A trip on the Rainforest Express

"Showing the pipeline at the Nihotupu Reservoir," James D Richardson, 1919, Sir George Grey Special Collections, ref. 4-1669, Auckland Libraries

A bit of a sequel to my Waitakere Dam Tramline visit.

Last Thursday, thanks to my friend and fellow AWHS member Tony Goodwin, I got a chance to visit the Rainforest Express, a passenger tramline running from Jacobson's Depot to the Upper Nihotupu Dam in the Waitakere Ranges. Exactly who Jacobson is or was, I still have no idea, but I'll be asking West Auckland folk about that. The tramline has been running, so they told us, for 14 years now. Tony said to me that the rail used is what is called "30 pound", either not manufactured today or extremely hard to obtain. So, much of the old line to Huia was ripped up and used as spare parts to maintain the line here.

Speaking of spare parts -- such was the fate of this old relic as well.

 "Vertical boilered steam locomotive on line between Big Muddy Creek and bottom of incline, used in the construction of the Upper Nihotupu Dam", Henry Winkelmann, Sir George Grey Special Collections, ref. 1-W1803, Auckland Libraries

According to the plaque tacked to the rear, this is an Orenstein & Koppel Locomotive, built in Berlin in 1906 for the Northern Coal Company in Waro. Auckland City Council purchased the loco from the company in 1921 and put it to work on the Nihotupu dam construction project, costing £140. "The Orenstein & Koppel was the main working locomotive used to haul building material for the dam from the wharf at Big Muddy Creek along the old lower Nihotupu line (removed in 1923) up to the incline where a steam winch hauled the wagons up to the Upper Nihotupu line." There was also a vertical boiler engine, seen in the historic photo above.

The loco at the Mokau colleries after 1923. From the interpretive panel, Alexander Turnbull Library.

From 1923, after it was sold again, the loco worked down near Waitomo, and at the end of its career ended up in a display in Tauranga, possibly the Historic Museum they once had down there. Deteriorated, it ended up at MOTAT in 1989 ... and was dismantled and scavenged for spare parts for MOTAT's 1904 Bertha locomotive. In March 1998, when Watercare began the restoration of the tramline from Jacobson's Depot, the remains of this engine were handed over by MOTAT on long term loan. Now, what remains is painted against the elements, up on blocks, and kiddies climb into the cabin to imagine days gone by when the loco once travelled along the narrow gauge.

The tramline winds its way along a pipeline taking untreated water from the Upper Nihotupu Dam towards the nearest filter station.

"Showing the pipeline at the Nihotupu Reservoir," James D Richardson, 1919, Sir George Grey Special Collections, ref. 4-1667, Auckland Libraries

Above is a piece of pipe they've left as a display to view while the train goes past -- airlocks, so the commentary went, can cause explosions leaving damage like this. Not something easy to fix all the way up here on the ridges.

 "The Nihotupu tramline and pipe route during construction of the Upper Nihotupu Dam, with locomotive used to haul construction material to dam site," Henry Winkelmann, Sir George Grey Special Collections, ref. 1-W1784, 

Auckland Libraries

"Garth's two-horse coach in the vicinity of Nihotupu", 1915, James D Richardson, Sir George Grey Special Collections, ref 4-2441, Auckland Libraries

Nihotupu was a major tourist attraction from the 1890s or so. The old Avondale Stables made a bit of a killing hiring brakes that would set up for West Auckland and to head up to the Waitakere Ranges so that well-dressed ladies, gents and children could admire Nature's majesty and the wonder of the Nihotupu Falls.

"A view of Nihotupu Falls, with Amy and Jean Richardson and Miss Hunt standing below," 1913, James D Richardson, Sir George Grey Special Collections, ref 4-2458, Auckland Libraries

All that's gone, now. The falls are now vanished beneath the waters of the great holding dams built by a thirsty Auckland in the 20th century.

Today, from the Arataki Visitor's Centre up above the tramline, and from the tramline itself (much more briefly), you get to admire the scene of the lower Nihotupu Dam, and the Manukau Harbour beyond. It's still the sort of view I'd love to have from a house window, though.

Bits and pieces like this coal scoop are left along the line. Although, there wasn't actually any coal-mining here ...

Very narrow, these tunnels. Keep your head and hands in!

One of the blokes headed off into this tunnel around of the train so he could shine his torchlight on the inhabitants for us.

Wetas. Lots of 'em.

A bit of a pause at Quinn's Bridge, across Quinn's Creek (and no, I don't know who Quinn is either. Another mystery to solve.)

Onward we go ...

Almost at the dam ...

And there it is: the Upper Nihotupu Dam. Instead of waterfalls, there's water cascading in a foamy jet of overflow at the bottom, and the green face of the dam.

And a lot of steep steps up to the top of the dam. Yes, I climbed them. With my state of unfitness, ladies and gents, I needed both arms as well as the legs to haul my overweight mass up there. And at least two breather stops while my lungs discussed impending industrial stop work action. I tell you what -- if you have a bit of congestion in the pipes, that walk will clear things out, no worries ...

Update 26 September 2011: Above is a photo taken by Tony Goodwin of yours truly climbing the steps. Thanks, Tony!

 "Nihotupu Dam from the west bank in the Waitakere Ranges", Henry Winkelmann, 31 October 1923, Sir George Grey Special Collections, ref. 1-W368, Auckland Libraries

I did make it, though (well, with the steps, once you start, there's only one way out, and it's up).

A long way down. That's what is left of the falls, down below.

 "A view of the dam under construction at the Nihotupu Reservoir", James D Richardson, 1922, Sir George Grey Special Collections, ref. 4-1658, Auckland Libraries

By late 1910, Auckland City Engineer Walter Bush identified a site in the Upper Nihotupu valley for a earth or puddled clay core dam. The Council accepted the proposed site in January 1912, then engaged H H Metcalfe to produce a feasibility report (getting an engineer to comment on another engineer's idea? Might have been galling.) Metcalfe, best known for his waterworks at Lake Pupuke up on the North Shore, suggested a concrete dam instead, on a site downstream from the existing timber one. Bush suggested another site, and this was disputed by Metcalfe. So the Council called in a third engineer, a chap named Morton from Wellington, to report on the whole matter. (Three engineers now?) Morton supported Bush's No. 3 site, and Council began making preparations -- interrupted, of course, by World War I.

 "A view of the dam under construction at the Nihotupu Reservoir", James D Richardson, 1922, Sir George Grey Special Collections, ref. 4-1659, Auckland Libraries

February 1919 was when concreting began. During construction, Auckland went through a water shortage in 1920, so an auxiliary dam was built and brought into service at Bush's No. 1 site. Work continued at the main dam though, with Mayor James Gunson officially turning on the water at the new dam 20 December 1920.

Things were falling behind schedule by January 1921, however, and the contractor, Langlands and Company, was in serious difficulties due to shortages of materials and labour after the war. The cost of the project therefore escalated by nearly 70 per cent, Council took over control the next month, and reorganised the entire project. The completed dam was officially opened by Joseph Coates, Minister of Works, 14 April 1923. (Information from Walls for Water: Pioneer Dam Building in New Zealand, R E Offer, 1997.)

Labour troubles and industrial unrest would vanish quickly if every body of employers adopted the same attitude toward their workmen, as the Auckland City Council has done with regard to the men who built the great Nihotupu Dam, remarks the New Zealand Herald. Reference to the part played by the actual workers, made by the Mayor at the opening ceremony, was greeted with loud applause from over a thousand listeners. "We are proud to say that there has not been a single accident on the job since the council took it over," Mr. Gunson said. "The utmost precautions have been taken for the safety of the men, and everything possible done for their welfare in the way of comfortable accommodation and facilities for recreation. In allotting the credit for the completion of this great undertaking, I wish particularly to mention the foreman and the men themselves. It has been a source of deep pleasure and admiration to us all year by year to see the way in which these men have worked, and the interest they have taken in their job, and to-day on behalf of the council and Auckland citizens, I wish to acknowledge our indebtedness to the staff of sixty or seventy men who have seen the building of the dam through to completion.''

Hawera & Normanby Star, 8 May 1923

The brass thieves haven't made it up here yet, so it seems (that walk up the steps, even if they got past the barred gates, would probably deter the ratbags).

"Showing the official opening of the Nihotupu Dam in the Waitakere Ranges," 14 April 1923, James D Richardson, Sire George Grey Special Collections, ref. 4-5891, Auckland Libraries

"Relatively this is only a small job," said the Mayor (Mr J. H. Gunson) at the opening ceremony at Nihotupu dam on Saturday. "Huge as it appears to us, it is really nothing very big, and this will be appreciated when I say that all this water would last London only two days. You see, after all we are a small people, in a small community, and must be humble." 

 Hawera & Normanby Star, 20 April 1923

We were allowed into the control room.

Then a walk along to the picnic area ...

... where the train waited to take us back down the line.

At the depot once more.

Along the way back, we were told about Kauri Snails, nocturnal carnivorous cannibals of the bush, said to inhabit the rainforest beside the tramline. The workmen find empty snail shells now and then, and they keep these in a display case at the depot. If they're Kauri Snails, they're a bit south of their usual Northland range, and a bit small.

So, briefly, that's the Rainforest Express. Worth a visit, it runs in all weathers and seasons, and the view of the glow worms is magical.

Digital art on Federal Street

Spotted this today on Federal Street -- a digital mural by Osmand Signs.

"The building’s owner loves it so much he’s asked them to leave it up, and Osmand Signs have already had enquiries from other landlords in the area looking to jazz up their old bricks," according to the website link. Originally, it was only meant to be a temporary piece of colour for a Samsung commercial.

I think it looks superb. Certainly caught my eye today! And so close to St Patrick's Cathedral on the other side of Wyndham Street -- couldn't ask for a more fitting location.

A Matter of Convenience: a report

I've just put a report on the toilets at 50A Rosebank Road on Scribd -- A Matter of Convenience.

A bank re-used

The Writer of the Purple Sage popped across on the clacks today with these images:

Out with camera on Sunday last, I shot this cute building at 366 Gt. South Road, Greenlane, just beside the Green Lane East intersection. No sign to tell me what it was, nor anything in the masonery to say what it had once been... Saw on the door that it is the registered office of Lloyd's Shipping! I thought, if you haven't already written about this, maybe there's a story for you...? Just a thought.

The masonry actually does say what the building was, although not in letters and numbers. This was an Auckland Savings Bank, Greenlane branch, opened 31 October 1934, according to my records, and designed by Daniel Boys Patterson, the ASB's architect at the time, right through almost to his death later in the century. He was still designing banks for them in the '60s.

When Papers Past takes the Auckland Star down towards 1945 later on, we might be able to see if there was much hoop-la with a grand opening and bands and bunting and happy depositors and such. Or not.

The bank sold it in 1996, as they did with so many others around the Auckland region. Now, as The Writer says, one of the tenants is Lloyds Shipping Ltd.

How about a plaque for old Mangere Bridge?

In 2015, the old (second) Mangere Bridge turns 100. Could anyone in the Auckland Council please consider taking up the idea of an interpretive plaque -- even if just a bit of board tacked to a fence so we can still save rates monies in this time of belt-tightening -- to commemorate how important this was to Mangere and Onehunga?

Mangere Bridge No. 1 (1875-1915)

COMPLETION OF MANGERE BRIDGE.

...The Onehunga bridge is rapidly approaching completion. A little more nailing and tarring of the timbers and the job will be done. All the celebrities in our town are discussing as to how the bridge should be opened. And what preparations, what ceremonies, and what amount of eating, drinking, and speechifying are necessary to be had upon so great an occasion. At the opening of the railway from Auckland to Onehunga the people of Onehunga were only regaled with a smell of the viands at host Sullivan's when the dignitaries of the province celebrated the event. On that occasion, the people of Onehunga were of poor account with the magnates provincial. On the forthcoming event our local dignitaries are determined, if they can, to assert themselves, no matter what amount of cold water may be thrown upon their efforts to the contrary notwithstanding.

Dr. Purchas has been scratching his head and looking awful things in an homeopathical way, and suggests a picnic. Gillman, the chemist, with a knowing look, is agreeable to a picnic, with the addition of a dinner. Everybody says that Capt. Wing, our harbour master, should look after the flags, as he knows how to tackle the bunting. Captain Symonds, it is reported, is agreeable to assent to anything that is pleasant, and will shout with the biggest side. Mr Jackson, our man of all work, has his pen in the ink ready to draw up any amount of resolutions that any collection of wiseheads may agree upon, that the affair may go off with all due decorum. Little Waller, the timber man, is ready to charter his little steamer the Tam 'o Shanter to run up and down the Manukau, so that everybody that likes may see how the bridge looks from a watery point of view. If there should be a dinner, O'Rorke our member to the G. A. must have his speech on the occasion. By the by, when will O'Rorke's speech come off (about) the Vogel business. I suppose we must give up all hopes of that speech now, because of the little affair of the bridge. To have to make two speeches within six months, will be too much for his nerves. If Mr O'Rorke should fail us in speechmaking, there's one man in the place that will make up for any deficiencies. Our host Hardington, of the Manukau, is ready and willing to make everybody jolly, and will have a small escort of cavalry paraded on the occasion (if allowed).

Major Gordon would have let the late Volunteers, had they been alive to fire a salute in honor of the affair, but the minds of our Volunteer soldiers having been poisoned by John Lundon, they have all become defunct, in consequence of taking in too much of Lundon's deleterious nonsense. Never mind, the Templars—as this is a watery occasion—will come out strong, with all sorts of banners of strange device. The people of Mangare are expected to meet those of Onehunga half-way on the bridge, and exchange mutual felicitations. Our old friend Courtenay will be there, and promises to be unusually tractable. The Highway Board is very busy, and must look after the toe paths.

It has been mildly suggested that the Highway Boards on both sides the Manukau will put some soft gravel on each side of the approaches to the bridge, for the newly laid stone in the roadway are plaguey hard to walk upon in these hot days; corns will not stand it. The ladies .promise to come out strong on the occasion, and the milliners of Onehunga have more than tkey can do. Let us hope the day of opening will be a fine one. Everybody here says, "Success to the Bridge, and may Onehunga flourish !"

Auckland Star 12 January 1875, p3

"Looking south east from the railway lines east of Onehunga wharf, showing men and children standing on the railway lines, the old bridge and Mangere (background)", 1904, reference 4-3177, Sir George Grey Specual Collections,    Auckland Libraries

"Looking west over Manukau Harbour showing the old Mangere Bridge," 1913, reference 4-2525, Sir Georgew Grey Special Collections, Auckland Library

Mangere Bridge No. 2 (1915-present)

The new ferro-concrete bridge across the Manukau Harbour, connecting Onehunga and Mangere, was formally opened for traffic yesterday afternoon by the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey).

The Premier congratulated the local authorities and the district upon having replaced the old bridge with so fine a structure, and dwelt at some length on the importance to the country of road and bridge facilities for the carriage of produce to the markets.

Northern Advocate 1 June 1915

"Looking south from just west of Mangere Bridge showing Mangere Mountain (right background) and the bridge (left),"    9 May 1940, reference 4-2646, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries.

Mangere Bridge No. 3 (1985-present), and beyond, No. 4 (2010-present)

According to Janice Mogford in The Onehunga Heritage (1989), local MP Hugh Watt started pressuring the Government in the 1950s for a new Mangere Bridge across the Manukau, to save on maintenance and to cater for increased traffic flows. Work finally began in April 1973, but was best by the longest running industrial dispute up to that time in New Zealand, halting construction for two and a half years. Work began again in 1979. The new bridge opened to pedestrians 19 February 1983, "the first people to walk across were, appropriately, a group of early Mangere residents who had participated in a similar event in 1915." It opened to traffic four days later.

Bridge number 4 is part of State Highway 20's enhancements as part of a ring route for the region.

I thought for a minute, when I visited Bridge No. 2, that the writing I could see on one of the metal posts at least referred to the name "Mangere Bridge". But no -- it was just tagging.

I hear from someone I know who lives in Mangere these days that the 1915 bridge is popular. People walk there. They fish there. They stand and contemplate the waters of the Manukau in all her moods, there. Something for the future, letting the generations to come know why we like the bridge today, and explaining its past, would be great.

" ...a change came o'er the spirit of the dream..": Fort Ligar, 1845-1859

 

Aerial photo 2006, Auckland Council website. Overlay is approximate layout of Fort Ligar, based on "Rediscovering Fort Ligar: Archaeology at R11/1656, Auckland", Ian Smith, Internal Report No. 40, Department of Conservation, 1989.

You've heard of the phrase about "giving them bread and circuses", or thereabouts? In the panic immediately after the sack of Kororareka in Northland in 1845, it was more "give 'em a redoubt and the shovels to dig it!" The result was the forgotten Fort Ligar, a political short-term solution to the concerns of 3,000 people, giving them something else to think about while times and nerves were strained.

In anticipation of Heki's visit to this district, we are most happy to witness the great activity of the Government in adopting measures on an extensive scale for the defence and protection of the town. The works commenced on the high ground at the back of the Court House, will be of great service: they are to be surrounded by a stone wall and deep ditch, with a Martelo (sic) tower of stone in the centre, on which will be mounted a piece of ordnance, that will embrace within its range, a considerable distance. The interior will be capable of affording shelter, in case of an attack on the town, to considerable numbers; and the militia could well defend such works from any attacks of the Natives. Another block-house is to be erected on the hill beyond Albert-street, so as to command that entrance into the town. With these and the previous defences, in addition to correct intelligence of every movement of the Natives, so as to prevent sudden surprise, we consider the Town now perfectly secure.

Southern Cross 19 April 1845

A Martello Tower would have been an interesting part of our skyline, had the plans actually gone ahead toward completion. If it had also remained, undemolished, not following the fate of Partington's Mill. It would have been dwarfed today, of course, by the Skytower just to the north on the same block, of course, but an intriguing notion, all the same.

There is an archaeological report online, entitled Rediscovering Fort Ligar: Archaeology at R11/1656, Auckland, by Ian Smith, Internal Report No. 40, Department of Conservation, 1989. It's in two parts, part 1, and part 2. (Both .pdf) In it, the archaeological  examination of a site between Federal, Wellesley, Hobson and Victoria Streets is described. At the time (1987), the site was owned by Auckland City Council, and there was a proposal to erect a Western Bus Terminal there.

Back in 1845, though, it was a mix of private land and Crown holdings. The Crown took back portions, for the purpose of the planned fortification ... but even the defensive ditches, so it seems, were never really completed. This was a still-born redoubt.

To the Editor of the New Zealander. Sir,-— Some few months back, when the cry was the "Maories are coming," all hands were set to work with great haste to erect a fortification on Albert hill. So fierce were the proceedings carried on, that the authorities could not even wait the necessary time to enquire whether they were building on their, own ground, or that of private individuals. It so turned out that the ground was private property, and the owner or owners of the particular site of which Government had taken such forcible possession, claimed compensation and insisted justly on being remunerated. It is unnecessary now to say at what price,— circumstances perhaps justified the appropriation of the land for such a purpose, although I am not one of those who will generally admit the power of the Executive to interfere with the vested rights of the owners of land. However, justice was awarded to the proprietors in this instance, and the site for the erection of Fort Ligar has again become the property of the Crown.

And what then ? Numbers of men were put on the work, and all seemed going on swimmingly. However, "a change came o'er the spirit of the dream," and this same Fort Ligar after being the pet hobby, delight, and amusement of the officials, who had planned and set it going, is suddenly dropped; the workmen are withdrawn, the incipient fortifications left to go to ruin, — and all that the citizens of Auckland and the colonists generally can comfort themselves in will be that they have spent a sum of money, to purchase land for the erection of works, which they will never see carried out, and that the annual budget will be consequently increased, to gratify the vanity of some parties who chose to begin what they had not energy enough to complete. Truly matters are queerly managed in New Zealand ! I am, Sir, Yours, &c. CIVIS.

New Zealander 26 July 1845

To the foregoing account of fortifications in various parts of the world in progress, we may add that of this colony. New Zealand —Fort Ligar — Original estimate, unknown, — and period of completion, as well as amount of expense, uncertain.

New Zealander 16 August 1845

From the Smith report:

The irregular U-shaped profiles and relatively shallow depths recorded here suggest that digging of the Fort Ligar ditch was never completed …

Confirmation of these inferences was subsequently found in two documents amongst the Colonial Secretaries Inward Correspondence (1A 1/45 - 1829) held in the National Archives, Wellington. The first was a note from Governor Fitzroy to Dr Sinclair, the Colonial Secretary, dated 29 October 1845, requesting the Superintendent of Works "to estimate the expense of completing the earthwork of Fort Ligar". The second, dated the following day, outlines the work needing to be done. This involved completing formation of the embankment and glacies (a smooth slope leading up to the defenses) using "surplus earth to be dug from the ditch", cutting a drain to let off water from the ditch, and cutting clover turf to face the embankment. Fred Thatcher, Superintendent of Works, estimated that this would require the employment of 10 men for 117 days. Along with the construction of a drawbridge and gate the total cost was estimated at £102.16.8. This report was annotated the following day by Fitzroy with the words "To lie over", presumably indicating that the work was not to proceed, at least until his replacement, George Grey, assumed office the following month. No evidence has been found that the new Governor ordered completion of the work.

"Looking west from the vicinity of Princes Street and Bowen Avenue showing Kitchener Street, (left to right), Courthouse Lane, (centre), Methodist Church, Mechanics Institute, (right), Victoria Street West (centre left), Wyndham Street (far right) and St Patrick's Cathedral (extreme right)", reference 4/1040, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries

Detail from above image, showing where the report team believe that Fort Ligar was located.

Just about the only times Fort Ligar was mentioned as part of Auckland's lively fabric was either as a handy navigation landmark, there on the other now-unknown place name of Albert Hill, indicating to readers of advertisements just where sites were for sale, "near Fort Ligar"; and as part of a mini-controversy over Frederick Whitaker and his Kawau Island land.

THE KAWAU BUSINESS.
To the Editor of the Southern Cross. Sir,— Mr. Whitaker stated on the hustings— "This Kawau business had been made a political matter, but it was, in reality, a purely personal one. It so happened that the facts were very simple. He held a certain allotment in Auckland; the Government took it without asking his leave; he demanded compensation, and got it."

Now, in self-justification— to show that the transaction referred to was a political matter, permit me to make, through your columns, the following statement, the correctness of which is well known, and can, if necessary, be fully substantiated. The allotment called " Fort Ligar" belonged to the Old New Zealand Banking Company. In April 1845, at the time of the Maori war, the Government took that land to build a fort for public safety. Mr. Ligar afterwards agreed to purchase the land from the Bank; the bargain was completed, the money paid, and the original Crown grant was delivered up to the Government. In August (the same year) Mr. Whitaker, Bank Solicitor, offered to buy the same land from the Bank. The Bank said they had nothing to do with the dispute, and would do nothing in the matter without consent of the Government. Mr. Whitaker said he would soon get that, and brought Mr. Ligar with him— and they said the Manager should undo the first affair and sell to Mr. Whitaker. Mr. Whitaker then went to Governor FitzRoy, and said he would give the Fort to the Government if a piece of land were given to him where he asked. This was agreed to, and Mr Whitaker chose the Seashore in front of the Kawau Copper Mine. I think the facts speak for themselves." Yours. &c, W. C. Daldy. P.S. I shall publish extracts from the Affidavits made in the Supreme Court on this subject.

Southern Cross 23 October 1855

The Smith report advises that it seems that the site, a grammar school endowment by the 1850s, was built over with what remained of the fort-that-never-was erased beneath residences by around 1859. These days, it's part of the SkyCity site, and the Inter City bus terminal. Next time I'm heading out of town, I'll know now just what was near where I wait.

Ah, well. Yet another probably interesting 21st century tourist attraction gone before the marketing people could even be born.

Street Stories 17: History's kinks in Whitney Street

2008 aerial photo. Auckland Council website.

Updated 12 September 2016.

A commenter, Neil under this post,  asked: " ...if you want to try something else, could you do an article on what was happening in Blockhouse Bay around Whitney/Terry Sts in the early days!!"

Okay -- I take it the question was something to do with why on earth we have a crazy intersection at the joining of Terry and Whitney Streets? (If not, get back to me, Neil!)

Above is the intersection in question. Instead of a simple north-south, east-west layout which meets together neatly and cleanly, today we have this. I'm not a driver -- but as a pedestrian walking down the length of Whitney one time (just to see how long it took to get from New Windsor to Lynfield. Answer: 45 minutes without rushing), I have to say it is very, very confusing.

I've added the original Parish of Titirangi allotment numbers to the aerial detail above. These are the root of the problem, from what I can see at a quick glance of my records this Sunday afternoon.

Allotment 76 (lower left of this detail from Roll 45, dating from around the late 1840s-early 1850s, LINZ records, crown copyright) was sold by Crown Grant in 1845. Its subdivision happened in 1859 -- not altogether successfully, as much of the land was uneven, marshy, and generally inhospitable. It was a planning headache for Auckland City Council into the middle of the 20th century.

"Sections for sale in Blockhouse Bay, with all the streets named, but most were never made. Henry Powning Stark subdivided this allotment, No. 76, between June and August 1858." Reference NZ Map 4498-2, Sir George Grey Special Collections.

Henry Powning Stark started the problem right then in 1858. In the original survey for those allotments between Blockhouse Bay, New Windsor/Boundary Road and the future Donovan Street, no allowance had been made for cross roads linking the three main ones. Stark added in Whittaker Street (Whitney) and Thomas Street (Terry) -- but it doesn't look like anyone else followed suit at the time.

Allotment 77 (across Whitney Street from Stark's subdivision) was sold by Crown Grant in 1845 as well, but not subdivided until 1907.

Allotment 79 (across Terry Street from Stark) was under Crown Grant from 1845 as well -- but subdivided in 1894.

The problem came with Allotment 78, which wasn't sold under Crown Grant at all. In the 1880s or so, the Government further subdivided it themselves -- but by then, it appears the owners of 77 and 79 wouldn't give an inch toward the formation and continuation of Terry and Whitney Streets. The dreadful kinked intersection was therefore established by c.1890.

Detail from Roll 46, County of Eden map, c.1890, LINZ records, crown copyright

Two lesser kinks, at Tiverton/Whitney and Margate/Whitney, are probably due to a similar circumstance: Allotment 82 was included in John Shedden Adam's May 1865 Windsor Estate land sale -- but it can't have sold. Instead, by 1888, the Government was subdividing that and Allotment 78. The Education Board took over the Whitney Street frontage for the allotment in the early 1890s, and leased it in pieces well into the 20th century.

Aerial 1940, Auckland Council website.

Aerial 1959-1960, Auckland Council website.

Aerial 1996, Auckland Council website.

So there it is. A crooked Whitney and Terry Streets (with others to a lesser degree) -- with my hypothesis being that it was due to the pattern of land sales, plus lack of road survey right at the start. Folks in the mid 1840s, I suppose, never realised how New Windsor would become a popular place in which to live. And how straight roads would have been a truly grand idea ...