Interview with Norman Webb

Norman Webb describes family background; father, Herbert Webb as pioneer in the early electrical industry; childhood; early education; life as an electrical apprentice at W B Alexander, Wanganui; details of staff; rudimentary power system in houses; umbrella aerial installations for early radio; electrical wiring regulations; standards; accidents; development of the Wanganui domestic electricity supply; staff at W B Alexander, Stan Terry, Roy Blewitt; education at Canterbury University studying for an electrical engineering (civil) degree; lecturers, J E L (Jelly) Cole, Percy Powell, Billy Darwin.

Recalls work as a cadet for Hydro Electric Branch, Public Works Department, Addington; construction of sub station; function of sub station; as assistant engineer work on transmission supply of Highbank Power Station; wiring at Burnham Camp during World War II; the domestic wiring process; electrical hazards and safety; live line testing; reference to distribution engineer, John Stevens and assistant, Jack Fazackerley; restricted occupation during war; training as pilot in Tiger Moths; service for Royal Airforce 61 Squadron in Lancasters and Wellington Bombers; attitudes to survival and wartime lifestyle; parachuting after being hit by night fighters; capture; internment at Sagan as prisoner of war; transition to civil life.

Describes construction work at Methven; construction village; details of erecting poles and running power lines; relations with farmers; isolation and social problems in the construction villages; roles as engineer at head office, Wellington from 1948; in purchasing section; fifteen years in sub station design work; attitude to head office; layout of Department; period of rapid change post war; rapid growth; personality of F T M Kissell; reference Bob Semple; personality of A E Davenport; social structure at head office; details of design of sub station; heavy post war demand; relationship with district engineers; background to promotion to maintenance engineer; role as inspection engineer, 1966-1968; travel involved; reference to Johnny Lough and Jerry Meredith.

Discusses role as commercial engineer; work with the supply authorities; reference to Alec Heir, E B McKenzie, Phil Blakeley; relationship between the Electrical Supply Authorities Association and the New Zealand Electricity Department; rationing of power before the Cook Strait cable; power blackouts; recalls ministers of electricity, Tom Shand, Les Gandar, Brian Talboys, Lance Adams-Schneider; future of power generation in New Zealand; work at the Electric Supply Authorities Association after retirement.

Access Contact - See oral history librarian

Venue - Wellington

Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson

Venue - Mr Webb's home at 11 Corlett Road, Plimmerton, Wellington

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-001702 - OHC-001704

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

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 270.

Search dates: 1913 - 1987

Alternative form available: Listening copies OHLCD-0522 - OHLCD-0524

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