Post #632504 by Club Nouméa on Sun, Apr 15, 2012 7:59 PM

And Dr Funk came to Wanganui in 1901! The Rutland Hotel (rebuilt in brick circa 1910) burned down in the 1990s, but the Rutland Arms stands on the same spot.

What amazes me even more is that there was a German Consul in Aramoho in 1901. Whatever for? It looks very suspicious to me... (shades of John Buchan's The 39 Steps)

For those not familiar with it, Aramoho is upriver from Wanganui. In those days it was a mere village and is now a somewhat down-at-heel suburb. There was an unsuccessful attempt at establishing a zoo there a hundred years ago, but they had to close it down because the neighbours complained about the roaring lions waking them up in the middle of the night.

The temperance movement was very strong here, although prohibition was never introduced nationally, as the drinking culture is even stronger. A referendum on introducing prohibition was included in national election ballot papers here from 1911 up until 1987. My mother always used to vote for it, and then come home and tell me "that'll teach the so-and-sos for going out drinking and neglecting their wives!"

Toto, j'ai l'impression que nous ne sommes plus au Kansas !

[ Edited by: Club Nouméa 2012-04-15 21:09 ]

[ Edited by: Club Nouméa 2012-04-15 21:17 ]