My school days ended at standard six in 1928 with no spectacular distinction, except being the most popular boy in the class, when the teacher invited you to look in the cupboard and select you own cane.

For the last two years of school life, with the same teacher, we conducted a running battle. I was not a troublesome or unruly pupil and more often I was caned for academic mistakes, a fault that applied to other pupils, however I did make a first, after one caning I received an apology from the teacher.

I am not an academic person and a practical ability has served me well in life.

Entering the next school, the school of life experiences, I learned more and taught myself more, which benefited my working life.

I entered the construction industry, apprenticed to my father, who along with his brother, were the best instructors a person could ask for.

Attending Seddon Memorial Technical College on four nights a week for five years, studying building construction and architecture for the 'City of London Guilds" exams, gave me a more effective blend of the academic and practical than that I received during my earlier schooling.

After leaving school we were required to undertake compulsory military training and later when compulsory became voluntary, I continued on a member of "A" Company First battalion, "The Countess of Ranfurly's Own" and I am proud of this also.

Parading one evening a week, weekend and annual camps I willingly gave up the spare time between education and work, and have always considered myself the richer for it.

My territorial life had to end, when at the age of twenty four I became a building contractor, continuing this work until I volunteered for the R.N.Z.A.F. Although I had an army background, my heart had always been in flying and as a schoolboy I was an avid reader of flying books, knowing the names of Aces from various countries, the type of planes they flew and their victories. It was a great disappointment for me when I was rejected for flying duties on account of a childhood illness affecting my lungs, but I was passed A1 ground service anywhere in the world.

There was no turning back to the Army because, on enquiring into my civilian background, they promptly put me into maintenance. In spite of the restriction I did a lot of flying, mostly with the test pilot after major overhauls.

After the test, which was quite rigorous, they would often say "take it" and handover the controls, always ready to correct our mistakes, I have never taken a plane off the ground, or landed one, but I guess I would have managed.

Being on a Training Station I knew that my chances of overseas service were limited. My request for a transfer to an Operational Station was promptly rejected, so I set about getting there in my own way. Arriving at a North Island Operational Station, where training and maintenance was carried out for service in the Islands I was getting closer. However after only five weeks there I was caught up in an aircraft accident, a case of wrong place wrong time of my own making.

After a spell in hospital and a Specialist Training Course in which, because of my rank, I had to attain 80% to pass, I found myself back on a Training Station. I had led with my chin and got it clobbered, although I am still paying the price today I know what I did was right.

Knowing that I would not be able to return to Building Construction I took up a position with the Lands and Survey Department supervising the erection of buildings on farms being developed for serviceman settlement. Being in a controlling position the work was a mixture of office administration and field work, with a wider experience of Contract Document preparation to Site supervision and staff management.

About this time I became interested in other social interests, serving as a City Councilor, Chairman of a Section of the Public Service Association, Chairman of a Local Citizens Group, and a Director of a Local Lions Club.

When accepting the invitation to become Secretary of Deafblind New Zealand, I had not formed any firm ideas of my role, except to use any ability I may have to further the aims of our Society. However, I have always felt that there was a need for all of our Members to be kept fully informed on all developments and decisions, to enable them to participate in all of our activities as each of them may wish.

My rule in life has always been identify your targets, establish your priorities and get on with it and above all be positive.

My wife, Norma, with her deep interest in our Society, is an excellent sounding board for some of my aims, and provides the encouragement when the spirit flags.