| Title | Oral history interview with Bill Beveridge, 2005 |
| Creator | |
| Date created | 16 May 2005 |
| Description Summary | Bill recalls living at Waiatarua. He describes the house, people, fire-station and local shop; the Waiatarua Tearooms, and the Boarding House. Bill recalls the role of women in the community; he mentions shopping, telephone services and the arrival of Glen Eden's first supermarket. He recalls working for Waterworks and Parks and mentions staff Christmas parties. Bill recalls the theft of plants from the Park. He details accidents, fires, and suicides that he attended as a volunteer fireman. The interview includes anecdotes such as 'Wally Rawiri and the runny gelignite' and 'How Amos helped Joan with the chickens'. Bill mentions hunting pig and opossums. |
| Subjects | |
| Other Notes | Bill's connection with the Waitakere Ranges began in 1956 when he joined the staff of Waterworks and Parks. Bill, with his wife Joan and two children moved into the Waterworks and Park's house at Waiatarua from Thames. When Bill was appointed Chief Ranger, he and his family moved to Arataki Scenic Drive. As Chief Ranger, Waitakere Regional Park, he oversaw a Rehabilitation Scheme run through the Labour Department, the Kiwianis Camp, developed the Arataki Centre and Nature Trail, ran the native plant nurseries and trained staff. |
| Historical Notes | Mentioned with photograph in: Centennial Memorial Park golden jubilee edition, 1940-1990: conserving the Waitakere Ranges (1990) p.22 |
| Keywords | Jack Lawrence; Jim Ransfield; Biddy Ransfeild; Jim Foley; Mick Chester; Mrs Cummings; George Potter; Rose Hellaby; Scenic Drive; Arataki Visitor's Centre; Conservation; Recreation areas; Community life; Reserve maintenance Waitakere Ranges; Parks; Conservation of natural resources; |
| Time span | 1956 - 2000 |
| Language | English |
| Copyright Holder | Auckland Libraries |
| Access Rights | Contact the West Auckland Research Centre, Waitakere Central Library in Henderson, to listen to recording or view abstract. Not available for loan. |
| Digital access copies | First copy |
| Available copies | Local History, Waitakere Central Library; Bill Beveridge; |
| Original medium | Audio; analogue, cassette |
| Duration | 2 x C60 |
| Supporting materials | Western Leader Thursday May 23 1991; New Lynn News, June 1951; Waitakere Gazette Feb 10 1955; NZ Herald, May 22 1963; NZ Herald, Dec 19 1968; Western Leader Nov 3 1970; H(?) Dec 16 1971; |
| Contributor | |
| Oral History ID | WOH-1004 |
