Interview with Betty Leniston

Betty Leniston was born in 1926 in Island Bay. Relates her maternal Irish background, refers to emigrant ships and Irish songs. Explains how Aunty Frances Cunningham met her future husband, Will McGruddy, sheepfarmer of Eketahuna and describes their house, talks of their farm workers, cousins helping with shearing, the train set, Mercedes Benz cars. Mentions her mother's laughter, singing, social work, working as a buyer at a drapery store and at the St. Vincent de Paul soup kitchen, buying a section of land. Describes her cooking techniques, her hospitalisation and death following childbirth. Relates that her brother was cared for by the Home of Compassion and explains how she and her siblings coped after mother's death. Recalls her stepmother and housekeepers, and being in an orphanage. Explains her father's background and surname, mentions the family sweet factory in Lyttelton, his job as a clerical worker at Army Headquarters, his long service medal, working for the Post Office. Recalls family picnics at Happy Valley and Wilton Bush. Describes soap making and the making of a clothes drying rack. Talks about her brother Joe, a favourite with grandmother, his poliomyelitis and Maori medicinal treatment, Scouts membership, his work as messenger boy with DIC department store, buying a new coat on hire purchase. Recalls the polio epidemic and the infant vaccine. Mentions the deaths of schoolmates from pneumonia, scarlet fever and tuberculosis. Explains making up stories, her enjoyment of reading and music. Discusses homework, sport, religion and confession in convent schools. Talks of values taught by nuns. Mentions contraception. Talks of her children's role in leaving the catholic church, joining the Christian Family Movement. Explains that she left school to look after her stepmother's first child who changed family relationships. Relates that her sister worked at Mecca Tearooms, talks of the minimum wage. Gives reasons for leaving home, describes being a nurse-aide, training at Masterton Hospital, talks about career options. Recalls meeting Johnny Leniston, his Fleet Air Arm and Army service, details war experiences, having a rehabilitation farm on his return from war, exploitation by a farmer at Awakino. Mentions kindly neighbours. Talks of pre-war engagement and post-war marriage, with a consent obtained from a magistrate. Explains the system of post war employment for returned servicemen. Describes living in army huts with a luxurious bath, country life, coping with stoves. Talks of her best friend losing her baby, childbirth, having her own children, explains their names, talks of a visit by the Plunket nurse, treatment for vomiting, mentions miscarriages. Names Dr. de Castro, Dr. Grantly Dick. Talks of the childbirth rate at Wainuiomata in 1950s. Explains the influence of Kate Harcourt on child rearing. Describes the Maori population at Awakino River area, the Maori Work Scheme at Mahanui and mentions the moko, pipe smoking and segregation. Explains the rise in land prices in 1950s, describes their time spent farming, water shortages, Johnny Leniston's poisoned arm causing the farmer to give notice, the move to Lower Hutt and his crash teaching course. Talks of managing on a trainee teacher salary, family benefits, state housing at Avalon, market rents. Recalls milk delivery at Happy Valley and the five bakeries at Island Bay. Details registration conditions of first car, a Chevrolet, insurance of a Vauxhall J, a van with built in benches loaned by a friend, and later owning a small bus. Explains how they gathered camping equipment together. Describes help with the children and later with Johnny Leniston's father from Assumption Sisters and neighbours. Explains extension to house before being offered 31 Glenbervie Terrace (The Moorings) and describes the state it was in, and talks of help in cleaning it. Relates the reaction of those around her when Johnny went to Perth, Australia for six months during the mineral boom with son Matthew. Describes her children and their various abilities.

Interviewer(s) - Judith Fyfe

Accompanying material - E-mails from Margaret Leniston to Judith Fyfe, sprigs of dried lavender, notes from preliminary interview

Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 Electronic document(s) - abstract. 1 interview(s). 3 Hours Duration.

Physical Description: Textual file - Microsoft word

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3858, OHDL-001230.

Search dates: 1926 - 2001

Alternative form available: Once permission is given a digital copy of the recording and abstract are available in the Library's Reading Room