1947 aircraft crash fatal
1947 aircraft crash
One of the earliest aircraft crashes in Southland was on January 24, 1947. Percival Proctor ZK-AHV crashed in the Grebe Valley near Lake Monowai while on a supply drop mission for the Public Works Department. There were two fatalities: Public Works Department employees Oliver Anderson and Peter Symonds. An RNZAF Hudson from Wigram located the wreckage. It has been suggested that the alarm was raised by deer culler Willie Deer after an epic run for help. Two years later, four people were killed at Invercargill Airport when another Proctor crashed. Southland’s first fatal air accident had occurred on December 30, 1936, when a Fox Moth crashed at Big Bay.
King George V
On May 6, 1936, Invercargill helped the Empire celebrate King George V’s silver jubilee.
‘‘In every quarter including some where it might least be expected tributes to their Majesties are taking part on a most lavish scale. Naturally, London is the scene of the most feverish excitement.’’
In Invercargill there was a procession through the streets and a great gathering at Post Office Square. ’’Hymns of rejoicing and fine tributes and speeches were given by his worship the Mayor, Mr John Miller, and Mr James Hargest, Invercargill’s member of Parliament, the wisdom and strength of King George’s sovereignty and expression of the gladness and loyalty joining the hearts of all British people with the throne.’’
Eleven monarchies remained in Europe at that time. They were King George V of Great Britain, King Gustaf V of Sweden, King Haakon VII of Norway, King Christian X of Denmark and Iceland, King Leopold III of Belgium, Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy, King Boris III of Bulgaria, King Carol II of Rumania, King Peter II of Yugoslavia and King Zog of Albania.
Steaming in first
The first steam engine to be constructed in Invercargill was built by Jabez Hay. On August 12, 1874, The Southland Times reported, ‘‘Mr Jabez Hay, of the Invercargill Foundry, Tay street, has constructed a two horse power steam engine, on an improved plan of his own devising. It is also the first steam engine of any kind, we believe, made in Invercargill. It is capable of being applied to a variety of purposes, but Mr Hay intends it for foundry uses, such as turning and casting and cutting. Its novel features consist of an expansion valve, which is completely under the control and regulation of the governor, and a most ingenious provision for heating the supply water by utilising the steam as it passes through the exhaust-tube or escape-pipe. This is a most noteworthy improvement, and the economy of power which it superinduces is no less great than apparent. The whole engine, with its connections, is most ingeniously designed and well finished, and Mr Hay’s handicraft is in every respect deserving of credit and public notice, as it is calculated to be of very general benefit’’ NATURAL WORLD