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Date: 3 June 1983 - 03 Jun 1993

From: NZOHA Customs Department Oral History Project Part I

By: Petrie, John Robert Stewart, 1907-1988

Reference: OHInt-0096/19

Description: John Robert Stewart (Jack) Petrie born Dunedin 1907. Outlines family background - Petries came to Otago from Banchory, 20 miles from Aberdeen in 1852, on the `Ajax' settling in Berwick on the Taieri Plain near the Waipori River - maternal grandparents, Stewarts, came a few years later and settled at Saddle Hill. Describes: Berwick, population and area; farmlife, reapers and binders; chores; rabbits, including methods of trapping and processing skins; oil lamps etc before arrival of electricity; family home; swaggers; clothes worn to school and Norfolk suit used for special occasions; religion - Presbyterian Sunday School and Church; impact of radio; social divisions; childhood pastimes; illnesses which included peritonitis at the age of 5 and meningitis in 1938 when there was an epidemic. Recalls World War I - boys and girls knitting socks and balaclavas; Armistice Day; Peace celebrations, processions etc. Talks about flu epidemic 1918, with reference to formalin disinfectant. Discusses employment options and recalls commencing as a cadet with Customs Department, Dunedin, 1925. Describes early duties and mentions early customs colleagues; Wilfred Lowry; Percy Durant; Arthur Jackson; Jim Milne; Foss Shanahan; Mr Lyttleton; Charlie Gilbert and Mr Kennedy. Discusses: salary and boarding expenses; Depression (1930s); Lockers; Public Service Association; posting to Dunedin as clerk on export entries, dipping petrol at Logan Point towards Port Chalmers; process of gauging French brandy; smuggling; marriage; contacting spinal meningitis and being off work for 6 months. Talks about his World War II experience with the Air Force and his posting to Rongotai, then overseas to a Pacific construction unit working on airstrips etc. Describes air raid procedures. After the war returned to Customs. Recalls introduction of Sales Tax and Import Licensing. Discusses: immigration; women in customs - typists, clerical assistants but `not EO's'; Waterside dispute (1951); containerisation; bribes and gifts for Customs. Mentions Custom Agents personalities - Lionel Mansfield Coxhead, H C Campbell, Jack Downer and Jack Jersey. Refers to the office boy who drove to work in a Chevrolet (car) whilst the Collector came by bike. Describes work involving the Deep Cove Hydro Electric Scheme. Gives details of the academic and professional achievement of his two daughters and four sons. Talks about his final promotion to Collector, Invercargill and his work with Arthur Barnett Limited since retirement. Recalls belonging to The Forresters Lodge, RSA Otago, Rowing club and involvement with the Mornington Scout Group. Interviewer(s) - Judith Fyfe Venue - 46 Napier St, Dunedin Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000601-000603 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-0076. One photograph of Mr J R S (Jack) Petrie Invercargill, 31 March 1965 Search dates: 1907 - 1983