Born Christchurch. Son of Walter Clark, 1889-1961 and Harriet Ada Ethel Clark (née Powell), 1888-1961. Joined Customs Department in Wellington 1947, working in various sections, until retirement as Supervisor of Examining shed, Wellington in 1981.
Clark, Lester Arthur, 1916-1993
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Audio
Interview with Arthur Clark
Date: 28 Sep 1984
From: NZOHA Customs Department Oral History Project Part II
By: Clark, Lester Arthur, 1916-1993
Reference: OHInt-0101/03
Description: Lester Arthur Clark born Christchurch 1916. Outlines family background - father, Walter Clark, a builder and bricklayer, subcontracted for the Hunter building, Victoria University during the war and, with his brother, built the first State houses in Christchurch. Also built Queen Mary extension to Hanmer Hospital. Talks about the Depression (1930's). Discusses relationship with father; religion; politics; schooling and discipline. Recalls being called up for World War II in first territorial ballot, September 1940 and being sent to Dunedin Racecourse for training. Recalls that because of threat of invasion by Japanese, all racecourses were converted to military camps. In 1942 was called up in overseas ballot and went to Egypt, repatriated to England and returned to New Zealand in 1946. Describes meeting his wife who was in the WAAFS in England and marriage in 1946. Recalls joining Customs Department, Wellington 1947 and outlines his career until retirement in 1981. Topics discussed include: celebrations and promotion shouts; Sales tax; work in Excise Department; Parcels post; social life, with reference to Pier Hotel; Longroom in the Warehouse keeper's section; Import Licensing; Black Budget (1958); Uniform Branch; language problems with immigration; rummaging; importing and basic licence system; female employees in Customs. Mentions: Jimmy Martin; J M (John) Bell; R A H (Dick) Perkins; Percy Woods; Charlie Woods; Bob Cooper; Barton Ginger; Dave Sawyers; Johnny Gresham; E S Gale; Alex Knight and Frank Spackman. Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-0089. 4 b&w photographs: (1) Arthur and Margaret Clark; (ii) Arrival of `Patris' November 1961 L-R; Herman Kolijn, Albert Short, John Gresham, Arthur Clark, Alan Wilkin, ?, Mr Garland (Greek Consul), Stuart McLean, Johnny Mouat and Cliff Myers; (iii) Lester Arthur Clark (left) [in uniform]; (iv) `Southern Cross' 1958 L-R; Purser, Arthur Clark, (Assistant Boarding Director), John Gresham (Boarding Inspector), Sgt Dave Patterson, Wharf Police, Constable A Thompson. Search dates: 1984