The Eastbourne Herald March 2020

Local businesses respond to Covid-19

As Covid-19 (or more commonly, Coronavirus disease 2019, or just Coronavirus) continues to wreak global havoc, panic and uncertainty, local businesses are following strict guidelines as laid down by the government and health experts and keeping an eye on the rapid rate of change.

The decision on March 23rd by the Government to move to Level 3 (Level 4 by the 25th) sees an unprecedented event in our history, with non-essential services shut down, self-isolation moves put in place and the closing of schools, playgrounds, museums, libraries, pubs, cafes, restaurants and the like.

Supermarkets, pharmacies and essential services will remain open, at least until further notice at this stage.

In Eastbourne, community response from businesses and sports and recreational facilities has been equally swift and decisive.

Daisy Yan of Eastbourne Pharmacy says that in her profession, she can ill afford to get sick herself and if people feel unwell, not to enter the premise.

“Common sense prevails in most instances,” she says. “If people go about their lives in a relatively normal fashion, not stockpiling pharmaceutical products (for example), we shall be able to operate and continue to provide the best service that we can. There’s little reason to panic in that regard at present.”

Like all businesses canvassed, hygiene measures and precautions are stringent at the Pharmacy and these practices will remain firmly in place. Daisy says that to alleviate some fears for the elderly, particularly, Eastbourne Pharmacy would be prepared to deliver prescriptions or other pharmaceutical products locally if required.

Chris Martin, owner operator of the Four Square, also says that there is no need to panic

buy.

“We have a good supply chain and plenty to go around,” he says. “The well being of our team and community is top priority.”

Chris adds also, that if you are unwell, please stay home.

“We will offer delivery by arrangement to the elderly and those who have arrived back recently from overseas and are in self isolation.”

Also in the food business, Barry Spooner of Eastbourne Village Meats and Richard Lai from Eastbourne Fruit Supply both say that they are prepared to deliver goods to anyone unable to come into their shops personally, owing to illness or ethical reasoning.

"We can deliver to you and you can pay online, no problem, no worries. Check out our Facebook page or phone us; 562 8049.”

“We are prepared to deliver fruit and vegetables also,” says Richard. “Hygiene is paramount in our shop and it may be that we end up having to limit the amount of customers in here at any one time, but we have no cause to implement that or other necessary restraints at present.”

Local cafes share similar views, but obviously as places of more mass congregation, they are having to keep a vigilant approach as events change.

Brandon Bodden, owner of the Hive Cafe in Rimu Street says that he has had to think a little laterally to stay ahead of what under normal circumstances would be a crisis point for his business.

As a means to combat both the loss of revenue from clientele and in turn, their loss of social connection with the Hive, Brandon has started an online ordering service. I’ve also adapted the menu a bit to accomodate the service,” he said, “ but basically, people can order online - with the full menu available for them to choose from - and we will deliver it

or they can pick it up at the door.” hivecafe. mobi2go.com

Brandon says that it goes beyond the dollars in time’s of crisis, such as this one we are all facing. “I want people to know that they can just call us for a chat, if that’s what they want. We are here for all our customers…and indeed, anyone in our community.” 021 909 074

Marmalade Deli & Catering are also offer a delivery service.

“We will deliver to your door,” said James Hutton. “There is no charge for orders over $50 if you live in Eastbourne or the bays. You can view the menu and make payment online at www.marmalade.net.nz or feel free to ring us at the deli on 5627566 from 8am-5pm, MondayFriday for more info.”

Ray Gough, stalwart of the Wharf 2 Wharf race, with sonHayden, who took on the mantle of race leader in the March 2020 W2W race. Details Page 6.

East by West Ferry services are cancelled from Tuesday 24th March 2020 until further notice (but for at least the next four weeks) due to the raised alert level for New Zealand

Office staff can still be contacted through email and we will update our communication channels when more information comes to hand

Apologies for any inconvenience caused

We hope everyone stays safe and well during this time and look forward to resuming services when possible

The Remains of the Day - a man, his boat and the community

By Ann Packer

All that remains of “Homeless Dave’s” sojourn is a knotted blue-and-white striped yacht line, hanging from a Norfolk pine above the footpath.

Used at various times to air sails, dry washing and hoist a protective shelter over his sleeping bag, it was missed by the Downer crew who took away all David Parker’s worldly goods on March 10, after his damaged yacht was towed to Seaview Marina.

While the occupation lasted only two weeks, it seemed much longer to those witnessing the daily drama playing out on Days Bay beach.

Mr Parker fetched up with his yacht, which had been tied up on a mooring in Lowry Bay by its previous owner, on 25 February. Within a fortnight he and his vandalized vessel were gone, along with his belongings, which had been spread out over the sand as if he’d arrived from a rough voyage and needed to dry out.

On Monday March 9 Mr Parker was arrested by police on disorderly behaviour charges; he was held in custody overnight to appear in court on Tuesday March 10. On the afternoon of March 10 the Harbourmaster’s office, which had been keeping an eye on the situation for some time, stepped in.

Harbour Ranger John Tattersall says they took the first opportunity to deal with the halfsubmerged yacht, which had been vandalized in Parker’s absence during the night of March 9. “It had water flowing in and out of it and would have become much more costly to remove with time.”

Watched by ferry passengers, the yacht was lashed alongside a crane barge, which dropped Mr Tattersall and a colleague off on the wharf before towing the vessel to Seaview Marina, where it awaits a decision from the owner’s representative about what will be done with it. “It will be made available if they are prepared to pay costs,” he says.

Tariffs for casual berths at the marina start at $30 per day, payable a month in advance with a registration fee of $58.

Following the removal of the yacht, a trio from Downers, which is contracted to Hutt City Council, packed up Mr Parker’s belongings for removal to the Council yard. Respectfully sorting clothes, books, pots and pans and other personal effects to keep them separate, Jay Anae and his team also carefully rolled sails and piled bargeboards and fittings onto their truck for removal.

While the oystercatchers have returned, the swimmers never really went away, setting up their picnic rugs in and out of ropes tethering the yacht variously to trees and driftwood logs. Many café regulars and passersby engaged with Mr Parker as he reconstructed the beach – a practice he’d begun in Lowry Bay – and moved logs around.

A smartly-dressed young couple were seen one evening offering him a brown carry bag, presumably containing food, and a large bottle of water.

Days Bay resident Blake Fieldes, who walks the waterfront most mornings, says the camper had “a certain degree of charm. I got the feeling he was a bit eccentric, chipping and digging away. He didn’t abuse anyone, just ranted. Nothing wrong with that! Soapboxes have been around forever.”

Mr Fieldes says he understands the cook from one café rang staff at another to check allegations about verbal abuse of staff but both confirmed there had not been any, and that it was all hearsay.

Cotti café owner Rozellia Boland offered friendship and food to the well-spoken camper, who is now bailed to a house she owns in the country near Waikanae.

“Someone had to do it,” she says. “It was a good solution – luckily I had somewhere to put him and knew his parents.” She says she saw him working on the beach one day with Continues next page

SAT, SUN & PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:

(S)

(S)

(S) = Sailing calls at Somes Island, subject to passengers.

FERRY FARES EFFECTIVE FROM 15 JULY One way: adult $12, child $6. Family Days Bay $66 (Return). 10 trip: adult $90, student $68, child $45. Monthly pass: adult $270, student $199, child $135. Matiu Somes Island: adult $25, child $13, family $68 (Return).

Sailings may be cancelled at short notice due to weather. To check today’s sailings, tel. 494 3339

The lasting sign of Dave's presence.

Next ECB meeting:

7.15 pm Tuesday 21 April 2020, East Harbour Women’s Club, 145 Muritai Road.

Covid-19 - get to know your neighbours

Now is a perfect time to get to know your neighbours if you don’t already. People in your street or in your home are likely to be self-isolating at some stage with the Covid-19 virus. If there’s a network already in place, it will be easier to help each other and keep in touch. A simple email and phone list for your street is a good start or a Facebook group if everyone is online. Two weeks of self-isolation will be easier if we’re in touch with neighbours and helping each other.

Remember that if you’re experiencing fever and a cough, sore throat or shortness of breath and have travelled overseas, please do not go into your local health centre, ring first to get advice. If you are registered with Muritai Health Centre ring 04 562 7606, otherwise call your own GP. There is more information at covid19.govt.nz

Board members

Residents are welcome to contact board members at any time. Members often sort minor issues directly with council staff or may ask for a report from officers to go on the next agenda. You can also contact us on Facebook: Eastbourne Community Board

Board members

Virginia Horrocks (Chair) virginia.horrocks@huttcity.govt.nz

Ph 021 230 8210

Murray Gibbons (Deputy Chair) murray.gibbons@huttcity.govt.nz

Ph 04 562 8567

Tui Lewis (Ward Councillor) tui.lewis@huttcity.govt.nz

Ph 04 970 5159

Bruce Spedding bruce.spedding@huttcity.govt.nz

Ph 021 029 74741

Frank Vickers frank.vickers@huttcity.govt.nz

Ph 027 406 1419

Belinda Moss

belinda.moss@huttcity.govt.nz

Ph 029 494 1615

The Remains of the Day

From previous page a tree on his back and thought “I could use that [strength]”. Since he was bailed, Mr Parker has been trimming trees, weeding stone walls and generally tidying up around her old villa in the country. She says he has got his bike going and can swim in the river when we wishes.

Rozellia says: “There was no nastiness in him – I wouldn’t have taken him in if he was dangerous. And there’s no alcohol out there,” she says, referring to the one time she lost her cool with the eccentric sailor, who had been drinking and went up the mast with a rope around his neck – a rather disturbing scenario.

Ginny Horrocks of the Eastbourne Community Board, says she is very pleased the situation has been resolved “before bad weather made life on the beach untenable”.

Contractors sort Dave's possessions.

The boat getting towed.

Vandalism a sad end to DB Beach saga

By Carl McRae

The saga of David Richard Parker came to a conclusion on March 9, when after a 13-day vigil camped on Days Bay beach, the 42-year-old man was arrested by the Police for disorderly behaviour. Colloquially known as “Homeless” Dave (although he referred to himself as “Days Bay” Dave), he had been living out of his partially-holed yacht on the popular summer beach since February 25.

Call outs to Police and reports of his antisocial behaviour had been aplenty during his extended stay, his refusal to leave the area as equally annoying to local authorities as it was to disgruntled residents.

Before arriving at Days Bay, David had allegedly been causing issues in nearby Lowry Bay, at Whiorau Reserve. He spent the first day in his new makeshift abode up the mast of his boat, until a police negotiation team was called to the scene. He informed the Police that he would be attempting to repair and re-float his stricken vessel, before moving on himself.

Police efforts to get him down from the mast were initially futile. The issue was resolved very quickly when his lawyer, Paul Knowsley, offered him a beer and a chat. Later that afternoon, David was temporarily detained by Police, but with his boat beached and his possessions strewn across the sand, he refused to leave.

He was then given a deadline – 9am Friday morning – by Hutt City Council, for a meeting and inspection. That was to make sure he was not found camping.

However, in spite of Mr Knowsley’s assurances to Police and Council that moving on

of his own accord was imminent, David remained where he was. Technically, he was not camping – that requires a tent.

Police changed the deadline to Monday March 2; David said he “might well be gone by then”.

He wasn’t. Having earlier stated he could not say how long it would take to repair his boat, he found it difficult to work on his vessel because so many people wanted to talk to him. In fact, he had become quite the celebrity and those people were at times lined up across the beach, waiting in turn for a conversation with “the yacht guy”.

But the shenanigans continued. On March 5, a 49-year-old woman was arrested at Queens Wharf, by Police awaiting with tasers, after an earlier altercation with David on the beach. The woman allegedly threatened him with a knife before boarding the ferry. One passenger claims she had a knife strapped to her leg.

On March 6, the mast of David’s yacht was mysteriously removed in an act described by Greater Wellington Regional Council deputy harbourmaster, Patrick Atwood, as “an interesting development”

By this juncture, HCC, Police and Mr Knowsley were locked in negotiations,

searching for an amicable resolution for all parties affected.

Senior Media Communications Advisor for HCC, Caryn Ellis, says that Council’s focus was to get a result that worked for everyone.

“We had offered Mr. Parker emergency accommodation,” she said, “and suggested alternative places where he could camp. He rejected it all, unfortunately.”

Ms Ellis said that Council had worked tirelessly with Police, Social Service providers and even talked with David’s parents.

Mr. Knowsley says that HCC were outstanding in their negotiations.

“Their approach was very sensitive regarding the entire issue,” he said, “and they remained proactive right until the eventual Continues next page

Scots College Middle School Scholarships

Applications for entry into Years 7 or 9 in 2021 are now open

Categories:

• Academic (Years 7 or 8)

• Music (Years 7 or 8)

• General Excellence (Years 7 or 8)

• Sports (Years 7 or 8)

• Scots Collegians Association (Year 9 only)

• Boarding (Year 9 only)

• Pipe Band (Years 9 or 10)

The holed hull was tied up for towing.

Beach home scuttled

From previous page conclusion on the Monday night, and continue to do so by storing his possessions for him.”

On that night David was taken into custody and within hours, a malicious act of vandalism saw all the windows and frames of his boat smashed in and the boat weighted down by a large log, presumably in an attempt to sink it.

“Staff worked with him and liaised with Police to ensure his possessions were put into safe keeping,” says Caryn Ellis.

“Unfortunately, his boat was vandalised, which required the Harbourmaster to take action. HCC does not condone the damaging of property.”

A local man, who wishes to remain

nameless, identified the perpetrators as “locals” wielding torches and sledgehammers, but he was afraid to go down and confront them in case they turned on him.

A spokesperson for the Police Media Team confirmed that a 42-year-old man had been arrested at Days Bay Beach, Eastbourne, on Monday, March 9 for disorderly behaviour. He is next due to appear at Hutt Valley District Court on June 3.

The spokesperson further stated that Police had received a report of torchlight seen within the vicinity of a boat in Days Bay late Monday night. Responding officers noted no damage at that time.

Says Mr Knowsley: “It is a pity that certain local police decided inexplicably to abandon the usual communications with legal counsel, preferring to concern themselves with a minor

disorderly conduct charge, evidently having no interest in pursuing the much more serious matter of the criminal damage to the boat.”

He says photos show that all of the windows have been smashed out. “I inspected the boat with the Harbour Master.

"I understand that in addition to the windows being broken the boat had been weighted down to ensure that with the smashed windows it would become a victim of the tide.”

Mr. Knowsley says that as a criminal lawyer, his approach through the years has often needed to be “hard-nosed”, but he was disgusted by the spineless act of the vandals, who took to his boat while he was in custody and not there to defend himself or his property.

“It was completely gutless,” he said. “I want them to know that they didn’t move [David] on, a common misconception. He was already on his way when he was arrested.

"I’d spent two hours that afternoon, boxing up all his gear to put on the boat, then the police arrived and arrested him.

"I took his bike and two packs of his belongings to Cotti, across the road, in preparation for his pre-organised move out of the Hutt the next day.”

Mr Knowsley concluded by saying that this wanton and violent act does not belong in any community within New Zealand and it was disappointing that it should happen in such a supposedly affluent one as Days Bay.

«David understands that some community members have been offended by his temporary presence at Days Bay,” he says.

“He apologises to all with a grievance, for what he appreciates is his own take on what he still sees as a Kiwi way of life.»

W2W race in perfect conditions

116 competitors entered the 2020 Wharfto-Wharf swimaā, on a near perfect day on March 1st. First home in the 1.2km race (approximately 50 lengths of Eastbourne Pool) was Ruby Heath, in the Open Women’s category, in a time of 0:15:47.

The first local to reach Rona Wharf (5th place) was Ella Burton-Wood, also in the Open Women’s section. Ella recorded a time of 0:18:35 and was the only Eastern Bays resident to finish in the top ten. For her efforts, Ella received the Kenny Cup for 2020, an annual trophy awarded to the fastest Eastbourne swimmer.

Marina Nadilo was placed first of just five starters the Junior Girl’s category, with other local participants, Amber Reid and Alex Irvine finishing second and third respectively.

The Wharf-to-Wharf swim is itself an Eastbourne institution and has been running for over 100 years. This annual, fun-based swim event is run by the Muritai Yacht Club and volunteers for the benefit of the Eastbourne community.

In total, 46 local swimmers took part in the event.

Results - overall (times under 20 minutes)

Ruby Heath (Open Women’s) 0:15:47

Jackson Arlidge (Open Men’s) 0:16:29

Mitchell Heberley (Junior Boy’s) 0:17:13

Adam Dyhrberg (Open Men’s) 0:18:13

Ella Burton-Wood (Open Women’s) 0:18:35

CHRIS BISHOP

Andrew Bell (open Men’s) 0:19:38

Jon Muller (Open Men’s) 0:19:42

Rebecca Hollingsworth (Open Women’s) 0:19:54

Corrina Connor (Open Women’s) 0:19:56

First local home by category:

1. (Open Women’s) Ella Burton-Wood (5th place overall) 0:18:35.

2. (Junior Girl’s) Marina Nadilo (12th) 0:21:11

3. (Open Men’s) Ollie Sim (14th) 0:21:36

4. (Open Boy’s) Tom Biggins (20th) 0:22:45

5. (Veteran Women’s) Amanda Gibbs (25th) 0:23:09

6. (Veteran Men’s) Anton Nadilo (28th) 0:23:25

The last official Mayor of Eastbourne, Ross Jamieson (0:36:34) finished the race in 109th spot in the Veteran Men’s category.

Garden Stuff with Sandy Lang

March/April: Early/mid-autumn. Still some good weather to go. Harvest late summer crops, establish winter crops while it’s still warm. We’re all thinking about viruses. What are they…?

Microbiomes: Microorganisms are among the earliest life forms. Very small, reproduce very fast, evolve very fast. Most are freeliving but all plants and animals have their own microbiomes – communities of microorganisms living on them and in them. Our microbiomes are about ten microorganism cells for every one human cell – we’re vastly outnumbered. But microorganisms are small, so your load of alien cells is only about 1.5 kg. You couldn’t live without your microbiome. It helps you digest food and protects you from infection, plus heaps more…

Okiwi Volunteer Driving Service

Good and bad: There are six different kinds of microorganism: bacteria, archaea, fungi, algae, protozoa and viruses. For many 1,000s of years we’ve used bacteria and fungi to preserve our food and to improve its taste. Where would we be without yogurt, cheese, bread, salami, wine and beer? And where would we be without diseases? Our diseases are mostly caused by bacteria (strep throat) and viruses (colds, flus) but a few by protozoans (meningitis) and fungi (thrush). This said, less than 1% of all microorganisms are ‘bad’ and more than 99% are ‘good’. But there are no ‘good’ viruses. What is a virus…?

Viruses: A virus is a small infectious agent that multiplies only inside the cell of another living organism. Viruses infect all life forms, animals, plants and other microorganisms. Viruses are generally regarded as non-living. But how do you define alive…? Usually three key questions. (1) Does it have its own machinery to replicate? No - to replicate, a virus must hijack the reproductive machinery of a host cell. (2) Does it grow bigger, then divide to multiply? No – a virus doesn’t grow. It forces a host cell to manufacture and assemble all its components. (3) Does it have a metabolism? No - a virus doesn’t consume any energy. It hangs around till it contacts the right kind of cell to infect. A virus is different from all other organisms.

CoVs: Most viruses infect the cells of a particular species but coronaviruses (CoVs) are ‘zoonotic’ – they jump from animals to people. In people they cause mild illnesses (colds) but also severe ones - MERS-CoV (ex-camels), SARS-CoV (ex-civet cats) and now SARS CoV-2 (animal source yet unknown) which causes the coronavirus disease COVID-19.

We've done it before, we can do it again

by Julia Stuart

The eastern bays community has been here before. Just over a hundred years ago, as the influenza pandemic swept the world, the local community swept into action.

By the end of November 1918, 85 influenza cases had been reported from Eastbourne and Days Bay and there were quite a few more at Taumaru Military Convalescent Hospital in Lowry Bay. On 18 November, the three-room Muritai School closed for three months and was converted to a hospital. Twenty patients at a time were cared for there by Nurse Anketell and Nurse Hall, with Dr H C Faulke attending, and nobody died there.

Margaret Anketell was an experienced nurse who at 50 had been too old to serve in Europe with the New Zealand Nursing Corps, so had gone to England and volunteered there, serving for two years. After she was invalided home in January 1918, Margaret came to live with her sister Phoebe in Kauri Street, and was pressed into service during the flu epidemic until she too succumbed. Fortunately she recovered, and went on to provide nursing services in Eastbourne for another eighteen years.

Taumaru was badly affected, possibly due to the residents’ wholehearted participation in the Armistice celebrations in Wellington. Nobody died there, though two former patients died from complications later, as did Taumaru’s former medical officer, Colonel Mathew Holmes.

On the other hand, Croydon School (now Wellesley College) went into lock-down. ‘Gladdie [Miss Sommerville] gated us for six weeks,’ recalled former pupil Holmes Miller. ‘Nobody came in, nobody went out. The butcher and baker left their stuff at the gatepost…. People were dying around us but we had not

one case.’ Staff and students were put in a sealed room with a masked Health Department official who released the tap on a cylinder of phosgene which they had to inhale. That, plus sunshine (prescribed by Miss Sommerville), meant that ‘no microbe had a show,’ he said.

Eastbourne Borough, where the bulk of the resident population lived, was divided into five blocks, each with its own committee. The Council Chamber in Makaro Street, described as a ‘glorified army hut’, was set up as a central depot. People could send and obtain soup, fruit and vegetables there, and get disinfectant for cleaning their homes.

Disinfectant was spread around liberally. All householders were ordered to clean their homes twice daily, and on 18 November all houses were sprayed. Those with weekend and summer cottages were asked to lend them for convalescents. Nurse Hall, run off her feet visiting patients at home, was supplied with a motor vehicle and driver, and Boy Scouts did an enormous amount of fetching, carrying and spraying.

The ferries were sprayed with formalin after every trip, and families could be fumigated in a shed near the wharf. The Italians used an old remedy, spreading sulphur over hot coals and inhaling the fumes. People also practised what we now call ‘social distancing’ and were urged to cough and sneeze into handkerchiefs. Hand-washing as a preventative seems not to have featured largely.

Dr Faulke, who had been assigned by the Health Department to the eastern bays, did a great deal of visiting, but unfortunately ruined his reputation by suing Arthur William Press of Days Bay for non-payment of fees. Arthur’s five-year-old son Athol was very ill and Dr Faulke visited him twice, charging two guineas (₤2 2s, over $260 in today’s money) each time. The usual house-call fee was 10s 6d ($60). Dr Faulke was also being paid about $1,000 a day by the Government, but he saw this as a test case, because a lot of other Eastbourne people

hadn’t been paying his bills either.

In the end, Arthur Press paid one guinea per visit, plus legal fees. Dr Faulke may have ‘won’, but later the British Medical Association rejected his membership, and the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board would not appoint him to its honorary medical staff.

Three people from the eastern bays are known to have died in the pandemic. John Joseph Perry of Rona Bay, the fourth of William and Bridget Perry’s six sons, developed the common complication of pneumonia, which proved fatal. He was 23. William John Morris, aged 34, died of influenza and pneumonia, and was the second person to have a funeral at St Alban’s church in Eastbourne. The third known death was that of John Cameron, aged 49 (the only surviving son of early settler John Cameron senior). In common with many flu victims, Cameron was a ‘fine, powerful man, who had never had any serious illness until the epidemic appeared’. Two unnamed others from the bays also died.

Even so, Eastbourne’s death rate, at 3.1 per 1,000 residents, was low compared with that in other parts of Wellington; only hilly Brooklyn and coastal Seatoun had lower rates. Maybe this was due to the healthy climate, the official measures or the community response. Now, a hundred years later, we still have the same resources. May they be equally as effective.

Dr H C Faulke, Eastbourne’s medico during the 1918 pandemic.

Mansfield’s underworld inspires local novel

A Days Bay resident released a novel on March 8th, inspired by the underbelly of Katherine Mansfield’s Wellington and he admits that he wrote it in part to dial back some local history.

Set in 1916, John Horrock’s Dark Empire, is a thumping good read, bringing to life some of Mansfield’s most evil characters and jumping them all ahead twenty years. The novel plunges into the depths of Wellington’s criminal underworld, where brothels, sly grog shops and the anti-German League come to the fore, based around one of Mansfield’s more chilling protagonists in Harry Kember.

Kember and his wife seemed out of place among the families enjoying summer holidays at Days Bay near the turn of the century and some of the women were eventually vindicated in their belief that one day, many years on, Harry Kember would commit a murder.

It is now wartime and his seedy business operations and financial dealings have also been brought into question, beginning to ensnare more upright citizens, such as Stanley Burnell.

When detective Sergeant, Tom Guthrie, is asked to investigate the drowning of a prisoner from Matiu/Somes Island, he learns that the man is Burnell’s brother-in-law, who had previously worked for both himself and Kember.

Neither men want to talk about him, while Kate Benson, a journalist at Truth newspaper, finds it dangerous to ask questions about the dead man.

John began writing Dark Empire in 2015, while researching WWI fiction, as a visiting scholar at the Stout Research Centre for New Zealand studies at Victoria University.

“It was a bit of an indulgence,” he says, “and I enjoyed immersing myself in the period. The first World War was in vogue and I found myself surrounded by resources, having studied John A Lee’s war novels and looking at the renowned Professor Richard Hill’s history of policy.”

Professor Hill's research focus pertains mainly to the history of colonial policing and social control, the history of Crown-Maori relations, and the history of security intelligence and State Surveillance in New Zealand, since 1907.

John also enjoyed diving further into the local Mansfield connection, he has written

RONA BAY BOOKS

Rare books, quality used books bought & sold. See our stock at: www.tinakoribooks.com

Make an appointment to visit. 26 Totara Street 562 7376 027 316 4066

tinakoribooks@xtra.co.nz

articles on the famous author for The Journal of New Zealand Literature (JNZL), the only international, fully peerreviewed journal devoted to New Zealand literary studies.

“I was planning to give a paper at a Mansfield conference in Bavaria,” he said. “She wrote German stories and I drew inspiration from her work and WWI context.”

Unfortunately, the conference has been cancelled because of Covid-19.

Local readers should also enjoy the fact that the book is chiefly set in Days Bay, Lowry Bay, Matiu-Somes Island and Wellington. Featherston and Rotorua are other areas of special mention, true to the influence and writings of Katherine Mansfield.

Chapters are headed by images lifted from historical postcards, of which John’s brother-inlaw has a large private collection.

John spent many years as sheep farmer in the foothills of the Tararua Range, before returning to academic work in the 1990’s and completing a PhD at Victoria University. His first collection of poetry, Raw Places, drew on this experience, while his critical writing include work on Katherine Mansfield’s stories from In a German Prison.

Dark Empire is available locally from

If you need or choose to selfisolate then we are happy to deliver your meat, payment can be cash or internet banking. No problem, no worries. We're in this together. Call us on 5628049. Your local Butcher

7 Rimu Street, Eastbourne Ph 562 8049

Ponder’s Gallery or online by contacting; info@ steeleroberts.co.nz

Buying,

Dear reaDers anD aDvertisers. We thank you for your continueD support

During these unpreceDenteD times. We hope to keep bringing you the eastbourne heralD if We possibly can, in april. please look after each other anD please let us knoW about any stories of kinDness or anything neWsWorthyngā mihi, louise parry, editor, the eastbourne herald.

Tel: 562-7555

or Spencer Logan - 021627773

Campbell Logan - 0220938090

Email: admin@spencerlogan.co.nz www.spencerlogan.co.nz

Rare books, quality used books bought & sold. See our stock at: www.tinakoribooks.com

Epic yacht race for 2020

The 24-Hour Endurance Yacht Race, held on March 14th and 15th, met with great success, according to race director, Theo Muller, with the weather gods very kind to skippers and crew for the fourth year in a row. In very pleasant conditions, the self-styled President of the Republic of Eastbourne, Murray Gibbons, skilfully fired the start cannon on Rona Wharf at exactly 11.00 on the Saturday.

Spectators clapped, cameras clicked, while a fleet of 13 yachts jostled for the most favourable position on the start line. Off they went on their first circumnavigation of Wellington Harbour. A light breeze from the north-east, which soon changed to the northwest, kept the fleet going at around 4 to 5 knots.

The largest yacht in the fleet, Masterpiece at 45ft, skippered by Steve Gaskin and assisted by a very experienced crew, represented the Royal New Zealand Navy. The smallest yacht, Kaia was just under 26ft. “Size doesn’t matter (much), when it comes to yacht racing,” Theo said. “A handicap system, similar to the game of golf, gives equal chance to all yachts in the fleet to be competitive and win the race.” This proved to be the case, as the overall winner on handicap was Footprints, a Raven 26, masterfully skippered by Grant McNamara. Experienced Race Officer,

Bob Rowell and his team, were in close contact with the yachts via VHF radio and cell phone.

“With events like these,” Theo explains, “safety is of paramount importance. All yachts were set up with a tracking app, which allowed the race management team to keep track of where the yachts were on Wellington Harbour at any time during the 24-hour period. Also, a couple of launches were cruising around the racecourse and Wellington Coastguard patrolled the harbour during the hours of darkness.”

2020 RESULTS - DISTANCE TRAVELLED (Nautical Miles)

1. Masterpiece 126.70, 2. Amnesty 111.71, 3. Celebrity 111.52, 4. Kaea 102.99, 5. True Blue 102.89, 6. Kama II 100.37, 7. Halo 97.47, 8. Freedom 94.42, 9. Pulse 94.13, 10. Rosschild 93., 11. Out 2 Lunch 85.78, 12. Footprints 82.39, 13. Tandara 68.18

2020 RESULTS - ON HANDICAP Corrected distance (NM)

1. Footprints 161.55, 2. Halo 157.21, 3. Masterpiece 156.42, 4. Out 2 Lunch 153.19, 5. Kama II 150.48, 6. Amnesty 148.95, 7. Celebrity 148.70, 8. Pulse 148.24, 9. Kaea 148.19, 10. True Blue 143.91, 11. Rosschild 143.73, 12. Freedom

The annual walk around with the Eastbourne Community Board and Hutt City Council took place on Saturday, 7 March.

The PHA is pleased that it is now a rare event for vehicles to be found parked on footpaths. This has considerably lessened the wear and tear of our footpaths and the need for the council to repair!

We thank HCC for escalating to Wellington Water the need for water pipe repairs. Some repairs have already been made.

The PHA AGM is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, 10 May at 4pm. All residents are welcome to attend, and voting is restricted to members only. If you’re not a member and would like to become one for the 2020/21 year, you can do so on the day or email pthowardassn@gmail.com for more details.

For Sale BEO $855,000 View www.harcourts.co.nz/EA3899

Margaret Lindsay M 027 466 8008 P 04 562 8008

Debbie Turner M 027 480 0561 P 04 562 8008

Team Group Realty Ltd Licensed Agent REAA 2008

Pthowardassn@gmail.com

News from Point Howard

HOME & INCOME - In a lovely quiet side street close to beach and bush walking tracks sits this light and bright 4 bedroom home with a super sunny 1 bedroom apartment above; fully self-contained (white ware included and kitchen kitted out) with its own car park and entrance. LIM & Building Report Available.

Eastbourne 14 Matipo Street

Connecting our Forest to Remutaka Forest

The national Predator Free 2050 initiative to rid New Zealand of rats, stoats and possums is still 30 years away from achieving its goals, so what can we do in the meantime? One motivation for PF2050 is to protect our native birds. A short-term way to assist this is to link up areas of native forest where there is some degree of pest control. That’s because, if our birds are living in small groups, they will in time come to lack genetic diversity, so some cross-fertilisation is required. Linking up populations with safe corridors helps to achieve this.

The Northern Forest of East Harbour Regional Park (the bush behind Eastbourne) sits adjacent to the western side of Remutaka Forest Park. Thanks to the Remutaka Forest Park Trust, a significant area of that park is protected from stoats, weasels and ferrets by DOC200 and DOC250 traps. The Trust translocated kiwi to the park in 2006 and an active breeding programme has since seen their kiwi increase in number and spread more widely.

For our part, MIRO’s stoat and possum traps cover a large part of the Northern Forest but, until recently, stopped at East Ridge, so did not extend all the way to the Wainuiomata River and the Wainuiomata Coast Road. However late last year, with the support of Greater Wellington, the Wainuiomata Golf Club, and Hutt City Council, we have been able to put in a new trapline (the ‘Kiwi Corridor’ line) to cover most of the unprotected area. We have also supplied the golf club with 10 refurbished trap mechanisms so that they can trap on the course itself. We now believe that the Northern Forest is close to being a relatively safe habitat for kiwi.

Apart from pest animals, the main barrier to kiwi crossing to our forest is the Wainuiomata River, but ecologists tell us that it is possible for kiwi to cross in suitable places at times of low flow. Other than that, there is just the Coast Road, which has relatively low traffic volumes, especially at night when kiwi are out and about. So, in time, kiwi may venture across into our forest.

To see whether kiwi are in the forest we have been deploying some acoustic recorders on the eastern side of the forest for the past two years. Through recording at night for several weeks at each of 10 sites and then analysing the data, it is fairly easy to see whether any kiwi calls are present. So far, all we have seen on the records are lots of morepork calls, but we will continue to check each year.

Should kiwi eventually arrive, there are implications for dog owners as some dogs do chase and kill kiwi. At Remutaka Forest Park it took a lot of sustained effort to educate dog owners and get effective dog control through having all dogs on leashes. Hopefully that would be more easily achieved in Eastbourne given the high level of environmental awareness here, as demonstrated by the high level of support for both the roll-out of urban trapping through the ERAT project and the number of local people who have sustained MIRO’s long-term (20+ years) trapping effort in the Northern Forest and at the Parangarahu Lakes.

- Terry Webb, MIRO

For Sale by Negotiation redcoats.co.nz/RED21289

HAND-CRAFTED MASTERPIECE

Move into this amazing home in an idyllic setting

For Sale By Negotiation redcoats.co.nz/RED21327

MODERN MANOR - LOWRY BAY

Fritz Eisenhoffer, described as a visionary architect for uncompromised high style modernism, designed this amazing home at 3 Walter Road, Lowry Bay. Set on a 2262m2 section, this home is set back from the main road and engages you in a sense of tranquility.

For Sale By Negotiation redcoats.co.nz/RED21349

HEART OF EASTBOURNE

There is something special when you live in the heart of Eastbourne, close to the beach and shops. Whether you are a couple with family and friends coming and going, or a family with children wanting to go to Muritai School, you can live this lifesyle when you move into this meticulously maintained, super spacious modern home built in 2002.

For Sale By Negotiation redcoats.co.nz/RED21312

ON THE CREST OF DAYS BAY

With panoramic views of Wellington harbour, this fabulous home in Days Bay is a must see! Located on the crest of Days Bay, it offers close proximity to walking tracks, the beach, parks and cafes. Regular bus service and the ferry to Wellington are located nearby.

5 Whiorau Grove, Lowry Bay

3 Walter Road, Lowry Bay

205 Muritai Road, Eastbourne

64 Ferry Road, Days Bay

built by its owner 25 years ago.

Rimu and kauri were milled specifically for this outstanding open plan 260m2 house sitting at the top of Lowry Bay.

SPORT

Junior cricket joins list of Covid-19 casualties

Unfortunately, due to coronavirus, the junior cricket season was ended two weeks early and before the club could hold their junior prize-giving (which NZ Cricket advised should not go ahead).

The Eastbourne Year 4 Storm and Stingray teams (photo included, coached by Anthony Delaney and Jason Bull), play in the same grade and were schedule for a “Battle of Bourne”.

“The weather gods didn’t play ball,” says Brendon Bentley, “and the match was cancelled, so they improvised and played the game indoors in the community hall.  Sport was the winner on the day I believe”.

For the Chairman’s award, each coach recommends a player who has played within the spirit, brings a great attitude and been a pleasure to coach, then the overall winner is chosen at random from each of the players selected.

Eastbourne Cricket Club Junior prize giving results, 2020

Church Services In Eastbourne

St Alban’s Anglican: Sunday Worship 10am at Wellesley College. Thursday Worship 10am - check venue with Parish office, 11 Ngaio St, Eastbourne tel: 562 6269

Children and Families Ministry: see www.stalbanschurch.nz

St Ronan’s Presbyterian: Muritai Rd, Eastbourne

tel: Parish Clerk 562 8753

Sunday Morning Worship: 9.30am. Power Hour: 9.30am

San Antonio Roman Catholic: Oroua St, Eastbourne

tel: Fr Marlon Maylon Parish

Priest 970 8405

Saturday Vigil Mass: 5.30pm

Sunday (Sacred Heart, Petone): 9.30am & 5.30pm

Photo: Y4 Storm and Stingray ready to contest 'the Battle of the 'Bourne' recently.

Mondays

• Retired Persons’ Assn meet 4th Mon, 10am St Ronan's Church hall for morning tea followed by a speaker - $2 entry.Transport can be arranged for these meetings on request, ph 562 7365 or 562 8387.

• East Harbour Women’s Club – Contract Bridge 2pm-5.30pm. Contact Judy Bishop 562 8985

• “Baby Bounce & Rhyme” at the library 10.00am.

• Singalong 1st Mon, 2pm at St Ronan’s.

• DB Playcentre Mon, Wed, Fri 9-12. Andrea Jensen 02102797311.

• Pt Howard Playcentre. Mon 9.15 -11.45am. Caroline 021 072 1070.

• The Historical Society’s Eastbourne History Room above the library is open 2-4 pm every Monday.

• Eastbourne Volunteer Fire Brigade training every Monday 7-9pm. Ph 562 7001 for more info.

• Toy Library 8-9pm. St Ronans Hall www.eastbournemibase.com.au Elizabeth 021 08224664.

• Eastbourne Karate Dojo junior and senior classes (children 8 year & older, plus parents) on Monday and senior classes on Thursday. Contact lindsaysensei@live.com, cell 021 844 873.

East Harbour Women’s Club

• Duplicate Bridge: 2-5pm. Contact Judy Bishop 562 8985

Keas: Monday 5.15pm – 6.15pm Kea Leader: Ed 021 738 699 Cubs Monday 6.30pm – 7.45pm Cub Leader: Damon 022 620 7116

Tuesdays

• Eastbourne Bowling Club. Gentleman’s Casual and Social bowling held every Tuesday from 2.30 to 4.30pm. Experience not required. Bowls and instruction provided. Casual dress code Contact Bruce 562 8401 or Warren 562 8606

• Pt Howard Playcentre Tues 9.15 -11.45am. Caroline 021 072 1070.

• Days Bay Playcentre Puddle Jumpers Tues 10:30 to 12 noon: Messy and Sensory play for children 2 years and under. Casual sessions, $3 donation.

• Muritai Tennis Club 9.30–noon. Merryn 562 0236.

• Eastbourne Homebirth Group 1st Tuesday of the month. Phone Kate 562-7096.

• East Harbour Women’s Club Morning

WHAT'S ON

Tea & Chat Group 10am. Contact Glendyr 562 7181.

• Eastbourne Embroidery Group, St Ronan’s Church lounge 10am-12noon.

• Indoor Bowls Club 1.30pm, at the croquet club, Oroua Street. Rosemary 562 7365

• Menzshed 9 till 12 , Williams Park, Mike 562 8688.

• Poetry group, every second Tuesday meet to read and enjoy poems old and new. Phone 562 8387.

• Toy Library9.30-10.30am. St Ronans Hall. Facebook: Eastbourne Toy Library Elizabeth 021 08224664www. eastbournemibase.com.au

• 9.30am Nia Dance Fitness Class (low impact - teens to 70+) Music Movement Magic - Muritai Yacht Club - call Amanda 021 316692 www.niainwellington.com

• Pump Dance preschool and junior hip hop. 4pm onwards St Ronans Hall. 0274373508 info@pumpdance.com

Wednesdays

• Retired Persons’ Assn meet 2nd Wed at Tartines for morning tea and socialising 11am. Occasional outings arranged. Ph 5627365 or 562 8387.

• Library preschool story time 10.00 am.

• Pt Howard Playcentre Wed 9.15 -11.45am. Caroline 021 072 1070.

• Scottish Country Dance. Merryn 562 0236.

• Bridge Club 7-10pm. Shona 562 7073.

• DB Playcentre Mon, Wed, Fri 9-12. Andrea Jensen 02102797311.

• “Steady as You Go” Age Concern sponsored Falls Prevention and Exercise Programme. Held 12 noon each Wednesday at Eastbourne Community Hall. Classes are held for 1 hour and costs only $2. Improve your strength and balance to reduce falls and injuries. Falls are preventable. Please join us!

• Baby Boogie - dance for babies and preschoolers at St Ronan's Hall. 9:30am10am. Intermediate/teen hip hop and contemporary. 5pm onwards St Ronans Hall. 0274373508 info@pumpdance. com

Thursdays

• Menzshed 9 till 12 , Williams Park, Mike 562 8688. Women welcome.

• St Ronan’s Mainly Music, 9.30am10.30am, contact Cathy 027 213 9342.

• SPACE at Days Bay Playcentre. Michelle 971 8598.

• East Harbour Women’s Club

- Bolivia 12.45pm, Contact Glendyr ph:

562 7181. Guest Speaker (3rd week of month)7pm, drinks and nibbles provide, Contact Diane ph: 562 7555

•Lions meet 2nd Thursday of the month at the Eastbourne Sports and Services Club, Tuatoru St 6.30 pm. New members and visitors are welcome. Graham 562 8819.

• Eastbourne Karate Dojo junior and senior classes (children 8 year & older, plus parents) on Monday and senior classes on Thursday. Contact lindsaysensei@live.com, cell 021 844 873.

• Pump Dance boys hip hop. 5pm-6pm St Ronans Hall. 0274373508 info@ pumpdance.com

Scouts: Thursday 6.30pm – 8.00pm

Scout Leader: Susan 027 535 4962

Fridays

• Eastbourne Bowling Club. Newly formed Ladies casual bowling group meets Fridays at 2.00pm. Experience is not required. Bowls & instruction available. Casual dress code. Contact Cheri - 021 0699 274

• Pop in and Play playgroup at St Ronan's Church Hall, 9am-11.30am during school terms. All preschoolers (0-4 years) welcome. Cath 027 213 9342.

• Pt Howard Playcentre Fri 9.15 -11.45am. Caroline 021 072 1070.

• AA Plunket Rooms 7.30pm. Mark 566 6444/ Pauline 562 7833

• DB Playcentre Mon, Wed, Fri 9-12. Andrea Jensen 02102797311.

• Discovery Time for 4years+ at San Antonio School, 78 Oroua Street, 9.3010.30am. Office 562 7398.

Saturdays

• Justice of the Peace at the Eastbourne Community Library, first Saturday of each month 12pm-1pm.

• Lions’ rubbish bin last Saturday of each month.

• Croquet from 10am Muritai Croquet Club. Lyn 562 8722 or Val 562 8181.

• Eastbourne Dune Restoration Group Meets dunes area in front of the Eastbourne Recreation Ground, on the first Saturday of the month at 9am. Contact Keena for more details on 562 0992.

Sundays

• AA Plunket Rooms 10am. Karen 021 440 705.

PARADIS

PRIZE

View By Appointment

Sinead Diederich

04 392 0001 | 021 02581960

sinead@tommyshv.co.nz

Duncan Povey

Stunning and superbly presented, this truly exceptional property captures the essence of luxury living, and is an entertainers paradise offering very generous multiple indoor and outdoor living spaces. Front row views of Lowry Bay and the harbour and city in the distance are enjoyed from all aspects of the property, from the huge deck over the new garage. duncan@tommyshv.co.nz

04 568 2222 | 0275 971 080

8

RV $710,000 | Tender Closes 2pm Thursday 02/04/20 at Tommy's, 120 Queens Drive, Lower Hutt (Unless Sold Prior).

Located on a large sunny site in popular Eastbourne, this is a very special home. Situated a stones throw from the beach & village, this authentic home is surprisingly spacious, has a fantastic garden & TONS of potential.

View By Appointment

AN ORIGINAL PETONE VILLA

Gorgeous street appeal with its covered verandah and sash windows, 8 Queen Street has been owned by its well known Petone identity for over 30 years, in fact it was the first house he ever bought. Slightly elevated at the Beach end of very popular Queen Street, this home would respond so well to further renovation and upgrading, as many of its neighbours have.

By appointment Open Home

Duncan Povey

04 568 2222 | 0275 971 080

duncan@tommyshv.co.nz

The three double bedrooms are all generously proportioned; a dine-in kitchen, family bathroom & separate laundry complete the accommodation here. sinead@tommyshv.co.nz

9 Mahoe St, Eastbourne By Negotiation

Sinead Diederich

04 392 0001 | 021 02581960

FANTASTIC FAMILY HOME

Situated on beautiful Mahoe Street, this 4-bed+ character home with “young family appeal” has been redesigned to achieve wonderful indoor outdoor flow. Enclosed in a fully fenced 405m2 sunny section, the family kitchen, dining and lounge all open to the rear west-facing garden.

RV $1,150,000

Sinead Diederich

04 392 0001 | 021 02581960

sinead@tommyshv.co.nz

tommys.co.nz

234 Marine Drive, Lowry Bay, Eastbourne Buyer Enquiry From $2,495,000

REF: THV02457

SUR MER

45 Marine Parade, Eastbourne Buyer Enquiry From $950,000

REF: THV02586

ON THE PARADE

Queen Street, Petone

REF: THV02597

REF: THV02602