AUDIO
Interview with Jim Betham
- Date
- 17 July 1989 - 17 Jul 1989
- By
- Betham, Frederick Kurt, 1925-
- Reference
- OHInt-0152/03
- Description
Frederick Kurt Hufnagel-Betham (ka Jim Betham) born Auckland. Outlines family background - father born in Samoa. Grandfather, Kurt Hufnagel was German, captain of a whaling ship who retired to Samoa and had a Copra plantation. Grandmother, Catherine Ann Hufnagel (nee Betham) came from village of Betham, Carnforth, South Westmoreland, England. Bethams (Beethams) emigrated to Australia, New Zealand, Samoa. Reference to Bruce Beetham (MP, Social Credit, 1978-1984) and Beethams of Wairarapa.
Recalls childhood memories of big spaces, servants and hurricanes in Samoa and also of Queen Street, Auckland after the riots in 1930s. Gives history of Samoa. Describes Mau, Samoan Independence Movement. Gives details of Count von Lucknow and his background.
Discusses employment, doing a 5 year engineering apprenticeship at A & G Price Ltd, Auckland 1943-1948, with the intention of becoming a ship's engineer. Explains why, on completion of apprenticeship, he decided on change of career and joined Lunn Avenue Quarry, Winstone Ltd, Auckland, as junior draughtsman, and serving at the quarry until 1974, becoming Quarry Superintendent. Describes role of Winstone Ltd during World War II - supplied concrete for military airport, Whenuapai and a large amount of road work. Gives geological background of Basalt Quarry. Mentions Alan Adams, Leo Foster, Angus (Gus) McKay and Bruce Winstone. Talks about the Trade Union and staff relations. Other topics mentioned include; accidents, with reference to Noel Strid who was killed; workers who included Maori, Dalmations, Norwegians and Scots; Winstone Quarry, Plimmerton with reference to Cam Kay, Tom Wilkinson and Eric Gallimore; Mines Department certification, describing explosion training on site and rules for working with explosives. Backgrounds appointment as Group Environmental Officer (1974-1981).
Access Contact - see oral history librarian
Venue - Auckland
Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson
Venue - 4 Homai Street, Remuera, Auckland
Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-002827-002829
Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 3 Hours Duration.
Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB-0529.
- Use/Reproduction
- No public use without written permission of donor Copyright: Copyright held by Fletcher Challenge Ltd
- Access restrictions
- Restricted - Content cannot be accessed without permission - Access requires written permission of the donor
- Part of
- Winstone Group of Companies Oral History Project
- Format
- 3 C60 cassette(s), 1 printed abstract(s), 3 Hours Duration, Oral histories, Equipment used: Sony WM-D6C: Sony ECM150T Neck Microphones
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All Rights Reserved
Interview with Anthony Mathew Barbarich, printed abstract
Date: 17 July 1989
From: Winstone Group of Companies Oral History Project
Reference: OHA-0529
Description: Quantity: 1 printed abstract(s).
Interview with Jim Betham, tape one
Date: 17 July 1989
From: Winstone Group of Companies Oral History Project
Reference: OHC-002827
Description: Arrangement: Tape sequence - tape 1 of 3 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 Hours Duration.
Interview with Jim Betham, tape three
Date: 7 July 1989
From: Winstone Group of Companies Oral History Project
Reference: OHC-002829
Description: Arrangement: Tape sequence - tape 3 of 3 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 Hours Duration.
Interview with Jim Betham, tape two
Date: 17 July 1989
From: Winstone Group of Companies Oral History Project
Reference: OHC-002828
Description: Arrangement: Tape sequence - tape 2 of 3 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 Hours Duration.