Conservation Comment: Nuisance fires smoke us all out
14 Mar, 2021 09:04 PM
3 minutes to read
Wanganui Midweek
The smoke billows across the back fence and you have to go inside and shut the windows.
That neighbour is at it again. If you re lucky it is a bit of paper and cardboard that should have been recycled but chances are an acrid smell tells you that the rubbish includes plastic.
Heat, plus plastic and other materials sets off chemical reactions leading to products that irritate the nose, eyes and skin. The plastics may contain chlorine as well as some more complicated additives, so the results of the burn can be an unpredictable brew including known carcinogens such as dioxins.
Museum Notebook: Sir Charles Fleming - Whanganui s groundbreaking scientist
24 Jan, 2021 04:00 PM
4 minutes to read
The Charles Fleming Medal is awarded, along with a cash prize, once every three years. Photo / Royal Society of New Zealand.
The Charles Fleming Medal is awarded, along with a cash prize, once every three years. Photo / Royal Society of New Zealand.
Whanganui Chronicle
By: Keith Beautrais
Charles Fleming excelled across the spectrum of natural sciences. His selective collecting of shells and birds, and his discoveries in geology and ecology, made him one of New Zealand s last old school naturalists.
In Whanganui, his fieldwork brought groundbreaking understanding of how to interpret our region s geology.
Whanganui Summer Programme: Activities for January 18-21
15 Jan, 2021 04:00 PM
3 minutes to read
The Pātea hydro dam is part of the South Taranaki Historical trip on Monday, January 18. Photo / File
Whanganui Chronicle
The Whanganui Summer Programme offers options to explore the region and enjoy new experiences. Most activities can be booked at the Whanganui i-Site Visitor Centre, 31 Taupō Quay - phone (06) 349 0508 or 0800 926 426. The programme runs until January 31.
Monday, January 18 - South Taranaki Historical
Some walking. Sturdy footwear, warm clothing, rain gear, swimwear if desired. BYO lunch, snacks, drinks. In 1901, Pātea was one of our first towns to get electricity. The Pātea Historic Society will take us to the remains of the power house before proceeding up the Pātea River to the Pātea hydro dam, NZ s fourth-highest. On the drive up we will see important historic and Māori sites. A short bush walk is available at the dam, behind which is Lake Rotorangi. A
What s on at Whanganui Regional Museum this summer
18 Dec, 2020 04:00 PM
5 minutes to read
Whanganui Regional Museum staff are ready to welcome summer visitors to the exhibitions and special tours on offer.
Photo / Bevan Conley
Whanganui Regional Museum staff are ready to welcome summer visitors to the exhibitions and special tours on offer.
Photo / Bevan Conley
Liz Wylie is a reporter for the Whanganui Chronicleliz.wylie@whanganuichronicle.co.nzWhangaChron
About 4500 people visited the Whanganui Regional Museum during the weekend it reopened in March last year, and staff are hoping to see record numbers of visitors this summer. Head curator and acting director Libby