Alexander Tait
born circa 1839, Watten, Caithness, Scotland [1]
died after December 1882
1861-1862 - Portland, Victoria, Australia
1863 to 1866 - Caledonian Portrait Gallery, Dunedin
1873-1874 - Mawhera Quay, Greymouth
1863 to 1866 - Caledonian Portrait Gallery, Dunedin
1873-1874 - Mawhera Quay, Greymouth
1878 - Masterton
1879 - Wanganui
1880 - Reefton
1882 - Broadway, Reefton
1879 - Wanganui
1880 - Reefton
1882 - Broadway, Reefton
Australia
Portland Guardian and Normanby General Advertiser (Victoria), 23 October 1861, page 4
Portland Guardian and Normanby General Advertiser, 18 January 1862, page 4
New Zealand
Mention has been made of the Governor [Sir James Fergusson, 1832-1907], during his visit to Greymouth, undergoing that painful or pleasant operation having his portrait taken. The portrait-taker, it should be added, was Mr Tait, and an excellent likeness and picture were the portraits — superior to any other portraits of the Governor that have yet been seen in these parts.
Grey River Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1668, 9 December 1873, Page 2
Grey River Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1678, 19 December 1873, Page 2
Alexander Tait of Mawhera Quay advertised in the Grey River Argus for a brief time between 23 December 1873 and 19 January 1874.
Two meetings of creditors were fixed to take place to-day one in the estate of Alexander Tait, of Masterton, photographer, and the other re William Cooper, of Karori, brick- maker. For want of a quorum, however, both meetings were adjourned till to-morrow.
Evening Post, Volume XVI, Issue 183, 2 August 1878, Page 2
this photograph came with others from Wanganui and Marton so may have been taken by Alexander Tait while in that area.
Photography
seems to be quite a transitory business. There are two or three artists
now in the district — a Mr Walker, from Christchurch [probably Charles F. Walker],
and Mr Caney, who is assisted by his wife. The amount of work they are
doing is another thing. I do not think they will receive much patronage,
as money appears very scarce, and Tait, of Masterton, was here a short
time back on the same venture.
Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 115, 22 March 1879, Page 2
Wanganui Herald, Volume XII, Issue 9375, 22 March 1879, Page 2
In our notice on the 22nd inst., re Messrs Tait and Co., we should have stated that they have only taken over the portrait business, and Mr W J. Harding retains the architectural and landscape business in his own hands.
Wanganui Herald, Volume XII, Issue 9376, 24 March 1879, Page 2
Messrs Tait and Co., photographers, of Ridgway Street, are now exhibiting some enlarged photos, coloured with life like tints, and handsomely mounted and framed. The portraits are excellent, while the general effect of the picture is equal to the best oil painting.
Wanganui Herald, Volume XII, Issue 9396, 17 April 1879, Page 2
Mr
Alexander Tait, the photographer, has arrived, and intends to open his
studio in a day or two. His stay here will probably extend over the
holidays, and as he is well-known as a first-class artist, the people of
the district will have an opportunity afforded them of having a true,
elegant, and well-finished portrait, taken by aid of the late
improvements and innovations in the art.
Inangahua Times, Volume II, Issue II, 17 November 1880, Page 2
This notice first appeared in the Inangahua Times on 13 December 1882 and continued until 27 April 1883.
In
June 1884 at fire in Reefton threatened Tait's photographic studio and
the furniture and stock was removed. The fire also threatened the
neighbouring business of Forsyth and Masters.
Inangahua Times, Volume IX, Issue 1411, 9 June 1884, Page 2
By January 1885 Alexander Tait's studio was vacant.
Alexander Turnbull Library
photographs by Alexander Tait
Tait, Alexander, fl 1870s. Alexander Tait (Photographer) :Charles Augustus Vallance. Vallance, Mr :Family photographs. Ref: 1/2-137602-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22753871
Family
Alexander Tait
born circa 1839, Watten, Caithness, Scotland [1]
son of George Tait and Anne Mowatt, brother of the photographer John Tait.
arrived Victoria, Australia with his family on the ship "Priam" August 1852
died after December 1882
married 6 March 1872 at the Manse, Greymouth
Alice Du Heaume
she died 29 October 1875 at Kew Asylum, Melbourne, Australia [2]
registered 1875 no.13632
issue:
1. Alice Maud Tait
[Maude Alice Tait], music teacher, born circa 1873, Melbourne, Victoria reg. 1873 no.
3972, daughter of Alexander Tait and Alice Duheanme [sic], affidavit to probate of Adam Duncan Alexander MacFarlane confirms
she was born in Melbourne, she was later "adopted" by her uncle John Tait, died circa 1953 aged 80 years, reg.
1953/30664, married 1904 at Christchurch, reg. 1904/151, Adam Duncan Alexander MacFarlane.
2. John Leighton Du Heaume Tait born 7 September 1874 Greymouth, died 8 January 1887, Merino, Victoria aged 12 years. Birth register transcript shows John Seaton Tait reg. no. 1874/44467, newspaper death notice shows John Leighton De Heaume Tait.
3. William George Tait [1], born circa 1875, Victoria, reg. 1875 no. 24168, son of Alexander Tait and Alice Du Heaume, died before 1887.
We have much pleasure in drawing the attention of our readers to the announcement by Miss Tait, of Hokitika, that she intends to take a limited number of pupils for singing in Greymouth, Miss Tait's qualifications are attended by the fact of having received from the Associated Board of the Royal College and Royal Academy of Music, London, their highest practical degree, (Licentiate of Associate Board). The certificate may be seen at Mr B Dixon's, Tainui Street. Miss Tait's pupils have taken the highest places at the practical examinations at Hokitika and also have distinguished themselves on the concert platform.
Grey River Argus, Volume 57, Issue 10520, 13 January 1903, Page 2
[1] family - http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/j/o/h/Richard-Theodore-Johnson-CA/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-1923.html and http://www.swvic.org/merino/tait_geo.htm
[2] Illustrated Australian News for Home Readers (Melbourne), 1 December 1875 page 199 wife of Alexander Tait of Greymouth, New Zealand.
Mr Adam D. A. Macfarlane (late Chief Clerk of the State Forest Service) died at his home in Nelson on Saturday, the cause of his death being an abscess on the brain. The late Mr. Macfarlane was born in Hokitika in 1872 and was a son of the late Mr. Duncan Macfarlane at one time Stipendiary Magistrate of Westland. He was educated, in Westland and on leaving school was appointed as cadet in the Department of Lands and Survey in Hokitika. Later he was transferred to the office of this Department in Nelson, and for some years did Valuable work for the Department and the community generally. In 1917 he was transferred to the Public Trust Department, where he gave good service in the organisation of the branch office of the Department in Palmerston North. When the State Forest Department was created in 1920, Mr Macfarlane was appointed Chief Clerk, and did strenuous work assisting in the inauguration of the service up to the time of his illness a little over a week ago.
The late Mr. Macfarlane was a genial officer of the Civil Service, with which he was associated for 38 years, and made many friends throughout the Dominion. In his younger days he took great interest in football and other sports, and in music. He leaves a widow and one small daughter, who will have the sympathy of a wide circle of sincere friends.
Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 101, 26 October 1922, Page 6
[2] Illustrated Australian News for Home Readers (Melbourne), 1 December 1875 page 199 wife of Alexander Tait of Greymouth, New Zealand.
Mr Adam D. A. Macfarlane (late Chief Clerk of the State Forest Service) died at his home in Nelson on Saturday, the cause of his death being an abscess on the brain. The late Mr. Macfarlane was born in Hokitika in 1872 and was a son of the late Mr. Duncan Macfarlane at one time Stipendiary Magistrate of Westland. He was educated, in Westland and on leaving school was appointed as cadet in the Department of Lands and Survey in Hokitika. Later he was transferred to the office of this Department in Nelson, and for some years did Valuable work for the Department and the community generally. In 1917 he was transferred to the Public Trust Department, where he gave good service in the organisation of the branch office of the Department in Palmerston North. When the State Forest Department was created in 1920, Mr Macfarlane was appointed Chief Clerk, and did strenuous work assisting in the inauguration of the service up to the time of his illness a little over a week ago.
The late Mr. Macfarlane was a genial officer of the Civil Service, with which he was associated for 38 years, and made many friends throughout the Dominion. In his younger days he took great interest in football and other sports, and in music. He leaves a widow and one small daughter, who will have the sympathy of a wide circle of sincere friends.
Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 101, 26 October 1922, Page 6
