The documents for next Tuesday’s WCB meeting include one containing a recommendation from the council on naming the presently unnamed street in this new subdivision, the essence of which is stated:

“The complete proposed development is for 39 new residential allotments. The development also includes the extension of Millvale Street, through to Park Avenue, a connection to Windsor Avenue and a new cul-de-sac. This report refers to the naming of the cul-de-sac shown as Road 2 on the attached Appendix”

We know Don Liddle is a community-minded person and takes a strong interest in visually appealing environments; accordingly, we’re relaxed about this development.

The preferred name is

“Albizia Grove – The site was a former nursery and these trees can be seen around the district. As part of the development Mr Liddle is planning on planting Albizia trees along the new road. The developer feels that “Grove” is an appropriate reference as it is consistent with other cul-de-sacs in the area.
Mr Liddle has previously used plant names to identify roads in his previous
developments.”

Imagine a machine that could effortlessly sow native seeds straight into the ground, creating within hours what will grow to become a woodland, open forest or wildlife corridor. Such a machine exists and is heading our way.

via Growing native trees with machines — Conservation blog

This is tomorrow: 6.30 p.m. in the Cardiff Room of the Waikanae Chartered Club!

The KCDC has put these maps on this page of its website which will apply from Monday 11 September:

The same webpage has this bubble which appears to show what may be intended for the open space in Mahara Place; although it may just be wishful thinking by someone on Mr Dougherty’s “Communications Team”:

A new painting by Wallace Trickett of Otaki.  This was in the Northern Steam Ship Company fleet from 1938 to 1950 and was fairly typical of the small coastal trading vessels that were a feature of the NZ maritime scene until the 1960s–1970s.

Info from the NZ Maritime Index:

Built: 1902
Builder: J. Fullerton, Paisley
Official Number: 108078
Tonnage: 249 gross
Career:
1902: built as a steamer for J.H. Williams, Wellington.
1904: sold to Patea Shipping Company Limited.
1919: passed to Coastal Shipping Co. Ltd, Wellington.
1930: converted to motor ship.
1938: sold to Northern Steam Ship Company.
1950: sold to E. Savoie, Noumea and renamed El Retiro.
1952: sold to D. Gubbay, Noumea.
1953: May 6th wrecked in Segond Channel, Santo Island, New Hebrides.

With the then ubiquitous Tip Top ice cream sign. ‘Tea Rooms’ as a description was in later decades replaced with café.

Sue Lusk on the Destination Waikanae blog says there should be “…a SPEED LIMIT for mobility scooters that hoon round Artel‘s corner [in Mahara Place] almost on two wheels sometimes!”

We asked Maude of Artel this morning and she confirms this: “otherwise, there’s going to be an accident.”

How fast can these little vehicles go? There’s this Joel Maxwell story on the stuff website from a couple of years ago saying that new 30 km/h scooters were about to hit the market. The importer is quoted as saying, “the electric-powered scooters don’t need a licensed driver, a Warrant of Fitness, or registration.”

It may only take a few accidents for that to change.

The Association’s President Trevor Daniell says:

“Queen Elizabeth Park is a reserve set up for the purpose of recreation and for the health and welfare of the population. Farming and the associated drainage of wetlands and industrial spraying of pesticides and herbicides have no relation or benefit for this purpose.

“Greater Wellington Regional Council has justified the action, stating the spraying stops weeds hindering public access and enjoyment (Kapiti News 23 August). It is not the weeds hindering public access to much of the Park, but farming and farm fences.

“Spraying is killing any form of native re-growth such as Manuka and Kanuka seedlings, which is re-establishing in areas not farmed. Gorse, which is also sprayed, is recognised as playing a valuable role in protecting young native seedlings.

“The low lying areas of QE Park were extensively drained for farming over 100 years ago. We are now at a turning point and the huge wetland areas of the Park must be restored for the long-term health and future of the Park and human recreational activities.”

An on-line petition

Five horses to a wagon, although no logs are discernible so they must be on the way back from the sawmill to the cutting site. A photo by S.C. Smith.