Houghton Valley Email Newsletter
22 September 2011
HV Community Garden: we received several fruit trees this week from ‘Operation Green Thumb’, (www.communitygardenz.org.nz link not current) so on Sunday the gardeners will be deciding where to start a fruit tree grove.
EVENTS CALENDAR
September 25 (9.30 am – 2 pm) The Great Living Legends Muck-in: at the Berhampore Golf Course. Native trees are being planted to celebrate NZ Rugby Legends. Refreshments will be served after the planting. Register online at www.livinglegends.co.nz. before Friday. Go to the Wellington Town Belt in an area that passes behind Berhampore Golf Course west of Adelaide Road. Bring sturdy footwear, spades, gloves.
October 1 (2 – 5 pm) TRiG Working Bee: The Te Raekaihau Restoration Group (TriG) will meet at the seat on the main track about 25m past the Beacon near the Kae Miller Cottage. We will be working on forming the beginning of the Peace Grove Track. We will also tidy and chop up some of the cleared material from the last two sessions. Tools needed are pruning saws, loppers, secateurs and spades for shelving the track. Also gloves and afternoon tea. If you would like more information or would like to be on the TRiG newsletter list please contact Jenny.
October 31 Community Preparedness Grant: This funding application may be of benefit to locals. Check it out. (Link not current)
November 12 HV School Fair: lots of help is wanted with the fair. If you can assist, contact Sarah.
Houghton Bay History: In the 1860s and 70s the whole of Houghton Bay was part of a sheep farm, owned by Alexander Sutherland (aka Sutherland Rd). The following is a story told by his grandson, about Alex’s daughters:
’Houghton Bay itself was not of much interest to the girls, but frequent reference was made to the charming bush which clothed the sides of the valley right up to the foot of Mount Albert. After the citizens of the growing town had depleted the Bay shore of a tremendous quantity of drift timber they attacked this valley and tipped the logs over the steep hill bordering the bay’. Sutherland A. (1947), ‘Sutherlands of Ngaipu’, Pub: A.H.Reed & A.W. Reed, Wgtn NZ.
Regards, Grant