Minty Hughes was born in Otautau in 1911. In this interview Minty discusses his father and his work in the flax mill at Pukemaori and his mother's home near Monkey Island, Orepuki. He describes travelling by steamer to Port Craig in 1923 and attending school there. Minty talks about the sawmills at Port Craig, transporting the logs, the Percy Burn viaduct, loading the boats with timber, a brief history of the Craig family and how the settlement got its name. He mentions his job as whistle boy and talks about the closure of the Mill in 1928. Minty goes on to give details about grocery prices, meat and bread supplies, how the mill workers were paid, social life and the Lidgerwood machine. He recalls working at the Greenhills stone quarry and the Depression when ten of the family of thirteen lived at home. He describes meeting his wife Hilda, family life, working in the Lillburn Vally, getting his steam ticket in Tuatapere and repairing the Port Craig viaducts.