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Nelson Historical Society Journal, Volume 06, Issue 01, 1996

Early Motoring Memories of a Nelson Chauffeur

Early Motoring Memories of a Nelson Chauffeur

page 35

A motorist who knows much of early motoring in Nelson and the surrounding districts is Mr A. Guy, now of Bunnythorpe, Manawatu. Mr Guy was brought up a Nelsonian and lived as a boy at Brookside, in the city. On a recent visit Mr Guy was interested to seek out his old home, through which he was taken by the present occupier.

Mr Guy called on the Automobile Association and a pleasant half hour was spent in recalling early motoring days. Photographs on the walls of the members' room brought back many experiences.

Mr Guy was employed as a chauffeur to Mr Jenny, better known possibly as Count Jenny. Mr Jenny was one of the first motorists in the district and lived for some time in Cambria street, close to the residence of the late Mr G.M. Rout.

His First Charges

Mr Guy's first charge was a Thorneycroft single cylinder car on gig wheels with solid tyres. This was in about 1905. Later came an Alldays and Onions, a twin cylinder vehicle of 8 h.p. on pneumatic tyres. Pneumatics, though they improved the riding qualities, were for a time a doubtful benefit on account of their poor wearing qualities. Punctures and blowouts were numerous but as the quality improved the advantages over the old solids were very obvious. There were no windscreens in those days and goggles were worn in dry weather for the dust and in wet weather for the rain. Mr Guy recalled many country trips with Mr Jenny. The Rai Valley was visited frequently. The Whangamoa Saddle was then little better than a track through the bush. The surface was poor and frequently rutted by the narrow treads of the wagon wheels which brought timber out from the valleys. Mr Guy had something to say about the destruction of the timber on the Saddle. It was a beautiful run in those days but little of that beauty now remains.

A trip to Motueka or Moutere in anything but really dry weather called for chains on the wheels for the section over the hills. Bogging in clay was not uncommon. What a contrast with the conditions we have to-day!

Mr W. W. Squires may remember what Mr Guy states was that gentleman's first ride in a car. A day had been spent at the Tadmor Sports and it was arranged that Mr Jenny should use Mr Squire's rail ticket, while the latter should ride home as passenger in the car. It was on this trip that Mr Guy received the first of two tips which he got in the whole of his career as a chauffeur. On setting his passenger down at his residence in Nile Street five shillings changed hands. It is not revealed whether it was out of appreciation of the trip or whether the passenger was glad to get down onto solid land again. Anyway it was not long before Mr page 36Squires became one of Nelson's ardent motorists so it may be assumed that the trip made a favourable impression.

In answer to a question regarding fuels Mr Guy replied, "The old Yellow Label Pratts was in most country stores as soon as a few cars got on the roads." The name of Yellow label must bring back memories to some of our older motorists.

One of the chauffeur's jobs was to carry Mr Jenny's camera on the trips. The Count was an ardent photographer but his gear was heavy and cumbersome compared with the cameras of to-day. It was no small load to carry up some of the tracks in the Ronga Valley and such places.

Interested in Boating

Mr Jenny was interested in boating, too. He sent his chauffeur to Wellington to superintend the transhipping of the hull of the Naumai III at Wellington. This boat was 36 feet in length and was built by Baileys in Auckland, and was fitted with her machinery by the Anchor Company in Nelson. The engine was a 28 hp Gardiner. The fittings were said to be of the best, and the cabin was panelled in mottled kauri. In this craft many cruises were made round the bays and to the Sounds.

On the arrival of the Rakaia, the first overseas steamer to come through the new cut, Mr Jenny put the launch at the disposal of the Harbour Board. The Pilot. Mr Cox (who normally was conveyed to the boats in a row boat) was taken up the bay to Mackay's Bluff to meet the Rakaia. That was a gala day for Nelson, said Mr Guy.

Mr Guy recalled as early motorists the names of Messrs W.G. Vining and Frank Moore and Drs Gibbs, Lucas and Barr.

After leaving the service of Mr Jenny, Mr Guy was employed for some considerable period by Sir George Shirtliff in Wellington.

Source:

Nelson Evening Mail 24 May 1941.