Interview with Vic Harris

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

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