Abstract of Gordon Thomas DUSTON, 2021
Item — Box: 29
Identifier: H020120002
Abstract
Gordon Thomas Duston
Interviewer: Seona Craig
Abstracter: Karen M Jones
First Interview: 17 July 2014
TRACK 1
00:02 Interview identification
00:07 GORDON THOMAS DUSTON
00:41 DATE OF BIRTH given
01.34 End of Track 1
DISC 1: TRACK 2
00:10 Recalls involvement with the AWARUA COMMUNICATION MUSEUM.
00:12 ARTHUR WILLIAMS contacted Self to join the committee over 10 years ago. Mentions.
00:45 Self worked at AWARUA site as a RIGGER. Mentions
00:53 Self’s ART skills useful. Mentions.
01:19 Self’s work as RIGGER. Explains.
01:20 Maintenance of AWARUA RADIO MASTS. Describes.
01:50 Maintenance on the LIGHTHOUSES’ AERIALS – DOG ISLAND, CENTRE ISLAND, WAIPAPA POINT, PUYSEGUR POINT. Mentions.
02:25 1962? Self started at POST OFFICE (NZPO) LINES BRANCH. Explains
02:52 Self worked on NEW AUTOMATIC EXCHANGE, INVERCARGILL and MANUAL EXCHANGES. Describes
03:52 Self’s designation was FOREMAN when working as a RIGGER – “a couple of years”. Explains
04:20 Different aspects of the LINES BRANCH – FAULTS, PABX eg KELVIN HOTEL, CABLING, etc. Self worked in CABLING when TELECOM took over. Details
05:40 Self as CLERK OF WORKS, in charge of a contractor at OREPUKI putting in UNDERGROUND LINES. Cables are maintenance-free. Explains
06:30 Recalls self now MARRIED, expecting BIRTH of FIRST CHILD.
06:44 Recalls self travelling a lot around SOUTHLAND, especially when working with FAULTS.
07:00 Self had training courses, eg INTERPHONE (like an intercom), at OUTSIDE PLANT TRAINING SCHOOL, CHRISTCHURCH. Details.
07:48 Recalls ARTHUR WILLIAMS – workmate – from TIMARU as FOREMAN to INVERCARGILL– joined SOUTHLAND TRAMPING CLUB. Self was member of tramping club.
08:18 ARTHUR WILLIAMS? gathered together people in Invercargill interested to form a committee for the AWARUA COMMUNICATION MUSEUM. ARTHUR is still on the committee. Mentions
08:29 Recalls a lot of staff moved to different jobs and different areas after the redundancies.
08:45 ARTHUR WILLIAMS is still living in INVERCARGILL.Mentions
09.11 PAUL ? or BRENDAN SPARKS may have been the ones to come up with the idea of the museum. Mentions
09:26 BRENDAN SPARKS concentrated on the THEATERETTE as his grandfather used to have a THEATERETTE on his property. The THEATERETTE has been sold to someone in NELSON?. BRENDAN used to help his grandfather with the THEATERETTE as a PROJECTIONIST. Explains
10:09 BRENDAN established the THEATERETTE in AWARUA COMMUNICATIONS MUSEUM. Self painted the decoration. Describes
10:55 Self belonged to the SOUTHLAND MOVIEMAKERS – another interest. Mentions
11:26 People wanted the old PHONE collections in one place to encourage others to donate. Explains.
12:00 AWARUA RADIO was important during WORLD WAR 2, receiving messages, etc. Describes
12:20 AWARUA RADIO was 24 HOUR SERVICE, people worked night duty, listening and doing MORSE CODE. Describes
12:38 Recalls SATELITTE TECHNOLOGY made AWARUA RADIO REDUNDANT.
12:50 Self wanted to keep the AWARUA RADIO WORK HISTORY alive. Mentions
12:54 LANDS AND SURVEY DEPARTMENT owned the AWARUA RADIO land. PAULA MCKENZIE? leased the land from them as did others. Describes
14:00 AWARUA COMMUNICATIONS MUSEUM BUILDING was the TRANSMITTING STATION. Explains
14:23 A big mast built just before WORLD WAR 1. Describes
14:45 Recalls AWARUA COMMUNICATIONS MUSEUM started in some buildings in ELLES ROAD?, SOUTH INVERCARGILL.
15.01 End of Track 2
TRACK 3
00:01 Recalls AWARUA COMMUNICATIONS MUSEUM started in some buildings (the butcher’s shop) in ELLES ROAD?, SOUTH INVERCARGILL.(continued)
00:13 Recalls some other places in INVERCARGILL. The COMMITTEE decided this (AWARUA RADIO) was the best place.
00:38 FUNDRAISING for the MUSEUM - “a big hurdle”. Mentions
00:58 Recalls the MUSEUM has been on the present site for “about 6 years”.
01:44 There was about 10 people – “come and gone” to get the MUSEUM to this stage. Mentions 01:56 CONSULTANTS were brought in to write the plan to help with the FUNDRAISING. Mentions.
02:28 In the process of raising FUNDS eg selling pies, scrapmetal etc so funding can be applied for. Describes
03:29 Self gets some information he holds. Reference.
04.21 PAUL MCKAY is the PRESIDENT of the committee and the main instigator. Mentions
04:47 2003 – Self not sure if they were at the AWARUA site at this stage. Mentions
05:31 Other FUNDRAISING such as films, hire of THEATERETTE. This closed down when other building work was happening. Describes
06:04 The THEATRETTE was first to be finished. Part of the MUSEUM was displayed but not up to a professional level. Explains
06:26 The MUSUEM had TELECOMMUNICATION items, but the FUNDING would only be given if PRESERVATION was undertaken. Explains.
07:01 Recalls there may be more than 10 on the committee.
07:13 The consultant helped with funding and the plan. Mentions
07:27 Self recalls that it is a big job. The project has been going for over 10 years and is still not finished – 2003.
07:37 EXPRESSION “It’s like cheese, I suppose, all these good things take time.”
10:04, Other methods of FUNDRAISING eg raffles and PROMOTION with a tent at the EDENDALE CRANK UP DAY. Describes
10:27 Recalls people donating items as well as their stories of their time in the NZPO.
11:00 The old CABLES had a LEAD covering and PAPER around the wires. Self said it was an art to join the cables together. Explains
11:45 The PAPER was the INSULATION and the code to join the wires together. This was before plastic cable. Describes
12:10 JOHNNY HALL was the expert. The technique for the joining of the CABLES included PAPER and PLASTIC SLEEVES and SOLDERING. Details
13:16 AERIAL COPPER WIRES on the poles could be twisted and SOLDERED. Describes
13:35 The technique of heating in a BRAZIER and handling of the SOLDERING IRON as self takes it up the pole. Explains
14:25 When out in the rural areas on a LINES Truck – a big truck with ladders etc, brought your own lunch. Heated up a THERMETTE – a cylinder shape – over a fire to “BOIL THE BILLY” (Expression) for tea. Explains
14:59 End of Track 3
TRACK 4
00:18 Self went to DEEP COVE POWER SCHEME when it was starting in the 1960’s. - MANAPOURI. Mentions
00:33 Recalls PHONE LINE from WEST ARM to DEEP COVE through bush. Gradually RADIO SIGNALS.
00:52 “A SPECIAL GROUP” repaired the bush line. FAULT caused by tree or deer. Describes
01:13 Self flew into DEEP COVE or WEST ARM ? by a FLOAT PLANE. Mentions
01:30 The WANGANELLA, a liner, moored in DEEP COVE SOUND. Sailed between NEW ZEALAND and AUSTRALIA. Used as hostel accommodation for workers. Explains
02:09 Self stayed on the WANGANELLA on occasion. Describes
02:40 Self’s tramping experience helped. Mentions
02:47 One time self and another FOREMAN had to find a FAULT on the bush line. Describes
03:58 CONTRACTORS at DEEP COVE and WEST ARM wrote letter to DISTRICT ENGINEER (NZPO) thanking self for “a good job”. Mentions
04:13 PHONE LINE used for short time. Size of CABLE discussed. Describes
04:26 RADIO COMMUNICATION - Signals, microwaves, Satellites, etc from the tops of mountains. Mentions
04:50 Self worked at TIWAI ALUMINIUM SMELTER when it was being established in the 1960’s – ‘running CABLES”. Describes.
06:00 Two PYLON Lines going from WEST ARM to the SMELTER. One line is used with a spare in case of the other one not working. Cost of power outage would be in millions. Explains
06:30 TIWAI is “a big complex” – ‘providing employment for a lot of people”. Describes
06:58 Recalls self has worked in KELVIN HOTEL, OFFICES, MENZIES BUILDING, FREEZING WORKS – messy place to work, BALLANCE PHOSPHATE WORKS, OCEAN BEACH FREEZING WORKS.
07:35 BALLANCE WORKS – PHOSPHATE ACID in the air affect the wires. Mentions
07:44 OCEAN BEACH FREEZING WORKS, BLUFF – self worked on mainly FAULTS. Mentions
07:57 BLUFF – SHIPS eg NAVY SHIP, were supplied with a PHONE LINE. Describes
08:32 Big changes in self’s work – changing to AUTOMATIC EXCHANGES. Describes
08:50 Recalls STEWART ISLAND did not change to AUTOMATIC “for quite a few years afterwards”.
09:01 Smaller RURAL places had PARTY LINES. Mentions
09.16 Self lived in MAKAREWA in the late 1970’s and had a PARTY LINE. Describes
09:58 The operation of the PARTY LINE PHONE. Explains
11:16 Self happy to talk to anyone about AWARUA RADIO. Mentions
END OF INTERVIEW
Interviewer: Seona Craig
Abstracter: Karen M Jones
First Interview: 17 July 2014
TRACK 1
00:02 Interview identification
00:07 GORDON THOMAS DUSTON
00:41 DATE OF BIRTH given
01.34 End of Track 1
DISC 1: TRACK 2
00:10 Recalls involvement with the AWARUA COMMUNICATION MUSEUM.
00:12 ARTHUR WILLIAMS contacted Self to join the committee over 10 years ago. Mentions.
00:45 Self worked at AWARUA site as a RIGGER. Mentions
00:53 Self’s ART skills useful. Mentions.
01:19 Self’s work as RIGGER. Explains.
01:20 Maintenance of AWARUA RADIO MASTS. Describes.
01:50 Maintenance on the LIGHTHOUSES’ AERIALS – DOG ISLAND, CENTRE ISLAND, WAIPAPA POINT, PUYSEGUR POINT. Mentions.
02:25 1962? Self started at POST OFFICE (NZPO) LINES BRANCH. Explains
02:52 Self worked on NEW AUTOMATIC EXCHANGE, INVERCARGILL and MANUAL EXCHANGES. Describes
03:52 Self’s designation was FOREMAN when working as a RIGGER – “a couple of years”. Explains
04:20 Different aspects of the LINES BRANCH – FAULTS, PABX eg KELVIN HOTEL, CABLING, etc. Self worked in CABLING when TELECOM took over. Details
05:40 Self as CLERK OF WORKS, in charge of a contractor at OREPUKI putting in UNDERGROUND LINES. Cables are maintenance-free. Explains
06:30 Recalls self now MARRIED, expecting BIRTH of FIRST CHILD.
06:44 Recalls self travelling a lot around SOUTHLAND, especially when working with FAULTS.
07:00 Self had training courses, eg INTERPHONE (like an intercom), at OUTSIDE PLANT TRAINING SCHOOL, CHRISTCHURCH. Details.
07:48 Recalls ARTHUR WILLIAMS – workmate – from TIMARU as FOREMAN to INVERCARGILL– joined SOUTHLAND TRAMPING CLUB. Self was member of tramping club.
08:18 ARTHUR WILLIAMS? gathered together people in Invercargill interested to form a committee for the AWARUA COMMUNICATION MUSEUM. ARTHUR is still on the committee. Mentions
08:29 Recalls a lot of staff moved to different jobs and different areas after the redundancies.
08:45 ARTHUR WILLIAMS is still living in INVERCARGILL.Mentions
09.11 PAUL ? or BRENDAN SPARKS may have been the ones to come up with the idea of the museum. Mentions
09:26 BRENDAN SPARKS concentrated on the THEATERETTE as his grandfather used to have a THEATERETTE on his property. The THEATERETTE has been sold to someone in NELSON?. BRENDAN used to help his grandfather with the THEATERETTE as a PROJECTIONIST. Explains
10:09 BRENDAN established the THEATERETTE in AWARUA COMMUNICATIONS MUSEUM. Self painted the decoration. Describes
10:55 Self belonged to the SOUTHLAND MOVIEMAKERS – another interest. Mentions
11:26 People wanted the old PHONE collections in one place to encourage others to donate. Explains.
12:00 AWARUA RADIO was important during WORLD WAR 2, receiving messages, etc. Describes
12:20 AWARUA RADIO was 24 HOUR SERVICE, people worked night duty, listening and doing MORSE CODE. Describes
12:38 Recalls SATELITTE TECHNOLOGY made AWARUA RADIO REDUNDANT.
12:50 Self wanted to keep the AWARUA RADIO WORK HISTORY alive. Mentions
12:54 LANDS AND SURVEY DEPARTMENT owned the AWARUA RADIO land. PAULA MCKENZIE? leased the land from them as did others. Describes
14:00 AWARUA COMMUNICATIONS MUSEUM BUILDING was the TRANSMITTING STATION. Explains
14:23 A big mast built just before WORLD WAR 1. Describes
14:45 Recalls AWARUA COMMUNICATIONS MUSEUM started in some buildings in ELLES ROAD?, SOUTH INVERCARGILL.
15.01 End of Track 2
TRACK 3
00:01 Recalls AWARUA COMMUNICATIONS MUSEUM started in some buildings (the butcher’s shop) in ELLES ROAD?, SOUTH INVERCARGILL.(continued)
00:13 Recalls some other places in INVERCARGILL. The COMMITTEE decided this (AWARUA RADIO) was the best place.
00:38 FUNDRAISING for the MUSEUM - “a big hurdle”. Mentions
00:58 Recalls the MUSEUM has been on the present site for “about 6 years”.
01:44 There was about 10 people – “come and gone” to get the MUSEUM to this stage. Mentions 01:56 CONSULTANTS were brought in to write the plan to help with the FUNDRAISING. Mentions.
02:28 In the process of raising FUNDS eg selling pies, scrapmetal etc so funding can be applied for. Describes
03:29 Self gets some information he holds. Reference.
04.21 PAUL MCKAY is the PRESIDENT of the committee and the main instigator. Mentions
04:47 2003 – Self not sure if they were at the AWARUA site at this stage. Mentions
05:31 Other FUNDRAISING such as films, hire of THEATERETTE. This closed down when other building work was happening. Describes
06:04 The THEATRETTE was first to be finished. Part of the MUSEUM was displayed but not up to a professional level. Explains
06:26 The MUSUEM had TELECOMMUNICATION items, but the FUNDING would only be given if PRESERVATION was undertaken. Explains.
07:01 Recalls there may be more than 10 on the committee.
07:13 The consultant helped with funding and the plan. Mentions
07:27 Self recalls that it is a big job. The project has been going for over 10 years and is still not finished – 2003.
07:37 EXPRESSION “It’s like cheese, I suppose, all these good things take time.”
10:04, Other methods of FUNDRAISING eg raffles and PROMOTION with a tent at the EDENDALE CRANK UP DAY. Describes
10:27 Recalls people donating items as well as their stories of their time in the NZPO.
11:00 The old CABLES had a LEAD covering and PAPER around the wires. Self said it was an art to join the cables together. Explains
11:45 The PAPER was the INSULATION and the code to join the wires together. This was before plastic cable. Describes
12:10 JOHNNY HALL was the expert. The technique for the joining of the CABLES included PAPER and PLASTIC SLEEVES and SOLDERING. Details
13:16 AERIAL COPPER WIRES on the poles could be twisted and SOLDERED. Describes
13:35 The technique of heating in a BRAZIER and handling of the SOLDERING IRON as self takes it up the pole. Explains
14:25 When out in the rural areas on a LINES Truck – a big truck with ladders etc, brought your own lunch. Heated up a THERMETTE – a cylinder shape – over a fire to “BOIL THE BILLY” (Expression) for tea. Explains
14:59 End of Track 3
TRACK 4
00:18 Self went to DEEP COVE POWER SCHEME when it was starting in the 1960’s. - MANAPOURI. Mentions
00:33 Recalls PHONE LINE from WEST ARM to DEEP COVE through bush. Gradually RADIO SIGNALS.
00:52 “A SPECIAL GROUP” repaired the bush line. FAULT caused by tree or deer. Describes
01:13 Self flew into DEEP COVE or WEST ARM ? by a FLOAT PLANE. Mentions
01:30 The WANGANELLA, a liner, moored in DEEP COVE SOUND. Sailed between NEW ZEALAND and AUSTRALIA. Used as hostel accommodation for workers. Explains
02:09 Self stayed on the WANGANELLA on occasion. Describes
02:40 Self’s tramping experience helped. Mentions
02:47 One time self and another FOREMAN had to find a FAULT on the bush line. Describes
03:58 CONTRACTORS at DEEP COVE and WEST ARM wrote letter to DISTRICT ENGINEER (NZPO) thanking self for “a good job”. Mentions
04:13 PHONE LINE used for short time. Size of CABLE discussed. Describes
04:26 RADIO COMMUNICATION - Signals, microwaves, Satellites, etc from the tops of mountains. Mentions
04:50 Self worked at TIWAI ALUMINIUM SMELTER when it was being established in the 1960’s – ‘running CABLES”. Describes.
06:00 Two PYLON Lines going from WEST ARM to the SMELTER. One line is used with a spare in case of the other one not working. Cost of power outage would be in millions. Explains
06:30 TIWAI is “a big complex” – ‘providing employment for a lot of people”. Describes
06:58 Recalls self has worked in KELVIN HOTEL, OFFICES, MENZIES BUILDING, FREEZING WORKS – messy place to work, BALLANCE PHOSPHATE WORKS, OCEAN BEACH FREEZING WORKS.
07:35 BALLANCE WORKS – PHOSPHATE ACID in the air affect the wires. Mentions
07:44 OCEAN BEACH FREEZING WORKS, BLUFF – self worked on mainly FAULTS. Mentions
07:57 BLUFF – SHIPS eg NAVY SHIP, were supplied with a PHONE LINE. Describes
08:32 Big changes in self’s work – changing to AUTOMATIC EXCHANGES. Describes
08:50 Recalls STEWART ISLAND did not change to AUTOMATIC “for quite a few years afterwards”.
09:01 Smaller RURAL places had PARTY LINES. Mentions
09.16 Self lived in MAKAREWA in the late 1970’s and had a PARTY LINE. Describes
09:58 The operation of the PARTY LINE PHONE. Explains
11:16 Self happy to talk to anyone about AWARUA RADIO. Mentions
END OF INTERVIEW
Dates
- 2021
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Extent
From the Record Group: 1 folder(s)
Language of Materials
English
Creator
- From the Record Group: Craig, Seona (Interviewer, Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Southland Oral History Project Repository
