Malcolm David MacKenzie

Interviewer: Rebecca Amundsen

Abstracter: Linda Cooper

First Interview: 22 May 2013

TRACK 1

00:00 Interview identification

00:24 Malcolm David MacKenzie, born in 1935

00:33 Interview agreement

01:15 Mother’s name was DOROTHY, maiden name PIERCE – lived in INVERCARGILL with her parents – had two brothers and two sisters – mother married at 19 – came out to farm shortly after – father DAVID MACKENZIE quite a few years older

02:06 MACKENZIE properly spelt with “Mac,” capital K, but father sometimes signed “Mc”, until a bank manager told him he had to decide on one form of name – UNCLE JOCK’S papers from WWI always referred to him with the “Mc” spelling

03:13 Mother’s parents were WINIFRED PIERCE and BILL PIERCE [WILLIAM GILCHRIST PIERCE], known as ‘BIG BILL’ – RESIDENT ENGINEER for HOMER TUNNEL at MILFORD – mentioned several times in book MEN OF THE MILFORD ROAD by BILL ANDERSON [i.e., HAROLD J. ANDERSON] – tunnel started around 1935 with PICK and SHOVEL and WHEELBARROW – [maternal] grandfather died when self was young, so had little contact with him

05:48 [End of Track 1]

TRACK 2

00:00 Maternal grandfather was WILLIAM GILCHRIST PIERCE – not sure where he came from

00:25 Father was DAVID MACKENZIE – his parents were JOHN and HELEN [MACKENZIE] – HELEN was a MCKAY, brought up at GUMMIES BUSH [SOUTHLAND, N.Z.] – Helen worked at a hotel in WINTON for some time – not sure about date of their marriage – father had two older brothers

01:08 [End of Track 2]

TRACK 3

00:00 Father’s eldest brother was JOCK (JOHN FINLAY MACKENZIE) [sp?], born 1892 – second son was KENNETH ALEXANDER – DAVID was born in 1897

00:34 Uncle JOCK served in First World War [WORLD WAR, 1914-1918] – wounded in battle – piece of SHRAPNEL still remains in a cupboard – recalls story of JOCK’s homecoming. References: TRAIN; INVERCARGILL; LIMEHILLS; INJURIES; BANDAGES; SLING; SIX MILES ON FOOT – when he knocked at door, mother wanted to know who he was

01:47 Unfortunately JOCK did not live much longer – DROWNED on Christmas Day, 1921 in the DEVIL’S POOL at INVERCARGILL [ACCIDENTAL DROWNING] – somewhere in the area of THOMSONS BUSH in INVERCARGILL [WAIHOPAI RIVER] – never met JOCK

02:29 Uncle KENNETH was involved overseas in wartime, but probably not active service – being the youngest, Dad [DAVID MACKENZIE] took over farm – after the war, uncle KENNETH took over farm to the north intended for JOCK – only one other farm between the two MACKENZIE farms

03:18 Farm in the middle was owned by WOODFORD ROUSE – visited Dad on a regular basis – used kouradi stick from flax bush for walking – almost always in BARE FEET – very tall man with very large feet – when going to INVERCARGILL for business or shopping, would travel by foot over the WINTON hill, across farmland – would sleep under a hedge in INVERCARGILL that night and walk back home the next day

04:51 [WOODFORD ROUSE] had a family, not sure how many – one son farmed at FIVE RIVERS area – RAINWATER BARREL at WOODFORD’s house – he had a bath or a dip in this barrel every day – “pretty hardy, as any of these early people were”

05:50 [WOODFORD ROUSE] built ROOT FENCES – the farm was very peaty, like the MACKENZIES’ farm – BOG PINE roots were ploughed up – built a good number of fences from them – some remain, but have sunk a good deal – huge numbers of dry loads of roots ploughed up on MACKENZIES’ farm – heap of bog pine roots stacked in a paddock in 1926 still remains today – describes process of ploughing and cutting bog pine roots. References: DRAY; FOUR HORSES; FRAME; CHAFF; THICK TIMBER; 600-700 DRAY-LOADS – BOG PINE [HALOCARPUS BIDWILLII] from pine family, but not KAHIKATEA – same tree that grows in the wilderness in TE ANAU – [BOG PINE on farm] never alive during parents’ or grandparents’ time – must have gradually all died out – still a great deal of bog pine in some areas off the farm

09:13 [HEATHERLEA FARM] is now 484 ACRES or 193 HECTARES – grandfather [JOHN MACKENZIE] originally bought about 130 acres in 1900 – added to twice, now same size as in 1915 – reasonably large [but] quite a small farm in today’s world, as there has been a lot of amalgamation of farms over the years [FARM AMALGAMATION]

10:25 Farm likely pretty rough at time of purchase – man named MR O’MEARA, possibly JOHN, was living on part of it – he had a HUT called KILLARNEY – family has ploughed up items like bits of pipes [TOBACCO PIPES] from hut

11:35 First memory of farm revolves around HORSES – father had a lot of horses – 20 WORKING HORSES at one point – needed three six-horse teams to pull the DRAIN PLOUGH – self loved horses – CLYDESDALES have a lovely nature

12:27 Also had two PONIES called MAC and JERRY – self and younger sister each had to ride a pony to O'SHAUGHNESSY’S [?] CORNER to catch bus to LIMEHILLS SCHOOL

13:37 When younger brother started school, father built a small cart to be towed by MAC – called it a JIGGER, sometimes referred to as “the little JOGGER”

14:15 Dad had to part with the horses in 1948 or 1949 – one of the saddest days of childhood – self remembers threatening to leave home, so sad at seeing them go

15:00 [End of Track 3]

TRACK 4

00:00 Time had moved on and dad had bought a TRACTOR [AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY] – now realises there was no way dad could keep all those horses – must have been very difficult for him as well – still had Tommy the hack that used to pull the JOGGER – describes many happy memories of that horse and lambing time – describes other horses

01:58 In those days, [working with HORSES] was second nature, learned from an early age. Describes work with horses. References: ROLLER; HAY SWEEP; HAY RAKE; RISING EARLY; FEEDING; GROOMING

03:07 In those days people ate large BREAKFASTS. Explains. References: PORRIDGE; MOLASSES; TREACLE; CREAM; EGGS; BACON; SAUSAGES – father never put on weight – largely because of the manual labour – men had large and stronger hands than today – miles of TILE DRAINS had to be dug with a SPADE – hard life, but they knew no different, thought of it as normal life

04:43 To do WASHING, grandmother and mother had to heat water in a COPPER out in the orchard and carry it back into WASHHOUSE. Explains. References: LIGHTING A FIRE; BUCKETS; WOODEN KAURI TUB; SCRUBBING BOARD; CLOTHESLINES – a lot different to today’s world

05:46 Grandmother and mother made BUTTER until children were old enough to do it – pounds of butter wrapped in special paper – unused BUTTER and EGGS exchanged for GROCERIES – farm had 60–80 hens of all different colours – cleaned eggs went into large CANE BASKET with pounds of butter on top, left out at the gate for GROCER

07:04 GRIMWOODS [?] GROCERY delivered every Tuesday – Mother ordered by telephone on Monday – barter arrangement worked extremely well – “we could do with a bit more BARTER SYSTEM today”

07:43 One day things didn’t work out so well – as well as HENS, DUCKS, and TURKEYS, farm also had PIGS – one of the pigs got out and found basket – when the grocer arrived, his first sight of the basket included a pig with its front feet in the basket and a pound of butter in its mouth – probably hell to pay that day – no doubt a lasting memory for the guy on the delivery van

08:35 Describes SEPARATOR used to make butter. References: SPEED OF TURNING HANDLE; BELL; CLICKING; TAP; SPOUTS; CREAM; SKIM MILK – cream was very nice, you could sample it from time to time – all-timber DAIRY room always kept the smells in it – room also used to store DATES, probably 10 kilos – also TITI or MUTTONBIRDS in a KELP BAG [PŌHĀ] – various BOTTLES and JARS of JAM, PICKLE – at times some GINGER BEER or something similar – on one occasion bottles started exploding – certainly made a mess

11:45 Beautiful smell of that room lingered on – was still there until the house burnt around 1986 [HOUSE FIRE] – ELECTRICAL FAULT assumed – behind dairy room was the STOREROOM holding APPLES and PEARS [FRUIT] – apples picked by mother and children – apples added their own aroma

13:00 North of the dairy room was the WASHHOUSE where the tubs were – WRINGER WASHING MACHINE bought in due course – also contained interesting [BUTTER] CHURN adapted by dad. Explains. References: BICYCLE WHEEL; WIDE BELT SURFACE; LEATHER STRIP – mother could TREADLE it instead of turning by hand so she could be DARNING SOCKS at the same time

14:54 [interviewer asks about TITI stored in the dairy room]

15:00 [End of Track 4]

TRACK 5

00:00 Dad had friends at BLUFF who came from the MUTTONBIRD ISLANDS – dad used to exchange LAMB, MUTTON, SWEDES for TITI – in the 1940s, family was at CAMPING GROUND in BLUFF when OYSTERS were being dredged – one of dad’s friends came with a huge CRAYFISH – dad wasn’t sure if he wanted it – first time self ever tasted CRAYFISH – dad’s friend couldn’t give the rest away – they were taken to the dump – things have changed dramatically

2:04 Family exchanged various farm produce, like BUTTER, MEAT, or SWEDES for OYSTERS – remembers sacks of oysters coming home to HEATHERLEA FARM, mostly eaten RAW – wonderful times

03:03 [DWELLING] Family home was a WOODEN HOUSE – ADDITIONS made over the years – had COAL RANGE, WATER HEATER, LARGE TABLE, RADIO on the wall with a DOG COLLAR underneath it – certainly wasn’t for tying a dog up [PHYSICAL DISCIPLINE] – children felt that dog collar around their legs if they’d been misbehaving – did them no harm – taught them a lesson if they needed it – knowledge that it was there made them behave

04:59 Remembers a time when the FIRE wasn’t going properly and dad poured something onto it which duly exploded – he was covered in SOOT – soot all over the walls – he was not a popular guy for some time – Describes COAL RANGE. References: EXTENSION; LONGER PIECES OF WOOD; WOOD; COAL – always spotless, nice and black, polished with MUTTON FAT on newspaper – FIRE always in use, all meals cooked on range

06:32 Father was quite inventive at making improvements – didn’t have a great deal of education but clever with his mind and hands – life is an education – practical skills not usually developed in a classroom

07:31 [Interviewer refers to book BIRTH OF A DISTRICT by J. NIGEL OVERTON, which talks about MacKenzie family] – land was quite SWAMPY and PADDOCKS had to be DRAINED [PADDOCK DRAINAGE] – part of farm had PODOCARP FOREST – PEAT SWAMP had MANUKA around edges – last part of that swamp has a COVENANT on it [LAND COVENANTS] – PEAT SWAMPS IN SOUTHLAND disappearing at an alarming rate – [PEATLANDS] have their own BIODIVERSITY – important to preserve some examples [PEAT WETLANDS – CONSERVATION]

08:50 [Digging and installing] drains must’ve been very hard work; and the ground has sunk a few feet since then [PEATLAND SUBSIDENCE]. Explains. References: BOG PINE [HALOCARPUS BIDWILLII]; SOFT BOTTOM; BOARDS LAID UNDER TILES; ROTTING; DITCHING MACHINE; UNEVEN TIMBER; PROTRUDING STICKS; ROOTS

10:32 [PEATLAND SUBSIDENCE] Describes trying to locate a large drain in a paddock with a large hollow – couldn’t find drain until it got ploughed up – hollow had been peat swamp, which always raises itself above a hollow – had subsided with years of draining

11:52 [PADDOCK DRAINAGE] No definite distance between TILES (round CLAY PIPES) – tiles not in lines – they meander around, following the hollows – a lot of runners from old ditches and natural drains are found in the lowest part of farm – a great number of drains laid in the 1920s are still operating

12:54 [FARM FENCING] This farm and neighbour’s farm had ROOT FENCES from the 1920s – stacked extremely tidily, probably three and a half feet high – some still exist today – dad said a good man could build 15 feet of fence a day – would take a long time, but labour was cheap – people would do that rather than buy fencing materials they couldn’t afford

14:06 [FARM FENCING] Describes BOG PINE TIMBER used for root fences and construction style – tidily built, “straight as a die” – time has caused them to slump a lot

15:00 [End of Track 5]

TRACK 6

00:00 [FARM FENCING] BOG PINE tends not to rot – sticks are stacked on top of each other (no wire or other materials)

00:45 [FARM FENCING] Fences can run the whole length of a paddock – neighbouring farm has probably a kilometer of wood fence built in the 1920s or earlier

01:18 [FARM FENCING] Farm had a much sturdier root fence round the cow shed, cow yard – huge amount of timber and roots involved

01:55 Born during Depression [DEPRESSIONS -- 1929] – family fortunate enough to get through it – various things were real luxuries – no POCKET MONEY – wore HOMEMADE CLOTHES – neighbour used FLOUR BAGS instead of SOCKS in his GUM BOOTS – everything was patched and repatched [HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY]

03:47 Family had food on the farm – RABBITS were quite a large part of diet [RABBIT MEAT] – they couldn’t be sold – cheap and plentiful – quite liked rabbit [meat] – also had HENS and DUCKS – always had own PIGS – used HOUSEHOLD SCRAPS and SKIM MILK from the COWS

04:41 In early times had six MILK COWS at most – more in father’s time – all farms in the early days had more cows than sheep – MILK, BUTTER, and CHEESE quite important – limited demand for LAMB – that all changed in 1940s–50s – up till that time, milk was taken to local dairy factory with a horse and cart – father used to take milk to Boggy Burn Factory [BOGGY BURN DAIRY FACTORY] on his way to LIMEHILLS SCHOOL

06:17 Father remembered a time the WINTON CREEK froze – ICE thick enough to hold horse and dray – never has done that in self’s lifetime – times have changed – CLIMATE CHANGE is with us

07:00 Dad worked very hard – self and brother involved in catching hundreds of rabbits [RABBITS -- CONTROL] – rabbits number one enemy – remembers going rabbiting at weekends from the age of six. Explains. References: SPADE; KILLING BABY RABBITS AND LARGE RABBITS; TRAPS; LANTERN – for a while, family was selling rabbits. Explains. References: CROSSBAR; MANUKA STICKS – rabbits hung in pairs; gutted but not skinned – RABBIT TRUCK would come along each day – they were CANNED in INVERCARGILL apparently – paid something like two shillings a pair – that went on till they devalued the rabbit – rabbits were a large part of the workload

10:06 [RABBITS -- CONTROL] That changed when FUMIGATION began – old FUMIGATOR still in shed – involved fire built with SAWDUST and SULPHUR. Explains. References: BELLOWS; HOSES; RABBIT WARREN ENTRANCES BLOCKED; PUMPING SMOKE – proved very effective – the ones that survived were the ones that lived under bushes – whole dynamics of rabbit life changed – not many seem to live in holes anymore

12:06 Would always take FARM DOGS [rabbiting] – dogs dead keen on catching rabbits – many a weekend was spent rabbiting – made a little bit of money from stretching and selling RABBIT SKINS, while they had a value

13:12 Only other way to make any money was cutting COCKSFOOT [GRASS] [DACTYLIS GLOMERATA] on the roadside with a sickle. Explains. References: BUNDLED; DRIED; TRACTOR HEADER; THRESHING; SEED – clean seed bought by J. G. WARDS [J. G. WARD AND COMPANY] in INVERCARGILL – COCKSFOOT is tough grass sown in paddocks a lot more [then] than today – could grow in soils that were not particularly fertile – grew on roadsides – neighbour used bicycle wheel to knock the seed out

15:00 [End of Track 6]

TRACK 7

00:00 Ownership of neighbouring farms didn’t change for a long time. Lists names of owners and locations of farms, and details on changes of ownership and family relations. Notes that COWIES have been there since the 1860s. References: ROUSE, MCGILLIVRAY [?], COWIE, MCLAUGHLIN, BURSER [?], COOMBS, ALISTAIR COOKE [?], QUENTIN MILLER [?], SIMON WADWORTH, SAM DAVIDSON (son of Davidson from GORMACK WILKES DAVIDSON LTD [GWD] AUTO DEALERSHIP in INVERCARGILL), IAN MCDONALD, CASEY STRATTON [?], COLIN AND ELLEN BALLANTYNE [?], ALPHONSE STRATTON [?], REDDELL [?]

04:08 [CHANGE IN FARMING COMMUNITIES] In earlier memories, local population was extremely stable – community no longer characterized by stability – in high school, knew 80% of people within 10–15 miles – farms carried on from one generation to the next – changed dramatically when DAIRYING started in SOUTHLAND [DAIRY INDUSTRY – SOUTHLAND] – no idea who’s living in some neighbouring properties – DAIRY WORKERS come and go – DAIRY HANDS, SHARE MILKERS, other titles – loss of community spirit that used to be there

06:28 When self was secretary of school committee, every family was represented at WORKING BEES – you don’t see that today – they call it progress, but sometimes wonder, “progress to where?”

07:35 Property had very small WOOLSHED built in small stages – one part put up in 1945 by DICK TIBBETT – another part from stables at CATHOLIC CHURCH at CENTRE BUSH – woolshed falling down today and unused

08:58 Has great interest in birds and nature – only reason woolshed is standing today is that OWLS nest there – not native owls – MOREPORK disappeared from area around 1992

09:50 WOOLSHED held 130 sheep – SHEARERS stayed in a hut that still remains – did 130 sheep a day – mum fed them, and they might do other jobs for dad if it was raining – different from SHEARING today where all you’ve got to do is take your sheep to the yard and the shearers do all the rest

11:20 The hut was also home at times for SWAGGERS [SWAGMEN, ITINERANT RURAL LABOURERS] that used to walk the roads in Depression years [DEPRESSIONS -- 1929] – recalls one named JIM with a little sack on his back – would work and live in hut for about a week – he smoked, but never had matches. Explains. References: TOBACCO; FILE; LINT; STONE; SPARK

15:00 [End of Track 7]

TRACK 8

00:10 Little hut had RADIO in later years – dad rigged overhead wire from house so radio from the house could be heard in hut – “modern invention” – HENHOUSE wire was strung from garden gate to henhouse catch, so mum could pull the wire from 150 meters away to let the hens out

02:06 Apart from rabbits, no HUNTING for pigs or deer – did go DEERSTALKING once – went to GREENSTONE VALLEY – DEER everywhere – more interested in PHOTOGRAPHY than shooting deer – self and friend shot one deer each

03:03 Used to catch a few TROUT. Explains local fishing practices. References: FISHING LICENSE; RIVER; NIGHT-FISHING; LIGHT; SPEAR – most never caught excessive amount – did tickle a few trout as a teenager [TROUT TICKLING] – besides trout, OTAPIRI STREAM had a lot of EELS – had NO FISHING RODS at all – “Anyone who can tickle a trout and get it out of the water deserves to have it without a license.” Explains.

05:39 Dad had marvelous large vegetable garden [VEGETABLE GARDENING] – grew far more than family could eat – money was scarce – CABBAGES thrown to cows – huge amount of RHUBARB – grew CARROTS, PARSNIPS, LETTUCES, PEAS, BROAD BEANS

07:15 Farm had an ORCHARD – probably 20 APPLE TREES, several PLUM, two QUINCES – not much luck with APRICOTS or NECTARINES – stored them away nice and dry in the STOREROOM – GRATING SLATS – kept apples in the dark with air circulating through – dad quite successful at GRAFTING around 1950 – used BEESWAX for sealing the graft – because of HEDGE, trees got WET FEET and died out in the 1960s – self does grafting of apple trees today – 300–400 a year at the RIVERTON ENVIRONMENT CENTRE

09:16 Always liked VEGETABLE GARDENING – wife Margaret has done most growing of vegetables – self grows vegetables among apple trees – mostly given away

10:00 [End of Track 8]

Second Interview: 5 June 2013

TRACK 9

00:00 Interview identification

00:29 Attended LIMEHILLS SCHOOL – EAST LIMEHILLS SCHOOL was closer, but it had closed – roll there peaked at about 17 – LIMEHILLS SCHOOL had good teachers – remembers overly strict headmaster, BULL PAYNE [SCHOOL DISCIPLINE] – he would wear dark glasses, watching all the pupils – if he caught anyone talking or whispering, they were really in trouble – was terrified of the guy – very frightened when it came to MORNING TALKS

03:27 Self enjoyed SCIENCE, MATHS, SPELLING – loved MANUAL TRAINING, WOODWORKING – school had GARDENS – great for children – [children] also had little plots at house, someone would come around and judge them – no recollection of PET DAYS

05:13 Later changed to the BROWNS SCHOOL during the war – there, children would sit inside old tires and get rolled around the playground at quite high speeds – PIPE WORKS next door, made FIELD TILES in KILNS – COAL SMOKE was something diabolical – quite unpleasant

07:28 Played some SPORTS at lunchtime – kicking a BALL around, MARBLES – played TENNIS – enjoyed tennis for years after leaving school

08:50 BROWNS SCHOOL didn’t have same opportunities – SWIMMING POOLS all closed because of POLIO EPIDEMIC – never learned to swim at school – several students ended up with IRONS on legs [due to POLIO] – no close friends or relations were affected – a real problem in its day

10:13 LIMEHILLS SCHOOL had about 60–70 pupils – two classrooms – BROWNS SCHOOL was smaller but was still two classrooms – spent 2.5 years at BROWNS SCHOOL – 7 or 8 in class – headmaster was FRED ASHLEY [?] – DOROTHY COCHRAN [?] (born DOROTHY STEVENS [?]) was a primary school teacher

11:33 FRED ASHLEY wasn’t as strict as principal at LIMEHILLS SCHOOL – was more of a bully in class – two adopted or foster children in class were quite backward – he would get them by the ear and drag them to the front of the class – self felt it was really unwarranted – not a particularly good teacher

13:08 [DISCIPLINE] Self can’t remember getting the cane at either school – maybe once at LIMEHILLS – generally seemed to keep out of trouble

14:23 Self was quite shy – had difficulty speaking in front of class – very little in the way of MORNING TALKS at BROWNS SCHOOL

15:00 [End of Track 9]

TRACK 10

00:00 Was SCHOOL DUX in the last year at BROWNS SCHOOL – was expected to say a few words at prize-giving day – was struck dumb and terrified – didn’t speak at all apart from saying thank you – that is one regret at school

00:43 Was DUX (TOP PUPIL) around age 13 – was given three books by DICKENS [CHARLES DICKENS], including MARTIN CHUZZLEWIT

02:05 Enjoyed the learning part of school – did least well in HISTORY and ENGLISH – top subjects were SPELLING and MATHS – it was a breeze – continued on at WINTON DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL – small high school attached to primary school – probably had a lot of help from mother – she was very conscientious and very helpful

03:35 Had to leave high school at early age – father not well [HEALTH] – got to end of form 4 – missed a lot of days because of dad’s ill health – at the end of the year, parents decided self needed to come home and work on the farm – about 15 years old – was disappointed – enjoyed school – realized things had to be done at home – loved life on farm from first days in memory – had a pretty good life, hard life because times were hard – made their own fun – didn’t need PLAYSTATIONS or COMPUTERS – outside all the time, looking for LIZARDS or SKINKS in the woodpile, going after RABBITS or CLIMBING TREES

05:44 [HEALTH] Father had suffered from TB [TUBERCULOSIS], was a heavy SMOKER [TOBACCO USE] – ended up with CANCER of the throat – lived quite a few years with that problem – very hard time – mother nursed him – she would get almost no sleep

07:17 [Regarding farm work done after leaving school] There were always COWS to milk, SHEEP to move, DOGS to feed, SHEEP to kill for the house – probably quite young when killed first pigs and cattle [LIVESTOCK] – family killed all their own meat [BUTCHERING] – never got enjoyment from killing, just part of farm life – used to keep MEAT in SALT BRINE and MEAT SAFES, roll the BACON, cut out the PORK BONES and roll it and tie it

09:15 [End of Track 10]

TRACK 11

00:00 Dad able to give guidance on what to do on the farm – becomes second nature – shifting SHEEP, putting out RAMS, feeding HORSES, cropping (OATS and TIMOTHY SEED), produced back to the First World War – cut initially with HORSE-DRAWN BINDERS later converted to TRACTOR use [MECHANISED AGRICULTURE] – timothy stacked and fed into MILL [GRASS MILLING] – mill would go round to different farms. Explains. References: TRACTION ENGINE; WOOD-BURNING STEAM ENGINE; STACKING STRAW – mills cleaned seed beautifully – probably 8 to 10 people involved – farmers would go with the mill and help each other – a big important part of the year

04:05 Dad was still the boss, after illness began – self didn’t have to instruct anybody – HIRED MAN was present, sister and younger brother were there eventually – life carried on

05:38 Family went on school holidays – dad bought a CARAVAN during the Second World War – holidays spent mainly at Riverton (RIVERTON, N.Z.) – dad bought a residence there in 1942 on MYRTLE STREET – self still owns it – prior to that, family took caravan to campground in RIVERTON – at times caravan taken up to OTAPIRI STREAM about 5 miles from farm – would catch EELS and play in stream – stayed with mum in caravan, dad would come up after workday on farm – wonderful times in RIVERTON – SWIMMING was highlight – went for swims every day in all weather – no tar-sealed roads, just GRAVEL – swimming, playing in the SAND, watching and catching CRABS

08:09 Family went to BLUFF with caravan once – dad had friends on FISHING AND OYSTER BOATS – stayed on the CAMPGROUND – fisherman brought a lobster, a huge CRAYFISH – dad had never tried it – ate it on bread and butter – lasted a couple of days – oysterman was unable to give [the rest] away, had to throw them in tip

09:45 POST OFFICE at THE ROCKS in RIVERTON was not far from family’s section – one treat was going in once a day to ask if there was any mail for MacKenzies – never remember getting any – always felt quite important lining up to ask about mail

10:37 Parents not affluent – children had few LOLLIES – were allowed to buy HIGHLANDER CONDENSED MILK – two holes punched in top of tin to suck out the condensed milk – wonderful, would last quite a while

11:27 There was a PARROT in one of the houses – used to talk to parrot from the fence as they went past – it did talk back – quite a novelty

12:04 CARAVAN was quite comfortable – had a curved roof, front and back also curved – had two bunks, foldable table, chairs, two seats, couch – no toilet or shower – able to cook on a little stove – quite adequate for family’s needs

13:21 Dad built a LONG-DROP on the section – own WATER SUPPLY through a little SHED or SHELTER that collected water on the roof – shelter provided a dry place to hang up washing and keep vegetables – huge ROCK on section still remains – children could play on it – children played on BEACH alone and came back when they got sick of it

15:00 [End of Track 11]

TRACK 12

00:00 Safe BEACH for children – nowadays see people surfing there – self doesn’t remember a lot of other kids, but certainly there were some – building SANDCASTLES was a big part of holidays – very fortunate to have holidays, so many didn’t have that privilege – would go for two weeks – summertime only – family went to CHRISTCHURCH once, little memory of that

01:52 After dad’s illness, holidays were limited in the last few years – never thought of holidays – had to keep things working and going – had DEATH DUTIES to pay

03:28 Always felt self would be a FARMER, it was expected – never had any real regrets, never wanted to get out of farming and do something else – always loved DOGS, lucky to have wonderful dogs – very rewarding

04:22 Remembers one lambing time started off using HORSE AND JOGGER, then evolved to use more modern vehicles. Explains. References: DAVID BROWN TRACTOR; TRAILER and CRATE; THREE-POINT LINKAGE; 1930s CHEV [CHEVROLET] WITH FRONT DOORS REMOVED; LAND ROVER; TRAILER – many years later came THREE- AND FOUR-WHEELED BIKES [AGRICULTURAL TRICYCLES, QUAD BIKES] – a godsend – use little FUEL, easy to get on and off, just so useful

06:17 Didn’t go very often to INVERCARGILL or WINTON – for a period went to INVERCARGILL once a week with brother for BAGPIPE lessons and sister was learning STEEL GUITAR – traveled by car, 1934 CHEV [CHEVROLET] car – before the doors were taken off – mum seldom went to INVERCARGILL, made all her clothes – trips very limited – doesn’t remember going shopping as a child

08:06 [PEDDLERS] Some TRAVELERS went around selling MATERIAL and CLOTHES, too – mum made virtually all the clothes they wore for many years, handed down – hand-me-downs passed on among family and community – dad had SOCK KNITTING MACHINE – children had turns turning handle – sock machine still around, missing some needles

10:46 Participated in BROWNS SCHOOL SPORTS DAY and competitions between schools – RUNNING; JUMPING; HOP STEP AND JUMP; RELAY RACES – at BROWNS SCHOOL, with FRED ASHLEY, learned to weave RABBIT NETS from SEAMING TWINE – big enough to lay over the tops of rabbit holes – would put pet FERRET into rabbit warren and catch rabbits at other end [RABBITS -- CONTROL]

13:12 Involved in building OTAPIRI HALL [OTAPIRI & LORA CENTENNIAL HALL] in 1956 or 1957 [COMMUNITY HALLS] – Dad died in 1957 – self helped unload gravel – trucks had no hoists, would shovel gravel by hand – in 1954 family bought MCCORMICK TRACTOR with FRONTLOADER and added extension – could push gravel across the track – building OTAPIRI HALL was community effort

15:00 [End of Track 12]

TRACK 13

00:00 GEOFF [GEOFFREY] BLANKS and his sons ROGER [?] and NOEL [?] involved as building organisers – very good community effort – hall still well-maintained – was used tremendously in early years – had RIFLE CLUB in old OTAPIRI HALL – shot at targets at other end of hall – in new hall, RIFLE RANGE underneath floor, so main floor could be used for other activities (TABLE TENNIS, BOWLS) – hall used five nights a week – BADMINTON, CARDS, DRAMA CLUB

02:58 Explains how RIFLE RANGE was built and arranged under the floor

03:55 RIFLE RANGE still used, but few members today – rural activities being replaced by TELEVISION, VIDEOS, easier transport to INVERCARGILL and WINTON – young people not staying on farms these days – hall now used very little – some may want it to close – those on committee feel duty to maintain it

05:39 Used for 3 or 4 dances per year by OTAPIRI DANCE CLUB – one family uses it privately for BALLET tuition – odd BIRTHDAY PARTY – sadly not used the way it was – used to be regular dances, girls’ gift evenings, wedding dances, send-offs, welcome homes, welcomes to new people – group started OTAPIRI DANCE COMMITTEE in 1974 – ran dances until just after 2000 – dance moved in Invercargill – held on monthly basis for half the year – still runs in NORTH HALL in INVERCARGILL [COMMUNITY HALLS] – BALLROOM or SEQUENCE DANCING not as popular now – attended by 150-200 in early days – average age in late 30s – now average age late 70s – presently 60-65 members going to the dance – city people not willing to travel into the country, so changed to Invercargill

10:05 Met wife MARGARET when visiting MCLAUGHLINS, her relations who lived next door – self would spend time with George [MCLAUGHLIN] – now married 52 years – knew each other about a year and a half before marrying – both very fortunate – married a very good cook, good gardener, good housekeeper

12:23 [End of Track 13]

TRACK 14

00:00 Family had a HOUSEKEEPER – mum bought a house and moved INVERCARGILL sometime after dad died – sister had gone to DUNEDIN – had housekeepers for a while. Explains. References: MRS BELL; MISS GRANT; ANOTHER ELDER LADY; PNEUMONIA; HUGE TEAS; HAZLETTS – lucky enough to have MISS GRANT – favourite dessert was LEMON SAGO – had LEMON SAGO every Sunday – eventually dreaded Sunday – small price to pay – MRS BELL was very good to self and brother

03:54 Self had quite a large WART on forefinger – damned nuisance – one day MRS BELL said, ‘would you like to get rid of that wart’ – she tied string around it, knotted it, rubbed it on the wart, then went out and buried the string in the garden – she said ‘when that string is rotten, your wart will be gone’ – self thought, ‘oh yeah’ – thanked her and went about life – some time later, realised the bloomin’ thing had disappeared completely – wonders was it witchcraft? Did it actually work or was it going to go away anyway? – very kindly lady

06:57 [End of Track 14]

TRACK 15

00:00 [wife MARGARET MACKENZIE joins the interview to describe WEDDING DAY] Couple got married at ST PAULS CHURCH [ST PAULS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH] in DEE STREET in INVERCARGILL – had reception at THE WHITE HERON [THE WHITE HERON FUNCTION CENTRE] in TWEED STREET – then flew to AUCKLAND for HONEYMOON – well-known pianist JACK THOMPSON was staying at same hotel – he was quite often “tiddly” – saw Malcolm’s great-aunt MARGE, GRANNY PIERCE’S sister, several times – she worked for a newspaper – went to see PYGMALION twice – went to the ZOO – ate out one day – had STEAK, quite a novelty – then flew home

02:40 Margaret wore pink satin dress and matching shoes – bridesmaid SHIRLEY DIXON wore blue – MALCOLM’S brother GORDON was best man – about 60–65 guests – small wedding

03:30 MARGARET describes how they met through neighbours BETTY and GEORGE MCLAUGHLIN – BETTY was wonderful baker – had been in WAFs – chef training – MALCOLM and brother GORDON came over one Sunday – soon after MALCOLM came over with jar of CREAM – then found him waiting outside office of BING HARRIS [BING, HARRIS, AND CO.] – they went to the PICTURES that night [DATING] – saw THREE COINS IN THE FOUNTAIN [MOTION PICTURES] – it all happened from there [COURTSHIP]

05:34 Became involved with SOUTHLAND CONSERVATION BOARD through the late ROGER SUTTON, one of SOUTHLAND’S foremost ENVIRONMENTALISTS – Sutton was concerned about RIVERS, POLLUTION – felt self didn’t have the education or expertise to serve on board – eventually said yes – served on SOUTHLAND CONSERVATION BOARD for about 10 years, starting around 1995 or 1996

07:25 Great deal of enjoyment out of it – fortunate to have two wonderful conservators [SOUTHLAND CONSERVATOR] in INVERCARGILL, LOU SANSON [chief executive of ANTARCTICA NEW ZEALAND in CHRISTCHURCH, 2007–2013], followed by KEVIN O’CONNOR – both men of high integrity, dedicated to work and conservation estate – despairs at what government is doing to the DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION today – “it has really had the heart torn out of it to a large extent” – worries about the future

08:40 Time on SOUTHLAND CONSERVATION BOARD was very, very good – sound decisions, wonderful relationship with DOC – no real major disagreements – may see the day when CONSERVATION BOARDS are a thing of the past, if present trend in government continues [CONSERVATION POLICY]

09:39 No particular highlights – at one time, arguments over plans by city council [INVERCARGILL CITY COUNCIL] to be MILLING TIMBER at OTATARA or SANDY POINT and using the money for other purposes, [contrary to] agreement – city council had to change plans – advised on a lot of things – huts on HUMPRIDGE TRACK at TUATAPERE – issues around the CONSERVATION ESTATE, whether STEWART ISLAND or FIORDLAND [ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION]

11:33 Also served on CODFISH ISLAND/WHENUA HOU ACCESS AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE for 8 years – close involvement with KĀKĀPŌ [STRIGOPS HABROPTILUS] – probably a highlight – always had a great love for our NATIVE BIRDS

12:20 Also served on DEEP COVE HOSTEL TRUST [DEEP COVE OUTDOOR EDUCATION TRUST] for 8 years as board representative – DEEP COVE HOSTEL wonderful asset to schoolchildren all over SOUTHLAND

12:55 Took trip to MILFORD [MILFORD SOUND] at one point, when plans were afoot to change WHARF arrangements and generally improve the place into the future – mindful of the RIVER, EARTHQUAKE RISKS, all the issues with a place like FIORDLAND – saw firsthand the numbers of TOURISTS going out on launches [TOURISM – ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT] – certainly an eye-opener

14:32 Also had two MAORI IWI representatives on the board – relationship with them was always first-class – had a lot of time for local MAORI involvement

15:00 [End of Track 15]

TRACK 16

00:00 Had wonderful experience as a volunteer on CODFISH ISLAND/WHENUA HOU for two weeks feeding kākāpō – looking at a POISONING PROGRAM to get rid of the KIORE RAT – volunteers went around island with pack of food for different birds – each had its own menu. Explains. References: FOOTWEAR; HAT, GLOVES; APPLE, CORN ON THE COB, ORGANIC WALNUTS FROM BLENHEIM, SUNFLOWER SEEDS, NUTS; LABELED PLASTIC CONTAINERS – replaced empty containers at each station every three days – scales by feeder to weigh birds as they fed – aim to have five percent of each item left – free time every third day – also trapped rats [RODENT PEST CONTROL] – during time on board, witnessed results from decline in [rat] population – more food on trees for the different birds

06:03 Describes volunteer experience with KĀKĀPŌ RECOVERY PROGRAMME on CODFISH ISLAND/WHENUA HOU around 2002 – 24 KĀKĀPŌ CHICKS hatched – DOC sent an SOS for NEST-MINDERS to volunteer for 5 days – NEST-MINDING is a major exercise – paired up with a guy from the island – nest-minding duty from 7 at night to 7 in the morning. Explains. References: CAR BATTERY, TAPE AND TAPE RECORDER, FOOD, SLEEPING BAG, TENT, TV MONITOR, SEMI-HOLLOW TREE, NOCTURNAL ADULT, FORAGING AT NIGHT, FRUIT OF RIMU OR KAHIKATEA, HEAT PAD, KEEPING CHICKS WARM, THERMOSTAT, AERIAL, DETECTING RETURN OF ADULT BIRD – chicks were weighed by vets while mother was off the nest

12:28 Back at base camp, volunteers watched 24-hour tapes – added up minutes mother spent away from nest, feeding each chick, preening or cleaning up around nest – took about three hours

14:20 Thirty-two people were on the island, staying in an accommodation designed for 7 or 8 – marquee set up for volunteers to sleep a few hours during the day – wonderful project – VOLUNTEERS came from all over, as far as JAPAN and CANADA

15:00 [End of Track 16]

TRACK 17

00:00 Huge project, largely funded by ALUMINIUM SMELTER [TIWAI POINT ALUMINIUM SMELTER] – every bird had to be kept alive if possible – wonderful experience

1:04 [Interview wraps up] Enjoyed recalling things – with assistance from wife Margaret, remembered a lot of things from the past

1:29 [End of Track 17]