Gum, refuge and liquor: the Don Buck's Camp years

Auckland Weekly News, 31 August 1900, Ref 7-A2866, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Library

Don Buck, aka Francisco Rodrigues Figuiera (c.1869-1917) is one of West Auckland's most prominent legends from real life.

The Black Bridge is on the Great North Road, about a mile from Swanson railway station, and at the foot of what used to be called Don Buck's Hill, well known to gumdiggers and anyone bound Helensville-wards.

Just on the left-hand side of the bridge, looking north, there is some rising ground, gorse-covered, with a few old pines round a deserted house. A few years ago that house was a busy store, and the knoll was encircled with the queerest imaginable collection of sack shanties and whares. In a semicircle they stretched round the store, all under the eagle eye of Don Buck.

His real name was something very different —one of those characteristic Portuguese names ending in "eirara"— but we never knew him as anything but Don Buck, "Don" for short, "and among friends" as Falstaff says. He was born in Madeira, and in his younger days went to South Africa where he made some money, and then, happening to hear of the gumdigging in New Zealand, something of its bohemian character appealed to this rolling stone of a "Portugee." Not that Don ever handled spear and spade as far as I know; his forte was running a store and financing the wild crew that then followed the elusive gum. Wild they were with a vengeance. All gone to their account many years ago. To-day you won't find more than a handful of the real old fashioned digger anywhere. There is still a sod-shack or two between Riverhead and Kumeu—land that was once thick with the failures of the towns and the thirsty men and women who found it difficult to keep out of the lock-up when they drifted within sight of the lights of the city.

The matter-of-fact methodical Dalmatian has revolutionised the gum digging, robbing it of its wild bohemianism. When a colony of sober, stalwart foreigners will dig deliberately a six-foot face through a swamp, clearing it of every particle of gum, there isn't much room for the casual spear and spade lonehander, whose only ambition was to get enough to keep the tucker box full and give him a surplus for an occasional hilarious burst in town —which invariably wound up in Mount Eden.

A Rough Mob.

When Don first settled near Swanson on what was known far and wide as "Don Buck's Camp" I can't say, but when I first knew the outfit he had firmly established himself there as storekeeper and uncrowned king of as rough a mob as you could muster in the whole province. It was naturally a floating population, but generally there was a score or so of subjects, male and female. Anyone down-and-out used to make for the camp, and whatever Don's failings he never turned a man or woman away, so long as they played the game. They say there is honour among thieves, and there certainly was a certain kind of it in that strenuous little kingdom.

Don was tall, good-looking, with a deep voice, handy with his fists, always had some "shooting irons" about the house, and he was held in considerable respect, so that in all the broil*, battle and sudden death that shook the camp, none of them ever swept nearer than the front steps of the throne. The carousals and the fights used to afford his Majesty a certain amount of amusement, but were never allowed to invade the sacred territory of the palace. His friends could have as much fire-water as they liked, in fact Don used to do a bit in that line himself, and many a keg of whisky used to arrive in the three-horsed trap he drove from the railway station, but they were not allowed to drink about the store.

Oddly enough, living in that little kingdom of inebriates, real hard drinkers, who did not get merely drunk, but mad drunk, Don never touched a drop himself. He had failings, but drink was not one of them.

Whenever a down-and-out arrived at the camp, it might be from some other field, but it was more often from gaol, the procedure was always the same; Don would furnish him with an axe and some sacks. With the axe the newcomer would go down to the bush-clad creek and cut some poles, and with these and the sacks he would build himself a sack shanty, making one more in the large semi-circle. Then Don would come to light with a week's stores, spade and spear, and then he would keep his protege under surveillance. If the newcomer turned up regularly with his gum, Don would know he was playing the game, and he would be admitted to the freedom of the camp.

Fire-Water.

Although he had no objection to turning an honest penny out of the whisky he brought out from town, Don would often give his subjects a bit of good advice. When pressed for a "couple of bob for a booze," he would say, "That's no good to you, lad; I'll give you some stores, and it will be better for you to get out on the field after gum."

Close as a miser in some ways, he was generous in others, and it was characteristic of Don that he would think less of giving some of the ladies of his realm a half crown than he would of giving a man sixpence.

In addition to the whisky there was an even more potent factor in the frequent carousals that got the camp such a notorious name, and led to many visits from the police, and that was the local wine which had a kick like a mule, and was responsible for all sorts of wild doings when the camp "saw red." The chief purveyor of this potent stuff t was a single chap who was not impervious to blandishments. The procedure was to send over one of the ladies, who s would negotiate for a certain amount of wine, and while this was going on other emissaries from the camp would find the keys of the cellar and hand out the deadly stuff in quantities. Much of the wine was new, and therein lay its potency.

Drunken Orgies.

Bacchanalian and fearful were the scenes enacted at the camp on wine days. The ordinary jollification of a gum diggers' community is sometimes colossal, but at Don Buck's they went a bit too far. One man was hacked to death with an axe, another couple disfigured each other with the jagged ends of broken wine bottles, and one man got so completely drunk that he fell face down in the fire, and was suffocated where he lay.

There were other minor failings which made the camp the worry of the police. Many of the "subjects" were notorious gaol birds, and it was common knowledge among those who gathered there that some of the property that was exchanged had not been acquired through the usual channels. Don Buck did not mind dealing in this stuff as long as he knew before hand whether it had been obtained on the square or was "crooked." If you wanted to deal with Don you had to make a clean breast of it to him; once you deceived him he would never trust you again. He had a large and varied acquaintance in town, and apparently had no difficulty in getting rid of any of the stuff he purchased from his queer people.

Don Pines Away.

Visits of the police were common at the camp, and some of the mounted men used to tell queer tales of the goings on they were sent to investigate.

Eventually things got so bad that the police had to clear out the whole nest of frail folks. It was after the affair of the drunken man who fell in the fire and was burned to death that the end came. Once deprived of his subjects Don seemed to lose all zest for life. First he got a cold, then dropsy set in, and at the comparatively early age of 56, or perhaps less, he passed away.

A careful man, he from time to time bought up for a mere song whole tracts of the cheap gum land, and at his death he left an estate worth several thousand pounds Where it went I don't know. Search was made for Portuguese relations of Don's, but without effect, though I have heard that some years afterwards a brother was located in sunny Madeira.

Notorious he undoubtedly was, but Don had his good qualities, and even to this day you will find old "gummies" have a good word to say for the big masterful "Portugee."

(by "Vagabond", Auckland Star 10.8.1926)

"Don Buck" purchased two large areas of land in the early years of the 20th century -- 157 acres of part of Lot 6A, Parish of Waipareira in 1902, beside the Huruhuru Creek (NA 109/147), and 150 acres, Lot 15 in the same parish in 1904, fronting Swanson Road and including today's intersection with Don Buck Road. (DI 9A.774) While he was active as a merchant in the Henderson-Swanson area from c.1898, the camp may not have existed until 1902.

To the Editor.—Sir—l was summoned as a witness in the case Queen v. Sullivan in the Supreme Court last week. On the summons it stated that if I did not attend I was liable to a fine of £100. I left my shop unattended, paid my railway fare (two shillings and eight pence) and lost the whole of Monday in attendance at the court. I was not called as a witness, as I was told the case was dismissed, and when I applied for my expenses I was told I should get nothing. Now, Mr Editor, is this correct or am I entitled to any recompense for lost time and expenses incurred? If not it is time that the law was altered so that a person cannot be dragged away from his business against his wish and receive nothing to recoup him for his expenses and loss of time.—l am. etc.. Don Buck, gum buyer and storekeeper, near Henderson. 

(AS 28.11.1898)

Don Buck was fined 5/ and 7/ costs for driving without lights after sunset on the Great North-road … 

(AS 5.6.1903)

The local authority, the Waitemata County Council, began to get complaints about the gum diggers camp almost immediately.

Sanitation at Henderson. Dr. Makgill submitted the following report to the Waitemata County Council this morning concerning sanitary arrangements at "D. Buck's Camp," Henderson:—"No privy accommodation exists here, and as the huts, though of the most primitive description, are leased as dwellings, they come under section 46, Public Health Act. Probably two privies would prove sufficient for the group, including the store. The present lack of accommodation is offensive, and tends to endanger the purity of the water in the creek, which is used for domestic purposes. I recommend therefore that the Council take action to compel the owner to provide privies."—lt was reported that the owner had been officially requested to remedy the defects. 

(AS 4.9.1903)

And, despite the fact of a letter supposedly written by Don Buck in 1898 being published in the Auckland Star (see above) -- he was apparently not truly bi-lingual. At least, not where it mattered.

KAURI GUM DEALER FINED. The first local prosecution of a kauri gum dealer for neglecting to keep a record of his transactions was heard by Mr H. W. Brabant, S.M., this morning, the defendant being Francisco R. Figuiera. a Swanson dealer familiarly known as "Don Buck." The case was conducted by Sub-Inspector Black.

Mr A. Blair, who defended, said his client was guilty, but being a Spaniard and not well up in English, did not keen a record which was sufficient to comply with the requirements of the Act. He only bought gum from men who worked on his land and were practically his servants. Defendant was now being taught how to keep the book in English.

Sub-Inspector Black said that six months ago Figuiera was warned by the police that it was necessary to keep the record, or he would he prosecuted. His Worship remarked that had the licensing authority known of his inability to keep a book, he might not have secured a license. He imposed a 5/ fine, and reserved his decision as to whether he had power to endorse Figuiera's current license for an offence which occurred during the currency of last year's license. 

(AS 25.1.1904)

NOTICE. That it is my intention to apply to the Waitemata County Council, at a meeting to be held on 8th March, 1907, for permission to Erect a Swing Gate across Waitakerei-rd., near the junction of the North-rd, and Waitakerei-rd. 

F. R. FIGUEIRA 

(AS 2.3.1907)

Francisco Rodregney Fugueiro Cabo, alias "Don Buck," was on the list charged with purchasing kauri gum from one James Dowrick, on two occasions, at Henderson, without being the holder of a kauri gum license. Sergeant Hendry explained that with the consent of defendant's counsel, Mr. Lundon, an adjournment would be asked for until Friday. This was agreed to by the magistrate. 

(AS 2.12.1907)

From 1908, Don Buck proceeded in selling off his lands and assets. The days of vast profits from gum were over in West Auckland, and he was under increasing pressure from those critical of his set-up.

FOR SALE, about 60 Pigs and Sows.— Apply Don Buck. Henderson. 

(AS 19.1.1910)

FOR SALE, Hundreds of Acres, between Henderson and Swanson, in lots to suit purchasers. All good level country. Some improved, some otherwise. —Apply Don Buck, Henderson. 

(AS 19.1.1910)

FOR SALE, 5 to 300 Acres; good stream runs through property, full winter and summer; all fenced.—F R Figueira, Henderson. 

(AS 12.10.1910)

GREEN FLAX.—100 Tons for Sale, delivered to Henderson station.—Apply Don Buck, Henderson.

47 PIGS—For Sale, 7 Breeding Sows, 3 Boars and 50 Young Pigs, all first-class. Apply Don Buck, Henderson. 

(AS 8.7.1911)

By 1912, the camp was infamous for "Chain Lightning" -- a mixture favoured by the inhabitants of Don Buck's shanty huts, which was especially shocking in the midst of the rise of temperance feeling in Auckland.

About three miles out of Henderson is a spot which has earned for itself the special regard of the police. It is a place of periodical sensations, being the centre of a comparatively small but exceedingly choice population of gum diggers and their consorts, with a free admixture of the reckless spirits in whom are to be found the lawless tendencies that in the "roaring forties" made the camps of California noted. Don Buck's Camp, thus constituted, is in its isolation allowed latitude in the conduct of its society which could not be countenanced in other than an Ishmaelite community, and though regular surprise visits by the police keep the spirit of anarchy within reasonable bounds there is now and again an outburst which calls for swift and summary punishment.

Such an outbreak of lawlessness occurred on Thursday, and evidences of it met the eye of Constable Waugh, of Avondale, when he made one of his periodic visits yesterday. The unnatural silence of a whare awoke suspicion and the constable investigated, to find an old man named George Fry lying unconscious and in a pool of blood on the floor. His head was cut and bleeding in numerous places and in such a way that the damage suggested that Fry had been beaten with a bottle. Venturing further afield, the constable came across a stalwart Maori lying on the ground bleeding from a couple of wounds in the side of the neck. Obviously the Maori’s explanation that he had fallen down and hurt himself was insufficient and aroused the suspicion that he had reason to say little about the affair. Still further investigation, in which information was grudgingly given, enabled the constable to piece together the story of how the state of affairs had come about.

It appeared that the Maori, who is well known variously as "Maori Jack," Jack Denny, and Uru, had come to blows with another man of the camp, when Fry interfered and, it is alleged, struck Maori Jack with a tomahawk. The big native thereupon turned on the old man with a bottle and, it is stated, beat him unmercifully about the head. Constable Fry placed the Maori under arrest, and later had both him and Pry conveyed to the Auckland Hospital. George Fry is a man 60 years of age, and his head injuries are such that his condition is reported to be critical.

The place which is the scene of the episode is on a wide stretch of country owned by Don Buck, who one time carried on a store out Henderson way, but is now farming. Patches of the land were once fairly rich in gum, and when a man came along who, for reasons of his own, preferred to make a precarious living on the gumfields, away from the eye of the world, the storekeeper was willing to provide them with a spade, a spear and outfit, to enable them to dig gum on his land. Of course, the provisions came from his store, and he was willing to trade them for gum. In this way became established what is known as Don Buck's camp, and the men and women who took up seclusion there consisted in great part of a pariah class.

The years went on, the field became less prolific of gum, the store closed down, but the camp has remained, its personnel ever-changing. Though the decrease of the gum has made the conditions of work hard, the place is yet by many considered a place of refuge, and their pleasures are as strenuous as their work. It is in such places that one hears of the pleasures of methylated spirits. From a prominent police officer it is learnt that this spirit is much favoured for [illegible] purposes by the hard-bitten drinkers. The proper blend, it is stated, is one bottle of methylated spirits to four of whisky, making five quarts of "chain lightning," which is the dope aimed it. Another variety is a mixture of the local wine and methylated spirits, while the women who have cultivated a fine taste in such matters prepare for themselves a soothing night-cap from sweetened tea brewed strong, and the inevitable methylated. The wonder is not that those who indulge in such gentle concoctions occasionally kick over the traces but that they should have the life left to kick at all. 

(AS 6.1.1912)

The public has heard something recently of the home-grown wine that is the staple beverage of Don Buck's camp, near Henderson, and an authentic instance was related at the inquest on Tuesday of how a man got drunk on a glass of the drink. It might be mentioned that the real article is a dark, heavy liquid resembling port, with a pleasant fruity flavour. It, however, takes some considerable time for proper stomachic assimilation, and when a fresh supply is imbibed on top of the previous days' potations, the fumy effects of the combination are said to be decidedly exhilarating. It is the custom of the aforesaid camp community to drink this un-mellowed wine daily, and in gulps of half a pint a measure, after the style of beer drinking. When it is considered that, in addition, many of the imbibers with the excitement of methylated spirits for the sake of adding a bite, the mental and physical effects of wine-pest in the camp may be imagined. 

(AS 21.11.1912)

Buck's Camp, situated midway between Henderson and Swanson and already notorious in regard to several previous tragedies, during the past week-end was the scene of a drunken orgy, culminating in the death of a man named Harry Whiteside. Evidence given at the inquest showed that there had been drinking, dancing, and fighting, in which three men and two women participated, that all the men were supposed to have left the whare in which the carouse took place, but that next morning Whiteside was found lying on the floor dead. Medical evidence went to show that although deceased might have been injured by a blow, the injuries were not sufficient to cause death, and that death had been caused by suffocation, probably through the man falling on his face while drunk. The jury returned a verdict accordingly.

(AS 23.11.1912)

 Now, the Waitemata County brought in Dr. Makgill, the District Health Officer, in response to increasing complaints about the camp.

The District Health Officer forwarded for the consideration, of the Waitemata County Council a report by Inspector Grieve regarding what is known as "Don Buck's Camp.''

The Inspector reports having visited Don Buck's Camp, or to give the proper name of the owner, Francisco Rodergues Figuerra. The report states that this man owns a block of land midway between Henderson and Swanson. He lives in a fairly well-built wood and iron house on his property. Scattered round the main building are a number of huts, and the remains of several which have apparently collapsed. They vary in size from about 12 by 12 to 8 by 8. Six of these huts are riddled with toredo holes. They have neither lining nor windows. There are three other sod huts with sacks for roof covering. At the time of the inspector's visit the whole camp was deserted and all huts locked up. The whole of the shanties present a very squalid appearance. Mr Grieve added: "I met the owner on the road after making my inspection, and he argued that these huts were no worse than many that could be found elsewhere on the gumfields. This has to be admitted, but I think there should be a distinction between what any one man in poor circumstances might erect for his own shelter and these places erected by a man who can apparently afford something better, and let for his profit."

In forwarding a certificate of condemnation of six wooden huts and three sod and sacking whares the District Health Officer, Dr Makgill, stated: "As they are continuously inhabited, it is quite reasonable to treat them as buildings intended for human habitation, and demand a higher standard of sanitation than one would for a temporary bushman’s or gumdigger's whare."

The Council agreed to serve notice on the owner in accordance with the Act. 

(AS 18.1.1913)

DON BUCK'S CAMP. To the Editor, Sir.—

At last this notorious camp has aroused the attention of the authorities to a sense of their duty to the people living in that district, and also the insanitary conditions and steps are being adopted to remove some of the evils which have existed for many years. The country people have protested against magistrates sending these undesirables to pollute and endanger the safety of the district, but without avail whatever. The magistrates who sent that class of persons to the country would object themselves to live amongst them; but when they have the option of going to gaol or country, they did not consider for one moment the respectable and law abiding people whom they were going to jeopardise. But, so long as this class of people were removed from the streets of the city they were satisfied. It is unfair and unjust that country places should have to submit to this state of things.

Now, sir, I resided about a mile from Buck's Camp seven years ago, and I had occasionally to go to Henderson on business, but one of the residents entreated me not to pass by Buck's Camp, because it was not safe to do so, as someone had been stuck up a short time and that some of the worst class of both sexes were there. I always went down the line for safety. While at Henderson I saw some of the most vile women who once paraded Auckland streets. I also met them in other localities. The out-districts were over-run with this class of women. Could not the Government devise some better means of getting rid of this class of people from the city. Not by sending to gaol for a period, but to an island of reformation, there to work out their liberty by their own reformed actions while there to justify them being restored to the society they forfeited by their evil doings. It would be well if many of the males were treated in like manner, and by humane power and influence would possibly reform them. The gaol, as a rule, does not reform, but hardens the nature of many, and they go back to liberty to commit the same deeds or worse. Justice should be tempered with mercy in many instances, not imprisonment and fines, too often resorted to by judge and magistrate. —I am. etc., R B 

 (AS 23.1.1913) 

Not all of Don Buck's land had been sold by the time he died in 1917. The Public Trustee settled his estate and arranged for sales into the 1920s. At that point, real life increasingly became legend.

 Auckland Star 21 August 1922

A view from the mill

As mentioned in my posts on Partington's Mill, while the Auckland landmark stood, it proved a magnet for photographers keen to capture scenic vistas of the surrounding area on film. This shot is one of them, taken looking generally eastward towards the Domain and the hospital.

According to the Auckland Library photographers database, William Thompson Wilson died in 1917 (aged only 34), and did quite a bit of photography around the time of the 1913-1914 Auckland Exhibition, so this gives me a rough period for the postcard.

I wondered what view shaft was used for the image. My rough estimate is in these overlays (using aerial images from 1940 and 2008, from the Auckland Council website. With Partington's Mill as the yellow spot (the more recent photo is, of course, an approximation of the now vanished structure's site), the dotted lines are an indication of total view, and the solid lines appear to be the view Wilson actually used for the postcard.

The houses in the foreground are either under the motorway these days, or replaced by modern buildings, as for Grafton Road leading up to the hospital site.

The hospital buildings in Wilson's image are quite clear, for being just a detail part of the whole ...

... while the Domain itself looks quite empty. Not for long, though. The hospital expanded from this point on, and the trees grew. By 1940, this view had gone. Today, it's unrecognisable.

Colour on Godley Road

Visiting part of Green Bay a week ago -- I came upon this box mural at the corner of Godley Road and Taupo Street.

Digital New Zealand Yearbooks

I've just found the collection of New Zealand Yearbooks digitised and available online from Statistics New Zealand. There's another link I need to find a place for.

Protecting our national treasures

Interesting article pointed out to me by Jayne at Our Great Southern Land (thanks, Jayne!)

"In a room full of treasures out the back of Te Papa, Shane James holds up one that almost got away.

It's a curious-looking but strangely beautiful wooden funnel,intricately carved with Maori-looking patterns, that was on the brink of being auctioned in Melbourne in 2009, when it was seized by Australian authorities and returned to New Zealand because it is "taonga" – a treasure. 

"James is kaitiaki (guardian) of the Maori collection at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, and the object he's holding reverently, white gloves and all, looks just like a korere, the traditional Maori feeding funnel used so tohunga and other high-ranked men could be fed without touching their food.

"Except it's not a korere. It wasn't even made in New Zealand. It's a brilliant fake, made in the 1920s by a notorious English furniture maker, fraudster and occasional thief called James Little. 

"Yet when the Ministry of Culture and Heritage learnt of the Melbourne auction, they swooped just the same. Even as a fake, the funnel comes under schedule 4, category 9 of the Protected Objects Act (1975). It tells "important stories about the international market in fake Maori objects" and so on. It's our fake and we're holding on to it, thank you very much."

Much more at the link.

The Ah Chee family in the 20th century

An update from Chan Dar Chee and his family business, revisited.

Avondale market gardens

From 1905, Avondale market gardener William Knight appears to have had issues with regard to Ah Chee’s Avondale business. On Sunday 12 February, he watched workers at Ah Chee’s gardens tending the crops and harvesting. Obviously incensed, he wrote the following letter to the Auckland Star, published 14 February.

“Sir,—Will you kindly allow me to refer to the closing sentence of your sub-leader on "Alien Immigration" 'in Thursday's "Star," which says: "But the tendency of such movements of population is always the same, and if we wish to escape the attendant evils we must look to it that our workers shall not be subjected to unfair competition at the hands of aliens content with a lower wage or a lower standard of comfort., be they Oriental or European." Now, sir, this is the very state of things that exists at the present time in the market gardening in and around Auckland. On what is commonly known as the Avondale Flat, or North Avondale, there are now a large number of Chinese working. The long hours which they work, the low wages they get, the insanitary conditions under which they live, and their being allowed to work on Sunday as on any other day places them in a position that it is almost impossible tor the European to successfully compete with. Quite a number of white people have been replaced by Chinese. In one instance recently a Chinese gardener was advertised for, a white man being discharged, and a Chinese taken on in his place, and some others are thinking of doing likewise. Now, sir, these long hours, low wages, insanitary conditions, and Sunday labour enable growers who have the advantage of them to secure the contracts for the supply of vegetables to the many steamboats that are constantly leaving Auckland and Onehunga and in other ways undersell us. Our sons, as they grow up, are compelled to leave the home and district and seek work elsewhere, while Chinese come and take their places: and they are bold enough to say that we cannot stop them from working on Sundays because they have to supply the boats. —I am, etc, W. KNIGHT, Avondale.”

In March that year, he appeared as a witness for the prosecution at a police court hearing where ten Chinese gardeners at Ah Chee’s property were charged with “following their calling within the public view” on Sunday, 12 February. Their names, as reported at the first hearing on 22 February, were given as Ah Lee, George Duck, Ah Sun, Hing Yong, Kam Wah, Ah Ping, Ling, George Ling, William J Linton, and Alfred W Linton, Knight testified that he’d seen them “pulling and hoeing vegetables on Sundays” many times. W J Napier, defending the gardeners, raised an interesting point.

“Mr. Napier submitted that the defendants, who were employed by a contractor named Ah Chee, only pulled and bagged vegetables on Sundays which were required early on Monday mornings. It was impossible to deliver them in time on Mondays unless this was done, as Ah Chee undertook to supply a large number of steamers leaving at that time. He contended that merely pulling and bagging vegetables was not following their ordinary calling, which was that of hoeing and manuring the vegetables, and that it could be regarded as a work of necessity. He called Ah Chee to produce vouchers, showing that on the morning following the particular Sunday he had to supply fresh vegetables to seven of the Northern Steamship Company's steamers. The practice now complained of had gone on without question for twenty years.

“Mr. McCarthy, S.M., who heard the case, decided that Mr. Napier's contention was correct. He remarked that on the score of health vegetables must generally be freshly pulled, and it was a necessity that people in hotels and on steamers should be fed. Taking all the facts into consideration he found that the Chinese came within the exception allowed by the Act, and he dismissed the information.” 

(Star, 2 March 1905)

But, the campaign against the Chinese working on Sundays at Avondale campaign didn’t stop there. Eight of Ah Chee’s workers appeared at the Police Court in November 1907 to answer charges. Mr Napier, once again defending, told the court that Ah Chee “had something like 50 contracts to fill every Monday morning to various steamers and clubs”, so the men had to work on Sunday to pull the vegetables fresh from the ground. The men were also charged for tending and weeding the potato crop, in clear view of a country road on a Sunday – in this case, Rosebank Road. The second charge was dismissed by the magistrate at the end of November, who viewed that the law allowed for the work of tending the potatoes seeing as the weather had been extremely wet, and that weekend was the first fine break in quite some days. But, the magistrate disagreed with his colleague’s 1905 decision, and ruled that the vegetables for the steamers and hotels should have been pulled up out of the ground on Monday, instead of Sunday, so declaring that the workers had broken the law, the Police Offenses Act 1884. They were fined 5/- with costs, each. (Star, 4 and 30 November, 1907)

The newspapers periodically reported more cases of Chinese working down Rosebank Road on Sundays – and being fined – who may or may not have been connected with Ah Chee’s Avondale gardens.

In 1920, however, it appears the workers went on strike for better pay – and took the train to most likely Ah Chee’s store in the city to express their views.

"Hoolahi whampoa mukka hilo, mo tenksch!" At least it sounded like that, and there was a good deal more of the same sort of thing from the band of Chinamen (all in their best bib and tucker, clean boots, and collars, with no sign of the market garden about them), that invaded Auckland yesterday by train from Avondale, the home of the early cabbage and giant turnip. Various surmises were for this Celestial irruption, from the finale to a social "dust-up" in suburban tiding circles to a fete day in connection with one of other of the two bodies politic into which the Flowery Land is at present divided.

“When the voluble party reached the Auckland railway station it made for the premises of a well-known Chinese firm, and later the deputation emerged with the ghost of a smile flickering round its various features. It turns out that there was nothing political or of a festive nature connected with the visit. The Celestials were merely in the fashion. They were on strike. Hanging up the hoe, and placing the long-handled shovel in the corner they bought second-class return tickets, and seeking out the "boss" explained that they wanted more pay, and until the matter was settled the lettuces and cauliflowers had to look after themselves. There was no question of hours, so fortunately the dispute was not double-barrelled —that bug-bear of the Court and Council. After a full explanation of the position the terms of the agriculturists were granted, and it is stated they now draw from £2 to £2 5/ a week, have quarters free, and food thrown in.

“This makes the third time the gardeners have been out, and about the only thing left that will not strike must be the Japanese wooden matches now on the market. The Chinamen don't bother about registering under the Arbitration Act, but have their unions nevertheless; probably all the stronger because they are more or less secret. The Chinaman has always had a predilection for the secret society, and adopts the same procedure in his labour agitations. He doesn't worry the Press with reports of his meetings or pass resolutions demanding the intervention of the Minister of Labour, but achieves his object all the same. Anyhow for the present peace once more reigns in the potato rows at Avondale, and John is this morning once more hoeing into it again with very nearly a grin on his inscrutable "dial." 

(Star 16 March 1920)

Mechanic’s Bay market garden

In January 1916, the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board were approached by a deputation from the Northern Union Football League regarding the hospital land at Mechanic’s bay, at that time leased by Ah Chee for his market gardens.

“The chairman of the Board (Mr Coyle) said the land in question was at present leased to Mr Ah Chee. The lease would expire next June, but Mr Ah Chee had an option of renewal for another fourteen years by paying 5 per cent upon the capital value of the property. Some two or three years ago the value was fixed at £5,000, but now it would be more than that amount.

“Mr E H Potter said he was glad the club wished to get this site for a sports ground. It was an ideal property for such a purpose.

“Mr Wallace said the club was out to encourage clean sport. It was the Board's duty to do all it could to help the club. Mr G. Knight said all of them were in sympathy with the deputation in the request made, but the ground was leased at the present time, and that might be renewed. At this stage the Board went into committee, and upon resuming, it was announced that the question had been referred to the Finance Committee to report.” (Star, 26 January)

The Board decided to offer a 15 year lease to the Club for the ground in May 1916 (Star, 5 May), and Ah Chee called for a conference on site that August “to deal with several matters in connection with the taking over of the property.” (Star 31 August) In July 1917, Ah Chee applied to the Board for an extension of his lease, clearly not about to part with his first gardens just yet. The Board referred the application to the League Club. (Star, 26 July)

The end of Ah Chee's first Auckland market garden, and the foundation of much of his business portfolio, came in 1920.

Auckland Rugby League hae now acquired the playing ground for which it has been negotiating for some considerable time. Last evening the Auckland Hospital Board granted the League the lease of the land now occupied by a Chinese gardener. The property, six acres in area, is situated in Stanley Street, immediately adjoining the Domain, and the rental, on renewable Glasgow lease, has been fixed at £140 a year for the first four years, and £320 a year for the balance of the first twenty-one years.

(Star 22 September 1920)

The end of Ah Chee's garden, the beginnings of Carlaw Park. Images 7-A13262 and 7-A13263 joined together, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Library

Poll Tax evaders

Ah Chee’s tobacco farm at Mangere belonged in the 19th century. In the 20th century, the firm was back at Mangere, this time with a more conventional market garden. Two Chinese labourers were arrested there, apparently after having been smuggled into the country in April 1919. Ah Chee Bros. denied knowledge of them. (Star, 26 April) By May, the case had expanded, after the two labourers were fined £10 “for landing in New Zealand, for evading the poll tax.” Now, the defendant before the Police Court was Ah Chee’s nephew Sai Louie.

“The offence went back to the night of March 15 last, when two young Chinese were landed from the steamer Atua at Chelsea, and brought over to Auckland on the ferry boat by the bo’sun. On landing, the guide took them across the dark locality abutting from the wharf to Little Queen Street, and to near the rear of the promises of Ah Chee. There Sai Louie met them, and when the bo’sun departed they were driven by motor to the ginger factory in Rutland Street, and later taken to the gardens at Mangere, where they had remained until discovered by the police. They had been paid no wages.

“Sai Louie's connection with the matter dated from the time the Atua's mail was landed, when he received a letter. Defendant had told the police that he met the two men in Queen Street, and he merely gave them a job. That was on April 26. After that defendant gave several conflicting statements to the Customs Department. On April 30 he admitted he had done wrong. He said that prior to the Atua's arrival he had no knowledge that the two men were coming to New Zealand, but from the mail that day, he had received a letter requesting him to look after them, which he had done. On May 5 defendant informed a Customs official that he told the two Chinese that they had better return to the Atua, go back to Fiji, and go to school until they could pass the education test and pay the poll-tax. They replied that they could not do this as the Atua was returning to Sydney, where they would be certain to be found as the officials made a strict search there. They also said that if they went back, the bo’sun, from fear of being caught, might throw them overboard at night. They would rather jump from the wharf than go on board again.

“He then took them to the ginger factory, and to the gardens after deciding to give them work. He gave them £10 to buy clothes with. He had nothing to do with ringing-up a relative in Ah Chee's store when the storeman said two men were waiting outside for him at the back of the building. He went out and saw the bo’sun of the Atua, who beckoned him over. He asked the men what they wanted, and then the bo’sun departed. He wrote to Sang On Tie, a big merchant in Fiji, warning him of the seriousness of the offence of smuggling men, and telling him not to do it again as it would ruin his (defendant's) good name in New Zealand, where he had been for 25 years. Besides that, the Chinese here might get jealous of him and get him into trouble. He informed the officials also that he had several times intended to tell the truth, but was afraid. He knew he had done wrong, and intended to ask only for leniency.

“He knew of two other Chinese smuggled in, and he would endeavour to locale them, and advise the officials. He had not received any money for helping the Chinese. Mr. Mays added that defendant, on May 3, again altered his story, saying he did not see the Chinese the night they arrived, but the day alter, and that he intended to plead guilty, but his solicitor later said he was foolish to do so, as he thought he would be able to get him off if he did not know the two Chinese were coming to New Zealand, and if he did not receive part of the £91 paid by the man in Suva. He intimated his intention to plead guilty to aiding and abetting, but not deliberately.” 

(Star 6 May)

Sang On Tie in Suva was a businessman with whom the Ah Chee family had business connections. Eventually, Sai Louie was fined a total of £48 12/-. (Star 9 May)

Marine Store (scrap metal) business

Ah Chee was still engaged in accepting scrap metal at his marine store in 1908. In January 1909, he was caught up in a police case against Gustav Solomon, accused of stealing copper cable from the Ponsonby tram barn run by the Auckland Electric Tramway Company. Ah Chee was approached by Soloman to buy the cable in August 1908, with Solomon telling Ah Chee that he had a contract with the tramway company to take their waste copper. Ah Chee bought several lots from Solomon, and in turn off-loaded to another firm. Solomon was convicted. (Star 13 January 1909)

The family fruit and vege business

Ah Chee apparently had premises on Manukau Road, Parnell as at 1906.

A fire broke out in a stable at the rear of Ah Chee's premises, Manukau-road, about ten o'clock last night. The Parnell Fire Brigade were quickly on the spot, however, and reduced the flames before much damage had been done. The extent of the damage to the stable did not exceed £5. 

(Star 7/6/1906)

In August 1913, Ah Chee’s flagship store at 11 Lower Queen Street was up for a 6-year lease, the firm apparently having moved out. (Star, 25 August) The business appears to have moved to a new Queen Street address. By December 1914, the business became known as Ah Chee Bros. (Star, 10 December). The main shop’s lease was advertised by William Ah Chee again in 1917.

Queen Street, from Quay Street looking toward Customs Street. The Ah Chee family business was on the right side, where today's Downtown shopping mall exists today. Postcard (c.1911) from my collection.

Somewhat ironically, considering the protests from Europeans previously faced by Ah Chee and his fellow Chinese businessmen, Ah Chee was elected to a committee of a fruitsellers association in March 1914 which protested against fruit auctioneers who had signed application papers for Hindu hawkers to obtain licenses. They also called for a rescinding of a Council by-law that fruit sold in the shops had to be covered against dust and flies. (Star 20 March 1914) The firm was fined £1 and costs for a breach of the by-law in May 1915, and again in December that year (20/- and 7/- costs). Clement Ah Chee seems to have been sole Chinese member of the Fruitseller’s Association in 1916.

The Ah Chee family’s fungus business from the 19th century had a slight sideline by 1919: they advertised for mushrooms, “fresh picked”, “highest prices given”. (Star, 17 April 1919)

“The premises in Queen Street in which All Chee started business some forty years ago was a much less imposing building than the fine shop opposite the G.P.O. which is now his headquarters. Two or three assistants were then able to cope with the business that now employs about one hundred hands. Mr. Ah Chee claims that he is the largest fruit and vegetable trader in Auckland, if not in New Zealand. He transacts a large retail business, a big wholesale trade, and carries on an extensive shipping connection: while the fresh vegetables and fruit that appear on the tables of many hotels, boarding houses, and public institutions come from the gardens owned by Ah Chee.

“He grows the greater part of his huge supplies in his own gardens, which cover some two hundred acres through the suburbs. These gardens supply his shop daily with immense quantities of fruit and vegetables, ensuring the freshest goods. The local markets supply him with such produce as does not come within his scope, while every Island boat that comes to Auckland brings great cargoes of oranges, bananas, and pineapples for his store. Australia also yields some of her choicest fruits to his market.

“An interesting side-line, within Ah Chee's scope, is the gathering and the export of fungus. This vegetable matter, to be found in decaying forests throughout the country, has more honour outside New Zealand than within it; it is highly valued in China as an article of food. Although great quantities of this toothsome dainty are exported to China every year, the supply does not cope with the demand, and Ah Chee is anxious to buy as much as he can. He claims, further, that he exports as much as 80 per cent of the total fungus export of New Zealand every year. His prices, too, are well-known amongst many Maoris in the North Auckland peninsula, who say that he pays more for his supplies than any other merchant with whom he has dealings. Farmers and settlers, too, do not disdain to pack up and send to Ah Chee any fungus that they may run across in their travels.” 

(Star, 18 December 1920)

From 17 March 1921, Ah Chee & Co took over the lease, at an annual rental of £325, of part of the Auckland City Market site at Sturdee Street, after Turners & Growers surrendered their lease over the site back to the City Council. (Public notice, Star, 1 October 1921)

November 1922 is the first sighting or advertising for an Ah Chee fruit and vegetable store at Newmarket “at Railway Entrance, Broadway”. (Star, 28 November)

During the 1923 Auckland Summer festival at Calliope Dock, Clem Ah Chee provided a “special Chinese junk” upon which “a Chinese orchestra will be stationed to render ‘romantic’ music, and which heads the procession across.” (Star, 19 March 1923)

In August 1923, 688 acres of land at Marua near Whangarei owned by William Ah Chee and Ivan Black from Matamata was sold at mortgagee auction. (Star, 3 August 1923)

The Ah Chee family take to motoring

The first report showing that members of the Ah Chee family had shifted from 19th century to 20th century means of personal transportation came in November 1913 when William Ah Chee was fined 10/- and costs “for motoring round the Queen and Customs Streets corner at more than a walking pace.” (Star, 3 November) He was fined in April 1916 10/- and 7/- costs “for leaving his motor car unattended in Queen Street for more than quarter of an hour.” (Star, 4 April) In October that year, it was Clement’s turn before the bench, caught in a police speed trap along New North Road along with 30 other motorists on an Avondale race day, he was convicted of travelling at up to 42 mph, and fined £2 and 7/- costs. (Star, 11 October 1916)

William Ah Chee appeared again before the court in January 1918 for not sounding his horn on approaching the corner of Queen and Customs Streets (Star, 17 January).

Ah Chee Bros. entered a Hudson motor car in the 1921 New Zealand Motor Cup race at Muriwai Beach (Star, 1 March). William Ah Chee won a stock car race at Muriwai 5 March 1921, and Clem Ah Chee came third out of four in the cup race. For the races at Muriwai in February 1922, the Ah Chee brothers used a Cadillac as well as a Hudson. The Ah Chees made several appearances at Muriwai during the 1920s.

Meanwhile, William Ah Chee’s traffic violations continued.

“William Ah Chee, the well-known Chinese merchant, pleaded not guilty at the City Court this morning when charged with two breaches of the traffic regulations—having permitted a cut out to be used in the motor car he was driving along Manukau Road on the 7th inst., and with driving his car in a manner dangerous to the public. As this was by no means the first time that Ah Chee had been prosecuted for offence against the traffic regulations, considerable interest was manifested in his case. The defendant did not employ a solicitor, but argued his own case.

“The evidence of police witnesses state that the car was making noise like an aeroplane, and that he was driving at a speed approximating 40 miles an hour.

“Defendant denied the cut out, there was no unreasonable noise, and declared that his speed had not exceeded 25 miles an hour.

“The Magistrate convicted on the first charge and ordered defendant to pay 15/- costs of prosecution. On the charge of dangerous driving a conviction was also recorded, and Ah Chee was fined £5, with 15/ costs, and £1 10/- witnesses' expenses.” 

(Star, 26 April 1922)

Sir John Logan Campbell, and his statue

June 2012 marks the centenary of the death of Sir John Logan Campbell (1817-1912). There are a number of events and commemorations happening this year -- but I wonder if they're going to all the same effect again in 2017?

Anyway, this 1906 postcard of Campbell and his statue came up for offer on TradeMe, so I thought -- why not?

On 26 August 1903, as he declared Cornwall Park open to the public, Edwin Mitchelson (then Mayor of Auckland) suggested that a statue of Sir John Logan Campbell be erected while he was still living, to perpetuate his memory as benefactor and the donor of the park. An appeal was started, supported by the Auckland Agricultural Association and the New Zealand & Australian Natives Association.

Henry Alfred Pegram took part in the 1904 tenders for the statue, offering £1180 for marble, and £1130 for bronze, including both statue and base (Star, 10 June 1904). The organising committee accepted his bronze statue price.

Sir John himself was believed to have preferred the Manukau Road entrance to the park as a preferred site, and said he would provide the statue’s base. The statue foundation base, designed by Charles Arnold, was prepared by Mr D Fallon, with a gang of workers dealing with rocks blasted from quarries, ranging from 1 to 7 tons. The height of this foundation was planned as 17 feet, with a 30 feet base. Three altar stones on top would support the rose-coloured polished Aberdeen granite pedestal, which in turn would support the statue. A water basin was constructed to surround the statue, supplied by fountains in the rockery base. Macrocarpa trees around the site were planted previously by Sir John. (Star, 27 June 1905) A number of concrete pillars were added all around the statue base.

Pegram worked on a clay model of Sir John from photos provided, and even the mayoral robes were loaned to him to work from (Star 27 June 1905).

Mr W. R. Holmes, secretary of Campbell Statue Fund, has received the following letter from the sculptor, Mr H Pegram, of London, in which he states, that the pedestal and statue were delivered to the shippers, Messrs. Westray, for shipment on the s.s. Rakaia at the end of February. He hoped the work would arrive safely. He asked Mr Holmes to convey to the committee his extreme regret for the delay in delivery, which bad caused him much trouble and annoyance.

The statue was cast into bronze by the end of December, and the pedestal should have been ready by then, but the masons have been very busy, and did not keep their agreement. He had had the inscription gilded, and hoped that the committee would be pleased with the general effect. He regretted that he could not see the work placed in position.

"I have kept the bronze its natural colour, which will harmonise better with the red granite than the artificial green "patina," and in the beautiful climate of New Zealand, with the proximity of the sea, it will gradually develop a very fine colour such as these natural conditions will alone produce. Please convey to the committee my appreciation of the honour they have conferred on me in entrusting me with the commission." 

(Star, 9 April 1906) 

Auckland Weekly News, 27 June 1912, published on the death of Sir John Logan Campbell, six years after the statue was unveiled. Ref. AWNS-19120627-9-2, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Library.

It was decided that the statue should be unveiled on Empire Day, May 24.

The manager of the Auckland Electric Tramways (Mr P M Hansen) wrote offering to place at Sir John and Lady Campbell's disposal on the day of the ceremony the first electric car built in Auckland. The company would have the car suitably decorated and fitted with armchairs. It was decided to acquaint Sir John with Mr Hansen's offer and ascertain his views.

(Star 19 April 1906)

The statue arrived at Auckland and was unpacked on 30 April, and duly unveiled on its base on Empire Day. The cost of the statue came to £1360. (NZ Herald 25 May 1906) 

 Image from Wikipedia.

"Like a streak of phosphorus": Pelorus Jack

This is a postcard image of an image. If "F Duncan" is Frank Duncan, he did quite a bit of that. According to the Auckland Library's photographer database, "Frank Duncan first came into contact with postcards as a commercial traveller for Tanner Bros. Around 1915 he moved to Auckland and established the firm Frank Duncan and Co, which produced huge numbers of postcards using images supplied by photographers F G Radcliffe and T M Hardy, amongst others. The company went into receivership in 1931." 

The white lettering is overwritten, the fin is a hasty sketch onto the image, and although the story of Pelorus Jack appears to have started in 1888, going on for 24 years until around 1912, the card talks of the "fish" being around for 30 years. So, the provenance is dubious.

Still ...

"Does he come always?" 

"Without fail, night and day (at night he is like a streak of phosphorus); he meets every steamer, though this is his favourite. He has done so for many years. Lord Onslow, when Governor hero, had him gazetted, and he is now safe from human enemies; at least, I hope so. We are all quite fond of him." 

He lifts his cap, and moves away, and we stand and wait eagerly. 

Presently, about a hundred yards away, a darker streak comes on the violet sea. 

"How does he first appear?" asked a lady, breathlessly pointing at it. But no one answers her. Then the streak moved; a great, glistening, brown fin broke the water. 

"There he is," shouted a dozen excited voices, as Pelorus Jack swam alongside. He made straight for the hull; shouldered it in a friendly way and then went merrily along with us. 

We watched with delight his white shapely body, clouded by the deep water to a pale-green color. Sometimes, with a flick of his tail, he shot across the bows but, preferring the sunny port side, he always returned, every now and then rising to blow, shooting again into the water with arched back, through a rainbow edged dazzle of foam, and delighted shouts of appreciative laughter from the gallery. At other times he would swim on his side, his cunning little eye cocked up at the ship's company, as who should say "Take a long look, you won't often see a whale like me. I'm little (only about ten feet in length), but I know a lot." He was indescribably comic as he swam there, his brown dorsal fin stuck out like a short coat-tail, his excellent stomach curving as a city magnate's waistcoat curves. 

Suddenly, after about half-an hour of his interesting company, this friendly fish turned, with arrowy speed, disappearing into the foam which curled from the bows. 

"He's gone!" we sadly exclaimed in chorus. We saw his glistening fin break the water far behind us, and the crowd dispersed, but a few minutes later the pale green shape swam swiftly along our starboard side, as if loath to say farewell; then turning again, he finally left us. 

 Helen M Spencer, from the Australasian, via Marlborough Express, 1 February 1902

New Zealand Illustrated Magazine, 1 December 1902

From the 1966 Encylopedia of New Zealand:

"Pelorus Jack, whose sex was never determined, was identified from photographs, probably correctly, as a Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus), a species not common in New Zealand waters. It was his habit to meet the steamers near Cape Francis and travel with them (playing about the bow and in some accounts rubbing against the plates) as far as Collinet Point near French Pass; or likewise in the opposite direction. In spite of his name he did not frequent nearby Pelorus Sound, and local residents familiar with his habits assert that he never went through French Pass."

Dolphin Pelorus Jack, between 1904-1912 Reference Number: 1/2-026542-G The dolphin Pelorus Jack, photographed by Frederick Nelson Jones between 1904-1912. Alexander Turnbull Library.

Pelorus Jack was one of New Zealand's super stars. Even though he/she (gender was never determined) was protected, there were no further sights beyond the end of 1912. The name, however, has lived on in our folklore.

Auckland's Customhouse

From out of the TradeMe lists: this card, filled out on the back in February 1917, and showing Winkelmann's view of the Auckland Customhouse.

According to Les Andrews, in his book Auckland's Old Customhouse: How It Was Saved (2004), the Customhouse site was once Point Stanley, the western tip of Commercial Bay before the harbour side was changed forever by reclamations. He adds that it was once a pa site, Te Ngahuwera.

Come the dividing up of the city area for sale in the early 1840s, the government kept Lot 15, Section 17 (the part fronting Customs Street West, and site of the Customhouse today, as a reserve. (DI 1A.128) Just to the south, Lot 16, was sold, and the series of owners form a list of familiar names: Dudley Sinclair, Whitaker, Smale, Graham, and finally Newton. That part was, according to the deeds index (1A.129) privately-owned until proclaimed under Public Works in 1948; however, sometime before that the government took it over anyway.

In 1866, according to Vercoe & Harding, the two lots were bare ...

... and remained so when Hickson drew up his city plan in 1882.

In January 1887, the Government approved plans drawn up by Mahoney & Son for Auckland's government building on the site, intended for not just the local customs branch, but also ultimately for the Native Land Court, Survey Department, Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Audit Inspector, Sheep Inspector and Government ministers.

Beyond seeing the announcement in the Star that their design for the new Customhouse has been accepted, Messrs _E. Mahoney and Son have received no intimation regarding the work. The building, which will occupy (he large vacant allotment at the earner of Customs-street West and Albert-street, adjoining Messrs A. Heather and Company's premises, is to cost about £12.000. Originally the Government intended that, besides the Customs Department, the Native Lands and Crown Lands Departments should be domiciled in the building but now we understand that it is proposed to locate the office of the Registrar of Deeds there also. If this is decided on, it may necessitate a modification of the plans. We have been favoured with a cursory inspection of the prize design. It provides for a building in classic style with a frontage of 150 feet to Customs-street and 80 feet to Albert-street; three storeys high, and surmounted by a tower and clock. The design is a beautiful one, a novel feature being the introduction of slight wing projections on the Customs-street frontage, with pavilion roofs.

Star, 13 December 1886

There was an outcry from timber merchants over the architect's specification calling for Baltic wood for the outer doors and sashes, rather than local timbers, especially kauri, (Star 10 March 1887) but four days later, tenders were advertised. Charles M Newson won the tender for constructing the new government office building. (Star 12 January 1888)

The foundations were laid after a considerable amount of fill was taken from the site and dumped at Freeman's Bay (probably assisting reclamations there.) By August 1888, progress up to the second storey was reported (Star 7 August). In February 1889, more grumblings -- the local Trades and Labour Council complained that Newson was subletting his contract piecemeal, labour only, "getting men to work at starvation wages." (Star, 23 February 1889) Still, the work proceeded, and in mid July 1889 Newson took down his hoardings from in front of the building, but the job was still not finally finished until around February 1890. Lands and Survey moved in around that time.

According to the NZ Historic Places Trust, "French Renaissance in style it bears a strong resemblance to the Marshall and Snelgrove building in Oxford Street, London, which must have influenced [Thomas] Mahoney when on a trip to Britain in the 1880s."

The Customhouse, with additional government buildings at rear (right), February 1921. Ref. 1W-1751, 

Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Library.

By the 1960s, the Customhouse and associated buildings were surplus to requirements.

In 1972, Les Andrews began a campaign to save the older building on the site, and have it converted into a centre for the Performing Arts in Auckland. In the end, he was successful, and so Auckland is just that much richer in terms of the Downtown streetscape. A hotel occupies the remainder at the rear.

I recall going to a cinema there in 1986, to watch Back to the Future. The cinema didn't last very long, however. Pity -- I enjoyed the atmosphere.

Abel Tasman: 370 years on

Penny Griffith provided a link in her comment to this post for the website set up for the 370th anniversary of Abel Tasman coming to our shores. 

"This year brings the 370th anniversary of Tasman’s 1642 exploration and first meeting with Maori. It’s a good time to reflect on what discovery has meant to us, and how our history continues to unfold ...

"Around the country we expect the Tasman 370 commemoration will be marked by walks, talks, sailing trips, art and music–something for all ages! Some places along the coast are already known for their Tasman connection, and some groups, especially those representing modern Dutch residents, proudly acknowledge the long-standing connection.

"This Tasman 370 website brings together information on events and places that will encourage us to think about our country’s place in the world and our shared history."

Auckland Zoo History Timeline on Scribd

Ref. 35-R160, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Library

Just putting in a head's-up for my friend Liz's Auckland Zoo Timeline. She's put in a lot of work so far -- and of course, there's a ton to come, especially as this is, of course, a zoo still existing.