Mary Humphreys, Photographer: Part 3 – 1902-1904

(continued from Part 2)
By 1902 Mary Humphreys had established herself as one of the two leading Tauranga photographers, although she concentrated more on scenic work than the portraiture which had dominated the output of Thomas E. Price, who had operated a studio on the Strand since 1897.

“Strand, Tauranga (the business street of the town, facing east [sic])”, c. 1901-1902
Mounted half-plate print photographed by Mary Humphreys
Collection of Tauranga City Libraries, Pae Korokī Ref. 99-1182

There is evidence that Mary Humphreys sold both loose and mounted half-plate (6” x 4”) prints, presumably from her shop on the Strand, although it is not clear how long that remained open. The photograph shown above, contacted printed from the glass plate negative, is mounted on thick card and signed on the back in her handwriting (below), recognizable from other sources such as a postcard sent to her daughters (TCL Ref. 99-717),[i] but she did not at this stage appear to use any of the pre-printed card mounts or purpose-made stamps with which most established photographers marked their work.

“Mary Humphreys Photo.[grapher]” signature, detail from verso of 99-1182

Tauranga’s First Post Office & Government Building, Willow Street, bef. Oct 1901
Half-plate print mounted on album page, photographed by Mary Humphreys
Collection of Tauranga City Library, Pae Korokī Ref. 99-340

This quarter-plate print depicting Tauranga’s first Post Office and Government building (built in 1874), mounted in an album which contains several other photographs identified as having been taken by Mary Humphreys, is identical to the view published in the Weekly Press in October 1901.

The Illuminations & Decorations on the Government Buildings, June-August 1902
Half-plate print mounted on album page, photographed by Mary Humphreys
Collection of Tauranga City Library, Pae Korokī Ref. 99-362

She photographed the building again after it had been decorated with plants, the royal seal, several portraits, Union Jacks and a string of illuminations. Two large portraits of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra appear in the windows above the main doors, suggesting this was in preparation for the intended coronation which was supposed to happen on 26 June 1902. Newspaper reports indicate that, following a suggestion by storekeeper Robert Badger,[ii] and an application by postmaster Mr Northcroft to the Postal Department for “materials for illuminating the Government Buildings”,[iii] funding was allocated and the “necessary devices” were ordered by telegram from Auckland on 21 June.[iv] Due to the King’s sudden illness the coronation was postponed, but it eventually took place on 9 August, when the illuminations were officially switched on at 7 p.m.[v]

“At 7 p.m. the fine building in which are centred all the Government and Local Bodies offices, was handsomely illuminated from within and decorated with fairy lamps outside. The idea was promulgated by Mr E. Northcroft, lately Postmaster … his plans were loyally carried out by the staff here, and the universal verdict was than a very pretty and striking display was made … Portraits of the King and Queen occupied two central windows on the second floor, from which the sashes had been removed, and other windows were filled with transparencies representing the national flags and emblems, royal coat of arms, patriotic pictures, portraits of distinguished generals, etc, etc … the Post Office staff … kept them going till past eleven p.m. … This is the first time that anything of the sort has been attempted in Tauranga …” [vi]

Tauranga Post Office after the fire, 17 November 1902
Half-plate print mounted on album page, photographed by Mary Humphreys
Collection of Tauranga City Library, Pae Korokī Ref. 99-341

On the night of 16^th November 1902 Mary Humphreys, at that time living in Willow Street, adjacent to the Tauranga Post Office, was woken soon after 11pm by noises and on going outside found the building ablaze.[vii],[viii] The following morning she positioned her camera in the same spot where she had taken her earlier photographs of the building, then took at least three more shots of the still smoking ruins.

“The Government Buildings before the fire” (bef Oct 1901) and “After the fire” (16 Nov 1902)
Photographs by Mary Humphreys, published by New Zealand Graphic 29 Nov 1902
Auckland Libraries Collection, Refs. NZG-19021129-1383-01 and NZG-19021129-1383-02

One of them was published in the New Zealand Graphic on 29 November alongside her photograph of the building before the fire.[ix] She would later document the new Post Office after it was completed in 1906 several times, the images being published as postcards (0166/09).

“Moonlight at the Mount”, c. 1900-1905
Mounted quarter-plate print, photographed by Mary Humphreys
Collection of The Elms Foundation, Pae Korokī Ref. 2008.0453

Another format included in Humphreys’ repertoire at this time was a smaller print – roughly quarter-plate – double mounted on a decorative grey card with an embossed, stippled surround. The Elms Foundation collection has several of this type which have both Mary’s characteristically handwritten captions and a monogram “GAW”. While it is conceivable that the photographs marked thus were taken by George Arnold Ward, owner of the Bay of Plenty Times, former mayor and friend of Mrs Humphreys, it is considered more likely that they were commissioned by him.

H.M.S. Lizard anchored in Tauranga Harbour, April 1903
Photograph attributed to Mary Humphreys
Collection of The Elms Foundation, Pae Korokī Ref. 2008.0454

A view of the Tauranga waterfront with the warship H.M.S. Lizard at anchor in the harbour is mounted on identical card, and has similar handwriting on the back but no monogram. The ship arrived on 18 April 1903 and stayed for only a few days.[x]

Crew of the H.M.S. Lizard in fancy dress, April 1903
Photographed by Mary Humphreys
Collection of Tauranga City Library, Mary Humphreys Album

The Lizard’s crew appear to have enjoyed their stay in Tauranga. A photograph in an album compiled by Mary Humphreys shows several of them dressed for what appears to be a fancy dress party.

The next article in this series (Part 4) will cover Mrs Humphreys’ entry into the postcard era.

References

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[i] Mary Humphreys, Untitled [Postcard View of Daughters Playing Golf], circa 1912, Real photo postcard, circa 1912, Climate controlled room - offsite, Tauranga City Libraries Archive, https://paekoroki.tauranga.govt.nz/nodes/view/3813.

[ii] Robert Badger, “Coronation Illuminations,” Bay of Plenty Times, June 18, 1902, Volume 29 Issue 4311 edition.

[iii] “Untitled [Coronation Preparations],” Bay of Plenty Times, June 20, 1902, Volume 29 Issue 4312 edition.

[iv] “Untitled [Telegram from Postal Department],” Bay of Plenty Times, June 23, 1902, Volume 29 Issue 4313 edition.

[v] “Coronation Day,” Bay of Plenty Times, August 8, 1902, Volume 29 Issue 4333 edition.

[vi] “Coronation Day: The Illuminations,” Bay of Plenty Times, August 11, 1902, Volume 29 Issue 4334 edition.

[vii] “Disastrous Fire at Tauranga, Government Buildings Destroyed,” Bay of Plenty Times, November 17, 1902, Volume 31 Issue 4375 edition.

[viii] “Fire at Government Buildings, Tauranga. Magisterial Enquiry,” Bay of Plenty Times, December 5, 1902, Volume 29 Issue 4383 edition.

[ix] “The Recent Conflagration at Tauranga,” New Zealand Graphic, November 29, 1902, Volume 29 Issue 22 (Supplement) edition.

[x] “Untitled [H.M.S. Lizard Arrives in Port],” Bay of Plenty Times, April 20, 1903, Volume 31 Issue 4437 edition.

Mary Humphreys, Photographer: Part 2 – 1901

In Part 1 of this series we learnt that in 1899, her first year working as a professional photographer, Mary Humphreys opened a photographic studio on Tauranga’s Strand to sell local views, “Maori scenes” and photographic Christmas cards. She demonstrated considerable skill in both technical and artistic aspects of the craft, developed working relationships with three newspaper publishers in Auckland and Christchurch, and cultivated connections within the community to take photos of events, views and cultural themes.

Crater Lake at Whakaari (White Island), 9 March 1901
Quarter-plate silver gelatin print mounted on album page, photographed by Mary Humphreys
Collection of Tauranga City Library, Pae Korokī Ref. Album Box 4

On the morning of Wednesday 6 March 1901 Mary Humphreys boarded the steamship Waiotahi at Tauranga’s wharf,[i] taking advantage of an organised excursion to the Opotiki Show, Races and White Island which had been advertised in the Bay of Plenty Times a few days earlier.[ii] A number of racehorses were also loaded, joining a party who had travelled overnight from Auckland, which included an unnamed journalist from the New Zealand Graphic.[iii]

“Opotiki Summer Race Meeting” [iv] and “Opotiki Agricultural and Pastoral Show” [v], 7-8 March 1901
Photographs published by New Zealand Graphic, 23 March 1901, possibly attrib. to Mary Humphreys
Courtesy of Papers Past

She photographed the Opotiki Races  on Thursday, the A & P Show  on Friday, and on Saturday reboarded the Waiotahi which then proceeded to Whakaari (White Island) for a visit which lasted four hours. Mary returned to Tauranga on Sunday and developed the numerous plates which she had exposed over the previous five days.

“Some capital photographic souvenirs of the recent excursion to Opotiki for the Show, Races, and White Island trip, were secured by Mrs M. Humphreys in the shape of pictures of all descriptions; among the most interesting are those of the volcanic island, one of the finest being a whole-plate, looking along the floor of the crater, across the great hot lake of diluted hydrochloric, at the great fumaroles from which issue the vast clouds of steam which have given the island its name.”

“A Burning Island – White Island, Bay of Plenty”, 9 March 1901
Photographs published by New Zealand Graphic, 23 March 1901, possibly attrib. to Mary Humphreys
Courtesy of Papers Past (p541 & p542)

A series of images of all three events were published in the New Zealand Graphic on 23 March, accompanied by an account of the trip written by an Auckland-based journalist.[vi]

“… the Graphic this week … published a series of views of thermal activity in another quarter of the colony. Under the title A Burning Island appears an interesting account, profusely illustrated, of a visit of exploration to White Island … other fine pictures, including scenes … of the Opotiki Show and Races ...” [vii]

She told one of her boarders in later years that “such was the corroding atmosphere on the island, the sleeves of her blouse disintegrated.” [viii]

“The Landing of the Visitors on White Island”, 9 March 1901
Print (120 x 163 mm, full plate) mounted in album, possible attribution to Mary Humphreys
Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections, Album 62, Ref. 3-ALB62-13

While none of the photographs published are credited to Mary Humphreys, they correspond well with those she is described as having taken, one of which was from on board the Waiotahi on its arrival in Opotiki. Auckland Library has a mounted print of one of the images, titled “the landing of the visitors on White Island” in the original article, although they appear to be departing.

Excursionists on White Island, 9 March 1901 (detail at right)
Print (120 x 163 mm, full plate) mounted in album, possible attribution to Mary Humphreys
Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections, Album 62, Ref. 3-ALB62-14

We should be aware, however, that there may have been other photographers on the excursion. A similarly mounted print shows a group negotiating a rocky shoreline, one with a rectangular camera case slung over his shoulder. It is worth noting here that by this time Mary Humphries was using a full-plate camera, although the three known prints from photographs taken by her on this trip were half- and quarter-plate size, probably cropped from the full-plate size. It is possible that the larger format photographs were preferred by editors of the NZ Graphic and Auckland Weekly News.

Souvenir album presented to the Duchess of Cornwall, June 1901
Mounted print, photographed by Mary Humphreys
Collection of The Elms Foundation, Ref. 2006.0274

In April 1901 a group of local residents formed a committee to organise an appropriate souvenir to be presented to Princess Alexandra, Duchess of Cornwall and York (the future Queen), then on a tour of the Empire with her husband, funded by subscription. Headed by Sarah Seddon, wife of Tauranga auctioneer, and Euphemia Maxwell, they had the idea of “an album containing a number of views of the town and neighbourhood, the book to be bound in a cover formed of New Zealand woods and bearing a silver shield engraved with a suitable inscription … subscribers only to have a right, on a small extra fee, to a photograph of the book.”[ix] At least 75 people subscribed in full, with a similar number of 1s contributions, the photography for which had been entrusted to Mary Humphreys, for which she charged £4 10s 9d. The book contained:

“… 24 photographs of Tauranga and neighbourhood and these have been prepared, in full-plate size by Mrs M. Humphreys, and embrace views of the principal buildings in the town, spots of historic interest, (such as the Redoubt, Military Cemetery, interior of Gate Pah Church), and numerous pretty bits of scenery in the neighbourhood, (such as the Wairoa River near the bridge, bush scenery at Oropi, etc). The cover of the book is to be of inlaid New Zealand woods, silver mounted …” [x]

It was eventually presented to the Princess by Lady Ranfurly in Auckland in June,[xi] and Mrs Maxwell received an acknowledgement of the gift by telegram.[xii] Enquiries have been made with the Royal Collection, but further details of the contents of this album and its present location are unknown (F. Kean, pers comm).

Tauranga: The Capital of the Bay of Plenty, by G. Arnold Ward. Illustrated from photographs by Mrs Humphreys, The Weekly Press, Vol 58 Issue 11091 (Supplement), 9 October 1901
Image from microfilm courtesy of Christchurch City Libraries

On 9 October 1901 the Weekly Press of Christchurch published “a special Tauranga supplement, containing nearly forty views in and around the town, taken by Mary Humphreys, and a short descriptive article by Mr G. Arnold Ward.” These photographs included “general views of the town, the harbour, the Mount, Wairoa river … the various churches, Government buildings, wharves, Halfway house, Gate Pa Monument … [Te Puke’s] pretty little church [and] one of the Te Puke division of the T.M.R. on parade.” [xiii],[xiv]

1.     1.    The Strand, looking north
2.       Early morning, Tauranga harbour
3.       Looking up Wharf street, from the wharf
4.       The Strand, looking south
5.       Panorama of Tauranga from the Redoubt
6.       Boys’ School
7.       Girls’ School
8.       Ruahihi Rapids (see 99-337 and 03-245)
9.       Half-way House between Rotorua and Tauranga (see 99-348)
10.   Monuments [Mission Cemetery]
11.   English Church (see 99-360)
12.   Wairoa Bridge (see 99-339 and 02-046)
13.   Unloading firewood on the beach
14.   Mauao and the Old Sulphur Works
15.   Maori Women on the Strand
16.   Armstrong gun in the Redoubt
17.   Ammunition limbers and cannon in the Redoubt
18.   Wesleyan Church
19.   Wairoa River (see 99-338)
20.   Old Mission Church (see 99-358)
21.   Soldiers’ and sailors’ graves
22.   Roman Catholic Church
23.   Presbyterian Church (see 99-359)
24.   Te Puke Church
25.   Gate Pa monument (see 99-346)
26.   Maoris on the Strand
27.   Maoris returning home
28.   Post Office (see 99-340)
29.   The Mount
30.   Te Puke Mounted Rifles on Parade

A number of these views are immediately recognisable as having been published later by Mary Humphreys as postcards, such as the views of the Ruahihi rapids (Wairoa rapids), English church and Wairoa bridge. Others have survived as previously unattributed prints in the Tauranga Library collection, such as images of the Holy Trinity Church, Mission Church (Elms Chapel), old Post Office and Halfway House, Ngawaro  – which featured in my October article about Halfway House as a possible attribution to her, now gratifyingly confirmed. I have provided links to where those images may be seen.

Mrs E.B. Maxwell and the Mission Church, bef Oct 1901
Photographed by Mary Humphreys
Collection of Tauranga City Library, Pae Korokī Ref. Album Box 1 (99-358)

A PDF version of the full Weekly News supplement, supplied by kind courtesy of the Christchurch Library, is downloadable here. The images reproduced are unfortunately poor quality, understandably having been scanned from a microfilm, so if readers can identify any further versions of them existing in private or institutional collections, I would be keen to hear from you (Email).

Mary Humphreys had undertaken three large photographic projects in 1901, resulting in the publishing of several collections in the newspapers, and significant publicity around the album of views presented during the Royal Visit. Tauranga’s other photographer Thomas E. Price closed his studio and moved to Auckland where he had purchased the Newton branch of J.W. Hemus’ Sarony Studio in September 1901.[xv] Price did return for brief visits in April and October 1902, and then more permanently in 1903, when he appears to have reopened the studio, and it was still operating as late as February 1906.[xvi] However, the absence of a significant number of extant portraits by Humphreys suggests she did not see herself in the role of a studio photographer. She had by this time built up a substantial catalogue of views, and continued to avail herself of opportunities as they presented themselves, as we shall see in Part3.

References

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[i] “Shipping Departures. March 6. SS Waiotahi,” Bay of Plenty Times, March 6, 1901, Volume 29 Issue 1120 edition.

[ii] W.M. Commons, “Excursion to Opotiki Show, Races, White Island. Advertisement,” Bay of Plenty Times, March 1, 1901, Volume 29 Issue 4118 edition.

[iii] “Untitled [Excursionists on the SS Waiotahi],” Bay of Plenty Times, March 6, 1901, Volume 29 Issue 1120 edition.

[iv] “Opotiki Summer Race Meeting,” New Zealand Graphic, March 23, 1901, Volume 26 Issue 12 edition.

[v] “Opotiki Agricultural and Pastoral Show,” New Zealand Graphic, March 23, 1901, Volume 26 Issue 12 edition.

[vi] “A Burning Island - A Trip to White Island, Bay of Plenty,” New Zealand Graphic, March 23, 1901, Volume 26 Issue 12 edition.

[vii] “Untitled. [NZ Graphic Article, A Burning Island],” Auckland Star, March 19, 1901, Volume 32 Issue 66 edition.

[viii] Robert Thomson Goulding and Margaret (nee Wallis) Goulding, An interview with Mr and Mrs R.T. Goulding, interview by Mrs van Ooorde, December 11, 1975, Tauranga City Libraries Archive, https://paekoroki.tauranga.govt.nz/nodes/view/19542.

[ix] “Untitled. [Souvenir for Duchess of York],” Bay of Plenty Times, April 5, 1901, Volume 29 Issue 4132 edition.

[x] “Tauranga’s Present to the Duchess of Cornwall,” Bay of Plenty Times, May 29, 1901, Volume 29 Issue 4154 edition.

[xi] “Tauranga’s Present to the Duchess of York,” Bay of Plenty Times, June 24, 1901, Volume 29 Issue 4164 edition.

[xii] “Tauranga Ladies’ Gift to the Duchess of York,” New Zealand Graphic, July 20, 1901, Volume 27 Issue 3 edition.

[xiii] “Untitled. [Photographs by Mary Humphreys Published in Christchurch Press],” Bay of Plenty Times, October 9, 1901, Volume XXIX Issue 4210 edition.

[xiv] Gerald Arnold Ward, “Tauranga: The Capital of the Bay of Plenty,” The Weekly Press, October 9, 1901, Volume 58 Issue 11091 (Supplement) edition, Christchurch City Libraries.

[xv] Thomas Edward Price, “T.E. Price, of the Sarony Studio, Newton, Auckland. Advertisement,” Bay of Plenty Times, September 2, 1901, Volume XXIX Issue 4194 edition.

[xvi] “Borough Council [Meeting],” Bay of Plenty Times, February 7, 1906, Volume 31 Issue 4859 edition.