Hastings/Napier

 This is the Avenue of the Oaks in Hasting.  When you drive down this street it is like driving down a tunnel of trees.  This is located in Hastings which is a beautiful and immaculate town.  They actually sweep the streets and sidewalks at least three times a week.  Everyone's yard appear as if they all have professional gardeners. Hastings has a spanish mission style architecture.  It was largely rebuilt after the 1931 earthquake and has many beautifully landscaped parks and gardens.  Elder and Sister Farnes are serving their mission in Hastings and the surrounding areas. We had the privilege of going out of dinner with them on Friday night.  Sister Farnes entered a convent when she was 15 years old.  She spend 4 years there and before taking out her vows to become a nun she decided to take a year off and experience the world.  Just before she was to go back into the convent and take her vows to become a nun she met the Mormon missionaries and joined the church.  Someone told her once that instead of becoming a Mother Superior she had become a Superior Mother.  She is a fascinating person to know. She and Elder Farnes arrived in New Zealand the week of Thanksgiving 2011 and within 2 weeks of their arrival he had a stroke which affected his eyesight and he was unable to drive.  Sister Farnes had to immediately learn to drive on the opposite side.

Dinner with the Farnes and the McVey's at the Masonic Lodge in Napier.

 The Farnes  went with us Saturday morning to have our picture taken outside of the Napier Courthouse.  Sister Farnes was gracious enough to take our pictures even though it was raining.

 The courthouse was recently moved to a new location shown above but this was the original courthouse.

Fountain in Napier

Napier is considered the art deco capital of the world.  It was also devastated by the 1931 earthquake and has since been rebuilt.  They have a Art Deco Weekend which is held in February where the local folks and visitors polish their vintage cars, dress up in their best art deco gear and get into the spirit of the festival.

 When Don was working at the archives he digitized a probate of a sheep farmer.  When he died in 1896 he deeded his property to the town of Napier for a 9 hole golf course.  Of course, Don needed to see this golf course.  It is now a 18 hole golf course that extends on three sides of the road (north, south and west).  It is beautiful with the lush green scenery.

April 7, 2012

Matthew Cowley

 Matthew Cowley was one of the first missionaries to serve in New Zealand.  Later he and his family returned to New Zealand and lived in this house while he was serving in the town of Dannevirke.  He became very proficient in the Maori language and therefore was able to translate the Doctrine of Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price into Maori.

 A church was built by the members down the street from his house.  It is now filled with old records and pictures.  Don found a church minute book that was dated 1917.  There are numerous pictures of event that have transpired there during the last century but most of the pictures do not have names or events on the back so they will remain a mystery to future generations.

The church is very small and consists mainly of a chapel area and a small kitchen.  We were surprised that it is left open with so much history inside.

April 6, 2011

Castlepoint

 Since New Zealand is an island there are numerous lighthouses to visit.  Castlepoint lighthouse is about a half hour drive east of Masterton.  This is a picturesque lighthouse looking out across the sea towards Antarctica.

April 6, 2012

Masterton Courthouse

 The archives was closed on Friday, April 6th through Monday April 9th for Easter Holiday.  Since there was an Easter Holiday we again hit the road for an adventure of finding and seeing some of the courthouses where the probates originated that we are digitizing. The first courthouse on our journey was located in Masterton (which is about an hour and half drive northeast of Wellington).

 When we arrived at the courthouse Elder McVey would put his camera up on the car with the timer set and then run across the street before the flash went off.  However, he wasn't fast enough to make it across the street in time.  Just then around the corner came the young elders (Elder Ames and Elder Aumua) on their way to the church for a baptism.  The timing was great and they were able to then take the picture.  It's amazing how the elders are always there when you need them.

April 6, 2012

Roy and Lorraine's 50th Wedding Anniversary

 On March 24, 2012 Roy and Lorraine Ditchburn reached their 50th year of marriage.  They then celebrated with a small group of friend on March 31st.  When we arrived in New Zealand we replaced Roy and Lorraine at the archives.  We have become very good friends with them through our training from them at the archives and also our association with them at church.

When New Zealanders have high tea they have massive amounts of delicious food and it is usually served on their best china (except for the tupperware plate in the front).

Roy and Lorraine cutting the cake

March 31, 2012

Otari Wilton-Bush Hike

 Don and I hiked through Otari- Wilton Bush this morning.  Job Wilton and his wife Ellen were farmers and were responsible for protecting the 17 acres of bush area.  The European settlers started to log and burn forested areas all over New Zealand to clear land for farming and homes.  Job fenced off this 17 acres for protection from the Europeans.  Job Wilton and his family went to extraordinary lengths to keep the forested area intact.  Job lived from 1834-1916.  In 1902 he commissioned the Minister of Lands to have this area made into protected land and his wish was granted in 1906.

March 31, 2012

Terrace Tunnel

Terrace Tunnel

Guy

Lena

Ephraim

Krystal

Astrid

Jonina

Jasmine

Aloeweiss

Jonina and Jasmine

The Terrace Tunnel which leads directly from Wellington to Motorways 1 and 2 had a complete refit and overhaul.  Apart from the concrete lining of the tunnel, nearly everything is new.  After the completion, the tunnel was closed from about 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. so that the community could walk the tunnel.  A group of the young adult were asked to stand along the tunnel and elicit money for the local community hospital.  We took pictures of the tunnel and also of the young adults.

March 25, 2012