Overview In this interview Ewen describes his family history in detail, dating back to his grandfather’s journey to NZ via goldmining in Australia and the establishing himself in farming in NZ. He refers to a book ‘One Hundred Years at Morton Mains’ which records his grandparents and their descendants. He discusses his relationship with his father and their religious beliefs. Ewen goes on to discuss tractors and their advancement in farming, deer stalking and culling, joining the army, friendships...

Overview In this extensive interview Maurice covers the many and varied aspects of his life which include his family history, the ways he earnt money as a child, his education, joining the navy at 15 and life in the Navy, followed by his fishing career on leaving the Navy and his art and craft career using wood, leather and bone craving. He also discusses his hobbies e.g. boxing, swimming, and the making of his own games as a child.

Overview In this interview William recounts his family history, his education and love of sports. He played in the 1st 15 at Southland Boys High school and Western District later going on to become a referee of senior rugby. He mostly discusses his employment where he worked a season at the Linen Factory before becoming a stock agent. He describes the processing of the linen flax and gives a detailed account of his responsibilities as a stock agent. He was based in Otautau and worked around Southland....

Overview Len was born in Riverton and describes his early life growing up at Pourakino Valley. He looks at his education, the railway and timber milling, and his employment in saw mills and meat works. He goes onto talk about the Chemical Works i.e. construction of, and father’s employment there. Len has a series of family photos and photos of the various aspects of the area that he talks about e.g. Tecofsky Track, Buchanan Mill, chemical works, and his mother with supplies and bullock. He continues on...

Overview Val talks of her early life being part of a Conscientious Objectors family during WW2. Her parent’s dairy farmed at Waimatua. Val describes and details life on the farm and the kindness of neighbours when her father was taken to Detention Camp. She explains her father’s reasons and what he did during his 2.5 years in the camp. She goes onto describe the living conditions and routines of the family at home during this time. When her father returned home, he became a rabitter. She recalls her own...