AUDIO

Interview with Philip William Blakeley

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Date

20 Feb 1987

By

Blakeley, Philip William, 1915-1994

Reference

OHInt-0003/05

Description

Discusses family background and childhood with reference to alcohol, religion, discipline, music / reading, sport and politics. Mentions his subsequent political views. Gives his views on the various ministers of electricity:- T.M. McGuigan, George Gair, Bob Semple, W.S Goosman, Hugh Watt, Tom Shand, Percy Allen, Les Gandar, R.L. Bailey, E.S.F. Holland, Bill Birch, Bob Tizard.

Recalls early education and apprenticeship as an electrician at Wanganui-Rangitikei Electric Power Board and his study by correspondence with the British Institute of Engineering Technology and compares his training with university training. Refers to family members in electrical work. Describes the Depression especially in term of job opportunities, money, and power shortages. Recalls postings to Tuai Power Station near Lake Waikaremoana and Lake Waitaki, life at these places, the promotion system at Hydro Electric Branch, Ministry of Works. Recalls move to head office position at Electrical Branch, Ministry of Works, the influence of M.G. Latta there, and the conflict in the department in 1946.

Describes impact of World War II on Department, and civil construction timetables. Backgrounds the establishment of the State Hydro Department and his work in power station design. Recalls the long-term planning post-war of the Ministry of Works, the difficulties, and the growth patterns. Refers to plans for natural gas use for electricity generation, the oil shocks (1973), geothermal power and the future power generation in New Zealand including nuclear power. Discusses environmental issues, Manapouri, Tongariro and Lake Karapiro. Mentions main personalities from New Zealand Electricty Department. Looks at Department's record with water seepage problems at dams and it's main achievements. Gives views on Government monopoly of electrical supply and his achievements as General Manager, New Zealand Electricity Department. Outlines activities since retirement and reaction to being awarded CBE.

Access Contact - See oral history librarian

Venue - Wellington

Interviewer(s) - Judith Fyfe

Venue - Mr Blakeley's home at 78 Upland Rd, Kelburn, Wellington

Accompanying material - Copy of retirement notice in New Zealand Engineering (34, 11), 15 Nov 1979; Copy of "Phil Blakeley awarded CBE", ED Newsletter, No. 57, June 1980; Copy of "Mr Blakeley retires ...", ED Newsletter, No. 52, Sept 1979; Copy of "A half-century of progress in electricity supply", presidential address to New Zealand Institution of Engineers, 1979; Copy of "One family's contribution to N.Z. electricity", Live Lines, March 19, 1975; Copy of "Changes I have seen", address by Phil Blakeley to 1968 Conference of N.Z Institute of Electricians, Inc; Copy of "Reticulation in New Zealand", P.W. Blakeley, Students' Quarterly Journal, June 1939, pp 157-166; Handwritten notes on family geneology by Phil Blakeley.

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-001436 - OHC-001438

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

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-0220.

Black and white photographs:-. Phil Blakeley, 1987. Phil Blakeley, 1963. Copies of black and white photographs:-. Formation of the Ministry of Energy, 1978, J Hogg, Phil Blakeley, Hon George Gair, Ian Dick. Opening of Rutherford House, 1973, Phil Blakeley, Ida Blakeley, Rt Hon Norman Kirk. Harry Hart and Phil Blakeley, c1973. New Zealand Electricity Department, Senior Staff Meeting, 1971. Official opening of the Stoke Line Depot, Nelson by Phil Blakeley. Head Office Management Staff and District Managers, Ministry of Works, 1969. Nelson District office staff, Public Works Department, 1949. Hydro Electric Branch Rugby Team, c1943. Various small photos of people and places

Search dates: 1915 - 1987

Processing information: Description updated 21 June 2022 following information from researcher.

Additional description

Alternative form available: Listening copies OHLC-002496 - OHLC-002498, OHLCD-0591 - OHLCD-0593

Digital copies of the recording and abstract are also available in the Library's Reading Room

Use/Reproduction

Restricted - public use (publication and broadcasting) requires written permission from both interviewee and donor Copyright: Held by Opus International Consultants Limited

Access restrictions

Restricted - Content cannot be accessed without permission - Access requires written permission of both the donor and interviewee

Part of

NZOHA Electricity Centenary Oral History Project Stages I, II and III

Format

3 C60 cassette(s), 1 printed abstract(s), 1 interview(s), 3 Hours Duration, Oral histories, Illustration: Black and white photographs:-, Illustration: Phil Blakeley, 1987, Illustration: Phil Blakeley, 1963, Illustration: Copies of black and white photographs:-, Illustration: Formation of the Ministry of Energy, 1978, J Hogg, Phil Blakeley, Hon George Gair, Ian Dick, Illustration: Opening of Rutherford House, 1973, Phil Blakeley, Ida Blakeley, Rt Hon Norman Kirk, Illustration: Harry Hart and Phil Blakeley, c1973, Illustration: New Zealand Electricity Department, Senior Staff Meeting, 1971, Illustration: Official opening of the Stoke Line Depot, Nelson by Phil Blakeley, Illustration: Head Office Management Staff and District Managers, Ministry of Works, 1969, Illustration: Nelson District office staff, Public Works Department, 1949, Illustration: Hydro Electric Branch Rugby Team, c1943, Illustration: Various small photos of people and places, Equipment used: Sony WM-D6C: Sony ECM150T microphones

There are 4 items in total.

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