Interview with Bertha McKellar

The main reason for including Mrs McKellar in the Customs project was because her husband was Gerald F McKellar who joined Customs in Dunedin in 1900 and was Collector, Dunedin from 1935 to 1944.

Bertha Winifred McKellar (nee Tarlton) born Winton 1890. Gives some family background - father, William Maurice Tarlton was bank manager at Winton. Paternal grandfather, William Francis Tarlton who was Rector of a London Boys' High school, came to New Zealand, taught at Woodlands for a spell before joining the Legislative Department. Describes childhood ; social life, with reference to Mother's `At Home Days'; discipline; childhood pastimes and social divisions; Chinese and the gold mining in the Orepuki district; early Invercargill; Prohibition (1910); Hokonui whiskey; rivalry between the Orange and the Green Irish factions at Wreys Bush; religion which was important to family. Talks about her Pharmacy training in a chemist shop and how unusual it was for a woman to have been accepted for such training. Mentions lack of motorised transport until after marriage and recalls trips with pony and gig and horseback. Refers to the old model Ford car.

Recalls how she met husband, Gerald Forbes McKellar. Talks about husband's early days in Customs (1900) and his involvement in sport, touring Australia as an All Black 1910 and their marriage in 1913. Recalls the wreck of the Tyrone when half the ship sank and Gerald's duties of checking the cargo being unloaded from the other half. Also recalls the sinking of the `Manuka' off Long Beach. Mentions Captain Prince, a whaling captain, and his house in Riverton, with reference to smuggling.

Recalls memories of World War I and living at Tairoa Heads where husband was an officer in the Territorial Port Chalmers Garrison. Refers to a German, Oscar Coburger. Describes flu epidemic (1918). Recalls husband's return to Customs and mentions personalities: Mr Anderson; Mr Lewis; Mr Tylee; Peter Dodds; Henry Diarch (?) Dr Craig; George Craig and Mr Good. Talks about Import Licensing; use of warrant and ferry checks. Discusses Depression (1930s); Lockout on the Wharves (1930s) and the evening when word of the declaration of World War II came on the radio.

Access Contact - see oral history librarian

Venue - Dunedin

Interviewer(s) - Judith Fyfe

Venue - 7 Conghtrey St, St Kilda, Dunedin

Accompanying material - Newpaper clippings and correspondence re Mr McKeller's career with Customs and his obituary

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000611-000612, OHC-000613A

Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2.30 Hours and minutes Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-0074.

One photograph of Mr G F (Gerald) McKellar Collector of Customs, Dunedin (taken 1944)

Alternative form available: Listening copies OHLC-005411 - OHLC-005413