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OB I T U A RY NORMAN LLOYD (BUSTER) PARRY DFC 1920-2013 FROM SPITFIRES TO TOWING BARGES BY BADEN PASCOE uster, as he was known on the Auckland waterfront, passed away on Monday January 14, 2013. Buster was the son of Ivor Parry, one of the three brothers who formed Parry Bros Ltd in 1919. This tug and barge operator later became Sea Tow Ltd. Buster played a very special role during World War Two, as he was trained as a specialist aerial photography pilot. His purpose-built Spitfire was fitted with high altitude photography equipment and he flew solo over Nazi Germany on many occasions returning with vital information. He also flew this plane from Great Britain to Burma where he deployed his specialist services. This mission was recognised by his superior B officers and he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his services. When he returned home after the war he ran the family business with his cousin Eric Barker up until his retirement in the 1970���s. Buster is one of many men from a bygone era who returned home from war to put his military training to good use in another industry. There are many stories about Buster���s management style and most of these stem from his flying days. He had quite a firm and direct management style but his crews understood his nature. They certainly respected him and his ���lead from the front attitude���. THE CHATHAMS JAGUAR MAULING It seems that Mr Leslie wishes to still be known as BRF when he is referring to that history of his trading to the Chathams. But when anything financial is asked, for example, where are all the unpaid port fees, council dues (Chatham Islanders Money), creditor and IRD payments (tax payers money), he can conveniently mention, ���that that company, BRF, no longer exists. We are now SESL���. It was stated in Clough���s article that monies owed by BRF are solely the responsibility of the receivers; this would appear not to be the case. Again, if Mr Clough had done his research, he would know that responsibility by the receivers does not include the Chatham Islands Council Dues (local port taxes), as stated by the Receivers themselves. Where are these funds Mr Leslie? Were they perhaps used to repurchase the Rangatira? Let���s all be reminded that Chatham Islanders were held to ransom with the previous BRF monopoly and the skyrocketing freight prices that BRF/Leslie obviously increased, to cover the purchase and repairs of the MV Jaguar. It was only once the MV Baldur started its service to the Islands, did price rises stabilise, and in many cases reduce. Today, and only as a direct result of 44S and now CISL, Chatham Islanders are experiencing the best freight rates and service they have seen in many years. The constant attacks from SESL/Leslie regarding the Islands own shipping service has amplified recently, due to the Chatham Islanders��� democratic decision to move forward with a dedicated Island-owned, new-build vessel, with us at CISL. I dare say that the Timaru businesses that back Leslie, both financially and by boycotting the part Island-owned shipping service, will be looking for any way possible to defame CISL and supporting enterprises. As I mentioned in the beginning of this article, we are not interested in defending ourselves any longer from Mr Leslie���s false, and in some cases libellous, accusations. We will continue to focus our efforts on our customers and our shipping service. CISL has a long-term vision to provide an economical, efficient, and friendly shipping service to the Chatham Islands, for as long as this is what our community wants. We have always attempted to be transparent, and anyone with any questions about our service can speak directly to one of our directors, our staff or myself. Dennis Nisbet responds to Lea Clough���s article I recently read the article in Professional Skipper magazine submitted by Lea Clough in regards to developments in the Chatham Islands Shipping services. There have been numerous allegations against Chatham Islands Shipping Ltd publicised by South East Shipping Ltd supporters, which until now we have chosen not to respond to. Our business is to focus on our customers and the service we are providing, rather than enter into public banter and debate in the media. We do however, after reading this most recent article, feel that we need to correct the mis-information that is constantly being circulated. In the past four years, myself personally, 44 South Shipping, and now Chatham Islands Shipping Ltd, have endured dozens of efforts by Black Robin Freighters, Black Robin Shipping, South East Shipping Ltd and Mr Leslie, to discredit our reputation. We have been falsely accused of breaches of compliance with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Maritime NZ, the Maritime Union of New Zealand, Port Companies, and even our own clients have been attacked. None of these accusations have occurred, nor have they in any way, shape or form, ever been proven to have happened. How does Mr Leslie have so much time on his hands that he should be actively attempting to sabotage our good name? We simply do not have the time for this nonsense. We would like to clear up one major factual error submitted by Mr Clough In his article. The article speaks about the payment of power and a bond to Chatham Islands Ports Co and makes the argument appear very one-sided in favour of Mr Leslie���s numerous shipping ventures. If Mr Clough had done his research he would have found that we (CISL) do in fact pay a percentage of the power used at the wharf and we also paid the required $10,000 bond and signed the Chatham Islands Ports service agreement, before CISL ever commenced trading. In terms of the Chatham Islands Ports, both shipping companies have been treated exactly the same. I doubt that any Port Company in New Zealand would have treated Mr Leslie so fairly with his financial history, especially since most people are unsure as to which shipping venture we are actually dealing with: BRF, BRS, Leslie Shipping or SESL? Dennis Nisbet, CEO, Chatham Islands Shipping Ltd Managing Director, 44 South Shipping Co Ltd March/April 2013 Professional Skipper 9