Family lived at Tauwhare - farming

Went to Technical College, travelled.

Came to work in Hamilton at 16

-part-time as chain-man for S.B. Syms, surveyor - filling in for employee absent at war.

- full-time in 1944, a cadetship as draughtsman and quantity surveyor with D.C. Street Ltd

Mentions patriotic hut in Garden Place where anyone in a service uniform was given a cup of tea and fed. Trenches in Garden Place for air-raid protection.

Americans camped at showgrounds.

Winter show buildings used for the repair of aircraft

Te Rapa base built during the war.

Friday nights.

Rovers canoe club, camping - river levels fluctuating, floods much more than today

Saturday night was party night, playing guitar, singing

Public dance halls - Pearsons in Hamilton East and the Regent Ball room.

Went to Whangamata, Christmas 1949

Talked about apprentice wages, clothing (men generally dressed the same - baggy trousers, hats,)

Elections, remembers crowds outside the Commercial hotel, politicians, results being read out.

V.E. day, V.J. day celebrations. Only other time pubs stayed open into the night was when Waikato won the Ranfurly shield.

Policeman were known to the community and generally knew many by sight. Remembers illegal gambling being overlooked because it was raising money for war-funds

• An interview with Bill Pope