Wainuiomata HistoryIndex LU=25Apr09 Contact: Dawn Chambers
Wainuiomata History
Settler Roll Historical Publications Sheep 1868-1885
1848 Feb 23 Memorial requesting road from Hutt Bridge to Wain-nui-Omata
1869 Aug 18 The United Tradesman's Gold Mining Company
1869 Aug 27 The Perseverance Gold Mining Company
1870 Jan 19 Inquest - John STACK
1870 May 16 Marriage of Thomas Gray and Emma Mann, both of Wainuiomata
1870 Jun 11 Marriage of Harry Orlando Williams & Ann Munro Ross
1870 Aug Death of Mr Clarke, schoolmaster
1870 Nov 16 Daring robbery under arms at Wainuiomata
1871 Nov 18 Inquest - Hugh SINCLAIR
1872 Sep 24 Starting of Brown's rope walk at Wainuiomata
1872 Nov 26 Inquest - Thomas SINGLE
1874 Apr 4 Rifle Match Pahuatahanui v Wainuiomata
1874 May 10 Funeral of fireman Crowther
1876 Jun 29 House of Eustace Campbell caught fire
1876 Jul 05 Alleged discovery of gold at Wainuiomata
1876 Jul 27 The Reported Gold Discovery
1876 Jul 28 The Gold Discovery at Waiwetu
1880 Jan 23 Sinclair Locomotive arrives from Hobart on "Tararua"
1880 Jan 31 Wellington City Fathers visit Wainuiomata
1880 Sep 02 Gallant conduct of three young ladies
1883 Jan 18 W. BURTON vs J. DEMPSEY
1893 May 05 Farewell concert for Mr A. N. Burns
1910 Sep 26 Concert and Dance
Evening Post 18 Aug 1869 p3
The United Tradesman's Gold Mining Company (Registered)
I, the undersigned William James, hereby make application to register
the United Tradesman's Gold Mining Company (Registered) under the
provisions of the Mining Companies Limited Liability Act, 1865; and I
do solemnly and sincerely declare that the following statement is to
the best of my belief and knowledge true in every particular, namely:-
1. The name and style of the company is the "United Tradesman's Gold
Mining Company (Registered)".
2. The place of intended operations is at Wainuiomata, in the Province
of Wellington.
3. The nominal capital of the company is 180 pounds, in 18 eighteen
shares of ten pounds each.
4. The amount paid up is thirty nine pounds.
5. The name of the Manager is William James.
6. The office of the company is at Lambton Quay, in the City of Wellington.
7. The names and several residences of the shareholders, and the number
of shares held by each at this date, are as follows:=
Residents of Wellington holding 1 share:
Edwin Hillard Crease, William James, George Denton, William McLean,
Thomas John Mountain, James Barlow, James Barber, Benjamin Poulson,
Thomas Whitehouse, Charles E. W. Willeston, James M. Batham, John Richards,
George Hall, Thomas Spencer, George Cook, George Maslim.
Resident of Wainuiomata holding 1 share:
Hugh Sinclair
Dated 18 Aug 1869. Witness to signature W. M. Bannatyne, Justice of the Peace
New Zealand Gazette 1869 p451
The Perseverance Gold Mining Company, Registered.
I, the undersigned George Bennett, hereby make application to register "The
Perseverance Gold Mining Company, Registered," under the provisions of "The
Mining Companies Limited Liability Act, 1865;" and I do solemnly and sincerely
declare that the following statement is, to the best of my belief and knowledge,
true in every particular, namely:-
1. The name and style of the Company is "The Perseverance Gold Mining Company,
Registered."
2. The place of intended operations is in the Wainuiomata District, in the
Provice of Wellington.
3. The nominal capital of the Company is 800 pounds, in eighty shares of ten
pounds each.
4. The amount already paid up is 44 pounds 10s.
5. The name of the manager is George Bennett, of the City of Wellington, Turner.
6. The office of the Company is in Old Custom-House Street, City of Wellington,
at Mr Chas. Seagar's.
7. The names and several residences of the shareholders, and the number of
shares held by each at this date, are as follows:-
Residents of Wellington holding 1 share:
George Bennett, William Clark, George Dixon, Edward Dixon, Joe Dixon, William
Kirk, Henry Quarterman, Thomas Ralph, George Richardson, Charles Seagar,
Edward Seagar, James Smith, William Tustin, Samuel Waters, Patrick Alphonso
Buckley
Resident of Wainuiomata holding 1 share:
Hugh Sinclair
The Manager in trust for the Company holds 64 shares.
Dated this twenty-seventh day of August, 1869. George Bennett, Manager.
Witness to signature - R. J. Duncan, Justice of the Peace. 284.
Archives NZ Wellington Reference: J Series 1 Item 1870/327
Coroner's Report for John Stack
John Stack died at the dwelling-house of John Haslam, Wainuiomata on
Wednesday 19 January 1870. Inquest held before John George Frederick
Wilford
Witness: Duncan Sinclair
"I was at Haslam's mill in the Wainui on Tuesday January 18th 1870.
About half-past eleven o'clock a.m. the proprietor of the mill, John
Haslam, was turning the plywheel by means of a lathe which was fixed
to a block of wood that had been placed apposite - the wheel for that
purpose. This piece of wood was secured to the foundations of the
engine by an iron bolt. As the wheel was revolving the chisel came
upon a contrary grained piece of wood which had the effect of causing
a sudden jerk, which ... the bolt above-mentioned. The ply wheel is so
placed that half of it is below the surface of the ground in a kind of
pit dug for that purpose. The ... of the bolt being drawn was that the
block upon which the Cable was fixed and upon which John Haslam was
sitting directing the chisel was precipitated into the pit below
together with the man Haslam. The deceased John Stack and I had been
standing close by a few minutes before the accident happened Haslam
asked the deceased to take hold of his hand for fear he should slip
which Stack did. When Haslam and the block of wood went down the
deceased held on and was pulled down between the block of wood and the
wheel which was in motion, deceased after being crushed between the
wheel and block of wood was carried between the belt and the wheel to
the opposite side; the weight of his body threw the belt off the wheel
and he was left on the other side. I came round and helped to get up
deceased; he was apparently quite dead, blood flowing from his mouth
and nose. He never showed any signs of life after the accident. The
iron bolt which ... the block of wood was ... on ten inches in the
form ... of the engine. The foundations of the engine are composed of
large blocks of wood let into the ground.
By the foreman: I was not more than two feet from deceased when the
accident happened. The wheel had been turned by the same means several
times before & no danger was apprehended.
Signed Duncan Sinclair
Witness: Samuel Dawson
"I am engine-driver at Haslam's mill at the Wainui - On Tuesday
morning Jan 18th the proprietor was turning a little bit - off the
drum attached to the fly wheel, the engine at the time only going half
speed; I heard a crack, saw at once something was wrong so I at once
stopped the engine. Then went to the wheel and saw deceased in a
standing position at the opposite side of the wheel to where he went
down; I helped to get him out. He was quite dead. Two or three days
before the proprietor John Haslam had sat in the same place for some
hours turning the wheel with the same appliances, the engine at the
time going full speed. I helped to put the block of wood in its place;
as far as we knew we made if perfectly secure.
Signed Samuel Dawson
Good and lawful men of the neighbourhood, duly chosen and charged to
inquire.. when, how, and by what means the said John Stack came to his
death: Hugh Sinclair, foreman, Robert Neill, Hamilton Wiley, Charles
Collis, Thomas Grace, John McIlvride, William Prouse, Richard Prouse,
George Collis, John Leybourne Grace, John Sinclair and Robert Whiley.
"the deceased John Stack was accidentally killed on Tuesday January
18th 1870 at Haslam's Mill Wainuiomata and that there is no blame due
to any party concerned; the immediate cause of death being that the
deceased fell between the drum of the fly wheel and the driving belt
and was heavily crushed to death instantaneously.
Wellington Independent 20 Jan 1870
Accident at Wainuiomata
"A fatal accident occurred at Haslam's Wainuiomata Saw Mills on
Tuesday afternoon. It seems that Haslam and a man named John Stack,
who had been employed in the mills for some time back, were standing
on a log in the mill, when Haslam slipped and Stack, in trying to save
him, fell himself, and was either caught by the machinery or jammed in
some way, his chest being crushed in, and death being of course
instantaneous. Haslem was also severely hurt. An inquest was held on
Stack's body yesterday afternoon, and a verdict of accidental death
returned."
Wellington Independent 8 Feb 1870
The Fatal Accident at Wainuiomata
"An eyewitness has favored us with the following account of the
unfortunate accident which we chronicled a few days ago as having
occurred at a saw mill in the Wainuiomata:- John Stack, the deceased,
was in the employ of Mr Hugh Sinclair, Wainuiomata, and was at his
work on Tuesday, the 18th January, but was compelled to leave off
owing to rain. He went down to the saw mill to return a borrowed
wheel-barrow and to take shelter from the rain. The proprietor Mr
Haslem, was seated on a large square piece of timber, upon which was
fastened a turning lathe, and was turning the wooden drum attached to
the fly wheel of the engine, while Stack with other men were standing
close by observing the working being done. Haslem was reaching over
and regulating the chissel by means of a handle with his left hand,
and he asked deceased who was standing by to hold his right hand for
fear of his slipping off the piece of wood upon which he was sitting,
deceased gave his hand and was standing so for some time when the
chissel caught upon some tough piece of the wood, and the fork caused
the whole foundation upon which the lathe was resting to give way,
upsetting Haslem, who, in falling, pulled deceased with him. Stack
fell between the lathe-rest and the wheel, which caused instantaneous
death, and Haslem who went down first fell of between the lower belt
and was drawn down along the ground beneath the larger wheel. When
taken out he was found to be very much hurt, but Stack was quite dead,
the clothes being literally torn off the upper part of his body. Stack
was about thirty four years of age, he leaves a brother somewhere in
New Zealand, and a mother at home, to mourn his loss. He was a man who
was respected by every one who knew him, as being an honest and very
industrious laborer. His brother Thomas Stack was last heard of at
Napier en route for Auckland, news of his whereabouts will be gladly
received by Mr H. Sinclair, deceased's employer."
Wellington Independent 19 May 1870 Marriage Notice
GRAY-MANN On May 16 at Wellington by the Rev James Paterson, Mr Thomas
Gray to Miss Emma Mann, both of Wainuiomata.
St John's Presbyterian Church, Willis St, Wellington; Register Transcript
Original held at Alexander Turnbull Library
1870 May 16 at The Terrace. Thomas Gray, full age, labourer, bachelor;
Emma Mann, full age, spinster. Witnesses Duncan Sinclair, Elizabeth
Sinclair
[Daughter Emma Rosetta Gray: born 1877, married 1897 William John Tucker]
St John's Presbyterian Church, Willis St, Wellington; Register Transcript
Original held at Alexander Turnbull Library
1870 Jun 11 at The Terrace. Harry Orlando Williams, full age, general
dealer, bachelor. Ann Munro Ross, full age, spinster. Witnesses:
M. Paterson, Isabella Sinclair
[Death Registration: 1873 Ann M. Williams, Auckland
Harry married secondly 1875 to Margaret Timmins
Dau Ann Hector Munro Williams born 1875 Wanganui
Son Harry Orlando born 1879 Wanganui]
Evening Post Mon 15 Aug 1870
We have been informed of a sad occurrence at Wainuiomata. The
schoolmaster for that district, Mr Clarke, left the school house on
Wednesday afternoon, on purpose to gather some sticks in the bush. He
had not returned that evening, nor did he come during the night, and,
concluding that he was '"lost in the bush", next morning a party of
the neighbours started to look for him. The search was maintained
during Thursday, Friday, and up to Saturday afternoon, when the dead
body of the unfortunate wanderer was discovered in the bush, he having
evidently perished from exhaustion and exposure.
New Zealand Mail 18 Nov 1871
Inquest - Hugh SINCLAIR
An inquest was held at Wainuiomata on Monday last, before Dr WILFORD
and a respectable jury, upon view of the body of Hugh SINCLAIR, an
old and much respected settler of the Valley. Dr NORRIS had been
summoned from town, to make an examination of the body, as there was
considerable doubt as to what could have caused the death of deceased,
it being evident that deceased had not fallen from his horse, as was
at first supposed, from his being found some little distance from the
road, lying in a perfectly natural position, without so much as a
scratch or bruise about him, or even dirt from the road upon his
clothes, leading those who found him to suppose that, feeling unwell,
he had descended from his horse and lain himself down in a sheltered
spot for a time, where he had expired.
The evidence brought before the jury substantiated this supposition,
more especially the medical evidence, and in accordance therewith
the jury brought in a verdict of "Died from congestion of the brain."
Deceased had been subject for the last year or two to severe attacks
of giddiness, and seldom went from home alone. Mr Hugh Sinclair's
death will be regretted by a large circle of friends, as he was a
very old and well-known settler; in fact, with one or two exceptions,
the oldest in the neighborhood of Wellington, having arrived here
with J. C. CRAWFORD, Esq., R. M., in a small coaster from Sydney in
1839, two months before the arrival of the Aurora, January 1840; and
at the time of his death having completed, to within three days, a
residence of 32 years of uninterrupted energy and exertion as a
settler in the province of Wellington, from which he was only absent
during a seven month's stay in Chatham Islands during that period.
Wellington Almanack 1873 p249
Calendar Entry only
1872 Sep 24 Starting of Brown's rope walk at Wainuiomata
Archives NZ Wellington Ref: J1 1872/3250
Coroner's Inquest for Thomas Single held at the dwelling-house of
Frederick Crowther, Wainuiomata 27 Nov 1872 before John G. F. Wilford.
"William Birkett being sworn saith that I with several other boys
including the deceased came down from having our tea towards the flax
mill, at which we work, the deceased went on ahead out of our sight,
when we got to the edge of the dam we saw him in the dam his head only
being above water. I tried to get to him but he went down before I
reached him and the water was too deep for me to get close to him.
Deceased did not come again to the surface. I did not know deceased
was going to bathe when he left us; deceased had several times bathed
in the dam before yesterday. He could not swim at all, we were
accustomed to keep in the shallow parts of the dam. It was about half
past six in the evening after we had done work at the mill. I saw him
get out about twenty minutes after he saulk[?]. One of the boys with
me gave the alarm and a man named Edwards came & got him out. He
appeared to be quite dead. He was carried to the house close by
wrapped in blankets and well rubbed but without any result.
William Birkett, his mark; Witnesses David Lyster, O. N. Winnie
Alfred Edwards being sworn saith that I was at the dwelling house near
the mill dam when one of the boys came & told me that Single was in
the water; I told Mr Crowther and then came to the dam. I went into
the water & after a time found deceased in about six feet of water. I
got him out at once, he was quite dead apparently but warm, we did
what we could to restore him but without effect. I have often known
the boys working at the mill to bathe in the dam. I have heard Mr
Crowther frequently forbid the boys bathing in the dam.
Signed A. Edwards
Jury: Robert Brown, Foreman; Robert Hunter; Orlando H. Winnie; Thomas
Buchanan; William H. Chaundy; Henry Clark; Charles Loveday; John
McCulloch; George England; James Davieson; John Atkinson and William
Burns.
Thomas Single was accidentally drowned on Tuesday November 26th, 1872
whilst bathing in the dam at the Wainuiomata Flax Mill, Wainuiomata,
near Wellington.
Signatures: George England, James Davieson, John Atkinson and William
Burns made their mark; witnesses Robert Brown and David Lyster."
Wellington Almanack 1875 p282
1874 Apr 4 Rifle Match Pahuatahanui v. Wainuiomata, former victorious
1874 May 10 Funeral of fireman Crowther
Evening Post 30 Jun 1876
A house, occupied and owned by Mr Eustace Campbell, settler at Wainuiomata,
caught fire yesterday afternoon. A portion of the furniture was saved, but
the house, which was uninsured, was totally destroyed. The origin of the
fire is unknown.
Evening Post 25 Jul 1876
Alleged discovery of gold at Wanuiomata
It was reported in town to-day that a laborer had discovered gold in a
shovelful of earth while working at Wainuiomata. No further particulars
have yet come to hand.
Since the above was written, we learn that the discovery was made in a
creek on the dividing range between Wainuiomata and Waiwetu, on the
property of Mr George Knight. It appears that last Wednesday a man
named Farelly, who rents some of the land belonging to Mr Knight,
adjoining the Hon. Mr. Fitzherbert's property, was working about the
creek and on turning up some of the clay in the shallow parts detected
what he thought to be alluvial gold. He washed out a sample and brought
it into town to Mr Mulligan, jeweller, who pronounced it to be gold. A
number of people are at work prospecting the creek.
Evening Post 28 Jul 1876
The Gold Discovery at Waiwetu
A special correspondent of the Evening Post visited the locale of
the alleged gold discovery yesterday, and reports as follows:-
"It is really worth while for any one interested in the Waiwetu gold
discovery to pay a personal visit to the locality. On reaching the Lower
Hutt by rail, the best plan to adopt is to follow the main road a little
distance past Mr Cleland's store. A branch road then leads off to the
right in the direction of Waiwetu. Following that for a mile or so, the
Waiwetu river is reached by passing through a paddock belonging to Mr
Brown. There is a ford to the river at the foot of the paddock, which I
crossed, and then made for Mr Knight's house, a few hundred yards to the
right. Mr Knight was very courteous and obliging in affording me the
fullest information and assistance. We struck inwards a short distance
in the direction of the range which divides Waiwetu from Wainuiomata,
and soon reached the stream in which the appearances of gold were discovered.
This stream, which takes its rise in the range a considerable distance up,
flows down hill to the flat, and thence into the Waiwetu river. Commencing
at the lower point, we followed the creek up, and soon came to the first
place which had been tested. The bed of the creek consisted of yellow clay,
with a stratum of pipe clay underlying it, while pieces of comminuted and
water worn quartz, washed down from the range, were to be found in abundance.
Mr Knight stated that at almost every part of the stream tested, the color
of gold was found, while in some instances the indications were even more
decided. Pushing a few hundred yards further up, a second and third place
were reached which had been worked by the prospecting parties. These
places presented the same characteristics. At this point the country became
very rough, and the very steep ascent of the range commenced. A vigorous
climb brought us to the last place on the Waiwetu side of the range tested
by the prospecting party. This is on Mr Mason's land. At this place something
in the way of excavation had been done to ascertain if there was a reef, the
result being that a large mass of unmistakeable quartz was exposed to view.
Pans and earth lay about here, so Mr Knight made a trial with some of the
material from the bed of the creek, and after careful washing he obtained
the "color." It appeared that the prospecting party, the members of which
have been quietly at work for the last three weeks, tested the creek
upwards, with the view of following the gold to its source and discovering
the reef or leaders from which the debris of quartz, with auriferous
indications, had slipped. After reaching this point, the prospectors had
apparently crossed the ridge, and, finding the stream on the other or
Wainuiomata side, had proceeded with the investigation there. The general
results arrived at are:- That there is no indication of an alluvial lead,
but that the nature of the quartz examined and the traces of gold discovered
in so many different places, all tend to encourage the hope that a payable
quartz reef exists in the range. That question, however, cannot be settled
without the expenditure of a considerable amount of capital. The chief
prospecting party consists of seven working men, who do not possess the
means to undertake large operations. If, therefore, they do not soon find
payable gold, they will require to abandon the research, which for some
time past they have so patiently and pluckily carried on. I was told that
two other parties, each consisting of two diggers, were prospecting in
other parts of the range. This would make eleven persons in all who are,
or have been, engaged in the work. Apparently, Mr Knight himself, clings
to the hope that alluvial gold will yet be found in the flat, and acting
under that conviction, he is making arrangements with two Cornish miners,
who have been years on the Australian and Californian goldfields, to test
the place thoroughly, he sharing with them any possible profits which may
accrue, and in the meantime finding them with food and tools. There is no
doubt whatever of the existence of gold in the quartz. One piece, weighing
about an ounce, which was picked up in the creek, was studded with specks
of veritable gold, and another specimen found by a boy showed similar
indications. I may say that having read the statements made by Mr Patrick
Farelly, as published in the POST of yesterday, I entirely concur with
them, so far as they refer to the nature of the ground and the indications
of gold discovered. Perhaps after further prospecting it may be thought
advisable to form a company to carry out quartz reefing operations. That
there is gold in these low-lying ranges there is no doubt at all, while
the prospect of the reefs proving rich is rather hopeful than otherwise.
There are some fine days even in this winter season, and it might be well
for any one fond of a country ramble to visit the supposed goldfield,
and prospect for himself. The walk is a pretty one, and the scenery in
some parts picturesque. But would-be explorers should take care to get
back to the Lower Hutt station in time for the last train. A walk from
the Hutt to the city after a day of prospecting on the Waiwetu hillside
is quite enough to 'pump out' the average pedestrian.
Evening Post 27 Jul 1876
The Reported Gold Discovery
Mr Patrick Farrelly, whose prospecting for gold among the Waiwetu and
Wainuiomata ranges had led to reports as to the discovery of the metal
in that neighbourhood, has called upon us to contradict some statements
made, and to explain the circumstances under which he and others have
been pursuing the work of prospecting. He states that it was not the
case, as mentioned, that he was renting some land from Mr Knight, or
that prospects of gold were obtained in a creek running through Mr
Knight's land; The prospects were got in a creek running through Mr
Mason's ground, and they are merely indicative of the possible proximity
of payable reefs or leaders. On the other hand, they are not in the
slightest degree indicative of the existence of any alluvial auriferous
ground. Having been for six years on and around the Thames Gold Field,
he and others with him were struck with the similarity of the formations
there and among these ranges, and in trying the comminuted quartz, of
which the bed of the creek and its sides consist, they found gold in
minute quantities. Thus encouraged they sank in several places, trying
to discover whether or not there was anything like an alluvial lead,
but of this they found no evidence, but the contrary, and for any
person to proceed thither on such an assumption would be a mistake.
There is, as he describes, any quantity of broken quartz in the
neighborhood, of various colors, from cream to blue, and the washing
of it has shown that there is gold present with it, but it will require
some prospecting, and probably considerable expense, to discover the
reef or leaders from which the quartz debris has apparently slipped.
Six years ago, an account of the favorable appearance of the ground,
Mr Wilcox was induced to drive a tunnel in the same vicinity, but
without coming on anything different from what is discernable on the
surface. It exposed crystalised quartz, and quantities of mundic, and
these are abundant among the broken stuff in the creek. Farrelly and
the others of a party of four, are sufficiently sanguine as to determine
to proceed with prospecting, but to do so satisfactorily it will be
necessary to form a company, and the fact of the ground not being
alluvial gives no encouragement to individual working, or the slightest
hope of immediate gain. At present it may be said that "colors" only
have been got, but these are sufficiently distributed to suggest that
the quartz with which they are associated has come from an auriferous
reef to be found at no great distance, the ranges being of but small
depth.
Our own correspondent to-day telegraphs from the Hutt that the people
there are still anxious for further information about the reported
discovery, and that he was on his way out to the locality. Two small
prospecting parties of accustomed diggers, he states, had recently
arrived from Wellington, and are now on the ground, and a few persons
from the village had also proceeded. Probably one of the parties
referred to is Farrelly's, and their estimate of the locality is
sufficiently and, we believe, correctly represented in what we have
stated.
Evening Post Monday 2 Feb 1880
"A Trip to the Wainui Watershed"
... (a long un-related section)
I went with the Wellington City Council on Saturday to inspect the
source of the proposed new water supply, and have come to the
conclusion that they also are not half bad fellows to go out with.
Some of them are truly awful to contemplate in the Council Chamber
- such dragons of virtue are they, are so terrible in their
denunciations of each other's iniquity. Still it is astonishing how
harmless and jolly you find them when they relax from the cares of
state. There were seven of the City Fathers in the party - Messrs
Maginnity, Miller, Greenfield, Danks, Young, Fisher and Allen. We
were accompanied also by the genial City Engineer, Mr Baird, and his
able assistant, Mr Barton.
The drive through the Hutt, as far as Wainuiomata hill, was devoid of
incident, but here was a serious difficulty confronted us. The
'difficulty' consisted of Messrs Sinclair's new locomotive engine,
"Pio Pio", which had been dragged out here with great labor, but was
now blocking up the road apparently without any hope of getting it
further. We subsequently saw a dozen powerful bullocks have a spell
at it, but they gave up in disgust. Consequently, it seems very
probable that either the engine will have to be taken over the hill
piece-meal, or else nothing less than a convulsion of nature will be
able to move it.
At first it appeared doubtful whether the trip would not have to be
abandoned. However, our driver was an Irishman, and, therefore, a man
of infinite resource. He soon confided to us that he could take the
traps round another way through some paddocks, but mentioned that
the principal preliminary step necessary to the complete success of
the plan was that we should all walk right up to the top of the hill.
The road was about three miles long, and rose goodness know how many
feet above the level of the sea, but we complied with his request,
although we could not exactly see why it was necessary, inasmuch as
the traps were bound to come into this road by a track only a few
yards above the engine. We found out the secret afterwards, however
- it was merely a diplomatic "move" on the part of the astute Jehu
to save his horses!
Still, a merciful man is merciful to his beast, and I, for one, quite
forgave that designing driver, as we treaded our way upwards through
a profusion of shrubs, and saw the beautiful panorama unfolded at our
feet. There was a beautiful bay, with the entire sweep to the right
as far as eye could reach edged with a creamy line of foam, caused by
the surf breaking on the beach. Still further to the right lay the
valley of the Hutt, with the Hutt and Waiwhetu Rivers crossing the
plain like silver threads, while the hills around formed a pleasing
background to the picture. Besides, riding along this road, as we
discovered afterwards, is not without its drawbacks. It is too
dangerous to be pleasant, and a broken spring testified to the peril
of trusting oneself in a light buggy along such a track with a load
of portly City Councillors.
We had picked up Mr Duncan Sinclair en route, and he very kindly
consented to accompany us to the stream to "show us round." And a
very great acquisition we found him - his courtesy and knowledge of
the country rendering our visit twice as agreeable as it otherwise
would have been.
We soon bowl along across the somewhat dreary looking plain of the
Wainui, past a primitive little burying ground, where sleep two of
the pioneers of the Valley, Mr and Mrs Sinclair, sen. - and then we
reach the sawmills. The inhabitants of the Wainuiomata acquire
additional interest in our eyes when we are told that they are all
Wesleyans and have no public houses in the Valley. One of the party
suggests that as we have a slight stock of liquid refreshment "on
board" we might do a good stroke of trade with these primitive people.
This ribald proposal is, however, I am glad to say, scouted with the
contempt it deserves - especially by the more thirsty of the travellers.
Arrived at the sawmills we have a picnic, the large logs serving
capitally as tables and seats. Now were our City Fathers in the height
of good humour, and many a roar of laughter awoke the silence of the
Valley. Now did one Pater consriptus in particular shine at his brightest.
The peculiarity about him was that directly anyone wanted a corkscrew
it was produced with lightning-like-rapidity, equalled only in point
of fact by the celerity with which he could evolve a joke on any
conceivable subject.
It must be confessed that the scenery just at this spot was the reverse
of exhilarating. All the beautiful bush on the hills has been destroyed
by fire, and the charred logs lay strewn in thousands on the slopes,
giving one the idea of the corpses on a battlefield. However, there is
a lovely virgin bush further up the gully where it is proposed to erect
the dam to intercept the stream, which comes babbling down past the mills
as clear as crystal. A guarantee of its purity is afforded by the fact
that Mr Sinclair has succeeded in rearing some English trout in it.
Occassionally some of the speckled beauties, nearly a foot long, are
seen flashing about in the water, and before very long there should be
fine sport for the angler.
We were told by Mr Sinclair that it was only a mile and a half up the
gully to the site of the dam. Some of the City Fathers, however, were
ready to take their solemn affidavit afterwards that it was not an inch
short of 14 miles. As a truthful chronicler it is also my duty to add
that Mr Sinclair - who of course is an experienced bushman - was a
perfect ignis fatuus in the way in which he lured his civic guests to
their destruction. He and the City Engineer - who is also experienced
in the mysteries of the bush - would hop lightly over fallen logs and
trip airily across treacherous bogs without ever making a false step,
or wetting the soles of their boots. The City Fathers, however, barked
their shins, and selected the softest parts of the morasses with a
unanamity that was really wonderful. Our destination, notwithstanding,
was reached at last, and the party gazed at the stream much as Stanley
must have looked at the source of the Congo. Maps were produced by Mr
Baird and Mr Barton, and what was proposed to be done was clearly
explained. A dam and a tail-race were to be constructed here, and the
water would enter the pipes, as at present arranged, near Captain
Mowlem's, farther down the valley. After being carried by a tunnel a
quarter of a mile long through the Sulky Hill, the main would go across
the plain again, piercing the hill by a tunnel 27 chains long, and
coming out by the side of the spur over which we had passed; thence it
would be laid along the front of the race-stand, through Petoni,
Ngahauranga, &c., to Wellington. The proposed receiving basin will be
350ft above sea level, so that, as may be imagined, there will be a
splendid pressure available. The water is very clear, passing through
9000 acres of virgin forest, reserved to the Council by the Government,
and over a bed composed of nothing but shingle and stone. It was at its
lowest level when we saw it, being the height of summer, but even then
it was a brawling stream many times larger than that which at present
supplies the city.
The visitors were fully satisfied, in fact, that it would more than
fill the two-foot main which it is proposed to construct. In the winter
the stream becomes a mountain torrent, but even then, Mr Sinclair
informed us, the water preserved its purity. If, as Tennyson assures us
is the nature of brooks, it should "go on for ever," there ought to be
no fear of Wellington being deficient in the matter of water supply. If,
however, it should from any cause become insufficient a tunnel of ten
chains would turn the Orongorongo, a neighbouring stream, into it, and
so double its volume. We followed up one of its tributaries, "George Wood
Stream", and there, in the midst of some picturesque bush, Mr Sinclair
showed us some quartz which had yielded gold at the rate of 2.5 to 14 dwts
to the ton, although no one has yet been able to discover the reef.
The shades of evening were falling when the party returned into town,
with the gratifying reflection that they had gained a good deal of useful
information from the visit. There is no doubt that the members of the
Council will now be able to discuss the matter in a much more intelligent
manner than if they had never visited the spot.
Evening Post 2 Sep 1880
Alarming Accident at Wainuiomata: Gallant conduct of three young ladies
We are indebted to a Wainuiomata correspondent for an account of an act
of great gallantry of three young ladies in that district. It appears
that two daughters of Mr R. Prouse and a cousin of theirs, Miss Johnson,
went on top of the hill on Saturday to gather ferns. As they were returning
a little nephew of the young ladies, named George G. Burdan, four years of
age, ran to meet them. He was attempting to cross the Wainuiomata river
by means of the narrow footbridge (consisting of a plank 18 inches wide
and a handrail) when he fell into the water, which at this spot is very
deep. The girls, seeing him fall, ran to the river bank. The eldest, Miss
Annie Prouse, who is about 17 years of age, plunged into the water, and
when taking hold of the boy got out of her depth, the result being that
both of them sank. Miss Emma Prouse seeing her sister and the little
fellow drowning, then followed in to try to save them; but she also went
beyond her depth and sank with the rest. The current, however, carried
them along to a shallow part of the river, and they were fortunately able
to regain a footing, Miss Johnson helping them out. At first it was
feared the little boy was dead, but he soon showed signs of life on
being taken ashore and attended to. Miss Annie Prouse was also found to
be quite exhausted. Altogether the adventure was a very perilous one,
and the young ladies are to be complemented on the very plucky way in
which they acted.
Evening Post 18 January 1883
W. BURTON vs J. DEMPSEY
At the civil sittings of the Resident Magistrate's Court this
morning, evidence was taken on both sides in an action brought
by W. BURTON against J. DEMPSEY to recover the sum of 100
pounds as damages for the refusal of the latter to endorse a
promissary note of W. NORGROVE, his brother-in-law, in respect
to the purchase of the plaintiff's farm at Wainuiomata. His
Worship gave judgment for the plaintiff for the amount claimed,
to be reduced to one shilling if defendant endorses the note
within seven days. Mr OLLIVIER was for the plaintiff, and Mr
BRANDON for the defendant. The following cases were adjourned:-
W. C. FITZGERALD v A. D. BENNETT, 14s: and W. C. FITZGERALD v
Wm. CORBETT, 2 pounds 15s 6d.
Evening Post 5 May 1893
Mr A. N. Burns, lately appointed first assistant teacher at the Hutt
School, was, on Wednesday, at a concert given in his honour, presented
with a silver hunting watch, suitably inscribed, by the residents
of Wainuiomata, at which place he has for the last two and a half
years acted as school teacher. Mr R. Dick, Chairman of the School
Committee, made the presentation, and with Messrs J. Wakeham and
James Wood spoke eulogistically of Mr Burns' services. The recipient
replied in suitable terms. Mesdames Burdan and Wood, Misses Prouse,
Wakeham, McIlvride and Wilson and Messrs. Wood and Willoughby,
contributed items at the concert.
New Zealand Mail 15 Apr 1897 p2e
Six red deer have now been liberated in the Wainuiomata Corporation
reserve, above the dam, and as these animals are exceedingly tame, shooting
above the dam has been forbidden by the City Council, at the request of
the Acclimatisation Society.
New Zealand Mail 22 Feb 1905 p33
Photo of house at entrance to the Wainui Waterworks Reserve, Wellington.
Photo of Wild Pig hunters at Wainuiomata, Wellington.
More Waterworks photos on page 34.
Evening Post 26 Sep 1910
At Wainuiomata schoolroom on Saturday evening last an enjoyable concert
and dance was given to the residents of the valley by the Whare Anglers.
In a short address of welcome Mr Frank Dyer, the oldest Wainui fisherman,
traced the growth of the settlement back for a period of 27 years.
Dancing interspersed with songs was the order of the evening, items
being contributed by Messrs Wiffen, Scott, Tingey, Carroll, Hendry and
Blick. The success of the evening was in a large measure due to the
efforts of Messrs Souter, Garfield, and Wiffen. At the close of the
proceedings a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the visitors, on the
motion of Mr Burdan.