Book review: Exactly – How precision engineers created the modern world

Here is another excellent book from author Simon Winchester. Simon has written numerous books on history, geography, inventions, discovery and personalities, the Library service has thirteen titles available and every one riveting reading. ‘Exactly’ is the latest.

Exactly illustrates how all the  advances since the industrial revolution were based on advances in precision engineering. Each chapter takes the reader through a history changing engineering event commencing with the eighteenth century engineer John Wilkinson whose boring a cylinder from solid iron for James Watt’s steam engine is considered the world’s first case of precision engineering.

At four hundred pages this is a substantial book, it is divided into eleven chapters each dealing with a definite step forward in precision engineering and the advantages this bought. 

We are told about  Joseph Whitworth, who standardisation of the sizes of  screws, nuts bolts, cogs and measures resulted in hugely improved productivity. This Standardisation resulted in cheaper production of parts allowing for once expensive items, such as clocks, becoming affordable for the masses.  … Continue Reading

Cooking corner – Perfect pie

Ingredients

500g Quality Mark beef steaks

Cross-cut blade steak, cut into 3cm pieces

2 tbsp seasoned flour

i25g butter softened

500g pumpkin fresh, cubed

1 onion chopped

1 carrots sliced

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

i1 cup beef stock

1/2 can canned tomatoes crushed

1 bay leaf … Continue Reading

Book review – Dead letters

Author Jared Davidson is a Wellington archivist and historian, his special interest is in exploring people and events which are often overlooked by traditional histories. His book ‘Dead letters’ tells of a secret government censorship department and the thousands of letters written  during and after WW1 which had been confiscated, never to reach their destination. 

At the outbreak of WW1 the British government requested the department be set up and sent out a semi retired colonel to oversee it. Letters posted to or from known anti war activists were taken out and steamed open for the contents to be checked by a team of readers. Any which could be  deemed subversive or had information which may be of interest were passed up to the colonel for actioning. 

Along with the known activists letters ones addressed to ‘foreign’ countries,  ones with non English surnames and mail to and from Ireland were also opened. Innocent letters were re-sealed and sent on their way. Others were stored away and these many years later are providing interesting material for researchers such as Jared.  … Continue Reading

Aroha String Quartet with Clarinettist Rachel Vernon

After a disappointing cancellation of their June concert due to level 2 lockdown, the Greytown Music Group is hoping all will be well for their next concert, on Sunday 22 August, when the Aroha Quartet will join forces with Rachel Vernon on clarinet.

The Aroha String Quartet was formed in 2004, and is now one of NZ’s finest chamber music ensembles. Original members violinist Haihong Liu and violist Zhongxian Jin were joined by cellist Robert Ibell in 2009, and violinist Konstanze  Artman in 2018. They like having guest performers from time to time, adding an extra dimension to the music. Last year they toured with oboist Robert Orr, and this year it is the turn of the clarinet. Rachel Vernon has held the position of principal bass clarinet in the NZSO since 1995, has recorded for Radio NZ, and performed as a soloist with local orchestras.

The programme, “Clarity”, features the clear pure voice of the clarinet, contrasting with the strings,  in two of the best-loved works in the chamber music repertoire: the gorgeous clarinet quintets by Mozart and Brahms. The middle work in this programme is Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla’s “Oblivion”, composed in 1982. Featured in the 1984 Italian film “Enrico lV” (Henry lV), “Oblivion” has been described as haunting and atmospheric, and is considered to be one of Piazzolla’s most popular tangos. Haihong says “While “Oblivion” has been recorded with many different instrumental combinations, eg saxophone quartet, oboe and orchestra, we think that the clarinet and string quartet is the best! It is a piece which speaks of love, sophistication, and whispered sadness.”

The concert will be at 57 Wood St, Greytown, at 4pm on Sunday 22 August. Admission $25, $10 for students. For bookings contact Ed and Juliet Cooke: 06 304 9497 or efjacooke@gmail.com.