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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 in 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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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

English

Creator

Repository Details

Part of the Southland Oral History Project Repository