Places

Date: 2 Mar 1990 - 02 Mar 1990

From: Victor Robertson Oral History Project

By: Robertson, Victor, 1927-

Reference: OHInt-0100-01

Description: Victor Robertson was born 10 Jul 1927 at Manchester, Lancashire. Describes Scottish family background, move from Glasgow to Manchester and then to Dagenham, education, effect of World War II on family life including bombing of home, father's employment with the Ford Motor Co. Discusses employment at Plessey Co and the Royal Air Force (Transport). Recalls reasons for emigrating in 1949, arrival in New Zealand, accommodation, factory job at Neeco, employment at the Public Service Garage. Talks about marriage to Rangi Silberry, attitudes to a mixed marriage, Maoritanga. Describes being a driver with the Public Service Garage, acquiring Chrysler Windsor cars, different coloured vehicles, personnel, other drivers, difference between van, truck and car drivers. Talks about Sir Keith Holyoake, Peter Fraser, becoming a car driver, Labour politicians. Describes rosters, daily routine, accident rate, driving heads of department, becoming a head chauffeur, anti-terrorist courses, condition of cars, effect on family and personal life, becoming a ministerial driver, social activities, sports. Mentions Sir Walter Nash, Sir Sidney Holland, Sir John Marshall, Mabel Howard, Norman Kirk, Sir Wallace Rowling, Sir Robert Mulddon, David Lange. Recalls royal tours, singer Victoria De Los Angeles, retirement in 1989, part-time work as a parliamentary messenger. Venue - Porirua Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson Venue - At Mr Robertson's home at Porirua Accompanying material - handwritten family biography, two papers on the Public Service Garage, list of royal visits to New Zealand from 1900-1974, paper on royal visits Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-002905/002906/002907, OHLC-000939/000941/000940 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-0560. Two b&w photos. At Whatcom Lake Railroad, Washington State, USA, 1988; Roxburgh Street, Wellington, 1949. Search dates: 1927 - 1990

Date: 30 August 1956

From: Minhinnick, Gordon Edward George 1902-1992 :[Cartoons drawn for the New Zealand Herald]

By: Minhinnick, Gordon Edward George (Sir), 1902-1992; New Zealand herald (Newspaper)

Reference: B-100-024

Description: A fierce-looking woman, representing the National Council of Women, coming through a door as if just woken from sleep, is pursuing three small children (Sidney Holland, a man representing the Public Service Commission and Jack Marshall). The children are behaving as if they are about to be beaten by their angry mother. The cartoon refers to to a job appeal by female public servants Extended Title - SIDNEEE!! NOW you've woke Mum!! National Council of Women. Ssh! During Conference Snooze. Women public servants job appeal case. Inscriptions: Signed: Minhinnick Quantity: 1 drawing(s). Physical Description: Ink on paper, 365 x 518 mm

Date: 1950 - 1951

By: Colvin, Neville Maurice, 1918-1991; Evening Post (Wellington, N.Z.)

Reference: B-184-047

Description: Cock Robin lies dead with an arrow through his heart, shot from the bow of PM Sid Holland. The 'Who killed Cock Robin?' rhyme has been altered to fit the occasion. It reads 'WHO KILLED THE COUNCIL? "I", said the Prime Minister, "With my little Bill, I killed the Council". WHO'LL BEAR HIS PALL? "We" said Algie and Marshall, "With uncle Tom Cobley an' all, we'll bear the pall". WHO'LL SING A PSALM? "I" said Mr Fraser, "I'll sing his praise, Sir, I'll sing a psalm." WHO'LL LEAD THE WAY? "I', said the Hon. Lee Martin, "It's all my eye and Betty Martin, I'll lead the way". WHO SAW HIM DIE? "I" said Bill Polson, "with my little aye, I saw him die." WHO'LL DIG HIS GRAVE? "We," said the suicide squad, "We'll turn the first sod, we'll dig his grave." WHO'LL MAKE HIS SHROUD? "I," said Sir Bill Perry, Not to be contrary, I'll make his shroud." WHO'LL TOLL THE BELL? "We," said the Labour chorus, "take pity on poor us, we'll toll the bell." 'All the birds in the air sobbed loud & shrill when they heard of the passing of the Legislative Council'. - To all it concerns, who read this collection - will Cock Robin stand at the next general election?' Context - The Legislative Council of New Zealand was the upper house of the New Zealand Parliament from 1853 until 1951. In 1950, the National Party, now in government, passed the Legislative Council Abolition Act. To assist its passage into law, Holland appointed twenty members known as the 'suicide squad', to vote for their own abolition, just as the Australian state of Queensland had done to abolish its upper house in 1922. They included former MPs Harold Dickie and Garnet Mackley. At bottom of cartoon in pencil is the title 'Cock Robin' and text reading '4 col' and '(Approved by editor)' Quantity: 1 original cartoon(s). Physical Description: Ink on paper 450 x 590 mm