Christmas and New Year’s celebrations are now behind us and we are into a new year of activities.
The Festival Rally is coming up and I would hope that either you take part in the Rally, or, if you are unable to, then perhaps you take part by being a helper onthe day. If you can help, thencontact Katy Parish. The following month, March, we have our annual Swap Meet/Boot Sale. Again, some helpers will be needed on the day, so, if you can then let Katherine know. As the saying goes, many hands make light work.
Lynne and Paul Herron brought to our attention that next year will be our 60th anniversary and asked if perhaps we could celebrate it by holding a national event. If there is enough interest, we would have to put in an application as soon as possible. Asmall organising committee would need to be set up and the whole branch would need to get behind it. So, give it some serious thought and let us know your feelings at the next meeting.
I brought up that some of our members (including myself) are having trouble hearing whenpeoplespeak. I knowsome won’t like it but fromnow on everyone will talk through the speaker system. One of our members mentioned that they felt they may as well stay at home on meeting night because they feel excluded. So don’t let vanity stop you from talking, all speakers at functions use the PAsystem.
7.30pm start at next meeting, we have a guest speaker after the general meeting, John Petterson, and he is going to talk about his experiences on his trip to Antarctica.
Murray Proctor
Gerry Kennedy Joke
Little boy comes home from school.
Mum asks, “What did you learn at school today?”
Little boy, “Not enough they want me to go back tomorrow!”
From the Editor’s Keyboard
Welcome to another “busy” issue of The Wiper. “Busy” because there are lots of notices for events, both near and semi-far, to keep you occupied over thenext monthorthree.I hopethat stories mayalso be winging my way (eventually) as a result of enthusiastic Gore members participating!
Stories were all short ones this month. Gerry Kennedy sent a tribute to Ray Tressler, Annette Ainge had a follow-up to the Christmas Run visit to the museum at Mataura and Duncan Welsh gave a Junior Reporter’s take on the Josephville Hill Climb. Thank you all for those contributions.
The rest of the bulletin is made up of photos that I took at events towards the end of last year, a follow-up to the November Ramble, some “Spotted”s and various “fillers”. The good news is that, in the last two days, I have received some great stories for the coming months – but I still need more!
Finally, I must apologise for my attack of “brain fade” when I wrote my Editor’s Report for the January monthly meeting. I don’t know how I managed to forget that Annette & Bill Ainge had sent me photos and a report on the Tuesday Ramble Christmas Lunch
Happy reading!
David North
Q: Until I am measured, I am not known. Yet you miss me when I have flown. What am I?
Answer next month
Answer to last month’s Brainteaser
Q. What six-letter word becomes 12 after removing one letter?
A. Dozens
Message on Rod Corbett’s Triumph TR3, seen at the Josephville Hill Climb.
The Editor
Apparently, even trolleybuses like a belly rub!
Sent in by Donna North
Raymond (Ray) Tressler - Club Patron RIP
(Picture taken from the funeral service card. Ed) Ray passed away on 4th December after a short illness.
I first met Ray when I worked at United Trading Co., Ray owned the Gore to Invercargill Freight Service. Ray invited me to call at the P. H. Vickery workshop to see the Gore VCC car display over the weekend, this got me in to joining the GVCC. So BLAME RAY!!! At this time Ray was overseeing the addition to the Nissen hut, adding a kitchen.
After years of the clubrooms being flooded and break-ins it was decided to look for a new site. After purchasing, the old H & H Motors building from the MLT, Ray was again in charge. Overseeing the dismantling of the building and re-assembling it on the present land in Waimea Street, which was completed in one year.
Over the years Rayheld many positions in the Gore VCC, he was also very generous in loaning his cars to other members to rally. Ray will surely be missed by many.
Our deepest sympathy goes out to Norma & family.
Gerry Kennedy
Sunday 24th November - Memorial Day at the Hokonui
Pioneer Village & Museum
Some of the guests chatting before afternoon tea
Nancy Stronach welcoming one of the guests
List of Pillar/Column Donors The new plaques (see over)
The Memorial Wall
The new parking area, benches and picnic table
The crowd at the picnic table “unveiling”
The
Editor
Picnic table plaque
November Tuesday RambleAddendum
As is my usual practice, I sent Janette Buckingham a copy of “The Wiper” with the report on the day. Janette was kind enough to reply:
Hi David
Many thanks for sending me this Bulletin (I would call it a magazine !!), which I found most interesting. Heavens, it's quite comprehensive, isn't it? You obviously have a very active club.
I enjoyed your visit to my place, although the afternoon went all too quickly. As I remember, the weather was quite hot, judging by the older llama who was sitting down in the photos. I'm glad that you, or one of your members, managed to get some decent photos of the llamas, as they can be very difficult to photograph....always on the move, and their heads are never up nor their ears pricked forward when you want to get a shot.
Belatedly, after the group had left, I wished I had opened the gate into the paddock next to the smaller one where I had the llamas, and let your group (or the ones who felt inclined) go through there to get a better look at the animals who had taken themselves off to the other end of that narrow paddock !! But I was talking to some of the group at the time, [probably about processing fibre or wool !) so got a bit side-tracked.
I note that your group is planning to visit our "Edge Of The World" Arts Exhibition in February, also the Niagara Falls Cafe. Although this is the quietest year they have had for a long time, I understand they were extremely busy last Sunday (29th) which was very good to hear. I will be on duty at the Exhibition for approx two half days, so I will try to organise my time on the roster to work in with the day you will be coming.... and maybe bring the Vauxhall !!
Kind regards to all, Janette
As a postscript in a subsequent email, Janette added: Also, I would be very happy for any of your group to visit again, to get a better look at the animals. Maybe I can show you the woolshed, as well, and how I deal with the various fleeces.
The Editor
Christmas Run - Clematis Cottage Mural
Whilst on the tour of the delightful Clematis Cottage in Mataura on the Christmas Run we were split into three groups with a guide in each area.
At one point our group was looking at a mural and questioning the gruesome scene and its relevance to Mataura. Our guide only knew that it was called ”Sam’s Grief”. ThenI noticed that the artist is a verygoodfriend of mine (Annette Dickison) who now resides in Auckland but at that time was still in Tapanui. I guessed that she must have been commissioned to do the mural for some reason and it was suggested to me that I find out what I could and have it included in The Wiper.
It was commissioned in 1997 by the Mataura & District Historical Society and tells the story of Sam Perkins, who led a false gold rush over the hills to Mataura and was consequently punished. Annette sent me a copy of a clipping from the 10 November 1997 issue of The Ensign.
AnnetteAinge
Josephville Hill Climb, 1 November 2024 (1)
On Sunday we went to the hill climb and we saw a car crash 20 metres away from us. It crashed into a deer post and snapped it. The bonnet was dented real far in. One car had a really tall spoiler, it was our favourite one.
Duncan’s drawing of the event
The car with the tall spoiler - Kent Larsen’s Jaguar E-type at the start (Photo by the Editor)
Duncan Welsh (aged 7)
Josephville Hill Climb (2)
Phil Bevin’s Jaguar XK140 Terry Inder’s Datsun 180BSSS
Willie Henderson’s Jaguar Mk2
Geoff Hunt’s VW Karmann Ghia
Hamish Allan’s Triumph 2500TC
Rod Corbett’s Triumph TR3
Jason Whitehead’s Datsun 120Y
Evan Henderson’s Datsun 411SS
Clerk of the Course pre-start briefing
The competitors after the trophy presentations (Rod Corbett absent)
Photos by the Editor
Gore Branch Events for the 2024-25 Season
Event Date
2025
National Model T Convention Friday/Saturday 14th & 15th February
Organiser(s)
Festival Rally Saturday 22nd February Katy Parish
Branch Run Saturday 15th March Bruce & Pauline Price
Swap Meet Sunday 16th March Katherine Welsh
Frank Robson & Clearwater Capers
Sunday 5th April Greg Elder
National Club Captain’s Tour (meal) 12th April Paul Herron
Night Trial TBA
End ofSeason Run
Tuesday Ramble
Saturday 12th July Rod Bell
Last Tuesday of the month (except 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 works best if you ask them before the event!)
Sent in by Bill Sheddan
5th – 7th February
Other Events
National Veteran Rally, Marlborough Branch
13th – 16th February Art Deco Festival, Hawke’s Bay Branch
14th – 16th February Classic Speedfest, Teretonga Park
23rd – 28th February 17th National ModelAFord Rally, www.modelafordclub.co.nz
8th March
8th March
Swap Meet Bazaar, Nelson Branch
50th AnniversaryAnnual Motorcycle Rally, South Otago Branch
11th March Race4Life, Teretonga Park
15th March
22nd March
Central Otago Gold Motorcycle Rally, Central Otago Branch
Scenicland Rally, West Coast Branch
22nd – 24th March COVCC Otago Anniversary Weekend Run
5th April
10th – 13th April
11th – 18th April
18th – 20th April
18th – 20th April
18th – 20th April
3rd May
15th – 21st March
Swap Meet & Bazaar, South Canterbury Branch
George Begg Festival, Teretonga Park: https://www.georgebeggfestival.nz/
South Island Club Captain’s Tour. Enquiries to: Mark Wilkinson, email sicc@vcc.org.nz
National South Island Easter Rally. Enquiries to: essexontheroadagain@gmail.com
30th NZ National Morris Minor Convention, Timaru
Wheels at Wanaka: https://www.wheelsatwanaka.co.nz/
Swapmeet, Ashburton Branch 2026
Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring
Tuesday Ramble 25
th February
PLEASE NOTE EARLY START
10.00am: meet at Gore VCC
10.30am: depart for Niagara
12.00-12.30pm: lunch at Niagara Falls Café
(Buffet lunch plus dessert for $30 – if you were there in Novemberyou’ll know how good the lunch was)
2.00pm: visit The Edge of the World Art Exhibition at Waikawa Hall and the Waikawa Museum
(Entry fee for the exhibition, donationfor the museum)
Numbers before 20th February for catering
Contact Gerry 027 233 4634
Saturday 15th March
Festival Rally Notes
Gore members: please bring a plate to share for the morning tea
Get your entries in please
Entries close 15th February but the sooner they are in the better
Katy Parish, Rally Organiser
Last Month’s SPOTTED
Iwonder why, apart fromthe photographer, nobody (including the Sheriff) seemed tonoticethe blackinsulationtapeholdingthe boot of Gerry Kennedy’s Vauxhall closed duringthe LadiesRun! The Editor
In New Zealand History This Month
6 February 1840
Treaty of Waitangi signed
More than 40 Māori chiefs signed a treaty with the British Crown in the Bay of Islands. The Treaty of Waitangi remains controversial.
A week earlier, Captain William Hobson had landed at Kororāreka from HMS Herald and proclaimed himself lieutenant-governor of a colony that did not yet exist. His instructions from the Colonial Office in London were to seek Māori consent to British sovereignty. Officials drafted a document to present to a hui of prominent chiefs, especially those who had signed the 1835 Declaration of Independence (see 28 October).
Missionary Henry Williams and his son Edward translated the English draft into Māori on the night of 4 February. Its three clauses transferred kawanatanga (governorship) from the Confederation and individual chiefs to Queen Victoria; guaranteed Māori continued possession of their taonga (property), with the right to sell land to the Crown should they wish; and granted Māori the ‘rights and privileges’ of British subjects.
Painting of the treaty signing by Marcus King, 1938 (Alexander Turnbull Library)
On the morning of 5 February, about 500 Māori, Hobson’s retinue and local Pākehā gathered on the lawn in front of British Resident James Busby’s house at Waitangi. After Hobson spoke in English, Henry Williams explained in Māori that the treaty was an act of love by the Queen and Busby emphasised that it protected land rights.
Much of the subsequent kōrero – translated for Hobson by the missionaries – favoured the status quo, with missionaries rather than a governor as protectors of Māori. Some chiefs also foresaw the loss of their land. The tide was turned by two influential rangatira, with Tāmati Wāka Nene declaring it was too late to stop Pākehā arriving and Hōne Heke Pōkai advocating a covenant between Māori and the Queen.
Informal debate continued that evening. Hobson had announced that the hui would reconvene on the 7th, but many chiefs were eager to leave for home. When they assembled outside Busby’s residence on the morning of 6th, Hobson was summoned hastily from the Herald to accept signatures. By September 1840, another 500 Māori had signed one of the nine copies of the treaty and British sovereignty over the whole country had been declared.
Seen in the December 2024 issue of the Bay of Plenty Branch newsletter
Email version of The Wiper
The Wiper is also available by email, either as a link to an online version or as a pdf file. The pictures are in colour, it arrives earlier, (most of) the hyperlinks work – and it saves the Branch money!
Please contact the Editor
Fun Fact
Bluetooth technology got its name from a tenth-century king. King Harald Bluetooth united Denmark and Norway, just like Bluetooth linked computers and cell phones for the first time. The Bluetooth symbol seen on modern-day computers is a combination of the ancient Norse runes for “H” and “B”.
The Editor
Spotted! (1)
Onpage9 ofthe January8 issue of Gore’s free newspaper, The Ensign, Janet Brewster (centre) is pictured along with fellow Garden Club members in an article about the Incredible Vegetables and Fabulous Flowers Show to be held at the Senior Citizens rooms on Ardwick Street on 22 February.
On page 20 of the Jan/Feb 2025 issue of New Zealand Classic car magazine in an article about a new classic car show, the Ayrburn Classic at Ayrburn in Arrowtown, Greg Elder (described as an “experienced restorer of classic and vintage vehicles, former racing driver, former Vintage Car Club president”)islistedasoneoftheJudgingTeam,alongwithother classic experts.
The Editor
Spotted! (3)
The January 21 issue of the Southern Outlook includes an advertising feature about this year’s Edendale Crank Up. The late David O’Hara is pictured on page 14:
The article includes this text on page15:
“On display at Crank Up will be a 1925 Caterpillar which was generously donated to Edendale Vintage Machinery Club by the late David O’Hara from Gore.
This tractor was acquired as a load of parts by David and accurately restored. It was the 13th Caterpillar Two Ton Tractor to come to New Zealand, after four genuine Holts.”
The Editor
Online Bonuses
Sam Perkins magazine article (Library record): https://natlib-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primoexplore/fulldisplay?vid=NLNZ&docid=INNZ7120821590002837&conte xt=L&search_scope=INNZ
Today, New Zealanders celebrate Waitangi Day, New Zealand’s national day. It is the day in 1840 that the native Māori people and British settlers agreed a broad statement of principles called the Treaty of Waitangi.
Ahistory of connections between New Zealand and Wales:
JohnGrono fromNewport, Pembrokeshire, emigratedto New South Wales with his wife and daughters in 1799. He became involved in the highly profitable business of seal hunting for furs and was the first European to journey to, and explore, the south-western coast of New Zealand's South Island. Grono was responsible for naming Milford Sound after Milford Haven and fellow Welshman, sea captain John Lort Stokes, named the Cleddau River, Pembroke Peak, Benton Peak, Llawrenny Peaks and Dale Point.
Another Pembrokeshire native, William Gilbert Rees from Haroldston St. Issell's, is regarded as the founding father of Queenstown in the south-west of New Zealand's South Island. He was one of the first to establish a sheep farm and, when gold was discovered nearby, he converted farm buildings into a hotel. Rees was also one of the early exponents of cricket in New Zealand.
Welsh immigrants, miners, in particular, were attracted after the country's first coalmine wasestablishedat SaddleHill, Dunedin in1849andthegold rushes of Otago from 1861 to 1864 and the West Coast from 1864 to 1867. Those who settled maintained their native customs and traditions by forming Welsh organisation. The first was the Cambrian Society of Canterbury which was established in 1890 and there are others such as the Welsh Society of Wellington, the Welsh Club, Welsh Choir and Welsh Society of Auckland, Dunedin Welsh Circle, New Plymouth Welsh,
Rotorua Welsh, Welsh Kiwis of Blenheim and Welsh Kiwis of Nelson. The Cambrian Society of Canterbury held its first Eisteddfod in 1926 and the Welsh Gymanfa Ganu Association of New Zealand organises a Cymanfa Ganu in a different city every two years.
Rugby Union is considered to be the national sport of both countries. Since thefirst Test matchbetweenthetwo countriesat CardiffArmsPark in1905, Wales have only beaten the New Zealand All Blacks on three occasions: 1905, 1935 and 1953. Four New Zealanders have coached Wales' national team, Graham Henry (1998 - 2002), Steve Hansen (2002 - 2004), Warren Gatland (2007 - 2019) (2022 - present) and Wayne Pivac (2019–2022). New Zealand-born players who have represented Wales include Gareth Anscombe, Hadleigh Parkes, Sonny Parker, Shane Howarth and Brett Sinkinson.
Some prominent people who have connections with both New Zealand and Wales:
The highly respected wood and stone carver Frederick Gurnsey (1868 –1953) was born in Newport, Monmouthshire.
Trade unionist Alexander Croskery (1878 – 1952) was born in Swansea. George Manning (1887 – 1976), the popular mayor of Christchurch between 1950 and 1958 was born in Gowerton.
Arthur Rosser (1864 - 1954), a builder who was involved in establishing nine new trade unions was born in Oystermouth, Eveline Cunnington (1849 – 1916), the social reformer and feminist, was born in Briton Ferry.
Brewery owner Mary Innes (née Lewis, 1852 – 1941) was born in Llanvaches, Monmouthshire. Her family-owned business is credited with bringing the soft-drink industry to New Zealand. The company is now owned by the Oasis Group.
The actor Ray Henwood was born in Swansea in 1937.
Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe's grandfather was a grocer from Wrexham before emigrating to New Zealand in the mid-1920s.
Dame Sian Seerpoohi Elias, the 12th Chief Justice of New Zealand, has a Welsh mother.
Adapted from https://www.facebook.com/TheHistoryOfWales/
Sent in by Donna North
REMINDERS
FOR SALE & WANTED ADVERTISEMENTS ARE FREE to Club members. Advertisements will be published in three consecutive issues. Please contact the Editor.
The Branch receives commission if you insure your vehicle(s), boat(s), house(s), contents or travel with Vero Insurance and quote the Branch number (300135).
https://vcc.org.nz/vero-vcc-insurance-scheme/
Gore Branch VCC name badges: are available to order by contacting the Branch Chairman (cellphone 027 649 1377).
N.B. If you’re not wearing one at a meeting you will attract the Sheriff’s attention and are likely to be fined!
You are very welcome to come on Branch runs in your modern.
Join the VCC online at https://vcc.org.nz/how-to-join/
Both Bluebridge and Interislander Ferries offer discounts to VCC members: https://vcc.org.nz/membership-benefits/
To Let: the Gore Branch Clubrooms are available to VCC members for personal functions at very reasonable cost.
Newsletters from other Branches are posted on the VCC Website each month. Go to: https://vcc.org.nz/news-from-our-branches/
They are also sent to each Branch by email and can be obtained on request from the Secretary or the Editor.
GORE BRANCH BANK ACCOUNT NUMBER
The Branch bank account number is 03-0915-0246885-00
Please put your name and the reason for the payment in the details boxes. Thank you. The Treasurer
Thank you. The Treasurer
SALE 1952 Austin Sheerline
6-cylinder, 4-litre, manual gearbox, 4-door sedan. Current WOF & Rego. 125,000 miles. Interior: walnut dashboard & leather seating original. Restored in ex condition through 1996. Good history kept over the years of service. Many spare parts available. Located in Gore, Southland. $40,000 ono. Contact
Tailpiece
Run reports, articles of interest, photos, technical tips, letters and feedback are always welcome.
The Wiper is usually distributed on or around the last Tuesday of each month
Please send all contributions to David North before the 3rd Wednesday of each month for inclusion in the next issue of The Wiper
If you don't have a computer I can get a hand-written article typed up or put your notes or jottingsinto 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
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
