16th May 1940
16th May 1940
After meeting the person who showed me over the university as arranged, we went over the museum. This is a building which has been built in commemoration of the men who lost their lives in the Great War. It is a beautiful building in every respect, and contains a wonderful collection of Maori curious, strange fish, Japanese and Australian carvings and war weapons, china, ships and last of all relics of the Great War. Coming back, Mr Malin wanted to show me the wooden pro[AA1] Cathedral, so we had rather a longer walk than we expected, and consequently, I very nearly missed my lunch.
This afternoon, I did a little shopping, but everything is so terribly expensive. Apparently having a labour government does not seem to have helped N.Z much. They have increased the wages, but the prices have gone up in consequence. Also the people are only allowed to work so many hours a week. It is impossible to get complete Board and Lodgings.
17th May 1940
Once more I met Mr Malin and this time we went for a long walk on the other side of Auckland city. Here we came to the town of Ponsonby – a suburb of Auckland. A very nice park overlooked the river, Waitemata harbour, and Cox’s creek. The scenery was very pretty and here again, it consisted mainly of distant hills and mountains. If it were all like the Great Barrier island which we passed coming in, it would be really worth while. Mr Malin by the way, has a great failing for trying to get himself run over. In the afternoon, I visited the library, art gallery, and old colonist’s museum, which are all in the same building. The art (if it can be called such) was of a very low standard indeed, but I suppose you would see not better in England. The English section was entirely “modern” art, and looked absolutely painful! There was one very good painting of a young lady done by some foreigner I think. The expression in the face, was “just it”.
One rather strange coincidence was a rather old painting of Moulin Huet[AA2] . I recognised it at once, even though it was in the 1800’s.
18th May 1940
This morning we had what I call a proper life-boat drill. The only trouble is, I wouldn’t like to do it if the ship was sinking. I think I’d prefer a raft. The method of lowering takes from five to ten minutes. When the boat reaches the water nobody knows what to do, so everything has to be sorted out while you’re bumping alongside the ship. After a little row round, and an effort at putting up the sail, we came back again to the blocks and tackle, to haul the boat up again – but we had to climb up a rope ladder. The thing sways about all over the place, it’s terrible. As soon as the boat drill was over, I went by myself to the same spot as yesterday, namely Ponsonby. I did a sketch, and came back via a games field. Here I saw a game of rugby in progress, so I stopped and watched it right through. It was a very good game but I would rather have been playing.
19th May 1940
It looks now as if I shall be unable to do any sketching from the top of Mt. Eden, because I started to go there this morning, but it rained hard, and we shall probably be leaving tomorrow. It has been raining on and off the whole day. We often have visitors come on board now – friends of the officers. Needless to say they are all young women, or girls. I am often asked why I don’t find a girl to go out with, but ….. It is amazing to think of all this cargo going on board, and yet we are still rationed! Because there is not only us, but dozens of other ships in other parts of the world. In Auckland alone, there are at least half a dozen British ships loading up. I wonder sometimes how N.Z manages to produce so much butter, beef and lamb.
We have taken on so far over 40,000 large boxes of butter, and don’t know how many 1,000’s of beef and mutton. That’s not counting loads of tallow, cheese and a mixed cargo!
Everyone on board is worried about the situation. I can’t help wondering why I haven’t received another letter, because I know there has been a post because others have received letters. I wouldn’t mind so much if I had never heard, but it’s because I was told I would hear again, that I keep expecting a letter.
20th May 1940
This morning I went for another walk with Mr Malin, along the water-front and up round the back of the city. In the afternoon, I did some miscellaneous shopping. News came through at 12 o’clock, that Mr Gamlin[AA3] or General Gamlin, had been “given the boot”. I don’t expect we shall sail for Waicockapoo[AA4] afer all. More likely straight for Napier. We seem to be very fortunate when we leave port; we always have a lovely “full-blooded” moon. It’s a glorious night; all is quiet excepting for the the quiet throb of the engines. Tomorrow ought to see us at Napier. Somewhere about 4 or 5 o’clock, I should think.
The wireless room has had it’s seal broken, and the aerial had to be fixed. I of course had to do that! Nice work if you can do it without falling off the roof of the cabin! All being well, I shall go on watch at midnight.
My drawing seems to have got me into a little trouble, because the 3rd mate has asked me to do a drawing of a house at which he has been staying in Auckland. I’ve got to do it from a snapshot. He says leaving Auckland is as bad as leaving home.
21st May 1940
We arrived at Napier at 3 o’clock this afternoon. We have been in sight of the coast all the way, excepting for one or two hours when we have passed certain gulfs.
The whole of the coastal scenery was mountainous, and deep shadows were thrown by the sharp rocks; when the sun shone. It was all very nice and pleasant. I found it a real change to get to sea again, and it certainly makes me sleep better. I finished the drawing for the third mate and he seems very pleased with it – can’t think why.
As I think I mentioned before, Napier was the scene of a great earthquake in 1931. One is still able to see the falls of cliff and rock, where people are still buried. The roads simply opened and cars and occupants were buried; yet they still live here! Napier is what they call an anchorage port. By that I mean that instead of going alongside a wharf, we anchor out, and have the cargo brought to us. The scenery here is far more how I expected it would be. Lovely grassy slopes on the coast, and as you look further inland, huge mountains, standing out in deep relief.
22nd May 1940
The freighters came with the cargo at about 9 o’çlock. The ships derricks unload the cargo from the freighters and put it into the ship’s holds. A very swell has been on most of the day, but has now quietened down. It has been chilly enough to want to put a pullover on, but not what one would really call cold.
I passed the morning away by drawing, and this afternoon I had a long talk with one of the engineers. He has let me a book on psychology. He had not been home for 16 months. He lives in New Zealand, and has a wife out here. He took up this job so as to see his mother in England. He had not seen her for 14 years. He thinks he will take a farm in New Zealand after the war. His chief hobby is English and self-culture, and he seems to have got a good many books on the subject. The trouble with sea men is, that they have no real interest. Their minds are very narrow, and the lack of a hobby, causes them to become after a time, a very uninteresting sort of person to converse with. Their idea of politics is pitiful. All they are good at is getting drunk!
23rd May 1940
The sun has shone brilliantly all day today. It is surprising what a difference it made to the scenery. One can see how the hills and mountains were affected by the earthquake. Great gaps and hollows can be seen everywhere and these cast deep shadows when the sun is very bright. The chief stevedores and some other gentleman, have dinner with us and from their conversation, I learn that the N.Z farmers are giving up dairy farming, and are taking to sheep farming. This is primarily due to the fact that the labour government will not now allow children to leave school and milk the cows; consequently there is a shortage of labour. This is rather serious in view of the fact that neither Holland or Belgium can supply us with butter. Another point concerned the ordinary people themselves. He said that they did not realise the seriousness of the situation, and so consequently would do so when it was too late! The news came through today of total conscription. I imagine this will effect a few people at home! I suppose Iris will not have to leave her job now. Maybe, Mary will take up nursing! Perhaps Dad will join the land army! Mum maybe an ARP warden and I’ll continue to enjoy myself!!
24th May 1940
I read “The Mystery of Sir William Wolf”.
Rumours are still very rive I am afraid. The chief one is that we are going to Suez as a food ship for the troops, for 2 years – without going home! This does not alarm me much, as it is only a rumour. But every meal time brings a fresh piece of political news or rumour. They even talk themselves into frenzied worry for absolutely no reason at all. Instead of going from here to Waicockapoo [AA5] today, as before arranged, we are going straight to Wellington tomorrow. Considering it is supposed to be middle winter out here, we have had three remarkable days of fine weather. The sun has shone each day and the moon and stars have come out at night, and lit (lighted) up the dark waters. In the early mornings the sun has shone on the mountains and hills, casting deep, sharp shadows. And made the snow capped mountains in the distance, look more blue than even the artists would have you believe!
25th May 1940
Today has proved to be another lovely day, and I have spent all the morning just sitting in a deck-chair, on deck, reading “The Pitcairn’s Island”. The afternoon was spent in overhauling and cleaning the wireless gear. Apparently Germany now occupy Boulogne. Also they have bombed Yorkshire. It was not until seven o’clock that we were able to get away, instead of six o’clock. This was chiefly the fault of the stevedores who seemed to take as long as they could. The stevedores in Wellington have decided after much questioning, to make a great national effort, and work all day Sunday (tomorrow), so that we can get away a day earlier, because we shall be in Wellington at 7.30am. They tell me a German aircraft carrier is operating somewhere down in the South Pacific. That’s what you think! I am wondering if I shall be able to find where Mrs Nickerson lives.
26th May 1940
We arrived off Pencarrow Head at about 8 o’clock (am). Squalls of rain were pouring down, aided by a 60 m.p.h gale. However we managed to slip in during one of the quieter moments. It did not leave off raining until just before lunch, so I delayed going ashore until afternoon. The first thing I made up my mind to do, was to find where Mrs Nickerson lived. I found it without much difficulty, but walked a long way. When I got there I saw a lady just about to leave. It turned out that she was her sister, and that Mrs Nickerson (now Mrs Topless) had moved to a xxxx[AA6] 20 miles from New Plymouth. However, as she was doing nothing she offered to take me in her car for a ride round Wellington. We went inland all through the hills and mountains, occasionally breaking out again onto the rugged coastline. It was a lovely afternoon’s trip and gave me a far better impression of N.Z. as a country than I had hither to had.
27th May 1940
This morning it poured with rain again, so I was unable to go ashore, and had to be content with drawing. It cleared up just before lunch however, so in the afternoon I explored the actual city, and bought one or two odds and including 14lbs of sugar! Quite close to where our ship is docked, is the new Wellington Railway Station. It really is a magnificent building, and beats anything to be seen in England in the way of Railway stations. Inside there is a large hall which is laid out in marble (probably imitation) and all signs such as “BOOKING OFFICE” are done in neon lighting. One can definitely see the difference between Wellington and London, because of the more modern buildings. At times, it looks almost like New York. So does Auckland for that matter. The Wellington broadcasting station is 12 miles out of the city, because of the surrounding hills, which would prevent any respectable broadcasting.
All being well, we shall start the homeward trip on Wednesday evening. The men actually managed to work up to midnight, but all the time you hear them grumbling away as hard as they could go.
28th May 1940
This morning was fine, but a very cold wind was blowing, so I decided to have a walk round the Botanical Gardens, and perhaps do a sport of sketching somewhere. It was a long climb up the hill, before I got there, but it was well worth it. Only part of the grounds is laid out. The other, although it has tarred paths, consists mostly of trees and shrubs. The paths wind round and round until eventually you arrive at the summit where the meteorological observatory is situated. It was from here that I did a sketch. Next I went up a hill on the opposite side of the road, and this was even higher. The naval wireless station is right at the top. A magnificent view is obtained, especially when it is clear and sunny.
We are taking a passenger on board – and it’s a lady! Rumour has it that she is 17 or 18 years old, and is going to marry in England. I don’t know about the age, but I am pretty certain she is going to marry (all right, you needn’t worry Mary!). Rain, Rain, Rain and Hail. It is improbable that we shall leave tomorrow. They wanted to leave tonight.
29th May 1940
The third made asked me if I would get him some butter and sugar, as he could not get ashore whenever he liked like I could. I hope he doesn’t start taking advantage of me or I will have to refuse. He also asked me if I would do another drawing like the last one, because he had given the other one to the owner of the house! Anyway it will be something to do. At the moment I am in the midst of doing at least 4 drawings, so I shall be busy yet a while. Instead of sailing tonight – as we had hoped – we shall not be sailing until Thursday night. That means a whole day wasted. I am still wondering why I have not heard from home again, yet.
30th May 1940
I think I have walked all over Wellington this morning just buying butter, and sending telegrams for various people. Although I have walked over Wellington’s main streets nearly every day, I could not see a shop where they sold art instruments. I think there is only one shop in the whole town. I only wanted one paint brush, and, eventually, got it.
The last two days have seen a complete change in the weather and this can certainly be a very pleasant place in fine weather. Although I have not found anybody to agree with me yet, I think Wellington is far better than Auckland.
The smoking room has now been opened, and cane chairs and tables are in the hall. All this for one passenger!
We have got away a little sooner than expected – namely 11 o’clock. We now have the long trek to Panama ahead of us, but we shall always have the feeling that we are nearing home all the time.
31st May 1940
This morning the sea was pretty rough, and as we are very low in the water now, the waves came up the side of the ship as hire as the lower deck! She rolls very badly now, but I like it for it sends me to sleep at night. I saw our passenger for the first time, at lunch-time. She is young and good looking, has a pale face, and a high-pitched voice. She said she felt just a little sick. Today the clock has gone back 24 hrs, so really it is still Thursday, or tomorrow, which every way you like to look at it.
I listened to the news this morning for the first time for several days. Apparently the R.A.F have succeeded in bringing down 70 enemy planes – “and all our craft returned safely!!!”. The navy too, has been doing some good work, but this time – “with the inevitable loss of three destroyers and several small craft”.
Apparently, we should be home on July 2nd 1940.
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