ss Ngoiro, Devonport Steam Ferry Company and Tairua

ss Ngoiro arrival up on the hard Tairua Harbour 2000 - photo courtesy Chris Ball

December 2017 we were down at the newly established Tairua Marina. Up on the hard near to the office and restaurant complex sits the s.s Ngoiro. Remember back in 2000, when mum rang up excitedly, to say the s.s Ngoiro had arrived at Tairua Harbour. ( she had been there since 1999 but had undergone some carpentry work and refitting). Mum had travelled as a passenger aboard s.s Ngoiro a number of times ,when she was a ferry. Mum had fond memories of those ferry trips aboard s.s Ngoiro.

Tairua Harbour was to be the new home of s.s. Ngoiro, formerly a ferry steamer in the fleet of the Devonport Steam Ferry Company and later years as a floating restaurant and museum in Viaduct Basin, Auckland, New Zealand. ( that was until 1998 when the America Cup was to be raced in Auckland and they wanted the area for cup activity along with yachts and crews).

ss Ngoiro  up on the hard Tairua Harbour 2000 - photo courtesy Chris Ball

The Devonport Steam Ferry Company Ltd., led by brothers  Ewen William Alison, managing director and  Alexander Alison, general manager rose to be the largest  ferry company in the Auckland Province of New Zealand by the turn of the century ( 1900).

Back to beginnings  of the company, November 1881 and the first steam ferry launched for the Devonport Steam Ferry Co. Ltd., was the p.s Victoria - a paddle steamer built by Charles Bailey Sen. p.s Victoria operated between Devonport and Auckland as a passenger and mail boat.  

ps Victoria centre -Facing p 1067 In Ed. Garran, Hon. Andrew. 1892. Australasia Illustrated. Sydney: Picturesque Atlas Pub. Co. https://archive.org/stream/australasiaillus01garruoft#page/n9/mode/2up 

By the turn of the century ( 1900) paddle steamers were giving way to newer technology - double-ended screw steam ferries. One of these to be launched for the Devonport Steam Ferry Company Ltd., was s.s Ngoiro from the ship building yards of Charles Bailey Jun ( son of Charles Bailey sen who built p.s Victoria) This maritime event taking place, saw the traditional ceremony with Miss Joyce Duthie, daughter of David Whamond Duthie, director of the steam ferry company, christening her as she glided down into the water. Following a fitting of engine and boilers by A J Parker and Co. Along with sea trials for sea worthiness, this 26ft beam vessel of  6ft.6in draught was ready for the St. Heliers ferry service.

Looking south from the water showing a group of ferries by Ferry wharf, the paddle steamer 'Albatross' in the foreground, Queens Wharf (left) the Ferry Building (centre background), Quay Street (left to right centre). The ferries are (from left to right) Ngoiro, Peregrine, Condor, Eaglehawk (vehicular ferry), unidentified (obscured), Makora, Albatross, and Takapuna. Photo courtesy

Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries,4-2935'

 

 The machinery and boiler were said to be originally supplied from Messrs. Ross and Duncan of Glasgow, Scotland.( NZ Herald, 09/02/1914 p 9) ss Ngoiro became part of what was then no small fleet of ferries. 

When first started the steam ferry company's services  were run with small paddle-steamers.  Earlier boats were the Devonport, Birkenhead. Takapuna. Tainui, Alexandra. Tongariro. Victoria, and Britannia. Towards 1900 and fishing excursions aboard the ferry company's s.s Admiral were advertised in the newspapers Ever growing passenger traffic saw these  replaced with modern twin screw vessels and by December 1922  company's fleet consisted of the Makora, Peregrine, Kestrel, Ngoiro, Albatross. Condor, Eagle. Osprey. and Kawau. the vehicular ferries Sparrowhawk and Goshawk, bug Young Bungaree and the launch Maxis.

p.s. Britannia - Photos courtesy Cyclopaedia NZ Auckland Province 1902

The Alison brothers  too, were no strangers to the Tairua Harbour, where one of their steam ferries, s.s. Ngoiro, has been sited.

The New Zealand Herald in 1896 recorded E.W. Alison as one of the directors of the Tairua Gold Mining Company (No Liability) formed by shareholders in the  Tairua Proprietary Syndicate (Matura special claim). Not far from the Tairua Broken Hills claim, the brothers also became involved with this Company also.

Both Ewen William Alison and brother Alex Alison, were involved in the syndicate which registered the  Tairua Broken Hills Gold Mining Company in 1899. ( the first directors of this gold mining company being Messrs H. T. Gorrie, John McCombie, H. H. Adams, H. A. Gordon. Thomas Morrin, E. W. Alison, D. ' G- MacDonnell, and secretary Mr J. B. Sheath)  

One of the first " tours" to the Tairua Mines, mixing business with pleasurable fishing activities was in March 1900. The steamer s.s Admiral was chartered from the Devonport Steam Ferry Company and duly departed from Devonport for Tairua. Aboard were Messrs. William Frater, Donald McLeod, Alex. Alison, Hon Edwin Mitchelson, directors Messrs Henry Andrew Gordon ( also chairperson) and Henry Thomson Gorrie, along with several press members.

Newspaper accounts record that the weather on Coromandel's eastern seaboard coast worsened with the s.s Admiral bar-bound at Tairua for several days holding up the return journey homeward.

On a calm day looking toward the entrance of Tairua Harbour and the notorious bar - photo 2018 courtesy Chris  Ball

 Added to a lifetime involved with ferries and shipping E. W. Alison along with interests in gold mining, was one of the founders of Taupiri Coal Mines, Ltd.,  holding office as chairman of directors for 44 years, retiring in 1943 at the age of 91.In that time he saw changes both in shipping and industrial unrest in mining.

As to s.s Ngoiro launched in 1913 and said to be able to carry 836 passengers it was a long life also. The year the Auckland harbour bridge opened ( 30 May 1959) was the year s.s Ngoiro ceased running.

Now in 2018, s.s Ngoiro, on the hard near the Marina is a reminder of the ferries of New Zealand's past history, that plied the Waitemata. It is a reminder of the  era of the Devonport Steam Ferry Company and her owners - the Alison Brothers - who also came to the Tairua Valley in another era of history of this valley.

s.s Ngoiro February 2018 - photo courtesy Chris Ball

Reference Source:

• Cyclopedia Company Limited The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District] The Cyclopedia Company, Limited, 1902, Auckland
•  Cyclopedia Company Limited The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District] The Cyclopedia Company, Limited, 1897, Wellington
•  Chadwick, James. 1906. Men of Mark In the World of Sport in NZ. Auckland, NZ: Brett Publishing Company Ltd. Also on  https://archive.org/details/menofmarkinworld00chad
•  Papers Past National Library NZ
•  Auckland Star 13 July 1899 Page 5
  New Zealand Herald 30 March 1900 Page 6
  Progress 1 September 1910 Page 5
  New Zealand Herald 16 December 1913 Page 5
   Auckland Star  18 December 1922  Page 7
•  W. A. Laxon. 'Alison, Ewen William', Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, first published in 1993. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/2a6/alison-ewen-william (accessed 9 February 2018)
•  Graces Guide to British Industrial History https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Robert_Duncan_(2)
•  TOROA Preservation Society Inc        

https://toroa.org.nz/toroa/articles/where-have-all-the-steam-ferries-gone/#.WnkUs-eYPDc

Whangamata Area on Coromandel's Eastern Seaboard

South Beach  looking to Hauturu , Whenuakura and Maukaha Rocks  2010 - photo courtesy Chris Ball

If I move to a new town or new place one of the first things I do is look up the meaning of the Maori word for that town or place. This gives a great understanding of why a town or place is called that. The indigenous names for New Zealand locations and place reflect a rich history of the past and people.

 

No less so the Whangamata Area on Coromandel's Eastern Seaboard. The name of Whangamatā comes from the Māori words 'whanga', which means bay, and 'matā', to the obsidian  ( a hard stone) which washes up on the beach. The name "Opoutere" means "place of floating posts".  Onemana  one -  beach, sand, mana - authority over

The Whangamata Area is a stunning kaleidoscope of beaches, New Zealand indigenous bush, flowering pohutukawa and the rich variation and strata of volcanic soils and rock. The ancient stories of the area are associated with those landmarks of this place which meets the shores of  the great  Te moana nui a Kiwa ( the great ocean of Kiwa - Pacific Ocean).

From beach at Onemana looking toward Whakahau ( Slipper) Island - photo courtesy Chris Ball 2017

 Over the years, many have written poems about Whangamata area, including this poem.

 

Whangamata Area

1. Rise and Swell  
Rise and Swell                                        

Running in

Te moana nui a Kiwa

Te one o

Whangamata, Onemana , Opoutere

 

2. Long ago in this area's

i ngā wā ō mua

Can be found in abundance

Relaxation, fun and kaimoana.

 

3. And growing in  special place

Wharengāngara o putiputi

Remind us, one and all, of

Ko ngā kōrero tuaukiuiki I puta 

I aua tohu ngā tohu o te tuakiri o te tamaiti

4. Just as in Kupe's time

This area offers one and all,

Te hauora wairua , Te hauora hinengaro,

Te hauora tinana, Te taha whanau and more.

5. The forest clad hills                               

And shining sea

A taonga of nature are there

 For all Kei Kite.

6. Plenty of trees,

Insects and bush

Moutere o whanga

Along with big tall cliffs.

7. Rise and Swell

Rise and Swell

Running in

Te moana nui a Kiwa

Te one o

Whangamata, Onemana , Opoutere

                             Poem and Drawings by Anne Stewart Ball

Storm on Main Surf Beach Whangamata in 2001 - photo HM Stewart

 

  

Te Reo Māori  

Words and phrases

kaimoana                 seafood, shellfish

kite                          to see, perceive

moutere                    island

putiputi                     flower

Te hauora  wairua      spiritual health                  

Te hauora hinengaro   mental health

Te hauora tinana        physical health

Te Taha Whanau         family health

taonga                      treasure

wharengāngara          New Zealand daphne, Pimelea prostrata

From Peninsula 2010 - photo courtesy Chris  Ball

Reference Source:

• NEW ZEALAND GEOGRAPHIC BOARD,  HE KORERO PÜRÄKAU MO NGÄ TAUNAHANAHATANGA A NGÄ TUPUNA PLACE NAMES  OF THE ANCESTORS A MAORI ORAL HISTORY ATLAS 

 https://www.linz.govt.nz/system/files_force/media/pages.../ancestors-full-book.pdf?.   

• Maori Dictionary https://maoridictionary.co.nz/

•  Land Information New Zealand https://www.linz.govt.nz/regulatory/place-names/find-place-name/find-m%C4%81ori-place-names-dual-names-and-alternative-names

Cultural and Social Heritage - family and beach - Christmas on Coromandel Peninsula

The crimson flowers of Pohutukawa at Christmas - photo courtesy  Chris Ball

The Pohutukawa flowers are blooming - this Christmas 2017 particularly vivid in colour. Once again our extended family gathered together for a Christmas on the Coromandel - beach style.  Typical for the hot summer weather - barbequed  meat  and cold salads from the garden and cold desserts - pavlova said by New Zealanders to be a New Zealand invented dish. 

With the barbeque, food and pulling out of that special table cloth or plate grandma used to use at Christmas, the vase full of flowers by the other grandma along with a visit to the cemetery where they are buried to put Christmas flowers on gravestones, a special table runner given by a family member   several years ago and now added to the  Christmas customs developed over four family generations on the Coromandel Peninsula.  

Last year at Hahei on Christmas day we counted 1500 people walking up Grange Road to the start of the track down to Cathedral Cove. Cathedral Cove is a popular spot for tourists to visit and seems so  again.  On Christmas Day 2017 the same tradition happened again  for many.

Cathedral Cove Hahei  November 2017 - photo courtesy Chris Ball

 

For our family  Christmas Day as well as the conversation about traditions and customs passed down from generation to generation, it is stories and tales of family and family christmas at the beach. The days remembered of camping in tents  "at the beach", cooking on a primus stove.  Holidays up the Kauaeranga Valley or Broken Hills or Wentworth Valley Campground at Christmas time. Time at Opoutere Youth Hostel - one family we know has been going there for forty six years.

For our family  Christmas Day as well as the conversation about traditions and customs passed down from generation to generation, it is stories and tales of family and family christmas at the beach. The days remembered of camping in tents  "at the beach", cooking on a primus stove.  Holidays up the Kauaeranga Valley or Broken Hills or Wentworth Valley Campground at Christmas time. Time at Opoutere Youth Hostel - one family we know has been going there for forty six years. 

Hoffman's Pool - popular swimming hole for holiday makers and tourists up the Kauaeranga Valley - photo 2010 courtesy Chris Ball

 

Then there are the motor camps on the Coromandel Peninsula  - Whangamata, Tairua, Whitianga Hahei, Cooks Beach, Pauanui - all visited and stayed in by family and friends over the years. Tales passed on of camp fun and swimming, surfing and fishing at the beach.

All  tangible and intangible representations of the value systems, beliefs, traditions and lifestyles passed down from those early pioneers on the Coromandel Peninsula from generation to generation, gathering and adding to on the way down.

Whangamata Motor Camp July 1994 - photo courtesy Chris Ball

I believe these  cultural and social heritage representations provides humanity and no less those living on the Coromandel,  with a sense of identity and continuity. They are important parts of our past and will be important parts of our future.

In 2002 ICOMOS  (  the International Council on Monuments and Sites ) wrote on cultural heritage that:

" Cultural Heritage is an expression of the ways of living developed by a community and passed on from generation to generation, including customs, practices, places, objects, artistic expressions and values. Cultural Heritage is often expressed as either Intangible or Tangible Cultural Heritage "(ICOMOS, 2002).

Seems to me that this International Council sees this to be an important part of place and people and should not be ignored, disregarded or forgotten completely.

It has become very important to record our tales, traditions and cultural and social heritage of the Coromandel Peninsula - both the tangibles of what we can see and the intangibles which we cannot. Many of these are in danger of being lost, ignored, overlooked  or forgotten about in the rapid change taking place.

Coromandel Peninsula has changed very rapidly over the last 25 years. Tents and tiny holiday baches have given away to very large baches or what is now called holiday homes. Where once it may have been for most a holiday once a year at the beach at Christmas, the Peninsula is now visited on almost a weekly basis. The bach that once was shut up and locked for the rest of the year is often now rented out to holiday makers and tourists  - Book a Bach, etc.  

Bach " Linga Longa " Beach Road Whangamata 2009 - now pulled down - Photo courtesy Chris Ball

Two motor camps at Whangamata - Settlers and Pine fields have closed - giving way to subdivisions and holiday homes.

Williamson Park - the land gifted by early Whangamata settler, Philip Williamson 

has been altered and changed in recent years  - the majority of pine trees cut down, as was said they were a safety danger to the public. The park this christmas is to become the venue of more privately run concerts with alcohol sales at some of these. Progress we are told ?

 

Williamson Park renovations September 2016 - photo courtesy Chris Ball

 This year the Totara cemetery gates at Thames were closed and locked on Christmas Day for those families attempting to visit their family members buried there. Imagine the surprise felt when reading this news on Thames Genealogy and Resources Am of the belief that now we definitely do need a friends of cemetery group to help look after our cemeteries on the Coromandel Peninsula. Without this we are in danger of letting our family graves - sometimes of several generations being lost or forgotten completely. 

Important as genealogists the world over working on family trees or family history count cemetery records as a significant source. Some of the cemeteries of the Coromandel Peninsula could be said to be associated with the foundations of this place - just as St. John's  Parramatta is the oldest burial ground in the Colony of New South Wales Australia associated with the foundation of the colony and many graves of those identified as having arrived with the First Fleet in 1788. Also with links from there to here for Rev Samuel Marsden buried in St, John's cemetery is said to have visited as far as Thames aboard the Active.

Was interested to read a pdf online that Auckland Regional wrote on Cultural Heritage - very relevant:

" Cultural heritage is central to our present and future identity.

Our culture is the system within which we live now.

Heritage is the part of our culture that we have inherited

or learned from generations past. Our cultural heritage

includes physical structures and places such as historic

buildings, archaeological sites and artefacts. It can also

include music, language and traditions."

                            From What is Cultural Heritage Auckland Regional Council p2

                          What is Cultural Heritage

Yes - there are some tangible and intangibles of our past history in New Zealand and no less on the Coromandel Peninsula, that should be preserved, written about. Not forgotten or overlooked in so called progress as we bulldoze forward to the future as it is a relevant part of our past and is our past, present and future identity of who we are in this place.  

A blending of the old and the new at Tairua Marina - old ss Ngoiro and the new marina villas and buildings December 2017 - photo courtesy Chris Ball