_Development: 1851-1870_
The advent of the second decade of Auckland's history finds the town
passing from the cradle stage to one of more independence. Until the
year 1851 Auckland had been variously described as "the town," "the
seat of government," or "the capital." In other words, it had been
fostered by the Government. Now, by a Proclamation of the Governor,
Sir George Grey, it was elevated to the position of a borough, with a
corporation--the first to be created in New Zealand--to which was given
the powers of self-government on all matters of local interest. The
elections were held on November 18th, and resulted in the return of
the following gentlemen:--Messrs. Edwin Davy, Archibald Clark, Patrick
Dignan, F. W. Merriman, A. B. Abraham, James O'Neill, S. Norman, T. M.
Haultain, J. A. Hickson, A. Macdonald, Joseph Newman, William Powditch,
William I. Taylor, and W. Mason. On November 25th the councillors
were sworn in, the event taking place at the Court House, Auckland,
before the Chief Justice (Sir William Martin), and in the presence of
Lieutenant-Governor Wynyard and the naval, military and civil officers
of the Government, as well as the officers of the 58th Regiment, the
clergy, a numerous assemblage of ladies and a great concourse of
burgesses, the day being observed as a special public holiday in honour
of the occasion. To the accompaniment of a flourish of bugles the names
of the gentlemen chosen to be first Mayor and aldermen of Auckland were
announced as follows:--Mayor, Mr. Clark; aldermen, Messrs. Dignan,
O'Neill, Powditch and Mason. Thereafter the Charter of Incorporation
was read, and the Lieutenant-Governor delivered an address, in which
he stated to the councillors that "it cannot fail to be a matter of
gratifying personal distinction to yourselves to be selected from
upwards of fourteen hundred burgesses to fill the office and discharge
the duties of the first Council of the first Corporation established
in this country, under the immediate sanction of the Royal authority."
The ceremony ended with the guard of honour presenting arms, while the
band played the National Anthem, and a salute of twelve guns from the
battery at Fort Britomart was fired. The first meeting of the Council
took place a week later in the Legislative Council Chamber, which had
been placed at the disposal of the Corporation by the Government.
The Borough Council did not last long, owing to the disallowance
in England of the "Land Fund Appropriation Act," upon which the
Corporation depended chiefly for its revenue, and on the passing of the
Constitution Act of 1852, its existence terminated. Despite its short
life, it is worthy of record as an historic fact.
Auckland's municipal history during the remainder of this period is
not of much interest. In 1854 "An Act to Provide for the Municipal
Government of the City of Auckland" was passed by the Provincial
Council. This Act was repealed in 1856, and the powers contained
therein transferred to the Superintendent of the Province. The next
attempt to develop local government was made in 1862, when the "Town
Boards Act" was passed by the Provincial Council; it was repealed the
next year, and was superseded by the "City Board Act, 1863." Finally,
"The Municipal Corporations Act, 1867," was passed, and under this
Act the city was constituted by Proclamation on April 24th, 1871. It
has continued to be governed by that Act and its amendments up to the
present time.
[Illustration: MAYORS OF THE CITY OF AUCKLAND.
FIRST ROW:--Arch. Clark (1851-52); P. A. Philips (1872-74); H. H.
Isaacs (1874); F. L. Prime (1874-75); B. Tonks (1875-76).
SECOND ROW:--W. J. Hurst (1876-77); H. Brett (1877-78); T. Peacock
(1878-80); J. M. Clark (1880-83); W. R. Waddel (1883-86).
THIRD ROW:--A. E. T. Devore (1886-89); J. H. Upton (1889-91); J. H.
Gunson, C.M.G., C.B.E. (1915--); W. Crowther (1891-93); J. J. Holland
(1893-96).
FOURTH ROW:--A. Boardman (1896-97); P. Dignan (1897-98); D. Goldie
(1898-1901); Sir J. Logan Campbell (1901); Alf. Kidd (1901-03).
FIFTH ROW:--Hon. (afterwards Sir) E. Mitchelson (1903-05); Hon. A. M.
Myers (1905-09); C. D. Grey (1909-10); L. J. Bagnall (1910-11); Hon. C.
J. Parr (1911-15).]
The boundaries of the Borough of Auckland, as originally proclaimed,
were wider than they are now, and stretched across the Isthmus from the
Waitemata to the Manukau, and from the Whau Creek to the Tamaki, an
area of about 58,000 acres. The population of the borough was between
seven and eight thousand persons. W. Swainson[19] gives an interesting
account of the state of the city at this time. "The principal streets
are Princes Street, Shortland Crescent, Queen Street and Wakefield
Street. The first is a broad, straight, spacious, well-made street
on a gentle slope; St. Paul's Church, the Treasury and the Bank, and
the Masonic Hotel, are its principal buildings. Shortland Crescent,
which connects Princes Street with Queen Street, is built on a rather
steep ascent. It is less broad than Princes Street, but much longer. On
one side [the right hand side going up from Queen Street] it is almost
wholly built upon; shops and stores are here to be found of every
description and of various forms and style ... with few exceptions,
all are of wood. The roadway of the street is an even macadamised
surface, but no attempt has yet been made to form footpaths on a
general level. Some of the shops would not disgrace a small provincial
town in England; though, taken altogether as a street, Shortland Street
is irregular and unfinished. Queen Street is the least built upon;
but in other respects, it is the best and most considerable street
in Auckland. It is about half a mile long, nearly level, and almost
straight, and terminates at its northern extremity at a pier or quay
which runs into the harbour, and alongside of which small craft can
land their cargoes. At its southern extremity it is overlooked by the
Wesleyan Seminary [now the People's Palace] ... a spacious brick-built
and substantial structure. The gaol[20] is badly situated, and is by no
means a conspicuous building; but by a diligent search it may be found
on the west side of Queen Street [at the corner of Victoria Street],
partly screened from view by the Court House and Police Office,
which abut immediately upon the street. Several shops of superior
description, two and three storeys high, have recently been erected,
and Queen Street, besides being the longest, is certainly just now one
of the most improving streets in Auckland. Wakefield Street ascends
from its southern extremity until it joins Cemetery Road, and is the
newest and most increasing street in the town. Many of the houses are
built of brick, and it already bears a considerable resemblance to a
new street in the outskirts of a modern English town." The same writer
continues (p. 31):--"The most considerable public buildings are the
Britomart and Albert Barracks, having together accommodation for
nearly 1000 men. The former are built on the extremity of the headland
dividing Official from Commercial Bay, and form a conspicuous but by no
means an ornamental feature. The buildings are solid and substantial,
mostly of scoria--a dark, grey, sombre-coloured stone--square,
heavy-looking and unsightly. The Albert Barracks,[21] the larger of
the two, are built upon the same ridge, but about a quarter of a mile
inland. The Stores, Hospital, Magazine and Commissariat Offices are
built of scoria. The rest of the buildings are of wood, plain in style,
and of a sombre colour. The various buildings, together with the parade
ground, occupy several acres,[22] the whole of which is surrounded by
a strong scoria wall, about ten or twelve feet high, loop-holed and
with flanking angles ... the site, in a military point of view, is not
happily chosen."
From the same informative book (p. 64 _et seq._) we obtain an
interesting description of the social life of the town, in which,
of course, the military element predominated. The author found that
Auckland resembled an English watering-place. The houses were small
and inconvenient, and many of the people felt that they were only
temporary residents. The military part, with their families, were
always on the move. There was little formality, little extravagance,
and no ostentation; intercourse was freer; originality more obvious
than in English towns; gossip more pronounced, but less harmful than in
the Old Country; political animosities and religious bickerings were
practically non-existent; and, except that the dress of the people was
somewhat behind the fashion, one could not believe that the English
watering-place was so very far away. As to amusements--"Once a week,
during the summer, a regimental band plays for a couple of hours on
the well-kept lawn in the Government grounds; and with the lovers of
music and those who are fond of 'seeing and being seen,' 'the band' is
a favourite lounge. Three or four balls in the course of the year,
a concert or two, an occasional picnic or water party, a visit to the
goldfield or to the Island of Kawau, a trip to the Waikato or the lakes
of Rotorua, are among the few amusements which aid in beguiling the
lives of the Auckland fashionable circle; while dissipation in the
milder form of temperance and tea-meetings, school feasts, stitcheries
and lectures suffices for the greater portion of the Auckland
community. To sportsmen the place offers few attractions; the annual
race meeting is the great event of the year. Of hunting there is none;
and wild ducks, pigeons and curlew afford but indifferent sport for the
gun. Riding, boating, cricket and bush excursions are the favourite
outdoor amusements. Once in the year nearly the whole of the ball-going
portion of the community are brought together at a ball given by the
Queen's representative on the anniversary of Her Majesty's birthday."
[Illustration: Sir George Grey, K.C.B. (1812-1898)
Governor of New Zealand, 1845-53 and 1861-67. Superintendent of
Auckland, 1875. Premier of New Zealand, 1877-79.]
The cost of living is also dealt with. "Almost everything necessary
to comfort and convenience may now be procured in Auckland. Although
cheaper than Wellington, Auckland is by no means a cheap place of
residence; certainly not more so than an English town of the same size.
House rent and servants' wages are at least double what they are in
England; but there are no taxes, rates or dues of any kind. Clothing of
all kinds is also, of course, dearer in New Zealand than in England.
Wine, spirits and groceries are, for the most part, cheaper. Bread
and butcher meat are about the same. The fish caught near Auckland,
although of but moderate quality, is plentiful and cheap. Vegetables
are also abundant; during the summer of 1852 there were brought into
market by the natives, in canoes alone, upwards of 1100 kits of onions
(about twenty tons), upwards of 4000 kits of potatoes (more than one
hundred tons), besides corn, cabbages and kumeras. Peaches grown by the
natives and sufficiently good for culinary purposes are very abundant
and cheap; during the present summer upwards of 1200 kits were brought
into Auckland by canoes alone. Those who cultivate a garden are well
supplied with peaches, strawberries, apples, figs, and melons; while
plums, pears, gooseberries and cherries are by no means uncommon,
although less abundant than the former."
The economic conditions existing in Auckland at the beginning of
the 'fifties is stated and reflected in a most succinct form in
a [23]Memorial sent to the Governor (Sir George Grey) by members of
the Provincial Council of Auckland, setting forth the reasons why
they consider it a matter of justice to Auckland that meetings of the
General Legislature of New Zealand should for the present be held here.
The memorandum is couched in the following terms:--
"That of the population of these islands, native and European,
estimated to amount to 130,000, about 80,000, or three-fifths
of the whole, reside within the limits of the newly-constituted
Province of Auckland; and that of the European population of the
Colony upwards of one-third of the whole number are settled within
a radius of ten miles of the City of Auckland.
"That since the foundation of the Colony, nearly the whole of the
proceeds of the land sales paid into the Colonial Treasury have
arisen from the sale of lands within the Province of Auckland,
the proceeds of land sales in other provinces having been paid
to absentee companies, and expended by them independently of any
control or audit on the part of the Colony.
"That during the last twelve months upwards of £19,000 have
been realised by the sale of Crown lands in Auckland and its
neighbourhood alone.
"That the shipping frequenting the ports of the Province of
Auckland exceeds the aggregate amount of the shipping of the other
five provinces into which New Zealand is divided; and, without
taking into consideration the shipping resorting to the Bay of
Islands, Mongonui, Hokianga, and the other harbours of the northern
province, upwards of 740 vessels, foreign and coastwise, entered
the single port of Auckland in the course of the past year.
"That of the shipping belonging to the various ports of New
Zealand, upwards of 100 vessels are registered as belonging to the
port of Auckland alone, besides an equal number of licensed smaller
vessels under fifteen tons.
"That exports of the value of upwards of £78,000 were shipped from
the port of Auckland alone during the last year ended January, 1852.
"That the revenue arising within this province is nearly equal
to the revenue collected within the whole of the provinces of
Taranaki, Wellington, Nelson, Canterbury and Otago; that of
Auckland for the year ending June 30, 1852, amounting to £35,318,
and of the five other provinces to £37,915.
"That, without reckoning the very extensive native and other
cultivations in various parts of the province, there are, within
fifteen miles of Auckland, upwards of 20,000 acres of land,
substantially fenced, in high cultivation.
"That, in addition to the various other valuable resources of the
province, gold in its natural state of deposit has recently been
discovered over an extensive district within forty miles of the
capital, on and near the shores of a large, safe and commodious
harbour,[24] and in other districts in an opposite direction, even
much nearer to the town.
"That the large native population of the province are rapidly
increasing in wealth, and advancing in the arts and usages of
civilised life; that they are producers of the greater part of the
wheat grown in the province; the owners of a large number of mills,
worked by water power, and of numerous small vessels engaged in the
coasting trade, navigated by themselves, and employed in carrying
native produce.
"That, in short, in shipping, commerce, agriculture, revenue,
population and wealth, the single Government Province of Auckland
nearly equals in all respects, and surpasses in most, the aggregate
of the numerous settlements planted in New Zealand by the New
Zealand Company and the Canterbury Association, both of which
bodies have now altogether ceased their colonising operations, if
not wholly ceased to exist."
In 1851 there occurred an incident, which, ending happily, might
have had serious consequences. The beginning of the affair was the
apprehension of a native named Ngawiki, of the Ngati-Tamatera (Thames)
by the police for the theft of a shirt. An attempt was made by the
chief of the Ngati-Paoa and some others to rescue the criminal, and a
street row ensued, in the course of which a native constable struck
the chief with his staff several blows on the head, and succeeded in
holding the prisoner. The _fracas_ resulted in a native expedition from
Waiheke on April 17th against the town. This force, which consisted
of 250 armed men, was led by a chief named Ngakapa. They landed at
Mechanics Bay, where they danced hakas and used threatening language.
With reinforcements, which they expected, they hoped to number from
600 to 800 men. As the military and naval forces within the capital
did not amount to 400 men, the situation looked serious, and Governor
Sir George Grey at once took steps to ward off the danger. He sent a
message by the Commissioner of Police (Captain Beckham) to the natives,
"informing them that they must either return to their homes within
the space of two hours, or give up their arms, and that in the event
of their non-compliance with these terms measures would be taken to
disarm them at the expiration of the time specified." This ultimatum
proved effective, and the party retired to Okahu (Orakei). There the
war party met with some reinforcements, but the failure of the invading
force, combined with the efforts of the Ngati-Whatua chiefs of Orakei,
who advised the newcomers not to take part in the insurrection,
resulted in the reinforcements deciding not to participate further
in the affair. Instead, they ridiculed the men who had taken part in
the expedition "for having been compelled at low water to drag their
canoes over the extensive mud flats in the vicinity of this town." The
incident ended with an expression of regret by the principal chiefs
of the war party, and the voluntary surrender of their greenstone
meres to the Governor. The preparations for the defence of the town
were made by Lieutenant-Colonel Wynyard, in co-operation with Captain
Oliver, commanding H.M.S. _Fly_. The pensioners in their several
villages placed themselves under arms. Sir George Grey, in a special
despatch, gives "especial credit to Major Kenny, of the first battalion
of pensioners, who arrived in Auckland with a reinforcement of 200
pensioners in a shorter period of time than I believed it possible for
them to have assembled and to have performed a march of about six and a
half miles."
The pensioners mentioned above were a body of time-expired regulars,
who had been brought to New Zealand, the pioneers of the force
having arrived in Auckland on August 5th, 1847, under the command of
Lieutenant-Colonel Bolton, R.E., and Captain Kenny, named in the above
despatch.
[Illustration: Auckland, 1862
Maori War Canoe Race (Annual Regatta) in progress
_F. R. Stack, delt._]
The native constables who took part in this incident did not long
survive the event. It may, in fact, come as a surprise to many that
there ever were native policemen, and it may be interesting to
describe the appearance of these officers of the law. Their attire
was a semi-military, blue uniform, resplendent with buttons, white
facings and side stripes. They carried substantial bludgeons, which, as
shown, they knew how to use, and did not scruple to do so. Two of these
defenders of the peace are depicted in one of Hogan's views (_f._ p.
77).
The discovery of gold at Coromandel, in 1852, was an important event
in the history of Auckland and in the development of the resources
of the province. The gold finds in Victoria gave the impetus to New
Zealand, and prospecting parties began to work. But it was not until
a "Reward Committee" was formed at Auckland, with Mr. Frederick
Whitaker as chairman, that any steps were taken to prove the rumours
that gold was available in New Zealand. In October, 1852, a reward
of £500 was "offered to the first person who should discover and
make known to the 'Reward Committee' 'a valuable gold find' in the
northern district of New Zealand. Within less than a week the reward
was claimed by Mr. Charles Ring, a New Zealand settler, recently
returned from California, who asserted that he had discovered
gold in the neighbourhood of Coromandel Harbour."[25] Mr. Ring's
claim was thereupon investigated, and a sub-committee visited the
locality (Driving Creek). On their return, the committee was able
to announce that the sub-committee's report "is satisfactory, in so
far as the existence of gold is concerned, but that the question of
its being sufficiently abundant to be profitably worked is yet in
abeyance."[26] As native rights were involved in connection with the
land, negotiations had to be entered upon before the gold could be
worked. The Government therefore stepped in, and were successful in
their efforts with the natives, of whom the chief was Taniwha, an old
man, who in his boyhood had met Captain Cook, and on November 30th
an agreement was signed regulating the management of the goldfield.
On 11th December the first sale of gold was held by Messrs. Connell
and Ridings, Auckland, and realised £32 1s. In a short time a 'rush'
to Coromandel took place, and about 3000 miners were at work on the
diggings. Between 1857 and 1860 a slump took place, but a revival was
experienced in 1861. During the Maori war another slack period was
felt, but after hostilities had ceased, work was resumed, and has
continued ever since.
Although Coromandel never produced the gold expected from it, it
opened up a new industry, which has grown to a considerable extent,
and has been the means of attracting population to the province, and
has indirectly affected the growth of Auckland, the chief city of the
province.
1853 stands forth a memorable year in the history of New Zealand; for
on the 17th January Governor Grey proclaimed the Constitution Act of
1852, passed by the Imperial Parliament, by which the Dominion obtained
representative institutions. The Act provided for a General Assembly
for the whole Colony, consisting of a Legislative Council and a House
of Representatives. It also abolished the Provinces of New Ulster and
New Munster, which had been set up under the Charter of 1847, and
replaced them by six new provinces, _viz_, Auckland, New Plymouth,
Wellington, Nelson, Canterbury and Otago. The Councils were elective
and were presided over by a superintendent; they had legislative powers
within certain limits. The Provincial Councils lasted until 1876, when
they were abolished by an Act of the General Assembly.
The first session of the Auckland Provincial Council, under the
superintendence of Lieutenant-Colonel Wynyard, was held on June 30th,
1853, Mr. Thomas Houghton Bartley being appointed Speaker. The maiden
session of the Legislative Council and the House of Representatives
took place simultaneously, on May 24th, 1854, the Queen's Birthday,
in the newly-erected Parliament Building. As befitted the day and the
occasion, the ships in the harbour were decorated. At mid-day a salute
of twenty-one guns was fired at Fort Britomart, and was followed by a
_feu de joie_ delivered by the 58th Regiment in the square of Albert
Barracks. The Speaker of the Upper House was Mr. William Swainson,
and of the Representative chamber, Mr. (_afterwards_ Sir) Charles
Clifford.
[Illustration: New Zealand's First Parliament Building, Erected 1854
The front portion (first gable) was the parliament building. It was
afterwards extended and used by the Auckland University College.]
It is outside the limits of this work to attempt anything like a
parliamentary history, but it may be interesting to remark that the
first Parliament Building erected in New Zealand was situated at the
corner of Eden and Parliament Streets, and that it served Parliament
as a meeting place from the beginning of its career until the removal
of the capital to Wellington. The building continued to be used by
the Provincial Council until the abolition of the provinces, in 1876.
It was afterwards acquired by the Council of the Auckland University
College, by which body it was enlarged, and it served its purpose in
the educational work of the city until 1918, when the buildings were
taken over by the City Council in connection with the proposed new
city outlet from Customs Street. Upon examination, with a view to
re-erecting this historic building on another site, it was found that
the condition was so bad that demolition was the only course. The city
trams now run over the site of New Zealand's first Parliament Building.
Notwithstanding the prosperity which Auckland and the Colony were
experiencing at the opening of the 'sixties, there was serious trouble
threatening with the Maoris. The origin of the dispute, which ended
in warfare, was the land question, some natives refusing to sell land
to the settlers. One result of this dissatisfaction between the Maori
and the pakeha was the conference, which was held at Kohimarama in
July and August, 1860. On the first day of the conference, 112 chiefs
took their seats, and all the principal tribes were represented, with
the exception of the Taranaki tribes, owing to the unsettled state of
that province. Prior to this conference, it had been found necessary
to make arrangements for the defence of Auckland "against any possible
contingency." In a despatch to the Duke of Newcastle, the Governor,
Sir Thomas Gore-Browne, outlined the steps which he had taken with
this object in view. "The town," he states, "is divided into five
districts, each of which is to furnish a company of militia. Those who
have arms of their own will form an inlying picket, and the remainder
will be required to ballot for such arms as the Government is able to
supply. At the present we can furnish sixty stand of arms to each
company.... In addition to the militia, a volunteer force of nearly
400 men, a mounted volunteer troop of about 43 men, 110 [men] of the
65th Regiment and 40 marines will form the garrison of the town.
Blockhouses, or houses rendered musket-proof, will be established round
the town ... and H.M. frigate _Iris_ is now anchored in the harbour.
The outer defences are as follow:--H.M. steam frigate _Niger_, attended
by a gunboat furnished by the local government, is anchored in the
Manukau. Lieutenant-Colonel Kenny ... has been placed in command of
the settlement of Onehunga, and has been directed to protect the Whau
portage and river.... At the portage itself a blockhouse is in course
of erection.... Lieutenant-Colonel Nixon ... has been placed in command
of the pensioner settlement of Otahuhu, Panmure and Howick, and has
been directed to protect the line of the Tamaki from the Waitemata
to the Manukau. A blockhouse is in course of erection on the narrow
neck of land leading to the village of Otahuhu. Five hundred stand of
arms ... have been supplied to this outpost and three hundred to the
outpost on the west...."
The Taranaki campaign, which arose out of the dispute over the Waitara
Block, lasted from March, 1860, to April, 1861. The trouble moved
eastward, the Waikato campaign breaking out in July, 1863, and only
ended with the magnificent defence by the Maoris of Orakau on April 2,
1864. Finally the war was concluded at Tauranga with the engagement at
Te Renga, and on October 25th a proclamation of the Governor officially
closed these wars.
At no time did the scene of hostilities reach the town of Auckland,
but in July, 1863, Mr. Meredith and his son were murdered in barbarous
fashion, and on October 26th of the same year two sons of Mr. Trust
were killed near Howick, about fifteen miles from Auckland.
During the years 1863-64 the entire adult male population of Auckland
was enlisted for compulsory service either in the militia, volunteers
or fire brigade, and had to undergo military training. Some of the
conscripts remained in the barracks both day and night, while others
did duty at the various blockhouses placed on points of vantage
overlooking the district. The blockhouses were situated where the
Auckland Hospital now stands, and at Domain Hill, Parnell, Newmarket,
Karangahape Road, Great North Road, and Freeman's Bay. The coast-line
was also guarded. On July 22nd, 1863, the Auckland First Class Militia
and Volunteers joined the field force, and did duty on the Wairoa
River. In February, 1864, the Second Class of Militia, comprising
business and tradespeople, were ordered on active service, and a
contemporary newspaper feared that, if the enlistments continued, the
shops of the town would have to close and put up notices: "Gone to the
front."
The electric telegraph was introduced into the Auckland Province during
the war of 1863, when a line was erected under great difficulties
between the important military stations at Drury and Queen's Redoubt.
Covering parties were engaged to protect the workers, who were also
armed, in case of emergencies. The first telegraph office erected in
Auckland was a wooden hut, located in the Albert Barracks, just inside
the barracks wall, Symonds Street. This was the terminal of a single
wire which General Cameron had from his office to the Otahuhu Military
Camp near Anne's Bridge. The first operator was Mr. Alex. Brodie, of
the Royal Engineers. About 1866, this office was removed to the Post
Office, Princes Street. By October, 1864, there were 160 miles of
telegraph lines in the province, but communication with Wellington
and the South Island was not established until 1872. Four years later
Australia and Great Britain were brought into telegraphic connection
with New Zealand.
One of the happy results of the war in the Waikato was the discovery
of coal on the banks of the Waikato River, in July, 1863, which
was immediately used on the river-boats engaged in the war. After
hostilities had ceased, the coal fields were exploited, and the
beginning of the successful coal-mining industry at Huntly established.
In March of the following year coal was discovered at Kawakawa, and
from these sources were obtained supplies for the domestic use of
Auckland residents and for the commercial needs of the town and
province.
Another direct result of the war was the inauguration of the railway
system of the North Island, although such a step would have taken place
in due course. The initial movement was made by the Provincial Council
in 1863, when a report was adopted recommending the construction of a
railway between Auckland and Drury, with a branch line to Onehunga.
Tenders were accordingly invited in the following year, the offer
of Messrs. Brogden and Sons, an English firm, being accepted. The
work commenced on 17th February, 1865. Parnell Hill was pierced by a
tunnel on July 31st, 1872, and the Auckland-Onehunga portion of the
line was opened on December 24th, 1873. The Auckland station was then
situated on the harbour at the eastern side of Point Britomart, near
the end of Custom-House Street [now Customs Street]. The growth of the
railway system of the province was slow, and by the end of 1877 only 93
miles had been completed. With the demolition of Point Britomart the
railway station was removed to its present location, being completed
on October 26th, 1885. It would be interesting to trace step by step
the extension of the railway system, as, obviously, it is part of the
history of Auckland, but, in so brief a sketch as this, detail is
impossible. It is worth mentioning, however, that the first Main Trunk
train from Wellington to Auckland arrived on November 6th, 1908, and
that the daily express between here and the capital was inaugurated on
February 14th, 1909.
Travelling overland prior to the introduction of railways, and for many
years after, was conducted by coaches. In the earliest days this means
of locomotion was restricted, but increased with the opening up of the
province and the development of the roads. Thus, in 1867, there was
established a daily service of coaches to Hamilton. The coaches were
of the type known as "Cobb & Co.", an exceedingly picturesque vehicle,
with dickys for the driver and for passengers at the rear. The most
extensive and famous line of coaches were those owned by Messrs. Quick
Bros.
The city and suburban conveyances were at first busses, and, later,
horse-drawn Albert cars. As early as 1864 there was a half-hourly
service of busses to Onehunga.
Early in the 'sixties a regular service of communication was
inaugurated with the North Shore, which has been maintained and
developed until the present time. The first name associated with this
service is Mr. A. Alison, the present manager of the Devonport Steam
Ferry Company, who, in 1861, inaugurated a ferry in open boats, making
two trips a day, which obtained until superseded by a three-trip
service introduced by Messrs. Holmes Bros., who owned the hotel at
Devonport, and subsequently formed a company to run the steamer
_Waitemata_ in 1864. The following year the _Enterprise_ was launched.
This boat, small in size as compared with a modern ferry, was capable
of carrying 200 passengers, and had accommodation in her two saloons
for fifty persons. She did the trip from Auckland to the Shore in
twenty minutes, and kept up a regular service between 7.30 a.m. and
8 p.m. The earlier boat, _Waitemata_, was enlarged by having her bow
and stern cut off and replaced, and was then put into commission as
_Enterprise No. 2_. Soon afterwards she was sold to a Thames company
for work in connection with the gold discovery. Holmes Bros., in turn,
met with opposition from a company styled the Auckland and North Shore
Ferry Company, which built and ran the _Takapuna_ and other boats,
ousting them and acquiring their plant. There were also other rivals,
who did not, however, last long. In 1881, Messrs. Quick and Alison
formed an opposition company, and commenced building the _Victoria_.
They also invited tenders for a second vessel, but before the tenders
were received the Auckland and North Shore Company sold out. Messrs.
Alison and Quick did not remain long in partnership, and in the same
year the Devonport Steam Ferry Company was formed, and has carried on
the ferry services ever since, which now include practically all parts
of the harbour.
The effects of the war were felt in Auckland in various ways. At first
there was confusion and consternation among the inhabitants, which
feelings were allayed by the arrival of troops and the passing of the
danger of invasion. Notwithstanding the business and commerce of the
city continued to increase. At the conclusion of the war a reaction
set in, and distress through unemployment became acute, especially
among newly-arrived immigrants. The population of the city at the
census taken in December, 1861, was 7989 persons, and three years
later had grown to 12,423, a very large increase in so short a time.
The rush to the Otago goldfields, however, began to draw numbers of
the population south, and the removal of the seat of Government, in
1865, was responsible for the loss of the Government officers and civil
servants. During the two following years, 1866 and 1867, most of the
Imperial regiments which had taken part in the Maori wars returned to
England, taking with them their wives and families, further reducing
the population. The last of the troops to leave Auckland was the 18th
(Royal Irish) Regiment, which departed at the beginning of 1870. The
survivors of this regiment hold a reunion annually in Auckland on
July 4th, the anniversary of their arrival in New Zealand. By 1867
the inhabitants had decreased to 11,153. Auckland was passing through
a bad period, while its rival on the Cook Straits, and Dunedin and
Christchurch were progressing rapidly.
The record of the banks which opened business in this period shows
clearly the progress which the city was making. In 1861 two new banks
began operations. The Bank of New South Wales was opened in Shortland
Street on 11th June, and continued to carry on the business of the
branch of the Oriental Bank Corporation, which had been established in
the city some years previously. On February 21st, 1884, the building in
Queen Street was opened, where the business is still carried on. The
architects were Messrs. Armson, Collins and Lloyd, of Christchurch, and
the contractor Mr. Philcox, of Auckland. The building cost £11,500.
The Bank of New Zealand, an entirely local concern, commenced business
on 16th October. A contemporary newspaper emphasised this aspect, and
stated that the business was being conducted "with colonial capital,
with colonial shareholders ... and with colonial customers in every
city and province of New Zealand vitally interested in its success."
The initial capital was £500,000. Mr. A. Kennedy, formerly manager of
the New Zealand Banking Company and of the Union Bank of Australia, was
its first manager. The original premises were in Queen Street, near
Durham Street East, formerly occupied by T. S. Forsaith. The building
now used was opened towards the end of 1867, and ranks as one of the
finest examples of architecture in the city. The architect was Mr.
Leonard Terry, of Melbourne, and the builder was Mr. R. Dickson. Mr.
Richard Keals was supervising architect. The first twenty-five years
of the bank's history were years of prosperity. A strained situation
was revealed in 1887, and for the next seven years the bank underwent a
series of reverses, ending in the loss of the whole of the capital and
reserves and one-third of the reserve liability. In 1894 the Government
came to the rescue of the bank, and since then its progress has been
well maintained, and it now occupies an assured position. The head
office is now in Wellington; there is, of course, a London office, and,
in addition to branches everywhere in New Zealand, there are offices
in Australia, Fiji and Samoa. Three years later, 1864, two other banks
made their advent. One of them, the Bank of Auckland, was another local
undertaking, which did not meet with the success that the Bank of New
Zealand was to experience. It was opened for business in the premises
formerly occupied by the Union Bank in Shortland Street, but collapsed
at the end of March, 1867. The other was an Australian company, the
Bank of Australasia, which opened its head branch in New Zealand here,
occupying premises in Shortland Street adjoining the Post Office. Later
it removed to Queen Street, where it still carries on business.
Another indication of the growing business prosperity of Auckland was
shown in the establishment of the New Zealand Fire and Marine Insurance
Company, which came into existence on May 26th, 1859, as the result of
the enterprise of some of Auckland's leading business men. The original
capital was £100,000, which was guaranteed by the first shareholders,
in sums of from £2000 to £5000. To detail the history of this concern,
which has grown to world-wide dimensions, would necessitate more space
than could be afforded; but it is worth relating that its first office
was located at the corner of Shortland and Queen Streets in premises
known as Fraser's Buildings. From 1871 till 1915 the business of the
company was carried on in a two-storeyed building, over which was
erected a clock tower, which became quite a feature of Queen Street.
In the latter year this building was demolished, and upon its site
was erected the present handsome edifice of seven storeys. Mr. W. H.
Gummer, A.R.I.B.A., was the architect, and Messrs. Grevatt and Sons the
contractors. The building cost £110,000.
The shipbuilding industry of Auckland appears to have commenced
somewhere in the late 'forties, but the records of this interesting
subject are either negligible or non-existent. Amongst the earliest
boatbuilders mention must be made of Messrs. Henry Niccol, Holmes
Bros., Alex. Duthie, Wm. J. Brown, Captain McCoy, and Mr. Stone, whose
yards seem to have been kept busy. To the latter belongs the credit
of building the first steamboat in New Zealand, which was launched
at Freeman's Bay on December 24th, 1851. She was named (contrary to
her sex) _Governor Wynyard_. Her dimensions were as follows: Length
over all, 60 feet; beam, 13 feet 6 inches; depth of hold, 6 feet;
burthen, 43 tons; draught of water with engines and fuel, 2 feet 6
inches. She was propelled by two steeple engines of 4 horse-power
each. The designers were Messrs. Stone and Gardiner, the engine being
constructed by Mr. Bourne. The steamer made her first trip to Panmure
on January 19th, 1852, in very trying weather, and acquitted herself
satisfactorily to all concerned. She developed a speed of eight knots.
From a commercial point of view the boat was not a success, and was
sold later in that year to a Melbourne firm. On the Yarra she proved a
great "moneymaker," as she earned as much as £80 in a day.
[Illustration: Auckland, 1876
Showing Fort Britomart in course of demolition
_W. C. Wilson, delt._]
At what date Mr. Niccol commenced his business the writer has not
been able to find out, but he was engaged on shipbuilding in the
'fifties, during which period he built a vessel named the _Moa_. He
also constructed a number of vessels for Australian owners and for the
proprietors of the Circular Saw Line. One of the boats belonging to
the latter, of which we have knowledge, was the barque _Novelty_, which
was launched from Mr. Niccol's yard, Mechanics Bay, on 11th October,
1862. She was the largest vessel built in Auckland up to that time--a
record which still holds in local shipbuilding, as far as the writer's
knowledge obtains. Her dimensions were: Length over all, 147 feet;
beam, 27 feet 6 inches; depth of hold, 14 feet 9 inches; registered
tonnage, 376 tons. The christening of the vessel was performed by Miss
Macfarlane, daughter of one of the owners, in traditional fashion, and
the event, as befitted its importance, was celebrated by a banquet. The
_Novelty_ was a well-designed and faithfully-built vessel, and did good
service for her owners. She did the voyage from Auckland to Sydney in
five days.
No sketch of Auckland's shipping history would be complete without
some reference, however brief, to the Circular Saw Line, which was
established by Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane, two of Auckland's
pioneers. Mr. Henderson arrived in New Zealand in 1842, and some years
later he was joined by Mr. Macfarlane. About 1846 they established a
timber business at Henderson, and later erected a mill there. Among the
places to which they exported kauri was Mauritius, the vessels which
took the timber returning with cargoes of sugar. It may have been this
enterprise which encouraged them to establish the fleet some time in
the 'fifties. Commencing with the brig _Spenser_, Mr. Henderson made
the first trip to Melbourne. While there he purchased the schooner
_Will o' the Wisp_, and established the inter-colonial trade. The
brigs (of which class of vessel he owned six) and barques (of which no
fewer than fifteen flew the flag of this line) were employed in the
inter-colonial and 'Frisco services. The schooners, numbering fourteen,
did the Island trade. Before the dissolution of the line in 1875, four
steamers were added to the fleet, which were bought from the Panama
Company. These vessels were placed in the New Zealand coastal service,
plying from Onehunga.
In the 'fifties and 'sixties there were a number of cutters and
schooners, owned and manned by Maoris, which traded between Auckland
and various ports on the East Coast, sailing as far south as the Bay of
Plenty. White traders also participated in the coastal trade, amongst
whom was Mr. H. J. Wadham, stevedore, of Auckland, who owned a number
of fine vessels, drawings of which have recently been presented to the
Old Colonists' Museum.
During the first two or three decades of the port's history, most of
the shipping was by sail, and as the movements of these sailers were
erratic, a continuous record is a rather difficult matter. With the
advent of steam in the 'fifties, and its development in the following
years, a more satisfactory account is possible.
Besides the Circular Saw Line we have records of other ships.[27] The
_Wonga Wonga_, a steamer of 67 tons, was owned by a number of Auckland
merchants, who placed the vessel on the Whangarei service in 1857.
After a few months running she was sold to the Wellington Steamship
Company and placed in the Wellington-Nelson service; later, during
the Taranaki war, she was chartered at £60 a day to carry despatches
between Onehunga and Taranaki. Her career ended on 22nd May, 1866, when
she was wrecked off Greymouth. Early in the 'sixties the _Rangatira_
arrived in Auckland, having been built at Home for local owners.
Shortly afterwards the steamers _Corio_ and _Ahuriri_ entered the
Auckland-Napier trade. In 1864 services were opened to Coromandel,
North Auckland, and the Waikato (_via_ Onehunga). Altogether, there
were in 1868 fourteen steamers trading from Auckland. The opening
of the Thames goldfield in 1867 gave an impetus to the trade of the
port, and Mr. S. Hague Smith placed a number of steamers on this run,
including the _Duke of Edinburgh_ (Captain W. Farquhar) and _Royal
Albert_ (Captain Alex. Farquhar), the latter vessel having been built
at Niccol's yard, North Shore, her engines being taken from the _Prince
Alfred_, and her boiler manufactured at Sydney, from plans prepared by
Mr. James Stewart, of Auckland, civil engineer. Other boats engaged on
this service were the _Favourite_, the _Williams_ (218 tons), and the
_Golden Crown_. In 1873 Mr. Smith sold his fleet to the Auckland Steam
Packet Company.
The first regular inter-colonial service between New South Wales and
New Zealand was inaugurated by the _William Denny_ (595 tons), in
1854. She was wrecked at North Cape, March 3rd, 1857. In 1859 the
Inter-Colonial Royal Mail Steamship Company took up the Australian run,
the _Prince Alfred_ (1100 tons) being one of the fleet engaged. This
company maintained the service until 1866, when the Panama, New Zealand
and Australian Line superseded it, absorbing its fleet. The object of
the new company, which held a monopoly of the mails, was to connect
Australia and New Zealand with the continent of Europe, _via_ Panama. A
rearrangement of the inter-colonial service was made, so as to connect
with the trans-Pacific steamers. This arrangement lasted till 1869. The
year following a temporary service between Sydney and San Francisco was
inaugurated, Auckland being the port of call, the following ships being
engaged in it, _viz_, _Rangatira_ and _Balclutha_, which were soon
replaced by the _City of Melbourne_ and _Wonga Wonga_.
The year 1854 also saw the establishment of a regular inter-provincial
steamer service. The _Nelson_ (330 tons, Captain Martin) was the
pioneer vessel, Dunedin and Onehunga being the terminal ports, and New
Plymouth, Nelson, Wellington and Lyttelton ports of call. In 1855 the
_Zingari_ (150 tons, Captain Milltown) replaced the _Nelson_. Other
steamers engaged during this period on the coastal routes were the
_Claud Hamilton_ and the _White Swan_, which was wrecked on June 29th,
1862, a number of public records belonging to the Government being lost.
The Inter-Colonial R.M.S. Company met with opposition in the coastal
service from the New Zealand Steam Navigation Company, which had been
formed upon the liquidation of the Wellington Steamship Company, in
1863, the following steamers being used in the running of the service,
_viz_, _Stormbird_, _Wellington_ and _Queen_.
Another line which traded between Dunedin and Auckland was the
Adelaide, Melbourne and Otago S.N. Company, which placed the
_Alhambra_ (642 tons) and _Aldinga_ (446 tons) on this run.
The wreck of H.M.S. _Orpheus_ on the Manukau Bar on February 7th, 1863,
was the most appalling disaster associated with Auckland's shipping
annals. The _Orpheus_ (Commodore W. F. Burnett) was a corvette of 1706
tons, which had been detailed for service on the New Zealand station.
She sailed from Sydney on January 31st, and reached the Manukau Heads
on 7th February. In attempting to cross the bar the vessel "struck
hard, and orders were given to back astern full speed. The engines
never moved; the ship fell off broadside to the rollers, the sea
knocking away her stern post, port bulwarks and boats, and making a
clean sweep over all." A cutter containing the ship's records, and a
pinnace got safely away. After the pinnace had left the ship, "the
launch was got over the side with forty men to lay out anchors, in the
hope of making grapplings to haul into smooth water. The ebb-tide,
unhappily, swept her under the bows, where she was stove, and nearly
all on board drowned." The pinnace, however, was able to get into
touch with the steamer _Wonga Wonga_, and later with H.M.S. _Harrier_,
and the few survivors from the wreck were picked up by the former
vessel. About 6.30 p.m. the masts went, and the ship parted in halves.
A contemporary account of the disaster states that the officers and men
underwent the terrible ordeal in heroic fashion, and "when the masts
went the crew gave three cheers, as if taking farewell of life." Out
of a ship's company of 256 officers, seamen, boys and marines, only 71
survived. The remains of some of the crew, including the commodore,
which were washed ashore, were interred in Symonds Street cemetery. The
disaster created consternation in the city, and a day of mourning was
observed in memory of those who lost their lives.
Auckland buildings of the 'fifties and 'sixties were, with few
exceptions, constructed of wood, and fires were of constant occurrence.
In those days, fire-fighting appliances were of a most elementary
character, consisting of buckets, and, later, of reels and what would
now be considered very primitive fire engines. There was a volunteer
fire brigade, and water could only be procured from wells or from
the sea. Under such circumstances, it is not surprising that fires
were common events; indeed, had the town been completely wiped out
by fire it would not have been too great a surprise, considering the
conditions. What is remarkable is that no fatalities attended the
outbreaks.
The most serious fire which had occurred up to this time was that which
broke out at two o'clock on the morning of the 7th of July, 1858. It
originated at the Osprey Inn, High Street, and, fanned by a strong
north-easterly gale, the fire soon covered an area bounded by Chancery,
High, Shortland and O'Connell Streets. But for a providential change
in the direction of the wind and the coming of rain, which soaked the
adjacent buildings, the fire might have caused even greater damage.
As it was the conflagration was only arrested in Shortland Street by
the voluntary blowing up of Mr. Keesing's house, thus making a gap in
the direction the fire was taking. Before dawn the flames had consumed
fifty houses, mostly belonging to tradespeople, rendering their plight
deplorable. So rapid was the progress of the fire that the inhabitants
had merely time to save themselves, in many cases clothed only in night
attire. Although the damage was so considerable, the Volunteer Fire
Brigade and the officers and men of the 58th Regiment earned credit for
their expeditious and willing help. The fire-fighters carried out their
work wrapped in blankets, over which water was constantly poured to
save them from the heat of the flames.
The second large fire experienced in Auckland took place in the early
hours of January 17th, 1863. Commencing in the premises occupied by
Messrs. Morrin & Co., at the corner of Queen Street and Durham Street
East, it spread rapidly, and soon stretched to Victoria Street and High
Street. In its course it destroyed the Thistle Hotel, the Greyhound,
Y.M.C.A., the old theatre, and other buildings. It even threatened
the buildings on the opposite sides of Queen and High Streets. The
Volunteer Fire Brigade was assisted by military from the barracks, and
the sailors from the French warship _Bonite_ earned well-deserved
credit for their services and daring deeds. Fortunately, a light wind
was blowing, or the losses, which were serious enough--amounting,
it was estimated, to £60,000--would have been greater. Many of the
sufferers by the fire were succoured and accommodated in the barracks
for a time.
Two years later (January 18th, 1865) another big fire broke out in
Queen Street, in premises occupied by Mr. J. S. Macfarlane, known
as Henderson and Macfarlane's Buildings. Luckily, the outbreak was
confined to the two upper storeys, which were, however, completely
gutted. The fire was both brilliant and spectacular, and attracted
enormous crowds, which had to be kept back from the building by
soldiers with fixed bayonets.
Queen Street was again the scene of a fire which fills the annals of
1866. This conflagration commenced about 10 p.m. on August 28th in
Lower Queen Street, on the western side, almost on the waterfront,
and in less than fifteen minutes from the alarm being given twelve
buildings were in flames. The fire was noticed first in the premises
occupied by Messrs. Malcolm, sail makers, but so swift was its progress
that in the short period mentioned it had obtained a hold of so many
buildings. The flames ignited the buildings on the eastern side of
Queen Street, but this incipient outbreak was rapidly suppressed. The
damage was estimated at £20,000. The newspapers of the time give praise
to the Volunteer Fire Brigade, whose engines and equipment had become
improved.
On 31st March of the same year a gale, accompanied by heavy rains,
which caused floods, did a very great amount of damage, estimated also
at £20,000. It was the severest gale which the town of Auckland had
experienced. Nine vessels and a coal hulk were sunk in the harbour, and
many others were severely damaged, or caused injury to the wharves.
The heavy seas which broke on the waterfront destroyed property,
particularly at Mr. Stone's shipbuilding yard at the Strand. The town
suffered from the rain, which, gaining entrance to stores and cellars,
damaged merchandise and stores.
On April 15th, 1865, lighting by gas was introduced into Auckland.
It was an event of great importance to the citizens of the time. The
_New Zealand Herald_ describes how the innovation was received:--"A
large proportion of the city population had assembled in the streets
to welcome the advent of the 'New Light,' and the _début_ of the
much-longed-for novelty may be considered to have been quite as
_brilliant_ as that of any star that has appeared among us for a long
time. In fact, Queen Street was thronged until an advanced hour of
the evening with moving crowds of gazers, who seemed never to weary
of staring at the unwonted spectacle presented to them, while there
were occasional 'rushes' into some of the other streets, as the
report spread of some particularly effective illumination or of some
establishment whose meter had come to grief, and left it in sudden and
ignoble obscurity."
Previous to the introduction of gas for lighting, oil and candles had
been used. In the Old Colonists' Museum there may be seen an apparatus
for making candles. Every household had one of these.
The first Royal visit to Auckland took place in 1869, when Prince
Alfred, the second son of Queen Victoria, better known as the Duke
of Edinburgh, arrived in the Waitemata, on May 8th, on board H.M.S.
_Galatea_. He was even more popularly known as the Sailor Prince. The
_Galatea_ was the largest ship which had visited the harbour, her
tonnage being 3227 tons. She employed both sail and steam. The visit
naturally created excitement amongst the population of the city and
district. As became the occasion, the city was beflagged and decorated
with bunting, greenery, triumphal arches, and with illuminations
known as transparencies. The harbour, too, presented a picturesque
appearance. The fleet in port numbered 92 vessels, totalling 9252 tons,
exclusive of H.M.Ss. _Challenger_, _Galatea_ and _Virago_, and small
sailing craft. All were gaily decorated.
On Monday, the 10th, the official landing took place. Military
detachments, both regulars and volunteers, were present from various
parts of the province and from the city. Conspicuous among the people
congregated on the wharf were a large number of Maoris from the West
Coast, who had assisted the Imperial troops in the recent wars. The
18th (Royal Irish) Regiment, with its band, formed the guard of honour.
Owing to a disturbing wind, a marine demonstration which had been
projected was abandoned. The weather, however, did not deter the
Maoris, in native costume, from embarking in their canoes and welcoming
the Duke in traditional fashion.
A Royal salute of twenty-one guns announced the departure of His Royal
Highness from the _Galatea_, and in a short time he reached the wharf,
where he was welcomed to Auckland by the Governor, Sir George Ferguson
Bowen, who was attended by the naval and military officers, members of
Parliament, officials, the clergy, citizens, and natives. An address of
welcome was read by Mr. John Williamson, Superintendent, on behalf of
the Province of Auckland, which was followed by an address of welcome
by the Chief Paul on behalf of the natives. As the Duke walked along
the wharf, a contingent of between 500 and 600 Maoris danced a haka in
honour of the Royal visitor.
At Custom-House Street the City Commissioners presented, through
their chairman, an address of welcome on behalf of the citizens. The
formalities having been thus observed, a procession was formed, and the
distinguished visitor drove through streets gaily decorated, to receive
a popular welcome. At Government House, where the cavalcade came to its
destination, members of friendly societies and other organisations were
drawn up to welcome the Prince. Here, also, some 1500 school children
sang the National Anthem. Later in the day a _levée_ was held.
Only one incident occurred to mar the rejoicings. During the firing
of the salute on the _Galatea_ a sailor was blown overboard.
Sub-lieutenant O'Connor jumped into the water and rescued the
unfortunate man, who was found to have had his right arm so injured
as to necessitate amputation. His left hand was entirely blown away,
except one finger.
The Duke remained in Auckland until June 1st, delaying his departure
in the hope of being able to assist in settling the native trouble.
However, he had to leave without any result accruing from his
well-intentioned purpose. He was _fêted_ in the usual way, but the most
important public function with which his name is connected was the
opening of the Auckland Grammar School.[28]
[Illustration: Auckland in 1884
View taken from Hobson and Wellesley Streets]
The Auckland Grammar School, which was a most unpretentious affair, was
opened by the Duke of Edinburgh on May 17th, 1869. The building, which
was situated in Howe Street, off Karangahape Road, had been used as
an Emigrants' Home. The staff consisted of the Head Master, the Rev.
Robert Kidd, B.A., LL.D., and five other masters. On May 1st, 1871
the school was transferred to the Albert Barracks, into the building
subsequently used as Police Barracks. At this transfer Mr. Farquhar
Macrae became Head Master, with Dr. Kidd as Classical Master, the total
staff being increased to nine. Here the school remained till June,
1878. On July 8th of this year the school was removed to the District
Court, Eden Street, now demolished, but the building proved inadequate,
and extra accommodation had to be found in an old Maori Chapel in
Parliament Street, and in St. Andrew's School, Symonds Street. During
Sir George Grey's premiership a grant of £5000 was made for erecting
a new building, which was supplemented by £3000 from Grammar School
funds. With these combined sums the Symonds Street building was
erected in 1879, and was opened by Sir George Grey on 5th February,
1880. In 1882 Mr. C. F. Bourne succeeded Mr. Macrae as Head Master,
which position he held until 1892. The following year the present Head
Master of the school, Mr. James William Tibbs, M.A., was appointed.
In 1888 the Girls' College, founded by Mr. Neil Heath, and carried on
by him for some years in the old Wesley College, Queen Street, was
united to the Grammar School, and the girls were transferred to the
Symonds Street building. Here the girls remained under Mr. Tibbs until
1906, when the Board of Governors decided to place them under a Head
Mistress, and to erect a building for their sole use. Miss Whitelaw
was appointed to the position, and on April 8th, 1909, the new school
in Howe Street, known as the Girls' Grammar School, was opened by the
Hon. George Fowlds, Minister of Education. Miss Whitelaw retired from
the Head Mistressship in 1910, and was succeeded by Miss Butler in the
following year. Miss Butler held the position until 1920. Miss Picken
is the present Head Mistress. The increase in the number of students
attending the school was so large that another school was opened at
Epsom in 1917. Miss Morrison is in charge of this school.
The Boys' Grammar School also continued to increase, and about 1910
steps were taken to obtain a larger site and a modern building. In 1915
the Government granted a site occupying 15 acres in Mountain Road, on
which the present building was erected. It was officially opened on
26th April, 1916, by the Governor, the Earl of Liverpool. In addition
to class rooms, etc., designed to accommodate about 800 boys, it has
ample playing grounds. Messrs. Arnold and Abbott were the architects,
and Mr. W. E. Hutchison the contractor for the building, which cost
£31,450 to erect. Although only five years have elapsed since the
opening of the new school, the accommodation is inadequate for the
number of boys desiring secondary education, and a new school is under
construction at Mount Albert to meet the demand.
Another institution of an educational character began its career in
this period. This was the Auckland Museum, which was opened on October
24th, 1852, in a small four-roomed cottage in Grafton Road. Dr.
Andrew Sinclair was the moving spirit in the young museum, and upon
his death its activity languished. In 1859 Dr. Hochstetter renovated
the collection, but it again fell into neglect. Captain F. W. Hutton
resuscitated the museum, and under his supervision it was removed, in
1867, to the Provincial Government Offices (where the Northern Club
now stands). The following year it was amalgamated with the Auckland
Institute, which had been established in 1867. Through the influence
of Mr. Justice Gillies a site at the corner of Princes Street and Eden
Crescent, with the buildings which had been used as a Post Office, was
secured, and to these inadequate premises the collection was removed.
In 1876 the present building was opened. The increase of the collection
has rendered this building unequal to the development of the museum,
and a new building, which will combine the purpose of a War Memorial
and Museum, is to be erected in the Domain.
Church development was a feature of this period. St. Matthew's Church
was constituted a parish in 1853, the school which stood on the site of
the present church being used for the purpose. Later a wooden building
was erected, which was superseded in 1905, when the new church was
opened on March 7th of that year. This building, which occupies one
of the most commanding positions in the city, was designed by Mr. F.
L. Pearson, F.R.I.B.A., and cost £27,000 to erect. The foundation
stone was laid on the 23rd of April, 1902, with full Masonic honours.
Messrs. Malcolm and Ferguson were the contractors, and Mr. E. Bartley
supervising architect. The stone used in the construction came from the
Oamaru and Mount Somers quarries. The principal dimensions are: length,
151 feet; width (transept), 100 feet; height from floor to ceiling, 70
feet; height of tower, 147 feet.
St. Mary's pro-Cathedral, Parnell, was dedicated by Bishop Selwyn
on October 14th, 1860, Archdeacon G. S. Kissling being the first
incumbent. The foundation stone of the present building was laid by the
Primate (Bishop Harper) on February 6th, 1886. The building was not
completed until 1898, when it was dedicated by Bishop Cowie, Archdeacon
Macmurray being the vicar. The church was designed by Mr. B. W.
Mountfoot, and was built by Mr. R. R. Ross.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre was established in 1865 in a temporary
building on land adjoining the Auckland cemetery. In 1881 the present
building in Khyber Pass Road was opened, on 29th June, by Bishop Cowie.
It cost over £5000. Messrs. Mahoney and Sons were the architects, and
Mr. James the contractor.
All Saints, Ponsonby, was opened on December 21st, 1866, by Bishop
Selwyn, who was responsible for the services for some time afterwards.
The building has been enlarged since the original structure was erected.
After the erection of St. Patrick's Cathedral, no additions to the
Roman Catholic churches were made until 1866, when Bishop Pompallier
built the Church of S. Francis de Sales in the cemetery, near the
corner of Symonds and East Streets. This old church was replaced by St.
Benedinct's Church, which was opened on July 23, 1882, Dr. Redwood,
Bishop of Wellington, officiating at the consecration. The building,
which was constructed of kauri, was built by Mr. T. Colebrook, from
the plans of Messrs. Mahoney and Sons, and cost over £6000. It was
destroyed by fire on 18th December, 1886. In a little over a year the
present brick church was completed, and was opened by Bishop Luck, in
the presence of Dr. Redwood, on 22nd April, 1888. Messrs. Mahoney and
Sons were again the architects, and Mr. J. J. Holland the builder. The
interior decorations in both buildings were the work of Father Luck.
The cost of the land upon which the church is built was £1150, and the
building, excluding furniture, £5950.
For ten years after the opening of St. Andrew's, the Presbyterians
did not add to their number of churches. The first outgrowth of St.
Andrew's was St. James's, Wellington Street, which was erected to a
charge in 1860, the services being carried on in the school house. The
present building was opened on March 26th, 1865. It was designed by Mr.
T. B. Cameron, and was built by Mr. Andrew Clow, the contract price
being £2500.
St. David's Church has had an interesting history. In 1864 the session
of St. Andrew's erected a preaching station at the junction of Khyber
Pass Road and Symonds Street, and named it St. David's Church. Rev.
James Wallis was the first minister, and under his care the church
flourished until 1867, when a division arose in the congregation,
leading to its abandonment. After a lapse of ten years it was
re-established and re-opened on 10th March, 1878. Shortly afterwards
St. David's was elevated to a session. In 1880 the present church was
erected in Symonds Street, in the allotment at the front of the old
building, by Mr. James Heron, from the plans of Mr. E. Bartley. It was
removed to its present location in 1902.
The first Baptist Church in Auckland was formed in 1855. A chapel
and schoolroom were erected in Wellesley Street at the corner of
Chapel Street. About 1880 Mr. Thomas Spurgeon, a son of the famous
evangelical preacher, became pastor. The congregation had now grown
to such dimensions that the Choral Hall was requisitioned for the
Sunday evening service, and proved too small. It was thereupon decided
to build the Tabernacle. This building was opened on May 12th, 1885.
The building, which is Corinthian in style, was designed by Mr.
Edmund Bell, the contractor being Mr. J. J. Holland. It cost £14,000,
including furnishings.
The Wesleyan denomination erected two churches during this period,
one in Pitt Street, the other in Grafton Road. The former was opened
for worship on the 4th of October, 1866. Wesley Hall, adjoining the
church, was erected in 1877, and is used as a schoolroom. Including
the parsonage, the buildings belonging to this church cost £20,000 to
erect. The Grafton Road Church was erected in 1866, and was replaced by
a new building, which was dedicated to public worship in July, 1885.
The Helping Hand Mission was instituted in the early 'eighties, and in
1885 the hall in Drake Street was opened.
The Congregational Church was founded in 1851, and the first church was
situated in High Street, and existed till 1876. The premier church,
however, is Beresford Street Church, which was established in March
of the following year, the services being held in Shamrock Cottage,
Albert Street. A church was erected close to this cottage in 1854, and
was called the Albert Street Congregational Church. The present church
was erected in 1876, and is reputed to be the first concrete building
erected in Auckland. The Newton Church, Edinburgh Street, was founded
in 1864.
The first Primitive Methodist Church was built in Alexandra Street in
1851, on a site given by Governor Sir George Grey. Prior to union with
the Wesleyan denomination there were two circuits in connection with
this Church, of which the Alexandra Street Church was the chief centre;
the other centre was the Franklin Road Church. Upon the union taking
place the Church became The Methodist Church of New Zealand.
The Jewish community opened its first church in Emily Place in 1858.
Rabbi Elkin was the first minister. He was succeeded in 1881 by the
present minister, Rabbi Goldstein. The Synagogue in Princes Street was
opened in 1885.
The Auckland Y.M.C.A. was founded by Mr. R. B. Shalders, and its first
building--a mere four walls--was erected in the founder's garden,
Chapel Street, in 1855. Next year the association procured larger
premises in Durham Street, which were destroyed by the fire of January
17th, 1863. The third building was erected in 1868 at the corner of
Albert and Wellesley Streets, and occupied two floors. On the same site
the fourth building (a four-storeyed one) was erected in 1886. Mr. P.
F. M. Burrows was the architect. The present building was opened by
the Governor, the Earl of Liverpool, on April 30th, 1913. Mr. Alex.
Wiseman was the architect, and Messrs Grevatt and Sons the contractors.
The sister institution--the Y.W.C.A.--was not founded until 1878.
From that date until 1903 the association used rented premises. In
1903 a building, originally designed for a warehouse, was acquired in
Wellesley Street East, where it carried on its activities until the
present premises in Upper Queen Street, designed by Mr. W. H. Gummer,
A.R.I.B.A., were opened in 1918.