Hatch family

Date: 23 Oct 1931-26 Apr 1932

By: Hunter, David, active 1900-1932

Reference: MS-Group-1191

Description: Journal kept by Hunter while travelling from England to New Zealand on the `Rangitata' and his return to England on the `Makura' to Australia and the Orsova' from Sydney from 23 Oct 1931 to 26 Apr 1932. He travelled with Ena Hunter. He describes their preparations, embarkation at Southampton, the other passengers, food (including menus), sea sickness, entertainments, the comforts and otherwise of the ship, his cabin, their passage through the Panama Canal and Armstice Day. They disembarked at Wellington 24 Nov 1931, and left for Australia on the `Makura' 7 Mar 1932, and for England on the `Orsova' from Sydney, 13 Mar 1932. In New Zealand Hunter spent time in Wellington, visiting the Alexander Turnbull Library, describing the work of the League of Nations Union in Wellington, visits Christchurch, the West Coast and Nelson where he spent some time, Wanganui, the Waitomo Caves, Rotorua and Auckland and back through Taranaki where he climbed Mt Egmont; he visited farms and factories, observed the opening of Parliament (24 Feb 1932) and visited the Gear Freezing and Meat Preservation Company. He attended many church services in various churches including the Congregational, Church of Christ and Presbyterian churches. Folowing his and Ena's departure for Sydney he describes the new Sydney harbour bridge, their visit to Tasmania and the House of Commons in Hobart, visiting to Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Colombo, the Suez Canal, Naples and Gibraltar, and an ANZAC commemoration service he declined to attend. The journal is illustrated and includes a water colour of the `Rangitata', newspaper clippings of portraits of various New Zealanders; and a copy of a letter from the Turnbull to the donor (1986). Source of title - Transcribed Quantity: 1 folder(s). 1 microfilm reel(s). 0.03 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Typescript and microfilm