Interview with Jim Walsh

Jim Walsh born Invercargill 1909. Outlines family background - both grandfathers were farmers in Ireland where they died and both grandmothers came to New Zealand with their children after the famine, ca 1868. Recalls father who worked as a labourer for the Railways, being a great collector of books, including early editions, out of print papers etc and on his death, his entire collection was bought by the Southland Times. Describes: childhood; social life; religion and Sunday routine; Monday washing procedure without washing machines; open fires, gas burners and Shacklock in the kitchen which also heated water; transport which included tramcars, bicycles or horse and trap; doctors, medicines and home cures; politics; persecution of Irish in Invercargill; childhood games. Describes Invercargill in the early 1900s, with reference to big homesteads, Watson, Cargill and Flemming (flour millers). Talks about the Depression, difficulties of getting employment and describes job with the Railways. Recalls not having to pay income tax until 1938. Discusses World War II and Manpower regulations which continued for some time after the war, making it impossible to leave ones job. Gives reasons for leaving the Railways and being accepted for Customs in 1950 as Class 6 clerk. Refers to senior Public Service exam, then necessary for promotion. Describes first job in Import Licensing Statistics and refers to change from ledger system to a computer machine system. Lists the Comptrollers: Sawer, Gail, Peter Johnsen (a great friend of Sir Walter Nash), Cummings, Jim? Thomas, Mrs Leask, Mrs Lochore and Maire Benge. Other topics discussed include: importation of cars; duties as excise officer - testing alcohol; Breweries' attitude to customs; illicit brewing stills; Tobacco factory; import licenses; bribery and pressures on officers; inspection of vineyards from Dargaville to Nelson and Geraldine; informers; customs agents; social life in Customs and Customs Department as a career.

Access Contact - see oral history librarian

Venue - Christchurch

Interviewer(s) - Judith Fyfe

Venue - 75A Grahams Road, Christchurch

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000594B, OHC-000595-000596

Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2.30 Hours and minutes Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-0085.

One photograph of Mr James Walsh taken early 1970s

Search dates: 1909 - 1983

Alternative form available: Listening copies available