Tuesday 26th September 2023
p.m.
Chairman Robin McCall 03 4159 288
Secretary Gary Beaumont 03 415 9169
Treasurer Sue Beaumont 03 415 9169
Newsletter Noeline Milne noeljoy@xtra.co.nz
Club Captain Branch Email southotago@vcc.org.nz
Vintage Car Club of NZ – South Otago Branch, Account number: 031734 0005630 00.
September 2023
Spring blooms, whitebaiting, tailing and garden tidy up – spring brings plenty to be going on with. Life is busier at Glencroft farm with the arrival of some wee calves to feed too. 14 members at the August meeting night where Gary reported on the A.G.M.
Francis Wayne Batt – better known to members and friends as “Battman” has sadly passed on 14th of this month. To Jan and their family we extend our deepest sympathy. Life threw many health challenges Wayne’s way but his determination kept him going. Wayne and Jan took an active part in Club activities over many years, always a willing helper when able. A cheeky smile, a friendly chat or hug when needed came easy to Wayne. He enjoyed tinkering with his vehicles, going out and about for holidays in the bus and entertaining folks on the ukulele.
Wednesday Run Report from Shelia & Jay
Held on 6th September with 8 cars on a beautiful calm day. Lovells Flat, Cross Rd, Adams Flat, Moneymore and back to Lovells Flat via Remote Road then on to Kaitangata.
The group stopped at the top of Cross Road to view the surrounding district from the Nuggets to Saddle Hill. Certainly great views on such a calm day. The Kaitangata tavern put on a great afternoon tea of mousetraps and Belgium biscuits to finish off a good outing.
Balclutha 1908 and opened bike shop opposite the railway station later the Clutha Carrying Co. and called Bell & Leeder. In 1926 John Ridgwell joined Prince Bell to become Bell & Ridgwell selling Citroen, Esses and Star cars.
John Ridgwell took over the business and moved to Clyde Street, which was the premises of R Groves, Coach Painter. John Ridgwell had motor franchises and they said he could not show new cars in the old building.
John Ridgwell built new showroom [now part of Clutha Health car park]
The South Otago Hotel site, originally owned by Import Stores was in 1914 Archie McEwan blacksmith and then taken over by MacKenzie and McSkimming as a motor garage and then in 1920 leased to Todd Brothers.
Andrew Aiken motor garage in William Street [now Elizabeth St] Marshall & Summers in 1910 were advertising bicycles. Hislop & Gibson were advertising a motor garage in 1918. Buchanan Motors was sold to Stewart Taylor opposite the fire bell [now Liquor Land] advertising Chevrolet, Pontiac and Oakland motor cars. They serviced Bill Lovie’s hearse looked after by Les Brooks. Les drove the early cars for
Mount Cook Motors, I tried to get this story from Les but he would not come forward with this. In the 1920’s Kean & Weddell had a garage at the rear of the Crown Hotel with the franchise for Dodge cars [later Otago Motors]
Neville King and Paul McNabb have been playing around with some old 8mm movie films, and have agreed to put on a short screening of some of them following the meeting this month.
These include some old clips of various car races, and items of local historical interest.
Robin reminds us the Annual Clutha Rally is on 11th November, all is in hand and we look forward to the day. Entry forms will be coming soon.
Coming Events
September 26th Monthly meeting
30th Dunvegan Rally
October 4th Wednesday Run
6, 7& 8th
McLean’s Island Swap Meet and Display
14th Auto Spectacular Dunedin – Theme is Car Sales
26th Monthly Meeting
Bill Cross shares some history of local Garages
When writing the history of Wilson Elliott I recorded the motor garages of the 1920’s. John Ridgwell opposite the bridge. Started with Prince Bell who arrived in
November 4th
11th
24 – 26
Kaitangata Car Show & Run
51st Annual Clutha Rally
Lawrence Rev, Rock & Hop event