Camp Bay Cemetery Records, Banks Peninsula

For those of you who don't know, Camp Bay is near Purau Bay in Lyttelton Harbour and was used as a quarantine camp for ships for many years starting from about mid 1863.  I have currently been hunting for the cemetery records.  My first port of call was the Christchurch City Libraries, but they don't have them.  They put me onto the Christchurch City Council but they didn't have them.  CCC put me on to the Department of Conservation as they run the reserve which contains the cemetery at Camp Bay but they don't seem to have them.  I then finally found a record of a microfisch held by the NZ Society of Genealogists but apparently they have never transcribed a list of burials so nothing of interest on the microfiche   

Since reading Mary Staplyton-Smith's amazing book on Camp Bay, "The Other End of the Harbour," the mystery has been solved for me.  In this book she states that she too tried to find records but none could be found.  She made her own small list of people but it was far from the 73 to 74 burials that a local man could remember being in the cemetery.  How this man knew this fact is unknown.


Ashdogg who has been helping me with this list stated: "I also found a bit about Camp Bay in a book called; “Cradle of Canterbury” by Gordon Ogilvie (1990 2^nd edition) – it gave a estimate of roughly 60 people being buried at Camp Bay Cemetery with 8 in quarantine from the Barque Punjaub. But as I say, reading it, it sounds like the author is not sure of the complete number. So in my calculation 11 were buried there rather than the 8 he suggests."

Apparently the burials in Camp Bay Cemetery took place between 1863 and 1877 according to Mary, but I have found one definite burial from the ship Malborough in December 1878.  There is apparently more information about the Cemetery in a Press article from about 27 February 1963, about 100 years after it opened, including a photo of one of the gravestones.  I haven't seen this article as yet.

Some onboard deaths may have been recorded in the ship's logs if the person died a day or two off the coast and  if close enough to Lyttelton were possibly buried at Camp Bay.  The following information from Ashdogg, who has been helping me on this page, confirms this:

“For obvious reasons, in most cases the deceased passenger was buried at sea unless the ship had, some type of refrigeration which was not frequent on passenger type ships.  If the ship was expected at a port within a very short time, within a day or two, of the event they might wrap the body and wait until they docked so it may be worth checking for a burial in the port.  An old sailor's last request may be to have a burial at sea, in the land of the Mermaids!” For the source click here.

These types of burials will never be able to be traced at Camp Bay Cemetery though as no records exist.  So they can only be guessed at!

The other thing I've noticed is that early on in 1863 etc the deaths were often not registered, especially if the death was a young baby.  From about 1870 the registration of deaths seems to have gotten better.  They were not registered by the Captain of the ship either, if they died in port, so some of these deaths have never been recorded anywhere except for the newspapers or in an Archive NZ document written by the Health Officer of the port.  Sometimes I have found excellent scribblings next to passenger names in the original passenger list, stating where they died, e.g. in port, and when.

Anyway, I have started my own list of people who were definitely and possibly buried at this cemetery, from records I have found in Archives New Zealand and Paperspast.  Mary Stapleton-Smith never would have had access to these records while writing her book and instead would have spent many hours looking through old newspapers and going to the University of Canterbury for help. She was researching before the Internet! And did an amazing job!

If anyone else has found a document recording a definite or possible burial at Camp Bay and wishes to add their ancestors to the list, please let me know.  Family legends also gratefully received as often these have some ounce of truth and can lead to further possible names.  Please also correct me if there are mistakes. Hopefully, with some help we can build up a reasonable list.

Please note this is a work in progress. If the source of the information is online, I have linked the name to the source, so you can hover over the name and click on it to get further information.  The list is long winded as I wanted to prove or disprove each person on the list.  Other people can repeat the process if they wish!

Definite Confirmed Burials at Camp Bay

Ann Austin  of the ship Captain Cook, died in about September 1863 leaving her children motherless, two of them having to go into an orphanage. This was soon after arriving on the ship Captain Cook and according to her daughter's obituary she was buried at Camp Bay.  A burial can't be found elsewhere.  There is no documented evidence of her death or burial, suggesting a death in quarantine or just before arrival, being quite likely.  For more information on the terrible experiences of the passengers of the Captain Cook click here.

Hathaway - a 2 month old infant, son of David and Milborough Hathaway.  Born on the ship Brother's Pride on 3 October 1863,  died 16 December 1863 at Camp Bay Quarantine station. Archives NZ Chch Office R22193437.  Death never registered at BDM.

Trigg - a six week old infant, son of Absalom and Hannah (Anna) Trigg.  Born on the ship Brother's Pride on 11 November 1863 (one of boy twins), died 23 December 1863 at Camp Bay Quarantine Station.  Archives NZ Chch Office R22193437.  Death never registered at BDM.

Possibly two others from the Brother's Pride - Names unknown but mentioned four died in quarantine in the newspapers many years later.  Their deaths may never have been registered at BDM going by the above two deaths on the same ship. Statements given by former passengers of the ship seem to confirm the extra death although they are never mentioned by the Health Officer in his report.


An amazing article from the Star dated 16 September 1933 provided by Ashdogg (see comment at bottom of blog) states that immigrants from the Punjaub that died in quarantine were buried at Camp Bay.  "Forty passengers were lost at sea with the fever and ten died at Ripa Island.  Their bodies were taken around in a small boat to Camp Bay, the cemetery being on a small jutting headland."

I have since found another article stating that Sarah Greig and Mathias P. Hansen were most definitely buried at Camp Bay.  Click here.  And another article stating that Catherine Prebensen and Rebecca Ferguson were also buried at Camp Bay. Click here.  The unusual thing about this ship is that all deaths at sea for the Punjaub were for some reason registered to Lyttelton, New Zealand as well as in the death at sea records which is very confusing.


B. Rasmussen, who was the last to have died onboard the Punjaub aged six months old on 19 September 1873.  The ships log reads something like “Sent? the body of B. Rasmussen to those to be buried to a place of appointed by the Emmigration Officer.”   The strange thing with this death is that it was also registered as a death at sea.  However the log states the emigration officer found a place of burial on land, highly likely Camp Bay.  This baby was not registered at a Lyttelton Cemetery.
Sarah Greig (22) of Bute died at Ripa Island on 23 September 1873 of Enteric Fever
Mathias P. Hansen (39) At Ripa Island on 23 September 1873 of Morbus Cordus
Harriet Horton (28) of Warwickshire died at Ripa Island on 23 September 1873 or 1 November 1873 of Acute Bronchitis
Catherine Prebensen (6 months) daughter of Anne at Ripa Island 25 September 1873 of Enteric Fever. She was buried at Camp Bay the same day in the evening.
Rebecca Ferguson (43) of Derry died at Ripa Island on 25 September 1873 of Enteric Fever.  She was buried at Camp Bay the same day in the evening.
Matilda Ferguson (17) of Derry died at Ripa Island on 26 September 1873 of Enteric Fever
Johannes or Johanna Petersen (5 1/2) died at Ripa Island on 26 September 1873 of Enteric Fever
Mary A. Cochrane (74) of Longford died at Ripa Island on 30 September 1873 of Enteric Fever
Ellen Hayes (15) of Devon
Eva Maria Christiansen (9 months) at Ripa Island on 2 November 1873 of Dentition

Beatrice Marshall, a young girl, aged 2, from the ship Rakaia died on 10 February 1875 at Ripa Island and was buried the same day at Camp Bay according to the newspapers.

Man from the White Rose  died of dysentery while on Ripa Island and was bured at Camp Bay Cemetery on 26 July 1875. (have looked at the passenger list.  Is NOT passenger W. J. Corner, aged 19 who died at sea on 13 July, so is one of the other passengers.  No BDM registrations seem to match the ship's passenger list).

Infant from the ship White Rose was born on Ripa Island and died on the island 36 hours after birth.  Was buried at Camp bay on 26 July 1875.  No name mentioned.

Ernest Gartery died age 4 of the Cardigan Castle on about 7 January 1877 in the harbour after arrival. (see Eliza Webster below for proof he was likely buried at Camp Bay).

Eliza Webster aged 19 of the Cardigan Castle died at Ripa Island on 10 January 1877 of pneumonia and low fever.  Note what happened on Ripa Island when someone died:
"The Star Thursday January 11 1877
Yesterday morning the flag at the Quarantine Station, Ripa Island, was hoisted, denoting that a death had taken place. Dr Donald and Mr March visited the stations in the morning, and the report shows that one of the single girls named Eliza Webster, aged 19 years, had succumbed to pneumonia and low fever.  Her illness commenced with diphtheria. She had been very low, and never rallied after Tuesday morning."  It was commented in a diary that  "She was taken away on a boat and buried on another Island"  (presumably Camp Bay was mistaken as an Island, as no burials took place at this stage on Quail Island.  Highly unlikely to have been taken to Lyttelton).  Because of this diary I am moving both Cardigan Castle deaths to definite burials at Camp Bay.

Assistant Cook of the ship Marlborough died of consumption on 16 December 1878 and was buried at Camp Bay on 17 December 1878, name not mentioned.

Possible burials at Camp Bay, but no proof:

Please note:  From research done above, it appears that most people who died at Ripa Island were buried at Camp Bay.  So many of the people below are most likely in that cemetery.  These people are NOT buried in other Lyttelton and Christchurch cemeteries as I have done manual searches at the Christchurch Public Libraries under multiple name spellings and have not found them.  This doesn't mean they are definitely in Camp Bay however.


George Lewis, aged 18, died on 3 September 1863 after arriving on the Captain Cook, of compression of the brain and disease of the bladder. He was probably still on the ship, anchored in the harbour when he died.

Child named Lucas, (from the passenger list, I'm sure this is Albert Lucas aged 2) died on 3 September 1863 after arriving on the Captain Cook, of long-continued diarrhoea. (His brother William Henry Lucas, listed as Henry on the passenger list, survived quarantine and died a few years later in 1876 aged 19 and is buried in Barbadoes St Cemetery, Christchurch, with his parents).

Jason Berry (registered at BDM as Janson Berry) aged 33, was listed on the original Northampton passenger list as "died at Ripa 13/6/74."  (he was incorrectly named in the newspapers as James Berry who died on Diarrhoea on 13 June 1874).  He left behind a large family.  Goodness knows what happened to them all.  A very sad situation.

Ernest Napier aged 2, son of William Napier of Devon, arrived on the Northampton and died on 30 June 1874 at Ripa Island.  This is confirmed in the original passenger list.  Is very likely to be buried at Camp Bay.

Alice Pretty Aitkins her death was registered in Lyttelton Harbour in Oct-Nov-Dec 1874, Folio no. 1107.  I then found a James and Ellen Atkins on the Northampton which arrived in 1874.  In the original passenger list it says "Infant born at Ripa and died there."  There is also a "James Pretty" from the same county on this ship - an uncle perhaps?  I then found a marriage dated 6 November 1872 between a James Atkins and Ellen Pretty, in Buriton, Hampshire, England, the same county as listed on the passenger list.  This all ties together!

Elizabeth J. Harvey, aged 1 3/4, is listed on the passenger list for the Northampton as "died at Ripa July 1874."  Her death was never registered with BDM for some reason.

Thomas Biggs, aged 28, immigrant from the Northampton who fell down a 30 ft cliff at Camp Bay and died of head injuries on 9 August 1874.  Inquest was held at Lyttelton, so he is likely buried there, instead of at Camp Bay.  Not buried at Lyttelton.

John Wills (John Willis on the passenger list), a young boy aged 8, on board the City of Glasgow, drowned at Ripa Island in April 1874.  The inquest was held at the Canterbury Hotel, Lyttelton, so it is likely he is buried in Lyttelton, not Camp Bay.  Can't find BDM registration.  Not buried at Lyttelton.

John Kerr, aged 2, from the ship Jessie Osborne died of consumption on Ripa Island on 3 February 1876.  Is very likely to be buried at Camp Bay.  I figured out details from the passenger list and from the newspaper report.  Can't find BDM registration.

Hannah Langford, 18 months old, of the Opawa.  Died on 6 January 1879 of whooping cough and diarrhoea.  Her death was after the supposed last burial date at Camp Bay.  Registered at BDM under Hannah Longford.

John Warren an infant from the Northern Monarch died on 2 February 1879 on Ripa Island.  This is after the supposed last burial date at Camp Bay.  Can't find registration at BDM.

Kate Magrath, 7 years old from the Northern Monarch died on 3 February 1879 on Ripa Island.  This is after the supposed last burial date at Camp Bay. Can't find registration at BDM.

Infant Child of Mr Buchanan from the Northern Monarch died on 9 February 1879 on Ripa Island.  This is after the supposed last burial date at Camp Bay.  This is probably George Buchanan, infant, on the passenger list. A "George Brodie Buchanan" was registered in Christchurch at BDM in 1879.

Lily Payne, aged 5 years old, who arrived by the Westland, died at Ripa Island of measles on 24 February 1880.  (she died after 1877 though, the supposed final date for burials at Camp Bay). Death not registered at BDM.

William Hosking, laborer, employed at Ripa Island fortifications, died last night 17 October 1886 from injuries received tlirough a fall of earth on Thursday last."  Was he buried at Camp Bay or was the cemetery closed by then and was he buried at Lyttelton?  Death registered in Christchurch with BDM.

Trumper headstones - I was contacted by a lady named Fay who told me there is a family legend that James and Samuel Trumper (aged four months and three years respectively) who died on the Huntress in 1864 were buried at Camp Bay and that two headstones existed there.  They were sighted in 1980 by a relation and were "like large river shingle stones with the name carved into them."  One Trumper boy died a month before reaching New Zealand and would have most definitely been buried at sea.  The other died two weeks before reaching New Zealand, in the Southern Ocean and again was most likely buried at sea.  The only thought I have on this, is that the parents of these children carved and erected headstones in their sons memories whilst in quarantine.  This could have been possible as there was no minister overseeing the place (hence why there are no burial records or records of services conducted for the people who had died).  This adds a whole new dimension to the cemetery.  Were half the headstones memorials, not actual burial places?  I guess we will never know. 

K.B.A. 1873 - There is a newspaper article about a stone in Camp Bay that existed in 1934 with this inscription.  Who it belongs to is unknown but likely someone from the Punjaub.  Whether a memorial stone for someone who died at sea or someone who died at Ripa Island, the initials still don't match with anyone who died!

Remaining people from Mary Staplyton-Smith's list from her book "The Other End of the Harbour."  She had a list of 20 people, the others are now either proven or above with more details.

Barnes brothers (from a gravestone inscription that was remembered)
Miss Tullock (from relatives who say she is buried at Camp Bay)

Kt. Pen. S. 1873 = the inscription on a stone found by Mary and her family.  Who this stone actually belonged to is unknown.  Maybe it is someone from the Punjaub, seeing so many people died that year, 1873, from that ship.  They may already be listed above, but the abbreviation doesn't seem to fit any of the Punjaub passengers.  Another option is that it is a memorial stone to someone who died at sea.  For a complete list of deaths on the Punjaub at sea and in quarantine check out the following list by clicking here.

People thought to be in Camp Bay but are not!

James Jansen was listed as a burial at Camp Bay in "The Other End of the Harbour."  I have since found a death record for a Jens Jenson in 1873.  He was a 9 month old passenger on the Punjaub that died at sea on about 3 July 1873 and was definitely buried at sea, but like his fellow passengers was registered for some reason at Lyttelton, adding confusion to the whole thing.  Another spelling variation of his name is Yens Jensen, causing further confusion.

Amy Fergusson, aged 24, dead of Enteric fever. (found by Mary Stapleton-Smith from the Births, Deaths and Marriages in Chch many years ago).  The only person of this name that can be found is in 1873, but I haven't ordered the death certificate for financial reasons. Her death was registered in Christchurch and after checking the Christchurch Burial records found she died aged 24 on 3 March 1873 and was buried in Addington Cemetery, Christchurch a day later.  So she is NOT a Camp Bay burial.

Further Accidents and Deaths At Camp Bay

Gunner John Hazleton fell down the cliff at Camp Bay while collecting mushrooms and died in 1902.

Sepia Saturday 214: Musical Instruments

Sepia Saturday 214 shows two people by a piano.  For more Sepia Saturday posts, click the link.  Because of the piano, I decided to go with the theme of musical instruments and found an appropriate photo.  I come from a fairly musical family on both sides.

Here is a photo of my Pop with his alto saxophone in the late 1940s.  He is pretending to use it as a cricket bat on a field somewhere in Christchurch.  I have this photo on my wall as I absolutely love it!  I even learnt on this saxophone for a few years when I was a teenager.


My Pop was a bit of a character.  He was a joker.  He had nicknames for everyone.  My Dad was called Curly (he had curly hair), and my Grandma, Marta Hairy Legs (for obvious reasons).  My Mum had a horrible nickname that she hated, so I won't write it here.  My Pop was known as Jack but that wasn't his real name.  His friends and family all had nicknames.

He used to play tricks on people as he drove past.  If he went past a golf course and some golfers were about to tee off he would yell "FOUR" to try and put them off.  His family were trying to hide in the back of the car.

So I like this photo as it captures a bit of his cheeky side which came out occasionally.  I didn't know my Pop very well as he died when I was five.  I only have vague memories of him as I was so young, so old photos of him keep him alive in our memories.  Here is another photo of him in a more serious pose!

Future books?

I'm looking at New Zealand Immigrant ships for future books.  My favourites so far are:

The Mystery
The Mermaid
The John Temperley
The Blue Jacket

At the moment I am writing a book on the Cashmere and the Chrysolite.  So many books to write!  This lot will take me a few years I'm guessing

Any other suggestions greatly appreciated!

How to Research a New Zealand Immigrant Ship

I have now written five books on immigrant ships with more in the pipeline.  I have never found a boring immigrant ship, although maybe I'm the boring one being so interested in them!  Most ships have at least one tale of woe, one tragedy or one amazing link with huge moments in history.  I encourage you to research the ships your ancestors came on and I guarantee that you will learn more about what your ancestors went through on the voyage and the people who they were interacting with while travelling, on what was often a long and monotonous journey.

Where to start researching your ancestral ship?

1. Type the name of your ship into Google and the year it sailed.  Often a rootsweb page will appear with details of the ship.   I have typed in 'Ivanhoe 1864' without quotation marks and the following three pages appear:

1. 1864 "Ivanhoe" voyage acccounts. - RootsWeb

   www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nzlscant/ivanhoe1.htm‎

   Feb 16, 2002 - The 'IVANHOE'. From The Lyttelton Times 14 June 1864. "Marred by no fewer than 25 deaths among the passengers. Twelve of these caused ...
2. 
   

   "Ivanhoe" London to Lyttelton 1864 with passengers for Timaru

   www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nzlscant/ivanhoe.htm‎

   THE 'IVANHOE'. From The Lyttelton Times 14 June 1864. "Marred by no fewer than 25 deaths among the passengers. Twelve of these caused by low fever.
3. 
   

   Ivanhoe1864 - Freepages - Ancestry.com

   freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ourstuff/Ivanhoe1864.htm‎

   The voyage of the ship Ivanhoe from England to New Zealand in 1864 was ... Under the command of Captain Dunn, the Ivanhoe left Plymouth on February 25.

   Most of the information you need is on there, but to avoid copyright or plagiarism issues you need to find the original sources of information.  Also it is SO wrong to copy someone elses work.  You need to either obtain permission or find the original source and do the work yourself.  It doesn't take long to do the work yourself and is much more satisfying.  The advantage of the above pages is that they instantly point you to many sources of information.
   
   
   
   2.  Find the original passenger lists.  I take a name from the above rootsweb site, or your own ancestors name and go to familysearch.org the famous Mormon website for researching your family tree for free.  On the home page click on "Records" and then scroll to the bottom of the page and click on "Australia and New Zealand."  You will be taken to a page of records from these two countries.  Down the bottom of the page is "New Zealand Immigration Passenger Lists 1855-1973."  

   Click on this and type in a name from the passenger list or your own ancestor's name.  They should appear with a year of emigration next to them.  Find the correct person and click on them.  Then go to the image and you have the original passenger list.  Then go to page one.  I do all my passenger lists from original records as often the transcribed records on the web have a few transcription errors.  Often you know a lot more about the ship than most transcribers because you have researched the passengers, so know that the spelling of Barrett should be Barnett and so on!  You can put correct and incorrect spellings in the passenger list.
   

   3.  Use paperspast.natlib.govt.nz to search for your ship.  If there are lots of hits then narrow it down to a week after the ship arrived.  There will usually be one or two major reports on a ship about one to two days after the ship arrived in port.  Sometimes the main stories are spread over a week and include passenger lists.  Search advertisements as well as articles as often an advertisement has a testimonial to the Captain with an ancestor's name in it, or your ancestor may have lost some luggage and is asking for it back in an ad!  Sometimes you need to search months ahead as there may be court cases and other interesting articles that mention your ship.
   

   4.  Go to Trove (trove.nla.gov.au) and search for your ship on there.  It can turn up other Australasian journeys, where the ship was built, where it was wrecked etc and even pictures of the ship.
   

   5.  Do the same in 19th Century British Newspapers  which is a database available through many New Zealand public libraries.  Just enter your library card number and password and browse in the comfort of your own home!

   
   

   6.  Find your ship in one of Ian Nicholson's amazing books "Record of Records" which details where to find diaries and ship logs for your own ship.  If you find there are diaries then try and order them from Alexander Turnbull Library, Museums and other places.  If there are no diaries, don't fret, yet!

   
   

   7.  Look at the cabin passengers on your journey or any "famous" or well known passengers who were mentioned in the newspapers.  Often there are letters or diaries still in existance for these well known people with journey summaries.  Bingo!  Often you will find something startling that wasn't in Ian Nicholson's amazing book.

   
   

   8.  Then research obituaries for people who were on the ship in Papers Past.  Often they died many years after the journey and sometimes these obituaries have comments about the journey.  Sometimes there is a comment that Joe Blogs has written his autobiography.  Search for this autobiography in the public libraries.  These most often have details of the voyage.  Some have almost a full summary of the voyage as the writer has worked from his or her own diary.  This original diary may have been lost, but their autobiography lives on.  Sometimes these autobiographies have startling details about other passengers and what became of their lives and how they interacted with the person writing the autobiography.  It could even be your own ancestor mentioned!

   
   

   9.  If you still can't find any decent accounts of your ship voyage and you only have a few lines from a newspaper then search Papers Past again.  Sometimes this can take hours and hours but will often turn up a reunion of the ship 50 years later with some details of the voyage.  Or sometimes you will find an 80 year old telling the story of their journey in the newspaper.

   
   

   10.  If all else fails research every single passenger on board your ancestor's voyage and often you will find a family tree book or two with one or two details from the voyage, based on people's memoirs.  Once you piece the newspaper articles you have together, plus these few details from memoirs, you start to build a complete story of the journey which no one has seen before.  It grows out of nothing into a wonderful thing.

   A word of warning.  People's memoirs after often grossly exagerated and do not match the newspaper reports of the day.  They often have embellishments, wrong names, etc.  I even read an obituary for a man who was a sailor on board a ship.  He must have told his family stories of a terrible storm at sea and if it hadn't been for him the whole ship would have been lost.  This was rubbish as the newspapers of the day stated a completely different person saved the ship!  So please treat all these memoirs with a grain of salt!  Remember if a person is 90 years old when they die, they can tell their family anything and there will be no one else alive from back in the day to correct them! 

   
   

   Diaries are, from my experience, way more correct, although sometimes a person wrote about a death or birth or other event many days after it happened which can be extremely confusing if you are comparing two diaries!
   

   11.  You will discover through all this research that your ship probably spent time a several wars, or was around when a major earthquake went off in Chille and a tsnami wave hit the ship etc.  This is exciting stuff.  Research what happened during these major events and how your ancestral ship was involved.  19th Century British Newspapers are helpful for this and other websites on major historical events.
   

   12.  Draw a map of the ship's journey using the latitude and longitude from newspaper reports and diaries.  You can find coordinates on Google by entering them in the search bar, or right click and click "What's here?" on the area you think the ship might have been.
   

   13. Find where the ship was built, using the tonnage, newspaper articles that suggest where it may have been built etc.  Often you will find a similar ship sailing at the same time and can not confirm which ship is which until you do extensive research in the newspapers.  Check details of ships on Lloyd's register.
   

   14.  Try and find what happened to the ship.  Often you will find a website or family story that says that after the passengers were dropped off at port, "then the ship returned to England and was never seen again."   I have seen this several times and every single time it has been an incorrect family story.   People exaggerating to make their lives seem more dramatic or interesting.  Search the newspapers, Lloyds register and just do google searches such as "Ivanhoe wrecked" and other searches. Sometimes it will come straight up!  Sometimes it will take a couple of nights to find it! Check the tonnage and other details to make sure you have the correct ship.

   
   

   15. If the diaries or journey details were not great, it pays to find some general information on ship board life.  There are museum websites and other places that have it.

   
   

   16.  Remember to always check copyright, ask permission, thank the person, reference the source and you will cover yourself from being guilty of any plagiarism.  If you ever make a mistake and publish something you shouldn't or get something wrong, apologise to anyone who contacts you about it.  Happy researching!

Sepia Saturday 211: The Great War

I love Sepia Saturday, check out the other great stories by clicking the link.  Today's theme was the great war or WWI.  I don't know why the called it great as war in general is anything but great.  When I started my family tree many years ago I discovered that I had no direct ancestors who went to either war.  I only have the odd Uncle or cousins many times removed who went.

I have already talked about my Uncle Willy going to war but thought I would include a couple of great pictures of a gas mask, probably with William Henry Pearce underneath.  He got back from war to find a relaxed Kiwi house in Christchurch with all his family still there.  He must have put this mask on so his brother Cyril, who was into amateur photography, could get an interesting shot.  I love this photo.  It is a scary face looking at you.  A mosquito type face.  A reminder of the Dr Who episode where the little boy with a gas mask face calls, "Where is my Mummy.  Are you my Mummy."  These masks were the stuff of nightmares.

Sepia Saturday 209: Who were the mysterious family and were they related to Jean Batten? And there is a Car in there too!

I decided to talk to my Grandma the other day about her father's side of the family.  She said that her father, Arthur Cyril Pearce used to say he was related to Jean Batten the famous pilot.  He used to go on about it all the time apparently.

Well I've searched my family tree and looked at her family tree and can't find the connection.  It may be a relationship only by marriage somewhere along the line.  Jean Batten was born in 1909 in Rotorua. 

However my great grandfather visited some family in Rotorua in 1920 with his brother Willy.  He travelled a long way from Christchurch in the South Island, by boat to the North Island.  I have traced his journey from Wellington and various other towns to Rotorua.  My Grandma said that there were family in Rotorua that he visited.  We have the following pictures of them with their animals and going about their daily business.

My great grandfather visited the hot springs at Rotorua and the Tarawera crater, the volcano that blew its top and covered the pink and white terraces.  He also visited Waitomo caves.

My great grandfather was also into cars such as this one.  It is parked in his father's shed, a 1920s blokes shed that housed the car, motorbike and the family business.  The father Arthur james Pearce was a cobbler and worked in this shed.  However on the journey to the North Island he took boats and horse driven coaches  and trains but no cars that I have seen.  They don't appear in his photos.




My great grandfather's family tree includes the names Pearce, Luff, Gillespie, Fogden and then more obscure relations such as the names Cheesman, Webley, Vivian, Bennett, Nelson, Bull, Glanville, Stone, Pope, Newman, Riddell, Unwin, Tweedie, Stevens, Skudder, Coombs or Coombes, Franklin, Edhouse, Hood, Potts, Voice, Reed, Brown and Gyde.  There are probably other families I haven't found yet.

The main names in the Jean Batten tree are Batten, Blackmore, Rigden, Lanning.  I can't find spouses for her brother's though who are:

Frederick Harold Batten born 1901
John Edward Batten born 1903

If anyone can find their spouses, it would be greatly appreciated.  Jean also had a brother Stanley Batten who didn't live to adulthood. 

So you can see my hunt for the Jean Batten connection is so far hopeless!  It must be a pretty vague link, but any link to Jean Batten would have been exciting I guess!  Any help greatly appreciated!

Click here for a link to who Jean Batten is, if you don't know already!

A Disastrous Fire on Colombo Street, Christchurch 1866

My ancestor William Pearce who was an Inspector of Nuisances gave evidence in a case of a disasterous fire on Colombo Street, Christchurch.  He was 25 years old at the time and was helping the owner of the billiard room that caught on fire to close up!  This is a great article which shows the kind of things that happened in the Christchurch of 1866.  Fires were common.  

The Lyttelton Times 16 November 1866

DISASTROUS FIRE.

At a quarter-past one on Tuesday morning, the 5th inst,, a fire broke out in Colombo street, in the premises occupied by Mr. G. H. Roach, tobacconist, contiguous to the brick building known as Colombo House. Before the alarm was given the fire had taken such hold of the adjoining buildings that it was at once apparent that the block comprising the buildings up to Armagh street, and including Mr. Tre'eaven's flour store, and the Golden Fleece Hotel were doomed beyond hope of any action on the part of the Fire Brigade.

Behind the buildings which we have named, and extending for a considerable distance were ranges of stables and other outbuildings which were very soon on fire.

It was about twenty minutes after the alarm was given before the Fire Brigade showed in any force, and at least twenty minutes more before an engine was on the ground. By this time it was evident that nothing could be done beyond saving those buildings which lay to the south of Cookham House, and preventing the fire from spreading to the other side of the street, which, at one time seemed very likely, from the fierceness with which it raged, and the direction which it was dreaded the wind might take.

It was thought, at one time, that Cookham House might be saved, and if a timely supply of water had been at hand, such might have been the case. As soon as the Fire Brigade had got their engines into proper working order they directed their efforts chiefly to prevent the further spread of the fire, it being evident that it was impossible to save those buildings on which it had already taken hold. In a very short time the whole of the block as far as Armagh street was hopelessly under the mastery of the flames, and the Golden Fleece burned so rapidly as to leave the inmates but scant time to save themselves. By this time a large crowd had collected in the street, and the work of removing all that could be readily come at from the buildings threatened was carried on by willing hands with astonishing alacrity. The fire having been reduced within a certain limit, and the attention of the brigade concentrated, it was found that the chief danger to be apprehended arose from a store to the rear of and in connection with Cookham House, which burned fiercely and long, and threatened to carry the fire to a range of stabling and other outbuildings in close proximity. At the height of the fire, and while the front part of the buildings we have already mentioned were burning fiercely, it was feared that Mr. Alport's store, the premises of Messrs. Cook and Ross, and those of Mr. Leake, the former on the opposite side of Armagh-street to the Golden Fleece and the latter on the south side of Colombo-street, would catch fire, and the attention of the Fire Brigade was directed to these buildings in time to save them.

The necessarily hurried and unavoidably incomplete report of the fire furnished above requires to be supplemented and corrected by the fuller information we have since obtained, and which, in the midst of the excitement created by a great public danger, it was impossible to collect. The story of the fire is substantially, and in its main features, such as we have already given, but we are now in a position to estimate the loss more fully, and to add somewhat to the narrative.

Although it may be impossible to ascertain exactly where and how the fire originated, it is certain that flames were first noticed at the rear of the premises occupied by Mr. Roach, the tobacconist, and it is safe to assume that in the billiard-room, attached to, and forming part of the premises, or very near it, tlie fire began. The first alarm was given about a quarter-past one, but by whom has not been very clearly made out, there being, as in most cises of the sort, very conflicting statements with regard to this point. It was reported that the fire-bell could not be found; and it was assumed that in accordance with a resolution recently come to by the City Council for supplying an alarm gong, that the bell had been removed from its old place. From information which we have since obtained, we believe this to be incorrect. The fire-bell was and is in its old place, and was rung for a short time after the alarm was given. The rope attached to it soon gave way, however, and the warning was continued by the ringing of the bell in the yard belonging to the City Council.

As already stated in the report given above, it was about twenty minutes before the Fire Brigade mustered in any force, and from fifteen to twenty minutes more before the engines were got to work. By this time the block of buildings from Cookham House northward to Armagh street, including Mr. Roach's shop, the stores of Messrs.Treleaven, Hicks, and Baylee, and the Golden Fleece Hotel, which were all built of wood, were so fully in the grasp of the fire as to be past all efforts of the Fire Brigade, and for a time the most strenuous efforts were directed to Cookham House, the property of Mr. George Gould. Being a brick and slate building, it was hoped that the copious supplies of water which the steam fire engine was throwing from the river would yet save it. Such, however, was not the case, for the fire, which had spread northward and eastward with astonishing rapidity, seized on Cookham House with a fury which it was hopeless to strive against, bo far as the safety of the building was concerned. The attention of a portion of the brigade was then concentrated in order to prevent the fire spreading further to the southward, whi'e another portion directed a jet of water on the premises of Messrs. Cook and Ross, Mr. Leake, and Mr. Mummery, on the opposite side of Colombo street, and a third section devoted their attention to Mr. Alport's premises, the scorched front of which shows how narrowly they escaped.

It was about this time that a few volunteers from the immense crowd which had now assembled began to prepare for pulling down the premises occupied by Mr. Lane, butcher, end which are separated from Cnokham House by the store of Mr Jameson. which was in imminent danger during the latter part of the fire. Had it not been for the narrow lane dividing Mr. Jameson's store from Cookham House, and for the immense quantities of water thrown on to the building, the fire must have spread southward, and destroyel the whole block as far as, Gloucester street, or to Mr. Gee's corner. So certain did the occupants of the stores in this part of the street feel that the fire would reach them, that they had made every preparation, by removing those article which were the most easily lifted, or on whioh they set most value.

While the fire continued to rage fiercely there were not wanting willing volunteers, who saved as much property from the burning buildings as they could reach, often placing themselves in great danger. A considerable portion of the goods were removed from Cookham House; a few of Mr. Roach's light articles were taken safely out, and from Mr. Treleaven's store a quantity of flour was carried. Messrs Hicks and Baylee did not save much, nor was there time io get more than a few things out of the Golden Fleece. The principal part of the goods destroyed, and which belonged to Mr. Gould were in a large brick store to the rear of and attached to Cookham House. Only a very few cases were got out during the early part of the fire, and this building continued to send forth flames long after the main block was a mere heap of smouldering ruins. In pouring a constant supply of water on the burning mass inside this store and in directing a jet to the buildings close to it on the south side, the Fire Brigade prevented the further spread of the fire.

It was reported at one time that a man had perished in the fearful blaze in which the Golden Fleece was so rapidly and so completely swallowed up. Such, we are happy to say, is not the case.. But this man had undoubtedly a very narrow escape. He had come into town from Leeston about 12 o'clock, having conveyed a friend thence to the hospital. After taking some refreshment, in the Golden Fleece he retired; he was shown to a bed in a room just over the door, and in the upper story of the house. Being very tired, he fell at once into a deep sleep and did not awake when called, or awoke so slightly as to be insensible of the great danger in which he was. It was not till he received a severe blow from a falling rafter that he became conscious of his position.  Jumping up, he at once made for the window, from which he let himself down. He was caught in the arms of two or three policemen, the scanty clothing which he had on being on fire, wrapped carefully up in an overcoat, and conveyed to Mr, Alport's store. It may be truly said that he escaped with hardly a rag on his back.

We have mentioned that the premises of Messrs. Cook and Ross, chemists, and those adjoining were in imminent danger at one period, and saved only from a jet of water having been directed on them, at a critical moment. That such was the case, may be judged from the fact that in the fine plate glass front of Messrs. Cook and Ross' establishment there is not now one entire pane, The whole has been cracked by the sudden contact with water after the intense heat to which it was exposed, and now presents an appearance which bears a grotesque resemblance to a piece of Mosaic work, Another fact with regard to Messrs. Cook and Ross' establishment shows the very narrow escape it had. The stoppers in almost every one of the bottles in the front part of the building were found to have jumped out, while the heat inside was so intense at one time as to render it next to impossible for any one to remain long there. When daylight came and showed the extent of the damage which had been done, it showed also the more fearful calamity which had providentially been averted. The footpath on the western side of that portion .of Colombo street which extends from Gloucester to Armagh street was densely packed with a most heterogeneous mass of articles, which had been removed from the buildings on the opposite side.. Cookham House, although it may be said to be gutted, has stood ont bravely, and to its being built of brick must be attributed the success with which the gallant efforts of the Fire Brigade and those who assisted them were rewarded in stopping the southward progress of the fire. Fortunately there was little or no wind. It is worthy of record, however, that a sharp south-west gale, which suddenly sprung up between eleven and twelve o'clock, had been blowing with its usual violence not half an hour before the fire broke out. It died away as suddenly as it had arisen, and when the alarm was given, there was nothing more than a very gentle breeze from the west. While considering it our duty to record the fact that a certain space of time elapsed before the Fire Brigade mustered in force, and before the engines were got thoroughly to work, we deem it no less our duty to award them, collectively and individually, very high praise for the fearless energy with which they worked, and the successful efforts they made to prevent the fire from extending. For the credit as well as future usefulness of the brigade, it is necessary that we should state an impression which very strongly prevailed during the fire, and which was widely repeated afterwards by those who were eyewitnesses of the scene. It is that there was a want of united action, and an absence of some controlling power to direct their efforts. It seemed as if every man acted on his own judgment, and however praiseworthy the actual work done by the various sections into which the brigade resolved itself was, it must be evident to every one, that unity of action in these cases, no less than promptitude and judicious handling, are absolutely necessary if the Fire Brigade is to do that which we have every reason to believe it capable of. We do not say this in any spirit of faultfinding, but in the belief that we are doing a service alike to the Brigade and the public, as well as discharging a duty which it would be criminal to shrink from. Three excuses for the tardy muster of the brigade are very obvious. The alarm was not well given; the hour was one at which it is difficult to arouse men from sleep; and there have been numerous false alarms and useless musterings of late. The Volunteers mustered on the ground in very considerable numbers, and were under the direction of Colonel White. They did good service in keeping back the crowd, and leaving a clear space for the operations of the Fire Brigade. The police, under the orders of Commissioner Shearman and Inspector Pender werefound wherever there was work for them to do, and were most active, both as guardians of the property thrown loose on the streets, and as assistants to those who strove so manfully to save what could be saved. There was, however, one instance, in which the over-zeal of some members of the force prevented property to some considerable extent being saved. Anxious that no lives should be lost, the police interfered, and put a stop to the further removal of goods from Mr. Gould's store at the rear of Cookham House, and this, too, at a moment when no immediate danger was to be apprehended. It is invidious to single out any one from the general body of those who were all animated by the laudable desire to save property, and to aid as far as they could the work of the Fire Brigade. But one gentleman was so conspicuous that we should be wrong in refraining to name him. Mr L. G. Cole stood for nearly an hour on the roof of Mr. Jameson's store, directing and guiding the members of the Fire Brigade in using the large hose with good effect. We noticed also Mr. Tom Fawcett, of the Theatre Royal; working vigorously in removing goods from the burning stores.

Mr. Gould is the heaviest sufferer. Cookham House, which may be said to be entirely destroyed, was valued at £5000, and the merchandise in it and the store adjoining, taken merely at cost price and charges, was worth £22,000, making in all £27,000. Mr. Gould was insured to the extent of £14,000 in the following offices—Northern, £2500; New Zealand, £2500; Imperial, £2500; Liverpool and London, £2500 London and Lancashire, £2000; North British and Mercantile, £2000. Mr. Roach's stock and buildings were insured for £500 and £700 respectively in the London and Lancashire. Messrs. Hicks and Baylee's stock was insured for £750 in the Royal. Mr. Treleaven's stock, the estimated value of which was from £600 to £700, was uninsured, as was also the store. Mr. Campion's stock was insured for £400 in the Victoria; and the building for £1,300 in the Liverpool, London, and Globe. He estimates his loss at £1000. Mr Jameson, whose store escaped, estimates his loss in goods at £300. Mr. Lane's shop, which is considerably damaged, is insured in the North British and Mercantile. To these must he added the loss sustained by Messrs. Cook and Ross, Altogether the total loss may be set down at about £35,000.

Before concluding, we feel it incumbent on us to draw the attention of the City Council to the very urgent necessity which exists for a Municipal Building Ordinance. It seems the very height of reckless folly to have neglected this importaint matter so long. In a town built almost entirely of wood, it is surely necessary to make some provision for a danger which is hourly threatening us, and to take some precaution for the preservation of life and property. Our streets, which are not one inch too wide, are allowed to be made practically some ten or twenty feet narrower by the practice which has become so common of erecting venndahs in front of the stores, the framewoik of which, in the majority of instances, is composed entirely of wood. Bakehouses, ovens, and furnaces are erected in close proximity to wooden buildings of the most fragile character, and without the slightest attempt at supervision. We could point to instances in which heaps of dry litter, loose hay and straw, and other readily ignited materials are lying close to places where a fire is a thing to be looked for at any moment.

If the members of the City Council will take the trouble to go round the principal streets of the town, and merely glance into the back premises of only a few of the houses, they will easily discover all that we have mentioned, and a great deal more. We advise them to pay a visit to the Triangle, as being the most thickly populated part of the town, feeling certain that they will be speedily convinced, of the absolute necessity for some such measure as we have indicated. The public, we feel sure, wil| not rest satisfied till a Building Ordinance has been passed. The Provincial Council is in session, and the Government, will, we are confident, lend their aid in passing a bill, the provisions of which, if properly enforced, will do much to render life and property more secure.

An inquiry into the origin of the fire was held on the 8th inst., at the Clarendon Hotel.

Dr. Coward, the coroner of the district, conducted the inquiry, Mr. Stringer being foreman of the jury. Messrs. Harper and Garrick attended to watch the proceedings on behalf of the different Insurance offices.

The following evidence was adduced:-
G. H, Roach: I am a tobacconist, residing in Christchurch. I left my premises, in Colombo street, at 10.30 on Monday night last. There was no one there at that hour. I had not been upstairs at that time. I left the house in company with a young man named Pearce. No one but us were in the house. I believe that the house was then quite safe. There were no candles or lighted fires on the premises, and the gas was turned off. I left the building, and went to Mr. Campion's, at the corner of the street, about 10,45, as nearly as possible.  I had a glass of ale at Mr. Campion's; Pearce and I left the bar in company. We went in the direction of the theatre.  Pearce then left me. I went to the theatre, and from thence into the Criterion Hotel, in company with a friend named Tucker. At the close of the performance at the theatre, I left. It was then nearly 20 minutes to 12. I went to the City Hotel, to see a friend there. I went subsequently to Mr. Campion's, where I was lodging. This was nearly 12 p.m. In the room where I was sleeping, there was a young man named Flynn. We had some conversation together. I went to bed. About 12 p.m. I fell asleep. I was awakened by Mr. Campion, who came into the room. He said "Roach, you are ruined." Campion then left the room. Flynn ran out, and returned saying, "The whole place is on fire!" A candle was lighted, and I dressed as soon as I could, and ran down stairs. I saw the shop and billiard-room rented by me on fire. I ran back to my bedroom at the hotel. I opened the door of the shop, to which I had returned, and found the whole place in flames. I succeeded in rescuing a glass case; some persons aided me. The flames were then so high that I was obliged to leave the shop. I heard some one say "Go and fetch a ladder." I went to Mr. Baylee, who resides in Kilmore street, and who has a shop next to that of Mr. Treleaven. I awoke him, and we returned to the premises. Mr. Baylee and another person returned with me. There was then no fire at his store, but I believe that the flames were then overhead. We removed some goods. I believe that Campion's premises were cleared of the wines and spirits. By this time the flames had spread to Armagh street. I tried to get at my boxes at Campion's, but was advised to desist, as the place was then on fire. The flames were then opposite to Mr, Alport's store. I did not go to the bedroom I went to Mr. Oram's, the Market-place Hotel, and went to bed for about two hours. Cross-examined by Mr. Garrick: I did not go to bed on that night earlier than usual.

In August last I increased my insurance to the extent of about £100. I had then made some additions to my stock. I had also added a billiard-room, and some other rooms. I have been in the province for two years and a half. My uncle, F. Roach, started me in business. I had £50 in cash belonging to me. F. Roach supplied stock to the amount of £500, for which I gave him bills, which have been paid. I believe that my liabilities amount to £250.

My stock at the time of the fire was about £750, invoice price. I have been very successful in raffles, having won a horse, and also some valuable articles. I sold the horse for £42; the other articles I made a profit by. I was doing a very fair business! I kept a stock-book, which has been lost in the fire. I thought that the stock-book was in my drawer; but in looking (or if I could not find it. I only found a ledger and a cheque-book. I lately removed my goods, taking some to Mr. Campion's, and some to Mr. Hick's store, to avoid them from being distrained upon. I also took some tobacco, cigars, and some furniture to Mr. Brice's premises. All the goods at Mr. Brice's were seized by the bailiffs, and taken to Mr. Alport's. The goods were afterwards released and given to me. Niemann, the carrier, brought them back to me. Within the last two months I have bought goods from Mr. Simpson, to the amount of £300. I have also bought a few more articles from some parties in Christchurch, and also in Dunedin.

When I went to Kilmore street to call Mr. Baylee, the shop was in flames. I could save nothing. I have lost all my clothes, and so has the young man who served in the shop. By Inspector Pender: The billiard-room at the back of my shop was a good sized one; it was lined with netting. The gas was turned off when I left. Several gentlemen were in the room on the evening. Some were smoking. I never left the bedroom at the Golden Fleece until Campion called me. The first part,of my-premises which I saw on fire was the billiard-room. I was not smoking myself. I believe that Mr. Needham was the last to leave my shop. I was then serving two customers with tobacco. I went into the billiard-room after the others had left.

By Mr. Harper: The whole premises were lighted by gas; there, were no candles burnng. Pearce was with me when I put out the gas.  By Mr. Garrick: I made out the claim for £5897s sd, which I, submitted to the Insurance Companies, from information I obtained from the persons with whom I dealt.  I have no documents to account for the exact figures. I cannot account for the odd shillings or pence. I shall be a loser by the fire. By the Jury: No one could have obtained access to the billiard-room after I had left.

Edward Needham: I am a teacher of writing. I live at Sydenham House, Colombo street. On Monday night I was retuming home from Armagh street. I called in at Roach's, and went into the billiard-room. This was about 11 p.m. I remained there about twenty minutes.  Roach told me that he was going to see a friend. I saw him put up some of the shutters. I was smoking whilst I was on the premises. I left about 11.20 p.m. I did not see him put out the lights. The billiard-room was lighted up when I left. Several persons were smoking and playing billiards. There was a box of matches in the billiard-room. I was the last person in the billiard-room with Roach. Two persons were served with tobacco, but they left before I did.  

William Pearce: I am the Inspector of Nuisances for the city of Christchurch. On Monday night I was in Roach's shop this was about 10.30 pm. When Roach closed the shop I went to see his billiard-room. After he had put out the lights, he struck a match, which I held, whilst he put out the gas. The match went out, and I lighted another. I was particularly cautious about the match, because I detected a smell of gas. I carried the second match in my hand until we reached the door. I then put it out. I walked with Roach as far as Campion's, and a little way down Colombo street again, and Gloucester street, as far as the theatre, where we parted. By Mr. Harper: I did not observe in what manner the front door was fastened. 

Henry Flynn: On the day of the fire I was at Campion's hotel. I was reading in bed until Roach came in. [The witness here corroborated the evidence of Kuacli with respect to the alarm of fire being given by Mr. Campion.J Roach fell asleep, and I awnkehiin.

By Inspector Pender: Roach was undressed and was sound asleep. No one could leave, our room without my knowledge. Roach went to bed about his usual time, it was a little past 1 a.m. when Campion came to our room.

John Mummery: I live in Colombo-street. On Tuesday morning I saw the fire, and immediately gave the alarm. No. 2 engine was out at the river in ten minutes after I first saw the glare of fire. I did not hear the bell. The engine was supplied with water within a few minutes after the alarm had been given.

Inspector Pender: On Tuesday morning last I was called by the constable on duty this was about 1.20 a.m. I went to Roach's premises; I saw that the place wa& on fire. No one was near the spot but myself. The fire was confined to the billiard-room, and had made no further progress, I shouted fire, and a cab-driver named Beattie came up. Mr. Hobbs also came. Mrs. Oakes lived close by. Not being able to make her hear me, I burst open the door. [Mr. Pender described the progress of the fire.] Beattie rendered every assistance in his power, but was obliged to leave the place where he was standing on account of the heat. I passed by Roach's late on Monday night, but saw no light burning, No further evidence being adduced, the Coroner briefly summed up. The foreman suggested that as the place was infested with rats, and it had been proved that matches had been kept in the billiard room, where the fire broke out, it was probable that, as it was a known fact that rats were in the habit of gnawing off the points of matches, and scattering them about, the fire was caused by this means. The jury returned a verdict to the effect that a fire had broken out on the premises of Mr. G. H. Roach, in Colombo street, on the morning of the 6th inst., but that there was no evidence to show how it originated.