Genevieve’s Owner Def ends Purchase Of Famous Car

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28801, 23 January 1959, Page 10

Genevieve’s Owner Def ends Purchase Of Famous Car

(New Zeatana Press Association)

ROTORUA, January 22.

“If Genevieve was likely to go out of England it was better that she remained in the Commonwealth than went outside it,” said Mr G. E. Gilltrap, owner of the famous car, in Rotorua today Genevieve is now the centre of a controversy -in England over its sale out of the country. “For my part, I think I’ve done a good job,” added Mr Gilltrap. “If I hadn’t salvaged it» the car would have gone to America. “In the Commonwealth we’re all the same family, I don’t care what country it is. I know they don’t like losing it from England, and I give them all credit for it. But when I was at Home about a year ago, I tried to impress on the Veteran Car Club that it might be better to take a Commonwealth attitude and not be so parochial.” ’ In commenting on the reported intention of London motoring organisations to discuss the formation'' of a national vehicles trust, which would have as one of its aims the preventing of such cars going out of England, Mr Giltrap said: “I think it’s a fine idea. I’ve been trying to interest people here for years in a similar thing. New Zealand

is one of the most lagging countries in the world in establishing a museum of science in industry. With so much of our early history based on agriculture, the preservation of the country’s early history is a matter of national importance' “I have several agricultural relics which w’ould be of interest, but there has been no interest such as that which founded the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, which I understand is entirely supported by the Federal Government. I would give active support to establish a museum of the early history of this country. I do hope someone starts it. Government money could be well spent on such a project “Australia now realises the importance of creating a national heritage, and I have received great encouragement,” Mr Gilltrap said. “I have already got a couple of Cobb and Co.’s vehicles, and when I settle in Australia, I will establish a complete history of Australian transport. “But I’d still be very keen to do anything I could to help to establish such a national heritage here.”