Far North Focus
December 2018
John Crisp We lost John on the 5th of November. A founding member, past chairman, secretary, continuous enthusiastic supporter of all Club activities– what more can we say. A tremendous people person who loved all vehicles and encouraged their owners. We will miss your presence and the genuine warmth of your friendship. Thanks John.
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The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand
Far North Focus Who’s Who for 2018/19 Chairman
Murray Cormack
m.g.cormack@xtra.co.nz
09 409 3823
Vice Chairman
Winston Matthews
win@matthewsvintage.com
09 406 0203
Secretary
Gloria Cormack
m.g.cormack@xtra.co.nz
09 409 3823
Treasurer
Robyn Mackay
wmackay@vodafone.co.nz
09 406 1955
Club Captain
Naomi Mason
vinomi88@gmail.com
09 408 1376
Editor
Peg Hills
comstockdowns@gmail.com
09 406 1077
Communications Officer
Ruth Reid
r.t.reid@xtra.co.nz
09 4060 392
Welfare Officer
Margaret Wallace
johnandmarga@actrix.gen.nz
09 407 8251
New Member Liaison
Murray Cormack
m.g.cormack@xtra.co.nz
09 409 3823
Beaded Wheels Scribe
Dave Duirs
dave.duirs@xtra.co.nz
09 406 1288
Area Rep North
Ruth Reid
r.t.reid@xtra.co.nz
09 406 0392
Area Rep South
Warwick Woollams
w.woollams@gmail.com
09 407 7494
Committee
Murray Cormack, Robyn Mackay, Winston Matthews, Graeme Moore, Paul Sullivan, Vince Mason, Mike Pooley, Margaret Wallace, Gloria Cormack
Building Officer
Peter Mason
09 406 1409
A full list of elected officers was circulated with the minutes of the 2018 Annual General Meeting
Club meetings on the second Tuesday of the month at the Aurere Clubrooms at 7.30pm.
CLUB CLEANING ROSTER 2018-2019 During the month, and preferably before the main calendar event, please give the clubrooms a thorough check over, as in: Clean the toilets and hand basins, check kitchen, window ledges etc, and sweep the floors. Window cleaning, washing walls etc will be done at working bees. Note any required maintenance and pass on to the Building Officer- Peter Mason, ph 406 1409. If your date doesn’t suit you, please swap with someone else. For any other enquiries please contact the Club Captain.
December Peter O’Dell July
C Brownlie
January
D & P Hills
August
D & D Duirs
February
G Coulson
September
P & Z Mason
March
C & M Ilton
October
Everyone– working bee
April
W & R Mackay
November
G & S Mc Mullen
May
G Moore & M Cornwall
December
P O’Dell
June
R & R Pennell
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Calendar of Events 2018 / 2019 December 8th
Christmas Rally
Peter Mason
January 19th
Picnic Run
Bev & Matt
February 16th
Ian & Mary’s Gymkhana
Ian & Mary
March 9th
Historic Adventure
Terry Rogers
April 13th
Brian Parker Rally
Hills & Pooley
April
Whangarei Swapmeet
Anyone
May 12th
Mothers Day Rally
Dave & Dorothy
May 14th
AGM
Everyone
June
Molloy Trophy Rally
THE CHRISTMAS RALLY SATURDAY 8TH DECEMBER MEET AT TAIPA RESORT at 10.00am MORNING TEA AVAILABLE THERE OR BRING YOUR OWN
Short run to lookin, then back to the clubrooms for
Christmas lunch Bring a main and a dessert, and a $5.00 gift to share
Club meetings are on the second Tuesday of each month, at 7.30pm, at the Aurere Clubrooms, unless otherwise advised. The Far North Branch of the VCC does have a policy that pets are not brought to any Club events. We do ask that this policy is respected.
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The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand From the Chair……. Greetings
pekapeka Pa site was a great idea. Unfortunately extremely heavy rain Since my last report was written in mid-October we have plus confusion over a missing road sign lost two great members of our club. Lorraine Walker marred this tremendous rally. The Kawakawa indoor and John Crisp will be sadly missed as two vibrant perswimming pool was a great destination on a very wet sonalities and active participants of all our club actividay. The very nimble red Riley sports saloon under the ties. Our thoughts to both families concerned. watchful control of Peter and Marilyn prevailed, making a mockery of other people’s misfortunes. On a more positive note, a special welcome to Neville and Mary Hunt with vehicles from the Austin and Dodge November rain is the real money ball for pastoral farmstables. ing with the grass in a very vigorous growth state. A Rosco’s and Raewyn’s Mix and Mingle, and Winston’s sausage sizzle at his museum, demonstrated a very positive attitude to other car and motor bike clubs in supporting and encouraging their activities. A big thanks to you people and any other members involved in these very successful events. The Far North Tour as organised by the Northland branch was great motoring and enjoyed by five cars from our branch. Thanks to Winston who organised the very informative visit to the Packard Museum on the Friday prior. The morning tea organised by our club on the Sunday morning after the Far North Tour was tremendous. Thanks to all those people who made this possible. The Dunny Run, a joint club event with Northland branch, prepared by our Rex and Sandra, demonstrated an enormous amount of planning and thought. Much appreciated. The inclusion of a visit to the grave of Sir James Henare to pay our respects, plus a visit to Rua-
complex and scientific theory translates to if the lawn is growing well, so are the paddocks. December and January will include the Christmas rally and the summer picnic. I am sure both of these will be cracker events. Matters mechanical: A small matter, spare ignition key. If you have one, that’s fine. But it would appear that with both vehicle and driver showing considerable experience in years, the absence of an only key can cause undue stress. Not always simple. If relevant, City Locksmiths Ltd in Newmarket have a pretty comprehensive selection. Not trying to nag – just trying to be helpful. As this is our last Focus of the year, on behalf of Gloria and myself we wish you and your families the very best for Christmas and the New Year. Murray
PICNIC RUN SATURDAY 19TH JANUARY MEET AT PUKETONA JUNCTION CAFÉ AT 10.00AM BRING YOUR PICNIC GEAR AND YOUR LUNCH LOOK FORWARD TO A CHILLED-OUT DAY WHERE ALL THE THINKING HAS BEEN DONE FOR YOU
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Club Captain Reporting….. Hello Everyone
as well as Peter Slawson. Well done to you all. Peter ended up winning the Dunny Seat Here another month has gone by and what a busy one it trophy so congratulations. All the other points went to the has been. So much has happened. Our dear friend John Northland members so we well and truly lost to them. Crisp has passed away. Our sympathy and prayers go Congratulations and well done! out to Phyllis and family. We will really miss John. He has ben a long standing member of our club as well as a Thank you Sandra and Rex for the effort you made and good friend to us. all the time you put into this rally, also Stephanie. We would have loved to be at the cemetery to hear the histoAlso our friend Lorraine Walker passed away a week or ry you gave us Rex. On a lovely sunny day this would two before John. Our prayers and sympathy go out to have been an interesting drive, seeing scenery that I you too Brian. hadn’t seen before. This is a sign that we are all getting older now and we I would like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas don’t know when our time will be but make the most of and a relaxing New Year. After such a busy year it would your time and come along and enjoy our rallies, pot luck be lovely to take time out to relax. We pray that you all teas and get-togethers. can. Our next rally will be the Christmas Rally on the 8th of This New Year will be very different for us as we are not December, meeting at Taipa Resort at 10.00am before having the Autospec. It used to be a very busy but great we head off to a lookin, then our Christmas lunch at the time, all working together, so enjoy the break. Come Clubrooms. Bring along a main and a dessert (Christmas back refreshed and ready to participate in all the coming food) as well as a $5.00 gift. events. Our last rally– the Dunny Run– was unfortunately a very Our rally in January will be on the 19th, a Saturday, and wet day, but a good turn-out of vehicles from the Northpromises to be a nice relaxing event, so come along and land branch as well as our own Club. Well done. Again! join in. Meet at Puketona Junction Café, bring your Unfortunately! Some of our members managed to get chairs, a table if you want, and your picnic lunch. lost, missing a vital clue and ended up going to Kaikohe as we didn’t know what else to do. As we knew that the Don’t forget our Christmas event on the 8th of December rally ended at the Kawakawa pools, some of us headed and a $5 gift for everyone. there to wait for the rest of the members. There we had Happy Christmas and New Year! lunch then those who wanted could go for a swim. As I had my four grandchildren with me I went into the pool Wishing God’s blessing to you alltoo and had a great time with them. Naomi Most of the Northland branch managed to finish the rally
Put the date in your diary for Stuart manned the check point
Ian & Mary’s Gymkhana Saturday 16th February
Full details in February Focus There will be no northern noggin ‘n natter on the 7th of December The sign that was there all the time.
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Welfare Report, from Margaret Wallace We have all been saddened by the passing of John Crisp this month. John was a founding member of the FNVCC and a much loved figure throughout the years. He was always cheerful, and up for a conversation with anyone. His popularity was evident by the good number of members who attended his funeral. Our thoughts are with Phyllis at this time, and a card was sent on behalf of the Club. RUPERT NEEDS A NEW HOME!
Desiree Kemp has spent some time having treatment in Auckland, and was staying for a period at Domain Lodge. A card from the Club cheered her up whilst she was there, and I am pleased to report that she phoned me this week, and said how her spirits had been buoyed by that. She sounded very perky, and we had a good chat. She has good and not so good days, but is happy to be home. She will have to go back for more treatment sometime in the New Year, but is hopeful for a good outcome. We wish her well.
Due to imminent downsizing I must reluctantly let this British classic Sports Saloon go to new
owners. 1966 Riley Kestrel 1098cc twin Sus. Has done about 3000 miles since major engine work. Current WOF and registration. $6750 ono.
I am away from the 26th of November to the 8th of December, so please contact Murray with any information on members who need our concern. When I get back, I can as usual be contacted on 09 407 8251 or 027 298 7322, or alternatively on my email which is johnandmarga@actrix.gen.nz
Peter Slawson “Netherfields� 67 Mangakaretu Rd RD2 Kerikeri 0295 64 9 4073066
THE CATERING COMMITTEE Mike & Lynn Pooley
Winston Matthews
Dorothy & Dave Duirs
Colleen Brownlie
Margaret Cornwall
Raewyn Pennell
Dave & Peg Hills
Margaret Ilton
CLUB SHIRTS AVAILABLE: Contact Ruth- see her at a meeting, call her on 09 406 0392, email her at r.t.reid@xtra.co.nz There will be samples at the Clubrooms to try on for size. Cost is $30-$35 dollars, depending on size.
G T MULLER State Highway 10, Coopers Beach
WOF CENTRE
VEHICLE IMPORTS
PHONE 09 406 0406
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It was really raining now and only the brave washed their hands as protocol required and trudged up to the Being the modest person I am I’m finding this hard to grave. By this stage we seemed to be down to a group of write but rest assured Naomi asked me to do the report 4 – need I mention 3 were fine Austin/British Leyland before the results were announced. products with one elderly American! The instructions were to bring togs and towel. When I Following directions we ended up on SH1 – turned into looked at the weather forecast for Saturday I was temptRuapekapeka Road and on to the memorial car park. I ed to ring Rex and Sandra and see if they thought snorhadn’t realised how far from SH1 this was, climbing kels and fins should be included. Saturday morning through spectacular country - the bit we could see turned out to be dry at home despite the radio forecast through the low cloud to the car park. After use of an saying rain and cold particularly in the afternoon. We extremely smelly toilet (sensible males went in the were not deterred! shrubbery!) we turned back to continue along RuaThe trip to Kawakawa was dry and so was the get to- pekapeka Road until we were back in the outskirts of gether before we started. 13 cars entered the rally and Kawakawa. Naturally we ended up at the Swimming most finished although by varying routes! Pool which provided dry seating for lunch and wet It started to rain as we entered Moerewa which is prob- seating for the brave few who took the plunge – well ably why we missed the first turn into Pembroke Street done Naomi!
DUNNY RUN - NOVEMBER 24TH
(the sign is on the opposite side of the road) and had to As I said modesty forbids me from mentioning the redouble back – we weren’t alone. sults – I’ll leave that to the Editor. Some of the route seemed familiar to me and my trusty navigator. One concern was the mention of “Bunnings bus stop” as I thought we seemed a way from Kaikohe! However we passed the sign to Takapuna Cemetery and just beyond was a battered bus shelter sponsored by Bunnings. Turn round and go up the road to the cemetery it said, so we did, to discover a weather beaten old organiser handing out umbrellas and very well prepared information on Sir James Clendon Tau Henare who was buried there.
Naturally we emerged into near sunshine and made it home through a couple of showers to find our garden had benefited from 19mm of rain. The tanks are full which is a good thing as Rupert needs a good wash. Many thanks to Rex and Sandra for the thought they put into their organisation – I will probably bribe you into helping next year – you’re so good at it. Peter Slawson
DUNNY RUN RESULTS 1st Peter Slawson & Marilyn 2nd Doug & Bev Grant 3rd David & Sue Dreaden 4th Brian & Lyn Wrack 5th Equal Bruce & Claudia Jeffery
The start,
Beryl & Ernie Dawes
The finish,
And the winners. 7
Classics and hot rods lent a different flavour to Winston’s yard
*************************************************************** Once upon a time, motorists were confronted with a number of unusual and in some cases discriminatory laws. Cleverly placed “auto traps” were the least of the motorist’s worries. Police in some areas were authorised to shoot at tires and stretch ropes, chains or wires across the road. By 1909 the Automobile Club of America was up in arms. They raised funds to defend their arrested members, appealed cases to higher courts, and wrote angry articles. They charged that policemen were discriminating against the owners of powerful and expensive cars (who presumably could pay large fines) while the smaller, cheaper cars, making greater speed or driven with less care, were allowed to pass through the speed traps unmolested. “It is impossible to avoid the feeling,” the Metropolitan Auto Guide stated indignantly in 1909, “that the financial result often figures…… This is arbitrary exercise of police power, a mix of persecution and retribution.” The magazine went so far as to offer its readers maps on which were marked the exact location of auto traps and “prejudiced” constables and pointing out special areas and small towns where the local speed limit was something lower than a sluggish crawl…….
THE VILLAGE MOTOR TRAP Screened by a wayside chestnut tree, the village “P C” stands, The “cop”, a crafty man is he, with a stop watch in his hands, And the muscles of his lower jaw are set like iron bands! He goes each morning to his lair and hides among the trees, He hears the sound of motors there and it sets his heart at ease, For it seems to tell of captures– and promotion follows these! Folks often call his statement lies and his ruse a shady plan. But he knows his watch is accurate! and he stops whoe’er he can. And he looks the motorist in the face, for he fears not any man. From morn till night he’s timing there the cars that come and go, While his stop watch ticks the seconds off with measured beat and slow Nor thinks of rest till he homeward turns when the evening sun is low. Hiding and clocking, summoning, onward through life he goes. Each night he’s had his vengeance on some of his “scorching” foes. Somebody summoned, someone “done”, he’s earned a night’s repose. Thanks, thanks to you, ye zealous chaps for the lesson you have taught, For now we read in “thicket”, “traps”, and warned, we go uncaught. For where the trees are thickest– there we know such deeds are wrought.
The poem opposite appeared in 1904 From ‘Those Wonderful Old Automobiles’ By Floyd Climer
A SAFE, HAPPY AND PEACEFUL CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE
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