Keals family tragedy

In the Wesleyan section of the Symonds Street Cemetery, there is a grave for Catherine Keals, who died in 1864. A family history site speculates that she may have had Kennedys disease. Her husband was well known architect Richard Keals, who died while in England, in late 1885, about to return to New Zealand. He’s buried in Cornwall. A considerable amount of information on him to be found here.

Their son Robert William Keals (1848-1925) had children of his own, one of whom was Richard George Norman Keals or the “Little Norman”  of the headstone below. 

ON

1ST MAY 1885

DEAR

LITTLE NORMAN

AGED 5 YEARS.

YOUR 

FAVOURITE LILLY

MAMA

The year after Little Norman’s death, Richard and his wife Marion had another son, and named him Norman Edwin.

AUCKLAND, 16th September.
Norman Keals, after a week's remand, was brought before Mr. Kettle, S.M., at the Police Court this afternoon to answer the charges of breaking and entering the residence of the Rev. E. Perry at Penrose, and stealing money and jewellery to the value of about £30 and further with stealing a buggy, the property of Mrs. Hamlin, and a pony and harness, the property of P Eccles.

At the outset Mr Johnson, who appeared on behalf of accused, who is a young man of twenty-five, intimated that an information had been sworn that Keals was insane. He asked, therefore, that the information should be dealt with before the charges were gone into. Chief-Detective Marsack did not agree with this. He thought that the depositions of the witnesses should be taken at once, and the defence could then prove the man's insanity at the trial in the Supreme Court, were accused sent there. Mr. Kettle said that he could not overlook the information. It was true, he understood, that the defence did not deny the facts of the robberies, but how could Keals admit the facts if he were a lunatic? Mr. Johnson pressed for the question of sanity to be settled first, and at length Mr. Kettle set the case aside until two medical men could make an examination. After about an hour's delay, Mr. Marsack announced that the two doctors who had examined Keals pronounced him to be sane. The case was, therefore, proceeded with, and accused was committed for trial, reserving his defence. The doctors who examined Keals recommended that he should be kept in custody for observation, but Mr. Johnson made formal application for bail, the sureties being fixed at £50 on each charge.

(Evening Post 17 September 1908)

A sturdy-built young man, 22 years of age, named Norman Keals, appeared to answer a charge of breaking, entering, and theft. The case was adjourned till to-morrow to permit of prisoner being medically examined. It is alleged that he had met with an accident some time ago that had caused him to behave peculiarly.

(Evening Post 11 November 1908)

He was later sentenced to one year on each charge, to be served concurrently. Then, he headed to Australia.

A young man of good appearance named Norman Edwin Keals pleaded guilty to a series of four charges of housebreaking and stealing in the suburbs of Sydney. The accused was respectably dressed, and all the while he was In the dock a smile played upon his features. The haul from the four places in question was considerable and varied, running from tins of preserved fruit to clothing and jewellery.

His Honor asked whether the police knew anything of the accused's past
The gaol authorities stated that at Auckland in 1909 he was sentenced to 12 months' hard labour on two charges of breaking and entering and stealing.
His Honor: You are remanded at present. 

(Sydney Morning Herald, 7 August 1912)

Norman Edwin Keals was charged with stealing a boat at Mackerel Beach on February 13, the property of Mr. Bernard Stiles; with stealing clothes at Woodberry on May 15, belonging to Mr, Chas. Todd; stealing property from the house of Mr. Thomas Burnett at Wyong; and with stealing preserved fruit at Mona Vale from the dwelling-house of Emma Catherine Scott Fell. He was sentenced to three years' imprisonment with hard labour on one charge, and three and half years' penal servitude on three others , sentences to run concurrently. 

(Sydney Morning Herald 14 August 1912)

In 1915, Edith Keals, the wife of another son of Robert and Marion Keals, Leslie William, was murdered at Onewhero, along with a baby girl less than a year old.

The woman, Edith Emma Keals, who was murderously attacked near Onewhero, died at the district hospital this evening without regaining consciousness. A Herald representative, who is at the scene of the tragedy, telegraphed to-night that the baby is still missing, and although there are strong indications as to the identity of the assailant, settlers who are searching have been unable to locate his whereabouts. The lady help, Miss Hunter, who is now in Auckland, stated that as she had done washing on the day before the crime she went to bed very tired and slept soundly hearing no noise. Mrs. Keals retired to bed lated .When she opened deceased's bedroom door in the morning she saw blood on the sheets, and a club about the length of a beer bottle lying near. She immediately gave the alarm.

(Grey River Argus, 11 February 1915)

When the police caught up with her murderer, her brother-in-law Norman Keals, it turned out that he’d shot her, didn’t want to leave the baby behind “singing out”, so he took her as well, and strangled her five minutes later.

He had gone to the house on Monday night, intending to kill his brother and all of them, but after he had fired one shot he thought he had done enough. His motive for the crime was revenge, because when he was in Australia he heard that an interest in property near Onewhero had been taken away from him.

(Poverty Bay Herald, 15 February 1915)

He was sentenced to hang, but on the evidence of three mental health experts after the trial, his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment. (Poverty Bay Herald, 26 June 1915) In 1916, while at Mt Eden Gaol, he broke a medicine bottle in his cell, and mutilated himself with the jagged edges. (Evening Post, 4 January 1916), apparently cutting into his own scrotum. (Update 16 October 2011 - anjistree.co.uk link now dead) After that, he seems to have been committed to the Auckland Mental Hospital at Pt Chevalier, from where he escaped in 1918. (Thames Star, 22 July 1918) Keals was found two days later in a “deserted whare” at Henderson and recaptured. (Thames Star, 24 July 1918) He was then returned to Mt Eden Gaol, and was still there in 1928. (NZ Truth, 13 September 1928). He died at Cherry Farm Hospital in 1965.

Old Summit shirts ad spotted

Spotted on the skyline above Albert Street as it heads to and from Mayoral Drive today: an old Summit shirts sign painted on the back of one of the buildings.

The Summit brand still exists, part of the firm Ambler & Co which was founded by Fred Ambler in 1919. The company's slogan, still used, can be seen: "No one ever regretted buying quality." The Summit brand seems to date from around 1927.

(from Evening Post, 30 November 1927, p.15)

Finding the Pitts

In an earlier post this week, part one of my wanderings through the Wesleyan section of the Symonds Street cemetery, I found this stone cross (left) -- belonging to an Anglican burial, out of place there on the grave site for the Gribble family.

Along came Sandy, who with additional info in the comments section, pretty well set down the challenge (in a nice way, don't get me wrong) of finding William Augustus Dean Pitt's true resting place. Hey, if anyone knows about cemeteries, it's Sandy. So, knowing I'd have to do some more photography in one of the scariest parts of Auckland personal-safetywise (Symonds Street Cemetery is home to the homeless and the spooky among the city's community)  anyway -- my curiousity called to me -- I said I'd go looking.

The result is -- yes, Sandy, I've found the Pitts (and I'm still in one piece!). Here they are:

Their graves are at left of this shot, right next to Governor William Hobson's resting place (they weren't removed in the great tidy up around Hobson's grave which set up the present day tourist attraction, thankfully).

His Excellency Maj.-General George Dean Pitt was Lieutenant-Governor of New Ulster (the North Island, before the days of the Provincial Councils) from 3 January 1848 (sworn in 14 February 1848) until his death on 8 January 1851.

Death of His Excellency Lieutenant- Governor Pitt.

It is our melancholy duty to record the death of His Excellency Major -General George Dean Pitt, K. H., Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of New Ulster, which took place at his residence in Princes-street at three o'clock on Wednesday morning last. For about two years past his health had been so broken down that the continuance of his life for any lengthened period could not reasonably have been anticipated; and when the final hour arrived, he expired without a struggle —having attained the period said to be allotted to human existence — " three-score years and ten " — and having had his declining days cheered by a solace especially sweet in a land so far away from that of his birth, the presence and anxious care of a numerous and affectionate-family circle.

On the afternoon of Wednesday, a Government Gazette Extraordinary was issued, announcing the lamented event, and stating that in consequence of it, no business would be transacted at the Public Offices, and they would remain closed until the remains of His Excellency should have been interred. The spirit of the direction thus given with regard to the Public Offices, was spontaneously acted on —or rather anticipated — throughout the town, on most of the shop windows in which shutters were immediately put up. The colours of the ships in the port were also exhibited half-mast high, as was, of course, the Union Jack at Fort Britomart. The Funeral was fixed to take place at three o'clock on Thursday, according to a programme which also was published in the Gazette Extraordinary. About that hour, amidst the firing of minute guns from Fort Britomart, the procession moved forward in the following order :

The number of attendants at the Funeral included in the last-named class, was very large indeed, extending for a long line of road; while crowds of spectators were gathered at those localities from which a view of the procession could best be obtained, so that it might seem as if Auckland had sent out almost its whole population to manifest, in one way or another, an interest in the melancholy occasion. At the entrance of the Burying Ground, the Body was met by the Rev J F Churton, Colonial Chaplain and Chaplain to the Troops, by whom the sublime Funeral Service of the Church of England was read.

The remains were deposited in a grave near that of Governor Hobson, in a plain black coffin, having no ornament beyond the simple plate on which was inscribed :

Major-General

George Dean Pitt, K. H.

Died January 8th, 1851.

Aged 70.

While the grave was being filled in, thirteen minute guns were fired from field-pieces brought up for the purpose. The 58th Regiment then fired three volleys, and the final military honours to the deceased having thus been completed, the proceedings terminated.

The first commission in the army borne by the deceased gallant Officer was dated June 4, 1805; he became Lieutenant on the 5th of December in the same year, — Captain on the 10th of August 1809, and Major on the 13th of January 1814. On the 18th of April, 1822, he was appointed to the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the 80th Regiment. His subsequent steps of promotion were a Colonelcy on the 10th of January 1837, and the rank of Major-General on the 9th of November 1846.

The deceased had seen much service, having been engaged at the capture of the Danish West India Islands in 1807, and of Martinique in 1809. He served also in the Peninsula from 1811 to 1814, and was engaged in the most memorable operations of those eventful years, including the battles of Albuhera, Vittoria, Pampeluna, and the Pyrenees, and also the siege of Badajoz. He was subsequently employed as one of the Inspecting Field Officers in Great Britain, and then appointed to the command in New Zealand.

His entrance on the Lieutenant-Governorship of this Province took place on the 14th February, 1848, the Governor-in-Chief having appointed him to that office pursuant to the authority vested in him by the Charter of 1846. During the periods in which the Governor-in-Chief being absent, he wielded this authority, scarcely anything was called for beyond routine official acts, and few, if any, political associations are connected with his memory.

(New Zealander 11 January 1851)

And here is what is left of William Augustus Dean Pitt's headstone. I've let David Verran of Auckland Central Library know (David does great tours of the cemetery during our Heritage Festival each year), and hopefully whoever handles things at the cemtery maintenance-wise will be able to rectify things for the younger Pitt.

Update 28 November 2011:
I received an email today from Garth Cockerill, a descendant of George Dean Pitt's sister. He's looking for further information on the family, and I have his permission to publish his email to me.

"I read with interest your article concerning George Dean Pitt.  Have you any information on his parents?

"As I understand it - he was one of two children born to  Miss Patience Dean, fathered by George Pitt, the Second Baron Rivers, in Swallowfield, Hampshire, ENG.  The Baron Rivers never married.

"The children were Susannah Rivers, and George Dean.  This has never been proven, though many attempts have been made to verify the relationship between Miss Dean and George Pitt - the upper classes were very adept at 'cleansing' records.

"It is interesting that both children came out to the Antipodes - Susannah married a John Vincent in England, and they came out to Australia in 1823, where they raised their family.  And, of course, George came to NZ in a military situation.

"If you have any further information I would be very interested to hear from you.  I am descended from Susannah, albeit a few generations ago.

"Your article on the burial of George Dean Pitt was most fascinating, and the photos add to the story. Thank you.

"Regards, Garth Cockerill, Napier, NZ."

George Kitchen and the "loafing tailor"

If anyone can tell me what was meant by "loafing tailor" in the context of the following -- please do let me know.

We understand that a lesson in official courtesy is being imparted in the dismissal of an officer under the Provincial Government. It appears that Mr Kitchen, who has charge of the water supply in the capacity of "stopcock" has been in the habit of rather exciting than allaying the irritation in the minds of our citizens, caused by the unsatisfactory supply of water, and forgetting that the public are his paymasters, has usually expressed himself in a manner more forcible than polite.

A few weeks ago, a citizen who takes an interest in the general welfare of his fellow men, waited on Mr Kitchen, and asked for a supply of water for some of his poorer neighbours who were unable to obtain a drop. He was abruptly asked if he paid for water. He replied no, that he had water enough himself, but only felt an interest in his poorer neighbours. The stop-cock told him he believed he was a "loafing tailor" and that he was drunk, which our citizen being a Good Templar, and a strict devotee of "aqua pura" was the heaviest cut of all.

But it appears that not satisfied with this the "stop cock" pulled off his coat and invited him outside to settle the question vi et armis. Our fellow citizen being a man of peace said that he declined making a something or another of himself, but stated that in lieu thereof he would complain to the Provincial Government, when stop-cock answered, as we are informed, "You and the Provincial Government may just go" -- well, some place where the thermometer is said to range over 150º in the shade.

Our citizen, instead of going there, preferred calling at the offices of the Provincial Government, and a commission, consisting of Mr Allright and Mr Mahony, was appointed to investigate this and some other charges of vigorous deportment. We understand that the report has been sent in, that it is unfavourable to the stop-cock, and that another hand is to turn the tap of our city water supply.

(Auckland Star, 23 January 1875)

We have very much pleasure in affording opportunity to Mr Kitchen for the following explanation:-- "Sir, - In reply to your rather severe strictures on myself, allow me in self defence to say that there are generally two versions to a story. Your statement was evidently prompted by the self-styled loafing tailor (as I did not call him one). The facts of the matter to which you refer are these -- I was called upon some weeks ago at my works in Lorne-street by a person whom I did not then know. He complained in a very excited manner that there had been no water in the standpipe near his place in Victoria-street for four days. I know this to be incorrect, and told him so, when he placed himself in a threatening attitude, putting his fist in my face and told me he was one of my masters, and would kick me out of my billet, and making use of very strong language, boasted of his power with the Superintendent and John Sheehan, and in order to protect myself from his heatened violence, I divested myself of my coat, and proceeded to eject him from my workshop, when seeing my determination, he ran out, this is the sum total of the affair. Having made a tool of the Superintendent he tries to gull the public by making use of your columns to effect his object of revenge, by holding me up to the ridicule of my fellow colonists. I trust in your spirit of fairness you will not allow such meanness to pass by unanswered. Yours respectfully, GEORGE KITCHEN.

(Auckland Star, 26 January 1875)

George Kitchen was indeed the water supply stopcock for the Auckland Provincial Council up until late 1874. He also operated a fairly successful brass foundry on Lorne Street. In 1874, as a result of a  series of major fires on Queen Street from April to July, his job as stopcock created some controversy even before the near fisticuffs incident. This was in the days before the Western Springs supply, when Auckland's water for emergencies such as the fire came from the spring beneath Seccombe's Brewery in Newmarket.

It was seen from the first that none of the wooden buildings could be saved, as there was no water in the pipes. The hoses were pointed at the buildings certainly, but the force of water was about as great as if a small syringe had been used. There was scarcely any wind, but on account of the want of water nothing could be done to stop the progress of the fire ...

Mr Seccombe's pumping engine broke down in the afternoon and, consequently, there was no water in town excdept what remained in the pipes. Mr Kitchen sent a horseman out to Mr Seccombe's, and the messenger returned with the information that there would be a good supply on in half an hour. The good supply did not come in time, however, if it came at all, and consequently people had to stand and look on helpless whilst their property was being consumed.

(Southern Cross, 20 April 1874)

To the Editor : Sir,— In answer to Mr. Asher's flat contradiction in yesterday's Cross, permit me to endorse S H Matthew's statement in Wednesday's issue, and to ask Mr. Asher who fixed the hydrant to the Fire Insurance main, and ran the hose upon the roof of Messrs Owen and Oldham's, and whether any man that had any brains would discard a Fire Insurance fire plug and go to a 14-inch stand pipe with a supply that was running on the night of the late fire. I must state if it had not been for G P Pierce, Esq., going with me for the hose reel he would have found out his error. In respect to Mr. Asher's recommendation to confine myself to my duty, I cau assure him I try so to do, and to remind him that I had to come down from the roof of Messrs Owen and Graham's, to repair the hydrant that was torn from the fire-plug which, if he had been up to his business, would not have happened. And to remind him of the night of the fire in Fort street, when he turned the water off the main and gave the hydrant in charge of a constable, whilst the fire was raging, and I had to be brought from the Post office to turn it on again. Sir, I should like to hear Mr. Asher's special reason for using the smaller supply instead of the larger one, for I have been some twenty years connected with water supplies and Fire Brigades and have always been under the impression that the larger the quantity of water the better able you are to cope with fire. — I am, &c , George Kitchen.

(Southern Cross 10 July 1874)

To the Editor : Sir, — Notwithstanding your editorial foot note yesterday, you will concede me the right of reply to what I consider an unblushing letter from Mr. Matthews, and its echo from a person named Kitchen, evidently dictated from a mean jealousy. ... I may add that I am prepared to give lessons to Messrs Matthews and Kitchen on the best method of extinguishing fires, any time between the hours of eleven and three o'clock, free of charge.— I am &c, A. Asher, Fire Inspector.

(Southern Cross 11 July 1874)

By quirk of fate, as Kitchen was a brass founder by trade, he was the successful tenderer for the job of putting in the joints for the water pipes which replaced all the contentious system from the Domain -- this time, in connection with the new Western Springs supply in 1876, a year after the Provincial Council gave him his marching orders.

Poor old Walsh the grave-digger

Some time ago, a small series of clippings from the Auckland Evening Star from 1875 caught my attention, involving a nearly 70 year old gravedigger known as Mr Walsh, who would have likely worked at Symonds Street Cemetery.

It began with an accident.

Another name is added to the list of accidents which are almost daily occuring, and the majority of them happen through carelessness.

On Saturday last, poor Walsh, the old gravedigger, so many years known in his profession, as obliging and kind in the extreme, fell a victim to furious driving. It seems he was passing the corner at Wyndham and Queen-streets, when a trap driven by a boy at full speed, and belonging to Mr Young, butcher, Grey-street, came suddenly upon him, knocking him down, and passing over his middle. He lay insensible for more than an hour, when he came to, but now lies in a dangerous state, with small hopes of recovery.

The worst part of it is that the poor fellow has no means for his support but that of grave-digging, and now others must be employed. It is a very hard case and one for the proverbial sympathy of the Auckland public. A few shillings would be of great help to him, in his helpless condition and we think would find a grateful recipient in the old man. He is now nearly 70 years old. We shall as usual take charge of anything any kind person may send.

(Star, 21 January 1875)

A Mr. A-- took up a subscription for the ailing Walsh a few days later. But then came a letter to the paper from True Charity.

To the Editor: Sir -- Seeing your readiness to enlist sympathy for every case in distress I would be sorry to have either you or the kind hearted of the public made a fool of. In yesterday's STAR I see a subscription got up by some good fellow Mr A --, for "poor old Walsh the grave-digger." I would like to know how much money this "poor" man has out on mortgage; how much short of £300 a year [he] has been netting for a great number of years: how much he obtains of the wages of his son who lives with him, but who finds grave-digging better than cabinet-making.

If "poor old Walsh the grave-digger" or any one for him answers these questions fairly, and if he has not more money laid past than I have earned for many years, I will put my name down for a pound. -- YOURS, TRUE CHARITY.

(Star, 26 January 1875)

A response came three days later.

James Walsh, of Symonds-street, writes: "Sir, -- Seeing a letter in Tuesday's issue, concerning the poor old gravedigger I will, with your kind permission, make a few remarks. "True Charity" must not think for a moment that Walsh wanted his assistance, for it is well known that "True Charity" wants assistance himself, although he talks of putting his name down for a pound. Now if he thinks Mr Walsh has got £300 a year, he is mistaken, for I think if there was £300 a year to be got at gravedigging there would be a great many at it in Auckland; and as to the mortgage, I would like "True Charity" to explain himself on that subject, as he does not in his letter of Tuesday night. I should also like to know what business it is of "True Charity's" what the poor old man gets of his son's wages, or grave-digging, or cabinet-making either. I think it is likely that "True Charity" would like the billet of grave-digging himself, as he talks so much about it. If "True Charity" wants assistance himself, why not ask through the papers like a man, and don't stop another from getting a few shillings because he can't get it himself.

The Star, that day, had their own response.

From enquiry we are satisfied that "True Charity" was perfectly correct in his statements, and he is entitled to the thanks of the public for defeating an attempt to obtain money from the public by a false pretense of poverty. While there are so many deserving cases of distress in the community, such impostures as that practised in Walsh's case ought to be exposed, being calculated to do injury to any deserving cause for which an appeal to public charity may be necessary.

(Star, 29 January 1875)

Three days later.

We publish the following: -- To the Editor of the EVENING STAR: Sir, -- After perusing a letter in your issue of Friday last, signed J WALSH, also your comments upon it, it appears evident to me that Mr Walsh is a fitter subject to give alms than solicit them from the tenor of his own remarks. I have therefore to request Mr Walsh as the recipient of 22s. 6d., collected by me on his behalf on the strength of false representations made, to return the same from whence it came, thereby saving himself the pain of further exposure. -- I am, &c., A.

[We call on Mr Walsh to return this money -- Ed. E.S.]

(Star, 1 February 1875)

I'm not sure how this curious incident ended up, but one thing seems certain: it is likely few in Auckland who read the Star would call Mr Walsh a "poor old gravedigger" after all that.

Influenza City

Recently, whiling away a bit of time between appointments, commitments and the usual scheduling stuff, I had a bit of a browse through the oversize collection of reference material at the Central Auckland Research Centre at the Central Library. I’ve always found that collection on the general shelves in the CARC a source of wonderful chance finds. This time, I had a nosey at a folder entitled:

Influenza Epidemic – Mayor’s Memorandum Covering Reports of City Solicitor and Council Officers.

Walter Bush, the City Engineer, provided in his report to the Mayor dated 27 November 1918 a day-by-day run down as to his department’s response to the crisis.

8 or 9 October

The epidemic first attracts notice in Auckland, although Bush noted that 24 deaths had been recorded in the four metropolitan and nine suburban areas in the 6 months preceding 30 September. From 8 October, the daily papers contained references to the influenza’s spread.

12 October

The RMS Niagara arrived in Auckland. The number of passengers under treatment was between 30 and 40, according to Bush, and the Health Authorities put the ship effectively in semi-quarantine for a time. Passengers and crew were “obliged to pass through an inhaling chamber improvised on the ship by the District Health Officer, and the quarters thoroughly fumigated.” 26-28 members of the crew and 2 passengers were admitted to Auckland Hospital for isolation treatment.

15 October

Five more crew members of the Niagara were admitted to hospital, with at least 8 of those already admitted developing slight pneumonia. By now, 9 Auckland residents were receiving treatment as well. The isolation ward was crowded, the nursing staff reported as “fully taxed”.

16 October

A conclusion, startling to our eyes with the benefit of hindsight, made by a Conference that day between the Hospital Board’s Visiting Committee, and the District Health Officer. “ … It was made clear that the influenza was of a very mild type … not “Spanish” Influenza, the more virulent kind.” Dr E Graham Russell, Port Health Officer, “stated that the type was the mildest he had experienced.”

Dr Russell wasn’t alone with that opinion. The district health officer told the Education Board “that the epidemic went through a community like a flash, usually lasting from 6 to 8 weeks, and that at least 50% of the population was ordinarily attacked. He was of the opinion that the epidemic had been in Auckland for three or four weeks, and had not been introduced by the Niagara, and … that the disease was not present in a serious form, and “Spanish Influenza.”

17 October

The District Health Officer advocated “thorough ventilation of schools, etc. especially during week-ends, picture theatres etc., tram cars, and other public conveyances, and also the wiping of straps and seats in tram cars with cloths moistened with antiseptic, while counter railings, etc. in shops and desks in schools should be similarly treated.”

20 October

A fireman from the Niagara died from lung complications from influenza at Auckland Hospital, but other patients from the Niagara were reported as improving. Out of 26 in hospital on the 18th, 10 were discharged on the 19th, and another 8 in the 21st. But …

21 October

A steward from the Niagara dies “from pneumonia supervening on influenza.”

22 October

At the meeting of the Board of Education that day, a report was submitted to the effect that out of 4887 pupils attending seven lading schools in the city, 1032 were away due to the epidemic, with 21 out of 92 teachers affected.

23 October

“The epidemic was assuming a worse form”, the NZ Herald reported.

24 October

During that week, members of the City Fire Brigade came down with the disease, 17 men reported off duty on 24 October. That day, 25 of the Aucland Hospital’s nursing staff were ill.

29 October

The NZ Herald reported a “slight abatement” of the epidemic.

30 October

The Mayor of Auckland ordered that the Minister of Labour be telegraphed, asking that, while the epidemic was in effect that the law requiring chemists to close at certain hours not be enforced, allowing them to remain open at night “to meet the generally increased demand for medicine. The Minister replied that if the majority of chemists indicated that they wanted to stay open an extra hour, the Department wouldn’t interfere while the epidemic lasted. Bush reported that the extra opening hours reduced the workload significantly at the all-night pharmacy.

31 October

The Mayor was waited upon by a deputation of community representatives who asked for a meeting to be convened “to consider the prevalence of he epidemic [and] … what measures should be taken in its abatement.” The meeting took place at 4 pm that day, resulting in the formation of a Citizen’s Committee “to take such steps as were necessary to help sufferers and to cope with the epidemic”. The executive, with powers to co-opt as required, were:

The Mayor: James Henry Gunson

Cr. Andrew Jack Entrican [Deputy Mayor]

Cr. William John` Holdsworth [Elected to the Grey Lynn Borough Council in 1907, he became its Mayor in 1910, and then Auckland City Councillor in 1914]

Ernest Lilly: City Districts Schools Committee

E Phelan

G Davis

F Potter

P M Mackay

S Milroy, and

H P Kissling

1 November

The NZ Herald reported that three more deaths had occurred, including George Moore, an employee in the City Engineer’s Department, as well as an auxiliary fireman at the City Fire Brigade station. The Tramway Company was obliged to take several morning and evening special cars off the rush hour runs as a result of 66 tramway motormen and conductors reporting in as ill.

The Citizens Committee met again, this time with the Chairman of the District Hospital Board, the Medical Superintendent and the District Health Officer present. The committee decided to telegraph the Minister of Defence suggesting that the Medical Boards be released to provide additional medical assistance to the city. They also resolved to contact the Minister of Public Health asking that, finally, the disease should be subject to quarantine regulations.

W J Holdsworth, the first secretary to the Citizens Committee, came down with the ‘flu himself. In his place, H D Robertson was co-opted onto the committee. He was Secretary of the Joint Committee of the British Red Cross and the Order of St John.

That evening, the Auckland Hospital Board held a special meeting to consider steps to combat the epidemic, “and to provide additional hospital accommodation for patients dangerously ill from the disease.” The outbreak was no longer being considered as a non-serious form.

2 November

Bush’s plan which saw the city and suburbs divided into 22 blocks came into effect, as submitted to the Citizens Committee the day before. Members of the committee were appointed “to supervise the work of rendering assistance in he representative areas.”

The Auckland Education Board met that day, a Saturday, to consider the District Health Officer’s advice that the district’s schools be closed, “in view of the increasing seriousness of the situation”. The Board decided to close the schools for a week, and to reconsider the situation at the end of that period. The three city Manual Training centres, as well as those at Devonport and Otahuhu, were also closed. “Any assembly of children,” during the epidemic period, “was undesirable.”

The streets in the central ward are disinfected. Other streets are similarly treated on 6 November, in conjunction with watering of the streets and flushing of the cesspits.

3 November

Dr Joseph Patrick Frengley, the Acting Chief Health Officer for New Zealand, arrived in Auckland and conferred with the Mayor, the Chairman of the Hospital Board, and the Auckland Hospital medical superintendent. Auckland’s Mayor placed Kilbryde, the former home of Sir John Logan Campbell in the new Parnell Park at the disposal of the Hospital Board. Auckland Hospital at Grafton and the Costley Home at today’s Greenlane Hospital site were closed to visitors, in an attempt to minimize the spread of the virus. The Board also arranged for a supply of medicines, day and night, to Henderson & Barclay’s pharmacy in Queen Street.

C T Haynes, the Chief Sanitary Officer, was appointed “to take charge of the office of the [Citizens] Committee at the Town Hall for the purpose of tabulating the returns from the various blocks.”

His own report to the Mayor (27 November 1918) was concerned primarily with the state of Auckland’s slum housing at the time of the influenza pandemic in late 1918.

“… many of our citizens engaged during the past few weeks in combating the influenza epidemic, an obtaining for the first time an insight into the state of affairs under which numbers of people are living, have been surprised and shocked that such conditions exist, and strongly impressed with the necessity of adopting some measures for their removal.”

Over the course of the 16 years immediately before the ‘flu hit the city, around 600 houses had been either been already condemned and pulled down, or demolished by arrangement with the owners. So by the time the Spanish ‘Flu came, the policy and process of urban renewal by Auckland City Council had been well underway. Influenza spreads from public gatherings and the airborne transmission of the virus rather than from the obvious source of sanitary risk, residential overcrowding. It could be said that the sanitary inspector’s department was using the epidemic as an opportunity to bang that department’s particular drum.

The department did report that half their number was away on Active Service during the war, and the workload had been increased due to the amalgamation of boroughs and road boards with the city, such as Parnell, Epsom, Remuera, and Grey Lynn.

4 November

Doctors provided by the Defence Department, in response to the Citizens Committee request of three days before, started work from a central bureau opened at the Auckland Hospital Board’s Kitchener Street office. Advertisements were inserted in the NZ Herald and the Auckland Star regarding applications for medical assistance. A fumigation room was set up in the District Health Office at Albert Street.

At noon, the Citizens Committee met again, making final arrangements with Dr Frengley and the Hospital Board Chairman.

The block committees were already at work, establishing centres in each area to accept applications for assistance. Appeals were made for assistance from volunteers, trained nurses, and “those able to undertake domestic duties in homes where the epidemic had laid aside the inmates.”

“By this date,” Bush recorded, “the situation was very grave, and the large number of applications received for admission to the Hospital indicated that there was no diminution in the number of serious cases. On the contrary, in numerous instances whole households were simultaneously affected, and in consequence of the lack of assistance the position became very acute.”

5 November

The owners of Auckland’s cinemas met with the mayor and the Acting Chief Health Officer in the mayoral offices, and agreed not to admit any children aged 14 and under to their premises. They also agreed to fumigate the cinemas daily.

The Minister for Public Health, G W Russell, arrived along with Dr. Frengley and three doctors, two others which been released by the Defence Department to assist with the epidemic, and another four from the Medical Boards. The Minister of Defence had been requested to obtain nurses from other parts of the North Island to assist as well.

The Mission Hall at the Sailor’s Home on Quay Street was opened as a temporary hospital. By the next day, this facility was looking after 20 patients. The Women’s National Reserve opened an emergency kitchen at their Rutland Street premises.

6 November

No less than 90 nurses at Auckland Hospital were off work through influenza. Up to 10 pm that day, 600 applications for assistance were received by the Citizens Committee at the Town Hall.

A “Gazette Extraordinary” was issued declaring the influenza as a dangerous infectious disease, authorizing the health authorities to exercise all the powers laid down under the Public Health Act. This meant that instead of limited opening of places like picture theatres, all such places were to be completely closed, from the following day, along with billiard saloons, other public gatherings and entertainment, and schools.

The Vermont Street Girls’ School, capable of accommodating 150 patients and a complete nursing staff, was placed at the disposal of the Auckland Hospital Board by Bishop Cleary and Rev Father Carran. This was opened as a temporary hospital on 8 November.

The Mayor of Auckland came down with the ‘flu, and instructed Bush to confer with Dr. Frengley with regard to the Public Health Act regulations. From that point on, Bush effectively became a CEO, at all hours, day and night. He convinced the Superintendent of Telegraphs late at night to make all telephone lines connected with the epidemic relief works available, despite the planned closure of the telephone exchange between noon and 3pm.

7 November

“Following Dr Frengley’s conference with the Crown Solicitor and myself on the 7th inst., a notice was issued by him requiring the immediate closing of all places of entertainment, Public Halls, Billiard rooms, and shooting galleries for a week. This included the Auckland Racing Club’s course and buildings and in consequence no race meeting was held at Ellerslie on the 9th idem. In addition, the list of places ordered to be closed included the Chamber of Commerce, Society of Arts Hall, Trades Hall, friendly societies’ meeting places and many other public and church halls.” (Bush)

The Acting Chief Health Officer requested that all denominations hold only morning services “of the shortest possible denomination”. [Apparently Bishop Cleary went one better, ordering all Catholic services suspended during the epidemic.]

Bush also conferred with Dr Frengley over the opening of fumigating stations as soon as equipment could be manufactured.

It was decided to insert an advertisement in the newspapers urging all those not engaged in the central city to stay in their homes.

8 November

The Armistice was prematurely reported in the country’s media. This added to the strain of dealing with the epidemic in Auckland.

“Work in connection with the various Block Committees was in full swing when the cable prematurely announcing the signing of the terms of the Armistice was received on the morning of the 8th inst., and for a time this seemed to arrest the valuable work being done in combating the epidemic. My first action on receipt of this news was to proceed to the Council’s depot and arrange for the detention of sufficient men and carters, and the keeping open of the stores and offices there, so that any urgent calls that might be made for special services might be made … In consequence of the universal holiday observed and the resultant closing of shops and warehouses, necessary stores were found a matter of great difficulty.”

Waikumete Cemetery sent out a call for more gravediggers. Eight men, along with the necessary tools, were dispatched out to Glen Eden in motor cars.

An inhaling station was set up on Queen’s Wharf, with two of Bush’s assistants in charge.

The City Library and Art Gallery, along with all branch libraries and the Old Colonists’ Museum, were closed from that date until 2 December on the orders of the Deputy Mayor. (Barr’s report – see below)

9 November

Victoria Park Pavilion was opened as a temporary morgue, fitted up with tables and disinfecting apparatus. Bush’s department also saw to a request from Vermont Street hospital for screens, a dispensary and provision of electric lights.

Kilbryde at Parnell, as well as the Technical College in Wellesley Street, were opened as more temporary hospitals.

10 November

“Arrangements were made for the transport of extra grave diggers to and from Waikumete Cemetery and also for the pegging out of extra grave spaces…” (Bush)

An inhalation chamber opened at the Town Hall.

12 November

The Tabernacle Sunday School was found to be unsuitable as a children’s hospital, so Bush and his team contacted the secretary for the YWCA. Two lower floors of their Queen Street building were placed at the Hospital Board’s disposal “as a home for healthy children whose parents had been incapacitated by the disease.” (Bush) Conferences also began with the Women’s National Reserve with the view to converting the Myers Kindergarten Building in Myers Park as a hospital for sick children.

The Acting Chief Health Officer ordered the immediate burial of all known victims of influenza. Special funeral trains were organized, at 10 am and 1.45 pm each day as required. Bush also approached the General Manager of the Railways for reduced rates of carriage of the bodies. The demand for additional grave diggers at Waikumete was met by sending out 12 more men, reinforced on 14 November by another 6, on the 15th by still another 6, and 3 more on the 25th November.

The real Armistice was signed. This meant that government offices were closed, and so too (temporarily) was the telephone exchange. Bush contacted the Superintendent of Telegraphs again, who assured him and the secretary of the Citizen’s Committee that “all special telephone numbers would be kept open for use through the day.”

“From this date,” Bush reported, “the Health Authorities, Hospital Board, Citizens Committee and other organisations may be said to have had the epidemic in hand, and although numerous calls were still being received for assistance, and many serious case were being admitted to the various hospitals, the organisation provided was adequately coping with the situation.”

13 November

The Mayor had recovered sufficiently to discuss with Bush various Council matters, including his decision to postpone a planned loan poll, and the election of a councilor to fill a vacancy. The Mayor returned to his official duties on the 18th.

Another inhalation station was set up, this time at the Leys Institute in Ponsonby.

14 November

A Citizens Relief Committee was established, presided over by the Deputy Mayor A J Entrican. They held their first meeting on the 18th.

During the epidemic, “collections of refuse were made twice daily and on Sundays from the temporary hospitals… and also from the food kitchen in Rutland Street… Mattresses, clothing etc., from private houses were either collected and conveyed to the destructor or else burned in the back yards. Sprays and disinfectants were provided to the men engaged in the collection of refuse, and the dust bins were disinfected, and the carts washed out and disinfected. Fruit was also collected from premises closed in consequence of the inmates being laid aside with the complaint, and conveyed to the Destructor for burning.” (Bush)

469 interments took place at Waikumete Cemetery from 1 November to 26 November, “this large number of interments necessitated the pegging out of graves in the area recently cleared and ploughed on the Western Boundary, the number of new graves utilised to date in such ground being 131.”

137 out of 380 Council workmen were laid aside with influenza during the epidemic. Bush attributed the relatively lower number than expected to “the healthy nature of their occupation.”

John Barr, Chief Librarian, also prepared a report (28 November) on what his staff did during the enforced closure of the libraries from 8 November to 2 December.

The senior messenger was left behind to care for the library, while those of the staff who were still fit engaged in relief work with the supporting institutions. One member had to give up work after contracting influenza, while another (Mr Collins) had blood poisoning while nursing. Books and magazines were supplied to convalescents at the various temporary hospitals, and in conjunction with the Women’s Patriotic League Mr Barr called for more donations of books and toys through advertisements.

“During the time that the Library and Art Gallery have been closed the Messengers have been engaged thoroughly cleaning the building. The Chief Sanitary Inspector at my request undertook to disinfect the Libraries with formalin, but as the use of a chemical solution might have had injurious effects upon pictures and frames in the Art Gallery it was not treated in this manner. The washing of floors with a solution of Jeye’s Fluid was considered sufficient, especially as the roof lighting of the galleries provided plenty of sunlight, the best of disinfectants. I have also arranged with the Chief Sanitary Inspector to have all books which are at present “out” from the Lending Departments of the various libraries disinfected at the Town Hall before being returned to the shelves. These precautionary steps should reassure the public that the libraries are perfectly free from infection.”

Auckland’s official death toll during the epidemic is established to have been 1,128, or 7.6 per thousand head of population, the largest metropolitan toll in the country.

See also: Black November, Geoffrey W Rice (2005, second edition)

Waikumete graves

Avondale's influenza hospital

Wellington trams, cable cars, trolleys and harbour

Andrew from High Riser sent through some scans of old photos of Wellington originally scanned and posted on Trams Down Under by Dave Menzies who collected them up originally as slides while in Melbourne. Andrew emailed Mr Menzies asking for permission for them to be reposted here, and Mr Menzies has very generously said yes.

Now, as I'm not a Wellingtonian, I'm not the best judge at all of what parts of that city these photos feature. So -- I've added in some information as provided by those responding on the Trams Down Under board, but would really appreciate readers chipping in with ideas/info as well.

Update 31 December 2010 -- my friend Graeme has supplied location details on most of the images, based on his knoiwledge of Wellington. Cheers, Graeme! His notes in blue.

Update 24 January 2011 -- Andrew has contacted Keith McGavin of the Wellington Tramway Museum, who has very kindly provided additional information and corrections -- and noting the duplicates! His information is in bold. 

Update 25 January 2011 -- Keith has now asked fellow tram enthusiasts to chime in with corrections and aditional info. As they come in, I'll update the text -- and add names of contributors to the bottom.

1 A southbound tram in Willis Street between mercer and Manners Streets. Hataitai bound “Fiducia” tram No.257 (now preserved at the Museum of Transport & Technology, Auckland). The Hataitai tram route closed on 5th November 1962.

2. Willis St. at corner of Mercer St. Photograph taken in March or April 1964 - as the “Methyl Benzine” Shell Company advertising and specially painted tram was only in place for the two months before the final tram on 2nd May 1964.

3  John Street, Newtown? Graeme confirmed this.
John Street, Newtown. Double Saloon trams Nos. 191 and 199 on a special tour, 4th November 1961, the trams are opposite the then Winter Show Buildings, turning from John Street into Wallace Street. The trams were chartered by the Tramway Preservation Association for the afternoon and traversed practically all the remaining tramway tracks in Wellington.

4 Johnson Street/Customhouse Quay.

 Same tram tour as No.3. In Customhouse Quay and about to turn into Johnston Street.

5 Hataitai terminus, Waitoa Road – same tram tour as Nos. 3 and 4

 6 An Island Bay bound “Fiducia” class tram in Luxford Street, Berhampore. The Island Bay tram route close in May 1963.

7 Courtenay Place. A Railway Station bound double saloon tram. This portion of tram line closed when the Island Bay route closed in May 1963. (I suspect I (Keith McGavin) may have taken this slide but I haven’t confirmed this – it looks the same as one of mine.)

8 Lambton Quay

Lambton Quay (opposite Kirkaldie & Stains). A route 3 double saloon class tram – probably ex Lyall Bay – bound for the Railway Station. Route 3 closed in 1960.

9 Shunting in Mulgrave Street, adjacent to Wellington Railway station. Fiducia type tram. The street on the far left disappearing into the distance is Lambton Quay. Mulgrave Street (and Aitken Street further to the right) was used for shunting and parking spare trams in between peak times. The approximate date could be identified by finding out what year (probably late 1950s) Billy Graham was at Athletic Park on April 5th and 6th (advert on side of tram)

10 Onepu Road, opposite the Kilbirnie tram depot and workshops.  Double-saloon type tram.

11 Thorndon Quay
Thorndon Quay near the Railway Station (Fiducia tram) with the Double Saloon tram (right) shunting in Mulgrave Street

12 At the east portal of the Hataitai tram tunnel Same tour as Nos. 3,4 & 5

13 Going from Upper Cuba Street to Lower Cuba Street (James Smith Corner – Royal Oak Hotel opposite).  Same tram tour as Nos. 3, 4, 5, and 12.  Double Saloon tram No.191

14  Kent Terrace near Courtenay Place.  This is an earlier photo – probably 1950’s as the tram on the left is an older type with an earlier type of trolley pole (known as a “high-standard”).  The tram on the right is parked in a siding near Courtenay Place which was used for tram storage during the off peak hours.  This siding had a unique (for Wellington) type of point lever, embedded in the footpath, and this is still there as one of the very few items identifiable with the trams that remains in Wellington.

15 Outside Wellington Railway Station

Outside Wellington Railway Station (turning from Lambton Quay into Mulgrave Street).  Same tram tour as Nos. 3, 4, 5, 12 and 13.   Clearly shows the interesting track layout here, with the double right-angle crossover clearly visible.  This location was used for shunting and reversing trams at the Railway Station.

16  Hataitai (Waitoa Road terminus)  (A companion to No. 5)  Same tram tour as Nos. 3, 4, 5, 12, 13 and 15.   The normal service Hataitai tram (a “Fiducia” class) has arrived and is waiting for trams 191 and 199 to clear the terminus. 

17.  Courtenay Place.  Same tram tour as Nos. 3, 4, 5, 12, 13, 15, and 16.  The two double saloon type trams Nos. 191 and 199 on their way to Hataitai (note both route 2 which was Hataitai) – taken prior to Nos. 5 and 16. In the foreground are the remains of the junction line to Oriental Bay.

18 Newtown Zoo turnaround
Newtown Zoo terminus loop – Same tram tour as before

19.  Aitken Street – near the Railway Station, normally used for parking trams in non-peak periods.  Same tram tour as before.

20 Newtown
Newtown – Riddiford Street and about to head along Rintoul Street to collect patrons from an Athletic Park rugby match.  Double saloon type tram No.227.  Note the position of the trolley pole – the tram has come from Newtown tram depot located further along Riddiford Street and is about to move away from the camera, across a crossover to take it on to the left hand tracks, and then through a double crossover which will take it up Rintoul Street towards Athletic Park and Island Bay.  Probably taken in April 1963 just prior to the route’s closure.

21 Seatoun tunnel, eastern portal – an early slide as the Seatoun tram route closed in 1958.  Fiducia type tram.

22 Lambton Quay
Johnston Street, turning into Lambton Quay.  Same tram tour as described earlier.  Johnston Street was normally utilised in peak hours only as a northern terminus that allowed trams for southern and eastern suburbs to avoid congestion at the railway station.

23 Lower Cuba Street before the Michael Fowler Centre was built over where the street was – Town Hall on the right.  Same tram tour as described earlier.

24.    Lambton Quay, turning into Hunter Street.  Same tram tour as before.   Note the “false” destination of Miramar Jn. (route 10) which closed in the 1950’s.  Hunter Street was used by suburbs bound “express” trams that, after picking up passengers along Lambton Quay, would use Hunter Street to cross to Jervois Quay for a fast trip to Courtenay Place avoiding Willis Street and Manners Street.  Route 10 was the correct designation for trams using Hunter Street.

25.    Kent Terrace near Courtenay Place – in the siding as described in No.14.  Same tram tour as described earlier.

26.    Cable Car (Grip car and trailer).  The trailers were withdrawn in 1974 and the grip cars in 1978.  These are pictured at the upper terminus (not Lambton Quay).

27.    Karori tunnel – [Northland tunnel different profile, Seatoun on a gradient]

28. View of Lambton Harbour from Mt. Victoria area, 1970s (new Post Office building is dominant).

Note (from Keith McGavin): Photos Nos. 3, 4, 5, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 24, 25 and 26 are all feature a chartered tram tour organised by the Tramway Preservation Association and run on 4th November 1961 over practically all the then remaining tram routes and lines in Wellington. The Tramway Preservation Association was the forerunner of today’s Wellington Tramway Museum Inc. which owns and operates the historic tramway at Queen Elizabeth Park, MacKay’s Crossing on the Kapiti Coast.

Additional information from: Russell Jenkin, Mike Mellor