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Date: 22 Jul-24 Oct 1985 - 22 Jul 1985 - 24 Oct 1985

From: Nelson and Golden Bay Oral History Project

By: Masters, Charles Reuben George, 1906-1989; Masters, Kathleen Mary, 1914-1986

Reference: OHInt-0053/16

Description: George Masters was born in Constable in Great Britain in 1906. Recalls his family's emigration to New Zealand in 1911 and settling in Nelson in 1915. Describes F.G. (Soss) Gibbs, headmaster of Nelson College for Boys. Comments on the youth activities of various churches and his family's social position in Nelson. After being a pupil teacher at Nelson Central School for Boys, he attended Teachers College in Christchurch and studied physical education at Dunedin Training College. Describes his student days. Recalls teaching at the Railways Public Works Camp at Gowan Bridge and the Resolution Bay Household School, Murchison and Collingwood. Describes his involvement in civil defence during World War II including taking Air Force cadets as he had an aviation licence. Talks about alternative lifestyle people and hippies in the Collingwood area other changes in the makeup of the population of Collingwood. Comments on sex education. Describes services to the community including work as an ambulance driver, member of the Education Board and Treasurer of the school committee. Kathleen Masters was born in Christchurch in 1915. Recalls her family background and childhood in Christchurch and the social pressures that she felt as a young woman there. Talks about being `finished off' at Rangiruru College. Describes the death of her first husband in Crete in 1940 and staying with her sister, Margaret Nicholson, who was married to the Collingwood vicar, Bob Nicholson. Talks about meeting and later marrying George Masters, employment with McNabb Motors and the Collingwood Dairy Factory, Collingwood and Rockville shops, married life, childbirth and child rearing, sewing and thrift, family finances, local entertainment and care of the elderly. Venue - Collingwood : 1985 Interviewer(s) - Rosie Little Venue - The Masters' home in Collingwood Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-003003; OHC-003004; OHC-003005; OHC-003006; OHC-003005; OHC-003008; OHC-003009; OHC-003010; OHC-003011; OHC-003012; OHC-003013; OHC-003014 Quantity: 12 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 580.

Date: 29 Jun-3 Jul 1992 - 29 Jun 1992 - 03 Jul 1992

From: Women in World War II Part II

By: Crisp, Enid Elizabeth, 1919-2009

Reference: OHInt-0064/12

Description: Enid Crisp was born in Greytown on 28 March 1919. Her father was a barrister and solicitor who also stood as a National Party candidate. Her mother was Plunket Society president and a founding member of the Little Theatre. Describes their home life, her schooling and teenage activites such as Bible Class dances, ping pong and going to movies. Talks about living next door to Maata Asher, a good friend of Katherine Mansfield's, and describes Maata's style. Talks about doing a secretarial course at Masterton Technical College, boarding at Masterton, working at Wright Stephensons and then with an accountant's firm. Describes her first date with husband to be John (Jack) Crisp and a group of friends socialising in `jalopies' with some alcohol. Notes that Masterton was a `dry' area. Describes Jack joining up at the start of the war, being sent to Burnham and as an officer sent overseas on long range desert campaigns. Focuses on her wartime involvement with patriotic activities including playing the piano at the Anzac Club and organising dance performances. Recalls soldiers camps at Solway showgrounds, Tauherenikau and other locations, which became tent cities. Talks about the American troops. Describes her involvement in the Emergency Precautions Scheme (EPS) and talks at length about the 1942 Masterton earthquake. Notes that Jack Crisp was invalided home from the war. Venue - Greytown : 1992 Interviewer(s) - Dr Cathy Casey Venue - Greytown Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-004768; OHC-004769; OHC-004770 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 851.