USSCO Under Way March 1977

HOUSE JOUR]\\IAL OF uilon compdt)rl MARCH 1977

BOIH ENDS \"Union Rotorua\" at the Seacargo Terminal, Mount Maunganui. With the bow visor raised, lhe shore ramp rests on the ship's own bow ramp which provides access to the lorward part of lhe main deck. llnder uau MARCH 1977 Produced and edited by the Personnel Deparlmenl, Union Steam Ship Company ot N.Z. Ltd., llYellinglon COVER PICTURES Front: Cargo handling operations in the Chatham lslands. See story on page 2. Back: The Union Company team training for the \"Round the Bays Race\", Auckland. Report on page 5.

d: TROfrI IHE GENERAL TIIANAGER ,i , The year 1977 has got away to a good start. \"Union Rotorua\" has settled into service well and is proving an extremely efficient carrier. Her smooth entry into service is a tribute to all the detailed planning of those involved in Head Office and the Branches and to the keenness and enthusiasm of both the terminal staff who stevedore the vessel and the other people behind the scenes who are involved in the total operation of our fleet. The second of the two Tor ships, \"Union Lyttelton\", is nearing New Zealand tY. . ,fn as I write and will join her two partners in the Tasman Seacargo Service to pro- lr vide additional, more effective coverage. With her arrival we say goodbye to \"Union Sydney\" which has proved an effective interim carrier in the trade and is ,.' now being returned to the owners in Europe. The last of the current new building programme, \"Union Rotoiti\", is nearing completion and her entry into service later this year will bring our trans-Tasman fleet up to peak efficiency. On the financial side, trading results this financial year have shown a very pleasing improvement from last year's performance and I am pleased to convey to all staff members the appreciation of their efforts expressed by our Directors at a recent Board Meeting. The overall effectiveness and profitability of the Com- pany depends upon the individual input of us all in whatever sphere we may operate. As has been said so often before, we live in changing times. Our trans-Tasman services are now facing increasing competition from the container vessels of the Australian National Line. A third ship will enter their service shortly, giving the ANL vessels an improved frequency of service between New Zealand and Austra- lia. This will demand maximum efficiency and service in all fields to ensure that Company vessels continue to secure their cargoes: the regularity and reliability of our services are now our principal advantages in securing outward cargoes for our ships. And here, 236 metres further along the wharf, the ship's own massive 150 tonne angled stern ramp rests Iightly upon the wharf while a Lees People change as well as ships and cargoes. Alter a lifetime service, Captain lorklill takes a \"masler pack\" of timber aboard, The greater part of the Jim Collins retires at the end of this month as Marine Superintendent. We will all weight of the three sections of the ship's ramp, and load, is carried by miss his quiet, friendly and effective help, but we are pleased to welcome ashore the heavy support wires trom the \"bascule\" struclure on the ship. the newly appointed Marine Superintendent, Captain Don Morrison, who is well known lo all of us as a serving Master. We all welcome Don to his new responsi- bilities and look forward to working with him. Other changes in the staff are enumerated elsewhere in this journal. We are sorry to say farewell to some who have retired and are pleased to welcome new- comers who have recently joined us and who will receive the full co-operation of us all in becoming members of the Company team, With very best wishes to you all. b^^i- 4

I I tr:i$i;ii'i::ri,lf Lying 473 miles to the East of Lyttelton torate, although the closest port on the are the Chatham lslands. The group con- mainland is Napier. sists of two main lslands; Chatham, or Whare-Kauri, and Pitt, or Rangiauria, plus The general aspect of Chatham lsland numerous small islets. They were dis- is of beautiful rolling downs covered with covered by Europeans when Lt. William grass and patches of fern, with very few Broughton in H.M. Brig \"Chatham\" trees. There are several lakes, the largest landed at Kaingaroa on November 29, being Te-Whanga lagoon, which is of 1 791. salt water and covers an atea of about 72 square miles. The original inhabitants were Morioris Pitt lsland lies 12 miles to the South who formed part of an early Polynesian of Chatham lsland and has a much more migration some time between 950 and rugged coastline with precipitous cliffs 1150 A.D. and these were followed in 1830 falling down into the sea. The soil is very by the Maoris who conquered and en- fertile and the population is approximately slaved the lslanders, which led to a rapid 50, all engaged in farming. The total area decrease in their numbers. The last Mori- of all the islands is about 372 square ori, Tommy Solomon, died on the Chat- miles and the full population is about hams in the mid-1930's. 800, mostly engaged in farming or fishing. Whaling was established in 1793 and The servicing of the lslands is done sheep and cattle were brought to the monthly by M.V. \"Holmdale\" and the regu- lslands in 1841. At the present time the lar service of Safe Air Limited. \"Holmdale\" Chathams form part of the Lyttelton Elec- has been speoially conver,ted to carry \"Holmdale\" at anchor discharging timber into the surtboat, The Port of Waitangi ltom the bridge ol \"Holmdale\". COVER STORY: CHAIHATI'I ISTANDS ln the last issue of Under Way, Merv Morris ol Wellington Branch lold the lnteresting story of Campbell lsland - a once a year port ol call lor the 'baby' ot the lleel, mv \"Holmdalei'. Captain l. W. Sheales, who regularly commands \"Holmdale\", now lalks about the Chalham lslands, a rather more regular haven lor his ship.

additional oil and treezer cargo. On leav- The exports from the lslands are frozen ing Lyttelton she will usually have on meat, crayfish, pauas, blue cod, wool, bone board sixty to seventy thousand gallons meal and tallow. The fuel oil is pumped of diesel oil in her double bottoms and ashore by ship's pumps to the storage permanent and semi-permanent tanks in tanks which are situated about half a mile No. 2 hold, as well as two or three hun- away, near the water's edge. dred drums of petrol and kerosene in her No. t hold. Groceries and household The tanks were originally on top of a supplies will be carried in sixty or so con- hill overlooking the jetty. A certain Chief tainers and the remainder of the space Engineer on the vessel achieved instant wlll be filled with cartons of furniture, fame on the lsland when the Policeman's washing machines, refrigerators, fence cow died when eating grass which had posts, building materials, or any one of a been soaked in oil after an accidental thousand and one things which an isolated spillage from the tank. lt is rumoured that community needs to enjoy a reasonable he wouldn't venture .off the ship for about standard of living. three trips. On deck there will usually be half a Twice a year, calls are made at pitt dozen vehicles, a fishing launch, a couple lsland to discharge the usual stores and of cattle, a few sheep, three or four to load wool. There is only a small jetty dogs, and a couple of pens of chickens. for the use of fishing boats and the ship There is usually a race between crew anchors off a small cove rejoicing in the members to get fresh eggs for breakfast name of Flower Pot. The cargo is carried and rank doesn't count in this case! ln fact, to and from the ship by means of surf it is sometimes difficult to know whether boats. When the weather is good it makes one is on a ship or a farm when con- quite a pleasant change from working at fronted with the various noises and smells. Waitangi. The only port to which cargo is now The boat's crew consists of a Mate, carried on the main lsland is Waitangi; an Engineer and a Seaman and, after a situated in Petre Bay. The vessel ties up very short time, they get very adept at Above: the Flower Pot, Pitt lsland. The to a small jetty which is reasonably well dodging slings of cargo being lowered small jetty trom which the surtboat is dis- sheltered except when the wind blows down to them from \"Holmdale\". lt's also charged and loaded is in the toreground. strongly from the South-Westerly direction. very handy lf they are able to swim, as This sets up a very heavy surge at the frequently a heavy sling will land on the wharf and, usually, the vessel has to run gunwale and the crew will either jump, Right.: loading wool, Pitt lsland. for shelter around the other side of the or be tipped into the water. This usualry lsland. elicits a hearty cheer from those standing on deck and a less than cheerful response When sheltering, the anchorage is from those in the water. picked with care, tor as well as being safe Until the early 1970s roads on the main and comfortable it is expected that the When a road was being constructed on lsland were very poor and a four wheel Master will piclC a good fishing position the lsland, machinery up to sixteen tons drive vehicle was necessary to get from where all hands can catch their fill of in weight was handled. This was lowered Waitangi to Port Hutt, Kaingaroa, or Wai- beautiful blue cod which abound in certain on to a raft which was then towed ashore tangi West. Vehicles usually travelled in areas around the lslands. and beached and the machinery then pairs in order to help one another if one driven off. After the road was completed, got bogged down in the peaty ground. lt The cargo work is carried out by the the equipment was brought off the lsland was quite an adventure travelling from one crew assisted by six to eight lslanders, and in the same manner and, during these two end of the lsland to the other. Today there in good weather the ship can be dis- operations, no damage was caused to the are approximately 160 kilometres of metal- charged and loaded in about four days. ship or plant a tribute to all concerned. led road and 30 kilometres of unimproved -

road through swampy ground. This network putes settled on the beach below the hotel. of roads enables cargo to be brought in and out of Waitangi instead of the ship Unfortunately, due to poor or non-exis- calling at the smaller ports, tent regulations, the crayfish were grossly overfished. Today, the number of boats ln the late 1960s, when the crayfish fishing there has dwindled to about S0 and boom hit the Chathams, the \"Holmdale\" the number of factories to three: one at and also the \"Holmburn\" were almost con- Waitangi and two at Kaingaroa. lt seems, stantly on the run. At its peak, over 200 therefore, that the Chathams is slowly sink- boats were based on the lslands and ing back to the quiet and peaceful place freezing and processing factories were set it once was, much to the relief of most up at Waitangi, Kaingaroa, Port Hutt and lslanders, I think. Owenga, as well as on Pitt. The factories The Company's Agent on the Chathams were all brought over on the two vessels, is Mr William (\"Bosun\") Day. Bosun first as well as numerous fishing launches up to arrived on the lsland as a child of four in 18 tons in weight. On the way back to New Zealand the freezer spaces were full of 1913. Since then he has been across to the craylails. Mainland twice and has no wish to go again. ln those days, the vessels used to call Being an Agent on the Chathams is at the small ports every trip and, to hasten slightly different than in New Zealand. the speed of working, helicopters were used to load and discharge whenever pos- Bosun helps tie the ship up, then hires the labour to load and discharge. After that he sible. The pilots of these aircraft did a is busy tallying the cargo out and, when marvellous job as they hovered feet above that is finished, he tallies the cargo in. the tops of the masts, either landing nets Finally, before the vessel sails, he writes of craytails in the freezers, or taking slings A new launch goes asfrore. out the Bills of Lading and gives them to of timber or drums of oil from the main 'j,iri'il:i.,ta the Master before finally letting the lines hatch. go. When the ship isn't there, he is busy I The main job of the helicopters, though, on his smallholding or helping other was to transport the fish from the fishing lslanders to paint, decorate or build. I boats to the factories in big baskets and think all Masters in the Trade will agree the same baskets were usually filled with when I say long may he continue doing the job. cartons of ale for the return trip. As the ship does not now carry passen- At that time, the Chathams must have gers, the only way for people to get on or closely resembled parts of New Zealand off the lsland is by aircraft. At the present in the gold rush days. The factories all time the airport is at Hapupu and consists had living quarters built around them and of a grass strip. Safe Air Bristol Freighters cookhouses to supply food for the single are the biggest aircraft able to use it, but men who worked there or for the fisher- plans are afoot to move the airport closer men when they had time to grab a bite to to Waitangi and put in a concrete runway Pteparations tor supper, mv \"Holmdale\". eat. The centre of entertainment on the in order for bigger and more modern lsland, though, was the hotel situated in planes to use it. Waitangi. Here everbody gathered to ex- change news, lies and rumours, under the Future shipping services may be differ- benevolent eye of \"Happy Jack\", the Man- ent from today but, personally, I think it Loading at Waitangi - a fishing launch ager, and his wife, \"Ollie\". There were will be many years before \"Finished with salely stowed aboard tor the voyage back frequent arguments, but the participants Engines\" is rung on the Chatham lslands to New Zealand. were quickly hustled outside and the dis- trade.

,,UNIOJ{ IYITEITON\" DETIVERED IN THE SNOW ln the midst of one of the coldest win- ters Norway has experienced lor many years, Mrs Russell Pettigrew, wife of one of the Company's Directors, named the latest addition to our fleet, \"Union Lyttel- ton\". Some of the members of the Union Company-Waterslders' team which competed so suc- cesslully in the Round the Bays run on March 12, finishing in lourth place lrom more On the afternoon of Thursday, January 27, surrounded by heavy snow and in tem- than 800 teams, in a time ol 35 mins 40 secs. Members ot the team also rated well in the peratures below zero, Mrs Pettigrew car- various age groups and one member, Fred Smith, (not in photo), who is at ptesent a Tally ried out the traditional ceremony. Members cletk at the Union Seacargo Terminal, was Srd past the post. H,s time ot 31 mins 30 secs of Framnaes mek Vaerksted's junior band broke Iast year's record time by 2 minutes. ,:..7:::4,,:::),::' :, entertained the guests during the cere- mony which preceded a reception, dinner and dance later in the evening. ROUilD IHE BAVS Iil 35 TUIIilUIES! It is hardly surprising that a quantity of Mr and Mrs Ilusse/l Pettigrew lollowing the ship's stores which had been delivered to naming ceremony. the vessel were mislaid:' when the snow Saturday, March 12, saw the bays around Auckland crowded with people out to see melted they were found safely stowed on the annual Round the Bays Road Race. lncluded in the race were a great number of the upper deck. people wearing Union Company T shirts-members of Auckland Branch staff, members \"Union Lyttelton\", which is a sister ship of the Auckland Watersiders' Joggers Club, sponsored by Union Company, and a team of \"Union Hobart\", sailed from Sandefjord from the Travel Division. on January 31 via Bremerhaven, Antwerp, Two thousand people took part in the road race and placings were averaged out over Marseilles, Port Said, Dubai, Damman, the whole team. On this basis our representatives passed the tape as follows: Kuwait, Bandar Abbas and thence on to Watersiders' Joggers 4th 35 min 40 sec Fremantle and Melbourne. She is under Union Company Auckland Branch 378th 52 min - sec the command of Captain John Jenkins, Union Travel 490th 55 min -30 10 sec with Mr Andrew Higgins as Chief Engineer. - At Melbourne she will load her first trans- At the conclusion of the race, refreshments were served to the Company participants Tasman cargo for South lsland ports and from the Union Travel caravan on the grass at St Heliers Bay. Beer and sandwiches at her first call, Lyttelton, she will receive were handed out to the thirsty and hungry group by Shirley Harris-Daw, Sue Clayton, a special welcome to her \"home port\". and Barbara White who were later presented with sprays of tlowers by the group of watersiders. Captain John Jenkins, right, takes delivery On the back cover of this magazine is the Union Company Branch team in training' trcm the Shipbuilder's Master, Captain from left: Rowan Elliment, Allan McDonald, Ron Holt, Mark McArthur, John Bigelow, Kaare Seierstad. Second Otficer Lindsay Paul Glassie, Mark Moore, Keith Ayton, Jack Thomas, Bernard O'Carroll, Sue Monk, Butbrtied looks on. and Lesley Aldridge.

lEr ,fl ..i.,. ',llr', .,::rl\"rr,, .i :: :. ,,1. ',i'1. rll - lil December,l976 ,il i]. Mr W. R- Harris.Daw to Freight Sales Manager, Tauranga; lil , formerly Sales Representative, Aucldand. fi ,iNl.i;4. trir,i: I.9l :'] 'ir!r' January, 1977 Mr M. J. Boon to Equipment Controller, General Traffic De- partment, Head Office; formerly Wellington Branch staff. FORTIIER TIFEBOAI HAS Mr F. Bower to Assistant Travel Manager, Suva; formerly Travel Consultant, Suva, Mr R. F. Craddock to Travel Sales Manager, Southern Region, NEW I.EASE OF IIFE Christchurch; formerly Travel Consultant, London. Mr J. R. Douglas to Stevedoring Services Manager, Head Office. Mr l. M. Green The Outward Bound Trust's need for a new launch at Anakiwa in the Marlborough Sounds has been met by the Company's presentation of the remaining lifeboat from Miss A. Joe, Shorthand Typist, from Head Office Adminis- \"Wahine\". With the addition of decking and a cabin, it will be a most suitable vessel tration to Wellington Branch. for use in the Sounds. The lifeboat, which had been in store at Evans Bay, was handed over to the Trust in a short presentation ceremony on February 18 at the Mana Cruising Club, Paremata. General Manager Brian Cole handed the lifeboat over, together with a plaque, to be February, 1977 Iater attached to the completed craft, and inscribed: PRESENTED BY THE Mr !. M. Green to Assistant lndustrial Manager (Maritime), UNION STEAM SHIP COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND LIMITED Head Office. TO THE OUTWARD BOUND TRUST OF NEW ZEALAND FOR THE YOUTH OF NEW ZEALAND Miss D. G. Mikkelson to Travel Consultant, Ghristchurch; Mr R. H. Granger, President of the Trust, in accepting the lifeboat, explained that the formerly at Lower Hutt. boat's new name \"Matakana\", meaning \"watchful\", is a link with its new role of escorting Caplain A. J. Smyth to Assistant Manager (Operations), Auck- and watching over Outward Bounders in their varous boating activities and tasks in the Capt. D. A. Morrison land; formerly Cargo Services Manager, Head Office. Marlborough Sounds. Following a traditional blessing by the Rev. David Edgar, Chaplain to the Mana Cruising Club, the boat was named by Kathy Stratton, an Outward Bound graduate and Secretary of the National Outward Bounders Association on behalf of all graduates and ;ii*n future Outward Bounders. Then with a well-aimed bottle of champagne the boat was on April,1977 its way down the ramp and into the water. r The lifeboat was to be later towed over to Picton by the Mana Cruising Club, where Captain D. A. Morrison to Marine Superintendent, Head Office; work on converting it will take place. formerly Sea Staff.

FIRSI ENGINEERING CADET *NGAPARA\" JOINS When Christopher Cole of Auckland joined the \"Ngapara\" at Mount Maunganui late in February he became the first Engin- eering Cadet in a new scheme initiated by Chiel Engineer, D. H. Watts welcomes the Company. Chtistopher Cole to \"NgaPara\". It is 25 years since the Company's Deck Officer training scheme commenced and now young New Zealanders will be able to ln the third year, Cadets attend a three follow a similar programme for Engineering month block course ashore, followed by training. lt has been traditional for Marine eight months in an approved heavy en- Engineers to receive their early training in gineering workshop. The fourth year in- shore workshops and, after serving an cludes a further block course to complete apprenticeship and gaining a Third Marine the Certificate of Engineering and addi- Engineer Certificate, join the Company as tional seagoing experience. Third Engineers. Having completed these qualifications, The new scheme is open to 17-19 year- the Cadets will be ready for employment olds and will provide for four years of study as either Junior or Fourth Engineers. and seagoing experience. After a year of It is the Company's aim to provide future full time study ashore for the New Tealand Engineers with a sound basis of practical Certificate of Engineering, the Cadets will experience and the programme has the P.S. Naval Architect, USSCo. join Company vessels and spend their sec- active backing of the Ministry of Trans- Please keep above incident in mind ond year gaining experience in the various port and the Shipping lndustry Training when designing replacement tonnagel classes of ship in the fleet' Board. a Dear Sir, I am sure we can speak on behalf of all DEPARITI'IENI RENATUIED the wives who have been able to take ad- vantage of trips with their husbands in Dear Sir, \"Union Sydney\". To some it has been their Mr K. W. J. Angwin may well have the record for holding the most titles in Enclosed is a photograph of the chart- first trip out of New Zealand. the last few years. Until early in 1974 he was Management Accountant but, in ered vessel \"Union Aotearoa\" competing We have all enjoyed the experience of April of that year, he assumed the new posit:on of Development Accountant, with in the final heat of the National \"Junior seeing how a ship works and the co-opera- responsibility for the further develoPment of computer-based accounting and Cherub\" class yacht race at Nelson on tion of all departments. management information systems. January 19, 1977. We won hands down. Thank you to the Company for making He still holds ihe same position, but his department has become increasingly However, our just victory was disallowed it possible and a big \"thank you\" to our involved in data processing systems distinct from purely accounting functions. by a group of very niggardly officials, due husbands for our Christmas cruise. Apart from a number of systems currently under development, the department is to some minor infractions of the rules con- Sincerely, currently producing information for Secretarial, Stores, Workshops and Commercial cerning hull shape and displacement and SHIRLEY JACOBSON Departments, as well as being involved in freightlisting and accounting systems. mode ol power. TINA GRAHAM This led to the recent decision to rename this important function Management Photograph by courtesy of Geoffrey C. MYNA DODDS Services Department and Keith Angwin has become Management Services Man- Wood Studio, Nelson. m.v. \"Union Sydney\" ager. His son John has assumed the title of Data Processing Manager. R. HILLIER At Sea ll Radio Officer December 27,1976. JI

Kl' ,$t', st: {il; ,*llll Two people who, in their combined 80- 1966, and, following the arrival of \"Ranga- $ls odd years service, have helped countless tira\", he was promoted to the newly travellers, retired recently. created position of Passenger Services $$1, Ll,il Supervisor. Alan Armour, Passenger Services Super- \"[: , visor, Wellington, retired on March 4 and ll t, Both at sea and ashore, Alan has helped ?1\"' Mr G. N. Beckett, Credit Controller, Auck- Noel Beckett of Auckland Branch staff and guided in one way or another well *t' land; on November 30, 1976. retired at the end of November. over a million passengers. $l,ll s\"ir3 Mr C. F, Perl, Clerk, Financial Accounts, Noel Beckett, who retired at the end ol Head Office; on December 31, 1976. November, also had a long association with ffi Mr J. J. Sullivan. Clerk in Charge, Tory the travel industry. He joined at Head &inl Office in January, 1936, and remained Street Depot, Wellington; on December 31, 1 976. cause of the uncertainty o, the shipping there until he joined the Royal New Zea- ffi business at the time\". But his appointment land Navy in 1941. On resuming his career Mr S. A. Marett, Tally Clerk, Seacargo Ter- proved to be far from temporary. He joined in October, 1946, Noel was made a travel {a$ minal, Wellington; on January 10, 1977. \"Narbada\" as Fourth Officer and, less than booking officer in Auckland and he be- iH Mr J. G. Corbell, Compensation Officer, a yeat later, he was to become Third came closely associated with passenger Head Office, on February 28, 1977. Oflicer of \"Kartigi\". booking services in the Company's \"Aora- Mr K. J. Rosenau, Clerk, Stores Depart- ngi\" and \"Monowai\" and, later, with the He gained further experience in other ment, Head Office; on February 28, 1977. Orient Line ships when they took up the ships and continued his studies, gaining M, W. A. S. Armoul, Passenger Services trans-Pacific service. ln 1963 he was ap- his Master's Foreign-Going Certificate in Supervisor, Wellington; on March 4, 1977. pointed Manager of the Company's City April, 1943, shortly after which he was Passenger Office in Queen Street, Auck- Mr J. C. Eade, Chiel Steward, Sea Staff, appointed Chief Officer of \"Waipahi\". He Alan Armour (above) retired after just land. on March 20,1977. was promoted Acting Masler of \"Kanna\" ovet 42 years service, by lar the greater early in 195't and his \"appointment to His last few years have been in the ac- Caplain R. J. W. Baxter, Cargo Co-ordin- part of his time being spent in the passen- command\" was confirmed in October, counting field but, nevertheless, Noel will ator, Auckland; on March 24, 1977. ger and travel fields. He first started as best be remembered for his services to the 1951, when he joined \"Karepo\". Captain Mr J. J. Campbell, Carpenter, Stevedoring Head Office Mail Boy in 1934 and, even travelling public in Auckland where he be- Collins subsequently commanded \"Kaita- Division, Wellington; on March 25, 1977. then, he had an early connection with pas- came so widely known. ngata\", \"Kokiri\", \"Kauri\" and \"Kawatiri,,. senger services when his duties included Captain J. F. Collins, Marine Superinten- delivery of the mail to the Union Royal dent, Head Office; on March 31, '1977. Head Office must have already had their a eyes set as, less than two years after gain- Mail Line- ships in the San Francisco ser- vice, as well as others in Trans-Tasman and a ing command, he was appointed Second A Wellington stalwart retired on Febru- Assistant Marine Superintendent. ln Feb- coastal trades. ln January, 1930, Jim Collins walked up ary 28, completing 40 years service in ruary, 1965, he was appointed Assistant Less than three years later he was ap- the gangway of the Company's \"Aorangi\" Head Office, Wellington Branch and the Marine Superintendent and in May, 1968, to commence his career as a ship's Boy pointed to the Purser staff and so began a Purser staff. Jim Corbett signed off as Deputy Superintendent. and now, 47 yearc later, on March 31, long association with passengers. He was Compensation Officer, ending a career of an Assistant Purser in \"Maunganui\", \"Ma- 1977, has retired from the post of Marine Captain Collins took over the senior post which the greater part was in the Freight tua\", \"Niagara\" and the old \"Rangatira\" and Claims field. Superintendent. of Marine Superintendent on September 1, Soon alter joining \"Aorangi\", Jim Col- 1969, on the retirement of Captain A. C. and \"Wahine\". He joined the army in 1940 and signed off the \"Niagara\" the trip Jim joined as a Junior Clerk in 1936 lins was promoted to Ordinary Seaman Crosbie. ln these last few years he has before it struck a mine and was lost oIf the and three years later went to sea as a and later Able Seaman and he served in seen enormous changes in the industry. Purser. He served throughout the War in a number of our ships including \"Wai- The Company's fleet has changed dramati- Hen and Chicken lslands north of Auck- many of the Company's ships and came kawa\", \"Marama\" and \"Rangatira\". While cally as roll-on vessels have replaced the land. ashore in October, 1946, into the Freight doing so, he studied and, by 1936, he had earlier conventional ones. Captain Collins After the War he was appointed to West- Department. Accounts, Customs and Claims obtained his Second Mate's Certificate. has kept to the forefront of these develop- port Branch and later moved on to Christ- work followed leading to his appointment ln July of that year he applied to ioin ments and has played a leading role in the church, to Melbourne and then back to to Assistant Claims Superintendent in June, the Company as a Junior Officer and was maritime operation of what is now one of Wellington in 1952 into the Overseas Pas- 1970. Since 1973, he has been Compensa- accepted \"on the clear understanding that the most modern fleets afloat. senger Department. AIan became Assistant tion Officer attached to Head Office ad- his engagement was purely temporary be- Overseas Passenger Manager in January, ministration.

RESCUE \"Union South Pacific\", under the com- mand of Captain Alec T. Moody, diverted .t I to the aid of a fishing vessel while on pas' f sage from Auckland to Suva late in Feb' ruary. cAsrl{0 \"San Cristobal\" had sent out a Mayday reporting its engine room on fire just after 3.00 p.m. on February 16. Her position Fll{ALS was midway between Cape RodneY and Little Barrier lsland. \"Union South Pacific'1 was in close proximity and reached the fishing vessel at 4.15 p.m. The finals of the 1976 series in the A lifeboat was lowered under the com- STRANGE SHIP? Euchre, \"500\", Crib and Darts competitions Chief Cook Gerry O'Loughlin (right) mand of Chief Officer C. Morris, with J' on board \"Union Melbourne\" were held at overthrew Crew Attendant Tom Hope in MacKinnon, Third Officer; D. Holmes, sea on December 13 last. These events the Crib final. Bosun; Z. Krynicki and P. Edwards, Able were all recorded for \"Under Way\", Seamen; D, Durrant, Ordinary Seaman; and B. Lee, Cook. Also on board were a walkie talkie radio, breathing apparatus, dry pow- der extinguishers and a foam extinguisher. The party from \"Union South Pacific\" were able to assist the two men aboard \"San Cristobal\" in sealing the engine room space and preventing the spread of the fire. Later in the afternoon, two further Iaunches arrived and, by 6.30 p.m., \"Union South Pacific\" was able to leave the scene with \"San Cristobal\" safely in tow by the launch \"Donna Maria\". IRACK RECORD Stuart Robinson, Branch Manager, Dunedin, presented the prizes fol- ln the final of the Darts competition, Iowing the Union Fast Freight race at ln the \"500\" final, Chief Engineer Keith Bosun Peter Smith (left) deleated Third the recent Teretonga Motor Races I Bainbridge and Chief Cook Gerry O'Lough- Engineer Ray Morrin (centre). Ben John- near lnvercargill. lt is reported that NOI REAttY lin took the honours. Our photograph son, referee and scorer, (right) pays close Stuart is claiming a world record for shows, from left, Keith Bainbridge, Chief attention to the result. the number of times he mentioned Engineer; Ray Morrin, Third Engineer; Union Company during his three Gerry O'Loughlin, Chief Cook; and Ben ln the Euchre final, of which there is no minute speech. Captain Dick Beavis took these shots of Johnson, Second Officer. Captain John photograph, Peter Smith, Bosun, defeated \"Karepo\" and \"Karetu\" 'double banked' at Warren looks on. John McGreg'or, Ordinary Seaman. Mount Maunganui.

Ef il $il',' .$r; $ttlti *k Squire had been active at club, provincial His \"appointment to command\" was con- ffi and national levels and in latter years he firmed as Master of \"Kanna\" on November became well known in both outdoor and 27, 1951, and during the next 24 years he ,*tili indoor bowling circles. commanded a considerable number of the ,t\" Company's ships in coastal, trans-Tasman \"1. Jack Squire managed the New Zealand and lslands trades. Al Mr C. Bowry, former Chief Steward; at Christchurch on Decembet 29, 1976. Olympic team at the Helsinki games in fi 1952 and again in 1960, he was appointed ln January, 1962, Captain Peake went to $l- Captain J. E. Peake, retired Sea Staff; at Palmerston North on January 2, 1977. Manager of the New Zealand hockey team the United Kingdom to stand by \"Aramo- Mr H. W. lnsley, retired Chief Engineer, Sea Staff; at Auckland on January 3, 1977. at the Rome Olympics, He was elected a ana\", then building for the New Zealand Mr G. E. G. Grant, Superannuitant, formerly Draughtsman, Engineers Department, Head vice-president of the Association in '1960. Railways. He later commanded her on the ru Office; at Auckland on January 30, 1977. delivery voyage to New Zealand. When The high regard in which he was held Captain E. Savage, retired Sea Staff; at Palmerston North on February 10, 1977, \"Aranui\" was to make her maiden voyage in both business and sporting worlds was to this country, Captain Peake was again ffi Mr F. H. James, retired Boilermaker, Sea Staff, and Wellington Marine Repair Works; at shown by the very large and representative selected to command her and he remained illiir Wellington on February 13, 1977. attendance at his funeral service. in the Rail Ferries until 1970. The last five Mr J. L. Squire, Superannuitant, formerly Passenger Manager, Coastal Services, Welling- years of his service were spent mainly in ton; at Wellington on February 14, 1977. command of Tasman Seacargo Express Mr J. C. Adams, retired Foreman Painter, Wellington Marine Repair Works; at Wellington llll,ligllr:iiQr:iliitrl i'rrill:'rriii'llll;, vessels including \"Maheno\", \"Marama\" .,!r $rir..rair iihrt .iiar riarri on February 16,1977. 'iur,..i$,. iu,,,,iirltri and \"Union Wellington\". fr. Mr J. A. L. Smith, Superannuitant, formerly Chief Clerk, Secretarial Department, Head Eric Peake was a popular shipmaster Office; at Auckland on March 17, 1977. and his pleasant and willing disposition endeared him to those with whom he came in contact. He lived in retirement at Wai- kanae, north of Wellington. For the greater part of his career he was in the passenger field and he spent many The high regard in which he was held is years, first in Christchurch and then in perhaps best described in a letter which his Wellington, supervising the Wellington to widow, Mrs Mary Peake, has asked \"Under Lyttelton Steamer Express booking centres. Way\" to publish: He was appointed Local Services Pas- \"On behalf of my son and daughter, senger Manager at Wellington in '1945 and, Terry and Patsy, and myself, I would like to during the following 21 years, he became exterd our heartfelt thanks to all members one of the best known travel people in the of the sea and shore staft for their loyal country. The name Jack Squire became Captain J. E. Peake died at Palmerston and wonderful support and assistance dur- ''.irlrr,iili,rr€ synonomous with \"the ferries\" and people North on January 2, 1977, less than two ing the altermath of the unexpected death from all over New Zealand asked to see years after retiring from the Company. of Captain John Eric Peake. him when they wanted help and assistance Eric Peake had a distinguished career \"We also thank the many people who in travelling. with the Company spanning almost 40 sent expressions of sympathy in our loss. But the energy he devoted to his Com- years. He joined as a Fourth Officer in \"lt is comforting to us to know that, in pany did not deter him from taking a very December, 1936, and dur(ng the following times of stress and personal loss, the fra- active part in community circles and parti- years served in a number of vessels, in- ternity of the sea comes together as a cularly in sport. His lifetime of service was cluding the well known \"Niagara\", the first family with their wholehearted support. honoured in 1971 when Life Membership \"REngatira\" and the first \"Wahine\". He Jack Squire died at Wellington on Feb- \"Having been associated with Union of the New Zealand Olympic and Common- served throughout the Second World War, (uary 14, 1977, ending a life of service to Company since 1937, we have many happy wealth Games Association was conferred including a period in the hospital ship the community. memories which, in the years to come, we on him. He was at that time the longest \"Maunganui\". He was promoted Chief will look back upon with pride. He retired in August, 1966, after 46 serving member on the executive of the Officer of \"Karu\" in September, 1943, and years, during which he served the Com- Association. He was active in sport from was subsequently appointed to other ves- \"Thank you all once again.\" pany with unremitting energy and verve. the age of 18. ln hockey and tennis Mr sels, including \"Hinemoa\" and \"Monowai\". MARY PEAKE

t0,000 IoNNES ! A ceremony was held on board \"'Union Rotorua\" in Sydney on December 22 to mark Metal Manufactures Ltd's achievement in shipping 10,000 tonnes of copper product to New zealand in 1976 by the company's Tasman seacargo Express vessels. shown above, receiving a ship's clock from Bruce Houston, union-Bulkships NSW Manager, is Kevin Farthing, General Manager, Metal Manufactures. Mr Farthing fore- cast an even better year in 1977 and indicated that Metal Manufactures anticipated increased tonnages to New Zealand. Looking on, from left to right, are sid Brassington, Terminal Manager; Golin Whitfield, Metal Manufactures Ltd; Captain Ray Stewart; Paul Keen' Marketing Manager; John Parker, sydney Freight Manager; and chief oflicer chris Barradale. RECORD IOAD when ,,Union Auckland\" sailed from Mount Maunganui for Melbourne and sydney on November 20, she carried the largest forest industry cargo to leave the port in one vessel for Australia. Her 13,844 freight tonnes of cargo comprised 6,150 tonnes of newsprint, 5,712 tonnes of pulp, 908 tonnes ,of kralt paper, 149m3 of general, 81 tonnes of tissue and 844m3 of timber-6,372 destined for Melbourne and the balance ol 7,472 for Sydney' The photograph shows half \"Master Packs\" of timber, usually carried in the roll on-roll off services, being loaded on the hatch lids. space below decks was completely utilised. The timing of \"Union Auckland's\" fixture and her capacity provided welcomed assistance to cover the total cargoes offering from Mount Maunganui lor Sydney and Melbourne, following roll on schedule disruptions immediately prior to the entry into service of \"Union Rotorua\".

PACIFIC AND WORTD TRAVEI TUIOVES ]{EARER HOIIIIE by Giovanni Marenghi With lhe expiry oI our Iease in March' Commission for New Zealand is our land- in 1664. The narrow and bustling Market tics and Congrave and Sheriden each tried 1977, on our old ollice in Panton Street, il lord and we could not get closer to New Lane was to become the Royal Opera Ar- their hands at management but, despite all was necessary to relocate our London Zealand without leaving dear old London, cade. However, between 1664 and the these efforts, the theatre again failed. ollice. We discovered the ideal oflice as Arcade's construction in 1814 lies a fas- early as April, 1976. However, it was many We are proud of our new olfices for they cinating history. The financial scandals that followed months later and after much negotialion are part of an Arcade of great historic in- proved embarrassing to the Court and it that we acquired the lease oI three terest which has had connections with ln 1703 Sir John Vanburg, builder of was hoped to move the theatre, However, Georgian bow-windowed shops in the several monarchs and five royal theatres, Blenheim Palace, acquired lands in Pall fire solved the problem by burning it to Royal Opera Arcade which runs alongside, and has also known three disastrous tires. Mall Fields and built an Opera House and the ground on May 14, 1789. and has a large entrance into, New Zealand It is also the oldest Arcade in London and Theatre. The building was magnificent and House. has always been a Royal Freehold. the programmes ambitious and the famous It was John Nash, the great Regency composer Handel was employed as man- architect, who proposed that a Royal Opera Over three hundred years ago a narrow ager and composer. Despite this, the House and theatre should be built on the So, when numbers 8-9-10 Royal Opera passageway known as Market Lane joined theatre suffered from financial problems. site. Old Market Lane was to be turned Arcade became Union Travel's London Pall Mall Fields (Pall Mall was so called Money was raised to which King George I into the Royal Opera Arcade, giving a office, we had in a sense moved closer after a croquet game played by James l) himself subscribed. Robert Adam, the covered way to the theatre with shops on home to New Zealand. lndeed, the High with the Hay Market which was established architect, was asked to improve the acous- either side. This was completed in 1818. 72

Unfortunately fire struck again in 1864; original fittings. With its beautiful propor- the theatre was burnt out but the Arcade tions and roof vaulting, it is a monument survived. to the 'age of good taste'. A great urgency was felt to rebuild the Despite its royal connections, the Arcade theatre and this was done but, again, it has never lost its common touch, being was a financial failure. Beerbohm Tree, the always a peoples' arcade. Many different celebrated Actor-Manager, decided that yet small traders have served the public from another theatre should be built and the its shops. lndeed, it is said that the 'oldest site was divided between the luxurious trade in the world' was plied from the Carlton Hotel and Her Maiesty's Theatre. small arched upstairs windows by the All that remained of the beautiful Nash chorus girls from the opera house and building was the Royal Opera Arcade. theatre who supplemented their income during the intervals. During the blitz of the second world war the Garlton Hotel was severely damaged That'trade' has long since ceased from by bombs and lay derelict for many years. the Arcade, for traders come and go. To- day the Arcade houses a variety of inter- ln 1963, Her Majesty the Queen opened esting small shops and still retains its New Zealand House which was built on the unique old world atmosphere. Nevertheless, site of the old Carlton Hotel and a few behind the lovely windows of numbers 8, years later the Royal Opera Arcade cele- 9 and 10 operates a modern travel business brated its 150th Birthday, having been res- which has given fifty years of service to tored in detail by the New Zealand Govern- the travelling public, proudly maintaining ..RANGAIIR ment to look much as it did when Nash the same standards expected from every designed it. The Royal Opera Arcade is Union Travel office, be they situated in a A\" 01{ CHARIER London's oldest arcade and many of its Nash arcade or a modern Sydney business Georgian'bow fronted shops have their complex. Five months of lay-up at Falmouth has ended for \"Rangatlra\" with the successful negotiation of a bareboat charter to a Norwegian company, Sea Truck Trading A/S, of lnside: Gio Marenghi standing at back with, lrom lett: Jean Gee; Robert Lambert; John Norman and Jackie Banks at the counter. Stavanger. A month of detailed negotiations through brokers developed the initial pro- posal in,to aviable deal, with \"Rangatira\" going on charter for an initial 12 months which the charterers have the option to extend, \"Rangatira\" will be employed as a moored accommodation vessel in Loch Kishorn on the North West Goast of Scotland. The loch is the site for construction of the Ninian oil production platform by an Anglo-French consortium, Howard-Doris Limited, for Chevron Oil. \"Rangatira\" will be accommodating workers on the project. Many detailed arrangements had to be finalised before the vessel sailed from Falmouth, involving considerable liaison between Head Office staff and the Company's London representative, Peter Hewett. For instance, just one of the matters to be resolved was the question of whether the waters of Loch Kishorn were of sufficient purity for \"Rangatira's\" fresh water distillation plant. The vessel was also docked in Falmouth for survey work prior to going on hire and Stewart Graham, who has been overseeing the building 'of \"Union Lyttelton\"' tlew from Oslo to supervise matters. From New Zealand, Chief Engineer Len Brough, Second Engineer Charles Hurley and Electrician Arthur Schenkle flew to Falmouth to assist the survey work and attend the starting-up. \"Rangatira\" sailed on March 12 for Loch Kishorn and her new employment.

ii li il tt, i! I FTEEI CHANGES \"Union Sydney\" left New Zealand for the last time on March 17 carrying a cargo of potatoes and onions for Great Britain. She will be re-delivered to her owners at a Continental port after three years of service in the Company's trans-Tasman trades. \"Union Sydney\" was chartered from J. l. Lauritzen for trans-Tasman trading but has been displaced by \"Union Lyttelton\", which is about to enter the fleet. She has become a familiar sight in New Zealand and Austra- lian ports in her relatively short career. Our photograph, supplied by the Welling- ton Harbour Board, was taken late last year while the floating crane \"Hikitia\" was unloading a na;tural gas pressure cylinder uncommon method of cargo handling -an from a roro vessel. HOIED OUT ffi;;ii,,,;*g $ii id! AND PLAYED OUI The annual Union Company-Union Travel golf tournament was lost by the Company team to the Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club team on Saturday, February 19, leaving the trophy once again in their hands. It was an enjoyable daY and the 19th hole took as long to play as the earlier 18. By midnight it was said to have proved the most successful of all tournaments.

IUIR B. S. COLE, FCII Elected Chairman of the New Zealand Division of the Chartered lnstitute of Transport \"The increasing complexity of transport \"These factors bring us to the question operations is accelerating the needs for of education in the transport field and this all involved in the industry to understand, is what the lnstitute of Transport is all accept and develop the most effective about. The lnstitute was formed over 50 intermodal concepts in the movement of years ago and our aim and objectives goods. The optimum economics of total stated at that time - in brief, to encourage transport demand the greatest possible the study and application of the science of efficiency in the movement and handling of transport in all its branches - are even cargo from the initial source to the final more appropriate to the present transport ffi#:,r tt #* destination\", said Mr Cole in his inaugural scene than they were half a century ago. 7,\"-n ... message. ,dt \"The educational qualifications obtained \"There is an increasing responsibility for from the Institute's examinations can now ^# transport management at all levels not only be regarded as a major requirement for to ensure the best result in their own speci- transport executives for the future and the alised spheres but also to facilitate inter- facilities provided by the lnstitute give an EQUIPMENT linking movements with minimum handling invaluable arena for discussions amongst and maximum efficiency. representatves of the various transport modes and the presentation and assimila- jl,'j;\"i C 0 1{ I R 0 t tE R tion of learned papers on all aspects of il\"'T .i?fi: l'fr\" i.'i' :, T'jT,,:: the subject\", said Mr Cole. ::T' ; \";Hl ;'.';TT il':\" \";\" 3i ll; B 0 R R 0w s Mr Cole was appointed an Associated \":.:: \"1\" Member of the lnstitute in July, 1965, and Secretary of the Auckland Section; Assis- was elected a Fellow on FebruarY 10, ff \"';::, \" H 0 fitl DA LE\" 1972. He served on the Committee of the H,ljff il:\"'o?f \"Il*, \"3j'''Jil: Wellington Section for a period of years sion; and Convener of the Education Sub- before holding the position of Chairman committee. during the years 1973-74 and he has been Stories in this and earlier issues of a member of the Divisional Committee Under Way have shown that \"Holmdale\" since 1971, recantly acting as Convener of FOOTNOTE: is a versatile ship. Recently, there was a the Membership Committee. The Gompany ls widely represented in suggestion in Lyttelton that she should be lnstitute allairs ln New Zealand. Besides renamed \"Union Holmdale\" and seconded He is the first recipient of the New Mr Cole and Mr Maxwell, Mr David Jury is to the Seacargo Services. Zealand Chairman's badge of office which also a Feltow of the New Zealand Division. was presented to him on election at the \"Holmdale\" was programmed to Pro- lnstitute's Annual Conference at Napier last Stall members are encouraged to study ceed in ballast from Lyttelton to Onehunga, November. for the tnslitute's examinalions and but a need to reposition a number of sea- readers interesled in lurther information freighters led to our Equipment Controller are wetcome to discuss its activities with 'borrowing' the ship. She loaded over a MR P. E. MAXWELL Members or write to the lnstitute's Honor- hundred collapsed units for Auckland. Mr Peter Maxwell was elected Chairman ary Divisional Secretary, P.O. Box 2829' (Photograph by Tony Lester, Terminal of the Wellington Section of the Division Illellington. Supervisor, Lyttelton). 15

Irl I They conquered the local tribes which were driven from their pas (fortified settle- ments) at Mount Maunganui and Otumoetai' Following the victory at the Mount, the Ngai-te-Rangi chief, Kotorerua, crossed to Matakana (the name means look-out point) A IWISI and founded the communities now living there. The recent history of the island shows that the seaward strip was bought by the Crown about 1897' lt was put up for sale a I OF SAND few years later and a sheep and cattle station was established. During this period' a portion of the coastal area was also dug over for Kauri gum. The area, known as the Paretata gumfields, provided the Maoris with a reasonable income at the Malakana lsland, stretching north trom time. tt e eitrance to Tauranga Harbour' is well fno*n to Practically every member oI the BY 1924, it was recognised that the Company's sea stalt. But how many know Rinafi lsanOy) soil type would be more that ihe-now verdant green lorest ol pines suited to forestry than farming and a syn- was once a twist ol sand? This story ap- Oi.\"t\" *\"\" formed to plant lhe coastal 1.:;r;S', -\"''' peared recently in \"Fotest Products .trip in radiata pine' Most ot the lirst crop -X\"*\"\", lhe house iournal ol N'Z' Forest ;;;\";t was Planted between 1925-28 and Products Limited. the biggest part (2,510 hectares) was pur- cf,aseJ Oy an Australian bondholding com- Matakana lsland forms the seaward bas- p\"\"V. fn young Australian, Mr W' D' Faulk- tion of the Tauranga Harbour' Once it was ner, obtained options to purchase suc- a dry, bare smudge of sand in the sea' areas of 405 hectares ('l'000 acres) Now it supports a thriving forest and a \"\"..i* fro. tt\" planting syndicate and sold these timber milling company- Matakana Milling ;t in investment bonds' mainlY in and Export Corporation Limited - an Australia.) NZFP subsidiarY. The new forest was lightly thinned from The island consists of a long cigar' 1939 to 1942 and the thinnings were sent shaped section planted in radiata pine and to the Whakatane Board Mills at the com' a bulging appendix within the harbour mencement of operations there' ln 1950' which is farmed by its Maori owners' Bunn Bros Lrd began negotiations tor cut- ting rights on the island' The obvious at' The Maoris of Matakana (members ol tractions ol the new forest were the ease the Ngiri-te-Rangi tribe) have long provided of logging, the quality ot the timber' prox- Above:the!ong,darkgreenshapeolMatakanalstandstrctchesnolthwaldbehind a Uasic section of the labour force for imity to a growing export port and cheap Mount Maunganui. logging and sawmilling operations on lhe water transport. Rights to lell the tirst crop isiand. Their ancestors moved into the Bay of lrees were obtained and a public com- Above right: the originat steam powered sawmitl at Matakana lsland' of PlentY about 400 Years ago' pany, Matakana Milling and Export Cor' After ousting the inhabitants of Maketu potition Ltd, was formed in 1952 to (members of the Arawa confederation)' the iin\"n\"\" Bunn Bros' logging and sawmilling Ngai-te-Rangi cast envious eyes on the operations on the island' The original {ertile lands around Tauranga Harbour' .i\"\", po*\"t\"d sawmill was patterned on L_ 16

'.,.. ir:l .itiL,lii:.ila NZ Forest Products Limited made' a suc- cessful take-over offer for TTT in April' 1972, and the Matakana Group became a subsidiary of NZFP. About fifty men are now emPloYed bY the company on the island. And, except for the dozen or so daily commuters from Tauranga, they live on the island, either in company houses or in one of the Maori settlements there. TOOINOIE The Company can clalm some s\"i torm ol \"link\" with Matakana lsland. \".J;.,ir{{Atiill .' ;*,5ils1.r.r' .. . \"'. .. . Hecenlly a house-or hall a house \"sailed\" from Mount Maunganui - -::,ll-l::il$ff lo slarl a new lease ol life as a larm house on the lsland. One Porlion ot one of the highest producing mills in when they extracted 70,832 square metres kana lsland, negotiations took place with lhe house, loaded on a lranspoller' made lhe iourney down lhe Mount British Columbia, Canada, and included the of timber from the {orest-more than two the Taupo Totara Timber Co Ltd, which Maunganui tinkspan, normallY used lirst double-cut head-rig bandsaw installed thirds being logs for export' took over the Matakana Group in April, by our roro vessels, and on io a in the Southern Hemisphere. The lirst log ln the same Year, when the Port of 1971. The freehold of the forest was sub- barge lor its voyage. was sawn in October, 1952. sequently purchased in December of the (Photograph Bay ot PlentY Times) Tauranga was grossly overburdened, Bunn same year. - Then, on the evening of MaY 21, 1956' Bros Ltd held to their contracts and mini- the mill was totally destroyed by fire. Un- mised port congestion by loading logs from daunted by this misfortune, the company barges at the ship's side in the western took little more than a year to rebuild the channel. mill, using much of the original machinery. Electricity for the rebuilt mill was supplied While the log trade from Matakana from the National Grid in place ol the Island has now finished, prolits accruing steam power-house. from it assisted the parent company to branch out into ancillary business projects Early in 1958, in spite of general apathy to develop the Matakana Group. and opposition from oflicial sources, the company was successful in establishing the ln addition to Harbour Transport Ltd export log trade to Japan. (formed 1952), the corporation formed Kanapine Timber and Hardware Ltd' in The trade increased rapidly and Mata- 1962 and a retail timber yard and head kana general manager John Reilly notes office were established in Tauranga. lt has that, \"lt got to the stage where it would continued its retail expansion up to the in fact have been more profitable to shut present. down the sawmill completely, but we were never prepared to take this risk\". ln anticipation of the pending sale by the Australian-based bondholding company of The company's biggest Year was 1961, their land and forestry interests 'on Mata-

,, IoNGA-WESIERN SAII0A-FIJI Lll',^'il'il lll\" As a means of introducing the Our BAC 111 Air Pacific flight to Tonga fast seminar with the Tongan Visitors' Above left: the group at the Outrigger new Union Tours \"South Pacific was our first introduction to the airline. We Bureau we were scheduled to take a tour Motel, Suva. Union Travel statf members Holidays\" programme to travel had a very pleasant flight, with adequate of the island of Tongatapu to see the blow- are: Jo-Anne Khor (third lrom lett), Gail agents, a group from all over New service. holes and the flying foxes but we were Adams (lourth), Vicki McWilliams (sixth), Zealand recently visited Tonga, confined to the hotel until departure time George Cole (eighth from left) and Stan Western Samoa and Fiii-iust to We were greeted at Tonga airport by with a truly tropical downpour. Shieflelbien extreme right. - Photograph see what Union Tours and Air Paci- Lulu Faupula f rom Union Company and by Nitin Lal, Fiii Visitors' Bureau. tic had to offer. Gai! Adams of Christina from the Tongan Visitors' Bureau Our Polynesian Airlines flight via Niue Union Tours, Head Office, went and transported to the lnternational Date left from Tonga at the tail end of the along and sent lhis report to Under Line Hotel in Nuku'alofa where we were all storm. The result was that the first half Abov.e: Sfan Shietfelbien \"leads'l the way. accommodated in the new wing. There we hour or so was full of ups and downs, felt ',patty. were guests at a cocktail party sponsored even more in the relatively small HS 748. by 8.P., where we were treated to a film Our confidence was restored, though, when about the South Pacific. This was a good the girls of the tour saw the pilot: it was introduction to some of the sights we were a race to see who could make the first trip to see in the next few days, not only in to the cockpit to gain some insight into the Tonga, but also in Samoa and Fiji. finer points of llying. Unfortunately, the next morning the Our approach to Faleolo Airport in weather let us down. After a short break- Samoa was a good indication of how the

country was to treat us. We had a beauti- vailing around the restaurant and pool ful view of the coast and lagoon on our area and, of course, in the bar. We dined Ianding path. We were greeted on arrival in the open fale-style restaurant of the by John Ryan from Union ComPanY and hotel, where the food and the setting were Anna who was to be our guide for our both good. After dinner we were joined by stay in Samoa. The Union Company staft the local Air New Zealand and Polynesian in the group were all very proud to be representatives who then escorted us to transported in the new Union Company one of the local nightclubs. Chevyvan. Quite luxurious, with air-condi- tioning and carpets and cloth upholstery The following day we had a little time on the seats. A good idea for the tropics to look around Apia before being collec- where sticking to the seat can be a painful ted by Anna and the bus, to take a trip to experience. Falefa to the fresh water pools. The pools were refreshing and provided some inter- We were delivered to the Tusitala Hotel esting moments for a couple of girls when in Apia which provided a good place for they swam through a submarine tunnel to relaxing with a pleasant atmosphere pre- another cave. Union Tours new mini-bus at APia. Naviti Resort on the Coral Coast, Fiii. We headed for home after lunch so the We hit the nightspots of Apia again after men could have a rest before heading off our time at Aggie's. This proved too much for the golf course with Anna in the late for the men though; the girls dropped them afternoon. Rumour has it they are still try- off at the hotel at midnight and carried on ing to beat her! The rest of the party de- with their carousing. cided to rest up in anticipation of the Fia Fia provided that evening by Aggie at her The next morning we were transported famous \"Aggie's Hotet\". lt was here that by courtesy of the Union bus once again we got a true introduction to Samoan en- to the southern side of the island to view tertainment and food. The show before the Samoan HideawaY Resort. Here we eating was a sample of some of the were provided with a lunch, whipped up Samoan Sivas still performed for the sheer on the spur of the moment by an obviously pleasure of dancing. Aggie's daughter and competent chef. grand{aughters were dancing, but the highlight of the show was when Aggie Most of the crew seemed to be feeling herself (all 79 years of her) performed her the heat at this stage, and managed to own dance. sleep most of the way back to Apia' Anna provided some interest by showing us a \"Lipstick Tree\" and we then proceeded to If the dancing was good, then the food paint all over Stan, our expert tour leader. was superb. Truly typical Samoan food with all sorts of flavours, new and different, Our evening was spent as the guests of being tasted. the Taifua Hotel for their special dine and I I 19

rI ir lr ry-* ---iit:.- -.r]--l-G Monday morning was leisure time which to Beachcomber and Treasure lslands' Our first real introduction to Fiiian cul' dance, with steak and lobster being the where we were treated to a quick view of ture was at Orchid lsland. We saw 'here highllght of the menu. This was a very was filled by most with shopping and look' the coral, and then we had a very tasty how Fiji was before the influence of mis- lng around the town of Apia' We were in' pleasant evenlng. Ryan's house for lunch' lunch on Treasure. We did have a sight' sionaries and other foreigners. The temple viilo to fohn which stands at the entrance to the island where his attractive wife Margaret had pre- seeing walk on both islands but, as almost gives an idea of rltes before the introduc' SUNDAY AFTERNOON SEMINAR pared a Samoan feast which would do everyone had bare feet on the hot sand, This gave an excellent insight into where credit to any international hotel' Our final we were even more anxious than usual to tion of Christianity in the lslands. We were all taken by the fact that they used to Samoa ls headed in the way of tourism' lew words of farewell and thanks were get into the nice cool bar. sacrlfice men to place at the base ol the John nyan chaired the discussion with spoken before leaving this lovely country pillars supporting the temple-only slaves represe;tatives lrom both the private and and the lrlends we had all made there' Then it was all aboard again, back to public sectors. The Minister responsible Lautoka and on to the Regent of Fiji' What or enemies, of course. ior tourism was present, but the talking a magnificent hotel this is. The girls were The afternoon was reserved for all the was done.in Samoan style by his \"talking FIJI given a ride around the establishment on shopplng we had been looking forward to' chief\". He outlined where the Government We were back on to Air Pacific again the back of the baggage wagon' The \"Sip Moira, from Union Tours in Suva, was given of Samoa hopes to head in the next few for our trip to Nadi, via Suva' lt was a and Dip\" swimming pool-bar was iust one the task of showing us around and watch- years. The most important point which peaceful flight, although sad, as most of of the attractions we didn't have time to ing us spend our money. I'm not too sure tame from the talk was the hope of con- us felt that Samoa would have been hard sample. how much the Union ComPanY name structing an lnternational airport to bring to beat. Our next call was \"The Fiiian\" for a helped wlth the prlces, but we were all more tiatfic and more airlines lnto the A comment here about the new Air Paci- Iook around the facilities and dinner in thankful for her guldance. country. lic colours on thdiraircraft: excellent pre- their restaurant. This place certainly has We had a few drlnks with the Air Pacific The private sector was represented by sentation and verY attractive' a lot to offer. The complex on Yanuca Head Office staff ln the evening, lugging the president of the Ghamber of Gom- lsland includes a bowling green, golf our parcels of duty free shopplng with us' merce. He indicated that there was more We had one night in transit in Nadi at course, water skiing, lishing opportunities It was good to be able to establlsh such a desire lor progress within his sector' He the Gateway Hotel and were collected from and boating. The meal which was pre- close contact with the management of an also underlined the fact that Samoa is at there in the morning by the Beachcomber sented bY the hotel was excellent' international airline and to hear thelr alms present unspoilt and herein lies the attrac- bus which took us to Lautoka wharf' We and objectives for the future. then cruised on the beautiful b'lue sea out tion of the islands. Our overnlght stop was at \"Naviti Resort\" on the Coral Coast. Unfortunately The main activity of the evenlng at the we arrived here late at night and left early Outrigger Motel seemed to be pool on - The market at APia. the next morning, but we did get a quick the table that ls, not swimming' I don't look at the facilities. We also had V'l'P' treatment here with fresh fruit and flowers know who came out on top, but I did notice that George Cote was one of the ln our rooms on arrival. most frequent contestants. On our way to Suva the following morn' ing we passed through the Pacilic Harbour Our early morning flight from Nausori cJmptex. We tunched at the Country Club Airport was slightly delayed while they wfricn is the clubhouse for the international tried to find enough hostesses to lly the standard golf course there' The meal was aircraft. But once we were away all went once again of a high standard, enhanced smoothlY. by the fact that the drinks were flowing And so we arrived safely back in Auck' freely before we were seated' The restaur' land. lt was good to get one's leet on the ant and bar are turned into a night club ground again, but the reality of work on for staff during the evening hours' [ronday morning was hardly a fair com- ln Suva we had a short seminar with the parison to the sights and sounds we'd Fiji Visitors' Bureau and Abe who had experienced ihrough the previous ten gieeted us when we landed in Nadi' He days. All in all, a good \"educational\" and was there to hear any grumbles we may *\" *\"t\" all appreciative of the invitation have had from our days in Fiii or any sug- from Union Tours - Air Pacilic to partici- gestions for lmprovement anywhere. Pate.

However, things are looking uP as, although we have lost three, we have gained two. Kevin has been replaced by a much larger person in Michael Boon who recently rejoined the Company and is now the new Equipment Controller. The second new lace belongs to Stephen Wright who replaces Stuart Con' ley. Stuart has taken over the duties re- linquished by the departure of Davld John Angwin with a short brush. Fitzgerald. FINANCIAL ACGOUNTS W Everyone here seems to have survived the Christmas cheer and school holidays and is back in the harness with renewed Our congratulations go to Vivienne and vigour. Those that were lucky enough to Ross Vercoe who were married on Novem- leave Wellington are sporting suntans that ber 27 at St. Lukes Church, Wadestown. are rapidly being blown away. a a GENERAL TRAFFIC Nev Corbett reckons he will be right lor We are wondering what must have gone It .was during the Christmas period that the Lions tour this year with his current ffi wrong with this Dopartmont ln recent we farewelled Cyril Pert who has worked training schedule - a morning swim weeks as we have had throo resignations in our section lor seven years since re- around Kapiti or a 20 mile jog along the since New Year. tiring lrom the Post Otlice. Cyril will be beach. However, we think this is iust some remembered by all those who came into wishful thinking whilst leaning on the Kevin Torbit. who has decided that the Paekak bar. outdoor lifo ls superlor to the lndoor, left contact with him for his very lriendly and helpful nature, as well as his very dry wit. us on January 11 to reioln Wellington Branch, this time as a Foreman at the Seacargo Terminal, so we have not alto- a Mary-Lou Anderson with a long brush. gether lost contact with hlm. WELLINGTON SOCIAL CLUB David Fitzgerald left the Company on On the sporting scene, Mr Newton, who The lwo weeks belore the chicken and Some of the hetpers: Don McPhail, Charles January 28 to join Conso'lidated Food plays regular club cricket, had the mis- champagne evening saw Social Glub com- Tamarapa, Vivian Vercoe and Brent Eden. Supplies, but we still hope to see him fortune to break his Achilles tendon. Ap- mittee members and numerous help€rs from time to time. He had better sort out parently he played a brilliant drive to the busy painting the Social Glub rooms. The some reasonably priced frozen chickens outfield and, as he was set to make a run work was all finished before November 17 for us when he does call in. or two, his foot snapped. As a result, he and the comments passed since then have has had his leg in plaster lor some time. On February 4, Sheryl Matthews, our shown that the hard work put in by every- Shorthand Typist, decided to follow the It was unfortunate that his injury coincided one concerned was not wasted. Our thanks trend and left us also. Sheryl is to begin with the build up to the Australian tour to Management for supplying the neces- and he had to make himself unavailable with a holiday in Australia and we all wish lor his country. sary materials. her well. 21

-r--I- best with most Union Company conlestants suffering from the night before. Our three entries were: lJnion Whakaue.' Captain: Charles Tama- rapa. Crew: Louise Knebel, John Angwin, Wayne Craddock, Noel Dent and Brent Eden. M.P. tJnion Porirua: CaPtain: Bruce Forsyth. Crew: Steve Parsons, William Framhein, Warren Harding' Union Waipiro.' Captain: Mary-Lou Ander- son. Crew: Lynda Duffy, Lindsay Allen' Leslie Haines, Chris Morrison, Doug Flint' \"l|nion Whakaue\" and crew. Seen at the Cabaret: above, Nio John and They finished seventh, eighteenth and his fiancee, Kimi Aviria; below, AIan White' twentieth respectively. Despite the llour man and his tiancee Adrienne Martin' bombs, rotten tomatoes and anything you could possibly lay your hands on, our Captured during the race. three rafts did very well out of the twenty- live entries. Afterwards we quenched our thirsts with a few brown ales in ihe Social The singles pool tournament for the Club rooms. Craig Sparey Memorial Cup was played in December, with competition fierce amongst This event was organised by the Ship- ping Corporation and it is hoped by all the 30 competitors. The finals were held on Friday, December 17, with the prize Union Company participants that it will money being shared between Chris Gib- become a permanent fixture on our Social bons, Charles TamaraPa, Jim Dun and Club calendar. Our thanks to Mr Jury and Merv Hunt. Charles and Merv got through members of his family who sailed in the Above: the tadies ol the \"Union Waipiro\"' to the final and, in the best of three, Merv waters around the race course during the morning with the Union Company flag lly- proved too strong for Charles, taking the ing high from the Yacht. Below: \"lJnion WaiPiro\" tull ahead. cup for 1976. Chartes TamaraPa and Merv Hunt. On Friday, December '10, 1976' we held our Annual Christmas Cabaret at Oliver's Nightclub. It was a highly successful evening with the exception ol one pot plant missing. lf the culprit could kindly return it we would greatly aPPreciate it. A new event to be held annuallY, the Combined Shipping Companies Raft Race' was held on Saturday, December 11, on Wellington Harbour. The starting point was from the car park, across to the Carter lountain and then to the beach at Oriental Bay. Wellington turned on a beautiful day, perhaps one of our last, and we did our

group \"Snatch\", kids clapped their hands, Pop! And, with the first bottle of bubbly opened, the chicken and champagne even- sang their favourite Womble songs, beat ing was under way, much to the delight of tambourines and shook maracas. the 150 people who had their choice of 15 A resounding cheer announced the arri- different sparkling wines, 12 still whites val of two of the Wbmbles in Person - and 12 still reds from 14 countries. A con- Wellington, the youngest, and Orinoco, the tinental style meal was provided with laziest, who had taken time off from Wim- chicken, salami, pickles and garlic bread, bledon Common to dance through the tune tempting wine-sodden participants. All in \"Remember You're a Womble\". all a great evening was had by all and will be a must repeat for 1977, Soon all the children were on their feet dancing, with the Wombles throwing lollies a and regretlully shaking their heads as they 11.00 a.m., Sunday, November 28; the declined numerous pleas from children to sun beat down on a scone 'of feverish \"Come home and live with me!\" A wonder- activity. Red faces - from exertion, not ex- ful interlude, enjoyed by parents and long posure - as 100-odd balloons were inflated to be remembered by the children, especi- in preparation for the children's Christmas ally youngsters Blake Feehan and Sharon picnic at Queen Elizabeth Park, Paekaka- Kylie Dunlop, Moana Thorn and Joanne Sexton rcach the tape in the girls' 3'5 years race. Brewer who won prizes as the best riki, north of Wellington. A steady proces- Womble dancers, sion of cars, families and hampers de- 6-8 years girls: 1st Kiri Tamarapa; 2nd, Crowd applause volume, coupled with Soft drinks and ice-creams disappeared scended on the grounds as sites were Angela Lane; 3rd, Jackie Thorn. the experienced eye of the judge, Ron with astonishing speed before \"Womble- selected, umbrellas erected and Iean-to's Lane, served to appraise each hopeful Up\" time. Armed with litter bags, kids established. 8-12 years boys: 1st, Phillip Watts; 2nd, contestant as various poses were struck. scurried everywhere picking up rubbish Tony Staples; 3rd, Andrew Offwood. Shortly after 1.00 p.m. the programme Suddenly, overwhelming applause greeted ranging from ice-cream cones to cartons 8-12 years girls: 1st, Donna Philp; 2nd, commenced after a short welcoming Sharon Tamarapa; 3rd, Lisa Haydn. the impressive lower torso of the final en- of empty cans before rushing back with speoch by Henry Peters, president of the trant as, with a mighty breath, a grunt and their hauls to Judge \"Uncle Dave\" Feehan Wclllngton Staff Soclal Committee. Balloons a lunge forward, the renowned stomach of who awarded prizes to Sandra Brockie and whlch htd boen crammed into a station- In a much lighter vein, the adult mixed Doug Flint blossomed out and subdued Phillip Watts, the best girl and boY rvlgon lor two hours were protesting at the pairs were run. Amid much confusion, the competition. Womblers. The event was an effective hml by axplodlng wlth monotonous regu- !ostling and dubious tactics which left Doug, an odds-on favourite and popular means of cleaning up the picnic area, lrrlly, Thmr w0rc haatlly distributed to couples strewn over the course, the races winner, was suitably rewarded with a g'ift- whilst affording the children a lot of fun. atoar ohlldran who gloofully assisted their were completed with the following couples Back to the adults, and it was the Best prometurc dcmlrc belore assembling for proving their superiority. wrapped prize which clinked suspiciously Sandwich Contest. Entries in this event as he rushed it away to a shady spot, a the raca!. 3-Legged Race: Louise Knebel-Steve were few; during the day hunger had deci- bottle-opener tightly clenched in his hand. Parsons. mated most, with the result that many \"Gol\", yelled th! ttartcr and the kids, thelr faces etched wlth llncr ol grlm deter- Wheelbarrow Race: Denise Staples-Peter \"Ho! Ho! Ho!\", heralded the arrival of entries failed to reach the start line. One entry, a human sandwich, was disqualified mination, sprlnted toward the tape. First, Rowe. Santa Claus and, one by one, bhildren, second and thlrd place-gottsrs rushed Piggy-back Race: Kevin and Christine displaying varying degrees of confidence, in the making-the filling kept falling out! triumphantly over to collect thelr prlzes. Torbit. came forward to sit on Santa's knee, have \"Crunch!\" Judges Ron Lane and Henry Winners in each sectlon were: their photo taken, place their order for Peters bit simultaneously into the delicious Shortly after, the arena was graced with Christmas Day and receive a present in 3-5 years boys: 1st, John Thorn; 2nd, the beautiful bronzed bodies (or was it advance. Louise Knebel, valiantly endea- prize winning sandwich entered by Mary- Andrew McPherson;3rd, no record. flaccid, flabby forms?) of the contenders vouring to assume a bass voice, proved Lou Anderson which contained an impres- in the Pot-Belly Competition. Muscles to be a marvellous Santa.u.- sive 21 fillings. Another sandwich, highly 3-5 years girls: 1st, Kylie Dunlop; 2nd, strained as stomachs were extended to recommended by the judges, was Bill Moana Thorn; 3rd, Joanne Sexton, their utmost, although it was noticeable lf some children were timid about meet- Walshaw's \"L.B. Special\", a novel entry that certain entrants, intent on preserving ing Santa, this soon vanished as \"Womble- which consisted of a bottle of that well- 6-8 years boys:1st, Gary Lane;2nd, the,ir reputations as fitness fanatics, kept mania\" took over. To the harmonious known brew wedged between the frayed David Staples; 3rd, Sean Torbit. their prize winning potential held in check. sound of Dave Feehan and members of his remains of a french roll. 23

-J- Old enough to have a wealth of experi- ence, yet young enough to still have more th\";'; flleting interest in obiets d'art' Henry Peters was a natural choice as irJo\" ot the Ladies' Knobbly Knees Con- i\".,.-wi,n the practical advice of Carol sliing\"t ringing in his ears, Henry had the tast< ot impartially appraising the \"nrl\"if\" knee sizes, shapes and samples \"\".oit\"o up before him' ln probably the tn\"t fin\"a most teenly contested competition of the a\"V, H\"ntV, the strain telling and showing ui.iof\" .ign. of discomfort, held a lengthy consuttation with co-iudge Carol before Playlng Btte the Sandwich were iudges Ron declaring Denise Staples as the champion' Lane and HenrY Peters. A treasure hunt for the children con- ctudeO tne organised events for the day' Winn\"r\" were Lisa Anderson' Sharon O\"r\"r\"\"r* and eagle-eyed Sandra Brockie *no, .potting a bottle being hidden' .had \"wombied\" it into her rubbish collection' A frantic search through the rubbish drum enabled her to emerge smiling with her Dave Feehan and \"snatch\" had a delighted audience' bottle to clai'm her Prize' An enjoyable day formally ended' many p\"opf\" ti't\"n drifted off to take tired child- i\"n'rtor\" to bed and apply liberal doses.of sun totion to aching limbs' But the hardier stock remained behind to barbecue' throw Frizbees, swim in the ocean and reflect on what hadproved to be a great day' hope' Jim Seaton received a babY bottle and fully the forerunner of an annual event' used it. Santa Louise Knebel finds a lriend' Knobbty knees experts Henry Peters and Carol Stringer.

ses and bedding to be delivered to Head declined as there was no return passage However, iust to ensure that everybody Oflice and made available for anyone who guaranteed and, in those circumstances, that reads Under Way is not prematurely was unable to make it home. ln this regard, Point Howard was lar worse than getting bewailing the demise of Head Office and our Company had the edge on many other home from town. Wellington Branch, we can categorically companies, having the resources to provide state that business is very much as usual these amenlties. As the evening drew in, the rain eased and not even the archives in the basement slightly, and by 8.30 p.m. many daring suffered any damage. A DRY LOOK AT A It was reported early in the day that drivers were pointing north in desperate Some of the staff were not so lucky. lt WET SUBJECT there was not one hotel bed available ln attempts to get to their homes. This meant has been recorded that some sections Wellington and it was also reported by an long tedious hours sitting in vehicles after And the rain came down, llooding us to observant receptionist at a leadlng city imbibing conviviality in fniendly hostel- were badly affected in the Harbour View and Pinehaven areas. Other members suf- a depth of forty cubits and Peter said unto hotel that there were more couples reg- rles around town. fered damage to their cars but, generally Ted, \"Build me an Ark, for I feel we may istered as Mr & Mrs Smith or Jones than speaking, we were lucky. However, we will have need of it\". And, verily, our need was usual, Furthermore, with the failures ln Needless to say, more frequent comlort never forget those wet, wet days. mighty when we found that all roads from telecommunication links, the necesslty to Btops €n route than usual were called for Jerusalem were closed, and the water ring home to make excuses was also al- and it was humorous, to say the least, to rising! leviated. see drivers and passengers diving forth to furtlve places along the route through the Yes, on Monday, December 20, Welling- Many Hutt Valley and Stokes Valley resl- hlllslde suburb of Wadestown. ln fact, at BRANCH ACCOUNTS ton was beset by what may well be the dents were frantic as reports came to hand the tlme lt was downright hilarious, as llood of the Century. As \"Under Way\" is a of devastation in their home areas. Small some who knew of hidden places beyond The arrival of 1977 was welcomed magazine for both ashore and afloat per- creeks grew to raging torrents, spewing footpath handrails found to their horror forth veritable deluges ol mud and rocks quietly by the staff of Accounts after a sonnel, this contribution is on behalf of alter passlng the first barrier of foliage month that included crises and success. the Wellington Branch staff, but it is not and trees. To this day, some of the homes that the ground (and themselves) had sud- qulte clear under which classification we are still uninhabitable because ol the denly dropped fifteen feet. foetid stench of the mud which poured in a are currently designated. one side and out the other. At tho Kalwharawhara intersection, a Our Agency Accountant, Derrick Benfell, Probably overyone in New Zealand is Traffic Officer in a boat apprehended a now awlre ol the damage caused by the ln Stokes Valley, as an example of the mother Mallard and her brood of lourteen uras rewarded just before Ghristmas, after downpour throughout the greater Welling- intensity of the foree'of water pouring off whilst crossing against the light. When a hard year's work, wlth passes in all his Polytech Examinations. Derfick is a valu- lon arar, wlth meny people losing homes, the d€nuded hillsides, a brand-new con- questloned on her actions, she wise- oali Foillona ol thclr sectlons, personal cret€ swimming pool was uprooted and quacked that the red light was under water able asset to the Branch with his know- poraa[lona lnd, ln aomo lnstances, every- stood on end in mute evidence of the and no longer visible. Another report at ledge and ability. thlng, Dullng lh. h.lght o, th€ storm lt havoc. the same spot also mentioned fierce red rppariad aa ll tha uaual !en!o of humour glows coming from underwater and fears a hrd daarrlad ur, bul, tr rlways ln r€tro- On Tuesday, December 21, through a of the Kaiwharawhara Taniwha emerging !pcct, lhara wara aoma humorous lncl- watery sunshine, the lull extent of the Rex Pierce left Branch Accounts after a damage was on view. At Petone, at the were dlspelled when it was made known short stay to spend 1977 at Victoria Unl- denta, albclt unoonlolout, rlthough nevor- mouth of the Korokoro Stream, amid a that, in spite of everything, the traffic lights versity studying education. theless a lcavonrr lor r vuy grlm rltuatlon. tangle of trees and wrecked cars, some were working better than when above sea- As the downpour rcaohcd ncw lovclr ol sad s€afreighters were observed amidst level. a intensity, our local radlo atatlonr rcported the Jumble which was onoe the depot of each avenue of escapo lrom the clly as Mogal Transportation. The onrush of water linto Wellington Christmas week was \"The Week of the Harbour was said to have caused the tide Floods\" in Wellington with record rain- closing or closed and we b€gan to wonder if it would be necessary to sp€nd the nlght The Hutt River rose to unbelievable level at low-water to be one metre above falls wrecking homes, halting traffic, dis' away from home. A large proporllon of heights and a five knot flood of rubble- normal, but it was possibly all the debris rupting business and the busy lead up to workers are commuters and, consequently, strewn muddy water beat at the sides of from every creek and river which caused Christmas and halt yearly balances. Six with all rail lines closed and roads progres- \"Erne\" as she struggled across the harbour this. For the people fearing an early onset Accounts Department staff were directly sively closing, this was indeed to be our to berth at Point Howard, the linesmen of winter, (and quite justifiably doing so) affected by the weather and each day fate. being commuted across harbour by Har- there was sufficient firewood on the four- during that week we operated with who- bour tug. The Agent was offered trans- lane Western Motorway and Hutt Motorway so-ever turned up. Arrangements were made for mattres- port across harbour by this means but to keep many hearths warm. Two of the staff were forced to spend 25

ryiri&El Plentyisagoodptacetoliveinafterbeingcausedhavocpaintingceilings,imagine rvrqu'|r the whole of the Monday night in the city' llooded out, then uro*n'to-uiir, in rr,,\"rn- wnaitratt a doien did, finishing the iob' \" '\"o' '.rr iflot,n\"na Typist Faye Talbot stayed with saraki. . *.11*::j[y,ii'fi:'#\":l,H:: *: frienO\" while Branch Cashier Ken Camer- fresh and clean and the windows are ;;, ;f,\"t four attemPts to get along the steaOity being adorned with bright new Hutt no\"A and round to Eastbourne' spent Two Harris-Daws at one port really ine nignt in a chiropractor's surgery' After wouldbeabittryingto,.iii_\"on\"\",nedso\",,t\"ining.Thesummersu'nstreamingintoalmost caused a ttte' wnait Department orti\"\" iong i\"f\"v. in Wellingion and en route' MT. MAUNGANUI Auckland twisted tne \"'''n'or\"il\"\"J of the *\"' level in the Branch' ii\",i et\"nn\"n, Ken Barwell, 'Buster' Ander- Lo and behold, tn\" vo'ig\"i edition griar;-E;ton Lno co do not seem to like \"i \" '\"ty'senior Mary-Ann HardY managed to get The usual number of comings and H-Ds arrived at the M:;;i t\"\"*\"''; \"' too brisht: somethins to do \"o, \"nO to their homes only to lace flood damage goings have been recorded' Lesley Starmer He's pretty n\"r, .,\"\"\"\"i::' tt;' tn\"ii 'o'nings before' 'i;\"; ions delays to get back to work the i\"tig-n\"o as Manager's Secretary on Dec- in its customary way, T;;;;\"s; welcomed with the nights arrival of the new curtains \"ni emoLr 31 to rest up and await the arrival Wayne and Mary i'lv J* now well --ltvh\"*'ine unpleasant situation' Now followint day, since commuter train servi- \"no to ti\" HLtt vattey were halted by track ot n\"t n\"* baby. By the time this goes to and truly settled ancl ;;it-i our less h\"; ;;;\"; an \"\". damage and washouts' print, sne anO h/O husband Mike will be Lmpestuous way or rit\"''lit'\"'l'inJ\"b,;;; *jl-#*;\"l,ir. il:;:l Ti;l; ril l\"J Ken Barwell was most affected by the grtgiing and gloating over their success' cirv. in winter and the ffooOing, with water rising to within an inch \" viitn-tesley's departure came the return ;::;;1.XXJ:,1\"*t'cuts oi tne jioorooards in his Petone property' of Tonia Miine, fresh back in Tauranga ie cleaned up the damage once' only to i.rn extended holiday in the United Jim'my Kamizona, Junior AII Black (and find that, with further rain, the lloodwaters fingOor. Tonia and fellow traveller Mar- Mount 6earman), is off again' this time on \"n l\"*e .witfing back' His garden is covered g;r;iWooO\"talt (who was Secretary to the -tnr\"\"-*\"\"f tour of California with a Chrlstmas and New Year in Tauranga with clay and silt and it will take a con- Ll\" \".1. J.\" Grilfiths here at Mount Maun- \" or*gtti th\" normal lnllux of holiday Pr;t;; rugby football team' They left ln r1i\"t\"Ufe time to get his property back to ganui) arriveA back in New Zealand just i\"oir\"tv. ite returned later in the month ;;d;t, but behlnd the scenes Union Com- its original state' irior'to Ghristmas and, between them' when our own rugby training programme .*, t O lts usual functions which occur ianJea tne two softest iobs in the- port' was under waY' iriilts 1nl. period' Startins on December \"f fvr\"ig\"t\"t is now Secretary to Ted Otway' . ;;;;;. cear Store held its annual PartY' ln early ,\"orr\",rl at Eastbourne' the CniJi engin\"\"r for the Bay of Plenty Har- Th6 Drogramme was a hangi cooked bY in the Gear Store yard bour Board. ti\"rir\"rbers 53rd Sanders Cup Yachting Contest was lvan Hobbs has been a regular' persis- \"rt quantlties of beer were sup- held with eleven provinces competing' . t\"ni,-urt qu'ite welcome visitor to the Mount and coplous pii\"a fd, all. lt was quite obvious ihat cer- *nrcn it a record for the event' ManY irom New Plymouth recently' We are still [afn staft members partook of their own union Corp\"ny staff, past and present' We are building a vast new storage irvi.g ,\" figure out if he is iust lost dis- ;;;, ;i spirlts bv the, sishts the followins -Mt. n\"rl O\"\"n associated with competition for shed in the Seacargo Terminal to cater iiigr]\"hirg Esmont from \"the Mount\" morning. bbserret. might have thought we iti\" interptouincial trophy since it began i\"t 1n\" \"union Rotorua\" cargoes moving oi-*n\"tn\"t he is actually angling for a were piactising to compete with the Vienna i. rsir, when thd otago boat \"Heather\" iit\"rsh the port. There was a particularly iran\"t\"t. He certainly likes the look oi ro- beat \"lron Duke\", sailed by Governor- looking Foreman on the site and ro operations though and when we are Boys' Choir. stalf member Tonia Milne --ilwrv-returned Oln\"t\"l Lord Jellicoe, representing Auck- i,-iiJ\"'t take Brian Eaton long to realize. iini.rr\"o with him he will be a thoroughly untoitrn\"t\"ty didn't make it to the party \"\"o\"U'f\" r\"ia. S\"r\"t\"r ex-Union Company staff at- ;\"i h\" would make a first class Wharf inao.ttin\"t\"O Bay of Plentian - assuming tended the reunion of Old Timers' a feature foi\"r\"n. Thus Graeme Gilmore joins us aiways tnat his affiliation to Taranaki lager ,*,.S-t\" an argument with a motorcycle :il. driver. The onlY good thing was at the contest, to remember past itorn tn\" construction industry' The shed 'o not attong\"r than a desire for sun and ;;J -nor\"*\"rds \"u\"ning and comPetitors' OiOn't cotlapse when he left the iob either' surf and ?. tnut .n\" was arriving and not weaving her contests at the time' We are . ** pr\"'\".\"J t\" report that Tonia is back on the Io\"J no* that her car has been repaired' Then we decidecl our Mechanic, Ray Late in November we were descended Gritfin, was over-wprked so, from the ,pon uy two men armed with paint brushes Windy Capital, we impoiied Tom Callinan arrd tnly progressively dislocated every who had been tenaciousty hanging o.n to.a onrct'inttnl olitoing as they painted each in\"y *\".tt by several hoist-ram with one nano tneie trying to \"\"iilg. .fglrowed New Year and Union GomPanY and in- *nif\" n\" more men armed with scaffolding' more keep from being btown- viteJ'guests (with the usual gate-crashers) bolted up the gear oox'oi his old bomb p\"ini ni\"rt\"t' lots'of paint and rolls of *\"i\" united for an evening of fun \"*ly with the other. He n\"t a\"tio\"J the Bay of wallpaper and sticky paste' tl two men \"g\"i.

Flushed with success, our leader looked and a few bottles of lemonade provided The accumulation of years of hoarding longingly at the Whakatane-Kinleith Cup through the line, is the replacement for Aileen Sproull, who left us in November' by the Social Club funds' The evening, as by various people was the subject of a won by the Union Company team at last usual, was a howling success and it was spring clean recently. One interesting item year's Timberama Tournament, sponsored quite remarkable and a great relief that the that come to light in the clean-up was a annualy by our Director, Bob Owens' He new decoration in the olfice did not sulfer' quantity of red and green lountain pen ink prorpily re-entered the team for this gallons of it. The auditors would have -4 year's event at the invitation of Mr New Plymouth Otfice had its Christmas a ball with two gallons oI green but, as - yet, we have not found anY use for the bwens and his Group of Companies' The function at the Westown Hotel with a smorgasbord dinner on Sunday, Decem- other two gallons of red. lt's too late to success or otherwise of the venture may or A mass exodus of the office staff during may not be recorded in the next issue' ber 5. the Christmas period was noticed. Les paint the town. depending on the results of play, but, if We were Pleased to have the com- Charman went to the Bay of lslands' Bob noitting is heard of the result, Head Office pany of Mr and Mrs David Graham from Sue disappeared to Auckland on and olf may have the head of team member Paul Wetiington and Mr and Mrs Roger Hoskins during the holiday period. He said he en- Romanos, and Whangarei can give Graeme from Auckland as well as C/E Long, Cap- ioys the metropolis of Auckland but only This year's golfing calendar began with Brown an extra month on after hours duty' tain Lockhead of \"Kotuku\", C/E Bryant for a few days at a time. Mike Stewart went the Pro/Am at Mount Maunganui which is We have no doubt as to the fates of and Captain Forslind of \"Athelviscount\" on his usual pilgrimage to windy Welling- played as a prelude to the annual P'G'A' local team members Cliff Horne (believe it who were in Port Taranaki at that time' ton to enjoy some of its wonderful weather Tournament. Branch Manager Greig Her- or not on a 28 handicaP) and Greig Considering it was a Sunday night, with and quite a large amount of swimming bert participated in the ProlAm, along with Herbert. everyone having to face work next day' a practice in the enclosed swimming pool' fellow amateur John Newey from Hamilton, not mosi enjoyable time was had by all - and their professional partner Bruce forgetting one particular person who nearly Rafferty. Greig teed off the first magnificently with found himself sailing to Nelson next day on a drive straight down the centre of the fair- board \"Kotuku\". \"Unlon ur\"luorrn]\", en route from Auokland to Tauranga, again experienced way and that was the finish of that\" Usually . inclined to slice, his golf took on a new lPrlng weather conditions in our Harbour hooking. On one particular fhd nrO a slight disagreement with the dimension - hole (the par 3 17th), after teeing off, he fg.le llnklpan' This time, luckily' no dam- completely lost sight of the ball' lt became On New Year's DaY every Year' a beach lia wll done to the vessel, but it doesn't apparent that it landed somewhere in the carnival is held at Oakura Beach (Tara- piy lo knook thc bulbous bow against the Heres hoping all readers had an enjoy- naki's most popular beach resort)' The ilnlrpm, ra thc Bay of Plenty Harbour vicinity of the greenkeeper's shed lar out able Christmas and New Year' feature attraction of the day is the \"Miss on th-e port beam, never to be seen again' torfd dlaoov.r.d. However, he was not the only one to Taranaki Beach Resort\" contest' This year Allhough \"Unlon Melbourne\" was un- suffer disaster as Bruce Rafferty, the pro- Union Travel sponsored an entrant, \"Miss aoalhld, lhl whrr, rnd llnkspan suffered fessional, was in trouble when he teed ofl Union Travel\", and we are pleased to say oonaldorrbll dlmrgr. Harbour Board En- at the 8th and saw his ball disappear into our entrant was placed second out of.14 0ln.atr plamd aoma rathor unprintable a large group of pines, from which it did New PlYmouth Office has had quite a entries. romtrkt rbout tha lor'ltrcngthening in the not emerge. Fortunately, though, the three- re-organisation because ol several staff . ehlp'a bowr. i That lama avanlng' rnothar unlortunate some combined well with exceptionally changes. I long lucky putts and all this helped to save ) incldent ocourlad whan r young man de' Karen Roberts from the Travel Depart- Has anyone in any other oftice ever had cided he mlght lry lo drlvr hlr Holden the day. ment lelt on December 31 to what we are their photo in the paper three times in two TheY somehow managed to come home station wagon bcnaeth lha llt moorlng 14 under ihe card with a 58 nett, which not too sure. Her send-off, combined with days? We have, and don't other stall mem' spring of the shlp. Al can bc lmaglned' New Year's Eve, was verY enjoYable' bers rub it in' the damage lncurred to hla oar we! qull6 was good enough to win the three-ball Karen's replacement is Joanne Lambert considerable. The lmpact rlpped both the competition. Consequently, our proud who fortunately spent a few days with . doors olf and the roof and the car ended golfors returned to the golf club on Sun- Kar,en in the office before her departure' day to be present at the prize-giving which up 50 yards along at the next borth' !am' med between the side of anolher vessel was held under a beautiful blue sky on We are sure Joanne will enjoy her iob Has anyone seen our \"flying Foreman\"' and a steel wharf bollard' Fortunately the the 18th green following the final putt in the New PlYmouth office. lvan Hobbs, who hasn't been seen in New driver suffered only minor injuries which won John Lister the tournament' Carot Bracegirdle is a new addition to Plymouth for over a month? Rumours and the Freight and Agency Division' Carol' unconfirmed sightings may lead to this 27

T\" man being in the Mt' Maunganui area - Mintrom, with Second Officer Sam Bearda. Bill McCormack and lan Douglas have land, Tasmania, for the festive season and came back. retired, although Bill works for the Com- possibly in or around \"Union Rotorua\". A towline was attached and Pulling began but, in the fast flowing waters ot pany when a shipwright is required. Whangarei Harbour, the lifeboat became All hope for another reunion nexl year, a virtually unmanoeuvrable. By this time the water was shallow enough for a man to SEACARGO Foreman Laurie RaY deParted after stand on the botiom and an attempt was TRAVEL Christmas for Auckland for a short holiday' made to lift \"Julie lll\", but this was un- On arriving home, he advised us that his successful, good friend the Tralfic Officer was not So it appeared that the yacht would be waiting for him on the motorway. Well stuck until the flood tide - not a happy done Laurie! prospect as she would have ended up on her beam-ends on a dried out harbour bottom. But extra help arrived in the shape a of a local runabout which was made fast to the mainsail halyard and heeled \"Julie We must mention an incident in a local lll\" over enough to dislodge her keel from restaurant recently, where a staff member the sand, allowing the yacht to be towed who has since transferred to Auckland as to deeper water and a safe anchorage. Assistant Travel Manager (Greg Tye for those of you who cannot pick the identity) provided laughs all round when he ordered his vegetables from the wine waitress. We would like to welcome two new members who have ioined the staff. They are Grant Leishman, our Office Junior, and Georgina McGillivray, our new Typist About 25 ex-members of the Port (above), who replaced Sue McElwee who Chalmers Social Club and their partners We are pleased to welcome on transfer had transferred to Union Travel. gathered for a Christmas Party at the from the other end of the Branch office Southern Cross Hotel late last year' The Susan McElwee who, by the time this goes a evening was enjoyed bY one and all' to piint, will be married and become Mrs As a result of playing the most golf in The tanker \"Erne\" had been alongside The Dunedin Branch Manager has al- Keith Heineman. She is seen here on the last year's Conical Hills Golf Classic, held right with other Travel staff Elaine Stern- at Marsden Point for eight days awaiting ways attended these functions, so. it was berg and lan Last. in November, Branch Manager Stuart a full crew when the routine was inter- nice to see Stuart Robinson and his wife Robinson has added a matching 4 foot-high rupted by a gallant rescue attempt. keeping up the tradition. Unfortunately, pair of fork and spoon to his collection, Well-known man about Yachts Chief Win Knewstubb and Sayoko could not get a Engineer Derry Cabena was on his way in down from Auckland. suitable for all practical purposes by Brobdingnagians onlY. his yacht \"Julie lll\" to pay \"Erne\" a social There was plenty of talk about what Over the Christmas break, David Smith visit. lt was shortly after tea on Friday, each and everyone was doing in the big parted company with his trail bike in the o January 14, as he approached the ietty, wide world. Ewen Cameron is now back hills of Maniototo which resulted in a few but \"Julie lll\" touched bottom and was in the old works building with the N.Z. Kevin Thomas, our Assistant Accountant' soon stuck hard and fast. Shipping Corporation. AIso back in the bruises and some new teeth. duly reported back for work at the end What made things worse was the ebbing works is Tom Roberts, with the Otago of November after his extensive camping tide. His plight was spotted from \"Erne\" Harbour Board. lan Connor has moved a holiday around Australia and was promptly and a lifeboat was soon in the water, North to Tauranga and the B.O.P. Harbour whisked off to Bluff to relieve Bob Seamer. crewed by Chief Engineer Don Lamont, Board. Four members are at Cadburys, He will no doubt retain vivid memories of juniors John Lynch, John Stanton and Bill including Bob Hawkins and Ted Patrick' lan Last did his annual trek to his home-

Bob Seamer's wife, Helen, Presehted his Christmas dinner(s) at Bluff for some him with a pretty baby girl :this time time' with dark hair. . The Christmas and New Year holidays saw Sandra Gold, our Machine Operator' holidaying in Clyde. Contrary to popular TRAVEL belief, she used bicycle transport around Central Otago as a waY of seeing the countryside, not to keep her weight down' Jeanette Anderson has just returned Sue McElwee travelled by fishing boat from a Chandris cruise. She says she is for a holiday around Stewart lsland with definitely not the best of sailors and she her fiance. was glad to put her tvvo feet on Australian shores. She stayed in Australia for a few enjoyable days before returning to the ioys of selling other PeoPle travel. a At the time this was written David Wil- Iiamson had only a few weeks of freedom left. He was getting married in March' His major effort was being busy getting a Three stalwarts from the Terminal stopped for a moment recently to have their photo- house ready to live in. And the big mystery graphtakenandheretheyare,fromlefttoright:PeterLumb'JoeSmithandStanReid' was who was doing his honeYmoon booking? a Our office staff has multiplied. During January we were pleased to welcome to Marie Peterson was in Christchurch for our 'office Nigel Stewart. Other Branches a few weeks looking after her mother, who should also be happy to welcome Nigel had been in hospital. We wish her mother as they maY be able to get an answer a speedY return to good health' from the phone now' a BLUFF Ron McMurran, our Accountant, and his a family holidayed in BIenheim, where he Since last appearing in \"Muster Sta- Bill Ditfort has joined us on a {ull time Odd Ode must have seen the sun if his ruddy com- tions\", Bluff has been a busY but, un- basis also certainty a great help' plexion was anything to go bY' fortunately, a very wet Port. - On December 13, Bluff and lnvercargill held their annual pre-Christmas dinner a party. We thought of publishing a list of a a guests, but it's easier to re-print the in- We would like to welcome to our ranks That's the new' Now the old. Foreman terior page of the menu. David Palmer of our Accounts Section Foremen Lindsay Key and Donny Shaw' Martin Finnerty went on holiday for six also spent his holiday at Stewart lsland Both joined our Bluff team at the end of weeks, reckoning that, in this time, he Oh gee, oh gosh,its Sanfa C/ausl he might be able to get his house painted' and Jim Cochrane and his family changed 1976 and have alreadY Proved to be a No, don't be such a dreamer; their holiday location from Arrowtown to strong spoke in our Stevedoring wheel' if the weather staYed fine' The tellow with the whiskers on Newhaven where flounder catching was the ls really Robert Seamer. order of the day. 29

1 -g The Bledisloe Terminal welcomes back incident, just the normal spillages' drop- l've checked the tist, who have I missed? p\"g;., Ltl\"kages and fallings over' most \"l met his wite -that's Helen - You'd better watch it, Smiler' Mark MacArthur from an overseas trip' He Ii*ni\"r, were attributed to \"lumps in'the { As we came through the doot\", You almost didn't saY hello was originally employed in the Company's carpet\". I heard Rosellen whisPer Wellington Branch two Years ago' To her husband DonnY Shaw' To Jane and David TYler' . Workshops decided to enter the Christ' And, finallY, trom Wellington, WORKSHOPS mas \"giveaways\" this year with an attrac- The FinnertYs are here tonight' Where the gustY winds do blow' ii*- O\".f \"reminder\"' Unfortunately the There's PoPPY and there's Martin The Bremlords Pat and Norma - ining\" *\"t\" found lo self destruct inside - and Gloria and LindsaY KeY; We welcome to this show' five minutes and were hurriedly recalled' The tun is onlY startin'. Back to the drawing board' And as we look around the room There's lan and Betty Caldet' An electric lly catcher was installed in Bett's tt e one who smiles a lot; the Terminal canteen' The instructions i !an's the one who's balder' tn\"t the machine functioned better \"t\"t\"d the catcher tray containing dead meat I with as a balt. ln the interest of economy' Ran- J\"riWIgg., resident sylph, was given.the The same hair style lor Dittort- Bill - tJ ot Jit\"ning llies by hand, pulling their The cenfie slightlv worn. One day after \"Union Rotorua's\" arrival wlngs off and loading the tray' Just what could be the cause ol this? Au\"W\"nO, an adventure experienced by \"t Best ask his sPouse - that's Dawn' on\" of our staff members, namely Bryan Sherson, revealed that, whilst he was on After a few lalse alarms during the last Io\"ro-;;ilnion Rotorua\" on company busi- three years, with the Workshops on tenter' Dave Brown, Deck Supervisor' is plan- \"The CamPbells Are Coming\" goes the i\".t, n\" decided to take the elevator from noof,rin\" whole time, Works Engineer Jack nlng a voyage of exploration on his yacht RoOert's mare is now the proud mother of line iH-'-o\"\"t upward. However' due to unfore- a beauti{ul foal. Jack has high hopes for iis\"Irnl\"\". proposeo ports of call are Great From a well known Scottish song' he never reached his the future of the horses in the racing field Sarrler lsland, Mokohinau, Bay of lslands o\"rtin\"tion. Bryan Wel/, Nessie Campbelt's here tonight \"\"\"i \"ii\"urttances, became trapped in the but cannot yet disclose the same as this ls \"iJ trtrrn, after calling at all Iocal hostel- And she's let Bill tag along' for some 15 minutes' unfortunately rf\"r on the way back' Provisioning and \"Lr\"t\", to oe selecied by a Racing Committee We by himself. . were taken up the other day to view the tamity and both animals look in wonderful At this time every Year, You know' Friday, December 3, proved interesting condition. Jack also told us that the mare When Santa has to tavel, for stafi members at Union House' At ap- is in foal again. lt sounds like the start of To Jeanette Anderson he goes' oroximately 2.50 p'm', fire alarms were \" .trA t\"tr. The photograph shows Jack His problems to unravel' i;;;; or trorn a malfunction on the 2nd with the Youngster. iio\"oi ot Union House in the Army Depart- . .\"it. fir\" minutes later five fire engines Steve Rowe, Radio Officer, Sea Staff' And, il You wish to make a tour' with all systems go' lt turned out relieved Logan Harvey, our Radio lnspec- to be a false alarm' Marie Peterson is clever; \"riireO tor, for his holidays. Steve reckons he pre- That's Marie sitting over there . fers sea life. He joined \"Porridge\" and Beside her husband, Trevor' Our Accounts Department was sorry to enjoyed the Proceedings' .\"\" i\". Kum resign after two years service ;ith;; QomPanY' we all hoPe his market a Catherine's herc tonight with Dave' g\"io\"n in Onehunga proves a financial Who made his name at rowing' Jr\"\"\".t, especially in the tomato growing' The usuat round of Ghristmas and New You never book bY sea with him Year festivities took place without major going' ll overseas You're

crewing are well under way. Captain Brown thank her for her cheerful good humour advises; John Paaske, Foreman Boiler- and the ability to handle the kind of situ- maker, Noel Heerdegen, ex Union Com- ations that develop occasionally in the pany Fitter and Turner and Peter Dickey Transport lndustry. We wish her and hus- comprise the \"pirates\"; and 30 dozen beer, band Eddie all the very best for the future a tin of sardines and a loaf of bread com- and hope they will continue to visit us prise the stores. Dave commented \"We will during their spells in the city. live off the land\", while sharpening his ln her place, we welcome back Michele cutlass. Campbell who left us over three years ago and is now home again after working in o Sydney for two years and in London for one year. While she was overseas, Mlchele The Union Travel carava, was set up in a Recent holiday jollifications inspired sent us many cards and letters describing good position inside the gate to the pit the places and people. She is now able to area at Wigram to display brochures and some of our Workshop staff to visit a fill in some of the more interesting details answer enquiries. local massage parlour. Their Foreman not committed to paper. growled, \"l don't know what happens in those places but it was three days before I could get any sense out of them\". What a does happen in \"those places\"? A most enjoyable Christmas lunch-tea- supper was again held in the Black Shed a on December 18, 1976, under the guidance Auckland Representatives Murray Woods of Chairman Stan Walton and with the and Roger Hoskins actively engaged in Concerning the bowls match mentioned willing help of many friends. This function prcmoting Union Tours to the Indianapolis in the last issue of \"Under Way\": when is taking on the appearance of an endu- 500 and the U.S. Grand Prix. rance test and is a likely entry for the asked what the result was, the team next Guiness Book of Records. answered, \"We didn't win\", and would not elaborate, except to say it was a hard day. This year was an important year for New throughout the serles was the Union \"Fast Zealand motor racing since the Formula Freight\" race. This event is for the best Pacific was adopted. For those who are saloon car of the meeting, regardless of a not familiar wlth motor racing, the Formula category. At Wigram there were 28 entries Pacific is 215 horsepower. The car weighs and the distance was approximately 18 Joiner Bert Webb has decided to leave 1,000 lbs and travels at a speed of 160 miles. The race was won by Christchurch the Workshop after twelve years service. m.p.h. plus. driver Leo Leonard with his P.D.L. Mus- Bert is suffering ill health and has decided A highlight of the race programme tang Il making its first appearance in the to take it easy for a while. series. Once again Union Travel and Union The day's racing was thoroughly en- Company were behind the Peter Stuyvesant The start of the Union Fast Freight race at joyed by all, especially the Union Travel a Motor Racing series with the kind of sup- Teretonga, with Barry Lloyd in pole posi- staff who helped hand out 'Motor Sport port that helps make motor racing possible. tion on the grid. News'and assist at our caravan. Ron Werton, Boilermaker, is at present holidaying in the United Kingdom. a We wish to welcome Roy Craddock to our office. He was originally from Un'ion ONEHUNGA Company, Westport, and has spent the last four years with Pacific and World Travel, We are sorry to have to say good-bye to London. Roy and his wife have settled in Jenny Sava who, after working here for well and he has helped boost our weekly nearly ten years, has decided to leave. We racing syndicate profits considerably.

IHE WESI COASI COAI IRADE \"Konuf' loading coal at Westqort. The lossil luel, coal, played such an important part in the development of the much so that, in 191 1, the amount of coat shipped from Greymouth alone amounted to Union Company, but lew loday would realise the extent lo which this trade once reached. 407,123 tons, valued at t203,561' During its ireyday, the West Coast ports ol Westport and Greymouth urere as Iamiliar Now the demand has dropped to about 120,000 tonnes a year, shipped mostly in to New Zealand coaslal mariners as were the other larger ports. At its height' towards ,,Karetu\" from westport to the Portland cement works. Anchor-Dorman's \"Titoki\" also the end ol the last century, the West Coast trade amounted to almost half the total carries substantial tonnages to other ports. cargo carlied in Company ships as well as supplying the Iuel that powered them. During the colourful period of the famous West Coast colliers, none was better known than the ugly old \"Wingatui\", formerly the German ship \"Antwerpen\", taken over as part Such a Company interest came about when, in 1885, it purchased the business and of First World War reparations. When lightly loaded, she rode high out of the water plant of the Wellington company known as the Black Diamond Line. By this deal, and this feature, coupled with the low power of her triple expansion steam engines, Union Company acquired the Koronui coal mine near Westport and a fleet of five small steamers, all under 600 tons, employed in the carriage ol passengers, coal and general often gave cause for anxiety. cargo between the West Coast of the South lstand and the main ports of New Zealand. The major incident in her career in the company was an unscheduled tour of the North lsland in 1945. She left Wellington in ballast on May 25 and, when some distance Then in 1887, the westport coal company took over the Koronui mine and the from westport, struck heavy southwesterly weather which blew her as far North as New Union Company bought from it three small colliers, each of around 480 tons' This was Plymouth. She made an effort to turn south, but more gales were encountered and, as it a mutually satisfactory arrangement under which the Union Company undertook to use was not possible to berth at New Plymouth, she went round the North Cape to Auckland Westport coal for bunkering its steamers and to carry the Westport Coal Company's to refuel. output where required as freight' She left Auckland on June 3, but gales forced her to go to Napier for more fuel and, Later, in 1888, three coal mines in Greymouth were incorporated in a concern named although she left that port almost immediately, she was still off Castlepoint on June 19. the Grey Valley coal company Ltd, in which the Union company also gained a major Finally, she reached Wellington where, instead of discharging urgently needed coal interest, as well as acquiring from the original three mine owners a further four small cargo, she rebunkered in order to reach westport, taking, in all, 35 days to complete the vessels. trip to the West Coast coal fields' By these transactions the Company obtained a major footing in the coal carrying That was just one of the dramatic incidents involving vessets in the West Coast trade which formed for many years a large, if inconspicuous, part of its business-so coal trade, an interesting period in the Company's history. 32

\"Wingatui\" at Wellington. The Port ol Greymouth as it was on June 8, 1911. Ot the ships shown, six are lJnion Company. Three more Company vesse/s had sailed on the tide earlier the same day.

T . .t * iN 4\" u $ '* -. ffi ,f, ll t t a L, - '*r l'i,'S''\"'' i. i