Laurie Coates

Congratulations Laurie Coates!

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Russell LightsRussell LightsRussell Lights

CIRCULATION Russell District Residents and Ratepayers

Thursday, 30 May 2013Volume 16 Issue 11 – $2.50ISSN 1174-5509

Healthy, Happy – and 100!A nice way to make an entrance, this – 100 years after his first. That’s how it turned out earlier this month for long-time Tāpekan Laurie Coates, when he celebrated his century.

For a man who loves to say ‘don’t worry, be happy’ he’d been worried alright and about, of all things, this milestone. The night before he didn’t sleep – what happened to the ‘don’t worry Laurie?! – but the next day he smiled as he walked slowly along the Russell Promenade on the arm of his youngest son, Bradley.

He paused briefly to negotiate the steps of the Duke and was met by his oldest son Rendon, and daughter Melita. When he finally walked into the lounge bar, grinning and waving his walking stick, it was to clapping, cheers and a chorus of ‘for he’s a jolly good fellow’.

His guests came from all over the world and some of the birthday cards from on high – the Queen, the Governor General, current Prime Minister John Key, and former PM Helen Clark, who once worked for him during university holidays.

Probably more importantly he was surrounded by not one, but several families: his own – though without Pearl his dear wife of 63 years; his family of cyclists from his younger days, and probably as close to him as any, his family of friends in Tāpeka and Russell.

It’s been a long journey, but though he’s recently been a regular at the Russell Medical Centre, one free of ill-health. If anybody was given a healthy genetic legacy then it was Laurie. cont. on page 8

Page 2 Volume 16 Issue 11 - 30 May 2013 Russell Lights

Film ReviewsCasablancaWinner of 3 Academy Awards, starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. Said to be the best film ever made in Hollywood according to eminent film critic Leonard Maltin. Set in Morocco pre-World War II. Romantic and dramatic. Origin of the sayings Play it again Sam and Of all the bars in all the world you had to walk into mine. Unmissable.

First PositionI never thought we would be playing a ballet movie but we must cover all bases and all tastes. This film about an aspiring dancer got an average of 8.5 out of 10 from the critics. Comedy, romance and drama – should be interesting. See you there.

Fank Edwards

PerformanceTremendous film. Terrific character acting with a story and music to match. Highly recommended.

Jeremy Bowen

Nicole Prosser, LLBPrincipal

Buying, selling, refinancing, wills, trusts and estates,Immigration issues, residency, visas, work permits

Williams Road, PO Box 7, PaihiaPhone 09 402 7246 Fax 09 402 7116

also at Kerikeri

DRAINLAYING (Registered)

SEWER CONNECTIONetc

PhoneJOHN CHAPMAN

Russell Resident09-403 8421 or 0274 999 689

Enterprise RussellTraders’ Mall Ph 403 8843

A Charitable Trust helping the Russell Community

• internet • copying • laminating • faxing • • WiFi Hotspot Zenbu •

OPEN DAILYMon-Sun 9am - 5pm

OPENMon to Fri 10am-4pm

Sat 10am-1pm

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FIREWOOD MANUKACut to length

$100/m2 deliveredPhone Leo today!

09-403 8450 or 0272 831 960

See Offshore Powerboat Racing in Style, on IpipiriFocus Paihia is delighted to offer a great day out on the luxurious Ipipiri on Sunday, 2 June, to watch the high-speed action of powerboat racing; ExploreNZ Offshore Powerboat Race Bay of Islands - Thunder on the Bay on Sunday!

Tickets are $100 per person and are on sale at Salt Air and the Paihia Op Shop. Ticket includes: stand-up buffet-style lunch, complimentary drink, Music by Dan Pinkney, Spot prizes and Cash bar.

Focus Paihia gratefully acknowledges the generous contribution of Fullers GreatSights. Proceeds from all tickets and profit from the bar will go to Focus Paihia.

It is hoped that this will become an annual event as part of national series, which will be great for the Bay of Islands economy.

Russell Lights Volume 16 Issue 11 - 30 May 2013 Page 3

Guest Editorial

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Good Bugger AwardAlready we are tired of the rain, even though we have had more sun this summer than we have had for many years.

It’s a bit like our “Good Buggers”. There are a lot around, but you get so used to them, you forget they are there.

That is why every month, we acknowledge one of them.If you know of one, email me at [email protected] or call into our new office on the corner of Cass and York

Street.

This month it’s a couple who keep under the radar but we know what they do for the community. To

Wayne and Jocelynat Hammer Hardware our thanks for all

the help you give our community groups. Your generosity is very much appreciated.

You are truly “Good Buggers”

Your chocolates are on their way....

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The Challenge for Cinema KororārekaOne of the charms of Kororāreka is its island nature, cut off from the mainland. But isolation is a two-edged sword. The beauty of our physical surroundings is wonderful, the historic nature of our buildings is charming and the people we dwell with are great, but there is a deep-seated need in humans for artistic and intellectual stimulation. That is what I missed when I moved up here and that is just what motivated me to bring the resources of the Film Society and Enterprise Russell together and form Cinema Kororāreka. Now 3 years on and after screening many great films, we are faced with a challenge to keep this operation going. The same digital revolution that is changing our television is changing cinema. Just as the current DVD stores will soon be obsolete because we will be able to download everything in our living room for less, the E-cinema format we currently use at the cinema is also changing to D-cinema. This format allows distributors to send non-copyable films to cinemas in a secure fashion cheaply, together with an automatic delete program that is activated after the scheduled number of showings. By the beginning of next year, or thereabouts, this will be the industry standard and the amount of material available on E-cinema will shrink substantially. Already all the big American studios are now only working with D-cinema and 35mm film, but film is about to be dropped.D-cinema requires a $50,000 set-up cost and a permanent location, unlike our portable set-up we currently use both at the Town Hall and elsewhere such as in Paihia. But as fate would have it, just as we need a new ‘home’ for Cinema Kororāreka, the Methodist Church has vacated the perfect spot. It has good acoustics and is the right size for about 50 people to be comfortably seated on couches, sipping wine and eating popcorn or other snacks. Obviously, the building could still be used for religious purposes on Sunday morning, for example by the Baptists, and during the day for something else that would be suited to the set-up. Chamber music from the Devonport group could be a regular feature, for example, and maybe the UKE orchestra could make boutique appearances? Who knows what could occur. Maybe wintertime lectures could be held to supplement Sally’s excellent initiative?One thing is certain: if D-cinema were to be installed, we could get kiddies movies as well as great mainstream movies like The Hobbit, James Bond, etc. to entertain a much bigger group than our current Arthouse movies do, and the operation might even start to make money – horror of horrors! In Arrowtown, Dorothy Brown’s cinema is famous throughout the whole region and a great number of the tourists to Queenstown end up driving to Arrowtown to see a movie in this unique cinema and have a meal before or after the showing. Were our Cinema Kororāreka to be set up in the old church, it too could be an equally big tourist attraction for this town with extra meal business generated by the enlarged Cinema Kororāreka, possibly quadruple its current size. Now wouldn’t that be luverly?!!!

Frank Edwards


Tiling & MoreDaniel Schlecht

Qualified Tiler

References availableCell 021 20 600 66 A/h Paihia 09 556 8161

www.tilingandmore.co.nz

Magic Tyres & Mags

Top tyres, great prices,new and used,rim specialist.

Whangarei

Ring 0800 867 897

Beau’s Arts

Trust the Dog’s Nose

I’ll take over the stoiry now, thanks, pj. It’s my story after all.

the boss persuaded the lazy pj that I needed to go for my afternoon ramble along the far end of long beach, and as soon as I got out of the truck I coulkd smell allm sorts of sea-ttype lusciousness. Seaweed, bits of fish, who knbows what else.

So we ran around a little, I swam out and brought back the tennis ball trhat pj kept throwing out to sea - his aim’s terrible; thgen we had a chat with linda and craig and their dog for a whjile, saw Charlie and frank, and headed off all the way to the end of the beach.

On the way back, I was investigating the wrack and such above high-water mark where the big waves had thrown it up over the previous few days. Suddenly, a new and interesting smell flung itself up my nose. Oi oi, I trhought – wonder if that’s ambergris.

I smelled and sneezed around a large lump, whitish-coloured, that was lying atop some drying seaweed. I decided it wasn’t ambergris, and moved on. Pj picked it up and put it in a bag to carry back to our truck.

I tried. No oil. No $5 or $6 a gram.

Beau was watching me at this stage, shrugged, said “I told you so”, and then asked me to give him the lump, which I tore in two as I gave it to him. It was orange and spongy inside: in short, a piece of sponge that had been floating for a long time. Beau scooped up the two pieces in his mouth and trotted away, tail waving like a banner. He was particularly jaunty.

I really should trust that Beau’s nose knows what it’s doing. Even when the rest of him is full of philosopher’s doubt, the wet sniffling black thing on the end of his face is to be trusted.

Over a year ago now, he decided he’d be a perfumier. Being short of ambergris to use as a fixative – and who isn’t? – he made his own, in manners that I need not nauseate you with right now. He never forgot his learning about ambergris, nor his learning about its value, nor that its most likely place of discovery is on an ocean beach. The last two aspects fixed themselves in my mind, too.

It was Sunday afternoon last.

I have a commercial relationship with the weka parliament whewreby I rip tyhem off before they do the same to me, and I had a plan. I was going to let thgem go through the same process that pj had just done, with the critical differences that the sponge was toirn in two so you coulkd see inside and that the weka had no access to experts.

As it turned out, thyey didn’t even know what ambergris is, even thyough lots of them forage along beaches now and then. So I changed the plan. To goive themn credit, the weka do want toi increase their knowledge, and one of the big guys had heard the expression ‘soak up information like a sponge’.

I sold thgem these 2 pieces of sponge as knowledge traps, guaranteed to release knowledge on proper operation. I’m goiung to be the operator.

A multi-level rip-off. How sweet.PJ

It wasn’t quite as simple as Beau paints it, but then his olfactory apparatus is much more sophisticated than mine. I picked this lump up and put it to my human nose. The smell was simply indescribable, strong but not entirely unpleasant, and not “indescribable” as in so awful as to be beyond description. It was simply something unlike anything I could compare it with, as is often said of mushrooms.

The lump was pale, whitish tan, and had clearly been floating in the sea for quite some time by the look of the small white encrustations on it. It was about the size and shape of a calf’s liver that you’d buy at the butcher’s. The visual appearance fitted some descriptions I’d seen of ambergris, and the weirdness of the smell seemed to equate also. Once we were home again, I took pictures and weighed the lump, and emailed the pictures together with a description to one of the companies who deal in ambergris. I mentioned the rubbery feel of this item in my email.

It was the rubbery feel that gave the clue. The dealers emailed back saying that light coloured ambergris is invariably solid and dense, and advised that a very good test is to heat a needle and push it into the substance you’ve found. If the hot needle makes the stuff melt into an oil at the point of piercing, then that’s a good indication.


Only 2500 �ckets @ $20 each

First Prize : Suzuki Swi� Value $20,500 Second Prize: $1,000 Countdown Grocery Vouchers (excluding alcohol and tobacco)

Licence approval number LT2065048

Organiser: Amanda Breton, Community Funding Manager, 6 Fairway Drive, Kerikeri

TO BE DRAWN Friday 21st June 2013 Ticket bu�s to be drawn from bucket at 5.00 pm at the Social Centre, Kerikeri Re�rement village, Stella Drive, Kerikeri

Winners to be listed in The New Zealand Herald on Thursday 27th June 2013 and Hospice Mid-Northland facebook page

(further details as per �ckets)

RAFFLE TICKETS AVAILABLE AT HOSPICE OFFICE AND SHOPS OR PH 407 7799

Tickets are on sale at the Russell Bookshop.

Celebrating ChampionsDianne Davey and Violet Holmes won the Bowls Far North Centre Champion of Champions Women’s Pairs for the 2012-13 season. The Russell Bowling Club started in 1923 and this is their fi rst Centre title for woman bowlers.

Dianne Davey was also awarded the Bowls Far North Women’s Open Representative Player of the Year. Dianne began playing bowls in 1986 in Russell. She was on the committee for 18 years and served as president, secretary, treasurer, match convenor and delegate of the Russell Women’s’ Bowling Club and during this time served on the Men’s committee as treasurer. After amalgamation of the Men’s and Women’s clubs, Dianne served on the joint committee. She is also the Club’s fi rst qualifi ed Bowls NZ Umpire. Violet Holmes started playing in Wellington in 1988 before moving to Russell. Violet teamed up with Dianne shortly after she joined the Club in 1991. One of their earliest achievements was beating Millie and Marina Khan at the Nationals in Hamilton. Violet also served many years on the Women’s committee and was also on the committee when the Clubs amalgamated. Violet is a representative player for Bowls Far North.Gary Hooson won the Bowls Far North Champion of Champions Men’s J5 Singles. John Hay received the award for the Bowls Far North Club volunteer of the year and the Russell Bowling Club won the overall award for the Bowling Club of the Year.This was an extremely successful season for the club.

Heather Lindauer

Scan Old 35mm Slides and NegativesEnterprise Russell offers a new service:Tranfer old slides and negatives to other media.For any 35mm colour or monochrome fi lm, negative, or slide transparency, we will provide a simple copy of your images onto CD, DVD or other portable media of your choice.

RATES:$15.00 per CD, DVD, minimum fi lm scanning order$1.00 per image (add 50 cents per image if images are selected from fi lm or negative strips)

Just leave your slides/negatives at Enterprise Russell for processing within 2 days.

Congratulations!

Alan and Jenny Trethowen celebrated 40 years of marriage in May.

The young farmer from Dargaville and the teacher from Putaruru met in Alan’s hometown. After studying at Bible College they were pastors of churches at Paparoa, Raumanga and Russell.Alan is also a practical handyman and Jenny a tour bus driver and teacher. They renewed their vows in Christ Church Russell during a Sunday service before Rev Emil Nye. At a shared lunch in their home Alan presented Jenny with a ruby ring to mark their anniversary. Congratulations to them both!


What you need to know about the…

St John Supporter SchemeBy joining the St John Supporter Scheme, you contribute towards keeping your Russell ambulance on the road. In return, you are covered for any ambulance charges incurred for medical emergencies anywhere in New Zealand. The scheme also covers transport for accident-related injuries that are more than 24 hours old (ACC covers other accidents).

Subscriptions for the next fi nancial year – 1st July 2013 to 30th June 2014 – are now due. Subscriptions rates, as set by St John, will be $60 for households and $45 for individuals. While this is an increase of $5 from last year, it is still a good deal compared to current ambulance charges ($75 per call-out for NZ residents).

Existing members will receive an invoice in the mail. New members should drop by the Op Shop in York Street to pick up a brochure. It will give you all the details you need. And, if you want to join up, they’ll be happy to take your payment.

Diane SmithChair, Russell Area Committee

St JohnNEW ZEALAND’S FIRST LICENSED HOTEL

Visit us in Russell, Bay Of Islands

DUKE OF

MARLBOROUGH

HOTEL

35 The Strand, Russell P +64 9 403 7829 [email protected]

www.theduke.co.nz

Refreshing Rascals & Reprobates since 1827

Thumbs up to Eva and Fabian at Earthbound for selling Playcentre T-shirts on their behalf for fundraising.

A big thumbs up to Rod Haines in appreciation for his assistance to the Russell Museum.

Thumbs up and thank you to Wendy and Andrew from the Back 4 Square for their generous donation of BBQ supplies for the Russell School Yellowtail Team fundraiser.

Thumbs up to the out-of-town East West contractor who cleaned our toilets. Superb job. Best they have been.

Thumbs down to the man who helped himself to the fallen tree fi rewood that had just been cut to length outside a pensioner’s house in Pomare Ave on Sunday 26th. Yes we know who you are. Shame on you!!

Russell Playcentre FundraiserRussell Playcentre is having a fundraiser stall on Sunday, 2 June, at the Ultimate Cake Bake Off event. We have decided that we are going to do a BOTTLE TOMBOLA to raise funds for our building upgrade. If anyone has any bottled item they can donate to us, that would be greatly appreciated.We are after anything that comes in a bottle, from Tabasco sauce to shampoo, to wine... the possibilities are endless. So please help us raise some money for a good cause. Bottles can be dropped off at Playcentre (14 Church Street) or call Natasha on 4037591 to arrange a pickup.Thank you for all your support.

Russell Playcentre Fundraising Team


Vehicle Ferry Service Suspensions

Essential Ramp Repairs

The vehicle ferry service will not operate

for the following periods:

Sunday 23 June 2013 9am till 10pm

Monday 24 June 2013 9am till 2.30pm

Normal services will operate outside of these times. Please make alternative arrangements for travel on these days.

We apologise for any inconvenience the suspension of this service will cause.

Thank You

Essential repairs are required to the Okiato Vehicle Ferry Ramp in order to ensure the ongoing reliability of the service.

This work has been scheduled to minimise the disruption to the community.

Far North Holdings Ltd


CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT

Kay HolmesB. Com., C.A.

Aucks RoadPO Box 14Russell

PhoneFaxEmail

09-403 733009-403 [email protected]

Member of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants

Healthy, Happy – and 100!cont. from page 1

Over 100 people came to the reception at the Duke that sunlit Saturday afternoon. Many recalled his generosity and his unfailing optimism. Laurie had given to the community in many ways – planting trees that now line the side of the road leading to Tāpeka with fellow locals Ray Tait and Jim Mowatt; making sure any slime on the boat ramp was always treated, and organising with Merv Dunn, organising Tāpeka’s annual sports day.

Two of Laurie’s seven grandchildren, Morgan Coates (left) and Durrelle Sklenars. They’re holding his birthday cake

which features a racing cyclist – the bike’s wheels symbolising the noughts of 100.

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Laurie’s oldest son Rendon Coates (left) flourishes the Queen’s birthday card signed ‘Elizabeth’.

On the right is an old cycling buddy David Baird.

None of this was really new to Laurie because in his other life in Auckland, he was always looking for new community initiatives. He was an eager promoter of small business and began his own, Speedwell Cycles in 1948. It was a humble start in a building on the corner of Balmoral and Dominion Roads - he had shelves, but at first, precious little stock.

Speedwell Cycles went on to become one of Auckland’s best known cycle stores. For those in the central city it was a focal point for some of Auckland’s best cyclists, a place to yarn as well as do business. He was President of the Balmoral Businessman’s Association for many years and lifted the profile of that staid shopping area with among other things, themed fancy dress weeks for shopkeepers.

A champion cyclist in his day, he also formed a new cycling club, the Akarana Wheelers and many of its former members were at the

reception. Magician Jon Zelando was one of the club’s old boys. Though he couldn’t be there, he penned a portrait which captured perfectly Laurie’s lively presence and good humour.

If Laurie gave, then he certainly got back. All around him at the Duke were people who had cared for him over and above the call of duty and neighbourliness. They visited regularly, they checked to see if he was alright, they took him to the Medical Centre and did much more. It’s doubtful he would have received as much attention and care in a rest home.

Born in Thames, Laurie was the oldest of three children. His younger brother Charlie died some years ago. His sister Jean, now 97, lives in Victoria. She would have been among the well-wishers at the Duke but for what she described with typical under-statement, as ‘a bit of a heart attack’. However, her two children Robyn and John and their spouses were there. Flying in from Perth were Charlie’s two sons Sheldon and Harvey, along with Harvey’s daughter.

Throughout his life, Laurie, a survivor of the Great Depression, was nothing if not practical. His backyards in both Auckland and Tāpeka said as much. Every vege or fruit tree was purpose-planted to serve his family’s needs – and Pearlie was there to do all the bottling!

Finally, though his love of boating and fishing turned his thoughts northwards, away from indifferent Auckland summers and towards the sunshine of Tāpeka. He’d seen his future, and it lay on the green finger of Tāpeka with its 101 sections – and just six houses. In 1973 he retired, sold his shop, his home in Mt Roskill and bought a section on Du Fresne Place. The rest is history and the latest chapter was written in goodwill when we all gathered to celebrate with memories, songs and laughter.

Paul Smith (son-in-law)

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Fifty Years of ServiceAllison Trevor (Haki) Maioha celebrated fifty years as a member of Lodge Kororāreka 304 recently. A gathering of Lodge members from all over Northland, family and friends met in the Lodge where Haki was presented with his 50-year jewel by District Grand Master Brian Wiig.

District Grand Master Brian Wiig presenting Haki with his 50-year jewel.

Fellow Mason and old friend Hilton Cook told the gathering Free Masonry was first brought to NZ by a French whaler holding a lodge meeting in 1837 in Port Levy. One of the oldest graves in Christ Church cemetery has a Masonic symbol, and Lodge meetings were held in the Bay of Islands from the 1890s in the homes of members. In 1931 Lodge Kororāreka was formed, holding its meetings in Russell Town Hall until the Lodge building was erected in 1950. Maurice Ashton was the first master and architect of the building. The stone was laid in 1946 but post-war shortages of building materials delayed construction by four years. In 1993 Norm Harris donated $30,000 for the extension hall and kitchen.

Hilton Cook presenting a portfolio “This is your life”.

Hilton, who also grew up in Russell, told us that Haki, born in 1927, spent his childhood on Moturua Island, where his parents Sam and Ida (née Clendon) Maioha farmed. He used to be rowed with his sister Te Miringa (Girdie) across to Rāwhiti to school. They would board with the teachers (Thompson) for the week. The family moved to Uruti in 1942 and Russell in 1948. Ida was reserved and shy but Sam, a big man, was more extravert. He was often asked to be master of ceremonies at basket socials and dances. He was a licensed Māori Interpreter.

Haki’s first job was on a farm at Kōkopu near Moerewa. He was homesick and glad to come home to be delivery boy at David Woodcock’s store in York Street.Next he joined the army and went to Japan with the Occupation Forces for three years with another local man, Wati Rivers.A carpentry apprenticeship followed at Kaikohe with Tapper Construction. He worked for them on the Hauraki Plains.Eventually he came home and was a self-employed builder working with Percy Kydd, Jake Miller and Haki’s son Wiremu.He has been an RSA member since 1949, being vice president for 8 years, president for 4 years and on the building committee for 50 years. He has also served on the Russell Town Council, Russell School Committee and Russell Ratepayers.

A keen sportsman he was senior and intermediate match play champion at Waitangi Golf Club of which he has been a member for 40 years. Bowls and rugby were also his interests. He married the late Myra Davis of Kawakawa and they had a son Wiremu and six daughters Alyson, Vicki, Henrietta, Rebecca, Maryanne and Moana. Five of the girls were able to be present for the special occasion together with Haki’s close friend Claire Fairweather.

L/R:Claire Fairweather, Haki Maioha and daughter Alyson Maioha.

Hilton Cook spoke of Haki as a man who took his Lodge obligations seriously and who was always willing to help anyone in the community with his practical skills.

He was supported by tributes from Haki’s niece Maria Moppett and her husband Derek, and Panapa Davis from Kawakawa.

After the ceremony Lodge members and guests enjoyed a festive lunch.

Personally, it was wonderful to be part of the honouring of a special and long-time Russell resident. He mihi nui ki a koe e Matua.

Heather Lindauer


Water, Water EverywhereDo you remember the drought? The evidence may still lurk in the plants you are clearing of deadwood or the memories of the summer veggie garden that was not as prosperous as you had hoped. Last Gardening Club meeting was all about hydroponics as an option to soil cultivation for vegetables and herbs. With a musical accompaniment and a list of his virtues, Linda Mee gave us our speaker, “a man who needs no introduction” Terry Greening. His relationship with hydroponics began in practice when his wife, Liz, gave him a hobby kit in 1997. He began by saying that basic hydroponics dates back to the hanging gardens of Babylon and the fl oating reed gardens of the Mexican Aztecs. More sophisticated versions developed in the 1930s in the US, and by the 1970s the technology was much the same as today.

Terrry Greening with Linda Mee.The setup for hydroponics can be very simple. A light-proof holding tank for the water and nutrients, a sterile, well draining growing medium to hold the plants and a pump to circulate the water. Since approximately 85% of plant matter is water, it is important for plants to get enough. Hydroponics uses the water to deliver a complete array of elements needed by plants. Macro elements: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, potassium, calcium, magnesium and selenium plus trace elements: iron, copper, zinc, manganese, boron and chlorine are delivered in varying strengths depending on the plant. Lettuce, for example, does not need as much of these as tomatoes, so less of the nutrient powder is added to the water to feed the lettuce. Growing mediums include vermiculite, 3-10mm gravel, clay beads, or the exotic sterilized barbershop clippings used by the late Duncan Hawkins. Seedlings must be free of soil on their roots which is easy if you grow your own in vermiculite, or rinse the roots of soil-

Bay of Islands

FARMERS’MARKETMARKETMARKETEvery Sunday Morning

Hobson Avenue, Kerikeri 8.30am - 12noonEvery Thursday Afternoon

Village Green, Paihia 2pm - 5.30pm www.bayofislandsfarmersmarket.org.nz

grown seedlings. The pump can be as simple as an aquarium type to pump the nutrient solution to the channel where the plants are growing. If you want to be sure that your nutrient solution is optimal for the plants you are growing a conductivity meter will tell you the strength of your solution. Your plants will also tell you when they want MORE PLEASE.Terry gave us a wealth of information and has whetted our appetite for more. There are at least two other hydroponics users on Te Wahapu and likely more in the Russell community. They are a good resource when we consider

the possibility of more dry summers.The Gardening Club competition for the best exhibit was won by Paddy McNaughton, and Paddy and Susan Goodall tied for most points. The most prestigious gnome award will go to Briar Carroll who spent 3 days trying to sort out a new computer only to realise the problem was the power cord... not connected. Brilliance in one fi eld does not mean that we do not overlook the most obvious!

Next month’s theme is Mellow Yellow. I can’t wait to fi nd out what that speaker is to talk about. Tune in at 1pm on 13 June at the Parish Hall.

Susan Goodall


Facebook – AA Roadwatch Latest Tools for North Civil DefenceSocial media giant Facebook and the Automobile Association’s Roadwatch website are the latest tools to be adopted by Northland’s Civil Defence officials to help provide information during winter storm events and other emergencies.

The Northland Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/civildefencenorthland – has been in use for about 12 months and is now the preferred source of information for many, especially during storms or when tsunami warnings have been issued.

Group spokesman Graeme MacDonald says the Facebook page continues to grow in popularity, attracting several thousand visits during a spate of recent wet weather warnings for Northland.

“Obviously, social media like Facebook is just one of a wide range of tools we use to get important Civil Defence information out to the community, but it’s an increasingly well-used and popular one.”

Mr MacDonald says information about local district council road and State Highway closures/issues in Northland during a storm will now be collated by the Automobile Association (AA) and published on its website via www.AAroadwatch.co.nz

The site contains a map and brief description of closed/affected roads and an indication of when the issue/s involved is likely to be resolved.

Mr MacDonald comments the AA website is well-resourced and will be a useful one-stop shop for roading information for Northlanders.

Civil Defence information is also available from the Northland Regional Council’s website: www.nrc.govt.nz/civildefence

Naval Toasts &Pusser’s RumFor over three hundred years The Royal Navy issued tots of Pusser’s rum to the sailors. At 11am each day, the boatswain’s mate would pipe “up spirits” and this strong 95.5% proof dark mellow rum would be distributed to the sailors in strict pecking order. “Up Spirits” did just that, it was used as comfort for the sailors during long periods at sea and extra rations were issued before battle for courage and in celebration of victories. Sometimes water or lime juice were added, the latter adding unknown benefits to sailors deprived of fresh fruit and vegetables. After a long debate in parliament in 1970 the popular tradition was terminated for financial and probably safety reasons. That date is remembered as Black Grog Day.

Pusser’s rum got its name in a corruption of the word “purser,” the ships purchasing officer. Today the rum is made to the same blending recipe as it was in the seventeenth century and is the choice drink for Naval Toasts. When attending a dinner, the Loyal Toast is proposed first and can be followed by the toast of the day. By custom naval officers remain seated during toasts. This custom has come about due to lack of headroom on old sailing ships. Guests are required to stand. I first came across these toasts while sailing in The British Virgin Islands. I bought some delightful tin mugs with the toasts painted on the outside and at the bottom of the mug on the inside was a picture of a hung sailor taking his last drop.

The daily toasts were:Monday: Our ships at seaTuesday: Our menWednesday: Ourselves - Response: as no one is likely to concern themselves with our welfareThursday: Willing soul and sea roomSaturday: Sweethearts and wives - Response: may they never meetSunday: Absent friends and those at sea

With its distillery in Tortola, Pusser’s Rum is a popular recreational drink in the Caribbean nowadays but there is plenty of competition from local brews. Some of these are very cheap and their dangerous strength is often disguised with orange juice, grapefruit juice and grenadine mixed in cocktails. These rum punches, known as planters’ punch, are very drinkable but defeat the unwary whether accomplished drinker or not. Rum shops, beach bars and music abound in the islands. The perfect setting for party time but beware the innocent taste of the punch. Its punch can knock you out.Cheers and Good Health!

Ray Walsh

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Book ReviewThe Universe Versus Alex WoodsBy Gavin Extence

I read a lot of books but some stand out more than others, and this is one of them. This is a fantastic first novel from Gavin Extence and I will be watching and waiting for his second!

Alex Woods knows he hasn’t had the most conventional start in life. He knows that growing up with a clairvoyant, single mother won’t endear him to the local bullies.He knows that even the most improbable events can happen – he’s got the scars to prove it.What he doesn’t know yet is that when he meets ill-tempered, reclusive widower Mr Peterson, he’ll make an unlikely friend. Someone who tells him that you only get one shot at life, that you have to make the best possible choices.

So when, aged seventeen, Alex is stopped at customs with 113 grams of marijuana, an urn full of ashes on the passenger seat, and an entire nation in uproar, he’s fairly sure he’s done the right thing.This is an easy read with underlying profound issues – just the sort of book I love.

Averil Duff

Planting Trees on Urupukapuka IslandAt first there were only five people in Room Six going, but then one school pulled out so the whole of Room Six was able to go. Where, do you say? Urupukapuka Island - to plant trees. Only five students from each of the other schools got to go - but we got lucky!

The day started when we got our shovels sorted at school. About five minutes after the bus arrived with the rest of the class, we marched on down to the wharf. When the Dolphin boat got to the wharf we walked down the ramp where Helen Ough Dealy asked us to check our bags for rats, mice and ants. Once we were approved, we boarded the boat. We took a seat, then some people said a few words of safety.A few friends and I went on to the bow of the boat. It was really fun but cold at the same time. Since we were sitting with our faces to the railing, we could see all the islands and the water. All of a sudden, this massive dolphin jumped out of the water and we got splashed! It was so cool! The dolphin probably jumped out of the water about 3 times. I honestly didn’t know how big dolphins actually were!Soon we were at Otehei Bay. Helen talked to us about safety on the island; how the traps work and all that sort of stuff. Then we had our morning tea and a play. Next we were off on our walk. I thought it was going to be flat ground but no, we had to walk to the other side of the island. We had to walk up a steep hill, down a man-made track and then down a very steep hill. Soon we were going to plant some trees. Next, Rod Brown explained the trees we were going to plant and how to dig the holes. There were akeake, poroporo, flaxes and other native plants. Soon we were off planting. It was on a hill that we had to dig and plant, which made it a bit hard, but we started digging anyway.After about an hour planting trees, we had finished so we had lunch and went around the rocks. We found lots of kina. It was great fun. Soon we had to walk back. When we were coming down the very last hill, Rose was trying to roly-poly down the hill! It was hilarious to watch. She didn’t get very far though.Arriving back at the café at Otehei Bay, Helen gave out some prizes for great effort. Then we got back on the boat. It was about 600 metres each way walking so we walked over 1.2 kilometres the whole day. Well that was a workout!On behalf of Room Six, I would like to say a HUGE thank you to Rod Brown and Fleur Corbett for organising the trees for all the students to plant. Also to Dolphin Discovery for taking us out to Urupukapuka Island and we can’t forget about DOC for organising the tree planting. We had a great time on the island.

Chloe Cowen

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R U S S E L L F O O T P R I N T S Tales of old Kororāreka – A Light-Hearted Look at the History of Russell

The Police House on the Strand

Patricia Colmore-Williams

At first spurning the taste of alcohol, the Pākehā waipiro – stink, rotten water – quickly became a drink of choice among young Māori men and women, often shortening life spans considerably. By the early 1900s scenes of orgy and violence had been reported as the imitation of Pākehā habits became widespread. Recorded were instances of pipes and tobacco being used as dummies – pacifiers for crying babies. The Prohibition movement that rose to the fore in the late 1800s pointed the finger directly at the government whilst lobbying toward tougher laws for the suppliers of alcohol. Although unsuccessful in banning alcohol completely, the government moved to legislate with tougher laws for the supply and consumption of spirits. The sheer geography of the Bay of Islands made these more stringent laws difficult to enforce by local constables.

European legislation. Diseases also became rampant and it very often fell to local constables to investigate the reported cases of communicable diseases such as influenza, typhoid and smallpox. All these diseases invaded the Māori populations of Northland, including Rāwhiti, which sat within the Russell police environs, with devastating results. The Russell constable, as with other Northland constabulary, was occasionally called upon to accompany and assist government medical officers and the Bay of Islands Hospital Board authorities where he could, often to his own peril in areas where communicable disease was rampant.The law on registration of births and deaths, and the reporting of infectious diseases, however, did not apply to Māori. In this, Māori were outside the law. Because of this lack of reporting there were horrendous results. An outbreak of smallpox in Rāwhiti in August 1912 resulted in the whole community being quarantined and a health officer put in residence. This quarantine was vigilantly policed. A report of diphtheria in Waikare in October 1912 occasioned the Northern Advocate to report scathingly of the ‘evils of the Native tangi’. Their press release boldly trumpeting ‘MAORIS AS DISEASE SPREADERS’ gives us a clear but racially clouded picture of the conditions, and the prejudice under which Bay of Islands police and health officers worked at the time:“... the recent disclosures in the Bay of Islands district give a very disquieting confirmation of the state of affairs. The alarm aroused led the Bay of Islands Hospital Board, at last week’s meeting to draft the following resolution: “That it is the opinion of this board that the time has arrived when the law in respect to the registration of births and deaths and the notification of infectious disease, should be made the same for both Europeans and Maoris, and that the Government be asked to introduce such legislation as will bring this into effect immediately.” The resolution followed on the fact of a serious epidemic of diphtheria prevailing in the district, no fewer than 33 known cases having occurred in the last three months. These cases, scattered over a wide area, all had their origin in an outbreak of the disease at the Waikare native settlement, and few of them would have occurred – there would certainly have been no dissemination – if the natives were compelled by law to give notification to the authorities. It was only from the fact of the spread of the epidemic causing a death in a European family that the terrible circumstances became known at all. The Health Inspector (Mr Skynner) was on the scene with the utmost dispatch when he heard of the affair... The conditions he had to contend with were simply appalling. When he first arrived at the settlement he found a revolting orgie (sic) – otherwise known as a tangi – being held over the dead remains of an unburied diphtheria victim. In the same vicinity were a number of newly-made graves, giving grim testimony to the unchecked, fatal ravages of the disease. Some of the natives bearing the infection with them, made an early departure from the Waikare settlement, and everywhere they went they dropped the disease germs in their wake... We can recall other epidemics, mostly of enteric diseases, occurring at Rawhiti... causing many avoidable deaths... for the law as it stands does not enforce the duty of notification on the natives. The heathenish tangi is also regarded by the Bay of Islands Board as a factor in scattering disease abroad, and its abolition in an enlightened and “civilized” country is rightly requested.”

Posters such as this were widely distributed by Prohibitionists who

drew on previous history to highlight their cause.

The caption on this poster reads: “It is said

that in the early days of settlement in New

Zealand, a Māori who had become intoxicated was placed in the stocks.

A notable citizen passing inquired the

cause of his being there. The Māori replied:

“You put me here for being drunk, but you let

the man who sold me the stuff that made me drunk go free. Why?”

A number of charges brought by local police were dismissed in the early 1900s by the resident Bay of Islands and Hokianga Magistrate Mr H.W. Bishop because of the difficulty in proving the offences to his satisfaction. Drinking and disorderly conduct was rife. One resident constable for the Far North, William Sefton, was said to have a simple but effective remedy. “If you lock up the chief, or the most influential member of the tribe you put the wind up the rest of them and they don’t cause any further trouble.” A philosophy if exercised today would perhaps have landed that constable in very hot, if not indeed boiling water!Conditions for the Northland police, with Russell constables no less affected, were difficult and unpleasant as the constables sought to keep law and order amongst Māori, who were often outside


Council CornerIn a ‘Letter to the Editor’ in the last edition of Russell Lights the question “Has the Russell Forum, an information-sharing group, become an approval-granting authority?” was asked. As convenor of the Forum I can answer quite clearly: “No.” As is stated in the body of the question the Forum is an information-sharing group and has no mandate to make decisions or approvals on behalf of the members of the Forum. However, there is nothing stopping one or more of the individual organisations, who make up the Forum, consulting with their membership and declaring their support for an activity proposed by another member organisation, as happened in this instance.

Recently, the Russell Forum held the first of a series of public meetings to discuss the ‘Russell Plan’. Forty-five residents, representing a wide cross-section of the community, attended this meeting at which I gave the background to why it was important for the Russell community to be the ‘masters of Russell’s destiny’ by developing a living document that would help shape all of those various plans Council brings out on a regular basis (Annual, Long Term, Future Blueprint, and even changes to the overall District Plan). I made the point that when we use the word ‘Russell’ in the context of a Plan, we need to think of the whole peninsula, not just the town. Bob Drey of the Russell Protection Society reviewed the various plans that have been drawn up for Russell to date, and this was followed by a discussion from the floor on a wide ranging number of topics. This first meeting was really aimed at getting the conversation started, so that those attending could go away and think about the issues and when we next meet start identifying items for the ‘wish list’ and strategies for achieving them. Although last week’s meeting covered a number of topics, it did not get into the really meaty infrastructure issues e.g. water, sewerage and waste and a lot of thought needs to be given to those topics as agenda items for the next meeting. For example, in 2006 when the Resource Consent for the landfill was renewed it had an expected life of 15-16 years based on the agreed volumes of waste being disposed of in it. In other words, at that rate the landfill could be full in 8 years’ time, so we should be discussing now what happens to our waste after that, and what do we want to use the landfill site for? In all probability

it will be retained as a Transfer Station so we need to think through the implications of that. As far as water is concerned many of the few bores there are in the area are becoming unusable placing more reliance on rainwater tanks. But is that going to be enough? During this year’s drought the water supply from the camping ground bore was also limited due to the aquifer running dry, a further indication that we need to be planning for alternative sources. I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts on these and other such topics, and will let you know in the very near future when the next meeting is to be held. As well as this column, I will again use the community email as the means of advising you, and members of the various organisations that comprise the Russell Forum should hear through those networks as well.

Last month I wrote about the possibility of Council doing away with the Community Grants that are administered by the Community Boards, and I used three examples of projects that had received these grants that were being submitted for awards. The good news is that Council now plans to retain the grants scheme, and the even better news is that the two projects entered into the ‘Engaging Communities’ category (Focus Paihia’s Place Making and the Ki-o-Rahi field at Waitangi) won first and second place, respectively, in that category.

Please feel free to contact me by phone (021 179 8020) or email [email protected] – or just stop me in the street when you see me in town to discuss issues that concern you.

Terry Greening

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COMING EVENTSSat, 1 June, Russell Ball, Russell Town HallSun, 2 June, Russell’s Ultimate Cake Bake Off & Auction, Town Hall, from 11amSun, 2 June, Powerboat Racing viewed from Ipipiri, see page 2Fri-Sun, 19-21 July, Russell Birdman Festival, see page 12

REGULAR ACTIVITIESAlcoholics Anonymous – Russell School Library, Fri, 7.30pm,Lesley 403 7099 or Bob 403 8266BOI Walkways Trust – phone 403 7624 / www.boiwalkways.co.nz Bridge – group meets informally, 403 7717Cancer Coffee Group – 1st Wed, St John Hall, 10am-12noon,contact [email protected] Français – Duke of Marlborough, Thurs, 5.30pm, 403 7494Community Gardens – Matauwhi Bay: Sat afternoon,Orongo Bay: TBA, Helen 027 224 4115Conversational Te Reo Māori – Haratu, Tues, 6pm, all welcomeDancing – Masonic Hall, Wed, 7.30pm, 403 7757Gardening Club – monthly, 2nd Thurs, Val Gain 403 8480,or Linda Mee 403 8464Indoor Bowls, Opua – Thurs, 7.15pm, 402 8258 or 402 7712Landcare Trust – monthly, 2nd Mon, 7.30pm, 403 7735Pilates – Town Hall, Tues, 5.30-6.30pm, all welcome, Nateele 403 7393Silvers Fit Body – Town Hall, Wed 9.30-10.30am, balance, breathing for over 65’s, Nateele 403 7393

Playcentre – Mon-Fri, 9am-12am; Fri, 4-year-olds only, closed school holidays, call 403 7636 – independent sessions available for 3- to 6-year-olds

Rowing Club – 403 7597Russell Mini Market – Next to Colonial Liquor, Sat, from 9amSoccer for Fun – Russell Sports Field, Sun, 11am-1pmSt John Ambulance Volunteer Training – 2nd and 4th Monday, St John Station, 6.30-8.30pm, 0274 543 315Tennis – Thurs, 5.30pm, everybody welcome, 403 7578Weavers at Haratu – First Thurs & Fri of the month, 6/7 June,10.30am-4pm all welcome - beginners and experienced, Pania 402 6821 or Jules 403 8441Writers’ Workshop – Library, 2nd Sun, 1pm, 403 8321

Yoga with Ines – Mon, 5.30-7pm, general, Russell Town Hall Conference Room, Wed, 6-7.30pm, astanga style at Ines’ home, booking essential, ph 403 7178

Yoga with Lyn – Fri, 10.30am-noon, Church Hall, 403 7120Yoga/Pilates – Sat, 9-10am, Town Hall Conference Room, Dagmar 403 8199

OPENING HOURSCitizens Advice Bureau Kerikeri – Mon-Fri 9.30am-3.30pm,Library Building Kerikeri 0800 367 222Enterprise Russell – internet, faxing, copying etc, 403 8843, open Mon-Fri10am-4pm,Sat 10am-1pm, [email protected] – Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sun, 11am-3pmLibrary – Mon/Wed/Fri, 10-11.30am; Tues/Thurs, 10-11.30am and 3-4pm; Sat, 9.30am-middayMuseum – open daily, 10am-4pm, 403 7701Pompallier Mission – open daily, 10am-5pm, 403 9015RTS (Refuse Transfer Station) – Mon/Wed/Fri 7.30am-1pm / Sat-Sun 9am-1pmRussell Boating Club – Wed & Fri 5pm bar and meals, Sun 5pm bar and roast, racing/other info call 403 7222Russell Info Centre – 8am-late, 403 8020 Russell Marine Radio – open daily, 9am-7pm, 403 7218St John Ambulance Op Shop – Mon-Sat, 10am-2pm

CHURCH SERVICESAnglican – Christ Church, Sun, 10.30am, Holy Communion, 403 7696 Baptist – Family friendly Services including Kids’ Church every Sunday at 10am. Come and join us at Russell School’s Te Whare Wānanga (Hall) on Church Street. For all enquiries contact Pastors Miles & Katrina Frankum, 403 7798.Catholic – Shrine of St Peter Chanel, Mass or a Liturgy every Sunday from the first Sunday of October at 11.30am. 09 401 9281 / website is www.midnorthcatholic.org.nz Christian Fellowship – Town Hall Conference Room, Sun, 10am, 403 7844

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Russell Heritage Corner 138Text and Photo by Russell Museum – Photofile no. 3556

Russell in 1913

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EMERGENCY... Dial 111 Russell Medical Centre 09 403 7690 Russell Police 09 403 9090 (fax 403 9091) Citizens Advice Bureau 0800 FOR CAB, FNDC Helpdesk, 0800 920 029, [email protected] or www.fndc.govt.nz, Councillor Tom Baker 09 407 6115;

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The Russell Lights is published fortnightly by the Enterprise Russell Charitable Trust, Shop 5, Traders Mall, York St, Russell, Bay of Islands. Inquire about regular subscriptions, by mail and email. Phone +64 9 403 8843, fax +64 9 403 8842. Contributions welcome – email to [email protected] – deadline weekend before publication. Opinions expressed are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Enterprise Russell or its Trustees. While we endeavour to ensure the accuracy of the information, Enterprise Russell, its Trustees, voluntary and paid staff, advertisers and sponsors accept no responsibility whatsoever for the accuracy of the information provided in either the printed or digital edition.

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A hundred years ago Laurie Coates was born and the first service was held in Russell’s newly built Methodist Church. What else happened that year? Big news was the bitter two-month-long waterfront and general strike involving up to 16,000 unionists, scab labour, blacklisting and violent clashes with Prime Minister Massey’s “Cossacks” (mounted special police). Our first cross-country flight left the Avondale racecourse and flew 3 miles, at more than 70 km per hour, before making a forced landing at New Lynn. Gaston Méliès made New Zealand’s first silent feature film Hinemoa. It screened in New York in 1913 but never here. Closer to home, a gorse fire, started by Bert Williams, got out of control and spread to Maiki Hill where it levelled the flagstaff Whakakotahitanga. According to Marie King, after J.S. Deeming refurbished it, the “sixth erection of a flagstaff on Maiki Hill, was accomplished with so little ceremony or publicity that no one can remember the date.” There was no road into 1913 Russell – transport was by water, by horse or on foot. The Clansman had long been the town’s main communication with the outside world – loading and unloading supplies, newspapers, mail and passengers. The rail line from Taumarere to the port of Opua was opened in 1884 but it wasn’t until 13 April 1911 that the connecting line reached Kawakawa from further south. This meant more visitors for Russell.

Sources: King, Marie (1948) Port in the North. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1913_in_New_Zealand. http://timespanner.blogspot.co.nz/2008/09/those-daring-young-men-in-their-flying.html

Russell on Regatta Day 27/12/1913 and the committee of the Russell Regatta: Standing L to R: T Cook, T R Williams, T Boucher, G Hewin, A Hitchcock, W

Anderson. Seated L to R: W A Wilkinson, H J Hirst, Leslie Hirst, A E Bissett, Jo Eva.

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Laurie Coates