Places

Date: 16 Mar 1998

From: Gore District oral history project

By: McDonald, Avis, active 1998; Horrell, Albert Edwin John, 1917-2001

Reference: OHInt-0428/12

Description: Bert Horrell was born in Gore in 1917. Describes how his grandfather emigrated to New Zealand in the 1880s. Talks about their farm across the Mataura River and the difficulty of crossing it to get to school. Mentions how his father, as a child, had learned how to cross the river with a horse and dray full of school children. Talks about his father buying a farm at Mandeville. Describes going to Mandeville school, conditions, teachers Alan Prentice and Miss Barclay and sitting Proficiency. Recalls that his mother was a member of the Hargest family which settled at Mandeville. Mentions John and Jim Hargest. Notes that there was no money in farming at the time and his parents operated the Mandeville store for a period. Talks about the farm house they built. Mentions that his father was religious. Recalls the vicar Hoani Parata. Talks about his father's religious convictions, Sunday School in the Mandeville Hall, Presbyterian strictness and the no dancing rule. Mentions the importance of the railway and the work of the gangers. Talks about the Mandeville Hotel. Recalls travelling by train in segregated carriages to Gore High School for two years before working on the family farm. Describes milking cows and the separator used to separate the milk from the cream. Mentions the use of lime on paddocks to increase productivity at the end of the Depression and experimenting with grass seeds. Recalls going in to military camp after the Battle of Britain and the entry of the Japanese into the war. Talks about the history of the area written by Herries Beattie. Mentions a Maori raid at Tuturau, George Meredith Bell, gold seekers, the Croydon run, the Wantwood homestead and run, Peter McLeod and the flour mill built by Mr Doull. Describes what happened to the mill. Recalls the music at dances, balls, bachelor balls and wartime farewell functions and traditions such as reserving dances, the last dance, taking your partner home and romance. Describes the alcohol consumed in cars at these events, corrugated gravel roads, curtains on cars because it was cold and the difficulty of crank starting cars. Mentions going to the pictures in Gore. Describes duck shooting with the Colett family of Invercargill. Interviewer(s) - Avis McDonald Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 2 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-2604.

Date: 24 Nov 1982

From: Interviews about Rotorua by Don Stafford

By: Kusabs, William Ernest Raukawa, 1902-1996

Reference: OHInt-0470/16

Description: Billy Kusabs was born in Ohaupo in 1902. Explains that his family was originally from Lithuania and describes the progress of his grandfather Henry, who was in the German Navy, to China where he left the Navy and came to New Zealand. Mentions the family's name change form Kushapski to Kusabs. Describes how at different times his father, Ernest, had a sawmill at Mamaku, the Mountain Rimu Timber Company, a mill at Ongaroto and also a launch, the `Hamurana', on the lake at Rotorua. Mentions his brother Roger and uncles Charles and Arthur Kusabs. Talks about his mother, Lucy Dansey, who died when he was a child and being brought up by his grandmother and housekeepers. Mentions his father remarried Louie Phipps and he has a half brother Doug. Describes attending Rotorua Primary School, Takapuna Primary School, Kings College and Auckland Grammar before working on a farm at Te Aroha, for a surveying company and then at his father's mill at Ongaroto. Discusses his Dansey relatives. Talks about the breakdown of his marriage and the death of his daughter Julie. Describes having an accident while working at the mill and beginning to work with cars at Kusabs Motors. Describes a number of cars operating tourist service ventures from Rotorua, their drivers and bus service operators. Mentions Harry Chase, Charlton's, the Aard, Carr and Walker and a bus service to Whakarewarewa operated by the Smith and Mau families. Recalls fierce competition amongst the companies. Describes the tarring and feathering of a French count, Count Montague, who arrived in Rotorua with his wife and had a number of relationships with other women including the police sergeant's daughter. Discusses Harry Astin, `Shivery' Smith and Arthur Nyal. Mentions taking people fishing and a fish that he caught at Lake Okataina being sent to the Wembley exhibition in the 1920s. Mentions driving for Rotorua Motors and having his own bowser. Recalls driving for the Rotorua Bus Company on the Rotorua to Wairoa and the Rotorua to Opotiki runs. Mentions driving a bus to the funeral of King Koroki. Describes losing his job and starting his own bus service from Reporoa to Rotorua. Discusses going to World War II with the 19th armoured tank regiment. Describes the Italian campaign in detail. Discusses thermal activity in Rotorua, the possibility of gold at Tokaanu, going out to Green Lake and Maori fear of the `ghost canoe'. Discusses a chain drive car, a car operated with a tiller handle and interesting French, Belgian, German and English cars owned by Jack Lager (Lagar), the Bennetts, Duncan Steele and Charlie Kusabs. Mentions Doris Benney (nee Penney) and the Penney family and George Dansey, the original postmaster, and land owned by the Dansey family. Interviewer(s) - Don Stafford Quantity: 2 C90 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s). 1 interview(s). Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-2864.

Date: 19 Jul 1977

From: Interviews about Rotorua by Don Stafford

By: Beckett, George Frederick David Isaiah, 1895-1983; Beckett, David Isaiah, 1903-1984

Reference: OHInt-0470/02

Description: George and Dave Beckett recall arriving in Rotorua in 1913 and 1914 respectively. George Beckett recalls driving the solicitor, Mr Rhodes and his wife, round the North Island in a Cadillac and then operating a taxi service for the Rhodes. Mentions getting engaged to Mabel Smith with whose family he was boarding. Recalls joining up for World War I and getting extended leave because of family sickness. Describes driving for Rotorua Motors (RM), operating a service to Whakatane and a mail run to Taupo. Describes the difficulties of running some of these routes. Mentions fascines, the punt at Te Teko and the Rangitaiki swamp. Comments that the people running coaches made difficulties for those running cars. Describes being made to swear an oath about a trip on which he was driving. Describes how this trip was to get Rua Kenana out from Ruatahuna. Talks about Constables Cummings and Grant, Mr Snodgrass, the engineer, and Mr Dyer, the magistrate. Describes how a second trip was made with seventy men and Rua and one of his sons were roped together and brought out. Recalls that after Rua's imprisonment he drove him from Ruatoki to Rotorua on a number of occasions in the White (car). Discusses the road to Tauranga. Comments on the low death rate in Rotorua from the 1918 flu epidemic and attributes it to the effect of sulphur. Describes boarding houses and old homes in the area. Discusses surviving the flu in Germany after the war and how he was cured. Dave Beckett describes the motorcycle club in Rotorua known as the Autocycle and Athletic Club. Recalls an athletic meeting in 1922 or 1923 with Bill Costello, Epi Shalfoon, Doug Sheaf and others competing in running, jumping and wood-chopping events. Mentions motorbike riders Steve Whitehead, Percy Coleman, Locker McCready and Stan Blackmore and Indian, AJS, Douglas, BSA and Harley Davidson motorbikes. Describes the sidecars for motorbikes known as Nash sidecars made by Percy Nash of Auckland. Talks about selling motorbikes to the forestry workers in the bush. Recalls being the longest serving BSA agent in New Zealand, starting in 1917 at the age of fourteen and finishing at the age of seventy three or seventy four. Interviewer(s) - Don Stafford Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s). 1 interview(s). Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-2851.

Date: 30 Mar 1983

From: Interviews about Rotorua by Don Stafford

By: Clark, Arthur Lyonel, 1900-1986

Reference: OHInt-0470/07

Description: Lyonel Clark was born in 1900 and came to Rotorua in 1917 to work for Mr Penney on land at Kaharoa for a year. Describes his work milking, driving a horse team and clearing land. Mentions that Mr Penney was the first Town Clerk of Rotorua. Recalls getting a launchmaster's ticket and running a launch service to Waiheke Island. Describes how his father's objection to his working on a Sunday ended his part in this business and he went to work for the government at Tarawera. Mentions his wife Amy. Talks about head guide and thermal expert Mr Warbrick. Notes that the government ran six launches on Lake Tarawera at the time including the `Maroro', `Huia', `Patiti', `Reremoana' and `Irene'. Mentions a service he ran from Rotorua to Okere on the `Princess' and a launch service on Lake Okataina. Recalls ferrying the Governor Sir Charles Fergusson on Lake Okataina. Mentions operating the `Crusader' on Lake Rotoiti. Describes becoming a service driver in Rotorua and running the daily car service from Rotorua to Auckland. Mentions he drove a Hudson and recalls competition with another driver on the same route in a Willys Knight. Discusses getting work in Auckland during the Depression and running the `Tawa' for the Ferry Company. Recalls living on Pine Island in the harbour. Describes a venture on Lake Okataina with Cecil Hayward and Tom Clark operating a launch service and a fishing lodge. Recalls driving a bus out to Ruatahuna for the funeral of Rua Kenana. Mentions the Rotorua Bus Company, the Smiths, Hori Mau and others. Discusses other launch owners and bus drivers. Interviewer(s) - Don Stafford Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s). 1 interview(s). Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-2855.

Date: 27 Nov 2001

From: The Leniston Family Oral History Project

By: Leniston, Elizabeth Theresa, 1926-2017

Reference: OHInt-0607-01

Description: Betty Leniston was born in 1926 in Island Bay. Relates her maternal Irish background, refers to emigrant ships and Irish songs. Explains how Aunty Frances Cunningham met her future husband, Will McGruddy, sheepfarmer of Eketahuna and describes their house, talks of their farm workers, cousins helping with shearing, the train set, Mercedes Benz cars. Mentions her mother's laughter, singing, social work, working as a buyer at a drapery store and at the St. Vincent de Paul soup kitchen, buying a section of land. Describes her cooking techniques, her hospitalisation and death following childbirth. Relates that her brother was cared for by the Home of Compassion and explains how she and her siblings coped after mother's death. Recalls her stepmother and housekeepers, and being in an orphanage. Explains her father's background and surname, mentions the family sweet factory in Lyttelton, his job as a clerical worker at Army Headquarters, his long service medal, working for the Post Office. Recalls family picnics at Happy Valley and Wilton Bush. Describes soap making and the making of a clothes drying rack. Talks about her brother Joe, a favourite with grandmother, his poliomyelitis and Maori medicinal treatment, Scouts membership, his work as messenger boy with DIC department store, buying a new coat on hire purchase. Recalls the polio epidemic and the infant vaccine. Mentions the deaths of schoolmates from pneumonia, scarlet fever and tuberculosis. Explains making up stories, her enjoyment of reading and music. Discusses homework, sport, religion and confession in convent schools. Talks of values taught by nuns. Mentions contraception. Talks of her children's role in leaving the catholic church, joining the Christian Family Movement. Explains that she left school to look after her stepmother's first child who changed family relationships. Relates that her sister worked at Mecca Tearooms, talks of the minimum wage. Gives reasons for leaving home, describes being a nurse-aide, training at Masterton Hospital, talks about career options. Recalls meeting Johnny Leniston, his Fleet Air Arm and Army service, details war experiences, having a rehabilitation farm on his return from war, exploitation by a farmer at Awakino. Mentions kindly neighbours. Talks of pre-war engagement and post-war marriage, with a consent obtained from a magistrate. Explains the system of post war employment for returned servicemen. Describes living in army huts with a luxurious bath, country life, coping with stoves. Talks of her best friend losing her baby, childbirth, having her own children, explains their names, talks of a visit by the Plunket nurse, treatment for vomiting, mentions miscarriages. Names Dr. de Castro, Dr. Grantly Dick. Talks of the childbirth rate at Wainuiomata in 1950s. Explains the influence of Kate Harcourt on child rearing. Describes the Maori population at Awakino River area, the Maori Work Scheme at Mahanui and mentions the moko, pipe smoking and segregation. Explains the rise in land prices in 1950s, describes their time spent farming, water shortages, Johnny Leniston's poisoned arm causing the farmer to give notice, the move to Lower Hutt and his crash teaching course. Talks of managing on a trainee teacher salary, family benefits, state housing at Avalon, market rents. Recalls milk delivery at Happy Valley and the five bakeries at Island Bay. Details registration conditions of first car, a Chevrolet, insurance of a Vauxhall J, a van with built in benches loaned by a friend, and later owning a small bus. Explains how they gathered camping equipment together. Describes help with the children and later with Johnny Leniston's father from Assumption Sisters and neighbours. Explains extension to house before being offered 31 Glenbervie Terrace (The Moorings) and describes the state it was in, and talks of help in cleaning it. Relates the reaction of those around her when Johnny went to Perth, Australia for six months during the mineral boom with son Matthew. Describes her children and their various abilities. Interviewer(s) - Judith Fyfe Accompanying material - E-mails from Margaret Leniston to Judith Fyfe, sprigs of dried lavender, notes from preliminary interview Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 Electronic document(s) - abstract. 1 interview(s). 3 Hours Duration. Physical Description: Textual file - Microsoft word Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3858, OHDL-001230. Search dates: 1926 - 2001

Date: 2 Mar 1990 - 02 Mar 1990

From: Victor Robertson Oral History Project

By: Robertson, Victor, 1927-

Reference: OHInt-0100-01

Description: Victor Robertson was born 10 Jul 1927 at Manchester, Lancashire. Describes Scottish family background, move from Glasgow to Manchester and then to Dagenham, education, effect of World War II on family life including bombing of home, father's employment with the Ford Motor Co. Discusses employment at Plessey Co and the Royal Air Force (Transport). Recalls reasons for emigrating in 1949, arrival in New Zealand, accommodation, factory job at Neeco, employment at the Public Service Garage. Talks about marriage to Rangi Silberry, attitudes to a mixed marriage, Maoritanga. Describes being a driver with the Public Service Garage, acquiring Chrysler Windsor cars, different coloured vehicles, personnel, other drivers, difference between van, truck and car drivers. Talks about Sir Keith Holyoake, Peter Fraser, becoming a car driver, Labour politicians. Describes rosters, daily routine, accident rate, driving heads of department, becoming a head chauffeur, anti-terrorist courses, condition of cars, effect on family and personal life, becoming a ministerial driver, social activities, sports. Mentions Sir Walter Nash, Sir Sidney Holland, Sir John Marshall, Mabel Howard, Norman Kirk, Sir Wallace Rowling, Sir Robert Mulddon, David Lange. Recalls royal tours, singer Victoria De Los Angeles, retirement in 1989, part-time work as a parliamentary messenger. Venue - Porirua Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson Venue - At Mr Robertson's home at Porirua Accompanying material - handwritten family biography, two papers on the Public Service Garage, list of royal visits to New Zealand from 1900-1974, paper on royal visits Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-002905/002906/002907, OHLC-000939/000941/000940 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-0560. Two b&w photos. At Whatcom Lake Railroad, Washington State, USA, 1988; Roxburgh Street, Wellington, 1949. Search dates: 1927 - 1990

Date: 2002

From: Smith, Ashley W, 1948- :[Digital cartoons published in the Shipping Gazette, MG Business, or Presto]

By: Smith, Ashley W, 1948-; New Zealand shipping gazette (Periodical)

Reference: DX-023-222

Description: Shows the view from behind of a man and a woman in a car. A mast is balanced through the car windows. Extended Title - Give way to your right, dear. Quantity: 1 digital image(s).

Date: 2010

From: Hubbard, James, 1949-: Digital caricatures and cartoons

Reference: DCDL-0016457

Description: A man fills his fancy car with petrol while Santa Claus representing 'big oil' laughs 'HA! HA! HA!' His usual cheerful cry of 'HO HO HO' is crossed out. A newspaper in a box nearby reads 'Petrol hits $2 high'. Context - Petrol prices have hit a two-year high, breaking the "shock horror" point of $2 a litre, the Automobile Association says. Petrol prices rose 3 cents a litre yesterday (14 December 2010), taking increases since September to 22c a litre. Some car owners are now paying more than $100 to fill their tanks. Part of the 22c rise relates to the October increase in GST. (Stuff 15 December 2010) Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).

Date: 2007

From: Hawkey, Allan Charles, 1941- :[Digital cartoons published in the Waikato Times].

Reference: DCDL-0003184

Description: A small car driving along a country road passes a large sign which suggests that if the driver is looking for Te Awamutu, he will need a lot of luck. Refers to the lack of road signs directing travellers to Te Awamutu and criticizes Transit New Zealand for not taking responsibility for the situation. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).

Date: 2000

From: Smith, Ashley W, 1948- :[Digital cartoons published in the Shipping Gazette, MG Business, or Presto]

By: Smith, Ashley W, 1948-; New Zealand shipping gazette (Periodical)

Reference: DX-023-142

Description: The scene is Wellington harbour where a builder's truck is falling into the water upside down. Tools are falling out of the back of the truck and landing on a fisherman in a dinghy. The dinghy is called 'Misshap'. Extended Title - My world for a spanner! Quantity: 1 digital image(s).

Date: 2004

From: Tremain, Garrick, 1941- :[Digital cartoons published in the Otago Daily Times]

Reference: DX-022-062

Description: Shows Haami Piripi leaning out a window of the Maori Language Commission, turning down a man selling whitewash. Mr Piripi (CEO) made a highly critical submission to the select committee considering the Foreshore and Seabed Bill which has led some politicians to call for his resignation. Also refers to the speeding motorcade of Prime Minister Helen Clark. Extended Title - Maori Language Commission. Do not disturb. Inquiry in progress. Whitewash. Quantity: 1 digital image(s) ..

Date: 2010

From: Bromhead, Peter, 1933- :Digital cartoons

Reference: DCDL-0016366

Description: A highway man yells 'Stand and deliver' as he makes threatening gestures with the nozzles of two fuel pumps. The text 'fuel prices' and 'Highway robbery time again... ' appears above the image. Context; allowing for the exchange rate, the net imported cost of petrol has risen 15% since 1 December 2010, with the cost of diesel up 12%. As a result, this has led to a 15c rise in the pump price of petrol since then, and 12c for diesel. Petrol prices rose 2 cents per litre on 17 January, and diesel 3c, the first rise since before Christmas. In spite of a relatively strong exchange rate - up about US2c since the last price rise on 22 December - the latest increase reflects continuing rises in the commodity price of crude oil, which has climbed US$10 a barrel since mid-December, reaching as high as US$100/barrel (it averaged around US$80/barrel through most of 2010). (AA Petrolwatch 17 January 2011) Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).

Date: 2002

From: Smith, Ashley W, 1948- :[Digital cartoons published in the Shipping Gazette, MG Business, or Presto]

By: Smith, Ashley W, 1948-; MG business - mercantile gazette (Periodical)

Reference: DX-023-068

Description: The scene is outside a pub where a parking warden dressed in a kilt is writing out a parking ticket for a car which already has 4 parking fine notices on its windscreen. The owner of the car is coming out of the pub carrying a large bottle of wine and is looking horrified as he sees the parking notices. The parking meter says 'only just expired'. Refers to Dunedin City Council and parking fines. Extended Title - Ye thrifty Caledonian plonkerette Quantity: 1 digital image(s).

Date: 2000

From: Smith, Ashley W, 1948- :[Digital cartoons published in the Shipping Gazette, MG Business, or Presto]

By: Smith, Ashley W, 1948-; New Zealand shipping gazette (Periodical)

Reference: DX-023-163

Description: The scene is at Port Nelson with a policeman looking over his shoulder at two men who are striding along triumphantly. One is holding a steering wheel and the other a gear stick from used cars imported from Japan. Quantity: 1 digital image(s).

Date: 2009

From: Nisbet, Alastair, 1958- :Digital cartoons

Reference: DCDL-0010115

Description: An old car modified 'Bogan' style to make as much noise and smoke as possible speeds off down the road after smashing a road sign that originally read 'Welcome to Christchurch' but now reads 'Welcome to Boganville'. Reference to the number of problem cars and drivers in Christchurch. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).

Date: 2009

From: Winter, Mark, 1958- : Digital cartoons published in the Southland Times and other papers

Reference: DCDL-0010742

Description: Shows a tiny car with the number plate 'Affordable' and a notice posted on its windscreen reading 'So[un]fitel' (a car unfit for its five star carpark). There is a little poem about the Sofitel hotel criticizing cheap cars parking outside. Refers to the fact that general manager of the five star Queenstown Sofitel hotel has complained that "cheap" cars parking outside it are lowering the tone. Alternative cartoon available DCDL-0010741 Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).

Date: 2009

From: Winter, Mark, 1958- : Digital cartoons published in the Southland Times and other papers

Reference: DCDL-0010741

Description: Shows a tiny car with the number plate 'CAR2N' (cartoon) and a notice posted on its windscreen reading 'So[un]fitel' (a car unfit for its five star carpark). Text reads 'Parking mad', a play on 'barking mad'. Refers to the fact that general manager of the five star Queenstown Sofitel hotel has complained that "cheap" cars parking outside it are lowering the tone. Alternative version available DCDL-0010742 Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).

Date: 2001

From: Smith, Ashley W, 1948- :[Digital cartoons published in the Shipping Gazette, MG Business, or Presto]

By: Smith, Ashley W, 1948-; New Zealand shipping gazette (Periodical)

Reference: DX-023-198

Description: The scene is outside the Tauranga Yacht Club. Yachts are being towed by jeeps while sailors pull on sail ropes. Extended Title - You're right. These races used to be more fun. Quantity: 1 digital image(s).

Date: 2005

From: Smith, Ashley W, 1948- :[Digital cartoons published in the Shipping Gazette, MG Business, or Presto]

Reference: DCDL-0004674

Description: Shows two Biosecurity officers with 'videoscopes'. One officer is checking a transport truck. While his colleague appears to using his 'videoscope' inappropriately to peep on an attractive woman whose car is parked next to the truck. The officer has caught his colleague and is yelling at him - "Davies!". Refers to the use of videoscopes by Biosecurity border patrols to inspect imported vehicles and machinery into New Zealand. Published in New Zealand Shipping Gazette Arrangement: This cartoon file was orginally delivered to the library within a sub-folder called 'NZ Shipping Gaz' which was inside a folder called 'AWS Cartoon Highlights, Nov'04-May'07' Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).

Date: 2004

From: Smith, Ashley W, 1948- :[Digital cartoons published in the Shipping Gazette, MG Business, or Presto]

By: Scott, Thomas Joseph, 1947-; Dominion post (Newspaper)

Reference: DX-025-023

Description: Traffic officer selling a discount card for speeding to a startled looking motorist. Quantity: 1 digital image(s).