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John Charles Oral History part 2 of 3
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TitleJohn Charles Oral History part 2 of 3
DescriptionThe second in a series of three files of the oral history of John Charles of Arthur's Pass.
Part 2:
The interview continues with John finding a new career path after meeting Fred Dyke, while
peeling logs for the Selwyn Plantation Board. Dyke, a former deer culler, encouraged him to join the New Zealand Forest Service rather than pursue his initial interest as a police cadet. John began his training as a deer culler in the Harper Avoca area, where he participated in a research programme that required cullers to perform autopsies on killed deer. He describes his living conditions as basic, with hunters staying in rudimentary huts with sack bunks and shingle floors. Their diet consisted mainly of service biscuits, dehydrated vegetables, and venison.
The interview transitions to John discussing the evolution into a ranger role, coinciding with the standardisation of the National Parks system in the early 1960s under Ray Cleland. Prior to the standardisation, each park had its own unique signage colours and uniforms. The role initially focused on field work which included building tracks and huts, with minimal public interaction.
John describes life in Arthur's Pass during the late 1950s, focusing on the railway community.
The local store was, run by Alf Long, who provided delivery services to railway workers'
families. Women would make weekly social trips to Springfield using railway privileges for
shopping and socialising.
The interview shifts to John reflecting on his extensive career and community contributions including the boys and girls camps he orchestrated in order to instill an appreciation for nature in the younger generations.
He talks about early Search and Rescue Operations he participated in explaining the evolution of how operations were executed. He discusses the progression of Park Rangers from being hands-on, building park infrastructure and practical outdoor work to dealing with bureaucratic changes. John became disillusioned with the new management, which ultimately led to his decision to leave the park in the late 1980s.
Now free from indoor administrative work, John contributes to various community-building
tasks, including working on the railways and assisting in educational and conservation
projects. He shares entertaining stories about his life and friendship with Oscar Coberger, a gruff, but likeable, Arthur’s Pass resident known for his alpine equipment shop and paua shell carvings.
CreatorSarah DavyDate09 May 2024LocationArthur's PassRecorded BySarah Davy
DescriptionThe second in a series of three files of the oral history of John Charles of Arthur's Pass.Part 2:
The interview continues with John finding a new career path after meeting Fred Dyke, while
peeling logs for the Selwyn Plantation Board. Dyke, a former deer culler, encouraged him to join the New Zealand Forest Service rather than pursue his initial interest as a police cadet. John began his training as a deer culler in the Harper Avoca area, where he participated in a research programme that required cullers to perform autopsies on killed deer. He describes his living conditions as basic, with hunters staying in rudimentary huts with sack bunks and shingle floors. Their diet consisted mainly of service biscuits, dehydrated vegetables, and venison.
The interview transitions to John discussing the evolution into a ranger role, coinciding with the standardisation of the National Parks system in the early 1960s under Ray Cleland. Prior to the standardisation, each park had its own unique signage colours and uniforms. The role initially focused on field work which included building tracks and huts, with minimal public interaction.
John describes life in Arthur's Pass during the late 1950s, focusing on the railway community.
The local store was, run by Alf Long, who provided delivery services to railway workers'
families. Women would make weekly social trips to Springfield using railway privileges for
shopping and socialising.
The interview shifts to John reflecting on his extensive career and community contributions including the boys and girls camps he orchestrated in order to instill an appreciation for nature in the younger generations.
He talks about early Search and Rescue Operations he participated in explaining the evolution of how operations were executed. He discusses the progression of Park Rangers from being hands-on, building park infrastructure and practical outdoor work to dealing with bureaucratic changes. John became disillusioned with the new management, which ultimately led to his decision to leave the park in the late 1980s.
Now free from indoor administrative work, John contributes to various community-building
tasks, including working on the railways and assisting in educational and conservation
projects. He shares entertaining stories about his life and friendship with Oscar Coberger, a gruff, but likeable, Arthur’s Pass resident known for his alpine equipment shop and paua shell carvings.
CreatorSarah DavyDate09 May 2024LocationArthur's PassRecorded BySarah DavyConnections
PlaceArthur's Pass
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Sarah Davy, John Charles Oral History part 2 of 3 (09 May 2024). Selwyn Stories, accessed 09/02/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/6834
