Postmasters general

Date: ca 1937-1950

From: Jones, Winifred, fl 1950-2004 :Photographs relating to Frederick Jones

By: Phillips, Edward Arthur, -1966

Reference: PA1-o-1230

Description: Album containing photographs relating to the work of Frederick Jones as Postmaster General and Minister of Defence, including photographs of opening ceremonies for post offices around New Zealand, the Jones family, the Achilles arriving at Auckland, and Jones meeting various personalities. Album also contains souvenir items from the opening of the Chief Post Office, Dunedin. Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Black leather bound album 24.5 x 31.2 cm

Date: 1901

By: Donne, Anne, active 1975; Hamer, Thomas Hutchinson, 1855-1924; Sears, Frederick W, active 1890s-1900s

Reference: Eph-A-CARDS-Christmas-Ward-1901-01

Description: Front cover shows on the left the Government arch in Wellington built for the Royal visit. On the right is a circular inset portrait photograph of a young Maori woman (signed Sears). Inside is a photo of "Our future king reviewing N.Z. troops; and Bluff Harbour NZ the most southern municipality in the world, shewing Campbelltown, with Dog Island lighthouse. Photograph also by Sears. The back cover shows troops parading on the Crescent, Invercargill. Quantity: 1 colour art print(s) on Christmas greetings card 1901.. Physical Description: Photolithograph on folded card. 85 x 157 mm.

Date: 7 and 11 Dec 1984; 25 Feb 1985 - 07 Dec 1984 - 25 Feb 1985

From: New Zealand Post Office Oral History Project

By: Milne, Grant Raglan, 1904-1994

Reference: OHInt-0070/27

Description: Grant Milne describes family background, immigration of family to New Zealand, father's attitude to alcohol, childhood in Thames pre 1920, industry in Thames, his primary education, the influenza epidemic, his first interest in radio. Details being employed by Post Office as an engineering trainee while at Auckland University, importance of morse to the Post Office installing telegraph and telephone systems, carrier systems, opening of the Marton Exchange in 1931, long working hours, Arthur Gibbs - Chief Engineer Auckland, salary, installing telephone systems in Dannevirke, special problems with New Zealand telephone system. Discusses rural party lines and New Zealand developments in this field, O'Leary and introduction of the 'Phantom System', relationship with Head Office, investigations in United Kingdom into distant dialling in 1944 (New Zealand already ahead in trunk dialling), costs of equipment, telephone developments in New Zealand, the newness of New Zealand equipment, Post Office exams, laboratory testing in Wellington in 1933, the Murray Multiplex System, and new equipment in Auckland in 1935. Discusses effects on family of moves within Post Office, belief that Post Office had low priority in Cabinet, various Postmasters General - Sir Joseph Ward, Sir James Parr, W Nosworthy, J B Donald, Adam Hamilton, Fred Jones, P C Webb, Fred Hackett, W J Broadfoot, Tom Shand, Mike Moohan, T L Hayman, A E Kinsella, and Directors General - A T Markman, George McNamara, J G Young, H M Patrict, Phil Cryer, Charles McFarlane, Dawson Donaldson, over the years with various anecdotes, effect of World War II on Post Office staff, the rural automatic service, broadcasting service, shortages of engineers, the distant toll dialling, the future of the Post Office. Venue - Wellington Interviewer(s) - Judith Fyfe Venue - Clark Street, Khandallah, Wellington Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000754 - OHC-000757; OHC-000759; OHC-000770 Quantity: 6 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 5.52 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 121. Black and white photographs as follows:. Grant Milne, ca 1961. Grant Milne, 1970 Search dates: 1904 - 1985

Date: 5 Dec 1984 - 05 Dec 1984

From: New Zealand Post Office Oral History Project

By: Donaldson, Dawson (Sir), 1903-1990

Reference: OHInt-0070/04

Description: Sir Dawson Donaldson describes his family background, childhood, including memories of the Waihi Strike of 1913, school days at Auckland Grammar from 1918, anecdote about school friends R A K Mason and A R D Fairburn, influenza, joining the Post Office as an engineering cadet in 1922 when the new automatic exchange in Auckland was being installed, the importance of this, attitudes of the Post Office to university educated engineers, 'hectic' life working at both Exchange and university. Describes the new era for the Post Office in 1922, learning about people from years of working as junior, the wire recorder (precursor to the tape recorder), the training of engineering cadets, communication duty on the 1920s Royal Tour, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, timing 'Wizard' Smith's attempt to break the world speed record, marriage to Nellie Penman, his career as a district engineer, work in Auckland during World War II including liaison with American Naval South Pacific HQ, home guard signal units and provisioning underground headquarters for NZ forces. Talks about his work on the Commonwealth Telecommunications Board including involvement in Commonwealth undersea cable project. Discusses work as Director General of Post Office, other Directors General, Postmasters General, importance of being first engineer to become Director General, thoughts on flat rate charging as opposed to meter charging, conferences on Post Office telecommunications, retirement. Venue - Wellington Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson Venue - 2 Ridd Crescent, Karori, Wellington Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000787 - OHC-000789 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2.59 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 114. Black and white photographs as follows:. Sir Dawson Donaldson, 1923. Sir Dawson Donaldson, 1962 Search dates: 1903 - 1984

Date: 27 Nov, 30 Nov and 5 Dec 1984 - 27 Nov 1984 - 05 Dec 1984

From: New Zealand Post Office Oral History Project

By: McFarlane, Charles Archibald, 1902-1998

Reference: OHInt-0070/08

Description: Charles McFarlane recalls family background, learning Maori as a child when father taught at Native School and influence of this on his life, including an anecdote about his handling of cultural differences, his belief in consensus, discussion and teamwork. Gives illustrations from his career, including work in the Army Education and Welfare Service, 1939-45, his views on the principles of organisation, administration and management. Discusses childhood at Tangoio and Waitahanui, sharing Maori lifestyle, relationship with parents, trout fishing, parents as Postmaster and/or Postmistress at Tangoio, Waitahanui and Whareponga. Describes sex education, move to Whareponga and effects of World War I, work experience during World War I including operating picture theatre at Waipiro Bay and work as newspaper correspondent. Describes work as message boy at Waipiro Bay Post Office, community role of Post Office, Reginald Sheen the Postmaster, post office examinations, Telegraph School in Auckland, morse training, being left as 17 year old trainee in sole charge of Onehunga Post Office during royal visit, work as a telegraphist, grounding in personnel policy and practice in Secretary's Office in General Post Office, Wellington, the resentment of many male employees to women employees. Talks about effects of the Depression in 1930s, feelings about unemployment at the time, work as accountant in the Christchurch Engineer's Office in early 1930s, administration, decision making processes, style of management, interest in union affairs (Post and Telegraph Association), anti-establishment feelings, role as private secretary to the Director General in early 1940s, Jack Young as Director General, the effect of World War II on the Post Office, administering rationing during the war, the Diploma of Public Administration course and his work with Army Education and Welfare Services. Outlines move to administration on return to the Post Office, the technological growth in telephone and telegraph while division director in early 1950s, experience leading delegation at Universal Postal Union Congress in Brussels in 1952, language and communication difficulties, Gives background to appointment as Director General in 1954, personality conflicts, restructuring proposals. Discusses Postmasters General W J Broadfoot, Tom Shand and M Moohan. Discusses Prime Ministers Walter Nash, Sidney Holland and Keith Holyoake and the relationship between permanent heads of departments and politicians. Comments on retirement and on period as chairman of Post Office Appeal Board. Venue - Wellington Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson Venue - Mr McFarlane's home in Ngaio, Wellington Accompanying material - Included in printed abstract - copy of Charles McFarlane's service schedule Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000777 - OHC-000783 Quantity: 7 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 6.28 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 118. Black and white photographs as follows:. Charles McFarlane, ca 1921. Group photograph of Diploma of Public Administration Course colleagues, 1940-41, including Charles McFarlane. Charles McFarlane, 1961 Search dates: 1902 - 1984

Date: [ca 1955]

By: Chief Post Office (Wellington, N.Z.)

Reference: PAColl-8615

Description: Head and shoulders portrait of Postmaster-General Thomas Philip Shand, taken circa 1955 by an unidentified photographer. Other - Not published in the New Zealand Free Lance, or the Evening Post on 23/11/1955 Source of title - Title supplied by Library Inscriptions: on slip attached to back of print: "The Illustrations Editor. Please find enclosed a recent photograph of the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Mt T P Shand. You may wish to use it for future issues. With the compliments of Public Relations Division, General Post Office, Wellington, C 1. 23/11/55" Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Silver gelatin print, 21.5 x 16.7 cm Provenance: Sent from the Public Relations Division of the General Post Office to an unidentified illustrations editor.

Date: [ca 1889]

From: New Zealand Post and Telegraph Department :Portraits of Members of Parliament and persons associated with the Post and Telegraph Department

Reference: PAColl-3768-3-01

Description: Head and shoulders portrait of Edwin Mitchelson taken circa 1889, the year he was appointed postmaster general. Photographer unidentified. Inscriptions: Verso - E Mitchelson 1889/91 Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Photographic print 308 x 374 mounted on card