Bright Wings

Christmas cards 1880s style

Card by John Philomen Backhouse, White Terraces, 1880

The practice of sending Christmas cards is rapidly diminishing as people use email and social media to keep in touch. Gone is the need to send Christmas cards in October, to reach Europe in time for Christmas, when the internet offers instant contact.

Card by Archibald Duddington Willis, 1886

I suspect many of these Christmas cards from the 1880s would have been sent "home" to the United Kingdom and Ireland, delivery in time for the festive season being dependent on ships arriving and departing on schedule. 

The cards would have been an opportunity for showing off their new home in New Zealand, hence the emphasis on scenic views.  Picturesque scenes of snow-covered villages are noticeably absent.

This card, also by Archibald Duddington Willis, shows the spectacular river terraces of the Rangitikei River, and Kohi (kowhai) flowers.

This Christmas card of the Grahamstown Goldfields, also by Archibald Duddington Willis, suggests a certain pride in the 'dark, satanic mills' of the Thames goldmining industry. In our theoretically clean and green world it would be unthinkable to include such a view on any sort of card today.

Source: Manuscripts and Pictorial Collection of the Alexander Turnbull Library.

Leaving for the colonies

Ford Madox Brown: The Last of England (1852-55)

Those who can trace their New Zealand origins back to the migrations from the United Kingdom of the 19th century may not realise just how brave those migrants were.

They were leaving behind family and friends, in all likelihood never to see them again, in the hope of a better life in New Zealand.

Brown's painting captures the apprehension of the couple perfectly (their baby is wrapped in the mother's shawl).  The painting shows them on deck in rough weather, with the white chalk cliffs of England's southern coast in the background.

Labour Weekend: what's on in the Wairarapa

Photo credit: jdurham

Bookaholic Paradise

The Heart Foundation are holding their very popular annual book sale in Masterton this weekend.

A treasure trove for readers of all ages and preferences, this is a very inexpensive way to build an impressive library. The collection is truly eclectic.

As well as books they offer vinyl, jigsaw puzzles (great entertainment if you're on holiday) and piles of glossy magazines.

New stock is put out each day.

Heart Foundation Book Sale
Masterton Town Hall
Chapel Street, Masterton

Opening hours:
Friday, 22 October,  4 pm - 7 pm
Saturday, 23 October, 10 am - 4 pm
Sunday, 24 October, 10 am - 3 pm (all books half price from noon)

Eftpos available.

2010 International Film Festival

The New Zealand Film Festival is on from 13 - 27 October at the Regent  3 Cinema in Masterton.

Check out the programme here

 

Wairarapa Farmers' Market

Experience a real country farmers market - fabulous local artisan food, produce and crafts. And enjoy fine Arabica coffee and music while you're browsing.

Wairarapa Farmers' Market
Solway Showgrounds
Fleet Street
Masterton

Every Saturday, 8.30 am to 12.30 pm
Eftpos available.

 

Martinborough Monster Charity Auction

This monster charity auction is raising money for South Wairarapa Volunteer Fire Brigades.

60+ lots, nearly all no reserve, of excellent goods donated by local and Wellington businesses. Items range from air flights, wine, olive oil, accommodation around the country, art, clothing, meals, cosmetics, laptops, helicopter flights - and more.

Tickets ($10) available from the Martinborough i-Site, limited to 150 attendees - so be quick!

Saturday, 23 October, 6 pm - 10 pm
Martinborough Fire Station, 9 Texas Street

More information here

 

Beyondsemble in Masterton

Fresh from appearances at the Wearable Arts Award, the quirky group Beyondsemble is doing a gig in Masterton on Monday, 25 October.

Their Facebook page describes them as genre-defying Folk, Jazz, Gypsy, Tango, Bluegrass, Celtic, Latin, Rocksteady.

Beyondsemble
Harlequin Theatre
152 Dixon Street, Masterton
Monday, 25 October, 3 pm

Tickets:  United Travel, 8 Lincoln Road, Masterton

More information here.

 

On at Aratoi

Born in Czechoslovakia in 1925, Mirek Smíšek (OBE) has forged a career as a remarkable New Zealand artist since arriving here in 1951.

Smisek has built three studio potteries on the Kapiti Coast over the past 41 years, and Mahara Gallery, as Kapiti’s District Gallery, has produced the first full survey exhibition to honour his life-times’ work. Cultural commentator Hamish Keith has described the project as ‘a genuine revelation of Smisek’s achievement’.

Curator Gary Freemantle has selected 60 pots spanning 60 years of Smíšek’s work from private and public collections around New Zealand. They represent Smíšek’s main forms of vases, bowls, crocks, jugs and Yunomi (Japanese tea-bowls) and the variations in glaze, shape and decoration as his work matured.

Finishes October 24.

Check the Aratoi website for other exhibitions

 

Local Artists on show - Martinborough

Local Wairarapa artists will be part of an Arts and Crafts show this weekend in Martinborough.

On Sunday evening from 6pm to 8pm there will be live music, wine and canapes. Ticket sales at the door - $15.

Arts and Crafts Show
Martinborough Town Hall
Saturday and Sunday, 23-24 October, 11 am to 5 pm
Monday, 25 October, 11 am to 3 pm

Admission: $2.50

 

Eketahuna Arts and Crafts Exhibition
A variety of local artists and specialist exhibits on show in the Eketahuna Community Centre.

Exhibits will be auctioned on 30 October, from 6.30 pm in the Eketahuna Community Centre. Bid on the exhibit of your choice, including a doodle by John Key.  Wines by Loopline.

Eketahuna Arts and Crafts Exhibition
Community Centre, Eketahuna
22 - 31 October, 10 am to 4 pm

 

Castlepoint - book launch

Celebrate the launch of the book Castlepoint on Sunday with this great community event, which includes transport to and from Castlepoint Station.

Transport provided to Castlepoint, departing from outside Hedley's Bookshop at 2.00pm. (Please check in no later than 1.45pm.)

The bus will travel via Otahome, across Castlepoint Station to arrive at the Castlepoint Woolshed at 4pm.

Castlepoint owner Anders Crofoot will provide commentary during the trip.

The bus leaves Castlepoint at 6pm and will arrive back at Hedleys Bookshop at 7.15pm, travelling directly via Tinui.

Bookings are essential.

Order an autographed book $60 and your bus ticket is just $10. ($70 for book and bus). Additional bus tickets are $20 per person.

Sausage sizzle, sandwiches and drinks will be provided at no charge at the event.

BOOKINGS AT
HEDLEY’S BOOKSHOP
150 QUEEN ST
MASTERTON
063782875
sales@hedleysbooks.co.nz

More information is available on Hedley's website

Wairarapa in 1843

Lake and lower part of the valley of Wiararapa [sic], taken from the west side. 2nd May 1843



Encampment in the valley of Wiararapa [sic] - evening of Thursday May 4th 1843

These watercolour sketches are from the sketchbook of Sir William Fox (1812-1893) who was among the first Europeans to visit the Wairarapa in 1843.

The sketchbook was bequeathed to Dr T. M. Hocken and these sketches are available as part of the Digital Collection of the Hocken Library (University of Otago).

Ongaonga - a glimpse of pioneer past

Just off State Highway 50, in Central Hawkes Bay,  is the little village of Ongaonga.  It was founded in 1872 by runholder H. H. Bridge, who built a school and church and provided land for a recreation ground. These runs were subsequently subdivided into smaller farms which helped the township grow.

Unlike many small townships which have given up in the face of competition from larger towns, Ongaonga has rejuvenated itself as a pioneer village, complete with General Store and Tearooms, which has been trading continously since 1899.

Ongaonga has an outdoor museum and the little whare is a replica of bush buildings in use between 1872 and 1880.  Those struggling with families underfoot on wet days may ponder how these pioneers managed large families in such tiny huts.

The ancient factory, covered with advertising for everything from undertakers to builders, points to an earlier age when a website wasn't required.

The Broome hut, installed in 1964 in the Ruahine Ranges and relocated to the museum, was home to deer cullers for extended periods. It was painted orange to make it easy to spot from both air and ground.

The interior suggests deer cullers did not insist on five-star accommodation.

Ongaonga and Tikokino (further up State Highway 50) are part of a Heritage Trail. Well worth a look if you're travelling up Highway 50.

Greytown celebrates 120th Arbor Day

 

 

Greytown celebrated the 120th anniversary of the first Arbor Day in New Zealand, held in Greytown in 1890, on Saturday, 3 July 2010.

Anniversary Day marks arrival of first Wellington settlers

January 22 marks the anniversary of the arrival of the first settlers' ship at Petone in 1840 - the Aurora - and is celebrated each year as Wellington Anniversary Day.

These first European settlers set up camp at Petone (Pito-one) but, after the Hutt River flooded in March, moved to safer ground at Te Aro and Thorndon.

Read the full story 

The worst snowstorm in New Zealand history

 

Cars on the Rimutaka Hill in Snow, 1930s

October 2009 has been exceptionally cold - the coldest October in 64 years according to Niwa.

Nothing rivals the great snowstorm of 1939 according to Erick Brenstrum writing on the MetService blog.

Snow was reported by the lighthouse keeper at Cape Maria van Diemen at the top of the North Island.

In Auckland, snow fell in many suburbs just before dawn on 27 July. Five cm of snow lay on the summit of Mt Eden, while the Bombay hills shone white for most of the morning.

It snowed in Gisborne and

snow lay 15 cm deep in Masterton, where the town clock was stopped at 2.20am by the weight of snow on its hands.

The Paremata harbour had eight hectares of ice.

Further south the snow was heavier.

Snow cut off Banks Peninsula from Christchurch for a time, and lay 30 cm deep in Akaroa.

Staff at the radio masts at Highcliffs, on the Otago Peninsula, were completely cut off and starving. A rescue mission was launched by one of Shackleton's former team, using Shackleton's sled, borrowed from the Otago Museum.

Rival Dunedin businesses had snowballing contests.

Photo from the Alexander Turnbull Library Collection

Aunt Daisy on cornflour blancmange

Aunty Daisy dispenses potted wisdom and a recipe for cornflour blancmange

1911 answer to social ills: no (liquor) licences

In 1911 Masterton prohibition campaigner Jabez Bridges claimed to have found the answer to Masterton's social ills.

Two happy, prosperous years have passed since the vote of the people took effect, and the shutters were put up on the licensed bar. During those two years our town has grown cleaner and our people more sober. Our homes too are happier and our children are better cared for since No-License came into operation, and all agree that ‘tis well ‘twas won.

From NZ History Online

New Zealand declares war 70 years ago today

At 11.30 pm on 3 September 1939 acting Prime Minister Peter Fraser declared that New Zealand was at war with the following words:

This is not an occasion for many words; it is a dark day in the history of the world ... It is with deep regret and sadness that I make this announcement on behalf of the Government, and the people will receive it with similar feelings. That will not, however, affect the determination of both Government and people to play their part.

Read more on Today in history

Vera Lynn singing The White Cliffs of Dover is enjoying a great revivial in the UK. I seem to recall reading that it was currently top of the hit parade.

70th anniversary of start of WW2

Today marks the 70th anniversary of the start of the Second World War, the day Germany invaded Poland.

The Telegraph has an excellent online feature, covering everything from the evacuation of children from London to recollections of people recorded by Melvyn Bragg.

Instructions to women in uniform on underwear requirements must have been intended to ensure they didn't distract their male counterparts

If possible a corselet should be worn. This one-piece is the better choice, but if the figure is heavy brassiere and well-boned corset may be preferred. Knickers should be in directoire style – with elastic at waist and knees – in any dark shade preferred. 

Telegraph WW2 feature

Violence is declining

Despite horrifying views of man's inhumanity to man beamed nightly on television news, psychologist Stephen Pinker reports in Greater Good Magazine that we live in a comparatively peaceful age.

Pinker looks at life in the 21st century and compares it to earlier, more bloodthirsty ages.

Far from causing us to become more violent, something in modernity and its cultural institutions has made us nobler. In fact, our ancestors were far more violent than we are today. Indeed, violence has been in decline over long stretches of history, and today we are probably living in the most peaceful moment of our species' time on earth.

The full article is worthwhile reading.

Something you may not know about the British Monarchy

On 20 July Swan Upping starts on the Thames River.  This is the ancient ceremony that counts all the mute swans that belong to the Queen on parts of the Thames and its tributaries.

In the Swan Upping ceremony, The Queen's Swan Marker, the Royal Swan Uppers and the Swan Uppers of the Vintners' and Dyers' livery companies use six traditional Thames rowing skiffs in their five-day journey up-river.

The Queen's Swan Uppers wear traditional scarlet uniforms and each boat flies appropriate flags and pennants.

When a brood of cygnets is sighted, a cry of "All up!" is given to signal that the boats should get into position. On passing Windsor Castle, the rowers stand to attention in their boat with oars raised and salute "Her Majesty The Queen, Seigneur of the Swans".

Gosh.

From the Alexander Turnbull Library

 

Low-tech mallowpuff manufacture in the 1950s  

Asking her if she'd done enough for a mallowpuff might possibly be the wrong question.

Growing cabbages, Wairarapa, 1890s

It seems extraordinary that anyone living in such a rudimentary camp as this should be growing cabbages, let alone industrial-sized ones.

Images from Alexander Turnbull Library Manuscripts and Pictorial Collection