Seethrough and slimy, but what did it do?
IN recent columns we have been focusing on historic activities in the KensingtonSouth Dunedin area, but today we are moving up the hill, to Mornington, where we begin our search, on behalf of a reader, for details of a mystery substance.
Guy Howell has contacted us wanting to find out more about something called ‘‘Glymol’’, his curiosity being aroused after reading a feature in the Weekend Mix on June 10, headed ‘‘A witness to history’’, about Dunedinborn diplomat Gerald McGhie.
Guy explains: ‘‘Hi Dave. The very interesting article regarding Gerald McGhie reminded me of an issue that has been rattling around in my head for many years.
‘‘Back in the early 1950s I was employed by Gerald’s father, Watson McGhie, who ran the Mornington Pharmacy. I was employed as an afterhours school delivery person with other duties which included helping in the upstairs workroom, to do whatever tasks were allocated to me. Bit of a dogsbody and of course I didn’t mind as I had a free bicycle thrown in for my personal use.
‘‘One of the jobs that Watson McGhie asked of me every week or so was to fill screwtop jars with a slimy substance he called GLYMOL. It was labelled with that name in bold capital letters. Apparently it was Watson’s own secret recipe and judging by the amount that we went through it was very popular, at least in the Mornington area.
‘‘It was a translucent, slimy, silver substance which apparently was excellent for skincare. I am guessing the ‘GLY’ in the name was something to do with glycerine but again not sure.
‘‘After leaving High Street School and heading off to other parts, I had no occasion to think of either Watson McGhie or GLYMOL again for many years. Curiosity did get the better of me and a couple of years ago I called into the current Mornington pharmacy and asked if they still sold GLYMOL.
‘‘I got some rather strange looks from behind the counter as if I was from outer space. There was a shake of the head, so clearly GLYMOL does not exist any more. I was wondering if any of your older readers (such as myself) remember GLYMOL and what it was used for?’’
Cadbury card
While we are on the subject of seeking information, here is a query from Barbara Rowe, who has written about the postcard we have published today.
‘‘Hi Dave. Some time ago you were very helpful in writing about an antique piece of Otago heritage linen I was trying to sell on behalf of the Presbyterian Support Otago Foodbank (PSO call me the Linen Lady and I’ve been fundraising for the foodbank for the past four years by selling linen on Trade Me).
‘‘Following your article in The Wash we got great publicity and correct information about that piece of linen, plus the publicity led to more donations of vintage linen, which then led to more money for the foodbank!
‘‘Why I’m writing again this time is because many years ago I was given this Cadbury postcard and I wondered with all the recent publicity about the factory closure and it being sold (hopefully to local buyers), if there is any information out there about whether this postcard is rare, and would it be valuable if it is?
‘‘I am thinking, of course, about more money for the foodbank if it were valuable — I know a good deal about vintage linen but nothing whatsoever about postcards! Hope you can help.’’
On the other side of the card, part of the Cadbury Heritage Collection, the scene is named as ‘‘the Chocolate Shop’’ and it describes how Dr Joseph Fry lived in Bristol during the 18th century, bought a chocolatemaking business and, in 1919, the merger between Cadbury Brothers and J. S. Fry and Sons took place.
Soldier search
Today’s soldier portrait was sent to us by Shirley Piddington, of Timaru, in the hope we might be able to trace a descendant of the chap pictured, Gunner John Farquhar Kerr.
Shirley tells me she found the photo and thought it would be nice for one of his descendants to have it, if we can help find them.
She has done a little research and found Sgt John Kerr (2/1556) was from Dunedin, his last address being care of his father, Charles Kerr, 33 Allandale Rd, St Clair.
The national archives show John Kerr was a clerk who worked for Wilson Balk and Co. He served overseas for four years and 197 days after joining up in 1915 and survived Gallipoli. He was discharged in January 1920.
Reclamation memories
Maurice Boyles, of Green Island, has been following recent discussions on the Southern Endowment project and has shared some memories:
‘‘During the ’70s, while employed at the Otago Harbour Board as an apprentice boilermaker, I worked on the foreshore reclamation area, helping maintain the huge steel pipes that transferred the sand and sludge from the Vulcan dredge to the shore.
‘‘The steel pipes were joined together with pivot joiners which allowed the pipes to flex while they rested on steel pontoons in the water. Regular maintenance was required due to the excessive amount of corrosive sand blasting through the pipes.
‘‘I recall several times having to assist the Vulcan crew when they had to rotate a pipe length. I had to stand in a small dinghy between the floating pontoons with a gascutting torch and either heat or cut rusted bolts; usually there was a blustery wind, which made standing most difficult.’’
Thanks Maurice. This also raises the question of whatever happened to the Vulcan dredge?
Geography query
Maurice also had this question for readers: ‘‘My late father used to refer to an area in Dunedin called Magnetic Hill. I’m not sure if was situated near Mt Cargill or not, but apparently, when climbing on a particular road in this hilly area, it is claimed a vehicle will accelerate faster. Any ideas?’’