Hartigan's Colony

This is one of those things which I would swear was around on my familiar landscape a lot longer than it actually has been. That's the way memory goes, I guess. But Paul Hartigan's neon sculpture Colony has only been in place since 2004. It is the often-viewed sight, lit up in red on dark nights as my bus trundled up Symonds Street through the University Quarter, past the lecture lecture at the School of Engineering which is Colony's home. It basically means to me that I'm on my way home (except yesterday, when I photographed it, as I was still heading to research places and libraries, nearing the end of the day.)

It always struck me as resembling something like a bull figure, especially towards the left -- and if so, something like Picasso's work, Guernica. My mind, therefore, says silently as I pass it by, "Oh, there's the red neon broken-up bull."

So it's really called Colony, and not "bull-pieces". Something new for me to learn.

Sidney Weetman's survey of the Auckland Railyards, 1882

Survey Office plan 3006, LINZ records, crown copyright.

In July 1882, Sidney Weetman surveyed the land along the eastern waterfront for Central Auckland designated to become the second of Auckland's so-far four main railway stations. In 1872-1873, the first one was laid out and completed alongside Beach Road. From 1882, construction was underway for the Queen Street Station, which ended up behind the Central Post Office, and which is where the Britomart Station is today -- but over-ground, not underground. Then, the the 1930s, the move back towards Beach Road, finally reversed yet again by this century's Britomart development.

Sidney Weetman was born in Rio de Janiero in 1841, and educated in England. He was working in Auckland from 1865 to 1887, so this is one of his later plans while working in this city. He died in 1912, a Remuera resident.

The death took place on Friday last at Remuera, Auckland, of Mr Sidney Weetman, an old and respected resident of Auckland. Mr Weetman, who was born at La Gloria, Rio de Janiero, was the son of Mr Carter Weetman, of the firm of Hopkirk and Weetman, bankers and merchants, of that city, and was educated in  England. Having taken up the profession of a surveyor he, on his arrival in New Zealand as a young man, took service under the Provincial Government of Southland; he afterwards removed to Auckland, and later became district surveyor, which position he held for many years. He was then appointed in charge of the Gisborne district, and afterwards, in turns, as Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor of the Taranaki, Marlborough and Canterbury districts. After nearly 40 years in the public service, he retired on superannuation,, and has since lived privately in England and Auckland. Mr Weetman. being a man of many attainments, took a keen interest outside his profession, in affairs. He was a member of various societies, and for many years a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

Marlborough Express 28 February 1912

So, to the plan. Above can be see the present site of the Britomart Station. I actually came across this map while trying to work out where Edward Wall's hulk had been discovered in 1904, and came to the conclusion that it was right opposite the end of Fort Street, at 52 Customs Street East.

I do like one little touch to Weetman's plan -- the shading around the stump of Point Britomart. That was where Customs Street came to an end in the days before they blew the point up for reclamation in the 1870s. Fort Street was a "Jacob's Ladder" away (and a heck of a climb) from the foot of Princes Street.

This part shows the layout of the 1872 station, which was halted from further development for a time by the bulk of Point Britomart.

Mechanic's Bay in 1882. Already, its fate is sealed. Weetman's plan shows the area of the remaining bay, already reclaimed around the western, southern and eastern edges, was just over nine acres, a considerable investment property for the Auckland Harbour Board. At the far right, partly obliterated by a tear in the plan, is a boiler house of some kind. Further down, jutting onto the bay itself, a jetty then a large timber jetty. The sea wall existed from at least the 1870s, formed out of the remains of Point Britomart. Weetman's view of the 1880s Mechanics Bay would have been like this (from beside that boiler house, looking westward toward the railway station):

Photograph attributed to James D Richardson, reference 4-609, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Council Libraries. By kind permission.

A new Doug Ford box

Spotted this power box yesterday on Wellesley Street East, just outside AUT -- a 2011 Doug Ford work.

My guess is that it reflects on Albert Park, just across the road.

I carefully watched the traffic as I got this shot from the roadside.  The vehicles, including buses, come down the hill at speed. Still, the best bits are safely at the side. Good to see the signature so prominent this time.

Onehunga's (former) Carnegie Library

Yesterday, I had my first opportunity to visit and see the interior of the former Carnegie Library at Onehunga, a building with a category 1 registration with NZ Historic Places Trust.

The trustees of the Onehunga Library, itself a body set up by the Borough Council in 1901, wrote to Scottish-American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie in 1909asking for financial support toward the building of a large library in the township. He contributed £2000 of the total £2675 cost, and attached some basic requirements, that the library was both free and public, and that the Borough Council provided the site and undertook ongoing maintenance.

Although the date 1911 is prominent on the front of the building, it was actually opened 11 September 1912. The architect was John Park, a later Mayor of Onehunga, and the builder was W Maud. The design is that of a 19th century athenaeum

It served the Onehunga community until 1970 when it was replaced by a newer complex close by. Whether or not it could be preserved as one of only twelve remaining Carnegie-funded library buildings in the country, and the only one in the Auckland region was up for debate through to 1987 when it was restored by the Onehunga Borough Council, and 1998 when it was finally sold by Auckland City Council.

Four Corinthian columns grace its facade, each bearing a different face. Janice Mogford in her book on Onehunga's history had only three names beside that of Andrew Carnegie, but he is above the entry door itself (see second image). The other three are John Park, John Rowe (Mayor at the time) and the builder, W Maud.

But I think the other one is either that of a youthful Queen Victoria. Someone definitely wearing a royal crown atop her head.

Inside is a reading room -- still! -- to the left, where you can read one of the books lining the walls, and have a quiet cuppa. To the right, a dining room, dark wood floors and furniture, all topped by wonderfully -patterned pressed-steel ceilings. I do quite like the new Carnegie at Onehunga, called the Library Cafe. The fates were especially kind yesterday -- the first bit of music I heard playing in the background as I awaited my lunch inside, soaking in the atmosphere, was Little River Band's Reminiscing. How, very, very apt.

A memorial amongst the lizards of Albany

Back in March this year Bruce Comfort (who works in with the NZ Memorials website) contacted me regarding a war memorial in Albany comprised of trees planted for each of those past pupils of Albany Primary School who had died during World War I. The memorial, now in the grounds of Albany Senior High School (the primary school moved due to space and traffic problems, seeing as it was sited alongside what is now a busy highway) is hard to get to.

I offered to ask my friends Bill and Barbara from Torbay Historical Society if they would mind venturing into Albany to see what they could do in the way of images.

Well, it's still a difficult place to capture. For one thing, it is fenced off, as a native lizard conservation area. There really is no going onto the site itself anymore, without disturbing the habitat set up for the reptiles.

 Bill and Barbara's notes from their email to me: "This is taken from the path behind the school  main block  ie.  nearest to the road."

 "This is a close up of the plaque from the other direction."

"From the same place as the previous photo.  The plaque is in the shade."

 "Showing 4 trees with the carved one near the palisade surrounding the lizard colony."

"The tree on the right might be one of the memorial ones?"

The earliest school in Albany, according to AMR Dean in The Schools of Albany (1976) was one run by the Presbyterians 1865-1866.  In 1876, the second school was constructed on land "between the two bridges". It remained on that site until 1975 when it relocated to the site of a former "clay quagmire" in Bass Road.

As for the memorial, here's what the book has to say:

The World War took its toll from most communities in New Zealand and Albany was no exception. Mrs. Boscawen left at the end of 1917 when her husband was killed in action. The following ex-pupils of Albany School gave their lives in the War:

• Corporal William Wright Gibson: attended the school between July 1899 and September 1907; served with the Auckland Mounted Rifles, was wounded in action in November 1917 and died in hospital in Cairo soon afterwards.

• Trooper Joseph Clifford Low; attended the school between October 1902 and September 1906; served with the Auckland Mounted Rifles and was killed in action at Gallipoli in August 1915.

• Private Edward Quentin Low; attended the school between October 1902 and July 1908; served in the 1st Battalion of the Wellington Infantry, and died of his wounds in France in October 1918.

• Lance Corporal Henry Peter Nelson; attended the school between December 1898 and November 1904; served with the 4th Mounted Rifles, and was killed in action in France in June 1917.

• Trooper William John Wright; attended the school between November 1899 and September 1907; served with the Auckland Mounted Rifles, and was killed in action at Gallipoli in August 1915.

In 1918 a grove of six memorial trees was planted in the school grounds and each tree bore the name of a soldier who had not returned from the war and who had spent his youth at the school. Shortly afterwards, a protective fence was erected around these trees. There has been considerable confusion about the number of trees that were originally planted, but we believe that we have sufficient evidence to show that it was six and not five as several people have suggested. The reason that six were planted was that the extra one was for Edward Monstedt who died as a result of his activities in the South African War in 1902.

According to the Cenotaph database, Trooper Edward Charles Monstedt served with the 10th New Zealand Mounted Rifles and embarked on 14 April 1902 on the Drayton Grange, but died 9 August 1902 of measles and septic pneumonia on Somes Island in Wellington Harbour. He was apparently not the only death from disease at that time. There were dozens sick on the Brittanic which was used to bring the troopers home, many with measles, and an inquiry was held in 1902 as to the lack of healthy accomodation on board that ship which carried 1005 troopers from Durban. Complaints were made by those who survived the quarantine at Somes Island that men suffering with measles and pneumonia were left out on the deck in the cold, and given only cold water to drink. The report on the inquest by the Transport Committee was a lengthy one. (Otago Witness, 1 October 1902)

Poor Trooper Monstedt's service had barely begun before he was forced to head back home -- and to a lonely, cold death on Somes Island. I hope his tree is among the possible four survivors there at Albany, amongst the lizards.

Rail views from the past

Bryan Blanchard has once again given permission for me to share his images here -- thanks, Bryan!

Above is G 100, one of six "G" class three-cylinder Pacifics, which in turn had been made up from cutting up three class G Garratts in 1937. From Bryan's email: "G100 was one of the class  – was a rebuilt from the 3 Garrett locomotives NZR brought, but were not suitable – converted into G locomotives some years later, but were not popular with the loco crews when they used them – photo taken not long before they were cut up – they came to Timaru too, but I can’t remember them – too young."

The locos were finally written off in 1956 -- which was around the time this photo was taken.

(above) "Timaru loco = 3 Dj's."

(above) "Vulcan railcar in the Linwood servicing depot." Vulcan railcars, named after the Vulcan Foundry where they were made, arrived in New Zealand during World War II, in 1940. They were only withdrawn officially from service in 1978, with some preserved at rail museums.

"The Vulcan rail car – 10 were ordered – 9 arrived in NZ, one was on a boat sunk in world War 2 by the Germans – 3 are left, 1 at the Plains Railway, Tinwald, Ashburton & 2 are at Ferrymead."

(above) "The rail car on the West coast line – is a Drewey/ Fiat engine twin set rail car from UK – none were saved, but one is being rebuilt from bits in the North Island + hopefully will be operating soon."

Another photo here.

When they recruited at Victoria Street

Image by permission of Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Council Libraries, ref 4-794.  

Photographer James D Richardson

Photos like this one fascinate me. Apart from the fact that Auckland in the 1870s-1880s would have been a dusty, dirty and smelly place to be, I still can't help wishing it was possible to step into the image, and see what it actually looked like; in the full-colour of the day.

This is Victoria Street West, looking towards what is now Albert Park, but at the time (late 1870s to very early 1880s). At the right, the Theatre Royal (the London Loan office one of the tenants). On the other side of Queen Street, Williamson's American Bowling Saloon. Intriguingly tucked between those two buildings on the skyline, what appears to have been the last of the Albert Barracks, used by both the constabulary and the grammar school when the Imperial troops finally pulled out in the early 1870s. To the left, on the skyline, possibly the remains of the barracks magazine buildings, and also possibly part of the now vanished (aside from one bit) barracks wall.

Victoria Street has always been a wide thoroughfare, from long before the time of the motor car. Things were parked in the middle of the street -- in this case, delivery and passenger carts.

Image by permission of Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Council Libraries, ref 4-231B.  

Photographer James D Richardson

As the 1880s wore on, and the Theatre Royal (left) became a place where Robert Neal sold tea, the line of horse-drawn vehicles extended further up Victoria Street West.

Image by permission of Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Council Libraries, ref 35-R33.  

Photographer Frederick George Radcliffe.

The old barrack buildings are down and much of Albert Park is hidden behind the increasing height of central Auckland buildings later in the early 1900s. The park's trees are now starting to appear, along with the houses on the skyline of the well-to-do on Princes Street. Working horses have space to munch from feedbags, while one of Auckland's early electric trams trundles along Queen Street below.

Image from Google Maps.

The intersection of Victoria Street and Queen Street today is a busy place.  The vehicle capturing images for Google Maps must have hit a quiet time, probably not rush hour. Sticking a structure, no matter how temporary or important to the national interest, right in the middle of Victoria Street West just wouldn't happen anymore.

Image by permission of Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Council Libraries, ref 1-W1594.  

Photographer Henry Winkelmann, 23 April 1917.

But it did in March 1916. Above is the Auckland Recruiting Station, the subject of this post, erected and paid for by Auckland City Council, and manned by volunteers as well as defence department staff.

The interior of the recruiting station's office. Image by permission of Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Council Libraries, ref 1-W1598.  Photographer Henry Winkelmann, 23 April 1917.

My information on the recruiting station comes from Auckland Council Archives; the minutes of the Auckland Recruiting Committee, ACC 182/1, p. 131, and the Town Clerk's secretarial file on the station, ACC 275/16-283.

On 1 March 1916, the Recruiting Committee approved the erection of the station as per a presented plan. The City Engineer's department went ahead and built the structure, using primarily "Poilite" brand asbestos sheeting for the walls and roof.

NZ Truth, 12 May 1923

The interior of the examining room of the recruiting station. Image by permission of Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Council Libraries, ref 1-W1597.  Photographer Henry Winkelmann, 23 April 1917.

Councillor Brinsden, he who would later be a leading figure opposed to the licence for the Dixieland Cabaret out at Pt Chevalier in the 1920s, raised a question as to the cost of the station. The City Treasurer supplied the expenses as at 21 March 1916, which included the following:

To erect the station: £81 2s 9d
Repair flags: 4 shillings
Asbestos slates, ridging etc:  £99
Calico streamers: £20 2s
Recruiting posters: £9 2s
Timber: £103 2s 8d

The total cost of erecting the station, the City Engineer, Walter Ernest Bush, informed the Town Clerk on 7 April, was £327 17s 4d, or around nearly $40,000. Yes, less expensive materials could have been used, he wrote, but "Poilite" tiles on the roof in lieu of corrugated iron was in order to enhance the building as much as possible, as well as to keep the temperature down to the lowest minimum. (I'd say he meant for Auckland's hot summery weather). The asbestos sheeting used instead of weatherboard for the cladding was simply a cheaper option.

The interior of the office of the recruiting station. Image by permission of Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Council Libraries, ref 1-W1599.  Photographer Henry Winkelmann, 23 April 1917.

Image from Wikimedia Commons.

The interior of the record room of the recruiting station. Image by permission of Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Council Libraries, ref 1-W1600.  Photographer Henry Winkelmann, 23 April 1917.

Wanganui Chronicle 23 October 1915

Image by permission of Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Council Libraries, ref 1-W1596.  

Photographer Henry Winkelmann, 23 April 1917.

Image by permission of Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Council Libraries, ref 1-W1595.  

Photographer Henry Winkelmann, 23 April 1917.

By the end of June 1917, however, the Defence Department decided that they wanted to use the building more for medical purposes than recruiting, and the Victoria-Queen Street intersection was too noisy. They proposed to have the entire building uplifted and relocated to the north of the Art Gallery on Kitchener Street, part of Albert Park. The Mayor prepared a quick series of memos to all the councillors, and they wrote in their individual agreement to the plan. It cost the Council £78 11s 9d to relocate the building for the department. Well, I suppose there was a war on, you couldn't expect central government to pay for everything ...

Just after the war, the department wrote to the Council reporting that the heaters weren't working properly, and asking for them to be fixed. Politely, the Town Clerk responded that, as the Defence Department had taken over the building, it was up to them to deal with maintenance issues such as faulty heating, and recommended that any of a number of city-based service providers be contacted.

Finally, in November 1920, the Assistant Town Clerk wrote to the Minister of Defence, asking that the building be removed from its Kitchener Street location. By then, when it had ceased being used by the wartime Medical Board, the department had adapted it for use as a vocational training institution for returned soldiers. On 7 February 1921, the department replied that they would re-erect the building on another site. Where, I do not yet know -- but its story in central Auckland seems to have drawn to an end at that point.

Image by permission of Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Council Libraries, ref A-4537.  

Photographer unknown.

I'll end the post with this shot -- looking down Victoria Street West, towards the Albert Park skyline, c.1885. A young Aucklander walking down the middle of the street, arm swinging, the future ahead of him. Just such a grand view of the old town.

William and Jane Yandle, taxidermists

This is an advertisement from the 1905 edition of Wise's Directory. I had glanced it while flicking through to the information I was actually after -- then, as happens so often, mentally screeched to a halt and back-tracked to it again. A female taxidermist in Auckland in 1905? Established 1866, of all periods? It seemed astounding.

I think Jane Yandle was just about the only female taxidermist to advertise in New Zealand, clear through to the early years of the 20th century. If she wasn't, she was still as rare a bird as the ones she may well have prepared and mounted in ornate Victorian-era glass cases as part of the furnishings of the well-to-do in early Auckland.

Native birds have been caught and stuffed in this country from the earliest years of European settlement, mainly for export as curiosities to dear ol' Blighty. In 1846, a consignment headed out of Wellington included “1 case stuffed birds, 1 box of curiosities …” (New Zealand Spectator and Cook’s Strait Guardian, 14 February 1846, p. 2)

There was also a deep-seated urge among the colonists to set up museums in their far-flung colony, just like the ones back home. Auckland in the 1850s was no exception, and stuffed birds in cases was at least a start.

Having long wished to see at least the foundation of a Museum laid in Auckland, it affords us much gratification to state that a very satisfactory commencement has been made by the zeal of Mr. J. A. Smith, whose efforts have already been attended with so much success that a room respectably stored with specimens and curiosities of various kind is now prepared for inspection. It was yesterday visited by His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, under whose patronage the Museum is established, and will in future be open to the public on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 to 4 o'clock. It is situated at the "Old Government Farm House" a little beyond the Scotch Church, and nearly opposite the corner of the Barrack Wall, where two rooms have been granted for the purpose by the Government, of which, however, as we have just intimated, only one is at present occupied, —the other awaiting those further contributions which, it is to be hoped, will soon pour in …

Although, of course, there is not yet a great deal to be seen, yet there are many specimens of New Zealand minerals, some handsome stuffed birds, shells, insects, and various other things amongst which an hour may be very agreeably and instructively spent …

New Zealander 27 October 1852

Canterbury was not to be left out.

We have been favoured with a view of a large collection of stuffed birds of New Zealand, made during the past two years by Mr. A. W. Lea. The collection consists of between seventy and eighty different varieties, some of them being most rare, and a few of exquisite beauty. All are preserved with great care and skill, and must have required great labour to obtain. Mr. Lea is at present packing them for shipment to England, the collection being intended to grace the Worcester museum. The services of such a skilled Ornithologist and of as many as would help him would not be ill-bestowed in forming a similar collection as the nucleus of a museum in this place.

Lyttleton Times, 7 February 1857

Auckland War Memorial Museum's Land Vertebrates Department boasts that the earliest specimens they hold are ones from a taxidermist in Nelson, dated c.1856-1857. Very early for the true trade, if so -- mostly, the bird stuffing was by enthusiastic ornithologists, naturalists and traders in those days.

At the Auckland International Exhibition 1861, a case of birds featured.

Following the catalogue, the first articles are two cases of New Zealand birds exhibited by Mr. E. King, stuffed by Mr. Wm. Bruce and cased by Mr. Mason. In every respect these are truly beautiful; not only is the stuffing that of a master-hand, but the general get-up, the arrangement and variety of native mosses, and the finished beauty of the cases, tender them worthy of the place which we doubt not they will ultimately find in some of the palatial halls or lordly manor houses of Old England.

Hawke’s Bay Herald, 24 December 1861, from Auckland W Register, December 2

The case was later displayed in London at the Great Exhibition, and later did a bit of a tour around New Zealand centres.

The names of rare birds often feature in descriptions of the stuffed birds trade in the 19th century.

The Kakapo. — Two specimens of this somewhat rare species of parrot, the Kakapo, were brought into town last week by a native named Tamiti Wiremu. They were skinned, stuffed, and preserved in the most approved fashion. This bird is now becoming very rare, it has hitherto generally been found in the Middle Island. The flesh is esteemed a great delicacy, and the feathers are used for making cloaks, which the natives value more highly than the Ruahi or dogskin mat. In appearance this bird is not unlike the Budgeregar of New Holland, its plumage being a dark green and grey. It is of the same genus as the Kaka or Brown Parrot of this Island, but twice its size. The natives offered the birds for sale at £1 each. We remember to have seen one of the cloaks alluded to at a Conversazione in the Odd Fellows Hall; it was very beautiful and attracted much attention.

Wellington Independent, 21 February 1863

Did the taxidermists have their own shops, prior to the mid-1860s? Mostly -- no. The ads that survive, like this one, were channelled through local hotels (the proprietors of which sometimes had their own collections of stuffed fauna to delight and intrigue their guests):

ANY one wanting Birds Stuffed can have them got up in a first class style. Inquire at the Octagon Hotel.

Otago Daily Times, 27 April 1864

While William James and Jane Yandle are said to have arrived in Auckland in 1866, they weren't the first to make a splash in the newspapers. In 1867, Karl Teutenberg set up business in Auckland, primarily as a gun and pistol maker (he advertised that he was the son of Ludwig Teutenberg, gun maker to the King of Prussia) – but as a sideline, he also arranged “Birds stuffed and Skins cured for exportation in a superior style.” (Southern Cross, 16 July 1867) He appears to have been somewhat of a flash-in-the-pan (excuse the pun) as far as the taxidermy trade went, although he remained in the gun trade down to at least the early 1880s (part of the time in partnership with his more famous brother Anton Teutenberg).

Meanwhile, the Yandles first advertisement found wasn't anything to do with their later claim-to-fame:

TO SPORTSMEN --WANTED to SELL, some of the handsomest and best-breed SETTER PUPS in the colony.— Apply to Yandle, Naturalist, Victoria-street.

Southern Cross 14 January 1869

A very singular circumstance occurred in Freeman's Bay on Monday. Mr. Arthur, the auctioneer, noticed that his dogs had barked up some animal in his garden, but imagining it to be a fowl he merely called them off and paid no further attention. A few hours later, however, his servant discovered the body of a kiwi lying dead in the garden, without any bruise or mark of violence about it. How the kiwi could have got into the garden is the puzzle, as the ground is surrounded by a high and impenetrable fence. However, the bird has been handed to Yandle, naturalist, for preservation, and is a remarkably fine specimen. The supposition is that the bird escaped from some place of confinemen.t, and obtaining an entrance into the garden was killed by the dogs.

Auckland Star 1 February 1871

The word 'naturalist' fairly well gives away the fact that they were in the stuffing trade. By the early 1870s, things were clearer.

WJ YANDLE, TAXIDERMIST, FURRIER &c. (to his Excellency Governor Sir G F Bowen and Lady Bowen), Auckland, New Zealand. Fur and Feather Muffs of every description always on hand or made to order. Furs and Feathers cleaned and altered. Skins and eyes always on hand.

Southern Cross 27 May 1873

In the early 1870s, the Yandles advertised for servants, and lived at 16 or 18 Grey Street (now Greys Ave, the site of Aotea Square, the Town Hall, and the Civic Council building).

In 1874, Hector Evelyn Liardet of Wellington made his debut as the star attraction for the commercial taxidermy field in this country from the mid-1870s until his death in 1891. The following description of his works gives us a view of the Victorian taxidermist here in New Zealand.

Colonial Industry. — A Wellington contemporary of the "Press" (Christchurch) says : — " We also consider it a pleasing duty to call attention to the pursuit of any local industry, especially if it be such as to supply the ‘feather furriery' — if we may coin a name for it, which results from the praiseworthy efforts of Mr H. E. Liardet to utilise the plumage of the indigenous sea birds abounding on our coasts.

A visit to Mr Liardet's magazine in Willis street will afford — ladies especially — a great treat in the inspection of muffs, tippets, cuffs, head-dresses, &c, composed of those materials. Few persons are aware that the marine birds of New Zealand are so numerous and variegated in their plumage. But here may be seen, prepared into the most dainty, and at the same time, becoming and comfortable forms for out door dress — especially for the winter weather— and also for evening attire, the plumage of many varieties of the winged creation. Chief among them is the lordly albatross, whose feathers range from the purest white through every mottled and peckled degree to iron gray. Then come the mollyhawk, gannet, and many kinds of white and mottled gulls; and the peculiar plumage of the penguin tribe affords a quaint and distinguished variety. We may also mention the large stormy petrel, the shag or cormorant (dark, crested, king, green, and large dark), Cape hen, sea-hen, whale bird, &c. These sea birds alone furnish an infinite number of charming forms of attire ; and some of these — the yellow and orange neck plumage of the gannet, for instance — present a wonderful similarity to the most delicate furs.

Mr Liardet has also to show many skins of land birds, such as the magnificent white crane, the pheasant; the gray, paradise, and other drakes and ducks, black swans, pukeko or blue swamp hen, dotterell, curlew, &c, indeed, any plumage that suggests itself as suitable.

Mr Liardet, however, is also a taxidermist and furrier; and besides preparing and making the skins of kangaroo and opossum, seal, long and short woolled, sheep and lambs, rabbits, &c, for sale, he also undertakes to prepare, make up and clean, and refit skins and plumage of birds and other animals committed to his care. We must not forget to mention the pretty tobacco pouches made out of the web-foot of sea birds, which afford a capital opportunity for ladies to reciprocate such presents of plumage as they may receive. The albatross pouch, indeed, carries a lady's handkerchief well."

North Otago Times 10 July 1874

He nearly went bankrupt in the late 1870s, but managed to pull through, and was apparently still stuffing, curing, muff-making and fur-mending until close to his death in 1891.

Salvins Mollymawk, from the Auckland War Memorial Collection, photographed for The Zoo War.

The Yandles in Auckland continued. For a brief time around 1873, William Yandle took up the butcher's trade -- but this didn't last long. He was somewhat of a troubled man, judging by the reports in the Auckland Star. Bankrupt in 1877, he somehow managed to save his business, but from that point, Jane managed her own business. She had already made a name for herself with the artistic preparation cases of stuffed birds.

There is at present to be seen in the shop of Mrs. Yandle, taxidermist, a large glass case containing some 90 American birds, beautifully stuffed and mounted. They have been prepared by Mrs. Yandle to the order of Mr. Samuel Morrin, who brought the birds with him when he returned from America, recently. The case and its contents are well worthy of examination by those having an interest in natural history collections.

Southern Cross 5 May 1875

WANTED Known, that Yandle, Taxidermist, Furrier, etc, has removed to more central premises, opposite the City Hall. All kinds of Fancy Goods, Toilet and Nursery requirements sold at the lowest possible prices. PS — W J Y returns his sincere thanks to the public generally for their favours during the past 10 years.

Southern Cross 28 February 1876

Yandle's shop sign visible at right of this 1880s image looking up Queen Street from near Wellesley Street. Cropped detail below. Ref: PAColl-8475. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/23049774

The Auckland Herald describes a very handsome carriage wrapper formed of pheasant skins, and prepared by Mrs Yandle, a well-known local taxidermist. Being well lined, it is warm, and as the skins are well-chosen, and the feathers beautifully disposed, it is exceedingly gay.

Colonist 30 June 1877

In April 1882, William Yandle, who was the worse for drink, assaulted Jane.

Wm. James Yandle on warrant, was charged with violently and brutally assaulting his wife Jane Yandle, on the 3rd instant—Prisoner pleaded guilty. He was under the influence of drink.Mrs Yandle was too ill to tell the sad story of her wrongs, but after a rest said her husband was seldom sober, and she was afraid he would take her life in one of his mad fits.—Prisoner said that was about the truth of it. Ordered to find surieties, himself in £525, and another in £20, to keep the peace for one month. 

Auckland Star 8 April 1882

Yet still, they worked together, although separately, in Hobson Street. Bankruptcy again dogged William Yandle in 1882 -- while Jane's business seemed to go from strength to strength.

(left) Photo of Jane Yandle -- courtesy Rachel Simpson.

In the 1890s, Jane Yandle took to providing her work as prizes in lotteries. This led to her falling foul of the gaming laws, but there was considerable sympathy for her from Aucklanders.

General sympathy is expressed with Mrs Yandle, in the recent prosecution under the Gaming and Lotteries Act. Even the R.M., Mr Bishop, expressed sympathy with accused, but was bound to convict, in the state of the law. The public expect, however, that the law shall be impartially administered, and if private people are to be prosecuted for holding a drawing for prizes, the promoters of church lotteries ought to be proceeded against.

Observer 5 January 1892

The Observer though, during that period, were quick to take her advertising, and involve her work in their promotions.

A STITCH IN TIME SAVES NINE. Ladies should not forget to take their Seal- skin Jackets to MRS YANDLE, Taxidermist, Furrier, etc., of Hobson-street, Auckland, who will alter, reline or mend them at a very little cost. Also, Rugs, Boas and Furs of any description made equal to new, at the shortest notice Old-fashioned Furs made up in the latest style.

Observer 28 May 1892

[Observer’s Grand Christmas Prize competition]
Case of New Zealand birds, arranged by Mrs Yandle, of Hobson street. This is also a beautiful prize, Mrs Yandle being a specialist in this class of work. She has surpassed herself in this effort, and the collection of birds is a very fine one, and of considerable value.

Observer 29 October 1892

Mrs Yandle, who is so well-known in Auckland, announces that her annual gift bazaar is now on at Masonic Hall, Newton, and will continue over Friday and Saturday. Everyone receives a present. And some of the presents are both costly and beautiful.

Observer 23 December 1893

Then, in February 1896, William attacked Jane again.

Wm. Jas. Yandle was charged with having on the February 17th done an offensive act in the presence of Jane Yandle, to wit pushed her violently, and said to her "Your days are numbered," for the purpose of annoyance and provocation.— His Worship, after listening to a lugubrious tale about family matters and family discord, advised defendant to keep away from his wife and family altogether, and try to get employment in the country. He adjourned the case to see if defendant did as he advised him. 

Auckland Star 21 February 1896

It appears that William Yandle did.

The BDM database shows a William James Yandle died in 1922, aged 80, while a Jane Yandle died in 1915 aged 72. Whether these were the taxidermist Yandles of Auckland has yet to be determined. There isn't much else to be found out about them either -- so, if any relatives of theirs are reading this, please do drop me a line. I'd love to know more.

Update 18 May 2012: Jane Yandle apparently had a daughter in the same trade, Jane Greacen.

Pig-tailed macaque,  from the Auckland War Memorial Collection, also photographed for The Zoo War.