Interview with Peter Chapman

Outlines family background and childhood with reference to parents' personalities, farming during the depression, religion, social life, leisure activities, the Roadman and people in the district such as the Hardings, Mitchell Family, Hogg Family, Hardy Family, Broderick Family, Fuller Family, Deller(?) Family, Moore Family, and Gilbert Family. Mentions smoking, politics and contact with Maori. Recalls education, firstly Tuturumuri Primary School, Wairarapa, 1930s, then Christ's College, Christchurch as day boy and mentions the discipline and the effect of World War II on school life. Describes studying for B.E. (electrical) at Canterbury University College and holiday work.

Backgrounds job as Assistant Electrical Engineer, State Hydro Department, Addington, Christchurch and details work at the Addington Sub Station, systems, equipment, repairing faults on live insulators, the pressure to keep the power on if possible, the limited nature of power supplies and details a major accident at Half Way Bush Substation, Dunedin. Discusses the relationship between engineers in State Hydro Department and Ministry of Works.

Recalls work at the District Office, Christchurch, his first boss, Eric Sandelin, installation of radio communication between power stations, the inventiveness needed on the job, Jack Fazackerly the Distribution Manager, Alan Lusk a substation engineer, and the relationship between management and non-professional personnel. Describes work as a graduate apprentice for General Electric Co. in the U.K. in early fifties, details of the work, salary, value of the experience.

On return to New Zealand recalls working as Assistant Engineer at Mangakino and details transmission line construction survey work, first impressions of Mangakino, the daily routine, method of surveying, manner of treatment by Transmission Line Engineer. Describes installation and operation of the turbines at Maraeti l. Reviews safety issues and describes town life at Mangakino:- accomodation, sport, racial and class prejudice. Recalls appointment to Head Office, State Hydro Department, Wellington and gives background to appointment, personality of Gavin Wilson (Assistant Chief Engineer), the hierarchy of the Section.

Discusses role as Assistant Electrical Engineer in Hamilton District, the problems of crossing into another's area of responsibility, personality conflicts. Describes involvement with the Tongariro Power Scheme and opposition to the scheme. Recalls the reorganisation of the State Hydro Department, 1968-69 and it's efficacy, the system of grading and promotion of staff. Mentions some of the engineers appointed from overseas, (Cliff Turner, K.D. Patel, Joe Grilli), and the reaction to them. Describes the reorganisation of groupings of power stations, the reoperation of diversion tunnel of the Arapuni Power Station and the commissioning of the Huntly Power Station. Mentions the relations between Districts and Head Office.

Access Contact - See oral history librarian

Venue - Hamilton

Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson

Venue - Mr Chapman's home at 68A Knighton Road, Hamilton

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-001672, 001673, 001674

Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 3 Hours Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 261.

Black and white photographs:-. Peter Chapman, 1987. Peter Chapman, [undated - as a younger man]

Search dates: 1925 - 1987

Alternative form available: Listening copies OHLCD-0455 - OHLCD-0457

Digital copies of the recording and abstract are also available in the Library's Reading Room