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BOOKS FROM GOSSON PUBLISHING

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GRAND PHARMACIES

Mark Pacey

Covers the history of all the pharmacies in the Hastings and Havelock North areas that operated from 1881 to 1959. Pharmacists' roles during the World Wars, the effects of the 1931 earthquake, and modern photographs of the locations of these former pharmacies are also included.

Published 2015

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FIRST FOR THIRST

Mark Pacey

Soft drink makers Gilberd and Company of Napier started out as a a small shed-based operation and became one of New Zealands's biggest and longest running soft drink firms. The factory closed in 1986 after 115 years serving the public.

Published 2018

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BURRIDGE'S FAMOUS BREWERY

Mark Pacey

The first brewery opened in Masterton in 1877. Since then there have been a number of brewers and breweries, but only one of them was successful. Burridge's famous brewery covers the early failures through fires, bankruptcies and closures through to the introduction of prohibition and the troubles that came from being a brewery in a dry town.

Published 2020

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GRAND PHARMACIES II

Mark Pacey

A history of the first chemists in Wairarapa from 1869 through to the early 20th century. Includes information of early medicines, tasks performed by the early pharmacist, how early chemists became qualified and a catalogue of embossed prescription bottles used by Wairarapa firms.

Published 2021

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THE LOST WRECKS OF WAIRARAPA

Mark Pacey

The Wairarapa coast is treacherous and has claimed its fair share of ships. From the loss of the first Pākehā vessel, the whaling barque David in 1841, there have been many others that became wrecked here. While some were recovered and would live to sail another day, others were not so fortunate.  The Lost Wrecks of Wairarapa tells the story of 78 vessels that found out just how dangerous this part of the country can be.

Published 2022

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THE LOST WRECKS OF WAIRARAPA - LARGE PRINT

Mark Pacey

Large print edition of the Lost Wrecks of Wairarapa. All the same stories and a good selection of photos too.


The Wairarapa coast is treacherous and has claimed its fair share of ships. From the loss of the first Pākehā vessel, the whaling barque David in 1841, there have been many others that became wrecked here. While some were recovered and would live to sail another day, others were not so fortunate.  The Lost Wrecks of Wairarapa tells the story of 78 vessels that found out just how dangerous this part of the country can be.

Published 2022

OUR NEW ZEALAND HOME

Mark Pacey

In 1943 two battalions of the United States Marine Corps camped in Masterton. From February to September this small New Zealand

town played host to the Americans. Many residents remember

these young men fondly and all said they had livened up the town that had been darkened by years of war.

Our New Zealand Home looks back at who these Marines were and where they had come from before they arrived in Masterton. The author visited many of the places they went to in New Zealand, making the same journey to see what is there now and if anything remains from the American visitors. Extensively researched, Our New Zealand Home tells the full story of this group of young men who called Wairarapa home for seven months in the middle of a world war.

Published 2023

MASTERTON'S MOMENTS OF GLORY

GOLDEN GAMES 1963

Mark Pacey

In 1963, Masterton Public Relations Officer Len Bergman came up with a great idea of how to bring tourists and recognition to the town. An ambitious sporting spectacle staged over two weeks consisting of 40 sports and talent from all over the country.

The Masterton Golden Games were the start of a proposed biennial festival which would help put Masterton on the map. From rugby to living chess and from local sportspeople to Peter Snell, the 1963 Golden Games were an event well worth celebrating and a proud moment of our history.

Published 2023

MASTERTON'S MOMENTS OF GLORY

GOLDEN GAMES 1965

Mark Pacey

The 1965 Golden Games were the sequel to the successful games from two years previous. Forty events were planned and this time we had international athletes taking part alongside local and national competitors.

The events continued the trend of being as varied as possible. From Brian Lochore leading a rugby team on one side to Len Bergman himself talking part in a game of motorcycle football, the games were a mix of serious and fun. Unfortunately, they were not as popular, and this would be the last Golden Games the public would enjoy.

Published 2024

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