Saturday, February 26, 2011

The woes of a name like the Whau



I have a contention, heretic that I am, that following on from the fact that the original name of West Auckland, in Te Reo, was “Te Wao Nui o Tiriwa”, as referred to in the booklet on the Whau River by the Friends of the Whau, that the original name, and spelling of our river is not “Whau” but “Wao”, named after the district, which in turn was named after the great forest West Auckland was known for. “Whau”, to me, would appear to be a corruption. I’m well aware how heretical that is – but the “wow” pronunciation was the way we locals pronounced “Whau” when I was growing up in the 1960s-1970s. The modern (and still not quite correct) “f” sound is a recent thing.

I've referred to this in earlier posts, here and here.

So, here’s what early newspapers had to say.

Southern Cross 21 August 1847
… an aqueduct from the Wahu river to the top of Mount Eden is already spoken of.

New Zealander 6 October 1847
Mount Eden, for instance, is called by the Natives Maungawao, from a beautiful shrub, the Wao, with large mulberry-shaped leaves and white flowers, which once abounded on its sides.

Southern Cross 28 September 1849
BIRTH,
On Monday, the 24th instant, at the Wahu, Mrs. E. Kelly, of a Son.

New Zealander 8 March 1851
… the Town and Suburbs to Hobson's Bridge and Whau

New Zealander 6 September 1851
BOUNDARIES OF THE BOROUGH OF AUCKLAND. The Northern Boundary runs from the eastern head of the Wao creek in an easterly direction along the south shore of the Waitemata harbour to the western head of the Tamaki river …

The European population of the Borough amounts to about 8000 souls, upwards of 4000 of whom occupy the town of Auckland and its adjacent suburbs, whilst the aggregate population of the Pensioner settlements of Onehunga, Howick, Panmure, and Otahuhu, may be estimated at about 2500 souls, leaving a population of about 1500 souls who are scattered over the rural districts of the Tamaki, Epsom, and the Wao, and are chiefly engaged in agricultural and pastoral pursuits.

Southern Cross 27 January 1852
…. access to the metal quarry, the mill, the Manukau ranges, the Waho, and the Kaipara.

Southern Cross 25 August 1854
MR. ELLIOT'S Surveyors being now on the Whau and, Waitemata Distripts, for a limited time only …

Southern Cross 16 October 1860
IMPOUNDED at the Public Pound, Newmarket, by W. Andrew for Dr. Pollen, for trespassing in his Grass Paddock, at the Wahu, One Dark Bay Horse, black points …

Southern Cross 14 June 1865
NOTICE. IMPOUNDED by Edward Lovett, for trespass in Mr. Crispe's oat paddock, at the Wahu flat, on June 10

From 1865, use of the spelling “Wahu”, “Waho” or “Wao” for the district or the river fades out, and “Whau” takes over, always pronounced “wow”. “Going down to the Whau” was a euphemism for entering the Auckland Lunatic Asylum (later Mental Hospital) as a patient.

NZ Truth 6 July 1912
So hilarious was the attack that he was put away in the 'asylum — or "Wow," as the hooligans call It— to recover. … Horatius had been in the asylum — beg pardon, the "Wow."

NZ Truth 14 August 1915
After reading this "Cambist" fears hls chance of a flying trip over the Mad House on the Whau (pronounced Wow) done for.

Edited to add (27 February 2017):

Then, we have Arthur Thomas Pycroft, an enthusiast of nature writing in the Auckland Star, 12 November 1927:
"The flower of the Whau, or Cork wood (Entelea Arborescens) was recently sent to me to identify, and I was asked where it is found in a wild state ... This tree's Maori name is familiarly known here, the Whau Creek, and Maunga Whau, or Mount Eden, are instances. I have recently been informed, however, by two Maori scholars, that Maunga Whau is only part of the native name of that mountain, the full name is Maunga Whau Ngarongo (the Mountain of Peace). Whau in this instance does not refer to the tree."
I'd like to see the original Maori name reinstated -- "Wao".  That would stop any debates as to pronunciation. But, I know in today's world that would be putting the boat up the creek without any chance of paddles. I'm a heritage heretic who can't swim, anyway ...

Friday, February 25, 2011

A message from Friends of the Civic

This afternoon, Leonie from the Friends of the Civic put this comment to my earlier post of the Civic in Auckland:

"If you would like to keep up to date with events - come and join the Friends of the Civic on Facebook or Twitter.

"We are always looking for new members to keep the history of the theater alive - Also NEW web page for the Friends of the Civic coming soon. Thanks L."

 Cheers, Leonie. Let me know when you can about that new website.

Broken walls -- Knox Church, Christchurch

Another post from Presbyterian Archives, this one on Knox Church, in Christchurch.

Christchurch: a city of earthquakes

The following comes from the Christchurch Star issues (unless otherwise stated) down to 1908, then from other papers, via Papers Past. Christchurch would appear to be as earthquake-prone as Wellington, surprisingly enough.

1868

(This article was found by Andrew of Timaru, and comes from the comments below. Thanks, Andrew! From the Timaru Herald, 2 September 1868)

EARTHQUAKE IN CHRISTCHURCH AND LYTTELTON.
The following account of the earthquake felt at Christchurch and Lyttleton on August 17, we take from the Lyttleton Times.

Since the great earthquake which at Wellington was so destructive to life and property, Christchurch has not been visited by a shock so violent and generally felt as that which startled the inhabitants yesterday. The mean time at which the tremor occurred, is a matter of doubt; and the fact that scarcely half a dozen chronometers in the city are set from the same observation, renders it difficult to assert with any degree of confidence at what moment the first indication of an earthquake was experienced. Some will be found to declare most positively that it was felt at a minute to ten; others at a minute earlier; and others at three minutes before the Government clock struck that hour. The people of Napier, Greytown, Wellington and Blenheim felt the shock, as the telegrams inform us, at 9.55, while at Castle Point (which is on the coast between Wellington and Napier), Featherstone in Wellington province, and White’s Bay, the time is stated to be 9.56. Nelson time is 10 am, Hokitika 9.58.

As to the point from which the vibration came, there is a great difference of opinion. Most people are inclined to think that it was from east to west, and this is corroborated by the intelligence from Castle Point and Wellington. Our Napier correspondent tells us that the shock was from north to south; and from Blenheim it is described as baring been from the nor'-west. At White's Bay there were two severe shocks in close succession, the first at 9.55, and the second at 9.56, which lasted 15 seconds.. There is a wide difference as to the duration of the shock. Probably the telegraphist at White's Bay means that the two shocks lasted for 15 seconds, but Dr Haast assorts that it was all over m two seconds. We are inclined to the opinion that the earthquake occurred at three minutes before ten o'clock, that its duration was between four and five seconds, and that its direction was from south to north.

The excitement created in the city was most intense. People imagined that the houses were about to fall upon them, and many of those employed m the Government buildings, the banks, and counting houses, immediately ran into the street. Articles which were hanging up in offices, shops, and dwellings were made to swing to and fro with considerable force. The shock was most severely felt in the vicinity of the Avon. In Mr Osborne's furniture warehouse, at the corner of Worcester street west, the timbers creaked to an alarming extent, and chairs which were suspended to the ceiling moved backwards and forwards for some minutes after the shock. Those employed at the bonded warehouse of Messrs Walton & Warner (a stone building) . were greatly alarmed by the falling of a quantity of chests of tea which had been packed 'on the upper floor. They ran out, fearing that a portion of the building was falling. We examined the building yesterday afternoon, and found that some of the stones had been separated to the extent of half-an-inch, while one or two of limestone were cracked right through. No other damage was sustained. We were informed that the Avon had risen some inches at the time and fallen as suddenly, but in the absence of reliable information, we can only think that the observation was nothing more than an imaginary one.

In our office the clock stopped at two minutes to ten and the clock at the Police depot also stopped about the same time. We have heard of numerous instances besides were the stopping of clocks indicated the time at which the tremor was felt. It is satisfactory to know that no material damage has been sustained.

At 9.57 a distinct shock of an earthquake was felt m Lyttelton. Many of the inhabitants residing m the upper end of the town rushed out of their houses in a state of the greatest alarm. The shock was felt most severely by persons residing m the northern part of the town, although it was also felt by many residing in London street and Norwich quay. Mr W. B. Jones' store was severely shaken, the match-board lining of the counting-house being split. At Messrs Heywood's stone store, the clerk rushed out of the office, thinking it was coming down on him. At the Union Bank of Australia, the shock was sharply felt; the floor was upheaved, and the varnish on the wood was cracked. Messrs Miles' store was also shaken. At Mr Ellisden's, chemist, all the .bottles on the shelves were moved. At Mr Taylor's store the floor rocked violently, and at Mr Walker's store the people of the house rushed out, thinking the large windows were coming out; the Queen's also was shaken. In Exeter street, the inhabitants rushed out of their houses in evident alarm, thinking they were going to fall on them. The Rev. F. Knowles and family had to leave their 'house, fearing it might fall, No damage has been done to the buildings.

The current in the harbour is very strong, the water is rising and falling rapidly. The train due in Lyttelton at 11 o'clock did not arrive until 11.40. It appears that the shock was felt so severely on the other side, that it was considered prudent to send the engine through, first to see if any of the tunnel had fallen in; it was found' to be all right. Captain Gibson informs us that all the beacon buoys on the Heathcoate river, are out of their place, and cannot be trusted; this has been occasioned by the earthquake wave


1869

5 June 1869
EARTHQUAKE.
A very severe shock of earthquake, confined, so far as we have been able to make out to this province, was experienced at about five seconds past eight o'clock this morning. The exact time is, of course, disputed, but we take it from a person who noticed that the clock in the Government Buildings had just struck the fifth stroke of the hour above-mentioned when the shock began. While houses were still shaking, and chimneys falling in almost every direction, men, women, and children were rushing terror stricken into the open air, and one person living at a short distance from the city describes the mingled sound borne through the air to the rush of a large railway train with the steam-whistle giving forth its shrill shriek.

There are few quarters in Christchurch in which evidences of the shock are absent. In most cases, however, the damage is confined to rent or fallen chimneys. The Government Buildings, more especially the new Council Chamber, have undoubtedly suffered most. To repair the damage there will cost a considerable sum. It was feared that the banks and other more substantial buildings would have been severely damaged. We are glad to say, however, that this has not been the case to any very considerable extent.

The new offices of the New Zealand Insurance Company, in Hereford street, have sustained damage, and so have the offices belonging to Messrs Matson and Co close by. The offices of the New Zealand Trust and Loan Company, also in Hereford street, are damaged, and we have heard that one side of a small brick house on the town reserves, standing in a road running between Madras street and Manchester street north, has been shaken completely out. The church of St. John the Baptist, and the Town Hall, have been severely shaken. We are thankful to say that we have not heard of any injury to life or limb. Few private houses in town have altogether escaped. In most, there is some damage to record; in a few, the damage has been very considerable. some of the shopkeepers, particularly those in the china and glass trade, have been heavy losers. As an instance of this, we may mention that Messrs Weir Brothers, in Colombo-street, china and glass merchants, estimate their loss at £100. Most of the chemists and druggists are losers to some extent.

Our Lyttelton correspondent writes as follows : — At 8 a.m. the inhabitants were aroused and alarmed by hearing a loud noise, resembling the rumbling of heavy waggons. Immediately after the ground began to vibrate, and the houses to shake; men, women, and children rushed out of their houses in the greatest terror. The shock was a most severe one: clocks were stopped, bells rung, and crockery smashed in the various houses. The direction of the earthquake was from south to north. The railway employees on the various wharves felt the shock severely. The wharves were considerably shaken, and the vessels loading alongside were knocked up against them, although there was not a ripple to be seen on the water, or a breath of air blowing at the time. The trucks on the breastwork, and also on the line, felt the shock, and bumped against each other. The large chains of the derrick were put in motion. With the exception of one fallen chimney, and the smashing of crockery, &c, we have not heard of any damage being done. The shock lasted about 30 seconds. It was feared that some accident had occurred in the tunnel, and that, as the shock had been so severe, part of it might have fallen in. Precaution was however taken at the Heathcote end, and the engine was sent through first; happily it was found that there was nothing wrong. The shock has caused great excitement in port.

7 June 1869
EARTHQUAKES VERSUS THE CITY BUILDING ORDINANCE.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAR.
Sir, — May I suggest that enquiry be made, and evidence taken, as to the amount of damage done to brick and stone buildings in the city by the earthquake, and to report thereon for public information, with an opinion thereon as to whether or not there is any injustice done, or probable additional danger to life, by enforcing the observance of the Building Ordinance. The report might also be accompanied with a recommendation in reference to the necessity of further legislation as to the thickness of walls built of brick or stone; also to limit the quantity of sand to be mixed with lime for mortar, and whether circular chimneys would not bear the movement of earthquakes better than if made square.
Your obedient servant,
E. B. BISHOP. June 7, 1869.

1881
25 June 1881
Earthquake. — A slight shock of earthquake was experienced at Rangiora yesterday, at 3.25 a.m. The apparent direction was from east to west.

 5 July 1881
Another slight shock of earthquake was felt at Rangiora yesterday afternoon at about six minutes past three. The shock was preceded by a rumbling sound like distant thunder. It was distinctly felt at Kaiapoi at the same time, and the direction appears to have been between east and west.

5 December 1881
EARTHQUAKE.
The Middle Island of New Zealand has for so long a time enjoyed immunity from anything like an appreciable shock of earthquake, that the vibrations experienced this morning have been — during the day — the one topic of conversation. In the innumerable items of intelligence there has been a large amount of exaggeration, owing no doubt to the fact that many people suffered themselves to become unduly excited. Happily it can be stated that the damage done has been extremely small, and that the general inconvenience has been scarcely more than the stoppage of pendulum clocks, and the shaking down of pictures, &c.

In Christchurch the shock was felt at about 7.37 a.m., the direction of the successional waves appearing to be — according to some observers — from north to south, and according to others from north-east to southwest. The duration of the vibrations is variously stated at from 25 to 35 seconds. Several buildings were seen to oscillate considerably during the continuance of the shock, their motion being described by one spectator as "like that of a ship at sea." The most serious damage done has happened to the spire of the cathedral. A piece of the stone cap beneath the finial, weighing about a dozen pounds, was broken off and fell to the ground, knocking off a portion of the moulding of the spire about six feet from the apex. A part of this moulding fell on the asphalt pavement in Cathedral square, making an indentation about an inch and a half in depth, and as wide as an ordinary saucer. Some absurdly exaggerated accounts of the damage sustained by the tower were current in town during the forenoon, and large numbers of persons visited the Cathedral yard in consequence; and the hole in the pavement proved a source of unlimited attraction to the passers-by.

The Durham street Wesleyan church was somewhat shaken, and a large stone from one of the chimneys of the schoolroom was thrown down. One of though chimneys of the Normal School was slightly damaged, and some of the plastering within the building was shaken down. The block of buildings at the corner of Manchester and St Asaph streets was very much shaken; a largo crack appears in the Manchester street front, and smaller cracks have been made in several other portions of the block.

The explanation of the damage done to the Cathedral spire is very simple. From the detailed accounts which were given of the work of construction, it will be remembered that the iron rod which supports the ornamental cross was brought down through that portion of the stonework which is solid, and then made fast, by means of stays, to the sides of the spire. When the vibration was set up, the extreme rigidity of the upper portion of the spire, as compared with the remainder, caused a disruption of the stonework, less, perhaps, than might have bean anticipated. The great bell of the Cathedral gave one toll, and other bells were also sounded. Panes of glass were broken in a few houses; articles on shelves were thrown to the ground, and water in open vessels was spilled.

LYTTELTON.
About 7.35 this morning the residents in Lyttelton were startled by a sharp earthquake, in a direction north and south. The vibration was very severe, and caused much alarm. As far as can be ascertained no damage has been done in the town. The steamer Wakatipu, lying alongside the screw piled jetty, was heeled over on to the wharf in a most perceptible manner. There has not been such a sharp shock experienced in port since the heavy shake prior to the fire.

6 December 1881
(Christchurch City Council meeting)
DAMAGED BY THE EARTHQUAKE.
A conversation ensued as to the state of certain public buildings said to have been damaged by the late earthquake, and ultimately the Mayor said that he would undertake that a report be made thereon.

19 December 1881
Earthquake. — A slight shock of earthquake was felt in Christchurch at about ten minutes before 10 o'clock on Saturday night. In the northern part of the city it was disagreeably perceptible.


1888

19 January 1888
EARTHQUAKE.
A smart shock of earthquake occurred at 1.17 this morning. It seems to have been felt with peculiar distinctness in the Avonside district, where some of the residents became quite alarmed on account of the oscillating motion, and some few hurriedly left their houses. In other parts the shock was comparatively inappreciable. The direction appeared to be from north to south. Our correspondent at Kaiapoi states that the shock was smartly felt there.

31 August 1888
EARTHQUAKE.
A sharp shock of earthquake was felt in Christchurch about three minutes past ten o'clock last night. The direction was from North-west to South-east, and the duration was estimated to be fully half a minute. The impetus given by the shock was so great that a gas pendant, of unusual length, freely hung, continued swinging for seven minutes. A clock in the Working Men's club was stopped by the shock at three minutes past ten. The water in the large tank on the roof of the City Council buildings was spilled by the shock, owing to the tank being brimful at the time. Some alarm was felt until it was found that the tank was not injured or displaced. …From Rangiora we learn that the severest shock of earthquake experienced for some years past was felt there at about ten o'clock last night. The vibration, which appeared to be East and West, lasted for several seconds.

1 September 1888
A SEVERE EARTHQUAKE.
THE CATHEDRAL SPIRE DAMAGED.
TOWN AND COUNTRY REPORTS.
The violent earthquake shock, which be rudely roused everyone from sleep at a few minutes past four this morning, may possibly not be the severest on record in this part of New Zealand, but it has certainly been by far the most destructive since the "Canterbury Pilgrims" landed. In the first place, what everyone feared would happen some day has actually happened, the spire of the Cathedral has come to grief. Its tapering, graceful outline, a landmark for every dweller on the plains within thirty miles, and a beacon for the mariner crossing Pegasus Bay, no longer cuts the sky. Twenty-six feet of the cross and upper spire have given way, and the melancholy appearance of the wreck strikes every eye. Hanging by the iron bands built into the stonework, the cross and parts of the finial still remain aloft, the cynosure of all eyes in the crowd which constantly gathers and melts away in the square below. Fortunately, the rest of the building has suffered no serious damage. Even the-lower part of the spire, as far as is known at present, is perfectly sound. The blocks of stone fell mostly towards Cathedral square, and spared the building, though bright white spots on the grey masonry of the tower and ornaments show plainly where they struck in their descent, in some cases breaking off large splinters in their course. One hole has been made in the high roof of the nave, but it is not large; the more noticeable damage occurring in the lower roof, which is broken through in several places. The falling stone, it is curious to note, struck clear of the memorial font to Captain Stanley, coming to the ground on either side of it, and spoiling nothing but a single arm of one of the tall gas-standards. Details, however, will be found under the heading "Cathedral." It may, nevertheless, be stated here that services will not be held at the usual hours to-morrow, the City Council having been advised that with the tower in its present state it would be unsafe to do so.

Comparisons.
We have said that the shock this morning was possibly not the severest that has been experienced here in Christchurch. A comparison of notes with people who remember the very alarming shake which occurred early on the morning of June 5, 1869, leads us to that conclusion. One of the most vivid memories remaining in the minds of those who remember that phenomenon is the hideous fear that was exhibited by animals. The unearthly noise caused by the barking of dogs, the lowing of cattle, and expressions of fear on the part of other dumb creatures, can never be forgotten by one who heard it. Nor is it easy to forget the waving of trees, the uncanny wave-like motion of the hedges, or the twisted and fractured chimneys that were to be seen in many quarters of the town. Still, the characteristic feature of the Cathedral City had not then been reared, and the damage done on this occasion, therefore, at once assumes a magnitude beyond that of former days.

The Cathedral.
At the time of the shock a man named Ross, employed by Mr Brightling, was walking along the middle of the road through Cathedral square in front of the Cathedral. He states, that the spire began to sway and the bells to ring almost with the commencement of the earthquake, and when the shock reached its climax, the upper part of the structure seemed to collapse, and came crashing to the ground. One of the pieces of stone fell very near to Ross. Most of the stone struck the footpath, south-west of the tower, between the fence and the drinking fountain, about eight feet from the fence, and about on the spot where the small piece of stone which was detached from the spire by the earthquake of 1881, fell. The mass of stone which came down this morning seems to have exploded like a bombshell, for fragments, some half as large as a man's body were strewn all over the footpath, and even on the road. The asphalt was smashed to pieces, for an irregularly shaped patch of nearly a yard in extent. A considerable portion of the debris fell into the Cathedral yard on the northern side of the tower.

A young man, whose name could not be ascertained, was also an eye-witness of the disaster to the steeple. He was on the footpath near the Godley Statue, and bolted, under the impression that the entire tower was coming down. Finding it did not fall, he returned, and was soon joined by others, anxious, like himself, to see the extent of the damage. In a few minutes a crowd of considerable size was collected around the building. Many persons picked up the smaller pieces of the stone which were scattered about, to preserve as mementoes of the event. All devoted themselves to examining the tower as well as they could in the dim light, and many expressed the opinion that it was considerably out of the perpendicular. When however, the morning began to dawn, it was seen that the graceful shaft which has long been the architectural pride of Christchurch was, although truncated, erect.

Mr Anderson, the steeplekeeper, went to the cathedral with the utmost promptness, and was inside it about ten minutes after the shock. He lighted the gas and found that there was only one place of leakage — from one of the standards near the font. One of the branches of this had been broken off by a large splinter of wood, detached from a roof beam by the concussion of a blow on the roof by some of the falling masonry. Having stopped the leak, he proceeded to make an examination of the building. He has had some experience of South America, par excellence the land of earthquakes, and knew what to look for. That was dust at the bottom of the walls inside. It seems that when a wall is injured by an earthquake, the shock dislodges certain particles of mortar, &c, which form tiny heaps and ridges on the ground. Mr. Anderson's examination was satisfactory. Dust there was none. The walls were uninjured. Together with Mr A Morton, and another gentleman, Mr Watkins, who joined him, he pursued his investigations. He ascended the spire, to find that nothing was injured below the break. The cross, which, was hanging against the side of the steeple, lie secured as well as he could with a rope. The four largest bells of the peal which had been " rung up," were " rung down" by the earthquake, and it was those which caused the clamorous peal which added so much to the startling effect of the shock.

During the morning the debris was cleared away from around the base of the tower, and arrangements were made for lowering the cross from its insecure position. Barriers were erected across the footpath to prevent people approaching too near, and a constable placed as a sentry over them. The gates of the grounds were also fastened to prevent the public from intruding on what might be dangerous ground. It will be necessary to remove about six feet of the remaining stonework of the spire, as it has become loosened.

1893

11 May 1893

A very slight shock of earthquake was felt at Christchurch and Lyttelton at about seven minutes past six o clock this morning.


1894

3 December 1894

At 2.43 p.m. an alarming shock of earthquake was experienced in this city. It was accompanied by a terrific noise, and lasted some seconds. The spire of the Cathedral was seen to sway considerably. The shock was also felt at Rangiora.

1896

A shock of earthquake, which was sharp enough to a large number of people and very perceptibly shake the beds, in which they were lying, occurred at a quarter to five o'clock yesterday morning. The direction seemed to be north and south. The earthquake, which occurred at a few minutes before five o'clock yesterday morning, was felt throughout North Canterbury, and is considered to be the severest since the shock which damaged the Cathedral tower. A loud rumbling preceded the shock.

1901

16 November 1901

THE EARTHQUAKE.
A PROLONGED SHOCK.
DESTRUCTION OF CHIMNEYS.
THE CATHEDRAL SPIRE DAMAGED.
CONSIDERABLE ALARM.
About thirteen minutes to eight this morning Christchurch was visited by one of the most severe shocks of earthquake ever experienced here, and those who remember the two previous heavy shakes — that in 1868, which damaged the Provincial Buildings and injured the old Town Hall in High Street to such an extent that it was condemned, and that in 1888, which brought down the top of the Cathedral say that for severity it was quite on a par with them, while it was of much longer duration.

The tremors first began from north to south, and then changed to east and west. The vibrations were at first light, but gradually became stronger, and after lasting for about thirty-five seconds gradually died away. The main shock, however, was succeeded at intervals by more or less slight tremors for nearly half an hour. A very large number of persons were in their beds at the time, and women and children were very much scared by the falling of pictures and crockery which was shaken from shelves. As far as can be ascertained, no one was injured. Of course, the first thought of everybody was for their own safety, and many people rushed out of their houses in their night attire. After the first shock was over the Cathedral tower was the general topic of conversation, and many were the rumours which quickly spread as to the extent of tie damage done to it. During the whole morning people flocked from all parts to see it, and a large crowd gathered in Cathedral Square and craned their necks in looking up at the cross, while the ubiquitous photographer was very much in evidence.

The officials at the railway station who were close by the huge railway tank, state that the water first washed over at the northern and southern ends, and then did likewise from east to west, and continued agitated for more than a quarter of an hour. The only case of a falling chimney reported is that of one at Mrs Holmes's boarding-house, in Manchester Street south. The crown of the chimney, which ran up the back of the three-storey building, broke off and fell to the ground, the bricks just missing a young girl who was passing, Throughout the morning crowds gathered in front of the tall buildings in town, and examined them critically, and it was amusing to hear the remarks of some of those who professed to be building experts. According to them, several of the three-storey buildings were out of plumb. However, the only damage noticeable to the layman's eye were one or two small cracks in some of the fronts of brick and stone buildings.


1908

8 December 1908

A PROLONGED SHOCK.
SEVERE SHAKE AT CHEVIOT. 
At six minutes to twelve to-day a prolonged shock of earthquake was felt in Christchurch. Although the disturbance was not a violent one, nor was it preceded by any appreciable rumble, as is often the case, yet it was very marked and indicated the probability of having been felt over a large area. The earthquake had a north-easterly and south-westerly direction, but was preceded by a less distinct tremor in a north-westerly and south-easterly direction, which gave an elliptical vibration at the start. The more prolonged and severely felt disturbance was estimated to have been of nineteen seconds' duration.

Inquiries at the Observatory indicate that the earthquake has doubtless some connection with the recent disturbances at Whakatane, and volcanic activity at White Island, but at the time of going to press the records on the seismograph had not been developed and consequently no definite information was available.

The proceedings at the meeting of the Presbytery were interrupted by the earthquake shock to-day. The clerk was reading a letter, when St Paul's Schoolroom began to rock violently and the windows to rattle. The shock lasted for several seconds, and caused some comment. The earthquake caused a momentary cessation of the work of the Arbitration Court at the Provincial Council Chambers although nobody seemed exactly to know why there was a pause. The building shook considerably for several seconds, apparently from north to south, accompanied by creaking noises arid the sound of small pieces of falling mortar.

Shortly before noon to-day a sharp, short earthquake shock was felt at Lyttelton. It only lasted a couple of seconds or so, but it was violent enough to ring the bell of the town clock. At Kaiapoi a double shock was distinctly felt. A few chimney-pots fell, but no other damage was done. The "Star's " correspondents at Sumner and Rangiora telephoned that an earthquake was experienced at both places shortly before noon, and was of exceptionally long duration.

1910

(This from the Evening Post, 31 March 1910)

EARTHQUAKE IN CHRISTCHURCH.
CHRISTCHURCH, 30th March.
An earthquake occurred in Christchurch last night shortly after 8.15. The record taken by the seismometer at the local magnetic observatory was developed this morning, and it shows that two very slight shocks were registered. The first lasted about thirty seconds, beginning at 18.4 minutes past eight and ending at 18.9 minutes past eight. The second shock lasted about thirty-six seconds, beginning at 19.6 minutes past eight and ending at 20.2 minutes past eight. The first shock seemed to have had the stronger motion of the two.

1914

(This from the Ashburton Guardian, 23 November 1914)

ALARM IN CHRISTCHURCH
CHRISTCHURCH, November 23
At 7.45 last night Christchurch received a rather infrequent visitor in the shape of an earthquake. A slight tremor, accompanied by a rumbling noise, preceded a fairly sharp shock, which lasted about half a minute. The direction appeared to be from northwest to south-east. Apart from alarming the more nervous people, the quake does not appear to have been severe enough to cause any damage.

Two strong earth tremors were felt in Sumner last night. The first shock was felt at 7.46, lasting about 15 seconds. The second shock occurred about two minutes later, and lasted only 10 seconds, but it was of a more severe nature. At All Saints' Church the vicar (the Rev McKenzie Gibson) had just commenced the sermon when the first shock was felt. This gradually died away, and little notice was taken of it. When the second shock was experienced several members of the congregation sprang to their feet and for a moment a small panic seemed probable. The vicar ordered the doors to be opened and then gave out a hymn. While this was being sung, a portion of the congregation left quietly. The vicar then announced that the service would he concluded by singing the closing hymn.

At Kaiapoi the preliminary to the main shock was of some length, but the shake was not severe enough to do any damage.

Lyttleton had a similar experience, the second shock being plainly felt. At Rangiora the shocks were not very severe. A rumbling sound preceded the first tremor, which was slight, but the second shock was more pronounced, and it also was preceded by a loud rumbling noise.

1921

(Ashburton Guardian, 7 November 1921)

A very strong earthquake shock was felt in Christchurch at 8.45 a.m. yesterday, those people who were indoors at the time experiencing a most uncanny sensation, as the tremors appeared to die away and then re-commence. The shock caused windows to rattle and hanging lamps to sway in a manner which showed that the earthquake was of more than usual severity. The observatory seismograph showed that the first shock commenced at 8hrs 46.1min a.m. Strong motion continued for several minutes, and minor movements until at least 8.45 a.m. The maximum , amplitude (instrumental) occurred at 8hrs 47.8min, and the origin was evidently not very distant. The felt movement was in the east-west direction. The complete amplitude of boom motion of the Milne seismograph at maximum was very nearly 11 millimetres, and at commencement about three millimetres.

A second distinct shock occurred at 9hrs 15.9min, persisting for about 1.1 min. This also was felt, but the second shows that its energy was very much less than that of the first shock. There seems a strong probability of a minute change of level to the eastward, about 14 minutes previous to the first shock, and it would be interesting to know whether any such effect was found on the Wellington seismogram.

A further mild shock was felt at 8.45 p.m., of intensity between the two above. Yesterday morning's earthquake shocks were felt at Rangiora, but to a less degree than in the city.

1922

(Evening Post 27 December 1922)

Detailed reports of the earthquake from Christchurch show some interesting episodes. Soon after the final effects of the 'quake had passed off, attention generally was turned to the Christchurch Anglican Cathedral, mainly on account of the fact that the top of the spire has been shaken down twice. There was no service in the Cathedral when the shock came, and nobody, not even the verger, was in the building, but several individuals and small parties of people were standing on the footpath in front of' the western end and on the street there. Their attention was attracted first by the 'quake, then by the noise of the moving building, and finally by the Cathedral bells, which were set ringing merrily. They saw the spire begin to sway menacingly to and fro. Some young men, who were talking together, cast one glance at it and then sprinted across the street to the tramway shelter. Two ladies, who were standing close to the western door, were paralysed with fright for a few seconds, but soon recovered and moved off quickly. For a comparatively long time after the 'quake the spire was an attraction to many upturned eyes, and it was given a wide berth long after it went back to its normal vertical position.

1929

(Evening Post, 11 March 1929)

An examination this morning disclosed the fact that the old Provincial Council Chambers, recently presented to Canterbury, had suffered severe damage as the result of the earthquake. The keystone of the north gable has broken, and has dropped half an inch. The north wall is in danger of falling.

1937

Evening Post 24 April 1937

Causing apprehension out of all proportion to their magnitude three small earthquake shocks rocked Christchurch citizens out of their sleep early this morning. The tremors were small ones and were felt so distinctly only because of the nearness of the earthquake centre. That was situated at sea off Akaroa Harbour, 40 miles away from the Christchurch magnetic observatory.

1940

Evening Post 13 April 1940

An earthquake believed to have been of purely local origin was felt in Christchurch at 10.13 this morning. The shock was sharp and distinct and rather more severe than any of those which occurred in the series earlier this year. The thrust appeared to be vertical.

1942

Evening Post 3 August 1942

An earthquake lasting several seconds was felt in Christchurch shortly before 1 o'clock this morning. It was preceded by rumbling. There are no reports of damage.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Before and after images from Christchurch

View images mentioned on TV3 tonight, at News.co.au.

Chinese Family History & Stories on Facebook

Helen Wong has started a Facebook page on Chinese family history. Seeing as she has been so kind as to mention Timespanner there, I'm definitely returning the favour here. Thanks again, Helen!

Unlock the Past - list of NZ genealogy and history blogs

Helen Wong has just emailed me to give me the heads up that Australian website Unlock the Past has popped ol' Timespanner on their list of Enzed genealogy and history blogs. Thanks, Helen!

When vaccinations were compulsory


Copy of 1867 formal notice of requirement to vaccinate. Reproduced here by kind permission of Pauline Rundle and family.

In 1863, amidst rising concerns over the incidence of smallpox in the colony, the government brought in the first of a number of regulations aimed at preventing epidemics of the disease here. 

The parents of every child born in New Zealand after 1 March 1864 was obliged to take their child to a vaccinating medical practitioner within six months of the date of birth. The child was checked eight days after the vaccination -- if the vaccination was successful, then a certificate was issued.  If the parents didn't have their child vaccinated, they faced a fine of 40 shillings, just over $200 today.

It wasn't initially universally welcomed or adhered to by the population.

It is stated that an attempt will be made by the Vaccination Officer, to enforce the Vaccination Act the provisions of which are much neglected by the Nelson people. The Act was passed on the 1st March, 1864. It requires that all children shall be vaccinated before they are six months old, and enforces a penalty for non-compliance. To such an extent have the Nelson public failed to obey the provisions of the Act, that out of the 600 or 700 children born since its passing not more than 50 have been vaccinated. Thin information having been communicated by the Registrar of Births, to the vaccination officer, the latter feels himself bound to enforce the penalty prescribed in the event of non-compliance. Apart from sanitary considerations, the neglect of vaccination should no longer be persisted in, as such neglect will in future be followed by the penalty attached to the violation of the law.
Nelson Evening Mail, 27 September 1866


The vaccination requirement remained through to the Vaccination Act 1871, and partts of the Public Health Acts of 1871 to 1908. Compulsory vaccination finally ended after 1920, with the 1920 Health Act making no mention of the practice.

As for Emily Mary McCall, nee Plummer, she was born in Alexandra on July 10, 1867. She married, had six children and died in Auckland Hospital, October 1938. A good life span -- whether the vaccination helped is not known.
Sources
Email from Pauline Rundle
F S MacLean, Challenge for Health, A History of Public Health in New Zealand, 1964, p, 237

Broken Churches

Just putting up a link to Presbyterian Archives' post on St Paul's Trinity Pacific Church, and its sad fate during the 22 February 'quake.

From Cylopedia of New Zealand:

St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, Christchurch. 
This is one of the finest churches in the city. It has sitting accommodation for 1000 persons. The interior of the church is very handsome and striking, but, like all Presbyterian churches, devoid of much internal ornamentation. There is a fine organ, which cost £800, and the choir is one of the best trained in Christchurch. A handsome room has recently been built and opened in connection with the church, for holding a young men's Bible class, which numbers eighty-four. Both St. Paul's Church and manse are now well nigh free from debt.

A Taranaki elopement

This from the Taranaki Herald, 2 March 1886.

An elopement, attended with more than the usual degree of the romantic, is reported to have occurred in this district a day or two ago. It seems that a settler in one of the out settlements became enamoured of a young lady whose daily avocations were performed in some humble sphere in the village inn. His affection was reciprocated, and the parental consent and blessing were solicited. But family pride was up in arms at the bare thought of such a union, and Betsy Jane's young man went dejected away.

However, the pair put their heads together to contrive a plan to overcome the obstacles, and the result was that an elopement was arranged. Suspecting something of this sort, the mother and one of her sons took horse one day and hastened to prevent the consummation of the design; and they arrived on the scene just in time to catch the pair leaving in a trap. An altercation at once ensued between the brother and the lover, and it ended in a pitched battle between them.

The lover got the worst of this engagement, and unheroically offered £5 to be allowed to carry out his intentions unopposed. This was refused, and the bid was raised to £10, and then to £15. The mother, desiring to get her daughter once more beneath her own roof, craftily suggested that they should all journey back to her house and talk the matter over. The mother's horse was placed at the disposal of the lover, while she herself took a seat beside her daughter in the trap, and in this way — the mother and daughter driving in front and the brother and the would-be brother-in-law bringing up the rear — they journeyed to the parental mansion.

Arriving opposite the gate, the two men dismounted, and the mother alighted from the vehicle. "Are you clear of the stops, mother dear ? " asked the daughter, and on being assured she was, the young lady struck the trap horse, while at the same time the swain jumped up, and they drove with all haste through New Plymouth and on to Waitara, where they caught a steamer just on the point of leaving. The saddle horses being too much jaded by their double journey were useless in the pursuit, and the address of the pair is now somewhere in the Auckland provincial district.
Well, maybe not to Auckland Province after all. The fair damsel of the story wrote to the Taranaki Herald, and gave her side of the story, 2 April 1886.

THE "ELOPEMENT-EXTRAORDINARY"

To the Editor, Sir –
The paragraph in your paper headed "Elopement extraordinary" was somewhat inaccurate. The facts are as follows: —

I went to stay with some friends so as to be able to get away easily on Sunday. A buggy was sent for me, and a very urgent letter. On reading this I quickly bid my friends good-bye and started. My lover, the driver, and myself were in the buggy. When we had gone about four miles on our way we met my brother and another relation, whose name we will call Thomas. Here a most laughable scene commenced, as my brother forbade the driver to proceed further, and we told him to drive on, which he did. My brother soon gave the chase best, with the excuse that his horse was lame and he had to return to a blacksmith to get a new shoe on, so we only had Tom to contend with.

We drove for some miles at a quick pace till we had to change horses, when another troublesome scene occurred when Tom wanted to help mo out of the buggy, and my lover dared him to lay hands near me. With this high words ensued, and at last coats were thrown off to fight, only that I interfered, and told Torn I would not go. Thus matters were settled peaceably, and we then agreed to go and see my mother and sisters over it.

When I arrived there I found what I expected —my mother in a violent temper. We tried to talk her over, but did not succeed, so at last we consented to go and see my father. This was agreed to, and my mother left her horse behind and took a seat with us in the buggy, and we all proceeded home to my father's house. When we arrived there it was between one and two in the morning, so of course the poor old gentleman was in the land of dreams. I, like a dutiful daughter, I thought it not right to disturb him, so when my mother got out of the buggy I told her perhaps it would not be wise on my part to see the old gentleman that night so I bade her farewell, much to her surprise.

With this she threatened to send my father after me, but knowing the only good horses were away, I told her there was a £5 note in my box that my father might console himself with. That was all the mention of money matters during the whole time, and the coats being thrown off was all the fighting done. I hope you will give as much publicity to this version as you did to the other. —l am, &c,
A Runaway Damsel,
Wellington, March 24th, 1886


Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Who was really the first to be buried at Waikumete?

On 19 March 2011, the Friends of Waikumete with Auckland Council will be commemorating the 125th anniversary of the first burial at Waikumete Cemetery. One of their members found reference on a headstone in the Non-Conformist section that Florence Lena Bell, young daughter of Edmund and Jessie Bell, was buried 19 March 1886. Edmund Bell was a noted Auckland architect who designed, among other buildings, the Baptist Tabernacle on Queen Street.

I'd promised the Friends of Waikumete that I'd put up a mention of their special day on the blog. But then ... I had a nagging doubt, and decided to do some research into this.

What struck me was a difference in timing. While yes, Florence Bell was buried somewhere on 19 March 1886, at the age of just 14 months, and the Waikumete Database shows her as occupying Plot 1, Row 1 of the Non-Conformist block A, all other burials at the cemetery start from 17 April 1886. In fact, Florence was the only one of 15 deaths between 2 March and 16 March (when she died) which I've been able to identify who was apparently buried at the brand new cemetery, a clear four weeks ahead of anyone else in Auckland.
When I consulted the Waikumete Books at the Auckland Research Centre at the Central Library today, the mystery for me deepened.

According to the book for the Non-Conformist area, Area A, Row 1, Plot 1 -- is vacant. Next to Plot 1, the bell family occupy Plots 2-4, with the following transcription from the cemetery's burial records:

BELL Edmund, Adult, 5.7.1917, Plot 2
BELL Walter Oliphant, 23.11.1948, Plot 2/4
BELL Edmund Herbert, 22 yrs, 23.11.1899, Plot 3
BELL Jessie, Adult, 19.6.1911, Plot 4

The earliest headstone recorded appears to be that for Edmund Herbert Bell, who died in late 1899, so the headstone probably dates from 1900-1901. The following comes from the ARC's Waikumete books:

EDMUND HERBERT, the beloved son of Emund and Jessie BELL, born at Toronto, Canada 13th April 1877 died at Auckland 21st November 1899
Also their beloved infant daughter FLORENCE LENA
born 4th January 1885 died 16th March 1896 [sic - should be 1886]
And JESSIE ALICE died at Toronto, Canada 2nd February 1876 aged 6 months 23 days
Short of obtaining Florence Lena Bell's death certificate, which may show where she was buried, it looks as if the Bell family used the headstone for their son Edmund Herbert to serve as a memorial to their other departed children, Jessie Alice and Florence Lena. Florence Lena Bell may not be buried at Waikumete after all -- or, perhaps, not on 19 March 1886. After all, George Boyd, the noted owner of the Newton Pottery Works, died 10 March 1886, was buried with wife number 1 at Symonds Street Cemetery that month, only to be disinterred and removed to Waikumete by wife number 2 in November 1887.

George Boyd's grave at Waikumete, October 2010.

If Florence Lena Bell wasn't the first burial -- who was?

The Auckland Star of 17 April 1886 was quite clear on who that was.

The first interment in the new public cemetery at Waikomiti took place this afternoon, the body being that of a child, whose parents named Dye reside in Symonds-street. The funeral, instead of going by rail, went in vehicles by road, the cost, we are informed, being a few shillings less than if the railway had been used. The road to the cemetery was found to be very good condition, metalled all the way, and the time occupied either way was one hour and twenty minutes. Rev C M Nelson read the burial service, and the funeral arrangements were in charge of Mr Geo. H Leaning. Burials were allowed in Symonds-street Cemeteries up till Thursday last [15 April], so that the new Cemetery was required on the first day after the old ones were closed. The burial today was in the public division of the Cemetery.

The trouble with this -- I couldn't find anyone named Dye, dying in 1886, buried at Waikumete, nor living on Symonds-street at that time. But this piece had such detail. If it was merely a three-to-five line throwaway report deep in the local news column of the paper, perhaps it could be disregarded as an error on some reporter's part. The only lead I had was that Rev. Charles M Nelson, MA, was in charge of St Paul's Anglican Church in Auckland at the time, so this kiddy's family were likely to be Anglican. A trawl through the Anglican book of the Waikumete set at the ARC, though, proved fruitless.

One thing I love about local history research is that sometimes, just at the right moment, the right person walks up in the middle of a problem and says hi. In this case today, that was Ray Turner, of the Auckland branch of the NZ Society of Genealogists. I looked up at him, and said, "I have a problem here." I showed him the Star article, explained what I was looking into, and tonight he emailed the answer to me, on consulting a wonderful index the NZSG have done of the Waikumete Books.

The child's family name wasn't Dye, it was Tye; he was William Appleby Tye, found in Waikumete Book No. 8.
51735 No Stone
(Burial Book) WILLIAM APPLEBY TYE 8 months informant Albert Tye
buried 17 April 1886
(BDM) William Appleby TYE (1886) Plot 1
The Tye family were probably the same ones who had lost another kiddy, according to the Library's online databases -- Clara at 14 months, in 1881, when they were living at Abercrombie (now St Paul) Street, close to the Symonds Street ridge. Clara was buried at Symonds Street Cemetery, Anglican section.

So, as I said earlier, unless Florence Lena Bell's death certificate says she was buried at Waikumete Cemetery, then the commemoration on 19 March this year may be at the wrong time, and focussed on the wrong gravesite. [Update 18 March 2011 - Florence Bell's burial confirmed by death registration. See this post.]

I should see if I can locate young William Appleby Tye's gravesite, Public Burial A, Row 1, Plot 1, just in behind the Jewish section, next to the servicemen's area -- unmarked with no stone. To give him some flowers on 17 April, poor wee mite. If anyone wants to come out there with me then, you'd be welcome. Send me an email: waitemata@gmail.com

Update, 9 March 2010. The latest newsletter for the Friends of Waikumete is out, and they are sticking to the date of 19 March as the first burial., giving William Aplley Tye only the privilege of the first burial in the cemtery's public section. Not what the Star (above) reported. Hopefully, they also obtain the detath certificate for Florence Lena Bell to check their research, because somehow, they say they have an IGI reference giving Florence's send name as "Sera" or "Serra". This is very odd -- as Florence's death notice, placed in the newspaper by her family, as well as the BDM database, both give her middle name as "Lena". Even the early 1900s gravestone has "Lena." Hopefully, if "Sera" is an error (and the IGI is a transcription database only, not primary documentation), this isn't repeated in school pupils' projects from now on.

A drinking fountain at St Heliers


Neville Exler, a fellow member of the Avondale-Waterview Historical Society, emailed this photo  yesterday of the drinking fountain and commemorative plaque at Vellenoweth Green, St Heliers (thanks, Neville!)

The Green originated from an area of reserve land originally set aside by the developers of St Heliers in the 1880s, the St Heliers Land Company. Their venture collapsed during the Long Depression, and the New Zealand and River Plate Land Mortgage Company took things over. That company offered a deal with surrounding landowners involving the setting aside of additional inland acreage to add to the reserve, in exchange for the beachfront areas (as these were, of course, potentially valuable as prime residential properties to be sold off, even then). Four landowners refused in 1898 and protested: Anna Vellenoweth, Christopher Atwell Harris, John Wright and Edward Wright.

On 6 October 1904, the reserve was finally transferred to the inhabitants of the West Tamaki Road District (the authority which included St Heliers up to 1928 when it amalgamated with Auckland City). It was named Vellenoweth Green, in memory of Anna's part in the residents' protest against the carving up of the reserve -- but even the late historian Elizabeth T Jackson cast doubts as to how much of an impact Anna Vellenoweth had on the reserve's preservation. Apparently her efforts were restricted to being part of a general caveat action, and cutting some boundary fences.

The drinking fountain on the reserve commemorates the completion of a reticulated water supply to the district in 1914. By early December that year the foundations for the fountain were being put down  and the Board were asked to choose an inscription for the tablet in mid-December 1914.  The names thereon were the Board members at the time, among whom was George Campbell, the Chairman, responsible for seeing a start to the project of levelling the extra 2 ½ acres at the southern end of the reserve for future bowling and croquet greens.

The drinking fountain was completed by January 1915, but in January 1916 it was discovered that the tablet needed to be corrected and altered due to error.

The designer of the fountain (and later builder) were McNab and Mason, monumental masons and sculptors who also designed the Cook Memorial in Gisborne, and the Cambridge Domain Memorial Gates.

Sources:
Elizabeth T. Jackson, Delving into the Past – Section Six – St Heliers Bay (Centennial edition, 1982)
Tamaki West Road Board minute books, TRB 1/1, Auckland City Archives

Christchurch's Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament


Another of my favourite buildings when I was in Christchurch in 2007 -- the Catholic Cathedral of the Blessed SacramentThis Herald article has the caption confused with Christchurch's Anglican cathedral, I think -- but the image (as at 7.00 am today) of devastation and the remains of the green dome and stonework on the ground tell me that the building has been severely damaged.


Lovely, lovely people amongst the church members, another pleasant memory of my visit to that city. Once again, I truly hope that no one was hurt in yesterday's 'quake.

Old Canterbury Provincial Council Buildings


More photos I took when I visited Christchurch. in 2007. One of the heritage complexes in Christchurch badly damaged by the 22 February earthquake is that of the old Canterbury Provincial Council buildings, corner Armagh and Durham Streets, category 1 on the NZ Historic Places Trust register.


It appears from aerial shots taken yesterday that the stone tower shown here has totally collapsed, and is now just rubble in the street. It dated from 1859.

This comes from a mini poster from the Provincial Chambers. This shows the main stone chambers where the members of the Provincial Council would meet. It looks like this chamber has almost completely collapsed in the earthquake.



Around the chamber were windows like this. The wording between the rosette designs were quotes and phrases designs to inspire ethical feelings amongst the council members as they administered the province.



Images from display boards within the complex.



When I visited back then, I was warmly welcomed by the members of the society who look after the buildings and hold the guided tours. I hope they are safe.




"Canterbury Provincial Council Buildings, Christchurch. Photograph by Greg O'Beirne, taken 22nd January 2006, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license and Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Generic license." From Wikimedia.

I think this part of the complex wasn't as badly affected as the rest -- but, considering Christchurch is at the vtime of writing still going through 4.0 and even 5.0 level aftershocks ... whichever way you look at it, Christchurch, and our country, has lost such a lot during this reminder that we ride the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

My thoughts are on Christchurch


I took this photo in March 2007. Today, the spire to Christchurch's Anglican Cathedral is rubble.

When the city was struck with the 7.2 last year, I mourned the lost heritage.

Today, there are reported deaths. The 6.3 earthquake struck at the worst of times, lunchtime on a summer's day. Buses and cars have been crushed.

Beyond that, right now, I have no words. Read Chris Trotter's post at least, for eloquence. The city, and its residents, do not deserve all of this.

Further: the epicentre was beneath Lyttleton, which has also been severely damaged -- and aftershocks are continuing.

Thames NZ Genealogy Resources

Another blog I've just stumbled upon. Thames NZ Genealogy Resources is not just a names-and-lists genealogy resource, it also includes many wonderful images from Thames' past. Worth a look.

Monday, February 21, 2011

More Newmarket street art


Passing through Newmarket last Saturday, I had a chance to get shots of two pieces of street art there that I've missed before now.


This is  "The World Grasped" by Terry Stringer, bronze 2006. Stringer was quoted, with referemnce to the sculpture:

"My sculpture has a series of images that are revealed to the viewer as they circle the work. From one direction is seen the head of a boy resting on his hand in thought. From another this hand is seen to be plucking an apple. And from a third direction, this apple is the world supported on the shoulders of Atlas.

"The idea of the work is to engage the passer-by with its changing appearance. The two images of a monumental scale face the traffic in each direction, while a life sized figure stands on the pedestrian side of the footpath. This makes the work something of a puzzle to encounter in a busy street.

"The message of the quoted text, written on the side of the piece, encourages the viewer to continue with the experience of the world around them. And with its emphasis on touch, this makes a case for more sculpture to be part of that world, endorsing the work of the Newmarket Arts Trust."






Meanwhile, across the road -- another painted box.