The Big Shift

First of Gisborne's Government Departments to move into the magnificent new Government Building at the corner of Reads Quay and Lowe Street was the Maori Affairs Department from the old Redstone Building next door. Though the new premises were far from ready, there was sufficient room completed on the ground floor to house the staff and the enormous quantities of records, files and miscellaneous papers which comprise the stock-in-trade of such organisations. Soon the old building was bare and ready for demolition, and the Maori Affairs workers were happily housed in their palatial new home. These pictures were taken during the shift.

Girls had long job tramping to and fro with armsful of files

Telephone on floor, files on the window ledge...and the carpenter's saw still on the job.

Smiling shifters: Misses M. Ward (left) and Heather Watson.

A heavier load: Peter Burson and Mr Lindsay with an office machine

Miss A. Johnston and Mrs M. Ratcliffe

Back view of the old Redstone Building shows Maori Affairs Department men loading furniture on to an outdoor lift. New building is out of sight at left. When Redstone's is demolished, the area will be used for car parking.

Mrs R. English and Misses J. Thomas and J. Proudfoot ...it was fun for a start but as the morning wore on arms began to ache.

W. B. Armstrong has a fat file there.

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The Gisborne Photo News

No 78 : December 8, 1960

The Big Shift