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NEWSLETTER
June/July 2012

On vacating the Chair:
I would like to thank you all for the honour of electing me to be President these last 3 years.  As those at the AGM heard I made the decision to not stand because of priorities with a busy job and raising a young family.  My interest in local history has not diminished.  In the two weeks since Ray took office (again) I have been somewhat envious of the time and energy that he has been able to put into the Society’s affairs; time that I could not possibly match with a full time job.  For better or worse though you have not seen the last of me!  As a newly elected Vice President I will be as interested as ever in our Society. 
At Birkenhead history does not stand still; we make our own story!
Brian Potter

Greetings,
I do hope you are all well and enjoying the cold mornings we have been having recently. So pleased I no longer deliver milk around Birkdale, this would have been late 1960’s. I remember how the tokens were frozen in the bottles and we used to wait until they thawed out to empty them.

We have been stocktaking at the Museum and have made a lot of progress.
The Parlour, Hall, and most of the bedroom are completed and I am grateful for the help from Thomas Cotter, Anne Farrington and Mavis Throll. It is amazing how much we have collected and have been donated in the years since we opened the Museum.
                                              
Remember - Stories Day is 16th June at St Andrews Church Hinemoa Street, Birkenhead at 2pm so I hope you have all been busy writing your tales of “olden times”.  There will be a list for you to add your name to for our next bus trip to Dargaville and  we have also invited Glenfield  and North Shore Historic Society members to come along as we need to fill the coach to keep the cost down.  It should be an interesting day so I do hope you can come.

Kind regards and best wishes
RAY JOHANSON
President

What’s in a Name?
Brian Potter
Well, when it comes to street names, it seems quite a lot.  Members will be interested in the evolution of names of some our oldest streets.  It is well known that many streets had name changes in February 1967, which was intended to reduce street name duplication across Auckland to prepare for the introduction of the 111 emergency service.  What is lost in the mists of time is another mass street name change, adopted by the Birkenhead Borough Council in August 1912.  It is interesting to compare the original name with the 1912 changes, the 1967 changes, and today’s name:

(Names only changed in 1967 not shown)
The good folks of Birkdale were clearly dissatisfied with some of the changes for in 1913 the Council received a petition seeking the restoration of Birkdale Rd and Pine Ave.  The Council agreed to Birkdale Road; Pine Ave remained Puriri Rd.  Another benefit of this exercise has been locating Baden-Powell Rd, whose location puzzled Glad Durham.  From the Council Finance report of April 1913 we can place the mystery location at either Kiwi or Rangitira Rd (pre-1967 names).

SNIPPETS OF LIFE IN BIRKENHEAD AND BIRKDALE
From Past Papers Website

17 August 1893
BURGLARY AT BIRKENHEAD
Last night at Birkenhead the residence of Captain Poole (the master of one of the Devonport Ferry Company’s steamers), was entered by burglars, who decamped with £17 in money.

16 April 1900
BIRKENHEAD V. OTAHUHU
This match was played at Birkenhead on Good Friday, and resulted in a win for Birkenhead by 64 runs. The following are the scores: - Otahuhu, 1st innings 20 (Waddell, 11, not out). Bowling for Birkenhead, A. Riddell 5 wickets for 8, Stewart 4 for 11. Birkenhead 1st innings, 33 (Low, 9). Otahuhu 2nd innings, 13 (Grey 6). Bowling for Birkenhead, Jas. McPhail took 6 wickets for 1 run and G Riddell 2 for 12. Birkenhead, 2nd innings, 61 (Stewart 18, Osmond 16). The lady supporters of the Birkenhead Club supplied both lunch and afternoon tea, which was greatly appreciated by both players and spectators.

3 June 1902
STRAY CATTLE AT Birkenhead
(To the Editor.)                                
Sir, - Would you kindly allow me space in your valuable paper. Some time ago a by-law was passed by the Birkenhead Council prohibiting persons from cycling on the roads. But I notice cattle are allowed to roam about wherever they like, while the poor cyclist has to abide by the law. Now, there have been several complaints made about the cattle, and yet no action has been taken against the owners. Why? Should one be favoured more than the other. – I am, etc.,
ONE WHO LIKES TO SEE FAIR PLAY

26 September 1908
SMALL WHARVES IN THE HARBOUR
A discussion took place at the meeting of the committee of the Harbour Board yesterday afternoon with regard to the provision of small wharves in the harbour for the convenience of settlers. The matter was raised owing to petitions being received for repairs to the Hellyer’s Creek wharf and also for the erection of a wharf at Birkdale
Mr Napier strongly advocated repairs to the Hellyer’s Creek , and said that a small wharf could be erected at Birkdale for about £150. There should be a wharf at every point.
Mr H Bradney said that Hellyer’s Creek Wharf was originally, as was also the Hellier’s Bay one, to put up the values of certain land held by a company; he believed it was call the Suburban Land Company, or something like that. The wharf at Hellyers Creek was built right across a tidal creek and was very hard for a vessel to work. It had been running there for 17 years, and the average takings were not more than 2/6 per week, and there was no road to it.
Mr Keyes: “Pardon there is a road.”
Mr Bradney: “Like the Valley of Eden; it is on paper only. I could not find it.”
Mr Keys said that Birkdale was where the wharf was wanted as this was the centre of a fruit-growing industry.
Mr J. B. Macfarlane: “It’s getting better weather now, and we should have a trip to see some of these place.”
The matter was according deferred to enable the Board to visit the places.

22 April 1913
The ceremony of turning on the water in connection with the installation of the supply for Birkenhead will be performed at 1 o’clock on Saturday next, April 26, by the Mayor of Birkenhead (Mr. Wm. Wallace) at the new pumping station, Lake Takapuna. The members of the Birkenhead Council will also be present, and at 3 o’clock there will be a display at Highbury, after which the Council will entertain the ratepayers at afternoon tea in the Forester’s Hall.

23 March 1926
CAR GOES OVER BANK A BIRKDALE MISHAP.
Hairbreadth escapes from a serious injuries at Birkdale was the lot of a motor car party of five ladies and two men from Devonport on Sunday afternoon.
When the car was proceeding through the cutting in the hill towards Puriri Road Birkdale, it commenced to go backwards, and ran over the edge of the bank, turning over twice before reaching the bottom. Here it landed on the post of a fence, which penetrated the car near the driver’s footboard. However, when after one or two checks it was finally landed back on to the road it was able to move home under its own power in spite of a battered appearance.
Most of the occupants jumped out when the car started to run back, and so escaped any serious injuries. Miss Harris, a Training College student from Hamilton, who received cuts and abrasions to her left shoulder and arm, was attended by Dr. Mickle. The lady driver received a shock, but declined medical attention. The wheel of the car ran over the leg of another lady, and the bonnet of the car striking another on the head, stunned her.

COMING EVENTS

16 June, 2pm at St Andrews, Hinemoa Street, Birkenhead – Stories Day. 
It’s time to sharpen pencils and compose your stories for your story is part of our history.
Looking forward to catching up you at these events.

21 July 2012
 TRIP TO DARGAVILLE
COST:   $40 per person includes Museum entry.
The Coach leaves 8.30am at Birkenhead College, 9am at the Museum. We hope to return by 5.30 but it does depend on traffic, yes, we will have a pit stop on the way. Great trip not to be missed, however be in quick as other Historic Societies have asked to be included on this trip so don’t leave it to late otherwise you may miss out. To book call Betty Durham 4837545

Thank you to those who have supplied an email address for us to send the newsletters to. If anyone else would like to receive the newsletter electronically please don’t hesitate to contact us with your email address.  
          
President - Ray Johanson                         Ph  483 7160                          Email flo.ray@xtra.co.nz
Vice President - Brian Potter                     Ph  483 3400                          Email brian.potter@xtra.co.nzVice President – Tom Cotter                      Ph  483 8132                          Email apps@clear.net.nz