Work at Otahuhu Criminal Court 1965

RodHilling.com

Win Hilling. Stories for my Grandchildren

Work at Otahuhu Criminal Court 1965

In 1965 I had been working with my daughter in her ballet studio for several years. When Sylvia sold her ballet studio and went on a trip to England I was so pleased for her, because teaching ballet each night and at weekends had left her very little opportunity for social life and I felt she needed a change. The thought of having no work appalled me, so I decided to go to Auckland and get a job. As I had never worked in Auckland I went to the council building and found myself in the Justice Department offices. The receptionist said I would need to make an appointment but she was very kind and eventually managed to arrange for me to see the head man of the Justice Department.

I can’t remember his name but he was a very nice man and asked me why I was looking for work. My answer was that I had been working with my daughter and had lived a very busy life and I needed a challenge – something I could really work at. We chatted and he said it wasn’t often that an applicant wanted work for the chance to work – usually they worked because they needed the salary. We chatted and I was asked about my abilities. By this time I began to wonder why I had come here as I had never done office work.

My interviewer was head of all the courts in and around Auckland and he said, “Well I would like to employ you, but your age is against you as we like to employ younger people.” I was 53 years. He also said that each Court Registrar interviewed people for jobs in their offices and then sent them to him for a final approval. So I enjoyed the interview, and was rather pleased he hadn’t offered me work, because by then I was sure I didn’t want to work in an office.

A few days later I received a call from my friendly interviewer. He said, “Would you be interested in temporary work because if so there is a job coming available for 3 months while a staff member does his army training and as I was impressed with your positive attitude, it might be available for you.”

At that stage I would have liked to refuse the position but I felt obliged at least to go and see the Otahuhu Registrar – after all he night say I wasn’t suitable and that would be fine! Actually the registrar was very nice and welcomed me to join his staff even though I had no office experience.

Office life for me was boring, repetitious and dull but we did have some experiences that I enjoyed. One in particular I remember. The registrar Mr Bartlett came into the main office one day and stood looking at each of us in turn. One young man got up and said, “I don’t like that look in your eyes Mr Bartlett – please don’t consider me!” We all wondered what was going to happen.
Eventually Mr Bartlett beckoned me and I followed him into his office. He looked at me with a huge smile on his face and said, “We have 20 men from Yugoslavia coming in, they have come to work at Fletchers timber mill and the man who will accompany them cannot speak their language. I have various forms that they must fill in, e.g. where they were born, their father’s job, have they been in the army, are they married and how many children, etc. etc. I want you to work with them and help them to complete the forms.” “But I can’t speak their language,” I said.

“I’m sure you will find a way,” he said with a laugh.

My office friends were surprised when I told them what I had to do and very pleased that I was the one that had to do it. Very soon the men arrived and I took them to the interview room, still wondering how to start this task.

The men lined up around the small room and I walked round looking hard at each one searching for the brightest, most intelligent-looking man. Having selected one I showed him the forms and then worked with him, miming and making fun of the situation. It was like playing charades and the men soon joined in the fun. Eventually one form was completed and the chosen man soon instructed and helped the others until they were all complete. We did have fun, the men relaxed and laughed heartily. When I got back to the office all the staff wanted to know what had happened because they had heard all the laughter and were quite envious. I enjoyed that day and while I was in that job at the Court I was asked to be bridesmaid at several wedding, e.g. witness, etc. All very interesting and unusual.