THE MOTORING SPIRIT The Wellington Branch Newsletter October 2019
Branch members cars at the Upper Hutt Spring Festival, held on 21st September. Looks like a very wet day, but a good turn-out by the Branch.
Photos: Stuart Hunter
61 years of Vintage motoring 1958—2019
The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc.) Wellington Branch Clubrooms
Halford
Place
Postal Address
PO Box 38-418,
(East end of Jackson Street) Petone
Clubrooms Phone 568-7463
Email: wellington@vcc.org.nz
Web page address
http://www.sporty.co.nz/wellingtonvcc
Branch Committee Chairman
Bill Pinkham
pinkham@outlook.co.nz
938-3407
Secretary
Alastair McCarthy
mccarthys@xtra.co.nz
589-8248
Treasurer
Peter McKeown
peter@smartpower.co.nz
233-5113
Club Captain/Trophies
Neale Ryder
joannemillar@xtra.co.nz
0274-493-014
General Members
Don Hawkes
mdhawkes@xtra.co.nz
232-8514
Brendon Priestley
567-6829
Property Manager
Rob Horne
rjhhorne@hotmail.com
0272459800
Club night coordinator
Brian Christensen
bestelectronics@outlook.com
565-0664
Newsletter Editor
Selwyn Warren
lifeonthecut@gmail.com
021-1928 222
Social Convenor
Jenny Jackson
jackapp@xtra.co.nz
234-8702
Parts Mgr/memorabilia
Alick Jenner
565-0174
Appointed Officers Librarian
David Crooks
dcrooks@xtra.co.nz
476-4588
Scribe to Beaded Wheels
Claire Benge
claire.benge@xtra.co.nz
589-8383
Fire Engine Custodian
John Jackson
jackapp@xtra.co.nz
234-8702
Motorcycle Representative Peter Simpson
psimpsonnz@gmail.com
566-2675
Vehicle ID
Roger White
white.house.stokesvalley@xtra.co.nz
563-6236
W/Shop Cust./Vehicle ID
Don Hawkes
mdhawkes@xtra.co.nz
232-8514
Rally Secretary
Diane White
white.house.stokesvalley@xtra.co.nz
563-6236
Archivist
Michael Curry
alvishumber@gmail.com
526-9522
Web Master
Trevor Barnes
trevor.barnesnz@gmail.com
977-4332
NO CALLS AFTER 9:00PM PLEASE
Sunday Run: First Sunday Of The Month.
Contact Ian McCulloch. 04 237 6555
Kapiti Mid Week Run: Last Wed. Of The Month. Contact Ann O’rorke. 2
0274731136
CHAIRMAN’S RAMBLINGS
Bill Pinkham
Oh! October is here and daylight saving has arrived. It better be warming up soon, I’ve run out of firewood. As I reported last month, I attended the AGM in Greymouth and this month I will continue with some more info on that. Leading up to the meeting I get a tree’s worth of paper; those trees are only any good for paper, so if we don’t make paper from them, they will be wasted. Well, all this paper contained a lot of interesting stuff like, the next AGM is on the 14,15,16 August 2020 in Wanganui or maybe that was Whanganui. The VCC has 8644 members and that has floated around 8500 for the last 8 years These members own 20518 vehicles. Of those 8644 members, the club has birth dates for 58% of them, and those numbers are broken down into: 1% Under 21: 2% 22 to 35: 6% 36 to 50: 25% 51 to 65: 39% 66 to 75: 27% Over 76: Yes you read that right, 66% of us are over 65. And no one is dying to get out of the club, the most common reason for resigning is that they have sold their car and from that info it is not surprising that the club has awarded long serving membership badges to the tune of: 2 x 70 year 39 x 60 year 355 x 50 year 28 x 35 year 72 x 25 year Diane Quarry proposed that the club look at a possible update to the VCC logo and the executive approved the proposal to investigate it. The Goddard Trophy this year was awarded to Murray Thom from Bay of Plenty. That should do me for this month
Bill
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FROM THE CAPTAIN’S TABLE
Neale Ryder
It’s springtime again, although you might have thought otherwise at the Upper Hutt Spring Festival. When I left home that morning I really thought that I would be the only one there, but I was wrong and ultimately we had 10 cars and1 bike on display. Eventually the heavy rain stopped and more people started to make their way through the large number of stalls. We had a good amount of interest in our little display, particularly Chris's Morris Cowley, which was a great hit with the kids. There were a couple of membership enquiries as well. Coming up is the Heritage rally this month, and shortly after is the Annual Rally and dinner. A recent development to the Annual Rally is that we can visit the Wrights Hill Fortress and take in a guided tour of the place after lunch. The cost for this is $10.00 each, payable on the day at the Fortress. We will have our picnic lunch in the grounds outside before the tour takes place. If the weather doesn't cooperate on the day we will be able to get inside early. The following day we have been invited to once again display our cars on Queens Wharf. This is another fantastic opportunity to showcase our club to the people of Wellington and promote the many benefits of membership of the Vintage Car Club. Neale.
Photos courtesy of Wrightshillfortress.org.nz Ed.
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Michael Curry
FROM THE ARCHIVES
Don’t forget, if you have any archival material about the club, that may be of value, and worth saving, let me know, and I can assess it for possible inclusion in the club archives. Michael
FROM THE EDITOR’S LAPTOP
Selwyn Warren
Well, here we are again, nearer to daylight saving and Christmas, both coming at us with a rush. Just think, as from the time of writing this column, only 113 days till the longest day!! On the world scene, New Zealanders have been doing good in a sporting capacity. Sophie Pascoe winning 4 gold medals at the recent World Para Swimming Champs. Two golds from Cameron Leslie at the same Champs. Lots of rowing and kayaking etc. medals in Austria, by both the men and the women. Courtney Duncan wins the 2019 Women's Motocross World Championship. Tom Walsh retained his shot put title, winning back to back events in Brussels. The All Blacks won a bruising first game against South Africa, to start their Rugby World Cup campaign, last Saturday. What’s next—Ah yes, the Annual November Rally on the 2nd November. Will you win?
Better get your entries in. Ed.
Milkman Joke Sorry not to have paid your bill before, but my wife had a baby and I’ve been carrying it around in my pocket for weeks.
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MOTORCYCLE REPORT 26TH AUGUST: Trevor Barnes As the scribes were away on the Taranaki Rubber Duckie run, there is no report of the August motorcycle meeting, but Trevor Barnes has provided a report on the aforementioned run. Ed. Seven riders Wellington riders signed up for the Taranaki Rubber Duckie Rally and the tour afterwards. Unfortunately John Viner and Ashley Blair had to pull out at the last minute, leaving Warrick Laing, Peter Simpson, Paul Switzer and myself riding bikes, with Hal O’Rorke trailering his Golden Flash to provide a backup car. Friday 20th was an uneventful ride to New Plymouth in fine weather. Rally day was also fine (very NOT Rubber Duckie) for over 40 entrants to ride around the mountain to visit the Tawhiti Museum. What an interesting place! Then a free ride back to New Plymouth. How I envy Taranaki for its great motoring roads. No Wellingtonians on the prize list but an entertaining and enjoyable dinner. On Sunday we travelled Taranaki back roads and SH3 to Whanganui and Hunterville. One wrong turn en route but Peter’s map helped us sort that out. Monday’s destination was Waipukurau, via Vinegar Hill and Saddle Road, with Warrick departing at Ashhurst. From Woodville we used back roads as far as possible, emerging in Dannevirke for lunch. Then Tuesday, with rather dire weather forecast, but actually much of the ride via Porangahau and Route 52 to Carterton was in reasonable weather, with some rain between Pongaroa and Masterton. The road surface is pretty rugged in some places between Porangahau and Alfredton though, with some of the subsidence from the Ekatahuna earthquake still not fixed but hammered by logging trucks etc. From Carterton it was farewells and back over the Remutaka Hill. Altogether, we travelled some 850 km, according to my Honda odometer. Trevor Barnes.
THE NEXT SUNDAY RUN:
6th OCTOBER.
The next Sunday Run will be to the Station Museum at Paekakariki. All those intending on going, are asked to meet at the Café on the South side of the village, across the railway line from SH 1, for morning tea and a chat, then over to the museum. Ian McCulloch.
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September Kapiti Mid Week Run
John Kinvig
Thirty-four us met at Relish café in Waikanae for morning tea and a”buttie”, before going across the road to the Church Hall, where we were entertained with an amusing description by Rick Goodman, of how Goodman Contracting began. From the early days on the farm, with a bit of contracting on the side, to clearing land for State houses with an old Fordson tractor, Rick told several amusing stories of things that had gone wrong after it had been pointed out to the people concerned that the worst could happen, being ignored, and then when it did happen in one case, being apologised to! There are perks in every job though, and Rick told us about the Railways de-railing a wagon with a load of cheeses about 30 years ago which he reckoned they were still eating! After the talk, we went back across the road to the Goodman Yard to look in the machine work shop where, because they are dealing with big machines which have big components, they have to have big machine tools to cope with the work. For example, the radial drill is capable of drilling an 80 mm hole in steel. They have four lathes, the biggest having an 800mm swing and a 3mtr length bed. Everything in the workshop was kept in beautifully clean condition. We then moved on into the larger part of the workshop where they were reconditioning two huge scrapers that they had brought in from one a mine in Australia. A tyre for one of these things costs about $15,000 and a new machine from America would cost about $1,800,000, so it’s much cheaper to buy second hand and fully recondition. These machines look so small when you see them working in the distance, but when you stand next to them, they are enormous. We then went on to see Rick’s “museum” which had a number of interesting vehicles in it, such as a small crawler tractor which is powered by a diesel engine and has a small petrol engine fitted, to start it. Resting peacefully down at the back of the yard was a line-up of redundant earth-moving machinery which, as we were told, is virtually valueless because modern standards demand that earth-moving machinery is environmentally friendly and is fitted with G.P.S. After this fascinating visit we adjourned to the Hungarian café at Lindale where we enjoyed a very pleasant set lunch. Thanks to our organisers and Rick Goodman for such an interesting outing. John Kinvig. There are some photos of the visit on page 9.
Ed.
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SEPTEMBER CLUB NIGHT Russell Jenkins From the Kapiti Coast Electric Tramway. In 1964, the Electric Tramway at McKays Crossing, was incorporated to preserve Tramcars, as Wellington City Council had discontinued their use and the last tram ran on 2nd May of that year. Judging by the huge turnout to farewell that tram, it was apparent to the Council that they had made the wrong decision—sound familiar?? Tram 207 which was the last double saloon type, was destined to be sold for scrap, but Ian Little and Len Southward scuppered that idea, and the tram museum got it. The museum also got the old track from the Wellington streets which of course helped in a big way, as it would have been near impossible to manufacture new rails, because of costs. The two tram barns, one at Newtown and the other at Kilbirnie, built the Wellington tram bodies onto imported bogies, or trucks as they are now referred to. This was so from 1904, when the first trams were built. Tram number 17, which was one of the original 1904 trams, is now being restored at the museum workshops. Up until 1913, trams had no central aisle and the seating ran across the cars in rows. At that time, a conductor by the name of Davis, fell from the outside steps, whilst collecting fares, and was killed. After this incident, a law was passed that required all trams to have a central aisle, so that conductors could pass through the tramcar safely. One of Russell’s anecdotes was to tell of a tramcar that was meant to be in the Te Marua area, but never seen. One day, a group decided to investigate a property and was told that yes, a tram is here, come and have a look. It was actually inside the house, as extensions had been built around it. The house was going to be demolished and the owner said if the tram people could remove and leave the ground clear, they could have it. This they did and it is currently at the museum. A side note here is that it costs up to $750.000 to restore a tram. Thanks Russell for an interesting evenings talk. Ed.
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Wednesday Run Photos
Above. Rick Goodman Right above: Workshop
Right below: One of the machines.
Left: The Lathes.
Below: Museum pieces.
All photos supplied by John Kinvig.
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September Sunday Run: Richard Davies On the 1st of September, 8 members cars turned up to go on the run to Shona McFarlane Rest home. Most met at the Janus Bakery for morning tea, prior to setting off for the home. The residents seemed to enjoy the visit and Roger White gave some of them rides. Cars that attended, were 29 De Soto, 1919 Hupmobile, 74 BMW, 62 Morris Minor, 2 x Armstrong Siddeleys, 46 Lanchester, and 57 Simca. Dave Nesbit provided the photos below.
1.
The two Armstrongs.
2.
Simca, Hup & DeSoto.
3.
Morris Minor & Lanchester.
At Shona McFarlane Rest Home.
PLEASE NOTE During August and September, Alastair McCarthy will be away and Jenny Jackson will be acting as Secretary. Jenny’s contacts are on the inside cover, under Social Convenor. Ed. 10
In the latest beaded Wheels, No. 359, you may have seen the excellent article by Alastair Jones, on Murray Toms’ 1940 La Salle Series 50. By chance the very day I read the Beaded Wheels article, I was looking through an old copy of an American auto magazine, - Car Life - in fact, dated September 1969 and there on the Buy and sell page, was the advertisement you can see below. I know it is a different model, a series 42, and only 29 years old at that stage, but it would have been a good buy at that price, even though it’s USD. I wonder where it is now? Ed.
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COMING EVENTS GISBORNE SESTERCENTENNIAL RALLY: 25th to 28th October 2019. This rally is to mark the 250th year since Captain Cook first sighted New Zealand. It will also incorporate the Hawkes Bay Safari. For more details, contact. hawkesbay@vcc.org.nz who will be managing the Rally. Please contact Jenny Jackson, acting secretary, for details regarding other events detailed here. PETONE CHRISTMAS PARADE: November 22nd, 2019. JOHNSONVILLE CHRISTMAS PARADE: December 7th, 2019 The North Island Easter Rally 2020, will be hosted by Horowhenua Branch. The Rally will be held over the weekend of 10 –13 April 2020. See advertisement on page 22 of this magazine. See Jenny Jackson for details.
COMING EVENT FOR OCTOBER: Sunday 13th October Heritage Rally: Meet at the Clubrooms at 1.00pm for a 1.15 start. This will be a run around the Hutt Valley with places of interest. Ending up back at the Clubrooms for a cuppa about 4.00-4.30pm Those who would like to stay on and get some takeaways are very welcome. Bring your own wine if needed.
See you there. ========================================= At the airport check-in desk, a women passenger told the clerk: ‘I want you to send one of my bags to Melbourne, one to Sydney and the other one to Chicago’. ‘Sorry, we can’t do that,’ said the clerk. The woman snapped: ‘Well, you did last week!’
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VCC WELLINGTON BRANCH NOVEMBER RALLY DINNER SATURDAY 2 NOVEMBER, 6.30PM for 7.30PM TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW $35 per head – No children's rates If you are entering the November Rally you can book and pay for your tickets via your entry. If you are only attending the dinner – please contact Diane to book your tickets Diane White – tel. - 045636236 or email: white.house.stokesvalley@xtra.co.nz
Sunday Display On Queens Wharf In Wellington: Display Cards for your car. If you still have one\from 2 years ago and are coming, please bring it. If you don’t have one please Contact Diane White to get one made. white.house.stokesvalley@xtra.co.nz Phone 5636236
DAFFODIL DAY: For those who were not at Club night a great big thank you for your support with cars and help on the day. We raised $5885.90 for Wellington Branch of the Cancer Society and Nationwide, $75,000. This event will be on again next year, so keep the date free. It’s the 23rd August 2020 There is a full list of the takings, on the Notice board. Roger & Diane
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HEADS UP!! Tasi will have Tickets for the Christmas BBQ available for sale from the October Club night $15 per head – late bird $20!! DRESS?? You and a Group of friends, You and a Friend or You and your spouse dress alike. (An idea only below!!!) Great prize for best dressed!!!
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Annual Lake Ferry Excursion Dear Classic Car Club member/car enthusiast 2019 marks the 39th anniversary of the annual Lake Ferry Excursion, organised by the Sunbeam Car Club of NZ (Wellington). To make sure everyone has this date down early to save conflicts with other events, the Lake Ferry Excursion is always the 2nd Saturday in December. This year that makes it the 14th of December. As always, we meet at the Fell Museum at 11am for an 11.30 departure from Featherston to Lake Ferry, where we meet to talk over lunch – or wander across to the Lake Ferry Hotel for a pub meal. Please note that we meet at the big oak tree outside the Fell Museum at 11.20, for a driver’s briefing. Please feel free to send this on to anyone in other car clubs you think might be interested. We welcome all car club along on the day. We also welcome people who don’t belong to a car club. The day is about driving classic cars and meeting and talking to other enthusiasts; it isn’t about belonging to a car club. The hotel at Lake Ferry has confirmed they will be open and will have food available, or you can bring your own picnic lunch. In the past, we have had English, American, Italian and French cars along. We have had the Constructors Car Club, Corvette Club, Capri Club, Mustang Club and Early American Clubs, as well as other smaller clubs attend. We also invite and welcome all car clubs from the Manawatu and Wairarapa. We sent an earlier email, this is just a follow up to remind you of the date. We will send another update closer to the event. Feel free to forward this email on to anyone you know who may be interested, and you can also access the Facebook Event for this day here. Feel free to share this Facebook Event also. Kind regards Bryan Atkins, convener Phone/fax (04) 562 7424 or e-mail: atkinsbm@gmail.com
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Kapiti Coast Mid Week Run (last Wednesday of the month)
30th October 2019 Visit to the New Zealand Police Museum. Papakowhai Rd. Porirua Est. in 1908, the collection was originally modelled on Scotland Yard’s Black Museum. Today, the Museum houses and exhibits a large collection of New Zealand Police cultural property and criminal cases. A modern facility, the New Zealand Police Museum provides education programmes to all ages, using examples of policing excellence and telling the stories of some of the country's more infamous crimes.
But first, lunch! 11.30 to 11.45am: Meet at the Kaizen Café, 17 Parumoana St. by the Pataka Museum, Porirua. Ample parking at the rear of the museum down the lane alongside. Buy lunch at the counter and tables are reserved for us. 1.00pm: Leave for Police Museum. Route directions will be handed out at lunch. Cost is $3.00 for the tour per senior citizen, $5 if you’re still a young thing.
1.30pm Guided tour of the museum then time to browse. If you would like to come, please let Ann or Hal O'Rorke know by Friday 25 October. Email, ph. or text: ann@annandhal.com Ann 0274 731136 or Hal 0274 118162.
Don’t forget, your yearly subs are due by 31/10/2019. If you want to get the discount, then they must be paid by: 20 OCTOBER 2019
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OBITUARIES Norm Porter Norm will be remembered by many members, both from Wellington and Horowhenua Branches. Norm drove a very nice Model A Ford and was a regular entrant in many rallies, both locally and around the country. He was a very well respected grower of orchids and I can remember well, my visits to his home in Waikanae, and pleasant times in the garden, with his family. Condolences to his family. Editor. ——————————————Ed Boyd Although a member of Whanganui Branch, Ed will be well remembered by many who rallied in Whanganui. His hard work for that branch is legend. Whilst a member of Whanganui Branch from 2000 to 2006, I got to know Ed and was impressed by his work ethic and his kindness. He was very much appreciated by one and all and the big gathering at his funeral was testament to that. Condolences to Hinemoa and family. Editor.
GET WELL SOON Alan Pratt is not well, following complications after a recent operation. We understand Alans Daughter is also not well, and the branch wishes both, all the very best. Ed.
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ADVERTISEMENTS ARE FREE AND WILL
BUY & SELL
BE REPEATED FOUR TIMES ADVERTISERS: PLEASE ADVISE EDITOR WHEN
FOR SALE Home made sidecar body. Never used.
$400
Pair of steel Pannier Boxes.
$80
Motorcycle rack to fit domestic trailer.
$20
Luggage trunk for vintage car.
$80
Contact Bill Munro. (04) 5636342
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Wanted Excelsior series 18 Big X parts wanted to continue with an original paint rebuild. I need hubs, handlebars and linkages in particular. I have a few Indian pieces to swap or sell. Thanks, Rob.McIntyre. 027 622 1275 chout.rider@gmail.com
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Coming up next club night Motorcycle Section show and tell.
Gemac Motor Services 5 Parliament Street, Lower Hutt, 04 589 5483 Ring Gordon for WOF and minor repairs on both vintage and modern vehicles
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your one stop automotive shop We can offer almost any service required on a motor vehicle and all under one roof. We do complete engine rebuilding. We can service modern, vintage and classic cars, performance and muscle cars, hot rods, micro cars and most importantly, your car. Other services we offer:  Upholstery  Vintage Wooden Bodies Contact us at:
40 Ward Street
Upper Hutt Ph/Fax 04 528 2580
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METAL IMMERSIONS LTD FERRY DISCOUNTS FOR VCC MEMBERS
IMMERSION STRIPPING
For details refer to the noticeboard in the Clubrooms or contact the Branch Secretary
ABRASIVE BLASTING
POWDER COATING We are the company that offers you Total immersion stripping of Car bodies and panels WE TAKE CARE OF ALL YOUR NEEDS Contact: Warren Leslie Phone: (04) 232 6880 Fax: (04) 232 6882 11 Wall Place, Tawa Email: wleslie@ihug.co.nz
VERO INSURANCE If you arrange your car and household insurance through Vero, the Wellington Branch gets a commission. Last year it amounted to $2,300.00.
FREE QUOTATIONS 25
66 Killarney Rd
Apex Auto
Hamilton
Centre
0800 10 27 39
FOR HARD TO SOURCE CABLES, BRAKE PARTS OR HOSES Speedo cable, Handbrake cable, Accelerator cable, Choke cable Reline shoes, Cylinder repair Stainless Re sleeving, Booster overhaul Brake hoses, Braided hoses, Power steering hoses
Call the Specialists
Mention this ad and receive 10% discount BLUEBRIDGE COOK STRAIT FERRY Now to 30 June 2019 Bluebridge has notified us of the latest discounts for vehicles on their ferry between Wellington and Picton for Vintage Car Club members as follows: The VCC code is ANTIQUECAR. It excludes travel between 15 Dec. and 15 Jan. Plus Easter weekend. Discounted - 10% off all available fares. Ring 0800 844 844, www.bluebridge.co.nz for conditions. NOTE; Remember to get this discount, you must present your VCC membership card when you check in on the day of your trip. It is not enough to have quoted it when you booked and paid for the ticket. It may not be enough to have booked electronically unless you have a printed copy of your booking on the day. If not, you may have to pay again, then go for a refund for the original booking. These rules may apply to the Interislander also. BEWARE.
THE INTERISLANDER Code WH5465 The Interislander has sent an updated quote. There is not enough space to list it all, so we suggest if you are planning to book from now
to 15 December 2019,
ring the Interislander for quotes or click on Group Bookings at the foot of their home page www.interislander. 26
WELLINGTON BRANCH—CALENDAR OF EVENTS Club nights are on the 3rd Tuesday of every month in the Clubrooms, Halford Place, Petone (eastern end of Jackson St) at 7:30pm. The Clubrooms are also open Wednesdays from 9:30 to 12:00, and for Noggin & Natter Fridays from 7:00pm ($1 for biscuits, tea and coffee free) Motorcycle Meetings are usually held on the 4th Monday of the month in the Butcher & Brewer, 175 Jackson Street, Petone, at 7:30pm.
October 2019
November 2019
North Cape to Bluff Dinner
5th
Annual Rally and Dinner
Sunday Run
6th
Sunday Run possibly combined with above
Committee Meeting
7th
Committee Meeting
11th
Heritage Rally
13th
Club Night
19th
Club Night entries close annual rally
15th
Petone Christmas Parade
22nd
Motorcycle Meeting
21st
Motorcycle Meeting
25th
Kapiti Mid Week Run
30th
Kapiti Mid Week Run
27th
Supper Roster Terry O’Leary/Ray Betteridge
2nd & 3rd
Supper Roster Claire Benge/Tasi Betteridge
NOVEMBER 2019 CLUB NIGHT Colonial Cup Winner December 2019 Children’s Christmas Party
January 2020 1st
New Years Day Picnic
1st
Sunday Run possibly combined with above
Sunday Run possibly combined with above
Committee Meeting
9th
Committee Meeting
7th
Kapit Mid Week Christmas Lunch
11th
Clubnight Fun Run
16th
Lake Ferry Run
14th
Monte Carlo Rally
Club Night Christmas BBQ
17th
Motorcycle Meeting Supper Roster
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17 18 &19th 21st Dave Gwynn/Alick Jenner
Travelling by train was like floating on air! An exhibit displayed by the Miniature Railway Society, at the recent Daffodil Day.
Photo: Selwyn Warren
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