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OLD CREZ

August 8, 2017 August 2017 Comments Off on OLD CREZ

by John Ansell
 
A trbte 2 a lte, grt 83 yr ld wh kpt hmslf yng by wrtg incmprhnsbl txts.
 
Distinguished Ian Cresswell
Alias oldcrez
(At least that’s what the Sender handle
On his email sez)
 
A local institution
Both rural and urbane
His inspiring contribution
In our minds will long remain
 
I used to like our little chats
When passing in the street
From jazz to troubled teens
His ancient insights were a treat
 
The day he couldn’t stop and chat
He sent a text instead
A real pearl of wisdom
I wonder what it said?

Childproof lids

August 7, 2017 August 2017 Comments Off on Childproof lids

Who would have guessed that those childproof (and often adult proof) lids were invented in New Zealand? Italian expat Claudio Petronelli settled in Wanganui with his young wife, in 1970 they had their first baby, a son.

One day he read of an unfortunate Hawkes Bay family whose child had died after drinking poison from a bottle. He determined that the same would not happen to him and, as an engineer, set about designing a child proof bottle cap.

With partner Gavin Park they perfected a design which they patented then set about manufacturing the caps. They also licenced the they design to an American company which produced millions of caps.
The patent has now long run out but their company continues to design, patent and manufacture a variety of systems from garden and kitchen tools to water valves.

The bad & good news

August 7, 2017 August 2017 Comments Off on The bad & good news

First the bad news: 2016 was the warmest year on record. Global sea ice extent is more than four million square kilometres below average. The Arctic temperatures are three degrees over the 1960 -1990 average. Sea levels have risen twenty centre metres since the start of the twentieth century.

World Metrological Organization scientist David Carlson says “we are seeing changes which challenge the limits of our understanding. We are now in unchartered territory”.

However there is also good news: the cost of solar photovoltaic cells have fallen 85% in the past seven years. Bloomberg New Energy Finance says that solar power is already as cheap as coal in Germany, Australia, the US, Spain and Italy. By 2021 it will also be cheaper than coal in China, India, Mexico UK and Brazil.

The cost of installing wind driven power has also fallen 30% in the last eight years and the price continues to fall.

World wide more renewable power plants are being installed than coal, natural gas and oil combined. This year China has cancelled 100 planned or already under construction coal- fired power plants in favour of renewable energy ones. In the US 249 coal plants have been mothballed since 2010.

The sale of electric vehicles are growing 60% a year. The cost of batteries is falling fast and all the major manufacturers are making deep commitment to the new technology.

MARTINBOROUGH GOLF

August 7, 2017 August 2017, Sports Comments Off on MARTINBOROUGH GOLF

Two down and one to go, we are on the home straight with the season of Winter and for the first time in many years the dams and tanks are fill and the water tables have well and truly reached above the ground. you guessed, we’re ready for Spring!

The Course has been under going some serious aeration and top dressing, the upside is the grass will grow, the weeds will be scarce and we should see a marked improvement on the fairways in the next few months. There has been the odd tree come down during the big gales however we have been very fortunate that damage has been mostly superficial.

The Lions tour boosted the coffers, a good number of freedom supporters found their way to the Course and didn’t mind a bit that the greens were being cored the week they arrived and one group were especially grateful to the Wednesday gals who lent them their Clubs, balls etc. … 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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