The
First mid month run this season
Distributor
September 2020
The North Otago Branch of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Inc.
Secretary’s Report The Committee has decided that 25, 35 & 50 Year Badges will be presented at the time of the Branch 60th Anniversary Celebrations in February. I will endeavor to contact all eligible members about these awards as I process the information to be sent to the National Office. If you think you are eligible and have not been contacted by the end of September please email or phone me We welcome new member Brian Sinclair Thompson who owns a 1977 Vespa Scooter. Best Regards Kathleen Perry. Archives Information I have brought all of the Archive Files to my place for safe keeping during the Library alterations. This includes the Branch Manual that is usually kept in the Library. If anyone has any questions regarding this Manual or anything to do with Archives please email or phone me. Regards Kathleen Perry. Club Night Quiz Wednesday 2nd September We are running another Quiz Night. There will be spot prizes for entertaining questions and best answers. The theme is land and sea We need you all to bring along a couple of questions and answers for the evening, preferably written. Try and keep it local (North Otago) and reasonably simple. Need assistance Contact Derek 021 390 518 Murray 027 432 6756
Club Captains Report Saturday 18th we completed our first event post lockdown. The ‘garage raid’ undertaken between Ashburton, Timaru, Waimate and ourselves attracted a healthy turnout in excess of one hundred and ten participants. At least four of these came from Dunedin. From the various feedback I solicited, everyone appeared to have had a good day. I need to thank all those who opened their properties, provided vehicles or helped in various ways. Without the crew working hard at the clubrooms to ensure everyone was fed and watered, providing a congenial and warm environment to socialise, the results of our day would not have been anywhere near as successful. To all those folk I say thank you. The club held our annual midwinter lunch on Sunday 26th July. Held at the Star and Garter with a good turnout of members, the lunch was enjoyed by all those present. Our next Club night (September) will be a Quiz night so start thinking of some cryptic questions to bring with you. It’s about fun so keep that in mind when you are thinking about questions. Check out the separate notice. The opening rally is scheduled for Saturday 19th of September, usual 1.30pm start time at the club rooms. Hope to see as many members as possible there. Swap meet scheduled for 14th November is now well into the planning stage with advertising on the VCC facebook page and other locations underway. Last year’s stall holders will soon be sent registration forms along with the advertising. Windsor rally (December 5th) still needs a lot of work and I will be asking members for help as this planning gets more advanced. I have a couple of people put their names forward as marshals if required. Remember this is the 60th year NOVCC branch have run a rally so we should make this one a little special. The committee spent some time discussing the planning of this event at our last meeting and some good ideas were presented so if you would like to be involved give me a ring or drop around for a chat. Next Year will start full on so planning for February will be starting shortly as we have the wee wheelie wander (Scooter) rally followed by All British, 60th Celebrations and finishing with NO A&P show so there will be plenty of opportunities for everyone to get involved. Derek
Hi VCC Branches, I'm very sorry to advise that this year's Targa VCC Time Trial is now unable to be held in October due to Covid-19 and the change of the NZ election date. Unfortunately Targa can't run an event which involves road closures on election day. Targa had also planned on using schools as service stops, which now may also be used as electoral polling stations. Please refer to the Targa email below which explains in more detail. I'd very appreciate it if you would please forward this email to your branch membership database to ensure that everyone is informed of these changes. Also, for those VCC members who may be interested in joining us for a future time trial event, please complete the Targa survey below which will be most helpful in guiding future decisions. Any other queries please call me. I'll email everyone a further update as soon as I know more. Regards, Rod Corbett, VCC Steward, Targa VCC Time Trial. rod.corbett88@gmail.com +64 27 433 8772
Wanted BSA parts B31 or B33 motorcycle parts for project Rob Hutton ph 4370774
‘Your Highland Fling Team’ Kaaren Smylie NICC – kaaren@smylie.co.nz 021 66 43 41 or 07 576 4180 and Alastair Jones BOP VCC – gandajones@kinect.co.nz 07 576 1124 At this stage still on ANZAC weekend 2021
Clubrooms Upgrade The August Club Night meeting decided that Option Three was the preferred option by a very clear majority. However, there was concern about the dampness issue in the library and the upgrade was conditional on this issue being fully investigated and any mitigation measures taken before the upgrade could begin. It was also agreed that a fully scoped project budget be done to give a clearer idea of costs and to be able to manage the project budget to a satisfactory outcome. There was good discussion on just how much of existing club funds could be allocated to this project. Consensus showed that $12,000, as indicated on the proposal, was likely to be too tight and $27,000 getting a bit high. The aim is to be somewhere in the middle. A team is now working on getting prices for the materials relating to the structural alterations which to date had not been costed. And also paint, as materials only. The quotes we got were for materials and labour. Several members are keen to do the painting work themselves as it seems we have several options available to us regarding scaffolding. A second flooring quote has been obtained and a request has been made to a local electrical company for a further heating quote. The drainage issue has been investigated and appears to be easily resolved with some digging and the re-laying of nova flow into gravel and then covered with more gravel. Currently it is sitting on dirt so is less effective. Stage One This involves realigning the men’s toilet by relocating the existing internal wall to make the toilet area wider and have the hand basin included, and the entrance into the men’s toilet changed to be through the existing door that currently leads to the roof space. The remaining floor space will become the Captain’s Room with entry through the existing men’s toilet door. Clear as mud Eh! It will make a difference though and allow for the second stage which is to enlarge the library by removing the existing internal wall between the library and the Club Captain’s Room to make the library bigger. Along with this will be a new wider entrance into the library using glass sliding doors. Then there will be painting, flooring, curtains and heating of the main area. We have a good nucleus of skills amongst the members, so with the drainage sorted and scoping work underway, it shouldn’t be too long before we see action.
Mick Rooney - Young’s Willard Battery Man Mick was my Father. Everyone called him Mick, even my Mother Mima. With a string of true Christian names – Francis Arthur Elwood, it’s no wonder. When my Timaru grandmother came to live with us at 46 Harrow Street, Linwood, Christchurch in 1950 – Canterbury’s centennial year – she used only the Elwood. As an eight year old I could only remember a few details about the Rooneys from North Street, (only a stone’s throw from Timaru Boys) but enough to point us in the right direction for our recent years of family research. Grandma had an immense knowledge of flowers and their care. I helped her plant out twelve pansies in a plot by our front gate. Some weeks later big happy faces shone out from each plant. One following early morning I walked out to our milk box to collect our two quarts. No faces greeted me. Some despicable person had stolen the lot! And Grandma had only just returned to Timaru to attend a celebratory horticultural event and suffered a fatal stroke while at the Labour Day Sunday service in St Mary’s Church – a double whammy. Dad left Timaru Boys in September 1922 during his fourth year, to start work with Young Brothers – a Timaru Automobile Electrical Service Garage. Brothers Percy and Jim Young had opened their business in 1918. Being a very successful enterprise they opened their first major branch in Christchurch about 1930/31. Their building was located in central town on Oxford Terrace between Gloucester and Armagh Streets across from the Avon River and Provincial Chambers. Obviously customers to Youngs could leave their vehicles for service and do their central town shopping- a bonus for country customers and a subsequent change of residence for Dad. Sometimes in the weekends, Dad would get our own car out and take my older brother and I down through town and let us into Youngs’ shop. That meant we could watch him check over the banks of Willard batteries on charge arrayed in long rows spread about the repair room benches. There was a very satisfying sound of gurgling and bubbling issuing from the charging operations. Dad made checks as he walked up and down switching wires and changing the position of batteries in line with the electric charger up on the far wall. A check of his overalls finely perforated with many holes gave us a clue to the dangers of being too nosey. His instructions to keep ourselves well clear away from the “witches brewing” was taken with absolute attention. However we usually ignored the fumy room and took to exploring the generator and starter repair shop and looking at the parked cars under electrical repair. Also viewing the storeroom through the glass counter windows, where there were rows of new electrical packaged parts. The shop’s delivery truck (a 1937 Chevy) was garaged just inside the twin sliding entrance doors – a vehicle I was well familiar with. Occasionally on a school day I
would walk home to find the shop truck outside number 46 and Dad home eating his own packaged lunch that Mima had made up that morning. Usually this meant a ride back to school after lunch. He would always take me round to the front entrance of Linwood Avenue School rather than the Linwood Park entrance that I used when walking. That felt much grander than the Park entrance! Dad worked for Young brothers till 1956 then transferred to Vesta Batteries Ltd in Tuam Street for a further 10 years before retirement. His retirement, sadly, only lasted a bare 4 months. It is a pity that medical science is as yet unable to provide a recharge for our human batteries. Neil Rooney
Photo of Mick Rooney on Waiau Ferry bridge about 1934. I don't know the make of car but would welcome identification of this model.
On 19 th August we met at the clubrooms for the first mid month run this season. After a short briefing from Verna, 19 left for Waimate and were joined by Les at Glenavy. We turned left into Gumtree Flat Road, which went on and on. A good road with some great corners for those on motorbikes, and proceeded into Waimate via the gorge. We stopped at the Old Criterion for coffee and cake. After lots of chat and a look at the interesting artifacts around the room, we then headed for home going past Knottingly Park on Waihao Back Road. Unfortunately 100% of the motorbike participants never made it home as Robert got a puncture and his bike had to come home on a trailer. A good turn out with some older cars also taking part. Thanks Verna for another nice afternoon catch up with friends. Bruce
(photos on front page)
3 Day Rally. Expressions of interest PLEASE. TH Fri 11 , Sat 12TH Sun 13TH December 2020 Day One, Timaru to Cromwell – starting with morning tea at the VCC Club Rooms Day Two, Cromwell to Dunedin – Day Three, Dunedin to Timaru – Finishing with afternoon tea at the VCC Club Rooms. Roads will be approx. 50/50 sealed and shingle. For those that prefer no, or very little shingle, then an alternative all sealed route is available Accommodation will be the entrants choice and responsibility. I am trying to find some place where we can all enjoy an evening meal in Dunedin, so you will be advised of this when I receive your expression of interest. The afternoon tea at the clubrooms is so that we know everyone has completed the rally, and I know that everyone is back safely. Enquiries to Alistair Day, 027 202 5007 or home number 03 688 6108 (or if we don’t answer, you can leave a message and I will get back to you.)
NOVCC Opening Rally Saturday 19th September Meet at club rooms Stoke St at 1pm for a 1.30pm start Everyone welcome Run will finish at venue where afternoon tea can be purchased so bring a little cash. For enquiries contact Derek 021 390 518
NORTH OTAGO SWAP MEET Coinciding with the Victorian Heritage Weekend
SATURDAY 14 NOVEMBER 2020 A & P Showgrounds Ettrick St OAMARU Public Entry from 8am - $5 per adult Children under 15 FREE Hot Food and Coffee available Enter your Vintage, Classic Car or Hot Rod in the Show & Shine Site Holders entry from 7am - $15 including 1 free entry All enquiries to The Secretary, northotago@vcc.org.nz or Derek Brehaut 021 390 518
Run Sat 18th July
Horse Power Rally 2020- August Update So it would appear that good old New Zealand has not seen the last of Covid 19, but guess what, New Zealand has not seen the last of Horse Power Rally! We are still going ahead! The organising committee is monitoring the situation closely and have decided to continue planning and organising the event. Of course should we get closer to the event, and the pandemic were to cause us to cancel, then we will be forced to do so, your entry fee would then be refunded in full. Entries have been coming in thick and fast, it’s looking like we are all in for another great Rally. Our special guest star, motor sport and World Rally Icon, Haydon Paddon will be making an appearance, along with some of the vehicles he races. The friday catch up and Saturday evening meal is proving popular so don’t miss out, get your entry in now before you miss out on getting tickets. As with the previous Horse Power Rally, this show is a fundraising event for our museum, money from the entry fee will not only go towards covering the ever increasing cost of running a large event such as this. Your fee will also help us raise funds to build a new shed to house a growing collection of classic trucks, show casing South Canterbury’s road transport heritage. We hope to fit 50 trucks in the new building, the new shed will free up space and allow us to display more of our farm heritage collection, some of which has been in storage for many years. Of course a building of this size comes at a cost, so we need to raise a little over $500,000 to get this project moving forward. The organising commitee do appreciate the fact that people are sending in their entries now and not leaving it to the last minute to do so, as it helps them in knowing with the site layout what is coming. So if you have not already done so- please send in your entry! Below are some drawings and artist impressions of the new museum buildings, which our profits from HPR will be going towards.
Central Otago Vintage Car Swap Meet And
Car Boot Sale Site holders free
Sunday 27 September th
Cromwell clubrooms Litany Street Food available
Gates open 8.00 am Enquiries to John 021 109 1309
For Sale/ Wanted ads Keep those ads coming. Remember these ads are read by members of other branches and car clubs.
Parts Department Normal Monday morning opening for parts has resumed Open Mondays 10 – 12noon Starts with a Cuppa. For Sale Wolseley 15/50 parts including two 1500cc BMC motors, gearboxes and diffs, suspension and steering parts. Some body panels for these in reasonable condition. Selection of Hillman Avenger-Hunter lights Ford Falcon EA exhaust manifolds Morris 1000, Chevy, Vauxhall parts as well as an assortment of oil filters Good selection of body panels, mud guards and bonnets for various models. Contact Jim or Ralph if you are looking for something in particular. Selling on behalf Ford Model A diff and front axle assembly Enquiries call Jim Boaden
(03) 4372525
Ralph Weir
(03) 4345103
SMALL BYTES COMPUTING For All Your Computing Needs New systems, repairs
3 Otepopo St Herbert Ph 4395197 0274358983
Printer & Fax servicing
Items for the Newsletter can be posted or dropped off to 6 Waiareka lane, off Saleyards road Or emailed to gsimpsonyyy@gmail.com
Newsletter submissions. Preferred formats are Open-office, Libre-office or MS Word as an attached document. Plain emails create extra work. Please, no “enter� key at the end of every line. Contact me for advice if not sure. Thanks, Graeme
NORTH OTAGO BRANCH OFFICE BEARERS
NORTH OTAGO BRANCH OFFICE BEARERS
2020-21
Patron Chairman
Peter Fulton
0279320624
Vice Chairman
Rebecca George
021 293 7714
Immediate Past Chairman
Gilbert Ellery
03 434-5289
Club Captain
Derek Brehaut (lee)
021 390518
Secretary
Kathleen Perry
03 4347226
Treasurer
Clive Blunden (Jen)
03 4395207
Committee
Murray Frew
027 432 6756
Lee Brehaut (Derek)
021 695 6644
Quentin Barrow (Ange)
027 434 5570
Gordon Hay (Joy)
03 4345754
Jim Boaden (Lynette)
03 4372525
Beaded Wheels Scribe
Clive Blunden (Jen)
03 4395207
Custodian
Clive Blunden (Jen)
03 4395207
Librarian
Robert Hutton (Mandy)
03 437 0774
Archivist
Kathleen Perry
03 4347226
Newsletter Editor
Graeme Simpson (Wendy) gsimpsonyyy@gmail.com
03 4348285 0272931059
Vehicle Verifiers
Peter Fulton
0279320624
Bruce Watt
03 4345306
Quentin Barrow
027 434 5570
Jim Boaden
03 4372525
Ralph Weir
03 4345103
Spare Parts
Club email address northotago@vcc.org.nz rd Committee Meetings 3 Wednesday of the month., Club Nights 1st Wednesday of the month (details in The Distributor)
Mid winter lunch
Garage raid