Maree’s musings

2020 .. TOGETHER WE MADE IT

  It’s that time of the year when we are prone to those ‘at last’ moments, and this one really takes the cake. For many of us, never before have we needed to feel so united. It wasn’t easy however. Lockdown forced us into disunition – I made that up! – but I’m sure you know what I mean. 

I discovered that the Collins Dictionary adopted ‘lockdown’ as its 2020 word of the year. In 2019, its usage was recorded as 4000; and with a 6000% increase it went viral to more than ¼ million. OOPS … ¼ million and one! I promise to avoid it in future.  We could be sure that unprecedented was snapping at its heels wanting to be part of the action and I’ll bet OMG is on the list too. Incidentally, those hard-working dictionary staff have registered 4.5billion words used altogether: I reckon they’ll be hankering to get together after work for a staff do, suitably socially distanced of course.

For us now, approaching the year’s end, we are united in hoping it is All Over. The thought of warbling Auld Lang Syne at the New Year’s Eve party while keeping a modest distance doesn’t pop any corks, for sure. … Continue Reading

Many thanks

As another year draws to a close we would like to give huge THANK YOU to all who help to make the Star possible:

 The loyal advertisers without whose financial support the Star would not be possible.

Likewise to the regular contributors whose articles keep the Star informative and interesting.

Last but, certainly not least, the delivery team, town wise and rural delivery, who go out in all weather to pop one of the 2,500 Star copies printed into  the district’s boxes.  

It is all you people’s regular support and input which enables us to regularly produce the paper which we are told so regularly by readers how they look forward to its monthly arrival.

We would like all of you who contribute in one of these ways to know that the people of Martinborough certainly appreciate your input. 

The Star production team  

Know your town

Disasters and floods

There was a disastrous flood in the 1800s which covered Wharekaka, Waihinga  and the Pukio basin creating  a large lake in some places. The water covered homes and sheds , two men were left up a tree for two days before being recued. Floods in 1910 washed out the bridge at the top of Grey and Jellicoe Streets (then —-  ) 

Fire accounted a great number of homesteads: W Martin’s,  John Martin Junior’s Huangarua, The Smith’s Puruatanga in which a maid died. Both the T F Evans and Edward Harris homesteads were destroyed by fire. 

Many businesses also suffered, In 1872 and ’73 the Swan and Wharekaka hotels were burned to the ground, with the with the Ferry Inn  and Backwater Hotels going up in flames ten years later.  1886 the business area at Waihinga and Lower Valley road was burnt down. In 1908  six dwellings owned by one person were destroyed within just a few months. In 1913 The McLeod Boot and polish factor in Radium Street burnt down. The Catholic Church was destroyed by fire in 1918 In 1926 the buildings on the land now covered by Provider and Tom Wilson Motors were destroyed. … Continue Reading

Know your town

The changes in the formation of Martinborough

When William Colenso visited the area in 1843 the Chief, Nga Iro, was at Haungarua pa. At the time the pa was strong with 75 residents and anumber of whares and large gardens. 3 acres maize, 9 acres potatoes  and acres of other veges, 36 domesticated pigs. In 1844 under Colenso’s leadership they also built a Beautiful church.

The early land deals were made at Huangarua. Both the Pa and Captain William  Mein Smith’s  homestead were places for events and gathering such as the 1^st Cavalry Troop meeting in 1859.

Waihinga and Kaupekahinga on the Ruamahanga River were other places of permanent Mãori settlements of gardens, whares and animals. In 1859 the local Māori built a large whare 70 feet long by 20 feet wide where they put on a three day banquet for both Māori and settlers, thus were more encouraged  to the District. They had a race course at Waihinga, a Ferry crossing and Inn. The little river boats  went up past there to the cliffs at Moiki to deliver goods and take back wool  and goods. This until the large January 1855 earthquake change the river bed. … Continue Reading