Abstract of Barbara Jeanette THOMSON, 2019
Item — Box: 23
Identifier: H00960002
Abstract
BARBARA JEANETTE THOMSON
Interviewer: Lee Wadds
Abstracter: W. Brent Coats
First Interview: 15 March 2012
DISC 1: TRACK 1
00:00 Interview introduction. BARBARA THOMSSON nee GOUGH
00:41 First memory of STEWART ISLAND - Self 7 years old – Family holiday 1947 (?) – Father considered buying house - Describes
01:45 FATHER at DEVONPORT Naval Base during WORLD WAR TWO – Possibly listening for submarines – Learnt Chinese Checkers Self and Mother lived at DEVONPORT – Explains
02:59 GRANDFATHER building boat HUIA – Launched about 1952 – Intended as “sea going ketch” FATHER helped after WAR – One brother in NEW PLYMOUTH - Brother HECTOR GOUGH installed HUIA engines - Began GOUGH BROS MARINE ENGINEERS – FATHER and GRANDFATHER did the carpentry – Describes
05:27 Another brother ALBERT in LOWER HUTT – GRANDFATHER built boat for Albert HUIA left to Father and two brothers - Describes 06:01 Moored at GREENPOINT during Winter – Father began GREENPOINT CRUISING CLUB – At STEWART ISLAND in Summer and Easter 48 foot ketch – 9 foot beam – Slept six - Comfortable below with stove – Owned by RODNEY RUSS (sp?) - Describes
07:20 Self remembers “motoring” in HUIA – Not often used sails – Used for picnics at ULVA ISLAND Self would go ashore early telling locals about picnic – Go to various areas of ULVA ISLAND - BRAVO or SYDNEY COVE Children sent for swim – Parents prepare lunch - Describes
09:44 ULVA ISLAND - No Post Office – Hunters often present – Less densely forested – Less bird variety – Not many possums – About 1948-1949 - Describes
10:18 HUIA launched – Tied three year old sister to mast – Lived on BOAT during launch – 1952 (?) Took local people for picnics – Mrs VICKERY – Took three or four boatloads – No lifejackets – Describes
12:59 HOUSE came after BOAT HUIA – Extended family LIVED ON BOAT two summers – Describes GRANDMOTHER not present – Marooned on boat HERCULES at PORT ADVENTURE – Lived on oysters and bread – Explains
14:48 FATHER was teacher – Bought section – Built HOUSE – HUIA transported most materials – Describes GRAVEL secretly taken from BRAVO ISLAND in sacks – Loaded on HUIA – Offloaded by ALBERT WHIPP for house foundation – Describes
17:30 Was special part of Self’s life – Mentions
18:00 Recalls story of helping BUILD HOUSE – GRANDFATHER helped teach Self about boating – Uncle HECTOR taught Self to SCULL – Describes
19:39 House BEAM from fire - Father adzed beam for hours – Mentions
21:02 GRANDFATHER gave SELF and friend Box Brownie camera – Mentions
21:32 HOUSE took two to three winters to build Mentions JACKSON family at EXCELSIOR ROAD
24:08 [Filmed recording changes location from lounge to kitchen] 24:18 MOTHER cooked on GRIDDLE – Heated over fire or coal range – Cooks pancakes, scones, pikelets – Explains Cooked meat in range – Mentions Cleaned clothes in kerosene tin heated on range – Mentions
27:12 Old decorative kerosene lamp – [Shows in video] Did not read with it – Played cards FATHER made lamp stand – [Shows in video] Brickie (?) JACKSON built FIRE PLACE – Painted church steeple – [Shows in video]
28:57 MOTHER encouraged tree FERNS at house – Original growth cleared – Describes and Shows
29:43 TRAVELLED to Island by own boat FERRY arrived once per day – Three times per week in Winter – Public occasion – Mother and sister seasick – Describes [Video shows WHARF and outdoor environment]
31:28 EXCELSIOR ROAD – Existed before house was built – Originally no house numbers - “next to Todds” – Mentions
32:25 IRON for roof – Brought it to Island during storm – Became RUSTED - Self had to clean it – Describes
33:26 Father interested in YACHTING - SANDERS Cup RACES – Wrote CENTURY OF SAILING – Self never sailed except HUIA – Explained
35:34 Mother watched yacht races – FORTROSE regatta – Mentions
36:34 Did not sail often – Self enjoyed doing “children’s things” - Describes
37:10 Went to PORT WILLIAM – No jetty – PORT ADVENTURE every Summer Recalls story of father mistaking child’s red polished toe for injury - Mentions
38:29 Port had oysters – Collected seashells – Interest in identification and classification for Museum – Explained
41:12 ULVA ISLAND bird life – More deer throughout years – Areas for grazing – Hunting kept deer “in check” - Describes Cattle near lighthouse – Mentions Sheep thrived better on RUAPUKE
44:24 End of Track 1
DISC 2: TRACK 1
00:00 Self did not participate in YACHT RACE – Does not recall SANDERS RACE at STEWART ISLAND – Possibly HORSESHOE BAY – Describes
01:35 FISHING with father – VIC JACKSON’s boat – Picnics with JACKSONS and ARNOLDS - Describes
03:50 FRIENDSHIPS created as child in Island – DUFFEYs – SMITHs – HERBERT HANSEN - SMOKING with friends – Eucalyptus perfume – Bubblegum fad – Exploring with PAMELA JACKSON – NANCY SCHOFIELD (sp?) – Describes
07:35 ROUT (sp?) family – Board games – ANNE and ALISON TODD – POLLOCK family – Details
09:29 Did not boat, but fished with father – BOB HICKS – Worked with LORRAINE SMITH – Mentions
10:10 WORKED at TELEPHONE EXCHANGE – Party lines – Explains how numbers were signaled – Describes Day-time shift – Worked during holidays – Aged 19 or 20 – At University throughout year – Worked weekends – Mentions Mother organised job
13:06 [Interviewer recalls information about period exchange was operable]
13:40 Exchange sold stamps – Offered mail and messages – Mentions Worked c. 1958
14:43 LORRAINE SMITH – ROSEMARY GOOMES – Her mother was writer – Describes
16:08 NETTA RAWLE – [Parents owned T BRAGG and CO store, presently SHIP TO SHORE Fore Square] NETTA worked in DRAPERY – Involved in ANGLICAN SUNDAY SCHOOL – Had MAORI heritage – Muttonbirding – Was involved in community – Describes
18:00 [Interviewer describes BRAGG CEMETERY]
18:27 MISS PRENTICE – Describes playing organ with “dancing” knitted hat – TRAVELLED overseas through Summer – Humourous recollection of her travels – Lived on ISLAND for personal reasons – Explains
20:56 Describes THOMPSON (sp?) tea-house – Describes
22:05 WALKING TOURS popular on ISLAND – Walking popular with women – TRACK went to PORT WILLIAM - Describes TRACKS -– GARDEN MOUND – THORY (sp) to RYANS CREEK
24:04 DINGHEYS used to be popular – HERBIE HANSEN Boats safe from theft - Mentions
25:18 HEATING on Island – Wood and coal – Mentions
25:42 Maternal GRANDFATHER MATHIESON built house – Used to stay in old age – Dug deep long-drops – Enjoyed digging – Humourous recollection Long-drop still used during drought
28:22 Long walks with JACKSON family and dog – Liked biddybids – Self had to “pluck dog” – Describes
30:14 Interview Ends
30:15 [Video continues post-interview. Asking about husband talking – Footage of ISLAND from Interviewee’s house]
33:14 End of Track 1
Interviewer: Lee Wadds
Abstracter: W. Brent Coats
First Interview: 15 March 2012
DISC 1: TRACK 1
00:00 Interview introduction. BARBARA THOMSSON nee GOUGH
00:41 First memory of STEWART ISLAND - Self 7 years old – Family holiday 1947 (?) – Father considered buying house - Describes
01:45 FATHER at DEVONPORT Naval Base during WORLD WAR TWO – Possibly listening for submarines – Learnt Chinese Checkers Self and Mother lived at DEVONPORT – Explains
02:59 GRANDFATHER building boat HUIA – Launched about 1952 – Intended as “sea going ketch” FATHER helped after WAR – One brother in NEW PLYMOUTH - Brother HECTOR GOUGH installed HUIA engines - Began GOUGH BROS MARINE ENGINEERS – FATHER and GRANDFATHER did the carpentry – Describes
05:27 Another brother ALBERT in LOWER HUTT – GRANDFATHER built boat for Albert HUIA left to Father and two brothers - Describes 06:01 Moored at GREENPOINT during Winter – Father began GREENPOINT CRUISING CLUB – At STEWART ISLAND in Summer and Easter 48 foot ketch – 9 foot beam – Slept six - Comfortable below with stove – Owned by RODNEY RUSS (sp?) - Describes
07:20 Self remembers “motoring” in HUIA – Not often used sails – Used for picnics at ULVA ISLAND Self would go ashore early telling locals about picnic – Go to various areas of ULVA ISLAND - BRAVO or SYDNEY COVE Children sent for swim – Parents prepare lunch - Describes
09:44 ULVA ISLAND - No Post Office – Hunters often present – Less densely forested – Less bird variety – Not many possums – About 1948-1949 - Describes
10:18 HUIA launched – Tied three year old sister to mast – Lived on BOAT during launch – 1952 (?) Took local people for picnics – Mrs VICKERY – Took three or four boatloads – No lifejackets – Describes
12:59 HOUSE came after BOAT HUIA – Extended family LIVED ON BOAT two summers – Describes GRANDMOTHER not present – Marooned on boat HERCULES at PORT ADVENTURE – Lived on oysters and bread – Explains
14:48 FATHER was teacher – Bought section – Built HOUSE – HUIA transported most materials – Describes GRAVEL secretly taken from BRAVO ISLAND in sacks – Loaded on HUIA – Offloaded by ALBERT WHIPP for house foundation – Describes
17:30 Was special part of Self’s life – Mentions
18:00 Recalls story of helping BUILD HOUSE – GRANDFATHER helped teach Self about boating – Uncle HECTOR taught Self to SCULL – Describes
19:39 House BEAM from fire - Father adzed beam for hours – Mentions
21:02 GRANDFATHER gave SELF and friend Box Brownie camera – Mentions
21:32 HOUSE took two to three winters to build Mentions JACKSON family at EXCELSIOR ROAD
24:08 [Filmed recording changes location from lounge to kitchen] 24:18 MOTHER cooked on GRIDDLE – Heated over fire or coal range – Cooks pancakes, scones, pikelets – Explains Cooked meat in range – Mentions Cleaned clothes in kerosene tin heated on range – Mentions
27:12 Old decorative kerosene lamp – [Shows in video] Did not read with it – Played cards FATHER made lamp stand – [Shows in video] Brickie (?) JACKSON built FIRE PLACE – Painted church steeple – [Shows in video]
28:57 MOTHER encouraged tree FERNS at house – Original growth cleared – Describes and Shows
29:43 TRAVELLED to Island by own boat FERRY arrived once per day – Three times per week in Winter – Public occasion – Mother and sister seasick – Describes [Video shows WHARF and outdoor environment]
31:28 EXCELSIOR ROAD – Existed before house was built – Originally no house numbers - “next to Todds” – Mentions
32:25 IRON for roof – Brought it to Island during storm – Became RUSTED - Self had to clean it – Describes
33:26 Father interested in YACHTING - SANDERS Cup RACES – Wrote CENTURY OF SAILING – Self never sailed except HUIA – Explained
35:34 Mother watched yacht races – FORTROSE regatta – Mentions
36:34 Did not sail often – Self enjoyed doing “children’s things” - Describes
37:10 Went to PORT WILLIAM – No jetty – PORT ADVENTURE every Summer Recalls story of father mistaking child’s red polished toe for injury - Mentions
38:29 Port had oysters – Collected seashells – Interest in identification and classification for Museum – Explained
41:12 ULVA ISLAND bird life – More deer throughout years – Areas for grazing – Hunting kept deer “in check” - Describes Cattle near lighthouse – Mentions Sheep thrived better on RUAPUKE
44:24 End of Track 1
DISC 2: TRACK 1
00:00 Self did not participate in YACHT RACE – Does not recall SANDERS RACE at STEWART ISLAND – Possibly HORSESHOE BAY – Describes
01:35 FISHING with father – VIC JACKSON’s boat – Picnics with JACKSONS and ARNOLDS - Describes
03:50 FRIENDSHIPS created as child in Island – DUFFEYs – SMITHs – HERBERT HANSEN - SMOKING with friends – Eucalyptus perfume – Bubblegum fad – Exploring with PAMELA JACKSON – NANCY SCHOFIELD (sp?) – Describes
07:35 ROUT (sp?) family – Board games – ANNE and ALISON TODD – POLLOCK family – Details
09:29 Did not boat, but fished with father – BOB HICKS – Worked with LORRAINE SMITH – Mentions
10:10 WORKED at TELEPHONE EXCHANGE – Party lines – Explains how numbers were signaled – Describes Day-time shift – Worked during holidays – Aged 19 or 20 – At University throughout year – Worked weekends – Mentions Mother organised job
13:06 [Interviewer recalls information about period exchange was operable]
13:40 Exchange sold stamps – Offered mail and messages – Mentions Worked c. 1958
14:43 LORRAINE SMITH – ROSEMARY GOOMES – Her mother was writer – Describes
16:08 NETTA RAWLE – [Parents owned T BRAGG and CO store, presently SHIP TO SHORE Fore Square] NETTA worked in DRAPERY – Involved in ANGLICAN SUNDAY SCHOOL – Had MAORI heritage – Muttonbirding – Was involved in community – Describes
18:00 [Interviewer describes BRAGG CEMETERY]
18:27 MISS PRENTICE – Describes playing organ with “dancing” knitted hat – TRAVELLED overseas through Summer – Humourous recollection of her travels – Lived on ISLAND for personal reasons – Explains
20:56 Describes THOMPSON (sp?) tea-house – Describes
22:05 WALKING TOURS popular on ISLAND – Walking popular with women – TRACK went to PORT WILLIAM - Describes TRACKS -– GARDEN MOUND – THORY (sp) to RYANS CREEK
24:04 DINGHEYS used to be popular – HERBIE HANSEN Boats safe from theft - Mentions
25:18 HEATING on Island – Wood and coal – Mentions
25:42 Maternal GRANDFATHER MATHIESON built house – Used to stay in old age – Dug deep long-drops – Enjoyed digging – Humourous recollection Long-drop still used during drought
28:22 Long walks with JACKSON family and dog – Liked biddybids – Self had to “pluck dog” – Describes
30:14 Interview Ends
30:15 [Video continues post-interview. Asking about husband talking – Footage of ISLAND from Interviewee’s house]
33:14 End of Track 1
Dates
- 2019
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
- From the Record Group: Wadds, Lee (Interviewer, Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Southland Oral History Project Repository
