Interview with John Hamilton Shortt

John Shortt was born in Palmerston North, in 1916. Describes accident with stray Territorial Army shell in 1927 that left him blind. Talks about enrolment in the Jubilee School for the Blind in 1928. Discusses the school, boarding facilities, daily routines, school work, his teacher Mary Law, Braille learning, after school activities, discipline and holiday excursions. Talks about Clutha Mackenzie and the housemaster Mr Byers. Outlines life in Pearson House, the male boarding house and employment in the Foundation workshops until his marriage in 1940. Discusses living conditions, workshop conditions, gender segregation, restrictions on socialisation between staff and residents and food complaints. Talks about the allegations brought against Clutha Mackenzie and his replacement Joe Broadfoot. Mentions time spent in the copying division writing Braille books.

Talks about Jim McGuire, the Blind Welfare Committee and the Dominion Association of the Blind formed in 1945. Mentions Bill Findlay, Albert Williams and Lionel Voice. Outlines problems finding work outside the Foundation workshops and the abolition of means testing in 1958. Discusses Wally Christiansen, Foundation advisory committees, Jim May, Association conferences and regional branches, social groups, position as welfare officer, Cyril White, the Board of Trustees, Don McKenzie, the Talking Book Service and membership numbers.

Mentions transfer to Palmerston North in 1947 as an annual collector for the Foundation.

Interviewer(s) - Greg Newbold

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-009809, OHC-009810, OHLC-004967, OHLC-004968

Quantity: 2 C90 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2.15 Hours and minutes Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-3283.

Alternative form available: Listening copies OHLC-004967 - OHLC-004968