Book review.

Perusing the Library’s book files can be a worthwhile exercise – the four South Wairarapa Libraries’ files are available on the combined library website with books from neighbouring libraries being able to be ordered for pick up at the local library the following day. An excellent service.

It was while so looking that I spotted this book ‘The Last Great Grain Race’ by Eric Newby. The book was first published in 1956 and has recently been reprinted by Harper Collins – Bless them. 

Up until the Second World War Australian wheat was carried to Europe by sailing ships. These would travel to Australia in ballast and line up at Port Victoria in readiness for the arrival of the freshly harvested wheat. Once loaded there was keen competition to be the first ship back to the continent. … Continue Reading

Cooking corner.

Red or green tomato condiments

Mint chutney 

Bring to boil: 

3 cups vinegar, 2 cups sugar, 2 teaspoons salt, 2 tablespoons mustard and boil for ten minutes.

Then:

Mince

½ kg ripe tomatoes, ½ kg apples, ½ cup mint, 1½ cups raisins, 6 small onions,

2 chillies

Add minced ingredients to liquid stir  and bottle. Keep at least ten days before using. 

Green tomato chutney

Slice  4kg green tomatoes  and cover with 200 gr salt, leave overnight. 

Pour off liquid and add 450gr apples, 250gr  sultanas, 2 or 3 onions, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, 250 gr brown sugar,1 teaspoon mustard, and 700 ml vinegar.

Simmer for three hours. 

Councillor notes

By the time this goes to print, the new Waihinga Centre will have been opened three months and it is great to see so many people using the Library, Toy Library, Plunket, I-Site and Knucklebone Cafe.   Just recently, I had the pleasure of having afternoon tea in the cafe and sitting there looking out at the Cruize Martinborough vehicles – people using the Square and also people using the centre itself. It was great to see and be part of the vibrancy of the Centre and town.

Even though we have had a small amount of very welcome rain, a reminder  that there are watering restrictions in place .  Remember, if your street number is an even number (16) or an odd number (21) then it is only on the odd or even day of the week that you can use hand-held hoses to water gardens.  If we adhere to this, then there will be plenty of water for everyone. … Continue Reading

Did You Know

\SHIRLEY, YOUR LIBRARIAN, has been awarded  the Bachelor of Applied Science in Library information and studies. This to go with  her BA in Humanities. Shirley has studied for five years through Open Polytech to achieve this Degree. Well done Shirley

RAY BUSH has discontinued his electrical business and is now enjoying well earned retirement.

THE LONDON GUARDIAN newspaper has  replaced its plastic wrappers with 100% biodegradable Bioplast  which is made from potato starch. This is made from reject potatoes from the potato growing regions of Eastern  Europe. 

LOTTO SALES jumped 28% over the last two years. Sales have now reached $1.25 billion a year.

MASSACHUSETTS Institute of Technology researcher  has discovered millions and millions of tiny sea creatures six microns in diameter ( one two hundredths of the size of a human hair) These oval shaped creatures absorb carbon dioxide from the sea water and emit a tiny amount of oxygen which then escapes into the atmosphere. They inhabit the water between  40 degrees north and 40 degrees south.  

‘HONEST  criticism is hard to take. Particularly from a relative, a friend, an acquaintance or a stranger’ – Franklin P Jones … Continue Reading