_Progress and a Slump_: 1871-1900
The three decades from the 'seventies to the 'nineties are characterised
by distinct features. At the opening period the city, which was just
recovering from the effects of the Maori War, was making steady
progress. This advance culminated in a boom in the 'eighties, which
brought forth the usual sequel in the following decade--a financial
crisis, from which it recovered before the opening of the new century.
The official census reflects these features. The population of the city
in 1871 was 12,937, an increase of 4948 over the figures of 1861. In
1881 the number had risen to 16,664, an increase in ten years of 3727.
Five years later the residents of Auckland City totalled 33,161, an
accession to the population of a hundred per cent. In 1891 the number
had diminished to 28,613, but was again on the up-grade in 1896, the
population at that date being 31,424, and before the end of the
'nineties it had approximated to the number of people which the city
contained in 1886, fourteen years previously.
The phenomenal increase in the population of New Zealand in the
mid-'seventies was due largely to the control of immigration passing
from the provincial councils to the general government, and the
vigorous policy inaugurated by it. In 1874 and 1875 no fewer than
50,000 immigrants arrived in the Dominion. Judging by the census
returns, the city did not gain largely by this influx of immigrants,
although the provincial figures show that the country profited by it.
The South Island was the greater gainer during these years, due mainly
to the prosperity following upon the discovery of gold and to the
better social and economic conditions which existed there. The South
Island had no Maori War to unsettle it.
The first half of the 'eighties, however, found the Auckland Province
booming, and in this prosperity the city shared. The progress, however,
was too rapid to be healthy; it was not built upon steady work, but
was in the nature of speculation, particularly in land, which could
not be characterised as wise. The inevitable happened; financial
undertakings, great and small, became involved, and many succumbed.
Amongst such institutions, the Bank of New Zealand, with its New
Zealand shareholders, was numbered. Its failure would have brought
ruin or serious hardship to many people, and the manner in which the
Government of the day came to the rescue has already been indicated (p.
109). During the depression many residents sold out and emigrated to
Australia, or elsewhere, some permanently, others temporarily. Houses
and shops everywhere became vacant, and rents became absurdly low. In
some cases people shut up their houses, boarded over doors and windows,
and went away. The young city was experiencing the most serious
reverse in its history, but the speed with which it recovered itself
demonstrated its vitality.
* * * * *
With the advent of the 'seventies, Auckland may be said to have arrived
at the modern period; the previous thirty years being now looked
upon as the colonising era. In 1871 the city was constituted by
Proclamation under "The Municipal Corporations Act, 1867," and in the
same year the Auckland Harbour Board, to which the administration of
the port was delegated by an Act of Parliament of the previous year,
held its first meeting.
The boundaries of the city had been defined in "The City Board Act,
1863," and were confirmed in the Proclamation of 1871. They were as
follows:--Stanley Street, Symonds Street, Karangahape Road, Ponsonby
Road, and Franklin Road. From this small area--some 623 acres--it has
grown by the amalgamation of adjacent districts. The first addition
was made in 1882, when the highway districts of Ponsonby (755 acres),
Karangahape (139 acres) and Grafton (88 acres) were annexed to the
city. Until 1913 the boundaries remained stationary, but from that date
the following districts have joined the city:--Arch Hill, 1st January,
1913 (154 acres); Parnell, 15th February, 1913 (490 acres); Grey Lynn,
1st July, 1914 (900 acres); Remuera, 1st March, 1915 (2520 acres);
Eden Terrace, 1st October, 1915 (95 acres); Epsom, 1st February, 1917,
(860 acres), and Point Chevalier, 1st April, 1921 (1220 acres). The
city now extends over 7844 acres.
[Illustration: Calliope Dock, opened 16th February, 1888
H.M.Ss. Calliope and Diamond in the dock]
The urgency and necessity of a satisfactory system of local government
may be estimated by the unhappy condition of the city with regard to
its water supply. The only water obtainable prior to 1869 (apart from
rain-water stored in barrels, etc., by householders) was drawn from the
various wells, fed by springs. In January, 1872, owing to a drought,
water was sold in the streets by hawkers. This state of affairs
resulted in the Corporation arranging to pump 30,000 gallons of water
daily from Seccombe's Well, Khyber Pass Road. The water was stored in
a small reservoir, situated on the top of the Domain Hill, the remains
of which are still visible. Later, in 1875, the City Council purchased,
for £20,000, Western Springs, from which source the city's water supply
was obtained for many years. At this period the Council did not embrace
the same wide field of activity which it does now; road formation,
water and sewerage being the principal undertakings.
New City Markets were opened on June 20th, 1873, the foundation stone
having been laid on November 11th of the preceding year. The Mayor (Mr.
P. A. Philips) performed both ceremonies. The building cost £10,000,
and was used until the present markets were completed in 1917 and 1918.
Auckland's first trams, which were horse-drawn, and were conducted by a
company, commenced running on August 11, 1884. The route traversed was
from the Waitemata Hotel by Queen Street to the Ponsonby reservoir, and
the fare was threepence.
The building of the Public Library and Art Gallery was an event in the
history of the city, and was indicative of the desire for knowledge and
advancement which was a feature of the time. The Mechanics' Institute
had fallen on evil days, and the City Council acquired the premises,
stock and freehold in 1880. The building, part of which was then some
38 years old, was not in good repair, nor was it large enough for the
purposes of an up-to-date library. Two years after the founding of the
Public Library, Sir George Grey offered to present his books, pictures
and curios to the city. The City Council thereupon decided to erect
a building which would suitably house these and other collections.
Designs for a library and art gallery building were invited, and
that of Messrs. Grainger and D'Ebro, of Melbourne, was accepted. The
foundation stone was laid on 4th June, 1885, by the Mayor (Mr. William
Richard Waddel), and the Library was opened on March 26th, 1887, Mr. A.
E. T. Devore, Mayor, presiding. Messrs. James Malcolm and William Price
were the contractors. The contract was let for £21,851. The Art Gallery
was opened a year later, on February 17th.
The growth of the Public Library and Art Gallery has been both rapid
and interesting. At its inception the stock consisted of some 6000
volumes, the majority of which were acquired from the Provincial
Council Library. At the opening of the new building the collection
numbered 15,000 volumes, the increase being largely due to the
accession of Sir George Grey's library. From 1887 until 1898, Sir
George kept adding to the library, enriching it to such an extent
that the Auckland Library obtained what is, perhaps, an unique
position among municipal libraries throughout the world. Among the
15,000 volumes which he presented are many rare and interesting early
manuscripts, some being illuminated, a valuable array of incunabula,
including three Caxtons, and a number of literary treasures, amongst
which the first, second and fourth folios of Shakespeare, as well
as the "Poems" of Shakespeare, 1640, are worthy of special mention.
The Grey collection also contains an interesting series of autograph
letters.
Later bequests to the Library include the J. T. Mackelvie collection,
the McKechnie collection, the Fred Shaw collection and the Henry Shaw
collection. The last-mentioned runs on somewhat similar lines to the
Grey collection, and contains many Oriental and other manuscripts, a
large number of Fifteenth and Sixteenth Century printed books, and a
splendid collection of works in general literature in best copies.
The section dealing with arts and crafts is especially noteworthy.
There are also a number of grangerised books, the "Edinburgh Folio
Shakespeare," which has over 3000 illustrations added to it, being
the most important. Further particularisation of these collections is
impossible here, but these brief remarks may give some slight idea
of their literary, artistic and bibliographical value. Of monetary
bequests, mention should be made of Mr. Edward Costley's gift of
£12,150.
[Illustration: Auckland Public Library, 1880
Formerly the Mechanics' Institute and Library, established 1842]
[Illustration: Public Library, Art Gallery and Old Colonists' Museum,
to-day
The progress illustrated in these pictures may be taken as typical of
the growth of the City's Institutions in general]
The Art Gallery has been equally fortunate. The nucleus of the gallery,
consisting mainly of old masters and other pictures, was given by
Sir George Grey, and other public spirited citizens have followed
his example. The most notable bequest, however, was that of the late
James Tannock Mackelvie, who bequeathed, in 1885, his valuable art
collection, along with a large sum of money, in trust, to establish
and maintain a Museum of Fine Art for the people of Auckland. By an
arrangement between the trustees and the Corporation, an addition
was made to the Art Gallery building, and the collection deposited
there. It now contains a well chosen selection of modern British and
Continental pictures and _objets d'art_. Altogether, the Auckland Art
Gallery takes the premier position among institutions of its kind in
New Zealand. To provide accommodation for the rapidly increasing number
of pictures, a further addition was made to the Gallery in 1916, and
was opened by Mr. J. H. Gunson, Mayor, on December 6th, but already the
room has proved insufficient for the growth of the collections. The
city authorities have specialised in New Zealand art, and this section
contains an interesting group of paintings by local artists.
The Old Colonists' Museum, which is housed in the Library and Art
Gallery building, was opened on March 22, 1916, by the Mayor (Mr. J. H.
Gunson). It contains an extensive collection of pictures, maps, plans
and mementoes illustrating the early days of New Zealand, especially
North Auckland and the city.
The Elam School of Art, which was established by the will of the late
Dr. J. E. Elam, who bequeathed a sum of £6500 for the purpose, was
located in the Public Library building from 1890 until 1915; in this
year the school was moved to a new building which had been erected in
Rutland Street.
The work of the Harbour Board, as far as the city is concerned, has
been devoted principally to reclamation and wharves. Prior to the
constitution of the Harbour Board, the port was under the control of
the Provincial Council. Some reclamation had been carried out by that
body, for at the time of the transference of the control from the
Provincial Council to the Board considerable alteration had taken place
on the foreshores. In the 'forties, Commercial Bay swept round from
Britomart Point along a beach, which subsequently became Fort Street,
to a headland known successively as Stanley Point and Smales Point.
This promontory stood in the vicinity of Albert Street and Customs
Street West. By 1870 the foreshore had been reclaimed, and Customs
Street East added to the city's highways. At that date Customs Street
ended at the foot of a cliff, and a long flight of steps, known as
"Jacob's Ladder," led up to Emily Place. On the western side of Queen
Street, Customs Street finished at the waterfront opposite Albert
Street.
The wharf accommodation in 1870 was very small indeed. The first
Auckland wharf was the Wynyard Pier, which was built in the 'forties,
and was situated in Official Bay in a direct line from Short Street.
Commercial Bay had from the first been selected as the shipping centre
of Auckland, and by 1852, one can gather from Hogan's engraving (p. 72)
that considerable work has been expended upon the improvement of the
facilities for loading and unloading vessels. The Queen Street Wharf
has always been the principal wharf, but in 1852 there was a small pier
leading from the lane which ran from the Victoria Hotel to Shortland
Street, and east of Graham's Bond (a stone building which still stands
in Fort Street, but at that time was right on the waterfront) there
was a landing stage. Between 1852 and 1870 a new wooden wharf replaced
the Queen Street one, another was erected opposite Gore Street, and a
breakwater had been built from Britomart Point.
This was the state of the waterfront when the Harbour Board undertook
the management of the port.
One of the earliest tasks the Board undertook was the demolition of
Point Britomart, which occupied several years to accomplish. The spoil
was used for reclamation between that point and Queen Street, and on
this area the railway yards, electric power station, cold stores, and
other establishments have been built, adding Quay Street to the number
of city thoroughfares.
To the west of Queen Street the reclaimed area can be easily
distinguished on account of the regular low-lying nature of the streets
comprised within it. If one follows a route from Queen Street along
Customs, Sturdee, Fanshawe, Halsey, Patteson and Beaumont Streets,
where the last named street junctions with Fanshawe Street, this would
give roughly the foreshore as it existed in 1870. The reclamations,
which include the area now occupied by Victoria Park, were completed
about 1900.
The Harbour Board is still engaged upon reclamation work, adding
considerably to the city and port's facilities.
The wharves did not alter much during the first thirty years of the
Board's control. In this period the Queen Street Wharf was practically
rebuilt and considerably enlarged, and the Railway Wharf erected. At
a later date, Hobson Street Wharf, the Quay Street Jetty and other
jetties were built. In the 'eighties Gore Street Wharf was demolished
in connection with the Quay Street reclamations, and extra wharf
provision was made parallel to this street. All these wharves were
constructed of wood. In 1900 the comprehensive scheme of wharves in
concrete was commenced, and has been steadily pushed forward. At the
present time the port's wharves are a credit to the authorities, alike
in size, number and equipment, and, although the accommodation for
ships has been greatly increased, the Board is occupied with further
extensions, to enable it to keep pace with the growth of the port's
shipping.
Docking accommodation for the repair of vessels was also put in hand by
the Harbour Board. On May 1st, 1876, the Auckland Graving Dock, which
was situated opposite Hobson Street, was commenced, and was opened
on August 20th, 1878. This dock was used for small vessels. It was
abandoned in 1913 and the site filled in.
The Calliope Dock, on the North Shore, was opened by the Governor (Sir
William F. D. Jervois) on February 16th, 1888, in the presence of
Admiral Fairfax, commander of the fleet on the Australasian station.
The day was made the occasion of a public holiday. Bunting was to be
seen everywhere: in the city, at Devonport, and on the vessels in
the harbour. Two of her Majesty's ships of war, the _Calliope_ and
_Diamond_, steamed into the new dock, the former cutting the ribbon
stretched across. The dock was, when opened, the largest graving dock
possessed by any colony, and had cost up to that date £135,000. It
required an additional expenditure of £20,000 to make it as complete as
possible. Mr. Pierce Lanigan was the contractor, Mr. W. Errington the
engineer, and Mr. Swainson clerk of works.
H.M.S. _Calliope_, which, as has been mentioned, was the first vessel
to enter the dock, became famous in the annals of seamanship only a
month later, when, during the great storm of 16th March, 1888, which
struck Samoa, she sailed out from Apia under the command of Captain
Kane. All the vessels which remained in the harbour were wrecked.
[Illustration: Queen Street Wharf, 1887
_After the painting by A. E. Gifford, in the Old Colonists' Museum_]
A hoax perpetrated by Mr. D. M. Luckie, editor of the _Southern Cross_,
which for the time being created consternation and serious excitement
in the city and district, occurred on the morning of February 17th,
1873, when the _Daily Southern Cross_ printed a report purporting to
be a description of the capture of Auckland by the Russian man-of-war
_Kaskowiski_. The article described in detail the capture "of the
British warship lying in the waters of the Waitemata," the seizure "of
our principal citizens as hostages," the demand of "a heavy ransom for
the city," and the emptying of "the coffers of the banks of all the
gold and specie they contained." Although the report had a foot-note
stating that it was taken "from the _Daily Southern Cross_ of Monday,
the 15th May, 1873," quite a large number of people were deceived by
it. One woman, the _New Zealand Herald_ stated, became hysterical on
reading the account, while a gentleman made preparations for the flight
of himself, his wife and family to their farm at the Hot Springs. A
Queen Street shopkeeper, after reading the report, put up his shutters
and reappeared, fully armed, "ready for the fray."
The trouble Great Britain was having in India, in which Russia was
implicated, gave a semblance of probability to the report. At the
same time, it is surprising that such a palpable hoax could have
misled anyone. The purpose which the newspaper had in producing the
article was stated in the next issue to be to "direct attention to the
necessity of these colonies being properly protected."
Eight years later, on 12th December, 1881, the Russian cruiser _Africa_
visited Auckland without causing consternation among the citizens.
Better relations now obtained between the two nations, and Admiral
Aslanbexoff, who was in command, was welcomed to the city by the civic
authorities, and dined with the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr. and Mrs. J.
McCosh Clark) on the evening of the ship's arrival.
Educational matters received long-delayed attention in this period.
As we have already mentioned, the Grammar School commenced its career
in the last year of the 'sixties, but, until the passing of "The
Education Act" of 1877, elementary education had been carried on by
private and denominational schools, the latter system being introduced
in 1847 by Sir George Grey, who realised that the only organisations
fit to undertake the work of education were the churches. When the
education system passed into the care of the Provincial Council, that
body passed, in 1857, an Act for the better regulation of education,
but the Council was too hard pressed financially to be able to do
much. The Act of 1877, however, placed the education of children on
a stable basis, providing for free, compulsory and secular teaching.
Following the passing of this Act, a number of private schools came
under the national authority. Since then the system has developed, and
at the present time there are eighteen primary schools within the city
boundaries which supply instruction to over 11,000 children.
Apart from the primary and secondary education systems, Auckland was
noticeably deficient in the higher branches of education and in the
educational facilities provided for the working man. In fact, except
for the Mechanics' Institute, there was no provision for general or
technical education available. Much credit is due to this Institute for
what it did in the thirty-eight years of its existence to stimulate
interest among, and provide opportunities of self-improvement to,
the youth of the community. In glancing through the early files
of newspapers, the Institute would seem to have been the Mecca of
all things intellectual. During these years it carried on series
of lectures by the best lecturers available, and in 1873 classes
of instruction were founded, to which sixty men were joined. Among
the subjects taught were arithmetic, mathematics, architectural and
mechanical drawing, and, more interesting still, there was a class for
the study of Maori. These classes were successful, and the Committee
of the Institute arranged an exhibition of Fine and Useful Arts, which
was opened by the Superintendent of the Province, on Boxing Day, 1873.
A few years after this exhibition, the Mechanics' Institute began to
experience difficulties, which ultimately led to its extinction. During
the 'seventies and 'eighties the Y.M.C.A. carried out courses of
lectures in the winter months, which were popular and well patronised.
After the closing of the classes at the Mechanics' Institute, technical
education in Auckland seems to have fallen into neglect until 1896,
when the Auckland Technical School was founded, and carried on its
work in Rutland Street. In 1900 "The Manual and Technical Instruction
Act" was passed, and the following year the Education Board took over
the control of the school, and appointed Mr. G. George director. So
rapidly did the school develop that a new building became essential,
and the promise of a contribution of £10,000 towards its erection
having been made by the Auckland Savings Bank in 1905, steps were taken
to carry out the proposal. On August 17th, 1909, the foundation stone
of the present college was laid by the Governor, Lord Plunket, and the
building was opened in 1913 by Sir James Allen, Minister for Education
and Defence. Mr. John Mitchell was the architect, and Mr. Stanley
Jeffreys the builder; but, owing to the lack of funds, the building
as planned was not finished. Additions to meet requirements are now in
course of erection. The progress of the college may be estimated by the
figures of attendance. In 1902 the number of pupils was thirty. At the
opening of the new school (1913) there were 1627 individual students in
attendance at day or night classes.
In 1872 Sir George Maurice O'Rorke, whose whole life was associated
with the Auckland University College, and who was Chairman of the
Council from its inception until his death on 24th August, 1916,
made an unsuccessful effort to institute a university in the city.
Five years later another agitation was set in being, and resulted in
the appointment of a Royal Commission on University and Secondary
Education, which reported in July, 1879. Its recommendations were
embodied in the "Auckland University College Act, 1882." The Bill was
introduced by Mr. J. A. Tole in 1881, when it was shelved, but received
legislative sanction in the following year. To accelerate the opening
of the college, the Premier sent instructions to the Agent-General
in London to appoint professors, and upon the arrival of the staff
the college was opened by the Governor, Sir William F. D. Jervois, on
May 21st, 1883, in the buildings in Eden Street, formerly used as a
District Court House, and the old Admiralty House, Short Street.
Shortly afterwards the Council came into possession of the Parliament
buildings, which had latterly been used by the Provincial Council, and,
with additions along Eden Street, these premises, rich in historic
association, but wholly inadequate and unsuitable for a college, had
perforce to serve their purpose until 1917, when the buildings were
taken over by the City Council in connection with the Anzac Avenue
roadway, forcing the College Council to find other quarters. These
were found in the old Grammar School buildings, Symonds Street, where
provision was made for the Arts, Law, Commerce and Music faculties; the
Science departments were accommodated on a site adjoining Government
House grounds, which belonged to the College, and here a two-storey
building was erected, in the design of which the architects, Messrs.
Goldsbro' and Cumming utilised the old Choral Hall. The building
was officially opened on June 7th, 1919, by the Acting-Premier, Sir
James Allen. The contract for the building and alterations was let for
£14,767. Fittings and scientific equipment absorbed another £10,000.
The one thing which has stood in the path of the progress of the
college has been local disruption with regard to the site. This
question has been discussed time after time. The dispute is now
settled, and the ground adjoining the Science block was secured in
1919. Competitive designs were invited for a modern building, and
the plan of Messrs. Lippincott and Billson, Melbourne, which it is
estimated will cost £97,000, was accepted. The building is expected to
be completed in 1925.
Much credit is due to Mr. T. W. Leys, who succeeded Sir Maurice O'Rorke
as Chairman of the College Council, for the position which now obtains
in local university affairs, for it is largely due to his energy that
the site question has been settled and the future of the college placed
on a satisfactory basis. In recognition of his services to university
education, the McGill University of Toronto, in 1920, conferred on him
the degree of LL.D.
The most important among the few endowments which the college has
received was the gift of £3000 made by Mr. Thomas Bannatyne Gillies, a
Judge of the Supreme Court, for the purpose of endowing two scientific
scholarships, to be named respectively the Sinclair and Gillies
Scholarships.
[Illustration: View of Auckland from Rangitoto Island (960 feet high)
Showing North Head, Devonport, in the middle distance and the City and
Waitakere Ranges in the background ]
Fires between '71 and '90 were numerous, despite the fact that the
early wooden buildings were being replaced by bricks and mortar, but
only those representing damages of not less than £10,000 are noticed
here. A serious outbreak happened a few minutes before midnight on the
19th November, 1872. It was supposed to have originated in Mr. Frank
Scherff's store, on the northern side of Fort Street, and developed
first on the western side of that building, involving the Pacific Fire
Insurance premises and another; it then spread in an easterly direction
to the buildings occupied by the Waikato Transport Company, Messrs.
Bucholz and Messrs. Webb, and although these were divided by brick
walls, they were soon ablaze. The fire then crossed the thoroughfare
and attacked the Government buildings, including the Post Office,
the Telegraph Office, the Customs House and the offices of the
Provincial Council. The Fire Brigades, which were early on the scene,
were blamed for allowing the Post Office to become ignited, but it is
only just to state that the hoses were in a very bad condition, and
handicapped the firemen in their work. The damage amounted to £50,000.
The postal buildings, which were destroyed, cost some £30,000 to erect,
and were not insured.
The most calamitous fire which had so far overtaken the city took place
on September the 6th, 1873, causing the destruction of fifty-four
buildings, mostly shops, business premises, and some dwellings, the
damages being assessed at £70,000. The outbreak was reported to have
commenced in Mrs. Powley's millinery establishment in Queen Street,
which occupied the site where Darby Street stands to-day, and so
rapidly did the fire spread that in less than an hour the whole of
the west side of the street, up to the United Service Hotel, at the
corner of Wellesley Street, was ablaze; the fire then crossed Wellesley
Street and its progress up Queen Street to the Anchor Hotel was as
rapid as in the other block. Before it ran its course it involved an
area bounded by Victoria Street, the old markets site, Queen Street
and Elliott Street. While the fire was at its height there was a mild
panic, owing to the fear that the conflagration would burn down the
city. A large amount of damage was caused by over zealous helpers, who,
in their endeavours to save property from the flames, threw household
furniture, including pianos even, out of doors and windows, where many
of the articles were smashed against the pavement.
Later in the same year another fire occurred, on October the 14th.
Commencing either in the back store of Mr. J. Macfarlane or in Messrs.
Henderson and Macfarlane, which were adjacent, the flames completely
destroyed both premises, and extended to the buildings occupied by
Messrs. Stone, Leaning, Bucholz (who had been burned out in the fire of
1872) and Ellingham. The damage amounted to £40,000.
A row of the few remaining wooden buildings which still survived in
Queen Street, situated at the south-east corner of Victoria Street,
were burned down in an hour and a half on May 10th, 1876. The fire
extended as far back as Lorne Street, and caused damage estimated at
£10,000.
Two timber mills were responsible for large fires, involving losses
amounting to £10,000 each. The first of these occurred at the Union
Sash and Door Company, Mechanics Bay, on July 25th, 1883; the other
took place on January 10th, 1885, at the Auckland Timber Company's
mill, Customs Street, where half a million feet of timber was set on
fire, creating a magnificent spectacle. The gas works, which were
located near by, were carefully watched, in case of danger. At this
fire the crew of the U.S. ship _Iroquois_ rendered valuable help.
The last fire to occur within this period took place at the Phoenix
Foundry, the business of Messrs. George Fraser and Sons, Stanley
Street, on October 19th, 1893, causing damage amounting to five figures.
The weather was also the means of bringing about losses to the
community, and the gale which struck Auckland on February 7th, 1874,
caused the death of seven persons by drowning, and damage to shipping
and harbour works amounting to over £12,000. No fewer than twenty-five
vessels were either damaged or sunk during the storm. On the waterfront
the embankments were breached at several places, and sheds injured or
destroyed. The owners of small craft sustained extremely serious loss.
In comparison with the havoc done in the harbour the damage inland was
negligible.
In the previous section the shipping of the port was sketched up to the
temporary service that took the place of the Panama Company's service,
which ceased in 1869. In 1871 an agreement was made by the Government
with Messrs. Webb and Holladay, owners of the California Line, to
run a fleet of four paddle steamers, _viz_, _Nevada_ (2145 tons),
_Nebraska_ (2143 tons), _Dacotah_ (2145 tons)--all of which were fitted
with beam engines--and _Moses Taylor_ (1354 tons), from Sydney to San
Francisco. Auckland was again the port of call, but for a few trips at
the commencement of the service Port Chalmers was made the New Zealand
port of call alternately with Auckland, on which occasions Napier,
Wellington and Lyttelton were visited _en route_. In 1873 the United
States withdrew the subsidy, and, as the line had become unpopular with
the Australian and New Zealand Governments, the service was ended.
Another temporary service was run by Mr. Hall, first by the steamers
_Tartar_ and _Mongol_, and later by the _Cyphrenes_ and _Mikado_; a few
trips were made by the _City of Melbourne_. The route followed was by
Fiji (Kandavu). An offer of the Pacific Mail Company, in conjunction
with the Fairfield Shipbuilding Company of Glasgow, was accepted, and
inaugurated in 1875, the Fiji route being followed until 1877, when
the Honolulu course was adopted. The ships engaged in this service
were _Vasco de Gama_, _Colima_, _City of San Francisco_, _City of New
York_, _City of Sydney_, _Zealandia_, and _Australia_. The contract
expired in 1885. The next contract was divided between the Oceanic
Company of America and the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand.
The Oceanic Company put into commission the _Alameda_ and _Mariposa_
(3158 tons), and the Union Company the _Mararoa_ (2598 tons). The
latter was withdrawn, and was replaced in 1890 by the same company's
new liner _Monowai_ (3433 tons). The _Arawa_ substituted the _Monowai_
in this service for a time, but in 1897 the _Moana_ finally took up the
run. In 1900, owing to the legislative enactment of the United States
precluding any but American ships from plying between American ports,
the _Moana_ was transferred to the Vancouver service. The _Alameda_
and _Mariposa_ were also withdrawn, and were replaced by the _Sierra_,
which inaugurated a three-weekly service from 'Frisco. She was followed
by the _Sonoma_ and _Ventura_. This service lasted till 1909, when the
New Zealand Government followed the example of the United States, and
withdrew the subsidy.
The New Zealand Shipping Company, a Dominion concern, was established
in 1873, and ten years later a direct line of steam communication was
inaugurated by the company's steamer _British King_, which began the
Government mail contract on January 26th, 1883, when the steamer left
London, travelling _via_ Cape Horn. Five steamers were built for this
direct service. Since the Panama Canal was opened, this company has
used that route.
The Shaw, Savill and Albion Line about this time placed steamers in the
New Zealand run, and the service has continued up to the present. Other
lines, including the Tyser and White Star lines, have been engaged upon
the New Zealand trade.
In the 'seventies, trade with the Islands attracted Auckland business
men, and the _Star of the South_ (Captain W. Farquhar) commenced a
monthly service between New Zealand and Fiji.
The coastal services from Auckland developed rapidly in this period,
and culminated in the formation of the Northern Steamship Company on
May 11th, 1881. The company was formed to take over the steamers and
trade of the Auckland Steam Packet Company, and other local steamers.
It continued to absorb the other steamer services, including the
Coromandel Steamship Company, and, in 1906, the Manukau Steamship
Company. The Northern Steamship Company has now forty vessels in its
fleet, trading to every part of the province.
A most serious shipping calamity took place on October 28th, 1894,
when the Union Steamship Company's steamer _Wairarapa_ (1786 tons)
was wrecked at Miner's Head, Great Barrier, on her voyage from Sydney
to Auckland. She left Port Jackson with 230 souls on board. Rounding
Cape Maria van Diemen on Sunday morning, the ship ran into a fog.
In the fog she mistook her course, and when she crashed on the reef
she was twenty-five miles out of it. The death-roll was enormous,
127 passengers and crew, including Captain McIntosh, being drowned.
The boats on the port side got away safely, but the starboard boats
capsized, owing to the list, and the passengers were precipitated into
the water, some of them being drowned. The survivors on the ship spent
many miserable hours until dawn. As soon as daylight appeared efforts
were made by the survivors to get off the ship. Mr. Leighton climbed to
the mast-head and detached the signal halyard, with which the second
engineer essayed to swim ashore, but failed. One of the stewards took
up the heroic task. He succeeded, and along this thin line of life all
passed in safety, save two. The first person, a lady, who reached
safety by this means, did so by moving hand over hand, but afterwards
an endless line was fixed, on which the remainder of those on board
made their escape.
[Illustration: Plan of Auckland Waterfront to-day
The heavy black line represents the waterfront in 1841]
Three years later the Huddart-Parker Company's inter-colonial steamer
_Tasmania_ was wrecked, on July 29th, 1897, while on a voyage from
Auckland to Napier. The weather at the time was dirty and thick, and
after sheltering for some time off Gisborne, Captain McGee decided to
make for Napier. In the dark the vessel struck a rock off Table Cape,
and the captain ordered the passengers and crew to take to the boats.
Fortunately, everybody on board got away, and all the boats but two
reached land safely. One of these, the carpenter's boat, capsized off
Kawakawa, and a passenger and one of the crew were drowned. The other
boat contained eight members of the crew, all of whom were drowned.
A disaster connected with the coastal shipping occurred on March 31st,
1893, when the steamer _Ruby_ was wrecked on Managawai Bar, 50 miles
from Auckland, two lives being lost.
The commercial progress of the city was continued in the 'seventies,
and is illustrated by the appearance of another insurance company of
Auckland origin. The new concern was the South British Fire and Marine
Insurance Company, which commenced operations in August, 1872, with
an initial capital of half a million. Like its elder brother, the New
Zealand Insurance Company, it soon extended its field of activity
beyond the confines of the Dominion, but did not meet with the same
success, and in 1890 a thorough reorganisation of the business took
place, since when the advancement of the company has been uniformly
consistent.
The advent of a new banking concern was another indication of the
commercial prosperity of Auckland. The National Bank of New Zealand
opened up business in 1874 in temporary premises on the eastern side
of Queen Street, but later in the year it was removed to the present
building, at the corner of Queen and Wyndham Streets. Messrs. R. W.
Keals and Son were the architects.
The mercantile and industrial development which Auckland had made
since the financial crisis in the 'eighties was remarkable, and
culminated in the Mining and Industrial Exhibition of 1898-99, the
first modern exhibition that the city had undertaken. The object of the
exhibition was to promote and develop local manufactures, mining and
productive industries. Mr. Bartholomew Kent was the originator of the
exhibition, and, on his suggestion, the Chamber of Commerce, of which
he was president at the time, convened a meeting on June 3rd, 1897,
for the purpose of forming a committee to carry out the proposal. Mr.
Kent was appointed president of the executive, with Mr. W. R. Holmes,
secretary. The work of planning and laying out the exhibition was
entrusted to Mr. R. W. de Montalk and Mr. H. D. Griffiths, who were
respectively architect and engineer to the exhibition. The buildings,
which occupied five acres adjoining Government House grounds, were
simple but tasteful in design, and cost about £5000 to erect. On the
Symonds Street frontage of the grounds a sports area was located, which
had cycle and running tracks, and accommodation for 6000 spectators.
The Choral Hall adjoining was utilised for the musical events. Mr. F.
N. Meadows was the Director of the Exhibition.
The Exhibition was opened by the Governor, the Earl of Ranfurly, on 1st
December, 1898, and continued until February of the following year. It
was estimated that it was visited by a quarter of a million persons
in that time. Financially and socially the Exhibition was completely
successful.
Labour and union questions began to interest tradesmen about this
period, and in 1872 the Trades and Labour Council was founded. Whatever
disputes arose during these years appear to have been easily adjusted,
for no strike of any importance is recorded to have taken place in New
Zealand until the maritime strike of August, 1890, which involved the
New Zealand members of these unions. The strike lasted until November,
when conditions again became normal.
Auckland's first Eight Hours' Demonstration took place on April 19th,
1882. Like its successor, the Labour Day Demonstration, it took the
form of a procession of unionists, some 500 in number, who marshalled
in the city and travelled to the Domain, where sports were indulged in.
At night the festivities were continued with a supper and dance.
Auckland has always been a fortunate city in respect to benefactors,
some of whom have been already noticed. Two others must be
mentioned here. Mr. Edward Costley, who died on April 18th, 1883,
bequeathed the sum of £84,700 in equal shares to the following city
institutions:--Institute and Museum, Public Library, Hospital, Orphan
Home, Costley Home for the Aged Poor, Sailors' Home, and Boys'
Institute. Mr. James Dilworth, the other benefactor, died on December
23rd, 1894, leaving estate valued at £100,000, to be applied to the
maintenance and education of orphans or of children of persons of good
character and in straitened circumstances, the education to extend to
secondary schools and the university if the children show fitness for
such.
The Jubilee Institute for the Blind was founded on July 9th, 1890.
The present site was purchased in 1891, and a dwelling which stood on
it was renovated and opened as a school. As the pupils increased,
additions were made, including a workshop for blind men. Early in the
history of the Institute a building fund had been inaugurated, with the
view of erecting a permanent building. The bequest of £10,000 of Mr.
Wm. Mason, who died in 1905, and the energy of Mr. John Abbott, enabled
the trustees to realise their hopes earlier than otherwise would have
been possible. The foundation stone of the new building was laid by the
Hon. Geo. Fowlds, Minister for Education, in May, 1907, and on the 21st
May, 1909, the building was officially opened by the Governor, Lord
Plunket. Mr. E. Bartley was the architect, and Messrs. Philcox and Son
the contractors, the cost of the building being £13,735.
The Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria was celebrated in Auckland on
June 22nd, 1897, and during the following week. For the occasion the
city was elaborately decorated, every building and vantage point being
utilised, and at night, illuminations, bonfires and fireworks were
to be seen everywhere. Both decorations and illuminations surpassed
anything of the kind ever previously attempted in Auckland. The formal
celebrations comprised a magnificent procession, in which the navy, the
army, the corporations of the city and suburban districts, the Harbour
Board and other institutions took part, as well as the children of the
public schools. The vehicles taking part were gaily decorated, and
banners were conspicuous. The procession travelled from Queen Street to
the Domain, where 20,000 people were congregated. Mr. P. Dignan, Mayor,
delivered an address, and concluded by asking the school children,
numbering about 2,000, to sing the National Anthem. The military part
of the proceedings consisted of the firing of a Royal salute, a review
and a march past, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Banks, in
which all the regiments of the city, cadets and veterans took part. The
review was followed by a military tournament, which was witnessed by
over 15,000 people.
In connection with the celebrations a committee, with the Mayor as
chairman, was appointed to take steps to commemorate the sixty years'
reign of the Queen. The committee decided to erect a statue. On
the 80th anniversary of the Queen's birthday (24th May, 1899) this
monument--the first statue of the Queen erected in New Zealand--which
stands in Albert Park, was unveiled by the Governor, the Earl of
Ranfurly. It was designed by Mr. Williamson.
[Illustration: Queen Street To-day]
The closing years of Victoria's reign were darkened by the outbreak
of hostilities in South Africa, in 1899. The war was not at first
considered to be a serious affair, but the Colonial Governments
nevertheless at once offered their assistance to the Imperial
authorities. Opinions differed then, as now, as to the wisdom of the
war, and it is in no controversial spirit that mention is made here
to the subject. It would, however, be impossible to pass over the
event without referring to it as a matter of history. New Zealand sent
ten contingents to South Africa, the first sailing on 21st October,
1899, and the last at the beginning of 1902. The total number of men
despatched was upwards of 6000 of all ranks, and an equal number of
horses. Auckland was well represented in these forces, some of which
sailed direct from the Waitemata.
The Veterans' Home, Mount Roskill, which was opened by the Governor,
the Earl of Ranfurly, on 10th December, 1903, was established as a
national war memorial to the New Zealanders who died in the South
African War, and to provide a home for aged veterans. The successful
accomplishment of the project was due in a large measure to the energy
of the Governor. The home has now passed into the control of the
Auckland Patriotic and War Relief Association.