AUDIO
Interview with Max Smith
- Date
- 21 Jun 2006
- By
- Smith, Sydney Maxwell John, 1926-
- Reference
- OHInt-0829-08
- Description
Interview with Max Smith, born Christchurch in 1926. Mentions growing up during the Depression near Christchurch and starting work with the Ministry of Works in 1944 at Napier as a draughting cadet. Refers to working later in Whangarei and Auckland, and to studying engineering first by correspondence and then at Christchurch Engineering School. Outlines his work during the 1950s on hydro investigations, and transferring to Benmore in 1959 as a resident engineer. Talks about the building and management structure of the project and refers to Graham Tait, Jack Ridley and Alwyn Taylor. Refers to travelling to Australia, the United States, Canada and Europe on a Sir William Stevenson award to study practical engineering and visit major civil engineering projects and equipment manufacturers. Discusses moving to Aviemore in 1962 as engineer and in 1970 becoming Project Engineer at Twizel for the Upper Waitaki Scheme. Reflects on the size of the Scheme and the importance of the initial survey work. Discusses the way of life on hydro schemes that started with the Roxburgh dam, the value of maintaining a good workforce, and the introduction of heavy machinery. Reflects on competing demands for water, and on plans for Lower Waitaki hydro schemes. Comments on the break-up of the Ministry of Works.
Talks about living in Otematata and Twizel when they were new towns, housing, schools and medical services. Refers to looking after the running of Twizel and the importance of getting a good policeman, district nurse and headmaster. Refers to work to establish boat harbours and recreational areas, plant trees and provide access roads around the hydro lakes. Discusses developing of the rowing course on Lake Ruataniwha without official permission but having difficulty getting permission for a building for the rowers. Discusses resigning in 1983 and going farming.
Interviewer(s) - Jacqui Foley
Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-015900 - OHC-015902
Quantity: 1 printed abstract(s). 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 interview(s). 2.32 Hours and minutes Duration.
Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5718.
Search dates: 1926 - 2006
- Additional description
Original recordings not available for playback. Surrogate copies will be provided.
Alternative form available:
Listening copies OHLCD-1516 - OHLCD-1518
- Use/Reproduction
- Public use may require the written permission of the copyright holder Copyright: Copyright is held by the Mackenzie Centre Community Trust Inc.
- Access restrictions
- Partly restricted material
- Part of
- Mackenzie Centre Community Trust: Hydro oral history interviews
- Format
- 1 printed abstract(s), 3 C60 cassette(s), 1 interview(s), 2.32 Hours and minutes Duration, Oral histories
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Interview with Max Smith, printed abstract
Date: 21 Jun 2006
From: Mackenzie Centre Community Trust: Hydro oral history interviews
Reference: OHA-5718
Description: Interviewer(s) - Jacqui Foley Quantity: 1 printed abstract(s).
Interview with Max Smith, tape two
Date: 21 Jun 2006
From: Mackenzie Centre Community Trust: Hydro oral history interviews
Reference: OHC-015901
Description: Interviewer(s) - Jacqui Foley Arrangement: Tape sequence - 2 of 3 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s).
Interview with Max Smith, tape three
Date: 21 Jun 2006
From: Mackenzie Centre Community Trust: Hydro oral history interviews
Reference: OHC-015902
Description: Interviewer(s) - Jacqui Foley Arrangement: Tape sequence - 3 of 3 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s).
Interview with Max Smith, tape one
Date: 21 Jun 2006
From: Mackenzie Centre Community Trust: Hydro oral history interviews
Reference: OHC-015900
Description: Interviewer(s) - Jacqui Foley Arrangement: Tape sequence - 1 of 3 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s).