To Ikawai - cars 2

Georgina was born in Methven, in November 1942. The family (Betty, Ian, and Roderick ) had completed a first post-college teaching position in which Father was a sole teacher at Mungamoana, North of Kaikoura. Father's next wartime posting was as sole teacher at  Ikawai,  South Canterbury, on the banks of the Waitaki river. This was to be for nearly 3 years.

Ian and George, saving fuel on a hinting trip

But first the family had to get there, from Methven.  Fortunately we had a sturdy car - a 1932 Baby Austin. Its credentials had been proven on deer hunting trips when Ian and his brother-in-law George Smith (Uncle Seoras as we knew him - gaelic for George)  escaped in to the mountains around Hutt, Mayfield, and the Upper Rakaia.  As you can see from the image, a baby Austin is not quite a Hummer, but never-the-less got the job done.

Baby Austins are not the biggest household transporters. And McKay seniors, were not the smallest of people, even in those days.  But at the beginning of 1943 the family of 4 headed South with family belongings packed in and tied on. The back seat was removed, luggage piled almost to the roof, leaving only a small space for new baby Georgina to fit, trunks were on the back, and the load on top was itself kept in place by a lashed on baby's cot. Fortunately the drive down coincided with good weather.  Just goes to prove that you don't really need whoozie trappings as ABS, auto gears, parking aids. Of course with all the luggage air bags were not necessary.

By all accounts, the arrival of the southern safari in Ikawai occasioned much fascinated interest i local circles. This dramatic entrance augured well - the time at Ikawai was one of great pleasure for Ian and Betty, and cemented in many life-long friendships

Before loading - Jessie, Nana McKay, Roderick, Betty at Dalmore

Transport - cars 1

My first car was a train. Following a trip into Methven in the engine cab of a coal fired train, in about 1944, I was rewarded with a train of my own, or rather with a train engine.  Not quite the same as the one that plied the Rakaia -  Methven run (long since closed), mine was made out of a wooden nail box, with the round bits (wheels and smoke stack) cut from an old mangle roller. It was about 2 feet long and plied lines through long grass behind the Ikawai School house.

Artists representation. Imagine the smoke steam and noise!

The family moved to Ikawai in c. 1944 where Father was posted on a temporary wartime placement as school teacher.  Ikawai was successful posting, with Betty and Ian slotting in seamlessly to a very supportive rural community.

I thought that one organising principle could be around the various vehicles in the family, and the times they were in. This is the first in the 'cars' series. The next will look at the trip down to Ikawai from Christchurch.