Interview with Royston Evans

Royston Evans was born in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England. Recalls his youth and attending the University of Manchester where he studied science and technology. Describes being in the Army and also wanting to be a professional cricketer. Talks about his social life, particularly dancing, lecturing at the Post Office training school, getting married in 1960 and deciding to emigrate to New Zealand. Recalls working for Plessey in Auckland in 1967 and then going to Wellington.

Describes joining the New Zealand Post Office where the technological revolution was starting. Mentions privatisation of the Post Office and changes in staff numbers. Describes going to Gisborne in 1985 to look after exchanges and replacement in 1990 by computer controlled equipment. Discusses Post Office redundancies and morale. Comments on a recent return visit to Britain and his feeling that there is more of a class system in New Zealand. Discusses provincialism in New Zealand, parochialism in Hawkes Bay, the issue of the location of the hospital and the existence of three local authorities in a small area.

Discusses his early retirement, joining the Friends of the Turnbull Library and the Historic Places Trust, being a library volunteer and taking up cricket umpiring. Talks about his children and time spent helping his son and daughter-in-law run the Tarawera Tavern. Comments on the lack of European news in New Zealand and the importance to him of The Guardian weekly. Discusses the horror of world events and their depiction on television. Comments on the fiscal envelope, MMP, local body elections, violence and the Cave Creek disaster. Discussses involvement on committees and the large number of immigrants involved. Talks about European tourists in New Zealand. Discusses the decline in attendance at church, decreasing spirituality and increasing materialism.

Interviewer(s) - Robert Paton

Interviewer(s) - Dianne Cowan

Quantity: 5 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 5 Hours Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-2135.

Search dates: 1936 - 1995

Original recordings not available for playback. Surrogate copies will be provided.

Alternative form available: Listening copies OHLC-004026 - OHLC-004030