Book Review:-“Where the Nor’ Wester Blows” by Bee Dawson, published by Quentin Wilson Publishing. Price $60. Reviewed by Tony Orman
For more than twenty years Roland Clark, an immigrant from Ireland, wrote lively monthly columns for the “New Zealand Farmer” magazine and also weekly columns for the “Christchurch Star” on the highs and lows of farming. “Nor’Wester” was the pseudonym for Irish immigrant Roland Clark. He and his Australian born wife Betty from the Queensland outback settled for a farm near Staveley, a tiny village on the mid-Canterbury highway between Amberley just north of Christchurch and Geraldine.
Both came from semi-privileged backgrounds in Ireland Australia respectively but revelled in New Zealand’s egalitarian country community.
Roland’s eternal enthusiasm and optimism could at times override reality but Betty’s practical, grounded nature provided an admirable foil. Together they were a true team.
Roland was completely a novice farmer at first. For example, initially he had no idea on how to set a plough. Roland didn’t have the background or knowledge but enlisted the help of a neighbouring farmer. The farmer was very impressed that Roland did not mind admitting to ignorance and was prepared to ask for help and thus learn. He did quickly learn and preferred farming sheep rather than cattle.
Later he veered off into tree crops and founded the NZ Tree Crops Association.
“Nor Wester”’s writing style was lively, full of enthusiasm and openly candid about his shortcomings initially and efforts to farm. He loved the Kiwi rural kindness and willingness to help others.
His columns endeared “Nor’Wester” to countless readers.
The couple’s daughter Bee Dawson has compiled an excellent account of the couple’s backgrounds and their farming endeavours in NZ as well as an intriguing portrait of rural NZ in the 1950-70 decades.
Interspersed are recipes of Betty’s, frequently good Kiwi fare.
I found the book an absorbing and captivating read – thoroughly enjoyable.
You don’t have to be farmer to enjoy this book. Bee Dawson tells of her parents with understandable warmth and in a style that makes for an enjoyable and engaging read. Anyone with a liking for the outdoors and rural Kiwi Land should enjoy the heart-warming “Where the Nor’Wester Blows.”
Yes, I recall “Nor’Westers” writings. They were delightful and eagerly sought by readers as issues of “NZ Farmer” and “Christchurch Star” came out.