CHAPTER 17 A Working Honeymoon

 

Next morning, Mary saw Jock off to work and then drove to the airfield to catch the flight to Wellington, from where she took a taxi to Campbell Holdings’ office. She was dressed in casual clothes for travelling and not in her usual business attire. Arriving at the office at nine o’clock sharp, Mary walked into the reception area and could only see two female members of staff. They were sitting down, drinking tea or coffee and engaged in casual conversation. Waiting several minutes to be attended to, she noticed four male members of staff come in and help themselves to some hot beverages. No apparent work was being carried out.

Eventually, after about ten minutes’ wait, a male member of staff came over and asked if he could be of assistance to her.

“Yes,” answered Mary, “I had an appointment with Mr John Carr, the manager, at nine o’clock this morning. Although I was here on time I have been completely ignored and, as it’s now almost twenty past nine, the shoddy attention to business by the receptionists has made it look as if I arrived late.”

Startled by Mary’s response, he informed her that he would check Mr Carr’s diary to confirm her appointment. On his return, he informed Mary that there was no entry regarding her visit and that Mr Carr would be late in to work this morning as he had been attending a social event the previous evening. Mary told him that she would wait until he arrived.

It was almost ten o’clock when Mr Carr arrived and during that time Mary noted that the six members of staff hadn’t done any work at all. They had spent the time drinking tea or coffee and, engaged in often humorous conversation, they hadn’t even had the courtesy to offer Mary a hot drink. Mr Carr came in and helped himself to a drink and started talking to several of the staff. After about fifteen minutes, he came over to Mary and introduced himself.

By this time, Mary was furious and appalled by the work ethic. In a very controlled manner, she introduced herself and told him that she was here on specific instruction from head office. If Mr Carr would like to check his telex message that had been sent by Mr Campbell himself yesterday, it would explain her visit this morning.

At this information, all conversations ceased. Mr Carr stood silent, grew a little pale and stammered, “You had better come into my office.”

Mary followed him into the office where he immediately checked his telex and found the message in question. “What now Mrs Stewart?” enquired a much-shaken Mr Carr.

“I will address the staff and tell them what is required,” answered Mary.

Mr Carr called the staff together and Mary introduced herself and told them in no uncertain terms about what she had observed that morning, and that Campbell Holdings were selling off assets all over the globe. The New Zealand branch had shown such a poor return that they had been singled out. If her observations this morning were an example of what was taking place, then this poor work ethic was obviously part of the cause. She then explained that a corporation from Singapore were interested so their employment may still be secure. Mary then demanded that a summary of all assets be made available for her perusal by three o’clock that afternoon. She would then address the staff again, informing them of further tasks to be carried out and asked if there were any questions.

One lady asked, “Are you the woman that broke Bruce’s nose, then sacked him and bought out the sawmill at Picton?”

“I am indeed,” replied Mary, which brought a mixture of admiring and bewildered expressions to the faces of the assembled staff. “If that’s all, then I’ll see you at three o’clock,” she informed them and walked out of the door.

Leaving the office, Mary went into the busy city centre and bought two business suits, shoes and a briefcase, before posting a money order to Glen Feshie for Jean and Nan. She took time for a coffee and a sandwich for lunch, then took a taxi back to the office. Asking the taxi to wait for her, she left her shopping on the adjacent seat and taking only her briefcase with her, she went into the office.

On entering, she was aware of an atmosphere which bordered on hostile. Collecting the required documents, she informed the staff that she would be returning on Tuesday at one o’clock, with her assistant, and that she would require a private office, computer access and a detailed account of all assets pertaining to the office, in triplicate. Mr Carr assured her that all requests would be addressed. Mary then left the office without as much as a goodbye from her or the office staff.

Arriving back in Picton, she drove to the sawmill but Jock was there before her, saying his goodbyes to his work friends with the usual good-natured banter. That evening they decided that they would visit Jock’s family on Saturday and drive back on Monday evening. This would give Mary three days to study all the assets and then they would return the campervan early on Monday morning in Wellington and take up residency in the chalet when they came back to Picton.

The weather was good every evening for the rest of the week and so they would often drive down to a secluded beach to enjoy a swim in the sea before dinner. Mary studied the assets very carefully as it was her intention to go and see every one of them before the prospective buyers from Singapore arrived.

On the Friday evening, Mary was waiting for Jock at the dock side when the harvesting squad arrived. She was approached by Slade who invited her and Jock to a Maori family gathering, a ‘Marae,’ that evening and thanked her for letting Jock work in his squad.

Mary was keen to sample the local culture and Jock nodded in approval of their acceptance. They drove to a liquor store in Picton and purchased a case of beer and two bottles of Scotch whisky, one malt and the other a blended. Following Slade’s directions, they arrived at a small farm where all his Maori relatives were gathered.

As per protocol, Mary and Jock stood apart from the group and Slade addressed an old man sitting on a chair. Two young men in traditional Maori costume, and brandishing wooden spears, danced in front of them. Mary moved closer to Jock, in apprehension of the warlike welcome.

When the dance finished, the old man came and touched foreheads with Jock and Mary. Slade introduced them to his father, speaking highly of Jock as an outstanding bushman who had been working for him the last few days, helping him when he had been unable to find staff. Jock handed over the two bottles of whisky to the old man who thanked him and held Jock’s hand as though in a deep trance.

The old man opened his eyes after a minute’s silence and said in a slow deep voice, bordering on reverence, “This Pakeha (the Maori for white man) is a great warrior and has brought honour to my house because he has visited me.”

“No no,” interrupted Slade, “Scotty is a bushman, same as me. You were never in the military Scotty were you?” he asked, turning to Jock as he spoke.

“This man fought on an island with great distinction and honour,” continued the old man, “Is that not so?”

Mary was amazed at the revelations from the old man.

Jock rubbed his chin with his forefinger and thumb several times and humbly answered, “You’re correct sir.” At that the old man shouted in his native tongue to the assembled relatives and Slade, his father, Jock and Mary were welcomed to their respective seats by the relatives who were singing a welcome in the Maori language. Food was brought to them from a hangi, where it is buried in the ground with hot ashes and slowly cooked, which consisted of shellfish, snapper and pork washed down with the beer which Jock had donated. Jock and the old man had an earnest conversation while Mary explained to Slade what was about to take place with Campbell Holdings.

After a demonstration of the Haka, Maori war dance, Mary and Jock asked to leave as they were driving beyond Nelson tomorrow and wanted to start the journey that evening. Slade advised them to stop at a parking area on the banks of a river between Blenheim and Nelson which had an excellent swimming area between big rocks.

Giving their thanks to all concerned for a wonderful evening of food and entertainment, the old man surprised everyone by giving Jock a present of a Maori fighting club, inlaid with jade and beautifully carved from rimu wood with various symbols. As he gave it to Jock he announced, “You will need this to defend your home sometime in the future.”

Mary and Jock left the gathering with handshakes and best wishes and drove to the parking spot advised by Slade. Before they settled down to sleep, Mary asked Jock what he and the old man had been talking about.

“Mostly about the Italian campaign in the second world war, when the old man fought with a Maori battalion,” answered Jock, “He had a lot of interesting tales to relate.”

“Lucky you,” was Mary’s reply, “I had an evening trying to reassure Slade that the farm would not close down and that there would be no redundancies.”

Next morning, they looked out of the campervan and saw an almost perfect spot for swimming. There were various ledges of rock on each side of a slow-moving deep river of crystal-clear water which was bathed in the early morning sunlight, causing it to sparkle. The two of them plunged into the water which was cold and refreshing, swimming and frolicking like two teenagers.

By mutual consent they had a cooked breakfast in Nelson where they did an early morning shop for presents for Jock’s family. Although slightly apprehensive, Mary was looking forward to the visit especially as there was a new arrival, a little girl just weeks old. They arrived at the sheep station which was about twenty miles past Nelson and they were both surprised at its size and neatly painted wooden buildings.

First to greet them was Jock’s mother who came out of a smaller house and gave Mary a big hug and welcomed her into the family. Mary remembered her from Ballachulish and she had not aged at all. “Remember,” she said to Mary, “just call me Bunty and as for you, you big lump,” turning to Jock, “At least you picked a bonny lass, although it took you long enough.” At that she gave them both a very warm embrace.

They were joined by Jock’s sister Shona and her husband, Ben. A small boy, about ten years old with a big smile stood behind his father, obviously very shy and cautious about strangers but curious just the same. The new arrival, who was called Kirsty, was asleep in her cot, oblivious to all the good wishes, welcomes and laughter around her.

Sitting on the open veranda, drinking tea and eating scones, the conversation continued unabated about the wedding, the journey, how they met, fell out, got together again and all about Campbell Holdings. Photos and presents were given and exchanged. Mary was very aware of the atmosphere of happiness, family bonding and contentment that seemed to engulf all those present. They stayed the night in Bunty’s spare room, in what appeared to be the equivalent of a granny flat.

Next morning was Sunday and Bunty, Jock, Mary and Ben went to church a few miles away while Shona looked after the children. Bunty took great pleasure in introducing Mary and Jock to all her neighbours after the church service was over.

After lunch, while Ben and Jock went off in a pickup, Mary, Bunty and Shona sat and talked about every subject under the sun. The sense of belonging to a family made Mary extremely happy.

Monday was spent touring the sheep station’s huge pastures in Ben’s pickup, hundreds if not thousands of sheep everywhere.

Leaving that night, to many heartfelt goodbyes, Mary and Jock promised to spend two weeks with them at the festive season which was only several weeks away.

Unloading the campervan at the chalet in Picton, they embarked on the overnight ferry to Wellington, arriving there in the early hours of the morning which gave Mary plenty of time to dress in her new business attire and contemplate what she would ask of the staff. She and Jock, after handing in the campervan to the hire company, went to a gent’s outfitters where Jock was transformed into a business executive.

At exactly eleven o’clock that morning, they walked into the offices of Campbell Holdings. On reading the telex messages, Mary discovered that a business consortium from Hong Kong was very interested in taking over Campbell Holdings in New Zealand.

Calling the staff together, Mary introduced Jock as her assistant and informed them that there was now interest from Hong Kong, as well as Singapore, in a takeover bid. She then requested that each place of business under their control give a complete account of profits and expenditure, which would be sent to the prospective buyers. It was then decided that she and Jock would visit every premise, speak to the managers, inform them of the changes that were being made and give them the opportunity to buy out their own workplace.

The office staff were worried about redundancies, but Mary could not promise them that all would be well. She reminded them that the closing of Campbell Holdings in New Zealand was partly brought about by their poor work ethic. This latter comment really hit home, causing a few shameful red faces.

Several telex messages and phone calls to Hong Kong and Singapore resulted in both parties arranging to come over on separate dates to view and inspect all the premises. Bids were to be submitted by the fourteenth of February next year.

When they left the office later that afternoon, it was a hive of activity with staff checking details, facts and figures. A contrast from when I first arrived thought Mary. Flying back to Picton, they took up residence in the chalet next to the airfield and made travel plans to visit all the premises.

Next morning, they drove off in the hire car and the first stop was a holiday park between Nelson and Blenheim. It had been a timber camp but the buildings had been converted into luxury chalets with facilities for motorhomes and camping. They put the manager in the picture and asked if he was prepared to buy out his workplace. He said that he appreciated the offer and he was really grateful to Campbell Holdings. He told them that when he had originally started the project, he had run out of money and Campbell Holdings had bought it over, given him financial help and advice and had made him the manager with a good salary, making him very content with the position. He would look at their proposition and let them have his decision soon.

Visiting all the other premises on both the North and South Islands, it was a similar story.

Between business and travelling they engaged in various activities such as wild-water rafting on the Buller River, several long-distance walking trails, whale-watching and a five-day trip down the Wanganui River in an open canoe.

All too soon, the festive season was upon them and they spent the two weeks with Jock’s family which they both really enjoyed. For Mary it was a taste of the family life she had never experienced. She enjoyed being teased by Shona and Bunty about becoming a mother herself as she had not missed any opportunity to cuddle their new arrival.

Mary kept in contact with the main offices in America, Wellington and Glasgow by using the telex machine in the Picton sawmill. Both she and Jock found it strange to celebrate Christmas and New Year with a barbeque on a sandy beach at one of the Nelson lakes. The beauty of the area really impressed them with the crystal-clear waters, the snow-capped mountains and the dark green forests.

The festive season was soon over and the first week of January was spent in Picton where Mary began to organise the tours and inspection for both the Singapore and Hong Kong prospective buyers. Jock spent that week working with Slade and the timber harvesting squad.

The Singapore group, consisting of four men, were first to arrive and Mary and Jock met them at Wellington Airport where they had hired a luxury minibus, to be driven by Jock. They stuck to the schedule of visits which Mary had organised and the men asked very shrewd and pertinent questions. They stayed in motels and dined out for the ten-day visit. Mary was glad that Jock was with her as he impressed the clients with his ability to answer all the questions they asked. No sooner had that tour ended, the paperwork completed and sent to the head office in America when the delegation from Hong Kong arrived.

It was a similar situation and when Jock spoke to them about the forthcoming handover of Hong Kong by the British Government to mainland China, the conversation really took off. They were surprised and in admiration of his knowledge of the situation. When they were alone, he told Mary that he anticipated that they were desperate to secure all the premises that were up for sale and would put in a high offer. He also felt that if they were allowed to, they and their families would settle in New Zealand.

When the fourteenth of February deadline arrived, Jock’s prediction proved to be correct and the consortium from Hong Kong secured the deal. A week later, a lawyer from America met with a representative from Hong Kong and his lawyer, along with Jock and Mary, in Wellington and the deal was signed. Jock and Mary visited all the premises concerned and relayed the outcome to the staff in person.

The next two weeks were spent with Jock’s family and Mary sent off a very detailed account of all the transactions to the headquarters in America, not surprised that there was very little left of the forty thousand dollars.

They decided to fly back on the twelfth of March and the rest of the time they had in New Zealand would be spent with Jock’s family, all of whom Mary was becoming very attached to, especially Bunty. While Jock helped on the farm, Mary spent her time in the company of Bunty and Shona, delighted to help at every opportunity with Kirsty.

On the morning of their departure, tears were shed by the three women and even Jock was subdued by all the emotion. Ben drove them to Picton for an early flight to Auckland and with a brief handshake and a big hug to Mary from Ben, they were on their way home.