Historic Export Meat Story Comes AliveNew Zealand Historic Places
Trust Media Release
7 February 2002A drama will unfold on a very unusual
'stage' at Totara Estate on 15th February. The story of the first export meat
shipment will come alive as a pageant, on the remains of the original Slaughterhouse
floor, as part of the 120th celebrations of the shipment. Panda Blakey, who has
cast a number of local identities in key roles, is directing the colourful pageant.
Hugh Perkins will play Thomas Brydone, perhaps the most well known industry pioneer.
Lex Cochrane has been cast as William Davidson, his boss. David Blair, Alan and
Maxine Rakiraki, Alan Kirby, Pat Avis, Megan Twaddle, Robin Harris and Morris
Algar will play the other parts. The pageant will be performed at 6pm and again
at 7.30pm on the 15th Feb. During the afternoon and evening, there will
be a variety of foods for sale, including tea and scones and a barbecue. From
5pm, a bar will sell beer and cider, and everyone is invited to join in the barn
dancing in and around the Barn. The Barn will be decorated in the style of a 19th
century Harvest Home with greenery and flowers. People can bring picnics if they
wish, and a free bus will run hourly from the Waitaki Council building from 3pm
until 8pm (returning from Totara on the half hour). Colin Ewing will also have
his horse and buggy available for rides (the Ewing family has a close connection
with Totara, having owned the property for many years up to the early 1970's). There
are also some additions to the Totara Estate displays to view. Recently, Quality
Hotel Brydone Manager Marty Easton was going through a cupboard and found some
dusty items in a box. They turned out to be personal belongings of Thomas Brydone
and Captain Whitson of the "Dunedin", possibly last displayed in 1974
for a Royal Visit. Some of the items have now been put on special display, including
Brydone's personal Bible and monogrammed hairbrushes, and a compass which belonged
to Whitson. The 120th anniversary of the first NZ export meat shipment will
be held at Totara Estate on Friday Feb 15th from 2.30 to 9.00pm (free entry).
For
more details please contact:
Lesley Whitteker, Property Manager
Tel
: (03) 434 7169
totaraestate@historic.org.nz
| 
