Heritage | Early Settlers - The Reid Brothers |
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1869 - Reid Brothers Buy Motutapu
In 1869, the Union Bank pressed Robert Graham to reduce his overdraft. To comply with the banks request he sold Motutapu to the Reid brothers then based in Australia. The Reid boys came from a very old family of farmers from Lanarkshire near Glasgow, in Scotland. There was William and his younger siblings James and John were twins, born at Hayston,Campsie, Stirlingshire in 1837. There were five sons, Walter died as an infant and the eldest brother Thomas remained on the family estates in Scotland. He had no children.
In 1865, John and James left Scotland for Melbourne, Australia. James entered a sheep farming venture on the Mallee Plains with a partner having no capital but a good knowledge of sheep farming. James provided the money but after 18 months realised it had cost him a great deal. John took up a sheep run in Queensland but following a three year drought he decided to try for a more suitable climate. Elder brother William had subsequently arrived in Melbourne
William and James journeyed on horseback from Melbourne to Queensland in search of land. On the arduous thousand mile trip the two brothers suffered from hunger and thirst and were unsuccesful in their search for suitable farm land.They met up with John and made arrangements to travel to New Zealand.
They arrived in Auckland in Jan 1869 on the Lord Ashley and attempted to buy Motutapu Island but were unsuccessful. The brothers then journeyed to Nelson in search of land. Still finding nothing suitable they returned to Melbourne. Not long after their arrival, they received notice from Robert Graham of Motutapu that the island was back on the market. The Reids returned to Auckland in Aug 1869 on the Alice Cameron and quickly took possession of the Motutapu farm setting about clearing the ti-tree (manuka), scrub and building fencing using Maori labour from Waiheke. The land eventually carried some 5000 sheep up to 4000 cattle as well as 50-60 horses. The island abounded with fallow deer (although See Peg Looman's comment below), wallabies, emus, buffaloes, land birds and water fowl many of which had been earlier introduced by Robert Graham. The Reid brothers continued to stock the island with deer and many invitations to visit Motutapu also included permission to shoot deer and other game. At times there were up to 1000 head of deer although the regular shooting parties tended to keep numbers manageable. James bought fallow deer in from the Kaipara Heads and red deer from Windsor Park, England. He was a very intimate friend of Governor George Grey who had bought Kawau island around the same time the Reids bought Motutapu. Together they imported wallabies from New South Wales (Peg Loomans, wife of James Reid's grandson Jim Loomans, says it is likely, though not definite, that the deer came from the Reid properties in Scotland still occupied by eldest brother Thomas Reid at that time. Jim Loomans believes James Reid supplied the fallow deer to Kaipara Heads, not the other way around. An Auckland Star article of 1st Feb 1894 mentions the pest that the deer had become. It has always been acknowledged by the Reid family that they introduced the deer, not Graham. It was also a decision which they obviously came to regret) - Peg Loomans 25 April 2010 James attempted to set up a venison export business to Australia but the venture failed for want of refridgeration. In 1894 there were 6000 sheep, 400 cattle, 100 horses, 40 emus and 11 ostriches as well as numerous other poultry. The poultry won numerous prizes, some of these trophies remain in the possession of the Loomans family (Peg Loomans April 2010). William Reid died tragically at the Emu Bay Homestead, Motutapu, in 1870 aged 40. He was unmarried. John died on a trip in the South Seas in 1899 on the Union Steamship SS Waikare in 1897 between Apia and Levuka. He had earlier returned to Scotland in 1897 on the occasion of the death in Scotland of the eldest brother, Thomas. Flags were flown at half mast in Auckland when news arrived via the Union Steam Ship Company. Both John and James were both very popular, very congenial hosts to their frequent island guests. The photo above, from his obituary published in the Weekly News, 11 Aug 1899, was taken on the eve of his departure. He was 62. John, whose residence was at Home Bay, had remained a bachelor all his life. Twin brother James was also a bachelor and lived at the original homestead at Emu Bay - a walk of two miles from Home Bay.
James Reid’s marriage to Eliza Jane Craig
Mr. John Craig was a resident on the island. He took up position of manager on Motutapu probably in the early 1890’s. He was assisted by his wife Elizabeth and children Andrew, Eliza Jane, Christina and Isabella. Two other sons were both to die young. Elizabeth was Elizabeth Trotter. She had arrived in Auckland with her brother John in 1876 having come from Scotland via Tasmania. Her eldest brother Alexander had come to New Zealand in the early 1870's. John Craig died in Auckland in 1920, wife Elizabeth was tragically killed in 1927 after being knocked down by a car after she alighted from a tram in Auckland. The Reid descendants believe this was Auckland's first fatal car accident (Peg Loomans April 2010). the first Son Andrew stayed on at the Motutapu farm into the early 1930's. In the early 1900’s when James was in his mid 60’s, he married Eliza Jane Craig (aged 20) and they had two daughters (in 1901 James had moved to Home Bay and built the Reid Homestead).
Helen Elizabeth ('Nell') was five years old and her sister Florence Jean, known as Jean, was just two years old when their father died on the island, following a short illness, aged 71 in 1908.
His obituary in a local newspaper described him as ‘a man of wide personal popularity for his graceful and unstinted hospitality’ Visitors were welcomed with true courtesy and the island of Motutapu has long been a favourite spot with holiday makers and picnickers.’ James was originally buried in Remuera. 12 months after his death, with government permission, he was disinterred and finally laid to rest atop Monument Hill overlooking Home Bay. This was the spot where he had expressed the wish to be buried.
Home Bay Oddfellows Lodge Premier Picnics
Many firms and organizations made annual outings to Motutapu in the early 1900’s, including members of the New Zealand and Australian Natives Association and employees of the Electric Tramway Company.
The most important occasions were undoubtedly the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows Premier picnics, which were held in February each year. (Interestingly, the Auckland Star in an article dated May 1971, stated that over 60 years ago 'there were only one of two places to be in Auckland on News Year's Day - the horse races or Home Bay, Motutapu for the Oddfellows Lodge Premier picnic...'). New Year's Day or a day in February? probably doesn't really matter...Ed People came by train from Hamilton and from as far away as Taumarunui. Ferries ran special trips from Paeroa, Warkworth and Thames. Excursionists came from Auckland in every kind of steam ferry or tug available. Ten steamers were engaged for the Premier Picnic in 1903, transporting some 12000 to 14000 people. Marquees were erected at Home Bay along with sideshows and swings. This is a remarkable gathering when one considers that the population of Auckland City at the time was around 100,000. The Weekly News dated 17 Feb 1899 gives front page coverage and photos of the picnic which celebrated the 55th anniversary of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows. The writer describes 'picnickers as far as the eye can see'. The Newton Brass Band and the Highland Pipes kept the crowds entertained. Races included 120yd, 150yd with events for the under 14's and old members races (over 50's). There were useful cash prizes of 3 pounds for 1st, 1 pound for 2nd and 10 shillings for 3rd place getters. Tug of war contests were held with teams of 10 men and there were donkey rides for the little ones. The last steamers got back inot Auckland at 10.00pm. Eliza Reid After Jame’s death, Eliza remained on the island and maintained an interest in running the farm. Helen and Florence Reid had lessons from a governess in a schoolroom near the home bay homestead. It was also used as a temporary school for children of the farm staff, a defence installation and later a quarantine station.
In 1935, the Crown commenced negotiations with Eliza and the Trustees of the Reid estate to purchase 41 acres of the island plus right of ways for the construction of a fortress and associated military buildings. The purchase consideration as follows:
All Trustees signed except for James Scott Johnston, an old friend of James Reid. Johnston contended that selling the acreage to the military would ruin the island as a farming property and suggested 5000 pounds would be a more acceptable consideration. He believed Eliza was selling her daughter's inheritance short. The original 20 page deed of sale dated 20/7/35 shows that Johnston never signed but the sale went through nonetheless. Refer the 1943 entry on European Settlement Timeline for the Crown's subsequent purchase of all but 0.5 acres of the island. Eliza took an active interest in war work, being a member of both the Victoria League and the Overseas League, as well as a convenor of the War Work Centre of the Lyceum Club. She was awarded the Coronation medal in 1937. Eliza died unexpectedly after an operation in Auckland aged 62, Nov 1942, and is buried on Motutapu, behind her husband James on Monument Hill. There are a number of beautifully handwrtten letters from Eliza on file at Auckland Archives. Most of these letters are complaints to the military authorities about rubbish being left on Home Bay, noxious weeds not being cleared as promised and asking reasons why the phone connection was delayed. There are also letters where she asks for compensation for horses and cattle that had to be destroyed following injury caused by cattle stops installed by the army.
Both the Reid girls married dutchmen. Helen Elizabeth Reid married Johannes Buining, a retired officer of the Dutch Mercantile Marine. They settled in Beverwyjk, Holland but later moved to Scotland and eventually to Auckland. On Anniversay weekend 2010, in the company of descendants and relations gatered from all corners of the globe, the ashes of Jean Reid Loomans and Hendrikus (Harry) Loomans were buried on Monument Hill alongside the graves of James and Eliza Reid. The burial sites on Monument Hill consitute the only privately owned land on Motutapu. The Loomans Family Trust owns the small parcel of 0.5 hectares
The following article is reproduced by kind permission of the New Zealand Electronic Text Centre, The Cyclopedia of New Zealand (Auckland Provincial District). The original article can be viewed here: http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc02Cycl-t1-body1-d1-d64-d9.html
Motutapu Island A fascinating insight into turn of the century early European settlement on the island. The article written and published in 1900 when James Reid was living as a bachelor in his homestead at Emu Bay, prior to building at Home Bay This arcadian island, which is situated in the Hauraki Gulf within a few miles of Auckland, is one of the most lovely of the many beautiful islands which dot the seascape, and add such attraction to the Auckland Harbour. Motutapu lies adjacent to the island of Rangitoto, from which it is separated at high water by a narrow channel, but at low water it adjoins that island. It comprises 3700 acres of the most fertile soil, and is indented with bays, accessible at all states of the tide. The best known of them is Home Bay, which possesses a fine jetty, at which steamers of large size can lie in perfect safety in all weathers.
The island is beautifully diversified by hill and dale, and dotted with fine clumps of English trees and fringed on the sea border by the romantic pohutakawa or Christmas tree of New Zealand. Motutapu is a perfect paradise to the lovers of sport, as it abounds with fallow deer, wallabies, emus, buffaloes, land birds and water fowl, dear to the sportsman's heart. Rock oysters are plentiful on the shores of the island, and the sea teems with the most delicious fish. Sheltered from the prevailing cold south-west winds by the venerable Rangitoto, crowned with his crater cone, towering 900 feet above sea level, and seemingly placed as a sentinel to guard the Waitemata, Motutapu possesses an exquisite climate seldom disturbed by boisterous winds or other elemental roysterers.
Motutapu is indeed happily named, for, in the Maori language, the word means the Sacred Island. There, too, the sacred rites of hospitality are observed by Mr. James Reid, the owner of the island, with a liberality so distinguished that his name is held in the highest respect by every individual in Auckland, and by large numbers of world tourists, who, on their visit to Auckland, experience the unaffected graciousness with which Mr. Reid fulfils the duties of host and master in his island kingdom. An invitation to visit the island is easily obtained from Mr. Reid, who is good nature personified, and the invitation often carries permission to shoot deer and other game. Various societies in Auckland have long held their annual picnics at Home Bay, as permission to do this has always been courteously granted by Mr. Reid. The homestead, situated at Emu Bay, is an ideal home, sheltered in a charming nook; it is surrounded by tree-dotted hills, and is easily approached by a walk of two miles from Home Bay, where the jetty is situated. In addition to the large number of game it carries for its owner, Motutapu depastures between 4000 and 5000 sheep, 300 head of well bred cattle, and about fifty horses, and these are all eagerly sought after by buyers.
Communication with Auckland is most convenient, as steamboats ply several times a week between the city and the island. Motutapu was originally purchased by the late Mr. Robert Graham, who, in 1869, disposed of his interest of several hundred acres to Messrs Reid Bros., and the remaining portion was purchased at the same time from the Messrs Maxwell Bros., who were part owners. The island was then in its native state, but the energy of Messrs Reid Bros. soon converted the ti-tree and scrub covered hills to a fertile pastoral paradise.
Mr. James Reid, Proprietor of Motutapu, the youngest and surviving brother of Messrs Reid Bros., and twin brother to the late Mr. John Reid, who died from the effects of blood poisoning on a trip to the South Sea Islands, was born at Hayston, Campsie, Stirlingshire, Scotland, in 1837. On the completion of his education, which took a comparatively short time, and after gaining some first prizes in the various branches of school work, he started farming with his brother, who gave him an excellent training. He then left Scotland, in 1865, for Melbourne.
His first colonial experience was on the Murrumbidgee, where Mr. Reid determined to go in for sheep farming. He took a partner, who possessed nothing but a great knowledge of sheep, Mr. Reid supplying the other indispensable requisite—money. The partners purchased the Pine Plain station, on the Mallce Plains. It carried about 12,000 sheep, which were unfortunately scabby, but Mr. Reid cured them in a few months. He remained at Pine Plain for one year and a half, when he found that he had gained colonial experience to the tune of the loss of £3500. Then he disposed of his interest in the station, and joined his elder brother, the late Mr. William Reid, who had arrived in Australia two years after Mr. James Reid, on a journey of discovery to Queensland.
The two brothers travelled on horseback for over 1000 miles, and suffered extreme hardships from both hunger and thirst. They saw no properties that pleased or suited them, and they then determined to visit New Zealand on a tour of inspection. Messrs William, John, and James Reid reached Auckland in 1869, and tried to buy Motutapu, but could not come to terms with the then owners. They then went to Nelson, but, seeing nothing there to suit them, returned to Melbourne. Very shortly after their arrival they received a letter from the owners of Motutapu, offering terms which Messrs Reid Brothers accepted, and they then returned to Auckland. The brothers immediately set to work clearing and fencing, and their labours resulted in making Motutapu an island elysium. Messrs William and John Reid are both dead, and Mr. James Reid, the youngest and surviving brother, honourably sustains the reputation of the lairds of Motutapu for graceful and unstinted hospitality. Mr. Reid has never had the opportunity of taking part in the political and general affairs of the day, as most of his time is devoted to beautifying and improving his ideal island home. On the 22nd of April, 1901, in recognition of his continued extreme kindness to the Oddfellows, he was made an honorary life member of that body.
Mr. John Craig, Manager of Motutapu, has occupied the position for about ten years. He is a gentleman in whom Mr. Reid reposes the greatest confidence, and he looks after the general management of the property. Mrs Craig and Miss Craig, whose extreme kindness is known and appreciated by the numerous visitors to the island, ably help Mr. Reid in discharging his duties as a hospitable host.
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