2008 First writing, 2021 update By Anne Stewart Ball
This is : Glimpses of Four Generations Epsom NZ - Their Horizons Part I
To see Part II go to: Glimpses of Four Generations Epsom NZ - Their Horizons Part II
includes ( Development of Transport Systems Early Auckland – Railway and Electric Tramways ( A view looking back – from a family member’s perspective )
To see Part III go to Glimpses of Four Generations Epsom NZ - Their Horizons Part III
..............................................................
PART I Stewart Family in Epsom / Eden Epsom / Eden, Auckland -
the place where myself, a fourth generation in NZ of the Stewart family was born - as had my father, and grandmother along with their brothers and sisters. Living in the Epsom / Eden area started for our family in 1859. This was when my great grandfather James Stewart, Minst C.E. and his wife Mary Stewart immigrated to Auckland New Zealand from Perth, Scotland. They arrived aboard the Clipper Barque , Joseph Fletcher, on 18th August 1859 and promptly began to settle in to their new life. First Generation Epsom / Eden, Auckland, NZ Their first home was in Mount Street and here was where the first of the children, John, was born in 1860, a few months after arrival.
 |
| Auckland 1859 |
Mount Street, Auckland in 1859 was what was a street regarded as out in the country. It was said some wondered why they lived so far out of town. There was no railway, no electric trams, no buses and what could be termed then, country lanes in the area. The means of transport was walking or horse.
Typical of that era, to Mary fell the role of running the
household and bringing up the family. Then, were none of the modern conveniences of
electricity nor running tap water. (This Mount Street appears to have vanished off the maps.)
James, as a Civil Engineer and Surveyor began building his career. As the years passed and
with the nature of his work, he would be absent from home, sometime for weeks on end. As the
family expanded and reached adulthood, the “strong work ethic” passed on from parents, saw
each involved both within the household and in James' Engineering Practice.
Minds and hands were kept busy through the practical skills passed on from both parents. The influence of Mary saw embroidery, crochet, lace work, baking, preserving of fruit, pickling of vegetables, butter making and the “arts” of hostessing and looking after guests. It is known there were numerous visitors to the Stewart home. The influence of James saw carving of furniture and woodturning of household articles. These provided not just useful items for the home but goods for community and church fairs fundraising activities (not just Epsom / Eden area). Avid reading about a variety of subjects was encouraged. Along with, as James put it, “follow your own bent “in education.
Those early years saw James travelling to “town” to work. In August 1862 he gained the position
of the first Engineer to the “ill fated” Auckland City Board of Works. A difficult and short lived
position with a town board “strapped for cash “and “big ideas” for work they wanted done (they
had no money to pay their appointed Engineer by December. 3. With a top- up of funding from
Provincial Council, a second elected City Board of Works and the Engineer continued on.
Available funding to carry out works remained a problem. May 1863 saw a new system – elected
City Board of Commissioners. By August James work as City Engineer was being impacted on
by compulsory service in the Militia. With little hope of exemption from Military Service and
aware that the City Board had limited funding to carry out works, James made the decision to
resign. His resignation was accepted in September 1863, the City Board making a decision to
continue on without an engineer.
Not long after, James was sent to Australia to supervise the construction of the gunboat
steamers to his design - “Koheroa “ and “ Rangiriri”- ship them back, and oversee them being
assembled in New Zealand. 6
vi By then the family at home had grown to three children. Just
before James left, Mary gave birth to the third child. Little is known about how Mary felt with a
new baby and two other young children to look after in his absence. Nor is much known about
how James and Mary felt about, what could be said to have been, for want of better words, a
very difficult and trying year.
Towards the latter part of 1863 James
established offices above Brown and
Campbell’s premises in Shortland Street.
Their location was advertised in the
Newspapers of the time. Apart from when he worked for the Marine Board and later the Public Works Department, his
private practice was to remain in Shortland Street, Auckland.
 |
| Adams, John, active 1844. [Adams, John], fl 1844 :[Auckland in February 1844]. Ref: B-176-003. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22298994 |
Mary, his daughter, was later to
mind the office of Stewart & Hunter while the partners were somewhere in the Auckland
Province. The other partner was Ashley John Barsby Hunter C.E.
As a Civil Engineer and Surveyor, James found the Mount Street location very convenient to
travel from home to Auckland, Onehunga or further afield in the province. Especially over the
years in his work roles of Inspector of Steamers District Engineer for all Survey and
Construction of all Railways in the Auckland Province (Public Works Department) Engineer In
Charge Rotorua Railway Survey and Construction and Waiorongomai Tramway.
It could be
said that James had a passion for transport systems given that his career in New Zealand was
involved with this field for 49 years.
In spite of James being away for weeks on end sometimes, the Stewart Home remained in
Auckland. The family grew and by 1877 there were eight children – four boys and four girls. As
steamer runs and railways developed, James' transport mode for returning home , was seen to
change too. From horse, horse and buggy, coach, or the “new fangled “steamer to railway and in
his last role as Local Consultant Engineer for the Auckland Electric Tramway Company – travel
by those “new fangled” electric trams.
The transport mode for those Stewarts at home in the early days until trams and cars, was horse , horse and buggy and walking. Walking was encouraged.
The Stewart family, with others, saw the introduction of the first motor cars to Epsom / Eden. A
motor car spotted was a real “crowd- drawer”. There was evidently great excitement on the part
of the Stewart women, when motor cars arrived at Auckland Domain for the opening of the
Auckland Industrial, Agricultural and Mining Exhibition in 1913. Great Aunt Mary Stewart, it was
said, invested, in one of those “new fangled” cars – a Nash, and one needed to be wary of the
driving.
Transport changed the face of Epsom / Eden over the years too, as it became a through route
for railways on the fringe, arterial road routes through, a railway workshop depot at Newmarket,
the Tram Depot, trams later a bus route and the motor car. Many changes from 1865 when the
first sod of the “ill fated “Auckland Drury Railway was turned in Mr. Dilworth’s paddock, near
where the Stewart family lived.
 |
| 1880's Panoramic view looking north east from Mount St John over Epsom and Remuera showing part of Mount Hobson,(left), Dilworth Estate, (foreground), railway line, Great South Road, (middle distance), and Market Road intersection, (right) Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 4-810 |
Towards the 1890’s large homes had appeared but Epsom /
Eden was still largely countryside and farmland. The early 20th Century saw a rapidly changing
landscape as more houses appeared. By the time I was born, Epsom / Eden had mushroomed
into a busy suburb, with most of the farmland gone.
The early 20th Century also saw the Stewart family move to what was to be for James and Mary,
their final home in Epsom area, “Tira–o–rangi ,’built in Owen’s Road, Epsom. Several historical
records spell this as Tuaorangi but it is thought this is a transcribing mistake. The address
recorded by the family was Tira-o-rangi ,15 Owens Road (this was to have a number change
in later years to 21 Owens Road
Tira –o–rangi was a large home set, it was said, in two
acres of grounds – these were to become orchards and garden to sustain a large household
with numerous visitors. By then three of the sons were overseas. Two were to return later with
wives and family. John settling in Auckland and Andrew on a farm in Tirau. The third – James
Jnr., died of snake bite in 1893, while an engineer on construction of the Panama Railway in
Quebrada, Columbia. 10 x
(New Zealand railway construction did not experience the number of
fatalities that construction of this railway did).
The Stewart family household at Tira-o-rangi were James, Mary, Christian (Chris), Mary and
Elizabeth (Dibby) - known fondly as “the “maiden aunts” and their sister Annie Morton – my
grandmother. Marriage of Annie saw for several years, the household addition, of my
grandfather James Halifax Stewart and my father, Jack Morton Stewart.
 |
| 1906 Looking north east from Mount St John across the harbour to the North Shore and Rangitoto, showing the Great South Road and railway lines (left to right across centre), Remuera Road (left to right middle distance), St Lukes Presbyterian Church (left of centre) and Dilworth School Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 1-W1232 |
Early 1910 there was a big Stewart family celebration at Tira-o-rangi to celebrate the Golden
Wedding Anniversary of James and Mary; the birth of grandson Jack Morton ( the baby in
photos ); and the homecoming from overseas of Andrew and family.
Many of James and Mary’s family ( Stewart, Anderson ,Gorrie, Houston ) and close friends
gathered for the celebration, including my other great grandmother Henrietta Ferguson
MacFarlane Stewart (Larnarkshire), sister of James Buchanan MacFarlane.
The move to Tira-o-rangi was also for James, a slight winding down
in a busy career and an opportunity to give more time to his other
passion – the Auckland Institute & Museum close to home. Just as
with a long commitment to transport systems, the same could be
said about his involvement with the Auckland Institute. A founding
member of the Institute in 1868 with those other Epsom gentlemen,
James was on the Governing Council of the Institute from 1871,
apart from a short break of a couple of years until his death in 1914.
(During the break he was away surveying and supervising the
construction of the Rotorua Railway) President of Auckland
Institute in 1890 and 1901,
The other on the aeration of the Auckland Lava Beds. In this paper he discussed findings during the exploration of the Three Kings Lava Caves, during work of drainage of the Epsom Tram Depot and his other passion, water supply. In 1903 interest in the Institute was to widen - appointed Auckland Representative on the Board of Governors in 1903 and in 1906, Trustee of the New Zealand Institute. Most of the meetings were held in Wellington. Travel to there was via steamer until at last in 1908, the long awaited dream opened – the Main Trunk Railway - connected Auckland with Wellington. It is known that James “took the train” to a meeting in January just prior to his death in 1914. It is not known whether he left from and arrived back to Newmarket Railway Station or the Main Railway Station in “downtown “Auckland. It is known that he was pleased that after years of lobbying, by the Auckland Railway League, that the Main Trunk Railway was in operation.
 |
Mary, one of nine
Anderson siblings, had led a similar life growing up with her parents
who were farmers at Knowhead, Dunning, Perth. She was accustomed to large
households.
There is little written record of Mary’s life (perhaps overshadowed at
times by a husband with a very prominent, active, and at times
controversial career.) However it could be said that her’s was a
supportive role and the quiet strength of the family. Involvement with the lives of family,
community and church in the Epsom area.
A meeting was attended in Newmarket of those interested in seeing a new Presbyterian Church
established closer to where they lived, rather than having to travel “all the way to town”. A
committee was established and James and Mary supported the work to see this eventuate.
The newspaper reported the following persons appointed to the committee: “Messrs. Archibald
Clark, Robert Brown, James Stewart, John Angus, Thomas Macffarlane, Thomas Keir, John Allender,
Hugh Anderson, Andrew Beveridge, Hugh Campbell, James Kilgour, Archibald Clark, jun., William
Mitchell, James Sargent, and George McRae,” In 1875, Remuera Presbyterian Church ( St. Lukes )was opened, the outcome of the wishes of
that first meeting of Newmarket, Remuera and Epsom residents for a Church closer to the area
in which they lived. It is known that at times, Mary accompanied James on journeys to Thames, Rotorua, Hamilton
and towards the turn of the 19th century, overseas.
As the boys grew to adulthood, they followed their father into initially an engineering career and
then on to wider horizons overseas, returning home after a number of years in several countries.
Except for one son, Thomas, who continued to be cared for by Mary and the daughters.
Mary died in 1917, not many years after James. Mary saw yet another war with the First World
War and did not see its end in 1918. Nor the changes in life to Epsom after the war – rapid
residential development, increasing use of the “new fangled motorcar” and in later years her
grandson on one of those “new fangled” motorbikes.
Gone was the horse, horse and buggy or
walking of her “pioneer” era. The stabling of horses for family and overnight guests and the
feeding of these no longer a task in daily household living.
The three “maiden aunts “continued to live at Tira-o-rangi. However it was destined to be bought
by Epsom Girls Grammar School as the school was growing and extra ground was wanted.
The aunts continued their regular visits to Thomas. Likewise regular visits continued with their
sister Annie and brothers John and Andrew.
Second Generation, Epsom / Eden. NZ
The boys attended Grammar School, where it was said Mr. MacRea was master. The Grammar
School in those days – 1870’s – it was said, was in a different place to where Jack was later to
go. School days for the boys were not entirely uneventful. The eldest John, aged 15 was the
object of much worry for James and Mary when he went missing from the School and failed to
return home. Wells were searched and other likely places. Fortunately he was located several
days later down at Orakei with the local people. (Ngati Whatua) Why this happened is not
known, however there was relief that he was found safe with friends.
 |
| 1880'S Burton Brothers (Dunedin, N.Z.). Symonds Street, Auckland, and Auckland Grammar School. Original photographic prints and postcards from file print collection, Box 15. Ref: PAColl-7081-43. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22511607 |
The boys survived schooling days, reached young adulthood, and followed into their father’s
career of engineering and railway survey. It was said that the boys were each put in a Survey
Team for three different sections of the Rotorua Railway. It is known that James Jnr. was with
Mr. H Roche’s Survey Team, John with Mr. Harding’s Survey team and Andrew accompanied
his father.
Home base remained Auckland for the four.
In the early 1880’s, it was the excitement of the “new fangled” penny farthing bicycle. It is known
that one daring young Stewart youth, rode a penny farthing bicycle from home in Auckland to
Rotorua, via the Mamaku. This was not long after this road from Cambridge to Rotorua, surveyed by his father , was opened. A very bumpy ride, it was said. No tar sealed roads, as
today in 2008, over the Mamaku in those days. Coaches and horse and buggy were the usual
users then. It was said that this was a far superior road compared to the Tauranga Rotorua
Route from Oropi to Rotorua – less “hair raising”.
 |
| 1885 Group of uniformed men, each with a penny farthing bicycle, College Hill, Auckland. McAllister, James, 1869-1952 :Negatives of Stratford and Taranaki district. Ref: 1/2-023356-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22795692 |
Andrew also belonged to the Waitemata cycling club with his name appearing in various newspapers, recording results for annual bicycle races. It was Andrew who got to learn “ first hand “ very quickly, diplomacy and dispute resolution in
“the bridge dispute” of 1885 at Waitoa on the construction of the Morrinsville - Matamata section
of the Rotorua Railway. It was said that the lessons lay, not in a dinner that was given but in the
after dinner discussions and speeches between the affected parties and that was a far better
way to solve things.
James Jnr. on the Rotorua survey section with Mr. Roche, experienced the devastation of the
Tarawera Eruption in 1886. First hand while in the Puna Atua Hoe Railway Survey Camp not far
from Rotorua. He accompanied Roche in the first rescue parties that hurried to Te Wairoa. Likewise his father, in Auckland at the time, hurried to Tarawera, not just to check for survival of
all inhabitants and damage to the terraces, but also because there was a family concern for James Jnr. and the men in the Railway Survey Camp (his first stop- after arrival by steamer from
Auckland to Tauranga and horseback over the Oropi Road)
The Tarawera Eruption had been
heard as far away as Auckland. It was said that lightning had been seen in that direction from
the top of Mt. Eden.
James Jnr. was not to forget the Tarawera Eruption. Several years later, writing back to his
family and friends in Epsom / Eden, he compared a storm, while constructing the railway in
South America with the sound and lightning of the Tarawera Eruption.
The story of Tarawera, just as many oral stories are within a Scottish family, were passed down
through the following generations of the Stewart family. A reminder of what that disaster was
about and the hard lessons learned from it to apply to our own lives. It is known that there was
deep concern for the Maori communities who had perished. It was said also that collections of
food, supplies and other support were taken up in Auckland to assist the survivors and those in
the surrounding area affected by the ash of the Eruption.
James Jnr left New Zealand for railway work in South America late 1888. His two brothers John and Andrew followed their brother overseas not long after.
The four sisters continued to live in the family home, busy and involved with
work, household, community and church. All enjoyed particularly the game
of croquet. Annie enjoyed tennis.
Each had a recognised role in the busy household and for which they are
remembered for.
Elizabeth (Aunt Dibby) was regarded as being in charge of the food supplies. From her was learned the “putting to good use “of an orchard and vegetable garden. Nothing was wasted and even for fallen fruit ,came a good recipe for fruit punch. Dibby was proud of results of bottling, pickling, preserving and butter making. Her word was law for those co-opted to peel, chop and prepare. There was a large household to feed, visitors to feed and contributions to be made for community fund raising activities
Mary also did embroidery but this changed to wood carving when she
started minding the Stewart & Hunter office in Shortland Street. Office work,
it was said, was minimum , so Mary took her embroidery to do. James
suggested she take up something that was more suitable for a “mans office”
– something like the wood turning he did himself, wood carving, or
something.
Mary chose to do wood carving and over the years came many
items of furniture. Some of the patterns – “rubbings” they were called -
came from Britain and the others from Mary’s head. Mainly kauri was used
for the carvings – a strong wood.
Small items found their way like all the others to community fund raising
again – boxes, tea trays. As for father James’ wood turned objects – darning
eggs, whip handles and small boxes – some for the household and some
for elsewhere. Darning eggs were very useful for darning socks in that era –
unlike today (2021 ) where its buy socks and throw away. Whip handles
were considered ideal for the horse transport used then – both items “good
sellers” at fairs. It could be said that hands and living were kept busy. Mary enjoyed gardening and it is from her
that Jack, her nephew, learned his lifelong love of gardening. Mary also had several Scottish
Terrier dogs and in later years her beloved dogs were the topic of many a family discussion. Not
all the family members shared the same feelings as Mary did for the dogs. it was said some preferred the china dogs, also Mary's, instead.
Annie, the youngest of the girls, was co opted to various household tasks and lace making. As Annie reached adulthood, she took on the role of what could be said to be “networking “with others. She spoke Maori, it was said fluently, learned firstly from the visitors and sitting with the Maori women who came very regularly, with seafood for the household. Annie took a great interest in knowing the original place names with their stories and meanings, encouraged by her father James, who also had a preference for use of these in his work surveying for railways as opposed the new names given. It was said that he often said it made more sense and explained a place better. It was also Annie that “looked out” for the railway families.
Of the four girls, only Annie married. Annie married James Halifax Stewart, son of a banker in 1907. They were not relations - Annie a Perthshire Stewart and James a Larnarkshire Stewart. The family were always quick to emphasise this fact to new acquaintances. With a “double banger “ of the name Stewart this meant often that my father and in turn myself had to clarify often which side of aunts, uncles, cousins, etc we were referring to. Hence it is often heard the term Perthshire or Larnarkshire when referring to our line of the family. Also because of the fondness of the use of the name James in both families. James Halifax also lived in Epsom with his widowed mother and other siblings, “just down the road “from the Perthshire Stewarts.
My grandparents, it is said, met at one of the dances that were
regularly held in private homes. It was a strict courtship.
Evidently Great Grandfather James ( Perthshire ) to avoid ,in his
words “ any hanky panky “ going on during grandfather’s visits to
Tira-o-rangi , got both to do wood carving together.(under the
watchful eyes of the family of course ). The outcome of the wood
carving during the course of the engagement was a tea tray and
a octagonal table, quite different in style to the wood carving that
Mary did.
After marriage Annie and James Halifax spent several years at Tira-o-rangi in Owens Road and
then it was a move to Mountain Road and lastly Belvedere Street. By then their family had
grown to two boys – Jack Morton and James Trevor. Close contact continued with the Owens
Road family. Later years were to see the responsibility for the care of the ageing “maiden aunts”
fall upon Jack’s shoulders.
Belvedere Street was also a very busy household with a lot of
entertaining and “networking” done because of the nature of James
Halifax’s business - initially with the firm Macky, Logan, Caldwell, Ltd.
 |
| Lieutenant James Halifax Stewart |
World War One saw James Halifax, a lieutenant in the 3rd (Auckland) Regiment ( Countess of Ranfurly's own ) coast defence. As with families throughout New Zealand the wider family - cousins of James Halifax and Annie enlisted. Common thoughts back then were the war was going to end by christmas 1914 and the enlisted would be home. The war continued for five years and family members died in the battles across Europe and Middle East, including James Halifax brother George Macfarlane Stewart. James Halifax asked for leave from 3rd (Auckland) Regiment ( Countess of Ranfurly's own ) in 1919 to travel to England to the mills for a year. He did not reinlist with the coast defence on return in the Regiment. Seems a lot of paperwork records of retirement in Archives NZ records.
James Halifax's occupation, given as Manufacturer’s Agent,
was supplier of manchester and linen from the mills in Britain to the
shops in New Zealand. ( no direct importing in those days by New
Zealand shops – it had to be done through the Agent for the mills in
Yorkshire, Lancashire and Larnarkshire).
The office was in “downtown Auckland “in the old NZI building .My
own early memories of visits to this office were bolts and bolts of
cloth and samples. It is thought, this is where our line of the family
got its preference for good quality material and “ the feel of the cloth
“ before buying new clothes or household linen. The saying from my
father – “buy good cloth, it lasts. – you get what you pay for “. Then it
was the materials of wool, gabardine, serge, linen and cotton from
British mills, not those of India, China and Japan. Also learned were checking the stitching of
critical areas of a garment before buying. The habit continued today and not always appreciated
by shop assistants eager for a sale, no matter what. Below is a photograph of Tonson & Garlick dosplaying manchester and linen in their household and furniture drapery department about 1910.
 |
| Tonson Garlick Co :Household and furnishing drapery department. Curtains, blinds, furnishings that beautify the home. [ca 1910].. [Ephemera of quarto size relating to interior decoration, room design, household decorative items, tableware, in New Zealand]. Ref: Eph-B-DECOR-1910-01-011. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22856647 |
The family went to Britain for a year when Jack was about 10 years old. Jack and his brother attended school there and James Halifax, his business with the mills.
The family returned to
Epsom, grandfather pleased with the business completed, the boys armed with some of the
mischievious pranks they had learned in Britain. Eg The moving parcel on the footpath, attached
to two boys in the bushes. It was said by Annie that the neighbours in Epsom were quite relieved
when the boys moved on to other activities.
James Halifax travelled to the office from Belvedere Street either by car or tram – dependent on
whether there were visits to be made to customers ( not called clients then ) or not.
By 1920 both
methods of transport were firmly ensconced in Epsom. Horses and horse and buggy were
becoming things of the past transport.
There was still much contact with the three aunts still living in Tira-o-rangi, Owens Road. The
boys were co opted to help with gardening and fruit gathering.
Of this generation Thomas died in 1921, Elizabeth 1928, John 1930, and Christian 1941
Several years after the death of Christian Mary had a very serious fall. The big house – Tira- o - rangi was considered too large for one bed-ridden aunt, so it was sold to a pleased
Epsom Girls Grammar. The family were likewise pleased that the large grounds would be used
for an education establishment.
 |
Showing the site of Epsom Girls Grammar School, between Silver Road and Owens Road Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 1-W1586 |
Mary, with Mrs Revell - a housekeeper/ caregiver, moved to a smaller house in Dunkerron Ave.
My own memories of this house are of it being near the Icecream Factory. ( a very important
detail for a young child who loved Icecream ). Jack and Trevor continued to keep very regular
visits to Mary. Mrs Revell nursed Mary up until her death and was considered marvellous by
Jack and Trevor.
Of the second generation Stewarts, Annie died in 1945 aged 68, James Halifax and Andrew (at
Tirau) in 1948. Mary, the last surviving member of this Stewart generation died in 1957. What
was considered by the third generation Stewarts, to be the “grand old age” of 87.
Just as with all first and second generation Stewart family (with exception of James Jnr and
Andrew) Mary was buried in what became the family plot at Waikaraka Cemetery, Onehunga - the last remaining second generation.
 |
| At Epsom Girls Grammar |
Part 1 Reference Source:
- Auckland Area Passenger Vessels 1838-1886, Source Southern Cross 20 August 1859 http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/dbtw-wpd/passengers/passenger.html Joseph Fletcher - Stewart
- The New Zealander, February 22, 1860 Birth Notice
- CITY BOARD MEETING. Daily Southern Cross, 4 December 1862, Page 3 City Board unable to meet salaries
- CITY BOARD MEETING. Daily Southern Cross,19 August 1863, Page 3 Discussion on compulsory military duty and duties of Engineer
- CITY BOARD. Daily Southern Cross, 2 September 1863, Page 3 resignation as Engineer City Board accepted
- Archives NZ MA 1 1863/291 Memoranda and registered files Memoranda from Reader Wood to Captain Moriarty, forwarded to Defence Office 28 September 1863 Drafts letter requesting Captain Moriarty to assist the bearer James Stewart to purchase two iron steamers for the New Zealand Government 1863 1863 Department of Maori Affairs [Record Group]
- The Daily Southern Cross, 17 November 1863
- AJHR, 1871, Pages G.10, 3 – 33, Alphabetical list of officers of the NZ Government 1871 Stewart, James1867 - Government official
- Lawn, C.A ., F.N.Z.I.S. The Pioneer Land Surveyors Of New Zealand, Auckland. 14 October 1977. Part IV p476 – 477 www.surveyor.org.nz Biographical
- Minutes of Proceedings of the Institute of Civil Engineers ,Vol.CXVII 1894 pp 395,396 Obituary for James Stewart Jnr. Who died of snakebite while working on Panama Railway Quebrada, Columbia.
- In Transactions and Proceedings NZ Institute Art. XXXVIII.—Description of Lava Caves at the “Three Kings,” near Auckland. By James Stewart, C. E., Assoc. Inst. C. E., from Volume 2, 1869
- In Transactions and Proceedings NZ Institute Art. XLVII.—Notes on the Growth of certain Native Trees in the Auckland Domain. By James Stewart, M.Inst. C.E., from Volume 38, 1905
- In Transactions and Proceedings NZ Institute .Art. XXXIV.—On the Aeration of the Auckland Lava-beds. By James Stewart, M. Inst. C.E., from Volume 42, 1909
- In Transactions and Proceedings NZ Institute Obituary. Stewart, J., from Volume 46, 1913
- EXTENTION OF PRESBYTERIANISM Daily Southern Cross,12 March 1872, Page 3 meeting to have new church
- REMUERA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. Daily Southern Cross, 21 May 1875, Page 3 Opening
- THE Daily Southern Cross. Daily Southern Cross, 12 April 1875, Page 2 Master Stewart found
- Dinner at Hamilton. THE CONCILIATION. Waikato Times, 11 August 1885, Page 3 dinner after dispute on Bridge
- Roche, H., Eyewitness Account Tarawera Eruption qMS- 1714, The Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington.http://tapuhi.natlib.govt.nz/cgibin/spydus/ENQ/GLOBAL/OPHDR?NA=Waihi+ Goldmining+Company&NA_TYPE=K&SEARCH_FORM=%2FMSG%2FGLOBAL%2FOPNA.HTM
- Leys, Thomas W., A Weird Region: New Zealand Lakes, Terraces, Geysers and Volcanoes, with an account of The Eruption of Tarawera, New Zealand Newspapers Ltd, reprint 1953.
- AN AUCKLANDER ABROAD. Auckland, June 11. Te Aroha News, 15 June 1889, Page 6
- Cemetery Records Waikaraka http://0-www.aucklandcity.govt.nz.www.elgar.govt.nz/dbtw-wpd/cemeteries/cemetery.htm
