Interviewee: CATHERINE ANNE GEDDES

Interviewer: Elaine Scott

Abstracted: Elaine Scott

FIRST INTERVIEW: 25 April 1998

SIDE 1

1.2 Father, JOHN STEWART, CROYDON SIDING, FARMER. MOTHER, MARY OGILVY GIFFORD, BLUFF, BLUFF, SCHOOL TEACHER. Grandfather, DAVID STEWART, KILNAUGHTON, IRELAND. Grandmother, ANNIE McKINNEY, COLERAINE, IRELAND. Date of arrival in NEW ZEALAND Details of physical appearance given.

4.9 Grandmother, ANNIE McKINNEY, ORPHANED. Brought up by DR. & MRS CARSON. Explains connection with KNAPDALE STATION. Mentions McQUEEN & McNAB. Recalls that grandmother worked as HOUSEKEEPER. MARRIED at KNAPDALE STATION. Husband EMPLOYED as SHEARER and SOD FENCER. Makes reference of ROSE GRAHAM.

8.4 Mentions ship CARRICK CASTLE. Story of WAIKAKA RAILWAY LINE constructed by IRISH LABOURERS, called "BRODGANS MEN". Grandfather was IRISH TENANT FARMER.

13.0 Relates a story re family desk, made by ADAM SPEDEN for DAVID DICKIE.

15.5 Grew up at PYRAMID SIDING. Describes HOUSE, a "Butt & Ben"

16.9 Details of DIET of the times. "Farm house fare". Helped with PRESERVING. Special treat was corned beef and sausages. Describes CLOTHING worn and recalls GAMES played. Describes a BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION.

28.3 Attitude to ALCOHOL extremely moderate. Ladies didn't drink. Although non-smokers, they did not condemn others.

29.8 DISCIPLINE in the home very tolerant. Gives explanation.

SIDE 2

1.4 EDUCATION, PYRAMID SIDING SCHOOL. School Roll 16. One teacher. Rigid DISCIPLINE.

4.2 MAORI LANGUAGE not taught in school. Story of book with MAORI SONGS in it, called "Dominion Song Book Number 1”

10.8 SCHOOL SPORTS, visiting teams, sports day at RIVERSDALE. Won the cup for team skipping.

15.8 TRANSPORT. Walked to school. Sometimes rode in the cream cart. Had good strong pair of shoes, some children went bare foot. Relates story of children walking to school.

18.8 LEFT PRIMARY SCHOOL aged 12yrs. Transport to nearest secondary school difficult, gives explanation.

21.2 SECONDARY EDUCATION, at COLUMBA COLLEGE, DUNEDIN, as a BOARDER. Studied MUSIC. Recalls learning theory, harmony & finger movements.

23.9 Recalls BOARDING SCHOOL as regimented. Describes a Saturday & Sunday. Refers to D.C HERRON, MINISTER, giving an explanation.

28.9 DISCIPLINE; never occurred to anyone to do anything rash, reasons given.

32.7 LEFT SCHOOL aged 17 years.

SECOND INTERVIEW: 28 May 1998

SIDE 3

2.0 Left school because of the outbreak of WAR & TRANSPORT DIFFICULTIES. Gives explanation as to why.

3.2 Went to Clutha Valley School as MUSIC TEACHER. Gives details. Then went to Christchurch for a year. Later worked for RAYMOND LUSK in GORE in the musical trade. Wages 5 GUINEAS per week.

13.4 ENTERTAINMENT; played at a Celebration Ball most Friday nights, FOOTBALL 'after functions' (smoko) on a Saturday and the church organ on Sundays. Relates a story re entertainment for fundraising.

15.8 CLOTHING worn when entertaining, dressed accordingly and wore white gloves, recalls that it was a very 'gracious age'.

18.1 Relates stories of pianos in disused halls, recalls taking a piano to pieces and finding "13 sandwiches, 7 cakes and a sports paper" therein. Tells anecdote of a rundown piano in a country district.

23.9 Was part of the MUSICIANS UNION. Reference TOM SKINNER.

26.1 Other employment: Worked for Invercargill Licensing Trust for 6 years. PLAYED MUSIC (background) at Grand Hotel, also played in local bands. Reference GEORGE DUNCAN & ALBIE HEADS.

SIDE 4

4.8 MARRIAGE to GORDON WILLIAM GRENVILLE GEDDES in 1957. Shared household duties. "Both laughed at the same things.”

6.8 Recalls WAR YEARS, PATRIOTIC FUNDRAISERS.

9.8 Relates story of DEPRESSION YEARS. "Patch, mend and make-do. Nothing was wasted.

12.7 Story of children walking to school.

14.4 SUNDAYS were days when visitors called. Attended CHURCH once a fortnight. PROTESTANT RELIGION. Both parents attended/ Father on the "BOARD OF MANAGERS." Attended Sunday school.

END OF TAPE