Pleasant Point & Cave

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See a historic water wheel: Have you been to the Parrs Water Wheel on Mill Rd, Pleasant Point? It's a category 2 listed Heritage Site, and was first constructed in 1865 by the Parr Brothers and operated until 1905. It powered the gear to grind local grains in a three story building. A water race channelled water from the Opihi River to the over shot water wheel. There was a deadly flood in 1868. The Parr Brothers also established a five sailed windmill in Timaru in 1871 and demolished in 1888. The wind wasn't favourable, and the windmill was later powered by steam. See if you can find the plaque on the dry cleaners wall on what used to be the corner of Elizabeth and Theodosia Street, Timaru.

WuHooTimaru Mill Rd WaterWheel Pleasant Point

WuHoo Timaru Mill Rd Pleasant Point

Imagine daily living in a cob cottage: Visiable from Keane Road in Pleasant Point is a lovely cob cottage.

 

Nod your head to Thomas Burnett at a water trough memorial: On the side of the Road is a picnic spot, a grand example of local shist and a momument to Thomas Burnett (1877 - 1941) “Man from the misty gorges”  "Station owner, politician, benefactor and inspiration to many. He gave his time for the good of the community for no reward other than the satisfaction of helping others". Became a Member of Parliament and was responsible for a major South Canterbury, N.Z. irrigation scheme, the Downlands Water Supply. The momument was erected by grateful ratepayers to commemorate the work of Mr Burnett in fostering the Downlands water supply. See if you can spy the Land Survey Bench Mark.

Here weary beasts shall drink for many a day,
Here travellers shall rest beside the way,
And think upon the man whose wise forethought
Such lasting work of loving kindness wrought.
As he once stood, his monument shall stand,
A steadfast witness in a changing Land.
--L.M. MacDonald

The highest and first law of the universe - and the other name of life, is "help" --John Ruskin

 

WuHoo Timaru Burnett Oak

-Burnett Oak at Perth Street

WuHooTimaru Burnet Grave 0Timaru Cemetary

- Burnett Family graves at Timaru Cemetary

 

Wave to a Locomotive and Rail Car. Thanks to a big voluntary effort, Pleasant Point boasts a 2km railline along the formation of the former Fairlie Branch Line, using locomotives, carriages, and a railcar. Throughout the year you will hear a whistle or a horn as trainloads of passengers from around the world ride the rails at Pleasant Point, a picturesque spot between the mountains and the sea. If your visit doesn't co-incide with a running day you can arrange a special visit, or simply drop by most Saturdays or Wednesdays, when the team are on site. There is a great museum, model railway and rides for a small fee.

 

Take a look around St Davids Church. Built from river stone found nearby, and glacial granite from Mt Cook, not a single nail is used inside. It was designed in 1930 by Herbert W. Hall. The building was awarded the New Zealand Institute of Architects gold medal in 1934. It was built for Thomas Burnett in memory of his father Andrew Burnett (1838–1927) and his mother Catherine (1837–1914), as well as to commemorate other pioneering run-holders who took up runs in the Mackenzie country. Andrew and Catherine Burnett arrived in Timaru in 1861. Andrew was a Highland shepherd and he worked for John Hayhurst on Grays Hill, Simons Pass and Blue Cliffs stations before taking up the 30,000 Mount Cook Station with George McRae in 1864 for 63 years. Next time you visit the SC Museum, check out the plaque under the Oak tree.

 

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WuHoo Timaru St David's Church, Cave

 
Find an epic wall with Scottish connections: While we were taking a look around St David's Church in Cave, have a look over the road and investigate an impressive and imposing wall full of interesting icons and gaelic! Burnett is a big name in Cave. Andrew and Catherine Burnett, took up the Mount Cook sheep run in 1864. St David's Church, was built by the Burnetts' son Thomas, who became a Member of Parliament. It commemorates his parents and all runholders, shepherds, drovers, shearers and other workers on early high-country runs. It was from about this site that pioneers of the Mackenzie Basin set off into the high country to establish their stations. St David's Church dominates a hillside just off the main road, near Cannington. The 1930 church was built of boulders and no nails were used in the construction. The Highlands connection is even more strongly visible below the church, across the road. Here stands the eye-catching grand gateway to the Burnetts' down-country farm, Strath Naver. This name is taken from the valley (strath) of the Naver River in the Sutherland Highlands, a district hard hit by forced evictions of tenant farmers during the Clearances of two centuries ago. It was from this area that the Burnetts emigrated for a better life in New Zealand. The iron gates are flanked by massive stone walls that extend 20m in each direction. Erected about the same time as the church, the gateway bears symbols of the Scottish thistle and New Zealand fern, with the legends: faith, hope, self-reliance, pioneering, toil and sweat. Printed in Gaelic are mottoes which translate as: "We keep the old ways, the good ways" and "What we have, we keep". -stuff.co.nz
 
 
 
Take a moments silence to remember those for paid the ultimate sacrafice for King and Country: There is a rock memorial , Timaru basalt, is located on the edge of the road at the saddle, on the route to St David's Memorial Church from Cave. "So long as the rocks endure and grass grows and water runs, so long will this stone bear witness that through this low pass in the hills men from Cave, Cannington, and Moutakaika Districts rode and walked their way to the Great European War 1914-1918 and to World War II 1939-1945. Some of them have not returned but have left their mortal remains in foreign lands and strange seas that our British way of living may continue but their immortal souls have risen from the grave."
 
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Can you find a time capsule in Cave? How old will you be when it can be opened?