Abstract of William Turnbull HOLMS , 2006
Item — Box: 10
Identifier: H00280002
Abstract
William Turnbull HOLMS.
Interviewer: Cathy Macfie, 17 October 2006.
Abstractor: Cathy Macfie
00:52 Born at home at WAIMAHAKA.
01:08 Describes HOUSE LAYOUT and bedrooms for 5 boys.
02:16 Recalls FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT at home. Visitors on Sunday afternoons. Christmas a big event for all households. Big house, needed MAID and GARDENER.
04:00 Describes close family relationship. Fondness for SPORT, especially football, at school.
05:22 EDUCATION at WAIMAHAKA PRIMARY SCHOOL. TRANSPORT: Travelled to school by horse and cart. 8-10 ponies left in school paddock. 'Bit of competition' to see who had the fastest pony. Recalls importance of horses in everyday life. Total 8 classes at Waimahaka Primary School. Describes teachers with respect. Left primary at 14 yrs and went to SOUTHLAND BOY'S HIGH SCHOOL for 2 years.
08:18 EMPLOYMENT: started work on the family farm under his father's tuition. Mainly stock work. Different from today's college-based training. Recalls enjoyment of those years, especially starting HEREFORD STUD and CONTACTS with a wide range of people.
10:50 HEREFORD CATTLE AND ROMNEY SHEEP STUD: known for exports all over the world. No preference for one or other 'I just loved stock'. Describes ram sales each January; classing stock for continuous traffic of buyers. Busiest month of year. Bull buyers came from further afield, often by train to Edendale. Stayed overnight with family then left next morning. Mentions role of maids with domestic support for hospitality.
13:39 HORSES played a key role in stock work. Each year 200 heifers/steers sold to butchers in Christchurch and Dunedin. Butchers on horseback picked out animals; Bill and brother's job to draft selected stock. Recalls with humour, horses knew as much about the jobs as humans. Describes role as teamster with 5/6 draught horses. BRED HORSES both draught and hacks (riding). Brother broke in young stock. No local opportunities for ploughing competitions; involved with A&P Shows.
17:45 CONVERSATION: describes changing attitudes to bush clearance and he and his wife's efforts to safeguard 150 acres on the farm. Its eventual protection through a QEII TRUST COVENANT was one of the most satisfying highlights of his farming life. Mentions role of QEII TRUST and ROGER SUTTON. Applauds young farmer effort to manage farming and conservation hand-in-hand.
21:20 HOLMS PATENT COUPLING LINK: Invented by James Holms (father's brother); device to hold ploughing harness together. Details artefacts held in Southland. Public company formed; doesn't know how well they sold.
24:30 Married BETTY MAY FRASER (14.9.1946) Describes how they met. Bill did not pass fitness test for war - varicose veins. Betty's family had the Waimahaka Store and she left H&J Smith's to help out when her father's assistant left for the war. Describes how the 'complete townie' adjusted happily to farm life. All home cooking; never went out for meals.
END
Interviewer: Cathy Macfie, 17 October 2006.
Abstractor: Cathy Macfie
00:52 Born at home at WAIMAHAKA.
01:08 Describes HOUSE LAYOUT and bedrooms for 5 boys.
02:16 Recalls FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT at home. Visitors on Sunday afternoons. Christmas a big event for all households. Big house, needed MAID and GARDENER.
04:00 Describes close family relationship. Fondness for SPORT, especially football, at school.
05:22 EDUCATION at WAIMAHAKA PRIMARY SCHOOL. TRANSPORT: Travelled to school by horse and cart. 8-10 ponies left in school paddock. 'Bit of competition' to see who had the fastest pony. Recalls importance of horses in everyday life. Total 8 classes at Waimahaka Primary School. Describes teachers with respect. Left primary at 14 yrs and went to SOUTHLAND BOY'S HIGH SCHOOL for 2 years.
08:18 EMPLOYMENT: started work on the family farm under his father's tuition. Mainly stock work. Different from today's college-based training. Recalls enjoyment of those years, especially starting HEREFORD STUD and CONTACTS with a wide range of people.
10:50 HEREFORD CATTLE AND ROMNEY SHEEP STUD: known for exports all over the world. No preference for one or other 'I just loved stock'. Describes ram sales each January; classing stock for continuous traffic of buyers. Busiest month of year. Bull buyers came from further afield, often by train to Edendale. Stayed overnight with family then left next morning. Mentions role of maids with domestic support for hospitality.
13:39 HORSES played a key role in stock work. Each year 200 heifers/steers sold to butchers in Christchurch and Dunedin. Butchers on horseback picked out animals; Bill and brother's job to draft selected stock. Recalls with humour, horses knew as much about the jobs as humans. Describes role as teamster with 5/6 draught horses. BRED HORSES both draught and hacks (riding). Brother broke in young stock. No local opportunities for ploughing competitions; involved with A&P Shows.
17:45 CONVERSATION: describes changing attitudes to bush clearance and he and his wife's efforts to safeguard 150 acres on the farm. Its eventual protection through a QEII TRUST COVENANT was one of the most satisfying highlights of his farming life. Mentions role of QEII TRUST and ROGER SUTTON. Applauds young farmer effort to manage farming and conservation hand-in-hand.
21:20 HOLMS PATENT COUPLING LINK: Invented by James Holms (father's brother); device to hold ploughing harness together. Details artefacts held in Southland. Public company formed; doesn't know how well they sold.
24:30 Married BETTY MAY FRASER (14.9.1946) Describes how they met. Bill did not pass fitness test for war - varicose veins. Betty's family had the Waimahaka Store and she left H&J Smith's to help out when her father's assistant left for the war. Describes how the 'complete townie' adjusted happily to farm life. All home cooking; never went out for meals.
END
Dates
- 2006
Conditions Governing Access
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: Macfie, Cathy (Interviewer, Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Southland Oral History Project Repository
