BRAGGE, James

James Bragge
Portrait and Landscape Photographer
Wellington
New Zealand

born Sunderland, England
died 17 July, 1908 Wellington.

Reverve inscription "Minnie Langford November 18 / 96"
numbered 3956

Mr. James Bragge, an old and respected colonist who for a number of years was in business in Wellington as a photographer, died last night at the advanced age of 75 years. Deceased was born in Sunderland. From the Old Land he went to South Africa and came to New Zealand 43 years ago. He is survived by two daughters — Mrs. Hearn, of Christchurch and Mrs. Veale wife of Mr. G. R. Veale, of the Supreme Court Wellington — and a widow and a four-year-old daughter.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 16, 18 July 1908, Page 5

The late Mr James Bragge, who was in business in Wellington as a photographer for over a quarter of a century, left a very valuable collection of negatives that have almost an historical value as far as that city is concerned. A few photographs printed from these negatives secured thirty years, ago are now on view in a Willis Street shop (says The Dominion), and are highly interesting as showing the development of the city. One is a view of Customhouse Quay taken when the waters of the harbour used to lap under what is now the Bank of Australasia, and what was then the Star Boating Club's shed.

Another shows Te Aro House (of another generation) draped in wet blankets, taken on the morning following the destruction by fire of the first Opera House, which stood on the site of the present theatre in Manners St.

A very fine negative is that of the basin of the Karori Reservoir taken when empty. One shows the Government Buildings with steam-driven trams, drawn up on Lambton Quay, and still another as a photograph of the laying of the foundation stone of the Supreme Court buildings, a ceremony which, drew a large crowd; including the Garrison Band and a company of Volunteers. Several of those persons, figuring in the crowd, are easily recognisable as present-day citizens, and others are there who have gone the way of all flesh. Among the latter is the late Drum-Major Davis, who for many years headed the Garrison Band on parade. The photographs are a standing tribute to the excellent results obtainable with the old wet plate process.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 207, 1 September 1908, Page 3

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