Author(s): Don Grady

NZ Regional History | Secondhand

Secondhand.

This is the third book in the popular Grady's People series. Don Grady has assembled another great collection of stories and photographs about 30 fascinating people who live in the top of the South Island. They include Bill Brownlee of Te Puru Bay in the Marlborough Sounds and the remarkable story of the Brownlee sawmilling empire established in 1864 at Blackball, near Havelock. There is also the amazing story of Frank Delany, including his pioneering contributions to mussel farming and deer farming, along with Chris Brown, a pioneer in the paua industry. Also featured are the entrepreneurial Fred Willetts, who has made and lost several fortunes, Jim Persson, Golden Bay's 'hobby' boatbuilder, and his brother Peter who used bras to ripen his hydroponic tomatoes. An account of Edith Shaw's involvement in the Mangarakau Swamp is included along with stories of the last of the men who worked on the ill-fated Nelson railway, Art Simpson and Ted Hurst, and Bill Bain, the engine driver on the demolition train. The fascinating life story of decorated WWII fighter pilot Jum Hayter, including his post-war sea adventures, is also contained in this edition.

VG. Minor marks, a name inscription to the interior of the front cover.