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SEPTEMBER 14 - 2011
This is a series of regular articles keeping you informed of happenings on our harbour today, and from bygone days — truly the ‘Jewel of the Kaipara’.
Baffling winds brought disaster by Brian Eastwood Loaded with 183,000 feet of squared timber and 20,000 flitches at Point Curtis on the Otamatea River, the barque Mathieu set sail, outward bound for Sydney. It was 24th March 1885 as she passed Pouto Lighthouse, hoping to quickly head out from Kaipara Harbour. But things did not go well. Her master, Captain M. C. Magnussen, told the story: ‘I tried to get out the following Wednesday but failed so went back to Pouto. Started again, on Thursday at 10am with a fair, steady breeze and an ebb tide. Passed the lighthouse at 11.30am but the wind fell light and hauled ahead. We could not get steerage way and the vessel got into a very awkward position’. He was alongside the dangerous Tory Shoal but with the ‘occasional slight puff, I managed to get her into thirteen fathoms of water and dropped anchor. I then got up the anchor intending to go in to the station again, but a heavy swell and baffling winds drove us ashore’. At 4 o’clock Mathieu hit heavily on the beach, one mile from the lighthouse. Within ten minutes she had broken her back and she began to break up with her deck load swept ashore and scattered along the beach. All the crew got off safely in the large ship’s boat especially built for her six years before, in Auckland. Four seamen and the mate stayed with Mathieu at Pouto and were
looked after by the lighthouse staff. Magnussen and four crewmen went down to an enquiry in Auckland, where the crew and the officers were acquitted of all blame. Timber, boats, bells, blocks, oars, awnings, ropes, sails and compasses were rescued from the wreck and sold at auction one month later in Queen Street, Auckland. The timber, owned by Magnussen, sold for £120 and the hull for £70. She was insured for £600. An Australian owned wooden ship of 367 tons; Mathieu was built in France in 1870 and traded between New Zealand and Australia and up to the Pacific Islands, often back-loading across the Tasman with timber from Kaipara. A typical round trip took her from Dunedin to Sydney with more than a thousand sacks of oats, one hundred and fifty sacks of potatoes and general cargo. Sailing back from Newcastle she brought five hundred tons of coal, four and a half thousand spokes, forty pair’s naves (hubs for cart wheels) and one hundred cases of dynamite. Then it was in ballast up to Kaipara for a shipment of timber. On that calm March day, Magnussen’s
The Kaipara Harbour on a calm day
problem had been a lack of wind. Usually it was stormy seas and head winds that put sailing ships on Tory Shoal or North Head to give Kaipara Harbour it’s undeserved and long lasting, bad reputation. But, whether there was a complete lack of wind or in bad conditions, those sailing ships were helpless without engines to get them out of trouble.
Public meeting to air concerns A group of Kaipara residents concerned about the Crest Energy Marine Turbine proposal at Kaipara Heads, are holding a meeting at Aratapu Tavern on Monday, September 26 at 6.30pm. All are welcome to attend this open meeting. Many people, community groups, iwi and hapu strongly object to the approval for Crest Energy to install up to 200 power generating underwater turbines at the entrance to the Kaipara Harbour. Major concerns include; the detrimental impact on our marine environment, the Maui dolphin and fish stocks and also the social and
cultural implications of depletion on isolated harbour communities. Early this year, both the Environment Court and the Minister of Conservation gave their approval for the staged installation of 200 turbines off the Poutu Peninsula at the north head of the Harbour entrance. Initially, the approval stipulates, three turbines will be installed and over two years the Northland Regional Council will monitor the impacts. After this period, another 17 can be installed and if no adverse impacts are detected, installation can increase to 40, then 80 up to a maximum of 200.
New Zealand Dividends
Whangarei
New Zealand companies pay some of the highest dividends in the world. Dividends offer investors the opportunity to earn income while invested in the share market. The companies below are some of the higher yielding shares on the NZX. This is general advice and not particular to anyone’s personal situation
MORTGAGEE AUCTIONS
Adam Lynch
Vital Healthcare Property Trust (VHP.NZ) Current Price $1.10 Gross
Dividend yield 11%
VHP invests in high quality health and medical-related properties. The fund does operate the healthcare facilities itself. Their function is to identify, purchase, and manage quality healthcare properties and lease them to experienced operators. Some of the medical facilities include Ascot Central, Ascot Hospital, and Kensington hospital (Whangarei).
17 School House Lane, Paparoa 1960’s weather board home, consisting of 3 bedrooms, open plan living and single garage on a flat 1318m2 section, offering room for everyone. FNW11378
Restaurant Brands New Zealand (RBD.NZ) Current Price $2.28 Gross
Auction: 30th Sep, 12.30pm, First National Office, 180 Bank St, Whangarei
RBD operates the New Zealand outlets of KFC, Pizza Hut, and Starbucks coffee. These brands have been successful around the world for the service and experience they provide. Methven (MVN.NZ) Current Price
$1.42 Gross
Dividend Yield 11%
Dividend Yield 9.6%
MVN has been around in New Zealand since 1886. They began as a brass and iron foundry and then moved on to manufacturing faucets and copper laundry vessels. They are New Zealand’s longest established, largest supplier and a leading designer of shower heads, faucets and hot water valves to home renovators, plumbers and the building industry. Kathmandu (KMD.NZ) Current Price
434a Pahi Road, Pahi “Looking for lifestyle with coastal dreams? Look no further than this 1970’s 3 bedroom home with attached carport minutes from the Pahi settlement. Distant harbour views of the Kaipara Harbour, offering a 9729m² section with a northerly aspect. Ticks all the boxes!” Auction: 30th September, 12.30pm First National Office, 180 Bank Street, Whangarei. Allan Inglis
Enquiries to:
Mob: 021 333 311 Bus: 09 438 8667 A/H: 09 438 9843 Email: soldit@xtra.co.nz
www.realestatenorthland.co.nz
$2.00 Gross
Dividend Yield 10.6%
KMD was established 24 years ago and has been a good performer on the NZX since listing in 2009. They are one of the leading specialists in clothing and equipment for travel and adventure in NZ and Australia. Fifteen new stores are supposed to open in 2011,they assessing over 50 locations in NZ and Australia. Data and research taken from FNZC and company websites.
Jill Wilson Principal Officer, Dargaville To contact Jill, please call 021 505 712
09 438 8667
Licensed under REAA 2008
Yovich & Co
Quality investment advice since 1968 Investment Advisors: Wally Yovich, Adam Lynch 23 Rathbone St, Whangarei • Phone (09) 470-0400 Fax (09) 438-0108 *Disclosure statement available upon request