Contractors

Date: 1882-1899

By: Brough, Jonathan, 1839-1927

Reference: qMS-0274

Description: Mainly daily accounts of government contract work on road-making, repairing and surveying. There are also notes on the geology and natural history of the area plus accounts of gold prospecting expeditions. Letters include several relating to contracts and one written to W L Buller on the flora and fauna of the Karamea River area Source of title - Supplied Brough was a contractor and naturalist, based in Nelson and the West Coast from 1866 Quantity: 1 volume(s). 0.05 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Holograph (photoprint) (35 cm, ¼ green calf, green buckram case)

Date: 1915

By: Spence and Learmont (Firm); Gilbert, J M, active 2002

Reference: MapColl-834.3gbfd/1915/Acc.37275-9

Description: Plans for constructing a water race from peg 8 miles 40 chains to peg 10 miles 60 chains for the company 'Hohonu Diamond Terrace Gold Mining and Water Race Company Limited'. Work to be performed by John Gilbert of Kumura and Leonard Tomasi of Cape Terrace. The three large maps (Acc.37275-7) each contain two diagrams. The upper diagram depicts the path of the water race for up to one mile, across creeks. The lower diagram is a cross section indicating wall, bench level (bottom of ditch 4'6" below level), height above datum 400 feet, banks, cuttings, bench, formation level (line pegged to bench level), reduced Do. (with corresponding figures), distances and gradients. Sheets are numbered no. 12-14. The smaller map (Acc.37278) (blueprint, scale [1:24], 20 x 21 cm), depicts the measurements of an open ditch, its depth, the bench level and a diagonal gradient. The document (Acc.37279) is the signed contract for the construction between the company, the Engineer (Solicitor James Park) and the contractors. Quantity: 4 map(s). 1 Document - 10 separate pages. Physical Description: Blueprint, scales differ, 56 x 76 cm. Provenance: Donated by GM Gilbert, 25 January, 2002.

Date: 1950 - 1980 - 1959 - 1989

From: [Ephemera of quarto size relating to the building industry, builders, building companies and organisations, building techniques, in New Zealand]

By: Business Publications (N.Z.)

Reference: Eph-B-BUILDING-1960s-01

Description: Includes advertising panels for: Front cover (faded and annotated): E C Jensen & Co. Ltd (topsoil suppliers), C & C Lake Ltd (bricklaying), R F Pitcher & Son Ltd (painters and paperhangers), A J Hughes (joinery) Spine: (faded): Carter Merchants (Man.) Ltd (timber and builders hardware) Inside left: Gulcraft Industries (building contractors), Hay & Watson Ltd (foldaway industrial doors), K J Busch (structural steel engineering fabrication), Brown & Reid (painting contractors), D B Peters (building contractor) Inside right: Martin Bros Limited (fibrous plaster manufacturers), R G Page (plasterer and bricklayer), Smith Bros (sand and shingle supplies), P L Smithl (plasterer), H A Pederson (building contractor) Back cover: Pipelines Ltdl (drainage contractor), Ryan & Annis (painting and paperhanging), M R Swan (commercial roofing and flooring), Ken Davy (building contractor), Brooks and Dearlove (painting and decorating) Quantity: 1 Other printed ephemera item(s). Physical Description: Offset print on sheets mounted on stiff card folder, 295 x 225 mm. Provenance: Donated by the Moxon family in 2016.

Date: 24 May 1998

From: Past champions oral history project - The Shear History Trust Golden Shears Open Champions

By: Foley, Jacqueline, 1951-; Quinn, Brian Patrick, 1941-

Reference: OHInt-0509/13

Description: Brian Quinn was born at New Plymouth in 1941. Describes moving to Otorohanga, Rangiatea, South Waikato, King Country and Aria because of his father's work on stations (farming). Talks about the family Pontiac, a Fordson tractor, their home, the importance of music in the home and his sister being in a band. Describes going to Otorohanga school, `wagging' and going to Aria School. Comments on his father's frustration at not being able to go to World War II. Mentions the impact of his parent's getting land though it was `hard country'. Describes driving cows from Otorohanga to Aria. Discusses childhood activities including Christmas. Mentions his mother's relatives. Describes leaving school at the age of fifteen, going shearing, the challenge of shearing, working with Stuart and Hilton Cheeseman, open and contract shearing, the atmosphere in the shed, the second shear, shearing Romneys and Border Leicesters, attitudes to the farmers, the relationship between shearers and shed hands, wages and wet weather. Mentions Tom and John Brough, Murray McSkimming, Bing Macdonald and Malcolm Barclay. Refers to his physique for shearing and conserving energy. Discusses entering local shearing competitions. Comments on the career highlight of winning the 1962 senior Golden Shears then the open championship in 1965. Talks about preparing for the Golden Shears by shearing round Masterton and Pahiatua. Discusses shearing gear. Comments on not being able to go on the overseas trips which were part of the prize. Talks about not entering the Golden Shears in 1969 and helping George Potae. Describes meeting his wife Lyn. Discusses dances and the pictures at Te Kuiti and Piopio. Recalls going for a trip to Gore and Alexandra, staying at Alexandra and getting a job with Murray McSkimming. Comments on the Shearers' Union in the south and how contractors looked after shearers. Talks about the role of the woolclasser. Discusses improvements in shearing technology including safety features the worm drive and spline drive. Talks about his contracting business with wife Lyn Quinn and having 50 to 60 employees. Discusses sorting out staffing difficulties. Mentions shearers' use of alcohol, changes in shearers over the years and having been a shearer for forty one years despite his original intention to shear to make money to buy a farm. Describes his move to Clyde. Details his children and their ages. Mentions the importance of family support at competitions particularly at the 1980 World Championship at Masterton where he won. Describes finding winning the Golden Shears emotional and not liking the limelight. Comments on Maori shearing style and the absence of racial discrimination. Talks about female shearer Michelle Harrex. Comments that he is known as `Snow' Quinn. Interviewer(s) - Jacqueline Foley Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-2523. Photos of Brian Quinn, Golden Shears champion in 1965, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1971 and 1972 competing in competitions. Photo of Brian Quinn in 1998.

Date: 6 Jul 2006 - 06 Jul 2006

From: Mackenzie Centre Community Trust: Hydro oral history interviews

By: Higgins, Michael Joseph, 1942-

Reference: OHInt-0829-01

Description: Interview with Michael Higgins, born in Blenheim 1942. Describes how his father Jim (James M) and uncle Terry developed their contracting business from six-horse teams to earthmoving machines. Mentions their work opening up the Blenheim to Picton highway, at Lake Grassmere, carting the first core material for the Pukaki Dam, and work in Southland and west Otago throughout the 1950s. Describes youthful learning about machinery from his father, and how he and his brothers (John, Kevin and Peter) all joined the family firm Higgins Earthmoving Company. Refers to going to the Benmore hydro scheme in 1960 and describes machinery his father imported for Benmore and other projects. Reflects on the scale of the Benmore dam, the quality of the work and the loss of expertise when the hydro schemes were completed. Refers to moving on to the Aviemore scheme, and a period of uncertainty before the Upper Waitaki schemes began. Mentions the company moved to Twizel in 1966, just before the Ministry of Works, and having roading contracts. Discusses the progression of work on the Upper Waitaki schemes, later work on irrigation schemes, and on the Clyde High Dam project. Refers to being moved into maintenance work reluctantly. Describes the company's record of 99.2% plant availability over the whole Upper Waitaki project because of its efficient maintenance systems. Comments on the Higgins Earthmoving Company accommodation and facilities at Otematata and later at Twizel, his mother cooking for their workers, and their staff becoming part of the family. Talks about Twizel being saved after the Upper Waitaki scheme was completed. Mentions he retired from the company in 1987 and moved to Marlborough for seven years to farm, then returned to Twizel. Refers to restoring machinery and working on the Meridian Energy Ltd archives. Interviewer(s) - Jacqui Foley Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-015890 - OHC-015891 Quantity: 1 printed abstract(s). 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 interview(s). 1.38 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5711. Search dates: 1942 - 2006

Date: 1923

From: Moore, Robert Percy, 1881-1948 :Panoramic photographs of New Zealand

By: Hamilton & Whillans (Firm)

Reference: Pan-2137-F

Description: Panoramic view of a large five-storeyed brick and steel freezing works building under construction. Groups of workmen can be seen on all the floors and in the foreground. Ladders, a crane and other machinery are visible. There is a truck in centre foreground (number plate: H-3699), and a car parked on a road lined with poplar trees on the far right. Photograph taken by R P Moore. Inscriptions: Marginal notes on negative - [On brown adhesive tape] Hamilton & Whillans. Tomoana. 6 copies; Photographer's title on negative - Tomoana Freezing Works. Hastings. 1923 Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Panoramic negative 24.7 x 119.5 cm

Date: Feb 1947

From: Lewis, Lorrie Lionel, 1917-2001 :Photographs

Reference: PAColl-9980

Description: Album pages of photographic prints relating to the construction of state houses in Naenae, February 1947. Photographs taken and collected by Lorrie Lionel Lewis, a builder who worked for a contractor named Morgan. (Note: Mr Lewis is shown on PAColl-9980-2, wearing a beret) The images shows the houses under construction, the builders at work and the builders at a work picnic/sports event. Quantity: 4 album pages with 62 b/w prints. Physical Description: Four black album pages with silver gelatin prints

Date: 2017

By: Low, Ruth Entwistle, active 2003-2015

Reference: OHColl-1578

Description: 13 interviews with figures involved in the New Zealand shearing industry, conducted by Ruth Low in 2017 as material for her book 'The Shearers' (2019). Interviews were with farmers, farm managers, shearers, and shearing contractors. The interviewees were: Reginald (Reg) Benjamin, Richard Brewer, Peter Casserly, John and Catherine Ford, Katherine (Kate) Foster, Richard Foster, Sam Jefferis, Brian Kerr, Jack Luttrell, Charles (Charlie) Matthews, Myles Mullooly, Edmund (Eddie) Parkinson, and Richard Winiata. Project received Award in Oral History funding from Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage in 2016. Title supplied by Library. Quantity: 13 Interview(s). 47 digital sound recording(s). 39 Electronic document(s). 13 printed abstract(s). 12 colour copy photographic print(s). 12 digital photograph(s). 2 folder(s). Search dates: 2017

Date: 10 Sep 2000

From: Auckland Civic Theatre Year 2000 Oral Archive project

By: Fletcher, James Muir Cameron (Sir), 1914-2007

Reference: OHInt-0546-03

Description: Recalls his family's move from Dunedin to Auckland in 1927 after the Dunedin Exhibition. Discusses the construction of the Civic Theatre in 1928 and the involvement in this of Fletchers, his family's firm. Describes how his uncle William Fletcher was the Auckland manager, uncle Andrew Fletcher was the Wellington manager and his father, James Fletcher, oversaw the operation. Comments on state protected industry in the 1920s and the Government's payment to Fletchers not to make bricks. Discusses the merger of the North Island brick companies into the Amalagamated Brick and Pipe Company. Talks about Fletchers as general contractors who owned their own joinery, steel factories and marble quarries. Mentions their importing of concrete mixers and use of reinforced concrete. Recalls the role of the `Kelly gang', directors of principal companies in Auckland in financially backing the Civic Theatre. Describes the employment of an Australian architect by Tom O'Brien and comments on William Stirling Rodgers who operated the building company. Talks about the scale of operation and primitive equipment. Describes the Wurlitzer organ and the style of the Theatre. Interviewer(s) - Anna Soutar Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s) (partial). 1 Electronic document(s) (partial transcript). 1 interview(s). Physical Description: Textual files - Microsoft word Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-3075, OHDL-001746.

Date: 19 March 2005

From: Body, Guy Keverne, 1967-:Original cartoons. 1986-2011

Reference: A-453-307

Description: Shows a scenario if property developers designed cars. A unhappy purchaser tells the developer that his car leaks. The property developer tells him to sue his contractors. Refers to the leaky building problem. Inscriptions: Recto - centre right - MONDAY CARTOON 21CARTOON 186mm x 133mm Pls scan and send to Production Pix (Pix on hand) [in pencil] Quantity: 1 original cartoon(s). Physical Description: Ink and felt-tip pen on paper, 230 x 340 mm

Date: 10 January 1976

From: Kennedy, Ronald Edwin, 1925-2003 :[Original cartoons, albums of clippings and a metal printing plate, created by and belonging to Ronald Kennedy (Ronken), ca 1967-1983]

By: Kennedy, Ronald Edwin, 1925-2003; Waikato Times (Newspaper)

Reference: A-454-086

Description: Builders wearing Olympic-themed aprons pass over a hammer, like a baton in a relay. Title supplied by Library Quantity: 1 original cartoon(s). Physical Description: Pen and ink drawing, 200 x 290 mm

Date: 1970 - 1979

From: [Ephemera of octavo size relating to the building industry, builders, building companies and organisations, building techniques, in New Zealand]

By: New Zealand Trades Certification Board

Reference: Eph-A-BUILDING-1970s

Description: Includes: 1970s: A memo for all building tradesmen, or, Why the Wage Remuneration Authority (and others) do 20,000 building workers, unless you belong to a rapidly shrinking minority 1970s? New Zealand Timber Merchants' Federation. Publication no. 10A. Outdoor living project: Combination green house & potting shed, designed by D L Evans, consulting engineer, NZ Sawmillers' Federation. New Zealand Timber Merchants' Federation. Publication no. 10B. Demountable tool shed, designed by D L Evans, consulting engineer, NZ Sawmillers' Federation. New Zealand Timber Merchants' Federation. Publication no. 10C, Polythene green house no. 1, designed by D L Evans, consulting engineer, NZ Sawmillers' Federation. New Zealand Timber Merchants' Federation. Publication no. 10E. Single carport design, designed by D L Evans, consulting engineer, NZ Sawmillers' Federation. New Zealand Timber Merchants' Federation. Publication no. 10F. Timber deck, designed by D L Evans, consulting engineer, NZ Sawmillers' Federation. New Zealand Timber Merchants' Federation. Publication no. 10G. Garden units, cold frame & cover frame units, table-seat unit, designed by D L Evans, consulting engineer, NZ Sawmillers' Federation. 1973: Scott's building trade directory, Auckland area, 1973 Symposium on tall buildings. University of Auckland Centre for Continuing Education, 10 August 1973. Programme / enrolment form 1975: New Zealand Trades Certification Board. Examinations in carpentry. Rev. ed 1975 1979: Building Research Association of New Zealand. BRANZ cat 79-9. Prevent dampness under your house - and avoid expensive repairs. [Pamphlet] Institute of Quantity Surveyors and the Australian Institute of Building. Tendering strategies and realisation. Auckland, 23 April 1979. Programme / registration form New Zealand Department of Labour. Building cadetship: technician cadetship series. Pamphlet [1979] Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Sizes varying up to 240 mm. Provenance: One item from the collection of Guy Dugdale, 2011.

Date: 1955

From: Lodge, Nevile Sidney, 1918-1989 :[Cartoons from the Free Lance Collection 1954 to 1960]

Reference: C-076-060

Description: Three scenes showing office workers and one showing a building contractor. Publication - Published on 12 Jan 1955, page 4 Quantity: 1 original cartoon(s). Physical Description: Ink on paper, 190 x 610 mm

Date: Ca 1910

Reference: 1/2-190497-F

Description: Portrait of Neil McLean (1857-1939), public works contractor and sportsman, taken ca 1910 by an unknown photographer. Quantity: 1 b&w copy negative(s) (copy of original print returned to owner). Physical Description: Cellulose triacetate negative 10 x 12.5 cm

Date: [26 Jun 1951]

From: Evening post (Newspaper. 1865-2002) :Photographic negatives and prints of the Evening Post newspaper

Reference: 114/318/04-G

Description: Photograph of Bill Keane and G Cowperthwaite, American contractors working on the Rimutaka Tunnel, taken circa 26 Jun 1951 by an Evening Post photographer. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Dry plate glass negative 6 x 6 centimetres

Date: 2009

From: Winter, Mark, 1958- : Digital cartoons published in the Southland Times and other papers

Reference: DCDL-0011895

Description: A man from the public service watches in fear and amazement as a great grey shadow of a vulture that represents 'pry-vate contractors' swoops around him. Text above reads '250,000 jobs in danger'. Refers to the government's intention to make widespread cuts in the public service in order to save money in the recession. Refers also to the notion that contractors 'prey' on regular workers and workplaces. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).

Date: 2005

From: Body, Guy Keverne, 1967-: Digital cartoons published in New Zealand Herald

Reference: DCDL-0013037

Description: Shows a scenario if property developers designed cars. A unhappy purchaser tells the developer that his car leaks. The property developer tells him to sue his contractors. Refers to the leaky building problem. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).

Date: 2009

From: Winter, Mark, 1958- : Digital cartoons published in the Southland Times and other papers

Reference: DCDL-0011884

Description: A big juicy apple that represents the public service has been bitten into by 'privATE contractors'. Text above reads '250,000 jobs in danger from... private contractors'. Refers to the government's intention to make widespread cuts in the public service in order to save money in the recession. Refers also to the notion that private contractors are advantaged when public service jobs are lost because in-house expertise goes too. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).

Date: [ca 26 Jun 1951]

From: Evening post (Newspaper. 1865-2002) :Photographic negatives and prints of the Evening Post newspaper

Reference: 114/318/03-F

Description: Ray Miller and John F Johnston, American contractors working on the Rimutaka Tunnel, photographed circa 26 Jun 1951 1951 by an Evening Post photographer. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative

Date: [26 Jun 1951]

From: Evening post (Newspaper. 1865-2002) :Photographic negatives and prints of the Evening Post newspaper

Reference: 114/318/06-G

Description: Photograph of J Bingham and W G van Patten, American contractors working on the Rimutaka Tunnel, taken circa 26 Jun 1951 by an Evening Post photographer. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Dry plate glass negative 6 x 6 centimetres