Grant Smith was elected mayor of Palmerston North in 2015. This interview covers his early years living in Palmerston North and Masterton.
Interview of Grant Smith, Mayor of Palmerston North, conducted by Maria Shiva on 28 February 2018. Interview length: 33 minutes and 50 seconds.
Ken Tremaine worked for Palmerston North City Council from 1976 - 1994. He was employed as the City Planner and left the organisation as city council development manager. During his 17 years with council he was involved in many of the city's major projects, several of which were his brainchild. Interview of Ken Tremaine about his career at PNCC, conducted by Ian Matheson on 30 December 1993. Interview length: 8 hour, 20 minutes.
Ray Martin Carter, QSM, retired from the New Zealand Police force as a Senior Constable. Born in Napier in 1928, he received his education in Palmerston North, and spent his thirty year career in the police force there. In his retirement he managed the police archives of Palmerston North, and wrote the book 'Beyond the Call of Duty: a history of the Palmerston North police district', published in 1988.
Interview includes life story, family history and police career, and more specifically: Napier Earthquake, working at Barraud and Abraham, wrestling, Boys High School (mentioning Fred Hollows), Napier Earthquake, running with Harriers and marathons, Second World War years in Palmerston North, attending World Scout Jamboree in France, 1947, working on victims of the Erebus Disaster, massive gang brawl in the Square 1972, book research.
Interviewer is Ian Johnston. Interview originally recorded on three cassette tapes. 212 minutes.
Audio depicts interview with Mai and Hung by Stuart Birks. Part 1 of 2, featuring: Decision to leave Vietnam. After 1975 moved from Hue to Saigon for 4 years, but no future there. The successful journey. First attempt, caught and imprisoned. Second time just 5 oldest children. Claimed to be Chinese. Pirates, 3 encounters. Pirates gave them water. Got to Malaysian island, there for a month (330 people from their boat, 13m x 3m).
Audio depicts interview with Mai and Hung by Stuart Birks. Part 2 of 2, featuring: Contacted by the UN, brought food. 1 pot for cooking, used by many families. Built a shelter. Taken to UN refugee camp. Not qualified, no sponsor, so Canada and US out. Accepted for NZ after 10-11 months. No contact with parents for a year (in Vietnamese countryside for 2 years). Family reunited in Palmerston North. Life in the Mangere resettlement centre. Help from Salvation Army. 2 oldest children got jobs, 3 younger ones in school (QEC). Oldest brother, Tony, got job in computer science. Mai working at Massey University library. Made welcome here. Father bought a dairy in Albert Street. Parents’ escape from Vietnam. 40 years later, how the family has done: 6 of 7 children got degrees from Massey University. jobs, married and brought up families.
Interview with Frank Goldingham, owner of Viscount Electronics, an early retailer of computers. Interviewer is Terry Stewart.
47 minutes. The first 5 minutes or so is a summary of what's in the text below.
The interview and below information were part of Terry Stewart's (Tezza's) Projects and Articles (Blog) online.
Viscount Electronics: Memories of personal computer retailing in the early to mid-1980s in New Zealand Introduction The early 1980s saw a new type of retail store appear in towns and cities throughout New Zealand (and indeed, the world!). These shops specialised in importing, then retailing, novel electronic devices which would change society. These devices were personal computers, or "microcomputers" as they were called back then.
At the beginning of the 1980s, New Zealand lacked the large computer-stocked electronic chain stores found overseas, such as Radio Shack and Dick Smith Ltd. The latter eventually arrived around 1982 but prior to that and throughout the 1980s, owner-operator computer shops catered to a growing market. Not only did the stores sell and service personal computers, but also provided peripherals, software and magazines. One could argue that they also acted as a convenient meeting place for the local computer-enthusiasts (i.e. geeks!) of the time.
Sometime in mid-1981, I purchased my first computer (a Dick Smith System 80) from just such a store. That wasn't the end of the relationship however. For at least a couple of years subsequent to my "impulse" purchase I'd visit the store at least once a week to check out the new goods on display, talk to others there and perhaps buy the odd peripheral and a magazine or two. For a while that retail outlet was a regular part of my life. That store was called Viscount Electronics. (A photograph of Frank Goldingham in the store was printed in the Manawatu Evening Standard 1 December, 1981).
History The owner of Viscount Electronics was Frank Goldingham. Frank started out in the printing business. Seeing the benefits of increasing computerization in that industry in the late 1970s got Frank thinking that perhaps there was a retail market for personal computers? After selling his newspaper printing business to INL (now Fairfax) in 1980, he used the proceeds to establish Viscount Electronics which opened as a retail computer store located in Church Street, west of the Square in Palmerston North. It was the second such outlet in the country, the first being David Reid Electronics in Auckland. The store was gradually expanded during 1981, selling a wide range of computer makes and models to the business and home markets. In the mid-1980s, Frank franchised the business, changing its name to Computer Village and eventually overseeing or assisting with a number of these branded stores throughout New Zealand.
Impact and significance I consider Viscount Electronics as having a place in New Zealand personal computing history. Certainly, it was of significance in my home town of Palmerston North but even in the early days, the business sold goods nationally and eventually became a nationwide franchise under the Computer Village brand. Consequently, I decided it would be worthwhile capturing its history in the form of an interview with Frank. The interview not only throws light on his own experience, but also covers some of the issues faced by owner-operator computer retailers during that exciting period of rapid change.
Terry Stewart
27th August, 2018
References to supporting information:
Manawatu Evening Standard, June 1981. Article on Viscount electronics.
Manawatu Evening Standard supplement, 1 December 1981. Covering a re-vamp of the store.
Manawatu Evening Standard (date unknown). On Computer Village franchise.
Interview with past employees of the Consumers' Co-Operative Society in Palmerston North at the time of the 50th jubilee of the Co-Op. Talking are: Edna Hoseason, worked at PDC from 1966 - 1988 (17 minutes); Jane Freeman, Share Registrar of the Co-Op (7 minutes); Peter Pitman, Display Manager 1950s - 1962 (6 minutes); Jim Ryan, 1949 - 1984 (17 minutes); Murial McDonagh, Board member and member of the Co-Ops Women's Guild - mainly about women's involvement. Interviewer: lee Matthews, reporter for the Manawatu Evening Standard Length: 41 minutes, 25 seconds
Recorded: April 22nd, 2018.
Interviewer: Simon Johnson
Abstract: Simon Johnson.
Interview with Norma Angus, fabrics Buyer for the PDC, Part 1 of 3
0.30
Had done some office work in school holidays for HERD TESTING in PN while at school. “They were waiting for me to turn 15.” Didn’t sit School Certificate, parents encouraged her to take the position. The job - keeping books, reception. Never regretted leaving school when she did. Labour was short after the war and many people went straight into the work force once they had reached leaving age. Married at 19. Moved to country. Milked a herd with husband. Back to PN when she was 41 and began working at PDC in 1976.
4.45
Job interview taken by VERN LUMLEY. “I had some wonderful years at PDC.” Initial job was salesperson in fabrics. Thinks she may have got job because she was an accomplished sewer. Had made daughter’s wedding dress. GRAHAM GOODING her immediate superior as Fabrics Dept. Buyer. He retired shortly after, and Norma was offered his job. Graham stayed on for 6 months to train her. A Buyer was essentially a head of a department e.g. Fabrics, Hardware, Menswear, etc. Buyers had their own team of staff and selected stock from an agreed budget. Were answerable to the Executive. Were regular Buyers’ meetings so Buyers kept abreast of promotions, etc. and expected to pass this back to their staff. “Communication wonderful.” There were five Fabrics staff.
Initially Fabrics Dept. was in old PEGDENS building [Pegdens had been a high end furniture shop]. Later PDC bought the CLUB HOTEL and Fabrics moved there. Was set a little distance from main PDC building [see further details below, 3rd recording]. A display team would set up display windows. Sewing and knitting machines [under the aegis of Merchandise Manager GRAEME MEYERS and JOY TARR] were sold in an area close to Fabrics.
8.30
Two occasions “which really put our fabric shop on the map.” GRAEME MEYERS strong on promotion. Orchestrated a fashion parade in WALDINGS TEAROOMS. Suppliers donated lengths of latest fabrics. Garments made from SIMPLICITY PATTERNS. “Local girls and staff” were models. Manager of SIMPLICITY addressed the audience. KAY RANKIN from 2ZA was compere. Really kicked off the spring season.
The second promotion involved the newly introduced KITCHEN WHIZZ food processor. GRAEME MEYERS asked Norma to approach COUNTRY WOMENS’ INSTITUTES because of her “rural connections” to invite members to kitchen whizz demonstration in WALDINGS TEAROOMS by ALISON HOLST. Norma hadn’t intended to buy one but when she saw Alison whip up an apple pie she was “sold.”
13.25
WALDINGS TEAROOMS was owned by JOE WALDING, pie manufacturer and sometime Labour Party MP of Palmerston North. Was in PDC complex so customers saw it as part of PDC.
14.30
TV commercial: Graeme Meyers wanted to promote microwave ovens. Norma chosen for the part “all you saw were my hands” but she still had to learn script re the ease of defrosting and cooking a chicken after getting home from work. Was filmed in the old hall behind ST. ANDREWS PRESBYTARIAN CHURCH next to PDC. Episode illustrates how “PDC was very strong on promotion.” Customers very loyal because of REBATE COUPONS. Helped staff to establish rapport with public.
19.50
Gender mix of staff: “A lot of men. You see we had a Menswear Department and Home Appliances and Hardware.” Mix was probably 50/50 [PDC Assistant Manager Colin Dyer estimates more women than men except in the Hardware and Appliances Depts].
20.05
Staff relations. Departmental Buyers responsible for making sure all duties covered. “I was lucky with my staff.”
20.55
UNITED STORES GROUP.
PDC was part of a wider buying group which operated throughout the two islands. Met in Auckland twice each year. With PDC combining fabric orders with other large stores, could reach the wholesalers’ threshold for a keener price. There was a fabrics preselect committee which presented to the main United Stores Group meeting. Good for basics – poplins, etc. and able to get a better margin through bulk buying.
24.20
Impact of tariff removal in 1980s? Not great for fabrics, bigger effect on china. Vague on this area because it didn’t affect her.
27.00
PDC culture, rules:
“Never approach a customer and say ‘can I help you?’ but ‘how can I help you?’ emphasis on I’m here, tell me what you want.”
As a new staff member and – initially – as a shop assistant Norma was already familiar with the department and staff as a customer herself. GRAHAM GOODING [Fabric Dept. Buyer – see above] only had to give her a few pointers. Basic rule – Customer is always right. Remembers first run-in with irate customer which she diffused by agreeing with her. Because of loyalty of customers and her familiarity with their tastes she’d buy fabric with certain people in mind.
30.45
Remembers going to Auckland for the day with a certain amount to spend on discounted ‘end of run’ lines of fabric which became the “bread and butter” of PDC’s sales.
Departmental budgets were set by management. Norma then responsible for allotting percentages to her suppliers and leaving some over for UNITED STORES GROUP purchases.
33.45
Biggest changes in time at PDC?
“SATURDAY TRADING.” [1980] Was a big union meeting in OPERA HOUSE which was only a short distance from PDC on corner of Church Street and Ashley Street. A staff member from CM Ross [department store on Western side of Square, currently occupied by PN City Library. At the time Norma is speaking of the store was no longer CM Ross but DIC] saw Norma through the shop window and challenged her for ‘holding the fort,’ saying that the next step would be SUNDAY TRADING…
At Union meetings the Union officials weren’t interested in any pro-Saturday trading opinions from members. “Blocked them.”
“We were so fortunate at PDC.” If we worked late on Friday nights we were given meal money. Management not in favour of Saturday trading either, but had to go with the flow. “None of us could envisage Sunday trading.”
Interview with Vallis Peet, Dennis Quinn and Bruce Withell, about dances at Newbury Hall near Palmerston North, in the 1950s.
Summary of interview
0.00 - Recording details and introductions
0.35 – What sort of dances did they have? (Bruce, then Dennis)
2.37 – Vallis describing who went, who ran them, refreshments, etc., how many attended.
4.44 – Bruce on behaviour of boys and girls, the “supper waltz”
7.45 – “courting in those days”
9.13 – paying for entry
9.44 - alcohol, none within 3 miles of a dance, but…
12.12 – smoking
12.37 – clothes
13.57 – hairstyles
15.00 – type of dances and music
16.32 – Johnny Devlin
18.52 – waltzes, etc., learning in primary school
20.07 – “Ladies’ choice”, “excuse me” dances
20.38 – difference between country and city dances
21.35 – religious sensitivities
22.18 – lighting
23.35 – were they chaperoned?
George Hartopp Eliot Warburton, a barrister and solictor, arrived in Palmerston North in 1875. He married Sophia Isabella Budd in 1882, and they subsequently had 5 children; Charlotte, Piers, Maud, Mollie and Edward.
Maud Dalgety (nee Warburton) was interviewed in 1987 at 91 years of age, about the Warburton family's life. Unknown interviewer.
George Hartopp Eliot Warburton, a barrister and solictor, arrived in Palmerston North in 1875. He married Sophia Isabella Budd in 1882, and they subsequently had 5 children; Charlotte, Piers, Maud, Mollie and Edward.
Maud Dalgety (nee Warburton) was interviewed in 1987 at 91 years of age, about the Warburton family's life. Unknown interviewer.
In a talk at the Palmerston North City Library Jenny discusses her most recent novel 'Landings', an historical story set on the Whanganui River around the turn of the 20th Century. Jenny reads an extract from the novel and answers questions at the end. Duration 57 minute mp3 file.
To launch Pataka Ipurangi (Digital Library) the Palmerston North City Library held an evening event in the Sound and Vision Zone. The guest speaker was Dr Jock Phillips the General Editor of Te Ara the 'Online Encyclopedia of New Zealand'. In the second part of the evening Lesley Courtney and Philippa Elphick both from the City Library introduce Pataka Ipurangi and give a brief overview of it's features and content. Duration 42 minute mp3 file. Part 2/2 of the recording.
Interview with Barry Parker, Board Chairman of the Co-op from 1982. Interviews were made during the Reunion of former staff members. Interviewer Lee Matthews, reporter for the Manawatu Evening Standard. Length: 25 minutes
Recorded: April 20th, 2018. Interviewer: Simon Johnson Abstract: Simon Johnson. Interview with Colin Dyer, Assistant Manager, PDC, Part 2 of 2. 0.00 Social events: ‘Nights where all staff involved.” Quiz show with prizes, also social sports teams – netball, also Co-op cricket team with ARTHUR BARTLETT as captain which played in TWILIGHT CRICKET competition. Staff from all depts. and levels - PDC, butchery, management, grocery. Raised money through raffles and went to Fiji in 1980 and played the Fiji National First Eleven and local social sides. Was summer, so many games washed out by afternoon rain. Had banquet at Governor General’s residence. Before Colin’s time had been even more staff sports teams. Was an expectation that all staff be involved in social events. “really wasn’t [sic] any divisions” between levels of staff at such events. “A family sort of environment.” Few discipline problems at work. Individual departments already close-knit groups well controlled by each Buyer. 4.00 Staff selection: Different emphasis at PDC as opposed to – say – Woolworths? Yes – when looking for a new PERSONNEL MANAGER. Successful applicant had a letter written by children or maybe grandchildren which Colin remembers as adding to more conventional CV material. “a glorious letter about Father Christmas and the whole family thing.” Mentions an assistant called HILDA who helped with initial interviews of floor staff. “old school.” If you hadn’t brushed hair, shoes etc. “you weren’t going to get a look in.” 6.00 Induction of new floor staff. Anything peculiar to PDC? A two-week programme. Focus on hours [being 5 mins late not acceptable], personal presentation, correct way of serving customers, taking their money, etc. Nothing especially specific to PDC. Culture was something staff picked up on the job. 7.35 Co-op Group: What led to erosion of dominance? * Abandoning of import licencing by David Lange/Roger Douglas’ Labour government was a critical factor. Before this many retailing companies had been going since the turn of the century [viz. 1900], their security based on the acquisition of import licenses. There was no other way of importing overseas goods whether “handkerchiefs or motorcars.” When licencing abandoned store buyers like Stephen Tindall [founder of THE WAREHOUSE chain of stores] could import “whatever they liked.” Protection enjoyed by established retailers lost. New firms spring up, e.g BRISCOES, THE WAREHOUSE, etc. Department stores could have done the same, but were hampered by their service culture which required more staff to run. New breed of stores had “quite a different structure to their whole operation.” Don’t need as many staff, a nearby warehouse, a fleet of trucks for deliveries. “Volume over high class goods.” * Other big factor was 1987 share market crash. “By far the biggest impact.” Back in 1982 management had begun talking about “what PDC needed to become” in a world of SATURDAY TRADING. Began planning for PLAZA – a shopping centre next to PDC. PDC had plenty of land. By 1985 – 86 planning advanced. Was over $30 million invested in Co-op Bank. Better rate of return for investors than mainstream banks. But with sharemarket crash “People began withdrawing their money.” Plaza was to cost around $25 million but the money in bank “Vanished over 3 – 4 months.” “Suddenly instead of borrowing the money at 8% [for Plaza construction] we had to borrow it at 28%” as Plaza was to open in 1987. Management had ‘been to Australia several times” to look at similar shopping centre models. Original Plaza “had about 28 shops in it.” PN City Council deserves “accolades” for stopping the spread of shopping centres to the suburbs. “Almost every other city in NZ does that.” ‘PDC Plaza” was Colin’s suggestion for a name. He became first Plaza Manager in conjunction with being PDC Manager. Worked with ARTHUR BARTLETT deciding the kinds of shops they wanted, in Plaza to “complement PDC.” Arthur Bartlett moved on “He could see the writing on the wall, I suppose.” BARRY PARKER became Chairperson. He thought that “hugely popular PDC” could carry the debt. 18.15 Adjoining property owned by Co-op: Majestic Hotel, Club Hotel [used as fabric department – see interview with Fabrics Buyer Norma Angus], much land behind through to Ferguson Street. Part of long term policy. Also IZADIUM [corner Featherston Street and Fitzherbert Avenue. [In 2018 this building is a fitness centre]. Was used as a budget supermarket “the forerunner of PAK’N SAVE. 20.00 The wider Co-op group of groceries, butchers etc: Was on the way out due to competition when Colin arrived in 1976. “Operating in a 50’s environment.” Buying power not up with national supermarket chains like Woolworths. Frozen foods only coming in 1960s/70s. 1976 – were about “28 or 30” Co-op groceries stretching from Taihape to Levin. “About 10 butchers’ shops.” “Served people who couldn’t travel very far.” Decline of these shops: Colin had little to do with this. Towards the end he took over management of the grocery within the Plaza as it was losing money.
Recorded: April 20th, 2018. Interviewer: Simon Johnson Abstract: Simon Johnson. Interview with Colin Dyer, Assistant Manager, PDC - Part 1 of 2. 0.00 First job: Joined Woolworths, Hastings, in 1962 at 16 as trainee manager. Did well at school but chose to get straight into a career rather than go to University. By 21 was doing “Major management reliefs [for Woolworths] around the country.” 1968 was manager of Greymouth store. Various other management roles in Woolworths. July 4 1975, joined PDC as Assistant Manager at age of 29. 3.05 Joining PDC: Brief history of PDC – initially Premier Drapery Co, then bought by Co-op in 1956. Colin and family looking to settle down – had worked in 14 different towns beforehand. Employment interview conducted by Co-op General Manager ARTHUR BARTLETT and PDC Manager LES GOODWIN. Colin’s wife was outside in the car. Saw ARTHUR BARTLETT arrive, take off his gumboots and put on a shirt and tie. PDC was 4th biggest retail store in NZ at the time. 5.30 PDC culture [co-op as opposed to conventional business] attractive as Colin from a working class background - “a Labour, socialist sort of person.” Idea of customer shareholders getting rebates appealed. Also “more a family type of management structure than I’d been used to in a large, corporate Australasian structure [Woolworths].” Woolworths so large an organisation that you rarely saw General Manager or even Personnel Manager. GM was “God” who’d summon you occasionally. At PDC you were part of the management team. There were social events. Felt he was having a direct influence on the organisation. Regular dealings with Co-op board. PDC management was “quite separate from [Co-op’s] grocery division” which included “some 35 grocery stores, 10 butcheries, a liquor store, a motorbike shop [CO-OP HONDA]. Co-op management was divided into “three divisions” – PDC, Grocery, and “others” – liquor, Co-op Honda, etc. Colin focused on PDC. Grocery division of PDC was worried he might interfere because of Woolworths experience but he backed off. Only involved in grocery store inside PDC building “towards the end.” This later became FOODTOWN and subsequently COUNTDOWN. 9.50 Over 300 people working in PDC [Department. Store] when he started in 1975. “By far the biggest employer next to University and Hospital.” A lot of office staff because were running a bank “20 – 40 million dollars deposited there at any one time.” Also a “huge accounts business, almost mail order standard, which stretched also round lower North Island,” a “credit accounting function,” also admin staff. Staff who were focused purely on PDC store amounted to around 200. 11.00 Gender balance – in department store approx. two thirds women. Higher proportion of men than most retail stores where 90% women the norm [this probably because of departments such as Hardware, Appliances, etc. SJ]. 12.00 Staff turnover. Many long serving staff but this more a generational thing than a feature of PDC. COLLINSON AND CUNNINGHAM had long serving staff, DIC perhaps less so. Was some movement of BUYERS [i.e. heads of departments within the store] between the three major department stores in town. But “Within each of those three stores there was a loyalty culture.” Has talked to MIKE COLLINSON about this. “People stayed in their jobs much longer than is the case today.” 13.45 Employing staff who had come from other stores: PDC’s dress standards more “disciplined.” “Dressing in black and white, having to wear hosiery if you were a woman… even fingernails were inspected from time to time.” Feels that this hard line because PDC had experienced managers who upheld standards, also GORDON BROWN, founder of Co-op, a “stickler.” PDC had a wider range of departments than DIC and Collinson and Cunningham. “Motor mowers and bicycles to high fashion.” Every five years each department had to be completely remodelled. This “was very much modern thinking.” At the time Collinson & Cunningham might have done this only every 25 years. 16.15 Staff relations: When he started at PDC junior staff supposed to call him ‘Mr Dyer.’ Was upbraided for letting a Buyer call him ‘Colin.’ At Woolworths things not as strict. First names fine. By 1980 PDC had “relaxed considerably.” 18.10 Changes: SATURDAY TRADING. “A real concern among staff and management.” Colin was part of a National Retail delegation that went to argue against it at a parliamentary select committee. Saw it as potentially destroying family values. Saturday shopping initially 9.30 – 1.30. Now, with full weekend shopping, labour more casual – students, etc. With Saturday a.m. regular staff worked the hours with days off in lieu. 19.55 PDC structure a pyramid. Executive management, Buyers, shop staff. Every two weeks there were two Buyers’ meetings with an agenda which Colin, as Assistant Manager, drew up. Half of Buyers came to one meeting, the other half to second meeting. Ongoing issues, planning, promotion discussed. Other main structure was the Retail Purchase Book, a system introduced by LES GOODWIN. Each Buyer had a leger book with purchases and sales recorded. PDC Manager or the Assistant Manager [Colin] looked at these at least once a month. Sales determined how much purchasing money could then be allotted to that Buyer. “Non-computerised Dickens type leger.” This took up a lot of Colin’s time. Most accounting functions sprang from these legers – performance measuring, gross profits, net profits, stock turnover, etc. Worked very well. “Gave us the best stock turns of any department store in New Zealand.” 22.55 Unions: Militant unionism wasn’t an issue. “Had a good accord with them.” During SATURDAY TRADING campaign “we worked quite a lot with the unions.” Management motivated by keeping running costs down. Spreading a week’s sales over 7 days would increase overhead expenses. In the end “We didn’t do any more business, it just cost more and affected a lot of people’s lives.” However, as a shopper he found weekend shopping as convenient as everyone else. Saturday shopping affected PDC’s regional dominance – shoppers who came from Taihape, Levin, etc. 25.40 An average working day: Started at 8.00a.m. left between 6.00 and 6.30. Much of work involved overseeing purchase performance. Management team consisted of: General Manager, Assistant Manager [Colin], Merchandise Manager, Personnel Manager, a Store Supervisor who was on management team but also ran a department, a manager responsible for the property and maintenance, and an Advertising Manager. PDC “by far” the biggest advertiser in the Manawatu in both press and radio [N.B. NORMA ANGUS mentions TV advertising and more – see interview with Norma]. This meant that there were many management meetings e.g. weekly promotional meeting [there would be a major promotion every month, e.g. Homemakers to coincide with the time rebates were paid out to stockholding customers]. Promotional events around Xmas, Mothers’ Day etc, also topical events e.g. Racing driver Denny Hulme and his car in store, quiz shows in school holidays, visit by SELWYN TOOGOOD [presenter of TV and radio quiz show ITS IN THE BAG]. All this required great deal of planning. There were also the Buyers meetings [see above] and preparation of rosters for FLOOR WALKING [i.e. manager level employee available to deal directly with issues anywhere in the shop e.g. customer complaints, SHOPLIFTING] “mediating resolutions to problems like that.” Also, was overseer of Personnel Manager ensuring getting the right people and staffing within budget. ARTHUR BARTLETT – Manager Co-op group. LES GOODWIN – PDC Manager. Les was quite “hands on in Fashion Dept.” and often away on fashion buying trips. Colin doing more “store administration” than Les. Colin enjoyed the job, “thought that would be it for me to retirement.” “Loved collegial nature of management team, enjoyed PDC’s success and performance against budgets & targets, especially liked promotions “I was very much a promotion minded person” 32.20 Work place become more casualised over time? No, this happened later, “a product of the 90s.” Staff leave/holidays: Not as flexible as it is today. When he was at Woolworths he might be expected to rearrange shop floor on a Saturday – unpaid. You had to do it if you wanted to get on. No overtime in PDC. PDC ahead of most businesses in introducing annual appraisals [see interview with group of PDC staff including VERN LUMLEY] Colin enjoyed bringing in appraisal system. At PDC easier to initiate new systems than in a “big corporate” like Woolworths. E.g. when petrol rationing introduced during crisis of 1980s PDC was one of first companies to introduce CNG into its fleet [Compressed natural gas or CNG was an alternative fuel system using locally produced natural gas from the Taranaki oil fields. A large cylinder in the car’s boot {under body in vans and light trucks} fed the gas into a modified fuel system. CNG was available at selected North Island petrol stations. Disadvantages were reduced range, reduced power over petrol, the expense of converting a vehicle to CNG and problems with keeping a converted car in tune. However, the imposition of petrol-less weekends boosted CNG’s popularity as New Zealanders struggled to sidestep government regulations – Simon Johnson]. Re staff annual appraisals: PDC Manager more ‘old school.’ Colin pushed for fairer, “more structured” appraisal system. Worked with Personnel Manager VERN LUMLEY. Had had previous experience of similar system in Woolworths. 36.55 Work related social activities. “Social Club a key element to the well-being of the place.” Company contributed “quite a bit” to Club funds, were also staff weekly contributions [see other PDC interviews]. Were film evenings, picnics, all PDC and Co-op staff involved, also “Lavish dinners,” mainly for buyers. Before Colin’s, time were “regular balls and dances.” Helped by Co-op’s wide range of facilities – trucks, tearooms “even if they [tearooms] did belong to SMITH AND WALDING – “we had everything to make something happen.” 39.00 Political connections – Joe Walding [of Walding’s Tearooms] was local Labour MP. “We often had [Government] Ministers coming through.” Colin mentions “the political inclination of Co-op’s founder [Gordon Brown].” David Lange opened the PDC PLAZA. 40.15 GORDON BROWN: Had retired as General Co-op manager shortly before Colin started in 1975 and ARTHUR BARTLETT had taken over. But over first 5 years of service at PDC Gordon Brown returned as Chairman of the Board. Probably not wise as by 1970s his “40s 50s ideas had been surpassed.” Was resistant to modern retailing ideas. He was “still very much in the grocery rebate” mindset. Colin wanted to preserve this while competing in a progressive, modern way.
Author, collector and Director of the Hawkes Bay Museum and Art Gallery, Douglas Lloyd-Jenkins looks at the architecture that surrounds us - most of which goes unnoticed. Duration 45 minute mp3 file.
To launch Pataka Ipurangi (Digital Library) the Palmerston North City Library held an evening event in the Sound and Vision Zone. The guest speaker was Dr Jock Phillips the General Editor of Te Ara the 'Online Encyclopedia of New Zealand'. Dr Phillips gives an overview of Te Ara and explored in detail some of the features of the new theme 'The Bush'. Duration 47 minute mp3 file. (part 1/2 of the recording)
Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 4th April 2023. Part 1 of 3. Turning 100 soon. Born in Wanganui, grew up on an isolated farm, learning by correspondence. Felt the Napier earthquake. Shopping once a month. Limited socializing, no power (candles, primus, wood stove). Type of wood for baking. Imaginary friends. Boarding school in Wanganui from intermediate age. Getting a Ford car. First gramophone. A young farm worker.
Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 22nd December 2020. Part 1 of 2. A linguistics PhD on the apostrophe, its history, current usage. Found in ancient Greek manuscripts to mark dropped vowels. Studying old Greek and Latin documents online. Meaning of the word ‘apostrophe’. Complex abbreviation system in Latin because parchment was expensive. Different use in Latin vs Greek. Then looked at French usage in 1500s. Elision. English usage came from French, but slow adoption (by 1551). “An hotel”? Don’t know if Shakespeare used the apostrophe. Disagreement on usage.
