Abstract H0377 Ellen Mary Wenham Collinson (Nellie)Interviewer: Edith RuddenklauDate: 1993Abstracter: Maree HaggertyTrack 100.00 Introduction00.15 Discussion on letter Nellie wrote to her mother. It was the only letter Nellie ever wrote in her life. Nellie reads out content of letter. Mentions helping her Aunty Eddie, Mrs Winning (?) down at WYNDHAM and having a holiday with her. She went to tennis and into town where she had...

Overview This interview looks at family history, siblings, education, employment and marriage. It also covers social issues/happenings of the time and the building up of a footwear business which became the largest footwear retailer in NZ, and husband became Mayor of Invercargill and Mabel was involved in many organisations and was awarded an MBE.

Abstract MABEL CHRISTINA WACHNER MBE Interviewer: Edith Ruddenklau Abstracter: Unnamed TRACK 100:03 Mrs MABEL CHRISTINA WACHNER born at DILLMANSTOWN, WESTLAND New Zealand in 1892 – Now resident at VICKERY COURT, North Road, INVERCARGILL00:20 [FATHER]: THOMAS WILLIAM RICE – GOLDMINER00:23 [MOTHER] MINNIE JEAN HARVEY – a trained TEACHER00:26 Two brothers – THOMAS WILLIAM – HERBERT JAMES SAMUEL00:29 Four sisters...

Overview Nellie was 95 at the time of this interview. She talks about her parents coming to New Zealand from the UK and arriving in Bluff. Her father was involved in the building part of the hospital in Invercargill when it was sited in Dee Street, the Mataura freezing works and the Royal Mail Hotel in Lumsden. Her mother, Grace Wilson, was very good at needlework. Nellie talks about her school days and games played as a child. On leaving school, Nellie went to work for H&J Smiths. She then nursed...

Overview In this interview Noel tells of his family history, fathers employment and his own education at St Joseph’s and Marist Brothers. He goes on to detail his employment as a technician with the automatic exchange and wool stores e.g. switch room, PABX, and cable jointer. He tells about the Invercargill floods in 1978 and 1984 and the effects on lines etc. Noel tells in detail his fascination with trams and his life and work on the Manapouri Power Scheme.