History – Salute to Port Albert

Browsing through a scrapbook in the museum, I discovered a fascinating article written about 1950 by David Woodcock, a Russell businessman. In 1925, a 16-year-old David came to New Zealand from London, under the Salvation Army assisted immigration scheme. He arrived ‘penniless’ in Wellington aboard Corinthic with hundreds of other British immigrants. He was allocated to Port Albert after answering Walter Payne’s advertisement for immigrant farm boys.

David travelled from Auckland to Wellsford on the Opua Express. At Wellsford he gathered up his gear, including a coil of rope that his father had said would be very handy. Twenty-five years he recalled his first impressions of Wellsford, “I have said that it was raining. That was a disadvantage in the first place. A more dreary scene I have seldom seen than that first glimpse of the view looking across the line to the East. In those days it was barren and reddish brown in colour and no sign of cultivation.” In a letter home, he described the station as just a shed where you could purchase a case of apples at one end and a ticket at the other.

The mail car driver, Roy Inger, met David and Jim Holder, another immigrant lad who was going to Busbridge’s farm. David lugged out his two kitbags, two suitcases and attache case, and Jim got his suitcase and kitbag and the set-off in Roy’s four-seater car. Also on board was a parson, two other men, the driver, the mail, the parson’s luggage plus another passenger’s luggage. The grocer stopped them and put on five small parcels and then an old woman put on another two parcels. David was quite sure they would tip over as the road was so rough.

Eventually the boys prised themselves out at the Kokako Post Office where Mrs Latimer, welcomed them to Port Albert with a cup of tea. David found the Paynes to be a ‘homely couple with a young son and daughter. The Payne farm was to be his home for the next 10 or 12 months. He took great interest in the orchard work, finding it incredible that such luscious peaches, oranges and other fruit were freely available, as they were a luxury in London. He led a very happy life in Port Albert, joining the boss and his brother singing harmonies in the cowshed as they milked.

‘I have never since experienced such a social life as I did in those days. No radio anywhere in 1925 and surprise parties, socials, gramophone recitals, cottage meetings, harbour picnics, anniversary and church teas, and concerts were popular entertainment involving, for the majority, miles of horse riding in all weathers.’