The Enjoyment of Leisure Time

These images have been selected from a collection of glass plate negatives held at the Tauranga City Library's Ngā Wāhi Rangahau/Research Room. Sadly their provenance has been lost and the subjects are not identified, but they appear to be from the 1920s and show families enjoying various leisure activities.

Unidentified family on a camping trip, ca 1920s
Image courtesy of Tauranga City Library

Unidentified family on a day out in the busg, ca 1900s-1910s
Image courtesy of Tauranga City Library

Unidentified family on an outing at Mauao, ca 1900s-1910s
Image courtesy of Tauranga City Library

 

Unidentified family on a boat trip on Tauranga harbour, ca 1900s-1910s
Image courtesy of Tauranga City Library

Esther Brain – a personality on display

It’s natural that, having received her red-and-gilt Birthday and Confessions Book for her 21st birthday, Ada Brain immediately turned to her family to make entries in it. It’s also not hard to imagine the amusement on offer from matching them to the precepts offered for their own birthday. Ada was enjoined to "be not weary in well-doing," to "wait to be guided," and that "blood is thicker than water."

Thus prompted, she turned to her sister Esther to be the first (after Ada herself) to make some disclosures. Maybe Ada also considered that she could reassure Alice by way of the fourth precept: "Esther," she might have said, "You can confide in me. Have I ever deceived you?"

 

And Esther, a spirited member of a spirited sisterhood, might have retorted, "Happy is he that has a hobby..." but might also, stretching Addison’s point, have conceded that her place in the book was an opportunity both to be honest and to do some good by not taking the game too seriously.

Esther, born on 6 May 1878, was sixteen when she wrote her answers, in a round schoolgirl’s hand with a few spelling mistakes and lots of slang.  Her ideal man has "Whips of go" and the ideal woman, "Tons of cheek." She loves music, natural history and dancing, and in her young life her greatest misery is toothache. As a good Methodist, she deplores "Boosing" and her choice of gum-chewing as a tolerable peculiarity ranks alongside her sister Alice’s choice (kissing). Esther’s satirical attitude to nearly everything is epitomized by her choice of "Princess  Ida" as the opera she most admires – this Gilbert and Sullivan collaboration is entirely concerned with the war between the sexes and the eponymous princess starts the show as the sort of over-earnest, top-lofty woman who would never stoop to "cheek."

The reference to "Tea-bags" for Esther’s favourite fictional hero is mystifying. Tea-bags, received history has it, are an American invention, and a twentieth-century one at that [1]. Rose-anne as a heroine of a nineteenth-century novel has also so far eluded me. Esther’s playfulness, however, is evident in her choice of Charles (Karl) Voss as her favourite composer. He was a successful German virtuoso pianist and music educator, whose works enjoyed some mid-century popularity, in particular, one supposes, because he had no qualms about converting them into media that would enable them to be played mechanically. It’s more than possible that Esther, whose preferred (and amusingly vulgar) instrument was the Jew’s harp, opted for Voss because his music was readily available by way of a pianola roll.

Esther’s confession shows her to be a clear-minded and candid girl on the brink of womanhood. She seems to want some sort of balance between the sexes, and some maturity too: neither men nor women should get married until they are ready for it [2]. But falling in love at first sight is possible "where there is tin." [3] She’s comical as well as cynical about falling in love – "Rather," she says – "only seven times," which seems unduly enthusiastic unless you admit the irony she displays throughout a catechism whose responses could easily subside into the merely conventional.

Young Esther Brain seems, in short, to have been a lot of fun.  Is it fanciful to suggest that her lighthearted answers came from the fire of green wood?

Fancy aside, we are privileged to have some evidence of her sidelong views of life by way of her older sister’s cherished record. Second sister Alice Brain’s contribution offers another, somewhat more serious, slant, a subject for later consideration. Taken together, however, all three "confessions" provide a glimpse of the interior lives of the elder Brain girls when they were blithe, and bonny, and possessed of a light touch, even for portentous questions.

References
[1] https://redrosetea.com/pages/tea-history carries a typical description of the US’s contribution to tea-drinking culture
[2] She is open about the basics of hormonal changes: facial hair growth for men, menstruation for women
[3] i.e. money

Bell Common Today

I took some pictures of the Bell Common for a previous post but decided maybe it needed its own dedicated article.

As one walks up the driveway (which formerly led to the homestead) there are many large old camellia and a rhododendron on the slope. Near the site of the original gate are a myrtle, a very substantial bay tree and the largest holly I have ever come across.

On the frontage to Cambridge Road there are a kauri and totara planted to commemorate the coronation of the present Queen’s parents, George VI and Elizabeth, on 12th May 1937. There is also a medium-sized walnut and to the west a large sweet chestnut and handsome Atlas cedar.

Moreton bay fig, planted in the 1930s

However the most handsome and spreading tree in this small arboretum is beyond the popular little playground. It is a Moreton Bay fig which fully occupies its own section of the Common and measures approximately 120 metres in circumference.

Bay of Plenty Times, 4 May 1933

Margaret Mackersey (née Bell) told me of her late father William Poole Bell arriving home in the 1930s intensely angry having witnessed the demise of the second of two large Moreton Bay figs in town. At the first opportunity he planted two more on the farm to compensate for their loss.

Moreton Bay fig, root system

Not many years passed and a tank trap was to be constructed across the farm during WW2 to stop the Japanese should they invade. The Bell family realised the matching tree down next to Cambridge Road (about opposite the present day shops) was in the way. William contacted the County Engineer who quietly came at night and moved the survey pegs to save it from destruction. Unfortunately 30 years later it really did have to be sacrificed to make way for the drainage systems when Townhead Farm was finally subdivided.

Moreton Bay fig - fruit developing
All images copyright Julie Green

The Active and the Rev. Henry Williams, 1832

Early Sailing Vessels and Visitors to Tauranga
Part X  -  The Active and the Rev. Henry Williams, 1832

Built in Calcutta around 1808, the brigantine Active was purchased by the missionary leader Samuel Marsden at Sydney in March 1814. Marsden, who planned to use the 110 ton vessel to help establish and service Anglican mission stations in New Zealand, paid the purchase price of 1400 pounds sterling himself. The vessel’s previous owner Jonothan McHugo, had been found on his arrival in Sydney to be ‘in a state of outrageous insanity.’ When the vessel and its cargo was auctioned, the proceeds of the sale were sent back to India with McHugo, who was for a time, confined to an asylum there.

During its historic voyage under Captain Hansen to establish the first missionary families at the Bay of Islands in late 1814, the group’s leader, Thomas Kendall noted that the Active ‘sails badly’. Regardless, Marsden kept the Active in constant use as a trading and passenger vessel between Sydney and the mission stations at Rangihoua, Kerikeri and Paihia. The missionary John Butler, who crossed the Tasman in 1819 found the brig ‘a strong and comfortable vessel, kept in good order.’ Appointed leading missionary at the Bay of Islands in 1823, Henry Williams, a former Royal Navy lieutenant, was often frustrated by the brig’s performance, writing:

She has a most unfortunate name and is no better than an old tub. She is not capable of working well off a lee shore, nor able to make sail and run before either a sudden gale or even hostile natives.

The Active off North Cape, November 1814

In March 1833, Williams instructed Captain Wright to take the Active to Tauranga, where he hoped to make peace between the local Ngai Te Rangi People and an invading Ngapuhi taua (military expedition) from the Bay of Islands led by Titore Takiri. Williams had previously visited Tauranga aboard the little missionary schooner Karere during January and February with the same intention He was not successful however, and had returned home. The journal for his second attempt in March/April 1833 records:

Monday, 26. At sunset, Mr. Fairburn and I went on board the Active; weighed and sailed for Tauranga.

Friday, 30. At day light Mayor Island S. W. 6 miles. Shortened sail apprehensive of being driven off the land. Obs'd the fires near Tauranga. Maunganui about 6 miles to windward.

Saturday, 31. At 9 o'clock came to an anchor close to leeward of Maunganui. Cap. Wright and Mr. Fairburn went on shore to reconnoitre. [W]e learnt that Ngapuhi had shifted quarters and were on the opposite of the river to Maungatapu, that several skirmishes had taken place and some few killed and wounded on both sides.

A former Royal Navy officer and accomplished small boat sailor, Henry Williams found the Active’s slow pace and lack of maneuverability exasperating

Also that the New Zealander Schr. had been in, when a large party of Ngapuhi had fired upon her for a considerable time from the shore, which was returned by the schooner with her great guns, not known whether any killed or wounded. At 2 p.m. the flood tide making in, we weighed and made sail and worked into the harbour.

Sunday, 1 April. At sunrise upwards of a dozen canoes obs. pulling towards us from Ngapuhi full of men. We hoisted a white flag, but they were not satisfied what vessel it was until they hailed us… They told us they had thought we were the schr. which they engaged ten days since and had now come to take her and had brought six great guns.

Monday, 2. In the afternoon, Mr. Fairburn and I went to Ngapuhi. Paid a visit to all, many appeared desirous to return but others obstinately bent on remaining.

Tuesday, 3. We took a view of the fortifications [of Maungatapu Pa] which were stronger than those of Otumoetai.

Thursday, 5. Had short interview with the natives [at Maungatapu Pa] and proceeded on to the Camp of Ngapuhi. We had not been long here before seven Canoes pulled up from Otumoetai to challenge Ngapuhi. At length some canoes were launched and gave chase to the enemy. The two parties firing at each other at long range on the beach opposite the vessel. 

In 1832, Tauranga was invaded by a Ngapuhi musket taua from the Bay of Islands seeking utu for previous defeats by Ngai Te Rangi

Friday, 6. We took leave of all regretting that they retained dispositions to war… Returned on board by noon and as the wind was East we determined to proceed to the Bay of Islands immediately. As it was now high water we weighed and made sail, but were considerably baffled under the lee of Maunganui, the eddy wind catching us first on one side then on the other put us in imminent danger of running on shore. The entrance was narrow on our right, and a bank on our left, with a head sea caused by the tide now setting out strong. As we drew from under the high land the wind was more steady, and the tide assisting us, were enabled by a few tacks to get well clear of the land.
Were obliged to haul close to the Starbd. tack, and carry all possible sail, to endeavour to clear the Aldermen. Sunset, cloudy, symptoms of a gale. At 8 passed close to leeward of the Aldermen, and stood on for the Mercury isles, had great apprehensions that we could not weather, the sea getting up. At 11 saw the islands close to leeward. Wore and stood to the Southd. a rough course night. Waited anxiously for the morning, that we might run in amongst the islands.

Saturday, 7. We bore up in haste and were soon in smooth water under the lee of the Mercury islands and discovered what we had never before seen tho often in this neighbourhood a commodious bay in which we anchored about 10 o'clock, to the unspeakable relief of our minds and bodies. At 6 p.m. we all assembled in the Cabin to offer up prayer and praise to the God of all mercies for our late deliverance, every one being too weary to attend earlier.

Tuesday, 10. Mod and fine. Wind S. S. W. At 7 weighed and made sail and worked out of our bay of refuge, with thankful hearts for the protection afforded to us while here from the raging of the tempest, and for the wind now favourable for our return home.

Wednesday, 11. At sunrise Bay of Islands open to view, wind against us. Worked up by the afternoon, and were thankful to learn that all were well. 

The Active, redrawn by the Auckland Artist Richard Horner in 1988

Soon after the departure of the missionaries, Titore’s taua - unable to achieve any military successes at Tauranga and suffering food and munitions shortages – boarded their waka taua (war canoes) and also returned to the Bay of Islands.

Despite its limitations, the Active provided sterling service for the Church Missionary Society in New Zealand, under a succession of captains between 1814 and 1834. After many close calls, including nearly being ship wrecked on the return voyage from Tauranga in 1832, Williams and the Bay of Islands missionaries decided it was time to replace ‘the old tub’. On their own initiative they sold the brig in June 1834 and replaced it with the more seaworthy schooner Columbine.

The Active was sold to the Sydney merchant Robert Campbell who put it back on the Sydney-Calcutta run. The brig was found to be unseaworthy after just two voyages. Though destined to be broken up in Calcutta, the Active was lost at sea with all hands while returning to India for the last time.

Sources
Brig Active – 1814. Hansen Family, www.the1814hansenfamilysocietyinc.org
Butler, John, Earliest New Zealand: The Journal and Correspondence of the Rev. John Butler, Palamontein and Petherick, Masterton, 1927
Elder, J. (ed.), The Letters and Journals of Samuel Marsden, 1765-1838, Coulls Somerville Wilkie and A.H. Reed Dunedin, 1932
Nicholas, John, Narrative of a Voyage to New Zealand Performed in the Years 1814 and 1815, James Black, London, 1817
Williams, Henry, The Early Journals of Henry Williams 1826–1840, L.M. Rogers (comp.), Pegasus Press, Christchurch, 1961
Williams, W. and J., The Turanga Journals 1840–1850, Frances Porter (ed.), Price Milburn, Wellington, 1974.

Illustrations
The Active off North Cape in 1814, John Nicholas, Narrative of a Voyage to New Zealand Performed in the Years 1814 and 1815, James Black, London,1817, Frontspiece.
Henry Williams, The Early Journal of Henry Williams, Pegasus Press, Christchurch, 1961, Frontspiece
John Williams, ‘The War Dance’, 1859, PUBLE-0144-1 front, Alexander Turnbull Library Wellington.
Richard Horner, ‘The Active’, 1988, Brig Active – 1814. Hansen Family www.the1814hansenfamilysocietyinc.org

Wairere Waterfall

Wairere Falls, Whakatane. Photograph by C.G. Caisley (No 153)
Published by Frank Duncan & Co., Auckland (PM 1919)
Collection of Justine Neal

Tumbling down the cliffs immediately behind the township tall, skinny Te Wairere occupies a cool nook and a place in the early history of Whakatane. The falls were one of three landmarks given to Toroa, captain and navigator of the Mataatua waka, by his father Irakewa, in his search for Whakatane. The other two being Te Ano o Muriwai (Muriwai’s Cave) and Te Toko o Irakewa (Irakewa Rock). As well as being a sacred landmark Te Wairere Falls were a source of fresh water for the Ngati Awa people living at Te Whare o Toroa Pa. When the town itself was still small the falls were used for the setttlement’s first water supply and the stream continued to supply water to the Whakatane township until 1924.

The Fulloon whanau had land below the waterfall and it was here in 1865 that James Francis Fulloon was first laid to rest beside his mother’s grave. James was a native interpreter. In 1865 he was commissioned as a captain in the militia and set off by sea in the Kate for Whakatane to recruit a company of Ngati Awa to counter Pai Marire influence in the Bay of Plenty. His own people, however, had embraced the Pai Marire faith and James and most of his shipmates were killed. In 1913 his remains were moved by his sister to a new burial site at the Domain Road Cemetery.

Wairere Falls, Whakatane. Photograph by C.G. Caisley (No 159)
Published by Frank Duncan & Co., Auckland (no date)
Collection of Justine Neal

The falls are also associated with early industry. Flax mills need a lot of water for washing the fibre and soon after 1870 a mill was built at the falls; it was wrecked by a flood in 1875. In 1878 the government purchased the old flax mill buildings and machinery at Wairere for a flour mill site. The mill was driven by a Pelton Water Wheel and the water was piped from the top of the falls where there was a small concrete dam to pond the water.

On December 18th 1879 the large hall at the old flax mill site caught fire. The flames quickly caught hold and nothing could be done to stop it. Fortunately the plentiful water supply from the Wairere Falls saved the sawn timber for the Ngati Awa flour mill which had been stacked near the burning building.

By 1890 wheat growing had declined so much that there was not enough to keep the mill going and it was converted into a flax mill which burned down in 1910.

In 1907 the Rotorua Motor Coaching Company built stables at the foot of the falls for their horses, the stables were later used for a garage when cars replaced horses. A fire in 1928 destroyed the garage.

The site was made a scenic reserve in 1971, a peaceful place with the water cascading down the cliffs the way it always has long before Toroa first sighted it.

References
Whakatane Historic Trails
Papers Past
A Man of Two Cultures, W.T. Parham
www.whakatane.com