You did us proud, Wanganui

Alexander Hatrick (or is it Peter Hardy?) recounts the early days of the Waimarie to the steamboat passengers on the journey upriver. Photo/Supplied

I felt proud of Wanganui on Queen's Birthday weekend. I was invited to speak to the annual meeting of the Federation of Railway Organisations of New Zealand, and the hundred or so delegates were treated to the nicest weather we have had for some time - the whole place just shone.

But that's not all. Many of us climbed aboard the PS Waimarie on Sunday and enjoyed a shipshape social occasion on our trip up the river to Upokongaro.

Very Bristol fashion - that steamboat just keeps on getting better and is a credit to the people who look after it. It was surprisingly spacious, warm and comfortable in the lounge below decks and I found myself hoping that I would be press-ganged into stoking the boiler - I had even worn my older gear just in case.

Probably just as well after my "shoulder trouble", said the sensible member of the family.

We were even treated to an appearance by Alexander Hatrick, who used to own the boat back in the day. He gave us the story of how he had begun in business in Wanganui near the turn of the century and eventually owned a number of riverboats including the Waimarie - which he named after his niece Marie, pronounced "Marie".

Alexander was almost single-handedly responsible for bringing millions of pounds worth of commerce to early Wanganui and making us the city we are today.

It was delightful to see the likeness old Alexander had to Peter Hardy who runs the River Boat Centre - he could be his doppelganger.

We pulled up to the dock at the end of our trip, keen to see the newly completed refurbishment of Mable, our very handsome number 12 tram. The delegates were treated to a close-up view of the tram, even underneath - the tram enthusiasts among them were close to drooling.

Again, it was a credit to the people who spent so much time bringing it back from the jaws of oblivion. Or firewood. Well done.

The delegates were almost all involved in running tourist railways in New Zealand, so they know their "old iron" and the tourist industry.

They were impressed with the Waimarie, the tram, the River Traders' Market, the galleries, the Kingsgate venue and the heritage nature of the town generally.

And they often commented on what it is that we have here. Like a ripe plum just waiting to be plucked off the tree. So long as we don't allow "earthquake hysteria" to tear it all down, that is.

So what did we get out of it? At the end of the day - going forward - at this point in time - onshore, so to speak? Well, the venue got a nice big cheque for around $14,000 for awards dinner, and for the rooms for some of the delegates, plus the money that the delegates spent in the bar. Then there is the money that the delegates and partners spent in the galleries and cafes downtown, together with the accommodation of those delegates who stayed elsewhere in town. This could easily double that amount.

Probably a total "spend" of $30,000. Economists tell us that a dollar spent in those circumstances will go round the town four or five times.

Conservatively, Wanganui has benefited by well over $100,000 because FRONZ decided to spend Queen's Birthday with us. That is a few shopping carts filled with groceries, isn't it?

What's more, we have sent out into the world well over 100 ambassadors thoroughly pleased with their stay here.

Chris Northover is a Wanganui-based former corporate lawyer who has worked in the fields of aviation, tourism, health and the environment - as well as designing electric cars and importing photo-voltaic panels