Interview with Vic Harris

Date
7 Dec 1984 - 07 Dec 1984
By
Harris, Albert Victor, 1895-1988
Reference
OHInt-0070/06
Description

Vic Harris recalls family background, childhood in Christchurch, education, early work cleaning railway engines and shepherding at Lindis Pass, enlisting for service in World War I and being invalided home, work for the Railways during the influenza epidemic 1918, joining the Post Office as lineman at Taihape Post Office 1918, fault work, transferred to Palmerston North as mechanician 1918-1924, checking relays, relationship between General and Clerical Divisions, work as senior mechanician at Napier Telephone Exchange 1924-1931.

Describes Napier Earthquake in 1931, effect on Post Office and equipment,re- establishing communications. Discusses work as chief mechanician at Hastings 1931-1935, award of the P & T Gray Memorial Medal in 1933, work as senior mechanician in charge Remuera, Auckland 1935-1939, work as senior mechanician at Christchurch 1939-1946, a vigilance committee he was involved with during World War II, work as deputy superintendent from 1946-1950, the effect of having small local exchanges, work as superintending technician in both Wellington and Auckland up to 1958, retirement, work for the Fiji Post Office after retirement 1958 to 1963.

Venue - Auckland

Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson

Venue - At Vic Willism's home at Pakuranga, Auckland

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000790 - OHC-000792A

Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2.11 Hours and minutes Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 116.

Black and white photographs as follows:-. Vic Harris, undated. Vic Harris at a family wedding, undated

Search dates: 1895 - 1984

Additional description

Alternative form available: Listening copies available OHLC-006834 - OHLC-006836

Use/Reproduction
Public use requires the written permission of the interviewee and the donor Copyright: Held by the donor
Access restrictions
Restricted - Content cannot be accessed without permission - Access requires written permission of the donor
Part of
New Zealand Post Office Oral History Project
Format
3 C60 cassette(s), 1 printed abstract(s), 2.11 Hours and minutes Duration, Oral histories, Illustration: Black and white photographs as follows:-, Illustration: Vic Harris, undated, Illustration: Vic Harris at a family wedding, undated, Equipment used: Sony WM-D6C: Shure SM58 microphones
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Other

Interview with Vic Harris, printed abstract

Date: 7 Dec 1984

From: New Zealand Post Office Oral History Project

Reference: OHA-0116

Description: Quantity: 1 printed abstract(s).

Audio

Interview with Vic Harris, tape one

Date: 7 Dec 1984

From: New Zealand Post Office Oral History Project

Reference: OHC-000790

Description: Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson Arrangement: Tape sequence - 1 of 3 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s).

Audio

Interview with Vic Harris, tape three (side a)

Date: 7 Dec 1984

From: New Zealand Post Office Oral History Project

Reference: OHC-000792A

Description: Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson Arrangement: Tape sequence - 3 of 3 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s).

Audio

Interview with Vic Harris, tape two

Date: 7 Dec 1984

From: New Zealand Post Office Oral History Project

Reference: OHC-000791

Description: Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson Arrangement: Tape sequence - 2 of 3 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s).