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The series consists of oral history interviews recorded by staff members and research associates of the Provincial Archives of B.C. Major subject areas include: political history (especially the Coalition era, the W.A.C. Bennett years, and David Barrett's NDP government); ethnic groups (including Chinese- and Japanese-Canadans); frontier and pioneer life; the forest industry; B.C. art and artists; the history of photography, filmmaking and radio broadcasting in the province; and the history of Victoria High School.

The interviewers include: Kathryn Bridge, Janet Cauthers, David Day, Patrick Dunae, Terry Eastwood, Merna Forster, Eric Gee, Frances Gundry, Maya Koizumi, W.J. Langlois, Charles Lillard, Theresa Low, Indiana Matters, David Mattison, Patriick May, David Mitchell, Constantine Nikitiuk, Andrew Petter, Derek Reimer, Allen W. Specht, Loree Stewart, and Reuben Ware.

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Sam Hardy : woods work, 1940-1974 PERIOD COVERED: 1925-1974 RECORDED: Beaver Cove (B.C.), 1974-07-29 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Hardy describes: early life in logging camps, 1925-40; Malahat Logging Company; starting as a boom man, 1940; description of boom and raft operations; anecdote about a Davis raft that got away; moving from camp to camp and job to job; working sequence in boom work; accident rate frequency, 1940-1974. Discusses: sequence of jobs on rigging crew, 1940s; job descriptions of chokerman, rigging slinger, hook tender, steel spar engineer, and chaser. Arrival in Nimpkish Valley, 1945; duties of second loader; problems with "foot draggers"; competition between crews; getting a job on the railway; move to Nimpkish, 1948; description of Woss camp construction. Anecdotes about smuggling alcohol into camps; joining the IWA and union activity; early union activity and organizing; worker attitudes toward the union; negotiations and strikes. TRACK 2: Mr. Hardy discusses: mornings on the Nimpkish Railway, 1940s; functioning of the railway network at Nimpkish; railway safety; differences between steam and diesel railway engines; maintenance on steam locomotives; pride in work; Russell Mills; Canfor as an employer; labour relations at Nimpkish. (End of interview)

CALL NUMBER: T0542:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Production Superintendent for Canadian Forest Products PERIOD COVERED: 1930-1975 RECORDED: Beaver Cove (B.C.), 1974-07-29 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Art Newman discusses: techniques and skills in hand falling, 1930; predominance of Scandinavians in falling, 1930s; importance of Scandinavians in organizing the IWA; responsibility of the bull buckers in setting prices and contract rates, 1930-1964; the process of setting contract rates and production priorities; becomes a bull bucker, 1946. Talks about problems of the bull bucker: quality, accident prevention, costs and production. Dealing with men. Qualities of a good faller. Differences in falling small and large timber. The faller's "mistake book". Type and frequency of accidents. Coming to Nimpkish, 1946. Accepting responsibilities in the logging industry. The making of a supervisor. TRACK 2: Art Newman discusses: his move to Woss camp, 1946; logging sites surrounding Woss camp 1946-47; life in Nimpkish camp, 1946-60; getting assistance to the camps in emergencies; family life in Nimpkish; recreation and community activities; problems with alcohol; logging methods during late 1940s; sizes of settings, 1940-70s; transition from hand falling to power saw falling, 1935-50; changes in amounts of timber cut per man per day, 1930-75. Talks about his acquisition of logging knowledge. CALL NUMBER: T0542:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Production Superintendent for Canadian Forest Products PERIOD COVERED: 1930-1974 RECORDED: Beaver Cove (B.C.), 1974-07-29 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Reasons for changeover to railway/truck logging from strictly railway logging. Description of Russell Mills. Membership in the IWA, 1942-46. Changes in the IWA union, 1946-74. Communist influence of IWA, 1945-50. [TRACK 2: blank.; end of interview.]

CALL NUMBER: T0543:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Tom McPherson: CanFor Railway, repair shop charge hand, woods life, 1938-74 PERIOD COVERED: 1938-1974 RECORDED: Beaver Cove (B.C.), 1974-07-30 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Tom McPherson discusses: the functioning of a railway repair shop; railway repair shop construction at Nimpkish camp, 1955; repair procedure before 1950; changes in the construction of railway rolling stock at Nimpkish, 1950-1974; end of wooden rolling stock, 1960; working life of a wooden flatcar; care and maintenance of equipment; early life in the logging industry; tugs and logging barges on the coast, 1938. Starting to work in Repair shops, 1938. Acts as a 'boomer' following the war, 1946-48. Limitations of the seniority system and unions. Arrival and work at Englewood, 1948. Supervisors at Englewood, 1948. Changes in working conditions at Nimpkish, 1948-74. Membership in the IWA and belief in unions. Management and union positions during a strike. TRACK 2: Greatest change in IWA since 1938. Company attitudes toward union membership, 1938-50. Basis of union recruitment. Description of early union men and organizers, 1940s. Place of Scandinavians in early union organizing, 1940s. Organizing of union locals, 1935-45. Importance of unions in improving safety conditions. Canfor's concern for safety conditions at Nimpkish. Living conditions at Englewood camp, 1938. Good and bad accommodation, 1938. Social relations at Nimpkish camp, 1938-1974. Mobility in and out of camps, 1938-1974. CALL NUMBER: T0543:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Tom McPherson: CanFor Railway, repair shop charge hand, woods life, 1938-74 PERIOD COVERED: 1938-1974 RECORDED: Beaver Cove (B.C.), 1974-07-30 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Changes in Englewood since construction of the highway. Organizations and social activities in the camps. Anecdotes about memorable people in the Nimpkish Valley. Thoughts on being a Canadian; and the importance of aural history. The Lumber Jack Club and Women's Institute. [TRACK 2: blank; End of interview]

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Life in the B.C. forest industry, 1917-1968 PERIOD COVERED: 1917-1968 RECORDED: Beaver Cove (B.C.), 1974-07-30 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Bentley discusses: Wood and English logging company activity in the Nimpkish Valley, 1917-1918; working on a steam tug, 1918; placement of the Wood and English camps, 1,2 and 3. Anecdote on the beginning of the Great Depression, 1929. Pre-emption on logging grants, 1929. Anecdote on meeting with Mr. English. Working for Brown and Kirkland logging, 1923. "Cent-and-a-half" Phillips anecdote. Going to Vancouver on a Christmas break. Comment on Fred Brown and Fred Kirkland. Responsibilities of boom superintendent at Nimpkish camp: booming, sorting and transporting. TRACK 2: Life in Nimpkish camp, 1940s. Transporting loggers during work breaks. Anecdote on losing of tug crew members. (End of interview)

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Twenty-six years in Woss camp, 1948-1974 PERIOD COVERED: 1940-1974 RECORDED: Beaver Cove (B.C.), 1974-07-31 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Helen Bozman and Anna Hardy discuss: expectations about logging camp life, 1948; description of Woss camp, 1948; creating adequate family accommodation in the camp; company housing; shipping in food from Vancouver; taking a trip to Vancouver; changes in camp life since 1948; symptoms of 'being bushed'; social life interactions between married and unmarried personnel, 1940s; social activities in the camps; building of the camp school, 1948; education in the camp; effects of night shift work on family life; liquor in the camp; worry about accidents; effects of strikes on family life; evaluation of life in Woss camp, 1948-74. TRACK 2: Discuss likes and dislikes concerning camp life, and evaluation of Canfor as an employer. (End of interview)

CALL NUMBER: T0546:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Manager for Canfor, Englewood Division - coastal logging PERIOD COVERED: 1935-1974 RECORDED: Beaver Cove (B.C.), 1974-07-31 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Hennigar discusses his first involvement in the forest industry: Gyppo logging near Powell River, 1935-37. Joins B.C. Forest Service, 1937-39. Work as a ranger-assistant: inspections, maintenance. Return to Gyppo logging, 1939. Cat logging, 1939-41. Move to Englewood, 1942. The sawmill at Englewood. History of company ownership in the Nimpkish Valley. Rebuilding the railway from Englewood to camp L. Description of the area logged by Wood and English. Canfor operations in the Nimpkish Valley, 1942. Evaluation of cat logging and environmental impact. TRACK 2: Attitudes toward environmental factors in logging, 1940-60. Description of various supervisory jobs held, 1944-74. Woods foreman, 1947-53. Camp superintendent's duties 1953-64. Resident manager, 1964-74. Description of an average camp in the Nimpkish, 1940s. Loggers' attitudes toward their jobs, 1940s. Changes in safety practices, 1940-74. Introduction of compulsory safety equipment, 1948-74. Concerns for worker safety. Safety rallies, 1950s. CALL NUMBER: T0546:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Manager for Canfor, Englewood Division - coastal logging PERIOD COVERED: 1935-1974 RECORDED: Beaver Cove (B.C.), 1974-07-31 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Dealing with industrial accidents and safety. Description of Russell Mills. Description of Bill McMahan. Duties of production superintendents, 1954-64. Membership in the IWA, 1942-47. Changes in the IWA, 1940-47. Expiration of logging contracts. Changes in worker attitudes, hiring, suspensions, firings. Problems of wildcat strikes and negotiating contracts. Problems of railway logging. Ecological concerns in log industry and government policy. TRACK 2: Attitudes of management toward environmental concerns. Sustained yield logging. Multiple land use in the forests. Major changes at Englewood division, 1964-74. Dry-land sorting procedure. Change in types of individuals employed as loggers, 1940-74. Changes in forest industry methods and equipment, 1940-74. (End of interview)

CALL NUMBER: T0547:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Life in Alert Bay, 1909-29, and Telegraph Cove, 1929-74 PERIOD COVERED: 1909-1974 RECORDED: Telegraph Cove (B.C.), 1974-08-01 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Fred Wastell describes: early life in Alert Bay; description of Alert Bay, ca. 1910; prominent families in Alert Bay, 1910-20; sawmill and Indian village at Alert Bay; potlatches at Alert Bay; visitors' accommodation at Alert Bay, 1920s; cannery and fish hatchery in Alert Bay and Nimpkish area. Description of Alert Bay, 1910-20: settlers around Nimpkish Valley, 1912; Tracey & Garland Logging Co; Hand logging Operations, 1920s; sawmill operation and Beaver Cove, 1918. TRACK 2: Fred Wastell discusses: labour problems at Alert Bay; problems with sawmill organization at Alert Bay, ca. 1920; Wood and English mill at Englewood, 1924-25; description of Mr. Wood and Mr. English; Telegraph Cove sawmill operation, 1929-74; saltery operation and problems at Telegraph Cove, 1929-37 Japanese business practices, 1930s; cannery influence on government policy, 1920-40; labour supply at Telegraph Cove mill, 1920-74.

CALL NUMBER: T0547:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Life in Telegraph Cove, 1929-74 PERIOD COVERED: 1899-1974 RECORDED: Telegraph Cove (B.C.), 1974-08-01 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Life in Telegraph Cove. Personnel and Jobs. Building of the road to Telegraph Cove. Advantages of a large mill operation over a small mill. Sointula Finnish commune settlement. Social conditions in Telegraph Cove. The naming of Telegraph Cove. [TRACK 2: blank; end of interview.]

CALL NUMBER: T0548:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): The career of a timber cruiser and logging layout man PERIOD COVERED: 1919-1941 RECORDED: Nanaimo (B.C.), 1974-08-02 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Discusses first involvement in the forest industry. Description of ground lead and high lead logging. Job of the 'tallyman'. The Pacific Lumber Inspection Bureau. Cruising with Hibberson and Ryan, 1921-26. Working on government sponsored taxation cruise. Number of employees on Hibberson and Ryan Crew. Logistical problems in early timber cruising. Camp life and woods work while timber cruising, 1920s. TRACK 2: Anecdotes about storing food and problems with animals in the woods. Problems with insects. Waste in milling operations. Duties of the Compass man. Bullbucking and learning logging layouts, 1925-1935. Anecdote about M.A. Grainger. Working for Alberni Pacific Logging Company and later MacMillan & Bloedel. CALL NUMBER: T0548:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): The career of a timber cruiser and logging layout man, 1919-74 RECORDED: Nanaimo (B.C.), 1974-08-02 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Greater emphasis on timber cruising, 1940s. Purchasing and operational cruising responsibilities, 1938-67. Chief Cruiser for MacMillan & Bloedel. Confidential nature of timber cruising. Efficiency of logging industry, 1936-74. Feasibility studies for Prince Rupert pulp mill. Work since retirement, 1967-74. Description of timber cruising methods, 1936-74. TRACK 2: Training of timber cruiser. Comments on the E and N Railway land grants and the effect on coast logging. Eustace Smith, Hal Gardiner, and Harry Baxter. The making of a good timber cruiser. Comments on labour unions, 1934-74. General comments on life as a timber cruiser. (End of interview)

CALL NUMBER: T0549:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Sounds of logging SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Dispatch Shack, Woss camp. Mill's boom reloader operation, Woss Lake. Falling and bucking operation, Vernon Lake area. TRACK 2: Falling operation (cont'd). Steel spar yarder, logging truck, front end loader, Vernon Lake. Shop noises. Cookhouse whistle. Car repair shop, Nimpkish. Diesel Railway Engine, Woss camp.

CALL NUMBER: T0549:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Sounds of logging SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Booming boats (dozer boats), Canfor booming grounds, Beaver Cove. Log dumping and railway engine shunter, Beaver Cove. [TRACK 2: blank.]

CALL NUMBER: T0550:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Homesteading on the Nimpkish River, 1903-1934 PERIOD COVERED: 1900-1934 RECORDED: North Vancouver (B.C.), 1974-08-13 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: M. Rose Tindall describes her family background and early life on the Nimpkish River: family had moved from Ireland, ca. 1900; homestead at Nimpkish River; other families on the Nimpkish River- Hammonds, Mathers; earning a living and the annual work cycle at Nimpkish, ca.1900; cord wood for fires; acquiring and shipping food and farming supplies to Alert Bay from Vancouver, 1900-1910. TR;ACK 2: Anecdote concerning the family Dairy. Tracey and Garland Logging Company: description of camp on the Nimpkish River. Mail call along the Nimpkish River and anecdote about 'Lansdowne Beer'. Description of Englewood, 1920s. Problems with the care of livestock going to school in England, 1914-20. Anecdote about a friend of the family. Life on the farm following the death of her father. Mother's aptitude for farm life. CALL NUMBER: T0550:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Homesteading on the Nimpkish River, 1903-1934 PERIOD COVERED: 1900-1934 RECORDED: North Vancouver (B.C.), 1974-08-13 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Stories about R. Haig-Brown. Anecdotes about cougars. Description of Nimpkish River homestead. Information on land tenure. Anecdote about meeting with relatives. Feelings of isolation following return from England, early 1920s. Building an ice house. R. Haig-Brown. An anecdote about sailing to Vancouver. TRACK 2: Summation of life experiences in the Nimpkish River homestead. Packages and mail from England. (End of interview)

CALL NUMBER: T0552:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Ashcroft, B.C., 1897-1951 PERIOD COVERED: 1897-1951 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1976 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Gibson tells story of his grandfather, Charles Henry Gibson, who came to Ashcroft in 1897. Discusses his grandfather's career as an entrepreneur and rancher; he was one of the leading citizens of early Ashcroft. Father was educated in private school in Victoria. Mother's family described. Family ranches sold out in 1951. Relations between Chinese and Indians. TRACK 2: Gibson learned Chinese as a child. The Chinese in the agricultural economy of Ashcroft. Chinese life and customs described. Cataline described. Cataline as a businessman. Experiences of Gibson's maternal grandfather, Francis Webb, as a stipendiary magistrate in Ashcroft. (The voice of Dr. John Roberts is also heard.)

CALL NUMBER: T0552:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Ashcroft, B.C., 1897-1951 PERIOD COVERED: 1897-1951 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1976 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: More on Cataline and Judge Henry Castillou. Gibson family suit against the CPR over water rights. Social life in Ashcroft. Leading citizens of Ashcroft. Fraternal orders. TRACK 2: blank. (End of interview) (The voice of Dr. John Roberts is also heard.)

CALL NUMBER: T0593:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Experiences of a Coalitionist in the provincial environment PERIOD COVERED: 1945-1952 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1974-07-25 SUMMARY: Description of early life in Vancouver. Early period in municipal politics in North Vancouver, B.C. Getting involved in provincial politics during the Coalition period. Election as an MLA in 1945. Work as an MLA for North Vancouver. Demands of constituents for improvements in riding. Social life in government. Description of Herbert Anscomb and Boss Johnson. Reasons for not running in 1952 election. Role of Minister of Labour. Relations with unions. Discussion of British Columbia Hospital Insurance Service.

CALL NUMBER: T0593:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Minister of Labour in Coalition government PERIOD COVERED: 1945-1952 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1974 SUMMARY: Description of W.A.C. Bennett. Discussion of the expansion of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway. Kitimat development and the building of the Hope Princeton Highway. (End of interview)

CALL NUMBER: T0594:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Ranching in the Chilcotin region PERIOD COVERED: 1891-1940 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1976 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Durrell discusses family background: father, Harry Durrell, came to Chilcotin in 1894; after several false starts, began Wineglass Ranch in 1906; father's experiences in establishing the ranch; parents married in 1917; Durrell born in 1919. Chilcotin ranches. Food and supplies in the early part of the century. Telephones. Cattle drives to Williams Lake and Ashcroft. TRACK 2: More on cattle drives. Clothing. Effects of the Depression on the ranchers. Hired help. Local place names. More on hired help. Description of irrigation methods. Irrigation works on the Wineglass Ranch. Education by correspondence. Problems of education in an isolated place. Personal background. CALL NUMBER: T0594:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Chilcotin ranching PERIOD COVERED: 1900-1960 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1976 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Durrell describes: working with horses; techniques of harvesting "swamp hay"; changes in game population; more on horses; the seasonal round of work on a Chilcotin ranch; problems of wintering cattle; use of cow dogs; problems of medical attention; use of indigenous herbal remedies; more on dogs; lack of success with sheep in Chilcotin; Gristmille; problems of wintering cattle; law enforcement. TRACK 2: Anecdotes about cattle rustling. Cattle drives to Grand Trunk Pacific Railroad. (End of interview)

CALL NUMBER: T0612:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Fruit farming in the Penticton area, 1906-1950 PERIOD COVERED: 1906-1950 RECORDED: Penticton (B.C.), 1976 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Harris describes his background: born Oak River, Manitoba, 1910; family to Penticton, BC, 1917. Mr. Harris discusses: the Ellis Ranch; Southern Okanagan Land Company; irrigation of the Penticton area. Details about the construction of early irrigation works, circa 1906 to 1910. Details about irrigation. Thomas Ellis and the Ellis Ranch. Orchard and irrigation work. Varieties of fruit. TRACK 2: More on varieties of fruit. Attitudes and ideas of early orchardists. Learning the fruit business. Insects and pest control. Spraying techniques. Poison problems with insecticides. Changes in the fruit industry. Harris' early memories of fruit farming. Sizes of orchards. Changes in fruit marketing. CALL NUMBER: T0612:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): The Okanagan fruit industry, 1920-1960 PERIOD COVERED: 1920-1960 RECORDED: Penticton (B.C.), 1976 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Harris discusses: the formation of fruit marketing co-operatives after 1920; problems of fruit marketing, 1930s; B.C. Fruit Growers Association; conflicts between growers and shippers; problems of the fruit economy; the seasonal round of work in the fruit industry in the 1920s. TRACK 2: The seasonal round of work (cont'd). Holidays and celebrations. August heat. Mosquitoes. Orchard workers. (End of interview)