Flavour of New Zealand

01-Jan-1960
The production of rough-sawn exotic timber was greater than that of rough-sawn indigenous timber this year, the latter being 802,000 cubic metres. ²

27-Mar-1960
The Dave Brubek Quartet, first U.S. jazz group to visit New Zealand since the war, gives two concerts in Wellington. ¹

01-Apr-1960
The Federation of Labour took a deputation to Prime Minister Nash in opposition to the exclusion of Maori from the All Black team to South Africa. In spite of a 100,000 signature 'No Maoris No Tour' petition the tour went ahead, Nash having done nothing to stop it. In 1968 he admitted he had made a mistake. ³

24-Apr-1960
First atomic vessel to visit Wellington, 350 ft U.S. nuclear-powered submarine Halibut , berths at Clyde Quay for three days. ¹

23-May-1960
A tidal wave hit the East Coast of the North Island. Coastal towns were evacuated the following day in case of more waves. ²

24-May-1960
An earthquake in the Fiordland area measured 7 on the Richter scale. Minor damage was incurred in the Lake Wanaka area. ²

12-Nov-1960
Otago and the West Coast were finally linked with the opening of the Haast Road. Minister of Works Hugh Watt made the speech, the ribbon was cut by Haast's oldest resident and the feast included whitebait, venison and rabbit. ³

07-Dec-1960
'Rough, rude and brutal, but with dry humour' said one review of Barry Crump's first book A Good Keen Man. The collection of yarns about his deer culling and pig hunting experiences was the first in a string of best sellers. ³