Interview with Arthur Manz

Arthur Herbert Manz was born in Wellington in 1917, and his family moved to Otaki in 1920. Recalls his German grandfather, a cottage weaver, who after the industrial revolution worked in the railway workshops. Recalls his father, a cabinetmaker, who emigrated to New Zealand, worked on the Manawatu Gorge railway construction, helped build the Hutt Park Grand Stand, and toured overseas with the 1905-6 Wellington Bowling Club. Mentions that his father's ethnicity became an issue during World War I, and that his mother was of English descent.

Mentions getting pneumonia walking to school, school life, not being able to play football, movies, stores, dances, music and parties. Mentions the tuberculosis sanatorium. Talks about the Otaki Maori Racing Club. Talks about education and training to be a teacher. Mentions beekeeping and the Hautere Defence Rifle Club. Describes a trip to Mount Ruapehu in 1937 in a Model T truck, mentions the conditions of the roads. Recalls joining Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1940 during World War II, and having to request exemptions from the Provisions of the Alien Control Emergency Regulations because of his German nationality. Mentions that his sister worked as a WAAF for five years. Talks about his postings, including Taieri, Wigram, Hobsonville, Waipapakauri, Suva, Florida Island. Mentions he was trained in being a flying instructor, night flying, and Tiger Moths.

Talks about returning to teaching after World War II, at Waitohu School, and being principal of the Otaki Health Camp School. Mentions Rangiatea Church being built. Talks about the Otaki Rotary Club, the railway station, rifle clubs, his wife and children, fishing, and leasing land to Chinese growers. Describes the Otaki Brass Band and the people involved in it.

Interviewer(s) - Anne Thorpe

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-11054 - 5

Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 2 Hours Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3864.

Search dates: 1920 - 1960

Original recordings not available for playback. Surrogate copies will be provided.

Alternative form available: Listening copies OHLC-006790 - OHLC-006791