Transcription of a report, by the Catholic priest,
Father Herbert G. Tigar, O.P.,
following a week-long visit to Great Barrier Island in February, 1910.
(From a copy of the original held at the Pompalier Diocesan Archives of the Auckland Catholic Diocesan Centre, 30 New St., Ponsonby, Auckland, obtained 2006).
Transcription, indexing and brief notes by Don Armitage© April, 2007. Address: R.D. 1, Great Barrier Island, Auckland 0991. Two helpful explanatory notes by Fr. Ernest Richard Simmons (1981).
(1) The first recorded visit to Great Barrier Island was in 1841 when Jean Pezant S.M.[1]., in March 1841 baptised Ana Towaiti Ekatai, Andrew Casey, Maria Erepo, Pari Eropo and married Andrew Casey and Ana Towaiti Ekatai. During the years 1910 to 1915 the Kauri Timber Company operated a large mill at Whangaoaraoara[2] (sic), Two Sisters of St Joseph went to the area for instruction and visitation during the summer of 1912-13. The Sisters were the guests of the Smiths, a Catholic family whose father was general manager of the mill. The men erected a church on the mill site. This was opened by Bishop Cleary on February 27th, 1913. Father Gilbert Tigar, O.P., took charge for the next two years. There was a steady congregation of a hundred on Sundays. The mill closed late in 1915. Since then the Island has been looked after by Puhoi Source- Auckland Catholic Diocesan Archives.
(2) Great Barrier Island During the years 1910 - 1915, the Kauri Timber Company operated a large mill at Whangaparapara. The many lapsed Catholics in the settlement were a cause of worry to Bishop Cleary, and at his request, two Sisters of St Joseph went to the area for instruction and visitation during the summer of 1912-13. They seem to have made two weekend visits and a longer stay of about three weeks in the January holidays. While there, the Sisters were the guests of the Smiths, a Catholic family whose father was the general manager of the mill. Mrs Nora Foy, nee Smith, now (1981) living in a rest home in Howick, was twenty years old at the time of the Sisters’ visits and remembers that Sister Joseph Maria Long came each time accompanied by Sister M. Padua Twomey one weekend and the January period, and Sister Emerentia Kelly on the other weekend. Each day the Sisters conducted two religion lessons for the children; one class using the school room while the other was outside in the open. The Sisters also visited many of the homes. Encouraged by the Sisters and supervised by Mr Smith, the mill manager, the men erected and furnished a church on the mill site. This was opened by Bishop Cleary on 27 February 1913 and for the next two years Father Herbert G. Tigar O.P. was locum tenens in the settlement. There was a steady congregation of one hundred on Sundays and more on special occasions, e.g. funerals. The mill was closed and the population dispersed late in 1915. Notes: (1) Great Barrier Island belongs to the Puhoi Parish, but the Sisters went there from Grey Lynn. Great Barrier Island is 56 miles from Auckland (2) Bishop Cleary noted in his diary on Thursday 27 February 1913, that he, accompanied by Father Tigar and party, travelled by launch from Auckland to open the church and administer Confirmation. They landed at Port Fitzroy first and later continued on to Whangaparapara. They left the Barrier after 10pm on 1 March, arriving at Auckland at 3.40am on Sunday 2 March. (3) While the mill was in operation the Northern Steamship Company ran a weekly service from Auckland to the Barrier. All sailings were, of course, dependant on the weather. It would appear that the Sisters did not travel by the steamer. Residents at Whangaparapara at the time do not remember what transport they used, and the harbour was a busy place frequently containing more than 60 vessels. It seems likely that the Walsh brothers, Leo and Vivian, who owned a launch and who regularly took the Sisters up the harbour to Hobsonville and Riverhead for instructions, also obliged both the Sisters and the Bishop with transport to the Barrier. Even on the island there were no roads or means of transport other than by water. (4) Father Tigar O.P. was locum tenens at St. Benedict’s while Monsignor Gillan was on holiday overseas. He had previously been at Thames from 1908 to 1912 in the same capacity. (5) Teachers at the Whangaparapara school at the time were Mr Bottrill and Miss Hutton. The roll numbered about 50. Many of the mill workers were single men. (6) The photograph of the Catholic Church at Whangapara[para was given by Mr S. Strickett whose family lived beside the church. He saw it being built and, although not a Catholic, occasionally attended the services conducted by Father Tigar. The building included accommodation for a priest in a room behind the sactuary. (7) After the closing of the mill the church stood unused until after world war II. Eventually it was bought by the Kelsey family who carried out the extensive alterations necessary to remodel it as a family home. Acknowledgements: Grateful thanks are expressed to Mr S.A.Strickett, Glendowie; Mr A.E. Le Roy, J.P., Onetangi; Mrs W. Macdonald, M.B.E., M.A., Historical Society; Miss E.K.Ryburn, M.A., Historical Society, Mrs Nora Foy, nee Smith, daughter of the mill manager; Mrs Mollie Elliot, A.P.R.I.N.Z.; all of whom gave valuable and interesting information from their own experience on Great Barrier Island during that period. References: Bishop Cleary’s Diary - February/March 1913 Letters of Mother Erskine Stuart R.S.C.J. (14.1.1914) Source- Auckland Catholic Diocesan Archives.
Photo- Catholic Church at Whangaparapara (Mr. S.A. Strickett) Photo- A gathering at Whangaparapara 1910. John Da Silva collection Photo- Kauri Timber Company mill at Whangaparapara 1910. John Da Silva Collection
Report of Visit to the Great Barrier INTV[3], 1-6 (1 February 1910.
My dear Monsignor Gillan, I was able, during my weeks’ stay, to collect fairly complete information as to the number & spiritual State of the Catholics in the Great Barrier. I stayed at Whangapara[4] & visited Blind Bay (Okupu) - about 40 minutes by launch, or two hours by rough track - Port Fitzroy -2 ½ hours ride through bush over the hills; a rough track; or 1 ½ hour by Steamer - and Orriville - 1 hours’ ride. I learnt also about Tryphena - 4 hours ride by rough tracks or 1 ¼ hour by launch - & Kathleen Bay[5] (called also Maori Bay) - 40 minutes by launch from Port Fitzroy or 2 hours ride. These are practically all the “centres” of population in the island. The Catholic population is mainly congregated in Whangapara & is of quite recent growth. The Mills established at that port last year by the Kauri Timber
(2 Co have drawn many workpeople from districts where other sawmills have been slackened off or closed down. Many of the Catholics who have migrated have been brought up or worked for years in the bush & back blocks & have consequently seldom seen a priest. On the other hand others have come from settled districts with a resident or visiting priest - principally from the Northern Wairoa, where Mr Smith was managing another sawmill for the Co. I understand there are other Catholic families from the same district who are only waiting till houses are put up to migrate. Whangapara is all hills; some pretty steep, others with small patches of level ground, there are no roads at all. The houses are dotted about the sides of the hills, wherever a more or less level site can be found. The Co is is putting up houses as fast as it can get them erected. Everything is in a state of development, houses unpainted, pathways mere tracks, but soon there will be a good sized settlement. The mill when completed will give employment
(3 to two or three times the present number. As Mr Smith - the Manager of the Mill - prefers married men to single there will be a more permanent set of workers than is usually the case in these out of the way places. The Cottages are commodious, each with its garden enclosure (where possible) & are intended to induce the workers to make snug comfortable homes. The Co expects to be working for 15 or 20 years in this place. There is a very serviceable school building on the summit of a small hill which the co have erected to serve as a school, meeting hall, & place where services can be held. Free use is readily granted for these purposes. A school master has been secured & the Government recognise the School. I called the people together on Saturday evening - the intervening time I spent in visiting the immediate neighbourhood. We used the School room. On Sunday Mass was at 9-30 & Evening Service at 6.30. On weekdays I said Mass in a room behind the Post Office as this was near where
(4 the people lived & more convenient. About 60 were present at the Sunday Mass - the Flynns from Port Fitzroy came in their launch - a few others from Blind Bay were prevented by a storm which broke over the Bay at starting time. After Mass I baptised three children (one of whom had been baptised by an Anglican Minister) & gathered the children together. Most could make the sign of the cross & say the Our Father; a few only could say the Creed & Hail Mary. A Sunday School is being formed by Mrs Smith & her daughter; the children promised to attend & I think they will as the parents seemed anxious to have their children properly instructed in the Faith. Not many came to the Evening service on any of the evenings, 20 was the highest number present. Nor did many come to the Sacraments (10 out of 18 Communicants) tho’ I suppose there were as many as one could expect under the circumstances. 6 to 8 was the no at daily Mass. At Whangapara there are 33 adults
(5 18 children (7-16) & 13 under 7 making a total of 64. Of these there are 29 to be confirmed & about the same no for 1st Confession & Communion. 15 of these are adults who had been baptised only. In most cases the grown up people promised to prepare themselves against the next visit of a priest - I gave them a preliminary instruction & a Mr Sykes, who is an earnest Catholic (about 35) will arrange to have weekly meetings of the men for this purpose. I left suitable books & will send up instruction books for them all. In cases where families are too far away for classes the elder children & Mothers expressed their willingness to see that the instruction books are studied. I spoke about erecting a church & many were in favour of it. The idea grew more & more in favour as I stayed on & the people began to realise its importance. I quite expect on the next visit to find all of one mind in this matter. I do not think there will be any difficulty in getting suitable land- Mr Smith recommends our approaching the Co on the subject. He
(6 would have a freer hand if the proposal came from us rather than from him or the workmen. This should be seen to at an early date to prevent too many applications from other bodies clogging the way. The real difficulty will be the selection of a suitable site, the place being so hilly. There were 3 cases of Catholics having forsaken their religion, involving 5 children but there are grounds for hoping that they can be won back. One case is almost certain, & perhaps the young husband will come over too. One wife (protestant) married to a Catholic put herself under instruction Mrs Smith kindly undertook the good work of teaching her. So much then for Whangapara. I took a launch on Monday & visited Blind Bay (Okupu) in which Mr Ryan lives. I found 1 family with three grown children unbaptised & two single men, miners, who were baptised only, making in all 9 souls (5 adults & 4 children over 7). Returned on Wednesday instructed (summarily) & baptised
(7 the 3 children (ages 9.11.& 13). I left them suitable books & rosaries & feel sure they will follow out the advice I gave them. Their elder sister (16) who is baptised only promised to see that the books were used & to say the rosary & other prayers together. The Schoolmaster - for there is a ½ time School there with 8 or 9 children -is a recent convert & will no doubt help them as he helped Catholic children at Whangapara when he was stationed there, being a protestant at the time. On Tuesday Mr Flynn, junior, came over with a horse for me & took me to Port Fitzroy. There I found 4 mature adults (3 Flynns & a cousin about 21) who have been baptised only. They gave me a very hearty welcome & told me they wanted to be made good Catholics. I explained the Rosary to them, which they promised to say & also to study the books of instruction I am sending them. Mrs Flynn I fear has gone back to the protestant religion, but she seemed glad to see a priest. I did not think it prudent to
(8 know too much, especially as there were guests in the house, & I wanted to win them over too. There was Mrs Werner from Kaitaia whose husband I met on board & who volunteered the information that his wife was a Catholic. Mrs Werner is a miss Flynn & has 4 children. I understand she does not practice her religion & I expect the children are not Catholics. There was a little boy Flynn from Avondale also 2 Miss Keofords from Ponsonby, who seem very anxious to bring back Mrs Flynn. I was taken completely by surprise when after dinner Mr Flynn, the father, who had been Kindness itself showed me a letter of which the following is a copy
“Mch 28th 1893 The conduct of yourself & family on the occasion of the recent visit of the Rev. W Mahoney is such as to prove that you have unfortunately
for yourselves - apostatised[6] from the faith of your fathers & of your country. Not one of you chose to fulfil the precept of the Church - you frequent
(9
the religious services of other denominations you do nothing whatever to support your priest. You show by your conduct that he is not welcome & you
slight his priestly character,
I think it proper therefore to inform you that under these circumstances you will in future be regarded as having apostatised & that consequently the priests
of the Catholic Church will not regard it as their duty to visit you
Yours faithfully + John Edmund Ruck OB Bp of Auckland”
The old man seemed hurt about this letter & said he had taken no notice of it as he did not understand it. Whenever he went to Auckland he always went to the Cathedral. He kept the letter to himself always he said but asked me to speak to the Bishop about it. My own impression is that he is too ignorant to know how to apostatise. He seems to have had no instruction, is simply a Catholic & nothing more. It is a
(10 Case where a spoonful of sugar will do more than a dray load of vinegar. He knows he is a Catholic & would I believe be easily led to do his duty as a Catholic. At any rate his sons gave me a very favourable impression as being in earnest in wishing to learn their duty & to practise it as far as they can. There are 6 adults in Port Fitzroy 4 of whom have been baptized only. I learnt subsequently that at Kathleen Bay - (also called Maori Bay) about 40 minutes by launch from Port Fitzroy or 2 hours by mountain track there is a settlement of Maoris numbering 60 souls, some of whom undoubtedly are Catholics. The Maoris at Puru (near Thames) are related to some & two natives offered to go with me next time to interview these natives to see what can be done. At Tryphena there is 1 Catholic Mr Smith the convert School master referred to above. He was received only three weeks ago by Fr Wright at the Cathedral.
(11 The information I gained on my visit may be summarised as follows. The bulk of the Catholics is at Whangapara, the handful at Blind Bay & Port Fitzroy are near enough to be able to attend at Whangapara occasionally, but each place should be visited & remained at for a few days at least. There are in all 80 Catholics - 45 adults; 22 children from 7-16; 13 below 7. There are 38 to be confirmed & about the same number for 1st Confession & Communion. Being scattered at least 4 places would have to be visited for some days at least to put in the necessary instruction. In addition there are probably some Catholic Natives at Kathleen Bay & a few stray sheep at Whangapara who might with gentleness & prudent action be brought back to the Fold. With Great respect Yours affectionately in ??
Fr H.G.Tigar O.P. Thames Mch1. 1910
(12 Summary Adults Children Total 7 to 16 under 7 Whangapara 33 18 13 64 Blind Bay (Okupu) 5 4 = 9 Tryphena 1 - - 1 Port Fitzroy 6 - - 6 Total 45 22 13 80
Number to be confirmed. Whangapara 27 Blind Bay 6 Tryphena 1 38 Port Fitzroy 4
Almost the same number for the other Sacrements, 15 of the no being adults.
Census of Catholics in Gt Barrier. Those marked thus (*) have received the sacraments fitting to their age. (13 Whangapara Families Smith Mr * Mrs * 1 16 Nora Not confirmed 13 Kenneth “ 6 Patricia * 1 ½ Robert 14 Edgar - away - recd all sacraments Servant Agnes Thomson (15) baptised only
McIlory Mr * [spelling of Mc??ry uncertain] Mrs (protestant) Left under instruction 2 4 Albert * 3 Bartholemew *
Bushell Mr * 3 Mrs * 5 Harry * ½ baby *
Diamond Mr * 4 Mrs (protestant) 2nd wife 2 children of 1st wife in Wellington being brought up Catholic
(14 Whangapara 5 Armiger Mr (Protestant) ([family] away at time of visit) Mrs 2 children under 5 (children believed to be baptised)
6 Lansdown Mr (? Protestant) an elderly couple Mrs *
7 Taylor Mr (Protestant) Mrs * 14 Percy - baptised only 12 Leighton “ 10 Leslie “ 5 Eunice *
8 Morrisvitch Mr * An Austrian 12 Louis - Recd all sacrements (Has only recently arrived from Croatia. His family will come later - appears to be an earnest Catholic, boy also)
9 65 Sylvia Mr all sacraments Mrs (? All sacraments to away at time) 22 Sophia baptised only 17 Domingo “ 12 Paul “ A Negro family originally from the U.S./also 2 sons in Mercury Bay & 3 daughters in service in Christchurch, Wellington, and Lyttleton.
(15 Whangapara
10 Thomson Mr * Mrs * 15 Agnes - baptised only 14 Ethel “ 13 Murray “ 10 Tom “ 8 Sarah “
Curry Mr (Protestant) Mrs * 11 22 John - baptised only 20 Robert “ 16 Harold “ 13 Daisy “ 8 Nora “ 4 Aubrey *
12 Gomez Mr - baptised only Mrs - “ a convert (baptd only)
Carlson Mr (Protestant)[in margin]- Oriville is name of place where these people live Mrs * 13 21 William Baptised only 19 Oscar “ 17 Martin “ 15 Josephine “ 11 Alice “ 7 Ruby * 5 Mavis * 4 Percy * 2 Eveline
Single Men (30-40) Murray, Jim [re first 3 single men - no information as to sacraments “ Arthur “ McDonald, Alick
(16 Whangapara Single Men 25 O’Halloran * 30 Sykes * Very earnest, will instruct the men 20 Hoey - baptised only 25 Toohey - “
Miss Warmington (16) servant at the Doctors’ not confirmed. Leaving for home at Makatou
Bellridge Mr (Protestant) well disposed Mrs - changed her religion on marriage 3 children baptised anglican last month. Would have been a Catholic had priest been available. Grounds for hope of conversion.
Mrs Hallen wife of Doctor Was a child of Mary - given up & became Anglican 2 young children - Bap Protestant Grounds for hope of conversion.
(17 Blind Bay (Okupu) 8 miles from Whangapara. Rough track across hills - 2 hours or by launch 40 minutes
70 Ryan T. * 60 Withers Mrs * husband P. 30 Donnelly Fred Baptised only 30 Smith, Patrick “
Samways Mr (protestant) Mrs 16 Eileen Baptised only 13 Alice “ 11 Ivy Mary “ 9 Harry “ These three last were baptised by me.
Bartley Mr Mrs said to be Catholics but were absent in Auckld at time of visit
Tryphena 4 hours from Whangapara by rough tracks. 1 ¼ Hour by launch
30 Smith Mr Schoolmaster. Received into Church fortnight ago. Not confirmed
(18 Port Fitzroy 2 ½ hours ride from Whangapara. Rough Track thru bush over the Hills. Or 1 ½ hour by Steamer
76 Flynn Mr * Mrs convert said to be Anglican but I heard from Captain Hopkins that she had prevented two of her sons from marrying protestant (Anglican) girls (because they were not of her religion) 35 Arthur - baptised only 43 Frank “ 32 Peter “
17 Sylveria Jos. “ Grandson 73 Flynn Peter * Brother to Mr Flynn
Note There was visiting, when I called, a Mrs Werner from Kaitaia. Daughter of Mrs Flynn. She has given up her religion apparently. She has 4 children. I met her husband on board going down & he told me his wife was a Catholic.
(19 Kathleen Bay (or Maori Bay) 40 minutes launch from Port Fitzroy 2 hours ride over the hills - track only
Said to be about 60 Maoris in Settlement many of whom have come from the north of New Zealand. Some supposed to be Catholics probably most are descended from Catholic Stock.
Persons mentioned Anglican minister……….unknown name Armiger, Mr & Mrs, 2 children under 5 Bartley, Mr & Mrs Bellridge, Mr & Mrs & 3 children Bushell, Mr & Mrs, Harry, & baby Casey, Andrew Carlson, Mr & Mrs, William, Oscar, Martin, Josephine, Alice, Ruby, Mavis, Percy, Eveline Cleary, Bishop Curry, Mr & Mrs, John, Robert, Harold, Daisy, Nora, Aubrey Diamond, Mr & Mrs, & two children in Wellington of 1st wife Donnelly, Fred Ekatai, Ana Towaiti Elliot, Mrs Mollie Erepo, Maria Eropo, Pari Flynn, Mr & Mrs, Arthur, Frank, Peter Flynn, Mr Peter Foy, Nora nee Smith, ………….daughter of mill manager Gillan, Monsignor Gomez, Mr & Mrs Hallen, Dr A.H. & Mrs, 2 young children Hoey, Mr Hopkins, Captain (of vessel to the island) Kelly, Sister Emerentia Kelsey family Keoford Lansdown, Mr & Mrs, elderly couple Le Roy, Mr A.E. J.P., Onetangi Long, Sister Joseph(?) Maria Macdonald, Mrs W. McDonald, Alick McIlory, Mr & Mrs, Albert, Bartholomew Maories Morrisvitch, Mr, & 12 yr old son Louis, Austrians migrants from Croatia. Murray, Jim, Arthur (brothers?) O’Halloran, Mr Pezant, Fr. Jean S.M. Ruck …………………..[uncertain spelling] Ryburn, Miss E.K. Ryan, Mr T. Samways, Mr & Mrs, Eileen, Alice, Ivy Mary, Harry Smith, Mr & Mrs, Nora, Kenneth, Patricia, Robert, Edgar Smith, Mr Patrick Smith, Mr ?, schoolmaster Strickett, Mr S.A. Stuart, Mother Erskine Sykes, Mr Sylveria, Jos Sylvia, Mr & Mrs, Sophia, Domingo, Paul, 2 other sons at Mercury Bay, 3 other daughters in Wellington, Christchurch and lyttleton Taylor, Mr & Mrs, Percy, Leighton, Leslie, Eunice Thomson, Mr & Mrs, Agnes, Ethel, Murray, Tom, Sara Tigar, Father Herbert Gilbert, O.P. (ordained priest) Toohey, Mr Twomey, Sister E. Padua Walsh, brothers Leo and Vivian Warmington, Miss (aged 16) nservant at Doctor’s Werner, Mr & Mrs, 4 children Withers, Mr P., & Mrs Wright, Fr. …….at Cathedral in Auckland
Places mentioned Auckland Austria Avondale Blind Bay………………Okupu Christchurch Glendowie Croatia Great Barrier…………...Great Barrier Island Grey Lynn Hobsonville Howick, rest home Kaitaia Kathleen Bay…………..Catherine Bay Lyttleton Maori Bay……………...Catherine Bay Maketou………………..Maketu Mercury Bay Northern Wairoa Okupu ………………….Blind Bay Onetangi Orrville/Oriville…………Oroville Ponsonby Port Fitzroy Puhoi…………………….Parish of Puru……………………..near Thames Riverhead Thames Tryphena US……………………....United States Wellington Whangapara………….....Whangaparapara
Occupations mentioned Bishop Captain General manager of the sawmill Miner Minister Priest School master Servant Sisters……………….Catholic Sisters of St. Joseph Workers/workpeople
Buildings Sawmill Cathedral Church Schoolhouse Schoolhouse/meeting house/temporary church Houses/cottages Post Office Cathedral
Religions mentioned Catholic Protestant Anglican
Means of Transport Horse Launch Steamer [1] Society of Mary [2] Whangaparapara [3] INTV 1-6 refers to the interregnum between the death of a Pope and the election of the next one. [4] ‘Whangapara’ should be spelled ‘Whangaparapara’ [5] Kathleen Bay should be Catherine Bay or Katherine Bay [6] To apostatise means to ‘abandon one’s belief or church, to forsake one’s principles or faith’ Websters Dictionary.
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