View of the ancient pa site at Pehiakura, near Kohekohe, 1964. The Waiuku arm of the Manukau Harbour is visible in the distance. The photograph was taken near the site of the ‘lost’ Maori village of Pehiakura. Pehiakura had flourished under the leadership of the well-known Ngati Tamaoho chief Epiha Putini (aka Jabez Bunting) during the 1840s, but had later been abandoned because of endemic territorial disputes with the neighbouring Ngati Te Ata iwi. At its peak, the village had been a notable centre of Methodist missionary activity. https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/id/39580The writer Elsie Locke and the Methodist minister the Rev. C.T.J. Luxton photographed by Brian Muir on the site of the ‘lost’ Maori village of Pehiakura, near Kohekohe, August 1964. The writer Elsie Locke and the Methodist minister the Rev. C.T.J. Luxton photographed by Brian Muir on the site of the ‘lost’ Maori village of Pehiakura, near Kohekohe, August 1964. Pehiakura had flourished under the leadership of the well-known Ngati Tamaoho chief Epiha Putini (aka Jabez Bunting) during the 1840s, but had later been abandoned because of endemic territorial disputes with the neighbouring Ngati Te Ata iwi. At its peak, the village had been a notable centre of Methodist missionary activity. The Reverend Luxton, while serving as the minister of Wesley Methodist Church in Waiuku during the late 1950s, had attempted to locate the site of the historic village, but without success; as had the young Waiuku historian Brian Muir. However, one wet day in August 1964, Brian Muir, accompanied by the visiting writer Elsie Locke (who had grown up in Waiuku) finally rediscovered the site. This photograph records a visit the pair made soon afterwards with the Reverend Luxton. In 1965 Elsie Locke wrote a radio documentary about the rediscovery of Pehiakura; in 1968 she also published an historical novel for children set in Waiuku, ‘The End of the Harbour’. https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/id/41916View taken in the vicinity of the site of the ‘lost’ Maori village of Pehiakura, near Lakes Pehiakura and Pokorua, Kohekohe, September 1964. Pehiakura had flourished under the leadership of the well-known Ngati Tamaoho chief Epiha Putini (aka Jabez Bunting) during the early to mid-19th century, but was later abandoned, in part because of endemic territorial disputes with the neighbouring Ngati Te Ata iwi. At its peak, the village was a notable centre of Methodism, and its buildings included a substantial raupo church. The exact site of the village was later almost lost to memory, but in August 1964 the young Waiuku historian Brian Muir, accompanied by the visiting writer Elsie Locke (who had grown up in Waiuku), finally rediscovered it. https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/id/42126Part of the former site of the 19th-century Maori settlement of Pehiakura, near Kohekohe, photographed in January 1964. https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/id/37645
Kentish Hotel, Waiuku, 1877. View of the Kentish Hotel, Waiuku, 1877. The earliest portion of the hotel, built for Edward Constable in 1852, can be glimpsed at the far left. This was a two-storey building with a single-storey verandah at the front. The extension at the northen end, seen here, boasted not only a balustraded wrap-around verandah on the lower storey, but also an upper-storey balcony, was added by a new proprietor, Mr Sedgwick, in 1877. The building was further extended and embellished in 1897. https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/id/42185
THE KENTISH HOTEL.
On landing from the steamer, the first important building is Mr Sedgwick’s Kentish Hotel. Mr Sedgwick has of late considerably improved the appearance of the building and its surroundings. A contract for large additions to the hotel, was taken some weeks ago by Messrs Henessy and Hammond, who enjoy a good local reputation as builders. The work is nearly completed, the verandah and balcony only requiring the finishing touches. The balustrades have been turned out at Mr Hockin’s Waiuku Manufactory, and are of totara. A walk through the new suites of rooms shew that travellers, visitors, and the general public have every desirable convenience. New furniture is observable in every department. Newly married couples desirous of spending the honeymoon in a quiet country spot might do worse than go to Waiuku. The hotel has 20 rooms in addition to the large hall where the Waiuku and Waipipi Highway Boards hold their meetings. There is also a large kitchen, scullery, and other outbuildings, a large stable, kitchen garden and paddocks within a hundred yards. Horses and vehicles may be had on hire at the hotel.
Pioneers entertained during last week’s Jubilee celebrations of the St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Waiuku, Auckland District. Oldfolks, relatives and friends who attended the reunion held to mark the 50th anniversary of the building of the church. The present minister, the Rev. E. Mowbray-Finnis is the centre of the second row. Auckland Weekly News 10 June 1931 Auckland Libraries Heritage Collection AWNS-19310610-49-1
JUBILEE OF CHURCH.
WAIUKU PRESBYTERIANS.
A thanksgiving service will he held at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Waiuku, to-morrow morning, as part of the celebrations to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the construction of the church. The Rev. W. J. Comrie will lead the service. On Monday afternoon, a reunion social will be held, at which early members of the church will attend. This will be followed in the evening by a public meeting of commemoration and thanksgiving in the Waiuku Hall. The Rev. E. Mowbray Finnis will be chairman and the speakers will include the Rev. J. H. Roseveare, the Rev. J. Puttison and the Rev. T. E Riddle. Musical items will be given by Miss Moya Cooper-Smith and Miss Minnie West. The celebrations will end with the holding of a communion service on the morning of Sunday, June 7.
The home of Mr Anthony May (Senior) and family at Maioro, ca 1909. The householder and his wife and child are standing on or near the verandah. A visitor is sprawled on the grass nearby. There is a whare partly hidden behind the bushes to the right of the house. A Maori man, woman and boy form a group near the horse in the right-hand foreground. https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/id/41231Front view of the new Presbyterian manse (minister’s house) at Awhitu, 4 May 1915. https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/id/40245The old homestead known as ‘Collingwood’ on the eastern outskirts of Waiuku, 1965. This was one of the area’s oldest houses. Phillip Hansen King, who had been appointed interpreter to the Waiuku Resident Magistrate in 1864, acquired the property soon after his arrival in the town. The house remained in the King family until Phillip’s son, Willliam James King, who had been active in local affairs, left the district in 1920. At William King’s farewell function, one of the speakers referred to the property thus: “[the] ‘Collingwood’ estate, the fine old homestead which was guarded and sheltered by a magnificent variety and profusion of native trees, planted by Mr King’s late revered centenarian mother …” (‘Valediction at Waiuku’, Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, 14 September 1920, p. 2). https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/id/35382he former Hartmann house in King Street, Waiuku, January 1979. Built for Louis and Pauline Hartmann in 1886, this was believed to be Waiuku’s oldest surviving house. Later in the year, the Waiuku Museum Society moved the house to the King Street Reserve (later Tamakae Reserve) as the nucleus of a planned historical precinct. https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/id/43119
A Settler’s Residence at Waipipi (Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-18991208-6-2)Members of the Anderson family and friends at Awhitu, ca 1900. Mr and Mrs H. Anderson are at left. Mr Anderson is holding baby Paitu. Mr Anderson senior is behind. Henry Poroa is the Maori man leaning on the bannister. Mrs R. Dickey (nee Jones) is standing beside him; the other three people are unidentified. The Anderson house was situated near the Awhitu wharf, and had a general store attached. https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/id/36285William and Rachel Smith’s home in Bowen Street, Waiuku, ca 1905. A well-dressed lady and a young boy are sitting in the buggy at the front of the house. https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/id/40048The home of Mr Anthony May (Junior) in Queen Street, Waiuku, ca 1909. This house was situated almost opposite the Public and Temperance Hall. Two women and three children, presumably members of the May family, are standing outside. https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/id/40299 The home of Mr Anthony May (Senior) and family at Maioro, ca 1909. The householder and his wife and child are standing on or near the verandah. A visitor is sprawled on the grass nearby. There is a whare partly hidden behind the bushes to the right of the house. A Maori man, woman and boy form a group near the horse in the right-hand foreground. https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/id/41231
An early settler’s cottage in what is now Shakespeare Road, near Waiuku, 1868. A woman and two men pose in front of the house. A little boy is sitting on the front steps playing with what seems to be a toy gun. The carefully tended vegetable garden includes healthy crops of lettuces, onions and cabbages. https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/id/35865The Hockin house, ‘Rose Hill’, at Pukeoware, ca 1890. https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/id/37530Major Ebenezer Hamlin’s former residence, known as ‘Brookside’, on the way to Glenbrook, near Waiuku, ca 1895. Ebenezer Hamlin, the ninth and youngest son of the missionary James Hamlin, was born at Orua Bay in 1844. During the Waikato War he served in the militia, then took up farming near Waiuku. The rank of Major came from his service with the Waiuku Volunteer Cavalry. He was MP for the Franklin electorate (variously named) from 1876 to 1893. He retired to Remuera in 1894, where he died in June 1900. ‘Brookside’ was later bought by Mr C.J. West. Note the white picket fence surrounding the house, the flock of sheep, the man on horseback, and the horse and buggy to the left. A grove of native trees has been preserved behind the house. https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/id/41302The Smiths family’s house at ‘Thornhill’, Waiuku. Standing in front of the house are, left to right: Ann Smith, an unidentified woman, Thomas Smith (with a bridle over his arm), Samuel Dawes, and an unidentified man. https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/id/55917
An inquest was held upon, the body of the deceased Patrick Gleeson on Saturday last at Kohekohe before Walter J. Harris, J.P., acting coroner, and a jury, of whom Captain Alexander was chosen foreman. – Constable Parker conducted the inquiry.— Julia Gleeson deposed that she was the mother of the deceased. On the evening of Friday last, the 7th of September, I left the deceased, who was 15 months old, asleep in a cot, and fastened the door of the house, and went away a short distance. As soon as I came on the hill I saw the house in flames. I ran along the gully as fast as I could, , crying out, “My baby, my baby”. There was no one at the house when I got there I then opened the door and tried to go in. I rushed to the window where the baby was, and, as I got there, my husband came up, and tried to enter by opening the window. I heard the baby say “Mamma” three times. My husband could not get in, though he tried repeatedly, on account of the smoke and flames. The house was burnt in a very short time. I left but very little fire in the fireplace. I first saw the fire in the dairy, which is part of the house. No one came to my assistance, nor could I see anyone about. Mr. Dickey came soon after, but too late to save my child. — William Gleeson deposed : On Friday evening I was away from the house for a short time to get firewood. I heard my wife screaming “My baby, my baby!” I ran back and saw the house all in flames I tried, but failed, to make an entry into the house. There was then an explosion of kerosene and powder which was inside. The child, no doubt, was dead before this, although I heard him scream when I first came up. When I first saw the house, the part used as a dairy was on fire on the roof on the weather side. I have no idea of the cause of the fire. I was there ten minutes before it occurred, with a load of wood, and there was no sign of fire then. My wife was not at home at that time. Part of the house was thatched, and it was there I first saw the fire. The chimney was at least twelve feet from that part. Mr Dickey came and rendered all the assistance that lay in his power, but my nearest neighbour, who was at home and lives only a short distance off, did not. I saw him when I was last at the house, close under the hedge. The chimney was on the weather side of the house. I did not smoke when at the house last, nor was there any chance of the children getting matches I know there was but little fire left. The chimney was of slab, the inside lined with zinc, and mortar between. — The foreman wished the jury to see the remains of the house, and they having done so, Mr. Gleeson continued: I believe the fire was not accidental, but that the house was set on fire by some one. I have my suspicions. The last time I saw Evitts he was on his own ground, in the garden, behind the hedge, about eight chains from my house. There was no ti-tree about the chimney for a pig-sty. — David Evitts deposed: I was, in my new house at 5 p.m. yesterday, mending a pair of boots, when my wife ran up to tell me that Gleeson’s house was on fire. I said I did not think so, as the smoke often comes through the thatch; but she said the roof was in a blaze. I then went down to my old house. I heard screaming all this time. My wife said she would run over. I went some time afterwards. A short time elapsed before I went. I would have gone before, but I was mending the children’s boots. I gave no assistance. The body of the child was not recovered when I left. — John Dickey deposed: I saw a fire at 5 p.m. yesterday, rising at the back of Mr Gleeson’s house. It seemed to be between the chimney and the far gable end of the house, from where I stood. I ran, and on coming to the house it was all on fire. I looked around, but there was no possibility of entering. Mrs. Gleeson told me her baby was inside. I made an attempt at several places, but did not succeed. The only thing I could do was to pour water on the place the child was supposed to be, and after some time we got the remains of the child, fearfully charred. This is the body now viewed. — By the jury: Evitts came, but I was there fully 10 minutes before him, though I had to run a mile. He rendered no assistance whatever Mrs. Evitts came before he did. — Nearly all the jury were in favour of a rider being added to the verdict, of culpable negligence on. the part of Evitts, but it was toned down to an expression of regret at his inhuman conduct. — Verdict: That the child, Patrick Gleeson, was burnt to death at Kohekohe, on Friday, September 7, 1876, in the dwelling-house of William Gleeson, but there is no evidence to how how the fire occurred. — [Own correspondent.]
Is it a relic of the lost Waratah? The much discussed life buoy recently picked up at Waiuku, on the Auckland west coast. Auckland Weekly News 18 January 1912 Auckland Libraries Heritage Collection AWNS-19120118-14-3
CAST UP BY THE SEA.
A WARATAH LIFEBUOY.
WAIUKU, this day.
A lifebuoy bearing the name Waratah has been washed ashore on;the West Coast near Waiuku. It is not known how long the buoy had been on the beach before it was picked up. It was covered with barnacles and marine growth, evidently having been in the water for some considerable time . Unfortunately the finder, in removing the barnacles, spoilt the name, but he states that when found the name was plainly seen.
The likelihood of the buoy having any connection with the liner Waratah, which was lost off the African coast some three years ago, was mentioned by a “Star” reporter to a number of prominent deep-sea captains this morning.
Captain Hart, of the steamship Star of Canada, asked for his opinion, said that he was inclined to think that the buoy was from the ill-fated vessel. For the last 20 years he had thrown bottles over at various points in his voyages at the request of the Australian and United States Government meteorological observers. Of course, a number of the bottles were never heard of again, but he had received a report on his last trip to England of three that had been picked up in various parts of the world after drifting for over three years. He remembered throwing bottles over on the African coast and at Cape Horn, and having them reported from the West Coast of New Zealand, near the Manukau. It was no doubt a long distance for the buoy to drift in such a time, but such things had happened before.
Captain Murrison, of the Drayton Grange, said that it was by no means impossible that the buoy was from the lost Waratah, though he hardly considered it probable. Nevertheless the barnacles on the buoy pointed to the fact that it had been in the water for a long time. It would be a quick drift for the buoy to be carried 6000 or 7000 miles during the time that had elapsed! since the loss of the vessel. There are small steamers and a cutter trading on the Australian coast bearing the name Waratah, so that it is possible that the buoy may have been lost by one of these vessels, while it may have come from the scow of that name abandoned near Lord Howe Island last year.
The official search for the lost Waratah was abandoned on December 16, 1909.
Waiuku Museum 