Interview with Dorothy Alice Blanchard

Dorothy Blanchard gives details of her family's background, describing her father's career as a tailor and his lameness as a result of an accident. Mentions various treatments including a surgical boot. Gives detail about her mother's family, upbringing and how her parents met.

Describes her childhood in Christchurch, her father's membership of the Clothing Worker's Union, her parents' Anglicanism and attitude to reading, contact with Maori and discipline. Talks about developing goitre and the treatments.

Describes her education including time at Canterbury University and Teachers' Training College. Talks about Brian Mason, other students, schools she taught at, meeting David Blanchard and other people in the Tokirima community. Recalls attitudes to sex and childbirth at the time.

Describes the early stages of her marriage including learning to cook on a coal range, building their house, the remoteness of the farm and the composition of the mainly farming community. Discusses her husband's childhood, family and schooling and their own children.

Recalls her first contact with the Country Library Service with reference to Eve Franklin and Margaret Gow. Notes that the Tokirima `B' library was originally in the home of school teacher Mr A E Dear and how she took over when the Dears left. Talks about how the library operated and its users. Discusses changing reading tastes. Talks about drivers and their backgrounds and interests with particular mention of Jim Sutherland and Joy Tutty. Reads a morning talk written by George Corbett which details the Service.

Discusses the subscription system and the library shifting to the local Tokirima School. Notes that Tokirima is 22 miles from Taumarunui and the difficulty of driving on the roads. Describes the variable frequency of the book van visits and the rail system of delivery of books in between times. Comments on the building of the main trunk line through Taranaki and the rail services that were available. Mentions the Tangiwai rail disaster.

Talks about community activities she was involved with and comments on Tokirima community life. Talks about local Maori. Recalls the temporary downturn of use of the library when television first introduced and how the library was moved and operated from the school house. Refers to help from Rosemary Corbett. Comments on the end of the country library service and mentions the loss of other services including closure of passenger rail services. Details her husband's death and her subsequent selling of the land and moving to Marton. Describes current television, radio and reading habits. Reference to Hugh Lorimer and other library staff.

Venue - Marton

Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson

Venue - Mrs Blanchard's home at Marton

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-002046, OHC-002047, OHC-002048

Tape numbers - OHA CLS/2624, 2625, 2626, 2637, 2628, 2629

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

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-0307.

Printed abstract contains two portrait photographs of Dorothy Blanchard

Search dates: 1915 - 1989

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