New Zealand Postcard Society (Inc) Directory Patron Chas Lilley: P O Box 372 New Plymouth chas@stampshop.co.nzPresident Jeff Long: 160 Soleares Ave, Mt.Pleasant, Christchurch 8081 jeff.long@paradise.net.nz (03) 3848463Vice-President Laurence Eagle: 55 Ravensdale Rise, Westmorland, Christchurch (03)332 4238Secretary-Treasurer Donal Duthie: 5 Ellerslea Lane, Feilding 4702 (06) 323 8527 donalduthie@paradise.net.nzSales Mgr/Auctioneer Chris Rabey 55 Apuka Street, Brooklyn, Wellington (04)384 9293 ships.pubs@paradise.net.nz‘Annual’ Editor Bill Main: 93 Burma Road, Wellington 6035 (04)971 3535 wmain@paradise.net.nzCommittee Geoff Potts: 102 Fox Road, Wanganui pottsfamily00@hotmail.com Ray Staal: Villa 73 Summerset Village, 40 Burton Avenue, Wanganui John Eccles: PO Box 1174, Wellington. john.eccles@xtra.co.nz Chas Lilley (details above) The Postcard Pillar News & Views is produced three times a year under the editorship of Jeff Long and Laurence Eagle. Contributions are very welcome at any time; please email or post to Jeff Long (details above) Membership of the Society can be obtained by sending a cheque for $35 (families $40, overseas $NZ40) payable to N.Z. Postcard Society Inc. to the Secretary-Treasurer, with your name & address, telephone number, email address and collecting interests

Editorial: This is the third edition of the Postcard Pillar News & Views. Many thanks for the kind remarks and suggestions we received for our first effort – much appreciated. Remember we need your contributions, preferably in electronic format, but it is perfectly fine if this is not possible. The main aim is to get your words and pictures and ideas out to our membership.

From the Committee:

The 2009 Postcards Convention weekend will be held in Christchurch on Sept 26 and 27. The event itself will be held at the Philatelic Rooms at 67 Mandeville St, Riccarton. The nearby Riccarton Village Inn is at 106 Mandeville St, and we have negotiated a discount rate which is available if you say you are from the NZ Postcard Society. The rate is $79 for a single and $89 for a twin or double; both figures include GST and a continental breakfast.

freephone 0800 323 747

E: stay@christchurch-hotel.com

WEB: www.christchurch-hotel.com

At the Annual Meeting, we will need to appoint a new Secretary and Treasurer, as Donal has indicated he would like to step down. We have received offers, which is great!

Cover illustration

Our thanks to member Paul Wales, who has provided a beautiful Antarctic card for our cover. See Paul’s article on page 3, and look out for the enclosed label kindly provided by Klaus Pedersen !

Postcard Society Convention 2009

67 Mandeville St, Christchurch

Sept 26/27 Note your diary now!!

Fry’s Pure Cocoa & Chocolate postcard

This postcard, provided by Paul Wales of Classic Stamps, features on our front cover this issue, and beautifully demonstrates the full colour chromo-litho printing.

The card is one of a group produced by various publishers to promote products using Captain Scott’s second expedition to Antarctica to capture the public’s attention.

Other postcards in a similar vein were produced at this time, competing for the domestic and commercial markets, including:

Shell Motor Spirit.
Coopers Marmalade.

These cards are all scarce.

This Fry’s card is particularly remarkable because of its perfect condition. Used copies are rare.

The address side had two endorsements (in brown) for J. S. Fry & Sons Ltd by Scott, one dated 30^th October 1909 and the other, at ‘Winter Quarters, Cape Evans’ on the 23^rd January 1911.

A 1987 reproduction of this card was produced by ‘Mumbles’ and is clearly labelled as a reproduction.

[Ed: Klaus Pedersen also owned an example of this card at one time, and reproduced it as a small label. With thanks to Klaus, an example is enclosed with this Postcard Pillar]

New Zealand’s 140-Year Link to GMT

By Gerard Morris

Some History

New Zealand in the early 1860s was experiencing rapid growth, no area more so than the Middle Island (not called the South Island yet). Provincial Governments ruled the day and when calculating time each town or village used its own apparent local solar time. There was therefore a high degree of autonomy for each centre. This changed however with the construction of our country's telegraph network, which, for the first time, created a direct link to the new seat of the Central Government in Wellington.

In 1867 the local Provincial Governments were abolished, Wellington assumed control and in the early months of 1868 imposed Wellington Time on the whole country. This however was unpopular in the Middle Island and on 2 September, that year, Parliament debated the issue. The result was that New Zealand Mean Time would be introduced to the Colony. They approached Dr. James Hector (later Sir) to make the calculations.

Sir James Hector

Sir James Hector KCMG, Order of Golden Crown (Germany), FRS, FRS (Edinburgh) FRGS, Lyell Medal (Geological Society), and MD. Geologists annually commemorate his birthday 16 March 1834 – Hector Day – with field trips to many areas of New Zealand. He died in Wellington on 6 November 1907.

James Hector was born in Edinburgh, Scotland and graduated in medicine from the University of Edinburgh in 1856 at the age of 22. He studied botany and zoology and is believed to have also had training in geology. In 1857 his potential was recognised in the recommendation by Sir Roderick Murchison to the appointment to the position of surgeon, geologist and naturalist on John Palliser’s expedition to western Canada. During this expedition, Hector proposed the establishment of time zones. In his 1860 report to the Canadian Government he stressed, that given the large size of the country, a new system of time measurement was necessary. Clocks, he recommended, should change at equal intervals of an hour for a person journeying east or west across the North American continent. The minutes and seconds would remain unchanged. Hector was the first in the world to advocate the use of hourly time zones.

To New Zealand

Hector’s life in New Zealand began in 1862 when as a 27-year-old he began his appointment as director of the Geological Survey of Otago. In 1865 the New Zealand Exhibition in Dunedin displayed his maps and collections. This brought him to the attention of the central government, which was at this time looking to establish a colonial geological survey. Following extensive discussions he was, later that same year, appointed to positions which had just been created: that of government scientist and director of both the Geological Survey and Colonial Museum in Wellington.

A brief note about his calculations

Two pages (48-49) of the Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute, 1868, Vol.I. were devoted to explaining how New Zealand time was calculated. Under the heading On New Zealand Mean Time Hector wrote, “The author explained that it had been decided by the Legislature to establish, by statute, a mean time for the whole colony. This resolution had so many advantages that it was needless to discuss them; the only question to be decided was, what time should be used.”

Hector calculated that New Zealand, including the small islands, which form its dependencies, lies between the meridians: 178° 36¢ 5² east of Greenwich,

166° 26¢ 30² ” ”.

The average meridian is therefore: 172° 31¢ 17.5² east of Greenwich.

A detailed listing of the meridians of our country’s ports was also supplied. He recommended that the meridian of 172° 30¢ east, be taken, as it was a close approximation to the average longitude for the colony and being an even number, will be most suitable for the purpose of enabling mariners to compare the errors of their chronometers, on mean Greenwich time.

Government Approval

The Government approved the recommendations and laid them before the House of Representatives, which on 31 October 1868 formally announced in the New Zealand Gazette (p.505) the time in the colony to be exactly 11 ½ hours ahead of GMT.

Exactly two months after Parliament’s debate it was instituted. On Monday 2 November 1868, a report appeared in The Star (Christchurch). “Mean Time. We remind our readers that New Zealand mean time has, by resolution of the General Assembly, been in force at all the public offices, banks, &c [etc], throughout New Zealand since noon this day. The correct time may be ascertained from the clocks at the Telegraph office, which are corrected daily from Wellington.”

The Wellington telegraph office received a signal from the Wellington observatory which it turn transmitted to post offices and railway stations by Morse Code at 9 am each day.

Our Government's decision meant that New Zealand was the first country in the world to officially adopt Greenwich as the Prime Meridian. Sweden followed on 1 January 1879 and is GMT plus 1 hour. Although most businesses were using GMT in the British Isles from the 1850s, the Legal System refused to do so until an Act of Parliament was passed on 2 August 1880. The rest of the world did not agree until Chester A. Arthur, the President of United States, instigated a meeting in October 1884. This meeting confirmed Greenwich as the Prime Meridian and recognised the need for time zones. There are 29 time zones today.

New Zealand’s permanent addition of half an hour on 1 January 1946 saw it changed to 12 hours ahead. It is now referred to as New Zealand Standard Time.

The meridian passes through Christchurch, in particular McLean’s Island, Yaldhurst, Islington, and the Selwyn District – to the west of Prebbleton and the east of Lincoln.

The Postcard

200 were published and date stamped on November 2 2008 to celebrate the 140^th anniversary. The card features a portrait of Sir James Hector. Nine cards, on the picture side, bear the 8c stamp of Hector originally published to celebrate the centennial of the Royal Society of New Zealand in 1967.

The 140^th anniversary logo, on the reverse side, features a drawing of half the face of the Kendall K-1 chronometer as used by Captain James Cook on his second and third voyages to New Zealand and the South Pacific.

The main photo on the card is of the Southern Cross, hence 100 have a franked 50c stamp on reverse side of the Southern Cross that was issued in 2007.

On the picture side, the upper image of New Zealand uses a ship’s sextant to show north, whilst the lower is a close up of the meridian bisecting South Island. It misses the North Island completely.

Dr. Tim Armstrong, the Director of the New Zealand Time Service, Wellington, kindly signed 25 cards. Five of these cards bear the Hector Stamp.

69 cards were signed by Phyllis Souter (nee Burns). She lived in the Lyttelton Time Ball Station with her parents from 1932 (aged 12) to 1941 (aged 21). Her father, Jack Burns, was time ball keeper during this period. Four of the cards bear the Hector stamp.

Phyllis, now 89, lives in Barrington, Christchurch.

[Ed: the card is available from Shades Stamp Shop – see back cover for contact details]

Book review by Bruce Isted - Edwardian Wellington Photographs by Joseph Zachariah

Title: Edwardian Wellington Photographs by Joseph Zachariah Author: William (Bill) Main Copyright Date: 2009 Publisher: Exposures, 93 Burma Road, Wellington 6035, NZ. Printer: H & A Design and Print, Wanganui ISBN: 978-0-9597836-1-2 Type of Book: Non-Fiction Format: 230 x 210 mm (not quite A4 size), perfect bound, 155 pages with 190 duotone photographs with extended captions. (NB. Duotone is when the printer puts a pale cream down first and then the black and white image on top. This reproduces the fact that most photographic papers in the first half of the 20th century had a paper with a solution that resembled a milky tone - not white. It makes the photo leap off the page!) RRP: $50 ($37 for NZ Postcard Society members – includes postage/packing).

As many of you know, Bill is one of New Zealand‟s pre-eminent photographic historians. Since 1972 he has written and published several interesting and useful books (mostly on photographs, with the last 4 on postcards). This is the first major book in New Zealand devoted to a postcard photographerpublisher. Only the 19th century photographers: Kinder, Burton and Valentine have had books of any consequence devoted to them before this. The nearest apart from the current Zak is the Radcliffe numerical photocopied catalogue the NZ Postcard Society published in 2008. While I am no historian, nor do I have any particular extensive knowledge on postcards and photographs; after reading this book I totally agree with Bill‟s concluding statement about “Zak” on page 18, „Although I admit I am biased as far as Zachariah is concerned, I have no doubt that he will assuredly stand out when it comes to making a decision concerning his inclusion in a hypothetical pantheon of NZ photography‟.

The author‟s purpose in writing this book is very clear and he has chosen his subject well. This is seen in the “Introduction” by Hugh Price. While there are other books around that cover Wellington‟s history in general and also show some illustrations, there has been no definitive research compiled on one of Wellington‟s leading photographers during the Edwardian era; ie Joseph Zachariah (born 1867 Hokitia, died 1965 Wellington), commonly known by the name of “Zak”. His main career as a photographer was from 1907-1915 and he was a man of many talents as can be read from the life and times section on him from pages 3-18. As the Edwardian period coincided with the popular postcard collecting, Zak certainly capitalised on the situation and issued limited editions of real photo postcards, which featured all manner of activities and events mainly in the Wellington region. This development is seen in the book from pages 19-144 – split into three logical and flowing sections/chapters: Edwardian Wellington, Edwardian Events and Edwardian Recreations. The book finishes with a useful section, “Appendices” that cover: Zachariah‟s Free Lance Photos; Other Publications; Dating Zak Photographs; Acknowledgments; References & Sources – plenty of them which indicates the author has done some extensive background reading and research for this book. Furthermore, without the assistance of several postcard enthusiasts this book may never have been published.

The book will appeal to many people, especially those that have a close association with Wellington as well as postcard and/or photograph collectors. Moreover, Zak‟s photographs have the same appeal today as they did when they were made 100 hundred years ago. The style of writing (which is easily understood) with consistent fonts, plus extensive topics along with many illustrations (several enlarged and spread across two pages), plus good use of white space makes the measure of a good book. In my opinion a good book is always if you want to keep reading it instead of putting it down. If you have not purchased your copy of this quality book, then I recommend you seriously think about it. It is great value for money! PS. Already Bill is busy compiling his next big project – writing a book Wellington through a Victorian Lens – Revisited. (See last page in the Zak book.) I‟m sure it will be popular with readers.

[Ed: the postcard images of Cromwell are on the opposite page]

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The SS Penguin

Further to the short article on page 10 of the March 2009 issue of Postcard Pillar, my thanks to Laurie Dale who has pointed out that the SS Penguin was on the scheduled Nelson-Picton-Wellington run at the time of its wrecking. He adds that the photograph on the postcard (Negotiating the French Pass) would have been taken on the Picton-Nelson leg of the voyage. French Pass was the haunt of Pelorus Jack. In his letter Laurie also refers to a book by Bruce E Collins titled “The Wreck of the Penguin.”

B G Vincent.

Frimley Orchards

By ‘Safari’

While I am sure everyone knows of Watties, formed in 1934, later Wattie Industries and now Heinz Watties, I am unaware of any advertising postcards issued by that company. However, some readers may not be acquainted with the Frimley Canning Factory, 1904-1913, which produced at least two different cards promoting their activities.

Mr J N Williams is given credit for establishing the first orchard in the Hastings area; it extended from the cemetery and bordered Orchard Road. An extensive pear orchard was established and 60 acres of peas were planted. A cannery started operations in an old woolshed on the Frimley Estate, on Frimley Road on the eight side about 100 metres toward Omahu Road. It provided employment in the busy season for 80 women and girls. Girls started at 12/6d a week, rising to 17/6d a week, and any overtime was paid at 9d an hour. A 12 hour day was worked in the season.

The cannery was known as Frimleys. It commenced operations in Jan 1904 and closed in 1913 due to transport and labour difficulties, and the plant was sold to Fitzpatrick & Co of Nelson. Approximately £12,000 was spent to open the factory, and in the first year of production, 150,000 cans of peaches, pears, apricots and fruit pulp were manufactured.

The Hastings Standard of 19.3.1907 reported that ‘Mr E Basil Jones has received a telegram stating that the Frimley Canning Factory had received at the Christchurch Exhibition a gold medal for jams and canned fruits, and a silver medal for their ketchup exhibit.’

The card below promotes the quality of their products; this particular example was posted on 19.9.1911. Approximately a hundred years later, in 2006, the Hastings Exhibition Centre arranged an exhibition which ran between 1 Sept 2006 and 18 March 2007 celebrating 50 years of status as a City. The public were able to purchase a special card reproduced from the original. I have an example using a Pete’s Post stamp and cancelled at the Hastings Books and More shop on 6 Sept 2006.

Various items were produced by Frimleys at various times as indicated by the advertisements.

In 1909/10 the cannery was promoting peach, plum, apricot, blackcurrant, quince & raspberry jams and marmalade in 1 lb, 2 lb and 7 lb tins and 2 lb glass jars.

Also available were pie fruits – apple, quince, plum, peach, pear and gooseberry in 2 lb, ½ lb and 1 gallon tins, as well as tomato ketchup in bottles.

In 1912, the cannery was promoting mincemeat in 1 lb glass jars, tomato ketchup, canned fruits, canned preserves, tomato soup, jams and lemon cheese.

Show below in a postcard promoting their tomato ketchup.

Technical Stuff about Postcard Exhibiting

Do I need an exhibit plan ?

Yes, certainly if you are going to have more than one frame. It may have a structure, or might be a paragraph, depending on how divisible your exhibit is into “chapters”

What is a title page, and what should be on it ?

This is just as it sounds; the name of your exhibit, plus some introductory comments explaining what you are going to display, perhaps plus a bibliography and a reference to highlighted items. You can have what you like on this page so a nice item that is interesting and would encourage the viewer to look further is a good idea.

How should I use headings and sub-headings ?

These should be used to develop the storyline. The headings should be derived from the plan. You can have the plan headings on each page, and also sub-headings to develop the storyline. If your whole exhibit is about Timaru, for instance, you won’t want this heading on every page, but you could have sub-headings about the wharves, swimming beaches, rail, coronation celebrations, etc.

Should I have a border around my cards ?

This is a matter of personal taste. It does help highlight the cards, but it also highlights any weak corners etc. Another way of highlighting the cards is to mount them onto a backing card, but this means you need to have very even borders all the way around the card or it looks untidy.

How many cards should I have on a page ?

This depends on the format of the cards. One horizontal card and two vertical cards fit very nicely on a page, but usually your storyline means you may not want the cards in this order. Murphy’s law ! Two horizontal cards also fit well. Once you get to wanting three vertical or horizontal cards on a page, unless you have bigger pages, or use double pages or have cards overlapping, then the pages start to look very crowded. One page may look fine, but remember that you will have 16 of them in a display frame.

Can I overlap cards ?

This is not advisable. Judges may think you may be covering card defects, but mainly because it results in pages looking over-crowded, so overlapping should be used sparingly.

What do I mount my cards on ?

Heavier- weight paper (say 200 gms) or light card. Remember, it must be able to feed the paper through your printer if your write-up is on a computer.

What colour/quality of paper should I use ?

The paper or card should be acid-free (ask your specialist paper provider) so it doesn’t react with chemicals in the cad or anything on the reverse of the card. The colour of the paper should be white or a very pale colour; otherwise, the colour will detract from the cards.

How big can my pages be ?

Most exhibition frames limit the page size to 29mm high by 25mm wide. You can develop “double pages” which would be side by side, either vertically or horizontally. Anything bigger than this is a problem to transport and mount in the frames

What do I use to mount the cards on the paper ?

Use photo-corners. Small size corners of good quality available in NZ are Henzo. Larger size are expensive but good for larger items such as fold out cards. The brand most readily available in NZ is Herma, and they are available from most stamp dealers.

What is a protector and where do I get them from ?

This is a clear envelope of plastic into which you slip your display page. They protect the material, and are compulsory at exhibitions. They can be obtained from stamp dealers or from the Philatelic Youth Council, P O Box 2979, Auckland

How do I keep the pages in order ?

You number them on the reverse of the pages. There are two ways of doing this; either 1 through to 64 or 80 or however many pages you have. An alternative is to remember that there are 16 pages to a display frame, so use frame 1, number 1 through to frame 1 number 16, and then similarly for frame 2 etc. This can be abbreviated to 1/1, 1/2 1/3 etc. Incidentally, you should also have your name on the reverse of each page.

How do I get my exhibit to the exhibition?

Usually, by courier or delivering it yourself. In some cases, someone from near your area may be going, or a Commissioner may be appointed. Remember that exhibits have to be with the exhibition organisers in time for the exhibit to be mounted in the frames, and for judging to commence. For exhibitions in Australia, a Commissioner is usually appointed

Who can I ask for Help !

How do I find new cards for my exhibit ?

Make known your collecting interests through the Postcard Pillar, and to friends and dealers. Look on eBay or Trademe. Don’t be too much of a closet collector !

How can I dispose of my spare cards ?

Through the same channels as above

Can I get some help from software ?

If you have a computer, products like Microsoft ‘Publisher’ or a word processing package can be of help.

Are further guidelines available?

Yes, the Postcard Society has a full set of rules and guidelines. You should start with these; they also have information about how your exhibit will be judged. Exhibiting is like a sport – play by the rules and you will do much better than if you develop your own rules. Exhibiting is a brain sport!

People to contact for Help

Contact our Secretary for help: jenny-long@clear.net.nz and she will find someone to provide an answer. Or write to our Editor of the Postcard Pillar; he can publish your questions, along with an answer, so we can all learn.

If it is a question about the rules, these were mainly drawn up by Jeff Long jefflong@xtra.co.nz or Doug South tuiville@xtra.co.nz