Quake stirs vintage press

KATE NEWTON
Survivors of the 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake won't be leaving empty-handed from this year's 75th commemorations. Kevin Smith of the HBS building society has got that covered.
Kevin has arranged for a 1916 vintage printing press to print certificates for survivors and those marking the occasion.
The "Arab" brand hand-fed platen press was used after the earthquake to keep people informed when the Daily Telegraph office was evacuated, but is now stored at Brebner Print and owned by Neville Smith.
After a lot of cleaning the manual press will be back up and running under the supervision of Ken Smith.
The three men all share the same surname and an interest in the vintage press.
Ken, a veteran printer, has been in the business for 50 years and recalls using the press in the early days of his job when he was 15.
"It's all coming back. It's just like riding a bike," he said.
"It's a bit harder on the knees now, though. When you're doing a couple of hundred you know about it."
Kevin Smith decided to track down the press because he wanted people travelling to Hawke's Bay for the 75th anniversary to have something to take away as a souvenir.
Kevin said he could imagine a 10-year-old coming into the office to get a certificate printed and still having it for the 150th anniversary to show they were here.
The press will be on display in the Hastings HBS branch from February 9 until Saturday, February 11, and the Napier branch from Monday, February 13 until Sunday, February 19.
There will also be a display of photos from the earthquake that haven't been exhibited before, two vintage cars and costumes from the era, including a 1930s women's corset.
The branches are opening on the weekends to offer those interested more time to come and view the display.
Certificates can be printed with your name on them for a gold-coin donation which will be given to the Art Deco Trust.