Alfred Brown, the Gardener

One of Tauranga's First  English-style Gardens

A view of Brown's garden from the south c1897
Cabinet card photograph by Thomas E. Price, Tauranga

Alfred Nesbit Brown (1803-1884) was one of Tauranga’s first European residents who helped establish the Church Mission Society Te Papa Station in the 1830s. It is obvious from entries in his journal that along with organising temporary shelter for his and other missionary families, a high priority was to set out a garden with specimen trees and crops of fruit, berries, vegetables, nuts and grains.

The Archdeacon's Sentinels in the 1960s

Their home was what is now known as The Elms and in the grounds there are still at least 5 large trees planted by him in the early 19th Century. Seed from Norfolk pines was reputedly obtained in Sydney on their voyage out and two young trees were planted in such a way as to become navigational aids for ships entering the Tauranga Harbour. Later they were known as the Archdeacon’s Sentinels and appeared on Admiralty charts into the 20th Century.

Spring view of Brown's 190 year-old oak

Acorns were brought from “home” in England and a young oak grown during the Brown’s years in the Bay of Islands was transplanted to a corner of the garden in what was to become their permanent home for nearly 50 years. It is now a magnificent tree of almost 200 years and the size of many much older back in the old country.

At some time later an English chestnut was introduced, maybe as a food source, and there are presently three large specimens in this 5 star-rated garden of national significance.

A garden fete under the Bunya pine, c 1900

It became very desirable to plant exotic symmetrical pines in Victorian times and therefore a Bunya pine from Queensland was a valuable addition to Alfred’s growing arboretum. It still continues to grow taller even though it has now been there on the front lawn for over 150 years.

Apart from mostly deciduous trees which also included many elms, some ash and Stone pines a lot of time and energy was expended on food-bearing plants. From writings by Brown and his various houseguests, we can build up a picture of the tremendous variety of plantings and crops that were established.

The chestut to the left, a young elm to the right

There were various nut trees, apart from the chestnut, walnuts, hazelnuts and almonds. Fruit trees included a Kentish cherry, a peach orchard and many apples including their son Marsh’s crabapple. Hedges were hawthorne, elderberry and gorse. Vines included grapes, passionfruit, and melons. There were all types of berries including blackcurrants. The many vegetables included potatoes, kumara, pumpkins, turnips and carrots. There were six acres of wheat and corn was also cultivated. The flower gardens included many roses, aloes, sweet peas and bulbs.

All in all it was obviously an amazing place and undoubtedly a huge effort not only by Brown and his family but also many other people living at or associated with Te Papa. If you have never taken a trip to The Elms/Te Papa, I can recommend it as a lovely place to spend time at: elms.org.nz

Sources
Garden booklet prepared by Elms Guide Beverley Corbett (unpublished)
The Elms garden image collection

Prevention better than cure

Example of mould damage

As I write this in early April, it’s shaping up to be a very humid month in Tauranga. And with winter conditions around the corner, it could be a good time to look at where and how your family’s material history is stored and, if you can, work towards making improvements.

Often items that connect to our past are stored just wherever space is available, and this can include garages or sheds that are damp and prone to water damage. If space can be found inside your home, preferably not under a bed or at the bottom of a wardrobe, then these items have a much better chance of being passed onto the next generation – particularly if they are popped inside a box with acid free tissue!

However, if you find your precious objects have been soaked, there are a few simple things you can do to prevent further damage. In the case of your mother’s wedding dress, or other delicate textiles, do not unfold if wet. Instead, place on a clean towel or sheet and gently blot the garment to remove excess water. Keeping the item flat, air dry inside the house using fans or air conditioning. If your object is not dry after 24 hours monitor regularly for mould growth.

Silverfish damage

Your childhood diary, or other precious books, may need to be rinsed before drying. Do this with clean water holding the book closed. Books that are damp or partially wet can be air dried standing on their end with covers opened to 90 degrees. If very wet the book should be air dried flat. Interleave approximately 20 per cent of the pages with absorbent material until dry. Be careful not to over do this, as damage to the spine will occur. If there are too many books to deal with within 48 hours they can be covered and frozen in sturdy containers with the spine down.

Freezing is a useful method to minimize damage and give you time to deal with a large number of objects. It prevents mould growth and protects material that would be permanently damaged if wet for any length of time. However, be careful as many items should not be frozen. This includes paintings, furniture, metals, musical instruments and electronics. If you are unsure what to do, don’t attempt anything until you have received professional advice.

At the end of the day it may be easier to think about where your treasures are currently stored and, if you need to, move them to a clean, dry, stable environment preferably off the ground.

The Tauranga Bowling Club - Early Beginnings

The Bowling Green, Tauranga
Postcard by Rendell, Collection of Justine Neal

On the 21st April 1898 a meeting was held in Mr. Thomson’s office of those interested in bowling. Mr. Samuel was elected to the chair and in opening the proceedings said that every town of importance in the colony had its green where those of a social nature could meet and engage in one of the oldest English past times. He said the game of bowls promoted health and sociability and established friendships which lasted a life time, besides which there was a species of freemasonry amongst all the bowlers of the colony.

A committee of five were appointed and by July of that year a contract had been let for the formation of the bowling green which included maintenance during the season. It was reported in September that the bowling green was looking well and should be ready for use at the beginning of the season.

Tauranga Domain, Photograph by P. Browning
Postcard published by AH & AW Reed (SR615), Collection of Justine Neal

The great day of the opening was held on Thursday, 2nd February, 1899. By this time about forty gentlemen has intimated that they would become members. A large number of ladies and gentlemen assembled at the new green which was alongside the tennis court and had actually been leased from the tennis club. The first game which was closely watched by the visitors lasted a little over two hours. The condition of the green was stated to be more in favour of the beginners than experienced players as the unevenness of the surface prevented the bowls taking the proper bias while in many cases they ran off in a contrary direction to that intended. Complaints were also made about the heaviness of the ground which compelled players to use a good deal of strength to get their bowls to the jack.

The defects of the green were tackled in April, 1899 when it was levelled and top- dressed. However during the night someone sowed it with a mixture of cow grass and dock seed which led to a reward being offered for the conviction of the culprits.

On the 3rd November 1899 the Bay of Plenty Times reported that the Tauranga Bowling Club was favoured with beautiful weather for its opening yesterday. Mrs Westenra provided afternoon tea for a numerous gathering of ladies and gentlemen who apparently enjoyed the good fare, and a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon was spent.

Mrs Humphreys took several photos during the afternoon of the players and assembled guests.

References
Tauranga 1882-1982.
Papers Past, Bay of Plenty Times 1899.

The Tauranga Transit Camp, 1944-1956

(by a contributer who wishes to remain anonymous)

In 1943 an aerial survey was done of New Zealand, I believe, by American airmen, and the maps are available online. The Domain (or High School Reserve, as it was formerly known) at the northern end of Cameron Road appears as two large open grassed fields with the outline of an athletic track, much as it is today.

The 1959 version is very similar to the 1943 image, apart from more trees growing on the cliff above Takitimu Drive. Many people may not know the story of the ‘camp’ that sprang up there to help relieve a post-war housing shortage in this region. It was established by our City Council in 1944/45 using ex-army huts from the racecourse and air force ones from the aerodrome. The intention was to provide very temporary accommodation for returned servicemen and their families. (In October 1948 the BOP Times reported it would be gone in 12 months.)

At its peak there were 80 homes and the need for this facility extended for many years due to a shortage of materials to build state houses, and the influx of displaced persons from overseas during the 50s.

Photograph of the Te Papa peninsula by Alf Rendell
Courtesy of the Tauranga Heritage Collection

There was a large mess hall and a boiler house where the washing could be done and a hot shower obtained. The accommodation was extremely basic, with single men’s quarters and some 2- and 3-roomed huts with running water and a stove. There were also ‘flats’ in a long row. Many of the structures were roofed with malthoid only and were rather leaky.

Residents established gardens, put up gates and fences, and there was a certain camaraderie in being part of the Transit Camp. Some residents wrote in 1947 and suggested that Wilkinson Park may be a better name, after the Mayor of the day. but this idea was not adopted.

Council plans were to convert the transit camp area into a proper cricket ground. To facilitate this workmen stood by as residents left, so buildings could be dismantled or relocated immediately and prevent squatters moving in.

Cricket on the Tauranga Domain, early 1950s
Photograph by Herbert Lever
Image courtesy of Tauranga City Library, Ref. 06-016

Teenage Memories of a Nearby Resident

In the early 50s we were leasing the unused portion of the Tansit Camp to graze a few milking cows and as more huts were removed my father was able to extend his fences. We also kept a pig and it was my job to take 2 empty buckets (4 gallon tins) over to the cookhouse and return with the 2 full ones.

I have a memory of seeing people lined up to use the single telephone box which was inside the hedge on the Brown Street boundary. Another common sight was young mothers heading for the communal laundry with a baby in a cane pram, sometimes a toddler on a wooden seat across the top, and trying to balance a large cane basket of washing.

I was always reminded by my mother to go straight to the cookhouse and straight home.

Sources
Papers Past, BOP Times, 1944-1949
BOP Times Saturday Feature 6 Aug 1988
Nga Wahi Rangihou, Tauranga Book 22, page 50
Interviews with two older Tauranga residents

1941: The year that changed our library

From Tauranga City Library’s archives
A monthly blog about interesting items in our collection

2021 is a year of anniversaries for the library. 150 years ago, the seeds of our library were sown when Tauranga Library subscribers met for the first time at the Masonic Hotel. This group amalgamated with the Tauranga Mechanics’ Institute on 12 June 1871 – an organisation you can learn more about by visiting our anniversary-inspired exhibition, which will be on display in Ngā Wāhi Rangahau, at Tauranga Library, until Monday 7 June.  

An event that is not as widely celebrated occurred 80 years ago, on 16 May 1941. This day saw a visit from Miss E. J. Carnell, Liaison Officer for the Country Library Service, to Tauranga Public Library. Although less celebrated, her visit is arguably as significant as the first meeting of library subscribers back in 1871. It marked the beginning of a project that changed the library from being a selective institution to a community-focused organisation. 

Up until this point, the library – which started its life as Tauranga Mechanics’ Institute and then became Tauranga Public Library in 1906 when the borough council took control – had relied heavily on income generated through subscription. This system posed many challenges: income was not always forthcoming, and the system was selective, with only those who could afford to subscribe being able to borrow books. Records held in our archive highlight these struggles. The annual report for 1933-1934 (Ams 11/3/7), reports a subscriber total of 369 out of a population of 3000. Shockingly, just over 10% of the community were making use of the library.

On joining the Country Library Service on 1 October 1941, subscription was abolished and, as outlined in the “Rules and Details Relating to Change-Over” (Ams 11/6/2), residents could apply for a borrower’s ticket, which would entitle them to the loan of one book from the fiction section, and one from the main collection, free of charge. 

In the years that followed, annual reports reveal a change in focus from struggling library to vibrant community space. Something that was enabled by the service. We see the introduction of children’s book week and adult education classes; story-hour for children; increased professionalism through access to New Zealand Library School courses; displays around the library; books supplied to the hospital; the emergence of a community archive through partnership with Tauranga Historical Society …

Planned changes to the main library room, mentioned in the annual report for 1944 (Ams 11/3/13), are a beautiful metaphor for the change in perspective ignited by the Country Library Service:  

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This archival item is on our schedule for digitisation, and will be added to Pae Korokī once digitised. For more information about other items in our collection, visit Pae Korokī or email the Heritage & Research Team: Research@tauranga.govt.nz

Written by Abigail Wharne, Heritage Specialist at Tauranga City Library.