Fishing - Kermadec Islands

Date: 1940

By: Simpson, George Clifford, 1917-2007

Reference: PA1-o-1929

Description: Photograph album of images relating to George (known as Cliff) Simpson's work as a labourer on Raoul Island during Jan-Dec 1940. Photographer(s) unidentified but many probably taken by Simpson. Album compiled in 2015 by Simpson's daughter Judith Perrie who wrote captions (often transcriptions of Simpson's original captions on the rear of the prints) and comments from his diary. Images show a range of images including Simpson and other unidentified men labouring, the work camp they were staying at, and some during times of recreation. Photographs include the construction and use of a flying fox at Fishing Rock, unloading supplies from a ship onto the beach (including a bulldozer), road construction (Boat Cove Road), smoko (drinking from enamel mugs, resting on beach), tents and other camp buildings (ablution block, sheds, a tent and base being moved on truck, a house), fishing, shipboard scenes from on board the 'Tagua', oranges collected in pillowslips, a musical group "'Razz Harris" with piano accordion and guitar, a black dog, a man playing a trumpet, a man called "Snowy", and men with rifles [hunting?]. Photographs also show coastal scenes, island flora, ships seen from coast, and prominent geographical features. Album also includes one newspaper clipping relating to the medical evacuation of John "Jack" Charles Stephenson off the island on the ship 'Matua'. Source of title - Title supplied by Library Quantity: 1 album(s) containing 147 silver gelatin photoprints and 1 newspaper clipping. Physical Description: Spiral bound album with black plastic cover and koru illustration, 22.7 x 31.8 cm Provenance: Donor is the daughter of Cliff Simpson. Transfers: From Manuscripts & Archives - MS-Group-2404: Simpson, George Clifford, 1917-2007: Papers relating to Raoul Island.

Date: 1940 (2015)

By: Simpson, George Clifford, 1917-2007

Reference: MS-Group-2404

Description: Pocket diary kept by George Clifford Simpson during his year working as a labourer for the Public Works Department on Raoul Island in the Kermadec Islands, Jan-Dec 1940. Contains short daily entries relating to most aspects of life working and living on the island. - Simpson describes road construction (clearing land of pohutukawa and other vegetation, filling holes with pumice, erosion, equipment) and building the meteorological station and radio station, as well as a flying fox to Fisherman's Rock and a tennis court. Topics covered include daily progress on construction projects, obstacles to work (weather conditions, large stumps, and rocks "goolies"), and those he works with. Also describes days off and recreational activities including fishing trips, hikes, letter writing, swimming, playing music (singing, guitar), drinking, gambling, hunting (including goats, cats, turtles), harvesting fruit (oranges and plums), and a rat infestation. Also describes getting sick after being stung by a bee, earthquakes, food, and a fellow worker, Jack Stephenson, falling ill and dying soon after being evacuated from the island. - Diary also contains Simpson's description of his passage to the Kermadec Islands on the ship 'Tagua'. Mentions the passing of a British warship and an American transporter, ocean conditions, and the delays and arrivals of boats with supplies and mail including 'Tagua', 'Matua', 'Monowai', and 'New Golden Hind' as well as the unloading of those supplies. Source of title - Supplied by Library Quantity: 1 volume(s). 1 Electronic document(s). 0.02 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Mss, electronic files Provenance: Donor is the daughter of Cliff Simpson Transfers: Collection as a whole taken into Manuscripts, transfers made from here. - To Photographic Archive - Raoul Island photograph album PA1-o-1929.