Abstract of Alan Percival PARKS, 2024
Item
Identifier: H06330002
Overview
H0633
Alan Percival Parks
Interviewer: Joy Lietze
Abstractor: April Milligan
Interview: 7 August 2023
Track 1
00:04 Interview identification and agreement
01:14 ALAN PERCIVAL MARK born 8th December, 1935 BALCLUTHA. Third son of PERCIVAL EDWARD PARKS and ANNIE EILEEN PARKS. Lived at CLYDEVALE until age 5. FATHER worked at the SAWMILL and then FLAX MILL in CLYDEVALE.
02:13 Father was called in for the War effort to gather linen flax. After the War... they shifted to BALCLUTHA.
02:23 EDUCATION – Attended BALCLUTHA PRIMARY SCHOOL aged 5 to 14. One year at SOUTH OTAGO HIGH SCHOOL.
02:46 War memories – Living at CLYDEVALE the HOME GUARD came around to check there were no lights showing. A long walk to school to catch a bus observed the ARMY and BREN GUN CARRIERS moving along the road (they stopped to offer lollies). WAIWERA SOUTH ARMY BASE was close by in CLYDEVALE, carrying out exercises.
04:00 Father’s work at the FLAX MILL produced Linen Flax to make the coverings on aircraft wings and ropes. Not Native Flax but a flax grown like a wheat crop. The PULLAR machine uplifted the whole plant, which then went to the Factory. Processing – describes. Remains of the concrete building are still in CLYDEVALE. Now a Transport Operator yard.
05.32 Father didn’t pass the Medical to serve Overseas (devastated by this). Memories of an exciting day of celebrations in BALCLUTHA at the end of the War.
07.03 Attended BALCLUTHA PRIMARY SCHOOL from 5 to 14 years then SOUTH OTAGO HIGH SCHOOL for 1 year before, “going out to work and earn his keep”. Report cards always said, “ALAN could do much better if he applied himself”. He left the day he was 15 years ‘gutting’ his Form Teacher.
07.59 Worked in a Butchers shop for 6 months, before taking an apprenticeship as a bookbinder at the ‘CLUTHA LEADER’ [SOUTH OTAGO NEWSPAPER].
08.30 Family mechanical minded with Father doing his own repairs passing that on to his brothers and himself saving them a lot of money. Joined J R MURRAY Ltd a Garage with the Standard VANGUARD Agency, running the Spare Parts. Every 500 mile recommended to do a grease and oil change at a 1,000 miles.
09.52 Used push bike for years before purchasing a 1947 MATCHLESS 350 MOTOR BIKE. Eldest brother RUSSELL had a BSA GOLDEN FLASH 500 cc twin - considered a deluxe bike of the day. Brother VICTOR had a TRIUMPH TIGER and they enjoyed ‘cruising around the country’. A gallon of petrol for 3 shillings (very cheap) took them a long way.
11.08 Wage per week at the Garage was about 15 Pound with a 100 Pound bonus after 6 months, increasing to 18 Pound before he left.
12:25 Recalls that a Cycling Racing Club was set up in BALCLUTHA. He bought a proper racing bike to take part in a lot of Saturday races, sometimes winning a trophy or money. Mentions the longest race from GORE to BALCLUTHA, “that last hill being soul destroying”.
13:41 Joined the BRASS BAND at BALCLUTHA under the Conductor, BILL CROSS. He taught groups to play a brass instrument. Started on an E flat base which continued for 57 years. Later also played in ROXBURGH BRASS BAND and the TAPANUI BRASS BAND before it was disbanded. Travelled back to ROXBURGH for practices.
14.41 20-25 people played in the BALCLUTHA BAND including his wife at a later date. Practice was once a week and it often played at functions, BALCLUTHA HOSPITAL, on the lawn and Competitions including CHRISTCHURCH.
16:11 Family went on camping holidays, often to TE ANAU. Describes it being made up of a garage, hotel a few houses and surrounded by manuka. Describes camping in little gaps in the manuka. His Dad built a boat to go out on the Lake.
17:08 Family had strong, very strict religious beliefs. Attended the OPEN BRETHREN CHURCH every week at 11.00 am, Sunday School at 2.00pm and then a meeting at night. His Parents continued what they had been brought up with and all ALAN’s siblings joined too. He went to Youth camps at LARNACH’s CASTLE, enjoying fun, bible study, singing and sport.
19:19 Great Grandmother, MRS SANDAGER, died aged 103 followed a week later by his Grandmother, Maud Parks who had cared for her Mother.
20:42 Father had earlier become part owner of ROSEBANK SAW MILL and they ran out of RED PINE to mill which was used for building so he sold the Mill to a miller who had access to more.
21:39 Father wasn’t ready to retire and asked Alan to manage a garage in CENTRAL OTAGO. ROXBURGH SERVICE STATION purchased. Father owned major share and Alan used his savings as a minor share holder and became the manager. Recalls that the Garage had every brand of petrol, EUROPA, SHELL, BP and MOBIL. CALTEX came asking for the garage to only supply their brand and they would help finance them into the initial purchase of the Garage. They undertook a Garage rebuild to modernise sold a lot of petrol and eventually had 2 mechanics.
24:11 Single living at home when shifted to ROXBURGH but began courting NORMA FORBES from BALCLUTHA. They eventually bought a house after marriage.
25.00 Met NORMA after being asked to give her a ride to work when he worked in the Garage in BALCLUTHA. By then ALAN was on his 3rd vehicle so obliged. When he asked NORMA’s parents (FORBES family a retired farmer) if he could marry her they said no,” shocking him”, but they did get engaged a bit later when NORMA was 21 (celebrating together, shopping for a ring). Married a year later at which point the parents became happy.
28.45 Married at the PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (NORMA’s upbringing), BALCLUTHA but she would go to Brethren services with ALAN in a little hall in the HYDRO Village (provided by the Government) as he was by then living in ROXBURGH.
30.04 Bought a lovely house up a hill with a fantastic view unfortunately with a steep drive meaning careful driving in frosty weather. They lived in ROXBURGH for over 5 years. Two children were born, son MICHAEL and daughter KAREN.
31:08 The Garage involved working very long hours, including week-ends. “Petrol was about 3 shillings a gallon.” Recalls his cars: 1937 MORRIS 8, 1951 VAUXHALL VELOX, VANGUARD STANDARD 10 and 1950 VAUXHALL VELOX.
33.44 ROXBURGH Race Day at the Garage was flat out, held during the Festive Season with cars queuing up. Also busy at ALEXANDRA BLOSSOM FESTIVAL times. The mark up on petrol was a thru pence farthing so you had to sell a lot to make money. ALAN and his Father shared the work load. ROXBURGH SERVICE STATION was sold after 6 years and his father retired to DUNEDIN. Looked at co ownership options for the garage or farming.
36:00 Went to work at a big farm at MANUKA CREEK for experience, shifting the family to a house at the farm for 1 year. It was situated at the LAWRENCE end of MANAKA GORGE.
36.45 They purchased a farm through the Agents, WRIGHTSON”S at KELSO, for a property at TAPANUI. BILL MCLEOD was the farm Manager. Describes the farm.
39:55 Daughter JOCELYN was born. Digger was brought in to help with drainage but other improvements were undertaken by ALAN. Sheep were the only animals on the farm. Later cattle were added.
40:45 Converted to DAIRYING. Incurred debt to build a shed, realign fences, put in troughs and lanes. The first share-milker who owned the cows was asked to leave after a year. The next one also didn’t work out. Then son MICHAEL became share-milker for 3 years. After this period the farm was sold.
Track 2
00:08 Farmed at, ‘FERNBRAE’ in TAPANUI.
00.35 Started School at 5 years. Later at High school Post WW2 they had Cadet Military Training. They camped in tents at the Race Course at GORE for 2 weeks.
02.21 Recalls an incident when he was younger living at TAWANUI – fell in the river. At school terrified to put his head under water. Years later at the paper KEN JONES (a lifesaver) went after work to the CLUTHA POOL and ALAN was taught to swim.
04.50 Recalls his Father building a boat in the shed at BALCLUTHA. Accident with electric cables resulting in electric shock.
06.07 Brother RUSSELL joined the Police Force. Police Dog Handler.
07.31 Every winter the Bible Class Group hired a bus from DUNEDIN to CENTRAL OTAGO for a day ice skating at OTERAHURA.
08.19 Recalls issues with buying new cars in the 1960s. Discusses VAUXHALL purchases.
10:40 Describes interest in flying through friend JAMES MCKENZIE. Started flying 1977 and gained his private pilot’s licence in 1985. Trained at the GORE AERO CLUB with Instructor’s. Some lessons flew to HERIOT and a landing strip at VINCE STEEL’s property. Lessons were in a VICTOR AIR TOURER, then a TOMAHAWK. The first solo flight was, “one of the best feelings I’ve ever had”. Did flights up to THE MCKENZIE COUNTRY, TE ANAU. Overnight once had Licence. During training did solo cross country flights, touching at ROXBURGH, ALEXANDRA, RANFURLY, MOMONA, BALCLUTHA and back to GORE.
16.00 On overseas flights unsuccessful in getting to be in the Captain’s flight deck.
16:29 Describes issues for farmers and self when Labour Government raised Interest Rates up to 27%. 18:55 In 1978/79 built a new home in TAPANUI, with a builder from GORE – helped with the framework, plumbing and roofing to keep the price down.
21.20 Describes conversion to dairy. The 3rd farm in WEST OTAGO to convert.
24:12 A noteworthy building on FERNBRAE FARM was the remains of a massive, concrete FLAX MILL structure. The Flax Mill for WEST OTAGO. Added a roof to the main part for an implement shed.
25:20 Attended TAPANUI LIONS CLUB for many years including being Chairman, until it conflicted with Brass Band commitments. Also a member of the GORE AERO CLUB. Interests included, the Brass Band, Farmer Groups and Car Club. Chairman at the TAPANUI PRESBTERIAN CHURCH PROPERTY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE. Flying was for relaxation. Describes local farmer’s motor bike group and trips over weekends exploring back country places e.g. NEVIS from GARSTON to BANNOCHBURN, up the SKIPPERS, from ARROWTOWN to GLENDHU BAY at WANAKA. Recalls issues with unregistered bikes on a trip.
Track 3
00:17 Describes getting a motorbike licence and bikes owned.
02:33 Describes children and their families.
06:44 Overseas travel recalled.
10:00 FERNBRAE FARM was sold in 2000. They purchased a small block, in TAPANUI of 53 acres. A new house was built there called FASSEFERN. Reason for name recounted.
13:09 Retirement Interests are varied. Classic and Vintage cars including a 1967 TRIUMPH TR5, TRIUMPH STAG and TRIUMPH TR7. Belonged to a TRIUMPH group from DUNEDIN. 20 or more would meet to do a run. Those cars now with family.
15.49 Joined the TAPANUI MENS FELLOWSHIP (an offshoot of the Church, ‘DAD’s Army’) started by BILL HORTON to raise $5,000 a year for missionary work. Describes firewood splitting and organisations supported from proceeds.
18.57 Describes recent health issues.
20.44 Owns a house in MANAPOURI purchased from proceeds when supplying milk to STIRLING. Visited not so often now except for Family. Boat there to use on the Lake.
22.22 Built a wood splitter using a motor from the farm. Does deliveries.
25:26 Mentions his thoughts for the family. Faith has been important to him.
26.36 Recalls family celebrations, anniversaries including cards from the QUEEN. See more
Alan Percival Parks
Interviewer: Joy Lietze
Abstractor: April Milligan
Interview: 7 August 2023
Track 1
00:04 Interview identification and agreement
01:14 ALAN PERCIVAL MARK born 8th December, 1935 BALCLUTHA. Third son of PERCIVAL EDWARD PARKS and ANNIE EILEEN PARKS. Lived at CLYDEVALE until age 5. FATHER worked at the SAWMILL and then FLAX MILL in CLYDEVALE.
02:13 Father was called in for the War effort to gather linen flax. After the War... they shifted to BALCLUTHA.
02:23 EDUCATION – Attended BALCLUTHA PRIMARY SCHOOL aged 5 to 14. One year at SOUTH OTAGO HIGH SCHOOL.
02:46 War memories – Living at CLYDEVALE the HOME GUARD came around to check there were no lights showing. A long walk to school to catch a bus observed the ARMY and BREN GUN CARRIERS moving along the road (they stopped to offer lollies). WAIWERA SOUTH ARMY BASE was close by in CLYDEVALE, carrying out exercises.
04:00 Father’s work at the FLAX MILL produced Linen Flax to make the coverings on aircraft wings and ropes. Not Native Flax but a flax grown like a wheat crop. The PULLAR machine uplifted the whole plant, which then went to the Factory. Processing – describes. Remains of the concrete building are still in CLYDEVALE. Now a Transport Operator yard.
05.32 Father didn’t pass the Medical to serve Overseas (devastated by this). Memories of an exciting day of celebrations in BALCLUTHA at the end of the War.
07.03 Attended BALCLUTHA PRIMARY SCHOOL from 5 to 14 years then SOUTH OTAGO HIGH SCHOOL for 1 year before, “going out to work and earn his keep”. Report cards always said, “ALAN could do much better if he applied himself”. He left the day he was 15 years ‘gutting’ his Form Teacher.
07.59 Worked in a Butchers shop for 6 months, before taking an apprenticeship as a bookbinder at the ‘CLUTHA LEADER’ [SOUTH OTAGO NEWSPAPER].
08.30 Family mechanical minded with Father doing his own repairs passing that on to his brothers and himself saving them a lot of money. Joined J R MURRAY Ltd a Garage with the Standard VANGUARD Agency, running the Spare Parts. Every 500 mile recommended to do a grease and oil change at a 1,000 miles.
09.52 Used push bike for years before purchasing a 1947 MATCHLESS 350 MOTOR BIKE. Eldest brother RUSSELL had a BSA GOLDEN FLASH 500 cc twin - considered a deluxe bike of the day. Brother VICTOR had a TRIUMPH TIGER and they enjoyed ‘cruising around the country’. A gallon of petrol for 3 shillings (very cheap) took them a long way.
11.08 Wage per week at the Garage was about 15 Pound with a 100 Pound bonus after 6 months, increasing to 18 Pound before he left.
12:25 Recalls that a Cycling Racing Club was set up in BALCLUTHA. He bought a proper racing bike to take part in a lot of Saturday races, sometimes winning a trophy or money. Mentions the longest race from GORE to BALCLUTHA, “that last hill being soul destroying”.
13:41 Joined the BRASS BAND at BALCLUTHA under the Conductor, BILL CROSS. He taught groups to play a brass instrument. Started on an E flat base which continued for 57 years. Later also played in ROXBURGH BRASS BAND and the TAPANUI BRASS BAND before it was disbanded. Travelled back to ROXBURGH for practices.
14.41 20-25 people played in the BALCLUTHA BAND including his wife at a later date. Practice was once a week and it often played at functions, BALCLUTHA HOSPITAL, on the lawn and Competitions including CHRISTCHURCH.
16:11 Family went on camping holidays, often to TE ANAU. Describes it being made up of a garage, hotel a few houses and surrounded by manuka. Describes camping in little gaps in the manuka. His Dad built a boat to go out on the Lake.
17:08 Family had strong, very strict religious beliefs. Attended the OPEN BRETHREN CHURCH every week at 11.00 am, Sunday School at 2.00pm and then a meeting at night. His Parents continued what they had been brought up with and all ALAN’s siblings joined too. He went to Youth camps at LARNACH’s CASTLE, enjoying fun, bible study, singing and sport.
19:19 Great Grandmother, MRS SANDAGER, died aged 103 followed a week later by his Grandmother, Maud Parks who had cared for her Mother.
20:42 Father had earlier become part owner of ROSEBANK SAW MILL and they ran out of RED PINE to mill which was used for building so he sold the Mill to a miller who had access to more.
21:39 Father wasn’t ready to retire and asked Alan to manage a garage in CENTRAL OTAGO. ROXBURGH SERVICE STATION purchased. Father owned major share and Alan used his savings as a minor share holder and became the manager. Recalls that the Garage had every brand of petrol, EUROPA, SHELL, BP and MOBIL. CALTEX came asking for the garage to only supply their brand and they would help finance them into the initial purchase of the Garage. They undertook a Garage rebuild to modernise sold a lot of petrol and eventually had 2 mechanics.
24:11 Single living at home when shifted to ROXBURGH but began courting NORMA FORBES from BALCLUTHA. They eventually bought a house after marriage.
25.00 Met NORMA after being asked to give her a ride to work when he worked in the Garage in BALCLUTHA. By then ALAN was on his 3rd vehicle so obliged. When he asked NORMA’s parents (FORBES family a retired farmer) if he could marry her they said no,” shocking him”, but they did get engaged a bit later when NORMA was 21 (celebrating together, shopping for a ring). Married a year later at which point the parents became happy.
28.45 Married at the PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (NORMA’s upbringing), BALCLUTHA but she would go to Brethren services with ALAN in a little hall in the HYDRO Village (provided by the Government) as he was by then living in ROXBURGH.
30.04 Bought a lovely house up a hill with a fantastic view unfortunately with a steep drive meaning careful driving in frosty weather. They lived in ROXBURGH for over 5 years. Two children were born, son MICHAEL and daughter KAREN.
31:08 The Garage involved working very long hours, including week-ends. “Petrol was about 3 shillings a gallon.” Recalls his cars: 1937 MORRIS 8, 1951 VAUXHALL VELOX, VANGUARD STANDARD 10 and 1950 VAUXHALL VELOX.
33.44 ROXBURGH Race Day at the Garage was flat out, held during the Festive Season with cars queuing up. Also busy at ALEXANDRA BLOSSOM FESTIVAL times. The mark up on petrol was a thru pence farthing so you had to sell a lot to make money. ALAN and his Father shared the work load. ROXBURGH SERVICE STATION was sold after 6 years and his father retired to DUNEDIN. Looked at co ownership options for the garage or farming.
36:00 Went to work at a big farm at MANUKA CREEK for experience, shifting the family to a house at the farm for 1 year. It was situated at the LAWRENCE end of MANAKA GORGE.
36.45 They purchased a farm through the Agents, WRIGHTSON”S at KELSO, for a property at TAPANUI. BILL MCLEOD was the farm Manager. Describes the farm.
39:55 Daughter JOCELYN was born. Digger was brought in to help with drainage but other improvements were undertaken by ALAN. Sheep were the only animals on the farm. Later cattle were added.
40:45 Converted to DAIRYING. Incurred debt to build a shed, realign fences, put in troughs and lanes. The first share-milker who owned the cows was asked to leave after a year. The next one also didn’t work out. Then son MICHAEL became share-milker for 3 years. After this period the farm was sold.
Track 2
00:08 Farmed at, ‘FERNBRAE’ in TAPANUI.
00.35 Started School at 5 years. Later at High school Post WW2 they had Cadet Military Training. They camped in tents at the Race Course at GORE for 2 weeks.
02.21 Recalls an incident when he was younger living at TAWANUI – fell in the river. At school terrified to put his head under water. Years later at the paper KEN JONES (a lifesaver) went after work to the CLUTHA POOL and ALAN was taught to swim.
04.50 Recalls his Father building a boat in the shed at BALCLUTHA. Accident with electric cables resulting in electric shock.
06.07 Brother RUSSELL joined the Police Force. Police Dog Handler.
07.31 Every winter the Bible Class Group hired a bus from DUNEDIN to CENTRAL OTAGO for a day ice skating at OTERAHURA.
08.19 Recalls issues with buying new cars in the 1960s. Discusses VAUXHALL purchases.
10:40 Describes interest in flying through friend JAMES MCKENZIE. Started flying 1977 and gained his private pilot’s licence in 1985. Trained at the GORE AERO CLUB with Instructor’s. Some lessons flew to HERIOT and a landing strip at VINCE STEEL’s property. Lessons were in a VICTOR AIR TOURER, then a TOMAHAWK. The first solo flight was, “one of the best feelings I’ve ever had”. Did flights up to THE MCKENZIE COUNTRY, TE ANAU. Overnight once had Licence. During training did solo cross country flights, touching at ROXBURGH, ALEXANDRA, RANFURLY, MOMONA, BALCLUTHA and back to GORE.
16.00 On overseas flights unsuccessful in getting to be in the Captain’s flight deck.
16:29 Describes issues for farmers and self when Labour Government raised Interest Rates up to 27%. 18:55 In 1978/79 built a new home in TAPANUI, with a builder from GORE – helped with the framework, plumbing and roofing to keep the price down.
21.20 Describes conversion to dairy. The 3rd farm in WEST OTAGO to convert.
24:12 A noteworthy building on FERNBRAE FARM was the remains of a massive, concrete FLAX MILL structure. The Flax Mill for WEST OTAGO. Added a roof to the main part for an implement shed.
25:20 Attended TAPANUI LIONS CLUB for many years including being Chairman, until it conflicted with Brass Band commitments. Also a member of the GORE AERO CLUB. Interests included, the Brass Band, Farmer Groups and Car Club. Chairman at the TAPANUI PRESBTERIAN CHURCH PROPERTY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE. Flying was for relaxation. Describes local farmer’s motor bike group and trips over weekends exploring back country places e.g. NEVIS from GARSTON to BANNOCHBURN, up the SKIPPERS, from ARROWTOWN to GLENDHU BAY at WANAKA. Recalls issues with unregistered bikes on a trip.
Track 3
00:17 Describes getting a motorbike licence and bikes owned.
02:33 Describes children and their families.
06:44 Overseas travel recalled.
10:00 FERNBRAE FARM was sold in 2000. They purchased a small block, in TAPANUI of 53 acres. A new house was built there called FASSEFERN. Reason for name recounted.
13:09 Retirement Interests are varied. Classic and Vintage cars including a 1967 TRIUMPH TR5, TRIUMPH STAG and TRIUMPH TR7. Belonged to a TRIUMPH group from DUNEDIN. 20 or more would meet to do a run. Those cars now with family.
15.49 Joined the TAPANUI MENS FELLOWSHIP (an offshoot of the Church, ‘DAD’s Army’) started by BILL HORTON to raise $5,000 a year for missionary work. Describes firewood splitting and organisations supported from proceeds.
18.57 Describes recent health issues.
20.44 Owns a house in MANAPOURI purchased from proceeds when supplying milk to STIRLING. Visited not so often now except for Family. Boat there to use on the Lake.
22.22 Built a wood splitter using a motor from the farm. Does deliveries.
25:26 Mentions his thoughts for the family. Faith has been important to him.
26.36 Recalls family celebrations, anniversaries including cards from the QUEEN. See more
Dates
- 2024
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Extent
From the Record Group: 1 folder(s)
Language of Materials
English
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Creator
- From the Record Group: Lietze, Joy (Interviewer, Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Southland Oral History Project Repository
