Auckland
died 29 September 1916 at his residence, Princes Street, Northcote, Auckland
Mr Josiah Martin, late head master of the Model Training School, is a passenger by the Loch Fleet to London. Mr Martin has been unwell for many months, and his object in visiting his native city is the recovery of his health, which may be invigorated and possibly restored by the voyage. His pupils, desirous of showing their regard, have sent him a number of presents, accompanied by letters full of pleasant words.
Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 2786, 31 March 1879
Mr. Josiah Martin has entered into partnership with Mr. W.H.T. Partington (formerly of Barlett's and Hemus and Hanna's), and the new firm are about to commence business as photographers at the Queen-street Market entrance. During the last two years a "new departure" has been made in photographic science, known us the "Gelatine Bromide" or "dry plate" process, and this process the new firm propose to bring into extensive use. By it some wonderful pictures have been taken from the car of a balloon in rapid movement between Rouen and Paris, in one-twentieth part of a second at 6.30 on a misty evening. In the portrait gallery and for family groups these pictures are in great demand.
New Zealand Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 5956, 18 December 1880
Everyone should visit the photographic studio of Mr Josiah Martin. His new portraits on platinum form an era in the annals of photography. They are as soft and clear as an oil painting by an old master, and the pose is remarkably good. Some are exquisitely tinted by Mr Trevithick, and some by Miss Stewart.
Observer, Volume 3, Issue 58, 22 October 1881
Messrs Martin and Partington, photographers, having dissolved partnership, the business will be carried on by Mr Josiah Martin, whose instantaneous portraits and platinum pictures have achieved such wide reputation.
Observer, Volume 3, Issue 75, 18 February 1882
Tourists and visitors to the Terraces and Hot Springs will be glad to know that Mr Josiah Martin has secured an excellent portrait of "Sophia," the wellknown guide, which is on sale at his studio, Queen-street Market.
Observer, Volume IV, Issue 92, 17 June 1882
Mr Josiah Martin has just issued a new series of views of Auckland, many of which are remarkable for their artistic beauty and effect. The photograph of Auckland Harbour from Railway Wharf, showing the departure of the Nelson, is a perfect gem; the cutter in the foreground coming up to the Railway Wharf is as correct as a painting, while the play of light and shade upon the water is instinct with life. The Auckland Express is another instantaneous effect, taking the moving train on the embankment as sharp as if it was stationary. Several other views and street scenes, full of life and vigour, have been publish, and we recommend a visit to Mr Martin's Studio.
Observer, Volume 4, Issue 98, 29 July 1882
Mr. Josiah Martin, photographer, who has recently returned from the Lake Country, has brought back with him after his six weeks' tour in that interesting region, about 300 views he has obtained of Lake scenery. He has secured about 50 views of the Whakarewarewa, Tikitere, Ohinemutu, and Rotorua districts; 50 of the Wairakei, and some 200 of the Rotamahana terraces, geysers, hot springs, and lake scenery. Some of the natural wonders now photographed have never been previously taken, and as a contribution to the collection of photographs views of the Maori Wonderland, Mr. Martin's is one of the best that has yet been forthcoming.
New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6897, 25 December 1883
A collection of large mezzotint photographs (22 x 15) of New Zealand scenery has been prepared by Mr. Josiah Martin, photographer, which he is forwarding to the Indian and Colonial Exhibition. It consists of a set of nine views representing the terraces of Rotomahana, being six of the white terraces and three of the pink. Also a set of four representing New Zealand bush scenery. These are some of the choicest gems of our sylvan beauties.
Taking them in detail —
No. 1 represents the White Terrace overflowing; the great buttress is distinct in foreground, and the basins behind.
No. 2 upper basins overflowing;
No. 3 is a view of the upper terrace drying. In this the artist has been successful in bringing out the detail of the architecture of the terrace — embossing standing out as white rosettes on a grey ground, making a very effective picture.
No. 4 represents the formation of the cups and basins when dry.
No. 5 is a beautiful picture of the interior of the cauldron, taken on the morning of Mr. Sala's visit. The flowering of the cauldron is here depicted in high relief.
No. 6 is a view of the fringed buttresses at evening.
No. 7 a general view of the Pink Terrace.
No. 8 of the beautiful cascades, for which it is so celebrated ; and
No. 9 the well known "umbrella" buttress — one of the grandest features of the Pink Terrace.
The four views of local scenery embrace the Huia Glen, Manukau, which was so much admired at the Society of Arts Exhibition; the Waitakerei, a bush scene above the Waitakerei falls, an exquisite picture of distinctive native foliage; and last is a view of the Nihotapu cascades.
This gives a typical representation of the beautiful scenery for which this part of the island is so celebrated. The whole series is appropriately framed with New Zealand woods, carved and polished, so as to make it all local. The frames are very handsome. Mr. Martin has also prepared two pictures similar to these in size and framing. One represents a giant kauri from Northern Wairoa, the largest yet photographed, being 45 feet 6 inches in girth, and the other the wharf and shipping at Te Kopuru, Kaipara. These have been executed to the order of Dr. Campbell, and will form part of his collection illustrating the timber industry.
New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7550, 1 February 1886
A
very interesting address was given on May 14 to the Auckland
Photographic Club, by Mr. Josiah Martin, illustrated by the optical
lantern. The lecturer gave a humorous description of the innumerable
difficulties which beset the early visitors to the Hot Lake district.
His first visit had been paid in 1876, when the first difficulty to
overcome was the rooted objection of the Maori to the camera in any
form. Then the almost insuperable difficulty in getting the pure water
needed for the wet-plate process — difficulties of light — difficulties
with provisions — rendered the task of the early photographer painfully
uncertain.
Ten days unceasing rain added to troubles, and when at last good
negatives were taken and developed the bottom of the plate box came out,
and fragments strewed the ground. The lecturer gave his theory of the
formation of the terraces, and explained the mode of silicious
incrustation so characteristic of the scene. After the lecture a
unanimous vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Martin, and notice given of
the private exhibition of the club to be held from May 28 to June 4.
New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8259, 19 May 1890, Page 10
Obituary.
Mr. Josiah Martin.
An early citizen of Auckland, at one time prominent in business circles, has just passed away at Northcote, at the age of 73 years, in the person of Mr. Josiah Martin, formerly engaged in education and photography. Mr. Martin was a man of many parts, social, artistic,and scientific. In matters photographic he was one of the first men in New Zealand to exploit the scenic wealth of the country and his photographs of New Zealand panoramic beauty had great vogue some 30 years ago, long before the State formed a Tourist Department and took in hand the advertising of the special attractions of the country. Probably Mr. Martin's photographs did more to bring the Rotomahana Terraces and other thermal wonders of the Auckland Province under the notice of the world than any other medium. Prior to the days of free State education Mr. Martin conducted a private college at the old Choral Hall. He was a leading member of the Auckland Institute in the days of his active life, and was also a high dignitary in English Freemasonry. The deceased leaves three daughters, one of whom is the wife of the Rev. 0. Lyon.
New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16350, 3 October 1916
A Veteran Photographer. There died at Northcote this week a veteran knight of the camera, Mr Josiah Martin, at the age of 73 years. He was known from end to end of the Dominion, and his views of Now Zealand scenic resorts did much to popularise the country before the days of the illustrated newspapers. His chief work was around Auckland and in the thermal regions, but he also had a very large collection of views of Wakatipu, Wanaka, Hawea, Te Anau, and the West Coast Sounds. Some 30 years ago he did a great business in photos of Now Zealand scenery, the views being eagerly bought up by tourists and others to send to all parts of the world.
Evening Star, Issue 16240, 9 October 1916