Jago, Leonard Charles
Production date
23 May 1995
Description
Oral history. Mr Jago talks to Shirley Adams (his daughter) about his life farming on the Beaconsfield Road, Midhurst, his hobbies and life as an older person at Tainui Village, New Plymouth.
Interviewer: Shirley Adams
Interview date: 23 May 1995
Restrictions: None
Object detail
Part 1
Research tape.
Born Timaru in 1911 but grew up on the family farm, Beaconsfield Rd, Midhurst. Father died 1916 and a Manager was called in. Len was 5 years, and they moved to a house bought in Stratford. Moved to New Plymouth when he was about 14-15 years. Mother's brother came out from UK to manage farm. After one year out farming, he returned to manage the Beaconsfield farm. Grew swedes and mangles, then ensilage and hay. Known as a "stacker" he helped on farms around the District at harvest time. Describes building a haystack. Milked 50 cows. Now the farm milks 100 cows. Farm was opposite the dairy factory and he describes delivering milk to the factory. Describes a gig. Describes courting and marriage in 1935. Mother and sister then moved back to the house in Stratford. Describes wedding and honeymoon. Describes childhood escapades. Mr Morris became a father figure. Len has four children. Describes building a 22 sty piggery to use the whey from the factory which was piped under the road. Old derelict piggery now an eyesore. Describes division of milk in the dairy factory. Built a caravan over 2 years and they and the Haycocks toured the North Island and then the South. He attended the 1940 {Centennial} Exhibition in Wellington and describes the amusements they enjoyed there. He climbed Mt Egmont twice, once with his wife Gwen. Was in the Home Guard during WWII, but nothing happening, so he joined the Red Cross too. Sat First Aid exam and passed. Dug trenches in the school grounds. Describes Tainui Retirement village, New Plymouth, where he is at time of interview.
Part 2
Master tape
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