Reluctantly sharing the gold

While the first known Chinese immigrant here appeared in Nelson in 1842,  and Auckland's first (so far) Chinese was in late 1862, the main immigration of Chinese didn't take place until early 1866, in Otago, nearly five years after the Gabriel's Gully goldrush began. But, my word, the citizens were still concerned back in 1861 that once the "Celestials" heard, they'd be over here from Australia in a flash.

Chinese Immigration.
In reply to Mr. McLashan, Dr. Featherston said the government was not prepared to introduce a bill with the view of preventing Chinese Immigration to the gold fields. The subject would receive due consideration.

Southern Cross 2 August 1861

In connection with this part of the subject, there is one point which demands the serious attention of the Government. Wherever valuable gold fields have been discovered large numbers of Chinese have found their way, and wherever these Celestials have appeared, serious riots and loss of life have been the inevitable consequence. The probability is that many will be attracted to our shores — and the fact is that an eruption of the kind is apprehended, and a determination has been universally expressed by the diggers that not a single Chinaman shall set his foot on the Tuapeka gold fields. We are not going to argue upon the abstract right or wrong involved in such a determination; we have to do with a most serious practical fact. An apparently unextinguishable hatred springs up wherever the two races come into contact, and it is indispensable for the security of life and property that the Government should be prepared for the very probable contingency to which we have alluded, by the adoption of necessary measures for the protection of the Chinese should they make their appearance on the gold field, or, which would be far better, for preventing their introduction into the Province at all.

Hawke’s Bay Herald 31 August 1861

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1861. The Speaker took the chair at 5 o'clock. The minutes of the previous sederunt having been read and confirmed, Mr. Dillon Bell called the attention of the government to the fact that Chinese, in large bodies, were preparing to leave Australia for Otago, and enquiring what steps would be taken to prevent this. Mr. Fox replied, that the government could not now give a definite answer. The subject had been referred to the consideration of the Attorney General, whose opinion was that the people of any other nation, coming to this country on terms of amity, could not be prevented A capitation tax had been thought of.

Southern Cross 6 September 1861

Even worse -- if the Chinese came here as miners, they had the chance of voting! Unconscionable.

SHALL WE ADMIT THE CHINESE ?

Few things are more pleasant, and few, certainly, less inconvenient than to glide along with the tide. We do not worry ourselves with the future, for the present is so rich with enjoyment that we care not to go beyond it. Our cup is full to overflowing, and we do not wish to think of a time when it may require replenishing.

As it is with individuals, so is it with States. The Otago of the past — feeble, struggling, and scarce known beyond its boundary — is vastly different from the Otago of the present, the centre of attraction to neighbouring provinces, and even to the gold-spangled Colony of Victoria; producing from its surface diggings in a week as much as was annually realised from all sources but a few years since. We might fearlessly compare the comfort and happiness we then enjoyed with what is now our portion, and, with still more confidence, with what may be in store for us if we are content to spread the canvas to the breeze and go whither the winds may convey us.

We do not intend to examine the question whether it was wise by the Miners' Electoral Ordinance to admit into the electoral body every one who, three months before the time of the annual registry, should pay the State £1 for the privilege of extracting the precious metals; we acknowledge at once the law as it stands, by which a transfer is made of the electoral franchise from a class having a permanent interest in the Province, to another class which pays a mere retaining fee, and which, composed of strangers from all lands, will have the power of electing the chief civil authority, and perhaps of materially influencing the Legislative Council. Our present object is different; it is to inquire whether it is wise to admit, without any check, the hordes of Chinese which inundated Victoria, and will leave an abiding mark upon its golden age. There are those whom the very idea of restriction would throw into paroxysms of generous indignation, who advocating Free-trade in all its length and breadth, would scout at the most remote allusion to the expediency of allowing any class to enjoy a monopoly. The world is a commonage, say they, where every human being has an inherent right of participation. We may admire the exalted benevolence which characterises the sentiment, but we doubt its justice and expediency.

Let us take a practical view of our case; for these high-flown theories are too luscious to be freely indulged in. What is our position? Cramped by the dense population of the mother country, and thwarted in every attempt to ameliorate our condition, we left the abode of our fathers to hew for ourselves, amid dangers and discomforts in a strange and distant land, the home we had long pictured in imagination. There was one thing we would not leave behind — for without it a Briton could not breathe— our liberties were as household gods, without which Paradise would be a desert. The home we have obtained is in the neighbourhood of a nation greedy of gold, which numbers millions to our hundreds, and whose inhabitants, as in Victoria, are ready to inundate us.

By the Gold Fields Act of 1858, each miner of the age of 21, duly registered, and holding a miner's light, for which the sum of £1 is paid, is entitled to vote. By the Electoral Ordinance, unless he were naturalised, he would not, we believe, though holding such a right, be entitled to vote; but naturalisation is merely a matter of money, and we do not see how the advocates for equal rights to all men could deny the Chinese this privilege, eyen if it were not a duty, on their own principles, rather to facilitate its possession. We thus arrive at the conclusion that it may be a measure of prudential policy to guard our liberties, and that a band of aliens in religion, character, and habits should not assume a position in the constituency, which, judiciously used, might seriously jeopardise our prospects as a thorough British Colony. Let us not blink the question, nor obscure it by sophistry. Are we prepared to admit as fellow-citizens, possessing equal rights, and enjoying equal privileges, the subjects of the Celestial Empire, or, were they near enough, the Bosch men of Southern Africa ? There are other considerations of great importance which we cannot now more than glance at. When gold, unless in the shape of sovereigns, and those few in number, was unknown to us, the disparity between the sexes was a subject of serious moment, but the difficulties since then have vastly increased by an accession of some 4000 males. Are we prepared still further to increase that fearful disparity by an unrestricted admission of a race which systematically leaves their females behind ?

We would again ask, whether it is a matter of indifference to us that the British labouring classes, whom it is our special mission to benefit, and whom we have invited, nay, almost seduced, to rend asunder all the associations of country and kin, by the assurance that there is plenty of land to be bought at reasonable rates, and a sufficient demand for labour of a remunerative kind, wherewith to buy it, whether, we would ask, we care not that they should be swamped, their hopes blighted, and their prospects destroyed by an inundation of Chinese ? Better, far better for us to resume, if it were possible, our old jog-trot pace— safe though not very dazzling — than retain our present preeminence. We willingly allow that the rate of wages is high — that its reduction would greatly benefit the producing classes and the labourers themselves; but we desire its reduction to its natural level, where capital and labour are equally benefited, not by the extreme measure of an importation of inferior population, but by a larger immigration of congenial classes from our native land.

Dearly as we love the liberty we enjoy, and thorough as is our advocacy of oppressed nationalities, we do not feel called upon to hazard what our forefathers gained with so much toil and danger, by sharing our patrimony with those who lightly esteem what we so highly reverence, and who, if the North island instead of the Middle were the scene in question, would come into hostile collision with the Maories, whom by treaty we are bound to regard as British subjects and fellow-citizens. We may use the language of Brutus when we contrast our love of liberty generally with our love of our privileges as freedmen, and say, “Not that I love Caesar less, but that I love Rome more."

Otago Witness 21 September 1861

Don't worry, though -- it hadn't happened, just yet.

No Chinese have yet arrived, and none are known to be coming, but another ten thousand white diggers are expected to leave Melbourne.

Lyttleton Times 9 October 1861

 Meanwhile, over in New South Wales, they had introduced the Poll Tax.

Sydney, May 17th.

The first enforcement of our Chinese Act took place on Tuesday last, on which day two poor devils of coolies employed as cooks on board a vessel that arrived from Mauritius, were legally robbed (for it was a robbery in their case) of £20, or £10 each. This sum is equivalent to five months' wages, and its exaction will cause the sufferers to entertain a very queer opinion of our so-called liberal institutions.

 Otago Witness 31 May 1862

But then, white miners started drifting away from Otago in 1865, and merchants saw their profits going with them. Rumours began to circulate ...

There is a rumor to the effect that a public meeting will shortly be held in Dunedin to advocate the introduction of the Chinese to the Otago goldfields.

Bruce Herald 7 September 1865

... and the rumours were true.

At a special meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, held yesterday afternoon, two important matters were brought on for discussion … The second matter was a motion by Mr Tolmie, and seconded by Mr Robertson, " That it is desirable that the immigration of Chinese to this Province be encouraged." This was carried; as was also a contingent motion appointing a Committee to wait upon the Government and urge the Executive to give an official letter or notice, to the effect that the lives and property of all Chinese coming to this Province would be protected." The only dissentient from these motions was Mr John Bathgate.

Otago Daily Times 16 September 1865

Some applauded the notion of the Chinese miners coming.

At the Dunstan, on Friday last, a public meeting was held at the Victoria Theatre, to take into consideration the advisability of introducing Chinese labor on to the gold fields. There was a large attendance, and Mr W. Bayley was elected chairman. Resolutions were passed to the effect that the meeting considered the introduction of Chinese into the Province would be productive of most beneficial results, especially to the Dunstan district, as there, an almost unlimited field for profitable labor for the Chinese existed without any risk of interference with the European miners; and that the meeting highly approved of the action taken by the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce in taking steps for the introduction of the Chinese to Otago.

Otago Daily Times 11 October 1865

While others saw only doom and gloom.

A public meeting was held in the long room of the Australasian Hotel, at Macrae's Flat, on Monday evening, the 23rd ult., for the purpose of considering the question of the introduction of Chinese on the gold fields of the Province. Mr Douglas took the chair. Resolutions were passed — "That in the opinion of this meeting no greater injury could be inflicted upon the European population of Otago than the introduction of Chinese into the Province, and that this meeting request the Government of Otago to discourage, in as much as they legally can, Chinese immigration. And "That this meeting thoroughly sympathises with any notion taken in this matter on the gold fields." A committee was appointed to draw up a memorial on the subject to the Provincial Council; and the meeting adjourned to the 25th of October.

The adjourned meeting was held at the same place on the evening of the 25th, and was numerously attended. Mr Bremer was in the chair. A resolution was passed expressing alarm at the action of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce in their alleged attempt to obtain from the Provincial Government special protection for Chinese immigrants, and a memorial was adopted showing that the memorialists feared serious injury from the introduction of Chinese into the Province, on account of their competing with Europeans for a livelihood on the gold fields; from the danger to life and property that would be inevitable from the two races coming in contact with each other in Otago; and because the experience of Victoria and New South Wales evinced that it is pernicious to have Mongolians competing for support with Europeans. It was resolved to forward the memorial to Mr Hughes for presentation to the Superintendent and Provincial Council. Further resolutions approving of the action of the miners on various gold fields in their attempts to prevent Chinese immigration; empowering the Secretary to communicate with the various Gold Fields Committees for the purpose of forming a Miners' League; and authorising a letter of thanks to be forwarded to Mr Bathgate for his opposition to the resolutions of the Chamber of Commerce on the subject, were then passed.

Otago Witness 4 November 1865

The introduction of a series of Chinese mining communities in the South Island came from an agreement between merchants on opposite sides of the Tasman: the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, and Lowe Kong Meng, head of a shipping and merchant company of note in Melbourne.

At length Dunedin is honored with the visit of a Chinese, in the person of Mr Ah Mei. He has come down to make enquiries on behalf of influential countrymen in Melbourne. Some half-dozen more Chinese, we believe, are on their way here, and will assist Ah Mei in inspecting the gold fields. Should their report be favorable, a limited number of Chinese is likely to follow. Their desire, we understand, is to select a locality where they are little likely to come into collision or to interfere with the Europeans.

Otago Daily Times 20 December 1865

Also known as Ho-a-Mee, he was described as an “influential representative of the Chinese miners in Victoria” by the Evening Star, “deputed by Kong Meng and other Chinese merchants in that colony to inspect the mining districts of the province and report as to the advisability or not of a number of his countrymen coming over here.” -- Evening Post, 27 December 1865

The presence of Ah Mei and his mining assessors affronted some in the province immediately.

At the evening sitting … Mr Grant said he would give notice to ask tomorrow “Whether the Government will adopt some stringent measures to save this Province from a threatened invasion of barbaric hordes of Tartars, samples and pioneers of whom have just landed in Otago?” Perhaps the Government would answer at once.

The Secretary said that the honourable member must be aware that the Government, even if they had the disposition, had not the power to interfere to prevent Chinese coming into the Province; and they did intend not to take any action, whatever, in the matter. If there was any action at all, it must be on the part of the General Government.

Otago Daily Times 28 December 1865

 But, by January 1866, the deals had been done, and Chinese were heading for Otago to work.

VICTORIA.

Arrangements have been concluded with the Panama Company for conveying a large number of Chinese from Victoria to Otago. It is expected about 3000 will emigrate this year.

North Otago Times 25 January 1866

The Chinese are gradually increasing in Otago. For some months passed a large number have been at work on old ground in the vicinity of Gabriel's Gully, and we have not heard of any crimes having been committed by them. From the Dunstan Times, 2nd June, we learn they have made their appearance in the Dunstan district. It says— " John Chinaman has at last paid a visit to the Dunstan. Ten interesting specimens of the Flowery Land arrived at Clyde, by waggon, from Dunedin, on Monday last. They have already commenced washing the gravelly beaches of the Molyneaux, and appear satisfied with their prospects.

Southland Times 12 June 1866

The Chinese that have settled down to work in the neighborhood of Cromwell are doing remarkably well: their earnings are from £2 to £4 per week, and sometimes more. At the new rush at the Lowburn they have opened a new gully, which is turning out capitally. The number of this useful and plodding class of miners is considerably increasing; and from what I can learn, they are so satisfied with their success, that it will not be many months before our celestial population will be counted by thousands.

Otago Witness 28 September 1866

A number of Chinese have lately arrived — thirty three by the Omeo and eighty -three by the Otago. It is stated that these will be followed during the summer by a great many more. Indeed, the chartering of a ship to bring 400 direct from Hong Kong is reported, but I have not been able to ascertain whether the statement is well-grounded. Those Chinese who have been settled some time in the Province are undoubtedly satisfied with their success.

North Otago Times 14 December 1866

If it hadn't been for Lowe Kong Meng, the main 19th century immigration of Chinese to the southern goldfields might not have happened. The Dunedin supporters would have needed a kingpin, and a man which the Victorian colony's Chinese held in high respect, to have kicked it off. Here's his obituary.

THE LATE MR. KONG MENG.

As mentioned in The Argus of Monday, Mr. Lowe Kong Meng, the well known Chinese merchant, died at his residence in Malvern early that morning, after a short illness The deceased gentleman was born at St James's Island, Penang, in 1831, and was consequently a British subject by birth. He attended the high school at Penang until he was 16 years of age, when he proceeded to Mauritius for the purpose of perfecting himself in the English and French languages. There he established himself in trade on his own account, and finally came to Melbourne in 1853 as supercargo of his own ship. After making one voyage to Calcutta, he returned and established a firm of importers in Melbourne under the style of Kong Meng and Co. At that time he was the only Chinese shipmaster in the colonies, owning a fleet of half a dozen vessels, which plied regularly between Australia, India, and China, and he subsequently endeavoured, though unsuccessfully, to establish a service of packets between Melbourne and Port Darwin. Mr Kong Meng was of an exceedingly generous disposition, and gave liberally to churches and public charities without respect to creed or denomination. In politics he was strictly conservative, and he took an active part in opposing the recent restrictions on Chinese immigration.

Although he always prided himself on being a British subject by birth, the Chinese residents m Melbourne were accustomed to look to him as a lender in all matters concerning their welfare as colonists, and the Imperial Government at Pekin so far recognised him in this capacity as to create him a mandarin of the fifth order. In his domestic and private relations he was much beloved, and in social life he was highly respected. For 35 years he carried on an extensive business in Melbourne. Had he lived, it was contemplated to appoint him the Chinese Consul General for Australasia, a position which, as far as Melbourne is concerned, he had de jure long occupied. Himself an ex- pert in minerals, he was a strong supporter of the mining industry and a well known group of mines in the Ballarat district still bears his name. He was largely interested in many of the leading silver ventures, while his business capacity and success led to his being selected for the position of a commissioner at the Exhibition of 1880 81, as well as of the current Exhibition.

During his last illness he was attended by Dr Wallace, Dr Ginst, and Dr Seelenmeyer, while Mr E M James was also called in for consultation at the last. The cause of death was congestion of the kidneys. In 1860 Mr Kong Meng married the daughter of the Ilae William Prussia, of Tasmania, and he leaves a large family. His funeral took place yesterday, leaving his late residence Kooyong, Malvern, at a quarter to 3. The hearse with the remains preceded four mourning conches, which were occupied by the relatives and intimate friends of the deceased, while about 100 vehicles of various descriptions followed in the procession The principal streets along the route were lined with spectators, among whom the fellow countrymen of the deceased were present in large numbers, dressed tor the most part in their national costume. On arriving at the Melbourne General Cemetery the coffin, winch was of polished blackwood, trimmed with brass furniture, was borne to the family burial place, situated in the Church of England portion of the ground, the pall-bearers being Messrs Bates, Buncle, Harvey, Stewart, Nolan. G Pilley, Ah Yet (late partner of the deceased), and G B W Lewis.

Mr. H. Murray Smith and many leading merchants of the city also followed the coffin to the grave, where the Rev. J. Edwards officiated and read the usual service. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr A A Sleight, of Collins street.

Melbourne Argus 24 October 1888

Wong Ah Poo Hoc Ting: first Chinese immigrant in New Zealand

An interesting story from The Prow on the life of Wong Ah Poo Hoc Ting (aka Appo Hocton) in Nelson from 1842 until his death in 1920.

Maps of Symonds Street Cemetery

A collection on the Auckland City Libraries' website. General information about the cemetery can be found here.

Umbrage and varnish

I'm in the process of updating and adding to my article on the Best Varnish Works at Avondale. Thanks to recent improvements of coverage on Papers Past, I found the following:

In September 1900, George Fowlds, MHR for Auckland City, asked a question through Parliament which came to attract ire and controversy from Thames — and led to threats of legal rumblings from Auckland.

This afternoon Mr Fowlds asked the Government if they were prepared to offer a bonus of £10,000 to any company formed with a paid-up capital of £60,000 for the purpose of converting- our kauri gum into marketable varnish, the bonus to be payable when 200,000 gallons of approved varnish had been produced. Mr Ward said he quite agreed with Mr Fowlds, and thought it was an industry that should be encouraged. The Government were prepared to offer a bonus, and the conditions, after due consideration, would be advertised in the Gazette.

Otago Witness 26 September 1900

In Thames, the message somehow became garbled — a parliamentary question became a bill about to be introduced. Worse, said bill would appear to put the Auckland varnish works to an advantage over the one in Thames! The town’s point of view surely had to be expressed over such unfair treatment of a provincial industry. The matter was brought to the attention of the local council.

Varnish Works Subsidy.—The Town Clerk drew attention to a Bill introduced in Parliament by Mr Fowlds, member for Auckland City, providing for a Government subsidy of £10,000 for the production of 60,000 gallons of varnish by the Auckland varnish works — a losing concern. He suggested to the Council that representations should be made to the Government that the only fair way of granting a subsidy for varnish production, would be by making that subsidy an open one to the whole colony, so that any varnish works in New Zealand might take advantage of it. To grant the subsidy exclusively to the Auckland works would be a great blow to the Thames varnish works, which was a local industry.

Cr Scott moved that representations be made to the Government as suggested by the Town Clerk. This was a kauri gum district as well as Auckland, and the subsidy should be open to the whole colony. The local works manufactured, beside varnish, various paints and black lacquer and quick shines. The Mayor seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.

Thames Star, 5 October 1900

The Thames Council’s Town Clerk, Albert Bruce (also instigator of the township’s School of Mines and the grant from the Carnegie foundation for their library -- Thames Star, 27 November 1909) put pen to paper. In hindsight, this wasn’t a wise move.

The following letter was recently addressed to the Premier : "I have the honor by direction of the Thames Borough Council to point out to you the injury that may possibly result to the Thames paint and varnish industry should the request of Mr Geo. Fowlds, M.H.R. for Auckland City, be given effect to, viz : To grunt a bounty of £10,000 to an Auckland Company, should a company be formed with a capital of £60,000 and produce 200,000 gallons of kauri gum varnish. The Council, while opposed to the principle of bounty-fed industries, respectfully submits that if it is considered advisable by Government to build up any industry in the colony by the aid of bounties, competition should not only be thrown open to the whole of the world, but it should be made a condition that the article manufactured should be first-class. To subsidise any particular company would mean crushing out of existence any company, firm, or person engaged in unsubsidised industries of a similar nature. The Council are given to understand that one of the reasons the Auckland Varnish Company (the company sought to be subsidised) find it difficult to compete with the imported article is that they place their varnish on the market before it has had time to mature, and in consequence when used it takes a long time to dry.

A. Bruce, Town Clerk."

Thames Star, 20 October 1900

The Government stayed fairly noncommittal about all this ...

Varnish Works.
The Hon. J. G. Ward wrote that the Council's representations with regard to the proposed Auckland varnish production bonus had been noted for future consideration The Premier wrote under date October 18th: "I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 10th instant, informing me that your Council consider an injury will be inflicted on the Thames Paint and Varnish Company if a bonus is paid for the production of a certain quantity of varnish, and having made inquiries into the matter, am informed that the Thames company has been in active operation for some years, and that all that is sought is a share of the Government patronage for varnish of a suitable quality which may be manufactured by other firms. Both the above letters were received.

Thames Star 2 November 1900

... while the Bests, and the Auckland Varnish Company, did not take at all kindly to Mr Bruce’s remarks. In fact, they were probably spitting tacks by this point.

Messrs Whitaker and Baume, on behalf of Best and Co., of Auckland, wrote charging the Town Clerk with uttering a libel in his statements re the Auckland Varnish Works and claiming from him £l00 compensation and the publication of an apology and also a retraction of the statement within seven days.—A claim for £100 and publication of an apology was also made by Whitaker and Baume against the Council in connection with statements in the letter addressed to the Premier.Cr Scott said that as nothing defamatory had been published, liability should be disclaimed.— On Cr Scott's motion, Cr Roberts seconding, it was resolved that the letters be received and that liability be disclaimed.

Thames Star 2 November 1900

The Thames Star editor duly apologised.

Thames Star 26 November 1900

A while before this, it appears, Mr A. Bruce, the local town clerk, happened to be writing to the Government in favour of a subsidy for a varnish factory that was about to start down there, and Mr Bruce saw no reason why this factory should not be subsidised, the same as the one in Auckland. The town clerk, in pointing out the quality of the varnish the new factory intended to turn out, drew a comparison which “bumped just a little bit” against the Auckland Varnish Works. Mac published the letter, and he is now apologising to the A. V. W. for having done so. It is a pretty humble apology, too. Truly, there is no peace for the journalist, any more than for the wicked.

Observer, 8 December 1900

And, eventually, so did Albert Bruce, on his own behalf. Odd that the Council he worked for seems to have left him to be hung out to dry on the matter.

Thames Star 23 February 1901

After all this, the Government came to a decision by August 1901 that they couldn’t give bonuses to encourage the varnish industry anyway. The matter therefore ended. Albert Bruce remained as Thames Borough Council's Town Clerk until 1909.

Black wheels, white wheels

Image: The Kingston Flyer, from Wikipedia.

My friend Bill Ellis informed me last Sunday that there is a way of telling South Island steam trains from those in the North Island -- the Southern ones have white rims on the wheels of the locomotive. That was definitely an "are you serious?" moment, but he was, and he's right. Check out the Kingston Flyer above.

Speaking of which ... the Flyer is out of action, and a lobby group are trying to save it and keep it NZ-owned. Latest news is from 13 December last year (Otago Daily Times):

Three Invercargill men in their early 20s were arrested for trying to get a closer look at the Kingston Flyer about 7.10pm on Saturday night. The men climbed a fence and climbed aboard the historic steam train. The men were charged with being unlawfully in a private property.

Ontrack vehicles at Avondale Train Station

A chance find, as I wasn't intending on going to Avondale via the railway line today (but I had to, as I missed a bus up on the ridge). According to Wikipedia, this is a Plasser and Theurer DGS 62 N dynamic track stabiliser.

But this other one ... well, a friend mentioned a name to me, but at the moment, I can't locate it online. Any rail fans out there care to help out?

HN-HO-72?

I tend to spot something, wonder what on earth it is, photograph it, then come home to use trusty ol' Google to find out. Or phone/email somebody.

In this case, I Googled.

There's a couple of these plaques on the bridge which is an extension of Memorial Drive in New Lynn, and crosses over the railway trench there. HN-HO-72 is the accepted traffic loading design specification as per Transit New Zealand's Bridge Manual. HN is normal load, HO is overload. There's a .pdf here: for those of you who are engineering-minded, check out pages 3 to 4 especially.

My curiosity is now satisfied for another day.

More hangman's tales

Further to these previous posts:
Lewis the Hangman
Other NZ executioners


Henry Hislop
Asserted that he executed Wiremu Hiroki (Taranaki) 8 June 1882, although this has been attributed to Heyman/Lewis (see above)

Hiroki, who was condemned to death on the 4th May last for the wilful murder of John McLean on the Momahaki, was executed this morning at the New Plymouth gaol …Hiroki ascended the scaffold with a firm step, and, although his countenance was pallid, he betrayed no other sign of emotion. He stepped forward to the spot indicated by the executioner, and stood firmly. Archdeacon Govett commenced the bural service in the Maori language, reading it in a very impressive manner. He paused for a short time while the executioner put the rope and the cap over Hiroki's head. When everything was adjusted, the Arcdeacon continued the service. Before the last words were uttered, the drop fell, and Hiroki disappeared from sight. It was done so suddenly that no one heard anything to denote that the last moment had arrived. There was no pause, and the service seemed scarcely completed when Hiroki fell. Hiroki scarcely moved a muscle during the time he stood on the scaffold after everything had been arranged by the executioner, nor did he utter a word. Not the least hitch occurred in connection with the apparatus, and in an instant Hiroki was no more. The persons on the scaffold descended, and, after waiting for a few minutes, the spectators withdrew. The gallows was erected under the superintendence of Mr. Micaiah Read, gaoler, of Wellington, and every care was taken by him to prevent any mishap occurring.

(Taranaki Herald, 8 June 1882)

A BALD-HEADED BRUTE.

Boasts He's a Hangman.

A disgusting old brute named Henry Hislop, whose partially-bald pate offended the eye like a half-munched field turnip showing signs of decay, broke out of Christchurch Samaritan Home recently and allowed his filthy tongue to earn him a period in gaol. The grey-whiskered re-probate got into an argument with another ancient named Halliburton, in Manchester-street, arid called him by a horribly obscene name, so that the police Intervened, and discovering a bunch of keys belonging to the Home on his person, added a charge of theft in the Magistrate's Court next morning.

Asked how he pleaded, Hislop remarked, "Kahore moia te korero Maori eakiwhai," or words to that effect. "I don't wish to implicate anybody;" he said, condescendingly. "I was chucked out of the Home because I hung Hiroki in the Taranaki gaol in 1861 [sic]." Old Halliburton testified that Hislop had called him a "dirty old blankard and "a blanky old blankard," and it wasn't true that he, Halliburton, had hurled a stone at his slanderer.

The cross-examination led to an altercation.

"WHAT HELL DID YOU COME OUT OF?"

asked the unpleasant accused, to which Halliburton replied that he would have none of Hislop 's damned cheek. Religious persons in the Court were horrified at the proceedings, which were presided over by a trio of JPs.

"I'm a hangman, anyway," pursued Hislop, addressing no one in particular. "I'll hang you," he asserted, eyeing Halliburton with ferocity. "I'll give you a good drop," he added magnanimously.

Attendant Roache, of the Samaritan Home, stated that Hislop wasn't kicked out of the Home, as has been alleged by him; moreover, his ordinary demeanour was nothing like his conduct in Court, which looked like simulated lunacy. He identified the keys as belonging to the Home.

Hislop hurled brutally obscene suggestions at this witness, and hinted about the receipt of an extra pound of tobacco in return for an unmentionable consideration. "What about the red-haired matron?" he asked. He also spoke darkly of indecent practices in the Home, and the obscenities issued from his mouth like bloated maggots from the orifice of a month-old corpse. Two months for obscene language and a month for theft (concurrent) were the sentences. Verily, the pressman sees the seamy side of life.

(NZ Truth 1 August 1908)

"Pinching" a Paper. — Henry Hislop was charged with having stolen a newspaper, the property of the Samaritan Home trustees. The officers at the Home for some days, according to the police, had not been receiving the morning newspaper that was regularly left by the paper-runner. Early this morning Constable Jackson concealed himself in the grounds of the Home and caught Hislop in the act of taking the paper. Hislop denied his guilt, but the Magistrate upheld the prosecution and the accused was convicted and discharged.

(Christchurch Star, 26 October 1908)

Vagrancy. — Henry Hislop was nominally sentenced to three months' imprisonment on a charge of having no lawful means of support, the Magistrate suspending the warrant if the accused remained in the Samaritan Homo for that time.

(Christchurch Star, 19 November 1908)

Tom Long
Executed: William Henry Woodgate (Picton) 25 January 1877
(initially as “An unknown swagman”, but his identity revealed in 1901)
Possibly executed: Makoare Wata (Napier) 28 September 1889
Possibly executed: Alexander James Scott (Auckland) 22 May 1893
Executed: Minnie Dean (Invercargill) 12 August 1895
Possibly executed: Etienne Brocher (Wellington) 21 April 1897
Possibly executed: William Sheehan (Lyttleton) 21 July 1897
Executed: Frank Philpott (Wellington) 23 March 1898
Possibly executed: Charles Clements (Dunedin) 12 April 1898
Possibly executed: Enoka (New Plymouth) 2 May 1898
Executed: Alexander McLean (Lyttleton) 31 August 1901
Executed: James Ellis (Wellington) 28 February 1905

Tom Long, appearing virtually from nowhere as a travelling swagman with experience of using the noose in India, became the late 19th and early 20th century’s most well-known hangman in New Zealand, rivalling Hayman/Lewis.

Nowadays, the hangman selected generally, and wisely so, hides his light under a bushel, but it was not so in the old days. In the eighties and nineties, when old Tom Long used to give condemned murderers the official despatch, he didn't mind a little publicity. Long was an Indian mutiny veteran, v/ho, when not engaged m a hanging capacity, used to live with the Maoris up the Wanganui River. He was a. bit of a character and would be described nowadays, as a hard case … Long met his death in a bush accident, by a tree falling on him. Although he can be said to have "died in harness," so far as his little job of official hangman is concerned, it is a fact that his whims and caprices were getting him in bad odour with the authorities. It appears that he had come to regard himself as a specialist in his gruesome profession, and began to give himself airs. It is on record that on the morning of one of the last executions at which he officiated, he nearly upset the arrangements by demanding that he be paid his £25 fee immediately after the hanging. In vain it was explained by the sheriff that a voucher would have to be sent to Wellington and put through the usual channel. Long would have no red tape or Government circumlocution. It was a case of "cash down or no hanging," and in despair the sheriff appeased Long by paying the amount out of his own pocket and recovering it from the Government later. Many other curious matters could be written about the subject of hangmen and hangings, but the exigencies of space will not permit.

(NZ Truth 26 June 1920)

Execution of William Woodgate:

In this instance, one Sam Chandler, who had been chosen as the executioner, was run out of town before the first scheduled day of execution. The authorities tried obtaining someone else from Wellington, tying up the telegraph line until midnight, by one report.

Finally, they found a replacement.

“We shall not say how or by what means a person was discovered who was willing to take the place vacated by one who undoubtedly undertook to do the duty. Suffice it to say that the police or somebody did discover such a person, and that in the early morning the Sheriff, accompanied by the Inspector of Police, drove through again to Picton …

“At 7.15 a.m. the Hinemoa arrived from Wellington being manned with Armed Constabulary, and bringing Detective Farrell and the man alluded to. But we are given to understand that the Captain ranks as Inspector the Chief mate as Sub-Inspector, and all the men as privates in the Armed Constabulary force. These escorted the Detective and his travelling companion to the gaol, and back again. There was considerable speculation in Picton as to who the gentleman was who performed the loathsome duty, and it was confidently asserted that he had come from Nelson, but we have reason to believe that he was a swagsman, who came into Blenheim on Wednesday from the southward, and offered his services, which were accepted as before recorded. He stated that he had been in the navy as a seaman, and boasted of having served as an artilleryman at the time of the Indian Mutiny, when he "slung them up in dozens." Soon after 10 a.m., the gaoler let him out at the back of the gaol, and he succeeded by making his way quietly and quite unobserved along the line, in getting down to the Hinemoa at the wharf, which steamed away at once as soon as he came aboard, arid before the Pictonians were aware of the circumstance.”

(Marlborough Express, 27 January 1877)

It was in 1877 that Long made his debut as a hangman in this colony. In that year, Woodgate was under sentence of death at Blenheim, and great difficulty was experienced an finding a man to undertake the execution. Detective O'Farrell, of Wellington, was entrusted with the task of finding a hangman. However, the night before the execution was to take place, no word having been received at Blenheim, from Wellington, the sheriff became very anxious, and as he knew that the steamer from the Empire City could not reach Picton before the time fixed for the execution, he began to look out for a substitute. Just at this time, Long, who had been in Blenheim looking for work, presented himself at the gaol and announcing that he had had considerable experience with executions in India, applied for the job of hanging Woodgate. His services were at once accepted, and at 8 o’clock the following morning successfully carred out the task he had undertaken. A couple of hours later Detective O'Farrell arrived from Wellington with the man he had secured for the work, only to find that the execution had been carried out, and the inquest held.

(Christchurch Star, 28 August 1901)

Execution of Minnie Dean

The Hangman.— Thus the Auckland Observer : — Tom Long, or " Long Tom," the executioner, has returned North after his recent trip to Invercargill, by the Manapouri. Although a Government official, Thomas modestly travelled steerage. He had to put up with a good deal of chaff from his fellow passengers. "You may chaff," he told them, "but it isn't everybody who can make £25 in five minutes." He referred with professional pride to the hanging of Mrs Dean as "a beautiful job." Tom's face is full of contrasts. His nose is a fiery red, reminding one of the tail lights on a guard's van, while his moustache is as white as milk.

(Marlborough Express, 16 September 1895)

On August 12, 1895, at Invercargill, Minnie Dean, the notorious baby farmer, was hung, she being the only woman in the history of New Zealand to suffer capital punishment, and Tom Long was engaged to carry out the grisly task. Feeling ran high in the country as to the propriety of hanging a woman, but every channel of reprieve had failed — even that common circumstance of civilised law which refuses to put to death a creature who in dying would not die alone, who bears within a second principle of "life." Minnie Dean's only hope was if she could plead she was "quick with child," and this she could not do.

It was deemed advisable by the authorities to take certain precautions in regard to Long, the hangman, and he was smuggled into Invercargill gaol a week before the date fixed for the hanging, and kept there. Everything seemed to be going on all right. Long, by reason of his enforced incarceration, had been kept strictly sober, but on the fatal morning of August 12, when the head warder knocked Long up at an early hour, and reminded him that the time had arrived for him to enter the condemned cell and perform the awful preliminaries, Tom went on strike. The head gaoler was promptly communicated with and an attempt was made to cajole Long into keeping the terms of his contract with the State. At last they found a weak spot in the recalcitrant hangman's armour and he announced that he would "carry on," providing he was allowed to settle as much whisky as he felt constrained to drink.

It was then discovered to the gaoler's horror that there wasn't a "spot" of whisky in the prison, and the predicament was explained to the hang-fire hangman. Tom, with a sly look at the gaoler and sheriff, folded his arms and said,

"NO WHISKY, NO HANGING."

The gaoler then recollected that a bottle of brandy, which was kept for medicinal purposes, was on the premises, and he suggested to Thomas the obdurate, that perhaps brandy would fill the bill. "Very well, bring out your brandy," said Long . When it arrived, he helped himself to a "long beer" glass full of raw spirit. This he gulped down, smacked his lips, and, turning to the sheriff, said, "Now, if you like, I will hang twenty women."

The execution of Minnie Dean then proceeded without further hitch, but it is worthy of note that when the unfortunate, standing on the fatal trapdoor which was so soon to open under her and hurl her to her doom, said good-bye to the officiating clergyman and prison officials, Long stepped forward and said to her, "Won't you shake hands with me, ma'am? I am the hangman, ma'am. I am only doing my duty!" The woman took the hangman's hand in hers and pressed it. Then a short minute later, as she uttered the words, "O, God, let me not suffer," the self-same hand she had clasped in forgiveness withdrew the bolt, which launched her into the unknown.

After it was all over, the police smuggled Tom Long aboard a north-going train, but it hadn't stopped at many wayside stations before Long the hangman was very drunk. During the rest of the journey north he promenaded the train selling souvenirs of the woman he had just hanged, in the shape of her alleged shoes. By the number of old shoes Long produced it would appear that the deceased woman either had a very extensive wardrobe, or that Long's souvenirs were spurious.

(NZ Truth 26 June 1920)

Execution of Frank Philpott

Frank Philpott, alias Stanhope, was hanged at the Terrace gaol at 8 o'clock this morning, for the murder of his mate, Ernest Alfred Hawthorn, at Silverstream, on September the 7th last … Tom Long, the executioner, then arranged the rope, and Philpott stood firm. There was a slight increase of color in his face, and it was evident he keenly realised his position, but he showed no signs of breaking down and met his fate manfully. The executioner, curiously, forgot to draw on his cap till reminded by the gaoler, and as he stepped forward to do so, Philpott closed his eyes. When the drop fell death was instantaneous.

(Marlborough Express 23 March 1898)

Execution of Alexander McLean

As soon as it was known that the Cabinet had decided that the sentence was not to be interfered with, the officials put themselves in communication with Tom Long, who for many years has acted as common executioner for New Zealand. He was found working in the country a few miles from Wanganui, and was sent down to Wellington, where an official was to meet him at the train. Long, however, got off the carriage on the opposite side of the station, and eluding the vigilance of the officer,-got away into the town. The officials were in a dilemma, as although they were assured that he had been seen on the train, they were afraid that he had either fallen off the carriage or had got off at a wayside station. As it had been arranged that he should go south the same night with the gallows which was already on board the steamer, they were placed in a very awkward fix. However, later in the evening, Long was discovered in the town by a policeman, and was escorted on board the Tarawera just before she sailed. It had been rumoured in Lyttelton that Long was on board the Tarawera, and as the passengers left the boat on her arrival yesterday morning, they were keenly scrutinised by a knot of persons who had gathered on the wharf, anxious to get a glimpse of the hangman. Several of the passengers were pointed out as being very likely-looking specimens, and one or two of the onlookers persisted in recognising a Government official in quite another department as the man they were looking for. Only very few persons suspected that the undersized, gray-haired man who walked with a decided limp, was the executioner. Such, however, proved to be the case, and it was not until he had disappeared within the stone-walls of Lyttelton gaol that many believed that they had actually beheld the object of their search. Long has now had some little experience, having carried out the dread sentence on seventeen murderers in different parts of the colony.

(NZ Truth 26 June 1920)

Steven John Smart
Executed: Tahi Kaka (Auckland) 21 June 1911

Tom Long's successor was a young married man, whose name was officially given as Sharp [sic]. He was one of thirteen applicants. I am under the impression that, realising the stigma he was placing on his four children by doing such work he gave up the position. Therefore, I refrain from publishing his proper name now. He was a bricklayer employed by the Wellington City Council at the time, and when his work-mates found out that he had officiated as hangman they resented working any longer with him. It transpired that he had invented an excuse to obtain leave of absence from the corporation; stating that he desired to visit a dying uncle at New Plymouth, whereas he had really gone to Auckland to quietly earn the fee of £25 for hanging the Maori. He was discharged from the Council employ, not for hanging a man, but for having obtained leave of absence by telling a falsehood. Although the father of four children he was probably not over 27 years of age. He was rather undersized, not over 5ft. 7in., weighing about 9st. His left forearm was tattoed down on to the back of his hand, depicting a rather artistic figure of a girl in the nude. Probably he had been in the navy, too. When asked why he had applied for the hangman's job, he said, "Oh, I thought it was an easy way of making twenty-five quid." He had applied for a similar position in Sydney. So, it would appear that there was more about it than the fee to fascinate him. There's no accounting for tastes.

(NZ Truth 17 July 1920)

Unknown farmer
Executed: Alfred Mortram Biddle (Lyttleton) 13 December 1913
Executed: Arthur Rottman (Wellington) 18 March 1915
Executed: Frank Edward Bennier (Wellington) 19 January 1918
Executed: Dennis Gunn (Auckland) 22 June 1920

I am not aware of the identity of the man who hanged Dennis Gunn, but I understand he also dispatched four other men — Biddle (Canterbury), Rottman (Wellington), Bennier (Wellington) and Eggers (Canterbury). He is a farmer, working his own property, and probably finds the occasional fee of £25 handy to pay off the mortgage or for some other purpose.

(NZ Truth 17 July 1920)

No gambling on the train, please

Image from Wikipedia.

From NZ Herald 28 March 1918.

Three Maoris, Mita Karaka, Whaka Houkura and T Kirkwood ([represented by] Mr. A E Skelton) were charged in the Police Court before Mr F V Fraser, SM, yesterday with gambling in a railway carriage by playing cards for money.

Guard Foster said the Maoris were seated together in the carriage with a ug over their knees playing euchre. He heard the jingle of money, and gave them a warning. When he returned to the carriage they were still playing, and 3s was on the rug. Witness seized the money and took their names and addresses. Subsequently two of the Maoris tried to bribe him not to go any further with the matter. 

Defendants admitted playing cards, but not for money, and said that the 3s on the rug was money which Karaka had paid Kirkwood for buying magazines. They denied that they attempted to bribe the guard.

The charge was dismissed.

I hope they got the 3s back ...

NZ Truth: The Rise and Fall of the People's Paper

A book I picked up yesterday at Whitcoull's in Brown's Bay is Redmer Yska's new work (published around November last year) on the history of the NZ Truth newspaper. I'm reading it at the moment, and I have to say I'm hooked. Yska's style is easy to follow, and through the story of the country's first tabloid (originating via John Norton, connected with the Truth in Sydney as well as the Bulletin) the reader comes across New Zealand's multi-textured quilt of social history set against scandal, racism, union struggle, political machinations, and more.

I didn't know that the entirity of the record of the first year of publication of the NZ Truth is missing. It began in 1905, but all copies of that year are gone, not even held in the National Library (their Papers Past coverage begins in 1906). Yska also talks about the setting up of the United Press Association (later NZPA) in the late 19th century, and the £1000 entrance fee for belonging to the association in 1894 (as Yska says in the book, that's a whopping $170,000 today).

Buy it or borrow it -- I thoroughly recommend that you have a read of this example of jourmalism history.

Murals in a Brown's Bay summer

Passing through Brown's Bay, part of the North Shore's East Coast Bays, I found a couple of murals. First, this one -- it's so long, I missed taking a shot of the far end (at right) which had a cabbage tree on it. I love the almost dreamy watercolour feel to this one.

But, I also found a heritage mural, the Beach Front Store, Manly Esplanade in Brown's Bay, 1949. Talking with Bill Ellis later yesterday afternoon, he said that the store dated from the early 1940s. The mural was sponsored by the local business association.

Counting heads in Auckland and Thames

I've heard a piece of information which has had me puzzling for some time now. Every so often, it pops up again, the way urban legends tend to do so, and those repeating it are usually convinced it is true. It is best summed up by this statement in Wikipedia:

“Towards the end of the last century Thames was the largest centre of population in New Zealand with 18,000 inhabitants and well over 100 hotels and three theatres [in] 1868. For a while it was thought it would replace Auckland as the major town in the area.”

Hmm. Really? I took a look at some of the census figures available via Papers Past for the period 1868 to 1891.

1868
Auckland City & Suburbs 17606
Thames goldfield 2439

1871
City of Auckland (West & East, inc. Newton & Parnell) 17221
Thames 11950

1874
City of Auckland (West & East, inc. Newton & Parnell) 21803
Thames 12271

1878
Auckland City & Suburbs 27000 approx.
Thames (electorate) 12516

1881
Auckland City & Suburbs 38735
Thames electorate 12272

1886
Auckland and Suburbs 39826
Thames electorate 9498

1891
City of Auckland (alone) 30006
Thames Borough 4662

So, where does this all come from, the belief that at one stage during the 19th century, Thames was the largest centre of population in the country (and supposedly out-stripping Auckland)? I think the key is in a number mentioned both by the latter day Wiki article, and by the following from 1964: 18,000.

“Thames expanded explosively and by mid-1868 had a peak population estimated at 18,000. Hammering and sawing went on night and day, as ‘cloth houses’ on frames were replaced by wooden ones from the abundant nearby kauri. Coromandel sawmillers established themselves quickly and from the same area came gold-prospecting machinery.”

A M Isdale BA, "The History of Gold Mining on the River Thames",  Ohinemuri Regional History Journal 1, June 1964

An estimated figure of 18,000 -- so, where did that come from? Apparently from one of the sources used by A M Isdale in 1964, E M Wayte's Thames Miner's Guide from 1868.

The population of the Thames Gold Fields cannot be less than 18,000 souls, men, women, and children. There are upwards of 11,000 miner's rights issued, but many persons who hold shares do not reside upon the diggings.

But, as you'll see above, that doesn't quite tally with the reported census figures for the goldfields for that year. There is another piece of contemporary information, well-publicised in the newspapers of the time.

This, being the period of the anniversary of the Thames goldfield, Mr. O'Keeffe deemed it important to place upon record a few statistics showing its progress during the past year …These steamers, with a single exception, have been built at the port of Auckland, entirely of New Zealand material. Since the 14th of February to the 31st July last, these steamers have conveyed to the Thames 18,000 passengers, and from the Thames 14,000 leaving a margin of 4,000 in favour of the goldfield.

 (Southern Cross, 29 August 1868)

The "fact" doesn't appear to be backed up by contemporary statistics or newspapers reports, and seems based on a wild shot in the dark type of guess. At this stage, I'd say it was optimistic fancy for the time, rather than fact.

Update 3 January 2011: Found this in the Appendices to the Journals of the House of Representatives, from 1871.

The returns from the Thames and Coromandel Gold Fields accompanying this Report will be found on inspection much more complete than those laid before the House of Representatives last year. Considerable care has been taken to bring them as near as possible up to the close of the year ending 30th June. The year just closed promised at its commencement to be one of depression, especially on that portion of the Gold Fields situated at the Thames. A large area of ground had been abandoned, the results being the loss of employment to numbers of working miners, the cessation of crushing operations, and general slackness of trade in the townships. The number of miners' rights issued in the year 1870 was only (on the Thames) 3,296, while in 1869 there were issued 9,435, and in 186S there were 11,585. The population of the field also decreased. As near as could be ascertained, in January, 1870, the population on the gold fields was approaching 15,000, while the census taken in January, 1871, of the whole electoral district of Thames, does not much exceed 12,000. The cause of the depression thus briefly referred to is not far to seek. It is to be found in the wholesale taking up of supposed auriferous country, in the hope of selling it for large sums of money, and the formation of Companies based on value utterly fallacious, the country being entirely unproved, or rather unprospected. 

 Bolding mine. From "Further Reports on the Goldfields of New Zealand", G-31, AJofHR, 1871

In the shadow of the bridge

Updated (and corrected) 5 January 2016.

This last lot of gravesites in the Wesleyan section are both on the border of the Anglican section and were either very close to or completely in the way of the second (and present) Grafton Bridge as it was being constructed, completed 1910. Some graves, as I understand, were relocated, but nowhere near as many as had to be relocated for the motorway 50-60 years later. Still, the presence of the bridge dominates this part of Symonds Street Cemetery.

Hopefully Sandy stops by and recognises this (above and below) -- she did a great post on her blog about the sad fate of Emily Keeling back in March 2010. Since then, kind folks have been by and repaired Emily's stone -- but the rest of the gravesite is crumbling.

This one (above) is the shattered stone for two of John Gittos' children, Laura Ann (died 16 January 1872 aged 2 years) and Ernest William (died 26 January 1879 aged 1 year 7 months). Their deaths was during the time that John Gittos was with his father and brothers running the Gittos Tannery at Avondale. 

This one is so badly smashed. it would take careful work with the cemetery plans and what remains of transcriptions to find out who's here.

This one is truly in the shadow of the Grafton Bridge; shifted on its base, surrounded by construction bare clays instead of the leaves and plants of the rest of the cemetery.

It actually serves to mark a maritime tragedy which was a bit of a challenge to track down, especially with the false lead of the date at the bottom: 8 October 1890. That wasn't when Mrs Isabella Gibson Henderson, wife of Henry Henderson, along with her infant son, drowned off the steamer Mararoa. It happened two years earlier.

The Mararoa, which left Auckland at 6 p.m. on October 3, arrived last night. On Sunday, while approaching the coast, she encountered a terrific gale with fearful sea, which continued till yesterday. At half-past 3 in the afternoon she was suddenly struck by an enormous wave of unusual magnitude, which broke on board with disastrous results. The passengers on the hurricane deck had no warning, and being unable to escape were hurled in all directions. Mrs Henderson (a steerage passenger) and her infant child were carried overboard without any chance of help, and drowned. Two other steerage passengers (Mr White and Mr Herbert) each had his leg broken, and one of the seamen named Jones also had his leg fractured. Another child of Mrs Henderson was fortunately caught by the rail, and hung suspended there until the vessel righted when it was rescued. Several other persons received severe bruises.

(Per United Phess Association.) Auckland, October 9. Mrs Henderson, the lady who was drowned trom the Mararoa, was the wife of Mr H Henderson who recently left Auckland for Ballarat where he is now carrying on business. Mrs Henderson left with her three children in the Mararoa last week in order to join her husband.

 (Otago Daily Times, 10 October 1888)

I am very thankful that the National Library of Australia have put their newspapers online, like those at our own National Library. I couldn't find a death registration for Mrs Henderson, so figured that she hadn't died here -- chances are, the drowning happened in Australian waters, as the Mararoa piled between the colonies of New Zealand and Victoria at the time. A search at Trove, and there it was.

The tragedy was all over the newspapers here at the time.

THE DROWNED PASSENGERS.
From inquiries we have made there appears to be very little doubt that the lady who met with her death under the sad circumstances narrated in the cablegram was a former resident of Auckland. She was the wife of Mr Henry Henderson, an upholsterer in Auckland, who recently proceeded to Ballarat, where he is now carrying on business. Mrs Henderson left with her three children in the Mararoa last week in order to join her husband. She is well-known in Auckland, and prior to her marriage was a Miss Froude, her father being Mr David Froude, of Surrey Hills. Mr Henry Henderson is a brother of Mr John Henderson, painter, of Wyndham-street. The hurricance deck on the Mararoa runs the full length of the vessel, and the second cabin is situated in the after part. None of the saloon passengers sustained any injury.

(Te Aroha News 13 October 1888)

According to this site, Isabella was named after her grandmother, Isabella Gibson, David Froude's mother. David Froude was an Auckland tailor by trade, born in Belfast, Ireland 17 February 1830, and died 26 August 1912. Even that family history site has the wrong date for Isabella's death.

And then there is the unforunate William James Green, who died 7 May 1873.

Auckland, April 29. Mr Green, clerk in the New Zealand Bank, was examining one of Pramton's revolvers in the bank last night, when it went off, lodging the bullet in his left breast, where it still remains. He is still living, but unable to be removed from the bank.

(Christchurch Star 30 April 1873)

While Mr Green, a clerk in the Bank of New Zealand, Auckland, was examining a revolver in the public room of the bank the other day, it accidentally went off, the ball entering the left side near the lower part of the sternum, cutting through the pectoral muscles in a slanting direciion towards the armpit. The bullet, it would appear, had steered clear of the lungs, as the wounded man breathed freely for hours after the accident took place. Death, however, was the result. Mr Green was an acccountant in the Union Bank, Dunedin, in the year 1866. His death, will be regretted by many friends who knew him well.

(Bruce Herald, 23 May 1873)

Dominated by the Grafton Bridge, here lies Rev Thomas Buddle.

THE REV THOMAS BUDDLE.

The death is announced to-day of this gentleman, who had a large number of friends in Nelson, and who was sincerely respected by many who could not claim the privilege of friendship. He commenced his ministry in the Wesleyan Church in 1836, in Bishop Auckland, England, and very shortly afterwards came out to New Zealand, was elected President of the Australasian Conference in 1863, and first President of the New Zealand Conference in 1864. The early years of his ministry in New Zealand were devoted to Maori work in the Auckland district, but in 1866 he was removed from this sphere of usefulness to Christchurch, and was appointed Chairman of the Canterbury district. Subsequently he was stationed at Wellington and Nelson, and while a resident at the former place he was appointed a member of the University Senate, which he resigned upon removal to Auckland in 1874, when he was appointed Principal of the Wesley College at Three Kings, an office which he continued to hold until the sitting of the Conference of 1882 when he retired as a supernumerary. This was made the occasion of the Conference placing on record their sense of the invaluable services he had rendered, which they did in the following resolution : — " That the Conference having heard the request of the Rev. T. Buddie, to be permitted to retire from the full work of the Ministry, accedes thereto with regret. The Conference takes the opportunity of referring to the efficient services rendered to the Church of Christ by Mr Buddle during the long period of forty-seven years. It recognises the ability and fidelity with which he has discharged the multifarious duties that have been assigned him. It magnifies the grace of God whereby His servant has been enabled to occupy and sustain the highest offices in the Australasian Wesleyan Methodist Church. It records its gratitude to the Father of mercies for having spared him to see the enlargement and prosperity of the Church in New Zealand, with the begining of which he was so closely identified. It acknowledges with thankfulness to God the devotedness of his labours, both among the Maoris and English speaking population, these labours having been abundantly owned of God in the salvation of many souls. The Conference rejoices in the high honour that has been conferred upon Mr Buddle, in the presence of all the people, by the Government, as shown by the marks of distinction put upon him in recognition of his knowledge and wisdom in the affairs of State. Now that necessity is laid upon Father Buddle to ask for retirement, the members of the Conference unite in praying that the Lord Jesus Christ, who has guided, instructed, and blessed His servant in the past, will bless him yet more abundantly in the future, and that in the quiet happy evening of a well-spent life, both he and Mrs Buddle (who has been the devoted partner of his life and labors) may realize the richest fulfilment of the great and precious promises, which are to them and to their children.''

(Nelson Evening Mail, 26 June 1883)

What is left of William Phillipps' gravestone. According to the library's cemetery database:

The early 1880s map of the Wesleyan section has two Phillips graves at 4 C 153 and 4 C 154. According to the late 1950's tombstone transcriptions William Phillipps died 14 August 1863 aged 66 years and his wife Charlotte Phillips died 12 September 1868 aged 65 years.
Early 1900s repairs to the Wesleyan section refer to William Phillips, and describe the grave with an "iron railling 2 feet 8 inches high on masonry, headstone in centre 12 inches from West end".

Well, not any more.

Two more bridge construction survivors, those for the Culpan family.

And this one for Charles Hedgcock, died 1868, and Elizabeth, 1875.

Here's one of the gravesites which was probably in the way of work on the bridge.

Finally, the last resting place of Dr. Richard Day.

We regret to record in our obituary column the decease of an old and well-known colonist, Dr. Day. The deceased gentleman was one of the early settlers in the Hokianga district in 1840. From thence he removed to Auckland on the outbreak of the Heke war. For many years he filled the appointment, under the Provincial and General Governments, of public vaccinator, and bore a high reputation for skill and scientific attainments in the practice of his profession.

Of late years the growing infirmities of age caused him to retire from practice and from taking an active part in the management of the public institutions of the city with which his name had been so long identified. He passed away peacefully yesterday morning, having more than fulfilled the allotted span of three score and ten, at the residence of his friend Rev John Hobbs, of whose family he had been an esteemed member for nearly half a century.

(NZ Herald, 24 October 1879)

In 1866 he was Chairman of the Central Board of Vaccination for the Aborigines of New Zealand. It seems he had a coat of arms conferred upon him just four years before he died. Today, beside his grave, under the bridge, part of the homeless community of Auckland dosses down each night. The mattress was just to the left out of the photo shot. No one was home at the time.