Heart of The Whau - Part 3 Once A Borough 1900 1921

Heart of the Whau – part 3 – Once a Borough 1900-1930
“Attention being paid to the open

Once a Borough … drain in the centre of the township.
1900 - 1930
“Reference was made to the
advancement of the district,
recommending tree planting on
1900s vacant spots in the township and at
the Domain at Avondale South.”
Whau Bridge: According to Peter
Buffett in the Western Leader, 29 Residents had always been
concerned about health in the
August 1985, by the turn of the
district, but this is the first record of
century a permanent wooden
a suggestion to beatify the town.
bridge of narrow span crossed the
Whau Creek. This was to remain
This was followed in July 1900 by
until the 1930s.
the Avondale Tree Planting
Society asking the Road Board’s
Shops:
permission “to plant trees on the
“The Rosebank Road area: a shop
side of the roads in the district in
on the site now occupied by the
the vicinity of the village.” The
Public Library was operated for
much of the period between 1900 Board gave a subsidy of £12 10/-
and 1950 as a general store. The for the purpose of the planting and
best known owners were the Fisher erecting guards to protect the trees.
family, who had the business in the The Board was to supervise.
[Minutes, 4/7/1900]
1930s.” [Challenge of the Whau, p. 88]
In August 1900, New Lynn
residents began to approach the
1900 Roads Board asking to be
amalgamated with Avondale,
On the 5 March 1900, the NZ seceding from Waitemata County.
Herald reported on the first Mr J N Bethell raised points of
Avondale & Waikumete some confusion as to whether
Fruitgrowers Association Show Portage Road was still in the
held in the Avondale Public Hall. Avondale District (it had been
The show was opened by John under the Highways District). A
Bollard: “Near 34 years ago he Board deputation met New Lynn
assisted to cut down the tea tree on residents at the Whau Bridge on 11
the present site of the Avondale August for a tour of New Lynn
Hall, and when he then stated that district, which showed that the
he hoped to see the day when the roads were in poor condition, the
district would flourish, when there length of the main road through
would be a railway running through New Lynn felt to be too great a
it, and when they would all reap the burden for the Roads Board to
fruits of their industry, some of maintain. There were reservations
those associated with him simply concerning taking on the full cost of
laughed at the idea.” maintaining the Whau Bridge.
Annual Ratepayers meeting, Public In the end, New Lynn broke away
Hall, 4 May 1900: from Waitemata County in 1910 by
45
itself to become New Lynn Town to and drank with musical honours.
District. Others were: “The Guest of the
Evening” by Mr Clay, responded to
In September, the Blake Street by Mr Wright, who gave an
footpath (Binsted side, most likely) interesting resume of some of his
was formed. [Minutes, 5/9/1900] experiences as a soldier of the
In those days, footpaths were King; “The Ladies”, proposed by Mr
formed using hot tar with broken Bluck, was responded to by Mr A E
shell thrown over before the tar set. Bollard.
This was to provide better vision
(especially at night – white shell Dancing was resumed, and kept up
reflected gaslight and moonlight), to an early hour. “Auld Lang Syne”
and because the white shell helped terminated a most successful
reflect the heat better in summer, evening.
preventing melting of the tar. [NZ Herald, 14/2/1901, from Mike Butler
[Conversation with Mr E Croft, 19 July report, Heritage Planning, Auckland City,
2001] 2001]
1901 1902
New Zealand was among the first Avondale Post Office: “In 1902 Mr
of the colonies of the British Empire Duncan Ingram, now postmaster at
to send troops to the Boer Wars Otarahanga, took over the duties,
(1899-1902), in fact Prime Minister and with the growth of the district
Richard Seddon offered troops the postal service was extended to
before the war began in October New Lynn and Green Bay.
1899. In February 1901, Avondale
feted one of the returning heroes, “In the summer and autumn the
at a special function in the Public inward telegram traffic was heavy
Hall. as the local growers received the
normal advices as to the trend of
On Tuesday evening last an priced for their produce. At this time
enjoyable social took place in the the population consisted mainly of
Avondale Public Hall. The building market gardeners, fruit growers
was tastefully decorated with flags and employees of the brick works.
etc., and the usual red, white and There were comparatively few city
blue designs, as a tribute to the workers living there, but when
guest of the evening, Mr Wright, workers’ fares were inaugurated on
who has recently returned from the the trains shortly afterwards at a
front. Dancing commenced soon rate of 2/- a week the residential
after eight, and was continued development became more rapid.
throughout the evening.
“The last two men who combined
Messrs Armiger & Bollard in the the duties of stationmaster and
intervals rendered vocal selections. postmaster were Mr Joshua
After a tastefully laid-out supper Hutchinson and Mr Charles Moon.”
had been dealt with, several toasts [Speech by H. G. R. Mason, Minister of
Justice, 19 August 1938]
were given. The first was proposed
by Mr John Bollard, M.H.R., “The
In September 1902 a new
King”, who was loyally responded
suburban workman’s train was
46
inaugurated between Henderson Arthur W Page in August.) The

and Auckland. [Tracks and Trains architect was J Currie.
Through Henderson, by David Lowe]
“Yesterday Mr J Currie, architect,
1903 received tenders for a brick shop
and dwelling-house, to be erected
Avondale Hotel: Application was at Avondale, on a site opposite to
made (to Eden Licensing the hotel, for Mr A W Page,
Committee) for the transfer of the merchant, of Kingsland. The
licence in respect to the Avondale building is to be a 1-storey erection,
Hotel from the widow Mrs Emma the shop having a frontage of 40ft,
Stych to William Baker. Mr O and the grain store a frontage of
Nicholson (a lawyer and later 50ft. The tender accepted
Mayor of Mt Eden Borough) (brickwork only) was that of Mr F
appeared in support. The police Ellisdon, for £875. [NZ Herald,
report stated that the house was in 21/4/1903, from Mike Butler report,
good order and well-conducted. Heritage Planning, Auckland City, 2001]
The necessary papers being in
order, the transfer was granted, The “grain-store” may have been
and also renewal of William Baker’s the shed beside the store itself,
licence. (He may have been the which was later to serve as a
last licensee) [NZ Herald, 2/6/1903] plumbing workshop (1930s-1950s)
and the first site of Des Ferry’s
Page’s Building: On March 4 panel-beating business later.
1903, Mr A W Page “waited on the
board with reference to obtaining By 5 May 1904, the Roads Board
the permanent levels of the advised the annual meeting of the
roadway fronting his property, it district’s ratepayers, that “Great
being his intention to erect a brick improvement had been made to the
building (plans produced) – also to road in the village, which was
discuss the question of grading and warranted by the erection of Page’s
kerbing the footpath.” This was to fine block of buildings.” [minutes,
1904]
be one with a false gable façade,
composing a dwelling, shop and
In 1906, the building was leased to
grain store. The Roads Board
Bollard and Wood (17/11/06). Ben
approved the work up to the value
Bollard and Edward Wood paid off
of 5 guineas, or £5, 5/-. In July,
the lease by 1909, and started the
Page offered to pay half the cost of
“Bollard & Wood” company which
the kerbing. [minutes, Avondale Roads
lasted until 1922. From 1915, after
Board 1903]. Two years later,
his father John’s death, Ben Bollard
maintenance work by John Lees on
took over the family land agent
the footpath, “tarring and sanding”
business in Queen Street, and
had been “interfered with before it
Edward Wood ran the business on
had been passed by the Board.”
[Minutes, 6/6/1905] his own. Mr Wood was also, in
1904, secretary to the Avondale
Tenders were called in Minstrels, still surviving as a group
advertisements on 21 April, and from their beginnings in the 1860s.
[Mike Butler report, Heritage Planning,
from April to June, 1903 the Pages Auckland City Council, 2001].
building was erected (taken over by
47
From March to June 1903, Geddes daughters – the son did not take on
Terrace was formed, gravelled and the business.
surface drained. In October 1902
Messrs Brown & Geddes One of their sons, Robert Webster
subdivided part of allotment 64, the Kirkpatrick, (1890-1937) went on to
land being surveyed out by co-found, with the Stevens family,
surveyor, John Boylan. In March Kirkpatrick & Stevens of
1903, John McKail Geddes and Newmarket, and one of his sons in
Herman Brown owned 7 acres and turn, Robert Noel Kirkpatrick, was a
32 9/10 perches of Allotment 64, Newmarket Borough Councillor in
between Geddes Tce and Layard the early 1970s. His daughter is
St, and part of the land nearing the Noeline Raffills, current Auckland
Great North Road frontage. On 4 City Councillor for Avondale-Roskill
March W Boylam C.E. forwarded Ward. [Conversation with Mr Noel
the plans and specifications for Kirkpatrick, 11 June 2001]
forming Geddes Tce to the Roads
Board for their approval, and on 1 Mr Grubb senior continued to work
July Messrs Brown Barrett & Co for his son-in-law until his
announced the completion and retirement.
applied to the Board to take over
the new road, which they did. Also on 1 April 1903 is the first
[Minutes, 1903, and information from Mike mention in the Roads Board
Butler report, Heritage Planning, Auckland minutes of St Georges Road in
City, 2001]] place of the then Brickyards Road.
Geddes Terrace is likely to have Oddfellows Lodge: On 30
been named for the owner of September 1903, the Avondale
Brown Barrett & Co, Mr. J. McKail Oddfellows Lodge opened and
Geddes. started meeting in the Avondale
Public Hall. This was to continue
By 1 April 1903, Mr Robert Samuel until 19 December 1927, when their
Kirkpatrick had bought Grubb’s new purpose-built hall was opened
land and bakery on the north- further along St Georges Road
western corner of Rosebank/Great (now demolished). They only had
North Road, and ran Kirkpatrick’s to shift out once, in 1923 (moved
Bakery there until early 1905. back 20/7/1923) when the Public
[Minutes, 1903 and 1905]
Hall was being shifted to its current
site to make room for the new
Robert Samuel Kirkpatrick (1866-
Town Hall. [Conversation with Mr W E
1948) was the son of Duncan Timmins, Secretary of Oddfellows Lodge,
Kirkpatrick (arrived 1860 from 4 May 2001]
County Antrim, Ireland) and Jane
McCaughan, whom he married in Once Avondale amalgamated with
Napier. “Sam” Kirkpatrick married Auckland City, and the decision
Magdalene Webster Grubb of the had been made to start a public
Avondale baker’s family in 1890, so library (1930-31), the Lodge were
in 1903 he was essentially carrying advised that they would no longer
on the family business. (The be allowed to use the Public Hall
Kirkpatricks and the Grubbs had building for their meetings. In
been cousin families before this). response, the Lodge built their own
Mr Grubb had 1 son and three hall further down St Georges Road.
48
reported to the annual ratepayer’s

In October 1903, residents along meeting that year, and the AGC
Great North Road from assured the Board that gas would
Kirkpatrick’s corner to Waterview be supplied to the village “as the
petitioned the Road Board for a necessary pipes were obtained.”
footpath along the road. The Board
agreed to contribute £ for £. By August 1904, 3 gas lamps had
been purchased for the streets of
1904 the district, including one for the
junction of “Old North and New
“A supply of gas from the Auckland North Roads.”
Gas Works was piped into the At this point, A W Page “having
central area of Avondale. It allowed offered to present the Board with a
some street lamps to be installed. ornamental lamp to be erected in
A man was employed to light them the village and able to bear the cost
at dusk and extinguish them at of supplying water to a public
midnight.” [Challenge of the Whau, p. trough, provided the Board erected
59] a suitable pedestal and water
trough.”
Gas Lamp in the Village: “In 1904
Mr A W Page offered to present the This was all well and good, with a
Road Board with an ornamental subscription arranged to pay for the
lamp. He suggested that it be pedestal and trough – but water in
mounted on a pedestal and those days came from Auckland
surrounded by a drinking trough for City’s Newton Reservoir, and the
horses. The Board accepted (the) Road Board couldn’t come to an
site … at the intersection of St arrangement with the City Council
Jude’s Street, St George’s Road, until sometime between 1907 and
Wingate Street, and Great North 1910. Board minutes are missing
Road. The structure was a feature for this period, but photos of the
of the area for a number of years.” junction from the time show the gas
[Challenge of the Whau, p. 59] lamp above a trough before Allely’s
Building was erected in 1911. The
Actually the mini-saga of the gas gas lamp may well have been
lamp, pedestal and water trough at installed in 1904 or 1905, but the
the junction of “Old North Road and district’s horses had to be patient
New North Road” began 1 April when it came to the trough.
1903, when one John Wilson wrote Those who had imbibed too much
to the Road Board complaining at the Avondale Hotel ran the risk
about a culvert near the Public Hall, of being thrown bodily into the
and also suggesting a public water trough to sober up, and then left
trough at the junction. The Board under the shop verandahs. [Vic
advised him that they had already Amos recollection, Avondale Oral History
moved on that notion – and then Project, tape 15, 1991]
passed a motion “procuring a water
trough for the village”. “As kids we used to sit on the old
horse trough, where the traffic
The Auckland Gas Company had island now stands, and look after
been interviewed by the Road the horses of anyone going in [to
Board by May 1904, so the Board the Avondale Hotel] to drink. If we
49
were lucky we would get a bob for

it.” [Remembrance of Mr. J McCrae, aged “The church stands on a plot of
77, Western Leader, 11/8/67] ground between the Avondale
Railway Station and the main road,
The trough and lamp remained a and is of a size to seat 100 people.
landmark until around 1924, It has cost about £300 to erect. The
according to Heritage Planning arrival of this new church is another
consultant, Mike Butler. of the many signs of Avondale’s
rapid growth.” [NZ Herald, 7/4/1904,
Methodist Church: “ … in 1904 from Mike Butler report, Heritage Planning,
the Methodists opened their own Auckland City, 2001]
church building in upper Rosebank
Road, where the Nafanua Hall is After World War I, the church
today.” [Challenge of the Whau, p. 100] hoped to have a new brick church
built on the site to accommodate
The first service had been held in the increase in parishioners, and so
Mt Albert at the home of Mr and moved the wooden church to the
Mrs A W Martin on March 22 1903. rear of the site. However, no new
Later services were in the Public church was built (due to war and
Hall at Avondale. “On account of depression) until the Nafanua
beer parties being held in the Hall development later in the century.
of a Saturday night and beer spilt
on the floor, Methodists had no In September 1904, Mr Binsted
alternative but to inhale the fumes donated 5/- towards the cost of
of the night before [and] during forming a footpath in Blake Street,
their service.” These conditions outside his shop. [Road Board
hurried on the building of a church. minutes].
[Ruby Martin memories, from Avondale
Methodist Church Diamond Jubilee Two former residents recalled
Booklet, 1964] being told that people from the
Auckland Asylum near Pt Chevalier
It had been resolved on January 4th would walk from the asylum to the
1903 “to erect a church 30ft. by corner of Blake Street and Great
20ft. capable of seating 120 North Road, sit on the grass
people. The estimated cost outside Henry Binsted’s shop for a
including the land was £326 and to while, then walk back to the asylum
complete this project it was again. This would have happened
deemed necessary to raise a loan before 1920.
of £200. A site for the church was 1905
purchased in May 1903 situated in
what was then known as Brown The problems of walking the streets
Street, now Rosebank Road … On at night, when there is next to no
April 7th 1904 the foundation stone street lighting, is not one limited to
or rather stones, for there were two our own times.
of them, were laid, one by … W
Shackleford, and the other by … “An Avondale Sensation –
Elijah Astley. Alleged assault on a Young
Woman – An Arrest Made.
“The opening of the church took A young woman named Rose
place on May 22nd 1904.” [Methodist Thomas, aged 18, residing at
Church Diamond Jubilee booklet, 1964]
50
Avondale, was violently assaulted

on Saturday night. She was Actually, the Road Board didn’t
walking along the main road, and have by-laws regarding general
when about 200 yards from the shop hours, only for billiard rooms
Avondale Hotel a young man and other entertainment
rushed upon her out of the establishments. From 18 January
darkness, caught her by the throat, 1905, clear through to the end of
and making an improper the Borough in 1927, Avondale’s
suggestion threatened to blow her Road Boards and Councils had to
brains out with a revolver, which adhere to the Shops and Offices
she said he held in his hand at the Act 1904, where each year a day
time. was chosen on which, each week,
shops in Avondale closed at 1pm.
“He then dragged her some yards This was usually Wednesday,
off the main road and threw her into following the British pattern. This
a ditch, where, it is alleged, he was a continuation on restrictions
attempted to commit a serious on work hours imposed earlier by
offence, but was disturbed by some the Shops and Shops Assistants
ladies who were walking along the Act of 1894. However, shops could
main road at the time, and taking and did open on Saturdays, and
alarm, he ran away and was lost in there was no deterrence to Sunday
the darkness. trading. This was reversed in by the
Shops and Offices Act 1955, which
“Miss Thomas made a complaint to banned Sunday Trading for all but
a passer-by, and information of the a few exceptions, such as dairies.
assault was conveyed to Constable
O’Grady, who is stationed at In the early 1900s, health was of
Avondale. He saw Miss Thomas, primary concern. Amidst the scares
and gathered a description of her and horrific realties of plague and
assailant from her. Yesterday fevers, the Road Board took
Inspector Cullen received matters of public health seriously.
information of the arrest of a young
man who resides at Avondale, who, “The Chairman (T B Clay) stated
Miss Thomas alleged, was the man that he had arranged for the District
who assaulted her. He will be Health Officer and W Bruce
brought up at the Police Court this (Baker?) to meet at Avondale to
morning.” [NZ Herald, 30/1/1905, from discuss the question of the drain,
Mike Butler report, Heritage Planning, (outside the Avondale Hotel,
Auckland City, 2001] continually blocking up), the latter
gentleman failed to attend. The
Shopping Hours by-law: “The Health Officer had condemned the
[Road] Board set local shopping drain as insanitary, also the
hours. Businesses were required to premises on Peck’s Estate, and
be open on Saturday morning and had signified his intention to
closed on Wednesday afternoons. compel the owners of the Avondale
Billiard saloons were not allowed to Hotel to put in a septic tank.” It was
be open after 10.30 at night. Before suggested that this be done, and a
a licence was issued to a saloon stand of willows cut down, with
operator, the Police Department Mrs. Peck’s permission. [minutes,
was consulted.” [Challenge of the 1/2/1905]
Whau, p. 53]
51
Archives, from Mike Butler report, Heritage

Trains in 1905 would stop across Planning, 2001]
the Blake Street railway crossing,
blocking traffic while waiting for the Mike Butler, in his report, remarked
signal to proceed further down the on the special significance of
track. The Road Board complained the Avondale Station as it is
to the Railways Department about of comparatively rare wooden
this, and the signals were moved. construction, in comparison with
[minutes, 9/12/1905]. other suburban stations. [M Butler
report, Heritage Planning, Auckland City
Council, 2001]
Land rates were now 1 1/3 d in the
£. It was recommended in the 1907
It was thought that the first police
annual meeting that these be
constable stationed in Avondale
lowered to 1 ¼ d in the £, and this
then was William McInnes in 1903,
was reduced to 1 1/12 d. After so
who used to ride regularly on
long with rates at very low figures,
horseback from Avondale to
the residents were very reluctant to
Helensville and back again. He
see their rates bill rise.
apparently had two brothers, who
owned Fencible cottages in
1906 Howick. [Conversation with Mrs Margaret
Basset and Mrs Elaine Bollard, 31/5/2001]
Police Station: The first purpose-
built Avondale Police Station was However, according to Mike Butler,
erected, Great North Road, next to Constable Crean was the first (by
Page’s Building, in 1906. Initially 1900 – although he was the
there were 3 separate buildings: investigating constable in the Stych
constables residence & office (still suicide incident in 1898). McInnes
standing), lockup and stable. The may have come after Crean, but
District Engineer of the time, in before Constable Gordon (by
charge of the work, was C. R. January 1901, to whom Constable
Vickerman, while the builder was J Watt of Helensville reported), and
Robert Kay. Total cost was £740. Constable O’Grady who wrote the
Dressed timber for the buildings above report about the newly
was supplied from Government purchased station land. The
mills at Kakahi. The land was question still remains as to where
purchased on 28/8/1903 in the constables were stationed at
preparation for the building. Avondale before 1906.
“I respectfully report that the He may have been the “new

section purchased by the Police constable” referred to in Road
Department at Avondale for Police Board minutes of 7 October 1903,
Quarters would be very “to co-operate with the ranger in
accommodating for Troop horse prosecuting owners of straying
here by it being fenced, as the horses and cattle.”
present stable yard where he runs
when out of stable is very small
and of no comfort.” [“Report of
Constable Thos. O’Grady, No. 649,
relative to Police Station at Avondale
1907
suitable for Troop Horse accommodation
by being fenced,” 15/12/1903, National
52
Road Board Chairman T B Clay Avondale and St Heliers bars were

resigns on 1 May 1907, and is to be put up for sale.
succeeded by John Potter.
I had an interesting conversation
1908 with Mr Keith Grubb, who has lived
in and around Avondale much of
Railway: “The motor train now his life. He told me of some of the
running between Auckland and ways the prohibition of liquor in the
Henderson has proved so great a district was circumvented. In the
success that a second large Cracroft St billiard saloon, for
carriage has had to be added in instance, imbibers would fill Coke
order to cope with the traffic. Credit bottles with spirits, so as to fool the
is due to Mr John Bollard, MP, for police who regularly monitored that
his action in introducing the railway “den of iniquity”.
authorities to run a motor train on
this suburban line.” [NZ Herald, Later, when restrictive licensing
7/3/1908] came into force, some joined sports
clubs simply so they could enjoy
their pint legally. According to Mr
Closure of Avondale Hotel: Local Grubb, the racecourse jockeys had
Option (regarding liquor licence their own secret bar under the
provision in districts) first held with grandstands at one time.
General Election on 17 November
1908. Avondale was part of Eden What could be the first record of
district, which had 4 hotels at the the 2-storey stone building at 1990
time: Junction Hotel (Epsom), Great North Road (now
Epsom Hotel, Avondale Hotel and demolished, and the site of the
Henderson Hotel. The total Eden latest Avondale Post Office) comes
vote in 1908 was: No Licence from an advertisement placed in
4010; Reduction 4015; the NZ Herald of 18 March 1909:
Continuance 2192.
Shops and stabling (brick & wood)
The narrow vote for reduction was at Avondale. Tenders for the above
probably overturned by later will be received until Noon Monday
recount votes. 29/3/1908. Arthur H White,
Architect.” [From M Butler report,
(In Avondale, the sole polling place Heritage Planning, Auckland City 2001.]
for the election was the Public Hall
on St Georges Rd. This would have Avondale goes dry at 10pm, 30
included voters in Blockhouse Bay, June 1909, and the Avondale Hotel
Rosebank and Waterview. There, it loses its licence. It later becomes
was 402 for no licence, 385 for the Avondale Post Office.
reduction, 261 for continuance.)
“By 1912 the postal business had
Closure for 107 hotels up and down grown to sufficient proportions to
the country, including the four in justify a separate building, and on
Eden district, was set for 10 pm, February 13 of that year the
June 30 1909. The NZ Herald of premises which had served for the
the time advised that both past 26 years were occupied. They
had been acquired by the P. and T.
53
Department and converted from a wouldn’t like to count them all.” [J.
hotel, “no license” having been McRae, aged 77, reminisces in NZ Herald,
carried in the district, which was, at 11/8/67]
this time, part of the Eden
electorate. Billiard Saloon: According to The
“A remarkable expansion had been Challenge of the Whau, the old
recorded in the postal business bakehouse behind what once was
since that date. The postmaster the Morris Bros. general store and
had been Mr Ernest D Thompson, post office was converted in 1908
appointed February 1912. Mr into billiard rooms, using tables
Charles B McIsaac, appointed from the Avondale Hotel (after the
December 10, 1921, Mr John 1908 election result made
Brookes, appointed June 10 1924, Avondale a “dry” area). A Mr H.
and Mr John G McGregor, the Kneebone, Roads Board member
present postmaster, who was and land developer in his own right,
appointed April 29, 1929.” [Speech owned the billiard saloon for some
by H. G. R. Mason, Minister of Justice, 19 years.
August 1938.]
Public poolrooms started as a part
“The Hotel was made into the Post of the entertainment in taverns and
Office (1912). It was a beautiful hotels, the Avondale Hotel
looking place inside. All the counter obviously no exception. To while
was polished and done with brass away the time between betting
– that must have been where the games (once known as “pool”, as in
bar used to be. The Post Office today’s sweepstake pools),
was also the manual exchange.” including horse racing, drinkers
[Section of Avondale Oral Histories, would play games of billiards. Such
1990/1991] rooms:
Come general election day, a sheet “were always associated with
would be hung from the hotel gambling and various forms of low
verandah facing the Page’s life, ministers were always
Building, and the results as they denouncing them, police were
came in to the post office would be always finding wanted criminals in
posted up on the sheet for the them, and parents were always
crowds to see under the shop warning their children to stay out of
verandahs. [Conversation with Mrs V. them. Here, for example, is Jerome
Crawford, 28 June 2001]
Keogh, world's pool champion five
times between 1897 and 1910,
“The Avondale Hotel’s most
reminiscing about the 1890's:
popular period, from 1890 to 1910,
is closely linked to the nearby
‘Despite the vaunted glamour of the
racecourse and the various
great billiard academies of the gay
sporting activities carried out
nineties...the fact was that during
there.” [Peter Buffet, Western Leader]
this period "nice" young men stole
surreptitiously through the by-ways
“[The Avondale Hotel] has been a
of the night to enter them, lest
wonderful landmark and continually
detection should result in the
brings back old memories – around
stigma of being "fast."...The game
1902 there were only about seven
struggled against the dictates of
shops in Avondale and now I just
54
society, the raising of eyebrows, Coal & Firewood Dealer, Avondale.

and the word "pool" uttered with Express Work done. Orders left at
caustic venom.’” [from the Mr Robertson’s promptly attended
Internet, www.amateurbilliardnews. com/ to” [Advertisement, The News, 28/8/15]
Archives/pages/hustlers.html]
The movies: Earliest found
1910 instance of a motion picture show
in Avondale, from Jan Grefstad’s
Railway statistics: “The Railway unpublished book, Picture Theatres
Statement of 1910 showed that the of Auckland:
number of tickets issued from the
Avondale Station exceeded that of “AVONDALE TONIGHT. PUBLIC
any station in the Dominion, HALL. Hope’s Picture Company.
outside the largest towns. This did They speak for themselves.
not include the race traffic. Nearly Wonderful variety, suitable for
all were second-class tickets, Every Taste with catchy music.
showing that the district was Prices 1/- and 6d. Doors open 7pm
essentially a residential quarter for commencing 8pm; Children half
working men.” [From evidence given price. TONIGHT (THURSDAY)
Thursday September 2, 1915, in favour of ONLY.” [Auckland Star , November 10
Avondale becoming a borough, published 1910]
in the NZ Herald, 3/9/1915]
Robertson’s Store: “On the north-

west corner of Rosebank Road and 1911
Great North Roads, was a general
store, opened about 1910. The first
Allely’s Building: (1994 – 2000
owner was a D Robertson. He
Great North Rd). In 1903, the land
expanded his business to include a
between Page’s Building and the
bakery. The bakehouse was
corner of Crayford St and Great
situated a little to the north along
North Road was part of a farm and
Great North Rd, about where
stables connected with the Jockey
Battersby’s funeral parlour is now.”
[Challenge of the Whau, p. 88]
Club.
The bakery would be the successor In 1910 there was a wooden shop
to Grubb’s and Kirkpatrick’s. on the site, beside the police
station. This was replaced by a
D Robertson’s flourished until brick building owned by Robert
1918-1919, when Thode Bros. took Joseph Alley, chemist, in 1911. An
over the store. The business was addition to the immediate north of it
already on the wane in 1915. later became the site for chemists J
Henderson (until 1980s) and Peace
“To the residents of Avondale and (1980s-1990s). [M Butler report,
Heritage Planning, Auckland City Council,
surrounding district. Having taken 2001]
over the Coal Business lately
carried on by Mr D Robertson of Robert Joseph Allely may have
Avondale I hope by strict attention been born 1867, the son of
to business and keeping coal of the immigrants from County
best quality to merit a fair share of Monaghan, Ireland, who had
the public patronage. T H Martin, moved to Australia, where Allely
55
was born. [information found on the for the average worker, and nullify
Internet, April 2001]. the drive for better rail service by
making settlement difficult in the
He was in business in Avondale district. There were fears the
possible only a little more than 10 Board’s revenue would be
years. But, after Dr Aitken in the decreased by the building
previous century, he was restrictions. [Avondale Road Board
Avondale’s second source of minutes, 11/10/11]
general medical help, Avondale’s
“doctor” of the time, as well as the 1912
dentist.
Footpath: “Motion passed to form
Mrs V Crawford said that Robert
footpath on both sides of Great
Allely was a little child on the same
North Road from Blake St (St
ship on which her grandmother
Judes) to Brown St (Rosebank
MacDonald came on, the Queen of
Road).” [Avondale Road Board minutes,
the Nations. If you went to Allely for 27/3/12]
your teeth, he would take you
upstairs (which was later the dental Gas mains: Auckland Gas
office for Mr Herdson and Mr Company lays mains in Great
Scott). [Conversation with Mrs V North Rd and Brown Street.
Crawford, 28 June 2001] [Avondale Road Board minutes, 3/4/12]
On July 22 1911, the first
prescription is recorded as being Brown Street being constructed.
filled, on the day the original Talk of Rosebank Road
pharmacy opened. [Western Leader, continuation. [Avondale Road Board
28/9/87] minutes, 12/6/12]
Traffic By-laws: 7 December – Bluck block built 1912-1913 by

Roads Board By-laws in effect. Frederick Bluck – JP, Avondale
These regulated vehicle traffic on orchardist, clerk of the Avondale
Road District roads, referred to Road Board, real estate agent,
road obstructions and nuisances, previously station master and
and demanded the lighting of storekeeper in Waitara, and
vehicles from sunset to sunrise. teacher in South Auckland. He
Vehicles plying for hire were arrived in New Zealand 21 October
licensed. 1866, aboard the Ida Zeigler, and
came to Avondale by 1899. He built
Building By-laws: There were the block opposite the station on
building regulations, and a Browne Street to take advantage of
prohibition on buildings not having the railway traffic, the principal
a frontage to a public or private mode of transport in and out of
road or street. There was also a ¼ Avondale at the time. Bluck set up
acre minimum on subdivisions, to “Fred Bluck & Son” land agents in
prevent conditions of overcrowding. the block (previously located in
Blake St – St Judes). His son
There were objections before these Frederick Gordon Bluck died in
by-laws came into effect. A 1917, while Bluck senior died in
deputation was concerned that they 1941, age 96. He had left Avondale
would prove detrimental to district in 1926, and spent most of his
progress, make sections too costly retirement years in Balmoral.
56
trough in Papakura – water to be

The Bluck Buildings represent the supplied by the Auckland City
old Avondale focal point prior to the Council at 10/- per 1000 gallons),
widespread use of the motor car. cost £45 (later cost possibly
On the outside, to this day, is an reduced to £25). Payment was to
old metal “FP” plate, meaning “Fire be by subscription, with £10
Plug”. collected by October that year.
[Mike Butler report, Historic Planning,
Auckland City Council, 2001] In 1913, a brass cup was fixed in
place with a longer chain. This was
Station superette (corner arranged by Board member H
Roberton and Browne St) built Kneebone, who was later
1912. The ad for tenders for questioned over the disappearance
building the store appeared of subscription monies for the
September 26, 1912. The architect trough, given to him but not
was Hugh Grierson. Later, a appearing in the treasury.
second storey added (by 1913) as
living quarters. Has been a grocers, It was realised later in 1913 that
drapers, dairy, and now art there was no meter for the trough,
framers. [Mike Butler report, Historic or a plug to drain it for cleaning.
Planning, Auckland City Council, 2001]
This was rectified.
G J Philp ran the store in 1913,
The drinking trough was a heavy
advertising (as seen on a photo of
concrete one, around 15 feet in
the period) “Merchant, Provisions,
diameter. [Vic Amos recollection, Oral
Grain and Produce” There was a History tapes]
sign outside, by the front entrance,
“Summer drinks”. According to the Billiard Saloon: H Kneebone’s
photo, the second storey was billiard saloon licence passed to
already built in 1913. Edward Rule, and Kneebone left
Avondale politics soon after. The
According to Mr Noel Kirkpatrick, licence was restored to Kneebone
whose family owned the property a year later.
up to the 1930s at least, at the
back of the store was a “high door”, Avondale’s Progress – Many
with a beam jutting straight out Buildings Going Up
from the top for unloading the The march of population westward
horse & cart delivering such items is responsible for many inquiring
as bags of flour. There were eyes being directed towards
stables at the back. Avondale as a residential suburb.
The comparative cheapness of
Vehicle licence plates cost 9d land in this locality is an
each. inducement to a closer settlement.
At the present time houses are
Water trough: In April it was going up in all directions, and the
decided to erect a water trough “at provision adopted by the Road
the lamp in the village” (present Board some months ago of framing
day roundabout. This was the lamp building by-laws to prevent
donated by Arthur Page in 1904). It allotments being cut up into lesser
was to be circular in shape,
designed by Mr Watkins (based on
57
areas than 1/5 of an acre each will The Village: Avondale, at this date,
prevent any undue congestion. still referred to as a “village” or
“township” in minutes. [Avondale
The Walton Estate, beside the Road Board minutes, 2/4/13]
railway station, is being rapidly
filled up with houses of a pleasing Traffic by-laws: Avondale Roads
appearance. A large 2-storeyed Board starts to consider the
shop and dwelling is being erected regulation of motor car speed in the
opposite the station gates, and in district.
other portions of the township the
same activity is being manifested. Sometime in 1913-14, Arthur John
Morrish (1869-1949) printed the
A considerable portion of the recent first issue of his weekly publication
loan of £15,500 for road formation for Avondale, New Lynn,
has been expended, and at the Waikumete, Henderson, and
moment the main thoroughfare is Swanson, called simply The News.
“up”, the Board doing the work by He had been originally apprenticed
day labour in preference to to the printing trade in England,
contracting, this apparently giving working at The Gazette in Tiverton.
better results. He emigrated from Devon in 1894
[NZ Herald, 18/11/1912, from Mike Butler when he was 25, married Adelaide
Report, Heritage Planning, Auckland City, Annie Dayner (whom he’d first met
2001] in Derby) and settled in Princess
Street (Elm St), where he set up his
1913 business before shifting first to
Great North Road (just down from
Telephones: Clerk reports on the 1938 Post Office), and then to
telephone installation in Board’s Rosebank Road. Copies of The
offices (Blake St, east corner with News are rare, and photocopies
Geddes Tce, later called Mission sought after these days. No one
Hall.) Annual charge for “four on knows when the newspaper
wire” (or party line) installation 8 ceased publication, but Arthur
pounds to each subscriber. Messrs Morrish died in 1949, aged 80.
Binsted, Philp and Archibald Bros.
willing to join with Board. [Avondale His wife Adelaide Annie Morrish
Road Board minutes, 5/3/13] (c.1871-1941) ran her own
business in Rosebank Road
The Archibald Brothers were alongside her husband’s printing
brickmakers of the time, and G J works.
Philp ran the Station Store on the
corner of Brown St and Roberton
Road.
1914
Board Offices: A charwoman
cleaned the offices for 3/- per
In 1914, a new Infant Block was
session, while a small lamp was
built at the Primary School, at the
obtained and fixed on the office
Layard St entrance, apparently by
over the entrance to be lighted on
a local, Mr Vibert.
nights of Board meetings. [Avondale
Road Board minutes, 1913].
58
10 June 1914: Board wrote to John seal if the Inhabitants of the

Bollard & Committee stating that Avondale Road District be affixed
the Board were willing to take over to the Transfer of the Avondale
Public Hall. (This was the wooden Public Hall and site, executed by
hall dating from 1867. John Bollard Mr John Bollard the surviving
by this time, one year before his Trustee thereof in pursuance of the
own death, was the sole trustee of authority conferred by Sec. 20
the set-up deed). Subsection 1 of the Reserves And
Other Lands Disposal and Public
1 July 1914: Letter received from Bodies Empowering Act 1914:
J. Bollard, surviving Trustee of the carried.”
Avondale Public Hall Trust Deed
willing to hand over & vest the Hall “That the Board take possession of
in the Board, provided transfer can the said hall under the former Trust
be made in legal manner, incidental Deed thereof and that Messrs John
expenses to be paid by the Board, Potter (Chairman), F Walker & W J
enclosing original Trust Deed for Tait form a committee to arrange &
information. carry out the actual taking
possession: carried.”
Town Clerk sent Bollard a
“Statement of Facts” with a copy of 22 January 1915: “The Chairman
the Deed and suggestion clause to said the principal business of the
be inserted in the Washing Up Bill adjourned meeting was the matter
validating the Vesting. of the Public Hall. Mr Fell asked if
The caretaker of the hall (a Mr the names on the Deed formed the
Lees) was kept on for 3 months, at (Hall) Committee. The Chairman
£3 per quarter with extra 1/- per said not necessarily. Mr Curd
hour for cleaning up after late suggested re-naming the Hall and
socials & dances & 6d each time calling it Avondale Town Hall.
for emptying the night soil bucket. Some members considered this
rather premature and the matter
It was resolved that Mr Lees be was not pressed.”
supplied with a “book in diary form
to enter Hall engagements.” 3 February 1915: “Report on
Public Hall from Public Hall
1915 Committee
Members: John Potter, George
20 January 1915: ”From Messrs Curd, G Fell.
Hammond & Cracknell (Solicitors) Interior sound. Supper room, ladies
stating that the surviving Trustee & gentlemen’s rooms required
had signed the deed of conveyance repair & alterations. Outside of hall
of Avondale Public Hall from the except spouting in good condition.
Trustees to the inhabitants of Out-buildings, fences and general
Avondale Road District, and that surroundings & water supply
they would attend the meeting of neglected. Seating accommodation
the Board on January 10th inst. To inadequate, supper room tables
complete transfer. On the motion of need improvement. Piano in
the Chairman it was unanimously excellent order although wants
resolved that the standing orders cover. Crockery & utensils in the
be suspended. That the common kitchen very fair.”
59
“Repairs required: lean(-to) at back, [Local people believe that it was

outhouses, fences and sundry Vibert who designed and built the
fixtures. Also plumbing, laying on of Primer Block in Avondale Primary
water from city main, levelling, School, 1914 -- note]
tarring & sanding of vacant land.”
3 March 1915: The following
“Recommend (aside from land tenders for alterations to the Public
work) that a Brick Front be built Hall were opened (repairs)
with 2 floors, rooms to be used as Mr C F Eyre £127
Municipal Chambers etc. A design Mr W J Little £118 10/-
kindly drawn up by George Curd Mr H Potter £93 13/-
has been submitted, but committee Lowest tender accepted.
is of the opinion that for a work
involving the spending of public 24 March 1915: “The Public Hall
money, it would be in accordance Committee recommended Board
with best principles to consult an accept plan marked (B) for the
architect. £500 to be borrowed for Brick Front to Public Hall, and that
work. Anticipated revenue to cover the Architect be instructed to call
interest: no extra rates levy.” tenders and proceed with the work
immediately.”
“Mr Walker suggested deferring the
Brick Front for a time, to consider Tait suggested deferring Brick
advisability of erecting the whole Front till after election of new
building in brick. Fell (one of the Board, because of “other liabilities
Hall Committee) did not consider incurred by the Board.”
Avondale in a position “at present” Amendment lost. In asking for the
to support a building costing £2000 deferment, he felt that in 2 or 3
or more.” years time the district would be in
better financial position to afford a
Letter received from Avondale complete brick building.
Ratepayers Association asking for
account of amount of balance due 5 May 1915: There were 2 tenders
for use of Public Hall. for the brick addition to the front of
the Public Hall, and Mr J Davis’
17 February 1915: “Letter from H tender of £868 being the lowest it
Empson – re hire of Hall for was accepted by the Board.
pictures. Moved by Mr Tait & Architect to arrange work.
seconded by Mr Hampton that
Clerk write & ascertain the 7 July 1915: Letter from Messrs
requirements of territorials on Holman & Moses, architects,
Thursday evenings.” stating that the new front being built
to Public Hall was progressing
“Mr Curd reported that Mr Vibert satisfactorily.
who had been asked by the Public
Hall Committee to submit plan for 16 October 1915: Gas lights in
front of the Hall had returned draft Public Hall in way of “Lauthorn”
plan, and stated that he considered (Lantern?) showing pictures from
it desirable he should decline to officiating room.
submit plan” (Likely, by now, the Brick Front is
complete).
60
would have been a first for

20 October 1915: “Moved that Avondale) to save lighting gas
Board move into new offices in when performances were over.
Public Hall and that next meeting Also said he’s give £1 towards the
be held there.” lamp in front of the Hall, and give
entertainments for the Hall clock
3 November 1915: First Board fund. Road’s Board gives him 2
meeting in Board Room, Town Hall. year lease. [Avondale Roads Board
Letter from Messrs Holman & minutes, 16/2/16].
Moses – reporting that Mr Davis
had completed his contract for the Empson’s picture shows were
Town Hall and saying it would be every Tuesday and Saturday
kept in repair for 2 months. [Which evening in the Town Hall. From this
was interesting, as the Board found point on, movies were to be a
out, when trying the gas lamps to fixture at the Town Hall, right up to
find themselves left in darkness. -- the present day.
note]
2 February 1916: Letter from Mr J
17 November 1915: Letter from Davis enclosing architect’s
Messrs Holman & Moses re “failure certificate for balance of Hall
of gas lights in the Board Room on contract account. Amount paid:
the occasion of Board’s meeting.” £38.41.0
Board had asked for “failure” to be
put right at once. 16 February 1916: Board paid
Holman and Moses Architects £45
Board to sell land and old Blake fee.
Street offices. (This may have been Mrs V Crawford recalled how a Mr
the old Mission Hall, only Bassett would come out to
demolished by Auckland City in the Avondale from Burleigh St, Mt
1960s. If so, this was not sold, but Eden, to teach the waltz in the old
used in the early 1920s as a wooden Town Hall. She
turncock’s office.) remembered clearly the 1-2-3-waltz
time to the dance, at 1/- per lesson.
1 December 1915: Letter from Crowds would go there, and quite a
Holman & Moses re: instalment on lot of balls took place there in the
Hall contract explaining position hall. [Conversation with Mrs V. Crawford,
and when contract was completed. 28 June 2001]
Chairman stated that on receipt of
letter a cheque was signed for First bank: BNZ opened an
amount certified to Mr J Davis, the agency on 26 May 1915, in the
builder. Bluck Building, as a receiving office
only. It later closed on 13 June
15 December 1915: Mr Empson 1917.
asks permission to show pictures in
the Town Hall on Christmas Day. The Road Board later petitioned in
Also applies for sole right to show 1920 for this to be extended to a
pictures there. full branch of the bank. [Mike Butler
report, Historic Planning, Auckland City
Council, 2001]
In 1916 he applies to install 4
electric lights in the hall (these
61
(BNZ apparently opened and specialise in this branch and shall

closed five times between 1915 be constantly adding thereto.”
and present day. One location was [Advertisement, The News, 28/8/15]
at the end of the Greys building
opposite Battersby’s). It cost 1/- to join Mr Goodman’s
Lending Library, one of the
Borough commission: On stopgaps the businesses of
September 2, 1915, the Road Avondale provided in the days
Board appeared before an Internal when the town had no public
Affairs Commission, seeking to be library.
made a Borough so that
Avondale’s authority could go But Mr Goodman didn’t specialise
ahead with a plan for water in books for long.
reticulation without having to seek
ratepayer approval. However, on 8 By 1919 he was up with the play as
October, the Minister of Internal far as the motor car was
Affairs notified the Avondale Road concerned.
Board that no further action would “Avondale to the Beaches by Motor
be taken “in regard to the petition to – E Goodman wishes to notify the
have the Road Board of Avondale public of Avondale that he is
constituted a borough. The prepared to convey parties to
commission made the following Blockhouse Bay, Point Chevalier
recommendations – ‘Having heard etc. by motor at times to suit
and carefully considered the customers. Fares as per
evidence brought before us by the arrangement. A trip will run daily
petitioners and other [these were from Avondale to Mt Albert at 10.0
the 19 ratepayers opposed], and a.m. Fare 6d, leaving Thode’s
having examined the said area, we corner.” [Advertisement, The News,
are of the opinion that it is not at 29/3/19]
present suitable for municipal
control.’” [NZ Herald, 9/10/1915] From then on, Mr Goodman’s taxis
became part of the Avondale
Bluck’s Building: Other business landscape.
in the block: CM Thorne,
bootmaker; Allen M Hume, solicitor, “J Blomley – Motor & General
and Bluck land agents. [Mike Butler Engineer – Bring your cars, motor
report, Historic Planning, Auckland City cycles, or other mechanical work to
Council, 2001] the above, where you will receive
every attention, good workmanship
Ernest Goodman – a shopkeeper and prompt delivery at rock bottom
who moved with the times. His prices. All work guaranteed.
business, at 1972 Great North Rd Workshop & garages, adjoining
(near Triggs Garage) flourished Wm. Pendlebury’s, Draper, Great
from around 1915 to World War II. North Road, Avondale.”
[Advertisement, The News, 28/8/15]
“E Goodman, Avondale –
confectioner & newsagent. I have Which would put the site of Blomley
increased the stock of books in my ‘s business right next to Trigg &
Lending Library department and Danes, coachbuilders. It is possible
now have a good collection for that Blomley’s was absorbed into
readers to choose from. I intend to the later Trigg’s Garage.
62
In August 1915, a Harry Turnbull

Carriers: Two carriers advertised came to Avondale and set up a fish
in 1915. R M Hooker along shop here. He later told a court (in
Rosebank Road offered “Furniture October) that a “friend” of his had
carefully removed, moderate complained of the difficulty keeping
charges.” beer and whisky in the camp, so
Turnbull decided to supply liquor
And W Cockerill, General Carrier, from his shop to the soldiers. He
took over the business of the late J claimed that he didn’t wish to take
Thomas. [The News, 27/3/15] any money from them for the
alcohol, but they insisted.
Transport: City to Mt Albert tram
service begins, 1/9/15 [NZ Herald] He also claimed that he didn’t have
much liquor in his shop, but police
“From about 1915 ,,, horse buses found that, in fact, “his shop was
serving Avondale had been fitted up like a miniature bar, with
replaced by motor buses. Mostly glasses on the counter and in the
these were fairly small vehicles, back room.” The police found “a
carrying about fifteen people.” number of empty beer and whisky
[Challenge of the Whau, p. 71] bottles strewn about.” He was
convicted and sentenced to one
Traffic by-laws: Motor traffic in this month’s hard labour – oddly
period a concern to the Roads enough, not for being without a
Board. Slower traffic often licence, but for selling liquor to
overtaken. Board largely adopted uniformed members of the
AA rules. Expeditionary Force. [Auckland Star,
22 October 1915, p. 2; NZ Herald, 10
Bluck’s Building: Opposite November 1915, p. 9; The “Avondale”
Avondale Station was Avondale Tunnellers Company, L. J. Truttman,
2002, p. 2-6.]
Boot Factory [The News, c.1915]
The “Avondale” Tunnellers: On 1916

22 September, 1915, Avondale
Racecourse was chosen by the Harry Empson was given
Ministry of Defence as the site for permission to use the Town Hall for
the training camp for the NZ exhibiting his motion pictures for
Tunnellers Corps of Engineers. By two years. “He used to bring a
October, the camp was installed, generator and his projection
and the men started their training, equipment on the back of a horse
lasting to December, in the ways of drawn cart. This was a petrol
military discipline. driven generator to provide and
supply the current to make the
The local legends of tunnels dug projector run and to operate electric
under the racecourse at this time lights which were easier than
are exactly that – legends. But the turning on and off the gas lamps
Tunnellers provided a boost to the already installed in the hall.” [Jan
Grefstad, from his unpublished Picture
local businesses, and even Theatres in Auckland]
sparked off a short-lived sly grog
shop. Fire: £5 reward will be given to
anyone who can give information
63
which will lead to the conviction of Both examples from Challenge of the
the Whau, p. 73]
person or persons who
endeavoured to set fire to the His father William Myers came to
premises of Messrs. Myers & Son New Zealand c.1895, starting up
in Blake St, Avondale, on or about the family blacksmith business in
December 24th last. (A Parsons Avondale, while living in Avondale
Boarding house, just up the road, South (according to William’s
burned to the ground around the grandson, Roger Myers, the family
same period.) [The (Avondale) News, were the first ones on what was to
15/1/16] become Myers Rd, later Margate
St).
Public Toilets: Roads Board ask
to take over “public convenience” Thomas Myers went into the
from Chief Postmaster, in business with his father in 1908,
Avondale. (This would have been and remained in business there
in the old Avondale Hotel building. until 1962-63. During that time, the
The Avondale Postmaster later original building was cut down, and
refuses). [Avondale Roads Board part leased.
minutes, 21/6/16]
“I started work with my father, the
Blacksmith’s shop [Perry’s blacksmith William Myers, in 1908.
Avondale Shoeing Forge] on Gt I had served my apprenticeship
North Rd being built, entrance at with Hughes and Donger in Eden
Geddes Tce [Avondale Road Board Terrace.
minutes, 5/4/16] This could have “We did a lot of work then for
become Trigg’s garage [by 1920s] , Charlie Pooley, who was the
later Avondale Auction House and contractor.
Avondale Spiders.
“There was always plenty of work
“Before you let your gig or trap at our smithy. I started work at 7.30
go too far, run along to W.B. Perry. in the morning and we worked long
He’s the cheapest and the best – hours especially in the summer.”
yes, by far – Wheelwright, [From Memories of early Avondale, by
Coachbuilder, Agricultural, Shoeing Tom Myers, Avondale Advance,
21/11/1960]
and General Smith.” [Advertisement in
The News, 11/11/1916]
Myers’ was more than simply a
Thomas Myers (c.1881–1967), farrier (Thomas wouldn’t do a lot of
the blacksmith in Blake Street was work for the Jockey Club, his son
the rival: Roger told me, as he considered
“Since we commenced business in thoroughbreds as “too flighty, a
Avondale we have built over one young man’s job”) – he also did a
hundred carts and sulkies for the lot of work for market gardeners,
district.; We guarantee you better both in Avondale and as far afield
value than you can get elsewhere. as Oratia and Henderson. He’d do
Horse Shoeing, Ploughs made to repairs to plows, disks, harrows.
order. All Kinds of Agricultural Farmers would bring up to the shed
Implements Repaired.” 3 or 4 spades at a time, to have
[Advertisement in The News, 11/11/1916. handles repaired. Thomas Myers
also made up wheelbarrows.
64
services. “Premises open every

He also worked for Odlins timber at evening, orders may be left during
Karekare, a day’s work shoeing 8 the day at W Perry’s, blacksmith,
to 10 horses. opposite.” [News, 11 November 1916]
As a wheelwright, he would repair Around this time, Trigg & Danes,

wagons, virtually anything that Coachbuilders set up business at
could be drawn by animals, so his 1980 Great North Road. Charles
son says, including drays and milk Alfred Trigg, according to one of
vendors carts. his grand-children, was originally a
bicycle repairer, with a side-
Roger Myers described to me how speciality in sign writing. By 1920,
wheel rims were replaced. In the the business was under Trigg’s
days of harsh roads, cart wheels sole name, and by 1926, he had a
were rimmed in steel, that was motor garage. [Conversation with Mrs
forged at the local blacksmith’s. Marie Birch, 26/5/2001]
The wheel was first dismantled, In 1916, the Syers family came to
leaving only the hub, then Avondale, and ultimately took
completely re-spoked. The wheel residence along Great North Road
would then be (part of the land now the present
dropped into a hole dug in the sites of the Tahals Service Station
ground to lie flat. The steel rim was and Avondale Community Centre).
then made up, and dropped into Mr Syers worked on the railway,
the hole around the wheel while still and was in charge of the lines from
hot, then could water was poured Avondale to Henderson until 1931
into the hole to shrink the metal when he was made redundant. At
snugly around the wheel, and to that time, he started a small
stop the wood burning. His son nursery and grew plants.
would ask Thomas Myers how he
knew that the steel rim would fit Mrs V Crawford, daughter of Mr
every time. The answer, with a tap Syers, recalls how watercress grew
to the head, was simply, “Ah, son at the bottom of Leslie Avenue
…!” [Conversation with Roger Myers, 28 (now Racecourse Parade), and
June 2001] how one of her brothers, thinking
that the watercress was as good as
Population: The increase in that up north at Hoteo where Mr
population of Avondale according Syers was once based, picked
to the census returns is only 301 some and ate it – only to be
since the taking of the previous poisoned by it and sick for some
census. The population is now time. (This may have been due to
given as 2404. It has doubled itself pollution from tanneries upstream.)
in 10 years. [Note: this was likely
the total population for Avondale, Down Leslie Avenue lived a man
Waterview and Blockhouse Bay – who had a horse and cart (and later
The News, 11/11/16] an old truck) which he would drive
down to Pollen Island to collect
Home businesses: Sam Coulter, shells, then burn them and sell the
“Motor Mechanic and Bicycle remains for lime. He was called
Repairer” was advertising his “Shellback Row” by the locals –
65
and no one knew where he burned “It was only a few days since that
the shells. Mr Binsted had had the premises
repainted and generally smartened
Across from the Syers’ first house up for ‘Xmas.
on Leslie Ave lived the Mitchells
who had property extending up to “There is absolutely nothing to
Great North Road, along which account for the outbreak. Mr.
grew their quince trees. This was Binsted had a look round the last
later subdivided for State Housing, thing on Saturday night and
and even later, the Shoprite / Three everything appeared safe. Between
Guys development. 12 and 1 on Sunday morning
[Conversation with Mrs V Crawford, June Constable Smith was round the
28 2001] block and there was no sign of fire
and this fire will only add to the
Binsted butchers: Binsted’s already lengthy list of unsolved
butcher shop burned down mysterious outbreaks.” [The News,
(December 1917) and rebuilt. December 1917, from the “Harry March
[Western Leader, 2/5/67]. Internal Memories” collection, courtesy of Ray
tiling was done by Peter Collins, Kealey, Blockhouse Bay History Group]
grandfather of Audrey Binsted.
[Binsted Family history notes.] 1918
“Early on Sunday morning last Mrs. Masonic Lodge: The Titirangi
Scott noticed flames coming from Lodge of the Freemasons formed
the rear of Messrs. H and J 1912/14. In June 1918, the Lodge
Binsted’s butcher’s shop in purchased a stable on Rosebank
Avondale. A short time afterwards Road (later 69 Rosebank) from Mr
the whole premises were well Thode for £375. This became the
ablaze and it was soon seen that Masonic Lodge. [Mike Butler report,
what has been a landmark of the 2001, for Heritage Planning, Auckland
township for very many years was City]
doomed, for there was no water
supply available. The Mount Albert 1918-19
fire brigade came out but under the
circumstances could do nothing In 1917 … the nearest doctor (to
and in a comparatively short time Henderson) was in Avondale.
the only thing left standing was the [Tracks and Trains Through Henderson,
brick chimney. A few small items by David Lowe]
were saved but the flames spread
too quickly to allow of much being This man was not a ‘doctor’ as
done. There is a certain amount of such: it was then Robert J Allely,
insurance on the building and the doctor/dentist/chemist.
working plant but nothing nearly
sufficient to make up the loss. Influenza epidemic: The Spanish
Influenza epidemic struck New
“During the day other premises Zealand from 1918 to 1919. In
across the road were made Blockhouse Bay – A Village within
available and on Monday morning a Town, Bruce McLaughlan
business was conducted as usual. included a passage with describes
part of what the epidemic was like
for local residents:
66
address, Mr. Nesbitt presented to

Bob and Vera Blake were both Mr. Alley a souvenir booklet
attending school at the time of the containing the names of all the
influenza epidemic of 1918. A subscribers; also a gold watch
hospital was set up at Avondale chain and pendent; and to Mrs.
racecourse and the local chemist of Alley who had so well and faithfully
Avondale, a Mr Allely, ran it. Bob assisted her husband, a beautiful
said of the epidemic: case of silver knives and forks. Mr
Alley in responding, said he felt
“People would go in and say, very grateful that his endeavours
‘Haven’t seen old Bill Brown about had been the means of saving
lately.’ So one of them’d take off sorrow to many households.
and go down and they’d find old Bill
Brown either dead in his hut or so “Hearty cheers were given for Mr. &
ill that he couldn’t get out. And Mrs. Alley and the singing of the
they’d get a cart and get him off to National Anthem closed the
the hospital.” [From M Butler report, proceedings.”
Heritage Planning, Auckland City, 2001] [Auckland Star, 23/1/1919; from Picture
Theatres of Auckland]
Robert Joseph Allely was
recognised for his part during the The motor car was starting to
epidemic. change the way Avondale people
did business by this time. There
“PRESENTATION AT was already the Goodman Taxis
AVONDALE. On Wednesday staring up, an Avondale Motor
January 22 1919 a crowded Delivery Service.
gathering assembled in the
Avondale Town Hall on the “Notice is hereby given that a quick
occasion of the presentation of an Motor Delivery Service between
illuminated address to Mr. R.J. Avondale and Auckland will be
Alley [sic], subscribed for by the started from about April 7th, when
residents of Avondale in necessary trips will be made twice
consideration of the splendid work daily. Passenger traffic to bays,
done by Mr. Alley during the late picnics etc. will also be catered for,
epidemic. accommodation being provided for
15 passengers. Norman Thomas,
“Mr. R. B. Nesbitt, chairman of the Great North Rd, Avondale.”
Road Board said he was proud to [Advertisement, The News, 29/3/19]
be presiding at such a function,
proud to be a friend and fellow Mechanics: Wherever the motor
citizen of a man who, through his car went, you needed the people to
untiring and unselfish labour had fix them.
done so much for the sufferers of
the disastrous epidemic. Towards “Machinery owners and users of
the latter part of the visitation, Mr. motor cars have often felt the want
Alley finally collapsed and had to of a local engineering
take to his bed and it was with establishment when necessity has
great difficulty his wife kept him arisen for repairs. It is therefore
there, for he wanted to be up and pleasing to record that Messrs. P J
doing. In addition to the illuminated Cooper & Sons will in a few days
open those premises adjoining the
67
new Masonic Hall, Rosebank possessing a “ticket” to handle

Road, Avondale (just below steam engines. His father had been
Messrs. Thode Bros’ store) as a a teacher at the New Lynn School.
general engineering shop. We have
every confidence in soliciting work His son Ron Waygood told me how
for the new firm as we know Mr his father had the Western agency
Cooper has had an extended in the 1930s for the Morris 8 type of
experience in all branches of motor car from Dominion motors in
engineering, including motors, mill the City, and also taught people
machinery, suction gas plants and how to drive – so they could buy
steam, gas and oil engines. his cars.
Repairs to agricultural and milking
machinery will also be a speciality Harry Waygood met his future wife,
with the new firm.” [The News, Elsie Binsted, while he was
28/8/19] choirmaster, and she the organist
at St Jude’s Church, Avondale.
This was at 79 Rosebank Road. He continued to operate his garage
Unfortunately, the optimism in the until World War II, when petrol
above piece didn’t keep the rationing meant keeping his garage
business going beyond the middle open became uneconomical. He
of the 1920s, with the rise of Triggs went on to work in Parnell until he
Garage and Stuarts, both on the retired.
main road [Conversation with Ron Waygood, 5 June
2001]
The site between the intersection
and the Masonic Hall would be 1920s
vacant until Forsyth’s Coal Yard
in the 1930s. “In 1920, Mr Jenkins said,
Avondale was split into three.
In 1919, one Harry Waygood There was a group of shops at the
returned to New Zealand after railway, another in the present
serving in the Royal Australian shopping area and the main centre
airforce as a flight engineer during was at the junction of Great North
World War I, and built himself a Rd, St George Rd, St Jude’s St and
motor garage on Windsor Road, Wingate St. This was Avondale – a
Avondale (Wingate Street). grocer’s shop, a post office and a
Waygood’s Garage was among town hall.
the first to start selling petrol (in the
early days, coming in three colours “It was a real sleepy hollow where
– blue, green and clear – dogs could safely sleep in the
depending on the petrol ratings). middle of the road without
Imported petrol came to the retailer disturbance from traffic or people.
in 4 gallon cans until 1926.
“The only exit from Avondale in
His garage was open on Saturday those days was by train which ran
mornings, and Harry Waygood to Auckland and took passengers
quickly earned the reputation of to the back of the Central Post
being very good with his hands, Office, where the main Auckland
using the expertise he’d learned station was situated.” [Mount Albert
during the Great War, along with and Pt Chevalier News, 16/12/1963]
68
The police were very friendly in Also by 1920, Arthur H Spragg had
those days, Mrs V. Crawford a fruiterers/confectioners shop in
recalled. A Mr Horan was the the Allely Building, 1994 Great
constable when her brother let off a North Road. The shop is recalled
stink bomb in the Town Hall with some affection by the locals of
cinema. Constable Horan made Avondale, and he was in business
young Master Syers pen an there until the late 1940s.
apology to the cinema manager at
the police station. [Conversation with According to Mrs Margaret Bassett,
Mrs V Crawford, 28 June 2001] Mr Spragg’s had a “little wooden
shop, which you had to step up to
The barber shop and billiard get into.” He was one of the then-
saloon on the corner of Cracroft generation of Avondale
Street and Great North Road, businessmen who delivered to
started by Harry Kneebone prior to customer’s homes.
World War I, then continued by
George McArthur during the war Building by-laws: “In 1920, [the
(he was the official barber to the Road Board] determined that all
Tunneller’s Camp on the Avondale shops, garages and factories in the
Racecourse in late 1915), was run district were to be constructed of
by Lawrence Tierney from just brick.” [Challenge of the Whau, p. 54]
before the start of the 1920s. While
the billiard saloon was gone from Service Stations: “During the
that site by 1932, Tierney’s 1920s a number of commercial
hairdressing salon continued until garages were established in the
just after World War II (then run by district…. Stewart’s, Trigg’s, In St
William Coyle until the mid 1950s, Jude’s Street was Bamford’s
Jack Reynolds until the 1960s, Avondale Service Station. A 1926
Jack Carr into the 1970s, until the Automobile Association guide
site became an Uncle’s takeaway stated that: ‘This garage is situated
bar). below the railway crossing on the
hill above Avondale on the road to
It is Tierney’s where locals recall Mt Albert. Watch out for trains.’”
great long shearing devices for hair [Challenge of the Whau, p. 74]
trimming, looking for all the world
like the long mechanical shears Cecil Hastings Herdson,
used on sheep. Also, here Avondale’s first true dentist, took
sometime during the 1930s, a up his business in the upper level
visiting hypnotist put a man in a offices in Allely’s Building in the
trance, and the subject sat for a early 1920s (there by 1925). As
day in the front window of Tierney’s with many businesses in Avondale
shop, a magnet of interest for the in those days, Herdson has left his
local children running down the share of local legends and lore,
road from school to see the including the often reported one
unusual sight. where his gundog, on losing all his
teeth in a hunting accident, was
The Tierney family are held to have duly fitted with a complete set by
been of small stature, some Herdson made entirely of gold.
becoming jockeys.
69
By 1937, the business was run by corner land, and Gibson’s Bakery
William E Scott, who former became part of the block, still at
schoolchildren remember having to #1863. He was proprietor there
see for their dental appointments until c.1927, when Henry Percy
when procedures required more Burton took over, moved the
than a dental nurse’s care. business to 1857 Great North
Road, out of the Fearon Buildings,
By 1966, these offices became the and built the ovens and driveway
site for the Avondale Dental that continued to exist until 1947
Laboratory, and the dental when purchased by W R Battersby,
practice had moved slightly north to the undertaker.
offices above in the new shopping
block above Victor Gowns, According to some locals, Sam
Avondale Florist and Mercers, at Gibson returned after the mid-
1962-1966 Great North Road. The 1930s, and ran the Avondale
practice was now run by James L Bakeries (which was one of the
Walker. businesses apparently “taken over”
by the American forces during
The steps leading up to Walker’s World War II to make bread).
were, to me as a child, steep and
foreboding. Once, when I had to Mrs Bassett asked a grand-
have some dental work done daughter of Gibson about him. He
involving “putting me out with gas”, was originally a biscuit maker by
I woke up in the offices with my trade, had a family of 3 boys and 2
mother beside me calling my name girls (the eldest girl was the mother
to bring me around – and then, still of Sam Noall, a mayor of New Lynn
woozy, make my way down those from 1959 to 1965).
stairs which seemed so impossibly
difficult to negotiate without The family lived on Elm Street, with
assistance. Probably the reason I stables at the back of their house
don’t like the insecurity of going that they rented out (possibly the
down steep stairs or slopes to this stables used by Albert Mason
day. doing the bread deliveries).
Apparently, Gibson often let
Avondale Bakeries: jockeys from the racecourse sit in
The business of baking at the the bakery’s ovens to lose weight.
north-western corner of Rosebank
Road and Great North Road had Sam Gibson, true to his roots,
lasted since 1894 (Grubb’s bakery) loved Scottish dancing, and it
through 1903-1905 (R. S. seems he died on the dance floor.
Kirkpatrick’s bakery), c.1910– [Conversation with Mrs Margaret Bassett,
c.1919 (D Robertson’s bakery & 31 May 2001].
store), to c.1919–c.1922 (Ernest
James Bright). Avondale’s most enduring symbol,
the Avondale Spider, is a type of
Around 1922, Samuel Gibson Australian huntsman spider which
bought the business, then at 1863 arrived sometime in the early
Great North Road. Around this 1920s. Challenge of the Whau (p.
time, the Fearon Brothers were 109) suggests that they originated
erecting their new building on that from a load of railway sleepers.
70
Most stories tell of how they first W Alexander Macferson had a

came to Avondale from the railway second-hand dealer licence
station, and appeared behind R & approved with a “favourable police
W Hellabys. report” by the Avondale Road
Board. During 1920s he operated a
This last point could fit in with furniture dealers shop from the
another possible source of the Bluck building along with Geoffrey
spiders – Australian hardwood Shaw, fruiter, Elisha Hale, grocer
brought in by the Roads Board and and Thomas Samuel, land agent,
the Borough Council for street who had taken over Bluck’s
signs. This would have been stored business.
in the depot behind the butchers
shop. Macferson’s “workingman’s”
cottage is presently still in
“A butcher reported that he worked existence, at the northern corner of
in Hellaby’s butchers shop in Crayford St and Layard St.
Avondale during the 1920s. The
firm took delivery of a large crate He later moved his business to the
containing a gas refrigerator, and corner of Crayford Street and Great
the butchers believed that the North Road. [Mike Butler report,
Avondale spiders came to New Heritage Planning, Auckland City Council,
Zealand from Australia in that 2001]
crate.
The “Official Turning of the
“They were often found keeping Valve” at Nihotapu, directing
warm near the machinery which water for the first time to Auckland,
ran the refrigeration plant. A dollop was on 20 December 1920. The
of mince would be left for them to Avondale Road Board members
feed on, and when the shop was were invited along by Auckland City
closed and empty, the spiders Council. In 1921, Auckland City
would eat bugs and flies, so the agreed to supply water to Avondale
butchers were quite pleased. at 1/- per 1000 gallons. [Avondale
Roads Board minutes, November 1920
and 16/2/21]
“The spiders appeared to be
harmless, but would make a The “turncock” worked for the
spitting noise if startled. In the Road’s Board, and later the
1930s, Hellaby’s pulled down those Borough Council, maintaining the
premises and so the spiders had to district’s water mains and pipes,
find other homes. metering residents, and literally
Other sources say they came to “turning the cocks on and off”. At
New Zealand in timber. They’ve the beginning, the turncock set up
never become quite the nuisance his equipment in the old Roads
that the possums and the rabbits Board Hall on Blake St, until it was
have, but since about 1920 the used as a dental clinic and meeting
Avondale spider has become a hall.
local oddity.” [Day by Day, by Max
Cryer, 1998]
The Avondale Progressive
League asked if they could use the
1920 Blake St Mission Hall (old Roads
Board building) for “league
71
meetings, club room, and library. have electricity come to Avondale.

The Mayor advised the League that [Avondale Roads Board minutes, April
as the Hall was being used as a 1921]
workshop in connection with the
waterworks, it couldn’t be used for Promotion: A committee was set
the League’s purposes. [Borough up composed of Messrs Tait,
Council minutes, 19/7/22] Haslam and Spargo to devise a
system of advertising the District,
In 1920, James Binsted died. The and to interview the editors of the
Avondale shop was sold to R&W Auckland Star and the Herald.
Hellaby’s for £3090, and from then [Avondale Roads Board minutes, 3/6/21]
onwards, James’ son John Claude
Binsted became manager of the The Asylum: Avondale had
Avondale R & W Hellaby’s shop. problems, not only with its rural
[Binsted family history notes]. nature then, but unwelcome
associations with the Lunatic
Also in 1920, the Croft family came Asylum just down the road at Pt
to the district, Mr Ernest Croft, Chevalier. In the ninetieth century,
senior (1880-1967), taking a house the media and public tended to call
in Waterview. Three years later the it the Whau Asylum – those going
family moved to the corner of “to the Whau” were being
Riversdale and Rosebank road. committed for treatment. The
Their house, according to Mr change in 1882 to Avondale
Croft’s son Ernie, was one which alleviated this, until the media
had belonged to the Bollards. began calling the Asylum the
Avondale Mental Hospital. Both the
Mr Croft was on the Avondale Roads Board and the Borough
Borough Council from 1924 to1927. Council rejected this utterly, once
[Conversation with Mr E Croft (son), 19 commenting on the confusion of
July 2001] folk coming for treatment, and
ending up at Avondale Railway
1921 Station instead.
St Georges Road: In 1921, the The official name for the Asylum
road was formed and metalled. “A was the Auckland Asylum. It later
row of macrocarpas that had changed to Carrington, and Oakley
adorned [the Presbyterian (after the creek).
Church’s] side of the property had
to be removed as the roots grew By June 1921, the Fearon block
across the roadway (earlier pine of shops had been built
trees had been removed in 1910).” (NW Rosebank/Great North Rd
[Our First Century, St Ninians centenary intersection). From late 30s to 1969
booklet, 1960] this block included the Avondale
branch of Farmers Trading Co.
Gas lights: Public gas lighting in [Challenge of the Whau, p. 91]
Avondale was 26 half-lamps (cost
10/- each per annum) and 2 special The father of Charles and Len
lights at 1 pound each per annum. Fearon originally had a butchers
There were some problems with shop in Ponsonby at the same time
some lights not working properly, or as R & W Hellaby was starting up.
at all. The Roads Board pushed to According to Mr Murray Fearon, his
72
grandson, Fearon had quite a right”. They stocked “Primest Beef

number of hotels as customers on and Mutton, Dairy-fed Pork, Milk-
his books. fed Veal, Mild-cured Beef, Corned
Pork and Ox Tongue. Our Quick-
He met his wife in Ponsonby, and Lunch Pressed Beef is Delicious.
decided to come out to Avondale to Home-made Luncheon Sausage.”
live, marrying “down the Lane” on a
property near where Reckitt & “Avon Sausage” was apparently
Colman would later be situated on mixed in the Fearon’s own small
Rosebank Road, on an 11 acre factory they had built out the back
section. Murray Fearon recalled the shop, using salt, pepper, mace
one of the trials of living on the and sage, although only a little of
Avondale Flats in those early days this was put in the mix. In those
– his grandmother would open her days, so Murray Fearon told me, a
back door, be swamped with flies lot of solid bread was used.
which she would work to clear out
of the house, only to get them all In the shop itself were 2 big coolers
coming back in again when she (the second went in later than the
opened the front door. Mr Fearon first), a lot of marble benches, 2
senior may still have kept up his butcher’s blocks, a corned beef tub,
shop in Ponsonby, as it is referred while the floor was concrete with
to still in 1922. sawdust scattered over it. Two big
windows faced Great North Road,
There were four sons: Charles while one faced Rosebank Road. It
Edgar (always called Jack), Len, was a walk down steps at back to
Cedric, and one other who was lost the sausage and dripping factory.
to the Influenza Epidemic of 1918.
Delivery of orders was initially by
In 1920, Jack and Len started a bike – with a meat basket attached.
butcher shop in Avondale, on the Murray Fearon recalls that if you
site which is now the Battersby fell off the bike at any stage, it was
carpark. The family had now next to impossible to lift, being too
moved to Station Road. Later, heavy. Deliveries would go as far
there was a fire which destroyed as all the way down the Avondale
what had been the Thode Bros. Flats. [Conversation with Mr Murray
store, then run by Mr MacKenzie. Fearon, 16 July 2001]
The Fearon brothers took over the
land and remaining buildings, and Mr Roger Myers recalls delivering
built the Fearon Block by 1922. meat for Jack Fearon by bike in the
late 1930s. [Conversation with Mr Roger
In an advertisement from the News Myers, 28 June 2001]
of 4 June 1921, the Fearon Bros.
Charles Edgar (“Jack”) Fearon ran
butchers said they were in
the Avondale shop, while his
Avondale and Ponsonby.
brother Len ran a later one in Point
“Patronise the Small Butcher -- No
Chevalier, after World War II. The
connection with the other Firm”,
Fearons sold the Avondale
and asked: “Have you tried ‘Avon’
business in 1962. Eventually, the
Sausages – made with specially
block was bought by the proprietor
prepared Sausage meal and clean
of Avondale Printers.
fresh meat. ‘Avon’ Sausages are
73
Charles “Jack” Fearon (1880-1948) a letter from Messrs Blake & Burrell
was a member of the Masonic asking for information as to the
Lodge, as well as a patron of the requirements of the Board in the
Avondale Municipal Orchestra, and matter of subdivisions for shop
a supporter of the Avondale sites. As the existing by-laws stated
Bowling Club. no subdivisions under ¼ acre and
Second Bank: In August 1921, minimum 50 feet road frontage, the
the Roads Board requested to the solicitors were asked for an
manager of the Bank of New opinion. Their response was that
Zealand that a branch office be the Board’s by-law applied only to
opened in Avondale. (The earlier new dwellings, and not to shops.
one in Bluck’s Building had closed [Avondale Roads Board minutes]
sometime earlier.)
In September, the BNZ replied that

“They are prepared to accede to
Board’s request to open a branch
office at Avondale provided they
receive a requisition signed by a
majority of the business people
assuring them of their individual
support and accounts.” In
December, after apparently
receiving those assurances
organised by Tait and the Board’s
clerk, the BNZ wrote to the Board
stating, “it has been decided to
open a branch office in Avondale
on Mondays from 11.45 to 1 pm,
Thursdays from 2 pm to 3.30 pm.”
The Board offered the bank hire of
the Town Hall ante-room, at 1/- per
week. Opening on 5 January 1922,
the agency closed again from 21
August 1922. [Avondale Roads Board
and Borough Council minutes, 21/8/22]
Amalgamation proposals: In
October 1921, the Board received
advice from the Town Clerk,
Auckland City: “The conditions of
the Avondale District in relation to
the city are at present too
disproportionate to warrant the
Council further considering the
proposed Amalgamation of that
district with the City at present.”
[Avondale Roads Board minutes, 6/10/21]
Sub-division by-laws: Also in

October 1921, the Board received
74

Heart of The Whau - Part 3 Once A Borough 1900 1921

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Heart of the Whau – part 3 – Once a Borough 1900-1930

“Attention being paid to the open

inaugurated between Henderson Arthur W Page in August.) The

reported to the annual ratepayer’s

were lucky we would get a bob for

Avondale, was violently assaulted

Archives, from Mike Butler report, Heritage

“I respectfully report that the He may have been the “new

Road Board Chairman T B Clay Avondale and St Heliers bars were

society, the raising of eyebrows, Coal & Firewood Dealer, Avondale.

Robertson’s Store: “On the north-

Traffic By-laws: 7 December – Bluck block built 1912-1913 by

trough in Papakura – water to be

10 June 1914: Board wrote to John seal if the Inhabitants of the

“Repairs required: lean(-to) at back, [Local people believe that it was

would have been a first for

(BNZ apparently opened and specialise in this branch and shall

In August 1915, a Harry Turnbull

The “Avondale” Tunnellers: On 1916

services. “Premises open every

As a wheelwright, he would repair Around this time, Trigg & Danes,

address, Mr. Nesbitt presented to

new Masonic Hall, Rosebank possessing a “ticket” to handle

Most stories tell of how they first W Alexander Macferson had a

meetings, club room, and library. have electricity come to Avondale.

grandson, Fearon had quite a right”. They stocked “Primest Beef

In September, the BNZ replied that

Sub-division by-laws: Also in

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