CITY PIONEERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 934, 29 March 1930, Page 6

CITY PIONEERS

AUCKLAND TPJO MUSTERS TOTAL OF 246 YEARS THE EDGERLEY FAMILY ■When Auckland was only a collection of scattered huts and the colony of New Zealand was in its infancy, three babies were born in what is now Edgerley Avenue, Epsom. Those three children, born in in the “forties,” are still alive, and between them can muster the imposing total of 246 years of well-lived life. Mr. John Edgerley, of “Edgerleigh,” Edgerley Avenue, Epsom, is one of the trio. He is S 4 years old, two years the senior of his brother. Mr. William Edgerley, who lives a few doors away in the same street. The third member is their sister, Mrs. Sarah Whyman, of Newmarket. The two brothers live in the same street in which they were born, and which was named afier the family. Speaking to a Sun man yesterday, Mr John Edgerley claimed to be the first white boy born in Epsom. A tall, straight man, spare and active, lie did not look his 84 years. His father was a botanist, who came out from England to the Hokianga district in the early days, and sent Home quantities of New Zealand flowers and ferns to Kew Gardens. He returned to England to be married, sailing for New Zealand shortly afterward with his bride. They brought with them a number of pear, peach, apple and other fruit trees as luggage for Auckland. Transhipping at Hobart in Tasmania, they came to Auckland in the schooner The Brothers.

Taking up a. block of land, including the site on which “Edgerleigh” now stands, he laid out a large orchard. The block went back as far as Gillies Avenue and also included the site of the Mater Miserecordiae Hospital. It was his intention to grow grapes also, but before he could put his plans into effect, he died at the early age of 35, leaving his widow to carry on the estate.

She leased part of the block to some gardeners, and sowed wheat on another section and by much hard work brought the family up to working age. When the two boys were old enough they learned the building trade, Mr. John Edgerley entering the service of Mr. Dairymple Muir, of Parnell, when he was 14, and his brother being apprenticed to a Mr. Hunter. When Mr. John Edgerley was 16. the Maori War broke out and he joined the Remuera Company of Volunteers, keeping guard at night throughout the district and drilling continually at Mount Hobson. The superintendent of the province, Mr. Robert Graham, and the Colonial Treasurer, Mr. Joseph Newman', were privates in his company at the time. When the company, was disbanded, Mr. Edgerley joined up with the No. nell Company as a volunteer, becoming a sergeant, but experiencing no actual fighting.

GOLD FEVER Bitten by the gold fever at the age of 19 or 20. he set off for the Thames goldfields, spending about two years there, with little success. On his return he went down to Fiji, working at his trade for a short period, before' going into partnership with another man. planting and storekeeping. The American Civil War was raging at the time, and there was a great scarcity of cotton, which became the staple crop in the islands. With the conclusion of the war the Southern States of America opened their cotton-fields once again, and there was little chance for Fiji cotton, so Mr. Edgerley turned to sugar-planting. • While, he was there his brother William visited him and worked in Fiji for a time. Mr. John Edgerley had numerous adventures in Fiji, being engaged in several fights with the natives. On one occasion he paid a visit to the stronghold of cannibals at the invitation of a friendly chief. The young bloods of the tribe wanted to “pot” him, and he was only spared through the. entreaties of the chief of the tribe, who was afraid of falling out with the Europeans. Mr. Edgerley also took part in the Mba River expedition to avenge the murder of two European planters who had been killed by the natives. The European residents chased the natives to the mountains and there was a good deal of killing before the affair was settled. None of the European expedition was hurt. Tiring of Fiji, Mr. Edgerley returned to Auckland after 11 years in the islands. His sister and his brother William had married. Shortly after his return John married Miss Isabella Men?iea, and took up his residence at his old home in Edgerley Avenue, where he lives today.

He went into partnership with his brother in the building trade, under the name of J. and W. Edgerley. Hard times came later during a big depression and the brothers dissolved partnership. John going to Melbourne, where he followed his calling for five years, his brother carrying on in Auckland. Later John returned to Auckland where he has resided since, carrying on his business until a few years ago, both brothers retiring about the same time.

Longevity is evidently inherited from Mrs. Edgerley, senior, who died at the age of 83, in full possession of all her faculties. The trio of old identities are as sprightly as they' were 30 years ago, able to take an active and intelligent interest in all that goes on. Mr. John Edgerley, in particular,* is a keen studerit of scientific works, more particularly astronomy*, and asserts his intention of reaching the 100 mark.