DE MAUS, David Alexander

David Alexander De Maus

David Alexander De Maus was born in London about 1847 (1) the son of David De Maus (2), a hatter and Elizabeth De Maus nee Oatley or Oattley. His father was born in Glasgow about 1811 and his mother in Ayr about 1810 (3).

The 1851 census shows the family at 8 Nicolson Square, Edinburgh (Demaus) and in 1861 at 54 Candlemaker Row, Edinburgh (Dumas). In 1861 David Alexander De Maus was then aged 13 and employed as a clerk. He had two older brothers - James born about 1836 in Edinburgh and Robert (may have died young) born 1 January 1838, bapt 5 Feb 1838 in Ayr, (4) and two sisters Elize born about 1841 in Glasgow and Selina born about 1843 in Glasgow.

He came to New Zealand by the ship “Caribou” which arrived at Port Chalmers on 13 January 1867.

Marriage - On the 24th January, at the residence of the bride's mother, Harrington street, Port Chalmers, by the Rev Wm. Keall, David Alexander De Maus, to Ann Cooper Buchan, eldest daughter of the late Wm. Buchan.  

Otago Witness, Issue 1366, 2 February 1878, Page 14

 

Death - On the 7th August, at the residence of his parents, George street, Port Chalmers, Oatley, son of David Alexander and Annie De Maus; aged 3 years and 6 months.  

Otago Witness, Issue 1602, 12 August 1882, Page 17

Once upon a time, not so very long since either, Port Chalmers possessed a performing doggie, well known as "Photo," and owned by Mr De Maus, photographer, of that town. Photo was a canny tyke, rough-haired and crop-eared, and many a time and oft has he delighted the juveniles, aye, and children of larger growth too, by his quaint performances in public. Poor Photo, however, is no more; he has gone to the other side of Jordan, and by way of keeping him in remembrance, that is, if it were possible to forget a doggie of so many good parts, his whilom master has divided his body with the worms by retaining the head, which has been very artistically stuffed and preserved by Mr J. Lees, of the Port, who, we may remark en passant, is a taxidermist of no mean ability.

Otago Witness, Issue 1164, 21 March 1874, Page 16

Since Mr De Maus, the Exhibition (New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition - 1889) photographer, has opened his studio, some few of the season ticket holders have paid him a visit to have the portrait taken, which, according to the regulations, must be pasted on every admission card.

Otago Witness, Issue 969, 15 August 1889, Page 13

He died on 17th July 1925, aged 77 and is buried at the new Port Chalmers Cemetery.

The death is announced of Mr David Alexander de Maus, a well-known resident of Port Chalmers for many years. Born in Edinburgh (census indicates England), he came to New Zealand in the gold rush days, going to the West Coast. Afterwards he established a photographer's business at Port Chalmers, where he settled. He took an active interest in public affairs at Port Chalmers, and was Mayor, during the South African War period. Mr De Maus represented Port Chalmers for a number of years on the Otago Harbour Board. 

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18438, 20 July 1925, Page

(1) shown as England in the 1851 census and London, England in the 1861 census. Possibly - Births Sep 1847 Demause David Bermondsey vol. 4 page 39
(2) 1841 David Demause aged 30 England Census > Lancashire > Denton > District 5
(3) Possibly bapt 26 January 1808 St. Quivox And Newton, Ayr, Scotland the daughter of James Oattley and Jean Alexander (IGI)
(4) IGI

James De Maus

1861 - Argyle Square, Pulteney, Caithness.
James Demans aged 26 born Edinburgh, photographer, lodger at the house of Donald Campbell, photographer. Household schedule number: 30. Line: 12, Roll: CSSCT1861_6

Mr DeMaus, formerly of Dunedin, died suddenly, of apoplexy (in Fiji). 

North Otago Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 752, 2 August 1872, Page 2

DE MAUS TOPS THE AVERAGES AT REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES.

Herbert De Maus, this year's leading cricketer, is nigh on twenty-three years old, is two yards and two inches' in height, and is a genial and popular fellow. He was born in Levuka, Fiji, and when a youngster was sent to Edinburgh, where the ground work of his education was laid. Still a boy he came to New Zealand in 1882, and started commercial life in the office of the Lyttelton Times, with which firm he is still connected. De Maus learned his cricket entirely in New Zealand. He joined the Lancaster Park Club, Christchurch, about eight years ago, and rapidly advanced to senior ranks under the tuition of the Hon. E. O. J. Stevens and Mr. A. M. Ollivier, two famous Canterbury reps. Possessing enormous reach and plenty of confidence, De Maus renders nugatory many a breaking ball that would be fatal to less resolute batsmen. His favourite stroke is between point and cover, but he is strong in all departments, and undoubtedly stands to-day first and foremost amongst New Zealand cracks. Against the first N.S.W. team he compiled 88, he and Wilding making a meritorious stand at a critical period. He has rendered yeoman service to his club, and has scored consistently in all representative matches. So highly were his talents valued that effort were made by appreciative Canterbury supporters to secure him a place in the last Australian Eleven, but unfortunately the negotiations were fruitless. His recent performance against the second N.S.W. team, where he played a magnificent innings for 118, set the seal on his fame, and induced the highest eulogistic opinions from such capable judges as Mr. Coleman Davis, and the leading members of his team. In all representative matches for this season he has an average of 50, being by far the highest in the Colony. It may safely be affirmed that no Australian Eleven is complete without De Maus. As a bowler he is, on a wicket that suits him, extremely dangerous, and in style and method somewhat resembles Ashbolt. Gentlemanly, unassuming, and a thorough enthusiast, he is the beau-ideal of a popular hero. At the inevitable social his vocal abilities are always in request ; for deep rolling nautical songs he is not to be surpassed. 

Fair Play, Volume I, Issue 21, 1 May 1894, Page 18

(born 15 September 1871, Levuka, Fiji - died 15 1932, Suva, Fiji)

Photographs by David Alexander De Maus, Port Chalmers

  

 

 

 

 

above cdv courtesy of The Laurence Eagle Collection

 

above cdv courtesy of The Laurence Eagle Collection

 

above cdv courtesy of The Laurence Eagle Collection

 

 

above cdv courtesy of The Laurence Eagle Collection