Ch.8 - Rangi (b.1908)

NAME:

Rangi Priestley

BORN:

17th Jul 1908

DIED:

9th Mar 1933

Her mother Kate was also very resourceful and was into recycling years before it became fashionable.

We know that fairly frequently Rangi would have been told by her mother to go out to the yard and pee under the lemon or orange trees to ensure a good citrus crop the following year. On the fashion front, we know that Rangi, like all her siblings and the Priestley moko that followed, would have worn scratchy bloomers that their Mum Kate made for them out of huge flour sacks. One wonders how many “Sure to Rise” bottoms were walking around among the Priestley children and moko over the years.

School Years

Rangi was admitted to Te Hapara School on the 30th of June 1913, and her registration number was 0482. Records show that her parent was Mr. W Priestley and her address was “The Park”. Some months later on the 29th of September, 1913 records show that Rangi was re-admitted to Te Hapara again, her registration number being 0523. On the 3rd of February, 1915, records show a third admission for Rangi, with the registration number 0727. We can only guess at the reason for Rangi’s long absences from school, but it can perhaps be argued that the heart condition which eventually took Rangi from us had manifested itself this early in her life and caused her parents sufficient concern to take her out of school.

Despite her health problems, and like all her siblings, Rangi indulged a lifelong passion for sport. Her favourite activities were Tennis and Horse riding.

Rangi’s last day of school was the 19th of December, 1922. She was 14 and had made it to Standard 6, (Form 2 or Year 8, as it is known today). She left to take a domestic duties role.

Adulthood

Within four years of leaving Te Hapara School, Rangi had met Tanatiu (Don) Rangiuia from Tolega Bay. By mid-1926 she was pregnant with their first and only child together: Mary Priestley. There was every intention, at least between Rangi and Don, that they would be married, but the Rangiuia whanau had other plans for their son. Don was to marry Polly Carroll, (adopted daughter of Sir James Carroll and Heni Materoa) in a marriage arranged for them by their parents. From accounts given by Rangi’s older daughter, Mary Priestley we know it caused Rangi a lot of distress and heartache that she was not able to marry Don Rangiuia, but neither of them had much say in this and were forced to go their separate ways. It is not known whether this happened after Mary was born or while Rangi was still pregnant.

With so very little information to go on, this chapter has quite possibly been the most difficult chapter compiled to date.

Rangi's grand-daughter Rachael Stowers has dug long and hard, researching her grandmother’s short life by studiously visiting various small towns and government departments all over the North Island looking for clues whilst subtly opening the hearts and minds of various family members.

This is the result of all that effort; a most rewarding, informative and memorable read that brings to light a life that was once thought forgotten. It is a tribute that will forever honour our much-cherished tipuna, Rangi Priestley.

Any corrections, additional information, pictures or stories relevant to this chapter can be submitted via the contacts in the footer section of this page. Accreditation is given, where applicable. Many thanks to all those who have contributed.

Rangi Priestley

Written and edited by Rachael Stowers and Merv Priestley

The seventh child of William Augustine Priestley and Kate (nee Campbell), Rangi was born at 47 Cochrane Street, Gisborne on Friday the 17^th of July, 1908. We can only assume that she was named after her Mum whose given maori name was Rangikahiwa.

Her older sisters, Sally aged 4 and Pani aged 2 were more than likely at home during Rangi’s birth and would no doubt have needed to be kept occupied during this time. One wonders what they got up to while their Mum went into her bedroom alone to bring their new sister into the world. They may have been ushered away from the house to help their father in his groundsman duties at the nearby racecourse, or one of the older siblings may have been summoned home from school.

In either case, Kate would have managed the birth of her 4th daughter with the grace and no-nonsense approach she managed all aspects of life. It would not have fazed her. She would have no doubt been up and mobile again in time to prepare dinner for the family and their new addition.

Her birth, like the birth of all her siblings would have been announced in one of her father William's meticulously kept diaries. Although, she would have had to share the limelight with any vegetables he planted and tended to, as well as any other observations that earned the right to be recorded that day. But despite Rangi’s birth possibly being slotted in between the planting of potatoes and peas in this diary, she would have been welcomed by her parents, adored and poked curiously in equal measure by her older siblings when they came home from school and saw their sister for the first time.

It is known by many in the family that the bond Rangi shared with her older sister Pani was an especially close one. The bond would have started on the day Rangi was born and would last all their lives.

Infancy

Very little is known of Rangi’s early life, but from what we know of her mother Kate, there would always have been chores around the house for Rangi and her siblings to tend to.

There would have been veggies to pick and prepare from the gardens for dinner, animals to feed, coal to be gathered that had fallen onto the nearby tracks from freight trains travelling through Gisborne. There would have also been sewing, cleaning and helping their father with his house and work duties. Being academically gifted and inquisitive, the children would have also been eager to attend to their school homework.

Marie, Kitty, Billy and Rangi playing at the Park where their Dad worked.

Rangi at age 11

Rangi and daughter (TBA)

On the 5th of February, 1927, Rangi gave birth to her daughter, Mary Priestley in Gisborne. Very soon after the birth, long discussions and difficult decisions were made about the future of both Rangi and her daughter. With great reluctance, Rangi gave her daughter up for her parents William and Kate to raise. From all that is known of William and Kate, it would be unfair to them to think they judged their daughter harshly. It is not clear why they took such a hard stance with Rangi when several of her siblings, before and after Mary was born also presented moko to their Parents out of wedlock. Assuming Rangi’s long absences from school were attributed to her heart condition, and taking into account her young age as well as not having the support of a partner or in-laws, it does make sense that her parents would have been concerned for their daughter’s continued good health and well being and thought it appropriate they raise their new moko at Cochrane Street. Little is known of Rangi’s movements in the years following the birth of her first daughter Mary, but by late 1928, she was in Palmerston North and in a committed relationship with Harold Alexander Douglas Bennington from Rangiora. On the 18th of August, 1929, Rangi and Harold welcomed their daughter, Dawn. She would be the only child they had together and a half sister to Mary Priestley. Harold had previously had a number of children with his wife, Elizabeth Ann Pitcher. They were Shirley Mavis Bennington, Maurice Leslie Bennington, Rosalie Bennington and Avon Bennington. When her daughter Dawn was two, Rangi asked her older sister Dine (Amelia) Robinson and brother-in-law Hugh to look after her. Dine was happy to do his and so Dawn came to live with the Robinsons in Taumarunui. Rangi continued living and working in Palmerston North.

Gone too Soon

Early in the evening of Thursday the 9th of March 1933, Rangi died suddenly in her place of residence, The Royal Hotel on Rangitikei Street in Palmerston North. She was just 4 months shy of her 25th birthday.

The Royal Hotel Palmerston North

At the time of her death, Rangi was two months pregnant with her and Harold’s second child. Harold was still married to Elizabeth Pitcher, but was intending to divorce her and marry Rangi. In either case, Rangi was already known as Mrs. Bennington. Her Death Certificate gives the cause of death as “fatty degeneration of the heart.” This was the same condition that took her Grandfather, Charles Priestley from the whanau 44 years before. The Coroner’s Report into Rangi’s death was located at Archives Wellington in October, 2015. It gives valuable insight into Rangi’s life at the time she died. Harold Bennington and Rangi’s work colleague Molly Templeton gave sworn statements of Rangi’s final day. They would never know their words would come to prove so valuable to us some 82 years later. Her final day was as normal and routine as any other. Life appeared to be good for her. She was in a committed relationship, her pregnancy was causing her no undue stress and when Harold last saw her at 6.05pm on the evening she died, her only complaint was that she was feeling a little tired.

Pictures of the Royal Hotel 2017 here.

When researching family history it is often wise to put emotion to the side in pursuit of the facts. And certainly in the case of Rangi Priestley where so little factual information is known about her, it is especially important to focus on the facts so a truer account of who she was can be compiled. But as a granddaughter whose Nan died some 36 years before she was born there is also a need for comfort, because we are not talking about just anyone. And for me, the only comfort I can draw from Rangi’s untimely passing is that she did not know it was coming - Rachael Stowers

Harold Bennington broke the news to Rangi's parents, William and Kate, that she had passed away. It would have been an incredibly difficult communication to make and receive because it came so unexpectedly and with such brutal finality.

Rangi was taken back to Gisborne and interred at Te Arai Urupa in Manutuke on the 12th of March, 1933 in a plot close to her maternal grandmother, Hera Mackey. At the time of her interment she was the only Priestley there.

The Aftermath

When Rangi died, her first daughter Mary Priestley was six-years old. Mary would later be officially adopted by her Grandparents William and Kate.

Younger daughter Dawn Bennington was three years old, and by this stage, had grown close to her Aunty Dine and Uncle Hugh and asked to become a permanent part of their family. They duly adopted her and she became known as Dawn Robinson.

During this difficult time, Rangi’s father William would have recorded many of his most private thoughts in his trusty diary. As with any parent, it is doubtful that he ever got over such a loss, for a few short years after this, he also passed away suddenly. He was interred at Te Arai urupa next to his daughter where they were fittingly honoured with a shared headstone.

Her Legacy

It is an absolute tragedy that Rangi’s life was cut short at the very time that she had found happiness and contentment. Her hopes of fulfilling her aspirations and dreams it seemed were over.

However, what she did leave behind were two daughters, Mary and Dawn. Thanks to their adopted families, they both had wonderful upbringings.

Mary and Dawn were to eventually find love and contentment for themselves. Mary married James Stowers and Dawn married Robert Steele. They went on to raise families of their own, and were fortunate enough to lead full and productive lives including witnessing the arrival of mokopuna.

It is therefore through these successive generations of the Stowers and Steele whanau that Rangi’s hopes and dreams are being fulfilled, for it is they who carry the legacy of our tipuna Rangi Priestley.

Rangi would be so proud of both her daughter’s achievements, and the fine individuals her mokopuna and greatmoko have grown into.

May she rest in peace.

Rangi Documents

Rangi's daughters - Mary and Dawn

Death Certificate

Coroners Inquest Report Back to Top

Rangi Timeline

1908 - 17 July Rangi Priestley born at 47 Cochrane Street, Gisborne.

1909 - 12 February SS Penguin wrecked in Cook Strait, 75 people die. (5 months old)

1910 - 12 October Younger sister Katharine (Kitty) born. (2 years old)

1911 - 5 February The first officially recorded powered airplane flight in new Zealand (2 years old)

1912 - 15 April RMS Titanic sinks, 1514 people lose their lives. (3 years old)

1913 - 19 April Younger brother William is born. (4 years old)

1913 - 30 June Admission Date to Te Hapara School. (4 years old)

1913 - 29 September Admission Date to Te Hapara School. (5 years old)

1914 - 28 July World War One begins. (6 years old)

1915 - Older brother Wi Kepa goes to Egypt to fight in World War One. (7 years old)

1915 - 7 December Younger sister Marie is born. (7 years old)

1916 - Conscription introduced in New Zealand to Pakeha only. (8 years old)

1917 - Conscription extended to New Zealand Maori. Ernest Rutherford splits the atom. (9 years old)

1918 - 28 August younger brother and potiki of the Priestley whanau, Charles is born. (10 years old)

1918 - 11 November World War One ends.

1919 - 28 June Treaty of Versailles signed by Germany and The Allies. (10 years old)

1920 - 7 May Older sister Amelia (Dine) marries Hugh Robinson in Gisborne (11 years old)

1920 - ANZAC Day established. (11 years old)

1921 - 13 August Otene Pitau Rongowhakaata leader dies. (13 years old)

1922 - 19 December Last day at Te Hapara School. (14 years old)

1923 - 9 January New Zealand author Katherine Mansfield dies in France. (14 years old)

1924 - All Black Invincibles tour of Britain and France. (16 years old)

1925 - 31 May 1925 Followers of Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana form the Ratana Church (16 years old)

1926 - March 26 Census has population of New Zealand at 1,403,640. (17 years old)

1927 - 5 February Older daughter Mary Priestley born Gisborne. (18 years old)

1928 - August Southpaw Boxer Ted Morgan wins New Zealand's first Olympic Gold medal at the Amsterdam Summer Games. (19 years old)

1929 - 18 August Younger daughter Dawn Bennington born. (21 years old)

1930 - 4 November Phar Lap wins the Melbourne Cup. (22 years old)

1931 - 20 February Movie East Lynne released.The film version of her Mother’s favourite book. (22 years old)

1931 - 3 February A magnitude 7.8 earthquake hits the Hawkes Bay, 256 dead.

1931 - A First Class ticket on the Arawa from Wellington to South Hampton cost140 Pounds.(23 years old)

1932 - 23 July New Zealand All Blacks win the inaugural Bledisloe Cup. (24 years old)

1933 - Thursday night 9 March died The Royal Hotel Palmerston North. (24 years, 7 months, 20 days old)

Rangi Media

(Click on enlarge icon below to view in full screen)

Rangi Photo Alburm

Rangi Whakapapa

Individual File

Family Chart

Priestley Descendancy Chart

Descendants Chart

Ancestors Chart

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