Articles from ‘elocal magazine’

On 28 December 1929, New Zealand military police fired on Mau independence demonstrators in Apia, killing 11 Samoans, including the independence leader Tupua Tamasese Lealofi III. · After the First World War, the League of Nations granted New Zealand a mandate to administer Western Samoa, a former German colony (see 29 August). The undermining of Samoan culture by New Zealand authorities, and their inept handling of the 1918 flu epidemic, which…

This tomato, onion, and avocado salad is the prime definition of fresh and simple. There’s no tossing involved, just layers of 3 main ingredients in their most natural form. Slices of juicy, on-the-vine tomatoes are layered with punchy onions and creamy avocado slices. For dressing, all you need is a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, and a little sprinkle of chopped parsley. · Ingredients: · - 4 vine-ripened…

Death of Rewi Alley - 27 December 1987 · The former Cantabrian died in Beijing after living in China through six tumultuous decades. · After serving in the First World War and then struggling on a backblocks farm in south Taranaki, in 1927 Alley moved to Shanghai, where he was a fire officer and factory inspector before becoming involved in government-sponsored relief work. He helped establish the Industrial Co-operative movement, which…

On 26 December 1879, In Christchurch, 30 Catholic Irishmen attacked an Orange (Protestant) procession with pick-handles, while in Timaru, 150 men from Thomas O’Driscoll’s Hibernian Hotel surrounded Orangemen and prevented their procession taking place. · Ireland’s struggles for land reform, home rule and then independence were major issues in British politics throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. The influx of British and Irish…

One week before Christmas, a well-known visitor made a surprise appearance… · I had just finished the household chores and was preparing for bed when a noise startled me. I cautiously opened the door to the front room. To my amazement, Santa Claus stepped from behind the Christmas tree! He placed one finger over his mouth so I would not cry out. · “What are you doing here?” I exclaimed. Then I realized that Santa had tears in his eyes. His…

At about 1.30 on the afternoon of Christmas Day 1894, while many New Zealanders were relaxing and enjoying festive fare, three young men based at the Hermitage became the first to stand atop Aoraki/Mt Cook, at 3764m the highest mountain in the colony. · Jack Clarke, Tom Fyfe and George Graham, along with other local climbers, had been spurred into action by news that the American climber Edward Fitzgerald and the famous Swiss/Italian guide…

The worst railway disaster in New Zealand’s history occurred on Christmas Eve 1953, when the Wellington–Auckland night express plunged into the flooded Whangaehu River, just west of Tangiwai in the central North Island. Of the 285 people on board, 151 were killed. · The cause of the tragedy was a volcanic lahar from the Mt Ruapehu crater lake, which sent a huge wave of water, silt, boulders and debris surging down the Whangaehu River minutes…

While Christmas was celebrated far and wide by Christians of medieval Europe, Vikings celebrated a winter holiday of their own. Yule or Jól (in Old Norse), was a pagan ceremony held for three nights, beginning at winter solstice, in mid- to late December during the time of year when days are long and winter is at its peak. · The word “yule” pre-dates the Christianization of Scandinavia around the year 1000 and refers to a midwinter festival…

It seems like classic Christmas carols are everywhere during the Christmas season – on the radio, in concerts and worship services, and in the background while you’re shopping in stores. What is it about these beloved Christmas songs that give them such enduring power? Maybe it has to do with how their lyrics inspire us to remember the first Christmas, or how their music moves us emotionally. Classic Christmas hymns have a timeless appeal, so…

Christmas Chocolate Covered Strawberries are so fun for the holiday season! Have fun decorating strawberries for Christmas with sprinkles and candy melts. · Ingredients · - fresh strawberries stems attached - 250grams semi-sweet chocolate chips - 250grams white chocolate chips - 2 tsp vegetable oil or shortening divided - 2 tbsp holiday sprinkles - 120grams green candy melts or green frosting - 120grams candy melts or red frosting ·…