The imagination of Michael Hodgkins
From Tauranga City Library’s archives
A monthly blog about interesting items in our collection
This month is the 60th anniversary of Michael Hodgkin's death, at his hut on the salt water marshes of Ōtūmoetai.
Headstone unveiled in 2009 at the Tauranga Anglican Cemetery, following fundraising by Tauranga Historical Society.
Tauranga City Council cemeteries. B3691
The nephew of New Zealand artist Frances Hodgkins, and grandson of the founder of Aotearoa's first art gallery, Michael followed his parents to Tauranga in 1937 and was well known in the district, walking long distances to gather botanical samples.
Alister Matheson and Jinty Rorke wrote in his 'Dictionary of New Zealand Biography' entry:
Local teachers, aware of Hodgkins’s immense knowledge of nature, encouraged him to visit their schools so that children could ask him questions. They also used him in lessons to foster a tolerance of eccentrics. Seated under a tree in the playground with his black Aberdeen terrier, Angus, Hodgkins held children spellbound with the tales he told of natural history.
One of these students was David Saric, who collected pencil sketches and notes made by Michael and donated them to Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Archives (Ams 285). A delightful collection that showcases a broad range of topics.
Peacock. Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries Ams 285/1/38
Motorbike. Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries Ams 285/1/42
David recalled Michael's 'sparkling blue eyes', and how his ability to sketch and write notes, perhaps from a photographic memory 'inspired many kids - sowed seeds of thought'.
In the era of the first moon landing, Michael's tales of satellites in the sky and how and why they worked, must have been spellbinding for young minds.
Sketch of a satellite (not to be confused with a water cannister with spikes).
Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries Ams 285/1/1/1
First page of Satellite notes. Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries Ams 285/1/1/2
The accompanying seven pages of Michael's note that the satellite
...with the dog would be more a ball shaped container fitted with an air supply food supply and means of warming the dog also a parachute to bring the dog down when the Satellite has descended to near to earth...if the dog can be got back alive...
Writing on scraps of paper that were available, Michael's fifth page of satellite notes is penciled across typed columns of people notes, such as B.R. Shakes from Tauranga was previously with Downer & Co, and Palmer from Tauranga had spent five years with the Auckland Harbour Board and had nearly completed their Accountancy Proficiency.
Fifth page of Satellite notes. Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries Ams 285/1/1/2
The value of archives can be measured in many ways, one of the almost intangible is how they connect and delight the viewer. Enjoy exploring
the collection, and imagine yourself as a child in 1950s-60s Tauranga, sitting under a tree, as a man (who later inspired characters in the writings of Frank Sargeson, Ian Mune and the TV film 'The Mad Dog Gang meets Rotten Fred & Ratsguts'), sketches in pencil and tells you about tigers, turtles, koala, Robin Hood, Māori warriors, aircraft carriers and more.
Thanks to David Saric, and others who have shared their memories of Michael 'Spring Heel Jack'.
Sources
Written by Kate Charteris, Heritage Specialist at Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries
