Name |
Tamehana (Tom) Nicholls |
Date of Birth |
1934 |
Researcher |
Jim Nicholls |
Job Number |
OH012 |
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Born Youngest of 4, parents and grandparents. Very little material goods, no power, coal range. Only boy, chores kept fire going, weed kumara. |
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1 acre gardens, everyone had to do their jobs 4 house cows, tom had to milk by hand 9 year old. Simple hard life but everyone around them the same. |
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Childhood pastimes - stones river, shanghai, eeling. Hockey, tin can and sticks. Everything now centred around material things, not like then |
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Day start at 7am. Banking (to cover the hot coals of the fire with ash, so the coals of the fire would burn slowly thru the night . In the morning I would stroke the fire get rid of the ashes and the fire would burn strongly again. Make toast with toasting fork over the hot coals of the fire . Dad would let cows out for the night, tom had to find them in the morning. Hand cranked separator, send milk to dairy factory Little hoe to weed kumara's. Keep fire for copper hot. No hot water |
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No gardening on school day. Walk 2 miles to school every day, all walk together. Embarrassed lunch wrapped in newspaper. Pakeha mates had grease-proof paper and serviettes. School clothes, patched pants normal everyone did. |
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Mac Stevens worked for Crawford's and got use of plough. Ploughed garden with horse, plant by hand. Planting by moon, mum says plant and you did it. Garden to last for whole year. Pit the kumara, Line pit with manuka, manuka on top like a hut. Kumara nice smell Tomatoes, potatoes, no cabbages as lots of watercress and puha Kept your puha patch to yourself, lots on railway line. |
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Father carpenter, mum sewed - what ever work you could find. Heard stories guys would work all day for a shilling. |
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Used to be full of herrings, kids herd herring into the net. Fried, preserved, dried herring. Apple tree focal point for community, herring catching like a picnic Dancing and singing. River flood a lot, all over Parawai area. Flood would go through house, put the furniture up, sweep silt out afterwards, they adapted and lived with it. People rowing across paddock 4 - 5 ft deep, fun time everyone would play. |
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Parawai close knit community, kept to themselves. At school knew people by name not skin colour. |
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Stevens, Rolleston, Nicholls, Kipa, Hillman, Robson All very close, played at each other houses. Parawai now, Waihou scheme fixed river for flooding. Families have gone, still a Stevens, Robson, and Hillman Jean and Joe Hillman are the only originals. Train would go past twice a day, small railway station. 1 penny into town, none of the railway stuff there now |
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Left Secondary school in Waihi, did well at school. idea in those days was to get trade behind you. Half way through 5th form put out to work local garage, 25sh week Moved back to Apprentice 5 years, got married in the 4th year Was going to quit mechanic, didn’t like it but got married and needed to earn. Did it for 26 years. Joined AA - A grade Mechanic Was a country service officers for 15 years, made redundant at 56 Couldn't get a job so created a job, approached district council. Worked for them on contract for 10 years. Job evolved into consultancy role, handled all traffic services Worked there till retirement. Motor industry wouldn't have been 1st choice of job in hindsight People in overalls looked down on, stigma attached to working with hands, even though they work hard. Out of overalls later in life that treated with respect, had mana in job. |
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Entered talent quest half time at the movies - got to the finals Had a group of fans, noticed a lady of the world - Monty. Monty asked her friend about him. Tom over awed by Monty Whirlwind 12 month courtship. Tom 20, Monty 18 got married 1954 Registry office, nearly forgot on the day, redecorating. Wedding breakfast, bully beef stew, not glamorous but long. Got 3 boys and daughter, all doing well very proud of them Very strong marriage, must have had good ingredients |
What first attracted Monty to Tom
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Something about the way he played his harmonica. Tom: She thought I had money. Monty: I came down to earth fast Tom: Had a car, used to go courting in. Had no money at first 9 Pound a week, struggled, miracle to keep head above water Saved any extra money, in money box. Cost 2 and 6 to take a taxi to the pictures Basic existence, but everyone the same, no appliances 1st appliance, a washing machine, primrose, big event Saved up deposit on house they're still in it, more than a house don't want to move, full of memories bringing up the kids. Travelled to Asia, Sold property at Whangapaoa, bought motor home. Toured around North and Very sociable, lots of like minded people. |
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Trip to Seeing Richard graduate in Gregory graduating from Police college Kevin, one of driving forces behind Mangakahia Land Claim Monty: when the kids stood up and korero in Maori that was highlight Went to visit Richard when he in army, on the marae. Richard got up and spoke in Maori, didn't even know he could speak; it - very moving - 1st time CEO get up and speak on the marae Winning the talent quest, love music. When Missy (daughter Sandra) bought salon, when your kids do well feel proud |
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Everything I've said really happened Though I look back and think it was hard, but gives you skills for later in life. Maybe that's what's lacking today, young people expect everything now. When they get married they expect all the modcons It took us 16 years to get a carpet. Nothing comes easy and when you achieve something you appreciate it more. Thankful for good health. Monty: At our stage in life, we can take off anywhere we want. Tom: if you want something you've got to get out there and take it Family is important, if you lay down values, your kids will take on. Life isn't a dummy run, this is the real thing. |