Dianne Haworth - Paddy the Wanderer

W heres Paddy? Its a question often heard as groups of schoolchildren traipse into the historic building of the Museum of Wellington City & Sea. The calibre of the museum educator is then judged by the ability to bring to life this much-loved and curious dog. As part of the historic Queens Wharf in New Zealands capital city, the century-old, elegant building housing Wellingtons maritime and social history museum has played host to many commercial and iconic events. It has witnessed life-changing dramas. It has housed characters both loved and feared but none quite like our Paddy, the four-footed wanderer whose independence and dogged ability to survive captured the heart of a city and has been etched indelibly on generations since.

Paddys story has been carefully and lovingly written by Dianne Haworth in Paddy the Wanderer . It is a true story. It is a wonderful story rather, they are wonderful stories, for Paddys life is made up of many different adventures. His stories are set against the hard reality of 1930s pre-war Depression, and are thoroughly researched, lively and fascinating.

The author has been determined to uncover all that could be of Paddys unusual life, and it has taken her on a journey up and down New Zealand, to Australia and even America. She has a wonderful understanding of what Paddy was like and a natural empathy with those who knew him. Dianne has spoken to many people who knew Paddy and these personal memories support the adventures, friendships and further excitement around this extraordinary ordinary dogs life. Readers will meet Valerie, Murray and other children whose attachment to Paddy has continued throughout their lives. Theyll meet wharfies, taxi drivers, mayors and many other wild and wonderful characters.

Paddys story has a way of crossing boundaries and opening doors. The media of the time loved to write about him, and, in todays media, reference to Paddy still makes headlines. He has stirred the imagination of Academy Award-winning Weta Workshop, who have created the books delightful cover and illustrations.

Full and rich, Paddy the Wanderer reveals the warmth and positive magic nestled in a harsh period of New Zealand history. In our age of fantasy and hi-tech entertainment it is the true subject matter enhanced by imaginative writing that will hold the reader young and old for years to come. Through Paddy the Wanderer they will enter into the times and be enriched by knowing him.

Paddy refused to belong to anybody but belonged to everybody. He will continue to do so thanks to this true and heartfelt account of his life. Welcome home, Paddy.

T o write the tale of the legendary dog, Paddy the Wanderer, has been to embark on and travel a wondrous, entertaining journey comparable, perhaps, with one of Paddys own voyages.

Such is the charisma of the dog that even now, almost seventy years after his death, Paddy remains as large a personality as ever he was in life. I had only to say to people working in many different spheres that I was researching the life of Paddy the Wanderer for all doors to open. Everyone, it seemed, had someone in the family or an acquaintance who had spoken fondly to them of Paddy.

In particular I would like to thank Shelley Seay and the Museum of Wellington City & Sea, for granting me permission to write Paddys story; the Alexander Turnbull Library; Gareth Winter of Wairarapa Archives who worked tirelessly to unearth the story of Merlin Chamberlain and Paddys flight in the Gipsy Moth; John Bull of the Auckland Central Police; Peter Hood; the Auckland Central Library; the Wellington Aero Club; the New Zealand Kennel Club; Cresby Brown for his writings and research on Paddy; the reminiscences of Jimmy Connors and Tom Willard; Bernardine Glasgow (Pool); Tony Koss; Gerard Hill; Bob Howitt; Graham Purvis; Lee Binks; Geoffrey Chamberlain; Bob Kerridge and the SPCA; Beverly Donald (Walters); Patsy Hutchison; Elspeth Preddey; and the ever-cheerful encouragement of Lorain Day and my publishers HarperCollins.

I would also like to thank two children who featured in the book for their friendship and assistance throughout this project: Murray Henderson the little boy of the final chapter who did go to sea when he grew up has generously shared his great knowledge of the Wellington wharves of that time and of the ships that Paddy sailed on; and Valerie Fitzgerald (Murphy), who shared her deeply moving story.

Dianne Haworth

Auckland