Edwin Oakley (c1824-1886), a mill and a creek

Image from NZETC.

Post updated, with additional information and corrections, 14 February 2011, and 13-14 February 2016.

On 15 July this year, Peter McCurdy, a resident of Waterview at the end of Cowley Street (and living in direct line of the northern entry/exit point for the Waterview tunnel for State Highway 20) made a submission to the Auckland City Council Joint RCA and Transport Committee. His submission was to do with historical findings as to the land usage history of the northern bend and mouth of Oakley Creek, on behalf of a new group called Star Mills Preservation Group.

He referred to 2009 being the 150th anniversary of the appearance of John Thomas' Star Mill close to the end of Cowley Street -- then went on to say:

"... Edwin Oakley -- engineer, entrepreneur and violinist -- had a dam, a water-wheel and a mill on the Creek named after him. That is, by 1845."

The submission seems to imply that Oakley's mill was on the Star Mill site: "there was a working mill here some fifteen years earlier."

It seems that Edwin Oakley's idea involved constructing an operating a flax mill in the mid 1840s. Trouble is, the Blue Books, the NZ Government statistics collection of the day, do not list a flax mill among Auckland's places of manufacturing for the years 1844, 1845 or 1847. The only flax mill mentioned is one in Nelson. Yet, yes -- Edwin Oakley did write a petition to the Colonial Secretary in 1844, asking for a squatting license and to purchase iron to erect a flax mill. (from Archives NZ register room, 1844 Colonial Secretary’s Office Inwards Correspondence Register Transcript), and the following year asked for a renewal and extension (the transcript list refers to "Allotment 61"). Allotment 61 refers to the then new Parish of Titirangi, illustrated here:

From SO 833, c. 1850s, LINZ records, crown copyright.

Oakley was definitely involved with flax dressing at that point -- with a partner.

We are glad to perceive that flax dressing is beginning to attract the attention of the people since the date of our last paper we have seen various samples of fine flax. Mr. Wright has by means of steam prepared some very fine samples. But we are led to think, from various experiments, that steam is not adapted for the first process; it certainly assists much in bleaching the flax when prepared by a first process, but the effect of steam upon the green leaf is certainly to harden it. Steaming may with great advantage be used as a secondary process, but the most efficient plan is boiling in potash. We were pleased to see a simple, but efficient machine in active operation at Mr. Smithson's. It is the invention of Mr. Smithson and Mr. Oakly; and is merely an improvement upon the plan in use by the natives. The flax is in the first instance boiled in a solution made from potash, or wood-ashes, and then passed through a scraper worked by the foot. Even with this simple machine, one man could dress from fifty to seventy pounds a day. Several improvements will, we doubt not, be made in the application of machinery. We ourselves would be very happy to show any of the mechanics the principles of machinery whereby any quantity of flax may be dressed. By this plan, the flax after being boiled in potashes, would be afterwards subjected to a beater; then passed through two wheels with hackles on their circumference, thereby the flax would be separated into small fibres; and finally subjected to the action of a scotching machine. A process of this kind, would certainly, and effectually dress any quantity of flax. Since the above was written, we are happy to say, that Mr. Smithson is successfully engaged in dressing flax. He is about adapting effective machinery to the after process of cleaning and from his ingenuity and perseverance we have no doubt of his success.

 Southern Cross, 14 October 1843

FLAX-DRESSING MACHINES. THE Undersigned is willing to contract for the Erection of Mills and Machinery for Dressing Flax in any quantity, not less than one ton per week, and will guarantee the quality suitable for the English market. E Oakley. Wyndham-street, April 5, 1844. 

Southern Cross 6 April 1844

But, did this piano-forte salesman from 1843 actually build a mill on the steep slopes of Allotment 61? As I said earlier, the Blue Books indicate otherwise, and I could find no newspaper references to its operation (and believe me, the newspapers were very interested in ideas and developments when it came to the flax industry back then.) But, the records remaining from his three petitions in 1844 and 1845 indicate that he had a mill of some sort, a water wheel, and a number of ineffective dams which were washed away in floods before he could use them.

44/1037 3.5.44 Edwin Oakley Petition for Squatting License and to Purchase Iron to erect a Flax Mill.

To His Excellency Robert FitzRoy Esquire Captain in the Royal Navy Governor and Commander in Chief of the Territory of New Zealand and its dependencies. Vice Admiral of the Same,

The Petition of Edwin Oakley of Wyndham Street Auckland, Carpenter and Joiner

Humbly Sheweth

That Your Petitioner has been some time passed been occupied in adapting machinery to the purpose of dressing the native flax in quantities for exportation and having at length succeeded is desirous of building a water mill –

That your Petitioner from want of capital is unable to purchase the large quantities of land, wood and flax which would be required for the carrying on an establishment of this nature and feeling convinced that your Excellency would look favourably on an effort to bring into use an article on which the future prosperity of this Country so much depends has been induced to apply to your Excellency for your aid.

Under the above circumstances your Petitioner humbly prays that your Excellency will be pleased to grant him a Squatting License upon a creek with your Petitioner can describe to your Excellency no better at the present time as situate between four and fives miles from Auckland on the Road to the Wao and Karangahape District about one mile from the River Waitemata with the use of the Creek and Liberty erect a dam across same – Your Petitioner would also wish to have a lease of about 2 acres of land for the erection of the buildings necessary and your Excellency’s consent to the loan or purchase of a piece of old Iron now lying near the old Market House or Store on the Beach –Your Excellency’s petitioner engaging on his part to erect a water mill with machinery to dress the flax fit for exportation – And your Petitioner will ever pray …

D Sinclair – Inform the Petitioner that Squatting (Occupational Licenses) can only be granted from year to year – that such a License I will readily grant him if the Surveyor General approves … a suitable situation.

Refer him and these papers to the Surveyor General.

TF May 4/44

Oakley informed 7/5/44

D Sinclair – Grant License at one shilling per acre for three acres. Give the piece of iron. T.F. May 16/44

5/1018 24 June 1845 Edwin Oakley for renewal and extension of squatting licence to Allot No. 61

To His Excellency Robert FitzRoy Esquire Captain in the Royal Navy Governor and Commander in Chief of the Territory of New Zealand and its dependencies. Vice Admiral of the Same,

The Petition of Edwin Oakley of Auckland in the said colony, settler

Sheweth

That your Petitioner had an occupational License granted to him by your Excellency of about three acres of land situate near Auckland about twelve months ago – That since that time your Petitioner has at considerable expense erected a water wheel and prepared machinery for the dressing of flax. That your Petitioner has also formed a mill dam but that a sufficient power cannot be obtained without incurring the risk of great loss of property, the dam having already been carried away by a Flood – That Petitioner is anxious to unite a Flour Mill to the wheel already erected and for the purpose of propelling the water it will be necessary to have a still increase power – That on Government Reserve No. 61 in the Parish of Titirangi a little higher up than the present wheel is a good Fall of Water sufficient for the purposes aforesaid – That Petitioner proposes to cut a Mill Race from the Upper Water Fall on the said Reserve 61 to the Water Wheel above mentioned and for the purpose of a flour mill.

Your Excellency’s humble Petitioner therefore prays that the License already mentioned as granted to your Excellency’s humble Petitioner be renewed and also that your Excellency will be pleased to grant your Petitioner a further license of the Government Reserve No 61 in the Parish of Titirangi for the purposes of the Flax Wheel and Flour Mill aforesaid and your Excellency’s humble Petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray …

(Written across the page)

There is no objection to the Petitioner’s obtaining a squatting license of No. 61 under the Act. I visited his works on Saturday the 28th inst and found that he had been at much trouble in erecting dams across the stream, which are, I find, quite useless for the purpose he requires. The Water Fall to which he alludes and from which a race can be cut is the best water power within 15 miles of Auckland.

C W Liger

Surveyor General

D Sinclair –

Authorise compliance.

TF July 5 1845

From Archives New Zealand, documents photographed by John Adam.

The Northern War came along in 1844/1845, causing anxiety in early Auckland. Oakley's scheme may have come adrift at that point. Indeed, in October 1845 and on into 1846, Auckland farmers lamented that there was no other flour mill, other than those at Epsom and Mechanic's Bay. (Letter from "A Farmer", New Zealander, 2 August 1845). In January 1850, Oakley sailed to California, then was in Hawaii for a time, returning to Auckland later that decade to take up another partnership, this time with carpenter/builder John C Jearrad at a Mechanics Bay sawmill. He arrived back in Auckland from Sydney on the barque Breadalbane in  early October 1858. (New Zealander 6 October 1858, p. 2) In 1859 Oakley took it over (Southern Cross 11 March 1859) but it is unknown how long he remained involved there. The term "entrepreneur" suits him well -- trouble was, his ideas never seemed to stay the distance.

In 1861, he was one of a number writing reports as requested by the Provincial Council as to Auckland's water needs and future supply. Tellingly, he did not refer to the creek that seems to bear his name as an option (perhaps because it had cost him so dearly?) By 1862, he was living in Mongonui, arguing over timber rights (Southern Cross, 5 September 1862), was an unsuccessful tenderer for the construction of an iron store at Queen Street wharf in 1864 (Southern Cross, 29 September 1864), he was successful in his tender (and contract) to build a store at Port Waikato for the Government by July 14, 1864 (Return of Contracts, December 1864, AJHR 1865, Session I, D-07), and ran for both the General Assembly and Provincial Council for Mongonui -- although he lived at Port Waikato -- in 1865.

TO THE FREE AND INDEPENDENT ELECTORS OF THE DISTRICT OF MONGONUI. GENTLEMEN,— You will soon he called upon o exercise the privileges conferred by the Constitution in the election of a Representative of your interests in the General Assembly, and also in the Provincial Council. Having been solicited to accept both these nomi nations, I have consented to the proposal; and, if necessary, demand a poll. Should you elect me as your Representative, I shall strenuously urge the facility of access and great security of your splendid harbour, the salubrity of your climate and fertility of the soil, which, I believe, only requires some modification in the existing land laws (holding every facility to those who are willing to reside on the land and cultivate it) to cause an immediate and large increase to your population and to the Electoral Roll, sufficiently preponderating over any obstacles that can be raised by the Southern portion of the colony to prevent reparation, followed by effective and economical Government for the North, in which I intend being a permanent resident. I remain, Yours faithfully, EDWIN OAKLEY.

Southern Cross, 11 November 1865

He pulled out just before the election, deeming it "prudent" to do so. (Southern Cross, 30 November 1865)

At that point, I lost sight of him in Papers Past.

However (update: 13 February 2016), he appeared in the electoral rolls at Port Waikato up to around 1869, then in the 1870-71 roll he was on a leasehold property at the Horeke Saw Mill up in the Hokianga. He may have been in Hawaii as early as 1877, operating a building firm from out of the International Hotel in Honolulu. (Hawaiian Gazette, 28 February) Certainly, by 11 August 1881, he was resident in the island kingdom, taking out a lease for land on Queen Street, Honolulu. (Hawaiian Gazette, 9 March 1886, p. 2). His business career began to come undone in 1885, his fate tied to a contract he undertook for the royal government. There was a dispute over part of the bill, he refused to reduce it, so Paul Neumann, Attorney General for the royal court, refused to pay, and Oakley's creditors demanded their due. There were even claims of demands for a "backhander" payment to process the bill at the royal court.

A distant cousin of his has contacted me and sent a copy of a news item which appeared in the Honolulu Evening Bulletin, 11 January 1886:

SUICIDE OF EDWIN OAKLEY
Yesterday morning about half past nine o'clock Edwin Oakley was found dead by the side of Kewalo street, on the plains. The body was in a sitting posture, the throat cut and the blood vessels of the arm severed. A razor was found near the corpse. W C Wilder, Jr, the first to make the ghastly discovery, notified the Station House authorities, and Deputy-Marshall Dayton, as coroner, held an inquest, the jury returning a verdict that he died by his own hand.

Oakley was about 62 years of age and a native of Southampton, England, where his father owned a large market garden, well known as "Oakley's Garden." [Apparently, according to the family historian, this garden was one of the providers for fruit and vegetables on the ill-fated Titanic. "Edwin was a minor in 1831 when his father died; his older brother took over the business."] 

At thirty years of age the deceased went to South Australia, thence shortly after emigrating to California, where he lived for a long period. While there he was leader of an orchestra, and the inventor of improvements in piano frames and violin rests. 

He has been in these islands a good while; for seven years foreman for Mr E B Thomas, contractor. His reputation is that of a square-dealing man in all business matters. Oakley was a bachelor and had no relative in this country. He held the lease of three cottages on Queen street, living in one of them. Lately he was in hospital for some ailment that the physicians failed to diagnose. A large amount, for a poor working man, was due to him for some time at the Palace, while several of his creditors were threatening to sue him. These circumstances combined to depress him greatly, and he had been heard repeatedly to express a purpose of self-destruction. 

On the person of the deceased were found near fifty dollars in gold, paper and silver, a bottle containing arsenic, private papers and small personal effects. The body was interred at Makiki after the inquest. A movement was set on foot this forenoon, however, to accord decent burial to the unfortunate man. Mr Thomas circulated a subscription paper, and in a few hours secured all the money required for that purpose. Accordingly, the body has been disinterred, and the funeral will take place from the late residence of the deceased, Queen street, at ten o'clock tomorrow forenoon. The late Mr Oakley, having died intestate, his affairs revert to the British Consulate for settlement.

According to the family historian, a younger brother, similarly best by financial woes in 1848, also committed suicide.

Edwin's gravestone at the Nuuanu Memorial Park in Honolulu, beneath the emblem of a hand stabbing a heart with a dagger, reads:

VERITAS

In memory of

EDWIN OAKLEY,

a native of

Southampton, England

who Died in Honolulu

Jan., 10, 1886

Aged 68 years

After life's fitful dream he was here

placed at sleep that knows no

waking by his friends and he

had many.

The heart pierced by a sword image tend to be used in Catholic cemeteries, symbolising the Virgin Mary and the prophecy that her heart would be pierced by grief, as if by a sword. It also symbolises repentance and devotion.

Or, it could simply have meant that Oakley's friends felt that he had been stabbed through the heart in the metaphorical sense.

His end was a sad and untimely one, and was undoubtedly precipitated by the actions of those who could have averted his taking off if they had wished.

Daily Honolulu Press, 13 January 1886

Back to Auckland ...

Allotment 61 remained in Crown hands, passed to the Auckland Provincial Council as a funding reserve in the mid 1850s, leased by the Superintendent in 1874 to a man named Howard (possibly Joseph Howard, who owned the farm just across the creek at the time), and then assigned back to the Crown in 1882. This was a smaller version of the original Allotment 61. Bits seem to have been carved off it, at the Waterfall end, and initially passed to private hands, but eventually (Allotments 102-105) ending up back in the hands of the government, and were traded between education board and asylum authorities for the future Fowlds Park site in the early 1890s.

Roll 46, c. 1890s, Linz records, crown copyright

So, was Edwin Oakley's flax mill at Waterview just another one of his grand ideas for profit, or did it exist in  any sort of functioning state? Contemporary records so far weigh against it, but -- hopefully the group researching him and his mill will provide further clues for public viewing as to what went on alongside Oakley's Creek all those long years ago.