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Date: 2001-2002 - 14 May 2002 - 27 Nov 2001

By: Leniston, Elizabeth Theresa, 1926-2017; Leniston, Martin John, 1925-; Fyfe, Judith Mildred de Visme, 1944-

Reference: OHColl-0607

Description: Interviews with Elizabeth (Betty) Leniston and Martin John (Johnny) Leniston. Interviewer(s) - Judith Fyfe Accompanying material - E-mails between Margaret Leniston and Judith Fyfe, sprigs of dried lavender, notes from preliminary interview Quantity: 6 C60 cassette(s). 2 printed abstract(s). 2 Electronic document(s) - abstracts. 2 interview(s). Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete. Search dates: 1925 - 2002

Date: 24 July 2002 - 24 Jul 2002

By: Hassett, Ronald Douglas Patrick (Major General), 1923-2004; Allen, Sherryl, active 2002

Reference: OHColl-0618/1

Description: An interview with Major General Ronald (Ron) Douglas Patrick Hassett, describing his military career. Mentions his childhood, education and role models. Talks about his military training at the Royal Military College of Duntroon in Canberra, involvement during World War II with the artillery in New Zealand, New Guinea, Egypt, Italy (describes battles including Cassino). Recalls time in Palestine, mentions holocaust survivors. Talks about administration at the end of the war. Mentions training school in Austria and Larkhill, and returning to New Zealand in 1951. Talks about war brides. Mentions various business projects and selling ideas to firms in South East Asia. Describes various training posts in New Zealand including Linton, as Brigade Major of Divisional Artillery during compulsory military training, and as chief instructor at Waiouru School of Artillery. Recalls spending time at the Australian Staff College, Queenscliff, Melbourne. Talks about nine months in Korea, Malaysia as Brigade Major of the Commonwealth Brigade, (mentions Brigadier Frank Hassett). Recalls making reconnaissance arrangements for equipment for troops in Vietnam. Discusses his role in the establishment of the Waiouru Army Museum which opened in 1978. Talks about his role as Chief of General Staff 1976 until his retirement in 1978. Interviewer(s) - Sherryl Allen Accompanying material - One colour copy of Major General Hassett in his uniform (midshot) - note printed onto paper - the printer was out of yellow ink. Four black and white copies on paper of the same photo. Accompanying material - Includes Agreement & biographical information form. Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-10769 - 70 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 1.20 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3821. Search dates: 1939 - 1990

Date: 12 Sept 1988 - 12 Sep 1988

From: World War I Oral History Archive

By: Wiggins, William Robert, 1899-1991

Reference: OHInt-0006/83

Description: Describes in detail family background (father at Chelsea Sugar Refinery), education, employment, and life in Auckland pre war (selling 'Truth' newspapers, warehouse work), apprenticeship as a blacksmith and details of work. Recalls enlistment, guarding ammunition factory in Normanby Road, ceremonial duties, military funerals, the Mount Eden Guards. Transfer to being a guard at Motuihe Island, details of guard duty, relations with German internees, anti German feeling in Auckland, living conditions of internees, various anecdotes, Count von Luckner Kircheiss, his escape from Motuihe in detail, Dr Schultz. Transport overseas with the 41st Reinforcements, morale among conscripts, death of "Taffy" Herbert Lloyd Dash. Describes ports of call, especially Capetown, submarine attacks. Recalls arrival at Sling Camp, training and discipline, military burials at Tidworth Cemetery in detail, and being accidentally gassed, describes sensation, Tidworth Hospital, being transported back to New Zealand as an invalid. Describes first marriage, children, Moerewa freezing works, then a slaughterman, his career with various freezing works in detail, involvement with RSA at Kawakawa and other places, Anzac Day parades, effect of gassing on his life, being a freezing worker during the 1930 Depression, the bobby calf scheme and calf pools. Recalls venereal disease prevention, relations with British, hobbies, deep sea fishing, views on present RSA, and government. Venue - Auckland Interviewer(s) - Jane Tolerton Interviewer(s) - Nicholas Boyack Venue - Ranfurly War Veterans' Home, Auckland Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-002790 - OHC-002792 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s) in two parts. 3 Electronic document(s) - transcript, summary. 1 interview(s). 3 Hours Duration. Physical Description: Textual files Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available AB 525/1 - 2, OHDL-000362. Black and white photographs:-. Bill Wiggins, 1988. Bill Wiggins, 1988. Bill Wiggins and striped marlin, ca 1960s. Bill Wiggins and second wife, Dorothy, 1948. Bill Wiggins, his daughters, and brother, during World War Two. Bill Wiggins, fishing trip, 1921. Bill Wiggins and daughters, 1941. Bill Wiggins and Dave Whitehead, undated. Bill Wiggins, 1915

Date: 24 Sept 1987 - 24 Sep 1987

From: NZOHA Electricity Centenary Oral History Project Stages I, II and III

By: Ridley, John Wallace, 1919-2006

Reference: OHInt-0003/15

Description: Describes family background, reasons for family move to Timaru, childhood, hydroelectric scheme development in the 1930s, the family's and his own politics, the gaining of a university scholarship from Timaru Boys' High School and graduating BSc and BE from Canterbury University. Recalls World War II experiences as a lieutenant in the New Zealand Army Engineers in New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, Middle East and Italy. Mentions father's death from shooting while assisting the police during the "Graham Incident". Describes year as Rhodes Scholar, at Oxford University, U.K.:- the criteria, the course, the advantages, hydroelectric work in Scotland. Backgrounds appointment as Senior Engineer, Power Division, Ministry of Works; the background to gaining Harkness Fellowship to U.S.A. in the mid 1950s; work as Shift Engineer at Pactola Dam, South Dakota; atomic power plants in the U.S.A.; proposals to New Zealand Electricity Department for Benmore to be an earth dam; work at the Ontario Hydro Electric Power Commission and his thoughts on a similar commission for New Zealand. Discusses Benmore State Hydro Scheme's design and construction, the Ministry of Works' reservations about the dam, the area and it's buildings, costs, industrial relations and unions, colleagues on site:- Bill Duncan, Construction Engineer; Max Smith, Resident Engineer. Describes the Project Engineer's job, criticism of him for widespread staff, relations with F.M.H. Hanson, and J.T. Gilkison (Commissioners of Works). Recalls using the Security Intelligence Service to vet potential employees on site. Describes the environmental impact of power schemes, mentions the varied workforce at Benmore, their housing. Refers to involvement with the Cook Strait cable, the controversy, the political manoeuvring; the future of power in New Zealand, hydro, gas, geothermal and atomic, and the ageing of power stations. Comments on industrial relations in New Zealand, compares them to Australia, the reasons for problems, the effect of unions, arbitration. Mentions work as Manager of Utah Engineering, Australia and Manager of New Zealand Steel. Describes aspects of political career as Labour member for Taupo, 1972-75, 1978-1981, his achievements, political motivations and refers to a large number of members among them, Norman Kirk, Hugh Watt, Bill Rowling, Bob Tizard, and David Lange. Describes the concept of a South Pacific Federation, consolidation of government departments in late 1970s and the Government Goodwill Trip to South East Asia. Mentions list of personalities:- general managers of New Zealand Electricity Department, ministers of public works, works, electricity and energy. Access Contact - See oral history librarian Venue - Auckland Interviewer(s) - Judith Fyfe Venue - Mr Ridley's home at Unit 31, Hibiscus Coast Village, 101 Red Beach Road, Red Beach, Auckland Accompanying material - Copy of "Industrial anarchy danger to output", J.W. Ridley, NZ Herald - no date; copy of "Major projects need bipartisan support", J.W. Ridley, NZ Herald, 17/7/86; copy of "New Zealand Steel development should be encouraged not hindered", J.W. Ridley, New Zealand Engineering, March 1, 1986; copy of "Environmental administration in NZ - A new era?", J.W. Ridley, Proceedings of Waikato University, 1985; copy of "An engineer comments: Industrial anarchy danger to output", J.W.Ridley, New Zealand Engineering, November 1, 1985; copy of "Ire at govt takeover", NZ Herald, 23/12/85; copy of "Productivity is key to progress in NZ", J.W. Ridley, NZ Herald, 7/2/83 Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-001686 - OHC-001688 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 265. Black and white photographs:-. Jack Ridley, 1987. Jack Ridley, 1945 Search dates: 1919 - 1987

Date: 06 Jul 1973

By: Riley, Charles Francis Dennis, 1893-1982; Grover, Raymond Frank, 1931-2019

Reference: OHColl-0021/1

Description: Charles Riley was born in Tower Hamlets, London, in 1893. Describes coming to New Zealand on the SS TAINUI (ship) in 1913; serving with 3rd Prince of Wales Dragoon Guards during World War I; being present at First Battle of Ypres. Recalls the burning of the Cloth Hall at Ypres and describes in detail life in the trenches, gas attacks and fighting on the St Julien Sector; being injured and returned to New Zealand where he joined the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and served in Palestine. Discusses taking a government bursary after the war to study structural engineering at Canterbury University; failing exams and becoming an engineering draughtsman; joining the New Zealand Railways; becoming involved with the Labour Movement; being made redundant in 1930; heavy involvement in organising the unemployed in Christchurch. Describes activities, food depots and illegal meetings in Victoria Square; convictions and prison term; recalls other labour and unemployed workers leaders; leaving for Australia and working as a miner at Cobar and Tennants Creek. Talks about leaving to enlist with the International Brigade in the Spanish Civil War; describes Darwin in the 1930s; working passage to London as a fireman on a freighter; describes in detail process of joining Brigade in Paris; travelling to Spain; enlistment in 35th Division of Brigade; other New Zealanders in Brigade; training; experiences of fighting at Teruel and Brunete; crossing the Ebro River at Tortosa; being wounded and repatriated to London; organisation of Brigade; rank of shock brigadier and company commissar; Brigade weapons and tactics; the Spanish troops; withdrawal of Brigade from Spain; return to Australia; suspicion of New Zealand and Australian governments to returning International Brigade members. Briefly describes career in World War II in Z Company of the First Echelon of 2NZEF. Venue - Lower Hutt Interviewer(s) - Ray Grover Venue - 36 Bush Street, Naenae, Lower Hutt Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000440 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 Electronic document(s) (transcript). 1 interview(s). 50 Minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHDL-001341.

Date: 30 Jul 1979

From: National Film Library. Oral history recordings

By: Tilly, Cyril Ridgeway, 1906-1986

Reference: OHInt-0091-02

Description: Cyril Tilly describes the development of his interest in theatre, auditions as an actor and employment by J C Williamson's theatrical company in Australia and New Zealand (ca 1924 to 1926). Discusses theatrical links between Australia and New Zealand; recalls involvement with Lee Hills, and early New Zealand film maker; describes auditions and acting in Lee Hill comedies, particularly the film 'So This is Wellington' (ca 1929). Discusses early New Zealand comedy films and film making techniques; recalls co-star Grace Kerr. Describes early sound techniques with the advent of 'talkies', printing and development of films. Venue - Wellington Interviewer(s) - George Peart Venue - Wellington Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHT7-0496 Quantity: 1 7" reel(s). 30 Minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - no abstract(s) available. Search dates: 1924 - 1979

Date: 03 Nov 1964

From: National Film Library. Oral history recordings

By: Tarr, George Herrmann, 1881-1968

Reference: OHInt-0091-03

Description: George Tarr describes his first interest in film in Australia in 1893, work as a projectionist in Australia, the Lumiere Machine, other projection machines, anecdote about the first picture show in Broken Hill Australia, his birth and early life as a vaudeville artist, anecdote about early slide shows in Australia, the film 'Just as the sun went down' with Frank Davenport, the original film about Hinemoa, 'The Trawling Industry and Charlie Newham, the idea for Hinemoa, the finance, making the film, the costs, the results, Sarah Tawhai, Barry Martell and 'Kid from Timaru', 'Ten Thousand miles to cannibal land', the making of the film, the advertising, release, running a show with P R Dicks in 1904, making money from the early films. Recalls Henry Hayward, problems with sound, RCA, De Forrest sound. Venue - Auckland Interviewer(s) - Ray Hayes Interviewer(s) - Rudall Hayward Venue - At George Tarr's home at Prospect Terrace, Milford, Auckland Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-005321 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available AB 1004. Search dates: 1881 - 1964