Interview with Fred Turner

Fred Turner came to Te Pu near Rotorua in 1903 when his father took up land, having previously farmed near Christchurch and Bluff. Describes `bush sickness', a cobalt deficiency in the soil, which damaged the animals. Mentions he was living at Pongakawa breaking in land for his father Charley. Talks about his seven brothers and sisters. Describes leaving school before the age of twelve and cooking for a gang of roadmen working in the area in 1904.

Describes walking off the Te Pu property in 1931 having been sued for uncontrollable ragwort. Discusses how it was not explained that the land was on a fifty two year lease and he could have bought it back. Describes how most farmers at Te Pu were given land as part of the World War I rehabilitation scheme. Notes that this was land that farmers had previously walked off. Describes unsuccessful attempts to get compensation from the Government for the land. Talks about land at Hamurana and settlers Jack Catley, Harry Ward and the Dittmers. Talks about marrying Miss Dittmer. Talks about breaking in land for Major Herald in Paradise Valley and then buying and farming land in the Valley. Discusses land at Kaharoa. Mentions that people from Te Pu attended school at Kaharoa.

Recalls attending tangi at Awahou village. Comments that many Maori were on the gumfields during this period. Talks about Fred Leonard. Describes working for Walter Steele in the bush at Mamaku in 1908 and working for the Mountain Rimu Timber Company. Recalls a fairly large community at Mamaku and describes living conditions at the camp. Describes going to the pictures in Rotorua at Kings Theatre, which was owned by Duncan Steele.

Describes being the first farmer in the area to make ensilage and have his herd tested. Comments on successful potato growing. Talks about farm animals, milking cows, separating milk from cream and the dairy factory at Ngongotaha. Talks about Charlie and Bill Karl. Describes difficulties getting water on his property and digging a well to the depth of one hundred and seventy five feet. Discusses a financial scheme local farmers paid into to see them through hard times and describes how the money for the scheme was taken by Walter Nash. Comments on having to give up on farming because of his legs and gangrene.

Mentions Dick Garlick driving coaches. Describes working on the road gang near Pongakawa.

Interviewer(s) - Don Stafford

Quantity: 4 C60 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s). 1 interview(s).

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-2869.