The Gorrie Brothers

The names and lives of William Gorrie and Henry Thomson Gorrie are in the stories that are a Part of the Past of New Zealand History. 

Their stories are about past times of  bowling, chess  horse racing, the Pakuranga Hunt Club; occupations of  goldmining, timber, banking, bookselling and publishing. Their stories are about many places in New Zealand - typical of the stories of many early pioneers. Typical, also as of many of the early pioneers, information on their lives is scattered across repositories and archives.

William Gorrie was born to early settlers William Gorrie and Mary ( nee Morton ) almost as soon as their  ship had landed at Kororareka ( Russell ) in New Zealand. William's birthdate was  said to be 30 November 1840.

Kororareka 1840 Courtesy British Library  Photo Stream - New  Zealand History Flickr

The Gorrie family made a hurried evacuation from Kororareka to Auckland in 1845 aboard the cutter Trial along with  others,  including the Mair family. William would have been about five years old then. The family remained in Auckland and opened a Confectioner's Store - firstly in High Street and later Shortland Street.

Henry Thomson Gorrie was born to William and Mary in Auckland on 12 December 1849 when William and Mary were still operating the Confectioner's Store.



Auckland in 1852In  The Cyclopaedia of New Zealand, Vol 2, Auckland Province. Christchurch: Cyclopaedia Company Limited, 1902.

William was educated in Auckland, at the school  of John Gorrie, his half-brother. John was the eldest son of William Gorrie senior and Mary (nee Scott -  and William's first wife deceased ) . John Gorrie’s school-  Auckland Academy- was in Coburg Street.

                                              Advertisement Auckland Academy

New Zealander, 7 July 1852, Page 1 Courtesy Papers Past, National Library NZ

Henry or Harry or H.T. formally as he was often called, attended High-school Auckland and from newspaper accounts  it seems, achieved prizes for Arithmetic, Geography ,Latin and Bible Class.

“Arithmetic. —First Class: 2, H. T. Gorrie. Geography.— 2, H. T. Gorrie. Second Class  Latin-.—First Class: 1, H T. Gorrie Bible Class.— 2, H. T. Gorrie and James Aitken, equal.” (HIGH SCHOOL, AUCKLAND. New Zealand Herald, , 22 December 1864, Page 5)

Both spent their early occupations in the field of gold mining. William is said to have been involved in both goldmining and timber at Thames and Mercury Bay  on the Coromandel Peninsula. Along with a short spell as accountant for Brown, Campbell & Co.  

In 1870 William Brown Upton died suddenly. William Upton's  brother, John Henry Upton continued to run the business  and  with William Gorrie ( John's brother - in -law) entered into partnership of the Stationers and Bookshop - Upton & Co.) This partnership continued until about 1909 when the reigns were passed to Upton's sons.

Te-Whanganui-o-Hei ( Mercury Bay ) at Whitianga , Coromandel Peninsula - Photo by CRB 2012

                                                                                                    

 Henry Thomson Gorrie spent his early occupational life in banking with the Bank of New Zealand. Henry aka Harry spent some time on the goldfields of the Westcoast of the South Island buying gold for the bank in places such as Lyell and Ross. In the 1880's Henry Thomson Gorrie returned to Auckland and took up the stock and auctioneering business  with his father-in-law Alfred Buckland. In the early 1900's  Gorrie became managing director of the firm which was known as Alfred Buckland & Sons.

Both brothers continued their interest in gold mining into the 1900s and filled   key roles as Director and/ or  Managing Director within many mining companies across the goldfields of the Coromandel Peninsula. The mining companies were made up of many shareholders from many walks of life.

Looking towards the hills of the  Coromandel - Photo by CRB 2012

Amongst the companies were : - Old Alburnia - Thames, The Hauraki North Gold Mining Company - Coromandel , The Midas Gold Mining Company - Kuaotuna, The Tairua Broken Hills Gold Mining Company - Tairua,  The Wairoa Gold Mining Company - Whangamata, The King of  Waihi Gold mining Company - Waihi. Along with the well known Woodstock Gold and Silver Mining and Smelter Company and Talisman - Karangahake. 

( See below compiled chart reference in data from Archives NZ and Papers Past National Library of NZ)

The Woodstock Gold and Silver Mining and Smelting Company (Limited)

2nd. place of operations is at Karangahake, in the Provincial District of Auckland in the Colony of New Zealand.

3rd. The Registered Office of the Company will be situated at the New Zealand Insurance Company Buildings, Auckland, in the Provincial District of  Auckland and Colony of New Zealand.

4th. nominal capital of the Company is thirty-six thousand pounds sterling, in thirty six thousand Shares of one pound sterling each.

5th. number of Shares subscribed for is thirty six thousand, being entire number of Shares in Company.

6tb. number of shares paid-up is nil.

7th. amount already paid up is eighteen thousand pounds.

8th. name of Manager is Dennis Gilmore MacDonnell.

9th. names and addresses, and occupations of Shareholders, and number of Shares held by each at this date, are as follows:—

Name	Place	Occupation	Number Shares
Davis, Richard Knibb	Auckland	Accountant	12,500
Tonks,  Benjamin Digby	Auckland	Auctioneer	1,600
Rogers , Edwin	Auckland	Gentleman	1,500
McMillan, Charles Cookman	Auckland	Merchant	1,000
Gorrie , Henry Thomson	Auckland	Clerk	1,000
Upton , J H	Auckland	Stationer	500
Gorrie , William	Auckland	Bookseller	500
Fraser, William	Thames	Miner	2,000
Liddell, James	Karangahake	Mine Manager	3,000
Humphreys, Thomas Mace	Ohinemuri	Clergyman	2,000
McCombie, John	Ohinemuri	Mining Agent	2,000
Heitman , John Henry	Karangahake	Miner	2,000
Lemon ,George	Karangahake	Miner	1,500
Shepherd , Alfred	Ohinemuri	Hotelkeeper	1,000
Littlejohn ,William	Ohinemuri	Mine Manager	1,000
Davidson, Charles	Karangahake	Miner	1,000
McLoghry ,Archibald	Karangahake	Mr	1,000
Moore, John H	Waihi	Mine Manager	1,000
			Total: 36000

Taken before me this twenty fifth day of November, one thousand eight, hundred and eighty five C.D. Whitcombe J.P. Witness to Signature: J. W. Nichol, Jun.

Woodstock Refraction Works, Karangahake In Dept. New Zealand .Mines. and P Galvin. The New Zealand mining handbook ( with maps and illustrations ). Wellington: J. Mackay, Government Printer,1906.

Archive Internet - New Zealand Mining Handbook

Both William and Henry Thomson Gorrie held positions in the Auckland Chamber of Mines over the years , with William being one of twenty four elected to the first  Council inaugurated in 1895.

"At the annual meeting of the Chamber of Mines the following officers were elected:—President, Mr H. Brett; Vice-President, Mr Graves Aitken; Members of Council, Messrs Jas. Russell, W. A. Mercery, W. E. Bloomfield, E. E. Hunt, A. W. Griffiths, Robert Rose, W. Gorrie, Alfred  Nathan, and H. A. Gordon."  

                                             ( CHAMBER OF MINES. Thames Star, 1 September 1897, P 2)

Both also were elected  for a term to the Thames Drainage Board in the early 1900s - 1905 to 1909.

Home life

 

William Gorrie married Lizzy Gunion in 1868 and Henry Thomson Gorrie married Blanche Buckland in 1881.

As with their occupations , both brothers followed their favorite past - times with vigour. For William it was chess and bowls. William played many a chess game with Andrew Stewart until Andrew's premature death in 1889. Both were inaugural members of the newly formed Auckland Chess Club in 1871. William played outdoor bowls , being a member of the Auckland Bowling Club and held a position of president on the Auckland Bowling Association.

Henry Thomson Gorrie showed a preference for sports involving the horse. A member of the Pakuranga Hunt Club, H.T. or AKA Harry, was Master of Hunt for two seasons.

 

Pakuranga Hunt Club: On the lawn at Mr. H.T. Gorrie's residence ( Dunkerron)The Auckland Weekly News 26 May 1899 Courtesy 'Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-18990526-5-1 Auckland City Libraries Heritage Images

H.T. also took part in horse racing and was  a founding member of the Avondale Jockey Club. Along with holding positions of vice-president, honorary treasurer and life member of-the Auckland Racing Club.

Both brothers died in ill health - William Gorrie in 1911 and Henry Thomson Gorrie in 1922 - both living for  " three score years and ten. "

                                                 

The War Years

The families of the Gorrie brothers were as many New Zealand families in the early 1900's impacted upon by War. Both brothers each lost two sons to wars.

William and Lizzy's son Keith Gunion Gorrie died in the Boer War - ( or South African War as some refer to it now) 1900. Neither William nor Lizzy saw the loss of another son in World War One - William Gorrie in 1918. Another son - Alan Rutherford also fought in World War One.

Henry Thomson and Blanche lost both sons  in World War One -  John William AKA Jack Gorrie in 1916 and Donald Buckland Gorrie in 1917. H.T. also gave service in the Boer War as committee member of the More Men Fund and honorary treasurer with Arthur M Meyers of the Patriotic Horse Fund
                                                                ( Auckland Star, 11 January 1900, Page 2)

                                                        

Reference Source:
Sources used to compile chart

• Archives NZ Archway - The Woodstock United Gold and Silver Mining Company Ltd (R9092680) 1890 - 1895 R9092680 BADZ 5181   55 /   371 1890/3 Text
•  Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 Thames Star, 26 November 1885, Page 3  Papers Past, National Library New Zealand 
• Other 
• The Cyclopaedia of New Zealand, Vol 2, Auckland Province.  Christchurch: Cyclopaedia Company Limited, 1902. 
•  Chadwick, J. 1906. Men of Mark In the World of Sport in New Zealand. Brett Publishing Company Ltd.   Archive Internet - Men of Mark   
•  Dept. New Zealand .Mines. and P Galvin. The New Zealand mining handbook ( with maps and illustrations ). Wellington: J. Mackay, Government Printer,1906. Archive Internet - New Zealand Mining Handbook  
• Department Internal Affairs NZ, Births, Deaths, Marriages ( BDM's) 
• LOOKING BACKWARD. Northern Advocate , 18 June 1914, Page 11 
• DEATH OF MR. W. GORRIE. New Zealand Herald, 18 April 1911, Page 5 
• OBITUARY. New Zealand Herald, 6 November 1922, Page 8 
• Auckland Museum Cenotaph Database

 

 

Wharekawa Valley - Wharekawa East

Sign for Paritu  near Opoutere School in Wharekawa Valley
Photo CRB 2010 

Heading North from Whangamata one winds through part of Wharekawa Valley. Past Taungatara ( where once there was mining  up at "Luck at Last" and now still logging ). Past an old sawmill  from mid 1900's ( McGauchran the proprietor in the past ). Past the  early settlement of Paritu, Opoutere School and Tawa Tawa Hall flanked - only just - in 2014 by a Redwood Grove planted in the early 1930's.

Redwood Grove near Tawa Tawa Hall - Photo by CRB  2010

This Wharekawa, in the 19th Century, was often referred to as Wharekawa East by early European settlers, being on the Eastern Coast of the Coromandel Peninsula. This was to avoid confusion with another Wharekawa which was opposite Grahamstown on the Western side of the Firth of Thames.

Settlement in the area saw close social and cultural links with the other settlements that sprang up on the Eastern Coast of the Coromandel Peninsula – Tairua, Hikuai, Ohui, Opoutere, Paritu, Onemana, Whangamata, Otahu, Parakiwai and nearby Whiritoa.

Living and activity closely linked and inter- twined. Typical of rural New Zealand communities where farming, forestry and fishing were a part of the past. School and rugby focal points of community activity along with of course the Tawa Tawa Hall - both in Wharekawa Valley and in the neighbouring Tairua Valley  Tairua, Puketui and Hikuai  - well known names amongst the communities of the 1900's - Savage, Douglas, Durrant and McGregor and from the other valleys Watt, Patton, Morrison, Laycock, Thomson.

Redwood Forest Grove at back of Tawa Tawa Hall - photo by CRB 2010

What is known as Opoutere School today in 2014 was not always so. The original building, of what was known as Wharekawa School opening in 1908, is still down at the Youth Hostel, overlooking the dotterel colony ,on the harbour spit. The school seen today moved in 1954 to its present location.

In 2013 the Tairua Rugby Club celebrated its 125 years and Whangamata Rugby Club 50 years. Both clubs well supported by Wharekawa Valley families of the past.

 

Wharekawa Valley is the place where prolific and respected author and historian made his home at Opoutere from 1993 until his sudden death in March 2004. He wrote many books on New Zealand History  His book the Penguin History of New Zealand (2003) written at Opoutere  is said to have become a best seller, figures having reached more than 200,000. 

Today in 2012 we are reminded of Michael King’s life as an author in the Michael King Memorial reserve that bears his name in the small settlement of Opoutere, on the edges of the Wharekawa Harbour. Along with a memorial sculpture created by well-known potter Barry Brickell.

Memorial Sculpture Work by Barry Brickell -  photo by CRB 2010

If sitting in this place looking out across the waters of the Wharekawa Harbour, one of Michael King's books published in 1993 (a favorite of mine) comes to mind - "The Coromandel."

Looking at Harbour Mouth from Michael King Reserve - Photo by CRB 2010

 

Some Wharekawa Geography and Geology

 

 On  the "other stuff" I find fascinating about "living on the Coromandel" - some of the geography and geology - the stuff that gave the Wharekawa its "humps and bumps." The Wharekawa river flowed through this valley and down to what was known as the Wharekawa Estuary and out to sea. Small streams such as what is now called the Inca Stream fed into the upper reaches of the Wharekawa River.

The area is typical of that of the Coromandel Peninsula landforms, formed of volcanic activity millions of years ago leaving the landscape we have today – the Wharekawa Caldera, the razor back ridges and bluffs of the Wharekawa Valley, the coastal wetlands of the Wharekawa estuary. The andesite and rhyolite rock of the hills of the ranges which are the backdrop of the valley and estuary.

 Seems as if the “humps and bumps" of this area have made an ideal foundation for settlers of a different kind to the Wharekawa Harbour - Dotterels. These birds have made their home on the sandspit near the harbour mouth entrance joining many other sea and wading birds. 

 The Ocean Beach looking toward Ohui - Photo by JMS 1970's

 Wharekawa - a valley very much a part of the past New Zealand History.

Reference Source :

• King, Michael. The Penguin History of New Zealand. London, England: Penguin Books Ltd, 2003. 
•  Williamson, Beverley M. Whangamata - 100 Years of Change. Paeroa, New Zealand: Goldfields Print Ltd, 1988. 
•  Ohinemuri Journal http://www.ohinemuri.org.nz/journal/journal_index.htm

Majestic Kauri

Tane Mahuta

                                                      

Kauri - part of the past New Zealand history long ago. Mighty Kauri symbolic of strength and resilience – “Majesty of the Forest”.  A reminder of its size and longevity in New Zealand’s most famous Kauri “Tane Mahuta” in Waipoua Forest, said to be more than 1500 years old. Another Kauri nearby - “Te Matua Ngahere” - said to be even older estimated at between 2000 and 3000 years old.

Kauri once grew extensively Northwards from Auckland, the Coromandel Peninsula and Southwards toward a line Raglan to Tauranga.

 Juvenile Kauri - photo CRB 2009

                                                                          

The light, straight grain, durable timber of Kauri was sought for canoe, ship masts and spars, boat building, railway carriages, house and commercial buildings and furniture making. The gum of the Kauri was sought for the manufacture of paints and resins.  Some found the gum useful for sweetening the breath and as “chewing gum”.

      Kauri 309 road photo J M Stewart 1970's

                                                     

Today Kauri is a scarce resource treasured and looked after, used only for special purposes. The resilience of Kauri is seen in seedlings springing up on the forest floor and in places, Kauri rearing their majestic crowns above the forest canopy once more.  The Kauri 2000 project is seeing the reestablishment of Kauri, our “majestic tree of the forest,” in planting projects that will see it there for future generations.

Driving on the Kopu - Hikuai highway ( State Highway 25 A ) in 2014 - scenic highway opened in 1967, giving access across the range - can be seen the crowns of kauri trees raising their heads once more above the bush canopy. Near to Tairua / Pauanui off this highway is the Devcich Kauri. Said to be the ninth largest kauri left on the Coromandel Peninsula it is said to measure Girth 10.54 m (34.5'), trunk height 12.55 m (41'), total height 46.5 m (152.5').

Kauri Forest Waitakerei

In The Cyclopaedia of New Zealand, Vol 2, Auckland Province.

Christchurch: Cyclopaedia Company Limited, 1902

DEFIANCE

Defiant, stood, the Kauri tall, Defiant, against other's  plan.
But, for, a ship's mast and sail,
 The Kauri , fell, at their hand.
 Defiant, lay, the Kauri seed, Defiant, against, other's  toil.
 To overcome,  waste and greed
 Put, new roots down, into the soil. 
 Defiant, grew, the Kauri shoot, Defiant, not, to disappear.
 By sharp, axe and heavy, boot, 
Instead, its crown, it did rear.
 Defiant, grew, the Kauri tree, In spite, of plans, of others
 This, is the way, things will be. 
For the Kauri, is part, of Nature's Plan

Poem by ASB 

Taken from the supplement to the Auckland Weekly News 24 JUNE 1909 p007 FINE SPECIMENS OF THE KAURI TREE ON THE ROAD TO NEAVESVILLE. THAMES, AUCKLAND,  N.Z. Courtesy Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19090624-7-2