Edward Fitzgerald Descriptive List (ref. PR79)

Fitzgerald born 1876, officer in the Royal Navy. From the collections of Cork City and County Archives Service.

Edward Fitzgerald Collection PR79 Descriptive List Cork City and County Archives

Contents IDENTITY STATEMENT ............................................................................................................................. 2

CONTEXT ................................................................................................................................................. 2

Creator ................................................................................................................................................ 2

Biographical/Administrative History................................................................................................... 2

Archival History ................................................................................................................................... 2

CONTENT AND STRUCTURE .................................................................................................................... 3

Scope and Content.............................................................................................................................. 3

System of Arrangement ...................................................................................................................... 3

CONDITIONS OF ACCESS AND USE.......................................................................................................... 3

Conditions Governing Access.............................................................................................................. 3

Finding Aids ......................................................................................................................................... 4

ALLIED MATERIALS .................................................................................................................................. 4

Existence and Location of Originals .................................................................................................... 4

RULES /CONVENTIONS USED .................................................................................................................. 4

ARCHIVIST’S NOTE .................................................................................................................................. 4

LIST OF ITEMS AND DESCRIPTIONS ......................................................................................................... 5

Section I: Items dated 1905 to 1912 .................................................................................................. 5

Section II: Items from 1913 including HMS New Zealand World Tour .............................................. 6

Section III: Items dated 1914 to 1915 ................................................................................................ 8

Section IV: Items dated 1917 to 1918................................................................................................ 9

Section V: Items dated 1941 to c.2016 ............................................................................................ 11

Appendix A: Reference list of world locations visited by HMS New Zealand during world tour of 1913. ................................................................................................................................................. 12

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IDENTITY STATEMENT Reference: PR79

Title:

Edward Fitzgerald Collection

Level of description:

fonds

Date:

1905-2016

Extent:

1 box (27 items)

CONTEXT

Creator

Fitzgerald, Edward | fl.1913 | C.P.O. British Royal Navy | Tower Farm, Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork

Biographical/Administrative History Edward Fitzgerald (29 Oct 1876 - 17 Jan 1958) was an officer of the British Royal Navy, born in Curraghbinny, Crosshaven, Cork. The family later lived at Tower Farm, Ringaskiddy. Fitzgerald joined the navy on 13 Jan 1893, and served on a number of navy ships in the 1890s and early 1900s, including HMS Cambridge at Devonport in 1896, HMS Magdala at Mumbai (Bombay) in 1898, HMS Aquarius 1909, and HMS Hood at Cobh (Queenstown) in 1911. In the years immediately preceding and during World War I, Fitzgerald served as Chief Petty Officer on the battle crusier HMS New Zealand from Nov 1912 to March 1919 when he was discharged from service. Fitzgerald's navy service aboard H.M.S. New Zealand included a high profile world tour of 45,000 miles, leaving Portsmouth 6 Feb 1913 and sailing to New Zealand via South Africa. After leaving Portsmouth, the ship called at a number of ports, including St Vincent, Ascension, Capetown, Durban, Melbourne, Wellington, Napier, Gisborne, Auckland, Lyttelton, Akaroa, Timaru, Oamaru, Otago Heads, Bluff, Hokitika, Greymouth, Westport, Nelson, Picton, Wanganui, and New Plymouth. This was a significant voyage, designed to promote the new battle cruiser ship, and showcase the strength of the British navy. H.M.S. New Zealand was manned by 50 officers and 739 men, including Chief Petty Officer Edward Fitzgerald. A known painter, Fitzgerald was tasked with making official drawings of the ship after the designated artist did not arrive for duty.

Fitzgerald retired with his family in County Cork, and is buried in Barnahely Cemetery, Ringaskiddy.

Archival History Collection kept by family, with material passing to Edward Fitzgerald's daughter.

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CONTENT AND STRUCTURE

Scope and Content Family collection of papers belonging to Royal Navy officer Edward Fitzgerald of Curraghbinny, Co. Cork.

Includes significant scrapbook of the maiden voyage of the HMS New Zealand, created by Fitzgerald as a diary of events and places visited during the 'world tour' voyage of 1913 [see item: PR79/5].

The collection also includes a small number of personal items, including postcards sent by Mr Fitzgerald to his wife and children whilst at sea, religious poems from the first world war, and a volume of songs presented to Fitzgerald by Henry E. Swinglehurst in Chile [PR79/9].

System of Arrangement Chronological.

Section I: Section II: Section III: Section IV: Section V:

Items dated 1905 to 1912

Items from 1913 including HMS New Zealand World Tour

Items dated 1914 to 1915 Items dated 1917 to 1918 Items dated 1941 to c.2016

PERSON/INSTITUTION INDEX: Royal Navy

SUBJECT/EVENT ETC. INDEX : 1900s 1910s First World War

New Zealand British Empire British Royal Navy Diaries and Journals Postcards Ships

CONDITIONS OF ACCESS AND USE

Conditions Governing Access

Open to all readers holding a reader's ticket, subject to the standard rules of access at Cork City & County Archives.

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Finding Aids Descriptive list, including page number reference list of locations visited during the World Tour of HMS New Zealand.

ALLIED MATERIALS

Existence and Location of Originals Original drawings and paintings by Edward Fitzgerald, including of HMS New Zealand, are retained by the Fitzgerald family.

RULES /CONVENTIONS USED ISAD(G)

ARCHIVIST ’ S NOTE Description Prepared By: Steven Skeldon, Deputy Archivist, August 2018.

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LIST OF ITEMS AND DESCRIPTIONS

Section I: Items dated 1905 to 1912

Reference:

PR79/1

Date:

25 Mar 1905

Title: Level:

Photograph of Russian mine exploded by HMS Hogue

item

Extent:

1 sheet

Scope and Content: Black and white image by unknown photographer showing a sea explosion created by the detonation of an underwater mine. The image shows the explosion with the mountainous shore near Wei Hai Wei, China, visible in the background. HMS Hogue is not visible in the photograph.

Reference:

PR79/2

Date:

3 July 1909

Title: Level:

Commemorative image of Rev. Thomas Alphonsus O’Callaghan

item

Extent:

1 sheet

Scope and Content: Reproduced photograph of Rev. Thomas A. O'Callaghan, Bishop of Cork, published in the Cork Weekly Examiner and Weekly Herald Pictorial Supplement. The image is surrounded by line drawing illustrations of the Vatican City, Cork North Cathedral, and Cork city coat of arms. The photograph is credited to Elliott and Fry of Baker Street, London.

Reference:

PR79/3

Date:

c.1909

Title: Level:

Text of prayer titled ‘ My Crucifix’

item

Extent:

1 sheet

Scope and Content: Typescript prayer, signed E. Fitzgerald, Petty Officer, HMS Aquarius. Handwritten note remarks: 'worn in the left packet of cholera belt'.

Reference:

PR79/4

Date:

25 Jan 1912

Title: Level:

Post Office Telegram message to Edward Fitzgerald

item

Extent:

1 sheet

Scope and Content: Manuscript telegram message from Kate to Edward Fitzgerald announcing birth of daughter Mary.

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Section II: Items from 1913 including HMS New Zealand World Tour

Reference:

PR79/5

Date:

5 Feb 1913 - 8 Dec 1913

Title: Level:

H.M.S. New Zealand World Tour Diary and Scrapbook of Edward Fitzgerald

item

Extent:

1 vol (228 pages)

Scope and Content: Personal account of Edward Fitzgerald, Chief Petty Officer, Royal Navy, aboard HMS New Zealand's maiden voyage and world tour.

The volume contains handwritten entries in a diary-type format, alongside pasted ephemera collected during the voyage of the New Zealand from February to December 1913.

Styled as 'The Dominion's Gift', the ship was built as then dominion of New Zealand's contribution in defending the British Empire in the years immediately preceding World War I. The ship was originally commissioned on 22nd March 1909, by the Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Right Hon. Sir Joseph George Ward and built by the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Co. in Govan, Glasgow, Scotland. As a battlecruiser, the ship's dimensions were recorded as 590 ft long, with an 80 ft beam and weight of 19,000 tonnes. The boat's armament included two submerged torpedo tubes and eight twin searchlights. The initial descriptions of events in Fitzgerald's account include the general background to the commissioning of the ship, and the preparations made prior to departing England. The account gives great detail as to the programme of events organised for each port of call on the journey, and the experience of each visit, often with full itineraries of each trip reproduced or described. In addition to visits of ports, the company of the ship made trips inland to a number of cities or places of interest, such as the city zoo in Pretoria. Fitzgerald collected postcards and local newspaper clippings from many locations during the tour, each presented throughout the volume in chronological fashion. Often these reflect the views of the local press in the reception of the ship, with journalist accounts covering aspects of group tours given to members of the public whilst the ship was at port. Although much of the account is written in the third person, it is still possible to establish the opinions and views of Fitzgerald and other important persons connected with the ship and voyage. One example of this is the account in which Fitzgerald describes the royal inspection of the ship by King George V. The officer notes the individual areas of the ship the king visited, and recounts some of the king's comments. The king is recorded as stating to the ship's baker: 'How different things are now to when I was at sea. At that time we used to have only weevily biscuits & magotty flour'. Fitzgerald remarks of the king's arrival by train: 'even the coal in the engine-truck was whitewashed (the first time I've seen coal whitewashed)' (p.12). These type of notes provide an insight to Fitzgerald's own experience, as well as a first hand account of historical events during the ship's voyage. The volume contains details of visits to approximately 59 places across the world, from South Africa, Australia, Hawaii, Peru, Barbados, and Canada amongst others. The tour around New Zealand's north and south islands is of particular interest given the history of the ship's commission by that

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country. Fitzgerald's most memorable visit in New Zealand was to the maori village of Whakarewarewa on the North Island (p.89). This part of the trip includes a map of the Hot Lakes of New Zealand around Rotorua (p.84), a photograph of the officers and men of the ship atop Mount Tarawera (p.88), and a souvenir programme of the Rotorua Maori Choir (p.88). There are a number of printed illustrations of Maori people presented by Fitzgerald, for example the picture of two 'Maori Maidens' of Ohinemutu (p.71) and of the maori men's war dance 'haka' (p.72, p.121). Photographs appear to be both those sold as souvenirs, and original images taken by Fitzgerald or persons aboard the ship. Photographs of the HMS New Zealand are contained throughout the volume, for examples, see p.3, pp. 117-118, and p.215. There are also a small number of photographs of Edward Fitzgerald (see inside cover, and p.108), and of officers of the ship (for example, see p.7B). The medal presented by the government of New Zealand to the men aboard the ship is illustrated in a rubbing of the medal made by Fitzgerald (p.224). Of the more unusual items collected by Fitzgerald within the volume is the flattened paper drinking cup of the Panama Railroad Company (p.224). The men aboard the ship made ample use of a number of railway lines during the tour, to visit cities inland from the sea, and it would appear the cup was collected during one such trip. The Panama Canal, which opened in 1914, was an object of particular interest to Fitzgerald on his tour of the area in 1913. The volume includes Fitzgerald's own account on viewing the canal from the journey passing it by rail, and also printed ephemera collected by Fitzgerald during this part of the voyage.

Reference:

PR79/6

Date:

1913

Title: Level:

HMS New Zealand Medal Envelope

item

Extent:

1 envelope

Scope and Content: Empty envelope, stamed with the title HMS New Zealand Medal 1913 and the royal coat of arms. Manuscript note on reverse records: 'medal missing'. Medals were presented by the government of New Zealand to the crew of the ship during the maiden voyage world tour of 1913.

Reference:

PR79/7

Date:

c.1913

Title: Level:

HMS New Zealand Postcard

item

Extent:

1 sheet

Scope and Content: Postcard photograph with message from Edward Fitzgerald to Mrs Fitzgerald written aboard HMS New Zealand. Edward apologies he could not visit family before departing. The photograph shows a distant view of the ship at sea.

Reference:

PR79/8

Date:

c.1913

Title: Level:

HMS New Zealand Postcard

item

Extent:

1 sheet

Scope and Content:

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Postcard photograph, from Edward Fitzgerald to his son and daughter John and May, written aboard HMS New Zealand. The photograph shows the coat of arms of the ship with motto 'Onward'.

Reference:

PR79/9

Date:

21 Sep 1913

Title: Level:

Valparaiso Songs by Henry Edward Swinglehurst

item

Extent:

1 vol (234 pages)

Scope and Content: Printed volume of songs by H.E. Swinglehurst, with a personal inscription on the inside cover made to Edward Fitzgerald. The book includes a small number of changes to the text, in the hand of Swinglehurst, for example the final two lines of 'The Welsh Lane', page 140: 'It will flow till my heart reposes; In her grave in the dear Welsh lane. H.E.S'. H.M.S New Zealand arrived at Valpraiso from Callao on 17 Sep 1913, departing on 23 Sep. According to Fitzgerald's diary, he was acquainted with Swinglehurst when attending an evening reception hosted by Mr Roche, a sub editor of the South Pacific Mail. The diary records a gift of 68 copies of the book of songs to the Roman Catholics working on board the New Zealand [PR79/5, p.179]. Swinglehurst was the Vice President of Overseas Club, Valparaiso Branch, Chile.

Reference:

PR79/10

Date:

c.1913

Title: Level:

Postcard photograph of Henry Edward Swinglehurst and Wife

item

Extent:

1 sheet

Scope and Content: Black and white studio photograph of Mr and Mrs Swinglehurst, Valpraiso, Chile, by unknown photographer. Originally contained as enclosure to book 'Valpraiso Songs', a volume presented by Mr Swingelhurst to Fitzgerald [see PR79/9].

Section III: Items dated 1914 to 1915

Reference:

PR79/11

Date:

11 April 1914

Title: Level:

Liverpool Postcard from Edward Fitzgerald

item

Extent:

1 sheet

Scope and Content: Postcard from Edward Fitzgerald to his daughter Mary, sent from 40 Sunnydale Road, Liverpool. Contains short message asking if the children have been good and enclosing chocolates, signed 'Dadda'. Photograph is of Castle Street, Liverpool with image of public buildings, tram and shoppers on the street.

Reference:

PR79/12

Date:

27 June 1914

Title: Level:

St Petersburg Postcard

item

Extent:

1 sheet

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Scope and Content: Postcard sent from Edward Fitzgerald to his son John, at The Tower, Ringaskiddy, commenting on how he is doing at school. Photograph shows a coloured image of the Church of the Resurrection, St Petersburg.

Reference:

PR79/13

Date:

August 1914

Title: Level:

World War One Sailor's Prayer

item

Extent:

1 sheet

Scope and Content: Small printed text of a prayer for sailors during WWI, issued by the chaplain of the fleet. An instruction above the text of the prayer asks the sailor to 'slip this inside your cap'. The prayer asks for the forgiveness of sins. On the reverse of the prayer is a note 'grandfather Edward Fitzgerald during war 1914'. Fitzgerald was in the service of the HMS New Zealand throughout the war.

Reference:

PR79/14

Date:

29 August 1914

Title: Level:

Commemorative image of Pope Pius X

item

Extent:

1 sheet

Scope and Content: Reproduced photograph titled 'The Late Pope Pius X', published in the Cork Weekly Examiner and Weekly Herald Pictorial Supplement. Image is of the pope seated on an elaborate throne. Photograph credited to the Topical Agency, London.

Reference:

PR79/15

Date:

3 Mar 1915

Title: Level:

Postcard from Mrs Buckley to Edward Fitzgerald

item

Extent:

1 sheet

Scope and Content: Postcard with studio portrait of an unidentified older woman, possibly Mrs Buckley. Postcard is addressed simply: 'To Mr Ed. Fitzgerald. With Mrs Buckley's good wishes.'

Section IV: Items dated 1917 to 1918

Reference:

PR79/16

Date:

1917

Title: Level:

Short history of Sir Henry Hudson’s naval explorations

item

Extent:

2 pages

Scope and Content: Typed history, signed E. Fitzgerald 1917, detailing the exploits of the seventeenth century explorer Hudson. The text is a short account of events between c.1607 and c.1611 in North America. Attached is a copy of the painting ‘Voyaging to the Great Beyond’ (The Last Voyag e of Henry Hudson) by John Collier.

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Reference:

PR79/17

Date:

c.1917

Title: Level:

HMS Cardiff Postcard

item

Extent:

1 sheet

Scope and Content: Blank postcard, with image of the HMS Cardiff at sea, Devonport, England.

Reference:

PR79/18

Date:

c.1917

Title: Level:

Letter from Edgar Grace to Edward Fitzgerald

item

Extent:

1 sheet

Scope and Content: Letter acknowledging receipt of a picture, apparently of Edgar’s family, drawn or painted by Edward. The letter is written on HMS Vindictive handpaper, from Edgar's address, The Avenue, Sherborne, Dorset. Grace comments on the promotion of Commander North to captain. The writer is possibly Vice-Admiral Henry Edgar Grace (1876-1937), a commanding officer of HMS Vindictive in Sep 1918.

Reference:

PR79/19

Date:

20 Nov 1918

Title: Level:

Naval Signal from R.A. Australia to HMS New Zealand

item

Extent:

1 sheet

Scope and Content: Official naval signal requesting C.P.O. Edward Fitzgerald make sketches of the vessel [HMS New Zealand?]. The messsage notes that the official artist has not arrived, with a reply that Fitzgerald will be given the opportunity in the artist's absence to make 'sketches'.

Note: The Fitzgerald family hold a private collection of paintings by Edward, including that of HMS New Zealand, which may account for the above message.

Reference:

PR79/20

Date:

c.1918

Title: Level:

Postcard from R Mc. to Edward Fitzgerald

item

Extent:

1 sheet

Scope and Content: Postcard from R Mc.[?] of Dalgety and Company Ltd., Napier, New Zealand to [Edward] Fitzgerald. Postcard is a studio portrait of a young girl, seated, holding a play ball or apple. The message comments on Fitzgerald's current visit to Auckland.

Reference:

PR79/21

Date:

c.1918

Title: Level:

Postcard from Frank Buckley to Edward Fitzgerald

item

Extent:

1 sheet

Scope and Content: Message from Frank Buckley of 188 Derby Rd, Pendleton, Manchester, England. Contains comment upon the poor health of Mrs Buckley. Frank has just returned from one month at sea and states 'poor old Ireland seems to have fallen on bad times'. The address to E. Fitzgerald at the Coast Guard

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Station, Clonakilty is corrected to The Tower, Ringaskiddy. Postcard is a street and building view of the Assize Courts, Manchester.

Section V: Items dated 1941 to c.2016

Reference:

PR79/22

Date:

10 Jun 1941

Title: Level:

Copy letter from Private Maurice Conway to K Murphy, Tower Farm, Ringaskiddy

item

Extent:

1 sheet

Scope and Content: Letter noting Conway's arrival in Egypt and trips to Cairo and the desert, with a comment on the number of flies and heat. Conway sends regards to Tim, John, 'and all in Currubinny'. The letter is addressed to Dotie, an alias for K[ate]? Murphy.

Reference:

PR79/23

Date:

14 Sep 1941

Title: Level:

Copy letter from Private Maurice Conway to K Murphy, Tower Farm, Ringaskiddy

item

Extent:

1 sheet

Scope and Content: Letter remarks on weather in Egypt and on the bravery of family members at home: 'when I was on leave during the heavy raids mother & the girls were bravest of all. They wouldn't even take shelter on any account... the raids were much more terrifying than Dunkirk'. Conway has encountered an air force pilot from Queenstown (Cobh) while in hospital in England.

Reference:

PR79/24

Date:

June 1996

Title: Level:

Letter from the UK Ministry of Defence to Sister Maura Nagle

item

Extent:

4 pages

Scope and Content: Letter received by Edward Fitzgerald's grand-daughter, Maura Nagle, with information detailing Edward Fitzgerald’s record of service in the Ro yal Navy, from enlistment in 1893 to discharge in 1919. The list of service notes the names of ships during Edward's service, from the training ship for boys HMS Impregnable at Devonport, to the HMS Dreadnought in 1895, the battleship HMS Caesar in 1907, and HMS Hood at Hong Kong in 1911, amongst others. His final service with the navy aboard HMS New Zealand is noted as from November 1912 to March 1919. The letter also details brief information as to Edward's physical characteristics on entry and at 18 years of age, from eye colour to height and skin complexion.

Appended to the letter is a printed page with text from the London Gazette regarding an award to Fitzgerald for service during the Battle of Jutland, 31st May to 1 June 1916.

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Reference:

PR79/25

Date:

12 Nov 2011

Title: Level:

RTE Feature Story on Edward Fitzgerald

item

Extent:

1 page

Scope and Content: Single page text from RTE Radio 1 Seascapes channel with story of Edward Fitzgerald's naval career and history of HMS New Zealand.

Reference:

PR79/26

Date:

25 Apr 2016

Title: Level:

Printed webpage showing image and description of navy museum medals

item

Extent:

1 page

Scope and Content: Includes information issued by the navy of New Zealand as to historic medals issued by the government, with a photograph of the HMS New Zealand commemorative medal.

Reference:

PR79/27

Date:

c.2016

Title: Level:

Newsclipping advertising first world war event at Bishopstown Library

item

Extent:

1 page

Scope and Content: Small clipping from unidentified newspaper titled 'First World War Event', with a call to members of the public to come forward with any family history from the period and join members of the Western Front Association at a Bishopstown Library event.

Appendix A: List of world locations visited or referenced in Fitzgerald ’ s diary and scrapbook of HMS New Zealand during world tour of 1913.

Location (A-Z)

Country

Page Reference(s) [PR79/5]

Acapulco

Mexico

8, 146

Akaroa

New Zealand

7, 99

Ascension Auckland

Ascension Island

7, 16, 30

New Zealand

7, 8, 78-80, 91, 123-126

Bantry

Ireland

6

Barbados Bermuda

Barbados Bermuda

8, 198-200 8, 209-214 7, 105-106

Bluff

New Zealand South Africa

Capetown

7, 33-38

Callao

Peru

8, 157-160

Devonport Dominica

United Kingdom

6, 8, 226

Dominica

8, 201

Dunedin

New Zealand

104, 127

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Durban

South Africa

7, 38, 64 135, 141

Esquimalt Gisborne Greenock Grenada

Canada

New Zealand

7, 77

United Kingdom

6

Grenada

8, 197 7, 110

Grey Mouth

New Zealand

Halifax

Nova Scotia, Canada

8, 215-220

Hokitika Honolulu Jamaica

New Zealand Hawaii, U.S.A.

7, 110

8, 132-134 8, 202-206

Jamaica

Johannesburg

South Africa

39-51

Levuka

Fiji

8

Lima

Peru

157

Lyttelton Mazatlan Melbourne

New Zealand

7, 91-98

Mexico

8, 144-145

Australia

7, 64-66

Milford Sound Montevideo

New Zealand

7, 107-109 8, 183-186

Uruguay

Napier Nelson

New Zealand New Zealand New Zealand New Zealand New Zealand

7, 74-76

7, 111-113 7, 120-121

New Plymouth

Omaru

7, 103 7, 103

Otago Heads

Panama

Panama

8, 148-156

Picton

New Zealand

7, 114

Plymouth

United Kingdom United Kingdom

6, 7, 9, 225

Portsmouth

7, 9-14,

Pretoria

South Africa

52-63

Punta Arenas Rio de Janeiro

Chile Brazil

8

8, 187-192

Rotorua Russell

New Zealand New Zealand

81-90 7, 122 8, 147

Salina Cruz

Mexico

Simon’s Town

South Africa Saint Helena Cape Verde

7, 36

St Helena

7, 18, 31-32

St Vincent (São Vicente)

7, 16

Straits of Magellan

Chile

180-182

Suva

Fiji

8, 128-130 7, 100-102 8, 193-196 8, 161-179 8, 137-140

Timaru Trinidad

New Zealand

Trinidad and Tobago

Vaparaiso Vancouver

Chile

Canada Canada

Victoria

8, 136, 142-143

Wellington Westport Whanganui

New Zealand New Zealand New Zealand

7, 66, 69-73, 115-117

7, 110

118-119

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