Worked for the Post Office in Christchurch from 1905-1949 as a delivery boy, telegraph cadet and in telegraph delivery and as the rehabilitation officer.
Barr, Charles William Mayo, 1893-1988
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Audio
Interview with Charles Barr
Date: 03 Dec 1984
From: New Zealand Post Office Oral History Project
By: Barr, Charles William Mayo, 1893-1988
Reference: OHInt-0070/02
Description: Charles Barr describes in detail family background, father's cartage business, childhood in Christchurch in the 1890s and 1900s, including clothing worn. Recalls education and mentions classmate Sid Holland. Describes first employment at a tobacconist shop, then employment at the Post Office and work as a message boy, wages, conditions, uniforms. Mentions nickname was Sandow. Details work in the Telegraph Operating Room, discusses the importance of telegrams. Recalls the Telegraph Training School at Oamaru, and discusses the personality, stresses, requirements of the ideal telegraphist, social life. Describes his service in World War I in the ANZAC Wireless Troop, serving in India, Iran, and France. Talks about conditions of service. Recalls career after the war in the Telegram Delivery Branch, Christchurch, changes in telegram delivery, growing employment of women in both Post Office and Telegraph Branch, the Post and Telegraph Association (later the Post Office Union), Post Office administration and attitude to staff, his later employment as Rehabilitation Officer for the Post Office. Venue - Christchurch Interviewer(s) - Judith Fyfe Venue - Claremont Avenue, Christchurch Accompanying material - Four pages of handwritten biographical notes and a newspaper article obituary on Mr Rupert Thomas Wood of Rotorua attached to the printed abstract Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000746 - OHC-000749A Quantity: 4 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 3.09 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB-110. Search dates: 1893 - 1984