February 2003
Residents & Ratepayers Association
Happy New Year everyone! Congratulations Coastal News - what a splendid idea the Visitors Guide was. I had no idea that there were so many capable, hospitable people providing accommodation in our lovely district. Where did all those holidaymakers come from? Plus so many boats!
The secret about this beautiful place is out now, and it’s wonderful for all the businesses, who seemed to stay calm under the strain. - Well done.
It is very interesting to observe the three distinct areas of Mapua working well - Recreational & Tourism at the Wharf - Commercial in the Village Centre - Industrial - up past the School.
Public surveys done over the past few years by the Ratepayers Association and TDC indicated that this was how most of the public saw the district. Makes sense, don't you think?
The Ratepayers Committee looks forward to yet another busy year, working on your behalf with TDC. We need to all work together now to "get it right".
Meetings are held on the second Monday of each month, February to November, at the Mapua Hall. Annual Family subscriptions $5. Next meeting Monday February 10th at 7.30pm. Our guest speaker will be the Deputy Mayor, Tim King, and his topic will be "My Role as a TDC Councillor."
Wilma Tansley, Chairperson
RSA Memorial Library
The Library will be open on Wednesday evenings for a trial period, 6pm — 7pm. Thanks to Amanda Lucas for volunteering her time for this. We welcome feedback on evening opening hours so we can fine-tune day/time to match the community's preferences.
The Large Print section has had a boost with more books than ever before on long term loan from Richmond Library. Lots of titles to choose from.
There are also several new books being put out every week — don't forget to have a look at what's new on the table when you come in.
November issues statistics were 917 for the month, nearly making the 1,000 mark. December was almost as busy with 890 issues recorded. We appreciate everyone's efforts to return their books on time. If you are clearing out cupboards between now and Easter, put any unwanted books aside for the Library to sell at our Easter Fair Book Stall. Books can be dropped off at the Library. Happy Reading (now the kids are back at school!)
Sarah McLeod
Walkways
On Tues. 11 Feb, starting at 9:30am in the TDC Council Chambers, there will be a Resource Consent Hearing for a new beach access ramp off the Public Causeway (at the Leisure Park end). All those who wish to continue to enjoy the coastal beach walk for walking or horseback riding are urged to attend. All those who wish to ensure continued public access to the beach walkway, whether walkers or riders or not, are urged to attend. A group of concerned local ratepayer/residents has made submissions and will speak at the hearing. A good number of silent supporters is important and will count. Please note this date on your calendar and attend if at all possible. Thank you
David Mitchell, Sarah McLeod, Jonathan John, Bill Williams
Community Law Service
Do yourself a favour — don’t do a favour!
Being a guarantor may seem like a matey thing to do or a great way to help out family – but it can lead to dire consequences.A guarantor is someone who agrees to repay a loan or hire-purchase (or other debt) if the borrower cannot pay. You may for example be a guarantor for your 17-year-old son, who takes out a hire-purchase on an audio system. You are not just signing a document to say your son is of good character. If he does not keep up the payments you will be chased for the debt.
If the guarantor cannot pay the debt, the lender may seek a Court order ordering the guarantor to make repayment.
A guarantor to a loan is usually required when there is a risk that the borrower will not repay, eg, if the loan is high in relation to their income. The guarantor signs a guarantee, which is usually part of the borrower’s credit agreement.
Tips about being a guarantor (if you really must!)
Some guarantees are secured by property. Do not list as security anything larger than the debt owing, eg, your house. In that instance, if the debt is not repaid the lender could take steps to sell your house. You must be given a copy of the loan or credit agreement if you are guaranteeing a loan or interest-bearing hire-purchase contract.If you haven’t signed any guarantee papers you do not have to pay any money. Make sure there is a limit written into the contract as to the amount of money you are guaranteeing. Without this fixed limit, the amount being borrowed might be increased at a later date.
Finally, ask: Is the person (borrower) asking you to be their guarantor a good risk? What is their track record with money? Above all do not feel obligated or pressured into being a guarantor. For further information contact Nelson Bays Community Law Service on 548 1288 or 0800 246 146.
This information is general information only and not intended as legal advice in a particular situation.
FCC Site Clean-Up
Late last year we reported on plans to get the vibration testing of the treatment plant under way. We worked through several issues with site neighbours in November and early December, and completed the planning and obtaining the necessary approvals just before Christmas.
We started the site preparation works in mid-January for shifting the plant (about 20m towards Tahi St) and re-establishing it in its new layout. The new concrete foundation for the plant has been prepared. The treatment plant will be moved onto the new foundation as soon as the concrete has cured sufficiently to support its weight. The plant will then be re-established in its new layout.
We should be ready to run the plant for the first vibration trial (to test the adequacy of the vibration suppression measures) by about the third week in February. We will run the plant each day for five days. During the trial we will pass clean soil only through the plant. No contaminated material will be used. EDL’s manager of the treatment plant, Garth Marshall, is now resident in Richmond, and is in charge of the plant and the vibration trial. He will be on site most of the time over the next month, and is working closely with Matt Lyle, the project manager for the principal contractor, Thiess Services.
When the vibration trial has been completed, the results will be included in the resource consent application for the full site clean-up works. That application will be completed as soon as possible after the results of all investigations and trials have been incorporated.
If anyone has any queries or concerns, contact Sally Marx on the freephone 0800 FCCSITE (0800 322 748) or feel free to make yourself known to Garth at the site.
Sally Marx, Consultation Co-ordinator,
Tonkin and Taylor, (0800 322 748)
Community Police Report
Hello to you all. I hope that you survived the Christmas period without too much stress, or calories! There are still a lot of strangers out on our roads and they often aren’t too sure of where they are going, so be aware that they might be hesitant while driving along, may change lanes or stop suddenly, or may not indicate until the last moment.
We have been pretty lucky with road accidents in the Mapua area. There was a two-car collision on the passing lane just prior to Dominion Road about three weeks ago. Luckily nobody was seriously injured.
Thefts and burglaries:
28/29 Dec: Four thefts from cars reported at Mapua Leisure Park1 Jan: Theft from Leisure park
6 Jan: Theft of 15hp Johnson outboard motor and 3.3hp Evenrude outboard from front lawn of Iwa St property
14 Jan: Burglary in Warren Place. Car accessories stolen. Police are following a strong lead into this burglary.
17 Jan: Burglary of house near Sonoma Orchard, top of Higgs Road. DVD player, black leather jacket and hand-held crossbow stolen. Daylight burglary.
19 Jan: Burglary at Hills Community Church on Aranui Road. TV, video and microwave stolen. I have also received information about a male with olive skin and an accent trying to sell paintings around the Mapua area. He is in his mid 20s and is of slim build and well presented. Some of the circumstances of what he is telling people sounds a little odd — there is no suggestion that he is committing any criminal offences, but I would be interested to know who he is and what vehicle he is getting around in if you could help.
Some minor damage has been reported to some boats moored off the Mapua Wharf. Youths regularly jump off the wharf and float down to the Leisure Park, but they should not be boarding any boats. The latest string of burglaries is a concern. It looks as though someone is active in the area.
But all is not bad news. On the 16 Jan some colleagues from Motueka caught a man who had been breaking into cars at McKee Domain. He eventually admitted breaking into excess of 450 cars throughout the South Island since Boxing Day!! He is a professional car thief from Australia whom we have traced to have many thousands of dollars in cash and property in his possession. The four thefts from cars at the Leisure park on 28/29 Dec are just some of roughly 80 he admitted to in the Tasman region. An amazing story of his offending throughout the world — some great work to catch him while he passed through our area.
Late News: Two burglaries in Ruby Bay on the afternoon of 24 Jan, one in Stafford Drive and the other in Brabant Drive. A Mazda car with two young men was seen and was subsequently found by the police. The driver has been charged with three burglaries and the second person is being sought.
Grant Heney, Rural Community Constable, Motueka
Hills Community Church
This being the first edition of Coastal News for 2003, Hills Community Church takes this opportunity of wishing you all a happy New Year, and may all your needs be met. What about those New Year resolutions? Have they gone out the window yet? Better to have tried and failed than never to have tried at all!
As we start out a new year, let us ask, "are we making a positive input into our homes, our quickly developing community, our school or our workplace?" Before you answer, check out the following attitudes of positive people.
They believe in themselves.
The look for the best in others, and usually find it.
They focus on solutions.
They see opportunity everywhere.
They look for ways to give back.
They are persistent.
They take responsibility for themselves.The inspiration for this comes from Proverbs 23:7, "As a person thinks in his heart, so they are" For those starting at school, work or a new job - if you are looking for a neat, clean, respectable formula for success - forget it. Success is discipline, commitment and it usually takes a long term view. Don't be discouraged - keep pursuing your dream. Pray over it daily, study and learn. Grow by experience. Keep working.
A quotation from an invocation delivered by Rev J McCoy opening a prayer meeting in Georgia Camp Meeting might illustrate how success might not come!!
"Oh Lawd, give thy servant dis mawning de eyes of de eagle, and de wisdom of the owl, connect his soul wid the gospel telephone in de central skies. Luminate his brain wid de sun of heaven; turpentine his imagination, grease his lips wid possium oil, loosen his tongue wid de sledge hammer of thy power, lectrify his brain wid de lightenen of thy word, put petual motion in his arms, fill him plum full of de dynamite of thy glory; noint him all over wid de kerosene of thy salvation, den deah Lawd, set him on fire".
So with all this wisdom and sound advice — we at Hills Community Church wish you a very successful and happy 2003.
Service Information
Feb 02 10:45am Combined Service (Uniting)
Feb 09 9:15am Anglican Communion Service (St James)
10:45am Contemporary Communion (Uniting)
Feb 16 9:15am Morning Worship (St James)
10:45am Contemporary Worship (Uniting)
Feb 23 9:15am Presbyterian Communion (St James)
10:45am Contemporary Communion (Uniting)
Councillor's Comment
The tide of summer heat has come in with the new year well and truly under way. The work load and growth in our community is buoyant.
Through the Christmas holiday period I have taken the time to read, and an item of interest that caught my attention was an article in the February North & South Magazine entitled 'Wild Space Race'. It covered in some detail the growth in tourism through the beautiful open spaces of New Zealand.
I recommend this article for those who have an eye to the future with regard to trends and earning opportunities. The NZ Tourism Strategy 2010 plans for a 78% increase in overseas tourists in the next 7 years to 3.2 million visitors a year. The situation already exists where our prime tourist attractions, such as Milford Sound, are relatively crowded, and many tourists on return visits are looking for new places to visit and enjoy.
These visitors are potential customers for Mapua, and even though there are many good reasons to visit the village, perhaps it is timely to review our strategy.
If tourism is Mapua's primary cashflow, what steps do we need to take to protect that cashflow, (such as the attraction of the estuary) and what attractions do we lack, (perhaps accommodation). Business leaders within the village, who have an eye to the future, may wish to consider these issues and make representation to the TDC as a part of the planning process currently being developed for Mapua.
At the December meeting of Council I placed the question of Single Transferable Voting (STV) back on to the agenda. As a result Council has agreed to hold a poll of voters at the next Local Government Election to choose for the future, for or against STV. In my opinion, this is a good decision because voters will have gained experience in the STV method through the election of the Health Board.
The real value in STV shows through in the nature of the Council elected. We do not have a party system of governance, but rather all work to a common goal, while debating issues and process amongst ourselves. The present system of a 'First Past the Post' election does not unite the community around its Council. But the STV system allows electors to express their opinion on policies and candidates in a manner that is fair to all. It is an appropriate method for a sophisticated democratic society such as ours.
The Rural 3 Zone Plan has been further developed in response to public comment and made available for further comment. Following this round it may be amended again and eventually 'notified' as a Plan change. While it applies to the coastal area, the Rural 3 Plan is an indicator of future development in the Tasman District. I advise those interested to read through the draft of this Plan.
During January, I spent a day on the coast between Kaiteriteri and Totaranui, canoed on Lake Rotoiti with trout jumping in the water, and spent time on the beaches of Golden Bay. We live in a beautiful part of the world.
Michael Higgins
Mapua Volunteer Fire Brigade
November/January call-outs
17/11/02
Tasman Bible Church – Kids playing with phone
19/11/02
MVC Appleby Bridge, turned back
23/11/02
Kina Peninsula three fires under pine trees
25/11/02
Kina Peninsula, one fire under pine trees
30/11/02
Van in ditch SH60 near Marriages Rd
5/12/02
Leisure Park, pile of driftwood on fire
5/12/02
MVC SH60 near Stringers Rd
16/12/02
Hedge fire Motueka
2912/02
Assist Upper Moutere, turned back
31/12/02
Wash diesel off road Stringers Strait – boy racers
1/1/03
Petrol spill SH60 near Research Rd.
7/1/02
MVC Higgs Hill, 4WD on side
9/1/03
Scrub fire Top of Bluffs, started from an incineratorSafety Tip – We need about a 4 metre-wide access way to your house We are getting low on daytime fire-fighters.
If you can hear the Mapua fire siren day and night and have spare time and would like to be a fire-fighter, we would like to hear from you. If you work at home, do shift work or have a business around Mapua and can help, contact the Chief, Ted Perry, at home on 540-2674, or call in at the fire station Thursday nights` about 7.30pm.
Mapua School News
We are two Year 8 students from Mapua School, reflecting on 2002.
Being a Year 8 student has given us many privileges and responsibilities, such as House Leaders and being a role model for the junior school children.
We think the opportunities that the staff have provided for the Year 8 students have prepared us well for College.
Just recently 27 students from Room 5 were lucky enough to have been given the opportunity to fly with Origin Pacific to Rotorua for a day . We flew from Nelson to Auckland then to Rotorua.
Our other highlights for 2002 were:
- Going to Rotorua.
- Being involved in the athletic teams.
- Being a House Leader.
- Whenua iti outdoor pursuits.
- Sport exchanges.
- Athletics day.
- School Magazine.
- Totaranui Camp.We wish the best for all of the Mapua school students and hope everyone has a great year in 2003.
Leila Perry and Bethany Bird.For more information please contact:
Hugh Gully,
Principal,
Mapua School
Phone/Fax 03 540 2806,
hgully@mapua.school.nz,
www.mapua.school.nz
Mapua-Ruby Bay Development
A working party of Tasman District Council staff, councillors and community representatives has met several times since the Mapua Ruby Bay Development Study was initiated in August 2002. Good progress is being made. Background work indicates the Mapua-Ruby Bay population is expected to grow from 1660 (2001) to 2680 by the year 2021. Where and how should that population be accommodated?
Some of the issues raised in meetings held with stakeholders include: appropriate directions for urban growth that retain productive land and wetlands; adequate parking provisions to serve commercial developments; appropriate density of residential and rural residential development; adequate daylight provisions for Ruby Bay residential properties; protection of archaeological sites and other special features such as the Ruby Bay cliff; better management of the Mapua causeway estuary; access and coastal structures on the Ruby Bay foreshore; and identifying future indicative walkways and open space needs.
As reported in the November 2002 Coastal News, there have been two well attended meetings on the future use of the Mapua Wharf and ex Fruitgrowers Chemical Company site. Some zone changes are likely. A pamphlet outlining design options for these areas has been prepared and will be distributed to households in early February with an opportunity for comment during February.
Further work includes identifying servicing needs for different development options for the development of Mapua.
If you have any comments or queries on the issues or the Study please contact Rose Biss on 03 544-3421 or email rose.biss@tdc.govt.nz for more information. Ros Squires can also be contacted on open space matters for the Study – email: ros.squires@tdc.govt.nz.
Mapua Boat Club
John Ward, dressed up and made-up for the fun of the Biggest Games Day 2003
‘Guardians of the Wharf’
This summer has seen a large number of people using the Mapua wharf for all manner of activities. The fishing has been above average. Young snapper have been coming into the estuary earlier than usual and there have been some good snapper catches as well as kahawai, trevally and the usual spotties and yellow-eyed mullet.
The Club is holding a fishing competition and sausage sizzle for local kids on Waitangi Day (6th Feb). There are some good prizes to be won. Entry is free. Just turn up at 10.30am with your fishing tackle.
This is the year when our lease runs out and it’s a crucial year for the future of the wharf. The rumours keep coming about commercial interests just waiting to pounce on the Club’s Rooms on the wharf and as we can get no guarantees from the TDC we can only wonder if they have some hidden agenda. Recent happenings in Golden Bay, with the sale of the old GB Cement building, do not give us any comfort, nor reason to believe that the Council will carry out the wishes of the people who they are supposed to represent in regard to our wharf.
The Mapua Boat Club is dedicated to ensuring that the wharf remains free of commercial interest or influence and the club members believe that this will be best achieved if the Boat Club continues in its role as administrators and ‘Guardians of the Wharf’.
After fifteen years of dedicated stewardship we have earned the right to stay where we are! We are calling on all concerned members of the community to support the Club in our efforts to have our lease renewed for a period at least as long as the other lease holders on the wharf (i.e. up to 20 years.)
“The Biggest Games Day” held at the Mapua Domain on January 26 was attended by between fifteen hundred and two thousand people who came to have fun and watch teams from around the district competing for the “Tasman Solutions Geoduck Trophy”. Live acts kept the crowd entertained between games. The Biggest Games are an annual event organised and run by the Club for the community. We are not just a Boat Club!
Visit the website www.mapua.gen.nz/pirates to see the photos and a list of the sponsors.
John Ward, President
Mapua/Mahana C.W.I.
Members met on 12 December to celebrate the festive season with a luncheon that included home-made ice-cream, asparagus rolls, truffles, fruit juice and Christmas pudding...a real feast prepared by the committee.
Before the luncheon, we enjoyed a few games of Floral Bingo and a quiz called “Knit Wits,” all about knitting stitches. We had seasonal greetings from our Women’s Institute links in the UK. Our exchange of gifts revealed many useful and pretty items. Members spoke about where they would celebrate Christmas this year.
We donated gifts of food for people in the village. These parcels were delivered by the committee accompanied by some of the local Cub Scouts. Messages of appreciation have been received by the committee. On 18 December, members assisted with the placing of stars on a Tree of Remembrance in the Richmond Mall. Gold-coin donations for will go to the Nelson Region Hospice trust.
The first meeting for 2003 will be a picnic at Grossi Point at noon on Thursday, February 13. The AGM will take place there at 1 pm. Please bring the used stamps that hopefully you have been collecting all year, and your subscription of $11 for membership for the next 12 months. A further $9 secures a year’s issues of “Home and Country”. These moneys should be given to the committee in an envelope with your name thereon. Should the weather be unfavourable, we will meet in the Mapua Hall.
We wish everyone a very happy New Year. New members are most welcome.
Reported by Barbara Halse.
Women's Recreation Group
Happy New Year Mapua!
We are looking forward to another exciting year of fitness and recreation. Last year we had a kayaking trip, a ski trip, a trip to Rabbit Island via the Flat Bottom Floosie for cycling and walking, and a sailing trip. However, most weeks we walk for 60 to 90 minutes around our beautiful district. We meet at the Naked Bun at 9:15am Thursday mornings and return there for coffee. Everyone pays $2 which goes into a kitty to offset the cost of our more exciting activities which we plan to do every term. The next activity will be on Thursday 13th February.
This group is open to all ages and is a great way to meet people, so come along. We're a happy, friendly group and we'd love to see you there. Contact Rose Barnes, 540-3600
A bloke thought our group name was interesting and asked if we were recreating women and if so he'd be interested in the new model. The cheek of it!!!
Mapua Health Centre
The village and surrounding areas have been humming with activity as our annual influx of visitors enjoy sharing our wonderful piece of paradise. It has meant that the health centre has been extra busy and we apologise if there has been any delay in getting appointments. The new reception area is working well and making the receptionist’s job more comfortable and efficient.
There has been the usual increase in tummy upsets that happen in summer, including a few Campylobacter outbreaks. The latter is a bacterium found in poultry, cattle and sheep and causes diarrhoea (often with blood), tummy cramps, a flu-like illness and occasionally other symptoms like arthritis. Maintaining fluids is very important and seeing a doctor if the symptoms do not resolve quickly or if there is blood present. To avoid these types of infection the main things to remember are washing hands with plenty of soap, including under fingernails, rinsing them well and drying on a clean towel – especially when preparing food.
Apart from the usual hazards of water skiing onto oyster shell beds in the Mapua estuary, attacks by out-of- control chainsaws and a variety of gravity related events, there is the ongoing risk of being overcooked by the sun. The main things to keep in mind are to avoid sun exposure between 11am and 4pm, wear a hat + long sleeve shirt + sunglasses, slop on sunscreen 15 minutes before going outside and use a broad-spectrum product with a sun protection factor of 30+.
We continue to update our records and welcome any new members of the community who may wish to join our practice. It is very helpful if you can make sure that any old medical notes are transferred to the centre (which only takes a signature on a form kept at reception) so that we have easy access to them when needed for consultations. Our fees continue to be less than most of the Nelson area practices and well under city prices in other parts of the country, even after putting a small increase on the casual patients’ fees and ACC co-payments. There may be patients who are still recorded as casuals who now consider themselves to be fully registered with our practice. Please contact the receptionist if you are not certain, 540-2211.
Combined Probus Club
The Club activities start the New Year off with our monthly meeting at the Mapua Hall on Feb 7. Our Club will hold its AGM at our meeting on March 7 at the Mapua Hall. There will be several vacancies for Committee members.
The Club's two final social events for 2002 were firstly, a well-organised BBQ at Mary and Bryan Russ's property at Marahau. The weather was warm and fine. An ideal day in an ideal setting: an enjoyable day out for 29 members. And secondly, the afternoon Christmas Party at the Mapua Hall in mid-December. Finger food and drinks were enjoyed by 40 members. Elston Blain on piano led the Carols and other popular music. The afternoon ended with all members providing a small Christmas gift that was distributed by Committee members to our group.
The Club's first visit for 2003 will be in February to a local craft business and then for a cuppa at the Old Hop Kiln at Rosedale. In March a possible trip to the Cobb could be organised. Our Club has had a variety of social events and interesting speakers over the previous year, and we look forward to another eventful year
David Higgs, Secretary
Mapua Boat Club Biggest Games
Another terrific day! Thanks to all of those that made it a huge success.
The Guinness Book of Records attempt at the Biggest Game of Pool was played on Sunday Morning. The big day that followed was packed with events. Big everything was the name of the games. Monster sized Quoits, Darts, Golf and seven live bands complimented the Pool.
A huge crowd enjoyed the day with many parents enjoying the luxury of the free entry, face painting, lolly scrambles and treasure hunts.
The growth of Mapua is being matched by the growth of the games and the Mapua Boat Club membership. How big a pool table are we going to see next year?
Mapua Bowling Club
The Club's final social event for 2002 was the Christmas Dinner held on Dec 15. The Social was the first to be organised at the Club House by an enthusiastic, well motivated group of lady members. They were able to supply and cook a wide range of food for 40 members. The evening concluded with club members singing Carols and other traditional songs.
The first of the New Year competitions was a ladies 3 team triples. Murchison, Ngatimoti, and Mapua played for the Vera Plum Trophy on 8 Jan. At the end of an enjoyable tournament, Murchison took the trophy.
The following Wednesday was another ladies triples tournament sponsored by Dorchester Insurance Co. There were 36 competitors representing Stoke, Tahunanui, Richmond, Ngawhatu, Ngatimoti and Mapua. Norma Harvey's Stoke team was the winner with Mari Batt's team from Ngatimoti being runners up.
The Club's Senior and Junior Championships continue to progress with final results from more than half of the competitions.
David Higgs, Publicity
Sunday Market
The Mapua Village now has it's very own Sunday Summer Market, — in it's second season.
The market outgrew last year's site by the wharf, and has found a new home in the heart of the village. The stalls vary from week to week. Some are permanent, and others just come along for a week or two, so there is always something new to experience. The new location, in front of the Mapua Hall, is easy to spot with its wide-open frontage to Aranui Road.
It is a friendly and relaxed market, the stallholders are a cheerful lot, and the quality of the goods that are offered for sale is of a high standard. From woodturnings, pottery, hand-sewn articles, a variety of other local arts and crafts, plants, jewellery and skin-care to fresh fruit and vegetables, — the Mapua Market has a good variety.
The market has added a new Sunday dimension to 'downtown' Mapua by complimenting the other attractions, and there is now one more reason for visitors to make the Mapua Village itself their destination point. From the Village Shopping Centre with it's scrumptious bakery and exquisite gift-shop to the new wine tasting centre across the street with the restaurant above, Mapua sure is humming along, and well worth a visit.
For more information about the market, you are welcome to phone Hanne on 543-2602.
Thanks
Thank you to all you wonderful people who helped me through those first few terrible weeks after Merv passed away. Thank you for your support, your phone calls, your flowers, your cards, your baking, your helping in the kitchen, your presence at the Celebration of his Life. A special thank you must go to Pat who made that afternoon so special. There are so many of you to thank. Please accept this as a personal message. You all hold a special place in my heart.
- Lola
From the Editors
Firstly, a Happy New Year to all readers. The January edition was our first attempt at a Visitor Guide for the holiday period. Up to the last minute it looked as though there would not be enough material. So, the finish was rather a rush. We know as a result, some items were missed out. To anyone concerned we apologise. This year we will put the Visitors’ Guide together earlier and with more certainty.
A further development, or experiment, will be started, called "Youth Line". For some time we have been aware that all our news is directed towards adult readers. To give younger readers the opportunity to contribute and have a say, we will publish regular items from the pupils of the Mapua School . We also wish to hear from other young persons. Please, your views and news will be most welcome.
Credits
Edited by Bill Williams & Andrew Earlam. Contact us at 5402528 or 5402845 or andrew@mapua.gen.nz. Copy to Mapua Store by 20th of the month. Non-commercial classified ads – $2 must be included with copy. Club notices etc free. Published on the world wide web thanks to Site Productions of Mapua and Tasman Solutions, Richmond.