Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 3, 2016 21:01:43 GMT 12
This is neat 
from the POVERTY BAY HERALD, 18 APRIL 1918
THE ADVENT OF "BESSIE."
A PIECE DE RESISTANCE.
As a "mechanical appealer" for funds the British tank stands pre-eminent, both in the Old Country and in New Zealand. Tanks were used on the Western front for the "big push." The cablegrams recently recorded the successful utilisation of British tanks in connection, with the flotation of the War Loan m England.
A war tank was used m the "big pull" of the Wellington Red Triangle campaign, and in Gisborne's special effort the executive committee decided that the district was not to be behindhand in this modern appliance.
The advent of "Rosie" in the streets' of Wellington, according to the Dominion, proved the "piece de resistance" on Red Triangle day, for "Rosie" was the appellation given to an excellent representation of a British tank. The likeness to the real thing was said to be remarkable, and when "Rosie" began to shoot out smoke to the accompaniment of a rattle of musketry, supplied by fireworks within her capacious bosom, some newly returned soldiers, just back from the war, declared it had quite a "somewhere m France" aspect.
"Rosie" was the central feature of Wellington's procession, the pride of the Wellington Y.M.C.A., and the cynosure of wondering eyes. Manned by soldiers in uniform and a representative of H.M. Navy, they lost no time in making the object of their jaunt, known to the public.
Making frequent halts by the way "Rosie" gathered in a harvest of coin that showered from the windows of business places, hotels, and the waiting crowds into the tank's' ample lap. Organisers of patriotic appeals vied with each other at the final auctioneering of the tank, and "Rosie" was subsequently purchased under the hammer by Sir Jos. Ward.
Although it was announced for some days past that a tank was under construction locally, the sudden appearance of Gisborne's "Bessie" in Gladstone road this morning created quite a flutter, and a large number soon gathered to witness the mechanical appealer trundle by.
Backing out of Mr J. H. Ormond's carriage factory, "Bessie" went on a trial run, making straight for the Y.M.C.A. hut in Peel street. It looked, for a moment, as if "Bessie" was making a fierce attack on the hut, and that the tank was going to walk straight through the building. Screams were heard from the Y.M.C.A. workers (ladies), and some consternation was occasioned to the youngsters following, to whom it looked as if "Bessie" meant business.
The tank, however, came to a dead stop just in front of the hut, and extended its compliments to the workers. Turning again into Gladstone road the tank disappeared into Bright street to wait for its tank crew of returned soldiers, whose efforts are aimed at the pockets of Gisbornites, all and sundry. Officials of the Y.M.C.A. who saw the Wellington tank declare that Gisborne's "Bessie" is an infinitely better representation of the genuine article. It is 27ft in length, 10ft in height, and 9ft in width, being mounted on a Fulton truck. The tank was designed and manufactured by Mr J. H. Ormond's staff, and has been cleverly camouflaged by Mr Johns. Turrets and guns project from the sides and on the top, Gisbornites may well beware of "Bessie."
from the POVERTY BAY HERALD, 18 APRIL 1918THE ADVENT OF "BESSIE."
A PIECE DE RESISTANCE.
As a "mechanical appealer" for funds the British tank stands pre-eminent, both in the Old Country and in New Zealand. Tanks were used on the Western front for the "big push." The cablegrams recently recorded the successful utilisation of British tanks in connection, with the flotation of the War Loan m England.
A war tank was used m the "big pull" of the Wellington Red Triangle campaign, and in Gisborne's special effort the executive committee decided that the district was not to be behindhand in this modern appliance.
The advent of "Rosie" in the streets' of Wellington, according to the Dominion, proved the "piece de resistance" on Red Triangle day, for "Rosie" was the appellation given to an excellent representation of a British tank. The likeness to the real thing was said to be remarkable, and when "Rosie" began to shoot out smoke to the accompaniment of a rattle of musketry, supplied by fireworks within her capacious bosom, some newly returned soldiers, just back from the war, declared it had quite a "somewhere m France" aspect.
"Rosie" was the central feature of Wellington's procession, the pride of the Wellington Y.M.C.A., and the cynosure of wondering eyes. Manned by soldiers in uniform and a representative of H.M. Navy, they lost no time in making the object of their jaunt, known to the public.
Making frequent halts by the way "Rosie" gathered in a harvest of coin that showered from the windows of business places, hotels, and the waiting crowds into the tank's' ample lap. Organisers of patriotic appeals vied with each other at the final auctioneering of the tank, and "Rosie" was subsequently purchased under the hammer by Sir Jos. Ward.
Although it was announced for some days past that a tank was under construction locally, the sudden appearance of Gisborne's "Bessie" in Gladstone road this morning created quite a flutter, and a large number soon gathered to witness the mechanical appealer trundle by.
Backing out of Mr J. H. Ormond's carriage factory, "Bessie" went on a trial run, making straight for the Y.M.C.A. hut in Peel street. It looked, for a moment, as if "Bessie" was making a fierce attack on the hut, and that the tank was going to walk straight through the building. Screams were heard from the Y.M.C.A. workers (ladies), and some consternation was occasioned to the youngsters following, to whom it looked as if "Bessie" meant business.
The tank, however, came to a dead stop just in front of the hut, and extended its compliments to the workers. Turning again into Gladstone road the tank disappeared into Bright street to wait for its tank crew of returned soldiers, whose efforts are aimed at the pockets of Gisbornites, all and sundry. Officials of the Y.M.C.A. who saw the Wellington tank declare that Gisborne's "Bessie" is an infinitely better representation of the genuine article. It is 27ft in length, 10ft in height, and 9ft in width, being mounted on a Fulton truck. The tank was designed and manufactured by Mr J. H. Ormond's staff, and has been cleverly camouflaged by Mr Johns. Turrets and guns project from the sides and on the top, Gisbornites may well beware of "Bessie."
