Avondale races: the early days

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

1890

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

Otago Witness 20 March 1890

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

Observer, 19 April 1890

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

Observer, 26 April 1890

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

Observer, 20 December 1890

1891

Onslow Trotting Club

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

Observer, 8 August 1891

1892

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

Otago Witness, 14 April 1892

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

Otago Witness, 18 August 1892

1893

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

 Otago Witness, 27 April 1893

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

Grey River Argus, 26 September 1893

1894

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

 Otago Witness, 19 April 1894

1895

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

 Otago Witness, 14 February 1895

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

Otago Witness, 26 December 1895

1895

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

Otago Witness, 30 April 1896

1897

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

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

Otago Witness, 2 September 1897

1898

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

Observer, 20 September 1898

1899

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

 

Observer, 29 April 1899

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

Otago Witness, 17 August 1899

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

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

Observer, 26 August 1899

1900

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

Otago Witness, 16 August 1900

1901

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

Taranaki Herald, 7 March 1901

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

Otago Witness, 17 July 1901

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

Otago Witness, 31 July 1901

1902

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

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

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

Observer, 19 April 1902

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

Observer, 16 August 1902

1907

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

Feilding Star, 28 October 1907

1908

Pony races are to be expunged from future Avondale programmes.

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

Observer, 18 July 1908

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

Otago Witness, 23 September 1908

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

Wanganui Herald, 19 November 1908

1910

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

NZ Truth, 13 August 1910

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

Progress, 1 September 1910

1911

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

Evening Post 19 & 20 April 1911

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

NZ Truth, 8 July 1911

From Dunolly to Dunedin: Julius Vogel in Victoria

Jayne, from Our Great Southern Land blog, sent three photos to me out of the blue, and gave kind permission for them to be republished here (thanks, Jayne).

Dunolly in Victoria plays a part in the background story of one of New Zealand's best known premiers, Sir Julius Vogel. According to the Dunolly Museum, the site above is where he operated a chemist shop  with a partner from out of a tent set up on the site in 1856. His DNZB entry confirms this:

"After a year's study he was off with a young friend, A. S. Grant, on the Beulah , bound for the colony of Victoria where gold had recently been discovered.

"Vogel and Grant arrived in Melbourne in December 1852, and established an assaying and importing business in Flinders Lane. Although they had a moderate success as assayers, as importers they were failures. In mid 1853 they opened gold buying and retailing businesses on the goldfields, first at McIvor, then at Goldsborough, but neither enterprise flourished. In October 1854 they established headquarters at Maryborough, a major gold town, and travelled around the goldfields supplying the miners with patent medicines. By mid 1856 Grant had tired of this rackety life and returned home. Vogel then moved to nearby Dunolly where he set up shop in a tent."

Jayne found some interpretive stuff on this link between a really interesting 19th century building's site, and our once-was premier.

The shop building came later, in 1863, and fortunately has survived ideas of demolition. Perhaps some governmental bodies should have a get-together for a plaque of some kind: "Vogel was here"?

Dunolly seems to have started as something of a nadir for Vogel's career but this early practitioner of the Think Big doctrine was not down-and-out for very long at all. That same year, 1856, he became the Maryborough correspondent for the Melbourne Argus. Then editor of the Dunolly Advertiser, which became the Maryborough and Dunolly Advertiser. He established the Inglewood and Sandy Creek Advertiser as well, all before 1861, by when his editorial views ruffled political feathers. He ran unsuccessfully for the Avoca seat in the Victorian General Assembly (calling for protectionist customs duties, the abolition of export duties on gold, rental controls to encourage land squatters to increase theit sheep flocks, reform of the Legislative Council, amending the Land Bill to assist miners, and the extension of local self-gocvernment, amongst other things -- Melbourne Argus, 24 July 1861, p. 7). 

He came third, considered making a run for the Maryborough seat, then decided to pack up his bags and head for another town near another gold strike, and so helped forge New Zealand's history in so doing: in late 1861, he headed for Dunedin.

The rest, as that tired old horse of a cliché goes, is history ...

Manawa Wetland, New Lynn -- water, ducks and pottery bits

Back when I did the "community illustrated" post on Titirangi's library pavers,  Cat B wrote in the comments:

"There are also mosaic pavers at the Margan Ave duck ponds in New Lynn, each one is made with Crown Lynn bits."

Well, Cat, it takes me a bit of a while to get around to these places (me with shanks' pony and all) but -- I usually get around to them eventually. Last Sunday, feeling determined to get some air into the lungs and sun in my bones after a bit of the winter sniffles, coughs and blues -- I headed out.

Manawa Wetland off Margan Avenue is a place I've visited in history before now. What the signs won't tell you is that before this was a dump for Crown Lynn  rejects, before the clay was scoured out for bricks and pots and what-have-you -- it was the site of the poudrette factory, and before that, it was New Lynn's Waterfalls Estate in the 1860s.

From DI 9A.416, LINZ records, Crown Copyright.

The wetland is well signposted with boards relating the story of the regeneration back in 2000.

"This site was originally part of Gardner Bros and Parkers Brickworks -- five hectares of land that stretched Rankin and Margan Avenues, Titirangi Road and the railway line, and included the kiln at Ambrico Place. The land was bought by local firm Gardner Bros in 1902 and the site developed as a quarry where Waitemata clay soils were excavated to supply the brickworks. The quarry was eventually dug out to 12-15m below the original ground level. Crown Lynn potteries was established in 1941 and once the supply from the pit was exhausted, the site was used by Crown Lynn  as a dump for ceramic waste. Today pottery fragments can still be found across the surface of the site.

"This old landfill site is being developed as a 'constructed wetland'. It has been artificially created to mimic the actions of a natural wetland."

This is part of the ceramic tiling project undertaken in late 2000 by Richard Parker, Janet Holtriger, and a cast of 400 members of the community.

In 2007, the wetland needed work to clear weeds and restore health to the ponds. This page from Wetland Solutions describes how it was, and how it has come to be.

The park has even won environmental awards. Pity the sign saying that is in such sad shape.

All in all, though, this is a place loved by the local community who come to walk the walks, feed the ducks, "adopt" pukekos and go off to find those bits of old pottery rubbish we now value highly as part of our local heritage.

IPENZ bibliography on engineering heritage in NZ

I've just found that IPENZ have included my Wairaka's Waters work on their list of engineering heritage publications. Well, that's just about blown me away for the night ...

Grey Lynn's brick toilets

There's a bit of a mystery about these loos -- who designed them? They are too elegant not to have been specially designed by somebody employed or commissioned by Auckland City Council in 1943. So ... who did design them?

Matthews & Matthews, heritage architects, noted in their report for the Grey Lynn/Surrey Crescent Character Study (2004), that one likely architect may have been M. K. Draffin, the same architect who desighned the gates at Fowlds Park.  This suggestion was based on a similarity between a brick building for the Auckland Gas Company in Beaumont Street documented as being by Draffin. But, without any contemporary plans found (so far), and unless someone had a bit of time to trawl through Council minutes and correspondence, the designer remains uncertain.

Bricks were in short supply around that time, during World War II, as well, with supplies diverted for use in projects linked to defense needs. And yet, here these toilets stand, one of my favourites examples of Auckland architecture.

Crown Lynn homage on Rankin Avenue

This one is new this year, by S McCarthy. To be found just down from the Hutchinson/Margan/Rankin Ave intersection. The art features pottery and ceramics, especially that of Crown Lynn which was made just on the other side of Rankin Ave from this piece of street art.

Darn difficult getting a shot of the top of these boxes, without a step ladder ...

An island called Motuketekete

From deed 64125, LINZ records, Crown Copyright.

On Friday last, I was at the Auckland LINZ office, looking through some of the deeds books for a commission research job -- and opened one of the old books to find the above: an 1880 map of a 59-acre island called "Keta Keta". I put the book to one side, and as soon as I'd finished finding what I needed for the commission, I returned to the story of  island.

Well, I'd never heard of the island before. Now, I realise that its name is Motuketekete, lying just across the South Channel; from Kawau Island in the Hauraki Gulf. But, I decided to look into what there is about the island's history.

The original crown grant was on 25 April 1850, from George Grey as Governor to Frederick Whittaker and Theophilus Heale. These two gentlemen had been  involved since 1845 with the setting up of a copper mining company at Kawau Island, their efforts opposed by the company already there at Kawau. According to Shirley Maddock and Don Whyte in Islands of the Gulf (1966):

"The original company were deeply hostile to the newcomers, and refused to allow Whittaker's miners to live on Kawau, so they had to camp on Motuketekete, an island a few miles south, and be ferried back and forth each day to the mines."

According to a Department of Conservation report on Kawau Island Historic Reserve, a rival smelting plant was set up on Motuketekete either in the late 1840s or 1850s. I wonder if any archaeology from that part of the copper mining story in the Gulf still exists there. It may even have been the island referred to by the Southern Cross, in a report from 28 May 1852, as "Captain Heale's Island":

"We had, however, rounded Wangaproa, and, with a brisk and bracing breeze, were entering a channel formed by the Kawau and its outlying islets. On our port beam was observable "the hole in the wall," an opening leading to Captain Heale's island, with a brig at anchor, but so faintly shown in perspective, that her tracery of spars gleaming through the leaden clouds, showed more like those of a phantom than a substantial collier. On the island the puff puff of the engine of a smelting furnace apprised us that the hand of the diligent maketh rich."

The partners purchased the title for ₤59, or a pound per acre. By March 1855, it seemed to have served whatever purpose it had -- Whittaker and Heale sold it to hotelier Bryant Vercoe for ₤100. 1855 and 1856 was when speculation seemed to run hot for Motuketekete. Perhaps there was still the sniff of copper or other riches associated with the island. Land agent and former hotelier Samuel Allen Wood bought the island from Vercoe in May 1855, for ₤175 (including a house there); then in February 1856 a gentleman named John Gouthwaite Brooke paid a whopping ₤485 for that piece of real estate. Something must have been there to have attracted so much money from Brooke. In October 1856, the island was purchased by George Wardell for a reduced ₤330.

Wardell (c.1832-1917), born in Scotland, went to Victoria to take part in the gold rushes there as a youth, and came to Auckland in 1855 on the Pioneer. He founded the commission firm of Wardell and Stephenson in March 1863 with Charles Stephenson, and seems to have had financial dealings with the colourful John Sangster Macfarlane.  Two years after starting his firm, though, Wardell had money troubles. In 1865, he was selling a number of properties, including Motuketekete.

"ISLAND of MOTU KETAKETA, situated in the Firth of the Thames, 2 miles distant from the Kawau (the residence of his Excellency the Governor Sir George Grey), 2 Houses, Out-buildings, Orchard, & never-failing spring of water, good landing and achorage in all weathers ..."

 (Southern Cross, 14 August 1865)

Macfarlane took up title for quite a few of Wardell's properties, including the island, that month. But somewhere along the line, Wardell made a promise to a miner named Noah Parsons that he could buy Motuketekete. Wardell and Macfarlane eventually gave Parsons his title for ₤155 in October 1872 -- but Parsons then sold it to accountant and banker George Schwartz Kissling the following month for ₤205.

Now, we come to the deed that attracted my attention to the island's story in the first place. In March 1880, Kissling sold the island to Matakana farmer George Scandrett for ₤140 (by now, possibly, the wild speculation as to any mineral resources the island may have held was over, it seems). According to the Auckland Regional Council site, Scandrett arrived from Ireland in 1863, and seems to have had an early association with Mullet Point, Mahurangi. The Scandrett family were to own Motuketekete from 1880 to 1907, when Hector Scandrett sold the island to Christchurch merchant Thomas Phillip Vivian for ₤190. The island remains in private ownership today.

Point ... Bunbury?

In Silverdale some months ago, I came upon a print of an old map of Auckland, one of the Felton Mathew maps from 1841, originally printed in London in August the following year. It is the earliest map I’ve seen that actually includes the district known today at Point Chevalier — but back then, the mapmakers had a different name gracing the tip of the peninsula: Pt. Bunbury.

Not only that, but a name for the area of the Waitemata Harbour between Point and the Rosebank Peninsula (the latter not quite making it onto the draughtsman’s page): Trent Bay. But, the point of this piece is about that man Bunbury. I suppose that if it hadn’t been for historical amnesia, that would have been the name of the suburb today.

Thomas Bunbury was born in Gibraltar in 1791, “on the wrong side of the blanket”, as the old phrase would put it. His father, Major Benjamin Bunbury, did at least give the baby his name if little else. Seven years later, Benjamin married and had legitimate children, who were to inherit his estate when he died in 1827 after being caught beneath an overturned pony chaise, and kicked by the flailing horse for three hours.

Thomas was educated in a Church of England school, and only ever invited into the Bunbury house once. He entered the British army at age 16, starting as an Ensign, and went on to serve in the Napoleonic Wars, in particular the campaign on the Spanish Peninsula. By 1822 he had risen to the rank of Captain, then Major by 1834. In 1838 he assumed command of the Norfolk Island penal colony. Things there did not go well. He was found to be harsh with his punishments, although he did reward good behaviour. In the end, angering the soldiers based on the island by ordering the destruction of their huts, they mutinied, and Bunbury was recalled off the island in July 1839.

Where to from there? Well, there was a place just starting up along the path to being a British colony called New Zealand. Here, he has some fame as St Helier’s first farmer, and during his four years in New Zealand ended up being a right-hand man to Governor Hobson, heading around the country gathering signatures on the Treaty of Waitangi.

On Hobson’s death, as senior military commander in the colony, he expected to take over as Governor — but this was not to be. Perhaps his state of birth did indeed impact on his career. He seems, despite his standing as a ranking military commander here at the time, to have had a rather out-of-the-way part of the new town named in his honour — and the name was quickly forgotten. He served briefly as Deputy-Governor under Hobson’s successor, FitzRoy, but in the end left in 1844 for the field of India. There, another promotion to Lieutenant-Colonel.

He retired around 1853, wrote a three-volume autobiography, and died on Christmas Day 1861.

Source: www.turtlebunbury.com

The only name given to south Waitemata promonitories on the map above that has survived would be Britomart, through the Britomart Transport Centre we have today, which is close to what would have been the original point. But Pt Willoughby (possibly after Willoughby Shortland, the Lt-Governor under Hobson) is now Pt Erin. Pt. Fisher is just a corner of Victoria Park, under the motorway. Pt Stanley is underneath a lot of valuable downtown real estate. Pt Dunlop became St Barnabas Point, (not known who or what Dunlop was) and Pt Mathew -- after Felton Mathew -- became Campbell's Point (after John Logan Campbell) until it was destroyed for reclamations and the rail system.

See also Auckland's Original Shoreline.

Old signs never die ...

 ... if they still convey the message. Indeed, why change them at all, just because of some pesky municipal authority reshuffling? Take this notice, spotted this month on a Birkenhead Transport bus, heading towards Verran's Corner:

Smoking, alcohol and food are still not welcome on Birkenhead's wonderfully clean buses -- but the notice reveals its age. The "B.C.C." plus the use of the word "bylaw" point to this coming from the days of the Birkenhead City Council, which was absorbed in 1989 by North Shore City (and, in turn, will be gobbled up later this year by the Auckland Super-City ...)

Then again, why go to all the effort of printing up new signs, saying exactly the same message, when the old ones will do? Well done, Birkenhead Transport!

Murals at Birkdale Primary

On a wander along the roads in Birkdale on the North Shore, I came upon the Birkdale Primary School, established in 1894.

And admired a couple of their murals.

This is a wonderful summary of the history of both the school, and the surrounding district.

The school's beginnings, and the horticultural history of the area.

Left of centre, the Chelsea Sugar Refinery, and to the right, an early version of the Birkenhead buses. By the way, I do like their depot at Verran's Corner.

The original part of the building dates from 1936, with extensions in 1939 and 1957 as the business (which started in the early 1930s) grew.

Anyway, to finish off back at Birkdale School, even this modern-themed mural caught my eye.

Just goes to show you never know what gems you'll come across when there's a digital camera handy.

Rocky Nook's transplanted train station

Alongside Malvern Road and tucked between the street at the Western railway line, is a piece of redundant early Auckland rail history which has, fortunately, not ended up at the scrappers.

This part of Mt Albert was originally taken for railway purposes in 1911, quite possibly as plans were being laid down for the construction of the overbridge across New North Road. Part of the land taken was then raised for the necessary span across the road, leaving a small margin in government hands until 1996 when it was transferred to private ownership.

It was around this time that the 1912 station building at Mt Eden, along the track, was relocated here, and so has remained somewhat of a landmark for rail passengers passing along overhead: the station at which trains no longer stop.

Guest article: The first cricket match

My friend Diana Masters, previously mentioned here in relation to her book "Maria Ellen -- the Other Mrs. Kinder", has very kindly given permission for me to include her previously-published article on New Zealand's first ever cricket match, at the northern end of Horotutu Beach in the Bay of Islands, 1832.

Thank you, Diana.

The First Cricket Match

For those cricket fans visiting the Bay of Islands, you may want to pay tribute at the site of the first cricket match in New Zealand.

The missionary William Williams had ordered a set of cricketing equipment from England, and it arrived in time for Christmas, 1832. On the 20th December the Rev Henry Williams wrote in his journal that he “turned the boys out to play cricket by way of a finish…Very expert, good bowlers”.

Edwin Fairburn (b.1827), son of the missionary, in his recollections (MAHARATANGA, Reminiscences of Edwin Fairburn [1901] NZMss91. APL), written seventy years later, described the excitement of the match.

The only ball game with which he had been familiar was ‘round trap’, rather like rounders. He thought that the new game must have some connection with green insects with long legs. The afternoon of the match was bright and calm, and all the inhabitants of Paihia and the Bay of Islands went to the northern end of Horotutu Beach.

Some 40 or 50 played for each side, there were no overs, but the ball was thrown to the bowler nearest to the fielder, or which ever end the fielders chose. The fielders pleased themselves as to the position they took and ‘things were carried out in a very independent manner’.

The 5 year old Edwin and his friend John Williams were allowed to play, but they were the youngest. Edwin describes his innings.

“Mr W Williams who bowled to me saying “we mustn’t be too hard on the youngsters” – or something to that effect, delivered me a very nice ball which I hit over the bank (about eleven yards off) on to the beach where it rolled down some distance on the hard sand – and I got a run – at which our side applauded – while the other side grumbled and called out for short work to be made of me – the ball was thrown up to the opposite end bowler, who straightaway bowled me out – but I got in a run in the first game of cricket played in New Zealand.”

Edwin included a map of Paihia where the site of the wicket is clearly marked, although his remembered date is a year out. He wrote “I think I could mark it out now within 10 feet of the actual. The northern end of the wicket was about a chain from the base of the steep hill and the side about 35 feet from the edge of the firm bank next to the sand”.

It can be easily seen today – at the northern end of Horotutu Beach (that’s the beach with the wharf) on the beach side of the junction of Bayview and Marsden roads, just before the rocky outcrop.

Fading Past? Hobsonville’s Sunderland seaplane hangar

 The following was written for the July 2010 issue of the West Auckland Historical Society's newsletter.

The placenames of the district of Hobsonville has a redolent mix of two completely different heritage themes. The 19th and early 20th century industries, the potteries, brickyards and lime kilns, are celebrated in Limeburners Bay, Brickbat Bay, and Clark Road. While from the 20th century, an age between wars and in their wake, come Bofors Point, Nimrod Inlet, Orion Point, Bomb Bay, Catalina Bay. At the old Hobsonville Air Base itself, there are streets named for past commanding officers: Isitt, Calder, Buckley and Carnegie.

How much of these two combined and overlapped themes from Hobsonville’s past will remain for the future, in the face of plans to create massive housing estates beside the waters of the upper Waitemata? One part of the picture of Hobsonville’s history does have WAHS President Trevor Pollard concerned: the fate, yet to be determined, of the old Sunderland seaplane hanger.

The first use of the airfield at Hobsonville was by a civilian, F D (Doug) Mill who owned his own Gypsy Moth and set up his Air Survey & Transport Ltd operation in 1927, specialising in aerial photography, repairing and selling aircraft, and providing passenger transport. Mill’s operations were to continue until 1940.

The first seaplane hangar was completed in 1929, once Hobsonville became a government-owned base, part of a development including commanding officer’s residence, central office, and cottages for the men. The 1937 Cochrane report, recommending a separation of land and seaplane operations, led to the establishment of Whenuapai and Ohakea airbases, and the development of Hobsonville as a Repair and Equipment Depot, and seaplane base.

Imperial Airways successfully carried out the first mail flight across the Tasman Sea in December 1937, and this led to the establishment of Tasman Empire Airways Ltd (TEAL). TEALs operations were at Mechanics Bay, but as Hobsonville was the government’s repair depot, it was decided to build a large hanger in 1939 near the existing hangar and workshops for the maintenance of TEAL’s seaplanes.

In 1942, the repairs section at Hobsonville was relocated to Hamilton, but two years later came the arrival of four Sunderland flying boats from the United Kingdom – the aircraft that the larger hangar at Hobsonville would become associated with from that time onward. The coming of the Sunderlands meant extensions to the seaplane apron, already used to capacity by TEAL aircraft, Walruses and Catalinas.

Photos taken May 2010.

The seaplane era at Hobsonville ended with the retirement of the Sunderlands in the mid 1960s, the last flying from Fiji to Hobsonville in 1967. The focus of the base shifted to helicopters, but the base eventually closed in 2002.

Sources:

Hobsonville Landing AEE (Archaeology, Rod Clough and Sarah Macready, 2009

Former Hobsonville Airbase, A Heritage Assessment, Dave Pearson, 2008

An enigma beside the Otamatea River

My good friend from Mad Bush Farm has been chasing down info on the Queen Victoria bust at the Otamatea Marae for some time now,  longer than Timespanner's been in existence. So, I'm not posting this to steal thunder or other stuff like that, but -- this is certainly a mystery and a half. I'd like to know more.

The known facts are these: Dick Scott in his book Seven Lives on Salt River (1987) wrote:

A concrete plinth standing before the Ngati Whatua meeting house opposite the 'Cathedral of Gittos' at Tanoa is waiting for the return of a plaster and wood bust of the young Queen Victoria that Governor Gore Browne gave to the tribe as a reward for loyalty to the British during the wars for the land. Until the royal head is set in place, aluminium frame windows are the only feature of this unusually bare wharenui set in an empty paddock.

The plinth is outside a plain building Scott says was Aotearoa, a meeting house once at Aotea or Shelley Beach in South Kaipara, shifted by raft and bullock team from Shelley Beach to the mission village at Kakaraea (Tanoa). A shift which happened, according to Scott, in 1887. The bust had been store, Scott said, at Whare Maori, the "Devil's House" at Ratana Pa, then held on deposit at Auckland War Memorial Museum for the Otamatea Marae. Today, it appears, it has been restored to reside inside its aluminium and glass enclosure.

The enigma is the plaque applied to the plinth below the bust's latest home. Right now, I suspect that it is either a historical red herring, or an indication that the bust came from further afield than even Shelley Beach to begin with.

QUEEN VICTORIA

THIS SCULPTURE OF THE

YOUNG QUEEN VICTORIA

TOGETHER WITH UNION JACK

WAS PRESENTED BY

GOVERNOR GORE BROWNE

(1855-1861)

TO NGATIWHATUA CHIEFS AT

AOTEA (SHELLEY BEACH) KAIPARA

Scott provided a handsome photo of the bust in his book, sitting on and surrounding by the Union Flag. The photo was taken by David Reynolds, from the Auckland Institute and Museum Library, with permission of the Otamatea Marae Committee. I suppose the plaque pre-dated the move back to Tanoa, because Scott does appear to have used it as a source (reference to "young Queen Victoria", and that flag which is no longer in evidence at the Tanoa site.)

But ...

I have yet to find a reference to any meeting Governor Gore Browne had with Ngati Whatua chiefs at Shelley Beach. He did meet with them -- but at Kohimarama, here in Auckland, in the winter of 1860, at the first of the Maori Parliaments discussing the Land Wars issue. No record found, though, of the Governor reciprocating in the face of gifts given to him by the visiting chiefs, with a wood/plaster bust of young Queen Vic.

The earliest description of the bust in situ at Shelley Beach comes from a report in the Weekly News of 28 February 1885, two years before things were shifted up north. The report is that of a railway and steamer excursion to Helensville and surrounding districts:

At Shelley Beach the excursionists were speeedily and comfortably landed in two boats, and immediately spread out to do the "lions" of the locality, which consisted of the large Runanga House, or Native Parliament House of New Zealand, an obelisk, in the recessed faces of which (protected by glass) are inscribed the text of the Treaty of Waitangi in English and Maori, and the native settlement. The obelisk is surmounted by a bust of the Queen.

There's no mention there of union jacks, unless they were behind the Treaty of Waitangi plaques (which are not together with the bust today). Sadly, also, no mention of the Governor Gore Browne connection -- but this was just a smidgen of a longer report on the whole exciting day. Those plaques, though, might date the bust and obelisk. In 1880, another obelisk including memorial plaques to the Treaty was designed by Buchanan of Auckland and installed at Paihia, in the Bay of Islands. That one still exists at the Waitangi Treaty Monument. Perhaps the original plinth at Shelley Beach looked like that, without the surmounting obelisk -- instead, the bust of Queen Victoria? Maori worked to increase awareness of the Treaty in the period both immediately before and after the 40th anniversary of the Treaty's signing. Not hard to see why, after the land confiscation record and the activities at that time of the Native Land Court mopping up much of the remainder.

There is one event I have yet to look into: a Maori Parliament of some note held at Shelley Beach in late November 1884. Papers Past references sadly mention it only in passing (another one of those so-called 'Parliaments' the natives kept holding, in the minds of European settlers, hardly worthy of much note on the national scale). The only reference I found there was from the North Otago Times, 14 November 1884:

The Northern Maori parliament will meet at Kaipara on tho 22nd inst. This is a gathering of Ngawhatua under the auspices of Paoro Tuahera, and Tawhiao has promised to be present. 

 This is an echo of what the Helenville & Districts Historical Society have recorded on their website:

In 1884/85 Aotea, as it was formerly called, was the venue for an important meeting between Ngati Whatua and King Tawhiao of the Waikato. The issue was whether or not the local people should join the King movement. After much discussion they did not. At this meeting the Council Hall, Te Tiriti, was opened and a four sided memorial with a copy of the Treaty of Waitangi set under glass on two sides was erected with Government funds. It was surmounted by a likeness of Queen Victoria. It stood there for many years and was regarded with great reverence by Maori. Later the buildings and memorial were barged to Batley near Maungaturoto.

 So ... I need to see what the NZ Herald, Auckland Star, and Weekly News recorded, if anything much, about that meeting of the Maori Parliament. By that stage, however, there was little if any connection with Governor Gore Browne. 

So -- a red herring? Or something more ...?

Update 28 April 2011:

Liz from Mad Bush Farm has found the following on Papers Past about Shelley Beach and the bust. Thanks, Liz.

Monument at Tanoa references

The party, shortly after arrival of the train, proceeded by the s.s. Aotea to Dargaville, being accompanied as far as Shelly Beach by Messrs Jas. McLeod, J. A. Wilson, Jas. Hand, and F. Tucker (acting Town Clerk). Mr McLeod pointed out the improvement that had been made to the Kaipara River by the removal of rocks in the channel, and asked for a landing stage at Shelly Beach, where he intended to offer a reserve of 26 acres to the people of the district as a pleasure resort. He also pointed out that the monument erected on the beach in honour of the Treaty of Waitangi, some 25 years ago by the Government, was sadly in need of repair, and that the copy of the Treaty which was let into the monument and mounted with glass, was almost obliterated by exposure to the weather. Mr Massey, who seemed pleased with the outlook of Shelly Beach as a camping ground, said although it did not come within his department, he would do what he could in the matter of forwarding the project and getting the monument put into repair.

Kaipara & Waitemata Echo 15 January 1913

SHELLY BEACH.
AS A PEOPLES' RESERVE.
There is not the least doubt of the suitability of Shelly Beach as an ideal camping ground and pleasure resort and a reserve there of 26 acres offered free to the people of the district should be accepted without hesitation. The proposed area takes in practically all the beach including a large piece of flat ground on the top of the cliff which could be made into a very nice park, having near the edge old Maori redoubts and rifle holes, which with very little expense could be reserved. The face of the cliffs are covered with native bush which affords excellent shelter, and on the beach there still remains the old Maori Church and a Monument in commemoration of the Treaty of Waitangi. Mr Jas. McLeod who is offering the gift to the people, informs us that it could be invested in three trusts representing the Helensville Town Board, and Kaukapakapa and Maratahi landings of the Waitemata County Council. In his opinion the area, although large enough at the present time, may be found a small reserve in the future and that if the people of the district took the matter up, it would be to their advantage to acquire another fifty acres, which could be done, at a very low price, and therefore have a suitable reserve for all times. What makes the proposed reserve of more importance is that a read could be brought from the main road right on to the Beach, allowing of easy access by land as well as by water, and with a suitable landing stage erected by the Government, people for all parts should be attracted to this spot.

15 January 1913

30-Acre Public Reserve.
At Shelley Beach
Given by James McLeod
Reporting to the Waitemata County Council on Friday, the Engineer (Mr R. G. Jackson), in. reference to the South Head road deviation, stated that when surveying this road some time ago he also laid off a branch road to Shelley Beach—the only deep water in the district. This road crossed a block of Maori land known, as Aotearoa, and it was intended to take the road by warrant. The block had now been acquired by Mr James McLeod, and there is some prospect of a portion of it being re-sold. If the block was sub-divided there would then be trouble and expense in getting the road. He had persuaded Mr McLeod to offer the road to the Council, and be recommended the offer be accepted.

Cr McLeod said that ever since it had been intended, to put that road there it had always been argued that it was at the only deep water between there and South head. It was in the interests of district residents that dedication of this road should be taken. If he parted with portion of the land another owner may want compensation for a road, but he was prepared to give it at the present time, his only stipulation being that a gate should be left on the boundary; otherwise it would cost him a good sum for fencing. Besides the road he was also giving Shelley Beach Reserve, a piece of land comprising 30 acres, for a public picnic ground. The only question was as to whether the Council was prepared to take the road, which would prove useful, although the people of Helensville had access to Shelley beach by way of the river. The Chairman said the offer was a generous one. The Council decided to accept dedication of the road; and on the initiative of Cr Poynton passed a further resolution expressing the Council's appreciation of the generous gift.

Kaipara & Waitemata Echo 2 July 1913

Update 6 June 2011:

Liz found the second item, which made me dig for the first, of the following:

(At the Orakei Parliament)
Te Keene Tangaroa said he would build a Parliament House for next year at Kaipara. As the preparations would occupy all his time, he would not be able to go to Te Kopua.

Auckland Star 6 March 1879

Another old and loyal Maori chief has just passed away in the person  of Te Keene Tangaroa, of Shelly Beach, Kaipara. This chief was a  consistent friend of the Europeans, and his loyalty to the Queen led  him to oppose successfully the proposal to shift the venue of the  Maori Parliament to the Waikato. He had an obelisk erected at Shelly  Beach in honour of the Queen, and to commemorate the Treaty of  Waitangi. He was a Government Assessor, and was in receipt of a Government pension.

Auckland Star 8 December 1885

Which puts the bust as dating (possibly) somewhere between 1880 and 1884 at Shelly Beach.