Vitamin B12 deficiency

Date: 23 Nov 1982

From: Interviews about Rotorua by Don Stafford

By: Turner, Charles Frederick, 1892-

Reference: OHInt-0470/20

Description: Fred Turner came to Te Pu near Rotorua in 1903 when his father took up land, having previously farmed near Christchurch and Bluff. Describes `bush sickness', a cobalt deficiency in the soil, which damaged the animals. Mentions he was living at Pongakawa breaking in land for his father Charley. Talks about his seven brothers and sisters. Describes leaving school before the age of twelve and cooking for a gang of roadmen working in the area in 1904. Describes walking off the Te Pu property in 1931 having been sued for uncontrollable ragwort. Discusses how it was not explained that the land was on a fifty two year lease and he could have bought it back. Describes how most farmers at Te Pu were given land as part of the World War I rehabilitation scheme. Notes that this was land that farmers had previously walked off. Describes unsuccessful attempts to get compensation from the Government for the land. Talks about land at Hamurana and settlers Jack Catley, Harry Ward and the Dittmers. Talks about marrying Miss Dittmer. Talks about breaking in land for Major Herald in Paradise Valley and then buying and farming land in the Valley. Discusses land at Kaharoa. Mentions that people from Te Pu attended school at Kaharoa. Recalls attending tangi at Awahou village. Comments that many Maori were on the gumfields during this period. Talks about Fred Leonard. Describes working for Walter Steele in the bush at Mamaku in 1908 and working for the Mountain Rimu Timber Company. Recalls a fairly large community at Mamaku and describes living conditions at the camp. Describes going to the pictures in Rotorua at Kings Theatre, which was owned by Duncan Steele. Describes being the first farmer in the area to make ensilage and have his herd tested. Comments on successful potato growing. Talks about farm animals, milking cows, separating milk from cream and the dairy factory at Ngongotaha. Talks about Charlie and Bill Karl. Describes difficulties getting water on his property and digging a well to the depth of one hundred and seventy five feet. Discusses a financial scheme local farmers paid into to see them through hard times and describes how the money for the scheme was taken by Walter Nash. Comments on having to give up on farming because of his legs and gangrene. Mentions Dick Garlick driving coaches. Describes working on the road gang near Pongakawa. Interviewer(s) - Don Stafford Quantity: 4 C60 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s). 1 interview(s). Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-2869.

Date: 4 November 1994 - 04 Nov 1994

From: The Men in Our Lives oral history project

By: Springer, Gilbert Randal, 1923-2004

Reference: OHInt-0406-21

Description: Randal Springer born Wanganui but spent much of his childhood in other locations as his father was a railway inspector. Recalls vivid memories of childhood and grandparents; life in Papakura in the 1930s; discipline, chores and illnesses; outdoor activities; moving back to Wanganui ca 1937 and river activities; working in cherry orchard originally planted by Mother Mary Aubert. Recalls rumours of war and mentions presence of German Jewish refugee doctor, Rosenbaum; desire to be spitfire pilot; call up for army service, with reference to Trentham Military camp and transfer to Air Force, Woodbourne. Gives details of war experience; travelling to San Diego and San Francisco and Winnipeg to participate in Empire Air Training Scheme; inflight radio operator training and training in gunnery in Sascatchewan; becoming part of bomber crew; first trip in `Halifax'; first bombing raid; night bombing in Kiel, daytime bombing of Regensburg and last bombing trip to Badauslau on 24 April 1945. Recalls various areas of employment after the war: Forestry work for New Zealand Forest Products at Tokoroa; efforts to be a weather observer; communications at Ohakea as civilian; forest fire control, with reference to bush sickness, forest fires and establishment of rural fire districts and implementing `proper weather stations'. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Interviewer(s) - Susan Hawes Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-007593-007597 Quantity: 5 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 5 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 1919.

Date: 28 November 1988, 9 December 1988 - 28 Nov 1988 - 09 Dec 1988

By: Fisher, Valerie, active 1988-1993; Fisher, Graeme, active 1988; Carr-Rollett, Derick, 1896-1992

Reference: OHColl-0171/1

Description: Mr Carr-Rollett describes his childhood in Sumner; family background - father was a shipbuilder and Mayor of Sumner; the original sheep run in Waipouri and then in the Waikato near Tokoroa and Lichfield. Describes in detail farming before World War I, his enlistment, being in action at Passchendaele, being gassed and recovery in hospitals in the United Kingdom. Talks about farm life after the war, his marriage, farming in bush-sick country, establishment of cheese factory, the court case with a Land Company and Forestry Company and the effects of the Depression. Recalls his decision to leave farming and work for Booth MacDonald Engineering Ltd, also his policital views. Venue - Auckland Interviewer(s) - Valerie Fisher and Graeme Fisher (Tape 3) Venue - 28 Abbotts Way, Remuera, Auckland Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-003616-003618 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB-0622.

Date: 14 August 1993 - 14 Aug 1993

From: Women in a Mining Town, Waihi 1883-1993, Oral History Project

By: Valder, Lilian, 1911-2001

Reference: OHInt-0067/057

Description: Lilian Valder born Hamilton. Father worked in sawmilling. Recalls earliest memory being that of Ellis & Barnard (sawmilling firm) being burned down on her fourth birthday. On completion of secretarial course worked for father who by this time was in partnership with Dan Bryant in a business scheme, helping farmers' sons buy farms. Explains how they organised a fund and raised money. Recalls that sister was helped by scheme to buy farm (scrub land) in Northern King Country where they (Lilian and sister) managed sheep and cattle and made it a very viable farm. Describes attitudes of community which regarded them as freaks. Talks about problem with land and what was known as Bush Sickness which actually turned out to be a Cobalt deficiency - reference to the Cawthron Institute in Nelson. Talks about retirement at Waihi Beach and hobbies and interests. Discusses involvement with Forest and Bird Society and interest in preserving native bush to the extent that it can be preserved in New Zealand. Explains how it was her father, a timbermiller, who first joined her in Forest and Bird Society almost from its inception. Describes Trust she set up, proceeds to be divided in four ways of which Forest and Bird is one. IHC and CCS also benefit from the trust. Describes the day she was awarded the MBE by Dame Catherine [Tizard]. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Venue - Waihi Beach Interviewer(s) - Rose MacBeth Quantity: 1 C90 cassette(s). 1 videocassette(s). 1 transcript(s). 45 Minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available AB-1668.