Overview This interview was recorded as part of the About Us Voices of Southland collection. This interview looks at the Grant family first settling in Balfour in 1876, the opening of a store and purchase of farm land. He looks at his own connection with the farm: growing up there, the diversity of farming practices, and effects of climate. In the 1980s he became interested in politics being elected to parliament in 1987 and serving 2 terms. He talks of his life after this, his involvement on various...

Abstract JEFFREY JAMES GRANTInterviewer: Valmai Redhead Abstracter: Jean Hawkes TRACK 1 00:00 Interview identification00:35 JEFFREY JAMES GRANT born in 195800:45 Recording Agreement01:30 GRANT FAMILY in BALFOUR over 100 years Great grandfather ROBERT GRANT arrived NEW ZEALAND 1876 to BALFOUR MACPHERSON – ARDLUSSA STATION – Mentioned02:11 MACPHERSON opened pub (hotel) – ROBERT GRANT opened shop -...

Overview Russell talks of his family history and settling at Otatara which was very isolated. He describes methods used in rabbiting; his passion for construction and the uses of the Oreti River i.e. gravel haulage.

Abstract Interviewer: Cathy Macfie Abstracter: Cathy Macfie RUSSELL JOHN ERSKINE 00’48” Grandfather (mother’s father) ROBERT HART, manager of Orepuki Goldmine at Roundhill. Mother ANN HART thought to have been born at Roundhill. Describes long journey to SECONDARY SCHOOL: walk to Colac Bay railway station then train to Invercargill. Mother (and possibly other sisters) worked at Mosgiel Woollen Mills.03’25” Father (HAROLD ERSKINE) ran a taxi service from the Orepuki Garage. ...

Abstract Thelma Catherine EatonInterviewer: Ailsa DawsonDate: 4 October 2007Abstracter: Jean Hawkes Track 1 00.00 Interview introduction.00.47 Father FRANCIS JOSEPH ANDREW SMALL born 1900, died 1976. Farmer. Mother FLORA MARGARET MCDONALD (?) born 1893, died 1963. BALFOUR – LINTLEY, LUMSDEN01.49 Thelma born 1924 LUMDSEN, there for 3 years, moved to Lintley until married. Played on her own, next sibling 3 years younger....

Overview In this interview Russell talks of family history, his life and education around the Catlins. He has had a passion for railway since childhood. Russell describes local history around Taukuku e.g. whaling, Maori settlement and ship wrecks. He also describes farming on Peninsula, saw milling, and medical treatments and diseases. At the age of 15 Russell joined the railways as a labourer where he studied and gained qualifications. He found his niche with the Kingston Flyer in 1971 and describes...