During this time I studied for The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (I.Mech.E.) examinations and graduated with a Higher National Certificate.(HNC).
A couple of the interesting items: We build a house out at the Pines Beach, and I drove a bus to Christchurch in the morning and home at night, working for the Midland Bus Company.  The bus was a Leyland with a six shift gear box and it was necessary to double de-clutch in order to change gears.

We traveled all over the South Island towing a trailer (caravan) with a 1932 Ford V8, (the first of the V8s).  We went as far south as Gore and as far north as Picton and traveled down the west coast as far as the Fox and Franz Joseph glaciers.  I worked on the radial gates and the Tekapo and Pukaki Hydro installations during this period.

We left for Canada in 1952 on the Union Steamship Co. vessel, “Aorangi”

An interesting aside:  My Great Great Grandfather was Richard Driver.  He, and the rest of his crew,  rowed ashore from one of the early whaling vessels, were set upon by the Maori and all killed except for him.  He was saved by the Maori Princess Motoitoi, daughter of Mahora and Kahutia, and lived with her for a number of years.  At that time, 1830, the South Island was ruled by four chieftains, Te Maiharanui of Kaiapoi, Tuhawaiki of Ruapuke Island, Taiaroa and Karetai of Otakou. Motoitoi’s Grandparents were the Grandparents of three of these chieftains. Richard Driver became a harbour pilot in Lyttelton and eventually settled on a farm in Otago.  Their daughter Maria Catherine, married Peter Mouat who was my Great Grandfather.