Peter Cornes Library: a repository of books and treasures

An intake of new members was welcomed to the Squadron in April. The evening’s guests and their sponsors were greeted by Commodore Aaron Young, members of the General Committee, Past Commodores and Life Members. The new members, with friends and family, then watched a video presentation highlighting the things we do as a club and the events planned for the rest of the year. Among those meeting and greeting were … 1/ New member Rory Macdonald and General Committee member Mike Malcolm. 2/ New members, from left, Suzanne Histen, Norm Morgan and Dagmar Bellamy. 3/ Rebecca Gallagher and new member Hugh Gallagher. 4/ Katharine Buchanan and new member Thomas Buchanan, family members with their two sons. 5/ New member Julie Rowe and Sebastian Leuzinger. 6/ New members Belinda Illingworth and Keith Trask. Pictures by Debra Douglas

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Tracy Malcolm is pictured with librarian Chris Collins as he receives some of Ray Walker’s family collection.

Story & picture by Debra Douglas “There’s always room for one more,” says Chris Collins, as he casts his eyes around the walls and bookshelves of the Squadron’s Peter Cornes Memorial Library. Peter Cornes, a Life Member of the Squadron who died in 2016, endowed a large number of books, artefacts and models to the club. He also funded the refurbishment of the library space, which was formerly the Billiards Room.

Chris was recently on hand to receive a trove of silverware and memorabilia from Squadron member Tracy Malcom, who was helping her mother downsize. The items belonged to Tracy’s late father, Ray Walker.

Ray was the owner of the 1971 One Ton Cup contender and 1972 One Ton Cup winner. Wai-Aniwa (pictured, right, at its launching).

Ray had Wai-Aniwa specifically built for the contest. He didn’t race

in the series, but financed the campaign with Chris Bouzaid as skipper.

Chris Collins, whose role could be described as part curator and part historian with a dash of detective tossed in, works alongside fellow custodians Bill Donovan, David Innes and Tom Coote.

The library houses hundreds of books and albums, which can provide reference points for those who, for example, are interested in maritime adventures and personalities, curious about New Zealand’s sailing history, or want to know more about the boats and campaigns their relatives and friends were involved in.

“Life would be so much easier, however, if we had a digital database,” said Chris. “We have a large collection of stories and memorabilia and a huge number of photograph albums. But there is nothing really catalogued, apart from an archive of verbatim stories from older members, typed up and pasted into journals.

“We need a professional to come along and create a proper database. It would be a major job and unfortunately there isn’t the budget for it at the moment. So, a lot of our responses must come from members’ memories, or by poring through lots of books.”

Chris reminds members the library is a ‘working’ library. Members can borrow books, there is no time limit for returns and it operates on an honesty system. It is open during the hours the Squadron is open. However, for special requests or donations, it is best to contact Chris direct for an appointment.

“We get many books donated. We particularly welcome older books, no longer in print. Sometimes we get duplicates – if it’s a duplicate and is better quality, we replace the original on the shelf and store it until we can find a home for it, or perhaps it becomes part of a Squadron book sale.

“We’ve had occasions when someone has left a banana box full of books on the Squadron’s doorstep. No idea where it has come from, but the owner was obviously downsizing and didn’t want to throw them away.“

Chris has done the job for two years, keeping the shelves in good order and knowing where to look when people ask: “Do you have this? Can you help?”

This is where an investigative role comes in. For example, recently a student from St Cuthberts College asked if Chris could help her with an assignment – how to make a sextant work.

Chris: “Members I approached remember using a sextant, but couldn’t remember how it worked. It’s one thing using it, but telling a young person how it works!

“So, I found a lot of pre-1960s books referencing sextants and recommended other organisations she could contact. In the end she was able to get the info she needed from the Maritime Museum. But that’s what we are here for. We are here to help.”

For special requests, or advice about donations, Chris can be contacted on ccollin@rnzys.org.nz. QUALITY MARINE PRODUCTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

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