Interview with Vearl Eteveneaux

Vearl Eteveneaux was born in 1918. Her mother's parents, Mr and Mrs Robert Russell, arrived in New Zealand in 1874 and her mother was born in Lawrence. Describes how the family moved to Dunedin where her mother married her father, Ted Harper. Describes how she was born in the middle of the 1918 flu epidemic. Recalls the family's moves to Dannevirke then Gisborne where her father bought a garage. Mentions Robert Kerridge's service car business. Describes attending Gisborne Primary School and getting two years at high school by achieving proficiency. Recalls staying with her mother, who had bad health, until she was married. Describes how her husband Miles Eteveneaux arrived in Gisborne with the Air Force.

Talks about his family living in Akaroa then moving to Dipton. Mentions that Miles Eteveneaux showed films round rural halls from the back of a Dodge truck. Describes how he got a scholarship to an electrical college in Chicago where he learnt the functions of studio work. Describes how he operated picture theatres with John Angus, who was killed in the war, and showed movies to the troops in Fiji. Describes how he became an aircraft electrician. Recalls their marriage in 1944 and living in Gisborne where they operated three small country cinemas. Mentions their theatre in Manatuki. Describes buying a run-down Kerridge theatre in Helensville and building it up. Gives her first impressions of Helensville. Recalls how her husband did photography and camera work for British Paramount News. Mentions the 1966 publication `Centre of opportunity'. Describes being very busy helping at the theatre and bringing up children. Mentions her husband's death in 1991 and an accident which broke her legs.

Interviewer(s) - Gabrielle Hildreth

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

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3327.

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