Sun The
Blenheim Marlborough
November 1, 2019
Sun Weather
Today 5-17
1
Saturday 10-23
Sunday 13-31
for Today Monday 13-30 Outlook Fine with light winds.
2
arlborough
M l Pest contro 027 226 2932 03 578 2430 www.thespiderman.co.nz 100% Marlborough owned & operated
Phone us : 03 5777 868
3
Our history 4
Looking back at Marlborough over the years, there have been many iconic moments in the region’s history. As we get ready to celebrate Marlborough Anniversary, the region’s founding day, the Sun Newspaper takes a look at a series of photographs representing historic events. These photographs have been provided by Graham Brooks, a retired photographer and member of the social media page ‘Old Marlborough, the way we were’. There, members regularly share photographs of
5
people and Marlborough events and reflect back on days gone by. The caption information has been written by retired journalist Bill McElhinney who was on hand to experience some of these events. 1. In 1973, Marlborough won the Ranfurly Shield with a 13-6 victory over Canterbury at Lancaster Park in one of the bigger upsets of an era when the Log o' Wood was the greatest prize in New Zealand rugby. It was the days before professional rugby, and the Marlborough players had to take time off work for the game and walked to the ground from their hotel on game day.
On their victorious return to Blenheim with the Shield they were greeted by thousands of jubilant supporters. The Marlborough Red Devils repelled six challenges in 1973 and 1974 before surrendering the trophy to South Canterbury 18-6. 2. Dr William Edward Redman imported Marlborough’s first car in 1902, an Oldsmobile, and he went on to set a record for the journey from Picton to Blenheim – 1 hour. The car was known locally as the ‘Snorter’ and was not popular as it scared horses with its noise. 3. The Capri Coffee Lounge was situated where First National Real Estate is now, and was the only place open after the pubs shut at 10pm. The local lads managed on several
occasions to get a small car through the front doors and into the Capri, much to the annoyance of owner Eric Collins. This time it was a little Fiat, another time they managed to get a Mini in there. 4. On July 10, 1983, a massive Wairau River flood swept through Spring Creek and Renwick but, most devastatingly, through Tuamarina after the river smashed its floodbanks just south of Kaituna Road bridge about 7am. Tuamarina residents fled in such a hurry that they couldn’t take anything with them. Cars, left behind in driveways, were caught and swept away by the force of the water or trapped under debris and fallen roofing. The flood had destroyed two homes and damaged dozens of others, killed
thousands of animals and left millions of dollars of repair work in its wake. 5. In 1973 Montana, the country’s largest wine producer, was looking to expand and eventually settled on Marlborough, a place with abundant sunshine and lots of flat land, as the place to grow. The company began developing its first vineyard – now known as Brancott Estate, in August, 1973. The land was cleared and levelled, and the first of thousands of vines was planted. At the time Montana founder, Frank Yukich, made the statement that “Wines from here will become world famous.” Then, no one took him seriously. Marlborough has now grown to be New Zealand’s largest wine producer.
Servicing Marlborough and the Sounds for 100 years SPECIALISTS IN Freighting, Salvage, Mooring Installation & Service We offer a full mooring installation, audit, maintenance and repair service for swing moorings. Talk to us for advice about applying for new consents or for existing consent renewals.
South End of the Marina, Havelock, Marlborough • Phone: (03) 574 2434 • info@johnsonsbargeservice.co.nz • www.johnsonsbargeservice.co.nz