Sponges at risk

Sediment plumes caused by such activities as bottom trawling and  deep sea mining  pose a threat to sponges which are crucial to the deep sea’s eco system.

Researchers have  exposed New Zealand  deep-sea sponges  to different levels of sediment concentrations. The findings were that  as the sediment increased the sponges  breathing rates fell by up to 60% with some sponges dying .

At the end of the two week experiment  sediment was found deep in the tissue of all specimens including the controls. Despite survival of a trawling the damaged caused would  continue to affect sponges beyond the disturbance  

The law of…

Law of Random Numbers – If you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal and someone always answers.

Law of Gravity – Any tool, nut, bolt, screw, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner. 

 Variation Law – If you change traffic lanes, the one you were in will always move faster than the one you are in now 

Law of Close Encounters -The probability of meeting someone you know increases dramatically when you are with someone you don’t want to be seen with. … Continue Reading

SOUTH WAIRARAPA REBUS CLUB

Meeting on 22 October, for the first time since July, the South Wairarapa Rebus Club discussed the near-term prospect of our having to deal with members who might be unvaccinated. A clear line was drawn between those who were refused vaccination for medical reasons and any who might choose to remain unvaccinated for their own reasons. The consensus of the meeting was to await the possibility of further Government regulation before determining our own individual club policy at the February AGM.

The Guest Speaker was our own John Reeve, a retired Government toxicologist, talking about toxic plants in New Zealand. He distinguished “toxic hazard” relating to the nature of a poisonous substance, from “toxic risk” which reflects the likelihood of human contact with the substance at levels determined to have toxic effects. Even for carcinogens, if the hazard is present in a low enough quantity, it is without risk. … Continue Reading

SMART upgrade caps a month of learning at Martinborough Library

One morning last month a customer came into Martinborough \Library to use our public computers. She wanted to submit her first assignment for an online class she was taking, but wasn’t quite sure how. After some trial and error, the woman, her friend, and a staff librarian figured out how to get the assignment sent on its way. Just another part of the lesson, the woman said. “I am eighty. My whakatauki is to always keep learning.”

May we all humbly follow her wisdom, calm, and curiosity—and patience in the face of new technology!

Indeed, ‘always keep learning’ has been our whakatauki during a busy month of change across the Wairarapa Library Service. In October the WLS completed a long-planned move to join the SMART Network, linking us to libraries in Masterton, the Hutt Valley, the Kapiti Coast, and more. We also debuted a series of adult online writing classes, and took our October holiday kids’ programming online with fun how-to videos on brick building and telling stories. … Continue Reading