Fruit From The Scoria

Fruit from the Scoria

Captain Robert David James of Mt Albert & Avondale Lisa J Truttman 2008

The life of Captain Robert David James before 1868 as, at the moment, obscure. He appears to have been born c. 1812 in Wales. 1 He was described in his death notice in 1895 as being “late 7th Hussars” which may explain his title of “Captain”. He married in London in 1842, and from 1845-1865, he lived in New Brunswick, Canada

2

(which may explain later confusion in the

Auckland press who claimed he was American) His first wife Susannah Elizabeth died there in 1859. 3 He and Susannah Elizabeth had 11 children; 4 died in infancy. 4 He married Sophia Rice on 20 June 1860 in New Brunswick, and arrived in New Zealand in 1865. 5

Captain James appears on Auckland documents in February 1868, when he purchased

a

number

of

adjoining

sections from Allan Kerr Taylor. He was elected as one of the trustees of the Mt Albert Highway District Board in October that year. 6 In August 1869, he transferred part of his holdings west of Alexis Avenue to J. T. Garlick. 7 On the remaining 15 acre triangular section, bounded by New North Road, Kitenui and Alexis Avenues, he set about creating his orchard.

Captain James served as chairman of the Mt Albert Highway District from 1869-1871. During his time in the chair, among the local issues were of the cost of road maintenance, the trustees’ Deed Whau 7 (LINZ records), 1868–1869, showing the full extent of Captain James’ landholding in Mt Albert. 1

proposal to have the quarry opened up

Research notes from Betty Lark of Nelson, received 20 September 2008 ibid 3 Website for New Brunswick Genealogy Society, http://nbgs.ca, sighted 19 September 2008 4 ibid 5 Research notes from Betty Lark 6 Southern Cross, 7 October 1868, p. 4 7 21D.676, LINZ records 2

school district. James convened a public meeting in December 1869, 8 at which he was appointed to the new school committee, and served as their first chairman. Heading a deputation to the Provincial Superintendent later that month, 9 he argued on behalf of the Mt Albert ratepayers that their share of the toll gate money collected should be for the maintenance of roads in the district, and not just specific roads, but it was also requested for consideration that the New North Road toll gate be removed as it was an impedance. As for the quarry, the Superintendent of the Provincial Council agreed in early 1870 to have the Board’s request considered. 10

Sophia James herself was involved with the Wesleyan Sunday School in Mt Albert, and was one of the ladies who catered for their annual meetings and soirees. 11 In February 1871, however, she and Captain James were involved in an accident after a shaft pin on their buggy fell out and caused the shaft to drop down against their horse’s legs, startling it. “The horse, which is greatly prized by Captain James for the quietness of its disposition, took fright and bolted down Hobsonstreet into Wellesley-street towards Freeman’s Bay. Fortunately, Captain James had some control over the animal, and endeavoured to guide it into Mr. Harrison’s wood-yard, to avoid the descent down the hill; but the trap upset outside the fence, and its occupants were thrown violently to the ground. Captain James escaped unhurt, but Mrs. James was much shaken and bruised, though the injuries sustained were not serious … The buggy was of course considerably damaged, but the horse came off scathless.”12 Captain James retired from the Highway Board in July 1871. 13 His next community involvement, however, was as a member of the committee appointed by the Mt Albert district residents to set about the task of organizing the building of the district’s Anglican church, later known as St Luke’s. 14 In 1874, he was once again chairman of the district’s school committee, but retired the following year. 15

The greatest number of column inches devoted to Captain James, however, involved his orchard and vineyard at Mt Albert. A correspondent to the Southern Cross in January 1874, “Old Practical”, in writing about wasted theories and writing about what could or couldn’t be grown in 8

Southern Cross, 23 December 1869, p. 4 Southern Cross, 25 December 1869, p. 6 10 Southern Cross, 11 January 1870, p. 7 11 Southern Cross, 8 September 1870, p. 3 12 Southern Cross, 23 February 1871, p. 2 13 Southern Cross, 11 July 1871, p. 3 14 Southern Cross, 27 March 1872, p. 3 15 Southern Cross, 2 February 1875, p. 3 9

Auckland at that time, sang the praises of one Captain James of Mt Albert: “I have heard it most positively stated some few years back, and by men whom you would think should know better, that this country was not suitable for apples, grapes, gooseberries, and a vast lot of other fruit and production, when you have only to walk or ride out to Mount Albert to see the perfection to which all these things have been brought on the fruit farm of Captain James by his judicious skill, knowledge, and persevering industry … I think it is an admitted fact the fruit season is the most healthy season, therefore the man who is instrumental in bringing large supplies of fruit before the community at moderate prices has done a real good to his country. I could not help being thus struck in walking through Captain James’s grounds, and although it has cost that gentleman a great deal of indefatigable industry as well as a good deal of capital, I do trust his untiring and unaided labour will meet with its due reward …Recurring to Captain James’s fruit farm at Mount Albert, it is refreshing to see the amount of fruit there produced: strawberries, guavas, gooseberries, lemons, oranges, grapes, in abundance.” “Old Practical” felt that James’ orchards served as an example of how Mt Albert had progressed from being “that once despised neighbourhood” to “one of Auckland’s best and most flourishing suburbs.” 16

In August 1875, the Southern Cross, devoted an entire article

17

to Captain James and his

property:

“THE MOUNT ALBERT ORCHARD”

“On several occasions we have urged upon the attention of our country and suburban readers the advisability of devoting more attention than has hitherto been done to fruit growing. We have at different times enumerated several cases where the cultivation of fruit in this Province has been found exceedingly profitable. In fact, wherever good varieties of fruit trees have been carefully planted, and a reasonable amount of care bestowed upon them afterwards, fruit growing in this Province has always been highly profitable. We are glad to learn that more attention it being devoted to this industry than formerly was bestowed upon it. In several places in the suburbs of Auckland, and in other parts of the Province, small orchards are being planted with different kinds of fruit trees, and, we are glad to learn, in every case with the most promising results. Of all the recently laid out orchards in the neighbourhood of Auckland, that of Captain R. D. James,

16 17

Southern Cross, 2 January 1874, p. 3 Southern Cross, 9 August 1875, p. 3

Mount Albert, is the most extensive and most promising. Captain James’ place is a little beyond St. Luke's Church, and on the same side of the road.

“Seven years ago, when he purchased the 16 acres of land he now owns, that district was a wilderness. There was no house upon the ground, and the surface of the land was covered with rough, unshapely blocks of scoria, just as they had been ejected from the ancient volcano in the neighbourhood, Mount Albert. But it presents a different aspect to-day, and shows how attractive a

small

and

unpromising

piece

of land may be made with the exercise of good taste and a certain amount of well-directed labour. "With few exceptions Captain James has removed the surface scoria blocks,

from

his

grounds, and five acres

have

been

tastefully laid out as an orchard, around which is planted a substantial fence of pine trees. These act as

an

breakwind, J R Randerson’s sale of most of the former James’ orchard and vineyard, 1882. Deed 28, LINZ records. Detail of the plan showing James’ buildings (today’s 1-13 Violet Street and 16A Alexis Avenue) above.

excellent and

save the fruit trees from being tossed about by the fresh

breezes which we some times experience. He has a handsome residence, with commodious outhouses for a small dairy, and trees and shrubs planted around the house, which, when fully

grown, will make his farm or orchard one of the most attractive spots in the neighbourhood of Auckland.

“The fruit trees which have been planted are of course very young, and many of them are only beginning to bear fruit; but the returns which have already been obtained give ample promise that, in the course of three or four years more, Captain James will receive an abundant reward for his care and attention. The five acres at present devoted to orchard purposes are divided here and there with live fences, for the purpose of affording the fruit trees a greater amount of shelter than they would otherwise enjoy.

“A considerable amount of attention is devoted to the culture of the grape vine, there being grape-houses measuring, in the aggregate, 260 feet in length, and 12 feet in width. In them are planted nine different varieties of grapes, chiefly the ''Black Hambro" but his collection includes some rare kinds. Here is found growing: the “Syrian Grape," which is generally supposed to be the grape found near the brook Eschol by the spies sent out by Moses, referred to in the last chapter of Numbers. This grape vine bears bunches of great size, but they do not possess such a high flavour as some other varieties. Of these grape-houses there are 170 feet, where the grapes are in full bearing, and during last season, Captain James found a ready sale in Auckland, at good prices, for all the grapes he could supply. Captain James is an American, and like many his countrymen has quick and cheap ways of doing some things which Britons do not think of. To erect 250 feet of graperies in the ordinary way British gardeners have them constructed would cost a very large sum of money. Instead of having the glass fastened in the frames with putty, Captain James constructs the roofs of his houses into spans 12 inches apart. On each side of the bars sloping to the ridge of the roof, a groove is cut out, into which the sheets of gloss are introduced from .the bottom. These are made to overlap about an inch, and are kept in position by a small strip of zinc bent somewhat in the form of an s. With sufficient slope on the roof, all dripping can be thoroughly prevented. By this arrangement the glass can be removed during the autumn and winter season, thus giving the wood of the vine an opportunity of being thoroughly hardened before next growing season comes on. The protection of glass can thus be provided for the raising of fine grapes for the table, or for the culture of tender plants, at less than ¼th of the usual cost of constructing a grape-house. When Captain James's plan of constructing glasshouses becomes better known there is little doubt he will find many imitators.

“Of pears, plums, and apple trees, Captain. James has now 500 planted out at distances of 10 to 15ft apart. A number of the plum trees are bearing, but only a very few of the pear and apple trees have reached the fruitful stage. They all look, however, remarkably clean and healthy, and show no symptoms of blight. There are 70 peach trees planted out recently, 30ft. apart. There are 300 gooseberry bushes, chiefly the dark red sort, planted between the young fruit trees, thus utilising the ground while the larger trees are growing. Of guava trees there are 80 planted out, and are from five to six feet high, all in full bearing. Last season a very large quantity of fruit was taken off these trees, and from this fruit the finest jams and jellies can be made. There is about an eighth of an acre of ground planted with grapevines without any shelter. These vines are trained on the cordon system recommended by Dr. Guyot. Good returns are expected from these vines.

“Of loquats there are 240 trees planted out at distances of 15ft. apart, all in full bearing. There is about a dozen lemon trees (chiefly Lisbon), in full bearing, when we visited the orchard lately ; many of these trees were hanging full of fruit in various stages of maturity. Besides the above, there is a large number of nectarines—both upright and pendant— a number of Maltese and Mandarin orange trees, about 160ft. of fence, covered with the Passion fruit plant, and an immense number of American and Cape gooseberries. The whole of the trees look exceedingly healthy, and are free from blight of all kinds, save one young orange tree, which was afflicted with the scaly bug. The ground between the fruit trees is occupied with strawberries, cabbages, potatoes, lettuce &c, in rotation. Captain James, however, has found that the light, pluffy, volcanic soil is not well adapted for fruit growing, and for many of his trees he has had to art large quantities of day to mix with the soil in which the trees grow.

“Those who wish to see what can be done in the course of a few years in improving the appearance of a district should call upon Captain James and solicit the privilege of being shown over his orchard. The whole of the work has been accomplished by the proprietor himself, save on a few occasions when he had to obtain assistance in removing the large blocks of stone which were met with. If there were a good many more Captain James's in the Province, our yearly expenditure for imported fruit would soon diminish, and in time we might hope that, instead of importing we would have a large surplus sent to districts less favored by soil and climate than is the Province of Auckland.“

Sadly, the youngest child of Captain and Mrs James, Frances Alice, died aged 7 in April 1876. 18 A month later, however, Captain James was able to celebrate a successful crop of sweet potatoes from his farm. “A remarkably fine specimen of the sweet potato was brought to our office on Saturday, by Captain James, of Mount Albert, and afterwards placed for exhibition in Mr Brewin’s shop window. Its weight is 5lb., and flavour, we are told, unexcelled. The seeds were obtained from Hokianga, and Captain James has been so far successful that he is now in a position to supply a few sets to intending purchasers.” 19

Early in 1881, Captain James sold his Mt Albert property,

20

and moved to a 20 acre farmlet in

Avondale, stretching between present-day New Windsor Road and Tiverton Road. This was purchased in his wife Sophia’s name, from Robert Charles Greenwood and the Auckland Permanent Coop Building and Investment Society. 21

It didn’t take him long to create another landmark property in the new district. “Adjoining Mr. Matthews’ section is the homestead and nursery grounds, near some 20 acres in extent, of Captain James, formerly of Mount Albert. No better illustration of what industry, practical skill, and capital can accomplish can be found in the district than at this gentleman’s nursery. He came to the place, a wilderness of fern, over a year ago. Commenced planting last August several thousand trees – peaches, apples, lemons, quinces, &c. Two acres are laid out as a peach orchard, and another large breadth planted out in strawberries. One of his specialties is lemons, the Lisbon variety principally, and we have not seen any trees so thriving as these for a long time. Of grapes, he is cultivating all the early and late varieties, and has a number of vines of the black Hamburg variety. He has erected three greenhouses, each 50X24, teen feet stud, with span roof, and 14 feet rafters. Another specialty is the gooseberry, and he has set out 800 plants, as well as prepared a bed of several hundred apple trees, all budded and grafted. About 10 acres are at present in hand, around the boundary of which belts of shelter trees are being planted. Another breadth of several acres has been cleared adjoining, and ploughing will shortly be commenced. A plough and cultivator is used in the orchard as far as possible, to minimise hand labour, Captain James and his son doing all the labour with themselves. Headlands are left for the horses to turn without injuring the trees. Advantage is taken of the fall of the ground to carry 18

Southern Cross, 6 May 1876, p. 3 Southern Cross, 22 May 1876 20 29M.840, LINZ records 21 K2.630, LINZ records 19

all the sewage, slops &c., of the homestead by pipes to sewage tanks in the centre of the section, for irrigation purposes, so that everything is utilised. The soil is a black vegetable mould, easily worked. Some blue gums sown in a box ten months ago, and planted out, are now from six to eight feet high. Everything is turned to advantage by Captain James. The boundary fence is lined with passion fruit, the prospective produce of which has already been secured by a speculator. Inside the fence, some 10 feet or so, flax plants are being set out to provide materials for putting up fruit and for binding operations, instead of twine. Adjoining the residence is a commodious stable, with vehicles for transporting to and fro everything required, so that from first to last everything is done within the resources of the establishment. We left the place with a wholesome respect for the energy and pluck of the man who, past the meridian of life, had, for the fifth time in a busy life, hewn out a fresh home for himself from the wilderness.”

22

The James’s were to live in Avondale until Captain James’ death on 7 July 1895.

23

Sophia died

in March 1903, found dead in the backyard of her sister’s home in Lincoln Road, Henderson, after an illness lasting 18 months.

24

They’re buried, together with Sophia’s father, Charles

Harlehan Rice, in the George Maxwell Memorial Cemetery, corner Rosebank and Orchard Streets in Avondale. The grave is closest to Orchard Street – considering what Captain James was most well known for, that is somewhat fitting.

His Mt Albert estate was subdivided in 1881-1882 and rapidly sold. All traces of his orchard and glasshouses disappeared. In Avondale, the farm was sold to Frederick Bluck, a local fruitgrower and also clerk to the Avondale Road Board.

25

Eventually, around a quarter of the farm came to

be owned by a grower named Arthur Athelstone Currey,

26

famous in his own right for his acres

and acres of glasshouses on the New Windsor Road site from the 1920s to 1970s, growing tomatoes. A white villa at the moment on what is now an Auckland City Council reserve fronting New Windsor Road may be the last visible link with Captain James remaining in Auckland.

22

NZ Herald, 24 June 1882 NZ Herald, 8 July 1895 24 NZ Herald, 4 March 1903 25 17A.358, LINZ records 26 NA 497/37, LINZ records 23