Abstract of Clara Faulds STANCOMBE, 2021
Item — Box: 28
Identifier: H01850002
Overview
Clara Faulds Stancombe
Interviewer: Rebecca Amundsen
Abstracter: Gil Berg
First interview: 2 August 2013
Track 1:
01.28 Middle name was a SCOTTISH surname after mother’s cousin. Explains
02.36 Born on the day WORLD WAR 1 started. Father joked about this
03.09 Father’s name was JAMES HENRY BAGATTI (?Sp) WILLIAMS. Never met any BAGATTI (?Sp.) family.
03.50 One of the first white girls to be born in INVERCARGILL was father’s mother who was called SOPHIE ELIZABETH BAGATTI (?Sp.)
04.34 Mother’s name was MARY MCNIGHDER (?Sp.)
05.14 CLARA was born in HASTINGS and moved to the SOUTH ISLAND for father’s work opportunity. Explains
05.58 Earliest memory was with her Dad in MARLBOROUGH waiting for a launch. Describes.
06.37 Sister’s were MARY and MAVIS. MARY was handicapped. Helped to look after her. Explains
07.30 Father was MANAGER of MARLBOROUGH TIMBER COMPANY.
07.52 Came to TUATAPERE – Father had a brother there in the saw mills.
08.05 Brother’s name was CHARLES. Had two other brothers FRED and FRANK. Also had 2 half- sisters. Explains
08.54 Father owned saw mill (?). Ended up owning 2 saw mills and a box factory. Explains
09.44 Workings of saw mills and supply of logs and father’s role. Explains
10.49 Depression came and father kept mills running for as long as he could. Explains
11.26 Made fruit cases for export at box factory employed 20+
12.07 The closing of the mill.
12.20 The saw mills were across from the school and over the railway line.
12.55 Home was at the half line corner (?) Wooden villa that father built Explains
14.05 First memory in TUATAPERE. Odette’s brother lived in TUATAPERE. Bush on section. Describes
End of Track 1.
Track 2. 00.13 Catching the train from CHURCHHEAD CREEK? To travel through to RIVERTON. Started to catch it for secondary school. Had a 6.30 am start. Lots of stations to stop at. Got home about 8 pm at night. Did this once a week as boarded during the week.
01.46 Family came into town between 1 – 2/3 weeks
02.05 TUATAPERE had shops, hotel, and Churches for all denominations.
02.40 Food purchased from shops/ General stores and a butchery. Father grew own vegetables.
04.46 Had porridge, bacon and eggs for breakfast. Sandwiches for school lunch and meat and veg followed by dessert for evening meal.
05.47 HAWKERS called/HUNGARIANS mostly. Sold what people needed for everyday life.
06.45 Started school at TUATAPERE. Got lost on her first day. Cousin started the same day it was a bright sunny day.
08.09 New entrant’s teachers were MISS WILSON and MISS KEPLER(?) enjoyed school found it interesting.
09.07 Normal school day would start with about a mile walk. Describes a typical school day.
10.14 Used a slate which was handy if you made a mistake, you could just rub it out.
End of track 2
Track 3
00.19 Had a list of spelling. When learnt they were then taught to fit them into sentences. Used an exercise book for set pieces of writing. Learnt times tables from 2 to 13.
01.51 Approx. 50 children attended school.
02.46 Also attended PAPATOTARA school. Gives direction to PAPATOTARA.
03.35 House burnt down after they left. It had 2 bedrooms and had to share a room with 2 other girls. Describes
04.39 Had a sleeping doll that came from mother’s sister in ENGLAND. Describes.
06.40 MOTHER was a good sewer and made their clothes. Describes
07.06 Didn’t wear trousers. Father would have died of shock if she wore trousers. Describes.
07.59 Describes dresses and skirts.
09.07 Seven years between CLARA and sibling.
09.55 MOTHER enjoyed flower garden and had to teach herself to cook. She also taught CLARA to cook.
10.38 FATHER got up first to light the fires then mother would get up to do the breakfast.
11.08 PAPATOTARA school numbers smaller. 2 rooms and 2 teachers. Describes.
12.12 Hide ‘n’ seek and hop scotch were favourite games.
12.58 Had 1 or 2 good friends and were friends to the end.
13.53 Played hockey and tennis in the summer. Describes.
14.36 Was 13 when finished primary school and then 3 years at Tech. Boarded with father’s half-sister.
End of track 3
Track 4
00.09 Comparisons of living in town and country. Lived at half-sisters in BANKS ST., Describes
01.23 Chores at home e.g. washing/drying dishes.
01.50 Got up about 7 am in the morning. Did homework after school.
03.05 Used to knit, sew and read.
03.58 Took a commercial course at TECH., Describes.
05.40 Slump in the 1930’s – some saw mills closed TUATAPERE describes.
08.17 Started working in office of FATHER’S saw mill late 1920’s/early 1930’s Describes.
10.20 Worked there for 13 years. Wound company up when father died.
11.10 Sister MARY had DOWN SYNDROME. Was very placid. Explains
End of Track 4
Track 5
00.07 Continues talking about sister; they were a close family.
00.51 Husband grew up in TUATAPERE Explains
02.36 Parents went to ENGLAND by boat. Explains
03.07 Learnt to drive when 16. Describes
05.12 Went to town by car for business and CHRISTMAS shopping.
06.18 Purchasing presents for others. Explains
End of Track 5
Track 6
Second Interview: 9 August 2013
00.28 Got electricity when living at PAPATOTARA aged about 13-14. Describes
01.34 Helped with chores. Describes doing the washing.
03.52 Learnt to cook on coal range. Not really interested in cooking more interested in figures.
04.48 Parents encouraged education.
05.07 Family were ANGLICAN’S and regularly attended CHURCH. SUNDAY CHURCH outfits described.
06.49 Got a wireless when they got electricity. Sat around it and listened. Turned on to hear the news and concert programs.
08.00 Thinks there may have been a children’s program.
08.30 City had electricity before the country.
09.08 Got involved in the VOLUNTARY AIDS GROUP which was started by DR ELDER. Describes.
10.27 DR ELDER came from ENGLAND CLARA thinks. Not easy to know but a nice man really.
11.30 RED CROSS called a meeting for volunteers. Most were from TUATAPERE. Describes
12.42 It was for the war effort. Wound up at the end of the war. 13.14 Trained to do home nursing. Quite interesting really. DR ELDER and the PLUNKET NURSE were the TUTORS. Describes.
14.39 Had the feeling you were helping the war effort.
End of Track 6
Track 7
00.04 Continues talking about the possibility of a JAPANESE invasion. Describes.
00.50 Group was formed 1939/40
0.13 Thought JAPANESE would invade along coast and would have no opposition. Describes.
02.33 A lot of men away at war from TUATAPERE and their jobs were done a lot by girls. CLARA continued to work in office of father’s sawmill during that time. Describes.
04.41 Farewell parties for those going to war. Dances and speeches. Most people including children attended. Describes.
06.32 Had two male cousins – one wasn’t old enough to go to war and the other didn’t pass to go.
07.56 Sister was also a volunteer aid. After it was all over some married and shifted away from the area.
08.40 Husband’s father had the garage and husband (SIDNEY) was a mechanic. CLARA and SIDNEY grew up together. He was a few years older than her. He just presented himself. Describes.
11.37 Engaged about 12 months before marriage. Finished work when got married.
12.28 FATHER-IN-LAW sold the business and SIDNEY worked for the owners. Lived in TUATAPERE next door to the garage.
13.29 A boarding house and the NATIONAL BANK were nearby.
13.58 Had a nice car. Husband liked things up to scratch. They had a 5-seater AMERICAN car.
End of Track 7
Track 8
00.06 Had to do a lot for self couldn’t just go to the local shop and get what you wanted.
00.44 Got married in TUATAPERE. Describes the preparation, wedding day and honeymoon.
02.49 Looking after sister MARY
03.10 Family holidays to crib in RIVERTON. Describes
04.57 At times there was a feeling of discrimination against MARY. Others were very good.
05.56 Moved to INVERCARGILL in 1975 to current home. CLARA is now 99 and still living by herself. Describes.
07.15 Husband had passed away by the time Clara moved. Moved to Glengarry.
08.19 Drove up until this year (2008). Still has a license. Thinks it will be time to be off the road by next year when she will be 100.
10.34 Re-capping on memories of VOLUNTEER AIDS.
10.55 Was quite sporty enjoyed basketball/netball and tennis.
11.27 TUATAPERE had own basketball team as did PAPATOTARA. Describes.
12.30 Talks about petrol rations during the war. Father had exemption for business.
13.01 Returning to basketball usually played on the wing. Describes.
End of Track 8
Track 9
00.05 Continues memories of playing basketball. Details.
01.32 Talks about playing tennis. Played in teams through a roster in the district. Stopped playing when married.
03.10 In the country always had plenty to do at home. Social life. Details.
Interviewer: Rebecca Amundsen
Abstracter: Gil Berg
First interview: 2 August 2013
Track 1:
01.28 Middle name was a SCOTTISH surname after mother’s cousin. Explains
02.36 Born on the day WORLD WAR 1 started. Father joked about this
03.09 Father’s name was JAMES HENRY BAGATTI (?Sp) WILLIAMS. Never met any BAGATTI (?Sp.) family.
03.50 One of the first white girls to be born in INVERCARGILL was father’s mother who was called SOPHIE ELIZABETH BAGATTI (?Sp.)
04.34 Mother’s name was MARY MCNIGHDER (?Sp.)
05.14 CLARA was born in HASTINGS and moved to the SOUTH ISLAND for father’s work opportunity. Explains
05.58 Earliest memory was with her Dad in MARLBOROUGH waiting for a launch. Describes.
06.37 Sister’s were MARY and MAVIS. MARY was handicapped. Helped to look after her. Explains
07.30 Father was MANAGER of MARLBOROUGH TIMBER COMPANY.
07.52 Came to TUATAPERE – Father had a brother there in the saw mills.
08.05 Brother’s name was CHARLES. Had two other brothers FRED and FRANK. Also had 2 half- sisters. Explains
08.54 Father owned saw mill (?). Ended up owning 2 saw mills and a box factory. Explains
09.44 Workings of saw mills and supply of logs and father’s role. Explains
10.49 Depression came and father kept mills running for as long as he could. Explains
11.26 Made fruit cases for export at box factory employed 20+
12.07 The closing of the mill.
12.20 The saw mills were across from the school and over the railway line.
12.55 Home was at the half line corner (?) Wooden villa that father built Explains
14.05 First memory in TUATAPERE. Odette’s brother lived in TUATAPERE. Bush on section. Describes
End of Track 1.
Track 2. 00.13 Catching the train from CHURCHHEAD CREEK? To travel through to RIVERTON. Started to catch it for secondary school. Had a 6.30 am start. Lots of stations to stop at. Got home about 8 pm at night. Did this once a week as boarded during the week.
01.46 Family came into town between 1 – 2/3 weeks
02.05 TUATAPERE had shops, hotel, and Churches for all denominations.
02.40 Food purchased from shops/ General stores and a butchery. Father grew own vegetables.
04.46 Had porridge, bacon and eggs for breakfast. Sandwiches for school lunch and meat and veg followed by dessert for evening meal.
05.47 HAWKERS called/HUNGARIANS mostly. Sold what people needed for everyday life.
06.45 Started school at TUATAPERE. Got lost on her first day. Cousin started the same day it was a bright sunny day.
08.09 New entrant’s teachers were MISS WILSON and MISS KEPLER(?) enjoyed school found it interesting.
09.07 Normal school day would start with about a mile walk. Describes a typical school day.
10.14 Used a slate which was handy if you made a mistake, you could just rub it out.
End of track 2
Track 3
00.19 Had a list of spelling. When learnt they were then taught to fit them into sentences. Used an exercise book for set pieces of writing. Learnt times tables from 2 to 13.
01.51 Approx. 50 children attended school.
02.46 Also attended PAPATOTARA school. Gives direction to PAPATOTARA.
03.35 House burnt down after they left. It had 2 bedrooms and had to share a room with 2 other girls. Describes
04.39 Had a sleeping doll that came from mother’s sister in ENGLAND. Describes.
06.40 MOTHER was a good sewer and made their clothes. Describes
07.06 Didn’t wear trousers. Father would have died of shock if she wore trousers. Describes.
07.59 Describes dresses and skirts.
09.07 Seven years between CLARA and sibling.
09.55 MOTHER enjoyed flower garden and had to teach herself to cook. She also taught CLARA to cook.
10.38 FATHER got up first to light the fires then mother would get up to do the breakfast.
11.08 PAPATOTARA school numbers smaller. 2 rooms and 2 teachers. Describes.
12.12 Hide ‘n’ seek and hop scotch were favourite games.
12.58 Had 1 or 2 good friends and were friends to the end.
13.53 Played hockey and tennis in the summer. Describes.
14.36 Was 13 when finished primary school and then 3 years at Tech. Boarded with father’s half-sister.
End of track 3
Track 4
00.09 Comparisons of living in town and country. Lived at half-sisters in BANKS ST., Describes
01.23 Chores at home e.g. washing/drying dishes.
01.50 Got up about 7 am in the morning. Did homework after school.
03.05 Used to knit, sew and read.
03.58 Took a commercial course at TECH., Describes.
05.40 Slump in the 1930’s – some saw mills closed TUATAPERE describes.
08.17 Started working in office of FATHER’S saw mill late 1920’s/early 1930’s Describes.
10.20 Worked there for 13 years. Wound company up when father died.
11.10 Sister MARY had DOWN SYNDROME. Was very placid. Explains
End of Track 4
Track 5
00.07 Continues talking about sister; they were a close family.
00.51 Husband grew up in TUATAPERE Explains
02.36 Parents went to ENGLAND by boat. Explains
03.07 Learnt to drive when 16. Describes
05.12 Went to town by car for business and CHRISTMAS shopping.
06.18 Purchasing presents for others. Explains
End of Track 5
Track 6
Second Interview: 9 August 2013
00.28 Got electricity when living at PAPATOTARA aged about 13-14. Describes
01.34 Helped with chores. Describes doing the washing.
03.52 Learnt to cook on coal range. Not really interested in cooking more interested in figures.
04.48 Parents encouraged education.
05.07 Family were ANGLICAN’S and regularly attended CHURCH. SUNDAY CHURCH outfits described.
06.49 Got a wireless when they got electricity. Sat around it and listened. Turned on to hear the news and concert programs.
08.00 Thinks there may have been a children’s program.
08.30 City had electricity before the country.
09.08 Got involved in the VOLUNTARY AIDS GROUP which was started by DR ELDER. Describes.
10.27 DR ELDER came from ENGLAND CLARA thinks. Not easy to know but a nice man really.
11.30 RED CROSS called a meeting for volunteers. Most were from TUATAPERE. Describes
12.42 It was for the war effort. Wound up at the end of the war. 13.14 Trained to do home nursing. Quite interesting really. DR ELDER and the PLUNKET NURSE were the TUTORS. Describes.
14.39 Had the feeling you were helping the war effort.
End of Track 6
Track 7
00.04 Continues talking about the possibility of a JAPANESE invasion. Describes.
00.50 Group was formed 1939/40
0.13 Thought JAPANESE would invade along coast and would have no opposition. Describes.
02.33 A lot of men away at war from TUATAPERE and their jobs were done a lot by girls. CLARA continued to work in office of father’s sawmill during that time. Describes.
04.41 Farewell parties for those going to war. Dances and speeches. Most people including children attended. Describes.
06.32 Had two male cousins – one wasn’t old enough to go to war and the other didn’t pass to go.
07.56 Sister was also a volunteer aid. After it was all over some married and shifted away from the area.
08.40 Husband’s father had the garage and husband (SIDNEY) was a mechanic. CLARA and SIDNEY grew up together. He was a few years older than her. He just presented himself. Describes.
11.37 Engaged about 12 months before marriage. Finished work when got married.
12.28 FATHER-IN-LAW sold the business and SIDNEY worked for the owners. Lived in TUATAPERE next door to the garage.
13.29 A boarding house and the NATIONAL BANK were nearby.
13.58 Had a nice car. Husband liked things up to scratch. They had a 5-seater AMERICAN car.
End of Track 7
Track 8
00.06 Had to do a lot for self couldn’t just go to the local shop and get what you wanted.
00.44 Got married in TUATAPERE. Describes the preparation, wedding day and honeymoon.
02.49 Looking after sister MARY
03.10 Family holidays to crib in RIVERTON. Describes
04.57 At times there was a feeling of discrimination against MARY. Others were very good.
05.56 Moved to INVERCARGILL in 1975 to current home. CLARA is now 99 and still living by herself. Describes.
07.15 Husband had passed away by the time Clara moved. Moved to Glengarry.
08.19 Drove up until this year (2008). Still has a license. Thinks it will be time to be off the road by next year when she will be 100.
10.34 Re-capping on memories of VOLUNTEER AIDS.
10.55 Was quite sporty enjoyed basketball/netball and tennis.
11.27 TUATAPERE had own basketball team as did PAPATOTARA. Describes.
12.30 Talks about petrol rations during the war. Father had exemption for business.
13.01 Returning to basketball usually played on the wing. Describes.
End of Track 8
Track 9
00.05 Continues memories of playing basketball. Details.
01.32 Talks about playing tennis. Played in teams through a roster in the district. Stopped playing when married.
03.10 In the country always had plenty to do at home. Social life. Details.
Dates
- 2021
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Conditions Governing Use
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Extent
From the Record Group: 1 folder(s)
Language of Materials
English
Creator
- From the Record Group: Amundsen, Rebecca (Interviewer, Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Southland Oral History Project Repository
