Fooled by "the gypsy woman"

In Avondale's St Ninian's Cemtery lies the gravestone for Walter and Rachel Chishollm, a hard-working Methodist couple who were integral parts of every community they settled in. Sadly, though, in declining years they fell victim to a con.

Walter Chisholm was born in Southdean near Hawick c. 1833 in the Scottish Borders country the edlest son of James Chisholm and Janet Brown. James Chisholm was an agricultural labourer. By 1851, Walter was working on the estate of Henry Elliot of Westerhouses, Chester, as a molecatcher. Paying his own fare, he sailed from Liverpool for Melbourne in 1854, on the American clipper, The Red Jacket.

He worked in Victoria for the next 13 years, marrying Rachel Graham in 1863 at Carisbrooke, Wedderbourn, north-west of Ballarat, a gold-mining town. Rachel was originally from Ireland, and had arrived in Victoria in 1860 on assisted passage as a nurse. At the time of their marriage, Walter was employed as a mail contractor.

From Victoria, the Chisholms headed to Hokitika, staying there for over twenty years. living in Sale Street, working as an ironmonger's asstant by 1880. There Walter devoted time to the local Methodist Church, teaching Sunday school, as well as serving as Poor Steward and Chapel Society Steward. He may also have been secretary of the Independent Order of Rechabites 1877-81. He was actively against the licensing of hotels in the area, successfully opposing the granting of Henry Sharpe's license for the British Hotel in Tancred Street, September 1880. By 1883, he was a storeman, and by 1889 associated with the Hokitika Hardware Company. In that year he was a member of the Hokitika Auxiliary of the British and Foreign Bible Society.

In 1890, Walter and Rachel, with their son James left Hokitika for Mauriceville, near Masterton.

The many friends of Mr Walter Chisholm will be interested to learn that he has bought the business of a general storekeeper at Mauriceville, near Masterton, in the Wairarapa, Wellington Province. Writing to a friend in Hokitika Mr Chisholm says : — " I like this country very well, the weather is splendid. This district is very heavily timbered where not cleared and very hilly, but the land is splendid and the crops are grand; 10 bushels of wheat to the acre and very little trouble to preserve it. This is a very scattered place. Almost every settler has from 50 to 100 acres on the roadside and those behind these sections have generally from 160 to 400 acres. Those in the front were not allowed to take up large holdings. It is a special settlement on deferred payment. Sheep and cows are the chief products. We have a butter factory close by and there is only one very small store within two miles. I have only one man. We have to take out goods such a distance. On Monday the four wheeled express with two horses has about 16 miles round; on Wednesday, 32 miles; and Friday, 16 miles, and we have to go or somebody else would take our customers. As far as I can see yet, I will do very well. I pay 9s a week rent of store and dwelling and a four acre grass paddock, so that my expense is small. The railway station is two miles away, but we have a Post and Telegraph Office just across the road. We are about 80 miles from Wellington."

West Coast Times, 27 February 1890

In their new home, Walter and Rachel Chisholm made their mark. Walter was a local Methodist church Trustee, lay preacher and Sunday school superintendent, while Rachel appears to have used her nursing skills during an emergency in 1897 when, during a bush fire, a Mrs McGregor and her children were badly burned. The Hastwell Fire Relief Committee presented Rachel Chisholm with an album as a token of their appreciation for her work in March that year. By 1900, Walter was chairman of the Mauriceville West School Committee, and by 1902 he was a Justice of the Peace. But, he and Rachel were both becoming older, and in 1902 their age was used against them by a Serbian con artist posing as a fortune-teller.

At Masterton on Friday Mary Nicoli, commonly called "the gypsy woman," was charged with stealing £1 from Walter Chisholm, Mauriceville West, on November 20, and further with fortune telling at the same time and place. 

Mr Chisholm, an elderly, grey-haired man, who is a Justice of the Peace, stated that he was a storekeeper at Mauriceville West. On November 19 accused went to his shop, purchased some goods, and asked to see his hand. Witness showed his palm and the woman told him some very agreeable things. She said he was a very good man, would live long, and would be very rich, plenty of money coming over the sea (laughter). He charged her a shilling less for goods than he would have done, for telling him (laughter). 

The next day she visited his shop again, and this time went into the private room where he and his wife were. She asked for two sovereigns for two pound notes, and he changed one of the notes. Then she asked him to sit down on a chair near the fire. He did so, and she took a seat beside him on the floor, and asked for a tumbler of water which was supplied. She placed the glass on the hearth between them, and requested a pocket handkerchief, which was given. Taking some chemical stuff out of her pocket she tied it in the handkerchief, dipped it in the water, and then spread it over the top of the glass. Then she asked him to place a pound on the handkerchief. Witness demurred; and she then placed a pound note of her own underneath the glass. Eventually, on the advice of his wife, he also placed a note across the top of the glass. Accused then folded the two notes together and “wanted to touch my back to cure some imaginary disease. I said my back was all right (laughter), and then she wanted to touch my breast with the notes," said witness. 

Continuing, witness stated she put her hands under his wife's skirt. When she withdrew her bands she had some paper in them, but not the two notes. She quickly rolled the papers up and put them in the fire. Then she said she had burned her own note as well as his, and all disease was taken away, so he must give her another pound for the one she had lost. His wife went out of the shop, but was only away about a quarter of a minute, and when she returned accused left. Cross-examined, Chisholm said he had no intention of giving the woman the pound; he "kept his eye on it like a cat watching a mouse"; he did not ask for the note back; she did not tell witness "there was no fool like an old fool "; witness did not offer accused a pound if she would give him a kiss; witness (indignantly),- "my wife is a better looking woman than her." 

Mrs Chisholm corroborated her husband's evidence. Accused, she said, crumpled up what seemed to be the notes, mixed with some coffee, burnt them on a shovel, and held the fumes under the nose of witness's husband. Afterwards the woman bought some goods in the shop, and Mr Chisholm charged 3s or 4s less than the usual price. She was only out of the room a few seconds serving a child. Recalled, Mr. Chisholm said he sold the goods cheaply because accused said she wanted to sell some of them again, as she had a lot of young children to keep. 

The Magistrate (Mr James, S.M.) said the case came within the definition of larceny by trick. No one would believe that the notes were burned, and he should find accused guilty of larceny by trick. He could not understand how people, especially like Mr Chisholm, a Justice of the Peace, and apparently of some common sense, could be so foolish as to lend themselves to be cheated in this manner. It passed his comprehension altogether. "They bring these about by their own stupidity, and then come here and complain that they have been had," added Mr James. Accused was fined £5 and costs £1 13s.

Bush Advocate, 8 December 1902

The following year, Mary Nicoli was sentenced to £5 or three months imprisonment in New Plymouth, for obtaining money from Maoris under false pretences (Hawera & Normanby Star, 23 December 1903), and was accused of pretending to exercise witchcraft in Hastings by two Maori women, when Nioli promised to help them bear children. (Poverty Bay Herald, 7 May 1906)

James Chisholm took over the store at Mauriceville from 1905, while Walter and Rachel retired and came to live in Avondale, setting up their home in Elm Street. Once again, Walter took an active part in the Methodist Church, but sadly had a bad turn while on his way to the church on Rosebank Road and falling, passing away in 1910.

James, separated from his own family, came up to live with his aged mother, then remarried. He shifted to Ellerslie, taking Rachel along them, where he worked as a horse trainer. When Rachel died in 1921. she too was buried here at St Ninians Cemetery.

Sources: Audrey Barney, "Robert Chisholm of the Whau" Clan Chisholm Newsletter June 2007 (.pdf); Papers Past.

Guest Post: Hunting for the Head of the Great Champion Carbine

 Image: Carbine, from Wikipedia.

I've just spoken to Liz, from Mad Bush Farm blog, and obtained permission to mirror her post on Timespanner.

RELICS OF CARBINE
FAMOUS RACEHORSE'S HEAD GIFT TO AUCKLAND MUSEUM

The memory of Carbine, the famous racehorse who was bred at Sylvia Park and who died in England in 1914, will appropriately be kept green in Auckland by two interesting momentoes.

Some time ago, Carbine's owner, the Duke of Portland,forwarded the skin as a gift to the Auckland Racing Club.

The Committee of the club in view of the great interest attaching to Carbine and his great feats in the racing world, decided that such proportion of gift as was suitable for public exhibition should be presented to the Auckland Museum.

The skin was to be found unsuitable for a full mounting in the ordinary manner, andit was decided to present the head and neck portion to the Museum.

This has been successfully mounted by Mr Griffin, the taxidermist at the Museum. The interesting relic will be placed on a suitable shield, and will shortly be on exhibition in the Museum.

An inscribed silver plate, containing a record of Carbine's Pedigree performances and total winnings, will be attached.

The remainder of the skin will be converted by the club into a chair cover. Carbine's skeleton was presented by the Duke of Portland to the Melbourne Museum, where it has been set up.

Wanganui Chronicle 15 May 1918

His name is to be found in the pedigrees of great thoroughbred racehorses. The mighty Nearco (Ity), Shergar (GB), and Sunline (NZ) are amongst the modern champions that have the name Carbine in their pedigree. Carbine was foaled at Sylvia Park Stud in Auckland New Zealand on 18 September 1885. His sire the imported Musket (GB) (foaled 1867 Toxophilite -West Australian mare) was An Ascot Stakes winner and was already a successful sire. His dam Mersey (GB) was an imported mare who was also the dam of stakes winner Carnage (Foaled 1890 by Nordenfeldt (NZ) (VRC Victoria Derby, AJC Champagne Stakes). Mersey herself in her dam line traces back to the influential broodmare Eulogy (GB) whose name can be found in the pedigrees of many great sires and broodmares throughout modern times.

Carbine has been well covered in history. His impressive race record consisted of total of 43 starts for 33 wins, six seconds and three thirds with total career earnings of ₤29,626. Major Stakes Wins included the 1890 VRC Mebourne Cup (Group 1) AJC Sydney Cup amongst others. As a sire Carbine proved to be outstanding. His sons included the Australian bred Wallace (Leading sire 1915/16 Season) 1906 Epsom Derby winner Spearmint and grandsire of Speamint's son Derby winner Spion Kop. Carbine was euthanised at the Duke of Portland's Welbeck Abbey Stud on June 10 1914.

The Marlborough Express on 12 June 1914 reported the news from London:

"Carbine the celebrated racehorse died at Welbeck. Carbine was out of work. He lived a life of laziness for four years, and was then destroyed. The Duke of Portland has offered his skeleton to the Melbourne Museum. "

For years, the mounted head of Carbine resided in the Auckland War Memorial Museum keeping company with Rajah the Elephant. His impressive extended pedigree hung on the wall along side, with his tail mounted with silver beside the head. Sometime in the 1990's, the Auckland Museum loaned Carbine to the National Racing Museum, then based at Ellerslie Racecourse, as part of the collection of New Zealand's racing heritage. In 2003 the building in which the collection was housed was demolished, and the museum was left with no home.

In 2006 the NZ Herald reported that a new $5 million museum to house the collection was to be established.

It has taken 166 years to honour the thoroughbred in New Zealand, but we are almost there. 

Wendy Pye, chairman of the New Zealand Champions Racing Museum Charitable Trust, this week unveiled the design of the proposed museum, to be built at Ellerslie.

The first thoroughbred landed in New Zealand in 1840 and the history of the industry that now adds about $1 billion to the gross national product each year will be highlighted in the museum, which is due to open in 2008.

Funding of about $400,000 has already been received.

Another $4 million is being sought to complete the project. Construction is expected to start Project support has been provided by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing and the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Association.

A detailed model places the building within its setting, to the right of the main racecourse entrance, overlooking the Lawn Gardens and facing the Ellerslie Convention Centre.

"The trust's vision for the museum is about celebrating the extraordinary history of thoroughbred racing in New Zealand," Mrs Pye said.

"A national racing museum will allow us to share treasures and stories that will otherwise be lost or forgotten.

"We also aim to use that rich heritage to create a world-class interactive experience for local and international visitors, a centre for equine research and education, and a welcoming gateway for participation in every part of the thoroughbred industry."

Mrs Pye said the design of the museum exterior included elements of traditional stables but the interior would be that of a modern, interactive museum.

The main exhibition area on the ground floor would include many elements of the racecourse experience.

First floor displays would include a virtual race ride on an electronic horse, an equine science display, racing colours design and a permanent home for the recently established New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame.

Also included in the complex would be a cafe, research area and a movie and lecture theatre.

New Zealand's climate and environment proved to be perfect for breeding horses, with studs such as Trelawney and Cambridge adding to a national roll of honour that includes 41 Melbourne Cups.

Kiwi-bred champions Carbine and Phar Lap established a tradition of international excellence maintained into the modern era by the likes of Bonecrusher, Horlicks, Octagonal, Might And Power, Sunline and Starcraft.

Harness racing in New Zealand has a world class museum at Auckland's Alexandra Park.

- NZPA

NZ Herald 29 April 2006

In November 2010 the following blog post appeared on Genealogy New Zealand. Lyn, who is the author, had noted that the entire collection of the National Racing Museum was in storage.

Being such a big part of life in New Zealand you might think that the racing industry would have its own museum. It did have one at the Ellerslie Race Course up until 2003. It was run by enthusiastic volunteers with no real training and it became a central repository for regalia and records. But sadly, the building it occupied was condemned and the contents were stored in a very bad manner. This was soon rectified by a well-known business woman who moved the contents into a warehouse and a container.

Concerned she had contacted the Head of New Zealand Racing Simon Cooper who was in charge of the collection noting: -

To cut a long story short; the NZ Thoroughbred Racing Board of whom Simon Cooper is currently head of, has the ownership of the treasure but doesn't seem to be doing anything with it. The Auckland Racing Club it still looking after part of the contents but again, doesn't seem very enthusiastic about it.

Lyn went on to say she had contacted Te Papa and other business people concerning the collection. This in turn raised my concerns about the head of Carbine not being back in the possession of the Auckland War Memorial Museum. I contacted Auckland War Memorial Museum expressing my own concerns about the whereabouts of this important icon of the our national racing heritage and of Auckland itself.

Finally I had a response from the museum who were not aware of the situation. They have now contacted Simon Cooper Head of NZ Racing to ask for the return of this champion, so he can be restored back to his rightful place, in the collection of the Auckland War Memorial Museum. The very thought that Carbine, long dead as he is - may be sitting deteriorating in a container somewhere in Auckland, is concerning to say the least. The museum are now going through archives to verify the loan of the mounted head to the former National Racing Museum.

While Carbine, as a racehorse and influential sire, has received accolades in history and his other parts are on display in Melbourne, including his skeleton, and an inkwell made from one of his hooves. We have a situation, where the other remains are lost out of sight out of mind. No way to treat a champion of the former glorious racing past.

Last year, it was announced the National Racing Museum project would not be going ahead. Meantime, we also have a very important collection rotting in storage somewhere in Auckland. The racing industry need to reconsider their lack of interest and do something about it. Carbine though should remain in Auckland back at the museum where he was originally displayed for many decades.

I'll keep you posted on developments in the search for our iconic Carbine.

Electrifying Auckland, 1908-1925

A good summary here from the NZ Herald, 4 May 1925, of the initial steps taken to bring electricity to Auckland homes last century.

The completion of large extensions to the Auckland Electrical Power Board's main section on King's Wharf, together with the completion of the board's new offices in Quay Street, will bve marked on Wednesday by an official opening ceremony. This has been arranged in order that members of the public may have an opportunity of seeing for themselves the development in the board's activities which has taken place in the last few years, and may obtain an accurate idea of the scope of the present operations.

It is now 19 years since the question of commencing an electrical supply in Auckland was first raised, and in the early part of 1908 the City Council opened a power station in Freeman's Bay on the destructor site. The station was run in conjunction with the destructor department, and the plant consisted of two steam generators of 300 hp each. When the station was opened, mains had been laid in about a dozen of the principal city streets, while 105 applications had been received. Development was limited by the size of the station, and for some years the demand was not very great, but in 1909 the City Council decided to build a complete new station on the waterfront next to King's Wharf, and this was formally opened in 1913.

The next feature in the growth of electricity in Auckland was the generating of the whole of the electrical requirements of the city and suburbs from the King's Wharf station, and this meant the closing down of the tramway power house in Hobson Street as a generating station. This was done in 1920.

A most important proposal was made in the following year, when it was suggested that the city and the surrounding local bodies should amalgamate and form one Power Board to control the whole area. The City Council's plant was purchased by the new board, which first sat in April, 1922.

The tremendous task of reticulating its area was then commenced by the board, as the system at that time extended only through the city area and in a small portion of Mount Eden. A loan of £600,000 [around $45.5 million today] was authorised and now supply is available throughout practically the whole of the city area, Mount Eden, Mount Albert, One Tree Hill, Ellerslie, Newmarket, Onehunga, a large section of Mount Roskill and Avondale, while work is proceeding in Mangere, Point Chevalier, New Lynn, Penrose, Otahuhu and outward toward the southern boundary of the district.

The hydro-electric supply from Arapuni is expected to be available in three years' time, but the board has been forced to make further extensions to the plant owing to the rapidly increasing demand for power. This additional plant had been delivered and erected at the main station, and it is anticipated that the 33,500 horse-power from the station, together with a supply of 5500 horse-power fromm Horahora, will be sufficient until the Arapuni current arrives.

The cost of the King's Wharf station and equipment is 530,000, and the maximum output at any one time recorded to the present is 17,500 horse-power. There are three 500 kilowatt units, one 3000, and the old plant of 5000. The present load is about 14,000 kilowatts, but the station has a capacity of 20,000 kilowatts.

The electrical power is transmitted from this station to various outlying sub-stations in the case of alternating current, and in the case of the direct supply current by means of feeders to points on the network. Work is already in hand to alter the design of the distribution system for the area in which direct current is supplied, and ultimately each sub-station will feed its separate and defined areas.

One of the best and most up-to-date sub-stations of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere is that at Hobson Street, which was the original generating station for the city tramways. The other sub-stations are at Kingsland, Newmarket, Epsom, Ponsonby and Penrose. The last named is the main Government sub-station to receive power from Arapunui. A site has been secured in Beresford Street for a new sub-station.

The board is now supplying over 22,500 customers, and new services are being connected at a rate of 120 per week. The new offices close to the main station are now in occupation, a cash-receiving office and showroom has been opened in Wellesley Street and other offices have been opened at Onehunga and Otahuhu.

Influenza City

Recently, whiling away a bit of time between appointments, commitments and the usual scheduling stuff, I had a bit of a browse through the oversize collection of reference material at the Central Auckland Research Centre at the Central Library. I’ve always found that collection on the general shelves in the CARC a source of wonderful chance finds. This time, I had a nosey at a folder entitled:

Influenza Epidemic – Mayor’s Memorandum Covering Reports of City Solicitor and Council Officers.

Walter Bush, the City Engineer, provided in his report to the Mayor dated 27 November 1918 a day-by-day run down as to his department’s response to the crisis.

8 or 9 October

The epidemic first attracts notice in Auckland, although Bush noted that 24 deaths had been recorded in the four metropolitan and nine suburban areas in the 6 months preceding 30 September. From 8 October, the daily papers contained references to the influenza’s spread.

12 October

The RMS Niagara arrived in Auckland. The number of passengers under treatment was between 30 and 40, according to Bush, and the Health Authorities put the ship effectively in semi-quarantine for a time. Passengers and crew were “obliged to pass through an inhaling chamber improvised on the ship by the District Health Officer, and the quarters thoroughly fumigated.” 26-28 members of the crew and 2 passengers were admitted to Auckland Hospital for isolation treatment.

15 October

Five more crew members of the Niagara were admitted to hospital, with at least 8 of those already admitted developing slight pneumonia. By now, 9 Auckland residents were receiving treatment as well. The isolation ward was crowded, the nursing staff reported as “fully taxed”.

16 October

A conclusion, startling to our eyes with the benefit of hindsight, made by a Conference that day between the Hospital Board’s Visiting Committee, and the District Health Officer. “ … It was made clear that the influenza was of a very mild type … not “Spanish” Influenza, the more virulent kind.” Dr E Graham Russell, Port Health Officer, “stated that the type was the mildest he had experienced.”

Dr Russell wasn’t alone with that opinion. The district health officer told the Education Board “that the epidemic went through a community like a flash, usually lasting from 6 to 8 weeks, and that at least 50% of the population was ordinarily attacked. He was of the opinion that the epidemic had been in Auckland for three or four weeks, and had not been introduced by the Niagara, and … that the disease was not present in a serious form, and “Spanish Influenza.”

17 October

The District Health Officer advocated “thorough ventilation of schools, etc. especially during week-ends, picture theatres etc., tram cars, and other public conveyances, and also the wiping of straps and seats in tram cars with cloths moistened with antiseptic, while counter railings, etc. in shops and desks in schools should be similarly treated.”

20 October

A fireman from the Niagara died from lung complications from influenza at Auckland Hospital, but other patients from the Niagara were reported as improving. Out of 26 in hospital on the 18th, 10 were discharged on the 19th, and another 8 in the 21st. But …

21 October

A steward from the Niagara dies “from pneumonia supervening on influenza.”

22 October

At the meeting of the Board of Education that day, a report was submitted to the effect that out of 4887 pupils attending seven lading schools in the city, 1032 were away due to the epidemic, with 21 out of 92 teachers affected.

23 October

“The epidemic was assuming a worse form”, the NZ Herald reported.

24 October

During that week, members of the City Fire Brigade came down with the disease, 17 men reported off duty on 24 October. That day, 25 of the Aucland Hospital’s nursing staff were ill.

29 October

The NZ Herald reported a “slight abatement” of the epidemic.

30 October

The Mayor of Auckland ordered that the Minister of Labour be telegraphed, asking that, while the epidemic was in effect that the law requiring chemists to close at certain hours not be enforced, allowing them to remain open at night “to meet the generally increased demand for medicine. The Minister replied that if the majority of chemists indicated that they wanted to stay open an extra hour, the Department wouldn’t interfere while the epidemic lasted. Bush reported that the extra opening hours reduced the workload significantly at the all-night pharmacy.

31 October

The Mayor was waited upon by a deputation of community representatives who asked for a meeting to be convened “to consider the prevalence of he epidemic [and] … what measures should be taken in its abatement.” The meeting took place at 4 pm that day, resulting in the formation of a Citizen’s Committee “to take such steps as were necessary to help sufferers and to cope with the epidemic”. The executive, with powers to co-opt as required, were:

The Mayor: James Henry Gunson

Cr. Andrew Jack Entrican [Deputy Mayor]

Cr. William John` Holdsworth [Elected to the Grey Lynn Borough Council in 1907, he became its Mayor in 1910, and then Auckland City Councillor in 1914]

Ernest Lilly: City Districts Schools Committee

E Phelan

G Davis

F Potter

P M Mackay

S Milroy, and

H P Kissling

1 November

The NZ Herald reported that three more deaths had occurred, including George Moore, an employee in the City Engineer’s Department, as well as an auxiliary fireman at the City Fire Brigade station. The Tramway Company was obliged to take several morning and evening special cars off the rush hour runs as a result of 66 tramway motormen and conductors reporting in as ill.

The Citizens Committee met again, this time with the Chairman of the District Hospital Board, the Medical Superintendent and the District Health Officer present. The committee decided to telegraph the Minister of Defence suggesting that the Medical Boards be released to provide additional medical assistance to the city. They also resolved to contact the Minister of Public Health asking that, finally, the disease should be subject to quarantine regulations.

W J Holdsworth, the first secretary to the Citizens Committee, came down with the ‘flu himself. In his place, H D Robertson was co-opted onto the committee. He was Secretary of the Joint Committee of the British Red Cross and the Order of St John.

That evening, the Auckland Hospital Board held a special meeting to consider steps to combat the epidemic, “and to provide additional hospital accommodation for patients dangerously ill from the disease.” The outbreak was no longer being considered as a non-serious form.

2 November

Bush’s plan which saw the city and suburbs divided into 22 blocks came into effect, as submitted to the Citizens Committee the day before. Members of the committee were appointed “to supervise the work of rendering assistance in he representative areas.”

The Auckland Education Board met that day, a Saturday, to consider the District Health Officer’s advice that the district’s schools be closed, “in view of the increasing seriousness of the situation”. The Board decided to close the schools for a week, and to reconsider the situation at the end of that period. The three city Manual Training centres, as well as those at Devonport and Otahuhu, were also closed. “Any assembly of children,” during the epidemic period, “was undesirable.”

The streets in the central ward are disinfected. Other streets are similarly treated on 6 November, in conjunction with watering of the streets and flushing of the cesspits.

3 November

Dr Joseph Patrick Frengley, the Acting Chief Health Officer for New Zealand, arrived in Auckland and conferred with the Mayor, the Chairman of the Hospital Board, and the Auckland Hospital medical superintendent. Auckland’s Mayor placed Kilbryde, the former home of Sir John Logan Campbell in the new Parnell Park at the disposal of the Hospital Board. Auckland Hospital at Grafton and the Costley Home at today’s Greenlane Hospital site were closed to visitors, in an attempt to minimize the spread of the virus. The Board also arranged for a supply of medicines, day and night, to Henderson & Barclay’s pharmacy in Queen Street.

C T Haynes, the Chief Sanitary Officer, was appointed “to take charge of the office of the [Citizens] Committee at the Town Hall for the purpose of tabulating the returns from the various blocks.”

His own report to the Mayor (27 November 1918) was concerned primarily with the state of Auckland’s slum housing at the time of the influenza pandemic in late 1918.

“… many of our citizens engaged during the past few weeks in combating the influenza epidemic, an obtaining for the first time an insight into the state of affairs under which numbers of people are living, have been surprised and shocked that such conditions exist, and strongly impressed with the necessity of adopting some measures for their removal.”

Over the course of the 16 years immediately before the ‘flu hit the city, around 600 houses had been either been already condemned and pulled down, or demolished by arrangement with the owners. So by the time the Spanish ‘Flu came, the policy and process of urban renewal by Auckland City Council had been well underway. Influenza spreads from public gatherings and the airborne transmission of the virus rather than from the obvious source of sanitary risk, residential overcrowding. It could be said that the sanitary inspector’s department was using the epidemic as an opportunity to bang that department’s particular drum.

The department did report that half their number was away on Active Service during the war, and the workload had been increased due to the amalgamation of boroughs and road boards with the city, such as Parnell, Epsom, Remuera, and Grey Lynn.

4 November

Doctors provided by the Defence Department, in response to the Citizens Committee request of three days before, started work from a central bureau opened at the Auckland Hospital Board’s Kitchener Street office. Advertisements were inserted in the NZ Herald and the Auckland Star regarding applications for medical assistance. A fumigation room was set up in the District Health Office at Albert Street.

At noon, the Citizens Committee met again, making final arrangements with Dr Frengley and the Hospital Board Chairman.

The block committees were already at work, establishing centres in each area to accept applications for assistance. Appeals were made for assistance from volunteers, trained nurses, and “those able to undertake domestic duties in homes where the epidemic had laid aside the inmates.”

“By this date,” Bush recorded, “the situation was very grave, and the large number of applications received for admission to the Hospital indicated that there was no diminution in the number of serious cases. On the contrary, in numerous instances whole households were simultaneously affected, and in consequence of the lack of assistance the position became very acute.”

5 November

The owners of Auckland’s cinemas met with the mayor and the Acting Chief Health Officer in the mayoral offices, and agreed not to admit any children aged 14 and under to their premises. They also agreed to fumigate the cinemas daily.

The Minister for Public Health, G W Russell, arrived along with Dr. Frengley and three doctors, two others which been released by the Defence Department to assist with the epidemic, and another four from the Medical Boards. The Minister of Defence had been requested to obtain nurses from other parts of the North Island to assist as well.

The Mission Hall at the Sailor’s Home on Quay Street was opened as a temporary hospital. By the next day, this facility was looking after 20 patients. The Women’s National Reserve opened an emergency kitchen at their Rutland Street premises.

6 November

No less than 90 nurses at Auckland Hospital were off work through influenza. Up to 10 pm that day, 600 applications for assistance were received by the Citizens Committee at the Town Hall.

A “Gazette Extraordinary” was issued declaring the influenza as a dangerous infectious disease, authorizing the health authorities to exercise all the powers laid down under the Public Health Act. This meant that instead of limited opening of places like picture theatres, all such places were to be completely closed, from the following day, along with billiard saloons, other public gatherings and entertainment, and schools.

The Vermont Street Girls’ School, capable of accommodating 150 patients and a complete nursing staff, was placed at the disposal of the Auckland Hospital Board by Bishop Cleary and Rev Father Carran. This was opened as a temporary hospital on 8 November.

The Mayor of Auckland came down with the ‘flu, and instructed Bush to confer with Dr. Frengley with regard to the Public Health Act regulations. From that point on, Bush effectively became a CEO, at all hours, day and night. He convinced the Superintendent of Telegraphs late at night to make all telephone lines connected with the epidemic relief works available, despite the planned closure of the telephone exchange between noon and 3pm.

7 November

“Following Dr Frengley’s conference with the Crown Solicitor and myself on the 7th inst., a notice was issued by him requiring the immediate closing of all places of entertainment, Public Halls, Billiard rooms, and shooting galleries for a week. This included the Auckland Racing Club’s course and buildings and in consequence no race meeting was held at Ellerslie on the 9th idem. In addition, the list of places ordered to be closed included the Chamber of Commerce, Society of Arts Hall, Trades Hall, friendly societies’ meeting places and many other public and church halls.” (Bush)

The Acting Chief Health Officer requested that all denominations hold only morning services “of the shortest possible denomination”. [Apparently Bishop Cleary went one better, ordering all Catholic services suspended during the epidemic.]

Bush also conferred with Dr Frengley over the opening of fumigating stations as soon as equipment could be manufactured.

It was decided to insert an advertisement in the newspapers urging all those not engaged in the central city to stay in their homes.

8 November

The Armistice was prematurely reported in the country’s media. This added to the strain of dealing with the epidemic in Auckland.

“Work in connection with the various Block Committees was in full swing when the cable prematurely announcing the signing of the terms of the Armistice was received on the morning of the 8th inst., and for a time this seemed to arrest the valuable work being done in combating the epidemic. My first action on receipt of this news was to proceed to the Council’s depot and arrange for the detention of sufficient men and carters, and the keeping open of the stores and offices there, so that any urgent calls that might be made for special services might be made … In consequence of the universal holiday observed and the resultant closing of shops and warehouses, necessary stores were found a matter of great difficulty.”

Waikumete Cemetery sent out a call for more gravediggers. Eight men, along with the necessary tools, were dispatched out to Glen Eden in motor cars.

An inhaling station was set up on Queen’s Wharf, with two of Bush’s assistants in charge.

The City Library and Art Gallery, along with all branch libraries and the Old Colonists’ Museum, were closed from that date until 2 December on the orders of the Deputy Mayor. (Barr’s report – see below)

9 November

Victoria Park Pavilion was opened as a temporary morgue, fitted up with tables and disinfecting apparatus. Bush’s department also saw to a request from Vermont Street hospital for screens, a dispensary and provision of electric lights.

Kilbryde at Parnell, as well as the Technical College in Wellesley Street, were opened as more temporary hospitals.

10 November

“Arrangements were made for the transport of extra grave diggers to and from Waikumete Cemetery and also for the pegging out of extra grave spaces…” (Bush)

An inhalation chamber opened at the Town Hall.

12 November

The Tabernacle Sunday School was found to be unsuitable as a children’s hospital, so Bush and his team contacted the secretary for the YWCA. Two lower floors of their Queen Street building were placed at the Hospital Board’s disposal “as a home for healthy children whose parents had been incapacitated by the disease.” (Bush) Conferences also began with the Women’s National Reserve with the view to converting the Myers Kindergarten Building in Myers Park as a hospital for sick children.

The Acting Chief Health Officer ordered the immediate burial of all known victims of influenza. Special funeral trains were organized, at 10 am and 1.45 pm each day as required. Bush also approached the General Manager of the Railways for reduced rates of carriage of the bodies. The demand for additional grave diggers at Waikumete was met by sending out 12 more men, reinforced on 14 November by another 6, on the 15th by still another 6, and 3 more on the 25th November.

The real Armistice was signed. This meant that government offices were closed, and so too (temporarily) was the telephone exchange. Bush contacted the Superintendent of Telegraphs again, who assured him and the secretary of the Citizen’s Committee that “all special telephone numbers would be kept open for use through the day.”

“From this date,” Bush reported, “the Health Authorities, Hospital Board, Citizens Committee and other organisations may be said to have had the epidemic in hand, and although numerous calls were still being received for assistance, and many serious case were being admitted to the various hospitals, the organisation provided was adequately coping with the situation.”

13 November

The Mayor had recovered sufficiently to discuss with Bush various Council matters, including his decision to postpone a planned loan poll, and the election of a councilor to fill a vacancy. The Mayor returned to his official duties on the 18th.

Another inhalation station was set up, this time at the Leys Institute in Ponsonby.

14 November

A Citizens Relief Committee was established, presided over by the Deputy Mayor A J Entrican. They held their first meeting on the 18th.

During the epidemic, “collections of refuse were made twice daily and on Sundays from the temporary hospitals… and also from the food kitchen in Rutland Street… Mattresses, clothing etc., from private houses were either collected and conveyed to the destructor or else burned in the back yards. Sprays and disinfectants were provided to the men engaged in the collection of refuse, and the dust bins were disinfected, and the carts washed out and disinfected. Fruit was also collected from premises closed in consequence of the inmates being laid aside with the complaint, and conveyed to the Destructor for burning.” (Bush)

469 interments took place at Waikumete Cemetery from 1 November to 26 November, “this large number of interments necessitated the pegging out of graves in the area recently cleared and ploughed on the Western Boundary, the number of new graves utilised to date in such ground being 131.”

137 out of 380 Council workmen were laid aside with influenza during the epidemic. Bush attributed the relatively lower number than expected to “the healthy nature of their occupation.”

John Barr, Chief Librarian, also prepared a report (28 November) on what his staff did during the enforced closure of the libraries from 8 November to 2 December.

The senior messenger was left behind to care for the library, while those of the staff who were still fit engaged in relief work with the supporting institutions. One member had to give up work after contracting influenza, while another (Mr Collins) had blood poisoning while nursing. Books and magazines were supplied to convalescents at the various temporary hospitals, and in conjunction with the Women’s Patriotic League Mr Barr called for more donations of books and toys through advertisements.

“During the time that the Library and Art Gallery have been closed the Messengers have been engaged thoroughly cleaning the building. The Chief Sanitary Inspector at my request undertook to disinfect the Libraries with formalin, but as the use of a chemical solution might have had injurious effects upon pictures and frames in the Art Gallery it was not treated in this manner. The washing of floors with a solution of Jeye’s Fluid was considered sufficient, especially as the roof lighting of the galleries provided plenty of sunlight, the best of disinfectants. I have also arranged with the Chief Sanitary Inspector to have all books which are at present “out” from the Lending Departments of the various libraries disinfected at the Town Hall before being returned to the shelves. These precautionary steps should reassure the public that the libraries are perfectly free from infection.”

Auckland’s official death toll during the epidemic is established to have been 1,128, or 7.6 per thousand head of population, the largest metropolitan toll in the country.

See also: Black November, Geoffrey W Rice (2005, second edition)

Waikumete graves

Avondale's influenza hospital

Avondale races: the early days

Since the last day of racing (for at least a while, hopefully) at Avondale, I've been gathering together a bit of a snippets list of items about the progress of the Avondale Jockey Club from when it kicked off with entry off Wingate Street and essentially half a track, down to just before World War I. I'll see about adding more as I go later.

1890

A new racing club has been formed in the Avondale district, and the opening gathering is to be held on the 26th prox. The promoters have secured a capital course in close proximity to the township, and I understand that tenders are to be at once called for the erection of a grand stand.

Otago Witness 20 March 1890

Splendid nominations have been received for the different events of the inaugural meeting of the Avondale Jockey Club, which takes place at Avondale on Saturday, April 26th. No less than 20 entries have been received for the Avondale Cup, Maiden Plate, and Pony Race, while 22 are engaged in the Flying Stakes, 19 in the Welter Handicap, and 9 are on the list for both the Hurdle Race and Steeplechase. Acceptances are due on Friday.

Observer, 19 April 1890

The Avondale Jockey Club bring off their inaugural race meeting on Saturday, and there is every prospect of it being an unqualified success. Last Friday afternoon a large number of sportsmen paid a visit to the course, and all were greatly pleased with the excellent piece of ground on which it is situated. The track is egg-shaped, and on each side there is a fine straight of 380 yards long. In circumference it measures about fifty yards short of a mile. The steeplechase course is over a flat country, and the jumps are natural ones, being composed of gorse and bank, and the spectators will have a full view of the competitors all the time. A grandstand is being erected, which will be capable of holding 400 people. There are all the necessary conveniences, such as jockey's room, weighing-room, stewards' and ladies' rooms, also a convenient bar. The committee are leaving no stone unturned to make the meeting a success, and it only needs fine weather to see a large attendance assembled on the pretty course on Saturday. The public will be able to obtain through tickets (including admission to the course and rail) for 2s, and I may also remark that the railway crossing is only about 300 yards from the course. The acceptances received are first-class, and a good day's sport is assured.

Observer, 26 April 1890

The Avondale Spring Meeting attracted about 600 spectators last Saturday, but the heavy downpour of rain interfered somewhat with the afternoon's pleasure. Then again there were several unfortunate protests, which occasioned a good deal of bad feeling. Mr Hayr, the secretary, worked very hard to bring about a successful meeting, but events seemed to conspire against him.

Observer, 20 December 1890

1891

Onslow Trotting Club

A special meeting of this club was held a few days ago at the office of Mr McBride, for the purpose of choosing a suitable racecourse. Several offers had been received, and the choice was narrowed down to two. One of these was the property of Mr George Wright, at Kohimarama, but the difficulty of reaching this place stood in the way of its acceptance. The other offer of a racecourse was from Mr Bollard, of Avondale, who offered 22 acres of land adjoining the other course. As extensive and costly improvements would have to be carried out, the Committee deferred consideration.

Observer, 8 August 1891

1892

The Avondale Jockey Club had a most lucky time, in so far as the weather cleared up beautifully. It proved a regular autumn day peculiar alone to New Zealand. I can hardly compliment the management on keeping good time, but an excuse can be offered in the way of protests. Two of these came from owners of ponies, and I must say that until the Auckland Racing Club issue certificates these protests are likely to be continued, and not entirely with justification, as there are several so-called ponies running in this district that are considered over the standard. Mr H. Hayr, as secretary, did lion's work, as also did Mr K. Garrett. The latter gentleman had no easy task in picking the winner of the last race, which was run in the dark. However, he gave every satisfaction. Big dividends were the order of the day, and Messrs Adams and Andrews passed £2069 through the machine during the afternoon. Several of our leading racing men take objection to the handicapper acting as starter. One of our oldest racing men, Mr J. Lennard, was carpeted for giving the starter a bit of his mind. I do not uphold Mr Lennard losing his temper, but all the same it is not quite the "cheese." The Maiden Steeplechase was notable inasmuch as the only horse that cleared his jumps won. The others all fell, but luckily no one was hurt.

Otago Witness, 14 April 1892

The Avondale Racing Club are forming a trotting club. With no pony racing allowed it is sure to be a success.

Otago Witness, 18 August 1892

1893

The Avondale Jockey Club's Autumn meeting was held on Saturday at the course, Avondale. In consequence of the threatening appearance of the weather in the morning there was only a moderate attendance of the public. Though the fields were small, there was good racing. Mr H. H. Hayr was secretary, Mr H. Cutts starter, Mr Ballard judge, Mr J. R. Cooke timekeeper, Mr R. W. Marks clerk of scales, and Mr Creighton clerk of course. The sum of £1700 was invested by means of the totalisator, which was worked by Messrs Andrews and Adams. The Waikomiti band was present, but was a very poor attraction.

 Otago Witness, 27 April 1893

At the Avondale Jockey Club race meeting on Saturday there was no totalisator but books in force, the absence of which at a general race meeting showed the public that racing had no attractions without the machine. Only 350 were present at the meeting.

Grey River Argus, 26 September 1893

1894

The Avondale Jockey Club's Autumn meeting was held on Saturday. The weather, threatening in the forenoon, broke during the afternoon, and the rain that fell considerably interfered with the day's sport. Mr J. Bollard held the office of judge, and Mr E. D. Halstead wielded the starter's flag with every success. The totalisators were worked by Messrs Andrews and Anderson. Out of respect to the memory of Mr R. Garrett, who with Mr M. Foley originated the Avondale Club, the officers and jockeys wore crepe on their arms.

 Otago Witness, 19 April 1894

1895

Racing up here last Saturday was provided by the Avondale Jockey Club which conducted an experiment in connection with the autumn gathering by holding it without a totalisator. The bookmakers were the only betting medium. It cannot be said that the experiment proved a success. The fields were rather scanty, but even with that drawback given in the prices offered by the ring can't be said to have been a strong argument why the totalisator should be suspended.

 Otago Witness, 14 February 1895

Sir Patrick Buckley has after all resigned his political office for the serener occupation which was offered to him, and he is now a judge. One of his last acts before walking out of his old department was to send notification to the Avondale Club (Auckland) that a totalisator license would not be issued for a second meeting by this club during the current season. This has caused considerable dissatisfaction. The Avondale Club was allowed two meetings a year by the conference arrangement, and, acting in the belief that that allocation would be carried out, the club gave £300 in stakes at its Spring meeting. For one meeting a season only £150 is required, and the extra £150 was thus thrown away. This is very annoying. The Colonial Secretary should make up his mind at the beginning of a season and agree to or proclaim or in some way let it be known what he is going to do. Few clubs are so well off as to be able to lose £150 without feeling it. In this case the sum stated might as well have been pitched overboard. It may be supposed that the omission to give a word of caution on the subject was an act of thoughtlessness on the Colonial Secretary's part. We cannot suppose that he would perpetrate such an injustice wantonly. But Ministers are placed where they are by the public for the express purpose of thinking out the equitable administration of the law, and forgetfulness is not a full excuse for the neglect of that duty. Whoever is to blame deserves a smart rap over the knuckles for his carelessness in this matter, and it must be the Colonial Secretary who is responsible to the public. He may find out for his own satisfaction whether any of his subordinates are in the wrong. With them we have nothing to do. This Avondale case may happen again to some other club unless some safeguards are adopted, and in view of that possibility our racing authorities should lose no time in coming to a full understanding on the subject, if such is possible. I do not know whether it is.

Otago Witness, 26 December 1895

1895

Avondale Club has showed its regard for the services rendered them by Mr Frank Lawry, M H R., by presenting him five days back with a gold medal bearing the monogram of the club and the inscription “Life member's ticket." Mr Lawry's last service to the club was to obtain for it a totalisator permit for its forthcoming meeting after the Premier had stated that one could not be granted. It is always advisable to have a parliamentary friend at court.

Otago Witness, 30 April 1896

1897

In spite of strenuous efforts on the part of the Auckland Racing Club authorities to obtain a fifth totalisator permit the Colonial Secretary has refused to budge from his resolution to limit each metropolitan club to four permits during the season, so that the proposed race gathering at Ellerslie next month has fallen through …

When it became known that the A.R.C. would be unable to race next month, the Avondale Club issued a two day programme for September 18 and 22.

Otago Witness, 2 September 1897

1898

The curtain was raised on the '98-99 racing season on Saturday afternoon, when the Avondale Jockey Club inaugurated its two days' Spring meeting. Fine weather favoured the club, and the attendance was something like 4000, which, with £3436 passed through the tote, presented a brace of records for the Avondale gathering. The ground was a bit holding, bat otherwise in good order.

Observer, 20 September 1898

1899

The Avondale Jockey Club had a great meeting fox the wind-up of their season. Favoured by fine weather on both days, a large attendance was attracted to the Western suburb on each occasion; but Saturday was especially a bumper day for the Club. The improvements to the course at Avondale were much appreciated. The saddling paddock is now roomy enough for anything, but if racing continues to go ahead with the same rapid strides as it has been doing lately, the Avondale Club will need a still larger stand. In respect to the totalisator figures, one can hardly believe the great increase (£5301) in the amount handled last week to that of the corresponding fixture last season. The increase is equal to a good day's total investments.

 

Observer, 29 April 1899

The committee of the Avondale J.C. unfolded a very satisfactory state of affairs to the members who attended the annual meeting on Friday last. The report showed that the club had made great strides during the past 12 months, the revenue showing in marked increase from all sources, the totalisator returns for the two meetings held totting up to £15,072, as against £8833 for the preceding year, while the added money given away was set down at £1283 10s net. Close on £900 had been spent on improvements to the course, and saddling paddock, loose boxes, grand stand, etc., and the assets were shown as £1160 over liabilities as against £586 last year. Secretary H. H. Hayr was given a pat on the back all round for the manner in which he had carried out his duties. The chairman (Mr M. Foley) said a lot of nice things in a general way, winding up by urging the incoming committee to exercise economy during the next couple of years with a view to purchasing the ground which is held under a lease with a purchasing clause.

Otago Witness, 17 August 1899

Amid the general prosperity that has attended racing, the Avondale Jockey Club has deservedly attracted to itself some share. A comparatively young club, it still has had vicissitudes. The last few seasons, however, have been ones of steady progress. The club now has a strong position, both in its constitution and in the favour of the public, a position that it owes to a careful though by no means cramped management; management having for its aim, not alone greater inducement to horse owners, but also the greater convenience and comfort of the racing public. 

With the Avondale Jockey Club again this year will rest the honour of opening the season. That honour has come to be an annual one to the Avondale Club. I do not know if there be any special advantage accruing to a club through its having secured the earliest and opening dates. First meetings as a rule sound the key note of the whole year's performance. When we get into full swing we take any slight variations as a matter of course. I hope that the Avondale Jockey Club may open play to a measure lively and unrestrained, a prognostic of a good, enjoyable and successful season. 

Observer, 26 August 1899

1900

The annual meeting of the Avondale Jockey Club was held on Friday last, when the report) and accounts laid before members showed that the club had made a great forward move last year, for after increasing the added money by £4148, and spending £222 in improvements, the suburban authorities showed £950 in the bank as against £62 the previous year, with assets £2271, and liabilities nil. Further improvements are under consideration, and the chairman, Mr M. Foley, in his remarks, indicated that the club would shortly effect the purchase of the course at Avondale, with probably some additional ground for present or future extension of the property. Secretary Harry H. Hayr, who, beyond a bonus or two, has "acted as an honorary official for some years, was made the subject of flattering reference, and the club decided to show its appreciation of his services by appointing him paid secretary at £150 per annum; while the fees of the handicapper (Mr J. O. Evett) were also increased substantially.

Otago Witness, 16 August 1900

1901

At the last monthly meeting of the Auckland Racing Club it was decided, owing to the improvements to the Avondale course being backward, to permit the club to use the Ellerslie course for their autumn meeting.

Taranaki Herald, 7 March 1901

The improvements to the Avondale Jockey Club's course, new stand, etc., are now well forward and should be ready for the club's Spring meeting. A tender has now been accepted for the addition of a stewards' stand.

Otago Witness, 17 July 1901

A copy of the Avondale programme for the coming season has reached us. The programme is got up in book form, and has a very racy appearance. The colour of cover is a deep red, and has a gold horseshoe stamped on it, and the printing inside is carried out in colours. Although the ornamental is strongly in evidence, the usefulness of the book is also well looked after. The Avondale Club intend holding seven days' racing in the forthcoming season, their first meeting being a three day*' one, and held on September 21, 25, and 28. The Autumn meeting is fixed for April 19 and 23 and the Winter gathering on June 14 and 18. A list of the winners of the principal races has been compiled, and the w.f.a. scale also find a place in the book. As an illustration of the progress of the club, it may be mentioned that in the season of '90-'9l the club gave away in stales £495, and in the coming season, '01-'O2, the added money will be £4325.

Otago Witness, 31 July 1901

1902

For a very considerable time there has been no racing at Avondale course. The increased popularity of the Avondale Jockey Club's fixtures rendered it necessary for the better enjoyment of the sport by their patrons, the public, to completely alter the existing course arrangements, alterations which involved a change of venue for the Club’s meeting for a whole season.

Extensive improvements and alterations had already been made when the Club were awakened to the fact that something still more radical in the way of change and extension was necessary to successfully cater good racing to the public, and being, fortunately, able to obtain the additional land required for the completion of such an extensive change, they set about it right away, and now have a racecourse property as thorough in its appointments as any suburban club can boast. All that is now needed to complete its up-to-date character is a faster train service to and from the course, and that desideratum is well on its way towards being fact. Old-timers would not recognise Avondale as it is now, and even turfites who have participated in racing there as it was at the time of its last meetings will find everything changed. The racecourse buildings are on the reverse side, the running has been changed from left to right, the course itself greatly improved, and in general, an "ensemble" quite different to their experience.

All this has meant expenditure of a large sum of money and also means the continued expenditure, on a higher scale than of old, for up-keep. But the Club's prospects arc bright and assured, and under the new conditions, whilst racing continues to prosper in the North, there is every reason to predict for the Avondale Club a successful future. The changes effected are conducive in every way to higher class racing, greater enjoyment of sport, benefiting all who participate, owners and public alike. 

Observer, 19 April 1902

Avondale Jockey Club have small prospect of being able to bold an extra meeting this year, though they have placed it on their programme, in the hope of a permit becoming available. Everything comes to those who wait long enough, and the Avondale Jockey Club, if they hold out long enough, will yet get their three fixtures a year.

Observer, 16 August 1902

1907

It appears that, legally, not more than three totalisator machines can be used in connection with any race meeting, but this law has been repeatedly broken, both by Auckland and Avondale racing clubs, the impression being that as only one dividend was declared there was no breach of the law. In the Police Court to-day the Avondale Jockey Club and Secretary, H. Hayr, were separately charged with using three machines in excess of the law at each day of the last race meeting. The offence was admitted, but as very short notice had been given the Magistrate did not impose any penalty beyond the payment of costs.

Feilding Star, 28 October 1907

1908

Pony races are to be expunged from future Avondale programmes.

During the forthcoming season, the Avondale Jockey Club will give, in added money, the sum of £4000. This sum represents an increase of £400. The stake for the Avondale Cup is to be raised to 300 sovs., Plumpton Handicap to 200 sovs., and Avondale Handicap to 200 sovs.

Observer, 18 July 1908

The Avondale Jockey Club set the ball rolling on Saturday afternoon with the first instalment of the spring meeting, which extends over three days. The weather was perfect, the attendance large, and speculation brisk, the surn of £8352 being passed through the tote, an increase of £422 on the figures for the corresponding day last year. Twenty-five bookmakers plied their calling, and the club's coffers benefitted to the extent of £262 10s in fees from that source.

Otago Witness, 23 September 1908

In addition to the hotels affected by this decision of the electors, the Avondale Jockey Club will be unable, after June 30th, to have liquor for sale at their racecourse on racing days.

Wanganui Herald, 19 November 1908

1910

Good headway is being made by the contractor for the Avondale Jockey Club’s new stand, and it is anticipated that the whole structure will be finished well within contract time, despite the wretched weather that Auckland has experience for the last few weeks.

NZ Truth, 13 August 1910

A new members' stand is being erected for the Avondale Jockey Club. Contractors, A. Pollard & Son Price, £1000.

Progress, 1 September 1910

1911

At the suggestion by the Citizen's League, the Jockey Club applied to the Minister of Internal Affairs to change their scheduled meeting from Wednesday 26 April, to 29 Aperil, so as not to clash with the municipal and Auckland Harbour Board elections.

Evening Post 19 & 20 April 1911

The Avondale Jockey Club have decided to hold, their Spring meeting this year on September 20 ad 23. In previous years, the Avondale Club started the northern racing season with a three-day meeting, but as the Racing Commission has recommended that this popular suburban club must be docked one of its five days' racing— as a peace offering to Wowserism — the committee have been reluctantly compelled to reduce the Spring fixture to a two-days' meeting.

NZ Truth, 8 July 1911

Christ Church, Ellerslie

Christ Church (Anglican) on Ladies Mile, Ellerslie, was built in 1883, on land conveyed to Bishop Cowie and others in 1881 by Robert Graham, formerly part of his Ellerslie Farm. The church is largely unchanged, aside from some restoration work in 1992. A beautiful sight, up on the hill above the Ellerslie township today.

Ellerslie's Bridge of Memories

I was at Ellerslie on Friday to give a talk, so used the opportunity to take photos of whatever Ellerslie had to offer a travelling history buff. The Bridge of Memories was a good start.

Even though it crosses the Southern Motorway, and I have a leery thing about crossing bridges over busy roads. The mind just keeps wondering if today will be the day the bridge collapses into the stream of traffic below ... I'm nervy crossing the bridge over Wellesley Street in the city as well. This shot is from whwen I'd reached the other side from the train station.

Anyway ...

In 2006, the Ellerslie Town Centre received a bit of a do-up, and the Bridge of Memories was part of the work done. These panels represent Ellerslie School.

Historical places in the village itself.

Horse racing, of course. You can't possibly have Ellerslie without its racecourse.

A tribute to Robert Graham's Ellerslie Gardens. They weren't a zoological gardens at all, despite what's on the mosaic -- just a sports ground and walking areas with a small menagerie of a couple of cages. So, here's an urban legend, enshrined in tiles.

Ellerslie Hotel. The c.1860 date is interesting. Do they mean the Harp of Erin Hotel, at Ellerslie, from around that date (said to have been on the Panmure Road?)  Or the "first-class hotel at Ellerslie Station" designed by G W Hollis and owned by Robert Graham, where tenders for the building of same were advertised in the Southern Cross in April 1874? The Ellerslie Business Association's webpage on the hotel stays out of any arguments.

Surviving logos like this (although this was of course a mosaic made long after the logo was obsolete) are historical enough now in the changing landscape of Auckland's territorial authorities. This one will be even more so after the end of this year.