Gangway No.1 Spring 1976 - BlueStarLine.org

Watson as their Shipping Manager in 1954,
thereby beginning what proved to be a
very happy and efficient representation of
both Blue Star and Port Line's interests.
In 1963, Norman and his wife Jessie
visited the UK, Scandinavia, South Africa,
and Australia as guests of Blue Star Line,
an experience he says he will never forgetand
one which proved of great value in his
work during the years to follow.
Norman is currently a Director and
Deputy Chairman of J E \X1atson and an
elected member of the Southland Harbour
Board and will continue in these positions
after his retirement. In addition, he will
still be looking for spare time [0 devote to
the Invercargill Orphans Choir, of which
he is both conductor and accompanist, and
also to take [0 the skies (he is the holder of
a private pilot's licence).
Norman recently travelled to Wellington,
accompanied by his wife, to attend a
function held in his honour with Senior
Management of Blueport and ACT. Mr K
H Church ouse presented him with a
watch, purchased from contributions
received from his colleagues throughout
New Zealand. We all wish Norman and
Jessie many years of happy retirement.
How cricket got its name
Sunday 1'f pecember 1975 turned out to be
a hot, sunny, tranquil day with most of the
local populace going about their peaceful
pursuits and taking full advantage of the
balmy atmosphere. I emphasise 'most',
for there was a band of characters on the
loose intent on doing battle, causing the
peace to be disturbed by the sounds of
splitting wickets and rending the air with
their fearsome blood-curdling cries of
'OWIZEE?' or, for the short of breath,
'OWZAT?!' Yes, the gentlemen of Blueport
were pitting their skills against their
contemporaries from ACT at the noble
game of cricket.
Blueporr was first to bat and made
steady progress thanks to a very fine halfcentury
from Captain John Mould, ably
supported by scores of 21 each from Mr D
1 Binnic and Martin Smith. The rest
of the team all swished purposefully to
avoid any 'ducks', and managed to add
valuable contributions to the scoreboard.
The last Blueporr wicket fell at 178, aided
by the consistency of the ACT bowlers
and their persistence in doing things in
duplicate: Don McKernan took two
wickets for four runs, Trevor Munro two
for eight, David Gill two for 14, and
David Newton two for 28.
Sheet-anchor
This consistency continued throughout
ACT's innings, and proved to be the
decisive factor in producing the required
number of runs. Peter Churchill and
Richard McKenzie both top-scored with
33, while the Captain, Bob Curtis, played
a sheet-anchor role to score 25 not out,
steering his side to victory at a time when
Blueport were really rampaging through
the wickets.
The outstanding bowlers for Blueport
were Mr D I Binnie, who spun out two
batsmen for no runs before spinning himself
out with a twisted knee, and Bill
Smith, who performed like a dervish just
captured from the bush, producing two
wides, one-no-ball and three wickets for
21 runs.
On the following Monday it was painfully
obvious how the game derived its
name, for most players were suffering from
twinges in JUSt about every part of the
anatomy that was designed to move. The
object of the game could easily have been
interpreted as 'if it moves--crick it!' Oh,
by the way, ACT won by just 1 wicket.
A firsl-class evening
On 19 December the Con 2 Club once
again held a highly successful Christmas
Party at the Wellington Overseas Passenger
Terminal. All ACT and Blueport staffmembers,
together with their partners,
were invited, as also were those evergreen
pensioners who continue to thrive in the
kind Wellington climate. There was
dancing for the energetic, followed by a
scrumptious Buffet Supper. A first-class
evening, throughly enjoyed by all.
Children's Chrislmas Parly
Numerous junior members of staff families,
including grandchildren, are convinced
that Father Christmas's Wellington pad is
on the fourth floor of the IBM Building.
The annual pilgrimage to this office took
place on 6 December. Excited children
(dragging their parents) took the lift to the
foyer, where they entered a darkened room
to view Batman, Micky Mouse, and
Donald Duck. Parents waited for their
children in the Luncheon Room where
they admired the wonderful spread of
chippies, peanuts, popcorn, sandwiches,
saveloys, and chocolate biscuits organised
by the Social Committee.
Peace reigned for an hour. Then, armed
with paper hats, trumpets, and whistles the
little darlings descended on the goodies
like a cloud of locusts.
To continue [he programme, a lolly
scramble lured them into the beautifully
decorated Santaland where they sat in
anticipation of the coming of Santa.
Heralded by a carol and a loud 'ha ho' the
genial gent arrived, warming up the
audience with his cheerful patter.
Santa sat down and called each child up
to receive a present. Some were timid,
some were brash, but all enjoyed the great
moment of sitting on his knee and receiving
the gift. But all too soon it was over, and
weary and worn the tired parents dragged
their excited charges home, clutching their
presents to their bosoms.
Resignation
Mr G D Cook has resigned from his
position as Branch Manager of our
Christchurch Office in order to devote his
full time to a private venture (which is not
connected with shipping).
Mr Cook has spent 30 years in the
Industry. He started with Parr Line as an
apprentice in 1946, came ashore in 1949,
and spent four years in London Head
Office. Then he moved to Wellington
where he served a further five years before
transferring to Christchurch.
Mr Cook was appointed Branch Manager
on the formation of a Blueport Office in
Christchurch in 1971. All his colleagues
throughout New Zealand wish him well in
his new venture.
Appointment
Mr P A Spratley has been appointed
Manager of Blueport's Christchurch
Branch with effect from 1 February 1976.
Mr Spratley joined Port Line in London
in 1958, gaining considerable experience in
both Inward and Outward Freight
Departments.
He was transferred to ACT in London
in 1968 and spent two years there, involved
with marketing activities, before emigrating
to New Zealand and joining
Blueport Auckland as a Marketing Officer.
He gained promotion to the position of
Marketing Manager in March 1975.
Birth
We congratulate Colin Elms (Chief
Officer Timaru Star) and his wife, Clare,
on the birth of thei son, Jonathan
Stephen, on 7 December 1975. Clare (nee
Bazalo) will be remembered by many in
Wellington Office where she used to work
as a private secretary.
19