CHANCE MEETING BRINGS “FABULOUS” TOUR OF N.Z.

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28870, 15 April 1959, Page 20

CHANCE MEETING BRINGS “FABULOUS” TOUR OF N.Z.

An exchange of addresses by an American and a New Zealander, who had a chance meeting while waiting for their cars to be repaired in a small Italian town 10 years ago, has resulted in the American and his wife having “a fabulous tour of New Zealand.’’

In Christchurch at the weekend, Mr A. J. Hesler, a former professor of agriculture at Purdue University, Indiana, told how he met Mr R. K. Kebbell, of Masterton, in Italy in 1949. While waiting for their cars to be repaired, Messrs Kebbell and Hesler exchanged addresses ‘‘just in case we ever visited one another’s country.” “When my wife and I decided to tour New Zealand I wrote a short note to Mr Kebbell but he did not wait to write to us—he sent me a cablegram saying he would arrange our bookings,” he said.

Mr Kebbell went up to Auckland two days before Mr and Mrs Hesler arrived and made full booking arrangements for them, Mr Hesler said. On their arrival he took them on a 10-day tour of the North Island, which included “two days on his 1500-acre ranch and 210acre dairy and beef farm, near Masterton.” said Mr Hesler. “He drove us down to Welling-

ton and once we arrived in the South Island we found he had got in touch with some of his friends, who have shown us your many scenic spots,” he said. Queenstown and Milford Sound were “beautiful, in fact, beyond description.” he said. While staying at the Hermitage, Mr Hesler saw the prize-winning New Zealand film, “Snows of Aorangi.” “It is one of the best colour films I have ever, seen and when I return home, I am hoping to obtain a copy from the New Zealand representative in San Francisco to show to my friends,” he said. “Because of our unusual contact with Mr Kebbell. this New Zealand tour has meant more to us than we could have ever imagined and even now we are looking forward to the time when we can return to this friendly land and friendly people,” said Mr Hesler.