THE WIPER The Newsletter of the Gore Branch of the Vintage Car Club of NZ (Inc.)
December 2020
Next meeting: 8th December MEETINGS: SECOND TUESDAY of the month
at the Clubrooms, Waimea Street, Gore Branch telephone number: 03 208 7424
2020-2021 Committee and Officers Branch Patrons Chairman Vice Chairman Secretary Treasurer Club Captain Assistant Club Captains
Neil McVicar, Ray Tressler Greg Elder Paul Herron Bill Ainge Rod Bell John Parish Rod Bell Charlie Davis Matt Cook Greg Elder Bill Sheddan Tim Walsh Branch Recorder (Wiper Editor) David North Assistant Branch Recorder Position not filled at present House Convenor Des Brewster Social Committee Beb Kennedy, Murray Low, David McDowell, Russell Newland Beaded Wheels Reporter Jim McFadzien Festival Rally Organiser Murray Proctor Assistant Rally Organiser Marilyn Proctor Bar Manager Chris Scoles Assistant Bar Manager Murray Proctor Maintenance Supervisor Keith Nunn Maintenance Assistants Bill Ainge, Keith Dodds, Russell Newland, Ken Youngson Swapmeet Gerry Kennedy Parts Assistants Evan Henderson, Gerry Kennedy, Bryan Neilson Hill Climb Evan Henderson Hill Climb Assistant Terry Inder Sheriff Denis Knight Librarian Stewart Quertier Raffles Starr McDougall National Delegate David North Privacy Officer Bill Ainge Health & Safety Officer Murray Low Hokonui Pioneer Village & Museum David McDowell Tuesday Ramble Co-ordinator Gerry Kennedy Branch Daffodil Day Co-ordinator John Tremaine Vehicle Identity Card signatories Evan Henderson, John Parish, John Tremaine
(03) 202 5710 (03) 208 6121 (03) 208 9877 027 229 2191 (03) 208 5505 027 229 2191 027 451 5234 027 379 1131 (03) 202 5710 027 434 2935 (03) 208 3531 021 172 3281 (03) 208 1960
(03) 208 0121 (03) 208 4768 (03) 208 0052 (03) 208 4768 (03) 208 5403
027 233 4634
(03) 208 6479 (03) 208 7017 027 351 3190 (03) 208 7932 (03) 208 5450 021 172 3281 (03) 208 9877 (03) 208 4007 (03) 208 6791 027 233 4634 (03) 208 9670
Front cover picture: Daphne (L) & Greg Elder, Overall Winners of the National Veteran Rally, pictured with their trophies and the National President, Diane Quarrie, who made the presentations. (Photo courtesy of Lynne Herron)
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Chairman's Report December 2020 The daylight hours are getting longer and the weather is warming up so hopefully we will have a lot of nice days over the summer months to enjoy our hobby of motoring. Pleased to report that Daphne and I survived the Prince Henry Tour. Our Cadillac deserves a spell so will now decide which vehicle to compete with at the Josephville Hillclimb on Sunday the 29th November. Remember the Christmas Run on the 13th September. Just back from 8 car-free days whitebaiting over at Martins Bay on the West Coast. Lovely weather in such a magic spot and, yes, the baiting was successful. With the grass growing fast and the Branch’s lawn mower worn out it was decided at the November meeting to look into buying a new one. Happy Motoring Greg Elder
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Brainteaser This is a most unusual paragraph. How quickly can you find out what is so unusual about it? It looks so ordinary you’d think nothing was wrong with it – and in fact, nothing is wrong with it. It is highly unusual though. Why? Study it, think about it, and you may find out. Answer next month!
Answer to Last Month’s Brainteaser Can you guess the common phrase reflected in this lettering layout? ARUPMS Answer: Up in Arms
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Club Captain’s Report December 2020 If you didn’t make it to the P60 Run on the 25th of October you missed a great day out. We visited the Whale Fossil Lookout at Milton and then checked out the craft shops in Outram before lunch at the RSA in Mosgiel. After lunch we travelled over Three Mile Hill to Dunedin and were treated to a showing of historic film clips at a small private cinema including ice creams at intermission. What a great day and a big thank you to Bill Sheddan for organising it all. Our next run is the Christmas Run on Sunday the 13th of December. This year we are going to visit a garden before returning to the Clubrooms for a shared BBQ tea. Check out the advert later in The Wiper for more details. On Saturday the 14th of November Katy and I attended the South Otago Branch Annual Rally. We hadn’t done this Rally for a number of years and it was a lot of fun. They had 43 entries and the route took us to Lawrence and then back to Tuapeka Mouth domain for lunch before returning to the Balclutha Town & Country Club for afternoon tea and the prize giving. We travelled more on gravel roads than on tarmac and there was plenty of dust but the route followed along ridge lines and had some wonderful views. Five members of the Gore Branch entered with Bryan Neilson winning the Commercial section and Katy winning Lady Driver. It was a great day out and next year will be their 50th Annual Rally so that’s a good reason to go along and join in. John Parish
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From the Editor’s Keyboard The way the days fell in November has meant that this issue has been put together to an early deadline, and partly while Donna and I have been away on a couple of classic car trips, so I have not had much time to chase people up for contributions. Consequently, there is very little about the National Veteran Rally, despite many members of the branch having participated or been involved in one way or another. I hope to be able to rectify that next month – it is in your hands though! I did, however, receive a letter from Paul Herron about the Rally and that is reproduced in this issue. Bill Sheddan took part in the Rally, but is excused not writing anything for The Wiper for two reasons. Firstly, he has done a piece for Beaded Wheels and, secondly, his memoirs reach their conclusion this month. A very sincere and heartfelt “Thank you” to Bill for keeping recent issues full of interest (and amusement). It’s now everybody else’s turn! I can’t believe that it is the “Christmas” issue already, but it is – and I hope you enjoy it! Compliments of the Season to all you readers out there. David North P.S. In response to a number of queries about the new car, here is a bit more of it. The plan is to bring it to the Tuesday Ramble Christmas lunch, so make sure you get along to that if you want to see the whole thing!
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Seen during the P60 Run - still there, on Diamond Peak Road - Garry Mulqueen’s container after the floods. (Photo by the Editor)
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Veteran rally appreciation For those who know me well enough know my interest is in the veteran and vintage era vehicles. To be able to bring a National Veteran rally to our branch was something I have secretly wanted to bring to the Gore VCC. After Keith Nunn suggested I propose it at a club meeting to bid and organize was exciting to me and somewhat daughting. I have held many positions within our branch however rally organizer or club captain have never been one that suited me. Now that our national event has past I appreciate the time and effort required to run any rally. I received many congratulations on a very successful rally from many of the entrants over the weekend and still continue to get messages and emails saying how they enjoyed our event. Although my name and Lynne's were the main names regarding the rally it was however all of us including the committee and our branch that worked to bring this successful weekend, (and the weather).I would especially like to thank apart from the rally committee Murray and Marilyn Proctor for working in the bar and also Marilyn for her penmanship on the winners certificates. Des Brewster and the ladies who helped in the kitchen for the BBQ meal and morning teas plus those who cooked on the BBQs. Also to Rhonda Wilson and Ian Chittock who ferried our entrants from their accommodation to the St James theater and return. Ivan VanDeWater for taking the time to view the vehicles while parked in Irk st to Judge for the concours. A huge thanks to all who volunteered their help with marshaling and with the field tests. Thanks to Susan Dickson for allowing us to borrow the 1902 Rambler and numerous brass lights which we used as table decorations at the final dinner prize giving. Also to Stewart Quertier who organized the dinner placemats and a huge thanks to Keith Dodds who made the keep sake trophies we presented to the winners. My rally committee came up ideas from the Irk st display to the drive through the tulip paddock at Edendale,BBQ, and St James movie night along with the somewhat Gore themed field tests all contributed to well enjoyed rally. A special mention to the Glovers for allowing us to park the veterans on the lawn at the lunch stop of their Marairua homestead. Soft ground and cone clutches left a lot of marks when they moved off that Lex was not at all worried about. 10
1902 Rambler-Jeffery at the dinner
Keepsake Trophy (photos by Greg Elder) 11
Marairua Homestead (photos from Paul Herron)
A massive thanks to my Committee for multiple meetings, some enduring serious health issues during the planning. You all made Lynne and my jobs a lot easier. I know our branch can be proud of how we all performed and how much the Rally has impressed other branches and more northern members. Paul Herron 12
Online Bonuses Official Covid-19 information: https://covid19.govt.nz/ Whale Fossil Lookout, Milton: https://milton-district.co.nz/attraction/milburn-whale-fossils-lookout-2/ Castlemaine Garden (Sharon & Peter Clarke): https://gardenstovisit.co.nz/private-gardens/castlemaine/ Rumour, the Southland Branch newsletter: https://www.sporty.co.nz/southlandvintagecar/Rumour-1/2020-1# The Editor 13
P60 Run 25th October 2020 Ten cars had assembled at the Gore VCC car park by 8.45am, except for our leader who was a few minutes late. Not too bad though. Now we have 11 cars. Bill clambered out of his car and the first thing we noticed was that he was sporting a moon boot. Now Bill’s foot had been playing up for a week and had been diagnosed as, and was being treated for, gout and I had been told that when someone has gout the area is so tender that shoes, socks etc. are intolerable. So, what’s the story? Well, it turns out that he had pulled a ligament and chipped a bone in his foot. This was a result of whitebaiting, drinking red wine and perhaps a wee bit of inner ear failure. Anyway around 9am we moved off through town heading across the river before turning right and travelling to Clinton via Diamond Peak and Old Coach Roads. Our next instruction had us turn at Limeworks Road, north of Milton, where we went up to the Whale Fossil Lookout, and met up with Tim and Flynn Walsh. It’s a gravel road in, but well worth the short drive. Great views looking out over Waihola and the surrounding area.
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It’s amazing that at one time the whole area was under water. The wind was getting quite blustery up there so we probably didn’t stay as long as we normally would have. From the lookout we headed back down to State Highway 1, through Waihola township and then turned at Berwick Road towards Outram. At Outram we stopped for a short period and had a look in some knick-knack shops. It was fairly warm with the temperature having to have been in the mid to late 20s and with the inconsistency that we’ve been having lately some of us were suffering a bit. We left Outram and drove to Mosgiel and the (Mosgiel RSA) Spitfire Restaurant and Diggers Tavern and tucked into a lovely set-price meal. All topped up we went into Dunedin, going over Three Mile Hill, along George Street and Opoho Loop Road stopping at Alex Benson’s home in Signal Hill Road where we were entertained in his boutique movie theatre with some early black and white films, some set in the UK and some in New Zealand. Half-time and we were all given a chocolate-dipped ice cream. After the movies we had a quick look at Alex’s collection of Rootes Group cars and parts. What a great set up. The old adverts and films brought a lot of chuckles and comments about memories relived.
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The formal part of the day was now over and we were free to do as we pleased. Some headed for home while others like ourselves opted to stay for a couple of days. We had a great day. Thanks to Bill Sheddan for organising the Run for us. Murray Proctor (Photo of Bill Sheddan by the author, remainder by the Editor)
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One night only 8th December at 8pm tickets $70 17
Tuesday Ramble 27th October Mary has written the report but firstly I would like to admit to the Sheriff that I did have to get a jump start as the battery died and, yes I did take a right turn into Sutherland Road where it should have been a left. Mr. Sheriff I have purchased a new battery so please take this into your consideration. Gerry. We left Gore in overcast conditions and headed to Castle Rock, we met up with Betty Clearwater and Margaret McLennan in Balfour then stopped in Lumsden to let all meet up before we travelled on. On arriving at Sharon & Peter Clarke’s we met with Sharon who gave us a run down on this garden venue before we had our lunch under the shade of the trees and sedge.
Gerry and Sharon
Lunch (photos by the Editor)
After lunch we were again joined by Sharon and husband Peter, who took a liking to a certain Chevy truck. We were thinking we may have to give Bryan & Francie a lift home. On entering the garden we viewed a vista of towering rhodo’s, these were in various colours and in full bloom. A glorious sight. There were several different pathways with different garden setting to view at our leisure. There were many archways leading into areas surrounded by neatly trimmed hedges. One area had an entrance through a hedge with a hole cut in leading to an English garden with a fountain and music playing in a central courtyard with concrete paving leading to a seating area. 18
(Photo by Donna North)
One couple was seen cuddled up on a bench, Tom & Trish? The classical music playing set the atmosphere of tea parties if you closed your eyes. We were fortunate to view a rare double frilled Trillium that Sharon had bought recently.
We also saw a vivid blue poppy (L) in one of the gardens. (Photo by the Editor. N.B. If you are seeing this in black & white it is nowhere near as impressive as it is in colour on the emailed versions!)
Peonies and iris plants blended in a walled garden.
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(Photo by Donna North)
In the formal garden a gazebo contained photos of the formation of the garden. Also Jim McFadzien was delighted to see a TK Bedford which he owned from new which helped in creating this garden.
Large ornamental flowerpots (photo: the Editor), and stones & statues (photos: Donna North) decorated the garden areas. There were outside areas with garden furniture for bbq or tea, or to just sit and view the garden. 20
Large rose bushes also surrounded the side garden with bees buzzing in them. Tucked away was a large vege garden, Ken Youngson was seen getting a few tips. (Photos by Donna North) Sharon & Peter farm 360 hectares, they grow pea straw which funds the many shrubs they have. Our thanks go to Sharon & Peter, I could imagine this garden developed into a wedding venue and to hold a garden party. Mary Kennedy
(Photos: the Editor)
P.S. Mary missed the pond with the large goldfish surrounded by lovely rocks covered in lichen which formed a waterfall. These came from the farm. We have visited many gardens on our Tuesday Rambles and this would be one of the top gardens. Big thank you to Sharon & Peter, Gerry Kennedy 21
Tuesday Ramble Christmas Dinner NOW Thursday 10th December PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DATE due to unforeseen circumstances
Where? Food Affair Gore Racecourse Meet: Gore Racecourse 11.30am: Social Hour 12.30pm: Lunch Cost $25 per head (Have priced around and Food Affair were the best price by far)
Numbers to Gerry: phone 027 233 4634
No later than 5th December 22
Christmas Run Sunday 13th December 2020
Assemble at the Clubrooms at 2.00 pm for a run to visit a garden followed by a BBQ tea at the Clubrooms Bring along a salad and some Christmas nibbles to share and some meat for the BBQ Decorate your car in the Christmas theme and be in with a chance to win a prize Any enquiries contact John Parish Ph (03) 208 5505 23
Gore Branch Events for the 2020-21 Season Event
Proposed Date
Organiser(s)
Josephville Hillclimb
Sunday 29th November
Evan Henderson
Christmas Run
Sunday 13th December
John Parish
2021 Ladies Run
Sunday 17th January
Janet Brewster
Picnic Run
?? January
Rod Bell
Diggers Run
?February (to be confirmed)
Charlie Davis
Festival Rally
Saturday 27th February
Murray Proctor
Frank Robson & Clearwater Capers
Sunday 7th March
Greg Elder
Swap Meet & Boot Fair
Sunday 14th March
Gerry Kennedy
Night Trial
Saturday 8th May
Tim Walsh
End of Season Run
Saturday 5th June
Rod Bell
Opening Run
Sunday 12th September
TBC
Tuesday Ramble
Normally last Tuesday of the month. Variable in December
Co-ordinated by Gerry Kennedy
Editor's note to event organisers If you want to see a report in The Wiper please provide one yourselves or organise somebody to do it for you. (N.B. This usually works best if you ask them before the event!)
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Other Events 2021 th
16-17 January
Otago Branch, Dunedin - Brighton Veteran Rally. Enquiries to Colin Winter, phone (03) 456 4382 or email wolseley2@xtra.co.nz
Art Deco Festival 2021, Hawkes Bay Branch. Online entry here www.hbvcc.org.nz. Contact: 18th – 21st February Steve Trott stevetrott@xtra.co.nz or Steve Donovan stevedon@xtra.co.nz 27th March
Swap Meet, South Canterbury Branch
2nd – 4th April
National Vintage Easter Rally, South Canterbury Branch
3rd – 4th April
Wheels at Wanaka
25th - 30th October
Targa VCC Time Trials (North Island) Enquiries to: Rod Corbett, VCC Steward, rod.corbett88@gmail.com or 027 433 8772
2022 16th – 21st January
Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring, New Plymouth 2023
Burt Munro Week
National Motorcycle Rally, Southland Branch
Want to dob somebody in to the Sheriff? Have you got a small tale to pass on? Or a tall tale? There’s no need to wait for a meeting night - you can now do it any time (and completely anonymously) by emailing it to Denis at ramsel@xtra.co.nz Complete discretion is assured!
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Spotted! Gore’s free newspaper, The Ensign, has been busy! A reporter attended the National Veteran Rally on the Sunday morning at the A&P Showgrounds and page 8 of the 21st October issue has an article on the Rally featuring competitors Branch Chairman Greg Elder and members Bill Sheddan, Des Brewster, Jason Moore and Ian Chittock along with Branch Club Captain John Parish and members Rod Bell and Pat Hurley marshalling. In the same issue, page 14 has a picture of Morna Smith at Gore’s Rhododendron Festival and an article on page 30 about Gerry Kennedy and his 1968 Vauxhall Cresta. https://www.theensign.co.nz/digital-edition/?edition=ENS_2020_10_21
The 4th November edition has St Andrews Presbyterian Church Fair Convenor Margaret Martyn on page 8:
https://www.theensign.co.nz/digital-edition/?edition=ENS_2020_11_04
Gerry Kennedy spotted Tulip Day Convener Jean Kirby in the Otago Daily Times and on page 4 of the October 27th Southland Times. She is also in a video on The Ensign digital edition: https://www.theensign.co.nz/the-south-today/?video=6204648281001
Gerry also saw “Mandeville resident” John Tremaine in an article on page 33 of the 29th October issue of the Southland Express about the recent Zodiac Zephyr Club (Southland) Southern Connection car show in Invercargill. https://www.southlandexpress.co.nz/digital-edition/?edition=SXP_2020_10_29
Donna North spotted a familiar profile in pictures of the recent “Behind the Scenes” Tour at Transport World. Was that Stewart Quertier enjoying himself? https://www.facebook.com/transportworld/ The Editor 27
Looking for an unusual and/or useful present? Te Hikoi is stocking a range of mugs featuring advertising artwork for McNaughton Brothers Ltd. (Riverton’s Standard-Triumph dealer back in the day, located where the Supervalue supermarket is now.) The first two show the Triumph Herald and the Standard Vanguard. Price $20 each. If they sell well more designs may follow.
Newsletters from other branches Most of the other Branch Newsletters are now posted on the VCC Website each month: www.vcc.org.nz/news-from-our-branches A handful of branches still send us printed copies and these are displayed on the stand in the Library. Most of the others are received by email as pdf files or links to the online versions. These can be obtained on request from the Editor or the Secretary. 28
Gore VCC Supper Roster 2020/2021 December
Russell Newland
January
Des Brewster
February March April May June July August
To be advised To be advised To be advised To be advised To be advised To be advised To be advised
IF YOU ARE UNAVAILABLE ON YOUR ROSTERED NIGHT, PLEASE ARRANGE YOUR OWN SUBSTITUTE. We need to cater for about 30 to 40 members each night. The cuppa and serving of the supper is to be arranged within the Social Committee.
If necessary, ingredients and/or small items can be bought at Gore New World and charged to the Gore VCC account. November To be advised My thanks to those who have come forward. If the month you are listed for doesn’t suit let me know so I can rearrange them or you can work with another person on the roster to swap. Des Brewster September To be advised To be advised October
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This is My Life (part 5) by Bill Sheddan [Last time we left Bill struggling to pay his bills and with a surfeit of oysters. The Editor] Now read on… In the Spring of 1983 I spotted an ad in the paper. The Mataura Freezing Works was looking for a maintenance plumber. We discussed among the family and realised that Bluff wasn't going to provide enough work to my satisfaction so I decided to apply for the job. If I got the job we hadn't decided if I would commute daily or weekly or where I/we would stay or any of that. Just get the job, get some money and start paying the bills. Towards the end of the year I was notified that I had the job if I wanted it and when could I start? I managed to delay my start date till after the Christmas school holidays so I could sort out things with closing what business I had and relocating to Mataura. I had a small job to do on the wharf one day, fitting a couple of hose taps so the boat owner could wash his boat after a trip and upon asking for an address to send the bill was told 5 Rock Street, Gore. “Why Gore?” I asked. Because that's where Allan Skerret the boat owner lived. To cut a long story short the Skerrets and the Sheddans swapped houses and workshops. No money changed hands except for lawyers’ expenses etc. Allan had owned Longford Contracting and owned two old Doering Implements buildings on the corner of Huron and Halton Streets. He wanted to shift to Bluff, we wanted to shift to Gore. Problem solved. There was a bit of an upheaval with schooling among other things. Blair was scheduled to start secondary school in Invercargill. The uniform was bought, bus transport ready to go. I wasn't that popular in that he had to leave his Bluff mates behind and start over again in Gore in the New Year, his first year at secondary school. Janelle enrolled at East Gore School without too much bother. I started with the plumbing crew at Mataura in early February 1984. They were a great bunch of blokes and I enjoyed being there. After the upheaval of the past six months or so the first few months there was like a paid holiday, and well paid at that. 30
Home life was good too with Dawn really enjoying being back in Gore after being away for 16 years. The house in Rock Street, although being an old villa style, had been extensively renovated and modernised by the previous owners. The only part of the main structure that had not been done over was the old lean-to section on the south wall comprising the wash-house, coal-shed and entrance way. I demolished that and converted it into firewood. A few years later I got builders in and constructed a storeroom, office and toilet block plus a nice new entrance way. In the meantime, work continued at the Works and the offseason maintenance work came around. The management decided that there was too much work for us so they got in outside contractors. Roly Meechang Plumbing was one of the firms involved, and with him and David Donaldson, his worker, they were plumbing out a new ablution block. I knew Roly from my days as a company rep and we got talking and Roly’s health problems, and impending retirement came up. You know where this is going. I joined up with Roly in September, he eased out over the next few months and I took over his business in January 1985. I was not that popular with the Freezing Company management but they didn't hold a grudge, enabling me to win and complete many plumbing contracts there over the coming years. 31
I have always weighed up the pros and cons and taken the opportunity for, hopefully, advancement as the opportunities arise. In hindsight some of our decisions would have been different but hey, life is short. Give it a go. As Roly’s workshop was small and in the floodway of the Mataura River I thought we could work out of the new workshop I had recently acquired from the Skerrets. There was however a small problem. The workshop had not been used as a commercial premises and had reverted to domestic zoning. A re-zoning application had to be submitted to the Council. Part of this was to get permission from the neighbours to work there. I got letters from the immediate neighbours, some for and some against any plumbing activity going on from there. I still have the letters, one from a close neighbour stating she did not want sewage from my business running under hedge and across her lawn. Ignorant <><>. The building was only to be a depot to leave from in the morning and return to at night. Needless to say I did not get permission from the Council. I subsequently sold the building to the owner of Shooters World for a tidy sum plus a shotgun. I had the last laugh though and often had a grin when I thought of what was stored in that shed after I sold it and what the neighbours would do if they knew. Dave and I were kept busy. In fact so busy we took on an apprentice or two and trained them up only to find in later years the grass is greener so they hopped the fence and started out in opposition to us. To date this has happened to about ten employees, in fact most of the plumbers in Gore have worked for us at some time. Dave Donaldson is the exception though. He started with us in 1984 and is still with us 36 years later. If only all employees were that hard-working and loyal. Dawn was brought up with her parents and seven siblings at 10 Ontario Street, the home her parents built during the Depression. This was no mean feat in those days, especially on employees’ wages from the fellmongery where her dad worked. Beside their home, they also had a quarter-acre section that Jack Wyatt, Dawn’s father, had completely down in vege. garden. He had to feed his eight kids. After the kids grew up and left home one by one the section was no longer needed as a garden so it was sold to Herberts Butchery of whom Brian, Dawn’s brother, was a shareholder. They ran their butchery processing business from there for a number of years until there was a major fire in the factory. 32
A thermostat failed on a vat used to render down fat. The fire ripped through the building leaving only the remains of the chillers, the outside walls and the overhanging eaves. The building sat derelict for a couple of years until Dawn suggested that it would be a good site for a new workshop. We were still operating out of Roly’s old workshop on River Terrace which had just been flooded and incidentally has just been flooded again in February 2020. I had a look at the building and, although it had been gutted, the fire had not damaged the exterior concrete block walls or the overhanging eaves. I got the Gore District Council building inspector round and he agreed to let me cut out most of the roof trusses and leave the overhanging section in place to attach the new trusses to. This saved replacing a couple of purlins and the fascia right round the building. I duly bought the property and Dave and I set about fitting the new roof and shifted in. This was a great improvement on the last workshop with plenty of room both inside and on the section to park our expanding fleet and gear. It wasn't all work though. Christmas holidays were special, and for twenty years we had these holidays at Pine Lodge, Alexandra, three weeks each holiday. We had a variety of caravans over the years. Also a small fibreglass boat and outboard that we used to go down-river to Lake Roxburgh and up-river sometimes as far as Clyde. Lake Dunstan had not been formed while we were still caravanning. Blair and I both enjoyed trail bike riding until Blair's riding came to an abrupt end. We had been riding around the hills behind the clock and were returning to the camp via the gravel road parallel to the Manuherikia River. Diagonally across this road was an old railway line laid on a hump in the road about a metre high. We were having the usual race, Blair was in front with me pushing him along behind. Blair hit this hump in the road at speed, got airborne, came down on the rail tracks and got all crossed up. He landed in a heap with the bike on top of him. I instantly thought “Oh sh*t, that's the end of his holiday�. We both thought his arm was broken. We got back to camp and decided that nothing was broken, just badly bruised. Until then Blair was a fearless rider often going places I wouldn't go, like along the edge of a sheer drop or something similar. That was his first and last fall. I don't recall him riding a bike after that, and he used to love riding. 33
The old two-story house behind us in Railway Esplanade (now called Latham Lane) had been occupied by the Latham sisters but they were now being cared for in a nursing home. Upon their passing they gifted their property consisting of the house on two titles to the Gore District Council. The Council in turn tendered off the house with one section, the Council retaining the other small block. This they named Latham Reserve which is located at the end of Latham Lane next to the Gore bridge. Price Bros. Builders won the tender and, because the house was past restoring, they had it demolished. This was around 1986, two years after we had shifted to Gore. The section stood empty for the next eight years and, because it was at my back boundary, and because it was convenient, I chucked my garden waste over the fence. One day about 1994 in a fit of inspiration I approached the owners and asked if they would sell the old Latham section. They did, and after getting one of my building clients to design our new home, I put it out to tender with three of our builders that we did the most work for. McGuigan Bros 34
won the contract and on Mother’s Day 1995 we moved into our new home but not before I had to cart eight years of garden rubbish from the section to the tip. Incorporated into our home, and handy to the front door, we had designed and built an office to run the business from. This worked OK but as we got busier and took on more staff there were clients calling day and night and there was little privacy. Computers became the norm which freed up a lot of time, as it took an intolerable lot of time writing up invoices and keeping ahead of finances. Dawn kept an eye on the books and banking etc. but the office work still took up most of my time. One episode in my working lifetime as a plumber that stands out is the big freeze of 1996. Each year around the last week of June and the first week of July the south end of the South Island would experience the coldest period of the winter. This time also coincided with the school mid-term break that the school calendar had at the time. A week mid-term when the kids and their parents, as well as the teachers, could take a welcome break from the rigours of schooling and the winter cold. It was a time to briefly get away to warmer climes for those who could afford it. This year the school break coincided with a freak heavy snow storm. Instead of the snow washing away after a few days, it sat there and with a corresponding full moon and settled weather there were frosty nights around 0ºC with bright sunny days. With all the snow around the day temperature could not rise above freezing point. This caused the most harrowing ten days’ work experience I ever want to have. Pipes froze of course but they did not thaw until the weather picked up. A lot of homes, mostly older ones, had no water, hot or cold. The lack of hot water was often caused by the hot water cylinder bursting. This happened because the expansion pipe through the roof froze which when the cylinder started heating, either by the wetback or electric element, there was nowhere for the water to expand except at the weakest point, through the wall of the hot water cylinder. Another problem was ceiling tanks. I had several clients ring up in a panic with water pouring out of their ceiling. I would tell the client to turn off the water and I would be round ASAP but leave the manhole lid open. By 35
the time I got there the water had stopped running through the roof and it appeared there was nothing wrong, except for the flooded house of course. What had happened was the ball cock was not shutting off properly then during the night the water froze at the top of the tank and the subsequent increase of weight on the ballcock arm caused it to run full bore. Because the ballcock had been dripping and overflowing out the overflow pipe, this pipe froze up solid too. There was now nowhere for the increased water to go except over the side of the tank into the home. The client turned off the water, then in the morning with the manhole lid off the pipes etc. thawed, everything returned to normal. All I needed to do was replace the dripping ballcock and get some snide remark about doing unnecessary work. This was difficult to explain to the client and the insurance company also, often having to explain all the above to the agent. There is a myth that if you leave water pipes running in a frost they won’t freeze up. Well not a myth really, just leave the taps running slightly and right they don't freeze. But what happens to the cold waste pipe under the floor? Right, they freeze up solid and you can guess what happens next. The client wakes up in the morning, swings his feet onto the floor. Splash. Try and explain to your client who is trying to claim for new floor coverings, that it’s not a plumbing problem and that he caused the damage. I had this problem in a house in Martin Street that has a long four-inch cast iron pipe running under the floor from a toilet. Dripping ballcock, overflow into the toilet, frozen soil pipe, blocked toilet for ten days. Again all I needed do was replace the ballcock. Fortunately there was another toilet in the home. The home next door to our place in Latham Lane was occupied by a school teacher at this time and yes, he went away for the mid-term break. His ceiling tank had problems in the middle of the night and overflowed great torrents of water through his house. This water cascaded down his front steps, down his footpath and down the footpath in front of our place. There was no sign of the valve to turn off the water despite an hour or two looking. By the time the Council located the toby valve a couple of days later there was a glacier down his front steps and about 6–8 inches of solid ice down the footpath in front of our place. This did not help the water temperature in my water main at the boundary at all. It froze up and we were out of water too. 36
This was quite a stressful time because we could not attend to all the calls we received and had to ask desperate clients to ring around for better service. The consequence of that was that it was not unusual to go to an urgent job to find often more than one other plumber pulling up their drive. The client had rung all the plumbers and first in first served. This was very annoying and time wasting. One Saturday in the middle of the freeze I planned to replace a pump down Edendale way, then attend to a burst pipe at Charlton. I expected to be finished before the All Black Test in the afternoon that I wanted to watch at a friend’s place. Well I got the pump job done then proceeded up Charlton Road to the next job. There had been a bit of a thaw where the sun struck the road but where it was sheltered by the trees the road was still frozen. While driving up the road I ran over the section of ice and the van gave me a little reminder to be careful. I slowed down and approached the next shaded section of road with caution. As I drove onto this ice the van slowly drifted sideways and by the time I arrived at the next dry section I was going sideways at about walking pace. The van dug in and instead of skidding a bit as I thought it would, it flopped onto its side. What a mess with boxes of fittings of all sorts strewn round the van and 37
the road. With the help of a couple of the locals we righted the van, I cancelled the next job and went to the rugby date and got properly p**sed instead. The van’s body was well and truly twisted but the insurance paid for an almost new body to be fitted. A couple of years later I had the motor reconditioned and thought then that I had a good van, well it must be. It’s got a new body and a new motor! Another incident that happened because of the freeze is worth retelling. I was called out to a house at Arthurton that had frozen and burst pipes. This was a piece of cake. The fairly new house had a steep roof with plenty of room in the ceiling space. In addition there were planked walkways and lights. I duly completed the repair work and while walking out I failed to see a small telecom wire draped across the walkway. Of course I tripped on it, did a couple of cartwheels and landed straddled across a ceiling rafter with both legs dangling through the lounge ceiling. This was about lunch time and the cocky and his crew were sitting down to lunch. I will never forget the look on their faces when I looked down at them through the hole I had just made. That lounge was huge and extended into the kitchen and dining room. The whole ceiling had to come down and be replaced and painted, all on my insurance, plus my excess of course. It paid to get clients’ insurance details before starting the job and in this case especially so. I sent the invoice for my work directly to his insurance company. I didn't fancy my chances invoicing the client. The public had the idea that we plumbers were creaming it when in fact the opposite was more to the point. Working in such cold conditions, and often wet, was hard on the body. By mid-afternoon you felt buggered and couldn't do much more but go home rest up and get warm. The phone went constantly, day and night, and Dawn got really stressed trying to pacify flooded home owners. One morning she told me about a bad dream she had in the night. She was answering the phone when water started to pour out of it. It wouldn't stop running and was flooding our place. As for the big freeze being profitable. No way. It cost us in both money and health. Money, not only because of the damage caused to me, but also because of the repairs that some clients had to do that were not budgeted for and were not covered by insurance, if they had any. Who stood to lose in those cases? It took till the summer for everything to return to near 38
normal, the land especially. The frost blew up the roads, killed off trees and shelter belts. The countryside looked like it had been pounded with a giant bat. Flax bushes were even flattened and dying. Stock losses were also high. This is now just a memory of an extreme weather condition that I hope I will never experience again. Towards the late 1990s we had four or five staff which kept me busy in the administration side of the business. On top of that I was feeling fatigued a lot of the time. The doctors sorted that out with the treatment for diabetes and excessive iron in my blood. However I decided to fulfil a dream or an idea that I have had for years. Run a plumbing showroom. I had Ajax Building build a large showroom including an office onto the workshop and I went to the importers and manufacturers of plumbing gear and stocked up. The office was also shifted there which made a hell of a difference to our privacy at home. I still had ten years to go until retirement so it was head down arse up to get some savings together. Around this time there was a lot of dairy conversion work and I built up to seven staff and set to on another opportunity that was set before me.
Gerry Kennedy’s Ford V8 (L) and my Chevrolet Tudor
My love of old cars matured at this time also. Many years previously, about 1989 while we still lived at Rock Street and while at a Christchurch VCC Swap meet, I came across a 1939 Chevrolet two-door sedan. 39
I remembered Dad’s old Chev and was drawn to this car, and subsequently bought it and had it trucked home to Gore. I joined the Gore VCC and had that car for 26 years and attended many Southland and Otago VCC rallies. But my real love, other than Dawn of course (squeak squeak on the violin), is the Rootes Group make of cars. Over the years I have had many, starting with 1956 Husky, then the 1962 Minx, then the 1959 Singer station wagon, then a few years ago another Singer station wagon of the same vintage. I bought a 1962 Sunbeam Alpine at Christchurch Turners auction one year while attending the swap meet. That turned out to be a lemon and I spent far too much money on it getting the rust out and getting it roadworthy. We did a couple of car club rallies in it to the North Island and still have it. Also in the stable at present is a 1962 Hillman Minx convertible, a 1962 Humber Super Snipe, a 1972 Sunbeam Rapier fastback and a 1964 Sunbeam Imp. Cars I have owned and had some fun with and then sold in the last few years include an Austin A40 Farina, the Singer station wagon, a 1960 Commer Cob van, a 1962 Sunbeam Tiger V8, a 1965 Sunbeam V8 replica and the Chev.
Me and Sunbeam Tiger at the Cromwell Car Show 2003. (Photo: Otago Daily Times) 40
A couple of years ago I branched out in a different direction and bought a veteran car, a 1914 Saxon roadster. So as well as working hard we have had time to have some fun as well.
Me (driving) and Des Brewster in the Saxon during the 2020 National Veteran Rally (Photo by Greg Elder)
NZ Plumbers’ Merchants Society which incorporates Plumbing World is owned by most of the plumbing firms of New Zealand who have shares in the business. As an incentive to purchase from them they organise an overseas “conference” every couple of years which was mostly paid for by a monetary incentive on your purchase which went towards the trip. The first was Expo ’88, five days at Brisbane in 1988 with three one-day passes to the Expo, which we attended. We then had a two-week extension and travelled to Canberra and Sydney. This was our first overseas trip. Over the next 30 years we had trips to Canada, Thailand, Hong Kong, China and East, West & South coast cities of America plus Mexico. In 2013 we answered an ad in the NZ Driver magazine for interested parties to join in on a motor car trip across Australia using your own classic car. What a trip that was, in fact of all the motoring/travelling experiences I have had, this would top them off. We took the most reliable car that I had at the time, the Sunbeam Rapier fastback. Eight cars, sixteen people, and twenty-three days’ travel covering 7,200 miles of driving lovers’ enjoyment. 41
Me and Dawn at the conclusion of the 26 day tour across Australia
I have had a few motorhomes also. The first being a Ford Trader ex-Maui rental then a Ford Transit ex-rental then lastly a near-new TrailLite on a Mercedes Scamper chassis. That was a nice rig. Currently we have a Swift Sterling caravan which I pull with my Ford Escape. Looking after my toys and gardening are my two main activities now as I enjoy retirement. I must not forget also the seven years as a driver of the St. John Ambulance shuttle. This involved driving clients to mostly outpatient’s services at Dunedin or Invercargill hospitals. You must see by now that I like driving. It’s a wonder I wasn't a tour bus driver. I would have loved that. Paramount though is the family. Blair and Sharron, with their Jack and Clark. Janelle and Murray, with their Kerron, Jarred and Kelsey. Watching them all grow and mature and experience a lot that we have gone through is very rewarding. Cheers – Bill Sheddan (25/4/2020) 42
REMINDERS A few of the vinyl “VCC Wings” badges (as featured on the front cover) are still available from the Treasurer, cost $2 each. VCC name badges: are available from Van De Water Jewellers at a discounted cost of $25. These badges are black with white lettering and bear your name and “Gore VCC”. N.B. If you’re not wearing one at a meeting you are likely to attract the Sheriff’s attention and be fined! To Let: the Gore Vintage Car Clubrooms are available to VCC members for personal functions at very reasonable cost. Email version of The Wiper A reminder for the computer whizz-kids out there. The Wiper is also available by email; either as a link to an online version or as an emailed pdf file. The pictures are in colour, it arrives earlier and the hyperlinks work too! Just send me your email address if you would like to try this. The Editor 43
COOKERY CORNER Spicy Gingerbread Loaf (with gluten free [GF] option) Ingredients: 50g butter 1 egg 1 cup plain flour** 2 tsp powdered ginger 1 tsp baking soda ¾ cup*** milk ¼ tsp ground Cayenne pepper (optional)
2 tbsp Golden Syrup* ½ cup soft brown sugar 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp mixed spice 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
Method Pre-heat the oven to 190°C. Line a loaf tin with baking paper In a large microwave-proof bowl or saucepan, melt the butter and Golden Syrup together, add the fresh ginger Add egg and soft brown sugar and mix well Sift in all the other dry ingredients except the baking soda Mix the baking soda with the milk and then stir into the mixture Pour into the prepared loaf tin and bake for 30 - 40 minutes or until cooked (when a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean with no fudgy crumbs attached) Cool on a wire rack It’s great spread with butter at tea time or with yoghurt (or ice-cream I’m reliably informed) as a dessert Notes: *Use any sweet syrup – I used date but molasses, treacle or honey would work ** Obviously GF flour for a GF loaf *** I used a bit more for GF flour Donna North 44
ADVERTISEMENTS FOR SALE The North Shore Branch has been restoring a 1923 Dennis Bus. That project is now just about complete and we have decided that we will not be needing a number of the duplicates/spares/components that we have amassed. The parts available will make a good starting point for any branch (or individual members) that might like to start such a project. Any branch or individual interested in this project should contact us via email at northshore@vcc.org.nz (The Editor has photos of some of the parts) FOR SALE 1954 Austin A40. As is, where is. Rego on hold, no current WOF. Restored approx 2008. Needs tyres and brake repairs. Phone Tony Ward: 027 222 7918 (More photos available from the Editor)
FOR SALE 1964 MGB Roadster, non-overdrive. Wellknown Club car. Much work carried out by previous owners in 2001: repaint in Tartan Red; seats re-upholstered in leather, door & kick panels in vinyl; exhaust system & suspension overhauled. Original engine, overhauled and new speedometer fitted at some stage. Present owners (since 2002) have done more work including new driveshaft & shock absorbers, replacing & re-chroming some trim; new tonneau cover & windbreak, MG mud flaps, chrome kick plates. Timing chain replaced last year. Complete list of previous owners and a repair manual also available. $20,000 ono. Glenise Corcoran: email glenpaul@xtra.co.nz or phone 03 208 6862 2/3
WANTED Early Thirties (1930 to 1934) Ford axles, they need to be 32 inches long. Also 2 front brake drums to fit 1940 to 1948 Ford. Denis Knight: 0273513190 or email ramsel@xtra.co.nz 3/3
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FOR SALE and WANTED advertisements are free to Club members. Each advertisement will be published in 3 consecutive issues. Please contact the Editor
Tailpiece
Sent in by Des Brewster 46
Run reports, articles of interest, photos, technical tips, letters and feedback are always welcome. Please send all contributions to David North
before the 21st of each month for inclusion in the next Wiper If you don't have a computer I can type up a hand-written article or put your notes or jottings into shape for The Wiper. If you prefer I can even take notes as you talk to me and write up the story for you - I am always ready to help so just let me know how! e-mail: northd14@gmail.com physical and mail: 4 Trotter Street, Riverton 9822 telephone (mobile) 021 172 3281 Remember that insuring your vehicle(s), boat(s), house(s), contents or travel with Vero Insurance and quoting the branch number (300135) results in the branch receiving a commission payment Please support our advertisers so that they, in turn, can continue to support the Branch The opinions and statements in The Wiper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the policy or views of the Gore branch or of the VCC. The branch accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of any statements. The Wiper is printed by i-Cue 10 Wood Street, Invercargill. Telephone (03) 218 3350 47
GORE BRANCH VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NEW ZEALAND INC.
WAIMEA STREET, PO BOX 329 GORE
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