Transcription of notes for “The Pines” 150th birthday celebration

A little bit about “The Pines” and its previous occupants – a remarkable bunch.

The first occupant Thomas Henry FitzGerald erected the cottage in 1858. An early settler he came to New Zealand from Ireland in 1842. He opened a general store in Waipawa in 1857 with a Mr L N duNoyer – presumably a relative as FitzGerald’s mothers maiden name was duNoyer. He was also a surveyor and civil engineer.

The house came partially assembled [much as frames and trusses do today] from Northland to Napier by barge and then by bullock team to Waipawa. Prefabrication of kauri houses was quite commonplace and they were shipped as far afield as San Francisco.

FitzGerald was also active in politics and named as the 1st Superintendent of Hawke’s Bay 1859-61. He had considerable interests in Napier where he owned and operated a steam flourmill, a bond store and printing press and constructed two hotels. It was at his press that the first copy of the Hawke’s Bay Herald and Ahuriri Advocate was printed on September 24th 1857. His hotels were the Commercial [now the Union] at Ahuriri and the Settlers at the bottom of Shakespeare Road on the town side. An early ad for his Commercial Hotel asks patrons not to urinate over the veranda as it scares the horses!

He moved to Napier and then in 1862 to Queensland where he is remembered as a pioneer of the sugar cane industry, founder of the town of Innisfail and for naming the town of Te Kowai after our own native tree. Like many entrepreneurs, he suffered mixed fortunes in finance and health and died in 1888 aged 64.

The second owner was Charles Herman Weber. Weber and his two brothers both of whom became Harley Street Doctors fled Germany as pacifists who did not like or agree with the strong military regime of the time.

Like FitzGerald, Weber was also a civil engineer and surveyor. He went first to England then to the United States where he worked as a surveyor for the explorer Fremont and was involved in putting a railway through the Rocky Mountains. Then on to the Argentine surveying and involved in the sandalwood trade before moving on to Australia.

In Australia he met and married Ellen Drewe and had 3 children – two of whom died in infancy. He was approached to come to New Zealand as a surveyor and thus arrived with Ellen and the surviving child in 1860.

It would seem more than coincidence that he purchased “The Pines” as the fraternity of engineers must have been small then, so possibly they were acquainted – and indeed, their lives connected frequently over the years.

The Webers had the distinction of being the parents of the first white child born in Waipawa – Albert Fremont Weber, born on October 24th 1861.

Charles’ work as a surveyor was well recognised and highly thought of and still using one of his original maps survey pegs have been found still in place as recently as 20 years ago. Again in common with FitzGerald, Weber was persuaded to Napier and appointed Provincial Engineer and Chief Surveyor for Hawke’s Bay and the first Harbour Board Engineer. On his move to Napier he purchased FitzGerald’s flourmill and other concerns – so the link continued.

Sadly in 1886 Weber disappeared on a private survey job close to Woodville – despite a search party being mounted his body was not recovered for nearly three years and was hen found a mere 2 chain from the road. It is thought he died of a heart attack. The settlement of Weber in Southern Hawke’s Bay is named after him.

Dr Alexander Todd, another Irishman, was the third owner of the property. Probably more is known about him – tales of his excesses and walking stick wielding abound. What is not commonly known is that he arrived here unintentionally.

Soon after graduating from Medical college in Edinburgh he set off on a round the world voyage as Superintendent Surgeon aboard the “Rangoon”* – the first direct voyage from England to Napier. It is hard to imagine now but the vessel left London on November 26th 1863 and did not arrive in Napier until July 23rd 1864 – an eight-month marathon. During this time the ship collided with an American brig sustaining damage and also struck extreme weather – gales, heavy seas and hailstorms for almost the entire time. At one stage everything on deck was washed away and the helmsman was crushed by the wheel and killed. The Captain was drunk all the time [one reference kindly says “laid up”, the crew revolted and Todd had to assume command.

With difficulty the “Rangoon” reached Napier – its upper works severely damaged and unable to proceed further - the passengers were landed and the crew discharged. Within a short time the Governor-General, Sir George Grey and other notables called on Todd and the outcome was that he abandoned the world tour and decided to settle in New Zealand. He purchased the practice of Dr Venn of Waipawa who was returning to England and at the same time was appointed both the medical charge of the natives of Hawke’s Bay by the Native Commissioner and through the influence of Sir Donald McLean and the Hon J D Ormond as surgeon to the Imperial Troops stationed at Waipawa. With the withdrawal of the Imperial Forces he was appointed Medical Officer of the Colonial Defence Forces and on their transfer, Brigade Surgeon of the East Coast Volunteers. He obtained his commission as a Major and later as Lieutenant Colonel.

Like the previous owners of “The Pines’, Dr Todd also invested in business and land and was a partner in the Union Brewery and Aerated Water Company and had and in Waipawa, Kaikora [Otane], Woodville and Western Australia.

He died still in residence at “The Pines” in 1914, aged 74.

Dr Todd married Annie Mary Arrow, a daughter of Henry Arrow and sister of Lissie who married William Rathbone. Mrs Doctor Todd with two D’s as she insisted on being addressed has been variously described in family reminiscences as determined, bossy and a martinet. Despite these epithets she was regard and a stalwart of the community. Mrs Doctor Todd with two D’s was involved in the temperance movement and after her husband’s death refused to renew the lease of the Union Brewery – situated on her land – and subsequently it had to be pulled down – not a woman to be toyed with! Hearsay has it that she also confiscated Dr Todd’s walking stick in his latter days – to stop him walking across to the brewery.

Alex and Annie had three daughters Olive, Ida and Kathleen and a son Alex Todd Jr. Mrs Doctor Todd with two D’s died in 1927 having been predeceased by daughter Ida in 1926.

Pigeons and doves are synonymous with “The Pines” – the original trees that gave the property its name having been planted to shelter the pigeon lofts and stables. Dr Todd took doves with him on his rural visits, which meant he could either send a message home to his wife or he could leave a bird with a patient so they could send it back with a report on their condition or a message to him. One of the original dovecotes was removed from “The Pines” to Waikoko Gardens at the Hastings Showgrounds in 1968.

Over the years the house was home to a number of tenants and suffered a gradual decline. Fortunately it was purchased in the late 1980’s by George Wood and lovingly restored.
Anna Natusch further developed the gardens during her occupancy. Terry and Elaine McKenzie – who like the first three owners – have come form another country to make Waipawa their home, have spent the last ten years ensuring “The Pines” looks hale and hearty. Heres to 150 years and long may the cottage survive. Congratulations to you both on your valuable contribution to a most important piece of Waipawa’s heritage.


Bibliography

Port to port A pictorial history of Port Ahuriri, / Wilkie, Don. 2003.

Abbott's-Ford a history of Waipawa / Gray, Margaret. 1989.

Cyclopaedia of New Zealand, Volume 6 – Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay & Wellington Provincial Districts. 1908.
Thomas Henry FitzGerald
http;//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Henry_FitzGerald

Central Hawke’s Bay Settlers Museum Inc – family files.

*Rangoon. Wooden barque, 379 tons. Built Great Britain, 1853, reg. Melbourne, 15/1867. Lbd 114.5 x 26.5 x 18 ft. Ashore at Kiama in strong winds, 22 March 1870. Wedged between two rocks there was hope she would survive, but a heavy gale about a month later completely destroyed her. [LN],[LAH],[SAN - barquentine, lost at Minnamurra, east side of small island at mouth]