James Mearns Spence
James Mearns Spence born 1 November 1849 Montrose, Angus, Scotland son of James Spence and Margaret Blues Mearns, arrived Auckland, New Zealand about 1861, died 23 June 1919, Deveron Street, Whangārei aged 70 years, reg. 1919/3878.
The Late Mr. J. M. Spence.
Interred at Whareora.
Interred at Whareora.
The funeral of the late Mr. James Spence took place yesterday afternoon, the remains of the deceased being first conveyed to the Church of England, where service was conducted by Mr J. C. Johnson, after which the cortege left for the Whareora cemetery.
Amongst those present at the funeral were the two sons as well as many of the old-time friends of the deceased, and an abundance of floral wreaths testified to the esteem in which he was held.
Mr. Spence was a very old resident of Whangarei. He was the only son of Captain Spence, a seafaring man from Montrose, Scotland. At the age of about 13 years he arrived with his parents in Auckland in 1861, and after a short stay there journeyed north to Whangarei, where Captain Spence took up land at Parahaki. The holding in those days was covered in dense bush and the young lad found himself faced with plenty of hard work for many years. He then took up various other occupations and upon the death of his parents came into Whangarei to live, doing accountancy and other work. He was married to Miss McKenzie [Christian McKenzie], sister of Mr. J. D. McKenzie, chairman of the Harbour Board, and they reared a family of three sons and two daughters. The eldest, James, was killed at Gallipoli, while the youngest, Hector, was severely gassed. The second son, William, is resident in Wellington. The two unmarried daughters live in Whangarei with their mother.
Friends of the deceased gentleman say that the death of his eldest son had a serious effect upon his health and that he began to fail from that date. Mr. Spence took a great interest in the collection of coins and stamps, and he is reported to have gathered some very valuable specimens. As a landscape photographer he showed great skill and he has left many beautiful records of Whangarei scenery.
Amongst those present at the funeral were the two sons as well as many of the old-time friends of the deceased, and an abundance of floral wreaths testified to the esteem in which he was held.
Mr. Spence was a very old resident of Whangarei. He was the only son of Captain Spence, a seafaring man from Montrose, Scotland. At the age of about 13 years he arrived with his parents in Auckland in 1861, and after a short stay there journeyed north to Whangarei, where Captain Spence took up land at Parahaki. The holding in those days was covered in dense bush and the young lad found himself faced with plenty of hard work for many years. He then took up various other occupations and upon the death of his parents came into Whangarei to live, doing accountancy and other work. He was married to Miss McKenzie [Christian McKenzie], sister of Mr. J. D. McKenzie, chairman of the Harbour Board, and they reared a family of three sons and two daughters. The eldest, James, was killed at Gallipoli, while the youngest, Hector, was severely gassed. The second son, William, is resident in Wellington. The two unmarried daughters live in Whangarei with their mother.
Friends of the deceased gentleman say that the death of his eldest son had a serious effect upon his health and that he began to fail from that date. Mr. Spence took a great interest in the collection of coins and stamps, and he is reported to have gathered some very valuable specimens. As a landscape photographer he showed great skill and he has left many beautiful records of Whangarei scenery.
Northern Advocate, 25 June 1919, Page 2
[purchased February 2022]
Panorama of Whangarei by James Mearns Spence
[purchased February 2022]
[purchased February 2022]
Panorama of Whangarei by James Mearns Spence
[purchased February 2022]
[purchased February 2022]
[purchased February 2022]
Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19171004-39-1
Showing a panorama of the town of Whangarei on the banks of the Hatea River in 1917.
Taken from the supplement to the Auckland Weekly News 4 October 1917 p039
Whareora ...Capt. Spence has left this district after a residence of over a quarter of a century amongst us. Capt. and Mrs Spence were much respected here and carry with them the best wishes of the settlers of this neighbourhood. They have gone to reside in Mairtown, Whangarei.
Northern Advocate, 5 November 1887, Page 2
Northern Advocate, 5 November 1887, Page 2
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