Places

Date: 5 Dec 1988 - 05 Dec 1988

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

By: Macky, James Henderson, 1913-2002

Reference: OHInt-0003/27

Description: Jim Macky describes family background; reference to 'The Macky Family in New Zealand'; childhood; practical work for civil engineering training; early interest in engineering; university training at Auckland and Canterbury Universities, early 1930s; reference to Professor Cull (?); role as engineer at Buller Gorge Railway, late 1930s, for Public Works Department; details of work of concrete technician; mentions 1938 election; reference overseers, Jim Delich, Bill Cadigon, Matt Heffernan; the compressed air operation in bridge construction; experience of the 'bends'; other major constructions; tunnelling; local rugby; reference to Mike Senior, Gordon Fraser, Archie Park. Recalls service in World War II, building railway depots in Italy and Middle East; methods of railway construction, especially completing railway between Beirut and Tripoli; sent to Turkey to plan bases for British army; malaria; marriage; role after the war as engineer at Kaitawa and Karapiro for Ministry of Works; penstock construction; reference district engineer Napier, Jack Gilkinson; role as mechanical engineer at Karapiro; describes Jack Gilkison; final quality of Karapiro job; lack of equipment; reference to Alan Scott, 'the best policeman in New Zealand'; labour mostly manpowered; conditions at camp; Jack Gilkinson's plans for Ministry of Works' camps; visit of Bob Semple and E R McKillop. Discusses reason for being sent to Maraetai as senior engineer in late 1940s; details of planning and mixing concrete; design of metal crushing plant for road metal; type of rock used; details of being in charge of the diversion tunnel; leakage problems due to ignimbrite; details of drilling and filling; Maori employees at Maraetai, reference Jack Judah (?), Mason McDonald, Kingi Taui, Fergie Ngatai, Joe Tairoa; problems with dam construction at Maraetai; establishment of Maraetai Scheme and village of Mangakino; dry summer of 1945 - 1946; trout fishing; the Mangakino community; how set up socially; reference to the Mangakino Hydro Welfare Association; social stratificaton. Recalls role as Resident Engineer at Maraetai; describes George Sherman, overseer; reference to Arnold Clark, Bob Brown, Sid Drinkrow; accidents; relationship with designers at head office; role as project engineer at Mangakino in late 1950s; trip to America to look at latest construction methods and equipment; repairing cracks at Whakamaru Dam; industrial relations; discusses Len Clapham and his effect on many building sites; reference Don Ross, Jock Barnes, Basil Jones; reference to Communists; reference to Sir Basil Arthur. Describes work as Inspecting Engineer in early sixties; work as Director of Roading; funding for Auckland motorway system; travelling; beautification of highways; describes ministers of works, Stan Goosman, Percy Allen, Hugh Watt; describes job as Commissioner of Works in early seventies; dealing with politicians; retirement; mentions being director at Tasman Pulp and Paper Co Limited. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Venue - Taupo Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson Venue - Mr Macky's home at 55 Birch Street, Taupo Accompanying material - Copy of brief biography in Notable New Zealanders, date unknown, p 278; copy of entry in Who's who in New Zealand, 11th ed, 1978; copy of retirement notice in Personal column of New Zealand Engineering, 15 Oct 1973; copy of 'Commissioner farewelled' from Works News, Vol 4, No 3, Spring, 1973; copy of handwritten notes relating to career and aspects of work. Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-001863 - OHC-001865 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 288. Black and white photographs:-. Jim and Jean Macky, 1988. Jim Macky, ca 1950 Search dates: 1913 - 1988

Date: 2005

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

Reference: DX-022-199

Description: Deputy Prime Minister, Michael Cullen, makes an omelette; he takes eggs from a bowl labelled "NZ motorist", and breaks them into a hot fryingpan labelled "Auckland motorways". Refers to the huge amount of government funding allocated to improving the Auckland motorway. Extended Title - NZ motorists. Auckland motorways. Quantity: 1 digital image(s) ..