Interview with Tom de la Haye

Tom de la Haye recalls family background; childhood in Woodville; parents and the Depression (1930); beginning of electrical apprenticeship with Dannevirke Electric Power Board, 1946 - 1951; the interview; wages; registration exams; pranks; reference tradesman, Bob Wilson; type of work, training; being safety conscious; social life; decision to become electrical fitter in the workshop section of the Test Department of State Hydro Department, early 1950s; reference to waterfront strike, 1951; type of work; reference to companies Brown Boverie and ASEA; reference Jack Bennett as foreman; role of Test Department; Bunnythorpe Sub-station; reference to staff, Harry Badham, Brian Mitchell, Johnny Walker, Garry McDonnell; explains carrier equipment; working in the field.

Explains different voltage systems; increasing volume of power; camaraderie in field team; reference to switchgear at Khandallah; relationship with engineers, reference Colin Bambery, Brian Mills; treatment of Maori employees; work on Haywoods Sub-station; reference to Jimmy O'Donnell, Jack Harper and Jim Flowerday.

Describes marriage; change of job to an operator fitter, Tuai Power Station, Waikaremoana; scheme included three stations, Kaitawa, Tuai, Piripaua; role; typical working day; explains how load increased or decreased; training for crises; power failure at Roxburgh Power Station; living conditions at hydro schemes; social and family life; reference to staff, Harry Clerk, Frank Everton, Bill Rogers; reference to the flooded Horohoro Power Station; effect of isolation on wife.

Recalls move to shift operator at Karapiro, late 1950s; type of work; reference to Geoff Eglington, Andy Church, Norm Wakefield, Angus McDonald; living conditions compared to Waikaremoana; role of scheme superintendent; lack of personnel training for senior staff; mistakes; the necessity for experience and knowledge in running a plant; effect of shiftwork on people; camaraderie; female employees; in early sixties promoted to station operator at Arapuni; role; role a senior station operator at Roxburgh; power savings at hydro villages; power shortages; microwave technology; work as superintendent at Highbank, late 1960s; reference to Tom Gutberlet, Jack Jopp; problems of living in village as superintendent at Karapiro, early 1970s; relationship with head office; staff management techniques; reason for retirement.

Access Contact - See oral history librarian

Venue - Putaruru

Interviewer(s) - Manson, Hugo

Venue - Mr de la Haye's house at RD 2, Putaruru

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-001844 - OHC-001846

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

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 282.

Black and white photographs:-. Tom de la Haye, 1988. Marion, Tom and Diane de la Haye, 1955. Tom and Russell de la Haye, undated

Search dates: 1930 - 1988

Alternative form available: An online copy of the abstract is also available to read in the Library's Reading Room