Invercargill Archives

Overview Montague Bolger was born in Christchurch in 1910. Mentions his Irish grandparents meeting on the journey to New Zealand and subsequently having four sons. Notes that his parents John and Ethel had six sons. Recalls his father's employment at Costers coal mine, the Mataura Freezing Works and on their farm on the Mataura Winton road. Describes attending the Mataura School and leaving at the age of fourteen. Talks about working as engine driver at Rowes coal mine where his father was manager....

Overview Bert Horrell was born in Gore in 1917. Describes how his grandfather emigrated to New Zealand in the 1880s. Talks about their farm across the Mataura River and the difficulty of crossing it to get to school. Mentions how his father, as a child, had learned how to cross the river with a horse and dray full of school children. Talks about his father buying a farm at Mandeville. Describes going to Mandeville school, conditions, teachers Alan Prentice and Miss Barclay and sitting Proficiency....