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The item is an audio recording of an interview with John Kloss in 1974.
T0540:0001 track 1: Mr. Kloss discusses his experiences on logging railroads. First worked in the woods, 1927; various woods jobs; working on steam locomotives for various coastal logging companies; work and wages; unionism and strikes in the 1930s, including the formation of the I.W.A.; 1934 strike at Alberni-Pacific Logging Co.
T0540:0001 track 2: Mr. Kloss discusses the 1934 forest industry strike (cont'd); logging camp life on the coast, 1927-1946; Canadian Forest Products' Englewood camp. Mr. Kloss provides details about logging locomotive operation, including: the end of steam locomotives and the advent of diesel electric locomotives.

T0540:0002 track 1: Mr. Kloss describes the differences between steam locomotives and diesel electric locomotives. Movement of rail operation from Englewood to Beaver Cove and Woss run, 1957. Life in various Nimpkish Valley camps: Nimpkish and Woss. Minor railroad accidents described. Problems of union organization at Salmon River and other logging camps. Summary remarks.

The item is an audio recording of an interview with George Lutz and Jack Vetleson in 1974.
T0538:0001 track 1: Lutz and Vetleson came to Nimpkish Valley, 1943-44. Story of Lutz's arrival, 1943. Description of Englewood B.C. ca. 1943. Bunkhouse conditions, 1940s. Description of Immigrant labourers. Hiring practices and anecdotes about hiring practices. Holiday shut downs. Anecdotes about loggers and alcohol. Attitudes toward loggers. "Spending sprees". Loggers' salaries. Falling techniques and early chain saws. "Eight Day Wilson" and other legendary loggers. "Mancatchers" and other anecdotes.
T0538:0001 track 2: Anecdotes about drinking. "Mancatcher" story (cont'd). Vancouver "hangouts" of loggers. Black's (a loggers' agency). Working conditions in tough camps. Loggers' financial problems. Problems with coastal travel and transportation. Ship schedules to Englewood. Anecdotes about loggers' games and competitions. Description of railway logging. Bringing in a locomotive to the Englewood area and re-building the railway line, ca. 1946. More on railway logging (methods and techniques).

T0538:0002 track 1: Learning how to run different types of equipment (grapples, cat-sides). Duties of the Equalizer (foreman). Uses of the steam locomotives and laying track. Moving a skyline, by hand. Lack of concern for minor injuries. Anecdotes about card playing, movies and recreation. Laying track, runaways, accidents while working on the railway. Anecdotes about working on the railway. Replacing the steam locomotives. Anecdotes about the camp sanitation facilities. Rough-housing in the camp.
T0538:0002 track 2: Community life in Woss. Laying in and cutting wood supplies for the winter. Superintendent McEachern, C. Hunter and railway anecdotes. The process of building the railway. The track laying machine built at Englewood. The many uses of powder and blasting. The innovative nature of loggers. Sam Madill equipment manufacturer. Using old logging equipment. Superintendent Russell Mills. Making logger's punch. Safety concerns in the 1940s. Introduction of hardhats, 1952-53.

T0538:0003 track 1: Work safety, 1940s through 1970s. Establishment of first safety committee in the Nimpkish Valley, 1948-50. Problems enforcing safety regulations, 1970s. Safety rallies in 1950s-60s. Working in the winter, 1940s. Camp pets, anecdotes. First aid men, 1940s and 1970s. Single men and married men in camp. Choosing supervisory personnel, 1970s.
T0538:0003 track 2: Supervisors in 1949. Worker advancement in the 1940s. Management of loggers in 1940s and 1970s.

Also included are two photographs.

The item is an audio recording of an interview with Dora Kloss in 1974.
T0539:0001 track 1: Dora Kloss describes Vancouver Island logging camp life and conditions, 1934-1974. She discusses: Nahmint Bay logging camp, ca. 1934; strike at Nahmint Bay, 1934; union activity of loggers, and the company's reaction, 1930s; life in the Salmon River logging camp; unemployed loggers, 1930s; logger transience and its effect on family life; the problem of schooling.
T0539:0001 track 2: Mrs. Kloss discusses B.C. coastal transportation and travel (Union Steamships), 1930s and 1940s; medical problems and illness in isolated logging camps, 1934-1945; loggers' vacations and recreation; moving to Englewood, 1946-1947; housing facilities in Englewood, 1947. Englewood camp life (continued): installation of electrical power, 1948; ordering groceries and mail order shopping, 1940s; steamship arrivals and freight rates; health care in Alert Bay, 1946. Social life for women: the Women's Institute.

T0539:0002 track 1: Mrs. Kloss discusses women's lives in logging camps, 1940s; homemaking and gardening in Sayward and Englewood, 1939-1948; move to Nimpkish, 1957; activities of the Women's Institute at Nimpkish, 1940s. Life in the Englewood area, 1946-1974.

The item is an audio recording of an interview with Alex Matkoski in 1974.
T0537:0001: Alex Matkoski describes the differences in the ride of steam and diesel locomotives. Gives an evaluation of Climax, Shay and Heisler locomotives. Maintenance procedure on a GM locomotive. Maintenance procedure on a steam engine. Interview was recorded on diesel engine #302 on the Canadian Forest Products Railway.

The item consists of audio recordings of an interview with Robert Strachan in 1978.
T0528:0003 track 1: Robert Strachan, interviewed on videotape at his home in Cedar B.C., by Derek Reimer and David Mitchell, April 26, 1978. Mr. Strachan discusses how B.C. would have been different if he had been Premier: economic changes, industry, inflation, unemployment, education, social services, societal values, pollution. Discusses possible past impact of socialism in B.C.: forestry, mining. Points out reasons for government participation in economy. Born in Glasgow, 1913. Relates early recollections, family background, aspects of his education. Immigrates to Canada in 1931. Describes early experiences in Canada.
T0528:0003 track 2: Impressions of Alberta and B.C. Little interest in participating in politics in early 1930's. Discusses communist political activity. Interest in reading. Joins trade union, 1937, and holds first elected office: Shop steward. Self-education and interest in credit unions. Becomes interested in politics. Joins C.C.F., 1945. Discusses outstanding personalities in the C.C.F. at that time. Becomes more active in politics and trade union movement in late 1940's. Employed in construction trade. Laid off because of his politics and union involvement. Is defeated in 1949 federal election. Wins Cowichan-Newcastle for C.C.F. in 1952 provincial election. Comments on rise of Social Credit and single transferable ballot. Harold Winch's reaction to election results. Strachan's activity in carpenters' union.

T0528:0004: Mr. Strachan discusses reactions to the 1952 election; why Harold Winch resigned as C.C.F. leader; comments on Harold Winch and Arnold Webster as party leaders; impressions of the Legislature under the Socreds, and of the Socreds in power; 1953 election; Strachan becomes C.C.F. leader, 1956; C.C.F. principles; state of the C.C.F. in 1956; campaigning; 1960 election; public ownership of B.C. Electric a major issue; Vancouver Province and anti-C.C.F. articles; public corporations; the Socreds and the Wenner-Gren scheme; C.C.F. approach to economic development; the Socreds' two rivers policy; northern development in B.C.; the role and responsibility of the Leader of the Opposition; the Socreds' debt reduction policy.

T0528:0005: Mr. Strachan discusses Socred debt reduction policies; Socred labour policies and attitudes; the trade union movement in general; the Socred attempts to unseat Strachan; anecdote about W.A.C. Bennett; and the roads in Strachan's riding; impressions of Wesley Black; attempts to change Strachan's image for the 1963 campaign; control of C.C.F. party policy; Strachan's leadership and Tom Berger's 1967 challenge; changes in the leadership convention; impressions of Berger; Strachan's achievements in 13 years as Leader of the Opposition; development of the NDP, 1957-1961; difference between C.C.F. and NDP; evolution and decline of Social Credit; Bennett as leader; "flying fish act" of Bennett; relationship between Bennett and Strachan. CALL NUMBER: T0528:0006 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Twenty-three years in the B.C. Legislature - the Opposition years PERIOD COVERED: 1952-1966 RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1978-04-28 SUMMARY: From his old seat in the B.C. Legislature, Mr. Strachan discusses: the parliamentary system; the role of the Opposition, and the leader of the Opposition; comparison of B.C. Legislature to other Houses; debates; anecdote about Phil Gaglardi and Arnold Webster in debate; first impressions of the House, 1952; early speeches in the House; in debate against J. Allen Reid; Bennett as leader; Bert Price; votes against his party, 1953; Sommers case, revealed by Gordon Gibson in "money has talked" speech; Strachan's early days as opposition leader; relationship with Bennett: Bennett called Strachan "wild man".

T0528:0007: From his old seat in the B.C. Legislature, Mr. Strachan discusses legislative reforms; his attempts to institute a Hansard and an oral question period in the Legislature; the operation of committees; opinions about W.A.C. Bennett; the special session in 1961 to take over B.C. Electric; Bennett and "crow feathers"; the 1972 election; NDP come to power; sworn in as Minister of Highways; first days ;as a Minister of the Crown; genesis of I.C.B.C.; problems with I.C.B.C.; economic considerations; handling of I.C.B.C. by the government; reflections on being a Minister; his resignation from the cabinet and his seat; offered position of Agent-General in London by Barrett; decision to go; reflections on London experience; life in retirement; anecdote about W.A.C. Bennett; anecdotes about Tom Uphill and other figures in the House.

The item is an audio recording of an interview with Howard Green.
T0525:0005 track 1: Howard Green discusses his family background; first interest in politics; World War I military service; education and legal training at Osgoode Hall; beginning law practice in Vancouver, 1920s; interest in Conservative politics; decision to run as a federal Conservative candidate, 1935; comments on the history of the provincial Conservative Party; relationship between the federal and provincial Conservative parties during the Coalition years; reasons for formation of the Coalition government, which Green was in favour of; differences between Pat Maitland and Herbert Anscomb as leaders of the provincial Conservative Party; why Green did not stand for the leadership of the provincial party; federal Tories supported W.A.C. Bennett when he challenged Anscomb for the provincial leadership; general recollection of Bennett; comments on provincial Conservative politics.
T0525:0005 track 2: Background to the 1946 federal by-election in the riding of Yale, why Bennett was asked to run, and recollections of the campaign; possibility that the Conservatives and Liberals agreed not to oppose each other in various by-elections that year; reasons for Bennett's defeat in the by-election; factors in the break-up of the Coalition government; the effect of Bennett's defection from the government ranks; personal reaction to Bennett joining Social Credit and becoming Premier in 1952; comments on later relations with the Bennett government while Green served in the federal Diefenbaker administration; the Columbia River Treaty and the issue of downstream benefits; general comments on Bennett's stewardship of the B.C. government.

The item is an audio recording of an interview with Glen Patterson.
T0509:0001 track 1: Mr. Patterson discusses his move to Nimpkish Valley as a fire warden, 1947; first sustained yield plan for the Nimpkish Valley, 1947-48; fire protection practices in the Nimpkish Valley; company attitudes toward forest conservation, 1940s; forest service view of company practices, 1940s. Changes in Nimpkish Valley forestry practices, 1947-56. Forestry reform brought about by the Sloan Commission Report, 1953-55. Progressive forestry practices of CFP in the Nimpkish Valley, 1947-56.
T0509:0001 track 2: Mr. Patterson discusses fire protection practices in the Nimpkish Valley, 1947-52; development of volume and yield tables for the Nimpkish Valley; tree farm license granted in the Nimpkish Valley, 1960; responsibilities of B.C. Forest Service and logging companies in forest management; public attitudes toward forest management; the work of forestry institutions at the provincial and national level; life in the Nimpkish Valley and description of Woss Camp, 1948-56.

T0509:0002 track 1: Mr. Patterson discusses women's lives in Woss camp, 1947-56 and the social divisions in camp life. (End of interview).

The item is an audio recording of an interview with Roy Hodgan.
T0508:0001 track 1: Mr. Hodgan describes early life and first logging camp experiences: born in Michigan; arrived in B.C. in 1900. Reminiscences of Nakusp and Nelson, 1901-1910. Early logging methods and working at interior logging camps: Nakusp, Nelson, Cascade, Chase, 1910-1914.
T0508:0001 track 2: The use of flumes and chutes in B.C. logging, 1910s. Logging experiences in Idaho and B.C., 1914-1926. Training as a bookkeeper, 1926-1927. Working at various mills along the B.C. coast and Vancouver Island, 1927-1933.

T0508:0002 track 1: Mr. Hodgan describes work at various coast and interior logging camps, 1933-1938. Description of Bloedel, Stewart & Welch Camp B at Franklin Lake, 1938-1940. Anecdote and description of J.H. Bloedel. Working during the Depression, 1929-1940. Move to Englewood, 1942. Anecdote about Christmas break at Nimpkish Camp, 1943. Nimpkish camp description.
T0508:0002 track 2: Description of Nimpkish camp (cont'd). Camp social activities at Nimpkish. Differences between coast and interior logging techniques.

The item consists of 5 audio recordings of an interview with Henry Thuillier.
T0501:0001: Lt. Col. H.S. Thuillier discusses his childhood in India; his family background; idea of "service"; military academy in England; enlistment; preparations for mid-east campaign; Egypt. Describes Gallipoli experience: landing; operations; evacuation; observations of Gallipoli events. Discusses views on general strategy of WW I.
T0501:0002: Lt. Col. H.S. Thuillier discusses German strategy, WW I; evaluation of Gallipoli campaign; shift to Mesopotamia; campaign along Tigris and Euphrates; meeting Cossack column; pacifying Kurdish tribesmen. Comments on Mesopotamia theatre. Discusses T.E. Lawrence and the Arab world.
T0501:0003 track 1: Lt. Col. H.S. Thuillier discusses being a gunnery instructor in England 1920s; being posted to southern India; comments on inter-war politics between major powers. Discussion of Indian affairs and British presence. T0501:0003 track 2: Discusses artillery weaponry; returning to England, 1939; being in France during the "phoney war"; French defeatism; Belgium; Blitzkrieg; retreat to Dunkerque.
T0501:0004 track 1: On the "mole" at Dunkerque. Deters German fighter planes. Defense of Britain. Assessment of "Battle of Britain". Secret mission in Ireland.
T0501:0004 track 2: In North Africa with 51st Anti-Aircraft Regiment. Military significance of North Africa. Landing in Tunisia. Views on Kasserine Pass. Retreat of Afrika Corps.
T0501:0005 track 1: Surrender of Afrika Corps. Italian campaign: Anzio, Cassino, Florence. Meeting Churchill. End of Italian campaign.
T0501:0005 track 2: Assessment of Italian campaign. Opinions on WW II strategy. Post-war world. Retiring on Vancouver Island. Proposed book. Assessment of WW II leaders.

The item is an audio recording of an interview with Horace Hinton in 1975.
T0500:0001 track 1: Mr. Hinton discusses early logging experience: move to Nimpkish Valley from Washington State, 1919; description of English Logging Company Camp #1; railroad personnel; aspects of railway logging; problems of isolation; logging camp life; life in Englewood, ca. 1926.
T0500:0001 track 2: Mr. Hinton comments on Shay and Climax engines; Japanese mill workers at Englewood; life in the logging camps during the 1930s; railway logging in Nimpkish Valley, 1930-70; railway maintenance and accidents, 1930-70.

T0500:0002 track 1: Mr. Hinton discusses Japanese mill workers at Englewood, 1920-40; Chinese mill workers at Nimpkish Lake; floating camps (description and conditions); repairing logging equipment particularly steam locomotives. T0500:0002 track 2: Mr. Hinton discusses repairing locomotives (cont'd); working hours of locomotive engineers, 1920-40; the change from steam to diesel locomotives, 1951-52; registration of locomotives at Nimpkish; farms in the Nimpkish River area, 1920s; recreation and holidays from the camp, 1920s; travel on the union steamship line along the B.C. coast, 1930-40; description of company personnel, Frank Coleman and Russell Mills.

T0500:0003 track 1: Mr. Hinton discusses company personnel (cont'd); Eli Tibiff, 1920s; mechanical training of Hinton, 1930s; description of William "Bill" McMahon.

The item is an audio recording of an interview with Alexander Harris in 1976.
T0345:0003: No content documentation available for this tape.

T0345:0004 track 1: Mr. Harris describes C.C.F. leaders, including Woodsworth, Coldwell and Dr. Telford, visiting J.C. Harris' ranch in New Denver; J.C. Harris running unsuccessfully in a provincial election; J.C. Harris' attitude towards unionism. Discusses personal background of A.L. Harris' mother, who was a very capable and adaptable person. Domestic details about J.C. Harris' ranch: Chinese cook, English maid, wash day, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, household appointments, flower gardens, wood gathering, small sawmill on Harris ranch. English source of J.C. Harris income. J.C. Harris a generous man. J.C. Harris' socialist philosophy. A.L. Harris takes over management of New Denver water system, 1929. Japanese live on ranch during WW II. Japanese gardens on ranch. Views on the Japanese deportation.
T0345:0004 track 2: Quick acceptance of Japanese in New Denver. Poor housing conditions for Japanese. Arrival of Japanese at Harris ranch, 1942. Description of Japanese housing. Anecdotes about Japanese. Anecdote about William Davidson, MLA. Stories about Mr. Tanaka. Description of Japanese gardens on Harris ranch. Death of J.C. Harris, 1951.

T0345:0005-0011: No content documentation available for these seven tapes.

The item is an audio recording of an interview with Thomas Windt in 1976.
T0454:0001 track 1: Mr. Windt discusses family background: father came to B.C. from Ontario in 1898; brought family to Pavilion in 1902; family background; settling the family ranch after 1902. Windt's early schooling. Food and supplies. Economic conditions of the family farm. Anecdotes about the Cariboo Road. Brother began freighting on the Cariboo Road in 1907. Description of freighting on the Cariboo Road between Ashcroft and Quesnel.
T0454:0001 track 2: Windt visited the grave of Cataline (Jean Caux) at Old Hazelton. Cataline described. Experiences freighting on the Cariboo Road with wagons and sleighs. Details about wagons, sleighs and horses.

T0454:0002 track 1: Description of freighting on the Cariboo Road. Horse medicine. Steamers on the Fraser River between Soda Creek and Quesnel. Anecdotes about local policeman, Dave Anderson. Canoe travel on the Fraser River. More about freighting on the Cariboo Road. Anecdotes about Charlie Ross of Soda Creek. Other anecdotes about local characters.
T0454:0002 track 2: Windt worked at Antler Creek (near Barkerville), 1924-28. Techniques of working with a dredge described. During the Depression, Windt mined gold on the Fraser River. Chinese along the Fraser described. Comments about the changes in the Indigenous population.

T0454:0003 track 1: Freighters on the Cariboo Road described. In response to a list of former freight drivers on the Cariboo Road, Mr. Windt describes them and relates anecdotes and stories about freighting, freighters A - G.
T0454:0003 track 2: freighters G - Z.

The item is an audio recording of an interview with Molly Forbes in 1976.
T0390:0001 track 1: Lurlene Mary "Molly" Forbes discusses her family background. Father, Thomas Barton, came to the Cariboo in 1872; mother, Margaret Cunningham, lived at the 74 Mile Ranch; parents married about 1894; father had many jobs; family background; born 1900 in Clinton. Description of elementary school, cattle drives in Clinton. Description of the stage coaches on the Cariboo Road. Teamsters on the Cariboo Road. Riding on the stage coaches. Clinton described. Description of spring and fall assizes. Various court cases described.
T0390:0001 track 2: More on the Clinton school. Early automobiles. Clinton hotels described. Ostlers and blacksmiths. Businesses in Clinton, ca. 1910, described. Chinese in Clinton. Ministers. Attitudes towards First Nations in Clinton. More on the Chinese in Clinton.

The item is an audio recording of an interview with Gilbert Forbes in 1976.
T0330:0001 track 1: Mr. Forbes discusses his background: born in 1889 at 100 Mile House; father was a rancher; moved to 122 Mile (Lac La Hache) in 1893; family ran the 122 Mile House as a ranch and a stopping house on the Cariboo road. The operation of a stopping house. School. Worked for Bank of British North America in Ashcroft, ca. 1906-08. Worked with Frank Swannell survey party, 1908. Experiences while working with Swannell in Nechako region. T0330:0001 track 2: More about surveying with Swannell. Worked on mining construction, 1909-10. Mining camp conditions. Trip to South America, 1912-13. Anecdotes about Forbes' trip in Argentina, Bermuda and the United States and his return to Lac La Hache, 1913. Anecdote about the death of "Bugs" at Lac La Hache, 1906.

T0330:0002 track 1: Worked on his father's ranch at 122 Mile House, 1913-22. Freight hauling on the Cariboo Road declines after 1919. Worked at Cedar Creek gold mine, 1922-23. Gold mining in the Cariboo region. Ranched and had a trap line during the Depression. Building with logs. Ranched during the 1940s.
T0330:0002 track 2: Brief account of activities in 1950s. Early freighters on the Cariboo Road described. Anecdotes about the teamsters on the Cariboo Road. Anecdotes about gambling. Preachers. (End of interview)

The item is an audio recording of an interview with Barney Boe in 1976.
T0319:0001 track 1: Barney Boe tells the story of his Trans-Canada flight in a Fleet II aircraft in 1930. Anecdotes about learning to fly, 1930.
T0319:0001 track 2: More on learning to fly. Early flying in the Lower Mainland of B.C. More on the 1930 Trans-Canada flight. Boe's personal philosophy on personal knowledge and experience. More on the Fleet II aircraft. Anecdotes about emergency landings on Stave Lake and Alkali Lake.

T0319:0002 track 1: Techniques of bush flying described. Boe's crashes in McLeese and Williams Lake. Quit flying, ca. 1960. General comments about flying.
T0319:0002 track 2: Flight from Seattle to Chicago with W.E. Boeing, 1930. Description of Chicago Air Show, 1930. Comments about W.E. Boeing. Anecdotes about flying in B.C. (end of interview).

The item is an audio recording of an interview with Mabel Haggen made in 1974.
T0288:0001 tracks 1 & 2: Lois Haggen : C.C.F. MLA in the 1950s. Personal background and life in the interior of British Columbia in the 1920s and 1930s. Discussion of the work of her husband Rupert Haggen and involvement with the C.C.F. Rupert's election as an MLA in 1949. Discussion of Coalition government and problems. The growth of Social Credit and its election victory. Description of the life of an MLA's wife and the social life in Victoria. The disappointment of the C.C.F. at not forming the government in 1952, and its impact on the party. Party leaders in the 1950s. Running for election in 1956 and early role as an MLA. Her reaction to Social Credit and W.A.C. Bennett.
T0288:0002 tracks 1 & 2: Interview with Lois Haggen, C.C.F. and NDP Member of the Legislative Assembly during the fifties and sixties. Discussion and description of campaigning in elections. Her role as a woman in politics. The role of her party as the opposition party. Her interests and goals in various legislation. Work to repeal taxes on children's clothing; efforts on the part of rural electrification; interest in rights of women. Discussion of committee work in the Legislature. Changing attitudes of government. Reaction to the takeover of B.C. Electric. Accomplishments as an MLA. Defeat and leaving government.

The item is an audio recording of an interview with Henry Hansen in 1974.
T0299:0001 track 1: Mr. Hansen describes: early life in logging, 1929-1936; working for Brown and Kirkland Logging Company, 1942-1944; logging in the Nimpkish Valley, 1942-1962. Daily life in a logging camp. Changing worker-management relations, 1936-1946. Change from hand-falling to power-falling.
T0299:0001 track 2: Mr. Hansen describes: the hiring of fallers during the 1940s; early camp life at Nimpkish, 1942; organization of the workforce at Nimpkish, 1942-44; decline of morale at B & K logging camp during 1943-44; changing worker-management relations, unions and strikes.

T0299:0002 track 1: Mr. Hansen describes: hand-logging, fallers, falling crews and falling; accidents in logging, 1930-70; changes from hand-falling to power saw-falling, 1936-50; wage rates of fallers, 1935-50; duties of the production supervisor.
T0299:0002 track 2: Mr. Hansen discusses: changes in the manpower force at Englewood Division, 1950-70; changing types of work in logging, 1930-70; changing timber volumes, 1940-70; changing production costs, 1940-70; skyline and cold deck logging techniques, 1940-62; logging with caterpillar tractors; the building of Nimpkish, Woss and Vernon camps, 1943-53; travel in the Englewood Division, 1940-60; recreation in the camps; Vernon Lake fire, early 1950s.

T0299:0003 track 1: Consequences of the Vernon Lake fire on the logging operation at Englewood. Organization of Nimpkish Valley logging operation, 1940s. Railway logging techniques, 1940s. Sorting logs and the water transportation of logs. Advent of truck-railway logging operation at Englewood, 1962-63. (End of interview)

The item is an audio recording of an interview with Alexander Douglas Turnbull, recorded in Victoria in 1974.

T0270:0001: Background, education and work for Cominco at Trail, B.C. Discussion of work for Cominco. Political discussion group, Liberal Party. Development of Coalition Government. Running for election in 1948, defeat. Election of 1949 and becoming an MLA. Work to improve conditions in riding. Throne speech, Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, 1949. Discussion of British Columbia Hospital Insurance Service, problems of initiating it and administration. Role of George Pearson, Minister of Labour and Minister of Health and Welfare. Discussion of legislation.

T0270:0002: Discussion of the problem of financing hospital insurance. Reaction of the voters in Trail, B.C. to the Coalition. Affect of road construction in political campaigning. Relationship with C.C.F. Appointment as Minister of Health and Welfare, 1950 and initial approach to the problem of hospital insurance. Role of Herbert Anscomb as Minister of Finance. Problems with: payment of premiums for hospital insurance, setting up program, housing of program's operations, and overall criticisms of program. Expansion of Vancouver General Hospital and the establishment of the Faculty of Medicine at U.B.C. Attempt to put hospital insurance on sound financial basis. Hospital insurance as a political issue.

T0270:0003: The British Columbia Hospital Insurance Service, and the reaction of the medical profession to its establishment. Budgetary control of hospitals under BCHIS. Payment of premiums to BCHIS. Involvement of Byron Johnson and Herbert Anscomb with hospital insurance. Budget Speech, Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Byron Johnson and his automobile accident. W.A.C. Bennett crossing the floor and leaving the Conservative Party. Operation of government in the Coalition period. Description of Health and Welfare Department. Increasing costs of BCHIS.

T0270:0004: Creation of Hospital Insurance Inquiry Board to investigate British Columbia Hospital Insurance Service by Legislative Assembly. Attempt to use it as a political issue. Minister's relationship with inquiry board. Directing of inquiry by Sidney Smith, MLA. Problem of morale at BCHIS during inquiry. Mannix Report, Hamilton Report. Preliminary recommendations of inquiry board. Favourable response of hospital administrators to BCHIS. Criticism of inquiry board. Political pressures against Coalition and problems between Herbert Anscomb and Byron Johnson.

T0270:0005 track 1: Mr. Turnbull discusses in detail the last year of the Coalition government of Boss Johnson in 1951-52. He focuses on the details of the British Columbia Hospital Insurance Service, which he was responsible for. He discusses the impact of the BCHIS on the electorate. He mentions why Premier Johnson called the election.
T0270:0005 track 2: In the last half of the tape Mr. Turnbull provides even greater detail on the concept and funding of the BCHIS at the time of the 1952 provincial election.

The item consists of 12 audio recordings of interviews with Robert Bonner in 1980.
T0244:0005 track 1: Robert Bonner discusses his personal and family background. Recollections of growing up and going to school in Vancouver during the 1920s and 1930s. Important influences during his early years. The effect of growing up during the Depression. Early interest in politics. Criticism of socialists. Recollection of political action during his days at UBC. Work experience during his student days. Comments on his ambition to be a lawyer from an early age. Undergraduate experience at UBC.
T0244:0005 track 2: Robert Bonner recounts his reaction to the outbreak of WWII. Training as an officer with the Seaforth Highlanders. Discussion of his service overseas. Being wounded during the invasion of Italy and convalescence in England. Return to Canada and assumption of the duties of Training Officer with the Canadian Officers' Training Corps at UBC. The importance of his military training and experiences. Entry into law school at UBC. Comments on legal training. Memories of UBC law school. Graduation from law school in 1948 and work for a legal firm in Vancouver. Interest in Conservative politics. More interested in federal than provincial politics. Along with other young Tories, advocated the break-up of Coalition in B.C. General comments on the Coalition government and its decline.

T0244:0006 track 1: Robert Bonner recalls nominating W.A.C. Bennett for provincial leadership of the Conservative Party, 1950. Reasons for supporting W.A.C. Bennett in his challenge to Herbert Anscomb's leadership of the party. Further recollections of W.A.C. Bennett: crossing the floor of the House; joining Social Credit. Recollections of the 1952 election in B.C. and reactions to its outcome. The effect of the single transferable ballot. Meeting with W.A.C. Bennett after he assumed the leadership of the Social Credit Party and being offered the position of Attorney General in his prospective administration. Considerations taken into account when making his decision to accept Bennett's offer. The possibility of Gordon Wismer becoming Attorney General. Reaction to the outcome of the 1952 election in legal circles. T0244:0006 track 2: Robert Bonner comments on W.A.C. Bennett's self-confidence. Events surrounding the Social Credit Party being called upon by the Lieutenant Governor to form a government in 1952. W.A.C. Bennett's influence on Bonner's way of approaching problems. Comments on becoming Attorney General. Anecdote about John Diefenbaker's remarks shortly after Bonner became Attorney General. Recollection of his early Socred colleagues. Relations with the civil service. The 1952 election as an experiment in democracy. Comments on Social Credit. Election to the Legislature in the Columbia by-election, 1952. Comments on the by-election campaign. The importance of the by-election to the survival of the government. General comments on the first Social Credit administration.

T0244:0007 track 1: Robert Bonner discusses aspects of the early years of the first Social Credit government in B.C. Relations between the Alberta Social Credit government and Social Credit in B.C. Meeting between members of the Alberta Social Credit government and the new B.C. government in Edmonton, 1952. Political philosophy and political action. Comments on the philosophy of the first Social Credit government. Reflections on B.C. during the 1950s. Reasons for the development of B.C. by the Social Credit government. Comments on planning. Policy development. Recollections of the legislative session of 1953 and the planned self-defeat of the government. Bonner's reply to the Speech from the Throne. The defeat of the government over the Rolston Formula. Recollections of the provincial election of 1953. Bonner's campaign in the multiple-member of Point Grey.
T0244:0007 track 2: Further comments on the Point Grey constituency and the provincial election campaign of 1953. Comments on campaigning. The role of a parliamentary opposition. Evaluation of Harold Winch as Leader of the Opposition. The defeat of Einar Gunderson in the 1953 election and its effect upon the government. Bonner, Gunderson and W.A.C. Bennett served as a kind of inner-cabinet during the early years of the Social Credit administration. General comments on the members of the first Social Credit government as a group. Personal relationship with the Premier. Comments of the interaction between Bonner and Bennett on decision-making. Example of the genesis of the Two River Policy. Travelling with the Premier. Bonner's avoidance of playing bridge with the Premier. Bonner would refer to W.A.C. Bennett as "Mr. Premier". The Social Credit caucus. The operation of the Social Credit cabinet The lack of a complicated committee system helped the government run smoothly. The operation of Treasury Board and the experience of appearing before it as a Minister.

T0244:0008 track 1: Robert Bonner discusses his duties and responsibilities as Attorney General of British Columbia. Anecdote about meeting with a deputy of a new department. Aspects of administration of the various departments within his ministry. Distinction between the formulation and execution of government policy. Relations with his administrative staff. Politics and the public service. The special characteristics of the Attorney General portfolio. Relationship between the Attorney General and his Deputy Minister. Lawyers as poor administrators. Firing of Dave Barrett, a social worker, for conducting political activity while on the public payroll, 1960. The Attorney General as chief law officer. Abolishing patronage after becoming Attorney General. Comments on the labour movement in British Columbia. Differentiation between labour leaders and the labour force.

T0244:0009 track 1: Robert Bonner discusses the mechanics of holding more than a single cabinet portfolio at a time. Comments on the Social Credit cabinet. Attitudes towards business and subsequent involvement in the world of business as opposed to pursuit of a legal career. A day in the life of the Attorney General. Comments on the style of government practiced by the Social Credit government. The legislative process. The role of House Leader. Comments on the tone of the legislature during the years he served in government. The role of Legislative Counsel. The relationship between senior civil servants and cabinet ministers and the distinction between policy formulation and execution. Filling the basic task of governmental reform.
T0244:0009 track 2: Discussion of the government's problems in dealing with the Doukhobor community. The problems were simple and related to obeying the laws of the province. The problem of school truancy among Doukhobor children. Bombings and arson. The claim of religious persecution by Freedomite Doukhobors. Coordination between the Ministry of the Attorney General and the Ministry of Education on the New Denver school project. The role of magistrate William Evans. The formation of a special police force, the D Squad, to handle Doukhobor problems. Comments on the effect of criticism and press reports on the government's handling of the Doukhobor situation.

T0244:0010 track 1: Robert Bonner discusses the background to the Sommers Affair. Personal evaluation of Robert Sommers. Reaction to Gordon Gibson's allegations of irregularities in the issuing of forest management licenses. Appointment of the Lord Commission. Charges by C.W. Eversfield and David Sturdy concerning Robert Sommers. Bonner's investigations to determine whether or not Sommers was guilty of any wrongdoing. Eversfield's subsequent disappearance and Sturdy's previous request for an appointment to the Bench. Reasons for Sommers' civil suit against Sturdy. Sommers' resignation from the cabinet; if Sommers had not resigned, Bonner would have. Comments on the Butler Report. Bonner never saw the Butler Report as recalls that it was not conclusive in its findings. Bonner's advice to Sommers and his attorney about the purpose of criminal prosecutions. Comments on police reports. The issue of delays during the course of the Sommers case. Comments on the prosecution of Robert Sommers. The 1956 provincial election and discussion of the charges against Sommers.
T0244:0010 track 2: Robert Sommers' re-election in the 1956 provincial election. The issue of proceeding with the civil suit against Sturdy or, alternately, pursuing a criminal prosecution. Sommers' self-exile in Seattle and being visited by Waldo Skillings. Sommers later meets with Skillings in Victoria and attempts to secure an agreement whereby he would be charged alone. Reasons why Sommers was not charged alone. Sommers received permission to be absent from the pre-trial hearing to take his seat in the House for the legislative session of 1958; this permission was appealed. Dissatisfaction among backbench government members with the handling of the Sommers case. Reaction to the outcome of the case. Bonner was surprised at convictions. The issue of appealing the court sentence for a harsher verdict. The question of bribery with no visible benefits of preferential treatment. Final comments and reflections on the Sommers Affair.

T0244:0011 track 1: Robert Bonner discusses government interventionism. The genesis of the B.C. Ferry system. The takeover of the B.C. Electric Company. The Social Credit government's policy of no concessions to prospective business ventures in British Columbia. The background to the Columbia River Treaty. The American demand for electrical power. The B.C. government's attitude toward the development of the Canadian portion of the Columbia River. Criticism of the Treaty. Discussion of his role in the Treaty. Coining the term "Two River Policy". Reasons for the Canadian bias against exporting power to the; United States. Features of the original treaty and the issue of power being returned to Canada. The relationship between the plans to develop the Peace River and the Columbia negotiations. Modifications and protocol to the treaty, 1964, and the issue of downstream benefits. Points of contention with the federal government. Comments on the Diefenbaker government's stance on the Columbia agreement.
T0244:0011 track 2: Bonner discusses the reasons why British Columbia was able to force both the Canadian and American governments to accept its position on the Columbia River Treaty. The contribution of technical personnel. Comments on committees and the decision-making machinery that contributed to the Columbia agreement. Comments on the relationship between the provincial and federal governments in Canada during the negotiations over the Columbia. Anti-Americanism in the Diefenbaker administration. Reasons why B.C. did not proceed unilaterally on the Columbia agreement. General McNaughton and his plan for the development of the Canadian portion of the Columbia River watershed. Comments on the Kaiser Dam proposal. The appeal and problems of private development of this proposal. Objection to the federal government's Water Rights Bill. The genesis of the Wenner-Gren plan to develop the Peace River. Reasons for the failure of the Wenner-Gren proposal and its effects on later developments.

T0244:0012 track 1: Robert Bonner discusses aspects of the Two River Policy. Reasons for the development of the Peace and Columbia Rivers simultaneously. Advantages in developing the hydro-electric power potential of the rivers publicly, rather than by privately-owned means. The Briggs affair. Reflections on the 1960 provincial election. The issue of the takeover of the B.C. Electric Company. Background to the government's decision to take over the company. The special session of 1961 which was called to pass the legislation nationalizing the B.C. Electric Company. Drafting the legislation for the special session. Reaction to the takeover. Criticism of the government action in the business community. Difference between the boardroom reaction and the public response to the takeover of the B.C. Electric Company.
T0244:0012 track 2: Robert Bonner discusses the maintenance of party discipline during the course of the takeover of the B.C. Electric Company. The formation of B.C. Hydro and Power Authority, 1962. The role and purpose of a public authority, or Crown Corporation. Aspects of financing B.C. Hydro. The question of pension fund socialism. The return of a Liberal administration in Ottawa in 1963 and its effect on the Columbia River Treaty negotiations. Davie Fulton and the 1963 provincial election. Comments on the 1963 election. Evaluation of the roles played by Bonner, Williston and the Premier in the Columbia River Treaty negotiations. Final comments on the Columbia River Treaty and responses to criticisms of it. The future of the Treaty.

T0244:0013 track 1: Robert Bonner discusses federal-provincial relations during the years he served in government. Competitive versus cooperative federalism. Problems related to the port of Vancouver. Comments on federal-provincial conferences. B.C. delegations to federal-provincial conferences were invariably smaller than other provinces. The genesis of the Roberts Bank superport. The development of Roberts Bank. The issues of equalization payments. The B.C. government's objections to federally-administered equalization payments. The question of a guaranteed annual income. The issue of B.C. separatism. Arguments in favour of B.C. remaining a partner in Canadian Confederation. T0244:0013 track 2: The genesis of the B.C. government's proposal for a Bank of British Columbia. Recollection of the Senate Bank Committee hearings which reviewed the B.C. government's bank proposal, 1964. Objections to the B.C. government proposal. The process of constitutional review and the search for an amending formula for the Canadian Constitution. Constitutional reform was not a high priority for the B.C. government. The issues of bilingualism and biculturalism. Incident when W.A.C. Bennett brought Mayor Peter Wing to a federal-provincial conference. Reasons why British Columbians were reluctant to admit voting for Social Credit. Involvement in party politics. The mechanics of running an election campaign. Annual Social Credit conventions.

T0244:0014 track 1: Robert Bonner discusses the funding of election campaigns. Comments on Social Credit national politics in Canada. Description of the 1957 federal election campaign which Bonner helped organize for the Social Credit Party. Relations between the British Columbia and Alberta wings of the Social Credit Party. British Columbia's support of Real Caouette. Comments on the possibility of W.A.C. Bennett running federally. Reasons for the failure of the Social Credit Party on a federal level in Canada. The role of an MLA. Problems in being a Vancouver-area MLA. Rural versus urban conflicts in British Columbia politics. Comments on multiple-member ridings.

T0244:0015 track 1: Robert Bonner discusses the effect of politics on his private life. Reasons why legislative reform was not a high priority during the years he served in government. Attitude toward legislative debate. Orders-in-council and the provincial government. Government by regulation. Anecdote about Motor Vehicle Branch regulations. Comments about the changes which took place in British Columbia during the years he served in government. The lack of secondary industry in British Columbia. The comparative advantages of British Columbia's economy. General comments on the financial policies of the first Social Credit government. The distinction between financing government operations and those of crown corporations. Direct versus contingent liabilities.
T0244:0015 track 2: Comments on the investment of pension funds in Hydro bonds and other provincial government accounts. W.A.C. Bennett as Minister of Finance. Parity bonds. Reduction and elimination of the public debt of the province. The Kelowna bond-fire, 1959. Comments on public relations and government. Public relations men who worked for the government. Relationship between the press and government. Reasons why Bonner was considered to be the heir-apparent to the leadership of W.A.C. Bennett's character: "the Anthony Eden complex". The 1966 provincial election. Bonner's defeat in Point Grey. Re-election in Cariboo by-election. The formation of the NDP. Comments on electioneering. Reflection on his resignation from the cabinet, 1968, and retirement from politics, 1969.

T0244:0016 track 1: Robert Bonner discusses the reasons why he resigned from politics. Reaction to general criticisms which were levelled at the first Social Credit government in British Columbia. Comments on the polarization of British Columbia politics. The representative nature of the parliamentary system. Serving as MLA for Cariboo and vice president with MacMillan Bloedel simultaneously. Comments on events leading up to the defeat of the Social Credit government, 1972. Reasons for the defeat of the government. General comments on the leadership abilities of W.A.C. Bennett. W.A.C. Bennett as an original thinker.

The item is an audio recording of an interview with Harold Armes re ranching and mining in the Cariboo Region, 1919-1950.
Track 1: Born in England in 1898. Immigrated to Canada with his family in 1905. First came to the Cariboo in 1919 to look for gold. Family ranched at Little Dog Creek during the 1920s. Hydraulic mine; in the Cariboo during the 1930s. Description of hydraulic mining operations and other placer mining in the Horsefly area. Worked on Little Dog Creek Ranch during WWII for Colonel Victor Spencer. The Place family of Dog Creek. Dog Creek Hotel described.
Track 2: Settlement of Dog Creek described. Cariboo rodeos described. Visits to Williams Lake. Early economic connections of the Cariboo Region. Gang Ranch briefly described. Armes managed Pavilion Ranch for five years after WWII. Colonel Victor Spencer described.

The item is an audio recording of an interview with Harold Winch in 1976 about his time as a socialist in British Columbia and Canadian politics, 1933-1972.
C.C.F. draws support from all ethnic and racial groups. Strong British base to CCF support. Problems in breaking down loyalties to "old line" parties. C.C.F. clubs: early socialist institutions in B.C. Communist Party infiltration into the C.C.F. Balance between doctrinaire principles and pragmatic considerations. Contacts between B.C. party and national party. Winch's feelings about the dissolution of the Legislature in 1953. Expresses satisfaction with his political career.

The item is an audio recording of an interview with W.J. Langlois about the development of Aural History at the Provincial Archives of British Columbia, recorded in Victoria in 1975.
William Langlois is interviewed about the changes in and development and demise of Reynoldston Research and Studies, and the eventual transfer of its aural history program to the Provincial Archives of British Columbia. Account of how the Provincial Government came to accept aural history. Supporters of aural history. Contribution of Imbert Orchard. Role of Board of Trustees (oral history). Aural History Conference, June 1973. Aural History Institute of British Columbia. Birth and purpose of Sound Heritage. Discussion of relationship of aural history to Provincial Archives, structure of Aural History Programme, PABC staff. Relationship of Aural History, PABC to Aural History Institute, Beginning of Canadian Oral History Association. 1974 Oral History Conference. Future of Aural History Programme, PABC. Theories about aural history. AH and PABC definitions of aural history.

The item is an audio recording of an interview with Leslie Leighton made in Vancouver in 1974.
T0006:0001 track 1: Leslie Leighton's parents' backgrounds in B.C. from the 1860s. Father's Glenbrook Ranch at Savona. Building of irrigation works on Durant Creek, 1909. Feed for cattle. Housing on the ranch and building a log cabin. Description of cowboys working on ranch. Cowboys' drinking habits. Good food from chuck wagons. Interviewee as "The last of the first cowboys". Work for Cattleman John Wilson and with several of the original cowboys in B.C. Early cowboys on drives from Oregon and at the Gang Ranch.
T0006:0001 track 2: The Harper family ranches (Gang, Perry, Harper Camp and Kelly Lake). Leighton's own; youth, schooling. Description of the yearly round of ranch work. John Wilson's role in the region. Leighton's work as a stage driver for the BX company. Stage schedules and conditions on the Cariboo Road. Modern chuck wagon racing. Leaving Ashcroft at night.
T0006:0002 track 1: Breaking horses. Breaking techniques. Christmas on the ranch. Dances, weddings, fairs and exhibitions. Races and bucking contests. Saddle horse contests. Hospitals and childbirth in hospitals. Cowboys at the hotel when injured.

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Dr. Richard Foulkes RECORDED: [location unknown], 1976 SUMMARY: Dr. Richard Foulkes is interviewed about his medical career, and mental health care in British Columbia. Dr. Foulkes was the director of the Health Security Program Project, which published a report entitled "Health Security for British Columbians" (1973).

RECORDED: Williams Lake (B.C.), 1975-06-28 SUMMARY: An oral history interview with Ben Clarke of Williams Lake, who came to the Cariboo in 1921. He discusses the Cedar Creek gold rush and the Williams Lake Stampede, among other topics.;

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Fort St. James, 1862-1914 PERIOD COVERED: 1862-1914 RECORDED: Williams Lake (B.C.), 1976-10-04 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mrs. Ann A. Rottacker discusses her background: born 1896 in Fort St. James; father, Alexander C. Murray, was the Hudson's Bay Factor; details about father. Fort St. James described: domestic; details; fur trade; relations between Indians and A.C. Murray. Elementary school in Fort St. James. Mrs. Rottacker at school in Victoria for four years. Mrs. Rottacker spoke Carrier as a child. Father A.G. Morice described. Cataline (Jean Caux) described. Travel. Father was at Fort St. James from 1862 to 1914. TRACK 2: Father travelled by snowshoe from Lower Fort Garry to Fort St. James in 1862.; Mrs. Rottacker sings briefly in Carrier. Kitchen garden at Fort St. James described. More on childhood. Route travelled between Fort St. James and Victoria in about 1905. Details of diet. HBC "open house" for Indians described. Clothing described.

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Robert Browne-Clayton's brief career in politics, 1948-49 PERIOD COVERED: 1917-1952 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1979-11-12 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Robert Browne-Clayton discusses his personal and family background. Life and upbringing in the Okanagan Valley during the 1930s. Military service overseas in World War II. Return from the war; and marriage to his wife, Pat. Response to reports that he was missing in action in a battle in Italy. Recollection of his father-in-law, Paddy Acland. Attempt to establish a fruit farm at Okanagan Mission after the war. Comments on floods and inclement weather in the Okanagan region, spring 1949. Background to his decision to run as the Conservative candidate in the 1948 by-election in the provincial riding of South Okanagan. Impressions of the Coalition government. Recollection of W.A.C. Bennett. Bennett did not assist in the by-election campaign. Recollections of the campaign. Reaction to the election victory. TRACK 2: No formal orientation procedures existed for new MLAs at the time. The Coalition caucus system. First impressions of legislative proceedings. Uneasiness in the ranks of the Coalition government. Discipline within the ranks of government members. Evaluation of the personalities of Premier Johnson, Herbert Anscomb and Gordon Wismer. Being an MLA was not a full-time job. Service in the constituency. Comments on the different factions within the Conservative Party in B.C. Conflict between party members from the interior regions of the province and the metropolitan centres of Vancouver and Victoria. The break-up of the Coalition. Reasons why Browne-Clayton decided not to run again in the 1949 general election. Reaction to his decision not to run. General comments on W.A.C. Bennett and his later political career. Summary of Browne-Clayton's service as an MLA.