In this part:
Verna White
Eventually, both my mother and I had a deep spiritual feeling to know more of God in our lives. So we left the Anglican Church in search of a deeper experience with the Lord. We tried the main-line churches, but it was not until I was working in the Rotorua Railway Office and I had the opportunity to travel on greatly reduced fares which I took advantage of at weekends. I would travel on the 4.30 p.m. train which arrived in Auckland at 10.30 p.m. Then I would go to ‘The People’s Palace’ at the top of Queen Street. Then on Sundays I visited the various Pentecostal churches.
On this particular Sunday I went to the Auckland Apostolic Church meeting held in ‘Zion’ Temple, in St. Benedict’s Street, Newton. The meeting was just what I had been looking for. The pastor enquired as to where I was from seeing that I was a visitor. And I replied saying ‘I wish we could have a meeting like this in Rotorua.’ He said if I got my friends together in my sitting room, that he would come down and conduct the first Apostolic meeting in Rotorua. He also said that he had a ‘country member’ down here living in a small bush settlement in the ‘Green Lake area’ beyond the Waipa State Mill and would like to invite her also. I, of course, said ‘yes, and any others she would like to bring in.’ This was the very first time I had ever heard of Mrs. Belworthy Senior. There were sixteen present although Mr. Belworthy Senior had taken Roger to the pictures and came back for supper.
Mrs. Belworthy Senior told me later that she had been visiting or holidaying with either friends or relations outside of Auckland, when she was invited to attend a church meeting. As a result, she came in contact with Pastor Cecil C. Scadden of Auckland, and accepted the Apostolic vision, and became a ‘country member’. This happened about 18 months to 2 years before the church was actually set in order and began. She was interested in a religious sect but the Apostolic vision appealed to her.
Mrs. Belworthy brought in two neighbours. Elder Lewis Derry who married Rachel Blampied were on their honeymoon and were also present. Later he was ordained pastor.
One of the daughters of Pastor Cecil C. Scadden has told me that her father used to do ‘a visiting circuit’ among country members in the King Country and the Green Lake area. There was a private road to this small bush settlement. After our formal meeting, it was then decided to continue with regular meetings, and so arrangements were made to rent the ‘Women’s Club’ rooms who had a nicely furnished home lounge in town. The very first Apostolic Church meeting to be held in Rotorua was held in the home of Mr. and Mrs. A.L. White and their daughter Verna, at No. 4 Peace Street, Rotorua, on Wednesday 13th day of February 1946.
Peace St. early settlers. Information — Verna White.
No. 4. The White family.
No. 6. The Eric Sextons, later, Stafford Bernhans.
No. 8. The Atkinson family. Later Mrs. Woldike, florist.
No. 10. The Francis family. Later Elmslie the builder.
No. 12. Guide Mirium Potaka. Later bought by Judge G. Scott who built a 2 storey tudor style house.
No. 14. The Wheeler family. — town business.
No. 16. Miss Leek lived alone. New flats now there.
No. 18. The Shepherd family, later daughter Pat Burgess built a 2 storey house on ½ section.
No. 20. Cyril Bates family. Later Mrs. Jensen.
No. 1. Mrs. Peace and her sister Ms. Robinson.
No. 3a. Mrs. Peace owned the adjoining section also.
No. 3. Mr. and Mrs. Hemena.
No. 5. W. Bulcraig family. Son Roy also plumber.
No. 7. Williams family. Elaine m. W. Bulcraig.
No. 9. Mr. and Mrs. Hogg, later, the Bulcraigs.
No. 11. Miss Bulstrodes and Miss Shoad. (laundry.)
No. 13. The Biddle family — started first public (transport).
No. 15. Allen’s nursery which took up 3 sections in Peace St. and extended to Maida Vale Street. Also, Mr. Alec Williams was the first to start a Horticulture Nursery, at No. 15 Peace St.
Marguerita St. early settlers — from Verna White.
No. 1. Mr. and Mrs. Tom Parata.
No. 3. Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Buddle and family, Accountants.
No. 5. The E. Fowkes family, Tobacconist.
No. 7. Mr. Mallow and daughter May. Carpenter.
No. 9. The King family.
No. 11, a new house. No. 13, a small house. No. 15, wooden.
No. 17. Mrs. Beetham — artist, and daughter Miss Mathias.
No. 19. Vacant a long time. Now has 2 modern flats.
Now the North side of Marguerita St.: —
No. 2. Roger Kusabs, later sold. Now Cedar Lodge Motel.
No. 4. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson and daughter, Miss Robinson who was a lady dentist in town. The house is now converted into licensed restaurant, ‘Poppy’s’.
No. 6. ? A brick house.
No. 8. Mr. Murray, in 2 storey house.
No. 10. Mr. Jock McGuffog — Gardener, Govt. Gardens.
Nos. … Unfamiliar with this, back-of-race course.
At the end of the street were the big foul-smelling boiling mud pools nick-named Sodom and Gomorrah, now ‘Leisure World’ fenced play area.
Maida Vale St. Verna White recalls a few: —
No. 2. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, Sancha, Bunty, Selwyn and Josie.
No. 4. Cochranes, then Quinlans, Morgans, now Craig.
No. 8. Roy and Valerie Bulcraig.
No. 10. Mr. and Mrs. Gibbons, now new flats.
No. 12. Mr. and Mrs. Postlewaight and family. Nursery.
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Ward Avenue. From the corner of Ward Avenue to Sala Street, is now occupied by ‘Sheraton Rotorua Hotel’. ‘These on Fenton St. only’ — a clarifying note indicating the following street-frontage entries (Sala Street, Meade Street, Froude Street) are addresses fronting Fenton Street. Sala Street. On the corner of Sala and Fenton Sts. ‘The Stateway’ Hotel is situated. Next door — private residence. |
Froude Street. On the corner of Fenton and Froude Sts. is a motor garage and petrol station. Meade Street. On the corner of Meade Street and Fenton Street is one of the oldest buildings in Rotorua. It was originally owned by Mr. C.E. Kusabs. Since it has changed ownership it has been refurbished and known as ‘The Landmark’. |
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The Round-About and Look Out One can get wonderful views of the geysers and thermal area from this vantage point. |
Whakarewarewa & Vicinity Information from V.M. White. The bridge to Whakarewarewa formerly known as the ‘Wahiao Bridge’ was opened in 1897, to replace the original (1885) foot-bridge. There were a few stores beyond the bridge towards the meeting house and the residents seemed unafraid to live among the thermal activity. The Model Pa and the Geyser Reserve were officially opened in 1910, although travellers had viewed the many geysers from the 1840s onward. I was very young when I went to the funeral of the late Chief Mita Taupopoki at Whaka. It was a terrifically hot summer day, and I fainted. I was standing near a water tap and someone offered me water. |
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Tryon Street This street leads to the bridge. There are numerous shops specialising in souvenirs for the tourists, and the Colonel’s Retreat Restaurant, plus other small businesses comprising the ‘Little Village’ and antiques etc. Gwendoline Street Information from V.M. White. The Smith family lived on the opposite side of the street bordering the Arikikapakapa Golf Course. Then came the golf course. Then the original Whakarewarewa School surrounded on three sides with the golf course. Mr. and Mrs. J. Banks were the joint teachers at the Whaka School. I remember we had a map of New Zealand done in concrete in the grounds of the school. They were lovely teachers. We were not allowed to speak in another language at school as the children could give the answers away in Maori. It was a great pity. Further on was the golf house. |
Mr. Peat used to make beautiful kauri pendants with maiden hair fern that had to be 2 yrs. old, coral etc. set in gum. They were exquisite. He made one for the Queen Mother of England. Sophia Street On the corner of Sophia and Fenton Streets, Mr. and Mrs. G. Barker built a nice brick house. He died soon after. His widow — Mrs. Olive Barker later sold the property to Mr. Louis Baronyak, who had fled the Hungarian Uprising in 1956. He swam a river with a mate ‘under fire’ but he managed to arrive on the other side of the river safely and then he fled to England. His mate was not so lucky. Louis was a medical student, but circumstances changed his future, so he took a course in catering for ‘V.I.P’s’ and got his diplomas and was always in demand by leading hotels. He would never touch a drop of drink himself, but he just looked immaculately right in his position. Louis had two flats added after he bought the property from Mrs. Olive Barker. He and Mrs. Barker were like a mother and son and did everything together. It was a unique situation. Mr. and Mrs. Mansfield Senior lived next door. Then Mr. and Mrs. Lebeau and family. |
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Verna White’s information about residents along Fenton Street, not along side-roads.
1930s, this private home was built for 3 elderly sisters for mainly separate living with a huge lounge which was shared. Rotorua enjoyed such colourful characters seen in their car, wearing lovely big hats and pretty clothes. So much so, that they were referred to by 3 rhyming quaint names — but quietly!
Next, this became the Gentlemen’s Club. Now it is used as the Rotorua Club Corp. and rented out to such as ‘Golden Years’ activities.
There is a very short street leading into the Arawa Park Racecourse and there is only one two storey house in the street which was built for three maiden sisters who lived together. They were the Misses Fenwick. I was told that they had an interest in a business out in the South Island.
They owned a big high cream car.
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Robertson Street A vacant section for years. Now it has a De Vantier transportable home on site. Next door was a large house locally nick-named ‘Noah’s Ark’. The reason for its name could be that the building was isolated on a large area of swamp land from Robertson Street through to Sumner Street, known as the ‘R.M. Paddocks’. It was subject to flooding after heavy rains and I suppose that accounts for its name. Grey Street Mr. Mehta also owned a dairy and grocery store on the corner of Grey St. and Fenton Street. The very first owner of that store was Mr. Charlie Flower and his wife. They lived on the premises. The shop has changed hands many times. Next door was a stucco house. Next door a two storey house. |
Arawa Park Racecourse In the early years of Rotorua, this park was the only suitable place to hold public receptions to royalty and the like. It was also a racecourse. Speedway racing at Arawa Park began in the 1920s. It was considered a dangerous three-quarter mile course. The machines used were Douglases and Harley Davidsons. Larger grandstands and facilities now cater for the needs of the public. Carnot Street. There was an old private boarding house on the corner. A new motel stands on this site. Mr. and Mrs. MacCormack and family lived next door. Their daughter Millicent lives near here in Rotorua. She could fill you in with more information. It is now a motel. Next door was a white wooden house occupied by a Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd. I think he was a school teacher. The next occupants were a Mr. and Mrs. Bolt and family. Their son was air-captain Bolt who has made a name for himself in aviation. Then Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Kurney and family bought the property. He was the ‘N.Z. Herald’ agent in Rotorua for many years. His business premises were in Hinemoa Street. Then next door was the house on the corner of Grey St. and Fenton Street, occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Harris and family. Charlie Harris married Jessie Wallace who was organist of St. Luke’s Church for 50 years. She was also a teacher of pianoforte. Mrs. Jessie Harris now a widow lives at Flat 6/54 Pererika Street. |
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Eastern side of Fenton Street to Whakarewarewa. Reid Mills Ltd., garage was at the apex where Fenton Street and Te Ngae Roads met. Going towards Whaka there was a white rough cast house occupied by the Dawson family who were coal merchants and carriers. Then a large area was taken over by ‘Darkie’ Lloyd where he had a joinery factory etc. Next door was an old house occupied by the Foley family, later modernized for Andy Hardie’s household. A.D. Hardie was a carrier. Later Beamishs bought this property. Later they established a joinery business in Ti Street.
Ti Street
On the next corner of Ti Street and Fenton Street there was a large private boarding house known as ‘Bonchurch’.
Next door was a private residence occupied by ‘the Price household’.
Next door was a nice new house with the name ‘Nippon’ on the gate. This property was on the boundary of Arawa Park Racecourse. Later it was altered and converted into a motel.
1930s, Mr. Boyes made Rotorua the family home town. He had lived in the East, something to do with British Services, maybe Diplomatic Corps. He was quite a lot older than his delightful, charming Japanese wife who became widowed when her 3 sons were very small. She was the last in line of a high ranking Japanese family, also a qualified doctor so she had legal battles to get Japanese permission to leave Japan and marry. She loved N.Z., especially Rotorua and was very loyal to her adopted country. For a year or so either side of 1939 (WW2 broke out that Sept.) she confided to a few supportive friends, about her deep distress in being unable to avoid meetings of several days in Wellington with other Japanese, and made legal arrangements for the care of her 3 children should need arise. A brief notice announced her death from heart attack.
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Wylie Street On the next corner of Wylie and Fenton Streets, was a nice old house occupied by a Mr. and Mrs. Maud and daughter Mrs. Morice. He was the Singer Sewing Machine agent in Rotorua. Next door was owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Cooney and family. Daughter Muriel Cooney married Mr. Noel Chappell — journalist for the ‘N.Z. Herald’ in Auckland, and Noel went under the nom de plume of ‘Jonathon Spade’ in the gardening section . |
Holland Street There is only a footpath access to Holland Street from Fenton Street. On the next corner the property was occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Ted Atkinson. Ted married Betty Wood from Waimangu. The Seventh Day Adventists owned and built their new church on the corner of Tilsley Street and Fenton Street. Only a footpath access from Fenton Street. |
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Then next door lived a very old couple known as ‘Powells’. He had a horse and gig, and I can remember seeing them going along Whaka Road. Their son — Bert Powell was a milkman. Then Vincent Hughes who married Jessie Chirms. He was a garage mechanic and conducted his business from home. Then Mrs. O’Connor and family (later Mrs. Meades). Her daughter Daisy Bangs could fill in here Devon Street On the opposite corner of Devon St. and Fenton Street, the Devon Street Anglican Church was built in 1923. Next door Mr. and Mrs. Inskeep and family built a house on a high rise. A Mr. and Mrs. MacLeod had it for a while. Recently, they have removed the house and the hill to make way for another motel. Next door Mr. and Mrs. Gordon McDowell built a nice house. Changed ownership to Mr. and Mrs. Alwyn Maas. Recently it has been sold and removed to make way for yet another motel. Mr. McDowell was a solicitor. |
Tilsley Street On the next corner of Tilsley and Fenton Streets is a two storey dwelling. For many years it was occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Cruickshank. The house next door was also two storey because of the low lying land. Constable Richardson and his wife and family lived in it in the early days. Vacant section for many years, but now has a new motel. Sumner Street A number of very old houses between Sumner and Devon Sts., replaced now with modern beautiful motels. Mr. and Mrs. Bob Jones (formerly Barbara Sherriff) built a nice new brick house. Next door. Mrs. Briscoe ran a private boarding house and had a beautiful big orchard at the rear. Replaced with another motel. |
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Snippets from Victoria–Fenton St. cnr. where Ray Boord, Mayor, lived.
Information by Verna White. Introducing Raymond Boord, who later became Mayor of Rotorua. He was the official Labour candidate to contest the Bay of Plenty seat. Born in Rotorua, who was 3 years at the time, gained a junior national scholarship at the Rotorua Primary School in 1920, and a senior national scholarship at the Rotorua District High School two years later. In 1924 was Dux of the Feilding Agriculture High School, where he was in debating. He also represented the Feilding Agricultural High School in the first XI and first XV, and a representative cricket and rugby player for Rotorua from 1927–1930. Prior to the World War II, Mr. Raymond Boord was farming near Rotorua but sold his interest to enter the Army. Has had the distinction of leaving New Zealand ‘in the ranks’ with the 2nd N.Z.E.F., returned to New Zealand as a Lieutenant-Colonel.
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Victoria St. and along Fenton St. Sth Mr. Brothers was an amputee and used to sit at his front window engrossed in his hobby. Next to them a Mr. and Mrs. Wackrow lived. Later Limozins. Next door was Graeffs. He was a baker in town. Their daughter Elaine married a Mr. Brothers. The Graeffs later built ‘Santa Maria’ Te Ngae Road, and now it is a motel. Mr. F.W. Lee and his brother Mr. J.F. Lee married two sisters and they always lived near each other, and were in business together along with their two other brothers. Mr. J.F. Lee built a lovely home in Carnot which backed on to Mr. F.W. Lee’s property. Their business was known as Lee Bros Ltd., builders’ suppliers, and had interests further afield in Tutukau. Judge Holland who was Judge of the Native Land Court, lived opposite Mr. J.F. Lee. Judge Holland was a patient of my father who was a registered physiotherapist. Judge Holland and his wife took a keen interest in the affairs of the Devon Street Anglican Church. Next door was a butcher’s shop. Next door on the corner of Fenton St. and Malfroy Rd., was a grocery store known as ‘Montagues’. One of their sons married Grace Montgomery the well known teacher of dancing in Rotorua. |
Malfroy Road A small store on the corner starte d off as a butcher’s shop. A green stucco house next door. Now a new 3 storey hotel known as ‘Gateway Motel’ 263 Fenton Street, Rotorua. Mr. and Mrs. Jack and Eunice Bradshaw bought the next two properties and established the ‘Boulevard Motel’ which extends to the corner of Seddon Street. Their first purchase was the residence a Mrs. Davidson lived in. The premises were altered dramatically. Mr. and Mrs. Bradshaw Senior were the very first people to start the motel business in Rotorua approximately fifty years ago. On the next section a Mr. F.W. Lee had built a lovely home and later sold it to Mr. and Mrs. Howard Roach. Mr. Roach worked in the Native Land Court. Seddon Street Mr. and Mrs. Adolph lived on the corner with their family. They had a small building erected on the very corner of the property and carried on business as a ‘byke shop’. Later transferred to a larger place in town. |
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