Manawatū-Whanganui Region (N.Z.) - Climate

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).