22 minute read
North Shore History: David Verran
Map 3404 courtesy of Auckland Libraries Heritage Collection; dated February 1899, note that significant parts of Devonport hadn't yet been developed.
Auckland Council archival databases By David Verran
As well as volunteering at Birkenhead and Devonport Museums, and writing this column, I also volunteer at Auckland Council Archives. Specifically, the latter involves the transcribing, or checking previous transcribing, of various former Council’s rate books and War Memorial rolls. I have just finished working on the Devonport Borough rate book for 1900/1901, and starting that for 1901/1902. In 1901 Devonport Borough had 3,823 residents (1799 male and 2024 females) living in 730 houses.
Rates were paid on various parcels of unoccupied land, or land and houses where appropriate, but also on land and shops or stables, along with enterprises such as workrooms, bakeries and even a timber yard. All those paying rates at that time are named and nearly every entry has readily identifiable details as to the land block and allotments, with all having their rateable value as at that time, along with how much was paid in that year, by whom and when. What is notable for that time is that there were a number of women listed as owners: widows, wives and the unmarried.
What is also interesting is the accumulation of land by certain families. By the early 1900s, Ewen and Alexander Alison were being described as the owners of the largest amount of property in Devonport Borough. In fact, for the financial year ending March 1898, the Alison family along with their Devonport Steam Ferry Company accounted for around 5% of the total rate income for the Borough. However, one third of the 5% came at that time from Devonport team Ferry Company land leased to the Takapuna Jockey Club (its chairman was Ewen Alison). The Jockey Club was on the land where the Waitemata Golf Club now is.
Also at that time, the Devonport Steam Ferry Company leased land from the Auckland Harbour Board along the Devonport foreshore, along with land for a coal shed and workshop as well as leasing land from the Board on the city side. I retrieved these land ownership details from the online Devonport Borough valuation rolls, which cover 1887 to 1898.
The Council website makes available databases for Borough Council rate books as well. For the North Shore area these are: Birkenhead for 1912 to 1914, Northcote for 1910 to 1919 and Takapuna for 1926 to 1927. These are taken from the earliest held for each borough, and there is also an online Birkenhead Borough valuation roll for 1913 to 1914.
When researching the development of Takapuna’s Tennyson Avenue and generally the Esmonde Road area, I have particularly found the Takapuna Borough Council building permit register from 1913 to 1950 very useful in determining the growth of that area. There is also a list of Takapuna and Milford beach frontage property owners for 1916.
As well as this there are four local Rolls of Honour or War Memorial indexes, for Birkenhead (at the War Memorial Park), Northcote (at the Rodney Road War Memorial Hall), Takapuna (at the War Memorial at Number 1 The Strand) and Devonport (on the local War Memorial).
The databases also include a Waitemata County Council bridge register covering from 1890 to 1940, along with that County’s wine licensing applications for 1916 to 1934. Both those databases include the East Coast Bays and Glenfield and other parts of the North Shore outside of borough boundaries. There is also a database for Devonport Borough Council wage worker pay records from 1916 to 1924.
Also, if you want to see if there are any no-longer-current Council documents or files at Auckland Council Archives, whether from the old Rodney and Franklin District Councils, North Shore, Waitakere, Auckland, Manukau and Papakura Cities, and the old Auckland Regional Council, you go to ‘Search the Archives – Auckland Council’ at the Council website and ‘Search the archives database online’.
An automated pool cover for swimming all year round!
Overseas holidays are out, but you can still invest in an automatic cover from Covers4Pools to turn your pool into your own resort pool – right through the year.
A swimming pool spells summer fun for everyone – and after the year we’ve had you will want to use it to its maximum this summer. Installing an automatic pool cover makes things super easy: maintaining, keeping it warm, clean and affordable.
Covers4Pools is a family business, run by Charles, Paulene and Shayne Olliver. They offer one of the most extensive range of automated pool covers in New Zealand, being the sole distributor for the internationally popular Coverstar Eclipse brand.
“Coverstar Eclipse covers can take the weight of an average sized person, offering complete peace of mind that your family is always safe around your pool,” says company manager Charles Olliver.
“Our new ‘Roll Out Roll Under Slatted Cover’ has quickly become a big seller for us. These covers feature a polycarbonate profile that actually heats the pool via the sun’s rays throughout the summer months and retains heat during the colder months, therefore extending your swimming season and substantially reducing your heating costs. We are proud to assemble these covers here in New Zealand.” Charles explains that automated covers also play a big part in reducing cleaning and maintenance by keeping unwanted items out of the pool. “They really are a game-changer. Our advanced covers keep dirt and leaves out of the pool and also eliminate up to 90% of evaporation. This avoids wasting thousands of litres of water and reduces chemical use by up to 70%.” Covers4Pools has good stocks of both Coverstar Eclipse Covers and Roll Out Roll Under Slatted Covers so will have one to suit your pool. They will come to your property and do a free measure and quote and provide advice on the best solution for your requirements. Do it today!
Contact Charles, Paulene or Shayne today. They will make it very easy and affordable. Phone 09-426-0625, email sales@autopoolcovers.co.nz or visit www.covers4pools.co.nz
LC Designer Homes - top three questions
LC Designer Homes is a boutique residential design and build company, delivering unique bespoke new homes on the North Shore. Established in 2009 as Leonard Construction, the company is led by husband-and-wife team, Adam, a third-generation Carpenter and Michelle, an Architectural Designer.
Talking to new clients on a weekly basis, it’s clear there are questions everyone wants the answers to. Here’s our top three and the answers to help.
Michelle and Adam.
Can I change my downstairs to a granny flat or a rental space?
Many families are wanting to reap some reward from their large family homes when children start to move out, whilst also thinking about the future where potential older family members might move in. Using the ‘downstairs’ which often already has large spaces and plumbing seems the logical step.
Auckland’s Unitary Plan zones the majority of the North Shore as mixed housing suburban, which doesn’t allow minor dwellings. Instead it permits a second or third dwelling, which is a march larger project including new services, own metering, extensive fire and acoustic rating etc... all of which can start to make the project cost prohibitive.
I am building a new home, how are you different to a group home?
Everything we do for our clients is unique. No stock plans, no stock fixtures, specific architectural features, stand out kitchens, everything is optional and down to personal taste and preference! This means we have to get to know our clients really well and what they want out of their home early on for both design and functionality. Hence, allowing clients to have their input and influence from the start and spending more time making decisions and being more involved, resulting in each home being special. We are a small team and enjoy that very personal journey each client goes through.
How much will it cost; can you give me a ball park?
We can, in the same way that you would struggle to give us a ball park for our weekly grocery shopping. It’s crystal ball gazing and not useful as a place to make decisions from as there are so many unknowns. If you want a good basis to move forward with your home, invest some time in putting together a brief so we can put together a concept. Once we have a clearer picture of what we could be building, we can start to look at what it might cost. Changing the unknowns into knowns is the only way of truly understanding costs.
These are our top three, if you have others, get in touch and we will do our honest best to answer them in a useful way so you can start creating your dream home.
Top tips from Amanda Graham, Newhaven Gardens. North Shore Hedge Trimming, Garden Tidy Ups, Planting, Pruning and Garden Maintenance.
Preparing for Spring
Amanda Graham.
August is a great month to get ahead before the spring rush and make sure your garden is in tip top condition.
Now is a great time to really get stuck into the weeds. Make sure to pull out the whole of the weeds including roots. Many common weeds such as tradescantia can grow back from the smallest sliver left in the ground. Weeds like oxalis are even more of a pain; if you try to pull them out, you actually release a cluster of smaller bulbs which surround the base, and so removing one can result in a dozen fresh weeds in its place. Instead you can snip the stalk close to the ground – this doesn’t kill the oxalis but starves it of energy so it will grow back weaker, each time. For larger areas ‘Death to Oxalis’ spray does a similar job by burning the leaves, or if you’re not using the bed for a while you can also cover with black plastic.
For long term weed control, and for optimal soil health, the best defense is a nice deep layer of mulch. It won’t eradicate weeds completely, but it will make a huge difference. Once your weeds are under control, its a good time to clean up your plants, removing any damaged and browned leaves, and checking for signs of pests or diseases.
If your roses are prone to disease it's a good idea to spray with copper a couple of times over winter as a preventative measure. Similarly, if you struggle with pests in the warmer months, now is a good time to start adding Neem granules to the soil, adding every month through to summer to build up resistance in the plants.
If you haven’t already, there’s still time to prune roses, hydrangea and other shrubs. It’s also a good idea to check staked shrubs and trees – are the stakes still needed or is the tree rooted in place? If stakes are still needed, make sure they’re securely in the ground and the ties are not too tight and digging into the bark as the tree grows.
Amanda Graham Newhaven Gardens Ltd Ph: 021 378969 amanda@newhavengardens.co.nz www.newhavengardens.co.nz
Future proof your kitchen
Think about the long term – your new kitchen should be designed to outlive current fads and trends, and built to withstand the rigours of family life.
We all love our kitchens, and so we should. Without overstating their role in our lives, the kitchen is the single most important room in the home, not only helping to nourish us on a daily basis, but also acting as the social hub of the family and the focal point of activity when entertaining. It’s no surprise, therefore, that when it comes to replacing it, we spend an inordinate amount of time on our devices researching, long evenings sitting on the sofa buried in brochures and magazines, and countless lost weekends in the car driving to every conceivable showroom, poring over everything from taps to tiles, and sinks to splashbacks.
However, over and above the mammoth task of whittling down the myriad options of its constituent parts, the fundamental decision you have to get right is settling on a kitchen design that’s going to work well for you and your family. Without good design, everything else is just a collection of stuff, says Kitchens By Design’s Richard Cripps. And he’s right.
“Your kitchen is going to outlive any trends that are currently floating around, so you need to think carefully about that. Don’t get too caught up in trends that are happening right now,” he says. “Focus on the design. Design is your single-most important consideration. Get the design right and everything else will usually fall into place – so it’s vitally important to engage a designer who fully understands your specific circumstances.” At its Takapuna-based showroom, Kitchens By Design has three qualified and certified designers who not only have the relevant skills and experience in designing kitchens, but also have a current and comprehensive knowledge of products, hardware and materials. “Classic design lines, whether they’re traditional or modern, will stand the test of time,” says Cripps. “That doesn’t necessarily mean you have to go with an uninteresting or boring design – just be mindful that you’ll probably be looking at your new kitchen every day for the next 15 years. If you want to have a bit of fun with the design and the colour, choose parts of the kitchen that can easily be changed out in years to come – pendant lighting, tapware, drawer and cupboard handles, etc – but at the same time choose carefully the big ticket items, such as your benchtops and cabinetry style. "No matter what stage of life you’re at – a young couple with no kids yet, forty-somethings with a couple of teenagers in tow, or empty nesters contemplating retirement – things are going to change. So, when you’re weighing up the wants and needs for your new kitchen, don’t get too bogged down agonising over the latest appliances, benchtop materials or fancy tiles, go and talk to a qualified designer who will help to future-proof your kitchen for what life will look like at the end of the next decade."
If you are thinking about putting in a new kitchen, give one of the team at Kitchens By Design a call, or pop into their showroom at 3 Byron Ave, Takapuna (09) 379 3084. And for inspiration, take a look at their website at www.kitchensbydesign.co.nz
This month at SHORE CITY
NEW COUNTRY ROAD TAKAPUNA STORE REOPENS WITH A RANGE FOR KIDS
It’s exciting times at Shore City with the reopening of the Country Road store after weeks of transformation.
The newly renovated space has been designed to create a sense of community and inspire modern living at every touch point. The new store includes many new features such as carpet crafted from recycled fishing nets, parquetry flooring reclaimed from old buildings, fitting room hooks revitalised from ocean plastic and fitting room stools handcarved from solid teak.
As part of the refresh, the completely transformed store will house Country Road’s Child range for the first time, alongside its existing range of Woman, Man and Home. Head into Country Road in Shore City for the totally new store experience.
Country Road Takapuna – Level 2, Shore City Shopping Centre, Open 7 Days from 9am.
WELLNESS EXPERTISE 50 YEARS IN THE MAKING AT LIFE PHARMACY IN SHORE CITY
Channel Mag readers seeking assistance with wellness during these colder months should get along to see Shariar Jaber and his team at Life Pharmacy Takapuna in Shore City. Serving the community with the personal touch is something the Shore City pharmacy has been doing for 50 years.
"Prevention is really the best cure,” explained Shariar when we popped in to see him in mid-July. “Staying active, washing hands frequently, making sure you are hydrated and ensuring you are vaccinated are four key points. We can help with such things as multi-vitamins. Vitamins C and D are very important and zinc is good for the immune system as well. We recommend 1000mg of vitamin C daily with an increase to 2000mg if you are feeling unwell."
Life Pharmacy Takapuna stocks no less than three vitamin C sachet options, with all three supplied by local North Shore businesses to satisfy those who are keen to support local. Shariar says these are the best ways of delivering Vitamin C and other nutrients as they are easily absorbed by the gastro intestinal tract. Shariar Jaber.
“Daily use of these vitamin C sachet products supports the immune system, encourages a healthy nervous system, increases energy levels and vitality, supports iron absorption, helps support cells from oxidative stress and also supports collagen production for the normal function of bones, teeth, skin, gums, cartilage and blood vessels.”
Life Pharmacy in Shore City is a big store with everything you need from a pharmacy and more. But Shariar Jaber see’s their role as more than just transactional. It’s a relationship with personal service and advice.
Life Pharmacy Takapuna – Level 2, Shore City Shopping Centre, Open 7 Days from 9am.
WELLNESS WEEK AT SHORE CITY, AUGUST 9TH TO 15TH
Shore City will have a focus on wellness during this week in August. There will be a focus around energy, boosting immune systems, healthy eating, addressing tiredness, nourishing the gut, coping with stress and achieving better quality sleep.
A key event during the week will be a presentation by qualified nutritionist and best-selling author Claire Turnbull at 2pm on the Sunday, 15th. Claire will be talking about ways you can double your energy and boost your immune system. She is passionate about making it easier to create a healthier life. Claire has been working in the health and wellness industry for over 16 years and regularly features on Breakfast TV, Fair Go, Seven Sharp, and Newstalk ZB sharing her thoughts on wellbeing.
There will also be Les Mills demonstrations and a Zen Zone set up on Level One which will include free massages and health drink tastings throughout the week. There’ll also be a range of wellness promotions happening throughout the Centre.
To find out more about Wellness Week and book tickets for Claire Turnbull’s presentation visit: www.shore-city.co.nz/wellnessweek21
Lexus of North Shore opens new ‘five-star’ home
Hot on the heels of founder Bob Jago’s induction into the prestigious North Harbour Business Hall of Fame, Lexus of North Shore is taking its commitment to excellence to an entirely new level with the completion of an amazing new showroom on Link Drive. The Lexus of North Shore team are ready for local lovers of high-end motor vehicles to come and experience the elevated ‘five-star hotel’ level of comfort, quality and service that now exists at the site
“The Lexus ethos is all about the passionate pursuit of perfection and this has been totally applied to our new Lexus of North Shore showroom,” explains CEO Mark Jago. “The project was completed in late July and we are absolutely thrilled with the result. We have created a warm and comforting new dealership with a customer lounge we reckon you’ll never want to leave. The quality is indeed like a five-star hotel. We are inviting those who appreciate fine motor vehicles and the pursuit of luxury to come and experience this wonderful new facility during August.”
The Jago family have a strong history on the North Shore. Bob and Pauline Jago established Toyota New Zealand’s first independently owned motor vehicle dealership, North Shore Toyota, back in the late 1980s. Success led to an invitation to open one of the very first Lexus dealerships in New Zealand when the premium brand was launched by Toyota. Lexus of North Shore opened its doors in 2001 and the partnership with the Lexus brand and Lexus New Zealand is one they treasure.
Bob Jago led the business for well over two decades. During that time he established a reputation for being a business leader, and also for the role his business plays in the community. This resulted in his recognition by the North Harbour Business Hall of Fame in May this year. Bob was proud to become one of only 31 laureates to receive this honour since its inception in 2004.
Lexus of North Shore has always been involved in the community. A prime example is the long-standing sponsorship relationship with the North Harbour Club and Charitable Trust. The ‘Lexus of North Shore Charity Lunches’ are a key series of annual lunches – attended by 300-plus people – that raise money to fund the North Harbour Club’s annual AIMES Awards scholarships. These scholarship grants – over $200,000 annually – are presented to young people achieving excellence in the areas of the Arts, Innovation, Music, Education, Sport and Community Service (AIMES). Lexus of North Shore has been the sponsor of this annual lunch series since 2010 and a supporter of the North Harbour Club since its inception in 1995. Bob Jago was a founding trustee of the club.
The ‘Lexus of North Shore Charity Lunches’ are a key series of annual lunches – attended by 300-plus people – that raise money to fund the North Harbour Club’s annual AIMES Awards scholarships. These scholarship grants – over $200,000 annually – are presented to young people achieving excellence in the areas of the Arts, Innovation, Music, Education, Sport and Community Service (AIMES).
Lexus Vehicle Consultants Helen Wang, Tristan Liu and Julie Grgicevich. Lexus of North Shore founders Pauline and Bob Jago.
Current CEO Mark Jago joined the family business in 2005. After succeeding his father Bob as CEO in 2012 he has overseen further growth in the business. The Jagos now have motor vehicle operations on the North Shore, in West Auckland and Hobsonville, meaning they have convenient sales, parts and service operations for a large percentage of Aucklanders.
“Unsurpassed attention to detail underpins the customer experience when you drive a Lexus and our investment in this new showroom goes hand-in-hand with that commitment,” adds Mark Jago. “At Lexus of North Shore, superior quality runs deeper than simply having the very best motor vehicles. It is an obsession lived by everyone and applied in every aspect of our business.”
The new dealership was officially opened with a function on Thursday July 22nd. At that function Ash Pateriya acknowledged the support of Lexus New Zealand in helping to create their sensational new home, as well as design and build partners Lanta Construction and Brand Partners.
The Lexus of North Shore team includes Lexus Vehicle Consultants Helen Wang, Tristan Liu and Julie Grgicevich. They are supported by Kelsey Keegan (Reception/Customer Care), Joyce Vaz – (Customer liaison) and Service Advisors Steve Shannon and Patrick Duddy. The entire team is ready and waiting to show off the fantastic new facility!
Lexus of North Shore – 4 Link Drive, Wairau Valley, North Shore. Phone 09-442-3670 Visit: www.lexusofnorthshore.co.nz
Note: The next Lexus of North Shore Charity Lunch is on Thursday August 19 and will feature Nick Mowbray of Zuru Toys telling the “Zuru story”. If you are interested in attending please contact one of the Lexus of North Shore team or visit www.northharbourclub.co.nz
Bob and Jennie Jago, Simon Watts, Lesley and Rod Slater.
Lexus ambassadors Adrian Hailwood and Ben Bayley enjoying the new customer area.
Lexus of North Shore, Charity Long Lunch
Thursday 19th August, North Harbour Stadium
The North Harbour Club Trust Board is thrilled to host Nick Mowbray of global powerhouse Zuru for our second Lexus of North Shore Charity Lunch for 2021.
At Zuru innovation is action, and innovation is what allows Zuru to take a fledgling idea and make it into an award-winning, best-selling brand.
Joining us as our keynote speaker is Nick Mowbray, the 36-yearold CEO of international consumer goods giant Zuru, the business he co-founded in 2003 with brother Mat, and later sister Anna, that’s now one of the most profitable start-ups in the world. Zuru has grown organically from just $20,000 in the bank to over $1.3 billion in annual revenue, all the while eschewing outside investment as a wholly privately owned entity. Now with three arms – Toys, Edge and Tech— Zuru employs over 8000 staff in 27 offices around the world and its products are distributed in the biggest retailers in 121 countries.
Mowbray is considered one of the most exciting entrepreneurs in the space: his vision, business acumen and pursuit of the new and next has seen him inducted into the EY World Entrepreneur of the Year Hall of Fame (having been named EY Entrepreneur of the Year twice) and landed him in Forbes, BBC News and the Wall Street Journal. The New Zealand native is regularly called to speak at industry summits both at home and abroad, and is a staunch supporter of a range of charities including Auckland’s Starship Children's Hospital, Foodbank New Zealand and Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.
Nick Mowbray.
Join us for a fantastic long lunch as we raise funds to support our AIMES Awards programme. Tickets are $150+gst per person and can be booked online. Doors open 11:45am. Formalities begin 12:30pm Formalities end 2:45pm. Guests welcome to stay on and network. Bar closes 4:00pm
THE STORY
