AUDIO

Interview with Russell Smith

Ask a librarian about this item

See original record

Date

18 Jan 1983

By

Smith, Russell Wordsworth, 1913-1983

Reference

OHInt-0015-08

Description

Russell Smith outlines his family background: Great grandfather, Captain Smith; grandfather, Wallace Smith; his father's early life (Sidney Wardsworth Smith); the family silver; Russell Smith's work as family historian; the Greytown house where his aunts lived; the family home; home help; cars; Landsdowne Dam; meals, parties and games; his mother and a spiritual medium; 'The Masterton Club' and its membership system; going to Wanganui Collegiate; his views on boarding schools; Tanglewood; balls; Homewood; religion; parents politics; Russell Smith's work in politics, the Farmers Union, Bert Cooksley - National member for the Wairarapa; Russell Smith's work with Forestry Committee and Catchment Board.

Describes sex education; meeting his wife, Edith Thrittle; buying Te Hau; local characters: Karl Haas, Jack Reagan, Jee Eely; swaggers (tramps) during the Depression; packmen; first plane in Masterton; his going to the World Forestry Conference in Madrid in 1966; his 1973 trip to China; his hobby collecting silver; raising money for the Laura Fergusson Trust; his views on the standard of antiques in New Zealand.

Discusses the main families in the Wairarapa: Wardell, Beetham, Riddiford; people: Doctor Archer Hosking, Mr Drummond; teachers, Mr Drummond, Mrs Gleghorn; mayors, Tommy Jordon and Norman Tankersley. Mentions prohibition; spiritualism, Pearl Judd - medium; the effect of World War II; childhood impressions of Masterton.

Venue - Masterton

Interviewer(s) - Judith Fyfe

Venue - 41 Renall Street, Masterton

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-004425 - OHC-004429

Quantity: 5 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 5 Hours Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 889.

Search dates: 1913 - 1983

Additional description

Original recordings not available for playback. Surrogate copies will be provided.

Alternative form available: Listening copies OHLC-001096 - OHLC-001100; OHLC-005267 - OHLC-005271

Use/Reproduction

Public use requires the written permission of the interviewee and may require the written permission of the copyright holder Copyright: Held by Masterton Borough Council

Access restrictions

Partly restricted material

Part of

Masterton South Rotary Club Oral History Project.

Format

5 C60 cassette(s), 1 printed abstract(s), 1 interview(s), 5 Hours Duration, Oral histories, Sound quality: poor, Equipment used: National Panasonic recorder

There are 6 items in total.

See original record

Click to request to view this item, access digital version (if available), and see more information.