Cabinet 1: Introduction: Ernie Webber
Photograph of Ernie Webber, an unknown friend, and his Jaguar 31/2 litre motor car, ‘The Wicked Lady’, c.1956. MS-3333/095.
In one newspaper article, Webber is described as ‘banker, business tycoon and ardent sportsman’. In relation to the last, Webber, on separate occasions, bagged 100s of deer, shot wapiti in Fiordland, hooked swordfish in the Bay of Islands, and sailed across the Tasman in an 85-foot schooner. In a five-year period, he did this last journey 100 times. He also liked cars and modified his own, equipping it with a Rolls Royce engine. His friends recorded the sensation created every time ‘Ernie’ drove this large, powerful car down the street. Here in a more sedate pose is Webber (with hat) with his Jaguar (31/2 litre), which he dubbed ‘The Wicked Lady’.