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Showing posts from August, 2013

Puppy dog tales

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Dogs are have always been loyal companions, ready in the mornings with a lick and wag of the tail. Willing to be dressed up in silly clothes and to cheer you up when you are feeling blue. Back in the day this was no different. Take a trip down memory lane with your trusty wagging best friend by your side .... Dogs are always willing to please and be put on show: Ref: 4-8918, Spaniel on a table, no date, Sit George Grey Special Collection Ref: 7-A4024, a group of men with their Greyhounds outside the Avondale Hotel, c.1898, Sir George Grey Special Collections Ref: 31-57955, Mrs Donald's Terrier, 1909, Sir George Grey Special Collections Ref: 31-57036, the Watkins' Pug seated on a stool, 1909, Sir George Grey Special Collections  

Trendspotting

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Fashion and design students or anyone with a sartorial lean will be pleased to discover some of Auckland Libraries fashion related resources. Ref: 34-M741, Model for Milne and Choyce Department Store, 1940-1949,  Sir George Grey Special Collections  The Heritage Images database is a great place to spot images of fashion fads. Advertising shots, candid family snaps and professional portraits all show clothing trends through the decades. A great way of refining an image search is by using what librarian’s call ‘subject headings’: this is a defined keyword or tag. In the advanced search screen subject headings can be entered in as a search term. Some examples of fashion related subject headings are: ‘clothing and dress’, ‘fashion’ and ‘mens clothing’. Ref: Advanced search screen on Heritage Images database

What did children in the past wear?

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What did children in the past wear? What clothing nightmares did they have to endure?! Well look no further and take a trip back into the clothing faux pas of the early nineteenth and twentieth centuries. You won't find anything like these garments in Pumpkin Patch! Outfits were sometimes stiff and starchy mini versions of adult clothing: Ref: B0150, Grainger family portrait, c. 1890s, North Auckland Research Centre At other points in time, it was all bows, lace and puff sleeves.....: Ref: 31-WP18, portrait of the Archdale-Taylor family, c.1914, Sir George Grey Special Collections Ref: 31-55861, Misses Halls, 1909, Sir George Grey Special Collection s

C Company 28 Māori Battalion Memorial House to be built

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Ref: AWNS-19400703-31-1, new recruits to the Maori Battalion in training & leisure at the Papakura Camp, 1940, Sir George Grey Special Collections Half a million dollars will be contributed by the government towards the construction of a C Company 28 Māori Battalion Memorial House on land adjacent to the Tairawhiti Museum . This recognises the huge contribution of C Company to the nation and its special place in NZ history. Ref: AWNS-19430526-13-3, members of the Maori Battalion help clear up the bomb-torn waterfront of Tripoli, 1943, Sir George Grey Special Collections The concept design also recognises the sacrifice by Horouta Waka District Māori in other conflicts including: The Boer War, WW1, Korea, Malaya, and contemporary war settings such as Bosnia, East Timor and Afghanistan.

Auckland Literary Trail

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The Auckland Literary Trail has been updated and is available for download.The guide from Auckland Libraries and Auckland Council covers a selection of Auckland landmarks that have inspired many great writers and featured in their literary creations. The Auckland Literary Trail guide This includes Waiuku in the South, which was the setting for one of Elsie Locke’s well known children’s novels, 'The End of the Harbour'. The novel features locations such as the Kentish Hotel, which is still standing today. Copies of this novel along with reference notes are held in the heritage collections at Auckland Libraries. Ref: Footprints 04734, Kentish Hotel, 1911, photograph reproduced by courtesy of Waiuku Museum Society, 2621, South Auckland Research Centre

Mangere Settlers’ Buildings in Auckland Airport’s Historic Precinct

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Auckland Airport recently received a Property Council of New Zealand Merit award (see Hawkins Construction) for adapting the Abbeville estate historic precinct into a boutique tourism venue offering hosting for events and functions . The precinct site includes 11 hectares of land at the end of Nixon Road. The airport created the precinct by moving Mangere settlers’ houses and buildings there after it acquired those properties for future airport expansion. It took 2 years to restore the buildings moved onto the historic precinct and was under taken in conjunction with New Zealand Historic Places Trust . One of the houses was built by William Westney, who arrived in Mangere in 1853 and established a farm on Ihumatao Road. Ref: Footprints 05024, the former Westney homestead in Westney Road, Mangere, ca 1979 South Auckland Research Centre

Dams out West

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Many people would not think of dams as being heritage assets, but there a number of historic but still operational dams in the Auckland region. Ref: JTD-07B-03192, Huia Dam, 1941, West Auckland Research Centre The Waitakere Ranges Water Supply System draws water from the ranges in West Auckland including the Huia, Nihotupu and Waitakere streams. During the 20th century, five large dams were constructed. These created the a series of reservoirs and associated tramways, piping, tunnels and filter stations. The main dams which are still in use include: the Waitakere Dam (1910), Upper Nihotupu Dam (1923), Upper Huia Dam (1929), Lower Nihotupu Dam (1948) and the Lower Huia Dam (1971).

Diaries in the spotlight

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A new exhibition at Turnbull Library Gallery called 'Logs to Blogs' opened on  29 July and runs until 28 September in Wellington. Focusing on diaries and the many different forms that this takes, a wide range of diaries and their authors are included in this exhibition. Find out more about the exhibition and the planned series of related talks. Ref: 4-7046, woman writing, Sir George Grey Special Collections Auckland Libraries holds a number of fascinating diaries in its heritage collections. For example, Sir George Grey Special collections holds Mrs. Felton Mathew's original journal (or diary) of her voyage to New Zealand, March 2nd 1840 - February 21st 1844. Ref: NZMS 7, Sir George Grey Special Collections. The record can be viewed on Manuscripts Online - simply enter the search term felton mathew, which will bring up the diary and other material by Sarah, such as her sketch books and letters from her cousin and future husband. Ref: 2-V1108, man writing, Sir G

Cook Islands Māori Language Week

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Kia orana, happy Cook Islands Māori Language Week! Running from 4 to 10 August 2013, the aim of the language week is to celebrate the Cook Islands language and culture and to promote the teaching, learning and use of the language in every environment. Visit the Facebook page and find out more You can also view the poster for the Akirāta Oū Festival and find out more about this event, which is running in conjunction with the language week Enjoy the selection of  heritage photos below, which are drawn from the heritage collections of Auckland Weekly News at Auckland Libraries and learn a few words at the same time. Tangata / People: Ref: AWNS-19011212-8-2, the Princess of Mauke, 1901, Sir George Grey Special Collections

1899, the year of prize winners!

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1899 was the year of prize winners! Animals, plants, decorated boats and carts and ponies, this year saw award them all with winners at fetes, agricultural and flower shows around New Zealand. Here for your viewing pleasure from the Heritage Images database are some of the highlights. Animals: Ref: AWNS-18990630-3-5, fantail at the Auckland Poultry Show, 1899, Sir George Grey Special Collections