Interview with Jack Ridley

Describes family background, reasons for family move to Timaru, childhood, hydroelectric scheme development in the 1930s, the family's and his own politics, the gaining of a university scholarship from Timaru Boys' High School and graduating BSc and BE from Canterbury University. Recalls World War II experiences as a lieutenant in the New Zealand Army Engineers in New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, Middle East and Italy. Mentions father's death from shooting while assisting the police during the "Graham Incident". Describes year as Rhodes Scholar, at Oxford University, U.K.:- the criteria, the course, the advantages, hydroelectric work in Scotland.

Backgrounds appointment as Senior Engineer, Power Division, Ministry of Works; the background to gaining Harkness Fellowship to U.S.A. in the mid 1950s; work as Shift Engineer at Pactola Dam, South Dakota; atomic power plants in the U.S.A.; proposals to New Zealand Electricity Department for Benmore to be an earth dam; work at the Ontario Hydro Electric Power Commission and his thoughts on a similar commission for New Zealand.

Discusses Benmore State Hydro Scheme's design and construction, the Ministry of Works' reservations about the dam, the area and it's buildings, costs, industrial relations and unions, colleagues on site:- Bill Duncan, Construction Engineer; Max Smith, Resident Engineer. Describes the Project Engineer's job, criticism of him for widespread staff, relations with F.M.H. Hanson, and J.T. Gilkison (Commissioners of Works). Recalls using the Security Intelligence Service to vet potential employees on site. Describes the environmental impact of power schemes, mentions the varied workforce at Benmore, their housing.

Refers to involvement with the Cook Strait cable, the controversy, the political manoeuvring; the future of power in New Zealand, hydro, gas, geothermal and atomic, and the ageing of power stations.

Comments on industrial relations in New Zealand, compares them to Australia, the reasons for problems, the effect of unions, arbitration. Mentions work as Manager of Utah Engineering, Australia and Manager of New Zealand Steel. Describes aspects of political career as Labour member for Taupo, 1972-75, 1978-1981, his achievements, political motivations and refers to a large number of members among them, Norman Kirk, Hugh Watt, Bill Rowling, Bob Tizard, and David Lange.

Describes the concept of a South Pacific Federation, consolidation of government departments in late 1970s and the Government Goodwill Trip to South East Asia. Mentions list of personalities:- general managers of New Zealand Electricity Department, ministers of public works, works, electricity and energy.

Access Contact - See oral history librarian

Venue - Auckland

Interviewer(s) - Judith Fyfe

Venue - Mr Ridley's home at Unit 31, Hibiscus Coast Village, 101 Red Beach Road, Red Beach, Auckland

Accompanying material - Copy of "Industrial anarchy danger to output", J.W. Ridley, NZ Herald - no date; copy of "Major projects need bipartisan support", J.W. Ridley, NZ Herald, 17/7/86; copy of "New Zealand Steel development should be encouraged not hindered", J.W. Ridley, New Zealand Engineering, March 1, 1986; copy of "Environmental administration in NZ - A new era?", J.W. Ridley, Proceedings of Waikato University, 1985; copy of "An engineer comments: Industrial anarchy danger to output", J.W.Ridley, New Zealand Engineering, November 1, 1985; copy of "Ire at govt takeover", NZ Herald, 23/12/85; copy of "Productivity is key to progress in NZ", J.W. Ridley, NZ Herald, 7/2/83

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-001686 - OHC-001688

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

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 265.

Black and white photographs:-. Jack Ridley, 1987. Jack Ridley, 1945

Search dates: 1919 - 1987

Alternative form available: Once permission is given a digital copy of the recording and abstract are available in the Library's Reading Room. Listening copiesare available at OHLCD-0469 to OHLCD-0471