"Douglas DC-3 Skyliner ZK-AYZ "Hastings" of N. Z. National Airways Corporation crashed into the Kaimai Range 9 km northeast from here on 3 July 1963, during a scheduled flight from Auckland to Tauranga.
"This plaque placed here in memory of the three crew and twenty passengers who died on Flight 441."
"The Kaimai crash of 3 July 1963 marked the end of the "pioneering era" of piston engine airliner accidents on New Zealand scheduled services. It was 25 years after the first accident, a Lockheed L10 Electra at Auckland's Mangere Aerodrome in May 1938 and, over the years prior to the 1963 crash, there had been a further seven fatal airliner accidents. The Kaimai crash was the last of its kind. The next fatal accident of a scheduled airliner on New Zealand soil was over 20 years later and it was to be more than 30 years before an airliner of similar size to the DC-3 crashed. This was the Ansett New Zealand DHC Dash 8 ZK-NEY which crashed on 9 June 1995, while on approach to Palmerston North. Sadly three passengers and the flight attendent died, but amazingly 17 people survived; very different from DC-3 ZK-AYZ. May the 1963 Kaimai crash continue to stand unchallenged as New Zealand's worst internal air disaster."
Thursday afternoon of my Matamata visit, I spent time taking photos of the buildings along and close to Broadway, the main street. The day was warm, I was feeling a little tired, and looked up to see what was, to me, an amazing sign -- that for the Manly Milk-Bar.
Friday morning, I decided to cut loose, and have a morning's trek along Matamata's existing Heritage Trail, the Centennial Drive. The route I took was in reverse order to the way it is supposed to be walked or driven along, but -- I am nothing if not inclined to the contrary when the urge hits.
Great consternation was caused in Waitara this morning by seeing our energetic police officer, Constable Day, hurrying with great speed towards the river, getting into one of the boats in less than half-a-minute, and pulling into the middle of the river, where, for nearly three-quarters of an hour, he was busily engaged with a 20-foot pole, evidently trying to pick up the body or bodies of some unfortunates.
Quite a crowd was gathered on the banks of the river (consisting of one Maori woman and her little white dog), who were anxiously watching the course of events.
After diligently working until all efforts to hook anything were found to be utterly useless, the officer pulled to shore, and then we heard what fearful accident had happened. It appears that one of our citizens was met by a Maori named Rona, who told him that a black boy and white boy were drowned in the river. He immediately went for the police. But it seems that the native not being able to talk English, and our citizen not being able to understand Maori, things got mixed ; for what the Maori told the white man was that his whitebait net had fallen into the river, and that he had asked some white boys to watch and see if it was washed up !
I have been away for four days in Matamata. The purpose of the excursion was (a) to attend a conference of historical societies belonging to the NZ Federation during two days of the time, and (b) try to relax. I relaxed over the first two days. The last two days were a bit less relaxing, but that's another story, and not for here.
So, once I get my head back together, and catch up a bit further on emails, work and such, I'll set to and pull together some posts on Matamata history with images. Give me a while to recover, and stay off the gollum, please, he's fragile.
It is thought in reports on the building that Alberton, the 19th century Mt Albert home of Allan Kerr Taylor (Kerr, his middle name, became hyphenated and part of the family name after his died in 1890) was built in an early form in the 1860s, with the final verandahs-and-towers version you see here dating from sometime in the 1870s to early 1880s, designed by architect Matthew Henderson.INSOLVENCY COURT.— Monday. [Before his Honor Sir G. A. Arney.]This account of William Stephenson's unfortunate financial situation revealed that he was the builder of a house for Mr. Taylor in Mt Albert, and that Matthew Henderson was architect. All this, however, was taking place in late 1863 to mid 1864, and Henderson still advised the court, "The house is not in reality finished." Could this mean that Matthew Henderson not only the architect for the later, final version of Alberton, but the early one as well? It looks that way, at this stage.
The sitting of the Supreme Court in its insolvency jurisdiction was resumed this morning, at ten o'clock, at which hour his Honor Sir G A Arney took his seat in Court.
RE WILLIAM STEPHENSON:
In this case the insolvent, William Stephenson, builder, Auckland, sought the extended protection of the Court, and the further hearing of which was adjourned on Friday last for the production of books and documents.
Mr. Brookfield appeared to oppose the application on behalf of the trustees of the estate, Messrs. Marshall and Craig.
Matthew Henderson, examined: I am an architect, and reside in Auckland. I had the superintendence of the contract for the building of the house for Mr. Taylor. The contract had been taken by the insolvent. (Witness produced the plans and specification of Mr. Taylor's new house.) The first plan related to an addition to the old house. There were three separate contracts. The first was for £297 for an addition to the old house; the second, £320, for carrying on the new house to a certain stage of completion; then two more proposals or plans and tenders and not contracts, that were abandoned. Here is a third plan, which was signed by Mr. Stephenson. The contract for building the new house was £463. The tender stated that the house should be ready for occupation on the 1st January, 1864. There was a premium offered for completion within the time specified, but no penalty was mentioned. The bonus was £100 if finished at the specified time, and £50 if completed within a month after the time named. Mr. Taylor took possession in July, 1864. The house is not in reality finished. The insolvent was to have been paid £75 per cent, during the carrying on of the work, and the balance when the work was finished. I gave orders to the amount of £519 13s. There was an addition to be built to the kitchen, which makes the amount advanced more than the requi(s)ite percentage. It includes £100, amount of an order for timber and shingles. I therefore paid the Insolvent £419 in respect to the contact. On February 6th I paid £100 for timber. Mr. Stephenson was to find all material.
His Honor here remarked that the accounts should have been made up before the case came into court.
Examination continued: There were several moneys advanced. There were also several extras. The insolvent had advanced to him money at different times in sums of £60, £55, £40, £54 and £8. Thirty eight orders were given for timber, shingles, &c. There was a bill rendered by the insolvent for £63 including the sum of £508 12s, the sum for the two contracts, viz. the house and additional kitchen. The extra work that I can pass would amount to about £20. Everything beyond that sum is included in the contract. The insolvent has been fully paid, and I told him I would not allow the extras. I also told him that I would not pass the contracts.
By the insolvent: The first specification was abandoned, but the verandah was mentioned in both specifications, which I can prove by witnesses if required. The reason the specifications are so much alike is that the additions contemplated to the old house were also made applicable to a new building. As the matter now stands one of the verandahs ought to come down again. I gave no order to erect it and it has been put up wrong, and would be required to be lowered. You were not working for a week or month from this specification before you had it. The specification was received before you began to build. I did bring the specification to Mount Albert, but your foreman would not receive it. I had to bring it back again. The insolvent had been working from a sketch he had received from me the day he signed the contract. The verandah was particularly mentioned in the first specification.
By Mr. Brookfield: The sketch I gave the insolvent had a verandah marked upon it, and was marked upon the original plans from which the sketch was taken.
Allan Taylor, examined: I reside at Mount Albert. The building in question was put up for me. Mr. Henderson gave orders for payment from time to time to the insolvent. They amounted to £519 14s.- that sum was paid. The items for timber I gave cash for. I gave no orders for extra work, and I ordered Mr. Stephenson not to do any extra work without an order from the architect. I saw the account produced for £638 odd in Mr. Henderson’s office. It is an account for work done. I did not see the insolvent about this account.
By the insolvent: The order I give for £100 was in payment of timber which the contractor was to get at that price. There were 10,000 or 12,000 feet of timber on the ground, which the contractor could have at 16s. per 100 feet. I did not order you to move the house after the blocks had been put down. There were no blocks put down. There was a slight alteration made by me by men altering the facing of the house. The alteration was no expense to Mr. Stephenson, and it was done at his suggestion.
Insolvent, examined by Mr. Brookfield : There is no other property beyond which is mentioned in my schedule. There are two allotments— one in Chapel-street and the other in Hobson-street —mentioned in the account-hook. I received the rents for those for Connell and Ridings. Mr. Kunst has got the lease. It was mortgaged to him for £100. The £100 was lent at 20 per cent. There was a large piece of ground with workshops between the two which remained in my possession. The annual value of those would be— the shop 10s per week; for the whole lot I paid £30 a year. When I first took the contract for Mr. Allan Taylor’s house, it was only for an addition. After I commenced it Mr. Taylor decided to have it removed. There were several extra works done — additions and alterations. There was a second contract entered into. After the building had been removed to the new site suggested, Mr. Taylor wanted the position of the house altered after the blocks were put down. The notices I received from Mr. Henderson to do no extra work came after the extra work had been done. With regard to the timber, I could never get any account from Mr. Henderson respecting it. When I delivered my bill to Mr. Henderson for work done, including extra work, he said if I would bring the plans and specifications he would settle with me. It had been so much altered and added to I believed it impossible to settle the claim of the builder until it had been measured and valued by arbitration.
By the Court : I have not received the amount, for the timber that I ought to have received. I have given Mr. Taylor credit for £38 for timber. Mr. Taylor wants £100 for timber. I have been paid only £38 on account for timber.
Allan Taylor, re-examined by the Court: I paid, in two separate sums £100 and £55 in cash. I also supplied timber and shingles to the extent of £100.
Insolvent, re-examined : I admit the supply of the timber and shingles, but not to the extent of £100. I allow £38 8s. for the timber supplied. I have the account relating to that timber somewhere amongst these papers. I produce a memorandum in the handwriting of Thomas Murphy, which purports to be a list of timber received from Mr. Taylor. I examined and measured the timber. No other timber was received from Mr. Taylor except what is here mentioned. The items are given but not cast up. I make the several items amount to 3,030 feet. There are 925 feet to be deducted, which were returned to Mr. Taylor. That was all the timber I received. There were 20,000 shingles received from Mr. Taylor.
This closed the examination, and the insolvent, in reply to the Court, said he applied for further protection.
Mr. Brookfield opposed the application on the grounds stated at the opening of the case— that a false statement of assets had been made; that the insolvent had given no assistance to the trustees to realise the estate; that the evidence of the insolvent had been denied with respect to the claim of £250 set forth by him as due by Mr. Taylor; that the insolvent had failed to carry out the covenant to pay 10s in the pound to the trustees; and since that time the insolvent was earning large sums of money and had not paid anything to the trustees. He (Mr. B) submitted from the facts detailed in evidence the insolvent was not entitled to the protection of the Court.
His Honor then commented on the nature of the evidence submitted and the insincerity of the statements put forth in the schedule by the insolvent, and submitted that the insolvent had not evinced any anxiety or desire to assist the assignees in realising the estate. He (his Honor) did not think that the insolvent had shown that he was entitled to the special favour he had sought for, and the Court felt it duty bound to refuse the application for further protection.
This appears to have put the additions and extensions as happening in 1873. At least some of them. Mind you, that was a lot of money being quoted in the court case. Again, Taylor used Matthew Henderson as an architect.DISTRICT COURT. -Monday. [Before his Honor Thos, Beckham, Esq., District Judge.]
M. Henderson v. A. K. Taylor. — In this case a jury of four was empanelled. Messrs. Joy and Greenway for the plaintiff, and Mr. Hesketh for the defendant. This was an action to recover the sum of £99 3s., for work and labour done, the plaintiff being an architect. The defence was that the work was done under special contract, by which the plaintiff agreed to do it for £17 10s., which sum had been paid into Court. — After a good deal of discussion it was decided to let the question of contract or no contract go to the jury, and if they decided that there was a contract the plaintiff should be non suited, and, if not, the case should go to arbitration. — Mr. Hesketh proceeded to prove the contract, he called the plaintiff, who deposed that he acted as draftsman and foreman of works for the defendant in respect to the repairing and altering a house at Mount Albert. The work was commenced in January. There was no agreement. On the 6th April defendant wanted to know what the additions, etc , would cost. Witness could not give an estimate, but said he imagined that the cost would be from £350 to £400. It was not true that he first gave defendant an estimate of £250. On the 6th April defendant asked witness what he would charge. Witness said the usual charge of architects was 5 per cent, on the total outlay, and then offered to give the defendant plans of the alterations at that rate. Defendant did not say anything. Witness offered to prepare plans and give partial superintendence for the 5 per cent. He also told the defendant that he would charge extra for all extra labour. Witness wrote to Mr. Taylor on the 9th July, and on the next day Mr. Taylor offered him 5 per cent, on £350, which he refused as payment in full. The work ceased on 20th June. On the 13th July sent an account to the defendant for £47 18s., being 5 per cent, on what witness considered to be total outlay and extra work. In August following sent in an account for £75 12s. 6d., containing some additional charges. The outlay in his opinion was increased by about £350 from April 6th to the 1st July, making the total about £700. In the month of August witness proposed arbitration. — The defendant deposed that the plaintiff when first spoken to in January estimated the cost of the alterations and additions at £25O. In April following he estimated it at between £350 and £400, and then agreed to furnish plans, superintend the work, &c., for 5 per cent, on £350. The work altogether had not cost more than £500. The deviations from the original plans were owing to the plaintiff not being able to carry out his first design, and not to witness having changed his intentions. In his opinion the alterations could have been carried out, if the plaintiff had adhered to his original plan, for £350. —This was all the evidence. — The learned counsel on both sides having addressed the jury, his Honor briefly summed up, and the jury, after an absence of about half an hour, returned into Court, and found that there was an agreement on the 6th April to perform the work for 5 per cent, on the total cost, which, at the time, it was understood would be £350. They, therefore, by direction, returned a verdict for the plaintiff for £18 5s., the amount paid into Court by the defendant, costs to be paid by the plaintiff.
"Part previously Old Counsel Road finishing at number 13, it was changed to West Street in 1912 and an extension connecting it with Williams (now Wilcott) was named Frederick Street. Frederick Carrington was the surveyor for the area. Following a murder / suicide in 1927, Frederick Street and West Street were renamed as Benfield Avenue in 1928. The Benfield estate subdivision had been advertised in 1884, by J.H. Daubeny. Mount Albert Historical Society Newsletter 3, March 2007, pages 7-8."I've already rabbited on about why I think the "Frederick Carrington" bit is a research red herring. However, the library have set up another red herring with this entry, by including the reference to the 1927 murder/suicide of the Kiddell family, written about by Mary Inomata in the cited issue of the Mt Albert Historical Society's newsletter.
One of those comically-contemptible cases which frequently come before the Resident Magistrate was heard yesterday, engaging for a great part of the afternoon His Worship, counsel on each side, and a dozen witnesses.
A pig belonging to a farmer at Mount Albert had, on two occasions, rooted up some potatoes belonging to a neighbouring farmer; and on the second occasion the owner of the potatoes shot the pig. There was therefore a cross-action, one man suing for the value of his pig, the other for the damage done to his potatoes.
The case seemed to cause no small sensation at Mount Albert, for, besides the witnesses, there were a number of persons present who had come in to hear the learned counsel's pleadings. Judgment was given in favour of the owner of the pig for 14s. At the conclusion of the case about a score of persons assembled outside the Court-room to further discuss the matter, which they did with such vehemence that his Worship had to send a policeman to clear them off.
There was then an adjournment to a hotel convenient — or inconvenient to the Court — where, excited by the recollection of the eloquence of counsel, and other stimulants, the great pig case could be heard by those in the Court again being argued for a considerable time.
"Dear Lizzie,Received your Healesville card many thanks. It is the prettiest bit of Australia I have seen. I had a look at those mountains -- a distant view from the main road on my Doncaster trip. No, there is nothing Maori-Eng war car line printed as far as I can find out. The only way it would be done, as I am told, is to get some reputable Maori to translate some of their warcrys for us. I received also the second "A Tale of Eternity" alright. Could you get me a time table telling when the mails leave Melb. for South Africa. I see the Bible College is in full swing at Glen Iris. You should go to the official opening on Easter Monday and give me a very full description of the place and (uncertain word). Mrs Edwards of Auckland is in Melb.Yours very sincerely,
Herbert."
"As far back as 1889, at the first inter-colonial conference of Churches of Christ, it was suggested that Melbourne should be a centre for training ministers for the growing work. J. K. Henshilwood, A. B. Maston and G. B. Moysey held classes under the name of the Victorian Biblical Institute. Other classes were conducted by Joseph Pittman and W. C. Morro. Eventually this work grew into the Australian College of the Bible, led by James Johnston. The classes were held in the evenings in the Lygon Street Church, and graduates became leaders or church ministers. But the need for full-time training was evident and the 1906 Federal Conference resolved that a college be established in Melbourne. The College began in Lygon Street Church, and then moved to a two-storey building in Rathdowne Street, Carlton, for a time and then moved back to Lygon Street. H. G. Harward and James Johnston were leaders, but when Johnston left, Harward continued as Principal. New premises were purchased at Glen Iris, described as a "14-roomed dwelling and stables". It was attached to 11 acres of land, and in the records of the Malvern Council of 1891 was rated on a value of two thousand pounds, which was a large sum for those days. It had been owned by a prominent Methodist and for a period is thought to have actually been owned by the Methodist Church. But in 1909 it was in the possession of R. Campbell Edwards, a member of the original Board of Management of the College of the Bible. Campbell Edwards sold it to the Board for one thousand five hundred pounds, which made it a very good buy. In 1910, the students moved into a building which must have seemed spacious after their earlier cramped quarters. The students could now live in. Smaller detached buildings were used as dormitories. However, the pressure for even more living room was irresistible and a new building with classrooms and dormitories was erected in 1912. Over the years there have been many additions and modifications but this two-storey red brick edifice is still the main college building."
One of the enduring and endearing landmarks along New North Road in Auckland is the rocket in Rocket Park, close to the Mt Albert community halls complex. Constructed in 1967 by the Mt Albert Lions Club at the height of the Space Age, it reflected that age and made the surrounding kiddies' playground well-known across Auckland.
"EXTENSIVE BUSINESS PREMISES in Karangahape Road, close to Pitt-street, one of the principal outlets of the City, a position only second to Queen-street, together with the Goodwill of his large and increasing Baking and Grocery Business that he has so successfully conducted for the past 15 years. This Property has a frontage of 68 feet by a depth of 102 feet, on which are erected four Good Showy Shops, with conveniently-arranged' residences, all in first-class condition, a large portion but recently built, the whole 1 thoroughly renovated. Two are now occupied by himself as a Bakery and Grocery Establishment : the others are let to respectable tenants, There is a well-constructed Bake-house with a first-class large Oven ; Store-room for 40 or 50 tons of flour. A large roomy Stable with Loft, Store-room, men's Sleeping Apartments, &c. Gas and Water laid on, well drained in every respect. A well-arranged convenient first-class place of business, well worthy the attention of anyone who may require a good investment for capital, or a money-making business. As Mr Grubb is retiring from the BAKING and GROCERY BUSINESS, the GOODWILL of bis extensive and paying Business will be sold with the Property and every assistance given to a successor."
"Mr Grubb, 88, Karangahape Road, has been established nearly 40 years, and has carried on a most successful trade, from which he acquired all substantial competency ; but, like many others he was over sanguine about the immediate prospects of Auckland. He speculated in building with the prevailing result. However, Mr Grubb, being a practical tradesman, and having an industrious wife and family to help him, his business goes on as merrily as ever. The bakehouse ovens and utensils are all bright and clean, and the establishment throughout is one of the best in the colony. Bread and fancy goods of the best description are the order of the day. As the wise man said (and no doubt it was a good baker he was speaking of): "This is a workman that needeth not to be ashamed."
A Mormon emissary, we learn from the Rangitikei Advocate, has been promulgating the doctrines of the faithful in the Manawatu. It is said that he has not made many converts, but he announces his intention of returning to the district.
Mormon Elders are going to preach in Lyttleton next Sunday.
It appears that there is a Mormon " nest" in the Cathedral City, of all places in the Colony. From recent disclosures in the Christchurch Police Court, it seems that; a number of the Latter-Day Saints hold service in a public hall. Whether the sealing process has been undergone by them or not has not transpired, but it is scarcely probable that in a community such as ours any attempt to spread Mormonism, and to have it flourish, will be in any way countenanced, or even permitted.
Two Mormon missionaries have arrived here (in Auckland), but are unable to get a hall to lecture in.
“Auckland is just now passing through a period of affliction. Judging from the form of various visitations it can only be supposed that we are being punished for our sins. We have had the Mormons amongst us for some time past, more recently the Communists, and now we are threatened with pleuro-pneumonia …
“Our business just now is with the Mormons. The elder who visited this city some months ago to proseletyse, after they had passed through the usual nine days’ ordeal of all wonders and novelties, settled down to business, and they have since been quietly spreading their doctrines and making converts. These are chiefly found in the homes of the poor, or amongst people whose mental condition renders them peculiarly liable to religious enthusia.
“Last evening was a memorable occasion in the career of the Mormon missionaries, being marked by the baptism of two converts, one a man who occupies a position in connection with the management of the harbour, and the other was a married woman with three children. The ceremony took place after the Mormon service, between 9 and 10 p.m. and the spot selected was the Graving Dock. It will be satisfactory to all concerned in this work that the dock has at last been turned to some more than ordinary purpose.
“The converts were attired in white smocks and took their ‘plunge’ under the gentle handling of Elder Lorenson, Elder Pearce pronouncing the benediction with outspread hands from the top of the coping stones above. The affair was witnessed by a select few. No serious consequences are anticipated, though one of the converts, the male, complained of the cold water, and the shock to his system, the thermometer being about 80° out in the shade – of the noon of course.”
"What an extraordinary people is this !" wrote Voltaire when he came to England— they have seventy religions, and only one sauce !" The sauce was probably "melted butter," at that time the only condiment distinctively English. We have since added "Worcester" and perhaps another or two to our one sauce, but we have added at a much more rapid rate to our seventy religions. The soul, and not the stomach, you see, is the chief British concern! (Something wrong about logic if it conducts to such an inference as that.)
Here in New Zealand we are just importing a new religion from America. Two Mormon elders have appeared in Auckland as propagandists of the faith delivered to Joseph Smith, and, have prospered sufficiently to attract to their meeting such a theological and political celebrity as the Rev, Dr. Wallis, M.H.R., and to have started a vigorous controversy in the newspapers.
"As for the charge of a stealing a woman, we don't entice any man's wife or daughter away. We have, thank the Lord, plenty of our own [no doubt !] and we are not sent to steal woman, but to preach the true Gospel. . . But if a man is a brute to his woman, are the Saints to blame because the woman, embracing the gospel of truth, wants to go where she will be treated as a human being, having equal rights with men?" I can't suspect Elder Sorenson of having read Herodotus, or I should say he was paraphrasing the explanation which the Persians used to give of their habit of carrying off Greek girls. They didn't steal the girls, not in the least; they merely permitted them to sail away on board their ships. Out of women-stealing, says the Father of History, wars arose between Greeks and Persians — and between Mormons and Gentiles — he would add, if alive to write history now. Brother Sorenson should take warning … We might tolerate him in preaching additional marriage privileges to men. That is a different matter. Polygamy on that side might be worth considering. It is in applying the doctrine to women, and teaching them to insurrect and elope, that his troubles will begin.”
