In September 2019, Jim Scott submitted reminiscences about his time at Toad Hall, a time that began in late 1958. The story of Toad Hall features on pages 54-59, 22 and 238 of Scarfie Flats of Dunedin and describes the beginnings of the flat in the 1960s. Many thanks Jim, for getting in touch and contributing to the story of Toad Hall. Scarfie Flats of Dunedin was a snapshot in time, its great to continue the story here, online.
Toad Hall origin story
After three years of residence in Knox College, we five: John Allen [Medicine], George Salmond [Medicine], Fred Strange [Medicine], Jim Scott [Dentistry], and Lachie Watson [Law], left at the end of 1958 to “go flatting”.
John & George (he had a car!) were deputed to scout for a flat. They somehow secured the tenancy of 22 Pitt Street: rent payable immediately. The back story was that until recently it had been occupied by two sisters. One had died, and the distraught survivor kept her sister with her for several days.
Purple Orgy
There nothing to verify the meaning of this name except for the purple paintwork.
Purple Orgy. 57 Howe Street. DCC Archives, City Planning Collection (c.1968)
Roger Wilco
See the flatties in 1977 along with their sign for the flat Roger Wilco (posted by Karin Williams).
May OHagan recalls living in Roger Wilco in 1978, The huge sniff balls. The discussions on anarchy. And the green van inscribed with Id rather have a free bottle in front of me than a pre-fontal lobotomy. On questioning her about the nature of sniff balls, she elucidated, We saved our roaches, then cut them up into little pieces, then wrapped them into a ball in cigarette paper. Stuck a needle in the ball (about the size of a marble), put a match to it and passed it around and sniffed it. (Facebook comments 17 July 2015).
Kate Ryan The flat actually had a painted sign that ran like a ribbon on one weatherboard at the front..it said Play is better than work, I wonder if it is still there under the present paintwork, it had been painted directly on the house Lachy Paterson I think Karin painted that slogan, also from a Kliban book. (Facebook comments 18 July 2015).
The flat, Roger Wilco, spawned more named flats across the country: Gumboot Wilco (Invercargill), Cousin Wilco (Palmerton), Island Wilco (Rarotonga), Country Wilco, and Wilco National Park (Auckland).
The origin of the flat name Roger Wilco was a cartoon character created by the American B. Kliban who was particularly popular in the late 1970s. You can see a picture of the Roger Wilco character in the The Stanford Daily, Volume 172, Issue 18, 18 October 1977, this image was reproduced from his book, Whack your Porcupine, 1976. Roger Wilco has an other meaning, its roots are in radio communications lexicon, a hangover from WW11 Roger (acknowledge) Wilco (Will comply). It has a particular connection with airmen. Its not known if there is a connection between this and Klibans character.
Kliban describes himself as a beatnik in the 1960s, wearing black turtlenecks and drinking a lot, which Im sure, along with his art, was a point of connection for many students at the time.