Places

Date: 1999-2000 - 29 Oct 1999 - 20 May 2002

By: Selby, Rachael Ann, 1949-; Richmond, Joanna Mary, 1946-; Thorpe, Agnes Anne, 1939-

Reference: OHColl-0673

Description: Maori and Pakeha were interviewed for this project, which looks at the history of Otaki and the lives of ten of its community. Language - mainly English but possibly some Maori within interviews by Rachael Selby Interviewer(s) - Anne Thorpe Interviewer(s) - Rachael Selby Interviewer(s) - Jan Richmond Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-011052 - 011064 Quantity: 8 C60 cassette(s). 5 C90 cassette(s). 10 printed abstract(s) and accompanying photos and material. 10 interview(s). Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete. Several photocopies of photos accompany documentation Search dates: 1930 - 2000

Date: 02 May 2004 to 19 Jan 2006 - 02 May 2004 - 19 Jan 2006

By: Thorpe, Agnes Anne, 1939-; Bisdee, Margaret, active 2007; Otaki District Commercial Gardeners Society

Reference: OHColl-0819

Description: Interviews with committee members of the Otaki District Commercial Gardeners Society to preserve the memory and history of this historic yet declining society which was formed in 1942 with a bi-cultural constitution between the Chinese and European market gardeners of the Otaki district. Interviewees are Dow Kwan Chung, Bruce Corlett, David Foster, Jim Gow, John Griffin, Charman Moy, Peter Thorpe, Kee Sun Young, Andrew Yew Dick Yung and Jack Mun Yung and Jack Koon Yung. Abstracted by - Anne Thorpe Interviewer(s) - Anne Thorpe Interviewer(s) - Margaret Bisdee Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-015207 to OHC-015224 Quantity: 18 C60 cassette(s). 10 interview(s) (1 is a joint interview). Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete Abstract Available - transcript(s) available.

Date: 20 Sept 2001 - 20 Sep 2001

From: Otaki oral history project

By: Swabey, Barbara Vernon, 1910-2003; Thorpe, Agnes Anne, 1939-

Reference: OHInt-0673-01

Description: Barbara Swabey was born in Wellington in 1911. Talks about her grandparents. Talks about how her grandmother Frances Simcox, nee Colenso, grew up on a mission station in Hastings, and spoke fluent Maori. Talks about her grandparents moving to Otaki in 1878, farming and building a homestead on leased Maori land at the Forest Lakes, and having a tennis court and a cook. Refers to her grandfather William Simcox, playing the organ at the Rangiatea Church, when Bishop Hadfield ran the Anglican mission. Mentions the missioners, the McWilliams. Refers to her parents settling in Otaki, and her father working at the butter factory. Mentions attending Miss Baber's (later Marsden) School, and boarding to attend Wellington Girls College. Mentions a governess. Describes holidays at the family's camping bach, her mother learning to drive a car, hotels, and shops. Talks about Karitane training in Wanganui, working as a Karitane nurse in Wellington during the Second World War, and returning to Otaki to nurse her mother until she died in 1958. Mentions travel was difficult during the war. Talks about being a life member of the golf club. Talks about writing articles for the Otaki Historical Society journal. Talks about her mother's family, who came from Birmingham. Interviewer(s) - Anne Thorpe Accompanying material - Notes written by Barbara prior to interview in 2001 Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-11058 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3866. Photo of Barbara ca 2000; photo of Lincoln Imp, bought from England by mother; photocopies of family holiday camp built by Barbara's grandmother (Frances Simcox); photocopy of photo of Barbara as child in a boat Search dates: 1870 - 2000