Interview with Jack Burn-Murdoch

Born at Cambridge 1907, one of four children. Outlines family background. Father fought in the South African War (Boer) with 3rd Contingent.

Recalls childhood in Lichfield; horse and buggy days (Transport); politics; welfare of farming; religion; Lichfield school and teachers; flu epidemic (1918) and death of brother; family move to Papatoetoe, Auckland.

Joined Wrightson Stephenson & Co. as junior clerk in 1924 and progressed to Manager of Hamilton Branch which he built up. Gives detailed accounts of his work, including the creation of a major Wright Stephenson presence in the Bay of Plenty. Identities mentioned include; Basil O'Reilly Nugent; Murray Benjamin (related to Nathan family); Gordon Binney (son of founder of Abraham and Williams, Auckland); Don Binney. Backgrounds involvement in selling farms and opening of office in Whakatane in 1935. Describes competition with New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Co and Dalgety & Co. Mentions J T McCaw (Jack), auctioneer. Recalls post-World War II settlement and rehabilitation of soldiers and Wright Stephensons plan in dealing with it.

Venue - Tauranga

Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson

Venue - Snodgrass Road, Te Puna, Tauranga

Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 3 Hours Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 0135.

Alternative form available: Copies available at Fletcher Challenge Ltd Archives