Interview with Maurice Reid

Maurice Reid recalls his family background and childhood in Invercargill, education, joining the Invercargill Post Office in 1924 as a message boy, layout of the post office, his first day, the chief clerk - Mr Blick, duties, salary, bicycles, dismissals, training in morse, work in the telegraph branch in Invercargill, telecommunications in the district in the 1920s, the telephone versus the telegraph, status of the postmaster, female employees in the Post Office, Maori employees, importance of good handwriting.

Describes why he had no desire to be a telegraphist, work as an exchange clerk at Woodlands Post Office in 1929, effect of the Depression in 1930s, work as an exchange clerk at Invercargill Post Office in 1933, discipline, salary, work as a postman in 1936, work as a lineman in 1937, the exams, duties, type of men working as linemen, erecting poles, digging holes, wire tension, effect of weather, relationship between the general and clerical staff, social life, brief Army service during World War II - most line staff not released by Post Office, work as foreman in charge of lines in Gore late 1940s, duties, work as senior foreman at Invercargill early 1950s, details of job.

Talks about work as lineman overseer for Clyde District in the 1950s, size of district, transport, duties, effect of snow breaks in Canterbury in 1945, difficult lines, callouts for faults, climbing poles, work as overseer for Invercargill District in early 1960s, describes area, interest in early telephone history, work as a delegate to the Post and Telegraph Association, union and administration friction in 1930s, relationships between the union and the Directors General, work as inspector of lines in Wellington in early 1960s, duties, work on submarine cable at Stewart Island, Foveaux Strait, retirement.

Access Contact - See oral history librarian

Venue - Plimmerton

Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson

Venue - At Maurice Reid's home at Plimmerton, Wellington

Accompanying material - Example of handwriting mentioned on Side B of tape one

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000784 - OHC-000786

Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2.58 Hours and minutes Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 124.

Black and white photographs as follows:. Maurice Reid at Whatamonga Bay, Queen Charlotte Sound. Maurice and Verena Reid, ca 1940. Maurice Reid, 1980

Search dates: 1910 - 1984

Alternative form available: Listening copies available OHLC-006831 - OHLC-006833