Rail views from the past

Bryan Blanchard has once again given permission for me to share his images here -- thanks, Bryan!

Above is G 100, one of six "G" class three-cylinder Pacifics, which in turn had been made up from cutting up three class G Garratts in 1937. From Bryan's email: "G100 was one of the class  – was a rebuilt from the 3 Garrett locomotives NZR brought, but were not suitable – converted into G locomotives some years later, but were not popular with the loco crews when they used them – photo taken not long before they were cut up – they came to Timaru too, but I can’t remember them – too young."

The locos were finally written off in 1956 -- which was around the time this photo was taken.

(above) "Timaru loco = 3 Dj's."

(above) "Vulcan railcar in the Linwood servicing depot." Vulcan railcars, named after the Vulcan Foundry where they were made, arrived in New Zealand during World War II, in 1940. They were only withdrawn officially from service in 1978, with some preserved at rail museums.

"The Vulcan rail car – 10 were ordered – 9 arrived in NZ, one was on a boat sunk in world War 2 by the Germans – 3 are left, 1 at the Plains Railway, Tinwald, Ashburton & 2 are at Ferrymead."

(above) "The rail car on the West coast line – is a Drewey/ Fiat engine twin set rail car from UK – none were saved, but one is being rebuilt from bits in the North Island + hopefully will be operating soon."

Another photo here.

When they recruited at Victoria Street

Image by permission of Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Council Libraries, ref 4-794.  

Photographer James D Richardson

Photos like this one fascinate me. Apart from the fact that Auckland in the 1870s-1880s would have been a dusty, dirty and smelly place to be, I still can't help wishing it was possible to step into the image, and see what it actually looked like; in the full-colour of the day.

This is Victoria Street West, looking towards what is now Albert Park, but at the time (late 1870s to very early 1880s). At the right, the Theatre Royal (the London Loan office one of the tenants). On the other side of Queen Street, Williamson's American Bowling Saloon. Intriguingly tucked between those two buildings on the skyline, what appears to have been the last of the Albert Barracks, used by both the constabulary and the grammar school when the Imperial troops finally pulled out in the early 1870s. To the left, on the skyline, possibly the remains of the barracks magazine buildings, and also possibly part of the now vanished (aside from one bit) barracks wall.

Victoria Street has always been a wide thoroughfare, from long before the time of the motor car. Things were parked in the middle of the street -- in this case, delivery and passenger carts.

Image by permission of Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Council Libraries, ref 4-231B.  

Photographer James D Richardson

As the 1880s wore on, and the Theatre Royal (left) became a place where Robert Neal sold tea, the line of horse-drawn vehicles extended further up Victoria Street West.

Image by permission of Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Council Libraries, ref 35-R33.  

Photographer Frederick George Radcliffe.

The old barrack buildings are down and much of Albert Park is hidden behind the increasing height of central Auckland buildings later in the early 1900s. The park's trees are now starting to appear, along with the houses on the skyline of the well-to-do on Princes Street. Working horses have space to munch from feedbags, while one of Auckland's early electric trams trundles along Queen Street below.

Image from Google Maps.

The intersection of Victoria Street and Queen Street today is a busy place.  The vehicle capturing images for Google Maps must have hit a quiet time, probably not rush hour. Sticking a structure, no matter how temporary or important to the national interest, right in the middle of Victoria Street West just wouldn't happen anymore.

Image by permission of Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Council Libraries, ref 1-W1594.  

Photographer Henry Winkelmann, 23 April 1917.

But it did in March 1916. Above is the Auckland Recruiting Station, the subject of this post, erected and paid for by Auckland City Council, and manned by volunteers as well as defence department staff.

The interior of the recruiting station's office. Image by permission of Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Council Libraries, ref 1-W1598.  Photographer Henry Winkelmann, 23 April 1917.

My information on the recruiting station comes from Auckland Council Archives; the minutes of the Auckland Recruiting Committee, ACC 182/1, p. 131, and the Town Clerk's secretarial file on the station, ACC 275/16-283.

On 1 March 1916, the Recruiting Committee approved the erection of the station as per a presented plan. The City Engineer's department went ahead and built the structure, using primarily "Poilite" brand asbestos sheeting for the walls and roof.

NZ Truth, 12 May 1923

The interior of the examining room of the recruiting station. Image by permission of Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Council Libraries, ref 1-W1597.  Photographer Henry Winkelmann, 23 April 1917.

Councillor Brinsden, he who would later be a leading figure opposed to the licence for the Dixieland Cabaret out at Pt Chevalier in the 1920s, raised a question as to the cost of the station. The City Treasurer supplied the expenses as at 21 March 1916, which included the following:

To erect the station: £81 2s 9d
Repair flags: 4 shillings
Asbestos slates, ridging etc:  £99
Calico streamers: £20 2s
Recruiting posters: £9 2s
Timber: £103 2s 8d

The total cost of erecting the station, the City Engineer, Walter Ernest Bush, informed the Town Clerk on 7 April, was £327 17s 4d, or around nearly $40,000. Yes, less expensive materials could have been used, he wrote, but "Poilite" tiles on the roof in lieu of corrugated iron was in order to enhance the building as much as possible, as well as to keep the temperature down to the lowest minimum. (I'd say he meant for Auckland's hot summery weather). The asbestos sheeting used instead of weatherboard for the cladding was simply a cheaper option.

The interior of the office of the recruiting station. Image by permission of Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Council Libraries, ref 1-W1599.  Photographer Henry Winkelmann, 23 April 1917.

Image from Wikimedia Commons.

The interior of the record room of the recruiting station. Image by permission of Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Council Libraries, ref 1-W1600.  Photographer Henry Winkelmann, 23 April 1917.

Wanganui Chronicle 23 October 1915

Image by permission of Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Council Libraries, ref 1-W1596.  

Photographer Henry Winkelmann, 23 April 1917.

Image by permission of Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Council Libraries, ref 1-W1595.  

Photographer Henry Winkelmann, 23 April 1917.

By the end of June 1917, however, the Defence Department decided that they wanted to use the building more for medical purposes than recruiting, and the Victoria-Queen Street intersection was too noisy. They proposed to have the entire building uplifted and relocated to the north of the Art Gallery on Kitchener Street, part of Albert Park. The Mayor prepared a quick series of memos to all the councillors, and they wrote in their individual agreement to the plan. It cost the Council £78 11s 9d to relocate the building for the department. Well, I suppose there was a war on, you couldn't expect central government to pay for everything ...

Just after the war, the department wrote to the Council reporting that the heaters weren't working properly, and asking for them to be fixed. Politely, the Town Clerk responded that, as the Defence Department had taken over the building, it was up to them to deal with maintenance issues such as faulty heating, and recommended that any of a number of city-based service providers be contacted.

Finally, in November 1920, the Assistant Town Clerk wrote to the Minister of Defence, asking that the building be removed from its Kitchener Street location. By then, when it had ceased being used by the wartime Medical Board, the department had adapted it for use as a vocational training institution for returned soldiers. On 7 February 1921, the department replied that they would re-erect the building on another site. Where, I do not yet know -- but its story in central Auckland seems to have drawn to an end at that point.

Image by permission of Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Council Libraries, ref A-4537.  

Photographer unknown.

I'll end the post with this shot -- looking down Victoria Street West, towards the Albert Park skyline, c.1885. A young Aucklander walking down the middle of the street, arm swinging, the future ahead of him. Just such a grand view of the old town.

William and Jane Yandle, taxidermists

This is an advertisement from the 1905 edition of Wise's Directory. I had glanced it while flicking through to the information I was actually after -- then, as happens so often, mentally screeched to a halt and back-tracked to it again. A female taxidermist in Auckland in 1905? Established 1866, of all periods? It seemed astounding.

I think Jane Yandle was just about the only female taxidermist to advertise in New Zealand, clear through to the early years of the 20th century. If she wasn't, she was still as rare a bird as the ones she may well have prepared and mounted in ornate Victorian-era glass cases as part of the furnishings of the well-to-do in early Auckland.

Native birds have been caught and stuffed in this country from the earliest years of European settlement, mainly for export as curiosities to dear ol' Blighty. In 1846, a consignment headed out of Wellington included “1 case stuffed birds, 1 box of curiosities …” (New Zealand Spectator and Cook’s Strait Guardian, 14 February 1846, p. 2)

There was also a deep-seated urge among the colonists to set up museums in their far-flung colony, just like the ones back home. Auckland in the 1850s was no exception, and stuffed birds in cases was at least a start.

Having long wished to see at least the foundation of a Museum laid in Auckland, it affords us much gratification to state that a very satisfactory commencement has been made by the zeal of Mr. J. A. Smith, whose efforts have already been attended with so much success that a room respectably stored with specimens and curiosities of various kind is now prepared for inspection. It was yesterday visited by His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, under whose patronage the Museum is established, and will in future be open to the public on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 to 4 o'clock. It is situated at the "Old Government Farm House" a little beyond the Scotch Church, and nearly opposite the corner of the Barrack Wall, where two rooms have been granted for the purpose by the Government, of which, however, as we have just intimated, only one is at present occupied, —the other awaiting those further contributions which, it is to be hoped, will soon pour in …

Although, of course, there is not yet a great deal to be seen, yet there are many specimens of New Zealand minerals, some handsome stuffed birds, shells, insects, and various other things amongst which an hour may be very agreeably and instructively spent …

New Zealander 27 October 1852

Canterbury was not to be left out.

We have been favoured with a view of a large collection of stuffed birds of New Zealand, made during the past two years by Mr. A. W. Lea. The collection consists of between seventy and eighty different varieties, some of them being most rare, and a few of exquisite beauty. All are preserved with great care and skill, and must have required great labour to obtain. Mr. Lea is at present packing them for shipment to England, the collection being intended to grace the Worcester museum. The services of such a skilled Ornithologist and of as many as would help him would not be ill-bestowed in forming a similar collection as the nucleus of a museum in this place.

Lyttleton Times, 7 February 1857

Auckland War Memorial Museum's Land Vertebrates Department boasts that the earliest specimens they hold are ones from a taxidermist in Nelson, dated c.1856-1857. Very early for the true trade, if so -- mostly, the bird stuffing was by enthusiastic ornithologists, naturalists and traders in those days.

At the Auckland International Exhibition 1861, a case of birds featured.

Following the catalogue, the first articles are two cases of New Zealand birds exhibited by Mr. E. King, stuffed by Mr. Wm. Bruce and cased by Mr. Mason. In every respect these are truly beautiful; not only is the stuffing that of a master-hand, but the general get-up, the arrangement and variety of native mosses, and the finished beauty of the cases, tender them worthy of the place which we doubt not they will ultimately find in some of the palatial halls or lordly manor houses of Old England.

Hawke’s Bay Herald, 24 December 1861, from Auckland W Register, December 2

The case was later displayed in London at the Great Exhibition, and later did a bit of a tour around New Zealand centres.

The names of rare birds often feature in descriptions of the stuffed birds trade in the 19th century.

The Kakapo. — Two specimens of this somewhat rare species of parrot, the Kakapo, were brought into town last week by a native named Tamiti Wiremu. They were skinned, stuffed, and preserved in the most approved fashion. This bird is now becoming very rare, it has hitherto generally been found in the Middle Island. The flesh is esteemed a great delicacy, and the feathers are used for making cloaks, which the natives value more highly than the Ruahi or dogskin mat. In appearance this bird is not unlike the Budgeregar of New Holland, its plumage being a dark green and grey. It is of the same genus as the Kaka or Brown Parrot of this Island, but twice its size. The natives offered the birds for sale at £1 each. We remember to have seen one of the cloaks alluded to at a Conversazione in the Odd Fellows Hall; it was very beautiful and attracted much attention.

Wellington Independent, 21 February 1863

Did the taxidermists have their own shops, prior to the mid-1860s? Mostly -- no. The ads that survive, like this one, were channelled through local hotels (the proprietors of which sometimes had their own collections of stuffed fauna to delight and intrigue their guests):

ANY one wanting Birds Stuffed can have them got up in a first class style. Inquire at the Octagon Hotel.

Otago Daily Times, 27 April 1864

While William James and Jane Yandle are said to have arrived in Auckland in 1866, they weren't the first to make a splash in the newspapers. In 1867, Karl Teutenberg set up business in Auckland, primarily as a gun and pistol maker (he advertised that he was the son of Ludwig Teutenberg, gun maker to the King of Prussia) – but as a sideline, he also arranged “Birds stuffed and Skins cured for exportation in a superior style.” (Southern Cross, 16 July 1867) He appears to have been somewhat of a flash-in-the-pan (excuse the pun) as far as the taxidermy trade went, although he remained in the gun trade down to at least the early 1880s (part of the time in partnership with his more famous brother Anton Teutenberg).

Meanwhile, the Yandles first advertisement found wasn't anything to do with their later claim-to-fame:

TO SPORTSMEN --WANTED to SELL, some of the handsomest and best-breed SETTER PUPS in the colony.— Apply to Yandle, Naturalist, Victoria-street.

Southern Cross 14 January 1869

A very singular circumstance occurred in Freeman's Bay on Monday. Mr. Arthur, the auctioneer, noticed that his dogs had barked up some animal in his garden, but imagining it to be a fowl he merely called them off and paid no further attention. A few hours later, however, his servant discovered the body of a kiwi lying dead in the garden, without any bruise or mark of violence about it. How the kiwi could have got into the garden is the puzzle, as the ground is surrounded by a high and impenetrable fence. However, the bird has been handed to Yandle, naturalist, for preservation, and is a remarkably fine specimen. The supposition is that the bird escaped from some place of confinemen.t, and obtaining an entrance into the garden was killed by the dogs.

Auckland Star 1 February 1871

The word 'naturalist' fairly well gives away the fact that they were in the stuffing trade. By the early 1870s, things were clearer.

WJ YANDLE, TAXIDERMIST, FURRIER &c. (to his Excellency Governor Sir G F Bowen and Lady Bowen), Auckland, New Zealand. Fur and Feather Muffs of every description always on hand or made to order. Furs and Feathers cleaned and altered. Skins and eyes always on hand.

Southern Cross 27 May 1873

In the early 1870s, the Yandles advertised for servants, and lived at 16 or 18 Grey Street (now Greys Ave, the site of Aotea Square, the Town Hall, and the Civic Council building).

In 1874, Hector Evelyn Liardet of Wellington made his debut as the star attraction for the commercial taxidermy field in this country from the mid-1870s until his death in 1891. The following description of his works gives us a view of the Victorian taxidermist here in New Zealand.

Colonial Industry. — A Wellington contemporary of the "Press" (Christchurch) says : — " We also consider it a pleasing duty to call attention to the pursuit of any local industry, especially if it be such as to supply the ‘feather furriery' — if we may coin a name for it, which results from the praiseworthy efforts of Mr H. E. Liardet to utilise the plumage of the indigenous sea birds abounding on our coasts.

A visit to Mr Liardet's magazine in Willis street will afford — ladies especially — a great treat in the inspection of muffs, tippets, cuffs, head-dresses, &c, composed of those materials. Few persons are aware that the marine birds of New Zealand are so numerous and variegated in their plumage. But here may be seen, prepared into the most dainty, and at the same time, becoming and comfortable forms for out door dress — especially for the winter weather— and also for evening attire, the plumage of many varieties of the winged creation. Chief among them is the lordly albatross, whose feathers range from the purest white through every mottled and peckled degree to iron gray. Then come the mollyhawk, gannet, and many kinds of white and mottled gulls; and the peculiar plumage of the penguin tribe affords a quaint and distinguished variety. We may also mention the large stormy petrel, the shag or cormorant (dark, crested, king, green, and large dark), Cape hen, sea-hen, whale bird, &c. These sea birds alone furnish an infinite number of charming forms of attire ; and some of these — the yellow and orange neck plumage of the gannet, for instance — present a wonderful similarity to the most delicate furs.

Mr Liardet has also to show many skins of land birds, such as the magnificent white crane, the pheasant; the gray, paradise, and other drakes and ducks, black swans, pukeko or blue swamp hen, dotterell, curlew, &c, indeed, any plumage that suggests itself as suitable.

Mr Liardet, however, is also a taxidermist and furrier; and besides preparing and making the skins of kangaroo and opossum, seal, long and short woolled, sheep and lambs, rabbits, &c, for sale, he also undertakes to prepare, make up and clean, and refit skins and plumage of birds and other animals committed to his care. We must not forget to mention the pretty tobacco pouches made out of the web-foot of sea birds, which afford a capital opportunity for ladies to reciprocate such presents of plumage as they may receive. The albatross pouch, indeed, carries a lady's handkerchief well."

North Otago Times 10 July 1874

He nearly went bankrupt in the late 1870s, but managed to pull through, and was apparently still stuffing, curing, muff-making and fur-mending until close to his death in 1891.

Salvins Mollymawk, from the Auckland War Memorial Collection, photographed for The Zoo War.

The Yandles in Auckland continued. For a brief time around 1873, William Yandle took up the butcher's trade -- but this didn't last long. He was somewhat of a troubled man, judging by the reports in the Auckland Star. Bankrupt in 1877, he somehow managed to save his business, but from that point, Jane managed her own business. She had already made a name for herself with the artistic preparation cases of stuffed birds.

There is at present to be seen in the shop of Mrs. Yandle, taxidermist, a large glass case containing some 90 American birds, beautifully stuffed and mounted. They have been prepared by Mrs. Yandle to the order of Mr. Samuel Morrin, who brought the birds with him when he returned from America, recently. The case and its contents are well worthy of examination by those having an interest in natural history collections.

Southern Cross 5 May 1875

WANTED Known, that Yandle, Taxidermist, Furrier, etc, has removed to more central premises, opposite the City Hall. All kinds of Fancy Goods, Toilet and Nursery requirements sold at the lowest possible prices. PS — W J Y returns his sincere thanks to the public generally for their favours during the past 10 years.

Southern Cross 28 February 1876

Yandle's shop sign visible at right of this 1880s image looking up Queen Street from near Wellesley Street. Cropped detail below. Ref: PAColl-8475. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/23049774

The Auckland Herald describes a very handsome carriage wrapper formed of pheasant skins, and prepared by Mrs Yandle, a well-known local taxidermist. Being well lined, it is warm, and as the skins are well-chosen, and the feathers beautifully disposed, it is exceedingly gay.

Colonist 30 June 1877

In April 1882, William Yandle, who was the worse for drink, assaulted Jane.

Wm. James Yandle on warrant, was charged with violently and brutally assaulting his wife Jane Yandle, on the 3rd instant—Prisoner pleaded guilty. He was under the influence of drink.Mrs Yandle was too ill to tell the sad story of her wrongs, but after a rest said her husband was seldom sober, and she was afraid he would take her life in one of his mad fits.—Prisoner said that was about the truth of it. Ordered to find surieties, himself in £525, and another in £20, to keep the peace for one month. 

Auckland Star 8 April 1882

Yet still, they worked together, although separately, in Hobson Street. Bankruptcy again dogged William Yandle in 1882 -- while Jane's business seemed to go from strength to strength.

(left) Photo of Jane Yandle -- courtesy Rachel Simpson.

In the 1890s, Jane Yandle took to providing her work as prizes in lotteries. This led to her falling foul of the gaming laws, but there was considerable sympathy for her from Aucklanders.

General sympathy is expressed with Mrs Yandle, in the recent prosecution under the Gaming and Lotteries Act. Even the R.M., Mr Bishop, expressed sympathy with accused, but was bound to convict, in the state of the law. The public expect, however, that the law shall be impartially administered, and if private people are to be prosecuted for holding a drawing for prizes, the promoters of church lotteries ought to be proceeded against.

Observer 5 January 1892

The Observer though, during that period, were quick to take her advertising, and involve her work in their promotions.

A STITCH IN TIME SAVES NINE. Ladies should not forget to take their Seal- skin Jackets to MRS YANDLE, Taxidermist, Furrier, etc., of Hobson-street, Auckland, who will alter, reline or mend them at a very little cost. Also, Rugs, Boas and Furs of any description made equal to new, at the shortest notice Old-fashioned Furs made up in the latest style.

Observer 28 May 1892

[Observer’s Grand Christmas Prize competition]
Case of New Zealand birds, arranged by Mrs Yandle, of Hobson street. This is also a beautiful prize, Mrs Yandle being a specialist in this class of work. She has surpassed herself in this effort, and the collection of birds is a very fine one, and of considerable value.

Observer 29 October 1892

Mrs Yandle, who is so well-known in Auckland, announces that her annual gift bazaar is now on at Masonic Hall, Newton, and will continue over Friday and Saturday. Everyone receives a present. And some of the presents are both costly and beautiful.

Observer 23 December 1893

Then, in February 1896, William attacked Jane again.

Wm. Jas. Yandle was charged with having on the February 17th done an offensive act in the presence of Jane Yandle, to wit pushed her violently, and said to her "Your days are numbered," for the purpose of annoyance and provocation.— His Worship, after listening to a lugubrious tale about family matters and family discord, advised defendant to keep away from his wife and family altogether, and try to get employment in the country. He adjourned the case to see if defendant did as he advised him. 

Auckland Star 21 February 1896

It appears that William Yandle did.

The BDM database shows a William James Yandle died in 1922, aged 80, while a Jane Yandle died in 1915 aged 72. Whether these were the taxidermist Yandles of Auckland has yet to be determined. There isn't much else to be found out about them either -- so, if any relatives of theirs are reading this, please do drop me a line. I'd love to know more.

Update 18 May 2012: Jane Yandle apparently had a daughter in the same trade, Jane Greacen.

Pig-tailed macaque,  from the Auckland War Memorial Collection, also photographed for The Zoo War.

Edward Wall's hulk at Customs Street

These days, such a find would be all over the newspapers, and the location would be covered in archaeologists.

When workmen were excavating for the foundations of Messrs Hipkins and Coutts' new warehouse in Customs Street East, Auckland, near Messrs A. H. Nathan and Co's large warehouse, in one of the trenches the ribs of a vessel were discovered about sixteen feet below the surface. Mr Ed. Bartley, the architect for the work, was informed of the discovery. He states that the ribs were of oak, and were embedded in the mud at about the old beach level. In the early days, before this portion of the city was reclaimed, Edward Wall had a blacksmith's shop near the spot where the ribs of the boat were found. Wall purchased the boat and dragged her up on the beach close to what was known as Jacob's ladder. Subsequently the boat was allowed to be buried in the earth as the reclamation work proceeded. 

Bay of Plenty Times 19 August 1904

Probably, though, in 1904, work simply proceeded, and the last remains of an early enterprise lost forever.

Edward Wall apparently came to Auckland by the late 1840s -- perhaps as a result of the first war with Maori up in Northland, as one of the refugees. He set himself up on the foreshore as it was then (now Fort Street).

 Southern Cross, 9 December 1848

He was in business a fair while, but by 1862, it seems it was all over.

Southern Cross 25 March 1862

This description makes Wall's store look like Auckland's equivalent to Wellington's Noah's Ark. The remains of the latter were fortunately retained, at least in part.

1863. Work was starting on the reclaimation of Commercial Bay, but the hulk was still there.

Southern Cross 26 January 1863

Cochrane tried auctioning the hulk on 16 February, but withdrew it, for lack of bidders.  There was another attempt in October that year.

Southern Cross 7 October 1863

This time -- success.

Yesterday, at his auction mart, Fort street, Mr. S Cochrane disposed of the hulk in Custom-house street, formerly occupied by Mr. Edward Wall, as a boat-building depot. It was disposed of to Mr W. F. Blake, for £37 10s.

Southern Cross 10 October 1863

So were the oak ribs the remains of the hulk which seemed to hard to auction off? And whatever happened to Edward Wall?

Update, 23 May 2011: It seems the old hulk hung around as a Custom Street landmark until at least late 1865. There were finally two auctions by Harris & Turner, one in April (Southern Cross, 5 April 1865), and the second in October:

Harris & Turner auction, the old hulk alongside Custom-house Street “with all the corrugated iron, bricks, etc. etc.

 Southern Cross 6 October 1865

Where was the hulk? Well, if the 1904 excavations did actually find it, then it was probably under 52-54 Customs Street East, corner of Customs Street East and Britomart Place. There'a a large building there now -- I did hear they found bits of old wharf pilings when they dug down for the Britomart train station (just to the north of that site), but I don't recall them finding large boats ...

A blogger on the telly

Further to my earlier post this year, Getting cooked atop Mt Albert ...

The television episode all that was for, My House My Castle, screened last night. I daren't watch it -- but I summoned up the courage to take a look just now, via TVNZ's On Demand service. A good episode -- and kudo to the producers and editors: they made me not look half bad.

Thanks to all who've contacted me about it today. I'll go back to my room, now. :-)

Update: Forgot to add, this is only available to view from NZ. Sorry 'bout that, West Islanders.

Rifles and Targets: the origins of Point Chevalier

The following is mostly an article I pulled together for the latest issue of the Point Chevalier Times and has been something I've chewed over for some time now: the military history of Point Chevalier. I think what I chew over most is that there is no recognition of the main rifle range site at Western Springs. No pamphlets, no signage, no recognition on the Cultural Heritage Index or NZ Archaeological Association register. Well, none that I've found to date, anyway. Readers are most welcome to contact me and show me where someone has taken notice. I'd be thrilled to know.

Oh, and I've agreed to give a talk on this at Pt Chevalier Library on 28 September this year, as part of Heritage Festival. That might help raise awareness ...

This post last revised 23 January 2021.

 SO 1236, Crown copyright, LINZ records

In 1923, when an issue was raised as to whether Point Chevalier district was to retain the name or not, a number of people wrote letters to newspaper editors, defending the old name, and rekindling the meaning behind it from the previous century for that of the 20th.

To quote an old resident of the district who lived there during the Maori War:- “This place was named,” she said, “after Captain Chevalier, who commanded British troops during the Maori War. I myself met him. He was of French descent. I well remember the troops in this district and how Captain Chevalier had plans made of it, and the higher part of the place was known as Chevalier’s Mount.” 

Elspeth Hankin, Pt Chevalier, 14 November 1923, Auckland Star

My childhood was spent at Point Chevalier, and I well remember the 18th Royal Irish regiment being camped on the rocky peninsula between Meola and Motion creeks. When the troops were camped on Dignan’s Point, there was also a large Maori settlement there, with grass and peach trees in the gullies. The old potato pits may still be seen. 

T Smith, 27 November 1923, Auckland Star

Mrs Richard Walker, still living at Point Chevalier, settled there with her husband and young family in 1861. About the same year, Captain Chevalier under General Cameron with 2000 men camped on the plateau just above the beach, since known as Dignans. Mrs Walker, whose memory is very clear, gives a graphic description of what took place 60 odd years ago. She says the Point was a busy place then, with its population of 2000, and Captain Chevalier (whose mother was Irish and father French) was a gallant and popular officer. Chevalier would ride with an orderly to Walker’s homestead for eggs, and milk from the first and only cow in the district.

W.M.F., Whangarei, 22 November 1923, NZ Herald

In 1860-61 the 65th (The 2nd Yorkshire N. Riding Regiment of foot) was stationed in Auckland. George Robert Chevalier was a Lieutenant in that regiment. He was also musketry instructor and established a rifle range on the peninsula, now named Point Chevalier. He was camped there for some months prior to the regiment leaving for Taranaki in 1861 to take part in that war with the natives. The regiment used to march out in companies for rifle practice and the point was named after Lieutenant Chevalier. My uncle, James Barton, was a captain in the same regiment and as a boy I have often met Lieutenant Chevalier at my uncle’s house.

C J W Barton, Hamilton, 21 November 1923 (published 23 November, NZ Herald)

I have had a lifelong acquaintance with the district and the following was told to me not only by old residents but by men who had been encamped with the 65th regiment on the Point.

Lieutenant Chevalier paid his first visit to the district in company with the late Hon. Patrick Dignan, MLC. The visit was made for the purpose of selecting a camping ground for the 65th regiment. The site chosen was near the end of the point on the land now partly occupied by the reserve. Other regiments were also encamped in the district at that time. Captain Mercer and a battery of six field guns were stationed just about where Mr Matson’s house now stands. From here firing practice took place, the targets being erected on the cliffs at the western end of the main beach. Rifle ranges were on the reef and on the Melanesian Trust property on the western side of the point at the foot of Target Street, where the old rifle butt is still to be seen.

It was on the latter range that the incident which gave the district its name took place. There was, among the soldiers, a man named either Lieutenant or Captain Tucker, who was a noted marksman. Lieutenant Chevalier had also gained fame as a rifle shot before coming to New Zealand. Accordingly a match was arranged between the two, the firing taking place from what is now Miss Hill’s property [Misses Ivy and May Hill had property bounded by Pt Chevalier Road, Walker Road and Neville Street until 1931]. The match created great interest among the soldiers who were present in large numbers to witness the contest. Lieutenant Chevalier proved the victor and in honour of this victory the district was given the name of Point Chevalier. This is the story as told me by old soldiers who claimed to have witnessed the match, and I think it may be accepted as being correct. I have never heard it being contradicted in any way or any version offered in its place. 

Charles Walker, New Lynn, 30 November 1923, NZ Herald

The rifle match mentioned by your correspondent, Chas. Walker, took place between Lieutenant Chevalier and Lieut. Arthur Branthways Toker (not Tucker), both of the 65th Regiment. Now it is brought to my mind I can remember the incident distinctly. It was the talk of the regiment before the match and after, and a certain amount of the pay of the admirers of Lieut. Toker was transferred to the pockets of the followers of Lieut. Chevalier. 

C J W Barton, Hamilton, 30 November 1923 (published 4 December, NZ Herald)

The story of how the name Point Chevalier came about, and the link with the rifle range down at the end of Target Street, has been passed down, and cemented by Alex Walker’s book published 50 years ago this year, Rangi-Mata-Rau, Pt Chevalier Centennial, in 1961. He wrote, about George Robert Chevalier:

He became a musketry instructor to the troops stationed at Auckland in the Albert Barracks, at the time when the soldiers were marched for rifle practice to a range which had been established on the present site of Selwyn Village in Target Street, hence the name of the street.

Here Chevalier won the rifle championship of the camp defeating Lieutenant Toker also of the 65ths. He obviously became something of a hero to the soldiers who called the place “Chevalier Point” in his honour.

I believe that a number of pieces of the story were passed down from those who were around in the 1860s (Mrs Walker would have been one of them), somewhat muddled in memory, and then became Point’s own legend of origin. There is still quite a bit yet to discover about what was happening at Point Chevalier and Western Springs in the late 1850s and into the 1860s. This is what I’ve been able to deduce so far.

Target Street may not have been the site of the challenge between Chevalier and Toker.

First, Lt. Toker cannot have been the one Ensign Chevalier took on in a shooting match at what was to become Point Chevalier. At the time of the first newspaper advertisement for firewood tenders for the camp there, January 1859 -- Toker was in Melbourne, on his way from England to Wellington. He wouldn't be in Auckland until mid 1861 at the earliest.

While Target Street is one of Pt Chevalier’s oldest streets, shown in a plan from 1898 (DP 1994), it wasn’t around in 1859 when “Point Chevalier” camp was first noted as a name in the newspapers (Southern Cross, 15 January). It would have resulted from the subdivision of Allotment 20 by Joseph Wright, from 1863. From 1867 the land at the end of Target Street, on the right hand side facing toward the harbour, was owned by the Melanesian Mission Trust Board, and the letters from 1923 describe the remains of targets still there amongst the market gardens.

There was apparently some sort of firing ground on land owned by Joseph Wright, and a solicitor named Anderton, the latter part of a partnership named Kenny and Anderton who were dealing with the sale of two five acre allotments which appear to have been close to the line of Target Road today (Southern Cross, 16 May 1865). In December 1865, on Wright's and Anderton's land, Maj Michael Tighe described an "original butt" of a 280 yard range still standing, but a considerable amount of the earth had fallen away from it. (Letter, 18 December 1865). Perhaps this was linked to nearby military barracks said to have been on Dignan's farm.

The main range though was one specially set aside by the government for that purpose, and it was a massive one – a 127-acre chunk of what is now Western Springs, beside the Meola Creek, and stretching out beneath old quarry lands from Old Mill Road out towards the Meola Reef Reserve. (Part can be seen in the survey plan above, from the 1870s). The quarrying, the establishment of the zoo and the rubbish dump, and later works setting up the reef reserve have most likely completely obliterated any remains of where a suburb first gained a name, and where part of Auckland’s early military history was played out. Which is a great shame, but sadly that’s what happens with history all too often.

The camp itself may have been on the Point Chevalier peninsula itself – why else would the main road along it be dubbed Barracks Road until early in the 20th century, when it was renamed Point Chevalier Road?  (There is another possible reason, immigrant barracks set up near the end of Oliver Street for workers in 1864-1865). But that seems a long way for men to have marched. Not to mention the fact that William Edgecombe, taking up an opportunity, set up his Great Northern Hotel immediately across the road from the prrsent-day end of Motions Road (opening in July 1859, which almost immediately became associated with the regiments at the time). I suspect that he wasn’t just providing a service to passing traffic, but to the hundreds of men encamped each year in the middle of virtually nowhere.

T Smith’s and Charles Walker’s recollections (above), making references to the camp on the rocky peninsula between Meola and Motion’s Creeks, backs this up. 

Charles Walker had an intriguing reference to another rifle range “just about where Mr Matson’s house now stands”, which would put it closer to Oakley Creek, involving Captain Mercer (who died in 1863 at the Battle of Rangiriri) and a battery of field artillery. This land, in the late 1850s to 1863, was owned by a Mr Hamilton, and then Alexander Cromwell of Epsom, so it may have been leased by the government for target practice. However, as the land is angled towards Waterview rather than the harbour, a rifle range there is uncertain. Again most traces will have, by now, been well erased.

Captain Mercer’s field artillery wasn’t a legend, though: see timeline below.

The G R Chevalier connection with the Point

In late October 1858, Ensign G R Chevalier (not a lieutenant at that stage) arrived in Auckland from Wellington on the Emily Alison. In January 1859, we see the first documented use of the name “Point Chevalier”, in a tender advertisement for cartage to and from the camp. This left very little time during which Ensign Chevalier could have challenged anyone to that notable target competition. So many memories associated Ensign Chevalier, who definitely was a crack marksman in his own right, with the suburb’s name; it is difficult to prise him away from that association. There is simply, at the moment, neither documentation proving the story, nor anything disproving it.

Most of the personal recollections of Ensign, later Lieutenant, Chevalier in connection with the Point come from those who were children at the time of the early 1860s – apart from those recalling what Mrs Walker apparently told them. In her case, the Walker family arrived at the eastern edge of Western Springs in 1861, Richard Walker working initially at the Low & Motion mill, before possibly taking up land on lease at Point Chevalier itself later in the decade. In February 1861, Lieutenant Chevalier was in Taranaki. He arrived back in Auckland in June that year, attended a levee for Governor Sir George Grey in October in the city, and left again in February 1862. From December 1861, troops were leaving both Pt Chevalier and Otahuhu camps to head towards Maungatawhiri. Whether he was ever at Camp Point Chevalier long enough, if at all that year, to “ride with an orderly to Walker’s homestead for eggs, and milk from the first and only cow in the district” remains unknown.

A timeline for Point Chevalier’s rifle ranges and military camps, 1859-1871

1859

January 

First known documented use of the name “Point Chevalier”, in a government tender notice for cartage to the site.

July 

William Edgecombe completes his Great Northern Hotel (site of the Auckland Horticultural Society rooms today).

1861

January 

At this point, the camp at Pt Chevalier appears to be one which remains in place all year. Tender notices for cartage and firewood are issued in January, July and October.

December 

Drafts of men, trained at the Pt Chevalier Camp and other camps, leave for Maungatawhiri.

1862

June & October 

A land advertisement, possibly for the Westmere area (3 miles from Auckland) refers to the encampment at Pt Chevalier, “being the place chosen for the Barracks and Garrison Buildings.”

October 

Around 700 men are gathered at the Pt Chevalier camp for rifle practice.

On Saturday last, a number of officers and soldiers were marched to Point Chevalier, for musketry instruction, and a second body are to be moved thither on the 6th November. The number of officers and men told off for instruction in the various regiments is as follows — 14th Regiment, 4 officers, 250 men ; 40th, 7 officers, 180 men; 60th, 3 officers, 194 men ; and 70th regiment, 7 officers and 141 men ; making a total of 23 officers and 705 men. (Southern Cross, 3 November 1862)

The camp at that stage included a company mess.

December 

A fortnight of practice with shot and shell at Point Chevalier Camp, including practice by the Royal Artillery, under Captain Henry Mercer, using Armstrong guns at a maximum range of 1600 yards. The target were two model pa constructed to determine how much damage the Armstrong guns could do to Maori defences in the Waikato. The distance required for the firing points to Western Springs as the site used.

1863

January 

It was intended that all troops in Auckland at this point, both Imperial regiment and conscripted militia, were to be “under canvas at Point Chevalier for a portion of the year.” Commissariat tenders appear for bread and firewood for the Pt Chevalier camp.

1864-1865

Over this period, tender advertisements for supply to the camp at Point Chevalier cease. It is likely that the summer season of 1865-1866 is the last one for an encampment of troops in the area. The last known advertisement for firewood there is in September 1865.

Target Street is first recorded in an advertisement for subdivided sections, August 1864. Barrack Street is referred to in June 1865. But when the volunteer riflemen had to shift from their Mt Eden range on John Kelly's land near the gaol to Point Chevalier, the old Imperial range was the one chosen, and remained as their main range through to 1872. This may have irritated Valentine Blagrove, inheritor of the Wright estate, who probably hoped for rental income from a rifle range on his property. Instead, the range was oriented north-to-south, facing the Waitemata Harbour, on Meola Reef. In 1867, Blagrove,  complained to the newspapers about stray shots as he passed by in his boat.  (Southern Cross, 11 February 1867)

1867

February 

The old rifle range at Western Springs is offered for lease at public auction. William Motion obtains the lease, at £20 per annum, but would have been sharing use with the volunteers until 1872. The northern-most 75 acres (including Meola Reef) was gazetted in 1874 as a Lunatic Asylum reserve, and would have been leased out to both local farmers and for quarrying (the Auckland Harbour Board quarried there from 1873). In 1941, it became a municipal quarry reserve. From 1875, the dominant land user in the area became Auckland City Council.

1871

November 

After a number of years of use by volunteer corps, complaints about distance, inconvenience, and the weather at Point Chevalier, the rifle range is abandoned, save for one remaining set of targets for a 300-yard range.

Meola Reef Reserve, February 2011

Preparing for war at Western Springs

 Image by Bukvoed, from Wikipedia

In December 1862, the government took advantage of the large, 127-acre rifle range reserve at Western Springs to send a battery of Armstrong guns, some adept model-makers and troopers to test how best to blow up a Maori pa or two, as war clouds gathered at the Waikato. Captain Henry Mercer, as an oddity, died not while commanding his pa-destroying guns at the battle of Rangiriri in 1863, but as a result of being ordered to rush at the pa with his men.

ARTILLERY PRACTICE— CAUTION.

Our readers may not generally know that artillery practice, with shot and shell, commenced at Point Chevalier on Thursday, and will be continued every day during the ensuing fortnight. As there is considerable danger to persons boating or fishing on the Waitemata, from the balls, which are sometimes propelled upwards of a mile beyond the ordinary range, we understand that Captain Mercer, R. A., in command of the C Field Battery of Armstrong guns, will hoist a large white flag with three black bull's eyes in the centre, in addition to the ordinary red danger flag, during the time of practice. Persons on the river, seeing this signal, will in future give the point a wide berth, and so keep out of harm's way.

The target practice on Thursday was splendid, after the range had been accurately obtained. The first shot fell a little short. The target was literally riddled at 800 yards, few shots missing. The result of the fast days practice was to demonstrate the immense superiority of the Armstrong guns over the heavy field ordinance, which till recently, were solely in use in our army.

Yesterday practice was resumed, when solid shot was fired at a range of 900 yards, and the whole of the shots with very few exceptions struck the target. Five splendid bull's eyes were made— being one tenth of the number of shots fired. With reference to some half dozen shots which did not strike the target, the furthest from the target could not have passed more than a foot distant, the average being six inches on each side The practice was deeply interesting but we look forward with pleasurable anticipation to the exhibition of a still more exciting test of accuracy next week. We hear Captain Mercer intends to build a section of a pah, both with solid trees and double open rails, and the erection will be proceeded with as soon as the timber can be procured. 

Southern Cross 13 December 1862

The Royal Artillery. — Owing to the wet weather on Saturday, the battery of Royal Artillery, under the command of Captain Mercer, did not continue the practice with Armstrong guns, at the faucets elected at Point Chevalier.

Southern Cross 15 December 1862

Royal Artillery. — The C field-battery of Royal Artillery, under the command of Captain Mercer, continued their practice with the Armstrong guns yesterday, at Point Chevalier. The range was increased by 300 yards over the distance fired on Friday — 900 yards— thus forming a range of 1200 yards. The whole of the shots struck the target, with the exception of some half dozen, which ricocheted over it after striking the ground immediately in front. There were two or three beautiful bull's eyes, and the practice, taken altogether, was most exciting and highly creditable to the proficiency of the gunners of the battery. We must inform our readers that the projectile used by the Armstrong battery for practice is a solid shot, coated with lead to take rifling; and we observed that some of the holes in the target were cut clean away— so distinctly, in fact, as to show the rifling of the shot as it passed through. We look forward with interest to the projected experiments with the Armstrong shell to notice its effects, and to observe its action when used with time and concussion fuses The elongated shell has 49 segments, which on bursting are scattered with the pieces of the shell and iron burster, &c, thus forming a terrible shower — if we may so call them— of angular bullets. We hear that practice will be continued this day at a range of 1,600 yards, and which will be followed up on the succeeding day by firing at a mile's distance.

Southern Cross 16 December 1862

ROYAL ARTILLERY.

This C Field Battery of Armstrong guns, under the command of Captain Mercer, continued their practice on Friday at Point Chevalier. The range was extended by 400 yards from the previous day's practice, making 1,600 yards. The accuracy of aim was surprising: two or three shots penetrating the bull's eye; more than half of the shots fired striking the target; and the remainder passing close over or by the side. The last few rounds discharged were shells filed with concussion fuses, at the distance mentioned above. The practice was in every way most satisfactory — the shells bursting immediately in front of the target, on its face, and in the target itself, which upon near examination practically showed the destructive effect of the missiles. There was a strong W/NW wind blowing during the greater portion of the time whilst the firing was being continued, and which at the long range fired had a sensible effect upon the parabolic course of the projectiles, and consequently making it more difficult to strike the target. We have had the pleasure of examining some of the fragments of shell, after being burst upon the face of the target, and which must prove fearfully destructive when exploded amongst squares or bodies of soldiery.

Southern Cross 22 December 1862

ARTILLERY PRACTICE AT 900 YARDS.

Last Saturday the practice at 900 yards, by the C Reid Battery of Armstrong guns, was resumed on the sections of the north and south pahs, erected at Point Chevalier. Lieutenant-General Cameron, CB, attended by his staff, rode on to the ground about three o'clock, and proceeded to inspect the pahs and targets before practice commenced.

The north pah consisted of two rows of tree palisading, about a yard apart, each row strongly bound together by transverse beams and flax. The timber used was puriri and manuka, the trees being of large growth, and so firmly fixed in the ground that the concussion of the shot and shell did not materially, if at all, affect their stability. Behind this double protection, a white target was placed, of large dimensions. The target rested against the face of the earthwork (which was about nine feet high), at the rear of the palisading. The south pah was divided from the north by the breach, some eight or ten feet wide, which had been affected by the Armstrong gun practice of Thursday. The splinters of the last day's practice had been removed, and the damaged or shaken portions of the pahs carefully repaired in the interval. The section of the south pah was formed of split timber, so closely bound together as to present an unbroken surface to the eye. Behind the second row of the south pah a white wooden target was placed, as in the north section. We should add that the sections of both the north and south pahs appeared to us to be about equally strong, although of somewhat different construction. Their strength was such that, if vigorously defended, no troops in the world could take them by storm unless aided by artillery.

The General and party having examined the pah, retired for shelter, and orders were given by Captain Mercer, R. A., to commence firing. In a few seconds a small cloud of smoke was observed at the battery, and a twelve pound solid shot whistled through the air, instantly passing through the heavy timbers of the north pah and the centre of the target, and lodging in the earthwork behind. A second shot soon followed, striking the pah about a foot from the ground, and passing through the lower section of the target almost in a straight line with the first shot. The third shot plunged through the upper portion of the woodwork of the pah, tearing off a few splinters. It then passed through the target, cutting an oblong piece clean out of the upper section, and rising, sped onwards to the river, with a singing noise. The range was thus satisfactorily obtained, every shot telling. The fourth shot struck the bottom of the target, after passing through the pah. The fifth shot appeared to tell well. It hit the centre of the pah, tearing away large splinters, and doing serious damage to the target. The sixth shot passed through the pah, and struck the top of the target, ploughing through the earthwork at the rear.

The order to cease firing was then sounded, and General Cameron and staff proceeded to examine the effect of the six rounds of solid shot upon the pah. The destructive effect of the projectiles was far greater than appeared to spectators at a short distance. The shots passed through the woodwork of the pah, tearing off large splinters, which were piled against the earthwork, and lying between the lines of defence. The target was very much battered. By this inspection the perfection of the practice was shown, the firing appearing to have been concentrated on a section of about two feet in width of the face of the pah. The toughness of the puriri was also manifest. Although the shots passed through the puriri pales, it was with difficulty that a sharp-pointed wedge of wood could be inserted in the rent. The manuka likewise appeared to offer great resistance. At the same time, the quantity of splinters lying about made it pretty evident that little security to life would be afforded by the pales to a defending party who had not, likewise, the protection of earthworks.

Firing with solid shot was again resumed, but this time the guns were discharged in salvos. The first intimation those under cover had that the firing had recommenced was the rushing, singing sound of the six conical shots, fired simultaneously by the battery. Their velocity could be measured by the ear, and with care timed, but the eye could not distinguish the shots. In about a second from hearing the sound the six shots struck the pah, dashing splinters in all directions, knocking the light section of the target to pieces, and raising a cloud of dust from the earthwork. A second salvo followed, and again the crash of broken timbers and a cloud of dust at the earthwork. This salvo appeared to have told with wonderful effect. The target was destroyed, and a breach effected in the face of the north pah.

The older to cease filing was sounded, and a minute inspection of the pah took place. It was at once apparent how much more destructive the two salvos had relatively been than the six single shots. The heavy timbers were battered and torn, several pieces were cut off within about eighteen inches of the ground, and splinters were piled up in heaps. The inner row of pales appeared to suffer far more damage than the outer defence.

Firing was. renewed, and three salvos were then fired. The third salvo was well directed, but the fourth did not seem to have been so effective. One of the shots of the fourth salvo rose, and passed over the earthworks to the river. The fifth salvo was decidedly successful. A breach was effected, which British soldiers, properly led, would no doubt look upon as practicable.

Again the order to cease firing was sounded, and General Cameron and a number of military gentlemen who were on the ground went up to the pah to make a further inspection. The damage done to the wooden defences by the last three salvos was easily recognised by the accumulation of splinters, broken pales, and the breach just mentioned. When firing was again resumed, the gunners seemed still to concentrate the fire on that section of the north pah in which the breach had been made. The sixth salvo sent the splinters from the outer and inner row of pales flying about; one or more of the shots rising and flying off river-wards. The seventh salvo widened the breach considerably, a portion of the south section of the pah falling outwards. One of the shots ploughed through the earthwork, and by the sound, fell in deep water. The eighth salvo was fired; and the order to cease firing was again sounded. One of the shots of the last salvo struck the ground about ten yards in front of the pah, and ploughed up a few feet of earth, when it appeared to rise again and strike the pah.

The inspection that followed, by the General and party, must have satisfied them of the superiority of the Armstrong guns over the old field batteries. The section of the north pah on which the fire had been directed was almost destroyed. The order to commence firing was now given, and six salvos were discharged at the pah. Every shot of salvos nine and ten told. The effect of the eleventh salvo was still more apparent by the falling outward of two large pales, which were among the main supports of the work. One of these shots passed over the pah to the river. The twelfth salvo was not as effective. One of the guns hung fire, but a few seconds after the salvo, the single shot struck the top of the broken timber, and rising passed onwards to the river. The thirteenth salvo was marked by the occurrence of a similar incident, which is accounted for, we understand, by the fact that bad fuses are not unfrequently issued. Indeed, it seems to be impossible to prevent this, when the immense quantity of ordnance stores, daily issued by the heads of the department, is taken into account. The fifteenth salvo was most effective.

The order "cease firing," was then sounded, and another inspection made. That a practicable breach was now formed there could be no doubt, and it was quite evident that an Armstrong field battery, such as that which was at practice at Point Chevalier on Saturday, could breach the strongest pah for a storming party in about an hour's continuous and rapid firing. After the inspecting party had again retired, firing was resumed, to demolish the remaining portions of the north pah. Salvos sixteen, seventeen , eighteen, nineteen, twenty, and twenty-one were then fired, the practice being all that could be desired ; and General Cameron and party paid another visit to the pah. The solid shot had done all the execution that was to be expected from them; and it was now determined to try the effect of shell as a demolishing process. Eight salvos of concussion shells, at the range of 900 yards, were then fired, when the breach which the shot had opened was perfectly cleared. The shell practice was beautiful, most of the shells bursting after passing through the first row of pales. The wooden splinters, and fragments of these shells must render the tenure of any pah against which their fire is directed, an undertaking that a very short practice (when the range has been obtained) will suffice to prove perfectly hopeless.

The evening was now tolerably far advanced, as the practice had been purposely slow to give an opportunity for observing the effect of each salvo. But the south, or rail pah remained untouched. As the result of solid shot had been seen on the tree pah, it was deemed expedient to endeavour to effect a breach in the south pah with concussion shells alone. The guns were again fired in salvos, the range being accurate from the first. In all, twelve salvos were fired, at the first of which the target inside the second palisade was dashed to splinters. The shells did great execution, and at the twelfth salvo the face of the pah fell, leaving an easy breach of about fifteen yards.

The practice then terminated, and General Cameron and staff left the ground. The C Field Battery of Armstrong guns is under the command of Captain Mercer, with Lieuts. Hunt and Pickard. Judging from the practice at Point Chevalier for the last fortnight, the most interesting features of which we have reported, it is fair to express the conviction that if the Armstrong guns had been brought to bear upon the various pahs, which gave so much trouble during the Taranaki war, and if they had been as efficiently served as they were on Saturday and at their previous practice, there would have been little difficulty in rendering the pahs untenable, or at least in making adequate breaches for storming parties in a short space of time. As the result of these experiments we look upon the breaching of the strongest pah to be comparatively easy, notwithstanding what has hitherto been said to the contrary. If the practice had been oblique, the result would have been more speedily apparent, but the destructive effect was wonderful with a direct fire at such a distance. We would like very much to see an hour's practice of Captain Mercer's battery at long range, at rifle pits on a hill side, constructed after the most approved Maori model. Although it would not accord with the usage of the British army to take rifle pits from an enemy by assailing them only with the shot and shell of field artillery, yet after the memorable "long sap" of General Pratt, and what it led to, we believe it would give the timid a little more confidence were it demonstrated that rifle pits are not more invulnerable to a well-served Armstrong battery, than a tree or rail pah, however strong. 

Southern Cross 29 December 1862

Captain Henry Mercer, of the Royal Artillery, obtained his captaincy on the 23rd February 1852. In 1855 he served at the siege of Sebastopol, and received a medal and clasps, and a Turkish medal. He arrived in this colony in 1860, in command of the first battery of Armstrong guns sent here, and he rendered good service with them during the last Taranaki war. His more recent services are well known and appreciated; and his loss (at the early age of thirty-eight years) will be deeply regretted by all who knew him, whether in the capacity or an able officer or as an amiable and upright gentleman.

 Southern Cross, 23 November 1863