In a special article elsewhere in this issue, you will read about the iconic vehicles of North Canterbury. The Waiau Cob Cottage is mentioned in this feature. On the interior walls are many photos of old vehicles from the past.
Myra Mckie is one of the mainstays of this museum. Myra has lived in this little rural North Canterbury town all of her 90 years, consequently she is very knowledgeable on the area.
Bruce Forbes, aged 77, is also a local resident who has been living in Waiau all his life. A self-employed builder during his working life, he has built many homes in the surrounding district. Bruce does not know the meaning of retirement as he now owns and manages the Waiau Hammer Hardware store. He continues to be very helpful around the town. Recently, with the help of two other locals – Rocky Brookman and Graham Clark – they restored the old Waiau jail, which was established in 1866.
It is permanently on display on the ‘Village Green’ opposite the Waiau Hotel, which is now owned by Ian and Phyl Rutherford. This beautifully restored historic hotel is actually 100 years old next year. Their café is called Café 1910. Ian is a descendant of the Rutherford clan, a name that is synonymous with the Waiau district.
As Waiau is a great place for a break when travelling the Alpine Pacific Triangle (Kaikoura-Hanmer-Waipara), a route that is very popular with motorcyclists, vintage and classic car owners, you will often see these types of vehicles outside the hotel/ café. If stopping there, be sure to visit the outdoor garden café setting. The sign at the entrance reads, O’Malley’s Garden ‘All Ye Who Enter Must Wear a Smile.’ The beer garden is named after this historic hotel’s first publican, Frederick Joseph O’Malley (1910-1920).
Bruce Forbes joined the Canterbury branch of Vintage Car Club in 1978. He owns a 1928 Plymouth 4, a 1929 Ford Model A fitted with a B4 motor, a 1952 Bedford K truck, and a 1955 Morris Oxford. The latter two he has owned from new! More recently Bruce restored a 1973 Triumph Stag, with the mechanics being overhauled by his son Ross, proprietor of Ross Forbes Motors in Waiau, which was originally Robson’s Garage as described in detail in our feature article elsewhere in this issue.

Name (required)

E-Mail (will not be published) (required)

Subscribe to comments feed