Last calls at the Railway Tavern

We lived behind the Railway Hotel in the 60s - and it was always noisy - 6 o'clock closing in those days. RIP Railway Hotel. Last calls at the Railway Tavern PETRA FINER Last updated 05:00 18/10/2014 A century of pulling-beers will end today as an old Hawera watering hole closes for the final time. The 133-year-old Railway Tavern has been sold, taking it out of the hands of the McLeod family for the first time in 100 years. Tavern manager Alison Judkins said some very teary-eyed customers had crossed the pub's doorway during the last week of trading. "It's like a big family splitting up, they'll all be going in different directions. It's been a real meeting place for the elderly," she said. Peter McGlinchey has visited the establishment three times a week for more than five years. He said many a world issue had been solved over a beer and a chat. "I renamed this place the ‘house of knowledge'," he said. "If somebody has a problem, they come in and tell someone and it's not just their problem anymore." Tavern owner Mary McLeod, Wellington, said it was an emotional time. "I feel the responsibility of closing a business that has been in the family so long," she said. "I just think it is the end of an era not for me personally but for hotels as they used to be and no longer are." McLeod's grandfather John Comber Harrington bought the hotel in 1913 after inheriting half a million pounds. He died in 1924 and his wife took over until her death in 1947. Their son Jack took over until 2007, changing it from a hotel to a tavern. It has had 15 owners. The tavern is holding a last hurrah today and will host a cash-and-carry chattel auction on Wednesday, October 22. The facility's new owner, Hawera's Roydon Collingwood, was not prepared to say what was next for the building. http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/10632148/Last-calls-at-the-Railway-Tavern

Aiming for top at 81

An octogenarian is breaking down barriers and paving new pathways. Hawera's Daphne Keighley is the New Zealand Savage Club's first dominion executive, gaining the hot seat at a recent national annual meeting. Keighley has her eyes on the presidential badge and estimates that she should be the country's first woman to make it to the top. It has been her goal since 1975 - long before women were even allowed to be members of the group. "It'll be great if I can," she said. Keighley's husband George, now deceased, was rangatira (Taranaki-wide president) from 1976-77 and dominion president (New Zealand-wide) from 1990 to 1992. Not wanting to miss out on all the fun, Keighley and some of the other wives of Savage Club members had formed their own Wahine Club in 1975. Based on the same principles of performance, fellowship and charitable works, the Wahine met every month for 25 years. In 2001 they disbanded; the Savage Club had changed its policy to allow women to join during the 1990s and Keighley felt it was her time to shine. She joined both Hawera and Eltham's Savage Clubs and worked her way through the ranks. In 2009 she became Taranaki's first female rangatira, an office she held until 2012. As dominion executive, the 81-year-old has to work her way through junior vice-president and senior vice-president roles before she can take her place as the country's first female Savage Club lead. Keighley said she should be on track to take office when she is 88 years old. "It takes you about six years or so, you've got to work yourself up," she said. But she has never shied away from the work it takes. The friendship, opportunities to perform, and the chance to be a part of something special have always drawn her towards the Savage Clubs' structure. - Taranaki http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/10433396/Aiming-for-top-at-81 PETRA FINER PETRA.FINER@DAILYNEWS.CO.NZ Last updated 11:33 28/08/2014

Church to celebrate centenary

Waitara Knox Church centennial celebrations organing committee members met yesterday to discuss plans for the church's 100 year celebrations being held over Labour Weekend. From left, Janet Finer (committee member), Lynette Hodge, (Elder) Ian Finer, (Elder) John Hodge (Elder) and Graham Armstrong (Elder) and Session clerk. Waitara's Knox Presbyterian Church is ringing up 100 years next month and will celebrate with three days of festivities. The world was at war when the church opened its doors for the first time on Waitara's Grey St on October 21, 1914, and the wooden building weathered time and the elements until earthquake concerns required its replacement. The modern building now on the site, which opened in early 2013, is much more than a church. Boasting a basketball court, gym, childrens' play centre, offices, a conference room and a large auditorium, the church elders look on it as a a community hub as much as a place of worship. Labour Weekend, just a couple of days after the actual anniversary date, has been selected as the time to stage the celebrations. After an informal meet and greet on the evening of Friday, October 24, things kick off in earnest Saturday morning with the cutting of the anniversary cake followed by lunch. In line with the church's support of democracy in all things, the events for Saturday afternoon will be decided by a vote. Options might include egg and spoon races, things the whole family can enjoy or maybe a bus tour. A dinner dance will follow on Saturday night, and the usual Sunday morning church gathering will see ministers who served the church in past years taking part in a special thanksgiving service. Those interested in attending the centenary celebrations or getting further information can contact Lisa Parsons at lisa@waitara.org.nz or phone the church at 06 754 4356. Jeff Stone is a Witt journalism student - Taranaki Daily News http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/10462674/Church-to-celebrate-centenary

Maori Quartet brings past flooding back

On Thursday night I spent an evening with The Modern Maori Quartet. And by the time I left the TSB Showplace Theatre I felt I had stepped out for an evening with my grandfather, father, uncles and cousins. A nostalgic couple of hours being swept away by the melodies, harmonies, a degree of suaveness sprinkled with a healthy dose of humour that epitomised those gentlemen whose memories linger in my heart. I was expecting a revamped version of the Kontikis or Howard Morrison Quartet, and was pleasantly pleased to be transported back in time by classics that paid tribute to some of my childhood musical heroes. When I closed my eyes I was half expecting my father to be holding out his hand ready to sweep me into a slow waltz on the dance floor. Crooning is an art that many young musicians today have yet to fully value, but when it gets delivered with the panache of seasoned performers I'd suggest they should take notice. With a combination of 20 years' acting, song writing and musicianship, The Modern Maori Quartet have got that entertainment appeal that goes beyond just good singing. Described as fried bread with golden syrup, for that first-bite, yummy sensation, they definitely bring that good vibes factor into their performance. But it would be unfair to say this show is just based on past Maori Cabarets acts. Filtering through their programme were more modern, familiar tunes; Baby I've been watching you set the scene for original songs that have the potential to be iconic for a new generation; that lazy Sunday afternoon kind of feel that has your cousins reaching for their guitars. Hitting our screens tonight as part of the TVNZ variety show Happy Hour, The Modern Maori Quartet will be the show's resident act. No doubt their obvious entertainment value will increase, but I suspect the show will only give the viewers just a sample of their talent. And being at a Maori party might just become fashionable. But if you want a night out with your dad even if he is no longer around, get to one of their performances. You will hear him humming along with you. - Taranaki Daily News AMOKURA PANOHO Last updated 05:00 06/09/2014

Fallen locks show teens' priority

A group of Hawera High School students will feel the cold in the next few weeks as they get used to their new looks. Nine students agreed to have their heads shaved, and one decided to wax his legs, for donations from friends and family for the school's annual Shave-a-thon to raise funds for the cancer society. Year 12 student Ethan Arbuckle dedicated his falling locks to his granddad, who was diagnosed with cancer a year and a half ago. Arbuckle was "a bit more comfortable" shaving his hair for a second year running. While, Riana Robinson's effort last year inspired Nikita Barry to get in behind the event this year. However, when the clippers were going through her hair, she wasn't too sure what she had committed herself too. "I was thinking what have a put myself into. I'm going to have no hair for a while," she said. Crowd favourite, Stewart Melrose was too in love with his hair, so decided to wax his legs. "I waxed my legs instead because I figured it would be a laugh and deep down I couldn't part with my hair." Although the 17-year-old wasn't laughing as the wax strips came off. He was in tears of pain, leaving him thinking, "what am I doing with my life." "I honestly have full respect to anyone who waxes their legs 'cause that stuff hurts," he said. Melrose said the pain he put himself through was worth every cent he made. "It's for a really good cause, and it was all worth it to raise money for cancer." Melrose raised $600 for the event with the help of friends, family and teachers who paid as much as $50 to pull a wax strip from his legs. It was his first time involved with the shave-a-thon, but he is considering doing it next year, when he may even part with his hair. Teacher-in-charge Anna Campbell said each year the event gets bigger and better. "I'm super impressed with how the whole school has got in behind everyone." We already have kids asking ‘can we sign up for next year'." The school set a fundraising target of $4000, which doubled with door sales of more than 350 students who filled the school hall to watch and other fundraising. - TaranakiOLIVIA WATT Last updated 09:57 04/09/2014

Murray loves to roll up sleeves

Murray loves to roll up sleeves CLIFF HUNT- TARANAKI STAR Last updated 11:44 28/08/2014 Star manager Cliff Hunt , who worked his way up from the shop floor, talks with people who don't mind getting their hands dirty - the kind of people who make South Taranaki a great place to live. -------------------- Forty-five years is a long time at one place - and still loving every minute of it is local joiner Murray West of Arthur Brown Construction. "I can remember two dates," Murray said, "May 8, 1967 when I first started work for Waipari Timber; and August 4, 1969 when I started with Browns." Murray has had two jobs, starting his apprenticeship with Waipari before he was transferred to Arthur Brown Construction, and has been to two schools - Manaia Primary and Hawera High School. In the early days, Murray, whose parents farmed on Roundbush Rd, Manaia, had to get up early to bike to Manaia, catch the Egmont Tourist Bus to Hawera. And then do the same to get home. After bussing and biking for a few years Murray bought his first car- a 1967 Volkswagen. In 1969, when he first started work for Browns, the joinery manager was Bruce Oakes and 14 years later, when he retired, Murray took over his job. He held the position for the next 27 years before he stepped down to go back to the shop floor. Now the joinery manager is Jason Cameron, who was one of Murray's apprentices. "I just love being back on the ‘bench' - working with my hands again. A lot of solid timber was used in the early days but now Melteca, custom-wood and aluminium is used. But it has made the job a lot easier," Murray said. These days Murray, besides working for Browns, runs a Bed and Breakfast on Waihi Rd with his wife Christina. http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/south-taranaki-star/10433395/Murray-loves-to-roll-up-sleeves

Band brassed off Building full of borer

Band brassed off Building full of borer LAIRD HARPER- TARANAKI STAR Last updated 09:13 31/07/2014 Hawera's Brass Band is refusing to go quietly into the night after a seismic report found significant deficiencies in its building. An investigation, commissioned by the band, found the building had a seismic capacity of just 3 per cent of the new building standard (NBS). All public buildings need to be at least 34 per cent of the NBS. Band chairwoman Christine Cameron said the report was a significant body-blow as the club's future was now on a knife edge. She said having just pulled the club out of a rut that saw the club struggle to find members, they were nothing short of "despondent". "We work so hard to do concerts and raise enough money so we can pay our rates, gas bills and musical director, and then this goes and happens." Cameron said it was a pivotal moment in the club's history and they would not go quietly into the night. She said their only choice was to knock the building down, which could cost up to $18,000, and start again. However, in the short term they needed to find a place to rehearse and store their gear because many members were unwilling to enter the building. "Unless someone hands us a cheque for $250,000 I don't know what the long-term prospect will be. "Obviously we are going to have to fun raise and work hard to secure some solid foundations again." Cameron said no matter what their plan was they needed to get out of the building they had owned since 1979. "We have to leave the building for the safety of ourselves and public liability," she said. Cameron said the "beams were so full of borer" the engineer "wouldn't even touch one", and members of the public had seen the walls flex in a strong wind. "With those two recent earthquakes the cracks on the exterior have also opened up." Cameron said the building remained open to the public but they had hung a "enter at your own risk" sign. South Taranaki District Council's building control manager Andre Phillips said they were yet to receive the report or see any of the recommendations contained within it. "Once we have received a copy of their engineer's report, council will be in a position to advise the Hawera Pipe Band on possible options and actions going forward." He said much like Everybody's Theatre in Opunake they will work with the group. Cameron said there was a flicker of light at the end of the band's tunnel as they were currently going through the process of securing a new musical director. She said if it wasn't for that negotiation process all would be lost. http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/south-taranaki-star/10331666/Band-brassed-off

Katrina's Pop Snapple Crack

Katrina's Pop Snapple Crack (Honey Crackle) We have made honey crackle in our family ever since i was a child. Mum use to let us help her make it always, so i like to now make it with my kids :) Ingredients 100grams of butter 1/4 cup of sugar 4 to 5 heaped table spoons of honey 4-5 cups of rice bubbles Method Put the butter, sugar and honey on the stove until all dissolved together on a medium heat. When it is all dissolved turn off stove and add your cups of rice bubbles. Mix together and lay in a buttered tray and put in the fridge until firm.

The Pictures At OKato

Hi, have some stories to share from a lovely lady called Lois Le Bas (nee Moorby) from round the coast. A few years older than us but her stories still the same a few years later than we can relate to This is priceless The Pictures At OKato Thursday nights were special. Thursday night was ‘Picture’ night. The ‘Flicks’ as the boys as school called it. This was our weekly treat. Very rarely did we not go. It was hustle and bustle to get milked and the tea and the dishes done and get dressed up and get going. Half past 7 we were in the car and by a quarter to 8 we would be sitting in our seats – waiting!!!! It was a wonderful feeling when you were small – the waiting. The hall was all set up with long wooden moveable seats, which were dragged into rows from around the edge of the hall where they were usually lined. When I was younger I used to sit in the front row of backless forms but each year I moved back a row as other smaller kids came to the front. And the third row back had backs on the seats. We made for our friends and we always sat in the same place but back a bit every year. This is where we would head for as soon as we got into the hall. This was the Hempton Hall. It was built in 1906 as a memorial to a Captain Hempton who died in the Boer War. The land that the hall sits on was given to Okato by his mother. It always was a beautiful big hall and over the years it has been meticulously maintained and I am sure it is the biggest country hall in Taranaki today. Mum and Dad would sit in the centre seats, right in the middle of the hall. If I turned around I could always see Dad sitting on the end of the seat. And so that was how people sat. The young ones in the front. The Mum’s and Dad’s in the centre so they could keep an eye on you. And as you got older you ended up in the back portion. This is where all the young couples sat. There was one couple who always used to sit in the back row. They were a young married couple and they were always canoodling. When the lights went off the music of “God Save the King” came on and everyone stood up while it played. At every function back then, the Anthem would be played. And then the ‘Pictures’ would begin. All the waiting – all the excitement – at last!!!!!!! There was always a newsreel first. Always covering the World News. And all black and white of course. Then there was always a serial. Oh these were exciting!!! Just 5 minutes and then it would all be over. Always leaving you on the edge as something awful was going to happen to the heroine or the Star of the show. There was Tarzan! There was The Lone Ranger! There was Jungle Man! It was exciting stuff and we just couldn’t wait for the next week to see what happened. After the serial we usually had a Cartoon. We thought these were so funny. Mickey Mouse and Pluto and the like. And then half time. There would be a rush outside and over the road to Durdle’s dairy on the corner. The little shop would be crammed full, and people would all be wanting an icecream. Picture night was not picture night unless you had an icecream at halftime. And so great big boys and little wee girls like me would be pushing their way to the counter wanting to be served. It was the same every picture night. There were only ice creams in cones. For twice the money you could buy a Chocolate covered one on a stick. And there were iceblocks on sticks. After a while Mr Durdle used to scoop the ice creams before the rush so that he could serve the first rush quickly. When I was older a lady from the school tuckshop set up a lolly stall in the cloak room every picture night and you could buy icecreams on sticks from her so it wasn’t such a mad rush to Durdle’s any more. And so once again we settled into our seats for the main feature. There was no colour until I was 12 or so and then not always. Colour was a novelty. No matter what film was on we enjoyed them. It was just the novelty of having a night out. One night there was a story about the dog Lassie. Lassie was in strife and was hurt and was just lying there looking dead. My cousin Paul was with us that night. He would have been about 6. In the dark with only the light of the picture to guide him he got up out of his seat in the front and walked out. As he passed Dad on the end seat further back, Dad recognised Paul and grabbed his arm. “Where’re you going?” says Dad. “Dog’s dead. I’m going home!” was the reply. That story will never die!!! It has been told and told over the years. Often there would be breakdowns. All of a sudden the hall would be pitch black and nothing on the screen. This is when the feet would start clattering on the floor. Everyone would be showing their displeasure by clattering with their shoes. No rubber soles and sneakers then. Always leather shoes with heel plates to make the soles last longer. So the clattering was pretty loud!!! And why the break down? Well, the films came on big reels and the same reels went around all the country halls and so sometimes they would break. Then the projectionist would have to splice it together somehow and get it running again. Sometimes the film would start running back to front. Clatter Clatter Clatter again!! This would be because the previous projectionist had not rewound the film before sending it on to the next hall. With the advent of Television – the Thursday night pictures drew to a close in the early 60’s.

HHS

photo taken at the 75th HHS jubilee with Hilary Goodall who left HHS at the end of 1970. She taughtFrench and was the Senior Mistress at HHS. She left to do missionary work in Africa. "Elise Foreman, Mary O'Donnell kneeling next to Hilary with Mary Instone (O'Donnell) on the other side. Behind her is Audrey Young who is a senior political reporter for the NZ Herald and Mairi Paige (Stockwell) who now lives in South Australia.

Kathryn wants to capture memories

Kathryn wants to capture memories YVETTE BATTEN - NORTH TARANAKI MIDWEEK Last updated 05:00 10/02/2014 Yvette Batten /Fairfax NZ Looking back: Kathryn Williams, of Waitara, wants people to share their memories of growing up in Taranaki during the 1960s on the I Remember When - Growing up in the 60’s in Taranaki Facebook page. Kathryn Williams, of Waitara, wants to write a book about growing up in Taranaki. To do this she needs more people, especially those from North Taranaki, to share memories and photos on her I Remember When - Growing up in the 60's in Taranaki Facebook page. Contributions will be gathered and turned into a book, to be released later this year. "I don't want historical stuff," she said. "It's memories. It's sayings our parents had. It's traditions. It's funny things at school." The idea of forming the page and writing the book came when one of her grand-daughters asked Ms Williams what it was like when she was a little girl. "I realised that to her 50 years ago when I was growing up, was old to her," she said. "I remember sitting on my nana's knee and listening to all her stories of when she was growing up and my kids did it to my mum." When the page was established it quickly became popular among baby-boomers in South Taranaki, where Ms Williams grew up. "It's all friends I know and everyone's copied and shared the Facebook page. I've met up with all these people that I haven't heard from in years." Now she wants to extend the invitation to people who grew up in North Taranaki. "I don't have a lot of people from North Taranaki. "I'm needing to get memories from people there to give it a complete overview of growing up in the 60s in Taranaki, not just South." For more information visit the page on Facebook or email youthtraxk@hotmail.com. http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/midweek/9697191/Kathryn-wants-to-capture-memories https://www.facebook.com/TheNakikids?fref=ts

Long service ending

When today's school bell rings, Wendy Mullan will lock her classroom for the final time. She will then walk through the school grounds and wave goodbye to her students and colleagues. Among them will be Ian Busby, who will also be saying his fond farewells. Mrs Mullan, a teacher at Hawera's Turuturu School for the past 29 years, is retiring alongside her old mate. Mr Busby has been the school caretaker for 27 years. It is a bittersweet time for both as they look forward to a quieter and more relaxed future away from the place in which each has spent a good portion of the past 30 years. Unable to completely give up such a huge portion of her life, Mrs Mullan plans to fill some of her days relief teaching. For her, a career in teaching has always been driven by the desire to see children grow. "The progress is huge in the new entrant level, you see a greater progress here than you do at any other level in the school," she said. "They come in with nothing and they're little sponges." She said it was satisfying to see how children learnt and discovered in their early schooling years. Education has changed since she began working in the world of growing young minds. Technology has become a huge part of the everyday curriculum. "Every room has computers in, we've got a computer suite which certainly wasn't here in the early days," she said. "It is hard but you just pick it up a bit at a time and you have to move with it." She said technology was a tool and she believed children would always need to learn reading and writing before they would be able to utilise the tools technology provided. But when Mrs Mullan thought back over her history with Turuturu School, she was reminded of family more than the changes in education. Her own children were educated there and she now has five grandchildren at the school. Teaching in one place for 29 years would not have been so special if it hadn't been for the people she worked with. "The kids, the parents, the colleagues, we've had lots of fun, met lots of friends that have lasted with us over the time," she said. Mr Busby agreed. The teachers once had a thriving social life. Mrs Mullan said it was key to a good working environment. "You don't have to be with those people all the time but having a good social relationship helps having a good working relationship," she said. "I think that's really really important in any job." Ad Feedback Mrs Mullan's husband Kerry and Mr Busby's wife Frances have been active volunteers at almost every event. "Generally, the more you put in, the more you get out," Mrs Mullan said. As the fulltime caretaker, Mr Busby has spent years watching the school evolve and grow. Starting his working life as a car painter, he revelled in the opportunity to spend his days out in the fresh air. "When I first came here there were nine classrooms, now we're up 15 classrooms," he said. Two new playgrounds have been built but the students' favourite place to play has always been the pine trees bordering the school. One of Mr Busby's most satisfying moments was building raised garden beds for the kids. He said seeing them plant and then watch the produce grow was a gratifying experience. The overall experience has been one that neither would have wanted to give up. Mrs Mullan said: " . . . if we hadn't enjoyed it, we wouldn't have been here this long. "I always felt I had no reason to move anywhere else." - © Fairfax NZ News PETRA FINER- SOUTH TARANAKI STAR Last updated 10:04 19/12/2013 http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/south-taranaki-star/9534918/Long-service-ending

Poppa Jim top of the pops

An octogenarian's desire to go back to preschool has inspired a wealth of inter-generational relationships. "Poppa" Jim Battersby, who lives at the Hillsborough Heights Retirement Village, has walked past Roskill South Kindergarten many times over the years. He couldn't see over the fence, but he could tell by the sounds of children at play that it was the place to be. "I decided I'd like to go to kindergarten," he says. Through an intermediary he approached the kindergarten and was duly invited to visit. He's been going there every week since. "We thought it would be great for our children to interact with an older person," teacher Nadine Priebs says. "So many of them don't have grandparents living locally and we figured that they would learn a lot from ‘Poppa Jim' as the children now call him. His presence in the kindergarten has been wonderful." Every Tuesday, Poppa Jim wanders around the playground and interacts with the children at the water-play area and sandpit. He has joined the children on trips to Ambury Farm and inspired them to take an interest in rock ‘n roll when he came to the disco dressed as Elvis Presley. While at the kindergarten Mr Battersby celebrated his 88th birthday. "Yes, there were 88 candles," he says. "But by the time the last few were alight, some of the first-lit candles had burned out, so thankfully I didn't have to do a lot of blowing." The children's birthday present to Mr Battersby was a mosaic paver they made of him with his walking stick. More of Mr Battersby's friends from the retirement village now go to the kindergarten to share their skills, patience and time. "It's a great experience for everyone," Ms Priebs says. "Children and older people are empowered by what is happening here. The relationships are special and they are learning so much from each other." - © Fairfax NZ News http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/central-leader/9526902/Poppa-Jim-top-of-the-pops

Blue baby made history

Star manager Cliff Hunt went to Taupo to track down Taranaki's Bruce Pike, one of the first "blue babies" operated on 50 years ago by the famous heart surgeon, Sir Brian Barratt-Boyes. Kapuni 6-year-old Bruce Pike became part of heart surgery history 50 years ago. He underwent a hole-in-the-heart operation performed by one New Zealand's leading cardiac surgeons in June 1963. Bruce's parents, Bob and Iris Pike, who farmed on Palmer Rd, said at the time that without the operation their son could not have outlived his teens. They felt there was no option but to consent to the operation and, for the first time in six years, they were able to look to their son's future with confidence. Bruce's surgeon, Mr Brian Barratt-Boyes - he was knighted in 1971 - toiled for four hours over the tiny body in the brilliantly lit Auckland Hospital theatre. Before the operation, he was quoted as saying: "Complications could still arise but I am hopeful the lad will show marked improvement within the next week." Thirty blood donors were standing by. Bruce was born a "blue baby" and within 18 months he had already undergone a major operation. In an effort to ensure an adequate supply of blood to Bruce's lungs, the surgeon joined an artery from the boy's arm to his lung blood supply. "This practice was considered adequate until Bruce was old enough to undergo a further major operation," Sir Brian was quoted as saying. "Then we found, through extensive tests, that Bruce also had a narrowing in the heart muscle leading out to the lung. "Consequently the operation became more essential. Bruce was seriously affected when it was performed on Wednesday. He had a hole between the pumping chambers of his heart, besides the other complications. "As in all cases a heart-lung machine was used for the surgery, but once the hole was sealed excess muscle and fibrous tissue had to be ‘chipped' from the outlet muscle." Sir Brian also told of a little-known procedure which was adopted with Bruce before his operation. He said dozens of pictures had been taken of the boy's heart, primarily through the use of a catheter. This, he explained, was a thin tube which had been inserted into an artery in Bruce's arm and pushed through to his heart. Oxygen tent By Friday Bruce was still in an oxygen tent. Slow progress caused his surgeon to maintain the treatment right up to the following day. He possessed his faculties, however, and could recognise his parents when they called. Ad Feedback "Never had he been able to join in games with his playmates at the Kapuni School. The slightest physical exercise would leave him gasping for breath," said Iris, who also now lives in Taupo. Her husband died some years ago. The announcement of the success of the surgery almost overwhelmed Bruce's mother and father as well his sisters Gail and Karen. For the first time in his life Bruce was a normal colour. "He lay there . . . looking at me . . . and smiled. His skin was pink, his fingernails were pink and for the first time I knew he was really a normal son," Iris said. Six weeks later Bruce was back home from Auckland bringing with him as a treasured souvenir - a small bottle containing the remains of the stitches inserted in his body at the end of the operation. "A nurse told Bruce he had enough cotton to knit himself a jersey. Bruce would be able to walk to school within a few weeks whereas before he would have been gasping for breath within 100 yards. Ten cousins called over the weekend to welcome him home including the Dixons of Kaponga (Helen, Brian, Carol, Trevor and Judith); and the Pikes from Hawera (Gloria, Lorraine and Christine). Now 50 years later, Bruce, a very fit 56-year-old, lives in Taupo with his wife Sandra and three adult sons Robert, Gavin and Denis. Retiring "Taupo has been my home for the last 34 years, and I was looking forward to retiring at 60, but now that has changed to 65. "If I got to 40 years of age I thought I was doing all right and anything after that was a bonus," Bruce said last week. A mechanic, Bruce works for the Stihl dealer in Taupo fixing up chainsaws and lawnmowers. As a 19-year-old Bruce had an accident on his motorbike badly injuring his arm and leg. It nearly scuttled his surgeon's hard work but lady luck has always been on Bruce's side. These days Bruce has done away with motorbikes and is restoring a 1970 Datsun Coupe as well as keeping his home and grounds up-to-date. "I've had no side-effects after the operation, although I did get a bit tired right up to my late teens," Bruce said. "When all the other kids at school were playing rugby and cricket on the weekends, I would be at home with my electric train and model aeroplanes." Bruce is still keen on his model aeroplanes but these days they are remote controlled. He is a keen member of a Taupo model aeroplane club. Sir Brian died aged 82 in 2006. - © Fairfax NZ News CLIFF HUNT- SOUTH TARANAKI STAR Last updated 14:50 13/06/2013

State of grace(land)

By HELEN HARVEY helen.harvey@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki D


Elvis is not allowed inside the house. Or in the car, at work or down the pub. He is confined to the garage. And Hawera's biggest Elvis fan, Kevin David Wasley KD to his mates is quite happy about that.

He doesn't have tunnel vision. His whole life doesn't revolve around the king of rock 'n' roll. But part of it does ... and has done for more than 45 years.

KD was about 12 when he first heard Elvis Presley sing. But it wasn't until he saw what the singer looked like that he became totally hooked. He saw the cover of an EP record with a black-and-white head shot of Elvis taken side on.

"The way his hair hung down in front motivated me to find out what Brylcream was." Later, KD's parents banned mirrors from the house because he was always combing his hair.

His hair is gray now, but KD still has the same swished-back hairstyle. And he still has the sideburns.

Wife JJ has never known him without the sideburns, though his three now adult sons, David, Greg and Chris, once planned to shave one while their dad was sleeping. Their mother talked them out of it. Just as well, KD growls, or they would have been sleeping out here.

"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

A century's worth of life well-lived

A Hawera centenarian celebrated her birthday in style last week. Margaret McNeil-Adams spent two days toasting her 100th birthday with family and friends. Born Margaret Isobel Morrison in Stratford on May 10, 1913, she spent most of her life in south and central Taranaki. The eldest of seven children born to Joe and Jean Morrison, Mrs McNeil-Adams dreamt of becoming a teacher. Training at the Auckland Teachers' Training College before the war, she returned to Taranaki to teach at many country schools including Auroa, Manaia and Otakeho. "During the Depression in the 1930s Margaret spent some time at Matemateaonga, east of Eltham, acting as a governess to two children," her sister Betty Morrison said. It was there that Mrs McNeil-Adams met her late husband Murray. Ms Morrison described her sister as a keen hockey player with plenty of energy. The couple had three daughters, Jennifer, Marion and Allison. The couple's youngest daughter, Allison, died in a Burmese plane crash in 1978. Allison and her husband Hugh Taylor were on a teaching sabbatical travelling the world. "What Murray and Margaret did was establish a lodge, Pokaka, near Tongariro," said Bill Morrison, her brother. "It's a place that secondary students can go and do skiing in the winter time." The legacy helped the family get through an otherwise traumatic and devastating experience, he said. She has seen four generations of her family and is a grandmother to five children and great-grandmother to seven. "Her granddaughter, Katherine, with her two small boys, have come over from Perth for the occasion," Ms Morrison said. Mrs McNeil-Adams is now a resident of Annie Brydon Rest Home but lived alone until well into her 90s. - © Fairfax NZ News PETRA FINER- SOUTH TARANAKI STAR Last updated 10:40 16/05/2013

Local operators in tune

Ham radio operators will be setting makeshift camps nationwide this weekend in a bid to prove themselves the most skilled communicators. The "Jock White Field Days" are an annual emergency practice run for amateur radio operators throughout New Zealand. The two-day event sees about 50 teams set up temporary shelter and contact one another by ham radio voice call and morse code once every hour, explains Graeme Bateman, amateur radio operator. After the Hawera Amateur Radio Club won the event last year, Mr Bateman and fellow radio operator Gary Legge are confident the club is in with another chance this time around. "The most contacts you make, win the competition," Mr Legge said. "You've set up the best station." It is an important training process for potential disasters. "We are responsible for mountain communications and stuff like that, when climbers are in trouble on the south side of the mountain (Taranaki)," he said. "And naturally we can be responsible to provide radio communications in disasters when all other means have failed." Mr Bateman agrees. "In situations like Christchurch, they made great use of amateur radio operators because it was fairly difficult to get information in or out (of the city) for a while," he said. And besides, it is all great fun. "One of the advantages is that we can operate out of anywhere as long as we get access to a 12 volt battery," Mr Legge said. For the past 25 years, Hawera Amateur Radio Club has operated out of the Kakaramea School grounds and used their facilities for sleeping. Ad Feedback - © Fairfax NZ News PETRA FINER -SOUTH TARANAKI STAR Last updated 11:05 20/02/2013

Friendly welcome home for couple

Robin and Kathy Bloor are home to roost after more than 40 years out of the region. A former racing journalist, Robin moved into hospitality about five years ago. The opportunity to head home to Taranaki appeared recently and it was too good to pass up. While Hawera is a bit smaller than their previous hometown of Petone, Wellington, they say it's proving to be just as warm and welcoming. "It had to be a business decision and Taranaki seems to be advancing in the recession, more so than a lot of other provinces," he said. A bit of research quickly confirmed that for the Bloors. "Taranaki ranks about third after Auckland and Wellington, so we know we had good occupancy figures," he explained. It helps that there are family and friends, including Mr Bloor's mother, that live in Hawera. A surprising number of guests have been old friends. "The town hasn't changed much over the years, it's got more supermarkets which is the most noticeable difference," he said. Another thing Mr Bloor has discovered is the way Glover Rd has become Hawera's second business hub. Mrs Bloor, a city girl at heart, is getting used to not having everything on hand 24 hours a day. "Everyone is so friendly. I've called in at shops and mentioned that I've just arrived and they are really friendly and helpful," she said. "It's been a great experience so far." - © Fairfax NZ News PETRA FINER -SOUTH TARANAKI STAR