Art At Brain-Watkins House

"The New Pet"
Framed colour print of painting by Arthur J. Elsley
Brain-Watkins House Collection

Brain-Watkins House has two portraits by Arthur Elsley,  a well-known painter of children and animals in the late 19th century. Two prints of his works, "The New Pet" and "Out of Reach," as well as a copy of another “Don’t Tell” done in black pencil by Bessie Brain, decorate the wall of the Drawing room. Sadly “The New Pet” is beginning to deteriorate , but to date research to find a replacement has been unsuccessful.

Arthur Elsley was born in London in 1860. His father was a coachman and amateur artiest who had exhibited in the British Institute Exhibition in 1846, but subsequently developed tuberculosis, forcing his early retirement.

"Out of Reach"
Framed sepia-tinted black-and-white print of painting by Arthur J. Elsley
Brain-Watkins House Collection

Arthur became a probationer at the Royal Academy school in 1876. A large number of his works were influenced by the frequent cycle trips he made to the countryside. He exhibited his first picture in “Portrait of an Old Pony” at the Royal Academy in 1878.

In 1882 he left the Academy and accepted private commissions, painting mainly children and dogs, and the Bennett-Stratford family of politicians living at Preston Manor in Brighton were  the main subjects for his work at this time. His first known published work was a line engraving entitled “ April Floods in Eastern Counties” published in the “Young England” magazine in 1885.

"Don't Tell"
Framed pencil copy by Bessie Brain of painting by Arthur J. Elsley
Brain-Watkins House Collection

Elsley was awarded a silver medal at the Crystal Palace Exhibition of 1891 for his painting "The Bailiff’s Daughter of Islington." In 1992 his painting "The Biggest" depicting a young girl measuring her height against a St. Bernard, and later was engraved to satisfy public demand.

Elsely married in Emily Tesedale 1893 and they had one daughter – Marjorie – born in 1903. She became the subject of many of her father’s paintings. During the first World War he produced only four paintings, one of which features Marjorie and was exhibited in the Royal Academy. He died at home in Tunbridge Wells in 1952.

Meccano and Fun Ho Toys

Meccano Model 7.2 Steam Roller, c. 1950s
Courtesy of the Katikati Heritage Collection

Included in the Katikati Heritage Museum's small collection of toys is this steam roller constructed entirely of Meccano parts.

Diagram of Steam Roller 1948 Model 7 from Meccano manual

Comparison with photographs of a similar model put together by Meccano afficionado Alan Esplen suggest that it was made to the design of a Model 7.2 Steam Roller included in the official Meccano manuals from 1948 to 1953.  There are a few small differences or modifications, necessitated no doubt by the absence of specific parts from the maker's collection, but the basics are almost identical.

Fun Ho die-cast toy Steam Roller
Courtesy of the Katikati Heritage Collection

Although Meccano also manufactured die-cast steam rollers under the Dinky brand, this particular toy steam roller was produced by the well known New Zealand firm Fun Ho based Inglewood from 1935 to 1982.

Tauranga Railway Bridge and Yacht Club

Images and text kindly contributed by Ken Morris of Queensland, former Tauranga resident.

Image courtesy of Ken Morris

This picture is of my mother and me on the beach between the yacht club/railway bridge and what were the sea water baths.  I can remember swimming in them and there were big holes where the railway irons that formed the “pen” to keep out sharks had rusted away.

Image courtesy of Ken Morris

We used to swim in and out. For swimming races, one lap swum with the tide, the other lap against, they had to put boards against the rail irons because of the barnacles when turning at end of the lap.

Blue Bath, Rotorua

Unidentified group at the Blue Bath, Rotorua, c. 1930s
Quarter-plate glass negative by unknown amateur photographer
Courtesy of the Katikati Heritage Collection

These two amateur snapshots are images scanned from a small box of quarter-plate glass negatives of unknown provenance in the Katikati Heritage Collection.  They depict an unidentified group - three women, a man and a young girl - standing on the front steps of the Blue Bath in Rotorua.

Unidentified group at the Blue Bath, Rotorua, c. 1930s
Quarter-plate glass negative by unknown amateur photographer
Courtesy of the Katikati Heritage Collection

The Blue Baths, housed in a stunning art deco/Spanish Mission-style building, opened in 1933 and offered mixed bathing for the first time in New Zealand.  Perhaps this family was visiting to see what all the fuss was about.

Blue Baths, Rotorua, October 2010
Photograph by Brett Payne

After being closed for 17 years the Blue Baths were restored to their former glory and reopened in 1999.

John Ellison

A photograph of Jack Ellison from the Auckland Weekly News

John Ellison, known as Jack to his friends in Tauranga, had been resident in New Zealand for 10 years having emigrated from England in 1906, when 25 years of age. In 1913 he found work as a bushman at Gamman’s Mill operating at Omanawa Falls and quickly became part of that community. Jack enlisted in October of 1916, as part of the 22nd Reinforcements with friends Charles and Bert Lilley. Before departing for Trentham a social at the Omanawa school house was held in their honour. A large crowd gathered and enjoyed music and dancing until midnight. Presentations were made at supper with each man receiving a watch and hearty applause.

Jack’s Memorial Plaque. These are also known as a ‘Dead Man’s Penny.’
Made of bronze, the soldier’s rank is not recorded, thus acknowledging that in death all men are equal.

On 3 January 1917 during Jack’s final leave in Tauranga he married Florence Lilley. A month later he sailed for England. After a brief period at Sling Camp he joined the 1st Battalion of the Auckland Regiment in the field in France and was killed in action on 26-27 March 1918. The sad news was delivered to Florence a few weeks later. Tragically for Florence her brother, Charles Lilley, was also killed later that year.  As Jack’s wife at the time of his death Florence was entitled to receive his medals, scroll and plaque and they were sent to her in 1921 and 1922. However, having remarried in 1920 their arrival must have been a sad and perhaps even awkward reminder of Jack. No doubt this led to the decision to send the items to Jack’s mother in England. This is where they surfaced several years ago and have now been returned to Tauranga. As part of Tauranga’s museum collection they will remain as a memorial to Jack and a reminder of the sacrifices of Tauranga’s men.