Interview with Earnscy Weaver

Earnscy Weaver was born in Clyde in 1950. His parents were Charles Earnscy (Earnc) Weaver and Doreen Craig. Describes how his grandfather dredged and sluiced gold and then in the early 1900s began growing cherries, pears, apricots, apples, plums, greengages, walnuts and almonds. Talks about how his grandfather built the original home out of schist. Recalls how his father and his brothers were all involved in fruit growing. Mentions how his father sold half his property in the 1960s because of poor health. Describes going into a partnership with Fay Richwhite and Co which took over his orchard and included it in a development of another one hundred acres of orchard known as Summerfruit Orchards Ltd.

Describes how the water rights were taken from mining rights. Comments on the huge importance of water and disputes caused by it. Comments on changes in planting and pruning technique, frost protection and spraying. Mentions hydraulic ladders. Discusses a new style of spraying known as Integrated Fruit Protection (IFP) which involves the use of softer chemicals and targeted rather than blanket spraying. Discusses the use of air freight for transporting fruit. Mentions that his father was a progressive grower. Discusses the role of women in the orchard business. Describes how his grandmother had home help and his mother worked very hard at feeding staff and family several times a day but was not involved in decision-making. Discusses the work of his wife, Irene Weaver, in orchard office administration. Mentions her involvement in decision-making until they both became employees of the company.

Describes working on the orchard as a child and the work of some of his own family on the orchard. Comments on his discouraging their orchard work as it is a hard life. Recalls doing a Diploma in Horticulture at Lincoln and working in Hawkes Bay orchards for a year before returning to the family property. Describes working closely with Hort Research. Talks about the Earnscleugh community since World War II and changes in it as orcharding becomes more business minded and competitive. Comments that the planned mining venture will provide an exit from orcharding for those who want to get out. Mentions that mining at Island Block has shown that land impact can be minimal.

Discusses in detail varieties of fruit currently grown particularly cherries, apricots and apples. Mentions the limited flexibility in selecting apple varieties because of the control of the Apple and Pear Board. Comments that growers can respond to market demand within four years. Describes networking with growers about varieties they can offer. Discusses the use of brokers who market fruit internationally. Mentions new and developing markets in Asia particularly Bangkok and Taiwan. Talks about the Clutha Valley Export Company (CVE) which markets stone fruit and the Clutha Valley Marketing Group (CVM) marketing pip fruit.

Discusses the use of eight permanent staff and two hundred casual workers during the picking season. Mentions payment by piece rates. Talks about diversification into nuts, peonies and other produce. Comments on the importance of the weather.

Interviewer(s) - Janis Morgan

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-008572 - OHC-008574

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

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-2672.

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