Interview with Kenneth Fulcher

Kenneth Fulcher was born in Pahiatua in 1929. Describes how his grandfather was a railway construction worker in the Wairarapa and his father was a rural labourer. Notes that his mother was born east of Woodville. Discusses how the family moved often as a result of his father's work and the Depression. Talks about living in basic farm cottages. Describes roaming the country freely as a child and being a keen rugby player. Talks about strong family ties. Describes the difficulty of being a Labour supporter in `Holyoake country'.

Talks about attending a number of schools and Pahiatua District High School. Describes leaving school in 1945 with his public service exam and beginning work as a cadet with the Department of Agriculture. Recalls living in the Public Service Hostel in Oriental Bay. Describes working at Flock House near Bulls and Christchurch. Discusses transferring to State Advances Corporation and working in the Accounts Section. Comments on the loyalty and social life in the Corporation. Recalls picnic day at Eastbourne and sports exchanges between the Wellington and Christchurch offices. Notes that top sportsmen Wilson Whineray, Ivan Houghton and Jim Blair worked for State Advances Corporation.

Discusses the end of much of the menial accounts work as a result of computerisation. Comments on the importance of the Corporation to farmers. Describes how legislation under Sid Holland enabling the capitalisation of family benefit enabled tenants to buy their state house. Recalls being Section Clerk at the Nelson branch and three periods spent at the Invercargill branch including being manager there from 1977 to 1980. Discusses working throughout the country as Inspector alongside Chief Inspectors I.R. (Scotty) Watson, W.N. (Bill) McKay and C.A. (Corrie) Lake. Notes that the work involved checking standards and morale. Summarises job positions held.

Describes restructuring in 1974 into the Housing Corporation and the Rural Bank. Talks about the Corporation's relationships with the Post Office, Valuation Department, Lands and Survey Department and Treasury. Recalls becoming Manager (Lending) at Porirua. Comments on the partial success of Porirua housing. Talks about Ministers of Housing John Rae, John Marshall and Helen Clark and staff members Ken Caverhill, J.D.C. Wood, William Hay, G.W. Hopkinson, Jack Ashton, Ron Millard, Ted Babe, Hec King, Colin Reid, Albert Fear and R.F. Kelly.

Venue - Wellington : 1989

Interviewer(s) - Susan Fowke

Venue - Housing Corporation Offices, Wellington

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-002260; OHC-002262; OHC-002262

Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2.30 Hours and minutes Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 419.

Photographs of Kenneth Fulcher about 1947 and 1987

Alternative form available:

Listening copies are available at OHLC-003072, 003073, 003074.