DELIVERED
Phillip Smith with the most recent of three ‘marae stones’ discovered in the south.
The discovery of three pieces of volcanic rock, scoria, associated with Maori occupation sites on Rakiura and in the Catlins, has led to speculation that they date back to the very first settlement in southern Aotearoa.
Chemical analysis has shown that the snails most likely originated from Mehetia Island in the Society Island group.
While it could have arrived in the roots of driftwood, it is more likely that it was brought with the travelers on purpose.
It is suggested that these three ”marae stones” are carried as a spiritual link to the homeland, just as people today preserve heirlooms and keepsakes.
The first was discovered by anthropologists Les Lockerbie and David Teviotdale in 1939 in Kings Rock, Papatowai,
The second on the nearby Tautuku Peninsula in 1963.
The third by Phillip Smith in sand dunes on the Old Neck at Rakiura.
READ MORE:
* Mayors of Invercargill – resplendent in rabbit robes
* The starboard-soaked launch of a trusty Te Anau steamer
* A Good Day Working at Redan, 1963
A not so polished version
The first band in Invercargill began as a flute and drum band in 1862. It became a full brass band in 1867 and was officially named the Invercargill Garrison Band in 1878.
It was then led by Captain Heywood, known as the father of the New Zealand brass band movement.
An early account says the band was formed to encourage the various groups of volunteers that had formed, in part in response to the wars in the North Island.
The band’s progress was ”not alarmingly fast” on the occasion of a visit from Governor George Grey,
The flutes had all been well cleaned and oiled and the drums polished, and the bass drummer had gotten his right arm into capital shape by being pampered with dumbells a fortnight ago.
“When His Excellency performed, the band, as is customary on these occasions, began to play the national anthem, but out of nervousness or lack of sufficient practice, or of both, they had not played four bars before they got into trouble, and gradually from bad to worse, broke out completely in the middle of the melody.”
Soon after, the flutes were discarded in favor of the more showy and articulate brass instruments.
Powerful paddling performance
The first canoe crossing of Foveaux Strait in modern times was on January 25, 1968 when Arthur and Neil Henderson made the journey. They launched their 5m canoe at 5am at Stirling Point and completed the crossing at Port William seven hours later.
The next crossing was a solo effort by Paula Greenem on March 27, 1977.
The first circumnavigation of the South Island by kayak was accomplished by Paul Caffyn who left Te Waewae Bay on December 21, 1977 with Max Reynolds.
He continued north alone from Jacksons Bay and returned to Te Waewae Bay on April 23, 1978.
The report of the trip is written in Obscured by waves. Here he describes the second day of the westward journey.
“West of Big River, the shoreline consists of steep, rocky cliffs with numerous offshore reefs and rocks over which the swell rippled. The bluffs provided a backchop that made paddling unpleasant.
“When we got to Cavendish River, Max had had enough and walked to a bay at the estuary. The bay was protected on one side by a rocky island with numerous reefs and exposed rocks on the other. We left the choppy waters of the reefs and paddled into the calm, beer-colored waters of the bay.”