H0654 HAROLD HANCOX

Interviewer: Gloria McHutchon

Abstractor: Sheila Bishop

First Interview 21st June 2024

TRACK 1

00:51 Introduction

Outline of conditions and reason for recording .Accepted.

Full name: HAROLD GODFREY HANCOX BORN 1933.

01:48 FAMILY. Came originally from KENILWORTH, WARWICKSHIRE, ENGLAND. GREAT GRANDFATHER came by ship to AUCKLAND in 1864. Almost straight to TAPANUI as some family there. Death of both GRANDPARENTS in short time resulted in some of the children being relocated to TAPANUI in 1910. Details

08:21 Harold's father then in TAPANUI from age of 6. Worked for farmers — DICKERSONS, CLEGHORNS and at MERINO DOWNS. Took up shearing and bought first SHEARING MACHINE in WEST OTAGO. Details

11:37 Very mechanically minded and over time owned 32 motor bikes. Innovative. Had a steam ticket and drove thrashing mill tractor, used for many tasks. Details.

15:03 Worked at WYLIE'S GARAGE for several years. Bought 50 acre block. Built house in NORTHUMBERLAND STREET TAPANUI.

16:40 Married around 1928. Moved to TAPANUI January 1940. Continued working at WYLIE'S.

18:20 EARLY TAPANUI -Two saw mills left. CONICAL HILL SAW MILL was biggest in South Island. Built workers houses. Also BARROW BOX SAW MILL. Details.

20:7 Both saw mills closed due to "Rogernomics" in 1986 and staff left. TAPANUI population had been 1100 but lost 400, 4 banks etc. Detail

21:54 GREAT GRANDMOTHER was wonderful person. Born 1850 in ENGLAND. Describes.

26.40 After early work in ENGLAND she sailed to the Colonies for greater opportunities on the ship "OTAGO". Journey to DUNEDIN. Describes. Applied for position as a HOUSEKEEPER at KELSO (LOGANS). Met Harold’s GREAT GRANDFATHER.

27:09 Worked at BROOKSDALE STATION and MANSE BUSH. Details.

End of track 1

TRACK 2

00:03 As a child enjoyed children's playground at TAPANUI. Family moves. Details

02:24 EDUCATION - TAPANUI DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL, OTAGO BOYS HIGH SCHOOL for 2 years. Details

04:23 WORK - After school had job as lamb drafter and other farm work. Parents insisted on him having a trade. Started at WYLIE'S GARAGE. Offered apprenticeship and completed ADVANCED TRADE CERTIFICATE IN MOTOR MECHANICS after 7 years. Details. Owner, Mr Wylie, sold out of the garage and LES ALLOTT bought it. Many new dealerships added and business was good. Harold offered partnership and worked with Les for 10 years. Details

10:25 Ended up with 10 staff, 4 taxis and bus. Worked hard and for long hours. Describes. End of track 2

Second Interview 27th June 2024

Track 3

Date and introduction to second day of recording.

End of track 3

TRACK 4

00:10 Started BLUE MOUNTAIN SEARCH AND RESCUE IN 1956. Elected Convenor to work with POLICE and for first 15 years that was Harold. Reliant on locals for their detailed knowledge of the area. Describes.

05:35 Called out for incident involving fire arms and drugs at CROOKSTON. MURRAY Harris accompanied him. Details

06:41 CHIEF FIRE OFFICER at this time.

07:04 "Rogernomics" impact in 1986. Lost 10 FIRE BRIGADE OFFICERS out of 21 in short time. Describes.

08:17 Replaced RUSTY WELLS to become longest serving CHIEF FIRE OFFICER for 10 years. Legally had to retire at 65. Gradually rebuilt numbers. Details

14:1 1 Responded to fire at DYNES. Impact- provided with more safety gear. Portable trolley used in early days Describes. Purchase of various FIRE ENGINES. Royal inquiry after big fire at BALLANTYNE’S CHRISTCHURCH. Expert recommended amalgamation of FIRE STATIONS, locally and nationally, all to be provided with similar equipment. Details

22:22 Councillor for 9 years for BOROUGH COUNCIL before amalgamation. Served in several roles for TAPANUI District HIGH SCHOOL and BLUE MOUNTAIN COLLEGE. Many projects. Details

25:45 Became Chairman of COUNCIL'S WORKS COMMITTEE to address major issues with SEWAGE SYSTEM. Legal issues involved. Details.

35:1 1 Appointed as JUSTICE OF THE PEACE. Describes.

38:05 WYLIES GARAGE operation, partnership etc. decide to sell all businesses and property in 1968. Bought 430 acre farm. Married in 1961 to KAY. CHILDREN - NANNETTE 1962, NELSON 1964. Describes

End of track 4

Third Interview 1 July 2024

TRACK 5

00:40 Born at TAPANUI COTTAGE HOSPITAL. Father a shearer from KELSO to WAIKAKA. Lived in FALCONER house for 2 years. January 1940 lived in old house on BOUNDARY ROAD until 1943. 1943 to 1961 lived at 51 NORTHUMBERLAND STREET. Describes.

05:12 Bought house at 5 DORSET STREET after marrying in 1961

06:38 Built new home in NORTHUMBERLAND STREET. Owned WYLIE'S GARAGE 1958 to 1965.

10:53 FAMILY- Older sister ALEXA married ALBERT MOORE. Sister JOAN a teacher, married another teacher and lived mostly in TARANAKI.

15:14 SEARCH AND RESCUE event in RANKLEBURN FOREST. Details.

28: 19 After this, PERCY Mc GROUTHER thought Harold would be useful for search and rescue, 14 weeks training at BURNHAM. Left school December 1950 and in camp before end of 1951. Great experience and training. Describes.

36:09 QUINNS DAM for flour mill covered large area.

37:55 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH TAPANUI. Chairman of Board of Managers. Mother and children were very active in church. Describes.

42:20 Went to dance with girlfriend, KAY. Married Kay in September 1961 in local Presbyterian Church by ALBERT MOORE. NEW CALEDONIA for honeymoon. Harold 28 doing well through busy working long hours at WYLIE'S GARAGE.

1:05 INTERESTS - RUGBY, TENNIS and FIRE BRIGADE. Describes.

1:36 COMMUNITY — Presbyterian Church member. Involved in building of cottages at RIBBONWOOD Became member of PRESBYTERIAN SUPPORT OTAGO representing West Otago. Started to build RIBBONWOOD REST HOME. Details.

1:54 Councillor for 9 years. Chaired Works Committee. Highlight was building of WEST OTAGO COMMUNITY CENTRE. Describes. TAPANUI a vibrant town. Enjoyed farming with son NELSON and enjoyed family life.