AUDIO

Interview with Sir Ronald Trotter

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Date

10 January 1986 - 13 January 1986 - 10 Jan 1987

By

Trotter, Ronald Ramsay (Sir), 1927-2010

Reference

OHInt-0001/12

Description

Sir Ronald Trotter born in Hawera in 1927. Describes childhood in Hawera and years as a boarder at Wanganui Collegiate, Victoria University and Lincoln College. Refers to other students: G S Bogle, a Rhodes Scholar; Robin Cook; Bill Shires; David Farquhar; Sir Thomas Hunter; Tony Latham; Shayle Searle; Herbert Caselberg. Talks about compulsory military training and exemptions.

Outlines his career from its beginnings as a stock agent/junior auctioneer with Farmer's Auctioneering Co, Hawera to the position of Chairman and Chief Executive of Fletcher Challenge. Mentions others connected to Farmer's Auctioneering: J W (Jack) de Gruchy (later manager of NZ Meat Producers' Board); Ernie Pike; Jack Monteith; Sir John Ormond - describes the Ormond homestead at Wallingford. Topics covered for that period include: rabbit problem; aerial topdressing; giant discing of hill country; role of stock and station agents; main competitors to Farmers - Williams & Kettle, Dalgety, Murray Roberts Co., NMA and Wright Stephenson who came from South Island. Talks about Hawkes Bay Farmers' Co-operative Association. Describes his experience with Wright Stephenson. Mentions Sir Clifford Plimmer. Explains the different styles and techniques of auctioneering. Reflects on Wright Stephenson/NMA merger (1972). Refers to attempted takeover bid by Vavasour & Co. Ltd and its possible consequences. Backgrounds appointment by Government to guide Tasman Pulp and Paper Co out of its difficulties in 1978. Mentions Graham Valentine of Barr Burgess and Stewart, John Cook, Cliff Terry, Frank Renouf and John Fair. Gives impressions of Sir John Marshall (National MP). Gives background to Tasman becoming a subsidiary of Fletcher Holdings (1979). Describes major industrial dispute with reference to John Murphy and Bill Anderson. Discusses mergers and expansion.

Venue - Wellington

Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson

Venue - 55 Tutere Street, Waikanae

Quantity: 8 C60 cassette(s). 7.10 Hours and minutes Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 0156.

Additional description

Alternative form available: Copies available at Fletcher Challenge Ltd Archives

Use/Reproduction

No public use without written permission of donor and interviewee Copyright: Copyright held by Fletcher Challenge Ltd

Access restrictions

Restricted - Content cannot be accessed without permission - Access requires written permission of both the donor and interviewee

Part of

NZOHA Fletcher Challenge Ltd Oral History Project

Format

8 C60 cassette(s), 7.10 Hours and minutes Duration, Oral histories, Sound quality: Background noise from sea outside cottage, also some electrical interference, Equipment used: Sony WM-D6C: Shure SM58 microphones

There are 9 items in total.

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