The Story of a Horse, by C F Hutley

Thursday last was a sad day for Colin Dean of Unahi Road, Awanui, for he had a ring while at work to say that Belle was down, and the vet advised that she should be shot.

Colin took the day off work to bury her. No one was going to have this faithful old pet for pig food.

The name Belle rang around Waipapakauri in 1937 when I bought this animal for my butchery stock-horse. Ten years old, but a good one. She had such a lovely canter that children used her more than I did. In the first five years I owned her, if a gate was left open she would always be found back on the Big Flat, near Motutangi.

I bought her from Rhoda Beazley (Mrs. D. Leyland) for the price of a new sewing machine - £12 ($24). The machine still runs well, but for the last five years Belle has not been used. The vet, when asked to state her age, said she was over 35; her top teeth had gone completely. She was actually over 40.

Her first of three foals was pensioned off 32 some years back. Her sire was a colt by that famous racing stallion imported by the late Bill Evans that left many winning hurdlers. Before going to the stud British King was taken from Houhora by steamer to win the Cup and Flying Handicap at Takapuna and Pukekohe, and brought back to be turned out. Hector Grey, the then famous jockey, said he was the best untrained horse in New Zealand.

Belle’s passing will be grieved by many who learnt to ride on her. I gave her to Tony Dean’s family, who passed her on to Brooke Richards to learn on, and later, about 18 years ago, gave her to Colin Dean. No better home could she have got.

— June 3, 1969 Despite “terrific” weather over Queen’s Birthday weekend there were few reports of success with pheasant shooting, the president of the Mangonui-Whangaroa Acclimatisation Society, Mr. W.E. Culley said.

Rain was fairly heavy and high winds prevailed, but the pheasant still seemed to be keeping out of sight.

“Some of the boys are getting discouraged and stopping at home,” he said.

But those who were going out were downing the odd bird.

From Dargaville it is reported that shooters who normally have 50 to 60 pheasant at this time of the season were struggling to make 10.

The number of older birds shot was “very noticeably” bigger than the number of young ones, it was stated.

This suggested the existing stock was being depleted and younger birds were not there to replace older ones.

And from Kawakawa – “Things have been very, very quiet.”

— June 6, 1969 The Kaitaia Jaycee Chapter held their annual “Stag Evening” at the Awanui Hotel on Tuesday evening. The guest speaker for the occasion was Mr. Gary McGuigan, headmaster of Broadwood District High School.

Mr. McGuigan outlined the scope of the Colombo Plan, its history, and the role of New Zealand in it.

He went on to discuss his experiences as a sciencemathematics lecturer at the Batu Lingtang secondary Teachers’ College of Sarawak.

The talk was highlighted by a display of carvings made by the Iban people of Sarawak. A number of weapons were also on display, and the one which created most interest was the fearsome-looking blowpipe, belonging to the Punan people, with authentic darts (without poison). Other weapons that were on display included the parang, a knife, the owner of which was reputed to have claimed four heads.

Shields and hats from the Baram River area created a great deal of interest – one being reputed to be over 50 years old. An interesting example of a print using the

batik process was also exhibited.

Mr. McGuigan concluded his talk with an interesting display, from many aspects, of slides taken during his term in Sarawak.

— June 6, 1969 A meeting of the Kaitaia Play Centre was held on June 11 to find ways and means of raising money to finance a building or a section in Kaitaia.

The mothers felt that the move into Kaitaia would help a lot of mothers with young families, who have no transport, as they could then attend.

Mrs. M. Windleborn gave a very interesting report on the conference which she attended in Wellington during the May school holidays. She felt that going to the conferences is a good experience, by meeting other mothers, and some of the fathers too.

A raffle is now being held to raise finance for the new building.

A meeting hosted by Mr. P. Joyce will be held at Mrs. Bonnevie’s residence on Wednesday, June 18, for those who are taking assistant supervisors’ training this year.

Two mothers attended a day school at the Ahipara pre-school centre where Mr. Feather discussed painting.

They found that with the young children, the school was very interesting and informative, and new methods were discovered.

— June 13, 1969

schools taking part.

The term festival may sound too grandiose for what the schools really hope to do. There will be an exhibition showing types of art and craft work being done in our schools, from puppets to paintings, from clay work to models, and it will range from pre-school to college level. In addition to this there will be a week of lunch hour concerts (so fashionable in city art galleries) with brief items given by small groups of children from many schools.

Items will be varied – from poetry reading to choral work, from dancing and gymnastics to Maori stick games. It is hoped to show the full range of cultural work that takes place in Mangonui schools.

Children from as far afield as Te Hapua will be coming in for the festival – so far away, in fact, that they must be billeted for one night.

— June 17, 1969