Places

By: Mackay, Jamie, active 1992; New Zealand Historic Places Trust. Waikato District Committee

Reference: OHColl-0020

Description: Interviewer(s) - Jamie Mackay Quantity: 23 C90 cassette(s). 18 printed abstract(s). 18 interview(s).

Date: 1947

From: Radio New Zealand Sound Archives Mobile Unit sound recordings

Reference: OHC-007624

Description: James Harris describes Huntly's mining history, Mrs Holland and Matt Russell discuss early Huntly and Kimihia and there are sound effects from the Kimihia Open Cast Coal Mine. There are items by the Huntly RSA Orchestra, the Rakaumaunga Native School and the Cambridge Festival Combined School Choirs. Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s).

Date: 07 Feb 1992

From: Huntly Coalfields oral history project

By: Boyd, Olive Margaret, 1913-2006; Pendleton, Elizabeth, 1910-1996

Reference: OHInt-0020/03

Description: Olive Boyd recalls first impression of Rotowaro; the building of Rotowaro School; number of houses in town. Elizabeth Pendleton and Olive Boyd describe facilities in houses; facilities in town; deliveries (by horse and cart); medical and dental help; food growing and preserving; Maori in area; getting fathers, brothers, husbands to work; housework; evening activities; holidays, picnics, dances, movies, entertainers; contact with local farmers; new arrivals in town, immigrants; courting. They discuss the depression (1930s) and 1951 strike; the unemployed during the depression; the local midwife, Aunty Jean; transport in 1920s; the early gramophone; cramped living conditions; the men working extra hours during World War II; little need for police; use of home brew; the carbonisation works; Country Womens Institute; contact with neighbouring communities; developing the school; different nationalities; life before electricity and radio; sewing and buying clothes; mail; muddy roads; the local church; opportunities for women; description of Huntly train; father's work. Venue - Huntly Interviewer(s) - Jamie Mackay Venue - 24 Kimihia Road, Huntly Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-004389 Quantity: 1 C90 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 1.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 723 - also contains excerpts from tape transcripts.

Date: 16 Sep 1988

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

By: Lennon, Colin Frederick, 1931-1989

Reference: OHInt-0003/25

Description: Colin Lennon outlines family background; childhood; father, Frederick George Lennon worked for the Public Works Department; family constantly moving; describes Karapiro in 1940s; learning carpentry trade as apprentice at Karapiro and Mangakino for Ministry of Works and Development; single men's camps; wages; social life, rugby, pig hunting, reference Johnny Luckman, Norm Penwarden, Cyril Fisher, Bill Heath; development of Maori land into farms; views on J T Gilkison and Jim Macky; discipline in place for absence without leave; role as leading hand at Mangakino, Wairakei and Atiamuri; setting up of camps; types of immigrants; reference to Charlie Short and Bill Robins; meeting and marriage to Althea Vida Ellery, 1952. Describes Bill Robin's skills; management skills; atmosphere at Mangakino; staff turnover; role as construction superintendent, Ministry of Works and Development, Clutha Valley Development, 1980 - 1989; social problems; self taught personnel / industrial relations skills; how to manage; role as foreman carpenter at Ohakuri Power project in 1961; erection of structural steel and pre-cast slabs; explains 'off-set line'; comparision of accident numbers before and after 1960s; deaths at Karapiro; work pressures and stress. Describes role as overseer at Benmore Power Project, 1962 - 1966; long hours; delays; stress anchor; reference Alan Taylor and Graham Tait; disputes with unions; reference to Aviemore; working with engineers; reference to Max Smith, Resident Engineer at Aviemore; social distinctions; classes of housing relating to staff grading; use of funds raised by welfare society; describes working on Kapuni pipeline; Fletchers as contractors; difficulties with country; descriptions of different crews and functions; weather; problems with land owners. Recalls role as Inspector of Works, New Plymouth Power Project, 1969 - 1974; differences in construction between thermal and hydro construction; high turnover of workers; problems with having to refer to Head Office; role as Construction Superintendent at Huntly Power Project, 1974-1980; training of new workforce; staff turnovers; compares to the stability of workforce on hydro schemes; industrial unrest; role as Construction Superintendent at the Clutha Valley Development, 1980-; explains dam construction; objections to scheme; displacement of orchards and houses; management style; worker redundancy; reflects on career in construction work. Accompanying material - Copy of 'Experience work history of C F Lennon'; Copy of 'People' page from Work News, Vol 19, No 1 - 43; Copy of 'Clutha Valley development' from Works News, Vol 17, No 6 - 11; Copy of handwritten notes relating to responsibilities - 2 pages; Copy of 'Top power man dies', Peter Dobson, from Otago Daily Times, 17 Feb 1989; Copy of 'Notes about Colin Lennon' produced by Clutha Valley Development project office. Venue - Cromwell Interviewer(s) - Manson, Hugo Venue - Mr Lennon's home at 69 Antimony Crescent, Cromwell Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-001856 - OHC-001858 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 286 AY=AB AR=286. Search dates: 1931 - 1988

Date: 13 Feb 1987

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

By: Robins, William Mercer, 1912-1991

Reference: OHInt-0003/08

Description: Describes family background; father's personality and work as shoe maker, carpenter and bridge inspector; childhood with mention of politics, discipline, books, religion, contact with Maori. Discusses the employment of Maori, problems as Maori moved from pas into towns (Matahina) in the 1960s, Maori women gambling. Recalls education in Auckland especially discipline and lack of sex education. Describes apprenticeship at Fletcher Construction in Auckland from 1927 and backgrounds the firm itself, discusses the Fletchers:- Bill Fletcher, James Fletcher l, (Sir) James Fletcher ll; their way of doing business; the cost of house building. Refers to construction of Civic Theatre, Auckland and Station Hotel, Auckland. Mentions heart attack in 1934. Recalls religion and social life in Napier in 1931 and the aftermath of the earthquake. Describes being manpowered into Public Works Department during World War ll after being turned down for the Air Force. Recalls camp life as carpenter on the construction of Karapiro Power Station in 1945, labour problems, accommodation, social life, cost of living. Describes life at Mangakino Power Station construction project (Foreman Carpenter, 1947-50) including the specially built town, the tunnellers, prostitution and gambling. Mentions Empire Games rowing on Karapiro in 1950, organisational details of responsiblities as Overseer, Ministry of Works at Mangakino, Maraeti, Whakamaru, Atiamuri in the 1950s. Recalls Ministry of Works personalities such as C.W.O. Turner, Engineer in Chief; E.R. McKillop, Commissioner of Works (1946-55); F.M.H. Hanson, Commissioner of Works (1955-61); J.T. Gilkison, Commissioner of Works (1961-1965); S.J. Chesterman, Project Engineer. Discusses jobs as Construction Superintendent, Ministry of Works, for various schemes:- Hydro Scheme at Matahina, Hydro Scheme at Turangi, Thermal Power Station, New Plymouth. Refers to trade unions during this period and the Communist Party. Describes responsibilities; exacavation and construction of Huntly Thermal Power Station, 1973-77. Recalls clashes with engineers. Access Contact - See oral history librarian Venue - Hamilton Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson Venue - Mr Robins' home at 62 Campbell St, Hamilton Accompanying material - Copy of article entitled "Huntly Power Project" by T.R. Johnston, from unknown source - retirement notice Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 223. Black and white photograph:-. Bill Robins, 1932. Copies of black and white photographs:-. Frances and Bill Robins, c1975. House at Karapiro being transferred to Mangakino, 1940s Search dates: 1912 - 1987

Date: 8 Sept 1987 - 08 Sep 1987

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

By: Jones, Thomas Sinclair, 1926-

Reference: OHInt-0003/14

Description: Describes family background and early childhood, father's working life during the depression (1930s) and his own attitude to politics and religion. Recalls early employment as a message boy (describes the linotype business), a projectionist, and then his electrical apprenticeship with H.C. Urlwin - Christchurch in 1947, night school, and attitude towards cottage wiring work. Gives background to joining the State Hydro Department at Karapiro Hydro Scheme, the life at the single men's camp, the personalities, involvement with Maori. Recalls the personality and skills of Roy Surridge, Power Plant Engineer from Head Office Wellington. Refers to wiring work for the Ministry of Works at Mangakino and Tokoroa and friends (photograph in printed abstract) that he worked with at Karapiro and Maraetai Hydro Scheme. Describes problems and conflict at Whakamaru Hydro Station in early 1950s:- the Metropolitan Vickers machinery; the management style of Resident Engineer Colin Bambury; upgrades in circuit breaker system; accidents and hazards. Outlines time as Overseer at Roxburgh Hydro Station in mid fifties; descibes the personality and effectiveness of Eric Sandelin, the Resident Engineer and boss; compares the equipment from various countries and manufacturers; the need for Roxburgh because of lack of sufficient power in the South Island. Recalls the installation of machinery at Atiamuri Hydro Station in mid 1950s and describes problems that occurred during the commissioning of Benmore Hydro Scheme in the 1060s, details the faults and remedies. Describes the equipment, technical problems and noise pollution while Construction Supervisor at the Otahuhu Gas Turbine station in Auckland in late 1960s. Mentions working relationship with Head Office whilst on Huntly Power Station construction. Discusses the impact of Government privatisation policy on electrical industry, the establishment of trades groups within the Department, industrial relations on the sites, departmental loyalty, and mentions some of the general managers, engineers and the importance of good labourers. Describes the role of construction superintendent. Access Contact - See oral history librarian Venue - Hamilton Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson Venue - Mr Jones' home at 20 Leyton Place, Hamilton Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-001682 - OHC-001685 Quantity: 4 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 3.26 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 264. Search dates: 1926 - 1987