Interview with Hector Nicholls

Hec Nicholls was born in 1914. Describes the family's move to the Otakanini Block, previously Maori land, which was subdivided in 1910. Describes how the milking herd was built up. Discusses the return of the land to Ngati Whatua, efforts to gain compensation and the opposition of Judge Acheson. Mentions the Croslands estate was next door. Describes being in the Navy in World War II and buying land after the war from George Lowe. Discusses the South Head area settled by the Young family and its use for beef grazing. Talks about Francis Fenton, the first judge of the Maori Land Court, who farmed in the area and married a local Maori woman.

Discusses rehabilitation land offered in the area after both world wars. Mentions the South Head area after World War I and the Ototoa and Kawau blocks after World War II. Mentions that Alfred Buckland was compelled to sell land for rehabilitation. Talks about the Kaipara Dairy Company, the planting of pine trees and some deer farming. Mentions that deer were liberated off Sir George Grey's Kawau estate. Describes the cost of a block of rehab land, management of rehabilitation land by John Harmer, the improvement in the roads as a result of rehabilitation and the nature of the new rehab community. Describes the establishment of a school at Waioneke and its use for dances, meetings, cards and tennis. Mentions the building of a hall at South Head.

Describes local personalitites the Bishop brothers, Mrs Shine, Bobby Waddell and Mate. Mentions gum digging.

Interviewer(s) - Gabrielle Hildreth

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

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3329.

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

Alternative form available: A digital copy of the recording is available in the Library's Reading Room.