A recording made by the New Zealand Broadcasting Service Mobile Recording Unit in the bar of the Cardrona Hotel. There is an interview with James Dunlop Paterson, the proprietor of the hotel, and occasional comments from Postmaster John F. McDougall, and school teacher Miss Dunn. ['Jimmie' Paterson was the well-known proprietor of the hotel from 1926 until his death at 91 in 1961.]
An unidentified Mobile Unit Broadcaster [probably Leo Fowler] asks Mr Paterson about the history of the settlement and the original local gold claims, including one named the Gin and Raspberry. The population today has dwindled with only the hotel, Post Office and school left.
There is some discussion of gold mining and Chinese miners but Mr Paterson declines to tell any stories about them. There is a large collection of photographs of Queen Victoria's funeral in the hotel and a collection of jars used to bring spirits from Dunedin. Mr Paterson says he has been in Cardrona since 1889.
The Post Office next door is run by John F. McDougall, the grandson of the original Postmaster [Robert McDougall]. He talks about the family history of running the Cardrona Post Office for the past 75 years.
The school next door is taught by Miss Dunn who comments on the proposed closure of the school next year. She has been teaching for a year and has only 5 students. The children will move to Wanaka School.
Mr Paterson says he doesn't believe the hotel will continue but Mr McDougall says the Post Office and store will carry on. Mr Paterson makes a few final comments about finding gold, but doesn't want to demonstrate gold-panning.