Interview with George Pearson

George Pearson was born in Dunedin. Outlines family background - paternal grandfather, George Pearson, a ship's carpenter came from Alloa, Scotland to Dunedin in the early 1860 and later shifted to Timaru where he had a confectionery and fancy goods shop - maternal grandparents came from Tewkesbury, England and settled in Oxford, North Canterbury. Father worked as a watchmaker for G & T Young Ltd, Watchmakers and Jewellers and describes his skilled work which included looking after Antarctic expedition chronometers.

Describes childhood in Dunedin; his interest in tramping; preliminary accounting course undertaken at night classes for 4 years, completing his accountancy exams in 1924, and being admitted to New Zealand Society of Accountants in 1925.

Backgrounds his employment with Wright Stephenson & Co, starting as office junior, with references from William Alexander and Hugh Salmon, spending 12 years as Branch Inspector and progressing to Company Secretary until retirement. Details system of crediting livestock sales and debiting costs of supplies etc. Refers to J A Johnstone, Sir William Hunt, David Allan and S C Sutherland (Manager, Dunedin, later Chairman of Directors). Topics covered include; horse sales; salary/pension scheme; flu epidemic, 1918; accounting methods; Post World War I Boom/Depressions; Depression 1930s; growth of Wright Stephenson & Co especially after World War II in the acquisitions of other companies; introduction of computers. Talks about Sir Clifford Plimmer. Gives views on Fletcher Challenge merger.

Venue - Christchurch

Interviewer(s) - Judith Fyfe

Venue - Mr Pearson's home in Christchurch

Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s).

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 0150. An online copy of the abstract is also available to read in the Library's Reading Room.

Alternative form available: Copies held at Fletcher Challenge Ltd Archives