Places

Date: 2002, [2003]

By: Lutheran Church of New Zealand

Reference: MS-Papers-8080

Description: Memoir recorded by Gerhard Fischer in 2002 describing his life; he begins from the time of his birth in 1918, describes family circumstances, living in Adelaide, their church associations, economic situation, education, training as a minister, his marriage, birth of his children, his various postings which included Christchurch, New Zealand, from which he travelled to Timaru, Dunedin and Hanmer Springs ministerting to immigrants, other travel experiences, family changes and development etc Source of title - Supplied and transcribed Quantity: 1 folder(s). 0.02 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Typescript with photocopies of photographs and illustrations Provenance: Donor/Lender/Vendor - Donated by the Lutheran Church of New Zealand, per Rev Dr Steen Olsen, Palmerston North, Aug 2004

Date: 1910 - 2009

Reference: Eph-A-SCHOOLS-Q

Description: Includes material from the following schools: Queen Margaret College. "The merchant of Venice". College Hall, 30-31 October 1919. Programme Queen Margaret College. "The saxon saint" by Robert Kemp, presented by QMC Old Girls' Association. Directed by Sheila K Murray [ca 1955]. Programme (2 copies) Queen Margaret College prospectus 1987 Queen Margaret College open day, 30 April 1994. Flier (2 copies) Queen Margaret College school-in-action days 18-19 February 2000 (with photograph and testimonial from former pupil and television newsreader Hilary Barry). Flier (2 copies) QMC 2000 year 9 musicals. 22 June 2000. Programme Queen Margaret College gala "Manhattan on Hobson". 8 September 2001. Pamphlet with map (2 copies) Queen Margaret College. Testimonial of Pirimia Burger. [2001]. Flier with photograph Queen Margaret College open day and school-in-action day 15-16 February 2002. Flier (2 copies) Queen Margaret College year seven and eight presents "The Rocky Monster Show". 10-11 August 2004. Programme Queen Margaret College Junior School. Grandparents Day church service. St Andrews on the Terrace, 20 October 2006. Order of service Queen Margaret College. Term 4 Soiree by pupils of Annabelle Cheetham accompanied by Rosemary Russell. [2006]. Programme Queen Margaret College. Term 4 Soiree by pupils of Annabelle Cheetham accompanied by Rosemary Russell. 15 November 2007. Programme Queen Victoria School for Maori Girls. Proposal for a School for Maori Girls to be established [ca 1900] Queen Victoria School for Maori Girls. Save Queen Victoria School Appeal receipt and newsclipping 1970. Queen's Park School diamond jubilee church service, 10 October 1954. Order of service. Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Pamphlets and fliers, sizes varying up to 240 mm.

Date: 2015 - 1915

Reference: Eph-G-DRAMA-2015-01

Description: Sign advertises a play about New Zealanders' involvement in the Gallipoli campaign in World War I shows the silhouette of a soldier in a lemon-squeezer hat, and a craggy headland. The sky behind is gradated orange-yellow. Sign was previously bolted to a support down both sides (there are four holes on each side) Quantity: 1 colour photo-mechanical print(s). Physical Description: Digital print on corflute, 1200 x 900 mm.

Date: 1994-2003

By: Mackay, Lachlan Robert, active 2007-2014

Reference: MS-Group-2376

Description: Contains papers relating to Noel Ginn. Includes transcript extracts of two interviews between Paul Millar and Ginn (Aug and Oct 1994), notes from Annette Facer's interview with Ginn (Sep 1994), correspondence with Sister Sue Cosgrove, two poems by Ginn, notes on a 2002 visit to Kapiti Island, and programmes from Ginn's funeral and the committal of his ashes in Otaki. Source of title - Supplied by Library Quantity: 2 folder(s). 0.02 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Mss (some photocopies), typescript, printed matter Provenance: Donated by Lauchlan Robert Mackay Donor/Lender/Vendor - Donated by Lachlan Robert Mackay, Karori, Wellington

Date: 15 Jul, 3 Aug 2009 - 15 Jul 2009 - 03 Aug 2009

From: Honouring seniors oral history project

By: Flyger, Noel Plummer, 1919-

Reference: OHInt-0979-03

Description: Interview with Noel Plummer Flyger, born in Wanganui in 1919. Describes family circumstances when he was born: father was working on a difficult, uneconomic rehab block, two hours drive from Eltham, Taranaki. Refers to hardships, but also the benefits of a self-sufficient, isolated life. Explains family's shift to a farm owned by his paternal grandfather, at Mata, south of Whangarei. Talks about evidence of earlier Maori occupation of the land which had two pa sites on it. Describes challenges of the run-down dairy farm, and outlines the mechanics of milking cows before electricity came to the district. Mentions the importance of the horse - as a means of transport, and for preparing pasture - and also pigs, which consumed the skimmed milk and subsidised the income from the farm. Talks about the acquisition of the first tractor in the village, and the subsequent opportunities for jobs on other farms. Discusses situation in World War II when many of his mates left to serve overseas, while he was manpowered to keep the farm going. Talks about his marriage to Draja Radich, from a Yugoslav family, and their early years living in a cottage on his father's farm. Describes the different rocks of the the Mata area, quarrying for road metal, and also explains the different types of drains, and techniques used to bring clay soils into productive pasture. Discusses the range of contract work he did after he stopped milking cows, and gives details of the families and farms in the Mata community where he lived from 1936 until the mid 1970s. Interviewer(s) - Patricia Cutforth Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHDL-001252 Quantity: 1 digital sound recording(s). 2 Electronic document(s) - abstract. 1 printed abstract(s). 3 electronic scan(s) of original black and white photographic print(s). 1 interview(s) over 2 days. 1.33 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-7481, OHDL-001260. Scanned B&W photographs of: Wedding, Noel and Draga Flyger (1943); Flyfer farm; White quarry, Flyger farm Search dates: 1919 - 2009

Date: 29 Apr, 6 May 2009 - 29 Apr 2009 - 06 May 2009

From: Honouring seniors oral history project

By: Sloane, Alice Annie, 1918-2012

Reference: OHInt-0979-06

Description: Interview with Alice Annie Sloane (nee Smith), born in Maungaturoto in 1918. Talks about the family situation at the time of her birth (when her parents lived on a farm at Kaukapaka), and their shift to a railways house at Puriri on the Hauraki Plains, when her father took a job there during the Depression. Descibes taking a job in the post office at Mata, south of Whangarei, at 18, community life there, and her close friendship with Erin Sloane, whose brother Ray she would later marry. Talks about working at various jobs in Auckland, where she met Ray at wartime dances. Describes the Sloane family's farm at Mata, where they settled, working relationships, domestic matters, land clearing and pasture development. Discusses life in the Mata community including the growth in population as farms were being cut into smaller units, school, Country Women's Institute and rural entertainments. Talks about religious differences in her family - she was a Catholic in a mainly non-Catholic community. Describes visits to Ruakaka, and to Whangarei - lists the businesses they frequented and refers to the delivery of meat and bread to the farm at Mata. Interviewer(s) - Patricia Cutforth Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHDL-001255 Quantity: 1 digital sound recording(s). 2 Electronic document(s) - abstract. 1 printed abstract(s). 3 electronic scan(s) of original black and white photographic print(s). 2 electronic scan(s) of original colour photographic print(s). 1 interview(s) over 2 days. 1.46 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-7484, OHDL-001266. Scanned B&W photographs of: Alice Smith and Erin Sloane at wedding of Alice's sister, Helen (1947); Alice and Ray Sloane's wedding 1947; Erin and her horse.. Scanned colour photographs of: House at Mata in late 1960s/early 1970s; Alice at bowls (on right) Search dates: 1918 - 2009

Date: 15, 20 July 2009 - 15 Jul 2009 - 20 Jul 2009

From: Honouring seniors oral history project

By: Edwards, Mavis Kathleen, 1916-2016

Reference: OHInt-0979-01

Description: Interview with Mavis (May) Kathleen Edwards (nee Keith), born in Auckland in 1916. Outlines her family background, growing up in a family of 10 in Waiuku and on a farm at Ngongotaha, travelling to school on horseback, and milking cows by hand after she left school. Mentions travelling by horse-drawn wagon to Makatu beach for family holidays. Talks about the history of the Edwards family at Waikaraka where they were boat builders and farmers. Refers to Randall Edwards working at her parents' farm for a period and marrying him in 1937. Describes living in a one room cottage without power at Waikaraka when they first married. Discusses the Edwards family homestead and changes to it over the years. Refers to the family clearing bush for timber and firewood. Comments on the Edwards family travelling by boat to Whangarei before there was a road. Mentions keeping pigs as well as milking cows on their farm, and milking by hand until they had a tractor to run a machine. Comments that her husband was not called up for active service during World War II but their trucks were taken for the military. Recalls the sinking of the 'Niagara' by a German mine off Whangarei. Mentions the Labour Day Pataua horse races, dances in a hall at Parua Bay, and the church at Onerahi. Refers to picture theatres (in Whangarei?) Describes a trip to the South Island the family made in a truck after the War, camping, and Randall getting a job picking and processing tobacco. Talks about her children when they were young. Interviewer(s) - Patricia Cutforth Accompanying material - Notes about the Edwards family of Waikaraka (2 p; scanned, Jpeg files, with digital abstract) Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHDL-001250 Quantity: 1 digital sound recording(s). 2 Electronic document(s) - abstract. 1 printed abstract(s). 4 electronic scan(s) of original black and white photographic print(s) (2 are scanned typescript). 1 interview(s) over 2 days. 2.02 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-7479, OHDL-001256. Scanned B&W photographs of: Randal and May Edwards in rowing boat built by Edwards family; Edwards Family Home at Waikaraka built 1909. Search dates: 1916 - 2009

Date: 5 April 2003 - 05 Apr 2003

From: Tung Jung oral history project

By: Wong, Raymond Ling Yui, 1911-2009

Reference: OHInt-0747-10

Description: Interview with Raymond Wong, born in Wellington in 1911. Talks about family life in New Zealand and being sent to China for further education at the age of 14. Refers to his training and employment as a radio officer on coastal ships for a British company in Hong Kong. Mentions meeting his New Zealand-born wife Betty in China, marrying her in 1935, then returning to New Zealand. Discusses his father having returned earlier and set up another fruit and vegetable shop in Cuba Street and working for the family business (Wong Tong and Sons) which he joined when he came back. Comments about working in the green grocers markets and moving to Nelson in 1954 where he joined another family firm. Talks about his father's choice to immigrate to New Zealand, family experiences as Chinese immigrants and reflects on his cultural identity as a Chinese New Zealander. Interviewer(s) - Kitty Chang Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-014101 Quantity: 1 C90 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 30 Minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5057. Colour ink jet print image of Raymond Wong and his wife (no date). Search dates: 1911 - 2003

Date: 01-31 08 2006

From: Methven Heritage Project - RSA and Arable oral history project

By: Lochhead, Arthur William Allan, 1915-2008

Reference: OHInt-0920-11

Description: Lived in Ashburton 1915-2008. Backgrounds parents Arthur Osborn Lochhead and Kathleen Alma Lochhead (nee Ruddenklau) who ran a mixed farm at Mount Somers. Recalls leaving farm at ten years to come to Methven when his father went shearing. After leaving school worked at Hobbs seed cleaning store. Details sewing bags on tin mill and poisoning rabbits while working at Rangaitata Island farm for Frank Ruddenklau, his uncle. Says he then drove tractor and plough at Springfield estate farm for his grandfather Frederick Ruddenklau. Refers to being held back from World war Two service for 12 months because he was head sewer on the header. Says he left in 1941 from Wellington on board the Aquitania after three months training as a driver at Trentham. Refers to his three brothers going to war. Describes voyage via Fremantle, South Africa, the Red Sea to arrive at Port Tewfik, Egypt. Talks about training at Maadi Camp to be in 6 RMT (Reserve Mechanical Transport). Discusses transport of petrol and water and conditions in the desert, food, snakes, flies, clearing mine fields. Refers to taking 26th Battalion to Sidi Rezegh. Mentions brother George Lochhead in battle of Sidi Rezegh, being taken prisoner of war and getting the Victoria Cross medal. Talks about being present at El Alamein battle, everything bursting into fire at night, and being at Tobruk. Brief mention of Battle of Minqar Qaim, and a bullet through his radiator. Describes drinking sprees in Cairo, the Club, sightseeing at Pyramids and Nile River, Aswad Dam, hiring gharries. Talks about Methven and Districts reunion dinner in Cairo. Refers to getting pneumonia and having to go to Alexandria Hospital, then going to Palestine to recuperate. Says the whole DIV (2nd NZEF) went to Aleppo, Syria for six weeks working with refugees and road making. Mentions meeting Bedouins in the desert. Describes returning to Mersa Matruh with 23rd Battalion on board. Discusses mail and food parcels from home. Mentions role of Major Hood, the commander. Talks about driving at night time over the Apennines mountain range in Italy where the 6 RMT broke up. Talks about working in Mobile ambulance company on Italian front during winter. Says took wounded from the field and from the Casualty Clearing station and RAP, and took locals to Italian hospitals. Mentions Methven local nurse Natalie Currie bringing wounded. Talks about being based in Forli, sleeping in his ambulance and mortar bombs hitting it. Recalls General Freyberg visiting the 6 RMT and Winston Churchill coming on parade. Talks about playing cards, rugby, trying Italian wine. Had leave in Florence. Says sent pay home for his family. Talks about going to Trieste and being in Udine when the war ended. Describes hitch hiking via Milan, Genoa, Turin, Lake Como to Bari. Expands on trip on the 'Georgic' to Maadi Camp, Egypt, and on the 'Strathaird' passenger liner home. Says post war he worked at Mid Canterbury transport, Pudding Hill timber mill, Jackson's limeworks, Staveley. Refers to working for Arie Van Dyke and Lofty Chambers, and then becoming partners with Chambers in a potatoe farm. Says he set up own business in the 1960s. Recalls building a brick house in Methven when he married his first wife Jean in 1958 who died in 1972. Talks about remarriage to Alma Rowney. Says bought 84 acre triangle Cambrose Village and sold land for the Methven Motor Services building. Describes land improvements. Says he rented the Methven race course to grow potatoes and wheat on rotation. Refers to growing cocksfoot, white clover, barley, wheat, French oats and ran sheep. Refers to growing grain on contract. Says was first to grow Rua poatatoes in Methven. Refers to Dakota potatoe and keeping potatoes in pits against frost. Describes transition from horse teams to tractors, headers replacing thrashing mills, changing from manpower to a transport hoist for lifting potatoe 70lb bags. Refers to snow storms, impact of droughts, Lyndhurst irrigation Scheme. Talks about using sprays, arsenic, reglone. Mentions topdressing with fertiliser. Says retired in 1988 to garden. Interviewer(s) - Nicola Robertson Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-016760 - OHC-016765 Quantity: 6 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2 Electronic document(s). 1 interview(s). 6 Hours Duration. Physical Description: Textural files - Adobe PDF Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-6033, OHDL-001828. Search dates: 1915 - 2006

Date: 14, 19 May 2007 - 14 May 2007 - 19 May 2007

From: Methven Heritage Project - RSA and Arable oral history project

By: Kelly, George David, 1916-2009

Reference: OHInt-0920-08

Description: Interview with George Kelly, born in Ashburton in 1916. Refers to growing up on a North Canterbury farm until his father sold it. Talks about his primary schooling, and boarding with his grandfather to attend Christchurch Boys High School. Mentions playing rugby and running. Discusses working for his father as a team driver with a four horse team ploughing for wheat crops. Talks about stacking sheaves to make stooks and stacking the dray. Recalls an electric tractor and traction engines. Refers to going shearing aroung Methven and Highbank for a time and buying a car. Talks about being a member of the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry in the 1930s, training camps, and providing his own horse. Comments on working for several years as an attendant at Sunnyside Hospital and learning "a thing or two about people". Mentions marrying his wife Hilary in 1939, and joining the Police force. Comments that he could not serve overseas in the army during the War because he was a policeman. Refers to resigning from the police when his father had a heart attack [ca. 1948/49] and running the farm for a year. Discusses the difficulty he had buying his own farm Spring Lynne and having help to pay off the mortgage. Talks about arable farming, growing tama grass, peas and clover for seed, wheat and barley, and selling wool during the Korean War. Comments on his Romney flock, number of ewes, and drafting lambs. Discusses the arrival of the Lyndhurst irrigation scheme. Comments on the Springfield water supply and water rates. Mentions giving up irrigating and getting a well drilled for water. Refers to the Winchmore Research Station and fertilizer trials. Recalls his farm staff over the years. Refers to the Lauriston Farm Club and farm advisors. Mentions the vet club. Talks about the Methvyn Trotting Club and horses that he and his father bred. Outlines his involvement with the Canterbury A & P Association over three decades including being Association president. Mentions judging horses and ponies at shows and presenting trophies. Discusses the Springfield Pony Club and other pony clubs in Canterbury. Reflects on farming in the Methven district and welcomes the arrival of dairying in the area. Interviewer(s) - Kathryn McKendry Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-016752 - OHC-016754 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2 Electronic document(s) - abstract. 2.57 Hours and minutes Duration. Physical Description: Textual files - Adobe pdf Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-6030, OHDL-001825. Search dates: 1916 - 2007

Date: 3 Jul 2007 - 03 Jul 2007

From: Civilian life in New Zealand during the Second World War oral history project

By: Beech, Marian, 1917-2015

Reference: OHInt-0980-01

Description: Interview with Marion Beech (nee Harvey), born in Newcastle, England, in 1917. Talks about her musical family including her father's "glorious tenor voice", and emigrating to New Zealand in 1928. Refers to leaving school young and working at Smith and Caughey. Mentions her brother Edgar starting a jazz club in Auckland. Comments that life had been carefree until war came, boys started to leave, and her brother joined up. Talks about seeing Edgar off three times, and mixed feelings about soldiers marching down Queen Street. Refers to the courage of conscientious objectors. Comments on rationing, not recalling being short of food, vegetable gardening, and passing on unused coupons. Explains they received all war news from the radio, and were lucky not to have television coverage. Talks about meeting her husband Rev Walter Beech when they were best man and chief bridemaid at a wedding. Refers to marrying and moving to the Bay of Islands where Walter, who had failed a Services medical, worked with many bereft people. Mentions Walter's extra petrol coupons. Comments on the vicarage being an open house to doctors and nurses, not being concerned about New Zealand being invaded, and making parcels to send to New Zealand forces overseas. Talks about letters from her brother and the slow postal service. Describes how her brother died when his plane crashed during take-off, just after his honeymoon, the family reaction, and his widow Josephine spending two years in New Zealand after the war. Comments on the community spirit among church members and that everyone had the understanding of being in it together. Recalls being thrilled by the end of the war, and hearing about Hiroshima. Comments that her husband knew he would be dealing with damaged men returning. Mentions moving to a parish in Papakura where Walter gave services at the army camp. Talks about 300 English Tommies coming to the camp to recover from a Japanese torture camp, and the vicarage being open to the soldiers day and night as they were starved of home life. Calls her relationship with the soldiers "one of the most rewarding and exciting experiences" of her life. Abstracted by - Erin Flanigan Interviewer(s) - Alison Parr Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-022524 - OHC-022525 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 2 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-7324. Prinouts of colour photograph of Marion Beech (2007), and a (scanned?) black and white photograph of Marion Beech with her husband Walter, possibly on their wedding day (1940) Search dates: 1917 - 2007

Date: 18, 21 May 2009 - 18 May 2009 - 21 May 2009

From: Honouring seniors oral history project

By: Morgan, Reginald John, 1916-

Reference: OHInt-0979-05

Description: Interview with Reginald John (Jack) Morgan, born in Auckland in 1916. Describes the family background, and his parents, who ran the Hukerenui hotel. Tells of his father's death from influenza after World War I, and his mother's subsequent labours on the rough farm she ran - while raising seven children - after her husband's death. Talks about farming methods, and the transportation of materials and farm produce. Describes horse, rail, barge and railway transport of timber, lime rock, coal and dairy products. Gives details of collecting and marketing kauri gum and other jobs he did while at school. Describes milking cows twice a day, and getting the produce to the Whangarei Dairy Company, on atrocious roads. Discusses his shift from dairy farming to agricultural contracting, in particular to hay baling, which he worked at for 49 years. Explains the progress from manual to automated methods. Talks about his wife, and her supportive role running the family farm while he worked as a contractor. Describes the local extractive industries: native timber milling, kauri gum, prospecting and mining (for gold, coal, manganese, red ochre, mercury), mineral water, and quarrying. Talks about his interest in the history and the people of the district - Maori, and European settlers and community life Interviewer(s) - Patricia Cutforth Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHDL-001254 Quantity: 1 digital sound recording(s) digital sound recording(s). 2 Electronic document(s) - abstract. 1 printed abstract(s). 3 digital photograph(s). 6 electronic scan(s) of original black and white photographic print(s). 1 interview(s) over 2 days. 2.06 Hours and minutes Duration. Physical Description: Sound files - wave files; Textual files - Microsoft word; Image files - Jpeg Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-7483, OHDL-001264. Three digital photographs of Jack Morgan, one in his workshop (2009). Scanned B&W or sepia photographs of: Morgan farmhouse, early 1919; Hukerenui Store, 1920s; Hukerenui School (1923); Hukerenui Hotel 1936 flood; Hukerenui Home Guard; Morgan farmhouse, 1970s Search dates: 1916 - 2009

Date: 29 Apr, 6 May 2009

From: Honouring seniors oral history project

By: Finlayson, Leslie Norman, 1919-2011

Reference: OHInt-0979-02

Description: Leslie Norman Finlayson was born in 1919, and raised in Purua, a farming district northwest of Whangarei where his father farmed from 1907. Describes the physical and social environment - soils and rocks, occupations of his family and other people living there, including Maori, Belgians and Dalmatians. Talks about going to primary school (on horseback) at Purua and Ngararatunua, and life on the family farm. Explains the processes of felling kauri, getting logs to mills on bush tramways and then clearing stumps for pasture, using bullock teams. Talks about hand-milking cows, and other occupations of the extended family, including boat building, carpentry and other trades. Describes the town of Kamo, an hour away, its businesses, and its pub - the nearest one from Purua. Also talks about visits to Whangarei, where he went to high school for one year, the agricultural service industries of the town and entertainments, including silent movies. Mentions working for a motor mechanic, then returning to milking cows in 1934. Talks about the hardships of life in Northland during the Depression, and the changes to farming which came after World War II with better understanding of trace elements and fertilizers, and the advent of electricity. Tells story of the family home, `The Mount', built in 1910 from kauri, and lived in by family for the next 100 years. Interviewer(s) - Patricia Cutforth Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHDL-001251 Quantity: 1 digital sound recording(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2 Electronic document(s) - abstract. 7 digital photograph(s). 7 electronic scan(s) of original black and white photographic print(s). 1 electronic scan(s) of original colour photographic print(s). 1 interview(s) over 2 days. 2.15 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-7480, OHDL-001258. Scanned B&W photographs of: Finlayson family (possibly photographs of the originals); Finlayson RDN Group - Les (2nd from left); Purua Hall, School and School House; The Mount 1950s; Les Finlayson 1966. Scanned colour photograph of: The Mount 1970. Digital colour photographs of: The Mount 2007; The Mount 2009; Les Finlayson 2009 - 90th birthday lunch; Les Finlayson 2009; The Mount - laundry (2 photos); The Mount - Heritage Farm Plaque Search dates: 1919 - 2009

Date: 22 Apr 2002 - 24 Apr 2002 - 2 Jul 2002 - 3 Jul 2002 - 03 Jul 2002

From: New Zealand Sapper contribution to World War II oral history project

By: Ferguson, John Addie, 1913-2002

Reference: OHInt-0875-06

Description: Interview with John Ferguson, born in Dunedin in 1913, giving very detailed recollections of his life particularly during World War 2. Talks about his family background, growing up in Maori Hill, Dunedin, where his father, a Scottish immigrant, was a builder. Recalls leaving school because of the Depression, working for his father and attending night school for several years. Comments on hearing war had been declared, but not enlisting until after Dunkirk because he was supervising construction of state houses. Talks about draft into the 8th Field Company of Engineers and being part of the third echelon. Refers to travelling to Egypt in a convoy with ships from Australia and spending time at Maadi Camp from March 1941. Discusses the backgrounds of sappers in his section, commenting on the usefulness of farmers and trademen. Mentions officers who were also engineers. Recalls the sappers were relaxed about saluting, and were encouraged to scavenge for useful parts and equipment. Talks about having air-driven equipment powered by compressors mounted on their trucks. Relates experiments on the Suez Canal with pontoon bridges that could be opened in the middle. Describes mines, how they were armed and laid, often laying them at night, and the number of accidents with mines as they learnt to handle them. Refers to the types of anti-personnel mines dropped from German aircraft. Comments on the temperament needed for clearing mines. Discusses difficulties communicating with their headquarters by telephone or radio when they were spread out in the desert, and listening to BBC news broadcasts. Comments on posting to Greece where the evacuation had started. Explains their ship was sunk by an Italian submarine so returned to Alexandria where they helped transport men evacuated from Greece and Crete. Talks about moving to Baggush camp where the Division was reassembling and their first action as part of the 6th Brigade in the Sidi Rezegh campaign: having to fight their way out of an encirclement near Sidi Rezegh. Refers to rest period in Syria where they strengthened bridges, moved tanks by barge to Turkey and laid explosives to prevent a German advance. Mentions being injured playing football; evacuation by train to Beirut; later promotion to sergeant and posting to a Palestine base. Talks about returning to the engineers and being sent back to Egypt, to destroy the Kaponga supply dump before the German advance. Describes subsequent actions around Alamein, the formation of the Alamein line, and training his sappers to clear mines. Mentions their dangerous work at the coastal end of Miteiriya Ridge. Refers to the Allied breakout at Alamein and the Germans retreating along the coastal highway. Discusses the role of the engineers in marking out tracks in the desert for the Division's advance and having skirmishes with small groups of Germans. Describes a sapper scouting patrol being bombed by American tomahawks during the advance to Tripoli. Talks about the Italian campaign, starting in Taranto and moving up the coast to Bari where there was a large American air base. Describes how his the 8th Field Company operated as a self-contained unit with its own transport, stores and equipment, although it would draw on the 21st Mechanical Equipment Company for bulldozers and graders, and the Field Park Company for bridging equipment. Refers to the onset of winter as they moved north, being issued with gumboots, and clearing slips on the roads. Comments on the importance of engineering work during the advance, widening and strengthening roads and improving roadside drainage. Talks about having to repair the main bridge over the Sangro River while the Germans still occupied the high ground overlooking it, and building a pontoon bridge and approaches downstream. Describes winter conditions once it snowed and the clothing issued to them. Comments on the New Zealand Division being shifted to the west coast of Italy and seeing Vesuvius erupting. Discusses road building work done by the Company south of Cassino while other New Zealand sapper companies worked in the vicinity. Refers to building assault bridges once the barrage on Cassino had started, replacing them each night after the German artillery had destroyed them during the day, and casualties suffered by the sappers. Refers to withdrawing when the monastery was bombed, and the damage done during the bombing to the Allied access routes. Talks about coming home on leave at the end of 1944 on a Liberty boat that was also carrying hundreds of Polish children. Comments on his leave in Dunedin, returning to the family building business, being discharged from the army when his three months leave was over, and readjusting to civilian life. Interviewer(s) - Liz Catherall Accompanying material - Printed transcript accompanied by handwritten notes about his early life and sport (6 p) which has some contradictory information Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-016666 - OHC-016684, OHC-016617 Tape numbers - Tapes numbered 1-4, 6-9, 9A, 10-20 Quantity: 20 C60 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s) - printed. 35 Electronic document(s) - transcript. 1 interview(s) over 4 days. 18.15 Hours and minutes Duration. Physical Description: Word processing documents - Microsoft word Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available edited transcripts, OHA-5977 OHDL-000260; no transcript for tape 13. Printout (A4) of scanned image of a black and white photograph of Geoff Kirk in the desert Search dates: 1913 - 1939 - 2002 - 1945

Date: 03 May 2005

From: MOTAT Volunteers oral history project

By: Vause, Alan Edward, 1917-2005

Reference: OHInt-0899-08

Description: Interview with Alan Vause, born in Wellington in 1917. Talks about growing up near Rongotai Aerodrome, developing an early interest in aviation, and building and flying model aeroplanes. Refers to being introduced to pilots by an uncle, and meeting Kingsford Smith when he visited New Zealand. Discusses the early days of aviation in the 1920s and 1930s. Comments on helping with aeroplanes at Rongotai as a teenager and sometimes being taken for rides. Describes working as ground staff at the Wellington Aero Club and the role of the Club at Rongotai in training pilots and providing ground support. Refers to his involvement with the Dominion School of Aeronautics, a programme set up by the government to train a civil reserve force, which used aero clubs to train pilots. Mentions taking an international correspondence course in aircraft engineering. Recalls meeting George Bolt through the club and later working for his Cook Strait Airways until 1938 when he returned to the Aero Club at Rongotai to work on aircraft maintenance. Describes how the Club's planes were all taken to Blenheim at the start of World War II for pilot training, and working at the de Havilland factory at Rongatai assembling imported aircraft during the war. Mentions joining the Air Force where he worked modifying civil aircraft into reconnaissance planes and bombers for use around the coast and in the Pacific. Discusses working for Union Airways after the war, first in Palmerston North and then at Mangere where he helped in establishing Aircraft Service Limited with Doug Wright and others. Comments on running the workshop and converting Air Force aircraft for civil use. Talks about the introduction of aerial topdressing in 1949 which revolutionised farming. Mentions becoming a shareholder and director in Aircraft Service Limited and converting aircraft for topdressing. Comments on leaving the company in 1956 and having various jobs subsequently. Mentions wanting to be a pilot when he was young but lacking the education needed to train, and getting his licence later. Refers to his experience with gliding which began in 1938 in Wellington, his later involvement with the Auckland Gliding Club at Ardmore, and eventually becoming responsible for certifying airworthiness of gliders in New Zealand. Discusses the Walsh Brothers Memorial Trust which funded the Walsh Memorial Library at the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) and also made regular donations to MOTAT. Refers to his involvement with MOTAT, working occasionally on aircraft but not being a member. Interviewer(s) - Rosemary Deane Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-016572 - OHC-016573 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 Electronic document(s) - abstract. 1 interview(s). 1.56 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5962, OHDL-000435. Black and white photocopy or print of a photograph of Alan Vause, 2005 Search dates: 1917 - 2005

Date: 31 May 2004

From: MOTAT: Aviation memories oral history project

By: Mackley, Winston Brooke, 1915-2005

Reference: OHInt-0767-08

Description: Interview with Captain William Mackley, born in Lower Hutt in 1915. Describes starting his training as a pilot with the Auckland Aero Club in 1937, in DH60 Moths, Tiger Moths and Miles Magisters. Refers to joining the Air Force when war broke out and leaving for England in May 1940. Talks about flying Wellingtons from Hywell, then transferring to Abingdon and flying Whitleys. Mentions taking an instructors course in Canada, then returning to Nelson and flying Hudsons. Discusses moving to Catalinas which he flew through the Pacific, then to Sunderlands. Mentions the roles of Sunderlands in the Air Force after the war for moving troops, and how two were transferred to NAC (National Airways Corporation) and modified for passenger transport. Talks about joining NAC after World War II and flying Sunderlands and DC3s on its Pacific service, a service that had been set up by the Air Force to transport public servants and officials. Comments on the animosity between NAC and TEAL (Tasman Empire Airways) over the Pacific service and the politics of aviation development in New Zealand. Talks about the basic conditions at the airfields and the social aspects of overnight stays in Samoa and Rarotonga. Describes navigation by dead reckoning using a sextant for sun shots and mentions there was little night flying at the time. Comments on the services to Norfolk Island and the Chatham Islands. Refers to being a copilot and wireless operator on Lockheed 10As and to pilots being interchangeable between aircraft until they became specialised. Comments that navigation procedures within New Zealand were not very precise but improved gradually with better equipment. Discusses transferring to TEAL to fly Electras and becoming a training captain on the Electra. Outlines aviation safety issues today, commenting that less experience is needed to fly planes now, computerised controls, and flight time limitations being "the curse of the business". Talks about getting a job in the Air New Zealand office after he retired as a pilot, and becoming involved in the Flight Safety Foundation, an international organisation. Reflects on changes in the airline industry in 1986 and the Air Safety League of New Zealand. Explains how human factors have become a dominant issue in air safety and mentions accidents that have happened because of difficulties between crew members. Abstracted by - Karen Linauskas Interviewer(s) - Bill Rayner Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-014162, OHC-014163 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 Electronic document(s) (50 Kilobytes). 1 electronic scan(s) of original black and white photographic print(s) (824 Kilobytes, jpeg). 1 interview(s). 2 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5123, OHDL-000234. Digital scan of black and white print of photograph of Captain "Dan" Arthur Carlaw and Captain Bill Mackley (interviewee) on flight deck of Sunderland ZK-AMK. NZNAC Regional Service prior to last flight 1/6/1950 to Hobsonville for layup and eventual breakup. (Image includes details written on the back of the photograph) Photographer unknown. Captain Mackleys collection Search dates: 1915 - 2004

Date: 2 Feb 2003 - 02 Feb 2003

From: Oral history of cycling in New Zealand

By: Williams, Jean Caradus, 1910-2007; Price, Katharine Margaret Huia, 1914-2009

Reference: OHInt-0783-17

Description: A joint oral history interview with friends Jean Williams and Katharine Price. Jean Williams was born 1910 in Richmond, Nelson. Katharine Price was born 1914 in Merivale, Christchurch. Talk about their childhoods. Describe their nursing careers and the role that bicycling had in their lives. Katharine refers to bicycling to the St Helen's Maternity Hospital to collect surplus milk for the children's ward at the Christchurch Hospital. Jean refers to how the small wage of nursing made bicycling the most economic way to travel. Talks about the bicycles women would ride and the clothing they wore. Refer to the dress reform of women cyclists and mention Diana Durbin and Amelia Bloomers. Recall various cycling trips and tours in the Canterbury region. Jean mentions a South Island tour with her sister Mabel during the war in the early 1940s. Discusses experiences of nursing during World War II in New Zealand. Jean recalls working in a medical unit, petrol restrictions, rations, army bases and United States officers in Christchurch. Katharine recalls sightings of Japanese submarines in the Cook Strait, working on hospital ships in Aotea Quay and the United States officers in Wellington. Discusses reasons for giving up cycling. Jean mentions that she gave up when she had children. Katharine mentions she stopped when she became frightened of the increased cars on the road and had an accident 15 years ago. Interviewer(s) - Jonathan Kennett Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1.45 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-4165. Colour photograph of Katharine Price and Jean Williams Search dates: 1910 - 2003

Date: 28, 30 Jan 2004, 4, 11, 16, 17, 24, Feb 2004, 30 Mar 2004 - 28 Jan 2004 - 30 Mar 2004

From: Blumhardt Foundation - Doreen Blumhardt Oral History Project

By: Blumhardt Foundation; Blumhardt, Doreen (Dame), 1914-2009; Oldham, Philippa Jane, 1957-

Reference: OHInt-0772-01

Description: Oral history interview with Doreen Blumhardt, born 1914 in Whangarei. Details family background - discusses German heritage. Talks about the family farm at Whareora - describes family home. Talks about daily life on the farm. Discusses her upbringing - talks about the value of good education and learning music. Mentions growing up in a bilingual environment. Talks about the family moving to Whangarei during the Depression - describes their house. Details schooling - mentions Director of the Whangarei High School Orchestra Mr Dunn. Discusses moving to Christchurch to live and work with her aunt Eleanore Blumhardt. Mentions attending Cantebury College School of Art - recalls her time there. Mentions Brian Brake, Cecil Kelly, Isley James, Kitty Driver, Lance Macaskill, Walter Harris, Sophie Canning and Dr Clarence Beeby. Talks about attending Christchurch Teachers College - describes first experiences teaching. Refers to own creative work completed during this tertiary study - discusses her love of weaving and first experiences using clay - mentions Luke Adams. Refers to teaching positions as Art Teacher in Nelson and Head of Art at Christchurch Teachers' College. Discusses treatment of family during World War II - mentions brother losing his job and their father's internment. Talks about joining the Air Force WAF's. Mentions Dame Ngaio Marsh. Refers to appointment as National Advisor in Arts and Crafts - discusses what this role entailed. Mentions her offices at Waterloo School. Discusses Beeby's vision for New Zealand art education - mentions Walter Harris and Phillip Smithells. Discusses overseas travel - talks about attending Brighton College of Arts and touring local schools with Ronald Horton, and attending teachers' conferences in Mannheim and Paris. Discusses becoming Head of the Art Department at Wellington College of Education upon her return. Discusses the foundation of the College's art collection - mentions John Drawbridge, Brian Carmody, John Ritson, Cliff Whiting, Laughton and Jenny Patrick. Talks about playing in the 3YA Orchestra. Discusses evolution of New Zealand pottery - talks about 'New Zealand Potters Magazine' - mentions Leigh Thompson, Bernard Leach, Peter Stitchbury, and Helen Mason. Discusses pottery applications and techniques. Discusses building and operation of the kiln on Harbour View Road, Wellington - mentions Roy Cowan, Freda Anderson, and David Carson-Parker. Details trip to Japan -discusses Japanese pottery. Talks about becoming Vice President of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts - discusses the Academy's exhibitions. Details her involvement in the publishing of 'New Zealand Potters, Their Works, Their Words'. Talks about the honours and awards she has received over the years. Discusses her accomplishments in teaching. Talks about the impact of religion on her life. Oral history video recording with Doreen Blumhardt at her home in Wellington. Talks about her pottery studio - details the layout and the allocation of work spaces. Discusses the applications and techniques of the pottery process - talks about plaster moulds, wax resist work, and the use of iron oxide. Shows pieces made for the 2004 New Zealand Festival of the Arts. Discusses her inspirations and influences. Details specific works of art within her collection. Access Contact - See Oral History Librarian Interviewer(s) - Pip Oldham Accompanying material - Biographical information relating to Doreen Blumhardt; Biographical chronology of Doreen Blumhardt; Curriculum Vitae of Doreen Blumhardt; Copies of investiture invitation, election as Fellow to the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, and a citation of Doreen Blumhardt for the graduation ceremony, 1st May 1991, Victoria University of Wellington; list of photographs held on Disc 1 and 2; Summary of video recordings OHV-0998 - OHV-1001. Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-014173 OHC- 014138, OHC-014139, OHC-014140, OHC-014141, OHC-014142, OHC-014143 Quantity: 7 C60 cassette(s). 4 videocassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 14 Electronic document(s) - abstract. 1 interview(s). 5.12 Hours and minutes Duration. Physical Description: Textual files - Microsoft word Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5067, OHDL-001279. Search dates: 1914 - 2004

Date: 08 May 2004

From: Tung Jung oral history project

By: Chan, Janet Lay Jung, 1915-2014; Wong, Yvonne, 1936-

Reference: OHInt-0747-01

Description: (i) Interview with Mrs Janet Chan born in Sarng Seng, Guangzhou (Canton), China, in 1929. Describes growing up in China and meeting her husband, Stanley Young Chan who emigrated to New Zealand from China at age of seven and had returned to China to study Chinese. She emigrated to New Zealand in 1939 and helped her husband run his fruit and vegetable shop in Mt Albert, Auckland for 12 years. She describes living among the Chinese community and learning English. In 1945 she moved to Thames where her husband had aquired what became known as SYC Vineyards where they produced wine and table grapes. In the 1970s they retired to Auckland. Mrs Chan describes her life in Thames and retirement in Auckland and compares life in New Zealand with China. (ii) Interview with Mrs Yvonne Wong (daughter of Janet Chan) Yvonne Wong was born in Harkee Village, Canton, 1936 and came to New ealand with her parents in 1939. She describes life living in her parents fruit and vegetable shop in Mt Eden, Auckland and from 1945 working on her parent's vineyard in Thames. In 1960 she married Fred Wong who owned a fruit and vegetable shop in Taihape. She describes her life in Taihape and her sons becoming managers of New World supermarkets in Taihape and Palmerston North. Language - Interview with Janet Chan conducted in Cantonese; interview with Yvonne Wong in Cantonese and English Interviewer(s) - Chang, Kitty Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-014089 Quantity: 1 C90 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2 interview(s). 1.18 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5059. Colour photograph of Yvonne and Janet; B&W [sepia?] photographs of Janet with her family prior to coming to New Zealand, Chan family menfolk and Janet, Stan and family Search dates: 1915 - 2004

Date: [ca 1917-2010]

From: Scoullar, Leo Bryan, 1917-2010: Photographs

By: Savoy Studios (Auckland, N.Z.); Van Hasselt (Firm); Leicagraph Studio (Wellington, N.Z.)

Reference: PAColl-10027

Description: Photographs relating to the life of Bryan Scoullar, taken ca 1917-2010, particularly his service in the army during World War II. Bryan Scoullar collected all the images and took some of them. Images are arranged in a loose chronological order, and contain: Family photographs, circa 1917-1941, showing his mother Genevieve (nee Pope), his father Arthur, and his brother Patrick. Snapshots of the family are taken at the family residence in Wellington and during outings and holidays in New Zealand. Includes images of Patrick during the war, at home on leave, and overseas. Two school photographs taken at Marist Brothers' School, Wellington, probably of Patrick or Bryan. Photographs related to Bryan Scoullar's military service in North Africa during World War II. These are taken and collected in Egypt, Syria, and the Western Desert, ca 1941-1942. There are also some images taken during his training at Trentham army camp ca 1940, and documenting journey on board ship 'Nieue Amsterdam'. Contains images of patients, staff and activities at No. 3 General Hospital, Egypt, where he worked as an orderly. Includes tourist photographs taken and collected during travels in Egypt, and a trip with 5th field ambulance unit to Jerusalem and Syria. Also a group of Images taken at the Bulldog Club, Helmieh. Named figures include 'Dan' from South Africa, and Bob Bates ['Lulu la Blaze'?], and a Spanish Capuchin friar [Padre?] Sabino. Photographs of friends and family ca 1945-2010, including items related to his involvement with the Lamb of God covenant community in Wellington. Also images of Bryan's parents in older age, two mounted portraits of Bryan's god-daughter Anne Renai, and a few photographs documenting Bryan's trips overseas with an Australian Catholic group. Events include: celebrations to mark Bryan's 81st and 93rd birthday, a Christmas party in 1988, St Patrick's College Centenary 1985, a dinner at Bunratty Castle, [a restaurant in Australia?], and Anzac Day commemorations at Huntleigh Rest Home, Karori, ca 1990s. Places include: St Mary's Convent, Wellington, and St Thomas More Catholic Church, Wilton and [The Rigi?] St Vincent de Paul's. Named figures include: Vonnie Nunns, Bernadine Reid, Stephanie Revell, Mike Revell, Laurie McClellan, Philippa Dowling, Chris Reid, Molly Waugh, Trish Kane, Andre Gellen and Karen Gellen. Accompanying information - ltems of ephemera relating to Mr Scoullar including an order of service for his funeral. Arrangement: Images have been arranged by the archivist in loose chronological order Quantity: 189 b&w original photographic print(s) including one mounted on metal. 37 colour original photographic print(s). 1 item(s) of photographic ephemera (Postcard featuring printed photograph). Physical Description: Photographic prints and items of ephemera