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Abstract of Natalie DOLAMORE, 1996

 Item — Box: 57
Identifier: H06170002

Abstract

Interviewee: NATALIE DOLAMORE

Interviewer: Joan Harvey

Abstracted by: Joan Harvey

FIRST INTERVIEW: 26TH March 1996

SIDE 1

00.10 EARLY CHILDHOOD - a loving mother. Father remote from family. FATHER a solicitor - describes his involvement in GORE MENS CLUB. Strict.

02.80 Details domestic arrangements. SERVANTS - a "live-in" maid; part-time gardener - weekly washerwoman - seasonal dressmaker. Servants paid low wages.

05.40 Describes 25 ALBANY ST HOME - large wooden house - mother had poor health. Visitors came often - children not welcome in the presence of adults

09.60 Describes GRANDPARENTS - more fond of maternal grandmother – of Swiss extraction - von Gunten family. DOLAMORE family came from Southern ENGLAND. Great grandfather was factor to the DUKE of ST ALBANS. Cantankerous family.

14.60 Describes SUNDAY SCHOOL and BIBLE CLASS attendance. Describes a Sunday in the home. Visiting family friends, "pseudo" aunties.

17.70 Recalls CHRISTMAS day, presents, Family HOLIDAYS and camping.

22.20 LEISURE - reading, books

27.00 Describes society in Gore. CLASS DIFFERENCES - professional and working class. Anti-Catholic element in Gore.

30.00 EDUCATION: GORE MAIN SCHOOL - 1925 – 1933. Describes teachers - punishment - playground games and proficiency EXAM

(Fault in tape/recording: tape blank from c 32.30 until end of side 1 then continues Side 2)

SIDE 2

00.0 Patriotism. Pacifism. RELIGION in schools. Rev. Simpson. Recalls wagging school. Visit to coal mine. Deprived CHILDREN. Wrongful DISMISSAL of a teacher. Cooking classes

11.8 GORE HIGH SCHOOL - 1934 – 1938. Describes teachers

13.7 TERTIARY EDUCATION - 1939 - Canterbury College. Explains reasons for leaving College before graduating. Describes MOTHERS illness

15.0 WORLD WAR 11. Farewells to soldiers.

16.5 EMPLOYMENT. Library assistant - 1940s - Describes OLD LIBRARY BUILDING before and after alterations. Improvements in layout.

23.7 NEW LIBRARY 1983 - describes plan. Controversy re NATIONAL LIBRARY. Controversy re COMMUNIST material. Removal of certain magazines. Support of GORE BOROUGH COUNCIL towards library. Retirement 1983.

29.3 FIRST INTERVIEW ENDS

SECOND INTERVIEW: 20 May 1996

SIDE 3

0.00 Note beginning of recording missed. Tale end of reminiscences of Greens Coal Mines

1.20 SOCIAL CLASSES - description of "socially acceptable" people - upper middle class. Rich Landowners.

6.10 MEN’S and WOMEN’S CLUBS in Gore - patriarchal Society – Snobbery. Importance of MANNERS.

9.60 WORKING CLASS standards of living - cost saving measures - soap making. Difference of ATTITUDES towards craftsmen and labourers.

13.90 CHINESE families - describes Gee family - greengrocers. Recalls Racial PREJUDICE in town. Chinese LAUNDRY.

17.20 ALCOHOL Problem in early days. Smoking; Prowlers.

22.40 SOCIAL LIFE - 1930s. Bridge parties; calling cards; cocktail parties - social beer drinking; Balls; social tennis parties. Recalls interest in THEATRE - no social barriers. Use of Radiogram for small dances at home.

30.40 RELIGIOUS PREJUDICE in 1920s. Barriers between Catholics and Protestants and sects. Social stigma of UNMARRIED MOTHERS. Back room ABORTIONS. Folklore surrounding control of family size.

33.90 HYGIENE - 1920s - men spitting in the streets. Sewerage - the "night cart" Hygiene in the home.

37.80 GORE FIRES in early 1960s. Suspicions re culprit. Recalls days before sirens on fire engines.

39.60 DOCTORS in Gore.

43.90 BUTCHER, GROCER and other tradesmen. PREMET haberdashery shop.

46.60 Interview ends

Dates

  • 1996

Conditions Governing Access

For access please contact the Southland Oral History Project Coordinator at sohp@ilibrary.co.nz.

Conditions Governing Use

The contents of Southland Oral History Project collections are subject to the conditions of the Copyright Act 1994. Please note that in accordance with agreements held with interviewees additional conditions regarding the reproduction [copying] and use of items in the Southland Oral History Project collections may apply. Please contact the Southland Oral History Project Coordinator for further information at sohp@ilibrary.co.nz.

Extent

From the Record Group: 1 folder(s)

Language of Materials

From the Record Group: English

Creator

Repository Details

Part of the Southland Oral History Project Repository