Whanganui Island

Whanganui Island

I am going to tell you a story about my Mum's Grandma Eide. She was just a little girl in the 1920's and her family lived on a small island called Wanganui near Coromandel.They had a dry stock farm.

Grandma Eide and her cousin Rita went to Coromandel School by boat.They had to take turns rowing as their boat journey would take them at least 30 minutes.Some days in the winter they couldn't go to school because it was too rough and cold.It would be too dangerous for girls in their little boat.When the tide was low, they had to tie their boat up to a very long wharf. The girls would look at all the big fishing boats.They had lots of fish on board which were very smelly.One time there was a huge fish with lots of sharp teeth and big fins.

When the tide was high, Grandma Eide and Rita could row all the way to Strongman's Bridge which was near the hotel. They could smell bread from the bakery shop. The girls would run up the road to the bakery and if they were lucky the baker would give them a bun each to eat. Slowly they would walk up the main street.They would stop outside Darling's butcher shop and press their noses against the window and look at the sawdust on the floor, the big long rail with meat hanging down and the big chopping block which Mr.Darling cut the meat on.

Grandma Eide and Rita woud then cross the road to their school which only had one classroom and nice big fire to warm them in winter.

Heremiah

Waingaro School

Further information: FeetFirst@nzta.govt.nz, .