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Friday, February 18, 2011

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Birds on boxes in West Auckland

Bill and Barbara Ellis submitted the above image yesterday, taken "somewhere in Henderson". Thanks folks!

Much more colourful than these ...

This set of power boxes are on Henderson Valley Road, between Great North Road and the entry to the train station. Very hot day last Sunday, I was in the midst of a trudge down from Sturges Road to the interchange to get a bus home, when I spotted them. This sort of thing is fairly well down to force of habit. No matrer how hot, bothered and knackered I was, I had to spot, fish for the camera, and take shots for the blog. Then headed around the corner, up the stairs (puff, puff), across the walkway, down the escalator, and my bus was virtually waiting there. The birds may have brought me luck.

NZ genealogy links on Ancestry website

The Howick branch of the NZ Society of Genealogists were all abuzz over the links last Saturday. I thought, though, that unless you paid a hefty sub to Ancestry.com, they were fairly well inaccessibly short of a trip to the central library.

Then, yesterday, I attended a talk by Helen Wong at said central library on Chinese New Year past and present (great talk, by the way). Helen asked if I'd heard of the links, I repeated my belief re the subs etc., and was told that no, there was a limited access for free online via the Aussie site for Ancestry.com.

And then she sent me the links, which is wonderful. Thanks, Helen!

New Zealand, Electoral Rolls, 1853-1981

"Electoral rolls are valuable “census substitutes” and they become even more important in countries like New Zealand where census records are not available. Electoral rolls were also published fairly consistently nationwide and can provide a useful way of tracking individuals over time and place. Over 20 million names have been indexed in this collection."

New Zealand, Maori Voter and Electoral Rolls, 1908 & 1919

"Māori voter rolls for 1908 and Māori electoral rolls for 1919 are contained in this database. Those listed in the voter rolls are men and women of half or more Māori descent over 21 years of age. Because it was not compulsory for Māori to register before the 1908 election, this roll is a list of those who voted rather than those who registered as electors. In 1919 electoral rolls were compiled prior to the election to determine the names of all eligible individuals."

Canterbury, New Zealand, Provincial Rolls, 1868-1874
"Electoral rolls for Canterbury province, New Zealand years 1868 to 1874 are contained in this collection. The rolls were compiled during election years and include the names of individuals from each electoral district who were qualified to vote for the provincial superintendent and members of the provincial council."

New Zealand, Jury Lists, 1842-1862
"The jury lists were compiled from newspapers and do not necessarily represent a complete list of all persons who served as jurors in New Zealand from 1842 to 1863. The lists are organized by locality or province and year."

New Zealand, Maori Land Claims, 1858-1980
"As recorded by the New Zealand Parliament, this index contains Māori claims made for land from 1858 to 1980. Information listed includes claimant (person, group, or tribe), year of claim, description of claim, and additional notes. This database is not a comprehensive list of all Māori claims to the New Zealand Parliament for land. Only the petitions that were tabled are included. All claims or reports of claims by Māoris for land or land loss compensation are included, but no Pakeha (European) claims for Māori land are included. Petitions requesting changes to the Native Lands Act, those asking for an increase in rent, or those correspondences negotiating a land sale are also not included."

New Zealand Naturalisations, 1843-1981
"This database contains an index of persons who were naturalised or given citizenship in New Zealand from 1843 to 1981. New Zealand citizenship did not begin until 1949, but persons who were not born within the British Commonwealth and applied for naturalisation were given British citizenship prior to 1949."

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

The Women of the Treaty

Image from Wikipedia.

Last week, I attended one of the Auckland Central Library's lunchtime talk sessions, "Honoured Māori women who signed the Treaty of Waitangi (Ngā Wahine Rangatira i hainatia i te Tiriti o Waitangi)" by Anahera Sadler, Auckland Libraries Pou Whakahaere - Māori Advisor. In her talk, she told us that out of the over 500 names of Maori leaders around the country who signed nine copies of the treaty during 50 hui, 13 were women. As Anahera told us, leadership roles in pre-1840 New Zealand Maori culture were not necessarily restricted to men. These were:

Takurua

Ana Hamu

Marama (ancestor of Dame Whina Cooper)

Ereonora (ancestor of Dame Whina Cooper)

Koroniria Haunui

Kehe te Rau-o-te-Rangi

Pari

Rangi Topeora

Kehu

Nga Raurekau

Rere

Hoana Riutoto (ancestor of Princess Te Puea Hirangi and Tuaiwa Eva Rickard)

Te Wairakau (ancestor of Princess Te Puea Hirangi and Tuaiwa Eva Rickard)

For more information:

Auckland Library's website: Treaty of Waitangi, and Nine Treaties

Ministry of Women's Affairs website: Having a say before the vote (Maori women before 1893)

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Laurie Brothers, of Newton and West Auckland

I've just received this comment to my earlier post on the New Lynn brickmakers memorial:

"I am after a LAURIE BROS brick as they were my ancestors and started out in Karangahape road and then moved out west. If anyone could help please email at bmlauries@xtra.co.nz

Thank you,

Brian Laurie."

So if anyone out there has a spare Lauries brick, do please get in touch with Brian.

This is what information I have to hand on the Lauries.

The Laurie family arrived in New Zealand on the Duchess of Argyll in 1842. The sons Robert, James and Matthew by the 1850s were engaged in brickmaking in the Newton area, behind the present-day site of the George Court building on Karangahape Road. A child of one of the brothers drowned at the Newton works (Reg Laurie recalled the child was Reginald, son of Robert Laurie, but a news report in 1858 named the child as William Allison Laurie.)

The Laurie Brothers’ purchased 100 acres beside the Whau River (present day Hepburn Road site) and there they had three cottages built. Their 100 acre purchase adjoined on three sides a 10 acre purchase by brickmaker John Malam that year: the Laurie family obtained title to this piece of land only after John Malam’s death in 1899, and even then not until 1907. The Lauries were still residing at Newton in the late 1860s, but by 1869 the surviving brother, Robert (1829-1899), had set himself up in West Auckland, with his son Matthew born “at the Whau” In November that year. Another son was born in March 1875, at the residence, “Whau, Brickyards.” It would appear therefore that by the early 1870s, Robert Laurie had a brickyard in operation, alongside the John Malam yard.

The Laurie family were involved with the setting up of the first school in Henderson, operating the “Railway Store” in Henderson township by 1881, and had a brickmaking operation in Waihi.

After Robert Laurie’s death, the Laurie property at Hepburn Road was subdivided.

The pristine and the collapsed at Waikumete

Charles Oliver Bond Davis, Maori interpreter, writer and land purchase agent for the NZ Government, certainly left his mark on this country. An encycolpedia entry, reference in the Journal of the Polynesian Society (regarding the establishment of a printing press and stores for Thames and Poverty Bay Maori), deeds and land sales records.

One one side of his memorial pillar is English text.

On another, Te Reo. The other two sides are blank.

There's also this example of time's unkind collapses.

David D Roberts died in 1907. His widow must have loved him dearly, to place not only a pillar of brown marbleof his grave, but an inlaid portrait of her dearly departed.

Just sad, though, how things just fall away.

Ceramics, new and old

West Auckland Historical Society proudly have this in their collection -- a souvenir plate from the reopening of the New Lynn Train Station last year. (Does this really promise they'll have movies back at New Lynn some time? That would be good.)

Meantime, during work currently underway to enlarge the Society's display annexe, local historian Ben Copedo spotted this shard in the clay, and fished it out. He'd love to know what it's from. The two photos are the same fragment, decorated on both sides.

If anyone can help, please let me know, and I'll forward the answer to Ben.

A West Auckland Coat of Arms

West Auckland Historical Society have been very fortunate in obtaining the coat of arms used by Waitakere City from 1989-2010.

They're on prominent display in the dining room at Mill Cottage, on Sel Peacock Drive, Henderson. Trevor Pollard, WAHS President, is pictured (I said, come on Trevor, let's have you beside them!)

They were originally the arms for the Waitemata County Council, originally a spread-out territorial authority dating from 1876 which included all of West Auckland, North-west Auckland up to Helensville and Silverdale, and the North Shore. Gradually, town districts and boroughs chipped away at the district, becoming independent bodies, until by 1973 all that was left was a county focussed almost entirely on West Auckland with prominent exceptions such as New Lynn, Glen Eden, Henderson, and land owned by Auckland City (Waikumete Cemetery) and the Auckland Regional Authority (parks out in the Waitakeres). A year after the arms were granted to the county, it reformed into Waitemata City, which became Waitakere City in 1989 on amalgamation and mop up of the former independent areas which had broken free from the old county from 1910.

Some other Auckland area arms:

Auckland City's coat of arms dates from 1911.

Manukau City's arms (granted 1968) probably date back, like Waitakere, to the county council days.

Birkenhead, from 1973.

Takapuna, from 1954.

Going Aussie postal in Three Kings

The odd stuff one sees trundled out through the doors just before 9 in the morning outside the Three Kings Postshop -- a kiddies' electric ride, in the form of an Aussie Post van.

It gave those of us waiting patiently for the small shopping mall to open (I was there just prior to a speaking gig) quite a bit of a laugh. Not because it's Australian ...

... but because someone has tried, rather unsuccessfully to mask the fact by attempting to paint out the "Australia" bit on the front. Is this something seen often across the Ditch?

Thames Heritage Week 2011

I made a promise to a chap connected with Thames heritage circles that I'd promote this year's Thames Heritage Week. Hopefully, I'll get a chance to see the festival at some stage -- I'd particulary like to see the School of Mines, but there's also the Treasury and other sights. We'll see if time and finances permit.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

The Gaiety Girls horsewhip an editor

Image from Flickr.

In 1893, male hearts were fluttering from Auckland to Dunedin over the Gaiety Girls, a burlesque performance which had been touring Australasia from 1888, and creating reaction wherever they went.

Letty Lind says there is not a word of truth in the story about the Gaiety girls encouraging foolish young Australians to ruin themselves by giving them diamonds, flowers, suppers, and all the rest of it. Both principals and chorus were phenomenally staid and quiet in Australia, especially in Sydney. "I think," declared the young lady, "you will find all the diamond presents made to any of the company in Australia consisted of some photographic views of Melbourne some one gave Miss Farren." The fair Letty declined either to deny or affirm her rumoured engagement to a wealthy Australian squatter.

The Advertiser (Adelaide) 8 August 1889

The florists blessed the Gaiety Company while they were here. Trade in bouquets of choice flowers received an enormous impetus. A local dude, in all the glory of evening dress suit and dazzling shirt front, threw the charming Alice Leamar a bouquet on the last night of the company's appearance in Auckland. The little lady picked it up, removing and pocketing the little note attached with all the nonchalance in life. The Gaiety girls are pretty well accustomed to that sort of thing by this time. Take it quite as a matter of course. But they do say that if some of the billets given to the sirens in question while they were in Auckland were to be published, there would be a pretty how-dy’e-do in upper crustian circles !

Observer 6 May 1893

The Last of the Gaiety Company.

The Gaiety Company went away in the Rotomahana shortly after 5 o'clock last evening … The whole outer tee of the wharf was thronged with a densely packed mass of gaily-attired humanity— very many hundreds in number, large proportion of these were Civil Servants, law clerks, bank clerks, merchants, the pulpit, and the press. By a singular coincidence some hundreds of these had pressing business with the Minister for Lands or the Ell Commissioners, which necessitated their coming down to see them immediately before their departure. By an equally singular coincidence only a very, very small, proportion of these hundreds went down avowedly " to see the girls off." It therefore could not have been taken as a reflection upon any of them when a hoarse voiced Gaiety super, who was politely requested to "take a cough lozenge," called for " three cheers for the mushroom dudes of Wellington." It was another singular feature of a singular affair that the hundreds who had come to see the Minister for Lands searched diligently for him amid the crowd of laughing Gaiety girls on the lower deck, and never thought of looking for him where he stood out like a Grand Turk against the sky-line on the upper deck, gazing down on the moving scene below, and pondering upon the possible effect of Woman Suffrage on the male voter of the young and impressionable order, also of the more mature variety with leas hirsute adornment, should a Gaiety girl elect to oppose him for the Waihomo seat. At last the steamer moved off, amid cheers and chaff and laughter, and then all the gentlemen — hairy and hairless — connected with the Government of the country who had been so singularly desirous of seeing the Minister for Lands, and be singularly unfortunate in their determined efforts to do so, moved sadly and dejectedly away.

Evening Post 16 May 1863

In Dunedin, however, one man proved immune to the charms displayed on the stage. Samuel Lister (c.1832-1913) was at the time editor of the Otago Workman, Dunedin's version in many ways of the Observer in Auckland, as it printed reviews, chat, and sporting news. In an 1893 satirical column in the paper, however, an anonymous columnist named "The Chiseller" landed his boss in hot water, when he "described the London Gaiety Burlesque Company's show as immoral and claimed that the performers were paid so badly they were forced to resort to prostitution", according to Lister's biography in the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography.

The reaction was swift and -- well, yes, quite dramatic.

Shortly after ten o’clock (Monday, 5 June 1893), … several members of the Gaiety Company were seen wending their way in a southerly direction, and as the female choristers among the number were seen to be carrying horsewhips, and were observed to be engaged in an excited conversation, it was readily surmised that something unusual had occasioned the gathering. Inquiries showed that the ladies of the Gaiety Company, having had their characters grossly assailed in the columns of the “Workman”, published on Saturday last, had held an indignation meeting, at which five of their number were deputed to vindicate the honour of their companions. And as the choice fell on the most Amazon-looking of the crowd it will be at once believed that they constituted a formidable quintette. The ubiquitous reporter was, of course, in evidence, a member of [the Dunedin Star’s] staff getting scent of what was going on. The advance guard comprised some of the male principals and the business representative of Messrs Williamson and Musgrove.

On entering the “Workman” office, the latter inquired of the publisher whether he had seen the paragraph to which exception was taken, and Mr Lister, presumably not knowing who his “surprise party” comprised, replied that he had, and that he supposed it must be true or it would not have found a place in the paper. The spokesman of the party then asked for a more satisfactory explanation, and being told that none was forthcoming, said that the paper would have to answer to those who had been grossly maligned.

The signal was given in orthadox dramatic fashion, and the five ladies de ballet trooped into the office, but not in so graceful a manner as in stage performances, for they at once began to ply their horsewhips most vigorously about the head and shoulders of their presumed libeller. The typos and apprentices engaged in the establishment rushed to their chief’s rescue, and a melee ensued, but the intruders were compelled to retreat to the road line, and the office door was slammed in their faces.

The door was quickly broken open, the windows were all smashed, and a scene of disorder followed such as is depicted as taking place at Donnybrook Fair. The hero of “Enniscorthy” was there inveighing against the impropriety of vilifying the characters of unprotected girls, but his observations were cut short by a blow on the eye from one of the printers. There too was the faithful hunchback – the trusted Quasimodo – prepared to shed the last drop of his blood in defence of Claude Frollo’s assailant. The fun at this time had become fast and furious, and a burly hotelkeeper living in the vicinity, fearing the destruction of the newspaper plant, took his stand in the doorway, and entreating the wreckers to go no further, demanded an explanation of their conduct. With tearful eye, one of the chorus girls said that she had been spoken of in most disparaging terms by the editor of the paper, and asked whether her questioner would not seek to avenge a similar slight if it had been put on one of his female relations. The force of the query was admitted, and the hotelkeeper then desisted from further interference.

The females now took possession of the editor’s sanctum, and threw the materials in it about broadcast, the men played havoc with the composing room, and the free fight between the members of the theatrical profession and those employed in the newspaper office continued. One of the office employees, thinking discretion the better part of valour, sought to retire quietly by the back door; but in the yard he was met by a couple of the stage hands, and had his face smeared with a composition very like black-lead. When he showed himself among the crowd he might have been taken for a Christy minstrel corner-man or Othello.

After seemingly avenging themselves for the insult passed concerning them, the visitors proceeded to take their departure, at which moment Constable Higgins, from South Dunedin, arrived on the scene, and at Mr Lister’s request arrested four or five men for damaging his property and for assault.

Auckland Evening Star 12 June 1893

In the subsequent court hearing, Lister dropped all charges, after "an amicable settlement" had been made.

The Bench gave their consent to both applications, and the curtain was rung down on the second act of this unrehearsed little comedy, the professional folk leaving the court surrounded by their friends, after thanking the police for their courtesy during the brief period of their official acquaintance.

Image from Wikipedia

The brief glow of Luxene light

Ads like this abounded -- then vanished from our newspapers. I'd heard of the tussle between gas and electricity for the hearts, minds and wallets of consumers in New Zealand -- but Luxene? There's a scarcity of info on it online. It seems that it was an 1890s thing, some derivative of petroleum that tried to not only trump kerosene (the ads claimed it was less flammable, which is odd, because I thought you needed to burn it to have light ...) but also one-up the still infant electrical industry. By around 1898, however, its flame seems to have been well and truly snuffed out.

Timespanner visits Howick

Well, a bit of it. Yes, I have been to the Howick Historical Village (and intend to return again at some stage) but yesterday's journey out was to give a talk to the Howick branch of the NZ Society of Genealogists (one of a rash of talks I seem to have let myself in for over February and March, all over the place ...) And, this was the first time I'd been that far out east by myself, using good ol' public transport.

So -- above, the clock tower from the Highland Park shopping centre. It caught my eye, and I instantly thought that it reminded me of the traditional blockhouses during the Taranaki and Waikato land wars of the 19th century. I'll bet it's actually supposed to be something different, but -- I liked what I saw.

They like to have the occasional decorated rubbish bin out that way as well. And finials on their bus stop roofs! (I couldn't take a photo of the latter today, darn it, because there were a lot of people there waiting patiently for a bus ...)

Getting close to my destination ( I walked up from Highland Park shops to Ridge Road) ...

The very, very beautiful old St Andrews Presbyterian Church and cemetery, at the corner of Vincent and Ridge Roads.

This is a simply stunning country church (well, it was out in the country when first built in 1873). According to Alan La Roche, in his book The History of Howick and Pakuranga, Whitford, Bucklands and Eastern Beaches and Surrounding Districts (1991), this was designed by James Wrigley, and cost all of £175.

The new Presbyterian church at Howick was opened for Divine service on Sunday last, the 30th ult., at 3 p.m. The weather was propitious, and the assembled congregation filled all the available apace in the building. The Rev. John Macky was the officiating minister, and in the “service of praise" members of the choirs of the other congregations of his charge gave their assistance. After engaging in devotional exercises, including the leading of portions of Sacred Scriptures suitable for the occasion, the minister delivered a discourse founded on John iv., 21, 23, in which he unfolded the nature of Divine worship, as taught by our blessed Lord himself.

The collection, which was on behalf of the building fund, amounted to upwards of £6. The church is beautifully situated at the entrance of Howick, nearest to Panmure, and is a pretty and well-constructed building, creditable both to the architect, Mr. Wrigley, and to the builders, Mr. McInnes and Mr. White. It was a cause of regret that it had been forgotten to advertise the opening service in the Auckland journals, as it was hoped that some of the many kind friends in the city who had contributed to the erection of the church would be present on the occasion, and be gratified by seeing the result of their generous co-operation with their, in some respects, less favourably circumstanced country friends. In order as far as possible to make amends for this oversight, arrangements have been made for holding Divine service in the new church at 11 a.m. on Sunday next, when a further opportunity will be given of contributing to the building fund.

Southern Cross 3 April 1873

"The Rev McKay became blind in his old age but his faithful horse 'Jack' guided him safely to his preaching charge at Howick every Sunday from Otahuhu. He would spend Sunday afternoons preaching, and visited pensioners on Mondays before returning to Otahuhu. It is said children would guide the horse across a stream, the horse would know where to go."

Alan La Roche, p. 125

Today, the old church is known as the chapel, while behind it, built in 1981, is the new church, combining the congregations from St Andrew's and the (c.1907) Uxbridge Church. It serves the Howick Presbyterian Church, and the Auckland Taiwanese Presbyterian Church -- and is the meeting place for the Howick branch of the NZSG.

And then, once inside, I caught sight of this. This is a stained glass window, featuring the Presbyterian symbol of the burning bush, originally from the now vanished St Peter's Presbyterian Church in Grey Lynn. According to the information beside it, it was dedicated in honour of Gordon McCullough, a Grey Lynn parishioner who was a casualty during World War I. The window was later given by McCullough family members to Uxbridge Church during that church's extensions in 1956, but it was never used. Instead, it was found under the old church in 1981, while the new Howick Presbyterian Church was being constructed. Plans were adjusted to incorporate the window especially in the entry foyer of the new building.

This photo does not do the window justice. It is a truly stunning sight -- well done to the parishioners and administrators of the Howick church for restoring a piece of not only a piece of Presbyterian (and Auckland ) history to a place where it can be appreciated.

Friday, February 11, 2011

A sexton's life

When Waikomete (then Waikomiti) Cemetery opened 125 years ago this year, in 1886, one of the main jobs out there was as sexton. It came with a cottage, fresh air – but a lot of hard work.

The City Council received the following amongst the applications sent in for the billet of sexton at Waikomiti, the other day :

Auckland N.Z. 18-2-86

to city council

Dear Sirs

seeing it advertised that the city council was wanting a sexton I now offer my services to you praying that I may be excepted [sic] by you I am steady and sober and healthy and strong and I understand it as well I am 30 years of age married and 2 children if reffence [sic] was required I can get any amount I am a very pore scholar therefore I think myself qualified as a sexton with your exception I am yours Humblely and co (address) P S I mean the new sexton for new cemetery Waikomiti.'

Observer, 6 March 1886

Thomas James McIvor was born in 1857 in Auckland. He learnt the upholstering trade from the firm of T. & H. Cook, and then struck out on his own. In the nineteenth century, upholsterers were among the number of trades which evolved into the business of funeral undertaking — others were carriers (carrying the coffins), furnishers (building the coffins — Battersby’s of Avondale is an example), and florists. McIvor’s funeral parlour was on Karangahape Road. He was a member of the Grey Lynn Bowling Club from 1908, and owned land at Blockhouse Bay possibly for holidays from 1894-1901, but he was a Pt Chevalier resident, living on Carrington Road.

In June 1893 he must have decided to put pen to paper, after seeing a lone sexton struggling through his tasks at Waikumete Cemetery, while McIvor himself was overseeing the last resting place preparations for the departed. He poetically and expressively wrote to the Auckland Evening Star, and his missive was published.

21 June 1893

WHITE SLAVERY

Sir, - A specimen of the above could have been witnessed any day last week, enacted in the person of the sexton at Waikomiti Cemetery, his work beginning with the peep of day, cold and wet, down deep into the depths of a soaking grave, wet and re-wet again and again, preparing the homes for our city’s dead, no help, no pitying hand to be found, Sunday and other days all alike. Slavery, aye! Worse than slavery, and yet we call ourselves a Christian community, preaching “Do ye to others as ye would have them do to you,” beautiful precept, but oh, how seldom put in practice.

Now, sir, when many less burials when many less burials took place at Waikomiti our City Fathers provided two sextons, and ample work was found for both: but of late – I suppose on the score of retrenchment – with nearly double the work in hand, one white slave has to do the labour of two at the wage of one. Whilst other well paid and comfortably-housed servants of the people, with roaring fires to keep out the cold, look up and feel thankful that their lot is indeed cast in pleasant places, this equally good and useful servant has not the least consideration, but is compelled to labour in the field of mud, slush, and slavery, losing years of his life, and may, long before his ripened time, himself find a grave where he digged homes for others.

I am, etc.,

THOS J McIVOR

Just as with the case of the Symonds Street gravediggers, there was “One Who Knows” with a seemingly indepth knowledge of the ways and means of the city’s cemetery workers. Whoever this one was, he took keen exception to McIvor’s appeal.

22 June 1893

Sir,

In reply to Mr McIvor’s letter of last evening, in reference to the sexton at the Waikomiti Cemetery, probably Mr Walker will not thank him, because there are a great many who would not despise the same billet on these terms, £2 10s per week and comfortable house, with paid labour help when actually required by his own request. It is true, of late he has been working hard, but there have been and are times when there is very little to do. No doubt, if the work increases permanently an additional person will be appointed.

Yours, etc.

ONE WHO KNOWS

Thomas McIvor responded.

23 June 1893

Sir,

Had “One Who Knows” but added the word little to his signature it would have been much nearer the mark.

“One Who Knows” may well write from behind his office table statements of which he knows but very little. No doubt he considers £2 10s per week for a common working man is indeed too much, but does he not for his services seek much more? and one may question it would be near as hardly earned as that of the poor sexton. Let “One Who Knows” try but one week of Waikomiti work, and then, indeed, he will know much more.

It appears to me that “One Who Knows” has never visited Waikomiti, or if he has it is very seldom, for surely if he knows so much, he could not have known enough to use his eyes and see that during spare time the roadways, footpaths and other places require and are kept in good order. There is indeed no lack of work at all times for one man. But again I assert that the work of late has been nothing but white slavery. Does “One Who Knows” know if the sexton ever did apply for help and whether it was granted.

I am, etc.,

THOS J McIVOR

“One Who Knows” seems to have either been connected with Auckland City Council matters in connection with the cemetery, or he was obsessed with the subject, even finding out the merest minutiae on it.

24 June 1893

Sir,

Allow me to inform Mr McIvor (who knows so much) that I have visited Waikomiti Cemetery several times, and that I also know that the sexton has applied for assistance and that it has been granted, and there is no reason why if occasion arises he should not apply again for temporary assistance. As regards comparative payments, the sexton with £2 10s per week, house too, is better paid than the bulk of the labourers in the city. As regards the work, the average interments in 1890, 1891 was six per week, and in 1982 seven per week.

I am, etc.,

ONE WHO KNOWS

McIvor, however, appears to have had the last say in this letters to the editor duel.

27 June 1893

Sir,

Kindly allow me space once more to reply to “One Who Knows” (so little). Your correspondent admits that he has only visited Waikomiti several times, that means, I presume, some three or four occasions, and these were taken on a beautiful clear summer’s day. Fancy setting himself up as “One Who Knows” when he has been there so few times in seven years; so much for his practical knowledge. When “One Who Knows” enlarges so much upon the sexton’s great pay, he carefully omits to mention that it is for a week of 7 days and of all hours. “One Who Knows’ ” statements of the average interments are correct so far as ’90, ’91 and ’92 are concerned. By taking 7 per week for ’92, he makes it appear that only one burial took place per day, when he knew well that on very many days three and four interments was no uncommon occurrence; and further of the time in reference to what I first wrote (’93), he also knew or ought to have known that three or four burials a day were very frequent, and as the greater number of funerals take place near the same hour, what a watery time the poor sexton must have. “One Who Knows’ “ comparison between the city labourer and Mr Walker can only arise from his own ignorance of Waikomiti Cemetery work, because on the days in which no interment took place, there is no lack of work in keeping the place in order.

I am, etc.,

THOS J McIVOR

Another visit to Symonds Street cemetery

Some more graves from the Wesleyan/Anglican section of the cemetery.

The plaque, at the gate to the steps leading down to the cemetery:

City of Auckland

Grafton Bridge

Passersby are reminded that below this bridge reposes the honoured remains of many Pioneer Settlers whose enterprise and endurance through many difficulties and during troublous times laid the foundations upon which the progress and prosperity of this City and Provincial District have been built.

On the other post, the Grafton Bridge 1910 plaque.

Thomas Howard Kirkham, possibly a sawmill foreman, died 27 April 1880, nearly three months after the death of his 8 month old daughter Bertha, also buried here.

This one, shadowed by the bridge, is simple "R D, 1879".

We do have more on Stephen Edward Hughes, however.

Many of our readers will regret to learn of the death of Mr Stephen Hughes, of the well known firm of Hughes and George, solicitors, Auckland, which took place yesterday. The deceased gentleman was born in Rochester, England, in October, 1821, and was consequently in his 66th year. He arrived in Auckland in 1840, but in 1846 returned to England, and was married to his present wife. In 1850 he came back and finally settled in Auckland, and after a short time was appointed clerk to the Provincial Council, which post he held for some years. After that he joined the staff of the Southern Cross newspaper, which he subsequently left to study the law under the late Mr Wm.. Bracey, Mr Edwin Hesketh studying with him in the same office. He was admitted to the bar in 1862, and was joined by Mr George in 1876, forming,the well known firm of Hughes and George. Tha late Mr Hughes was a member of the General Anglican Synod.

Thames Star 31 May 1887

Abel Goldsworthy, formerly of Redruth in Cornwall, just simply dropped dead in Queen Street one day in 1872.

An inquest was held yesterday at the Claricarde Hotel, before T M Philson, Esq., coroner, and a respectable jury, on the body of Abel Goldsworthy, whose sudden death we announced in our yesterday's issue.

The first witness called was Stephen Catran, who, being sworn, deposed : I am a miner, residing at the Thames. I have known the deceased for the last six and a-half years. He was a miner. He was a single man about 33 years of age. By appointment I met deceased on Sunday morning last at about 10.20. We started from the Royal Mail Hotel, and walked up and down Queen-street. I noticed nothing unusual in his appearance. He told me he felt very well, a few minutes after 12 o'clock. We were then at the corner of Queen- and Victoria-streets, speaking of an appointment we had in the afternoon. Deceased suddenly said, "I'm off, Steve." I caught him in my arms as he fell backwards. A crowd soon gathered. A man — who I afterwards learnt was named Shepperd — and who somebody said was a doctor, looked at deceased, and said he was dead. This was about five minutes after he fell. A table was brought, and we laid him upon it. Froth was coming from his mouth. When he took the fit I noticed that his face became very red, and his neck was very much swollen. Mr. Nankervis went for a doctor, who arrived about ten minutes afterwards. He pronounced deceased to be dead. He was then conveyed to his home. He had not been drinking. He had a fit on Saturday. Dr. Sam gave him a prescription he did not get it made up. The deceased has a sister residing at Ballarat. His mother and another sister reside in England. No one bled deceased whilst on the table. He had a deposit receipt for over £300 and a £20 note upon him when he died. The police took charge of them.

H 0 Nankervis deposed to having seen the deceased on the morning previous to his death, when he described to him his feelings when in the fit on Saturday. He aho said he often felt a pain in his left side. He had not been drinking to witness's knowledge.

Dr Hooper deposed to having, at the request of the jury, made a post mortem examination of the body. He was of opinion that death had resulted from disease of the heart.

Dr. Seth Sam deposed to the deceased having met him on Saturday last, and having asked for a prescription, which he gave him. He had since heard that it had not been used. Witness believed death had resulted from heart disease.

The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony to the effect that deceased had died from disease of the heart.

Southern Cross 16 April 1872

One nice thing on the headstone are the words: "Erected by his mates, Martin Cateren and Bros."

The stone is so badly weathered, I hadn't a hope of determining who is this.

John and Mary Frances Eales, of 6 Grove Road, Mill End in London, lost their youngest son John, aged just 22.

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