Unknown Photographer

Possibly members of the Canterbury Engineer Volunteers undertaking bridge building and entrenchment exercises.

The uniform of this Volunteer shows the letters "CEV"

1892

Canterbury Engineers.

On Saturday the annual inspection of the Canterbury Engineer Volunteers terminated with a practical afternoon's work in the various branches of military engineering which would be required in the event of war. The Hon the Defence Minister, and Mrs Seddon and some members of their family were present. Lieut. Colonel Gordon, with Majors Slater and Francis, watched the operations. The waggons comprising the transport left the Drillshed yard at 10.3.0 a.m., under the charge of two non-commissioned officer, the remainder of the corps being ordered to parade at New Brighton at 3 p.m., but to arrive as much earlier as possible, so that the necessary preliminary work of unloading and arranging the stores, laying a telephone line, &c, could be accomplished before parade time.

At 3 p.m., on the arrival of the Defence Minister's party, the men were told off to their duties mounted and foot signal men, submarine and land miners, telephone men and electricians, field work and bridging parties. The strength of the corps present on parade and detached was forty-four, making, with twenty-six members of the band, a total of seventy men. The work having been commenced the band started playing, and continued from time to time during the afternoon, in a style very much appreciated by the large number of people assembled to witness the operations. The arranged plan was that an enemy, having attempted landing, was off the coast waiting a favourable time to renew the attack, and the Engineers were sent to the front to keep the commanding officer informed, by signal men and telephone, of his proceedings, to retard his advance by destroying bridges, placing submarine mines and land mines, and, at the same time provide for the advance of the local forces by placing a bridge across the Avon, that, while available for the defenders, could be readily removed in case the necessity should arise. The work was all carried out simultaneously, Captain Falconer, the Inspector of Engineers and Submarine Mining, being inspecting officer and Captain Webster commanding, with Lieutenant M'Gee as subaltern.

The land mine, containing 50lb of gunpowder, was successfully fired, but owing to the nature of the soil and being too hurriedly placed, did not produce very great effect, although some of the soil was thrown a distance of one hundred and fifty yards. Mrs Bean, daughter of the Hon E. J. Seddon, fired the mine. The submarine mine, which was fired by Mrs Seddon, gave a very startling and suggestive illustration of the power of 70lb of gun-cotton, and what would be the condition of anything placed over it. The water of the river was lifted in a huge column for about a height of one hundred and sixty feet. Mud and fish were thrown high in the air, fish being picked up in considerable numbers; one huge eel, 18lb in weight, was thrown to a height of fully forty feet, and fell on the bank.

The bridging was accomplished quickly, and many people, including ladies, crossed over. Owing to the limited stores the only possible plan was a raft running between bridge ends; this did the work effectively. The corps' photographer, Sapper Wise, took several photographs during the afternoon.

The signalling and telephone work were well carried out. The telephone wire was laid from the tramway bridge along the left bank to a spot about twenty chains down the river. The flying bridge was thrown across at this spot, and the two mines were fired in its vicinity. The New Brighton Tram Company carried all the Engineers free.

Star, Issue 7413, 7 November 1892

 reverse inscription "Soams" and "Church Parade about 1902"

CAMPBELL, Charles

Samuel Hodgkinson by 

Charles Campbell

Invercargill, New Zealand

left - Samuel Hodgkinson aged 25 by an unknown daguerreotypist in 1842, 

right - Samuel Hodgkinson aged 93 by Charles Campbell in 1910.

This photo of Samuel Hodgkinson MRCS was copied from a Daguerreotype when in London in 1842 when 25 years old and a short time before he was appointed Surgeon, Superintendent of the New Zealand Company Emigrant ship Bombay which sailed from London on August 1st 1842 and arrived at Nelson, New Zealand on December 13, 1842

This photo of Dr Samuel Hodgkinson was taken in August 1910 when aged 93 years.

 

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 41, 17 December 1842

 

 

DR SAMUEL HODGKINSON, M.R.C.S.

(Extract from New Zealand Cyclopaedia, date 1905, page 794.)

Dr Samuel Hodgkinson, M.R.C.S. (L.) sat in the House of Representatives, as member for Riverton, in the Parliament of 1876. He was returned for Wallace at the general election of 1887. Dr Hodgkinson was born in Nottinghamshire in 1817, and studied for the medical profession at London University College, where he gained honorary certificates in anatomy, surgery, and botany, and became a member of the Royal College of Surgeons, London, in 1840. He proceeded to Nelson in 1842 a surgeon superintendent of the New Zealand Company's emigrant ship Bombay, and was afterwards in practice in England. In 1847 he came out to Port Phillip, Melbourne, and four years later crossed over to Canterbury, where he entered into pastoral pursuits. He visited England in 1854, and actively promoted emigration to the colonies. On his return in 1857 he resided in Auckland for two years, when he removed to Southland, and resumed country life. He was elected to the Provincial Council of Southland in 1864, and joined the Provincial Executive in 1865. Dr Hodgkinson has been foremost in all progressive movements, has always advocated a Liberal policy, and in many of his views was often in advance of his time. He has published from time to time a number of useful and able pamphlets on political questions. Dr Hodgkinson is now enjoying a green old age, with a mind still vigorous and clear.

Otago Witness, Issue 2953, 19 October 1910, Supplement

 

 

 

SHAW, George Baird

George Baird Shaw

Dunedin

born 23 March 1812 Dumfries, Scotland

 elder son of James and Isabella Shaw

died 18 September 1883 at his residence 60 Castlereagh Street North, Sydney after a lengthened period of painful suffering.

  buried 20 September 1883, Congregational Cemetery, Necropolis, Sydney
married 17 June 1858 at Crown Street, Surrey Hills, New South Wales, by Rev. James Voller, Martha Amelia Hodgkins of Bristol


 1883 - 60 Louisa Terrace, Castlereagh Street, Sydney

Otago Witness, Issue 28, 29 November 1851

Drawing of Dunedin. — We have much pleasure in noticing a water-colour drawing of the Town of Dunedin by Mr. Shaw. Our readers will see by an advertisement in our columns that it is the artist's intention to have it lithographed if inducement offers. Mr. Shaw deserves to be encouraged in this undertaking; and we would recommend the public to inspect this work of art, which will well repay them for the trouble.

There are many fine views in Otago, particularly at the month of the Taieri River, which Mr. Shaw might be induced to publish if his present undertaking succeeds; and we cannot see a more acceptable gift by a settler to his friends at home than a pictorial representation of his new abode. The present painting is an exact representation of the Town of Dunedin, and deserves to be published on that account alone, as it will have the effect of counteracting the impression made on the minds of our friends at home by the absurd thing we have seen called a "View of the Upper Harbour of Otago," in which is represented a range of snowy mountains on the east side of the harbour, under which the artist should have written, "N.B. — These are meant for clouds." 

This reminds us of a good story of the Tyro, who, having painted a horse, made its tail so long as to be under the necessity, to prevent its being mistaken for an extra leg, to intimate upon the article itself that it was the tail. Such caricatures may be very amusing in Otago, as illustrative of the efforts of an amateur artist, and of his excessive conceit in bringing his works before the world; but it would be far better for the public to pay for a sketch to be done well than accept such caricatures gratis. We do not wish to discourage amateur artists, but we think they might use a little more discretion in the publication of their efforts, as practice may in time partly supply the place of genius.

Otago Witness, Issue 28, 29 November 1851

Otago Witness, Issue 180, 3 February 1855

Otago Witness, Volume 06, Issue 182, 17 February 1855

 

 Otago Witness, Issue 186, 31 March 1855

George Baird Shaw (1812-1883), painter and printmaker, arrived in Australia in 1856. Born in Scotland, Shaw received his first training in art from his father, an amateur painter who later sent George and his brother James to train at the Academy of Fine Arts in Trieste. Back in Scotland, Shaw produced engravings for publications such as Chambers Biographical Dictionary of Eminent Scotsmen (1835), as well as engraved portraits of Sir Walter Scott and others. In 1850, Shaw emigrated to New Zealand, remaining there six years before coming to Australia. He exhibited with the South Australian Society of Artists in 1857 before moving to Sydney where he completed a series of engravings of portraits of politicians, clergymen and others. Shaw also worked as a watercolourist, specialising in landscapes, and exhibited three landscape works in the Sydney Intercolonial Exhibition of 1870. It is also thought that Shaw trained as a photographer in Edinburgh, although it is still to be established whether he practised photography in Australia. Examples of his portrait engravings are held by the National Library and the Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales.

National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, Australia

McGONIGAL, George

George McGonigal 

born 7 August 1885, reg. 1886/11790 

son of John and Mary Louisa McGonigal 

killed in action 7 August 1915, Gallipoli 

Memorial name Chunuk Bair (New Zealand) Memorial, Chunuk Bair Cemetery, Gallipoli, 

Private George McGonigal, Otago Infantry, killed, was the youngest son of the late Mr J. McGonigal, an old resident of Caversham. He was 28 years of age on the day of his death. He was educated at the Caversham Public School, and afterwards took up photography as his profession. He was 11 years with Messrs Muir and Moodie, photographers, Dunedin, and latterly with Mr C. Armstrong, of George street. He left, with the Fourth Reinforcements.

Otago Witness, Issue 3208, 8 September 1915

George McGonigal - Auckland War Memorial Museum, Online Cenotaph.

WILSON, James

James Wilson

  adjoining the Odd Fellows' Hall

Princes Street, Dunedin

about August 1857 to March 1860, 

succeeded by William Meluish

born circa 1835 - died 19 March 1915 St Clair, Dunedin

Otago Witness, Issue 300, 29 August 1857

Otago Witness, Issue 302, 12 September 1857

 Otago Witness, Issue 309, 31 October 1857

Otago Witness, Issue 347, 24 July 1858

Otago Witness, Issue 458, 8 September 1860

Mr James Wilson, who died at St Clair, Dunedin, on Saturday, aged 80 years, is said to have been the first man to open a photographer’s shop in Dunedin, also the first to run a cab service there. He was best known in both islands as a brewer. He managed the Well Park brewery at the Water of Leith in the early Otago days, and in recent years he was the brewer at the Egmont brewery.

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9001, 25 March 1915

Mr James Wilson

The death of Mr James Wilson, at St. Clair, recalls events of early Dunedin. There is a common belief that he built Wellpark Brewery, on the Water of Leith. That is not the ease. The brewery was erected by his brother-in-law, George Duncan and when Mr Duncan left for a trip to England he let it to James Wilson on a partnership arrangement. Mr Wilson was not a brewer by training. It is understood that before he came out from Aberdeen he was employed as a schoolmaster.

In Dunedin he became first known as a photographer, having a business of his own in Princes street. Mr Geo. Duncan at that time owned a livery stable that ran through from High street to Rattray street, on the site now occupied by Butterworth Brothers, and Mr Wilson employed part of his leisure in keeping the books of the stable business for his brother-in-law.

One day Mr Duncan, who had many irons in the fire, suddenly made up his mind to give up the stable, and he transferred it for a nominal consideration to Mr Job Wain and Mr Wilson as partners. As there was money to be made in this concern, Mr Wilson sold his photograph business to Mr E. Melhuish, so as to be able to put in his whole time at the stable.

The partnership ran a profitable course for four years, and, if we are informed aright, it was during that term that Mr Wilson started the regular cab business in this City. Mr Wilson was of an enterprising nature, and after a while he put money into starting a nightsoil depot on the road towards Anderson Bay.

But it is as a brewer that he is chiefly remembered. As above mentioned, he managed the Wellpark Brewery during Mr Duncan's absence. Sam Ledgerwood was in actual charge as the skilled man. When Mr Duncan returned to New Zealand he sold out his interest to Thomas Birch. The firm of Wilson and Birch subsequently underwent another readjustment, Mr Birch dropping out in favor of Mr Maddox, a young man from Home, who after a while sold his partnership and went to Australia, leaving Mr Wilson the sole owner. As their business grew the premises became too small, and the owners closed their malt house at Wellpark, arranging to do their malting in a free store in Rattray street that had been used for the storing of Californian flour and other goods.

That was the beginning of the beginning of the establishment now famous throughout Australasia as Speight's brewery. There is another and a personal connection between the old malthouse and the present brewery for Mr James Speight and Mr C. F. Greenslade started the foundation of their fortunes when they became associated with Duncan and Wilson. That was in 1865 or 1866. In 1870 he was elected to the City Council as a member for Leith Ward, but resigned in August of the same year. After the lapse of years Mr Wilson dropped Wellpark and was for a few months in the employ of Speight and Co. Things had changed and reversed positions. Later on Mr Wilson started a brewery in Invercargill.

After that he settled in New Plymouth as brewer at the Egmont Company's brewery. In course of time he revisited Dunedin to see his relations and search for a recovery of his health, but the illness that had troubled him took a serious turn, and he was not able to set back to the North. For the last 18 months he had to keep to his room, physically helpless for most of the time, but mentally quite bright. He passed away peacefully between 4 and 5 o'clock on Saturday. Mrs Wilson survives her husband, and there are four sons and two daughters living, one of the sons being a doctor, and another (Charles) now making malt in the establishment where his father began as a brewer.

Evening Star, Issue 15757, 22 March 1915

Photographers at Trentham Military Camp

Photographers at Trentham Military Camp

Trentham Camp

There is a constructed street in the camp, and within a short space of time buildings will face it to its full length on both sides. It is called MacChrystall’s parade, after the genial captain of that name. During the previous camps photographers were allowed to do business with the men, and in many instances the visitors, after receiving deposits for photographs, never put m an appearance again. In order to prevent the men being swindled in future. Colonel Potter has provided buildings for two recognised photographers, and a proportion of the rent received for the use of the premises is being added to a fund, to provide the men with, dainties when at sea.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8930, 1 January 1915


Panorama, Trentham Military Camp
by Tanner Bros. Ltd 

Military Items

Camp at Trenham and Elsewhere.

The military authorities, in case any misunderstanding exists, state that in order to guard against the troops in camp at Trentham being exploited by photographers of no stated business address, as was the case when the second reinforcements were in camp, they gave permission for photo studios to be erected on the reserve so that the commandant of the camp could have some jurisdiction over the business. There are other photographers who have also been given permission to ply their calling among the men in camp, and as these are known to be business men of standing in the community, it is not to be inferred that only those who have studios within the camp are of good repute.

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 8942, 15 January 1915

Owing to misunderstandings which arise between photographers and their clients at some military camps, the authorities in control of the camp at Trentham are taking the precaution of appointing (by tender) an official photographer. By thus selling the rights, a distinct advantage is given to the successful tenderers, while it also protects the men. On previous occasions peripatetic, photographers whom no one knew would snap a group of the men and then collect deposits on the photographs which were to be sent, but which too often "miscarried" in the post! With a photographer of repute, this is not likely to happen.

North Otago Times, Volume C, Issue 13198, 21 January 1915

... The business portion of the camp is still expanding, and among the latest shingles to be hung out are those of a couple of photographers and a lawyer...

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2411, 17 March 1915

Three photographers have pitched camp in this new Eldorado, and one can "snapped" in careless camp attitude, or photographed in full war paint, as he desires.

Timaru Herald, Volume CII, Issue 15695, 1 July 1915

Another task accomplished is the erection of the long row of shops, under one continuous roof, on the northern side of the residential area. In this numerous businesses have been established, including three jewellers' shops, three photographers', and two barbers' shops with eight chairs each.

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 48, 25 August 1915

The Voice of Trade.

It is 8 p.m. and a photographer, sitting among miscellaneous pictures of military health and handsomeness, is weary of his loneliness. Merry music from a hall across the roadway does not stir him from his melancholy reverie. Somehow the world is awry with him this night. Be has a grievance, half humorously, that men are allowed some days' leave to go home before they march to the transports. While away they may be photographed by outsiders, also certain crafty artists in the city offer lures of a free photograph. Further, when recruits come to camp they may not receive uniforms for a fortnight. Later on they may be everlastingly in denims— raiment— as soon as they jump into uniforms they fly off to town. The great problem of the photographer is to catch his bird in uniform, but he mentions sadly that the hours are a hindrance. From reveille till 8.30 a.m. he may open his doors, but who wants to be taken at-that time? During parade hours no business is permissible. During the two or three weeks preceding the departure of transports the little studio is a lively place as the proprietor admits, and one suspects that the profits at other times are good enough.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16068, 6 November 1915

 Trentham 1916
by an unknown photographer



Other Military Photographs

Oatlands Park Hospital, Walton on Thames

8 May 1918

 

Miller (S. S. Millar?)

J (?). W. Miller

Alexander John Russell born 27 June 1896 Greymouth, no. 19050 H Company, 6th Reinforcements to 4th Battalion

 15th Infantry, wounded in action 30 March 1918, died 14 October 1972 Hokitika

 

Harry Lionel Kidson no. 40221 farmer, H Company, 22nd Reinforcements, NZ Rifle Brigade  

Sergeant Marshall Richard Marsden

born 6 February 1893 Ashburton, New Zealand

died about Oct-Nov 1973 England

reg. Dec 1969 Thanet  vol. 5f page 1810

 This soldier wears the collar badges of the 1st Canterbury Regiment

This un-named soldier photographed in Petone wears the hat and collar badges of the 3rd Auckland Regiment (Countess of Ranfurly's Own) and also a New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association lapel badge.

 An Army Band marches pass the furniture factory of James J. Marlow