Typists

Date: 1899

From: de Clive-Lowe, George T H, 1859-1944 : Musical works and plays

By: de Clive-Lowe, George Thomas Humphrey, 1859-1944

Reference: MSX-2561

Description: Quantity: 1 volume(s). Physical Description: Typescript (annotated) Provenance: Donor/Lender/Vendor - (88-351)

Date: 12, 17 Jan 2007 - 12 Jan 2007 - 17 Jan 2007

From: Civilian life in New Zealand during the Second World War oral history project

By: Simpson, Thora Cuthbert, 1924-2007

Reference: OHInt-0980-16

Description: Interview with Thora Simpson (nee Farquharson), born in Nasbey in 1924. Talks about her family background and her school teacher parents being 'very much in favour of education'. Recalls her father had fought in World War I but never spoke about his experiences, and her mother had lost friends from Oamaru in the war. Describes her schooling - primary at Eiffelton School and Maori Hill School, and secondary at Otago Girls High School and later Waitaki Girls High School in Oamaru where she was sent to live with grandparents. Recalls her father enrolled her in a commercial course so she would always be 'sure of getting a job'. Refers to the polio epidemic of 1936 when schools closed. Mentions visiting relations in Dunedin, reading and being taught embroidery while the schools were closed. Comments on not being affected much by the Depression and having a vegetable garden. Recalls getting their first radio and the first family car, a Model T Ford, which both parents drove. Recalls the early war years, listening to the radio and cutting maps from newspapers. Comments on a sewing class at Waitaki Girls making clothes for refugee children coming to New Zealand, and learning first aid. Talks about working as a typist in the Dunedin City Engineer's office and later the School of Engineering at Canterbury University College during World War II. Refers to the Dunedin city engineer being responsible for the Emergency Precautions Scheme (EPS) for the city, taking shorthand at EPS meetings and manning telephones during night time air raid practices. Recalls reading about the bombing of Pearl Harbour and seeing American servicemen in Dunedin. Talks about recreation, holidays, food and clothes during the War. Recalls D Day, and VE and VJ Days and comments that the war led her to take life more seriously. Discusses meeting her husband Trevor in 1946 when he was working on a Canterbury farm under a rehab scheme. Talks about her brothers Hector and Alexander joining the air force during the war, with Hector being sent to Bomber Command at Little Rissington after training in Canada. Describes how her father and sister drove from Christchurch to tell her when Hector was killed. Talks about the supportive reaction of colleagues and being the first in her circle to have lost someone. Recalls Alex was discharged from the air force in 1942 after an incident but later reenlisted in Britain when there was a shortage of pilots. Comments that like other returned servicemen he found it hard to settle after the war and joined the Army until he died aged 48. Abstracted by - Erin Flanigan Interviewer(s) - OHInt-0980-16 Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-022565 - OHC-022567 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s) over 2 days. 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-7339. Photocopy(?) of a black and white photograph of Thora Simpson (1942); printout of a colour photograph of Thora (2007) Search dates: 1924 - 2007

Date: 12 Dec 1997

From: Government House oral history project Stage I

By: Wood, Katherine Maclean, 1912-2008

Reference: OHInt-0636/8

Description: Kitty Wood was born in 1912. Her father, the Reverend Robert Wood, came to New Zealand in the late 1800s and her mother, Charlotte McGregor, was the daughter of Rev Dr James McGregor, Presbyterian Minister at Columba Church in Oamaru. Mentions his interest in girls' education, her mother being one of the early Otago University graduates and her sister, Margaret Patrick, becoming the headmistress of Rangiruru. Describes moving to the house in Karori in 1919 in which she still lives. Compares rooms and facilities then and now. Talks about working in various Wellington offices and attending night school at Victoria University. Describes going to England to work then joining her sister and her husband in Geneva in 1939. Discusses staying there until the end of World War II and her work with War Prisoners' Aid of the YMCA. Describes living conditions, the food and being the only English speaking person in the organisation. Discusses her dealings and correspondence with British prisoners and the number of New Zealand prisoners who came in. Describes going to Japan after World War II with the YMCA and YWCA. Refers to Hiroshima and the Atom Bomb Commission. Recalls returning to New Zealand in 1948 and working as a secretary typist for Cabinet Minister Fred Hacket. Describes being sent to the job of typist at Government House in 1949. Recalls working closely with Lady Freyberg. Discusses the role of the Comptroller and other staff. Recalls the preparation of Government House by the Freybergs for a royal visit and then the death of George V. Describes the royal visit in 1953, presentation to the Queen and the Tangiwai disaster. Describes Sir Bernard and Lady Ferguson, Sir Willoughby and Lady Norrie and Sir Arthur and Lady Porritt. Recalls how she sometimes `filled a gap' in the absence of a lady in waiting. Describes the arrival at Government House of Lord and Lady Cobham and eight children. Comments on adjusting from one Governor-General to the next. Comments on Cobham's appeal to the masses and his speeches. Discusses Sir Denis Blundell being the first really New Zealand Governor-General. Talks about visitors to Government House including Lord Fisher, the Archbishop of Canterbury, President Johnson and the King and Queen of Thailand. Comments on Official Secretaries David Fouhy and David Williams. Comments on changing standards at Government House over a period of time. Mentions activities after her retirement in 1976 including being the Secretary of the Historic Places Trust, Assistant Curator of Old St Paul's (church) and and Secretary of the Karori Historical Society. Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson Quantity: 4 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 3.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3402.

Date: 28 February 1995 - 28 Feb 1995

From: British assisted immigrants oral history project

By: Campbell, Winifred Mary, 1929-

Reference: OHInt-0817-02

Description: Oral history interview with Winifred Campbell (nee Newman), born 16th June 1929, in Coalville, Leicestershire. Talks about family background. Details schooling. Mentions joining Army in 1947 - details her work at the War Office. Details how she heard about the New Zealand immigration scheme - gives reasons for choosing to emigrate to New Zealand. Mentions emigration process. Describes journey - recalls boat, her cabin, onboard entertainment and the route taken. Describes arrival in Wellington - mentions staying at Trentham Hostel. Talks about accepting a job at Treausury - describes the work she did there. Discusses social life in Wellington. Details her work at the Air Department. Talks about returning to England on a visit - mentions homesickness. Discusses feelings about New Zealand over the years. Access Contact - See Oral History Librarian Interviewer(s) - Megan Hutching Accompanying material - Project questionnaire; Interview questions and topics Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-014976, OHC-014977 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1.19 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5431. Search dates: 1929 - 1995

Date: 1948

From: New Zealand Free Lance : Photographic prints and negatives

Reference: PAColl-0785-1-216

Description: Photographs taken for publication in the New Zealand Free Lance, Mar-Jul 1948. Includes book-binding; Auckland Sunday School Union mobile van (F E Slattery & W E Archer); shepherds and dogs from Lake Pukaki Station; Mount Cook Manual Training Centre, Wellington (Miss Colleen Dreyer, teacher and her pupils); girls of the Hastings Rangers Company who built a meeting-house of rammed earth with their leader Miss Pauline Tyers; Empire Day ball attended by girls from Auckland and Epsom Grammar schools, Diocesan and St Cuthbert's Collge shown dancing the minuet. Official opening of two bottle stores in Masterton by members of the Licensing Trust (includes J C D Mackley, C C Crawford and F Pickering); children in the audience of a Wellington movie theatre and looking at a poster advertising `Swiss Family Robinson'; Rora Street, Te Kuiti; D H S Riddiford making presentation to Mrs Paki (said to be 108) at Castlepoint Centenary celebrations; party of 22 typists from United Kingdom who were employed on two year contract to work in Government offices in Wellington (all named); M Anthony, skipper of New Zealand yacht Rangi with crew members F Lush and T Hammond; New Zealand flier Captain A A Mansfield, Rt Hon W J Jordan and others. Colleen Saunders wih puppies; New Zealand rugby players in London (Ted Ellisson (Dunedin), Ian McKenzie (Auckland), Arch Beadle (Dunedin), Barry Martin (Petone), Noy Reid (Auckland), Jim Hay (Wellington); Lincoln College float at Christchurch with `Millie the million dollar cow'; Handley Page Hastings, Britain's biggest transport plane at Wigram; children at Pointways, a pony club at Pakuranga; George Rush, Jack Hull, Ray Raynor and Tom Chamberlain at Timaru displaying the large number of salmon they caught; The Pinnacles near mouth of Putangirua Stream, Palliser Bay; rugby player Bob Scott; bodies of women who lost their lives in a blizzard in Copland Pass being brought to the Hermitage by guides, Apr 1848; Mrs M E Rogers of Christchurch with large salmon caught by her husband in Waimakariri River; Salvation Army Centennial Conference held in Dunedin (officers all named). Processes related to export of whiskey at a British distillery; Waitaki Boys' High School team at Otago and Southland secondary school athletic championships held in Dunedin; corvettes Arabis and Arbutus leaving Auckland for Britain; small child milking a cow; Women's Section of Christchurch RSA; Stratford Pipe Band at Inglewood United Rugby Football Club Jubilee celebrations; people under hypnosis; New Plymouth Easter Pilots' Camp; Private Muriel Cousins, Whakatane making memorial medal at Trentham Military Camp; tug Tapuhi towing retiring tug Natone to Shelly Bay; launch Ede launched at Kaikoura; first guests at `Scotlands', the Women's Division of Federated Farmers rest-home at Onehunga, Auckland (Mrs W G Graham, Mrs M A Cruickshank, Mrs A E Escott and Mrs A E Bridge) Quantity: 87 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Silver gelatin prints

Date: 18 Nov 1986, 20 Nov 1986 - 18 Nov 1986 - 20 Nov 1986

From: NZOHA L D Nathan & Co Ltd Oral History Project

By: Drewet, Catherine Matilda, 1911-1987

Reference: OHInt-0083/06

Description: Kate Drewet was born 21 Sep 1911 at Milford, Auckland and lived there all her life. Discusses her father's family who were original settlers in the area, arriving in 1865. Describes her childhood, education, family background and contracting infantile paralysis in 1914. Talks in depth about her career as a shorthand/typist with Bond and Bond Ltd, Auckland, 1928-1960. Speaks about effect of WWII on women's jobs, grocery business, company personnel, the tea business, staff wives, merger with L.D. Nathan and Co. Ltd. Accompanying material - Typewritten family history of early Auckland settlement, "As told by Mr. J. Sheriff, Milford"; newspaper obituaries of grandfather James S Sheriff (ca 1929) and father Joseph J P Sheriff (1955); obituary and service sheet of Kate Drewet, 1987. Venue - Auckland Interviewer(s) - Judith Fyfe Venue - Mrs Drewet's home in Milford, Auckland Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-001365/001366/001367 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-0200. Search dates: 1911 - 1986

Date: 31 Jan 1986

From: New Zealand Post Office Oral History Project

By: Mackie, Lilian Edith, 1911-1995

Reference: OHInt-0070/20

Description: Lilian Mackie recalls family background, childhood, early work as shorthand typist in 1926, work as shorthand typist at Ashburton Post Office from 1928, duties, social life, treatment by other staff, hours of work, salary, daily routine, Remington typewriters, reference to Repetitive Strain Injury, work as shorthand typist at Chief Post Office in Christchurch in 1938, acceptance of outsiders, rotation of jobs, routines, types of work, confidential jobs, function of the Inquiry Office, atmosphere, boarding for twenty years at Melville House, Christchurch, call out work, effect of World War II. Describes the Ballantyne's fire in 1947, impressions of Mabel Howard MP, speed of typewriting and shorthand taking, some Post Office colleagues, retirement and marriage, thoughts of Post Office as a career for women, the Post Office welfare services. Venue - Christchurch Interviewer(s) - Alison Parr Venue - Lilian Mackie's home at Flat 4, 326 Montreal Street, Christchurch Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-001257 - OHC-001258 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1.56 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 160. Search dates: 1911 - 1986

Date: 21 Oct 1986

From: NZOHA L D Nathan & Co Ltd Oral History Project

By: Rayner, Aroha Valerie, 1911-1999

Reference: OHInt-0083/16

Description: Aroha Rayner was born 27 Dec 1911 at Te Aroha. Describes family background, childhood and education. Details 43-year career (1928-1971) at L D Nathan and Co Ltd, starting as a shorthand typist and rising to Head Typist from 1946, in charge of all female staff. Discusses close contact with all senior staff and with the Nathan family. Talks about the development of the company during her career. Includes 30 minutes' interview in conjunction with Alan Bellamy. Online abstract for OHC-001399 not available, see printed abstract. Venue - Auckland Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson Venue - 25 Morvern Road, Epsom, Auckland Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-001396/001397/001398/001399, OHLC-000508/000509/000510 Quantity: 4 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 3.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-0210. One b&w portrait on retirement, 1971.. Three xeroxed photos. Portrait, ca 1955; full-length portrait, ca 1935; portrait of Thomas F Morton, ex General Manager, L D Nathan and Co Ltd. Search dates: 1911 - 1928 - 1986 - 1971

Date: 1, 3 May 1984 - 01 May 1984 - 03 May 1984

From: NZOHA Customs Department Oral History Project Part II

By: Wilson, Muriel Jean, 1909-1997

Reference: OHInt-0101/20

Description: Muriel Jean Wilson (nee Taylor) born Auckland 1909. Childhood reflections include: growing up surrounded by uncles and aunts; religion and Sunday routine; relationship with mother; schools and social life; World War I, with reference to patriotic fund raising projects; Flu epidemic (1918) and schools. Explains difference between grammar and `Tech' (Technical Schools) and the great rivalry between them. Explains the Senior Free Place exam and the regulations that would have forced her to pay to attend night school. Recalls starting work with Customs as a result of passing government shorthand typist exam. Recalls Customs office rule of referring to each other as Mr or Miss - no Mrs's. Explains that women had to leave when they married. Describes detail of work with records, classifications and duties payable. Recalls foreign immigration formalities. Refers to the Depression (1930s) and its impact on salaries. Mentions introduction of sales tax which caused a big upheaval and explains how Import Control `caused bedlam' and describes its effect on the health of staff, with reference to overtime. Talks about lack of opportunities for women in Customs Department and changes as a result of World War II. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Interviewer(s) - Judith Fyfe Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000494, 000498B, 000499 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 2.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-0106. 3 b&w photographs: (i) Muriel Jean Wilson (nee Taylor); (ii) Muriel Jean Wilson (nee Taylor) 1928; (iii) L-R: Jean Taylor (Mrs Wilson); Iris Baker (Mrs Simpson); Phyllis Langton (photo taken late 1940's) Search dates: 1909 - 1984

Date: 23 April 1989 - 23 Apr 1989

From: Women Office Workers Project

By: Collie, Aimee Margaret, 1911-2010

Reference: OHInt-0076/2

Description: Mrs Aimee Margaret Collie (nee Thompson) born Wellington. Recalls: school days; life in Wellington prior to World War II; work as a typist for the Post Office, and later at Post Office Savings Bank. Describes Savings Bank work and staff and conditions of service also that of Chief Postmaster. Describes duties; office machines - contometers, Burroughs adding machines; office discipline; precautions against earthquake; social life; marriage and social classes. Mentions bar for women. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Venue - Wellington Interviewer(s) - Michael Biggs Venue - 36 Rauparaha Street, Waikanae Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-003557-003558 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1.45 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB-0606.

Date: 24 January 1994 - 24 Jan 1994

From: Justice Department, Corrections Division Women's Suffrage Centennial Oral History Project

By: Spence, Noeline Katrine, 1929-2011

Reference: OHInt-0136/05

Description: Noeline Katrine Spence, born Christchurch. Describes background, growing up in Christchurch and career, commencing as a typist with State Advances Corporation (1946) and retiring (1991) as manager of typing services at Christchurch Probation Office (Justice Department) Access Contact - see oral history librarian Venue - Christchurch Interviewer(s) - Megan Hutching Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-005598-005599 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB-1149.

Date: 19 Mar 1993

From: Ministry of Commerce Women's Suffrage Centennial Oral History Project

By: Heenan, Margaret Susannah, 1945-

Reference: OHInt-0755-5

Description: Margaret Heenan born 1945 in Lower Hutt. Talks about being born with a partial cleft palate and discusses reasons for becoming a typist. Describes joining the public service in 1962 as a trainee typist for the Department of Internal Affairs, working in Bowen State Building. Talks about attending Sutherlands commercial college and later night school classes in shorthand and typing. Describes working in the typing pool, isolation of typists from other employees, socials, dancing and celebrations in the typing pool. Mentions Arts and Crafts Bakery in Molesworth Street. Talks about wages and boarding allowance given to typists from out of town. Discusses travelling overseas before returning to work at the Ministry of Defence, Supply Branch then transferring to Defence Headquarters. Mentions feelings about the war working at Defence. Describes joining Department of Trade and Industry in 1975. Talks about experience in the typing pool - number of typists, responsibilities, organisation of work, and changes over the years. Talks about changes from manual to electric typewriters and electronic typewriters to word processors. Talks about new role as a senior typist in 1977 and becoming sole typist for the Economics Directorate. Recalls attending WEA night classes studying economics for University Entrance. Describes restructuring of Department of Trade and Industry, move to new building, working as a receptionist, the role of typists in the Ministry of Commerce, importance of word processing skills. Talks about rate of pay and public service morning and afternoon teas. Mentions Roy Parson's bookshop. Describes living at home, flatting, then buying a flat in Hataitai. Talks about church, membership of Forest and Bird Society and International Training in Communication, formerly Toastmistresses. Discusses impact of not owning a car. Interviewer(s) - Anne Else Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-10347 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3505. Search dates: 1962 - 1993

Date: 17 Mar 1993

From: Ministry of Commerce Women's Suffrage Centennial Oral History Project

By: Phelan, Beatrice, 1922-2013

Reference: OHInt-0755-1

Description: Beatrice Phelan nee Gerard born in 1922 in Christchurch. Describes being called up in 1943 to work in the electrical section, Ministry of Supply, later becoming a typist and secretary-typist for the Ministry. Talks about career spanning 33 years. Discusses first day at work, working with men, public service exams, personal reports, standards of dress, equal pay, superannuation, workload and staffing issues. Mentions Gilbeys. Describes changes in the location of the department - Government Life Building, Bowen State Building, University Grants Committee Building. Discusses working with William Sutch and Jim Moriarty. Also mentions Jack Lewin and P B Marshall. Describes social activities at home and work including the department social club, balls, dances and the annual picnic. Talks about meeting husband, marriage and dogs. Talks about living at home, Waikanae beach house, brother, deaths of parents. Recalls a trip to England in 1953 and return voyage on the Stratheden. Mentions coronation of Elizabeth II. Describes learning to drive and feelings about driving Interviewer(s) - Anne Else Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-10351 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3508. Search dates: 1943 - 1975

Date: 1955

From: Colvin, Neville Maurice, 1918-1991 :[Twenty-eight (28) original cartoons, 1940s and 1950s].

By: Colvin, Neville Maurice, 1918-1991; Evening Post (Wellington, N.Z.)

Reference: C-132-869

Description: Shows a secretary talking to her boss, a lawyer in the firm of Hope, Prendergast, Hallows & Fellows. She is explaining where all the other partners are. Mr Fellows is apparently listening on the radio to a boxing match featuring heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano. Quantity: 1 original cartoon(s). Physical Description: Ink drawing, on sheet 380 x 488 mm.

Date: 1955

From: Lonsdale, Neil, 1907-1989 :200 original cartoons by Neil Lonsdale from 1955 to 1962.

Reference: A-309-002

Description: Shows a busy office with women typing at their desks. In the middle of the room another woman is kneeling at a camp fire where she is pouring cups of coffee. The other women are watching in amazement. The clock on the wall says 10am indicating that it is morning tea time. Refers to the end of the Christmas break even though some people are still on holiday. Quantity: 1 original cartoon(s). Finding Aids: Photocopies available in Pictorial Reference Service..

Date: 1985 - 1989

From: Ephemera of quarto size relating to women, women's rights, status

By: New Zealand Clerical Workers' Union

Reference: Eph-B-WOMEN-1987-01

Description: Flier, red on white, shows an image from a photograph of a man and woman seated at a table. At left the man dictates from a piece of paper, while at right, the woman types. Quantity: 1 colour photo-mechanical print(s). Physical Description: Photocopy, 297 x 210 mm.

Date: [ca late 1940s]

By: Clarke, Mercia, active 2004

Reference: PAColl-8114

Description: Photograph of women employees of New Zealand Railways, including shorthand typists, taken ca late 1940s by an unidentified photographer. The women are gathered in an office, possibly that of the General Manager, for a function. Sixth from right: Lucy Carver, fifth from right: Frances Duignan, third from right: Murial Hunt, first from right: Elsie Williams, head of the telephone exchange. Source of title - Title supplied by Library Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Silver gelatin print 15.7 x 21.1 cm

Date: 1975

From: [Ephemera of around A3 size relating to electricity in New Zealand, its generation, supply and equipment. 1970-1979]

By: New Zealand. Electricity Department

Reference: Eph-C-ELECTRICITY-1975-01

Description: Poster urging electricity conservation shows a photograph of a young woman sitting at a desk with a typewriter. She is speaking on the telephone. Below the text report the rise in the price of oil which is needed for electricity generation, if the reserves in the hydro lake fall. Quantity: 1 b&w photo-mechanical print(s). Physical Description: Photolithograph, 445 x 320 mm.

Date: 1950

From: Evening post (Newspaper. 1865-2002) :Photographic negatives and prints of the Evening Post newspaper

Reference: 114/115/02-G

Description: Typist Juliette Palacias of Paris at the ILO (International Labour Organisation), photographed in 1950 by an Evening Post photographer. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Dry plate glass negative 3.25 x 4.25 inches

Date: [ca Apr 1970]

From: Winder, Duncan, 1919-1970: Architectural photographs

Reference: DW-4250-F

Description: Photograph taken by Duncan Winder. Source of descriptive information - Duncan Winder register, Photographic Archive, Alexander Turnbull Library. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative