My Story: The Private Memoirs of Frank Bannerman Logan (1884 – 1981)
Cover Image
Frank Logan fishing for trout off Fan Rock, Whakaipo Bay, Lake Taupo looking towards Whangamata Bluffs (date unknown). Image source: Hamilton Logan. There were no details on the back of the framed enlarged photo as to the location. Michael Drake (Lake Taupo Historian) and Tonya Dunn (Taupo District Libraries and Museum) are gratefully acknowledged for their assistance with identification of the location.
Published by Hamilton Logan & Stu Webster.
This edition published 2023.
© Hamilton Logan & Stu Webster
The moral right of the authors is asserted
Edited, designed and typset by Stu Webster
Printed in New Zealand by Benefitz Advertising Limited.
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights of copyright above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the copyright owners and the publishers of this book. ISBN 978-0-473-68045-9
Frank Logan became a director of Williams & Kettle in 1940 and was chairman from 1958 to 1963. The date of this photograph is not known but it’s likely to have been taken when FB was in his 50’s (namely 1934 to 1944). Image source: Len Anderson, Throughout the East Coast: The Story of Williams and Kettle Limited, Pictorial Publications, Hastings, 1974, p121.
CONTENTS
Forward by Hamilton Logan 1
Introduction by Stu Webster 3
My Story – The Private Memoirs of Frank Bannerman Logan (1884-1968) 17
Biographical Notes 315
Supplementary Material 331
Napier 1981 332
Hawke’s Bay Earthquake 334
Conversations with Hamilton Logan 338
Glossary of Names 344
List of Important Stations 387
Acknowledgements 391
Bibliography 392
Index 393
A Note About the Authors/Publishers 447
1
FORWARD
HAMILTON LOGAN
I was the youngest of Frank and Dorothy’s six children. Being the baby of the family is not all bad news. It does have its fringe benefits and I was fortunate enough to have the love of my five older siblings. A situation that went on for the rest of my life which led to me having a very good relationship with my family. The other benefit was living at home with my parents until I was 24. I was at home most of the time except when I was away boarding at school for 8 years. But I was at home for some of the crucial and devastating years of the Second World War.
I was fortunate to have parents that were both well-read and intelligent and they discussed many aspects of their own life with me which gave me a great insight to the upbringing and lives of my parents. Many of the names that appear in my father’s diaries are people that I have heard of through them. Many of them I have met. Because of my age I was not known to them. And having a memory of most things that happened in my life since the early Depression years I have a very good recall of the people I have spoken about in this publication of my father’s memoirs.
My father was a very wise and meticulous man. I was very lucky to have spent so much time with him because I learnt a great deal of things that were of inestimable benefit to me in the life I was about to lead. I can never thank him enough for this. He was also a very caring person and I can well remember when I was young, during the Depression Years in the early 1930s, the many people who came to him for help and the many people he was able to give advice to.
Although he was blessed with a very good memory and quick recall he still meticulously documented most things that happened in his life and for that we are all very grateful because the diaries he wrote from 1908 covered a very interesting time of the growth and development of NZ.
I can remember when he was writing these diaries he used to do that every night straight after dinner so, if we was late to dinner, he was late writing up his diaries. But it was always done absolutely meticulously to the day.
When he arrived in his 80s he decided that, with the diaries in the form that they were in, they would not be widely read or of very much use to people because interested readers would not wade through copious numbers of diaries to find what they were looking for. So he decided to condense his diaries and this he did for many years all in long hand with his favourite fountain pen that he inherited from his father Francis who died in 1933.
I can remember when I used to visit my father in Napier he would assiduously be going through his diaries and writing up his memoirs. He usually had a series of questions to ask me and these questions were usually written on the back of a business envelope. He seldom used a clean page to write down notes. He witnessed some very difficult and challenging times in his early farming years and it developed a mindset of never having to waste anything if you don’t have to.
When he’d got a distance through his memoirs he asked Annie Whyte, who was Jim Zohrab’s secretary, [1] if she would write them up for him.
Annie was devoted to my father and immediately agreed. She did it on a script typewriter that I brought back from Australia in the 1960’s. I think she made an extremely good
1 Jim Zohrab was a partner of Sainsbury Logan & Williams, Solicitors, Napier from 1961 to 1994.
2
job of it with very few mistakes and I know only too well that at times she had difficulty in deciphering his handwriting. These diaries would have never come to the light of day had she not done this because it would have been too cumbersome of an operation for people to research.
And it is true to say that this publication would have never been in the form that it is now had it not been for the energy and enthusiasm of Stu Webster ably assisted by Michael Fowler who has a very extensive knowledge of the Hawke’s Bay area. On behalf of the Frank Logan family I would like to sincerely thank these two gentlemen for the work and passion they’ve put in and I would also like to thank my father for his legacy.
Hamilton Logan
Havelock North
June 2023
3
INTRODUCTION
STU WEBSTER
The final sentence Frank Bannerman Logan wrote in his memoirs encapsulates everything that is significant about this work:
The time now appears appropriate to bring ‘My Story’ to its close for I am 84 and 70 years of diaries have been condensed. ‘My Story’ is somewhat carelessly written and there is much repetition but when I undertook the task time did not appear to be on my side. It was a strange experience to journey through one’s life again – naturally sadness and disappointment showed up from time to time but on the whole happiness abounded. [Emphasis Added]
Frank (affectionately referred to here and throughout this work as “FB”) completed his memoirs in April 1968. The words appearing in bold are addressed shortly below. However, the journey to that point is important for context.
I met FB’s youngest son Hamilton [2] for the first time when I was researching a book that I was writing that touched on his family. [3] Hamilton was extraordinarily generous with his time and was a mindful and careful guardian of photographic images and memorabilia (I like to refer to as “Logan taonga”) [4] that he willingly shared.
One day whilst sifting through the panoply of historical material Hamilton shared with me, two green foolscap folders emerged. Each contained pages and pages of closely typed italicized manual typewriting representing a condensed version of 70 years of handwritten journals and personal memory. Over 235,000 words in all. [5] And it had never been published. Sadly, only a few of the more than 70 journals exist. But there is a convincing “Logan” reason for that. [6]
Photo caption – The two green ring binders containing 278 foolscap pages of closely typed italicized manuscript. Image source: Stu Webster.
2 Hamilton Stopford Logan or “Boy” as FB refers to him, was born 21 November 1924 and turns 99 this year.
3 Webster, Stuart Sainsbury Logan & Williams: Lawyers Since 1875, Sainsbury Logan & Williams, Napier, 2011
4 The Logan taonga includes items such as Francis Logan’s fountain pen that FB inherited from his father Francis and used to write up his diaries; a silver school medallion Mente Manuque (Latin for “by brain and hand” or its popular English translation “with all thy getting, get understanding by brains and hard work”) from Bedfordshire Middle Class Public School that FB’s father was given when attending school in Newcastle-on-Tyne; a bound volume of Testimonials and Letters; Francis’ Cambridge degree and his English Practising Certificate together with hundreds of priceless photographs lovingly preserved. For further examples see Sainsbury Logan & Williams – Lawyers Since 1875 Chapter Two, page 37ff.
5 By comparison Tolstoy’s two-volume War and Peace runs to a modest 600,000 words; James Joyce’s Ulysses at 265,000 words; Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring is a paltry 188,000 words; John Irving is closest with his work A Prayer for Owen Meany at 236,061 words.
6 Hamilton tells me that there was no need to drag around that many volumes of handwritten journals when the task of condensing them had been completed. Only three are known to exist. One is the New Zealand Rough Diary (see next page) which covers the year 1931, including the Hawke’s Bay Earthquake. There are also two Collins’ Royal Diaries for the years 1905 and 1907 (see page 8).
4
It was a rich treasure trove of biographical material that accompanied me on many picnics. I would sit in the shade of a tree and read about things that happened 120 years ago in Hawke’s Bay.
In May 1966, whilst writing up the events of May 1898, FB observed:
If I continue quoting my diary my story will be more lengthy than a Scott’s Novel [7] so I shall have to curb my enthusiasm somewhat.
In fact, concerning the Biographical Notes written by him in 1970, [8] FB made it clear that none of the material was to be made available publicly for at least 20 years after his death – not as a way of hiding the salacious but to avoid embarrassing those still living because he makes some very frank observations about some notable Hawke’s Bay identities. He said: [9]
I am confining my attention to men who were born not later than 1870 so I feel safe from attack, at all events in this world.
All of his subjects would have been 100 years old or older, if still living.
With reference to the last paragraph of FB’s memoirs, why did he feel it was time to write “My Story”?
For many years I have been meaning to make use of a reasonably good memory and my diaries which I have kept since 1908, to build up for you the story of my life. It may or may not be of great interest to you, but I am quite looking forward to my task. [10]
Why did FB shun the word “memoirs” and call it “My Story”?
There is no real answer to this question except to say that he obviously preferred the title:
Photo captions –
Sample of page 79 of the manuscript which contains FB’s recollections about the 1931 Hawke’s Bay Earthquake. Image source: Stu Webster.
Image of the front cover of the New Zealand Rough Diary that FB used to record his diary notes. This particular diary is from 1931. Image source: Stu Webster.
7 Likely to be a reference to the works of Sir Walter Scott, a prolific writer, many of which, in their published form, exceeded 700 pages including the mammoth four volume Tales of a Scottish Grandfather that runs to 994 pages. Indeed, My Story did end up the length of a “Scott’s Novel” or longer!
8 See pages 13 and 315 – 330
9 Carefully noted in the inside cover of his Olympic 1B School Exercise Book as “my own personal observations only”.
10 Opening passage of My Story, April 1884
5
This is my story, so enough in the meantime of those who went before. [11]
Why would he, in a self-deprecating way, describe his memoirs as “carelessly written” and containing much repetition? My “take” on this is that it’s typical self-effacing Logan humility.
How big was the “task” he set for himself?
FB started writing his memoirs on Christmas Day 1965 and it took until April 1968, some 28 months, for him to transcribe 70 journals by writing up a summary of his memoirs longhand with the fountain pen he had been given by his father Francis.
Why did FB think it strange to journey through his life again?
It’s unclear how FB would have answered that question because he doesn’t give any hint in his memoirs. However, the sheer volume of material covered, coupled with the fact it took 28 months to distil his diaries and the meticulous way he did so perhaps is reason enough to assume he, in effect, relived his life in the telling of My Story.
What sadness? What disappointment? As with anyone’s life there were set-backs through circumstance and for FB these included having to pursue a career outdoors because of his health, the consequences of the 1931 earthquake and the death of Frank and Dorothy’s eldest son Jim in World War II.
1911 certainly witnessed the turning point in my life – for it was now definite that farming was to be my part and I settled with a will to gaining all the experience I could. The last five years had been wonderfully happy ones for me – I made many friends, enjoyed life and recaptured health but they were years, up to a point, of indecision and times my Parents must have been worried about my future. However, as the years passed by, I felt I was able to make up for those years of apparent idleness – but throughout that period my Parents bestowed upon me kindness and showed patience which, at that time, was beyond understanding. In my mature years I realise that, if you can understand youth and exercise patience, you are repaying your own parents. This is my philosophy and there may be something in it. [12]
Before going any further let me tell you our greatest joy in our life at Pukekino was Jimmy, who was now in his second year. He had outgrown his trouble in early life and was now a healthy, pink-cheeked, robust little boy. To watch his development and to have his companionship meant everything to us. At this time we had a most competent nurse in old Louise and Jim was her only thought.
Photo caption – Image of Francis Logan’s well-used and handsomely inscribed fountain pen with his surname and initials on the metal band half-way down the shaft of the pen. FB was gifted the pen by his father. The pen was used by FB to write up his daily diary entries. The pen is now in Hamilton Logan’s family collection. Image source: Stu Webster
11 My Story, page 1 (April 1884)
12 My Story, March 1911
6
My Parents were very devoted to their only grandson at that time and they frequently came out to Pukekino or had Jim and his nurse to stay in Napier. [13]
The incredible sadness of losing their eldest son Jim as a casualty of war in 1942 is relayed in FB’s memoirs in a very matter-of-fact, no-nonsense fashion which is incredible to think, given the gravity of the situation and enormity of the loss. His use of the phrase “poor old Jim” itself evokes such sadness, for Jim was young and had a bright future as a farmer or for that matter whatever he turned his hand to, with such supportive parents and siblings. Without taking away from that, the putting-down of Jim’s dog received almost equal billing, as did the gales that wreaked havoc late in the Spring and the Allies’ progress in the war despite it being the reason their son’s life was lost: [14]
November
Early in November a large U.S.A. task force landed at Casablanca, Oran and other ports of North Africa and a pincer operation began as our armies in Egypt began the offensive on a big scale and by the end of the month Rommell’s army was in full retreat along the coast road – altogether the situation was becoming very hopeful. Randall Kettle left us and after a week at his home he was on his way to England to join the navy. Very heavy gales struck and the windmill was wrecked.
On the 10th poor old Jim was lost in the English Channel when his bomber was brought down in an air battle off the coast of Normandie. Early on the morning of the 11th Dorothy and I heard on the short-wave of the loss of three Boston Bombers and we just thought that Jim might have been on this venture. Next day our worst fears were confirmed but we were asked to keep quiet for security reasons. Constance Fountaine was quick to report to us. A little later in the month Jim’s old dog `Ben’ became ill – old age – and we had to have him `put to sleep’. Meg had gone earlier. I spent a weekend at the Mackay’s in Lincoln Road and Ian was taken ill at the time and it became apparent that his diabetic trouble was becoming serious.
December
The damage to the Windmill was extensive and it took some repairing. However we were fortunate to have a pump engine as well. Goats on Pukekino were becoming a menace so Anne and Godfrey Kay came down and gave Boy a hand to wage war on them. Early in December we had our last letter from Jim and on the 17th came the news that he had been killed – his body was washed onto the shore near Le Havre where he is now buried. The overall war situation was improving – the Japs were driven out of Burma – Rommell was still in full flight towards Tunisia from where he hoped to embark with his army upon Italy – the Russian offensive in the south was also progressing well and the Japs’ Navy was being held in the Pacific and severely punished.
What does FB mean by saying on the whole happiness abounded?
FB was undoubtedly well-liked and wanted and appreciated by many. He talks fondly of his many years of community service. His extensive travels both around New Zealand and abroad brought him much joy and gave him the enormous breadth of knowledge experience and compassion that shines through the passages of his memoirs. But overall, his helping others in need and his sheer love of family provides a unique portrait of a man who had an obvious contentment with self.
Reading through the memoirs, the manner in which FB writes in the first person and addresses the reader really begs the question: who was FB’s intended audience?
13 My Story, April 1915
14 My Story, November/December 1942
7
In the memoirs FB refers quite often (in the first person) to “you”. The opening passage is quoted in full again but with emphasis added:
For many years I have been meaning to make use of a reasonably good memory and my diaries which I have kept since 1908, to build up for you the story of my life. It may or may not be of great interest to you, but I am quite looking forward to my task. [15]
If you want to know more about my school days and later, have a look at my diaries. [16]
So, you can see I had a flow of visitors and was never lonely. [17]
Before I continue with my story let me say what I have written since my earliest recollection has taken six months and I have only covered superficially a little over one-third of my life to date and the part that really counts for most in my life has not really begun – I refer now to the time when the tide turned and I set out with a will to make a success of my farming enterprise and to take my part in helping, in a small way, with the further development of our country, particularly Hawke’s Bay. If by chance I don’t get much further – for I am now 82 – you will find my diaries will tell the story). [18]
At the beginning of my original diaries you will find much interesting information especially about taxation and general statistics. [19]
By the way I will not go into much detail about the farm and its activities. This story is just a general outline of my doings over a lifetime. If the diaries are still intact you will get detailed information from them but in the light of modern times you won’t get any help. [20]
My diary for January and February and up to March 22nd seems to be missing – when we left for England I probably handed it over to Jim to carry on and it is possible after his death it may have been mislaid or destroyed. Therefore my ‘doings’ and those of Pukekino up to March 22nd cannot be recorded here. [21]
My diary in full from of our trip, which lasted from 25th March to October 28th, is enclosed among these papers. In it you can read all about our wanderings through England and Scotland and a brief visit to Paris and conditions in England in the early part of World War II. [22]
As you know the Kays had been our neighbours since about 1920 and all through the years never had a week passed without our meeting and more often than not, on my rounds of the farm, I dropped in for a cup of tea with them and were viewed the news of the neighbourhood etc. [23]
So as you will see it was a busy ten days. [24]
Jan
I found these statistics in my diary – but I think I have referred to them earlier but you see it is sometimes difficult to remember just what you have written earlier on – Out of the 1335 acres of Pukekino I estimate:
1164 acres to be in grassland
60 acres in Tussock and Native grass
11 acres in Garden, plantation and buildings.
30 acres Barren land
70 acres fern and scrub
Being 1335 total [25]
Later in the month Sarah took her holiday and our old Rose Hillier came to look after Mr. Wenley. Rose, as you know, had been with my parents for about thirty years or more with only a short break in Australia for a year or two. [26]
15 Opening passage of My Story, April 1884
16 My Story, February 1897
17 My Story, August 1907
18 My Story, January 1911
19 My Story, December 1917
20 My Story, June 1925
21 My Story, January1939
22 My Story, March 1939
23 My Story, November 1945
24 My Story, June 1947
25 My Story, January 1950
26 My Story, February 1954
8
On the 23rd we got our telephone connection after nearly two Year’s wait. You will remember my condition in joining the Land Valuation Committee for six months was that the Postmaster granted me a ‘telephone connection’!!! [27]
At the Historic Section’s monthly meeting I read a paper on Kereru district (you will find it among my papers). [28]
Early in November, – Rhodesia took the step of declaring independence – the British Government had refused to grant it unless Rhodesia agreed to one man one vote which would ultimately mean ‘Black Rule’. As you know, Sanctions were imposed and much pressure brought to bear. This position still stands today (May 1968) and Rhodesia still lives on. [29]
At a Hospital Board Meeting I read a paper on my impressions of the various hospitals I had recently visited in U.S.A. and Canada. This paper you will find among the papers in my desk. [30]
This was quite one of the fullest years of my life (I am writing now in January 1967) – it was my 51st year. I am adopting a different method of recording things and am dividing my activities into several parts – 1st County Council and Local Body activities, 2nd my Family, private and home life, 3rd Political adventures and 4th Farm activities – these will be more or less scanty as everyone knows the routine work on a farm and as I have said before, if you really want to know more about this you can refer to the diary of the year. [31]
I have decided to condense further for several reasons, but the main reasons for doing so are –
(1) I am getting older and my life is not nearly so full as it was; and
(2) You all know pretty well my activities of today and most of the people I may mention. [32]
And now I shall give you a resume only of our adventures abroad from April 19th till October 27th. Among my diaries there is a more detailed account of all we did and all we saw during that time. [33]
I asked the same question of Hamilton “who was the “you” in My Story”? His answer was:
I think he was referring to family and friends. People who’ve borrowed a copy of the memoirs have wondered the same thing, – for example Ewan McGregor, Adrian Coleman – because it does have a limited audience. You have to be interested in learning from the past and not everyone is. [34]
Diary and Journal Entries
Apart from the 1931 Rough Diary, Collins’ Royal Diaries exist for the years 1905 and 1907.
They contain a fascinating insight into FB’s organised mind. First, FB wrote up a schedule of his whereabouts during the year. He used the section titled “Cash Account or Bill Record” to
Photo caption – FB’s Collins’ Royal Diaries for the years 1905 and 1907 in which he recorded the events in his life on a daily basis. Image source: Hamilton Logan.
27 My Story, June 1956
28 My Story, September 1961
29 My Story, November 1961
30 My Story, January 1927
31 My Story, January 1935
32 My Story, May/June 1958
33 My Story, April 1950
34 Discussions with Hamilton Logan, March 2022.
9
list the places he visited and, where applicable, the vessel he boarded.
For example, in April 1907, FB was on board the P&O vessel RMS Mooltan 35 travelling from Hobart to London via Colombo in (then) Ceylon disembarking in Marseilles, France 30 days after leaving Melbourne. Secondly, in his 1905 diary, FB records some personal physical details including his weight (10 stone, 1 pound) and that he took a size 8 in gloves, a size 10 in boots, a size 6 ¾ in hats and preferred a collar size of 15” x 2¼”. [36]
Thirdly, he listed the contents of his luggage, presumably for his overseas excursions. For example, at the back of the 1907 diary he listed a Black Trunk, a Kit Bag and a Suit Case containing various items such as a “grey suit”, “12 collars”, a ”Holland coat”, 5 pairs of “pyjamas”, “2 new underflannels”, “3 new thick underflannels”, 4 pairs of “underpants (old)”, “4 cuff shirts (stiff)”, 6 packs of “choc.”, “1 Malted Milk”, an “evening suit”, “cigars”, a “New Navy blue suit”, “1 pr thick sox”, “11 New Handkies”, a “Meerschaum pipe”[37], “Patent boots”, “collar studs” and a “Hat band”. [38] For a trip to Sydney, FB listed the following items to take with him: “Light Tobacco”, a “White dinner coat”, “cigarettes”, “suspenders”, “evening ties”, “socks” and a “Hat”. [39]
Photo captions –
Excerpt from FB’s Collins’ Royal Diary 1907. Image source: Hamilton Logan
Excerpt from FB’s Collins’ Royal Diary 1905 titled “Personal Memoranda”. Image source: Stu Webster.
35 Launched in August 1905, the Royal Mail Steamer Mooltan was a luxury P&O vessel that replaced the Oceania on the Hobart/Melbourne to London service. On 26 July 1017 she was torpedoed by the German submarine UC27. All but two of the 554 aboard had been taken off when Mooltan was abandoned about 160km south of Sardinia only to be sunk two hours later by a second torpedo (poheritage.com)
36 Collins’ Royal Diary 1905, page titled “Personal Memoranda”
37 A smoking pipe carved from sepiolite
38 Collins’ Royal Diary 1907, page titled “Personal Memoranda”
39 Collins’ Royal Diary 1907, page titled “Memoranda from 1906”
10
FB even went so far as to give himself a note, mid-voyage to Colombo, Sri Lanka (then Ceylon), to do some washing when he got there. He lists “6 collars, 3 white shirts, 1 flannel shirt, 1 flannel collar, 2 stiff shirts, 1 pr sox”. [40]
Remembering that the diaries and journals were used as an aide memoir for writing up the memoirs, it is fascinating to compare (on the one hand) what FB wrote in his diary entry as a contemporaneous record of the events that happened with (on the other) his later re-telling of those events in the memoirs themselves. For example, in his 1905 Collins’ Royal Diary, writing from his lodgings at Oxford, he starts off the entry for Thursday 23 February [41] by saying:
Another bitterly cold windy day…NZ Shipping Co. sent labels & advised me that they had reserved a berth in the Ruapehu” he also notes that he “Met Mrs Henderson ‘Alice in Wonderland’ fame.
The very next day (Friday 24 February) [42] he tells of the “usual lectures”, watching the final soccer cup “Oriel v Ch Ch”, and that he then “Had a cuppa, supper & general binge…Bed early”. He also records that “Mr Gollan sold Moifaa [43] to HM the King for £2500”.
In his memoirs FB writes:
One afternoon I was bidden to tea at 45 The Broad with a Mr. and Mrs. Percival related to the Sydney Johnstons) and there I met and had conversation with an old lady (Mrs. Henderson) – she was a daughter of Dean Liddell of Christchurch fame and was the “Alice in Wonderland” of Lewis Carroll.
In another comparison, on Wednesday 7 August 1907, [44] FB was travelling in Europe with Maie Casey and a Mrs Ryan and had just arrived in Zermatt, Switzerland. The next day
Photo captions –
Excerpt from FB’s Collins’ Diary 1907 titled “Memoranda”. Image source: Stu Webster
Excerpt from FB’s Collins’ Royal Diary 1907 with FB’s laundry list to do in Colombo. Image source: Stu Webster
Excerpt from FB’s Collins’ Royal Diary 1905. Image source: Stu Webster
40 Collins’ Royal Diary 1907, inside cover
41 Collins’ Royal Diary 1905, entry for Thursday 23 February
42 Collins’ Royal Diary 1905, entry for Friday 24 February
43 Moifaa won the Grand National by 8 lengths in 1904
44 Collins’ Royal Diary 1907, entry for Wednesday 7 August
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dawned fine and he saw the Matterhorn covered with snow. On 11 August [45] FB went to an English Chapel service in the morning and then sat in a garden where it appears he must have picked a flower that, to this day, 116 years later, lies pressed between the pages of the diary entries for 10 and 11 August 1907. It’s hard to tell but it looks like a clover flower.
On Monday 12 August [46] FB was on a train from Visp to Stresa when he observed in his diary:
On board train for Stresa when behold our porter did not put luggage in so I jumped from train in motion – fell on platform & hurt left knee – think water on knee. So the luggages were left at Visp & others including 3 Americans went on. I went to Brig in goods train & waited there 3 hours on the platform. Then train at 7.30 to Domodossola, Italian frontier, had to change train and bother with luggage eventually reached Stresa at 10ish. Hotel des Iles de Borromeés. Very tired & sore knee.
As a footnote written vertically in the margin he adds: “Passed through the Simplon Tunnel – 12 ¾ miles – longest in world.
The rendition in FB’s memoirs written-up in the late 1960’s from these notes goes like this: [47]
At Visp we changed into a little toy-train which took us up the Rhone Valley to Zermatt. There we stayed for several days, doing a bit of walking but mostly sightseeing by funicular rail up to heights from which you got lovely views of the mountains around. The trip up the Gornagrat to 10,000 feet gave you a magnificent view of the Matterhorn – Switzerlands most renowned mountain. We joined up with some American people and enjoyed “bridge” in the evenings. One night Maie and I strayed into a little church and there were two climbers stretched out on the Chancel – they had fallen on the Matterhorn and been killed. I fancy today you can climb this mountain of 17,000 feet by the help of a hand-rail. Our stay in this pleasant village under the shadow of so many mighty mountains came to an end and we travelled once more on the funny little railway to Visp where we joined the express from Paris to Rome. However an unfortunate
Photo captions –
Image of the pressed flower inserted into FB’s Collins’ Royal Diary 1907. It’s possibly a clover flower plucked from the gardens he visited after chapel service on Sunday 11 August 1907. Image source: Stu Webster
Excerpt from FB’s Collins’ Royal Diary 1907, entries for Monday 12th and Tuesday 13th August. Image source: Stu Webster
45 Collins’ Royal Diary 1907, entry for Sunday 11 August
46 Collins’ Royal Diary 1907, entry for Monday 12 August
47 My Story, 1907 (see pg 56)
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accident occurred to me and my journey in this express only lasted a few seconds for I spotted the porter who had taken charge of our luggage still had it on his barrow and had failed to put it aboard the train. Realising how easy it was for baggage to be lost on the Continent, especially in Italy, I instinctively leapt from the moving train to be with these possessions and in doing so the door began to close and I was thrown off balance and fell off rather than jumped off. The train with my companions sped on its way leaving me on the ground and very close to the train’s wheels. A bevy of officials closed round me and my thoughts were “here goes, jail” but they were sympathetic instead, particularly when they found my left knee was pretty badly injured and very swollen. After about an hour I was put on to a goods train and taken to Brigue [sic] in the van. After another long wait I joined a passenger train. We passed through the Simplon Tunnel and were in Italy. As luck would have it, my travelling companions had left their keys with the Customs Officials and I was able to clear the luggage. Later that night I arrived at Stresa and thankful to be joined up again with Mrs. Ryan and Maie.
Process
So, the typewritten version of ‘My Story’, literally faultless without a hint of any crossings out or correction tape or fluid, sat inside two green foolscap Olympic University Ring Binders barely seeing the light of day given FB’s wish that they not be published for twenty years following his death.
The following paragraphs talk a little bit about the process involved in getting the material FB recorded in his daily journals into the form you see in this work.
FB was born on 27 April 1884 and died 28 December 1981 at the age of 97. We know from My Story that he started writing a daily diary entries from as early as 1905. On Christmas Day 1965 at age 81, writing from 10 Clyde Road to which address he and Dorothy had retired, FB took the 60 or so years of journals and started to write up his memoirs in longhand using his favoured fountain pen that had belonged to his father Francis. In writing up the first 20 years of his life he would have relied on memory to provide the narrative of the formative period of his life because those years pre-dated his diary regimen. He completed the task not long after his 84th birthday on 27th April 1968. It took FB two years and four months to convert his diaries into his memoirs which now stand at 235,000 words give or take. By the time he’d finished the initial task, he had lined up Annie Whyte to type up his memoirs from longhand but not before considering Miss Wilson, another secretary from Sainsbury Logan & Williams: [48]
Miss Wilson [49] of Sainsbury, Logan and Williams thought she could manage typing this story of mine and she seemed to be the person for she knew so much about the family and also about Hawke’s Bay.
However, the task fell to Ann Whyte: [50]
Early in the month we called to see Ann Whyte in Clive who has undertaken to type this ‘story’ for me. I hope you will get some interest out of it.
And a mammoth task it would have been on a new electric typewriter with italicized script. Annie was not without help since FB recognized that his handwriting could be a challenge at times: [51]
It is May, 1968, so you see I am making good progress and it looks as if I may soon be out of a job. While I continue with the condensing business Dorothy is making a bold effort to decipher what I have already done so that Ann Whyte, who is typing the story, will have less difficulty to overcome.
48 My Story, June 1967
49 Namely Miss Rae Wilson. See Sainsbury Logan & Williams – Lawyers Since 1875 at pp 180 and 331
50 My Story, February 1968
51 My Story, January 1964
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FB had pondered whether he should finish his memoirs earlier than the age at which he was writing it up:
Now we have reached the year 1915 and as I begin to write about the events of that year I am 82 and I just wonder whether I shall ever be able to complete the story of my life, for there are still another 50 years almost to be accounted for. What I do is to take up my diary each year and go through it carefully noting down what I think are events worth recording and then I write up from these notes. I try not to go too much into detail but I hope just to give you an insight into what we did in the days gone by. [52]
I really think “My Story” should have ended in 1964 when I reached the age of 80 and all public activities had come to an end. However, I was persuaded to carry on. On looking over the story of 1965 it appears to me there is much that cannot be of great interest to you so I shall try to cut down considerably on 1966 but if you are at all curious you can refer to my original diary — that is if you can read it. [53]
In fact, in 1964 he wrote the following passage: [54]
I tendered my resignation as a director of Williams and Kettle and on the last day of the month it took effect. I was sad to sever my twenty-four years connection with the old firm but at the age of 80 I did not consider it fair to remain on the board when there were so many younger men more fitted for the job. And so ended my public life and now with the exception of a few Trusts etc. I am to lead a private life. During my time I have served on the following bodies:
Hawke’s Bay County Council
Hawke’s Bay Hospital Board
Hawke’s Bay Rabbit Board
Napier Bay Harbour Board
No. 4 Transport Licensing Authority (which governed the area from Dannevirke to Rotorua, including Gisborne and Bay of Plenty)
Mangatahi Rabbit Association
Kereru School Committee
Kereru Sports Club (now merged in Maraekakaho Sports Club)
Hereworth School Board
Hawke’s Bay S.P.C.A.
Royal S.P.C.A. of New Zealand
Memoirs Scanned to File
The first major task involved in preparing the memoirs for publication was to scan the 278 foolscap pages of single spaced italicized typewritten text into a form that could then be formatted and proofed.
Thankfully we were able to use one of the latest copiers at Sainsbury Logan & Williams for that task. The pages in the Olympic ringbinder were fed into the scanner in manageable chunks and the resulting scan was joined together in one continuous document and converted into Word format which was then completely word searchable The scanned copy contained numerous formatting and other errors simply because of the quality of the original typewritten work which contained some gaps, interlineations and areas where correcting fluid had been used. The text was converted to double column.
Formatted
The memoirs are in four parts:
My Story. This contains the bulk of FB’s work because it represents his condensing of 70 years of journals together with narrative that contains his recollection of events before he commenced writing his journals.
Biographical Notes. These are set out in alphabetical order and cover a number of individuals who, by FB’s calculation would all be either dead or
52 My Story, January 1915
53 My Story, January 1966
54 My Story, April 1964
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over 100 years old by the time his memoirs would see the light of day (namely 20 years after his own death).
Hawke’s Bay Earthquake. This part of FB’s memoirs goes into minute detail about his own personal experience during the earthquake and its aftermath. Assisted by his journal entries, he put this together in 1981. The original handwritten notes were found inside the Olympic 1B School Exercise Book.
Supplementary Material. This is derived from notes that FB wrote when he was 97 years of age and likely added because he felt that Eddie Herrick should be recognised amongst the
Photo captions –
Image of the inside cover of FB’s Olympic 1B School Exercise Book in which FB recorded his Biographical Notes. He makes it clear that “they are personal observations only.” Image source: Stu Webster
Excerpt from FB’s Rough Diary, 3rd February 1931; Image source: Stu Webster
Image of the front cover of FB’s Olympic 1B School Exercise Book in which is written the biographical notes about various Hawke’s Bay identities, his personal recollection of the 1931 Hawke’s Bay Earthquake and Supplementary Material he penned in 1981 (at the age of 97) dealing with EJ Herrick in particular. Image source: Stu Webster
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other notable personalities in Hawke’s Bay given his contribution to the region and because he too would be of an age that anything said about him was unlikely to be contested “in this life” at least.
Whilst the aim was primarily to produce this work in electronic form so that it would be freely available, readily accessible, word-searchable and indexed, we always knew that a certain number of printed copies would be needed in order to satisfy a limited audience of people who preferred it in that format. Hence the need to condense the finished version into two-column format with a font size that was big enough to read unassisted but not so big as to force us to publish it in two or more volumes.
Proofed
As mentioned earlier, the scanned version picked up a number of unforced imperfections during the scanning process.
That required careful work to check that the scanned version intended for publication was as close as possible to the original manuscript. In addition, there were some grammatical and spelling mistakes that we decided not to correct. Despite FB’s Oxford University education, he was susceptible as we all are to making some basic mistakes. [55] All of this is quite remarkable when you consider the task of transcribing FB’s writing which even he confesses was a challenge .[56]
Glossary of Names
As Hamilton succinctly observed: The absence of a glossary that provides context and meaning to My Story is “like a photograph without any names under it”.
The glossary of names contains over 250 references to the names of people found in FB’s story.
Michael Fowler and I sat down with Hamilton over three sessions [57] consisting of a total of 13 hours and had the whole of our conversations with him recorded and then transcribed in full (including Hamilton’s wife Timmie’s voice summoning us to tea and scones during a well-earned break).
From the transcript we extracted passages relating to individuals who are now named in the glossary.
My Story Hyperlinked to the Glossary
We hyperlinked the text of the memoirs to the glossary so that readers who are reviewing the electronic copy of this work would be able to simply click on the highlighted name and be taken straight to the glossary and, in many cases, further suggested reading.
Conversations with Hamilton
Just like “out-takes” in popular sitcoms, there was a wealth of material that we covered in our sessions with Hamilton that were simply too valuable to end up on the editorial room’s floor. These passages have little connection with each other and may appear completely out of sequence, but nevertheless deserve to be published because of their historical value. One item that comes to mind is the beautifully tailored morning suit that has been in the Logan Family for over 110 years and can be seen in a number of photographs in Hamilton’s autobiography Fear Not Change. [58] One of those images is reproduced as part of that chapter of this work. [59] The tailor’s name was Henry Corlett of 9 Princes Street, Hanover Square, London.
List of Important Stations and Other Reference Points
55 Epedemic, galvernised, liason, caesarean and Scandanavia [sic] although this could have been as a result of the transcription process from handwritten notes to the typewritten form.
56 My Story, January 1964
57 On 12 July 2020, 15 January 2022 and 12 March 2022
58 Fear Not Change, pp191
59 See Chapter 7 “Conversations with Hamilton Logan”
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In reading the memoirs a number of times it’s immediately apparent that FB had a huge connection with the men and women who lived and worked at the many farming stations both in Hawke’s Bay and farther afield including Australia. Miriam Macgregor published an invaluable work that chronicled the genesis of 117 Hawke’s Bay Stations. [60] In his memoirs FB makes reference to no less than 53 of those stations and although Miriam’s work has long since been out of print it is still available through public libraries. It seemed important for reasons of background and context to provide links to reference material for readers who wanted to learn more about the people and properties that meant so much to FB and his wider family.
The same applies to important buildings, other structures and locations. The references are contained in the glossary rather than hyperlinked in the text itself. However, the index should also provide a reliable guide.
Image selection
Hamilton was able to provide an enormous amount of written material, images and memorabilia that have a connection to his father’s memoirs. The issue of image selection was therefore challenging. In consultation with Hamilton, the image chosen for the front page of this work seemed to encapsulate the essence of who FB was. Obviously at leisure, trout fishing was a strong and recurring feature of FB’s life, as was Lake Taupo and the plus-fours he wore whilst fishing which rounds out the sartorial nature of his character.
The other images tell a story about the individuals and landscapes that feature prominently in the memoirs and hopefully provide an added layer of richness to what is already a multi-layered and textual life-story.
Index
The index was compiled last of all. It is selective and does not include every word, name or topic covered in this work. This is explained in more detail in the Notes to the Index. However, by presenting this in electronic format it is hoped that any omissions in the index are forgiven as a result of readers being able to word-search the entire work.
Stu Webster
Napier
June 2023
60 Macgregor, Miriam Early Stations of Hawke’s Bay, Reed, Wellington, 1970
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CHAPTER ONE
My Story
Christmas Day, 1965
10 Clyde Road Napier
For many years I have been meaning to make use of a reasonably good memory and my diaries which I have kept since 1908, to build up for you the story of my life. It may or may not be of great interest to you, but I am quite looking forward to my task. I was born in 15 Lincoln Road, Napier April 27th 1884. The house is still standing though it has had many face-lifts. It also has a frontage to Fitzroy Road. It was a comfortable old house and my childhood there was happy.
My father (Francis) was born in Edinburgh on February 9th, 1857. In 1863 he moved with his parents to Newcastle-on-Tyne and lived there till 1881 when he came to New Zealand on a health-revitalising trip in a sailing ship (Paramatta) but New Zealand appealed to him to such an extent that he decided to make his home here. In England he had qualified as a Solicitor. After a short time in Auckland he came to Napier where he lived till he died in 1933.
My mother was Louisa Taylor – born on the 27th of December, 1859 in Paramatta N.S.W., her father being Clerk of the Petty Sessions. Her parents died when she was about 17 and she then came to live with her aunt (Rhodes) and uncle in Napier at (now) 16 Lincoln Road. Joseph Rhodes was a Member of the H.B. Provincial Council. He was one of four brothers who came to New Zealand as whalers in the 1840s. Two settled in the North Island and two in the South Island. All appeared to take up big tracts “of land and founded large families. My father and mother were married in St. John’s Church (now the Cathedral) Napier on the 3rd of July, 1883.
My paternal grandfather (James Logan) was born in Stirling in 1827 lived most of his life in Newcastle-on-Tyne and was Manager of the North British and Mercantile Insurance Company for N.E. Counties of England. He died 1897.
My paternal grandmother nee Rachel Bannerman and was born in Edinburgh in 1828 and lived with her grandparents there till her marriage in about 1850. Her maternal Great Grandparents were named Biggar and their portraits hang in our home. They lived in Edinburgh at the time of the 1745 troubles.
After my grandfather’s death in 1897 my grandmother and Aunts Rachel, Helen and Mary went to live in “Bank House”, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, a pleasant seaside village 20 miles from Newcastle-on-Tyne. My uncle James, who had succeeded grandfather as Manager of the Company, was a bachelor and had a home in Newcastle, but spent weekends at Bank House.
This is my story, so enough in the meantime of those who went before.
Many people seem to imagine they can remember happenings at an early age in their lives. I must be an exception for I do not seem to remember anything until I was 5 years old but in 1889 the routine of my life underwent a complete change for in that year my parents took me and my brother, Ivan, who was born in July 1886, to England to see our grandparents.
The sea voyages were a tremendous thrill, as I apparently was interested in ships and knew most of them that visited Napier. The Napier Roadstead was in full view of our home in Napier. That was before the Breakwater Harbour came along, and in the wool season there were as many as twelve sailing ships lying at anchor in the Bay. We travelled to England and back in the S.S. Amman of about 4,500 tons. She was a very graceful ship – clipper bows, four rakish masts and two funnels. When there was a favourable breeze her sails were set and she then looked more like a full-rigged sailing ship than a steamer. The voyage to England was by way of Cape Horn, Rio de Janeiro and Teneriffe, and took 42 days. The return journey was by way of Teneriffe, Cape Town and Hobart and the time was 45 days. We were in England for six months, and most of the time was spent with our grandparents in Newcastle or Newbiggin.
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At the latter place Ivan and I had a wonderful time on its glorious beach. We had a nurse, so our parents were free to do quite a lot of running about, looking up old friends and the occasional visit to London.
Several things concerning that adventure to England remain clear in my memory – the voyage to and from England and the heavy rolling of the ship, my grandparents who were so wonderfully kind to us, the woman who called once a week with balloons which my grandfather used to fill with gas so that they floated up into the heavens, the London Zoo, and mastering the porridge eating ritual in my grandfather’s house. They (the Scots always regard porridge in the plural) were eaten in what was called the Breakfast Room half an hour before breakfast, which was served in the Dining Room. My grandfather ate his porridge walking about the room. The porridge was brewed by our Jean, whose only jobs in the house were porridge making and darning. She had been nurse to all my grandparents’ children and in her old age remained on just to perform the jobs I have mentioned.
Back in New Zealand before Christmas, but my mother and I did not arrive at our home in Napier till after Christmas, as I fell out of my upper bunk on the ‘Arawa’ the night before our arrival in Wellington, and after remaining unconscious for a couple of days, I was taken I Hospital where I remained for two weeks. My Aunt Andro, sister of my mother, lived with us at that time, and she and my mother soon nursed me back to health. In 1894 my aunt married Charles Cotterill of Christchurch, who was Manager of the Bank of New South Wales at Masterton.
For part of the summer holidays of 1894-5 Ivan and I went to Masterton to stay with my Aunt Andro and her husband, Charlie Cotterill. In those days the journey from Napier to the Wairarapa was quite an undertaking, for the railway between Eketahuna and Woodville had not been completed. My mother took us by train to Woodville where we spent the night and early next morning we coached (4 horse team) for 4 to 5 hours through lovely bush clad country to Eketahuna and then picked up the train to Masterton.
During 1893 or 1894 I can remember two weddings in the family – my mother’ cousins Millie Rhodes and Ida Lock married Will and Charlie Bidwill (Wairarapa) respectively. I recollect, very vividly, being seized with terrific tummy pains at one of the weddings and being rushed from the Cathedral to the Colonial Bank, next door to the Church, by L.W. Balfour who was Manager of the Bank at the time. During the last three years of what I call my childhood, my life was a happy one. The population of Napier was about 8,000 and everybody seemed to know everybody else. We had a very pleasant circle of friends, and life moved along at a peaceful measure. My particular friends of those days were Nellie, George, Keith and Basil Cotterill, whose father was a Solicitor and Crown Prosecutor, Louis, Von, Dudley and Audrey Kettle. Their mother was a daughter of the celebrated Major von Tempsky, and she was my mother’s life-long friend and my godmother. Then there were Godfrey, Leonard, Basil and Gladys Jardine, and May and Herbert Coleman, who lived in a very large house with a turret on top. As children, we imagined it to be a castle.
In 1890 my aunt and I spent a few months in Christchurch visiting friends and her future relatives. Incidentally I brought back a kitten which we named Myrini. She lived for thirteen years and produced about one hundred kittens during that time.
Among our friends was one outstanding – he was Frank Stopford. He came to New Zealand for his health and did not expect to live more than a year. However, thanks to the climate of Napier, and much care, he lived to be 78. He was formerly in the British Army and was a man of much learning. His fondness for and interest in children knew no bounds, and he was ever ready to answer their questions. I learned more from him than I ever learned at school, particularly in general knowledge.
Miss Florrie Sutton opened a Kindergarten school in 1891, and I was one of her first pupils. There were eight all told. I remained at her school till February 1894 when I became one of the original pupils at the Napier Grammar School, which was run by Messrs
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Monckton and Gray, who were graduates of Cambridge University.
Those were happy and carefree years – the British Empire stood firm and no one ever spoke or thought of war. After school hours there always seemed plenty to occupy one – swimming lessons at the Napier Baths given by father and Jack Hughes – playing with friends, expeditions up the Tamekia River by boat, frequent visits to “The Spit” – Port Ahuriri of today – to watch the loading of lighters with wool and frozen meat, fishing from the old breastworks or the North British Freezing Works across the fairway at the Port. At the age of ten I became the proud possessor of a pony ‘Daisy’.
A great part of the school holidays was spent at Mangatarata, a sheep station of 30,000 acres, just out of Waipukurau. This property was owned by the sportsman Spencer Gollan, who lived most of his time in England, and was managed by his half-brother Louis de Pelichet. There were visits too to Longlands, then a station of 10,000 acres managed by Alec McHardy, grandfather of Douglas.
Longlands extended in the East to what is now Havelock, to the South to Paki Paki, West to Ngatarawa and North to Stortford Lodge. Hastings was then only a Village. I remember a visit to Poporangi (Andersons). It took the best part of a day by buggy and pair to reach it from Napier. On all big stations the main transport was bullock wagon, and I remember being so distressed by the “Bullocky” at Poporangi saying “such horrid things about Jesus Christ because the bullocks would not do as he wished”. This I wrote to my mother. Life on Poporangi in those days was hard and tough, and so was the country.
A highlight of my childhood was a visit to New Zealand by my Aunt Mary Logan, she was tall, dark and very good looking and full of fun.
My father was a keen sportsman and fond of many games. In his young days in England he played Rugby and Cricket for his County (Northumberland). From the moment of his arrival in New Zealand (1881) he played a prominent part in the advancement of Rugby football and became a referee of repute over a period of 20 years or so. He and his Northumbrian friend Minden Fenwick, who was on the staff of Tomoana Freezing Works, won the New Zealand Doubles Championship at Lawn Tennis one year, and were runners-up another. He was a good shot and a keen angler as well. It was not surprising therefore, that my father should give his sons every opportunity, within his means, of enjoying games and sports. My brother took full advantage, but though enjoying myself in the effort, I never excelled in any game.
At a very early age, I was taught the art of boxing – my father considered it essential for a boy to have some idea of defending himself. These boxing lessons took place before breakfast each morning, my father standing on the garden path and we boys standing on the verandah so as to give the necessary height.
In those far off days there were also sailing expeditions on Ahuriri Lagoon (now farm lands since the earthquake of 1931 raised it) with Jack Parker, Leo von Haast, Jack Hughes and Frank Kennedy – all friends of our parents.
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CHAPTER TWO
Boyhood & School Days – 1894 to 1902
I suppose it is safe to suggest boyhood begins the day of entry into a purely boys’ school . I began as a pupil at the Napier Grammar School in February 1894, and I think it was a relief to get away from Kindergarten, even though the discipline imposed by Messrs. Monckton and Gray seemed a little harsh at first. Otherwise life continued along the same happy lines, and each holiday was mostly spent at Mangatarata, where one enjoyed riding, swimming, taking some part in the routine work of the Station, riding or driving to Waipukurau two or three times a week for the mail, eel fishing in the evenings. The homestead was extremely comfortable, and the two maids seem to be part of the estate.
After a year at school came another breakup, for in 1895 we were taken to England again at the bidding of our grandparents. By this time I was 11 years old and old enough to enjoy and appreciate to the full all that a visit to England could give. I attended school till the last minute before our departure about mid-March. We travelled from Napier in the S.S. “Mararoa” to Sydney by way of Gisborne and Auckland. The voyage took 7 or 8 days – the “Mararoa” was quite the star ship of the Union Company’s fleet and was of about 2,000 tons. I subsequently had several trips in her and I shudder when I look back on the discomfort of ships of those days. In Sydney Ivan and I spent several days with a cousin of Mother’s. She had been Mrs. Locke, whose husband had been one of Napier’s Surveyors in the days of its making.
It was about the middle of March when we embarked on the “Oceana” – the latest of the P & O. fleet, and about 6,000 tons. The voyage was full of excitement and interest to a boy of my age – I had my 11th birthday on board. We called in at Hobart, as most ships on the way to England used to do in the apple season. Then we called at Melbourne for at least 24 hours, and my parents had several friends there, and this made the visit enjoyable. Then a full day in Adelaide. I was on the point of going ashore when a giant sting-ray was hooked by a member of the crew. So I did not accompany my parents but watched the playing and landing on the ship of the huge sting-ray which was over 12 feet across.
The passage across the Australian Bight to Albany was rough, and the ship rolled heavily.
By this time I had made friends with other boys and girls of my age – the Charles Murrays in particular – and my parents too had found friends, and among them was Ella von der Heyde, whose father was German Consul in Auckland. Ella (Haidee) as we called her was in her early 20s, and was under mother’s care. Later in the year she married Archie Seth Smith of Silvermere Cobham, and this delightful home in later years, became a home to me – more about this later.
From Albany to Colombo the sea was calm, and the heat gradually increased as we drew towards the Equator. Colombo in those days was attractive and unspoilt, and the British were held in high regard. After a morning of shopping and Temple visiting we drove out to Mount Lavinia, about 12 miles away, and then we stayed in a pleasant Hotel overlooking the sea, for a couple of days. Six days’ sailing and we were in that arid and bleak place – Aden – and how grim, hot, dirty and fly-ridden it was. A drive to see the huge water tanks and back thankfully to the ship. Four days of intense heat in the Red Sea and then the Suez Canal. The passage through the wonderful Canal was made by day, and later in the evening we arrived at Port Said. As we passed through the Canal a very spectacular mirage loomed in the western distance – it appeared to be a large city – many grown-ups said it was Cairo.
Early next morning coaling began and was accomplished by a swarm of dark almost naked Egyptians carrying a basket of coal on their backs. They ran up a gangway like a lot of flies, emptied their loads and down by another gangway and into the bowels of a coal barge to reload. This went on for hours and the ship at the end was covered in a layer of coal dust, and had to be hosed down. Most of the passengers who were on board spent
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most of the time on shore, looking at the bazaars and watching the conjurors at work. Port Said was smelly and dirty and full of very evil-looking men – you hardly saw a woman and most wore the face covering. Three days later we were in Brindisi, and some of our passengers boarded the Calais-Brindisi express, and were thus in London 12 days before the “Oceana”.
Many years later 1 travelled by the Brindisi express. Even at my age I appreciated the romance of hearing the mandolins played by musicians in boats sailing in the Harbour.
The next call was Malta, full of history going back to the days of St. Paul, and later the Crusaders. Then on to Gibraltar, at that time an impregnable bastion of the Empire. Four days more and we were in London.
Referring to the “Oceana” – she was one of the most modern liners afloat, and according to the standards of the day, she was the last word in comfort. The decks were spacious but completely open, not glassed in even where the deck faced the bows, and there always seemed to be a wind rushing along the deck. There were, of course, no electric gadgets whatsoever, and the dining saloon, smoking room and lounges were kept cool by the pulling of punkahs by Indian boys. The Captain, Officers and Engineers were British and so were the stewards, in both the cabins and dining saloon, but the ship’s crew were Lascars and swarms of them at that.
This visit to England was for me very enjoyable and a high success, for I was old enough to take in everything. We made our headquarters as before with our grandparents in Osborne Road, Jesmond (Newcastle-on-Tyne), a pleasant part of that industrial town of the North. Two of three months were spent at the grandparents’ seaside cottage at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea which was a very delightful village with glorious golden sands. We bathed, rowed in boats and were occasionally out with a fisherman. The place was a boy’s paradise.
Each morning my grandfather caught the 9a.m, express to Newcastle and returned at 5 p.m., and we would have a walk with him on the sands or the Moor. It was light in those days of summer till 10 p.m. or later, and we resented having to go to bed in daylight.
My grandmother took Ivan and me to stay with two great aunts in Edinburgh, and we got a great thrill out of that lovely city, with its Castle, Forth Bridge (only recently built) and the masses of Scots Soldiers in the Kilt, and bagpipes were forever playing. From Arthur’s Seat my Grannie pointed out little Lock Mary where she and my grandfather first met while skating and at a later date became engaged. A. visit to Loch Lomond was a highlight.
There I learned the full meaning of Presbyterianism, for my Aunts were rigid Presbyterians, and as narrow as they are made. We arrived at their home on a Saturday, and by my bedside, when I went to sleep was the book I was reading “Great Engineers of the World” and I was more than interested in the story of the Forth Bridge but when I awoke the book was gone, for my Aunts had removed it till the Sabbath was over. Nothing could be read on that day but literature pertaining to religion. The two Sundays in Edinburgh were indeed gloomy – all blinds were drawn – the Aunts walked about as though there had been a death – and there were two services to attend at the Kirk where there was much talk about eternal Hell and its flames.
We had a week in London with my Grannie and saw all the sights boys expected to see, such as the Zoo, Tower Bridge, Madame Tussaud’s Wax Works, and, of course, many visits to the Army and Navy Stores, especially the toy department. In those days only shareholders or relations or friends of such could shop there, and you always had to give the ticket number of the shareholder in question. My Grannie had inherited some shares from her father, who was a Naval Officer, and her ticket number was 98, and that is the number we as a family used for many years. But the day came when the ticket business had to be abandoned by the Stores for competition with other similar organisations made this necessary.
Our six months in England passed only too quickly. I was devoted to my grandparents and three Aunts who did so much to make our
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visit a happy one. Grandfather said goodbye to us at his home, he did not feel he could stand the parting at the Central Station, but we caught sight of him away in the distance on the Station platform as our train pulled out. That was the last time we ever saw him for he died in 1897. The Central Station at Newcastle was and still is one of the most important and busiest in England. My brother and I loved to be taken to see the trains rushing in and out. The fastest train in England “The Flying Scotsman” passed through the Junction on its journey from London to Edinburgh.
I almost forgot to mention two of my greatest adventures while in Newcastle – one was the launching of one of the earlier Destroyers H.M.S. Oppossum at Swan and Hunters’ ship building works at Walker-on-Tyne. The excitement of seeing this ship glide down the slipway into the River! Later Mrs. Watts (later Lady Watts) took us and my Aunt Rachel out past Tynemouth to see the Channel Fleet at anchor. Aunt Rachel was very seasick and so was Mrs. Watts. Mr. Watts as he was then, was a ship designer at Armstrong Whitworths works on the Tyne, and later he was knighted when he was Constructor to the Admiralty. More about the Watts later in the story.
After another week in London we set off in November in the “Oceana” on our return to New Zealand. After leaving the Docks a fog settled down and we anchored for the best part of two days in the Thames with the fog-horn blowing every minute or two – even to a boy this became annoying. The journey back was by the same route – The Suez Canal and Colombo intriguing us even more. My father decided we should disembark at Melbourne as by catching the “Mararoa” we would arrive back in. Napier about a week earlier than going on to Sydney. We called in at Hobart, The Bluff, Dunedin, Christchurch and Wellington and reached Napier a week or so before Christmas.
I went back to the Grammar School in February 1896 for a year. The School had grown during my absence and consequently the circle of friends grew. Our holidays were mostly spent at Mangatarata, which we always enjoyed, but at Christmas we were sent to “Okawa” for a couple of weeks – old Mrs. Lowry was then alive.
Her three daughters were unmarried and lived there, also Mr. T.H. Lowry, who was early in 1897 to marry Miss Watt of Napier. Early in 1897 we were taken to Wanganui by train which left Napier at 8 a.m. and reached Wanganui at 10.30 p.m. Today the journey by car takes about 3½ hours so began my first term at The Collegiate School. Ivan and I were put into a dormitory with Harold and Ritchie Abraham, sons of a friend of father’s from Palmerston North. In the first week or two I was stricken with homesickness, and hated everything and everybody – but eventually I settled down and began to like those whom I had at first hated. Mr. Walter Empson was the H.M. and we all had a great regard for him and he was called “The Man”.
While there were several boarding schools in both Islands, Wanganui Collegiate School and Christ’s College were the leading schools and both were endowed by the Church of England. Wanganui was on the whole, depressing, cold and drab, without a single comfort whatsoever, and how we ever survived I do not know. The Headmaster (Mr. Empson) was educated at Charterhouse and was a B.A. Trinity, Oxford. He had a flair for teaching the Classics, and I always think of him during Lent – though he was a low Churchman he observed Lent particularly Passion Week, as though Christ was still on earth and undergoing the ordeal, and woe betide the boys who were due for punishment at that time. The only other master worth mentioning in my diary was J.R. Orford, a Triple Blue of Cambridge, and as well as being a Scholar he was a man of liking. The Padre was quite unimaginative and lacking in humour. The chief Matron was a dragon, and her only cure for all ills was Castor Oil or the dig of a needle! Of the Masters only the Head was allowed to administer corporal punishment. All offenses boys’ names were entered in the “The Book” and at five to one each day the Head dealt with Justice! with a Fives bat – it was wooden rather like a table tennis racquet and covered an area of about 5 or 6
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inches. – it hurt but did not draw blood or make weals as does a cane.
The Prefects were allowed to administer the cane for offenses detrimental to the wellbeing of the school. I never believed such authority should be given to Prefects – the privilege was often abused. At the Napier Grammar School the Masters caned on the hands and this was a very crude and cruel method, as one can well believe.
Mr. and Mrs. Empson were kindness itself to me all the six years I was at school. We had met them at the Masonic Hotel in Napier one evening in the holidays before, so we were not strangers, Arthur (the son) became a friend of mine very early and we remained friends, though after our school days, we only met at rare intervals. Judy (daughter) married Gordon Williams of Drumpeel, and so we met more frequently in later life. During the first two years at school, more often than not, I had a nursery tea with Arthur and Judy in their home – it was usually cold sausages and a boiled egg, whereas school tea was just bread and butter – but you provided your own jam.
During my six years at Wanganui I suppose I came in contact with about a dozen masters but the only outstanding master beyond Mr. Empson was J.R. Orford, who had been a triple blue at Cambridge and was also a scholar of note and further he was a man among men.
Breakfast at school was porridge, full of lumps, some sort of hash three days a week, bread and scraps and tea. On Sunday we had sausages (mystery bags). Dinner was usually a roast, a hashed up dish and vegetables, followed by milk pudding and steamed pudding almost daily. On Sundays we supplied our own cream by joining a ‘cream Club’ at a 1/- a term. No in-between but when you were 15 you could have supper of bread and cheese and cocoa once a week. When you became a Prefect you could have supper every night. However, if you wanted a biscuit and a drink of water before going to bed, you were welcome to them!
We rose summer and winter at 6.30 a.m., a cold plunge – about 30 boys to the same bath and once a week there was a hot bath before bed. Preparation was held from 7 to 8 – mighty cold in winter. Breakfast at 8, prayers at 9 and school till 1, with a 20 minute break at 11 a.m., school 2 to 4 and games in the summer and in the winter games till 4 and school after. Tea at 5:30, preparation 7 to 8, prayers and bed at 8:30 for those under 15, and 9 for the older boys. There was Chapel on two mornings of the week (Litany on Friday) and morning and evening services on Sunday.
When I first went to school there were two Houses – The Big School (Empson) contained about 180 boarders then and Shield’s House with 30 to 40. The usual practice was for each Boarder to spend one term a year in Shields. A year or two later a small House, run by another Master (Watson), was added and accommodated only about 12. The Head Prefect was E.V. Riddiford. I think I hated my first year (1897) at school because there was hardly an entry in my Diary.
The holidays in December and January of 1897-8 were particularly happy, for I went with Father’s party on a fishing expedition to Taharua. Ivan, Basil and Keith Cotterill were with us. We coached to Tarawera, 52 miles on the first day, and on to the Rangitaiki next morning – coached on over a rough track to Taharua Station, and from there it was a case of walking another 8 miles and taking the gear by pack-horse. Our henchman was Piripi te Heu Heu and he was with us for years while on fishing expeditions. Our camp was close to some lovely bush, and the Taharua Stream was only a stone’s throw away. Camp life was enjoyable and we were taught the art of fly fishing. There were no rainbow trout in those days, but brown trout were plentiful.
Father was one of those responsible for the liberation of the brown trout in the early 1890s, and this was the second year of fishing since the liberation of the small fish. The sport was good and the weights of the fish were from 2 to 5 lbs. We found the best fly was the Cicada, and these we boys used to catch and put in match boxes. We were back in Napier early in January and the rest of the holidays were spent there.
According to my diary every day was full – tennis, parties, visits to my Parents’ friends,
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who by now regarded me almost as a grown-up. Among these friends were the Bullocks, Hoadleys, Burkes, Dr. and Mrs. Ronald (wonderful friends) the Bernaus, etc., etc. There was a weekend with H. Abbott at Ardlussa. We drove in a dog cart (Tandem) and each river crossing, and there were 15, I had to jump out and lead the horses. There were cycle expeditions, some photography and tennis at the Wenleys.
I must not forget Mr. and Mrs. Stopford. He was one of the best and most helpful of friends.
A most devastating flood occurred in Hawkes’ Bay at Easter time 1897 – particularly about Napier and Clive – railway bridges were destroyed and there was some loss of life. Owing to transport disruption the boys from Napier and Gisborne came home from school for their May holidays by ship from Wanganui.
Back to school on February 2nd, and from my diary it would appear I had found ‘my feet’ and boarding school did not hold so many terrors. I began to make many good friends and among them was Eru Johnson who later became almost a brother. Eric Riddiford was another.
If you want to know more about my school days and later, have a look at my diaries.
In the May holidays of 1898 I went with the Empson Family to Mt. Peel – a most delightful home up the Rangitata – brick house in lovely gardens, a chapel in the garden. We spent a night in Wellington on the way, crossed in the ‘Rotomahana’ (Greyhound) train to Rangitata and coach to Peel Forest, then by buggy to Holnicote. The Acland Family owned Mt. Peel and Mrs. Empson was a daughter. Old Mrs. Acland was a daughter of Bishop Harper (first Bishop of Christchurch). I met hundreds of relatives of the Aclands and one day went over to Orari Gorge, the home of the Tripps (Mrs. Stopfords people). Arthur Empson, his Father and I had many expeditions round the countryside and there was snow on the high country. I returned to Napier for the last two weeks of the holidays, staying a night in Christchurch and climbing the Cathedral Spire with Mrs. Henry Cotterill. I joined the S.S. “Flora” at Lyttleton and travelled with Dr. and Mrs. Ronald. We left on a Saturday night – next afternoon in Wellington and the whole of Monday and back in Napier on Tuesday afternoon. For some reason we did not berth at the breakwater so came ashore in a boat.
There is a note in my diary that I attended Court one day during the hearing of the Woburn case – this property of 30,000 acres or more belonging to Mr. Purvis Russell was acquired by the Crown under the “Lands for Settlement Act” or Seddon’s Act -the price offered was £4.10/- per acre but after a fight the Government paid £5 – this land today (1966) would fetch £100 per acre.
If I continue quoting my diary my story will be more lengthy than a Scott’s Novel so I shall have to curb my enthusiasm somewhat.
This studio image of Francis Logan hangs in the reception area of Sainsbury Logan & Williams, Tennyson Street, Napier (date and photographer unknown). Image source: Stu Webster
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On October 12th I note England declared war on the Transvaal and so began the unhappy and weary Boer War. Every Sunday night after Chapel Arthur Empson and I used to bike down to the Chronicle Office for latest war news.
I was confirmed with others in the chapel on Sunday 16th December by the Rt. Rev. F. Wallis (Bishop of Wellington). I knew him for he often came to the Empsons and on my way to Christchurch I had breakfast at Bishopscourt with him and Mrs. Wallis. Mother came over for the confirmation.
So my second year at Wanganui passed – I had got to know many kind residents of the town and often used to go to tea on a Sunday with them. There was Mrs. and Miss Moore, Mrs. Earle (doctor’s wife), Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Dunn (cousin and sister of Mrs. Empson), and Mrs. Barnicoat and others.
Our Christmas fishing expedition was a very successful one – this time we went 20 miles down the Rangitaiki River towards Galatea. Richard Jebb of England was among the party and 7lb. trout were common. Sam Crowther, the expert coachman of the Taupo-Napier coach service, was in charge of our camp and Piripi, of course, was there. Denty Wilson and Lowry North were among the party. We returned to Napier early in January 1899 and during the balance of the holidays we had a full programme of games, fishing and picnicing with our many friends. The time passed on too quickly and back to school on February 2nd.
Early in the year 1899 my friend Jim Ritchie left school for a naval exam, in Sydney and then to England (H.M. Britannia, Dartmouth). I was to see much of him in later years when our friendship grew closer and we corresponded on through the years. It was during 1899 I first met the Rt. Rev. Cecil Wilson – Bishop of Melanesia – he was a very striking looking man and charming to boot. He married a daughter of Archbishop Julius and a son, John, is today Vicar of Havelock North.
I notice that, during 1899, the new Rutland Hotel seems to have become more popular than Chevannes, so far as parents of boys at school went.
During that year amateur photography seems to have become popular and I notice many references in my diary to my own interest in it.
On January 1st 1900 we returned from our annual fishing trip. The month passed only too quickly – there was a short visit to the North’s at Dartmoor and also to Mr. and the Misses Lowry at Crosby, Havelock North. Basil Cotterill and ourselves seemed to do quite a lot of fishing, tennis (mostly at the Wenley’s and Bernau’s) and rowing up the river to Balfour’s Hole (Meeanee).
I became 16 this year and it was my 4th year at school. I became much more amenable to school life and amassed a host of friends and two more homes adjacent to Wanganui were opened to me – Mrs. Troutbeck’s and Mr. and Mrs. Sherriff’s. I progressed satisfactorily, but not without hard work, in my lessons but did not make much progress in sport and games. I was just very mediocre.
However by now I was quite reconciled to this state then came an accident on the football field on August 13th that finally decided my fate in regard to football in particular and also running. I dislocated the left knee and this was for ever left
Photo caption – Louisa Logan with Ivan (left) and Frank (right) c. 1889. Image source: Hamilton Logan
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weak. I had to leave school after a few days in bed and continue life in bed or on a sofa for the next couple of months. During that time Mr. Stopford came over almost daily and we discussed all sorts of things together and he taught me much. In the afternoons after work Ella Burke (Thornley Sherratt) used to come along to cheer me. She her mother Mrs Gore (Aunt Bess) and sisters then lived at Burlington Road.
During the early part of 1900 the Boer War dragged on and we suffered many reverses. Then a change came when Lord Roberts took command – Kimberly, Ladysmith and Mofe King were relieved after long sieges and the Boers began their retreating tactics. I joined the Debating club in 1900 and once a week in the winter term we had our debates. Mr. Empson usually presided and gave advice.
At times I was given the task of reporting (for the Collegian) the 1st XV football matches and I kept this up for the next two football seasons as my football days had come to an end. In the May holidays we enjoyed two or three shooting expeditions to Te Onepu (Groome) – a delightful friendly old home – and there the usual bag was from 12 to 16 brace of quail and a few pheasants. My first of many visits to Blackhead was made those holidays and what a lovely home it was overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The journey to Blackhead from Pourerere was along the beach and could only be effected when the tide was reasonably low. One night in later years (1906) Mr. McHardy was taking a party of us back from a woolshed dance at Pourerere when the incoming tide caught us and during the night the car was completely submerged and had to be dragged home by the bullock team.
After the end of September there were no entries in my diary – why I cannot tell – but when my knee mended sufficiently I went back to school and this must have been somewhere about half-term. I foolishly sat for my Matriculation that year and naturally did not make the grade. One of my subjects was Botany which Mr. Stopford instructed me in.
Talking of Blackhead Station – originally it was a property of about 24,000 acres taken up by J.H. Coleman and A. McHardy about 1860 and it was financed by Archdeacon Samuel Williams of Te Aute. Old Mr. Coleman had been head stockman on Te Aute Station which possessed a herd of Shorthorns. Mr. Coleman once told me that in their first year at Blackhead they had a flock of 2,000 ewes and practically all the lambs were devoured by wild pigs. So they had to set to work to exterminate the pigs. During Christmas and New Year period there was our usual fishing expedition to Taharua and Rangitaiki rivers but the first week I spent at the Spa in Taupo to have the “spout” on my knee. This seemed to have a good effect. We returned to Napier early in the New Year (1901) and the holidays passed again too quickly – there was much tennis at the Wenley’s, Kettle’s and Bernau’s and fishing with Basil Cotterill.
On January 22nd Queen Victoria, who had reigned for 61 years (9), died and we were ordered to wear mourning: – that meant black ties and lack bands on our arms! King Edward was proclaimed king a few days later.
Back to school early in February. I found myself in Form UA and a Librarian, which was just one lap behind that of prefect. I can see in my diary definite signs of growing-up. My friendship with the C.A. Dunns grew stronger and I was a frequent visitor to their home in Castlecliff. Dunn married Bessie Acland (himself being related to the Aclands) – he had a small dairy farm and supplied the school with milk. He used to drive his own milk delivery cart. Ivan and I spent three days at Te Onepu (Groome’s) in the early part of May and our share of the game bag appears to be good for we distributed 37½ brace of quail among our friends on our return to Napier. Towards the end of May we had another good day at Te Onepu among the quail. I notice that the train for Wanganui now leaves at 8:45 and arrives at 9:10 p.m. – an improvement in time of nearly an hour.
The reason for the length of time for this journey is the lack of co-ordinating timetables
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for the connecting trains – that is the Wairarapa and Woodville trails and Wellington-Palmerston train. The Wellington-Palmerston train was privately owned and was called The Manawatu Railway.
On July 2nd events of note took place – J.R. Orford (Master) returned from the war in Transvaal and W.T.S. Ritchie left for Cambridge University. He had been Head Prefect for 1½ years and was a personal friend of mine. His youngest brother, Charlie, came to school this year (1901) and in later life he and I were close friends.
In the August holidays we went to Auckland and Rotorua – travelled to New Plymouth by train and joined S.S. “Takapuna” for a night’s journey.
The reason for our stay at Rotorua for two weeks was that Father required hot bath treatment for sciatica. At Rotorua we became very friendly with the Crown Prince of the Sandwich Islands (now Hawaiian Islands) and his wife – he never came to the throne. Our return home was by way of Auckland and steamer to Napier (Zealandia – a very uncomfortable and rough passage).
During 1901 quite a number of earthquakes occurred – round about Cheviot they were severe.
I notice that all through the years at school there was always an outbreak of influenza once or twice a year, and I usually fell victim.
It may be of interest to note that on the last Sunday of the term the psalms and hymns never varied :-
Morning Service – Psalm 34
Hymns 103, 121, 122 and 150
Evening Service – Psalm 24
Hymns 391, 274, 439 and 277
During my six years at Wanganui my Aunt Andro lived in Feilding (Charlie Cotterill was Manager of Bank of New South Wales) and she usually met the train with foodstuff, and Frank Ormond lived on his farm near Woodville and he often met us and took us out for lunch in the old buggy.
Our fishing party that year consisted of Father, Ivan, Mr. C.A. Fitzroy, Bob Fitzroy, E. Groome and self.
First we camped at Taharua and a week later on the Rangitaiki where P.S. McLean and Goudy joined us. During the whole time we caught 101 fish and the average weight was 3.67 lbs. Two members of the party, viz. J.K. Goudy (Manager of Dalgety’s) and Dent, Wilson did not catch a fish as they spent most of the day under flax holes swigging out of a flask so the other members had a very good average each. The rest of the summer holidays were spent in Napier – much tennis and kingfishing, evening parties etc. I saw much of Dr, and Mrs. Ronald, F.J. Stopford and the Kettles.
On February 6th back to school and I found myself a prefect and Editor of the Collegian – two responsibilities which fell upon me in my last year.
The Prefects were : – D.H.S Riddiford (head), E.W. Johnson, T.F. Handyside, H.N Coleman, F.B. Logan, R.E.W. Riddiford, F.V. Kettle, O.R. Farrer, L.J. Mackie, R.C. Murphy, R.T. Fullerton-Smith, R.W Williams, A.G. Burns.
Of these only Dan Riddiford, Ralph Murphy and I remain.
For Easter and the Sports there was a big gathering of parents and old boys -among them were my Father and Mother, Mr. and Mrs. Wenley and Uncle Nat and Aunt Lina (Kettle). Chevannes Hotel appeared to have regained its popularity and was a scene of much excitement during the Easter period.
During the May holidays Ivan and I some good shooting – we had three days at Te Onepu early in the month and our share of quail for distribution among friends was 30 brace together with some pheasants.
We spent several happy days at Whana Whana with the Beamishes and shot an enormous number of Pukeko. Eric and Noel Beamish were then about 11 and 13 and were to go to Wanganui next term.
On May 31st Peace was declared in the Transvaal – the war had dragged on for about 4 years.
King Edward VII’s Coronation was postponed from June till August 9th on account of an operation for appendicitis. On September 3rd our next-door neighbour, Mr. AJ. Cotterill died of pneumonia and on September 5th I
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attended the first burial service ever at the Cathedral.
It was after his death that our home became almost the Cotterill’s home too.
During my last year the following figured much in my life. Dan Riddiford, A.H.A. Empson, Tom Handyside, H. Hanmer, T. Holmden, C.A Ritchie, E.W. Johnson and J.N. Coleman. We seem to have been on friendly terms and on each Sunday I seem to have been for a walk with one of them, and more often than not the walk was across the sandhills to the Dunns.
During 1902 S. A Gollan (the owner of Mangatarata) paid one of his frequent visits to New Zealand. He was quite a remarkable man and excelled in many forms of sport – golf, rowing, boxing, riding, billards, etc. It was towards the end of this year that he purchased the horse Moifaa in New Zealand and shipped him to England where he won the Grand National in 1904.
Gollan and his trainer, Hickey (whom I also knew) were stationed near the last jump in the Grand National race and when Gollan said “we’ve won it” Hickey collapsed and never regained consciousness before his death which occurred a few weeks later.
Almost at the end of the 3rd term there was an outbreak of measles in the school – I succumbed and quite a number of the masters as well. So it was a somewhat gloomy ending to the term and the year. I left school with mixed feelings – I was anxious to get on with life but there was sadness in saying farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Empson and other masters who had taken a personal interest in me. I knew that many of the friends I made at school would continue to play a part in my life whereas others would never cross my path again.
The following is a list of friends who helped to make my school days happier than they otherwise would have been –
W.T. Ritchie, J.S.M. Ritchie, Charlie Ritchie, R. St.C. Stewart, Harold Gillies, Herbert Coleman, R.F.R. Beetham, A.H.A. Empson, Ian Kettle, Dudley Kettle, E. Gordon Williams, Douglas Williams, Tom Handyside, E.T. Wilder, Edgar Stead, D.H.S. Riddiford, Eric Riddiford, E.B. Williams, Earl Williams, Selby Palmer, Eru Johnson, T.N. Holmden, Noel Beamish, Eric Beamish, R.W. Williams, W.B. Martin, Jack Nairn, R.P. Wilder
Of these only six are not living but the memories I have of those who have gone remain fresh and happy.
A few days before Christmas, Father, Keith Cotterill, Sam Crowther and I left for the Rangitaiki Camp and a few days later Ivan joined us. After a happy and successful expedition we returned to Napier on January 2nd and from then till the 15th my programme was a full one – saying goodbye and doing many jobs.
On the 15th my Father, Mother and I went to Wellington and on the 18th I set off in the Tyser cargo ship “Indralema” for London – Ronald Williams was my companion. We had known one another since childhood and had been to various schools together.
The “Indralema” was a dismal cargo ship of 6,000 tons – iron deck from stem to stern except for a deck house amidships containing four cabins, dining saloon, bathroom etc. and the Bridge was above. Captain Firth was a big burly man – as strong as an ox and had a voice like a foghorn.
His large wife was also on board and a small girl of about five years. There was one other passenger than R.W. and myself – a man by name of Hardman who was extremely delicate and spent most of his time in bed.
The Chief Engineer was a Creole (Critchlow by name) and he and the Captain were bosom friends but always called one another “Mister”. The Chief Officer was a tough Lancashire man without an “h” to his name. The 2nd Officer was by way of being very ‘up-stage’ and superior. There were two sittings for meals in the diminutive saloon – at the first were the two junior officers, two midshipmen and two engineers. At the second sitting were the Captain and Mrs, Firth, Chief Engineer and Chief Officer and 2nd Officer, R.W. and Self. R.W. and I were very bored at the 2nd sitting and asked to be transferred but after a week this arrangement proved highly unsuccessful and we resumed our places at the second sitting.
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Shipboard life on a cargo ship in those far-off days was very rough and tough. R.W. and I shared a small cabin – all cabins led out of the saloon and there was no privacy whatever. We sailed at 6 a.m. on January 18th – it was a dull and windy day such as Wellington can turn on at will.
During the following week I was seasick and homesick and felt like nothing on earth for the smallpox vaccination had begun to take effect. And during that first week the barometer kept falling and the sea kept on increasing. The climax came on Saturday 24th January when we were awakened by a fearful crash and a huge sea seemed to envelop the ship – then we heard the engine bell ring from the Bridge – the engines ceased and the ship drifted broadside to the sea and began to roll very heavily. R.W. and I thought the tail shaft must have broken, and that we would drift to the South Pole.
It was not for about two hours that we knew just what had happened for we were battened down and were not able to leave the deck house. The Captain seized an opportunity to dash down to the saloon to tell the somewhat scared passengers just what was “cooking”.
The huge sea, that broke on board, buckled the decking just above the steam steering gear and put it out of action so until repairs could be effected the only thing to do was to “heave to”. Vellum bags containing oil were lowered over the ship’s side (windward) and the oil spread out from the ship and so had the effect of converting a breaking sea into a swell.
The Bible speaks of oil on a trouble sea. For 18 hours we lay in the trough and rolled like fury and about 4 o’clock on the morning of the 25th we began to steam on again but the sea was so steep we could only proceed at a very slow speed for quite a time. Gradually we ran out of the storm and on February 6′ we rounded Cape Horn – it was a lovely morning and we were able to get a good view of this desolate tip of the American Continent from three miles away. Actually Cape Horn is a small island. Now the ship headed North and we gradually began to edge our way into warmer weather. We crossed the Equator on February 20th and anchored at Teneriffe late in the evening of the 28th – just six weeks from the time we left Wellington and during the whole of that time we had only seen one ship and that was away on the horizon and we had only had one glimpse of land – that was Cape Horn.
Owing to the quarantine regulations we were not allowed ashore at Teneriffe but native dealers came on board and we bartered for fruit, lace, cigars, etc., and the ship took coal on board. We sailed away again about midnight and after a fairly rough week with weather getting colder we sighted the south coast of England late in the afternoon of March 7th – picked up the pilot at Dungeness and then anchored for the night at Gravesend. The following morning we got under way again at 5 and finally docked in Victoria Docks of London at 8:30 – it was a grey dull day and rather cold.
The long and weary voyage ended – 50 days at sea without setting foot on shore.
I packed my trunk and rammed seven weeks of dirty clothes into the large canvas bag, put on a suit of clothes which had not seen daylight all the voyage and waited for the arrival of Aunt Mary and Mr. Harry Abbot. They arrived at the docks about 10 a.m. and we immediately left by train for Fenchurch Street, London.
It is interesting to note that during the voyage the “Indralema” averaged a little under 10 knots an hour – the best day’s run was 279 and the lowest 213, except for the 24 hours we were hove-to.
In fact the ship was just a tramp, however she was well founded. The cargo was mainly frozen meat and wool.
By rights there were no passengers and R.W. and I signed on as Purser and Assistant Purser on 1/- a month.
Each day R.W. and I devoted several hours to study – mainly Latin and Greek.
It was for this reason we travelled in a non-passenger ship. To keep ourselves fit and out of mischief we also accepted jobs of work on deck or in the engine room.
Then in the evening we played the odd game of cards and often in the afternoons there was deck hockey or cricket but you would not have recognised the games as such.
The cold between New Zealand and Cape Horn was quite awful at times and, of course, there was no such thing as a heater – they were unknown in those days.
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During the nights if you were awake when the hour bell rang you would hear the “Look-out man” who was situated up in the bows of the ship call out to the officer on the Bridge “Lights are burning bright and all’s well”.
Ivan, Louisa, Francis and Frank at 18 Fitzroy Road, Napier in 1901. Image source: Hamilton Logan
A private Hawke’s Bay cricket team (date unknown). Frank Logan is third from right, front row. The three Lowry boys are on Frank Logan’s right. The image was likely taken at The Grove at Okawa which in its day was a relatively famous and well-known private cricket ground. Hamilton Logan recalls that Tom Lowry played a lot of cricket on that ground. Image source: Hamilton Logan
Wanganui Collegiate School Prefects, 1901. Frank Logan is in the front row, first on the right. Image source: Hamilton Logan
Wanganui Collegiate Prefects, 1902. Back row (left to right): AG Burnes, TF Handyside, OR Farrer, RFW Riddiford, RC Murphy, LJM Mackie, RW William. Front row: F von T Kettle, HN Coleman, DHS Riddiford, RT Fullerton-Smith, FB Logan, EW Johnson. Image source: Hamilton Logan
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CHAPTER THREE
Manhood & England
On March 8th, 1903, a new life opened up for me. My Aunt and I spent a few days in London collecting some clothes and visiting friends such as Mr. and Mrs. Gollan and Mr. Edward Shortt (he later became Secretary for Ireland in the Asquith Government), seeing a theatre or two, some sightseeing and, of course, a visit to Customs House to receive my formal discharge from the “Indralema”.
Then we proceeded to Newbiggin-by-Sea. In those days Newbiggin was a delightful little fishing village – today it is a dirty dump. The journey was by the Flying Scotsman to Newcastle-on-Tyne and a change to a local train for a further 20 miles. I was greeted then by my Grandmother, Uncle James and Aunts Rachel and Helen.
Bank House then became my home. It was a longish grey stone house set in a pleasant garden with tennis court complete. At the entrance was the Lodge where Grey the gardener lived. On the far side of the house the lawn sloped down to a delightful sandy beach and the view of Newbiggin Bay with its many herring boats at anchor – it was a pleasing picture.
I spent about a week at Newbiggin and met many of the family’s friends – Mr. and Mrs. West, Ernest Charlton, Ada and Mary Wood and many of the village folk and fisher folk. We visited Newcastle to get more clothes – particularly an evening suit – an absolute must in England in those days lunched at the Union Club with Uncle Jim and met some of Father’s contemporaries, viz. Barty Brummell and Billy Swanston.
The time passed only too quickly and I then returned to London for a couple of nights with our old friends Grannie and Auntie Matheson at Hendon. They were not related to my family but for some reason or another I always called them Grannie and Auntie. We had travelled with them on the “Oceana” in 1895 from London to Melbourne. They opened their home wide to me and off and on for many years they remained wonderful friends.
Auntie gave me a day of excitement in London. We visited St. Paul’s, Lloyds, Bank of England, etc. At St. Paul’s we watched Lord Roberts unveil a monument to Sir C. Browne. Later in the afternoon I met Jack Nairn (Pourerere) who was studying medicine at Guy’s Hospital at Kings Cross, and we took my luggage to Charing Cross Station.
After a cup of tea and a yarn over old days at Wanganui I trained to St. Leonards-on-Sea. There I entered a “crammers” establishment in London Road which was run by E.L. Hawkins for prospective Oxford University students. He was a pompous and unpleasant little man and completely disinterested in others than himself and for the month I was there I was never able to forget I was a “Colonial”.
In those days New Zealand was still a colony and few English people even knew where it was. Mr. Hawkins told me the routine of the place and dismissed me.
Barham House was a very expensive place – £10.10.0d. per week, which in today’s equivalent would be about £40! There were about 8 or 10 of us in residence – R.W. being one – and I can remember Mockett, Barlow, Townshend, Patten and a Smith – Mockett and Patten went up to Oriel with me in October but I never cottoned on to any of them.
We worked about six hours per day -only one hour per day of personal instruction at the hands of Hawkins or an assistant and we had to wear full evening dress (white tie) for dinner at 8 p.m. each evening.
I stood the racket for about a Month and when the Easter recess came I decided to make other arrangements for coaching for the Oxford Entrance Exam. I learned mighty little and hated the experience but R.W. and I did quite a lot of exploring which was enjoyable. We visited Hastings Castle, Battle Abbey (William the Conqueror), Pevensey and some of the coastal towns such as Eastbourne, Bexhill, Rye, Winchelsea etc.
St. Leopards and Hastings were at that time, and still are, fashionable seaside resorts and
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there were the usual attractions on the sea front and piers. The only redeemable feature of Barham House was my bedroom which was large and the view over the English Channel was grand. Most of one’s book work was done in the bed-sitting room except for the odd hour a day with the tutor. I always remember my supper there, of Bath Oliver biscuits and Cornish Cream sent me by Sloggett from Cornwall. He had been Mr. Bernates coachman and worked his passage to England in the “Indralema” and by way of paying back a small amount I lent him he sent the cream. The dinners at Barham House were stuffy and formal – Hawkins at the head of the table and a somewhat stylish housekeeper at the other end – the conversation as we waded through many courses was on a high plane – part of our education I think: We always drank red wine and usually a glass of port with dessert. After dinner we were expected to play bridge for an hour before further book work. I managed to avoid this as I told Hawkins I was unaccustomed to late hours.
So on April 8th I said farewell to St. Leopards and went up to Willesden Green where I spent a couple of nights with the Turner Williamses (Mrs. Turner Williams now lives in Havelock North) and R.W. was there too. On the 10th I travelled to Newcastle by the Flying Scotsman and on to Bank House, Newbiggin-by-Sea to my Grandmother and Aunts. Until October 13th Bank House was my home, or at least my resting place between odd visits. Uncle Jim had engaged a tutor by name of Brackenbury for me in Newcastle and for the next month I used to visit him three times a week for an hour’s tuition – mostly Greek, Latin and Maths – and I learned all I wanted and more for 5/- per hour. Had I returned to Hawkins after the Easter Vacation it would have cost me another £50 at least.
From April 11th to May 9th I worked hard and went up to Brackenbury three times a week. It was an hour’s journey by train and half an hour’s walk to Holly Avenue – less by tram. Very often I went to Jesmond Dene to lunch with Mr. Montagu Stopford who lived in Lord Armstrong’s town house (he was an Uncle of Lady Armstrong).
Most of the month the weather was vile – a heavy snow storm on Easter Sunday left the country under a white blanket for about a week. I enjoyed the companionship of many new found friends particularly Norman, Hugh and Eva Southern of Ashington (about six miles away) – the former two were at Uppingham and destined for Kings College, Cambridge, in October and Eva was at Cheltenham. We had a lot of fun together and I was a frequent visitor to Ashington. Their Father (E.V. Southern) was Manager of Ashington Colliery – the biggest coal pit in the United Kingdom and it extended well under the sea. There were also the Liddell Brothers (Chris and Hugh) and the two Forster sisters.
There was an exciting ship-wreck on the Point Rocks on the night of the 27th and when the alarm was given I donned coats and snow boots and was in time to see the rocket being fired over the ship with breeches buoy. The crew were safely landed and the ship “Attiki” of 5,000 tons was towed off a week later when the Neap Tides occurred.
On April 10th I travelled to Oxford, my first visit to this University town which was to be my home while in England. I took rooms in a comfortable “digs” in Walton Street. During the few days before my Entrance Exam for Oriel College I delivered letters of introduction to The Reverend L.R. Phelps (Fellow of Oriel), The Dean of Oriel (Reverend F.A. Hall) who later became my tutor and Dr. Goudy, Regus Professor of Civil Law, one of Oxford’s most colourful and important men. Incidentally he was the brother of J.K. Goudy, Manager of Dalgety and Company of Napier. He was a tall and imposing figure and ready to be helpful. One night he invited me to a dinner party of six in his rooms at “All Souls’: It was my first taste of gracious living such as University celebrities enjoy. I also called on the Provost of Oriel, Sir Vavis Munro, a shy elderly bachelor of great learning. His niece, Jean Munro, kept house for him and she was a
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very understanding young woman for her home was in New Zealand.
I also lunched and dined with Dr. and Mrs. Matheson (Dean of New College) – he is a son of Grannie and Mrs. Matheson a daughter of Lord Abadare.
I attended evening service at New College chapel on the Sunday. I had my first sight of Mr. Spooner, the originator of Spoonerisms: I also called on The Reverend Dixon-Currie of New Hinksey – he was a friend of my Father’s in the days of his youth.
R.W. (Williams) stayed at The Mitre and he, Mockett and I forgathered during the week and visited many Colleges etc. The Examinations were held in the “Schools” at the bottom end of “The High” and lasted two or three days – there was Prose (Unseen) Latin and Greek, Essay, Maths (Algebra and Arithmetic) and at the end a Viva Voce. I was not altogether happy about the papers and went as far as to discuss with Dr. Goudy what move I should make if I failed. He only smiled and said “don’t worry, they would not allow you to travel 12,000 miles and not take care of you”. Well on the morning of the 16th a telegram came to say R.W. and I had passed into Oriel – we were among the 25 out of 46.
So in a high state of excitement we went off to London. The next few days I spent at Hendon with the Mathesons and Mr. Jim Matheson took me about the City. Then I went to stay with Mr. and Mrs. W. Robison (she was the widow of J.W. Carlile (Carlile and McLean – Solicitors of Napier). Then I joined up with Osborne Sainsbury (my Father’s deceased partner’s son), and we did many theatres and I got to know the West End of London Well. During that week there was a heat wave and temperatures rose to between 80 and 90.
On 25th May I returned to Newbiggin and remained there till mid-July with the exception of about a week in Oxford at the end of June. During the time I was staying at Bank House I kept up my book work and used to go into Newcastle for tuition with Brackenbury twice a week. In between times life was very pleasant – there were many more friends to bathe with on the delightful beach, among them were the Rhodes girls of Woodhorn Vicarage. There was much cycling about the countryside, visits to Ashington and Togston Hall (Liddell).
On Sundays I usually walked to Woodhorn for Church Service (about three miles). When my Father was young the Vicar was Mr. Shorn (father of Edward Shortt). The days passed happily but far too quickly and I became attached to Northumberland. It was in June I paid the first of many subsequent visits to Bamburgh Castle. I cycled the forty miles but returned as far as Morpeth by train.
During the last week of June at Oxford I stayed once more at 157 Walton Street and R.W. was with me. We sat our “Smalls” – proper name “Responsions” – it is the University Entrance Exam. The same subjects more or less as those for Oriel. The regulations say “students must wear dark suits and white ties” for exams. I chose a white sailor knot tie and was refused entrance till I had rushed up the High and bought myself a bow tie! This all made me hot and bothered and of course I was about 20 minutes late in beginning the first paper. However, all ended well. R.W. and I both passed – so now we were set for Oxford in October, with no further exams before us.
The next three months were completely carefree and full of enjoyment. In the middle of July I went over to Dublin to stay with a very old friend of Mother’s – Mrs. Blood. When Mother knew her in New Zealand she was a Mrs. d’Elsa. She had a daughter Sophie d’Elsa about my age and a younger daughter by the second marriage. Time passed very happily in sightseeing, cycling, golf, etc. and there was a visit by King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra to Dublin which’ caused much excitement in the way of Procession and Army and Navy reviews, fireworks etc. but there were some cancellations on account of the Pope deciding to die during the Royal Visit. The last three days of my stay in Ireland were spent at Greystones in County Wicklow – a glorious part of the country. I returned to Newbiggin on August 7th and remained there till September 24th except for the odd few days at Rothbury with the Aunts and
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Chris Liddell and a week at Warkworth with the Southerns where we had much fun and a few days with the Robsons at Bellingham, near the head waters of the Tyne. From my diary I note I did some fishing on the rivers Coquet, Tyne and Aln but not with marked success.
At Rothbury I lunched one day at Lord Armstrong’s wonderfully situated home among the hills and heather – Cragside. The hills at that time were a mass of purple heather and in the dells were the most glorious rhododendrons. Mr. Montagu Stopford was staying there at the time and likewise Tom Williamson of Gisborne. In his hey day Lord Armstrong owned Cragside, Jesmond Dene in Newcastle, Bamburgh Castle, a London house in Eaton Square and a villa in the south of France. He was enormously rich but proved to be a fool over money matters and ended life as a comparatively poor man.
On one occasion when I stayed at Bamburgh Castle he had a huge house party and among the guests was Sir Adolphus Fitzgeorge – a son of the old Duke of Cambridge. I thought he was a very ordinary and vulgar old man and his stories after dinner, at which the table roared with laughter, were extremely crude. The last time I saw old Lord Armstrong was at Bamburgh Castle in 1950 – he then had his second wife – he was fairly similar and she was remarkably ordinary.
So the days passed merrily, mostly in company with Norman, Hugh and Eva Southern. On fine evenings after playing tennis at Bank House, we would have a swim in the sea before our supper, of course it was light till 10 or 11 p.m. in the northern summer, On September 24th I departed for Oulton Hall, Norfolk – the home of Mr. Walter Bolton and his sister. It was a lovely old home set amidst glorious woods and about 20 miles north east of Norwich. It was a happy week at Oulton – quite a lot of partridge shooting and I spent one day at East Ruston with the Rector and his son (Conrad Bankes of Christchurch Oxford and whom I got to know well later on) among the snipe.
There were very few private motor cars in those days (1903) in fact my first drive in a car was not till early in 1904 when I was taken for a short drive by the Rev. Dixon-Currie of New Hinksey. The public transport in all large cities was horse drawn bus, tram car, handsom cab and growler. The well-to-do owned carriages mostly and some of the turn-outs were quite wonderful to behold with coachmen and footmen side by side on the box-seat wearing full livery.
Lord Lonsdale’s carriages, I remember, were all painted a deep yellow with coat of arms on the doors and the coachmen and footmen wore powdered wigs. The handsom cab was the taxi cab of the period – you would not see any today except perhaps in Museums – it was comfortable though it looked otherwise. The fare was very reasonable and you could travel a long way for 1/- but it was usual, as it is today in regard to taxi drivers, to give the cabby a little extra. On Sunday mornings it would be the correct thing for the Londoners of fashion to walk or drive in their carriages in Hyde Park after morning church. This was called “Church Parade” and was a colourful sight. To get on with the story – after a very pleasant week at Oulton Hall I went to London, calling in to see Norwich Cathedral which I was to see on many occasions later.
On arrival at Liverpool Street Station I took a handsom cab to York Hotel, Barners Street – this was a very modern and up-to-date hotel to suit the average traveller and was operated on the bed and breakfast lines – the price was 5/- bed and breakfast in 1903. Today a similar type of hotel would charge at least 35/-. Mr. and Mrs. and Norman Southern were staying at The York also. Norman was getting his wardrobe for Cambridge. He and I went to quite a number of theatres and had a good look around London together. We also went to the docks on two occasions.
During the visit to London I saw something of the Harry St. Hills, Nellie Cotterill, the Robiesons, Louis Kettle and Arthur Hawkins – Arthur was then in the 11th Hussars and one night I dined with Louis and Arthur at the Cavalry Club. It was a very full and exciting ten days in London but I felt a little homesick the day I saw the “Rimutaka” leave
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the Victoria Docks with the Tom Crosse family on board.
On the 9th October I went to Silvermere, the lovely old home of the Archie Seth Smiths. It was midway between Byfleet and Cobham. The family consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Seth Smith, Ted and Mollie (aged about 9 and 7 – or thereabouts). The house was a large and rambling one in a spacious garden with lovely woods – there was a lake on which you could row a boat in summer and skate upon in winter. There was a 9 hole private golf course, green houses and everything really that made life pleasant.
Haidie (Mrs. Seth Smith) was the Miss von der Heyde who travelled with us in the “Oceana” in 1895. Minna von der Heyde (her sister) lived also at Silvermere. Silvermere became another home for me and the friendship between us all became a happy one, Betty Hay, now of Auckland, was not born until after I had left England and I did not know her till she visited New Zealand in about 1932. During my stay at Silvermere there was some pheasant shooting and golf and, of course, the complete joy of being in a private home midst friends.
Then on October 13th I went to Oxford and became an undergraduate of Oriel College and so began a totally new life – full of interest and opportunity and I think I realised how fortunate I was to have parents who made it possible for me to enter this wonderful University.
My rooms and R.W.’s were on number 5 staircase in the 2nd Quadrangle – they consisted of a sitting room, the windows of which looked out on Merton Tower, and a bedroom. I took over a certain amount of furniture and added more. There was an outside door you could lock as if it were a flat. A woman used to keep the rooms tidy – make the bed etc – she was called a “bedder” and a man-servant (scout) attended to about four undergraduates and Mr. Phelps who was also on our “Stair”. He was what you call a “valet”. We (undergraduates) breakfasted and lunched in our rooms, having the meals sent up from the “Buttery”. We dined in the Hall with the other College men – about 150 all told – the heads of the College sat at high table. On Sunday mornings we either went out to some restaurant in the town for breakfast or made it in our own rooms, scrambled eggs as a rule.
The night of my arrival my Aunt Mary came down from the north and she helped me do a bit of shopping and get my rooms into some shape. She stayed at The Mitre – Oxford’s famous hotel – and after completing her task she returned to Newbiggin on the 15th and then I settled down to my life at Oriel in ernest. Then followed the settling down process in this strange but historic University. R.W. and I discovered the loneliness of being the only New Zealanders at Oriel and as far as we knew in the whole of Oxford.
However a little later we discovered Cruickshank at Keble and became very friendly with him. About 40 years later he became Bishop of Waiapu. At Oriel there were 150 undergraduates and they hailed from all the public schools of England, and most of them knew one another before coming up to Oxford by reason of being at the same school or playing some game or other in inter-school contests. R.W. and I literally knew no one. We came from a school 12,000 miles away and we were Colonials and New Zealand did not appear to interest the average Englishman in those days. The All Blacks did not come into the picture until 1905 and generally speaking there was very little tourist traffic between England and New Zealand. The idea of young people visiting England on a working holiday was quite unknown. In those days, too, there was no Television, no wireless and no air travel or airmail. It took five weeks at least for letters to travel to and fro and further there was no telephonic communications.
October, 1903, was the first term of Rhodes Scholars and I think the New Zealand Rhodes Scholar was one Thompson – we met at a later date but had very little in common as he was about 22 or more and was a graduate of New Zealand University.
After the first week “Freshers” brekkers got well under way – these consisted of breakfast parties given by second year men
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for Freshmen. Some of them were quite big – up to a dozen – and the spread was fantastic. You got up after eating for an hour, usually there was fish, bacon and eggs, sausages, steak, tea, coffee, toast and marmalade and you felt quite unfit to begin the round of lectures. However this method of entertaining gave the members of a College an opportunity of meeting. Sometimes you could be invited out to other Colleges. Then as the term advanced it was the proper thing for the Freshers to return hospitality. These breakfasts were always served in your rooms and your Scout waited. You were allowed to keep drink in your rooms and sometimes there were evening parties but cocktail parties were unknown then. There were also a few more formal “brekker” parties given by some of the dons and before the term was far advanced I dined with the Provost of Oriel (also vice-chancellor of the University, Sir David Munro and as I said before his niece, Miss Jean Munro, who kept house for Sir David).
The day after entering college I paid my formal call on the Dean of the College, the Reverend F.H. Hall. He was a funny little fellow with a very squeaky voice and always addressed you with his eyes closed. He was my College Tutor but it did not mean he ever taught me. He was mainly my so-called guardian. In order to keep in touch with his “charges” he required them to write an essay every fortnight this was usually discussed with him but the idea was just that of “keeping in touch”. He told me the lectures I would be required to attend and he told me the general rules of the College. Among them was the need to attend 42 Chapel services per term – the attendance of Communion counted for three Chapels, the morning services at 8 counted 2 and the evening services counted only 1.
As a result of this system there was usually a rush to get through Chapel Keeping as early in the term as possible – especially in the winter term, so after completing the forty-two Chapels early on you could lie in bed later as the weather got colder.
For the first year, regardless of the subject you intended to read later, you were further ground in Latin prose and verse, the same in Greek, Logic and Divinity (“Divvers”) – this consisted of the Acts of the Apostles and one of the Gospels in Greek. It was looked upon as a very important subject and you had to make the grade within two terms (as far as I can remember). One attended lectures from 9:30 to 12:30 each day. The afternoons were free to play games or do as you liked, work was expected in your rooms for an hour before dinner and again in the evenings. Sometimes you would be switched from one lecturer (Don) to another and consequently you would have to dash from College to College in your gown – morter-boards were only compulsory after dark. Undergrads could move about out of College freely till 9 p.m. but after that permission was required but freely given. At 9 p.m. Old Tom, the big bell at Christchurch, rang out 101 times and after that the proctors and their henchmen (Bulldogs) were out and you stood a chance of being arrested if you were out without leave or were not wearing Cap and Gown. The steps of Queen’s College was a sanctuary but a “Buller” (Bulldog) could wait for you to give yourself up. Football was out of the question for me owing to my game knee that could go out of joint very readily, so I decided to row and it proved a good exercise and did not take more than a couple-of hours. Each afternoon I used to join the rowing men of my College and run through Christchurch meadows to the barge on the Isis (upper reaches of the Thames) and we carried on our rowing in the orthodox manner and under proper supervision. After rowing you would sometimes go off to watch some soccer and rugger or other games, have a cup of tea either in the town or in a Junior Common Room (College Club) then settle to work in your room.
I soon had a small circle of good friends – there was Keith McDermott (late of Charterhouse) who became a good and staunch friend and his father’s home at 15 Connaught Square, London, became a home to me. Other fellows who became friendly and understanding were Bence-Pembroke,
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Jack Tetley, Freddie Baker, Ron Davison, Wilkinson and Matthews. The first three were killed in the First War, the others I believe are all dead.
The weather got colder, darker and at times foggy and frosty as the term neared its end on December 15th. On Sundays we usually made our own breakfast of scrambled eggs but on occasions we went to a restaurant in town. Then we more often than not went for a long country walk or a tour on bicycle and places often visited were Woodstock, Blenheim Palace, Wallingford, Radley School, Abingdon etc. We would have our lunch at some pleasant country pub. Often on a Sunday we would go to St. Mary’s in the High where there was usually a good preacher viz. Bishop of London, Bishop of Stepney or some other couch dignatory.
So on December 15th my first term at Oriel ended. I had acquitted myself quite well at “Colleckers”, that is the term examination, – written and oral – and therefore looked forward to a month’s rest. I went up to London, had two or three days with the Turner-Williamses at Willesden Green, then a week with Mr. and Mrs. Empson in Cornwall Gardens. Judy and I did many theatres, went to various picture galleries, the Royal Mint and called on friends of the Empsons.
On Christmas Eve I took the Flying Scotsman from Kings Cross to Newcastle and on arrival I had tea with Uncle Jim, then he and I caught the express to Newbiggin and so I found myself home again with my Grandmother and the Aunts. The average speed of the Flying Scotsman in 1903 was slightly over 54 m.p.h. – that means well over 60 m.p.h. at times for there were stops at Grantham, York and sometimes Darlington.
On my first Christmas in England I went out to the Point Church (well out on the northern promontory of Newbiggin Bay) with Aunt Nell. We had a quiet day and Chris Liddell came to a family dinner. I remained at Newbiggin until January 2nd. There were goings and comings among friends, a visit to friends of the family in Newcastle and on New Year’s Eve the Aunts, Chris Liddell and I embarked on a “First Footing” expedition which meant a late night and little sleep for Aunt Mary. The Forster sisters and I caught a train at 107 for a meet of the Percy Hounds at Morpeth. Of course we were only watchers but it was very thrilling to see how a meet of English hounds was conducted – all the followers in conventional hunting attire, much colour, baying of hounds, sounding of the hunting horn and extravagant horsey talk.
On January 2nd I travelled to London. R.W. met me at Kings Cross and after taking our luggage to Waterloo we met the Empsons at the Criterion in Piccadilly for dinner. At 10 R.W. and I boarded the boat express at Waterloo for Southampton en route for our first venture to the Continent. At midnight we boarded the ferry to Le Havre arriving there about 7, boarded the Paris Express for a three hour journey and only one stop.
We spent a week in Paris and got in touch with Cecil Webb (a former master at Te Aute) who was an art student and had a grim bed-sit 104 steps up. He took charge of R.W. and me and at the end of the week there was nothing we had not seen of Paris. He was a wonderful guide indeed. One day we ate snails (“escargot”) – tough and tasteless. Then we proceeded to Rouen. The pension recommended us was pretty low so after a night we moved to a hotel. There were numerous churches and ancient buildings to see and, of course, much of interest concerning Joan d’Arc who was burned at the stake here. A trip or two down the Seine and to Dieppe. Then one night we boarded a ship at Le Havre about midnight and, had a very rough passage to Southampton.
After three or four days with the Mathesons I went back to Oxford. During this term that lasted till 26th March, my rowing progressed and the lectures became more interesting. One Sunday afternoon I was bidden to tea with Sir William Anson (Warden of All Souls). His two elderly sisters kept house and living with them were two daughters of Mr. Fred Anson of South Canterbury. They were delighted to meet and talk with a New Zealander who spoke their language for they were having a very sticky time in that Victorian house. They occasionally came to tea with me in my rooms but there were always the two chaperons (Aunts) with eyes
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like gimlets. I don’t know what became of Margaret but Dolly married Charlie Crawford of Miramar and lived mostly in Scotland.
During the term I was admitted to the Inner Temple and twice during the term Keith McDermott and I went to London to eat dinners. Herbert Sturge became a close friend and this friendship lasted for many years at Oxford and in New Zealand. He died at Rochester, U.S.A., in 1935 where he had gone to the Mayo Clinic for medical treatment. During the term there was a Wanganui Old Boys’ dinner party at the Trocadero. Grey Russell was in the chair. WT. and Jim Ritchie, H. Coleman, R.W., W.B. Martin, Thatcher, H.D. Gillies and, of course, Mr. Empson were present among many others.
On the last day of term R.W. and I suddenly decided to take our bikes over to Belgium. As soon as “Collections” were over we rushed up to London and made our very rapid arrangements and after dinner at the Criterion we caught the 8 p.m. boat train from Liverpool Street to Hawich. Next morning we were steaming up the Scheldt and reached Antwerp about 9. After a meal and a look round the City we mounted our bikes and set off over the very cobbly roads to see the sights. Next day a dreadful ride of three or four hours to Brussells via Malines, stayed at the swagger hotel Metropole, and we spent almost a week seeing all the churches, towers, statues and picture galleries. Then we set off for Ostende via Bruges and Ghent. We had much fun and ran very short of change and boarded the Ostende-Dover ferry about 2 or 3 a.m. Not much sleep and on arrival at Victoria Street Station we biked up The Strand, round St. Paul’s and the City and eventually landed up at Willesden Green. Then a week at Silvermere where Herbert Coleman joined me and we biked to Exmouth via the New Forest to see O.H. Druce who was recovering from pneumonia etc. After a few days we proceeded to Plymouth mostly by train as the weather broke. We met the “Gothic” with Mrs. Coleman and May – the last mentioned was to marry Stephen Walter in May. Herbert went to London in the boat train and I meandered back to Silvermere then and put in a night or two with the Sandersons at Chislehurst. And so back to Oxford on April 22nd.
During the term I went up to the McDermotts at 15 Connaught Square for Temple dinners. After sitting Divinity (Divvers) and Moderations (2nd year exam) I went up to London and spent a few days in Chelsea with Sir Philip and Lady Watts. He was a constructor in the Navy Office and she was a very entertaining Belgian. They were friends of my Aunt Rachel. Then I decided to take a steamer up to Newcastle – it sounded attractive and cheap but it was a ghastly trip. All meals were extra and I had to land at Tynemouth late in the evening or miss the connection to Newbiggin. I had expected to save money by taking the ship but I was well out of pocket! After all the weekend return to Newcastle in those days was only about 21/6: The fare by ship was 12/6 but all meals extra. A few days rest at Newbiggin and then I had to return to Oxford for my Viva Voce exam. By the way I passed my exams. Another few days in London and then back to Newbiggin for the best part of two months when I enjoyed the company of the Southerns, Lizz Richardson and others. There was much tennis, sea bathing, long walks over moor and sands. The long evenings were too wonderful – you could play tennis till 10 and have a bathe in the sea before supper, usually of sea-salmon, crab, etc. There was also the odd weekend at Warkworth with the Southerns, to Sunderland to visit Ada and George Wood, a weekend with Uncle Jim to the Lake District and a long weekend to Mr. Stopford at Bamburgh Castle. The Armstrongs were in residence and one night I dined with them and about 20 guests, (Sir Adolphus Fitzgeorge – a son of the Duke of Cambridge being one). We dined in the Armoury which was full of knights-in-armour and walls covered with flags and strange weapons of war. The Castle Keep is old dating back to the day of the Picts and Scots, about 1100 A.D. – but the rest of the Castle had been modernised by Lord Armstrong at terrific cost along the
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lines of the Ancient Castle. The Castle is built on a massive rock and is surrounded on three sides by the North Sea. A few miles off the coast lie the Fame Islands – full of birds and historic for ship wrecks. A little further up the coast lies Holy Islands (Lindisfarne) where Christianity in England had its birth. A most romantic place and one I was to know much more intimately in later years.
About the middle of August 1904 when an attack of boils had apparently subsided I went to Scotland for seven glorious weeks – heather in full bloom wherever I went. There were the odd days and nights in Edinburgh where I made friends with Andrew Young of the British Linen Bank and a cousin of Father’s. He was a very pleasant fellow – a Batchelor and quite a man of the world. On several occasions he took me out to shows and dinners and was helpful in many ways. I spent a very happy fortnight with Mr. and Mrs. Farmer (parents of Mrs. S.H. Gollan) and their daughter Cicily. In the 1870s Mr. Farmer sold his interest in Longlands (10,000 acres) to his partner James Watt and returned to Scotland. Brownhills is situated on the main road between St. Andrews and Dundee and was a comfortable and spacious home with a lovely garden. During my stay there I got to know Mr. and Mrs. Gollan and their four children well, they had a house in St. Andrews where they spent three months of the summers. He, of course, played much golf on the Royal and Ancient. He was at that time a “top-flighter”. On one occasion I had a round with him on this the most celebrated golf course in the world. I am glad to say I did not miss my drive off but otherwise I was pretty hopeless. Staying at Brownhills was Ida Dickinson, who later married a diplomat, Sir Fitzmaurice. She, “Auntie” as we called Cicily Farmer, and I did much cycling over the county of Fife – at times we went as far as the Tay Bridge just this side of Dundee. The town of St. Andrews was quite attractive and was the seat of a famous University. One day I was shown over the girl’s school of St. Leonards by the headmistress.
My visit to Brownhill was a very enjoyable one except for one last boil on the neck:
The cross-country journey to Oban via Edinburgh, Loch Lomond etc, was through pretty heather carpeted country it was partly by train, boat and coach. From Oban I travelled for two hours in the inter-island ship “Grenadier” to Carsaig Bay on the Isle of Mull and there I was met by my Oriel friend Keith McDermott, his father, sister and the house party on the little jetty. Inniemore Lodge, my home for the next three weeks, was a typical Scottish home of grey stone. It was situated on a hill commanding a wonderful view across the bay to various islands belonging to the Inner Hebrides and purple heather abounded and you could hear the gurgle of various burns as they cascaded down the hill to the sea. It was a house full of comfort and peace. Our days were spent fishing for sail in Carsaig Bay, which was good sport, tramping over miles of heather hills, fishing for Fontinalis trout in the burns, shooting the odd grouse and rabbit and always a picnic lunch. The mail was irregular and some of us would walk to Pennyghael for it – about five miles by a track over the hills. Each night there would be enjoyable talk round a huge wood fire and so this very happy visit, midst kind friends to this Scottish stronghold, came to an end and I left one morning by small ship calling at Iona, Staffa, Tobermoray, Oban, the Kyles of Bute for Gouroch on the Clyde and so via Glasgow to Edinburgh. The following day I went to Kinross and was met by Mr. and Mrs. Purves Russell (whose property Woburn near Waipukurau was taken by the Crown in 1900). A drive for a few miles brought us to Warroch – a lovely home in the Ochil Hills. Mr. Russell was about 86 and full of interest regarding the pioneering days in Hawke’s Bay. A week passed only too quickly, what with some partridge shooting, visits to his daughter’s home, Hattenburn – she married Sir Henry Montgomery – drives round the countryside etc. Grey Russell (at school with me) was at Warroch for part of the time and we had much in common.
The last fortnight of the Long Vacation – till October 13th was spent at Newbiggin. Aunt Helen had returned from her visit to New Zealand and was full of home news. There
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was the resumption of friendships with Lizz Richardson, the Southerns and others. We had much golf and rambles over the moors and even at this time of the year we had an occasional dip in the sea.
And so a glorious and happy summer vacation came to an end.
Wanganui Collegiate Old Boys (UK Bound) at a dinner held at the Trocadero Restaurant in January 1904 to honour Mr Empson, Collegiate Principal (he can be seen seated at the top table, second from left). Frank Logan is seated at the table at the rear of the photograph (second from right). WT Ritchie and RF Beetham are third and fourth from the right, closest to us. HD Gillies is facing them, fourth from the right. Image source: Bob Logan
Frank Logan at Oxford with a punting oar (date unknown). Image source: Hamilton Logan
Ivan, Louisa, Francis and Frank in Paris as part of a side trip on the tour by the All Blacks to the United Kingdom in 1905. Image source: Hamilton Logan.
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CHAPTER FOUR
My Second Year at Oxford
On October 13th term began and it was pleasant to find myself back in my familiar rooms at Oriel and to be among my friends again. During the term I seem to have seen much of Keith McDermott, Ron Davison, Blakeway (Rhodesian Rhodes Scholar), R. Williams of course, who occupied the flat above me, Cruickshank of Keble and others. Being a second year man my status was different and it became quite in order to invite to your rooms any you wished regardless of time of entrance. From time to time early in the term I joined with others to invite “Freshers” to breakfast etc.
At last the real purpose of my coming to Oxford began to unfold and my course in Law began. Lee of Worcester (later one of Oxford’s most brilliant lecturers in certain Law subjects) became my tutor and he and I got on well together. During the term I attended lectures on Roman Law, Real Property, Torts and Contracts (the standard work on Contracts was then and may still be “Anson on Contracts”). This was Sir William Anson, warden of All Souls and uncle of my two New Zealand girl friends who lived with him there – Dolly (afterwards Mrs. Charlie Crawford) and Margaret. During the term my friendship with the Ansons was maintained and I occasionally called at All Souls and they used to come to my rooms but always very heavily guarded by the two Aunts! My visits to the Dixon-Curries at New Hinksey were quite frequent. There appears to be odd dinners with Dr. Goudy (Regius Professor of Civil Law) who always showed kindness to me. I note also a dinner party one night with Woolcombe (Head of Oxford House, London and later a suffrugan bishop in Yorks) W. Temple (later Archbishop of Canterbury) and C.A. Guy who was at Oriel with me and later prominent in the High Church movement. Talking of High Church (Anglo-Catholicism) I sometimes attended a service at Cowley to hear Father Waggett preach. Several times during the term good preachers came to St. Mary’s – notably The Bishop of London (Winnington Ingram) and the Bishop of Wakefield. Davison interested me in a bit of work in a doss house for “down and outs” – very grim and unrewarding – after a visit we always bathed in a disinfectant.
The Broome Society met once a fortnight and in turns we used to contribute a talk – it all sounds rather futile nowadays but it did mean a getting together and a yarn over a cup of coffee later.
On another occasion A.A. David (a don of Queen’s College), who later became Bishop of Liverpool invited me to a big breakfast party at Queen’s and I found myself next to W. Temple, then an undergraduate himself and later Archbishop of Canterbury. He was very untidy in his dress:
Twice during term I went to London to eat dinners at the Inner Temple and I note on three successive nights old W.B. Martin (late of Wanganui, now Cambridge) K. McDermott and Antony Wilding, the famous tennis player with Norman Brookes, and I made up a four. On one or two of these occasions I stayed at Bullers Wood at Chislehurst with the Sandersons. Leslie Sanderson was once Manager of Murray Roberts in Napier for a year. We knew the family well. He was also my sponsor for the Inner Temple.
Very hard frosts set in on November 13th and within a couple of days most of us downed our work and lectures to skate. We had a glorious time at Iffley, ChCh meadow, twice at Blenheim Palace Lake and actually a few hours on the Thames itself. The lake at Blenheim Palace (Duke of Marlborough’s spacious home and birthplace of Winston Churchill) was very clear and you could see the fish of many kinds swimming under the ice. Blenheim was easily reached by train to Woodstock – about eight miles from Oxford. November was very early for skating – as a rule it is not before late December that skating conditions occur.
During the term I seem to have played some hockey and golf as well as rowing. On December 12th “Collecters” (the slang for Collections) took place – they consisted of examinations on the term’s work – set papers and a viva voce – I was quite satisfied with the result. On December 13th Keith McDermott
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and I went to London and were present at the Oxford v Cambridge rugger match at Twickenham. The former were defeated 15-10. I saw W.T. Ritchie for a few minutes. This was his second year as a Cambridge Blue. We were at Wanganui together. That night I dined with Mr. and Mrs. E. Gilbertson of Waipukurau and they saw me off at Victoria for my month’s visit to Dresden and Berlin. I left at 8:30, crossed the Channel from Queensboro to Flushing (Holland) and at 5:30 next morning the Vienna train began its journey. At Goch there were customs exams and I was helped by an English-speaking German for I only knew about half a dozen German words. It was a long and somewhat tedious journey, but it was a comfortable trans-continental corridor train with restaurant car attached. We eventually reached Dresden at 10:20 p.m. having passed through such big cities as Hanover and Leipig. Mr. Douglas Farmer of St. Andrews, who was Anglican Chaplain at Dresden, met me and escorted me to the very comfortable pension where he had procured accommodation for me. It was a very superior pension in a pleasant part of Dresden. There were twenty of us all told staying there and of many nationalities – Russian, French, American, English and Australian and I, a New Zealander. We each had a comfortable bedsitting room and we mealed in a large dining room at one long table. The lady of the pension sat at the head of the table and before each meal, all standing, she bowed to right and left and said “Malzeit” which means “happy meal time”. The meals were lengthy and large, especially mid-day dinner which began at 1 p.m. and usually lasted till 3. There was much amusing conversation and we all tried to learn something of all the languages. Most of the guests were, like me, staying for at least a month for the performance of Wagner’s Ring at the famous Opera House. I had decided to learn a little German, if possible, and had booked lessons for an hour each morning with a German woman. I kept this up for about a couple of weeks and then gave it up for the temperature of her room, what with a coke stove and double windows sealed, was about 70 degrees and out of doors it was below freezing. This did not suit me at all. So I set out to enjoy all that Dresden had to offer.
The museums and Art Galleries were at that time among the best in the world and there was that famous picture, The Sistine Madonna. Saxony was then a Kingdom with Dresden its capital and the public buildings were many and beautiful. The river Elbe flowed through the City and was attractive especially as it was frozen most of the time I was there. There were trips to places of interest sometimes by train and sometimes on foot and of course most evenings there was the opera. This usually began at 7, a break about 9 for a meal and then on again till after 11. There was skating on most days and at many of the skating lakes a band used to play. Mr. and Mrs. Farmer were kind to me and I enjoyed many meals with them especially on Christmas and New Year days. They also passed me on to some of their English friends living in Dresden. Many English people visited this City regularly for it was perhaps the very centre in Europe for Art, Music and Culture. And many of Europe’s girls, after leaving school, were sent there for finishing off in the Arts, etc.
During my stay I visited Berlin with a couple of Australians. A very unpleasant type of influenze cold struck Dresden just about the New Year and I unfortunately picked up the bug and had to call in a doctor but he could not speak English which was not very helpful. On the whole my month’s stay in Dresden was enjoyable and informative – as I said before, the City, in those days, was considered one of the most beautiful is Europe. Today with much of it still lying in ruins after the heavy air raids of 1945 and under the East German regime it must look a very sorry sight.
I returned to London on January 10th, 1905, to spend 10 days with Mr. and Mrs. Gollan in Porchester Gate – those rather noble houses have now gone and a huge block of flats have taken their place. A strange coincidence occurred on the journey by train from Dresden to Flushing – I was shown a seat for dinner in the restaurant car and who should be my table companion but Mr. Goring, a
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metellurgical engineer of Berlin, whom I used to meet at the McDermott’s from time to time in London 1905.
During the ten days in London before term began, I went to several theatres and attended dinners at the Temple, went to the Zoo with Keith McDermott and Lucy (sister), walked to Hammersmith to see Mr. Gollan and Tom Sullivan rowing. I returned to Oxford on January 19th. It was a very cold term and I seemed to get cold after cold which had a lowering effect. The lack of sunshine was more noticeable in this my second winter. Towards the end of January there was more skating. I seem to have seen much of Keith McDermott, Blakeley and Davison and we had many a long walk on Sundays to places of interest in Oxfordshire. Lectures proceeded apace and I seemed to be making reasonable progress with law. One day Lee (law tutor) took me to the Law Courts when Lord Alverstone (Lord Chief Justice) was presiding. Be complimented a young barrister upon his masterly address on behalf of his client – the young barrister was F.E. Smith, afterwards Lord Birkenhead (Lord Chancellor).
Jim Ritchie (in the Navy) came to me for a weekend and one day we went to Pinewood Sanatorium to see Blair Whyte – this place was situated near Wellington College. Blair had T.B. but made a good recovery. In after years Jim and I used often to meet in various parts of the world. He had been at Wanganui with me before joining the Navy. As well as going to Pinewood we walked down to see Ewan Troutbeck at Hadley. One afternoon I was bidden to tea at 45 The Broad with a Mr. and Mrs. Percival related to the Sydney Johnstons) and there I met and had conversation with an old lady (Mrs. Henderson) – she was a daughter of Dean Liddell of Christchurch fame and was the “Alice in Wonderland” of Lewis Carroll. There were the usual visits to All Souls to see the Ansons and the girls and their Aunts came to College to tea with me.
One day I accompanied a soccer team to Bradfield College as an onlooker – C.A. Guy who was a Blue and undergraduate of Oriel was in charge. It was a very enjoyable day and I noted that a heavy cold that had been with me was blown out. There were quite a number of visits to the Tramp Kitchens with Davison – a transit camp for “down and outs”.
Towards the end of the term I spent a happy weekend with Davison at his parent’s home on the river at East Moseley just by Hampton Court and on the Sunday we attended Communion at The Chapel Royal which Cardinal Wolsely used to attend when he lived in Hampton Court in the days of Henry VIII. Collections (Colleckers) took place on 18th and 19th March and the results showed my legal studies were not in vain.
On March 21st the Easter Term ended and Keith McDermott and I went to his home at 15 Connaught Square, near Marble Arch in London, which by then had become a London home to me. Two days later we embarked on the “Ruapehu” at Royal Albert Docks for our journey to Teneriffe. It was the off-season so the ship was very empty. Among the 10 to 12 passengers in the first class were the Bishop of Christchurch, N.Z., and Mrs. Julius (He was some years later the first Archbishop of New Zealand) and the Reverend H.H. King and Mrs. King of Marazian, Cornwall (later they became numbered among my best friends). The “Ruapehu” was about 8,000 tons, burned coal as oil-burners were non-existent at that time and she averaged about 12 knots per hour. We sailed at lunch-time and next evening put into Plymouth for the night and next morning Keith and I landed and pottered about the town and the Hoe till the tender, took us back to the ship about midday. The voyage of six days was pleasant – only one rough day – and we enjoyed bridge, deck games and conversation, particularly with Bishop Julius and the Kings. The former was a man of the world and full of fun and stories, The Kings were going to Teneriffe to relieve the Padre there for a few months as they had done on previous occasions. On the seventh morning after leaving London we anchored in Santa Cruz Harbour in brilliant sunshine and in the distance we could see the Peak high up in the heavens. After landing we proceeded with the Kings to the Pino del Oro Hotel on the hillside above the
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town and this was our comfortable home for the next ten days. Santa Cruz was a typical Spanish town – lovely climate and just the place for us after a cold and grim winter in England. We got to know the Kings well and enjoyed their company to the extent that we did everything with them. They were excellent guides for they knew the place so well. The days slipped by only too quickly – picnics to the Mercedes Forest high up in the hills, visits to Luguna, the old city, full of monastries, visits to the town., waterfront and English Club etc. etc., and much time was devoted to games of Badminton in the lovely gardens of the hotel.
On April 9th the “Ionic” arrived from New Zealand after her voyage round Cape Horn and it was a time of excitement when I greeted Mother and Father, On board were Ivan and Arthur Empson – both destined for Oxford – and quite a number of New Zealand friends, Mr. L. de Pelichet among them, The passengers were all glad to have a day on shore for they had only had a short break at Rio de Janeiro since leaving New Zealand on March 2nd. We all boarded the “Ionic” – Keith McDermott of course with us – towards evening and so we sailed for England.
The “Ionic” was a very comfortable ship of 12,000 tons and there were about 100 saloon passengers. After an uneventful voyage we arrived at Plymouth late at night on the 14th to drop some passengers. Next day we proceeded in glorious weather up the English Channel and arrived at the Docks in London on the 16th. We spent the next two days at the York Hotel, Burners Street, and then proceeded on to Newbiggin-by-Sea so that Father could see his ageing Mother, Sisters and Brother and the plan was to be there for a couple of weeks of golf and Barty Brummell, Father’s very old friend, was to be there also. However the plans went awry – Mother who had been unwell all the voyage, became worse and a nurse had to be installed, the weather was atrocious and cold, I developed a hateful chill and on my 21st birthday Father became unwell. We had only had a little golf by then and still further trouble descended for old Barty arrived one evening in the village and was put straight to bed and within a week he was dead and so he and Father never met.
On the afternoon of April 27th Ivan and I had to leave as he was to keep an appointment with a tutor in Oxford and my term began on the 28th. After settling Ivan down in rooms and my returning to Oriel news of Father’s very serious condition forced me to return to Newbiggin on May 4th. As his condition became critical I had to catch a train taking me to Morpeth and after many changes I arrived at 11:30 p.m. and was met by Chris Liddell with bikes. We had to do the last 12 miles in the middle of the night. By that time two nurses were installed in our rooms and Father was being kept alive by oxygen for be then had Double Pneumonia and, of course, in those days there were no antibiotics. It was just a case of careful nursing and waiting for the crisis. For two or three weeks Father hovered between life and death and to make things worse pericarditis appeared. However he turned the corner and by June 28th he was fit to be moved,
During the period May 4nd to June 28th Mother and I were able to visit Newcastle several times and to spend a day at Bamburgh Castle with Mr. Stopford. I did some work on my “law” – cycled about the countryside with Hugh Southern, golfed and had the occasional bathe in the sea and of course the Aunts accompanied me on many walks.
I forgot to mention that early in June Mother and I also spent a few days at Oxford to show her around the Colleges etc. and we also had a few days with Mr. and Mrs. Joseph in their pleasant flat in Whitehall Court in London and it was quite a gay time with lunches and dinners at the Savoy and other good restaurants. Father was well cared for that time by two nurses and the Aunts were there too. Eventually on June 28th we set out together with a nurse for Bournemouth via York and London (Kings Cross Hotel). There we stayed at the Grand Hotel for two weeks – Father improving all the time, During that time Ivan came for a week and we golfed, watched the fun shows
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on the Pier, visited Poole and other nearby places such as the New Forest and paid two or three visits to Louie and Arthur Hawkins at their attractive home near Eastleigh.
Then on July 14th after a couple of days in Southampton we took a ship to Guernsey and took up our abode in old Government House Hotel – a most comfortable place with spacious gardens full of all sorts of sub-tropical trees and shrubs abounding. The island resembled New Zealand in many respects and appeared to be a place of friendly people who found their own amusements and were not dependent upon others. This I discovered more markedly a few years later when I stayed there with my Aunts Mary and Helen who made their home at L’Ancresse, a seaside resort of St. Peter Port, for a couple of years or so.
Father made rapid progress in the sunshine of Guernsey and for a couple of weeks we all enjoyed life, some golf, seabathing, cycle expeditions were the order of the day and we became very friendly with Mr. and Mrs. Carruthers and Miss Bigge (sister of Lord Stamfordham) and friend of the Logan family in days gone by. Then Father and Ivan one day decided to go to Rothbury in Northumberland for some fishing. By that time my own health deteriorated and a gland in my jaw flared up (sub-maxiliary) – the doctor ordered me to bed and there I stayed for ten days or so. Had X-ray been known the cause would have been discovered – as a matter of fact it was not until 20 years later at the Mayo Clinic, U.S.A., that a pebble was found which from time to time obstructed the saliva duct and caused acute inflammation. For many years there was a period of peace then eventually the gland was removed entirely, it having become a solid piece of limestone.
To get on with the sojurn in Guernsey – Mother and I stayed on till the doctor and Dr. Carruthers, who came in as a friend (he was retired from the Indian Army), decided a lung was affected and I should see a London Specialist at once. So we returned to London for a consultation with Dr. Taylor of Welbeck Street – he was optimistic generally but insisted on my return to New Zealand for a year’s rest at least. This verdict altered all hope of carrying on at Oxford for the time being – the main idea was for me to regain my health and then consider the position. Mother and I stayed in great comfort at The Metropole in Northumberland Avenue – like the Grand and Victoria it has gone now. Then we moved into comfortable rooms in Hertford Street, just off Park Lane and near Shepherd’s Market.
On 18th August we joined Father and Ivan at Ely and we all went to stay at Oulton Hall in Norfolk with Mr. and Miss Boulton. It was a lovely old home in the depths of the country and surrounded by woods. I had stayed there last year for some partridge shooting so knew it well. After a week Mother, Father and Ivan went back to Northumberland and I stayed on till September 1st when I went to London and next day took the Cornish Riviera Express – non-stop from Paddington to Plymouth (246 miles in 265 minutes, slipping carriages at Bath and Exeter). At Truro I changed trains and proceeded to Marazion where the Kings (Teneriffe) met me. He was the Vicar of Marazion and Chaplain to Lord St. Leven of St. Michael’s Mount.
The Vicarage was commodious and overlooked the Mount and the Bay and at once I knew happiness was in store for me there. The Kings were just kindness itself to me and became very dear friends. The two little girls, Faith and Daphne, were 4 and 2 and became my companions. As I write all are dead except Daphne (Daps) and she is now 62 – retired after her life’s work as a Mistress at Christ’s Hospital in Hertford. I still keep in touch with her and have seen her on all of my visits to England. During my fortnight at Marazion there were many happy excursions by bicycle with the Kings to many parts of Cornwall, including Land’s End, St. Ives, Penzance, Mousehole etc., and often we would call in at some wayside farm house for a cup of tea and splits with Cornish cream and raspberry jam. With fresh air, good food and pleasant company my weight increased. On the 15th I went to Exeter,
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met Viv Riddiford and we saw the All Blacks defeat Devon by 54 to 4. Met some of the team we knew – Eric Deans, Hunter, Harper etc. Also ran into Frank Newman and Arthur Empson.
So back to London to join Mother, Father and Ivan at 5 Hertford Street for 10 days. Ivan and I went to Oxford for a night and I fixed things up with the Dean for my absence in New Zealand – packed up my belongings – had time to show Viv Riddiford over some of the Colleges – a visit to Silvermere and many other things had to be seen to. Then on September 25th Mother, Father, Ivan and I went to Paris via Dover and Calais – we put up at the St. James and Albany in Rue St. Honore.
Mother, Ivan and I had a week in Paris (Father got bored after three or four days and went off to Oulton Hall, Norfolk). Cecil Webb was our guide and friend as he had been to Ronald W and me last year. The weather was fine and we did all the galleries, churches and sights generally and got much fun by visiting an assortment of restaurants and sitting in the Champs Elysee watching the Parisians. One day we hired a funny old Renault Car and went out to Versailles – it was a lovely afternoon and all the fountains were playing. After a week we took the train to Brussells. Ivan and Mother had a good browse around and went to Antwerp one day but I was not very fit so lay low. We returned to London via Calais and Dover and struck a rough and unpleasant crossing of the Channel – passengers were sea-sick in all directions. Father was at Charing Cross to meet us and we returned to our rooms at 5 Hertford Street.
The following week I spent saying goodbye to many friends including a day at Silvermere and on October 13th I went to spend another week with the Kings at Marazion. It was a glorious week – walking along the country roads, cycling and so on. Then on October 20th I went to Plymouth and next day joined Mother and Father on board the “Ionic”. At 3:30 we sailed and the coast of England vanished from sight about 5 p.m.
So I sailed away from England with very mixed feelings – excited of course at the thought of seeing my home country again after three years absence but very apprehensive as to my future and whether I would be able to see my law course out at Oxford. Dr. Taylor’s thoughts were for me to spend a whole year in quiet living in New Zealand and have much fresh air, returning to England sometime in 1907 to review the position. When I look back I realise how very important it is for a young man, going to England for a university course, to watch his health, especially in the winter months. Although in the end I had to abandon an indoor life and the legal profession I feel, after the initial disappointment to my Father, and perhaps myself, my life has been a very full and happy one, for I was able to break in a somewhat rough area of land and to pull my weight in the development of Hawke’s Bay.
The voyage of 45 days was monotonous on the whole for the ship only called at Teneriffe, Cape Town and Hobart and there was much cold and rough weather. However, there were many pleasant passengers among the 65 and Roie Nathan was a constant companion and still is a firm friend. There were the usual deck games, fancy dress ball and concerts. In my three berth cabin was a man we did not care much about (Southern) and Arthur Pilkington of glass fame in St. Helen’s. We became very friendly with him and “his sister. Among the passengers was a delightful Scottish lass, by the name of Forbes. She was to marry shortly after arrival, James Elliot – later Sir James and a prominent surgeon. From time to time in later years our paths crossed.
So on December 6th we reached Wellington and were met by Eru Johnson, the Joe Josephsand Bob Nathan. Father and Mother took the train to Napier next day but I stayed on an extra day to look after the baggage and journeyed to Napier in the S.S. “Mokoia”. It was wonderful to be home again and no time was lost in picking up the threads and visiting old friends, especially the Stopfords. A few days later I went to Mangatarata, Blackhead, etc. Back to Napier for Christmas with a cob I purchased from McLeod at Waipukurau. A festive week
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CHAPTER FIVE
1906 – 1916
1906
It was arranged before leaving England that I would spend most of January at Mt. Peel with the Aclands and, of course, the Empsons were to be there. So here I was on January on board the “Waikare” en route to Christchurch.
My Parents and I were quite concerned as to how I was going to put in a little over a year in New Zealand in such a way that I had the maximum of rest and avoided undue exertion so as to build up my health again. Well, as things turned out there was no reason for our worry for invitations to stay here, there and everywhere poured in until I became fit enough to undertake light work on Okawa towards the end of the year. After a few days in Christchurch, mostly in company with the Pilkingtons, and meeting some old friends, I went on to Mt. Peel, train to Orari, coach to Peel Forest and buggy on to Mt. Peel. There I had a happy three weeks in a house usually full of cheerful people – walks over the hills, fishing, visits to Orari Station and many other places around. Then came a happy week at Raincliff (Pleasant Point) with the Hope family.
After that I went on to stay with Willie Ritchie and his Parents in Pitt Street, Dunedin. The old home was a rendezvous of great repute for many years but I was sad to see when fast in Dunedin that it had been demolished and many houses erected on the site. Of the six Ritchie sons there is not one alive today and Mary, the only daughter of the family, lives in London. It was a gay week and so many friends to see. It must be remembered that in those far off days when the population of New Zealand was perhaps only one million and may be less one seemed to have friends in most parts of the country and, of course, one of the great advantages of having been at a good school was that you had a considerable circle of friends for boys came to Wanganui from the whole length and breadth of New Zealand. On the way home I spent a week with the Josephs in Grant Road, Wellington – also a gay and happy week – and I seem to have had many friends there too.
In a town like Napier, of a population well under 20,000 in the early part of the century, everybody seemed to know everybody else.
Till March 10th Napier was my Headquarters and there were visits to the Perrys at Crissoge and to one of the Donnelly Stations, Ohurukura near Te Pohue – this property had a very large area of attractive native bush at the time but after G. P. Donnelly’s death Holt and Sons acquired the property and the bush was rapidly milled. Then a visit to the Donnelly Station of Waimarama was something to be remembered for there was a gathering there of 5,000 for the wedding of Tu Teira (Taylor) and Hiraani Karauria (niece of Mrs. Donnelly, who at that time was the paramount Chieftainess of Hawke’s Bay). Many important people were guests at the wedding and feast to follow – the most important being Mr. and Mrs. R.J. Seddon, he was then Prime Minister. His self-importance intrigued me no end but his wardrobe was hardly in keeping. It appeared he wore the same trousers all the time but changed his coat as occasion demanded – for instance there was a frock-coat, dinner jacket, riding coat and knock-about coat. On several occasions, for they were also staying in the Station homestead, I heard him say to Mrs. Seddon “what shall I wear Mum?” she would tell him and he would disappear to the bedroom for a fraction of time and return with the appropriate coat. The journey to Waimarama was made by drag and it took about three hours from Hastings.
During the week at Waimarama there were no dull moments, what with hakas, poi dances, receptions for all the V.I.P.s, much talking about the titles of Maori land, eating. The food was fantastic – pork, mutton, beef, eels galore, and mutton birds – all cooked in pits and the smell pervaded the whole atmosphere, Mrs. Donnelly was the hostess in chief and she was supported by three very graceful Maori women – Mrs. Iraia Karauria, Mrs. Taranaki Te Ua and Mrs. Brightwell.
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Another week at Ohurakura with Frank Perry – then a few days in Napier before Eric Nairn, Sam Crowther, Bernard Chambers and I set out for ten day’s fishing on the lower Rangitaiki and later the Waikato, making the Spa our headquarters. It was a very happy party and we caught many good fish – all Brown Trout, of course, for the Rainbow Trout had not by then taken charge. Sam Crowther was one of New Zealand’s most colourful and expert of coachmen – he and his partner McAuley pioneered the coach service between Napier and Taupo and Taupo and Waiouru.
When I was a boy and in fact till about the age of 21 coaches were the only means of transport on our roads. The Taupo coach used to leave Napier at 6:30 a.m, twice a week – there was a change of horses at midday at Te Pohue and Tarawera was reached at 5 p.m. Next day the coach started off again at 6:30 or 7 a.m. – lunched and changed horses at Rangitaiki and we reached Taupo about 4 p.m.
The passengers would walk almost half the journey for it was the right thing to ease the burden of the horses by walking up many of the hills. The dust in those days before tarsealing was just too terrific for words and with a following wind you were in a constant cloud of dust – especially on the Rangitaiki plains. From Taupo I went on to Rotorua for a few days and stayed at the Grand Hotel, then to the Grand in Auckland where the Alfred Nathan family took charge of me during an enjoyable few days.
Back to Napier in the S.S. “Waikare” towards the end of the month and it was on this trip that a definite plan was suggested to me until the following year when I was to return to England with a view to going up to Oxford again if my health was satisfactory. Mr. and Mrs. Lowry were on board the “Waikare” and Mrs. Lowry, who was one of the kindest and most remarkable of women ever born and who became a lifelong friend, suggested I made Okawa my home just whenever I wanted – there would be all the fresh air and good food needed for me and light work too if I liked, The offer was mostly of Mrs. Lowry’s generosity and was really meant – she suggested that I went out to Okawa to stay for a week or two before making my decision. On my return to Napier I discussed the proposition with my Parents who were more than delighted and very grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Lowry for their offer of help over a difficult period.
So after keeping a date with the Johnstone’s of Motuotaraia I went to Okawa on trial so to speak – the result being that I was to take up my abode at Okawa early in September. In the meantime I was to keep various appointments about the country. This happened early in April and my movements from April 17th were then a week in Wellington with Mother at the Royal Oak, We renewed friendships with many friends such as the Johnstons, Josephs, Newmans etc. In those days we had a host of friends and most of them lived in Hobson Street – the Park Lane of Wellington. In later years I was to become almost as much at home there as in Napier. Then came visits to Crissoge Flaxmere (Russell) Whangaehu (the St. Hills), this was a vast leasehold on the Coast. The two daughters, now Norah Valiance and Dumpy St. Hill-Warren were then teenagers and magnificent horsewomen, A visit to the Jack Ormonds at Wallingford – Margaret, Hope and John were then babies – Frimley where Mrs. Frank Nelson, just out from England, was keeping house for her Father, Mr. J.N. Williams, to Pourerere to stay with Charlie and Eric Nairn – Meg and Trix were living there, having just returned from years in England. Among the visitors were the John Nairns and Olive and Ethne Smith, afterwards Herrick and our lifelong friend. Pourerere was a glorious property of about 25,000 acres at the time and the large homestead overlooked the Pacific Ocean. There were visits to Wanganui and Feilding to see my Aunt (C. Cotterill), more visits to Flaxmere and Wellington and in between times I was often at home in Napier and at Okawa.
By September 3rd when I went to Okawa for keeps Mr. and Mrs. Lowry and I knew each other extremely well and the family, Tom (9), Jim (about 8), Ralph (6), Gertie (5) and Marion (2), became very dear to me and we had lots of fun together in the years to come. As my story unfolds it will be seen that I was
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off and on at Okawa from September 1905 till early in 1912.
My visit to Wellington in July was in company with Mr. and Mrs. Lowry and we stayed with Una and Algar Williams in Upper Hobson Street. The winter races were on and there was much gaiety on foot and much coming and going of people such as the Riddifords, Josephs, Johnstons, Jack Hughes, Crawfords, Bells, etc. etc. As I look back on those far-off days I can still see many of those people as they were then but mighty few are here today. And I sometimes shudder to think of the snobbery that existed then – it was quite terrific: Those who lived in Hobson Street were a law unto themselves and thought again before calling upon those who lived elsewhere. Today as I write (1966) there is not a member of any of the families living in Hobson Street – it is a street of flats, rooming houses and ghosts. In the early 1900’s there were Pearces, Nathans, Josephs, Newmans, T.C. Williams, C. Johnstons, Levins, Brandons, Collins and others.
Between July and September, when I went to Okawa more or less permanently, I spent quite a considerable time at Okawa and followed several hunts – my mount was usually Contingent, who was a very faithful and safe jumper and he had been used to train the Rough Riders (H.B.) at the time of the Boer War. Ethel Simcox, an excellent horsewoman, trained me to the art of jumping on Mr. Lowry’s private course – so when the first hunt took place I was able to take part with some confidence, though I had the occasional spill. Harold Russell was the Master of the H.B. Hunt and Harry Hassell was Huntsman. Also staying at Okawa at that time were Helen Hodgskin of U.S.A. (relative of Lady Russell) and Una Williams of Wellington.
In those days entertaining in the large country homes was easy for the domestic servant problem did not exist. Apart from local domestics there was a scheme on foot for importing women from England. – these were carefully screened before leaving and upon arrival in New Zealand. Likewise there was always a plentiful supply of station hands – a good shepherd’s wages would be £1 to £1/10/- a week, and a manager’s salary about £200 a year. A married couple (man usually cowman or gardener and wife housework) would receive £100 a year or perhaps a little more for an extra good couple and of course their “keep” in all cases. In those days farmers paid no income tax but in place there was a Land Tax. Wool would have been 9d. to 1/- per pound and breeding ewes would average 14/- all round store lambs 8/- to 10/, breeding cows about £5 to £8.
In August I paid my first visit to Wanganui since my return and stayed at the old School with the Empsons. Later in the week Father, Mother and John (Eru Johnson, a half-caste friend) came over for an inter-College football match and I returned to Napier with them. In those days we always travelled by train and if possible booked a “Bird Cage” carriage so that we could play bridge in comfort and have privacy.
Later I spent a happy week at Pourerere with the Nairns, Charlie, Eric and Jack lived together and Meg and Trix kept house for them – but they both married a little later, the former to Hugh White and the latter to Harry Traquair, an eye specialist of Edinburgh. Pourerere homestead was a very big house situated on a rise about half a mile from the sea – lovely view. While there, Jack and I selected the site for his home on his portion of Pourerere (Te Manuiri) – owned today by Howard Smith.
By this time cars were becoming a little more plentiful, specially among the sheepfarmers – Charlie and Eric each owned a car, so did Leslie McHardy of Blackhead, the Carlyons of Gwavas owned a magnificent Rolls Royce and to enable the car to ply to and fro to the outside world Mr. Carlyon built, at his own expense, bridges across the creeks where there had been open fords. In the towns doctors were perhaps the first to own cars.
Cars at that time had no windscreens nor doors and were completely open to the elements and you could only start them by cranking with a handle and very often you received an unpleasant kick by a backfire.
Early in September I took up my residence at Okawa as a cadet, though other cadets were
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not accommodated there as was the case on several of the big sheep stations.
I lived in the homestead with Mr. and Mrs. Lowry – did my daily tasks, mainly riding round the dry sheep, and was always at hand to do other jobs and give a hand in the entertaining of numerous guests. The station at that time, consisted of close upon 20,000 acres and carried about 15,000 ewes, 7,000 dry sheep and 700 breeding cows, together with young cattle. The manager was Hutt Peacock and there were five shepherds, two fencers, a groom, a stud groom, two gardeners, chauffeur, cowman to milk the 7 or 8 milking cows, the station cook and a rouseabout to do odd jobs such as cleaning boots and shoes, keeping verandahs and windows clean and attending to firewood supply. Then there were usually about half a dozen Maoris to clean drains and check blackberry etc. In the big house there was a cook, a scullery maid, a parlour maid, two housemaids, a governess and a nurse for the children. Marion was then two and Gertie 3 1/2 years old. So you see the establishment was considerable. Stores were delivered once a month by wagon – tons of all sorts of things – and then were housed in a large store house and once a week Mrs. Lowry would issue stores for the house and the menis cook house. There was a mail once a week by the Kuripapango coach and if mail was urgently wanted in between it meant someone would have to ride to Fernhill Post Office, seven miles away. There were two Renault motor cars but these were not used except by Mr. and Mrs. Lowry. There was no regular delivery of newspapers so sometimes days would pass without knowing what had happened in the outside world. Of course, there was a telephone but it was very temperamental. Lighting was by acetylene or kerosine lamp.
I breakfasted by myself at 7 a.m. and began my work at 8, usually took lunch and was home about 3. Then we would have games with the children, bathe in the creek which flowed through the garden and often on a Saturday I would lead the three boys in a paper-chase. There were frequent drives in a gig or rides up to Sherenden to the Harold Russells – Sally was then two or three. And sometimes we would visit the Shrimptons at Matapiro.
Dry shearing began on November 7th and my job was to help fill up the pens and brand the wool bales. There were twelve shearing stands and all the work was done by Wi Nuku and his gang. On pay day all the Maoris would sit on the billiard room verandah and I would help T.H. Lowry and the Manager to work out the tallies and pay out by cheque. There was usually much talk and some argument.
I remember well a visit by the Government Officer in charge of the purchase of land for settlement (Barron by name) and how T.H.L. arranged for the five children to come into the room to meet Barron one by one so that he could say ” you see we have a large family and eventually Okawa will be divided and more closely settled”. However at a later date T.H.L. did indulge in a settlement scheme. There was excitement one day when Ewen Troutbeck came out in a very swell Daimler car he had brought out from England.
Between the “dry and wet” shearings Mr. and Mrs. Lowry went to Auckland for the races, making the journey by train at about 20 miles an hour, and also by ship. In those days the main trunk was not completed and there were three ways of reaching Auckland to New Plymouth and then a night in a small and uncomfortable ship, two nights and a day by ship up the East Coast, or three days by coach to Rotorua and one by train. While in Auckland I received a wire to bring the big car (a Renault of 11 h.p. with huge body and a canopy) to Auckland by sea and attempt the return journey by car by way of Rotorua and Taupo – almost unheard of then. So Arthur Joseph, the very good looking Maori chauffeur, and I took the car to Napier one morning and we had it hoisted aboard the “Manuka” amidst much excitement, boarded the ship ourselves and proceeded to Auckland. On arrival thirty-six hours later we disembarked the car and went to Ellerslie Race Course, having picked up Mr. and Mrs. T.H.L. at The Grand – the car caused much interest for it was perhaps the largest yet seen in New Zealand. The following day we
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went to Hamilton over a very corrugated and partly unmetalled road and this journey occupied eight hours (less than 100 miles). Next day we were not able to make the first hill out of Hamilton on account of a greasy surface after rain, so we backed down and went to the railway station and trained to Rotorua. At Rotorua we were marooned for a week on account of wet weather. At last we made Taupo and after a night we set out for Napier, leaving at 7:30 a.m. and arriving at 10:30 p.m., having been dragged by horses up some of the hills and proceeding up others in leaps of a yard or two at a time.
On our return I spent a day or two in Napier as my Mother had had a slight operation a few days earlier. Then I went back to Okawa and carried on as before. Ewe shearing took place early in November and owing to broken weather it was a lengthy process.
My friend Frank Perry, who had always been in poorish health, had a big operation in December and after some ups and downs he died on 24th December.
Before the end of the year Mother, Minna Chapman and I motored to Taupo in a Minerva car hired from Hawkins and Rome and our driver was Dudley Kettle. My diary tells me it was a good journey considering most of the road was unmetalled and the time taken was ten hours! Today it takes 2 ¼ hours. We stayed at the Spa in Taupo and enjoyed a good and quiet laze. On New Year’s Eve we were joined by Father, Charlie Nairn and E. Gilbertson, who had been camped on the Rangitaiki river for a week and had had good fishing.
1907
This was the year in which I was to return to England to Dr. Taylor of Welbeck Street who was to be the arbitor [sic] of my fate – in other words he was to decide whether I should continue my studies at Oxford or not. Dr. Bernau was of the opinion that a return to Oxford and perhaps two more winters in England would not be in the best interest of my health. Though my general health had improved during the year in New Zealand I myself was dubious as to the wisdom of attempting university life again especially in a country whose climate was known to be unkind to those with weak chests. So I and my Parents were more or less prepared for the change in the course of my life that eventually came about, but I am just getting a little ahead of myself.
The 1st January, 1907, found my Parents, Charlie Nairn, May Woodbine Johnson, Minna Chapman, Eru Johnson and myself at the Spa in Taupo. Our return to Napier was made via Waiouru, Pipiriki and Wanganui river – two full days in a coach (four horses) and one day in the river boat. It was a tiring journey, especially for my Mother who was enduring tortures with a carbuncle and most of the time in the coach she had to kneel for it was too painful to sit. We spent about a week in Wanganui before going back to Napier and by that time Mother was much better.
During the next few weeks my time was spent between Napier and Okawa – there was golf, tennis, bridge and much going and coming between our friends. An English Cricket XI visited Napier and I have happy memories of much gaiety during the visit of about a week. Father gave a dinner party one night at the Club for the team. He was at that time President. I had been elected a member of the Hawke’s Bay Club in 1906. At that time there was an entrance fee of £15.15.0d. – the annual subscription was £6.6.0d., lunch was 1/6d., and dinner 4/6d. For members boarding at the Club the tarrif was 12/6d, per day – all inclusive. The Club was exclusive in the extreme. Every afternoon the card room was full of bridge players and the billiard room likewise well patronised. Very rarely was it that the bedrooms were unoccupied and there were usually three or four permanent boarders. But it must be remembered Napier was the only town of consequence in Hawke’s Bay – Hastings was still only a small country town. Saturday nights were always very gay and bright.
During the year (1907) motor cars were becoming fairly plentiful, specially among the country people, but it was not till towards the end of the year that we had our first car. It was a Beeston-Humber five seater
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with Cape Cart hood, for closed-in cars had not made their appearance.
So the day came when I set off again for England where my future would be decided, On March 7th my Mother saw me off in the S.S. “Moeraki” for Hobart via Christchurch, Dunedin and Bluff.
At Christchurch I spent the day with Aunt Andro (Cotterill) and visited the Exhibition, then came a pleasant weekend with Willie Ritchie and his Parents at Balvraid – that lovely and spacious home in Pitt Street. At the Bluff Harry St. Hill and I ate many oysters instead of visiting Invercargill with Mr. St. Hill and Mrs. Jack Handyside (fellow passengers). The crossing to Hobart was quite rough and cold. After two days in the delightful town of Hobart we, that is the St. Hills, Mrs. Handyside and I, joined the P. & O. ship “Mooltan” which was the latest of the Company’s ships, about 10,000 tons and for those days luxuriously appointed. Two days later we put into Melbourne for the day and I lunched with friends at Menzies Hotel, When we sailed later in the afternoon there was a great gathering at the wharf to farewell Sir Reginald and Lady Talbot (Governor of Victoria) who were going to England for their half term holiday.
The journey to Marseilles from Melbourne in those days was of 30 days duration and the ports of call were Adelaide, Freemantle, Colombo, Aden, Suez and Port Said, The voyage was an extremely pleasant one and those with whom I appear to have become most friendly with were Mr. and Mrs. Charles Elga and Enid of the Wairarapa, Mrs. Ryan (later Lady Ryan) and Maie (now Lady Casey, wife of the Governor General of Australia), the St. Hills of Whangaehu, Mrs. Handyside, the Clive Millers of Melbourne and Mabel Emmerton (now Lady Brookes) of Melbourne. At the various ports of call we did the usual things such as pottering round the shops, taking a drive somewhere or other and having a lunch or dinner party. We passed through the Straits of Messina one lovely afternoon and later when the sun was setting Stromboli erupted for us. There were the usual games on board and dances and I played much bridge – every afternoon we had the same four consisting of Mrs. Ryan, Sir R. and Lady Talbot and myself – we played regularly from 2 to 4. The only unhappy incident took place as we were approaching Marseilles when a nice young fellow named Highett of Perth collapsed and died on deck. From Marseilles to Paris in the night express, I travelled in a compartment with the St. Hills, Mrs. Handyside and Higginbotham – the train was fast and comfortable but we slept very little for we were unable to secure sleepers. Ivan met me at the station in Paris at 8:30 on the morning of April 19th and after a couple of days of seeing the usual galleries etc., and eating good food in the exotic restaurants we crossed by Calais and Dover to England.
On arrival in London, we went to 6 Evelyn Gardens to stay with the McDermotts. Mr. McDermott had married again – his wife being a Kinswoman (Miss McKellar) whom we had known in earlier years. It was good to see Keith again. He had come down from Oxford and was in Chambers in the City waiting to be called to the Bar. During my visit to the McDermott’s I ate dinners at the Inner Temple with Keith, Ivan and Freddie Baker – also saw something of various friends – the Gollans, Lady Campbell and Moyra, the Elgars, Mathesons of Hendon – purchased some clothes, had a day at Oxford etc. Of course I had an overhaul at the hands of Dr. Taylor (this was my real reason for visiting England) and though he was satisfied with the improvement of my health he’was averse to my risking another winter in England, as was expected, and this set the seal on my Oxford career. Naturally there was disappointment, but I was fully prepared for the decision – likewise my Parents. It had been arranged that Dr. Taylor’s word should be final and if he was against another year or two in England I should spend the summer there and return to New Zealand towards the end of the year. So after booking a return passage in the P.& O. China for mid-September I proceeded to make my plans.
First of all there was a happy ten days or so with the Kings at Marazion in Cornwall – the children had grown (Faith and Daphne) and were delightful companions, Gap (the Fox Terrier) was still full of life and always ready for a walk along the country lanes or a frolic
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on the beach by the causeway to St. Michaels Mount. Pa and Ma King and I had many more bicycle excursions to Penzance, Lands End, St. Hilary’s and many other places and there was the Rogation Service from a hill overlooking the Bay when. Pa King blessed all the products of the soil and sea. I can still see him in the cassock and surplice standing in the cool of an evening breeze on the hillside. The last time I saw him was in 1910 – he was then Vicar of Bodmin and a Cannon of Truro Cathedral, later he was appointed Rector of Falmouth and was there till his death in the 1920s. I often think of him and Ma King – they were the kindest and staunchest friends. Pa was a brilliant scholar – and passed into the Indian Civil Service with honors but owing to his frail health he was unable to proceed further so he took orders in the Church and so became the most human padre that ever was and his sense of humour was terrific.
From Marazion I went to Silvermere, Cobham for a lengthy visit to my dear friends, the Seth Smiths, where I had much fun with the children, Ted who was at a prep-school and Molly still with a Governess. Minna Von de Heyde was living there and during my stay admiral and Mrs. Morgan and Fairfax came to stay. We had much tennis and golf on the very attractive nine hole course just in front of the house. After that I had a few days at Oxford for Toggers (College Boat Race), took part in a Bumper Supper at Oriel and forgathered with some of my pals again. Ivan was then in his second year. All this made me yearn to be back as an Undergraduate again.
From Oxford I went on to Rainford Hall, St. Helen’s, the home of Col. and Mrs. Pilkington of glass fame. It was delightful to meet again Edith and Arthur P. whom I got to know so well on the “Ionic” in 1905. Rainford Hall was a large and impressive home and the gardens were lovely but the butler and footman were a trifle alarming. Each morning two footmen brought a hip bath into my bedroom and huge cans of hot water. Bathrooms in those days were not altogether plentiful in the old homes. Over the front door the family coat-of-arms was engraved – a man scything and motto “now thus now thus”.
In the days of Cromwell a Pilkington, on the arrival of Cromwell’s men, rushed into the fields and seized a scythe from one of his farm hands but his awkward handling gave him away and he was taken off and beheaded (being a Royalist). There were excursions in the family car to Liverpool, the Docks and Chester etc., and, of course, a good look round the Pilkington Glass Works. St. Helen’s itself was a very drab industrial town just outside Liverpool but when you entered the Pilkington grounds you found yourself in the most glorious countryside. I remember the rhododendrons which were really lovely and only equalled by those at The Hirsel, Lord Homes’ Estate on the banks of the Tweed.
Then came a week with Ivan in rooms in Curzon Street, London – it was a week of theatres, seeing many friends and a visit to the House of Commons as a guest of Mr. (later Lord) Stewart and Wortley, a brother of Lady Talbot. Winston Churchill and Birrell were among the speakers I heard. We also had another session of eating dinners at the Inner Temple. This eating of dinners at intervals during each legal term is a part and parcel of eventually being called to the Bar. The dinners take place in the magnificent halls of the Inns of Court and at a top table sit all sorts of high luminaries and those aspiring to the legal Bar sit at tables running at right angles to the high table.
Speaking of theatres, George Grossmith the second was at this time at the height of his fame in the musical comedy line and he must have, during his career, delighted more men and women than any other artist. He was the father of George Grossmith now of Napier. I saw him over the years 1903-1910 in many of his plays such as “Our Miss Gibbs”, “The Girl from Kay’s”, “The Orchid” etc. etc. Before going on to Oulton Hall (Bolton) I spent a few days at the McDermotts. A week at Oulton Hall was, as usual, restful and happy. The Boltons still used the carriage for transport – we had drives round the neighbourhood and much golf and there was the always delightful Norwich Cathedral to be visited again.
From Norfolk I went to Newbiggin-by-Sea for a month with my Grandmother and three
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Aunts – it was a happy time of renewing friendships and playing much golf and tennis. Lizzie Richardson was there much of the time and Chris Liddell often came over and his brother Hugh. Visits to Rothbury and Bamburgh Castle to see old Montagu Stopford were fitted in. I played much of my tennis on the court at Woodhorn Vicarage with the Rhodes girls and, of course, frequently I was at North Seaton Hall, the home of the Southerns.
On 29th July I left Newbiggin with Aunts Helen and Mary who travelled to London with me. We spent the night at the G.N. Hotel. I never saw my Grandmother again for she died in 1908 at the age of 80 – having been born in 1828. Next day the Aunts went to Devonshire and I joined up with Mrs. Ryan and Maie and we crossed the Channel by ship and proceeded to Brussells by train. After a few days seeing the sights, viz. picture galleries the field of the Battle of Waterloo etc. we trained to Cologne through some lovely country the usual sights including the Cathedral. It was here I christened Maie “chocolaty Maie” on account of her love of chocolate and she has always been “Chocolate” to me since. Then we took a river boat as far as Mainz up the Rhine – a full day’s journey passing by Bonn and other towns and some spectacular castles. The following day we took trains to Lucerne via Basle and there we spent a day or so seeing all there was to see and taking funny little trains up the Rigi etc. We also fell in with two Countess friends of Mrs. Ryan’s who lived in a beautiful chalet overlooking the lake and we played some bridge with them. From there we went on to Lausanne on Lake Geneva and one night we experienced the most spectacular thunderstorm when the heavens were lit up for minutes on end and the thunder reverberated round the mountains almost continuously.
The train journey from Lausanne to Viege (Visp) was spectacular and beautiful – we skirted the lake of Geneva as far as Chillon Castle and then wormed our way through mountains. At Visp we changed into a little toy-train which took us up the Rhone Valley to Zermatt. There we stayed for several days, doing a bit of walking but mostly sightseeing by funicular rail up to heights from which you got lovely views of the mountains around. The trip up the Gornagrat to 10,000 feet gave you a magnificent view of the Matterhorn – Switzerlands most renowned mountain. We joined up with some American people and enjoyed “bridge” in the evenings. One night Maie and I strayed into a little church and there were two climbers stretched out on the Chancel – they had fallen on the Matterhorn and been killed.
I fancy today you can climb this mountain of 17,000 feet by the help of a hand-rail. Our stay in this pleasant village under the shadow of so many mighty mountains came to an end and we travelled once more on the funny little railway to Visp where we joined the express from Paris to Rome. However an unfortunate accident occurred to me and my journey in this express only lasted a few seconds for I spotted the porter who had taken charge of our luggage still had it on his barrow and had failed to put it aboard the train.
Realising how easy it was for baggage to be lost on the Continent, especially in Italy, I instinctively leapt from the moving train to be with these possessions and in doing so the door began to close and I was thrown off balance and fell off rather than jumped off. The train with my companions sped on its way leaving me on the ground and very close to the train’s wheels. A bevy of officials closed round me and my thoughts were “here goes, jail” but they were sympathetic instead, particularly when they found my left knee was pretty badly injured and very swollen. After about an hour I was put on to a goods train and taken to Brigue in the van. After another long wait I joined a passenger train. We passed through the Simplon Tunnel and were in Italy. As luck would have it, my travelling companions had left their keys with the Customs Officials and I was able to clear the luggage. Later that night I arrived at Stresa and thankful to be joined up again with Mrs. Ryan and Maie. The following few days were spent visiting the various Italian Lakes which were really beautiful and the weather remained fine. Exactly opposite our hotel in Stresa on Lake Maggiore were the Barromean Islands (there is a picture of Isolo Bella in our bedroom in Napier).
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While at Cabbenabia on Lake Como I came to the decision it would be wise to return to London for proper care of my knee which was becoming progressively worse, so very reluctantly I left Mrs. Ryan and Maie to carry on the plans to visit Florence and Rome and I proceeded to Laguna by boat and then by train through the St. Gothard Tunnel to Lucerne. In those days before the diesel or electric engine coal was burned in locomotives and the atmosphere in lengthy tunnels was suffocating and unpleasant.
So on the 16th August my Continental trip came to an end. I left Lucerne by the Engadine night express – passed through Paris at 9 a.m. on the 17th – reached Calais at 1:30 and after a rough passage to Dover I went on by boat train arriving at Charing Cross at 5 p.m., very tired and sore. It was a Sunday so I could not see Dr. Taylor till Monday 19th. He called in company with a surgeon (Mr. Stabb) and between them they decided my knee had been dislocated and the condition was not very satisfactory. I was sent to a nursing home (5 Bentinck Street – off Harley Street) – put into plaster of paris from hip to ankle – and I remained there until the 13th September, a prisoner but the care and attention made up for a lot. During my stay in the home many visitors helped me pass the time happily – among them were Aunt Mary, who came down from Northumberland, Mrs. Ryan and Maie, May and Stephen Walter (May Coleman), Dudley Kettle, Louis and Arthur Hawkins, Mrs. Turner Williams, Captain Birch and Maai (Aunt Helen, Basil Jardine (later practised in Wairoa) Haidee Seth Smith (Bet Hays’s Mother), Florence Car, Oscar Armytage (Melbourne), the Mathesons, Richie Abraham (P.N.), Eric Maclean and Jack Nelson, Dan and Eric Riddiford, Jim Ritchie, Minna von der Heyde (Betts Aunt), Leslie Sanderson (Bullerts Wood, Chislehurst).
So you can see I had a flow of visitors and was never lonely. Dr. Taylor and Mr. Stabb frequently came in as well. After our parting in the Italian Lakes Mrs. Ryan and Maie decided not to go further into Italy and after a few more days in Switzerland and Paris they returned to London and helped keep an eye on me.
Ivan came back from Scotland and decided to come with me in the P. & 0. China as far as Marseilles. On 13th September Uncle Jim and Aunt Helen saw me off from Tilbury in the “China” – I was still in plaster of paris and movement was awkward. We sailed down the Channel and across the Bay of Biscay in perfect weather and called in at Gibraltar for a morning and Marseilles was reached on the 7th day. Ivan left me there and travelled back to London by train in the evening. The “China” did not leave Marseilles till the next day so the Jack Ormonds, a Mip Innes and I took a drive along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. The “China” was of about 7,800 tons and not one of the latest of the line but she was comfortable. I had a good single berth cabin to myself on the deck so there were no stairs to negotiate and I had most of my meals for the first two weeks on deck. The passengers whom I saw much of were Mr. and Mrs. Charles Johnston and Doris (later Sir Charles and speaker of the Upper House – Doris later married Nigel Gathorne-Hardy – one of Lord Plunkett’s A.D.C.s), Mr, and Mrs and Miss Tolhurst of Wellington, Mr, and Mrs. Manifold and Mildred of Victoria, J.D. and Mrs. Ormond of Wallingford, Armytage of Victoria, Major Wodehouse, and Mr. and Mrs. Geoff Payne of Melbourne.
We arrived at Port Said on 19th September and Dr. Stawell of Melbourne and the ship’s doctor took me out of plaster and fitted splints. It was a great relief and made me more mobile. Coaling went on well into the night and we entered the Suez Canal at 9 a.m. The Red Sea was terribly hot and the ship was seung several times to create air. At Aden we only spent a morning. At Colombo we had a day and a half and enjoyed the venture ashore and a dinner party given by the Paynes at the Galle Face Hotel. Then came nine days of sea to Perth – a rough crossing of the Bight to Adelaide and so to Melbourne for a day and a night. It was sad to say farewell to so many pleasant companions and those of us left of the party felt dull. At Sydney we had three days at the Australia before joining the “Monowai” for Wellington. Bob Nathan was in my cabin and Richie Abraham was a fellow passenger. The engines broke down on the trip and so we were a day late in arriving in Wellington on October 31st. My Father and Mother met me and we returned to Napier next day, From then until Christmas
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Eve I remained at home but was not able to get about much for another month and our friends the Stopfords, Kettles, Bernaus, Ronalds, Lowrys etc. were very good to me and there was much Bridge.
My old friend Eru Johnson was with us much of the time and he was the principal driver of our newly acquired car (Beeston-Humberr). We had numerous excursions round the countryside and punctures were almost a daily occurrence. Many of our friends by this time also had cars – all open for it was before the time of closed-in cars and of course no windscreen wipers – this made driving in rain quite unpleasant. I spent a week at Pourerere with Charlie Nairn and Trix and Harry Traquair were out from Scotland for a visit – also Jack was back from Guy’s Hospital, London, having given up the study of medicine. On 24th December Mother, John (Eru) and I set off for Tarawera in our car, called Johanna, the journey took us six hours travelling time. The road was very tortuous in those days and unmetalled most of the way. We spent a couple of nights there and on to Taupo on the 26th where we joined Father and Charlie Nairn at The Spa – another five hours to cover forty odd miles – much time was spent in changing tyres on account of punctures. At Taupo we fished and lazed and had the odd drive till the end of the year.
1908
The year began badly as I spent the first few days in bed with “flu” on our return to Napier. Johanna put up about a record for those days – the weather conditions were perfect, so also the road, and we did the journey in four and a half hours – no stops and no punctures.
I spent most of January at Okawa while Mother and John were in Wellington. The latter had an operation, just one of many, for antrem trouble. I went to Wellington towards the end of the month for a week to be near Eru and while there I renewed friendships with the Josephs, Charles Johnstons, Una Williams and Mrs. Charlie Crawford (Dolly Anson of my Oxford days).
After that I had ten enjoyable days at Rototawai with Will and Millie Bidwell where many old friends came along from time to time and there was a lot of dashing about in the cars. I returned to Wellington for a couple of nights and then hack to Napier. After a few days I went to Ngatarawa to stay with E.J. Watt. By this time I was driving the car and my leg improving rapidly. Then came a spell in Napier again with much bridge and social events and frequent visits to Okawa and many picnics.
During March our old friends Dr. and Mrs. Ronald left Napier to live in England. For three weeks of April Eru and I were at Oruamatua, the 30,000 acre station belonging to Messrs. Lowry and Watt and managed by Irvine Peacock. This property was 17 miles from Taihape and in what was then called Inland Patea. I returned by coach to Kuripapango and spent a weekend with the Waterhouses at Mangawhare.
On April 28th Mother, Father, John and I went to Blackhead to stay with Mr. and Mrs. McHardy for Meg Nairn’s wedding – she married Hugh White. The service took place in the little church at Pourerere, then a big dinner party followed by a dance in the woolshed. On our return to Blackhead the tide overtook us and we had to abandon the car which was subsequently completely submerged and next day the bullock team had to drag it back to the Station. We stayed on for the opening of the shooting season – 27 ducks and later a good bag of quail and wild pigeons. These were very numerous in those days. Blackhead was renowned for its hospitality and I always loved my visits there.
May was full of social events – races, Hunt Club Ball, golf, etc., and occasionally Constance McLean (now Fountaine) and I had a game of golf. We used to see much of the McHardy family as they rented the Jardine home In Lincoln Road while their house was being built (now McHardy Maternity Home).
Early in June I went to Australia with Mr. and Mrs. Lowry in the S.S. “Wimaroa” and had a rough crossing. I shared a cabin with Jack Ormond and E.J. Watt.
We stayed at the Hotel Australia for three weeks and I saw much of the Geoff Fairfaxes, the -Austins, Knoxes and others – the Arthur Duncans were there, also Millie Bidwell. We
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had a visit to the Blue Mountains and saw all the sights. Then I left the Lowrys and went on by train to Melbourne. Eddie Watt shared a sleeper with me and in the night he had one of his bad attacks of asthma. We proceeded to Menzies Hotel and I put him to bed. Next morning when I went to his room he was up and out at the racing track to see his horses! I stayed in Melbourne for about ten days or so and had a very gay time – races at Flemington, two days, visited the Emmertons (Mabel is now Lady Brookes – wife of Norman the tennis player), the Clive Millers, Geoff Pares etc., a dance at the Maddens (Sir John acting Governor of Victoria). Mrs. Wenley and the girls passed through on their return to New Zealand and Mrs. Wenley came out to the races one day. Mr. and Mrs. Lowry turned up also. The “Merry Widow” was on and Higginson (Danilo) captured all the girls’ hearts. I met him one night at supper at the Emmerton’s fabulous home.
Then I went on to Purrumbete, the W.T. Mannifold’s wonderful property in the Western district and there I enjoyed a month of their hospitality and played much golf, rode, shot rabbits – one day about six of us got 480. Purrumbete homestead was large and comfortable and built of red brick, all the station buildings were in keeping – there were several cars and on Sundays Mr. Mannifold always drove a waggonette to church in Camperdown. The Western District is the most fertile in Victoria and many very pleasant people lived there. One weekend I spent with the Rutledges at Geelong (Mrs. Bernau’s people) and we played golf on the Geelong links. I was sad to leave at the end of my month and will never forget the kindness of the Mannifolds. The four brothers made one of Australia’s most famous polo teams in the early 1900s. After leaving Purrumbete I went to stay with Mr. and Mrs. Alister Clarke at Glenora (Bulli) – also a lovely home. Then I took train back to Sydney for a day or so and left by the Warrimoo for New Zealand. Guy Russell (later General Sir Andrew) of Tunanui was my cabin mate.
After a very rough and uncomfortable trip we reached Wellington on August 19th. Mother and John to meet me. After a week or two in Wellington I returned to Napier. During that week I stayed with the Charles Johnstons at Homewood, Karori. There was much golf and various social engagements.
Before the end of the year I was a guest for about a week at Government House, Palmerston, and among the guests were Mrs. Algar Williams, Lady Jane Gathorne-Hardy, Constance McLean (Fountaine of Narford), Phyllis Boyle etc. There was golf, tennis, dances etc.
I also put in a long weekend at Wanganui Collegiate and a week at Rototawai with Will and Millie Bidwell. Arthur Empson was back from Oriel College, Oxford, and preparing to join the Indian Army.
In November I went to Christchurch to stay with the George Rhodes in Papanui Road for the Cup Race Meeting and there was much coming and going there. Bobrikoff (T.H, Lowry’s horse) won the big races of the week. In those days, as now, Christchurch was very festive for the Cup Meeting and the town was crowded with visitors from all over New Zealand.
During the last few months of the year 1908 poor old Eru Johnson had several operations in Wellington and Mother and I visited him on several occasions.
Towards the end of December a party of us coached to Taharua for a week’s fishing – Eric Nairn, P. Smith, Father and myself – it was a glorious week and we fished far down the river as its junction with the Mohaka and had very good sport, mostly brown trout. Then for Christmas we moved on to Taupo and Charlie Nairn joined us. On December 28th Father and I went on to Rotorua for a night and then by train to Auckland where we stayed at the Northern Club. The following three days were gay with the races and dining out each night. The Alfred Nathans did much entertaining in their home “Wickford” opposite Albert Park.
So ended another year.
1909
January 1st found Father and me in Auckland still and we went to the races. Next day we left for Napier in the “Monowai” and after
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spending a day in Gisborne we reached Napier on the 4th.
My health seemed pretty good so I decided to carry on with law. I joined the firm of Sainsbury, Logan and Williams as a clerk but the idea was that I was to have several breaks in the year. This legal firm was established by G.E. Sainsbury in 1875 and my Father joined in 1882. Twice a week J.H.G. Murdoch used to give me tuition in torts,property etc. After three years of idleness I found it quite enjoyable to be at work again and earning 10/- a week. I made many friends and there was much joy in life. Every morning and even through the winter I bathed off the beach with a team of about a dozen all of whom are now dead except Godfrey Jardine and Tosh Gilray.
My diary tells me I purchased an Indian motor cycle (one that you had to start by running and with luck you landed on the seat when it started up). Most weekends were spent in the country and I note I visited Pourerere (Nairns), Flaxmere (Sir W. and Lady Russell), Featherston (Bidwells), Okawa, Wallingford (Ormond) and others. I also visited for long weekends Wanganui Collegiate School and Wellington and a couple of odd weeks at Government House (Palmerston North) with the Plunkets. But the highlight of the year was a three week trip in the N.Z.S. “Tutanikei” as guest of their Excellencies.
Among the guests were Dr. and Mrs. Martin of Palmerston North, Meta Johnston (later Mrs. D. Riddiford) Anne Anson. Then, of course, there were Lord and Lady Plunket, N. Gathorne-Hardy, and Shannon (A.D.Cs.), Waterfield and wife (Secretary) and several children. We journeyed by overnight train to Auckland and next day we embarked on “Tutanikei” (about 1,000 tons) and for the next three weeks we cruised quietly round the North Cape and so to New Plymouth and calling en route at Kawau Island, Hen and Chickens, Whangarei, Whangaroa, Mangonui, Tom Bowling Bay, Spirits Bay, Hokianga, Kawhia, Kaipara etc. We usually travelled from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. so as to give maximum of comfort and we struck some unpleasant seas and most of us were seasick at times. We did much sightseeing and fishing and bathing by day and at night there was bridge, dancing and so forth. It was a most enjoyable holiday and the company bright.
There was a pleasant weekend at Oruawhora (Sidney Johnston) when Eddie Herrick became engaged to Ethne Smith. They married in December of the same year. They were always close friends and the friendship grew apace after our marriage. Ethne died in 1961 to our sorrow and we have kept in close touch with Eddie since then. My Father and Ethne’s Father were friends in Newcastle-on-Tyne in their youth.
Another enjoyable weekend in 1909 I spent at Longwood, Featherston, with the Charlie Pharazyns. Enid Elgar, now dead, was there too.
I recall a happy week at Karori with the Charlie Johnstons and at that time poor old Eru was again in hospital in Wellington and I was often to visit him.
In November I went to Christchurch for ten days to the George Rhodes for Race Week. There were many enjoyable social events during that time and I met many of the young people of Canterbury. The Rhodes were living in Sir Heaton Rhodes’ town house in Papanui Road. Mr. and Mrs. Lowry were there and their famous horse, Bobrikoff, won many big races.
Towards the end of the year I, very foolishly and without adequate knowledge, sat for exams in Torts, Contracts and Property but success did not come my way.
Ivan returned from four years at Oxford in November with a degree in Law and a Barrister of the Inner Temple.
Just before Christmas Eric Nairn, Ivan and I motored to Taupo via Highden in the Rangitikei, which was managed by Hugh White, Waiouru and Tokaanu. We went on to the camp on the Rangitaiki where we were joined by Father and a party and enjoyed some wonderful days with the trout. Then we went back to Taupo before the end of December to join Mother who was staying at The Spa. I left on December 31st for Greatford via Waiouru to stay with the Booty Levins – the house party consisted of N. Gathorne-Hardy, Doris Johnston (they later married), Mrs. Arthur Duncan (Jimmy), Mary
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Pearce (now Lady Stout), Andrew Sclanders and self.
1910
Stayed with the Levins in their comfortable and large home till the 3rd – there was much tennis and visits to other homes. I left on the 3rd and spent the night in Palmerston North with Eric Nairn and Ivan on their return from Taupo. And after a few days at Pourerere I returned to Napier. Began work in Sainsbury, Logan and Williams on the 8th and during the month the great decision concerning my future had to be made – was I to carry on with law or take up farming. My Father was now prepared to set me up on a -farm. I was now getting on for 26 and as my studies had been so interrupted by my ill- health, my Mother and others thought a life in the country and fresh air was indicated. Our great friend, Charlie Nairn, was in favour of this course and suggested a few months with him on Pourerere would help settle the problem. So the die was cast – early in February I went to Pourerere and said goodbye to law. This, of course, meant giving up the prospect of one day being a partner in the well established firm of Sainsbury, Logan and Williams and it must have been a disappointment to my Father. However his only thought was for my health and welfare and time proved that the decision was wise and during the remaining years of his life he was rewarded by the fact I was able to break in a 1700 acre block of back country and later find time to take a hand in local body politics.
During January 1910 H.E. Sturge came to New Zealand- he and I had been at Oxford together and, like me, illhealth had interfered with his career and he was advised to come to New Zealand. After staying with us for a few weeks he joined the staff at Wanganui Collegiate. Later he and Atkinson started a preparatory school and later still, after Atkinson’s death, he amalgamated his school of Hurworth with Heretaunga in Havelock North and remained headmaster of Hereworth till he died in 1935.
Also during January A.W. Averill was appointed Bishop of Waiapu and I attended the swearing-in service as my Father officiated as Chancellor of the Diocese of Waiapu -about ten years later Averill was appointed to Auckland and made Archbishop of New Zealand. I got to know him well and enjoyed his friendship.
During the early part of the year Woollcombe, whom I had met at Oxford, came to New Zealand in the interest of the Church of England Men’s Society and spent a week with us in Napier. He was a very broadminded fellow and full of humour and sense. Later he became Suffragan Bishop of Whitby.
And so early in February I said goodbye to law and accepted Charlie Nairn’s offer to go to Pourerere for a few months. Charlie and Eric lived there together in the big house overlooking the sea. Each morning Eric used to start up his steam car and by 8 he was ready to set off for Omakere for the day. My days were well filled in taking part in all the workings of the station and it was wonderfully enjoyable and instructive. Several evenings a week we used to repair to the John Nairn’s cottage and play bridge.
The Waipawa Tennis Tournament came along in March and I played in it but unfortunately I injured my weak knee and for a month I was laid low.
Life went on merrily till 29th June. Charlie and I spent frequent weekends at Napier and also Porangahau (Hunters), Awahuri (Hugh White’s) in the Rangitikei district. Then out of the blue Charlie decided to go foia trip to England and my Father said I was to go with him. Just before we left Ivan became engaged to Mary Turnbull, she was then at Wanaka and Ivan was with Chapman and Tripp (Solicitors in Wellington).
On June 30th we sailed in the “Ruahine” (Captain Greenstreet) for London via Cape Horn. There were only twelve passengers in the saloon and during the voyage Charlie became engaged to Pam Ambler. She had a lovely voice. History sometimes repeats itself- about forty years earlier Charlie’s Father was captivated by a voice he heard in a church in Suffolk and now Charlie was captured in a like manner.
The voyage was rather dull and at times rough and after rounding The Horn we were nearly
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shipwrecked on a cold, snowy day. Among the passengers was Jim Mating and his wife of Christchurch and we kept up the friendship made then until his death a few years ago. We called at Monte Video and were able to take river boats up to Buenos Aires for a day, had breakfast on arrival at the Phoenix Hotel where I met the only New Zealand friend I knew in the Argentine – Denis Gorton of Bulls, who had been at school with me. After leaving Monte Video we proceeded to Teneriffe to find a strike on hand so we sailed on to Las Palmas where we spent a day. On reaching Plymouth on August 9th I and others left the ship and took a train to London, arriving at The Langham Hotel at 2 p.m. England was looking lovely on a glorious day. At the Langham I met Leslie McHardy of Blackhead, C.D. Kennedy and Trix Trequair (Charlie’s sister from Edinburgh). Charlie and Pam went on to London by sea.
I was in England for a little over four months and during that time there was much coming and going and seeing old friends and relations. I made the Langham Hotel (now no more – was in Portland Place just north of Oxford Circus and a very comfortable family hotel) my headquarters. Several times I went to Northumberland to stay with Uncle Jim in Newcastle-on-Tyne. From there we had several pleasant days on the Shoot he and three friends leased just west of Berwick on Tweed – partridges, pheasants and hares being the principal game. We usually travelled by evening train to Berwick and spent the night at Kings Arms, shot all next day and returned to Newcastle by an evening train and had our dinner on board. This shoot was leased from Lord Grey of Falloden for a long period of years and the name of the property was Ancroft. It was customary in those days and perhaps still is, for property owners to lease the whole or portions of their properties for shooting.of game or fishing in the streams.
A speciality on the dinner menu of the Edinburgh-Newcastle express on which we travelled was Welsh Rabbit (Rarebit properly speaking) made of Gorgonzola cheese. From Newcastle I visited my Aunt Rachel who then lived at Hexham-on-Tyne. Then there were several visits to my old friends the Southerns at North Seaton Hall. By this time my Grandmother had died and the other two Aunts lived in Guernsey. I well recall a very happy week at Grantham-on-Spey with Trix and Harry Trequair and a night or two in Edinburgh. There were two visits to the Seth-Smiths at Silvermere – my second home. There was also a visit to Cobham, to Sir William and Lady Russell and Violet at Lewes, Jackie Hughes and his wife were also there. A weekend in Derby with the Prices (Sir Francis) – lovely countryside and large house full of men servants – rather terrifying.
In October Charlie Ritchie and I crossed over to Guernsey to stay with Aunts Mary and Helen and we had a grand time there mostly playing golf and roller-skating. Many pleasant people lived there who had been in the Army or Navy and among them were cousins of Charlie Maclaren. Ruth Ozanne was always ready for golf or walking excursions. After a couple of weeks Charlie returned to England and entered the Clergy School at Leeds for a time in order to make up his mind about entering the Church. I stayed on for another two weeks and during that time came a telegram from Charlie saying “The Church has me”. Charlie’s and my friendship lasted till his untimely death in 1961 – we used to meet from time to time but we were always able to pick up the threads of friendship very readily. More about him and his career as my story advances.
On October 10th Charlie Nairn and Pam Ambler married in London and I was Best Man – Trix came up for the wedding – the Reverend Campbell Morgan officiated. Charlie and Pam went off to Eastbourne where they remained until 1911. I visited them at Eastbourne before I left and also dashed off to see Jumbo North at Chichester.
From the end of October to December the sun never showed itself and I was glad to leave England – though I hated the partings. My diary tells me the temperatures were very low – many frosts and some horrid fogs in London all through November. I remember a very cold weekend with the Sandersons at Chislehurst and on the Monday when we
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arrived at Cannon Street there was a pea-soup fog.
While in London I saw quite a lot of Keith McDermott who was in Chambers in the Inns of Court – he was still waiting for a “Brief” as was the case with most young barristers of those days. He joined the Army in 1914 and was killed in Palestine at the very end of the war in 1918.
My last two weeks were spent at the Burlington Hotel in Eastbourne with Charlie and Pam and we walked along to Beachy Head and always looked in to see Sparks, the Coastguardsman at Burling Gap. We used to walk hard to keep warm, Uncle Jim came down for a weekend and was in London for a farewell dinner. K. McDermott Freddie Baker and Jack Tetley were also there (Charing Cross Hotel) and they saw me off by the 9 p.m. Brindisi Express (P.& 0. Special). By travelling overland a week was knocked off the voyage.
On arrival at Calais the through train (Wagon-lit) was waiting for us – very comfortable single sleeping compartments and restaurant car. We left Calais at 1 a.m. and reached Brindisi at 7 p.m. next day, passing through Paris, Lyon, Mt. Cenis Tunnel (between France and Switzerland), Turin, Bologna and down the east coast of Italy. At Brindisi I boarded the P..& O. Ferry Boat “Osiris”. As we had the Christmas Mail for the East to load we did not sail till early next day. There were only seventeen passengers and all available space was occupied with mail bags etc.
The first day was spent travelling down the coast of Greece and the sun shone and we felt warm. After two days and three nights (the last day was very rough) we reached Port Said and drew alongside the P.& 0. “Mantua” and transhipped. After a few hours in Port Said we proceeded through the Suez Canal and so the voyage to Australia began. The “Mantua” was the newest ship of the line and my cabin was a deck single berth one. At Colombo many pleasant friends I made left (the Ralph Pagets in particular) and from then onwards we felt dull.
The Pagets were particularly nice people and I saw much of them. He was British Minister to Serbia and lived in Belgrade (this country does not exist today). The Pagets gave me that picture, now hanging in ‘The Cottage’, by the Marine artist Wylie.
Another very interesting fellow passenger was Colonel Wodehouse (Commissioner of Police in London) and he told me many stories of his work, especially concerning arrangements for the visits of Foreign Royalty to England, and of the safeguards necessary whenever members of the British Royal Family went out of their homes even on chopping expeditions in London.
The Captain of the ship was Freddie Vibert who had been Fifth Officer on the “Surat” when my Mother travelled in her in 1881 and they had been very friendly and, in consequence, he was very friendly towards me. He was the Commodore of the Fleet (P.& O.) Among the passengers I saw a good deal of were Jessie and Agnes Mill (the latter now lives at Wanaka). The last day of the year found us between the Cocos Islands and Perth. It was a rough day and worse night so our New Year’s Eve Dance had to be abandoned.
By the way, Christmas Day was spent in Colombo so the ship celebrated on the next day – the ship was all beflagged and we had extra special meals etc.
On the voyage I was secretary of the Sports and Entertainment Committee and had quite a busy time – this job was not new to me for it had fallen to my lot on other voyages.
So another year was chalked up.
1911
Before I continue with my story let me say what I have written since my earliest recollection has taken six months and I have only covered superficially a little over one-third of my life to date and the part that really counts for most in my life has not really begun – I refer now to the time when the tide turned and I set out with a will to make a success of my farming enterprise and to take my part in helping, in a small way, with the further development of our country, particularly Hawke’s Bay. If by chance I don’t get much further – for I am now 82 – you will find my diaries will tell the story).
Now to get back to the voyage.
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We reached Perth on 3rd January – then rolled our way through the Bight to Adelaide on the 7th. I spent much of the day with Dr, Newman and Mr. Martin Chapman in the Botanical Gardens and as I was much taller than them I had to reach up to gather seeds from the trees for them (they being botanists). The ship rolled up to 30 degrees and was most uncomfortable till we reached Melbourne on the 9th. At Melbourne I lunched with Mr. W.T. Manifold of Purrumbete and later went up to the Ryan’s home in Upper Collins Street and then set off with Colonel Ryan, Mrs. Ryan and Maie (now Lady Casey) by car for their delightful home at Frankston on the harbour (Earimil). There I stayed for several days and loved the quiet country – seabathing, golf, bridge and cross-country rides with Maie. On 15th I returned to Melbourne, lunched with Ronald and Stewart Murray at Menzies Hotel and later boarded the Sydney Express.
The following day in Sydney I called on the Austins and later they took me to see Grace Palotta – the famous and charming actress who now runs a hat shop. Then I went to Wahroonga to stay over the weekend with the Tooheys of beer fame, who have a lovely home. Mrs. Toohey and Maurice had travelled out with me in the “Mantua”. We sailed from Sydney on the 16th January into a storm, but soon got out of it and arrived in Auckland on the 20th in fine weather. In those days every other P.& O. ship used to call at Auckland. That night I caught the Limited Express and shared a sleeping compartment with Mr. Jack Handyside – met next evening at Hastings by Mother and John and it was good to be home once more.
From the beginning of February I settled down seriously to qualifying myself for the art of farming and thanks to the wonderful kindness of Mr. and Mrs. T.H. Lowry, Okawa became my home again. Hutt Peacock was the Manager and he and I got on remarkably well.
I took part in all the activities of Station Life and life was full and very happy. By this time Okawa was a station of approximately 14,000 acres and I note the dipping tallies were 28,000 sheep. Early in March Mack Swinburn took over the management and he and I soon became friends. His cottage was about a mile from the homestead and I lived with Mr. and Mrs. Lowry.
I remember Mr. Lowry and I decided to break in a couple of horses – his was black and rather unruly – it dumped him one day and that was the end – mine was a big roan and he turned out to be an outlaw and very vicious so that was the end and we gave up “breaking in”. At this time Tom was at Christ’s College, Jim and Ralph at Heretaunga and Marion and Gertie at home under a governess.
1911 certainly witnessed the turning point in my life – for it was now definite that farming was to be my part and I settled with a will to gaining all the experience I could. The last five years had been wonderfully happy ones for me – I made many friends, enjoyed life and recaptured health but they were years, up to a point, of indecision and times my Parents must have been worried about my future. However, as the years passed by, I felt I was able to make up for those years of apparent idleness – but throughout that period my Parents bestowed upon me kindness and showed patience which, at that time, was beyond understanding. In my mature years I realise that, if you can understand youth and exercise patience, you are repaying your own parents. This is my philosophy and there may be something in it.
This was a year of many happenings in our family. In the early part of March Mr. R.M. Turnbull of Wanaka purchased Kereru Station from W.G. Stead. The property comprised 6,000 acres of freehold and close on 6,000 of Crown Lease. It wintered about 5,000 ewes and 2,000 ewe hoggets together with about 400 head of cattle. The price was £6 per acre for freehold and the rent was a few hundred Pei year for the leasehold.
Mr. and Mrs. Turnbull, Dorothy and Mary (then engaged to Ivan) came up to Hawke’s Bay and stayed at the Masonic Hotel in Napier until some alterations had been made to the homestead at Kereru.
It was not very long before Dorothy and I fell in love with one another and on my birthday (April 27th) we announced our engagement. It was a very long autumn and there was a
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partial drought in progress – one result was a prolonged tennis season and most weekends Dorothy and Mary were among those who used to come to Okawa for tennis.
The Lowry family always assert that we became engaged in a loose-box of the racing stables – the fact was at that time I was temporarily in charge of the Stallion “Royal Fusileer” and some mares while the Stud Groom was away and it was my job to see to the feeding. Dorothy used often to help me in the task. Hence the “good story”. One night while at Okawa, Mr. and Mrs. Lowry were away, a fearful shouting and noise occurred about midnight so I had to creep out of the house and run across the paddocks to wake up Mac Swinburn – on the way I fell over a sleeping cow and thought my last days had come! We both went to the Cookhouse and found things in an uproar. Mac handled the situation well and next morning several hands were dismissed including the Cook, so for a few days I had to handle the cooking as best I could with the aid of the “handy man”.
On most Sunday nights during the year the W.G. Steads and Herbert Coleman used to come to supper and there was much talk about race horses.
During Mr. and Mrs. Lowry’s absence in Japan, Australia, Singapore etc, Mr. and Mrs. John Nairn, Olive and I lived in the homestead at Okawa together with the little girls and Ralph plus nurses, governesses and maids. I remember replenishing Mrs. Nairn’s Bank Account from T.H.L.’s bank in order for household bills to be paid and what a row there was on the return of Mr. and Mrs. Lowry. In those days it appeared to be the rule only to pay bills once a year and then about Christmas time. In June the Turnbulls were well settled at Kereru Station and I paid my first of many visits there – I usually rode out on my motor bike. However by this time my Father owned a big Cadillac car and employed a chauffeur so this car was very much at my disposal as there was need to keep the chauffeur occupied.
As the year advanced work increased at Okawa – there was lambing through August and September and 12,000 ewes took some looking after. Docking was quite a protracted business and a team of Maoris assisted. This year (1911) the percentage was 74%. Then there were 1,000 cows to watch over – most of the dry cattle were sent to Omarunui for fattening and Mr. Lowry kept a personal eye upon them. Fattening of cattle was his main hobby.
In September I went to Dunedin for a couple of weeks to meet the Turnbull friends and act as bestman to Ivan who was married to Mary at All Saints on the 13th. Dorothy was bridesmaid. There was much gaiety in Dunedin and entertaining, particularly by the Roberts Family and Judge and Mrs. Williams. Mr. and Mrs. Turnbull took the Rattray home, “Craighall”, for the occasion and I stayed there. My Father, Mother and John all came down for the wedding too.
After returning to Okawa dry shearing began and this was followed later by ewe shearing and these operations carried on till late in November – in fact the days were not long enough for the work on hand.
I did not join the usual party for fishing at Taupo but spent Christmas at Kereru and on the 28th Mr. Turnbull and I went down to Dunedin. We spent a few days at the Farnhill Club and saw the New Year in there.
In those days the journey to Dunedin from Napier was very tedious – two long days in the train and a night crossing between Wellington and Christchurch by ferry which could be very rough and uncomfortable. Today you can fly in a matter of a few hours.
1912
On January 1st Mr. Turnbull and I left for Ranfurly by train and a buggy and pair met us and took us on to Linnburn (Central Otago). It then consisted of 1400 acres freehold and 16,000 leasehold and ran 5,000 merino sheep. Originally it was about 80,000 acres and it was there the family lived till they went to England in about 1895 and there they remained till 1905 when their education was over. After two or three days we went on to Wanaka Station which was once 250,000 acres and one of the biggest holdings in New Zealand. Now it was only about 5,000 acres of freehold. The
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homestead was a comfortable rambling house on the edge of the lake and surrounded by a lovely garden and English trees. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Turnbull were there and we had about a week of roaming round the countryside before returning to the North Island.
I now took up my abode at Kereru Station as the Trustees in Ned Smith’s affairs had offered me a block of 1,670 acres – the Olrig Outstation block – and after much thinking the matter over and getting advice from various friends, I decided to accept the offer and on March 11th I took over what is now Pukekino at £6 per acre. My Father, in his generosity, found the deposit and cash for stock and buildings and the balance remained on mortgage.
The block was in three large paddocks – about 1,000 acres had been ploughed and were in good grass – the balance was mostly gorge and covered in scrub and fern.
The cash which my Father made available to me, viz. £4,000 approximately, was spent as follows : £1,000 deposit on land, £1,400 on stock, £1,600 on buildings.
A week before taking possession a very goo rain came and thus the drought was broken and pastures were revived and very acceptable as the block had been well eaten out by stock. During the two weeks before date of possession Alf Reid (Williams and Kettle’s head stockman) and I attended many sales and under his guidance I purchased the following:
1,000 5 yr. ewes from Olrig at 12/6 approx. 200 Ashcott 2 tooth ewes at 15/4
500 tooth ewes from Prescott Estate at 14/- and,
about 50 rams from Olrig and Okawa at £3.3.0d.
It then became necessary to set to work on the most essential jobs :
1. Selecting a site for homestead and farm buildings.
2. Making arrangements with a Stock and Station Firm for finance.
3. Harnessing a water supply.
4. Planning a fencing programme.
Before actually getting down to developmentLthe ewes had to be placed on their blocks with the appropriate number of rams. I should have mentioned that actually a week before taking possession I was permitted to erect a very short fence on a narrow gap between the hill portion of the jails and the flat – it was only a matter of several chains and so with the help of a man I engaged (Jim Galvin) I put up this fence. While at Okawa I was instructed in the art of fencing and this stood me in good stead.
Now Pukekino was in four blocks :
The Pit (front country) approximately 380 acres
Andersons 270 acres
Lower Jails 200 acres
Upper Jails 300 acres
1,050 acres
This acreage does not include about 620 acres of gorge and gully land which was non-ploughable land.
The ewes were placed as follows :
Pit 525
Andersons 500
U. Jails 280
L. Jails 445
1,750
We carried on with fencing till Galvin departed on May 7th. (He was only supposed to have a week off but various things happened and he ended up in gaol!) During the time he was with me we erected the fences enclosing the front and back paddocks. In between times we dug out the spring and with the help of Le Quesne’s man we laid water pipes to the site of the homestead. This was quite a job for the distance between the spring and the homestead was half a mile.
After many near mistakes we settled on the site for the house and farm buildings – the only sensible and practical site.
The matter of settling upon the mercantile firm to take care of us was simple – Williams and Kettle Limited. I had an interview with Mr. N. Kettle (Uncle Nat) and he undertook that Williams and Kettle would look after me and that I could have credit for £500 in order to carry on, and W.& K. have remained our agents ever since. Then came the planning of
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a home and engaging an architect. Hawthorne and his horse team levelled the site and all was got ready for building.
I don’t know how I managed it but I went off to Pourerere to see Charlie and Pam Nairn for a day or two, then to the Tongariro with Father and party for a week’s fishing. A few days later Mother and I went to Wellington to see John in hospital and I acted as Bestman to Leonard Sedgwick who married Phyllis Riddiford. The wedding was a stylish and big affair at Fern Grove in Lower Hutt (the Riddiford home). L. Sedgwick had been at Oxford with me and lived in Byfleet near the Seth Smiths. He took orders and was a Rowing Blue. The marriage came to an end a few years later. Back home at the end of the month and hard work was the order. I purchased several hundred totara posts and battens from Fred Simmons and with his bullock team he delivered them on the proposed fence lines – posts £5.10/- per hundred and battens 5/- per hundred. Then we proceeded to fence with a will – the first line was between Andersons corner and Cocksfoot. Then followed Ram paddock and Upper Jails – then Upper Jails and Prices. By September there were eight paddocks and two more round the homestead block. Quite a good start. The care of the ewes was always the first priority because they began to show up in lamb about July and lambing began in August. By that time I had a useful shepherd (Percy) and he could well have been with me for a long time but in a fit of impetuosity I sacked him. However he was with me till the end of September.
The building of the homestead began in May and the job was completed at the end of August and I was able to install a married couple. They were pretty useless and I sacked them also at the end of September – they were bone lazy. The house consisted of over 3,000 sq. ft. and there was also an implement shed and cow shed. The timber was all heart of totara from the Kereru bush and was carted down by bullock wagon. The total cost of buildings completed was £1,600. Early in the building I also sacked the architect and Bob Le Quesne (plumber) helped me out. It looks as if I must have been rather “uppish” in those days!
Lambing was practically over early in September – it was a strenuous time for the two of us, especially as the paddocks were so big and in those days it did not appear to be that lambing ewes were drafted according to how they were showing up, the result being that you did not dock until most of the lambs had arrived. The management of lambing ewes is so different today!
On September 4th the Big Day arrived and Dorothy and I were married in St. John’s Cathedral in Napier by Dean Mayne. It was a very quiet affair on account of the recent death of Mrs. Turnbull’s Mother. However the Church was full. A small reception at Ivan and Mary’s home in Napier Terrace, after which Dorothy and I left for Waipawa on our way to spend a week in Wellington and later a week in Auckland. We stayed at the Royal Oak and Grand respectively. At the reception, apart from parents, were Lulu and Winston Barron, Wilfred and Ruby Stead and Mr. Handyside. Eru Johnson was my bestman and Cara Graham of Dunedin was Dorothy’s bridesmaid.
On our return to Pukekino we found Monty and Mr. C. Turnbull (Uncle Charles) had laid all the carpets down and the house was in perfect order for us. It was a grand surprise. So our married life began and our happiness together has never waned. In passing I mention there was no drive from the road to the homestead so on our return after our honeymoon we had to transfer ourselves and luggage from the car to a spring cart.
As well as Piercey we had a married couple – the woman cared for the housework and also cooked. But they were bone lazy and did not last long and when they left Cara Graham (Dorothy’s great friend and bridesmaid) who was staying at Kereru, came over to us to help, for Dorothy, like so many young women of those days, knew nothing about cooking. In those days “domestic” help was plentiful. Hard work set in with a vengence. Docking was strenuous on account of the size of the mob, but Olrig Station gave a hand. After lambing there were 1680 ewes left so our
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losses had been fairly heavy and the lamb percentage worked out at 91%.
My Father-in-law was kind enough to allow us to link up on the Kereru telephone so we were more in the world. The drive was completed from the road to the house – a distance of a quarter of a mile at a cost of £90. Our transport was by horse or spring cart and we did not possess a car for another year or more. But as my Parents had a car (Cadillac) and chauffeur and likewise my In-laws, we were well cared for. In October an outstanding married couple in the Jim Prices came to us (£104 per year) and during the year they were with us life was easy for us. Jim was a great worker and between us we made a garden, carried on with our fencing programme, grubbed and cut scrub. As the years went by three more Price men worked for me – all of them reliable and good workers.
Shearing in December was a terrific job for we had to drive all the ewes plus their lambs to Olrig – a little over three miles but in those days there was very little traffic on the road – still it was a journey of two hours and as lambs became separated from their mothers there was much confusion. On the return journey lambs broke through fences and it was days before all were collected.
W. Richmond was then the “picker” for Tomoana Freezing Works – he came out and took 258 fat wether lambs which was good for it represented 20% of the Lambs. Later the balance were sold to Olrig for 10/- per head which was considered a good price.
In between “going round the ewes” Jim Price and I never had an idle moment – there was always fencing, grubbing manuka in Upper Gaols in a hay crop, grubbing briars and sything Californian thistle. Social engagements were almost nil and we hardly ever went to town but still we were happy. About Christmas time James and Sybil Hutchinson of Bamburgh arrived in New Zealand to take up a farm at St. Lawrence. They came out to see us and so began a friendship that has continued for fifty years. James died a few years ago but Sybil still lives in Bamburgh.
So the first year of our great adventure in farming came to an end. I found among some of my notes the fact that the actual cost of the homestead and implement shed was £1,557/10/-, the 1760 ewes and rams cost £1320, the land cost £10,020, there was a mortgage of £8,517 and I owed my Father £4,258 (at least it was a gift).
At this point I should mention that farmers paid no income tax, but there was a steepish Land Tax and it seemed that few farmers kept accurate books – most knew from Bank Statements how things stood.
1913
The second year of my farming venture was a successful one – in the first place the autumn rains were good and there was ample food for stock and the married couple (Jim Prices) proved to be treasures. He was especially helpful to me and we were able to make much progress in dealing with the second growth of scrub. Then I was able to secure the help of Horace Price to carry on with the fencing programme – he worked as very few work today and all for 1/- per hour.
The wool was sold early in the year and fetched a little over £500 – the lambs off the mothers, as I said, fetched 12/6 and stores 10/6. The gross takings for the year ending March 31st were somewhere about £1400 which enabled us to live comfortably and pay our way. This meant in those days, if you grossed a little under £I per acre all was well – today you would need to gross £5 per acre to be in the same position.
Photo caption – One of the annual fishing expeditions to Taupo taken at Camp Whanganui Bay 1912. From left: WNJ Mackay (Chief Accountant at Sainsbury Logan & Williams), GE Mannering, Rev Fletcher, Ivan Logan, Francis Logan, Frank Logan and JP Lethbridge. Image source: Hamilton Logan
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As I write my story I cannot help thinking of the hard work involved – all the carting on the farm was accomplished by spring cart or sledge – no cars, no land rovers and no tractors to help and the running back and forth to the windmill, which was half a mile away, sometimes in the middle of the night if a gale got up, was an effort to be reckoned with. No electricity and all the fire wood for kitchen stoves and open fireplaces had to be hand sawn. The house lighting was by acetylene and often this needed attention at night – usually it was raining or freezing. I can enumerate countless other inconvenient aspects of farm life of those days.
The ewes were reduced to 1350 on account of carrying 600 ewe hoggets and later as the feed position was satisfactory I bought between 200 and 300 wether lambs from Kereru. The hogget loss in those days was always high – about 5% or more because we knew very little about the management of pastures and there were no such things as drenches for worms and other ills other than Kerol and milk. Nor did we know anything about the application of fertilisers to grass lands – these were only used through the drill for crops.
In addition to grazing 60 odd weaners from Kereru I bought 30 cows with calves from Poporangi Station for £6.10/- (each cow and calf).
Dipping, crutching and shearing were all done at Olrig Station during the year and it was a fearful grind droving the sheep so far but the cost of building a woolshed, dip and men’s accommodation was beyond me at the time and for years to come, however on looking back it would have been much easier on the stock and humans had I borrowed money and built. In those days I had a dread of being overloaded with mortgages and overdrafts.
The homestead had been stained instead of painted – one of our many follies and it began to get very shabby and untidy so the stain had to be removed by an application of Notting and the house painted. This was a great improvement but a costly one. Unfortunately the Prices left after a year and I employed Frank Meissner who hailed from Austria and had been staying at Whakarara. He was a great worker and filled the bill well. When war broke out later he was regarded as an enemy and he had a “‘miserable time.
However after many trials and tribulations he emerged and today he is a very well-to-do apple grower in Havelock North. When he left we got another married couple – they only lasted a week because he told me if I did not call him “Mr. Dalton” he would call me “Frank”. I gave him a week’s notice but reduced it to 24 hours. Then we were able to get a very satisfactory couple who stayed for two or three years.
I seemed to find time to get a garden licked into shape vegetable and shrubs and flowers. Mrs. Lowry gave me asparagus plants and these kept us going for many years and we also got all sorts of cuttings and shrubs from Okawa. About April of the year 1913 my Father, Mother and Eru Johnson went to England – the first two mentioned returned by way of Canada in October but Eru remained away till early next year. While my Parents were away the Hunter-Westons (she was a Roberts) leased their house and whenever I wished to stay in Napier they made me very welcome and I took full advantage of their kind offer.
On June 3rd our son and heir (James Alan) was born in Napier and there was much jubilation. Dorothy got on well and she was able to return home in three weeks.
In those days mothers were kept in bed for two weeks after childbirth – so different from today. All went well until there was a scare of smallpox at Bridge Pa – which turned out to be a false alarm. However all and sundry were vaccinated and the lympth appeared to be either too fresh or too old and much trouble ensued. Dorothy was feeding the baby and she was badly affected so was Jim and the result quite catastrophic – the child went back rapidly and soon eczema of a serious type appeared and this took months to overcome, during which time the poor kid was submitted to all sorts of experiments and we had appalling nights – often no sleep at all. Eventually the trouble subsided but Jim always had a very delicate skin and was allergic to cows for all time.
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The first Kereru Sports were held in April and they continued for years till in the end they were merged with the Maraekekaho Sports.
During the year many friends came out to see us – these were the “calling” days – a number of South Island friends of the Turnbulls came to stay – included were the Sinclair Thomsons, Mary Ritchie and Issy Rattray.
Again I shore the sheep at Olrig under trying conditions the distance to drive the sheep was too far so plans were laid for shearing, dipping and crutching to be done in future at Kereru the distance being less than half of that to Olrig.
A strike of watersiders occurred towards the end of the year, which might have been disastrous except for the firm stand of the Government and voluntary labour supplied by the farming community mostly, though others helped. For a few days the position was tense and ugly but gradually there came a crack in the ranks of the militant watersiders and the strike was effectively broken.
1914
This was another year of hard work – in fact hard work was the order for many more years. It was also a year of sorrow in our family and of disasters. In May our dear friend Eru Johnson (John) was accidentally shot in Gisborne while going through a fence with a loaded shotgun. All who knew John loved him for he was a fellow with a noble heart and a friend who would never let you down.
The disasters were the outbreak of World War 1 on August 4th and the severest drought in my memory which gripped Hawke’s Bay and the Wairarapa from early November till the Autumn of 1915. Hawke’s Bay was much harder hit than Wairarapa. The drought really began with a poor spring rainfall but that would not have been so serious had gales not set in. It literally blew big guns from the end of September till March – never was there a let up and thousands of tons of soil from Kereru blew to glory – one newly ploughed paddock across the Poporangi lost a foot of top soil. At times the sun was obscured from sight. This drought proved to be a most devastating one – creeks dried up and grass was literally blown away. We were able to stand up to it as I was overcautious and under-stocked but many neighbours such as Teschemaker, Dasent and Olrig Station had to take stock over to the Pahiatua district and trail them for weeks. I remember Jack Teschemaker telling me he used to go out on to his verandah each night and gaze to the sky and say “God if you think this is a joke I don’t and why punish harmless animals”. Then on August 4th came the beginning of World War 1 – in our innocence we thought it would all be over in the space of months but it lasted till November 11th 1918 – many countries were reduced to a state of chaos and the slaughter was appalling. It all began because some fanatic in Serbia shot an Archduke of Austria. New Zealand’s first Exped. Force left on October 15th for Egypt. By the way Japan was with us too and her fleet helped in the convoy work.
But to return to the “doings” of 1914 – the Price brothers were now fencing hard with an odd day scrub-cutting, while Woodward, the married man and I attended to stock work etc.
Having been to see the Masons and Guy Russell (afterwards General Sir Andrew) at work topdressing with Basic Slag, I invested in a hopper and so began topdressing on Pukekino. The process was slow – the Wallace hopper was drawn by one horse and the area covered would have been about 5 to 8 acres a day. And the slag, or super which we began to use later, had to be carted out by sledge. Other work came to a standstill during topdressing except that the cows had to be milked twice daily and other chores attended to.
A sad farewell to Sir William and Lady Russell and family who left Flaxmere to live in England. I did not see the former two again but Violet, who had a flat in Chelsea, often came out for a visit and we used to see her on our trips to England later.
Early in the year the Primate of New Zealand and Mrs. Neville came to stay at Kereru and he baptised Jimmy in the drawingroom – his Godfathers were F.I. Stopford and Eru Johnson.
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The Autumn rains were good and we settled down for the year with 1480 ewes together with replacements (ewe hoggets).
Reg Humphries, who managed Olrig Station, was a good friend and neighbour and we saw quite a lot of him. But his wife was very unpredictable. It was while Cora Lee was nursing her that we first met and she and Monty became engaged. We were always very fond of Cora and have remained so – I write in August 1966! However the engagement did not meet the approval of Mr. and Mrs. Turnbull and this upset the family arrangements completely. Monty became unsettled at Kereru and tired of parental interference- so went over to Australia. Also in July James and Sybil Hutchinson returned to England mainly on account of her poor health and they took up a farm on Tweedside near Kelso and later they took up the family farm at Bamburgh which we became to know and love so much at a later date. When they departed they left me their favourite mare, Belle, who was a delightful friend for many years. At Easter I went on the annual fishing expedition with Father to the Western Bays in Taupo – among the party were I.S. Handyside, Ivan, N. MacKay, W.G. Wood, A.H. Russell (Guy), A.E. Mannering and G.S. Wenley. It was most enjoyable, but it was to be the last of these happy parties for the war came to put a stop to such pleasant pastimes and by the time the war was over I was too much involved with a family and the farm to be able to get away at the times Father and his party were free to go. Dorothy went to Dunedin early in July for a couple of weeks to have a spell and see old friends and I joined her in Christchurch on August 2nd, where we had a few days at Warners Hotel and it was the day we returned that war was declared. The married couple (Woodward) left us at the end of August – Nellie, who had been house-parlour maid with my Mother, came to us and stayed for many years, and Critch Price came to work on the farm and he stayed for a few years so we had some peace. Lambing was satisfactory but before docking was over the-drought had set in and the gales had started. We were to have started on a ploughing programme but this had to be abandoned on account of the horses having to trek down to the creek in Sunny Vale for water and as it turned out it was a wise move for no crop could have survived the drought. Monty returned from Australia for a few days to say farewell before proceeding to England to join up. We had a dinner at the Club for him – about a dozen of us present. From now on my contemporaries, the unmarried ones, began to enlist and drift into camp and on October 15th the first contingent left for Egypt escorted by French and Japanese warships.
Shearing took place at Kereru for the first time and what a lot of trouble we had with the old Blackstone Engine – it was always breaking down and how annoying it was to get a mob of ewes and lambs over to Kereru, especially on a hot and dusty day, to find the engine playing up and having to keep the sheep waiting about in the yards.
On November 27th General Elections were held. Reform were returned with a majority of two.
Dorothy, Jim and I went over to Kereru for a week at Christmas. By the end of the year the countryside was the colour of straw and the gales were still raging.
1915
Now we have reached the year 1915 and as I begin to write about the events of that year I am 82 and I just wonder whether I shall ever be able to complete the story of my life, for there are still another 50 years almost to be accounted for. What I do is to take up my diary each year and go through it carefully noting down what I think are events worth recording and then I write up from these notes. I try not to go too much into detail but I hope just to give you an insight into what we did in the days gone by.
When the year came in we were in the throes of the most severe drought in the memory of old men living at that time and I still consider it was the worst I can recall – though there have been some since then that were very unpleasant. Before the drought broke in the middle of March there were many false alarms – such as thunderstorms and drizzle setting in. from a N.E. or S.E. quarter, which usually meant business – but the false alarms only
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came to tantalize us. However, eventually the break came on March 12th when we got 2 inches as a start, then on the 18th it rained off and on gently (the best type of rain) for a week, by which time over 6 inches had fallen and the response of plant life to this was magical. However before this happened I had had to quit 25 cows at £2.5.0d. and 200 old ewes at just on 10/0d. – I realise now I might have held on. My old friend of my boyhood, Keith Cotterill, bought the ewes and after taking over 100% of lambs from them two years in succession he made me a present of a gold wrist watch, but this was promptly stolen in the wool-shed next shearing. Most of January and February was occupied in opening up water-holes and making tracks down to the creek beds for stock. There were no dams at that time and the spring was running so poorly we could not put in more troughs.
From the work point of view it was a wonderful year for I was extremely fit, there was a bit of money in kitty (only a matter of about £200) and I had Critch and Bert Price who were hard and honest workers. Between us, after the routine care of stock, we cut and grubbed manuka, topdressed, cut heavy manuka for firewood, built sheep yards and fenced and fenced hard. By the time Bert left for the war there were about fifteen paddocks on the farm – the biggest job was Hades. To help me was dear old Bess, the mare I bought from Jim McIntyre, she did all the carting in spring cart and sledge, pulled the topdresser and at times was a hack. She lived to be about 30.
Jimmy McIntyre was the country roadman for our section of the road and he knew everybody’s business – we called him the bush telegraphist or Jimmy the Wheel – a character. During the drought sheep wandered up and down gorges and found many gaps for escape int other properties and from time to time it became necessary to muster adjoining blocks of Olrig and Poporangi Stations to collect our strays. In those days we were only bounded by those two stations and this made things easy.
In February my friend Humphries who was manager of Olrig, picked up an infection in Gisborne while inspecting grazing cattle and within a week he was dead. This was a sad loss to the district. In April Edward Averill was appointed manager and we soon became good and friendly neighbours. I forgot to mention that in 1914 the Duff Family from Whakarara Station went for a trip to England and Hugh enlisted there and was killed later. Another death I felt was that of old “Don” – he was my first sheep dog at Okawa and as faithful as a human friend. Don was the first of many faithful dogs to die in my lifetime. Outliving one’s pets is a sad business.
Before going any further let me tell you our greatest joy in our life at Pukekino was Jimmy, who was now in his second year. He had outgrown his trouble in early life and was now a healthy, pink-cheeked, robust little boy. To watch his development and to have his companionship meant everything to us. At this time we had a most competent nurse in old Louise and Jim was her only thought. My Parents were very devoted to their only grandson at that time and they frequently came out to Pukekino or had Jim and his nurse to stay in Napier.
Before the end of the drought Eric Nairn motored me over to Highden (Awahuri) to spend a few days with the Hugh Whites. We had quite a pleasant and social time but I was filled with envy at seeing the lush pastures of the West Coast. Eric and Jack Nairn came much into my life over the years and I was sad at Eric’s departure to the war in May. He joined the Guards in London. There were farewell dinners given at the Club for Seton Wenley and Jack Hindmarsh and also for J.H.G. Murdoch, who did not return.
On my birthday (27th April) my Father and Mother gave me a motor car – the first I had ever owned and what a joy it was. I was told to try out several and as it was just before Eric left I got him to be my guide and advisor. The choice fell on a Hudson and it proved to be most reliable. By May Monty Turnbull had a commission in the A.S.C. and had married Cora Lee – this was in England.
The war dragged on with fluctuating fortunes – Italy joined with us. On April 26th the Australian and New Zealand Forces together with a British Army landed on Gallipoli – the
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expedition might have brought the war to a much earlier end but it was embarked upon without the necessary thought and care and proved to be a failure and a grave for many brave fellows.
The Charles Turnbulls came up to Kereru from Dunedin in August – each year they came up for a visit – sometimes twice in the year. There was always much excitement on their arrival but this soon waned and things used to get mighty blue before their departure. He was a very jovial soul but she was a first rate niggler.
The small cottage – now shearer’s accommodation – and another shed for implements were built.
Marjorie was born on August 23rd- she was a bouncing child and weighed 9 lbs. Each month she seemed to put on a pount at least and never gave the slightest trouble. Old Louise, who had been Jim’s nurse, left us and Nellie Jenner, who had been with my Mother for some years, came and she was with us till she married W. Ainsworth about six years later.
During the year my Father purchased an eight cylinder Cadillac car – a real joy to drive.
For a week during the year there was much gloom as it was reported that Von Kettle and Tim Wilder had been killed on Gallipoli – good news of their safety caused rejoicing. Lambing was quite good and no untoward weather disturbed us. Docking was becoming increasingly easy as the number of paddocks increased and the size of the mobs decreased. On October 24th Phil Brock (then a lad of 16) came and he stayed with me till after the Earthquake in 1931. He was the most conscientious worker I ever met – not a lazy bone in his body. Life with him on the farm was a joy and we became firm friends and have remained so. He left me when Jim began work on the farm after leaving school and he soon got a good job at Tutira which he eventually managed for H. Guthrie Smith, After the cutting up of Tutira he managed Kahika for the Lands and Survey Department till he retired in 1965. Now he lives in Napier.
Critch Price and Phil were a good combination on the farm and I had no worries while they were with me. They lived in the whare – cooked their breakfast and lunch and came down to the house for dinner.
We shore 1160 ewes, 110 2 tooth wethers, 525 ewe hoggets and 1012 lambs and the total number of bales was 50. On the last day of the year we went to Napier to say farewell to the Wenleys who were leaving for England where they remained for the duration of the war.
The average weight of wool was eight and seven-eights a pound per ewe, 3 ¼ lb for lambs and woolly hoggets – 6 ½ lbs.
1916
This was a satisfactory year so far as the farm was concerned for we had good autumn rains and again good spring rains. We started the year with 1260 breeding ewes and 1180 ewe and wether lambs. I made a change in policy and kept all lambs as it was or at least it appeared more profitable to sell 2-tooth wethers and not lambs because the price of 2-tooth wethers after getting the wool was round about 22/6 and wool had leapt up in price which made the wool from the wethers worth about another 10/0d. However as time went on I discovered my mistake and it was really better to sell all wether Iambs and step up the breeding ewes. The cattle population was still far too low – only about 80 cows and replacements. But in those days cattle had not come into their own and were regarded more as mowers of long grass.
We indulged in more agricultural work – turnips mostly and harrowed some of the grassland. For a time turnips did well with us.
The usual scrub grubbing and cutting was carried on and cutting back of gorse.
Until October, Phil Brock and Critch Price worked for me then Critch left (after over two years) and Phil and I carried on alone for years. He worked like two men and I seemed to do pretty well. We were a happy combination and things went very smoothly on the farm.
The Averill family were now living at Olrig and Cecil and Rochie were always ready and willing to lend me a hand and we in our turn helped them on Echills when work was pressing, W. Johnston was the Manager of
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Poporangi Station – he was a tower of strength and we became very friendly with him and Mrs. Johnston. His home was only about a mile from my top boundary and I often popped in for a cup of tea or lunch and a yarn. Those were days when you saw something of your neighbours.
The lambing was good – just on 100% and the loss of ewes was light. Sleepy sickness and shearing trouble hardly existed and there was very little scald or foot-rot. These troubles came later as topdressing advanced and the sheep population per acre increased. The principal worry was still the loss among the hoggets – about May they seemed to wilt and much nursing was needed. The loss could be over 5%. Today, what with regular dosing and better pasture management you don’t face the same trouble.
About the first week in August – fortunately just before lambing – we had a flood which did some damage to tracks, floodgates and fences. Over eight inches of rain fell in two days on top of already saturated land.
We, that is Phil mostly, milked four cows morning and evening and we had an abundance of cream and butter much to sell and give away. Phil had the cows milked and was ready for breakfast at 7:30 and the days work at 8. On his weekends off I milked. Early in the year George Russell (head ploughman on Olrig) went over to Omakere with me and we purchased the three draught horses which formed the plough team. Critch was ploughman and teamster and after his departure Phil took on the ploughing.
During the shooting season, Father, Ivan and G.E. Mannering came out and we had a couple of good days among the quail – 30 ½ brace one day.
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CHAPTER SIX
1917 – 1929
1917
The war raged furiously over much of Europe and the Near East – at times there was optimism but again much went against us, The Germans began a very intense submarine campaign and the sinkings of allied shipping became most alarming
Towards the end of the year, inspite of rationing, it looked as if England could be starved out. It was about March or April that the Cunard Ship “Lusitania” was submarined off the South Coast of Ireland with very heavy loss of life and many Americans were among those lost. This bought the U.S.A. into the war in April and we knew then we could not lose the war. though it would be sometime before the full weight of U.S.A. help was felt.
Ivan enlisted and went to Trentham Military Camp to the N.C.O. course. He was there and at Featherston Camp all the year as he was eventually made an instructor after gaining his commission. Dr. Bernau, who was Medical Officer in Command of Hawke’s Bay, would not pass me – knowing my history. So I had to be content to proceed with the production of food, wool, etc.
I note the year began with the following stock on Pukekino :
2685 ewes
45 rams
54 killers
1170 lambs and 97 cattle
January was a wet month and we experienced much scald and footrot – this brought untold work. Owing to the war the price of fat stock rose and old ewes fetched 28/6d. During the year cultivation and topdressing was carried on and scrub cutting and grubbing too. The first sheep worrying occurred and I traced the dogs to Poporangi and had them shot. One was a great big pet sheep dog.
During the hot weather we used to dash up to Poporangi stream to a very pleasant bathing hole after the day’s work. Each week we would have a day in Napier with my Parents and often Jim and I used to spend a night or two and he would love a ride on a tram car (he was then 4). The trams disappeared shortly after.
H.E. Sturge (who was on the Collegiate School, Wanganui, Staff) used to come over to my Parents in the holidays. He came out to Pukekino for the last shoot we ever had – we only got 7 ½ brace of quail and thereafter the quail seemed to vanish completely.
In June Hawke’s Bay experienced a very big flood and the low country was in a mess. Up our way there were slips and much wrecking of fences on the hillsides. This meant dropping other work to effect repairs.
In the September holidays I was able to secure the help of Allan Johnston and W. Ross (school boys) and they did a good job on the fences.
Pourerere Station was sold by Charlie Nairn, who was now living in England. The average price was £19 per acre. Jack bought 3000 acres of Pourerere and sold his own farm, Te Manuiri.
Early in August I went down to the Wairarapa and stayed for a week with my cousins, the W. Bidwells. Among those also staying there was Airini Rhodes (now Woodhouse of Bluecliffs, S. Canterbury). She was a great horsewoman and helped exercise Will Bidwell’s racehorses. Ivan was then in Featherston Camp, also Willie Ritchie, W.M. Turnbull and others. We had a fairly severe earthquake early one morning.
After that I went to the Wellington Club for a few days. Dr. A. Newman and Sir Walter Buchanan were there and the latter told me of the Quake of 1866 when the Wairarapa shook for six weeks. I saw many friends in Wellington— Eric Riddiford among them.
Returning to Featherston I met Ivan and we motored back to Hawke’s Bay together—he as having a spot of leave. During the year W. Johnston left Poporangi Station and took over the management of Kereru and his assistance to me grew.
Monty went out to Egypt with his A.S.C. unit and shortly afterwards joined the R.F.C. as a Major.
One day I rode across country to Whana Whana Station. Mr. G. Beamish met me at the Ngaruroro river and I took delivery of a Hereford Bull.
Lambing was not quite up to last year’s and we only docked 85%. After docking there was
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shearing and the usual seasonal work. ‘Then another Christmas came but by then our family consisted of three for Doffles (Dorothy Louise) was born on November 1st. Dr. Bernau was away at the war by then and Edgar attended but he and the nurse arrived an hour after the birth — Mrs. Teschemaker, fortunately, was home and she rushed up to be with Dorothy.
At the beginning of my original diaries you will find much interesting information especially about taxation and general statistics.
1918
The war was waged with fury by land and sea by the Germans and until after mid-year England and her allies were hard pressed but when the U.S.A. got into her stride it became quite evident how the war would end. From August onwards Germany’s allies began to collapse one by one and on November 11th Germany surrendered unconditionally.
The new year set in wet and lamb shearing did not finish till the early part of January.
On January 16th I went to stay with H.E. Sturge at his home in Takapuna. The trip in the “Arahura” from Napier to Auckland was rough and unpleasant and I was very seasick. We sailed from Napier calling in at Gisborne and Tokomaru Bay. Sturge had a very pleasant home at Takapuna overlooking the harbour and he and I just did as we liked – swam, ate, slept, visited Auckland at times and paid a visit to Rangitoto Island. His Uncle and Aunt looked after his house for him and did all the catering etc. It was a very enjoyable holiday but over too soon. I returned in the “Monowai” and struck another rough trip so spent most of the time in my bunk. In the cabin opposite mine were four nuns who were very seasick – they were landed by basket at Tokomaru.
Monty (Turnbull) who had transferred to the R.F.C. in Egypt last year, was taken prisoner by the Turks in June and we did not hear of him till August. He had a tough time what with his wounds and later tetanus.
I made several trips to Wellington and Heretaunga while Ivan was in Camp. Dorothy came with me on one occasion – on another I spent a week with the Will Bidwells at Rototawai and on another I stayed with Mother at the Josephs in Grant Road.
S. H. Gollan came out early in 1918 bringing his deaf and dumb son, Donald, who was about 18. Donald stayed with us at Pukekino for a while and we tried to keep him occupied. Then while alterations were made to our own house we all went to stay at Kereru for a month while Mr. and Mrs. Turnbull were in Dunedin.
Donald was quite impossible so we shipped him back to England after leaving Kereru.
Ivan sailed for England in the Troopship Tahiti on September 15th. Mother and I went down to be with Mary when he sailed. He was assistant adjutant of the troops – over 1100 of them. At Sierra Leone the ship picked up “Black Influenza”. Only about 5% escaped and many died. Ivan was a victim and was in hospital in England for weeks and only reached France two days or so before peace came. Towards the end of the year the “Flu” Struck New Zealand with a vengence and many we knew did not survive – Edric, Chris and Cyril Williams all died. During the year Charlie Cotterill was appointed Manager of the Bank of New South Wales in Napier and so we saw much of Aunt Andro and Neda. On the farm things went well and smoothly till Phil Brock was called up. While he was in a Camp I got a young fellow who was not much help to me and it was a happy day when Phil returned in December. We carried on with the routine work of scrub cutting and cultivation – planted many pine trees and so on. I also learned a lesson. I purchased 400 odd lovely ewe hoggets from Te Apiti Station and by the end of a fairly wet winter about half had died! I should have known better than to bring young sheep from such good coast country to the mountains! And here is a strange deal I exchanged with F. Simonds – 40 old ewes and 1 ram for 33 hoggets and 17 2 tooth wethers and a further 3 lame ewes for 2½ cords of matai firewood. Lambing was rather disappointing – only 85%. However wool prices were up and so was lamb and mutton. Jimmy was now 5 and he was a great companion for he loved riding and poking his nose into everything that went on on the farm. Marjory was a big bouncing girl and
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most independent. Dorothy and I spent as much time as we could with the children and they loved excursions to the rivers – Poporangi, Ohara and to our own little creeks on the property. Trucks for the carrying of live stock were still unheard of in New Zealand and it meant all stock had to travel on their feet to Stortford Lodge sale yards. This meant for us hiring a drover for four days or taking on the job of droving yourself. We would usually take our stock for sale to Olrig Station on a Sunday afternoon and then early on the Monday we would carry on till we met a drover somewhere near Mangatahi. So the journey was accomplished in a little over three days, viz. 1st afternoon to Olrig, stop over for the night in yards, 2nd day to Maraekakaho county yards, 3rd day to Olrig’s holding paddock near Irongate and 4th morning on to the saleyards. It was quite a journey for old ewes and lambs. The latter usually lost, so the experts said, about three quarters of a pound a day while on the journey.
During 1918 graduated Land Tax was abolished and a fairer system instituted, which was more or less nominal and for the first time farmers became liable for Income Tax. The rate of this tax as 6d. in the £ after the first £400 (which was exempt) and thereafter 1/200 of a 1d. for each succeeding £ but in no case to exceed 3/0d. in the £1. Company Tax began at 1/0d. in the £1 and likewise stopped at 3/0d.
1919
This was a year of happiness for the war was over and those who had been abroad in the forces began returning home. Monty and Cora arrived back in May and Ivan came in October. Eric Nairn, the Kettles and Jardines were among our friends who also returned. One night my Father gave a dinner at the H.B. Club to welcome several of our returned friends. Later in the year Mr. and Mrs. Wenley came home – he had been doing a job in London for two or three years of the war on behalf of the servicemen. Gradually life became normal again.
Early in the New Year Johnston of Kereru and I had a cherry picking expedition out to Herricks (Kereru outstation) – the wild cherry grove, probably planted by Col. Herrick about 50 years ago when he owned the station, was always an attraction about January.
In February (13th) our Bob was born (Robert Francis) – this event bought our family to two boys and two girls.
The main work on the farm was still fencing, but the everlasting scrub cutting in the gullies and grubbing still continued.
There were several stock sales during the early months and I purchased 34 2 year heifers at Carlsons sale at £9.3.6d. Then there was Harold Russell’s sale at Apley which attracted much attention. There was also the two day Ram Fair in Hastings but by this time I had entered into an agreement to get my rams each year from W.E. Bidwell’s stud.
We were robbed of our autumn rains which can produce more trouble than a spring shortage, but before we knew what we were in for I had purchased these 34 2 year heifers from the Carlson Estate and lovely beasts they were too. When the autumn passed without rain and winter set in I found the farm overstocked with cattle but somehow we struggled through. However the worst happened and no rain worthwhile came to us in the spring with the result a drought descended and at the beginning of December I was forced to sell 30 odd cows with calves and other odds and ends – the cows and calves only fetched £5.8.0d. I suppose, had I been less timorous, it need not have happened. Then another bit of bad luck befell me – my Father gave me a P.A. bull (Branson’s breeding) and he gave endless trouble for a month by escaping first of all from the Olrig holding paddock at Irongate which necessitated much searching and then after he reached the farm he began his tricks again and eventually he committed suicide by falling over a cliff – so hang went 85 guineas.
In April Olrig Station offered me 25 acres more or less of Brown’s Corner -now called Phil’s corner – so as to round off the boundary by the homestead – this cost £8.10.0d. per acre. In that month Dorothy and I had a motor trip to
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Wanganui and New Plymouth and visited Mt. Egmont – it was a pleasant ten days.
Shortly after that holiday we motored over one day to Eastwood near Takapau where the Hugh Whites then lived and there we met Monty on his return from the war, and later still bin and I went to Eastwood again for a night or two to see Eric Nairn also back from the war.
During the year Nellie Jenner, who had been with us as children’s Nurse for five years, left us to get married and we missed her sadly.
There were visits occasionally to Okawa – Jim and Ralph were still at Christ’s College but Tom had gone to England in May to join the R.F.C.
Monty and Cora took up their abode at Kereru but things did not go very smoothly and at one stage Mr. Turnbull even offered the station for sale and as things turned out it would have been wise to have sold at £8 per acre (the offer) than to have held on till 1947 – after Mrs. Turnbull’s death – when it had to be sold for £6 because the debt on it was becoming unmanageable.
Lambing was poor – mainly on account of the dry conditions when the rams were out – the percentage was only 85, the 2-tooth ewes only produced 75%.
The Peace Treaty was signed in Paris on June 28th – it was a tough one and may have been responsible for the Hitler movement in the 1930s.
My Father’s health gave some anxiety during the year and he was never a very robust man for the rest of his life.
Another mistake I made was to purchase a Timor pony for the children – a very attractive little animal but full of the vilest of tricks and quite unreliable. Fortunately I sold it later for the price paid – £25.
The year ended on a miserable note – a drought in progress, much trouble with labour at shearing time and Dorothy and I catching very heavy colds between Christmas and New Year.
1920
This was an eventful year for I began my local body life by becoming member for Maraekakaho riding of the H.B.C.C. I held this post for eighteen years unopposed after the first election – the last nine years I was chairman. A little later I became a member of the H.B. Rabbit Board, H.B. Hospital Board and Chairman of the No.4 Transport Licensing Authority and later still a member of the Napier Harbour Board and a director (last six years Chairman) of Williams and Kettle Limited. Altogether I served on local bodies for 33 years. But more later.
The drought broke at the end of March and a good growth followed to give us ample grass for the winter and up to the end of April we enjoyed good showers.
Apart from the children having colds early in the year there were no troubles and they thrived well. Jim and Mardie rode well and frequently accompanied me on their ponies. It was good to have Violet Russell out in New Zealand for a few months -likewise Mr. and Mrs. Ronald.
H.E. Sturge came over for the May holidays and we picked up the threads. Charlie Nairn was out most of the year and occasionally came to stay with us. In September he returned to England and Mother, Father and I went to Wellington to see him off in the “Ruahine”. May Walter was also a passenger. We stayed at the Midland for about a week – had some golf and saw many old friends.
After one of Charlie’s visits to us I went back with him to Pourerere where Jack and Lilian were then living.
In February I spent a weekend at the Wenley’s and while there there was a tennis party at the Kettle’s for friends to meet Ngaire Riddiford who was shortly to marry Dudley. Before the wedding we gave Dudley a dinner at the Club – Ivan, Monty, Ewan Troutbeck, Ziele Von and myself. I did not go to the Hutt for the wedding but lent Dudley my morning suit made by Corlett and now the property of Hamilton – it was made in 1906! It has displayed itself at many weddings.
Work on the farm throughout the year kept Phil and me well occupied – in addition to the care of stock, dipping, crutching, docking, shearing and attending to lame sheep we waged war on lizard weed whenever we found it, and we felled a big totara tree in the ram paddock. Out of this we got very many good strainer posts and
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battens. The job took a couple of weeks or more and as we were bringing the last wagon load home the king bolt broke and the three horses ran amok. The wagon (scandy wagon it was called) suffered much damage and eventually we sledged the last of the posts home.
Mr. and Mrs. Turnbull went to England at the end of May and returned just after Christmas. While they were away Johnston was still the manager at Kereru while Monty and Cora lived at Okawa and took charge of the house etc., during Mr. and Mrs. Lowry’s absence overseas.
In May I had a very happy week at Taupo with Charlie Nairn and we had in our care Andrew and John Russell, then school boys at Christ’s College. We instructed them in the art of fishing and it was all great fun.
In May we had some very unpleasant westerly gales and again just before Christmas.
We did a fair amount of planting of pinus insignus.
In those days we saw a lot of the John Nairns who then lived in Havelock North and on occasions Olive would come out to stay with us and how useful she was too.
John, Ivan and Mary’s third child, was born on July 4th. A great bit of luck befell us on July 6th. Gwynth Canning came as Nursery Governess and she stayed for six years, and during that time she was always happy and bright and the children loved her. After leaving us she married Morrie Averill but sad to relate she died three years later.
A poll of Harbour Board ratepayers was taken during the year on the question of raising a loan of £250,000 for work on the Inner Harbour scheme – this was carried by a large majority. In the years following the 1931 Earthquake there was a change of front as you will see later.
Sometime in October I was approached by many Maraekakaho Riding ratepayers to stand for the seal on the H.B. C.C. After due thought I agreed and there followed much touring of the riding, sometimes with T. Jowsey and sometimes with E. Averill, to make myself known to ratepayers. The furtherest away ratepayers were the Carlyons at Gwavas and Mr. Carlyon was then alive but Rupert was not back from the war. Mr. E. Clarkson (Nell’s Grandfather) was the retiring councillor. H. Gascoyne, the Manager of the 14,000 acre station of Maraekakaho was to be my opponent and he and his kinsfolk by marriage, the L. Macleans, Grahams, etc., took a dim view of my standing as they considered a representative of the Maclean Clan was called for. This caused quite a rift in the hitherto friendship with some of the Clan.
The day of the election was November 10th and it appeared that Gascoyne had a majority of one and there was much celebration and hilarity at the Station House. I agreed to attend somewhat reluctantly. However after the recount I was elected with a majority of 14. There was never another election in the riding till my retirement eighteen years later. The Meeting at the H.B. County Office in Napier at which I was sworn in was on November 24th and Mr. Mason Chambers as the chairman and he was a great chairman and a fine man.
The first major job in the riding was to provide for the bridges over the Poporangi and Ohara streams, on the road to Big Hill. The settlers over the streams agreed to make quite a reasonable contribution towards the cost and the work was put in hand. The total cost of both bridges was, I think, under £2,000 – today what would the cost be?
In these days Miss Elsie Williams lived at Frimley and she had adopted the two little girls of the late Edric and Chris Williams. Often we would call in at Frimley with the children.
It was a very lovely old home and now the grounds belong to the Hastings C.C., the homestead being burned down about twelve years or so ago. It is now Frimley Park.
In the routine farm work the Averills and I worked in remarkably well together – that is Cecil and Rochie.
Early shearing was in November and ewe shearing in December. Another year ends.
1921
In the beginning of the original diaries you will find all sorts of interesting information that will make you think – especially in regard
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to taxation etc. My diary of this year tells of almost continuous westerly gales at all times of the year – the worst being on August 4th. In those days there was a weather man – I think he was a retired sea-faring man – he would get information regarding weather conditions from various lighthouses round the coast and from stray ships crossing the Tasman and on this he would have a shot at a forecast each day. But that was very unreliable and unhelpful – Captain Bates was his name. There was a strange old man, by the name of Wragge, who lived at Birkenhead in Auckland and he posed as a forecaster of weather to come but he had no contacts at all – they say that his psychic Indian wife gave him the information. Old Averill and I paid him £2 per year and he furnished us with a monthly forecast – he seemed to be fairly accurate with regard to Westerly conditions – but that was all. Our own observations gave us a little help in forecasting for ourselves. But on the whole we were very much in the dark in those days, and planning work ahead was not as easy as it is today. In September and October there were thunderstorms almost daily.
What we thought was going to be an almighty slump appeared early in the year and the price of wool dropped considerably. By the end of the year good hogget wool was only worth 4 ½d to 6 ½d. Livestock prices fell and it was a bad year. However the slump did not last very long and was nothing compared to the big one in 1929-1931 – that was still to come.
I had a reasonable crop of rape and was able to fatten the wether lambs and about another 100 odds and sods I bought from the Simmons brothers at Whakarara. Lamb was ½d per pound that year – which meant round about 30/- per lamb. Our old ewes (6yrs.) fetched 7/6d. So on top of all the capital work on the farm over the 8 years or so my position at times appeared a bit grim – but my Father kept saying “keep going, all will be well one day”. He was always optimistic.
Phil Brock seemed to spend most of his time erecting new fences and the farm was beginning to take on a good shape and stock work became so much easier.
I allowed Ted Reilly the local ploughing contractor, the run of the Plantation paddock for a crop of oats and later he put in into turnips for me but the season was against a worthwhile crop.
On February 1st we rented the Hugh Campbell’s cottage at Waimaramara for a month – I went backwards and forwards to Pukekino to attend to the work. But it was a happy holiday with bathing, fishing and mixing with friends down there. H.E. Sturge was over in H.B. during the year – by this time he was in partnership with Atkinson in Hurworth School at Wanganui. Col. and Mrs. Goring were constant visitors at Kereru.
During the year just passed Olrig Station subdivided a block on the Pukekino boundary into four for returned soldiers and this year R.P. Kay, Byrne, Cecil, Averill and A.W. Whyte took up their sections. Phil and I gave them a hand in much of their work and this we kept up for a few years till they were well established.
My County Council work kept me occupied at times and periodically, apart from the monthly meetings, I would accompany C.D. Kennedy (Engineer), Puflett (Asst. Engineer) and M. Chambers (Chairman) on tours of inspection. All of this proved very interesting to me and took me about the country. By this time I had also become a J.P., not that I sat on the bench at that time but I was useful in the neighbourhood for witnessing signatures etc.
The sheep population still kept much the same – about 1400 breeding ewes together with ewe hoggets etc. bringing the total to round about 2300. I can see I was still far too timorous. I was forced to be careful I suppose because we had no rain in the autumn and consequently there was no growth. It did not rain in a worthwhile way till May 4th and grass seed sown in March just lay “doggo” till May.
In the September meeting of the County Council it was decided to allow members a car allowance of 4d. per mile when attending meetings. Mrs. Grogan and two grown-up daughters came to New Zealand from Kenya for a holiday and they stayed at Okawa while Monty and Cora were there.
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Occasionally I used to go to Okawa for a night to see them and Mr. and Mrs. Lowry returned late in December, leaving the family all in England for completion of their education. Rabbits were still on the increase and so we formed the Mangatahi Rabbit Association to help cope.
Old Henry, Mother’s cat of 14, had to be put to sleep – he was a great favourite with all and named after Henry Woolcombe, the late Bishop of Whitby and a friend of my Oxford days. One day we picked up several crates of small Rainbow Trout and liberated them in the Ohara Stream.
From August to the end of the year the usual heavy work kept us well occupied – lambing, docking, looking round ewes and shearing. Our percentage of lambs appears to have been about 90 – today you would be disappointed with that.
Another job towards the end of the spring was spring cleaning and the sweeping of the chimneys. No vacuum cleaners in those days and all carpets had to be lifted, taken on to the drying green and beaten! Chimneys were usually swept with brushes of manuka or gorse.
During the year H.M.S. “Chatham” (cruiser) came to Napier and we took the family out into the Bay to see her.
On December 18th Ray (Alison Rachel) was born and now we had five children. Five under nine, for Jim was eight this year.
1922
The year began with very close on 18 inches of rain between January 1st and 28th February, in consequence of which routine work on the farm became well behind.
From March to the end of November the rainfall was very light and the spring growth poor till over five inches came in December. Phil spent much time during the year in erecting more fences while I attended to stock work when only one was needed. By this time Jim, who turned nine in June, was most helpful and could be trusted to do quite a lot of looking round sheep.
Monty and Cora were still at Okawa and on many occasions I went to spend a night or two with them. One time we went to Tunanui to see Sir Andrew and Lady Russell. Mrs. Grogan and her two daughters were still out from Kenya on a visit – she was Mrs. Lowry’s sister and married the man who had once walked from Cape to Cairo.
Early in the year Mrs. A.W. Whyte developed bad circulatory trouble – I was called in to help carry her on a stretcher from their home to an ambulance on the back road for there was no access for a vehicle from the farm house – it was a very tough job for she had to be packed in sand bags to prevent movement of her legs.
At the Ram Fair I note top price for Romney rams (flock) was £4.4.0d.
H.E. Sturge came over for part of the summer holidays and spent most of the time with my Mother and Father. It was always good to see him.
A favourite cow, Dairy, fell and broke a leg, as she was heavy in calf – no splint would hold and she could not be slung so she had to be destroyed. This caused much grief in the family. There were many visits to my Parents in Napier and I usually took one of the children with me. It was always recognised that we visited the Stopfords on these occasions for Mr. and Mrs. Stopford were just as interested in our children as they had been in me as a child.
In February I was appointed to the H.B. Rabbit Board and from then onwards I attended meetings every other month. I was on this board for about twelve years and all through Thomas Crosse was Chairman. He was one of H.B.’s most able local body administrators and served, in his time, on most of the local bodies. He was well over 90 when he died sometime in the 1950s.
In the autumn Rochie Averill, S. Johnston and I made a trip to the top of the mountains behind Kereru Station. We spent a couple of nights in Herrick’s Whare -heard stags roaring all around us and saw many wild pigs. On April 11th Phil Brock married Ida Crawford – we attended the wedding and reception and I had to propose the “Toast”. Two weeks later they returned to live in Pukekino and I note his wages were raised to 47/6d. per week and usual allowance of meat, butter and milk. His was a good wage for he was a good fellow. He never did a shoddy job and never watched the clock. He had a motor bike and side car and once a month he and his wife went to town on a Saturday
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morning and returned on a Sunday evening. In those days no one expected more.
One day Phil narrowly escaped a very serious accident – he was taking a turnip grubber through the Kereru cutting when the three horses took fright and Phil was pinned against the fence by it. A knee was slightly injured only.
J.B. Coates (Minister of Public Works and later P.M.) came to Napier for two important meetings – one with the H.B.C.C. and the other in connection with a scheme to harness Waikaremoana Lake for production of hydro-electricity. This was the beginning of the scheme we now have. This was my first meeting with Coates, whom at a later date I got to know remarkably well and admired.
We used to see a lot of the Jack Teschemakers who lived at Te Hauke Hill. He was an alcoholic – for weeks he took no drink then suddenly he started off and drank till it was necessary to enter a nursing home. In between times he was kindly and considerate. His wife left him at a later date and then he married again. After this we lost touch with him but later still he walked off the farm and lived, I think, in Tauranga. Dorothy went to Wellington for a couple of weeks with her parents at the end of April for a break. One day we motored to Pourerere to see Jack and Lilian Nairn and then called on the Eric Nairns who were then in their new and palatial home. The house was built by Bull Bros. and of bricks made on the site.
Lambing was a little better than usual – 95%
On October 23rd I there was a terrific gale from the west which caused some lifting of top soil on the ploughed land of Kereru.
Ted Reilly still did our ploughing and sowing of crops. On the first Show Day in October we took four of the children – it was quite an undertaking and at the end of the day we felt we never wanted to see another merry-go-round again.
One day Bob Anderson took me off for the day to visit various racing stables and incidentally he visited on the quiet, many pubs and by the time we called in at Okawa he was too tight to see the Stud Stallion and he was on the floor of the car snoring his head off by the time we reached home at 8 p.m. By the same token, after old Mrs. Anderson’s death at Poporangi (a year or two before) the two Miss Andersons and Bob were rarely sober – in fact they drank their patrimony completely away. Their car driver drank with them and often after a day in Hastings they were still somewhere parked by the roadside early next morning. At times I have been among the search parties for them.
The Phil Wrights were now living at Apley – he had been Wright Stephenson’s representative in London for years and returned to New Zealand after the war. The slump of 1930-33 finished poor old Phil financially and Apley went back to the Russell family. Mrs. J. N. Coleman, who had been a good friend since early childhood days, died on 22nd August. She was mother to my school friend, H.N. Coleman, who was killed at the 1914-18 War and also mother of Mrs. T.H. Lowry. She lived in a large house where Coleman Terrace now is situated and she used to entertain very lavishly and was particularly kind to the young people. She and her family lived in considerable style – in the days before motor cars the carriages and horses were sights to behold and later Mrs. Coleman could be seen daily in her yellow Daimler car.
Between the two shearings at the end of the year my Mother and I took Jim over to Wanganui to interview Sturge and to inspect his preparatory school “Hurworth’. We had three exciting days for Jim at Braeburn, across the river from the town.
We had a couple of trips to Poraite – first to see Dudley and Ngaire’s (Kettle) house in erection and then when it was inhabited. A very pleasant house indeed on the hills overlooking the Ahuriri lagoon across to Napier. It was a biggish house, but in those days you could get maids – they don’t exist today.
At the end of December the Johnstons left Kereru and the district gave them a great “send off” at the hall. He had been manager of Poporangi for several years and Kereru for the past five years.
Shearing this year was over by the beginning of December thank goodness, for during the month nearly six inches of rain fell.
The general elections were held on December 7th and W.F. Massey (Reform) was returned to power but only by a majority of two over the Labour and Liberal parties. This was the first year in which I kept an accurate account of the rainfall – you will see it all in my diaries and
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when I left Pukekino in 1953 I think the average fall over the 30 years was in the vicinity of 45 inches
1923
January was like last January, a month of almost continuous rain and there were frequent thunderstorms. Ten inches fell in all and seasonal work was much delayed. However we struggled along and Jimmy was a tremendous help to me on the farm – inspite of the elements we managed to get the dipping done and many other jobs also before losing Jim’s assistance.
On February 5th I took Jim to Wanganui by train – still a journey of ten hours, just about what it was in my school days. Charlie Giblin was also with me taking his boy John. The boys revelled in the long and tedious journey and ate rubbish most of the way. The following day we took the boys to Hurworth School run by H.E. Sturge – after making calls on Miss Moore and Allen, then head of Collegiate School. The following day I stayed on just to see how Jim settled down and when I said good-bye he was very subdued and all excitement had vanished. After dining with Sturge he took me round the dormitories to see all the little boys tucked up in their beds and all were sleeping soundly. Next morning I left Wanganui with Jack and Lilian Nairn by car to Palmerston North from where I took the train back to Napier to my parents. My Mother’s sympathy was very helpful for she still remembered the day in-1897 when she left Ivan and me at Wanganui. After Jim’s departure Mardie and Doffles did their best to take his place and became very helpful to me.
Early in the year there was a tennis party at old Mr. Coleman’s at which Marion Lowry was present. Just back from a finishing-off school in England. Also early in the year Ray was baptised at the Cathedral by Dean Mayne – her Godfather was Charlie Nairn (in England) and Molly and Betty Seth Smith her Godmothers. Spencer Gollan and Bim were out in New Zealand on a trip and were at the ceremony and that night we all went to a play.
Monty and Cora came back to Kereru to live and he managed for the next few ears.
Colonel Goring died at the age of 77 and I attended the military funeral with Monty.
Capron (a young fellow from England and retired R.N.) arrived and I got him a job with R.P. Kay and later in the year he came to us and remained for sometime. He was a very nice young man, full of fun and a good worker and likewise companion. Shortly after his coming to Pukekino he and I went over to Rototawai to stay with my cousins (Millie and Will Bidwell). We had a gay week there – much golf with the family, David Collins (later a New Zealand Champion), Dan Riddiford, J. Martin etc. There were dinner and bridge parties at Rototawai and Fernside (Charles Elgar) and one at Dan and Meta Riddiford’s at Longwood where Lady Jellicoe (wife of G-G) was staying and Miss Hilda Williams.
1923 seems to have been a year in which I found time for quite a bit of golf and played with Father, the Kettles, Capron, Monty and others. Von Kettle married Gladys Bernau on August 3rd in Napier and we attended a ball in the evening. The night before we, that is 14 of his friends, gave him a dinner at the Club. Poor old Von is now dead (I write this in 1966) and all the others too have gone except Ivan, Dudley and myself.
After running the old Hudson car for 8 years l sold it for £150 and purchased a Buick for £250 – that was then the price of a good new car.
In April I foolishly or otherwise got deeper into local body work and was elected unopposed to the H.B. Hospital Board. So now I was on the C.C. Hospital Board, Rabbit Board, Kereru School Committee and the Mangatahi Rabbit Association.
This all meant several meetings a month and various Committee Meetings into the bargain. I don’t know how I ever found the time or energy but, of course, I was only in my late 30s then, I enjoyed the work, had a good man in Phil on the farm and Dorothy was a tower of help to me and she still is today. The local body work was extremely interesting and the members who sat with me all became my friends. Mrs. Lowry was so pleased that I had become a member of the Hospital Board (she was always up to her eyes in good works herself) that she gave me a cheque for £3000 to help with any scheme to the advantage of
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health. A solarium, suggested by Alan Berry (Medical Superintendent) was turned down by the Department of Health and the money was held in trust by the Board for several years before being applied towards new and necessary equipment.
I also found time to make two or three valuations of farm lands for S.L.W. of Napier and I only hope the valuations were able to sustain the mortgages! One valuation was of a property near Smedley – Nathan’s – I think my valuation was between £4 and £5 – today (1966) I suppose this land is worth at least £30 per acre.
H.E. Sturge married a cousin from England and they came over to stay with my parents in May. She was a very nice quiet woman and proved to be very helpful to Sturge in his school. In spite of much rain in January the autumn was not very good, but with heavy rain in October we had a good spring in the high country.
In the May holidays Jim had to have an adenoid operation but he quickly recovered and was able to rush about on the farm as usual and, of course, his help in the September holidays was much appreciated.
Phil’s brother Fred, came out for a month and between them fencing went ahead well. By now most of the better country was well subdivided and we named paddocks after all the children – there was Phil’s corner, Nairn paddock (after Charlie who suggested the subdivision fence) and so on. An epidemic of ‘flu’ came along and we all went down including the staff and Dorothy was the only one to cope though she got it too, Miss F. Rattray of Dunedin was staying at Kereru at the time and she came over to give us a hand.
A stag appeared on the scene and was most troublesome among the young trees so R. P. Kay, a good shot, came down and settled the problem for us.
Mrs. Herbert Coleman’s fancy dress party for children was a high success in September and we all stayed in Napier for it and attended the ball in the evening for grown-ups. At this time there was ‘The Dansant’ (forerunner of cabaret) run by Mrs. Borlase and Noel Roake in Napier and we often went with parties to it, especially between 5 and 7 in the winter months. This form of entertainment became very popular and you met most of those you knew, old and young.
Phil and I and Capron tackled the briars with a will and before the end of the winter we had settled most of them and thereafter they did not require much attention. They had become somewhat of a Menace for woolly sheep frequently got entangled by them and could not free themselves.
We liberated another 3000 young trout in the Poporangi stream but I think a flood very shortly after the liberation must have swept many away.
Dorothy went up to Taupo for Christmas and New Year with Father’s party and the Family and I went to Kereru for Christmas dinner etc.
Our wool realised 12½ to 15d. which was satisfying.
The year’s rainfall was 48.36 inches. Lambing was a little under 100%.
1924
January 1st was a fine and hot day. Dorothy was at Taupo with my Parents.
The Kays and Whytes came down and we had a picnic near the old Olrig yards – now in Cecil Averill’s property. The fishing party returned on the 7th and Mr. and Mrs. Wenley returned from England on the same day.
During the month of January my Mother and I took Jim to Wellington for a tonsil operation and for two or three days he was in Hobson Street Hospital. After that we had a few days longer in Wellington at the Royal Oak and got in touch with many of our friends which was enjoyable. On our return to Hawke’s Bay the Sturges came to stay in Napier and Sturge and I paid a visit to Guthrie Smith at Tutira Station. Charlie Nairn was out for another visit this year.
On our return from Napier on January 31st we ran into a terrific wind and many things were blown out of the car, which was an open one in those days, and we had much trouble in collecting the articles.
On February 26th Ned Smith was married to Elfie Mayne at Napier Cathedral -it was a huge affair – Dorothy went but I stayed at home with the family.
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Jim went back to Hurworth for his second year on February 12th and I missed him very much as he had become such a help to me on the farm and a wonderful companion.
On March 10th rain set in and by next morning we had had well over an inch. Then a little later in the morning a huge thunderstorm came along which lasted for over an hour – lightning struck the telephone lines as they entered the house and a fire started in the roof. Phil and I got to work and soon put it out but had we not been at home the house would have gone. We thought it a great opportunity to make use of the fire-extinguisher but it was not charged! By the next day we had had another 2 ½ inches and in the following weeks there was more rain and the autumn growth was set. The rain was very heavy in the back country and floods occurred in the low country and much loss of stock and damage round about Pakowhai area.
During the year I was engaged by Sainsbury, Logan and Williams to do several more farm valuations – F. Walsh’s and C.C. Smith’s among them. Also Omarunui (Kinross White’s). I also accompanied old Averill on one or two valuations – a farm opposite Tunanui I recollect was valued at £13 per acre. Today I suppose the same would be round about £70. On our return from this particular trip Averill’s dash board burst into flames which we were able to deal with but we had no lights thereafter and our journey home from Roy’s Hill took about two hours and I used up a box or so of matches. For a short time the Dasent Brothers (Jerry and Bury) lead us by their headlights but they soon forgot about us and speeded home. In April Mr. and Mrs. Turnbull went to England for their last visit and were away about six months.
This was my fifth year on the County Council and I had quite got into my stride and the Maraekakaho Riding was well in credit ever after, quite an amount of work being done. And I also found the Hospital work interesting and rewarding. H.M. Campbell took Mason Chambers’ place as Chairman of the H.B.C.C.
At the end of July Charlie Nairn returned to England but before he left he gave a dinner party at the Club. There were three Logans, three Nairns, Wenley, A. Kennedy and H.B. Lusk – all have gone now (1966) except Ivan and myself. Father, E. Groome and Ivan came out to try their luck with the quail one day but only got five brace on Poporangi and Pukekino after much hard work. The days of shooting game birds are over I think.
In July I purchased a Fordson Tractor which Phil managed well and so ended our days of horse-drawn implements and I was thankful to say goodbye to the sledge especially. We had had 14 years of grinding work with horse labour. The getting up early to have horses fed and ready for work was tiresome and so often there was a horse unfit for work and postponements were frequent and good days lost.
Another farm I valued for mortgage purposes was Hansard’s just beyond the Jack Grahams. My valuation was £14 per acre – what would it be today? – quite £80 I would think.
In July we experienced one of the heaviest snow storms there was at least 6 inches over the Cocksfoot. The family and I had great fun in making snowmen.
There were the odd games of golf with Mr. Lowry, Gertie and Marion. Also visits to Okawa.
Phil put in a crop of rape – all work done with the Fordson Tractor and much excitement over it all.
From September to the end of the year there was the usual pressure of work – docking, dagging, shearing etc. And the first wool sale in November was good – our hogget wool up to 28 ½d. and pieces 21d.
On 18th December a thunderstorm began in the mountains about 11 a.m. and there was a constant roar till later in the afternoon – 79 points of rain fell.
The event of the year was the arrival of Hamilton on November 21st – our family now consisted of three boys and three girls. We were looked upon as Empire- builders.
We had a very wet November – about 4 ½inches and in December the fall was beyond a joke – about 10 inches in all fell.
In early December Cath Coleman came to us as Karitane Nurse – she stayed for a year and became engaged to Rochie Averill and later
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married him. She was an excellent Karitane and a very capable person all told.
1925
There was a severe epidemic of Polio in New Zealand early in the year and schools were closed till May 9th. This meant Jim was at home with us and he was most useful to me for it meant another man al the farm and he was so reliable. And after a very wet summer much foot-rotting ensued – the treatment of this complaint takes up a lot of time and other work has to be delayed.
For the first two or three months of the year Phil and I were much occupied in erecting a fence between the two Jails.
In January we went over to Drumpeel to see Mr. and Mrs. Empson (Headmaster of Wanganui Collegiate all the years I was there and before and after) who were over on a visit to Judith and Gordon Williams. We also went to see them on another occasion and they came to visit us at Pukekino.
During the year I made several more valuations of farm land – among them was the McNiece’s property near Gwavas (£7 per acre) and Alex Stead’s Puketapu farm (£28).
Local body work became more demanding and I was often appointed to special committees, especially of the H.B.C.C. and Hospital Board. S.G. Coates (still Minister of Public Works) came to Napier for one of the meetings. There was also an important meeting of the C.C. to decide on the year’s work on main roads – at that time there was no Highways Board and Counties had to meet most of the expense of road construction and maintenance work out of rates or loans. In some cases there would be Government Grants to help.
The Sturges came over once during the year to stay with my Parents and as usual, Sturge and I did a few things together in the way of small expeditions.
During the year I seem to have found time for a lot of golfing and some of those I played with were T.H. Lowry, Tom and Jim, Gertie and Marion, Pat Higgins, Ewen Troutbeck, Friend (Bank of N,Z.) and Wenley. And there were several visits to Okawa which was still my second home.
On March 25th Gertie Lowry was married to Percy Chapman (the finest English cricketer of the day). It was a quiet wedding but we were bidden to it. This marriage was really doomed from the start but it did not end till during the 1939-45 war. Percy’s parents came to New Zealand for the wedding and I took them to see my Parents one day. Percy and Gertie went off to make their home in England in April and before they left there was a farewell party at Okawa.
On May 20th my Father and Mother sailed for England from Wellington in the “Ruahine” and returned in the “Remuera” in December. Charlie Nairn, Ivan and I went down to see them off. Father had not been very well and it was quite on the cards he would not be able to sail – however all was well and he went.
We came back to Hawke’s Bay with Charlie in his car and ran into floods about Otaki where we had to wait for an hour or two before being able to cross over the bridge and then later we were forced to take the Pahiatua track as the Gorge was blocked. On our return Dorothy and I and the five children, together with Karitane nurse (Coley) and the Governess (Griffie), all moved into my Parents house in Napier till August 21st. I used to go out to Pukekino on an average of twice a week to have a look round. Otherwise I stayed in Napier – played much golf – saw much of friends such as the Wenleys, Kettles, Bernaus, Stopfords etc. We went to several race meetings – Jim Lowry and I visited Tutira (Guthrie Smith) and had an interesting two days with H. G-S. who was a man of many parts.
At Williams and Kettle’s annual meeting I was deputed to propose a vote of thanks to Directors – this was the first of many occasions I was asked to take a part in their affairs, Mason Chambers became chairman of the C.C. again and he and I had some expeditions together – one to Moka Moka, the site of the present forest beyond Darkies’ Spur.
At a race meeting in Hastings I met a [Mr] Napier and his daughter from Shandon near Glasgow and discovered he was a kinsman – my Grandmother often used to speak of the Napiers of Shandon (Shipbuilders on the
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Clyde). The Napiers came up to the house and spent an evening with us.
One evening at the Club I met Judge Alpers – the author of “Cheerful Yesterdays”. This was his autobiography. It was completed just before his death and the proceeds of its ready sale were of much help to his widow.
Another night while staying in Napier and while Charlie Nairn was at the Club he gave a small and enjoyable dinner party for six friends.
Constance Fountaine, who later became one of our nearest friends, was out in N.Z. for a month or so early in the year and we met her at times at her Father’s home in Napier Terrace (Sir R.D.D. McLean). I had known her in her younger days, before she was married of course. We used to have the odd game of golf and tennis. Wool prices were quite good – top hogget 24 ½d.
By the way I will not go into much detail about the farm and its activities. This story is just a general outline of my doings over a lifetime. If the diaries are still intact you will get detailed information from them but in the light of modern times you won’t get any help.
In July we experienced very heavy rain and an unpleasant slip engulfed the pump engine in Hades and it took Charlie Bone and five helpers to move the outfit to a higher site. Many years later, as you know, the engine and pump were transferred to the Spring in Ray’s paddock.
On July 22nd my friend since boyhood days died following a stroke after a game of golf and we buried him quietly in the graveyard of the little church at Pourerere on the 26th. He was only 45. All through the years since our days at Wanganui Eric and I were very close friends and we saw much of one another. He married Beatrice Holdsworth in the early part of 1920 or 1921 and there were two children, Charlie and John.
On August 8th Hamilton was baptised in Napier Cathedral and the two Godfathers were J.N. Lowry and R.D. Kettle. His second name was Stopford after Jim’s Godfather, F.I. Stopford. On August 12th Doreen Johnston was married to Tom Harper of Waiteo.
One day in the late spring – it was a dry spell – I accidentally burned a number of Bill Whyte’s plantation trees while burning off fern in the Ram paddock gorge. However a little later one of Bill’s dogs worried some of our hoggets so we called it quits!
For the first time the A.& P. Society held its Spring Show on the new grounds at Waikoko – hitherto Shows used to be held on the Hastings Race Course.
On the first day of the Show I had to attend at Napier Hospital for a visit of the Governor General and Lady Alice Ferguson (parents of our present Governor General), Then later in the day I accompanied Mrs. Lowry on a tour of the Show with Lady Alice. At the General Elections in November Coates became Prime Minister with 55 seats, Labour 13 and United 10. It was a sweeping victory.
I note a very hard frost on November 8th which did much damage to orchards, potatoes etc.
Our dear old dairy cow, Ruby, aged 12, died and there was much grief in the family. My parents returned from England on December 3rd and the N. Kettles a week earlier. By the end of the year another of our periodical droughts was upon us and things looked blue.
On August 17th Kereru Grandpa celebrated his 83rd birthday with a family dinner at the Masonic Hotel. He and Mrs. Turnbull moved into my Parents’ house on August 21st for a month when we returned to Pukekino.
1926
Towards the close of last year’s diary I spoke of a drought being in progress – well it proved to be a very severe one and no rain of any consequence fell till May 19th though there were many false alarms and thunderstorms that bought next to nothing in the way of rain. Rain set in on the 19th May and by the end of five days 4 inches had fallen – the countryside greened up, waterholes were filled and creeks began to run freely but it was too late to produce much feed. The Road End had been sown down in grass seed in March and there had been practically no strike till May and the ground had been disturbed by frost. I got old Mr. Averill to come to see the paddock and give advice. He suggested driving a mob of
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hoggets back and forth to consolidate. This I did and also broadcast more seed and the result was a reasonable strike of grass but naturally the paddock could not be grazed till late in the spring.
In the meantime stock had to be reduced – old ewes sold at 7/- to 19/- per head and lambs 2/7 to 15/-. I got rid of all else poor conditioned sheep and was left with 980 breeding ewes, 140 2-tooths and 760 hoggets, the lowest number of stock ever. I think now I must have been too timorous – today we would have taken the risk and held on.
Charlie Nairn was out in N.Z. again for a longer period than usual and we saw much of him. There was an odd dinner party at the Club and he came out to stay with us. Then he and I went off for a week for a night or so at Omakere with Mrs. Eric Nairn, to Clareinch with Ernest and Laurie Gilbertson (later she left Ernest and later still married a school master in Dunedin) and I spent a few days at The Pah – Charlie was home at Pourerere – and it was fun to potter about on the station I used to know so well. We also had a day’s shooting at Waipari but only got a few quail and four hares.
On May 12th local body elections took place – C. Ellison, Brownlie and I, who stood for else breakwater party for else County, were defeated as we expected, for old W. Nelson and the H.B. Tribune saw to that! But I was returned to the Hospital Board and C.C. unopposed again. Peter and Mrs. Holden were in N.Z. for a few months and we saw muds of them as they made their headquarters at the Masonic. Peter, Ivan, Father and I had, what might have been, our last shoot at Pukekino. We only got a few brace of quail. What with the clearing of scrub and the increase of the birds’ enemies in else way of stoats and wild cats, birds were gradually becoming exterminated.
Before the Elections I attended a couple more meetings of the Harbour Board and was much amused by the usual wrangling between Jull and Pat Higgins and Vigor Brown. For many years, in fact till after the 1931 Earthquake, there were two factions on the Harbour Board, one in favour of a Breakwater and the other an Inner Harbour scheme and the quarrelling and waste of public money that went on for many years was nobody’s business. The result was that Napier had a roadstead harbour which was difficult to be worked in bad weather.
Coley left us after fourteen months with us as Karitane nurse and she made herself so helpful to us in many ways. We were sad at the parting but she was soon to marry Rochie Averill and be near us as he was managing Whanakino Station. After her departure we had a succession of governesses each worse than the other. Griffie had left us not very long before Coley.
Alison Sharp and her husband came out for a trip at else end of the year and one day they came to see us.
Jim Lowry married Lucy Faulkiner in Sydney during the year and after a week-end at Okawa I had a day with him at Oreka and inspected the house site.
One day I got an urgent call to go over to Tom Jowsey’s and it was to witness him cutting a wire that Dugald Walker had erected across Isis drive which was apparently on Walker’s property. This ended in a law suit which Jowsey lost and he never forgave me for not being able to help as County Member.
Local body work kept me fairly busy throughout the year and still I seem to have got some games of golf in between this and farm work. One weekend at Okawa I took part in a golf match against a team from Gisborne.
It was a bad year for little Frances Brock and she spent much time in hospital but she recovered up to a point and lived another few years. Had Barrett-Boyes been with us in those days he could have saved her life.
Ivan had been very unwell for sometime and his trouble could not be diagnosed. He consulted medical men in Napier, Wellington and Christchurch. So it was finally decided that I should accompany him to the U.S.A. to see the Mayo Brothers. It was not so easy for me to leave the farm, a wife and six children but Dorothy was more than willing to pull her weight and make it possible for me to leave. Phil Brock was as capable and honest a fellow as you could ever meet and so he was to carry on and Charlie Nairn was always in the background to advise. And so on September 13th Ivan and I left our homes. We spent a day in Wellington and contacted a few old friends –
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in fact I saw Lady Johnston for the last time. On the 16th we sailed in the “Makura” – a very comfortable ship of 7800 tons. We rats straight into a terrific storm which kept me and many others quiet for a couple of days. I was very seasick and unhappy till little Dr. Teichelmann of Hokitika prescribed for me with good results. There were 48 passengers in the first saloon – among them J.G and Mrs. Coates- he had been Prime Minister only about a year and was on his way to a conference in London. We got to know and like the Coates very much and we also became friendly with Frank Thompson (permanent Secretary to the P.M.) and Carl Berendson (now Sir Carl). After five dayts we reached Rarotonga – a picturesque island with lush vegetation. After attending a garden party given by the Commissioner for the Coates we were taken for a very enjoyable drive round the island before embarking again and resuming the voyage at 7:30. The sunset was particularly lovely.
Two days later we reached Papeete – Tahiti was a very lovely island with volcanic hills popping up everywhere and the vegetation thick and green. After a look around the town, we, Ivan, Pickett a young Australian of whom we were to see more, and I drove out to Venture – a delightful hotel about 15 miles away. There we bathed and reclined on the beach with the beautiful island of Moarea in the distance. Then we dined and drank champagne at 4/- a quart. Back again to Papeete and we sat on the balcony of the Bourgeanviller Club watching the locals dance and we sipped very potent Rainbow cocktails. Then about 4 a.m. we boarded the “Makura” only a few yards away, had a cup of coffee and to bed. We sailed at 6:30 a.m. and for the rest of the day most of us slept off the excitement of the day and night on shore. During the next ten days the weather was warm and sea calm – there was always something to do and the days passed pleasantly – deck games, reading and yarning by day and bridge most evenings with Captain Davey, Thompson and Ivan. There were the odd dances and concerts too. The sunsets were quite wonderful through the tropics. On October 1st we entered the harbour of San Francisco – quite spectacular but there was rain – the first for five months. After the customs formalities we landed. Ivan Pickett and I then did the city which staggered us with the height of the buildings, density of traffic and noise. We lunched at St. Francis Hotel and Gordon Coates told us that we were included in his party to be entertained by the Shell Oil Company at Los Angeles. That evening at 7:30 we boarded the South Pacific Express Train – Pickett, Ivan and I had a very swank drawing room compartment for our own use and the train was over 440 feet in length. After supper and a yarn in the Coates’ compartment we turned in and slept till about 7. We were then near Santa Barbara and travelling through pretty country – the sea on our right and in the distance on the left were the Sierra Nevadas – high, rugged and forbidding. At 9:30 we reached Los Angeles and proceeded to our splendid hotel “The Biltmore”. Two high ranking officials of the Shell took charge of our party (Wheeler and George) and then the fun began. We all set forth in three large Lincoln cars and visited the port of San Pedro, Longbeach, the fashionable seaside resort – there we lunched and had all sorts of strong drinks inspite of the U.S.A. being a “dry country”. Then we went on to Hollywood and saw many lovely homes – on to De Mills Studio to see a picture in the making – the ‘close-ups’ and fake scenery amused us and I felt I did not want to see a picture show again. Talkies were just beginning at that time and often the lips and voices did not synchronise. A big day but it was not over for we changed and attended a dinner party at the Coconut Grove – the dinner lasted for hours and grog of all sorts. Wheeler got very tight and fell under the table. Next day the Coates left for Washington while Ivan, Pickett and I stayed on for another four days. During this time we had quite a fabulous time as the Shell Company put a Lincoln car, which was one of the best the U.S.A. then produced, at our disposal. One day we went 70 miles into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada to visit the Riverhead Mission. Wheeler went with us and got very tight and slept on the floor of the car all the way back.
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One afternoon we went to the Nixons lovely house at Pasadena and were taken to their Country Club, the entrance fee of which was 5000 dollars, and we dined with them in some style. Cocktails before dinner and many wines at dinner and as we left the butler gave us each a parcel containing two bottles Of whisky and this is in a prohibition country. The Nixons were people of great wealth and we had been given an introduction to them by Mrs. Lowry. Then other friends of theirs gave a barbecue party one evening, Potts had served in a U.S. Destroyer in the war. The cocktails were strong and long before the meal began many of the 20 to 20 guests were well under the weather and carried off to rooms in the house to sleep it off. Potts had a bar in his smoking room and in the cellar, which occupied a large space under the house. There was every conceivable drink calculated to last the duration of his lifetime. He too was a millionaire.
We left Los Angeles at midday one day in the Santa Fe Limited express train and at 7 the next morning we woke up at the Grand Canyon, our carriage having been detailed at Williams and drawn by another train, all unknown to us. We spent the day at the Grand Canyon which is one of the seven wonders of the modern world. The Canyon is about 5000 feet in depth and 13 miles across at the point we visited – but owing to the clear atmosphere it only looked about three miles to the Painted Desert beyond. Altogether the Canyon is quite breathtaking. After dinner we caught our train and in the early hours of the next day we had linked up with the main through train at Williams and when we woke up we were speeding through the Arizona Desert. It was a somewhat drill journey of fifty hours to Chicago – the train only stopped for ten minutes at three places each day. The meals were excellent and beds comfortable. We read, slept, ate and played bridge or poker. The only excitement on the journey was a telegram for us at Gallup from Coates telling us to pick up our Walker parcel at the Consul’s in Chicago – this we duly collected and it consisted of several bottles of whisky brought for us from the “Makura”. On arrival at Chicago at 10 a.m. on October 10th we went to the Sherman Hotel for a bath etc. and then we had a look round for a while but seeing a huge crowd outside a sports ground we went in and found a soccer match between Prague and Canada about to begin. Both were crack teams but the end of the game was spoiled by onlookers disputing the referee’s decision and a free fight setting in – it was all amusing. Late at night we caught the train to Rochester. By now Ivan began to feel so well we started to think the holiday had cured hills.
Next morning at 7.15 we arrived at Rochester (Minnesota), (we had had six consecutive nights in trains) – a very attractive little town of about 20,000 inhabitants, it was laid out in squares, trees lining the roads, many parks and, of course, hospitals, hostels and hotels galore, for here was the famous Mayo Clinic which attracted at that time, so they say, about 150,000 persons a year for medical advice. The Kahler Hotel was where we made our home for about a month. Our first job was to register with the Clinic (I registered too partly to see if they could throw light on my periodic gland trouble but mainly to see just how the Mayo Clinic functioned). Then we were each appointed to our physician who, after questioning us thoroughly, passed us on to apecialists to be exampled from head to foot. This operation took about four days and at the conclusion there was another consultation with the physician and you were told of the findings of the experts. My gland trouble was due to a pebble which sometimes lodged in the duct and caused blockage.
Advised not to worry unless it became worse or chronic and if that happened to have the gland (sub-maxiliary) removed entirely and also to have some teeth removed at my leisure, (Both these were done at a much later date). Ivan’s condition was due to a large duodenal ulcer. Dr. Charlie Mayo sent for me and told me treatment over a lengthy period might answer the problem but he would suggest an operation and make sure in a short time. So on October 15th Ivan was admitted to St. Mary’s Hospital (wonderfully run by Nuns of the Franciscan order) and
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operated on by Dr. Charles Mayo who told me afterwards an ulcer the size of a walnut had been removed also his appendix and that all the organs within sight had been cleaned up! Dr. Mayo then went off for a holiday and Dr. Will Mayo took charge. Ivan progressed remarkably well and came out of hospital on the 26th and was admitted to a private hospital for convalescence on the 5th floor of the Kahler Hotel. During the time he was in hospital my time was fully and happily occupied for I got to know many on the Clinic staff and through Miss Anne Edmondson (Secretary to the Clinic) at whose table I sat, I was wonderfully cared for. At her table also sat Phillips (Phil) and wife from St. Paul and in between treatment for his ulcer condition he and I pottered about together a lot, visiting places of interest for he had a car, playing a little golf, and usually a small party in evenings and, of course, a visit to Ivan twice a day. One day we went to the Mayo Bros’ farm which was well run and supplied most of the food to all the hospitals. It was interesting to watch the squirrells in the woodlands gathering in nuts for the winter – such attractive little creatures. It was now beginning to get very cold and all heat in buildings was on. One weekend after Mrs. Phillips (Laura) had gone to Denver Phil, Anne and I motored to his home in St. Paul – about 100 odd miles away and there, after lighting the heater in the basement, we went off for a cruise round the two cities, St. Paul and Minneapolis. We went to a big picture house in the evening where there was a lovely large new organ. I was taken to see one of the world’s largest Flour Mills.
Among those I met on the Clinic Staff was Archie McIndoe who much later became, with Harold Gillies, leaders in plastic surgery in England. The latter I knew well for we were at school together and later I used to see him in England when he was at Cambridge and I at Oxford. He rowed in the Cambridge boat and was one of the leading golfers.
Pickett turned up in Rochester for a couple of days for a check-up – these check-ups, which are very thorough and no part of the body left out, cost £15. In most reputable hospitals in U.S.A. you can obtain these ‘check-ups’ too and many people over the age of 40 have a yearly check-up as a wise precaution. As I was at this time a member of the Hawke’s Bay Hospital Board I came to the States armed with letters of introduction and consequently I visited many hospitals of note.
When Ivan came out of St. Mary’s and entered the convalescent ward at the Kahler I took off for ten days or so. I travelled by night train to Chicago where I spent a few hours with a pleasant young fellow I met at breakfast on the train – he took me for a drive, later to his Club and then to catch the B & O Capitol train to Washington- early next morning after a lovely sunrise on the Potomac River, full of glorious autumn tints, I reached Washington. After a hectic rush round the city, seeing the Capitol and White House I took the train to New York and there in company with Pickett, I spent four days at the McAlpine Hotel in 34th Street and what a lot I saw from the highest building of the day – Woolworth 700 ft – to a night club. This was an eye-opener – I slept till midnight then Pickett woke me up and we stayed at the Night Club till 4 a.m., had a cup of coffee in Broadway and back to bed. Louis Moffat lunched one day with me and I visited her and Sam at Ridgeway Park – saw her family and watched a football game. One night I went to a party at the Hortons (N.Z. Shipping Company) and saw their doctor arrive with a satchel full of whisky bottles. New York did not appeal to me one little bit – it was a massive and impersonal city – no soul about it.
So I departed for Niagara – Pickett farewelled me and next day he left for London. He was a very pleasant young companion but I never saw him again. It was a cold and snowy day at Niagara and the falls kept one fascinated for hours. I caught the Toronto-Chicago express at Hamilton and at Detroit I spent three hours round about midnight. As I had a letter to the Henry Ford Hospital authorities I took the opportunity of being conducted round in the dead of night – all very eerie. This hospital was built without regard to expense and caters for rich and poor and provides equipment for all and sundry to have check-ups. On to Chicago by nine next morning and staying at the Palmer House. For the next three days I was
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well cared for by Dr. and Mrs. Franklin Martin and Dr. Maceachren (President and Vice-president of the U.S.A. College of Surgeons). They showed me everything worth seeing and were most kind to me. Back to Rochester to find Ivan in good shape and being well looked after. The next few days were spent in good-byes and together with Louis Barnett (a Dunedin Surgeon) I attended an operation or two and we had some golf. Then we said farewell and departed one afternoon for St. Paul – next morning in a snow storm we set off in the Soo express for Vancouver – three days and three nights. At Moose Jaw we had to wait for some hours for the Canadian Pacific train which joined on to ours -the temperature was below zero so we had to abandon the walk we intended taking and return to the warm carriage. The journey through the Rockies was grand – snowclad mountains, raging streams and so on. At Vancouver we spent a couple of days and were looked after by Jim Irons-and had some golf. Then to Victoria and on to stay two nights with the Dopping-Hepenstalls at Duncan. Vancouver Island is very picturesque and full of lovely forest trees. Victoria itself is quite one of the most attractive small cities I know. From Duncan we were taken to Maple Bay to see the Ian MacKenzies (Mary Ritchie) and their fox farm. There is nothing spectacular or romantic about a fox farm and it is more like a gigantic dog run. Maple Bay was a very pleasant spot – huge redwood trees to the water’s edge. Colonel Dopping-Hepenstall is a retired army man and friend of Violet Russell.
After a night at the Empress Hotel in Victoria we boarded the “Niagara” early in the morning and so were facing home. By the way, a brother of John Jamieson and his wife were good to us in Victoria. On the Niagara Mary MacKenzie, Ivan and I had a table to ourselves which was good. Among the passengers we saw much of were the George Goulds of Christchurch and Barbara and Charlie Turrell (General Manager of New Zealand Shipping Company). The voyage passed very pleasantly, usual, games, bridge each night with the Goulds. A day ashore at Honolulu where we bathed and had a motor trip – a day at Suva where we did the same and so to Auckland on December 6th where we were met by Dorothy and Mary. It was wonderful to be back again.
Ivan, Mary, Dorothy and I spent two nights at the Grand Hotel and then left for Napier by limited night express. It was good to see my Mother and Father again and also on the night of our arrival to dine on board H.M.S. “Diomede” with my old friend Jim Ritchie (Capt. R.N.) and other local friends. I soon dropped back into the routine at Pukekino and was more than delighted to be home with the family once again. Shearing was over but one day’s lamb crutching remained.
One day before Christmas I was asked to make a valuation of Berkhan’s property on the Salisbury Road – my valuation was £9 per acre. On Christmas Day rain set in and continued for a week more or less. The usual festivities and excitement of Christmas dominated the household and, of course, Jim was back from school at Hurworth.
December was a very wet month. My youngest Aunt Helen (Hardie) of Moorlands, Belstone, Devon, died during the year – she was Father’s youngest sister and was Only 59. She married Gordon Hardie about 1912 and they lived at Belstone on the moors. She developed T.B. about two years before her death and was sent to Davos in Switzerland but she hated it and received no benefit. The last time I saw her she and my Aunt Mary were living just out of Peter Port in Guernsey. Charlie Ritchie and I spent some time with them.
1927
January turned out much better than we had hoped for – after a wet December we expected a wet summer.
In January the Averills returned from a trip to England and we were pleased to have him back – he was our next door neighbour. Charlie Nairn left for England again in January but was back in New Zealand in July. He was one of my closest friends and one you could always rely upon.
During the year Mr. R.M. Turnbull celebrated his 85th birthday and he was destined to live
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for another six years and enjoy good health up to the end.
Monty and I laid out a nine hole golf course on Kereru Station – it was a very sporting one and we had a lot of fun during the year. All our neighbours played there frequently – the Kays, Averills, Ned Smith, Dasents and others and at times we were visited by members of the Napier Golf Club. At a Hospital Board Meeting I read a paper on my impressions of the various hospitals I had recently visited in U.S.A. and Canada. This paper you will find among the papers in my desk. And, towards the end of February William McGrath and I were appointed to represent he Hawke’s Bay Hospital Board at a Conference in Christchurch.
We travelled there by train and ferry and stayed at the Clarendon Hotel, but after a couple of days the George Goulds insisted on my going to their delightful home of Avonbank in Fendalton (now demolished – on the rose garden Barbara now resides in a small home she and her mother built after Mr. Gould’s death and the cutting up of the Estate). At the conference I spoke upon the advantages of having our public hospitals partly private as many are in U.S.A. But the chairman being an out and out socialist would not listen and spoke of the idea of having first and second class patients as being quite out of order. In between meetings I had a most enjoyable time with the Goulds, visiting Mr. Gould’s farm on the Waimakariri etc.
H.E. Sturge sold Hurworth at Wanganui and joined forces with Heretaunga School in Havelock North. All his pupils came over with him, Jim included. So from February onwards the school became Hereworth. Heretaunga was under the auspices of the Waiapu Diocesan Board. It was good to have Sturge in Hawke’s Bay for we had been close friends since our Oxford days and with his high reputation the future of this new School was promising (events have proved this to be true). The advent of the Sturges was particularly pleasing to me for we had so much in common and for the next few years we saw much of one another. We had expeditions to Puketitiri and the Whakarara ranges and did some climbing of hills up to 3,000 odd feet.
My Father’s health began to fail this year and it became necessary for him to take things much more quietly and he took one day in bed a week. He was only 70 but throughout those years he had always overdone things, especially in the way of sport but he had enjoyed life immensely. In consequence of my Parents ageing and ailing I frequently spent the odd night with them in Napier.
In the early months of this year the H.B. County really got down to the idea of tar-sealing the roads that carried much traffic and the cost in those days was £1500 per mile. We really should have borrowed heavily and completed many roads quickly but we were a very conservative body and rather abhored the idea of borrowing. This was the year that the power grader came into its own and as time went on the surface man began to disappear. At this time all ridings of the County had to stand on their own feet – the Highways Board had not come into being but some county roads that carried more than their share of traffic received Government subsidies from time to time. And it must be remembered that as more cars, trucks etc. came to use the roads the burden of maintenance increased. This was becoming a problem indeed for the counties and ratepayers. Another burden on the ratepayer was the disproportionate contribution toward Hospital administration. Hospitals were maintained almost entirely by rates collected from the local bodies and Government assistance was small. Today the picture has changed entirely and rightly so for it costs about £1500 annually to maintain a bed whereas in 1927 the cost was approximately £150.
Apart from usual work on the farm such as fencing, scrub-cutting and grubbing and general maintenance Phil and I scraped and painted the roof of the house. This was quite a job as the pitch of the roof is considerable. One day we had a visit from Sir Andrew and Lady Russell. John Russell was out on leave from the Army in India. Mr. Turnbull went to Wellington for an operation for the removal of a small growth on his chin – it was highly
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successful. Dorothy went to Wellington with her Parents.
Gordon Hardie sent out Aunt Helen’s jewellery and some of the family silver etc. to Ivan and me. My Mother divided this between us. There were many valuable rings, pendants and so on. Also came the family portraits.
The settlers in the Maraekekaho Riding held many meetings concerning re-erection of the telephone lines, which were in poor shape. The P.& T. Department was not very helpful so in the end we set up a committee and had the work put in hand and Crawford became our supervisor.
Marjorie’s name was put down for Woodford and we had several meetings with Lady Marjory Dalrymple who was the very elegant headmistress at the time. She became friendly with the Sturges and I met her there sometimes. The winter was a very wet one – in June 6 ½ inches of rain fell and in July there were 11 inches. The lower country was flooded badly but disaster was averted.
In October an old friend of Father’s came out to New Zealand to act as Mediator in a dispute between the Public Works Department (Government) and Armstrong Whitworth Limited over a contract for hydro-electric works. He was the Rt. Hon. Edward Shortt. He and Father were friends as boys for his Father was the Vicar of Woodhorn (near Newbiggin). Shortt was a barrister, became M.P. for a division of Newcastle-on-Tyne and a member of the Asquith Cabinet.
At one stage he was Secretary for Ireland and later Home Secretary. He came to Napier to visit my Parents and while there I took him round the countryside and to Pukekino and one night Father gave a dinner party for him at the Club. At the dinner were Harold Russell, Wenley, Bernau, Sturge, C. Nairn, Dinwiddie, Grant, Father, Ivan, self and, of course, E. Shortt.
Gwynth Canning, who had been with us for five years as nursery governess married Morris Averill on November 15th and we all attended the wedding at the Cathedral.
There was the usual big children’s party at Frimley towards the end of the year.
Wool prices were good – the top price being 22d. I also note sheep prices were satisfactory. The wether lambs were sold for 20/6d. to Maxwell and 16 ½ acres of rape thrown in – this seems a practical bargain. Gascoyne bought the two-tooth wethers – including rejects – for 21/- and this was considered a good deal.
In these days I reckoned if I grossed £1 per acre all was well – expenses and mortgage interest could be met and there was enough over to live quietly.
John Paton, who came to New Zealand under a Public School plan, was put under my care (Big Brother) by Sir Andrew Russell and he was placed with E. Averill at Echills.
The first Hereworth Sports were held in December and proved a great success and it was my job to be the first to present the prizes and make a speech at the break-up. So ended another year.
1928
My Father’s health gave much concern during the year and he had several lengthy spells in bed – his heart appears to be the main cause of anxiety. However in between times he was able to attend to his work in the office, but in a less active manner, and he enjoyed life in a quieter way – of course all forms of sport, that means golf, came to an end and I think he accepted the verdict with equanimity for he realised he had had quite a wonderful life and his full share of sport. He had been the Father of rugby football in Hawke’s Bay – had refereed in many important games over a period of about 20 years – and he bad been instrumental in the making of the Lawn Tennis Courts at Farndon (as good as you would find anywhere). He had been a good shot, keen fisherman, he had won, with M. Fenwick, the New Zealand Men’s Doubles (tennis) in 1888 at Christchurch. In fact he had loved all forms of sport and had excelled in many. He had always been of a very gregarious nature and loved his fellow men. And, in consequence of not being able to get about so much, his life became somewhat dull so I made it my business to spend frequent nights in Napier with him and my Mother. Rose Hillier, who had been with them formerly as cook and now as housekeeper for about thirty years, was invaluable.
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One of my Father’s great delights for as long as I can remember was his daily game of bridge at the Club – nothing ever interfered with this diversion now it had ended.
H.E. Sturge was well settled at Hereworth School and I saw a great deal of him – sometimes spending weekends at the school and sometimes he would come to Pukekino. We had many more expeditions into the bill country – up Te Mata Peak – long walks. One day in the early part of the year he bought the whole school out to Kereru for a picnic at the Old Homestead. Ned Smith sometimes joined us.
I remember R.B. Smith (late of Oriel) was a visitor to Hereworth and we had a dinner at the Club, Ivan joining us. One night Sturge and I went to Hastings to hear Maud Boyden speak – a wonderful speaker she was too. Bob began his school career this year at Hereworth and he settled down well. In February I took Jim over to Wanganui Collegiate and he was there for the next four years, J. Allen (Hoppy) was headmaster at the time. There were several happy weekends at Okawa and usually some golf.
Mrs. Lowry, who was so pleased at my being a member of the Hospital Board, gave me a cheque for £3,000 to be spent in anyway I thought useful or helpful. After consulting Berry (Medical Superintendent) it was decided to erect a Solarium – but the Health Department turned this down and it was not for many years that the money was put to a useful purpose. Mrs. Lowry visited the hospital with me on occasions once when she opened the Coleman Ward in memory of her late Step-father. We also attended the opening of the Hastings Memorial Hospital – then it was just a Cottage Hospital with very limited accommodation. Mrs. Lowry’s life was devoted to good works – Red Cross, St. John’s and helping any who needed help. You never appealed to her without receiving a very generous contribution. Gertie Chapman came out to New Zealand for the summer months.
My work on the County Council, Hospital Board and Rabbit Board increased and, according to my diary, I attended very many meetings. The Highways Board came into being and it took charge of approved main roads throughout New Zealand. This was a great help to Counties for the• motor traffic had increased enormously and the burden of maintaining these roads became a great drain on the ratepayer. Tyndall was the first chairman and he was in Napier on two or three occasions.
December of last year had been a very wet month and work had got well behind hand but this year began well and January, February and March were dry months and we caught up with our work on the farm and by the beginning of the autumn all was well in hand, On March 19th my old friend Jack Nairn died while visiting Wanganui and a few days later we buried him in the Pourerere private cemetery – McLeod, Ian, E. Gilbertson, Greenwood, Ivan and I were the pall-bearers.
Towards the end of March I went to Christchurch and spent a few days with the George Goulds which was very pleasant – I saw many old friends and enjoyed some games of golf with Barbara at Shirley. On my return I spent a few days at the Royal Oak in Wellington where my Father and Mother were staying. More golf, a few theatres, more friends and J.G. Coates and Mrs. Coates came to lunch one day. Also saw the “Makura” off one evening – on board were Mrs. Arthur Russell, the Charlie Birches and Jimmy James. Mrs. Russell was to have an overhaul at the Mayo Clinic.
Father gave Ivan and me a wireless set – it was a Hansen. The erecting of a very high mast was quite a problem. It was quite a joy to me but the programmes were very limited and on Sundays there was only sacred music. At times we could pick up U.S.A. and after dark Australia was heard plainly.
Monty’s golf course at Kereru became more and more popular and I find I played often with him and Brimmer (the chauffeur). The George Goulds came up to Napier in the winter and stayed at the Masonic – I took them to see my Parents and one day they came out to Pukekino. We always looked forward to the holidays when Jim and Bob were home.
In the spring we experienced some very unpleasant gales. During one the tail of the
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windmill was blown off. How I loathed the windmill which so often had to be turned off in the middle of the night and this meant a half mile walk each way! And I would not allow anyone to grease the machine – only myself. Another time, on our return home the carts cape hood was blown off.
Tom Jowsey died during the year. I had not seen him for months because he never forgave me for not assisting him in his ‘fall outs” with Walker over the roadway to his house – this was on Walker’s property and there was nothing the County Council could do about it. Kingsford Smith flew in the Southern Cross from Australia to Christchurch – 14 hours.
This year I stepped up the breeding ewes slightly and carried 1400 and 900 dry sheep. Still I must have been grossly understocked. Fat bullocks were selling at £12 to £15. For two years now I had grown reasonable crops of swedes which were helpful in the winter. Hogget wool was round about 18 to 19d. – ewe wool a few pence behind that.
Much sadness descended upon the family in August for F.I. Stopford, our friend of 37 years, died. On the 23rd my Mother telephoned to say Stopford was dying and would I come to town to see him. He was lying in bed looking very pale but quite composed – he told me how he had enjoyed his 37 years of friendship with our family – we said farewell and on the 26th he died. Leonard and Bernard Tripp (his brothers-in-law), H. Guthrie Smith of Tutira, Mackay, Pinkney, Ivan and I carried him to his grave in the Napier cemetery. Old Stopford was a fund of knowledge and told us so much in our childhood days. He had once been in the British Army and when his health broke down he became a coach for the Army examinations. He had to retire at a very early age on account of T.B. and came to New Zealand to live, Napier’s climate suited him and he had a very enjoyable life for the next 37 years – he was 73.
1929
In the first three weeks of January the weather being gloriously hot and school holidays on, we enjoyed many picnics – mostly in the Olrig cutting.
Late in the month Doffles and Bob had tonsils removed by Scoular in Sherwood Hospital (almost next door to where we now live) and to convalesce they stayed for about a week with my Mother in Napier.
For the last week of the holidays my Mother took Jim to Taupo and Charlie Nairn drove them there and remained with them during their stay. While they were away I stayed with my Father and Rose Hillier was, of course, with my Parents as housekeeper. I was able to take Father about quite a lot and we visited many friends who did not live far from town. We visited the Dudley Kettles who then lived at Poraite.
My Father’s health was very poor during this year and at times there appeared cause for much anxiety. So I took every opportunity of spending the odd night or so in Napier whenever possible and at the time taking him for outings in the car. In April he was at a low ebb and spent quite a time in bed – but towards the end of the year he was much better.
Mardie began school at Woodford House in February. Mrs. Lowry (her Godmother) always said Mardi’s education was going to be her responsibility and so it was to the end. Whenever we called in at the school we always popped in to see Winston and Lulu Barron who by then were living next door to Woodford. Miss Holland was headmistress and a very understanding woman she was. C.D. Kennedy, an old friend of the family’s died aged 71. He was a very versatile man being a qualified solicitor as well as a civil engineer, and he also sang and played several instruments well. When I first joined the H.B.C.C. he was its engineer temporarily till Puflett’s appointment.
This was the year the break between Monty and Cora widened – she came into Napier and started a small antique business in Herschell Street called ‘The Venture’. Her niece Ivall Heywood joined her, Monty, in the meantime, stayed on at Kereru as manager. There were the usual visits to Okawa and Mrs. Grogan (Mrs. Lowry’s sister from Kenya) and Mrs. Fox (Miss V. Russell’s sister) were staying there on one occasion. Then on April
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9th Mr. T.H. Lowry gave a dinner party for 40 at the Club in honour of Reg Bettington.
On April 11th Reg and Marion were married at the Cathedral and a reception on a big scale was at Okawa. It was a wet day and we had a puncture near Brick Works in Napier on our way but fortunately Charlie Morse, who owned the works and was also Mayor of Napier, sent a man to fix the spare wheel.
My local body activities increased tremendously – I was a member of the H.B. County Council, H.B. Rabbit Board, H.B. Hospital Board and Te Mata Peak Trust. Then at the Election in April a bomb fell when H.M. Campbell (the chairman and M.P. for Hawke’s Bay) was defeated in Poukawa Riding by Bob Harding. I was approached out of the blue to be the Chairman and on May 22nd I was elected unopposed. Thus my work increased, also responsibility. From then I attended the County Office every Monday and usually was called upon one other day per week.
In the elections I was again unopposed for all three local bodies. Following my appointment I decided to give a week to ten days to travel. over every riding (there were ten) in the County with Puflett (Engineer) so as to become familiar with all problems. It meant much travelling over good roads and bad and at the end of the task ‘shingles’ took hold of me and for a week I was uncomfortable. In those days travelling allowances for members of various local bodies was 6d. per mile – there was no further allowance for a chairman. However a year later I think, the chairman could elect to take £100 per annum in lieu of mileage rate of 6d. So to be chairman of the County if you attended to your business properly, entailed a loss.
Twice during the year Selby Palmer, who had become a member on the C.C. for the new riding of Waimarama, and I were deputed to go to Wellington to voice our opinion on the iniquity of Land Tax for the farmer and the approval of Income Tax being the proper tax. We had a conference or two with J.G. Coates P.M., H.H. Campbell our M.P. for H.B., K.S. Williams (Public Works Minister), Sir T.G. Ward, Polson (M.P. and Farmer’s Union) and W.E. Barnard (M.P. Napier).
There was some influenza about this year and the members of the Hospital Board were advised to be innoculated. Among others I submitted but this did not save me from an attack a little later. Arthur Empson was in New Zealand for a few months and we visited him at Drumpeel – he had not been in New Zealand since 1912. One night Ivan and I gave a dinner for him at the Club and our guests were the Dudley Kettles and the Gordon Williams and, of course, Mary and Dorothy. I was not feeling too bright and next day shingles overtook me. My County work piled up for me.
In the early part of the year, when surplus sheep were selling, the prices were good. I got 24/- for 5 year ewes, 21/6 for 6 years and two-tooth wethers sold for 27/6 – the last mentioned were bought by Alf Symes. Wool, however, had slipped back to 14d. to 15 ½ d for ewe wool. This came about by a slump beginning in U.S.A.
On July 8th I took my first meeting of the County Council and felt a little nervous but all members were most co-operative and friendly towards me so I gained confidence. My first major task was to represent the County at the opening of the Waikaremoana scheme by the Governor General, Sir Charles Fergusson. Mr. Chambers, A.H. Fergusson (County Clerk), Puflett and I proceeded there in the County car. It was quite a big turn out and lovely. Late in the afternoon after the affair was over, the Governor General invited M. Chambers and myself for a trip on the lake and a picnic on an island. We were at Waikaremoana for two nights. The next affair of note was a Civic Lunch for the Governor General and Lady Alice at the Assembly Rooms in Hastings.
I had the idea of retiring from the Hospital Board owing to the pressure of county work but as the County representatives were unopposed it was rather difficult to do so – moreover I had become very interested in the work. A nephew of G. Wenley’s, Mr. Kay of Glasgow, visited the hospital with me one day – he was quite a ‘big noise’ and so as
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time went on my hospital visits became more frequent. Had it not been for Phil Brock being on the farm and so reliable I would never have been able to devote so much time to local body work.
During the year I purchased a seven seater Buick as the family were getting big. After a month or so we were stuck up in one of the gorges by trouble in the carburettor – it was a faulty bit of work and it should never have happened. However we never had any more trouble after that. We made many expeditions and one day we revisited Mangatarata Station and on the way home we called in to see the Carlyons at Gwavas. Another time we picked up the A.J. Morrises of Fernhill and went to the marriage of Olga Carlyon to Herbert Hudson. A funny thing happened there – there were two maori bands at work – one up stairs and one in the large hall below and when it came to playing the wedding march they each played different ones. The noise of the combination was terrific but neither knew – only the guests.
At last, after months of frustration, our telephone committee, of which I was a member, abandoned the idea the P.& T. had for the erection and we let a contract to rebuild the system ourselves and it cost £1200 odd but there were at least 50 subscribers to bear the cost.
H.E. Sturge and I maintained our excursions to various parts of the country. On June 17th a very uncomfortable swaying earthquake occurred as I was in the County office and we all felt very sick. It turned out to be the tail end of the very disastrous earthquake that caused great damage in the Murchison district in the South Island. But as the area had no towns in it there was no loss of life. It was decided to straighten the road from Te Aute to the top of the hill and this meant the County would have to purchase odd pieces of land from several settlers. All agreed except Mrs. Ellison (a very cute ½ caste woman) and after several abortive meetings with her M. Chambers and I gave up the ghost and so we took the land under the Public Works Act. There was also much trouble with the drainage of Meeanee and I used to dread my Mondays at the C.C. Office for old Erickson (the member of the riding) was always waiting with fresh troubles. However all these troubles ended with the Earthquake of 1931 by the raising of the land by several feet.
Jim was 16 this year and he learned to drive the car which was most useful. In those days you did not have any test nor did you require a license.
King George V had been very ill in the early part of the year and thanksgiving services were held for his recovery over the country – attended the service at Hereworth in the Big School room.
At the end of the year Philip Slingsly brought out a bevy of boys from Hereworth to camp at the Old Homestead.
One day I spoke on County matters at a Rotary lunch in Hastings.
I seem to have found time to make the odd valuation for Sainsbury, Logan and Williams and also to keep in touch with our many friends – Aunt Lina (Kettle) in particular.
Owing to a wet December we did not finish shearing till December 30th. This year breeding ewes were up to 1460. The purchase of
a Red Poll bull was not successful as things turned out.
In October Constance Fountaine paid a short visit to New Zealand following her Father’s death last year. She and I had many talks over her affairs and before she returned to England in November it had been arranged with the R.D.D. McLean Trustees that she should be allowed to purchase, at Government Valuation, the old station garden (this turned out to be 22 acres and two cottages) and 1200 acres of Maraekakaho Station (The Cottage block). The price of the latter was to be £12 per acre. Mason Chambers and I were-her attorneys and it was left to us to decide whether to farm it or lease it in the meantime. For the past 17 years the Maraekakaho Station of 14,000 acres had been managed by H. Gascoyne and over these years the losses had been high. In spite of a book-keeper being employed on the Station there apparently were no proper books kept.
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However from information supplied Butler, McCulloch and Spence worked out balance sheets which told the sad story of more losses than profits over the past 17 years. It all tells of some very fishy happenings for there was no mortgage on the property and for many of the years in question there was no income tax on farm lands.
The Cottage. The original cottage was called Doonside. It was built in the early 1850s by a Mr Oliver. It was later used as the manager’s house for Maraekakaho Station. Image source: Hamilton Logan, Fear Not Change, p141.
Frank and Dorothy with grandchildren (date location unknown). Image source: Hamilton Logan
Pukekino homestead where Frank moved to in 1912 when his father assisted him into his first farm after passing up a career in law (image taken c.1950). Image source: Hamilton Logan
Frank Logan on the eve of his departure with his brother Ivan for the United States in 1926. Image source: Hamilton Logan
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Officiating at the opening of the Hastings Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital on Anzac Day 1928 were (from left): JH Colebourne, W Hart, EH Williams (partner at Sainsbury Logan & Williams), Hon JA Young (Minister of Health), G Ebbett, Dr. THA Valintine (Director-General of Health), Howard (Hillen & Howard Builders) and FB Logan. Image source: Geoff Conly A Case History: The Hawke’s Bay Hospital Board 1876 – 1989, Hawke’s Bay Area Health Board, Napier, 1992 at p107
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CHAPTER SEVEN
1930 – 1939
1930
At 1:30 a.m. on January 1st we were awakened by a fearful din – it was the arrival of the Olrig Shearing Gang to serenade us. There was beer drinking and music in the kitchen and no more sleep for us.
On January 4th Duncan Holden and Helen White were married on a lovely day and the wedding party was held at Omarunui. It was good to see Peter and May Holden in New Zealand again. Then on January 8th Bevan and Betty Williams were married and we trecked down to Atua for the event. The Hereworth Scouts, who were still camped at The Old Homestead at Kereru, had to break camp on the 8th for over six inches of rain fell in the two previous days.
The County Council demanded a great deal of my time these days – apart from the routine work every Monday there were conferences at times with Ransome (Minister of Public Works), with committees of Harbour Board, Power Board and over things of common interest and more interviews with Mrs. Ellison of Te Aute. The Highways Board was now in full swing and Furkert came occasionally for talks with us. The Hospital Board also claimed much time but as its meetings were usually on the afternoons of the County’s meetings I was spared a good deal of extra running about. Very often I spent the weekends, when the meetings were held, with my Parents and quite often I would spring a surprise on the Hospital by an unexpected visit, perhaps to breakfast with the nurses or at some strange hour to the wards. The nurses always claimed I must have given warning because they said breakfast on those days was always reasonable! A.C. Biggs appointed Medical Superintendent in place of Alan Berry who retired. The Maraekakaho sale took place in February and prior to it I took Mr. Wenley and Seton on a trip round some of the blocks. He purchased the Homestead Block of approximately 900 acres at £22 per acre. Billy purchased a block up the valley at the same time. The sale of the Station sheep and cattle was quite poor as the stock were in bad condition. Shortly after this sale Mr. and Mrs. Wenley and Bill and Mardi went on a trip to England.
Mrs. Wenley had a stroke on the ship from which she never recovered and died in Southampton – Mr. Wenley, Mardie and Bill returned later in the year.
Early in the year I was appointed a member of the Hereworth School Trust Board and remained on the Board for about ten years. Other members were Herbert Williams (Bishop of Waiapu and Chairman), Sturge, P. Wilder, A.I. Rainbow, E.T. Herrick, V. Hoadley and A.B. Williams (he later became a great benefactor as did his brother H.B. Williams).
In the summer Anne Edmondson, who was the Mayo Brothers Secretary, came over from the U.S.A. to spend a couple of months at Okawa with Mrs. Lowry. I spent the odd weekend at Okawa during her stay and took her to see my Parents, the Napier Hospital, Hereworth School etc., and she came out to Pukekino to visit us.
Mason Chambers and I met on many occasions to discuss the fate of ‘The Cottage’ and Station garden at Maraekekaho. We also had several interviews with Lady McLean who then lived in grandeur in the old home on Napier Terrace. She was quite difficult to handle at times.
With regard to ‘The Cottage’ and the farm of 1200 acres we agreed to let the latter to Rochie Averill for a period of five years at 15/- per acre per annum and the Cottage and gardens we held and put in a married couple to care for it (the Poultons) and Bill Graham was to care for the gardens and orchard.
As for the Station garden, it was Constance Fountaine’s wish that Hugh Player and his wife should lease it at a very nominal rent – they lived in one of the cottages and McPhee lived in the other and worked in the garden. It was not a very good proposition as Player was lazy and the garden worn out. Phil and I laid out a tennis court in Phil’s corner just behind the garden. It was a terrific job on our own but we accomplished it – sowed it down in April and erected a high netting fence
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round it and by October it was marked out and ready for play. It was before the days of motor grass mowers and what a job it was to keep it cut and in order. Had we realised the extra work involved I would never have made it.
There was Jim to help after he left school at the end of the year but when the war came we had to abandon it.
One day the General (Sir Andrew Russell) rang for me to go to see him at Tunanui as he had something important to say. He had an idea of forming a discussion group for the purpose of studying problems affecting the Nation. Be suggested the group consist of about a dozen – they would meet once a month in each other’s homes in turn – the host was to read a paper and this to be followed by a discussion and, if need be, the result would be forwarded to the Government. The meetings were to be held following a simple two course dinner and a whisky at dinner and before leaving only – no formalities. After a week or two of thought the following were suggested to make up the group – Sir Andrew Russell, Keith Cotterill, Noel Beamish, Ian Hamilton, H.E. Sturge, G.N. and H.H. Pharazyn, Ivan Logan, Orme Bayly, John Russell, P. Scannell and self (there were two others suggested later but only attended one meeting F. Nelson and Dalziell – can’t remember him at all). Before the end of the year we held two meetings – our first at Tunanui and second at Hereworth School. Both were enjoyable and I think, instructive.
So far as Pukekino and the activities connected with it went, there is not much to report beyond the fact that Phil and I kept up the grubbing manuka. This seemed an endless job and would continue to be until the country had had a second ploughing at least. Each year we ploughed anything up to about 40 acres so the job was going to be a long one. The surplus 5 year ewes fetched 24/4d. and fat ewes were only 16/9d. Though there was over seven inches of rain in September by the end of December after gales and very little more rain there were all indications of a drought.
At the end of July there was a heavy snow storm and the country was white as far as Mangatahi! There was a light fall in Napier too. Sheep for some reason did not winter well and the ewes were in poor condition at lambing time and the percentage of lambs was the lowest ever – somewhere in the 80s. We did not know at the time what the trouble was, but now we do. It was ‘sleepy sickness’ – even had we known the reason I doubt if there was an antidote at that time. The many pests that appeared from time to time just had to be put up with! In the middle of March Ivan lent me his cottage at Taupo for three weeks and we went off for a happy holiday taking Miss Patterson, the governess. I had not been to Taupo for twelve years. Dudley and Ngaire Kettle were there for part of the time, also Bernard and Strat Canning and Athol and Sam Williams. We had some good days on the lake and on one day we caught 23 Rainbow Trout averaging 5 lbs. We visited Arapuni Hydro works, Rotorua, Chateau Tongariro and, of course, all the fishing spots and returned home full of beans on April 6th. Keith and Madge Cotterill were also there.
W.E. Barnard, M.P. for Napier, and later Speaker of the House, gave me several days and we visited Kereru, Blowhard and other parts of H.B. County that you could call marginal land – the idea being to persuade him that land tax on poor land was unfair. He reported to the leader of the Labour Party (H.E. Holland) whose reply showed he knew nothing! Charlie Nairn went to England for a few months but was back for the Show which we visited together.
W. Johnston was manager of Kereru Station again as Monty left to join Cora in Napier. He tried several jobs and ended up as a service car driver on the Napier-Wairakei run. Mr. George Gould was in Napier for a week and he and I had alittle time together.
Sir George Hunter (M.P. for Waipawa) died and it became necessary to hold a bye-election. I was on the panel to go to Waipukurau to select our candidate – Charles Pattison and W. Tucker were the aspirants and Tucker was chosen. Coates came to Maraekakaho to speak on his behalf one day. The election was in July and the result was that A.E. Jull (Liberal) defeated Tucker (Reform) by 308 votes only. I used to see quite
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a lot of Ned Smith these days – also Johnston and the Averills who now lived at Echills. Rochie managed Whanakino. Also John Paton used to visit us – part of the year he went to Massey for a course. The newly appointed Governor General (Lord Bledisloe) came to Hawke’s Bay for our first Royal Show and I met him at the Hastings Memorial Hospital. After a succession of service Governor Generals he was the first civilian and his appointment turned out to be a popular one for he was a farmer of repute in England and consequently took much interest in New Zealand’s main industry. The Alec McGlashans left Poporangi Station after two lengthy terms of management. There was quite a big farewell at the Kereru Hall. Jim left Wanganui Collegiate School at the end of the year – he was then 17 ½ and had been there for three years. After some thought we considered for many good reasons that he should remain at Pukekino with us and we never had reason in future years to regret the course.
A world wide slump was making headway – U.S.A. appeared to be the first country to feel it, then England came and by the end of the year New Zealand realised she could not help it for she was entirely dependent on England to take most of her produce. The first wool sale in November confirmed the horrid fact for there was a big drop in the prices offered our hogget wool, for instance, sold for 4d. to 7 ½d. – well below production cost. Another unpleasant thought towards the end of the year was that of drought – practically no rain fell after September and by December 31st a drought was upon us. The total rain for the year was 35.82 inches – our average was about 44.
Just before Christmas Slingsby again brought the Hereworth School Scouts to camp in the Old Homestead paddock at Kereru and we stood at the road gate to cheer them as they marched past – they had by then marched about 23 miles in two days. This year had been a miserable one for my Father. In April the doctors began to be worried over his heart condition and later in the year he suffered a slight stroke. This all meant that he had to lead a very inactive life and he only went to his office occasionally, doing much of his work at home. It was an anxious year and one of sadness for him as he had always been so very active and loved life and all sorts of sport. In the Spring there were eight or nine milking cows and heifers coming in so Phil agreed to milk them all (with extra help from me at times). It was so arranged that he shared the proceeds of the cream (we had a separator at the time) -this made up for the cut in Phil’s wages and helped provide me with extra cash for luxuries we had had to forego.
1931
This was a grim and disastrous year on account of the depression or slump which by now had gripped the world. As no living person had had experience in handling slump conditions, many mistakes were made and for a time the situation became quite out of hand and the unemployment position was the most pressing one to deal with.
In Hawke’s Bay we experienced the worst earthquake ever recorded which caused untold damage and in addition the country was in the grip of one of the severest droughts ever remembered. The Earthquake and drought added to the slump made life in Hawke’s Bay extremely difficult, This too was a year of much concern to me for my Parents began to go downhill more markedly.
January was a dry and windy month and this intensified the already difficult situation. However life had to go on and we enjoyed many picnics with the family and neighbours and bathing parties. The Hereworth Scouts were encamped at the Old Homestead and we went down sometimes to their sing songs.
One day T.E. Crosse, McCulloch of Public Works and I, who had been appointed to adjudicate on the efficiency of a spray for blackberries, concocted by a man named Gordon, journeyed to Tangoio. A couple of acres of dense blackberries were selected for the experiment and we watched Gordon spray his boiling mixture. About a month later we visited the area and found it completely bare of blackberry and then in the late Spring we paid another visit to find the blackberry shooting again. The whole performance was repeated later but still the
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blackberry grew and Gordon’s so-called cure failed to comply with the conditions laid down by the Government and so he did not receive the £10,000 reward.
A special meeting of the C.C. was held to consider our position and ability to employ the staff we then had and maintain the rate of wages – altogether we had three meetings during the month. As the rates were due on February 13th we decided to wait to see how they came in before taking any drastic steps. As the man on the land was the first to be hit by a slump and he was already feeling it, we guessed there would be some falling off in the payment of rates.
My Parents came out to Pukekino on January 25th but the journey proved to be very tiring for my Father. As a matter of fact this was the last time either of them were able to come out.
One day Mr. and Mrs. Turnbull and Monty came out and we had a family conference which ended without achieving anything worthwhile. Monty would not hear of returning to manage Kereru and so the property remained under the management of W. Johnston and supervision of Murray Roberts and Company till the end. Mr. and Mrs. Turnbull had leased the Stopford home in Napier during last year and were still there.
On February 2nd Dorothy and I lunched with Mrs. E.J. Riddiford who was renting the W.G. Woods’ house – then I attended a Hospital Meeting. I was to have bought Anne Averill (aged about 6) home after a bout of Scarlet Fever but owing to a septic sore the sister-in-charge (Mitchell) thought she ought not to leave the hospital – the next day they were both killed in the Earthquake.
And now for the Earthquake of February 3rd.
All telephone communications, except our party line with Kereru and the Averills, were non-existent, so we had no communication with outside world. John Paton on his bike inspected the cutting and found that impassable. So we decided to erect a shack in the back yard and convey the whare stove to it so that cooking could he done for us all away from the house. We also did what we could to make the house waterproof where the bricks had made holes in the roof. By evening all was ship-shape and then messages came over the radio which was a battery set. The news was of a most disturbing nature. Napier and Hastings seemed to be in ruins, then when darkness fell the glare in the sky in the direction of Napier, where fires were raging, filled us with alarm. John Paton managed by much struggling to reach Napier on his bike and late that night he brought back news that my Parents were safe and housed in the F.W. Williams’ garage next door to Ivan’s house in Gladstone Road – that the Ivan family were well, that Napier was a shambles and the hospital was a total wreck and poor little Anne was killed by falling masonary. It was out of the question for me to try to get to Napier on account of almost continuous shakes and road blockages – besides one knew the Napier families were as safe as they could be in the circumstances. The following day a gang of local residents cleared a track in the two gorges and on the 5th February Dorothy and I were able, with much difficulty, to reach Napier. We could not travel by Fernhill and Taradale owing to the bridges being too dangerous to use. Napier was a sad sight – the whole of the town in ruins as fire had followed the Earthquake. We found my Parents and Rose well and cheerful in their garage home. Then I went to the C.C. Office – it had stood the shaking for it was well reinforced but the fire had gutted the interior. Sainsbury, Logan and Williams’ office was levelled as were all buildings except a very few that had been built in recent years and had been re-inforced well. While in Napier there was a very big ‘shake’ so we thought it well to return home to the family.
The centre of the ‘Quake appears to have been about 50 miles out at sea from the mouth of the Mohaka – on a major fault. The severest damage was done between Wairoa and Napier though some damage occurred as far away as Dannevirke. Hastings was knocked about quite a lot but a fire did not follow. The death [t]oll in Napier was about 250 and could have been a thousand or more had the ‘Quake occurred three minutes later when all the schoolchildren
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were back in school after the ‘break’ at 10”45. At least twenty nurses were killed in the Nurses Home, which fell like a pack of cards and while the night nurses were asleep. Several were killed in the Cathedral where a service was in progress.
All the water in the Ahuriri Lagoon (7,000 acres) rushed out to sea for the land rose a good seven feet – the effect of this land rise has been of great advantage, especially on the Napier sea front and in the marshy land between Napier and Taradale.
During the month of February over 1,000 earthquakes were registered and on the 13th another quite as severe as that on February 3rd occurred, and it bought down most of the buildings that were hanging on by their teeth. Phil, Mrs. Brock and I were at Price’s yards that day and we saw a plantation of 30 or 40 Black Birch Trees slide down into the creek. The biggest earthquake registered 7 ¾ on the Richter scale.
For the next couple of weeks I went to Napier each day to attend to County affairs which were of paramount importance. We established our office in the old Athenaeum building nearby – emergency meetings were held – Mason Chambers and I were given authority to act for the council in between meetings. There were numerous conferences with Furkert, Public Works Engineer. Public Safety Committee under Morse (Mayor) and with various local bodies. Barton (a S.M.) and Campbell (a Wellington Engineer) were appointed a commission to conduct the affairs of the Napier Council while Charles Morse became Chairman of Public Safety. One of the first steps was that of evacuating practically all women and children from Napier. This was done very promptly and Napier thereafter seemed a strange and quiet city. The only women left were those in essential jobs such as running community camps for the menfolk. Dorothy always came to town with me and while I was engaged in my work she would spend the day with some of the friends who were running these camps.
My Father and Mother were taken by Mr. and Mrs. Kinross White to Omaranui for a week and then Charlie Nairn took them and Rose to “The Pah” at Pourerere where they stayed till the house in Fitzroy Road was repaired and ready for re-occupation early in April. Ivan, Mary and Family came out to us at Pukekino. Mr. and Mrs. Turnbull went to Wellington.
Occasionally I got a day at home, but Phil had to become responsible for most of the essential repairs in the meantime and Morrie Averill was most helpful in temporarily restoring the water supply. Jim was at home to help Phil and fortunately we had Mary Thomson who was a wonderful “stand-by” to us. As time went on we were visited by a brick layer, who was engaged for the district to rebuild the kitchen chimneys for the residents. And at a later date, when the pressure was lighter, other chimneys were dealt with. The most important fences were attended to as soon as possible, while others had to wait. Most of the fencing was badly hit. The drought was at its worst – water as scarce as could be – sheep in poor condition and dairy cows almost dry. The mill water supply was at a very low ebb but fortunately we had fairly recently installed an engine in Hades where there was a good spring. But it was several days before we could use this plant as the outfit had to be moved to a higher site and in doing so Phil tore a nail off a finger and this caused some concern to himself and also to the work in hand.
So much for Pukekino which had to take second place so far as I was concerned for being Chairman of the C.C. I had to ‘show the flag’ almost daily. There were visits to every riding with Pullen (Engineer) and we had some nerve-wracking drives especially in the Waikare riding – the hardest hit of all – steep country and many unpleasant land slides to circumnavigate.
Often after an arduous day we would call in at Lindisfarne to have a cup of tea or other refreshment with Eddie and Ethne Herrick. Mr. Mason Chambers often accompanied me on the inspection and he was a tower of strength. One day we visited the enormous dam formed at Ngatapa by the blocking of the Te Hoe stream. Within 24 hours of the Earthquake two warships arrived from Auckland – their bakers supplied Napier with
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bread till supplies could come forward and their crews played a very useful part in demolishing dangerous buildings and patrolling the town.
At the time of the catastrophe my Father was in the boardroom of the Gas Company (upstairs) with the Secretary, awaiting the Annual Meeting timed for eleven. The walls of the building fell out and fortunately the stairs remained. As he was very frail at this time the Secretary (Thompson) picked him up and carried him out into the centre of Hastings Street away from falling bricks etc. It was several days before the strong room doors of Sainsbury, Logan and Williams’ safes could be opened and then it was found all deeds and documents were intact and an insurance policy disclosed that after the Tokyo earthquake my Father had taken out an earthquake policy with Lloyds. He was one of the very few who had had the good sense to do so. Later in the year when Napier was being rebuilt we built the present office for £3,500, the value of the policy – today these premises are worth about £18,000 to £20,000.
One notty question was settled for ever – that was the Inner Harbour-Breakwater question. The uplift in the land settled the Inner Harbour. Within only days of the ‘Quake a move was made to make Clive Square the centre of the town and shops and offices were rapidly erected around the square which served a most useful purpose till the town was rebuilt. The buildings, naturally, could only be small and were constructed of corrugated iron. The Banks and offices were mainly adjacent to the Roman Catholic Church and the shops round the square had a verandah in front of them to act as a roadway. It takes a disaster to really bring the best out of the human being and the friendly atmosphere in Napier for years to come was very marked. And everybody met around this shopping area and exchanged their views and opinions from day to day.
All hospital patients were moved from Napier and Hastings hospitals very promptly, some as far as Wellington, and the Racecourse Stands at Greenmeadows and Hastings were used as emergency hospitals. The Hospital Board met fairly frequently at Greenmeadows and Hastings until a temporary office was erected in the grounds of Napier Hospital. At a meeting of the Board in April it was definitely decided that the base hospital should still be in Napier and Hastings should have adequate accommodation and loans up to £82,500 were approved for the rebuilding.
I was, at this time, a member of the Hospital Board as well as County Council Chairman. It was surprising how rapidly the county roads were brought back to a reasonable standard and damaged bridges repaired. The work was considerably helped along by the use of a 4A scheme – this was a scheme by which the county provided tempory camp accommodation for single men, supplied food and boots and the Government paid 10/- per week per man. It was a way of providing work for the unemployed who were growing in numbers rapidly as the slump grew in intensity.
Farmers were the first to be hit and hit hard. Wool by early in the year was round about 8d. per lb. average and later fell to less. Sheep and cattle prices fell to sums quite unrealistic and, of course, the drought still raged.
County rates fell due on February 13th but mighty few ratepayers could raise the money to meet them and banks and mercantile firms were not prepared to do so for the farmer. This put the County in a difficult position and the Government had to come to its aid. When this awkward position became apparent Fergusson (County Clerk) Puflett (Engineer) and I proceeded to Wellington to interview J.G. Coates (Prime Minister) and other Cabinet Ministers, The Public Trustee and Furkert (Public Works) with regard to a rehabilitation loan. We were well received and assured of being able to put our houses in order. And they kept their word. In Wellington we stayed at the Club and met many friends there who were anxious to have news of their many other friends in Hawke’s Bay. This was 23rd February. The only part of the visit we did not appreciate was the visit to the Public Trustee whose office was in the tower of the tall building and we felt unsafe there. We took a dim view, too, of the Public Trustee taking a cigarette out of a gold case for himself and not offering us one! We certainly felt at that time, like the very poor
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relations as most of us in Hawke’s Bay were really in a sad state.
I think the highest price offered for Pukekino wool in the early sale of the year was 8d. I withdrew as my Uncle James in England offered to lend me £1,000 as he thought there might be a rise later – I accepted but the prices went farther back and ultimately I had to sell.
Gordon Hardie, husband of my late Aunt Helen, released to Ivan and me half of her estate in which he had a life interest. This was a kind and helpful gesture as we were in a bit of a mess. The amount was about £4000 each. This sum enabled me to put my affairs on a good footing and to carry on with all repair work without having to borrow from outside. Hardie lived at Belstone in Devon and was a well-off man but still rich men don’t always act so generously.
Owing to much unemployment labour was plentiful for clearing away the wreckage in the towns of Napier and Hastings and long before the end of the winter all the rubble had been removed. Most of the damage to private homes had been repaired and plans were well in progress for the re-surveying of streets in towns so that rebuilding could be undertaken on well organised lines. That is perhaps enough about the earthquake. History books tell the full story.
On the 1st April Phil Brock left me after 15 ½ years. It was sad to lose him but he was anxious to better himself and with Jim on the farm with me he realised he could never go much further. For a time he lived in Hastings and took casual work in Hastings and the country. Then his opportunity came and he got the management of Tutira Station (Guthrie Smith) and he never looked back. Later, after Tutira was sold, he managed a large block for the Lands and Survey (Kahuka) and now he is retired and lives in a pleasant home in Napier (This is December 1966).
The County contribution to Hospital, which was out of all proportion to services rendered the ratepayers, began to give us much concern, especially as rates were not coining in at all well so Lassen and I were deputed to meet Stallworthy (Minister of Public Health) – a sympathetic hearing – but as far as I can recall that was all.
A few days after Phil Brock’s departure Bill Graham came to us and there he remained for over 20 years till he went to the Cottage with Hamilton round about 1951 and he is still there. A grand, reliable and trustworthy fellow. And through the years we have had much fun out of him too! One day Mason Chambers took me again to the Hastings Rotary Club where I addressed them on County matters. A new valuation of Pukekino was made – £9.10/- capital and £5.17.6 – I disputed the valuation with Lloyd and later got a reduction more in line with my ideas. This will appear in 1932.
In July a meeting was held in Waipukurau again of Reform selectors for Waipawa electorate and I was a delegate. We had to select a candidate for the November elections. The candidates were John Ormond, Goring-Johnston, C. Pattison, W. TuckerBill and A’deane of Waipawa. We selected John Ormond. Later I went to Hereworth School for the night and the Jack Ormonds were there also. The election campaign began early in November and Ned Smith, of whom I had seen much over the past two or three years, and I attended many meetings including a big rally at which Coates spoke at McLean Park in Napier. I also took the chair at Jull’s and John’s meetings at Maraekekaho and Kereru. The Elections took place in December: The Coalition Party (Reform and United) 52, Labour 28, Jull defeated J. Ormond at Waipawa. Forbes became Prime Minister. I was approached by The Reform Party to stand for Napier but my hands were too full with the County and Hospital Board.
It was a cold winter with three falls of snow – feed was short but there had been a little growth for sheep after the autumn rains. We had to feed out much hay to cattle. I note in my diary that conditions were fairly desperate at the end of September but in the first half of October there was good rain and the situation improved in the hill country but it was rather late to be of much benefit to the low country. There was a fairly heavy earthquake again on September 12th but the epicentre was further north than that in February and Gisborne suffered a fair amount of damage.
My diary does not tell who went off the Hereworth School Trust Board but Mrs. T.H. Lowry and Ned Smith were appointed. Mrs. Sturge became unwell during the latter part
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of the year and she died on December 24th and was buried on Christmas Day. S.M. Palmer, Rainbow, Preston Thomas, Reeves, Eddie Herrick and I were the pall bearers and Herbert Williams (Bishop of Waiapu) took the service. Later I took Sturge to see my Parents and then ,I returned to spend the night with him.
The lambing over most of Hawke’s Bay was very poor – at Pukekino we had about 80%. The rainfall for the year was 29.82 inches which was 14 inches below the average.
One weekend Jock Twigg came out to us and he brought flu and the whole family succumbed and we had to get a nurse out to help nurse the patients.
At the beginning of this year in part of my story I spoke of my Parents beginning to go downhill. On August 7th my Mother suffered a stroke and for sometime it was thought she would make a reasonable recovery for her speech returned completely and her brain was unimpaired and after a while she was able to walk a little with the help of Sister McBeth and a stick. But gradually the improvement halted and she gradually slipped and became more or less bedridden before she died in 1936. The Scouts of Hereworth camped again at The Old Homestead and Bob joined them.
The year ended as gloomily as it began – in fact more so for by then my Parents had become more of an anxiety. The depression also seemed to gain in intensity and there appeared no sign of any uplift.
Before the end of the year we had managed by hard work and sweat to repair much of the damage to fences and buildings on Pukekino but it was a grind, and all the time I was much worried and occupied with County work. With labour camps throughout the country we were able to clean slips and re-align many roads, also to patch up bridges and even to rebuild some. The heaviest damage appeared to be in the poorest Ridings – Waikare suffered badly.
The big dam in the Poporangi creek, which reached a depth of about 90 feet was eventually released without any flooding.
On February 3rd Phil, Bob and I set out early and crossed over to Bill Whyte’s farm by way of the gorge in Brown’s corner (Cecil Averill’s) and we began to muster his long paddock as many of our sheep had crossed over owing to drought conditions. It was a very hot and still day – almost an uncanny feeling in the air – when, without warning, except for a loud rumbling noise, the Earthquake struck us – I found myself on the ground and at first I thought a stroke had overtaken me but I felt quite well. On looking up I saw the Ruahine ranges in the distance rocking and huge puffs of soil puffing up then the ground began to heave.
As I lay on the ground and saw the mountains heaving I thought of a story I had once read by Cortes in which he told of his seeing the Andes rocking during an earthquake. Phil and Bob ran towards me and we had a consultation. I sent Phil home, as he had his horse, to see how things were at home – we abandoned the sheep and set off for home also but we decided to head the gorges and go by way of Bill Whyte’s, the Ram paddock, Prices and the Cocksfoot.
The journey took us about an hour and on the way we saw many wrecked fences, land slides, overturned water tanks and so on. On reaching the homestead we found all the family safe but much damage to the buildings in the way of fallen chimneys in the middle of the kitchen etc. Shaking of the ground was almost non-stop.
Pukekino homestead circa 2011. Image source: Stu Webster
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1932
New Year’s Eve 1966
I note that I began the work of condensing my diaries on Christmas Day 1965 so I have been a year at the job and have only covered half the task. I shall have to speed up a bit. My story of 1931 covered the Earthquake year and I have been able to devote more time to it – just a week – because from Christmas Day of this year to New Year’s Eve it has rained almost ceaselessly and my outdoor work was nil.
1932 was a year fraught with much sadness for my Parents were in very poor health all through the year. My Mother did not make the progress towards recovery after her stroke that we had hoped for – in fact she became completely confined to the house and was in her chair most of the time and my Father’s heart condition worsened – at times the doctors only gave him a few days to live – then there were times when he rallied and enjoyed periods of comfort. He, at no time, ever lost grip and his mind was always clear, but how he hated the sedentary life after a life of such activity. It was a great worry to him not to he able to go to his office and help with the reconstruction work and the many difficult problems that arose by reason of the ‘depression’.
It had become necessary to establish a ‘Mortgagor’s Relief Court’ to deal with a thousand and one cases where mortgagors were unable to meet their obligations and as my Father’s strong point in the office was dealing with mortgages and family affairs he could have been of great help. The slump or depression increased in intensity as the value of our products fell further and further and unemployment increased. The only thing that saved Hawke’s Bay and Napier in particular was the extensive rebuilding in progress.
Napier was still in control of the Commission (Barton and Campbell) and it had immense power and did good work. Loans of a very generous nature, inspite of the money shortage, were made available by the Government to local bodies and private individuals for rehabilitation purposes. In most cases they were free of interest for
Photo captions –
FB alongside his trusted Buick in 1931. It took approximately 1¼ hours to drive from Pukekino to Hastings. It was a drive that FB took hundreds of times during his lifetime attending meetings of public bodies and local authorities. Image source: Hamilton Logan
FB and family on the front steps at Pukekino, 1932. Image source: Hamilton Logan
Frank Logan on the eve of his departure with his brother Ivan for the United States in 1926. Image source: Hamilton Logan
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varying periods and a gift of up to £100 was made towards rebuilding chimneys following the earthquake. Most of the private homes, especially in Napier, suffered trouble with the foundations (piles) and they were attended to as early as possible after the Quake. By 1932 Napier had become habitable again – in fact by the end of 1931 – drains had begun to function, gas and electricity restored and water available.
January was an easy month for me as I only had to attend the County Office four times so I was able to catch up with a lot of farm work. Jim and Bill Graham were a great help to me. One day in January, T.E. Crosse, McCulloch and I made another inspection of Gordon’s cure for blackberry at Tangoio and again at the end of the year we made our final inspection – we found the cure was not successful in entirety and was far too costly for the farmer with many blackberries.
Towards the end of January Jim went off to Taupo on his motor bike for a week. And before going he gave R.P. Kay a hand to take the Kereru furniture to Napier as Mr. and Mrs. Turnbull had leased a house in Lincoln Road, and there they lived to the end of their lives – Isobel Mclean being their faithful housekeeper.
Early in the year the price of sheep fell with a bang – my five year ewes fetched 7/8d. and mixed age ewes 6/10d. Good rams only fetched £3.3.0d. This year W.E. Bidwell of Rototawai made me a gift of the usual draft of rams – it was a generous act.
One day early in the year Ned Smith, Ian Maclaren (his brother-in-law) and I took a walk to the top of the Ruahines, 4300 feet. It was a terrific struggle for my companions who had failed to prepare for the task. The shortage of water worried them. On our return journey as darkness was falling I lost the track and led them into a gorge from which we could find no exit. However, at about 10 p.m. Hewitt and a party from Big Hill Station, who had been alerted, came out and found us. Hot drinks and supper revived us and we eventually got home. After this venture Ned and I did several more walks together but usually on easier country – one enjoyable walk was from ‘The Cottage’ to Olrig.
In February 10.53 inches fell and after a fall of 4 ½ inches one night floods occurred particularly on the low country and in Waikare Riding. This meant a few days for me with Puflett inspecting the damage. Averill and I accompanied by Johnston, made a thorough inspection of the 6,000 acre leasehold at the back of Kereru – we were seven hours in the saddle. Our opinion was that the leasing of this block was hardly economical though the rental paid to the Education Board was only a matter of a few hundred a year. Mr. Turnbull decided to abandon the lease but the Board was reluctant to allow the land to become unoccupied so in the meantime no rent was charged.
During the Session of Parliament last year legislation was enacted with a view to regulating all public motor transport – goods as well as passengers. The whole of New Zealand was divided into licensing areas – about six or eight – and Licensing Authorities were set up covering the whole country and all motor services were called to apply for licenses to operate over defined areas or routes. No.4 Transport Licensing Authority dealt with transport from a little north of Whakatane to Dannevirke and included such towns as Rotorua, Whakatane, Opotiki, Gisborne, Napier, Hastings and Dannevirke. J.G. Coates, who was then Minister of Transport, asked me to be Chairman of No.4 Authority and I agreed, after some pressure, and M.S. Chambers and Charles Matthews of Gisborne were appointed members and Wilkinson of the Public Works in Napier was our secretary. Hitherto there had been complete chaos and confusion in the transport line and much uneconomic competition. It was, therefore, our duty to try to bring about order and regulate transport generally. The various authorities were set up towards the end of February and Hunter, Commissioner of Transport, toured the country to brief us. Then we got to work and at intervals we had sittings in Napier, Hastings, Dannevirke, Gisborne, Whakatane, Opotiki, Rotorua and Wairoa. This involved a fair amount of travelling and much hard work but by the end of the year we had a system
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of public transport in fair order. We had our ups and downs and after revoking the license of one Whitfield who deliberately broke the terms of his license, we were sued. On one occasion we had to sit as a Commission of Enquiry in Gisborne and were given some rough handling by a clever solicitor, Barnard, and others. In the long run Transport Department took a hand – in fact took the matter over entirely and just what happened we never knew. Whitfield kept on running for a short time and then retired. We enjoyed our work and the remuneration! Maurice Chambers was a tower of strength to me and at times I wanted all the help he gave.
Sometimes I wonder how I held down all the jobs in hand when there was so much to do on the farm and a big family to care for. But I suppose administration work appealed to me for one thing and Dorothy was a great help in all ways and with Jim and Bill on the farm I knew all was well, And I knew too that my days on the Hospital Board were drawing to an end when the Transport work was offered.
In May the local body elections came along again and I was unopposed for the County but I refused nomination for the Hospital Board because it had become very apparent, particularly in these days of depression, that one could not be Chairman of the County and a member of the Hospital Board. The County had to find 4/5ths of the money to run the Hospital so the position became impossible. Very reluctantly I declined nomination for I was very interested in the work. I had been a member for nine years and knew all connected with it very intimately. The position had become full of anomilies – on the one hand as Chairman of the County you had to resist the huge levy and as a Hospital Board member you urgently wanted every penny you could lay hands on. For years we fought against this anomilous position. Today hospitals are virtually financed by the Government. A short time after my retirement I was invited by the Board to attend a farewell and later the Matron and Staff asked me to come along. I retired too from the Rabbit Board and was pleased to be able to secure E. Averill’s appointment. At that time the rabbit position was in complete order and rabbits under control and with the County work increasing daily I felt it wise to hand over.
A.H. Fergusson retired as County Clerk but remained in an advisory capacity. W.J. O’Connell took over but Fergusson continued to sit with me at my Monday Sessions. In these days I saw much of E. Averill who was a man of much wisdom and a very dependable friend.
Other friends we used to see at times were A.J. and Maud Morris of Fernhill. Also the John Nairns of Havelock. We saw quite a lot these days and onwards of Lulu and Winston Barron – frequently calling in when visiting Hereworth and Woodford House schools. The Herricks, whom i had known well in the far off days, we now became very friendly with, and this friendship became very firm as the years went by. Gwynth Averill (Canning) who had been with us for about five or six years died having her second child – we were very sad about this.
Mason Chambers and I had several meetings about ‘The Cottage’ and owing to evil times we had to make a reduction in R. Averill’s rent. Likewise an adjustment was made in the Station garden leased to Player. Gertie Chapman came out from England on a visit and Marion Caine over from Australia. As usual I put in the odd weekend at Okawa. Bob was still at Hereworth and he promised to make a good footballer – on two occasions I saw him kick some useful goals in matches against other schools.
In July Bill Hyslop of The H.B. Tourist Motors asked me to act as umpire in an arbitration case – his company was claiming £1800 for cars and parts destroyed in a fire. John McLennan acted for the Insurance Company and Cox (a tailor of Napier) acted for the Tourists. After a solid week of argument etc. (I used to go home each night) Cox and McLennan got together but Cox got cold feet and retired so leaving me to umpire. It was something I had not expected but as 1 had kept careful notes through- out the hearing I was not caught unprepared. I considered the claim excessive and unwarranted and my award was framed accordingly by A.B. Campbell of
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Sainsbury, Logan and Williams. It shocked Hyslop and his solicitor (Wilson of Wellington) and they tried to bounce me. However in the end they shook hands and all was well! I knew Cox quite well but he never told me his reason for ‘walking out’. I guess he just could not carry on with a clear conscience.
On 18th May we attended the wedding of Phyllis Johnston and Doug Harper. I had to propose the health and John McLennan also spoke. That was the first time we had met. We met again over the Tourist business and it was after that he offered to help me with my own book-keeping and put me on a proper basis. He made the offer as a friend and for two years made no charge. From then up the present (January 1967) he has looked after my affairs and guided me in a divestment scheme. And, incidentally, I have secured for his firm some good clients, e.g. Ned Smith, John Gordon and not the least, Constance Fountaine.
On May 30th I took the chair at a conference between contributing local bodies and the Hospital Board. It was a long drawn out affair and we reached no conclusion. On May 25th at the Statutory meeting of the C.C. I was elected for the fourth time as chairman. The only election issue in our riding was that of Harbour Board representations – over the County those chosen were L. Harris, L. Gordon and Barker and they remained for many years. There was much controversy over who should bear the cost of the Havelock bridge on the Hastings road and in the end a satisfactory arrangement was reached, the three interested local bodies contributing. This was the first year we spread super from a truck – Stirling did the work at the rate of 4/6d per acre. Ned Smith and Averill were much interested in the work.
In April there was much rain and the low country was flooded – this, of course, meant more worries in Meeanee but not nearly so many as the Earthquake had lifted the level by several feet. John Ormond came to see me one day about politics generally. And at a later date Averill, Ned and I were delegates at the Reform party rally at Waipukurau of all Waipawa branches. We continued to support the Coalition.
Early in May Charlie Nairn paid one of his frequent visits to England and returned in August. He has managed Pourerere for the Jack Nairns family since Jack’s death.
It was found necessary to appoint a Transport Appeal Board and Fraser and Alderton were the Judges. Some of our decisions were reversed and we were not in the least degree surprised as we had had much difficulty in some of the cases that came before us. The Eaton family had come out from England at the end of last year and were now living on Whakarara Station – a property of 10,000 acres and carrying about 6,000 sheep. The boys (Jock and Sandy) went to school at Christ’s College. Eaton, though a great worker, was completely at sea on the property and in July Peter Plummer was appointed to manage – it did not work out too well and he left to manage Dartmoor in October. We saw much of Peter in those months and he often came to us. Later Paul Williams took on the job but that did not last long. He, too, became a friend of ours.
Golf had come to an end when Monty left Kereru and I never had time for the game with all my other jobs on hand. G. Attwood, Carlo Fountaine’s factor at Narford, came to New Zealand for a couple of weeks to look into Constance’s New Zealand affairs for Sir R.D.D. McLean’s estate had not by then been wound up. Poor Attwood was quite lost as he knew nothing about anything outside the work involved as a factor on an English estate and he returned in a state of confusion.
By the time Attwood arrived the Poulton’s had left ‘The Cottage’ and we had installed Phil and Fay Wright. It was a pleasant home for them and a little pocket money. They were very hard up after Wright Stephensons had sold up their property of Apley. It was a sad business altogether. The result of a continuation of poor farming and slump.
More floods in lower Hawke’s Bay again in September but a good Spring followed.
Apart from the usual stock work on Pukekino we were still heavily engaged in grubbing scrub and this would continue till we were able to get round the property with the plough.
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In May Wren Corry (daughter of Sir H. Cory of Port Line) who had been on the Woodford House Staff came to us as governess. She wanted a taste of New Zealand country life and was willing to come to us for a home in the country till the end of the year. She was a bright young woman with a good education and expert in mountain climbing and games. She had her own car and was provided with a horse so she was very independent. She remained with us till early in December and we were grateful for her help. A few years later we met her in London – she was then married.
Mr. Turnbull celebrated his 90th birthday during the year. Mardie had her tonsils removed and late in December we all in turn had a sharp attack of summer sickness – I was the last to go down on Christmas Day.
A Poll was taken throughout the country an rating systems and the voting for unimproved value on which to be rated was 1607 for Capital 1200. So we remained as we were.
On our last sitting of the Licensing Authority in November in Gisborne we had to go as far north as Ruatoria and we were invited to visit A.B. Williams at his home near Te Puia. Puketiti is a most lovely home high in the hills – a wonderful garden – native bush and a panoramic view of Waipiro and Tokomaru Bays.
The County decided to extend Kennedy Road towards Greenmeadows – this has proved of much value in shortening the route to Taradale and opening up sections for buildings.
In The Land Assessment Court my claim for a reduction in my recent valuation was upheld. There was much consternation on the part of Lloyd (Government Valuer) because the Chairman of the County should take such action. The value of Pukekino was established at £13,732 Capital Value and £7,390 Unimproved. Lambing was 90% – it does not seem possible to get up to the 100% I once had. Miss Tiny Anderson of Poporangi dies and so Miss Bessie is the only member left on the Station. In November there was a Waterside Strike and many young men from H.B. manned the waterfront in Napier – Jim among them. The strike did not last more than a few days.
As the Anderson Family had handed over the small area of land on which the Kereru Hall is built a Trust Board was formed – myself (Chairman), Ned Smith, R.P. Kay, Byrne, R. Averill and Eaton.
Pukekino wool clip was now 61 bales – highest ever. Wool prices were at zero. Ned and I attended the last of the year’s sales in November which was depressing. After the sale we had a good dinner at The Central and then repaired to the Club and forgathered with Warwick Gregory of C. & D. now Port Line, Eric Beamish and others.
As a result we forgot to pick up the nurse to Ned’s children before leaving Napier: Fleece wool was as low as 4d. per lb. Our total clip fetched round about £300.
Mr. Wenley returned to live in Napier after being with Mardie and Bill since the Earthquake. He and Sarah McLean, the old housekeeper lived in the gardener’s cottage where Seton now lives. And he began to plan for the subdivision of his property.
At the end of the year it did not seem that the ‘Slump’ would ever lift. The only bright spot on our horizon in Hawke’s Bay was the gradual restoration or rebuilding of Napier.
1933
This year brought sadness to us through the deaths of my Father and Dorothy’s Father. It brought also hope for the future for towards the end of the year there was an improvement in the price of wool and meat. It was also one of the busiest years I had experienced and I was away from home a great deal on County and Transport business. It was only because of Jim’s ability to cope so well with the working of Pukekino and of his reliability that I was able to be away so much. It was so this year.
January was a comparatively easy month so far as local body work went and I was able to be at home mostly – there was much tennis, bathing etc. as well as the routine work on the farm. However after January my work on the County and Transport Authority piled up and up. It was largely owing to the speeding up of rehabilitation work that the
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County demanded my attention. There were many conferences with Napier Harbour Board, Taradale Town Board and River Board over the proposal to divert the Tutaekuri River.
In the end complete agreement was reached and the river diverted from the Inner Harbour to where it runs out near Awatoto. The cost was apportioned as follows – Harbour Board £15,000, County Council £12,500, Napier B.C. £5,750 and Rivers Board £10,750. Barton at that time acted for Napier B.C. and was a very helpful man. This agreement between us saved expense and waste of time in setting up a commission. T.M. Geddis was Chairman of Harbour Board, Lassen of Rivers Board and myself of C.C.
There were conferences galore – one big one of all counties in the Province in regard to the allocation of Heavy Traffic fees. This was full of bogeys but in the end a solution was found.
There were conferences with various Mayors and County Chairmen in regard to the use of unemployed. We had several camps about the County and from time to time it was necessary to pay visits and hear any grievances. W.C. Barnard, M.P. for Napier, went with me once or twice and praised our effort but at a later date (1935) he referred to the relief camps as ‘slave camps’ for political reasons. In May I was elected again Chairman of the C.C. This was my fifth term. Following election I had another general tour of the County and in June Puflett, Dorothy and I went to Wellington where we were joined by Sir Andrew Russell. We had several interviews with J.G. Coates (acting P.M.), Bitchener (Minister of Public Works), Hamilton (Minister in Charge of Labour) – he dealt with unemployment. We discussed finances, unemployment position and road construction etc. While in Wellington we saw Mrs. Joseph and Sybil Nathan and others. On our way to Wellington the county car broke down and we had to be towed many miles and then in the end caught a train at Palmerston North. I was late for my first meeting but Coates fitted Sir Andrew Russell and me in later.
Again in July I went to Wellington with Puflett and Fergusson (Engineer and County Clerk). This time we stayed at the Club, where I met some old friends – G. Ritchie, Beetham, Cora, Mrs. H. Crawford, A. Duncan and Jimmy. A party at Mrs. Crawford’s – her house is now the U.S.A. Embassy in Fitzherbert Terrace. Our meetings were with Coates, Bitchener, Jull (Chairman of Highways Board and M.P.) and H.M. Campbell M.P. At these conferences we always were assured, of generous and understanding treatment. After two or three days we returned to Masterton. At this time Jull was M.P. for Waipawa and Campbell M.P. for Hastings and H.B. Now, of course, Waipawa is merged in H.B. Electorate and Hastings is on its own.
There was one unpleasant meeting with two delegates of the unemployed men on local body works and we got nowhere. These two men (Clancey and Kay) turned up again in 1936 and raised trouble.
I represented the C.C. at a welcome to Lord and Lady Bledisloe (Governor General) at Hastings and next day the new wards at Napier Hospital were opened by him (built after the earthquake). The Transport Licensing work increased beyond imagination this year and I was literally on the go two or three days a week after January. The goods services had been brought in at this time and that brought about all sorts of complications. Most of our meetings were in Napier or Hastings but there were three trips to Wairoa, Gisborne, Opotiki, Whakatane and Rotorua for sittings. On one occasion we travelled north by way of Waikaremoana. On another occasion Maurice and I were allowed to take some of our Family. He took Susanne and Dudley – I took Dorothy, Ray and Bob. At Rotorua I caught a shocking cold and felt pretty rotten for the rest of the time and we still had Opotiki, and Gisborne to do. Ray developed the cold on reaching home and it turned to congestion. While in Rotorua on one of our trips we struck Archbishop and Mrs. Averill at the Grand and we took them on some of our expeditions in the course of inspecting the routes. One visit was to the village of Wairoa (overwhelmed in the 1886 eruption). At
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Gisborne one time I was able to run out to Ngatapa to see Heni Sherratt, Mrs. Woodbine Johnson and Ra Pomare were there. The Harbour Board members who favoured the Breakwater Harbour as opposed to Inner Harbour were beginning to become active and one night Trevor Geddis (Chairman) with John Barker and I. Cato came out to speak at a meeting at Maraekakaho.
Twice during the winter after very heavy rain floods were out on the plains and, as usual, Meeanee riding suffered. Now that Mr. Wenley was back in Napier I used to visit him as often as I could but after my Father’s death I spent as much time as I could with my Mother.
The Poporangi Rifle Club was formed this year and the district used to meet as a rule on Saturday afternoons. It was quite a popular event. Prices were low for stock and wool in the early part of the year – fat ewes 8/6d to 9/6d, fat lambs 9/-mixed age ewes 12/- – but towards the end of the year there came a feeling of optimism and prices began to rise and it looked as if we had rounded the corner. In the middle of February we took W. G. Wood’s cottage at Te Awanga for a month and we enjoyed a holiday by the sea – bathing galore, some fishing and meeting many friends there, e.g. the Frank Gordons, who were very kind to us, the Gatenbys, Jack Prices, H.G. Warrens, etc.
On the 3rd March the new Masonic Hotel was opened and this gave Napier a considerable uplift.
Jim spent three weeks in the South Island in January staying at Orari Station and with the George Goulds in Christchurch.
One day Mason Chambers and I went out to Tunanui to spend the day with Sir Andrew and Lady Russell who had Lord and Lady Bledisloe staying with them. Another day Dorothy, Ray, Jim and I went to the Hugh White’s at Sherwood. Trix Traquair was out from Scotland on a visit. Another day we went to Korokipo to lunch with Mrs. Robert Nairn and Violet Russell was there – on one of her frequent visits to New Zealand – also there was Mrs. Fox. Later they came out to see us – also Diana Price.
John Ormond and Jim Nelson came over one day to see if they could interest me in the New Zealand Legion. I joined up as Sir Andrew Russell asked me to do so. But I never really discovered its aims or objects and it all faded away within a year as I thought it would. There was a farewell party at Lulu Barron’s for Wren Corry before she returned to England. Many weekends at Hereworth with Sturge especially after Board Meetings for I was a member of Hereworth Board. At the end of the first term of this year Bob left Hereworth after four and a half years and at the end of May we took him to begin his school life at Wanganui Collegiate. He was in Pup McLean’s house. Dorothy and I took Mardie and Dot to Wanganui with us. Phil Giblin was also at school. I note we spread 8 tons of super this year and Jim did the ploughing work with the Fordson. Later in the year Roy and Boy began schooling at Kereru and the parents shared the driving of the various children to and from school e.g. ourselves, Ned Smith, C. Averill and the MacKenzies (Manager of Olrig).
We seem to have seen quite a lot of the Dudley Hills and at times Vyv came out to stay with us. He and Jim did a bit of shooting at times. One day while crossing the Ohara in slight flood Jim fell and dropped his gun which was not found for another week.
The Acclimatisation Society gave me pheasants to release on Pukekino – it was not a high success and I am sure natural enemy took them for we hardly ever saw them after a month or two.
There was quite a big earthquake in may. In June I spent a few days with Charlie Nairn at Omakere and The Pah at Pourerere.
On March 8th, after a year of much sickness, my Father died in his sleep. I had spent the morning with him and he appeared very weak but smoked a cigarette with me. According to his frequently repeated wish he was buried in Napier Cemetery privately and the pall-bearers were Ivan, self, Sturge, MacKay, Wenley, V. Kettle, Jim and Duncan Holden. Dean Brockleburst had a short service
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beforehand in the house. On the whole Father had had a very full life – he loved sport and his fellow beings – he had a host of friends and was a very highly respected person. And above all he was a wonderfully good Father.
In the last week of September Mr. Turnbull became unwell with what was thought to be a cold but it soon became clear that he was declining – he was 91. For a couple of weeks he was unconscious and on 7th October he died. We buried him privately at Havelock and Mr. McCully, a Presbyterian Minister, who once used to visit Kereru, took the burial service. R.M. Turnbull was, like my Father, a man of integrity and also very highly respected by all. He was born in Barbados, West Indies, of Scottish parents – his great-great grandfather was Rob Roy Macgregor, that Highland freebooter! He was educated and lived in Scotland till he was about 20, then he came to New Zealand round about 1860 or 62 and took up large blocks of grazing land in various parts of Otago, including Linburn and Wanaka. In 1910 he and Mrs. Turnbull took up Kereru Station and he sold his interests in the South. He married latish in life Annie Sweet of Bath.
During the year New Zealand’s currency was devalued by 25%. Before the end of the year Maurice Chambers and I resigned from the Transport Authority – the work was becoming rather burdensome and demanding and we found working for a Government Department very irksome and, at times, frustrating.
1934
It was a great relief to be free of the almost endless work involved by being Chairman of No. 4 Transport Authority apart from this Maurice Chambers and I both felt we had put our best into the work and had brought some order out of chaos. Charlie Matthews remained a member and John Cliff-McCulloch was appointed and Reg Gambrill of Gisborne became Chairman. Shortly after the New Year I gave evidence before the Board in favour of a season license for Dave Walker and he was allowed to vary his defined area in fat lamb period.
The slump appears to be lifting quite steadily – wool was a reasonable price, hogget wool up to 16d. early in the year but a slight fall towards the end. Stock prices continued to improve also and there was a world-wide feeling of optimism. My Mother was in very poor health all the year and I spent as much time as I could with her – always lunched with her on my County days in Napier and spent many weekends.
January was a fine month and fairly free of County work so we had the odd picnic and a good deal of tennis. The Peter Holdens arrived in New Zealand in January and it was good to see them again. The most important work on the farm was the erection of the fences dividing the Jails and it should have been done years ago.
Kingsford Smith was in New Zealand on his third crossing of the Tasman by air and later in the year Jean Batten (a young New Zealander) flew solo from England. Morse (Mayor of Napier) and I welcomed her at the newly built theatre in Hastings Street, now the Odeon.
Early in the year the Phil Wrights bought Percy McHardy’s old home and 65 acres between Palmerston North and Feilding. And in their place at ‘The Cottage’ I put Mrs. Meredith.
In February we took the Shand’s Cottage at Awanga for about a month and the Family enjoyed a complete change and much bathing. Except Ray who developed whooping cough but by a stroke of luck she did not pass it on. Our friends, the Frank Gordons and H.G. Warrens and Gatenbys, helped to make our visit enjoyable. The W.G. Woods were at Awanga too and I was able to play much bridge in the evenings.
During February Jim and Ian had a trip in the Port Alma to many places in both islands thanks to Warwick Gregory (Port Line Manager in Wellington).
The Poporangi Rifle Club moved to a more central spot at Whanakino and interest in its activities was well maintained through the year. I resigned as President at the Annual Meeting and Ned Smith took my place. I used to see
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quite a lot of Ned – we continued our walking expeditions and we usually attended Hereworth Meetings together.
We purchased a 12cwt. V8 Ford light truck (price £260) and it proved wonderfully helpful. Jim used it in place of his motor bike and he carted most of the petrol, super and other goods for the farm. The Bishop retired from the Chair of Hereworth School Board and Eddie Herrick became Chairman. I attended all the meetings and, as usual, I saw quite a lot of Sturge during the year – one night Sturge, Ivan, Barclay Smith and I had another Oriel dinner together at the school.
A severe earthquake did some damage in Wairarapa and Wanganui and it was followed by another the following day. Then sometime in December a biggish ‘Quake visited H.B. A day or two after the May ‘Quake Bets Seth Smith and Marge Hay came to us from Eketahuna and stayed for about a fortnight. Bets was born after my last visit to England (1911) and is my God-daughter. She was out here on a visit and later on she married Trevor Hay, During their visit we took time off to show them much of the countryside and friends. One day we went as far as Forest Gate to see Duncan and Helen Holden, Peter and May were there too, And the day Bets left Napier by afternoon train to Auckland Ray and Boy had their first train journey as far as Hastings where I met them! County work continued to grow and I had to make many visits to the various ridings, There was a visit to Ridgemount to inspect the collapse of the road the County had made at the foot of the cliffs between Awapawanui and Ridgemount. Lunch at the other end with Alec and Jean Stead. Visits to the various Relief Work Camps. The bridge across the Tutaekuri at Redcliff was completed and the cost £11,800 – this bridge was destroyed by the Earthquake of 1931. Then there were two trips to Wellington to interview the P.M. and other Ministers, On the first I stayed at the Club. While there George Gould arrived and he and I had a day together seeing the Zoo etc, Then I dined on board the “Rangitane” with him and Turrell and later they sailed for England. Bernard Shaw was a passenger and he gave a talk before leaving. On the next trip to Wellington I took Dot and Mardie – Miss Currette (a late governess) looked after them while I attended to my jobs – this time Puflett and Fergusson were there and our business was with Young (Minister of Health) and McKenzie (Highways Board). Eddie Herrick was then on Reserve Bank Board and travelled each way with me. Then John Mason (Napier Mayor), G. Maddison (Hastings) and I had a prolonged meeting with Young on hospital levy in Napier one day. Charlie went to England again for a few months. My Aunt Andro (Cotterill) died in Christchurch aged 76 (my Mother’s sister). Rochie, Coleman (his father-in-law) and I had a grand tour of the Maraekakaho Riding one day and we called to see Bob Bidwell who had a farm near Gwavas. We also called in at Gwavas. Cruickshank, whom I knew at Oxford (he was at Keble) came to Napier for General Synod – he was then Dean of Dunedin.
Sturge and I gave a dinner party to celebrate our birthdays – both in April. Present were Ivan, Gordon Williams, H. St. Hill and Eddie Herrick. We were fifty years of age. 212 acres were topdressed this year.
In May there was a party and dance at the Kereru Hall to raise funds and Russell Moss brought a party from Hastings who put on three short plays. Trevor Holmden, whom I had not seen since our school days, came to Napier on insurance business with the County, It was good to meet again as we had been good friends at school, Mrs. HillDudley died and I attended the funeral at Omahu she had been a friend of Mother’s and mine. During the year Dorothy and I often called in to see the Hills at Fernhill, Morice Averill married a Miss Brown from Wellington,
Jim was 21 on June 3rd. He had become a wonderful help to me and was always so reliable, In the middle of the year Peter and May Holden returned to England and just beforehand the Ivans and ourselves had a small dinner party for them at the Masonic, We changed cars and got a V8 Ford – Peach took the 7 seater Buick in exchange.
I gave another talk at Hastings Rotary, Ian Smith, who had taken up his home at
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Whanakino, was a frequent visitor to Pukekino. The Rifle Club held a ball to raise funds. The severest frost since I came to Pukekino occurred on July 1st – it was 15 degrees. I purchased 25 yearling heifers from Bill Jowsey at £2. We planted quite a number of trees – pine and macracarpa mostly but also some English trees near the homestead, Mrs. Charlie Forde (Groome) died. Paid a visit with Puflett to see the large tract of country known as Omahaki, recently taken up by Jim Lowry.
Lambing percentage this year was 86 ½ – we don’t seem to be able to get much better – but I can remember in the 1890s 80% was considered quite good. Mardie began training at Hastings Hospital early in the year. Doffles had a sudden and vicious attack of appendicitis one night and we had to send for Barnett who took her straight into Sherwood Hospital and operated at once. All was well.
Eddie came one day to inspect the grave of his Father’s first wife who died at Kereru somewhere about 1868 or 70. Eddie and Ethne celebrated their silver wedding in December and there was a very pleasant party at Lindisfarne. At the Hereworth Sports David did well in winning the 440 and 880 and one or two other events.
Phil Johnson, a son of Peter, was in New Zealand for a visit. The Duke of Gloucester visited New Zealand – we were at the receptions at Napier and Hastings. A friend of my youth, Mabel Donnelly (Burke) died and I attended her funeral in Napier Cemetery.
Among the jobs that fell to my lot as Chairman of the County was that of attending the Jubilee of the Methodist Church in Hastings. The County, Harbour Board and Napier Council (represented then by Barton as Commissioner) had various conferences over matters of common interest – mostly brought about by rehabilitation after the earthquake. Some ended very satisfactorily in a short time and others could be tedious and abortive. I became a Trustee of the Village Hall at Maraekakaho – Lachlan Maclean of Glencoe was then Chairman – other members were Gascoyne and Chris Tait.
I had become a little interested in spiritual science after reading works by Oliver Lodge, Conan Doyle and Meyers and when the Mason Chambers invited me to a seance at Tauroa one night conducted by a Mrs. Hope I willingly accepted. The whole affair was interesting but left me somewhat bewildered and in the air. Later further seances were held at various homes in Napier and Vyv Hill was also invited to them.
We became more and more sceptical as time went on and in the end we laid a trap for Mrs. Hope into which she fell and was thus exposed. I think it shattered the Chambers family – we were never included in any further parties. Mrs. Hope who at that time enjoyed a considerable reputation as a medium, just faded away. I have never delved into spiritualism since.
In October Vyv and I had a very enjoyable fortnight away together. We went by car to Rotorua where we stayed two or three days at the Grand, seeing the usual sights and we visited Leila Byrne who was dying of consumption – she was a sister of Ethne Herrick she was so bright and cheerful poor thing. Then we stayed at the Station Hotel in Auckland – Vyv had a few friends there and I was happy to meet up with Roie Hewitt whom I had not seen for about 25 years. After Auckland we made for Opotiki calling in to see the Cliff McCullochs on their farm near Whakatane. At Te Kaha we were advised by many to turn back and travel to Gisborne by the Waioweka Gorge but a police officer thought we could make it by the East Coast road so we gave it a ‘go’ and with much luck and thanks to Vyv’s expert handling of a car we reached Te Araroa at 8 p.m. But we had five rivers to cross – all unbridged – the last one, Raukokori, nearly beat us. The journey was a very spectacular one and the Pohutukawas were just coming into flower. On the way from East Cape to Gisborne we looked up Captain Plummer of Tokomaru Bay and had tea with H.B. and Mrs. Williams at Turihau.
While in Gisborne we went out to see Mrs. George Bloomfield at Te Hoi Station. We brought Gay Knight (now Barron) with us to Napier and so ended a very enjoyable
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holiday. On the way down we called in to see Bernard Chambers at Poutu (Wairoa) and the Dick Sherratts at Wharerata. The Queen Mary of 73,000 tons was launched in September and for many years was the greyhound of the Atlantic.
One of the most notable events in Hawke’s Bay was the carrying of the Harbour Board Poll. For long enough the progress of H.B. had been retarded by the inability of the members of the Harbour Board to agree on the completion of the Breakwater Harbour. The Earthquake had made it clear an Inner Harbour was out of the question. Still there was antagonism on the part of Hastings and County ratepayers to progress with more wharves at The Breakwater – this antagonism was kept alive and encouraged by Mr. W. Nelson, Jull and the H.B. Tribune, However, this year a majority of the Board was favour of taking a poll of ratepayers to raise £100,000 to build a new wharf and do the necessary dredging and building of suitable offices and sheds. At this time all overseas ships used to lie out in the open roadsted and were tendered by lighters inspite of the fact Napier Harbour Board had to care for such a great volume of exports from H.B. So T.M. Geddis (Chairman), Eddie Herrick and Pat Higgins decided on a campaign throughout the Harbour rating area, to inform people of the need for a proper harbour and to thus break down opposition and gain support. I was asked if I would help, being Chairman of the County Council and knowing so many of the ratepayers. This I willingly agreed to and we started off with a series of expeditions to the roadsted to watch the antiquated and laborious method of loading and unloading ships. To these expeditions many, particularly those in opposition, were invited. We called meetings in many places throughout the district.
A Harbour League was set up in Hastings, the seat of violent opposition, and Geddis, Eddie, Pat Higgins and Barker addressed business men and meetings. George Maddison, the Mayor of Hastings, was an ardent friend of the cause and it gradually became apparent our cause was gaining support. Then the day of the Poll dawned on 17th. Eddie, Norman Stewart, Alec Roberts, Harry Wilson and I dined at the Club. Later came the result of the poll – a victory for us. We were then joined by M. Gleeson, Pat Higgins, Geddis and others and speeches from the steps of the Borough Council and later Majestic Theatre followed – great excitement. Then we supped at the Geddis home and Eddie and I got back to Lindisfarne at 1.30 a.m. The carrying of this poll was a red letter day and result may be seen today at the Breakwater. So this was how it all started and much credit is due to T. Geddis, Pat Higgins and Eddie Herrick. While on Harbour matters I remember one day while a party of us were returning on a launch from the roadsted, overhearing Bob Harding say ‘Logan will lose his seat on the County for his action’. He was wrong.
This was the year Hawke’s Bay lost the Ranfurly Shield to Auckland 18-14 – I watched the match with Jim – it was a disappointing game on Hawke’s Bay’s part. (Incidentally the Shield was not held by Hawke’s Bay again till 1966).
1935
This was quite one of the fullest years of my life (I am writing now in January 1967) – it was my 51st year. I am adopting a different method of recording things and am dividing my activities into several parts – 1st County Council and Local Body activities, 2nd my Family, private and home life, 3rd Political adventures and 4th Farm activities – these will be more or less scanty as everyone knows the routine work on a farm and as I have said before, if you really want to know more about this you can refer to the diary of the year. But farming methods have changed so much over the years that what happened from day to day on Pukekino can only be of passing interest maybe. The main thing to be remembered is that Pukekino was the home we all loved and it did provide us with much work, fun, relaxation at times and an income – not always adequate in times of low prices, still it was a home.
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County Council
The work of restoration still proceeded apace. Apart from my weekly attendance at the office when members of the Council used to come in to discuss the riding affairs there were numerous other appointments to keep and conferences to attend. I well remember on one occasion C.W. Nash (a local solicitor and son of Sir Walter) called in to ask me and the Council to apologise to a couple of J.P.s about whom we had said harsh things for their leniency in dealing out punishment to a couple of fellows who were convicted for woolstealing. Pukekino had actually lost two bales. I did not accede to his wish but as he owned a small farm in Eskdale fear of losing stock and wool from his own farm gripped him and made him realise our wrath. There were many conferences with Geddis (Harbour), Mason (N.B.C.) over matters of common interest with the C.C. such as drainage, Westshore embankment etc. There were conferences galore with members of the Unemployment Board about the work we were undertaking under its schemes. The Minister of Public Works visited us and we organised a meeting at Kuripapango when the Rangitikei County Council sent over representatives and we discussed the question of the Taihape road – its importance beyond that of the two Counties etc. This question is still a matter of frustration so far as the Counties are concerned. On our return journey we called in for tea with Sir Andrew and Lady Russell at Tunanui. Then there were meetings with the Hastings B.C. concerning the sewerage problem. Makeshift plans were adopted from time to time and now (in 1967) it appears the new pipeline has just been completed.
A.H. Fergusson was now taking a less active part in County affairs and it was usual for O’Connell now to be with me at Monday Sessions. Another lunch party at Rotary in Hastings and an address to the Hastings Chamber of Commerce added to my many duties. A conference between the carriers of H.B. and the Commissioner of Transport was held in Napier and for some unknown reason the duty of Chairing the meeting fell upon me.
S.M. Palmer, Harding and I were appointed members of a Noxious Weed Committee as there was alarm over the spread of many unpleasant weeds throughout our area and after a bit of a struggle we were able to get the co-operation of the Rabbit Board for their inspectors to cover off the beaten tracks of the C.C. This move helped us enormously.
At a meeting one day at Haumoana a Mr. Shufflebottom was introduced to me without warning. This rather rocked me for a moment. W.J. O’Connell (Deputy County Clerk) was married this year and we and the staff presented a silver tea tray to them. The County approved of the candidature of Harry Wilson, J.B. Campbell, C. Lassen, R. Harding and V. Hoadley at the coming Hospital Board election as being men to support the County’s views. The matter of sound representation was important and I lent a hand in the campaign by attending several meetings of the team. They were returned at the election.
My appointment as Chairman of the C.C. was unopposed for the seventh time. C. Morse defeated A.H. Fergusson for the Mayoralty of Napier, The Napier-Gisborne air service was begun and we attended a ceremony at the Airport. At the County elections Ericksen became a member for Meeanee once more defeating Mooney, Eric Beamish became a new member and likewise Maurice Chambers. In December after the Labour Party had become the Government, R. Semple (Public Works) paid a visit to the C.C. He could not resist having a crack at me for things I may have said about Labour’s plans. He was quite elated at the importance of being a Cabinet Minister but in later years he settled down and of all the Ministers of the Crown he was the only one who really knew his job and believed in an honest day’s work.
My Private Life
This was a sad year in that my Mother’s physical condition grew worse and she rarely left her bed but her mental condition was quite unimpaired. As often as possible I was with her and, of course, she had Sister
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McBeth permanently and if Sister wanted to go off for a few days there was always Sister Allen to come along and Rose Hellier, who had now been with Mother for over thirty years and was the mainstay of the home. Mrs. Empson came back from England where she had been living for the past twenty years or so and as Mr. Empson had died recently she decided to live in New Zealand again. Lulu and Winston with Charles and Elespie Roberts, also Mr. Wenley, went to England for a few months. The Barrons home had become quite a pleasant refuge for us whenever we went to see the children at their schools.
In the middle of January we took the Herrickts cottage at Te Awanga for three weeks and enjoyed a complete rest and much bathing. We also saw something of our friends the Cordons, Warrens, Gatenbys and others. The Barnett’s from Napier came out at times to see us. Ray and I took Bob back to school at Wanganui picking up John at the Crossroads. We stayed at Fosters Hotel where Roie Hewitt was also staying. She had taken Pat back. I had a yarn with Maclean and Allen before leaving Wanganui. One day in February Lord and Lady Baden Powell visited Hawke’s Bay – at Napier Charlie Morse, Ruth Herrick and I received them and later attended a camp fire affair in Windsor Park. I spent the night at Lindisfarne.
The Harkers, Walls an Hardings gave a ball for young people at Waipukurau and Jim, Mardie, Dot and I went through to it. The Bledisloes left New Zealand in March after a five year term of Governor Generalship. They were a popular pair. Their successors were the Galways – he was quite an unpopular Governor General and no one regretted his departure when his term was completed. Jim’s holiday was spent partly at Taupo and partly at Wellington and his transport was a motor bike. What young man of today would be content to own a bike?
Monty Turnbull was now representing McWilliams’ (Wine Merchants) and travelled mostly in Hawke’s Bay. Averill and I had a tour of inspection of Smedley Estate (7,700). This property was now being developed by a Board of Control and it was a training ground for young prospective farmers. Algernon Maclean, who died in the 1920s, left a small estate and a vague will. For some reason I was appointed to act with Gascoyne in the administration and we proceeded to dispose of his small estate as best we could.
At the end of March Dorothy and I took Dot to Auckland to see about an artificial arm. We motored by way of Rotorua. While in Auckland we saw Roie and were entertained at dinner by her and Brian. We also visited Puketutu Island, then owned by the Bulls. On our return we travelled by way of Hamilton, Waitomo Caves and Wanganui. There we saw Cora and the boys (Bob and John) and Michael at St. George’s. The boys came out to dinner and brought Pat Hewitt and Phil Giblin, On our way home we had lunch with the Phil Wrights near Feilding. A meeting was held in Napier to establish a branch of “The Crippled Children” and I was appointed the first Chairman and remained as such for a couple of years when Budge Grant took my place. The Society thrived from the word ‘go’ and today it is still doing good work.
Throughout my diary of 1935 I frequently come across the names Herrick, Sturge, Ned Smith, T.H. and Mrs. Lowry, Dudley Hills and Vyv, Dudley Kettles, Barrons, S.M. Palmers, Kays, Averill and so on – all friends. On April 20th Paul Williams came to manage Whakarara Station – he only reigned till June 2nd but we saw much of him while he was there.
At the end of May Mardie was accepted by New Plymouth Hospital for training so I took her over – had an interview with the Matron (Miss Campbell) and an old school mate (J.C. Nicholson) whom I had not seen since leaving school in 1902. On the way home I spent a night at Wanganui and saw the boys and Cora.
We went to the races in Hastings in June – lunched with the Eric Nelsons, Mr. and Mrs. Lowry there too and the Eric Loisels of Tologa. At a meeting of Hereworth Board it was decided to make some extensive alterations and Mrs. Lowry, Sturge, Eddie and I were appointed a committee to act. At this time Sturge’s health was not very good and we were rather anxious about him. His back gave much trouble.
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Towards the end of June M.S. Chambers took me off for nine days. The first night we made Wanganui and called to see Cora at Harvey House – then we took several boys, including Dudley Chambers, Bob, Philip and John, out to dinner at Forsters. Next day we made New Plymouth and took Mardie out – Harold Johnston (then a Judge) sat at our table. Then we went to Mohakatino Station – 50 miles up the coast and had a couple of days there. This was a huge place – managed by Critch Price who used to be with me as a boy. It was owned by a company mostly of Hawke’s Bay men. Then we went up the Mokau River and took a launch another twenty miles to Mangatoi – a property owned by the Chambers. It was in the depths of the backblocks on the river and surrounded by bush and steep hills. It appeared to me to be a very depressing place and the rainfall was very high. After a few days we picked up the car again and travelled to Taihape and while having dinner with the Chrystals (Ruth Scannell) a telephone message came from New Plymouth to say Mardie had been operated on for appendicitis. So instead of going on to Mangaohane we returned to Wanganui and next day I took train to New Plymouth where I found Mardie very fit. After that I returned to Palmerston North and was met by Dorothy and taken home.
In July I went to Wellington for a conference of branches of the Crippled Children Association. David Smith (Judge) took the chair at our meetings. At the Club were Stephen Allen and H.B.S. Johnston and they were still connected with the Transport Authority but their job was of a roving nature. George Gould was on the train to Napier and at a later date he came out to Pukekino to have a look at our sub clover which was becoming well established on the light land.
We went to Palmerston North to bring Mardie home for a holiday after her appendix operation and we called to see the Phil Wrights while over there.
On July 18th there was a reception in Napier for the Galways and one at Hastings the following day. I had to be present and offer the County’s welcome. He did not impress one at all. He was a relation of W.G. Monkton who was once Headmaster of Napier Grammar School and I remembered passing his door at ‘The House’ Oxford when I used to visit a friend.
On July 21st there was an invitation to Local Bodies to attend the Morning Service at St. Matthews – Mortimer Jones was then the Vicar. Maddison (Mayor of Hastings) read the First Lesson and I read the Second Lesson. Hamish Armstrong lost his life in the Ruahines when his plane crashed – his body was never found.
John Ormond, W. Tucker, S.M. Palmer, Bob Harding and I had meetings in connection with the Waipawa Seat now held by A.E. Jull. And on his return from England Charlie Nairn also took a hand. The result was that he and I went to Wellington to see Forbes (Prime Minister) and Coates and to discover if they would be in favour of John Ormond’s candidature at next elections – Forbes was favourable but not Coates. This year Eddie and I joined the committee of the Hawke’s Bay Club – H.B. Lusk was president – other members representing the County were Harold Russell and Hugh Chambers.
H.E. Sturge’s health was giving us all much concern and after Eddie, Mrs. Lowry and I had given it much thought it was decided he should go to Rochester U.S.A. to consult the Mayo Brothers and in September he departed for the U.S.A. and he never returned. It was discovered his trouble was T.B. of the spine and very little could be done for him beyond rather a tricky operation in the hopes of success. He under- went the operation and after a miserable few weeks he died in November.
It was all most depressing for many of us had lost a good friend. As a young man he had had T.B. as I mentioned early in ‘My Story’. Ivan and I were the Trustees under his Will which was simple and straightforward to administer. Sturge was 51 – just a week older than me. A strange accident befell us one night when returning home after a farewell dinner party at the Herricks. It was dark and several horses belonging to Olrig Station were loose on the road – they took fright and one leapt on to the bonnet of the car – it was severely wounded and later had to be destroyed – we were able to proceed home but the bonnet was in a mess.
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Bob left school at the end of August and got himself a job in Williams & Kettle in Napier where he remained till the war in 1939. At first he boarded with Mrs. Marrett in Brewster Lane. It was his own wish to follow a career in a business firm as farming at that time had no appeal.
On 23rd August we had a very unpleasant gale which brought many trees down. On September 17th we took Hamilton to Hereworth School – he settled down very well and was happy but the home was very dull and lonely without him. The household help was becoming a very difficult problem now – the old type of maid suddenly ceased to be and no one ever wanted to be in the same position for long. Like other employers we seemed to have a procession of so-called ‘helps’ and each appeared less efficient than the former one. 1 note in my diary “Thank heavens E.N. has left”. When I told the female of a married couple she need not refer to her husband as “Mr. So and So” he took exception and told me he had a handle to his name and intended me to use it or else he would call me “Frank”. I gave him a week’s notice which ended in a day’s notice the next day.
In October Mardie went back to New Plymouth Hospital after making a good recovery. After a few years spell the Royal Show was held in Hawke’s Bay again and after it we dined at Lindisfarne – the Governor General and Lady Galway were staying there. Italy invaded Abyssinia and we did nothing about it – but Anthony Eden, who was then Foreign Minister, resigned. Kingsford Smith and party lost their lives when the Southern Cross disappeared in the Bay of Bengal on a flight to England from Australia.
The Veronica Bell which hangs in Napier near the SoundShell was formally presented by Captain Bevin R.N. of H.M.S. “Leith” and we were in the official party. This bell has ever since been rung on important occasions and on New Year’s Eve. The Veronica was berthed at Ahuriri at the time of the Earthquake and had a remarkable ‘get away’.
Larry Herrick left New Zealand to join the Royal Navy at Dartmouth – now he is retired and is an orchardist in Essex. At a Hereworth Trust Meeting soon after Sturge’s death, Eddie, A. Rainbow and I were appointed to find a new Headmaster – Elder was not anxious to carry on. First of all Eddie and I went over to Marton to sound Sherriff of Huntly School but he was not keen to break up his school. So then we advertised all over New Zealand and received countless replies. After cutting them down to three we decided on a personal interview. Buchanan came to see Rainbow and me and we were happy about him but as Eddie was in Wellington we sent Buchanan down to Wellington. Eddie was of our opinion and Buchanan was appointed and he filled the job well for many years when his health made it impossible to carry on – so he retired and Beatson came.
Mr. George Beamish, whom I had known since childhood, died and was buried at Crownthorpe. Throughout his life he had been a valuable asset to Hawke’s Bay as a farmer and as a man. I think it was this year that we dined for the lasttime on a warship – the Herricks and ourselves dined with Captain Cosmo Gordon the “Diomede”. After that time it was unusual to dine on board a warship – mostly there were cocktail parties. In Maraekakaho we got busy about an offer of electricity in the district and after numerous meetings etc. we were offered the supply subject to guarantees. These we were able to arrange and we then signed up and hoped!
Politics
One day in September Eddie Herrick and Les Rolls asked me, as they had done in 1932, to consent to stand for Napier in the elections at the end of the year – they were asked by the National Party in Napier to approach me. A day or so later others and organisations brought a bit of pressure to bear, especially the Chamber of Commerce, and I fell. Then followed a short period in which I presented myself to the various committees within the electorate. Then my henchman, C.D. Cox, and I went to Wellington for my presentation to Forbes (P.M.) Coates and the National
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Party. This went off well and on my return to Napier there was much going and coming in preparing for the campaign. Forbes came up for a day or so to give encouragement. Committees were set up here and there and all was set for the opening of the campaign on November 4th. My first address was an easy one at Meeanee which was a stronghold of Nationalists and there was no heckling nor any awkward questions, and maybe I was lulled into a feeling of false security! However the shock soon came and things became quite hectic at times and I began to wonder what had struck me. And at times I could not believe it possible for so much unpleasantness to abound at Election Time. My henchman to begin with was Wardell-Johnston, but he began to imagine he was the candidate not me and so C.D. Cox took over and we were together to the end. Bob and Phil Giblin and also Brian Mahoney were faithful helpers and followed me to most meetings and they gave me much courage. Meeting places were scattered over the Electorate – the furtherest away being Pakowhai. I must have addressed about twenty meetings at least – the most noisy were at the Port, Forresters hall and the Methodist Hall in Napier. Little did any of us realise what was awaiting us on the 27th and what was the feeling in the County really at the time. During the campaign I stayed in Napier with my Mother and old Rose (though staunch Labour), looked after me with wonderful care – keeping me in bed for breakfast and feeding me up so well and even leaving sleeping pills by my bedside – I never used these. But at the end of the week I used to feel fairly weary and how I enjoyed the weekends at Pukekino – far from the mad world. J.G. Coates came up to give a helping hand and one night after dining at the Masonic we proceeded to a rally at McLean Park – the grounds were packed and the crowd in a noisy state. Fortunately I was not called upon to speak – the Mayor and Coates were the only speakers and the latter, at times, could not be heard for the noise – there were no loud speakers in those days. So the election campaign ended and voting took place on November 27th.
The usual place for the National Candidate and his supporters to watch results was the office of The Daily Telegraph – so there we took up our stands and we watched all the National Party Stallwarts lose their seats one by one – it was a Labour Landslide and no one guessed it would happen. The result was Labour won 52, National 20 and Independent 6. I was defeated by Barnard, the sitting member, by 3,000 votes. At next session W.E. Barnard was appointed Speakers. He and I had always been on friendly terms and once or twice during the campaign we took a cup of tea together much to the annoyance and confusion of some of my supporters. So ended my political career and I was not sorry. In my short campaigning life I learned many things that did not appeal to me.
The Farm
This was carried on as usual with interest and joy and much hard work. The year was a good one in that there was always plenty of feed for stock but wool and meat prices were not as good as they could be. Still we were emerging from the World Slump and at last it looked as if the end of gloom was in sight. As a matter of fact the Slump really ended at the end of 1932 but the clearing up process carried on till this year.
And after the Elections there was shearing and then we went to Napier on Christmas Day to see Mother, who was becoming very frail.
1936
I am beginning to condense my diary for 1936 on January 26th 1967 – we have just experienced a very wet Christmas and New Year season and many have asked me if I can remember worse weather for this time of year. I should say January 1936 was more persistently wet than January 1967 for my diary tells me it rained almost every day, the fall for the month was 6.12 inches at Pukekino. Then for the twenty-four hours ending February 2nd five inches fell and the ground was supersaturated and resembled a wet sponge. The glass began falling rapidly and we wondered what was brewing. Then about midnight on February 1st the wind went round from North East to South West and the
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worst gale I care to remember struck us – all day long trees in the home plantation were toppling over mostly coming out by their roots and the mess was appalling. Just as darkness was falling on the night of the 2nd Boy and I were having a final look round and we witnessed a big wattle gradually fall on the men’s whare – but it came down so gently that it did not do really vital damage to the building. The following day February 3rd, (five years since the Earthquake) after surveying the damage we went to town to the County Council Office and see Mother. Later at Hereworth, with Judy Williams, Ivan and I sorted up much of Sturge’s possessions – with the exception of legacies everything was left to Hereworth School Trust – but Ivan and I were the Trustees. We naturally consulted the Hereworth Board in the matter of disposal. Buchanan, who was taking over as Headmaster this term, was given the opportunity of taking over what he thought necessary – much of the silver and glass, of which there was quite an amount, was sold privately after valuation. The gale abated during the day but the damage it had wrought in much of Hawke’s Bay was considerable and many telephone lines were out of action. After a few days we were able to get a couple of experienced bushmen to clean up the plantations for us and they were fully occupied for three weeks. Many of the fallen trees were sold to Robert Holt and Son but we kept, for firewood, what we required and sawed it up in spare time. In January Buchanan and his wife came to Hereworth to prepare for taking over and Eddie and I met them at Hastings Railway Station.
On January 21st King George V died and the following day I attended with Morse (Mayor of Napier), Barnard M.P. and the Bishop of Waiapu at the reading of the Proclomation of Edward VIII at Napier. During January it was necessary to get another nurse to assist Sister McBeth with my Mother, whose condition was now much worse physically but mentally she was wonderful.
We took Ray and Boy back to school on February 7th and once more we became a very small family – only Jim and Dot at home with us. On February 21st the Bishop and members of the Hereworth Board and a few friends attended the burial of Sturge’s ashes in Havelock Cemetery. The following day the school swimming sports were held, After a meeting in February between F. Gordon, W. Tucker and self it was decided to form The Clifton Domain Board to take over an area of land from F. Gordon for a public camping site. On March 4th Jole Hill was married – none of us thought the marriage would last long and it did not and now poor Jole is dead. Joan and Jim Ritchie came to Hawke’s Bay for a few days and we ran them round the countryside and one night we gave a small dinner party at the Club – Ivan and Mary, Eddie and Ethne Herrick, Lulu and Winston Barron, ourselves and, of course, Joan and Jim. It was a happy affair.
On March 9th while at a County Council meeting Barnett sent for me as he did not think Mother would live through the day but she did not die till the evening of the 12th but was more or less unconscious much of the time. I was with her to the end which was peaceful. So with Mother’s death the last link with the older generation was severed and one faced a period of sadness for she and I had always been so close to one another, The burial took place privately in the Napier Cemetery after a short service taken by Brocklehurst (then the Dean of Waiapu) who had been a friend of Mother’s. The pall-bearers were Jock Twigg, H.A. Barnett, G. Wenley, W. Dinwiddie, Jim, Ivan and myself and N. MacKay. After her death there was the winding up of my Father’s Estate to be attended to and the division of all the household possessions between Ivan and me. This was a very simple matter and carried out in complete agreement. Rose Hillier remained on for a time as caretaker of the home until we decided to let it pending the ultimate decision to sell it. The idea of retaining it and converting it into flats (as it is today) did not appeal to us on account of many difficulties and worries.
At the end of the month I took a few days away from the scene of sadness and Doffles and I went over to New Plymouth to see Mardie. We called in at Wanganui seeing Cora, who was still Matron of Harvey House,
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and taking John, David, Michael and Pat Hewitt out to dinner. On our way home we spent the night at the Phil Wright’s. Towards the end of April Dorothy and I had about ten days holiday at Ivan’s cottage in Taupo. We travelled by way of Wanganui, New Plymouth, Cambridge and Tauranga and spending a night at each place as well as with Peggy Lane (Phil Wright’s daughter) at Bickton. F. Gilligham was now Headmaster of Wanganui in place of Allen who retired and I spent an evening with him. At Taupo we had a very enjoyable and peaceful stay only cooking our breakfast and being out at hotels for other meals.
Later on in May Gilligham came to spend a night or two at Hereworth and there was an Old Boys’ Gathering for dinner at the Hawke’s Bay Club to meet him. I went with Eddie and Rupert Carlyon. After Mother’s death I frequently spent nights at the Herricks, or Mr. Wenley’s in Napier and on one or two occasions with Val Hoadley and Harry Wilson.
There were two or three meetings of The Crippled Children’s Society and at the annual meeting I agreed to accept the Chair for one more year. In May I was elected Chairman of the County Council for the eighth consecutive year. It was again a year of activity and there seem to have been numerous conferences with other local bodies apart from our own domestic affairs. The Harbour Board and County Council were very vitally interested in the development of the Ahuriri Lagoon land – the actual development work – that of reclamation etc. was being undertaken by the Public Works, The Harbour Board and County Council were interested in the Awatoto dewatering scheme and they, together with the R.C. Mission, established water pumps to cope more successfully. The scheme worked well. There was still a fair amount of labour employed under the unemployment scheme – but on the whole the country was recovering and unemployment on the decrease. There seem to have been several meetings with Pat Higgins and the Public Trustee in regard to the line of the Moteo road. We made another attempt to interest the Government – this time the Labour Government – in the necessity for major work on the Taihape road. Eric Beamish, Puflett and I took G. Cullen (member for Hawke’s Bay) to Kuripapango. At a meeting in August the County Council decided to abandon all Tarsealing work except along the Maraekakaho road owing to most Ridings being in the ‘red’ and members unwilling to increase rates. At a later meeting Tucker tried to upset the resolution unsuccessfully. I admit I hated having to submit to a halt in the work of tarsealing but in those days we viewed the borrowing of large sums with horror – but today local bodies take a different view. I made an inspection of all Ridings during the year -some I visited on more occasions.
One day in June J.G. Coates came to-Hawke’s Bay and he met some of us at the Club to tell of the National Party’s plans for the future – among those present were John Ormond, Rolls, J. Mason, Harold Russell etc. Then I attended a meeting at Waipawa of the local National party – among the delegates were P. Wilder, Gascoyne, Forbes, McHardy, S.M. Palmer and C. Pattison. In July Nigel Poett came to New Zealand to make himself know to Eddit and Ethne Herrick and he and Julia then became engaged in the formal manner. WE went to meet Nigel one day after the Point to Point at Mangateretere. One day towards the end of the year Eddie, Julie and I went to Tautane Station and spent the night with Frank and Flora Herrick. On the way back we called in to see the St. Hill-Warrens.
A part and parcel of the job of County Chairman was attending various functions and I well remember attending the Jubilee celebrations at Taradale. On my arrival I parked the car too close to the open drain by the roadside and stumbled as I got out and dropped the key of the car into it. Many young men came to my assistance – the key was eventually found but I had to sit through a very long and boring evening with wet feet.
During the year the Empire Chamber of Commerce held its meeting in Napier and we were invited to a party at the Masonic Hotel. Lord Elibank was the chairman and we dined one night at Lindisfarne to meet him and Lady Elibank. We also attended a civic reception given by the Mayor for Mrs. Watt, who founded
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the Women’s Institute, and she was a first rate speaker.
Ivan and Mary celebrated their 25th Wedding Anniversary on September 13th and gave a very cheery family dinner party.
In those days the Cafeteria was the restaurant of the time and I note various members of the County Council and I used often to take lunch there – on looking back it would appear we were easily satisfied at that time.
Mr. Walter Shrimpton of Matapiro died at the age of 93 and I attended his funeral at Crownthorpe. In his time he had been a remarkable local body man and his work on the Hospital Board had been outstanding. For some years I used to sit next to him at meetings.
The Rotary Hoe came on to the market and Jim and I visited the Hugh Whites at Sherwood to see it at work. After that we purchased one and Jim did much useful work on the light parts of the farm – especially Upper Gaols. A meeting of delegates from many Hawke’s Bay local bodies met in Napier with a view to some celebrations for Hawke’s Bay’s Centennial in 1940.
The Hereworth School picnic was held on Tauroa Station on the banks of the Tuki Tuki River. It was a great success. Selby Palmer gave away the prizes at the end of the year and made a good speech. The Governor General visited the school one day.
One day I took Johnston and Rochie Averill to Pourerere to see Charlie Nairn and have a look round that part of the country and on the return journey we called in at Drumpeel to see the Gordon Williams and Sid Johnston. Vyv and Rowan Hill took up a small area of land near Gwavas and began fruit farming. Aunt Lina (Kettle) began to go downhill rapidly – she was about a year older than my Mother. At Pukekino there was the usual work of maintenance and grubbing. The County Council bridge gang came out and in a few hours had erected a bridge over the little stream near the yards in the Cocksfoot. Shuker and a couple of men cut out the gorse in Jim’s corner and we hoped to keep it in check thereafter by means of a flame thrower but this did not work out very well. We got a new Fordson Tractor with self starter. Wool was going up satisfactorily.
Boy was getting on well at Hereworth and he was in the XV playing wingthreequarter. Ray too seemed reasonably happy at Woodford House and had made friends with Mary Holmden. Except in the holidays we were a small family at Pukekino.
At the Hawke’s Bay Club Annual Meeting Eddie Herrick and I were again elected to the Committee. I was staying at Lindisfarne at the time – also Miss Francie Moore of Wanganui – and next day we all went to Drumpeel for the day to see Judy and Gordon Williams.
On December 5th news came out that King Edward VIII was having an affair with a Mrs. Simpson (divorced woman of U.S.A.) and after much excitement in high places, on December 11th he abdicated. The Duke of York became George VI, Local Bodies were represented at the Proclomation read by the Mayor from the steps of the Borough Council Chambers.
R. Semple, Minister of Public Works, visited Hawke’s Bay. He and I had a tour of some of the County and, of course, we visited Kuripapango to discuss the Taihape Road. At one stage of the journey, he questioned me about a dispute between the River Board and a team of unemployed – when I told him it was two blokes of the gang who were causing all the trouble his reply was “Why don’t you shoot the buggers?” Semple certainly knew his job better than any other cabinet minister.
During the year Ivan and I and many of Charlie Nairn’s friends had noticed he was not at all well and on November 17th he surrendered to Dr. Cashmore and was put into Royston and I frequently visited him there. He was always cheerful and hopeful but he looked so ill. And just before the end of the year Cashmore told me there was no hope of a recovery – he had the same heart condition that seemed to affect the male members of the Nairn Family.
Mrs. Mason Chambers also entered Royston at the same time and very little hope of recovery appeared. I visited them both for the last time this year on December 28th.
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1937
This was a red letter year in that electricity came to us. Early in March Marcroft (who still does our electrical jobs in Napier – I am writing this in February 1967) wired the house and buildings – he was then employed by Boyd of Port Ahuriri. And on 23rd March the power was turned on. Those who had been born in the electricity age have no idea of what its advent meant to us who lived beforehand. No more coal or wood-burning stoves, and no more cleaning of flues, no more annual taking up of carpets for spring-cleaning, no more dirty acetylene or other lighting plant to attend to daily. No more waste of good food in hot weather and so on. Ever since we knew electricity was on the way we began to put something aside for gadgets we would require so as to be able to take full advantage – so March 23rd was a day we shall never forget. This year we stepped up our ewe flock to 1600 – still I am sure we were very understocked. The wool prices were satisfactory and store lamb 16/-. Alf Symes was still a prominent buyer of store sheep. Two-tooth wethers were worth 25 10d. In addition to the routine work on the farm Jim rotary-hoed Upper Gaols in June in preparation for sowing sub-clover next year. It was a paddock of sixty acres and Jim stuck to the job like a Briton.
Poor old Charlie Nairn continued to deteriorate in health rapidly after New Year and I spent as much time as possible with him. On February 19th he died at Royston and was buried alongside his brothers at Pourerere on 20th February. On my way to Pourerere I picked up Duncan Holden and in the evening Bob and I dined at Forest Gate with him and Helen, after calling in at Omakere for a cup of tea. So a very dear friend departed – he was a loyal friend to our family for a long period. My friend George Gould passed through Napier on his way north and we spent a night or two together at the Club – that was early in January.
Wren Corry (now Robinson) and her husband Pat paid a visit to New Zealand and cane out to see us one day. At the end of January Dorothy, Ray, Boy and I went to the Ivan’s cottage at Taupo for ten days – Ivan was there part of the time. We had many outings including a trip to Rotorua, Wairoa and the lakes. On our return there was a big cocktail party at Ngaire and Dudley Kettle’s preparatory to the wedding of Hester Herrick and John Elworthy.
Aunt Lina (Kettle) was getting very shaky and I used to call to see her as often as I could, especially as Audrey had gone to England to join John Platten. She has never been back to New Zealand.
Early in March the Frank Gordons took John to England to school at Harrow. Eddie and Ethne gave a dinner party before they left. The Gatenbys, L. Gordons and ourselves were present. Mr. and Mrs. Chambers (she made a good recovery after her operation) and I attended a private seance at Mrs. Hill’s one evening – it was the last one I ever attended.
The Ivans and ourselves gave a cocktail party at the Women’s Club in March -at this there were about 100 guests. This type of party was coming into fashion. A week later the Hetleys gave a big party at the same place.
There was another outbreak of polio this year just before the Easter gathering at Wanganui and I remember one day Val Hoadley, Harry Wilson, Bob Levin and I were very hot about its being held and we sent a wire to Gilligan asking for it to be abandoned and he agreed. There was a concerted move by a man named Davey to start up a morning paper in Hawke’s Bay in place of the Hawke’s Bay Herald (defunct) – after many meetings the project was turned down – we did not like Davey’s attitude. Violet Russell was in New Zealand for another of her brief visits and it was grand to have her out to stay with us. She is a most remarkable woman with a very generous outlook.
In April Colitis overtook me and it was not until quite late in the year that recovery seemed sure. It was quite an uncomfortable complaint and a very strict diet was imposed upon me. Also there was that unpleasant barium meal and x-ray for which event the Barnetts (doctor) kindly had me to stay at their home in Nelson Crescent. Arthur Empson was in New Zealand for a short leave and he and his Mother came out
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to see us. The Reverend Waugh of Havelock used to come out to Kereru every other month to take the Presbyterian Service. We usually attended and I became the local Treasurer. This did not amount to much work – almost nil. He took our Anzac Service and we listened in with interest to the new Bishop of Wellington preach on that day. He was H. St. B. Holland and later became a friend of the family and used to stay with us.
On May 12th I represented the County Council at a function at the Sound Shell in Napier on the occasion of the Coronation of George VI and Queen Elizabeth. Morse was still the Mayor. Later we lunched with the Empsons and Tony Wilder at the Masonic. We heard a relay of the service in Westminster Abbey very clearly.
Jim was given an exciting trip in the new U.S.S. Company’s ship “Awatea” from Wellington to Auckland. This ship was the latest for the Australia-New Zealand run and was very fast. She was eventually lost in the Second World War.
Julia Herrick married Nigel Poett (Lt. in Durham Light Infantry) on May 26th. As he was a Roman Catholic the ceremony took place in the drawingroom at Lindisfarne rather than in the Roman Catholic Church. Many guests were present and it was a nice day. An old friend of my Parents, W. Dinwiddie died on June 3rd- he had been editor of the Hawke’s Bay Herald for many years.
It was decided that a trip to Sydney might do me good, so after installing Sister McBeth at Pukekino to take charge of the home, Dorothy, Bob and I set off for Auckland on June 10th to catch the S.S. “Monterey” – she was one of the latest of the Matson Line (U.S.) and very comfortable. After an uneventful voyage we reached Sydney on June 14th – actually only three nights and two days on board. We were met by our old friend Elsie Austin and taken to the Hotel Australia which became our headquarters for three weeks. June was a shockingly wet month in Sydney and 15 ½ inches of rain fell but this did not prevent us from seeing and doing much. The Austins, Victors, Webbs and many of their relations, together with the Zeiles, helped to make our stay pleasant. We visited everything worth seeing – Harbour, Zoo gardens, Coogee, Manly, Blue Mountains etc. George Gould and the Arthur Elworthys were at the Australia and we saw much of them. After a week George Gould left for Queensland.
The Elworthys took us by car to Canberra (then in the making) and we spent a night and two days seeing much of interest and we met the Geoffrey Streets (M.P.) and Fairbairn (M.P.) Later these two valuable men were killed in a plane accident. They were very kind to us while in Canberra. The Elworthys went further afleid in their car and we returned to Sydney by train. Bob was only six days in Sydney and returned with Sir Carrick Robertson in the “Wanganella” and had a very rough trip – so rough that he and Robertson did not move from their berths. Altogether our stay in Sydney was most enjoyable and it did me much good. A. Elworthy and I usually had breakfast together at a restaurant in Pitt Street. Most of our meals we took out – I visited the Union Club often for Reg Bettington had put me down there. Arthur Empson was in Sydney for part of the time, and I saw him sail back to England one day in the “Oronsay”. We returned to Wellington in the “Wanganella” early in July and the Elworthys and Phil Wright travelled with us.
On our return we found Mardie had married in New Plymouth so we went over there to see about it and returned very disappointed and unhappy about her choice. On our journey over we spent a night at Wanganui seeing Ivan’s boys and Cora.
In August Dot and I went to Marton to see Hereworth XV defeated by Huntly School by 18-6. Next day we paid a flying visit to Wanganui and back to the White Hart in Marton for a boys’ dinner party. Then home the next day.
Lloyd Coleman came out from Cambridge for the Long Vacation.
We swapped the V8 Ford Car after 13,300 miles and paid £50. The car was eighteen months old.
Attended in strength the wedding of Mary Wilson to Rex Ludbrook at St. Matthews in
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Hastings. A farewell lunch for Violet Russell at the Masonic on August 30th.
September was a very wet month, 11.17 inches falling and many lambs drowned so the percentage was very low – round about 80. It had by now become a habit to spend many odd nights with Mr. Wenley and old Sarah always seemed so pleased to welcome me. In September we noticed that Hamilton (Boy) now aged 12, was somewhat wilting at Hereworth and we got Barnett to give him a thorough overhaul and make all necessary tests. It was discovered he had too much sugar in his blood – in other words diabetes was on the threshold. It became necessary for him to be put on a strict diet but the Matron (Mrs. Wood) was most unhelpful and unco-operative and Buchanan, too, did not pull his weight as he should, so, on Dr. Barnett’s advice, we took Boy away from school early in December. However, he competed in the school sports in November and, inspite of his condition, he was runner-up to Topliss in the senior championship, coming second in all events except the 100 yards. And so he remained at home until May when he went to Wanganui.
We were not altogether pleased with the attitude of the school doctor (Whyte) and on occasions Seton Wenley and I confronted him before Rainbow and Buchanan over, what we considered, slackness in his care during an epedemic [sic] of ‘flu or heavy colds.
Dot had joined the Oxford Group and journeyed to Dunedin with a party – the Athol Williams among them. We had hoped this interest would be of help to her but we were disappointed in this.
Charles and Elespie Roberts decided to make their home in Napier after many years in Scotland.
In September the All Blacks were beaten by the Springboks 17-6 – it was the first time the All Blacks had been defeated on their own ground.
Ray was confirmed by Hubert Williams (Bishop of Waiapu) in October. Not long after this – in December – the Bishop, after a short illness, died and I attended his funeral in Napier. In November Eddie and Ethne left for England and we missed them very much. For it had become a habit of ours to call in at Lindisfarne almost regularly on our way back to Pukekino after our days in town.
The MacKays also left for England about the same time – they were to spend some months in South Africa on the way. The severest earthquake since 1931 occurred on December 15th but very little damage ensued.
Tom Lowry captained the New Zealand XI on its tour of the British Isles.
During the year I saw much of my neighbours, the Kays, Averills, Nelson Smiths and Johnstons – there were frequent goings and comings between us.
The County Council work kept me pretty well occupied and I always attended the office on Mondays – Mr. Fergusson was easing up much in his work these days and Pop O’Connell usually went through the routine work with me and mostly we repaired together to the Cafeteria for lunch.
I have a note that Government Grants for flood damage was very miserable. We were not getting much assistance from the Labour Government, the reason being they were discovering that money did not grow on bushes.
The unemployment of Maoris was quite a problem and the Employment Board wanted us to assume responsibility for finding work for those out of work in Hawke’s Bay. However, Eric Beamish, who was on a special committee with me, and I did not agree.
Parry (Minister of Internal Affairs) came along to see us one day full of steam about a scheme of amalgamating many local bodies but we did not rise. I accompanied him on a trip round the Waikare Riding (the soft spot in the County) and, of course, we had another go at the Taihape road and visited Kuripapango. How often we pressed for better recognition of this thoroughfare between east and west – it eventually took another war to bring this about, but still I doubt if the road is up to the standard it should be.
On May 26th at the County Council’s Annual Meeting I was again elected Chairman unopposed. And, on June 2nd there was a meeting of Maraekakaho ratepayers which
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expressed satisfaction with my efforts on behalf of the Riding – later I dined with the Jack Grahams.
Meetings between the Harbour Board and County Council still continued in regard to the extension of Kennedy Road and agreement to planting along the length was agreed to. Today this road is the main road to Taradale and much building is in progress in the adjacent land.
The Stock and Station Agents and County Council agreed to a plan for improving the stock holding paddocks and yards throughout the County.
On December 1st there was a conference held in Napier of all County Councils in the Hawke’s Bay Province to discuss mainly the erection of highways and allocation of fees for heavy traffic.
G.A. Maddison, Mayor of Hastings, called a meeting of all local bodies which had had an earthquake loan to ask for its wiping out. It was agreed to meet Mr. Walter Nash (Minister of Finance) in February of next year.
On Christmas Day we had a lovely picnic at the Ohara Stream.
1938
Having served on local bodies for eighteen and a half years and the Hawke’s Bay County Council for the whole of that time I decided the day to retire was at hand. My reasons were – 1. that Jim was going to England this year and I would require to be free from outside responsibilities, 2. that I had reached the age when one should retire and allow a younger man to take over, 3. in my time I had seen a number of men hold on to office for too long – they had been useful while young but had become useless in their old age and what a nuisance they were and a hindrance, 4. and perhaps I was beginning to feel a bit weary – it may have been I was over zealous and tried to do too much. And I longed for a time when I was my own master. And so on April 11th I took my last Council Meeting, but with sorrow in my heart, as I had loved my work and had made many friends. Out of the 292 meetings since joining the County Council I had only missed five and that was when I was in Australia and the U.S.A. The members and staff made me a wonderful presentation of a silver tea set and then entertained me at a luncheon at the Criterion Hotel. However before my retirement there were many meetings of committees and so forth.
There was a meeting between Mr. Nash (now Sir Walter), Maddison and myself in regard to wiping out Earthquake loans. Nash was then Minister of Finance – at this meeting we put our case and were promised a reply later. There was a tour of Okawa, Puketapu and Waimarama Ridings with Puflett and the members. These visits of inspection were brought about by over 4 inches of rain falling on 23rd, 24th and 25th January.
Quite an amount of damage to bridge approaches occurred and much flooding of low country and slips in the hill country. Then Mr. R. Semple (Minister of Public Works) paid another visit to Hawke’s Bay and I accompanied him round some of the work in Pakowhai. He held a reception at the Masonic Hotel in the evening. The elections did not take place till May 11th so I was still a member and chairman when the unfortunate cloudburst occurred in the northern ridings – Petane riding getting most of the damage. The Esk River overflowed and swept all before it leaving that lovely Esk Valley in the most appalling mess. As our telephone had been put out of commission and as there were slips on our cuttings, I was cut off from the outer world and quite ignorant of the catastrophe until Puflett arrived out of the blue to tell me. He was only able to get as far as Olrig by car. After taking our truck to the cutting and walking across it we went to Napier and I then began my tour of the devastated area. The lovely Esk Valley was a shambles. A Committee was set up with the help of Public Works to bring relief to the affected settlers and, in due course, things were tidied up but it was not, of course, until the following spring that the countryside really began to look like itself again. Roley Hill of the Agricultural Department was a helpful worker and he and I have been on friendly terms ever since. So right up to the end I was kept busy and it was rather sad to
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leave the County so soon after this unfortunate episode.
On May 11th Glazebrook was elected in my seat as member for Maraekakaho, beating G.A. Eaton of Whakarara. At the meeting following the elections C.C. Smith was elected Chairman.
The rainfall for April was 14.45 inches – that was my taking but in the watershed of the Northern Ridings it could have been twice that amount for the worst floods in thirty years occurred in Petane and parts of Okawa, Puketapu and Waikare Ridings.
On New Year’s Eve of 1937 Bob had a crash in the truck on the Westshore Embankment so he and Pat and Dudley Kingston did not get out to Pukekino till late the next day.
During much of January it was very warm and the family enjoyed much tennis and bathing, mostly in the Ohara Stream above the bridge.
Ralph Lowry had a mental breakdown and was sent to Porirua – at that time he was managing, and very well too, Ohinewaiorua Station near Taihape. Mr. and Mrs. Lowry asked me to go to Wellington to interview the medical men of the Mental Department and see what could be done to help Ralph. So on February 1st I went to Wellington and after a yarn with Dr. Russell of Mental Department, I went out to see Ralph at Porirua and assess the position. Mrs. Lowry was staying at the Royal Oak at the time and I was able to take Ralph to lunch with her one day, Jimmy Jamess (nurse we knew very well and friend of the Lowry Family) was very helpful. After a day or two I returned home and discussed Ralph’s case with Hobbs and Marion Bettington, then Hobbs and I returned to Wellington on February 8th and after various formalities and undertakings I was able to get Ralph’s release and put him aboard the “Awatea” for a trip to Australia where E.J. Watt was living. But during the twenty-four hours or so before the ship sailed Ralph gave me some concern for he was really far from normal and Betty’s presence in Wellington, but at another hotel to ours, did not help matters. Though Ralph’s condition improved for a time as a result of the complete break in Australia, he has never been a normal and reliable person since and, at times, he has been a menace to himself and a great nuisance to others (this holds still in 1967). On my return to Hawke’s Bay there were further conferences with the Lowry Family but there was nothing more to be done than “wait and see”. Jack Barron went off to Edinburgh University for further medical studies.
On February 26th Dorothy, Boy and I went to Wellington to see Jim off for the wonderful trip made possible by Constance Fountaine’s kind help. We stayed at the Waterloo and enjoyed ourselves. Jim sailed on the “Akaroa” on the 25th and we watched the ship sail down the harbour on a lovely summer evening with a great longing to be in her too. While in Wellington we saw Sybil Nathan and other friends and also Henry Paton (John’s brother and surgeon on S.S. “Port Wyndham”) and Robert McDermott (son of Lucy McDermott of London and nephew of my Oxford friend Keith) – who was a cadet on the “Port Alma”, Boy got some bug so we had to remain in Wellington an extra day – Jimmie James came along and she advised a doctor. All was well next day and so we returned home and began to look forward to Jim’s letters telling us of all his doings.
On March 15th there was a National Party Meeting in Napier and we asked John Ormond to contest the Napier seat in the elections this year – he agreed and we got to work to organise. Then later in the month I went to a monster National Party Rally with M.S. Chambers at the Hastings Racecourse. Adam Hamilton, S.G. Holland (P.M. at a later date), Maddison and Jull all spoke – much enthusiasm prevailed.
About March Hitler was on the rampage in Europe and becoming very cheeky – he seized Austria and tension mounted daily through the year. Neville Chamberlain, (P.M. of England) realising Britain was totally unprepared for a war, appeased Hitler right and left and sacrificed many principles and finally was completely lulled into a feeling of safety after a visit to Munich. It was a year of anxiety. During March Ray was not very fit at school so had two weeks holiday at home which set her up once more. Aunt Lina’s (Kettle) condition worsened very much and she died on April 28th and I was a pall-bearer at her burial at Eskdale Cemetery on the 29th.
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She was a daughter of Major Von Tempsky and had been a lifelong friend of my Mother and was my Godmother. While Jim was away many jobs fell upon our shoulders and we realised the great help he was to us on the farm and round about the home.
Barny Byrne who had walked off his farm last year died from a brain tumor.
I had always enjoyed his company for he was a wide reader and had much intelligence. He should have stuck to journalism and never embarked on farming. Cora came to us for part of the school holidays. For the first time this year I took part in Williams and Kettle’s Annual Meeting and proposed thanks to the Directors.
S.M. Palmer, McLennan and I had our annual dinner at the Club as usual but MacKay was away in England this year.
On June 3rd we took Boy over to Wanganui to begin his happy and satisfactory school life – he was in Harvey House with Denniston as head and Cora as Matron. We returned next day very sad – lunched with the Phil Wrights on the way.
Frank Gordon of Clifton (72) died on June 10th and was buried the next day. I took Sir Andrew Russell to the funeral at Havelock after a service in Hastings.
Constance Fountaine’s cabled their happiness at having Jim with them and his news was always of much interest to us each week.
He had just been for a wonderful tour with the Peter Holdens to Scotland and the Lake District.
The George Ritchies and Mary Mackenzie came to see us one day. Mary was over from Canada for a holiday.
Eddie and Ethne returned from England at the end of May and we resumed our friendship and he and I were still on the Club Committee.
The Teschemakers left Te Hauke Hill and Selwyn Cullwick took over. We had once upon a time, been very friendly with Jack but after her death and his remarriage we rarely met.
Another death to bring sadness was that of Harold Russell – that occurred on July 15th – so I had two funerals to attend in a month. On July 20th we went over to Wanganui to see both XV beaten by Te Aute 11-3 and 24-8. Boy looked wonderfully well and dined with us at Forsters. Home next day and picked up Mardie and Betty (first grandchild) at Palmerston.
Another funeral in July was that of little Frances Brock. In July we had another big fall of rain – 13.27 inches.
Bob went over to Wanganui on August 4th to bring Boy home for holidays. He had Cora Lee with him. In Middle of August I had a rotten attack of ‘flu which prevented my attending an important meeting of the H.B. Club (committee) but Eddie informed me that F. Burton had been appointed Secretary in place of Pollock – he was also Manager. It was high time Pollock went. At a subsequent meeting, at which I was present, the Committee were very satisfied with Burton’s handling of the Secretaryship. Bob took Mardie and Betty back to New Plymouth in the light truck. Jim sailed from London in the “Orcades” in September but owing to tense European situations he quite expected to be recalled from Gibraltar as he had volunteered for the Navy in case of war.
In September ‘flu seized Dorothy, who had been the mainstay while the epidemic was rampaging, and we got Sister McBeth out to help us. Then the Ivan Family all went down with ‘flu.
On September 22nd Dorothy, Doffles, Hamilton and I all went. to Wanganui – we dropped Doffles at Palmerston North, and arrived at the School in time to have a cup of tea with Gilligan (head) and Denniston. We saw Cora of course. We said goodbye to Boy that night and early next day left for home calling in to see the Phil Wrights on the way. Bob and Phil Giblin came out for a weekend and the former picked up ‘flu and had to remain to be cared for. Alister Phillips was a very constant visitor during this year and last. In July Dorothy Gordon came out – this was shortly after F.G.’s death -and during the following couple of months I was able to give her a helping hand as there was much to be sorted out before she returned to England in October to see John’s education completed. In October I proposed the Toast at Mary Palmer and Douglas McHardy’s wedding at Te Aratipi (S.M. Palmer).
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In September and October John Ormond’s election campaign was in full swing. Apart from attending a few meetings I was roped in to lend a hand. Peggy Mayo was his chief of staff again as she had been for me and Perry Wilder was also a helper. The elections took place on October 15th and once again Labour won the day in a straight-out contest 54-26. So it looked as if labour had come to stay for some time yet. John went down to Barnard as I did in 1935 by 3000! To see the results many of us gathered at the Daily Telegraph’s Office and later Eddie and I had supper at Geddis’ house and I stayed over night at the Club – in my diary I say there is never a change of Government during a time of prosperity.
My favourite cat at this period was just an ordinary grey cat called ‘Doggie’ – he lived to a fair age in spite of a cyst on a leg which used to flare up at times. News of Archie Seth Smith’s death at Silvermere, Cobham. He and Haidie had been wonderful friends to me in my days in England and their lovely home in Surrey was my home too. At the Show Ray brought with her Betty Mackenzie and Bet Dove – still staunch friends today (1967) – they were all at Woodford House together.
Still another death – A.B. Campbell, who had been a partner in Sainsbury, Logan and Williams for forty years died. He must have been nearly 80. He was quite a brilliant lawyer and had a very charming personality.
On November 2nd Jim arrived home after his wonderful holiday overseas and we had much to hear for many a day concerning his wanderings and about so many of our friends. The MacKays also returned after being away for a year. I had a long and happy weekend at Taupo with Ivan and Mary in late November.
Dorothy had a week or two of massage and hot baths in Napier for an arthritic condition and benefited greatly. I attended a meeting Sir Andrew called concerning matters of Defence – it was a long and wearisome meeting and quite unhelpful. I spent the night with Eddie and Ethne – the latter just recovered from an attack of measles. Shearing was not finished until the 30th December. It had been a wet year – 77.70 inches fell which was 32 ½ inches above the yearly average.
On the farm the most important work was that of oversowing sub-clover in Upper Gaols and Sturges after Jim had spent weeks earlier with the Rotary Hoe. Sub-clover had only just come into New Zealand and, of course, in the years to come it proved to be the greatest boon to those who owned light or shingle land, such as the Tikokino area. Bernard Chambers, who had seen the advantages of sub-clover in Western Australia, recommended it to me while I was ordering grass seed for Sturges in Williams and Kettle.
War was waged on gorse in Jim’s corner with the flamethrower and on the odd blackberry with Atlocide. But the flamethrower was a tiresome thing to use and the carrying of oil up and down hillsides was a tough job. We later discovered the best course to adopt so far as gorse eradication was concerned was to keep it from flowering, if possible, and to grub small areas at a time. Breeding ewes were stepped up to 1700 and other sheep numbered 700. Cattle were 130.
The lamb percentage was only 90% – heavy rain during lambing was the cause of a heavy loss of lambs. Wool prices were round about 1/-.
1939
My diary for January and February and up to March 22nd seems to be missing – when we left for England I probably handed it over to Jim to carry on and it is possible after his death it may have been mislaid or destroyed. Therefore my ‘doings’ and those of Pukekino up to March 22nd cannot be recorded here.
On March 22nd Dorothy, Ray and I went to Napier, after leaving Jim in full charge of Pukekino, and Sister McBeth in charge of the homestead. As our ship had been postponed in its sailing for two days we stayed in Napier till the 24th – all final arrangements for our departure were confirmed and there was a lengthy meeting between Constance, Wood, Conway and myself. A Family Dinner party and next day we journeyed to Wellington and Jim and
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Bob, who had gone in the truck with the luggage, met us at the Station.
Early in the year Constance Fountaine had come out to New Zealand to look into her affairs and as Conway and Newcombe were about to retire from the R.D.D. McLean Trust she requested my appointment as a “Trustee. W.G. Wood and I remained Sole Trustees until the final winding up of the estate sometime in the fifties. After our departure by ship for England Constance flew to England and was there when we arrived.
On 25th March at 3.30 p.m. Dorothy, Ray and I sailed in the “Mataroa” – among those on board we knew were S.M. and Dorothy Palmer, the Ernest Groomes and Jim Duncan of Wellington (Jimmy was Mrs. Arthur Duncan). Sir Julian Cahn’s cricket team were passengers and, as time went by, we became very friendly with at least a couple of dozen out of the 150 or so other passengers. The Palmers, Hilda Molesworth and ourselves had a table in the saloon to ourselves.
My diary in full from of our trip, which lasted from 25th March to October 28th, is enclosed among these papers. In it you can read all about our wanderings through England and Scotland and a brief visit to Paris and conditions in England in the early part of World War II.
The voyage to Southampton was very enjoyable but uneventful – we enjoyed the complete rest on board ship played many deck games and slept much. At Balboa we had a short time only as we arrived late in the evening – passed through the Panama Canal next day – it was new to me and full of interest. Then we had the late afternoon and evening at Colon. Then came a day at Curacao and we had a taxi driver for an hour or so before visiting the shops.
After Curacao there was a twelve day steam across the Atlantic to Southampton where Dorothy Gordon welcomed us. The journey by train to London was glorious – the day was lovely and the countryside equally so. Selby Palmer said the sight of such trees and country completely made up for the boredom of the voyage. I may mention that on the journey across there were times when the European news was alarming and the Captain said it was quite on the cards that the ship might have turned back at Panama. However after our arrival in England things quietened down till the beginning of August when they became very bleak.
Our train arrived at Waterloo Station at 11.10 on the 29thApril and there was Violet Russell to meet us and escort us to our hotel – the Maudeville in James Street off Oxford Street and here were our headquarters till the 16th September.
It was wonderful to be hack in London again after twenty-nine years and Dorothy and I proceeded to recapture the London we used to know so well and loved in those far-off days. Ray was somewhat bewildered first and thought London was a grim and dismal place but as time went on she grew to love it too. One of our first thoughts was to get busy over clothes and it was a great thrill to me on visiting Henry Corlett (my tailor in Hanover Square) to find they remembered me and old Mr. Corlett, aged 90, was still ‘on deck’ and took a hand in the fitting of suits. He used to make for my Grandfather, Uncle Jim, Father and, of course, for Ivan and me. At one time a suit cost £6.6.0d. – now the price was £12.10.0d. and the last suit made by his firm in 1950 was about £30. In about 1953 Wilkinson off St. George St. bought him out and he has made for me since then.
The following chart shows you how our itinerary worked out from the day we left New Zealand.
March 25th – April 29th S.S. Mataroa
Apr 29th – May 13th London
May 13th – 14th May 13th – 14th Okehampton, Devon
14th – 20th London
20th – 26th Keswick
26th – June 1st Bamburgh
June 1st – 2nd Newcastle-on-Tyne
2nd – 5th Silvermere, Cobham
5th – 16th London
16th – 20th Narford
20th – 21st London
June 21st – 26th Narford
26th – 28th Warminster
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28th – July 1st London
July 1st – 3rd Stafford
3rd – 7th London
7th – 11th Keswick
11th – 12th Boat to Belfast
12th – 13th Belfast
13th – 17th Keswick
17th – 24th Bamburgh
24th – 29th Edinburgh
29th – 31st Dundee
31st – Aug. 3rd Edinburgh
Aug. 3rd – 4th London
4th – 8th Silvermere
8th – 11th Sidmouth
11th – 18th Narford
18th – 21st London
21st – 23rd Paris
23rd – Sept. 16th London
Sept. 16th – Oct. 24nd S.S. Rangitiki
Oct. 24th Auckland
You will see our programme was a very full one and meant a good deal of travelling. Our visits to Narford Hall to the Fountaines were particularly enjoyable and we had a taste of life in, what the books would say, a gracious home of England. It was a great joy, too, to meet again our old friends such as the Peter Holdens at Keswick, the Jimmy Hutchinsons of Bamburgh, Mrs. King my great and kind friend of Marazion, Violet Russell, the Seth Smiths of Silvermere whose home had been a home to me while at Oxford, Alison Sharp and her husband in Dundee, Gordon Hardie of Belstone (husband of my Aunt Helen), Dr. and Mrs. Ronald of Sidmouth (once lived in Napier) and Dorothy Gordon of Clifton, at present living in Warminster.
Owing to the poor economy of New Zealand, through well overspending. of overseas funds by the Labour Government, the money allowance for overseas travellers was much reduced – this somewhat cramped our style and serious thought had to be given to our financial position from day to day. Another thing that had a depressing effect was the ever growing arrogance of Hitler and the fear of war. Then our worst fears were realised on September 3rd when England declared war on Germany after Poland’s invasion.
We had gone to Paris for ten days in August but the day after our arrival there we decided to fly back to London as the situation worsened very suddenly. And it was as well we returned when we did as a stampede of English people on the Continent returning set in with a vengence [sic]. It was August 23rd when we returned to London and things moved very fast from then onwards – all plans for a complete ‘black-out’ were in full swing, hospitals were being evacuated, anti-aircraft guns everywhere, many buses off their route, plans for evacuation of children completed and so on. Then on Sunday September 3rd at 11 o’clock war was declared and within days London was a dead city – not a light to be seen after dark, we watched the evacuation of children and the hospitals and sandbagging of historic places. Not a child’s voice to be heard. There was the occasional air raid siren’ to be heard and. the retreat to shelters. It was all very depressing but, of course, interesting to witness. After much running to and fro to shipping offices, passport offices and having plans changed by altering conditions we eventually sailed from Tilbury in the “Rangitiki” on 16th September – we boarded the ship in a terrific thunderstorm carrying our gasmasks. Our ship was the Commodore’s Ship in a convoy of 26 or more for the journey down the Channel, surrounded by destroyers and airplanes overhead. Next day our convoy was reduced to sixteen as ships peeled off towards Gibraltar and the Irish Channel etc. Then we carried on in a convoy of eight with two destroyers till somewhere near the Azores.
After that we were on our own and full steam and zig-zagging occurred from then on. And so on October 24th we reached Auckland after a good voyage with only one or two incidents, and calling only at Jamaica and Panama. In spite of a very reduced speed etc. for several days we only took about ten days longer than the normal time.
Our family and friends had no idea of the ship we were travelling by or date of departure on account of security measures. So our arrival gave them a surprise. We had been happy on the very comfortable
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“Rangitiki” – she was a full ship and there was elbow room for all and much opportunity for games. Bill and Mary Toomey were a pleasant pair and we became friendly with them. The David Collins were also in our party – as I write in 1967 they are all dead except Bill. The Rangi class of ship was popular – comfortable accommodation and unlimited space and above all those who served in them invariably remained till retirement. The “Rangitiki” and “Rangitata” ploughed backwards and forwards between New Zealand and England for over thirty years but the “Rangitane” lost her life at the hands of a German raider during the second war.
After a day in Auckland seeing some of our friends we set off in the Limited for home – Boy came from school at Wanganui to breakfast with us in Palmerston North and the Phil Wrights came along to see us. And so on to Napier in the Express where we were met by Ivan and Mary, Jim and Bob. To see Mrs. Turnbull and spend the night in Napier. Next day I began to pick up the threads of friend- ship again and it was good to see Eddie, Maurice Chambers, Horrie and others. We went home to Pukekino in the late afternoon and found it good to be in our home again. The little cats and my dogs gave me a great welcome and Sharpie (sheepdog) would not let me out of his sight. And so we soon settled down to our life in the country and the routine of work. Pukekino appeared to be in good heart and all seemed well.
It seemed quite strange to be without a local body job to do but for a little time I was fully occupied, on my days in Napier, with the McLean Trust as only W.G. Wood and I were now the Trustees and there were many arrangements to be made for the disposal of the Wellington properties on the Terrace. There were many interviews with Lady McLean who was, at times, a very difficult and obstinate woman.
One day Bill (New Zealand Shipping Company) bought Captain Barnett of S.S. “Rangitiki” to see us when the ship was in Napier. On October 30th I attended Mrs. Puflett’s funeral – she was the wife of R.P., County Engineer, and a very nice woman indeed. Duncan Holden, with Diana aged 8, came over to see us and get all the news of his Parents.
On November 18th Guy Barron and Zoe were married and we attended the wedding and big reception.
It was interesting to see the progress at Napier Breakwater -the new wharf had been completed in my absence and was in use. Eddie, T. Geddis and Pat Higgins were very proud of the feat and always took pains to keep up my interest in the Harbour. Late in the year good rains fell to save what appeared to be an unpleasant situation. Mardie and her baby (Betty) came over to stay with us for a month.
I broke a bone in my wrist in a fall towards the end of November and this was rather a hindrance to my activities. W.G. Wood and I put in a couple of days visiting all the properties in Maraekakaho over which the McLean Trust held mortgages. This was just a routine visit of inspection.
Photograph of Vice-Admiral Charles Andrew and Mrs Constance Fountaine taken at Narford Hall in Norfolk, England in 1939. Image source: Hamilton Logan
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Image of FB (far right) with three other former Hawke’s Bay County Council Chairmen (date unknown but circa 1938). From left to right – HM Campbell, County Chairman 1924-1928; TE Crosse, County Chairman 1907-1908 and 1914-1919; TM Chambers, County Chairman 1906-1907, 1908-1911, 1920-1924; FB Logan, County Chairman 1928-1938. Image source: Hawke’s Bay Knowledge Bank, Accession number 878/1616/3933
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CHAPTER EIGHT
1940 – 1949
1940
This was, perhaps, the most momentous year in English history – she and the Commonwealth, as the word Empire has gone out, faced a very perilous period.
The German war-machines got into their stride and overran Norway, Belgium and Holland in rapid succession. The British Expeditionary force of over 350,000 was forced back to a narrow fringe of the French Coast and by a miracle it was evacuated almost to a man, together with a number of French and Belgian troops. Every possible ship that could float was used in the evacuation which took about three days and the weather was kind. History books will tell you of this epic story – England was now all alone in the struggle and there were no arms practically speaking – most had been left behind in France.
Neville Chamberlain stepped down from Primeministership and Winston Churchill became Prime Minister and the greatest inspiration to the free world. His first object was to try to save France which was hard pressed and divided – all efforts failed and France caved in and became a vassal of Hitler. However, after a struggle, some of its fleet fell into our hands and some became immobile. Then Italy jumped on to Hitler’s bandwaggon, hoping to share in the spoil. So it came that our position in the Mediterranean was one of extreme difficulty.
Preparations for a German invasion of England were set in motion at once. For three weeks the German Air Force tried its best to knock England’s small force of fighters out – they failed to do so to their cost. Then the heavy bombing of London began and though the damage and loss of life was great they failed again to achieve what they set out to do. England was saved by its fighter pilots and by the wonderful spirit of its people. “Never in the field of human conflict did so many owe so much to so few” said Churchill. So the war went on in all its fury and England stood alone.
There were no local bodies to occupy my time or attention these days – however, we used to go to Napier at least once a week as Mrs. Turnbull was getting older and less able to get out very much and usually on our visits to town we used to call in at Lindisfarne to see Eddie and Ethne Herrick and I spent many odd nights with Mr. Wenley while Dorothy went to her Mother. Also there were visits to Okawa.
Here now are notes of events month by month through the year-
January
This was a full month by and large. Ray paid a visit to Whana Whana and Boy had a week in Taupo.
Mardie and her Betty returned to New Plymouth after a visit to us.
During the month we had our first pick of fat lambs and the balance of wether lambs were put on the rape crop. Towards the end of the month the boys took the baby car and went to the Centennial Exhibition in Wellington and on their return visited the Collins and Bidwell families in the Wairarapa.
The war remained fairly static.
February
At the Ewe Fair Kereru Station topped the market with 20/6 for five year ewes and we got 17/6d. The principal work on the farm was dipping and a grand sorting up of the ewes. Boy went back to school on February 7th – he was now 15.
Many of our friends’ sons were now in the Army and Air Force or Navy and on February 13th, which was his 21st birthday, Bob went to the Air Force training camp at Ohakea. At the next Ewe Fair we got 26/- for two tooth ewes. On the last day of the month there was a biggish earthquake – power and telephone were affected for a time.
March
Early in the month a start was made in the sowing down in grass the II Cocksfoot – wind delayed this operation and then on the 20th and 21st of the month a heavy
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westerly gale played havoc, fortunately by that time, the subclover had struck but much of the other seed suffered. Early in the month Maie Casey (now Lady Casey) passed through Auckland on her way to join Dick in Washington, who was the Australian Ambassador to U.S.A. and she telephoned me. Her voice came through clearly and it was grand to hear it after twenty-nine years. On March 15th Jim had to go before the Air Force Board and sit an exam for which he had been swotting for a long time. At Easter Dorothy and I went to Wanganui, calling in for a night at the Phil Wrights. Bob and Ray joined us there and we attended the School Sports – Boy acquitted himself well until he spiked his leg in the hurdles. He won the mile under 16 and was second in the half mile. I met many old friends at the Easter gathering – among them was Forbesy (Lady Elliot) and Horace Hewitt whom I had not seen since leaving school. H. St. B. Holland (Bishop of Wellington) was there too and preached in the Chapel. He and I resumed our talks on many things of interest for he came from Cornhill in Northumberland. There was a reception given by Gilligan (Headmaster) and many old boys and wives also were there. Randall Kettle won the Junior Championship. There were the usual dinner parties at the hotel at which boys gorged themselves as of yore. After watching the football match between School XV and Old Boys we left for home, calling in to the Phil Wrights en route. Mrs. Turnbull stayed at Pukekino while we were away. J.A. Lee, one of Labour’s strongmen, set up a party of his own and was, consequently, expelled from the Labour Party. W.E. Barnard, M.P. for Napier and Speaker of the House, resigned and followed Lee. That was the end of both of these men politically. During the month M.J. Savage, P.M., died and there was a grotesque funeral – it began with the body being taken by special train from Wellington to Auckland with a running commentary of the journey, crocodile tears being shed at every stopping place. Alister Graham came up to a farewell dinner before leaving New Zealand with the Air Force – he was among those who never returned and was missed by many for he was a very nice young fellow.
April
Doffles and her baby (Robin) came to stay while her husband found a job. She and Mardie caused us much worry. Jim sat his test exams for the Air Force and now awaited his ‘call up’. Norway’s plight had now become very desperate.
There was some rain before the-end of the month and this saved the second Cocksfoot’s life, though quite an amount of seed must have been lost the paddock proved to be better than hoped for. Ian joined the Army and proceeded to Trentham Camp. And Bob, after suffering from perpetual air sickness at Ohakea, was grounded and joined the A.T.C. and, likewise, went to Trentham Camp. The Family gave a party for them at the H.B.F. in Hastings – after starting it off Dorothy and I left. The feed position seemed to be satisfactory for I purchased about fifty odd 21 year steers at £6.1.0d.
May
It was in May that Belgium and Holland were invaded by the Germans – the British Expeditionary Force was rushed to stem the tide but all in vain. On the 30th Belgium surrendered and by then our Forces were just holding on to a fringe of the coast of North France. Then came the order for the British Armies to evacuate France and every conceivable ship that could steam or sail proceeded to the coast near Dunkirk to pick up what they could. With fair weather and superb management nearly all of the Expeditionary Force was rescued and bought back safely to England but without its arms. It was a miraculous achievement. England then stood alone with backs to the wall and awaited the attempted invasion. W.S. Churchill was P.M. by this time and his courage gave courage to us all. During the May holidays Cora was over to stay with us. On May 26th, just before the evacuation, an Intercession Service was ordered and as our padre (Waugh) could not come to Kereru on
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that day I undertook it and there was a good congregation. Eddie Herrick, Pat Higgins and T.M. Geddis kept me interested in Harbour affairs – the idea being to get me on the Harbour Board. On 27th I was elected to the Board of Williams and Kettle at the Annual Meeting and once again Charlie Matthews, M.S. Chambers and I came close together.
June
The retreat from Dunkirk was actually completed on the 3rd. It was a week of much gloom and speculation and to look back upon that time makes one shudder. There was another universal day of thanksgiving for the safe delivery on the first Sunday of the month and Parson Waugh (Presbyterian Minister of Havelock) gave one of his inspiring talks. The Eatons came down that afternoon and we had a quiet talk over things before the fire.
At this time W.S. Churchill spoke to the nation over the air and what he said was always courage producing though the message was grim. One of his first missions when France appeared to be collapsing was a hurried flight to France somewhere south of Paris, to offer her union with Britain so long as she maintained the struggle. But France had lost heart and she surrendered. It was then that Italy, under the tyrant Mussolini, decided to come into the war on Hitler’s side – she was determined to have something out of the wreck – what a liability she proved to be to Hitler. During June the last of our troops were withdrawn from Norway but her underground movement never allowed the Germans any rest. Bob came back from Camp for a few days to recover from a bout of ‘Flu. Our dear old cat “Goody” died and Sharp (sheepdog and constant companion) showed signs of definite deterioration and was allowed to sleep at night in the washhouse). There was much going and coming to Okawa as Ralph’s mental state began to give anxiety. L.C. Rolls and I were appointed his attorney and took over his affairs. This, in the long run, became a fearful headache for me. There was much anxiety concerning the fate of the French Fleet -ultimately some of it was scuttled, some sunk by our Navy, some was immobilised and some came to our side. England began making feverish plans against the expected invasion. F.W. Williams (a founder of Williams and Kettle) died aged 87.
August
Sandy Eaton got his wings in the Air Force and Jock his M.B. We received the sad news of the deaths of Jim Fairbairn and Geoff Street in an air crash in Australia – they were M.P.s and we had met them in Canberra in 1937.
Bob’s final leave came and he sailed for Egypt – Dorothy went to Wellington for a day or two before his departure.
Eddie, M. Chambers, N. Avery and I attended the Club dinner before the annual meeting. Vyv and Rowan Hill came to say farewell during their final leave. It was the last we saw of Rowan as he was killed in North Africa.
The nice and gentlest hack we ever possessed was Joyce – Jim bought her from somewhere near Korokipo and she was a faithful friend for very many years and in her last years she was with Boy at ‘The Cottage’.
It was a year of much grass and we had 400 cattle on the place. But a disease among lambs cropped up and we lost quite a number when they were three or four weeks old. It was about 25th August that The Battle of Britain began – the attempt by the German Air Force to ground and destroy our fighters preparatory to invasion.
September
This crucial battle of the air continued for another week or two and then the Germans broke off and concentrated on heavy bombing of London in particular, causing much damage and loss of civilians. These raids were usually staged in the night time and were full of alarm but the Londoners stood firm.
A.E. Jull, M.P. for Waipawa, died. He was a very able man and had figured prominently in local body affairs over many years. But as Chairman of Napier Harbour Board many of us consider he stifled progress by his Inner Harbour Scheme. Then Uncle Nat (Kettle) died at the age of 85 or 86 and I was a pallbearer at his funeral at Eskdale on
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September 30th. So the two founders of Williams and Kettle died in the same year. For many years, ever since the formation of Williams and Kettle into a Limited Liability Company in 1895, Uncle Nat and F.W. Williams were joint managing Directors – the former concentrated mainly on keeping contact with the clients while F.W.W. was the financial expert. Whenever I had occasion to call upon them and found them both sitting at the same table (it is still used by the Manager) I was reminded of the Dual Monarchy of Grecian days.
October
On the 1st Lady McLean died at her home in Napier Terrace – W.G. Wood and I were pallbearers at the quiet burial in Napier Cemetery. She was the daughter of a Mr. Stoney Butler of Southern Ireland and married R.D.D. McLean of Maraekakaho in 1884 (later Sir R.D.D. McLean). Constance (Mrs. Fountaine) was the elder daughter, Beatrice the younger and a son, Algernon, who was a Captain in the Cameron Highland Regiment and died in the 1920s. After Lady McLean’s death, W.G.W. and I, being sole trustees, got to work to complete the winding up of the large estate. Lady McLean had switched over to C. Bisson as her solicitor and this caused a little complication but we survived.
Once more I was a delegate to a meeting of the National Party at Waipukurau to select a candidate for the By-election caused by Jull’s death. At Maraekakaho we had had several meetings to discuss the question of how delegates should vote – whether their hands should be tied or left free. In the end freedom of choice prevailed. The candidates were John Ormond and Cyril Harker – the latter was chosen and once again John accepted defeat wonderfully well.
Yet another death of an old friend – too many this year have departed, that is friends of my Parents. Aunt Bess (Gore) died at the age of 84 -her children had been friends of my youth especially Ella (Mrs. Thornley Sherratt) and Mabel Donnelly, mother of Pat. Aunt Bess had been Spencer Gollan’s friend for many years and in those days this sort of thing caused much eyebrow lifting – it seems to be accepted these days with equanimity.
Forbes McHardy of Aramoana was elected to Williams and Kettle’s Board in place of N. Kettle.
Again I met H. St. B. Holland (Bishop of Wellington) at Okawa.
Mrs. Edward Averill (our close neighbour) died and was buried at Havelock on the 24th. It was a merciful release for her memory had been of little account for some years. At the Show on 23rd we went to a large lunch party given by Eddie and Ethne, then to tea at Tauroa to see Mrs. Chambers who was nearing the end of her life but still so wonderfully bright. Measles laid Dorothy low at the end of the month – it was a very nasty bout and we had to get Sister McBeth out to help. News came of Bob’s safe arrival in Egypt after a long voyage by way of Australia and India.
November
One time while spending a night or so with Mr. Wenley I took him out to Havelock to see Mrs. Saunders.
The old “Rangitiki”, while in a convoy in the Atlantic, was one of the few ships to escape a German raider but the “Rangitane” was less fortunate and she was sunk near the Chatham Islands with a large cargo of meat on board. Jim sat for his Air Exams and passed.
Italy was learning all about her folly of joining up with Germany and suffered some heavy naval losses in the Mediterranean. At the by-election in Waipawa Cyril Harker, the National Candidate, won and he was M.P. for Waipawa and later Hawke’s Bay until his retirement twenty odd years later.
Eddie and I were still members of the H.B. Club Committee and attended the monthly meetings regularly. By this time Norman Mackay was President.
After much discussion and thought W.G. Wood and I (McLean Estate) decided to sell the Wellington property (Terrace) as a whole rather than subdivide and road it etc. This was George Nathan’s advice to us – so we sold it to the Government.
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On the 27th Bryan Herrick, R.F.C was lost somewhere in the English Channel. Earlier Michael Herrick had received the D.F.C. for good work in the Battle of Britain.
On the 29th Jim left us to enter the Camp at Levin and how we missed him in the home and on the farm.
December
There were more meetings in regard to the subdivision of Napier Terrace.
Home Guard Defence meetings throughout New Zealand were held and at Kereru it was decided to appoint R.P. Kay as Commander of our unit and I was on the council committee to help work things out. On the 10th we attended a lunch party al Lindisfarne to say farewell to the Galways (Governor General) who were about to leave New Zealand after their term of office. Later we went to see Mr. and Mrs. Mason Chambers.
The offensive against the Italians in North Africa appeared to be gaining success and the situation there was easing. Jim came home for a few days leave at Christmas time and the Eatons also had leave.
On the 30th I attended the funeral of C.C. Smith at Eskdale who had succeeded me as Chairman of the H.B.C.C. It looked as if Robert Harding would follow on as Chairman.
1941
On the Continent of Europe the war was mainly between Russia and Germany and it was a titanic struggle between giants. We were heavily engaged in North Africa against Italy and were giving her all she deserved till Germany came to her aid – then the fortunes of war fluctuated back and forth for most of the year. At one time, just as it
Photo captions –
Frank Logan joined Williams & Kettle as a director in 1940 and was Chairman from 1958 to 1963. Image source: Len Anderson, Throughout the East Coast: The Story of Williams and Kettle Limited, Pictorial Publications, Hastings, 1974.
FB alongside his beloved Buick c. 1931. Image source: Hamilton Logan
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appeared we were on top, many of our troops were sent from North Africa to help the Greeks but the venture failed. Late in the year Japan attacked the U.S.A. and we were then forced to declare war on Japan. This meant we were then committed to a war in the East and at a time when our resources were at a low level. The year ended in our overall position being fairly desperate and, for the first time in her history, New Zealand’s safety was threatened. However my monthly record will tell of happenings at home and abroad.
January
The campaign in North Africa progressed well and the Italians continued to run backwards losing many thousands of prisoners to us. It was fine and warm for the first half of the month and seasonal work on the farm, such as putting lambs on the rape crops, dipping sheep and normal maintenance work, was well up to date.
Tony Mayne lost his life on Lake Taupo in trying to save the life of one of his boys, who fell off a launch. He was killed by the propellor.
Our dear friend, Mrs. Mason Chambers, died and I was at her funeral in Havelock on the 18th. It was more or less private. Jim passed out of Weraroa, Levin (R.N.Z.A.F.) with 88% marks and proceeded to New Plymouth for flying instruction. At our first Home Guard meeting R.P. Kay was elected to be in command, W.A. Whyte (Sergeant), George Anderson, Ian Smith and Cecil Averill (Corporals). Towards the end of the month the weather turned and the month’s total rainfall was 6.77 inches.
February
On the 1st, which was a perfect day, the Kereru Sports were held. Ray and Boy were there all day but Dorothy and I did not go over till the afternoon when we met all the locals and had much conversation.
We saw Boy off to Wanganui on the 6th and then went up to Onslow Road to see Judy and Gordon Williams who had taken the Branson’s house for a period.
The Ewe Fair took place on the 7th – there was only one held in those days. My two-tooth ewes fetched 39/- and the old ewes fetched from 20/-to 14/-. Selby Palmer and I lunched at Hastings Club. Later I walked up to Lindisfarne to see Eddie and Ethne. We changed and went to ‘The Gondoliers’ at Hastings, after dining at Maurice Chambers to meet Guy Stroud, Viola Wilson and Fullard, the principals of the Show – we had met Guy a few years earlier at the Austins in Sydney. St. John’s Ambulance people came out to Home Guard one day and instructed us in first aid. The campaign in North Africa was still going well. I spent a weekend at Okawa. The usual Williams and Kettle meetings to which I took Eddie, he being on a bus route had a very limited supply of petrol.
The work on the farm consisted mainly of fence repairing and blackberry spraying. Bill and I were alone to cope with the work these days but Ray and Dorothy were always at hand to help us along.
March
Hildreth, the contract plough expert, came and sowed barley in Sturges together with grass seed.
Russia overran the Balkan States and U.S.A. adopted a Land Lease policy and began to supply us with naval vessels and other equipment which was very timely help.
Yugoslavia stood out against Hitler and proved a very definite thorn in his flesh for it delayed his plans in the Balkan affair. Bob had a hit of tummy trouble in Egypt and Inga Sorenson, who was nursing over there, posted us his news.
Jim came up for three days leave and Hugh Eaton (now a pilot in the Air Force) was home at the same time. Also Hiraani came to us for ten days – she was more or less engaged to Bob. The Autumn was a good one – the young grass shot up over night, also barley, and lambs fattened well on the rape. Williams and Kettle celebrated their fiftieth anniversary and all Directors received a present of some ‘grog’. On the 20th we farewelled Eddie and Ethne who went off to the Fiord country in Southland for Wapiti shooting.
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April
The Italians had a bad month for Eretria was first retaken by our troops – then Abyssinia regained and Haile Selassie was then returned to his own country. And the Italian Navy suffered considerable loss in the Mediterranean. They were almost a liability to Hitler now. But the war in Greece became an anxiety – the Greek Government made for Crete and the fighting in Greece itself became desperate.
We heard that Bob had had measles and was unable to go to Greece so after a rest in the Holy Land he returned to Egypt. So he was well out of the Greek venture.
It was a sad time for the Grahams for after Alister had gone missing for sometime he was posted as killed. The campaign in North Africa was seriously affected by so many of our troops being sent to Greece and our troops fell back once again to the Egyptian border. This was a blow. After considerable thought and upon advice from surveyors etc., Wood and I (Trustees in McLean Estate) abandoned the idea of cutting up the land in Napier Terrace and dismantling the old house. It was going to be very costly. So we sold the area for £1800 – this sum was ridiculously low in view of present values (1967) but it was considered a good price at the time. Our ewe flock was now 1730 plus hoggets etc – this came about as a result of topdressing, new pastures and more courage. Towards the end of the month my old friend George Gould of Christchurch came up to Napier for a few days and we had a few jaunts into the country together. A.H. Fergusson, late County Clerk, died and I attended his burial at Puketapu Cemetery where the Service was conducted by a Plymouth Brother. It was a hot day and the Minister held forth for about half an hour.
May
The position in Greece became very critical and Greece asked us to withdraw our troops. This was done but not without heavy loss and Crete became the front line. It was a wet month and crutching was much hampered. Early in the month Boy and Ray went to Auckland for a few days. Monty was now married to Pat Goodson – the three years after Cora and he were separated having passed. Monty was posted to Blenheim as a Flight Lieutenant in R.N.Z.A.F. Eddie, Pat Higgins and Geddis prevailed upon me to stand for the Harbour Board – I would never have agreed had it not been for the war and the younger men, who should have undertaken local body work, being in the forces or about to be. So my nomination went forward and I was unopposed. My first meeting was on the 26th and on that day the last pile of No. 4 Wharf was driven. County representation on the board was L. Gordon, J. Barker and myself. T.M. Geddis was Chairman, Eddie Herrick and L. Stephenson were Government nominees. The Board consisted of twelve. Vichy France, under Laval, became a complete puppet of Germany but the Free French stood by us. Our fighters seemed to be getting on top of the German bombers but still the bombing (particularly night bombing) of England seemed to continue. The House of Commons was damaged one night. Jim came home on final leave and on the 23rd he sailed for Canada in the “Aorangi”. We said good-bye at Pukekino and Boy and Ray took him to catch his train. Sandy Eaton also went overseas and before he left he flew over our house one day to say farewell.
H.M.S. “Hood” with all her crew save one, went down after the German Battleship “Bismark” got a direct hit. A chase then began and a day or so later the “Bismark” was caught and sunk. A bulldozer came out and made a number of useful tracks on Pukekino. Our Home Guard was fitted out with uniforms and one night we held a dance in the Kereru Hall to raise funds. On 26th George Gould died in Christchurch he was a close friend but older than me by about twelve years.
June
Frances Woods (Turnbull) and her husband came out to see us one day with the Ivans. The Woods live in Surrey and he was a building contractor. We had not seen her since she was a girl round about World War 1. Our Expeditionary Forces, after suffering severely in Crete, were evacuated to Egypt,
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or what was left of it, and then the Greek Campaign came to an end and Greece and her dependencies fell into the hands of Germany. My work as a member of the Harbour Board really began and the habit of picking up Eddie at Lindisfarne lasted till after the war as his slender petrol allowance did not cover journeys to Napier which was on a bus route. A cheerful letter came from Jim on his journey to Canada and Bob’s letters from North Africa came fairly regularly. Jim eventually reached Vancouver on the 16th and proceeded to the Air Training Camp at Portage La Prairie near Winnipeg. One day Sir Cyril Newall, our new Governor General, met us at the Harbour Board and later Dorothy and I dined at Lindisfarne to meet him and Lady Newell. He had been in command of Bombers in France early in the war. She was an American and somewhat “up-stage”. Dennis Herrick (Air Force) was brought down off the west coast of France and severely wounded. It was not till some months later that the news of his death came to hand. He was buried in L’Orient (Brittany). The month was a very cold and wet one – 6.25 inches fell.
July
It was a quiet and uneventful month except for Williams and Kettle and Harbour Board meetings. I spent a week at Okawa and called to see the Dudley Hills he is now much of an invalid and much in a bathchair, The present Kennedy Parking Area was sold by the Harbour Board to the City Council. The principal work on the farm was ploughing and usual routine work. Japan became very aggressive in Indo-China and Siam so the U.S.A. and ourselves applied sanctions, whatever they may mean – they were applied to Italy when she waged war on Abyssinia but I don’t know what effect, if any, such action had.
August
A titanic struggle was in progress in Russia – the German armies and the Russian armies were locked in deadly combat. Early in the month I went to Wellington to attend the sale of Lady McLean’s effects from the homes on The Terrace. I stayed at the Wellington Club and was happy to find J. G. Coates also staying there. He was a member of cabinet it was then a Labour Government but Holland and Coates of the National Party were taken into Cabinet. Gordon Coates and I saw much of each other during the few days. It was the last time of meeting for he died before the end of the war. While in Wellington I also saw L. Tripp, G.G. Watson, Jimmy Duncan, Mrs. Joseph and Florence and, of course, Cora Turnbull. And one afternoon I visited Jim and Forbesy (Sir James and Lady Elliott) in their attractive Georgian home in Kent Terrace. I called on the Canadian High Commissioner (Riddell) who was an old friend of Maie Casey. Boy was now in the Wanganui Collegiate School 2nd Fifteen and spare man for the 1st Fifteen.
The famous Atlantic meeting took place off the coast of Newfoundland between Churchill and Roosevelt when many things were ironed out and plans laid for a better world after the war. John Logan joined the Navy and proceeded to England to H.M.S. “Ganges”‘ for training.
September
The sale of the effects of the McLean home in Napier was held at the H.B. Farmers wool store at the Port – there were a few good prices but much junk. I suppose you would call it a good sale. A committee was set up in Wellington called The Shipping Allotment Committee to deal with the movement of all ships on the New Zealand Coast. There was a meetingleld with the Napier Harbour Board and understanding reached. Russia held her own with Germany and the losses on each side were terrific. Another of our dear pets had to be ‘put to sleep’ – this time it was a very loving ten year old cat we called “Trolly”.
October
There does not appear to be very much of interest in my diary to note for this month. The sleeping verandah was glassed in and much of the interior of the homestead was painted and papered. Jim passed his navigation exams in Canada. I think he enjoyed his time
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there and many people were very kind to our Air Force boys. He was posted after Portage La Prairie for a short time at Defoe (Saskatchewan). Late in the month the sad news came that Dennis Herrick had died in a Prisoner of War Camp and was buried at L’Orient in Brittany. A day or two later Eddie and Ethne came out to see us full of bravery.
November
Russia was being very hard pressed but standing firm. The Aircraft Carrier “Ark Royal” was torpedoed near Gibraltar – a great loss but fortunately only one out of a complement of 1300 lost his life. The campaign in North Africa was not in good shape – we were still suffering from the result of the lost war in Greece and Crete.
But a cheerful matter was the ever increasing destruction of Italy’s navy. For some reason Boy was given ten days leave from school to give a helping hand on the farm and what a help he was too. Later he went to Christchurch to row for Wanganui in the second boat. On the 14th we were sad to part with Ray who went to Auckland to do her Karitane training. We were then completely without any children at home. Molly Herrick and her little son, Dennis, came up to Lindisfarne for a visit. Algernon McLean had left a small sum of money and as he had always suggested in event of his death that it should be distributed among some of the old retainers at Maraekakaho I was appointed with Gascoyne to make the distribution.
Towards the end of the month only one inch of rain fell and we grew worried as there had been very little spring growth. I spent the first weekend with Mr. Wenley – old Sarah (McLean) his housekeeper of years standing, always had a very appetising dinner whenever I spent a night or two in Onslow Road.
On the 8th a breathtaking happening occurred – Japanese planes arrived over Pearl Harbour in Hawaii early in the morning and after a sharp attack almost the whole of the U.S.A. fleet based there was destroyed and much loss of life. There had been no warning whatever and the lapse of late had been agressive. The blow was very severe but it had the effect of bringing the U.S.A. into war with Japan – we then declared war on Japan and U.S.A. declared war on Germany. So it was now a world war. Before the end of the month many unpleasant things happened – the Japanese sank our two largest ships in Eastern waters – the “Repulse” and the “Prince of Wales” – it appeared the ships had no air cover. Then the Japs began to advance towards Burma, Malay, Singapore and Hong Kong fell easily at that time. A cable came from Bob to say all was well so we gathered he had been- in action – this proved to be the case. Out of his company he was one of twelve to remain – most were taken prisoner and Phil Giblin among them. A momentous meeting took place between Churchill and President Roosevelt off the coast of Newfoundland and this made history. After this meeting Churchill broadcast a very strong message to the Nation and our Allies. Our defence against possible Jap invasion was stepped up and, incidentally, rationing of many articles intensified. Jim passed his observer-navigation exams with 70% in Canada. Towards the end of the month nearly three inches of rain fell and shearing was not finished until December 23rd.
1942
This was the third year of the war which had now become global. It was, perhaps, the most perilous period of the war for during the most part of it we and our allies were very sorely pressed in Europe, the Middle East and the Far East. However, towards the end of the year the tide appeared to be turning in our favour. It was early in the year that Jim arrived in England after nearly a year’s training in Canada and in Nov he was lost in an air battle over the English Channel.
January
The year began with very unsettled weather and high gales and at the end of the month the rainfall reached 6.50 inches.
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We waged war on the blackberries with atlacide and the goats with .22 and .303 rifles. The goats had increased rapidly over the past year or so and were a menace to our crops. Early one morning we were listening to the B.B.C. News (it was 4a.m.) and we heard Philip Giblin’s voice from Benghazi – he was left there by the Italian Army in retreat. This was the first news of his safety. After months of grim resistence in Stalingrad the Russian Armies appeared to be ready to take the offensive and the huge German Armies there were becoming exhausted. But the situation in the Phillipines and Singapore became increasingly grave. Mardie and her children came to stay with us. During the month I had a weekend with Mr. Wenley and there were meetings of the Harbour Board, Williams and Kettle and the McLean Trust.
February
This was a gloomy month so far as the war news went. In North Africa we were being pushed back towards Egypt and in the Far East, Singapore and the Phillipines were completely occupied by the Japanese.
Further gloom was bought about by Boy’s return to school and the deterioration in Sharp’s condition (my sheepdog) he was finding it difficult to follow me on my daily rounds and one day he just couldn’t make it.
There was a cable from Jim to say he was stationed at Andover (Wilts) and later a letter to tell of a very unpleasant crossing from Canada to England and his arrival there on Christmas Day. We heard later that the convoy he was in was under heavy submarine attack and the seas were rough.
It was a very wet month for a little over seven inches fell but nonetheless we managed to get most of the dipping done and some fat lambs away.
Ivan was now in camp at McLean Park with the National Guard and was at H.Q.
My Harbour activities seemed to grow and I was now on the Reserves and Works Committees. One day Burnley (Commissioner of Crown Lands) took some of us over the Ahuriri Lagoon which the Public Works were bringing into production, mostly by drain work. W.G. Wood and I had our annual tour of the lands in Maraekakaho under mortgage to the McLean Estate.
March
By the early part of the month all wether lambs except sixty-two had gone off fat.
This was the 30th year of my occupation of Pukekino and I felt as Cecil Rhodes felt on his deathbed `So much to do so little done’.
A letter written by Jim on board the transport from Canada only just arrived. Mails in these days were very erratic. The war in North Africa was gloomy, likewise in the Pacific but Russia was giving the Germans all they wanted. Little Lloyd Coleman, a brilliant young airman, was killed in action. Eddie Herrick came out for a weekend ad we made an excursion or two in the district.
After our Harbour Board meeting on the 16th and a visit to Ellison and Duncan we found Gordon Hannay (Captain R.N.) at Lindisfarne.
On the 20th we had our first letter from Jim from England. He was stationed at Andover. We also heard from Violet Russell and Peter Holden who had seen him.
Hiraani was out to stay with us for a week.
My little sheep dog ‘Sharp’ – such a faithful friend of eleven years – had to be ‘put to sleep’ and we buried him near the hazel tree where he loved to sleep.
April
Early in the month there was a Home Guard alarm given – it came at 2.30a.m. and we had to beat it rapidly to a meeting place in Twyford – I was for a time to watch over certain crossroads. Later we all gathered at Fernhill before returning to our homes. One night after dark over one hundred vehicles of various types and sizes passed along our road on the journey to a rendezvous – they had come from Waiouru via the Gorge. The vehicles carried no lights and there were numerous accidents – a truck went over Olrig Gorge and landed in the creek – Cecil Averill’s road fence was wrecked in several places and in a collision near Fernhill a soldier was killed. At this time there was a very definite thought that the
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Japs would attempt an attack on New Zealand, by passing Australia, and feverish plans were considered as to the guarding of our beaches – a big task indeed. On my annual overhaul Barrett suggested an easing up of my strenuous Home Guard activities as I was now 58, so I was appointed orderly room clerk or the equivalent.
Ray came down from Auckland in the middle of the month for a couple of weeks holiday after an attack of ‘flu’ and it was nice to have a young person in the house again. One day L.C. Rolls, who was in command of Napier’s Home Guard, took me for a tour of the Home Guard operations, He took his job very seriously and was most efficient. I decided to apply lime to several paddocks on Pukekino and Bill Limes did the job for me. Mrs. Empson and Mrs. Fox were living at Hillsbrook in Havelock at this time and we paid them a visit one day. Letters were coming regularly from Jim, who was in constant touch with our numerous friends. Boy was home for the holidays and his help was very needed. Before returning he was in Auckland to play in a match against Kings College. Bob wrote from Syria where he was having a period of leave. The situation was not very happy in the Egyptian area. But Russia was making good progress. The U.S.A. were now beginning to get into their stride and were striking hard against the Japs in the region of the Solomons and the naval battle of the Coral Sea proved to be the turning point in its favour. In this month the annual dinner at the Club when S.M. Palmer, N. Mackay, J. McLennan and I foregathered, took place. It was always a happy event. One weekend while I was staying at Okawa Commodore and Mrs. Parry were also guests. He had once been stationed in New Zealand. Then he was in command of the Achilles at the time three Light Cruisers engaged the German packet battleship `Graffspee’ of South America and so bought about her destruction.
June
One thousand bomber raids began over Germany particularly selected targets were Cologne and Essen. The U.S.A. Navy continued its activity in and around the Solomon Islands. Williams and Kettle’s annual meeting took place and five percent dividend paid. Jim’s 29th birthday was on June 3rd. More often than not, after our monthly meetings of the Harbour Board, Eddie and I and sometimes others, would go to Ellison and Duncan’s store at the Port where Bert King (Cocky) entertained us. Eddie has been Chairman of Ellison and Duncan’s job for many years.
On the 24th there was quite a sizeable earthquake – it was felt more in Wellington than in Hawke’s Bay. We had much cattle feed and as Seton Wenley was short of feed 70 of his bullocks came up to Pukekino for grazing. It was quite a bad season for lameness in the sheep and much of our time was taken up with foot-rotting – a horrid job. At the end of the month the position of our forces based in Egypt was gloomy and we were right back on the frontier once more.
July
Remarkably mild winter so far – one of the mildest I can remember.
Home Guard activities much in evidence – sometimes there were parades more than once a week.
News came that Ian (Logan) had married Kay Wilson, who was nursing in Fiji where Ian was stationed for some months with the New Zealand Forces.
A cable came to say Jim had been promoted to a Pilot Officer’s rank and was now stationed at West Raynham, just a few miles from Narford. So he was able to bike over to Narford for weekends and enjoy the comforts of a pleasant home and all it meant. Carlo and Constance Fountaine were wonderfully kind to Jim and they became his ‘next of kin’ and this was a great comfort to us.
Heavy fighting flared up in Egypt and Russia.
Rowan Hill was posted missing in Egypt and later pronounced killed.
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Dudley Hill, who was always a difficult man, became very bitter after this.
Sandy Eaton was home from the Pacific on a little leave. I went over to Wanganui to see the School XV beat Te Aute by 18-6. Boy was playing wing three-quarter. It was good to meet many old friends over there, among them were Hartgill and David and Sybil Collins. Just before leaving I suspected ‘flu’ had seized hold of me and the journey home by service car was uncomfortable.
August
I spent at least a week in bed and was a bit groggy for longer. On Dorothy’s birthday we had a small family luncheon party at The Masonic. Eddie had a severe attack of ‘flu’ also and was in bed for at least a week.
The U.S.A. Fleet in the Pacific seems to be well in command of the situation.
Napier had by now become the port from which most supplies were despatched for the U.S.A. Navy in the Pacific and several ships came in to port each month. And at times high ranking Naval men came. On one occasion Pat Higgins and I were deputed by the Harbour Board (Geddis being away and Eddie with ‘flu’) to attend a very important conference with Commodore Sir Atwill Lake, Hannay and U.S.A. Captain Olding. We also showed them all the harbour facilities after the conference and lunch.
W.S. Churchill visited Egypt and Moscow and it must have been at that time he urged action to be taken to stop the rot. The Duke of Kent was killed in an air accident in Scotland and this caused much consternation.
The weather changed and much rain fell towards the end of the month and this caused some considerable loss of young lambs. We also had more trouble than usual of cattle going over the gorge, which entailed much heavy work in trying to save them.
At the end of the term Boy left school for good and his help on the farm was tremendous – he was in his eighteenth year. So ended the education of our family.
September
The German Army under Rommell began an offensive in Egypt again in an attempt to push us out of the country and gain access to the Red Sea.
John Russell was killed in Egypt by a land mine – he was a grand young man. Bob cabled to say he was out of hospital the truck he was driving in the desert was wrecked by a bomb but he was not injured badly.
Jim was now a member of a Boston bomber crew – navigator. There were letters from various friends who had seen him and Constance Fountaine and Carlo had taken a great liking to him and had stepped in as his ‘next of kin’. This was a very happy thought for us.
Docking was not so exciting as hoped for – only 90% and this was on account of heavy rain in August.
Randall Kettle, who had always been a great friend of Boy’s, came to us while waiting for his call to join the Royal Navy. He was a nice boy and most helpful on the farm.
Jim Lowry had a lengthy stay in Royston Hospital and I often popped in to see him. It was here his romance with Edna Sorenson began and later he married her.
October
The long looked for offensive began in Egypt -during the wait there were many changes made and now Alexander and Montgomery were in command and the necessary equipment was to hand. Owing to the Mediterranean being virtually closed to us everything had to go round by South Africa and Suez Canal. The big battle around Stalingrad still raged with the Germans getting weary. The situation in the Solomon Islands remained fairly static. Air raids over Italy were stepped up and she began to feel her choice of joining up with Hitler was the wrong one. With Hamilton (Boy) and Randall Kettle with us our work on the farm progressed and it became a pleasure instead of a burden.
Harbour Board meetings, subsequent visits to Ellison and Duncan at the Port
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and Williams and Kettle meetings continued.
November
Early in November a large U.S.A. task force landed at Casablanca, Oran and other ports of North Africa and a pincer operation began as our armies in Egypt began the offensive on a big scale and by the end of the month Rommell’s army was in full retreat along the coast road – altogether the situation was becoming very hopeful. Randall Kettle left us and after a week at his home he was on his way to England to join the navy. Very heavy gales struck and the windmill was wrecked.
On the 10th poor old Jim was lost in the English Channel when his bomber was brought down in an air battle off the coast of Normandie. Early on the morning of the 11th Dorothy and I heard on the short-wave of the loss of three Boston Bombers and we just thought that Jim might have been on this venture. Next day our worst fears were confirmed but we were asked to keep quiet for security reasons. Constance Fountaine was quick to report to us. A little later in the month Jim’s old dog `Ben’ became ill – old age – and we had to have him `put to sleep’. Meg had gone earlier. I spent a weekend at the Mackay’s in Lincoln Road and Ian was taken ill at the time and it became apparent that his diabetic trouble was becoming serious.
December
The damage to the Windmill was extensive and it took some repairing. However we were fortunate to have a pump engine as well. Goats on Pukekino were becoming a menace so Anne and Godfrey Kay came down and gave Boy a hand to wage war on them.
Early in December we had our last letter from Jim and on the 17th came the news that he had been killed – his body was washed onto the shore near Le Havre where he is now buried. The overall war situation was improving – the Japs were driven out of Burma – Rommell was still in full flight towards Tunisia from where he hoped to embark with his army upon Italy – the Russian offensive in the south was also progressing well and the Japs’ Navy was being held in the Pacific and severely punished.
One day Eddie brought out Steven Roskill (Captain of H.M.S Diomede and cousin of Ethne’s). The Leander took part in the battle of the Coral Sea – David Logan was an A.B. in her. David was home in Napier on leave and returned to H.M.S. Leander. Ray came home for Christmas.
Sandy Eaton, now Flight Lieutenant, was also home on leave. Shearing was rather a difficult business this year – at least the getting of sheep to Kereru for distemper was among the dogs on Kereru and we dare not take any of our dogs across. Shearing did not finish till December 29th and our total clip was 71 bales including crutching. Total sheep shorn 2850 and out of this 610 were lambs.
I notice Boy’s wages when he left school were 30/- per week. At the close of the year there were signs of a drought – the rainfall for the previous five months had been:
August 4.84 inches
September 0.67 inches
October 1.20 inches
December 1.25. inches
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Jim Logan in uniform c. 1942. Image source: Hamilton Logan
Jim Logan enjoying a casual lunch probably at Narford Hall (date unknown). Image source: Hamilton Logan
The original cross marking Jim Logan’s grave at Le Havre, France. Image source: Hamilton Logan
The replacement cross marking Jim Logan’s grave at Le Havre, France. Image source: Hamilton Logan
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1943
January
The new year came in with useful rain and by the end of the month 5.21 inches were recorded. We spent New Year’s day at home – Coley and Rochie came up and we made them stay on for dinner. The war news was becoming very encouraging – the Russian Armies were on the move – the gap between the U.S. forces and the Eighth Army in North Africa was narrowing and the Japs were suffering some heavy navel losses in the Pacific.
My old pal of boyhood days, Keith Cotterill, died in Havelock of cancer which seems to have taken a great toll of that family. Keith married Madge Rhodes of Springhill, a second cousin of mine.
Jim’s last letter reached us during the month – it had been written ten days before his death. He had some leave and had been staying in Edinburgh with Trix Traquair.
Mrs. Lowry brought the Hollands (Bishop of Wellington) out to see us. We discovered Mrs. Holland came from Newcastle-on-Tyne and that we had many friends in common. Another day we met them again at Lindisfarne.
Bob wrote to say he was having a spell in a convalescent home in Palestine after a shake-up when a bomb exploded near his truck.
Churchill and Roosevelt had a meeting of importance at Casablanca.
The Port Jackson, of over 10,000 tons, was the first Port Ship to berth at the new wharf and a party of seventeen of us lunched on board and it was for me to propose the toast. Dorothy and I spent a weekend with Lulu and Winston Barron.
February
Meetings of Harbour Board Reserves Works Committee, McLean Trust and Williams and Kettle began again. Eddie and Ethne went south after Wapiti again but before going they brought a Free French Naval Officer to see us. After a weekend at Okawa when I took Mrs. Lowry to church at Puketapu, I called in to see the Dudley Hills – he was very depressed over Rowan’s death.
News of Jim’s body being buried in St. Marie Cemetery in Le Havre.
From time to time there were U.S. Marines on leave in New Zealand from the Pacific and we occasionally came across some pleasant fellows,
British and U.S. air raids on Italy were becoming very severe and the Italians were very worried and rightly so.
Our grass seed was sown this month and we had luck in a reasonable fall of rain just after the operation – ploughing, discing, drilling, rolling in those days cost £2.15/- per acre. David Logan rejoined the Leander after some leave. I note that our very dear and favourite hack ‘Chummy’ seems to be aging and we shall have to spare him.
Photo caption – Roll of Honour at Maraekakaho. Image source: Hamilton Logan
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March
A big sorting up of sheep and dipping took place. This year we are setting off with 1768 breeding ewes, 535 ewe hoggets and about 300 Odds and sods, and 116 cattle (still far too unrealistic). War news was wonderful and a naval victory near the Solomons. Early on I spent another weekend at Okawa and took Mrs. Lowry to Puketapu Church Service. Ralph, recently back from Scotland and South Africa, was there and told us his story. He managed to find his way from Australia to Scotland and to get a commission in the Gordon Highlanders. But on his way to India he was landed at South Africa as he had begun to tell the C.O. what to do! His troubles were later to be handed over to L.C. Rolls and me.
Only .68 points of rain fell and we were beginning to worry again. We dug a good crop of potatoes. There were many meetings to attend such as Harbour, Williams and Kettle, McLean Trust and another committee in regard to movement of ships came upon us.
April
The last pick of fat lambs was made by Dyer for H.B. Meat Company on the 1st and now only 18 wether lambs remained. Some welcome rain fell again early in the month and the autumn turned out better than expected.
Coley’s brother, Jack Coleman, was killed in action. W.G. Wood and I had a good tour of the Valley properties on which we held mortgages. Old Mr. Averill was taken to Royston and later he underwent a Prostrate operation.
Eddie and Ethne returned from Wapiti hunting in the South Island and he and I resumed attendance together of our various meetings in Napier. After a cattle round up one day we definitely decided that old Chummy was beyond cattle work – he had been such a reliable old fellow on cattle work. There were twenty or thirty big pines behind Jim’s whare and I made terms with Odlins Timber Company to take them. The bridge in Lower Gaols was due for renewal and we struggled ‘down to the site with stout McArthur Gums grown on the place to act as stringers. The Hollands and Robin came out to see us again as they were searching for a suitable camping ground away from the crowd. They seemed to fancy a spot in the Poporangi Creek bed at the foot of the hill leading to Whakarara.
Ian MacKay died suddenly of a heart attack and Eddie and I attended his funeral on the 29th. He had been a diabetic for years. A milking heifer called ‘Babyface’ fell down the Gaols gorge from Bobs – she was unhurt and we fed her down there till we could get her up and later she produced a healthy calf. Another Port Line ‘Port Fairie’ came into Breakwater and there was another lunch party to celebrate – Haselwood was the Captain.
The North Africa campaign ended by the enemy being squeezed out some managed to escape to Italy and Sicily but 150,000 prisoners were taken. The next move will be across the Mediterranean to Europe. What Churchill called the ‘soft underbelly of Europe’. T.M. Geddis was elected Chairman of Harbour Board – again Eddie was deputy. Ray came home from Karitane in Auckland and she was now a qualified Karitane nurse.
On the 20th we completed the task of building the Gaols bridge and were thankful. On the 29th came the news of J.G. Coates’ death and I was sad for I had always liked and admired him. He had been a very successful Public Works Minister – then P.M. 1925-29 and at the time of his death he was a Member of the War Cabinet. (The Labour Party had co-opted him).
Williams and Kettle had their fifty-second birthday and at the annual meeting I was elected to the board again. The last weekend of the month we spent with Lulu and Winston Barron at Havelock North.
June
Our weekend at the Barrons lasted till the Wednesday and we saw quite a number of friends again – such as Chambers, Mary Coleman Mrs. Handyside, who is now 86. Since heavy petrol restrictions came about it became almost impossible to move far except for meetings etc. For instance, people living on bus routes did not get any petrol beyond the very meagre ration.
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We had a big Home Guard shoot at Fernhill (Roy’s Hill Range) on the 6th and after it I went on to Okawa for the night and took Mrs. Lowry to church at Puketapu again. That night I went to Lindisfarne.
The following morning Ethne took me to catch a very crowded train for Wellington. Sanders (Harbour Board Secretary) travelled with me and later Eddie, Pat Higgins and others joined us in Wellington, for an appearance before the Local Bodies Committee in regard to a possible setting up of a Royal Commission on the Harbour Board’s endowments. A little later in the month we were advised to get together with the City Council over the question and that suited us. In Wellington we were taken care of by Jack Stevenson (Harbour Boards Association Solicitor). We got much amusement out of the affair – the two Labour women members of the House sat on the Committee – Mrs, Dreaver and Miss M. Howard, In between times I met several old friends such as Harold Johnston (Judge), Sybil and Gladys Nathan, Jimmie Duncan, Lady Shirtcliffe and old Rose Hillier (her housekeeper and for 37 years, my Mother’s cook and housekeeper latterly). On returning I spent another night at the Herricks.
Tui, quite a favourite dairy cow, fell over a bank and was killed. Miss Disbury,once the McLean’s governess, died. W.G. Wood and about half a dozen who knew her went to the funeral with me at Havelock.
John Logan was stricken with appendicitis while in the North Sea on patrol (R.N.) and was removed to hospital ashore where he was desperately ill for a couple of weeks. Thanks to Dr. Webb-Johnson (later Lord Webb-Johnson) he was well cared for.
Mr. Averill returned to his home after two months in hospital but was rather shaken. John McLennan, Selby Palmer and I had our annual dinner at the Club – a party we always enjoyed and it celebrated our gratitude to McLennan for much help to our affairs. One day I saw a couple of men gathering mushrooms in the Pit paddock. On asking for their names they said they were members of the Hastings Police Force. It was very amusing and we laughed together.
July
This was a memorable month – the war in the Pacific against the Japs assumed exciting proportions. After much bombing of the coast line of Sicily and Italy landings were effected and then the foothold became secure and Mussolini, later in the month, resigned as Italy’s dictator and he never regained favour. There were bigger and bigger air raids on Germany and Hamburg as an industrial town and port existed no more.
News came quite unexpectedly that Bob and others of our troops in North Africa were coming home for some leave for the position was so much eased by recent successes. And he arrived a day or so later – we all met him at the Station in Napier one evening and it was grand to see him after over two years absence. We had dinner with Ivan and Mary and home at 10:30 to find a warm fire to sit over a little longer. Gladys and Janet Turnbull were staying with us at the time.
Vyv Hill was also home again and we called to see him. Janet left us on the 17th after a visit of two weeks which we enjoyed. Later Bob went to Auckland for a week – taking advantage of free rail passes. Ray took her first Karitane case with Aire Cranston (Hewitt) at Fordell.
Early in the month L.C. Rolls had a severe heart attack but his recovery was good and I was able to see him on my visits to Napier. Eddie had a party for Michael who had won his D.F.C. and was on leave after his adventures in the Battle of Britain. Hannay was there also and about to return to England after two or three year’s service with the R.N. in New Zealand as transport officer. Ian Logan was back from the Islands and married to Kay (Wilson) – Ivan and Mary gave a party before he went off to New Caledonia. Later he proceeded to Italy – he had a commission.
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August
It was a good lambing month and most of the lambs arrived before the end of the month. I note by then there were only about 200 ewes left to lamb and only 64 appeared to be dry. But the deaths had been highish – 30 had gone and the two-tooth were in a poor state – this must have been ‘sleepy sickness’ which can, these days, be avoided. Mardie and Dot came to stay and there seem to have been a number of parties in the district.
Sandy Eaton was home on leave from the Solomon Islands where be was a fighter pilot. Incidentally he bought us some tobacco. Jim McIntyre (our local county surfaceman) and I planned out a road through the farm for, at that time, it was known the Whanakino Bridge would not last much longer and it was also thought desirable to deviate and thus save much expense on a new bridge. Bob and Hiraani became engaged and she came to stay for a few days.
Boy passed his medical test and he hoped to have a try for the Navy which would take him earlier than the Army. David returned from the Pacific on his way to England to sit for a commission in the Navy in England as John had done. So there was a party for him at the Ivans’.
Activity increased daily at the Breakwater as many U.S.A. ships now called for supplies and this meant we were kept pretty busy at the Harbour Board.
Sicily fell on August 18th and Italy proper was having a raw time. Our bombers were now able to reach many vulnerable spots in Europe and Ploesti and the oil works in Rumania were receiving attention. Russia was still making good headway against Germany, So altogether the axis was having many headaches.
Eddie brought Stephen Roskill (Captain R.N. in Leander) to see us again before he returned to England after serving in the Pacific. He now had removed his beard and looked so young and fresh. Steenson was still our contract ploughman and this month lie finished ploughing Andersons Corner for chow moellier. Our barley crop was proving a great help for a run off, particularly two-tooth ewes and their lambs.
September
It appears that spring came in well and there was a very satisfactory amount of rain during the month. In our part of the country rain is more acceptable in September and October than in August. August is the month the flat country appreciates rain to ensure an early growth. We never expect the growth proper till late in September.
A favourite pet lamb, Blackie, of some years age decided to produce twins but shartly after their birth she died to our sorrow but we managed to find foster mothers for the lambs. Bill was very busy in the vegetable garden these days, and quite successful too, what with help from me. In those days we almost kept ourselves in vegetables and made our own butter too.
On the 3rd news came of Ian Smith being missing on a bombing flight over Germany. On that day there were church services throughout the Empire – it being the fourth anniversary of the war. Mr. Waugh took the service at Kereru.
The following day in heavy rain Hiraani and Bob were married in the Scott home at Haumoana by Father Murphy. It was not a big affair – mostly relations. Mardie and Dot came with us.
After the wedding I spent the night at Okawa. Very heavy rain fell and there was some flooding. I took Mrs. Lowry to catch the express to Wellington next day. Then I met W.G. Wood and Bramwell at Hastings concerning the valuation of the Glazebrook properties. Later I went to Lindisfarne before returning home.
Dudley Hill died on the 8th and he was 74. Early in the month the Eighth Army landed on the toe of Italy and began to advance towards the army already higher up the coast. Shortly after this came the unconditional surrender of Italy and what was left of her fleet came to Malta. However Germany carried on the war in Italy. Elections were looming up again and one evening Cyril Harker came to address us at Kereru. He, Mrs. Harker and Frank Tickner had dinner with us that evening.
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Ralph and Betty Lowry suddenly decided to end their marriage and sent for L.C. Rolls and myself to discuss matters. L.C. was not really fit for such a thing so I went to Havelock. After lengthy talks I quite saw the time had come and Ralph was on the verge of another ‘break down’. We sent for Penn Scannell and he prepared the way. Later there were meeting in Napier between L.C. Rolls, Ralph, Frank Kelly (Betty’s Solicitor), Penn and myself and financial arrangements were agreed upon.
We attended Henry Tahau’s wedding at St. Matthews in Hastings, followed by a huge feast at which Algie Rainbow and I had to speak.
Towards the end of the month I spent a couple of nights with Mr.Wenley as there were two or three important meetings on hand – Harbour Board, Williams and Kettle and Ralph’s affairs.
On the 27th the General Elections took place and we voted at Mangateretere on our way from Napier to see Lulu and Winston. The results were much better that we had hoped for. Labour only ended up with a majority of seven – Labour 43 National 36. There was much confusion over the soldiers’ votes abroad and before the final count these ballot papers had been burned! This caused speculation and will never be forgotten. The rainfall for the month was 7.28 inches.
October
The first weekend of the month I spent at Okawa and we had much talk over Ralph’s affairs as he also was staying there. The following Monday I dropped T.H.L. at Omaranui where he fattened his cattle, and Mrs. Lowry and I went to Napier for a meeting of the Ohinewairua Company with L.C. Rolls. This was a Land Company formed by T.H.L. – the land comprised over 20,000 acres in the Taihape area and the shareholders were Mrs. Lowry, Ralph and his two boys. Mrs. Lowry, Rolls and I were the directors. After a night at Mr. Wenley’s, Dorothy came to town and we lunched at the Charles Roberts’ before returning home. During the month there were further meetings of the Land Company but towards the end of the month Ralph cancelled the Power of Attorney he had given to L.C. Rolls and myself and this complicated matters somewhat.
The war progressed satisfactorily on all fronts and Italy turned round and declared war on Germany. Portugal gave the Allies the use of the Azores Islands facilities.
On the farm docking was finished but lambing was not a very good one. Ploughing was completed and the chow’moellier sown. Bob and Hiraani were staying with us off and on – making Pukekino their headquarters till the end of leave.
Mason Chambers (Jnr.) was a frequent visitor these days – being a friend of Boys.
Butter rationing began and it was fixed at half a pound per head per week. The allowance in Britain at the time was two ounces. Monty and Cushla (nee Rainer), who had been married recently, came to Napier to see Mrs. Turnbull and they came out to see us. One day we listened in to a very stirring address by General Smuts Prime Minister of South Africa. He was one of the strongest men of the Commonwealth.
November
After early shearing Dorothy and I went to Napier for a few days leaving Bob and Hiraani at home and they had Jack Symes with them – he also was on leave from the war. While in Napier I attended Mrs. Handyside’s funeral at Havelock – she was 86 and had been a friend over a long period.
Occasionally Boy and Bob went to the back of Kereru Station after deer and one time they returned after shooting five stags and a hind.
It was a month of very heaving dagging of ewes owing to the growth of grass and this work together with wing thistle cutting became monotonous.
Boy went to Wellington to present himself at the Navy Office for what he hoped and expected, his acceptance into the Navy but his eye test showed he was colour blind. As he was under age for the Army he had to wait longer for the call-up.
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December
L.C. Rolls, after a holiday, looked very fit and well. Sanders of the Harbour Board, became very unwell and was in Sherwood for a kidney operation. Eddie and I deputed by Harbour Board to meet the Sea Rovers with Captain Black in charge of a team of boys in training.
Another day Eddie, Geddis and Rochford, the engineer, and I had to meet Hercock (Mayor of Napier) and John Mason, Oldham and Viv Cox over the allocation of sections in Napier South. At the end of the month, on our last meeting day, we had our annual Harbour Board lunch at the Club.
Shearing was finished on December 15th. The Charles Roberts and Harris of England came out to lunch one day.
Ray went to care for Irna Roberts in Napier.
Sandy Eaton was home for a bit of leave again. These flying men in the Pacific have a very exacting time and it is considered frequent leave is needed.
On the 26th December there was a big picnic party in the Whanakino Creek and most of our neighbours attended. On the 31st Boy went off to Taupo with John Averilll and, as Bob’s leave was up, he and Hiraani left us. So Dorothy and I were left completely on our own once more. The year ended with the war news being satisfactory. Churchill and Roosevelt had a meeting in Teheran and later at Yalta with Stalin. At the latter meeting poor old Churchill had to agree to things that were later to prove disasterous to the peace of Europe. At this time Russia and U.S.A. had much bigger armies in the field than either Britain and the Commonwealth.
1944
January
New Year found Dorothy and myself alone in Pukekino. The day was perfect after a shower during the night to freshen up the garden. We had a slack day but did a little bit of gardening. The following night the Eatons and Sandy, who was on leave again, came to dinner. A day or two before the end of the year I developed a hernia as a result of pedalling a push bike against a heavy wind between Echills and Pukekino. As Barnett was away I consulted Gilray, who confirmed it and suggested a truss till I consulted Harold Barnett. Later Harold agreed with Tosh Gilray as in those days hernia operations were to an extent avoided unless absolutely necessary. One night while staying at Lindisfarne Eddie and I went over to Harry Wilson’s in those days I used to see quite a lot of him and Val Hoadley. Bob’s leave was up and he went to Palmerston Camp preparatory to returning to the war. However a big dust up occurred – the leave men protested against so many fit single men being kept in industry while many married men, who had already served in the Army, had to return to the war. The result was that Bob and those whose leave was at an end were held back in the meantime. He was not among the demonstrators.
One night Dorothy and I went to Napier to Mrs. Turnbull and next day we went to-have lunch with Lulu and Winston. We called to see Mrs. Empson, who now lived in rooms in Havelock – poor thing she was now becoming senile – she was 85.
At a Williams and Kettle meeting the only directors present one day were M. Chambers, Eddie, Von Kettle and myself. We wondered if there was a quorum but did not question it.
John Fairley’s boy was killed at Olrig as a result of a tractor accident. There was the usual night at Mr. Wenley’s at Napier. The `chou’ crop was good and during the month we put 700 lambs on it. Goats were beginning to become troublesome so Boy began to wage war upon them. Before the end of the month dipping began. The war was going well on all fronts.
February
By the 3rd dipping was over and ploughing was in progress for young grass in Ray’s paddock. The sowing took place towards the end of the month.
They were a little shy of labour at Kereru so we gave a hand with their dipping. I spent a night at Lindisfarne during the month Ethne had acquired a dear little Siamese kitten. While there I went over Dudley Kettle’s farm of 275 acres at Wharerangi. While at Lindisfarne Lady Newell (wife of Governor
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General) came and she and Ethne set off for Waikaremoana for a holiday. Eddie and I called to see Brocklehurst (Dean) in Napier. Ray went off to Auckland again on the 18th to a case.
I had a letter from Maie Casey to say they were off to India as Dick had been appointed Governor of Bengal. He had been Minister Resident in Egypt for a year or more and in the British Cabinet. Dorothy and I spent a couple of days at The Masonic in Napier as there were meetings of Harbour Board, McLean Trust etc. to attend. One meeting between Harbour Board and Napier C.C. over the Marewa Block was long and contentious. Over 500 fat lambs left the place in February.
March
I stayed at the Club for a night or two while Dorothy was at her Mother’s. Mrs. Turnbull was about to go for a trip to the South Island and Wellington with Bessie Anderson.
Pat Higgins and I had a meeting with Kirkpatrick and Little (Freezing Works) re the lessening of draught of ships at the port – this affected the load the big ships could take. Later the dredging enabled us to go back to the twenty-seven foot mark.
The Bishop of Waiapu preached at Maraekakaho one Sunday and we went to the service after a meal with Rochie and Coley at ‘The Cottage’. We put rams out with 1822 ewes this year, 32 years ago we had only 1800 sheep (ewes) – now we have 2500 sheep all told. Originally three paddocks – now thirty. Mrs. Turnbull returned from her holiday in a somewhat excitable state and this caused some concern so Dorothy had to spend the odd night with her more frequently.
Mason Chambers was still a frequent visitor and he and Boy used to go out after deer at Kereru or Whakarara and they also cracked at the goats. I attended a S.P.C.A. annual meeting at the end of the month and thought it stuffy – little did I realise that I would be President in less than another ten years.
More meetings of Williams and Kettle, Harbour Board and McLean Trust before the month was out.
These days we saw quite a lot of Ned and Elfie Smith. Since the slump Ned had become a very interested farmer and more than pulled his weight, especially on the agricultural side. By the end of March only 67 wether lambs were left – it had been a good fattening season.
Over fifteen inches of rain fell in March and winter feed was assured. A far reaching Local Bodies Bill was passed, giving all residents in the County over 21 a vote regardless of being a ratepayer or not.
April
On April 6th Vyv Hill and Elizabeth Harvey were married – we were not present as the invitation did not reach us till after the event. We went early in the Month to see Mr. Mason Chambers and later Lulu and Winston. Bob came up for a weekend and Ned and Elfie came to dine. Boy and Mason went deer shooting at Whakarara. Janet Turnbull and Ray Sherning visited us. John Logan returned to New Zealand after nearly three years in the Navy. He was on leave after his illness in England but he did not return to sea. Dorothy and I spent ten days at the Masonic Hotel in Napier and staying there at times were the Harold Johnstons, the Banks Amerys from England, Hamish Wilson and wife (nee Ada Ormond). While there there was the Anzac Parade which Tim Wilder took. At Pukekino we had a good innings in the garden.
May
We got crutching out of the way during the first week. Later came topdressing and the usual farm work. Boy went off shooting with Morrie and Cecil Averill on the opening day – the bag was a poorish one but mixed. The Government suggested I might be willing to sell some land to enable R.P. Kay to increase his holding and, as Jim had been killed and Bob did not appear very interested in farming there was only Boy left, after a yarn with Burnley (Commissioner of Crown Lands) I decided to sell about 350 acres (Upper Gaols, Ram Paddock and part of Prices). Final arrangements were to be made later. There was a meeting of the National
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Party (Maraekakaho) at Maraekakaho one night and I met our member for Pahiatua for the first time (Keith Holyoake) – beforehand I dined at ‘The Cottage’ with Rochie and Coley.
One day Eddie and I were invited to have a look at the guns located on the top of the Bluff Hill. There was an observation post there. There were Harbour Board meetings – Works and Reserves Committee meetings – and Williams and Kettle (annual Directors) – it looks like a record year – about £49,000 net profit.
L. Stephenson had retired from the Harbour Board and A.P. Sheehan was appointed by the Government in his stead. He did not last very long. The Allies offensive in Italy was gaining momentum daily and the long and bloody battle for Cassino was won. Towards the end of the month we spent a few days in Napier at the Masonic on account of several meetings of importance. Staying there also were the Hollands (Bishop of Wellington) and the S.M. Palmers and the Local Body Elections were held – I was returned for the Harbour Board again. One night N. MacKay, McLennan, Selby Palmer and I had our annual dinner at the Club. T.M. Geddis, who had been Chairman of the Harbour Board since 1932 did not seek election again. He had been the most able and progressive Chairman of all time and Hawke’s Bay should be grateful for his contribution to its advancement.
On the 31st Pat Higgins, Harland (Secretary Harbour Board) and I had to go to Wellington, also with us was Davis (Engineer). We travelled in a crowded train – the trains were always overcrowded in these times. That evening we had a meeting with the Shipping Allotment Committee (Rae Shiflett, Bevan and Binnie). It was satisfactory. That evening we went to see poor Sanders who is now in Lewisham Hospital and very unwell and not likely to last much longer. Marie Louise was born on May 25th at a home in Nelson Crescent. Both well.
June
In Wellington – during the morning of the 1st we had a meeting at Treasury and Furkert (Engineer in Chief) accompanied us and was very helpful. Later a meeting at the Navy Office to discuss a problem or two and our mission was then over. I called to see Cora who was nurse to Dr. David Whyte in Kelvin Chambers – met Charles Burns (now Sir Charles) a prominent physician. Cora lunched with Pat and me. Later I called on Sybil and Gladys Nathan at 45 Grant Road. Then Pat and I spent the evening with the Charlie Miles. On my return to Napier next day I spent the night at the Club, before going off to bed I dropped in at the Masonic to see the Hollands. The 5th was a day of excitement for Rome fell and the next day was the day we had waited for for what seemed a lifetime. It was D-Day and our invasion of Normandy took place. We were in Napier when the news came through – Bertie Holland and I were together at the Masonic Lounge when the radio made the announcement. For the next few days we held our breath – then we realised the landing by our troops and the U.S.A. was sure and successful. Towards the end of the month the position seemed secure and the whole of the peninsular including Cherberg became ours. Cherberg fell on the 27th.
The poor Herricks were in more trouble for Michael was posted missing somewhere off Denmark on the 25th and his death was confirmed later. He had had a brilliant career in the R.A.F. and had been through the Battle of Britain. Ray returned home after her case in Auckland. During the month we established what we now call our plantation of English trees. At this month’s Harbour Board Meeting my life-long friend E.J. Herrick (Eddie) was made Chairman.
July
On the night of the 1st we experienced one of the heaviest S.W. gales possible and many trees recently planted in the back paddock were destroyed – these were mainly macrocarpa. Our little cat, Kim, became very unwell and we took him to the Vet (Brodie) after struggling with various methods
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suggested by him. He made a good recovery. In those days Brodie was the only Vet for Hawke’s Bay. Since those days Vet Science has made great strides as you can see and animal husbandry would fall to pieces if it were not for the present day knowledge and the Vet Surgeons and Clinics we have. One day M. Chambers, H.M. Campbell, T.G. Crosse and I lunched at the Hastings Club with R. Harding (Chairman of the H.B.C.C.) and later had our photographs taken. The first four were ex-chairman of the County Council. I seem to have-lost my copy of the photograph and perhaps it is well that it is lost! I spent two or three nights at Mr. Wenley’s and Dorothy at her Mother’s – this was on account of several meetings to attend in close succession. At the Harbour Board Meeting Pat Higgins was elected Chairman of the Works Committee and I was elected Chairman of Reserves in place of John Barker now retired. His place as a county member was taken by Hylton Smith. Lindsay Gordon and I were still the other two. V. Sanders died before the meeting in July and J.R. Harland was appointed in his stead. The war progressed well and the break through towards Central France made Hitler’s position unsteady and there was an attempt on his life. The Japanese were likewise feeling the pinch. John Roberts came out of the Army and was posted to a job in the country and Kereru was where he came. From then onwards we used to see much of him, especially at weekends. One day the ship ‘Empire Grace’ came into Napier and lifted the biggest cargo of mutton carcases ever – 200,000 carcases. Eddie and I had a meeting with McLennan in regard to the Bank of New Zealand’s attitude towards Williams and Kettle’s overdraft. McLennan was insistent that we should not contemplate a change over to the Bank of Australasia in spite of, possibly, more favourable terms and in the end we knew he was right.
August
We had another meeting on the same lines and reported back to the other directors.
The breakthrough at Normandy continued and it really looked as if Germany was beginning to crack – however, there was still a big distance to travel. The Russians too, were pressing Germany hard on the other fronts – East Prussia and Poland.
The weather was wonderfully mild and lambing progressed well.
Boy was chosen to play for the Hawke’s Bay XV and it was exciting that he was on the victor’s side in the match against Wairarapa16 – 14. Later in the month he was also in the team when it played the return match in Masterton.
Maurice Chambers and wife, Kath, now lived at Tauroa with Mr. Mason Chambers and I spent a weekend with them.
T.M. Geddis had a long period of convalescence after a gall bladder operation and at times I used to visit him in hospital and at his mother’s house on the Bluff Hill.
Charlie Tahau came out to Pukekino and took a large quantity of pine firewood. There was much activity in the Harbour Board over passing over an area in the Lagoon to the Airport Authority – assessing the area, valuation, etc. I was drawn closely into negotiations as I was Chairman of the Reserves Committee.
Mrs. Turnbull was not very well these days and Dorothy often spent a few nights with her in Napier. At the time of the Club’s Annual Meeting I spent a few days, at the Club. Alec Roberts was also staying there. Maurice Spence was elected Chairman and, once again, I found myself on the Committee. Towards the end of the month another landing was made in the South of France.
During lambing Anne Kay was engaged to help us and she looked after the lambing ewes in Cocksfoot one and two and Sturges at 2/6d a round. By the end of the month the Allies were very close to Paris and all was going well.
September
Spring came upon us suddenly and this was a most satisfactory month and docking proceeded rapidly. The percentage was just about average – somewhere in the 90s. Green, the Hastings Traffic Officer, asked if he could lease a few acres in our part of the world in which to grow carrots for these
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vegetables were in much demand in these days of war. I agreed to let him have six acres of Phils corner. The crop turned out a failure eventually as he neglected to thin out properly and was quite unorganised when the digging and bagging took place.
On September 3rd there was a National day of Thanksgiving for our recent successes. There was wonderful progress in all theatres of the war and it was now Germany’s turn to face invasion. But the flying bombs launched from the north coast of France were still causing trouble in the South of England as far north as London.
On the morning of the 5th Harold Barnett rang to say Mrs. Turnbull was not well and he thought we should come to town. On arrival we found her unconscious. We were able to get Sister McBeth to come along to be with Dorothy and old Isobel. At 10.30p.m. Mrs. Turnbull died. She was 85. On the 7th after a short service taken by Brocklehurst in the house, she was buried privately in the Havelock Cemetery. Her maiden name was Sweet and she came from Clifton. The only people who attended the funeral outside the family were W. Johnston (Manager of Kereru) and Alec Roberts and his son, John. It was quite a busy month with meetings of the Harbour Board and Williams and Kettle.
On the 16th I was on my way to Okawa when I met Mrs. Lowry and Ralph at Monkeytown on their way to see Mr. Lowry who had been taken to Royston on account of a haemorrhage. I spent the night at Okawa and next morning Tom and Margot arrived early from Taihape. During the next few days his condition worsened and he died on the 23rd. His burial took place at Puketapu on the 25th and I was a pallbearer with Tom, Jim, Ralph, Brandon (Stud Groom) and Geordie Stevens (Manager of Omaranui and formerly shepherd). Many of us lunched at Okawa beforehand and it was there Penn Scannell informed me I was a trustee together with Tom and Algie Rainbow. I said at the time that there would be many complications to be faced and time showed how right I was! Nothing seemed to go right at first. Phil Giblin was back from the war and one day he and Justine came out to see us at Pukekino.
October
Calais fell to us and so the flying bomb menace lessened and during the month the U.S.A. forces returned to the Phillipines [sic] after a terrific naval engagement in which the Japs lost fifty-eight ships – in fact their navy was crippled. Tokyo was now within bombing range. There was much activity in the garden as this is the month for sowing vegetables.
Early in the month we went to the Masonic for a few days as Monty and Cushla were in Napier for the purpose of dividing up Mrs. Turnbull’s possessions. Mary and Dorothy agreed between them only to take a few things as Monty possessed no household goods. Mrs. Shrimpton was staying at the hotel too. During the few days at Napier much of my time was occupied with Harbour Board work and Williams and Kettle. At a T.H. Lowry Trustee meeting in Hastings we appointed L.C. Rolls as Managing Director of Ohinewairua Company in T.H.L’s place. On the 16th and 17th we were staying at Lincoln Road and while there I was able to attend a Club Meeting and to visit the MacKays, also to attend a Town Planning Meeting at which Newnham (Engineer-in-Chief) was present and later to attend a very contentious meeting of the Ohinewairua Company (Mrs. T.H. Lowry, L.C. Rolls, Ralph and myself). Ralph was most unpleasant throughout the meeting.
We returned to 18 Lincoln Road for the last time on the 23rd to help pack up the various belongings and for Dorothy to bid farewell to the home of her Mother over the past twelve years. We did not go to the Show this year. On the 26th John and Ngaire were married by Brocklehurst (Dean) at Ivan’s home in Gladstone Road – it was a quiet affair, only relatives of both families present. Only 2.34 inches of rain fell during the month which is rather light for the most important month of the year.
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November
It was arranged with Johnston (Kereru) that we would shear first.
For twelve days we struggled against fearful odds – it rained and rained and there were thunderstorms too. At times we had most of the sheep over at Kereru that just had to stay there. However the shearing eventually was completed and we were thankful it was dry sheep shearing and not ewes and lambs.
There were two lengthy meetings of the Harbour Board with Skinner (Minister of Lands) concerning the agreement over the destiny of the Ahuriri Lagoon – the area of 7,000 acres brought into being by the earthquake had been developed and drained by the Public Works Department at great cost because the Board had not the money. At last a very satisfactory plan came back – the Public Works were handed over approximately half the land and the Board retained the other half. Genie Chapman came out to New Zealand for a few months after three years of the war in Egypt and Italy doing war work. Mardie and her two children came over to stay with us for a couple of weeks.
Williams and Kettle’s No. 4 wool store was finished and was the last word in wool stores and the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere.
The German Armies were by this time on the east side of the Rhine and the war progressed very satisfactorily.
Ray was up in Wairoa helping Shiela de Gruchy.
There were several T.H. Lowry Trust meetings but still the tangle looked formidable.
We saw much of the Herricks during the month.
December
The month began with another wet spell and this caused delay over shearing and all the time the ewes were becoming more and more daggy. There were quite a lot of thunderstorms.
On the 2nd Dorothy (Tommy) Wilson was married to John Arkwright (who had at 23 won his D.F.C.) at St. Matthews and there was
a huge reception afterwards at the Wilson home in Lindhurst Road.
Surveyors came out to measure up the land to be sold to the Government. It amounted to 369 acres and comprised Grahams, Upper Gaols, Ram paddock and part of Prices. Okawa cattle sold at Stortford Lodge.
In the middle of the month we spent a few days at The Masonic – Harold Johnston was there as the Supreme Court was sitting.
Judy Williams came to see us and Peter Tonkin back on leave from the R.A.F.
John Wenley came to say goodbye before going to England to join the Navy.
At the annual meeting of the Kereru Sports Club I was re-elected President – this will be my last year I think.
Quite without warning the Germans staged a sudden terrific counter-attack in Belgium and made a huge dent up to about fifty miles deep in the U.S.A. lines. However after about ten days their effort seemed spent and with much help from the British the position was restored – but it was a tense time while it lasted.
On Christmas Day I got up quietly and milked the cows so as to give Boy a rest as he had had a pretty heavy weeks work. We had a quiet day. The Kay Family came along for a drink later on. The next day at the Cecil Averills, Ned Smiths and Bernard Dinwiddies came to see us.
At a T.H.L. meeting we decided to sell the Okawa flock at a sale to be held at Okawa early next year. Some of the cattle went off earlier and also some of the odds and ends of sheep.
So another year ended – all the war news was encouraging. The rainfall for December was 5.24 inches
1945
January
On the 1st Ray and Boy went to the races. For some reason, my diary tells me, we gave the pet lamb an extra feed.
The war goes well all round and the salient on the Belgian front has been wiped out and all is well.
Boy’s mare, Diana, foaled a short while ago and the little filly is now ready for handling,
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so we made a start and met with success in getting her used to man.
John Roberts was back from his holiday early in the month and once again he became a frequent visitor to Pukekino. Boy undertook to break in a horse for L. Maclean of Glencoe but he turned out to be rather an outlaw. Early on one hundred fat lambs went off their mothers. Another calf went over the Gaols gorge and as Boy and I were trying to get it up it turned on me and pushed me over into the creek. The result was three cracked ribs. Thomas the chemist strapped me up but later I had to go to Waterworth (Barnett was away) who did the job more thoroughly. This kept me quiet for a time. We were able to get Boy’s time for entering the Army postponed till May when the heavy work would be over. We had no qualms about this as the war was now on its last legs and whatever happened Boy would not see active service. During the month there was a gathering of the Lowry family at Okawa for the distribution of T.H.L.’s personal belongings, especially a large quantity of silver. Rainbow and I were there to represent the Trustees and there was complete agreement in the family to our suggestion that Mrs. Lowry would be the distributor of all the possessions, and this was carried out in great harmony. After this event I spent a few days in Napier for various meetings and to have my ribs strapped up again. One day the Bishop (Holland) and Robin called in with the idea of finding a good camping ground and we went to the Poporangi Stream on the way to Whakarara where we met Eaton and a good site for the camp and caravan was decided upon. There the camp was set up a day or two later and there they stayed happily for a month or more. The wool sales were satisfactory and we got up to 15 ½d per pound – how would that suit today? The Kereru Sports were held in fine weather and were successful – Boy did well winning the points prize. The sale of Okawa sheep at the Station was held on the 25th. I assisted Dixon (W. and K’s Auctioneer) by helping keep up with the bidding. The two-tooth ewes fetched 32/6. Other values were good. But as T.H.L. had reduced the value of sheep to 10/- per head during the depression these prices attracted much by way of income tax! On the last day of the month we began dipping.
February
We carried on the dipping and then helped Kereru with theirs. The first Cocksfoot was sown down in grass before the end of the month – about 1 ½lbs. of sub-clover was included in the mixture. At the ewe Fairs, which by now had come to stay, we got 24/9 for mixed aged ewes, 27/6 for top two tooth ewes and 24/6 for five year ewes. February was a wet month – 7.71 inches fell altogether but on the 12th and 13th over four inches came down and there was a trail of mess to clear up. The chou mollier crop was ready and 750 wether lambs were put on to it. We spent a weekend at the Masonic so as to attend the enthronement of Cruickshank as Bishop of Waiapu. He and I had become friends at Oxford when he was up at Keble – later he was Dean of Dunedin. Archbishop West-Watson and all the bishops were present. Staying at the Masonic were Topsy Hewitt and Trix Russell whom I had not seen for about twenty years or more. Bob and Hiraani, who were staying at The Grange, came to dinner with us. During the month we went to see the Percy McHardys at Havelock and the Arthur Morrises at Fernhill. Likewise we saw a lot of the Hollands in camp at the Poporangi Creek – we had the odd game of bridge with the Bishop and Robin -took them vegetables and cream. He came to a Presbyterian Service at Kereru Hall one Sunday and sang his head off. Boy competed in the Athletic Sports in Napier and Ray went back to the de Gruchys in Wairoa for a short time. There was much activity in local body work (Harbour), McLean Trust etc. after the Christmas break. As usual in those days, I saw much of Eddie and Pat Higgins. The war on all fronts, continued much in our favour and it looked as if the end was really in sight.
March
The beginning of the month found us at 4 Gladstone Road. Ivan and Mary were in Taupo. We dined at the Masonic that night and the Eric Rickards were there. A long meeting at Harbour Board one day and we agreed to an
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offer of the Housing Department to purchase 193 acres In Napier South for £22,000. The Bishop, Mrs. Holland and Robin left the Poporangi Camp on March 12th but before their departure Boy and I had another bridge evening in the caravan. We missed them as they had been so much in our lives for six weeks. 520 fat lambs went off and only a few over 200 remained. On the 12th I finally parted with 369 acres of Pukekino to the Crown – the price was £6 per acre – today it might have been £60! Isobel McLean (used to be housekeeper to Mrs. Turnbull) came out to Pukekino to look after me while Dorothy went to Auckland for ten days. Boy was also away in Rotorua and Ray was in Wairoa. This year we had a very good crop of potatoes in Boy’s Paddock and old Bill Graham put in much time digging and bagging for we sold quite a quantity. On the 21st L.C. Rolls died rather suddenly – his heart condition had been poor since his attack last year but we did not expect him to die. On the 23rd Eddie, Gordon Williams and I represented the Directors at the funeral at Park Island. Ray came home after Isobel’s week was up and she and I were at home alone till later in the month when Boy and Dorothy returned. At a meeting of the T.H.L. Trust J.B. Campbell was elected to take L.C. Rolls’ place as General Manager of Ohinewairua Company with me. As will be seen this plan did not suit Ralph. The appointment of a General Manager to fill Rolls’ place with Williams and Kettle was left to Eddie, M.S. Chambers and myself. After much thought we decided as a first step to advertise throughout New Zealand.
April
In the meantime, E.S. Burkitt, who had been Secretary of Williams and Kettle, and with the firm since he left school, was elected interim Manager. March had been a dry month with only a bit over one inch and this month was equally dry with much wind and so by the end of the month we were becoming anxious about the grass situation for the winter. We finished the potato digging and got about three and a half tons from one acre in Boy’s paddock. Greene’s carrot crop of six acres in Phil’s corner was a rank failure and he hardly paid wages so I forgave him the rent. In any case it wouldn’t have amounted to very much. On the 4th Ray and I set off by service car for Auckland – the first night we spent at the Grand in Rotorua. We were late in reaching Rotorua on account of a breakdown near Reporoa and, on arrival, found our accommodation at Waiwera Hours had been muddled up so we were pushed off to a ghastly place called Australia House. This was appalling but we able to get into the Grand in Auckland after much trouble. The next day found us at the Grand in Auckland which, at that time in my opinion, was the most comfortable and friendly hotel in New Zealand. There we found Roie Hewitt, who had made the Grand her home all the time Brian was away on war service. We were in Auckland for a fortnight and had a most enjoyable time – seeing our many friends viz. Bets Hay, back in New Zealand while Trevor was still on service in India, the Holmdens, Marg Hay, Joan Bullock, Monty and Cushla (he was still in the Air Force, but in Auckland for a short term), Nellie Ainsworth (children’s nurse for six years). I lunched several times at the Northern Club with Trevor Holmden, Frater (Chairman of Harbour Board), Harvey Bell (then Major General) and others.
I saw old Fancourt (Dean of Auckland) several times and lunched with him. He had been prefect of my dormitory when I first went to Wanganui and sometimes I used to see him in England when he was at Cambridge and I at Oxford.
President Roosevelt died suddenly on the 12th and on Sunday the 13th I attended a huge memorial service at St. Mary’s where Fancourt preached a good sermon and crowds of U.S. Servicemen were present.
Carlton Hay and I were to have gone to a sports meeting on the 14th but he had a stroke that morning and died next day. I attended his funeral service at St. Sepulchre’s on the 16th when Archbishop Averill and the Bishop of Auckland (Simkin) officiated. It was all very tragic.
One day I lunched with Ralph Lowry and Jennie Ross-Smith, whom he later married. He had been trying to get his divorce from Betty
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for many years and at last succeeded, at great cost.
I also had many glimpses of the Auckland Harbour works with various officials – including Holderness and Vickerman and a trip by launch to Hobsonville. This was all of much interest to me being a member of the Napier Harbour Board at the time.
At times in Auckland I used to have yarns with Ernest Davis (Sir E. ) who was a big gun in business and later Mayor of Auckland. One day I went to St. Heliers to see Archbishop Averill and Mrs Averill in their pleasant home (he retired a year or two earlier and she was getting very senile, poor thing). Roie Hewitt was unhappy with her bank (N.Z.) so I introduced her to the Union Bank of Australia and she changed her account there and then. Ray and I returned to Napier on the 19th. Then there were some hectic meetings of the Ohinewairua Company and a conference at Okawa. J.B. Campbell was elected sole supervisor of the land operations as he was very conversant with that type of country. Bob left Eric Nelson’s property at Mangateretere after seven months and shortly proceeded to Campbell MacNiven at Haumoana as he had definitely decided against returning to Williams and Kettle.
The weather during April was dry and much wind abounded. Things were very dry in the country. By the end of the month only 91 wether lambs remained – the balance had gone away fat. The war in Europe was drawing to a close and Berlin was under siege. The Cruickshanks (Bishop of Waiapu) were well entrenched in Bishopscourt – the Troutbeck home in Chaucer Road, but he was having trouble to get his driver’s license after not having driven a car for so long.
May
I forgot to mention in April that owing to the sale of 369 acres there was a reduction made in the sheep population but only in the number of ewes – these were reduced to 1650. In the first few days of the month crutching took place and after that the usual routine work – stock work – fence repairing – gardening etc. Two bullocks went over a nasty drop in Bob’s paddock – one had to be shot but the other we managed to get out, after a week’s work of track making down the creek near the Whanakino bridge. There was a meeting of Ohinewairua Company one day to confirm the appointment of J.B. Campbell. Ralph Lowry was most hostile and Mrs. Lowry, who had always supported me, was reluctant to approve. However, ultimately, she did agree but things were never quite the same for many years. We appointed E.S. Burkitt secretary. Lunch afterwards at the Masonic was a dull affair except that Meta Riddiford came along and brightened us up.
The following day, I was spending a night or two with Mr. Wenley, Berlin and Hamburg fell to the British Army and Montgomery accepted the surrender of north west Germany and on the 8th Germany surrendered unconditionally after five years and eight months of war. There was much rejoicing and that night we heard Churchill and the King speak to the world. On the 10th Bets Hay and her two children, David and Libby, came to stay with us at Pukekino. They were living in Auckland till Trevor returned and plans were made. Trevor was a civil engineer before the war in Burma. On the 14th the New Zealand Naval Chief of Staff (Commodore Sir A. Lake) came to Napier and we had a meeting with him at the Harbour office. The talk was ‘off the cuff’ to a point and he told us of what might be the plan of campaign v Japan. Brian Geddis was married by Cruickshank (Bishop) on the same day and Eddie and Ethne Herrick went with us to the reception afterwards. Williams and Kettle’s Directors had a meeting or two during the month and on the 21st there was the Annual General. Meeting. It was still a better year than ever with £178,000 gross profit. On the 28th I had a tour of inspection (as Chairman of Reserves) with Harland of the Harbour Board’s Endowment Lands. Then our annual dinner took place but only J. McLennan, N. Mackay and I were present as S.M. Palmer had a bad cold. On the last day of the month Boy (Hamilton, of course) left us for Trentham Camp – his call having come from the Army. The dry spell came to an end this month and we were grateful for 4 ½ inches of rain.
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June
Mustered up 43 fat bullocks for sale – six were missing in Boy’s but after a big search we found them. Eddie, Maurice Chambers and I spent much of a day going through applications from 36 for Williams and Kettle’s job – it was quite a task. In the end we whittled them down to two – M.S.C. favoured Dick Wylie of the Power Board while Eddie and I favoured E.S.Burkitt. At a subsequent director’s meeting Burkitt was unanimously chosen and his appointment was confirmed on the 8th. On the same day I attended a meeting in Rainbow’s office with Gilbertson in connection with Ohinewairua – a meeting at Harbour Board and a lunch at the Masonic with Tom Lowry, Eddie and M.S.C. There was also a McLean Trust meeting during the month and a T.H. Lowry Trust meeting. Boy rang up one day to say I would be justified in appealing for his discharge as he was only occupied in picking up spent bullets at Foxton and would not even start military training till he was 21 and that was not till the end of November and since the war with Japan was nearing its end and his help was much needed at Pukekino where Bill and I were alone, I contacted Jack Graham, a member of the Appeal Board in Hawke’s Bay, and he, being a farmer, said he was completely in agreement and would further the matter.
The Japanese were now being very hard pressed and being driven back to their own country rapidly, suffering heavy losses all the way Moreover their once powerful navy was almost non-existent. John Turnbull (Willie’s son) was back from the war and spent a week or so with us. I offered him a job for a time but it did not work out very well. Germany was divided into four zones of administration (British, French, Russian and U.S.A.). Hitler and one or two others of his brigade had committed suicide by this time. At the end of the month at a monster conference of leaders of the allied Nations was held at San Francisco, the ‘United Nations’ was born.
July
Now the war in Europe was over it was time to settle down to hard work – not that we had not worked hard during the war but wars usually have an unsettling effect upon one. More trouble in the Lowry Family. Unfortunately T.H.L. left a 300 acre block paddock to Jim in his will – this had years ago been gifted to Mrs. Lowry who in turn gifted it to young Tom. Jim became very obstinate over it and regarded the Trustees as nitwits because they could not grant him this area. After much bother etc. Mrs. Lowry approached young Tom’s Trustees (Rainbow and myself) to sell to her and she would then gift it to Jim. There was then argument about the price she would have to pay – she thought £10 per acre but the valuer said £15! On top of that she had to pay gift duty – this was a further injustice to Ireland. Mrs. Lowry took a dim view of me. Old Mr. Averill became unwell again. Ruapehu erupted violently and clouds of smoke could be seen from many vantage points. After our first meeting of Williams and Kettle Directors with Burkitt as General Manager we all lunched at the Club and this became our habit for the time I was on the Board. A suggestion to change Banks was turned down. During the month we had, once more, quite a number of Seton Wenley’s cattle grazing on Pukekino. One day Fay, Hamilton’s little filly, staked herself under the shoulder. It was a very deep and ugly wound. However, with George Anderson’s help (rabbiter) we were able to cope with her satisfactorily and Callaghan, the Vet, gave us full marks. Fortunately Boy came home a little later, for ten days, and all was well. It was fortunate he had handled Fay to the extent she had confidence in men. Fay’s wound had to be attended to twice daily for about six weeks. One day the H.B. County gave a luncheon party in honour of T.E. Crosse, who attained the age of 91. Boy’s weekend leave was extended for ten days on account of his not being too fit. Then we heard that the appeal had succeeded and after reporting at Foxton he was discharged till November 21st (his birthday) when he would be 21.
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One day coming along Kennedy Road to a Harbour Board Meeting in the truck we blew out a tyre and the amount of red tape there was to get a permit for a new tyre was no one’s business. A heavy fall of snow fell on the night of the 15th – this made the journey to town for a Harbour Board meeting very hazardous for the first eight miles, as far as Mangatahi – ice on windscreen. I had a meeting or two with J.B. Campbell during the month and I was very happy to have him associated with me in Ohinewairua Land Company. Mrs. Lowry and Ralph seemed more agreeable towards him. We shifted the hay paddock fence – a job which should have been done ages ago. There were signs of sleepy sickness among the ewes so we had to have a big drafting up as lambing was almost upon us. One day the Derricks brought out Sir Harry and Lady Battersby (High Commissioner) – he and I found much in common as he had been ‘up’ at Hertford, Oxford. During the month Little Fly, a favourite sheep dog on the farm, was killed by a truck on the road and there was much sadness in the family. I note we had a great struggle to keep a little dairy calf alive – she went off her feed and appeared to be on the ‘way out’ – however we persevered and after a while her life was saved. I shall never forget the struggle we had for we always loved our pet animals. On the 25th the first British elections after the war took place and the Conservative Government was defeated, Winston Churchill fell in a landslide – Labour secured a majority of 150 at least. England certainly showed her gratitude towards the man who saved the world in a poor manner.
August
On the 7th the U.S.A. Dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese town of Hiroshima causing widespread destruction and death. This was shortly followed by another and Japan was brought to her knees and on the 15th she surrendered unconditionally. So after six years, less one month, of war peace came and there was untold relief in the civilized world. Charlie Roberts and I were taking a walk to the Breakwater when the sirens and whistles blared out so we rushed back to town to take part in the excitement. That night we went to a very enjoyable peace dinner with the Herricks at Lindisfarne – besides ourselves were Ray and Boy, the Lindsay Cordons and Mrs. Allen. On August 8th Dorothy and I went to stay at the Masonic Hotel in Napier. We found Ernest Groome and the two Miss Johnstons of Motuotaraia also there. From time to time we were able to entertain a number of friends – among them were the S.M. Palmers, N. MacKays, G. Wenley, the Sturms etc. So we were staying in Napier actually when peace came and were able to take part in some of the celebrations.
Bob and Hiraani were now with the Campbell MacNivens at Awanga and we went to see them one day in their cottage on the farm, Bob had now definitely decided to make farming his career. On Pukekino lambing proceeded apace and the signs were for a good spring as the rainfall for the month was sufficient to ensure an early growth if the warm weather set in.
Opposums were beginning to become a nuisance and our rabbiter George Anderson, in addition to rabbitting, took on the setting of traps for opposums.
September
Ploughing again was in progress and by the end of the month docking was virtually over. There was about 95% lambing – still far too many dry ewes. The formal surrender of Japan took place on the U.S. Battleship ‘Missouri’ in Tokyo Harbour. There were the usual meetings of Ohinewairua Company, T.H.Lowry Trust, Williams and Kettle and Harbour Board – now that the war was over the Harbour Board began to consider future construction works – but it realised there would be a shortage of some materials for a time. I notice I was still a member of the H.B. Club Committee and after attending the September monthly meeting I spent the night with Mr. Wenley. One day I invited a few young people to lunch at the Club to meet Cruickshank (Bishop of Waiapu) – there was Larry Herrick (Lt. Commander R.N. and in submarines), Peter Wilson, Boy and Eddie were also there. Later in the month Larry had a party at Lindisfarne. Anne Kay had her 21st
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birthday on the 25th September and the Kays gave a dance for her in the Kereru Hall. Again we purchased about 30 to 40 yearling heifers from Bill Jowsey. When not engaged in stock work we erected the fence between Nairn and Road End on a better line. Towards the end of the month J.B. Campbell and I had more meetings as Ralph Lowry was making things as difficult as he could for us. Had it not been for our desire to protect his children we would gladly have resigned from the Trust.
October
Spring came in with a bang but as there was much snow on the mountains, unless rain fell or westerly winds blew, there would be frosts. Neither happened and we experienced some heavy frosts. Jock Eaton came back from the war a Major – having been in England, North Africa and Italy for the past three years, and he brought Dorothy Bell of Auckland to Whakarara for the approval of his parents! Monty and Cushla, now out of the Air Force, returned to Hawke’s Bay and, after staying with us for three weeks, they took on a job at Kereru Station. By this time Kereru was well run-down. No revenue was forthcoming but, for their keep, Monty was given the job of milking two or three cows and looking after the garden. No repairs had been effected to the homestead since the Earthquake, except to the kitchen and one or two rooms had been made habitable.
Early in the month Dorothy and Ray went to the Masonic for a few days before the latter went to Auckland to a case, and I stayed with Mr. Wenley. During that time I had a Harbour Board Meeting and other things to attend to. And one day was spent in a very unpleasant wrangle with Mrs. Lowry and Ralph over the Ohinewairua affairs. Mrs. Lowry swung completely over to Ralph and they wanted me to resign my position of Managing Director because I would not agree to dispense with J.B. Campbell as superviser of the property and allow Ralph to take over.
Ivan’s health was not good these days and we wanted him to take a trip to England feeling six months holiday and a complete change of scenery would be the answer. However, he seemed to think the only thing to do was to retire from business. He and Mary went to Taupo for a week or two and for a few days we went to their home in Napier as there were meetings of Williams and Kettle, Harbour Board and McLean Trust to attend.
Labour was still in power and among its revolutionary actions was the taking over of the Bank of New Zealand and abolition of the County Quota whereby rural electors of the County were on a favourable basis with Urban electors in the matter of representation. October was a windy month but during the last few days we had some acceptable rain to freshen things up but that was all. The total rain for the month was 3.21 inches, which would have been of great benefit had it not been for the very parched conditions brought about by the incessant wind.
November
At the Kereru Sports Annual Meeting I retired from the Presidentship after two or three years of holding the position and R.P. Kay was elected. As you know the Kays had been our neighbours since about 1920 and all through the years never had a week passed without our meeting and more often than not, on my rounds of the farm, I dropped in for a cup of tea with them and we reviewed the news of the neighbourhood etc.
The Mangatahi Rabbit Board began to get really busy for rabbits were on the increase and it became apparent that some action to combat the menace was imperative. The time had come round again to prepare for sowing of chou moellier and potatoes – also the dry shearing was here. The day we finished this Boy went off to Gisborne for a few days for the Spring Show and other attractions. Gales were the order of the day and dry weather continued which spoiled the effect of the rain at the end of last month. We went to the Masonic again for a few days on the 12th so as to be near at hand for Harbour Board Meetings – a party at the Herricks and one at Vyv Hill’s. Also Mrs. Gould and Barbara were staying in Napier for Natalie’s
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wedding and we wanted to see something of them. On the 21st we celebrated Boy’s twenty-first birthday with a big party, mostly for the young, at the Hawke’s Bay Farmers in Hastings. Eddie proposed Boy’s health. We mixed the cocktails at Ivan’s in the morning – then the party began at 5 p.m, and lasted till well into the night but Dorothy and I retired for dinner at Lindisfarne and so wended our way home later. Not one drop of rain fell all through the month – literally not a drop. This was a record. By now we were beginning to prepare for a full scale drought.
December
Hot and dry and much dust blowing over Hawke’s Bay from Mt. Ruapehu which was still fairly active. On the 1st Boy went off to be present at Jim Lowry’s wedding he married Edna Sorenson of Mangatahi. Rabbits were increasing and at off times Boy would go out just before dark and pot a dozen or more on the edge of the gorges. On the 10th we began shearing the ewes – heavy clouds kept appearing about this time and rain seemed imminent – however nothing happened and shearing was finished without a break but the shearing gang was a most unsatisfactory one. Boy and Wils Van Asch went to the Wairarapa for rams. Menleyuch unrest over much of the world and crimes on the increase in N.S.W. there was a big strike.
On the 14th J.B. Campbell and I motored by way of Gentle Annie to pay a visit to Ohinewairua Station which was highly successful and, after a night at Taihape, we returned, satisfied with the inspection. After the final Harbour Board Meeting for the year Eddie (Chairman) gave a party at Lindisfarne for the members and executive staff. After Williams and Kettle’s last meeting of the year, 21st December, we went to the Port to have our Christmas get-together with Gordon Cooper (Merchandise Manager). Then I paid my usual Christmas calls in Napier before returning home There was a big muster of the Kereru residents at the Presbyterian Service on the 23rd. Mr. Waugh was our Padre still and though not a Presbyterian, I was Treasurer. Monty and Cushla came over to Christmas dinner with us. There were some odd showers during the day. Shuker took on a contract for scrub-cutting in the Gaols Gorge. The week before New Year we began our rabbit poisoning campaign, which was to last for a very long time. By this time the menace was alarming us. The year ended with our dining at Kereru. The drought was upon us. The month’s rain was 1.21 inches and the total for the year was 33.37 – 11 inches below the average.
1946
January
This was a hot dry and windy month and the drought persisted all through – in all only 28 points of rain fell in the month. It was a time of anxiety – no one can ever be quite prepared for a drought and you always keep on thinking this cannot happen. Much of our time was devoted to keeping water holes open for stock. Rabbit poisoning was maintained and also blackberry spraying. On the 3rd H. St. Barb Holland (Bishop) came to stay with us for a week and we had much fun and laughter. He enjoyed rabbit shooting in the evenings with a .303 rifle. Then we visited Okawa and Tunanui one day. The first night I asked him if he would like to say Grace – his reply was that it was his Chaplain’s duty to perform this job. So I said Grace before that meal but forgot thereafter! Monty and Cushla, who were at Kereru, came over for dinner and bridge once or twice and we went to Kereru. So the week passed very pleasantly and then the Bishop and Boy left for Featherston together.
Inspite of the chou moellier crop being an extremely poor one, by the end of the month we had a good pick of fat lambs. At a Mangatahi Rabbit Board Association Meeting we (farmers) were urged to co-operate with it to the best of our ability and to devote all the time we could to assisting in the poisoning campaign. Our precious little pet ‘Kim’ (a cat) disappeared and we never found any trace of him. He must have taken rabbit poison. John Wenley came up to see us after his return from England where he had a brief experience in the Navy, and we were pleased to have news of the Sharps of Balruddery.
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February
This was a month of much wind, excessive heat and worry concerning the disposition of the stock on the farm. Not a drop of rain fell during the whole month – as was the case last November -and my diary shows the rainfall over the past six months was less than seven inches. You can imagine the appearance of the countryside it was almost black – a dirty dark brown and there was hardly any glass to be seen. It was almost as severe a drought as that in the summer of 1914-15. Much of our time, as in January, was spent in keeping water holes open and constantly moving stock about and poisoning rabbits. However, strange to say, on what little of the crop survived the lambs did well and by the end of the month only a handful of wether lambs were left in hand. Stinker and his gang made a good job in cleaning up the Gaols block and the total cost was £150 – today it would cost £500 at least, that is if you could get competent scrub cutters. During most of the summer the atmosphere was charged with smoke from fires in the back country but during the drought we hardly dared light a fire and on some properties smoking in the open was forbidden. The nearest fire to us was on Big Hill Station and all hands were out to cope with it. Sandy Eaton came back from the war and was discharged so as to be able to start off his medical course at the Otago University. The Ewe Fairs were depressed – most lines of ewes showed a drop of 10/- per head on last year e.g. our two-tooth ewes only brought 17/-. There were several Harbour Board and Williams and Kettle Meetings. I still used to call in at Lindisfarne to take Eddie into town and bring him back and we usually picked up Horrie (Horrobin) at the Bank of Australasia before lunching at the Club. Ray was off at a case in Waipukurau for most of the month. Boy represented Hawke’s Bay and Poverty Bay in an Athletic Sports Meeting in Napier and came second in the 120 and 220 Hurdles. J.B. Campbell was making a good job of Ohinewairua and we had a meeting or two. It was finally decided by the Directors of Williams and Kettle to make no further move towards changing the Bank Account. Guy Rochford, after being consulting engineer to the Harbour Board, retired. We were sorry to lose him for he was a very sound and reliable fellow. Ivan’s health was not good and he decided to go to his cottage at Taupo for a year and take life easily.
March
The month came in as dry as ever. On the 1st, after a day at the Harbour Board Office, Ray, Dorothy and I went to a party at Lindisfarne for Gordon Hannay, who was out in New Zealand for a month or two. Also there were Molly and Sally Russell, just back from England after several yews, and Jocelyn Price. On the 2nd Gambiazzi (contractor) had about ten acres of rolling to do in Anderson’s corner, after sowing of grass seed, when he was called away to a sick relative, so Boy hopped into the breech and finished the job. That night a good rain came and during the next two days we had over two inches which was just too wonderful. We also had a crop of black barley, longing for some rain. That night the young people had a dinner party for Garry Glazebrook, Donald Gascoyne, Margaret Maclean and Marjory Clarkson and her fiance, Len Walton, so Dorothy and I went over to dine at Kereru with Monty and Cushla. On the 4th Cora came to spend a fortnight with us and we had much fun and laughter and some excitement. H.M.S. Belfast came to Napier on the 8th and I was deputed to represent the Chairman of the Harbour Board to call upon the Admiral (Severn) and Captain together with Hercock (Mayor of Napier). Randall Kettle was a junior officer on board so Boy stayed in Napier for a few days to see something of his old school friend and enjoy the fun. Next day I lunched on board with several others and Mayors of Napier and Hastings included and Randall was invited to the lunch. Then a cocktail party took place later on board and Dorothy, Ray and Cora came along. The Raglan seat was won by the National Party in a by-election – this gave us encouragement. We sorted up the ewes and by the end of the month we planned to carry 1560 through the winter plus 500 ewe hoggets and odds and ends. But the cattle population was well down at 82. I dined one night with the Seton Wenleys and then
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attended a meeting of Federated Farmers at Maraekakaho. The benzine pump of the car had been giving trouble lately and I had to walk the last few miles on my way home. Round the middle of the month we had more welcome rain to boost up the grass, particularly the newly sown grass. Ray went to Waipukurau for another Karitane Case. On the 19th much trouble and sadness descended upon us. Poor old Mick (Boy’s first sheep dog and a wonderful dog too) had to be shot on account of a complete break-up and what must have been distemper. It was a sad blow to the whole family. But this was not the end of trouble for on that day we detected distemper among more dogs and from then on for a month or more we had a very busy and anxious time as the epidemic spread and we had to fight hard to save lives. As you will remember, several of our best dogs succumbed and the little pups of which we were so fond, all died. It was a very trying time. Among the dogs that eventually died were Tip, belonging to Bill, and Bruce and Ben, two of Boy’s mainstays.
Then came crutching and the problem of getting sheep to and from Kereru was overcome but only with much had work and Anne Kay was called in to help. It was feared there might be an outbreak of Facial Eczema following the flush grass and all known precautions were taken throughout Hawke’s Bay. The Kereru Sports were held on the 23rd – having been postponed owing to the drought conditions in January. Boy did very well in many of the horse and foot competitions. Monty and Cushla were still at Kereru but their days were numbered for it became very certain that the property would have to go. By this time the overdraft with Murray Roberts and Company was beyond the value of the stock and there was, of course, a mortgage of £4 per acre still in existence. Percy Burbury, who was interested in Kereru on behalf of Gwen Malden and Ruth Nelson, was given an option to purchase till April 30th. Monty and I were trustees of the R.M. Turnbull Estate and we took J.B. Campbell’s advice before reaching the decision to sell. J.B.C. could see no hope, at that time, of being able to hold on to the property – there was no money available for maintenance whatsoever and the property was going back rapidly and the rabbits were in full charge. Towards the end of the month there were more Harbour Board Meetings and also Williams and Kettle, McLean and Lowry Trust meetings. It was good to see Jock Twigg again. He returned this month full of honour after his war services in Europe and the Middle East. The month’s rain was 4.45 inches.
April
Charlie Bone’s men came out for the annual sweeping of chimneys and overhauling of the windmill and pump engine. In our early days at Pukekino the sweeping of chimneys was done by ourselves with branches of manuka or gorse attached to a rope. Distemper among the dogs continued till the 25th of the month and the work of dosing the invalids and caring for them occupied much time. By this date we had lost four dogs and the three pups and only four dogs remained. And one of those was my little Sharp and his life had hung in the balance for days. The six weeks during which distemper held us in its grip, was one of the most unpleasant and saddest periods I can recall. One of our very friendly dairy cows, Nigger, went down with milk fever one day and we had a big struggle to get her on her feet again. In those days the only treatment was by means of inflating the udder with a bicycle pump. Each day more and more ewes who had crossed gorges into neighbours’ properties were returned. Bill Shuker and a man came out and after a few days they effected a good job of burning the fallen manuka and then we sowed grass seed on the burn. More beneficial rain fell during the month and by the end four and a half inches had fallen and a good growth of grass was assured. Bob, Hiraani and Louise came out to stay for a few days. They were with the MacNivens at that time. From the 7th to the 17th Dorothy and I stayed in Napier at the Masonic as we felt a rest was due after the last months of strain. During that time there were meetings of committees of the Harbour Board, Williams and Kettle, Lowry and Ohinewairua Trusts etc. We were able to entertain many friends such as the Von Kettles, Olive Nairn, Selby Palmer and daughter Pauline just back after eight years in England,
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the Ivan Logans, Ian and his new wife Kay, Jock Twigg and so on. Percy McHardy and his wife were also at the Masonic and I pottered a about a little with him. There were also visits to friends such as Mr. Wenley, the Mackays and the Charlie Roberts. One day there was a lunch party I gave at the Club for Bob, Boy, Don Bisson, and Phil Giblin who had been nominated for membership. On our way home on the 17th we called in to see Mrs. W.B. Johnston who was ill in Royston – then to Lindisfarne to say farewell to Gordon Hannay. However, before he finally sailed for England he and the Herricks came out to Pukekino for the day. On my 62nd birthday I went to spend a weekend with Mason Chambers at Tauroa. Nan Harvey (now Mrs. Bill Whitlock) was there also. Maurice and I went to see the Penlingtons – he was Headmaster then of Hastings High School. On the 28th Eddie and Hannay came to Tauroa, Later Maurice and I had a walk over the Havelock hills. On the 29th I went to Lindisfarne for breakfast, then Eddie and I went to Napier where Burkitt picked us up in Williams and Kettle’s car, and we proceeded to Wairoa to have a look over Williams and Kettle’s premises. Then we spent an hour or so at the Hydroelectric works at Kaitawa before proceeding to Lake House at Waikaremoana for the night. The next day we journeyed on through the Urewera country and Galatea to Rotorua. We stayed at the Grand Hotel.
May
Eddie, Burkitt and I proceeded to Te Puke to investigate the advisability of making an offer to purchase the Farmers Trading Company, and so establishing Williams and Kettle in the Bay of Plenty. We did not recommend to our fellow directors making any offer. We set off at midday for Waihau Bay, via Whakatane and Opotiki, where we stayed the night. The trip along the coast route is, in my opinion, one of the most delightful in New Zealand. Waihau Bay is quite a romantic spot on a rugged coast with a view of Cape Runaway.
The fresh fish at dinner was the freshest you ever tasted. Next day we carried on through Hicks Bay where we saw the giant Pohutukawa Tree, Tiki Hill, Ruatoria – here we visited Williams and Kettle’s branch – and so on through Te Puia, Tokomaru and Tologa Bay to Gisborne. We stayed at the Poverty Bay Club and met several old Gisborne friends that night. Next day we left early and visited Williams and Kettle at Wairoa and so on to Napier by evening. Dorothy met me as she and Ray were staying in Napier as the latter was to have her appendix removed the next day. Isobel came home with me and she took charge of the house while Dorothy was away.
Ray’s operation in Sherwood at the hands of Harold Barnett was successful and she remained in hospital for about ten days. During that time I spent a night or two with Mr. Wenley. There were several meetings at various times during the month between Monty and myself (Trustees Kereru Estate) and Burbury, Dixon (Manager of Williams and Kettle, Hastings), Val Hoadley and others. We turned down various offers that seemed most unrealistic, one for the land (approximately 6000 acres) was £25,000. One day, Monty, Burbury, McGregor and I had a ride round the Station – we were in the saddle all day and we covered the property completely and talked much. It was a very tiring day.
I spent a night with Mr. Mason Chambers to attend a small party he gave at Tauroa. Next day there was a meeting of Williams and Kettle in Napier and later a dinner at the Club with N. Mackay and W.M. Palmer and this time John McLennan was absent as he had influenza. Last year S.M. Palmer missed out for the same reason. We heard of the death of Carlo Fountaine last month in England and we were sad for he died before his time and he was a type so needed during the period of rebuilding a country so torn by years of war.
Rabbit poisoning was still the most important job on the farm. At Williams and Kettle’s Annual Meeting on the 31st I was re-elected to the Board again. May was a wet month – 9.49 inches fell.
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June
Eric Averill, who was about 12, died of a kidney complaint and we attended the funeral in Havelock. He was Cath and Rochie’s youngest. Boy was playing football again this season and usually went to Napier on Saturdays. J.B. Campbell took another look at the Kereru position and advised Monty and me to accept Burbury’s offer of £36,000 for land and stock. There followed many conferences with various people. Usually on my visits to Napier, which by now had become frequent, I would have a cup of tea with Pat Higgins and T.M. Geddis and at times there would also turn up Charlie Morse, Peters and F.W. Browne (Public Trustee). On the 17th we went to the Masonic for a few days on account of a spate of appointments. And while there we were able to see many of our friends. Lady Sargood was staying there again. George Maddison, who had been Hastings’ popular Mayor for years, but now retired, came in to see me one day.
Dorothy Gordon returned to New Zealand during the month after eight years in England, except for a brief visit here after Frank Gordon’s death in 1938. Freyberg began his term of Governor Generalship. Once again Monty Turnbull appeared to be out of a job and he thought quite seriously about purchasing Ben Lomond in Clyde Road for the purpose of letting of flats. However, he very wisely decided against that. June was a wet month – 6 ½ inches fell.
July
There was a National Party meeting early in the month and before it took place in Kereru Hall, H.W. Dowling, Gavin Black and [sic] had dinner with us. Dowling was the wrong man then, as he would be today. Ray went to Waipukurau to stay with the Gibbs family (Williams & Kettle Stock Agent). We concentrated on repairing sheep yards during the month and also splitting firewood. There was also planting of poplar cuttings and crutching took place. Kay Logan, who had been ailing for some time, was pronounced to have a tubercular infection in her spine and was admitted to Napier Hospital Shelters. It was a sad business but she was very plucky and resigned. The usual meetings of Williams and Kettle, McLean Trust and Harbour Board took place and the reserves committee, of which I was Chairman, was kept busy in negotiations with the Napier City Council concerning the development of the Marewa area. At the time the area was just a blank empty space. 1967 – have a look at the area today – what a remarkably attractive part of Napier it is -with its pleasant homes, parks and shopping area. There is an avenue in Marewa named after me – ‘Logan Avenue’ – I was, in 1946, Chairman of the Harbour Board Reserves Committee. We visited Dorothy Gordon at Clifton and brought her out to stay with us. She was very busy getting ready for John’s arrival – he had been at Harrow and after leaving school he had a year in the army in Italy. John Roberts, now living in Wellington, came to see us one day, Also Robin (the Hollands young friend) came to stay with us. Michael came to Kereru to spend a few days with Monty and Cushla after his return from Japan where he had been on Keith Stewart’s staff after his war service in Italy. On the last day of the month Monty and Cushla left Kereru for good as the property was virtually sold, They went to Auckland to visit Cushla’s people first and then came to settle in Napier.
August
I spent the first two or three days in Napier at Mr. Wenley’s as there were various meetings to attend, the most important being the signing in Penn Scannell’s Office of the document of sale of Kereru Station to Gwen Malden and Ruth Nelson for £35,500 – stock as well as land. The other meetings were concerning the development of the Marewa Block. The Bishop of Wellington came to us for a couple of nights to say goodbye as he returned to England early in August to become Dean of Norwich. He was finding the work in Wellington too much and too exacting at his age. It was sad to say ‘farewell’ as we all had become fond of him and loved his informal visits to Pukekino. I saw Ray off one day from Hastings Aerodrome for Auckland, Peter Van Asch
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took her in his little air-mapping plane but a burst tyre at Hamilton made it necessary for her to continue her journey by service car as she was to be bridesmaid at Norah Craven’s wedding. There was sorting up of ewes as it looked like an early lambing. And this proved to be so.. Also much attention was devoted to the vegetable garden. The ploughing up of the Nursery Paddock also began. The Pigeon Club (Kereru) disbanded after completing its wartime task of sending parcels to our ‘boys’ overseas and, at a Victory Ball at the Hall on the 19th, we distributed what remained in the funds (£37) to the ‘returned boys’. On the 19th I went to Mr. Wenley’s again and attended a Club dinner held as a farewell to E. Waddington, who had been Manager of the Bank of New South Wales in Napier for many years, and was being transferred to Gisborne. One day Burbury brought out his son, Ian, to see us and Ian’s wife, Bunty – she had been stationed at West Raynham which was one of Jim’s camps in Norfolk. Poor old ‘Doggie’, another of our beloved cat friends, had to be put to sleep. He was 15 and life was beginning to be too much of a burden to him. We loved him dearly. On the last day of the month the Hawke’s Bay Club’s annual meeting took place and I had Bob, Boy and Phil Giblin to dinner. It was my job to propose Maurice Spence for Presidentship of the Club. Later I joined in a game of snooker with Keith Bull, Humphry, Bayley and Reeves. A disappointment came to me when I discovered that W.D. Johnston, Manager of Kereru for many years and likewise a friend, had been betraying that confidence and friendship.
September
This was a busy month on the farm, as you know. Lambing had been an easy one and the weather was fairly mild with just the odd shower, no heavy falls of rain. There was also much activity in the garden and early potatoes planted.
Kereru was taken over in the last week of August and the new Manager, Alec Anderson, was installed. We called upon him and Mrs. Anderson and they became close friends of ours in the years to come. They had two grown-up sons (Budd and Bob) who both worked on the Station, and a daughter, Betty, who was still at school in the South Island. And so Kereru Station passed out of the Turnbull Family after 35 years. Many things contributed to this happening. Two reasons stood out in my mind – R.M. Turnbull was too old when he took up a North Island sheep station after a lifetime in Otago – he was 70. Also had he given Monty more freedom of movement all may have been saved.
Another meeting of Federated Farmers took place at Maraekakaho – I dined that night with the Seton Wenleys and his cousin, Laing, who was a Veterinary Surgeon and gave a talk. Another day I went to Seton’s to inspect a lime deposit with Burbury, McGilluray (Agricultural Department) and Owen Hope (Engineer) – later they came home for dinner and then had a meeting of Maraekakaho residents to hear a talk on the use of lime. Mardie and Betty departed for New Plymouth after a holiday with us. And at the end of the month Ray returned from a case in Auckland. There were the usual Harbour &mid, Williams and Kettle and McLean Trust meetings to attend – also a meeting with Harland at the Land Sales Court and also a Hawke’s Bay Club meeting. Monty and Cushla took a house in Morse Street, Napier. Ohinewairua Land Company had a loss this year of £600 – but my diary does not indicate just how this occurred. J.B. Campbell is not with us now to tell the story but I think it was the year in which he carried out a big improvement programme as maintenance had to be caught up with.
October
The Burburys came out to see us one day and Percy and I were able to clear up some points concerning the sale of Kereru. Boy and Ray went to Jean Hallett’s wedding early on the month. Docking was finished and the lambing was satisfactory in spite of a bigger death rate among the ewes. 1522 ewes were put to the rams and 1580 lambs were docked. Early shearing was earlier than usual – it was over on the 10th. After shearing I went
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to Napier for a couple of days as the Reserves Committee had to meet to discuss the development of the 28 acre block and Macdonald block – also we attended the Sales Court. After the long drawn out War Criminals trial at Nuremburg (Germany) ten criminals – Ribbentrop among them – were executed. Goring escaped by committing suicide – likewise Goebbels. We carted many posts and battens from Whakarara preparatory to a fence repair campaign. We did an amount of liming this season in addition to super topdressing. And the Nursery paddock was put into chou moellier.
Much needed rain fell on the 20th – still by the end of the month the country was fairly dry.. At this time of the year we usually get stiff necks by looking towards the heavens for signs of rain clouds. On the 21st the Harbour Board held its annual meeting and it was disclosed that this had been the best year ever. It was its seventy-first birthday too.
There was a Club dinner to farewell Walter Rowan, who had been Manager of the Bank of New Zealand in Napier for many years. We were all sorry to lose him. There was a big Maori Gathering at Paki Paki to welcome the Freybergs – hakas, poi dances, speeches and a terrific feast of pork, eels, potatoes etc. Later we went to Lindisfarne on our way home. On our return we found that Boy had cut a finger badly while killing a sheep and Ray had to take him to the hospital for treatment. All was well. Keith Holyoake (National member for Pahiatua) was beginning to appear more and more on the platform and to be taking a prominent part in the National Party. We wanted more rain shortly to keep the spring growth on the move. Only 2.42 inches fell during October.
November
On the 3rd there was a meeting of the Reserves (Harbour Board) and then we visited the Ahuriri Lagoon to inspect a site for the Napier Aerodrome. In the evening I went to hear Price (National Candidate for Napier and a returned R.A.F. man – son of Charlie Price of the Herald) speak at Richmond Park and then returned to the Club for the night.
Next day Eddie, Pat Higgins, Harland and I journeyed by service car to Auckland as representatives of the Board at the Harbour Board’s Association Meeting. We were at the Grand till the 10th when we returned by car. In those days the journey took twelve hours and was fairly uncomfortable. Apart from attending the Conference, Eddie and I visited Role and Brian Hewitt, the Cravens (he was Medical Superintendent of the Auckland Hospital). I also went to see Cheesey Donald. I had not seen him since school days, and Nellie and her husband. J.P. Kenny, late Secretary of the Harbour Board now living in Auckland, came to see us. On the journey home we ran into snow, hail and rain. The following day I had a conference with Stanton, an Auckland Solicitor, in regard to compensation for Aerodromes. Also a meeting in Hastings of T.H. Lowry Trust. On the 12th more Harbour Board meetings re the Aerodrome and a Williams and Kettle meeting. At last I got home again.
On the 19th, 20th and 21st we did our ewe shearing. The total sheep shorn were 2266 and I noted we got 63 bales of wool which was considered good. A party on the 20th at the Dudley Kettles’ prior to Juliet’s marriage next day to Tony Grace. Juliet is a god-daughter of mine.
On the 25th I had a big day – Harbour Board Meeting – lunch at the W.G. Woods – McLean Trust – a short visit to the Barrons and home. On the 26th the Maori elections took place and, of course, all four seats went to Labour. The following day the European elections were held and Labour secured 42 seats and National 38. So we are gradually making progress and we might, with luck, win the next elections.
Jim’s effects arrived from England – four years after his death. All his belongings had been collected by Constance Fountaine and packed very carefully. There were uniforms, civilian clothes and all sorts of nic-nacs. The month was disappointing – there was only 2.43 inches of rainfall and much wind to off-set the moisture that fell. So the prospects did not give much room for complacency.
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December
On the 1st, being Sunday, there was a Church of England Service which we attended – Jim Anderson of Puketapu Parish used to come up every second month. The rabbit position was worsening and Steele of the Rabbit Board came up to give us up-to-date instructions on the art of laying rabbit poison and we then got to work with a will. We obtained the help of David Wright (friend of Boy’s and a Medical Student) for a couple of weeks during the month and we picked up about 1500 poisoned rabbits. The biggest kill was in Marjorie’s where we got 490. The boys skinned what they could but most had to be buried or dumped in the Sugar Pots on Echills. Early in the month Dorothy spent a night at Monty’s new home in Napier (Morse Street) while I went to Mr. Wenley. After going through the agenda of the Reserves Committee in the morning we returned home via Havelock North, calling in on the Burburys and Olive Nairn. Bob, Hiraani and Lou came out to stay for a few days. Dyer, (H.B. Farmers Meat Company) came out on the 13th and picked 136 Romney lambs and 137 S.D. lambs. The pick was earlier than usual. The average weight was good – 37.8 lbs. On the 16th after the final Harbour Board Meeting of the year there was Eddie Herrick’s party at Lindisfarne as usual. Ivan and Mary were mostly in Taupo as former was taking a year more or less off work on account of his state of health.
On Christmas Day R.P. Kay and family came down and we had fun mixing cocktails. In those days all sorts of funny mixtures used to be consumed and all your friends seemed to have the ‘best recipe ever’. Now, of course, it is straight drinks. Boy went over to Featherston with Rochie Averill and Bothoway (Williams and Kettle Stock Agent) to select rams. While Boy was away a most unfortunate thing happened. I was awakened by a great whinneying. I pulled on some clothes hurriedly and rushed out to find Boy’s little piebald foal caught up in the wires of the Pit-Nairn fence. I had to rush back to collect the wireclippers. Callaghan came out to see the wound on the fetlock and feared the tendon may be severed. This eventually proved to be the case and the little filly had to be destroyed. December was a very dry month – only .36 of an inch fell – so things were becoming dry. As I write this (June 1967) I am reading Dick Casey’s ‘Australian Father and Son’ which tells, among other things, of devastation wrought by the frequent droughts in Australia and I feel ashamed to tell of our alarm when it doesn’t rain for a few weeks.
1947
January
Conditions were very dry and my diary says ‘a drought is in progress’. Eddie rang up early on the 1st to say he and Ethne would be out for the day – they bought lunch and a bottle of wine-almost the last from old Sturge’s cellar which Eddie bought at the sale after his death. On the 3rd I it became quite certain the little filly’s tendon had been severed. Callaghan held out no hope so the little thing had to be shot. So, Boy’s dream of possessing a piebald pony was shattered, David Wright came out again and helped us with our rabbit killing programme and he was with us for three weeks. During the month we collected, after poisoning, at least 600. However, we concentrated, very largely, during David’s stay, on Cynogassing rabbit stops. Athol Williams, who was at the time Chairman of the newly formed Waipawa-Ngaruroro Rabbit Board, held a meeting at Kereru one night and we were advised of the gravity of the rabbit infestation and urged to fight relentlessly. A little later the Board forbade the use of guns which could disturb rabbits when poison was laid. Lamb shearing took place. Another 250 odd fat lambs went to the works, leaving about 190 on the crop which was beginning to wilt. The weather was hot and windy and often thunderstorms appeared in the distance but never came near us. However, on the 14th, 15th and 16th we got 80 points of rain which gave a little relief to crops and gardens. On the 8th Eddie overturned his car in heavy shingle near Ben Lomond and injured his spine. For a couple of weeks he endured much discomfort. Then it was found that the vertebrae near the neck were badly injured and there had been a near miss of a
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broken neck. For months he was in a plaster cast. He was also flown to Wellington Hospital for treatment. Boy went to Taupo to stay with the Dudley Kettles for ten days.
Anne Kay became engaged to Bill McKenzie Douglas of Masterton and one day she brought him to see us and the Kay Family came down as well. On the 18th I went down to Lindisfarne to spend a night with Eddie – he was very miserable. On the 20th I went to stay at the Club for a few days for a Harbour Board Meeting and a Harbour Board Staff picnic at Eskdale to which I went with George Murray. And I called on the Captain of the S.S. Waiwere (Moffat) to find he was the Briscoe Moffat who stayed with us in Napier as a boy and whose Father was Chief Officer of the Arawa when we travelled in her in 1889. Moffat lunched with me at the Club next day. The ship was to be in port for some time so we saw much more of him as time went on. On the 25th the Kereru Sports took place and Dorothy Gordon was staying with us at the time. She and I went to the dance in the evening. On the last day of the month there was a T.H. Lowry Trust Meeting in Hastings. I lunched at the Club with Tom, Hylton Smith and Briscoe Moffat. Alec McKenzie, Manager of Olrig Station, was very unwell with a heart condition. The rainfall for January was 1.32 inches – so the drought carries on.
February
Hot and dry – much trouble with lambs getting stuck in the creek in the Nursery where the crop was this year. Much trouble was brewing in Palestine where the Jews were now settled in a little strip of land called Israel. Also there was unrest in Burma and India. On the 3rd I had a party for lunch at the H.B. Club for Eaton, Rochie Averill, Hylton Smith, Boy and Moffat (S.S. Waiwera). Later a big party of farmers from the Kereru and Maraekakaho areas was conducted by me for a trip in the Harbour on a launch. Then a tour of Harbour facilities and we ended up on the Waiwera for tea. I spent the night with Eddie at Lindisfarne. The next day there was a Reserves Committee Meeting, then a big cocktail party on the Waiwera. I may say she was one of the biggest ships to berth in Napier and she was taking a very big load of meat direct from Napier to England. I went out to spend another night with Eddie whose condition was not very good and there was a nurse installed. The next day he was taken to Royston – Alec Gillies (Orthopaedic Surgeon of Wellington) came to see him. The result was he was flown to the Wellington Hospital next day where he spent about a month. Dipping was begun and finished and only just in time for the weather broke on the 11th and during the next three days nearly six inches of rain had fallen and the drought had been well settled. One day Monty and Cushla brought the Douglas Rathbones out to see us. On the 17th Ray returned from three weeks in Auckland. On that day I attended a McLean Trust Meeting, H.B. Club Meeting and later a Federated Farmers Meeting at Maraekakaho.
John Foley (a returned R.A.F. man) came to me under a rehabilitation scheme to work and learn the art of being a sheep farmer. He was a half-caste Maori, a nice fellow and a good worker. His wage was £4.10.0d per week and keep. I was reimbursed by the Rehabilitation Department but my diary does not tell to what extent. Poisoning of rabbits continued with vigour and our biggest catch was after one night’s poisoning in the Gaols and Sunny Vale where we picked up 662. We began making a cattle stop at the front gate – this should have been done years ago. Grass seed sowing began. The night of our Williams and Kettle meeting which was taken by H.M. Campbell in Eddie’s stead, I spent with Mr. Wenley.
March
This was a fairly busy month. The cattle stop was completed on the 15th and it was a good job. What a joy it was not to have to get out of the car on a wet or dark night to open the road gate. The grass seed was all sown and in Prices and Sunny Vale soft turnips were sown with the grass. Rams were put out with 1730 ewes and the total sheep at the end of the month was 2493. We don’t seem to have stepped up the cattle – they still seemed to be just under 100 head. Crutching took place and so the seasonal stock work was completed in good time. Rabbit poisoning proceeded well and by
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the end of the month about 1500 rabbits had been picked up. The boys gave up the skinning as it took up too much valuable time and the value of the skins was not very attractive. Roy Sorenson came up with his bulldozer and made several dams on the property.
The growth of grass was good after the February rains but by the middle of the month we began to look for more and on the 20th rain came again and for ten days we enjoyed gentle falls almost daily. By the end of the month we had taken 3.89 inches and all was well. The Olrig Dog Trials were held as usual and were a great success. The last pick of lambs was 172 – only about 20 left – and the weights were the biggest ever – average was 43lbs. In those days there was satisfaction in the heavy weights but not so today.
We attended Marjory Clarkson’s wedding and reception later at the Hawke’s Bay Farmers on the 27th. Cora came to stay with us on the 17th. Another party of farmers was conducted over the Harbour Board outfit and Captain Smith of S.S. ‘Taranaki’ entertained the party later. As you may recall, I started these parties before the poll was taken in 1934 (I think) when I was Chairman of the H.B. County and the Harbour Board called upon me to help foster the County ratepayers’ interest in the development of an adequate harbour in Napier. They helped to keep the farming community informed of the good work being done by the Board. Our weekly tea parties still carried on when T.M. Geddis, Pat Higgins and others met to discuss current affairs. There were the usual meetings of Harbour Board, Williams and Kettle Directors (H.M. Campbell still acting for Eddie Herrick), McLean Trust and Lowry Trust. On March 8th Eddie came back to Lindisfarne in plaster after a month in Wellington Hospital. He was much more comfortable and cheerful. I used to call to see him whenever I went to Napier. On the 8th Dorothy Gordon gave a party for John, now back in New Zealand after ten years at school in England and the war. The cravens came to spend a long weekend with us and we took them about quite a bit.
April
After a day in town we called in to see Eddie at Lindisfarne and found him in a much better state but Ethne was not very well. Ivan and Mary were in Napier again for a few days from Taupo. A Miner’s strike was in progress in the Waikato and trains were not running. In my diary I say ‘the Government seems to have lost control and a collapse may be expected within measurable time’. Lamb dipping took place early in the month. On Easter Saturday the Family went over to the Tikokino Sports – always a great event but somehow or other I never managed to go to them though I always intended to go. On the 7th Bell of the New Zealand Shipping Company invited a number of us to the Masonic to meet How – the London Manager. Later Pat Higgins and I gave a lunch party at The Club. Then I took How out to see Eddie. After a night with Mr. Wenley I returned with the truck which looked so spick and span after its repair and repainting. I don’t think I mentioned that Boy and John Foley capsized the truck last month while carting metal and made a fearful mess of it. Don Black had to come out with the breakdown van and tow it away. The biggest poison kill of rabbits was 760 in Marjorie’s and Anderson’s. The Kereru Estate was finally fixed up and, thanks to John McLennan’s help in raising the Marriage Settlement, which was considered ‘dead’, Monty received half and Dorothy and Mary each one quarter of a total £2252. How the ‘mighty’ fell when you think of those days of Kereru in the early 1900s. Ray took off to Auckland to live there and take on day work as a Karitane. She shared a flat with one Anne Mizell but I cannot place her – her Father owned Great Mercury Island off the coast of Auckland. (She is now Mrs. John Weymouth). One day it was all arranged I was to meet Lord Bledisloe on his arrival for a night in Hawke’s Bay for he was in New Zealand on a visit. But owing to bad weather his plans all went wrong and I never saw him again. Mrs. H.M. Campbell was buried in Havelock Cemetery on the 25th and afterwards I went to have a cup of tea with the Brian Boyes who then lived at Muritai. Then I went out to see Eddie – later to Napier
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where I met Peter Holden who had just arrived from England. His wife had died in England earlier in the year. Cora came to stay with us again.
Harold Holt came out to inspect the piles under the homestead with the result that many had to be replaced and some stringers as well.
May
The 1st was a big day. We went to Napier early, Pat Higgins and I had to welcome Senior (Port Line) at the Harbour Board office and show him round. Then we took him to lunch at the Club. Later in the afternoon there was a party at the Hawke’s Bay Farmers in Hastings for Senior given by Williams and Kettle and the Hawke’s Bay Farmers. These firms are joint agents in Hawke’s Bay and Poverty Bay for the Port Line. Then E.S. Burkitt gave a dinner party at the Club. Directors and wives of Williams and Kettle and Hawke’s Bay Farmers were present. We spent the night at the Masonic. The following day Dorothy and I went to the Aerodrome to see a Vickers Viking. Dorothy went to Mary’s as she was off to Taupo with them the following day. I returned home via Lindisfarne and Cora was staying at Pukekino with Boy and myself. The next week was a busy one on the farm – mostly poisoning rabbits. The Maraekakaho Sports were held this month, having been postponed on account of drought. Bob, Hiraani and Louise came out one day and Lou and I had to do the rounds of all the pets as usual – lambs, horses, cows, dogs etc. One night we had a supper party for about a dozen, the Kays and others came down. Margaret and Michael came to Napier to stay with Monty so Cora and I went in one day and we had lunch at the Masonic. Godfrey did the topdressing this year with R.P. Kay’s truck. On the 19th, after a Reserves Meeting, I picked up Dorothy and we returned home – we bought Robin with us – he was 8 and Dot was just about to have Garry. Once again old Nigger developed milk fever and we had quite a picnic getting her up again. We had another of our parties to inspect the Harbour Works an this time we were entertained on board the ‘Somerset’ by Calcutt who had been Chief on the Rangitiki in 1939. There were also Lowry Trust and McLean Trust meetings as well as Harbour Board and Williams and Kettle. One day Alec Anderson and I had a day’s ride round Kereru Station and he indicated his plans for the future. They intended spending thousands in fencing and cultivating. Up until the middle of the month we experienced glorious weather – an Indian Summer (very like the May we experienced this year 1967).
June
On the 1st, which was a Sunday, we all went to the Anglican Service at Kereru Hall – Anne Kay’s banns were published for the last time. Later she, Bill Douglas and Godfrey came down for supper. Then on the 5th the marriage took place in the Taradale Parish Church and a reception was held in the R.S.A. Hall in Napier.
That night I dined with Calcutt at the Club where I spent the night and on the 6th I went by service car to Wellington where I stayed at the Club till the 14th. During that time I flew round quite a bit with Cora, who was then at Mrs. Bill Handyside’s flat in Pipitea Street, as she was getting ready to leave for England. We visited many of her friends, fixed up the last minute affairs necessary before leaving – supped at Michael and Margaret’s flat in Burnell Street, lunched at the Midland, visited the Shands and Mrs. Ewart in Hobson Street. Then on the 13th I saw her safely on board the ‘Arawa’ at about 10 am. Hew Bruce was with me. The next day the ‘Arawa’ sailed. Also during my stay in Wellington I lunched with a party of shipping men on board the ‘Port Pirie’, dined with Peter Holden at the Royal Oak, supped with Mrs. Vautier at the Mayfair Flats, had tea with Lady Shirtcliffe and Rose, visited Margaret at the Turnbull Library, called to have a yarn with Gladys and Sybil Nathan, also with Jimmy Duncan and her daughter, Susan (who is now Garry Glazebrook’s Mother-in-law). Went to tea one day with Will Kiely at Elsie Young’s home (a 2nd cousin of mine). Also saw Molly Herrick,
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Barbara and Janet Herrick. Then there was a business meeting with Christie who was senior partner in Chapman and Tripp’s. He was Attorney in New Zealand for the Fountaine Marriage Settlement. And finally lunch with Leonard Tripp. So as you will see it was a busy ten days. On the 13th I returned to Napier by service car and stayed at the Club till the 17th and Dorothy came to town and stayed with Monty. During those three days there were sunday meetings and Williams and Kettle’s usual General Meeting after which H.M. Campbell (still acting for Eddie), M.S. Chambers, Tom Lowry and I lunched together and celebrated Williams and Kettle’s best year – better than last year’s £12,000 for distribution and a carry forward of £19,000. At the meeting I was elected Deputy Chairman. And so I returned home and it was good to be home again. We called to see Eddie and found him much better.
For the next week I was kept busy pruning roses, planting out willows and poplars etc. Great excitement when Beauty, the very favourite dairy heifer, had a calf and, as we had handled her before, she was no trouble to get into the bail. After the Harbour Board Meeting on the 23rd Peter Holden and Terry Herrick came to lunch at the Club and then we went to see Duncan who was far from well at the Masonic. The carpenters came out to renew piles and plates under the house. On the 30th Boy went to Sherwood to have his tonsils out. That night the Barron’s home in Havelock was destroyed by fire and nothing was saved whatever. June was a wet month and up to the 30th 30.60 inches had fallen for the first six months of the year.
July
The month began with crutching. Then John Foley, who had turned out a good and helpful worker, and Bill felled some of our own grown Macarthuri Gums for bridge stringers. Frogley came and began the ploughing for chou moellier – the Road End was ploughed up. Sleepy sickness developed again among the ewes and this required watching. Late in the month came the sorting up of ewes for lambing. On the 3rd we visited the Barrons, who had moved into a house in Market Street after their unfortunate fire. Then I attended the Big Hill auction at which there was not a bid. But later Kereru Station purchased it for 4£ per acre, stock included. It was a gold-mine. Then we went on to Napier to visit Boy in Sherwood, who was making a good recovery after his tonsil operation. Then on our way home we called in to see Eddie at Lindisfarne – Molly, Terry and Janet and also Janet Kemball and her husband, out from England to visit her parents (Russell of Tunanui).
On the 8th there was a visit to Harbour Board – we picked up Boy at Sherwood and took him to the Von Kettle’s to convalesce. Poor old Charlie Roberts was at Sherwood after a slight stroke. And on our way home we called at Royston to see E. Averill and he looked very ill. On the 15th Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip Mountbatten were engaged. On the same day we went to see Mrs. Lowry then living in ‘The Castle’ at Havelock. We met Ray on her return from Auckland. Later called to see Lulu and Winston Barron and looked in on E. Averill before going home. On the 14th our old habits were resumed and we picked up Eddie at his home once more and took him to the Harbour Board for a Reserves Meeting. He was taken home after lunch. I stayed on for a H.B. Club Meeting. On the 21st I took Eddie in for the Harbour Board meeting and he took his old place in the chair again after six months absence, through the breaking of his neck. That day I also went to see Duncan Holden who was in Sister Guffie’s hospital.
A.B. Cutler V.C., High Commissioner for Australia, addressed us at a meeting of Federated Farmers and Rotary Club at Maraekakaho. One day during the month Field Marshall Montgomery came to Napier and, after a reception at the Sound Shell, he was entertained at a lunch given in the R.S.A. Hall. I was seated next to Bishop Lesser (the new Bishop of Waiapu – poor old Cruickshank had retired earlier in the year on account of ill health). Later J.B. Campbell and I met Mrs. Lowry and Ralph at Havelock and they agreed to selling Ohinewairua if a satisfactory price could be obtained. It was quite an amicable party. Ralph’s future wife,
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Jenny Ross Smith, was there. E. Averill’s condition worsened towards the end of the month.
August
Frogley came out to plough a couple of paddocks and Godfrey Kay did most of the topdressing. Lambing went along satisfactorily and the weather was favourable. This was the first lambing time I can remember that was comparatively easy for there were more of us to cope with the work this year -Boy was quite an expert in all branches of farm work now and John Foley was a willing worker and intelligent. Bill was able to devote much more time now to the garden and fencing. Of course there was never a let-up in the fight against the rabbits but it looked as if we were beginning to get the better of them. However as time went on we discovered we were too optimistic.
Old Mr. Averill died on the 3rd and after his burial in Havelock Cemetery we went to lunch at Lindisfarne and tea with Mary Coleman and Helen, who was in New Zealand for a few months. I got to know E. Averill very well during the thirty years of his residence in the district and I missed him a lot for hardly a week passed without our meeting and he was a wise and kind friend. After lunching with T.M. Geddis at the Rotary Club one day I brought Peter Holden out to stay with us and during that time we went about the countryside quite a lot and so much enjoyed his wonderful company. Then on the 19th a call came to say Duncan had taken a serious turn for the worse in Gullies hospital so Boy took Peter to Napier to take up his abode at the Club. Duncan eventually made a fair recovery but he never was the same again and today (1967) he is a pretty sick man though always so cheerful.
On the 23rd Ray went to stay at Westshore with Ngaire and John for a few days and that night Boy, Bob and I dined at the Club and attended the Annual Meeting. M.S. Spence was elected President again. Then on the 25th I had a long interview with Penn Scannell re T.H. Lowry Trust, then a McLean Trust Meeting in Napier and dined with Peter Holden at the Club before returning home.
Ivan Lopdelll was now in possession of Bill Whyte’s farm and Bill was living in Napier. Myra Kemp (now Bisson) was at this time a friend of Boy’s and she came out to stay for a week. There was a letter from Cora who was staying at Narford Hall.
On the last day of the month we attended Godfrey Kay’s twenty- first birthday party which was given at the Kereru Hall. But unfortunately Ray and Boy could not be present as on that night the Eric Williams gave a dinner party for Beth Bellerby who was about to marry Ian Lyons.
September
The month began with picking up Eddie at his home and to the Harbour Board Office and then on E. & D. at the Port. We lunched at the Club with Peter Holden, Then I had a meeting over the Ohinewairua affairs with F.A. Simpson of Williams and Kettle and Chas. Sorrell. I must say I looked forward to the end of this show -it appeared to be in sight. On the 2nd we had a heavy fall of snow and it was mighty cold. I went to a T.H. Lowry Trust Meeting at Hastings and after lunching with Tom at the Club I went on to Mrs. Lowry’s in Havelock to another meeting of Ohinewairua. There was much laying of rabbit poison throughout the month and we got through most of the docking. There was a good deal of westerly wind and too little rain for this time of the year – we only got 1.77 inches. Kay Logan had a return of her T.B. trouble in her back and she was transferred to Otaki Sanatorium.
There was much trouble and unrest in India – the partitioning of the Continent under Mountbatten’s scheme was not working out very well and the slaughter of innocents proceeded apace. There was also a further spate of strikes and unrest in England – still under Labour rule. Dorothy Gordon and Bob and Hiraani came out for a weekend. And it was then the big decision was made to get Bob back to Pukekino and let the two boys run the property. After much talk and thought we picked the site for Bob’s house. The idea we later evolved was for me to gift a small area of land to Bob and then for him to borrow on the easy terms for returned servicemen, some of the money, at least, for
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building the dwelling. From the 14th to the 17th I stayed with the Mackays in Napier as there were two important Harbour matters for consideration -one was in connection with the Ahuriri Lagoon scheme. Duncan Holden was discharged from hospital.
On the 20th we picked up the Herricks and went to a dinner party given by Burkitts in Napier for Williams and Kettle Directors and wives and executive officers and wives. It was a big affair and most enjoyable. Then we all went to No. 3 Wool Store for the Williams and Kettle Staff Dance. The Maraekakaho Federated Farmers Club gave a return party for Hastings Rotary Club – it consisted of a dinner and just two or three speeches afterwards. Dorothy and I called on the Bishop and Mrs Lesser – Bishopscourt was then in the Troutbeck’s old house in Georges Street.
October
John and Ngaire had now built a very pleasant home off Thompson Road with access also to Seapoint Road. Until the middle of the month the weather remained threatening, as it does at times of drought, but no rain fell and we were becoming worried once more. Then luck favoured Us and over a three day period we had over two inches of rain and by the end of the month 4.13 inches had fallen and we felt happier. Poisoning of rabbits was still our main task and a crop of rape was sown in the Nursery. On the 6th Boy went to Christchurch to be best man at Donald Gascoyne’s wedding. This marriage turned out a rank failure, mainly through his Mother’s attitude and came to an end a few years later. And now poor Donald has ‘gone’ – if he had been rightly handled he could have been a very useful member of society.
At a meeting of the Ohinewairua Company a 10% dividend was recommended and paid. I, however, was opposed to this big pay out. On the night of the 13th I stayed at Lindisfarne and next day Eddie and I flew to Christchurch for a Harbour Boards’ Association Conference. J.H. Harland and Pat Higgins also represented the Harbour Board and were waiting for us at the United Services Hotel. We met in conference on the 15th and 17th – the 16th was an ‘off day’- most went for a day’s tour of the Lake Coleridge. However Eddie and I had a social day. We lunched at the Christchurch Club with George Denniston . He and I had been at school together and a fellow I knew at Oriel, Oxford, was there too. He was Father Shelley (a high Church Order). It was enjoyable to be able to go over some of the days of 1903-1905. Then we went to Mrs. George Gould at Avonbank for drinks and met Derek and his wife and the Arthur Elworthys etc. MacGibbon, Chairman of the Lyttleton Board gave a party one night and then I met Arthur Sim (now Sir) and Nancy his wife. She and I had been at Miss Sutton’s Kindergarten together in the 1890s – her father was Captain Todd who was in command of the sailing ship ‘Northumberland’ which was lost on Westshore in a North East gale in 1886. On the 18th we returned to Palmerston North in a Lockhead 18 seater as Paraparaumu was closed on account of floods. Ethne met us with the car and we returned to Hastings. On the 21st I picked up Eddie and we went to the Harbour Board to meet Freyberg (Governor General) and later he came to a reception at the H.B. Club.
The Freybergs attended the H.B. Show which was this year the Royal Show. As Dorothy Gordon had some of the Governor General’s Staff staying at Clifton Ray went there to help. At the Show we were impressed with the D2 Caterpillar Tractor and decided to purchase one for Pukekino.
November
On the 1st Dorothy returned home after helping Dot in Napier for a few days and she promptly retired to bed with a heavy cold. Ross Falls came out for the first weekend in the month. The Road End was sown down in chou moellier. Early shearing took place early in the month. We purchased a black bull from Jack Graham and met with much difficulty in driving him home. The English Municipal elections showed a big swing away from Labour. Our first Logan grandson was born on the 13th – Robert Junior -and a few days later we went to see him and Hiraani at the home in Napier. We sowed a considerable area in potatoes in Sturges where we also had more chou moellier. The month was very dry and once again the thought of drought was in our minds. We only had ¼
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inch of rain in November. On the 15th Ray and I went to Napier for a few days. We picked up Eddie on our way and we proceeded to a Sherry Party given by Williams and Kettle and Dalgety and Company in honour of Sir William Cooper and Robertson and Walker-Lee, Directors of Cooper, Macdougal and Robertson. They are makers of sheep-dip and various drenches etc. And Williams and Kettle and Dalgety and Company are their New Zealand Agents. Later there was a dinner at the Masonic. Then I went to Lindisfarne to stay over the weekend. On the Sunday we went over to Tauroa (M.S. Chambers) and the Cooper Party came out also. Nancy Holmes and Sally Russell were at Lindisfarne. On the Monday Eddie and I went to the Harbour Board meeting and we farewelled R.D. Brown as a member for Hastings. He had been a good member and we said goodbye with much sadness. Our biggest kill of rabbits during the month was in Marjorie’s paddock where we picked up 320.
December
The first Napier wool sale produced the best prices I had experienced in thirty-six years – the C Hogget fetched 23 ½d and 23 ¼d. It was another dry month with a good deal of wind. However 80 points on the 6thhelped the crops and garden. My diary tells of the rabbit position getting a little out of hand again and at the end of the month Athol Williams (still Chairman of our Board) came to Kereru with Steele, the Inspector, and we were told to make a greater effort still in fighting the pest. There was much activity in fencing – maintenance work. The first draft of 320 lambs averaged 37.71 lbs. which was good -the next draft was not quite as good but it was satisfactory to get nearly 500 away before Christmas. Shearing ewes took place on the 17th and 18th and just beforehand Boy made his annual trip to Featherston to select rams. There was much activity concerning Ohinewairua Company’s affairs and J.B. Campbell told of H.B. Williams’ offer of £75,000 for the shares and we accepted very gladly – at least I did. In the middle of the month Dorothy and I went to spend a weekend at Clifton and while there we attended a party at the Barnett’s in Napier and visited Bob and Hiraani at Awanga. John Gordon went to Pukekino for that weekend. At the last meeting of the year of the Harbour Board several new members appeared as a result of the Election in November. J. Macdonald represented the Taradale district and Ross Walker took R.D. Brown’s place. After the meeting there was Eddie’s party at Lindisfarne. The County members, including myself, were returned unopposed (Hylton Smith, Lindsay Gordon and self). Williams and Kettle’s Directors meeting (the last of the year) took place on the 22nd. We stayed in Napier over night for the Port Napier was in port on her maiden voyage. Martin, the young 4th Officer, later came to spend a few days with us. Dorothy attended Sue Kettle’s wedding – she married Gordon Osborne. Mary and Ivan were down from Taupo for it too. The last Sunday’s service (Church of England) at Kereru produced a big muster. For sometime now Jim Anderson had been taking a service every other month and he was the Vicar of Puketapu. He and Mrs. Anderson stayed on for supper in turn with the Kays, ourselves, the Cecil Averills and Ned Smiths. While the Herricks had the Duffs (High Commissioner for U.K.) to stay we looked after their Siamese cat as Lady Duff hated cats. We had a picnic with the cat too, as he was terrified of the strange noises in the country, such as cocks crowing and dogs barking.
1948
January
The Family returned from a party at Seton Wenley’s at 4.30 on New Year’s Day – they milked the cows and then went to bed. I attended to the other chores which included feeding about thirty turkeys which were almost ready for turning out on to the farm. 50 points of rain fell yesterday and the crops and garden benefitted but no rain fell at the top end of the farm, or at Kereru or Cecil Averill’s – we were lucky. On the evening of the 1st the Anderson Family from Kereru came over for a drink and later Ian and David Logan came out unexpectedly and they stayed for a couple of days. On the 2nd Ethne and Eddie came out
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for the day and we had a picnic out of doors. And John Martin of the Port Napier came out for another visit. Early on we went to a big Cocktail Party on the Port Napier given by Hazelwood (Captain) – Ray was with us. Later on the Waiwera came in again and we saw more of Briscoe Moffat. During the month we had a big sorting up of ewes, did some dipping, much firewood splitting and, of course, there was the never-ending laying of poison for rabbits. By the end of the month we had killed round about one thousand. The biggest kill was 528 in Sturges and Cocksfoot II. Boy bought 300 lambs at the sale for the rape crop at 26/6d. Wool prices went up further and we touched 34d at the sale. Another party on the Port Napier was a presentation from the City of Napier to the ship. This ship is still in the trade (I am writing this in 1967) and is still ranked as one of the good but old and comfortable ships of the line. One day we went to Clive Grange to see Hiraani and the children and to go over the plans John Scott had drawn for ‘The Cottage’ to be built on Pukekino for Bob.
February
Ray and Boy brought Briscoe Moffat out for the night and there was much talk, particularly about his adventures in the Malta convoy days. Next day we took him back to his ship and there was a big party on board that evening. The grader came out and in one and a half days the site for Bob’s house was levelled and a drive formed. Another little filly of Boy’s got into trouble in a fence and this meant dressings etc. And a very affectionate milking heifer called Ida fell over a nasty drop in Ray’s paddock and we had to shoot her eventually. There was much sadness. A big draft (530) of lambs went off the farm fat and the average weight was 42 lbs. which was good. Robson, an employee of the Rabbit Board, was appointed to look after the rabbit poisoning in our area and during the month 1280. at least, were picked up on Pukekino. On the 12thJohn Foley left after a year with us. We were sad to lose him as he was a good worker a nice young fellow to have about. One day we went over to Forest Gate to say goodbye to Peter Holden before he returned to England. The Percy Elworthys came out to dinner with us one night. I spent a night at Lindisfarne during the month and also at Tauroa and there were meetings of Williams and Kettle and the Harbour Board. Ivan and Mary went off for a fishing expedition in the South Island. Conditions were mighty dry and we got less than an inch of rain during the month.
March
Jim and Charlie Foley came out to rabbit for R.P.K. and me but they can’t have lasted long because by the end of the month I notice we are hard at work on the job again. On the 2nd I went to Lindisfarne for the night and next day Eddie and I flew to Christchurch for a fortnight’s holiday in the South. We stayed in comfort at the Christchurch Club and during the time there we were much and pleasantly entertained by the Jim Malins, Edgar Steads, Mrs. Gould and Barbara, Dennis and Jean Cotterill, Maggie Cotterill, Red and Kitty Neill, Mrs. C. Rattray, Bill and Mary Toomey, Jack Rhodes, George Denniston. It was a very enjoyable fortnight all told. One day Derek Gould took me to Addington stock yards and Harold Atkinson took me round the yards. One Sunday night, Eddie was in Timaru that weekend, Bill Toomey took me to his lovely home for supper at which twelve sat down at 10 p.m. Bill, after singing `The Mountains of Morne’ as he used to sing it on the Rangitiki in 1939, fell off his chair and we carried him to bed! At times staying for the odd night at the Club was Ernie Clark, David Boyle, George Hennessy, Harold Johnston conducting enquiries into the fire at Ballantynes where many were burned. Eddie and I went for a short time to the hearing – most boring. One day the Chairman of the Lyttleton Harbour Board (Tyler) took us round the harbour works and then for a drive over the Cashmere hills. Also at the Club for a night or two were Frank Spite and Warwick Gregory. One day we went to Inglewood Stud farm at Kaiapoi to spend the afternoon with the Ken Austins. One night we went to supper with John and Hester Elworthy on
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their farm near Sumner – there was a glorious view looking across the Straits.
So our enjoyable holiday came to an end. We took the service car by way of the Lewis Pass and Murchison to Nelson where we spent two nights at a dreadful hotel, the Trafalgar as the Nelson was full. Charlie Duke looked after us and put our names down at the Club. After two days we flew in a two seater over the rugged fiordland to Paraparaumu where Ethne met us and we motored to Lindisfarne. That night Boy took me home. As we flew over that forbidding fiordland country Eddie said ‘What happens if the Pilot has a fit?!’ Then there was some leeway to catch up with on my return and we had our final meeting of Ohinewairua Company, thank goodness, and all was wound up. While I was away the rams were put out and this year we were running 1852 breeding ewes and the total sheep population was 2740, There were 110 cattle, 59 being breeding cows. Cooper built a 15,000 gallon concrete tank in the Mill and this was to be of much comfort to us after the galvernised [sic] tanks with a capacity of about 1600 gallons.
April
Nearly every time I went to Napier I managed to fit in a cup of tea at Blythes with P. Higgins, T.M. Geddis and F.W. Browne. This month there were meetings of Reserves Committee and Harbour Board as usual. The whole Board was on the works committee but this did not often happen. There was a special works meeting. In the first week we had some welcome rain but not nearly enough. The Kereru Sports Meeting took place this month. It had been postponed on account of an epedemic [sic] of Polio earlier in the year. Rabbit poisoning was taken on by the Russell brothers but they don’t seem to have stuck it out for long because by the end of the month we were at it ourselves again. Dorothy Gordon came out for a few days and after she had gone Dorothy went to spend a week or so in Taupo before joining me in Auckland. On the 23rd Boy and I saw John Foley off to England in the S.S. Devon as cook’s assistant. After much trouble I was able to get him this job and so a cheap trip. When he left England after the war he left a wife there and he wanted to see why she would not come out to join him. It ended in a divorce and he returned to New Zealand later in the year. Our turkeys began to disappear – we lost about five in one week, Maurice and Math Chambers went to England for a few months and Nan Harvey (now Mrs. Bill Whitlock) came to take charge of Tauroa and Mr. Mason Chambers. I spent a few nights there before the end of the month and while there I looked up the Barrons, Olive Nairn and Lily, and May Coleman and Helen. On the 30th I flew to Auckland in a special plane for wool buyers and there were only four or five passengers. Among them was Winifred Dawson (now Mrs. Tony Horrocks). We did the journey in one hour twenty-five minutes. I met Dorothy who had come from Rotorua by train and we stayed at the Grand. It was nice to find Bill and Mary Toomey there and her sister.
May
On the 1st I saw old Bill Toomey off by the Port Hobart to England – Mary did not go. We were in Auckland till the 11th and thoroughly enjoyed the visit. While there we supped twice with Brian and Roie Hewitt and Mrs. Nathan, now 88, was there one night looking just as elegant as ever. Brian and Roie also came to dine with us. Miss Ruth Spencer, of course, was at the Grand. I lunched at the Club several times with Trevor Holmden. One day Miss Hutton, secretary of the Northern Club, took me to see her Father, Wattie. In the far-off days he had been groom to the Troutbecks. We saw Nellie Ainsworth and her husband, the Cravens, Marge Hay and her Mother and, of course, to St. Helier’s Bay for a cup of tea with the Archbishop and Mrs. Averill – the latter was rather senile and looked sad. Boy rang up early one morning to say the cattle feed was short and some cattle would have to go. I knew this would happen because if you don’t get a growth in April rains in May won’t help for the growing period is over. We left by service car on the 11th and stayed with Ivan and Mary at Taupo till the 13th. Then on to Napier, Dorothy to spend a couple of nights with Monty and Cushla and I at the Club. Only four of us attended the Williams and Kettle Directors’ Meeting –
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Burkitt told us of the proposed Fertilizer works and that F.W. Browne was to canvass the district for support. Today (1967) you see the works at Awatoto. Before the end of the month I attended a lunch party on the Condessa and later a Cocktail Party. It was her first visit to Napier and she was taking a big load of Hawke’s Bay Produce. There was a cocktail party at the Hawke’s Bay Club and M.S. Spence unveiled the portrait of W.S. Churchill presented by Sapsworth who lived at the Club through most of the war years. Our friend of over forty years standing, Mrs. Joseph Joseph of Grant Road, Wellington died. Britain relinquished her mandate over Palestine and much fighting began between the Jews and the Arabs. Heavy rain set in about the middle of the month and by the end we had had 11.69 inches.
June
The breaking-in of Fey had to be postponed a little while she was being treated for the wound but the handling of her was of use. On the 4th a dinner was given at the Club by directors, managers and executive Staff of Williams and Kettle as a farewell to Von Kettle who had retired. I spent the night with the Herricks and next day I called to see Mason Chambers – he was in bed with a cold and then to see Mrs. Lowry. She too had a heavy cold. I also went to have a yarn with Harry Wilson, then returning to Lindisfarne again for another night. Ray went off to Christchurch on the 6th. She was to go on to Dunedin for further training at St. Helens. One Saturday, after lunching at ‘The Cottage’ with Rochie and Coley, we went to a hunt at Mangatahi. On the 21st it was a long day of meetings – Harbour Board, Williams and Kettle and McLean Trust – at the Harbour Board meeting we had to dispense with the services of McLaughlan (Harbour Master) all very unpleasant.
On the 26th there was a big party of about 100 for Eddie’s 70th birthday – a great success. Dorothy, Boy and I stayed with Dorothy and John Gordon and Vyv and Elizabeth Hill for supper. On the 28th the Hawke’s Bay Club farewelled Mr. and Mrs. Crosse – he had been a very satisfactory Manager for some years. I spent a night at Tauroa before the end of the month.
July
Not much of account this month. The new grass in the Nursery was ready for grazing the hoggets. Topdressing was in progress and we did the crutchig. We purchased 18 cows for £18.0.0d. I note the Boys’ wages were £3.0.0d each and, of course, keep into the bargain. Mr. Kinross White died during the month. He was 90 – he and my Father batched together in the early 1880’s. On the 1st I went to Tauroa for a tea party – four exchairmen of the Hawke’s Bay County Council were present (Chambers, Crosse, Campbell and self) and Bob Harding (the present Chairman). John Gordon came out for a weekend. The last two or three days of the month I had an unpleasant cold and retired to bed. The unrest in Europe increased and Russia made things most unpleasant in her sector of Germany. The Arabs and Jews were still at each other’s throats.
August
Yet another rabbiter turned up and after a month’s work we were well satisfied with him and he seemed to know his job and was getting good results. We sorted up the ewes ready for lambing and this began after the first week and progressed well. Jim’s Corner and Ray’s paddock were ploughed up this year. Poor old Tinker, a favourite pet lamb, had twins but they died and she was very sad &. fretted a lot. I spent two nights at Lindisfarne for Harbour and Williams and Kettle Meetings. Our little cat, Kim, had to visit the Vet as he seemed to lose his appetite and de loped a skin trouble. However he made a recovery. Walter Nash, Minister of Finance, brought New Zealand back on a parity with sterling – our £ had been devalued by 25% for round about fifteen years. Australia did not follow and this put New Zealand at a disadvantage. Williams and Kettle’s Annual General Meeting was successful and the profits higher still. After a meeting concerning the delivery of lime in Williams and Kettle in Hastings, I went on to
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a party at Lindisfarne to celebrate the engagement of Barbara to John Gordon, Dorothy and Boy joined me there. At the Hawke’s Bay Club Annual Meeting Bob, Boy and Godfrey Kay came to dinner. M.S. Spence was elected to the chair again.
September
The rabbiter stayed a month and killed 800 rabbits which was not bad considering he was alone. After a demonstration in the Road End of a Major Fordson Tractor we bought one for £490 – self-starting and all latest Equipment. Docking and Calf Marking went on steadily, but, in spite of good weather over the lambing period the percentage was only about average and too many dry ewes. Boy’s appendix did some growling and an operation was necessary. However this had to be postponed until the 16th as he developed a heavy cold. Ted Averill gave us a hand at docking in his place. On the 8th my dear old friend, Mason Chambers died. He had been ill for only a few days but it was known he would not be with us for long. He was a ‘gentleman’ in the true sense of the word and I never, in all the years I knew him, heard him say an uncharitable word of anybody. He was a very valuable and helpful friend to me in very many ways. On the 10th I picked up Eddie and we attended a service, taken by Robertson (Presbyterian Minister of Havelock) on the terrace in front of the house, and later the burial in the Havelock Cemetery. We went on to Napier later in the day.
On the 15th I took Boy to Sherwood for his operation next day but first of all we fixed up a passage for him to England next year in a P. & O. Ship. I stayed at the Club for three days and T.B. Ching, who used to manage the South British in Napier in the early 1900s, was staying there – he was out on a visit from England.
On the 16th at a meeting of the Harbour Board, Bevan was appointed Harbour Master in place of McLaughlin and Barker (now Harbour Master 1967) was appointed 2nd Pilot. Boy made good progress after the operation and he went straight ahead. We used to visit him frequently. On the 25th I picked up Eddie and we went to the Bit rkitts for another dinner party for Directors and heads and so on to No. 4 Wool Store for the Annual Dance of Williams and Kettle. The rainfall was under two inches – not much for this time of the year.
October
Some of our dogs had taken a liking to rabbit hunting and we often found them missing – very annoying. Boy returned home on the 3rd and after that there were visits from our neighbours the Kays, Cecils etc. etc. Between the 3rd and the 8th about 3 inches of rain fell and the position became easier. By the middle of the month Jim’s corner (35 acres) and Rays (12 acres) were sown in chou moellier. I must still have been on the Club Committee for I attended a meeting on the 18th. On the 20th we went to the first day of the Show and lunched with the Herricks – among the guests were Nancy Rolleston and D. Gordon. Rex Willock was now a member of Williams and Kettle’s Board and was present at our monthly meeting. An N.A.C. Lockhead plane with thirteen on board crashed on Mt. Ruapehu and there were no survivors. It was our worst accident to date.
November
We replaced the Cocksfoot bridge with pipes. Bastin came to do the job with Jim McIntyre’s help. Dry shearing was fortunately finished early in the month for it rained on and off from the 12th to the end of the month and altogether 7.06 inches fell and this completely restored the position. The first wool sale was satisfactory – prices equal to those of last year. Goats were becoming a menace again along the Poporangi gorge and we had to wage war on them severely. At one Harbour Board Meeting a very satisfactory picture was presented to us – whereas in 1944 there was a debit balance of £35,000 today there was a credit for that amount. The progressive work was paying a good dividend. King George V was far from well and his visit to Australia and New Zealand had to be cancelled. Shirley Kettle was married to Jim Allard in Napier Cathedral on the 27th. We all attended and then went to the
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reception at Wharerangi – there I was glad to see Dan, Meta and Nancy again. The flat roof was giving trouble and Bone came out to give it attention – Flat roofs are a menace.
December
The first pick of fat lambs was 225 – Dyer said he could take twice as many but as the crop was such a good one we decided against it. Little and Scott came out to view the site for Bob’s cottage and it was suggested the price would be £2300. We began some shooting of rabbits again at the Rabbit Board’s suggestion and it was nothing to get 30 or so about sunset round the edges of the gorges. Ewe shearing was over by the 16th and we were thankful as the wool was long and ewes were casting badly. One afternoon Bruce Lindemand and Nancy Bain came out to join Boy in a goat shoot and they got 62. One day we lunched at the Burbury’s in Havelock and then did a round of visits – Mrs. Lowry and Gertie, the M.S. Chambers and Barrons. After a visit to the Port Pirie and Mr. Wenley one day we called to see the Harry Wilsons on our way home. Eddie’s annual party took place on the 20th after the last Harbour Board Meeting of the year. Our old friend, Violet Russell, was in New Zealand again and we called to see her in Hastings just before Christmas. Then we went on to a party at the Sandtmann’s to farewell John and Helen Humphries who were to leave for a trip overseas shortly. Boy’s annual visit to Featherston for ram picking was also just before Christmas. On Christmas Day we went to the Cecil Averill’s in the afternoon and Sandy Eaton came down to us for dinner. On the 27th the Herricks came to us for, what had now become, an annual picnic and before they left we all laid jam poison on the spits in the Road End. On the 30th we went to lunch with Tom and Doreen Harper at Waiteo – the Johnstons were there, Then we called in to see Ann and Bill Douglas at Whakamarumaru and later still to see Tom and Margot Lowry at Okawa. On New Year’s Eve the Cecil Averills, on their way to leave the children with us while they went to a party, collided with the Mail Car. So all plans fell through and they all stayed with us till the breakdown van came out later and they just went home again quietly! Margaret Retemeyer, who was a passenger in the mail car, had a few scratches and was also with us till called for later. It was a dull New Year’s Eve for us all, especially the Cecils whose car was extensively damaged. During the year two referendums (should it be referenda?) were taken:
1. Should we have ‘off’ course betting – carried.
2. Should licensing hours be extended to 10p.m. – lost.
1949
I am gradually catching up with my work of condensing my diaries and I am writing this on July 5th 1967. At present I am in bed with one of my very heavy colds and yesterday I completed 1948 and if there happen to be many more days of bed I shall be out of a job.
January
New Year’s Day was cold and unpleasant and we were all very tired after a late night on account of the Cecil Averill’s car smash last night. In the afternoon the Andersons of Kereru and the Rochie Averills came up and we had a drink to 1949. Before the end of last year we took our family of turkeys out to the Nursery yards to get acclimatised to their surroundings but as some of the female birds hatched out young ones, we bought them home for better attention. On the 3rd we had one of the most severe thunderstorms I can remember and before breakfast next morning we bad taken 3.34 inches of rain. Onwards through the month we had periods of very heavy rain and altogether 11.68 inches fell through January, interfering much with our work and causing slips in the gorges where from time to time we had to rescue marooned sheep and cattle. This inspired us to hasten our programme of putting up cattle fences round some of the gorges. We got to work at once with a fence round the Road End Gorge. Many parties were given, mostly for young people, for Barbara Herrick and John Gordon. We went to one at the Frank Herricks at their new house in Havelock. There we saw Chris Duckworth and her husband and Miss Elsie Williams – all back
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from England. Barbara and John were married at St, Luke’s in Havelock on the 15th after three appallingly wet days and the garden at Lindisfarne was a quagmire but loads of straw were laid on the floor of the marquee and paths leading to it. Sir Patrick Duff (High Commissioner for England) proposed the toast and all went off well. Later we went to Frimley for a very enjoyable buffet meal and the young people stayed on for a dance. We all went to the Seton Wenley’s 25th Wedding Anniversary dinner. Then came more parties for Joan Averill and we all went to her wedding on the 26th when she married Michael Kay and my task was to propose the toast, Surely I should have become too old for this job. On the 24th there were Harbour Board, Williams and Kettle and McLean Trust and Hawke’s Bay Club Meetings. It was a long and weary day’s work. The Kereru Sports were held on the 29th – we attended in the afternoon. A number of young people came along for supper and Dorothy and I retired to bed. The first pick of lambs only produced 131 – there had been too much rain for good results.
February
The month began with westerly gales which helped to dry out the country. The work of the month proceeded as the weather, except for thunderstorms, was mainly fair. The boys disced Sturges in readiness for sowing next month. Blackberries were sprayed and thistles cut especially in the Pit. Yards were repaired in Price’s. Crutching took place at R.P. Kay’s for convenience. Dipping was done at Kereru. The cattle fence in the Nursery was begun and finished – not before time for another little cattle beast was rescued out of the Gorge just before we made a start. The ewes were sorted up. Fat ewes in the sale fetched 39/10d. and shaky old ewes 31/9d. A draft of 514 fat lambs went off and averaged a little over 42lbs. A start was made on Bob’s house site – first of all a garage was built which would act as the workshed. And the concrete foundations were laid. Little was the builder. Early in the month our parties at Blythe’s were resumed where we discussed world affairs etc. Pat Higgins, T.M. Geddis, F.W. Browne and, quite often, P.W. Peters, and myself foregathered. There were Harbour Board Works Meetings, McLean Trust and a long session between W.G. Wood, Penn Scannell and myself over the Ohinewairua Affairs. Another day we spent at Clifton and also went to view Barbara’s wedding presents at Lindisfarne before she took them away. Ray and Boy had their vaccinations preparatory to their ventures abroad and after a few days they had the unpleasant reactions. One day the Don Algies and Ian Lyons came out to dinner – so also did Jock Eaton just back from England after getting his M.R.C.P. After a meeting of the Works Committee of the Harbour Board on the 14th we called in at Frimley to see Miss Elsie Williams and Ruth Herrick, now settled there again. Our annual dinner party consisting of John McLennan, N. Mackay, S.M. Palmer and self happened during the month and I spent the night with the Mackay’s. Monday 21st, was a heavy day with Harbour Board meeting, McLean Trust, Williams and Kettle Directors and Hawke’s Bay Club Committee – I spent that night also at the Mackay’s. On the last day of the-month Ray and I went to Hastings and, after lunch at the Hawke’s Bay Farmers, there was a T.H. Lowry Trustees Meeting. Then Ray and I attended a function at the Hawke’s Bay Farmers given by Williams and Kettle and Hawke’s Bay Farmers in honour of Donald’s visit – he was Chairman of the Port Line. Wives of Directors of both Companies were present. At night there was a Cocktail party and later dinner at the Hawke’s Bay Club. I returned to Lindisfarne with Eddie and Tom Lowry and we talked on till 4 a.m. but what about I cannot think.
March
March is usually a month of much activity in the farming world as you have the final sorting up of stock before the end of the financial year. We put the rams out with 1828 ewes on the 2nd. By the 12th the boys had sown and rolled the Road End. Good luck was with us for a helpful rain followed immediately after the completion of the job. Had the weather held up for another two days Sturges would have been sown too.
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However by the 25th this paddock was finished and before long the grass shot as the soil was just ready for the seed. Rabbits were on the move again and we had some heavy kills during the month. Also rats and opposums were becoming a nuisance and they had to be coped with. They were tackling vegetables and a small crop of maize. Some of our dogs were still interested in putting down rabbits – Jess and Clyde seem to be the ringleaders.
Apart from farm work up to the 14th, there were all sorts of important things that kept Boy busy. As he was leaving for England for a year, there were farewell parties galore. And Ray, too, was going to England a little later. One night Harker, M.P., came to give an address at Kereru and on our way home the steering of the car suddenly seized and we ran quietly off the road between Poporangi and Kereru. Ned Smith, who was following, took us home. Next day Bob rescued the car and repairs were effected.
On the 14th excitement filled Boy for on this day he began his year’s travels overseas. In 1938 Constance Fountaine gave Jim his return fare to England and he loved every minute of his trip. Then, after the war, Constance, offered to do the same for Hamilton (Boy) and he, likewise, accepted the wonderful offer and enjoyed, as Jim had, the generous gift. So on the 14th, Boy and I went by train to Wellington and stayed at the Club till the 17th. While there we called on Binnie of the Port Line, and Robertson of the S.S. & Co. we met Keville (General Manager of S.S. & Co. in London) who travelled to Sydney with Boy and gave him considerable help and introductions. We saw Gladys and Sybil Nathan and Jimmy James and others. Ralph Beetham and Dan Riddiford were at the Club and I met Sam Wheeler whom I had not seen for years. We also saw Hew Bruce and Georgette Handyside. It was a pleasant three days we had at the Club. On the 17th Eddie arrived in time for lunch and he and I took Boy to join the ‘Wanganella’ on the first of his journey. The ship sailed at 4.30 and that evening, while I was with Jimmy James she became very unwell and being a nurse she realised the symptoms were serious. So it ended in her doctor ordering her to hospital and I took her to the Public Hospital. That was the beginning of a year or two of operations and sadness before the end. Jimmy was a friend of Cora’s and she had nursed Mrs. Lowry and other friends of ours at times. The following day Eddie and I together with Molly and Julia, went on board the Frigate ‘Pukaki’ for a gin with Larry, then to a monster Cocktail Party on H.M.S. ‘Bellona’ where all the social lights [sic] of Wellington were at play. I met Owens (Archbishop), a friend of Charlie Ritchie’s. As we were leaving Eddie tripped over a bollard and crashed into a lady-guest who was sipping cocktail. I laughed till next day. He and I went to Evans Bay to inspect a pilot’s launch which had been recommended as suitable for Napier but it apparently was not what we required.
On the 19th we journeyed to Hastings – Julia with us – and I spent the next three days at Lindisfarne as Dorothy was in Taupo and Ray and Bob were at home enjoying ‘summer sickness!. Eddie and I went to Napier on two consecutive days to meet New Plymouth Harbour Board Officials and to a lunch party on the ‘Port Philip’. Dorothy returned from Taupo and we went home on the 23rd. So back to work.
Some papering and painting took place in the house and confusion reigned.
April
Violet Russell came to us for a weekend and true to form she at once asked what there was to do in the way of household chores or gardening. What a wonderful woman she was. It was a happy week- end and on the Sunday we joined the Herricks and a party from H.M.S. ‘Pukaki’ for a picnic at the old homestead – later they all came to us for a drink before going home. By the way Eddie Herrick’s Father (Colonel Herrick), Mr. J.N. Williams of Frimley and Mr. Duff (Father of Mrs. Eaton) used to live together in the Whare of the Old Homestead in the 1860s. Kereru then belonged to Colonel Herrick and J.N. Williams. It was then a vast property and it included Whana Whana (now the Beamish property). We carried on with cattle fences
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and the one giving on to the gorge in Bob’s paddock was finished. Early in the month another 300 lambs went off at about an average of 44lbs. and on the 19th the last wether lambs left the place. This was about a record – every lamb. we hoped to fatten did fatten. We transferred the turkeys to the Nursery again and they settled down but later a tragedy occurred when they all died after taking the poison laid for rabbits.
The renovation of the interior of the house was completed and all looked well and fresh. Sanson (a dog of Boy’s) became ill and caused us some worry. However he recovered quite well with care. We received a cheerful letter from Boy on his way to England -he had seen much of the Austins in Sydney and Maie Casey had been very good to him in Melbourne. The young grass in the Road End and Sturges was coming away well. The drive, yards and many gateways were metalled by Ralph Douglas. On the 17th John Foley came back to us and we were glad to have him to help during Boy’s absence. Before the end of the month the roof was on Bob’s cottage. On the 14th we went to ‘The Cottage’ to say goodbye to Rochie and Coley who were going to England the following week for a trip. After a Reserves Meeting one day Eddie, Harland and I inspected the development work in Onekawa. An inspection of this area today (1967) tells a story of exciting progress during the eighteen years. Eddie went with Larry to the Campbell Islands after the Harbour Board Meeting of the 21st but before leaving he and I went through Williams and Kettle’s Agenda as I was to take the chair in his absence. After the meeting I met Violet Russell and took her to see Miss Ormond and then, while in Hastings later, I said goodbye to Algie Rainbow who was going to England with Jim Wattie in regard to getting a market established there for the tinned goods. The 27th was my 65th birthday and on it I deputised for Eddie at a party on the mission ship ‘John Williams V1’. Others present were Bob Harding (H.B.C.C. Chairman), R.A. Brown and T. Hercock, Mayors of Hastings and Napier, and I had to welcome the ship through the microphone as the ship was such a small one many people were on the wharf.
May
On the 1st the Burkitts came out to lunch and later Coley and Rochie with Adrienne and John, came up, Topdressing proceeded under our own steam. John Foley did most of it until he crashed the topdresser into a cabbage tree. Bill felled several well-grown Macarthuri gums of our planting and split posts out of them. The weather was still mild for the time of year and the young grass grew well. Patsy Nelson had a ‘coming-out’ ball and we took care of the Cecil Averill Family for the night. Rona Heinemann of Wellington, came to spend a week with Ray – she and Ray were to travel to England together in June. On the day of the Harbour Board Meeting I also had a meeting of McLean Trust and took John Foley to see W.A. McLeod in regard to getting a divorce from his wife who refused to come to New Zealand. On the 23rd Boy reached England and a few days later came letters from him and Cora who had taken him in her care. Dorothy Gordon came to stay at the end of the week – she was now living in a flat in Havelock till her house at Awanga was built. The rainfall was 4.44 inches. On the 3rd May a memorial service was held in St. Luke’s, Havelock North, for Percy McHardy who died on board the Port Hobart on his way to England. He had hoped to visit the grave of his son, Forbes, who was killed during the war in Italy. Mrs. McHardy carried on, however, and visited the grave. I had known Percy McHardy since my very early childhood for I used to stay quite often with his parents when they lived at Longlands and later at Aramoana.
June
As I was going out one morning I overtook George Menzies, the rabbiter, dragging two little Labrador pups to his camp so I made him carry one and I carried the other. For several days after I used to go out to give the little things milk etc. and I was so upset over their loneliness that I induced George to give them to me, Bob took one for a friend in Westshore and I kept the other, who became
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my constant and faithful friend for six years. This was Winnie (Winston) and how naughty he could be at times in leading whatever dog was willing into rabbit hunting. At the end of 1953 I took him to Napier but after a few months Boy gave him a home at ‘The Cottage’ for he hated town. And each time I went out to ‘The Cottage’ he would give me a Brea welcome. Then the day came when another friend of the dumb would had [sic] to go. Louie Moffat was back from U.S.A. where she had lived for the past twenty years and was now with Betty Mayne. We were glad to see her again. The Kettle family and ours had always been on very friendly terms and the friendship dated back to the 1870s when my Mother and Mrs. Nat Kettle (nee von Tempsky) were young together in Napier. On the 1st we called for Louie and took her out to see Lulu and Winston Barron and Jack Roberts and Ruby Stead – quite a family gathering. Jack Roberts was out in New Zealand on a short visit. He lived in Selkirk (Scotland), our new double garage was completed and this was a godsend being so much nearer the house and it gave room for implements in the old one. We rebuilt the yards by the killing block – they had been in poor shape for long enough. We purchased thirty weaner steers at the sale for £8.15/- during the month. As George Menzies was located at Pukekino for the purpose of looking after the rabbit position we were much freer and able to get on with our usual work on the farm. There was always fencing maintenance to be done – this never ends. McIntyre, the Board’s Inspector (Rabbit), often dropped in to have a yarn – he was a painstaking fellow and practical.. A few months ago (towards the end of 1966) I ran into him in Hastings – he is now retired. Now that Bob’s house was in the process of being built Hiraani was often out at Pukekino and Louise usually came with her and loved pottering about with the animals. Eddie and I had a day in Napier apart from board meetings and we called, as we often did in those days, on Bert King (Cocky) who managed Ellison and Duncan Limited, we paid one of our frequent visits to see Mrs. Lowry – she seemed very unhappy in Havelock. Since leaving Okawa she had lost her importance – this can so easily happen when the family home is vacated. After the Harbour Board meeting on the 20th I spent the night at the Club – John Johnston of Tamumu was there also. He left the Army after the war and returned to the family property. Tamumu was poorly run by his late father, Goring Johnston, for years but John was able to pull things together in a wonderful way. I went to see Eric Rickard after dinner – he was then in charge of Williams and Kettle’s wool department. For several years we saw quite a lot of him and his wife but since they left Napier about 1953 or 1954 we have not seen them. The following day I had a long session with Moloney, who was then Commissioner of Stamps (Napier Office) and a very tough guy. Then I went to see Dudley and Ngaire Kettle and later called in at Lindisfarne. There Dorothy and Ray joined me and we went to a monster party at the Hawke’s Bay Farmers given by Tom Lowry and Enid Nelson for their god-daughter – daughter of Snow and Harry Hassan.
On the 24th Tom Lowry and I, after a Trust Meeting in Hastings, went on to Napier to a Williams and Kettle Directors’ Meeting. Later Dorothy and Ray joined me and we went aboard the ‘Waiwera’ which was in port again. Mrs. Moffat was also on board during the ship’s stay in New Zealand waters. Permission to import a car from England was granted and with funds in London I purchased a Morris Oxford and Boy was to have the use of it in England and bring it out. He had good use of it eventually and he and Ray took it on the Continent. As a result of my interview with Moloney Tom Lowry, Penn Scannell and Algie Rainbow and I visited Macken, Commissioner of Stamps (Wellington), mainly in regard to the valuation of T.H. Lowry’s racing stud. This was quite a complicated job. We more or less left the argument over values to Tom and Macken and in the end a satisfactory compromise was agreed upon. I went to Wellington with Tom and Margot by car and we stayed at the Midland. On the evening of our arrival Tim and Philippa Williams and Tripe came along and we talked late into the night. After our meeting next day Penn Scannell and I were
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able to get the 2.30 service car back to Hastings where Bob met me and brought me home at 10.30p.m. The rain for the month was too much for our liking for June -it was 5.41 inches.
July
This year we decided it was time to embark upon a bigger ploughing programme than usual. The Gaols (used to be Lower Gaols before the sale to the Government) was the best block on the farm and we owed it a ploughing. It, perhaps, would have been better to have subdivided it and ploughed it in two blocks. So Chris got to work and began ploughing on the 1st – 130 acres in all. We crutched all the far away ewes at R.P. Kay’s and the hoggets and front ewes at Kereru. I was away for a good deal of the month and Bob, John and Bill had their work cut out in looking round the ewes, as lambing was at hand, sorting the ewes up and placing them in their blocks and doing the usual seasonal work. On the 3rd Bob went to Napier and brought the Moffats out for the day. Barbara was living on the ‘Waiwera’ while it was on the N.Z. Coast. Then the following day Bob took us to a party given by David Neilson at the Hawke’s Bay Farmers for his Mother-in-law, Mrs. Cox, who was in New Zealand for a visit. Old Isobel McLean, who had been Mrs. Turnbull’s faithful maid for about fifteen years, died and we attended her funeral on the 5th. A service at St. Pauls Church and later at Taradale Cemetery, She belonged to the old school and was so loyal.
On the 6th Bob, Dorothy and Ray went to Wellington and I followed next day by service car and on my arrival later in the evening at the Waterloo Hotel I found Ray had taken to bed with a severe attack of measles! And she was to have sailed for England on the 8th in the ‘Dominion Monarch’ with Rona Heinemann. There was nothing for it but to cancel her passage forthwith, so I rang up Wynyard of the S.S. & Co. at 10p.m. as the office was closed, and he got busy. Next day Twigg (doctor) came along and had a look at her and shook his head. Later I took her in the ambulance to the Fever Hospital as the hotel could not cope and there she languished for ten days – then a week with Mrs. Heinemann. Dorothy and I stayed in Wellington till the 11th and then came home. The Wray Nolans and Peter and Pam Reynolds were there and helped to cheer us up. We went to see the old Nathans, Lady Shirtcliff and Rose and Jimmy James, who was better but rather frail. I was also, during that time, able to get a passage for Ray in the ‘Rimutaka’ sailing later in the month. On our return there were the usual monthly meetings of Harbour Board and Williams and Kettle and the McLean trust. At the Harbour Board C.R. Gardiner was appointed Government Nominee in place of Black, who retired – the latter was never ‘at home’ on the board. The Denis Cotterills were up on one of their usual winter visits to the Masonic Hotel and they came out to see us one day and we lunched with them too. The dock strike in London became more serious than ever.
On the 25th Dorothy and I journeyed again to Wellington by service car – this time we had to go over the Saddle Road as the gorge was blocked by a slip. We met Ray at the Midland where we stayed. Also there were the Herricks, Barbara and John, Jasper and Letty and, of course, Julia and her three children. The next day we saw Ray off in the ‘Rimutaka’. Julia and family and Janet Turnbull also travelled in her, Ray had made a good recovery but looked a bit ‘wan’ – the rest on the voyage set her up and then there was Boy in England to take care of her. That evening the Herrick Family joined us and we had a drink or so in the lounge to drown our sadness at the parting. Next day we returned home – Hiraani, Bob and Family were there to greet us. By the 31st Bob’s house was finished and we all helped to settle them in.
August
A referendum on compulsory Military Training was carried by two-thirds majority. On the 1st we went to christen Bob’s house, it really was very nice and they seemed very happy and comfortable in it. During the first few days the weather was warm and mild – one or two goodshowers fell which helped lambing along. Then on the evening of the 6th a North East storm came upon us and for the
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following week it just poured down in buckets – on the night of the 7th we had 4.45 inches and the wind had then gone into the South East and it was cold. During those few days we had an appalling time for the ewes chose to lamb freely and the confusion was terrific. There was so little we could do and the mis-mothering of lambs was heart-breaking. We took into shelter countless weak and lost lambs and, as time went on, we were able to get them mothers as there were so many ewes without lambs by the time the storm abated. I had never experienced such a miserable week before – and it was a disappointing time for Bob, his first year in charge. However, before the month was over the weather had picked up and was warmer and lambing proceeded smoothly. In fact lambing was over in a much shorter period this year than ever before. Ploughing was impossible for about three weeks but Chris was able to finish the Gaols by the 25th. Routine work on the farm was almost at a standstill for much of the month for we were all so fully occupied in caring for the ewes and lambs. During the past few weeks we had been sending half a dozen fat ewes to the sale each week and I note that the last half dozen in August fetched 56/6d apiece. I only went to town three times during the month – on the 12th to a Williams and Kettle Director’s Meeting to review the year’s working. Then on the 15th to a Harbour Board Meeting followed by a McLean Trust and visit to Lindisfarne on our way home. Lastly Williams and Kettle’s Annual Meeting on the 22nd – the year was a good one but a little down on last years. I was re-elected to the Board and Deputy Chairman again. That day we lunched with Louie Moffat -called in to see Percy and Bertha Elsworthy and the Barrons. Letters were now coming regularly from Boy who was having a wonderful time in England, Narford (the Fountaine’s home in Norfolk was his home as it was Jim’s before him. Also we had cheerful letters from Ray from Panama and Curacao. The rain for the month was 10.66 inches.
September
This was quite a good month and we appreciated the fine weather after what we had last month. Docking proceeded apace and by the end of the month only a few very late lambs remained to be docked. Bill’s principal work consisted in cutting down trees for next winter’s firewood. He also sowed the early potatoes and pulled his weight in the vegetable garden. Owing to the wet weather of last month many lambs developed arthritis and it was sad to see so many hobbling about but as the weather warmed up it was good to notice their rapid improvement in these little lambs. One night a couple of bulls got into the garden and they left horrid marks on the lawn which we had to fill in. Our proper registered ear mark consisted of two marks in one ear and one in the other but we only used the long fork in one ear which was, properly speaking, incorrect. So I approached the Registrar and he was able to obtain the one mark which we now use. One day while Ivan and Mary were down from Taupo they came out to see us bringing Ian and Kay with them. England devalued the £1 sterling in relation to the U.S.A. dollar and New Zealand followed suit. There were the usual Harbour Board and McLean Trust Meetings – at our Harbour Board Meeting we had the Marine Superintendents of the four Shipping Lines (now called the Conference Lines) to discuss our proposed development work. They threw cold water on the suggestion (it was Pat Higgins’) of a Coastal Wharf at right angles to No. 1 and No. 2 Wharves (now Geddis and Herrick Wharves) and many of us quite agreed. The idea was scrapped. During the month we visited Mary Coleman, the Barrons, Charlie Roberts, Olive Nairn and Lily Macfarlane, Louie Moffat and Betty Mayne. Louie Moffat came to stay with us for a week after her visit to the Ned Smiths at Olrig. There was a very heavy gale one night and at 2 a.m. I had to run over to the Windmill to turn it off. This used to happen from time to time in those days of the Windmill. Life was strenuous at times in those days. There were cheerful letters from Ray and Boy, who were motoring on the Continent in the Morris car we had purchased
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in London. I was still Treasurer of the Presbyterian Church (Kereru) and used to attend services about once a month. We definitely decided to go to England next year and booked passages in the ‘Rangitane’ sailing in March.
October
By the beginning of the month we appeared to be getting a bit worried about the feed position – we certainly had very little rain during the month – only 1.19 inches – but it fell over a period so was more helpful than if it had come suddenly. Docking was completed and, as expected, on account of the August storm, our losses were more than thought at the time. Our percentage was about 79 which was low enough and the loss of ewes since they were put out was 60 – this was not too bad. We decided to quit twenty-six fat bullocks as they were fat and ready to go and it was a wise move as it eased the position – they averaged £.16 which was apparently quite satisfactory. The Gaols block was disced and more or less worked up ready for the crop. We enjoyed a very pleasant break in the middle of the month when we were the guests of the New Zealand Shipping Company on a short cruise. We left by service car from Napier on the 12th and at 5:30 we drew up alongside the ‘Rangitoto’ in Wellington. There were about ten of us from Napier and Gisborne. Shortly after boarding the ship and being received by Frank Spite (Manager for New Zealand and a Director as well) we were presented to the Governor General and Lady Freyberg who were also guests of the Company. We sailed at 6 p.m. and it was a calm sea. At our table in the saloon were Mrs. Clarke from Gisborne, and George and Mrs. Duncan (he was Chairman of the Wool Board), and the ship’s doctor. The next day was fine and warm – about 9 a.m. we crossed Hawke’s Bay – we steamed within sight of land till we passed the East Cape about 6 p.m. We had a lovely view of Aorangi and the other mountain behind Ruatoria. The day was spent in games, talk, etc., then at night there was a gala dinner. A number of friends were among the 150 guests aboard – there was Jim Mating of Christchurch and the W.B. Martins. W.B. Martin, whom we called Butcher at school, was always a particular friend of mine. I remember once at school, for a 5/- bet, he dived into the swimming baths with his Sunday suit on and wearing his watch. His watch stopped and he later received six of the Fives Bat from the Headmaster. So it wasn’t worth it. I used to see him from time to time as he was Cambridge while I was at Oxford. The morning we reached Auckland at 7.30 and, after breakfast, we boarded a special service car waiting at the gangway and were taken to our homes. Our car travelled through to Wairakei where we lunched. Then we reached Napier at 10 p.m, when Bob met us and took us home. Altogether it was a very pleasant interlude. S.G. Holland opened his election campaign with a very vigorous address which was broadcast. Before the end of the month we had a lengthy Harbour Board Meeting and the Marine Superintendents of the four main Shipping Companies were present to take part in discussions over a further plan for harbour developments. We lunched one day at the Masonic with Mrs. Warren (wife of Alwyn Bishop of Christchurch) and her cousin, Mrs. Laws who is also a cousin of my old friend, Mrs. King of Marazion. I had met Mrs. Laws in Eastbourne in 1939.
November
Welcome light rain fell early in the first week and heavier rain in the middle with some thunder. There was much activity in the garden, particularly in the vegetable portion. And we remade the loading yards at the Pit and Road gate. Bob ploughed up Boy’s paddock. The rabbit menace was easier than it had been for sometime past and this made life easier. On the first Sunday the Herricks came out for the day. We met Rose Hillier (once a housekeeper for my Mother) one day in Napier and talked about the past. Ed Stewart was back from a trip to Europe and he bought us news of Ray and Boy whom he had seen in London. There were the usual meetings of Harbour Board, Williams and Kettle and McLean Trust. Keith Bull was now the Manager of the New Zealand Shipping Company in Napier and took little Bell’s place a few months ago. The first wool sale of the year was quite exciting and prices went up as
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high as ‘39d. S.I. Jones (National Candidate for the Hastings seat) came to Kereru to address a meeting on Harker’s account. The General Elections took place on the 30th and at last the tide turned after fourteen years. National Party seats were 46 and Labour 34. Great excitement prevailed and we looked forward to an end of a Policy of Nationalisation of the means of production, distribution and exchange which was Labour’s ultimate aim.
December
My shearing began early in the month and almost immediately after we carried on with the wet shearing. The total number of bales was 90 which was the best so far. The first pick of lambs was good and 162 went off their mothers! Bob went over to Featherston in Boy’s place this year to select the rams. Sandy (Boy’s dog) broke a leg but after a few weeks in splints a good recovery was made. A dog of George Menzies disappeared one day with its chain and there was much searching in vain till a few days later I heard a faint call from the Nursery Gorge and so discovered the little animal firmly tied up by its chain to a tree. All was well. One day I lunched in Napier with Frank Spite and three directors of the New Zealand Shipping Company in England. Sir Robert Menzies’ party was successful in the Australian Elections and he became Prime Minister for seventeen years. Williams and Kettle’s Directors’ Meeting wound up at the Store at Port Ahuriri – it was our habit to join Gordon Cooper at the Merchandise Store whenever a meeting ended in a reasonable time. After the last Harbour Meeting of the year there was Eddie’s party at Lindisfarne. Lulu Barron had a fall at Taupo and injured a leg rather badly and this meant a lengthy stay in Royston. It was the beginning of much trouble later in life. There was a Christmas Tree at Bob’s for the two children. The Eatons, Jock, Pam and their two children came down. News came that Boy was ill with pneumonia at Glasgow and was being taken care of by Tom and Jean Hastie. On his arrival in Scotland from Ireland he developed this trouble and the enforced stay in Glasgow threw his plans out. The Hasties were wonderfully kind friends.
Hamilton and Bob Logan at The Cottage, Maraekakaho (date unknown). Image source: Hamilton Logan
Bob and Hiraani Logan (date and location unknown). Image source: Hamilton Logan
Cora Turnbull (Hamilton Logan’s cousin) with Hamilton Logan (date unknown). Image source: Hamilton Logan
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CHAPTER NINE
1950 – 1956
1950
As I begin on the diary for 1950 the date is July 16th 1967.
Jan
I found these statistics in my diary – but I think I have referred to them earlier but you see it is sometimes difficult to remember just what you have written earlier on – Out of the 1335 acres of Pukekino I estimate:
1164 acres to be in grassland
60 acres in Tussock and Native grass
11 acres in Garden, plantation and buildings.
30 acres Barren land
70 acres fern and scrub
Being 1335 total
Mardie and her two children were with us for part of the holidays. As the rabbiter was away for a holiday I had charge of his pack of dogs and this kept me busy as they were out at the Nursery Yards. On the 4th I had a day in town with Eddie and we did many things including a visit to Ellison and Duncan and dined at Lindisfarne before coming home. Dorothy Gordon came for a weekend. On the 12th we attended John Wenley’s wedding later a supper at the Assembly Hall in Hastings. R.D. Brown acted as M.C, and the speeches went on and on! My dogs, Glen and Winston, were very troublesome and whenever my back was turned they used to hunt rabbits.
Boy left England on his return to New Zealand on the 16th in the ‘Dominion Monarch’. Ray remained in London and did various jobs to await our arrival later.
The work during the month was devoted to blackberry spraying, weaning lambs, repairing yards, cutting firewood and making a start with dipping the flock.
The Kereru Sports took place and were a great success. There were several visits to town to the dentist, to fix up passports and arrange many things before leaving for England. A good rain fell towards the end of the month. The wool sales were good and our average price per bale was £44.
Feb
One day early on Louie, Betty and Derek Mayne came out to see us. Bob began ploughing up Jim’s Corner for grass seed. Dipping was completed. Perry Wilder came out to revalue. It was the year for County Valuations to be made. Much rain fell during the month – a total of 6.32 inches and the country became very green and a good growth ensued. There were many visits to Napier for Harbour and Williams and Kettle Meetings and one day Eddie and I inspected a block at the top of Ahuriri Lagoon which Ben Lopdell agreed to lease. The British Elections provided a surprise, Labour’s lead was only six over the Conservatives. On the 18th I went to Wellington by service car and stayed at The Club. I went to see the Nathans and Jimmy James, who was far from well.
On the 19th the ‘Dominion Monarch’ arrived with Boy and it was grand to have him home again. The following day our Morris Oxford was landed and we journeyed home via the Wairarapa.
Before the month was out a big draft of fat lambs went.
March
We sold the old Morris Car for £435. Boy’s overhaul disclosed his health was very satisfactory after his recent illness in Scotland. Dorothy Gordon’s new house at Awanga was ready for occupation at the end of the month – we thought it to be a very pleasant and compact house. She came out again during the month for a weekend.
Next year the lease of ‘The Cottage’ to Rochie Averill terminated and, as Constance Fountaine had asked Boy to farm it for her, I broke the news to Rochie. This was unpleasant news for him and he was never particularly friendly towards me again – though it was only natural Constance Fountaine would wish to farm the 1200 acres she bought at the time of the sale (20 years ago) for she had much affection for the place. On the 2nd March, unfortunately, John Foley and I fell out and he was very rude, which was so strange after our very friendly association of over a year.
