Harold Richardson's Diary
Frank Nicol's diary - October 1944
For the week beginning 30th October.
The work diary of Frank Nicol, Acting County Clerk, Rangitikei County Council:
Harold Hastings Richardson, 1872-1944 was appointed Rangitikei County Clerk in 1893, and he continued in that role until his death, 51 years later, on 21 September 1944. Work diaries supplied by Miller and Springhall in Wanganui survive in the Council’s archives for 1934-35 and 1937-39. Richardson stopped his entries abruptly (and without explanation) on 20 June 1935, and there are sporadic entries only in 1937 and 1938. He wrote nothing in the 1939 diary, but it was put to use by Frank Nicol, the County’s Accountant, who was appointed Acting Clerk to succeed Richardson after his death.
Monday, 30 October 1944
Rang K W D[alrymple]* from home re Mr Marshall.
Balanced Pasa[?] B[oo]k and C[ash] B[ook]s.
Wrote [to] Mr Ludbrook.
Letter from B.A. and C.G. re Imprest Account.
Tuesday, 31 October 1944
K.W.D. and A.S.C[oleman]*. Meeting at 3 pm.
Visited sections at Grey St. Also saw Mrs Shelton.
Wednesday, 1 November 1944
Paid £10 deposit on section [at] Grey & Follett Streets.
Celebrated with whitebait.
Thursday, 2 November 1944
Meeting. Resolutions re J Brice*
J.M.B.C[ollier]* suggested that if he were Eng[ineer] and was treated as S[..?...] & R[obinson] re Kak[ariki], he would resign. Reference to R[od] M[ckenzie]* - Ch[air] suggested he would not feel much like work when he returned. M.C.F[enwicke]. to be given assurance re Elections for catchment area** and possibly assist on liens. Considered I was doing too much.
Northern Councillors blocked Kak[ariki] agreement.
Back at office on Compost Club work.
Friday, 3 November 1944
Wrote [to] Mrs Ratcliff re larger borer in house and sent cheque.
Joy to P[almerston] N[orth] with M…, G & C.
Wrote to Jack – did a growl[?] re £150 Terrace St. – also sent copy of letter from Sydney re estate.
On correspondence.
Saturday, 4 November 1944
Garden in morning.
Bowls in afternoon.
Sunday, 5 November 1944
Morn[ing] in church – Heather home with cold.
Joy at Club in afternoon – I looked after family – went [for] walk with Alf Dukeson.
Wrote to Gerald Hayes.
Notes* (in order)
Ken Dalrymple was County Chairman 1929-1950 (first elected 1917).
A S Coleman, John Brice and J M B Collier were County Councillors. Brice died on 21 October 1944.
G F Robinson was Kakariki Plant Manager [road gravel crushing] .
Rod McKenzie had been Assistant Accountant before enlisting.
**Elections for the newly established Rangitikei Catchment Board were held in March 1945.
o0o
21 December 2007
