Hamraki Rag September 2010 issue

8/9/2019 Hamraki Rag September 2010 issue

1/16

September 2010 Hamraki Rag 1

Creating a Southern Railwayby Dave HillIn this day and age we tend to ignorethe amazing manual accomplishmentscarried out in early day New Zealand.One such achievement is right at ourback doors in the form of the OtepopoRailway tunnel.It was nearly never begun as plansexisted to take the railway through the

area known as Glencoe, across thenorth branch of the Waianakarua Riverwhere Camp Iona is situated, via acolossal viaduct using pillars made oflocal stone and down the west side tothe already existing road bridge besidethe Phoenix Flour Mill (the Mill House),on a top storey over the bridge, andthen on south.

A London decision went in favour ofpiercing a tunnel through the hill justsouth of the Herbert township and ten-ders were called. In 1872 the Englishfirm of Brogden & Co with a sub-contract to Mangan Brothers was let.The following year the arrival of menfrom England who became known asBrogdenites, changed the Otepopo

district forever. On completion of thecontract many stayed on and numer-ous descendants of these originalworkers still remain in the district.The tunnel was started at both theWaianakarua and Herbert ends withthe men working with pick and shovel,their spoils being taken away by horseand cart. The southern end is in close

proximity to where the Herbert Sawmillnow operates.Quite some time into the project it was

suddenly realised the design engineerhad badly miscalculated and the twoends would never actually meet upwith one another. New plans weredrawn up and tenders were recalled.The current contractor nominated aheavy figure which would providethem with a very generous profit. Twoother lower tenders were submitted,

the lowest of which was about to beaccepted when the original tendereradvised they would see their contractout and that the government could dowhatever they liked. The threat fromthe cunning operator was successful,his new contract accepted and by1875 was completed, but not beforemany of the workers walked off the job

in protest after first learning on arrivalthat they were to pay for their, andtheir familys, passage out from Eng-land.To line the tunnel 180,000 bricks weremade on site from excavated clay us-ing a specially built kiln while the endfaces were constructed of Bedding Hillstone, the same used in the construc-

tion of the Mill House. The BeddingHill Quarry is still visible on the hilleast of SH1 heading towards Maheno.The 275 metre long tunnel was com-pleted on 11 September 1875 and alarge celebratory dinner was held inone of Herbert Townships many ho-tels. Mr Mangan and his two sonswere present. They made enough out

of the contract to purchase 3000 acresof land in the Ashburton area and in1885, when the story on the question-

Continued on page 2


2/16

2 Hamraki Rag September 2010

JACQUI DEANS

MP for Waitaki

Please phone or e-mail my office for anappointment with me or talk to my

staff.42 Thames St, Oamaru.Phone 03 434 7325 or 0800 6792 48254.E-mail: [email protected],www.jacquidean.co.nz

Continued form page 1

able second contract appeared in aTaranaki newspaper, they were stillfarming in Mid Canterbury.In the 135 years since creating thetunnel, only minimal changes have

been made. With the carriage of ship-ping containers by rail, it was neces-sary to slightly widen the tunnel andwhile this was being carried out thebricks were replaced with concretelining with the end stone facings beingremoved.

WAITAKIPOWER

ELECTIONS

To retain local own-ership of Network

Waitaki and receivea good discount on

your power bill everyyear vote

Helen Brookes.

HAMPDEN RURAL WOMEN 80TH

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS.On Friday 13th August the HampdenBranch of Rural Women New Zealandheld a gathering to celebrate 80 yearsof activity in the community. Over theyears this branch has had its ups anddowns with membership varying from50 odd to five or six and is currentlystanding at seven financial members

with a number of supporters whocome along to meetings and activitiesas they are able.There were 29 attendees at the cele-bratory lunch which was held at theMoeraki Boulders Restaurant. A lot ofmemories were shared among thepast and present members, apologieswere received from those unable to

attend and the current PresidentLeona Trimble gave a speech thank-ing those attending and proposing atoast to those absent mostly due tohealth and distance/transport reasons.Margaret Johnston who has been astalwart member of the HampdenBranch for many years was presentedwith Honorary Life Membership in rec-

ognition of her services to theContinued on page 3


3/16


SENIOR CITIZENS

On the 22nd July at the monthlymeeting of the Hampden SeniorCitizens, twelve members enjoyed

the old time musical film, 'SevenBrides for Seven Brothers' in thecomfort of the Norton's home.

Popcorn and ice creams wereserved at half time allowing mem-bers to 'stretch their legs' beforesettling back to watch the second

half of this excellent movie.

We would like to thank Elizabethand Trevor for their hospitality, aswell as for 'boiling the jug' so wecould have a natter over a wel-come cup of tea.

continued from p2Hampden Rural Women 80th birthday

association and the community.The meal was enjoyed by all and acake (made by Margaret Johnston)

was cut to mark the event.Following the lunch most of theguests went down to the beachwhere a sweet chestnut tree wasplanted as a reminder for the future.In spite of the rain, or because of it,there was a fair bit of hilarity at thistime and a lot of mud. However,overall a good day was had by all.At the moment the Hampden RuralWomen are holding a potato in abucket competition. The idea is togrow a bucket full of potatoes that isbigger, better and heavier than any-one elses. If you want to have a goplease contact:Ann Nicolson 4394-756.


4/16


Software and hardware including com-

puters, printers and faxes for sale atcompetitive prices.

Service and repair by experienced local andmobile expert serviceman.

3 Otepopo St, Herbert

ph: 03 4395197/ 0274358983email:[email protected]

Hampden MarketThe fourth Saturday of each month is the regular market, with stalls

inside and outside the hall. Reports say that this is one of the best markets

around.

Local stall holders have a great array of goods, and you will see your

friends and neighbours while looking out for that interesting, just what

you wanted bargain.

The market is on August 28 and September 25 from 9.30 am to

12.30pm.Plan to be there for a cuppa, with the funds going to local community

groups. See you there.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


5/16


COMMUNITY INFO

Hampden LibraryHours: 2 to 4pm (Thursdays)2 to 4pm (Fridays)

10am to12 noon (Saturdays)

Landfill Transfer StationHours: 8.30am to 12.30pm

(Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays)

Medical Services

(Dr. McKirdy)Thursday between 2.30pm and

4.30pm at the hallPhone: 4394 625 (for appointment)

Emergency and

after hours: 4651 444

Hampden MotorsHours: 7.30am to 5.30pm weekdays

8am to 12 (Saturdays)

Closed on Sundays

Phone: 4394 086

Tobys FishHours: 11am-6pm, Wednesday

through Monday

(closed on Tuesdays)

Hampden SuperStore

second-hand shop

Hours: 12.30pm to 5pm(Most Fridays)

10.30am to 5pm

(Saturday and Sunday)

Phone: 4394 802

Lockies TakeawaysHours: 11am to 7pm (Monday to

Thursday, maybe closed between

2 and 4pm)11am to 7.30pm (Friday to Sunday)

Phone: 4394 744

Hampden MechanicalHours: 8.30am to 5.30pm (except

on Wednesdays and Sundays)

Closed for lunch between noon

and 1pm

Phone: 4394 646


6/16


Mini bales of haylageMeadow grass wrapped in convenient 30-

40kg bales.

Ideal for lifestyle farmer.

Horses, cattle, sheep and alpacas love it.

Quality guaranteed.

$16/bale.

Available from Hampden Motors and CRTOamaru.

Ring 4395211 for further information.

Local Body Candidates Quiz Night

7.00pm, Wednesday

15 September

Hampden HallCome and hear what candi-

dates for the WDC and the

ORC think about the issues

that concern you. The idea at

this stage is to provide a pre-

prepared list of questions to

all candidates and atten-dees. Candidates will then get

the opportunity to briefly re-

spond to each question and

attendees can mark down the

general response which they

find most agreeable.After all candidates have spo-

ken on each issue there will bea few minutes for general dis-

cussion. That way results can

be collated and provide feed

back to Councillors.

If you have any questions you

would like included, please

get them to Ken Wheeler.

([email protected] or

RD2 Palmerston). Put the 15

Sept in your diary - should be

fun!


7/16


Moeraki Bayview Ltd

Great Deals on FUJITSU Heat Pumps

Till the end of September

For all your electrical services

Contact Peter

021 20 69 053

03 439 4550

Moeraki Bayview Ltd

104 Haven Street

Moeraki

Accredited supplier and Installer of Fujitsu Heat Pumps

New Zealand's Favourite Air


8/16


Hampden, Coastal Home &Property Maintenance

What I can do for you with professional resultsevery time.

Weed eating & scrub barLarge section clearing

Lawn mowingBoundary line clearing

Hedge trimmingLarge & small waste removal

Broom & Gorse removalWeed control programs

Water blastingGutter clearingWeed spraying

Plant supplyTree pruning & removalContract maintenance

Landscaping maintenance & designQualified solutions

New lawn via seed or ready lawn

Exterior painting of fences & homesHousehold interior & exterior maintenance

Unbeatable rates with a personal touch every time!

For all information please contact me.Daron 0212958819 Home 034394907

Email: [email protected]


9/16


More Wacky Ideas

The Gallery at Moeraki

will be reopening undernew management onSaturday 2nd October2010.

Reywa and Anne look

forward to seeing you.We hope you will enjoyour selection of paint-ings, art, jewellerycrafts and pottery.

Our outside display in-cludes Tall and ShortPeople, Fugglies,Oamaru Stone WorkOpening Hours - Friday,Saturday and Sunday10am to 4pm

The Future of theHampden Presbyterian

Church

A meeting to discuss the future ofthe Hampden Presbyterian Churchwas held in the church on the eve-ning of Wednesday 11 August. Thecommunity had been invited in anattempt to establish local interest inthe future of the church, not onlywhether it had a future, but whatshape that might take. Joan Suther-

land, representing the church man-agement, convened the meeting andthe thoughtful, and at times verylively, discussion was facilitated byDavid Wilson. Some very interestingsuggestions for the use of thechurch and the adjacent hall wereput forward by the 31 attendees.These included music concerts, chil-

drens programmes, floral displaysand craft activities and had, as anunderpinning theme, a desire for thechurch to be a place where a regularform of united Christian worshipwould take place. An informal net-work of Friends was in place beforethe end of the night, with everyone

looking forward to a further discus-sion in early November, once thePresbyterian Parish Annual Meetinghas had a chance to consider thecommunitys input into the future ofthis beautiful historic building.


10/16



11/16


RECORD-BREAKING RESPONSETO WAIHEMO COMMUNITY AWARDS

Waihemo locals have really got inbehind their volunteers this year, with32 nominations received for theTrustPower Waihemo CommunityAwards.This means that 24 groups are in therunning for the 2010 TrustPower Wai-hemo Community Awards, with somegroups receiving numerous nomina-tions.Nominations for the Awards closed

on Friday 6 August. The TrustPowerWaihemo Community Awards, whichrecognise and reward volunteers forthe outstanding contribution theymake to the local community, are runin conjunction with the Waitaki DistrictCouncil.TrustPower Community RelationsRepresentative Melanie Tavendale

says this is the highest number ofgroups that have ever been nomi-nated for the Waihemo awards, andshe is delighted that so many selflessvolunteers will be celebrated throughthis years TrustPower CommunityAwards.These outstanding groups are verygenerous with their time and workhard to make Waihemo a better placeto live. The volunteers never ask foranything in return; but, it is wonderfulthat through these awards we cancelebrate the fantastic effort beingput into this community, says MrsTavendale.Waihemo residents certainly punch

above their weight when it comes tovolunteering, she said.

The Awards cover five categories;Heritage and Environment, HealthandWellbeing, Arts and Culture, Sportand Leisure, and Educational andChild/Youth Development. Thecategory winners receive $500 andrunners-up receive $250. The Su-preme Winner will take home$1,500, a trophy, framed certificateand an all-expenses paid trip to the

TrustPower National CommunityAwards.The 2010 TrustPower National Com-munity Awards are being held inTauranga and Western Bay ofPlenty districts in March 2011.The Supreme Winner will also win asix month subscription to Fundrais-ing in New Zealand magazine, New

Zealand's only monthly publicationdedicated to all things fundraising.Regional Supreme Winners will alsobe filmed by a TVNZ 6 crew to fea-ture in a new series called VolunteerPower.The nominations for the TrustPowerWaihemo Community Awards arecurrently being prepared for judg-ing. The TrustPower WaihemoCommunity Awards will be an-nounced and presented at a functionat the Waihemo Lodge on Monday 6September, to which all nominatedorganisations will be invited.

For more information:

Melanie TavendaleCommunity Relations RepresentativePh: 03 433 0054


12/16


Bus Trip to the Future

by Alison MacTavishOn Saturday 14 August, 24 peoplemade an odyssey south in Bill Haresbus and a couple of cars to glean the

energy secrets of three energy-efficientproperties. With fellow passengers com-ing from most of the settlements be-tween Oamaru and Palmerston, the waydown was spent happily catching up andthe way back exchanging observationsand ideas. Ofthe three prop-erties we vis-

ited, one is cur-rently trying togenerate elec-tricity to feedback into thegrid, and theother two areoff the gridcompletely. Wewanted to find

out what livinglike that entails.The first housewe visited, inWaitati, was a big, modern, orthodoxhouse occupied by a family of four. Me-ridian periodically visits to photographtheir meter box, as they cant believe itonly costs $10 per month to run. Theyare trying to feed back into the grid theelectricity they generate from their proto-type, one-vaned windmill in the backyard, but apart from that their solutionsare not too unconventional under-floorheating, solar water heating, lots of dou-ble glazing, extensive insulation, and awood burner.The capital cost of the second housewas about $60,000, with virtually no op-

erating costs. It is full of ingenious,home-made triumphs. The walls androof are made from cool store panelling structure and insulation in one.

The pleasantly warm ambient tempera-ture is largely maintained by clever cir-culation of sun-warmed air, although awood-burning oven gives it a boost as itheats the water and cooks thefood. Lighting is all powered by a smallphotovoltaic panel wired up to a batterybank feeding into strategically located,highly effective LED lights. The fridge isan old chest freezer that will be kept at

fridge tem-perature by apelton wheel

running on 1litre per sec-ond (a work inp r o g r e s s ) .The simplicityand naturalwarmth of thislargely pas-sively heatedhouse ap-

pealed tomany of us.The third

house was run with commercial photo-voltaic panels, solar water heating and awood-burning oven. But the interest ofthe owners lies less in the house than intheir small farm, which since 1992 theyhave converted from bare fields to a

property covered with blocks of trees forthe future for specialist timbers, fire-wood, and for nuts and fruit.Each of these property owners is bravelyseeking their own solution to the energyand environmental challenges theysee. It was inspiring for us to see first-hand their inventive approaches, usingresources available to us all, and I, forone, resolved to be more imaginative

and resourceful about meeting and man-aging our own energy needs.


13/16


Last months article on the Breakneck Road bridgeprovoked some discussion. Below is a letter re-ceived from a reader filling in more history ofSchmolls dam.

The Editor,Hamraki Rag.Your magazine's article (front page) in

its latest edition re "Historic Bridge tobe Replaced" which references'Grave's Dam' is in error.Grave's Dam (named after its former19th century owner-operator JamesGrave, but originally built by Prussianengineer Louis Schmoll circa 1870)never serviced the 'Millhouse' - towhich your article refers as 'now a ho-

tel'.This 'Millhouse' is the one named thesame and located on State Highway 1,opposite the turnoff to the coast roadand also the beautiful stone bridgebuilt by Surveyor Thompson; severalkilometres away from the Grave's Damwhich is located on Breakneck Road. Ibelieve the SH1 'Millhouse' hotel was

formerly called the Phoenix Mill (in itsoperational flour milling days).Grave's Dam (built by Schmoll) pro-vided water for a flour mill constructedon the downstream side of the bridgeon Breakneck Road - and constructedclose to the location of this samebridge (built circa 1926, currentlyscheduled for demolition and never

officially named 'Grave's Bridge') - theconcrete emplacements for its mill'swater wheel (also gone) can still beseen from the bridge (looking down-stream, true left bank).The mill serviced by Grave's Dam(never officially called such in its shortoperational era, then built and ownedby Schmoll) was badly burned by ar-sonists James Gillham and GeorgeCooper in or slightly before October1870, before it was even completed! It

was subsequently acquired and re-modelled by James Grave in 1873.The mill (name unknown) was not asuccess, due to the intermittent andlow flow of the Waianakarua River. Itwas eventually burned down yet again

and finally, sometime before 1880.As a great grandson of local industrial-ist and shipping entrepreneur JamesGrave, it was my privilege to nameGraves Dam as such and record it asa protected archaeological site; thisdone in the late 1980s, in collaborationwith the New Zealand ArchaeologicalAssociation's Otago/North Otago

Filekeeper (a person who records andmaintains all records of archaeologicalsites in their designated land district).My mother Shirley Gillies (nee Grave)helped to raise money for much-needed stabilisation work on the Damand this was generously supple-mented by the Waitaki District Councilas part of one of their 1990 projects.

Without this work Graves Dam wouldmost probably have finally beenscoured out and carried away by theravages of the infrequent but huge andspectacular Colorado River-type flashfloods to which the North Branch ofthe Waianakarua River is prone. Areally major flood sees the river ragingseveral metres over the top of the

dam!It will be a great shame to see thelovely old 1920s wooden truss bridgedemolished and replaced by a modernconcrete structure - such historic andpicturesque bridges are becoming in-creasingly rare in the New Zealandlandscape (remember the huge onespanning the Waitaki at Kurow).

Cheers,Karl GilliesPS. Trivia: it is a cartographic (map-makers')convention to omit apostrophes in place names.


14/16


MOERAKI SERVICES LTDFOR

FREEVIEW SATELLITE TELEVISION

Strong Satellite Receiver Model 4300$185.

This unit is a PVR (Personal Video Recorder) model. By

adding a USB memory stick or computer hard drive this

box becomes a video recorder. (A 4GB-memory stick gives

about 3 hours record time for about $20)

Full Freeview TV Installation using this receiver including

connection to your TV and recorder. $500

Want to save MONEY on your power Bill?To run a 100-watt standard bulb 5 hours a day at 23 cents

per kWh costs $3.45 an month.

With a 20-watt PHILIPS Compact Florescent Light Bulb

you save $2.58 a month and get 40% more light.In less than 2 months the bulb is paid for and in one year

you save $24 off your power bill with this one bulb.

The expected life of these bulbs is 3 to 4 years.

I stock only the most recommended bulb, the Philips

Compact Fluorescent for long life and a warm lightPhilips Compact Fluorescent 20 watt (equivalent to 140

watt bulb).. $6.50

Philips Compact Fluorescent 24 watt (equivalent to 175

watt bulb) .. $7.00

Phone Dave on 4394 259Moeraki Services Limited


15/16


Hampden Community Energy AGM

Monday 20 September, 7 pm at the Hampden Hall.Guest speaker: Dr Steve EarnshawTopic: Transition Town Timaru

Steve has been the prime mover in getting the Timaru Transition Town groupgoing, which is making great progress promoting a more resilient, self-sustainingcommunity. Steve - a man of many talents - including orthopaedic surgeon andformer professional rock climber, is planning to reduce his medical work in orderto stand for Timaru Council and promote Transition more formally in the district.Hope you can make it. A light supper will be served.

Transition Timaru Project Examples

Practical ProjectsTimaru Farmers Market weekly mar-ket with 20-30 stall-holders

Community Stall at TFM for sale ofsurplus garden produce manned by

Lions club.

Jar bank at TFM

Harvest Group harvest fruit from ne-glected trees for community use.

Garden Share matching unused gar-dens with people looking for garden

space

Edible Garden Group providing sup-port to new vegetable growers

Timaru Local Food Guide listing oflocal producers and outlets.

Local Food Challenge cooking com-petition with Aoraki Polytechnic.Eco-open homes day great successand repeat event planned.

Future PlansFuture workshops planned Pizzaoven building, preserving, bread mak-ing.

Community Owned Energy Generation plans for solar/wind generation pro-jects.

Subsidised energy audits for homesand businesses.Transition Together community self-learning program - in development.


16/16


COMMUNITY CALENDAR FOR SEPTEMBER

If you have any events, classes, work-shops, garage sales, parties, anything,inform the Rag so that the whole commu-nity knows.

Sunday Service at St JohnsWhen: September 5, 12, 19 and 26 at10am.Where: St Johns at Herbert.

Gathering at St StephensA community church service is held atSt Stephens on Ipswich Street at 4pmevery Sunday. On the fourth Sundayof the month, there is communion.Dont worry if you have not attended achurch before. Come along and ex-perience what our 45 minute service

has to offer and feel free to stay for acup of tea or coffee afterwards.

Hampden MarketWhen: August 28, 9.30am - 12.30pm

September 25, 9.30am-12.30pm

Where: The Hall

It is time for the regular fourth Satur-

day of the month super communitymarket full of bargains. Stroll over andsee your friends and neighbours, havea cuppa and soak up the communityatmosphere.

St Stephens on IpswichHampdenSpecial EventsAll WelcomeSun 5 Sept at 4pmEcumenicalSpring ServiceCome along andbring a spring flower.

Sun 3 Oct at 4pmEcumenical Bish-ops serviceThe new Bishop KelvinClark will be speaking at the service.

For SaleShacklock Chef 24" 4 Plate OvenAutomatic, W/ Drawer. Std, Bake &

Grill ,Tidy Condition$225.00 ONOPh 439 4550

Film Appreciation GroupThursday 2nd September at 7.30pmthe film appreciation group will appre-ciate another fine older film.Come along and be surprisedph 4394 887

Local Body Candidates QuizNightWhen: 7.00pm, Wednesday15 SeptemberWhere: Hampden Hall

See page six for details

Hampden Community EnergyAGMWhen: Monday 20 September, 7 pm

Where: Hampden Hall.

From the Library Shelves

Our favourite librarian Alison Mac-Tavish reading a story from thechildren's' book section in theHampden Library.

From left - Arianne DennisonWhyte, Alison (librarian) andStorme Dennison Whyte

Documents

Hamraki Rag September 2010 issue