The Fish Pond

When Ian was at Intermediate and Norman at College, I decided I wanted a fishpond so set about making it. First I had to go to Kaitemako quarry for stones. Several trips were necessary as I thought they would be too heavy for my car, though I had to take only ones I could lift myself. Bill’s concrete mixer was borrowed and the work began. It had to fit into the space near the verandah, and a waterfall the other end. Water never did fall over it though as Dad wouldn’t believe that an underwater pump could be safe. The boys were willing and able to help, but when we had it completed we felt it would not stand the pressure of water in it, so more stones were collected and another wall was built behind the first, with a six-inch gap, which I filled with earth and plants.

Dad did the plastering for me, and the water and eventually fish and water lilies made it their home. It was a place of interest and joy, and when I left Ohauiti it was still holding water, though no longer on our section. In the winter the boys had been able to lift great sheets of ice off the water onto the grass and skate on it.