AUDIO

Interview with Colin McIntosh Bambery

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Date

17 Feb 1987

By

Bambery, Colin McIntosh, 1915-2008

Reference

OHInt-0003/02

Description

Describes family background, father's working life, and childhood memories. Discusses attitudes to music, reading, sport, religion and politics. Outlines secondary education at Palmerston North Technical College which he left in the Depression because he had to start work. Recalls details of job as apprentice electrical fitter at Mangahao Power Station for the Public Works Department of the Ministry of Works, including the standard of training, the living conditions at Mangaore, the characters among the staff, apprenticeship details, the noise in power stations and staff and pay cutbacks (Depression). Recalls taking City & Guilds of London exam and the important influence of I.R. (Robbie) Robinson (District Electrical Engineer) on career.

Recalls Maraetai II, Marsden B power stations, the decision to build as coal/oil fired stations, load curve considerations when building power stations, and planning for power stations. Discusses geothermal power, and the Manapouri Power Station especially in relation to the controversy of raising the lake.

Recalls some of the general managers of New Zealand Electricity Department and State Hydro Department, such as E.B. MacKensie, F.T.M. Kissell, A.E. Davenport, P.W. Blakeley, K.D. McCool (This material is restricted by interviewee).

Outlines working for General Electric Co., U.S.A. in 1937 and work during World War II in Royal Navy and New Zealand Navy. Discusses subsequent career from engineer at Palmerston North and Mangakino to Head Office in various roles culminating in retiring as Assistant General Manager in 1978.

Access Contact - See oral history librarian

Venue - Wellington

Interviewer(s) - Judith Fyfe

Venue - Mr Bambery's home at 5 Kinapori Terrace, Newlands, Wellington

Accompanying material - Copy of "Mr Bambery retires", from ED Newsletter, No. 48, Sept 1978; Handwritten notes by Colin Bambery referring to family, schooling, apprenticeship, war service, various highlights, post-war work, retirement activities, Bill Phillips, Manapouri Lake raising controversy.

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-001426 - OHC-001428

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

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-0217.

Black and white photographs:-. Colin Bambery, 1987. Colin Bambery at retirement function, 1978. Copy of black and white photograph:-. Colin Bambery, 1964

Search dates: 1915 - 1987

Additional description

Alternative form available: Listening copies OHLCD-0529 - OHLCD-0531

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 the 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 the donor Also restricted access by interviewee to OHA MOW/1788 (tape three, side one)

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: Colin Bambery, 1987, Illustration: Colin Bambery at retirement function, 1978, Illustration: Copy of black and white photograph:-, Illustration: Colin Bambery, 1964, Equipment used: Sony WM-D6C: Shure SM58 microphones

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