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THE WIPER The Newsletter of the Gore Branch of the Vintage Car Club of NZ (Inc.)

October 2020

Next meeting: 13th October

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: The Editor caught dodging the rain and picking a card at the Tutarau Reserve during the Opening Run. (Photo by Evan Henderson)

Chairman's Report October 2020 I hope by the time you read this report in The Wiper that the Government has allowed us back to Level 1 and a bit more normality! Was great to see 17 vehicles out on our Opening Run to Fortrose. Thanks to Matt Cook and family for organising the Run which unfortunately hit wet conditions. Daphne and I enjoyed the event in our Falcon GT. It’s the longest trip I have done in that car for 20 years and it went well. Great to drive something with plenty of power. We stopped at the lovely Maple Glen Nursery on the way home and enjoyed a walk around their amazing garden. It’s the first time I have been there. Yes Keith, there was a few plants bought that went in the GT’s boot!! Looking forward to our Branch running the National Veteran Rally this month. Hope plenty of members can come and help and enjoy seeing all the veteran cars from throughout New Zealand attending. Following the Rally Daphne and I are taking the Cadillac on the Prince Henry Tour to Te Anau over 4 days. Trust that our 103 year-old car will behave and complete the events. Rumour has it that we may be motoring as far as the Homer Tunnel so that will be special. Get your vehicles serviced and polished up ready for many Branch events over the summer. Happy Motoring Greg Elder

New Members A very warm welcome to two new Branch members this month: Jason Moore, of Invercargill, who owns a 1941 Ford V8 1 Ton Flat Deck, a very welcome addition to the Branch’s (rather limited) selection of commercial vehicles, (more competition for Bryan and Frances Neilson!) and Wendy Clearwater, of Gore, who owns a 1971 Rover 3500 saloon. Wendy will already be familiar to many members, as will the car, since Wendy is Barry and Betty’s daughter and the car was formerly Barry’s. We look forward to seeing both Jason and Wendy at our meetings and, with their vehicles, on Runs and Rallies. The Editor

Club Captain’s Report October 2020 Matt Cook had a good turnout for the Opening Run with 17 cars entered. The weather continued its current trend with rain or drizzle for the entire afternoon. Unfortunately, the Fortrose Café advised Matt late in the piece that they would not be open due to problems getting staff. The Run was won by Roy Buchanan and I thank Matt for his organising. Katy and I were unable to be there due to lambing commitments. The next event is the P60 Run on Sunday the 25th of October. This is being organised by Bill Sheddan and he is heading to Dunedin to undisclosed destinations. Bill needs numbers so if you are planning on going please ring him and let him know. The National Veteran Rally is being hosted by Gore Branch on the weekend of the 17th and 18th of October. Covid-19 has affected entry numbers but we are still hopeful of a reasonable turnout. Paul Herron and the team will be looking for volunteers to help at the October meeting. John Parish

Goodwood SpeedWeek “Goodwood has announced its first ever SpeedWeek event – an extravaganza of motorsport taking place on the 16th – 18th October at Goodwood. But what does Goodwood SpeedWeek involve? Here’s everything you need to know.” https://www.goodwood.com/grr/event-coverage/goodwoodspeedweek/2020/7/what-is-goodwoodspeedweek/?utm_source=The%20Goodwood%20Estate%20Company% 20Ltd&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11779401_EST%20-%20 Estate%20Newsletter%2012.09.2020&utm_content=SpeedWeek%20BU TTON&dm_i=1QLU,70H1L,BMN6BI,S9OP6,1 The Editor 5

From the Editor’s Keyboard This month’s issue is, once again, packed with variety, thanks to a number of willing contributors. There is an interesting mix of reports on past Branch events, notices of a very varied selection of future ones and the latest instalment of Bill Sheddan’s reminiscences of what has clearly been a very eventful life. The Opening Run report was written by far and away our youngest contributor up to now, Ryder J Cook, Matt and Karen’s son. Ryder also helped to organise the Run so I think it is fair to say that he is putting many of you more “mature” members to shame! Happy reading! David North

Are These Your Books? Glenise Corcoran found these books among Paulâ€™s things and wondered if they belonged to a member.

If they are yours please contact Glenise on (03) 208 6862. The Editor

Online Bonuses Official Covid-19 information: https://covid19.govt.nz/ Two Classics, One Car: A Collector Shows Off Her Lifelong Favorite: A 101 year-old lady and her 1930 Packard. (Sent in by Greg Elder) https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=168&v=qxCpK1W_Gj w&feature=emb_logo Ford Capri - 50 Years On: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn9TGClhwTA&ab_channel=Ford Europe Rumour, the Southland Branch newsletter: https://www.sporty.co.nz/southlandvintagecar/Rumour-1/2020-1# The Editor 7

The Late Night Knight Rally Report (An organiser’s view of the Festival Rally) Sorry it’s so late. [The delay was caused by an unfortunate combination of circumstances that included the original disappearing into an internet black hole on its way from Denis to me. The Editor]

February 22nd (pre Covid) saw a very cool and damp morning arrive. This was a bit of a let-down considering the previous month had been absolutely beaut weather including the day before when I was traveling around both the runs in shorts, T-shirt and 26 degrees with the roof down in the Mustang. But hey if it is going to rain not much you can do about it is there? Come 10.00am sharp the first of the 52 entrants were away, followed by another, then another, every minute and a half after that at their allotted times.

A good mix of ages and types among the entrants’ cars at the Clubrooms. (Photo by the Editor)

The entrants on the short run were held up by angry men and woman in Lycra (not a pleasant sight on a good day but even worse when you are on a timed distance run). For this we can only apologise, we had no idea whatsoever these arrogant self-entitled to**ers who made no effort to allow you guys through would be there. Even though tempers were frayed on both sides at least everyone was eventually able to make up for lost time on the nice long straights that followed. 10

By midday most had reached the end of the timed section at Josephville Hill. For those who had not previously had the pleasure of attending a Gore VCC hill climb event these entrants were able to see, and drive, the venue even if from the opposite direction. Then on to a few field trials in the rain followed by a shed raid or look around some treasures ....followed by lunch at the Dipton Hall. Some took this chance to fill in the rest of their mystery board sheets. It was entertaining listening to some of these conversations as everyone had varying ideas as to what they might be. Some even a bit rude. Come 2.00 pm most left for their leisurely trip back to the Clubrooms, the more adventurous took the reverse of the short run option off their route sheets. Others travelled back through Riversdale or Winton. Once back at the Clubrooms Gerry and the barmen were exchanging cash for raffle tickets and alcohol, not a bad deal really. Prize giving was followed by another fantastic meal enjoyed by all. A special thanks to Betty Clearwater and Glenise Corcoran as well as their helpers for their great effort as per usual. Thanks also to all that helped on the day especially Jim McFadzien for helping me sort out run distances prior to the weekend. Marie and I have enjoyed our time in this rĂ´le but are stepping down. I will however still be available to help out our next yearâ€™s Festival Rally Organiser but we will not be available in February as my son is getting married at that time. Many thanks. Denis Knight Festival Rally Organiser [Denis also updated his phone number, which I should have changed on the inside front cover last month, so apologies for that! The Editor]

Annual Dinner and Trophy Night With the original date for this event being cancelled due to Covid-19 a new date was arranged and word went out to members to keep August the 22nd free. Numbers were slow to come in for a start but slowly picked up and we had 44 for the night. As we were again under Level 2 restrictions we had to keep the social distancing and hand sanitising in mind so the tables were arranged to comply and sanitiser purchased for use by those attending. Murray Proctor opened the bar at 5-30pm and Happy Hour was under way and the buzz started within the room, the meal was scheduled for 6-30pm.

Table setting (photo by the Editor)

The caterers arrived and the meal commenced with a mountain of food set out on the buffet, including ham sliced and served by Jo, chicken drums, a great selection of roast veges, peas, carrots and several salads. The line grew shorter; the noise got less and at the end of a delicious first course Chairman Greg Elder and Club Captain John Parish started on presenting the trophies to the winners of various events. People were recognised for their contributions to the Branch in many various ways. At this point members were asked to check the picture on their place mats for the fisherman. Katy Parish owned up and thus was required to take the mike and told a fishy tale of a fish who took the bait twice! Following dessert of apple crumble, fruit salad and ice cream the remaining trophies were presented. With the â€œformalâ€? part of the night completed, the chatter started again and continued until around 9-30pm. I hope everyone enjoyed the evening and looks forward to attending and supporting the coming events throughout the year. Happy Motoring. Cheers, Des Brewster 12

The Editor’s Trophy 2019-20 It gave me great pleasure to present the Editor’s Trophy at the Annual Dinner and Prize-giving in August. Each year the trophy is presented to the most prolific contributor in an attempt to encourage members to contribute to The Wiper. A very big “thank you” to everybody who sent me material during the year (June 2019 to May 2020), without those contributions The Wiper would be a very different, and much thinner, read! Fortunately, I received a great number of contributions, both large and small, and all were gratefully received (even the ones that didn’t quite make it into The Wiper). A total of 37 eligible contributions were received from 26 different authors or combinations of authors and these went towards filling 524 pages, making The Wiper the interesting read that I keep hearing it is. Of those contributions, an honourable mention went to Pauline Price, who contributed 1,889 words. Second place was last year’s winner, our Chairman, Greg Elder, with 2,310 words. It was very close at the top but pipping Greg by a very small margin, with a total of 2,331 words (and reversing last year’s positions) was this year’s winner, Bill Sheddan. Well done everybody, and congratulations to the winner! The Editor

Did You Know? The Ford Pinto was introduced 50 years ago, in September 1970. It was the first “subcompact” car sold in the United States by Ford and the smallest American Ford vehicle sold since 1907. (It also became infamous as the fuel tank, which was positioned behind the rear axle, could be damaged during rear collisions, causing fires.) The Editor 14

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 Club rooms 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 15

National Executive Committee Meeting and AGM 2020 Last month I promised to include a synopsis of the significant items from the pre-circulated papers and reports for these meetings held in August this year. In fact, there was nothing of significance in the AGM reports that has not already appeared in Beaded Wheels. The only item of particular significance on the Agenda for the Executive Meeting was the question of online membership applications. This has been a â€œwork in progressâ€? for some time and is now coming to fruition. There will be an application form on the VCC website and, to enable this, a proposal has been formulated whereby the first year membership fee (made up of the National Subscription and the Branch Levy) would be a set figure. The National Office would then pay each branch the levy as per the current amount, the balance being retained for the national subscription. A Notice of Motion was to be put forward to change the Constitution to allow for both paper and online application forms. If the Notice of Motion was given formal status by the Executive Committee it will then be put to Club members by way of a postal ballot. If successfully voted in by Club members then a remit to change the Club by-laws will be voted on at the August 2021 Executive Meeting. The Editor

This message came via the National Office. The Editor Hello Vintage Car Club Administrator, my name is Mike Williams. I am a keen photographer and classic car enthusiast. I have been taking photos of classic cars for years. Recently I came across an old book I had given my now deceased father around 35 years ago as a birthday present. It was in pretty bad shape but I managed to recover many pages. The collection is of well known, rare, and in some cases obscure cars. I spent a great deal of time trying to photograph these images. Some of the results were poor due to fading etc. and because these are photos of old photos. However many came out well and the resulting 400 plus images can be viewed by opening the link I have sent you below. Some of the photos are my own which are of higher quality. If any of your members are interested in downloading any of the images I will send you another link which will enable them to download any of the images at no cost. These images are good enough to use as screen savers or to print as small photos or send on to other interested folk. Just let me know if this is of any interest to you. If anyone would like a high resolution quality digital image suitable for large reproduction as a large photo or canvas I can do this at a cost of $20 as it takes time and a fair bit of specific post editing. The result can be pretty impressive as shown in the image comparison of the Alfa Romeo edited image to the original image-these are the first two images on the site. Those image files can be up to 20+MB once all editing is complete. If the image has been purchased and the recipient is not happy with the result I am happy to refund the cost. I am in the process of naming each image but itâ€™s a laborious process so Iâ€™ve decided I will only name a print with make model and year if anyone wants to purchase one. Anyway regardless of this I hope you enjoy looking through and sharing these lovely old classics as much as I do. Cheers, Mike Williams Right click to open the link below to view photos on Box cloud sharing site. None of your memory space will be used and no costs are involved apart from having mobile data enabled on your PC or phone. If you are unsure google Box sharing site to see how data is shared and how I have made it available to youitâ€™s a great way to store and share files without using your own hard drive memory or using USB or SD cards. The images are best seen with full screen activated see bottom right icon on each image. https://app.box.com/s/ece04jmk86itsyqws7pr7cmuh0so8p8b 17

Tuesday Ramble August 2020 We all met up at the Clubrooms on a chilly morning. We then made our way down to the Gore Town & Country Club for a very enjoyable finger lunch. Whitebait patties, crumbed scallops, crumbed mussels, chicken drums plus chips etc. Cakes to follow and tea or coffee. Due to the Covid restrictions each of us was given a plate and our own tongs to get our lunch, most enjoyable. After lunch we headed to East Gore and a visit to Tom and Trish Nicholson’s to view Tom’s car collection. The ladies headed off to view Trish’s garden and then inside to the warm for tea etc. Us hardy old buggers enjoyed viewing Tom’s collection, including a 1955 Singer SM that Tom had restored over Lockdown. There was also a 1966 Valiant, 1966 Ford Galaxie, 1945 Ford Ute, 1935 Ford Pick-up 15cwt, 1952 Austin A40 Somerset, a Nissan and a MX5. Awaiting restoration are an Austin A35, plus an A30, 1919 Essex Tourer and a 1952 Land Rover. A very interesting collection, oh yes and a Honda motorcycle.

The Singer (photo by the Editor)

Tom invited us in to join the ladies for tea, coffee, sammies, fruit cake & muffins. What a way to finish a great day. Big thank you to Tom & Trish. Gerry Kennedy 18

Not To Be Missed! Donna and I recently went to the opening of He Waka Tuia the “new combined art and museum space celebrating Murihiku” on the corner of Kelvin and Dee Streets in Invercargill. It is a joint undertaking by the Invercargill Public Art Gallery and the Southland Museum and Art Gallery. We really enjoyed the mix of exhibits and taonga and highly recommend a visit next time you’re in Invercargill. https://www.hewakatuia.nz/ Also well worth a visit is the new “Click” exhibition about the history of photography at Te Hikoi, Riverton’s amazing museum. (See advert elsewhere in this issue.) http://www.tehikoi.co.nz/ [Declaration of interest – on Wednesday mornings you’re likely to see me volunteering front of house!] The Editor 19

P60 Run Sunday 25th October Amended Programme Yes, I know it’s Labour Weekend so with Monday a holiday there will be no excuse that you can’t come “because I have to go to work the next day”. You may wish to stay in Dunedin overnight after the Run however if you do so you do it on your own account without any liability on the VCC The Run is open to P60 vehicles (or modern if you have to). Cars must be road legal and capable of completing approx. 350 miles on the day Destination: Dunedin for another interesting day that will suit both the men and the ladies

The Day’s Timetable (Please stick to the stated times as closely as possible) 8.45 am: start at the clubrooms 9.00am: first car away 10.30 am: visit an interesting old site 11.30am: browse nick-nack and antique shops 1.00 pm: lunch at a prearranged licensed cafe 2.30 pm: visit another historic site and collection ($5.00 entry fee for this one) 4.00pm: free to head home or stay in Dunedin Numbers for this Run are required by Monday 19th October As one of the venues has limited access I may have to arrange two sittings. That's got you guessing!

Bill Sheddan (03) 208 1237 or 027 434 2935 20

Tuesday Ramble 27th October

10.30am: meet at the Clubrooms 10.45am: depart for Castelrock Around noon: meet at Sharon & Peter Clarkeâ€™s to view their English garden Please bring a picnic lunch, tea/coffee, water and a chair. Just hope it doesnâ€™t rain or we will be having lunch in our cars. (P.S. bring an umbrella just in case!) There is a charge of $8 each

Numbers to Gerry: phone 027 233 4634

no later than 22nd October (just to let them know how many are coming) Something different in November? Clydevale, chickens, worm farm etc. Watch this space! 21

Gore Branch Events for the 2020-21 Season Event

Proposed Date

Organiser(s)

National Veteran Rally

Friday 16th to Sunday 18th October

Paul Herron

Gore VCC Movie Night

Saturday 17th October

Paul & Lynne Herron

P60 Run

Sunday 25th October

Bill Sheddan

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

Saturday 14th March

Gerry Kennedy

Night Trial

Saturday 8th May

Tim Walsh

End of Season Run

Saturday 5th June

Rod Bell

Opening Run

Sunday 12 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!) 22

Other Events 2020 3rd October

Southland Branch Vintage/Post Vintage Rally.

3rd – 4th October

Horse Power Rally 2020, Levels Raceway, Timaru. All machinery and transport welcome, tractors, steam, cars, trucks, stationary engines, and anything interesting. www.sctetm.co.nz

9th – 11th October

Canterbury Branch Swapmeet CANCELLED

13th – 20th October

Targa New Zealand Time Trials, North Island

16th to 18th October

National Veteran Rally, Gore Branch Contact Paul Herron: phone (03) 208 6121

CANCELLED

The 2020 Founders Prince Henry Tour 19th – 21st October Phone Nevin Gough, 0211150312 or email: easttaieri@yahoo.com Central Otago Branch 50th Anniversary. 24th – 25th October Contact Murray George 027 433 3321 or email (Labour Weekend) murraygeorgeelec@xtra.co.nz 7 November

Southland Branch Commercial Rally. Enter online at: www.sporty.co.nz/southlandvintagecar

7th November

Otago Branch 48th Annual Taieri Tour. Contact: Trav Michelle 489 8115, 0274342300 travandmarg@gmail.com or Kevin Mason 4885198 or 027 2286431

14th November

North Otago Branch Swap Meet. Enquiries to the Branch Secretary: northotago@vcc.org.nz or Derek Brehaut 021 390 518

2022 16th – 21st January

Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring, New Plymouth. 23

Greg Elder’s 1917 Cadillac (L) and Paul Herron’s 1911 Ford Model T on display at Regional Ford, Gore, ahead of the National Veteran Rally. (Photo from Greg Elder)

INVITATION

The Country Gentleman’s Historic Racing and Sports Car Club cordially invite you to compete in the 15th Hawkswood Festival of Speed, Sealed Sprint, on Sunday 08 November 2020. Motor Sport New Zealand licences or VCC licences will be required by all entrants. We always have need of flag marshals and if you are not entering but would like to assist with this very important task, we would be pleased to hear from you. Further information may be obtained by contacting John Bain: Email: thebains@xtra.co.nz phone 027 274 5279 or write to P O Box 22-642 Christchurch 8140 (Also from Evan Henderson or the Editor 24

Opening Run 13th September 2020 Dad (Matt) was asked if he would like to organise this year's Opening Run. So between Mum (Karen), Dad and I, we decided to go from Gore to Fortrose. We thought that playing a card game (Euchre) along the way would be fun as well as answering questions. We did two trial runs to make sure we had all the instructions right. I wanted to get people to draw a picture of something and we found the Southland District Council sign was perfect. It was cool to see how people draw the same thing so differently. (Photo by Matt Cook)

The only thing that was bad was the weather but we couldn't help that. There were about 16-17 cars involved in the Run including two cars all the way from Balclutha. I got to hand out the instructions and the extra chocolates. Dad handed out another card and they were off. Along the way, we got them to stop at Tuturau Reserve to learn about the battles between two Maori tribes. In the questions, there were 2 tricky ones that stumped most people. The phonetic pronunciation of Menzies and what movie was Rodgers Garage in Wyndham a part of. Our friend Annabel's Mini was parked outside the garage - that was a big clue.đ&#x;˜‰ (Photo by the Editor)

Lots of people were interested in the history of the Pine Bush Titiroa War Memorial. We ended up at the Fortrose Boat Ramp Picnic Area. Everyone was happy to have their afternoon tea in their cars or in the wee tin shed out of the rain. 27

Pine Bush Titiroa War Memorials (photos by Matt Cook [L] and the Editor)

Karen & Matt Cook presenting the prizes and Roy Buchanan. (Photos by the Editor)

The winner with the most questions correct and who had the winning Euchre hand was Roy Buchanan. His car won a box of chocolate almonds. Yum. We gave two extra prizes to the Balclutha people for coming down and joining in. We really enjoyed organising this Run and it was a relief for Mum and Dad to see the cars reach their destination as it meant that the instructions were clear enough to follow. I can't wait to do it again. 28

Here go the questions and the answers: 1. What race meet is being advertised at the Gore Racing Club on their

signs? August 21 Gallops 2. What frequency does Caveman FM broadcast on? 106.4FM 3. What event is commemorated here (at the Tuturau reserve)? A battle between two Maori tribes 4. Sketch the Southland District Council sign you see on the way to Wyndham. 5. Phonetically spell the correct pronunciation of â€˜Menziesâ€™ Menghes (MING-iss) 6. You are now on a movie set, name that movie. Pork Pie 7. You have just driven past the Three Rivers Hotel, what three rivers is it referring too? Mataura, Mokoreta and Mimihau 8. Name the nursery that we drive past. Maple Glen 9. What is the name of the outlaw road and name two of his companions. Robin Hood Road and any combination of Little John, Maid Marian, Friar Tuck, Will Scarlet, Much the Miller's Son, Alan-a-Dale 10. Pull into the Information Centre, What/whose story does it tell? The Pine Bush and Titiroa story 11. What is the name of the card game we have been playing? Euchre Ryder J Cook

Brainteaser Can you name three consecutive days without using the words Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday? The Editor

Gore VCC Supper Roster 2020/2021 October November December January February March April May June

IF YOU ARE UNAVAILABLE ON YOUR ROSTERED NIGHT, PLEASE ARRANGE YOUR OWN SUBSTITUTE.

Matt Cook Murray Proctor Russell Newland Des Brewster To be advised To be advised To be advised To be advised 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 To be advised August New World and charged to the Gore VCC account. September To be advised My thanks to those who have come forward. If the month you are listed for doesnâ€™t suit let me know so I can rearrange them or you can work with another person on the roster to swap. Des Brewster July

To be advised

This is My Life (part 3) by Bill Sheddan I had been working for a couple of years when JJ’s wanted to open a branch in Gore. Jack talked Dad into giving it a go so he started travelling back and forth to Gore, getting the new branch up and running in the old Ensign building in Mersey Street. Later that year my parents sold up and moved to our new home in Kitchener Street. I boarded in Invercargill for a few months until Christmas holidays 1963/64 when I got a transfer of my apprenticeship to McManus Plumbing and Heating. They were situated then in Gorton Street where Laser Plumbing is now. Ernie was more involved in heating then and didn't think I was getting enough plumbing experience. I then had another transfer this time to Gore Plumbing and Sheetmetal so in five short years I had four very different employers. By this time I had my first car, an Austin A40 Devon that I purchased from Lyall Blondel for 110 quid. A smart machine in my eyes, two-tone green, huge side mounted aerial, mud flaps all round complete with stars and little baubles around the rear window. Cool! Work by this time was something to do to fill in the days between weekends. I usually spent every second weekend in Invercargill at a mate’s place working on our holiday adventure transport. Four of us invested in a run-down 1932 Ford V8 sedan. This went OK if you kept the oil and petrol up to it. It was a bit rough but with a sanding down and a respray in light blue with yellow trim it looked a million bucks. The sprayer was a thing concocted out of an Electrolux vacuum cleaner. Don't ask me how it worked but not that well going by the number of paint runs. It was then used to cruise the dances, YMCA, Lumsden, East Gore etc. Our big trip was Christmas holidays to Timaru, the West Coast, Alexandra and back home after two weeks on the road. Four of us, three plumbers and an auto machinist. I should write a book about this trip but can’t remember much of it. Selective memory but I do recall arriving at Greymouth one Saturday night, after dark. We had nowhere to stay so we called into the local cop shop for advice. They directed us to a particular 31

pub that would probably have a room or two but DON'T knock on the door three times. Remember it is still 6 o'clock closing and it was well past that time. Anyhow we found the pub and, having forgotten about the three knock rule, promptly knocked three times. There was quite a racket coming from the other side of the door until I did that. The publican eventually opened up and we told him that the local cops had recommended we call here. “Did they say anything about not knocking three times?” He eventually let us in but not without a dressing down. Some of the patrons that were there before returned but I learned a valuable lesson. Don’t knock three times ‘cause it will be the cops. Later the next year the V8 was sold and life continued much like the previous year but more intense if anything, the only drawback was those endless five days between weekends. About this time the tired old A40 was traded on a tidy little one-owner Hillman Husky from Wright Stevenson’s. This allowed a little more reliability to travel to Invercargill in the weekends for our next project.

Me and the Husky about 1967 32

We bought another V8, a 1939 Ford Mercury. Keith was employed at TR Taylors in the motor reconditioning department and knew of this original Merc. that had a reconditioned motor but for some reason was for sale. I suspect non-payment for the motor job was the likely cause. We all put in another 50 quid and it was ours. This was towards the end of 1966 and another little holiday excursion was planned. Instead of one tent it was two this time. A better cooker was bought but the most important item was a battery-powered record player. Vinyl from The Ventures, The Atlantics, Beach Boys etc. was played endlessly as long as the road was smooth. A couple of pennies stuck onto the arm of the player with gum helped but when the batteries got a bit flat this tended to slow down the revolutions. You know what it sounded like then! We left home 10am Christmas Day for Temuka, a couple of days later Christchurch then wound our way up to Nelson and were in the square for New Yearâ€™s Eve. That was some night that I expect has not, nor will ever be, repeated again. Towards midnight everybody took to the footpath and with everybody carrying a bottle to drink out of and carrying another. There were a few police walking with the crowds but not doing much else. When a bottle was empty what did they do? Smash it on the road. By midnight the road was a sea of glass and drunken loons were driving up and down it on their rims. It looked like the crowd and the cops were prepared for this activity because it was limited to just the one block before the memorial.

I had met Dawn by this time and after the Christmas excursion kicking up my heels with the boys didn't have the same appeal, you know what itâ€™s like. I still had a wandering urge though, so with a promise of a job in Wellington and my new plumbing licence in my pocket along with a testimonial from my old employer, early February 1967 I loaded up the little Hillman Husky and away. The plan was to head for Picton, cross on the ferry and start my new job with a large Wellington plumbing firm on the Monday. I got as far as Blenheim and couldn't get across the Strait because of the rail strike. The strike had been simmering for some time but I happened to time it when they stopped the ferry crossings. I waited around for a few days but it looked like this was going to be a long drawn out affair with the railways, so I got bored in Blenheim and rung around the local plumbers to try and get a job. No problem there either but this was to be my big OE and I only got as far as Blenheim. Easter came around and Dawn and I decided to meet half way, Christchurch. To cut a long story short, after Easter I went back to Blenheim, chucked in my job and the hopes of the OE and returned to Gore and we got engaged.

I then got a plumbing job at Service & Warhurst, Invercargill and boarded at my cobber’s parents place. Work was a bit of a chore and I had lots of other things on my mind. I really didn't cut the mustard with my new employers so they “let me go”. That's a nice way of saying “you are fired”. Boy that hurt and I vowed never to let that happen again. In fact it probably was a blessing because I always had it in the back of my mind that I will show them! I then shifted to Dunedin and got a job at A&T Burt’s as a plumber of course. The pay wasn't much bringing $54.00 in the hand a week but the experience was priceless. My first place of work was at Colombia College’s new dormitory wing fabricating soil stacks from 2 to 6 inch copper tubing. I learnt to fashion, weld and braze junctions, bends etc. which coupled all the sanitary appliances to the sewage system. The finished layout looked very graceful and arty until the carpenters covered it up with walls. From there I was transferred to the new Mata Hospital that was under construction. There I was involved in the heating installation, gas welding steel water pipes from half to 3 inch sizes. More skills attained. The crew I was working with were old hands from Burt’s and were always playing practical jokes on each other usually involving your lunch box and alterations to the contents, that's if you could find your lunch box in the first place. If you were first back at the smoko room you usually avoided the pranks, so the easiest way was to beat the rush and be first into the smoko hut. This involved climbing out onto the scaffold three stories up and rapidly climbing down the outside. After a bit of practice I could go up or down the outside of the scaffolding like a monkey bounding onto the rails with both hands and feet going at once. Imagine doing that today? H&S would have had me down the road before my feet hit the ground. I was boarding at this time with a Lebanese family in Maitland Street and shared a room with Terry Gavin who had been transferred to Dunedin by his employers, Hannah's Shoes. The people we boarded with and their extended family were avid horse followers and liked a punt. One Friday afternoon before I headed off back to Gore they said “Come on pick a horse”. They waved the paper at me and I picked something and stuck ten 35

bob on it which I couldn't pay but promised them next week. On Monday I was confronted by these three raging Lebanese brothers accusing me of having the inside oil and not sharing it with them. This nag I picked came in and paid over 50 to 1 and they paid out more than I got for a week’s pay less my ten bob investment and a little something to shut them up. I got back more than a week’s pay but the following week I was off crook with the flu and with no sick pay then I was thankful for my little win. February the next year we got married. Why wait around? Just get married and get on with life. No shacking up together in those days, well some did but I didn't like my chances with Dawn’s brothers and brothers-in-law. Could have ended up minus some vital parts. We flatted at Majestic Mansions on the top floor of this big brick building overlooking St Clair beach Dunedin. There were four flats, one on each corner of each of the three floors, twelve in total and we had one overlooking the beach. The building is still there but now it is luxury apartments, a far cry from when we were there. Bare boards, and a tiny gas wall heater. Hot water came from a little gas hot water heater that heated a couple of gallons at a time. The pokey bathroom was filled mostly by a six foot cast iron bath which was impossible to get even partially full with lukewarm water. We had a gas stove to cook on that was either going full blast or not at all. I somehow came to accept caramelled carrots and roast corn beef were the norm. Also the carpet in the bedroom would float a few inches off the floor on a windy day, which there were many. Unusual experience like you were riding a magic carpet and in fact we were. The Husky was getting a bit unreliable so I decided to trade up to a 1962 Volkswagen. Bad move. There was an oil leak somewhere around the motor and as the heater consisted of blowing the air that circulated round the motor through the cabin we had a rather smoky ride on a cold day. In fact while driving along with the demister on, about every few minutes there would be a little misty blue cloud drift past the windscreen. What a greasy mess that screen became. One incident we had was when coming south for the weekend I thought this little lever at the floor of the VW in front of me might divert the heated air somewhere else so I pushed it over. For some inexplicable reason the V-dub spluttered to a halt just by the Milton-Raes Junction turn off. It wouldn't go, just splutter then stop. 36

I hitched a ride back to Milton and talked a bloke in the garage into coming back and having a look. After explaining the problem then recalling the little lever he reached in, twisted the little lever and started the beast up. This was the lever to the reserve petrol supply and it was sucking on the mostly empty tank, hence no go. I thought then I would get rid of the VW and try a slightly bigger and thus more reliable car, so I traded the VW for a Morris Isis. Bad move. It went well but used to oil up one plug. I should have reconditioned the motor or even just replaced the rings in one piston but with money short it went down the road also, but not before a few runs to Gore and back. It was a nice car to drive with its unusual right-hand gear lever by the door. On one of our trips south in the Isis I was cruising along the new Henley straight when this little green thing came up behind. I couldn't shake it off and it eventually passed me. When it pulled into the service station at Milton I stopped to see what this little pocket rocket was. A Mitsubishi Colt, the very early one with the seams along each side of the roof and one of the first Jap cars I had seen. Only 1.2 litres, less than half the capacity of the 3 litre Isis. I was impressed. A few months later we realised the honeymoon was over when we found out there was going to be three of us, not the two that we were used to. It was inevitable in hindsight. We then shifted to a little flat behind the Four Square in Beach Street round the corner from the Majestic Mansions. At that stage I still had the little Hillman Husky and after dropping Dawn off at work at Cadburyâ€™s, would carry on up the up the hill to work. Close to payday this became a bit of a problem with no juice in the tank and no juice in the bank. This caused me often to run out of petrol going up the hill but with the little petrol I had running to the back of the tank and the outlet to the fuel pump at the front the problem was solved by reversing up the hill usually on a Thursday morning before payday. We ended up both working, me plumbing at the new Waikari Hospital wing and Dawn at Wordellâ€™s shop canteen. My heart wasn't in the work and I felt Dunedin had let me down so when I heard that Naylor Love Plumbing Department were looking for plumbers for their Tiwai contract I went and had a yarn with the boss. The outcome of that visit was I was 37

given an order book, a little sliding-door Bedford van and a set of plans and told to go and do it. “It” being the plumbing and drainage on the new thousand-man workers’ camp adjacent to the yet to be built Tiwai Smelter. We upped traps, shifted to Invercargill and boarded for a while before buying our first home. This was a nice six-year-old three-bedroomed home on Dunbeath Crescent just south of Kew Hospital for the outlandish price of $8,500.00. We had enough for a deposit if the owners left $1,000 in on a second mortgage. Our loan had from memory 25% interest and the second mortgage 27% interest rate. The difference in the pay packets was the big difference here as the Tiwai site agreement that was drawn up was set to attract workers. I vividly remember paying out of my first Naylor Love pay, taxes that were double what I got in my hand at Dunedin. I paid $110 tax out of my $250.00 pay packet, not bad for 1969. After a few weeks I had interviewed heaps of plumbers from Invercargill firms including Service & Warhurst, ending up with a workforce of 14 tradesmen at the peak of the contract. I was tasked with setting out the work, keeping the materials up to them and sorting out pays etc. The job was fairly routine being the repeat building of large prefab rectangular buildings consisting of single men's rooms at each end of each wing with an ablution block in the middle and kitchen facilities at each end. Each block housed about 24 rooms in total, the rooms at each end with the dunnies and shower block in the middle. This is all from memory and I think there was to be about forty of these blocks built but only about half were completed. The first building built was the large kitchen block in the middle of the accommodation blocks where they planned to feed about 1,000 men dinner each evening. The camp job soon fizzled out mainly due to the size of the camp being scaled back. It was not anticipated that the majority of the workforce would come from Invercargill instead of out of town. These workers were bussed to the site and back in a fleet of old dungers scrounged from all round the country. The firm, because we were on site and I suppose the price was right, soon won the contract for plumbing and drainage on the Tiwai Smelter entry 38

complex which consisted of the main office block, a large ablution block and various toilet blocks scattered around the site. There was a gap of a few months between contracts so I was farmed out to work in the plumbersâ€™ shop at Alliance Freezing Co. More skills learnt. How to fill in a day doing very little, in fact nothing some days. There was one plumber just about full-time making Thermettes, you know, the little water boilers that you light on the side of the road for a cuppa. This was before there were coffee shops and takeaway joints everywhere. I spent some time in the slaughter board dugout, a little room with an engineer and a plumber on standby in case anything went wrong. It rarely happened and then usually by a slaughterman blocking his little knife steriliser with kidneys that he was going to have for smoko. Most of the time in the dugout I worked on a little go-cart with fancy steering and brakes for our son Blair. He had endless fun with that little go-cart with the neighbourhood kids pushing each other around. Bill Sheddan

(To be continuedâ€Ś..)

COOKERY CORNER My Granny's Sultana Cake Double line an 8 inch cake tin Put 1 lb of sultanas into a pot, cover sultanas with water and boil until almost all the liquid has gone Add 12 oz sugar (can use coconut sugar) ½ 1b butter 1 big teaspoon of vanilla essence 3 eggs 1 large or heaped teaspoon of baking powder Mix well, should fluff up Add 14 oz plain flour Mix until just mixed (all in the pot) and then put into the cake tin Cook at 180ºC for 50 minutes (test) and leave in turned off oven a further 20 minutes for a moist cake NOTE: I always do 2 cakes as it uses up ½ dozen eggs, 1 lb of butter etc and the same amount of power  Enjoy! Marie Knight

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. 40

ADVERTISEMENTS 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 1/3

WANTED As if “The Ensign” in Gore hasn’t talked to enough Gore VCC members lately, the Branch recently received this request! The Editor Hi there, I am looking for people to chat about their vintage cars for my motoring stories which run in every second paper. The Gore Vintage Car Club seems like a good place to find car enthusiasts. Don't need to be 'vintage' per se. Up to the 80s would be welcome. Please contact me directly: landline is 208 8948, cell 027 573 7076. Thanks, Fiona Ellis WANTED Set of hood bows (top irons) for a 1928 Ford Model A Phaeton. Please call Allan Young 0276 199 091 2/3

FOR SALE and WANTED advertisements are free to Club members. Each advertisement will be published in 3 consecutive issues. Please contact the Editor

Tailpiece

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