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Word fun

August 8, 2017 August 2017 Comments Off on Word fun

Homonyms, Homophones, Homographs and Heterographs

A Homonym shares the same spelling and pronunciation but has a different meaning. E.G. bark (the sound a dog makes) and bark (part of a tree).

Homographs are words with the same spelling (pronunciation may vary) but each has a different meaning as in hound (a dog breed) or hound (to pester).  

Homophones share the same pronunciation, no matter the spelling, and also have a different meaning, E.G: fair (a public gathering) and fare (a fee for public transportation).  … Continue Reading

The world has never been better!

August 8, 2017 August 2017 Comments Off on The world has never been better!

Johan Norberg looks at the progress humanity has made in recent years:
In 1947, 50 per cent of the world’s population was chronically malnourished. Today that’s down to 13 per cent.

Chlorination of water led to a massive drop in infant mortality. Such benefits have now been extended to the Third World, with the result that 91 per cent of the world’s population (2.6 billion people) have clean water, as opposed to 52 per cent in 1980.

In the 1830s, in western Europe life expectancy was still only 33. Today, average life expectancy in the world is an amazing 71.
… Continue Reading

The electronic petrol pump

August 8, 2017 August 2017 Comments Off on The electronic petrol pump

A then small Marton firm, PEC, had it’s start in the Second world war when it was established to make smoke bombs. After the war they made a number of products before settling on manufacturing petrol pumps.

In the 1970s they noted the invention of the microprocessor and realised that one day their mechanical pumps would be a thing of the past.

They decided not to delay but begin designing an electronic pump. … Continue Reading

Speak only English

August 8, 2017 August 2017 Comments Off on Speak only English

Is it important that more people speak English? Only this week, David Cameron launched a new scheme encouraging more Muslim women to learn the language, one argument being that the inability of many to do so weakens their voice , and in doing so strengthens radicalisation.

It’s true that ignorance of English is a personal cost for anyone living here, perhaps a personal tragedy, but I doubt it’s a long-term social problem. … Continue Reading

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Sports

Golf pro-am success _ without clubhouse

By Karen Stephens A record field of 172 players, including 43 professionals from New Zealand and Australia, battled light winds, warm temperatures and even light early-morning fog at Martinborough golf’s 2024 CER Electrical and Holmes Construction pro-am on February 1. At least that was the range of excuses for some …

Featherston wrestlers go offshore

Two members of Featherston Amateur Wrestling Club’s senior class have again been asked to join a New Zealand team overseas.  Wairangi Sargent and Angus Read will take part in the Journeymen Tournament and Training Camp over Easter in New York state.  Over the week they are there they will be …

Martinborough Golf Club has tumbled down

The demolition of the Martinborough Golf Club is complete. In the last days prior to Christmas a fully-insulated pole shed, much like a top end farm outbuilding, was erected to act as both office and temporary clubhouse. New septic tanks, internet connectivity, power, water, and Porticom loos were installed. On …

Regular Features

News from First Church

 Many folk imagine that going to church is a bit of an ordeal, a waste …

FROM THE MAYOR

By Martin Connelly In February the local Lions Club invited me for dinner and asked …

Driving Growth and Collaboration: Martinborough Business Assn Committee

The Martinborough Business Association Committee plays an important role in fostering economic growth and collaboration …

How Well Do We Know People in our Community?

Michael Bing talks to Lyle Griffiths Michael was raised in Auckland, attending St Peters College …

BOOK REVIEWS FOR HOT SUMMER DAYS

By Brenda Channer – Martinborough Bookshop “Whether Violent or Natural” by Natasha Calder This debut …

Community Garden News

By Debbie Yates This is definitely the month of thank you. Nga Mihi Nui! We …

EVENTS

Saturday 10 February: 10th annual Citizen Science Kākahi Count at Western Lake Shore Reserve, 18km …

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