Hi People

Thank you to the trampers who have already volunteered for our free bus, wilding pines eradication day this year.  There are still a number of spaces to fill so let Peter know if you are able to help. The designated area is alongside SH 73, on the right looking back towards Parapet Rock.  Wildings are dotted throughout the area extending from the roadside, over the fence and sloping up to the higher scrubby ridge.  Most are small to hip-high but also look out for the really tiny ones.  

Use Safe practices at all times please – especially when crossing and working alongside SH 73.

Each person will need the usual gear for a day tramp plus:

• gardening gloves
• optional knee pads/kneeler/hi vis vest
• extra snack food/hydration
• spare socks for after (the ground is boggy in places)
• if you can bring your own tools such as:  short loppers, sharp knife, pruning saw, small axe or secateurs, that would be appreciated and help augment the supplied gear. [be safe with using these sharp tools please]

Format for the day will be as follows:

• arrive on site.  Bus will park and packs can be left.
• take anything you might need for the day (jacket, drink bottle, energy snacks, inhaler, tools, gloves etc) with you. [maybe in waist pack]
• decide on a “group” to join. (flat-roadside [Ian]/ middle [Bruce]/ sloping scrubline [Alan]).  The idea is for us to have an even spread of people extended over the site and work in a line where possible. [i.e. approx. 10 per group].
• get tools (saw/loppers) and a safety vest
• gather for short demo 
• morning tea at the bus
• proceed to chosen areas and start.
• Lunch back at bus 12.30
• depending on progress, the bus can move to the next safe parking area as we proceed.  
• Finish time approx. 2 – 3pm.
• Refreshment stop at Springfield or Darfield as decided.

Again, many thanks for your support.

Pines Team

Towards a Century 1921 to 2021

A story stretching from the steam-driven transport of 100 years ago to the sophisticated present-day truck-and-trailer rigs of more than 50 tonnes is captured in a book to be launched next month.

Frews – Journey towards a Century, 1921-2021 is a story of four generations of the Frew family, leading the business through many changes and challenges. Three great grandsons lead the businesses of the rural Canterbury haulage and freight company today, which has bases in Darfield and Oxford.

Edgar Frew bought into the transport business in 1921 in Greendale, which was to become known as McCrostie and Frew. Edgar drove the traction engine – the steam-driven “hauler” – that was the centre of the new business. There were very few trucks in those days, and it was a decade before the first truck was bought by the business.

After World War 2, the business, with some trepidation, moved its base to Darfield. It was located for a short time on the eastern corner of Bray Street and South Terrace, before moving to the eastern corner of Thornton and Cardale streets.

In 1967 it moved to its present site in Mathias Street. The purchase of Oxford Transport Services Ltd in 1971 established Frews on the north side of the Waimakariri, with Oxford, Rangiora and Amberley, each having depots.

Its first demolition job was in Christchurch in 1972 – the Christchurch Gas Company.

In 1981 it bought A. E. Nevell, which provided a physical base in the city as well, extending its transport operations there. A. E. Nevell had its own long history, originally delivering meat to city butchers using special dust-proof wagons pulled by horses.

Article by Robyn Bristow – North Canterbury News

Copies of the book are available for $59.50 . Contact Frews Transport for details on where to purchase this book. admin@frewstransport.co.nz

An opportunity to buy a fascinating book directly from the author.

Tobacco has pervaded life in New Zealand since first arriving here and the stuff continues its insidious hold even after the demise of the local tobacco growing industry in 1995. The ‘golden harvest’ of tobacco is more than a blip in New Zealand’s horticultural history – for seven decades tobacco dominated both the landscape and the community of the wider Motueka region. The crop presented unique opportunities as well as formidable challenges for growers and their families. It also affected the lives of thousands of young seasonal workers who came to Motueka to work hard, and to play hard. These are the experiences and observations of one Motueka Valley ‘tobacco kid’ from a family which was ruled by the demands of tobacco growing for four generations.

This book is available for $25 from the author at shirley.bastin@xtra.co.nz

Neil Lancaster has recently transcribed the war diaries of his father Charles Graham Lancaster who served in the Middle East during World War 2. These have now been printed in a very impressive book and it is well worth reading. If you are interested in this book speak with Neil or it can be purchased from Scorpio Books at $34.99 per copy. This is a very attractive publication and good that we can support one of our members.

http://www.scorpiobooks.co.nz/CatalogueRetrieve.aspx?CatalogueID=77903&ProductID=9915436