LA NEW ZEALAND RANGIORA 7471 RD 1 SWANNANOA 975 TWO CHAIN RD R M CLARK Return to GAZETTE Issue # 21 NOVEMBER 2006 Libeau Descendants Inc. New museum in Paris. COMMITTEE – CONTACTS BIRTH Chairman, Vaughan McEwen First grandchild for Heather Libeau- La Gazette No 21. The Musée du Quai Branly has Ph (03) 352 5272 Dow. Sarah and Paul Clifford recently opened in the heart of Paris. Mobile 025 340 872 Christchurch announced the safe arrival of This newsletter was planned for issue This museum will have a significant Samuel William on March 20th, early September but a few technical global impact as it is devoted to Secretary , Patricia Stoneman. 2005 at Christchurch Womens' and personal difficulties delayed showcasing the arts and civilizations Ph (03) 323 5111 665 Main North Rd Hospital. He is now a lively toddler production. My apologies to all who of Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Belfast who loves to visit Gran and feed the have been inconvenienced by this. Americas. The many objects and Christchurch 8005. NZ ducks. works that make up the museum’s e-mail [email protected] collection include photography by Photo center pages. My thanks go to John Coleman for his Treasurer, Norman Clark last minute assistance. New Zealand artists Fiona Ph (03) 327 5552 DEATH Pardington and Michael P O Box 185 Parekowhai. Kaiapoi 8252, NZ Ian McGowan (1921-2006) died Richard Clark (Editor.) For further information about the Newsletter Editor, Richard Clark suddenly at Christchurch Hospital Contents. museum, visit: Ph (03) 312 6133 on Monday 27th March. He was a http://www.quaibranly.fr/index.php Fax. (03) 381 6472 wonderful man who is greatly Willows and Wine 975 Two Chain Rd missed by Winsome and his family. Visit of Jean and Joelle Eteveneaux Swannanoa RD1 French Connections (Landing Rangiora 8154. NZ 'French Akaroa' e-mail [email protected] MARRIAGE Day/French Fest) Cameron Parsonson married Heidi James Dick Clark North Island rep, Aileen Sharp Have you been trying to locate a Marie Himsell at St Mary's Merivale Website Ph (09) 576 7179 copy of Peter Tremewan's book Auckland. April 8th, 2006 on a beautiful President’s update 'French Akaroa' which was autumn day. AGM South Canterbury rep, published in 1990? 2007 Reunion Desiree McKenzie Ph (03) 689 8872 As there have been requests for this Clark Timaru / Waimate Phillip Andrew married ……….. ………….……. plans are underway to have this Emma Samantha Hedley at Cantley reprinted. However, a run needs to <> House Hotel, Wokingham UK on SeasSeasonsons Greetings be more than 200 copies if this is to Our aim is to keep in touch, and keep you Saturday 10 June 2006. proceed. informed on what is happening within the Phillip is the son of John Robert family generally and / or present items with a Clark and grandson of Neville And Best wishes Should you be interested in French flavour. James Clark, Joseph jnr line. purchasing a copy please contact To do this, we need your input, includes Phillip and Emma live in Hayes, For the festive season Patricia Stoneman. photos, of info. on births, deaths, marriages and family stories which can be sent to: West London. R Clark - details above. Photo center pages. From the Committee Annual General Meeting held at St Joseph's Church Centre on Sunday 27 May 2006 The meeting this year was held at a later time of 1:30pm. This was to avoid conflict with those folk who attend church services. Comments on the change would be appreciated as this would have been the smallest number at any meeting. However, withstanding this, the enthusiasm, sharing of ideas and discussion on heritage and preservation of heritage houses by Pam Wilson from the New Zealand Historic Trust gave us food for thought. Joseph and Clemence’s house in Rue Grehan has just been sold. It had been owned by the Daley family since 1960’s. Reunion in 2007 For those members who are planning to go to the Reunion in 2007 the information has been distributed and definite commitment needs to be made if you wish to travel as part of the block booking for flights and accommodation while in Rochefort. The programme at this stage will commence on Friday 14 September 2007. Planning is underway and will possibly begin with a walk down to the Corderie Royale and the banks of the Charente River and a visit to l'Hermione, a boat under construction. It is very similar to the Comte de Paris. There will be a dinner in the evening for all those attending. On the Saturday a trip on the Charente following the voyage of the Comte de Paris out to the Ile d'Aix where a picnic may be held. As it is a heritage weekend for Rochefort there will be many organised activities. These will be confirmed later as numbers are confirmed and events in Rochefort are finalised. On Sunday trips around sites of interest will be organised. For those who wish to stay /come back to Rochefort the following weekend a more leisurely Libeau family weekend will be held. This is only an outline but may be helpful. The family in France are excited about the gathering and have been a great help in planning. For those wishing to free-lance there are websites where further ideas are available. There are some brochures available that we brought back from the Tourist Office in Rochefort who are aware of our group and will be organising some of the events .They are able to provide English speaking guides for those of us who need a little help. You will be guaranteed a wonderful time as the whole of the town celebrates this weekend. For further information - http://www. ville-rochefort.fr Presidents Update The last months since our AGM have been a hectic time of the year for your committee and myself, attending quite a few functions such as Bastille Day celebrations, the Ambassadors function in Christchurch, the fantastic Comte de Paris Ball and the visit of the Eteveneaux family to Christchurch. These are great events and are well supported and part of our annual calendar. To all parties involved in them felicitations and merci beaucoup for the invitation and great company provided let alone exquisite French cuisine. Of course the vin was flowing and always enhances the environment. Then in late August visited the North Island delegates in Hamilton. This event was really significant as it allowed good robust discussion on how we plan to work with the North Island members and in the next edition I will inform you all of the outcomes and what is planned. A special thank you to Julie Hurst and her partner for making their residence available and to those who attended. It is always a pleasure to meet family members and it certainly encourages and drives your committee to listen and communicate as we move forward. One thing I would like to alert you all to is our plan to hold a function in May / June in Wellington next year. We plan either a Special meeting / AGM (to be confirmed) and to use this event as the focus for assembling all who are planning to go to France in 2007. To date 45+ persons have indicated their intention to make the trip and as always late additions will be accepted on a case by case basis up till 3 months before departure. Also of real interest to you all is Kevin Clark planning to publish a book and the intention to getting Peter Tremewan's 'French Akaroa' book reprinted. If anyone has information or photos relevant to Kevin's focus of the first 2-3 generations of family (100 years ago +) then please contact him direct. Post – K J Clark PO Box 14203 Kilbirnie Wellington 6241 Email [email protected] Fax – 04 3892705 Well, things are very busy now for us all in New Zealand as we enter Spring and Summer and the need to manage our gardens and lawns. For me I am having regular French lessons with the local Alliance Francaise and recommend this organisation to anyone attending France next year who want to speak French to our French famille in the Charente-Maritime. Do hope you have an enjoyable summer and look forward to communicating with you all soon. By the next La Gazette publication we hope to have the members page open on our website and reports from John Coleman and Patricia Stoneman to inform you on their trips to France this year in preparation for 2007. Seasons Greetings 'Bonne Annee' A bientot! , Au Revoir Vaughan On a recent trip to Europe John Coleman presented to Michèle and Michel in Rochefort a copy of the Family Book. It was a gift from the committee to them in appreciation of their enthusiasm on behalf of the wider family. dismay he learnt that the British had beaten him to it and that the Treaty of French Connections Waitangi had been signed five months earlier. Reproduced, with thanks from: “Heritage Matters” magazine. www.heritagematters.co.nz Although Lavaud went to Akaroa hoping that French claims could still be made on Banks Peninsula, he later had to recognise this was not possible. By Erika Currie (Editor/Publisher) A period of great uncertainty followed for the French and German settlers as they were placed under British law. But they decided to stay. While the Akaroa – a charming seaside settlement with French street names, French Germans were allocated land at German Bay, now Takamatua, the French family names on letterboxes and quaint cottages with old-fashioned proceeded to build homes and establish gardens at Akaroa.