Walking Across History: Street Memorials

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 370, 2 June 1928, Page 17

Walking Across History: Street Memorials

Kj UCKLAND is , sin* a r e c o n cerned, from monuments | marble and stone figures stand on every hand; stately busts on artistic pedestals, and huge “full lengths” on massive pillars, in the cold indifference of death, yet with the freshness of immortality, watch the generations come and go. Our own city has its stone memorials to two worthy men of the pioneering past, statues of Grey and Campbell- These and other early citizens who served their day and time live in history by other remembrances; many in the gallery of portraits in the Old Colonists’ Museum where they look down on their descendants, and the newer citizens, with a seeming half smile as if willing to recognise new relationship and extend a wish for happy days and prosperity. Others of the political and commercial giants of colonising days are held in memory by memorials over which the uncaring general public tramples day by day throughout the year’s span; not knowing or, at least, not caring that these memorials to men who had a hand In the moulding of old New Zealand and the shaping of its destiny were intended as the tribute of an appreciative public. To governor and judge, poet and politi- I cian, parson and layman, soldier and business man these memorial streets and avenues bear testimony to the esteem of fellow citizens. But memory is short; a fine example of public forgetfulness being the changing of the name of Wakefield Street; an erasing from the commemorative records of a memento of a trio of men who, individually and jointly, probably exercised a more potent influence on the colonisation of New Zealand than any other group since. Buried in the street names is the atory of our development if the code is but grasped. In the heart of the city—that is, the first area developed—the thoroughfares will be found to carry the names of our first administrators and as the distance from the centre increases, corresponding to the time taken for expansion of the city, so in order will be found the names of men who W'ere in some measure responsible for that expansion. There they are. these names from the city’s founding onward; meaningless now to many, but each capable of being translated into a page in the story in our history; each pointing to some momentous struggle for political or other supremacy that had an effect on the modelling of our present day New Zealand, each recalling issues long forgotten.

Hobson Street divides the business portion of the town from what was once the residential district to the west. Who was Hobson? Consult that imaginary thing public opinion—the supposed concentration of 200,000 individual intelligences. Possibly it will be learned that in a mythical way Hobson had to do with the founding of the colony. But how many know that this prim, handsome naval officer was whisked from the deck of a warship patrolling the restless Tasman and thrust Into the role of colony builder; that his duty was to annex New Zealand to New South Wales by strategy and that his enduring: memorial ia the Treaty of Waitangi? Amidst all the distractions of commercial chicanery and rivalry by land grabbing cliques under conditions that

made effective legal control next to impossible, Hobson, tortured by Paralysis and fear of not being able to justify the confidence of his patron. Lord Auckland, had to formulate a Policy for a new colony that had yet to be provided with a capital city site. Even after his death his enemies abused him and for 86 years his grave in Symonds Street cemetery was forgotten. Had Hobson, and not the speculators won, the present citizens would not have had to pay big sums for re-modelling the thoroughfares in the centre of the city. Hobson, an Irishman by birth, had visited this far away land in H.M.S. Rattlesnake, in 1839. He came again, in January, 1840, invested with authority as Lieutenant-Governor. Untrained in Politics he secured Maori submission, founded the town by the Waitemata and with anxious fairness esayed to lay the beginnings of a great country. He died in 1842 and by irony of chance was one of the first to be buried in Ihe cemetery of the new city of which he had dreamed. Not far from Hobson St—jet is Grey Avenue, its splendid trees endeavouring to conceal the remnants of a past gentility and decayed splendour, and to hide from the curious the Chinese quarter of Auckland. A generation ago men spoke of Grey the liberal, the man whose banner they had followed to the pells. Now' he is, in popular knowledge, the man who once owned Kawau island. In his prime he cut » big figure in our land. Autocrat of the colony from 1845 to 1852, he practically defied the Imperial Government to introduce its projected constitution for New Zealand and forced recognition of one drafted by himself, which is to all intents and purposes the base of our present social system. Landing here as a military officer sent to silence Heke, he built a line of blockhouses from. Howick to Onehunga and brought soldier-pensioners to man them, buttressing his line with colonies of friendly natives. Having straightened out matters in New Zealand he was sent to the Cape to disentangle affairs there. Later he returned to govern this colony for seven years and. from 1874 onwards, served as a people’s representative in the Parliament he had

| formerly ruled. In 1877-79 he was I Premier fighting the losing battle of I provincial government. In 1875-6 he j was the last of the provincial superintendents. To Grey we owe our ; liberal educational policy and the endowments for our schools and hospitals, many of our park lands and much of our legislation. Born in Lisbon, three days after his father (Col. Grey) was killed at Badajos. George Grey, when he reached age entered Sandhurst, joining the 83rd Regiment. His political career began as Governor of South Australia, whence he was sent to New Zealand. In spite of multitudinous duties of office he found time to write history, translate Maori myths and accumulate a splendid library for which Auckland city owes him a special debt of gratitude. He died in London in 1898, old and disappointed, all but forgotten by the Imperial interests he had served so brilliantly. Even the statue erected to his memory in Auckland w T as hauled away from public view and thrust in Albert Park. An able, ambitious man with whom it was better “to be in with than against” he had more to do with making this land a home of liberal ideas than any other single citizen.

A Governor of another type has a memorial in Bowen Avenue, that flower-walled broad slope that disects Albert Park to connect Princes Street with Victoria Street west; linking the first Auckland with the newer one that has “got into its stride” in the race for commercial supremacy. The higher end of Bowen Avenue rests on the land where Felton Mathew laid out the original town of Auckland. His dream was thrown into the limbo of forgotten things by the operations of land speculators but now, as then, the ridge looks down on a restful harbour where the sun-sparkles chase each other in glee; and on which now floats the world commerce as the city founders planned. Governor Sir George Ferguson Bowen will not be remembered by many Aucklanders for he assumed office in 1867; but he has the distinction of being the first, of our governors to reside in Wellington. His residence there was erected hurriedly in order to entertain the Duke of Edinburgh. Judge Johnson in

referring to it humourously termed it a “shedifice.” A gentleman of classical culture, Sir George was considered by the Home authorities a “safe man” after Grey; one of them curtly remarking that he had no ideas except his ow'n advancement. His long flowery despatches read oddly to-day, hut he conveyed some disagreeable truths to the authorities who came to the conclusion that they were mistaken in the estimate of their man and administered sharp reprimands. With consumate diplomacy Sir George never persisted in his attitude. He came to New Zealand from the governorship of Queensland but he had previously been president of the University of Corfu and chief secretary for the lonian Islands; during which time lie wrote several works such as “Ithaca in 1850.” From New Zealand he went to govern Victoria and then to Mauritius. The Bowen Prize at the University for English history, or the history of our institutions or the destiny of the colonies, indicates the trend of his thoughts.

I At the foot of Princes Street is Shortland Street which was once i better known as the Crescent, and I was Auckland’s first street, laid out ! under the direction of David Rough, | the first harbourmaster. Its halfmoon shape indicates the edge of the vanished cliffs against which the Waitemata feebly warred after a wearying run across the mud fiats buried now beneath the Custom and Quay Streets reclamations. The street was named in honour of Lieutenant Willoughby Shortland who was Colonial Secretary to Hobson and after the death of the latter filled the post of Acting-Governor from September 1842 to December 1843. During his term of office the Wairau massacre happened and the propaganda against the Government in Auckland put Shortland in a predicament. His original appointment had been made by Governor Gipps, of New South Wales, and he was expected to fulfil the duties of police magistrate; his salary being fixed at £3OO. Despite official duties he was able to devote much time to the study of native life and has left valuable records—some of which still await publication.

The colony’s first military commander is recalled by Wynyard Street. Lieutenant-General R. H. Wynyard arrived as military officer to the Governor in 1842, with the 58th Regiment. At a later date he had the unique distinction of being at the same time Acting-Governor of New Zealand,

senior military officer, commander of a regiment and the elected superintendent of Auckland Province. The situation was Gilbertian for he had formally to send communications from himself, in one capacity, to himself, in another capacity. The position led the Imperial Government to forbid

JERVOIS ROAD, Ponsonby, which of New

military officers taking up politics. From New Zealand he went, like Grey, to the Cape; where he was promoted general. The pictures of him show a broad-sashed military officer with a

clean-shaven chin. After his death his widow came to New Zealand and his graud-children fill many prominent positions in the city. A governor famous for his magnificent side-whiskers and commanding mein has left his name in Ponsonby’s thoroughfare, Jervois Road. Sir William Francis Drummond Jervois had been governor of the Straits Settlements and of South Australia before reaching New Zealand. His appointment continued the policy of having j military officers represent the Imperial ! Government. J

Buried in the Street Names of Auckland is the Story of Our Development —If the Code is But Grasped

(Written for THE SUN by THOMAS WALSH.)

J*ervois was followed by Lord Onslow, 1889. His selection marked the changed aspect with which New Zealand was regarded by the London politicians and to some extent reflected the spread of liberal opinion in New Zealamd itself. In 1892 a measure to provide for the election of governors in the colony failed by one vote to pass the House. Onslow was a civilian—

a Parliamentary under-secretary, but he seemed unable to assimilate the spirit of personal freedom that prevailed in the colony and during his brief two years’ tenure of office in New Zealand was rather a lonely figure. A keen sportsman he assisted the acclimatisation societies and was instrumental in having set aside sanctuaries for native birds. One son was named Huia after an Otaki chief who presented the infant with all the marks of respect tendered an ariki. Lord Onslow resigned in 1891. Onslow Road, Epsom, is one of the few Auckland memorials to him. The next governor, the Earl of Glasgow, was a naval captain who had seen service in the White Sea during the Russian War and was in the Chinese At right.—NAMED AFTER THE GREAT PRO-CONSUL.—Grey Avenue (formerly Grey Street) bears one of the most distinguished names in the Dominion’s history. mi '

bears the name of a former Governor Zealand.

War in 1857. Almost before he landed he was involved in a controversy about appointments to the Legislative Council. In a dilemma, he referred the dispute to the Secretary for Colonies and raised a first-class political rumpus on the question whether outsiders were to govern New Zealand. A similar cause led to a political crisis later in Lord Glasgow’s regime, but was settled without outside help. Urbane, frank and hospitable, he made a conscientious effort to administer his office without bias. A terrace that runs parallel to Symonds Street is named in his honour.

Epsom has four streets that carry names well known to citizens of other days—Domett Avenue, Gillies Avenue, Bracken Avenue and Ranfurly Road. Domett was on of the poetpoliticians that have graced the House of Representatives. Possibly, he ranks

as one of the most capable of our poets. His massive. head, with the unruly and little-cared-for white whiskers, the big eyes that looked far into the future with understanding, made him an unusual figure in his day. History will praise him as the man who prevented the word "massacre” being inscribed on the official monument erected at Wairau. He had arrived in Nelson in 1842. He was at one time manager of a big property in Hawke’s Bay and in 1815 penned the petition that "was sent to the Imperial Parliament asking for the recall of Governor Fitzroy. He became Colonial Secretary, having control of the land in the southern portion of the North Island and the northern part of the South Island, and reached the Premiership in 1863. After an active political career he was nominated to the Legislative Council. The laws passed under his government have their place in history, but the fact that he was “the father” of the General Assembly Library stands more to his credit. The author of “Poets and

Poetry of the Century” wrote of him that “he had the gift of true poetry and if he had been able to devote his whole time to it he would not have been far behind the greatest poets.” Henry W. Longfellow was enraptured over Dommett’s “Christmas Hymn,” describing it as beautiful in conception and execution. Dommett translated the Maori songs for Grey’s “Polynesian Mythology.” His “Rauolf and j Amohia,” or “South Sea Island Day i

Dreams,” deserves better attention than is ever given it in New Zealand. He died in London in ISS7, and his personal policy was phrased as "hating shams and bids for popularity.”. Oddly enough he was frequently embarrassed in his speech, though his written words flow smoothly. Gillies w T as a judge: the son of a Scottish lawyer who migrated to Dunedin. He had commercial experience before taking up law. As a farmer he entered Parliament for Dunedin country districts. In 1565 he came to Auckland and was soon representing Mangouui in the House, and subsequently was member for Auckland City West. In the Domett Ministry he was Attorney-General and was Postmaster-General and Secretary for Crown Lands in the Whitaker-Fox Ministry; he was also Colonial Treasurer in the Stafford Ministry, which lasted a couple of weeks. He donated to the Auckland University College £3,000 to found two scholarships, the Sinclair, in memory of his uncle, and the Gillies, in remembrance of his wife. His lovely home has since become part of Parnell Park. Hard, legal-minded and unimaginative, he did well and the long, straight avenue in Epsom is a fitting testimony to his character. “Tom” Bracken, no one ever refers to him other than as Tom, was one of the picturesque characters who ornamented the Press world and the political stage of the colony. Born

in Ireland in 1843 he arrived in Victoria when he was 12 years old. After ups and downs in Otago he began a journalistic career with the old “Otago Weekly Guardian.” His experiences included three years in Parliament. Goitre claimed him as a victim in 1898. “Not Understood” is the only one of his poems known to the general public, but “Musings in Maoriland,” “Flowers of the Freelands,” “Beyond the Tomb,” “Pulpit Lectures,” and a score of other

! writings are of interest. | Lord Ranfurly, one of the supporters |of the Veterans* Home scheme, is 1 nearer our own times. Born at j Guernsey, he inherited Dungannon, I County Tyrone, and Ramphorlie, j County Renfrew. Entered as a cadet S in the Navy he gave it up to go to j Trinity College. He was one ot i Queen Victoria’s Gentlemen-in-Wait-I ing. He claimed descent from Uehj tred. an early Scottish monarch who married Princess Adama, from which j union sprang the founders of the Bar- ; ony of Knox, among whose descendants was the famous John. On his mother’s side the Earl was related to Penn, the Quaker. Ranfurly came to New Zealand as a gentleman-governor and had the advantage of having been in the country previously as a tourist. He also owned a lemon farm in Mildura, and one of his aides owned an orange farm in Florida. Standing high in the favour of the Queen, his ap pointment was heralded as giving the governorship lustre on the social side In the Dominion he was very popular, taking a very active interest in sports On one occasion, while touring in the Waikato, his lady and himself had perforce to complete their journey to Ngaruawahia on a trading launch on the Waipa River; the only refreshment that could be offered them was black tea made in a billy, boiled in the furnace. Lord Ranfurly seemed to enjoy the “mixture.” Ranfurly

Road, cutting boldly across the Manukau Road, flanks a handsome war memorial park and is lined with artistically arranged trees. Remuera can boast one street name that links with early days—Arney Road, called after the one time Chief Justice. Born at Salisbury, Sir George Arney arrived in New Zealand i to be Chief Justice and was ActingGovernor in the interregnum between 1 Governors Bowen and Fergusson; he

likewise served in the Legislative Council.

Both Parnell ami Ponsonby posses* a street memorial to one of the pioneer bishops in this far-away Pacific land. Selwyn Terrace, Parnell, English in its appearance with a row of red-roofed two-storeyed houses, looks out over the mud-flats that have become a railway yard, throbbing with life. George Augustus i Selwyn, the impetuous bishop who succeeded Marsden, had seen a town develop from the fern-covered broken country that flanks the Waitemata. Perhaps because he is closer in time to us than Marsden; perhaps because the churches he built in many places around the budding city still remain, he bulks largely in Church history. Consecrated by the Archbishop of Canterbury for work in New Zealand, he entered whole-heartedly into his tasks; travelling on foot the length and breadth of th*; colony. He gave the Church of England, in New Zealand, its present constitution. Firm in his religious faith, he did not hesitate to criticise the governor and the parliament; he opposed the war policy in Taranaki and generally scandalised the “progress-at-any-price” people. He selected Patteson for Bishop of Melanesia, and his own son trod in the steps of the martyr bishop. Selwyn’s self-denial, ready toil, and influence with the natives, and his moral heroism, gave him a position in the hearts of the people that the frowning of the Government could not disturb. He died in 1878, Bishop of Lichfield.

Pompallier Terrace, Ponsonby. recalls the adventurous Frenoli bishop who came with the South Pacific for a parish, and it emphasises that our land owes something to France beside the Akaroa settlement. Ho reached New Zealand in IS3S and was located at Hokianga. His little band, earneast in its missionary work, made friends with the Maoris. Heke’s war in 1844 drove it to Auckland, where Pompallier founded the school, at the North Shore, for Maoris and whites that afterwards became the St. Joseph’s Orphanage. The records of his long labours in Auckland are pye served in Italian and make interesting reading.

Of the pioneer Aucklanders who left their impress on the history of our city several have their names retained in the streets. The white-surfaced crescent that circles Logan Campbell s statue at the base of One Tree Hill, is Campbell Crescent. He was one of the first white men to traverse the Waitemata before the city was founded. Along with a partner. Brown, he formed a business that still flourishes. The gift of One Tree Hill Domain stands among the fairest things ever conferred on Auckland, and at his own expense Campbell founded the Free School of Art and maintained it for 11 years until it merged with the newer Elam School. His partner. Wm. Brown, in appearance a prosperous Dutch trader, was born in Dundee a.ud trained for a lawyer. After some commercial adventures in South Australia, he went to Sydney, chumming up with Dr. Campbell the ship’s surgeon, who, like himself, was quitting South Australia. They parted in Sydney but by odd circumstances the acquaintance was renewed a few months later at Coromandel. Together they built the first wooden house in Auckland. Acacia Cottage, now in Cornwall Park. A big hold in commerce and politics combined with the ownership of the

“Southern Cross” newspaper gave the partners a powerful influence in all local matters and Mr. Brown came to be a species of stormy petrel in politics. His candidacy for the office of Provincial Superintendent aroused the fiercest campaign in the history of the Provincial Parliament. After one defeat by Col. Wynyard he defeated Sir Frederick Whitaker for the oflfce. Mr. Brown left New Zealand for Scotland in the late 50’s. Brown Street, Ponsonby, is named after him. Another Provincial Superintendent of note was John W r illiamson, printer, from the North of Ireland. He established in 1845. the “New Zealander” paper. Mr. Williamson, whose memorial is a fine wide avenue traversing Grey Lynn, sat in the Provincial Council for several terras, was five times Superintendent of the province He sat in the second New Zealand Parliament, 1856, for City West, and then held the seat until his death in 1875. McKelvie Street, so named after James Tannock McKelvie, is a prominent public reminder of the man who gave Auckland the nucleus of its splendid art gallery, the McKelvie collection of pictures and oh jets d'art has pleased several generations of Aucklanders. A brief history of 88 years has this city on the isthmus. The land on which it is built had a story going back untold generations when Polynesian and pre-Polynesian peoples warred for its possession and termed it Tamaki of the Hundred Lovers. We of the white race have inherited a beautiful town and though its history be br'ef. it is colourful and packed with incident. While the mountains and headlands still, by their nomenclature, recall the race that went before us,

we have in our streets and thoroughfares geographical records of men and events that may be more enduring than marble or stone. A properly balanced educational system would see to it that the records were made part of the knowledge imparted to th© youth of each generation.