New Zealand's Pioneer Motorist Active At 80

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28825, 20 February 1959, Page 14

New Zealand's Pioneer Motorist Active At 80

QN a hot summer's day in 1882, as the Dunedin-Christchurch express train was chuffing its way merrily northwards, none- of the passengers could haVe laid, much significance upon the long blast of the whistle which was given as the train passed through, EtUderthorpe, nine miles from Oarnaru. But for a lad of nine who loved to watch the engines pastSng through; it was .the beginning of a career with steam and internal combustion engines Which . was to eventually give Mr F. R. Dennison the distinction which he claims of building and owning the first motor-car in New Zealand. Now 80 years old, Mr Dennison lives quietly with his wife in their home on Cashmere Hills. Mr Dennison built the house himself when he was 80, and even todky his mind is keehly seeking ways to improve the modern car. "They are far too big and flashy today," he said, this week; “Half the accidents are caused because'the manufacturers haven’t yet learned an effective way to allow a car to turn a corner at bleb speed.” Active Life Last year, Mr Dennison broke his hip, but a hospital was no place for a man who had lived such an active life. When he recounted his life story this week, it became apparent what an important part this man played in the early days of motoring in New Zealand.

On that day in 1882, the train’s whistle signalled a telegram which the driver threw put of the locomotive. It was marked “Urgent” and addressed to “the Honourable T. Y. Duncan, Minister of Lands, Hilderthrope.” The youngster eagerly took the telegram to Mr Duncan, who at that time was driving a traction engine on his farm, cutting chaff. Mr Duncan then rode post haste to Oarnaru, leaving Mr Dennison in charge of the traction engine. This incident

was the start of his long career with engines and motor-cars. Mr Dennison often drove traction engines in HUdertborpe after that. He was personally responsible in part for cutting a water race , for 40 miles to Mr John McLean’s farm, and recalls how the traction engine would rear up bn its back wheels when the big shear met tough going. Leaving Hilderthorpe, Mr Dennison came to Christchurch and worked for Messrs Adams and Curtis, who manufactured cycles at a shop in Cathedral square where the Government Buildings now stand. Built His Own In 1900, after studying the designs of motor-cars in magazines front overseas, he set about building his own car. All the parts were manufactured in Christ-. Church with the •exception of the wheels, tyres, rims, and transmission chains. The engine of the. car was a four-cycle horizontal open crank type,, cooled by water and using kerosene fuel. Ignition was by a hot tube and hpt vapouriser. Ir had one direct gear from the engine shaft to the back axle, transmitted by two heavy quadchains side by side, and a cone clutch. It. had no mudguards, windscreen, or hdod, and on a good road would do 30 miles an hour. On a winter’s morning in June, 1000, the car made its debut—a trip to Oarnaru. The Selwyn river was ndt bridged, and two driving chains snapped when Mr Dennison applied full throttle and attempted to get clear of boulders. The chains were renewed, and the car went well until an axle broke close to Ashburton. Mr Dennison took the axle shaft out and carried it to Ashburton, returning by bicycle to the car next day with the axle repaired. From Tinwald to the Rangltata the road was shocking, said Mr Dennison. It was like a ploughed paddock. Caught Fire

Mr Dennison noted that the daily newspapers were publishing detailed articles of his journey with headlines such as “Seen passing through Ashburton," and “Arrived at Temuka.” On the return journey to Christchurch, the fuel tank of the car caught fire as Mr Dennison was descending the terraces to the Waitakl

river. He had to jump for his life, and the whole car was enveloped ‘in flames. The vehicle was a total wreck, but he was able to collect the debris of the engine, and these are still lying in a paddock at Hilderthorpe. In 1010, Mr Gordon McGregor, manager of the Ford Motor Company of Canada, came to New Zealand to investigate the possibilities of the market for model T Fords. As a result of a meeting between the two, Mr Dennison was appointed the first Ford agent in this country. Patent

Mr Dennison at that time was interested in a patent He had taken out for a spare wheel for motorcars. He had sold the Australian rights, and made a trip to England to market the patent there. The patent was sold to the, Stepney Spare Wheel Company, Ltd., but the French rights went to the Hall Spare Wheel Company. As well as his interest in motorcars, Mr Dennison probably also has the distinction of building the first bus in ' this country. In 1906 he built a 12-passenger bus for Mr W. Fewings, of Waikaia. Everything except the body and

tyres were manufactured in New Zealand. One incident which brings a sparkle into Mr Dennison's eye is the time when the American actor, Bland Holt, presented his play “The Great Millionaire” in Oarnaru. Mr Dennison provided a model. T Ford for a special act on the programme, and spent several hours teaching Mr Holt how to drive. But when the performance took place, Holt turned the steering wheel the wrong way and the car skidded out of control over the footlights and into the orchestra well. Holt was pinned under the car and subsequently had to give up his profession because of his injuries. The old faithful Ford engine had kept ticking over happily even while the car was overturned and the theatre in an uproar. Experiments

Today, Mr Dennison lives with the rich memories of his career. In his garage at Cashmere he is continually experimenting with new devices for cars, and although it may not prove feasible, is at present investigating a flywheel which he claims when fitted to a car will overcome the natural tendency tor it to leave the road on a sharp cdrner. “Speed is the greatest killer of all,” says Mr Dennison, “and with its speed, the modern car has no -answer to a sharp corner.”