Interview with Maurice Nelson

Date
4 June 1983 - 04 Jun 1983
By
Nelson, Wilfred Maurice, 1910-1986
Reference
OHInt-0096/27
Description

Wilfred Maurice Nelson born Christchurch 1910. Describes: family background; childhood home; Sunday school and bible class; relationship with parents; education at Wharenui ? school and West Christchurch School, now known as Hagley College. Recalls other students - Gilbert Stringer (later Director of Broadcasting) and Trevor Stanton, with reference to Queen Margaret Hospital.

Recalls joining Customs Department 1928 and refers to letter from George Craig, Comptroller of Customs. Describes the Long room, Christchurch; duties; dress and tea club. Talks about his two and a half years at Cashmere Sanatorium with tuberculosis. Mentions the Public Service Association. Discusses: Customs Bonds; Gauging; Fraud, with reference to the 1913 fraud in Christchurch; rummaging; introduction of sales tax (1932); effect on Customs of World War II; influence of the Minister; GATT (1948); Shipping registration; Indecent publications / Obscene material and drugs. Customs personnel mentioned include: Mr Sawyers, Steve Gale, Peter Johnsen; Ken Press, J F Cummings, Vic Thomas, Brian Pound (later moved to Industries and Commerce), Bob Orton, J B Condliffe, Neil McGregor (All Black in the 1924/1925 side), and Bill MacDonald who had been to the Pole twice with Captain Scott.

Access Contact - see oral history librarian

Venue - Nelson

Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson

Venue - Bridge Street, Nelson

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000626-000628

Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 3 Hours Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-0075.

1 photograph of 4 Ex-Collectors of Customs, Nelson

Additional description

Alternative form available: Listening copies are available at OHLC-005436 to OHLC-005438

Use/Reproduction
No public use without written permission of the donor Copyright: Copyright held by New Zealand Customs Department
Access restrictions
Restricted - Content cannot be accessed without permission - Access requires written permission of the donor
Part of
NZOHA Customs Department Oral History Project Part I
Format
3 C60 cassette(s), 3 Hours Duration, Oral histories, Illustration: 1 photograph of 4 Ex-Collectors of Customs, Nelson, Equipment used: Marantz superscope cassette recorder and AKG microphones
There are 4 items in total.
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Other

Interview with Maurice Nelson, printed abstract

Date: 4 June 1983

From: NZOHA Customs Department Oral History Project Part I

Reference: OHA-0075

Description: Recorded by - Hugo Manson Quantity: 1 printed abstract(s). 3 Hours Duration. 1 photograph of 4 Ex-Collectors of Customs, Nelson

Audio

Interview with Maurice Nelson, tape three

Date: 4 June 1983

From: NZOHA Customs Department Oral History Project Part I

Reference: OHC-000628

Description: Recorded by - Hugo Manson Arrangement: Tape sequence - tape 3 of 3 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 Hours Duration.

Audio

Interview with Maurice Nelson, tape two

Date: 4 June 1983

From: NZOHA Customs Department Oral History Project Part I

Reference: OHC-000627

Description: Recorded by - Hugo Manson Arrangement: Tape sequence - tape 2 of 3 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 Hours Duration.

Audio

Interview with Maurice Nelson, tape one

Date: 4 June 1983

From: NZOHA Customs Department Oral History Project Part I

Reference: OHC-000626

Description: Recorded by - Hugo Manson Arrangement: Tape sequence - tape 1 of 3 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 Hours Duration.