SPECIAL VILLA #2:
9 Mays St, Devonport. Built 1908 by Selwyn Mays, son of Oliver Mays. Selwyn was a Chief Crown Prosecutor and younger brother of my Grandfather, Howard Mays (see tomorrow's "Special Villa"). The street was known then as Grey St but was renamed after the Mays brothers who were well-known identities in Devonport The house was owned from 1926 to 1985 by the Mason family who were related by marriage to the Mays family.
Classic features of the villa include a distinctive filigreed facade and upper and lower balustraded veranda with cast iron decorations. The tower was built by the present (2007) owners but something similar had apparently had been planned by Selwyn. (photographs by Paul Knight.) Purely by coincidence, Helen and Catherine Knight, daughters of my Father's brother Denis, each lived here while they were at university, not knowing anything of the admittedly indirect family connection. About 1926, Selwyn dived off the Devonport wharf to rescue a drunk and scraped his arm on barnacles under the wharf lavatory. He almost died from the resulting septicaemia and, unable to make a full recovery, his career ended.
Poll: Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲
The Environmental Protection Authority announced this week that a proposed mine in Central Otago (near Cromwell) is about to enter its fast-track assessment process. A final decision could come within six months, and if it’s approved, construction might start as early as mid-2026.
We want to know: Should mining projects like this move ahead?
Keen to dig deeper? Mike White has the scoop.
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53.1% Yes
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46.9% No
Horowhenua Kapiti Calendar, 2026
My 2026 Horowhenua/Kapiti Calendar will be available tomorrow (Saturday) from 9am to 1pm at the Monthly Market in the Uniting Church hall, 87 Oxford Street, Levin.
‘Tis the season to not get scammed ...
As Christmas gift shopping moves increasingly online, scammers are ramping up their activity across the country.
Dunedin’s Investigation Support Unit is seeing more and more people fall victim to scams and other fraudulent activity, particularly on Facebook Marketplace.
There are a few ways to avoid the scams and keep yourself safe doing online trades this holiday season, says Southern District Service Delivery Manager Senior Sergeant Dalton.
🔒 “A good first step when looking to purchase something on Marketplace is to check when the seller’s Facebook profile was created. If it’s very recent, there is a higher risk that they have just created this account for a one-off fake item.”
🔒 Another important step is to make sure the seller’s profile name and bank account name match up. “We’re seeing a lot of scammers claiming their bank account name is different because it belongs to their partner or family member - that’s a huge red flag."
🔒 “When you’re selling, never trust a screenshot anyone sends you showing that payment has been made. Check your own bank account to make sure a payment has gone through."
🔒 “Quite frankly, it’s best for all parties to agree to pay, or be paid, for items in cash and in-person. Ideally in a public place with CCTV coverage."
🔒 "If you’re buying a car, check Carjam.co.nz to see if it’s stolen or if there’s money owed on it.”
A reminder: Suspicious activity can be reported on 105
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