The tragedy of Captain Charles Lorraine, 1899

Image:  from Clarence & Richmond Examiner, NSW, 11.11.1899

In the spirit of the fin de siècle age of the late 1890s, when all seemed possible as far as progress and achievement was concerned, there stepped, briefly, into the limelight for NZ colonial audiences gathered on windswept reserves and domains a daring young man with guts, a balloon and a parachute – and, by gum, he was a New Zealander!

David Charles Mahoney was born 19 April 1874, in Parnell, Auckland. He was educated at Parnell School, then left school to work at Hoffmann’s music warehouse in Queen Street. After two years, he headed off for the horizons to seek his fortune, first down south, then across to Sydney, where he began a stage career. His persona as Captain Charles Lorraine originated while he was overseas.

He joined, first of all, Miss Emma Wangenheim's comic opera company, and subsequently accepted an engagement in Mr Dan Barry's dramatic company, playing small parts and travelling with it through the country towns of Australia. In 1892 he sailed for England, and while there he went one day to see a balloon ascent. He had only seen a balloon once before, and his curiosity was piqued. But, to his great disappointment, after all the preparations had been completed, the aeronaut did not go up. Young Lorraine saw enough, however, of the modus operandi to feel convinced the thing was easy enough. And his curiosity led him to seek out the aeronaut and offer to go up in his place the following day. The professional was impressed with the youngster's pluck and determination, saw in him an apt pupil, and, having accepted his offer, explained to him thoroughly how the thing was done, and arranged for his ascent next day.

Lorraine confesses that he did not sleep much that night. The tick-tick of an insect in the wall of his chamber put superstitious fancies into his head. He had heard the old story about the death watch and its habit of foretelling a person's doom. So, as that blessed insect kept on ticking, he arose in the dark at 4 a.m. and went out for a walk to shake off the gloom with which it had filled him.

At the appointed hour he was ready, and the ascent came off with great success. The spectators had no idea it was an amateur's first attempt. They were under the impression he had been up in the air hundreds of times before, and there was nothing about his performance to undeceive them. Once the ice was broken, Lorraine stuck to the aeronaut business. He remained with the professional until he had saved enough money to buy a balloon of his own, and then he launched out for himself, touring the United Kingdom and Ireland, and France and Germany as well. Ever since 1893, when he was 19 years old, he has been going up in balloons and coming down in parachutes. In London he made such a reputation for himself that his services were in constant demand at public gardens and fetes.

He made an ascent from the Alexandra Palace on Good Friday, 1898, and his last public appearance in London was on Sept. 15th last, when he took part in a great gala and sports in aid of the Music Hall Home, making two ascents. Five hundred music hall artists assisted at this fete, and the prices for admission ranged from 1s to 10s. He now holds the appointments of aeronaut to the Alexandra Palace, and of military aeronaut to the 1st Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment, under Colonel Lord Eustin and Colonel Sir Geo. la Hochpied Lapant, commanding the 16th Regimental District (Bedford). On October 13th Mr Lorraine left London on a visit to his relatives in Auckland, and on March 22nd he was married by Canon Nelson, at St. Paul's Church here, to Frances Fanny, eldest daughter of Mr Antonio Juriss, of Christchurch.

Observer 13.5.1899

He was a parachutist rather than a balloonist, using a balloon to ascend to a height from which he could drop, supported by the parachute, performing gymnastics with a trapeze on the way down. When he arrived back in New Zealand in late 1898, “Captain Charles Lorraine” had been doing his act in the Northern Hemisphere for five years, so reports tell us. (EP 30.11.1898) In England, he is said to have gone as high as 1500 ft – at the Auckland Domain, the ascent was noted as being up to 7000 ft. (Press, 4.1.1899) 7000ft above sea-level is a danger level regarding the body’s saturation of oxygen in the blood.

He met his end one afternoon in Christchurch, at an exhibition held at Lancaster Park. Some images from one of his earlier displays in Christchurch are available online. On 2 November 1899, at 4pm, the balloon he used called the Empress, was “well filled with gas”, and Lorraine himself was “in the gayest mood.” As usual, Lorraine fastened the parachute to the side of the balloon by a slender tape passed through a ring so that, once he was ready to descend, probably his body weight detached the tape and he could swing free of the balloon, which was meant to float on a way before descending and being recovered. His audience would thus see him rise up in air like this:

Observer, 21 January 1899

His last reported words that November afternoon at Lancaster Park were: “"Now, then, gentlemen, let her go.”

The balloon rose up, high into the sky – and then things went awfully wrong. The tape fastening the parachute to the balloon came loose, with the parachute unfurling beneath the balloon and Lorraine, so that Lorraine’s only means of returning to earth, short of deflating the balloon, was now useless. We have one image, the last known of Lorraine still alive, from that day (from Wingspread, Leo White, 1941, facing p. 16).

Lorraine tried in vain to hold onto the parachute, but then it collapsed, and slipped from his grip. As part of his act, he did not actually attach the parachute to himself.

The parachute now a fluttering piece of cloth falling to the ground, the balloon was unimpeded and rose up into the sky with a rush. Lorraine was seen clambering up the side of the balloon, clinging to the netting around the outside. This probably ensured his doom, for one witness later told the newspapers that, through a telescope, once the balloon had been blown by the wind over the harbour and heading out to sea, he saw Lorraine’s form lashed firmly to the netting as he tried desperately to deflate the balloon without the use of a knife. When he succeeded, the plunge of around 3000 feet was so sudden that the impact with the water probably killed him outright.

Still tangled in the balloon’s webbing, Lorraine’s body sank into the water when the remains of the balloon finally submerged. Searches went on for weeks looking for his body, including trawling of the harbour.

It is stated that once when Captain Lorraine was making an ascent in England the parachute got adrift, but he succeeded in hauling it up to the balloon, and after making it fast to the rope upon which he sat, he jumped down on to the trapeze and descended safely. Search was made to-day by a launch carrying police constables and relatives, who took drags, but the sea was too rough to use them. The police also searched the share, but no traces of the balloon or the body were found. A movement has been started for the relief of Mrs. Lorraine. A meeting of citizens decided to hold a sacred concert on Sunday night, and subscription lists have also been opened.

Evening Post 4.11.1899

Lion cubs at Wellington Zoo

Another postcard, this one of two lion cubs, simply called "The Cubs", which leads me to think these were somewhat special at the time of the photo. How old is the card?

The handwritten text on the back I think gives me some clues.

"Dearest Jean,

I expect you'll be wondering how in the world I have got down to Wellington. Well I decided all at once on Sunday to come down with Mr Brooks for a day or two & see about a few agonies. We are going back as far as Masterton tomorrow when I have promised to stay one night so as to sing a solo at the mission being held there by the Rev Val Triggs of Melbourne. I will be writing again soon dear to tell you all about everything ..."

That sentence in bold led me to look for a mission held by a Rev. Val Triggs, in Masterton, after 1906 (the year the Wellington Zoo began). The earliest instance I found was late August - early September 1913, when the Methodist minister Rev Val W Trigge shifted his mission from Rangiora on 28 August to Masterton, setting himself up there for 10 days from 7 September 1913. (Wairarapa Daily Times, 5.9.1913)

Now, I don't know if Rev Trigge ever returned to Masterton or not. He made several trips across the Tasman over the next few years, until just beyond the First World War -- but 1913 was a special year for the Wellington Zoo. A lioness on loan from Wirth's Circus, as consort to the famous King Dick, gave birth to twin cubs on 16 February that year.

The lioness lent to the Wellington Zoo by Messrs. Wirth Bros, for a period of twelve months has given birth to twin cubs. The lioness is under offer to the authorities for £100, and a movement is on foot to purchase her in order than she may not be separated from her spouse "King Dick."

Colonist 21.2.1913

The curator of Wellington Zoo, Mr Langridge, has discovered that the lioness in the zoo has added two cubs to the animal collection, instead of one, as previously stated. As the cubs are worth at least £50 each (says the "New Zealand Times"), naturally the authorities are greatly pleased at the turn of events. It is expected that in about three weeks' time the baby lions will be moving about, but in the meantime the mother and her offspring have been boarded in, so as to avoid any disturbance and the possibility of the lioness eating the cubs through annoyance from spectators. It is unusual for a lioness to breed in captivity, as shown by the experience of the London Zoo, though the Dublin Zoo has been more fortunate in this respect. "King Dick's" companion is a very quiet animal, and was one of the best performing lionesses in Wirth's Circus.

Press 21.2.1913

My good friend Liz would know way more about lions and their cubs and how to judge their age from an image -- but from what I've seen, the cubs on the postcard could be six months old. Which means the image dates from August 1913, if they are the twins ... just in time for our writer from Eketahuna to pick up the card while staying in Wellington, on the way to Rev Trigge's Masterton mission that September.

Well, right or wrong ... at least it's a possibility.

Ostriches and Politics: the Helvetia Ostrich Farm at Pukekohe

Another postcard with a story behind it.

Helvetia Ostrich Farm started out as a transfer of the Nathan family’s interest in ostrich farming from Whitford to Pukekohe. I’ve covered part of the story of ostriches in New Zealand previously here, here and here. But the farm dates back further than just from the promise of fulfilling the fashion needs of the women of the day.

John Schlaepfer (1864-1942) arrived in New Zealand from Switzerland, according to his obituary (Evening Post, 5.12.1942) in 1884. He came to own over 3,300 acres just outside Pukekohe sometime after 1887, in an area of sheep and dairy farming, calling the farm Helvetia after his homeland. By 1891, Helvetia Farm was well under way, described as “highly cultivated”. (Ad, Auckland Star, 25.4.1891) In 1900, he was elected as a member of the Karaka Road Board. (Star, 30.10.1900) In 1902 he entered New Zealand history by becoming part of the consortium which operated the Helvetia Ostrich Farm from 1902 to around 1916, managing at one point (according to reports) around 500 birds. He had sold his farm to the Helvetia Ostrich Farm Company for a hefty £9000 in shares (Poverty Bay Herald, 21.11.1914) – nearly $1.5M in today’s terms. (Image right from Wikipedia.)

 DP 5212, 1902, LINZ records, crown copyright

We understand that, encouraged by the success hitherto attending their efforts to acclimatise the industry of the production of ostrich feathers, Messrs. L. D. Nathan and Co. have arranged with Mr John Schlaepfer, of Pukekohe, for the formation of a private company, which will take over Messrs. Nathan's birds and Mr Schlaepfer's well-known "Helvetia" property of 3,500 acres. The position and area of this property as well as the nature of its soil afford much greater facilities for the development of the industry than were available at Whitford Park, and an attempt will be made to supply the colonial market, whereas in the past the supply of feathers has not been nearly sufficient to meet the Auckland demand. The dressing of feathers in all its branches will also be undertaken by the new company. The negotiations were brought to a successful issue by Messrs. Samuel Vaile and Sons, acting for both parties.

Star, 4.10.1902

Products from the Helvetia Ostrich Company. Display from Franklin Historical Society museum, Pukekohe.

(Image left from Wikipedia.)

From 1903, it seemed to be more and more linked with the political fortunes of the MP for Franklin (and future Prime Minister of New Zealand) William Ferguson Massey. He had spoken repeatedly in Parliament from around 1900 as to the virtues of encouraging the ostrich feather export industry, visiting the Nathans’ Whitford Park farm in 1901. (Star, 21.2.1901) From February 1906, Massey’s election committee held garden parties at the ostrich farm. (Wanganui Chronicle, 5 February 1906) The organiser of Massey’s opposition party was R R Martin, up until 1906 the manager at the Helvetia Ostrich Farm (New Zealand Free Lance, 26.5.1906). Until 1912, he was Leader of the Opposition, and from 1908 that opposition was the Political Reform League, renamed the Reform Party the following year (a constituent of the later National Party of today). The president of the local Political Reform League – was John Schlaepfer.

In early 1908, the Observer published some of its classic satire regarding politics orated amongst the ostriches.

STUFFING THE OSTRICHES.
A DAY WITH THE POLITICAL REFORM LEAGUE.
 [By Our Imaginative Idiot.]
A VERY large crowd consisting of 11 gentlemen, 2 dogs, 1 bicycle, and a quantity of edible and drinkable sundries, departed by special train for Pukeohe at 12.38 last Saturday to attend the garden party that was tendered to Mr W. F. Massey, M.P., and Leader of the Opposition, by the Political Reform League at the Ostrich Farm. The special train, which was kindly provided by Sir Joseph Ward, consisted of three cattle trucks and a horse box, sumptuously fitted up with sackcloth cushions and hay carpets. The party, having laid in a large stock of eau-de-Cologne, embarked, Mr R. R. Martin being accommodated with the privacy of the horse box, in which to carry out his secretarial duties. En-route to Pukekohe, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr W. F. Massey, M.P., seconded by Mr F. W. Lang, M.P., that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded to the Premier for the use of the train, and that, in the opinion of this meeting, the Premier is quite correct in his contention that no other country in the world has a railway system like that of New Zealand. And, further, that should it be discovered that any other country in the world has a railway system like that of New Zealand, a vote of condolence be accorded to that country.

Pukekohe was reached well up to time, just as the supply of eau-de-Cologne was running short. The party were rescued in fairly good order and condition, and, after having been fumigated, were driven to the Ostrich Farm, where they were welcomed, at a safe distance, by Mr John Schlaepfer, President of the Political Reform League, and by the senior Vice-President, Mr Charles Shipherd. In the course of his remarks, Mr Schlaepfer said that, in his capacity as manager of the Ostrich Farm, he had for some time been preparing the birds for this auspicious event. He had been educating them up gradually in the art of swallowing. He had started them on oyster shells, had then changed the diet to swan-shot, then to bricks, and finally to barb wire and dynamite. He had proposed to top off their education with some of Mr Massey speeches extracted from "Hansard," but the inspector for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals had most unwarrantably interfered. However, he had little doubt that ostriches that could swallow barb wire and dynamite had a fair chance of being able to swallow even Mr Massey’s forthcoming speech without any really permanent injury to themselves.

"The garden party to Mr W F Massey, MHR., at Helvetia Farm, Pukekohe. Mr. Massey, listening to the welcoming speech by Mr R R Martin", 1906, AWNS-19060222-10-1, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Council Libraries

Tea having been disposed of, a move was made towards the ostriches' quarters, where it had been arranged that the speeches were to be made. Several of the older birds, who had been through the ordeal before, made desperate efforts to escape when they saw Mr Massey coming, and these were at once pinioned. The younger birds, being unaware of what was in store for them, were comparatively calm. The President (Mr J. Schlaepfer) called upon Mr R. R. Martin (secretary) to open the proceedings. Mr R. R. Martin said that having travelled up from Auckland in a horse-box, he naturally felt quite a little hoarse.

At this point, three veteran ostriches simultaneously gave up the ghost, and there was a wild panic among the survivors. A stimulant, in the shape of a coil or two of barb wire having been administered, peace was restored, and Mr Martin continued his address.

Mr Martin said that speaking as an old manager of that same ostrich farm, he knew a great deal about the art of stuffing both animals and men. In the exercise of his duty as secretary of the Political Reform League, he had a good deal of stuffing to do, but he was proud to say that he had been phenomenally successful at his task (applause) and would be pleased to receive a rise in salary (sensation). Or this occasion, he was not stuffing them (groans). He would not waste his own, or their, time any longer, but would call upon Mr W. F. Massey, M.P., to address the meeting. (Applause). Mr Massey, who was received with loud applause by the human beings present and with signs of fearful panic on the part of the ostriches, said that he was very pleased to be there. Mr Martin had said that travelling up in a horse-box had made him (Mr Martin) feel a little hoarse (groans). He (Mr Massey) had, by the courtesy of Sir Joseph Ward, travelled up in a cattle truck, and he (Mr Massey) felt quite bully. Here, seven middle-aged ostriches of Irish extraction, laid down, and died, the rest being revived by means of an antidote consisting of Government hash.

Mr Massey complained that the ostriches did not seem very strong this year. If they turned up their toes at a little joke of that kind, what would they do when he got on political matters. Mr Schlaepfer said that he thought the younger birds, who were well and strong, could stand it, so long as Mr Massey was careful. The older birds, he pointed out, had not yet got over last year's experience, and were therefore very weak in swallowing power. However, they were not much loss, and the younger birds would swallow almost anything. Mr Massey said that he was glad to hear it.

To continue his speech, they must all be aware that the entire policy of the present Government had been feloniously filched from the Opposition. (Tremendous cheering, and the death, by suicide, of two ostriches). He (Mr Massey) had often taxed the Government with this, and they had always denied it. This conclusively proved that it was so. He felt sure that the people whom he saw there that day represented the intellect of the Dominion. (Loud applause, and eight more ostriches in death throes, three in a fit, and five delirious). The Opposition had been responsible for every Bill which had been passed in the course of last session. (Applause, and screams from an ostrich that had gone suddenly insane). All that the Government lad done was to alter the various Bills in one or two trifling particulars, and then palm them off as their own make. (Shame). For instance, the Land Bill had originally, as drawn up by him, provided for the giving of the freehold in every case. (Applause).

What had the Government done? They had, by altering freehold to leasehold, and by making a few immaterial alterations of that kind, changed the Bill somewhat, and had calmly introduced it as their own. (Sensation). But let the Government tremble. Sir Joseph Ward (hoots) had lately insulted Mr William Richardson (shame), and he (Mr Massey) had little doubt that Mr Richardson would now give the Opposition the benefit of his giant intellect. (Tremendous cheering, and three paralytic seizures among the ostriches).

He (Mr Massey) was sorry that Mr Richardson was not present that day. The quantity of tea provided was quite adequate to supply even Mr Richardson, and there was any amount of jam, which he (Mr Massey) understood, Mr Richardson liked to spread thick. He was trying to make arrangements to hold another garden party there in a fortnight's time, at which Mr Richardson would speak. (Loud applause, and, wild panic and general suicide among the ostriches). With an intellectual and polished orator like Mr Richardson at his back, he (Mr Massey) would fear no foe. Out of consideration for the disgracefully weak condition of the ostriches, he would say no more, except to prophesy that at the next election the Opposition would go in with an eight to one majority. This last assertion having finished off the last and strongest of the ostriches, it was decided to adjourn the meeting until a stronger assortment could be procured. The party returned to town in the cattle trucks, the atmosphere of which did much to restore the failing strength of the excursionists.

Observer, 22.2.1908

"Visitors at the Helvetia Ostrich Farm, Pukekohe, Auckland, on the occasion of the Garden Party to Mt Massey, February 16 1907," AWNS-19070221-9-1,  Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Council Libraries

The gathering, another in Massey’s series of garden parties, actually attracted over 4000 people to the ostrich farm, by some accounts, and Massey was presented with a silver salver, a rose bowl and a tea and coffee service by grateful constituents, for whom he fought for better road connections through the electorate from the public works budget. Especially a touring road to a certain ostrich farm …

… which Massey and fellow MP Frederic William Lang, along with Messrs C Shepherd, R Bilbey and John Schlaepfer would have benefitted from when they took over the Helvetia Ostrich Farm Company from the Nathans in May 1908. (Feilding Star, 11.5.1908) The garden parties became a regular party political fixture.

"Ostrich farming in Auckland District. Young Birds inspecting visitors, Helvetia Park, Auckland," 1905, AWNS-190500330-3-1, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Council Libraries

In 1911, two ostriches were donated to the Wellington Zoo, only somewhat successfully.

A pair of young ostriches has arrived at the Wellington Zoo from, the Pukekohe ostrich farm. Mr W. F. Massey, who is a shareholder in the company, asked for the birds on receiving & request from Mr R. A. Wright, M.P., and the company willingly complied. The birds, which are worth about £40 each, appeared to be in good condition, but unfortunately one of them has since died.

Feilding Star 14.3.1911

Between 1908 and 1914, the fortunes to be made from the ostriches at Pukekohe dwindled. In the latter year, near the end of the farm as a run for ratites, came the Waiuku Railway controversy.

"The Premier as a navvy: The Hon W F Massey wheeling the first sod turned in connection with the Waiuku Railway", 1914, AWNS-19140226-39-2, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Council Libraries

Mr. Massey said that the people of this district had been waiting for this railway for over thirty years. It was thirty-one years since it was first surveyed. The people had waited patiently, but if the Local Railways Act which had been passed last session had been in operation, the railway would have been built years ago. He was certain that the railway would prove to be one of the best paying lines in the Dominion … He had seen it stated somewhere that the construction of the railway would affect him personally, but as a matter of fact, it would not benefit him to the extent of a single farthing. Some years ago, in order to prevent a local industry, the ostrich farm, from being closed he had joined with others in putting some money into it. He believed that the railway would cut off from four to five acres at one of the corners of the property, but he would not, he repeated, be benefited by the railway to the extent of a single cent. He and others had held the land for a number of years, but they had not had a copper out of it. He believed that the land should be cut up and settled … "If we get back the money we put into it years ago, 1 shall be very glad indeed," said Mr. Massey in conclusion.

EP 12.11.1914

The Waiuku branch line became known as the “ostrich farm line”, as Prime Minister Massey batted away attack after attack over his apparent involvement with influencing the line of the railway through part of the ostrich farm’s land. Massey, for his part, declared that the railway line had been authorised in 1912, and that the farm itself, no longer as successful as it had been during the Nathan ownership period, was mostly under cultivation. But, it was put to Massey that with an initial purchase outlay to Schlaepfer of £9000 in 1902, a £10,000 mortgage by the company from the Public Trust Office soon after, and another mortgage of £2500 in November 1912, a projected £60,000 value on the property due to closer rail access seemed to be quite a potential profit for the shareholders in 1914, among whose number was included, of course, Mr Massey himself, to the tune of an investment of £1000.

The (ostrich?) feathers over Mr Massey and his railway drifted back to earth over Christmas 1914, and the issue was stone cold dead by the time 1915 dawned. Looking at the subdivision of the farm as surveyed later in 1915, it is almost laughable how much fuss was made politically over such a small area of the farm, and the wee corner affected by such a short line of the total railway to Waiuku.

Detail from DP 10337, 1915, LINZ records, crown copyright

By 1923, Walter and John Schlaepfer held title over parts of the former farm’s area, including the site of the main buildings. (NA383/175). The area today is known as Helvetia – Ostrich Road and Ostrich Farm Road serve as part of the memorials surviving for the country’s largest ostrich farm, the political garden parties there, and fluffy feathers produced for fickle fashion.

A cage for a Teddy Bear

I spotted this on Trade Me, and it struck through to the heart. A bear behind bars, front paws raised up to the metal like a bewildered prisoner, mouth open on a cry in the silence of a postcard from long ago. I've forwarded the image over to my great friend Liz of Mad Bush Farm fame (who announced on a Radio NZ interview yesterday that she is definitely working on a book on the history of Wellington Zoo -- yay, you go, Liz!), and she's working on a definite identification of the bear's species. We both think at this stage it's highly likely at this stage that this is a brown bear, aka American Grizzly.

A sad photo -- with the story of Wellington Zoo's first bears behind it.

Proposals were put forward at Newtown Zoo for bear pits as early as 1908 (Evening Post 11.12.1908), just two years after the zoo originated with the donation of King Dick the lion. By early 1910, however, the plans were still only on the drawing board: “A kea aviary at Newtown would delight some people more than a bear garden.” (EP 26.1.1910)

In July 1911, Wellington City Council’s reserves committee “adopted the recommendation of [Mr A S Le Soeuf, director of Sydney Zoo] in regard to the construction of a bear pit.” (EP 5.7.1911) By early January 1912, a Malayan bear had been presented to the zoo by a Mr Kersley. (EP 6.1.1912)

Then came the incident which led to the Zoo obtaining its first brown bear -- possibly the subject of my postcard. In late 1911 and early 1912, Wirth's Circus was travelling around the country with an act that included two species of bear -- incredibly, a polar bear training act, and "Teddy Bears", likely American brown bears. One became notorious and filled the country's newspapers with shocked headlines.

SENSATIONAL CIRCUS INCIDENT. AUDIENCE GREATLY EXCITED. The following are further details from Christchurch about the attack by a bear.

A sensational incident occurred at the first performance by Wirths' circus, which opened here on Monday evening in the King Edward Barracks. All went well until towards the end of the second turn, an act in which a young man named Syd. Rose made a dog, a, goat, a lion, a lioness, and a bear perform. The first-named animals went through their business well. The lion and lioness were fed with meat from a fork, and the bear ate its meat from the trainer's mouth, its jaws almost touching his lips. Then the lions went to their accustomed places on platforms a few feet above the trainer's head. He took the bear by a fore leg and led him for a promenade. They were halfway round the cage when the bear hit suddenly with its free paw. The man went down with the bear above him, its teeth fixed in his arm. While they were on the floor of the cage the animal savaged him, while the man held on to the collar about the beast's neck so that it might not have a chance to get full play with its dreadful claws. The lions sat aloft watching the struggle and taking no part in it.

Mr G Wirth, who was near, was the first to act. He seized a great billet of wood and rushed into the arena. He struck the bear once on the head, and then lost his weapon. A menagerie hand had followed him armed with an iron bar. As he belabored the beast, Herr Schmidt, trainer of the polar bears, came to the fight with a heavy pitchfork. At the same time a half-caste entered the cage, and beat the beast with a piece of piping. Ready hands drew the trainer out. The lions still sat aloft snarling, but offering to take no part in the brawling. The bear was beaten to his cage, and the lions, who had come down from their high places, to their dens.

The wounded trainer meanwhile was being given first aid, two nurses, who were in the audience assisting. While the bear was being beaten for its guilt, its victim was being taken to the hospital. Amongst the audience there was great excitement. Women shrieked and shuddered where they sat, men rushed towards the cage, which was already surrounded by many circus hands, and there was some difficulty in clearing them away. The sight was a sickening one, but the spectators realised that they were safe, and there was nothing approaching a panic.

Rose, the injured man, is a native of Christchurch, and has been with the show for eight years. He had trained the animals. The bear had not performed since; the circus was at Invercargill, and on Monday afternoon Mr G Wirth asked Rose whether he desired a rehearsal. Rose replied that it was not necessary. The animal, an American Grizzly bear, had been with the show practically all its life. It had never been a vicious brute, but was always uncertain, and needed careful watching. Rose's injuries proved to be limited to wounds about the arm and thigh, the latter being deep cuts. He had also heavy scratches about the .body. No vital spot had been touched, and his injuries were scarcely dangerous in themselves. The programme was gone through as usual.

Poverty Bay Herald 10.1.1912

I've boldened parts from the article above. Hard to imagine what the bear went through that day, and afterward.

Well, that was it of course for the bear's show business career. It's surprising that Wirth had offers to pay and take the bear off his hands -- but he decided that the Wellington Zoo should be the end of the line for his misbehaving asset.

THE WIRTH'S CIRCUS INCIDENT BEAR TO BE PRESENTED TO A ZOO. (Special to ''The Colonist.") Christchurch, Jan 9. Mr Geo. Wirth has decided to present to the young man Maclnnes a gold medal for the courage he displayed in coming to the rescue of S. Rose, the trainer, when he was in grips last night with the brown bear. Since the incident of the struggle became known over the Dominion Mr Wirth has received several offers for the animal, one of as much as £60, but he decided to decline them all. In deference to Mrs Wirth's feelings in regard to the brute it has been resolved to make a present of it to the Wellington Zoo.

Colonist 10.1.1912

George Wirth paid a visit to the zoo on 17 January, after the bear attack at his Christchurch show. 

With regard to the bear, which mauled its trainer in Christchurch, it is understood that the Rev. John Crowes, president of the Wellington Zoological Society, is interviewing Mr. Wirth on the matter. The offer is for £50, and this sum, it is hoped, will be raised in time to secure the animal before the circus leaves New Zealand, Probably some definite announcement will be made tomorrow. 

 EP 17.1.1912

The Zoological Society began campaigning for subscriptions to buy the bear from Wirth.

In event of a successful campaign to raise funds for the purchase of the bear, a temporary cage, will be provided. A proper bear-pit will then be built in a clear space near the lake and close to the monkey-houses. It will be lined with concrete. The floor will be on a level with the path near the lake, while visitors will be able to look down on the bear from the upper path.

EP 18.1.1912

Ultimately, the Wellington Zoological Society raised £41 towards the cost of the bear, the city coming up with the remaining £9.

In April, the city’s Baths and City Reserves committee recommended than plans prepared by the city engineer for a bear-pit at the zoo, costing £200, be carried out in that financial year. (EP 19.4.1912)

THE ZOO 

TO THE EDITOR. 

 Sir,— On passing through the Zoo today I stood and looked at the little bear and the dog. I noticed that the bear is now getting far too rough a playmate for the little dog, who is now in danger of getting seriously hurt. The bear has a very unpleasant way of squeezing the dog up against the side of the cage, and there is no shelf or ledge where it can get out of the way. Hoping you will kindly let this be known, as it may help the dog. I am, etc., 

A LOVER OF ANIMALS. 9th July.

 EP 12.7.1912

This could have been the Malayan, smaller bear.

In November 1912, the Zoological Society were reported to be making enquiries into obtaining “another brown bear”. (EP 22.11.1912) Still, in January 1913, the zoo definitely had just two bears, “a big brown bear (the notorious one that clawed a man in Christchurch)” and “a playful little Malayan bear.” By 1916 there is reference to “bear pits” at the zoo, (EP 18.12.1916), so these were probably constructed sometime late in the 1912-1913 financial year.

Then again, the zoo had a black bear in a cage in 1918. These might have been in the “old bear cages near the entrance gates” as they were described when it was proposed that they be the temporary residence for the zoo’s first polar bear in 1924.

Although barriers have been erected round the cages of the larger animals at the Newtown Zoo, the small boy bent on seeing as much as possible is not content unless he stands right at the bars of the cages. George Kensington, twelve years of age, who is on holiday with his father from Palmerston North, yesterday afternoon poked his right hand into the black bear's cage. The animal is not of a fierce disposition, and will take nuts and sweets out of a person's hand without any risk to the donor, but occasionally boys and others have teased it, and apparently the bear was taking no chances yesterday, for it seized the boy's hand and chewed it badly before the boy was able to release himself. He was taken to the Hospital, where it was found necessary to amputate the first and second fingers. He is now reported to be progressing well. 

EP 22.4.1918

This may have been the black bear which was reported to have died during 1922. (EP 26.1.1923)So, depending on the species identification, my postcard my date from 1912 (brown bear, before the £200 bear pit was constructed), or 1917-1922 (black bear, caged near the entrance gates).

The polar bear must have thought volumes, for his quarters are very cramped and his swimming pool is merely an unsatisfactory hip-bath; the smaller black (or brown, according to taste) bear gave up thinking about it some time ago, for he was found dead one morning. 

EP 1.12.1927

In May 1922, the Zoological Society presented a “Japanese bear” to the zoo. (EP 19.5.1922)

There is reference to a brown bear still extant in 1924, (EP 21.1.1924) a “Himalayan bear” and a “Cinnamon bear” mentioned by the secretary of the Zoological Society. (EP 14.2.1924) By 1928, when the new bear pits were constructed for the polar bear, the neighbouring pit was for black bears, plural. (EP 3.10.1928) 

So, from out of the early formative years of our country's first zoo, comes a poignant image of a bear behind bars, pressing itself hard against the metal, mouth open on a cry.

How this particular bear ended up, I have no idea. Probably found dead one day in a bear pit, and replaced for the next visitors' attraction.

It would be fitting, I think, if among the last man made tracks on earth would be found the huge footprints of the great brown bear.-- Earl Fleming

Sunrise's remains

For quite some time now, I've been itching to photograph an old vineyard sign in Henderson, up on Great North Road's rise from the township. Until yesterday, I'd only see it while going past at speed in buses, and muttering "Damn," under my breath. Until yesterday, when I had the opportunity to pop into Henderson Primary School, and then thought "That sign's just up the road. Time for a stroll in February's heat up the hill." 

The sign is one of the last remnants of Sunrise Vineyards, owned and operated by Mirko Ozich (1895-1964) born in Rašćane, Splitsko-dalmatinska, Hrvatska (Croatia). The property was purchased by Mr Ozich in 1932, in two parts: the western side from James Hepburn (NA454/68), and the eastern (including the site of the gate and adjoining shed) from a Mr Lawson (DI 27A.448).

So, for at least 32 years, the Ozich vineyard called Sunrise was a landmark for travellers making their way down the hill towards the Oratia Stream bridge and the Henderson township.

1940 aerial, Auckland Council website.

I've circled the total land holding owned by Mirko Ozich in yellow. The red square marks the location of the shed and sign.

After Mr Ozich's death, his family subdivided the property in 1978. At that point, Henderson Borough Council planned to widen Great North Road -- and a strip including the sign and two-thirds of the old shed beside it became council property (NA 566/202). To this day, that has remained as part of a road reserve owned by Auckland Council.

2008 aerial, Auckland Council website

Which means the sign is owned by Auckland Council now as well -- and would be great if, hopefully, it could be recognised as a heritage item, and restored to preserve the Ozich name as a local landmark and celebration of the vineyards which made Henderson's name in the 20th century.

I've contacted Auckland Council's call centre and left a message with the West Auckland heritage advisor. Hopefully, I find out more from the council as to their possible intentions. Meanwhile -- I'd love to know more about Mirko Ozich and his vineyard. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Additional: Grant Cole, president of the West Auckland Historical Society, has just mentioned a blog on the remains of West Auckland's vineyard heritage called Wine Out West. Worth a look.

George Maxwell Memorial Cemetery online

John Russell of the St Jude's Anglican Church congregation, has worked since 2009 to bring together a record of the burials at Avondale's oldest cemetery. Last month, his project came to fruition with the completion of the webpages for the cemetery and their launch online (my apologies, John, for taking so long to get this up on Timespanner).

You'll find the result of his hard work here.

Some early menageries in New Zealand

Lion tamer, 1873. From Wikipedia.

I've just added another bit from The Zoo War -- this one on early menageries in the country, from Foley's circuses through to Wanganui Museum. You can view it on Scribd.

The risque gates to the Domain

Another TradeMe purchase – this one quite possibly a Tanner Bros photo of the gates to the Auckland Domain (right), with the Auckland Hospital’s Wallace Block to the left, and possibly taken in the 1940s. 

First came the Wallace Block, 1924-1925.

The foundation stone of a new block of the Auckland general hospital was laid this afternoon by the Minister for Health (Hon. Sir Maui Pomare). The new building, which will be of six storeys, will cost £78,000 and it will contain accommodation for 140 patients. The first, second and third floors will be used as wards, there will be an outpatients' department in the basement, X-rays' and a dispensary on the ground floor and a pathological department on the top floor. The total accommodation in the hospital will then be 685, with 230 nurses. The block will be named the Wallace Ward in honour of the chairman of the board, Mr William Wallace.

The Minister said the new building contained provision for another branch of specialisation, VD cases. He promised to do something in regard to this scourge. A Bill was on the stocks and he hoped to introduce it this session. It would be on the lines of the recommendations of the special commission on the subject of health. He hoped to introduce this session a Bill for the superannuation of nurses.

Hawera & Normanby Times 18.9.1924

It opened in May 1925. By the 1960s, the original block was much altered with additions around the 1924-1925 core. By the late 1970s, the Hospital Board proposed to tear it down by 1982. It eventually went the way of all things between 2006 and 2008. Today, the site is a multi-storey carpark building.

Next, the Domain gates. These originated from out of a May 1934 landscape improvement scheme for the park announced by Auckland City engineer J Tyler, calling for “dignified entrances, the principal one to be in Stanley Street” as at that time there was no entrance to the Domain except through Newmarket Borough. An offer of a gift to the city of £10,000 was received later that month to pay for the cost of erecting one, if not two, ornamental gateways to the Domain, designed by the donor’s preferred architect. The donor, revealed after his death that year in Townsville, Queensland, turned out to be William Elliot. He had previously contributed just under half of the total £9500 cost for the completion if the Wintergardens in the Domain, raising the remainder along with other prominent Aucklanders of the time in a grand fundraising scheme; Auckland Zoo also received its first collection of birds from him. Now, his generosity to the city in the form of the ornamental gates at Park Road totalled £10,000.

Elliot’s architects of choice was the firm of Gummer and Ford. Their design was approved by Auckland City Council in November 1934, when the Council were also shown a model built by sculptor Richard Oliver Gross (1882-1964). No one apparently thought anything was untoward at the time …

In February 1935, the Fletcher Construction Company was awarded the contract to build the gates, from “red” Putaruru vitric tuff (also known as Darley Dale sandstone), as had been used for the base of the Wellington war memorial carillon tower. Originally turnstiles were incorporated. Two pylons in the design are topped by sculptures executed by Richard Gross – that nearest to the Auckland Hospital site features a figure of an athlete, while the other features a swan. The first pylon also features a frieze of running human figures encircling it.

On 29 June 1936, Richard Gross after three months work revealed the sculpture of the athlete on the top of the tallest pylon of the gateway. The Auckland Star described it as “Grace of movement, rhythm and vitality is incorporated in the statue. The figure is posed on one leg, with one arm reaching towards the playing fields to urge youth on to greater effort and prowess, and also to stir Auckland youth to further conquest on fields afar … The figure of the athlete, representing a shot putter in graceful attitude at the end of his throw, weighs well over a ton. A well-known Auckland athlete posed for the sculptor while the model was completed.”

Initially, the athlete figure is said to have drawn “favourable praise … from several qualified to judge.” However, there was just one detail which the city fathers who approved the whole concept appeared to have overlooked: the statue was that of a male nude. Atop a tall pillar, where people looked … up … and it almost immediately attracted a storm of shock-horror protest from individuals and groups within the community who felt that it was immoral and needed to be altered.

Image: Richard Oliver Gross, [ca November 1930], Reference Number: PAColl-6303-33, Alexander Turnbull Library

Gross didn’t intend to be controversial with his design. According to Michael Dunn, in New Zealand Sculpture: a history (2002, p. 54), “This figure was controversial because of its supposedly corrupting nudity, not because of its artistic merits or lack of them. Gross’ figure captures the spirit of the nude figures of athletes, based on classical prototypes, found in Italian and German stadiums in the 1930s. It is a celebration of physicality and vigour, the body beautiful so beloved by Fascist theorists of the time who wanted to recapture the idea forms of classical Greece in life and art. For Gross it was the most complete sculptural realisation of his interest in the ideal male nude.”

A debate was waged between opponents and supporters of the statue until Auckland City Council’s Parks Committee voted to approve the statue as it was, with a proposal to modify the statue “to conform to public good taste” defeated by 14 votes to 5.

In a long discussion, Councillor H. P. Burton advocated modification of the statue on the ground of its possible effect on the youth of the community. He said the general attitude of the man in the street had been to make a jest of the statue, and not one per cent, of the public was artistically minded. There was no question of the quality of the sculpture—it was excellent— but he considered the statue wholly unnecessary in its existing form.

Evening Post 21.7.1936

The Auckland Council of Christian Congregations, at its annual meeting tonight, discussed the statue of the nude athlete on the domain gates, but decided to take no further action in the matter in view of the inability of the council to obtain the support of church and educational officials who, according to the president, the Rev. J. A. Thomson, were loath to offer the subject again for public discussion. Without the help of such persons the council felt it would be futile to make any further move.

Pastor Campbell said many persons were waiting for a lead and he moved, "That the council considers the nudity of the statue to be offensive to a considerable number of citizens and deleterious to the morals of passers-by and requests the City Council to take suitable steps to modify it." Mr T L Caley, seconder, said the statue was "unspeakably shocking and horrifying to many women." The Rev E D Patchett—-said it would be a mistake for the council to give undue publicity to the subject, as the meeting was not representative of the strength of the council. The motions were then withdrawn.

Evening Post 6.10.1936

Well – we still have the statue, which is good to know. I do wonder how many young ladies back then (and even gents) averted their eyes unless they thought no one was looking …

Abel Tasman's descendants on the Coromandel?

Detail from what is believed to be a portrait of Abel Tasman (pictured) and his family, 1637. From Wikipedia.

A bit from the November 2011 newsletter of the Mercury Bay Historical Society (Whitianga) caught my eye. 

"White Street, between Albert Street and Cook Drive, is named for the descendants of Abel Tasman ... It was his descendants who came to live in New Zealand. Abraham Bennet White married Princess Ono of Ngati Awa. They lived in the Whakatane area, but when Abraham was massacred in 1867 members of the family fled to Whitianga to be with his brother, George, who, we believe, was the first European on the "flats", where our town now exists. George built the trading post in Robinson Road."

Abraham Bennet White's murder occurred during the Hau Hau period of the land wars of the mid 19th century, near Opotiki.

REPORTED MURDER OF MR. BENNET WHITE. 

We are indebted to the courtesy of F A Krull, Esq., who arrived from Auckland on Tuesday by the Taranaki, for the following information relative to another revolting atrocity reported to have been committed at Opotiki by the Hau Hau fanatics. When at Tauranga, the s.s. Taranaki was in company with the Government steamer Sturt, and a report was made by Captain Fairchild that Mr Bennett White, who, it will be remembered, gave the most conclusive evidence against the murderers of Mr Fulloon, had been brutally murdered, decapitated, and his head carried about in triumph. It was further said that a native mailman had also been murdered, and that the Arawas were anxious to proceed in search of the rebels, but were not permitted to do so pending orders from the Government. The atrocities must have been committed some days ago, as Captain Fairchild of the Sturt, previous to meeting the Taranaki, had proceeded to Auckland under hopes of meeting his Excellency the Governor, and only returned to Tauranga on finding H.M.S. Charybdis had sailed for Wellington. 

 Wellington Independent 11.7.1867

According to Rootsweb, Abraham Bennet White (1818-1867) married Mere Te Wia. His parents were Abraham White (1782-1818) and Theodora Elizabeth Rudolphina Von Dri(e)berg (1790-1860). The Von Dri(e)berg connection seems to be the one folks say stems from Abel Tasman. There's this comment from a Rootsweb page, from Anne Williams:

"Friedrich Wilhelm von Driberg was Commandant of Mullaitivu at time of his death on July 6,1807. and was probably son by his 1st wife of Diederich Carolus von Driberg who was a Capt. Lt. in the Dutch Company's service at Chilaw in 1766 etc. According to Governor North they were Hanoverians and judging from their arms of baronial rank. Charles Driberg, a descendant signed a marriage register as "Driberg" and later as 'Drieberg''. The von was dropped early. Apparently this family is in no way connected with the family of Driebergs descended from Johannes Gerardus, who married Johanna Horn. The von Dribergs married into White with the marriage of Theodora  .Eliz. von Driberg to Dr Abraham White. Note honorific VON not VAN the latter being the Dutch equivalent both denoting someone of importance.The above family was never VAN. It is supposed that this family was related to Abel Tasman. It would be interesting to learn how."

I'd be interested as well. Anyone out there with some ideas of info, please do get in touch.

Art and Memory at Manurewa

I was in Manurewa township today to give a talk on Chinese history in Auckland to a U3A group. Heading from the train station there, I took a walk along Great South Road to get to the St Andrews Presbyterian Church Hall  -- and spotted wonderful wall murals outside the post office on the way.

The Manurewa Business Association paid Dog Ford to do up the town in his own special style in 2010.

This particular couple, so three-dimensional, yet they are just colours on a small piece of wall, overlooking the historic Great South Road.

This is labelled as someone wearing 1928-style postal uniform. I don't think he'll have much luck getting that wood pigeon to carry the message ...

And no, the pigeon doesn't too impressed ...

While I was taking these photos, a local came up to me, and enthusiastically encouraged me to look around the corner for more murals. So very cool to see the locals proud of the art in their township that they're pointing it out to visitors.

Around the corner -- surreality.

Followed by a glimpse into a NZ forest.

Okay, I thought, got to get going to my appointment. But, what happens? I spot the war memorial outside Manurewa School.

Yes, I did finally get to the church hall, and had a great morning with the group there. Afterward, I walked back to the station, via Station Road. And ... more murals.

Beautiful day, beautiful township, art and memory along an old road full of history.