Spectrum 722. Tales of rail and sawdust

Rights Information
Year
1991
Reference
7167
Media type
Audio
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Rights Information
Year
1991
Reference
7167
Media type
Audio
Categories
Documentary radio programs
Nonfiction radio programs
Radio programs
Sound recordings
Duration
00:37:07
Credits
RNZ Collection
Jerome Cvitanovich, Interviewer
Roly VENIS, Interviewee
Radio New Zealand, 1989-, Broadcaster

In the early 1960s raconteur Roland “Roly” Venis arrived in Erua - a bushmill and railway workers settlement in the King Country. In conversation with Jerome Cvitanovich Roly recalls his days in Erua and some of the characters who lived there.

Roly recalls the Maori community and his work at the steam engine mill performing engineering maintenance. He talks about the town’s drinking culture and some of the amusing incidents in the town.

He describes one incident during a long weekend where 2 wagons had come off the tracks in an accident.

He also relates travelling to Wellington to see a football match, travelling the rails on a ‘jigger’ with a crowd of people. On the return journey, they came head to head with a steam train, causing panic and confusion.