Saunders, Alfred Carr, 1911-2010

Date: 14 Dec 1994

From: New Zealand fishing history oral history project

By: Saunders, Alfred Carr, 1911-2010

Reference: OHInt-0444-06

Description: Alfred Saunders born at Point Halswell, Wellington 1911. Recalls his father was an artilleryman in the army, stationed at the Point to look after the large gun there. Talks about growing up on the Miramar Peninsula, Fort Ballance and other forts around the harbour. Also talks about period when father left the army and they moved to Whangaroa where his father took up crayfishing. Recalls leaving school at the age of 15 years and commencing an apprenticeship as a shipwright with B J L Jukes Ltd, a boatbuilder in Balena Bay, Wellington. Describes his duties as an apprentice and explains that many of the boats worked on at the yard belonged to Island Bay and Eastbourne fishermen. Mentions living at Paraparaumu where he built a 40 foot fishing vessel called `May' for a Mr Buckland at Plimmerton during the Great Depression. Refers to his work during World War II, describing some of the vessels he worked on which were commandeered by the navy. After the war went fishing from Paremata and details type of fishing and fish caught. Describes location of his boat yard at Paremata foreshore where he built a number of fishing and pleasure craft. Talks about the Sea Reaper, a vessel of 50 feet in length that he built and operated with his sons during the 1960s. Talks about the crayfish boom at the Chathams and the big demand for vessels. Mentions some of the problems encountered with the Marine Department surveyors and the modern fishing regulations. Talks about son, Harold, who has a boatbuilding business in Tory Channel in the Marlborough Sounds. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Interviewer(s) - Emmanuel Makarios Venue - 54 Paremata Road Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-010226-010227 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3415.

Date: 03 Jul 2004, 19 Jun and 03 Jul 2005 - 03 Jul 2004 - 03 Jul 2005

From: Friends of Mana Island oral history project

By: Saunders, Alfred Carr, 1911-2010

Reference: OHInt-0814-09

Description: Interview with Alf (Alfred) Saunders, born at Point Halswell, Wellington in 1911. Information about his childhood and career are also covered in an interview for the New Zealand fishing history Oral History Project. Discusses his boatbuilding apprenticeship with Joseph Jukes beginning in 1926, and describes materials and techniques used. Reminisces about his subsequent career as a boatbuilder and fisherman. Talks about working with Paramata fishermen, their fishing boats, fish species caught, and fish merchants. Describes building a 50 foot boat, and trawling off Pukerua Bay, Otaki, Foxton and Wanganui. Comments on trawl gear, boat wrecks, and difficulties with the Marine Department. Mentions fishermen of the Wellington and Marlborough Sounds area and details their boats. Refers to his sons going fishing and building boats. Interviewer(s) - Denis Fairfax Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-014969 - OHC-014972 Quantity: 4 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 Electronic document(s). 3 interview(s). 3.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Physical Description: Word processing document - Microsoft word Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5477. Search dates: 1911 - 2005