Cath Soc Congress 1959

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Tony & Bob Strevens in Wellington
At 3.40pm on Friday 16 January 1959 Bob Strevens and I caught the Limited to Wellington, as you did at that time.

 

 

 

 

The following day we were joined by Gerry Hodgson and we all sailed to Lyttelton on the “Hinemoa” at 8pm. All very luxurious. Arrived at 7am. Mass in the Basilica, which was to be badly damage in the 2011 earthquake. Explored the city and caught up with Ken Arvidson and Vincent O’Sullivan. Slept on the bishop’s lawn. Caught the 8.40am train on Monday morning, 19 January. All went well until I stretched my legs at Oamaru and the train headed off with all my luggage, but without me. Rang to get it taken off at Palmerston and hitched through. No luck. Rang Dunedin, and arrived there two minutes after the train had left for Invercargill, with my luggage. A very cold Tuesday, with borrowed clothes. My pack arrived back on Wednesday. After the Cath Soc Congress I hitched down to Dunedin via Arrowtown, and then took the 7.35am train back to Lyttelton to catch the “Maori” back to Wellington at 8pm. After spending all night on the Limited I was back at work on Tuesday morning.