Walter Bartley and Alice Davis

We are continuing our series on the children of Robert BARTLEY and Esther KERBY.
This post also comes with a request. Are you able to add to the little we know about Walter's family? Would you like to do a guest post on this family? Any comments, links, images or information you have to share on the blog would be so appreciated by researchers coming along after us.

Walter Bartley was born at St Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands on 24 November 1853. His Mother and Father stood as godparents at his baptism on 7 December 1853, recorded at the Town Church of St Helier. It is also likely, being a dissenter family, that an entry was made at their local Wesleyan Chapel.
It was, no doubt, a busy and anxious time for Robert and Esther. That Christmas they were preparing for the first stage of their journey to Auckland in the New Year.
The family arrived in New Zealand in October 1854, a month before Walter's first birthday. With no memory of Jersey, he is the first true colonial child of the family.
Robert took Walter into the building trade when he was old enough. He is listed on electoral rolls as a carpenter
In 1876 he married Alice Jane DAVIS (NZRBDM 1876/1515). Donated research tells us that Alice was born at Hastings, Sussex, England about 1853, a daughter of David Davis and Rhoda HAMPTON.
The couple lived at 8 St Francis de Sales Street in the part of Ponsonby now known as St Mary's Bay. In their day this area contained two and three bedroom cottages built in the 1860's as worker's accommodation.
We know of several children brought up in that house.
(Please be aware the following names and dates are subject to verification. Once again, if you are able to supply sources or more information, please do comment or get in touch.)
Robert Archibald 1877 - 1944, married Lillian HUNT; Frank Percy- 1879 married Ethel PEARCE; Eleanor Ivy 1883-1887; Walter Raymond 1887 - 1902; Edgar David 1892-1893; Gordon Wilfred 1893 - 1925 married Ann HOYES; Winifred.

It seems that Walter and Alice had more than their share of hardship- apart from the infant deaths which visited so many families in those days. Walter Raymond was known as Ray. He was 15 when he misjudged his step getting off the bus to school:

AES 22 Sept 1902

These facts were confirmed at the inquest next day and the jury returned a verdict of accidental death.

Alice lived into her late 70's. She passed away on 16 March 1931. Her memorial may be found at Waikumete Cemetery, New Lynn in the Wesleyan section. Walter joined her almost exactly a year later on 19 March 1932.

Joseph Witheford - Member of Seddon's Government, Mayor of Birkenhead and champion of Calliope Dock

 It feels wonderful to be back researching and writing again.
 In this post we are once again indebted to the generous researchers descended from Robert Bartley for the use of their donated images and research notes.

Joseph Howard Witheford was a son of Clement WITHEFORD (1817-1891) and Elizabeth WOODCOCK. His family came from Worcester in England. When he was born at Bromsgrove in July 1848 his father's occupation was listed as school master.
Clement and Elizabeth emigrated with their four sons Clement, Joseph, Edward and Walter. (see DSC11Feb1863)
The family arrived with other Albertland settlers on SS Gertrude on 9 February 1863. Walter and Edward took up land at Okahukura in the Rodney district. Joseph remained in town where his parents had a house and plumbing shop on the corner of the Manukau Rd and Rutland Road, Parnell. (ref Rates Books PRN 16 p28 1873-1875)
He worked at first with his father in tin smithing and plumbing supplies, but that was not to be the case for long.

Joseph Witheford  Image AWN 04 May 1900

Emma Bartley, a daughter of Robert Bartley and Esther Kerby was born in St Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands on 1 March 1849. She came to Auckland, New Zealand with her family in 1854.

In Auckland she met Joseph Witheford, whom she married in 1870. 

Emma Bartley BFA Image

Witheford/Bartley marriage cert BFA donated Image

Joseph was a man of ambition. Emma’s nature was far more sensitive and retiring. At the time their son Robert was born, in 1877, Joseph’s occupation was listed as Traveller. He settled his young family near to his father's premises in St George's Bay Rd, Parnell (Section 1 Allot.85 ER 1881) The mortgage to his father in law Robert Bartley was discharged in October 1881

 In 1885 when daughter Olive was born he was working as a journalist and agent .

NZH 19 October 1886 p4

By the time a new century dawned Joseph was a public figure of some note and Mayor of the North Shore Auckland suburb of Birkenhead.
Joseph and Emma had a family of six children:

• Elizabeth Anne (1871-1963)
• Ida (1874 - 1918)
• Robert (1877 - 1936)
• Sydney (1880 - 1945)
• Olive (1885 - 1979)
• Edna (1889 - 1967)

Joseph's rise is most favourably documented in this extract from his obituary (AES 30th October 1931 p3)

‘Mr. Witheford did things on a big scale. His success with the Admiralty was the sequel to a long residence in the Old Country, during which he made a fortune.

 It was the late 1890s the days when there was a mining boom in New Zealand. Waihi was such a rattling success that speculators in the Old Country were eager to snap up anything that had been surveyed and had anything even approaching a chance of success. Mr. Witheford went Home with a number of mining properties, including the famous Hauraki mine, at Coromandel, was so successful in floating them on the London market that he made a fortune—reputed to be £83,000, which in those days really was a fortune for a New Zealander. 

Probably no other man in New Zealand could have made such a success of such large flotations as Mr. Witheford effected. He knew the gold fieids intimately, knew all about the wonderful "golden days" of the Thames, and he was also an experienced share broker. Back to New Zealand. It was daring his residence in London that Mr. Witheford, though merely a private person, though it is true he had, been a member of the Auckland Harbour Board, managed to induce the Admiralty to subsidise Calliope dock to the handsome tune of £5000; a year. When he came back to New Zealand he was most cordially received, and for several years loomed largely in the public eye. He was again elected to the Harbour Board, and that body showed its appreciation of his services over the Calliope dock by electing him to the chair in 1900.

In 1901, when the present King and Queen were here, Mr. Witheford was asked to stand for the mayoralty, of Auckland, but refused when it was known that Sir John Campbell was to be chosen, as a mark of appreciation for his gift of Cornwall Park. Mr. Witheford was Mayor of Birkenhead, and in 1900 he was elected by a large majority at the head of the poll for the Auckland City constituency. At one time Mr. Witheford represented Auckland in Parliament. 

In later life Mr. Witheford was not so prominent in public life, but even when times were not so prosperous as when he was one of the best known hosts at the Hotel Cecil, then "the" hotel in London, he never lost his jauntiness and his enthusiasm. With flower in buttonhole, he might be seen at over 80 years of age, interviewing city business men and extolling the virtues of his suburban "cutting up" proposition. He was a man of astonishing energy, such as the present generation seldom produces.’

During his rise to public office the family moved to the North Shore. His home there, near Northcote College, was referred to as 'Calliope' in reference to the success of that project.

J.H.W in his study at 'Calliope' Donated Image BFA

He was also one of the first to invest in the Hellyer's Creek area. When Tramway Co land was offered for sale Witheford purchased 150 acres. With Henry BRETT and R CAMERON he built a road to the wharf they had lobbied for and contributed to. This facility was capable of taking large vessels, greatly improving access to what was predominately a fruit growing area. A further section was set aside at this time between the Chelsea Sugar Works and Hellyer's Creek for a steam ferry service. Clement Bartley also purchased land here. His block was on the eastern side.
Joseph Witheford constructed his summer residence at Hellyer's Creek. About 40 acres was left in native bush and a substantial orchard planted to supplement the recreational facilities - private jetty, boat sheds, stables, tennis court and gardens. He entertained a good deal there, particularly during his years in Parliament.

Members of the Indian Contingent visiting Witheford's property at Hellyer's Creek AWN 1 March 1901

The two eldest daughters accompanied their father to England during the 1890's. They enjoyed the London Season. Ida was married there to Edward BARBER who had followed the Witheford's to London.
After a second trip lasting seven years Joseph Witheford returned to New Zealand in 1912.

NZH 8 March 1912 p 7

Life took on a different tone after Great War. Emma Bartley died in 1916 after a battle with cancer. She was aged 66.
The Hellyer's Creek property was sold in parcels for subdivision, including the bush reserve. (NZH 20 Jan 1925)
In 1927 his friend, neighbour and fellow newspaperman Henry Brett passed away. Joseph Witheford followed after him in 1931.

Clement Bartley- Banking, Bicycles, Birds and other matters

Clement Bartley at forty, an image taken by Hanna photographers for the Cyclopaedia of 1902

Clement Bartley was born in Auckland, New Zealand on the 6th of October 1862. He was the seventh child of Robert Bartley and Esther Kerby.
In many ways Clement's experience was typical of a new colonial born generation. He was educated locally at the Grammar School in the city and later at the training college run by Josiah Martin. He was groomed for white collar work rather than the building trade which his father had followed.
After serving his clerical apprenticeship in the office of the estate agent F. Ewington, Clement began his banking career at the Auckland Savings Bank headquarters in Queen St in 1881. Five years later he received his first managerial appointment in charge of the newly established Newton Branch of the bank. During his long career he managed the new Queen St premises, designed by Edward Bartley, and retired in 1931 after fifty years of service - a time which saw phenomenal changes in banking practice and great swings in the economic climate of the region.

Clement married in 1884. His bride was Ellen Fisher, a daughter of John Fisher and Eliza Dyos. The Fisher's had come from Birmingham to New Zealand in the early 1860's.
Six years later Ellen's sister Emily married Clement's Jersey-born cousin Martin Hamon.

Ellen and Clement's first child was Zoe, born in 1885. Russell, Alva and Graham followed in quick succession. Rita, Freda and Stella completed the family.

Russell as an infant, Image Steven Album, BFA

The eldest child, Zoe. Image Steven Album, BFA

Clement enjoyed a full life of diverse interests. He was an active member of the Birkenhead Borough Council during the 1890s.
Today he would be called a fan of 'extreme sport'. He was a founder member of the Auckland Bicycle Club, later the Waitemata Cycling Club. The club was established in 1881 and on their first outing Clement was riding his newly imported high wheeled machine, one of the first to be brought into Auckland from America. These bicycles are now more often referred to as a penny farthing cycle.

High wheeler bicycles presented their own challenges to riders. Later versions developed moustache shaped handle bars to allow for knee clearance but in the early days it was a real challenge for a tall rider to maintain his seat. The chief danger was going over the top of those handle bars or of going off backwards on the uphill beat. These machines were not equipped with chain drive, brakes or other safety features although they did benefit from the development of a rubber tyre and wheel bearings.

Thanks to Etsy Store 'TheGrandRewiew' for this image of Pope's advertising 1881

A cycle club might seem like a tame pursuit but this was a high risk, high profile sport in these early days. The club met for a weekly excursion over the summer months from September to February. Warmer weather offered only marginally less challenging roads. The surfaces they took to would give modern cyclists pause today with their list of hazards from poor sealing (if any), subsidence and steep gradients. The whims of other road users remain as a challenge for cyclists down to our own time. The attitudes of those in charge of larger four wheeled vehicles were sometimes just as antagonistic as riders report experiencing on our modern roads today. These circumstances, along with the rapid development of cycle technology after the 1880's made for high adrenalin club runs.

'Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 7-A6730' Members of Waitemata Cycle Club 1884, Hanna Photographers, Clement Bartley 2nd from right, front row.

Clement was a keenly competitive pigeon fancier and breeder of fowl. This interest absorbed a good deal of his leisure time as well as being a 'space hungry' hobby. He purchased an extra section near his home which he fitted out for his fowl breeding. The Suburban Poultry Club gave regular exhibitions of their livestock and Clement served for many years as an office holder.

Auckland Weekly News 28 July 1899, Clement centre back row

A prize bird, AWN 2 July 1900

Photography was a passion of Clement's, which he shared with his uncle Edward Bartley and cousins Frederick Bartley, Martin Hamon and Ernest Queree. Music was another life long interest involving family, friends and the wider community. Both he and Ellen were talented musicians who fostered a love of music in their children. Their daughter Zoe enjoyed a successful career as a pianist, partly as a result of the rich exposure to musicianship which she enjoyed at home.
Clement served for many years as conductor of the choir at St John's Wesleyan in Ponsonby as well as the Zion Church Sunday School in Birkenhead.
He also enjoyed membership of the Orphan's Club, a social association which fielded an excellent orchestra.

The Auckland Orphan's Club Orchestra about 1913, Clement at far left of back row. Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 31-WP533

Clement and Ellen are interred at Waikaraka Cemetery, Onehunga, Auckland. Clement died on 16 July 1936, followed by Ellen on 21 September 1942.

NZ Herald 19 July 1936

Research by M W Bartley

Julia Bartley and Steven Rountree

Julia Bartley was born 24 December 1851 St Helier Jersey, a child of Robert Bartley and Esther Kerby. Julia married Stephen Gilbert ROUNTREE in Auckland on 19 December 1874.

Julia Bartley as a young woman, Image Steven Album, BFA

Gilbert, as he was known was born 5 November 1851 at Portadown, Armagh in Ireland. He was a son of Meredith Rountree and Margaret Ann GILBERT. They came to New Zealand by SS 'Portland' in 1863, accompanied by other members of the Gilbert family.

Waikiekie, Northland, NZ Image BFA 2013

Ruarangi, the place where the Rountrees took up land, is a place south of Whangarei and inland from the coast. This district around Waikiekie, right through to Mangapai was good land but with diabolical access to the settlements. Even in summer the roads were challenging, especially the road south to Waipu. All supplies had to be fetched from Oakleigh, a return journey of several days which was treacherous in all seasons. When one of the Rountree's children died in 1867 the family had to inter their son on their own land. The only road was in impassable from any direction in March.

The former Waikiekie Post Office, store and boarding house Image BFA 2013

Gilbert's father died at Ruarangi  in November 1870. His death was the result of an accident.  Gilbert's mother left the farm and lived at Birkenhead on Auckland's North Shore until her death in January 1903. Jones Rountree, Gilbert's brother, continued to farm in the district. He was active in local body affairs and influential in cooperative expansion to the dairy industry in the district.

Gilbert left the farm and went to Thames as a young man. He later pursued the career of accountant, joining the Auckland Savings Bank. His brother in law Clement Bartley was employed there as manager . Like Clement, Gilbert rose to the rank of manager during the course of his long banking career.

Julia and Gilbert lived at Bayswater on the North Shore. As a couple they were very involved in their Baptist church and with the Sunday School movement.

Julia Bartley Image BFA

Image K Turner, BFA

Julia and Gilbert’s family consisted of:
Eva, born 16 February 1876 who later married Arthur FERNEYHOUGH
Harry born 26 January 1878 who went to England, married Stella STEWART and died 1950 at Penzance, Cornwall
Maud born 8 April 1879 who became the wife of Samuel BARRY
Vera born 23 December 1881 who later married Percival MOURANT and died in 1961 at Takapuna
Zillah born 8 August 1884 who became Mrs William Ray ELLINGHAM
Myrtle born 15 November 1888 who married Horace RICHARDS and died 1966 in Christchurch
Edward Gilbert born 14 May 1890, who was known as Ted. He married Anne RAE and died 1976 in Thames

Image K Turner, BFA

Gilbert died at 67 at home in Bayswater on 9 September 1918

The Rountree Grave at O'Neill's Point Cemetery, North Shore, Auckland

Refer: Daily Southern Cross 01 August 1863; 13 March 1867; Northern Advocate 25 August 1921
Thanks to family researchers D Barry, K Turner and Witheford descendants for their contributions to the Archive. Additional research by M Bartley.

K - Road Connections- Thomas Henry Keven and Emma Otto

Place names of Auckland streets are in the news as part of our 175 Anniversary. Today Karangahape Rd took centre stage. The image of our iconic street as it was in the 1870's reminded me of the Bartley connections there in St Keven's Arcade.

Edward Bartley's wife Elizabeth brought a wide social network with her to the marriage.  One of her aunts was Emma OTTO. Emma was born in Upper Chapman St, London and baptised at St George's Chapel there on 13 October 1822. Her parents brought her out to Port Jackson on the Bussorah Merchant in 1833. After the death of her father George, she came to New Zealand in 1838 accompanying her mother and sister. (see Early Settlers Roll p126)

In Auckland Emma married Thomas Henry KEVEN. The marriage was celebrated at the Wesleyan Chapel on 23 April 1845. The Otto's had met Thomas in Port Jackson. He was also a Londoner by birth and a good deal older than Emma, being born in 1807.

Thomas first came to New Zealand in 1839. Like the Otto's he found the Bay of Islands too unsettled to instil any confidence in business prospects. He returned two years later, arriving in Auckland by the Shamrock on 1 July 1841. He stayed first in lodgings at Epsom, but ran short of funds while waiting for cash to come from Sydney. This early pattern of financial highs and lows was to hold true throughout his career.

Daily Southern Cross 20 May 1843

Boots and shoes were the basis of Keven's business enterprise. In the early days of settlement good everyday footwear was essential and hard to come by. His warehouse was at 96 Queen St on the Shortland Crescent corner.

The New Zealander 25 July 1846

The couple rented a home in Shortland St near Emma's family. Their first two children George (1844-1908) and Alfred (1849) were born there. Business began well and continued as a successful enterprise in its own right.
Good accommodation was in short supply then too. Auckland buyers looking for a good family home in the 1840's faced a similar commitment to anyone buying there today.When the Government House was damaged by fire Sir George Grey stayed in Nathan's house on the north ridge of Karangahape Rd. Thomas purchased this property -allotments 28,29 and 30 of section 29- as soon as it became vacant, about 1852. This investment marked the start of his financial expansion.

Image Auckland Museum Inst C14 162

The baby Alfred died in April 1851, a sad circumstance shared by most households of the period.

New Zealander 12 April 1851

Emily arrived a few months later in June 1851. Rachel was born in September 1853.  Esther was born in 1856 and Elizabeth in 1858. The two boys Edward (1861) and Thomas Jnr (1862) completed the family.
Meanwhile Thomas was growing his business. He made regular trips back to Sydney, buying stock and seeing to his remaining property interests there. Melbourne was also on his regular itinerary.

Political and social organisation absorbed the attention of a good many settlers in these 'establishment' years. Thomas was active there too, being a foundation member of the Mechanics' Institute. He and Emma were also active supporters of the Sunday School movement, which may be where the epithet 'Saint Keven' came from.

The house was leased out when it burned to the ground in 1857. Although the property was uninsured it was reinstated after the fire.

Daily Southern Cross 22 Sept 1857

Years later this property became the site of St Keven's Arcade and it is still an intrinsic part of the K Rd lifestyle in the 21st Century.

Thomas Keven had good connections in Coromandel through Emma's family. The Otto's had a strong presence around the Cape Colville area. It is uncertain whether the land which revealed gold in 1856 was part of the original Otto holding or a block which Keven purchased subsequently. Either way he was in the thick of gold discoveries at Waiau Creek.
In 1857 he advertised the sale of sections in a new gold fields development Wynyardton.

Daily Southern Cross 15 December 1857

News of a commercial reef discovered was delivered to the public by Emma, who released Thomas' letter to her in June of 1862. Gold fever was endemic by this time but the Government had yet to declare the Coromandel a gold field. 

DSC 6 June 1862

No prospecting license could be issued under those circumstances. He could not yet say he had a valid claim. Nevertheless Keven had an understandable sense of urgency and pressed ahead with his plans for a prospecting company. The Governor General wasted no time in getting to the Coromandel, arriving there on 22 June. In an attempt to establish order the public was advised to hold back from leaving home. The notices were not able to squash enthusiasm. The rush was on.

DSC 30 June 1862

Keven's Prospecting Company was launched and the family moved to Thames. Their fortunes as a family followed the peaks and troughs of Thomas' investments. At his peak he owned several mines and a multitude of other properties. Yet as he approached his late 60's he had over-reached. Despite his effort and good intentions he became unable to settle his accounts.

Thomas Keven died on 29 November 1877, aged 70, leaving Emma in some considerable financial difficulty. His career may have been characterised by extremes of  prosperity and poverty but he had tremendous energy and high hopes for the colony.
Emma died in 1908 at Devonport, close to her niece Elizabeth Bartley and extended family. She had moved there with her unmarried daughter Rachel. In addition to her own large family Emma also fostered another six youngsters into adulthood.

More detailed information on descendants of Thomas and Emma can be found here

Research by M Bartley

Aickin's Pharmacy Queen St - Edward Bartley

Retailers provided a good proportion of Edward Bartley’s early work.
One early trend setting example was a design in 1879 for Graves Aickin, the pharmacist and entrepreneur.

Aickin came to Auckland via San Francisco. He arrived in 1863 already a qualified pharmacist. Within a couple of years he set up business in Karangahape Road.

Like many others Graves Aickin joined in the gold rush to Thames in 1870. He may have met with more success than the majority because he moved bigger premises in Queen St shortly after his return.
It is about this time that he began discussions with Edward Bartley about a possible expansion.

Edward’s cousin Julia was related to James Ferneyhough who owned a property on Queen St, near Vulcan Lane. Part of the site was leased to a hairdressers. Aickin negotiated to take the remainder for his pharmaceutical business.

Auckland Evening Star 19 April 1879

Edward Bartley trained as a cabinetmaker. He loved fine work in beautiful timber. After twenty years of no frills construction he now had the chance to share his passion for good cabinet work.
Here was his opportunity to design a spectacular retail experience.
Money was no object for Mr Aickin – he wanted the best.

Auckland Weekly News 4 June 1881

This two storey building, constructed on a site opposite the Bank of New Zealand in Queen St, had a highly ornamental front elevation. That alone was impressive for the times. Lower Queen St was not a sophisticated area in the 1870’s.
What sent the commentators into raptures was the interior. This was retail such as Auckland had never seen.
We can imagine the conversation at Mungo’s Café next door, discussing the sensory experience of visiting for Aickin’s new premises for the first time.

Edward had, in his brother in law John Harvey, a talented craftsman. Harvey was employed to fit out the interior in cedar and mahogany. Bespoke cabinets were designed for the vast miscellany of requisites and drugs stocked by a manufacturing pharmacist. These were finished with hand carving and mouldings on their upper portion.
Other cabinets were sourced and imported from England.
Showcases for retail items were ranged along the whole of the south wall of the shop space.

A self- acting fountain on a marble- topped case threw out jets of perfumed water. This luxurious ambience was completed by an ornate dispensing counter to the rear of the premises. Imagine coming in off poorly drained, unsealed Queen St to that environment.

Edward specified some state of the art technology to streamline the daily transactions.
Speaking tubes were installed in a similar way to modern intercom systems. Some connected the dispensary to the surgeons consulting rooms on the level above. Others allowed communication with the bottlers and storerooms on the lower level.
There was no change from £1000 for the interior fittings alone. Together Mr Aickin and Edward had set the standard for other retailers to match.

It is our loss that Aickin’s pharmacy was faced over many years ago. There is, however, a continuation of high end retailing in that part of Queen St. We have Mr Aickin to thank for pioneering smart shopping in what was once a rather ‘down market’ part of central Auckland.

Colonial Architect - The Career of Edward Bartley 1839-1919

Thank you to everyone who has been asking for a re-issue of Edward Bartley's biography.

The book is now available as an e-book at: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VFETOMA

Queen Victoria School for Girls, Parnell, Auckland by Edward Bartley

Entrance with foundation stone, Queen Victoria School for Maori Girls, Parnell, Auckland. Image BFA 2003

Through our heritage built environment we can reach the ideals and aspirations of our forebears. Sometimes it takes quite a leap. 

This is certainly the case when looking at educational buildings. The culture of 19^th and early 20^th century education is so far from our views today.

At an Anglican Diocesan Synod in October 1900 Rev Hare Maihi proposed the establishment of a school for Maori girls in Auckland. This proposal was unanimously approved. [i] In February 1901 the Synod conceived and discussed of the building of such a school as a permanent memorial to Queen Victoria.[ii] The suggestion was subsequently approved and a target for fundraising set at £10,000, to be solicited from the whole community. [iii]

A model for the school already existed in Napier. Hukarere School was founded ‘to give Christian education to Maori and half-caste girls and to train them to be good and useful women.’ When established in 1875 it was the only Protestant residential school for Maori girls in the country.[iv]

From its inception Queen Victoria's was to be a boarding school, drawing students from all around the region. It was intended to supplement the facilities in Napier, expanding the opportunity for higher education to include those centres of Maori population such as Tauranga and Whakatane. 

The discussion around the enterprise did not focus on the academic potential of young Maori women, but upon the ‘europeanising’ of a generation. For Sir Apirana Ngata, speaking at a conference of students of Te Aute Maori Boys’ College, the European concept of the Home as a civilising and educating social structure for future generations was the key benefit of higher schooling for Maori girls.[v] The special character of the school as a Christian establishment carried expectations of the inculcation of a ‘moral tone’ which was considered as a desirable influence on this rising generation of young mothers-to-be.

The site for the school was in Glanville Terrace, Parnell, opposite the existing St Stephen’s Maori Boys’ School. This land was a gift of Ngati Whatua. Given the royal associations of the project, the ceremony of laying the foundation stone was timed to coincide with the visit of the Duke of Cornwall and York with his Duchess in June 1901.[vi]

At this stage there were still insufficient funds to begin the building process. Edward Bartley began the design process, in his capacity as Diocesan Architect. Tenders were called In June 1902, after which the design was reworked to bring it more into line with the financial resources available. The intended capacity was for sixty boarders. This was halved and the plans altered so as to leave room on the site for an additional wing as and when funds became available. Tenders were then re-advertised in September of that year. This time J Davis’ tender of £2131 was accepted.[vii]

There was immense good will for the project from the majority of the community  with fundraising being undertaken as far south as Masterton and Wairarapa.. A stylish bazaar was held on the grounds behind Government House in March 1903. Well attended and hugely successful, this event met the cost of furnishing the school, but not more. 

The enterprise was always cash strapped. The school’s continued reliance on public generosity was stressed at the opening ceremony in May 1903.[viii]

Somehow Queen Victoria School survived until 2001, dogged by financial constraints all the way. Her sibling school of St Stephen’s had closed the previous year. 

The range of educational options in a changing world undoubtedly contributed in the drop in enrolments -back to the 60 girls envisaged in 1901. One hundred years later such a small role was no longer a viable proposition, placing an untenable pressure on families to meet the ever increasing fees. 

Image Jubilee booklet, Queen Victoria School Jubilee June 1953 p 59

The school is remembered with great fondness by past students and their families as a Spartan but happy place. It fulfilled its purpose well and in the early twentieth century was held in high esteem as an educational provider and  training establishment for community leaders.

---

[i] NZ Herald 12 Oct 1900 page 6 col 6

[ii] Ibid 12 Feb 1901 page 6

[iii] Ibid 20 Feb 1901 page 3

[iv] Ibid 21 May 1901 page 3

[v] Ibid 13 May 1901 page 6

[vi] Ibid 13 June 1901 page 5 col. 6, page 6 col. 6

[vii] Ibid 30 Sept 1902 page 4 col. 8

[viii] Ibid 23 May 1903 page 6 col 1 & 2