Fundy Stamp Collectors Club P. O. Box 302 Moncton N.B. E1C 8L4 Since 1997

remember that in my last editorial I indicated that I thought autumn was the best time of the year for a stamp collector. It seems that I may have to add winter to that list. Although the weather has made travel and getting out to local shows and safes difficult, it has also provided many hours of being stuck in the house, which is not too bad a problem for a stamp collector. I have had the joy of many hours this winter working with my collection, and even a few of them by candlelight, thanks to our friend Old Man Winter.

Another aspect of collecting (at least for me) that I find particularly interesting at this time of the year are 2003 stamp programs. I have spent many enjoyable hours on the Internet reviewing the new programs of several countries that I collect. Keeping up to date on new programs and new issues is nearly a full-time collecting interest.

The Fundy Stamp Collectors Club held its annual meeting in December 2002, and elected a new slate of officers for 2003. The new President is Dr. Ralph Richardson, who also is the author of the Feature Article this issue.

The Club is quite active, and continues to meet the first Thursday, monthly, at the YMCA on Highfield Street, from 700 to 900.

The major show of the Club, Brunpex, was held last October 19, and was again very successful. It attracted a variety of dealers from around the Maritimes, and attendance was very good. The Club again held a combination silent and live auction during Brunpex, which was very well received.

Beyond doubt the highlight of the day was the attendance of Mr. Jim Hudson, of Hudson Design, who was the designer of the Royal Milltary College 125th Anniversary stamp Unitarde/Scott catalog number 1906, as well as several other Canadian stamps. He designed a special cover for the show, which was a very popular item, and Mr. Hudson spent a couple of hours autographing covers for customers. There are still some covers available at a cost of $ 2, and can be ordered from the club address above.

As usual, the major problem with a club Newsletter is finding articles. A few members of the Fundy Stamp Collectors Club have been very helpful, but it would be great if collectors from other clubs in the Maritimes would consider submitting an article. As the spring approaches, there will be several spring shows and sales, notably NOVAPEX 2003, to be held in Dartmouth, NS on May 3-4, 2003 at the Dartmouth Sportsplex.

Until the next edition (late April 2003), treat your collection with the attention it deserves. Philately is without doubt the best hobby in the world.

Don Mills, editor (506) 384-5107
E-mail: donmillscanada@yahoo.com

Sorry for the quality of the graphics in this newsletter. They were scanned from the paper copy.

The date of May 15, 2002 marked the end of an era in telecommunications. The South Pacific had been tied together and to the world by submarine cables. These cables, whether carrying telegraphic or telephone transmissions, had played a vital role in the development of the region. One of the best known cable systems was the Commonwealth Pacific Cable or COMPAC. This system was first put into service in 1962-63. The cable stretched from Port Albemi, British Columbia, Canada to Keawaula on Oahu, Hawaii, from there to Suva, Fiji, and from there to Auckland, New Zealand and on to Sydney, Australia (15,248 Km. ). This system was replaced in 1983-84 by the ANZCAN system. it's routing was essentially the same as COMPAC's. It originated in Port Albemi and extended to Keawaula, Hawaii. However from there it was routed to Vatuooaqa, Fiji and from there to Anson Bay, Norfolk Island. From Anson Bay cables were laid to Sydney, Australia and Auckland, New Zealand. In 1981 the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming the year 1983 as World Communications Year. With the ANZCAN cable coming ashore at Anson Bay, the Norfolk Island Postal Authority chose to depict the cable laying exercise on a four value set commemorating the World Communications Year. The 30 and 45 cent values portray the Motor Ship Chantik, the cable ship which participated in the shore end operations.

The Cable Ship Mercury, which laid the Norfolk to Auckland section of the cable, is portrayed on the 75 cent value, while the 85 cent value identified the ANZCAN routing from Port Aiberni to Sydney and Auckland (see First Day cover).

A side note to this concerns the role of the HMNZS Monowai. The Monowai, a hydrographic survey ship, was part of the Royal New Zealand Navy and was responsible for surveying the ANZCAN route from Anson Bay to Auckland. In 1985 the New Zealand Post Office produced a set of four stamps portraying New Zealand Naval history. The stamps, which range in value from 25 cents to 75 cents portray the Philomel, the Achilles, the Rotoiti and the Canterbury. All of these ships have served New Zealand well. The miniature sheet includes all four values, pictures the ANZCAN cable route, and also honours the HMNZS Monowai .

Ironically the Monowai was decommissioned in April of 2002 and the ANZCAN cable went out of service on May 15 of that same year. In retrospect, perhaps the Fijians had a better understanding of the future of communication. On a 1983 stamp in honour of World Commu- nications Year they featured a Fijian Native sending a message on a hollow drum, known as a lafi, white in the background a satellite dish stretches skyward -- a symbol of the new emerging communications era.

These are known as the tools of stamp collecting.

Stamp hinges are available at every stamp store or through mail order catalogs. They were invented years ago so collectors can affix their stamps to a page and peel them off years later with no damage to the stamp. However, you should be careful when using hinges so that you wet only the hinge and not the stamp. This happens when you use a lot of moisture on the hinge. Then you have licked the stamp to the album page. The best way to wet the hinge is to lick the tip of your finger and then touch the finger to the hinge. This prevents too much moisture on the hinge, but will still be sufficient to attach the stamp firmly to the page. A stamp mount works in much the same way as a hinge in keeping the stamp in the album, but without damage to the back of the stamp. Mounts are actually small plastic sleeves to which stamps are inserted and then the mount is affixed to the page by wetting the glue on the back of the mount.

Tongs are similar to cosmetic tweezers, but without sharp edges that could damage the stamp. Do not use drugstore tweezers on your stamps! Stamp tongs are very inexpensive. The logic of the tongs is that your fingers may damage a valuable stamp, either with moisture or by pulling it when placing the stamp in the correct position.

Attendance has averaged 12 members, although there are 17 in the club. The December meeting was the annual meeting, where a new slate of officers was elected. They include Ralph Richardson as President, Dave Morris as Vice-President, Mike Leighton as Secretary-Treasurer, Don Mills as Past President, and Art Gillard, Bob Evans, Dave Tait, and Jim Wade as Directors.

The Club finished the year in a healthy financial position.

Next meetings are March 6, April 3, May 1, and June