AUDIO
Interview with George Richards
- Date
- 28 May 1983
- By
- Richards, George Donald, 1915-1999
- Reference
- OHInt-0096/22
- Description
George Donald Richards born Dannevirke 1915. Outlines family background - father, John Henry (Jack) Richards born Australia, a blacksmith by trade, worked for Cobb & Co., in Melbourne before coming to New Zealand 1900 and setting up business (forge) in Weber, near Dannevirke. Recalls the forge, bellows and various tools. Maternal grandfather, Mr Sutherland, born New Zealand and returned to Scotland where mother was born. Recalls mother's claim that Sutherland Falls was named after grandfather. Refers to Depression. Memories of childhood include: chores; education - Dannevirke Primary and Dannevirke High School, with reference to teachers, A G Tait (headmaster), Hugh Henderson (well known national rugby coach), Dave Lindsay (a New Zealand swimming champion) and Arthur Soundy (?) (Primary school teacher).
Recalls first day with Customs Department in 1933 and refers to Mr Atkinson, Mr Bridgeman, Reg White, Bill Waugh, Stewart Taylor, Mr Brabazen and Jack Walker. Aspects of Customs discussed include: pay and conditions, with reference to extra half hour regarded as war effort by State Services Commission; Public Service Association; social club / outings, with reference to the `Cobar', the `Muritai' and the `Pier Hotel'; parcel post; Wharf Office, with reference to tug `Janey Seddon', `Wanganella' and `Awatea' (sunk off North Africa during the war). Describes Captain Davey, skipper of the Awatea and also captain of the `Monowai'. Discusses gauging and tariff duty; Importers, with reference to Mr McCall (?) of Philips and Pike; Sergeant Tricklebank; B A Barton-Ginger (taken over by Alltrans), with reference to Wellington Exhibition parade; Import Licensing (1938); smuggling; World War II - served in the Pacific and Italy; Marriage 1946; Sales tax; duties of examining officer and retirement. Gives his observations on changes in the Department over the years, noticing constant changes in tariffs.
Access Contact - see oral history librarian
Venue - Auckland
Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson
Venue - 4/36A Pah Road, Epsom, Auckland
Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000617B, 000618-000620
Quantity: 4 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 3 Hours Duration.
Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-0081.
One photograph of Mr G D (George) Richards, 1st on left (Captain)
Search dates: 1915 - 1983
- Additional description
Alternative form available: Listening copies available
- Use/Reproduction
- No public use without written permission of the donor Copyright: Copyright held by New Zealand Customs Department
- Access restrictions
- Restricted - Content cannot be accessed without permission - Access requires written permission of the donor
- Part of
- NZOHA Customs Department Oral History Project Part I
- Format
- 4 C60 cassette(s), 1 printed abstract(s), 3 Hours Duration, Oral histories, Illustration: One photograph of Mr G D (George) Richards, 1st on left (Captain)
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Copyright
All Rights ReservedInterview with George Richards, printed abstract
Date: 28 May 1983
From: NZOHA Customs Department Oral History Project Part I
Reference: OHA-0081
Description: Recorded by - Hugo Manson Quantity: 1 printed abstract(s). 3 Hours Duration. One photograph of Mr G D (George) Richards, 1st on left (Captain)
Interview with George Richards, tape one (side b)
Date: 27 June 1983
From: NZOHA Customs Department Oral History Project Part I
Reference: OHC-000617B
Description: Recorded by - Hugo Manson Arrangement: Tape sequence - tape 1 of 4 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s) (side 2). 30 Minutes Duration.
Interview with George Richards, tape three
Date: 27 June 1983
From: NZOHA Customs Department Oral History Project Part I
Reference: OHC-000619
Description: Recorded by - Hugo Manson Arrangement: Tape sequence - tape 3 of 4 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 Hours Duration.
Interview with George Richards, tape four (side a)
Date: 27 June 1983
From: NZOHA Customs Department Oral History Project Part I
Reference: OHC-000620A
Description: Recorded by - Hugo Manson Arrangement: Tape sequence - tape 4 of 4 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s) (side one). 30 Minutes Duration.
Interview with George Richards, tape two
Date: 27 June 1983
From: NZOHA Customs Department Oral History Project Part I
Reference: OHC-000618
Description: Recorded by - Hugo Manson Arrangement: Tape sequence - tape 2 of 4 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 Hours Duration.