Places

Date: 4, 8, 15 July and 1 and 30 August 2011 - 04 Jul 2011 - 30 Aug 2011

By: Ngan Kwok Guy, 1926-2017; Oldham, Philippa Jane, 1957-

Reference: OHColl-1053-01

Description: Interview with New Zealand artist and former director of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, Guy Ngan, conducted from July - August 2011. 'Guy Ngan was born in Wellington in 1926, the son of a Chinese New Zealand businessman and his second wife who herself became a successful businesswoman and family matriarch. Guy was taken back to China as a 2 year old and would likely have stayed in the Guangzhou area there had it not been for the Japanese invasion in 1938. When Guangzhou was bombed Guy's father made hasty arrangements for Guy and his elder brother Albert to leave. The two boys travelled unaccompanied to New Zealand by ship. They lived initially in Newtown but Guy, unhappy at Newtown School, quickly struck out on his own arranging to stay with relatives in Miramar. This was the beginning of an independent way of life and thinking that Guy has continued to pursue.' (information provided by interviewer). The interview discusses his early life, education, experiences abroad, and his art career in New Zealand. Abstracted by - Pip Oldham Interviewer(s) - Pip Oldham Quantity: 1 digital sound recording(s) digital sound recording(s). 1 printed abstract(s) OHA-7665. 1 interview(s). 13.31 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete. Provenance: Donor/Lender/Vendor - Donated by Liz Ngan, Wellington, May 2012 Search dates: 1872 - 2011

Date: 1894 - 1994

By: Maguire, Bruce, active 1993; Maguire, Ivy, active 1993

Reference: OHColl-0078

Description: Awards/funding - Part of the Awards in Oral History collection of 1992 administered by Internal Affairs Quantity: 9. Search dates: 1894 - 1994

Date: 29 Dec 1999

From: Otaki oral history project

By: Moffatt, Raymond Rodney, 1925-; Thorpe, Agnes Anne, 1939-

Reference: OHInt-0673-05

Description: Raymond Moffatt, known as Ray, was born at home in Otaki in 1925. Mentions great grandfather Moffatt, a missionary, settling in Otaki in 1868, and family living there ever since. Worked with Dr Livingstone. Recalls that family farmed beside the Waitohu Stream from 1925 until ca 1990. Mentions family butcher shop, pig farming, dairy farming, milking, Rahui Dairy Factory, hay press, Otaki Railway Station, local shops, food, school, school boys helping to build a classroom, entertainment. Mentions mother, related to Ngati Raukawa, dying in the flu epidemic after World War I. Talks about father helping restore Rangiatea Church, build wall at Raukawa Marae, and do work for Catholic Church. Mentions his father's concrete making process. Mentions dances, married life, farming. Mentions buying two acres of land for 180 pounds sterling and a cow, and building home. Refers to rectifying purina moth problem, local families, involvement in clubs, including Lions, Citizens Advice Bureau and the Friendship Force. Interviewer(s) - Anne Thorpe Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-11061 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3869. Photos include Ray & Joan's 50th wedding anniversary; Moffatt family; Rita and Edwin Moffatt (Ray's parents). Search dates: 1868 - 1974

Date: October 1988 - 01 Oct 1998

By: Harris, Elsie, 1901-1989; Jones, Jennifer, active 1988-2003

Reference: OHColl-0721/1

Description: Elsie Harris was born in 1901 in Pauatahanui, Wellington. Talks about her grandparents, her grandfather Jones, a whaler who bought land from the New Zealand Company. Recalls Jones farm in Pauatahanui in 1848, the 1855 earthquake, and an interaction with Maori. Mentions her grandfather's reception visiting family in England, family history, allocation of family wills, the Galloways, the Stewart family (from Ireland), the Taylor family (from Scotland) who owned the Johnsonville Hotel, and the Pauatahanui Hotel owned by her grandfather. Mentions first settler child who came ashore at Petone Beach. Mentions houses, orchard and transport by horse and car. Mentions Mr Plimmerton's influence when land was surveyed for the railway line. Mentions people walked to Wellington for work before Cobb's Coach existed. Recalls a child kidnapped from her grandparents by parents, 14 years after being left with them. Mentions work done by children, and recalls death of four year old sent to herd cows. Mentions school, trains, and the building of roads. Recalls grandfathers whiskey distillery, and talks about the naming of Moonshine Valley. Abstracted by - Linda Bevan Smith Interviewer(s) - Jennifer Jones Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-011373 ; OHLC-005688 Quantity: 1 C90 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 35 Minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3950. Provenance: Donor/Lender/Vendor - Jennifer Jones and H Spencer Harris Search dates: 1840 - 1940

Date: 11 Nov to 3 Dec 1987 - 11 Nov 1987 - 03 Dec 1987

From: Presbyterian Support Otago Community History Programme oral history collection

By: Allen, Greeba Edith, 1897-1994

Reference: OHInt-0952-04

Description: Interview with Greeba Allen, born in Dunedin in 1897. Talks in detail about her childhood at the turn of the century, growing up first in Dundas Street and then in Maori Hill. Comments on domestic life, relationships, interests, leisure, holidays, and transport. Discusses the Dunedin community and attending Maori Hill School followed by Otago Girls High School. Refers to becoming a teacher, spending time as a pupil teacher at the High Street School before entering training college during World War I. Interviewer(s) - Helen Frizzell Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-018688-018690 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 Electronic document(s). 1 interview(s). 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-6472 and OHDL-000763. Search dates: 1897 - 1987

Date: 22 Aug 1986 - 27 Aug to 9 Dec 1986 - 16 Aug 1987 - 16 Apr 1987

From: Presbyterian Support Otago Community History Programme oral history collection

By: Turnbull, Bessie, 1885-1988; Korner, Aggie, active 1980-1988

Reference: OHInt-0952-01

Description: Interviews with Bessie Turnbull, born in Mosgiel in 1885, the youngest of eleven children. Talks about her parents emigrating from Scotland in 1863 or 1864, and owning bakeries at Mosgiel Junction and Mosgiel township. Comments on the family living between the town and Mosgiel Junction, and the children helping in the shop. Refers to her mother having a hard life and her father being "the Laird" of the family. Discusses bread making, their living conditions, the domestic routine and having help in the home. Comments on birthdays, holidays, Christmas, leisure, weddings, funerals, shopping, Sundays and attending East Tairei Presbyterian Church. Mentions religious tensions in the community, and compares English, Scottish, Irish and Dutch settlers. Talks about social classes in Mosgiel. Refers to horse and cart transport, the family's cows and family pets. Comments on health and home remedies, epidemics including the 1918 flu epidemic, cleanliness and poor sanitation. Comments on low wages and poverty in Mosgiel, and her mother taking in sewing during hard times. Mentions swaggers including "The Shiner". Discusses attending East Taieri School from age six until she was 14. Talks about the school day, lessons, using slates and discipline. Refers to wanting to be a school teacher but not being able to because of family circumstances and working as a domestic for a year for 3/- per week. Discusses getting work in the Mosgiel Woollen Mill where she was paid 24/- a fortnight. Describes at length working conditions and the working day at the mill, staff picnics and other entertainments. Talks about living with her mother until she died, and going together by train to Dunedin on Saturdays for shopping. Comments on changing living conditions and the impact of electricity. Mentions leisure activities including going to the pictures. Discusses shopping, clothing, relationships, and feeling it was her duty to care for her mother though she did not mind being unmarried. Mentions the impact of her mother's death and moving to a house she had had built, which had electricity but no washing machine or telephone (by choice). Recalls the Boer War and longer hours being worked at the mill to make socks and clothing. Remembers shops being draped in black when Queen Victoria died. Comments that she has never been to see any of the royal family and gives her opinion of them. Mentions that none of her brothers fought in World War I but they sent letters and food parcels to local men serving overseas. Refers to women being employed in men's jobs during the war, and the mill working overtime. Talks about food rationing. Discusses men returning from the war finding jobs hard to get, and not talking about their experiences. Reflects on the 1930s Depression, it's impact in Mosgiel, and only working half time. Recalls World War II, hearing about it on the radio, attitudes to Hitler, and longer hours and more jobs for women at the mill. Mentions hearing Vera Lynn sing at the Dunedin Town Hall. Refers to war as "a hell's disease". Talks about adjusting readily to retirement after working for 57 years at the mill. Comments on a flight in an aeroplane, never having had television, and keeping chooks and a garden until she was 100. Reflects on her life and the position of women today (1980s). A preliminary interview (OHC-018655) and a joint interview with Aggie Korner on 16 Apr 1987 (OHC-018656) are not abstracted Interviewer(s) - Helen Frizzell Accompanying material - card from the exhibition "Bessie Turnbull - her story" Accompanying material - folder OHA-6469-2: information about the Bessie Turnbull Exhibition and interviewing Bessie; photocopy of a paper about the exhibition delivered to the 1988 Oral History Seminar by Helen Frizzell; a partial transcript (some handwritten); research notes for the interviews (some handwritten) Accompanying material - folder OHA-6469-3: text from the exhibition "Bessie Turnbull - her story" Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHA-018657 - OHA-018669 - tapes 1-13 Tape numbers - OHA-018655 - preliminary interview Tape numbers - OHA-018656 - joint interview with Aggie Korner Quantity: 15 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2 folder(s). 14 interview(s). 14 Hours Duration. 1 C20 cassette(s). Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-6469. B&W photographs of Bessie Turnbull with Aggie Korner at the opening of the exhibition, and of Helen Frizzell in front of a display of photographs of the young and old Bessie Turnbull.. B&W photograph clipped from newspaper of Bessie Turnbull on her 103rd birthday.. Colour photograph of Aggie Korner aged 96 years Search dates: 1885 - 1986

Date: 18, 19, 20 May 1987 - 18 May 1987 - 20 May 1987

From: Presbyterian Support Otago Community History Programme oral history collection

By: Short, Rachael Ellen Scott, 1890-1987; Short, Francis Jane Ann, 1885-1988

Reference: OHInt-0952-02

Description: Interview with Fanny (Frances) Short, born in Bannockburn in 1885, and her sister Rachael, born in Bannockburn in 1890. Talk about their parents - their father John Short, a Scottish miner, and their Irish mother Margaret. Recall memories of their childhoods in Bannockburn where they have spent most of their lives, and of their later occupations: Fanny was head waitress at Knox College, Dunedin for a short time, and Rachael was Bannockburn post mistress for 35 years. Comment on continuing to live in the family home, a "pug" (sod) cottage. The abstract is accompanied by a transcript of an earlier interview in September 1983 (no audio tapes). Interviewer(s) - Helen Frizzell Accompanying material - transcript of an interview with Rachael and Fanny Short in September 1983; photocopy of an article about the death of Fanny Short (Otago Daily Times 1.3.1988) Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHA-018670 - OHA-018673 Quantity: 4 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-6470. Colour photographs of Fanny and Rachael Short (1987), front and side views of the Short family home, and the Bannockburn Post Office. Search dates: 1885 - 1987

Date: 24 Mar 2001

From: Appointment with ... Roger Flury (radio programme)

By: Flury, Roger, 1948-

Reference: OHInt-0581/2

Description: Roger Flury is interviewed by Des Wilson on the Concert FM radio programme "Appointment with...', where he talks about the composer Pietro Mascagni and discusses how he came to write a biography about him. The book was called 'Pietro Mascagni, a bio-bibliography', Westport, Conn : Greenwood Press, 2001. Interviewer(s) - Des Wilson Quantity: 1 compact disc(s). Finding Aids: Abstract Available - no abstract(s) available. Search dates: 1863 - 1945

Date: 20 Sept 2001 - 20 Sep 2001

From: Otaki oral history project

By: Swabey, Barbara Vernon, 1910-2003; Thorpe, Agnes Anne, 1939-

Reference: OHInt-0673-01

Description: Barbara Swabey was born in Wellington in 1911. Talks about her grandparents. Talks about how her grandmother Frances Simcox, nee Colenso, grew up on a mission station in Hastings, and spoke fluent Maori. Talks about her grandparents moving to Otaki in 1878, farming and building a homestead on leased Maori land at the Forest Lakes, and having a tennis court and a cook. Refers to her grandfather William Simcox, playing the organ at the Rangiatea Church, when Bishop Hadfield ran the Anglican mission. Mentions the missioners, the McWilliams. Refers to her parents settling in Otaki, and her father working at the butter factory. Mentions attending Miss Baber's (later Marsden) School, and boarding to attend Wellington Girls College. Mentions a governess. Describes holidays at the family's camping bach, her mother learning to drive a car, hotels, and shops. Talks about Karitane training in Wanganui, working as a Karitane nurse in Wellington during the Second World War, and returning to Otaki to nurse her mother until she died in 1958. Mentions travel was difficult during the war. Talks about being a life member of the golf club. Talks about writing articles for the Otaki Historical Society journal. Talks about her mother's family, who came from Birmingham. Interviewer(s) - Anne Thorpe Accompanying material - Notes written by Barbara prior to interview in 2001 Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-11058 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3866. Photo of Barbara ca 2000; photo of Lincoln Imp, bought from England by mother; photocopies of family holiday camp built by Barbara's grandmother (Frances Simcox); photocopy of photo of Barbara as child in a boat Search dates: 1870 - 2000

Date: Aug 1973 - 01 Aug 1973

From: Oral History Collection of Peter Mathews

By: Gasparich, Joseph George, 1890-1985

Reference: OHInt-0105-04

Description: Joe Gasparich recalls his memories of Northern Wairoa Venue - Napier Interviewer(s) - Pamela Strange Venue - Napier Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000369B; OHC-000370A; OHC-000371A Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - no abstract(s) available. Search dates: 1890 - 1973

Date: Jan 1979 - 01 Jan 1979

From: Oral History Collection of Peter Mathews

By: Lulich, Nikola, 1896-1981

Reference: OHInt-0105-13

Description: Nickola Lulich describes his experiences in the Austrian Army during World War I, information on the two Dargaville Yugoslav clubs, gum digging at Aranga. Interviewer(s) - Peter Mathews Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000367B; OHC-000386B; OHC-000379A Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - no abstract(s) available. Search dates: 1896 - 1979

Date: 12 Jan 2007

From: Otari Wilton's Bush oral history project

By: Waugh, Helen Mary, 1940-

Reference: OHInt-0830-14

Description: Interview with Helen Waugh (nee Gordon), born Ashburton, 1940. Describes spending all her school holidays in Wellington with her grandmother and aunt in Wilton after her father died in 1947. Recalls visits to the old Wilton homestead, and roaming the bush with local children. Describes her aunt Ethel's love of the bush and the timelessness of the Wilton bush. Describes training as a secondary school teacher, marrying and having three children, and living in various places until she returned to Wellington in 1990 to care for her aunt. Discusses researching the Wilton family history and outlines the history from their arrival in Wellington in 1841. Describes how the Wiltons decided to leave the steepest 17 acres of their farm in bush, and how the bush was used for large picnics. Explains that the Wilton farm bush block was sold to Wellington lawyer Martin Chapman. Discusses the history of Wadestown and Wilton and the development of roads and subdivisions in the area. Mentions Job Wilton and local mayors campaigned to make Otari Native Reserve a scenic reserve, and how this happened in 1906. Refers to Wilton's Bush passing to City Council ownership in 1925 after Martin Chapman died, and its being incorporated in the reserve. Discusses the name of the reserve and mentions that it was changed to Otari Native Botanic Garden and Wilton's Bush Reserve in 1999. Interviewer(s) - Jonathan Kennett Quantity: 1 printed abstract(s). 1 C60 cassette(s). 58 Minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5574. Search dates: 1940 - 1840 - 1990 - 2007

Date: 27 Jan 1983

From: Masterton South Rotary Club Oral History Project.

By: Te Tau, Katarina, 1899-1998

Reference: OHInt-0015-05

Description: Kuini Te Tau describes her family background, her parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters; her tribe - Ngati Kahungunu and Ngai Tahu. She recalls her childhood at Waikouaiti in the South Island:- the story of Parihaka as told to her by her grandfather; her father as a farmer; Sir James Owen; the family house; cooking; music; meals; butter making; swaggers (tramps); the Te Whao Family; the thrashing mills; her father and the Maori Land Courts; whakapapa; speaking Maori; dances; punishment; pocket money; doctors; alcohol; the Otago Hussars; home medicines; birthdays; lollies; influenza epidemic; visiting the mental hospital; school - Waikouaiti Native School; religion; Sundays; the era that Grandfather Parata was in politics; the effect of World War I on her family; horses; attitudes to sex; 'Maori matches' - marriage between two families for land. Discusses meeting her future husband; his family background; leaving the South to live at Masterton; polo ponies; the 'old Maori' on the Pa; the homeguard; joining the Red Cross; Kitty Cameron and John Bunny; World War II; American soldiers; the Featherston Prisoner of War Camp; Maori Affairs Housing; sport; the meeting house, Nga Tau E Waru and her role; her job in the war for Manpower and becoming the first Welfare Officer for Maori Affairs based in Wellington; the elderly Maoris; meals on wheels; Maori budgeting; respect for elders; Mrs Paku who lived at Whakataki; Mrs Rimene; Rose Brian; Maori attitude towards Pakeha; the Historic Trust; school visiting; Joe Paku and his story of how Wairarapa and its rivers got their names; the Maori Anglican Church; the Depression; the Costello Family. Venue - Masterton Interviewer(s) - Judith Fyfe Venue - Gordon Street, Masterton Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-004417 - OHC-004419 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 886. Copies of black and white photographs:-. Kuini Te Tau, undated. Rewi Tamahau Tamihana, Kuini Te Tau; Richard Tahuora Himona, from the Wairarapa Times Age, 30/10/1976. Kuini Te Tau, from the Wairarapa Times Age, 1983 Search dates: 1899 - 1983

Date: 15 Jul -29 Jul 1985 - 15 Jul 1985 - 29 Jul 1985

From: NZOHA Sunlight Centenarians Oral History Project

By: Siddall, Alice, 1884-1987

Reference: OHInt-0004/21

Description: Alice Siddall was born in Wanganui in 1884. Gives details of a working class childhood in Wanganui before World War I. Describes her mother's early death, father's disability and how the family coped. Talks about the early death of a brother and sister and living with her brother Charlie, who worked with the Railways Department, at Bell Road in Lower Hutt in the 1920s and later. Recalls travel on the Wanganui River to Pipiriki by canoe ca. 1892, living in a whare at Upokongaro, Maori women's tattoos and relationships with Maori. Talks about the Keith Street area, living conditions, the family garden, chores, running away from school and not returning, the town of Wanganui and its personalities, the 1891 flood, the Church of Christ and the Salvation Army. Recalls clothing, her dislike of trade unions, phonographs, the lamplighter before electricity, `foreigners' and the 1918 flu epidemic. Venue - Lower Hutt : 1985 Interviewer(s) - Judith Fyfe Venue - Aroha Hospital, Molesworth Street, Lower Hutt Accompanying material - Two newspaper articles - one about Alice Siddall's 100th birthday and one about her 101st birthday Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-001329; OHC-001330; OHC-001331 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 183. Search dates: 1884 - 1985

Date: 15 Jun 1985

From: NZOHA Sunlight Centenarians Oral History Project

By: Bettjeman, Frederick Charles, 1884-1987

Reference: OHInt-0004/09

Description: Describes his German born father's early arrival in the Canterbury settlement about 1850. Talks about his family, relationship with his parents and childhood at Fairdown, just out of Westport, the local goldmining community including some of the `identities'`Shakespeare Jo' and `Champagne Charlie' and attitudes to alcohol. Describes the local native bird population and the sluicing process in gold mining. Talks about his schooling, lifelong interest in poetry and being a seaman from 1904-1909. Recalls working for the Westport Coal Mining Company at Denniston until World War I when he joined the 13th Canterbury Company and fought at Gallipoli. Describes his wartime experience in depth including dysentery, depression, the effects of shell fire, shell shock and the longterm effects of the war. Talks about hospitalisation in Britain and meeting nurse Agnes (Nancy) McNab who came to New Zealand and married him. Describes taking up bush land in Mangapurua, some distance up the Wanganui River from Pipiriki. Talks about the effort in breaking in the land from bush and the Government's decision to close the Mangapurua Settlement. Recalls objecting to Prime Minister William Massey about this decision. Notes their relocation on land at the Mangahoe River. Venue - Te Kuiti : 1985 Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson Venue - Hillview Home, Te Kuiti Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-001301; OHC-001302; OHC-001303; OHC-001304 Quantity: 4 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 3.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 170. Search dates: 1884 - 1985

Date: 15 Jun 1985

From: NZOHA Sunlight Centenarians Oral History Project

By: Mackley, Garnet Hercules, 1883-1986

Reference: OHInt-0004/04

Description: Talks about being born in Port Chalmers and moving to Invercargill where his father owned a butcher's shop before becoming General Manager of the Southland Freezing Company (Southland Frozen Meat Company). Describes the family home at Makarewa. Notes that his father was responsible for sending off the first cargo of frozen meat in 1884. Describes his parents and schooling as strict and proper. Mentions that he was one of 13 children. Describes wagging school to spend time at the blacksmith's shop. Talks about family politics and political connections. Notes that he was not allowed to be a jockey but became a nurseryman and then a railway cadet in Otautau in 1900. Talks about meeting his wife-to-be, Isabel Robertson, while station master at Heriot and marrying her in 1914. Venue - Te Kuiti : 1985 Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson Venue - Te Kuiti Accompanying material - three newspaper articles about Garnet Mackley Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 178. Portrait photograph of Garnet Mackley in 1914 ; portrait photograph of Garnet Mackley about the time of the interview Search dates: 1883 - 1985

Date: 18 Dec 1984

From: New Zealand Post Office Oral History Project

By: Scadden, William Leslie, 1898-1995

Reference: OHInt-0070/15

Description: Les Scadden describes family background, childhood in Blenheim, education, joining the Post Office as message boy in 1912 after working on temporary staff over Christmas, details of the Christmas greetings telegram, the Blenheim Post Office in 1912, discipline, duties, hours, gas lamps in streets, transport, telegram delivery, promotion levels, wages, telegraphists held 'in high esteem', Blenheim as an important telegraph station, telegraph sounders, repeaters, information for horse racing, Cook Strait cable, faults, testing, repairs, postmaster at Blenheim - E H Northcroft, system for keeping statistical records, gender and race of employees, electric current produced on wet cell batteries, testing the circuits. Explains becoming a cadet for Engineering Branch, Dunedin in 1915, erecting new telephone lines, the telephone rating system, private lines, cadet qualifications, training overseas as infantryman, machine gunner and Signals Corps member during World War I, influenza epidemic of 1918, duties in Engineers' Office, Wellington in 1919, the new automatic exchanges, underground cables, duties as assistant supervisor at Engineers' Branch in 1929, difficulties in recruiting staff, effect of Depression in 1930s, work as paymaster, Engineering Branch, Wellington in 1920s, details of planning route for pay day, security for pay day delivery, duties as examiner at Accounts Branch, Wellington in 1931, work as accountant at Wellington District Office in the 1930s, the Power Samas machine for financial control and staffing requirements, the foreign mail system, rivalry between postal and engineers' branches, taking over the clerical organisation of the Radio Section during World War II, mention of Post Office workers in coastal watching stations killed on Tarawa by Japanese during war, changes in requirements for employees of Engineering Branches, directors general, first radio broadcast, social life at the Post Office, retirement. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Venue - Wellington Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson Venue - At Les Scadden's home at Raumati in Wellington Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000798 - OHC-000800 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2.58 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 126. Black and white photographs as follows:. Les Scadden and Albert Scadden, undated. Les Scadden and two sisters, undated Search dates: 1898 - 1984

Date: 8 December 1984 - 08 Dec 1984

From: New Zealand Post Office Oral History Project

By: Jewiss, Israel, 1895-1986

Reference: OHInt-0070/07

Description: Ray Jewiss recalls family background and childhood St Bathans, Central Otago, work as message boy at St Bathans Post Office, R W Noake the postmaster, details of layout, delivery of gold through mail system, courting couples, hotel, duties of message boy, communications, Mr Hazeldine (?) the magistrate, the banks - Bank of New Zealand and Bank of New South Wales, working at Telegraph Branch Dunedin in 1913, boarding houses in Wellington, learning telegraphy at Telegraph School Wellington, work as a telegraphist at Caversham Post Office, Dunedin, uniform and clothing, salary. Discusses Mr Veitch the Chief Engineer at Dunedin, work at Roslyn Post Office Dunedin, work as junior clerk at the Engineers' Office in Dunedin, female employees in the Post Office, social life, visit by Sir Joseph Ward to the St Bathans' Post Office. Details work as a teacher at the Post and Telegraph Correspondence School, Wellington 1918-1951, various staff, H T Dawson, the standard of teaching, promotion, team spirit in the Post Office, retirement. Venue - Auckland Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson Venue - At Ray Jewiss's home at Howick, Auckland Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000792B - OHC-000794 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2.29 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 117. Search dates: 1895 - 1984

Date: 19 Dec 1984

From: New Zealand Post Office Oral History Project

By: Norriss, Lewis Edward, 1895-1992

Reference: OHInt-0070/12

Description: Lew Norriss describes his family background, childhood, education, early work in bookbinding section of Nelson Evening Mail, the town of Nelson ca 1908, work as a message boy at the Port of Nelson in 1909, postmaster - Clem Eggleton, post office building, mail boats, the sinking of the ship 'Kowhai', duties, salary, the local policeman, the publican at the Pier Hotel, working conditions, uniform, work as postal messenger in the mailroom at Nelson Post Office ca 1911, other staff, the watersiders' strike in 1913, work as telegraph cadet at Nelson Post Office in 1913, speed of sending morse, different styles of sending which could be hard or easy to read. Recalls service in France during World War I, the scene at the Somme in 1916, being wounded and the amputation of his leg, being sent to wireless school at Wimbledon, England, becoming an instructor, return to New Zealand in 1918, Armistice Day in Nelson, work as telegraphist at Taihape Post Office 1919-1929, difficulty in settling down, marriage to Alice Woolhouse. Describes the introduction of motor registration, differences in quad and duplex sets, local identities in Taihape in the 1920s, effect of the Depression in 1930s, sealing of mail bags, work as postmaster at Paraparaumu Post Office in early 1930s, the staff, hours, mail delivery. Describes work as supervisor of telegraph at Whakatane Post Office in 1930s, details of duties, refers to Tim Cummings who was in charge of police station, post office security, in charge of signals in the Home Guard during World War II, duties as postmaster at Kilbirnie Post Office, Wellington in 1940s, relationship with inspectors, retirement. Access Contact - See oral history librarian Venue - Raumati Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson Venue - Lew Norriss's home at Raumati in Wellington Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000801 - OHC-000803 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2.28 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 123. Black and white photographs as follows:. Lew Norriss, ca 1917. Lew Norriss in group photograph of staff at telegraph office, Nelson in 1919. Lew Norriss and counter staff at Kilbirnie Post Office in 1944. Lew Norriss at opening of Paraparaumu Automatic Telephone Exchange, undated Search dates: 1895 - 1984

Date: Jan 1969 - 01 Jan 1969

From: Oral History Collection of Peter Mathews

By: Perich, Mate Ante, 1897-1991

Reference: OHInt-0105-07

Description: Mate Perich describes life on the Ahipara Hill gumfields during the 1920s and life in the Austrian army during World War I. Venue - Dargaville Interviewer(s) - Peter Mathews Venue - Dargaville Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000385 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - no abstract(s) available. Search dates: 1897 - 1969