Places

Date: 2006-2011

By: Diamond, Paul Edward, 1968-; Fowke, Susan, 1944-2017

Reference: OHColl-1030

Description: Ten interviews with Māori who served in the Vietnam War. The interviewees were born between 1935 and 1949, and belong to iwi from rohe across Aotearoa/New Zealand. Includes interviews with Paul Kimiora Carr, Roy Tutewhakaiho Matakatia Komene, Roger Carew Aritaku Maaka, John Edwin Heremaia Marsh, William (George) Mathew, Anthony (Andy) Leon Mokaraka, Albert Sidney (Sid) Puia, Rangi Mathew Rata, James (Jim) Taia, and Charles Romi (Bunny) Tumai. Includes printed biographical forms, printed abstracts, printed pre-interview questionnaires, digital recordings, photographs, and other documentation. Awards/funding - Funded by an Award in Oral History from the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, 2006. Between June 1964 and December 1972 around 3,500 New Zealand military personnel served in South Vietnam. All of the New Zealanders who served were regulars or had enlisted in the Regular Force to join V Force - New Zealand's army contingent in the US-led coalition. Māori participation in the war was substantial. The interviewees served with many of the New Zealand units deployed in Vietnam; some served with Australian units. Quantity: 10 digital sound recording(s). 10 printed abstract(s). 1 folder(s). 10 interview(s). 44 Electronic document(s). 203 digital photograph(s). 25 electronic scan(s) of original colour photographic print(s). 37 electronic scan(s) of original black and white photographic print(s). Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete. Provenance: Donor/Lender/Vendor - Donated by Paul Diamond, Lower Hutt, November 2011 Search dates: 1964 - 1900 - 1972 - 2011

Date: 3 October 2011 - 03 Oct 2011

From: Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ) Engineering New Zealand oral history project

By: Hutching, Megan Alannah, 1957-; Butcher, Barry John, 1930-2020

Reference: OHInt-0965-08

Description: Interview with Barry Butcher, conducted 3 October 2011. Interview discusses family history, education, and his professional career as an engineer, including his experiences at a Ministry of Works camp at Lake Hawea. Also discusses Roxburgh hydro project, Benmore dam, Rarotonga airport in the Cook Islands, and other work projects. Abstracted by - Megan Hutching Interviewer(s) - Megan Hutching Quantity: 1 interview(s). 3 Electronic document(s) Microsoft Word files. 1 digital sound recording(s) digital sound recording(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 3.42 Hours and minutes Duration. Physical Description: Sound files - wave files; Textual files - Microsoft Word Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete. Search dates: 1900 - 2011 Number of interviews/events: 1

Date: 14 September 2011 - 14 Sep 2011

From: Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ) Engineering New Zealand oral history project

By: La Roche, John Charles, 1937-; La Roche, Sue, active 1940s-2011; Robinson, Winsbury James, 1921-

Reference: OHInt-0965-09

Description: Interview with Jim Robinson, conducted 14 September 2011. Interviewee discusses his childhood, education, and his service in the Royal New Zealand Air Force during the second world war and training as a pilot. The interview also discusses university study, working on a transmission line from Bunnythorpe to Haywards, and working at the Auckland Electric Power Board (AEPB), and various projects, such as the reticulation of Waiheke Island. Also discusses his work for the Fiji Electrical Authority in the early 1970s. Abstracted by - John La Roche Interviewer(s) - John La Roche Interviewer(s) - Sue La Roche Quantity: 1 interview(s). 1 Electronic document(s) Microsoft Word files. 1 digital sound recording(s) digital sound recording(s). 1 digital photograph(s) Jpeg file. 1 printed abstract(s). 1.59 Hours and minutes Duration. Physical Description: Sound files - Wave files; textual files - Microsoft Word Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete. Search dates: 1900 - 2011 Number of interviews/events: 1

Date: 15, 16, 20 Dec 1993 - 15 Dec 1993 - 20 Dec 1993

From: Oral history interviews for the Archive of New Zealand Music

By: Walden-Mills, William Henry, 1909-1997; O'Rourke, Anne C, active 1989-1993

Reference: OHInt-0134-14

Description: Interview with Bill (William) Walden-Mills, born in Farnsborough, England, in 1909. Tape one: 1909-1959 the early years, England and Dunedin; tape two, 1959-1974/75 Department of Education; tape three, 1975- retirement. (No abstract available) Interviewer(s) - Anne O'Rourke Accompanying material - Obituary of Bill Walden-Mills (Evening Post, 14 Aug 1997), in folder with forms Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-020291 - OHC-020293 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 folder(s) - forms. 1 interview(s). 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstract(s) to come. Search dates: 1909 - 1993

Date: 5 Jun 2007 - 05 Jun 2007

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

By: Maclean, Joyce Martha, 1909-2015

Reference: OHInt-0980-12

Description: Interview with Joyce Maclean (nee Hardham), born in Newtown, Wellington in 1909. Talks about her family background, her tailor father and seamstress mother working hard, and recalls seeing men marching off to World War I. Mentions the family moving to a farm at Paraparaumu and her father organising the building of the Farmers Co-op cheese factory and store at Paraparaumu. Refers to attending Wellington Girls College for three years, boarding with an aunt, and working in the dairy company store until she married Gilbert Maclean in 1930. Mentions he worked on the family dairy farm from 4am to 6pm each day until they moved to the farm in 1935. Recalls the buildup to war, Gilbert's call up, but his family appealing his conscription and winning. Mentions she was delighted but he was not. Comments that his assistant went to war and he had to make do with unsatisfactory workers who were unfit for service. Refers to having extra workers for hay making and providing morning and afternoon teas for them. Mentions helping in the milking shed while she had two young children. Talks about producing much of their own food during the War, but not being allowed to make butter. Refers to making and mending their own clothing, and riding her bicycle with her small daughter in the basket. Mentions doing a car maintenance course to learn how to change truck tyres. Comments on blackouts, the Home Guard, news from overseas and some Paraparaumu men being killed. Talks about her brother William being sent to Bougainville, and her brother-in-law Alan Bailey being shot down and killed over Rabaul. Recalls Country Women's Institute members sending parcels to men overseas. Comments that life on the farm was dreary until the American marines arrived. Talks about having four marines home for Christmas and having contact with some of them later. Refers to the marines using the farm for manoeuvres, and building an airport in the sheep paddock without any warning. Reflects on the impact of the war years on her and Gilbert's lives, the constant anxiety about a possible Japanese invasion, but having family around them throughout. Abstracted by - Erin Flanigan Interviewer(s) - Alison Parr Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-022556 - OHC-022557 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 2 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-7335. Printout of a scanned tinted photograph photograph of Joyce McLean on her wedding day (1930); printout of a colour photograph of Joyce (2007) Search dates: 1909 - 2007

Date: 29 Aug 1998

From: Owhiro Bay oral history project

By: Hoy, Roberta Ellen, 1911-2000; Hoy, Stanley George, 1908-1999

Reference: OHInt-0429-2

Description: Roberta Ellen Hoy, born 1911 in Thunder Bay, Canada. Talks about her early life in Canada, and her parents Alice Maud Sheppard and Robert Newstead. Describes trans-Atlantic travel, including avoiding the fateful last voyage of the RMS Lusitania. Describes life under the class system in London, subsequent emigration to Owhiro Bay, Wellington, New Zealand in 1950, and talks about the helpfulness of New Zealanders compared to class distinctions in England. Talks about women's fashion in New Zealand in the 1950s, and social life and development in Owhiro Bay. Talks about her artistic work, including oil paintings and watercolours of Owhiro Bay, Maori, and locations around New Zealand. Stanley George Hoy, known as Stan, born 1908 in London. Describes his life in England and his later life in New Zealand. Talks about his parents Florence Ethermay Stanbridge and Henry Thomas James Hoy. Describes childhood, education, trade training and early employment in the gas industry, and military service in World War Two. Describes impressions of low quality of housing in Owhiro Bay and Wellington, and describes renovations to family house in Owhiro Bay. Interviewer(s) - Ann Barrie Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 2 interview(s). 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3969. Search dates: 1908 - 1911 - 1998

Date: 29 Aug 1994

From: The Beginnings of the Pacific Island Church in New Zealand Oral History Project

By: Tangiiau, Maryanna Ngapoe, 1900-1997

Reference: OHInt-0337-5

Description: Maryanne Tangiiau was born in Rarotonga, in 1900. Backgrounds early education, relocation to Tahiti with uncle and twenty years service as house maid. Recounts reasons for moving to New Zealand in 1941 and work in the Auckland Hospital laundry. Talks about Beresford Church for Cook Islanders and fundraising efforts undertaken to build the Edinburgh Street church. Discusses ministers, the congregation, services, Sunday Schools, the youth club, dances and social activities. Recounts the increase in Samoan, Niuean and Tokelauan numbers at the church. Language - interview recorded in Rarotongan Language - all accompanying materials in English Interviewer(s) - Moana Moeka'a Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-013135 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-4594. Search dates: 1900 - 1994

Date: 27 Dec 2006

From: Otari Wilton's Bush oral history project

By: Poole, Alick Lindsay, 1908-2008

Reference: OHInt-0830-12

Description: Interview with Lindsay Poole, born Whatatutu 1908. Recalls his schooling which included Whakarewarewa School and Kings College, Auckland. Describes how he began his forestry career at the Rotorua Forestry Conservancy which was headed by H.A. Goudie. Refers to working in the nursery at Whakarewarewa, looking after the seed store, and seed-collecting trips. Recalls jobs in the forestry service disappearing during the Depression. Mentions working for the Botany Division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, and shifting to Wellington to work for the DSIR, where he met Dr Leonard Cockayne. Recalls the authorities enticed Cockayne to Wellington by buying and setting up Otari. Discusses the death of Cockayne, construction of his grave at Otari, and the erection of a boulder tombstone. Comments on Otari's importance in demonstrating the vegetation available in Wellington and its global ecological importance. Interviewer(s) - Jonathan Kennett Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-015381 Quantity: 1 printed abstract(s). 1 C60 cassette(s). 38 Minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5572. Search dates: 1908 - 2006

Date: 16 Jun to 10 Sep 1987 - 16 Jun 1987 - 10 Sep 1987

From: Presbyterian Support Otago Community History Programme oral history collection

By: Jefcoate, Horatio Piripi, 1901-1990

Reference: OHInt-0952-03

Description: Interview with H.P. (Horatio Piripi or Horace) Jefcoate, born in North East Valley, Dunedin, in 1901. Talks about living most of his life in Dunedin. Describes his childhood in detail, attending North East Valley School, and serving a five year apprenticeship in the motor trade, in which he was involved for most of his working life. Refers to marrying 12 months before the outbreak of war, and joining the Army's Third Echelon in 1939. Comments on his wartime experiences, including being the first New Zealander to land on Crete. Refers to being wounded at the Battle of Maleme in 1941 and sent back to New Zealand. Talks about his family, and voluntary work including being president of the Dunedin RSA for a number of years. Mentions running Jefcoate Cars Ltd 1950-1961, later pioneering Landrover sales throughout New Zealand, and also working for the Dunedin City Council until he retired aged 75. Interviewer(s) - Helen Frizzell Accompanying material - photocopies of three newspaper articles about Mr Jefcoate; newspaper photograph of a group of RSA members boarding an RNZAF aeroplane to travel to Greece for the unveiling of a memorial; Mr Jefcoate's death notice; summary of Mr Jefcoate's work history; background notes for the interviews; photocopy of a landscape sketch; order of service for his funeral Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHA-018674 - OHA-018687 Quantity: 14 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 13.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-6471. Search dates: 1901 - 1987

Date: 11 Oct 2000 - 11 Oct 2002

From: Otaki oral history project

By: Sharp, Cyril Mattias Wilder, 1907-2001; Thorpe, Agnes Anne, 1939-

Reference: OHInt-0673-03

Description: Cyril Sharp, known at Pat Sharp, was born in 1907 in Linton. Talks about grandparents who ran a hotel where there was always music. Talks about father who worked for Rangitikei Milk Company in Bulls for 30 years. Mentions schooling at Levin High School. Mentions briefly working at the Post Office, the Otaki ambulance, the Otaki Maori College. Talks about the Sanitorium, which had 80 patients. Mentions studying to be a plumber at night school in Wellington, but returning to Otaki during the Great Depression. Refers to government housing loans stopping, people doing any work for money, stores having two prices for all goods, sharing jobs. Mentions the importance of the horse stables in early Otaki. Mentions the local Chinese Pakapoo Den and its location. Talks about being a member of fire brigade for 38 years. Talks about being a piano player in a band, and playing at dances, where he met his wife. Mentions playing at the Tobacco Factory Hall during the Second World War. Refers to the Tahiwi sisters who sang. Mentions Inia Te Waiata, the Rikihana family, and Jimmy Sievers the undertaker. Talks about being in a car accident and hospitalised. Talks about working for Laidlaw Leeds. Talks about Otaki personalities, such as Murray Scott who as mayor introduced a sewerage scheme, and retailers Jim Bill, George Gimblett, the Edhouses and the Bakers. Mentions working in Wellington. Talks about his major interests as the fire brigade, rotary and dance clubs. Refers to his children moving away from Otaki, and talks about the old age pension. Interviewer(s) - Anne Thorpe Accompanying material - Photocopy of letter dated 1936 inviting a woman to a dance Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-11064 Quantity: 1 C90 cassette(s). 1.37 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3872. Search dates: 1900 - 1950

Date: 4 Dec 1984 - 04 Dec 1984

From: New Zealand Post Office Oral History Project

By: Dalton, Arthur Clarence, 1901-1987; Dalton, Constance Cecilia, 1902-1985

Reference: OHInt-0070/30

Description: Arthur Dalton describes family background, childhood, Palmerston North in the early 1900s, picture theatres, livery stables, father's work as a bootmaker, Salvation Army and religion, going to meetings where Harry Holland spoke, membership of the Post and Telegraph Association, childhood memories of Palmerston North Post Office, education, early employment and predictions of clairvoyant Mrs Barton. Discusses work as lineman at Palmerston North Post Office rewiring all Palmerston North houses for changeover from earthworking wires to automatic system, work routine, transport, tools, some colleagues - Donaldson brothers. Gives technical explanation of exchange operating systems, the physical effect on subscribers' houses with change to automatic. Gap in information from ca 1922 to ca 1926 - tape (1 hour) erased in error during project. Constance Dalton talks about how the post office exchanges chose staff, training, distinction between 'toll girls' and 'switchboard girls', work clothing, salaries and gradings, male telephone operators, social life. Arthur Dalton compares working in head office with working in Auckland. Discusses how employees were promoted, Seimens and Western Electric equipment, the Controlling Officers exam, work at the exchange during World War, 1939-1945, work as senior technician at Dunedin, retirement, effect of carrier systems on communications, expertise of telegraph staff, caring attitude of Post Office. Comments on happy married life. Constance Dalton recalls problems of Arthur's shift work changes, times of financial difficulty. Comments on current contentment. Venue - Dunedin Interviewer(s) - Judith Fyfe Venue - Constance and Arthur's home at Oxford Street, Dunedin Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000749B - OHC-000751 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2.27 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 112. Search dates: 1901 - 1984

Date: 30 Nov, 7 & 8 Dec 1984; 24 Jan, 1 Feb 1985 - 30 Nov 1984 - 01 Feb 1985

From: New Zealand Post Office Oral History Project

By: Mather, Samuel, 1903-1986

Reference: OHInt-0070/10

Description: Sam Mather recalls family background and religion in family. Discusses female employees in the Post Office, Maori employees, post-retirement work at Education Board, playing the cornet in the Waihi Federal Band, major illness in 1958 and earlier illnesses. Describes work as message boy at Otane Post Office in 1916, duties, hours, postmaster and other staff. Briefly discusses later involvement in Labour party in Onslow Electorate and mentions union newspaper Katipo. Talks about childhood, education, arrival in New Zealand in 1913, salary in first job (as message boy) in the Post Office, interest in photography, work as exchange clerk at Waipawa Post Office in 1918, shift work, effect of World War I on staffing, toll board, subscriber board, rotation and duty hours, pay rates, pressure, interest in morse, gifts from subscribers, effect of influenza epidemic in 1918, going to Telegraph School at Ponsonby, Auckland in 1920, life and expenses, Auckland picture theatres, speed of sending, quality of hand writing, working hours, personalities. Describes transfer to Engineers' Clerical Branch in 1924, procedure for obtaining a radio licence, murder of Ponsonby Postmaster - Brathwaite (?) in early 1920s, the 1920 railway strike, being a cadet at Opotiki Post Office in 1920, the postmaster - George Stephenson, playing in brass bands, an orchestra and a dance band, transfer to relief staff in Waihi in 1922, the postmaster - Hugh Dawson, Waihi as a place, the Waihi Brass Band, prohibition of alcohol in Waihi, anecdotes about gold. Talks about his transfer to Kaikohe in 1923, the Ngapuhi people, postmaster P J Eccleton, mail days, mail sorting, volume of mail, telegraph work, banking work. Discusses promotion, salaries and examinations while at the Engineers' Office, the usefulness of the experience for clerical work, radio inspection work. Talks about Post and Telegraph Association and election as chairman of the Auckland Section in 1930, salary cuts. Recalls and gives details of the Queen Street riot (Auckland) of 1932. Details the Post and Telegraph Association procession and public meeting, the role of John A Lee, J H McKenzie, Jim Edwards, unemployed group, atmosphere, looting, comparison with Auckland riot on December 1984. Discusses the de-recognition of the Post and Telegraph Association following the riot. Mentions the formation of the Post and Telegraph Officers Guild in the 1930s. Outlines the main issues fought for by the association. Describes attitudes of directors-general to the association, absence of strikes, the death benefit, leaving Post Office to become a full time secretary of the association in 1939, service in Wellington during World War II. Discusses influence of the association on senior appointments. Mentions Charles McFarlane, Dawson Donaldson, Walter Nash, Gabriel Wilkes, Outlines work as General Secretary from 1946-1958, wage reviews and superannuation fund in 1946, the Public Service Investment Society, contact with members of the association. Venue - Wellington Interviewer(s) - Judith Fyfe Venue - At Sam Mather's home at Ngaio, Wellington and Ward 25, Wellington Hospital Accompanying material - Copies of newspaper articles: 'Lifetime service to Post Office and its staff: fine record of Mr Mather' from The Standard, 16 April 1958; 'Past General Secretary honoured' from The Katipo, February 1976, p. 19; 'P S Employees farewell two', from unknown source. Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000743-OHC-000745; OHC-000758; OHC-000760; OHC-000768-OHC-000769 Quantity: 7 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 6.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 120. Search dates: 1903 - 1984

Date: 9 Dec 1984 - 09 Dec 1984

From: New Zealand Post Office Oral History Project

By: Moir, Edward Victor, 1901-1986

Reference: OHInt-0070/11

Description: Ted Moir recalls family background, childhood in Scotland, education in Scotland, early work in the dockyards in Scotland, wartime incident between Admiral Beattie (?) and Lord Jellicoe during Battle of Jutland while Ted was switchboard operator, army service in signals at end of 1917, installing telephones in mining areas of Scotland after war, emigration to New Zealand in 1921, reasons, shipboard life aboard the 'SS Wainui', arrival in Wellington on Anzac Day in 1921, work as temporary staff in Post Office in Auckland, work at Newmarket yard making VIR jackstays, installing telephones, sitting lineman's examinations, treatment of female employees, Maori employees, inspecting wireless sets in Northland during World War II. Describes work as a faultman in Gisborne from 1925-1941, transport, the multiple switchboard, the Reeves family, activities as secretary and chairman on local committees of Post and Telegraph Association, effect of the Depression in 1930s on civil service staff, views on treatment of temporary staff, effect of de-registration of union, marriage to Peg Hately. Further details work as faultman, describes the Wheatstone Bridge instrument used to measure line faults, the Model T Ford, on call hours, George Dansey the telegraph supervisor, George McKay. Talks about work as technician at Whangarei from 1941-1965, reasons for going, explains carrier system, the Duplex teleprinter system, monthly checks on the radar stations, the working of the secriphones (scramblers), wartime security, tracking malicious calls, salary and promotion, the role of the inspectors, engineer Jeff (?) Gilchrist, friction between engineering and staff branches, social life, work as Senior Technician of Carrier and Tolls at Whangarei, retirement. Access Contact - See oral history librarian Venue - Whangarei Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson Venue - Ted Moir's home at Whangarei Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000795 - OHC-000797 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2.29 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 122. Black and white photograph of Ted Moir as a young man Search dates: 1901 - 1984

Date: 1988 - 01 Jan 1988

From: NZ News Ltd: Sound recordings

By: Mair, Bernard Alexander, 1909-2005

Reference: OHInt-0135-11

Description: Bernard Mair gives details of his career as a newspaper reporter, journalist and editor in Christchurch and Wellington from 1929-1974. Mentions Christchurch newspaper publications from 1930s, fellow reporters, with reference to Ian (Abby) Munroe, Christchurch Press Club, the 'Auckland star' contingent. Recalls travelling as a reporter with Bob Semple and other politicans and his experiences as a parliamentary reporter for the 'Star-Sun' in the 1940s and position as editor from 1947 with reference to controversial issues and major stories, changes in newspaper publishing, impact of World War II, radio and television. Describes premises of 'Star-Sun'. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Venue - Christchurch Interviewer(s) - Ross Sayers Venue - Christchurch Star Office, Christchurch Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-002474 Quantity: 1 C90 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 428. Search dates: 1909 - 1988

Date: 24 Nov 1984

From: New Zealand Post Office Oral History Project

By: Sinclair, John Douglas Joseph, 1907-1993

Reference: OHInt-0070/16

Description: Jack Sinclair recalls his family background, childhood, influenza epidemic in Te Aroha. Describes education, joining the Te Aroha Post Office as a message boy in 1923, daily work routine, delivering the telegrams, the uniform, layout of the post office, delivering letters, learning morse, salary, work as a postman at Napier Post Office in 1926, social aspect of being a postman, work as operator at telephone exchange at Napier Post Office in 1926, discipline, female employees, work as exchange clerk at Hastings in 1927, personal service, waiting for toll calls, interest in radio. Recalls Napier earthquake in 1931, experiencing the earthquake, getting communications going again, digging for bodies, the impact on the post office building. Outlines duties as mechanician at Hastings Telephone Exchange 1928-1945. Mentions privately owned party lines and private linemen, slow promotion, the Creed teleprinter, trade certificates, interest in ham radio. Recalls marriage to Elsie Barclay delayed by Napier earthquake, duties during World War II at telephone exchange, Strowger automatic telephone exchange, work as chief technician at Nelson in 1945, radio telephones in taxis, playing banjo in the Garth Simpson Orchestra, social life, installing the automatic exchange. Mentions introduction of 111 emergency dialling into Masterton in 1958. Discusses duties as Chief Technician in Dunedin in mid 1960s, retirement, Jack Churchill of Post Office Association, retirement work in radio and television servicing. Access Contact - See oral history librarian Venue - Nelson Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson Venue - At Jack Sinclair's home at Stoke, Nelson Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000774B - OHC-000777A Quantity: 4 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 127. Black and white photographs as follows:. Jack Sinclair, undated. Installation staff at Hastings' first automatic telephone exchange, 1932. Installation staff at Nelson automatic exchange, 1951. Nelson Post Office Orchestra, 1953. Doug Skelton, Clay Cusdin (?), Jack Sinclair, undated. Jack and Elsie Sinclair on Golden Wedding Anniversary, 1981. Nelson manual exchange in 1950 Search dates: 1907 - 1984

Date: 16 Nov 1984

From: New Zealand Post Office Oral History Project

By: Ryan, Frederick George, 1905-1996

Reference: OHInt-0070/14

Description: Paddy Ryan recalls his family background, childhood, including clothing worn, delivering telegrams during World War I, death of his father during influenza epidemic of 1918, use of inhaling stations, early work at Hawera Post Office, sitting proficiency exam, recollections of Hawera, staff at post office, uniform, wages, Maori employees, tuberculosis and Post Office Welfare Funds in 1920s and 1930s, the hierarchy within Post Office, the postmasters A W P Hewitt and Sylvanius Gabriel Daniel, the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Association and the formation of the Post and Telegraph Officers' Guild, transport for the message boys, team spirit, discipline, social life, status of Post Office workers, punishments, daily routine 1918-1924, effect of 1922 salary cut, work as an exchange clerk at Hawera Post Office. Describes arriving in Wellington to work at Head Office in accounts, layout of building, boarding houses, costs, transport costs, names of some of the personnel, marriage to Edna Murray, difficulties with mortgage payments during Depression, filing for bankruptcy and losing house, secondment to Treasury in 1932 and to Unemployment Board in 1934, return to Hawera, compares the Hawera Post Office in 1930s with 1920s and today, the other responsibilities of the Post Office, election roll procedures in 1935, service during World War II, becoming a postmaster in 1946, life as postmaster at Te Araroa, East Cape in 1948, local Maori, transactions, going to Greytown, Wairarapa as postmaster in 1952, the changes in etiquette in the Post Office by the 1950s. Talks about work as Postmaster, Manners Street Post Office, Wellington, 1954, housing problems for postmasters, refers to Charles McFarlane, move to Henderson, Auckland in 1956 and 1957 and the wineries of Corbans and Babich. Describes Kaitaia Post Office in 1957, working at Rotorua in 1958, retirement, being elected to the Rotorua Borough Council. Accompanying material - copy of photograph of Te Araroa Post Office and the two 'Alfs', 1930; copy of an electioneering poster - 'Vote Ryan for Mayor', unsourced; copy of newspaper article 'The Spanish 'flu pandemic' from Auckland star, 24 September 1984, B5. Venue - Rotorua Interviewer(s) - Judith Fyfe Venue - Paddy Ryan's home at Barron Crescent in Rotorua Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000733 - OHC-000735 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 125. Search dates: 1905 - 1984

Date: 23 Nov 1984

From: New Zealand Post Office Oral History Project

By: Berrett, Robert Angus, 1900-1996

Reference: OHInt-0070/03

Description: Bob Berrett recalls his family background and childhood. Details family farmhouse at Kai Iwi. Describes education, working as message boy at Kai Iwi Post Office in 1914 and also assisting Railway Station Master, duties, layout of office, salary, delivery of telegrams, work at Taihape Telephone Exchange 1915, shifts, female employees, the postmaster B T Missen, discipline, clothing, the telegraph branch, Post Office staff, training at Telegraph School, Auckland in 1916, Jimmy Allen, techniques of sending morse, details of duties as telegraphist at Mercer, Kawakawa and Matiere. Describes postal delivery, telephone receiver sets, social life, influenza epidemic in 1918, work as a telegraphist at Takapuna, Auckland in 1918, the telegraph office at Wellington, layout of telegraph room, sorting telegrams, work as a telegrapher at Tolaga Bay in 1920, describes district, local personalities, work as a telegrapher at Woodville in 1922, the district, the personalities, salary and promotion, work at Stratford and Westport, the depression in 1930s, first transmission of shortwave radio, work as postmaster at Norsewood Post Office, problems with water supply, hours of work, work as postmaster at Rawene Post Office, staff problems, social life, the Waimamaku Post Office, head office inspectors, social status, customs excise work, life at Pahiatua Post Office in 1950s, retirement. Mentions daughter Valerie married singer Noel Mangin. Venue - Blenheim Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson Venue - Bob Berrett's home in Blenheim Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000771 - OHC-000774 Quantity: 4 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 3.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 111. Search dates: 1900 - 1984

Date: 19 Dec 1984

From: New Zealand Post Office Oral History Project

By: Graham, Leslie, 1909-

Reference: OHInt-0070/05

Description: Les Graham describes family background, his childhood in Stratford, education, work as message boy at the Midhurst Post Office 1924, work hours, job as junior mechanician in Stratford, training, technical courses by correspondence, equipment used in telephone exchanges, Strowger Company equipment, Western Electric systems, Siemans systems, Ericsson systems, effect of humidity on systems, technical hierarchy among engineers, social life at Post Office, the Stratford Telephone Exchange, repair trip routines, linesmen, maintenance faults, the first teleprinters - Murray Multiplex, toll calls. Details experience of the Napier earthquake in 1931 while converting the Hastings Telephone Exchange to automatic, helping in the temporary hospital, establishing a temporary telephone office. Talks about the concentration of the telegraphists, the advent of female employees, Maori employees, further work in Hastings and later marriage to Lawna Brown. Describes move to Whangarei as mechanician in 1931 with Steve Garratt, engineer in charge Grant Milne, salary, Ericsson equipment, work throughout the North - from Wellsford to Houhora including Dargaville, colleagues at Whangarei, the Depression and 1930s, work on long distance transmission, carrier systems, microwave systems, radio telephones, call up procedures, technical aspects, reception, work during World War II and importance of security, impact of American presence, post-war work in Wellington as telephones became a necessity, work during retirement, satisfaction with working life. Accompanying material - Five typewritten pages '40 years as a mechanician (technician) in NZPO : telephone communications from the 1920s' by Les Graham Venue - Wellington Interviewer(s) - Judith Fyfe Venue - At Les Graham's home at Brooklyn, Wellington Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000764 - OHC-000767 Quantity: 4 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 4 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 115. Search dates: 1909 - 1984

Date: 18 Dec 1984

From: New Zealand Post Office Oral History Project

By: Mahony, Francis Patrick, 1909-1999

Reference: OHInt-0070/09

Description: Frank Mahony recalls his family background, family mail delivery and carrying business - J Mahony & Sons Ltd, childhood in Napier, education, influenza epidemic 1918, early memories of the Napier Post Office, work as rural mail contractor, sorting and delivery procedures, the changes from horse to truck at J Mahony & Sons Ltd, competition, goods carried, early Post Office work, the Arapawanui mail and wool run in 1930, the routine, the hazards, reference to Archie Curtis, Stan Evans, Ella McKinnon (nee Dobson), Jack McKinnon, Petane, Tongoio, types of trucks, the depression 1930s, work on transformers, the Napier earthquake in 1931. Talks about the rural delivery service, changes in the Post Office, attitude of the Post Office towards himself, hospitality on the mail runs, Mrs Manning, mailrun passengers, the Tongoio Post Office, work during World War II, social life, Ridgemount Station, flood in 1938, other services for clients. Accompanying material - Handwritten notes (4 pages) about the background of the Mahony family; copy of 'Floods, slips don't stop the mailman' from the Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, 27 October 1984; copies of photographs of Frank Mahony and trucks, on Ridgemont (?) Beach 1936; sheet of blank memo paper with J Mahony & Sons Ltd letterhead. Venue - Napier Interviewer(s) - Judith Fyfe Venue - Frank Mahony's home at Napier Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000761 - OHC-000763 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2.58 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 119. Search dates: 1909 - 1984

Date: 17 Dec 1985

From: New Zealand Post Office Oral History Project

By: Smith, George Henry Alexander Sidney, 1908-1987

Reference: OHInt-0070/22

Description: George Smith recalls his family background, childhood in Petone, effect on the family of the influenza epidemic of 1918, the Post Office Association Welfare Fund, smoking in the Post Office, duties as a lineman and chauffeur in Lower Hutt ca 1926, transferring to Rarimu during the Depression 1930s, work as message boy in Petone Post Office from 1923, interview for job, uniform, salary, deliveries, sorting, Ericsson telegraph equipment and procedures, delivery routes, work as junior lineman Lower Hutt 1926, methods of erecting poles, effects of Hutt River floods, the way the General Division was viewed by others. Describes personalities, feelings about work, Tommy Dale the Wellsford policeman ca 1942, the town of Wellsford ca 1942, the effect of the Depression 1930s, ceremony of automatic cutover in Wellsford in 1964, role of overseer, geographical organisation in Wellsford - fault areas, effect of lineman work on health, faults and on call work, details of the Eureka Line Camp during the Depression 1930s. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Venue - Auckland Interviewer(s) - Judith Fyfe Venue - 72 Port Albert Road, Wellsford Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-001233 - OHC-001235 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 164. Search dates: 1908 - 1985