THE WIPER The Newsletter of the Gore Branch of the Vintage Car Club of NZ (Inc.)
August 2020
Next meeting: 11th August
MEETINGS: SECOND TUESDAY of the month at the Clubrooms, Waimea Street, Gore Branch telephone number: 03 208 7424
2019-2020 Committee and Officers Branch Patrons Chairman Vice Chairman Secretary Treasurer Club Captain Assistant Club Captains
Neil McVicar, Ray Tressler Greg Elder (03) 202 5710 Paul Herron (03) 208 6121 Bill Ainge (03) 208 9877 Tim Walsh (03) 208 3531 John Parish (03) 208 5505 Rod Bell 027 229 2191 Charlie Davis 027 451 5234 Greg Elder (03) 202 5710 Ray Taylor 027 696 2965 Branch Recorder (Wiper Editor) David North 021 172 3281 Assistant Branch Recorder Position not filled at present House Convenor Des Brewster (03) 208 1960 Assistant House Convenor Vacant Social Committee Beb Kennedy, David McDowell, Russell Newland Beaded Wheels Reporter Jim McFadzien (03) 208 0121 Festival Rally Organiser Denis Knight (03) 208 5404 Assistant Rally Organiser Vacant Bar Manager Chris Scoles (03) 208 0052 Assistant Bar Manager Murray Proctor (03) 208 4768 Maintenance Supervisor Keith Nunn (03) 208 5403 Maintenance Assistants Bill Ainge, Barry Clearwater, Keith Dodds, Russell Newland, Ken Youngson Swapmeet & Parts Gerry Kennedy 027 233 4634 Swapmeet & Parts Assistants Barry Clearwater, Evan Henderson, Bryan Neilson Hill Climb Evan Henderson (03) 208 6479 Hill Climb Assistant Stewart Quertier (03) 208 7932 Sheriff Denis Knight (03) 208 5404 Librarian Stewart Quertier (03) 208 7932 Raffles Starr McDougall (03) 208 5450 National Delegate David North 021 172 3281 Privacy Officer Bill Ainge (03) 208 9877 Health & Safety Officer Murray Low (03) 208 4007 Museum & HPV David McDowell (03) 208 6791 Tuesday Ramble Co-ordinator Gerry Kennedy 027 233 4634 Branch Daffodil Day Co-ordinator John Tremaine (03) 208 9670 Vehicle Identity Card signatories Evan Henderson, John Parish, John Tremaine Front cover picture:
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Chairman's Report August 2020 Well I hope you have all settled back into normal life after the lifting of the Covid restrictions. It was great to meet up again at the July monthly meeting with a good turnout of members and three visitors. We had Davey Craig from Invercargill as guest speaker organised by Brian Horrell at short notice. Davey spoke about the history of Harry Ferguson who designed and built the first rear hydraulics on tractors and a little on Davey’s time in the British Royal Navy. I hope Veteran vehicle owners from other Branches plus ours can get their entries in for the National Veteran Rally we are running in October. This is a big event for the Club and our Branch. We will be calling on Branch members for help in running the event. I have had several inquiries from across the ditch and within NZ re. the Oakland V8 engine the Branch has for sale. Just proves that advertising in The Wiper works. Nice to hear from John Parish that there was a good turnout for the Night Trial. Unfortunately I could not attend. On a sad note the Branch would like to send its condolences to Betty Clearwater and family on the recent death of Barry. See you all at the August meeting and AGM. Until then keep warm and Happy Motoring. Greg Elder
From Gerry Kennedy I am not arguing, I am simply explaining why I am right. To save time, let’s just assume I know everything. 3
Club Captain’s Report August 2020 The Night Trial was held on the 11th of July and it was pleasing to have 13 cars entered. It was a cold but clear night and the task was to find all the children’s playgrounds on the designated route around the town. It wasn’t an easy task at night but the McVicar family found all 16 and identified another one that wasn’t on the route. This made them winners on the night but, as they were not in a qualifying car, the trophy goes to Evan and Mark Henderson who got 14 out of 16. A full report is given later in The Wiper. This brings the season of events to a close and we can look forward to the Annual Dinner and Trophy Presentation on the 22nd of August. Contact Des Brewster for tickets and come along for a fun night out. As a result of Covid-19 we are a month behind where we would normally be but the up-side is we are a month closer to the next season of events. The national body of the VCC has cancelled the Daffodil Rally this year so the next event is the Opening Run to be held on Sunday the 13th of September. Once we have voted in the Club Captain’s Committee at the AGM we will sort out this event. Look for details in the September Wiper. John Parish
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From the Editor’s keyboard This month we welcome two new advertisers: Te Hikoi, Riverton’s excellent museum and, thanks to Beth Hewlett’s efforts, Gore’s great little independent cinema, the St James Theatre. Both have taken out a year’s advertising to “test the waters”, so please do visit them and tell them you saw their adverts in The Wiper. It helps the Branch and it helps them! Thanks go to Greg Elder and John Parish for their reports and to Ken Youngson for his update on the kitchen and toilet rebuild project. The latest on this is in the Minutes of the July meeting. We also have Part 2 of Bill Sheddan’s adventures and mis-adventures. Finally, in case any you still have yams left from the End of Season Run, Rhonda Wilson has sent in a recipe for microwaved yams. Happy reading! David North From the Southland Times:
Barry Clearwater Died peacefully in his 81st year on Thursday, July 16, 2020 in Gore Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Resting now after a long illness. Will be missed by Betty, his wife of 57 years. Daughter and son-in-law Wendy and Roundy, son and daughter-in-law Grant and Julie. Brother and brother-in-law of Margaret and Alex McLennan, loved brother-in-law of Lindsay and Fran McCulloch, Ken and Stephanie McCulloch (Australia) and loved uncle of his nieces and nephews and his many friends. A celebration of Barry's life (took) place at the Mataura Community Centre, McQueen Avenue, Mataura on Tuesday, July 21 at 11.00am, followed by a private committal at Mataura Cemetery. All vintage and classic car owners are encouraged to bring their vehicles. In lieu of flowers donations to Hokonui St John Ambulance may be left at the service. Messages to 34 Racecourse Road, Gore 9772. https://deaths.southlandtimes.co.nz/obituaries/southland-timesnz/obituary.aspx?n=barry-clearwater&pid=196507658 5
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VCC Gore Branch AGM 11th August AGENDA 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Apologies for absence Minutes of the previous AGM (11/6/2019) Chairman’s Report Treasurer’s Report Elections General Business
Nominations received as at 21st July: Chairman Greg Elder Vice Chairman Paul Herron Treasurer Rod Bell Club Captain John Parish Club Captain’s Committee Tim Walsh Branch Recorder (“Wiper” Editor) David North House Convenor Des Brewster Festival Rally Organiser Murray Proctor Bar Manager Chris Scoles Assistant Bar Manager Murray Proctor Swapmeet Organiser Gerry Kennedy Hill Climb Organiser Evan Henderson Hill Climb Assistant Terry Inder Librarian Stewart Quertier National Delegate David North Tuesday Ramble Co-ordinator Gerry Kennedy PLEASE NOTE Bill Ainge would like to stand down as Branch Secretary 8
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N.B. The statement "I certify that this financial statement of the Gore Vintage Car Club of NZ Inc has been presented to and approved by members at a general meeting held 14th July 2020." Has been updated to 11th August 2020 since the Accounts were received for publication. The Editor
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Night Trial Saturday 11th July The Night Trial was held on the 11th of July with 13 cars attempting to find all the children’s playgrounds around Gore. When Katy and I set the route some of these were difficult to find even in the daylight. The route took participants up dead-end streets only some of which contained playgrounds. To avoid people following the car in front we had two sets of route instructions that went in different directions. Participants were instructed not to use their phones to Google where playgrounds were located as this would lead to disqualification if detected. One point was awarded for each correct location but any incorrect locations would result in a negative point. This was to stop entrants from guessing where the playgrounds were. If a playground was on a corner we wanted both street names identified. The route covered approximately 22 km and took about an hour to complete.
One of the playgrounds (in daylight!)
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When everyone was back at the clubrooms and we had marked the sheets, we put pictures of all the playgrounds up on the data projector. Participants told us that they didn’t look like that at night! The McVicar family scored 15 out of 16 but they actually found all 16 playgrounds and added one that the route didn’t go past so lost a point. The Eaves family scored 14 and so did Evan and Mark Henderson. There were many others who scored 12 or 13 so even in the dark everyone did well. Both the McVicar family and the Eaves family were in non-qualifying vehicles so while they won prizes on the night the trophy goes to Evan and Mark Henderson.
Back at the Clubrooms
We then had a shared supper with the plates that participants had brought and watched a video about Len Southward who started Southward’s Car Museum in Paraparaumu near Wellington. There was a mountain of supper but by the time we finished up at about 10pm most of it was gone. Thanks to all who came along and thanks to Des for setting the supper up and to those that helped with the dishes. John Parish
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Opening of the New Pyramid Bridge, 26th July I got a late call from the Gore Town Council asking if we could round up eight cars for the first vehicles across the new Pyramid Bridge that has finally been opened after the old one was washed away in a huge flood about 3 years ago. As you can see, it all came good! It was a great afternoon with lots of locals there along with school children. Lucky that it was a nice day.
John Tremaine brought his Model A, his friend brought one of John’s Morris Minors
John & Katy Parish brought their E Type Jaguar and Bentley, Paul Herron’s friend Brian Dillon his Essex Tourer and my wife, Daphne, our Ford Escort
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Paul Herron’s Model T, my Cadillac and Brian Dillon’s Essex
Paul Herron in his Model T with passenger Ramesh Sharma (GDC Infrastructure Manager)
Greg Elder [“Online Bonuses” & “Spotted” each contain a link to a different online article about the event. The Editor] 19
Building Project Report To allay the rumours I am hearing that nothing is happening with the upgrade of the kitchen and toilets at our Clubrooms, I have a report of progress to date. I can assure you that Ray Harvey and I have not been sitting idle, apart from when unwell or recovering from surgery. As with all building projects, much time is involved in the preparatory stage. The new legal requirements of the Building Code are a far cry from the days when the building was first shifted onto its present site. The Code requires new framing and structural work along the east and west walls and above the large kitchen window to support the roof. New drainage has to be placed along the east wall because the height of the floor of the building is too low in comparison to the natural ground height. The planned toilet upgrade is to include a disabled toilet. The Building Code has special stipulations with regards to the number of people the building can accommodate and the number of toilet pans required for these people. If we have to increase the number of toilet pans in the Clubrooms, it would mean having to extend the toilet area which was not in the original design. It may mean we do not go ahead with the toilet upgrade as planned. We will have to wait to see how the Building Inspectors interpret the ruling. It was necessary for us to employ a designer to draw up the plans for the alterations. The designer was employed late last year and together he, Ray and I did a site visit, made measurements and discussed the requirements. Then of course Covid-19 came along and interrupted our lives. I presumed the designer would be able to work from home on drawing up the necessary plans and specifications during the lockdown. To hasten the job along, I had several phone calls to him and more site visits, (with social distancing and sanitising of course) over the various stages of lockdown. It has been a struggle to get the plans and application completed and sent to the District Council for a building permit, but we have been reliant on the designer for this. I can now report that the plans have been lodged with the Council. It is just a matter of waiting to see if they approve the plans and issue consent so alterations can begin, or whether adjustments will be required to comply with the Building Code. Ken Youngson 20
Tuesday Ramble 25th August
11.30am: meet at the Clubrooms 11.45am: depart for a mystery finger lunch 12.30pm: finger lunch, good range of food cost $15.00 per person 1.30pm: visit Tom Nicholson’s garage to view his car collection At present arranging further visits more information at the July Ramble
Numbers to Gerry: phone 027 233 4634
no later than 20th August for catering purposes 21
Gore Branch Events for the 2019-20 Season Event
Proposed Date
Organiser(s)
Annual Dinner & Trophy Night
Saturday 22nd August
Des Brewster
National Day Daffodil Rally for Cancer
CANCELLED
Opening Run
Sunday 13th September TBC
National Veteran Rally
Friday 16th to Sunday 18th October
Josephville Hillclimb
Sunday 29th November
Tuesday Ramble
Paul Herron Evan Henderson Stewart Quertier
Normally last Tuesday Co-ordinated by of the month. Gerry Kennedy Variable in December
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!)
Paddy’s Cat Paddy’s wife had a cat that Paddy hated. Paddy put it in his car and drove 10kms away and dropped it off. When he got back home the cat was already there. The next day he took it 20kms away and again when he got home the cat was already there. So the following day he drove for six hours and dropped it off. Several hours later he rang home and asked if the cat had arrived home. “Yes”, said his wife. To which Paddy said, “Well put the mongrel on the phone, I’m lost.” Sent in by Gerry Kennedy 22
Other Events 2020 15th – 16th August National Executive Committee meeting and AGM, hosted by Wanganui Branch 23rd August
National Day Daffodil Rally for Cancer CANCELLED
10th – 13th September
Hawke’s Bay Vintage Only Rally. CANCELLED
13th – 20th October Targa New Zealand Time Trials. North Island Contact Rod Corbett 027 433 8772 16th to 18th October
National Veteran Rally, Gore Branch. Contact Paul Herron: phone (03) 208 6121
2021 12th – 14th March
VCCNZ 27th National Motorcycle Rally Masterton. Contact the Secretary, Beth Taylor by email: vccrally2021@gmail.com or telephone: 021 732 832
2022 16th – 21st January Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring, New Plymouth. Up to date information can be found on the VCC website here: http://vcc.org.nz/events-calendar-2/
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Annual Dinner & Prize-giving Saturday 22nd August
Venue: Gore Branch Clubrooms 5.30 – 6.30pm: Happy Hour 6.30pm: Dinner served Cost $30 per head Enquiries to: Des Brewster phone (03) 208 1960 or 027 845 1752 24
Spotted! “Our Chairman” leading the way over the new Pyramid Bridge: https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/southland-topstories/121952231/northern-southlands-pyramid-bridge-officially-opens2-million-under-budget A potential, or current, Gore Branch member?: https://www.theensign.co.nz/community/e-type-jaguar-v12-manualstands-out-from-thecrowd/?fbclid=IwAR0I1nG_cucb1EEmAUYrxm00UI3vrvsCAi0R4IImi mBxRMcC7tcyP8-T-8s The Editor
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Online Bonuses Official Covid-19 information: https://covid19.govt.nz/ A Brief Ferguson history: chromeextension://ohfgljdgelakfkefopgklcohadegdpjf/http://fergusontractors.org /nfs/wp-content/uploads/history/A-Brief-Ferguson-History.pdf Opening of the Pyramid Bridge: https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/southland/bridge-opens-pyramid-schemefinally-pays Grumman Widgeon: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grumman_G-44_Widgeon 4ZA radio station: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4ZA 'Speed' Stanton celebrates centenary in style: https://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/customs-classics/121731946/speedstanton-celebrates-centenary-in-style Treasure trove of hidden historic planes, including rare WWII Mosquito: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/121990112/treasure-trove-of-hiddenhistoric-planes-including-rare-wwii-mosquito-to-see-thelight?cid=edm:stuff:dailyheadlines&bid=1286733276 Goodwood Speedweek 2020 https://www.goodwood.com/motorsport/goodwoodspeedweek/?utm_source=The%20Goodwood%20Estate%20Company% 20Ltd&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11680936_MSI%20-%20 Speedweek%20announcement%20-%2017.07.2020&utm_content=Expl ore%20event%20BUTTON&dm_i=1QLU,6YD2G,BMN6BI,RZF2C,1 Rumour, the Southland Branch newsletter: https://www.sporty.co.nz/southlandvintagecar/Rumour-1/2020-1# The Editor 26
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This is My Life (part 2) by Bill Sheddan Christmas holidays were a lot of fun, usually for at least a couple of weeks each year at Frankton where Dad rented a little cabin right on the water’s edge. We had a little boat which was actually designed as a lifeboat, clinker-built kauri, nicely varnished with a little cabin more suited to the open sea than the lake. A little Lawson 4-stroke outboard sat on the back. Dad was old school and didn't trust these new smoky 2-stroke outboards. Next door to us Jim Monk had his crib. He was the pilot of a flying boat, a Grumman Widgeon ZK-AQK twin-engine machine that he used to land out on the lake and pull up onto the beach in front of his crib about twice a week. In the morning he would load up, often with a passenger or two and take off again. Impressive! The Monks had a little dinghy that I could borrow from time to time. Once I got the hang of rowing I would take my fishing rod and a couple of lures with me and row out a bit for a fish. On a good afternoon it was no trouble to come back with half a dozen nice brown and sometimes rainbow trout. I had to be careful though of the gentle current pulling me towards the lake outlet. Once while fishing out on the lake in a quiet drizzle I was distracted by the fish that were rising all round me and I left the rowing back a bit later than I realised. I was half way across the lake before I became aware of where I was. That was a long row back. Frankton was a peaceful spot in those days. The only noise was the odd lawn mower, but that only lasted for the first few days of the holidays. We used to go across the lake opposite the cabin in the boat for a picnic and skinny dip. There was a little white pebble beach there and nothing else. Nobody lived there and there was only a padlocked gate which took you out to the peninsula. The only people that went round there were the people associated with the Earnslaw on the slip. Even the name Kelvin Heights was unheard of. Dad was going to buy a crib on the Frankton/Queenstown road. I am glad he didn't. What a rat race now. For some time Dad had been planning a picnic with the boat up the Pourakino River. He invited his sister and family to accompany us, so when a suitable Saturday came around we loaded up the boat, all five of 28
us and met up with my uncle, aunt and three cousins at Riverton. Uncle Bob said not to bring anything as he would supply afternoon tea etc. We unloaded and launched the boat and Uncle Bob’s huge trunk with all the eats etc. was loaded and we climbed aboard. Well this little Starcraft lifeboat thing was grossly overloaded, the freeboard being almost nil. Off came the trunk and we only took what was needed. The dinner set and cutlery set, the trunk even was left at the car, and with the bare necessities we sailed gently off with now about 2 inches freeboard. If we didn't rock the boat we were OK. If we did then we bailed out the water. Simple, no problem. The tide was slowing going out and we didn't have to travel very far up the river until the bush was right down to the river’s edge. Not like today with the bush mostly cleared for farming. It was very pleasant puttputting slowly up the river with the sunlight filtering down through the canopy and the bird life flying above until there was a grassy bank to tie up to and have the promised picnic and refreshments. Later in the afternoon we packed up and headed back downstream. We didn't get very far. On the way up we easily sailed over the fallen trees across the river. On the way back they were hitting the bottom of the boat until one particular log got the better of us. The boat climbed onto it and stopped. We couldn't rock the boat off this one as we might get the boat swamped. We didn't have life-jackets and oh, that rushing river! In reality it wasn’t much more than a stream and we could have almost walked to shore but the Captain and his mate (Uncle Bob) had another beer while they decided what to do. We waited there for an hour or so until the tide started to come in and we floated free, all the while singing “See Ya Later Alligator”. This scared the young ones so we had to stop that. The Pourakino Picnic story got repeated by the elders many times down the years, each time a bit more exaggerated and accompanied by howls of laughter (and another beer). I must have been 11 years-old when I got my first paper run. Up at 6am and up to the agents on Chelmsford Street by 6.30am. If it was wet we had to roll and paste the papers so we could throw them onto the porch or box them. If fine we folded them ready for flips, which we could send spinning for about 20 yards. My run was Melbourne to Dublin Streets including Newcastle and King. I drove those streets recently and there are hardly any houses from those days remaining. 29
A couple of years later I got a job on a milk run. Double the pay and double the work with a 5am start. I was pretty fit then and could stack a dozen crates of milk plus four cream across the top, one in each hand and launch myself off the back of the moving trailer without crashing into a glassy milky heap. The trick was, when launching off the back of the moving trailer and still in the air, run as fast as you could so that you hit the ground with your legs running. Something that has remained with me throughout life. “Be prepared”. This early exercise also prepared me for manual work in later life as I began to mature past my sickly and asthmatic junior years. Dad’s dissatisfaction with his employers and the yearning for farm life led to him and us moving to Oreti Plains and onto a Public Trust farm. This was in my last term of Standard Six, my last year at primary school. I attended Oreti Plains School for three months and didn't like it much at all. However I had a friend living next door that was in the same class and Ian and I used to bike the 5-odd miles to school on a fine day instead of taking the bus. He introduced me to tennis which I have enjoyed since and the tennis school ladder which until then I was unfamiliar with. Sadly Ian passed away from leukaemia later the next year. We had in that class also a polio survivor, another illness that is not common now. I used to stalk the hedges and trees with the slug gun and one evening came across some flappers in the creek. They were almost flying but I managed to dispatch five of them. Mum and flappers were no strangers and I can still recall the smell and delicious taste of five pot-roasted flappers slowly basted in butter and onion with herb flavoured stuffing. A meal fit for a king. The slug gun made quite a crack when fired without a slug in it. One day I was having some fun with the gun cocking it and firing it in my younger sister’s direction thus scaring her which I had a tendency to do to my sisters. Anyhow I did this half a dozen times enjoying hearing the crack and seeing her jump. I must have got distracted because the next time I fired it at her it sounded different and Anne doubled up in pain. Oh sh*t, I know what has happened. Luckily she had a couple of layers of clothing on and the Diana air rifle was not very powerful. The slug didn’t penetrate but left a nasty bruise. The downside to all this was I was her slave for weeks until the bruising went away - the threat to dob me in to our parents. 30
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We were only at this Oreti farm until the end of the year. One evening after school there was this dapper little man in our lounge trying to convince Dad to go back to town and sell tractors. Jack Johnstone talked him into it and in the Christmas school holidays we all shifted back to Invercargill and Dad took up his new position with JJ Ltd. I missed the last term in Standard Six at North School, something that I am still peeved about. I started at Southland Boys’ High in January 1960. Why SBH? I will never know. Perhaps my parents had high aspirations of me but I was a middle of the road student and had little enthusiasm for study. I was a bit of a devious bas<>rd then and got a bit p*ssed off when I didn't get my own way, much like any 12 or 13 year-old. I hated homework and hated being grounded on occasional weekends for some trivial reason. Retribution was sought and sometimes carried out, often with rebounding consequences. Beside the driveway to the garage at George Street there was a hedge. Dad would often be late for his 12 noon dinner, a crime in Mum’s eyes so he would race up the drive at ten past twelve, slam on the brakes, stop the car and rush inside for dinner. This time-lag coming home resulted in him being late leaving again for work. He would trot out to the car, start it up and tear back down the drive, in the meantime I had been doing “driving practice” and oh I must have left the car on full lock towards the hedge. I was off back to school by then but when I came home I could see the evidence of my misdeeds. A big hole in the hedge and scratches on the car. This often resulted in a hiding but it was worth it. Another little trick that I don't think he caught onto was after something really annoyed me I would take my pocket knife and give the blade on his safety razor a little nick. The result in the morning was his face with red toilet paper patches on it, much like that Auzzie comedian Norm Gunston had years ago on TV. Ah revenge is sweet. The first few days at High School were occupied with military training, marching around the grounds and standing to attention for intolerable lengths of time. This bored me sh—less so when the word got out that the school was going to try and resurrect the old school Trumpet and Bugle Band I thought “This is something different, why not give it a go?” As I was still a bit asthmatic I thought the bugle would be a bit of a chore and so I strapped on a snare drum. We practised twice a week in a little shed 32
beside the school for about six months, 6.30am starts till about 8.30am. What a racket. Poor Mr Sansom tried to get some tunes into us. He was working with a bunch of third and fourth formers whose main ambition was to get out of parading around the grounds with the rest of the school. However, when he thought we were up to it, he had us marching around the streets of North Invercargill screeching and squawking on the brass instruments plus half a dozen of us on drums bashing away like we knew what we were doing. This was at 6.30am in the morning twice a week. Well you know what the sleepy neighbours thought of that?! The complaints started to roll in so we were banished to the shed until we got a bit better. We must have improved because we started to get invitations to different parades like the Christmas street parade and we even led the Anzac Day parade at Winton in 1962. Mr Grant, the Rector, was a decorated WW2 returned soldier and he took great pride in the school’s precision marching. The best of the best were rewarded with a ten-day stint at Burnham Military Camp in the August school holidays. So too was anybody in the Band that wanted to go. Why not? A very enlightening and educational ten days it was too. A bit of marching and parade work that we from the Band were getting the knack of by now and also rifle-range work. We even learned to strip down, clean, reassemble and fire a Bren gun. Great stuff for a 14-year-old. This was on top of the experience of a steam train journey to Burnham and back. School holidays were always fun because I would be Dad’s driver when he was cold turkey selling Massey-Ferguson tractors all over Southland. Part of his selling technique was to have what he called a demonstration. At a potential buyer’s farm he would have a brand new sparkling M-F tractor and, from a neighbouring farm, borrow an opposition brand of tractor. The main opposition was Ford so he would invite the neighbouring farmers to his “demonstration.” This consisted of backing the two tractors up behind each other and linking them with a chain. The order was given and one tractor would attempt to pull the other backwards. Usually Dad’s M-F won but it was all in the timing. If Dad could discreetly get the pull on first then he had the jump on the opposition. Most observers would recognise this and both tractors were very similar but, because Dad went the extra mile, he often got a sale or two from each of these do’s. 33
The firm’s car was an Austin A60 at first but later came a new Riley 4/72 which I enjoyed driving. The only way to make it go was to wring its neck and many a time I would have the rev counter needle close to the orange in all gears heading up the Mossburn or Blackmount straights with Dad beside me egging me on. But first I had to learn to stop. On various surfaces including gravel and at any speed Dad would occasionally yell “STOP”. I then had to immediately and safely stop in the shortest distance possible and keeping the car in as straight a line as possible. Weekends were often taken up with excursions to Thompson’s Bush and the Waikiwi river/creek. With half a dozen mates we would team up and with our air rifles strapped on our backs head off for a day’s adventure. This was before the river was straightened and flood banks added. There were eels to gaff, possums to trap, things to shoot air rifles at and often bounty to cook up. About this time the Waihopai River was being straightened and flood banks were added. This caused thousands of eels to lose their home in the swamps and be forced down the new river course where we would spear or gaff them, often getting 2 to 3 hundred a day. Imagine doing that today, DOC would have a fit. Anyhow, in addition to the gaff that we used on the eels, we also had spears that were fashioned from an old broom handle and a wicked barbed steel spear tip purchased from Smith and Rainsford’s sports shop. We would splice the tip onto the tapered handle and sometimes have target practice on the lawn to hone our skills when at the river. Once I caught one of these spears on the inside of my knee thrown at full toss. Boy that hurt. If it had hit me lower or higher it would have caused some real damage but it just banged onto the bone of my knee and hung there hooked up in the barb. It would not come out and I couldn't walk with the spear hanging on my leg so in a half shock I suppose I called out the bloke that threw it and made him get out his pocket knife and cut the flap of skin from the barb. He did not like it one bit and neither did I, but once free I could get the hole dressed properly at home. At sixteen I was itching to leave school and was persuaded to take on a plumbing apprenticeship with Ryder and Humphries, Invercargill. I had a trial run in the August school holidays and started in the new year of 1962. I enjoyed the work and the variety of jobs and locations, often staying 34
away camping on the job at new farm workers’ quarters and houses on Government farms in Northern Southland. The correspondence school work I found interesting and enjoyable also. One of their employees was Les, a huge guy, tough as nuts on the outside but a heart of gold on the inside. Everybody smoked then, me included, and when Les felt like a smoke and decided he didn't want to smoke one of his own, he would grab me, tip me upside down and holding me by the ankles shake me until the smokes fell out of my overalls top pocket. After a few months of biking from North Invercargill to the plumbing workshop at South Invercargill I invested in a little motorbike, an Ariel 350cc, one of Ariel’s last models. It was blue in colour with swinging arm suspension and had enough aluminium to keep me polishing all weekend. Goddard’s Glow was the stuff to polish it up with but after encountering the first puddle or shower it would be dull again which necessitated doing the polishing all over again. When I went to collect this new bike from Norman Russell’s, the cycle dealer, I had never ridden a motorbike before. I didn't know how to start it, stop it, change gear or anything but by the time I got home, about an hour later, I had it sussed. I then had to get my bike licence which consisted of driving around the block in front of the Town Hall while Traffic Officer Apes (that was his name) looked on from the top step. I really liked that bike. I could have it putt-putting over on the stand at only a few rpm, so slow you could count the firing strokes. I decided it needed new rings (it didn't really) so I pulled it right down and fitted the new rings and bearings, honed the bore, ground the valves etc. In fact I did everything the manual and a book I got from the library told me. Us plumbing apprentices had to attended a Polytech course for, I think, two weeks each term. The rooms we used were on Tay Street next to where the old baths were and next to where the fledgling 4ZA radio station had their studio. For a bit of fun a couple of us who had bikes would do a lap or two outside our room while the rest were inside with a transistor radio on and tuned into 4ZA. It was a contest whose bike could be heard the loudest over the radio. That prank didn't happen after the second time. No motorbikes allowed on campus. 35
I was gutted when in November of my second year at work, just as I was ready to spread my wings a bit, I pranged the bike. I thought an ICC rubbish removal truck would stop for me. He was meant to, I had the right of way. I ploughed into the front of this truck and the crash bar on the bike, which was meant to protect me, folded round my left leg causing my hip to dislocate, plus all of the muscle and tendon damage associated with such an injury. Six weeks in traction at Kew Hospital plus another week to get me up and walking again albeit on crutches. Traction is when they drill right through your leg, in this case in two places, once above the knee and once below and insert a stainless steel pin so that it sticks out each side a couple of inches. Attached to this pin is a yoke, pulley and rope setup with weights attached to it. This hung over the end of the bed holding my hip straight and in place while everything healed up. I was on my back with this set-up for six weeks including Christmas. Talk about pi--ed off. The bike should have been written off as it was badly twisted. The impact had even cracked the sump. It was never the same and nor was I with riding it, so it was sold off after I got on my feet again. It would be about 15 years later when I hopped on a bike again, but only on a little trail bike with my son. My mates had a wide collection of bikes. I nearly bought a James belonging to my boss’ brother but thought it was a bit old and slow. However a cobber bought it and used it for years going back and forth to work. It was powered by a little 2-stroke Villiers motor and was pre foot change having the gear lever on the side of the tank. Among our group was a 350 Panther with a solid rear frame. The Panther owner upgraded to a 650 AJS but it had oil circulation problems and he was always rebuilding it after seizing it several times. Another was into Nortons and had several of the featherbed frame type, 650 twin I think they were. These are all collectable bikes now, in fact any motorbike from that era is collectable. If only we knew then what we know now. Bill Sheddan (To be continued‌..)
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A Little Bird A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold the little bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field. While he was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some sh*t on him. As the frozen bird lay there he began to realise how warm he was. The dung was thawing him out. He lay there all warm and happy and soon he began to sing for joy. A passing cat heard the bird singing and investigated. Following the sound the cat discovered the bird, dug him out and ate him. The morals of the story: (1) Not everyone who sh*t’s on you is your enemy. (2) Not everyone who gets you out of sh*t is your friend. (3) And, when you’re deep in sh*t it’s best to keep your mouth shut. Sent in by Murray Proctor 37
Gore VCC Supper Roster 2020/2021 August
IF YOU ARE UNAVAILABLE ON YOUR ROSTERED NIGHT, PLEASE ARRANGE YOUR OWN SUBSTITUTE.
Beb Kennedy
September Denis Knight Matt Cook October November To be advised December To be advised To be advised January To be advised February To be advised March To be advised April May
To be advised
June
To be advised
July
To be advised
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.
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
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COOKERY CORNER Microwaved Yams Combine: 1 tablespoon butter, 1 tablespoon brown sugar and 1 tablespoon vinegar Microwave on high for 2 minutes Sprinkle 1 teaspoon cornflour over yams followed by 2 tablespoons of water and then the above mixture Microwave until the yams are tender Rhonda Wilson
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ADVERTISEMENTS WANTED A member asks if anyone knows how to treat old and thick pre-war vinyl upholstery to make it more supple and prevent cracking? This stuff is reasonably thick imitation leather. Responses to the Editor please: telephone David North 021 172 3281 or email northd14@gmail.com FOR SALE FORD rug hand-made by Branch member. Luxurious thick pile, dark blue and white, must be seen to be appreciated – available for viewing at the Clubrooms. Approx. size: 105 x 50cm (41 x 20 inches) $400 with $200 to go to Gore VCC. Contact Gerry Kennedy 027 233 4634 FOR SALE Expressions of interest are invited for 4 Firestone tyres, size 6.00 x 20 inch in good order and suitable for split-rim wheels. Contact Garry Mulqueen 03 208 9232
FOR SALE and WANTED advertisements are free to Club members. Each advertisement will be published in 3 consecutive issues. Please contact the Editor
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FOR SALE on behalf of the Gore Branch 1930-32(?) side-valve Oakland V8 motor Has been in dry storage for the past 40 or so years. Surface rust. Turns over. Complete with manifolds, starter motor, fan blade, generator, water pump, flywheel & clutch. No carburettor, distributor or front crank pulley.
Enquiries and offers to: The Branch Chairman, Greg Elder, telephone (03) 202 5710 or email elderlea@xtra.co.nz 41
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.
Tailpiece
[Regarding last month’s “Once in a Millennium” – if you Google it, you will see that the same thing was doing the rounds in 2017 and 2018 as well. When you think about it, how do you work out your age? You take the current year and subtract your birth year from it, so it makes sense that adding your age to your birth year gives the current year. Ed.]
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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 43
GORE BRANCH VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NEW ZEALAND INC.
WAIMEA STREET, PO BOX 329 GORE
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