. He rode a BSA superrocket, unbaffled silencers, and the roar it would make in the early morning was hell terrific; you could hear him from one end of South Road in town to the other.
somehow the neighbours never complained..
Patea once a thriving town in South Taranaki, now not so, Who here has rellies living there and who had family living there in its heyday
This was in the 70s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQLUygS0IAQ&feature=playe
r_embedded
Patea is a ghost town, or at least it was when we passed through about 5 days before xmas
my grandfather used to work there in the 70's. i remember he used to have a morris 1100 car, and i used to travel with him from hawera to patea to the garage and morris dealership there for a service and a warrant. in the mornings with the freezing works going, in the eyes of a 7 year old it was like mayhem! people everywhere, so busy!
the main road was narrower too :-)
used to stop of at the factory butchers, pick up a forequarter or a bag of pork bones real cheap.
Has anybody on here seen the film 'Pallet on the Floor'. story by local author th late Ronald Hugh Morrison. Check it out, its good! Shot on location in and around Patea with shots of the Factory in its heyday!
if anyone wants the video in mp4 format http://sites.google.com/site/clipone/home/poi-e-video
Here's a link for a clip and interview from the current group...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQdvZ0lTVU4
Awesome song, possibly the words to which are as well known to Kiwis as Pokarekare ana!
great childhood memory... esp. the bleached hair guy up on the waka busting his moves.
I used to work with some of those older ldies in the group. About 4 of them where sisters or sister in laws. Lovely people who couldn't do enough for you. Just watched the interview and recognised 3 of them. Wonderfula nd thank you for the link.
my nana lived there .Died 1980.up till then,i spent all my holidays there with her.Had cousins at whenakura?? from a farming community.I even worked in the local tearooms during Christmas break.Havent been back since nana died,but need to go back and check it out
This was the first time ever a Maori song had been released for the charts without any english verses. Well done Dalvanius and Patea.
Yes, patea maori club still performing all over the place. did a live performance at the local cinema in hawera on thursday for the opening of the movie. past members promote the new ones but are still very much the backbone of the club.
could be rambling here but i'll share it with yous anyway. grew up in Hawera and my fondest memories is of my grandfather up early at 4.00am getting prepared to go to work down in Patea. i'd be up too having breakfast of porridge and cream, big cuppa tea reading Commando comics. Nana would make him up a lunch of barracuda bread sammies with hogget and tomato, and a bottle of tea, and it all went into a battered old leather doctors bag. He rode a BSA superrocket, unbaffled silencers, and the roar it would make in the early morning was hell terrific; you could hear him from one end of South Road in town to the other.
somehow the neighbours never complained..
Sunday, February 14
Words on Wheels
Words on Wheels
They'll be coming around the mountain
Five of New Zealand's top writers hit the road in February for another literary road-trip, this time to Taranaki.
On the bus this year is David Hill (Teen Fiction), Duncan Sarkies (Fiction), Briar Grace-Smith (Scriptwriting), Alison Wong (Poetry) and Janet Hunt (Non-fiction). They'll be travelling to Waitara, New Plymouth, Inglewood, Stratford, Eltham, Hawera, Waverley, and Opunake from 12-17 February, appearing at schools, libraries, and other local venues across the region.
They'll be coming around the mountain
Five of New Zealand's top writers hit the road in February for another literary road-trip, this time to Taranaki.
On the bus this year is David Hill (Teen Fiction), Duncan Sarkies (Fiction), Briar Grace-Smith (Scriptwriting), Alison Wong (Poetry) and Janet Hunt (Non-fiction). They'll be travelling to Waitara, New Plymouth, Inglewood, Stratford, Eltham, Hawera, Waverley, and Opunake from 12-17 February, appearing at schools, libraries, and other local venues across the region.
Sunday, January 3
ELSIE LINLEY
Elsie, at 104, has nothing to grumble about
By MATT RILKOFF - Taranaki Daily News
Last updated 05:00 02/01/2010
ELSIE LINLEY
MARK DWYER/ Taranaki Daily News
ELSIE LINLEY: At 104, these days her only birthday wish is to have family around when she blows out the candles.
At 104 years old Elsie Linley is not ready to "peg out" just yet.
Her Boxing Day birthday makes her one of, if not the, oldest person in Taranaki
Since being born in Hawera, Mrs Linley has learnt a thing or two about life and love and espouses the benefits of patience and keeping grumbling to a minimum.
"Well they have enough on their shoulders without me complaining," she said with an elegantly cheeky smile.
"Besides there is nothing very much to complain about anyway."
This attitude comes from her mother who, despite a hard life, was always kind and loving to all, Mrs Linley said. And what did she look like?
"She was buxom. I hate saying it but she was a very large woman and I take after her."
Mrs Linley, nee Smith, married Englishman Jack Linley in 1926.
They had three children and lived on farms around the mountain at Oaonui, Okato and Tariki although they maintained an apartment in New Plymouth for weekend jaunts to the city.
She has nine grand-children, nine great-grandchildren and said they were all quite lovely.
Her interests over the decades have included a love of rugby, socialising, playing cards, photography, crochet – and hard work.
She now lives in New Plymouth's Radius Thornleigh Park rest home.
By MATT RILKOFF - Taranaki Daily News
Last updated 05:00 02/01/2010
ELSIE LINLEY
MARK DWYER/ Taranaki Daily News
ELSIE LINLEY: At 104, these days her only birthday wish is to have family around when she blows out the candles.
At 104 years old Elsie Linley is not ready to "peg out" just yet.
Her Boxing Day birthday makes her one of, if not the, oldest person in Taranaki
Since being born in Hawera, Mrs Linley has learnt a thing or two about life and love and espouses the benefits of patience and keeping grumbling to a minimum.
"Well they have enough on their shoulders without me complaining," she said with an elegantly cheeky smile.
"Besides there is nothing very much to complain about anyway."
This attitude comes from her mother who, despite a hard life, was always kind and loving to all, Mrs Linley said. And what did she look like?
"She was buxom. I hate saying it but she was a very large woman and I take after her."
Mrs Linley, nee Smith, married Englishman Jack Linley in 1926.
They had three children and lived on farms around the mountain at Oaonui, Okato and Tariki although they maintained an apartment in New Plymouth for weekend jaunts to the city.
She has nine grand-children, nine great-grandchildren and said they were all quite lovely.
Her interests over the decades have included a love of rugby, socialising, playing cards, photography, crochet – and hard work.
She now lives in New Plymouth's Radius Thornleigh Park rest home.
Ghosts of dinners past
Ghosts of dinners past
By HELEN HARVEY - Taranaki Daily News
Last updated 14:06 21/12/2009
ROBERT CHARLES
Taranaki Research Centre information services officer Andrea Wallace with some of the early New Zealand Christmas cards in the centre's collection.
PUKE ARIKI COLLECTION
A Christmas card from colonial New Zealand.
Relevant offers
On Saturday night, December 24, 1887, New Plymouth was buzzing. The main street was full of people and the shops were busy as people did their last- minute Christmas shopping.
The day had been hot, so the cool night air was refreshing to the shoppers, who listened to a band playing while checking out the colourful displays in the shop windows.
The weekly newspaper the Budget reported that shopkeepers appeared to be doing a "fair business considering the dull times and shortness of money".
The butcher shops used to compete with each other to have the best display. The Taranaki Herald reported in 1884 that one butcher's shop window showed bullocks, sheep, lamb, calves, pigs, ducks, geese, turkeys and other fowl.
Grocers had seasonal fruits, little titbits, sweetmeats and tasty treats to attract customers.
And the shops stayed open as late as possible to ensure a good trade. In 1887, the band stopped playing at 10pm and the streets cleared at midnight, when the bell at the Catholic church "resounded through the town", the Budget reported.
Though the hotels were full, there was no drunkenness or breach of order or decorum, the paper said, "which is a credit to the town".
Christmas day dawned bright and clear. It was a Sunday, so the churches were full. The paper recalled the band played Christians Awake on the Barrack Hill (now Marsland Hill) in the morning. Back at home, houses may have been decorated with nikau palms, which were very popular for Christmas decorations in mid-1880s Taranaki.
There may have been a Christmas tree. Christmas trees were a German tradition that became popular in England in the 1840s, when pictures were seen of Queen Victoria, her German husband, Albert, and their children gathered around one.
The Tarrant family, who lived in Taihore, out the back of Strathmore on what's now the Forgotten World Highway, in the 1880s and '90s, had a little rimu sapling for a Christmas tree one year. In the book No One Went to Town, author Phyllis Johnson says it was decorated with buttons and beads.
Taranaki Research Centre team leader Gary Bastin says people had to use local materials and make do. This was true with the Christmas dinner. One popular meat dish was called colonial goose. It wasn't a goose at all - rather a flap of mutton with stuffing inside.
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You could still buy a colonial goose 20 years ago, but then it was a rolled seasoned shoulder of hogget, according to Murray Sattler, better known as Buzz the Butcher in Westown. Then, when farmers got better money for lamb, it became a rolled seasoned shoulder of lamb. But the term has gone out of use, a victim of consumer laws, since it isn't, actually, goose.
Christmas was more marked in the 1800s, Mr Bastin says. "[People] lived a more spartan existence, so the notion of having a social time and making a fuss over the meal would have been differentiated over time."
In 1887, the Budget's Christmas stories included one about a feast held by a chief named Henare Punuruka and his wife, Louisa, who lived in Peropero, to which Europeans were invited. The dinner consisted of "roast turkeys, geese, ducks, fowls, lamb, beef, pork, fish, new potatoes, green peas and cabbage". And that was just the first course. There was a Christmas cake and dessert included plum puddings, tarts, pies and jellies of various kinds.
As Christmas is the season of goodwill, spare a thought for the settlers in Christchurch in 1850, whose first Christmas dinner in their new country didn't quite turn out as planned.
A bullock, whose every joint had been ordered, did a runner. It was never found, Alison Clarke says in her book, Holiday Seasons: Christmas, New Year and Easter in Nineteenth Century New Zealand.
An abundance at Christmas was a sign of how well people were doing in the new land.
Agricultural labourer George Douch emigrated in 1875. He had struggled to make a living in his native Sussex, but two years after he arrived in Taranaki, he was building his own house on his own land, Dr Clarke says in her book.
He wrote to his parents saying he would never forget the white plum pudding (lacking fruit because the family was so poor) he'd had in 1855. In New Zealand, his Christmas dinner included new spuds, green peas, roast beef and "nine gallons of ale".
The new potatoes and green peas were a reflection of mixing old traditions with the realities of having Christmas in summer. And despite the weather, the settlers, like a lot of New Zealanders today, still had a hot meal. However, they also had summer desserts, especially strawberries, which they ate along with the traditional Christmas pudding.
In 1857, Taranaki resident Maria Atkinson made a 16-pound (7kg) pudding to feed the 18 people present for Christmas dinner.
"The groaning table also featured beef, turkey, ham, fowl, almonds, raisins, Christmas mincemeat and gooseberry pie".
Making a plum pudding involved family members, who took turns stirring the pudding, during which time they had to make a wish.
Mrs Beaton, a famous cook during the second part of the 19th century, has a recipe for a plain Christmas pudding in one of her cookbooks. The ingredients were flour, breadcrumbs, raisins, currants, suet, eggs, milk, peel, allspice and salt. The pudding was boiled for five hours. It was, according to Mrs Beaton, sufficient for nine or 10 children.
Taranaki Research Centre information services officer Andrea Wallace says when people first came to New Zealand, they would have had wonderful cookbooks. When Christmas rolled around, they would have looked up some recipes and found something they liked.
"Then you'd have looked at the ingredients you had and your lack of kitchen and thought, What can I do in a Dutch oven? Ingenuity reigned supreme and people made their colonial goose."
A Dutch oven is like a camp oven, a big pot with a thick lid that was covered in hot coal and ashes.
The ovens were used until the 1870s, when Henry Shacklock made the first coal range.
"Before then, no one really had coal ranges, because they weren't compatible with local coal."
Despite the difficulties, people were determined to enjoy their Christmas. Nearly 300 new settlers enroute to New Plymouth spent Christmas 1879 on board the Halcione. According to the ship's newsletter The Maraval Jackdaw all were determined to have a good Christmas. "May the smoking joint, the steaming glass and the ringing peal of laughter reign supreme," the newsletter said.
The first Kiwi Christmas was held just offshore in 1642. Dutch explorer Abel Tasman crossed the entrance of Cook Strait and anchored east of Stephens and D'Urville islands. There was what has since become a bit of a Christmas tradition in some parts of the country: bad weather.
NZHistory.net.nz says while sheltering from a storm, the Dutch enjoyed freshly killed pork from the ship's menagerie, washed down with extra rations of wine.
The next Christmas dinner in New Zealand wasn't until 1769, when Captain James Cook first arrived.
The crew of the Endeavour, while battling heavy seas, this time off the tip of the North Island, had a feast of goose pie. Only there was no goose available, so they improvised and botanist Joseph Banks shot a gannet instead. Apparently the Endeavour's crew spent Boxing Day nursing hangovers.
This has also become a bit of a Kiwi tradition. As has going to the races. Boxing Day race meetings were held all over New Zealand in the 1800s.
A lot of families also went on picnics on Boxing Day, something that wouldn't have happened in a European winter. But it was a good way to use up the leftovers and enjoy the summer.
For Hawera residents, catching the train to Normanby, having a picnic and then heading to the races was a popular way to spend Boxing Day.
But in New Plymouth on Boxing Day in 1887, it rained all day and the races were postponed and the picnics abandoned.
Not so traditional
Most of the Christmas traditions enjoyed today date from Queen Victoria's time. Before she came to the throne in 1837, there were no Christmas trees, cards, crackers, Santa Claus or a holiday off work. The wealth and technologies generated by the industrial revolution of the Victorian era changed the face of Christmas forever.
Mass production meant getting toys for Christmas was no longer only for the rich. And the wealth generated meant middle class families in England and Wales were able to take time off and celebrate over two days, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
In New Zealand, a day off work for Christmas was the norm, but was not law until 1910. Shops and pubs often opened. Newspapers were published on Christmas Day, some of them even into the early 20th century. Christmas cards: The first Christmas card was designed in England in 1843 by John Horsley after Rowland Hill introduced the penny post in 1840. Before 1840, it would not have been feasible for ordinary people to send cards because of the cost of postage. By the 1860s, Christmas cards were very popular in England. Christmas cake: Originally, Christmas cake was eaten on Twelfth Night (January 6). In the late 19th century, people began to eat the traditional Twelfth Night cake at Christmas. Christmas crackers: Crackers were invented in London by Tom Smith in 1846. The original idea was to wrap his lollies in a twist of fancy coloured paper, but this developed and sold much better when he added notes, paper hats, small toys and made them go bang. Boxing Day: December 26th earned its name as the day servants and working people opened the boxes in which they had collected gifts of money from the "rich folk". Christmas stockings: These first became popular around 1870. Traditionally, an orange went in the toe. Christmas carols: A number of popular Christmas carols were written in the 19th century, including O Come All Ye Faithful in 1843, Once in Royal David's City in 1848, O Little Town of Bethlehem in 1868 and Away in a Manger in 1883.
By HELEN HARVEY - Taranaki Daily News
Last updated 14:06 21/12/2009
ROBERT CHARLES
Taranaki Research Centre information services officer Andrea Wallace with some of the early New Zealand Christmas cards in the centre's collection.
PUKE ARIKI COLLECTION
A Christmas card from colonial New Zealand.
Relevant offers
On Saturday night, December 24, 1887, New Plymouth was buzzing. The main street was full of people and the shops were busy as people did their last- minute Christmas shopping.
The day had been hot, so the cool night air was refreshing to the shoppers, who listened to a band playing while checking out the colourful displays in the shop windows.
The weekly newspaper the Budget reported that shopkeepers appeared to be doing a "fair business considering the dull times and shortness of money".
The butcher shops used to compete with each other to have the best display. The Taranaki Herald reported in 1884 that one butcher's shop window showed bullocks, sheep, lamb, calves, pigs, ducks, geese, turkeys and other fowl.
Grocers had seasonal fruits, little titbits, sweetmeats and tasty treats to attract customers.
And the shops stayed open as late as possible to ensure a good trade. In 1887, the band stopped playing at 10pm and the streets cleared at midnight, when the bell at the Catholic church "resounded through the town", the Budget reported.
Though the hotels were full, there was no drunkenness or breach of order or decorum, the paper said, "which is a credit to the town".
Christmas day dawned bright and clear. It was a Sunday, so the churches were full. The paper recalled the band played Christians Awake on the Barrack Hill (now Marsland Hill) in the morning. Back at home, houses may have been decorated with nikau palms, which were very popular for Christmas decorations in mid-1880s Taranaki.
There may have been a Christmas tree. Christmas trees were a German tradition that became popular in England in the 1840s, when pictures were seen of Queen Victoria, her German husband, Albert, and their children gathered around one.
The Tarrant family, who lived in Taihore, out the back of Strathmore on what's now the Forgotten World Highway, in the 1880s and '90s, had a little rimu sapling for a Christmas tree one year. In the book No One Went to Town, author Phyllis Johnson says it was decorated with buttons and beads.
Taranaki Research Centre team leader Gary Bastin says people had to use local materials and make do. This was true with the Christmas dinner. One popular meat dish was called colonial goose. It wasn't a goose at all - rather a flap of mutton with stuffing inside.
Ad Feedback
You could still buy a colonial goose 20 years ago, but then it was a rolled seasoned shoulder of hogget, according to Murray Sattler, better known as Buzz the Butcher in Westown. Then, when farmers got better money for lamb, it became a rolled seasoned shoulder of lamb. But the term has gone out of use, a victim of consumer laws, since it isn't, actually, goose.
Christmas was more marked in the 1800s, Mr Bastin says. "[People] lived a more spartan existence, so the notion of having a social time and making a fuss over the meal would have been differentiated over time."
In 1887, the Budget's Christmas stories included one about a feast held by a chief named Henare Punuruka and his wife, Louisa, who lived in Peropero, to which Europeans were invited. The dinner consisted of "roast turkeys, geese, ducks, fowls, lamb, beef, pork, fish, new potatoes, green peas and cabbage". And that was just the first course. There was a Christmas cake and dessert included plum puddings, tarts, pies and jellies of various kinds.
As Christmas is the season of goodwill, spare a thought for the settlers in Christchurch in 1850, whose first Christmas dinner in their new country didn't quite turn out as planned.
A bullock, whose every joint had been ordered, did a runner. It was never found, Alison Clarke says in her book, Holiday Seasons: Christmas, New Year and Easter in Nineteenth Century New Zealand.
An abundance at Christmas was a sign of how well people were doing in the new land.
Agricultural labourer George Douch emigrated in 1875. He had struggled to make a living in his native Sussex, but two years after he arrived in Taranaki, he was building his own house on his own land, Dr Clarke says in her book.
He wrote to his parents saying he would never forget the white plum pudding (lacking fruit because the family was so poor) he'd had in 1855. In New Zealand, his Christmas dinner included new spuds, green peas, roast beef and "nine gallons of ale".
The new potatoes and green peas were a reflection of mixing old traditions with the realities of having Christmas in summer. And despite the weather, the settlers, like a lot of New Zealanders today, still had a hot meal. However, they also had summer desserts, especially strawberries, which they ate along with the traditional Christmas pudding.
In 1857, Taranaki resident Maria Atkinson made a 16-pound (7kg) pudding to feed the 18 people present for Christmas dinner.
"The groaning table also featured beef, turkey, ham, fowl, almonds, raisins, Christmas mincemeat and gooseberry pie".
Making a plum pudding involved family members, who took turns stirring the pudding, during which time they had to make a wish.
Mrs Beaton, a famous cook during the second part of the 19th century, has a recipe for a plain Christmas pudding in one of her cookbooks. The ingredients were flour, breadcrumbs, raisins, currants, suet, eggs, milk, peel, allspice and salt. The pudding was boiled for five hours. It was, according to Mrs Beaton, sufficient for nine or 10 children.
Taranaki Research Centre information services officer Andrea Wallace says when people first came to New Zealand, they would have had wonderful cookbooks. When Christmas rolled around, they would have looked up some recipes and found something they liked.
"Then you'd have looked at the ingredients you had and your lack of kitchen and thought, What can I do in a Dutch oven? Ingenuity reigned supreme and people made their colonial goose."
A Dutch oven is like a camp oven, a big pot with a thick lid that was covered in hot coal and ashes.
The ovens were used until the 1870s, when Henry Shacklock made the first coal range.
"Before then, no one really had coal ranges, because they weren't compatible with local coal."
Despite the difficulties, people were determined to enjoy their Christmas. Nearly 300 new settlers enroute to New Plymouth spent Christmas 1879 on board the Halcione. According to the ship's newsletter The Maraval Jackdaw all were determined to have a good Christmas. "May the smoking joint, the steaming glass and the ringing peal of laughter reign supreme," the newsletter said.
The first Kiwi Christmas was held just offshore in 1642. Dutch explorer Abel Tasman crossed the entrance of Cook Strait and anchored east of Stephens and D'Urville islands. There was what has since become a bit of a Christmas tradition in some parts of the country: bad weather.
NZHistory.net.nz says while sheltering from a storm, the Dutch enjoyed freshly killed pork from the ship's menagerie, washed down with extra rations of wine.
The next Christmas dinner in New Zealand wasn't until 1769, when Captain James Cook first arrived.
The crew of the Endeavour, while battling heavy seas, this time off the tip of the North Island, had a feast of goose pie. Only there was no goose available, so they improvised and botanist Joseph Banks shot a gannet instead. Apparently the Endeavour's crew spent Boxing Day nursing hangovers.
This has also become a bit of a Kiwi tradition. As has going to the races. Boxing Day race meetings were held all over New Zealand in the 1800s.
A lot of families also went on picnics on Boxing Day, something that wouldn't have happened in a European winter. But it was a good way to use up the leftovers and enjoy the summer.
For Hawera residents, catching the train to Normanby, having a picnic and then heading to the races was a popular way to spend Boxing Day.
But in New Plymouth on Boxing Day in 1887, it rained all day and the races were postponed and the picnics abandoned.
Not so traditional
Most of the Christmas traditions enjoyed today date from Queen Victoria's time. Before she came to the throne in 1837, there were no Christmas trees, cards, crackers, Santa Claus or a holiday off work. The wealth and technologies generated by the industrial revolution of the Victorian era changed the face of Christmas forever.
Mass production meant getting toys for Christmas was no longer only for the rich. And the wealth generated meant middle class families in England and Wales were able to take time off and celebrate over two days, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
In New Zealand, a day off work for Christmas was the norm, but was not law until 1910. Shops and pubs often opened. Newspapers were published on Christmas Day, some of them even into the early 20th century. Christmas cards: The first Christmas card was designed in England in 1843 by John Horsley after Rowland Hill introduced the penny post in 1840. Before 1840, it would not have been feasible for ordinary people to send cards because of the cost of postage. By the 1860s, Christmas cards were very popular in England. Christmas cake: Originally, Christmas cake was eaten on Twelfth Night (January 6). In the late 19th century, people began to eat the traditional Twelfth Night cake at Christmas. Christmas crackers: Crackers were invented in London by Tom Smith in 1846. The original idea was to wrap his lollies in a twist of fancy coloured paper, but this developed and sold much better when he added notes, paper hats, small toys and made them go bang. Boxing Day: December 26th earned its name as the day servants and working people opened the boxes in which they had collected gifts of money from the "rich folk". Christmas stockings: These first became popular around 1870. Traditionally, an orange went in the toe. Christmas carols: A number of popular Christmas carols were written in the 19th century, including O Come All Ye Faithful in 1843, Once in Royal David's City in 1848, O Little Town of Bethlehem in 1868 and Away in a Manger in 1883.
Happy birthday , Eltham
Eltham begins celebrating its 125th birthday today. Rob Maetzig, who grew up there, takes a lighthearted look at the town.
Taranaki Daily News
Last updated 10:37 07/12/2009
ROBERT CHARLES
Taking time out: Long-time Eltham residents Beulah and Max Hucker enjoy a moment under art deco artwork in the town's Stark Park.
There are quite a few Elthams around the world, but none quite compares with ours.
Consider the Eltham in the London borough of Greenwich, for instance. Famous people born there might include comedian Bob Hope and musician Boy George, but the New Zealand Eltham produced cut-the-hedge- with-a-lawnmower All Black Jazz Muller.
Eltham in Victoria, Australia, might be where the paralucia pyrodiscus lucida - the Eltham Copper Butterfly to us - was discovered, but our Eltham had this country's first fully tarsealed main street.
The Eltham in New Kent County, Virginia, might be where the New Kent-Charles City Chronicle is published, but our town has got the Eltham Argus.
But wait, there's more. Our Eltham had New Zealand's first commercial butter factory, which made the first-ever classic pound of butter. And it's got the first commercial building ever to have a suspended concrete floor. And Eltham even hosted the first-ever world axemen's carnival.
No comparison, really. But that's Eltham.
The town actually likes to describe itself as a town of firsts, because it is true that many years ago, it did pioneer everything from tarsealed streets to pounds of butter - which in some ways is ironic, because Eltham was the last place in Taranaki to be settled between Patea and New Plymouth.
Historians say this was because Central Taranaki was difficult country. If in the mid- 19th century it took several days for a bullock dray to travel the 21 kilometres between Inglewood and Stratford, it must have taken even longer to negotiate that valley where Eltham now is.
The town is nestled between the Waingongoro River on one side and the Ngaere Swamp on the other, and the whole area is crisscrossed with numerous smaller streams and creeks, so in those early days, it must have been a very muddy place when it was wet.
No wonder a few years later it became the first town in New Zealand to tarseal its main street.
Actually - and maybe this was because of the difficulty of the country - it almost seems that in the very early days, no one even wanted to claim the Eltham district.
In 1876, when the Patea County Council was formed, Eltham was lumped into its area of jurisdiction. Then, five years later, when the Hawera County Council was created, it was given the fledgling township.
It took another three years for Eltham to be declared a town district. Mind you, at that stage, it only had a population of 25 settlers.
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But the town quickly grew, thanks first to the timber industry and then the development of dairy farms. This meant that by the beginning of the 20th century, the district was sufficiently populated to allow the urban area to be declared a borough and the country surrounding it a county.
One of the things I enjoy about Eltham is that its first mayor was the powerfully named and United States-born George Washington Tayler, and that among the borough council's first decisions were to ban driving stock through the main street, outlaw spitting on pavements and curtail cycling on footpaths.
Obviously, this would all have been part of a big move to bring respectability to a town that, by then, would have been getting quite prosperous. The beautiful Victorian and Edwardian buildings that are there today are proof of that - everything from the Coronation Hotel (it opened in 1902, the year of King Edward VII's coronation), to the Post Office Building opened in 1904, to the Eltham Courthouse opened in 1908.
And what about the Pease Building down on the corner of Bridge and Stanners streets? Built in 1909, it was the first such commercial building outside of Europe to have a fully suspended floor. That's flash. So was the fact that during World War II, it was officially designated an air raid shelter.
Mind you, when I was a child, we didn't know that building as the Pease Building. It was Carmen's, because that's where one of those traditional old booksellers-cum-giftshops was located.
Locals do that sort of thing, you see. That's why the Coronation Hotel is known simply as the Corrie, why the little stream running through the centre of town isn't known as the Mangawharawhara but the Town Creek, and why the Waingongoro River on Eltham's western boundary is simply called the Wong - just like the sound of a stone plopping into one of its deep pools, wrote the late Douglas Stewart, famous ex- Eltham author and poet.
And how about this? Down by the golf course there's a green area officially known as Soldiers Memorial Park, but which everyone calls the Gully. And the golf course has a hole called not Suicide but Sewerside, because it runs alongside what used to be a sewage outfall into the Town Creek.
Instead of sorting out the pollution at the time, Eltham named a golf hole after it. Now that's local.
But let's get back to history. These days, Eltham is most famous for the magnificent selection of cheeses it produces and that history goes right back to the late 1880s, when Chinese entrepreneur Chew Chong built a dairy factory on the banks of the Waingongoro River.
He exported his butter under the Jubilee Butter brand, because the factory was opened on the date of Queen Victoria's jubilee. Maybe these days it might have been called Chong Wong Butter.
Anyway, the story goes that within a few years, Chong's suppliers didn't like it when he told them he could not pay more than tuppence per gallon for their milk - and that the payout would probably be half that the following year - so the farmers formed their own Eltham Co- operative Dairy Company.
Cheese was the first product to be manufactured, as it was considered a safer export commodity, and Eltham's cheese industry took off from there. These days, a massive selection of cheeses, ranging from traditional cheddar to French- style and processed, roll out of two big plants in the town.
But there is one particular cheese that Eltham is most famous for: blue vein - that product that smells like foot odour but tastes divine.
This tangy, salty cheese has been made in Eltham since 1952. Today the town might also make a variety of cheese on the blue- vein theme, but nothing beats the grunty original version that is quite addictive.
Over on the other side of the railway tracks, there's the Riverlands meatworks, which produces damn good steaks. In fact, a couple of years ago, its porterhouse took out New Zealand's prestigious Steak of Origin title.
Besides the cheese and meat industries, there's not a lot left in Eltham these days. A few decades ago, its main throughfares of High Street and Bridge Street were alive with shops. Most of these retail premises are empty now, although retro and second- hand shops have opened up and are popular.
The reasons are obvious. It used to be quite a journey to the big city lights of New Plymouth. Today, it's just a half-hour scoot up the road in the average family car. That means many people choose to live somewhere else and commute to Eltham to work, and that in turn has hurt the financial viability of retail businesses.
But if Eltham's business area is looking a bit bony these days, the town's soul is still very much there. In fact, it's turning back to its past as the means towards its future. Take Time Out is the mantra now being promoted by the Eltham Business and Professional Association as it encourages visitors to spend time in the village and sample both its history and its wares.
And that includes popping into the little cheese bar on Bridge Street, where there's usually a big selection of Eltham-made cheeses, often at ridiculously low prices. Just why this cheese bar isn't out on the main street, I'll never know. Then again, its almost-hidden location makes it a neat sort of Taranaki secret that's quite appealing, because you have to take time out to find it.
That's the thing about Eltham - you have to take time out there to begin to appreciate it. So how about this: pop into the town and pick up a brochure outlining the histories of all the beautiful old buildings in the central area. Head off on a walking tour of these buildings and, along the way, pop into the cheese bar for some blue vein and the Corrie for a few beers.
Then head down to the Wong for a picnic. And if you're really hungry, set up a barbie and cook a Riverlands steak. That'd be the true spirit of taking time out.
Taranaki Daily News
Last updated 10:37 07/12/2009
ROBERT CHARLES
Taking time out: Long-time Eltham residents Beulah and Max Hucker enjoy a moment under art deco artwork in the town's Stark Park.
There are quite a few Elthams around the world, but none quite compares with ours.
Consider the Eltham in the London borough of Greenwich, for instance. Famous people born there might include comedian Bob Hope and musician Boy George, but the New Zealand Eltham produced cut-the-hedge- with-a-lawnmower All Black Jazz Muller.
Eltham in Victoria, Australia, might be where the paralucia pyrodiscus lucida - the Eltham Copper Butterfly to us - was discovered, but our Eltham had this country's first fully tarsealed main street.
The Eltham in New Kent County, Virginia, might be where the New Kent-Charles City Chronicle is published, but our town has got the Eltham Argus.
But wait, there's more. Our Eltham had New Zealand's first commercial butter factory, which made the first-ever classic pound of butter. And it's got the first commercial building ever to have a suspended concrete floor. And Eltham even hosted the first-ever world axemen's carnival.
No comparison, really. But that's Eltham.
The town actually likes to describe itself as a town of firsts, because it is true that many years ago, it did pioneer everything from tarsealed streets to pounds of butter - which in some ways is ironic, because Eltham was the last place in Taranaki to be settled between Patea and New Plymouth.
Historians say this was because Central Taranaki was difficult country. If in the mid- 19th century it took several days for a bullock dray to travel the 21 kilometres between Inglewood and Stratford, it must have taken even longer to negotiate that valley where Eltham now is.
The town is nestled between the Waingongoro River on one side and the Ngaere Swamp on the other, and the whole area is crisscrossed with numerous smaller streams and creeks, so in those early days, it must have been a very muddy place when it was wet.
No wonder a few years later it became the first town in New Zealand to tarseal its main street.
Actually - and maybe this was because of the difficulty of the country - it almost seems that in the very early days, no one even wanted to claim the Eltham district.
In 1876, when the Patea County Council was formed, Eltham was lumped into its area of jurisdiction. Then, five years later, when the Hawera County Council was created, it was given the fledgling township.
It took another three years for Eltham to be declared a town district. Mind you, at that stage, it only had a population of 25 settlers.
Ad Feedback
But the town quickly grew, thanks first to the timber industry and then the development of dairy farms. This meant that by the beginning of the 20th century, the district was sufficiently populated to allow the urban area to be declared a borough and the country surrounding it a county.
One of the things I enjoy about Eltham is that its first mayor was the powerfully named and United States-born George Washington Tayler, and that among the borough council's first decisions were to ban driving stock through the main street, outlaw spitting on pavements and curtail cycling on footpaths.
Obviously, this would all have been part of a big move to bring respectability to a town that, by then, would have been getting quite prosperous. The beautiful Victorian and Edwardian buildings that are there today are proof of that - everything from the Coronation Hotel (it opened in 1902, the year of King Edward VII's coronation), to the Post Office Building opened in 1904, to the Eltham Courthouse opened in 1908.
And what about the Pease Building down on the corner of Bridge and Stanners streets? Built in 1909, it was the first such commercial building outside of Europe to have a fully suspended floor. That's flash. So was the fact that during World War II, it was officially designated an air raid shelter.
Mind you, when I was a child, we didn't know that building as the Pease Building. It was Carmen's, because that's where one of those traditional old booksellers-cum-giftshops was located.
Locals do that sort of thing, you see. That's why the Coronation Hotel is known simply as the Corrie, why the little stream running through the centre of town isn't known as the Mangawharawhara but the Town Creek, and why the Waingongoro River on Eltham's western boundary is simply called the Wong - just like the sound of a stone plopping into one of its deep pools, wrote the late Douglas Stewart, famous ex- Eltham author and poet.
And how about this? Down by the golf course there's a green area officially known as Soldiers Memorial Park, but which everyone calls the Gully. And the golf course has a hole called not Suicide but Sewerside, because it runs alongside what used to be a sewage outfall into the Town Creek.
Instead of sorting out the pollution at the time, Eltham named a golf hole after it. Now that's local.
But let's get back to history. These days, Eltham is most famous for the magnificent selection of cheeses it produces and that history goes right back to the late 1880s, when Chinese entrepreneur Chew Chong built a dairy factory on the banks of the Waingongoro River.
He exported his butter under the Jubilee Butter brand, because the factory was opened on the date of Queen Victoria's jubilee. Maybe these days it might have been called Chong Wong Butter.
Anyway, the story goes that within a few years, Chong's suppliers didn't like it when he told them he could not pay more than tuppence per gallon for their milk - and that the payout would probably be half that the following year - so the farmers formed their own Eltham Co- operative Dairy Company.
Cheese was the first product to be manufactured, as it was considered a safer export commodity, and Eltham's cheese industry took off from there. These days, a massive selection of cheeses, ranging from traditional cheddar to French- style and processed, roll out of two big plants in the town.
But there is one particular cheese that Eltham is most famous for: blue vein - that product that smells like foot odour but tastes divine.
This tangy, salty cheese has been made in Eltham since 1952. Today the town might also make a variety of cheese on the blue- vein theme, but nothing beats the grunty original version that is quite addictive.
Over on the other side of the railway tracks, there's the Riverlands meatworks, which produces damn good steaks. In fact, a couple of years ago, its porterhouse took out New Zealand's prestigious Steak of Origin title.
Besides the cheese and meat industries, there's not a lot left in Eltham these days. A few decades ago, its main throughfares of High Street and Bridge Street were alive with shops. Most of these retail premises are empty now, although retro and second- hand shops have opened up and are popular.
The reasons are obvious. It used to be quite a journey to the big city lights of New Plymouth. Today, it's just a half-hour scoot up the road in the average family car. That means many people choose to live somewhere else and commute to Eltham to work, and that in turn has hurt the financial viability of retail businesses.
But if Eltham's business area is looking a bit bony these days, the town's soul is still very much there. In fact, it's turning back to its past as the means towards its future. Take Time Out is the mantra now being promoted by the Eltham Business and Professional Association as it encourages visitors to spend time in the village and sample both its history and its wares.
And that includes popping into the little cheese bar on Bridge Street, where there's usually a big selection of Eltham-made cheeses, often at ridiculously low prices. Just why this cheese bar isn't out on the main street, I'll never know. Then again, its almost-hidden location makes it a neat sort of Taranaki secret that's quite appealing, because you have to take time out to find it.
That's the thing about Eltham - you have to take time out there to begin to appreciate it. So how about this: pop into the town and pick up a brochure outlining the histories of all the beautiful old buildings in the central area. Head off on a walking tour of these buildings and, along the way, pop into the cheese bar for some blue vein and the Corrie for a few beers.
Then head down to the Wong for a picnic. And if you're really hungry, set up a barbie and cook a Riverlands steak. That'd be the true spirit of taking time out.
Saturday, December 26
Campgrounds brace for their summer rush
By KELLY LONEY - Taranaki Daily News
Last updated 05:00 26/12/2009
South Taranaki beach and motor camps are upbeat about how this summer season is shaping up.
Kaupokonui Beach Motor Camp opened to full bookings today and is set to host busy grounds for five weeks.
It's caretaker Vince Leatherby's first year in the job and he's taking calls from keen campers from Wellington to Auckland.
While most spots are taken, there's always room for overnighters, said Mr Leatherby.
"I'm a friendly man and people are more than welcome at my place."
The new $200,000 shower and facilities block at Kaupokonui was up and running by Christmas Eve and this year the camp shop is fully stocked, and will open from 9am to 6pm.
By Christmas Eve, Waiinu beach camp, near Waitotara, already had a smattering of campers and South Taranaki District Council staff were expecting it to be almost full through the first two weeks of January.
Library Plus in Waverley takes registrations for the council managed campground.
Staff said many of the campers were locals who continued working while based at Waiinu. There was also a steady flow of overnighters staying on their way through Taranaki.
Opunake Beach Holiday Park's peak time starts today, with most but not all spaces already booked.
Camp leasee Craig Russell said the camp is "pretty solid right through until January 10 to 15".
He said there was "the usual crew coming" and many farmers had rung to extend their camp bookings since the increased milk solids pay-out was announced.
Mr Russell had heard from other campground managers that in general New Zealand camps were fuller this year with people who, because of the economic recession, had put their overseas holidays on hold, deciding to stay local instead.
King Edward Park Motor Camp manager Lu Katene said that while there were bookings from now through to the end of January, it was difficult to know how many people in motorhomes would be staying.
"They just turn up, one day we can be empty, the next day full."
Likewise for Ohawe Beach Camp.
Manager Phoebe Paraha was expecting to be busy from Christmas through until the first week of January with several bookings, mostly tenters. "I'm anticipating being busy. I'm not stressing, just plodding along."
In Patea, Carlyle Beach Motor Camp operator Ken Bentley was expecting a usual season with the camp's 30 sites filling up over the period until New Year with mostly families from around Taranaki and Wanganui.
"If the weather stays good, we're looking good."
Last updated 05:00 26/12/2009
South Taranaki beach and motor camps are upbeat about how this summer season is shaping up.
Kaupokonui Beach Motor Camp opened to full bookings today and is set to host busy grounds for five weeks.
It's caretaker Vince Leatherby's first year in the job and he's taking calls from keen campers from Wellington to Auckland.
While most spots are taken, there's always room for overnighters, said Mr Leatherby.
"I'm a friendly man and people are more than welcome at my place."
The new $200,000 shower and facilities block at Kaupokonui was up and running by Christmas Eve and this year the camp shop is fully stocked, and will open from 9am to 6pm.
By Christmas Eve, Waiinu beach camp, near Waitotara, already had a smattering of campers and South Taranaki District Council staff were expecting it to be almost full through the first two weeks of January.
Library Plus in Waverley takes registrations for the council managed campground.
Staff said many of the campers were locals who continued working while based at Waiinu. There was also a steady flow of overnighters staying on their way through Taranaki.
Opunake Beach Holiday Park's peak time starts today, with most but not all spaces already booked.
Camp leasee Craig Russell said the camp is "pretty solid right through until January 10 to 15".
He said there was "the usual crew coming" and many farmers had rung to extend their camp bookings since the increased milk solids pay-out was announced.
Mr Russell had heard from other campground managers that in general New Zealand camps were fuller this year with people who, because of the economic recession, had put their overseas holidays on hold, deciding to stay local instead.
King Edward Park Motor Camp manager Lu Katene said that while there were bookings from now through to the end of January, it was difficult to know how many people in motorhomes would be staying.
"They just turn up, one day we can be empty, the next day full."
Likewise for Ohawe Beach Camp.
Manager Phoebe Paraha was expecting to be busy from Christmas through until the first week of January with several bookings, mostly tenters. "I'm anticipating being busy. I'm not stressing, just plodding along."
In Patea, Carlyle Beach Motor Camp operator Ken Bentley was expecting a usual season with the camp's 30 sites filling up over the period until New Year with mostly families from around Taranaki and Wanganui.
"If the weather stays good, we're looking good."
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