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A ‘Family Gathering’ recording for the BBC, of the Kim family.
The recording opens with introductions to the family of James Kim, a plasterer, who came to New Zealand as an unskilled labourer in May 1921. He first came out as a single man, working a variety of jobs, including at the glassworks and in a gold mine. He went back to England to marry in 1926. After two years he came back to New Zealand and began work as a plasterer, specialising in fibrous plastering. There follows a discussion of trends in home plastering in New Zealand compared to in England, and comments on working conditions.
Mrs Kim speaks about her work, cooking in private houses and in a seaside hotel in England, and then commercial cookery in New Zealand. She compares wages in England and New Zealand, saying wages are better in New Zealand. She hopes to start up a home business in the future, and comments on the baked goods she makes at work. This leads on to a comparison of the eating habits of people in England and New Zealand, and how much is spent on food.
Daughter Muriel mentions a job she had at the PCL (Poultrymen’s Cooperative Limited), where she graded eggs during the Christmas holidays. She is now training to be a teacher, specialising in art. She mentions what she gets paid in training, her courses, and her hopes for the future after college. Son John is as Grammar School, he speaks about his current courses, his music (playing second violin in St John’s Symphony Orchestra), and his intentions for the future.
The recording concludes with James Kim’s comments on the friendliness and handiness of New Zealanders, and their satisfaction living here. The family sends greetings to relatives in England.