When I first arrived the little Nash Metropolitan had just been introduced.
I took it for a test drive, then worked out that if I could live on ten shillings a month [$1] I could just about afford it. I wouldn’t have had the money to ship it home though, so I gave up my dream and enjoyed myself in other ways.
Eventually all good things must come to an end and I was posted back to Ohakea. We bused around the Island to Nadi International Airport.
We were put into one of the top hotels, The Mocambo.
Just in time to see our transport Hastings arrive.
There enough time to use the swimming pool and have a couple of beers.
While we driving around the Island we came upon an Army petrol station and watched them refuel a land rover. The fuel is hand pumped into the sight glass.
When the glass has the right amount of fuel in it the nozzle is put into the vehicles tank and the valve is opened.
The following day we flew back to Whenuapai, went through customs and then on down via the limited express to Palmerston North.
The sudden drop from 30 degrees to 10 degrees at the height of the day was a shock.
I knew nothing about any of the aircraft in the hanger at Ohakea, so I spent about a month sitting between 4 kerosene heaters trying to get warm.
Very shortly after I was sent to Woodbourne Trade Training School [4TTS] for a six month fitters course.
But that’s another story.
Adventures in Fiji in the 1959 to 60's - part 1
Adventures in Fiji in the 1959 to 60's - part 2
Adventures in Fiji in the 1959 to 60's - part 3
Adventures in Fiji in the 1959 to 60's - part 4
Adventures in Fiji in the 1959 to 60's - part 5
Adventures in Fiji in the 1959 to 60's - part 6
Adventures in Fiji in the 1959 to 60's - part 7
Adventures in Fiji in the 1959 to 60's - part 8