KARORI HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER

 

The Society’s next General Meeting will be held on

 

Tuesday 4 September 2012

 

at St Ninian’s Hall, Newcombe Crescent, Karori

 

at 7.45 pm.

Members and friends welcome

 

 

Speaker

As September is Heritage Month and, in keeping with the theme of 'Our Heritage - Our stories' we invited Lydia   Wevers, to speak to us. The title of her talk is 'Sensation Novels and Colonial Readers' - about reading in the nineteenth century in relation to her book Reading on the Farm.

 

Professor Wevers is Director of the Stout Research Centre for New Zealand. She is a distinguished post graduate  researcher and writer with a long list of published work on New Zealand and Australian literature; several of her  books have focused on early New Zealand travel writing and writers.

 

The Wellington Region Heritage Promotion Council is organising a Short Story Competition. Stories can be fiction or non-fiction based on a real person, an historic event, building or place. There are 3 categories: primary school,  secondary school, and senior open and prizes will be awarded. Further details are at www.wellingtonheritagepromotions.org.nz

 

 


AGM June 2012

The committee members elected are:

President – Judith Burch

Vice-President – Jan Heynes

Secretary – Henry Brittain

Treasurer – Valerie Carter

Hon. Auditor – James Graham

Committee – Peter Anderson, Elizabeth Bradford, Jeni Bryant, Jo Elworthy, Mike Foster, John Harper, Margery Renwick

 

June talk - Transits of Venus

John Harper, a committee member, then spoke about the transits of Venus. This was particularly appropriate as a   transit took place the day after the meeting. His talk emphasised matters of historical interest rather than  astronomical technicalities and was a very interesting account of what and when they occur, why expeditions  were sent to observe them, why historians, including Tim Beaglehole of Karori, were interested in them, and   what was seen in various parts of the world. Cook was sent out to observe the transit of Venus in Tahiti in 1769,  after that, he sailed on and explored New Zealand and Australia.

 

 

The Stockade

Our editor, Jo Elworthy has a number of articles suitable for the next edition, but is anxious for members to contribute their own stories. Jo can be contacted at: jelworthy@paradise.net.nz 

 

 

Karori and its People 

Good news - the reprint has arrived. Booksellers have been advised and orders are coming in. If you know anyone who would like to purchase a copy please contact Valerie Carter - vecarter@paradise.net.nz – or buy one at the next meeting for $50.

 

 

Review of Karori Streets 1841-1991

The committee has agreed that Judith Burch will revise and update this Karori classic. Steele Roberts will be the publishers in association with the society. The first task is to contact WCC to check how many additional streets, have been developed since the book was originally published. If anyone is interested in being involved in this project please contact Judith phone 476 4400 or email artybees@actrix.co.nz.

 

 

Subscriptions

A reminder notice is included for those members who have not paid their subscriptions for the 2012-13 year.


 

The Wellington Historical& Early Settlers’ Association

The Association’s Centenary book: 100 Years, The story of the Wellington Historical& Early Settlers’ Association 1912-2912 written by Judy Siers will be launched on Thursday 27 September in the Wellington City Council Chambers commencing at 5 pm. Anyone interested in purchasing the book at a pre-publication price of $43 plus $8 postage, should contact WHESA, 25A Elliott Street, Johnsonville, Wellington 6037. And members wishing to attend the launch should ring Vonnie 838 9811 or Judy 478 5386.

 

 

The White Mouse’ 

A Remembrance Service is being held for Nancy Wake at Old St Paul’s, Mulgrave Street, Thorndon on Thursday 30 August 2012 at 12.15 pm.  Members are invited to attend.

 

 

Registration under the Historical Places Act 1993

The society has been advised that St Patrick’s Church (Catholic (Former), Makara and War Memorial, Makara are registered as Category 2 historic places.

 

 

Maritime Memories of Mount Street (Cemetery)

Ken Scadden, maritime historian will give a presentation at 7 pm Thursday 27 September, Connolly Hall, Guildford Terrace, Thorndon. $10 includes supper.