Snapshot views of Auckland Zoo, 1920s

Bought recently on TradeMe, "12 Real Photographs for Your Snapshot Album" of "The Zoo, Auckland NZ," published by Frank Duncan & Co Ltd, of Lorne Street.

Auckland Zoo turns 90 years old on 16 December this year (despite what the ornate plaque in the grounds tells you. My friend Liz and I reckon it was installed after the actual opening, when someone mucked up the date -- set as the 17th of December erroneously).  Now, most of the wee images in the small envelope (which measures 7 x 8.5 cm) are also available in larger uncropped format at the Sir George Grey Special Collections at Auckland Library. But there, the inherited cataloguing system from years before now has their images credited to Frederick George Radcliffe, which in most of the instances is incorrect as he died in January 1923, before many of the exhibits photographed (including Jamuna the elephant) actually arrived at the zoo. (Yes, I have let them know). Trouble with a lot of early Auckland images -- photographers often photographed each other's images, and collected up negatives which ended up in collections under other names. So, as Frank Duncan's company bought up the right to reproduce images from a number of photographers in their postcard and snapshot series -- the real photographer of these images remains at the moment unknown. But they were clearly from between 1923-24, when buildings such as the "flying aviary" and the elephant house were designed (by M K Draffin) and built, and 1929 when Duncan's firm went out of business.

According to the library's photographers' database, Frank Duncan appeared as a business from around 1915. The firm was described as a stationer's and sold fancy goods, even Mattamac overcoats against the rain. The firm was quite well-established, judging by the Auckland Star's description 15 December 1922 (the day before the zoo opened):

The rapid expansion of the business is strikingly evident on revisiting this emporium after a short lapse of time; the goods themselves revealing in no uncertain sense the wide field to which such a firm must appeal. The salesmen at Messrs Duncan & Co regularly visit every town in New Zealand. The firm's territory extending from North Cape to Stewart Island ...

From a small beginning it has forged ahead and Mr Duncan's individuality upon  the value of view books printed in unique designs has always been a feature of the artistic "Tourist" publications produced by the firm under the emblem of the "Tiki" ... The postcard section is a notable department of the firm, publishing as they do real photograph postcards from 15,000 different negatives. Needless to remark the issue and re-issue of such stock demands an accurate and quick-filing system to keep trace of the supply. Very few people realise that these small photo postcards bought in the shops go through the same processes of production as the ordinary portrait photographs costing about 50/ per dozen ...

 

(35-R176, Sir George Grey Special Collections)

(35-R159, Sir George Grey Special Collections)

(35-R167, Sir George Grey Special Collections)

(35-R182, Sir George Grey Special Collections)

Image from larger postcard -- also from TradeMe.

(35-R160, Sir George Grey Special Collections)

(35-R165, Sir George Grey Special Collections)

(35-R163, Sir George Grey Special Collections)

(35-R162, Sir George Grey Special Collections)

Two old churches and a Sunday School hall in New Lynn

Prepared on request from Derek Battersby of the Whau Local Board, but not commissioned -- two reports on early New Lynn buildings.

St Andrews Hall, Margan Ave (plus a bit on the former Presbyterian Church across the way)

New Lynn Congregational Hall, Great North Road.

The fate of yesterday's guns (part 1)

(Link to Part 2, regarding Albert Park.)

This particular line of enquiry kicked off earlier this year when I spotted the above article and image from the Auckland Sun newspaper, 23 April 1927. This was almost the last time these guns would attract public notice, regarding their state at the Auckland Domain. Six years later, it looks like they were gone.

There is a link, I think, with the proposed plan for a grand Auckland Harbour Board war memorial, a plan replaced by the move to build the Auckland War Memorial Museum. The harbourside memorial was to have incorporated three war trophy guns at the apexes of a grand triangle. From 1920, however, with the idea going nowhere, the guns needed to go somewhere.

War trophies finding their way to New Zealand's shores wasn't new in World War I. I'll talk about the Albert Park guns in part 2, one of which had originated (so it is said) from the battle of Waterloo. The first to arrive here in Auckland from "the war to end all wars" however, came in 1916.

Auckland Weekly News, 22 May 1902, AWNS-19020522-2-1, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Library

The Monowai, which arrived here this afternoon, brought the first war trophies for Auckland, in the form of two ancient mortars forwarded from the New Zealand and Australian Division Ordnance Depot, No. 2 Outpost, Gallipoli, by Sergt A. Gilmour, Auckland Regiment, and five other members of the division. Within the barrel of one of the trophies was a note in which the senders expressed wish that the two mortars be erected in some suitable park—Auckland preferred. The Minister of Defence has forwarded them, as desired, to Auckland, and the Works Committee of the Auckland City Council is to decide where they shall be placed.

Auckland Star 10 March 1916

By 1922, the set of guns left at the Domain were attracting attention.

NEGLECTED TROPHIES.
(To the Editor.) Sir, As a returned soldier and citizen, may I be allowed to call public attention to the contemptible position of the War Museum guns at present in the Domain. Formerly they were stacked in front and around the public latrines; they are now stacked like so much rubbish, and rotting, just behind. Evidently the former position was considered too good for them. The guns are mementos of the greatest and bloodiest war in history, and denote the sacrifice and effort of some 17,000 of New Zealand's dead, and probably twice that number of maimed and wounded. I am sure, if the spirits of those dead and mutilated forms could arise from their burial places they would ask: Is it possible that the suffering and agony and effort of we thousands, in advancing, yard by yard, and taking those guns while living, would be forgotten so quickly and our sacrifice treated with such soulless contempt just a few years after, by having them placed at the back of public latrines to rot? Our best efforts won them: do the living's best efforts watch over them and place them in a peaceful spot worthy of our sacrifice? Even now the green creepers planted around the latrines seem to be growing towards those guns as if in shame, trying to cover such an insult to the dead by spreading their green leaves peacefully over them. In respect to the dead, the maimed and the living of the war let them be removed or dumped Into the sea where they will not be an eyesore to those who did their best in defence of their King and land.— I am, etc., ONE OF THE BOYS.

Auckland Star 9 December 1922

OUR GERMAN GUNS.

THE SPORT OF CHILDREN.

WHERE DANGER LURKS.

Now that the war period is being rapidly left behind much of the sentiment that clung to the old German guns that were distributed as war trophies throughout this, and other Allied countries has disappeared. Indeed it has been openly stated that the returned soldiers, particularly in the Old Country, positively resent the placing of those armaments in the public places where they are a constant reminder of the horrors through which the men passed, and which they wish to forget.

In New Zealand this attitude, if it exists, has not been followed by the "direct action” experienced in Britain, where the field pieces have been un-mounted and thrown into the sea. At the same time, the trophies have lost much of their attraction and, unlike the ancient muzzle-loaders which are still interesting because they are long out of date, they look incongruous in our quiet parks, making one feel that "every prospect pleases, and only man is vile."

If one may judge by the kiddies’ pranks on the armaments in the Auckland Domain, these guns are proving useful toys to the youngsters. No one grudges the boys their run, but it would be well if the authorities, having placed the guns where they are easily accessible, made some attempt to reduce the grave risk of accident that exists. In Britain serious injuries have been caused to children by reason of the fact that certain parts of the guns were left movable, with the result that the limbs of the little ones were so badly hurt as to necessitate hospital treatment.

Boys will be boys, and it is not surprising that our local youngsters find great fun in "working” the guns for all they are worth. But danger lurks in the trail-guide, a heavy piece of metal and wood, which can be swung one way and another. With half a dozen lads, whose ages range from five to eight years, clustering all over the weapon, it would be the easiest thing possible for one of them to receive a blow from the guide which would crack his skull. This was the position near the band rotunda yesterday afternoon, when one or two of them had narrow escapes. But the only person who seemed to take any notice of the little fellows was a woman, who approached to tell them that it was Sunday!

Auckland Star 30 January 1923

NEGLECTED GUNS.

(To the Editor)

Sir,—It would be a good idea if the memorial museum guns, which many of those dead took a part in capturing, when alive, with great mental and physical suffering, were removed from their present wretched position at the back of the public latrines in the Domain. It hurts the living and is an insult to the dead, and rather shames the great idea of the memorial which will cost some £200,000, and in which they will be placed. In the illustrated pamphlet issued in aid of subscriptions for the War Memorial it states they are awaiting accommodation. In the same pamphlet are the following two beautiful lines:

And as they save their all
So shall we freely give.

Let those responsible for their present undignified position "so freely give" those guns a decent ¼ -acre of land a few yards away from the public latrines.— I am, etc., LIVING.

Auckland Star 1 December 1923

Right down to 1927 at least, there were sporadic letters written to newspaper editors about the neglected Domain guns. Then, in February 1933, it appears these trophies from one World War -- were sold to scrap merchants gearing up for the second such war. 

The loading of 2000 tons of scrap iron on the Japanese freighter Ryoka Maru at the King's wharf to-day roused the curiosity of those who frequent the wharves. For the most part the miscellany of iron and steel that was swung from a line of railway wagons to the steamer's hold was comprised of worn-out railway stock, old steamer fittings, and relies of derelict motor cars. They formed an interesting link with an ever-changing mechanical age. What aroused most interest and comment was the loading of several guns, mounted on their carriages, and inquiry showed that they were trophies of the Great War, which had become an encumbrance to civic authorities, and had been sold as scrap iron locally and were now being dispatched to one of Britain's allies in the Great War to be melted down with the other junk for commercial purposes. Nine of these guns were, until recently, housed in the Domain, but as the City Council could not find any other public bodies or school committees which desired them they were disposed of as scrap iron ...

The sale of these guns affords an occasion for reflection on the change in public sentiment towards war trophies. Brought to the Dominion at considerable cost to the Government, the trophies were distributed among local and public bodies. At that time they were keenly sought, and it was asserted that, mounted in public places, they would be an inspiration to future generations, and a reminder of the gallant sacrifices that were made by the NZEF. Now, in the public parks of the Dominion, they are frequently an eyesore. Some of them have been rusting away, and have become an encumbrance to some of the bodies entrusted with their keeping ...the Mayor, Mr G W Hutchison, mentioned this morning that he shared that outlook. He stressed the fact that the sale of the guns that had been stored in the Domain had only been decided upon after a vain effort to find an appropriate resting place for them.

Auckland Star 23 February 1933

The Japanese reassured the NZ Government and the public that the scrap metal bought from New Zealand would simply be used for reinforced concrete (Star, 29 September 1933). Their campaign in China had just begun -- few in the West, it seemed, thought that Japan would ever use metal from Australia, New Zealand and America for another Great War.

A vigorous denial of the suggestion that Japan is buying scrap metal in New Zealand for use in armaments was made by Captain S Sayeki, of the ship Mataram. He said that the suggestion was unfair to his country. "Guns and warships, what for?" he asked. "Japan does not want war, although many people seem to think she does. We depend on industry for our living. We want to manufacture for ourselves and for export and we are prepared to import wool, cotton, and other things we have not got. We want to live by industry, not by fighting," he reiterated. 

Evening Post 16 May 1935

In October 1937, the Government barred the export of all scrap metal, a move which somewhat offended the Japanese, but, so Michael Savage assured, was one applied to all nations, and aimed at bolstering up a domestic scrap metal market (Evening Post, 14 October 1937). It appears that we were the only one, out of the three countries of Australia, NZ and the US, to ban supplies of scrap metal to Japan before World War II broke out in earnest in 1939.

How much of the metal we sold to Japan before 1937 later came back to litter the Pacific Islands and the ocean during the war will probably never be known. Some of that metal -- may well have been from some neglected guns once on the Auckland Domain.

Built in Dunedin blog

Darian from the Long White Kid blog has just given me the heads up on a blog called Built in Dunedin. Excellent to see another NZ heritage site up and running. Another for the list on the right.

Waterview School history

Very sad to hear today that Waterview School is to be demolished and relocated as a result of work on State Highway 20.  However, some weeks ago, the school and parents started a heritage project, with a website already displaying wonderful info and images here.

The Making of Albert-Eden video

The end product of a project I was involved with for the Albert-Eden Local Board during Auckland Heritage Festival 2012.

Spotting Simon's Cat on Mt Albert Road

Not a heritage post, this ...

Yesterday, with a full day of public travel across the isthmus ahead of me, very little sleep the night before for various reasons, and while in a bus in a slow-traffic queue on Mt Albert Road, I spotted something which made me laugh out loud, and probably add to my fellow passengers' opinion of me as a Very Strange Person. It did brighten my day, though.

The view from the bus of the back of a Jeep:

A close up:

The character is Simon's Cat, part of a long-running series online and in books. The original drawing has the cat pointing towards the bowl his owner Simon is supposed to fill on demand -- that he is instead pointing to the fuel cap with his usual demanding expression just gave me the chuckles.

One Tree Hill Domain (Manukau Road entrance)

On October 5, I decided to take a walk up Manukau Road from Royal Oak to Greenwood's Corner. Along the way, I diverted to the One Tree Hill Domain, mainly because I'd never seen the Auckland Observatory, known as Stardome, before.

In 1888, Irish civil engineer and surveyor John Da Vinci Louch (1854-1937) won a competition held by the One Tree Hill Domain Board (set up just two years earlier) for the landscape design of the Domain. Louch’s father Fitzgibbon Louch (another engineer) arrived in New Zealand in the 1860s as part of George Vesey Stewart’s “special settlement” in Katikati, with his wife Isabella and family of which John was the eldest son. In 1877, the younger Louch entered business with his father as civil engineers, land agents, and architects at Spring Street, Tauranga until 1881. J D Louch then worked in the Public Works Department, engaged on the Auckland defence works in the early 1880s, and then was involved with the survey of the “Auckland Northwards Railway”, according to F W Furkett in Early New Zealand Engineers (1953). Retrenchment brought on an early retirement in 1887.

Then came the Domain Board’s competition, during Louch’s out-of-work period.

A letter from Mr. Louch (the successful competitor for the design for laying out the Domain) was read embodying a proposal of grading and pegging and laying off avenues, carriage drives, &c, &c., for the work required in accordance with the design, and also for laying off and grading an additional drive from the summit of the hill down the eastern side connecting with the avenue, and offering to do the same for the sum of £60. It was resolved, on the motion of the Chairman, that Mr Hall and Mr Gardiner confer with Mr Louch upon the subject, and report the result at the next meeting. It was also determined that the successful design be exhibited at some public place in Auckland, and that the unsuccessful ones may be obtained by the owners on application at the office of Messrs Brown and Campbell, and that the same be notified by advertisement in the Star and Herald.

OTH Domain Board report, Auckland Star 29 May 1888

Louch was taken on by the Public Works Department in late 1889, and continued through to 1908 being involved with the establishment of railway links in the North Island. He came resident engineer at Wellington in 1908, finally retired (second time) in April 1920, and died in Palmerston North, 2 April 1937. 

So, there's a "promenade" at the Domain named after Louch. Wonderful scent of flowers in the entrance, but I really don't like the red pebbles (personal dislike of mine. Noisy, and rough on shoes).

Trouble is -- the council have spelled his name wrong. 

And why just "DeVinci Louch"? Why not put his full name, "John Da Vinci Louch" and be done with it?

Ah, well.

In February 1901, the Domain Board agreed to “secure the services of a suitable man as a Caretaker.” (OTH Domain Board minutes, OTH 120/1/1, Auckland Council Archives )The caretaker’s lodge was built in 1901 by the One Tree Hill Domain Board, to the design of a “Mr E Arnold” (Star, 27 December 1901) – but this could well have been Charles Le Neve Arnold, favourite architect of Sir John Logan Campbell, who had been involved with other design features at the Domain and Cornwall Park. The board received 44 applications for the post of caretaker by April 1902, and in February 1903 held their regular meeting there. The building was extensively altered in the 1960s.

On to the observatory.

The Auckland Astronomical Society formed from a meeting in June 1923.

As a result of a meeting of those interested in the study of astronomy it was decided to form a society to be known as the Auckland Astronomical Society. Professor P W Burbidge, the convener, presided over an attendance of about 30 persons in the physics lecture room at the Auckland University College. He said that recently he had found that a great number of people in Auckland were greatly interested in astronomy, and that during his wanderings around the college he had discovered a valuable six-inch refracting telescope. The University College Council had generously given permission for the society to make use of the instrument, which was a valuable one. It was decided on the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr W H Hamer, to form the Auckland Astronomical Society, with the avowed object of studying astronomy in the Auckland province. The yearly subscription was fixed at 5/, it being thought that such a small fee would enable all those interested to join as members. Those present were then enrolled members. Professor Burbridge informed the meeting that it would be necessary for the society to house the telescope on a suitable site. The matter of the site and the building was left in the hands of the committee.

Auckland Star 22 June 1923

Within a year, the Society became also known as the astronomical section of the Auckland Institute. Their six-inch telescope was lodged at the Auckland University.

According to their website, fundraising for a purpose-built public observatory began in 1948. They were able to purchase a telescope by 1956, with the assistance of a bequest from Mrs Edith Winstone Blackstone, after whom the Zeiss telescope now at the observatory is named. In 1960, the One Tree Hill Borough granted a 21-year lease to the Society, and the observatory opened in 1967. The planetarium was added when the one at the Auckland War Memorial (previously donated by the Farmers Trading Company) closed in 1989. 

For the first observatory I've ever seen, this wasn't bad. The effect of the dome, along with the murals on the outside -- you certainly know what this is about.

Entry to the telescopes area and show auditoroiums costs money -- but just a look at the displays inside is free.

From the astronomical to the more mundane -- back to loo murals, as I walked back to Manukau Road to continue my journey.

Re-enacting tram history

Auckland Weekly News 27 November 1902, AWNS-19021127-12-2, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Library

Mr P M Hansen expects to arrange the ceremonial opening of the electric tram service on Monday, l7th November. The trial runs are expected to be completed by November 10th, but the whole of the ensuing week is rendered unavailable for the formal ceremony for the following reasons: Monday, Nov10, public holiday; Tuesday, engineers’ preparations prevented by the previous day's holiday; Wednesday, race day; Thursday, City Council meeting would clash with the evening function; Friday and Saturday are Agricultural Show days. Therefore Monday, November 17, was chosen. Invitations will be issued early next month. At 12.30 on the Monday His Worship will start the machinery at the power station, and then Sir John Logan Campbell will start the first car from Lower Queen-street. To this will be attached two other cars carrying guests, and the course will be up Queen-street and Wellesley-street and on to the Choral Hall, where lunch will be provided. The regular service to Ponsonby will begin, if all goes well, on the following day.

Auckland Star 22 October 1902

A little over fifteen months ago, on August 1, 1901, the first ground was broken in connection with the laying of the rails for the Auckland Electric Tramways Company—to-day saw the inauguration of the service. During the comparatively short interval the large sum of £120,000 has been spent locally in the laying of rails, the fixing of posts and wires, the erection of the power house and depots, etc. To this must be added the heavy sums spent in England and America for cars rails, posts, engines etc., the total being sufficient to absorb the company's capital of £300,000. The lines laid measure about 20 miles, mostly double track; in single track there being about 34 miles of lines laid, all of this having been done in a little over a year, while the power-house and the depots have been put up in considerably less time.

Several delays, altogether unavoidable by the company, have occurred, preventing the starting of the cars on the date fixed in the Order-in-Council giving authority for the service, June 1. A railway strike in America delayed the arrival of the rails, the machinery for the power station was delayed by lengthened trips of the New York steamers, and the wet weather hindered the work of laying the rails, so that nearly three months of unavoidable delay occurred. The proceedings in connection with the inauguration of the service opened at the power house in Albert-street at half-past twelve, when a. large crowd of invited guests assembled within the building, examining the generator, the three large dynamos, and the switchboard from which the currents are worked …

After the company had inspected the machinery contained within the power house Mr Paul M Hansen, attorney for the company, accompanied by Mr Alfred Kidd (Mayor), Sir John Logan Campbell, Mr H Wilson (town clerk), Mr James Stewart, C.E., Mr Carey, electrical engineer for the company, and Mr Turner, attorney for Messrs J. G. White and Company, ascended the platform from which the switches are worked, and after a selection had been played by Hunter's Garrison Band the generator was started going. A few minutes after Mr Hansen, on behalf of his company, requested Mr Kidd to turn on the electrical current for the line. Mr Kidd then depressed the lever by means of which the current was switched to the line amid loud applause. Addressing the company, Mr Kidd said that nothing during the term of his office had given him greater pleasure than to assist in opening that important work. On August 1st of last year he had the pleasure of turning the first stone in connection with the work, and they would remember that the day being gloomy and rainy. Mr Hansen remarked that he thought it was the angels weeping for gladness because the work had been started. When he (Mr Kidd) awoke this morning and found that it was raining again he could not help thinking that the angels were weeping for joy that the work was finished.

The work was one of the largest undertakings carried out in New Zealand in connection with a private company or a municipality, and would do an immense deal of good to the city and its surroundings. (Applause.) When they remembered the serious troubles which occurred during the execution of the work —bad weather, the winter having been the worst for continuous rain that he remembered, and all the work being outside, the disaster to the power house by the falling of a girder, the fire which destroyed a portion of the materials, and the strikes in America—they would understand that the work had been delayed by no fault of the company. There was a little delay in the formation of the company, but both the company and the contractors had done all in their power to bring the matter to a successful issue in the time that was arranged. They would all agree that the delays which had occurred were unavoidable, because the company could not foresee them and provide against them. The work had not been skipped to save time, but had been done in very satisfactorily…

The work would cost nearly £450,000 and would do an enormous amount of good to the city and suburbs. About £130,000 had been spent locally, and already a large amount of good must have been done to the city by the expenditure of this large amount of money. The good that would issue from the cars would be inestimable. Workmen would be able to leave the crowded parts in the city and living as far away as Onehunga would be able to reach town in almost the same time as from the Three Lamps at present. They would all feel proud to think that Auckland was the first city in New Zealand to undertake that great work and bring it to a successful conclusion throughout the whole of the city and suburbs …

The assembly then left the power house, and proceeded to the foot of Queen-street, opposite the Tramway Company's offices, where six cars were waiting to convey them to the Choral Hall, where luncheon was provided for the guests. Three of the cars were despatched from the Ponsonby depot early in the morning, and remained on the roadway until the party was ready to start. All the morning they were surrounded by crowds of people, and their attractive appearance, comfortable seating accommodation, and general elegance, were the subject of much favourable comment … it is only necessary to add that on the street they look very attractive, the dark red panels contrasting well with the bright yellow sides and tops. The cars are not disfigured externally by advertisements, the number of the car and the monogram of the company being all which appears on the outside. A crowd numbering several thousand people gathered round the cars before the hour at which they were timed to start, 1.15 p.m. When all the cars were filled with guests, Mr Hansen stepped to the front of the first car, and addressing Sir John Logan Campbell, said that on behalf of his company he had the honour to ask Sir John to start the first electric tram car in this city. Knowing that to drive an electric car, or any other passenger vehicle in the city without a license was illegal, and further knowing that Sir John would not do anything against the law, he had taken the liberty to take out a motorman's license for Sir John, which he would ask the town clerk (Mr H. Wilson) to present. Mr Wilson then presented the license, which was handsomely bound in red leather, with silver corners and clasps.

At the call of Mr Hansen three hearty cheers were given for Sir John Campbell, followed by three for Mr Hansen, called for by Sir John, and three for the Electric Tramways Company. Sir John, accompanied by Messrs Hansen, Kidd, Wilson and Carey then stepped aboard the platform of the car, and Sir John turned the lever which made the connection between wire and rail, thus starting the car. As he did so he said: "Success to the Auckland Tramways Company. May its cars never cease to run in Auckland." The car then moved off up Queen-street, amidst the cheers of the crowd, and followed by the other five ran up to the Choral Hall. The cars were insufficient to carry all the invited guests, and had to make a second trip. The passengers were all loud in their praises of the quiet, steady manner in which the cars ran, and of the comfort of the seating accommodation.

Auckland Star 17 November 1902 

I shouldn't be too critical of the re-enactment yesterday of the first electric tram put on by MOTAT, the  Auckland Dockline Trams, Auckland Council and a host of others for this year's Heritage Festival. The emphasis this year is on commemorating the centenary of Sir John Logan Campbell's death, so the focus wasn't so much on the tram history as it was on the chap with the long white beard given the controls to drive the electric tram.

Still, it would have been nice to see the display that the invited dignitaries got to see in the trambarn -- some pictures online at the Facebook page for the Waitemata Local Board. They've referred to Sir JLC as "Mayor of Auckland". Not really accurate for the first tram inauguration -- as seen from the passages quoted above, that was Alfred Kidd by the time November 1902 rolled around.

No. 44 only dates from 1906, as well. It wasn't there at the inauguration, or even in existence. MOTAT do have a tram dating from 1902, and part of the first shipment to come from England where it was built -- No. 11.  But, unfortunately, when it was restored at MOTAT, they brought it back only to its 1912 configuration: the period after the open-cab days. So, it would have been period-correct, but not in looks.

That said, while No. 44 looks the part structurally, it doesn't in terms of livery. Also as seen from the Auckland Star report -- the 1902 livery for the six ceremonial trams was red and yellow. I'm fairly certain the Weekly News image also shows a Stars and Stripes flag (oddly) fluttering from the roof. 

Where, also, was the honorary motorman's license handed to Sir JLC, "handsomely bound in red leather, with silver corners and clasps" ? That would have been a nice touch.

Still, I think it was worth the dash into the city to view the re-enactment at 1.30, listen to the speeches, take photos for the blog, then scurry on to Dominion Road in time for the 3.00 pm video launch of The Making of Albert-Eden. There were a few anxious moments, connecting from Wynyard Quarter to Queen Street via the Red Link Bus, then travelling on via the 267 Lynfield bus from Wellesley Street but -- Auckland public transport of 2012, you didn't let me down. Nice one.

Blessed are the cracks ...

Spotted yesterday on Symonds Street, just outside the Auckland University.

The New Zealand Founders Society

(Here's some information on one of the longest-lasting heritage societies in the country -- New Zealand Founders.)

Updated 6 Feb 2019

 What is New Zealand Founders Society? 

The Society is a heritage society established in 1939 by a group of prominent Wellingtonians to honour the work and achievements of our pioneer ancestors who arrived in New Zealand before December 31st 1865 and whose contribution helped shape our nation and its history. 

We have branches around New Zealand – in Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Hawkes Bay, Wanganui, Wairarapa, Wellington and Canterbury. Our specialist reference library includes lists of ships and passengers arriving before 1865, family trees and histories and members records containing valuable genealogical information. 

We also have a Research Award to help with the publication of a work on national or local history.

We take an active interest in our country, which includes making submissions on topics of interest or concern, such as the Foreshore and Seabed Act, the establishment of a republic, a change to our national flag, the re-naming of geographical entities etc., and we assist in preserving historic places, buildings and monuments.

Who can join New Zealand Founders? Those who are descendants of persons who arrived in New Zealand before December 31st 1865.

Interested? For more information contact

New Zealand Founders Society at P.O. Box 14455, Kilburnie, Wellington 6147

The Making of Albert-Eden

Apart from the fact that 29 September to 14 October is Auckland Heritage Festival (and yes, I'm involved, four talks and three other events during the festival) -- recently I was asked by those with the Albert-Eden Local Board to help with a video project called The Making of Albert-Eden. I've seen part of the end result, and I reckon it's definitely worth popping along to the Albert-Eden Local Board office (135 Dominion Road) to take a look during the festival, where it will be screening right through the period.

My thanks to the Board for a really interesting and innovative project -- which I hope other boards in the Super City take up for their areas.