Continuing on with my 8 January blog, here are some photos from the Māori Beach Historic Site. Māori Beach was a thriving settlement between 1913 and 1935 with a school, houses and a sawmill. Remains of the mill's boiler and steam engine is slowly being reclaimed by the regenerating ngahere.
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| Rusting blade |
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| Part of the Department of Conservation Info panel |
I wonder how history would have changed if we hadn't had the technology to cut down the beautiful trees in such large numbers. I had no idea until I did my study that farming was nowhere near as productive as native bush. It's great to see a move towards planting natives along waterways and fencing off bush remnants in gullies and steep land - and also the revegetation and weed control on offshore islands.
Mentioning weeds has raised my hackles a tad - it is disappointing to see so many weeds in flower and know that the problem will be worse next year. I can understand gardeners wanting something different in their garden but how many of these exotics will become serious weeds in the future. Plants such as cotoneaster, holly and barberry DO look pretty and the birds DO love the berries but seeing dense stands of these weeds growing in native bush is upsetting. It's probably too late for the North and South Islands but hopefully it's not too late for Rakiura to return to its pristine state if the caretakers of the land make responsible choices for their gardens.
Work had its moments this week with the installation of a new Point of Sale system. No doubt the glitches will get fewer letting my hair grow back again; just as well we have extra-patient customers!
Last, but not least, do catch Te Radar's 'Eating the Dog' show if he comes to a place near you. Lots of laughs and interesting information delivered superbly.
