Looking back to 1969....
? At the break-up function of the Ngaere School, head teacher, Mr J Mills, made reference to the fact that as Miss Janet Haybittle passed out of Standard 6, it broke a long association between Ngaere School and the Haybittle family. For the past 25 years the family had presented at least one calf for the annual calf judging of the school.
Chairman of the school committee, Mr Don Kruse, asked Mr Eric Haybittle to accept a project certificate made out to the family for its 25 years' support. Mr Haybittle, who was a local member of the Education Board for some years, caused some amusement when he remarked that during that 25 years, four members of his family had only ever managed to win one third prize for a calf!
'They were much better at vegetable growing,' he said, 'having grown a plot that was champion of the district!'
? A headline: 'Way Now Clear'.... for a gondola-style cableway on Mt Egmont. The story: 'The invitation of the Egmont National Park Board for the installation of aerial cableways on Mount Egmont is very welcome news. The final date for submissions of schemes, December 1970, is realistic, as it allows for early action without distracting from necessary investigation time.
'The Stratford company, Mount Egmont Survey Ltd, has at this stage completed a preliminary engineering investigation and a profile study of terrain. These details have been forwarded to nine overseas companies who have been requested to submit engineering proposals and estimates.
'Under action at the moment is a pay ability study to calculate possible utilisation as well as tourist potential.
'The Survey Company exists primarily to carry out investigations of the gondola plan, and these are financed by the shareholders.
'When all research has been completed, a proposition will be entered with the Park Board.
'Should the proposal be accepted by the Park Board, a public company would be floated to implement the scheme.
This would provide the opportunity for Taranaki residents to invest in the development of the province.'
The following editorial appeared in the same edition of Stratford Press:
The Egmont National park Board is to be congratulated on their action in inviting proposals to commercialise Egmont.
Precious opposition from such organisations as the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society has now fortunately been outweighed by the practical merits of the development.
At this stage the most practical scheme being investigated is that of Mount Egmont Survey Ltd, which comprises a group of Stratford businessmen.
The plans of this group include maximum utilisation of existing facilities. There is fine sealed road to the 4000ft level with an existing parking space. Cable cars would operate from that vicinity to the summit, linking the Manganui skifield on the way.
This is obviously superior to a scheme being put forward that is based on the top of York Road.
Many places throughout the world have profited greatly from tourism by an aggressive promotion of their natural assets. However, few of them are as well endowed by nature as Taranaki and its mountain.
It follows that a gondola lift to the summit of the mountain would form a first-class tourist draw and it would be then up to the people of Taranaki to further develop the many other attractions which remain virtually untapped.
It also follows that Stratford, being the closest town to the mountain, must be closely involved in all development and it must be a project that deeply interests every section of the community.
? The Eltham Convent Nunnery, which served Eltham for many years, was set down for closure. The Nuns would travel daily from Stratford by car. An unfortunate side effect of the closure would be the curtailment of music lessons.
? Two valuable rams were flown to the Stratford Airfield. They were thought to be the first livestock to be transported by air to the area. The rams were purchased by Mr Jack Corlett, Ratapiko, from the Waikura Stud, Hastings.
Mr Corlett said he had difficulty transporting the rams by road or rail because it was too involved. A specially fitted aircraft owned by Wanganui Aeroworks was flown by senior pilot Mr George Wells. Mr Corlett said the rams enjoyed the flight, especially the picturesque views along the route. They were asked to keep their belts on throughout the flight, but were a bit disappointed they didn't receive refreshments.
? A useful tip: to strip old wallpaper from walls, wet thoroughly with water and detergent. Press a plumber's suction cup on to the wall, pressing out all air, and then pull away. The paper will come away in large slabs.
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? Martha and I were lying in bed the other day. My hand started to wander. I whispered, "I'm gonna make you the happiest woman in the world." She whispered back, "I'll miss you."
? A man said his credit card was stolen but he decided not to report it since the thief was spending much less than his wife.
? Just think, if it weren't for marriage, men would go through life thinking they had no faults at all.
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If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart - Nelson Mandela Have a great year!
Sunny side up and sometimes serious By Rhonda Bunyan
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