New Zealand Memories Issue 174

Inside Our Latest Issue


Contents

Letters 6

Runaway Vulcan 8

With an enormous crash and violent lurching,  a railcar ended its journey. 

Ruler of the Rocks 11

Joan Wiffen, who discovered the remains of so many prehistoric reptiles, became known as 
New Zealand’s ‘Dinosaur Lady’.

Tuapeka Mouth School in the 1940s 14

Memories of Tuapeka Mouth School, and the three miles away over a rough, gravel road that it took to get there.

The Boat built by a Town 17

A group of Waitara schoolboys who lived their dream of building a boat and sailing away beyond the far horizon.

From Soldiers to Settlers 21

The story of a World War One soldier settlement in South Wairarapa and the struggles of returned servicemen settlers and their families to survive.

New Zealand’s First Caesarean – an Unfortunate life 26

 A milestone in New Zealand’s medical history happened in Onehunga with the delivery, in 1857, of the colony’s first baby by caesarean operation

The Last Woman Lightkeeper 28

Mary Jane Bennett was, in 1859, appointed principal keeper of the first permanent lighthouse in New Zealand.

Goat in the Garden 32

David Grantham recalls his family’s favourite pet - Heidi the goat.

From the Grand Tour to the Big OE 34

Bev Wood recalls her working holiday in the mid-1960s.

The Origins of Pūhoi’s Music 38

Remembering the settlers of Pūhoi, and their history and traditions.

My Memories of Life at Gladstone Road 42

In 1945, Janet’s adventures began when her family moved into their new home in Gladstone Road, Richmond. 

The Lives of Captain Adair 44

Mike Warman, while researching a colourful eccentric, got another surprise. For most of his life, ‘Captain’ Adair was somebody else. 

The Legend of the Haunted Whare 47

A small shack near Tawhai Falls reputedly haunted by the ghost of a woman searching for her lost lover. 

Let’s have a go 55

A brief look at a popular product from the 1950s - CRANKO Models. 

Growning up with Guns 56

Jeanette Grant talks of growing up with guns.

The Boys who won the War 59

A glimpse of the lives of two of boys at war during World War One.