Interview with Phyllis Hooper

Phyllis Hooper was born in Warkworth in 1903 and moved to Wayby with her family when she was three. Talks about deliveries of groceries and mail. Recalls a bad flood, basic living conditions and her family being given use of the shop behind the house in return for care of the shop and telephone. Describes how telegrams came through. Recalls the building of a store by the Civil brothers at Wellsford and the closure of the Wayby shop when the railway went through. Recalls problems stabilising banks for the railway. Describes large camps of workers associated with the railway construction. Recalls walking to school, jobs after school and various games. Describes problems with teachers at the school during World War I, going to Wellsford for proficiency and failing. Talks about resitting it and attending St Cuthberts as a weekly boarder.

Describes being taught music in Wellsford by Connie Balance and at St Cuthberts by Mrs Archdale Tayler. Recalls how their family got a piano and an organ. Describes how school finished early in 1918 because of the flu epidemic and how some of the children were quarantined at school for six weeks. Mentions the announcement of the Armistice during the flu epidemic and the effect of celebrations on some flu victims. Talks about Dr Meinhold of Helensville and his knowledge of the `plague' (the flu) from Germany.

Talks about beginning to teach music in 1920, teaching technique and her parents move to Tauhoa. Describes her weekly journeys between there and Helensville on a horse. Describes marrying in 1928, her husband's singing lessons and their nightly recitals. Recalls being in a singing group with the Women's Division Federated Farmers (WDFF) and playing the piano and organ for the church and Sunday school. Describes hearing visiting pianists Fritz Kreister and Paderewski.

Interviewer(s) - Beverley Bennett

Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s).

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3328.

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

Alternative form available: Listening copies OHLC-006729 - OHLC-006730