Interview with Doug Ellis

Doug Ellis describes family background; father's involvement with encouraging people in the Waikato to have electricity in 1920s and 1930s; childhood; views on the importance of religion; scheme introduced in Hutt Valley Electric Power Board (HVEPB) to provide staff with opportunities for self improvement; objections from Electric Supply Authorities Employers' Association; bringing in an industrial chaplain; bonus improvement scheme introduced as General Manager of HVEPB, 1976; strike in 1964 HVEPB; union negotiator, Tony Neary; difficulties in keeping good staff.

Describes his views on ideal local body / power authorities structure; relationships between board and chief executive; recalls electricity shortages; some chairman of HVEPB, Ted Holdaway, Andy Ash and John Seddon; effect of national politics on boards in 1950s; use of natural gas for generating electricity; reference to ministers of electricity: Tom Shand, Percy Allen, Les Gandar, Tom McGuigan, Ronald Bailey, E S F Holland, George Gair; social role of supply authority; tarriffs.

Discusses load factors of domestic versus commercial consumption; boards actively encouraging industrial development; importance of longterm planning; role involved with the establishment of board supply of gas; reference Percy Dowse, former Mayor of Lower Hutt; study into viability of distributing natural gas; hazards of changeover from coal gas; importance of public relations.

Recalls work as Distribution Engineer, Wellington Municipal Electricity Department, 1947 - 1956; fire in tunnel carrying electical circuits from Jervois Quay Sub Station; demolishing concrete generator supports inside buildings; street lighting design; lighting pedestrian crossings properly; reference Reginald Maunder; work on overhead lines and their insulation; importance of design in underground cable work; move to underground cabling; service as officer with Second Division, NZEF in the Middle East, Italy in World War II; back to HVEPB as distribution engineer, 1956 - 1975; reference Hector McBain, I R Robinson, Mr Horn; power cuts in 1950s and public reaction.

Describes purchase of new 33,000 volt cable; development of work on live wires; introduction of aluminium conductors; importance of good planning, good staff, good public relations; memberships of organisations; reference to Wahine storm, 1968; crisis of getting loan finance when General Manager, Hutt Valley Electric Power and Gas Board, 1975-1980; relationship with New Zealand Electricity Department; reference to Bruce McKenzie, Phil Blakeley, A E Davenport; feelings about retirement; consultancy work; investigations into amalgamations; future sources of energy in New Zealand.

Access Contact - See oral history librarian

Venue - Eastbourne

Interviewer(s) - Judith Fyfe

Venue - Mr Ellis' home at 8A Tui Road, Days Bay, Eastbourne, Wellington

Accompanying material - Copy of retirement notice 'Kapuni promotor retires' from Dominion, 1980 (no month given); copy of retirement notice 'Having the last laugh' from Evening Post, 1980 (no day/month given); copy of 'Mr J D (Doug) Ellis General Manager retires after 24 years with the Board' from The Power & Gas Line, No. 26, April 1980; copy of minutes of last meeting attended by Doug Ellis at the Hutt Valley Electric Power and Gas Board, 26 March 1980; copy of curriculum vitae

Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 3 Hours Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 285 AY=AB AR=285.

Black and white photographs:-. Doug Ellis, 1988. Doug Ellis, 1941

Search dates: 1915 - 1988

Alternative form available: An online copy of the abstract is also available to read in the Library's Reading Room

Listening copies available OHLC-002581 - OHLC-002583