left england on a small ship called the Matia for Wellington NZ 1930s

[har342]

Any information please on my Grandfather John Lyon who left England as an engineer on a small ship called the Matia for Wellington NZ which he helped build in Newcastle UK for the New Zealand High Commissioner. He was accompanied by his new wife (Catherine Kitty) nee Conky on the voyage abt 1930ish. I was told by JL that it was reported in the press at the time.

thanks for any hep

[jorose]

I think possibly your "Matia" was the "Matai", a lighthouse tender:
http://www.newzealandlighthouses.com/matai.htm
built by: R & W Hawthorn-Leslie and Co in Hebburn-on-Tyne, and the timing is about right.

An article regarding her trip over from England:
http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=NZH19300910.2.45
Photo:
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=EP19300919.2.34.15

Nothing the names him specifically but I presume that representatives of the company who built her including engineers would have been on aboard to ensure her safe passage to Wellington.

The Governor-General and other politicians (+ families and servants) apparently also used the Matai and other lighthouse tenders as yachts when they travelled around NZ.

[har342]

Thanks so much

[har342]

John and Catherine Lyon left NZ soon after the Matai arrived in Wellington on 13th oct 1930. I presume on another ship is the any way of finding out which ship and when?

[jorose]

This is indexed in "NZ Passenger Lists" but appears to be outgoing from Wellington to Sydney:
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KGMM-Q3K
The SS Ulimaroa, left for Sydney 31st October 1930.
On board, Mr J Lyon, 28, marine engineer, and Mrs C Lyon, 28, both born England, travelling 1st class.

They presumably then went on from Sydney to England, but I don't have access to UK incoming passenger lists.

[har342]

Thanks Jorose

Thats correct they didnt go back to England but went to Australia to join JL s parents in Adelaide my Father Peter was born in Adelaide in 1932.