Hales, Sam
Production date
20 Dec 1995
Description
Oral history recording. Samuel Ernest Hales (1912-1995) talks about his life, including being a printer, real estate agent, peace activist and lifelong pacifist in New Plymouth.
Recorded in December 1993.
Interviewer: Robert Paton and Jean Van Gorkom.
Abstracts availavle.
Soundcloud
Object detail
Part 1
Tape One Side One
Recalls seeing zeppelins in search lights over London during WWI. Talks of schooling. His father was a Primitive Methodist preacher - raised on the Bible and poetry. Joined the Peace Pledge Union, an organisation of pacifists, and became a pacifist leader. Describes starting a printing business and his encounter with the police on the outbreak of the Second World War.
Tape One Side Two
Sam registered as a conscientious objector, discusses his court appearance. Sold his printing business and manpowered into a printing job in Axminster. Talks of meeting his future wife Margaret who was a Quaker. Talks of family who were also pacifists. Sam and Margaret marry and their first child is born.
Tape Two Side One
Talks of leaving his man-powered job without permission and returning to London where he started another business. Continued involvement in the peace movement and Quakers: two factions - one intellectual and the other pastoral. Later moved to Willaton, Somerset where Sam and Margaret started a non-fiction library and art gallery. Came in on the fringe of the film business. Margaret moved to NZ in 1956.
Tape Two Side Two
Describes how he decided to come to New Zealand - Quaker newspaper with an article about a Quaker community in Nelson. Talks of preparations, hitches etc which eventuated in a delay of three months for Sam. Things didn't work out in Nelson and the family moved to Christchurch. Was offered a job at Avery Press in New Plymouth and later opened his own printing business on Devon Street. Eventually took up real estate - the Fitzroy Land Agency and the Fitzroy Press.
Tape Three Side One
England - talks of involvement in films and an amusing story of being shielded by Albert Finney's hymn book. Related situation in New Zealand - seems restless - working at various occupations such as real estate, photographer etc. Also had a business called the Fitzroy Press and a company called Prestidge Publicity. Went into real estate business with Tony Rich and Rhys Davies, operating from a property on the corner of Vivian and Brougham Streets. Involved in WEA (Workers Education Assoc.), Taranaki Peace Group, New Plymouth Film Society, Values Party etc. Was instrumental in forming the Citizens Advice Bureau and was Link representative in Taranaki.
Tape Three Side Two
Continues talking of the Link organisation and the Taranaki Traveller's Club. Mentions the China Friendship Society, prison visits, Council for Civil Liberties, Amnesty International etc. Talks of the Red Squad during the Spring Bok Tour of 1984.
Abstraction by: Mary Donald and Jim Hall
Restrictions: None
Part 2
Abstract
Digital file
WAV
Public comments
Be the first to comment on this object record.