Abstract of Reginald Earl DRAKE, 2019
Item — Box: 25
Identifier: H00121002
Abstract
Reginald Earl Drake
Interviewer: Nancy Burnett
Abstracter: Laura Davies
Interview: 18 March 2009
DISC 1: Track 1
00:00 Interview identification.
00:39 REGINALD EARL DRAKE born 26 May 1940
00:52 Interview agreement
1:35 Topic introduced: 1984 Floods in Southland and the part REGINALD EARL DRAKE played in OTAUTAU and surrounding areas.
1:45 Lived at MARY STREET OTAUTAU at the time of the flood - Worked for the WALLACE COUNTY COUNCIL as Senior Building Inspector
2:08 Towns and area included within WALLACE COUNTY COUNCIL and its relationship with the SOUTHLAND COUNCIL - Details
2:51 Worked with WALLACE COUNTY COUNCIL since 1975 - Previous occupation was as a builder in TUATAPERE
3:40 Recalls how they were warned about flood - Torrential rain – Rain was local and happening upcountry; MOSSBURN, Catchment of APARIMA RIVER, Catchment of the OTAUTAU Stream up towards OPIO and NIGHTCAPS area.
4:50 APARIMA RIVER, source through to the estuary in RIVERTON – Description
5:45 Official action for the flood. Co-ordinating through engineering staff at WALLACE COUNTY COUNCIL - Those with Vehicles surveyed district and reported back - Explains
6:40 Reporting on flood levels – Sent to strategic Points; bridge over OTAUTAU stream, bridge over the APARIMA, flood banks – Radio telephones were used to report back to WALLACE COUNTY COUNCIL CENTRAL OFFICE, main street OTAUTAU - Explains 8:18 Recalls events when flooding hit OTAUTAU – CIVIL DEFENSE – Evacuation – Council trusted the community to make sure everyone was looked after – Details of damage to own home in NORTH-EAST OTAUTAU – Strategic evacuation points for assembly BASIL JACKSON’S(sp?) WESTERN HAULAGE GARAGE
11:35 Recalls personal feelings about the flood- Elderly leaving homes – Importance of the local FIRE BRIGADE
12:43 Description of the length of the flood and the fine WEATHER conditions after the flood
13:58 Recalls the DAMAGE to the town - The town was mostly effected along MAIN STREET – Ceiling lifted - Fences down – Water lay for weeks around some properties which had to be pumped out by local FIRE BRIGADE
15:00 End of Track 1
DISC 1: TRACK 2
00:00 Role as BUILDING INSPECTOR of houses after the flood – Worked alongside HEALTH INSPECTOR – REPAIR work needed – MOISTURE CONTENT - Details
1:53 Approximation of number of houses impacted by flood in OTAUTAU – OTAUTAU effected the most
2:30 Impact of SEWAGE SYSTEMS had on damage caused – Compares INVERCARGILL and OTAUTAU flooding – SEPTIC TANKS - Explains
4:00 Effect to FARM HOUSES was limited – Fencing and stock disturbances.
5:00 Recalls inspections were an additional work load – KEN LLOYD, right-hand man in building inspection department, and other staff assisted with the additional work that continued over the next few years – Team spirit of the WALLACE COUNTY COUNCIL and sharing of workloads.
6:58 Coping with the STRESS of the floods with support of staff and family – Stress was not recognised as it is today
8:25 Atmosphere of the town of OTAUTAU after the flood – Not much of a change – Brought the town together than anything else
9:35 Summary remarks and thanks from Interviewer.
10:04 End of Track 2
Interviewer: Nancy Burnett
Abstracter: Laura Davies
Interview: 18 March 2009
DISC 1: Track 1
00:00 Interview identification.
00:39 REGINALD EARL DRAKE born 26 May 1940
00:52 Interview agreement
1:35 Topic introduced: 1984 Floods in Southland and the part REGINALD EARL DRAKE played in OTAUTAU and surrounding areas.
1:45 Lived at MARY STREET OTAUTAU at the time of the flood - Worked for the WALLACE COUNTY COUNCIL as Senior Building Inspector
2:08 Towns and area included within WALLACE COUNTY COUNCIL and its relationship with the SOUTHLAND COUNCIL - Details
2:51 Worked with WALLACE COUNTY COUNCIL since 1975 - Previous occupation was as a builder in TUATAPERE
3:40 Recalls how they were warned about flood - Torrential rain – Rain was local and happening upcountry; MOSSBURN, Catchment of APARIMA RIVER, Catchment of the OTAUTAU Stream up towards OPIO and NIGHTCAPS area.
4:50 APARIMA RIVER, source through to the estuary in RIVERTON – Description
5:45 Official action for the flood. Co-ordinating through engineering staff at WALLACE COUNTY COUNCIL - Those with Vehicles surveyed district and reported back - Explains
6:40 Reporting on flood levels – Sent to strategic Points; bridge over OTAUTAU stream, bridge over the APARIMA, flood banks – Radio telephones were used to report back to WALLACE COUNTY COUNCIL CENTRAL OFFICE, main street OTAUTAU - Explains 8:18 Recalls events when flooding hit OTAUTAU – CIVIL DEFENSE – Evacuation – Council trusted the community to make sure everyone was looked after – Details of damage to own home in NORTH-EAST OTAUTAU – Strategic evacuation points for assembly BASIL JACKSON’S(sp?) WESTERN HAULAGE GARAGE
11:35 Recalls personal feelings about the flood- Elderly leaving homes – Importance of the local FIRE BRIGADE
12:43 Description of the length of the flood and the fine WEATHER conditions after the flood
13:58 Recalls the DAMAGE to the town - The town was mostly effected along MAIN STREET – Ceiling lifted - Fences down – Water lay for weeks around some properties which had to be pumped out by local FIRE BRIGADE
15:00 End of Track 1
DISC 1: TRACK 2
00:00 Role as BUILDING INSPECTOR of houses after the flood – Worked alongside HEALTH INSPECTOR – REPAIR work needed – MOISTURE CONTENT - Details
1:53 Approximation of number of houses impacted by flood in OTAUTAU – OTAUTAU effected the most
2:30 Impact of SEWAGE SYSTEMS had on damage caused – Compares INVERCARGILL and OTAUTAU flooding – SEPTIC TANKS - Explains
4:00 Effect to FARM HOUSES was limited – Fencing and stock disturbances.
5:00 Recalls inspections were an additional work load – KEN LLOYD, right-hand man in building inspection department, and other staff assisted with the additional work that continued over the next few years – Team spirit of the WALLACE COUNTY COUNCIL and sharing of workloads.
6:58 Coping with the STRESS of the floods with support of staff and family – Stress was not recognised as it is today
8:25 Atmosphere of the town of OTAUTAU after the flood – Not much of a change – Brought the town together than anything else
9:35 Summary remarks and thanks from Interviewer.
10:04 End of Track 2
Dates
- 2019
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Access to oral history recordings is via the Archives Research Room only. We are unable to provide access to this material remotely. Where access agreements allow, abstracts, audio extracts and photographs will be accessible online.
Conditions Governing Use
This material is copyright of the Invercargill City Libraries and Archives. In accordance with agreements held with interviewees, it is strictly prohibited to reproduce (copy) oral history recordings, abstracts, audio extracts or photographs without prior written consent. Applications for the reproduction of these recordings and associated materials, in whole or part, must be made in writing to the Southland Oral History Project Coordinator, c/o Invercargill City Libraries and Archives.
Extent
From the Record Group: 1 folder(s)
Language of Materials
English
Creator
- From the Record Group: Burnett, Nancy (Interviewer, Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Southland Oral History Project Repository
