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Know your town 

June 8, 2020 June 2020 Comments Off on Know your town 

Early settlers

George Marsden Waterhouse of Huangarua Run.

Georeg Waterhouse was born in Penzance Cornwall the 6th son of Rev. John Waterhouse. His family emigrated to Tasmania in 1839 where his first employment was in a Merchant Office. In 1843 he went into business on his own account in Adelaide. In 1851 he retired from business to go into politics in South Australia.  

George returned to England in 1865, coming south again in 1869, this time to New Zealand where he purchased Huangarua Run from  Smith and Evans. Returning to England to purchase materials, fencing, grass seed etc. needed for the Run.   … Continue Reading

Cotter and Stevens

June 8, 2020 June 2020 Comments Off on Cotter and Stevens

Cotter and Stevens manger Jim Clark thought that  the lockdown would provide a nice break, however with only three days without a call out this proved to be have been wishful thinking. Servicing a huge rural area where electricity, water pumps, filtration systems and milking machines, are essential provided a steady stream of calls for the Cotter and Stevens staff who were all on call. 

Cotter and Stevens was formed  in 1949 by electricians Gordon Cotter and Bob Stevens who had moved to Martinborough from Wellington. Their first workshop was in Jellicoe Street where their telephone number was 54. A work docket from the time was for fixing Mrs Mangin’s radio at a cost of two pounds ten shillings.   

From Jellicoe they moved to Kitchener street in the building which is now occupied by Ray White land agents and Toast Martinborough. With a main street location electrical goods were able to be offered. Toasters, irons, carpet cleaners, GEC refrigerators and Gulbranson radios and, later, television sets were advertised.  … Continue Reading

The lockdown

June 8, 2020 June 2020 Comments Off on The lockdown

The lockdown was difficult for me because my health issues meant I couldn’t leave the house. That’s when so many wonderful people stepped in to support me, taking me to hospital appointments, dropping off food, checking I was okay and doing my shopping as well.  It was a true godsend.  I can’t thank these people enough:  Pam Colenso, Margaret Griffiths, Sylvia Osborne and Bob Bargh from First Church and  my neighbour Christine.   Also Lola Kiel and the other volunteers from Ngati Kahungunu and Hau Ariki Marae. 

Anne Wihongi

Being there when needed

June 8, 2020 June 2020 Comments Off on Being there when needed

Tom Wilson Motors was another important essential service, particularly for businesses and farmers who needed to keep their vehicles running.  “Tom would get jobs from time to time doing repairs and the odd AA breakdown.  It was all about being there if he was needed.” says Lesley.   

“Amber and I needed to be there too but not a lot happened.  We managed to do the quickest stocktake in history.  Our main job seemed to be helping people navigate their way around the self service machine for the first time.  We had to do this  from behind a closed window so it was sometimes quite an interesting process! It also made a change to be topping up dogs’ water bowls instead of topping up oil in cars.”

 

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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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