Landmarks Trust History Forum

J H Coleman: lust for land

2011-11-11T22:10:00.000-08:00

LUST FOR LAND is written by Adrian Coleman. It is a record of J H Colemans life from arrival in New Zealand in1859 until his death in 1928 aged 94; acquisition of pastoral land in Hawkes Bay; very early sittings of the Maori Land Court in Hawke's Bay; Royal Commission into land dealings, particularly concerning the Heretaunga block (James escaped); the making of his fortune; his commercial and philanthropic activities; the lives of his four privileged step-children; division of his wealth; the lives of his own children and grandchildren.
Retired solicitor Adrian Coleman always hoped to pen a book. So when his muse came by way of a descendant's deeds box 20 years ago, the Hastings property lawyer decided its contents merited a mention.While he initially intended to write a biographical piece on the box's former owner - great-grandfather James Henry Coleman - his research led to a much broader project.The deeper he delved into his descendant's land dealing in what was then described as New Zealand's "wild west", the more the book's brief veered from a purely biographical account of his family, to a deeper understanding of some of the area's earliest land transactions.The broader scope "created quite a conundrum" for the 70-year-old, who admits he originally set out to write "primarily for my family". Yet the result, Lust for Land, James Henry Coleman - His Life, His Fortune, His Descendants, is, he believes, a "delicate fusion" and a scholarly and colourful history of his family and the province."Because I'm a lawyer I'm interested in land issues and how lawyers of the day dealt with these issues."So what has changed in a property lawyer's role between the mid 19th century and now? "Hardly anything actually. The law doesn't move very fast."And even outside legal transactions, there were other similarities between now and then. "I remember one Maori woman, a client of mine, weeping as she signed away a small flat in Flaxmere. That occurred only about six years ago. When the great Hawke's Bay chief Karaitiana had his land eased from under him he went into a long and deep depression. The Maori attachment to land was, and still is, palpable."The book, launched last month in Havelock North, was also a family affair. "I had my son, James Hayes Coleman, great-great-grandson of the old man, and his son Jacob Howard Coleman, great-great-great-grandson, beside me, which made it a special occasion."As for family affairs, don't miss the story of a future son-in-law's fighting off the cannibals of Rwanda, of a daughter being courted by a succession of impecunious impostors, all claiming to be titled Europeans, love and heartbreak in two world wars, and the impressive social functions which wealth made possible.

Hawke's Bay Magpie Rugby History - 1875 - 1945 - Frank Long

2011-10-21T19:28:00.000-07:00

Hawke's Bay Magpie Rugby History - 1875 - 1945 - Frank Long A wonderful book.
The Hawke's Bay Rugby Union was founded in 1884. This makes it the oldest Provincial Rugby Union outside the four main centres. Hawke's Bay have a very good Ranfurly Shield record with 24 defenses from 1922 to 1927, 21 successful defenses between 1966 and 1969 as well as 2 defenses in 1934. Hawke's Bays glory days came long before the NPC was founded. As such Hawke's Bay does not have a very flattering record in either that competition or the AIR NZ Cup. The best position the have managed in either is 3rd. Hawke's Bay dominated the second division of the NPC before the Air New Zealand Cup was set up. In 1997 Hawke's Bay joined with Manuwatu to become the Central Vikings and subsequently won the 1998 second division NPC final against Bay of Plenty at McLean Park, Napier. Both Unions have since gone their separate ways, and are both foundation unions of the Air New Zealand Cup which started in 2006. In the past Hawke's Bay has produced some great All Blacks over 50 in total including Kel Tremain and George Nepia Hawkes Bay also defeated the 1993 British Lions.

Brief history of Hawke's Bay Ranfurly Shield history is some quite good until the late 60's.
Hawke’s Bay rugby is defined by two golden Ranfurly Shield eras: 1922–26 and 1967–69. In both periods the Bay became the benchmark for rugby in this country, and the 1920s side was truly something special. It scored 720 points in 24 successful defences and conceded just 204. Players such as the legendary George Nepia, Jimmy Mill, Bert Grenside, Jackie Blake and the mighty Brownlie brothers – Laurie, Cyril and Maurice – all wore the black and white of the Bay with distinction. Good as these players and their teammates were, much of the Bay’s remarkable success was due to the efforts of the astute and formidable Norm McKenzie, Hawke’s Bay’s selector-coach during this golden run.
Norman McKenzie, one of five brothers to have played first-class rugby, became a Hawke’s Bay selector in 1916. Along with his brothers Ted and Bert, he would play a key role in the controversial 1927 ‘Battle of Solway’.

Hawke's Bay rugby (video)
Hawke’s Bay’s 19–9 victory over Wellington in their 1922 shield challenge came as a complete shock to the team from the capital. Nothing in Hawke’s Bay’s recent history suggested that the outcome would be anything other than a routine victory for Wellington. Little was known about the Bay team, which McKenzie had assembled after scouring the province for men with individual brilliance who could also become effective team players. Hawke’s Bay’s dream nearly turned into a nightmare within weeks. They held on 17–16 over Bay of Plenty only because the challengers failed to convert a last-minute try near the posts.
By 1926 Hawke’s Bay had assembled a remarkably strong squad. The arrival of Bert Cooke from Auckland and Lance Johnson from Wellington completed a backline so strong that even recent All Blacks of the calibre of Lui Paewai and Tommy Corkill couldn’t break into the team. Some of New Zealand rugby’s finest unions were dispatched with ease – Wellington 58–8, Auckland 41–11 and Wairarapa 77–14. There seemed no reason to think that the Bay’s run would end any time soon.

Over the summer of 1926–27 Hawke’s Bay was rocked by a number of departures. George Nepia moved to East Coast and Bert Cooke and ‘Bull’ Irvine left for Wairarapa. In the first challenge of the 1927 season Wairarapa, so convincingly defeated the season before, ended the Bay’s tenure with a hard-fought 15–11 win. Some expressed relief that Hawke’s Bay′s reign had finally ended. Even Norman McKenzie admitted that the shield needed to move to maintain its appeal. But not everyone in the Bay was so willing to accept the loss of a possession to which they had become accustomed. The opportunity for redemption came just a month later with a rematch in Masterton. A unique feature of this game was the involvement of the McKenzie family. Norman’s brother Ted was the Wairarapa coach and Bert McKenzie was the referee. Hawke’s Bay won the Battle of Solway 21–10 but Wairarapa kept the shield because Wattie Barclay was later ruled to have been ineligible to play on residential grounds. In the meantime the Bay ‘defended’ the shield twice in challenges that were expunged from the record.
Kel Tremain
Though there was a brief shield tenure in 1934, Bay supporters had to wait until 1966 for a rerun of the 1920s. After Waikato was defeated at the end of the season, shield fever gripped the province. Over the next three seasons street parades preceded 21 successful defences. As in the 1920s, success was due in no small part to the coach. Colin Le Quesne – ‘The Fuehrer’ – was a meticulous planner who had represented the Bay with some distinction during the 1930s. He had welded together a formidable team which contained many fine players who went on to represent their country. None stood out more than the captain, Kel Tremain.

At the time Tremain’s status in New Zealand rugby equalled that of Colin Meads. As an agricultural field cadet he studied at Massey and Lincoln agricultural colleges. So after debuting for Southland in 1957 Tremain represnted Manawatu, Canterbury and Auckland before settling in Hawke’s Bay in 1962. He was a try-scoring machine from the side of the scrum. In 268 first class matches he scored 136 tries, a record not beaten by another forward until Zinzan Brooke did so in the 1980s and ‘90s.
Kel Tremain died in 1992 after a short illness, aged only 54. His place in New Zealand rugby is recognised by the annual award for the outstanding player of the season, which is named in his honour.

Woodford House a history by Gaye Robertson

2011-09-13T19:38:00.000-07:00

Miss Mabel Annie Hodge, from Cheltenham, England established Woodford House in Hastings in 1894. She started the school with 18 day girls and four boarders.
Miss Hodge was followed as principal in 1923 by Miss Mary Holland.

Both Misses Hodge and Holland were determined and inspirational women who led the school throughout two World Wars, the Great Depression and the 1931 Hawke's Bay Earthquake.

As the number of pupils increased she realised it would be advantageous to relocate the school to larger premises and the hills of Havelock North appealed to her.

Accordingly she set about her task and sought the opinions of parents and enlisted help from prominent locals who proceeded with the development of Woodford. The school house system which forms an important part of the special character of Woodford was derived from the association of those four founding families. The new school opened with 60 boarders and six staff in February 1911.

The chapel, dedicated to St Francis of Assisi, was consecrated and officially opened in 1928. It suffered some damage (as did other parts of the school) in the Hawke’s Bay Earthquake of 1931, but by the end of the year was fully restored. The chapel was extended in 1968 and rededicated in time for the 75th Anniversary in 1969. Today the chapel, featuring extensive use of stained glass windows and containing an impressive organ, is the centre of the school and is used for school services, memorial services, baptisms and weddings.

The site was quite barren at the outset but over the years landscaping and extensive tree planting which retain the magnificent views have turned the grounds into an established and well recognised landscape. The beautiful 22 hectare site overlooks the Heretaunga Plains with its orchards, vineyards and views to the western ranges.

The present hall and dining room are part of the original building but an extensive range of specialist facilities have been added over the years, so that the campus remains modern and totally functional whilst catering for every educational and accommodation need.

Woodford House became an integrated school in 1999 and today caters for up to 325 boarding and day girls from Years 7 to 13. It continues to have a close affiliation with the Anglican Church under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Waiapu.

The school still identifies with and regularly celebrates its historic past and has a reputation for excellence and encouraging independence and confidence in young women. The current principal, Mrs Jackie Barron, has over 25 years experience as an educator and was previously Deputy Principal at Gore High School.

NZ Apple and Pear Board

2011-08-09T19:22:00.000-07:00

In 1948 the Government passed the NZ Apple and Pear Market Act allowing the formation of the NZ apple and Pear Marketing Board, and some financial backing from teh Government.
In 1949 NZ apple and Pear exports excedd half a million by 1950 the one million mark is exceeded.
In 1956 Granny Smith apples are introduced to North America.In 1973 the exporting of Royal Gala apples commences.
In 1984 7 million cartons of apples and pears are exported. A record high. In 1985 Braeburns were introduced. Between 1948 and 2001 apple and pear growers banded together with the New Zealand government to form an agency – the Apple and Pear Marketing Board – that acquired, exported and marketed New Zealand pipfruit. This film clip from the 1960s discusses the reasons the board was set up. In 1991 ENZA brand is created formerly the NZ apple and Pear Board is formed and export exceed 14 million crates. Since 2001 individual growers have been able to export and market their own fruit.
ENZA, formally the New Zealand Apple & Pear Marketing Board, has been successfully exporting premium New Zealand pipfruit for over 50 years. The ENZA brand was launched in 1992 and has become one of the most recognised fruit brands in the world.

Around 45 different varieties of ENZA apples and pears are exported to countries around the globe. The three major varieties, Braeburn, Fuji and Royal Gala, make up over 75% of the volume we export, with a raft of other varieties contributing to the total, including Cox Orange Pippin, Pacific Rose™ and Granny Smith, to name a few. ENZA continues to invest in new variety development, and has exclusive global rights to a number of new varieties, including Jazz™.

The beginning of 2003 marked the start of another exciting chapter for ENZA, when we officially merged with Turners & Growers Ltd, forming a company with a turnover in excess of $1 billion. Turners & Growers have over 100 years experience in the New Zealand fresh fruit and vegetable industry, and we are now working towards cementing our position as one of the largest horticultural companies in the Southern Hemisphere.

From Shaky Ground : Caroline Fitzgerald spoke on Henry Williams

2011-07-12T18:36:00.000-07:00

From Shaky Ground : Caroline Fitzgerald spoke on Henry Williams

Christchurch writer, Caroline Fitzgerald discussed her latest book Te Wiremu – Henry Williams: Early Years in the North.

The harrowing experiences of the latest Christchurch earthquakes have left Fitzgerald feeling a little ‘shaky’ to say the least, and she welcomed the opportunity to visit the heart of Hawke’s Bay to discuss historical interests with lovers of history and books.

Being the great-great-granddaughter of Henry Williams, Fitzgerald claims that writing this book has given her a greater insight into her family’s contribution to New Zealand history. Ever since Henry Williams (Te Wiremu) translated the Treaty of Waitangi into Māori in 1840, his name has been embroiled in controversy. Te Wiremu – Henry Williams: Early Years in the North gives readers another perspective of the life and commitment that Henry Williams made as a missionary and a friend to Māori people.

Fitzgerald gives an account of the personal trials and circumstances that Henry Williams endured as a missionary, teacher, surgeon and an advocate for Māori language. His involvement with local iwi in the North Island was renowned, and he often acted as a peacemaker, successfully saving thousands of lives.

Fitzgerald’s latest book is a companion to her first book, Letters from the Bay of Islands: The Story of Marianne Williams, which was highly successful. There are also whispers of a third book to come.

Te Wiremu – Henry Williams: Early Years in the North is available from Hastings District Libraries.

Synopsis as follows:

According to family information Henry Williams was born on 11 February 1792; he was baptised on 13 April at Gosport, Hampshire, England. He was the fifth child and third son of Thomas Williams, a lace manufacturer, and his wife, Mary Marsh. His parents were relatively well off until the death of his father in 1804. Two years later, at the age of 14, Henry entered the Royal Navy as a midshipman, with aspirations to be an officer. The nearly 10 years that he spent in the navy were far from easy; conditions on naval vessels were extremely harsh during the Napoleonic wars. Having seen active service in many parts of the world he was discharged from the navy in August 1815 as a lieutenant on half pay. The last captain under whom he served noted that he had behaved with diligence and sobriety.

With the end of the Napoleonic wars unemployment, particularly among halfpay lieutenants, was very high; Henry had to find a new vocation. He worked for a while as a drawing master, but at the same time began to prepare himself for the mission field. His parents were Dissenters, and like many missionaries who came from homes influenced by evangelical Christianity, he experienced a gradual conversion rather than a sudden illumination. From about 1816 he came under the tutelage of his evangelical brother-in-law, Edward Marsh, a member of the Church Missionary Society and later vicar of Aylesford. But his firm decision to become a missionary was probably made after his marriage to Marianne Coldham at Nuneham Courtenay, Oxfordshire, on 20 January 1818.

In 1819 Henry Williams offered his services to the CMS. He was accepted first as a lay settler, and then in 1820 as a missionary candidate. Although Marsh thought that he had no 'great proficiency in the Greek and Latin language', he was ordained a priest 'for the cure of souls in his majesty's foreign possessions' in 1822. Before leaving for New Zealand he also took instruction in the practical areas of medicine, weaving, twining, basket making, and, during the voyage out, shipbuilding. With Marianne and three children he arrived at the Bay of Islands on the Brampton on 3 August 1823.

Henry Williams was severely tested during the early months in the Bay of Islands, as he assumed the leadership of a mission beset by problems. The CMS mission to New Zealand was nearly 10 years old when he arrived, but not a single Maori had been converted. The missionaries were still largely dependent on the Maori for food and supplies; and under the leadership of Thomas Kendall and John Butler the mission had been torn apart by bitter personal disputes.

Having settled himself and his family at Paihia, Henry first attended to the secular side of the mission. He wanted to reduce the missionaries' involvement with the trading captains of Kororareka (Russell), to end their dependence on the Maori for supplies, and most of all he wanted to stop the musket trade in which the missionaries had been forced to engage. He quickly imposed regulations on the missionaries' trading, but it was the completion in 1826, under Henry's direction, of the 50 ton schooner Herald that really made the mission independent of local influences.

Meantime Henry had also put his mind to the spiritual aspect of missionary work. He soon concluded that the mission had placed too much emphasis on 'civilising' the Maori. In this he differed from Samuel Marsden, founder of the mission, who had emphasised teaching useful arts and agriculture as a prelude to conversion. Henry argued that the emphasis on secular instruction distracted the missionaries from the far more important task of bringing the Maori to Christianity. He began to reorganise the mission so that more time could be devoted to spiritual teaching.

To better carry out this essential task, Henry argued that mission members needed to spend more time learning the Maori language, preaching to the tribes in the surrounding area, and teaching in the schools on the mission stations; to do all these things most of the personnel would have to be concentrated in one place. Paihia became the headquarters and there the missionaries began by devoting regular amounts of time to learning Maori together. The arrival of Henry's brother William, in 1826, gave a great impetus to this programme: all members benefited from William's talent for languages. Having more missionaries at one station meant that they were able to visit the surrounding villages more frequently and, as they became proficient in Maori, their preaching was more effective. Schooling for Maori children was revitalised under Henry and his wife, Marianne, and more students attended classes regularly. Working effectively together fostered harmonious relations among the missionaries themselves; Henry claimed that the Maori noticed their greater unity and purpose.

Henry Williams's forceful personality and discipline were perhaps as important as his policies in reorganising the mission, and these characteristics also contributed to his growing mana among the Maori. Although his capacity to comprehend the indigenous culture was severely constrained by his evangelical Christianity, his obduracy was in some ways an advantage in dealings with the Maori. From the time of his arrival he refused to be intimidated by the threats and boisterous actions of utu and muru plundering parties. By the late 1820s he felt confident enough to intervene in intertribal disputes and on several occasions was able to negotiate peace between hostile groups. Such peacemaking was both a cause and a consequence of his growing prestige among the Maori. Only a person who was held in regard would be invited to settle a conflict, and it required even greater mana to be successful. As his personal repute grew, so did the influence of the mission.

The 1830s were a decade of achievement and progress for Henry Williams and the CMS mission. Success could be measured in two ways: increasing numbers of Maori were baptised, and the Bay of Islands mission was secure enough to provide a base for expansion throughout the North Island. There had been occasional baptisms in earlier years, but, beginning in 1829–30, several Maori adults and children were baptised at Paihia. By 1842 over 3,000 Maori in the Bay of Islands area had been baptised. No doubt Maori motives for 'going missionary' were often mixed and there was considerable backsliding in later years, but, as Maori conversions increased, the missionaries were successful, at least in their own terms. Their growing confidence in the north enabled them to extend their operations to the south. Here, too, Henry Williams played a leading role. He made several trips to other parts of the North Island to explore the possibilities for expansion, and directed the establishment of new missions. He sent missionaries to begin work at several places in the Waikato during the 1830s, his brother William moved to Turanga, in Poverty Bay, at the end of the decade, and stations were founded as far south as Otaki. By 1840 Henry could look with considerable satisfaction on the achievements of the CMS mission since his arrival in 1823.

But 1840 was also a year of major changes, both for New Zealand and, although he did not appreciate it immediately, for Henry Williams. With the country's annexation by Britain and a growing population of settlers, Henry became embroiled in racial conflict and caught up by forces that were beyond his control. Rather than simply ministering to one race, he was drawn into the increasingly uncomfortable role of mediating between two races.

The ambiguity of his position was apparent at the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. Henry translated the English draft of the treaty into Maori, and, at the meetings with the Crown's representative, William Hobson, at Waitangi, he explained its provisions to Maori leaders. Later he travelled to the west coast of the North Island, between Wellington and Wanganui, and to the Marlborough Sounds to persuade other Maori to sign the treaty. However, his Maori version of the treaty was not a literal translation from the English draft and did not convey clearly the cession of sovereignty. Moreover, in his discussions with Maori leaders Henry placed the treaty in the best possible light and this, and his mana, were major factors in the treaty's acceptance. Undoubtedly, therefore, he must bear some of the responsibility for the failure of the Treaty of Waitangi to provide the basis for peaceful settlement and a lasting understanding between Maori and European.

As Maori-European relations deteriorated in the north in the early 1840s, Henry Williams tried to maintain peace between the races, as he had done earlier between tribes. In spite of his efforts the conflict over land and sovereignty soon moved beyond the possibility of compromise. Having failed to prevent hostilities he assisted the wounded and helped evacuate the beleaguered settlers when Hone Heke launched a final attack on Kororareka in 1845. His close association with the Bay of Islands Maori produced accusations of disloyalty from Europeans, while the stationing of British troops at the Waimate mission created suspicion in the minds of some Maori. Other Maori accused him of misleading them in his explanations of the treaty. Throughout the conflict, as in later life, Henry asserted that his missionary vocation was paramount and that his primary concern was for the Maori, but it was difficult to be single-minded when he was assailed from all sides.

The arrival of George Grey to begin his first governorship in late 1845 soon led to Henry Williams's involvement in disputes of another kind. During the 1830s, mostly to provide some security for his growing family, Henry had purchased extensive tracts of land in the Tai-a-mai area, west of Paihia. In dispatches to the Colonial Office that later became public, Grey questioned the validity of Henry's title to the land and falsely claimed that the landholdings of the CMS missionaries were a cause of the war in the north. Henry was obliged to defend his land purchases and, much more important as far as he was concerned, his personal integrity against the governor's charges. But he was fighting a losing battle against a more powerful adversary. Henry's superior, Bishop G. A. Selwyn, sided with Grey, and in 1849 the CMS in London, persuaded by Henry Williams's critics, decided that Henry was too much of an embarrassment to remain a member of the organisation.

His dismissal from the CMS that he had served for so long was a bitter blow to Henry. Within a week of receiving the news in May 1850 he left Paihia and moved to Pakaraka, where his children were farming the land that was the source of so much trouble. He was still a priest in the Church of England and Selwyn had made him archdeacon of Waimate in 1844; he continued to minister and preach to the Maori in his locality and gathered a considerable congregation around him. The injustice against him was only partly assuaged when he was reinstated to the CMS in 1854.

Henry Williams's abiding concern for the Maori was apparent in his distress at the outbreak of warfare with the Pakeha again in 1860. In private correspondence he was critical of the government officials and their policies, but he remained largely aloof from the public debate about the war. In 1862 he wrote to his brother-in-law, Edward Marsh: 'I feel our work is drawing to a close; and were it not for the Maories, I should have relinquished all long since. But I feel bound to them'. After several years of deteriorating health, Henry Williams died on 16 July 1867. His passing was perhaps most keenly felt by the northern Maori among whom he had lived for most of his life.

Sibling Rivalry : Hastings v Napier - Michael Fowler

2011-06-14T18:33:00.000-07:00

Sibling Rivalry : Hastings v Napier - Michael Fowler

Local historian Michael Fowler will talk on the long history of squabbling between Hastings and Napier.

For 130 years or so, the two communities have engaged in a relationship marked by competition and jealousy. From the establishment of the Hastings plant of the Napier Gas Co., through controversies around port facilities, hospitals, university (lost to Palmerston North), the airport, Michael contends that this troubled relationship has been to the disadvantage of the region.

Have we learnt any lessons from the past? What chance of amalgamation?

Clive a history by Gary Bains

2011-05-11T18:30:00.000-07:00

Kurupo Te Moananui is the Rangitira that the first Europeans in the area would have dealt with. The paramount chef for the Heretaunga area, Moananui made his home at Waipureku Pa, situated on the then strategic joint river mouth of the Tuki Tuki and the Ngaruroro Rivers. Waipureku means “the meeting of the waters”.

After purchasing approximately 830,000 acres, around the East Coast of New Zealand in 1839, Barney Rhodes set up an early primitive trading post at Waipureku. This was before the Treaty of Waitangi and the government moved to stop these sorts of dealings and in doing so overturned the original deal. However in compensation he was granted 100,000 acres at Rissington, 4,500 acres at Clive Grange (Haumoana/Te Awanga) plus the Trading Post at Waipureku. Barney never settled in the area but his brother, Joseph, took up Clive Grange in 1855, plus the 200 acres at Waipureku (£130 to Moananui).

Prior to Joseph, in 1844, the Reverend William Colenso, through the Church Missionary Society, had set up the Ahuriri Mission on 10 acres of what was then swamp on land close to Takamoana’s Pa at the Te Awapuni north of the Ngaruroro River mouth, Waitangi.

With a thriving Maori trading centre already at Waipureku Rhode’s trading post was ideally situated to transport produce via the inland waterways to the large central Hawke’s Bay runs, and with Joseph Rhodes having consolidated his Clive Grange property, he commissioned surveyor Henry Tiffen to lay out the first settlement of Clive, alongside brother Barney’s Waipureku Trading Post. Six hundred quarter acre sections with many reserves, all interlaced with streets named after prominent politicians and other notables of the time were surveyed.

The town was given the name Clive, after the English Major-General Robert Clive, First Baron of Plassey (India) 1725-1774 and was to be the main centre of Hawke’s Bay. Napier was still a hill surrounded by swamp and Hastings not even thought of. However, the township, being between two rivers, was prone to flooding (severe flooding) and although the town sections were sold, settlement remained slow. Even so in the 1850’s and 1860’s Clive could boast two hotels, several stores, a bakery, post office, public school, police station, blacksmith shop, a ferry service over the Tuki Tuki River and inland, a horse race course complete with grandstand. What is now known as East Clive was then a flourishing township.

The building of a new bridge over the Ngaruroro River in 1867, thus by passing the Tuki Tuki route through East Clive, plus the new fangled railway passing from Napier through Frandon to the new township of Hastings in 1874 was the beginning of the decline for East Clive and the progress of West Clive, not only businesses were transferred but residents gradually moved towards the bridge and railway.

In 1879 Clive became a town district and by 1887 there were at least three boning down works for rendering carcasses in the district, a flour mill (Mill Road), a large cooperage (barrel making establishment), two breweries, two hotels, a large sawmill, market gardens, a bustling main street, a large public school (in fact for a period two public schools) and the added bonus of a beautiful public park, 20 acres in extent, purchased in 1870 for £210.

However, until the wandering rivers were finally tamed Clive was to remain just an attractive rural village set on the banks of the Clive River. The rivers have been tamed (the Clive River is now basically a tidal estuary) and while Clive is still a small community it certainly has become a very desirable place to live, situated between the sister cities of Napier and Hastings, giving it access to all their facilities, but still keeping its rural advantages.

Gary Bains is a resident of Clive, historian and writer. He is currently writing a book on The History of Clive. The Clive Community Group is assisting him in seeking funding for its publication.

History Of Red Cross

2011-04-13T18:22:00.000-07:00

Joan Cockburn spoke on the history of Red Cross in New Zealand
On 24 June 1859, during the War of Italian Unification, Franco-Sardinian forces clashed with Austrian troops near the small town of Solferino in northern Italy.

On that day, businessman Henry Dunant, of Switzerland, was travelling to the area to meet Napoleon III on personal matters. On the evening of the battle, Dunant arrived in the village of Castiglione, where more than 9,000 wounded had taken refuge. In the main church, the Chiesa Maggiore, where thousands were lying unattended, Dunant and the local women strove for several days and nights to give them water, wash and dress their wounds and hand out tobacco, tea and fruit.

In 1862 Dunant published a work entitled A Memory of Solferino. In it he proposed two ideas for alleviating the suffering of wounded soldiers - the creation of relief societies in each country that would act as auxiliaries to the army medical services, and a legal basis that would oblige armies to care for all wounded whichever side they were on.

The Geneva Public Welfare Society established a committee to consider ways of putting Dunants ideas into practice. It met for the first time on 17 February 1863, with Dunant as secretary. The other members were General Guillaume-Henri Dufour, the lawyer Gustave Moynier, and Drs Louis Appia and Theodore Maunoir.

In October of that year this committee, later to become the International Committee of the Red Cross, organised a conference, inviting governments, organisations and prominent individuals to attend. The conference led directly to the creation of the first national relief bodies whose members were to wear an armlet showing a red cross on a white ground.

At the urging of the Geneva Committee, the Swiss government hosted an official diplomatic conference in August 1864. This resulted in the adoption of the Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded in Armies in the Field.

In a relatively short time, both of Dunants proposals had been actioned. By 1914 the International Committee of the Red Cross had gained field experience and the Geneva Convention had been adapted to cover warfare at sea.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies was founded in 1919 in Paris in the aftermath of the First World War.

The war had shown a need for close cooperation between Red Cross Societies, which, through their humanitarian activities on behalf of prisoners of war and combatants, had attracted millions of volunteers and built a large body of expertise.
In 1931 when Hawke's Bay big earhquake struck, the Red Cross played a huge part in helping those injured, supplying food and temporary housing and even in the cleanup and rebuilding.

It was Henry Davison, president of the American Red Cross War Committee, who proposed forming a federation of these National Societies. An international medical conference initiated by Davison resulted in the birth of the League of Red Cross Societies, which was renamed in October 1983 to the League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and then in November 1991 to become the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

The first objective of the Federation was to improve the health of people in countries that had suffered greatly during the four years of war. Its goals were to strengthen and unite, for health activities, already-existing Red Cross Societies and to promote the creation of new Societies.

The International Federation manages or supports programmes in more than 150 countries. These programmes assist millions of the worlds most vulnerable people, including victims of natural and other disasters, refugees and displaced people and those affected by socio-economic problems.

New Zealand Red Cross has been part of the fabric of our country for over 80 years.

Whether delivering meals on wheels, providing assistance in the aftermath of natural disasters at home and overseas, or training kiwis in first aid skills, New Zealand Red Cross works to assist communities in need.

In 1931, the New Zealand Red Cross Society was formed in the wake of the Napier earthquake and was officially recognised by the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Even before 1931, Red Cross had a presence in New Zealand, as a branch of the British Red Cross Society.

Community groups raised money and sewing circles were formed to provide warm clothes and bandages for New Zealand and allied servicemen during the First World War. These early groups unified in 1914 to form the New Zealand Branch of the British Red Cross and Order of St John. These New Zealand Red Cross volunteers provided significant support and relief during the First World War, the 1918 influenza pandemic, the Napier earthquake, the Second World War and the Tangiwai disaster.

Since the first introduction of Red Cross to New Zealand the work of the organisation has come a long way and played an integral part in the history of our country.

After 80 years New Zealand Red Cross continues to help out around the world and across the street.

our emblem

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement now recognises three emblems - the red cross, red crescent and the red crystal. The Red Crystal is the most recent emblem, having been accepted in December 2005 at the organisations International Conference in Geneva.

The three emblems are symbols of protection to both military and civilian medical services in wartime, conferred by the Geneva Conventions to protect against the violence and arbitrary behaviours of armed conflict. They indicate to combatants that individuals, infrastructure and modes of transportation engaged in the provision of medical assistance are protected under the Geneva Conventions.

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New Zealand Red Cross shares our Fundamental Principles with 185 other National Red Cross and Red Crescent societies. Across this vast geographic and cultural diversity, almost a hundred million members and volunteers share the seven common principles, which guide us in all that we do

McLeans of Duart house

2011-03-10T17:57:00.000-08:00

The Macleans

The Clan

The Clan lands were, and are on the West Coast of Scotland and the islands of Mull, Coll, Tiree and Jura.

The Chieftains of the Clan Maclean had and still have lands on Morvern, Ardgour, Drimnin and at Dochgarroch on the mainland as well as on the islands. Those people living on these lands may, or may not have been related or they may have taken the name of Maclean for protection.

The spelling of Maclean is not important (McLean, MacClane, Maclain etc). There are other families who are also part of the Maclean family. The Rankins are a sept of the clan and traditionally provide a piper for the Chief.

Some of the names usually associated with the Macleans are Beath, Beaton, Black, Dewart, Macbeth, MacCormick, MacFadyen, Macvey, Patten and Paton.

The first recorded mention of the Macleans of Duart is in a papal dispensation of 1367 which allowed their Chief Lachlan Lubanach Maclean to marry the daughter of the Lord of the Isles, Mary Macdonald.

This it is said, was a love match, and her father was persuaded to to allow it only after he had been kidnapped by Lachlan (an incident in which the Chief of the Mackinnons was killed). Thus the Macleans came to own much of Mull, the Mackinnon lands being granted to them by the Macdonalds as a dowry. Almost certainly, Lachlan built the keep that stands today though the great curtain walls were probably of the previous century.

The Macleans continued to use Duart as their base but they were always fighting for one cause or another. They were part of the loose alliance of West Coast chiefs who supported the Lord of the Isles. Hector Mor, born in 1497, succeeded his father in 1527 and was described as good, kind and brave. The power of the Lord of the Isles was now broken, the Macleans were wholly independent and the King of Scotland, James Vth, was making himself felt in the islands. Hector Mor was kidnapped, with many other Chiefs, by the King's Lord Lieutenant at a dinner on board ship off Aros Castle. Hector was only released when he agreed to the destruction of all his galleys. Hector Mor was also a builder.

He strengthened the South East buildings in the courtyard and added the gatehouse.

Sir Lachlan, 16th Chief, was created a baronet by Charles I in 1631 and so began the century of unswerving loyalty to the House of Stewart which was to result in the Macleans losing all their lands.

Sir Lachlan joined Montrose and his Highland Army but when General Leslie invaded Mull in 1647, he was unable to hold Duart Castle against him. Sir Allan briefly recovered the castle after the restoration of Charles 2nd to the throne in 1660. Sir Allan remodelled the North East range of buildings in 1673 only to lose the castle to the duke of Argyll (pressing for repayment of considerable debts) in 1674.

The castle and lands were returned to Sir John (pictured on the left), son of Sir Allan, in 1681 when the Duke of Argyll fell out of favour with the King, only to lose it again in 1691 when Argyll was once more in favour with the Whigs.

The castle became ruinous and was purchased by Sir Fitzroy Maclean, 26th Chief, in 1910. He then began the enormous task of repairing the building.

McLean chose the Duart because it was the name of a castle owned by
McLeans in Scotland and, furthermore, specified a design which
incorporated a tower with crenulations, surmounted by a flagstaff,
to remind him of the country and people of his origins. In earlier
days when Duart stood alone on the slopes of the Havelock Hills its
tower was a landmark which could be seen from all directions.

The size of the McLean family necessitated a spacious house, but
the children also had some 150 acres of hill slopes upon which to
roam freely, as no other house existed between Duart and Te Mata.
The tiny village of Havelock with its few shops, two churches, and
a school was Duart's closest neighbour.

This fine old wooden house was built for Allan and Hannah McLean. Allan was a Scot who took up land on the banks of the Tuki Tuki River and accordingly became known as "Tuki" McLean to distinguish him from other McLeans in Hawke's Bay. He married The names of the builders of Duart are not known, but it is possible that George Bee, the builder of St. Lukes Church, Havelock North and Henry Liley another of Havelock's earliest carpenters were involved. McLean chose the Duart because it was the name of a castle owned by McLeans in Scotland and, furthermore, specified a design which incorporated a tower with crenellations, surmounted by a flagstaff, to remind him of the country and people of his origins. In earlier days when Duart stood alone on the slopes of the Havelock Hills its tower was a landmark which could be seen from all directions.
It was thought originally that Duart was built about 1875, but further research has revealed that building began in 1882 and that "Tuki" and Hannah moved in with seven children early in 1883. Their last child, Nigel, was born at Duart.
The size of the McLean family necessitated a spacious house, but the children also had some 150 acres of hill slopes upon which to roam freely, as no other house existed between Duart and Te Mata. The tiny village of Havelock with its few shops, two churches, and a school was Duart's closest neighbour.
"Tuki" a rumbustious character, did not believe in the cultivation of gardens and insisted on allowing his sheep and horses to roam at will, browsing as close to the house as they chose.
It was not until after her husband's death that Hannah McLean, assisted by her children, was able to create a garden from the grassy slopes around the house.
Before she died in 1914 Hannah had planted flowers and trees, many of which still survive. The Coronation Oak, planted on the occasion of the accession to the throne of King EdwardVII, is a notable example.
After Hannah McLean's death Duart House was leased by Mr and Mrs Crompton Smith who established a co-educational school for children of primary school age in 1915. Obviously some internal modifications were involved but, apart from the necessity of adding partitions, the house served well as a school. It was about this time, too, that the word "House" was added and since then the building has always been known as Duart House.
The school, named St. George's, remained in Duart until the end of 1921 and was then conducted in another locality.
In 1926 the property was leased by Roger Greenwood and occupied by Mr and Mrs Greenwood and their family and eventually bought by them 1936. During their ownership some alterations were made to Duart House, the most substantial being the addition of a new kitchen, but otherwise the house remained as it was built.
After the death of Mr & Mrs Greenwood the property was offered by their family in 1972 to the Havelock North Borough Council at a purely nominal price for the use by the people of Havelock North for purposes deemed suitable by the Council. The Council accepted this generous offer and has since maintained the house and gardens, the building itself being used for a variety of purposes, but mostly as a meeting place.
In 1985 a new development took place in the history of Duart House, the formation of the Duart House Society whose aims are to care for the property along the lines adopted by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust in its care of Trust property.
The ground floor is used for meetings, receptions and exhibitions, while the second floor has a display of pre-1920 furniture.
The laundry and outbuildings have many interesting items on display, ranging from a 1919 butter churn to a kerosene engine.
Hannah, the eldest daughter of John and Margaret Chambers of Te Mata.

FOUR GENERATIONS BACON CURING IN HASTINGS

2011-02-08T22:00:00.000-08:00

FOUR GENERATIONS BACON CURING IN HASTINGS
Early in the 1900‟s an uncle of my grandfather’s, Mr. Martin, who owned
the original Kiwi Bacon Co in Palmerston North, invited my grandfather,
and his Family to emigrate to New Zealand , to eventually take over the
Kiwi Bacon Co.
When this did not come to fruition, Carl Vogtherr was paid a sum of 1000
pounds, not to start in business within 25 miles of Palmerston North for
five years.

Consequently, the Family moved the Hastings and purchased the Lowe
Brothers Cool store at Stortford Lodge, consisting of fruit cool store, an
ice factory, butchers shop, and bacon factory, named the Elite Bacon
Company.

Gordon read a newspaper cutting.

A delicatessen was opened in Heretaunga street next to the State
Theatre, just along from Otto Shattky, hair dresser, opposite Millar &
Giorgi, on the day war broke put. August 4th 1914.
At that time, my Father, Ernest, worked with his Father, and several
other people including Bill Marven, Jack McCormick, and Bill Wilkins.
Across the road, was W.G. Lynch. The grocer, the Stortlord Lodge Hotel,
and next to that Sawyers Furniture store.
Things carried on as most family businesses do until early in 1931, when
my Father had a row with Carl, and he left the business to chip weeds
on the railway, and sell refrigerators , when the earthquake came,
creating the mess that you can see. All the brickwork on the building
collapsed but left the wooden sections virtually undamaged. After the
quake the building was rebuilt.

At this time my Father was offered a job in Nelson, which he took
allowing his parent to occupy our house.
Managing a new Factory in primitive conditions was a challenge, which
lasted for three years when Dad threw the keys across the table and
walked out
We then moved to Marton where Ernest started up his own business,
The Rangitikei Bacon Go, using for the first time “HOLLY” brand, taken
from the Buchanans Flour Mills advertisement in the old Edmonds
Cookery book.
Three years there, and the bank wanted Dad to return to take over the
Elite Bacon Go, in Hastings, but he refused, but returned to Hastings
where a Mr. Harry Mossman, built a new factory in Karamu road, next to
the Public Trust building starting up in February 1938..At this time,
I was starting high school working to help, before and after school. Again
it was “HOLLY” brand bacon and ham. It was, and is today, a quality
product, which soon found a ready market.
!942, I decide to leave New Plymouth Boys‟ High School , and
wondering what to do, was told by my Father, “People always have to
eat” How true. So started the third generation in the business.
During the war years, we were kept very busy supplying both army and
civilian bacon and ham requirements. In our small business we
remember Frank Donnelly who served us very well. During this period, I
was involved with the Hastings Harrier Club, being successful in
provincial terms, having won six out of seven Provincial cross country
titles from 1945-1952.
By the time 1962 came along, we were having trouble with truck access
to the Factory, in Karamu road and new trustees to the Mossman estate
doubled the rent. So, my Dad said, „Time to get out‟ and he purchased a
property on the corner of St. Aubyn street, and Warren street, where we
still are. Here we built a new factory, with good water supply, drainage,
and access.
We had a good business, my Father had retired due to ill health, and the
business continued, successfully.
We had good staff, whom we regarded as Family, remembering Jim
Beattie, Dick Berry, and particularly Judy Jude, who is still with us, these
two having been with us for over twenty years. In the office we
remember Kitty Wishart, Heather Mime, and Gwen Vernon, all of whom
served the Company well.
By 1988 it was time for me to retire, and our third daughter, Claire,
asked if she could join the firm having spent a number of years nursing.
Today, it is still a Family business, there are about six staff there whom
we regard as Family, but stringent Health laws may compel Claire to
move or rebuild.
Our four generations of Bacon curing in Hastings have been exciting,
producing a high quality product for 95 years now, with 100 years not too
far away.
Years ago, we used to get our pigs locally, but gradually the local supply
dried up, and our present pork supplies are mainly transported up from
Canterbury, quickly, in modern refrigerated trucks.
All our pork is from New Zealand grown pigs. No imported product Our
product today is still dry stacked curing with no water added, takes three
to four weeks to mature, ensuring a mild flavoured product. Things have
changed over the years, .Whereas in my years we could not supply
businesses out of Hawke‟s Bay because of no suitable transport, today
there is ample refrigerated transport, which enables us to send our
quality product almost to any part of the North Island overnight, to high
quality restaurants as far away as Auckland and Wellington, which was
not possible previously.
In the early days of my involvement in the business, I used to deliver
orders on a butchers bike round town. We had numerous customers,
such as Coupers store, in Grays road, later R.C. Bauld. Ted Kelly
grocery in Heretaunga street, across the road from Bill Marr. Windsor
Park store and McDonalds Grocery in Taradale, Harold Bush, and
Norman Donkin in Te Mata road Havelock North, together with White &
Glenny, later Bourgeois Bros. And Wilsons Bakery in St Aubyn street,
We are jealous of our association with Hastings and Hawke‟s Bay. My
Mother and father gave two stained glass windows to the new Cathedral
in
Napier in 1960, and in 1964, in celebration of 50 years trading in
Hastings donated a large stained glass window in St.Matthew‟s Anglican
Church in Hastings.
In 1989 we completed the large stained glass window in memory of
canon Button to celebrate 75 years of business in Hastings
Today, Claire runs the business of Holly Bacon Co. Ltd producing a high
quality range of bacon, ham, sausages and other small goods.

Gordon vogtherr : Almost 100 years of Bacon and Ham curing in Hastings

2011-02-06T20:55:00.000-08:00

FOUR GENERATIONS BACON CURING IN HASTINGS
Early in the 1900‟s an uncle of my grandfather’s, Mr. Martin, who owned
the original Kiwi Bacon Co in Palmerston North, invited my grandfather,
and his Family to emigrate to New Zealand , to eventually take over the
Kiwi Bacon Co.

When this did not come to fruition, Carl Vogtherr was paid a sum of 1000
pounds, not to start in business within 25 miles of Palmerston North for
five years.
Consequently, the Family moved the Hastings and purchased the Lowe
Brothers Cool store at Stortford Lodge, consisting of fruit cool store, an
ice factory, butchers shop, and bacon factory, named the Elite Bacon
Company.
Read paper cutting.
A delicatessen was opened in Heretaunga street next to the State
Theatre, just along from Otto Shattky, hair dresser, opposite Millar &
Giorgi, on the day war broke put. August 4th 1914.
At that time, my Father, Ernest, worked with his Father, and several
other people including Bill Marven, Jack McCormick, and Bill Wilkins.
Across the road, was W.G. Lynch. The grocer, the Stortlord Lodge Hotel,
and next to that Sawyers Furniture store.
Things carried on as most family businesses do until early in 1931, when
my Father had a row with Carl, and he left the business to chip weeds
on the railway, and sell refrigerators , when the earthquake came,
creating the mess that you can see. All the brickwork on the building
collapsed but left the wooden sections virtually undamaged. After the
quake the building was rebuilt.
At this time my Father was offered a job in Nelson, which he took
allowing his parent to occupy our house.
Managing a new Factory in primitive conditions was a challenge, which
lasted for three years when Dad threw the keys across the table and
walked out
We then moved to Marton where Ernest started up his own business,
The Rangitikei Bacon Go, using for the first time “HOLLY” brand, taken
from the Buchanans Flour Mills advertisement in the old Edmonds
Cookery book.
Three years there, and the bank wanted Dad to return to take over the
Elite Bacon Go, in Hastings, but he refused, but returned to Hastings
where a Mr. Harry Mossman, built a new factory in Karamu road, next to
the Public Trust building starting up in February 1938..At this time,
I was starting high school working to help, before and after school. Again
it was “HOLLY” brand bacon and ham. It was, and is today, a quality
product, which soon found a ready market.
!942, I decide to leave New Plymouth Boys‟ High School , and
wondering what to do, was told by my Father, “People always have to
eat” How true. So started the third generation in the business.
During the war years, we were kept very busy supplying both army and
civilian bacon and ham requirements. In our small business we
remember Frank Donnelly who served us very well. During this period, I
was involved with the Hastings Harrier Club, being successful in
provincial terms, having won six out of seven Provincial cross country
titles from 1945-1952.
By the time 1962 came along, we were having trouble with truck access
to the Factory, in Karamu road and new trustees to the Mossman estate
doubled the rent. So, my Dad said, „Time to get out‟ and he purchased a
property on the corner of St. Aubyn street, and Warren street, where we
still are. Here we built a new factory, with good water supply, drainage,
and access.
We had a good business, my Father had retired due to ill health, and the
business continued, successfully.
We had good staff, whom we regarded as Family, remembering Jim
Beattie, Dick Berry, and particularly Judy Jude, who is still with us, these
two having been with us for over twenty years. In the office we
remember Kitty Wishart, Heather Mime, and Gwen Vernon, all of whom
served the Company well.
By 1988 it was time for me to retire, and our third daughter, Claire,
asked if she could join the firm having spent a number of years nursing.
Today, it is still a Family business, there are about six staff there whom
we regard as Family, but stringent Health laws may compel Claire to
move or rebuild.
Our four generations of Bacon curing in Hastings have been exciting,
producing a high quality product for 95 years now, with 100 years not too
far away.
Years ago, we used to get our pigs locally, but gradually the local supply
dried up, and our present pork supplies are mainly transported up from
Canterbury, quickly, in modern refrigerated trucks.
All our pork is from New Zealand grown pigs. No imported product Our
product today is still dry stacked curing with no water added, takes three
to four weeks to mature, ensuring a mild flavoured product. Things have
changed over the years, .Whereas in my years we could not supply
businesses out of Hawke‟s Bay because of no suitable transport, today
there is ample refrigerated transport, which enables us to send our
quality product almost to any part of the North Island overnight, to high
quality restaurants as far away as Auckland and Wellington, which was
not possible previously.
In the early days of my involvement in the business, I used to deliver
orders on a butchers bike round town. We had numerous customers,
such as Coupers store, in Grays road, later R.C. Bauld. Ted Kelly
grocery in Heretaunga street, across the road from Bill Marr. Windsor
Park store and McDonalds Grocery in Taradale, Harold Bush, and
Norman Donkin in Te Mata road Havelock North, together with White &
Glenny, later Bourgeois Bros. And Wilsons Bakery in St Aubyn street,
We are jealous of our association with Hastings and Hawke‟s Bay. My
Mother and father gave two stained glass windows to the new Cathedral
in
Napier in 1960, and in 1964, in celebration of 50 years trading in
Hastings donated a large stained glass window in St.Matthew‟s Anglican
Church in Hastings.
In 1989 we completed the large stained glass window in memory of
canon Button to celebrate 75 years of business in Hastings
Today, Claire runs the business of Holly Bacon Co. Ltd producing a high
quality range of bacon, ham, sausages and other small goods.

Six Shaken Roads: How the 1931 Earthquake affected Havelock North : Talk by Michael Fowler

2011-02-03T22:51:00.000-08:00

Six Shaken Roads: How the 1931 Earthquake affected Havelock North

As part of the 80th anniversary of the 1931 Hawke’s Bay Earthquake, Michael Fowler will be giving a talk illustrated with photos on how Havelock North fared during the earthquake

On February 3, 1931, an earthquake centred near coastal Aropaoanui, 12km north of Napier, turned Hawkes Bay into a virtual war zone. The shock brought down buildings between Gisborne and Waipawa and toppled chimneys from Taupo to Wellington. On a per capita basis it was New Zealand's most lethal single calamity. There was 171 aftershocks that day. There were 525 aftershocks recorded in the following two weeks. The main shock could be felt in much of the lower half of the North Island. The 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake caused the largest loss of life and most extensive damage of any quake in New Zealand’s recorded history.
GNS Science
• Location: Hawke’s Bay
• Date (NZ Summer Time): Tuesday, February 3 1931 at 10:47 am
• Epicentre: 39.3°S, 177.0°E
• Focal Depth: 20 km
• Maximum Intensity: MM 10
• Magnitude: MS 7.8
• Casualties: 256 killed, thousands injured
• GeoNet Summary:

The official death toll was 256 and 593 people sustained serious injuries that required hospitalisation. The earthquake was followed by fires in the business areas of both Napier and Hastings that became uncontrollable as water pressure dwindled because of broken water mains. The Ahuriri Lagoon in Napier was raised drastically in the earthquake, changing the coastline significantly and leaving hundreds of fish and horse mussels exposed on dry land.
The earthquake was felt throughout most of New Zealand except for areas in the far south and the far north. It also deformed the surface of the land in the surrounding area, pushing up a long dome running northeast-southwest. The dome was 17 km wide and over 90 km long, and extended from the northeast of the Mohaka River mouth to southwest of Hastings. The ground was raised by up to 2.7 m near the mouth of the Arapaoanui River, while at Hastings it sank by up to one metre. Along the dome created by the earthquake, some rock folded under the pressure, while at the south-western end about 15 km of rock was broken by surface faulting. Today, only 3 km of this fault trace remains visible.

In Havelock North there was damage to Iona College, structural and cracks in the main office, the hospital had some substantial damage too. Woodford House School again had damage mostly cracks broken windows etc., St Luke's Church where a wedding was about to happen when the quake struck it, the church tower toppled and the main entrance was blocked. No one was hurt and the wedding went ahead in the afternoon outdoors on the lawn. The was some damage to St Columba’s Church and Manse. The power transformer and toilets had some damage to the bell on the roof. In the central business district of Havelock North there was substantial damage to the two storeyed building of Foster Brooks, it collapsed and caught fire. The Forrester’s Lodge and Library was okay. The Exchange Hotel crumbled to the ground. The Havelock North Bridge was devastated and the water supply was lost and Havelock was isolated from Hastings and Napier. I was three weeks before the bridge was re-built.

Gordon Vogtherr : Almost 100 years of Bacon and Ham Curing in Hastings

2011-01-28T13:28:00.000-08:00

Gordon Vogtherr : Almost 100 years of Bacon and Ham Curing in Hastings

Well-known local Hastings business Holly Bacon Co Ltd has been in family ownership since it was started by Carl Vogtherr in 1914. Carl originated from Germany, but he immigrated to England to avoid conscription, and to learn a trade. Carl apprenticed to become a pork butcher, at which he became very successful.

As an avid fancier of dogs, birds and fowls, Carl was chosen to be judge of Rough Coated Collie Dogs at the Berlin Dog Show in 1907.

When ill-health caused Carl to retire from his butchery, an uncle suggested he move to New Zealand to recover. Carl and his family arrived in Hastings in 1913, and his health recovered sufficiently to once again start in business as a pork butcher, amongst other things.

Gordon will talk about his remarkable family, which is one of the few remaining businesses in family ownership in Hastings from the beginning of last century.

Six Shaken Roads: How the 1931 Earthquake affected Havelock North

2011-01-23T13:26:00.000-08:00

Six Shaken Roads: How the 1931 Earthquake affected Havelock North

As part of the 80th anniversary of the 1931 Hawke’s Bay Earthquake, Michael Fowler will be giving a talk illustrated with photos on how Havelock North fared during the earthquake.

The talk will take place on Thursday, 3 February 2011, from 7.30pm until 9pm at the Havelock North Community Centre. Tickets are $10 and available from the Hastings i-site or Poppies Bookstore in Havelock North.

Supported by Art Deco Trust, HBS Bank and the Hastings District Council

Dr Barry : One Public Hospital for Hawke's Bay A brief History.

2010-12-12T17:38:00.000-08:00

In the early days government provided little in the way of health services. People in need of care relied on independent doctors, and family and community support. The first public hospital opened in Napier in 1860, and this served the entire region until a second was opened in Waipukurau in 1879. Other hospitals followed, including Wairoa (1888), Dannevirke (1906) and Hastings on ANZAC day 25th April 1928 the Hawk’e Bay Fallen soldiers Hospital was opened by the Minister of Health & Hasting mayor Sir George Ebbett. It was a low lying single storeyed building set back from Omahu road.
1931 Napier hospital buried in landslide after earthquake. Temporary hospital set up.
A new Napier Hospital on the hill was opened in 1969
In the 1990s the government wanted to rationalise health services, and some hospitals, such as Napier and Dannevirke, closed.
1995 the big debate on one hospital for Hastings and Napier was in full swing.
In 1995, following a hotly contested debate between Hastings and Napier, it was
decided that the regional hospital should be in Hastings.
Napier people were assured, by both political and health authorities from the highest
level down, that after its establishment:
they would have two-thirds of the services they had previously enjoyed
these would include accident services, day surgery and maternity. It would be pointless for Napier to be in competition with Hastings. The
Napier Public Health Action Group [NPHAG] does not, repeat NOT, seek duplication
of a regional hospital in Napier. It DOES seek fulfilment of the assurances given
when our hospital was closed – a public community hospital offering real treatment of cases not requiring high tech equipment.
In the 2000s the region was covered by the Hawke’s Bay and MidCentral district health boards. The main hospital was located in Hastings. District and community health centres were in Wairoa, Napier, Waipukurau and Dannevirke. Māori organisations such as Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga in Hastings provided health and other social services to Māori in the region.

Dr David Barry - One Public Hospital for Hawke's Bay

2010-11-01T00:03:00.000-07:00

Hawke’s Bay District Health Board member, Dr David Barry is Landmarks History Group’s guest speaker for November 2010 on the history of how one regional hospital was formed in Hawke’s Bay. The process which resulted in the regional hospital for Hawke’s Bay had many influences on the decision. A mixture of parochialism, civic pride, Hastings’ growth in population, central and local government influence and medical advances in intensive care, all make the ingredients for a fascinating talk by Dr Barry.
Dr Barry is well-qualified to talk on this subject having been first employed by the hospital as senior pediatrician in 1972, and was chairman of Hastings Memorial Hospital medical staff at the time of the initial moves toward establishing a single hospital

The Kirk, the Laird and the Lady Principal – an account of the founding of Iona College Jo McGlashan

2010-10-17T20:40:00.000-07:00

Iona College was the dream of three visionary yet practical people:
Mr Hugh Campbell of Breadalbane, Havelock North, who offered the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand eight acres of land, initially for the establishment of a Deaconess College.
Reverend Alexander Whyte, Minister of St Columba’s Church, Havelock North, 1898-1910, who saw the need for a Presbyterian Girls’ School and petitioned the Presbyterian Church to establish one.
Miss Isabel Fraser, Principal of Wanganui Girls’ College, 1893 — 1910, whose dreams were for a Christian education for young women and who, in 1909, offered her services to the Presbyterian Church should a girls’ boarding school be established. Incidentally, it was Miss Fraser who introduced the kiwifruit to New Zealand.
These visions coalesced when the 1911 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church set up a committee to ‘investigate the support for the establishment of a girls’ boarding school’. During the next year a further four acres of land were donated by Mr Mason Chambers; Miss Fraser travelled to Britain where she visited schools seeking ideas and models, and funds were sought throughout the North Island in order to meet the conditions of Mr Campbell’s gift.
At the November 1912 meeting of the Presbyterian Church committee, several important decisions were made: the gifts of land from Messers Campbell and Chambers were accepted and a boarding school for girls was to be established; Miss Isabel Fraser was offered the position of Headmistress — she accepted and, as well, offered her services free for a period of five years!
The committee adopted several of Miss Fraser’s suggestions:
The name of the school was to be Iona College, Iona being the first place in Scotland where Saint Columba had preached Christianity.
The College crest was to be the Celtic cross.
The College’s motto was to be ‘Love, Joy, Peace’ — gifts of the Holy Spirit as outlined by the apostle Paul in Galatians 5.22.
Architects Rush and James were asked to submit a plan for the school taking Miss Fraser’s ideas into account. The committee itself was enlarged and an Executive Committee was appointed.
Miss Fraser again travelled to Britain seeking equipment and staff. She was overseas when on May 14, 1913, the College Foundation Stone was laid by Mr Hugh Campbell at a gathering attended by over 1,000 people. The Foundation Plaque sits in the main building outside the Principal’s office.
Opened in 1914, Iona College is the oldest Presbyterian School in New Zealand. It was established as a girls’ boarding school built on land donated by Mr Hugh Campbell.
The Prime Minister, the Right Honourable W F Massey, opened Iona College on February 14, 1914.
Iona opened with a roll of 48 pupils who were accommodated in buildings that were habitable but unfinished.
In its infancy, Iona developed very quickly and prospered under the leadership of Miss Isabel Fraser, the founding headmistress, who offered her services free for the first five years. During its early years, Iona College developed at an unforeseen pace. In 1916, the staff cottages were built and the swimming pool was opened. In 1917, St Oran’s was built as a separate hospital but, upon completion, was used for boarding accommodation such was the demand for places. By 1918 there were 125 boarders.
Miss Fraser retired in 1921. Her name lives on in one of the school’s four Houses and her generative wish for the school is contained in these words:
"May Iona do its share in furnishing our beloved land with women whose bodies are free with the freedom of health, whose minds are free from all littleness, and whose souls are free with the fruits of the spirit against which there is no law."
Miss Fraser was succeeded by Miss J R Barr, from New Plymouth Girls’ High School, who convinced the College Council that Iona should become a registered secondary school. This became possible after the conversion of a classroom into a science laboratory.
Despite the manse upbringing and excellent academic record of Miss Barr’s successor, Miss Ann Drennan, her term as Headmistress was short and, at the end of 1924, Miss Irene Stollery was appointed as acting Principal and then Principal in 1926.
1924 saw the College near bankruptcy and facing a diminishing roll. Those who worked to keep the Founders’ visions alive included Mr Archibald McLean and Mr J B Campbell (son of Hugh) who became Chairman of the Council in 1931. This period was when Commercial and Primary Departments were added. The other major event which happened in this period was the Napier earthquake.
EarthquakeIona’s buildings were severely affected by the February 1931 earthquake and the College had to be closed for a year while refinancing and rebuilding took place. The opening roll in 1932 was 27 boarders and nine day pupils. In 1927, Miss Christina McNeil joined the staff as a teacher of French. In 1936, she was appointed as Headmistress and Iona was to become her life for the next three decades.
The war years saw Iona standing fast in the face of even more adversity. Girls received certificates rather than books for prizes and the money saved was donated to a welfare fund.
The highlight of this period was the opening of St Martin’s chapel in 1958. It was the fulfilment of dreams, visions and 12 years of fundraising.
For Miss McNeil it was the highlight of her days at Iona. Iona was complete with “a place to work and a shrine in which to worship.”

The Kirk, the Laird and the Lady Principal – an account of the founding of Iona College Jo McGlashan

2010-10-06T17:07:00.000-07:00

The Kirk, the Laird and the Lady Principal – an account of the founding of Iona College Jo McGlashan, an old-girl of Iona College, and a past chaplain, is the Landmarks History Group speaker for October where she will talk on the founding of Iona College. One person that will be mentioned is founding Principal Miss Fraser, an interesting and farsighted lady who is credited with bringing the first Chinese Gooseberry (now Kiwi Fruit) seeds to New Zealand. As usual the talk will take place at the Hastings Public Library, Warren Street, on Tuesday 12 October from 5.30pm until 6.30pm. Gold coin donation upon entry.

Blossom Queen, A festival And A Riot : Helena La Hood (nee Hannah)

2010-09-14T19:29:00.000-07:00

Cynthia Bowers gave a brief history of how the blossom festival started.
Napier in early 1920 had their 30 thousand club with Mardi gras and Carnival Queen and shopping extravaganzas, promoting Napier.
After the 1931 earthquake they took the lead role to Napier's redevelopement.
They help establish the sound shell and promenade, and helped retaillers get back on their feet.
Hastings decided to have a carnival of their own. In 1922 the first Hastings carnival was held, wooden arches were erected across the main street, they had late night shopping, best shop display and a carnival parade with model T's and bicycles.
In 1923 HWC Baird decided that they should hold carnival to celebrate 50 years of the establishment of Hastings.
In 1935 a "progress League" was formed to further the progress of Hastings. help the economy and beautify the district.
In 1937 a carnival was held to celebrate Hastings becoming a borrough as well as King George VI coronation. A ball was held as well as a carnival.
In 1950 Hastings reached a population of 20,000 and was proclaimed a city
City status was bestowed on Hastings in the March 1950 this quote was in the HB Herald Tribune " Hastings, yesterday a swamp today a borough, tomorrow a city" as part of the celebrations of Hastings becoming a borough.
In the earlier half 1950 Harry Poppelwell said Hastings was living snuggly on its laurels do very little to move ahead. He formed a group to see what they could do to get the community involved and progress Hastings as a city. In May 1950 Greater Hastings Incorporated was formed. 100 citzens signed as subscribers and paid 5 pounds as a subscription.
The first event the Greaters Hastings Incorporate dorganised was the Blossom festival. This was supported by the Fruitgrowers Association, the Hastings City Council and also by the Retaillers The first Blossom festival was held in 1950. The shops were decorated and there were 41 floats in the parade as well as bands and walkers. Some retailers used the floats as forms of advertising new products or in the case of Bailey's Motors the newest model car out.
The next event they organised was the Easter Highland Games. The first Easter Highland games was held Easter 1951 at Nelson Park. Nelson park only had a grass track then. The Highland games consisted of athletics, woodchopping, show jumping, Archery. It became an annual event and it attracted top class athletes over the years including Peter Snell, Murray Halberg and Precious McKenzie.
The 3rd event the Greater Hastings Incorporated organised was to make a fantasy garden and park on part of windsor park. This was the foundation of Fantasyland. It become a huge success.

The Blossom parades got bigger and better each year. In 1952 there were 45 floats and the standard of floats improved with lots more decoration. In 1953 there were 47 floats 17,000 people and the standard improve yeat again more creative and elaborate floats less advertising and more blossoms.
In 1954 there 55 floats including floats from Napier, and there was in excess of 20,ooo people. Citzens were coming from Napier and districts.
In 1955 there were 69 vehicle driven floats as well and hand pushed floats and walkers and bands. 600 people came from Wellington by train and there was between 35,00 and 40,000 people there. The strees were lined the whole way round the parade course.
1956 there were two parade one on the 8th September and one the following Saturday the 15th September. The 15th was the main blossom parade and there were 2 trains from Wellington, one from Gisborne and busses from Napier and surrounds. In excess of 50,000 people turned out to watch the parade.
In 1957 the idea of Blossom Queen was introduced. The first Blossom Queen was Fiona MacDonald. The Parade now started at Queen Square went via main street to Stortford Lodge, back down St Aubyn Street to finish at Windsor Park.
The 1958 Blossom Queen was Deidre French.
In 1959 the Blossom Arches were designed and erected in the main street.
The parade was enormous retaillers participated with Shop windows full on blossom displays and catalogue was delivered to every household with a mystery number which you had to find your number in the window display to claim your prize. They had "The Best dressed window "and "The best dressed women" competitions. The parade of floats went for 1 mile long and Napier City Council had a float in the parade too. There was 100 floats as well as pipe band, highland pipes and walkers.
1960 parade became known as the "Blossom Festival Riot" as it was delayed and half canceleld beacuse of the weather. Helena La Hood was the blossom Queen.
Helena will talk more on this and what it was like to be a blossom queen.
1972 was the last blossom parade held in hastings until 1990 when it was re established by Mayor Jeremy Dwyer and David Fine who starte the new Blossom festival we have today.

James Morgan talked about "Hastings Blossom Festival ‘riot’, 1960"
The Hastings Blossom Festival of 1960 became famous for its so-called ‘riot’. The float parade had been cancelled because of wet weather. This, combined with an influx of young people in the city centre, overcrowding in hotels and overbearing crowd-control tactics (like the use of fire-hoses) created a situation where fights readily broke out. Moral panic in the wake of this incident inflated it in the popular imagination to a full-scale riot instigated by rebellious young people. In reality only a small number of people were actually fighting. Twelve were charged, and only with minor offences related to disorderly behaviour.
However the Blossom parade of 1960 goes down in history as the year of the “Blossom Riot”. Because rain delayed the parade many visitors sought shelter in one of the 5 or 6 hotels in the main street and a brawl that started in the Albert Hotel, on the corner of Heretaunga Street and Karamu Road and spilled out into the intersection. Police were called in and after a police car was damaged the Fire Brigade were called and on arrival started hosing everyone in sight. This eventually had the desired affect and things quietly returned to normal. This came to be known as the “Battle of Hastings” or in some cases the “Second Battle of Hastings

Helena La Hood (nee Hannah) Blossom Queen 1960 talks about 1960 Crowning and what its like to be a Queen.

Hastings' Blossom Festival was first held in 1950 and was the creation of Greater Hastings (note the provocative title), an organisation established to provide an Easter attraction (The Highland Games) as "there was nothing to keep people in Hastings, and nothing to attract visitors to Hastings".The Blossom Queen contest was added in 1957. At the height of the Blossom Festivals in the 1950s, an estimated 50,000 people crammed the streets of Hastings to view the floats, decorated with paper crepe blossoms.The rules for contestants entering the 1960 Blossom Queen Contest stated (among other things): they had to be aged between 18 and 28; unmarried; and possess: poise, personality, charm, beauty of face and figure, education, voice quality, speaking ability and be in good health.No swimsuit parade would occur: "This is not a bathing beauty contest - but a blossom festival quest."The winner would receive a wardrobe of clothes valued at £100 and go on a free, two week trip to Surfers Paradise. Greater Hastings would provide a suitable chaperone for the trip.Helena La Hood (nee Hannah) was visiting relatives in Australia when she received a telegram from her father Paul, saying the Hastings Orphans Club had nominated her as a Blossom Queen candidate.

After arriving back from her holiday, Helena had just two days to prepare for the first round of the competition.Three Blossom Queen Concerts were held at the Hastings Municipal Theatre (now Hawke's Bay Opera House), until the judges selected 12 girls out of 23 contestants to advance to the coronation concert on September 1. The first concert night contained a quiz, and Helena was asked: "What are the three independent schools in Havelock North? What are the four great powers of the world? What impressions of New Zealand would you give if you went to Australia? If you won a great deal of money, what would you do with it?"There was much excitement for her when she was selected in the final 12 girls. Judge Rolf Keys said the winner should "have the figure of Marilyn Monroe, beauty of Grace Kelly and the charm of a member of the royal family". Famed quizmaster Selwyn Toogood would do his Magic Carpet quiz show at the coronation, which would be broadcast on radio throughout New Zealand - as well as announcing the winner of the Blossom Queen contest at 10pm. Helena's parents thought they would make her nervous at the contest, so they listened at home.She won a vacuum cleaner at the Magic Carpet show, and a washing machine on Saturday night's It's in the Bag show with Toogood, but laughs as she remembers she never received the prizes.It came as a shock to Helena when her name was called out as winner, and was crowned by Miss Paradise, Jean Clark from Surfers Paradise, Queensland.Helena had made plans to be fitted for a bridesmaid's dress at the weekend, never thinking she had a chance to win. Despite no sleep due to the excitement of being crowned Blossom Queen, she turned up to work the next day at the Loan and Mercantile Agency. Her manager told her not to worry about work that morning, and sent her home. Many public appearances followed her win as Blossom Queen, including opening Napier's new Odeon Picture Theatre that year. She also went for a ride in a glider, rode go-carts, and handed out prizes at a boxing tournament. She visited schools and was promoting Hastings. Miss Paradise Jean Clark was a popular visitor to Hastings, becoming an instant celebrity, and was paraded from Stortford Lodge down Heretaunga St with a traffic officer motorbike escort the day before the Blossom Festival. Thousands of people lined the streets to catch a glimpse of her. As a Seventh Day Adventist, Jean declined to take part in the Saturday Blossom Parade.When Jean left Hastings she wrote a letter of thanks to everyone, and said "she would not like to forget the Maori people". Jean was no doubt referring to young Ted Bennett, the handsome singer of Teddy and the Bears, who she met at a Blossom Queen Concert. Jean and Ted kept in contact, and later married in 1963. Tragedy later struck the marriage with their son Stephen, being in a coma for three years as a result of a car crash, while Jean herself was killed in a car accident in Newcastle in August 1985 - while her son was still in the coma.Helena left for her trip to Australia - with no chaperone - in July 1961, with a yellow orchid corsage presented by Greater Hastings, which had to disposed of before landing in Australia due to the regulations.Little did the army of press representatives that met her at the airport know that between her hair and hat was a yellow orchid corsage. While in Queensland, she met the mayor of Surfers' Paradise, and had morning tea with the Minister of Tourism. The trip was a fitting end to her reign, in which a lot was expected of her. Her last duty was to crown the next Blossom Queen for 1961.

A Festival, A Queen And A Riot

2010-09-13T19:16:00.000-07:00

Landmarks Local History talk - Tuesday 14 Sept, 5.30pm
Blossom Queens, bands, marching girls, a "riot". The Hastings Blossom Festival, which in recent years has been revived, was a major event in the life of Hastings from the time the first one occurred in 1950.At its peak, 50,000 people lined the streets to watch the decorated floats in the annual procession, and special excursion trains were arranged to bring people from the Gisborne and Wellington regions. The last of original Blossom Festival was in 1972. Upstairs at Hastings LibraryTuesday 14 Septemberfrom 5.30pm until 6.30pm

Judy Siers - Researching HB History and the Women's Rest

2010-08-10T01:06:00.000-07:00

Judy Siers has been busy over the las few years involved in a lot of local history projects, one in particular was the "King George Coronation Hall" in Petane built in 1911 to celebrate the coronation of King George. Designed by world-renowned Art Deco architect, Louis Hay, the King George Hall has been an important part of the Bay View community since 1911. It has recently been renovated and painted and Napier City Coincil have commissioned her to write its history.

In her travels she noticed that Hastings have a coronation fountain and monument as a tribute to King Henry in Cornwall Park. Mayor Viggor Brown had a Coronation Hall built in Napier.

Judy Commented on how she is still finding information on James Walter Chapman Taylor.

She showed us 3 painting she had found Turama, Tauroa, and Frederick House he built for his parents all watercolours.

The Womens Rest

The history really started back in 1885 when members of the Women's Christian Temperance Union movement who were recruited to come out to Nz Australia and help women and families.

by the end of 1885 there were 15 branches established in New Zealand including one in Napier.
The WCTU was organized by women who were concerned about the the destructive power of alcohol and the problems it was causing their families and society.
They met in churches to pray and then marched to the saloons to ask the owners to close their establishments. These activities are often referred to as the "Women's Crusades" and their success was both the forerunner and impetus for the founding of the WCTU.
The most famous member and second president of the WCTU was Frances E. Willard who served from 1879 until her death in 1898.

One of the most famous WCTU members was Mrs Lovell-Smith the wife of Hastings photographer Herbert Lovell-Smith who was instrumental in getting the Hastings Branch of WCTU up and running in 1903. The white Ribbon "For God Home and Humanity" was worn by all members. By 1904 Napier Branch had large membership and funds they built the "Willard Institute Building for the WCTU named after teh founder in America.

Ruth Lovell-Smith moved to Hastings in 1918 was always pushing Council to build a "Womens Rest". Not taking no for an answer she set about opening a "Mothers Rest" in Heretaunga Street to prove to Council that Hastings need one. It was so popular and drew the attention o the media. Ruth then got Council on her side and things started to happen. The Garnett Family agreed to sell their timber yard to make way for roading and a "Women's Rest" Mrs garnett said she would give back 750 pound to Council when the Women's rest was built.

Sir George Ebbett who was the incoming mayor continued with the project clearing land and finally laid the first stone of the Women's Rest on the 23rd March 1921.

Plunket were also keen to see a Women's rest established and were also backing the movement

lead by Ruth Lovel-Smith. The Plunket have been part of the Women's right from when it opened.

The Hastings Municipal Women's Rest, built in 1921, is likely the first example of a women's rest built exclusively and separately for this purpose in New Zealand. Funded largely by private contributions and administered and constructed by the Hastings Borough Council this rest took over from an earlier rest room in the area that had been furnished and administered by the Hastings branch of the Women's Christian Temperance Union.The building is a very good example of the Californian bungalow style of architecture, a domestic building normally associated with residential dwellings. The building exhibits many of the distinguishing features of the style and remains in remarkably authentic condition after 85 years in the same use. The building also demonstrates what Cooper et al refer to as a shift from 'public lavatories' to the elaborate buildings of 'rest rooms' designed to accommodate mothers and workingwomen. Located in the central business district in the city's civic square, the Hastings Municipal Women's Rest provided a centrally located rest room space for women and access to other facilities, such as the Hastings branch of the Plunket Society. From the beginning, the rest room facilities were widely used by women from out of town, women who worked in Hastings, and mothers who were visiting Plunket. Since 2003, the building has also been used as a base for the Heretaunga Women's Centre. It continues to be used as a space for women today. As an early example of a women's rest room and most likely the first women's rest built exclusively and separately for this purpose the Hastings Municipal Women's Rest merits Category I registration. The history of the Hastings Municipal Women's Rest assists in showing not only the struggle of women to obtain these services in their community and the evolving provision of these services by volunteers and borough councils, but also touches on the work of organisations of high significance to women at this time such as the WCTU and Plunket. The integrity of the building and its aesthetically pleasing surroundings assist in the telling of this story. The Hastings Municipal Women's Rest is also socially significant within the Hastings region as it has been patronised both by local residents and visitors from the country for over 85 years.

Judy Siers - Researching HB History and the Women's Rest

2010-08-01T16:34:00.000-07:00

Judy Siers will talk on researching Hawke's Bay history, with special mention of the Hastings Women's Rest building.
Tuesday 10th August 2010
5.30pm
Hastings Central Library

Hawke’s Bay Helicopter Rescue Trust, Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter Service

2010-07-13T18:46:00.000-07:00

Late 1960’s
In the early days, local helicopter operators were used when helicopter retrieval and transport was required for patients.
The local operator would come in from their agricultural work and reconfigure the helicopter into an air ambulance. They would remove the spraying gear and replace it with a stretcher, which was often mounted on to the helicopter skids!
As you can see from the photo, once airborne, communication with the patient was almost impossible due to the noise of the helicopter and wind.
The helicopter would normally take the patient to a waiting ambulance before being transported to hospital by road.

1970’s
In the early 1970’s the part-time service attended between 20-30 rescues a year.
The helicopter would sometimes transport the patient directly to hospital or to the road where it would be met by an ambulance.

1980’s
In 1984, the Hawke’s Bay Helicopter Rescue Trust was established from an auction group set up by Chief Inspector Paul Wiseman.
The service was initially established for water rescues and in 1989 expanded to involve patient transfers, police searches, accident recovery and marine emergencies.
The auction group included the Porangahau Diving Club, Waimarama Surf Club, Police, Civil Defense, as well as existing members Noel Houston, Garrie Griffiths and Trauma Doctors Forbes Bennett and Greg Beecham.
Dr Forbes Bennett and Dr Ted Ward from the Hastings Hospital were key supporters of the retrieval and transportation system offered by the service. They were committed to the ‘miracle hour’ theory of getting severely injured people to a medical facility for treatment.
In 1985 a CAA approved helicopter pad was completed at the Hastings Hospital (now named the Hawke’s Bay Regional Hospital).
A Bell Jet Ranger helicopter, owned by Wanganui Aero Works, was used for the rescues and in 1989 the machine was sold to Mike Groome of Te Onepu Helicopters and continued doing part time rescue work.
1988 HB Helicopter Rescue SquadClick image to zoom in
With the arrival of better helicopters (Hughes 500 and Bell Jet Ranger) the air ambulance service greatly improved, especially for the patient as they could be carried internally.

1990’s
In 1991, the Trust came to a ‘cross roads’ when Te Onepu Helicopters sold the helicopter and the Trust had to decide whether to discontinue or to set up a dedicated service.
The Trust and the Hospital recognised the value of the service to the region and decided to pursue the option of setting up a dedicated service.
Andy Train, who was the Commissioner of the Hawkes Bay District Health Board, approached Hastings businessman Mike Toogood, to see if he would be interested in undertaking the necessary investment and work to establish a dedicated rescue service.
Within five months, the dedicated service became a reality when Mike Toogood purchased a Eurocopter AS350BA “Squirrel” helicopter and secured sponsorship support from Lowe Walker NZ Ltd.

As a condition of the Lowe Walker sponsorship, Mike Toogood became the CEO of the Trust and held responsibility for the operation of the rescue helicopter service, responsibilities that continue to the present time.
In 1992, the first helicopter hangar was built at the Hawke’s Bay Regional Hospital and in 2001 a larger facility was established in the hospital grounds when the hospital decided they needed the original site. The hangers were built with generous support from the Hawke’s Bay businesses and the community.
In 1997, Lowe Walker changed their company name to Lowe Corporation. The service has since been known as the Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter Service and Lowe Corporation continue to be the Trust’s Principal Sponsor.
2000’s
The Hawke's Bay Helicopter Rescue Trust continues to flourish and expand its capabilities, thanks to the generous support and contributions made by individuals, groups, businesses and sponsors within the Hawke’s Bay community.

Friends of the Hawke’s Bay Helicopter Rescue Trust, Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter Service support this service with their financial donations each year.

Hawke’s Bay Helicopter Rescue Trust, Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter Service

2010-06-24T00:40:00.000-07:00

Hawke’s Bay Helicopter Rescue Trust, Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter Service
Tuesday 13th July 2010
Hastings Central Library
5.30pm

Waikaremoana a History by Sir Rodney Gallen

2010-06-21T01:23:00.000-07:00

Waikaremoana a history by Sir Rodney Gallen
Sir Rodney Gallen is a retired lawyer (now aged 71) who lives in Havelock North, near Hastings a former and now retired High Court Judge. Sir Rodney Gallen KNZM is also a talented local musician.
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LAKE WAIKAREMOANA AND TE UREWERA NATIONAL PARK Like rough-cut emeralds, Lake Waikaremoana (Sea of Rippling waters) and its little sister, Lake Waikareiti, are set perfectly in the 225,000 hectares of Te Urewera national Park – the largest untouched native forest reserve in the North Island.
The primeaval rain-forest is home to many native birds and remains today as virgin as it was in the 1840's, when Pioneer Missionary William Colenso traversed this remote homeland of Tuhoe, “Children of the Mist”.
The lake itself is a very new feature on a geological time-scale. Previous to its appearance, a very deep narrow gorge cut through the land-block which forms the highlands of Ngamoko and Panekiri. Some 2200 years ago a tremendous landslide rumbled down, probably as a result of a severe earthquake or possibly as a result of continued erosion. The landslide came down from the Ngamoko Ridge carrying millions of tons of fractured rock into the canyon. Across the canyon a huge pile of debris about 300 metres high came to rest. The area is formed from young mudstone, siltstone and sandstone, mostly about 10-15 million years old. These sediments were originally part of the sea floor, but about two million years ago uplift brought them above sea level. The mountains and hills of the area have been shaped by continuous erosion. Major valleys like the Aniwaniwa Valley have been carved more deeply from softer mudstones, while the more solid sandstones have tended to form ridges like Panekire. This vast dam enabled the rainwater to collect into a lake which as it rose gradually backed up the various branches of the former stream to form the many arms and inlets of present day Waikaremoana. As it rose and submerged the forested slopes the trees were killed, although the sturdy trunks of many of them remain standing today. When the lake is low, hundreds of them appear near or above the surface. Toward the end of the 18th century narrow strips of land bordering the lake were designated as bird sanctuaries. Trout and deer were introduced and a ranger was stationed here in Opourau (Home Bay). The Lake House, previously sited above the camp, was a popular Tourist Hotel Corporation hotel and was the end of the road from Wairoa until the road through to Rotorua was completed in 1930. The largest of the 3 hydro-electric stations, Tuai, was completed in 1929. The water released from this was impounded, in the man made lake Whakamarino, and by 1943 this was being used as a supply for the lowest station Piripaua. As work was completed there, the upper development at Kaitawa commenced.

As much as possible of the leakage from Lake Waikaremoana had to be sealed off so that the flow of water could be regulated. Kaitawa commenced operation in 1948. The creation of Urewera National Park was announced on September 29th 1953.

Waikaremoana : Sir Rodney Gallen

2010-05-21T19:32:00.000-07:00

Landmarks History Group guest speaker in June is Sir Rodney Gallen who will speak on the history of Lake Waikaremoana.
Hastings Central Library
Tuesday 8th June 2010
Upstairs, 5.30 - 6.30pm.

Hamilton Logan Richmonds Part 2

2010-05-18T20:12:00.000-07:00

Chairman Sam Robinson and Waitotara founder Rod Pearce remain the only two farmer-directors in what was, until 1997, a wholly farmer-owned, unlisted, under-valued and history-bound Hawke's Bay regional meat company.The heavyweight board will want to extract maximum value out of a buoyant international meat trading situation, hoping that Loughlin and his team could shave the cents and make lucrative trading decisions while the sun shines.Future growth will not come from procurement share increases, which may have driven growth in recent years. It will come from continuous improvements in operational efficiency and marketplace performance.The future belongs to processors that can find new meat cuts and presentations to take them to new levels of profitability, for the customers, suppliers and shareholders. These must be branded and differentiated food products, he says, rather than commodity sales. The Brian Richards-inspired re-imaging of Richmond is essential in the quest for added value for Richmond. It has been about unifying the fragmented and often adversarial supply chain and changing the thinking in the company’s business-to-business relationships.Essentially, employees and suppliers have to see themselves putting attractive meal propositions in front of someone on the other side of the world.Recent historyRichmond pottered along profitably for that decade following one of the big industry rationalisations that were a feature of the 1980s. Richmond purchased Dawn Meat and Pacific Freezing and participated in the closure of Whakatu and the purchase of Takapau from Hawke’s Bay Farmers Meat Co, all during an eventful 1986. The closure of Whakatu was the best for all of Hawke’s Bay.To closure Wairoa would have killed Wairoa as it only has its hospital and Freezing works as two major employers. Hastings and Napier while devastating has much better job opportunities for the redundant employees. They still had one Freezing works and lots of other major industries.Faced with two pivotal decisions in the early 1990s, Richmond declined to get involved with the divestment of Waitaki to Affco and Alliance and a possible purchase of cash-strapped Weddel. Richmond was wise because it would have been buying the wrong set of assets and be headed for disaster. These decisions were before his time at Richmond, which began in 1993 as finance manager for the company, after earlier periods as an investment banker and chartered accountant.However, given the acquisitive nature of the times, those decisions could have condemned Richmond to a regional backwater of the rapidly coagulating meat industry or, worse still, a takeover target.Richmond’s big chance came in an offer to sell out of beef and lamb processing by Hawke’s Bay neighbour Graeme Lowe, of Lowe Walker, also strongly positioned in Northland and Taranaki, where Richmond did not operate.The $27-million purchase, completed in March 1998, quadrupled beef processing and focused new Richmond team on making a success of the large takeover, after opportunities for due diligence had been limited.A subsequent rationalisation of beef facilities closed Lowe Walker Hastings, converted Te Kauwhata to deer and then closed Otaki early in 1999.It took out 17 percent of our beef fixed costs while maintaining throughput at Dargaville, Te Aroha, Hawera and Hastings.Our investment adviser said he had never seen such a complementary fit of facilities, which gave Richmond the benefits of great synergies.A second round of lamb-processing facility rationalisation affected three plants in and around Napier/Hastings and one at Hawera while consolidating further processing in the $14-million new FoodTech plant on the Takapau site.Again, this took out 15 percent of lamb-processing costs for a small slaughter capacity reduction coupled with a large further-processing improvement.Next up was the Waitotara Farmers Meat Company merger (in October 1999) which swapped money and shares for the lamb plants at Waitotara (northwest of Wanganui) and Tirau, southern Waikato. It added a million lambs a year throughput, which is disappointing considering the size of Waitotara before the merger, but the focus of this move was to strengthen its geographical position and “bank the synergies”.In a paper called “Pursuing a Food Company Vision through M&A” presented to the Institute of Directors seminar in Wellington on November 3, 2000, Waitotara brought $2 million in EBIT and $8 million in synergies.Candidly, Richmond was exhausted by the time of the Waitotara assimilation and missed some opportunities and disaffected Waitotara farmer-suppliers decamped to other meat companies.Likewise Richmond has not made all it could have from the purchase in July 1998 and subsequent development of the Gourmet Direct upmarket local supply business, now the flagship for Richmond in food service.. Expansion-fatigue may also be indicated in his assessment of Richmond’s size presently as adequate for all that the company needs to do.Neither Loughlin nor, he believes, any members of the board set out deliberately to become the biggest meat company in New Zealand.“But there was a moment during long discussions about whether to acquire Lowe Walker, when one director said, ‘we had better consider where Richmond will be if we don’t buy Lowe Walker’.”The company has made three consecutive increases of more than $200 million a year in turnover, quickly taking it from number four in the industry by size to number one.A period of consolidation is dictated, taking out costs, raising efficiencies and developing new products.Richmond can never drop its risk management vigilance in such a low margin enterprise, he says.When earnings are as low as one to two percent of sales, a few wrong supply or sales contracting decisions can wipe out profit and a number of them can wipe out the company’s $120-million capital base. This has been a sadly recurring pattern in the meat industry.John Loughlin’s second year as Richmond CEO was the beginning of the distracting noises, as PPCS contended with Affco for control of one-third of Richmond being tendered by the Meat Board.When both were rebuffed, the shares went to the supposed Richmond-friendly investor grouping of HKM; three Maori business people.Not deterred, PPCS wooed HKM and in 1999 was again on the brink of control when Richmond’s farmer-shareholders successfully challenged the PPCS processes and repulsed the raider.A company called Active Equities, owned by Paul Collins and Bruce Hancox, rode to the rescue of Richmond, but that horse has also turned Trojan.Third time-lucky in 2000, PPCS purchased 16.7 percent of Richmond shares (10 percent from Auckland farmer-businessman Peter Spencer) and paid $3.65 a share for 49 percent of Hawke’s Bay Meat Holdings, a joint venture with Active Equities to own 35.8 percent of Richmond’s 41 million shares. Should it exercise the right to purchase the remaining 51 percent of HBMH between February and September 2003, PPCS will then own 52.5 percent of Richmond.The drawn-out fight for ownership control was more distracting for company employees who are fixed in the industry and the Hawke’s Bay region.If company executives had got involved in the industry politics then it would have derailed what we were trying to achieve. Perversely, yet another measure of the Richmond success to date has been the persistence of PPCS in gaining control, although the outcome for Richmond is as yet uncertain. PPCS presumably had an opportunity to block Loughlin’s nomination to the board of directors (before the annual general meeting in December) but chose to endorse his promotion in the expectation of further earnings growth. With two good years behind it and one good year in prospect, Richmond directors finally decided to seek a main board listing on the Stock Exchange last February, along with a $50-million capital notes issue.“Since the 1980s there had been a lot of debate as to whether listing was consistent with long-term farmer ownership..“Without farmers and without their stock coming through, any meat company only has a lot of assets in obscure places with redundancy obligations attached.“So we have to ensure returns are sufficient to sustain both the farming community and to reinvest in the business.“For a long time no-one was winning, with farmers and companies scrapping over the crumbs of the cake,” The listing eliminated the secondary market discount (of 25 to 30 percent) by making the market for shares more liquid. Many among 1900 smaller (mostly farmer) shareholders have benefited, and PPCS fronted up with cash to Spencer, Collins and Hancox pushing the share price to $3 briefly before settling down around $2.60.The money raised from the sale of capital notes has retired bank debt and provided funds for further re-quipping, just completed at Oringi, Te Kauwhata and Pacific Beef (Hastings).While they are an expensive substitute for bank funding, capital notes strengthen the balance sheet and may help to secure the company against prolonged downturns.As a substitute for equity, where Richmond trades on a price/earnings multiple of 5:1, [an after-tax cost of equity of 20 percent], then capital notes, with a pre-tax cost of funds at 10.75 percent, plus tax deduction, sit somewhere between debt and equity in terms of cost, strength and so forth.

History of Havelock North "Where six Roads meet"

2010-05-14T18:58:00.000-07:00

Where Six Roads Meet ─ A celebration of Havelock Norths 150th anniversary 1860─2010.
Historian Michael Fowler will be giving a talk on 24 June 2010 to celebrate the 150th year since the founding of Havelock.
Topics mentioned in the talk will include: purchase and history of Karanema’s Reserve; why the site of the township was chosen; naming of the town; the early geography of Hawke’s Bay ─with the role that the rivers played in road and bridge building; early Havelock businesses and personalities; local government; 1931 Hawke’s Bay Earthquake; the Chambers’ hydro-electric scheme; Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and the 1912 naming controversy with Havelock South, leading to a new name ─Havelock North.
The talk is at the Havelock North Community Centre on Thursday 24 June 2010; from 7.30pm until 9pm. Refreshments will be served after the talk.
Tickets are $10 each, and are available from Michael Fowler; Poppies Books, 26 Havelock Road and the Hastings i-site, Russell Street.
Funds raised will go towards a digital voice recording system for the Landmarks History Group.

Aerial Mapping

2010-05-13T01:37:00.000-07:00

On the 8th May 1936, New Zealand's now oldest aviation company, NZ Aerial Mapping (NZAM),

was officially founded by Piet van Asch in Hastings. Starting out with a Monospar ST25 twin engine aircraft bought directly from the General Aircraft factory in Feltham, England (for ₤1,450), Piet managed to arrange contracts to photograph farms of prominent land owners in Hawke's Bay. They had already put up a great deal of money for Piet to be able to travel to England, buy the aircraft and get the training necessary for the successful start of NZAM. The Early Years The first survey undertaken in New Zealand was for the Geological Survey which started on the 28th April 1937. The survey was of the Richardson Range in Otago and covered nearly 300 square miles (780 square kilometres) at 11,000 feet, yielding 843 frames of photography. From then until the war years, NZAM grew slowly yet solidly. Initially work was generally carried out for the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) and the Public Works Department. In 1938, the first work was won from the Land & Survey Department (L&S), which necessitated purchasing a new camera. This was the beginning of a long and enduring relationship between NZAM and L&S, later known as Department of Land & Survey Information (DOSLI), and now Land Information NZ (LINZ). The advent of hostilities in the Second World War saw NZAM take on a new and vital role. Under threat initially, having been targeted to be integrated into the RNZAF, Piet managed to keep the company separate and to grow it, taking on an ever-increasing workload with defence mapping projects. By mid war, it became obvious that the Monospar would need help. With its limited ceiling, a bigger more powerful aircraft was sought and in 1943 a Beechcraft AT11 was added to the line up. By June 1944, NZAM had photographed a total of 25,570 square miles (66,200 square kilometres) for the war effort. With the advent of the longer range and capacity of the Beechcraft, off shore surveys were a possibility. The first was in 1944 of Fiji, particularly the Suva Peninsula and areas at Lautoka. Since then, NZAM have worked in most of the Pacific Islands and have travelled as far as the Antarctic, Kathmandu, Vietnam and Thailand. The 1950's During the 1950's the company's progress was in ground-based expansion. 1953 saw the introduction of Photogrammetry on the suggestion of the then Surveyor-General. Science graduate Brian Perry led the company in this field with a special kind of acuity and practicality which was confirmed by the carefully contoured maps his staff turned out down the years. In a good month 8000 prints could be produced using the only three types of film available then. However it was still a tightly managed operation within the financial constraints of the Government, which continued to supply NZAM with the majority of its work well into the 1980's. The company's premises in Russell Street had reached maximum capacity. Therefore in 1956 a custom designed headquarters on the corner of Avenue Road and Warren Street in Hastings was built, tangible evidence of the company's progress. This impressive building boasted its own central powerhouse, which provided the essential clean air and water for the photography. The installation of copper tanks and refrigeration and with the use of positive pressure, dust was shut out of all the areas where film was being worked. Dairy industry pumps were even used to suck the films and papers flat in the various enlargers and copy cameras. This set-up was the envy of overseas visitors, providing cheap operation and played a valuable part in reducing dust on the film. In NZ this was of huge importance as NZAM keeps its film negatives forever, as opposed to the UK and Australia, which destroyed stocks after 10 years. Piet's insistence that the company 'produce a high quality article' kept him informed on research and development within the industry which saw equipment moving in and out of the company in fast succession. Three A8 Analogue plotters joined the company and were one of the survivors of the equipment movement era, remaining in use until well into the 1980's. One in fact is still in use today by a former employee for the production of orienteering maps. Throughout this decade, weather had a part to play as much as it is found today. Bad weather impacted on flying time and income on occasions but the usual high standard of product was maintained with an increase in the use of aerial photography being noticed in the 1950's. The 1960's NZAM worked on a number of projects during the sixties, one being the chain cover of all of NZ highways and the subsequent production of folders, which marked where every fatal accident was in order to make road improvements. The most prominent project was for the National Film Units' 'This is New Zealand' which was made especially for the NZ pavilion at Expo 70 in Japan. Three cameras were mounted in the nose of the Beechcraft enabling three screen stereoscopic viewing which won high acclaim. With the introduction in 1965 of the longer length Zeiss cameras, city survey photography produced extraordinary detail. To view wires on a clothesline and shadows on the tarseal from overhead wires excited the NZAM staff. Some of this earlier imagery was printed on a product called cronopaque made by Du Pont. Supposedly indestructible, its Achilles heel proved to be the hot Hawke's Bay sun if left in the backseat of a car too long! Prior to the mid-sixties, NZAM had been trying to discover how to reduce the angle of coverage of the normal lenses that were available for the large-scale city plans Piet wanted so much to supply to the city engineers. This ability to identify ground marks was only the start with special jobs flown twice, once with the wide angle cover to produce large scale contours which were then overlaid on the narrow angle enlargements allowing the photogrammetrist to only mark the odd fence corner to marry the two. 1965 also saw the introduction of halftones so that the city engineers and planners could superimpose information and take ammonia prints for contractors. The popularity of these saw NZAM producing more halftones than prints right into the 1990's. The company's third aircraft, ZK-CDK started survey in 1964. Named 'Matariki' in 1967, this Aero Commander 680F provided an operating ceiling of 25,000ft - treble the camera to ground clearance of the Beechcraft in the high country and 20 knots faster. This aircraft was overhauled in 2003 after a year of 'retirement' and still provides a valuable survey platform for the company. The higher ceiling of ZK-CDK resulted in the aircrew experiencing some cold temperatures in the winter of 1964 - and watching oil pressure gauges go below the minimum due to the oil in the pipelines up to the instrument panel freezing. NZAM started using colour seriously for the NZ Forest Service photography in 1965. Following that a small length of Agfa 7 film was exposed over the Mt Tarawera eruption chasm from the Eagle survey camera, resulting in wonderful colours - the only drawback was that the film had to be sent to Europe for processing. Forestry companies weren't too interested in colour photography until 1967 when a full-scale survey was carried out over the Kaingaroa State Forest to enable studies of a fungus disease (dothystroma). This was quite successful although the Kodak film speed was marginal and when a faster emulsion was available, the Forestry industry became more involved in colour coverage. The increase in work once again led to renewed pressure on space within the office premises and when the chance to purchase the neighbouring property arose in 1965, it was taken and the original builders' yard house was converted with a lunchroom at the back and mosaic room at the front, which later was used for picture framing. The house still stands today and occasionally serves as a function and lunch room. Towards the end of the decade, South Island farmlands were covered and the first flying coverage of the North Island was almost complete. The 1970's and 1980's With the arrival of the Rockwell Commander 690B in 1978, the need for two operational aircraft at higher altitude was met. The Beechcraft was flown to Hobsonville airport in January 1982, where it was collected by NZAM 39 years earlier, and taken to MOTAT for permanent display in Auckland where it can still be seen today. A notable aerial survey project was that of Greater Christchurch in early 1973 at a 1:10,000 scale. This series of mosaics on the national grid were extremely beneficial to the Police in order to base their security plan on with the 1974 Royal visit to the Tenth Commonwealth Games in Christchurch. Forestry mapping for Lands and Survey Department continued as did the forestry coverage for both North and South Islands. An unusual assignment was thermo vision work carried out between Taupo and Rotorua using the first two hours of daylight and the last two before dark. This avoided the main heat of the sun and allowed the recording of 2 degree ground temperature changes for the DSIR. The work enabled hotspots to be recorded and therefore avoided for road extensions and cable locations. The first testing of the DSIR Hasselblad cameras for the Remote Sensing division took place as well as various magnetometer surveys for the department. 1975 saw the purchase of an expensive Kodak Versamat processor to handle the longer lengths of 9 inch film and the testing of 500ft Kodak +X film which at last enabled even development of each and every exposure. The 48 x 48 copy camera also saw major modifications to allow it to make enlargements of the 9 x 9 film in negative size or portions thereof up to 67 diameters. When Piet bought the 12in Zeiss camera he arranged delivery of a 'family' of cameras, which included a 6in RMK 15/23 for each of the aircraft. These cameras with their Pleogon lenses were the price of a house each and the first arrived at the end of 1975 for use in the Aero Commander. The first replacement for the A8 plotters from Wild, which served the company well for a quarter of a century, arrived in 1984 and was analytical instead of analogue. This BC1 provided digital data stored on tapes or discs and allowed plotting within 20 minutes of setup as opposed to between 2 to 4 hours on the A8. Piet retired as managing director in 1980 but remained as chairman, and to fill his one-man position resulted in the creation of two joint managing directors, one of which was Piet's only son, Hugh. A revamp of the Hastings offices was undertaken in 1982-83 with new paintwork, the installation of a new fire alarm system, new roof and film vault to accommodate all the nitrate-based films that were recopied on safety base modern high resolution film. An unfortunate accident on 26 June 1986 saw the first NZAM aircraft, the Monospar ZK-AFF, destroyed in a fire at the Bridge Pa Aerodromme. The likely cause was thought to be a static discharge of electricity during refuelling. Only months short of its fiftieth year in operation with NZAM, one of the salvaged wooden propellers is still on display in the Hastings office. The 1990's and into the 21st Century The previous decades saw the growth of an exceptional company under the guidance of an equally exceptional man. Sadly Piet passed away in October 1996, and even today, he is still strongly associated with NZAM through staff and acquaintances who still talk of his achievements. The '90's saw many changes for the company necessitated by the digital era and the downturn in government and local authority work due in part, to the increase in the 'tender and do' market. The merger in 1993 between computer based land information company Aeroplan and NZAM saw the introduction of not only advanced computer technology and the necessary staff, but the company's first foray into geographical information systems (GIS). Hugh Van Asch and a number of remaining shareholders still held responsibility on the Board with the new owner, Craig Atchison. Through Craig's ability to bring the ideas into the company and the willingness of staff to bring them to fruition, NZAM continued, albeit in some hard times, through this decade. The advancement in technology heeded the need to move the majority of the operation to Auckland to capitalise on the increased market and staff availability. The remaining lab and photo sales worked with a staff of only 3 at times over a period of years until the return of the main operation in 2002. With the company still owning the purpose built facilities at Hastings and Bridge Pa it was therefore decided by the Board to return the company to its original home base. The lifestyle that the Hawke's Bay offered over the major cities meant that staff were more readily available and improvements with technology no longer restricted access to the data and subsequent markets. The operating fleet of the Aerocommander 680 and the Rockwell 690 were complemented with smaller lower level aircraft like the Cessna 205 and Piper Aztec. When the 680 was grounded for a year in 2002, it was up to the 690 to cover the workload that was spread between NZ and Australia due to a merger with an engineering company based in NSW. Cameras were vastly complimented by the purchase of an LH Systems RC30 which provides image motion compensation and automatic exposure control. Added to this is airborne DGPS survey technology and the flight planning software that provides superior results. Film has also improved greatly over the years and the company changes between AGFA and Kodak dependant on who is manufacturing the most superior and cost effective product at the time - a policy firmly installed by Piet himself. There are now digital cameras operating in aerial survey, and there are various other techniques for aerial imagery such as satellite imagery and airborne laser scanning. This decade saw the ownership of the company change for better and worse - the large shareholding purchase of the ex-state owned enterprise Terralink was envisaged to provide a complete one-stop land information stop. The separation of the units giving TIL ownership of the GIS components and NZAM aerial survey and intensive photogrammetric projects like forestry, led to the demise of the idea. Reverting back to full NZ ownership in 2003 saw the company focus once more on core activities. Vast improvements were made especially in photogrammetry which had not maintained an up-to-date presence due to the focus on GIS. Complete new Helava suites were purchased with all the latest software enabling more computer processing and less human intervention. The company purchased its first roll-film scanner and now operates a complete in-house solution, from aerial survey right through to the end photogrammetric and image product.

Piet Van Asch (1911-1996) ─ the founder of Hastings based New Zealand Aerial Mapping

2010-05-04T18:13:00.000-07:00

Hastings aerial mapping entrepreneur, Piet Van Asch (1911-1996) ─ the founder of Hastings based New Zealand Aerial Mapping, will be the subject of May’s Landmarks History Group talk.

While at secondary school at Christ’s College in Christchurch during 1925-29, Piet developed an interest in flying.
In 1931 he took an aerial photo of the Whakatu Freezing works and Iona College – both which sold quickly ─ and he realized an opportunity for a business.
After earning his ‘A’ pilots licence in 1934, Piet began to plan an aerial mapping company, which he eventually formed in 1936. He left for London four days later to purchase his first plane ─ a Monospar ST-25 Universal.
In early 1937 Piet arrived back in Hastings, and using Bridge Pa Aerodrome as his base, began what is now New Zealand’s oldest aerial mapping company.
The story of Piet Van Asch will be told by his son Hugh, who also worked for New Zealand Aerial Mapping.
Cyril Whitaker, a pilot at New Zealand Aerial Mapping for 38 years, will also attend the meeting displaying some photographs of the company’s history.
The talk will take place at the Hastings Public Library, Warren Street, on Tuesday 11 May from 5.30pm until 6.30pm. Gold coin donation upon entry.

Robin Warren - Warren's Bakery

2010-04-13T22:44:00.000-07:00

In 1872 seven young boys arrived from Devonshire England with their parents John and Johannah Warren, and settled in the small village of Havelock (now known as Havelock North). The couple then had four more children, three girls then another boy.
John Warren was fully employed building roads in the new settlement. He died at Havelock North in 1897 aged 71. At his funeral service tribute was paid to John Warren's honesty, integrity, and unassuming manner. Johannah Warren died in 1906 and is buried alongside her husband in the Havelock North cemetery.
Robert Warren, the youngest of the seven boys, who was only 11 months old when he arrived in New Zealand, completed a five year journeyman's apprenticeship with a Napier baker.
In 1892 Robert married Alice Bee, daughter of George Bee senior (the builder of St Luke's Church). On his wedding day Robert purchased a section in Napier Road, Havelock (North), next to St Columba's Presbyterian Church for £65 pounds. He set up a small shop in the front room of his two storied house, and the bake-house was in the back.
The Bakery was on the site until at least the 1930’s when it was sold and re-named Warnes’ Bakery.Robert Warren also began business in Hastings from 1898 with a large bake-house at the corner of St Aubyn Street and Karamu Road, as well as several other locations in the township where he expanded into tearooms and shops.
Catering was a significant part of Robert Warren’s business and he supplied elaborate multi-tiered wedding cakes, and catered at the local race meetings, balls, and weddings.
After his death in 1916, Alice his widow continued the business with the help of the family.
The Baking tradition continued from one generation to the next starting with Pearl Taylor the youngest child of Robert and Alice. Then Velma Brannigan, their grand-daughter, and more recently their great grand-son Malcolm and his wife Robyn.
Sadly Malcolm and Robyn, who took over the Hastings business in 1987, have put Warren’s Bakery up for sale, possibly ending an important part of Hawkes bay history.

Robyn Warren - Warren's Bakery

2010-04-01T20:32:00.000-07:00

13 April Robyn Warren - Warren's Bakery
Robyn Warren is the Landmarks History Group speaker for April 2009, and together with her husband Malcolm, they are fourth generation owners of Warren’s Bakery.
Warren’s Bakery was established in Havelock North in 1891 by Robert Warren after he served an apprenticeship with a Napier baker for five years. The original bakehouse and store was next to the old wooden St Columba’s Church in Napier Road.
The business expanded into Hastings in 1898, where his bakehouse was on the corner of St Aubyn Street and Karamu Road. Further expansion occurred at several other locations in the town with tearooms and shops. Robert also catered at the Hastings racecourse, and at weddings ─ where his large multi-tiered cakes were the talk of the town.
A pet monkey was brought back from overseas by Robert, and Jacko the monkey and Robert were a familiar, if not slightly eccentric sight around Hastings. Robyn is passionate about the history of Warren’s Bakery, and being New Zealand’s oldest bakery still owned by the same family, there are plenty of interesting stories to tell that have been passed down through the generations.
When: Tuesday, 13 AprilTime: 5.30pm - 6.30pmWhere: Hastings Public Library, Warren Street.
Gold coin donation please upon entry.
For more information please phone Michael Fowler on 027 4521 056

Hamilton Logan – Richmond Meats

2010-03-17T18:33:00.000-07:00

William Richmond was born at Campbeltown, Argyllshire, Scotland, on 8 August 1869, the son of Thomas Orr Richmond, a farmer, and his wife, Catherine (Kate) Stewart. William left school at the age of 13 and emigrated four years later to New Zealand, working his passage on a sailing ship. He was a rabbiter at Benmore station in North Otago, and later worked his way to Hawke's Bay. William Nelson, the founder of Tomoana Freezing Works in Hastings, offered him a job in 1892 at Chesterhope, a training farm. He became assistant manager in the late 1890s. At Wellington on 9 July 1894 he married Janet Greenlees Mitchell; they were to have a son and two daughters, one of whom died in infancy.
About 1900 Nelson greatly expanded his meat operations and asked Richmond to purchase 300,000 sheep in one season. Nelson offered him £3,000 if he succeeded, and no pay at all if he failed; Richmond succeeded. He sailed to Britain about 1901 to investigate the British meat market, particularly Smithfield. He thought that Nelson was delivering too much prime meat and that the market for seconds was inadequately supplied. Nelson turned a deaf ear, so Richmond ught all the seconds and exported them on his own account, with more than handsome results. From then till 1909 he organised the stock acquisition for Tomoana.
William Richmond travelled on horseback all over Hawke's Bay to select stock. Much of the travel was overnight, to leave more time for stock work. Farmers on his route would often provide him with horses for the next move, to be returned on his way back. Later, he tried motorcycles, but soon turned to cars, having one of the first in Hawke's Bay - a Wolseley. He was reputed to have made the first crossing of the new Wairoa bridge, and to have been promptly charged with exceeding the speed limit of four miles per hour.
In May 1909 Nelson handed all stock and meat trading over to Richmond, and Tomoana became solely a killing and with others, including properties in north Taranaki, northern Hawke's Bay and Reporoa in the central North Island.flats between Napier and Hastings.
Richmond struck financial disaster in 1922; he had purchased hundreds of thousands of stock at an average of 21shillings per head, but after killing and shipping costs they realised less than seven shillings on the London market. He laughingly held lotteries among the office staff on the next day's figure. Richmond was insolvent, but help camegoodwill of farmer clients and business interests.
The company of W. Richmond Limited was formed in 1930 with Richmond as chairman and managing director. Before the Second World War, friction developed between Richmond and many directors over his generosity to farmers, price of stock as an advance. This was seen as contrary to shareholders' interests as Richmond had guaranteed at least the scheduled price as a return.
The problem was temporarily solved by government bulk purchasing during the war, but in 1946 the government stopped buying pelts and wool (meat followed in 1954), and Richmond reintroduced the system of owners' account. Some shareholders saw the advance as a loan, and in 1951 this led to an attempt to sell the business. The affair ended when a large shareholder and friend of Richmond bought out all the dissenters. Richmond, then 81, stood down as chairman but continued to be involved with the company until his death.
Janet Richmond had died in 1916. On 8 July 1918 at Hastings Richmond married Catherine Mary Wilson, who had worked for him as an accountant; they had two sons and a daughter. Catherine gained fame in November 1929 as the North Island's first woman pilot. She died in August 1941, and on 21 November 1942, Richmond married Constance Maurice White (née Mason) at Hastings. He died at Hastings on 23 August 1956; he was survived by his third wife, a daughter from his first marriage and two daughters and a son from his second marriage.
William Richmond neither smoked nor drank. He was, however, keen on betting, and owned racehorses, winning the 1918 New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase with St Elmn. His unerring judgement of stock, together with his drive and business acumen, made him one of the most significant figures in the Hawke's Bay meat industry.
Richmond Meats began trading in 1930, and the company and its founder suffered mixed fortunes in the early years of trading.
In the 1970's more of Richmond meats fell into foreign ownership, but Ceo and business structure itself remained the same. Until the 1980’s, the meat industry was dominated by overseas (largely British) owned companies, renowned for their rigidity, inefficiency, appalling industrial relations, and inept or non-existent marketing focussed on the U.K. It is now largely (though not entirely as will be seen) locally owned, and considerably more efficient, with diversified markets. This has been at the expense of jobs and working conditions: deunionisation, shift work and automation are now common, but that is to some extent balanced with proportionally less casualisation and more permanent staff. The industry has been restructured by the localisation of ownership rather than its overseas takeover.
Richmond pottered along profitably for that decade following one of the big industry rationalisations that were a feature of the 1980s. Richmond purchased Dawn Meat and Pacific Freezing and participated in the closure of Whakatu and the purchase of Takapau from Hawke’s Bay Farmers Meat Co, all during an eventful 1986.Faced with two pivotal decisions in the early 1990s, Richmond declined to get involved with the divestment of Waitaki to Affco and Alliance and a possible purchase of cash-strapped Weddel. Loughlin says Richmond was wise “because it would have been buying the wrong set of assets and be headed for disaster”. These decisions were before his time at Richmond, which began in 1993 as finance manager for the company, after earlier periods as an investment banker and chartered accountant.However, given the acquisitive nature of the times, those decisions could have condemned Richmond to a regional backwater of the rapidly coagulating meat industry or, worse still, a takeover target.Richmond’s big chance came in an offer to sell out of beef and lamb processing by Hawke’s Bay neighbour Graeme Lowe, of Lowe Walker, also strongly positioned in Northland and Taranaki, where Richmond did not operate.The $27-million purchase, completed in March 1998, quadrupled beef processing and focused Loughlin’s new Richmond team on making a success of the large takeover, after opportunities for due diligence had been limited.A subsequent rationalisation of beef facilities closed Lowe Walker Hastings, converted Te Kauwhata to deer and then closed Otaki early in 1999.“It took out 17 percent of our beef fixed costs while maintaining throughput at Dargaville, Te Aroha, Hawera and Hastings,” says Loughlin.“Our investment adviser said he had never seen such a complementary fit of facilities, which gave Richmond the benefits of great synergies.”A second round of lamb-processing facility rationalisation affected three plants in and around Napier/Hastings and one at Hawera while consolidating further processing in the $14-million new FoodTech plant on the Takapau site.“Again, this took out 15 percent of lamb-processing costs for a small slaughter capacity reduction coupled with a large further-processing improvement,” says Loughlin.Next up was the Waitotara Farmers Meat Company merger (in October 1999) which swapped money and shares for the lamb plants at Waitotara (northwest of Wanganui) and Tirau, southern Waikato. It added a million lambs a year throughput, which Loughlin says is disappointing considering the size of Waitotara before the merger, but the focus of this move was to strengthen its geographical position and “bank the synergies”.In a paper called “Pursuing a Food Company Vision through M&A” presented to the Institute of Directors seminar in Wellington on November 3, 2000, Loughlin commented that Waitotara brought $2 million in EBIT and $8 million in synergies.Candidly, Richmond was exhausted by the time of the Waitotara assimilation and missed some opportunities and disaffected Waitotara farmer-suppliers decamped to other meat companies.Likewise Richmond has not made all it could have from the purchase in July 1998 and subsequent development of the Gourmet Direct upmarket local supply business, now the flagship for Richmond in food service.“We have built a first-rate business more slowly than I would like,” he admits. Expansion-fatigue may also be indicated in his assessment of Richmond’s size presently as adequate for all that the company needs to do.Neither Loughlin nor, he believes, any members of the board set out deliberately to become the biggest meat company in New Zealand.“But there was a moment during long discussions about whether to acquire Lowe Walker, when one director said, ‘we had better consider where Richmond will be if we don’t buy Lowe Walker’.”The company has made three consecutive increases of more than $200 million a year in turnover, quickly taking it from number four in the industry by size to number one.Loughlin would far rather be known as the best meat company, not the biggest.“I aspire to be the best, both in terms of shareholder value and prices in the paddock. This is the double, if you like, and so far we are nowhere near where I want us to be.”A period of consolidation is dictated, taking out costs, raising efficiencies and developing new products.Richmond can never drop its risk management vigilance in such a low margin enterprise, he says.When earnings are as low as one to two percent of sales, a few wrong supply or sales contracting decisions can wipe out profit and a number of them can wipe out the company’s $120-million capital base. This has been a sadly recurring pattern in the meat industry. John Loughlin’s second year as Richmond CEO was the beginning of the distracting noises, as PPCS contended with Affco for control of one-third of Richmond being tendered by the Meat Board.When both were rebuffed, the shares went to the supposed Richmond-friendly investor grouping of HKM; three Maori business people.Not deterred, PPCS wooed HKM and in 1999 was again on the brink of control when Richmond’s farmer-shareholders successfully challenged the PPCS processes and repulsed the raider.A company called Active Equities, owned by Paul Collins and Bruce Hancox, rode to the rescue of Richmond, but that horse has also turned Trojan.Third time-lucky in 2000, PPCS purchased 16.7 percent of Richmond shares (10 percent from Auckland farmer-businessman Peter Spencer) and paid $3.65 a share for 49 percent of Hawke’s Bay Meat Holdings, a joint venture with Active Equities to own 35.8 percent of Richmond’s 41 million shares. Should it exercise the right to purchase the remaining 51 percent of HBMH between February and September 2003, PPCS will then own 52.5 percent of Richmond.
Perversely, yet another measure of the Richmond success to date has been the persistence of PPCS in gaining control, although the outcome for Richmond is as yet uncertain. PPCS presumably had an opportunity to block Loughlin’s nomination to the board of directors (before the annual general meeting in December) but chose to endorse his promotion in the expectation of further earnings growth. Capital structureWith two good years behind it and one good year in prospect, Richmond directors finally decided to seek a main board listing on the Stock Exchange last February, along with a $50-million capital notes issue.“Since the 1980s there had been a lot of debate as to whether listing was consistent with long-term farmer ownership,” says Loughlin.“I had always maintained it was, in that ‘value’ is a measure of future earnings, in other words sustainability, which cannot be gained at the expense of farmers.“Without farmers and without their stock coming through, any meat company only has a lot of assets in obscure places with redundancy obligations attached.“So we have to ensure returns are sufficient to sustain both the farming community and to reinvest in the business.“For a long time no-one was winning, with farmers and companies scrapping over the crumbs of the cake,” he says.The listing eliminated the secondary market discount (of 25 to 30 percent) by making the market for shares more liquid. Many among 1900 smaller (mostly farmer) shareholders have benefited, and PPCS fronted up with cash to Spencer, Collins and Hancox pushing the share price to $3 briefly before settling down around $2.60.The money raised from the sale of capital notes has retired bank debt and provided funds for further re-quipping, just completed at Oringi, Te Kauwhata and Pacific Beef (Hastings).While they are an expensive substitute for bank funding, capital notes strengthen the balance sheet and may help to secure the company against prolonged downturns.

Hamilton Logan – Richmond Meats

2010-03-16T18:32:00.000-07:00

9 March Hamilton Logan – Richmond Meats
Hamilton Logan, past chairman of Richmond Meats will talk on the history of Richmond Meats, and founder W Richmond.
Richmond Meats began trading in 1930, and the company and its founder suffered mixed fortunes in the early years of trading.
Landmarks spokesperson Michael Fowler said “This company’s history is fascinating; from the charismatic owner to the takeover attempts by Brierley Investments, mergers and finally the intense struggle that led to the end of Richmond Meats as it was known in 2005”.
“Hamilton Logan will recount these stories with personal anecdotes, including meeting with past Prime Minister Robert Muldoon to de-licence the meat industry in the 1970s.”

Rohan Luttrell - The Carlton Hotel

2010-02-10T18:32:00.000-08:00

The Carlton Club Hotel, (J. D. Rivers, properietor), corner of Heretunga Street and Karamu Road, Hastings. The Carlton Club Hotel is one of the finest and best known hostelries in the province of Hawke's Bay. It is built on modern principles, with the view of obtaining the greatest amount of comfort, convenience, and sanitary efficiency. The ground floor is approached from either thoroughiare, and contains a commodious commercial room, comfortably furnished with writing tables, and every convenience for the transaction of business: a large, handsome, and well-appointed dining room (a most popular place for luncheon), capable of seating eighty guests; a first-class billiard room, fitted with one of Burroughs and Watts prize tables; a number of comfortable card rooms and sitting rooms; public and private bars, supplied with choice wines, liquors, and cigars, for which the Carlton Club Hotel has maintained a good reputation; an efficient office, fitted with a large safe for the convenience of guests; a lavatory, with hot and cold water service; and the quarters of the Heretaunga Club. The latter are luxuriously furnished, and include a billiard room, a reading room, a writing room, a sitting room, and a club room. At the rear of the building there is a large and well-appointed kitchen, a scullery, a storeroom, a laundry, and offices. A number of sample rooms, conveniently fitted up, adjoin the hotel. The upstarirs portion of the house is reached by a fine staircase, and is devoted to bedrooms and private sitting rooms, which are furnished with the greatest luxury and good taste. There is also a handsome drawing room, and a travellers' writing room. Numerous bathrooms and lavatories for ladies and gentlemen respectively, are conveniently placed throuhout the building, and every precaution has been taken for escape in case of fire. The hotel is lighted all through with incandescent gas light, the main entrances are fitted with large incandescent are lamps, and the rooms are supplied with electric bells. The corridors are wide, and furnished with excellent taste. The office is connected by telephone with Napier, and the reading rooms are supplied with all the leading Australasian weekly and daily papers, and the latest directories. The cuisine of the “Carlton Club” is excellent, and the services of a first-class chef, with a number of assistants, have been retained by the proprietor. The hotel is one of the most popular places of resort in Hastings, and is largely patronised by tourists, commercial men, and the travelling public. It is the meeting place of the Hastings Farmers' Union, the Hastings Golf Club, and the local volunteer corps. Mr. J. D. Rivers is ably assisted in the domestic management by Mrs. Rivers, and both host and hostess co-operate in making things pleasnt and satisfactory for all who are visitors or guests at the Carlton Club Hotel.

Mr. J. D. Rivers, the popular proprietor of the Carlton Club Hotel, was born in Wellington on the 5th of June, 1864. He was educated at the Thorndon public school, under Mr. Mowhray, and was afterwards employed for about five years by Mr. McKenzie, as a drover in the Manawatu district. Mr. Rivers subsequently gained considerable experience in the fellmongery trade in Wellington, Hawke's Bay, and Gisborne, and was then employed as barman by Mr. Jull, at Hastings. Five years later he took up a similar position in the Albert Hotel, Hastings, which hotel he afterwards acquired, and conducted on his own account. He then disposed of this house, and took over the Carlton Club Hotel, which he has since successfully conducted. Mr. Rivers is married and has one son and two daughters. He is further referred to as Quarter-master Sergeant of the Hawke's Bay Mounted Rifles.

Rohan Luttrell is the first speaker for the Landmarks History Group for 2010, and he will give a history of the Carlton Club Hotel (now the site of Breakers on the corner of Karamu and Heretaunga Streets).
The Carlton Club Hotel was built in 1882, and survived the 1931 earthquake because of its wooden construction. The Luttrell family took ownership in 1933 and the hotel was kept in the family until the building was demolished circa 1970 to make way for the present building, now occupied by Breakers.
Rohan Luttrell lived in the Carlton Hotel as a child and witnessed some of the unusual goings on that occurred. These include the antics of a touring French Rugby team staying at the hotel and the 1950s Blossom Festival riot in Hastings, which started in the Albert Hotel across the road.
The talk promises to be entertaining and informative, with Rohan recalling his memories of growing up in the hotel in Hastings.

Rohan Luttrell - The Carlton Hotel

2010-02-01T18:27:00.000-08:00

Rohan Luttrell is the first speaker for the Landmarks History Group for 2010, and he will give a history of the Carlton Club Hotel Later becoming teh Cobb & Co Restaurant. (now the site of Breakers on the corner of Karamu and Heretaunga Streets).
The Carlton Club Hotel was built in 1882, and survived the 1931 earthquake because of its wooden construction. The Luttrell family took ownership in 1933 and the hotel was kept in the family until the building was demolished circa 1970 to make way for the present building, now occupied by Breakers.
Rohan Luttrell lived in the Carlton Hotel as a child and witnessed some of the unusual goings on that occurred. These include the antics of a touring French Rugby team staying at the hotel and the 1950s Blossom Festival riot in Hastings, which started in the Albert Hotel across the road.
The talk promises to be entertaining and informative, with Rohan recalling his memories of growing up in the hotel in Hastings.

History of Hawke's Bay Car Club - Lily Baker

2009-11-10T13:14:00.000-08:00

Lily Baker spoke about he history of the HB Car Club and the book she has compiled on the history of the club.

"Off the Record"

1947 – 1997
A commemoration of 50 years Hawke’s Bay (sports) Car Club

This book is 360 A4 pages, stitched binding, hard cover with coloured jacket cover.

The fifty years history story of the Club has been written by several Members and covers many aspects of motor-sport in Hawke's Bay.

Each chapter is illustrated with many black & white photographs pertaining to the event and period covered.

Special price $20.00 incl. GST (plus postage).

Free Hawkes Bay Car Club Sticker with every book purchased.

Since the Club's first meeting in May 1947, the club has been a family orientated entity that encourage families and individuals to indulge in the motorsport environment from the entry level through to the pinnacle of motorsport overseas.
We are extremely proud that we can count amongst our associate members, two of NZ's most successful V8 Supercar Drivers in Greg Murphy (Murph) and Johnny McIntyre. To find out how you can enter the motorsport environment at a budget level that suits you, then visit ou

Angus Gordon Part II

2009-09-09T21:54:00.000-07:00

The woolshed - This is a live farming show performed in and around the historic Clifton Station Woolshed. The station of 13,500 acres was bought in 1859 by James Gillespie Gordon. The station now 2000 acres (800 hectares) is owned by Angus and Dinah Gordon, whose children are the 6th generation of Gordons to live at Clifton.

The woolshed itself was built in 1886 by Frank Gordon, the owner’s grandfather. It was originally a twenty-stand blade shearing shed, which was converted to a 12 stand machine shearing shed in 1904. It is now an 8 stand shed, with a night pen carrying capacity of 1000 sheep. In 1912, Frank Gordon replaced most of the roofing timber inside the shed with Oregon timber, and in 1960, John Gordon, Angus’ father re-piled the whole shed with concrete piles.
In 2002 a new shed was built further in on the property allowing this shed to be converted into a museum. It is still used to shear all the sheep on the Clifton Flats and surrounds. In 2006, Angus and Dinah Gordon formed a partnership with Ian and Wendy Richardson called Wool World @ Clifton Station to provide a venue for a live farm show, convention centre, museum and wool retail shop.

CLIFTON BAY CAFE

Work began on the building of Clifton Cafe in November 1998. The cafe was complete in Ma 1999 and it opened for business on teh 28th July on a freezing cold day with snow glistening from teh Kawekas.
If it’s the ambience of the sea and the cliffs of Cape Kidnappers, spacious views across the Bay, good company, happy service and a wide variety of well priced delicious food and Hawke's Bay wines that you’re dreaming of, then Clifton Bay Licensed Cafe and Function Centre is the reality. If it’s a well organised atmospheric wedding or party catering for up to 150 people seated you’re looking for you need look no further than Clifton Bay By The Sea for the complete package. Whatever you desire, we will endeavour to deliver a memory you will never forget.

Angus Gordon - Clifton Station History

2009-08-15T17:23:00.000-07:00

Angus Gordon (Clifton Station history - part two)
If you enjoyed Angus the first time round then you won't want to miss this one. Even if you you missed his first talk, this one is not to be missed. His topic is “In the Shadow of the Cape – the Gordon family history of Clifton”. Gordon will talk to us about his book and the history of the cape and in particular the clifton area. He will carry on from where he left off. You can also read his book. This is an easy-to-read, 216 page history of the original European family, the Gordons, who in 1859 bought the iconically beautiful 13,500 acre (5465 hectare) Cape Kidnappers block of land in Hawke’s Bay from the Crown, and called it Clifton.

Landmarks Trust AGM

2009-08-15T00:17:00.000-07:00

AGM
Joyce Barry outlined the evenings agenda. She then thanked everyone fro their attendance followed by a brief overview of the Landmarks Trust and the Executive Committee.

Presidents Report

Treasurers Report

Election of Officers

Awards Ceremony
Presentation of excellence Awards
Presentation of the JeremyDwyer Award

BRUNO CHAMBERS - TE MATA TRUST PARK
Te Mata Trust Park
Te Mata Trust Park is a public park gifted to the people of Hawke’s Bay by the Chambers family in 1927. It’s 94 ha, and is part of the backdrop to Havelock North. The park is one of the most visited places in Hawke’s Bay: it’s where everyone takes their visitors, and there are many kilometres of walking and cycling trails throughout the park. Ecologically the park is home to a suite of rare and endangered plants: it’s a treasure chest of interesting species, and the upper slopes are home to flaxes, chionochloa and many smaller herbs like pimelea and celmisias, some of which are only found on Te Mata Peak. The park also has a QEII National Trust covenant over the whole title, which was registered in 1997. Three years ago Dr Mike Lusk, who lives just down the hill from the park, set up a group called the Friends of Te Mata Park. They meet once a month on a Saturday morning at the park, and although the friends number about 20, on average 14 turn up each month. They carry out weed control, and plant and release and maintain plantings. Last winter they planted Olearia furfuracea and Phormium cookianum sourced on the peak. The area they planted is fenced off with Biodiversity Condition Fund money to protect the cliff community from grazing. More of this planting is planned this winter. They have concentrated on cotoneaster control but have also got rid of a great deal of euonymus, banana passionfruit and some hemlock. This year they’ve pulled out a lot of the purple ragwort Senecio glastifolius which is a major threat to the cliff communities on the peak. He started the group because they use the park a lot for walking and training for tramping, and it is a nice place. They noticed that there were quite a lot of plantings done that were never looked after, and so started filling in the gaps with seedlings, and it sort of grew from there. People started talking to me about it and an informal group was formed.. Forest and Bird members are the mainstay of the group.” Mike the leader of the group said “It really is a pleasure to be there, and there is an endless supply of stuff to do. After I retire in September I hope to spend a bit more time there.” While other groups such as local PD workers spend a lot of time in the park on various projects, and there is significant Biodiversity Condition Fund money going into the park for weed control, the Friends of Te Mata Park make a sustained and continuing commitment to the care of the park. They are doing a great job for the love of the park!"
We are very grateful to all the volunteers and their time and energy they put into the park to keep it looking great. Unfortunately with the increased usage of the park and increased traffic the current roads are too windy and narrow for the tour buses that are now using the road and car park as turning bays. Its getting dangerous, and we need to protect the people as well as the park.
At the entrance of Te Mata Trust Park the views are magnificent and there is at least a 180 degree panoramic view across Hastings and Napier.
The proposed Park Headquarters and Education Centre would also encompass view platforms and an eating area too. It is proposed that there would be bus bays where the tourists can be dropped of f to explore the education Centre, using the view platforms, and even take the walk to Te Mata Peak if they wish. They would encourage schools to visit so the children could learn more about the history of Te Mata Peak, Havelock and Hawke’s Bay etc.
Buses would stop here and no longer go up to the top of Te Mata Peak.
Bruno has sought funding from the Hastings District Council, Napier City council and HB regional Council.
Te Mata Peak features in the AA top 100 Must See places. And New Zealand top 100 attractions.
He was been working with stakeholders including Nimons in how best to accommodate all users from Tour operators, visitors, walkers etc. In their current development planning.

Te Mata Trust Park some History
Te Mata Trust Park is a public park gifted to the people of Hawke’s Bay by the Chambers family in 1927. It’s 94 ha, and is part of the backdrop to Havelock North. The park is one of the most visited places in Hawke’s Bay: it’s where everyone takes their visitors, and there are many kilometres of walking and cycling trails throughout the park.
Te Mata Trust Park is part of the land purchased from the crown in 1862 by John Chambers. In 1927 his sons John Bernard & Mason gifted 98 hectares of their land to the people of Hawke’s Bay. Since 1927 thousands of native and exotic trees and shrubs have been planted throughout the park.
The act that authorized the formalization of the Te Mata Trust Park
An Act to authorize the Hawke's Bay County Council, the Hastings Borough Council, and the Havelock North Town Board to make Contributions to the Upkeep and Improvement of Te Mata Park.
Preamble
WHEREAS an area of land known as Te Mata Park, situated near Havelock North, in the County of Hawke's Bay, is vested in trustees, known as Te Mata Park Trust Board, as a public park and public recreation-ground, and is held by such Board under and subject to a declaration of trust dated the seventh day of February, nineteen hundred and twenty-seven, made by Bernard Chambers, of Te Mata, near Havelock North, Sheep-farmer; John Chambers, of Mokopeka, near Havelock North, Sheep-farmer; and Mason Chambers, of Tauroa, near Havelock North, Sheep-farmer; And whereas such park, being a scenic attraction, pleasure-ground, and place of interest, and being used and visited in particular by residents in the County of Hawke's Bay, the Hastings Borough, and the Havelock North Town District, it is desirable that the Hawke's Bay County Council (out of the funds of the Corporation of the Chairman, Councillors, and inhabitants of the County of Hawke's Bay) (hereinafter referred to as the County Corporation), the Hastings Borough Council (out of the funds of the Corporation of the Mayor, Councillors, and Burgesses of the Borough of Hastings) (hereinafter referred to as the Hastings Corporation), and the Havelock North Town Board (out of the funds of the said Board) should have power to make contributions for the maintenance, upkeep, and improvement of the said park:

Te Mata Peak Te Mata in Maori means 'The Sleeping Giant'. This name comes from the shape of the hill shown in the picture on the right where the top margin takes the shape of a person lying on his or her back, the resemblance is quite striking!! Legend has it that there once was a giant who took a bite out of the hill, choked and died, and this is where he lies till this day!!The peak is situated in Havelock North and on and around it lies Te Mata Trust Park.

From the top of the peak, you can pretty much see most of Hawkes Bay, i.e. Napier, Hastings and Havelock North, the views are great!!

Te Mata Trust Park is part of land purchased from the crown in 1862 by John Chambers. In 1927 his son's gifted 98 hectares of their land to the people of Hawke's Bay. Since 1927 thousands of natives and exotic trees and shrubs have been planted throughout the Park, which also features fossil rich limestone cliffs and stunning vistas across Hawke's Bay. Today the Park is enjoyed by a wide range of family, sporting and recreational groups including hang gliders, para-gliders, orienteers, elementary rock climbers, joggers and artists. The highest point of the Park rises a massive 399 metres above sea level. From the Peak lookout, the Ruahine, Kaweka and Mangagharuru Ranges form the Western horizon while the costal hills are visible to the South. Pack a lunch and take a walk to the top of the Peak. The complete round trip takes approximately 2 to 3 hours. The views from the top are stunning. The Park offers several different trips to suit all, from a 15-minute stroll through groves of New Zealand native trees to many more challenging walks - in fact we guarantee a walk that will suit your ability. Alternatively sit among giant Redwoods, listen to the native birds or read a book. Wherever you walk you will stumble on an outlook offering spectacular views. After your walk, return to Sunny Nook and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and some of Beryl's home baking. Maori Legend of Te Mata Peak Maori legend has it that Te Mata Peak is the body of a Waimarama Maori Chief called Te Mata. Although given to warfare, Te Mata was swayed from his plan to attack the peaceful Heretaunga people when he saw the beauty of the Heretaunga Chief's daughter. True to stories of many cultures, the beautiful daughter set Te Mata a series of tasks to prove his worthiness. He completed all but the last - to eat his way through the hill. Looking towards Te Mata from Hastings one can see the gargantuan bite that choked the chief and the silhouette of his body on the horizon.

Te Mata Trust Park Board
Hawke's Bay's popular Te Mata Park will boast an estimated $1.5 million visitor centre and car park just inside the main gates.
Te Mata Park Trust Board chairman Bruno Chambers said the landmark was attracting large numbers of visitors, specially during the cruise ship season.
He said the time had come to enhance their and the regular users' experience of the park.
Safety was also a prime concern and a new carpark would allow the more than 200 buses that visit each year somewhere to park while their passengers, mostly from cruise ships docked at Napier, were transferred to shuttle vans for the winding trip to the peak.
``We are very concerned about safety issues in the park, and particularly on the road to the peak,' Mr Chambers said.
``This car and bus parking area will hopefully solve problems associated with large buses driving to the summit.'
The new building would be home to a cafe and restaurant, public toilets and an education centre emphasising Te Mata Park's unique flora, fauna and history.
``It will have magnificent views across the Bay and focus on enhancing the visitor experience and knowledge of the park and the Hawke's Bay region,' Mr Chambers said.
``The new park headquarters will be a well-designed, functional and inspirational building to truly reflect the outstanding surrounding landscape of which it will be a part.'
The first part of the project involves completing planning and design phases, plus obtaining consent approvals.
Mr Chambers said he expected the first stage to cost $200,000 and funding was being sought from the region's councils.
``We are committing $50,000 of our own funds, and have received a generous $50,000 allocation from the Hastings Dis trict Council for stage one.
``We are asking for a similar amount from the Hawke's Bay Regional Council and the Napier City Council.'
A Havelock North resident had offered a $250,000 donation for later stages.
Mr Chambers is confident there will be plenty of public support for the three-year project.
The Peak House Restaurant would stay open during that time but would be closed and removed once the new centre was up and running.
``Te Mata Peak and the surrounding park is arguably the most important asset of the Hawke's Bay region,' Mr Chambers said.
``The use of the park is increasing every year and the economic and spiritual benefits it provides to Hawke's Bay are enormous.'

Newstalk ZB
Large bus ban for Te Mata Peak
26/05/2009 11:48:01
Large tourist buses will be banned from going up to the top of Te Mata Peak in Hawke's Bay because of growing safety concerns about the road.
The Te Mata Park Trust Board has announced plans to build a new $1.5 million headquarters at the park which will include a cafe, restaurant, education centre and toilets. Large buses will be stopped at the headquarters at the park gates and visitors will be transported to the summit using smaller shuttle buses.
The trust is becoming increasingly concerned about safety issues on the narrow and winding road.

James Morgan (Ex Editor in Chief at Hawke’s Bay Herald Tribune)

2009-08-11T19:42:00.000-07:00

James Morgan well versed in community service. Retired newspaper editor, farmer, forester and administrator. Life member Hastings Group Theatre; producer Napier Operatic Society; director Hastings-Guilin Sister City Board; founder-chairman Flaxmere Licensing Trust 1975-90; foundation director Trust House Ltd; national administrator NZ Sister City Board 2000-2002.
A Brief History of Newspapers in Hawke’s Bay
James Wood was the beginning of the Newspaper era in Hawke’s Bay New Zealand. His imprint is still with us today. James wood was instrumental in the formation of Hawke’s Bay and the establishment of Hawke’s as a Province. James Wood arrived in Hawke’s Bay in 1856 armed with a case of printers type and an Albion Press. He was warned to keep it under lock and key as the Maoris would love the lead in the letter types to make musket balls.
The Albion Press was a slow laborious procedure involving the grouping of letters together to form words.but the words were made and stacked in reverse and upside down. A good type linker would managed 150 words per hour. It was a slow process publishing the written word.
Mr. James Wood, an Auckland journalist, was induced to start' the “HB Herald and Ahuriri Advocate,” in Ahuriri the first number of which appeared on the 24th of September, 1857. It was a very small sheet, issued weekly at first, but soon afterwards was published twice a week.
In Auckland Willis met James Wood, sub-editor of the Southern Cross newspaper. Having tested his capabilities, Wood persuaded the young printer to accompany him to Napier, where they started the Hawke's Bay Herald. The little paper made good progress. About two years later, much to Wood's regret, Willis returned to Auckland and from there travelled to Wellington, taking a post as compositor to the New Zealand Advertiser
The standard of publishing was not very good and after a few weeks the type face was getting blurred. William Colenso was the only other person in the district with an Albion Press and who new how to use it. Wood invited William Colenso over to his workshop.He removed his jacket on arrival and promptly started to show James how to wash the rollers and type heads.
Within a year of Mr Wood campaigning for Hawke’s Bay to become a separate Province from Wellington, he succeeded. Published in the paper on Saturday 13 November 1858 Hawke’s Bay Had been officially proclaimed a Province of New Zealand.It was a very small sheet, issued weekly at first, but soon afterwards was published twice a week. Early in the year 1871, Mr. Wood ventured to issue a daily half-sheet, Mr. W. W. Carlile being appointed editor.
Willis moved on to Wellington to go Printing, he was printing Government Publications.
Willis went onto publish several books including the “Williams & kettle “ book,
Soon after the Herald Office was moved to Tennyson Street in Napier what is now the corner of Tennyson Street and Cathedral Lane. The business prospered and the building expanded and grew until 1886 when the wooden building was burnt to the ground by fire.
This was replaced by a stronger red brick building but this was only going to last until the 1931 Earthquake, when it was severely damaged. The old Albion was replaced by a Rotary Flatbed Motorised Albion which was considerable faster and type setter had improved.
The HB Tribune was severely damaged in the 1931 earthquake, however Mr Whitlock had builders on the case and within hours the building was restored sufficiently and the printing press up and running that they could print the news, and earthquake bulletin was printed on the same day as the earthquake.
A new Brick and stone premises replaced the old building at a cost of £5000. This was now the tallest structure in Hastings at the time.
In 1937 WA Whitlock was made editor replacing his father WC Whitlock and soon after the rotary flatbed Albion was replaced with a lithographic press with curved plates on a rotating press. A vast improved, utilising engrave plates to print from, faster clear and much quicker.
The present handsome brick and stone premises were suitable to all the requirements of the town and district. The quality of lithographic, job-printing, and book-binding work issued from the “Herald” office will compared favourably with that executed in much larger towns.
WA Whitlock was using teleprinters to get up to the minutes news and photos from around the country and few months later from all around the world. WA would then on sell this news to other major newspapers. The HB Herald Tribune was now an international newspaper.
As far as international news went there was a lot of English news and royalty. WA Whitlock as loyal to his homeland. England was New Zealand’s “Mother country.”,
As picture engraving was expensive WA tried engrave those pictures that he could re use, e.g. famous people, royalty, Buildings, etc they he could get repeated use from. Other would have to be important to the news e.g. floods earthquakes etc.
The Whitlock’s profound motto was “We provide depth and quality printing, we are here for the truth, not self interest” The strong maxims of the Whitlock’s was to provide an emphasis on “Local news, immediacy, and the now as it happens and unfolds as well has History and the community”
On local race day a full page on stories on the days racing was provide with pictures. A flood and they were there in hours reporting it up to the minute. An earthquake in and they travelled the miles through rubble police barricades to get it to you the same day it happened.
WA Whitlock was fantabulous with words and would wander round the building checking stories and articles looking for grammatical, punctual or factual errors. He would change articles or stories if the were not to his liking or standard.
He took history seriously, when HB Province was celebrating 100 years as a province, WA asked Lewis Knowles to write a 100 page history of Hawke’s Bay celebrating 100 years of HB as a Province. James Morgan himself compiled it, checked it and rewrote it if not completely satisfied. He had a great knowledge of the district history.
Tony Whitlock introduce the breaking news box creating the excitement of immediacy with his “fudge box” printing creating a box of space for late breaking news. Or “Stop Press”

James Morgan & Hawke's Bay Herald Tribune

2009-07-18T03:58:00.000-07:00

Come and here james Morgan talk about the history of the HB Herald Tribune and his time there as editor of the HB Herald Tribune.
Hastings Library 11 August 2009 at 5.30pm

Thomas Tanner

2009-07-15T03:43:00.000-07:00

Thomas Tanner (known as the “Father of Hastings”)
Thomas Tanner was born in Wiltshire, England, probably in 1830, and was baptised at Devizes on 31 July 1831. He was the son of Mary Pontin and her husband, Joseph Tanner, a landowner. After studying medicine briefly, he started work as an analytical Chemist. Thomas Tanner came to New Zealand in 1849 on the Larkins.He made his way up to Wellington and onto Wanganui while aged only 19 years and worked as a cadet on a Wanganui sheep run. There he acquired a knowledge of Maori culture and a Maori version of his name, Tanera.
In 1853 Tanner took up a large run, Milbourne, on the Ruataniwha plains, Hawke's Bay. He promoted horse-racing, and selected the course at Clive for Hawke's Bay's first formal race meeting in 1856. After a few years he returned to England and married Julia Denton daughter of John and Caroline Denton at Hartlepool, Durham, on 5 May 1859. There is little evidence to indicate whether this was an arranged marriage or whether he had made her acquaintance as a teenage boy before leaving England. One suspects there was a connection with the two before he left with his parents and family to move to new Zealand. He returned to New Zealand with Julia. There were to be eight children of the marriage. The couple came out to New Zealand about 1862 on a chartered ship with furniture, books, servants and pedigree animals including a Stallion, pheasants and rabbits.
Tanner took an important step in 1864 when he obtained an illegal lease on the Heretaunga block, then a swamp but today one of the most valuable pieces of land in New Zealand. A few years later Tanner tried to buy the land but was not prepaped to pay what the Maoris wanted. Some years later a syndicate was formed to try and buy the land from the Maori. He divided the land into twelve shares, and, retaining four for himself, distributed the rest among six of his associates: J. N. Williams, A. H. Russell, T. E. Gordon, J. D. Ormond, T. P. Russell and J. B. Braithwaite. These men became known as The Apostles. In 1867 a Crown grant was issued on Heretaunga in the name of 10 Maori owners and Tanner obtained a legal lease. Heretaunga Block was secured by seven people who had 12 shares in the purchase of the land.These people are often referred to as the “Twelve Apostles”. The purchase price was stated to have been about 30s. an acre, and payment was made by £16,000 in cash, with the balance liquidating debts which had been incurred by the Maoris.
Here the first settle was established with apostles building on the land. In 1873 Francis Hicks (one of the syndicate) presented the Government with a section of land for the site of a railway station and decided to lay out 100 acres near this site for a township to be called Hastings. James Boyle later sold some of his land to the government to create the greater Hastings area north & South of Heretaunga Street.
A total of 144 sections were offered, the average price per acre being 56 pounds
Many local people firmly believe that Hastings was originally named Hicksville, after Francis Hicks, who bought a block of land, which now contains the centre of Hastings, from Thomas Tanner. However, this story is apocryphal. The original name of the location which was to become the town centre was Karamu. In 1871, the New Zealand Government decided to route the new railway south of Napier through a notional Karamu junction in the centre of the Heretaunga Plains. This location was on Francis Hicks's land. The decision on the railway route was based largely on two reports by Charles Weber, the provincial engineer and surveyor in charge of the railway. Karamu junction was re-named Hastings in 1873. (On 7 June 1873, the Hawke's Bay Herald reported: "The name of the new town is to be Hastings. We hear it now for the first time.") Exactly who chose the name has been disputed, although Thomas Tanner claimed that it was him (see Hawke's Bay Herald report 1 February 1884) and that the choice was inspired by his reading the trial of Warren Hastings. Warren Hastings was the first Governor-General of Bengal, from 1773 to 1785. He was famously accused of corruption in an impeachment in 1787, but acquitted in 1795..... In any event, the name fitted well with other place names in the district (Napier, Havelock and Clive), which were also named after prominent figures in the history of British India.
Tanner also bought land on the Ahuriri plains, and the Endsleigh and Petane runs.Thomas Tanner settle in Hastings building Riverslea Homestead where he raised his family.

Tanner became established as a dominant figure in Hawke's Bay affairs. He named his 5,332 acre portion of the Heretaunga block Riverslea, and built a 22-roomed mansion there. A landscape gardener was brought from England to lay out the grounds and an architect designed all the buildings, including the stables. The Tanners proceeded to show Hawke's Bay what gracious living was all about. Only one other family could boast gold plate on the table.
When war spread to the East Coast in 1868 and 1869 Tanner raised his own fighting force, the Hawke's Bay and Waipawa Yeoman Cavalry. He was commissioned captain and supplied his men with uniforms, mounts and arms, hiring the Oddfellows Hall in Napier as his private drill hall. The cavalry saw action at Gisborne in 1868 and at Mohaka in 1869.
Tanner was not simply a land speculator: he was committed to the idea of scientific farming. In order to drain and clear his Riverslea estate he needed both labour and capital. First he leased portions of his land and after obtaining the freehold, in 1871 he advertised for sale sections at Karamu. This area became closely settled. After 1873 small farmers subdivided their land into town sections and from the settlement of Karamu grew the town of Hastings. Tanner later called himself the town's father, because he owned the land in the first place, and its godfather, because he chose its name. He bought a section for an Anglican church and he gave land for a school and a public park. He also set aside two sections for a municipal building, for which he guaranteed building costs.
In 1873 the Heretaunga purchase was the subject of a commission of inquiry presided over by C. W. Richmond and F. E. Maning. There was an outcry: Tanner and The Apostles were attacked as instigators of grog mortgages and forced sales. However, fraud charges were not proved. Tanner survived the scandal because of his character and his ability as a businessman. During the inquiry Richmond wrote in his journal, 'I must say I like Tanera: He is no doubt a self confident little man - some might say conceited, but I don't give it that name: he is thoroughly self reliant & avows it'. Settlers in general did not like him but they eagerly followed his lead. Maori continued to co-operate with him even when he was found to have manipulated them because he understood their customs and always worked through the chiefs.
By the late 1870s Tanner's fortunes were on the wane. He had borrowed at high interest to purchase land and, as economic depression deepened, he was forced to subdivide and sell large areas of the Riverslea estate, in 1879, 1885 and 1889. He turned his attention instead to schemes for developing industries. This interest was not new. When leading the Hawke's Bay cavalry into action, he had been given a piece of coal picked up by a trooper at a stream crossing. After the emergency was over he had sent a coal prospector back to the area. He was one of the directors of the Hawke's Bay Goldmining Company which unsuccessfully prospected near Taupo in 1869, and was later, in 1880, a leading investor in the Mohaka Goldmining Company.
Tanner searched for ways of enriching himself and, at the same time, providing opportunities for small farmers. During the 1870s and 1880s he tried sugar-beet and tobacco growing and failed. In 1883 he invested heavily in hop growing and set up a processing plant at Riverslea as an outlet for small hop growers. However, his attempts to ship hops failed and he lost heavily. He set up a syndicate to promote a woollen mill in Hastings in 1887 and gave 6½ acres of land for the project, which did not eventuate. Although these schemes were largely unsuccessful, they illustrated Tanner's energy and his confidence in the potential of Hawke's Bay.
His sense of commitment was reflected also in his involvement in public affairs. He helped found the Hawke's Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Association in 1873 and was a long-standing member of the Hawke's Bay Philosophical Institute, the Hawke's Bay Education Board, and numerous other organisations concerned with cultural and social life. A devoted member of the Church of England and a friend of Bishop G. A. Selwyn, he was present at the signing of the Constitution of the Church of the Province of New Zealand. He was the principal benefactor of St Luke's Church in Havelock North, and its vicar's warden and synodsman. Tanner signed the contract and contributed financially to the building of the church. Many of the trees of Hastings and Havelock North were planted by him and the pin oak outside St Luke's Church is known as Tanner's Oak.
Tanner was at various times a member of the Heretaunga Road Board, the Hastings Town Board and the Hastings Borough Council, and was a Hawke's Bay county councillor between 1878 and 1893. He served on the Hawke's Bay Provincial Council from 1867 until 1876 and was member of the House of Representatives for Waipawa from 1887 to 1890. He died at Havelock North on 22 July 1918

Shirley McKay Talks on Thomas Tanner

2009-07-14T01:45:00.000-07:00

Tanner, Thomas 1830 - 1918Runholder, land speculator, farmer, entrepreneur

Thomas Tanner was born in Wiltshire, England, probably in 1830, and was baptised at Devizes on 31 July 1831. He was the son of Mary Pontin and her husband, Joseph Tanner, a landowner. After studying medicine briefly, Thomas Tanner came to New Zealand in 1849 on the Larkins and worked as a cadet on a Wanganui sheep run. There he acquired a knowledge of Maori culture and a Maori version of his name, Tanera.
In 1853 Tanner took up a large run, Milbourne, on the Ruataniwha plains, Hawke's Bay. He promoted horse-racing, and selected the course at Clive for Hawke's Bay's first formal race meeting in 1856. After a few years he returned to England and married Julia Denton at Hartlepool, Durham, on 5 May 1859. There were to be eight children of the marriage. The couple came out to New Zealand about 1862 on a chartered ship with furniture, books, servants and pedigree animals.
Tanner took an important step in 1864 when he obtained an illegal lease on the Heretaunga block, then a swamp but today one of the most valuable pieces of land in New Zealand. He divided the land into twelve shares, and, retaining four for himself, distributed the rest among six of his associates: J. N. Williams, A. H. Russell, T. E. Gordon, J. D. Ormond, T. P. Russell and J. B. Braithwaite. These men became known as The Apostles. In 1867 a Crown grant was issued on Heretaunga in the name of 10 Maori owners and Tanner obtained a legal lease.
In the next few years Tanner obtained freehold title for the Heretaunga block, in the face of opposition from some Maori owners and from Europeans who deplored the control of large areas of land by a few. Using persuasion and sometimes force, he pressured the grantees until one by one, they sold. By 1870 Heretaunga was freeholded. Tanner also bought land on the Ahuriri plains, and the Endesleigh and Petane runs.
Tanner became established as a dominant figure in Hawke's Bay affairs. He named his 5,332 acre portion of the Heretaunga block Riverslea, and built a 22-roomed mansion there. A landscape gardener was brought from England to lay out the grounds and an architect designed all the buildings, including the stables. The Tanners proceeded to show Hawke's Bay what gracious living was all about. Only one other family could boast gold plate on the table.
When war spread to the East Coast in 1868 and 1869 Tanner raised his own fighting force, the Hawke's Bay and Waipawa Yeoman Cavalry. He was commissioned captain and supplied his men with uniforms, mounts and arms, hiring the Oddfellows Hall in Napier as his private drill hall. The cavalry saw action at Gisborne in 1868 and at Mohaka in 1869.
Tanner was not simply a land speculator: he was committed to the idea of scientific farming. In order to drain and clear his Riverslea estate he needed both labour and capital. First he leased portions of his land and after obtaining the freehold, in 1871 he advertised for sale sections at Karamu. This area became closely settled. After 1873 small farmers subdivided their land into town sections and from the settlement of Karamu grew the town of Hastings. Tanner later called himself the town's father, because he owned the land in the first place, and its godfather, because he chose its name. He bought a section for an Anglican church and he gave land for a school and a public park. He also set aside two sections for a municipal building, for which he guaranteed building costs.
In 1873 the Heretaunga purchase was the subject of a commission of inquiry presided over by C. W. Richmond and F. E. Maning. There was an outcry: Tanner and The Apostles were attacked as instigators of grog mortgages and forced sales. However, fraud charges were not proved. Tanner survived the scandal because of his character and his ability as a businessman. During the inquiry Richmond wrote in his journal, 'I must say I like Tanera: He is no doubt a self confident little man - some might say conceited, but I don't give it that name: he is thoroughly self reliant & avows it'. Settlers in general did not like him but they eagerly followed his lead. Maori continued to co-operate with him even when he was found to have manipulated them because he understood their customs and always worked through the chiefs.
By the late 1870s Tanner's fortunes were on the wane. He had borrowed at high interest to purchase land and, as economic depression deepened, he was forced to subdivide and sell large areas of the Riverslea estate, in 1879, 1885 and 1889. He turned his attention instead to schemes for developing industries. This interest was not new. When leading the Hawke's Bay cavalry into action, he had been given a piece of coal picked up by a trooper at a stream crossing. After the emergency was over he had sent a coal prospector back to the area. He was one of the directors of the Hawke's Bay Goldmining Company which unsuccessfully prospected near Taupo in 1869, and was later, in 1880, a leading investor in the Mohaka Goldmining Company.
Tanner searched for ways of enriching himself and, at the same time, providing opportunities for small farmers. During the 1870s and 1880s he tried sugar-beet and tobacco growing and failed. In 1883 he invested heavily in hop growing and set up a processing plant at Riverslea as an outlet for small hop growers. However, his attempts to ship hops failed and he lost heavily. He set up a syndicate to promote a woollen mill in Hastings in 1887 and gave 6½ acres of land for the project, which did not eventuate. Although these schemes were largely unsuccessful, they illustrated Tanner's energy and his confidence in the potential of Hawke's Bay.
His sense of commitment was reflected also in his involvement in public affairs. He helped found the Hawke's Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Association in 1873 and was a long-standing member of the Hawke's Bay Philosophical Institute, the Hawke's Bay Education Board, and numerous other organisations concerned with cultural and social life. A devoted member of the Church of England and a friend of Bishop G. A. Selwyn, he was present at the signing of the Constitution of the Church of the Province of New Zealand. He was the principal benefactor of St Luke's Church in Havelock North, and its vicar's warden and synodsman. Tanner signed the contract and contributed financially to the building of the church. Many of the trees of Hastings and Havelock North were planted by him and the pin oak outside St Luke's Church is known as Tanner's Oak.
Tanner was at various times a member of the Heretaunga Road Board, the Hastings Town Board and the Hastings Borough Council, and was a Hawke's Bay county councillor between 1878 and 1893. He served on the Hawke's Bay Provincial Council from 1867 until 1876 and was member of the House of Representatives for Waipawa from 1887 to 1890. He died at Havelock North on 22 July 1918.
KAY MOONEY

Shirley McKay Talks on Thomas Tanner

2009-06-28T03:39:00.000-07:00

Come along and hear Shirley McKay Talk on Thomas Tanner his family tree his life and more...
Don't miss it!!
Thomas Tanner was born in Wiltshire, England, probably in 1830, and was baptised at Devizes on 31 July 1831. He was the son of Mary Pontin and her husband, Joseph Tanner, a landowner. After studying medicine briefly, Thomas Tanner came to New Zealand in 1849 on the Larkins and worked as a cadet on a Wanganui sheep run. There he acquired a knowledge of Maori culture and a Maori version of his name...

John Buck History of Te Mata Winery

2009-06-22T03:09:00.000-07:00

Te Mata Estate Winery originated as part of Te Mata Station, a large pastoral land holding established by English immigrant John Chambers in 1854. John's third son, Bernard had the original vision for wine production off the north facing hillside slopes bordeing Havelock North. Bernard was well travelled and had observed similar, successful wine growing conditions in France. When John formalised the division of his estate between his sons, Bernard retained the 1,960 hectare Te Mata Estate homestead block. A French vistor to Te Mata Homestead in 1886 kindled Bernards interest in wine and vineyards. The surrounding slopes and sunshine was ideal for wine grape sto grow. After visits to deveral French and Australian Wineries this motivate d Bernard even more. In 1892 cuttings of Pinot Noir were obtained from the Society of Mary's Mission Vineyards at Taradale and the first vines struck root at Te Mata Vineyard. He went onto plant grape vines on three parcels of hillside land above the homestead. (Today, Te Mata Estate still utilises those three original three vineyards to produce its most famous wines; Coleraine, Awatea and Elston.) The business flourished. Chambers converted a brick stable into his cellar and by March 1895 the first wine was flowing. 'My wine is turning out very well', he wrote in 1898. 'I made claret and chablis and have given a lot away. I won't begin selling for another year, until the wine is more matured.' By 1900, on 5,430 acres of freehold land, Bernard Chambers had 10,328 sheep and six acres of grapevines. Among the stream of eminent visitors to the vineyard were the premier, Richard Seddon, and the governor, Lord Ranfurly.
By 1906 Te Mata Vineyard had spread to 26 acres. Three years later, with Australian wine-maker J. O. Craike at the helm, production was the highest in the country, with an annual output of 12,000 gallons of claret, hock and Madeira from the 35 acres of Meunier, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling and Verdelho vines. Craike won gold medals for Te Mata overseas. In 1914 Sidney Anderson, the government vine and wine instructor, wrote that Te Mata Vineyard 'is now the leading one in the Dominion' and that the wines 'are commanding a large sale'.
However, not all was plain sailing. The prohibition movement peaked in the second decade of the twentieth century, forcing many wine-makers out of business. From 1909 onwards Chambers did not extend his vine plantings. Birds, mildew, frost (which in 1914 irretrievably damaged 16 acres of vines) and labour posed further problems. Chambers wrote in 1916, 'the vines are in a disgraceful state, unhoed under the rows, and generally neglected'. Meanwhile, some of his employees were 'in the cellar doing talking principally.
In October 1917 Bernard Chambers, now 58, sold his winery, wine stocks and part of the vineyard to Reginald Collins Limited; Chambers retained a minority shareholding. Five months later he sold most of Te Mata station, retaining 129 acres for himself. By 1923, when Reginald Collins sold its interests to TMV Wines, the vineyard had shrunk to 10 acres.
It had various owners until it was acquired by the current owners in 1978. Both vineyards and winery were run down, although still making wine. The opportunity to purchase brick cellars, dating from 1872, and two wonderful vineyard sites were irresistible to the Bucks and the Morris's, the two families behind the current company. A twenty year development programme was commenced, beginning with a restoration and re-equipping of the original building. More land was acquired by ownership, lease and management contract. All the original vineyards were replanted and viticulture underwent a further detailed review when Dr Richard Smart was engaged as a consultant in 1989. Peter Cowley joined as winemaker in 1984 and is now Technical Director in the company. Under his direction, all our winemaking techniques are monitored and kept in tune with our policy of producing small lots of high-quality wine from our own properties. In 1994 we appointed a viticulturist, Larry Morgan, a close associate of Richard Smart. Larry has put in place all the monitoring and review systems to further enhance the quality of grapes arriving at the crusher, and has also steadily advanced our move into sustainable viticulture. Te Mata Estate currently produces 35,000 cases of wine and is at full production. Sixty percent of this is red.

ARCHITECTUREAnother feature of Te Mata Estate is its architecture. Incorporating the original winery building, Wellington's famous Athfield Architects have created a modern complex using local materials and limewash colours. Apart from the restored original building the rest of the premises have been progressively built since 1987. Both the winery buildings and the Buck family home, Coleraine, across the road from the winery, were designed by Wellington architect lan Athfield. Athfield's brief was to create a New Zealand winery environment which did not copy the traditions of other winemaking countries. Local materials were to be used. Circular and square forms and the use of a range of limewash colours chosen.

John Buck Te Mata Winery

2009-05-24T21:50:00.000-07:00

Come and listen to John Buck talk about the history of Te Mata Winery...
Te Mata Estate Winery originated as part of Te Mata Station, a large pastoral land holding established by English immigrant John Chambers in 1854. John's third son, Bernard had the original vision for wine production off the north facing hillside slopes bordeing Havelock North. Bernard was well travelled and had observed similar, successful wine growing conditions in France. When John formalised the division of his estate between his sons, Bernard retained the 1,960 hectare Te Mata Estate homestead block. In 1892, he went onto plant grape vines on three parcels of hillside land above the homestead. Today, Te Mata Estate still utilises those three original three vineyards to produce its most famous wines; Coleraine, Awatea and Elston.

Jerry Hapuku Talks about Chief Te Hapuku

2009-05-12T01:20:00.000-07:00

TE HAPUKU
(born 1799 – died 23 May 1878).
Ngati Kahungunu chief.
Very little has been recorded of the early life and lineage of Te Hapuku. He was born 1799 in Hawke's Bay, probably at Ahuriri, the son of Te Whakahemo, and younger brother of Te Namu. Chief Hapuku had 10 wifes and Jerry Hapuku recited them and their descendats. Numerous they were. In 1825, during the northern tribes' invasion, he took part in the defence of Te Papake pa, on the Ahuriri sandpit, and was taken prisoner by Iwikau Te Heuheu. On the way to Taupo he escaped and made his way to Mahia where he was given protection by Te Wera. Three years later the Hawke's Bay tribes, which had taken refuge at Mahia, were again attacked. They repelled this and, as a result, were able to return to their former homes. Towards the close of the 1830s Te Hapuku engaged in a minor war with the Hutt Valley tribes; however, hostilities ceased in September 1840 when the Ngati Kahungunu chief visited Wellington. On 23 June 1840 Bunbury called at Hawke's Bay where, at a meeting near the mouth of the Tukituki River, he secured the signatures of Te Hapuku and Waikato to the Treaty of Waitangi. In December 1850 McLean met Te Hapuku and other Hawke's Bay chiefs at Waipukurau. Te Hapuku was well disposed towards McLean's wish to buy land; and, on 4 November 1851, negotiated the sale of the first Waipukurau block for £1,800. In 1853, because of his great mana among his fellow chiefs, the Government appointed him as a magistrate to settle disputes among his countrymen. About 1855 Te Hapuku bought a small schooner in order to ship timber and native produce to Auckland and other coastal ports. He visited Auckland in August to complain to Wynyard that he had not been paid for his land. In the same year Te Hapuku received Wiremu Tamihana Te Waharoa and other leaders of the King movement at Te Hauke, and attended subsequent meetings at Taradale, when the kingship was offered to Te Kani Takarau of the east coast. At this meeting, which Iwikau and Taiaroa attended, Te Hapuku and Karaitiana Takamoana were both contenders for the kingship, but each was too jealous of his own precedence to accept the other as king. In August 1857 Te Hapuku and Tareha, or Te Moananui, had a dispute over the former's right to remove firewood from the latter's bush land at Whakatu. This erupted into open warfare and three engagements took place. Peace was restored when McLean mediated between the two chiefs and Te Hapuku agreed to return to his pa at Te Hauke. This was the last tribal war fought in Hawke's Bay. In August 1859, at Napier, McLean negotiated with Te Hapuku and the Ngati Kahungunu chiefs for a further area of 90,000 acres.
Towards the close of March 1865 Hauhau emissaries entered Hawke's Bay on a recruiting mission. Shortly after this, when news came of the murder of Volkner, Te Hapuku and other chiefs sent messages to the Governor expressing abhorrence of the crime and disavowing sympathy with Hauhau doctrines. In October 1866, Te Hapuku, Karaitiana, Kawepo, and Tareha were present at the Omarunui battle and, afterwards, pursued the enemy across the Mohaka River to the boundaries of the province.
Te Hapuku was among the first of the Hawke's Bay chiefs to realise the benefits which would accrue to the Maori from the presence of European settlers in the district. In 1844, when Colenso arrived to open the first mission in Hawke's Bay, Te Hapuku extended his protection to the venture. Four years later he intervened decisively to prevent Te Rangihaeata from obtaining muskets from the Ngati Kahungunu. In 1851, when Selwyn visited the mission, Te Hapuku placed his canoe at the Bishop's service to bring him from Whakatu.
During his later years Te Hapuku lived quietly at Te Hauke, near Te Aute College. There, in 1878, when Te Hapuku lay dying, Sir George Grey brought along his greatest rival, Te Moananui, in order that the two might make peace. Te Hapuku died on 23 May 1878 at Te Hauke. He was buried with full military honours, the New Zealand Government running a free train from Napier in order to bring Maori and European mourners to his tangi.

Chief Te Hapuku Whakapapa
Ko Tamatea-Ariki-Nui (Captain of the Takitimu waka)
ko Rongokako
ko Tamatea-Pokai-Whenua
ko Kahungunu (ancestor of Ngati Kahungunu tribe)
ko Kahukuranui
ko Rakaihikuroa
ko Taewha
ko Takaha
ko Hikawera
ko Te Whatuiapiti (ancestor of Ngai Te Whatuiapiti tribe)
ko Te Wawahanga-o-te-rangi
ko Te Rangikawhiuia
ko Te Manawaakawa (ancestor of Ngati Manawaakawa)
ko Te Rangikoianake (ancestor of Ngati Rangikoianake)
ko Tamaiawhitia
ko Te Rangikoianake
ko TE HAPUKU

Jerry Hapuku (Chief Te Hapuku)

2009-05-08T01:16:00.000-07:00

Tuesday 12 May Jerry Hapuku (Chief Te Hapuku)
Jerry will be talking about Chief Te Hapuku at this months Landmarks Meeting.
Te Hapuku, who sometimes called himself Te-Ika-Nui-O-Te-Moana, was born in the late eighteenth century before the coming of the European to our region of Heretaunga. He was a chief of our Ngai Te Whatuiapiti tribe and his main hapu (sub tribes) were Ngati Te Manawakawa and Ngati Rangikoianake. He had kinship links within Ngati Kahungunu, Rangitane, Ngati Ira and other tribes throughout the Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa regions, and was therefore very influential. His father was Kurimate, also known as Te Rangikoianake II, and his mother was Tatari of the Ngati Tapuhara and Ngati Hinepare sub tribes of Ngati Kahungunu.

Ewan McGregor - Notable and Historic Trees

2009-04-18T01:01:00.000-07:00

Ewan McGregor is one of New Zealand’s most enthusiastic proponents of growing poplars over
pasture, initially for erosion control, amenity and stock shade and shelter, but also managing them for timber. He is the nominated farmer leader of the Hawke’s Bay fodder tree group and has developed a most attractive tree-covered farm that lies in summer-dry hill country a short distance to the northeast of Waipawa in Central Hawke’s Bay.
Ewan Mcgregor is Councillor on the Hawke's Bay Regional Council. He is enthusiastic about the planting of trees in Hawke's Bay as well as the preservation of Historic and notable trees in Hawke's Bay.

The McGregor family has farmed at Hautope since 1950 and Ewan McGregor has run the property since 1970. It is a 263 ha property with large areas now planted in woodlots. Ewan McGregor is now progressively handing over the property to a young sheep and beef farmer, and devoting his time on-farm to managing his trees for timber and aesthetics. He has also developed a tree consultancy business.

Pat Parson Maori Whakapa (Genealogy in HB)

2009-03-18T12:50:00.000-07:00

Pat PARSONS is a great, great-grandson of John PARSONS who took up Rukumoana Station in 1862. Born in Napier, educated at Napier Boys High. After completing his teacher training, taught English in France and Italy.
Upon his return, taught English and French for five years at Hereworth School, Havelock North followed by ten years at Hastings Boys’ High. In 1990 a deep interest in traditional Maori history and genealogy let to a commission searching the Napier Inner Harbour Waitangi Tribunal Claim. His reputation in this field led to further commissions and today he is a full time historian. He has written many articles on Hawke’s Bay early history and the following publications; In the Shadow of the Waka—The History of the Pohue District, Waipukurai—The History of a Country
Town and was very involved with West to the Annie—Renata Kawepo’s Hawke’s Bay Legacy. He is a well respected historian and maori researcher.

Pat Parsons - Maori Genealogy

2009-03-03T16:49:00.000-08:00

Pat PARSONS is a great, great-grandson of John PARSONS who took up Rukumoana Station in 1862. Born in Napier, educated at Napier Boys High. After completing his teacher training, taught English in France and Italy. Upon his return, taught English and French for five years at Hereworth School, Havelock North followed by ten years at Hastings Boys’ High. In 1990 a deep interest in traditional Maori history and genealogy let to a commission researching the Napier Inner Harbour Waitangi Tribunal Claim. His reputation in this field led to further commissions
and today he is a full time historian. He has written many articles on Hawke’s Bay early history and the following publications;
In the Shadow of the Waka—The History of the Pohue District,
Waipukurai—The History of a CountryTown
and was very involved with West to the Annie—Renata Kawepo’s Hawke’s Bay Legacy.
Pat will be talking about Maori Genealogy (Whakapapa.)

Rescuers and the Rescued by Michael Fowler

2009-02-12T17:51:00.000-08:00

On February 3, 1931, at 10.47am an earthquake centred near coastal Aropaoanui, 12km north of Napier, turned Hawkes Bay into a virtual war zone. The shock brought down buildings between Gisborne and Waipawa and toppled chimneys from Taupo to Wellington. On a per capita basis it was New Zealand's most lethal single calamity. Historian Matthew Wright's book, Quake - Hawkes Bay 1931 pieces together the day's shattering events and the community response which followed, using first person accounts, newspaper and official records. Completely demolished shops and buildings lay in ruins after Napier's earthquake; rescue teams, navy personnel, nurses and members of the public are amongst those trying to assist in rescue operations etc. On morning of Tuesday, 3 February 1931 dawned like any other midsummer day, a little still and sultry, but warm, fine and with a promise of a sleepy afternoon and long balmy evening to follow. The sea was spray-swept but calm, a contrast to the terribly rough conditions of the previous two days. As the sun climbed, people perhaps started their day with porridge, eggs, toast and a cup of tea. Some men and women - more men than women in those days - left their flats, bungalows and villas to go to work. Others left in the hope of finding any kind of miserable job to keep the wolf from the door. This was the second summer of the Depression. Unemployment had soared to levels not exceeded until the 1990s, and many families faced unprecedented hardship. In some households the day began with a turfing of sleepy children from their beds. It was the first day of term after the summer holidays. Mothers across Hawkes Bay packed reluctant youngsters off before beginning their own day's chores, perhaps boiling the copper for the laundry or getting out the carbolic soap to give the floors another scrubbing. For Napier harbourmaster Captain H. White Parsons the day started with an unexpected surprise. He had been expecting the sloop HMS Veronica with her crew of 104 to arrive that afternoon, but was told she would arrive early at 7am. The warship was safely berthed in the inner harbour before eight. ... A few people felt uneasy as the morning wore on. Havelock North resident Wilf Leicester, recovering at home from a broken leg, noticed that the air "became very still and there wasn't a sound, not even a bird singing". At Waimarama, Dorothy Campbell saw the sea was now "so calm and still that Brother Frank ... remarked on it". The air "had grown still and oppressive". Most people felt the first sledgehammer blows at 10.46am as an uplift. Dogs howled, cats ran screeching, and horses - still hauling suburban milk carts and trade wagons in 1931 - reared and tried to bolt. All went unheard amid a tremendous noise that Llewellyn Mitchell des Landes, working in the meter repair shop of the Napier Gas Company, compared to an express train. Buildings lurched violently, many shedding outer walls or decorative pediments. People inside were hurled this way and that, some injured by furniture and debris, or pinned by collapsing ceilings and roofs. Others, caught on footpaths, were injured or killed by debris crashing from walls and buildings. Chimneys in the housing districts bent like reeds in a gale, then cracked and broke, sending debris tumbling. Telephone and lighting poles swayed abruptly, some remaining canted at crazy angles. Vehicles skittered on roads as the carriageway surged and rippled. About 30 seconds passed. Suddenly the ground heaved again, a different kind of movement that some felt as a downwards jolt. This time the effect was completely devastating, mind-numbing waves of destruction that swept across the province, smashing weakened buildings and walls. Rubble poured into the streets, and many who had rushed outside after the primary shock died as shattered masonry crashed on and around them. Avalanches of bricks and debris slammed into vehicles, a few with their occupants still inside. The tortured earth rumbled, a massive sound punctured by the crisp treble of shattering glass, the bullet-like cracking of buildings, the thuds and thumps of falling furniture, the crash of glassware and crockery, and the sliding rush of collapsing masonry. At last the shock waves rolled by, leaving a terrible trembling in the ground that some observers compared to boiling water. For a few moments afterwards the silence seemed complete. Dust from crumbled mortar and shattered concrete in the business districts of Napier and Hastings rose into the air, thickening to a white powdery fog that briefly obscured vision even a block away. Everyone who lived through it experienced the earthquake differently. W.H. Ashcroft was sitting in his office in Napier's business district when he felt the uplift, which he compared to a terrier shaking a jack rabbit. His office fell apart around him; he looked up and saw blue sky. Eighteen-year-old Jessie Atkinson, staying in a house on Napier Terrace near the hospital, "watched a piano lurch from one side of the room to the other and back again". In the Napier Technical School on Munro Street, teacher W. Olphert yelled at the boys to dive under their desks as the earthquake slammed the building; however, "several dashed into a narrow corridor, where they were buried under the fallen walls". Havelock North resident W.H. Ashcroft was working in Napier when the quake struck: "The earthquake continued for about 2 1/2 minutes, during this time we could only hold on to one another and wait for what would come next ... "The wall of the Ford Garage, a new building, took on the most extraordinary contortions, a convulsion would come and the wall would wriggle from the bottom to the top like a snake, sometimes it would bend over and very nearly hit the Post Office ... The peculiar thing was that I felt all this was happening to others, not to me, and I was merely a spectator; others have told me since that they had exactly the same feeling ... We all felt we were certain to be killed and just wondered how soon it would be." Ashcroft's son, Bill, drove into Napier mid-afternoon to look for him. "Napier was burning and looked worse as I approached. From miles away you could see the smoke and flames streaming inland on a strong sea breeze. As I went up the Parade I passed people carting their furniture from their houses to the beach which was crowded with people surrounded by their possessions. Everyone seemed quite cheerful and curiously indifferent. "All the way along brick fronts had fallen out exposing the interiors of rooms ... The Masonic Hotel was a blazing ruin. "There seemed every prospect of the fire sweeping the whole area. Not seeing Dad, I went home to find him there, having arrived just after I left." Trapped and pinned – Rescuers and the rescuedAs the quaking subsided ... people from Waipukurau to Wairoa - but mainly in Napier and Hastings - lay trapped and pinned by fallen debris, crushed, bruised and in many cases critically injured. Others had been hit by flying bricks, glass, wood, furniture or other objects. Among the first to react were old soldiers, servicemen who had fought on the western front a decade and a half earlier. For them the wreckage of Napier and Hastings was an all too familiar sight. They knew what to do. Former British soldier F.C. Wright ... compared the destruction in Napier to what he had seen in French villages bombarded by shellfire. Doctors seemed to spring from nowhere, rushing from their surgeries and private hospitals to help. Rescuers quickly organised trucks to take the casualties to the hilltop hospital. However, the commandeered vehicles reached Napier Terrace to find another calamity unfolding. Horrified rescuers were swarming over the ruined nurses' home in the hope of extracting survivors, while a steady stream of doctors, nurses and orderlies were wheeling patients from the ruins of the hospital beyond. Parts of the only base hospital in the district were no more than wreckage - including the new Jellicoe Ward. Other wards were upright but clearly unsafe. Although evacuation had to proceed past the dusty ruins of the home where nurses lay dead or dying, hospital pharmacist J.S. Peel noted a "complete absence of panic". Criton Smith was very admiring of the nurse who had run from the collapsing home less than an hour before. "Although temporarily dazed by her experience, she quickly went to the aid of the other nurses brought out from the home and she has not been to bed yet", Smith told reporters later in the day. The servicemen worked hard sifting through the rubble looking for survivors and bodies of those who had died.Dr A.G. Clark organised an emergency surgical station in the Botanical Gardens. An operating table was put under an archway at the top of the gardens, and within an hour life-saving operations were being conducted with full sterilisation and anaesthetic procedures. Aftershocks rocked the ground as the doctors worked. Rows of tents were erected to cater for the urgent needs of Napier and Hastings community’s, affected by the disaster.Clark had a nurse alert him while he worked: when she called "Stop" he lifted his hands and waited for the shock to pass. Casualties far exceeded the capacity of emergency facilities. "All we could do was to lie them on the lawns to wait their turn for treatment," Sister Mary Eames later wrote. Off-duty doctors and nurses who had been in town quickly returned, among them one nurse who tried to help schoolchildren during the earthquake itself. Later she recalled: "by degrees surgical stores, drugs, etc were extricated from the ruins ... all Tuesday we worked like war nurses ... We were washing wounds and dressing them and pumping in injections." Local residents pitched in to help. George Brown arrived at his Napier hilltop home to find his wife, Jean, and two daughters safe. When doctors came looking for sterilised water he "kept kettles going for tea, of which large numbers of people gratefully partook". A major rescue effort focused around the nurses' home. There was no hope for the three clerical staff on the lower floor, but the nurses "were placed in a slightly better position and it was thought that some at least might be saved". Two were found trapped by a fallen slab of wall and collapsed staircase. A dozen rescuers spent three hours trying to free them. Every effort proved fruitless, and in the end the slab had to be broken with sledgehammers. Six nurses were pulled from the debris, seriously injured but alive. Plans for an emergency field hospital [at the Napier racecourse] were quickly dusted off ... because it had water and was far enough inland to be out of reach of a tsunami. Four surgical teams were on site by mid-afternoon on February 3, though it was the next day before the hospital was fully set up. That did not stop emergency surgery. Doctors worked under the stark glare of car headlamps until 2am. A dressing station was also established in McLean Park. A total of 454 wounded were tended in Napier and Hastings. Some 333 patients were subsequently evacuated to Wanganui and Palmerston North.

Moving Pictures

2008-12-10T12:55:00.000-08:00

Moving Pictures
Town Hall / Princess Theatre
The beginnings of moving pictures in Hastings began in 1880 at the Princess Theatre (or Town Hall). it was built in 1880 at a cost of 900 pounds (130,000 in todays terms) it was funded by a number of Hastings residents. It was situated between Nelson Street and King Streets on the South side of what was called Havelock Omahu Road (now Heretaunga Street West) In 1892 the Town Hall wa renamed the Princess Theatre. In 1897 George Ellis bought the Princess Theatre.
He ade alterations so it will be more suitable for traveling vaudeville artists. The first kinematograph arrived ther was a rush to see these early moving pictures.

King's Theatre
The king’s Theatre which was owned by the Hastings Permanent Picture Company
Ltd. Was opened on 18 July 1910; it was Hastings’s first purpose built theatre for exclusively showing moving pictures. The Directors wee JD Rivers, Frederick Hartshorn, and R Sorenson who was the Manager.
Kings Theatre was situated in Karamu Road, it seated 736 and prices were 1 shilling & sixpence.

The Municipal Theatre
The Hastings Munuicipal Theatre was built in 1915 at a cost of 15000 pounds (1.5 million dollars in todays terms.) The spanish mission style buildding was designed by Eli White. The Theatre was built with a Biograph (Projection box) in the Gods.
The hastings Municipal Theatre was completed on the 11 October 1915. One tender was received for the showing of moving pictures for the Hastings Municipal Theatre that was from William McCormick. 20% of all taking were to go to the Council for the Theatre hireage.
The first custodian of the theatre was Thomas Scott. Movies were charge at 1 shilling and sixpence for the dress circle, 1 shilling for the stalls and sixpence for the gods. The first film shown was "The jockey of death" The revenue received from the moving pictures would reduce the amount of rates that the Hastings residents had to pay. The showing of miving pictures by William McCormack came to an end in March 1916. It was bought buy the Council for 125 pounds 15 shillings. Phil Murdoch was appointed as Manager / Pprojectionist.
Talkies were introduce d to the Municipal Theatre on 24 March 1930 when the "Coconuts" with the Marx Brothers was screened. Divorcee was the last film to be shown before the 1931 Earthquake. The next movie didn't screen to February 1932 "The sin of Madelon Claudet"

for more information see "The Reel Story by Michael Fowler"

Michael Fowler on Moving pictures in the Hastings Municipal Theatre.

2008-11-10T19:28:00.000-08:00

Michael Fowler is a chartered accountant who lectures in business at the Eastern Institute of Technology in Taradale. His first book was was "From Inkwell's to E-mail: The story of Accounting in Hawke's Bay", which was released in 2005, the second was "From Disaster to Recovery: The Hastings CBD 1931-35". He has written numerous articles on accounting and in recent years his research activity has focused on business history.

His current book, co-authored with David Turnbull, is called The Reel Story: A history of Napier and Hastings Cinemas 1896-1996 was launched on 28 October at Century Theatre in Napier. Material covered in the book include the history of all the cinemas based in Napier and Hastings from 1896-1996; disasters that have affected the cinemas, such as fire; earthquake and disease; some of the more colourful personalities who worked in the industry; Natalie of Napier; and a Daughter of Hastings - which were two local Hollywood style movies produced in Napier and Hastings in the 1920s.
The book launch was step-back-in-time movie night to celebrate the release of a book about 100 years of cinema in Napier and Hastings drew people from as far away as the United States and Australia. The event was staged at Napier's Century Theatre on Tuesday and attracted about 250 people. Co-authors of The Reel Story, Michael Fowler and Dave Turnbull, were delighted with the turnout. Mr Turnbull said relatives and family of people who featured in the book, particularly in the colourful 1920s and 1930s era, travelled to the Bay for the launch.
A 40-minute program of nostalgia, from Woody Woodpecker to Laurel and Hardy, delighted the audience - who were issued with Jaffas and ice cream.

Wendy Doole (Whitlock Family & the Herald Tribune)

2008-10-15T12:12:00.000-07:00

Wendy Doole (Whitlock Family & the Herald Tribune)
W. C. Whitlock set out to transform the paper into the one of the leading provincial dailies in the country.With the help of William Nelson and others he formed the Truibune Company Ltd.
The standard was incorporated into the Hawke's Bay Tribune with Whitlock as the editor . The first issue was printed on 10th December 1910. WC Whitlock was a no nonsense newspaper editor, his editorials were direct and he was never shy of forcefully stating his opinion.

Patrick Parsons 1855 Earthquake

2008-09-09T02:42:00.000-07:00

It started with a hunch and some curosity as to whether the 1855 earthquake of the Waiarapa actually had any lasting effect on Hawke's Bay. There appeared to be nothing reported in the newspapers of the time idicating that it had reached Hawke's Bay. However upon researching further into to there were indications it may have been felt as far north as Wairoa. A journey with Richard Schumacher and Bob Bruce out the back of Raukawa show some scarring on the landscape that had not really been noticed before. Mick Stewart then proceded to show me
some large landslides in Valley Road, where 1/2 the hillside had slipped leaving a harsh cliff face remaining. This must have been a result of a major force. Glen Ares Valley show similar scenes and scarring of the landscape. Was this caused by the 1931 earthquake? After talking to the locals, Tom & Lenora McCormick who was raised in Valley Road, He was there in the 1931 earthquake and these crevases were already there. Stories of the Locals and locals before them indicate it was the 1855 earthquake.
At a Tsunami Conference in Napier in March 2002 at the War Memoraial Centre, Gaye Downs an Australia Proessor who has subsequently retired in Wellington, asked about the 1855 Quake and the William Colenso letters held in Kew, telling of the shake in Hawke's Bay. Gaye sent copies to Patrick Parson, the first hard evidence that the quake was felt in Hawke's Bay and the severity of it.
William Colenso letter to Butler:
.. 23 February 1855
Re 1855 Earthquake
We have recently been visited by violent shock of an earthquake on 23 January 1855.
The first shock ocurred 11pm with a very severe jolt sent us spinning, I was as usual sitting down reading at my desk. The jolt and resulting shakes and swaying sent us into a panic. I
ran around the table throught two doors to the outside door. It was only just in time as my bookshelves came tumbling down and all 4500 volumes, my specimen jars, glasses pistols
and all. I thought the chinmey had come down too...
Seeing the eartquake and nature at it best first hand was to be admired... feeling safe about
it was beyond my ability....
... the rocking motion like that of a steamer shuddering, and swaying and the tall weeping
willows with there long weepy branches lashing about the earth and then sweeping the sky
withh post fences rattling and creaking... the rivers angry mood with river levels rising and
falling looking to spill over to the stream of pale light in the sky with fire tails leaping nor more than 3 or 4 feet about the ground, bright bule and white and hurting my eye to look at it...
When I finally found my way back inside I found my table and chair hard snack against the chimney, bookshelves thrown in all directions all the volumes on the floor from the Encyclopaedia Britannica to my Diary, all my china, jars and glasses smashed.
Wellington as usual had big losses, huge damage to buildings, all brick work had come down.
Few buildings were left standing..."
and so it went on.
Following this another visit to Raukawa and Valley Road. Ian McPhee and Tess White daughter of the McFarlands had huge slips 1/2 hour out the back of the farm. On the west side there
were long clean breaks and huge slumps few metres down. He said its visible all the way along
and you just need to be able to read the landscape.
Poppy White said she rode up the valley after the 1931 earthquake and the massive slips and crevase were already there and had been for years. In fact there was very little change to the valley from the 1931 earthquake.
James Padman in Wairoa said in a letter that the river level had risen several metres during the earthquake.
It is now quite apparent that the 1855 earthquake had a lasting effect on no only the people but the landscape too. Patrick is recording his findings as an official document.

Earthquakes: Our ten Big Ones

2008-09-09T01:55:00.000-07:00

Earthquakes: Our ten big ones
Here's a list of 10 significant earthquakes recorded in New Zealand's history. Nine of them are magnitude 7.0 or more on the Richter scale. (Last night's quake east of Gisborne measured 6.8).
Others in our nation's past have been higher than 7.0, but have occured in non-populated areas or offshore.
1848 - MARLBOROUGH(M 7.5, 16 October.) The earthquake that shook Marlborough on Monday 16 October was the largest in a series of earthquakes to hit the region that year.
1855 - WAIRARAPA(M 8.2, 23 January.) The 1855 earthquake is the most severe earthquake to have occurred in New Zealand since systematic European colonisation began in 1840.
1888 - NORTH CANTERBURY(M 7.1, 1 September.) In 1888 the Amuri District was shaken by a large earthquake that reached intensities of MM 9.
1929 - MURCHISON(M 7.7, 17 June.) The massive rumbling of the 1929 Murchison earthquake was heard as far away as New Plymouth
1931 - HAWKE'S BAY(M 7.8, 3 February.) The 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake caused the largest loss of life and most extensive damage of any quake in New Zealand's recorded history.
1934 - PAHIATUA(M 7.6, 5 March.) The 1934 Pongaroa earthquake shook the lower North Island on March 5 1934 and was felt as far away as Auckland and Dunedin.
1942 - WAIRARAPA I(M 7.2, 24 June.) This earthquake severely rocked the lower North Island on June 24, 1942, causing extensive damage to local buildings.
1942 - WAIRARAPA II(M 7.0, 2 August.) The shock that struck the Wairarapa Region on the 2nd of August was nearly as severe as the disastrous June 24 earthquake five weeks earlier.
1968 - INANGAHUA(M 7.0, 24 May.) The 1968 Inangahua earthquake caused widespread damage, and was felt over much of the country.
1987 - EDGECUMBE(M 6.1, 2 March.) The shallow origin of this earthquake made it very destructive, despite its magnitude of only 6.1.
* source: geonet.org.nz

1855 Earthquake

2008-08-27T14:35:00.001-07:00

Te Ara Report
n 1855 a magnitude 8.2 earthquake – the most powerful ever recorded in New Zealand – rocked the southern part of the North Island. Caused by movement along a fault in Palliser Bay, it altered the landscape of the Wellington region and affected its subsequent urban development.
Intensity of the earthquake
The evening of 23 January 1855 was the end of a two-day holiday, the 15th anniversary of Wellington’s founding. Shortly after 9 p.m. a violent earthquake began; in Wellington the main shock lasted for at least 50 seconds. People fled outdoors, where they remained for the night in tents and makeshift beds, as incessant aftershocks rocked the area – one person counted 250 in the first 11 hours. The aftershocks would continue for months. For the first day after the main quake, as far away as New Plymouth an almost continuous vibration could be felt by people sitting, or when leaning against walls.
Rebuilding
After the 1848 Marlborough earthquake, many Wellington buildings had been rebuilt in wood. Some new commercial premises, however, were constructed of brick because of fire risk. The 1855 earthquake damaged many of these, including the jail and the bank. The local council chambers and adjoining government offices, both two-storey wooden buildings, collapsed. However, single-storey wooden houses survived: although many were damaged by falling brick chimneys, or shifted on their foundations, few collapsed.
Fatalities
The number of fatalities caused by the earthquake is estimated at five. The sole casualty in Wellington was Baron von Alzdorf, who died when a brick chimney in his hotel collapsed. Two people died in a fissure in the Manawatū. In the Wairarapa, several Māori (their reported number varies from two to six), were killed when a whare collapsed. Surprisingly few people were injured. The quake was fekt as far South as Christchurch & Kaikoura to New Plymouth and Wanganui in the west to as far North as Palmerston North, Hawke's Bay including Wairoa.

Effects on land and sea
In the Hutt Valley, slips blocked roads and large fissures opened up in the ground. Numerous landslides scarred the slopes of the Rimutaka Range. The earthquake caused a tsunami in Cook Strait and Wellington Harbour; some buildings on Lambton Quay near the shoreline were flooded by tsunami waves.

The shock was felt across almost the whole country, and was highly destructive in Wellington 8.2 and severely damaging in Wanganui and Kaikoura. Between seven and nine people were killed in the earthquake, and five others sustained injuries that required hospitalisation.
The earthquake originated on the Wairarapa Fault and caused extensive faulting and uplift in epicentral areas. The latter was most dramatic at Muka Muka, on the western side of Palliser Bay, where the ground was raised by 2.7 m. Significant uplift also occurred in Wellington city, most noticably around Wellington Harbour, altering the city's shoreline considerably. Today, Wellington's Basin Reserve sports ground sits on land lifted by this earthquake; the area had previously been part of a waterway that led into the harbour. The ground level at Pauatahanui, Lowry Bay, and to the east of Lake Wairarapa was also raised, but it is possible that this was caused by material being deposited, rather than tectonic uplift.
The earthquake triggered extensive landsliding on both faces of the Rimutaka Ranges, along the Kaikoura coast and in Wellington, where access to Petone was cut off when a large landslide containing ~300,000 m3 of material cascaded down to block the coastal track north. The slip is still visible today along the Hutt Road. The shaking also created numerous slump cracks in flat areas of Wellington, the Hutt Valley, Wairarapa, and in the Manawatu district. In these areas the earthquake also triggered sandblows and the eruption of groundwater at the surface, the result of massive pressure increases underground that were caused by the shaking.
The earthquake was followed by many aftershocks, some of which were very damaging. There is strong evidence that the earthquake generated a local tsunami and it is also possible that small tsunami accompanied some aftershocks.

Roswhita Robertson Fashion Shows of the 50's and 60's in Hastings

2008-08-15T01:52:00.000-07:00

Roswitha Robertson was born in the town Vienna and attended London to study fashion at the London Technical College. Roswitha Married a Senior Warrant Officer in the NZ Air Force.

After World War Roswitha move to NZ with her husband a they settled in Hastings. In 1956 astings was proclaimed a city, with apopulation of just over 20,000. Vienna had a population of 1.9 million and was only a town. Roswitha started her own dressmaking business. She was influenced by Christian Dior and Coc Channel.

The first Christian Dior couture show was scheduled for 12 February 1947. Clothes were still scarce and women wore the sharp-shouldered suits with knee-length skirts that they had cobbled together as makeshift wartime versions of Elsa Schiaparelli’s slinky 1930s silhouette. The Paris couture trade, which had dominated international fashion since the late 18th century, was in a precarious state. What it needed was excitement and Christian Dior delivered it in a collection of luxurious clothes with soft shoulders, waspy waists and full flowing skirts intended for what he called “flower women”. Then in 1948 "Dior New Look" fashion, beige silk hussore jacket with black wool skirt, the advent of the Tight fitting coat, and the bar suit. This fashion would stand the test of time.
Spring 1955's "A-line," with its undefined waist and smooth silhouette that widened over the hips and legs, resembled a capital "A."
Her first fashion show was for a Bicycle Queen pagent to raise money for the Red Cross. She had to prepare 30 garments for the fashion parade. This was all at her own expense. The show was raised some money for the Red Cross, but she didn't sell one garment and it was a financial flop for her.

In 1953 The "Greater Hastings" organisation formed and organised a "come together" to get the town a country together for the betterment of Hastings. They took the City to the country.

In 1957 the idea of a Blossom Parade and fashion show was mooted. This was to be the start of the annual Blossom parades. This time the country came to the city. There were excursion trains from Wellington and Gisborne bring people for the weekend. 50,000 people came for the Blossom Parade a nd fashion show. This harmonised the city and everyone dressed up to show off the city to the visitors. Skirt dresses and coats knee level were in and by early 1960's the bar suit above knee level was in fashion then came the minis and the hippie sixties.

1963 was Roswitha was asked to provide a selection garments for the "Selwyn Toogood" fashion Show to held in Hastings in 1964.. This was to be her biggest business gamble as it was going to take months to prepare she had to clos ethe business for 3 months while still paying her staff so she had time to make the arry of grments required. The Municipal Theatre had a cat walk built in the middle protrding out from the stage. Roswhita was required to fill the theatre full twice.
There was Selwyn Toogood, Musicians, Models and all. Selwyn Toogood tried to used the models changing room but was told by Riswhita to use the gents toilets.
29th August 1964 a full house standing room only. Roswhita fill it twice with standing room only.
Roswhita did numerous fun raising pagents. including Red Cross, Plunket

Napoleon Bonaparte

2008-07-08T18:16:00.000-07:00

Di Taylor shared with us an enthusiasm of Napoleon that I had never seen before. It was a live and enthusiastic talk on the life and time of Napoleon.

Napoleon Bonaparte was born on 15 August 1769 in Corsica into a gentry family. Educated at military school, he was rapidly promoted and in 1796, was made commander of the French army in Italy, where he forced Austria and its allies to make peace. In 1798, Napoleon conquered Ottoman-ruled Egypt in an attempt to strike at British trade routes with India. He was stranded when his fleet was destroyed by the British at the Battle of the Nile.
France now faced a new coalition - Austria and Russia had allied with Britain. Napoleon returned to Paris where the government was in crisis. In a coup d'etat in November 1799, Napoleon became first consul. In 1802, he was made consul for life and two years later, emperor. He oversaw the centralisation of government, the creation of the Bank of France, the reinstatement of Roman Catholicism as the state religion and law reform with the Code Napoleon.
In 1800, he defeated the Austrians at Marengo. He then negotiated a general European peace which established French power on the continent. In 1803 Britain resumed war with France, later joined by Russia and Austria. Britain inflicted a naval defeat on the French at Trafalgar (1805) so Napoleon abandoned plans to invade England and turned on the Austro-Russian forces, defeating them at Austerlitz later the same year. He gained much new territory, including annexation of Prussian lands which ostensibly gave him control of Europe. The Holy Roman Empire was dissolved, Holland and Westphalia created, and over the next 5 years, Napoleon's relatives and loyalists were installed as leaders (in Holland, Westphalia, Italy, Naples, Spain and Sweden).
In 1810, he had his childless marriage to Josephine de Beauharnais annulled and married the daughter of the Austrian emperor in the hope of having an heir. A son, Napoleon, was born a year later.The Peninsular War began in 1808. Costly French defeats over the next five years drained French military resources. Napoleon's invasion of Russia in 1812 resulted in a disastrous retreat. The tide started to turn in favour of the allies and in March 1814, Paris fell. Napoleon went into exile on the Mediterranean island of Elba. In March 1815 he escaped and marched on the French capital. The Battle of Waterloo ended his brief reign. The British imprisoned him on the remote Atlantic island of St. Helena where he died on 5 May 1821.

Napoleon's own opinion of his career is best stated in the following quotation:
“I closed the gulf of anarchy and brought order out of chaos. I rewarded merit regardless of birth or wealth, wherever I found it. I abolished feudalism and restored equality to all regardless of religion and before the law. I fought the decrepit monarchies of the Old Regime because the alternative was the destruction of all this. I purified the Revolution.”

Di Taylor talking on Napoleon Bonaparte

2008-06-30T20:59:00.000-07:00

Di Taylor is a Local Library user and Book Club member. She Is a book lover and Napoleon Queen extraordanaire. Di appeared on the NZ TV show "Mastermind" and Napoleon was her specialised topic. Napoleon is a the brillant and talente dindividual in history according to Di Taylor.

Napoleon Bonaparte Emperor of France1769-1821
One of the most brilliant individuals in history, Napoleon Bonaparte was a masterful soldier, an unequalled grand tactician and a superb administrator. He was also utterly ruthless, a dictator and, later in his career, thought he could do no wrong.
Not a Frenchman by birth, Napoleon Bonaparte was born at Ajaccio on Corsica - only just sold to France by the Italian state of Genoa - on 15 August 1769 and learnt French at the school of Autun and later the military academy at Brienne. He never fully mastered French and his spelling left a lot to be desired.
The revolutionary fever that was spreading when Bonaparte was a teenager allowed a talented individual the opportunity to rise far beyond what could have been achieved only a few years previously.

His first real military opportunity came as a captain of artillery at the siege of Toulon, where he expertly seized crucial forts and was able to bombard the British naval and land forces, eventually forcing them to sail away.
Now a brigadier-general, Bonaparte served in the army campaigning in Italy but found himself arrested and jailed for being an associate of the younger brother of Maximilien Robespierre.
With no position for him after his release, Bonaparte thought about joining the Turkish army and even joining a naval expedition to Australia, but became involved with a member of the Directory, Paul Barras, who used the young man's zeal to put down a royalist mob in 1795 with the now legendary " whiff of grapeshot".
With his loyalty and ruthlessness proven, the next year Bonaparte took up command of the Army of Italy and set off on a campaign that was to take him to absolute power in France and Europe.
Initially treated with suspicion, and not a little contempt, by the older generals he superceded, Bonaparte won over his badly treated soldiers with promises of great things to come and a large helping of personal bravery. Like Caesar, he was not afraid to get into the thick of the fighting to inspire his men.
In a series of battles that included such as Motenotte, Mondovi, Arcola and Rivoli, Bonaparte swept the board of ageing Austrian generals and established himself as one of the leading soldiers of his time.

Angus Gordon - Clifton Station

2008-06-10T00:49:00.000-07:00

Tonights meeting was attended by approximately 78 interested members of the community, as well as Library Staff and Landmarks Local History Committee members.

A 140-year old sheep and cattle station at Clifton Beach, which has been in the same family for five generations. From the exquisite homestead, throught to the extensive coastal garden farm buildings and old woolshed the ornate history has been preserved.
The homestead, a 100-year old two storied colonial mansion looks across the Bay to Napier and the Mahia Peninsula. From the top of the hill behind the house, you will be rewarded with views over all of Hawke's Bay and a short walk will take you to some early Maori dwelling sites.

The book came about through a number of factors, the largest one being the safe in the homestead. It was full of old documents, books, letters & accounts dating back to the 1870's.

Frank Gordon was not interested in history but was a great station manager and stickler for detail. Frank reported back to England at least each month sometimes more often. He would give a summary of activities, detailing numbers of sheep, wool prices, sales costs of feed and accounts paid etc. This combined with family requesting the history be kept alive increased the desire to write a book. Originally to be the great New Zealand novel, the first paragraph

"the light is Grecian, hectic on the exposed brow, but soft on the perception, draining in its lucidity, but quite fluid. it filters though the manuka trees along the cliff tops, dropping off the edge into the bay. The bay which is clam, stony but sandy in spells hold clues to light , which are not altogether historical..."

but after the second paragraph

"... An elegant full masted schooner slips across the horizon and enters a brand new dimension of time... the owner is my great great grandfather James Gillespie Gordon accompanied withone of his son's William Cracoft Gordon..."

decided that it would be non fiction - a factual story about the family and the Clifton Station area.

James Gillespie Gordon was born 1794 in Dumfries, Scotland the son of Thomas and Agnes Gordon of Clouden Bank, Dumfries. Agnes had been a Kirkpatrick and was the first Cousin of William Kirkpatrick, the Grandfather of Empress Eugenie of France , Napoleon III’s wife.
James married Elizabeth Don of the wealthy jute manufacturing family of Dons in Forfar, Scotland. They had two sons Thomas Edward Gordon and William Cracroft Gordon. James his fortune as a merchant in Benares, India.
After the Indian Mutiny in 1857 he returned to India to find the bank crash had severely depleted his assets and was faced with having to start a new life. He saw an opportunity in sailing to New Zealand to make a new start, being able to buy a lot of newly available land at reasonably cheap prices.

James had a schooner and came to New zealand in 1861 to check out the feasibly of his idea

James Gillespie Gordon decided sheep farming in the newly developing colony of New Zealand was the way to go for the future of the family now and for generations to come.

James Gillespie Gordon by the time he arrived in New Zealand in 1866 was a white haired gentleman.The original Clifton Station of 13,500 acres was purchased in 1859 from the Crown by James for ₤3375 (this included the later purchase of the Ranga Ika Block). It stretched from Cape Kidnappers to Ocean Beach. He went back to get his family and loaded the schooner up with timber and prefabricated teak house blocks for the homestead he wanted to build and some Indian army mules. He bought with him all the antique furniture and other personal belongings and headed for New Zealand.

Clifton History - "In the shadow of the cape..."

2008-06-04T02:03:00.000-07:00

This is the story of one family’s attachment to a special piece of land, Clifton, for the last 145 years. The Gordon family at Clifton are now into the sixth generation to live here.
The original Clifton Station of 13,500 acres was purchased in 1859 from the Crown by James Gillespie Gordon for £3375. It stretched from Clifton to Cape Kidnappers and right down to Ocean Beach. Today the home block of Clifton Station is 2000 acres and is owned by Angus and Dinah Gordon.
Clifton now is more than a productive property that has kept many Gordons nourished for a long time. It is an emotional attachment to the land, where every corner holds a memory. It is a place of varying lights and hues, where the dynamics of the weather change it yearly from a green oasis to a burnished and parched landscape, and where the sea challenges each day with a myriad of different moods.

Want to find out more come along on Tuesday 10th June at 5.30pm @ Hastings Central Library.

Gold coin donation for a great evening learning about our history.

Angus Gordon and his topic is “In the Shadow of the Cape – the Gordon family history of Clifton”.

2008-05-27T19:40:00.000-07:00

Our Guest speaker for June 10th meeeting is Angus Gordon and his topic is “In the Shadow of the Cape – the Gordon family history of Clifton”. Gordon will talk to us about his book and the history of the cape and in particular the clifton area.
This is an easy-to-read, 216 page history of the original European family, the Gordons, who in 1859 bought the iconically beautiful 13,500 acre (5465 hectare) Cape Kidnappers block of land in Hawke’s Bay from the Crown, and called it Clifton.
It is a very personal book, written by the current owner of Clifton Station, Angus Gordon, who has a degree in English Literature from Victoria University (1972). Like a novel, it traces the lives, tragedies, disasters and triumphs of the 6 generations of the same family, who still own and farm 5774 acres (2338 hectares) of the original block at Clifton and at Ocean Beach.
Stories of some of the more colourful characters to have lived and worked at Clifton Station are also included. 200 black and white photographs are placed strategically throughout the book to give further interest to the story. There is also a selection of colour photographs at the back. The book, published by the author himself, is a trimmed A4 size with hardcover, and has been printed by CHB Print.

Overview of James Chapman Taylor From Judy Siers Talk & Book

2008-05-14T19:38:00.000-07:00

James Walter Chapman-Taylor’s life was dedicated to designing and building houses. His style, consistency and commitment aligned with the principles of William Morris, and Chapman-Taylor would become his farthest-flung follower. The two did not meet: William Morris died in 1896, and it was not until 1909 that Chapman-Taylor returned to England, the country of his birth, which he had left in 1880. However, in 1909 he was to meet English architects who followed the Arts and Crafts creed, and who further inspired him.
Chapman-Taylor built his first house in 1903, and the 96 buildings that followed all revealed his commitment to the English Arts and Crafts Movement, which had become, by that time, an international movement.
His childhood was spent in colonial Ngaire, south of Stratford in Taranaki, living with his parents on heavily forested land that they slowly converted to a highly productive dairy farm. The assumption was that Chapman-Taylor would become a dairy farmer but his ambition lay elsewehere, as did his heart. He wanted to design and build houses, and the first step was a building apprenticeship with Boon Bros Construction Company in Taranaki. As well, he studied architecture by correspondence with the International Correspondence School, Pennsylvania, USA. He graduated and his career unfurled and flourished in Wellington through the early 1900s.
His education was superior to that of many colonial children, as he was taught by both parents: Theodore, his highly educated father, and his mother, Ada, who had been employed as a governess in England and Europe before her marriage. She was also an experienced writer and regularly contributed to English and New Zealand newspapers. She taught her children to learn literary tracts by heart – the Bible, Shakespeare, the classics – and they learnt astronomy. Chapman-Taylor became enthralled with the mysteries of the southern skies – so bright and clear in the darkness of the Taranaki bush – and later in life he would become a highly successful, professional astrologer. The family was isolated, with few neighbours, and they developed their imaginations and a creative understanding of the world around them – the spiritual world of the trees, the birds, all under the shadow of the Mount Taranaki that Chapman-Taylor would photograph as an adult and about which he would write his romantic descriptions:
“Taranaki gathers his Korowai cloak around his shoulders. The gathering clouds tinged to rose-pink with the colours of the sunset, are likened to a Maori cloak lined with the feathers of the Kaka.”

Chapman-Taylor attended the local Ngaire School that opened in 1882. Here the standards of scholastic achievement were variable, and, in country style, adventure was never far away. Stories of the boys’ escapades have survived, and some are retold in the Ngaire School Souvenir Booklet, A History of the School and District 1882-1957; Chapman-Taylor contributed his story, titled “An Old Boy Looks Backwards”. Here he explained the inability of the teacher to control the children, of whom he was one: “For justification my words must speak. My ‘concrete’ mind developed later on, but in childhood I lived in a dream-world of romance which was evidence of things to come, if only my parents had known it.”
Theodore had a passion for English heritage and volumes of books that he could share with his children. Ada’s interests included art, architecture, education and socialism, and books included John Ruskin’s and William Morris’s writings. Reading these with his parents, alongside the regular magazines and newspapers from London, shaped and influenced the young Chapman-Taylor. Many of the books became his enduring literary treasures.
Chapman-Taylor married Mary Gibson in 1900, two children were born soon after, and the family moved to Wellington in 1905. He designed and built their first home, at Island Bay, a house the locals called “The Church House” because of the high gabled extension to the roof, above the front entrance.
He advertised and promoted himself as “architect and craftsman”, and his business cards offered designs for “houses, furniture and gardens”. His first houses were signposts of the future, revealing his distinctive touch and his vernacular interpretation of the English cottage style that the Arts and Crafts Movement promoted, and Chapman-Taylor preferred.
They were constructed in timber, followed by experiments in lath and plaster with rough-cast, exterior finish; but also employing brick, stone, and concrete block. Reinforced concrete houses would follow after 1912. The characteristic high roof with Marseille tiles, small paned windows and a love of jarrah timber in the interiors of the houses defined his work. Many room designs were completed with both built-in and free standing furniture, an opportunity Chapman-Taylor welcomed. He worked the timber with a distinctive adzed finish – a technique he had perfected as a child on the farm. He designed his houses, interiors and furniture to suit the client’s way of life, and he often included careful planning of how the rooms would be used to full advantage – a position for the writing desk, for example, shelves for books, the studio space, the piano. His fireplaces were either an inglenook design, with built-in seating, or corner pieces with seats on each side.
The mantle pieces were artfully planned for ornaments, lamps, candles, flowers and niches for special artistic objects; and, imagining that members of the family could well seek quietness within the embrace of the family, in the sitting room (often referred to in Arts and Crafts language as the “Houseplace”), he offered half-walled corner designs that he called “the den”.
Small windows, sometimes rounded, were positioned for just enough light into the allotted space, often onto the ingle-nook – practical but with a theatrical flair.
Chapman-Taylor loved his houses as if they were for himself and kept in contact with his clients over many years, some until his death. It was hard for him to let them out of his life – visiting them regularly and taking photographs. Yet he knew his limits and wrote that “the craftsman builds the house but those who live in it make the home”.
His magazine articles, as early as 1907, are evidence of a confident young architect and designer, and an indication of his search for more than the material results in his achievements. Romance engaged with the spiritual path and the magical ingredients of love, commitment, truth and beauty. The words of William Morris - “have nothing in your houses which you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful” – resonated, were consumed and took flight in Chapman-Taylor’s vocabulary:
“When we set out to build a cottage it is well that we should realise the responsibility of our undertaking. We all know that man is the result of a chain of circumstances which from his earliest moments gradually builds and moulds his character. Man is influenced by his environment for good and evil. But besides its mechanical perfection it has spiritual beauty. Most of us are born in cottages. In them we receive our earliest and most lasting impressions. In them we live out our lives. Our cottage exercises an influence on our characters such as most of us little dream. Beauty in our homes will put beauty in our hearts.”
Later in his life, from the mid-1920s, Chapman-Taylor turned his remarkable multi-talents to photography; and his understanding of astronomy to astrology and the production of horoscopes. These became professional activities in addition to his architectural and building commissions, and served him well during the lean years up to and during the Depression; he continued until his death.

Judy Siers - Mystery Speaker

2008-05-13T21:22:00.000-07:00

Judy Siers author and publisher in her private life and in 2007 published the biography: The life and times of James Walter Chapman-Taylor, architect and builder, best known in Havelock North for his Arts and Crafts houses.
Judy was previously a Wellington City Councillor, 1992- 2004, working in all areas of Council business. Her particular focus was the community, natural and built environment; and in cultural heritage which fits well with the Napier Art Deco and Heritage City objectives.

Judy gave us an inspiring talking about history, from her house in Ngaio to the Wellington area and the "Onslow Historical Society" to "James Walter Chapman-Taylor"
Judy was over-whelmed with the fabulous response to the first edition. 1,500 copies sold in 10 months and the correspondence from readers who have enjoyed the work has been hugely appreciated. So much so that a second volume book is now underway. This is a form of epilogue that could have been included in the first edition except for the size and scale of The Life and Times of James Walter Chapman-Taylor - it was already a massive tome.
'The Life and Times of James Walter Chapman-Taylor' judy enabled us to enter into the life and times of a man, a family, a society, and ways of thinking and acting different to, yet not so distant from, our own. We enter the world of an architect, who is also an artist; builder, craftsman; a theosophist, an astrologer, a photographer, a furniture maker. We are presented with the life story of a complex and talented man, a man who influenced the lives of others, and was influenced by particular beliefs, both religious and artistic.
A fabulous night enjoyed by a group of 48 interested Historians, Genealogists, Librarians and members of the community.

Inaugural Mystery Speaker for Landmarks Historical Group

2008-04-28T21:17:00.000-07:00

The inaugural speaker for our first meeting will be a "Mystery” speaker.
Tuesday 13th of May 2008
Hastings Central Library
Activities Area Upstairs
Gold Coin Donation

HDC Landmarks Historical Group Formed

2008-04-23T21:13:00.000-07:00

A group of 12 people have formed a historical group focusing on the history of Hastings and the District.
They will meet/organise a speaker every 2nd Tuesday of the month at the Hastings Library at 5.30pm till 6.30pm.
Currently the main contact people getting everything started are: Michael Fowler, Joyce Barry and Lily Baker.
In the next few weeks Landmarks and Michael Fowler will look after press releases to encourage people to share their Hastings memories and local knowledge with our “community”.
There will be a $2.00 coin donation on these evenings to cover the costs of a present for the speakers and possibly refreshments.
Their first speaker will be a “mystery” speaker on Tuesday 13th of May 2008 at 5.30pm…