Spectrum 366. The farmers, the fishermen and the old wharf store

Rights Information
Year
1981
Reference
21744
Media type
Audio
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Rights Information
Year
1981
Reference
21744
Media type
Audio
Duration
00:29:28
Credits
RNZ Collection
Perkins, Jack (b.1940)

The Farmers, the Fishermen and the Old Wharf Store. Jack Perkins visits the settlement of French Pass in the Marlborough Sounds.

Paula Graham describes her love for French Pass and the view from her home.

Jack Perkins describes the decline of the settlement after the end of coastal shipping post-World War II. The road was pushed through to French Pass in the 1950s which kept the settlement alive.

Roy Webber who runs the store and Post Office explains that Wellington was the main town for local residents, who could catch the passing coastal vessels to come and go before the road went in.

Tom Lines [Lyons?], a fisherman talks about 'codding', working on his own and hauling in nets by hand, and says he will be the last one to work this way. His son Stephen is also a fisherman and talks about his daily routine, fishing near Stephens Island and other areas.

Paula Graham talks about the isolation of living at French Pass and the problem it causes when children are sick, even though there is a District Nurse. She tells the story of her daughter who became ill with meningitis. She talks about planning to invite locals to dinner but the the sea comes up and guests can't reach them. There is a church service once a month but local women have started a Bible class, even if it means a several hour journey. She says many women are very lonely.

There are around 13 children at French Pass School. They are interviewed about why their school is different.

Roy Webber says after coastal shipping stopped French Pass residents found themselves cut off until the road came. He talks about taking the dolphins for granted and says some people used to take pot-shots at them, which would scare them off. He explains how his daughter would atract them by clicking stones together underwater.

Jack Perkins recounts the history of Pelorus Jack. Roy Webber says his father used to tell him about his encounters with the dolphin, which used to swim under his passenger boat.

An unidentified man who has been on D'Urville Island hunting pigs is interviewed. He lost one dog which was killed by a pig but got three pigs. He discusses the price of pigs.

Roy Webber talks about Ma Campbell, the only convicted female sheep-stealer in New Zealand and a former resident of French Pass. She talks about ships which have been caught on the reef in the Pass.

Gordon Webber, a boatman from D'Urville Island, takes Jack Perkins through the Pass and explains the challenges of the tides, rips and reef.

Roy Webber talks about business at his store and having to pay cash for fuel deliveries.