The Weekend Lifestyler, February 19th 2021

Page 1

February 19 2021

Covid checkpoint confusion ends P3

From Russia with art P5

Conserving exotic felines The rebels who dug in P7

Well-known in the New Zealand Fancy Cat body, Thelma and Terence Blythen from Paparoa compete with each other as they respectively breed Abyssinian and Burmese cats. For many years Thelma has imported stud males to keep the bloodlines of her felines renewed. She appreciates the Abyssinian breed for their ticked hair colours, elegant looks, hardiness and their companionship. Terence breeds the Burmese, which is known to be agile and well-muscled with a short, smooth glossy coat. They come in many colours, are very affectionate and also continued on page 10 … delight in company and attention.

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February 19 2021 THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER

A line in the sand u by Andy Bryenton

THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER IS PUBLISHED WITH PRIDE BY INTEGRITY COMMUNITY MEDIA, A PRIVATELY OWNED KAIPARA COMPANY. Phone: 0800 466 793 Email: info@integrity.nz Postal Address: PO Box 474, Dargaville Physical Address: 107 River Road, Dargaville Editor: Deb Wright | 021 639 696 Journalists: 0800 466 793 | Andy Bryenton | Liz Clark | Ann van Engelen

Organisers are calling it a ‘fantastic turnout to support a crucial environmental cause’; a group numbering in the hundreds gathered on Mangawhai Heads beach last Sunday to voice their opposition to sand mining plans for the region.

Marketing: Betty Willetts 027 525 8197 | John Pickworth 027 525 8189 | Andy Bryenton 021 439 947 Creative Director: Jessica Keesing Design Team: Sacha Freeman | Gavin Bainbridge | Kelsey Hansen Accounts: accounts@integrity.nz Printed by: NZME

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KEEP TRACK OF WHERE YOU’VE BEEN p Despite Covid confusion, a large group of protestors turned out on Sunday to oppose sand mining plans for the Bream Bay Coast, forming a giant human SOS on the shoreline Photo credit — Jessica Holdaway

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Stop Sand Mining, a grassroots group allied to fellow anti-mining locals the Mangawhai Harbour Restoration Society and the Friends of Pakiri Beach, has been visibly present on the east coast for some weeks now, with posters proliferating. Event coordinator Ken Rayward says that Sunday’s protest will be just the first to highlight a major environmental issue. “We had enough people take part to form a giant human SOS on the beachfront, representing save our sand,” said Ken.

members contend that the ecological damage is too high a price to pay, citing the loss of foreshore, seabird habitat and the protective dunes, which form Mangawhai’s lagoon, as possible outcomes. “We are still waiting for notifications from the interests seeking Resource consent,” says Ken. “However, in the meantime, we will be planning more actions to keep people up to speed.” Another factor, which may weigh on the decision to grant or deny resource consent for this mining activity, is the

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“It turned into a fantastic day, with a great positive attitude among the crowd. It was good to see the mayor (Jason Smith) present along with some of our council representatives, and other important groups like the Fairy Tern Trust.” The peaceful protest stood in opposition to resource consents proceeding to allow the harvesting of thousands of tonnes of sand from the seabed from Mangawhai to Pakiri. Operations totalling 1,500 tonnes a week are allegedly planned with new technology, providing sand for the building industry. However, opponents such as Stop Sand Mining’s

recent announcement of the repeal and replacement of the Resource Management Act. With the rhetoric around its replacement laws heavy on the side of environmental protection, the question must be asked whether a decision made under the auspices and clauses of the outgoing RMA will meet the criteria of the incoming legislation, intended to be in place by December this year. A decision on the resource consent applications to permit sand mining is due well before then. Stop Sand Mining, and their allies, plan to voice a strong local opposition each step of the way. ¢


THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER February 19 2021

Covid checkpoint confusion ends

3

u by Paul Campbell

“From now on Kaipara should be kept fully informed of what happens in lockdown making sure the public is fully informed on what to expect,” says Kaipara Mayor Jason Smith, after roadblock confusion in the latest Covid alert over Auckland community cases. Dr Smith said he was pleased when checkpoints set up to police the Auckland alert level three, which caused long traffic delays and turnarounds, were shifted back to the locations used during the last regional lockdown last year. The checkpoints caused widespread community frustration as it was not clear which level some Northland

on with the job,” Dr Smith said. “My concern was about the community, and I am confident that it won’t take place again.” He voiced his concerns to the central government to clarify where the boundaries were, and the department of the prime minister and cabinet then confirmed Mangawhai, Kaiwaka and Oneriri were on alert level two.

It was confusing with one website saying one thing and a second another

towns were in. For the most part, the problem was that Mangawhai’s policing area is divided between Northland and Waitemata police districts. Pupils heading for school in Maungaturoto from Kaiwaka experienced delays, along with other commuters at Brynderwyn. “Simply going into lockdown rapidly on Sunday night, if they had established the checkpoints in the old places, then everyone would have been able to get

Before the situation was resolved, some Mangawhai residents, in particular, didn’t know if they were supposed to reduce social contact or not, with some businesses and schools closing as a precaution. Many local stores and amenities in Mangawhai closed their doors, including Mangawhai Beach School and The Opportunity Factory in Wood Street. Local butcher Dan Klink was open as an essential service, and said

p Kaipara Mayor Jason Smith — keeping fully informed

the town was “quiet but not shaken by the rumours of lockdown. “It was confusing with one website saying one thing and a second another, but people seemed less panicked than in previous lockdown situations,” Mr Klink said. “The checkpoint set up by police was actually right in front of my house, so seeing the red and blue lights on Sunday night was a bit of a surprise. We were about keeping our staff and

customers as safe as possible. It’s better to have lost a day than lost a life when it comes to Covid.” The Kaipara District Council office in Mangawhai also closed its doors on Monday but was reopened the next day after receiving border confirmation. “What we don’t want is these confusions again. They are avoidable with better communication,” Dr Smith added. ¢

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February 19 2021 THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER

OPINION

Roads to ruin? u by Dodge G Maintenance

Bad roads aren’t just a constant gripe or a problem which annoys motorists. They’re deadly. In an era when your workplace must comply with health and safety parameters bordering on the obsessive and paranoid, why are the surfaces we trust to grip a tonne of speeding metal in the bends so lousy? Of course, health and safety is a reason that has been put forward for taking a giant leap backwards and reducing the speed limit. Cynics might conclude that dropping to 80 is an excuse to reduce maintenance and write off upgrades and repairs as unnecessary. Despite the fact that those limits were set when cars were made of tin and wire, with nothing but the driver’s reflexes between them and the ditch. Nowadays most cars have an alphabet soup of acronyms keeping all wheels on the road with computer magic. No matter what Mr Benz and Mr Honda program into their machinery, it can’t contend with potholes the depth of the grand canyon or road surfaces so uneven they look like a graph of political approval ratings. It sometimes seems that problems like these are tolerated rather than diligently pursued, around these parts. Sometimes warning signs grow lichen before a spade gets lifted. When it does, the result often has more patches than a pirate optometrist’s. Perhaps the problem lies in the method. Roads are managed by our local council and by the central government depending on what kind of road they are. Then, rather than employing a team to fix them, the appropriate power puts the job out to tender and picks the lowest bidder. Imagine if

that’s how they did the Sistine Chapel; we’d end up with a colour-by-numbers of Thomas the Tank Engine instead of an inspirational masterpiece because it cost less. Then there are cynics (and I can hear you out there nodding) who opine that the road crews must by necessity do a shoddy job, so there’s ample work for them in the future. How many times do you see the same bit of road get fixed, over and over again? This would be comical if it were less important. However, when lives are in the balance, (and they are) giving the job to the lowest bidder, who may be thinking of repeat performances, is not really ideal. Getting to the stage where we have to go backward to horse and cart speeds is worse. It’s like admitting we can’t build houses anymore and retreating back to the caves. In some countries, you can sue the ‘powers that be’ for damage caused by bad road maintenance. Do you sometimes think, as your suspension shakes to bits, that it’s about time we had that here? By ‘here’ of course, we mean Northland specifically. South of Auckland, there’s a perfectly smooth flat and well-maintained Waikato expressway where the speed limit is 120km/h. Get too far north, however, and it’s one-lane bridges, off-camber corners and permanent, orange plastic markers. ¢

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A domain of classics u by Andy Bryenton

Mangawhai’s golf club and town domain will both benefit from a classic car, hot rod and motorcycle show, which aims to gather 400 to 500 specialist vehicles to raise money for these outdoor recreation spaces.

Event organisers Peter Bridge and Bill Mabey envisioned the show idea after taking a look at other such festivals and trying to brainstorm a way to benefit the local golf club’s groundskeeping force, alongside the domain’s committee. At the golf course, the staff, many volunteers, are getting by with old and increasingly temperamental machinery and equipment. The domain received grants from the Kaipara District Council in 2020 for upgrades and planting, but further expansions could make this an even more useful outdoor space for locals to enjoy. “It all started as an idea to raise money, but we’ve seen a fair bit of interest, and it’s gaining momentum,” says Bill. “All kinds of classic vehicles, hotrods, vintage utes and trucks, bikes and trikes are welcome, and we’ve seen some amazing turnouts at other similar events this summer. Our aim in getting the word out now is

to enable people to put the finishing touches on projects and make plans to come along.” Part of the fun of this show will be prizes not just for the top machines, but also for patrons who come dressed in period costume to match their classics. That could mean the sharp-dressed style of the rockers and mods, the retro-chic of 1950s rock and rollers, the fashions of the 70s muscle car era or pre-war gentleman motorist’s tweeds; it’s up to you. Bill and Peter have given over the concession stalls with merchandise, food and drink at the domain; committee members, who promise plenty of refreshments to keep patrons in good spirits. All the action is set for this year’s Easter Sunday, April 4. The event will fill the Mangawhai Domain with chrome and horsepower from 10am; event organisers ask those interested in displaying a vehicle to contact them soon to book a space. Email bill@mangawhaigolf.co.nz. ¢


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THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER February 19 2021

p Elena Nikolaeva believes art has good therapeutic effects and loves showing people who have never been involved in art that they can be creative

From Russia with art u by Ann van Engelen

Elena Nikolaeva moved to Mangawhai from Russia in the year 2000, bringing her artistic passion and teaching skills with her. “I attended Urals State University of Fine Arts, and I taught there after graduating and attained an associate professorship for the painting department,” says Elena. “When we moved to New Zealand, I began teaching art in the community education system in Warkworth. I now tutor in Kamo and offer workshops at the Mangawhai Artists Gallery Working Space. In Russia, I began taking art lessons as a little girl. I was always creating things with mixed media. I would use any material I could find including timber from forests. I loved to paint as well because colour is a wonderful, fascinating thing to me. My grandmother was a well-known hat designer, so I guess creativity is in the blood.” Elena teaches painting and mixed media and believes art is also very therapeutic.

“Life is unpredictable and can get hectic. To me, it is important to reach harmony in your artwork. You may decide to use bright or subtle colours depending on your mood or painting idea. Trying to reach harmony in our lives, I believe your colour pallet should

driftwood found on Mangawhai beaches alongside objects such as screws and nuts that I find. I like to give things people throw away a new life instead of seeing items wasted. “The Exotic Creatures and Airbrush Features exhibition is alongside Colin

In Russia, I began taking art lessons as a little girl. I was always creating things with mixed media

also always be harmonious. Creativity has a wonderful therapeutic effect. It is amazing how time flies and the positive effect it has on your mood. People attending art classes often forget time and suddenly, it is the end of the class. “At the moment I am working on pieces for an exhibition. I am using

Unkovich at the Mangawhai Artist Gallery from March 11 to March 24. Colin is an airbrush artist, and my works will be 2D and 3D mixed media. “I have been interested in art my whole life. In Russia, life is more indoors so art is more academic. When we moved to New Zealand, I discovered I could go out into the world to paint or

draw. Every week, my friends and I go somewhere, such as the bush, where we can find inspiration to paint. That is what I really appreciate. “I believe one of the most important things in life is to express ourselves, and I enjoy sharing my knowledge. At the moment, I am teaching people who have never done art. It opens the door to the creative world for them. I get envious of beginners at times. “They are at the start of the threshold of this beautiful world of creativity. It is wonderful to see the delight on their faces as they realise they can do art. “My husband and I enjoy living here in Mangawhai. We enjoy our little nest here with our beautiful birds waking us up every morning with the native bush around us. It is so beautiful, and the art community in the Kaipara is amazingly vibrant and grows weekly.” ¢


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February 19 2021 THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER

Mums are golden u by Liz Clark

Since the 17th century when imported to Europe, a formerly humble plant has become the darling of indoor and outdoor display on the global stage. Fondly known as ‘mums’, chrysanthemums are among the most well-loved flowering plants now cultivated by New Zealand gardeners. The plants originated in China and were grown predominantly as a flowering herb. During the Edo period in Japan, chrysanthemums were selectively bred for flower colour and form. In contemporary times, the Japanese still hold an annual festival on the ninth day of the ninth month to celebrate the plant and its blooms. Since its initial development, the chrysanthemum now has more than 20,000 named cultivated varieties propagated worldwide. Many are available at local nurseries or online. Moreover, the plants are highly versatile and can be grown in a broad range of soil types, including clay if there is adequate drainage. Smaller growing varieties can be grown in pots as indoor plants. They are also suitable for cut flowers, making a long-lasting display in a vase on the table. When planting in the garden give young plants a good start by providing adequate drainage, compost and a dose of fertiliser. These steps will ensure that the roots and foliage will have enough nutrients to provide robust growth — mulch well during the growing season, especially during the summer

months. Protect from slugs and snails or your chrysanthemums will become little more than shredded stalks. Use an appropriate bait or remove by hand. It’s advisable to plant early in the morning or in the evening to prevent the sun from drying them out and damaging the roots and leaves. More often than not, chrysanthemums are sold at supermarkets, hardware stores and nurseries as potted plants. They are popular as gifts to friends and family; however, if not taken care of they soon die. Once a plant is brought home, repot it into a larger container using a high-quality potting mix. The root ball should be gently teased apart to help with water and nutrient uptake. Water well, but avoid overwatering. Indoors or out, exposure to full sun for at least four hours a day is essential for good growth. The plants will flower well into autumn when most others have gone to seed or died off before winter. During winter keep your potted plants in a garage or a covered area ready for the next spring. In the garden cover the growing beds with mulch to protect dormant plants from frost damage. Cultivars to look for are Kokka Shaku, Bev’s Pink, Diana Stokes, Perfect Accent and Pink Chiffon.


The rebels who dug in

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THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER February 19 2021

u by Andy Bryenton

When Mangawhai’s harbour began to silt up, and bureaucrats disallowed intervention, a cadre of locals took matters into their own hands. The Big Dig as it came to be known, happened 30 years ago on February 11 1991. According to local historian and author Bev Ross, the date was pushed back when rumours circulated that the army was being called in to shut the project down. “The three original planners of the dig, two contractors and a local farmer, kept things very secretive at first. Nevertheless, the word got out, and the original date was changed. The army never came until later, at which point they helped us with the sandbagging,” says Bev. She not only wrote the volume, They Dared the Impossible, about the dig but also helped establish the permanent display at Mangawhai’s museum commemorating this seminal feat of eco-activism. “It was so exciting. The whole population, less than 2,000 people at the time, got behind it,” said Bev. “Many of us were retirees, except for the earthmover drivers, who were called in from all around the region. Meanwhile, Jim Wintle was the diplomat, working from his office to raise a phenomenal sum of money, battle the bureaucrats and encourage the diggers.”

p 1991 saw contractors, farmers, bach owners, locals and well-wishers descend on the silted-up Mangawhai harbour with everything from shovels to excavators to save the seashore

If left unchecked, the silting up process would have turned Mangawhai’s lagoon into a stagnant backwater. Some, like Bev, opine that the same would have happened metaphorically to the town. Ingenious solutions were sought and found in 1991 to the problem of reshaping tonnes of sand. The project became more technical and further entrenched, with a dredge,

the Spirit of Mangawhai, constructed from locally sourced parts to help clear the harbour entrance. By April 1 1991, the Mangawhai Harbour Restoration Society had been formed, a group still very active to this day. A loan was issued by the Kaipara District Council, and marine engineer Andre La Bonte and Florida University Professor Bob Dean came up with

a plan that met with Department of Conservation approval. Through hard work, volunteer determination and a stubborn will to win, the harbour was saved. Now, the full story of this act of rebellion and community solidarity is on display at the Mangawhai Museum; a collection of photos, artefacts and stories that chronicle a unique event in Kaipara history. ¢

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February 19 2021 THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER

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Show day success It was a proper summer day out for visitors to the Northern Wairoa A&P Show last weekend, with balmy temperatures welcoming the crowds who attended this 146th iteration of the pastoral festival. The Northern Wairoa A&P Show is commonly known by its rural location as the Arapohue Show. For one day each summer the tiny settlement by

the banks of the Northern Wairoa River comes alive with a collection of carnival sideshows, traditional country sports and games, prize-winning livestock and displays of equestrian skill. This year carried on a tradition nearly one and a half centuries old, as a cool breeze and ample ice cream provided relief from the seasonal heat.

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THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER February 19 2021


10 February 19 2021 THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER

Thelma gained her love for cats as she grew up on a farm as an only child with felines as her best buddies

Conserving exotic felines u by Ann van Engelen

Thelma and Terence Blythen are known for their years of passion and experience in breeding exotic cats in Paparoa. “I was an only child and grew up in East Tamaki in the days when it was a farming area. There weren’t any other children around as we were on a dairy farm, but we did have lots of cats and kittens, and they became my mates,” says Thelma. “We moved to Matakana when I was 13 years old. When I married Terence, I always had a cat or two. We moved to Paparoa in 1976 and have been here ever since. We began dairy farming and then moved into beef. We have now retired and live on ten acres of our original farm. “One day, I decided I would love to have kittens around the house again and started breeding Abyssinians. Most people have never heard of them. They are one of the oldest known breeds and rare in New Zealand.” Abyssinians strongly resemble the paintings and sculptures of ancient Egyptian cats. They portray an elegant feline with a muscular body, arched neck, large ears and almondshaped eyes. “It is thought they originally came from Abyssinia when the Abyssinian

wars were on. Someone took one back to England. Another story is they descend from the cats in ancient Egypt as they are a similar type to the mummified cats found there. It is not proven, but it sounds nice. “They are short-haired, middle-sized and are a bit like a cross between a cat

One day, I decided I would love to have kittens around the house again

and dog in temperament. Abyssinians are active and very friendly. Vocally they are quiet and are very good hunters. They have a very distinctive coat that is called a ticked coat. It has a variegated appearance a bit like a rabbit.” The most common is the tawny colour with a warm reddishbrown undercoat. The top third of each hair has bars of black, and

when the coat lies flat, it has a special look. “Abys have larger ears and usually have a black tip on the end of their tail. The other colours include cinnamon red with darker ticking, silver with the black ticking and blue with an oatmeal coloured undercoat and steel blue ticking. It is a cross of a browny blue. People love the blue, but I prefer the tawny. “They are a hardy breed and have lovely coloured eyes usually green, gold or hazel. They average three to four kittens each litter. I had one litter of seven, but that is almost unheard of, unlike the Burmese or Siamese, which have big litters. “Terence decided to go into competition with me and started breeding Burmese. Burmese are a medium-sized breed, which are agile and well muscled with a short, smooth glossy coat. They come in many colours and are very affectionate and also delight in company and attention. “They are very intelligent and social as well. Burmese are not related to the Abyssinians. Burmese have a rounded


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THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER February 19 2021

The cats are excellent companions, especially for older people. They are great mousers

head, and Abys have a wide triangle from the nose out to the tips of the ears. Burmese are naughty and will do something even if they know they shouldn’t. If you growl at Abys, they will look and say: ‘OK we won’t do that’. “We often have a waiting list and sell our litters through the New Zealand Fancy Cat website or are recommended by word of mouth and have repeat clients. Abys have a good lifespan of 16–18 years. “I always recommend people keep their cats inside at night. They are independent-minded being natural hunters, and like other cats, if they are allowed out at night, they go hunting. They can go on the road and get run over half a mile from home. “People living in town often train their Abys to go on a lead so they can take them for a walk. You see videos on YouTube of people going on tramps with their cats trotting along in front, on their lead.” Thelma recommends if you are buying from a breeder to choose a registered breeder from the New Zealand Cat Fancy body.

“The NZCF has rules and standards that we must comply with. If people buy cats with problems, and the breeder doesn’t do the right thing, Cat Fancy can help deal with the situation. “Before collecting your kitten, research the official standard for the breed of cat you are buying. This gives you an idea of what you should see. Also, check if things seem clean at the facility — do the cats look healthy and especially, are they friendly? “Animals need a day or two to get used to a new environment, but the breeder should handle kittens lots, so they are ready for their new home. We have heard horror stories of people getting a kitten home, and it runs under a bed, and you can’t get it out for a month because the breeder never handled it. “When people enquire about our kittens, we ask their situation. Is someone home through the day? If they work full-time, we recommend they get two so they have company. I ask if they will keep the cats in at night, do they realise the vet costs and will they desex the cat.

“A lot of breeders are desexing kittens at 12 weeks of age. We like ours to be older, so we sell with a desexing contract. Their vet sends the contract back to me upon completion, and I then send the owners the pedigree certificate. “Unless the cats are purchased for breeding, desexing stops crossbreeding. Cross-breeding can cause problems, especially if a big cat gets to your female and we don’t want an explosion of kittens nobody wants. “There are not many of us breeding in New Zealand, and I have imported five stud males from Australia over the years to help bring in new bloodlines. I work with another lady who has bred longer than I have. “In 2003, I imported a male from Australia, and he made all the difference to our breeding. Merindalee My Name’s Bond, passed on his genetic characteristics and was best short hair cat at the national show in 2004. Bondy’s influence has been terrific over the years. “His son from 2016 also did very well in shows, and the genetics are

carrying on through the generations. In 2019 his grand-daughter was best Aby at the show. “We introduced a new import last year, and he went to his first show at six months old and won Supreme Animal Exhibit. “He is our youngest current stud, and the grandson of my original boy is our other stud. “The cats are excellent companions, especially for older people. They are great mousers and do well on a normal, good, balanced diet, and they love their meat. “We are always happy to help people. They can email us at tblythen@ gmail.com. “We are always encouraging new breeders as we are ageing now. Often people will breed one or two litters and discover it is too much of a tie and quit. Terence and I compete with each other. You do really have to love your animals and look after them properly. “We don’t go away except to cat shows. Our love of cats is what we enjoy. To us, keeping the breeds alive is important.” ¢


12

February 19 2021 THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER

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THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER February 19 2021

13

AT A GLANCE

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14 February 19 2021 THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER

The elephant and Kia ora the photographer to Kai Ora u by Liz Clark

u by Andy Bryenton

When Kauri Museum collections officer Peter Panhuis came across two grainy images of an elephant in Maungaturoto with an unknown date it remained a mystery.

Schools, community groups, childcare centres, marae and others seeking to establish green and growing gardens have received a new ally and a potential source of funding.

p The sight of an elephant being transported on the back of a truck caused a stir throughout the local community photo The Kauri Museum

With the thought in mind, Peter had appealed to readers in last week’s edition of The Weekend Lifestyler (Museum’s ‘sip of history’) for any information that could resolve the story behind two images taken in the Maungaturoto area. One of the unsourced images has been included in the book Kaipara Timelines. Curiosity got the better of this writer, and thus a story emerged from the depths of the late-1930s of the circus coming to town. Sole Brothers Circus and Zoo arrived by train at the Maungaturoto railway station on June 2 1937, with a full complement of performers and exotic animals. A regional publication of the time noted: ‘The many spectacular acts, with wild animals and on the flying trapeze, the clever novelty turns, the clowns’ patter and the numerous acts are combined to make the show a really outstanding one. Incidentally, this will be the first occasion that a circus with performing lions, tigers and elephants has visited.’ The circus had arrived in Northland, after a performance at Warkworth. It was at the Maungaturoto railway station that a local photographer

captured a moment in time of a six-year-old elephant named Betty. She was hauling the circus wagons carrying the animals at the time. Later, she was transported on the back of a truck to the performance site in Maungaturoto township. Soles also had an older animal; 16-year-old Asian elephant Topsy. Betty, the subject captured in the two images, had been wild-caught on the Malaysian Peninsular in 1934. She was imported into Australia in January 1935, quarantined in Perth, Western Australia, before being sent to Sydney for training at the circus facility. Sole Brother’s New Zealand tour hadn’t been without incident. In May while travelling north to Auckland, a cage of monkeys had tipped off one of the trucks. The two elephants had got loose and had eaten the poisonous native plant tutu. Both animals were ill for several days before making a full recovery. After the circus tour of Northland, Betty fell ill from a bout of pneumonia at the Epsom Show Grounds. A few days later she passed away at the site and was buried on the grounds where she lies to this day. ¢

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The 2021 Kai Ora Fund is a partnership between Mahitahi Hauora, The Far North District Council, Te Puni Kokiri, Northland Inc, Kaipara District Council, Northland District Health Board, the Ministry of Social Development, Whangarei District Council and Foundation North. It aims to help establish productive gardens in community locations. Working with the principle of kaitiakitanga, the stewardship and care of the environment to the benefit of all people, this small grants process offers up to $5,000 for small-scale projects which promote the sharing of food and gardening knowledge, increased self sufficiency within communities, community cooperation

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15

THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER February 19 2021

PUZZLE TIME

Jumbo crossword ACROSS 1 Musical performance by a soloist (7) 4 Ailments (10) 9 Good-natured and sociable (7) 13 Domesticated (4) 14 Celtic language (6) 15 Yacht harbour (6) 16 Keep safe (7) 19 Book (7) 20 Boast of your own achievements (4,4,3,7) 21 Savour (6) 22 Set (6) 24 Bring to an end (9) 29 Plumage (8) 30 Hypnotic state (6) 31 Progress (7) 35 Stringed instrument (8) 36 Shunting track (6) 37 Annoy (4) 38 Roof overhang (5) 39 Perish (3) 41 Fully satisfied (5) 43 Simmered (6) 47 Social blunder (5) 50 Small child (3) 54 Greenfly (5) 55 Probability (4) 56 Window shade (6) 57 Genuine (4,4) 60 Varied (7) 61 Displaced sods on a golf course (6) 62 Brief summary (8) 65 Large breed of dog (5,4) 67 Equip (3,3)

68 Dilapidated old motor vehicle (6) 72 Special attention given to important guests (3-6,9) 75 Gift (7) 77 Bother (7) 78 Quarter (6) 79 Digging animal (6) 80 Formal dance (4) 81 Directed (7) 82 Unfinished (10) 83 Core (7) DOWN 1 Spinning blade (5) 2 Woman’s underbodice (8) 3 Foliage (6) 4 Famous (10) 5 Showily manly (5) 6 Ridicule with satire (7) 7 Country with Haifa (6) 8 Latin American dance (5) 10 Predecessor (10) 11 Endeavour (7) 12 Jewellery item (6) 17 Well-heeled (10) 18 Garden figure (5) 21 Continued after interruption (7) 23 Lay off (7) 25 Accompany (6) 26 Authoritarian (6) 27 Knot (6) 28 Summerhouse (6) 30 Hackneyed (5) 32 Business transaction (4)

202

33 Long ago (4) 34 Jumping insect (4) 40 Mar (6) 42 Whirlpool (4) 44 Magnate (6) 45 Pilot’s badge (5) 46 Down payment (7) 48 Limp (6) 49 Stamped out (10) 50 Work hard (4) 51 Curative treatment (7) 52 Tanned skin (4) 53 Appoint to a position (6) 58 Light canvas shoe with a plaited fibre sole (10) 59 Inappropriate (10) 63 Farewell (5) 64 Put up with (8) 66 Hermit (7) 67 Spicy sauce (7) 69 Rue (6) 70 Oddball (6) 71 Alternative (6) 73 Prickle (5) 74 Eagle’s nest (5) 76 Relates (5)

Sudoku

Previous crossword solution

1 7 1 6 8 2 1 3 9 4 5 8 1 7 EASY

9 1 6 3 4 1

4 9 8 3 2 3 1 9 23 8 1 9 4 67 6 1 78 3 4 4 9 5 7 3 67 6 3 4 4 78 6 3 2 4 1 8 Previous solution

Fill 2 the 4 grid 5 so 1 that 3 6 8 every column, every 9 3 7 2 4 8 5 row and every 3x3 1 contains 6 8 5the9digits 7 4 box 17to 9. 5 2 6 8 3 9

4 2 8 3 1 7 9 5 6

991 35767 86 54 29 12 48 73 6 8 1 9 7 5 4 3 2 13 764 2 6 1 8 9 5 2 9 5 4 8 3 7 6 1 257 61329 57 39 48 36 21 84 48 413 1 2 6 5 7 9 4 8solution 1 7 2 9 3 6 5 Previous 3 9 6 4 1 5 2 7 8 5 2 9 8 6 1 7 3 4 8 1 4 3 7 2 6 5 9 Puzzle 6 7 3 All9puzzles 5 ©4The 1 8Company 2 www.thepuzzlecompany.co.nz

ACROSS: 1 Flavour of the month, 10 Glistens, 15 Mutton, 16 Arithmetic, 17 Lethargy, 19 Scolded, 21 Skill, 22 Pole vault, 25 Freighter, 27 Spheres, 29 Estate, 33 Appal, 34 Marriage, 36 Altruistic, 39 Vow, 41 Lexicon, 42 Gandhi, 43 Evolve, 44 Feud, 45 Appease, 48 Empty words, 53 Tractor, 57 Lies, 58 Bazaar, 59 Astute, 60 Amplify, 62 Err, 64 Seismology, 65 Newcomer, 66 Green, 69 Bauble, 70 Grenade, 71 Associate, 76 Operation, 77 Braid, 78 Devotee, 83 Impaired, 84 Underneath, 85 Pigsty, 86 Hesitate, 87 Take to the cleaners. DOWN: 2 Launch, 3 Vital, 4 Urn, 5 Opal, 6 Trickle, 7 Exhale, 8 Open, 9 Tailored, 11 Leeway, 12 Scholastic, 13 Ears, 14 Skyline, 18 Rebellious, 20 Emit, 23 Cheat, 24 Maltreat, 26 Realise, 28 Preview, 30 Upkeep, 31 Bandit, 32 Privet, 35 Realm, 37 Cider, 38 Boss, 40 Wear, 45 Atlas, 46 Precious, 47 Enable, 48 Exaggerate, 49 Pore, 50 Yearned, 51 Ottawa, 52 Ditto, 54 Ramp, 55 Culprit, 56 Offset, 61 Small print, 63 Heron, 67 Insomnia, 68 Wise, 69 Burnish, 72 Spinach, 73 Urgent, 74 Pronto, 75 Fetter, 79 Organ, 80 Opus, 81 Cede, 82 Chic, 85 Pie.

5x5 C T

C R E

R A

L A S

S C A L P C U R I O A R I A S

O S

C O E Insert the missing letters E U to complete ten words A the T — five across grid R and five down. L D More than one solution S L D may be possible.

Previous solution

C R A B S

H E L L O

O C T A L

S U E D E

E R R E D


16

February 19 2021 THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER

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