William and Katherine Sangster recall good memories in Port Craig in 1926

Mr and Mrs William Sangster, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at the Raceway in 1976.  William Sangster spoke about this occasion was a long way off from the early days of marriage where he raised seven sons and a daughter in the bush.

The Sangsters did things a bit different in 1926 when they were first married and went bush which was a far cry from where most couples settled in towns around Southland.  William and Katherine still treasure these memories and would not have had it any other way.  They were caretakers of the Port Craig Mill and stayed there when it closed down in 1926.  It was a very isolated life and stores had to be bought in by sea, once a year.  Venison was their staple diet, so much so that the family got sick of it.  Two of the eight children were born without any medical assistant.  William Sangster and Katherine Sangster said that their children were the only white ones born in the village.  Mr and Mrs Sangster have only one daughter, Betty Briggs and seven sons; Wally Sangster, Neville Sangster, Irvine Sangster, Graeme Sangster, Kenneth Sangster, Ray Sangster and Lynn Sangster.
Mr Sangster spent the whole of his life sawmilling and the family lived in remote places such as Caitlins, Port Craig and Tokanui.
William originally retired in 1963 but was talked into returning to work as his experience was something the forestry could not afford to lose.  He did another stint of 5 years and finally retired in 1971. The memories of fishing, the sea and deer at their back door will always be remembered.  At the time they had 26 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.