. . . handbags, hosiery, handkerchiefs, gloves, haberdashery, needleworkers’ needs, stationery . . .

2 Comments »

Seven department stores feature in CARC’s new Atrium display “The heyday of Auckland’s department stores”.

Irish-born sisters Mary Jane and Charlotte Milne established the first of these stores in 1867, aiming to supply “the women of Auckland with High Class Millinery and Mantles”. When Charlotte married, her husband Henry Charles Choyce also became a partner and Milne & Choyce was born.

Court brothers George and Fred opened Karangahape Road drapery store The Beehive in 1886 after arriving from Birmingham. A third brother - John - soon joined them and Fred retired. After their sons entered the business in 1902, George and John established separate firms.

In 1924 George Court’s Big Store opened in K’Road boasting “electric lifts with inlaid wooden interiors and uniformed attendants delivering customers to each floor.” A 350-seat rooftop tearooms opened in 1934 - “a happy combination of restfulness and dignity but with an entire absence of pretentious ornament.”



Meanwhile, John Court Limited’s building on Queen Street quickly grew to eight storeys, dominating the skyline and becoming Auckland icon – the J.C.L. corner. It, too, had rooftop tearooms but male patrons were also offered an adjacent smoking lounge with furniture in “two shades of dark brown.”


John and Emily Rendell established their department store in 1882. Rendell’s stayed open until 11.00 p.m. on Saturday nights and all six of their daughters worked in the store. “On more than one occasion after 17 hours on the job, there would be a slim, childish figure draped over a sample box, with dozens of men’s stiff collars, ladies’ kid gloves and scarves of all shapes and sizes surrounding her.”

Australian John McKenzie opened his first fancy goods store in New Zealand in 1910. By the time McKenzie’s was sold 60 years later, the business had grown to include 70 stores and 1,800 staff.


Marianne Smith opened a small drapery shop in 1880, she was soon joined by her husband William and brother Andrew Caughey, and the shop became Smith & Caughey. The company still operates from its Art Deco Queen Street premises designed by architect Roy A. Lippincott and completed in 1929.

Farmers, established in 1909, features in the display with photographs of company mascot Hector the parrot (who died in 1971 aged 131 and was later stuffed and put on display); the children’s rooftop playground; the Santa parade; and the Farmers free bus service first offered to customers in 1922.
  
Leanne

References, and also for further information please see the following books at Central Auckland Research Centre:



An Auckland network by Angela Caughey






Family History Expo Christchurch, 13-14 October 2012

1 Comment »

Many of you may be unaware that this event was held recently in Christchurch as part of the rebuild Christchurch programme.  It was hosted by the Family History Society of New Zealand which is a group of about 100 members nationally, with it’s base in Christchurch.

What had started as a small group of libraries, archives and museums getting together to promote their sectors of the community quickly grew and by Saturday 13 October there were 53 exhibitors; including the New Zealand Society of Genealogists, Archives New Zealand, National Library, Find My Past, Ancestry.com and Auckland Libraries.  A string of talks were given by different people over the two days covering a variety of subjects from beginning family history to using websites.


Joanne Graves and I attended representing Auckland Libraries.  We really enjoyed ourselves; it was great to see such a range of community archives together in one place.  I was entranced by the young girl in Edwardian costume playing with the games of the period.  There was a group of exhibitors who wore Victorian/Edwardian costume all week-end and by the end on Sunday they were stifling – how did our ancestors cope?



While we were in Christchurch we were lucky enough to be shown around the new Library in Peterborough Street and Archives opposite.  These tours gave us an appreciation of the collections in both places which we were able to use when advising customers over the week-end and also how badly damaged some of the buildings are.  Many of those we spoke to at the Expo had not yet ventured into the new libraries (the main library is split over two sites, the second in Tuam Street) as the on-going shakes have really taken their toll.



Overall, I think that this was a wonderful event, with a great atmosphere - we were pleased to meet so many of you.  Joanne and I are pleased that we were able to attend to support Christchurch and this event.  You can see some more of the photos of the week-end on Auckland Research Centre’s Facebook page.







Bryant and May matchgirls' strike June/July 1888

No Comments »

Many of those who did history at secondary school in New Zealand in the 1970s will recall learning about the Bryant and May matchgirl strike and the part that Annie Besant played in this. 

Not only did those working in the factory strike but they were also supported by many of the outworkers who made the matchboxes and is recognised as the first strike by unorganised workers to gain national publicity and was a key to the founding of unions nationwide.

In late June / early July 1888, some 1400 workers from the Bryant and May match factory in the East End of London went on strike against their working conditions and unfair practices imposed on them by the management.  The strike lasted a little over two weeks but during that time the girls came to the notice of the national press and as a consequence some very public and powerful people.  Some supported the girls in their attempts while others were equally loud in their opposition.

Unfortunately, few records about those who participated in the strike survive.  However, a strike fund was set up to assist the strikers and a register kept recording payments to the women.  The details in this register form a database of 714 names and can be viewed on FindMyPast UK website (available free of charge in Auckland Libraries), in the database Matchworkers Strike, Bow, 1888. 

Details given on the database are:- name, address, occupation, wages, how much paid by the strike fund, marital status and who they lived with. 

The register represents only about 50% of those involved in the strike but what a find if one is an ancestor as these women have otherwise faded from history as individuals participating in a major event in British history.

If you want to know more about the strike, read:

Striking a light – the Bryant and May matchwomen and their place in history by Louise Raw (2011)

Articles were published in newspapers at the time and some can be viewed through the Digital Library on the libraries’ website – particularly the Times and Guardian and Observer.


Procession of matchworkers to Westminster July 1888
(held by TUC Library collections, London Metropolitan University)

Marie Hickey

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »