Gisborne Region (N.Z.) - Social life and customs

Date: 12 Apr 1975

By: Fox, Charles Elliot (Rev), 1878-1977

Reference: OHColl-0037/1

Description: Charles Elliot Fox came to New Zealand in 1884, where his father served as an Anglican minister in Gisborne. Recalls his childhood in Gisborne; the Tarawera eruption and his mother's death from tuberculosis on the night of the eruption, the possibility of a visit of Te Kooti to Gisborne; attending Napier High School and memories of Te Aute; his study of Greek and Latin and playing cricket and rugby. Discusses attending St John's College, Auckland and pranks played. Describes walking from Napier to Wellington. Comments on the bush around Norsewood and Woodville and Napier before the earthquake. Recalls listening to William Colenso's sermons, and boyhood friendship with Percy Spiller. Describes Samuel and Leonard Williams. Recalls his early interest in Melanesia. Describes time as a headmaster on San Cristobal and experiences with local headhunters. Comments on this practice in relation to weapons supplied by the British. Describes dressing as a Melanesian while living in the islands and preaching sermons in eight languages. Talks about his compilation of a language dictionary and publication of a book on the area. Mentions Bishop Patteson. Comments on colonial government, the Christian mission in the islands and the future of the Solomon Islands. Venue - Waipukarau Interviewer(s) - June Starke Interviewer(s) - Athol Williams Venue - Woburn Hospital, Waipukarau Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000269 Quantity: 1 C90 cassette(s). 1 folder(s) - handwritten abstract. 1 interview(s). 45 Minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-7230.

Date: [ca 1848-1900]

By: Williams family

Reference: 77-198

Description: Folders of letters from mainly the women members of the Williams family. The letters are mainly written by the women members of the family, and are of a personal and social nature, although with some commentary on current events such as the New Zealand wars, and mission news. Some partial diaries are also included. Source of title - Supplied Quantity: 1 box(es). 0.30 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Mss Finding Aids: Rough preliminary inventory available.. Processing information: Fourteen folders have been sorted. The rest have yet to be arranged and described.

Date: [ca 1960-1970]

From: Craig, Elsdon Walter Grant, 1917-1980 : Papers

By: Craig, Colin, active 1923-1960

Reference: MS-Papers-7888-030

Description: Transcript of an interview with Colin Craig, and his experiences on the East Cape in 1923. Describes farm life, entertainment and social life on the isolated East Cape settlements. Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: 1861

By: Baker, Charles Pratt, 1828-1865

Reference: qMS-0113

Description: Transcribed diary kept by Baker while travelling to take up his post as Resident Magistrate at Waiapu; describes voyage on the Dolphin from Auckland, and his travels to various settlements of Maori and Pakeha in the Gisborne region Source of title - Transcribed. Transcriber has noted that the handwriting indicates that the document has already been copied from the original. Quantity: 1 volume(s) (13 leaves). 0.02 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Typescript (34cm, blue pamphlet case)

Date: 1855-1858

By: Wardell, Herbert Samuel, 1830-1912

Reference: MS-2307

Description: Record of payments made and recceived while Wardell was in Gisborne Source of title - Transcribed H S Wardell was resident magistrate for the East Coast, North Island, 1855-1860 Quantity: 1 volume(s) (ca 192 pages). 0.02 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Holograph (18cm, red roan)

Date: 1895-1935

By: Smith, Muriel Jean, 1903-

Reference: PA1-o-1886

Description: Photographer unidentified. Scrapbook originally owned by Muriel Smith, a noted pianist. Contains a wide range of photographs and ephemera relating to her and her parents, Mr and Mrs George Smith of Gisborne, dated circa 1895 to circa 1930s. Photographs include studio and amateur portraits of unidentified men, women, girls and groups; a group standing outside a single storey house with verandah; and several of groups outside a large two storied house, presumably their home at 'Berwen', Grey Street, Gisborne. Ephemera items include postage stamps and stickers; Masterton Girls' Collegiate School certificate for Miss Black, 1895; Christmas cards; dance and garden party invitations; dinner menus; a toast list; riddles [from Christmas crackers?]; an advertisement for Gisborne City Hall recital of Len Barnes and Muriel Smith, 1927; and a postcard for United Treat Movement 1913-14 for State School Children of Poverty Bay District organised by Mr and Mrs George Smith. Newspaper clippings include a photograph of students outside Kaiti Girls' College, Gisborne; items about a toast made by George Smith; Muriel Smith returning from two months study in Wellington, 1929; Mrs G Smith having a literary afternoon, having a bridge and tea dance, and a Christmas Eve party; a musical recital with Miss M Smith and Mr L Barnes; and a review of a series of international concerts organised by Muriel Smith and Mr Carrington Wellby, 1930. Source of title - Title supplied by Library Quantity: 1 scrapbook containing 48 b&w original photographs, 5 photo-mechanical prints, and 66 items of ephemera which includes 17 newspaper cuttings. Physical Description: Album with blue cover and green leaves, 27.5 cm x 22.0 cm, titled 'Post cards' with a picture of dog and leaves embossed on cover. Provenance: Donated by the Gisborne Branch of NZ Society of Genealogists, 2014, after purchasing it at an auction in Auckland.

Date: 2012

By: H B Williams Memorial Library

Reference: Eph-A-SERIAL-2012-02

Description: Postcards and miniature cards showing reproductions of covers of the periodical "Gisborne photo news" for: No. 77, 3 November 1960 (1 copy of postcard, 2 copies of miniature card) No. 82, 20 April 1961 (1 copy of postcard, 2 copies of miniature card) No. 122, 13 August 1964 (1 copy of postcard, 2 copies of miniature card) No. 126, 3 December 1964 (1 copy of postcard, 2 copies of miniature card) No 174, 4 December 1968 (2 copies of postcard, 2 copies of miniature card) No. 248, 26 February 1975 (1 copy of postcard, 2 copies of miniature card) Quantity: 12 colour photo-mechanical print(s). Physical Description: Offset prints on cards, 147 x 105 mm; and on miniature cards 73 x 57 mm.

Date: 2022

By: Mackintosh, Rochelle, active 2022

Reference: OHColl-1609

Description: Five interviews conducted by Rochelle Mackintosh in 2022 to record the early personal experiences of six kaumātua growing up in and around Te Araroa on the East Coast of the North Island between the 1930s and 1950s. The interviewees were Adelaide Clarke, Maaka Tibble, Sir John Clarke, Sydney Clarke, and Tauoha Takanui and George Clarke. Many of the kaumātua are associated with the Te Whānau a Kahu and Te Whānau a Hinerupe hapū. Topics covered in the interviews include: family, upbringing, education, employment, and daily lives in the Te Araroa area. The interviewer also identified the following concepts as being "interwoven thoughout their experiences": identity, belongingness, kāinga (settlements), whenua (land), awa (river), tikanga (customs), whānaungatanga (kin relationships), manaakitanga (generosity), matauranga-a-hapū (sub-tribe knowledge), and kaitiakitanga (guardianship). Project received a Ngā Kōrero Tuku Iho, Piki Ake! Kake Ake! New Zealand Oral History Grant from Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage in 2021. Title supplied by donor. Quantity: 5 Interview(s). 33 Electronic document(s) includes digital abstracts, recording agreement forms, and biographical information forms. 9 digital sound recording(s). 5 printed abstract(s) includes recording agreement forms. 1 folder(s) biographical information forms. Search dates: 2022 Processing information: Digital recording agreement forms and biographical information forms were delivered together in a single PDF file for each interviewee. For preservation and delivery purposes they have been separated into two PDF files.

Date: [ca 1912-1930]

From: Morriss, Bernadette, fl 2014: Items relating to members of her family

Reference: PA1-q-1176

Description: Photograph album includes a range of photographs, including family and group portraits, images from World War One, travel photographs from the Riviera in Europe, and photographs of scenery and views mainly of the Gisborne area. Album also includes images of automobiles and scenery of Napier and Waikaremoana, and photographs taken at the Sydney Zoo and other sites in Australia. The album also contains a series of photographs of the shipwrecking of the Star of Canada on Kaiti Beach, Gisborne. Many photographs have some caption information. The S.S. Star of Canada wrecked on Kaiti Beach in Gisborne on 23 June 1912. Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Khaki-coloured album, 30 x 25 cm, bound with red spine and gold trim

Date: 1832-1937

By: Williams family

Reference: MS-Papers-0175

Description: Includes correspondence of the Williams family, Sir George Grey, W Hooker, A H Reed and others. Include reference to missionary work, church affairs, family affairs and activities at Turanga. Included is correspondence between H T Purchas and W L Williams about the former's `The History of the English Church in New Zealand'. Quantity: 27 folder(s). Finding Aids: Inventory available.

Date: [ca 1900-1910]

From: Blair, Mary Ramsay Ellen, 1875-1963 : Papers

Reference: MS-Papers-0014-09/5

Description: Scrapbook of notes relating to family history, clippings, programmes and other material Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: [1860-1880]

By: Brown, Cartwright, 1843-1923

Reference: Micro-MS-0955

Description: Two journals kept by Cartwright Brown when he was farming on leased land at Matapiro, Hawke's Bay, in the 1860s and later, at Cape Runaway, in the 1870s. The first one begins in London before his voyage to New Zealand, and includes a description of his journey; he described his daily routines but also has considerable entries describing the social and political life of the districts as well as farming. He worked on Major Whitmore's run and leased Matapiro run. The second volume includes a description of a visit to Switzerland in 1860, mares for Prince Arthur for 1867, list of letters received and sent, financial records, and then continues with diary entries from 16 Jul 1867 to 6 May 1879 in which he descirbes his daily routines etc. Brown stayed at Matapiro until 1869 when he was declared bankrupt. Until 1874, when he leased Whangaparaoa station at Cape Runaway, he worked in various situations including as a canteen keeper at copnstabulary outposts at Tarawera, Runanga and Opepe, helping other settlers at Flaxmere and managing a boiling down plant at Pakowhai Quantity: 1 microfilm reel(s). 0.02 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Holograph

Date: 1844, 1847

From: Mair, Gilbert, 1799-1857 : Inward letters

Reference: MS-Papers-10823-4

Description: Letter of 10 Feb 1844 describes Baker's life at his new station at Tolaga Bay; that of 25 Sep 1847 is written fron Auckland; Mrs Baker's health; arrangements made to for the care of his family while absent; hopes to return to Bay of Islands; approves of his William making overtures to Mair's daughter Caroline Quantity: 1 folder(s) 2 letters.

Date: 1934-1943

From: White, Dorothy Mary Neal, 1915-1995 : Papers

Reference: MS-Papers-7995-090

Description: Letters from colleagues at the Canterbury Public Library, from Archibald Dunningham, Dunedin Public Library, and from colleagues and friends in the United States. Sorted and labelled, they cover a number of topics, ranging from librarianship to tourist attraction in America and social life in Gisborne in the 1930s. Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: 1999

By: Poole, Alick Lindsay, 1908-2008

Reference: MS-Papers-6992

Description: Comprises reminiscences by Poole of his family, his childhood and schooling on East Coast and his forestry career; also enrolment form for Puha School Reunion, being a reunion for ex-pupils, staff, committee and community members held Oct 1999 Poole grew up on the East Coast at Whatatutu, Taparoa and Puha. After completing his education at Rotorua he began his career in forestry. He became Director of Botany Division of Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, and in 1950 was appointed Assistant Director General of Forestry Service, and Director-General in 1960. Quantity: 1 folder(s) (10 leaves, 1 leaf). 0.01 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Typescript Provenance: Donor/Lender/Vendor - A L Poole of Wellington, 2001

Date: [1880-1904]

From: Muir, William McIntosh, 1843-1927 : Papers relating to his business

Reference: MS-Papers-6219-01

Description: Comprises letters, mostly inward, to Muir, and other papers. Included are invitations to the Wellington Town Hall foundation stone ceremony and to the welcome for the new governor-general, the Earl of Onslow; letter re garden plants; family letters from Gisborne from Allan; from Lil to Laura; a leaflet, `The children', found in the desk of Charles Dickens after his death; part of clipping re the Muir family's purchases of the Gisborne newspaper; and letter from Muir to his wife written from Gisborne Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: 1825-1864

By: Williams family

Reference: MS-2498-2500

Description: Extracts from letters and journals of Marianne and Henry Williams, and Jane and William Williams while engaged in missionary activity, chiefly in the Bay of Islands and Poverty Bay. Describe life in the Bay of Islands and Turanga, activities of Maori, progress of the Anglican mission and family news. Vol 3 includes a letter by Sarah Williams. Source of title - Transcribed Quantity: 3 volume(s) (ca 330 pages). 0.06 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Mss (24cm, ¼ brown morocco, brown buckram) Provenance: Copied by an unidentified compiler

Date: 8 Dec 1991 - 08 Dec 1991

From: Women in World War II Part I

By: McKenna, Neva Yvonne Clarke, 1920-2015

Reference: OHInt-0060/17

Description: Neva McKenna was born in Gisborne on 20 April 1920. Describes her Gisborne childhood and her grandmother, Eliza Jane Fox, who was a musician, writer and member of the Gisborne Hospital Board. Talks about her enjoyment of school and jobs at the office of a Crown solicitor and then with the Valuation Department and the Department of Maori Affairs. Comments on the public service work ethic. Talks about her father's death. Recalls the Napier earthquake. Mentions playing basketball, running and swimming for Poverty Bay. Describes her engagement to Geoff Chambers and working in Whakatane when she heard that he had been killed in action. Describes the impact of his death and the part that it played in her volunteering to go overseas in the clerical division of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC). She went to Italy and served as Officer commanding the Clerical Division of the WAACS. Recalls her three years in Italy in detail. Talks about everyday life in the army, work relationships, ciphering, male-female interrelationship, hitch-hiking round Italy and civilian life in Italy. Comments on American and British troops. Talks about getting engaged to a Scotsman who was killed three weeks later. Describes returning to New Zealand and being invited to work in the Prime Minister's Department. Comments on New Zealand post World War II and the psychological effects of the war. Venue - Mangonui : 1991 Interviewer(s) - Jane Tolerton Venue - Mangonui Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-004727; OHC-004728 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 837. Photograph of Neva Clarke McKenna near Bari (Italy) in 1944; photograph of Neva McKenna about 1990

Date: 14 February 1993 - 14 Feb 1993

From: Woodford House Oral History Project

By: Falloon, Wendy, 1938-

Reference: OHInt-0061/13

Description: Wendy Falloon and twin brother born Gisborne. Outlines family background and reasons for name. Describes Wainui Beach where she grew up while father was in the Navy. After the war father bought a lamb farm at Puketapu in Hawkes Bay where family moved. Recalls riding a pony to school each day (aprox 2 miles); attending Napier Intermediate School; reasons for going to Woodford House and impressions of first day; Holland House; Miss McCulloch (matron); art and weaving; end of year concerts for parents; polio epidemic and flu epidemic; food and uniforms; contact with boys - letter writing which she explains; myths regarding sex and social life after leaving school. Mentions: Dr Jahn, a German teacher who had lost her family in a concentration camp; Miss Hogg; Miss Holland; Miss Davies (Deputy head teacher); Barbara Stean (daughter of Nancy Stean); Mr Halstead and his wife. Discusses sending own daughters to Woodford House and talks about changes - reference to having a headmaster. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Venue - Masterton Interviewer(s) - Mary Varnham Venue - Masterton Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-005656 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available AB-1168. One coloured photograph of Wendy Falloon and one photocopy of b&w photograph of Wendy Williams (later Wendy Falloon) seated right and friends at a Woodford House school picnic at Clifton Beach, 1955.

Date: 14 Jan 1993

By: Thomas, Frances, active 1991

Reference: OHColl-0318

Description: Interviews with two Maori women from the Gisborne area, Louisa May Tuhura and Mrs Mere Hawea Kohere-Ellis Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 2 interview(s). Finding Aids: Abstract Available - no abstract(s) available agreement forms and interviewee details, including brief summaries, filed at OHA-5070 and OHA-5071.