A glimpse into history in photographs
New book explores Pohangina Valley through early photographer’s work
Pohangina author Catherine Knight’s main focus is environmental history, which led to her second book Wildbore: A photographic legacy.
Her first book in 2014 was Manawatu¯ Ravaged. The latest book explores the world of Pohangina Valley farmer Charles Wildbore through his photographs.
“Wildbore’s remarkable photos captured the unprecedented environmental change that by the beginning of the 20th century had transformed a densely forested valley into farms and orderly settlements.”
Wildbore’s photographic legacy gives the reader an insight into the forests almost entirely extinguished from the lowlands of the Manawatu¯ region and throughout New Zealand. The To¯ tara Reserve is the last remaining stand of lowland forest in the Manawatu¯ .
“More than that, it allows us to imagine a future where forests and wetlands are restored, to blend with landscapes of
human endeavour.” Wildbore was selftaught and carried glass plate negatives, the only method to record photographs in the 1890s early 20th century. Catherine said clearing the land opened up a grass seed industry in the valley. The seeds were sold to a Palmerston North wholesaler in a thriving industry. Catherine is now a member of geocaching GPS orienteering.
Geocaching will lead people to 15 sites where the caches are hidden and there are more in the pipeline.
A narrative will explain the historical significance of the site. Wild bore connected geocaches are published on thewww.geocaching.com website.
■ ‘Wildbore: A photographic legacy’ launches August 29 at the City Library, 5.45-7pm.
■ Local Focus — Made with NZ on Air Funding