Interview with Lew Norriss

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

Alternative form available:

Listening copy is available at OHLCD-2255 to OHLCD-2257.