Mary Wharton Christian Photo collection and courtesy of Julie Green |
Molly became a teacher and also toured the world with the Sheffield Choir around 1912. She had previously met Mr Christian from New Zealand whilst he was working and studying Marine Engineering near her family home and they had an ‘understanding’.
From 1911 Frederick Christian ran an engineering and plumbing business in Lower Devonport Rd and later became the Ford agent for this area. Molly and he married in Wellington in 1913 when she emigrated after a 3 year courtship by letter.
Fairlight Photo collection and courtesy of Julie Green |
Once her family were older Molly was ‘a leading light’ in the Tauranga Borough with involvement in Country Women’s Institute, Maori Women’s Welfare League, Girl Guides (Fred was in the Scouting movement) and other community organisations. She was involved in many activities at the Methodist Church and supported many musical and drama events. Their two-acre property was extensively used for hospitality and accommodation needs for many of these groups.
Lyn Harpham, Molly Christian and Isobel Christian at Government House, 1975 Photo collection and courtesy of Julie Green |
In 1975 Mary was awarded the MBE for services to the community and passed on one month short of her 100th birthday about 3 years later.
I was delighted to read your blog about Molly, as I am researching her life for an article about the choir world tour for Heaton History Group in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, where she lived until she emigrated to New Zealand. She sounds like an amazing woman. I would like to use the photos if possible and to find out whether any memorabilia or memories connected with the tour remain in the family. My email address is cjax68@gmail.com Thank you for the article and any further help you can give.
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