St Ninians marriage register lists

I've just added links on the left-hand lists to the St Ninians marriage register lists from the website for Presbyterian Archives.

Update 14 October 2009: Presbyterian Archives were very kind to send through an email this morning advising of a change of URL for the marriage lists. They are an extremely helpful team there in Dunedin -- don't hesitate to contact them for any family research enquiry. They have always been a marvellous help to me.

Update on Avondale's rail situation

I think the last post on the blog about the Avondale rail situation was back in January. There's a reason for that -- not much has happened, except they opened up Crayford Street level crossing by shifting it northwards, and did some rumbling stuff with the trucks at the old station site. This last week, though, they're starting to get serious. Late August, they scraped away a flat area at the end of Crayford Street East, and on 3 September shut down the level crossing, and brought in the heavy machinery.

Meanwhile, back at the old station site -- nothing much.


This from the Project Dart site:

"The station is being upgraded and moved to Layard Street. It will be on a straight section of track between Crayford St and St Judes St , and the platforms will be longer at 140m. The new station will be level with the road with several different access points.

The pedestrian level crossing will be upgraded with automatic gates to ensure safe crossing of the tracks and safe access to the platforms.

Construction at the new Avondale Station is intensifying and will be mostly complete by the end of 2009. The station will open when the future New Lynn rail trench is complete in mid-2010. In the meantime, the temporary station to the east of Blockhouse Bay Rd will allow work to continue."

Which might mean I lose my direct walking link with Avondale Shops until mid-2010, or (if I'm lucky) only until the end of this year. I'm hoping for the latter.

Update: I've found a YouTube clip of the double-tracking at Chalmers Street, here.

Another update (9 September 2009): A post on the Auckland Trains blog on Avondale's railway transition.

"A mere canard": the 1888 Edict from Canton

Every so often, while trawling through Auckland newspaper files from the late 1880s, I'd come across references to a Chinese Imperial edict, said to have originated from Canton, which filled newspaper columns and sparked off meetings among the Chinese communities in Dunedin, Wellington and Auckland in 1888. It does seem, rather, to have been an extended nine-days-wonder of a thing. Perhaps even a late Victorian version of a cross between a chain letter and an urban legend.

Sometime around June 1888, the edict made its way to New Zealand, landing in Dunedin, then travelling up the country until it reached Auckland. No one outside of the Chinese community here seemed to be aware of its existence, until the Evening Post in Wellington on 5 July went public with the news that Great Britain had to beware: the Chinese Imperial Government in Peking were aware that Chinese subjects were being treated unfairly in the "Australasian colonies" (Australia was considering immigration restriction legislation, while we had the poll tax), and that this constituted a breach in the treaties between Britain and China.

"The (Chinese) Government ... intends immediately to build arsenals and erect large ordnance and small arms factories, and at four of the most suitable seaports war steamers of the most modern and efficient type are to be constructed as rapidly as possible. This work of re-arming and thoroughly drilling the army and building warships sufficiently powerful to enable the Chinese Empire to cope with the soldiers and navy of Great Britain will, the despatch states, take three years."

The Evening Post went on to add that an edict was attached to this statement, demanding that Chinese merchants should cease importing goods from China to the British colonies, make preparations to leave said colonies, and do so within the following three years.

"The gentleman who supplied us with the above information said that he had intended placing the matter before the Premier, so serious did he consider the position, but the fact that a representative from the Evening Post waiting upon him this morning, hearing he was in possession of intelligence which may justly be regarded of vital importance to England and her dependencies, rendered it unnecessary for him to do so."

This is an odd news report for two reasons. One: nothing of this seemed to have made any impact on British newspapers (and surely, if another power was sabre-rattling, promising an arms build-up, and promising to be a security threat in the near future, there would have been at least some gasping in Britain, even if it was at the sheer audacity of it all). Two: news from Hong Kong dated 1 July was that "the general impression at Shanghai is that China cares little for the exclusion of the Chinese by the Australian colonies, but seeks to extort other concessions from England. Sir John Walsham, the British Minister at Pekin, is still parlaying with the Chinese Government on the subject." (Auckland Star, 14 July 1888) There also doesn't seem to be any mention made of the Canton edict, said to have come via the Governor of Canton. In some report versions, it was an Imperial edict from Peking, relayed by the Governor. In others, the Governor himself was concerned about the plight of Chinese in the British colonies.

The Auckland papers headed straight for Thomas Ah Quoi to tell them what it all meant. He told the Herald that the Auckland Chinese community had received word only about restricting imports from Hong Kong, and none of the other details the Evening Post wrote about. He said that the local Chinese had already met together on the subject, and were expected to meet again. Some 20 Chinese were keen to leave anyway, but had no funds to do so. This wasn't surprising, given the economic situation in the country at that time. The effects of the Long Depression were biting.

The Auckland Star published this interview (7 July) with Ah Quoi.

"Thomas Quoi was interviewed by a Star reporter on the subject this morning. He stated that about a month ago he received from a Chinese firm at Dunedin an Imperial edict issued by the Governor of Canton, the substance of which was somewhat similar to what has already been telegraphed.

'Have you the document now?' asked the reporter.
'No,' replied Quioi. 'It is circulating amongst the Chinamen in the suburbs. It may be at Arch Hill or at Newmarket -- I can't tell.'

'Well, what did it say as near as you can remember?'

'It said that all Chinese merchants in this colony -- all Chinese business people -- are to stop importing.'

'By whose orders?'

'By order of the Governor of Canton.'

'Will the Chinese in this colony obey such orders?'

'I should rather think they would if the Chinese Government will send a ship to take them away. They can't obey the orders if they are to remain here. Some of us are so poor that we can't get away no matter how much we want to, but we are going to hold a meeting and talk it over, to see if the money can be raised.'

'What do you think is the object of this order?'

'Goodness knows. Perhaps the Chinese Government want all the people back to their own country. There is plenty of good land there if they will let the people cultivate it.'

'Did the edict say anything about the Chinamen returning to China?'

'No, not a word.'

'Can you remember the whole of the edict?'

'No, I can't. It was very long. But the rest besides what I have told you was just politics. We are going to talk it over to-morrow.'

Our representative thanked Mr. Quoi for his courtesy and withdrew."

So, Thomas Ah Quoi received the document from a Dunedin merchant, and took it back to Auckland with him.

After the meeting in Auckland, Ah Quoi showed a copy of the edict on 9 July. His interpretation was the following:

"From the Governor of Canton to Chinese business people out of China (no reference whatever is made to New Zealand or Australia). Complaints have been made to the big merchants in China by the Chinese people out of China that they have been badly treated. They are advised not to import any more goods from China. The world is wide, and there is plenty of room for the Chinese people at home. Don't let other people treat you as they have done. There are plenty of places in China for business."

Quoi said there was no "order" for the Chinese to leave, just advice from the Governor of Canton that if they felt they were badly treated they could head back home. Nothing about a three-year limit, nothing about armies and navies and bloodying the nose of the British Empire.

By the middle of the month, any belief in the "Canton edict" or, as the Evening Post called it, an "Imperial Wang-ti", was evaporating. The Sydney Morning Herald checked with some of the leading Chinese residents over there.

"All the Chinese in Sydney who have been questioned on the subject have expressed their disbelief in the story telegraphed from New Zealand. They have come to the conclusion that if any such determination as that embodied in the supposed edict had been arrived at, it would have been communicated to either Sydney or Melbourne -- head-quarters of the Chinese in Australia -- and not to Auckland. Another reason for discrediting (it) ... is the existence in Sydney of several Chinese gentlemen who frequently correspond with gemtlemen holding public positions in China, including the Consu ... Although some of the letters received from these officers are of very recent date, none of them, we are informed, contain the slightest indication of any action, such as that which is represented at Auckland, having been taken by the Imperial Chinese authorities."

(Auckland Star, 17 July 1888)

Dunedin Chinese merchant Sew Hoy was quoted as referring to recommendations from the Chinese Commission which had toured Australia two months before -- and seems to have stirred the rumour pot by referring to subscriptions possibly called for by China from the Chinese in the colonies to pay for better Chinese defences, and talk of China having closer relations with Russia.

In May that year, Sew Hoy was interviewed by the Evening Post, on the likelihood of a mass emigration of Chinese from New Zealand. At the time, Sew Hoy said he had no knowledge of such a thing, and that he would have known about it. He felt that the imposition of the poll tax was a breach of rights under treaties between China and Britain. (Evening Post, 8 May 1888)

The Evening Post countered reports that Sydney hadn't heard of the edict by reports from a "Bathurst correspondent of the Sydney Evening News telegraphed on 7th of July that several Chinese residents of Bathurst have been communicated with by the Sydney agents to be ready to leave Australia in three years." The Otago Daily Times apparently stuck to its own guns, insisting "on the authority of a leading Chinese merchant in Dunedin that information has been received to the effect that China has lately been engaged in largely increasing and strengthening her arnaments." (Poverty Bay Herald, 28 July 1888)

But, the judgment of most in New Zealand, by the end of the month, was that the whole thing was a hoax, a skit (fingers seemed to point to the Evening Post more than any other paper), and it was forgotten. In Hong Kong, they called it "a mere canard." (Evening Post, 8 September 1888)

Oddly enough, this wasn't the last New Zealand readers were to hear of the "canard". It seems to have travelled across the Pacific, reached the shores of America, and journeyed to the desk of a Chinese news reporter from the New York Sun. Or so the Evening Post was told, via "Wah Kee, the San Francisco organ of the Chinese in America."

Now, the edict was in the name of "his Imperial Majesty Kwong Suey", and specifically outlined the period, to the day, of the three years in which Chinese merchants were to pack up and return to the Flowery Kingdom, given out "from Zoon Li Yarmen this 21st day of the 4th moon, in the 14th year of Kwong Suey, in the presence of his Imperial Majesty." (Evening Post, 2 February 1889)

Needless to say, this was greeted by the other newspapers with derision, no more pointed than that of the Timaru Herald.

"The paragraph was considered by the Press Association to be of sufficient importance to be telegraphed to all the papers m the colony. We beg to enter a protest against having to pay for such worthless stuff.

"When the first statement was made some months ago we at once pronounced it to be a canard. It was in fact tolerably clear either that the Evening Font had been hoaxed or was endeavouring to hoax its readers. Subsequently enquiries were made, and it was proved beyond doubt that neither the Emperor of China nor any member of the Chinese Government had issued a warning to the Chinese residents in Wellington or in any other part of Australasia. The story was denied on all hands, and for the time being the Evening Post allowed the matter to drop.

The hoax has now been renewed, and it is quite fair to any that our Wellington contemporary, with the experience of tha past to teach him caution, should have declined to pnblish the paragraph unless the amplest proof of the authenticity of the statement had been available. Possibly there may have been in private letters to Chinamen residing in Wellington a reference to the somewhat unsatisfactory position of affairs between the British and Chinese Governments on the subject of Chinese immigration to the Australasian colonies, including New Zealand, and some anxiety may have been expressed lest greater trouble should arise in the future. But there has been no official communication, and the negotiations between the two Governments are still proceeding. ... With the exception of the paragraphs in the Evening Post, and they are totally untrustworthy, we know of no statements which would lead us to believe that the Chinese Government are disposed to hurry on matters and to pick a quarrel with Great Britain over the immigration question"

(Timaru Herald, 1 April 1889)

The Evening Post huffed and protested that what they printed wasn't a hoax, it was accurate. "We do not need any teaching as to our journalistic duty from a paper such as the Timaru Herald, but if it satisfies our contemporary, we may say that we had ample proof of the authenticity of the statements we have published on this subject. Instead of our statements being untrustworthy, it is those of the Timaru Herald which are incorrect, both as regards ourselves and the facts of the case." (Evening Post, 6 April 1889)

History weighs against the Evening Post, however. There was no three-year deadline. And as for the Post using the New York Sun as a source -- well, that paper is famous for two other events during its print career in the 19th century. One was the "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" piece in 1897, and the other was the 1837 "Great Moon Hoax."

A night cart timeline

1849

Under the Legislative Council’s “An Ordinance to Increase the Efficiency of the Constabulary Force” (23 August 1849)

17. Penalty for removing Night Soil in the day time. — Be it enacted, that if any person shall drive, or cause to be driven, any carriage with any night soil or ammoniacal liquor through the streets or public places, between the hours of five o'clock in the morning, and ten o'clock at night, or shall shoot from a carriage, or cast any night soil, filth, or ammoniacal liquor upon the streets, it shall be lawful for any person whomsoever to seize and apprehend the person so offending, without any other warrant than this Ordinance, and to convey such person before any two justices of the peace, who are hereby empowered to fine the same offender, or the owner, if the driver cannot be found, as well as the employers of the persons so offending, in the sum of not more than five pounds.

1852

The short-lived Borough of Auckland had a Sanitary Committee. Their report in 1852 suggested that instead of holes in the ground in the city used as privies, that the night soil be carried out of the city, beyond Freeman’s Bay, “but not on the hills, in consequence of the prevalence of south-west winds.” (Southern Cross, 24 February 1852)

1858

It was an offence, under the Auckland Municipal Police Act, to convey night soil on a public thoroughfare after 6 in the morning, and before 10 at night.

(SC, 23 March 1858)

1863

By this time, the City Board of Commissioners had employed a night cart contractor. The Auckland Provincial Council Superintendent made suggestion that suburban residents and cultivators might want the night soil.

(SC, 5 August 1863)

1864

Board apply to APC for a place to have a night soil depot.

(SC, 27 July 1864)

APC respond that instead of establishing a depot, it would be better simply to open tenders for a contract, and have whoever got the contract sort out where to dispose of the night soil, for his own profit.

(SC, 10 August 1864)

1866

TENDER FOR REMOVAL OF NIGHT SOIL.
The Secretary submitted the following tender for the removal of night soil : —
"City Board of Commissioners, Auckland. "
Gentlemen, — We hereby tender to act as nightmen for the removing of night soil from the city of Auckland, under the direction of the Inspector of Nuisances ; and in respect of which we shall be entitled to make the following charges, viz :—: — For carting the contents of each privy, where the same does not exceed one load, the sum of £0 12 0
For each additional load, the sum of ... 0 5 0
In no case shall we be entitled to a larger sum than 1 10 0
"The above charges only to be paid to us upon the certificate of the Inspector of Nuisances. Should our tender be accepted, we bind ourselves to enter into a contract for the proper performance of the duties.— We are, &c,
Richard Farrar,
Donald Sutherland.
Auckland, December, 1865."
The Secretary said the committee had recommended the adoption of the above tender, as being the lowest. On the motion of Mr. Ashton, seconded by Mr. Slater, the tender was accepted.

(SC, 9 January 1866)

Sutherland’s contract was cancelled that March, leaving Farrar as sole contractor.

1869

Farrar declares bankruptcy in January

1870

By now, Thomas Faulder was the contractor (possibly since 1868). In July, he lost the tender to Abel Fletcher from Newton.

1871

By April, Faulder has his contract back.

1872

A farm in Richmond is declared a night soil depot by the City Council in October. Abel Fletcher has the contract.

1873

Complaints about Abel Fletcher, he loses license, then regains it again.

1874

Complaints about the Arch Hill night soil depot.
First Waterview depot. Abel Fletcher has the contract again.

Thomas Faulder was summoned for allowing night soil to be spilt on the Great North Road on the 10th November. Mr. John Sheehan appeared to prosecute on behalf of the Board of Health. The accused pleaded not guilty and asked the Bench to adjourn the case to give him time to answer the charge.— Mr Sheehan offering no objection, the case was adjourned until Wednesday. — There is a second charge against the same defendant of suffering offensive matter to remain on land in his occupation abutting on a public thoroughfare, to wit, the Great North Road, on November 19th. — On the licencee making a similar application the case was adjourned until the same day.

(SC 24 November 1874)

1875

Council decide not to renew Abel Fletcher’s license.

1885

Samuel White, then contractor for Auckland City Council, purchases farmland at Pt Chevalier and begins to deposit night soil there.

1888

Maurice Casey now the contractor. White obtains patent for "Native Guano" production method -- one of the poudrette options.

1889

White, in consortium with Frank Jagger and Casey, gains contract to dispose of Auckland's night soil at the New Lynn poudrette factory.

1899

Leslie McDermott, sole night soil contractor with his “air-tight enamel cess-pans” from August. Ratepayers were required to alter their toilets to suit the pans. “My carts are painted blue.”

1900

McDermott’s business empire, the Auckland Sanitary Company, on the verge of extending to Christchurch.

Mr. Leslie McDermott, who is the inventor of a new sealed-pan for the removal of night; soil which, it is stated, will do away with the objectionable features of the system now in vogue in Christchurch and the surrounding boroughs, is at present in Christchurch, and will bring his scheme before the City Council. It may be stated that his idea was adopted by the Auckland City Council about twelve months ago, and after a year's test the Mayor of Auckland, in addressing the Council on the subject, said he was pleased to find that the innovation had been satisfactory alike to the Council and the citizens. He stated the Government Commissioners (Mr Gilruth and Dr Mason) were very pleased with the system, so much so that they recommended the adoption of the pan system where there was no drainage, and condemned the old style of removing nightsoil in open pans and carts. Mr. McDermott has undertaken the contract for the removal of the nightsoil, and his staff has to attend to 7000 pans, and it is claimed for the invention that it enables the objectionable matter to be removed in' the daytime without the slightest inconvenience. The pans, which are lined with enamel, have tops which can be placed on and made airtight. The pans are then removed in specially built waggons, which hold sixty-four pans each, and clean pans are substituted for those taken away. Upon arrival at the place of deposit, the pans are emptied and thoroughly cleansed by steam, the operation being greatly facilitated by the fact that the inside surface is perfectly smooth. Mr. McDermott has obtained a number of satisfactory reports upon the pans, including testimonials from Dr Ashburton Thompson, President of the New South Wales Board of Health. Mr McDermott is prepared to undertake the contract for Christchurch, finding his own pans and plant, or he is prepared to supply the pans for the Council.

(Christchurch Star, 22 June 1900)

November 1900: Henry and William Wilkinson of Auckland register a patent for converting nightsoil into manure.

(Evening Post, 24 November 1900)

1901

AUCKLAND, August 31
The Conciliation Board made an award in the carters' dispute. They recommended that the hours of labour should 'be 48, exclusive of the dinner hour; 56 hours for nightsoil men. Wages : One horse, 42s ; two horses, 46s ; bakers, 40s for delivery of less than 220 loaves ; grocers, confectioners, bacon curers, and. laundries, 40s per week for men over 22 years of age ; special rates for boys, ranging from 15s to 30s per week ; nightsoil men 50s, a week; day men, 54s. Overtime to be paid at the rate of time and a quarter. Holidays: New Year's Day, Anniversary Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, the Sovereign's Birthday, Prince of Wales Birthday, Christmas, and Boxing Day. Casual labour, 1s an hour. Preference was given to unionists. The award is to extend from October 1901, to September 1904.

(Otago Witness 4 September 1901)

November: McDermott tries selling his pans to Wanganui.

1902

McDermott, with his “Airtight Enamelled Cesspan System”, now has a contract with Grey Lynn Borough.

1903

Auckland City Council advertises for a night soil depot, near either the Kaipara or Waikato railway lines.

1904

The Auckland City Council has abandoned the idea of collecting the nightsoil and taking it by rail to a depot at Waikumeti, and has let a contract for the service.

(Evening Post 26 March 1904)

1906

Frank Jagger, the contractor, in court.

THE SANITARY CONTRACT And its Objectionable Methods
UNSAVOURY as the subject unquestionably is, the prosecution of Frank Jagger, sanitary contractor, on the charge of depositing filth in the upper reaches of the harbour is a matter of supreme importance to the people of Auckland. Not only does it closely affect the health of the community, but it also involves the question of the pollution of the harbour. Under the terms of his contract, Frank Jagger is supposed to convey his pans to an island in the upper part of the harbour, and there bury the material, but for the second time within a recent period the startling disclosure has been made that a considerable amount of this offensive matter has not been buried at all, but has been shot into the harbour, to accumulate on the beaches and breed disease.

As a result of the annoyance that settlers and others in the upper part of the harbour have suffered, a watch was kept by the police, and Mr. Mays, for the Crown, was able to say in Court that during one month alone seven thousand pans were emptied into the harbour. This is intolerable. It is a disgrace alike to the contractor and to the Corporation that countenances the perpetuation of such an offensive system. It is a direct impeachment of the Health Department, which devotes so much of its time to irritating pin-pricking of the smaller local bodies while such a gross menace to the public health as this, by a wealthy Corporation that can afford to and ought to make satisfactory sanitary arrangements, is tolerated.

Though this was the second time that the defendant had been before the Court on this charge, Mr. R. W. Dyer, S.M., considered a fine of £25 and costs a sufficient measure of punishment. But what does the fine amount to, after all? It is no deterrent. As likely as not, many times the amount of the fine was saved by the filthy practice complained of. To dump the offensive matter into the harbour is an easy way to get rid of it, and saves labour, so that the punishment should have been in proportion to the offence. But Mr. Jagger is a man of wealth and influence, though he is the sanitary contractor, and it would appear that he escapes lightly where a poorer man would be fittingly punished.

The defence was that defendant had discharged a great many men whom he had found committing the offence. No doubt, this is the fact, and, if so, the very dismissal of a great many men shows that the practice has been carried on to a wholesale extent. What has the City Council to say to this? Is it justified in polluting the harbour in this way, or, even if it is, has the Harbour Board been doing its duty to the people in allowing the filthy system to continue? The lame defence made by the city councillors is that Mr. Jagger lost some money by a former contract, and they are anxious for him to make it up again, but at what a fearful cost. It would be fifty times better to take over the contract altogether, and recoup Mr. Jagger his alleged losses, and thus end a system that is as offensive as it is dangerous to health and life.

(Observer, 17 February 1906)

1907

Auckland City take over Jagger's land, at Harkin's Point, near Riverhead. After a time, night soil barges ceased delivery there, and the land became a paddock and stud for Auckland City's working horses.

1914

Second Waterview depot.

1920s

By now, the Auckland City night soil dump was at Western Springs.

1928

In a letter from the acting City Engineer to the Town Clerk, 12 November 1928, advice that the Western Springs dump had to be moved due to the formation of the road to Western Springs Stadium. A suitable site had been selected on an unformed road south of Old Mill Road.

c.1947

Last of the city’s night soil contractors, Ferguson and Freestone, takes up work.

1950

From 7000 house collections of night soil in Auckland City’s boundaries at the beginning of the 20th century, there are now 300 in Tamaki and 250 in Avondale still needing the service.

1953

The dump became the Motions Road Flushing Station by 1953, near the zoo’s animal morgue at the rear of the zoo complex. It was also used by Mt Roskill Borough. The morgue was demolished c.1958.

1962

Letter from Ferguson & Freestone, 20 February 1962.
They worked at that time for 2/- per collection, and wanted an increase due to declining numbers of collections (with the sewer extensions in the city). Rate to be 3/6 each for 200 collections, 5/- each for 150 collections or below.

As at March, there were still two main areas requiring collections, Tamaki and Avondale. Extensions of the sewers in Tamaki had left just 18 houses in Remuera needing the service. However, a gradual increase in housing at Blockhouse Bay had built up the collections required there to 730 in September 1961. Since then, sewer extensions in Avondale had dropped the number down to 350 at the end of February 1962. The city’s Health Inspector (6 March 1962 memo) expected that the numbers would be down to 200 by the end of 1962, although it was unlikely the service would be completely eliminated for some years yet.

1963

The Health inspector reported (27 March 1963) that there were a total of 135 houses still on night soil collection, 18 in Remuera, the rest in Avondale-Blockhouse Bay.


1967

Last letter to the contractor sighted in the council files – the service was still continuing for the few houses left.

1969

Night soil reception shed no longer in use as at October, and demolished.

City Archives sources:
Night Soil Dump file, ACC 219/28-657
Night Soil Collection & Drainage in Avondale District, ACC 219/28-232

Of early electric trams and telephones

Image from the Observer, 17 August 1907

Something I hadn't considered before now was the effect that electric trams from 1902 would have had on telephones. For twenty years before the new-fangled electric transport, telephones had existed and worked as well as could be expected given the technology of the time. But then, there were problems.

Mr. Tregear spoke of the tremendous noise of Auckland cars, and stated that people from Sydney had informed him that the roaring noise made by the cars was entirely a New Zealand institution, and that in Australia the service was performed in a quieter manner, Mr. Hanson remarked that a new system like that installed in Auckland should not be compared with a much older one like that in Sydney. It took time for the cars to settle down to the running. During the last few days some now cars had been put on, and it was no doubt of these that the visitor to Auckland had complained. The "roaring noise" at the beginning was reduced to almost nothing as the cars settled down. Noise was proportionate to speed; but one car was not worse than another, and given the same time, the Auckland service would run with as little noise as the Sydney one.

Concerning the interference of the tramway wires with those of the telephone, Mr. Little explained that at present both wires returned through the earth, and the interference would continue until a metallic circuit was adopted for the telephone wires, as was adopted elsewhere. This was the only way to entirely remove the trouble. The noise on the Auckland telephones was much less than might be expected where an earth return was used.

(Evening Post, 25 March 1903)

When the electric tramcars started running in Auckland some of the telephone wires were so affected that it was almost impossible to talk over them. Since the cars have started running in Newtown, (says the Wellington " Post ") we have addressed inquiries to three or four residents or business men who have premises at different points on the tram route along Revans and Riddiford Streets. The evidence forthcoming is that, while there is considerable . interference -- the noise caused by the trams being unpleasantly noticeable, a persistent buzzing — it is not so much as to threaten to make the wires unworkable. The general summing-up of the degree of interference was "Not very much but we don't want it any worse." One subscriber stated that during the tram hours there were times when the wire was worse than at other times, but if the general average did not get worse than at present they would be able to get along. Probably the reason why there is less trouble than was experienced at the outset in Auckland is that before running the cars the preliminary precaution was taken of raising the telephone wires. The permanent remedy is claimed to be the substitution of the earth return system for the metallic circuit. The annual report of the Post and Telegraph Department, published last week states— "In consequence of the growth of the larger exchanges and the introduction of electric tramways in the four principal centres, the installation of metallic circuits., has been decided upon to eliminate cross-talk and induction from the tramways."' The first installment of the material for Wellington has arrived. The metallic circuit is giving satisfactory results on those lines in Auckland where it is installed. The complete conversion will probably take some years to effect.

(Christchurch Star, 12 July 1904)

The problem must have been sorted eventually. Trams in Auckland were to last another fifty-plus years.

Visiting Long Bay

Long Bay, also known as Okura, is one of my favourite places in the Auckland region. I even like the long and wounding bus trip to get there -- the buses are frequent, and go through other interesting parts of the East Coast Bays and North Shore. The views are well worth it.

My friend Bill Ellis deserves credit for pointing this out to me: a gun emplacement from World War II, still standing guard, tangled in pohutukawa roots.

Vaughan Homestead, the base for the Torbay Historical Society, is a jewel tucked up and away at the end of the bay. Bit of a trek to get to by foot from the bus stop, but on a brilliantly fine day (like today), the house repays the effort by its splendour.

The Society's museum at the top of the stairs is worth a look as well.

How long this view remains uncluttered by our suburban "progress" is unknown. There's a campaign running to try to protect the environs of the park. More info here.

Update 22 September 2009: Just had an email today from Bill & Barbara Ellis, of the Torbay Historical Society (which administers Vaughan Homestead).

"The rocking chair belonged to Margaret Vaughan - the first 'lady of the house'

"The little building was used to house prize dogs.  We are planning to do it up as gum store ( the original gum store became derelict and is no longer there).

"The gun emplacement is one of the three that were on Long Bay. It is the central one, the other 2 being at each end of the beach overlooking the Bay.  There is also one in private property on Beach Road just up from the Park entrance  - That one would have covered anyone coming up the Awaruku Stream

"The Homestead -  was restored to reinstate the verandah and the dormer windows as they were in 1895."

Cheers, folks, much appreciated.

Henderson's corner bogey

I like this. On spotting it yesterday afternoon at the corner of Great North Road and Railside Avenue in Henderson, I knew I had to take some shots of it for the blog. I couldn't figure out what it represented ...

... until I crossed the road to take a closer look. It's a rail bogey, what carries the framework of carriages or locomotives on the track.

The artwork dates from 2008. More beautiful traffic control box art. Well done, Waitakere City Council. (The grass painted on the small box beside it is a cool touch.)

More on the Symonds Street tuatara

An update to this post.

I've had an email today from Christopher Thompson which sheds more light on where the tuatara came from.

"I rather suspect that the Tuatara mentioned in the Auckland Star report may have escaped from a group collected for research purposes by my great grandfather, Algernon Thomas, first professor of natural sciences at Auckland University College. Thomas began his research into Tuatara in February 1885, gathering some 90 specimens from Kawera Island. The Tuatara were usually kept in a 'lizard house' at his home (then in Portland Road, Remuera) but the location of the putative escapee suggests that it may have come from his laboratory, then housed in the former Parliament building. The research was published in 'Preliminary note on the development of Tuatara', Proceedings of the Royal Society, London, 48, (1890).

I am attaching a copy of a photographic print of some of the Tuatara (and their eggs) taken by Thomas around 1890."

Thanks very much, Christopher! As I mentioned in reply, I had wondered where the tuatara may have come from, and thought I'd never find out. I really appreaciate this information, cheers!

Image by Sir Algernon Thomas, reproduced by kind permission from Christopher Thompson

A Symonds Street "Saurian Monster"

Readers of this blog may have previously come across The Great Waikato Saurian Hunt of '86 and its sequel.

Well, at the beginning of 1889, the story had still remained in the imagination of Aucklanders.

A Mr. Bell of Symonds Street, living next door to Mr. Sandall, a butcher, found in his back garden on 9 February 1889 "a creature strange to him, horrible to look at and about 20 inches long." He was about to kill it when a boy employed by Sandall asked for it. Sandall "was sure that he had secured the Waikato saurian, or a small edition at least, and sent off the news to town, at the same time confining the creature in a cage in front of his shop, regaling him with raw meat."

The Auckland Star despatched a representative to the new attraction, and pronounced that it was "a fine specimen of the 'Tuatara' lizard. It had evidently escaped from confinement somewhere, as these lizards are not found round the city."

Image from Wiki.

4 September 2009:An update here.

A postmaster's opinion on the education of Chinese, 1888

In 1888, the NZ Herald and Auckland Star reprinted part of the following letter, sent by a Mr. J. P. Vause to the Auckland Education Board.

"Te Aroha, 4th July. Gentlemen, — I respectfully beg to ask whether Chinese children are admitted into our public schools; and, if not, whether you are aware that a Chinese-boy is now attending the Te Aroha public school (apparently with the sanction of the school committee, as no notice has been taken by them of the matter), having commenced to attend on Monday last? I make this enquiry on behalf of myself and other parents of children attending the school, who strongly protest against being compelled to have our children associate with such loathsome and objectionable characters as the Chinese, more especially as in the case of the boy I refer to; he is the adopted protége of a Chinese gardener, who lives in squalid filth in a small shanty about five feet square, known to be a den of opium smoking and other vices, and to come within a few yards of either him or the boy is absolutely unpleasant. I am not aware whether your Board has the power to prohibit Chinese children from attending the school. If it has, I earnestly trust that in this case that power may be at once exercised, both for the sake of the prosperity of the school and for the welfare of those European children attending it."

The Aroha and Ohinemuri News reprinted it on 11 July – after hearing about it via the Auckland papers.

In reading about European reaction to Chinese in this country in the 19th century, I’m used to seeing stuff like this, and I thought this was just another one of those times.

As can happen with history – it pays to read on.

Who was J. P. Vause? John Phillip Vause was born at Kawhia in 1860, according to the Cyclopedia of NZ. He took up a career with the Post Office in 1877, and as at 1902 hadn’t left. From 1883, he was post master at Te Aroha. He got involved with the community, Band of Hope meetings, things like that. On his way to being a pillar of Te Aroha society.

Until he wrote the letter.

The reaction from the Te Aroha community as soon as they heard about it was immediate.

“The action of the local postmaster, Mr. J. P. Vause, in writing to the Board of Education with respect to Ah Yang's son, in the manner reported in our telegram, is most unwarranted and deserving of strong censure. The Chinese are not desirable colonists, and are addicted to very bad and objectionable vices as a nation, but we have never heard any complaint whatever made against Ah Yang, who has now been resident at Te Aroha for six or seven years, and is a quiet inoffensive industrious man. He recently sent to China for this son, a lad of about fourteen, whose father no doubt considers, seeing he is a ratepayer and an elector, that he has just as much right to avail of free education at the state school as Mr. J. P. Vause's children have, if not more seeing the one is better able to procure private arid select tuition for his children than the other. It is greatly to Ah Yang's credit to show a desire that his boy should avail of any opportunities within his reach for improvement. We may state that since the receipt of the telegram we have interviewed the head master on the question, who states the boy is well conducted, clean in person and habits so far as he has had opportunity of observing, well dressed, and he has never heard anyone raise any objection to the lad before. Others we have spoken to have replied in the same strain. The whole letter appears to have been a most unprovoked and unwarranted attack on Mr Ah Yang and his son.”

(The Aroha and Ohinemuri News, 7 July 1888)

A letter writer to the newspaper called for a subscription fund to be raised for persecuting Vause for defaming Ah Yang. The newspaper said they wouldn’t suggest taking things quite that far – but Vause, in their opinion, needed to apologise. Quickly.

“For the information of our readers we may state that as a matter of fact Mr. Ah Yang's house instead of being about 5ft. by 5ft. is about 24ft. by 8ft, with a 6ft. skillion in addition. The house is match-lined, comfortably furnished, clean, and tidy. Mr. Ah Yang has been in the Colony about thirty years (having been twenty years on and off at Coromandel, four in Auckland, and six at To Aroha). He is a man who pays his way and is generally respected. The lad referred to in Mr. Vanse's letter, we learn on enquiry is only ten years of age, and the nephew of Mr. Ah Yang, who has adopted him, and in addition to the tuition received at the public school, we are informed Mr. Ah Yang is paying two shillings per week to a party for teaching the lad English words and their meaning.”

(The Aroha and Ohinemuri News, 11 July 1888)

Within days, Vause wrote again to the Board of Education, withdrawing his previous correspondence, claiming that he had been misinformed.

Two months later, the Post Office transferred him to Te Awamutu.

“…For some reasons, which it is not my business to enquire into, Mr. Vause, postmaster, has been transferred from here to Te Awamutu, and Mr. Clough, from that place, appointed to Te Aroha. I am informed that Mr. Clough has for the past twelve years been resident postmaster at Te Awamutu, and naturally enough had come to look upon it as his permanent home. From all accounts he has expended a considerable amount of labour and time (which is equal to money) in making the postmaster's abode at Te Awamutu second to none of its class in the Colony. Its garden is well stocked with fruit and other trees, and altogether in excellent order, with the promise of a great fruit yield. I cannot exactly entertain a feeling of congratulation towards Mr. Clough's successor, but I trust that after inspecting his new home, Mr. Vause will have been taught more than one lesson. The exchange which has been forced upon Mr. Clough in this respect is not a happy one, although the outside appearance of the Te Aroha postmaster's residence is of fair average, alas the garden! Where flourished the rose tree, and fruit trees generally, now yawn deep holes, and the place appears to have been regularly stripped of everything in the shape of fruit trees and flowers. It is stated Mr. Vause sold as many as he could of the fruit trees, etc., dug up the remainder, and turned in his cow to complete the work of devastation prior to his leaving. His action in so doing needs no comment and speaks volumes with respect to the general character of the man. I fail to see any reason why Mr. Vause should thus make matters so uncomfortable for his successor (who would much have preferred remaining at Te Awamutu), even though he may be a Government official and had planted with his own official hands. It seems to me in Mr. Clough's case one of hardship, that for no assignable reason, the fruits of his twelve years careful labour (he having left everything in apple pie order) should be handed over to a stranger, whilst he has to take possession of a wilderness, unless the Government grants him good compensation, or if they will not do this, to follow the retrenchment mania, deduct the full value of Mr. Clough's plantings and improvements from Mr. Vause's salary,
I remain, etc.,
Fair Play,
Te Aroha, Sept. 20th, 1888.”

(The Aroha and Ohinemuri News, 29 September 1888)

According to one family history site, Vause died in 1940 in Devonport, up here in Auckland. After blotting his copybook in Te Aroha and creating a storm of reaction against his comments, so it seemed, he apparently did all right in Te Awamutu.

Local libraries should have local history

At some point, someone within the Waitakere City Libraries administration made a decision that all local history information formerly held at community libraries in the city's area should be centralised in Henderson.

I know I live in Auckland City, and don't pay rates going into the kitty across the Whau River, but -- I think such a policy is daft. Certainly, if you want years of news clippings to be kept safe in case of theft, fire, all the other hazards -- copy them, and allow the local community library to have something with which to help a school kid coming up to the counter in need of answers to some query about the community where they live. Now, though, it seems folks are directed to Henderson, from wherever they live in Waitakere City.

This issue came up in the light of what happened to a book I donated to the New Lynn library, a copy of The Zoo War. I gave it to New Lynn because I wanted something I had written lodged in the library of the area where my mother got her first house (on Veronica Street). I specifically stated I did not want it gravitating towards Henderson. The staff wrote a note on the top of the accession form to that effect.

You can guess what happened. It's now in Henderson, where (the librarian who answered my rather irate query says I should feel honoured that they considered it to be of such national importance that they thought it should be there rather than just in New Lynn.

I disagreed, lodged a formal complaint -- and never had a response.

So, yesterday, I was in New Lynn library. I advised them that as there's stuff that's appeared here on New Lynn history (such as the Poudrette Factory piece), they might want a copy for their files -- but would that head to Henderson as well?

The library's manager said yes, it would. They no longer have a vertical file for their local history. Everything goes to Henderson. I remember a few years ago they'd asked if they could have some of my Green Bay notes for their file, but I never got around to sorting them out (usual business of time passing in a flurry). I'm glad now that I didn't -- it would have been a waste of time.

I'm glad that Auckland City Libraries do not have this policy. Sure, the Auckland Research Centre has information banks such as their scrapbook indexes and the like, but -- they've always had them. Our local community libraries, in varying degrees, have their own collections. I can go into a library in my city, no matter which suburb, and ask to see their local history collection. I end up directed to a drawer, or a filing cabinet, and there's usually copies of articles and photographs for me to do research with. My own collection of Avondale stuff started with me copying from Avondale Library's vertical file (in those days, in the 1980s, you handed over your library card as security.) These days, not forgetting those beginnings, I give stuff to the library now in return. Avondale Community Library and the Avondale-Waterview Historical Society have a great relationship.

What will happen under the impending Super City is anyone's guess. I don't think what's happened to Waitakere City's community libraries can be easily undone, which is the sad thing. I hope that whoever runs the new system can put something back into the local libraries, so we have a chance of keeping local history alive in our schools. Good thing kids can access the Internet at least -- I'm even more glad, now, that I started this blog.

Pt. Chevalier Times No. 7

Fresh off the press, in Scribd.

The clay pipes of Copsey Place

A friend who collects bottles and used to go digging for them in the 1970s, gave me the above photograph in 2004. It shows a pile of broken and not-so-broken clay pipes, found somewhere near the end of Copsey Place in Avondale. Back when about a third of the old Copsey farm was still Railway land for the planned Avondale-to-Pollen Island link (never happened).

Above is a detail from SO 43071 from 1961 (LINZ records, crown copyright). It muddies any thoerising as to how the pipes came to be dumped in the area. Up until his death in the 1870s, Robert Chisholm used this land as part of his sheep farm (I doubt his sheep were into smoking). Then in 1882, it was bought by a brewer named Donald Norman Watson. A possible lead there. In 1898, Edward Ernest Copsey bought part 55 in the middle, through which Copsey Place was formed when the land (up to the railway bit at the end) was subdivided in 1967. Part 54 to the right went through a series of owners from 1898, until it became the property of the Connell family from 1921 until 2008.

Anyway, my friend was good enough to donate three bits from the pile -- two bowls and a pipe end. The design of the three-masted full-rigged sailing ship and anchor don't help. The design seems to have originated from the 1860s and the time of the American Civil War. It was commonly used and adapted all over, and in various times, though. The donor suggested that the pipes might have come from a German tobacconist's shop ransacked due to anti-German feeling in World War I. He reckoned he saw German-made pipes. The northern shoreline of Rosebank, though, could simply have been a rubbish tip for quite some time, as well as a place over which the night soil was spread in the 19th century.

Meanwhile, another friend back in 2004 donated this complete pipe found in the mid-20th century over at Horton Place, part of the Aickin family farm. Made by Pollocks of Manchester, that isn't too much help for amateur sleuthing either -- Pollocks were going from the 1700s to the 1990s. Still, it's a cool relic.

Any ideas from readers would be appreciated.

Oh, and today most of the former railway land is now all developed and covered by buildings, with just a narrow coastal strip left in public ownership. If there was anything left on the ground to help sort out the mystery -- it's gone, now. Sad, that.

Vanished Old Avondale

At the reunion of Avondale Primary School past pupils in 2007, members of the Clews family gave the Avondale-Waterview Historical Society some truly amazing photographs from their collection. This one shows, left to right, the old Henry Peck's Store and Bakery, and the last Avondale Hotel (then known as the Avoncourt). I believe this photo, a rare colour shot of this part of Avondale which is now the roundabout, dates from the mid 1960s at the latest. When this shot was taken, we still had traffic islands.

In September 1967, the scene here changed forever. The old store and hotel were demolished for a supermarket and cafe complex (this was demolished later on as well). I vaguely recognise this scene, but not clearly. I was only 4 years old when it vanished.

The hotel, built by Moss Davis in 1889 was utterly sound in structure, according to the chap who demolished it. The demolition is still a sore point among those of us in Avondale born before 1967 -- and to quitye a few who came after once they realised what had been there before.

This is Henry Peck's store. What was amazing was that it survived so long -- from the early 1880s at least, but possibly part of James Palmer's early 1870s development around his wooden hotel.

Here is the store pre-1888, from before the fire which destroyed Palmer's second hotel. A bit of change to the roofline, and the verandah lost a support and went from four to three -- but it was still the same building. That store served in the 1890s as the Avondale branch of Arthur Page's grocery and supply store business, servicing West Auckland right up to and beyond Henderson.

At least, thankfully, we have the images.

Hudson's "Bound to Rise" baking powder

Image from the Observer newspaper, 22 January 1898. Click to enlarge.

I never thought something like baking powder would be puzzling.

Just doing some Papers Past trawling, and I came upon this advertisement. J. J. Hudson's "Bound to Rise" Balloon brand of baking powder, featuring a balloon, a couple of flags (one the Union Jack, the other the NZ ensign), and a chap standing in basket, holding what I imagine would be a tin of the said baking powder. The brand seems to appeared in the late 1880s, while the powder itself (if you believe the ads) originated in 1874, in Mr. Hudson's chemist shop at the corner of Queen and Victoria Streets in Auckland.

Of course, I'm a child of the last half of the 20th century -- and I know of Edmond's "Sure to Rise" baking powder, from Christchurch. The stuff that's still around, along with the cookbooks. Only now, they call it "Edmond's STR baking powder" on the Goodman Fielder website.

One powder featured a balloon, the other opts for the sunrise. I started to wonder -- which came first?

At this stage, until more info comes in (if anyone knows more on this, don't hesitate to drop me a line) -- it looks like it was the Aucklander.

When the Cyclopedia of New Zealand was being compiled and readied for publication in 1902, John Holmes Hudson featured as the maker of

"the celebrated “Balloon Brand” Baking Powder manufactured on his premises and which bears the familiar registered trade mark “Bound to Rise.” Its history dates back to 1874 in which year Mr. Hudson manufactured his first batch of baking powder, since which time it has retained its premier position. This is a wonderful record considering the many importations of foreign articles that have been introduced into local markets, but all have failed to oust the “Balloon Brand” from the front rank. Its name is a household word throughout the whole of the province and the islands."

A year later, in December 1903, Hudson was out dining at the Auckland Club, when he suddenly felt ill. He was taken home in a cab, but once there lost consciousness and passed away, from heart disease. In Auckland since 1860, he came in on the Annie Langton, according to press reports of his demise. (Bay of Plenty Times, 18 December 1903)

Hudson developed his baking powder in 1873, in partnership with (apparently) chemist Thomas Boucher Hill at 57 Victoria Street in Auckland (it was initially known as "Hill's Colonials Baking Powder - Waikato Times, 12 June 1873) ; Thomas J. Edmonds developed his in 1879, but it appears to have remained quite local. I can't find any advertising before 1888. When he had a stall at the Jubilee Exhibition, the report (Christchurch Star, 20 December 1900) says he had been manufacturing his product for 20 years. He was not only into baking powder, but also self-raising flour and egg powder. Makes sense.

But ... the brand. Those slogans ...

In the Auckland corner, Mr. J. H. Hudson, who started using balloons as branding, with "Bound to rise" from around 1887 (earliest ad found online, the Observer, 25 June 1887).

In the Christchurch corner, Mr. T. J. Edmonds -- 1901, at the Christchurch Metropolitan Show (Christchurch Star, 7 November 1901)

I don't think one merchant borrowed from the other. One chose a balloon, the other may have just said his powder was "sure to rise". They probably both emerged at the same time, Hudson's product older than Edmond's. But Edmond's, of course, was the one to win out.

The cookbooks started coming out in the first decade of the 20th century. Hudson's hadn't a hope of maintaining brand superiority against that onslaught. The last reference I can find at the moment is c.1919, a gallant set of ads in the Poverty Bay Herald declaring Hudson's (then owned by another company) were the best in the land. No sign of that "Bound to Rise" motto, just the balloon name.

From then on, however, just about the only brand name worth knowing in the baking powder trade seems to have been Edmond's.

Poverty Bay Herald, 17 July 1919

Forbes Eadie: local historian, rabble rouser, enigma

Image from NZETC.

For the last two years or so, I've been collecting information on a former resident of Mt Albert, Forbes Eadie (c.1879-1962), ever since I came across him and his activities during the typhoid outbreak of 1922, covered in Wairaka's Waters (2007). He seemed to have been a rabble rouser, a "stormy petrel", an obstinate battler when he felt his cause was just or if he thought he'd been hard done by in the name of authority.

He was also "Lee Fore Brace", shipping historian and expert from the early 1930s on radio and in print in the Auckland Star and Weekly News. He compiled records of early passenger shipping, and was a member of the 1940 Centennial committees here. Like the Duchess of Argyle, he too hailed from the port of Greenock, where he grew up. But his article on the Mermaid has been panned for inaccuracies or for being made up out of whole cloth. His maritime heritage experience, aside from his obvious enthusiasm and boyhood in Greenock, is suspect. Yet his "Forbes Eadie Scrapbook" is still a recognised resource for those digging their way through Auckland's general past, accurate or not

What follows are notes I've been able to compile so far on his career. I've also had help from Graeme Easte and his notes on the Eadie family history (thanks, Graeme). I will always welcome any further information on Forbes Eadie.

Latest update to post: 23 February 2016.

c.1879

Forbes Eadie is born in West Greenock, Renfrewshire, Scotland. His father, also named Forbes Eadie (1837-188?), was a Police Superintendent. A brother George, steam engine maker, apparently also came to NZ and settled in Port Chalmers, Dunedin.

(Information from a family historian)

From Graeme's notes:

A 1939 ‘Listener’ story about Forbes suggested that he was born on Islay, Argyllshire, but this was a reference to the birthplace of his father who had the same name. Islay is a 61,956 Ha. island on the stormy Atlantic fringe of Scotland some 110 km due west of Glasgow. Known as the Queen of the Hebrides for its rich soil, Islay’s economy is based on farming and distilling malt whisky. In 1841 the population was 15,772 but by 1881 it had fallen to 7,559 and today it is about 3,500 concentrated around the deeply incised Loch Indaal. Forbes’ grandparents, both born on Islay, were James Eadie (17??–186?), a gardener, and Margaret nee SMITH (1800–81+) a dressmaker. By 1866 Forbes Senior was a police constable at Duntocher in the Parish of Old Kirkpatrick.  

In the 1881 census for West Greenock, we find Forbes aged 1 year, living with his parents, five siblings and 80 year-old grandmother at 66 Ann Street, presumably some kind of tenement building as it housed 11 families. His father is a 42 year old Lieutenant of Police. He and Margaret were married(c) on 16.1.1866 at New Kirkpatrick, Dunbarton 6 km north west of Glasgow on the north bank of the Clyde. Their seven children were: Jessie (1866–??), James (1868–??), George (1869–??), Forbes I (13.4.1872–187?), John (1874–??), Elizabeth (1876–??), and Forbes II (1879–1962). This differs slightly from the I.G.I. which gives only the first five births: Janet McKinlay (26.3.1866), James (9.2.1868), John (23.3.1870), Forbes (13.4.1872), and George (3.6.1873); the first two being born at Cardross (6 km n.w. of Dunbarton), John at Old Kirkpatrick (3 km to the east) and the last two at Falkirk 47 km to the east and just north of the midpoint between Glasgow and Edinburgh. In 1881 Jessie was an apprentice dressmaker; James, George and John were scholars. George also came to New Zealand, settling at Port Chalmers where he was a steam engine maker. Unfortunately the Old Scottish Parochial Records available in New Zealand only run up to 1855; in this time Renfrewshire had more EADIE christenings and marriages than any other county. This included John Crawford Eadie (chr.1.7.1804–??) born to John Eadie and his wife Rabinah Crawford (followed by twins in 1806); is this the origin of Hamilton’s first name? Although most of theses events were in parishes south of Glasgow, there were some at Greenock, including the birth of Christian in 1838.

The Watt Library in Greenock, Scotland has a list of entries of possible family members in their BDM index.

In 1878, a daughter was born to Lt. Forbes Eadie of the Burgh Police and his wife. A son followed in 1879 (3 June – possibly Forbes Eadie), then another son in 1881, a daughter in 1883, and another daughter in 1887.

The younger Forbes Eadie was said to have been educated at Glasgow University, Bachelor of Science. (Ashburton Guardian, 3 December 1921) However, Eadie family records (via Graeme Easte) state that Forbes Eadie went to sea aged 14 (c.1893) starting a 20 year career in sailing ships and steamers around the world, before developing a bad case of sunstroke around 1910 which nearly cost him his sight. On medical advice, according to that story, he then sought a shore job. This, however, conflicts with the records we have of him in China no later than 1900-1906. Possibly, he served only 7-8 years at sea, not 20, but the sunstroke story may be true.

The ship he served on as an apprentice, and (apparently) member of the "Hellfire Twelve", was the Springburn, a Glasgow-built ship completed in 1892, which would fit in with the period Eadie was likely at sea.

Memories of the barque Springburn and her eventful trips in the days of sail under the famous Captain D. Hunter are recalled by the death at Sydney of Captain W. J. Swales-Eyre, of the Union Steam Ship Company. 

Captain Swales-Eyre was one of "the hellfire twelve." That was the sobriquet of the twelve apprentices that the barque carried in her halcyon days of the 'nineties. One fine day at Portland, Oregon, six of the twelve decided to vary shore life by getting photographed. The group appears, on this page. In the front row is Captain Swales-Eyre. Now there is only one survivor left —Mr. Forbes Eadie, of Auckland, writer and broadcaster of topics of the sea. 

All the six apprentices got their master's certificate before reaching 24 years of age, and some of them helped to make history. 

Captain Frank McLagen was master of the steamer Alcinous when she was sunk by a submarine in the English Channel. Another war victim was Captain J. Battersea, who was in command of the Chinook when she was sunk by a mine. Captain P. Bain added a page to the history of the British mercantile marine when his ship, the Clan McNeil, put up a great but unavailing fight in the Bay of Biscay before a German submarine sank her with all hands. 

Captain T. H. Munro joined the Navy during the war, and was lost in the battle-cruiser Queen Mary, which disappeared in flame and smoke in the early stages of the Battle of Jutland. 

Captain Swales-Eyre was the only son of the Rev. W. Swales-Eyre, vicar of York. His last command with the Union Steam Ship Company was the Oonah, on the run between Launceston and Hobart. He was one of the best-known masters of the company, also the original "Yorkie" of the "Lee Fore Brace" sea stories. 

Auckland Star 31 December 1932

Did Eadie really have a masters' certificate, or did he leave before completing his apprenticeship?
 

1900-1903
Serves with the police in China. Graeme's notes say this service was in Shanghai, before promotion to Deputy Chief Constable at Amoy (Xiamen).

1903-1906

During this period, Forbes Eadie serves with the China Mutual Insurance Company (in 1906 at least, documented). The Straits Times in 1906 refers to him as Assistant Agent for the company at Amoy [Xiamen]. Papers relating to him and his service are stored in a collection of “Confidential British Foreign Correspondence, China, 1906-1908”.

Ashley Brewin (see comment below) has added the info that  Eadie was initiated into the Corinthian Lodge of Amoy No. 1806 (United Grand Lodge of England) at the age of 24 on 10 September 1904, his profession recorded as Police Superintendent. This lodge began in 1878 on the island of Gulangyu, off the west coast of Amoy, and was warranted the following year. A history of the lodge can be found here.

Ashburton Guardian in 1921 says he served in China for 13 years, but the Scotsman of 1906 contradicts this. The Ashburton Guardian story could be one of the first of Forbes Eadie’s revisions of his own history.

1906

18 June: Dr. Herbert R Horne and Forbes Eadie are attacked by “pirates” (bandits) at Tungun near Amoy, China. Eadie is badly injured, and said to have returned to Scotland.

(Fielding Star, 16 August 1906)

Mr. Forbes Eadie is a son of ex-Superintendent Forbes Eadie, Greenock burgh police. Six years ago Mr. Forbes Eadie went to China, and joining the police force at Shanghai, rapidly gained promotion, being appointed deputy chief constable at Amoy three years ago. Resigning that post recently, he became identified with the China Mutual Insurance Company, and acted as manager of the branch at Amoy. He is twenty seven years of age.

(The Scotsman, 20 June 1906)

Reparation for Attack on Dr. Horne and Mr. Eadie near Amoy.

HC Deb 30 October 1906 vol 163 c863 863
MR. REES
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the assailants of Dr. Horne and Mr. Eadie, near Amoy, on 18th June, have been brought to justice, or whether any reparation has been made by the Chinese Government for the conduct of Chinese subjects on that occasion.

(Answered by Sir Edward Grey.) His Majesty's Consul at Amoy has reported that the Chinese authorities, who showed entire goodwill in the matter, have taken steps to apprehend the assailants of Dr. Horne and Mr. Eadie. But no news of their capture has as yet reached His Majesty's Government. Inquiry is being made on this point. The Taotai of Amoy has offered to pay Dr. Horne's and Mr. Eadie's medical expenses, and His Majesty's Minister at Peking has been authorised to suggest to the Chinese Government that some compensation should be paid in addition as an act of grace.

(Hansard, sighted 29 August)

By 1907, Forbes Eadie appears to have not retuned to Scotland -- but started up a farming life in Victoria. In April 1907, Dr Horne was granted £1000 compensation, Forbes Eadie £100, from the Chinese government, "as an act of grace." (West Australian, 8 April 1907)

Rob de Souza-daw emailed me in early December 2011, and sent through copies of the 1907 papers regarding the compensation case, plus an obituary for Dr. H R Horne from 1908. Forbes Eadie saw his friend Dr Horne just before the latter's death, so was in Australia to the middle of 1908. Eadie arrived in Australia 19 March 1908 on board the Somerset, destined for Melbourne, his occupation listed on the passenger list as "merchant marine". (Victoria. Inward Overseas Passenger Lists (British Ports). Microfiche VPRS 7666, copy of VRPS 947. Public Record Office Victoria, North Melbourne, Victoria, via Ancestry.com.)

Here is a relevant passage from the obituary:

The accident which has had such a sad and lamentable result was a very simple one. At the doctor’s suggestion Mr F Eadie and Mr Archie Campbell took the car for a run in the early part of the afternoon and drove almost to Sale and back. Mr Eadie who is an expert motorist, states the car ran beautifully. They returned shortly after 4 o’clock and the doctor said he would take Mrs Horne and Miss Andrews, a visitor from Albury for a run. They went along the Rosedale road and on passing the Methodist Church a dog ran in front of the car. It is supposed that the dog was struck by the connecting rod of the steering gear for it was subsequently found to have been slightly bent. This, it is stated would materially affect the steering apparatus. Notwithstanding this, the car ran splendidly until going down the hill to Sheepwash Bridge at Loy Yang when the steering gear went wrong and became locked. The doctor actually managed to get almost over the bridge when it seems to have swerved and crashed into the end post on the steering side. The sudden impact threw both Mrs Horne and Miss Andrews out of the car but they alighted on the ground and escaped with little worse than a severe shaking. Dr Horne however, was not thrown out, his chest and abdomen was jammed against the steering wheel causing the dreadful internal injury stated above ...

It will be remembered by many that Dr Horne had a frightful experience during his stay in China. Along with Mr Forbes Eadie, now a resident amongst us, he was travelling in the Tong’An district of Fujian Province, a place about 40 miles from the port of Amoy. A Chinaman came up to Mr Eadie and asked him the time. Upon being told, he snatched the watch and made off. Mr Eadie gave chase but upon rounding a corner was shot at by the thief’s friends. The Doctor, upon hearing the shots called to Mr Eadie to come back and then ran along the road. Looking round, the Doctor saw his friend upon the ground and without thinking of the possible consequences, he gallantly rushed back and standing over the prostrate Mr Eadie, beat off the bandits with his fists until the latter could get upon his feet again. The robbers, who now numbered from 16 to 20 set upon the two gentlemen with knives and scimitars. The unequal fight which then took place has often been described in the realms of fiction but seldom has one happened in reality. Both gentlemen came out of the struggle covered with wounds, the Doctor being the most seriously injured, having received no less than 48 wounds in the encounter. The place where the fight took place was afterwards described by Consul-General Butler to be more like a slaughter house than a country hill side. Two Chinamen were found to be dead and three others died from injuries received. After the affray was over, Dr Horne attended to his wounded friend, tying up arteries and bandaging his numerous wounds. He then sewed up a gaping wound in his own abdomen from which the bowels were protruding. After this was done, he placed Mr Eadie (who weighed 14 stone) on his back and carried him into the City, a distance of about half-a-mile. When one considers what odds were against the Doctor and his friend and that both were unarmed and had only their hands to defend themselves, it is a marvel that any escape was possible. The Doctor’s actions throughout the terrible affair were strongly commented upon by the European Press in China as the acts of a genuine friend and a brave and honourable man. He had the choice of certain escape or what looked to be certain death. He chose the latter and added one more laurel to a name which will be long honoured in China, Africa, Scotland and his native Australia. As Dr Horne and Mr Eadie were traveling for the China Mutual Life Assurance Society and under passport at the time, they were granted compensation by the Imperial Chinese Government, the former £1000 and the latter £200.

The late doctor had occasion to save Mr Eadie’s live before the Tong’An trouble took place. They were out on the mountains tiger shooting when a large tiger rushed Mr Eadie and mauled him considerably. The doctor coolly told his friend to lie still, crept up behind the animal and succeeded in bagging it first shot. The skin of the tiger which measured 9ft 11in long, now graces the drawing room of the late doctor’s house. Mr Eadie’s recovery from the injuries received in the Tong’An outrage was very slow, in fact he has not yet regained his former vigor and strength. So great is his esteem for the late doctor that some months ago he came from Scotland to join his old friend. His intention being to settle on the land in Victoria. He feels that he has lost the greatest friend he had in the whole world and the only one in Australia.

Gippsland Farmers' Journal, 8 May 1908

Later on in May that year, Forbes Eadie had a nasty accident.

Yesterday afternoon a serious accident happened to Mr Forbes Eadie. From what we can learn it appears that Mr Eadie, who is employed at Mr Neilson's farm in Traralgon Park, was carting water for the chaffcutter. He was sitting on the shaft of the dray, and must have evidently slipped and fallen off, for the wheel passed over his left leg. Mr Eadie was brought to Traralgon private hospital, and attended by Drs McLean and Kirkpatrick, who found that he had sustained a compound fracture of the leg, both bones being broken. The accident is an unfortunate one for Mr Eadie, as we understand he is working with the object of gaining experience in farming before starting out for himself. 

Traralgon Record (Victoria) 15 May 1908

1908
Forbes Eadie may have arrived in New Zealand around this time, possibly though either late 1908 or soon after.

(Auckland Star, 9 November 1931 … “For over 23 years Forbes Eadie had been in New Zealand …”)

Ashburton Guardian of 1921 reported that Eadie had been in New Zealand 15 years..

At some point during this time, according to Eadie, he worked for the Lands and Survey Department. This has yet to be confirmed.

1909
Forbes Eadie's name appears as a keen and successful fisherman in the columns of the Southland Times in May 1909.

One of the largest catches yet reported is that of Mr Forbes Eadie, who on Sunday from the Tokonui Stream at the back of Fortrose, landed 17 trout of various sizes. The four largest of these turned the scale at 11 1/2 lb [total] ...They are all nice, clean sea-run fish though the largest of them is not in the best of condition. Mr Eadie reports that he had to return to the water several of the trout that had not yet recovered from the effects of spawning. The lure used by the angler was the Millburn minnow.

(Southland Times 5 October 1909)

1910
Corporal Eadie of the SMR, as the Southland Times reported his rank in April 1910, gave a lecture at the Non-Coms Club on China and the Chinese on 28 April, which does appear to show that this is indeed our man.

During the course of his lecture last evening, Corpl. Eadie explained the reason why Chinese in whatever country, walk in Indian file when perambulating the streets. This was due to the narrow streets of their homeland whore locomotion necessitated moving in single  file and the characteristic, now a national factor, has become an ingrained precept.

(Southland Times 29 April 1910)

He spoke of European history in China, and other general observations about the Chinese. He wasn't terribly supportive of the work of the missionaries in China however, and stated that they had contributed to the occurrence of the Boxer Rebellion. One Henry H Barton took umbrage, and sparked a letter-to-the-editor series of skirmishes with Eadie in the newspaper.

1911
Forbes Eadie appointed 2nd Lieutenant, 7th (Southland) Mounted Rifles, dated 8th July.

(NZ Gazette, 24 August 1911, p. 2607)

He was apponted to that rank directly from that of sergeant.

His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to approve of the appointment of Mr Forbes Eadie as second lieutenant in the 7th Regiment (Southland Mounted Rifles) from July 81911. Lieutenant Eadie was for a number of years a member of the Hong Kong police, and later was engaged in assisting to quell the Boxer rising. Mr Eadie received severe wounds, and at one time the Boxers found him, and did not consider he was worth a friendly bullet to put an end to his sufferings.

(Evening Star (Dunedin), 5 September 1911)

An "F Eadie" from Invercargill earlier attended a concert and ball held by the Southland Athletic Society. (Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, 7 March 1911)

According to the 1911 electoral roll, Forbes Eadie was an accountant at 24 Yarrow Street, Invercargill. 

1912
March 1912 -- Eadie in Morrinsville, in partnership with H Lomox as Lomax & Co, land and estate agents, and accountants, Eadie described by the notice in the Waikato Independent of 12 March as a fully qualified accountant.

Public notice in Cambridge in July that year saying that Forbes Eadie is now living in Morrinsville and not connected with Lomax & Co Land Agent.

(Waikato Independent, 13 July 1912, courtesy Cambridge Museum)

Another public notice saying he is still a partner of the firm Lomax & Co.

(Waikato Independent, 20 July 1912, Cambridge Museum)

Lieutenant Forbes Eadie presented a prize to the best Scout.

(Waikato Independent, August 1912, Cambridge Museum)

The extraordinary interest being taken in the Legion of Frontiersmen was at an evidence last week when a large number of inquiries were received from all parts of New Zealand, Australia, and South Sea Islands. A large number of members of the old volunteer forces have sent in their names, and frontiersmen of all kinds are flocking round the standard of Legion ... Amongst those who have formed the Morrinsville command are Major Howie, a successful volunteer officer, Capt. J. B. Whyte, a veteran of the Boer war, and Mr Forbes Eadie, one of the original members of the Legion and a veteran of the China and other campaigns. 

 (Northern Advocate, 7 October 1912)

By November 1912, it appears he may have been a Captain in the Legion, (Auckland Star 21 November) under the Auckland command.

1913

Captain Forbes Eadie, formerly attached to Admiral Seymour's special scout corps in China, and who has been appointed to the command of the local Frontiersmen, intends visiting the individual troops with the Auckland Commissioner shortly, in order to see the boys at work. Captain Eadie, since his arrival in New Zealand, has taken considerable interest in boy scouts.

(Auckland Star 16 January 1913)

A "Captain Eadie" is referred to as being present at a meeting. (Auckland Star 28 August 1913)

1914
Marriage to Ann Bradshaw Millar.

From Graeme Easte's notes:

He was married in 1914 at Auckland to Ann Bradshaw nee MILLAR (1891c–1970a). Their five children were: Crawford Hamilton Eyre (5.7.1914–Dec. 84), Ulica de Burgh [PAICE] (1917–), Forbes (1918c–1975b), Frances Bradshaw [LOWE] (2.12.1923–47+?) and Charles Phillip (1926a–63+?) 

... in the 1913 Wises Directory ... he appears as an auctioneer at Morrinsville (Forbes Eadie & Company), and in the 1915 Auckland Directory as a farmer at Poihakene on the Coromandel Peninsula. It is not known how he met Ann as her parents Samuel Bradshaw MILLER (18??–1920?) and Ulica de Burgh MILLER (d.1926) were farming at No. 1 Road, Te Puke (freehold Lot 28 T.P.) in the period (?-1893–11-?). Ulica’s ancestry can apparently be traced back to 1642: she may have been a de Burgh-Wynne; her identical twin Caroline inherited a title, and her South African cousin, Guy Grifiths(?) inherited the title of 13th earl of Featherstone, including a castle, but little money. Ann later received a legacy which helped ensure an education for the five children during the depression. The MILLERs retired to First Avenue, Tauranga, (?-1914–20-?). In May 1915 Ann purchased a 34.3 Ha farm at Hoanga, a district some 6 km east of Dargaville, and almost surrounded by a deep meander of the (Northern) Wairoa River ... 

Ann had the better business sense and largely ran the farm - she had the highest cream production of the local dairy suppliers. There appear to have been financial difficulties as a Statutory Mortgage with the public trustee and a smaller private mortgage were agreed in October 1917 ... In March 1918 Ann was persuaded to sell, a decision she later regretted.

1916
David Verran of Auckland Research Centre, Auckland City Library, found Forbes Eadie in 1916 in “2nd reserves”, as a farmer, Hoanga, Northern Wairoa, Class C (2 children). He was listed similarly in the 1917 list as well, during the conscription period of the war.

1918

Forbes Eadie headed off to Trentham Camp, January 1918.

The following astonishing incident, forwarded by a correspondent, is published in the "Wairoa Bell":—"A remarkable scene occurred at Hoanga in Tuesday, shortly after noon, when a number of people assembed on the Hoanga wharf to see Mr Forbes-Eadie, who has gone into Trentham Camp, off to the war. There appear to be rival factions at Hoanga, or at least there were on the wharf. One gentleman addressed a remark to Mr Eadie which did not please that gentleman, and with that long reach of his and his great swinging fist he landed his interrogator a fearful smack on the eye, and felled him. Other assailants followed, and were floored in turn. One particular friend of Mr Eadie, seeing what wrath was arising in him, could stand it no longer and, full of mortal terror, he fled for his very life, as if the 'evans were falling. To see this lightning streak was the one piece of humour about the whole business for the spectators. Mr Eadie gave the assembly a good tongue-thrashing, and enjoined upon all Hoanga to put their house in order against the day he should return from doing the King's business. Yes, Hoanga will miss Mr Eadie, who is a man of very forceful character." 

 (Northern Advocate 16 January 1918)

A "Forbes Eadie", referred to as a "farmer" from Onehunga, successfully enlisted at the Kitchener Street recruiting station in Auckland during the latter part of April. (Auckland Star 25 April 1918)

In July 1918 at Featherston training camp, probationary corporal F Eadie was confirmed in his temporary rank, and transferred from the 44th to the 45th reinforcements. (Evening Post 6 July 1918) He was allocated to A Company later that month. (Evening Post, 15 July 1918) He was promoted to Sergeant in September 1918. (Evening Post, 6 September 1918)

In late November, the war having ended, Sergeant Forbes Eadie, “a big raw-bone Glaswegian”, was still at Featherston. Said to have had “stormy interviews” with the commander, and the Minister of Defence, over conditions for the men in the camp.

Details of the dissatisfaction at Featherston Camp, which culminated in a demonstration by about 5000 soldiers on Tuesday night, are now available. Ultimately four of the men were appointed to approach the Camp Commandand and and to lay their grievances before him. The deputation was informed that the questions submitted would be forwarded to the authorities. After singing "Rule Britannia," the men quietly dispersed.

On Thursday the Chief of Staff, Colonel Gibbon, C.M.G., and the Minister for Defence, Sir James Allen, visited the camp, and the men appointed Sergt. F. Eadie to interview them. Major-General Sir Alfred Robin was also interviewed the next day. The following answers to the questions asked were given:-
 (1) Certificate of leave, Form D.R. 46, is for the protection of the men, and is being used as a temporary substitute for a discharge certificate. A document of actual discharge will be issued later, and its form is now under consideration.
(2) The authority for "leave without pay" discharge is that of the Solicitor-General.
(3) The principal medical officer or a medical board will again grant sick leave as heretofore.
(4 and 5) Confinement leave, in addition to the 28 days' pay or discharge, will be continued during the period of camp demobilisation, providing that the confinement or due date of confinement is within the period of 28 days, for which each soldier normally receives pay on discharge from camp.
(6) All stoppages that have been made in respect of lost kit while men were in hospital will, on sufficient proof being furnished, be refunded.
(7) "Housewives" will be regarded as the men's property, and may be retained by them as mementoes of thie service. Refunds for lost "housewives" will be paid to those who have paid for them.
(8) "Leave without pay" is not illegal, but in some cases may be inequitable. The question as to pay for their period of "leave without pay" and deductions from dependents' allowances, when leave was granted for sickness and death in families, will be decided at an early date.
 (9) The Returned Soldiers' Hospital to be established at Trentham will be given the surplus of canteen funds.
(10) All moneys deducted for branded kit bags will be refunded.
(11) Home-service men will be treated in the same manner as men of the Expeditionary Force in respect to discharge. It is reported that the men are very well satisfied with the way the authorities have met them in respect to their grievances, and having been met so fairly, have determined to "play the game" till the last man marches out of camp. 

(Poverty Bay Herald 27 November 1918)

 One of the chief battlers for a “square deal” to the men was Sergeant Eadie, an ex-Imperial soldier who, after much service with the Imperial Forces, had settled down in New Zealand as a farmer … “Truth” is informed that Sergeant Eadie sold his farm before he went into camp, and he objected to take leave without pay, instead of a proper discharge. He said he would need to purchase another farm and he could not do so while he remained a soldier and liable to be called to serve.” He was referred to in the article as “Big Eadie”. The commandant accused him of starting a riot.

The sergeant denied this, and declared that there were no signs of a mob when he had entered the building. It was quite clear to the listeners that the commandant was perturbed. And well he might be. Several dare-devils in the crowd had got hold of tins of kerosene and were so it is seriously averred, preparing to set a light to the building, when the big bony form of Forbes Eadie appeared framed in the doorway. He looked for a moment with some concern in his eyes at the swaying howling crowd of many men before him. Then, with an action quick as though he swung himself up on the roof, and asked the men to hear what he had to say before they did anything rash. He told the men that he had placed their grievances before the commandant, and that as the commandant could not satisfy him in regard to certain questions he had asked for, and had been promised interview with the Chief of Staff. He then pointed out to the men the folly of doing anything rash such, as destroying camp property. "We are NEITHER RED CAPS NOR BOLSHEVIKS," cried the sergeant, "but good soldiers out to right wrong, but we want to have our own wrongs righted first." He then advised the men to put down their stone and other weapons and join with him in singing "Rule, Britannia," and then return to their lines and await the outcome of his interview with the Chief of Staff. The immense crowd sang the song with gusto, and dispersed. The prompt action of Sergeant Eadie on the night in question prevented what would have been one of the worst, if not the very worst, soldiers' riot in the History of the British Army and saved thousands of pounds of Defence property, as well as the good name of the New Zealand Forces. "I question," concluded our informant, "if there is one other man in camp who could have done what Sergeant Eadie did that night. He's a white man!"

(NZ Truth, 7 December 1918)

1919

Eadie residing at Rawhiti Road, Onehunga (rented), his occupation a clerk.

(Wises NZPO Directory 1920)

In the electoral rolls that year, he was listed as a farmer (Manukau general roll). In the same year, however, he and Ann turn up on the Roskill supplementary roll, at 61 Marlborough St, Mt Eden, as a  business manager.

In March-April 1919, Forbes Eadie attracted some more controversy to his name -- involving himself with the special licensing poll on the proposal of national prohibition with compensation, as provided for under the Licensing Amendment Act, 1918. He composed a letter on March 18, sent to returned servicemen, from his home then in Rawhiti Road.

Dear Sir,
You nave been absent from these shores for a long time. Many things have happened during the interval. The two great questions in the political life of the Dominion to-day are the Soldiers' Repatriation Scheme and the Liquor question. In regard to the former, it is a fact that there are several thousands of our returned soldiers walking the streets, out of employment. Many promises were made them that on their return to these shores the employment they left in order to go forth to fight their country's battles would be open for them upon their return. Many employers have made good their promises, but in the very vast majority of cases the billets are filled and the soldier has to seek employment elsewhere.

The Government Repatriation scheme was discussed in Parliament over a year ago. It is not yet established. Many political and ministerial promises have been made that the soldiers would be immediately settled upon discharge from the service. YOU KNOW WHAT HAS BEEN DONE. Retrospective separation allowance has been asked for the wives, children, and other dependents of our early married volunteers. It has been refused for the children, and the other dependents. The excuse offered by the Honourable Minister concerned was "that the country could not afford the money."

The sum of £4,500,000 which Government proposes to compensate the Liquor Trade with could repatriate 10,000 of our returned men. Ask yourself the question: Does the Soldier come first, or the Liquor Trade?" If your opinion is that the wiping out of the Liquor Trade takes precedence of all other national questions, including the repatriation of the Soldier, then vote for Prohibition, and make it harder than ever for the Soldier to get the justice due him. If on the other hand you are of the opinion that the Repatriation and settlement of our men is of more paramount importance than any other question, Vote for Continuance, and save the £4,500,000, which can be more effectively spent on our repatriation. Yours faithfully, FORBES EADIE. 

 (Reprinted in Wanganui Chronicle, 29 March 1919)

The Wanganui Chronicle in their editorials (possibly pro-Prohibition) labelled this (handed to servicemen as anonymous, as well as posted using Eadie's address) as "insidious", "a tiddue of falsehood and misrepresentation" and a "gross and wicked exaggeration".

In conclusion, we need only point to the self-evident irresponsible character of this precious circular. Who is Forbes Eadie ? He is unquestionably not an agent of the "No-License" party. The nation-wide distribution of propaganda of this kind costs a lot of money. Whose money?

And on 1 April:

We are convinced that every decent-minded elector in the Dominion will look upon the Forbes-Eadie circular as an impudent and hypocritical attempt to deceive the returned soldiers. Then men who with clean hands and unsullied honour have fought for the preservation of democratic liberty are not likely to knowingly allow themselves to be made the tools of unprincipled license, and it was probably the recognition of this fact which led to the semi-anonymous circulation of the attempt to "take them down." We shall not be surprised if, in the very near future, the public are afforded some interesting information as to the identity of the mysterious Forbes-Eadie, and the source from which was derived the "sinews of war" requisite for the widespread distribution of his precious circular.

 Wanganui Chronicle, 1 April 1919

Eadie noted on register of licenses under the Land Agents Ace 1912 as being granted a license on 14 January 1919 in Auckland for the Auckland Returned Solders’ Association, registered office Wellesley Street, Auckland.

(NZ Gazette No. 24 1919, p. 608)

The scheme was set up in April that year. Where a property sold through the RSA's Land Bureau was purchased by a returned serviceman, the serviceman received 50% of the commission on the sale, and Forbes Eadie the other 50%. For land bought by other parties, the 50% went to the Auckland RSA, and Eadie again received the remainder. The percentages received by Eadie went into a trust account, out of which came the bureau's overheads. (Auckland Star, 28 September 1921)

An innovation which will doubtless be of considerable interest to returned soldiers throughout the Dominion has been established in connection with the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association in the shape of a Land Bureau specially for the convenience of returned soldiers desirous of purchasing a home in which to settle down, or a station property in the country ...

Soldiers, more particularly the inexperienced, complained of exploitation, and although the Land Department's methods were regarded as hopeless, it is admitted the Land Board saved many a soldier from financial difficulties by "turning down" the properties offered. Then, followed the establishment of the Land Bureau, under the management of Mr. Forbes Eadie, a veteran of other wars, who was experienced in land dealing. Thanks to Mr. Eadie's organising ability, practical and valued assistance is now being rendered to the returned soldiers in the Auckland district. Hundreds of inquiries are now being made daily, and any hour of the day men may be seen looking through the bureau's register for suitable properties ...

(Poverty Bay Herald 5 August 1919)

The trouble which arose at the eleventh hour before the taking of the licensing referendum last April over the loss by some soldiers of their voting rights is not going to recur at the general elections ... The Auckland Returned Soldiers Association has been actively assisting the Electoral Officer to secure the enrollment of soldiers in the Auckland district, and Mr. Forbes Eadie, officer in charge of the A.R.S.A.'s land bureau, has now been authorised by Mr. Hay to carry on the work of enrolling solrdiers in Auckland, the enrolment office being 27A Albert Street. Any invalid soldier who is laid up at his own home or who cannot visit the office will be immediately waited on if he sends Mr. Eadie a collect telegram or a postcard. 

(Auckland Star, 18 November 1919)

Eadie was appointed a Justice of the Peace in Auckland, 22 August 1919.

(NZ Gazette, No. 107, p. 2742)

1920

On 30 April, Eadie gave three month's notice to the Association terminating his agreement with them for the Land Bureau. (Auckland Star, 28 September 1921) On 31 July, the Land Bureau at 27A Albert Street ceased operations under that name, (Public notice, Auckland Star 14 July 1920) and became "Eadie and Atkinson" after Eadie sold part interest in his business, still working in the field of returned soldiers and land, (Advertisement, Auckland Star, 4 August 1920) then simply the "Discharged Soldiers Land Bureau" once Atkinson had purchased the office, furniture, taken on the staff, and had obtained a Land Agent's licence. (Auckland Star, 28 September 1921)

It doesn't appear that the split between Eadie and the RSA was entirely amicable.

Action was taken before Mr. I W Poynton. S.M. yesterday afternoon, by the Returned Soldiers Association (Mr. Inder), for the recovery from Forbes Eadie (Mr. Tipping), of certain books, files, and documents. An application for adjournment to allow briefed counsel to attend for the defence was declined. Mr. Inder stated that defendant had been manager of the Returned Soldiers' Land Bureau. Now he no longer held that position, but he retained the books, files, and other chattels. Mr. Tipping claimed that defendant was entitled to retain possession until the commission he had earned was calculated. After hearing evidence Mr. Poynton made an order that the trust books be handed over to plaintiff before September 20, defendant to have right of access to them at all reasonable times for two months. The files, correspondence, and uncompleted matters are to remain in defendant's possession until November 1, plaintiff to have access at stated times each week. Costs were allowed plaintiff.

(Auckland Star 17 September 1920)

The partnership between Forbes Eadie and Valentine Atkinson, was dissolved 16 November 1920. (NZ Gazette No. 94, p. 3136, 1920)

1921

21 January - Forbes Eadie obtains title for 13 Malvern Road, next to Fowlds Park. (NA 199/161) Just before this, according to Graeme's notes, the family lived in rented accomodation at 5 Lucerne Road, Remuera.

From Graeme's notes:
In January 1921 they bought 13 Malvern Road, Morningside, which backed onto the southern corner of Fowlds Park.  The purchase was made with Ann’s money, but was made in his name as mortgages were harder for women to negotiate. Forbes became ... a land valuer with an office at 7/63 Alston Cambers, Queen Street (1923–24).

In October 1921, Eadie was organiser for the Protestant Political Organisation. (Advertisement, Auckland Star, 7 October)

" ... the P.P.A. —a purely political body—was formed to prevent any Church, Roman Catholic or Protestant, controlling our politics, and to prevent a repetition in New Zealand of the unfortunate conditions that are at present prevailing in Quebec and Ireland ..." (Letter by J W Dickson)

"On the Saturday of Mr. Massey's stay in Auckland a week or two ago, Mr. Forbes Eadie introduced himself to me as organiser of the P.P.A. He stated that at a meeting of the P.P.A. executive the night before he had been instructed to officially wait upon me, and he now did so informally as a preliminary; that the P.P.A. desired me to contest, at the next election, the City West seat with Mr. Savage, and would be prepared to support me with its full strength. I smiled, the plot was too thin for an old campaigner—and told him he would get his answer when he came to me officially. I have fully answered from the platform. No one knows bettor than myself that the P.P.A. is the fighting section of the Reform party. GEORGE W. RUSSELL." (Both letter extracts from Auckland Star, 20 October 1921)


Then, in November 1921, Eadie became concerned about plague. He wrote to the Minister of Health about rats at the Mt Albert rubbish tip, near the Morningside overhead rail bridge. (Auckland Star, 8 November 1921) He was convenor of a public meeting on 11 November at the King George Hall in Mt Albert, chaired by George Fowlds. "Hear Mr Forbes Eadie tell what the Park is being used for," declared one of his newspaper notices.


Later that month, he was appointed national organiser of the National Progressive and Moderate Labour Party, led by C. E. Statham, M.P.

(Auckland Star, 26 November1921)

1922

Forbes Eadie now described as a Manager, with Wises erroneously listing his residence as 19 Malvern Road, Mt Albert.

(Wises NZPO Directory, 1922)

Residents meeting re typhoid outbreak in Mt Albert. Forbes Eadie attends, considers the outbreak stems from the Morningside Refuse dump, and that Mt Albert has been retarded 20 years due to the outbreak.

(NZ Herald & Auckland Star, 26 April 1922)

Eadie issues “An Open Letter”, slamming the Minister of Health, C. J. Parr, and the Mt Albert Borough Council over the typhoid outbreak. (Auckland Star, 8 November 1922) I’ve checked his points raised, as he used the MABC minutes as his source. In only one instance did he quote/use the minutes correctly. According to him later, “37 typhoid epidemic sufferers subscribed and paid for its insertion,” along with other identities. Two of the identities he named later deny all knowledge.

Eadie attends Parr’s Avondale election meeting, and heckles him.

(NZ Herald & Star, 10 November 1922)

“The candidate answered a number of questions, after which Mr. Forbes Eadie, an avowed opponent and one of the most persistent interjectors, moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Parr, “for his first appearance among us in three years to give an account of his trusteeship.” The mover, growing very excited, commenced a speech which he evidently meant to be quite a long harangue, and finally mounted the platform. He resolutely refused to leave that point of vantage, in spite of the urgings of the chairman and the shouts of the audience, until, amid great confusion, a policeman came forward, and at his request Mr. Eadie resumed his seat. His motion was seconded.

“An amendment of thanks and confidence was promptly moved by a supporter of the candidate, Mr. J. W. Tait [most likely William J. Tait] and seconded by Mr. W. Vallance.

“The amendment and motion were put alternately. Obviously the audience was confused as to which they were voting for, but the fact that Mr. Parr’s supporters were in a very large majority had been sufficiently plain all the evening, and it was undoubtedly the amendment that was carried.”

(NZ Herald)

Another “Open Letter” from Eadie, this time having a go at Avondale lawyer Mr. Vallance, who he claims is a Parr supporter who called his first “Open Letter” a gross insult.

(Star, 10 November 1922)

Vallance hits back:

“Mr. F. Eadie (who is, I think, the gentleman notorious in connection with the Mt. Albert dump and rodents) … The blunt truth is that Mr. Eadie was at the time in such a state of mental “excitement” that he could neither intelligently interpret nor accurately appreciate the few remarks I made in seconding an amendment against the method of his attack on the candidate which he had held bottled up for so many months and then launched on the eve of the election campaign …”

(Star, 14 November 1922)

Parr’s Election Committee then issue a notice “To Eden Electors – How Forbes Eadie Faked the Minutes.”

(Star, November 1922)

Eadie attends Parr’s election meeting at Mt Albert and heckles Parr again. In the Star’s coverage, a “voice” asks Eadie: “Did you go to the war?” Answer: “I have fought in four campaigns.”

(NZ Herald & Star, 17 November 1922)

(Which ones? Something in China, quite possibly – but then he is supposed to have come to New Zealand around 1906, so the only other one was at the training camp in Trentham. If he left China to go to South Africa at the beginning of the century, he may have been able to squeeze in the Boer War. Always very difficult to tell with Eadie exactly where he was, and when before World War I.)

1923

Eadie unsuccessful in Borough Council election, third in a race for two seats in Ward B with 162 votes.

(Star, 27 April 1923)

1924

Eadie noted as JP at the bottom of declaration for The Majestic Gold-Mining Company (Limited), 5 February 1924. Secretary is John William McCoy, Queen Street, Auckland.

(NZ Gazette, 12 Feb 1924, p. 543)

Around this time, accordng to Graeme's notes, Eadie began a job with the NZ Herald as a proofreader.

From about this time he wrote regular columns about ships and the sea for the ‘Auckland Star’ and an overseas magazine (the Bulletin?) under the nom de plume ‘Lee Fore-brace’ (a sailing in-joke). He became something of an authority on New Zealand shipwrecks and prepared a book on the subject entitled “The Price of Admiralty” but could not afford the £500 he was quoted to get it printed. A bound manuscript copy, listing 1,331 wrecks on 71 pages, is held by the Auckland Museum Library [MS 1182], along with a notebook recording income of £463 from radio talks over 9 months in 1937-38.  

1925
Eadie now described as a union organiser, still at Malvern Road.

(Wises Directory, 1925 and 1926)

An unusual case was heard at the Whangarei Magistrate's court yesterday before Mr. R. W. Tate, S.M., when Forbes Eadie was proceeded against for a breach of the railway by-laws, in that he did occupy a seat that was reserved and failed to vacate same when requested to do so by a railway official.

Senior Sergeant O'Grady said that on December 22 last the express from Opua to Auckland had two carriages reserved at Hikurangi for Whangarei passengers. Defendant had boarded the train at Hikurangi, taking a scat in one of those 'carriages, Guard Redfern had asked defendant to vacate the seat at Whangarei and, on his refusal, had brought the stationmaster to the carriage.

Evidence was given on these lines.

Eadie, who conducted his own defence, stated that he suffered disability, having only one sound leg. When he booked at Hikurangi he was assured by the railway booking clerk that it would not be necessary for him to reserve his seat, as there was plenty of room. Otherwise he would have reserved his seat. There was no indication either on the exterior or in the interior of the carriage to indicate that any seats therein were reserved. When asked to vacate his seat at Whangarei he offered to do so if another seat could be guaranteed. As the stationmaster would not do so he retained his seat, but afterwards gave it to a lady who produced a reserved ticket.

The magistrate said that if defendant had insisted on reserving his seat it would have been a wise course. It was clear than an offence had been committed. Defendant's physical disability did not affect the railway officials, who were bound to deliver the seat to the person who had reserved it. At holiday times the only safeguard was to book a seat. It was as well for the public to know, especially in a district where the reservation of seats was new, that the railway regulations had to be observed. It was not a case for a heavy fine, and as it was the first offence of its kind in the district, defendant would be fined 5/, and ordered to pay costs £1.

 (Auckland Star 3 February 1925)

Eadie as JP at the bottom of declaration for Ohinemuri Gold and Silver Mines (Limited), 2 February 1925. Secretary is John William McCoy, Queen Street, Auckland.

(NZ Gazette, 12 March 1925, p. 177)

A fine of £5, with £5 17/ costs, was imposed upon Forbes Eadie, an Auckland resident, who was principal offender in a scuffle in Whangarei's main street on March 11. When evidence was heard the other party to the brawl was convicted and ordered to pay costs. Senior-Sergeant O'Grady said that much difficulty had been experienced in serving the summons upon Eadie, and that defendant's absence was due to his activities in connection with local body elections. Howard Bannister, a solicitor, and an eye-witness, gave evidence that Forbes Eadie was the assailant throughout; and, as this agreed with the evidence given at the earlier hearing against the other party, the magistrate, Mr. R. W. Tate, S.M., imposed a fine of £5, with costs.

(Auckland Star 28 April 1925)

1926
Eadie resigns as a JP, 24 June 1926.

(NZ Gazette, 1926, No. 45, p. 1848)

1928
Eadie now listed erroneously as being at 17 Malvern Rd, as a manager.

(Wises Directory, 1928, 1930 & 1933)

Eadie starts work for the Mt Albert Borough Council as clerk of works.

(NZ Herald, 13 March 1931)

1929-1932
Eadie now honorary warden of Morningside Reserve.

(NZ Truth, 2 May 1929, Mt Albert Borough Council minutes 28 January 1932, MAC 100/15, Auckland City Archives.)

This may have been cancelled in September 1932 when Eadie refused to pay his rates for various reasons, including ire over alleged impropriety of some councillors and the Borough Engineer Wilfred E Begbie.

(Unregistered papers file, MAC 174/15/1, Auckland City Archives)

1928-1929
Eadie's "Lee Fore Brace" articles start to appear in the Auckland Star.

1930s-1940s
Eadie took part in radio shows on 1ZB as "Lee Fore Brace".

From Graeme Easte's notes:
In 1928 he began giving live talks on radio about nautical subjects; by 1939 he had made over 380 such broadcasts in New Zealand and Australia, becoming better known across the Tasman than here. In July 1935 he was the subject of an official complaint from the Broadcasting Board, not because of his subject (a series on the voyage of the ‘Bounty’), but because he was at that time a Labour Party candidate for local body elections and an edict had just been issued that any hint of politics was prohibited on air. At some stage during the 1930s [when?] he went to Australia to have some of his talks recorded 4on acetate disk, there being no recording facilities in New Zealand before 1948. After almost ten years off-air he had a few one-off spots starting at Christmas 1949. In 1951 his half hour ‘Stories of the Sea’ recordings were broadcast on the four ZB stations each Friday night as a six months series, with sponsorship by Firestone Tyres. At least one of his talks was played on air as recently as 1971.

"To my knowledge, Lee Fore Brace was the best and there have been none better since. Peter Whitchurch's "Ships and the Sea" was a good show, but Lee Fore Brace had the salt of the ocean and the tang of sea breezes (and storms) in his voice and personality. He had a tremendous following -- old and new sailormen and many who were tied to mundane lives, vicariously experienced an adventurous life on the rolling main when listening to him."

(Ian Thwaites, "Arthur Collins - An Auckland Broadcasting Pioneer", 
Auckland Waikato Historical Journal, November 2002, No. 80, p. 9)

He also travelled to America and England, broadcasting his stories of the sea.

Auckland Star 13 April 1937

1931

Writes an article on the Mermaid, published in the Auckland Star, then (later) in the Weekly News in 1937. Uses his maritime history pseudonym “Lee Fore Brace”. Unfortunately, his article’s details have since been found to be unsubstantiated. In November 1931, in an exchange of correspondence under letters to the editor in the Star between Eadie as Lee Fore Brace and R C Renner (son of Capt. F W S Renner who died in the wreck of the Hannah Barrett in 1883), Eadie advises that he is working on a book on NZ shipwrecks. (Star, 17 and 21 November 1931) Such a book, of course, was completed five years later by C W N Ingram (and reprinted many times since).

Eadie committed for trial to Supreme Court from the Police Court for theft of payment for a load of soil worth £4 from the Mt Albert Borough Council. Borough Engineer Wilfred Ernest Begbie found out about the soil either in 1929 or 1930. Eadie is apparently found not guilty eventually.

(NZ Herald 13 March 1931)

Eadie then takes Begbie to court for slander. He asks for £500 damages, and is awarded £300.

(Star 9 & 10 November, NZ Herald 11 November 1931)

Begbie appeals the decision, but it is upheld.

(NZ Herald 10 December & Star 11 December 1931)

The Mt Albert Borough Council expressed their full support for Begbie.

(NZ Herald, 17 December 1931)

Two days later, Eadie applies to have Begbie declared bankrupt. (NZ Herald, 19 December 1931)

1932

Begbie negotiates with his creditors, including Eadie, and applies for discharge from bankruptcy, but Eadie opposes this. Begbie wanted to be discharged before 9 March, because Mt Albert was then considering amalgamation with Auckland City and he felt he wouldn’t get a job with the city as an undischarged bankrupt if that happened. As it turned out, Mt Albert didn’t join Auckland City then. Begbie doesn’t appear on the gazetted list of undischarged bankrupts in the NZG for 21 April, so he must have sorted it all out. He went on to remain as Mt Albert’s borough engineer to the 1960s.

(NZ Herald, 13 & 23 January 1932)

A “Captain Forbes Eadie” takes part in a radio show tied in with Sydney’s First Aquatic Show, telling the story of the Mary Celeste. (Sydney Mail, 2 November 1932, p. 15, via http://news.google.com/newspapers) In November at the same show, he gave a presentation on "The Vocabularly of the Sea",  "in which the origin of sundry sea-faring terms and expressions will be discussed," (Sydney Morning Herald, 21 November 1932) and on "Superstitious Sailormen" (Sydney Morning Herald, 1 December 1932).

"Originally from Greenock, home of famous ships and sailor-men. Captain Forbes Eadie revealed a gift of picturesque expression which vested his stories of old sailor superstitions with something of the tang of the seas which gave them birth. His account of the career of the ill-fated ship, "Wanderer", inspiration of John Masefield's poem of that name, riveted the attention of his audience.

Before relating the saga of the "Wanderer," Captain Eadie had mildly reproved Sydney ship-lovers for their neglect of old ship figureheads. He suggested that Sydney ship-lovers should follow the example of the Auckland Ship-Lovers' Society in collecting and mounting all such relics of the half-forgotten days of sail." (Sydney Morning Herald, 17 November 1932)

Sea stories form the subject of a series of six talks to be given by "Lee Fore Brace," a New Zealand broadcaster, who is on his way to the U.S.A. to fulfil an engagement obtained as a result of the successful reception of his talks In that country. The first of the series -"The First Voyager"-will be given on Saturday from 2BL at 7.40. The others are: Sunday, 2FC. 7.40 p.m.. "Broached To;" Monday, 2BL, 9.10, "The Sea Devil;" December 10, 2BL, 7.40, "The Sailor Men of Devon;" December 15, 2FC, 9.35, "Looking After the Owner's Interest;" December l8, 8.45, "In the Wake of the Convict Ship." (Sydney Morning Herald, 30 November 1932)

1935

“Young had had in the meantime a further clash with Rex Mason. At the 28 March 1935 LEC Annual General Meeting Mason claimed Young had previously inferred he had "misappropriated" a donation by a Mr. Forbes Eadie, and demanded an apology. Another special meeting followed on 7 April 1935. Young rejected charges that he had actually said anything negative. Mason replied that there were differences of opinion amongst those attending the meeting what Young had actually said. Young claimed he was under attack for the "second time" and said Mason should have checked with him what he in fact had said. Soon after the meeting degenerated into a war of words between Mason and Eadie, and Mason withdrew his comments about Young.”

(Biography of Frederick George Young by David Verran, 2004-2006)

Eadie ran for election to the Auckland Transport Board, but was unsuccessful. 3,333 votes in the No. 2 constituency.

(NZ Herald, 9 May 1935)

Auckland Star 4 May 1935

Forbes Eadie, along with John Barr and Rev. A. B. Chappell, author a report to the Mayor of Auckland City.

(ACC 182/3, Auckland City Archives)

1936
Eadie now lists himself in the directories as a journalist.

(Wises Directory 1936, 1940 and 1947)

He attended a meeting of delegates for the Provincial Centennial Celebrations on 11 August 1936. He attended a selection committee meeting on 24 November, but did not attend a meeting of the history committee at the Town Hall, 20 May 1937.

(ACC 182/3, Auckland City Archives)

Another Auckland Transport Board election – and Eadie is again unsuccessful, this time with only 372 votes in the No. 2 constituency.

(NZ Herald, 10 September 1936)

1939

Now Forbes Eadie is a member of the Auckland Centennial Historical Research Sub-Committee and Centennial Early Settlers & Descendant’s Sub-Committee. He compiled List of Vessels Arriving at Auckland NZ from Overseas 1853-1869, a list for Wellington 1839-1900, and a roll of early settlers. According to notes in the front of the “Forbes Eadie Scrapbook” (See below), he was a member of the committee from 1937-1940.

During World War II, according to Graeme Easte, Forbes Eadie served as a Sergeant at Papakura Camp.

In 1944, on top of his existing Crown housing mortgage, Forbes Eadie entered into a mortgage agreement with his wife, Ann. In 1946, the property at 13 Malvern Road was transferred into her name, and both outstanding mortgages discharged. (NA 199/61) In 1959, the property title included their children: Crawford Hamilton Eyre Eadie (manager), Forbes Eadie junior (civil servant, Wellington), Ulica de Burgh Paice and Francis Bradshaw Lowe (married women) and Charles Phillips Eadie (an Auckland roofing inspector). (NA1638/16)

1956

Historical notes are published on a day-by-day basis in the Auckland Star. These are later compiled as the “Forbes Eadie Scrapbook”, a copy lodged at the Auckland Research Centre, Auckland City Library.

1961
Ann initiates divorce proceedings against Forbes Eadie. The decree absolute was granted in 1962.

1962

Forbes Eadie died 11 August 1962, aged 84. In his last years, according to Graeme Easte, Forbes Eadie had been committed to the Auckland Mental Hospital at Pt Chevalier, and when he died he was living at 38 Argyle Street, Herne Bay. His remains were cremated 16 August, and his ashes scattered on 17 August. No death notices or obituary found.

(Waikumete Cemetery index cards.)

1967

His widow hands over some of his Centennial work to Auckland City Library and Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. According to Graeme Easte, Crawford Hamilton Eadie destroyed his father's notes and correspondence after Forbes Eadie's death.

1970
Ann Bradshaw Eadie dies. (NA 1638/16) The family sold the property in 1971. (NA 18B/965)