with... Joni Morrissey

Blenheim relationship and intimacy therapist

 Are you a dog or cat person?

I have both but I’m definitely more of a cat person, I have three Devon Rex cats.

 What did you want to be when you grew up?

Exactly what I am now, I love helping people especially couples.

 One thing we’d be surprised to know about you?

I was born in South Africa and grew up on game reserves.

 Have you met anyone famous?

Tiki Taane.

 My favourite food to cook or eat is...?

A roast, my mother in law makes the best roasts.

 The shop you can’t walk past is...?

Any antique shop.

 What’s your favourite game of sport to watch?

I watch a fair amount of motocross as my girls do it.

 Your dream weekend involves....?

Staying in a cabin in the middle of nowhere.

 Favourite programme or series currently watching?

Yellowstone is what I’m watching at the moment.

 What’s one thing on your bucket list?

See Europe and skydive.

Iron vs copper: By Wally Richards

Recently a reader sent me an article which I found very interesting so I will share this with you........

Iron gardening tools versus copper gardening tools: What we were never taught, Iron or Copper Equipment in Farming In the 1930s.

A Walter Schauberger was invited by King Boris of Bulgaria to examine the reasons for the great decline in that country’s farming production.

During his trip through the countryside he noticed that in the areas populated by the Turks, the harvests were more plentiful than elsewhere. It was here that the old wooden plough was still used.

The rest of the country had replaced these with modern iron ploughs imported from Germany as part of a general modernizing of Bulgarian agriculture.

The first steam ploughs had also been introduced. Schauberger drew the logical conclusion that the reduced cropping was a consequence of the introduction of iron ploughs, but it was not until later that he developed his theory of the detrimental effect of iron machinery on agriculture. His work with water jets gave him a new perspective on the problem.

It was shown that if a small amount of rust was added to the water in these experiments, no charge developed; the water became ‘empty’.

He abstracted this finding to the use of iron ploughs and thought their effect on harvest yields must relate to this.

When the iron plough moves through the soil, it becomes warm, and the disturbed soil is covered with a fine dust of iron particles that quickly rust. He had previously noticed that iron-rich ground was dry, and that the turbines in power stations ‘discharged’ water.

The conclusion of all these observations was that iron had a detrimental effect on the water characteristics within the soil; it expelled the water and ‘drained’ it of its power.

When the steam plough, and later the tractor plough, were introduced, the situation worsened as a result of the increased speed with which the blades moved through the soil.

Walter Schauberger has said that water disappears from fields that have been ploughed in this way, for straightforward physical reasons; the iron plough’s rapid passage through the soil cuts through the fields magnetic lines of energy, causing an electrical current to occur in the same way that a coil in an electric generator rotates in a magnetic field.

This, in turn, leads to an electrolysis in the soil which separates the water into oxygen and hydrogen.

The electrolysis also damages the microscopic life in the soil and this leads to an even higher temperature occurring in addition to the ‘iron blades’ friction with the soil. It is especially with iron that these phenomena occur.

With ploughs of wood, copper and other so-called ‘biologically magnetic’ materials, the soil’s magnetic field is not disturbed.

The conclusion that Schauberger drew from these observations, was that another material other than iron should be used for farming equipment.

His attention focused on copper. Copper rich soils retained their ground moisture well, and so he began to experiment with copper ploughs as well as other equipment made from copper.

To begin with he merely covered an iron plough’s cutting surface with copper sheeting and made tests with this.

The tests took place under controlled conditions, dividing the field up into segments, some of which were ploughed with the prevailing iron machinery and some with the adapted copper machinery.

The results proved very favourable to the copper, which showed a 17-35 per cent increase in harvest.

A large firm, Farmleiten - Gut Heuberg, near Salzburg, showed an increase of 50 per cent.

On a hill farm outside Kitzbuhl tests showed an increase in the potato crop of 12.5 times the quantity sown.

The baking potential of corn was increased, and potatoes were not attacked by the Colorado beetle, though neighbouring potato fields ploughed in the more usual way were still attacked, and the nitrogen requirements of the soil were reduced.

During 1951-52 controlled tests with the copper plough were made by the Farming Chemical Test Station in Linz. The tests concerned the cultivation of oats, wheat, kohlrabi and onions.

Certain sections were worked only with iron machinery, others with iron machinery and added copper sulphate, and a third area with only copper machinery.

In certain tests the copper sulphate was exchanged with pure copper dust. A significant increase was observed in these tests also.

Rumors of these successes spread to farmers around Salzburg where many of the tests had taken place, and they started to call the copper-wonder ‘the golden plough’.

It was manufactured in large quantities but soon considerable opposition arose from an unexpected quarter.

In 1948 Viktor Schauberger had signed a contract with a company in Salzburg for the production of a large number of ploughs.

Then suddenly one day he was visited by a high official from Salzburg’s treasury office. The latter arrived in an elegant car, and the following ensued: the treasury director:

‘There has been a rumour that the Salzburg town corporation has carried out successful tests with your ploughs, and, naturally, this is of interest.

But now I must ask you face to facewhat is is worth to me, if I support you?’ Schauberger said: I don’t understand what you mean.

You are from the treasury, you have nothing to do with support I have paid my fees for the test and everything is complete.’ The Treasury director went on: I must make myself clear.

The fact is, I have an agreement with the nitrogen industry whereby if I can stimulate the farmers to use more nitrogen than usual I receive a royalty for each sack being sold.

If now the farmers were to change to the copper plough the demand would permanently diminish, and thus I need royalties from your ploughs as compensation.

Can’t we come to an understanding as old friends and make a good deal for us both?

‘Schauberger replied furiously: ‘I have only one thing to say to you - you are a greedy rascal - a thing I should have understood at once - when as a representative of the people you drive around in a luxury car.’

It was after this exchange that there was a surprise termination of the contract from the company that was to have provided the ploughs.

Representatives from the local agricultural society also started to warn farmers against using the copper plough as it could cause over-production which would give lower prices.

Thereby their production and use were totally halted. In 1950, Schauberger, together with engineer Rosenberger, however, obtained a patent on a method of coating the active surfaces of farm machinery with copper. End

Interesting how iron can effect the soil and crop production.

Marlborough’s social calendar has certainly been active in recent weeks from Heritage Day at Brayshaw Park to the return of the Wine and Food Festival at the Renwick Domain.

• Upholstery Shampooing

• Buffing & Polishing

• Pick up & delivery

Ph Aaron 027 256 0808 aaron@carspa.page carspa-detailing.com

“helping people make their house a home”

“helping people make their house a home”

Phone today!

Tel: (03) 579 4430 theteam@creatinghomes.nz www.creatinghomes.nz

Phone today!

Tel: (03) 579 4430 theteam@creatinghomes.nz www.creatinghomes.nz

T&D Construction are a local Commercial Building Company in Blenheim, with over 50 years experience in the Building Industry.

We are currently looking for experienced Carpenters / Contract Carpenters to join our team in Blenheim.

A minimum of 44 hours per week and great remuneration will be supplied to the right applicant.

To be successful you must:

• Be trade qualified (Carpenters only)

• Have a clean drivers licence

• Ability to work with no supervision

• Use of power tools

• Applicants should have a NZ Residency or valid work visa

• Great work ethic

If this sounds like you please email your CV to info@td-construction.co.nz or call our Office on (03) 578-8821

Tractor Operator

Loveblock Farms Ltd needs a Tractor Operator for their growing family owned vineyard and wine brand in the Lower Dashwood area of the Awatere Valley. Loveblock focuses on organic or minimal intervention farming and winemaking.

There are vineyards with a flat aspect and vineyards on a north facing slope, so not all boring flat stuff.

Good work ethic, health and physical fitness are important.

Extended hours are often required during the growing season for spraying.

Full drivers licence You will be involved in vineyard machinery activities and maintenance. Some vine work will be required during quieter periods.

Experience will be viewed favourably, but training will be given to the right person. Good rate of pay and allowances. Contact: doug@loveblock.co.nz

Eldercare

The Eldercare Ministry of St Christopher’s Church seeks to reduce social isolation and enhance the mental and physical wellbeing of older people living in the Redwoodtown area. The role includes the organisation of activities and working alongside volunteers and other agencies involved in Eldercare services.

For a copy of the job description, please contact Tineke, ph. 578 0139 or office@stchristophers.co.nz

Applications close Friday 17th February 2023

Administration Superstar

We are looking for that special someone to join our awesome team in this full time Administration role. A highly organized and motivated individual that will be responsible for supporting the day-to-day operations of our organization by providing administrative supp smooth and efficient workflow. The ideal candidate will have exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, the ability to multitask, and the drive to take initiat opportunity to work with a fun & friendly close-knit team in a well-established local business.

Johnsons Barge Service Limited is a busy company with a fleet of will be given all the training required to carry out the duties of office administration would be an advantage but not essential. Our biggest asset is our ‘TEAM’ so the right person will be far more important to us than any written qualification.

Responsibilities:

• Manage day-to-day office operations, including answering phones & responding to emails.

• Maintain and update client records & office files, ensuring that all information is accurate and up to date.

• Support the management team by conducting research, preparing reports, and organizing and managing projects.

• Accounts Payable & Accounts receivable, invoice management.

• Provide support for meetings, events, crew requirement.

• Ensure that the office is kept clean and organised, and that equipment is maintained in good working condition.

• Ad-hoc administrative tasks, systems & procedure specific to our unique business keep this role varied & interesting, all training for these specific tasks will be given on the job.

Requirements:

• Excellent organizational and time-management skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Experience with Xero Accounting software would be a plus.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office a bonus.

• Attention to detail and ability to handle confidential information with discretion.

• Ability to multitask and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.

• Positive attitude and a desire to go above and beyond to support the team.

If you are a highly motivated and organized individual with a passion for administration, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity. Our company offers a dynamic and supportive work environment, as well as opportunities for growth and advancement.

To apply email info@johnsonsbargeservice.co.nz or

Harvest accommodation Wanted

Harvest period (March 2023- May 2023).

If you can assist, please email Alistair at alistair.mcintosh@nzwineries.co.nz