Manawatū-Whanganui Region (N.Z.) - Social conditions

Date: 5 Mar 1894, ca 1970s

By: Wilson, William Muir, 1868-1930

Reference: MS-Papers-9961

Description: Comprises telegram to W M Wilson, Wellington, offering him a job with Woolf and Dempsey, Eketahuna (1894); notes by Miss M Wilson re origins of her family; and accompanying letter from donor re collection sent to library Source of title - Supplied Quantity: 1 folder(s). 0.01 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Mss

Date: [192-]

By: Lynskey, Molly E, active 1920-1950

Reference: MSX-8129

Description: Volume is a handwritten and bound history of Taumarunui written in Indian ink, which includes illustrations in oils and ink, and a panorama photograph of Taumarunui town taken by S C Smith. Text covers the period 1850-1925 and includes the early history of local Maori; settler Alexander Bell and his wife Katarina; Taumarunui railway and the development of the first township. Source of title - Transcribed from item Mary (Molly) Ellen Lynskey, infant teacher in Wellington 1920's-1950's. Volume was created as part of a teacher training course Quantity: 1 volume(s). 0.01 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Holograph with illustrations and photograph Provenance: Donor, Anne Tuffin, niece of Molly Lynskey. Three ink sketches and an oil drawing. Includes sketches of Taumarunui in 1901 and a Maori dwelling in the King Country (no date). The oil drawing depicts Mount Ngauruhoe.

Date: 1939-1965

From: Johnston, Royden Hugh, 1915-2005 : Papers

Reference: MS-Papers-6215-2

Description: Comprises copies of letters between Johnston and Will Cryer and Tony Batley re Taihape history, notes on Taihape history by Johnston, and itinerary for tour of Taihape re Maori history of the area Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: 1951

From: Starke, June, 1923-2006 : Research papers

Reference: 2003-228-11

Description: Recollections of Feilding by Ferderick Jersey St Clere written in 1951 covering his time there from 1879. Also `Preface to my early recollections' written by Captain Daniell gives brief details of Thomas Daniell and family of Trelissick, Cornwall and their arrival in NZ on the `Adelaide' in Jan 1840. Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: 1988-2000

By: Boyden, Ian Hamilton William, 1915-2001

Reference: MS-Group-0995

Description: Three histories of the Boyden family compiled by Boyden, and Boyden's reminiscences, `Rua Roa; one man's memories' in which he describes the pioneering settlement of Ruaroa and its development from the time his father, William Boyden, settled there in 1908 up till 2000 when the memoirs were completed. Source of title - Supplied Quantity: 2 folder(s). 0.03 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Typescripts

Date: 1855-ca 1910, 1979

By: Stewart family

Reference: MS-Papers-10864

Description: Papers including letters, financial papers, and newspaper cuttings relating to the life and work of John Tiffen Stewart, civil engineer. Consists mainly of letters to his wife, Frances (Fanny) Stewart (nee Carkeek) and from her to other members of the family about family, personal and social matters. Also correspondence between Karl Sim and the librarian, Strathclyde University re J A Gilfillan and Stewart family, 1979 Source of title - Supplied Quantity: 3 folder(s) (ca 150 leaves). 0.05 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Mss and printed matter (photocopies)

Date: 1956

By: Thompson, Hugh Montgomery, 1887-1956

Reference: MS-Papers-6538

Description: Thompson wrote his reminiscences in 1956, shortly before he died. He describes his family background, where they lived, his school days, mostly in Palmerston North, joining Lands and Survey Department, Wellington, in 1905 and moving to Nelson in 1906, Hokitika in 1910, Invercargill in 1911, Hastings in 1913, Wanganui from 1919 to 1924 when he worked for the Public Works Department in the King Country and in 1935 his move to Greymouth. From 1938 to 1956 he and his family lived in Tauranga. Source of title - Transcribed Quantity: 1 folder(s). 0.01 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Typescript (photocopy)

Date: 1939-1965

From: Johnston, Royden Hugh, 1915-2005 : Papers

Reference: MS-Papers-6215-1

Description: Comprises letters between Johnston and Will Cryer and Tony Batley re Taihape history; notes on Taihape history by Johnston; and itinerary for tour of Taihape re Maori history of the area Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: 1879, 1922-1926

By: McWilliams family

Reference: MS-Papers-8107

Description: Letters written to their family while sailing to New Zealand, signed variously by Nell, Mac, Manny and Pixie on SS `Ruapehu' in 1922, then from Auckland and Taumarunui. Includes notes on the family in England by donor and copy of birth certificate of William McWilliams (1879)) Source of title - Supplied by Library Quantity: 2 folder(s). 0.01 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Typescript (photocopies)

Date: Dec 2000

From: Hunt, Alice Suisana, 1925- : Papers relating to Arthur Aris King and James Baxter Fleck

Reference: MS-Papers-7771-1

Description: Reminiscences by Hunt of her father's life; Fleck was born in England, and came out to New Zealand in 1912. He served in the army occupation force in Samoa in 1915 until 1919 and married Florence, daughter of Arthur and Suisana King in the 1920s, moving to Palmerston North. Hunt writes of Fleck's work, life and interests there, includes the Fleck family tree, family photographs, a list of items in family files, donations made to various institutions etc. Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: 1871-1880, [2000]

By: Dalrymple, William, -1882

Reference: MS-Papers-7089

Description: Letters mostly from Annie Dalrymple (later Stewart) to her father, William Dalrymple, written from Wellington, Te Matia [?], Burnside, Palmerston North and Awahuri. She describes her intention to marry Peter Stewart, their various living situations, their move to Palmerston North, her domestic situation, her children and other personal concerns. Four letters were written by Peter Stewart. Source of title - Supplied Relationship complexity - An earlier collection of Dalrymple family letters is at MS-Papers-1467 Quantity: 1 folder(s) (14 leaves). 0.01 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Typescript

Date: [199-]

By: Hornblow family

Reference: MS-Papers-7016

Description: The family tree of Charles W Hornblow by Thelma Parsonson, compiled in 1991 is an update of the Hornblow family tree previously completed to 1938 by her uncle Max Hornblow (1903-1967). The family tree starts with Robert and Ann Hornblow, the grandpaprents of C W Hornblow, and then follows Charles' line. Mainly descendancy charts and transcripts of newspaper obituaries, with photographs of Charles and his wife Sarah Overy, and their eleven children. Includes chapter on Mary Ann Bibby written by Miriam MacGregor in 1973. Also a reminiscence of the Hornblow family of 250 Grey Street, Palmerston North written by John Firth Hornblow the son of John (Jack) Sewell Hornblow and Dorothy (Dorrie) Elaine (nee Firth), ca 1990s. John Sewell was the son of John Knowles Hornblow, printer of Wairarapa, who bought the Manawatu Herald in Foxton, 1906. The full and detailed reminiscence describes how his parents met while they were studying for dentistry and home science degrees at Otago University, their married life in Palmerston North, their family, Jack's dentistry career, etc. Source of title - Supplied title Accompanying material - Article entitled `Reared on printer's ink; John K Hornblow and the Manawatu Herald' by Michael Hamblyn [The Bulletin of Bibliographical Society of Australia and New Zealand. Vol 24 No 3 2000] Quantity: 1 folder(s). 0.02 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Typescripts Provenance: Donor/Lender/Vendor - Mr Mike Hamblyn, c/- Commerce Dept, University of Otago, Dunedin

Date: [1871-1880]

From: Bowyer, Joy, fl 2001 : Letters to William Dalrymple and papers relating to family history

Reference: MS-Papers-7187-1

Description: Original letters from Annie and Peter Stewart to William Dalrymple written from Wellington, [?] Te Matia, Burnside, Palmerston North and Auckland describing family matters, autobiographical notes and piece titled, `Notes; early times in the Manawatu'. Annie describes her intention to marry Peter Stewart, their various living situations, their move to Palmerston North, her domestic situation, her children and other personal concerns. Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: 4 Dec 1984 - 04 Dec 1984

From: New Zealand Post Office Oral History Project

By: Dalton, Arthur Clarence, 1901-1987; Dalton, Constance Cecilia, 1902-1985

Reference: OHInt-0070/30

Description: Arthur Dalton describes family background, childhood, Palmerston North in the early 1900s, picture theatres, livery stables, father's work as a bootmaker, Salvation Army and religion, going to meetings where Harry Holland spoke, membership of the Post and Telegraph Association, childhood memories of Palmerston North Post Office, education, early employment and predictions of clairvoyant Mrs Barton. Discusses work as lineman at Palmerston North Post Office rewiring all Palmerston North houses for changeover from earthworking wires to automatic system, work routine, transport, tools, some colleagues - Donaldson brothers. Gives technical explanation of exchange operating systems, the physical effect on subscribers' houses with change to automatic. Gap in information from ca 1922 to ca 1926 - tape (1 hour) erased in error during project. Constance Dalton talks about how the post office exchanges chose staff, training, distinction between 'toll girls' and 'switchboard girls', work clothing, salaries and gradings, male telephone operators, social life. Arthur Dalton compares working in head office with working in Auckland. Discusses how employees were promoted, Seimens and Western Electric equipment, the Controlling Officers exam, work at the exchange during World War, 1939-1945, work as senior technician at Dunedin, retirement, effect of carrier systems on communications, expertise of telegraph staff, caring attitude of Post Office. Comments on happy married life. Constance Dalton recalls problems of Arthur's shift work changes, times of financial difficulty. Comments on current contentment. Venue - Dunedin Interviewer(s) - Judith Fyfe Venue - Constance and Arthur's home at Oxford Street, Dunedin Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000749B - OHC-000751 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2.27 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 112. Search dates: 1901 - 1984

Date: 23 Nov 1984

From: New Zealand Post Office Oral History Project

By: Berrett, Robert Angus, 1900-1996

Reference: OHInt-0070/03

Description: Bob Berrett recalls his family background and childhood. Details family farmhouse at Kai Iwi. Describes education, working as message boy at Kai Iwi Post Office in 1914 and also assisting Railway Station Master, duties, layout of office, salary, delivery of telegrams, work at Taihape Telephone Exchange 1915, shifts, female employees, the postmaster B T Missen, discipline, clothing, the telegraph branch, Post Office staff, training at Telegraph School, Auckland in 1916, Jimmy Allen, techniques of sending morse, details of duties as telegraphist at Mercer, Kawakawa and Matiere. Describes postal delivery, telephone receiver sets, social life, influenza epidemic in 1918, work as a telegraphist at Takapuna, Auckland in 1918, the telegraph office at Wellington, layout of telegraph room, sorting telegrams, work as a telegrapher at Tolaga Bay in 1920, describes district, local personalities, work as a telegrapher at Woodville in 1922, the district, the personalities, salary and promotion, work at Stratford and Westport, the depression in 1930s, first transmission of shortwave radio, work as postmaster at Norsewood Post Office, problems with water supply, hours of work, work as postmaster at Rawene Post Office, staff problems, social life, the Waimamaku Post Office, head office inspectors, social status, customs excise work, life at Pahiatua Post Office in 1950s, retirement. Mentions daughter Valerie married singer Noel Mangin. Venue - Blenheim Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson Venue - Bob Berrett's home in Blenheim Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000771 - OHC-000774 Quantity: 4 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 3.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 111. Search dates: 1900 - 1984

Date: 11 Dec 1985

From: New Zealand Post Office Oral History Project

By: McNamara, Walter James, 1914-2000

Reference: OHInt-0070/21

Description: Walter McNamara gives details of his family background including his maternal grandfather's work on a bullock team and his father's work in timber mills all his life. Notes that his father was a saw handling champion. Describes how hard his mother worked, particularly during the Depression, her ability as a pianist and how she played piano in a dance band and also as background for silent movies. Recalls his childhood in Owhango. Discusses how his father lost his job during the Depression, relief work, some hunger and hunting for wild food. Recalls his active membership of the Labour Party as a result of the Labour Government's assistance during the Depression. Recalls an incident of corporal punishment, being taught to box, bullying at school and fighting at the mill. Notes that he disliked school as the teaching was poor. Recalls his early employment fencing, becoming a message boy at Raurimu Post Office 1929-1934, salary, personalities Bert Ewing, Ted Mather (postmaster), reasons for going into Line Branch, work hours, the operation of the railway travelling post office, rural mail delivery, remittance men, various duties, Post Office as a local information bureau, the sport of lazy stick, sly grogging, uniform, learning morse, Okutu Pa, social and sporting life. Describes working as junior lineman at Ohakune Post Office 1934-1938, duties, how telegraph and morse lines jointed, distinction between Post Office workers and linemen, gang sizes, accidents, social life, work as lineman in New Plymouth 1938-1941, describes main line, systems, phantom circuits, subscriber wires, regulated lines, callouts, Wellington / Wairarapa earthquake 1942, manpowered into army and worked in Signals section in Wellington during World War II, work as timber mill manager 1950s. Talks about returning to Post Office as lineman in 1959, reasons, changes in lines, telephones, insulators as targets, work as lineman New Plymouth Post Office 1959-1973, types of wood used as poles, impressions of Directors-General, retirement. Venue - New Plymouth Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson Venue - At Walter McNamara's home at 9 Baring Terrace, New Plymouth Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-001236 - OHC-OO1239 Quantity: 4 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 3.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 162. Search dates: 1914 - 1985

Date: 1988-2000

From: Boyden, Ian Hamilton William, 1915-2001 : Reminiscences and family histories

Reference: MS-Papers-7091

Description: Reminiscences of Boyden describing the pioneering community of Ruaroa, a settlement near Dannevirke, in which he lived for 58 years. He was given information on earlier times by senior members of his family and the story begins with an historical summary of the area's development. Subjects covered include his father's arrival arrival at Ruaroa and his development of land won in a ballot, bringing bush into pasture, hunting, transport, the back country, school, pioneer women, local industry, roads, weather, Hunter's Mill, Nellie Evelyn White, Graham's Mill, the 1914-1918 war and livestock. He goes on to describe the first milking machines and the dairy industry, the Spanish flu, mail and delivery services, firewood and logging, characters and itinerants in the district, entertainment (including tin canning), the Country Women's Institute, radio, telephone, power, the car, health, the visit of Lord Bledisloe, storms, disasters and wind and the Second World War From 1945 he writes of changes in farming, utilities, dogs, education, local events and activities, sport, local celebrities and has reproductions of 27 labelled photographs Accompanying material - Funeral service leaflet for Boyden Quantity: 1 folder(s).