Hocken Digital Collections

Griffiths, George John, Dr : Business, research and personal papers

Details

Reference NumberARC-0320CreatorGriffiths, George John, Dr, 1933-2014DescriptionThis collection includes correspondence, writings and other papers relating to Griffiths' career in journalism, business papers relating to Otago Heritage Books and Granville Books, papers relating to publishing, historical research notes, papers relating to historical organisations and institutions, papers relating to music history, and numerous miscellaneous items, mostly relating to the history of Otago and Southland. A series of scrapbooks of historical and personal interest is fully indexed. Griffiths was a meticulous diarist for much of his life, and his diaries also form part of the collection.
Griffith's Otago Postal History Collection consists of 72 folders arranged alphabetically according the location of the post office or other postal agency. It includes history notes, correspondence, newspaper extracts, photographs, examples of postmarks, and other material.
Only a small part of this collection is digitised and available through Digital Collections. Information about other items can be found on the Hākena catalogue, through the Library Catalogues link above.History / BiographyGeorge John Griffiths was a Dunedin-based journalist, bookseller, publisher, and historian. He worked for thirty years with the Otago Daily Times as a sub-editor, columnist, chief editorial writer, and book editor. In 1978 Griffiths founded, with Judy Cox, Otago Heritage Books, and he authored, edited, and published many books relating to the history of Otago and Southland.
Griffiths was appointed a Companion of the Queen's Service Order in 1990. He was named a Hocken Fellow in 1998 and awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Otago in 1999. He died in Dunedin on 29 January 2014.

Photograph

60 Warden Street, Opoho

Group at opening of new Taieri Mouth bridge

'The 28 pupils of the Taieri Mouth school lead 500 people across the new bridge'

Aerial view of Taieri Mouth

'Mr A. Paton-McDonald surveys his $20,000 mobile crane which fell into the Taieri River yesterday, when the Taieri Mouth bridge collapsed'

Wharetoa School

'G.P.O. [General Post Office] Dunedin Lowering first Stanchion into place 19.2.34'

'The Dunedin Post Office showing foundations etc. The work of erection was commenced by the Fletcher Construction Company this week'

Princes Street scene on the day of laying the foundation stone of the Dunedin Post Office

Illustration from 'Souvenir cover commemorating the official opening of the new Chief Post Office Dunedin'

Exterior of the Chief Post Office, Dunedin, from Princes Street

Exterior of the Chief Post Office, Dunedin, taken from the corner of Crawford and Water streets

'Dunedin P.O.[Post Office] from Grand Hotel 11.12.34'

'Dunedin, N.Z.', a view of Princes Street including the Exchange and Chief Post Office buildings

Chief Postmaster's office, Dunedin

Facility for taking dictated telegrams, Dunedin

Tables set for the official opening luncheon of the Dunedin Chief Post Office

Workmen on Dunedin Chief Post Office girders

Queue outside post office

'G.P.O. [General Post Office] Dunedin. 2.4.31. Slab nearing completion. Last day of pile driving.'

Craig's Mini Market, Concord

Shopkeeper Bill Waugh in front of Concord Discount Store

Former Cambrians post office

'Souvenir cover commemorating the official opening of the new Chief Post Office Dunedin'

Depicts Or Relates To

SubjectsJournalistsPublishers and publishingAuthorsBooksellers and booksellingLocal historyPostal service - HistoryCricket

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Griffiths, George John, Dr : Business, research and personal papers

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