Interview with Arthur Dalton and Constance Dalton

Arthur Dalton describes family background, childhood, Palmerston North in the early 1900s, picture theatres, livery stables, father's work as a bootmaker, Salvation Army and religion, going to meetings where Harry Holland spoke, membership of the Post and Telegraph Association, childhood memories of Palmerston North Post Office, education, early employment and predictions of clairvoyant Mrs Barton. Discusses work as lineman at Palmerston North Post Office rewiring all Palmerston North houses for changeover from earthworking wires to automatic system, work routine, transport, tools, some colleagues - Donaldson brothers. Gives technical explanation of exchange operating systems, the physical effect on subscribers' houses with change to automatic.

Gap in information from ca 1922 to ca 1926 - tape (1 hour) erased in error during project.

Constance Dalton talks about how the post office exchanges chose staff, training, distinction between 'toll girls' and 'switchboard girls', work clothing, salaries and gradings, male telephone operators, social life.

Arthur Dalton compares working in head office with working in Auckland. Discusses how employees were promoted, Seimens and Western Electric equipment, the Controlling Officers exam, work at the exchange during World War, 1939-1945, work as senior technician at Dunedin, retirement, effect of carrier systems on communications, expertise of telegraph staff, caring attitude of Post Office. Comments on happy married life. Constance Dalton recalls problems of Arthur's shift work changes, times of financial difficulty. Comments on current contentment.

Venue - Dunedin

Interviewer(s) - Judith Fyfe

Venue - Constance and Arthur's home at Oxford Street, Dunedin

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000749B - OHC-000751

Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2.27 Hours and minutes Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 112.

Search dates: 1901 - 1984