24
February 2013
NORTHERN FaRmiNg LiFEsTyLEs
Families on the land preserve history by Paul Campbell
The now world-renowned Kauri Museum at Matakohe in the Kaipara grew out of the efforts of a few local farming families, concerned that their roots would be lost after the community hall and library burnt down.
Top left: Matakohe Paparoa Centennial, January 1962 Top right: The old settlers arrive: Joy Aicken, Clarice Smith, Nellie Whitehead, Allister and Geoffrey Gergusson, Jo Sterling, Patricia Smith, and Mavis Smith
A Gear the way you’d design it.
Dog Training Products
KEEP YOUR WORKING DOGS ON THE JOB
NEW MODELS
• Model SD-1825 – 1.6kms range (1 mile). Up to 6 • Model SD-800 rechargeable – 800metre range. waterproof • Tone and Vibration options. collar units and • 24 levels of correction. remote units. • 3 year warranty.
GREAT VALUE
SD-1825 with 1 collar $685.00 SD-800 with 1 collar $535.00 Extra collars $245.00 Prices include GST
“The Matakohe Hall and library had burnt to the ground with the old tinder-dry kauri going up like a torch. Along with the hall went a wonderful collection of old books, many leather-bound first editions, some of them donated to the library by my grandfather. I remember with absolute horror the cracking of exploding glass while the flames lit up the night sky and smoke roiled upward.” In the ensuing few years, the local farming community formed a trust and secured the title to the district cattle pound paddock. The next step was the building of a barn to house a burgeoning collection of machinery and artifacts flowing in from the district and further afield.
Sales@innotek.co.nz For a free brochure call
0800 872 546
• Anti-bark training collars • Containment systems
mong those families, many descended from the original Albertland settlers, were the related Smith and Sterling clans who farmed widely in the area. Matriarch in the 21st century, Miss Mavis Smith, recalls how the museum was born.
www.innotek.co.nz or Ph 0274 935 444
It is a little known fact that faced with the huge collection, negotiations and meetings went to municipal, indeed government level, and it was decided to move the Matakohe exhibits to Western Springs in Auckland. This has since evolved into the Museum of Transport and Technology.
Handmade gumdigger mannequin 1960’s
INNOVATIVE
WIND HARVESTING
Sale
Tussock Cre ek Moleskins $ — down from $ 120
only 70
See us at Northland Field Days Site 145
Come and see us at the Northland Field Days Site TMX Boulevard 307
Phone
0212 438 836 0274 723 967 www.pacificwind.co
Just Horse ‘N Around p. 021 962 319
PO Box 301325 Albany, Auckland 0752
NORTHLAND
FIELD DAYS
Gates: 9.00am to 4.30pm Entry: $15 adult $5 child 5 to 16yrs incl. Under 5 years free
But a large collection of kauri memorabilia remained behind and the idea for The Kauri Museum was born — not only because fire had swept the hall and local homesteads, but in part because of the Matakohe centennial celebrations were planned for 1962. Local people soon agreed that a pioneer museum should be built. Preliminary fund-raising was carried out with a ‘bring and buy sale’ and in July 1961, the museum site on the local pound was measured and building lines were laid. “My cousin, Mervyn Sterling, felt the building area looked a bit small,” recalled Mavis
21–23 February 2013 State Highway 14, Dargaville Phone 09 439 8998
The best place to see all the latest rural innovations and technology available as well as entertaining demonstrations of skill and expertise.
w w w. n o r t h l a n d f i e l d d a y s . c o . n z
Be in to
WIN
our Daily Gate Prize just by attending